First day.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Al S. Mendoza

AHA, we made it to 2005. Question: What do you usually do on this, the first day of the year?

From PBA Commissioner Noli Eala: "First, I attend Holy Mass to thank the Lord for all that I have received and ask for strength for the coming year. Second, I visit my parents to ask for their blessing and guidance. Lastly, I spend the rest of the day with my children."

Ed Picson, the PBA sportscaster nonpareil: "Give thanks for the New Year and spend the day with family and close friends."

Willy Marcial, the PBA public relations man: "Go to church. Then celebrate the day with the Barkada (gangmates). Inuman. That has become traditional with us in Batangas City."

Quinito Henson, the all-time best PBA analyst on TV: "On the first day of the year, our whole family goes to Mass to thank the Lord for the gift of life and pray for peace and understanding the world over. Personally I take sometime by myself to reflect on what I did in my life the past year and list my resolutions for the New Year. Our family also does something that's fun to do like eat in a place we've never been to or whatever we can do as a family. I'll also try to find time to exercise and sweat off the calories from all the eating during the holidays. In my daily rosary, I'll pray that the Lord continue to take care of my loved ones-my wife Menchu, daughter Cristina, mom Marina, my in-laws, my bosses and their families and friends and relatives. And of course, I'll write my column for The Star."