Lifestyle

How Self-Empowerment can Change the World

SELF EMPOWERMENT, TOWARDS GLOBAL HARMONY

By OJ Hofer

Why do Buddhists prostrate to the Buddha, read and chant sutras and listen to dharma talks? The obvious answer would be because we have taken refuge in the Triple Gem or that we are upholding the Five Precepts. However, I found a more subtle answer to this question through my volunteer work as costume consultant for Siddhartha, The Musical.

Curtain Call for one of the international shows

You see, I come from a colorful spiritual background, my mother is catholic, (I was educated in a Jesuit school) while father and paternal grandmother practiced Islam. In college, I chanced upon Buddhism through “The Art of Happiness,” a book by the Dalai Lama. However, It was only through the invitation of Venerable Youlin to be part of the Siddhartha creative team in 2013, that I experienced life-changing transformations and realizations. The practical life-lessons provided by Buddhist Teachings and Cultivation enriched me.

A pivotal point in my volunteer work, was when I heard Venerable Master Hsīng Yún talk, just before one of the performances at the Fo Guang Shan main temple in Kaoshioung, Taiwan. The gist of his short discourse was “Wherever you go, bring the Buddha with you.”

His words were quite simple; yet, everyone who carefully listened experienced spiritual invigoration. There was inspiring energy that awakened something intrinsic in our hearts and minds.

His words, compassion and loving-kindness empowered us, and although tired from doing the n’th number of shows, a few minutes with Venerable Master Hsīng Yún strengthened our faith and boosted our energy.

On that light, every Buddhist practice empowers us:

Paying homage to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas calms the body and mind, and alleviates our fears. Listening to the wise words of our masters and learned dharma brothers and sisters reassures and encourages us, develops our wisdom and enables us to resolve difficulties.

Venerable Master Hsīng Yún empowers his disciples and Buddhist devotees. Most importantly, he encourages us to transform empowerment bestowed upon us by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas into Self-reliance and Self-mastery. He points out that faith, loving-kindness, compassion, wisdom and cultivation are skillful ways of Self-empowerment. Furthermore, he instructs us that after listening to the teachings of the Buddha, we should Believe, Accept and Practice them in our daily lives.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan (Humanistic Buddhism Order), speaks to the performers and creative staff of Siddhartha The Musical prior to a show in Taiwan.

Our most recent Siddhartha performances at Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina in early 2020 (at the advent of the current pandemic) put into practice the lessons we learned from Hsing Yun Dàshī.

The shows were a resounding success; we created ripples of hope in South America. Despite fear and uncertainty, the audience was captivated and moved by the message of The Buddha.

Because of Venerable Master Hsīng Yún’s empowering words we relied on our talents and gave our best efforts to present the Buddha’s story of hope, love and peace to a mostly-catholic audience abroad.

Because of the Buddhist practice of Empowerment, Self -Reliance, and Sharing of the Dharma the Siddhartha Musical team took one optimistic step closer towards World Peace and Global Harmony.

The cast visited Corcovado, Copa Cabana and and Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janiero in between performances.

Related Topics:discipline empowerment harmony musical performance

Up Next

LADY CYCLISTS HIT THE ROADS AND SLOPES OF CEBU.

Lifestyle

Stephen Aznar’s Mactan Getaway–Modern Tropical Living with a Cool Moroccan Vibe

By Jing Ramos | Photography by Doro Barandino

When Stephen Aznar finally decided to build a house in Mactan he quipped “I craved for a living space that was not just expansive but also a luxurious one.” Stephen chose Mactan because it was the closest escapade away from the bustling urban life of Cebu City. It also offered the peace and tranquility he was searching for.He pursued this dream of moving to the island and build a house that would have the atmosphere of a riad in a medina in Marrakech, a de-luxe one with a lap pool and a jacuzzi bordered by pocket gardens.

Dramatic details as key points were purposely in place in designing this room to exude elements of luxury and sophistication.

Grande abat-jour and a bouquet of heliconias and lillies greet guests for a luncheon party

Jardin Majorelle was a huge inspiration for Stephen being a fan of Yves St Laurent and partner Pierre Berge’ who saved and restored the gardens in the middle of Marrakech that was originally created by Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle. Stephen admits that “At one point, I was seriously thinking of painting the house in a vivid Majorelle blue, alas my location wasn’t ideal being in a tropical zone with harsh sunlight, the blue would have been too garish in the Mactan light.”

Though embracing subdued palettes, this living room evokes a well-curated maximalist style that’s not only personal, but are both bold and beautiful.

The structure of the building became the biggest challenge because of the contractors Stephen hired and it took over 2 years to complete the building project.The main house sits on a 664 square meter lot and has a floor area of about 200 square meters.

Moroccan lamps and a dining set in teak wood comes in hand in setting the mood of this room, but it’s really the view that defines this dining sanctuary.

This master’s bedroom was intentionally framed with a high ceiling for added room space that allows sufficient airflow and adequate natural light to come play.

Once the construction plan was completed, the owner sighed with relief and felt a deep satisfaction in having countered the obstacles of a real estate development. More importantly Stephen was candid enough to admit that the quality of his life has vastly improved since because once that dream was realised he felt happier.He adds “I slept with a smile each night knowing that my dreams had come true.”

Design

Bulgari’s Serpenti Collection: A Timeless Homage to the Year of the Snake

By Emmanuel Hamoy

Bulgari’s iconic Serpenti Collection is a testament to the maison’s ability to weave cultural symbolism and fine craftsmanship into jewelry and timepieces. Since its debut in the 1940s, the collection has embodied the elegance, mystique, and power of the serpent—a motif deeply rooted in mythology, art, and culture. In 2025, Bulgari’s Serpenti designs found renewed significance as the Chinese zodiac ushered in the Year of the Snake.

In Chinese astrology, the snake is revered as a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and transformation. Those born under the Year of the Snake are believed to possess a refined, enigmatic aura and an innate ability to adapt to life’s challenges. Bulgari’s Serpenti collection perfectly mirrors these qualities, blending the serpent’s sensual curves with bold design elements. Each piece—from coiling bracelets to striking necklaces and watches—captures the serpent’s duality as a figure of grace and strength.

The synergy between Bulgari’s craftsmanship and the symbolism of the snake was celebrated in 2013 with special edition Serpenti pieces. The designs showcased the maison’s expertise in combining colorful gemstones, intricate scales, and coiling shapes, echoing the serpent’s fluid movement and timeless allure. These creations paid tribute not only to the Chinese zodiac but also to Bulgari’s Italian heritage, renowned for its bold use of color and innovative designs.

Today, the Serpenti Collection remains an enduring icon of luxury and transformation. Its connection to the Year of the Snake enhances its allure for those who resonate with the snake’s symbolism, making it a coveted collection for connoisseurs and collectors alike. Through the Serpenti, Bulgari continues to celebrate the universal power of the serpent—a creature that transcends time, culture, and borders.

Events

The First NUSTAR BALL

Janine Taylor, June Alegrado, Jackie Lotzof, Frances Siao, Ina Ronquillo and Christine Pelaez

The NUSTAR Ballroom, a magnificent venue at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, sets the stage for last night’s first-ever NUSTAR Ball.

Black was the color of night at the Zee table.

Glamorous guests from Manila and Cebu converged at the NUSTAR Ballroom, an exquisite venue within the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu. The evening unfolded with a seated 5-course dinner. The opulent feast started with Beetroot Salmon Gravlax, adorned with caper berries, caviar, set with delicate edible flowers; and a main course of Compressed Pork Belly with Crackling Skin and Baby Scallops. Another highlight was the auction of coveted items like Dior and YSL handbags, a limited-edition Bulgari watch, and an exclusive 2-night stay in Nustar’s opulent 3-bedroom villa—complete with a private pool and a dedicated butler. The charity evening benefited the Cameleon Association, an NGO based in Iloilo City created in 1997 that developed a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children.