O Positive

Among the many pleasant surprises that my stay in Hong Kong has accorded me is the chance to catch up and reacquaint myself with one of my college friends - Ovvian. It's been more than a year since we ran into each other aboard the Star Ferry and since then, we've seen each other a couple of times - including that time when she won at the Wynn! (Woohoo!)

Last night, we got a chance to hang out at the Conrad Hotel lobby again over drinks and wonderful music provided by Verna and the Filipino band.

Ovvian is one of the most positive people I've met so far. Whenever we get together, whether it's over a good dinner at La Fourchette, a packed meal at the First Ferry (business class area, no less!), or drinks at the Conrad, there's always a lot of positive energy bouncing around between us. She's always very constructive in her approach towards issues and she always finds good in things.

One thing that Ovvian and I have in common is our positive feelings towards the country. It's so good to find someone who still believes in the Philippines and what it can accomplish. Whenever we begin to talk about the country, our energies automatically focus on what we can do to make it better, how we can look better in the eyes of the international community, and how we can harness the positive in people to make the country really work.

Since we both have a creative background, the suggestions we share are often unconventional and apolitical. We talk about simple things like creating shirts and slogans that would knock Filipinos out of their complacency and fatalist attitudes. We brainstorm about Philippine Airlines refurbishing its fleet and changing the cabin attendants' uniforms to make it at par with "first world and first class airlines." She's very passionate about making Filipinos feel accountable for the country since this is the only way to instill discipline in them.

After each talk with Ovvian, it's further reinforced in my mind that the Philippines has the chance to become great again. My faith in the country triples. And it's because there's someone like her who has so much positivity and faith in her.

Heck, if only she'll run for public office, i'll volunteer to become her campaign manager.

O Positive...

Sounds like a good campaign line.