October marks the celebration of World Smile Day — a lighthearted holiday that commemorates the invention of the ubiquitous, friendly, yellow smiley face invented by artist Harvey Ball in 1963. It’s been celebrated around the world since 1999 with the whole day dedicated to “good cheer and good works” paired with a simple reminder: do an act of kindness, help one person smile.
PeopleAsia shares this gallery of smiles behind stories and moments of happiness, and hopes to share the day’s positivity with you!
The People’s Champ
Manny and PeopleAsia publisher Babe Romuladez share a candid moment in one of the People’s Champ’s parties in Manila.
Matteo Guidicelli
Showbiz is abuzz about his relationship with actress-singer Sarah Geronimo. “My dream is to be able to go to a store and just buy something with her. I also want to be able to sit somewhere quiet where we can just look at the stars.â€Everything seems to be coming up roses for him, but he politely disagrees. “I wish it were,†he laughs. “Everyone seems to see the roses and the tulips, but there are always challenges,†he admits.
(Photography by DAN YUSAY HARVEY)
King Rodrigo & Boots Anson-Roa
“Boots, I’m going to propose pero hindi na ako luluhod kasi baka hindi na ako makatayo (but I won’t kneel down because I may not be able to stand up again),” once joked King. He describes the first attempt of their siblings and relatives (he calls them “the incurable matchmakersâ€) to bring him and Boots Anson-Roa together, on the 96th birthday of his mother a few years ago. Apparently, both were clueless about the “conspiracy†to get them together.
(Photography by MAU AGUASIN)
The Papal audience waiting patiently at Luneta
Pilgrims with their Santo Niños are all smiles while waiting for Pope Francis at the Luneta. The event coincided with the Feast of the Sto. Niño, which also happens on Jan. 18
(Photo by WALTER BOLLOZOS)
PhenomALDUB
Sociologists and communication experts have involved themselves in explaining this phenomenon. It’s the Cinderella story, it’s the young love-sweet love tale. The experts will always have an explanation for the sudden popularity of the AlDub love team but for Maine, she will always be stupefied by the admiration given her and Alden.
(Photography by RAYMUND ISAAC)
Pope Francis’ historic visit to the Philippines
The Pope who is known for his desire to be as close as possible to his audience rides around Manila in his jeep-type popemobile in his historic visit to the Philippines.
(Photo by PAUL QUIAMBAO)
Albert del Rosario
Having only been introduced to the diplomatic corps at his wedding reception in 1962, this gentleman never thought he would become one of the country’s top diplomats. When speaking about the topic of achieving more as a public servant, this pillar of peacekeeping shares “we endeavor to manage by setting clear and achievable objectives, and as much as possible to lead my example.â€
(Photo by RAMON JOSEPH J. RUIZ)
Markki StroemÂ
There are no missed chances for Markki, only recreated opportunities that prove how in life, the best things are saved for last. “I like to diversify, I don’t like doing just one thing. But I will almost go back to music,” shares this multi-talented personality.
(Photography by DAN YUSAY HARVEY)
Team Kramer
“It really is easy for couples to make their relationship work, as long as they choose to respect their partner, to lower their pride and to love and be affectionate of each other,” shares Cheska, wife to Doug and mother to Claire Kendra, Scarlett Louvelle and Gavin Phoenix.
(Photography by MAU MARICIO)
Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr.
History is marked by milestones, upon which legacies are built in the hearts of men. For almost a century later, Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. has been accomplishing this rare feat, fulfilling what others could never achieve in just one lifetime. “Sometimes, you can’t afford to think, and be scared. You just have to believe and just do what you have to do,” he says.
(Photography by MAU MARICIO of AT EAST JED ROOT)
John Arcilla
“I began to appreciate that he was not just a person furious at the system during his time. He was not an idiot who was barking at a shadow. His anger came from a genuine love and concern for his nation. He had to show courage because there was no chance to establish a well-trained army to fight the enemy. So he had to shout his every command and order. He had to be physical in order to be clearly understood by his men. He wanted to set an example of bravery. That was why in one scene, we see the general charging alone in the middle of the battlefield towards the Americans. He was so misunderstood,†explains John when asked about his portrayal of Heneral Luna whose name also served as the title of the film that captivated Filipinos.
(Photography by HAROLD TAPAN)
Operation Smile founders William and Kathleen Magee
They say that a couple is truly meant for each other when their union blesses others. As founders of Operation Smile, the husband-and-wife tandem of Wiliam “Bill†Magee and Kathleen “Kathy†Magee has seen their love extend — and bring smiles — to thousands of people worldwide.“One of the things we have to realize is that when you have been given so many things, you just can’t take those for granted. We have to give back,†shares Kathleen “Kathy” Magee.
(Photography by JAR CONCENGCO)
Jason Godfrey
For more than ten years, he has walked down the ramps of the biggest fashion markets in Europe, Asia and Australia; has posed for countless pictures for magazines sich as Vogue, Elle and Men’s Health; has worked for the world’s top designers and brands; and has even starred in a TV commercial opposite Hollywood hunk George Clooney. When asked about the kind of woman this looker intends to date, he casually answers “I like a girl who can take my sort of verbal abuse and hand it back to me. It’s like a bad romance movie when you meet your equal.â€
(Photography by MAU AGUASIN)
Apl.de.ap
“When you become successful, it is not just money that makes you happy. I feel like that. I want to leave this earth knowing that I did something. I made a difference in someone’s life,†shares Apl. de. Ap., offering an explanation to his efforts in improving the state of education in the Philippines.
(Photo by EDD GUMBAN)
RJ Ledesma
Contrary to popular perception, he is not as unholy as his literary persona exudes. A certified Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teacher from Yoga Manila, this lacto-ovo vegetarian is full of candor. He doesn’t run out of charisma and smiles, which is a good thing in a celebrity — and a father of  three.
(Photography by FILBERT KUNG)
