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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider People and Events devider Sunday is when we talk about saving the world

Sunday is when we talk about saving the world

If he could, starmaker Jojie Dingcong would like to invite Rumi, the archangel Uriel, Pope Francis, Donald Trump, and Hyun Bin to Sunday brunch

Published Dec 7, 2024 01:15 am

At A Glance

  • 'I'd  discuss with them the state of the world, then and now, and the possibility or impossibility of a utopia for mankind.'
SUPPORTING TALENT With Mr Vietnam World 2024 and Mr World first runnerup Tuan Ngoc Pham and Mr Philippines World 2024 Kirk Bondad.jpg
SUPPORTING TALENT With Mr Vietnam World 2024 and Mr World first runnerup Tuan Ngoc Pham and Mr Philippines World 2024 Kirk Bondad

 

Jojie Dingcong can spot diamonds in the roughest of the rough. Even at dinner parties, he doesn’t hesitate to point out what deserves praise in the shyest of dinner guests. He knows how to bring it out, the gold we keep buried in our heart of hearts.

 

A starmaker, kingmaker, dream builder, that’s Jojie, who began his career on the set of legendary filmmaker Peque Gallaga’s obra maestra, and my favorite Filipino of all time, Oro, Plata, Mata, doing menial chores like taking out the trash to keep production going smoothly.

 

HOLIDAY MAKING At Palacio de Miramar in Malaga, Spain.jpg
HOLIDAY MAKING At Palacio de Miramar in Malaga, Spain

 

It was just a matter of time before Jojie, with his innate skill at spotting talent and bringing it out, was at the center of show business, catapulting the likes of Piolo Pascual and Derek Ramsay to all-time fame not only for their looks but also for their gifts and their personality.

 

But Jojie has evolved, now doing consultancy for anything that needs star power, including Bacolod’s well-loved Masskara Festival that, with Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez, he has made into a red-letter day on the calendar for Bacolodnons as well as everyone else in the Philippines, including the envoys of so many countries. It’s become such an event that some of our friends would have gowns custommade for the Masskara Ball.

 

TRAVEL FAVORITES With Scarlet Snow and Vicki Belo in Marbella on the Costa del Sol.jpg
TRAVEL FAVORITES With Scarlet Snow and Vicki Belo in Marbella on the Costa del Sol

 

I can’t wait for Jojie to catapult a Philippine festival to the league of the carnivals in Venice and Rio de Janeiro, not that our festivals are out of their league, they just need the push that someone like Jojie has mastered to a T. Meanwhile, since it’s Sunday, I’ll let Jojie put up his feet and take the Sunday break he so deserves.

 

What is your idea of a perfect Sunday?
I love early Sunday mornings! My favorite day of the week really. I love the quiet, the silence, and the calmness it brings to me. Super. It is the best time to reflect on last week’s events, to say grace, and to  pray for the week ahead. It’s really a wonderful time to sit still and let your heart do the talking. “From our hearts to the Heavens.”

 

SAY A PRAYER Inside Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.jpg
SAY A PRAYER Inside Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

 

Best word to describe Sunday
“Me” time

 

Book you recommend as a Sunday read
My go-to- book is 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. I bring this book with me always, even when I travel. It's my “comfort book.” With every re-read, I glean from it fresh wisdom and learnings.

 

SUNDAY CHILL At the house of Mikee and Sheila Romero.jpg
SUNDAY CHILL At the house of Mikee and Sheila Romero

 

Best Sunday companion
Just me, and the quietness of peace and calmness. I love it. It’s my oasis from the busy work life I pursue. But then again, I look also for happy distractions, a book or a movie, and some close friends. If I could, I would love to spend a Sunday or two or more with my K-Pop hero Hyun Bin, just sitting around with him, along with ancient poet philosopher Rumi and a biblical icon for wisdom, Archangel Uriel, angel of wisdom, truth, and light. I’d discuss with them the state of the world, then and now, and the possibility or impossibility of utopia for mankind. Is there such a thing? What can we possibly do as individuals to better our world?

 

PLAYTIME With his favorite K-drama star Hyun Bin.jpg
PLAYTIME With his favorite K-drama star Hyun Bin

 

What is the most extravagant thing you could think of having or doing on a Sunday?
If obliged, going shopping really, literally. That’s my Waterloo though—impulse buying. Or I guess, what I really, really want is to get eight to 10 hours of sleep. This is so precious to me. Priceless.

 

What would be the perfect topic for Sunday brunch conversation?
Health and beauty tips on what’s organic but most efficient. Or any topic, as long as fun and easy, nothing heavy. Taling about K-Pop heroes and lifestyle, it would be fun. I adore Hyun Bin and I am fascinated with Felix, the lead singer of Stray Kids.

 

MARIAN SISTERHOOD At Small Laude's house with Nicole Ortega, Melba Solidum, Alice Eduardo, Small, Pops Fernandez, and Nicole Ortega.jpg
MARIAN SISTERHOOD At Small Laude's house with Nicole Ortega, Melba Solidum, Alice Eduardo, Small, Pops Fernandez, and Nicole Ortega

 

Best movie or series that once made your Sunday
On a recent Sunday, I watched Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini, in the theater. It left me speechless. The messaging is on point.

 

A quotable quote about Sunday that's made for you
Life is beautiful ... for truly “God knows best!”

 

VIVA BACOLOD Giving back to his birth city with Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez (fourth from left) and some of the players of the PBA All-Star Summer Games in Bacolod in 2023, which Jojie organized as chairman.jpg
VIVA BACOLOD Giving back to his birth city with Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez (fifth from left) and some of the players of the PBA All-Star Summer Games in Bacolod in 2023, which Jojie organized as chairman

 

 

What does “wear your Sunday Best” mean to you?
Sunday is best spent in comfy pyjama boxers and loose, old, worn-out T-shirts, of course, when the best thing is to stay horizontal in bed.

 

If you were to write a book about the Sundays of your life, what would be the title?
Guilty Pleasures

 

PROUD PINOY In Ho Chi Minh with Miguel Pastor, Ben Chan, Millet Mananquil, Tina Cuevas, and Agnes Huibonhoa to root for Kirk Bondad at Mr. World 2024 finals.jpg
PROUD PINOY In Ho Chi Minh with Miguel Pastor, Ben Chan, Millet Mananquil, Tina Cuevas, and Agnes Huibonhoa to root for Kirk Bondad at Mr. World 2024 finals

 

Best Sunday ever in your life
The best Sunday ever was two years ago, 2022, Easter Sunday, when I attended the morning high mass in Rome with Pope Francis celebrating. The feeling of joy and awe was incomparable, so impactful! This is forever etched in my heart’s memory. It was real grace. But every Sunday is the best for moi, including one Sunday when I discovered on Netflix the series Crash Landing on You, my very first Korea-novela. Sunday is my big “cheat” day too, so hello kare kare, binagoongan, or adobong baboy! I so love my rice and my pork every Sunday! OMG, my heart is dancing!

 

Worst Sunday in your life
No such thing for me. Things happen for a reason. I wake up alive every day. I’m always grateful for that.

 

If Sunday were a flavor, what would this flavor be?
Lechon in all forms, complete with crispy crunchy skin!

 

Where in the world would you like to be next Sunday, if you can just go there by magic?
I’ll have lunch with Donald Trump. I just want to know really—Why?

 

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