In this inspiring story, nine friends show how their bond is rooted in empathy, acceptance, integrity, and a deep understanding of one another.
When asked how their group of friends came together and what keeps their bonds strong, Lucille Dizon quips, “Shopping and budol.” Budol in this sense, is a Filipino internet lingo word that means persuading a friend to shop for things that he or she does not really need.
Bonded by the power of shopping, our latest installment of featured friends share a passion for fashion.
Through their love of retail therapy, they built lasting friendships that have supported them through the highs and lows of life.
For Lucille Dizon, Mitzi Pangilinan, Lala Gotao, Jeffrey Wong, Dennis Robles, Gretchen Choa, Windie Villarica, Walter McCaffrey, and Janina Dizon, the bond that unites them goes beyond a shared love for shopping. It’s a connection rooted in empathy, acceptance, integrity, and a deep understanding of one another.
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What Keeps Them Together
“A common friend brought us all together, and that’s Janina,” Lala said, and everyone agreed.
Regarding what keeps their friendship strong, Jeffrey, whom they call “Fifi,” said, “Laughter. Walang pikon” (No one’s oversensitive).
“It’s also our love for beautiful things,” Janina added. “And we are very supportive of one another.”
Windie said, “That’s very important. We’ve been through some really great things together and, at the same time, the lowest of lows and the highest of highs.”
A Friendship that Values All Seasons
Gretchen recalled a memorable moment of adventure together, noting, “There are so many to mention. It’s hard to coordinate everyone’s schedules because each of us has different endeavors. Despite our differences, we are similar in valuing honesty, humor, beauty, patience, and humility.”
She explained that focusing on just one adventure feels like a disservice to their friendship, as there are many happy memories, often involving travel and food. “These moments bring us all together,” she said.
Reflecting on difficult times, Gretchen added, “Although no one wants to look back on the low points, I would say those moments showed our commitment to each other. We showed up in full honesty and presence, being there for one another.”
The Beauty of Honest Support
Every group of friends has hobbies they love to do together. For this group, Dennis said, “Pickleball, but before that, we go to Janina’s for shopping.”
Lala added, “We also used to love doing karaoke pre-pandemic,” to which everyone agreed. The group mentioned that out of all of them, Dennis is the best singer.
Supporting each other is a huge part of this friendship. Janina explained that there are many ways to support the group. Mitzi is currently opening an African tour, and they all support her.
Gretch is starting a new venture, Lala has her business, Elev8 Fitness Studio, and Windie is their dermatologist. Dennis is their go-to for everything luxury, Walter is a new jewelry designer, and Lucille is also a designer.
When it comes to Fifi, Mitzi said, “Our house comedian,” and Janina agreed, making everyone laugh.
Fifi replied, “Honestly, I think it’s not really because of the businesses we’re in. We support each other by always telling the truth, even if it’s harsh. If we think someone will excel, we encourage them. If we don’t like something, we tell the truth.” Everyone nodded in agreement.
Everyone’s Unique Personalities
When asked who’s the friendliest, they all pointed to Lala and Mitzi. When asked who’s always late, they unanimously answered Windie. As for the most shopaholic, they couldn’t decide at first, but eventually agreed it was all of them.
After the laughter, Janina said, “I think we’re just all very honest with each other now. We tell it like it is, even if it’s the hardest thing to say. We have to tell each other because we love each other that much.”
The group agreed that they love Bohol. “Everything funny always happens there! That’s what we do, laugh,” Janina said.
Lala added, “But really, the common denominator is Janina. She really brings everyone together. She’s like the mom!” Everyone laughed and agreed.
Fifi then said, “Let me correct that, she’s like the principal,” to which Dennis replied, “Miss Minchin,” and everyone burst into laughter.
The Power of Openness
Gretchen said, “Earlier, we talked about honesty. We all come from different backgrounds and have our own perspectives. We bring these to the table with full vulnerability and honesty, expecting honest opinions. Personally, I’ve learned to be more open-minded because each person brings something unique. It’s a different experience and history.”
She continued, “I’ve become more exposed to different backgrounds and learned more. I’ve become more educated in the real world. They say when you travel, you learn more, but being in this group is like traveling because everyone brings their experiences to the group.”
Janina added, “If anyone was in trouble, everyone would just show up for that person. It’s a given that if something happens, we’ll all be there for each other. I’m sure there are many friendships like that, but I think this one is special because it has no boundaries.”
The Real Currency
For them, true wealth and luxury are found in time. Lala said, “It’s really hard with our busy schedules. You have to choose how you spend your time because it’s the one thing you cannot get back. I always believe that prioritizing certain friendships is crucial. It’s so hard to regain lost time, especially in this day and age, and after the pandemic, we’ve realized so many things. We really need time for each other, and that’s the definition of wealth for us.”
In a Sea of Pleats
Noticing they were all wearing Issey Miyake, we asked, “Why Issey Miyake?”
Janina explained, “Issey speaks to the creative in me. It can be worn and styled in many ways without sacrificing comfort. It can look elegant and edgy at the same time.”
Gretchen Choa added, “I find that Issey pieces are a wonderful combination of style and ease. They hold their unique form and can be easily integrated with basics or trendy pieces, depending on the occasion. My Issey pieces are as functional as they are fabulous.”
Windie agreed, saying, “It is very comfortable, convenient, and easy, especially when you travel a lot. It’s a perfect combination of function, practicality, and style.”
Walter noted, “Issey Miyake is stylish and practical for any occasion. It’s lightweight, flexible, wrinkle-resistant, breathable, and durable, offering easy maintenance and all-day comfort.”
Dennis summed it up succinctly, “Issey pleats equal instant chic.”
Lastly, Lala shared, “I love Issey Miyake because it has interesting shapes yet can still come off as classic and timeless. I love the craftsmanship and the way it defies trends!”
The Real Riches of Friendship
There are of course different types of friendships, but this one is built on truth, laughter, and most of all support–with a little bit (or not little) of shopping. These 9 friends–Lucille Dizon, Mitzi Pangilinan, Lala Gotao, Jeffrey Wong, Dennis Robles, Gretchen Choa, Windie Villarica, Walter Mc Caffrey, and Janina Dizon–showed us that with the right people, everything will be fun.
Their friendship, forged through shared experiences, honesty, laughter, and shopping, reminds us of the importance of nurturing our relationships and valuing the time we spend with those who make our lives richer and more fulfilling.
Photos by Kim Santos of KLIQ, Inc.
