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

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LADY CYCLISTS HIT THE ROADS AND SLOPES OF CEBU.

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.

Nora Sol, Beth Go, Frances Siao and Marylou Ong

Ina Ronquillo, Maryanne Aboitiz and Jackie Lotzof

Designers Jun Escario and Philip Rodriguez

Philip Rodriguez with NUSTAR Malls two power ladies: May Adolfo and Joanna Salazar

Lana Osmeña with Mariquita Yeung

PJ Castillo and Kaye Abad with Cary Santiago

Drew Sarmiento with LV Manager Adrian Decuigan

Cary Santiago with Eva Gullas

Manila socialites Julie Boschi and Ching Cruz with June Alegrado

It was a night of elegance, luxury, and unforgettable memories as ladies in long gowns and gentlemen in black ties danced the night away.

Events

Flying Tiger Copenhagen Lands in Cebu

By Joanna Cuenco

June 13 – Cebu City | Danish lifestyle brand Flying Tiger Copenhagen has landed in Cebu, opening its first branch in the Philippines outside Metro Manila at the upper ground floor of SM Seaside City.

Since its first store in Copenhagen in 1995, Flying Tiger has aimed to share products that not only look good, but make people feel good too. There’s something for everyone aged one to 100: toys, art materials, homeware, party supplies, workout gear, travel essentials, fashion accessories, and more. There will be fresh drops at the store every three to four weeks, so there’s always something exciting to look forward to and share with family and friends.

Product designs range from minimalist and “aesthetic” to cute and kitschy. Find lifestyle essentials like food storage and home organizers, tea towels and toothbrush holders, to some awesome things you didn’t know you needed, like a handheld sewing machine and a beach chair for your phone.

Even though the 200+ square meter space is fully stocked with hundreds of items, the store layout and neat display make it such a joy to look at all of the things and make the shopping experience easy and enjoyable. Flying Tiger believes a richer life does not cost a fortune, so items start at only P30, or even lower with some special promos.

The store opened with a traditional Danish cake-cutting ceremony with Jet Tan, Flying Tiger Copenhagen Store Operations Manager of APAC Region; Gladhys Rodriguez, Merchandising Manager of Flying Tiger Copenhagen Philippines; Billi Jin Esguerra-Perez, Marketing Manager of Flying Tiger Copenhagen Philippines; and JB Tan, Mall Manager of SM Seaside City Cebu.

Zandra Len Salvador and Drew Sarmiento

Sarree Pimentel with Lian

Rizanne Tiongko, Joanna Cuenco and Anya Morrissey

Jen and Jas Sarmiento, Rere Dakay, Kirby Yu with Kayden

Jaja Chiongbian Rama with Sebi and Georgiana

Eleni Paray, Hazel Tirol and Mitchelle Lua

Flying Tiger is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Stores Specialists, Inc., the country’s largest specialty retailer that handles a network of 593 stores and 94 brands, including some of the most recognized names in the world.

Facebook: @FlyingTigerCopenhagenPH

Instagram: @flyingtigerph

Events

BVLGARI in Cebu

May 10 – Cebu City | Step inside a world of opulence where gold shimmers and diamonds sparkle. BVLGARI, the renowned Italian luxury brand, is celebrated for its exquisite gemstone jewelry, thin watches, perfumes, and leather goods. With a legacy dating back to 1884, BVLGARI has become synonymous with elegance and craftsmanship. The newest BVLGARI boutique opened last week at the sparkling The Mall at Nustar Resort and Casino, fast becoming the shopping destination for discerning consumers.

Eva Gullas, Jeffrey Hang, Jaja Chiongbian-Rama and Butch Carungay

Jeffrey Hang, BVLGARI’s Regional Marketing Director for South East Asia, flew in from Singapore to welcome guests. “We are happy to unveil BVLGARI to the Cebu market. This is the company’s 140th year, and BVLGARI celebrates this landmark with the Aeterna High Jewelry Collection in Rome this coming May 20, attended by all our global ambassadors like Zendaya and Black Pink” Jeffrey shares with us. The collection will be available in SE Asia later in the year and in the Philippines at the end of the year.

Leading the ribbon cutting was Joseph Muñoz (commercial director of Bulgari Philippines, Jeffry Hang (regional marketing director of Bulgari South East Asian operations, Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey (Bulgari Ambasadress and Ms. Universe 2015), Allan Teo (chief operating officer of NUSTAR Resort and Casino and May Adolfo (mall director of NUSTAR Cebu).

Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey, BVLGARI’s local Ambasadress and Ms. Universe 2015

Sheila Osmeña-Go and Jaja Chiongbian-Rama

Spotted at the event was Joseph Muñoz, Commercial Director of Bulgari Philippines escorting Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey, BVLGARI’s local Ambasadress and Ms. Universe 2015, Allan Teo, Chief Operating Officer of NUSTAR Resort and Casino, Howard Go, Summit Media’s CEO and his wife, Cebuana Sheila Osmeña-Go as well as some of Cebu’s young fashionable set like Claudia Bezza Yeung, Marjay Ramirez, and Danessa Onglatco.