What is happiness for you?

E veryone has a different idea of happiness. And these personal definitions are what makes life and the people who live it unique, interesting, and wonderfully colorful. We asked some of our favorite personalities what this word means to them, and we ended up with a tapestry of wisdom. Some may seem simple and mundane, while others feel literary and epic. (And then there’s Ramon Bautista.) But at the heart of every answer is something enlightening and, more importantly, genuine.

RICKY LEE, SCREENWRITER, JOURNALIST, NOVELIST, AND PLAYWRIGHT

"Ang happiness para sa akin ay 'yung makita ko na marami akong naisishare sa ibang tao."

JAMES DEAKIN, AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALIST

"Happiness for me is being content with what you have and not comparing yourself to others. It is about getting to know what it is in this world that you do better than anyone you know and then using that gift for a purpose higher than yourself. Because in the end, true happiness is being able to bring happiness to those who are struggling without it."

RAMON BAUTISTA, HOST

"Just like anger, sadness, and extra rice food coma, happiness is a fleeting moment of human emotion. Pag-exceed yung pagiging kontento mo, nagiging happy ka. Sandali lang siya kaya enjoyin mo na hanggang magsawa ka at gusto mo pa ng mas marami o kaya iba naman. Human tayo at yan ang katangian natin — yung gagawin ang lahat para makuha ang mga gusto natin kaya tayo nag-evolve na pinaka-mabangis na hayop sa balat ng lupa. Para sa akin yung happiness yung pagiging kontento sa mayroon ka at kabaliwan na lang yung maghangad pa ng iba. Tignan mo yung aso mo, masaya na nakatambay lang, makita ka, saka makipag-amuyan ng pwet sa ibang aso."

ANTON DEL ROSARIO, FOOTBALLER

"Happiness to me is the point when your real life feels like it could be Heaven. All that stems from happiness with family, work, and life in general."

ROVILSON FERNANDEZ, HOST

"I’m happy because I have put myself in a situation where I have options. The ability to confidently say ‘no’ makes me smile. I remember being broke and not having options. No human should endure that. The second thing that brings me utter joy is not being sick. Health is what it’s all about. Rest, recuperation, and de-stressing are vital to maintaining happiness. Oh, and occasionally, pizza. Pizza is rewarding. Keep it simple. "

GEORGE TAPAN, PHOTOGRAPHER

"Happiness for me is when I achieved na yung gusto ko with my career and my vision."