Celebs’ virtual 2014 life manual: ‘Roar!’

BRILLANTE Ma. Mendoza. INQUIRER PHOTO

Today marks the “official” end of the Pinoy Christmas season. As we stash away our holiday décor, let us find room in our hearts for the lessons that 2013 left us with.

As we welcome 2014, I asked some celebs about the most important thing they learned last year, which would be part of their virtual 2014 instruction manual.

Armed with lessons of the past year, let us all hope that 2014 will be a kinder teacher. Let’s try never to be “absent,” never to fail to seize the day.

JESSICA SOHO

I think Katy Perry says it best in her hit song, “Roar.” To paraphrase—“Don’t let people put you down. Stand up. Roar.”

BRILLANTE MA. MENDOZA

[I will] be more vigilant about social issues and continue making films for ordinary people in extraordinary situations.

OGIE ALCASID

Each day is a discovery of just how much God really loves us. No matter how many trials we face and how difficult they may seem, he will always redeem us. This 2014, and the many years thereafter, I will remain thankful, grateful and joyful.

MARTIN NIEVERA

After seeing what our brothers and sisters down south went through and are still going through, I have learned to never complain about anything, ever again.

DENNIS TRILLO

DENNIS Trillo. INQUIRER photo

[I resolve] to step out of my comfort zone, to take big risks for bigger rewards.

VINA MORALES

[I learned] to just be always thankful for everything, to never complain and just appreciate the things I have, and love the people in my life. Being thankful is one of the keys to happiness.

JIM PAREDES

I realized that global warming is upon us and we cannot continue living the way we have been doing. We must become more aware of our environment, live simpler and preserve and enhance what we have left. This used to be just an intellectual understanding. Now I know this with all my being. And I will act accordingly and [impart] this lesson to everyone, every opportunity I get.

COCO MARTIN

I should give importance to my health. It must be prioritized and everything else will fall into place.

World record

Dubai set a new world record for the largest pyrotechnic display on New Year’s Eve with a dazzling show involving more than half a million fireworks exploding from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

The revelry continues for thousands of Pinoys in “CameLandia” through the concert of “The Inspirational Diva,” Jamie Rivera, on Jan. 10, 8 p.m., at  the Al Nasr Leisureland Ice Rink. Jeffrey Hidalgo is special guest. (For tickets, call 04-3914304.)

VINA Morales. INQUIRER PHOTO

It’s part of the Official Dubai Shopping Festival 2014 mounted by Striker Events.

I am looking forward to visiting Dubai again and mingling with our kababayan during the concert. Shukran to my good friend, Jonathan Gulmatico, for being my angel in the City of Gold. What better way to usher in the new year than by being in Dubai and imbibing  that “Guinness High?”

‘Tis the year to soar and roar!