dreaming reality together
“You should be leaving soon,” my inner Secretary tells me. Stickler that she is for time and commitments, she inserts herself between the revelations my mind was beginning to unfold during this after-dinner get together. I mentally agreed, I should be leaving soon, but like Ne-yo’s song, “I just can’t pull myself away.” I was held captive by the rare energy that permeated each molecule inside Dezato Café that night.
Some early birds finding their flock
It began with a simple cryptic text at 7:30 in the morning. In those 160 characters the promise of newfound friends and adventure were offered. Despite my hesitations of seating myself in a table full of strangers, something deeper urged me to go. “This is an adventure,” the air intimated, but in response my innards roiled.
I came into the café thinking I was an early bird. Without any other recourse, I browsed the magazines in front of the counter and settled myself in a little nook. Then, someone poked my little bubble. “Are you here for Surreality?” A slender Caucasian woman with strange, kind eyes asks, pointing to the blackboard above the cashier proudly saying “Surreality Soiree: 7:30 to 10 p.m.” Oh, my mind clicked, I guess I am-here for a little surreality, I mean.
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Named after Carissa Villacorta’s award-winning book published by UST publishing, Surreality is the workshop centered on the mantra "Believe, Begin, Become," midwived into the world by three amazing women-Carissa Villacorta, named 1 of the 100 most influential Filipinas in the United States; Niña Terol, Political Communications Head for the Office of Senator Francis Pangilinan slash Inspiration Extraordinaire; and JV Wong, Managing Director of People Ignite and cancer survivor.
Together, these three women make up a powerhouse of a triumvirate-able to believe in the power of their dreams, but most importantly determined to see it become reality. It is no wonder that my sleepy little corner of Dezato soon disappeared as previous Surreality participants trickled into the room.
A din rivaling that of Chinese restaurants began and I stood aside, amazed. Veritable strangers only weeks before addressed each other with the camaraderie of brothers in arms-even though there were only four men in a room dominated by women. As each of them stood up to share their stories after the workshop, I heard whispers of dreams that are finding their wings. Through serendipitous chances or conscious effort, they each began their own personal journey.
The Surreality workshop helps people find their own personal brand of happiness, says JV, and I believe her. More often than not, we fall into the trap set by others as we move through life-defining achievements based on someone else’s parameters. Perhaps the biggest lesson learned is not simply to follow a dream, but to follow your dream. Through newly opened eyes, Surreality attendees conquered the world and finally opened doors for themselves, ceasing to look for others to do it for them.
Finally, what I found most refreshing in those precious hours was not the heady taste of personal victories, but the simple generosity of spirit. Among these Surreality comrades, help was offered, blessings were shared, and impossibilities became inevitabilities. In a country rack with crab mentality, this little room reminded me that we are all not just dreamers, but enablers of other people’s dreams, as well. And so, a little before midnight and well after my Secretary has fallen asleep, I open the doors to my home and bask a little bit longer, dreaming of the day when surreality simply becomes reality.
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Here are two of the great discoveries I’d like to pass along to those reading this. I know these leads have a home and I hope someone will follow them.
Dezato Café (http://dezato.multiply.com/)
Tucked along the road going to Woodside Homes on Doña Hemady Street, Dezato Café continues to be the neighborhood secret. Its large glass windows offer a generous glimpse of the few tables, cushy couches, and a range of delectable goodies-the star of which are her mochis. Owner Maria Gorre confesses running this establishment is her dream come true, and her mochis taste like it.
The Jeepeney (http://www.thejeepney.com/magazine.html)
Slim and soft-spoken, Deborah Shaw’s Caucasian looks stand out in a sea of Filipinos. A recent empty-nester, Debbie and husband Bill relocated from their home in North Michigan to make a dent in the lives of Filipinos on the street. Their brainchild is The Jeepney, the Philippines’ first ever street magazine.
Typically earning only a pittance each day, street vendors are offered the possibility of gaining better profits by selling The Jeepney. Out of the P100 selling price, P50 goes to the vendor. Lend them a hand by: (1) Buying the Jeepney (2) Writing/Photographing/Designing for the Jeepney (3) Placing a vendor or (4) Donating to the Jeepeney. For those who look out their car windows, wondering how they can help, perhaps this is an answer.