A Radiant Force

Ginggay Joven-dela Merced pens a heartwarming tribute to her mother, the celebrated PR icon, Susan Peña Joven

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When she entered a room, it was impossible not to be taken by her quirky charm. With her signature chopped 'do, trendy colouredrimmed glasses, chunky earrings, flamboyant ensemble and hip kaleidoscopic sneakers, my mother and mentor, Susan Peña Joven, was an unmistakable picture of fun, vibrance and playful energy.

Watching her work a crowd was a captivating sight. She was masterful with people. She possessed that uncanny ability to endear and disarm, yet did so with complete sincerity and attentiveness. She made people feel at ease, seen and heard. She made them feel they belonged, supported and protected. She made them laugh and infected them with her intoxicating love of life. This magic she had with people...this was her rare gift.

With this as a foundation, she built a glorious, over 50-year career in public relations, the likes of which the Philippines would probably never see again: an intact and unblemished reputation in an unforgiving, megalomaniac industry. In her cutthroat universe, she wasn't just respected, she was loved. That's a feat almost impossible to achieve.