58th NewsExpress Article
by LEX Tupas

Living the Dream

Halin sang bata pa kita, may ara kita sang mga ginadamgu nga gusto maging or gusto malab-ot sa ulihi. Ang iban basi gusto maging doktor, maging piloto, maging inhinyero, maging propesor, maging artista, maging abogado o maging politiko nga gahatag maayu nga serbisyo publiko.
Dreams are said to be aspirations. It is the reason why there are young people who join Pinoy Big Brother, Pinoy Idol, Pinoy Dream Academy, local talent programs like Dinagyang Dance Showdown and baranggay talent competitions. These seem to be avenues for them to start living their dream or at least show their talents and skills.
Sa atun mga gusto malab-ot sa kabuhi damu ang maagyan ta nga kasakit kag kabudlay. Basi gani naagyan na o maagyan pa natun ang ti-on nga gusto na natun indi magsige or mauntat sa pagdamgu kay daw indi ta na masarangan. Basi may mga gahambal nga indi mo kaya nga mga lapit sa imu or mga kilala. Basi magkaproblema ka sa pinansyal nga aspeto. Basi daw kabudlay gid ka sitwasyon mo nga islan mo na lang ang imu handum para sa isa ka masmadali lab-uton.
An unsolicited advice, dream big and move mountains. Let us keep our eyes on the prize. Let us keep our focus and not be distracted by anything on our way to success. I always believe that we shouldn’t settle for anything less than what we want and to try everything to reach it no matter what hindrances and obstacles may come our way.
In my journey to serve Ilonggos in a bigger capacity, I hurdled the tests of faith. There were people even some who I thought were my good friends who didn’t believe I can do it. There was also the attack and rumor mongering machine by political detractors out to destroy me and to make me lose hope. There were also misinformation sent about me through the grapevine and the local machinery that was out to prevent me from gaining a seat in the city council.
Wala ako nagpadala sa ila. Ang ginaisip ko ang mabulig ko sa Syudad sang Iloilo. Ginaisip ko nga ang Ilonggo kinahanglan may isa ka pamatan-on nga manindugan para sa ila. Nagsalig ako sa kaalam sang Ilonggo nga magpili sang husto kag indi magpadala sa isturya o sa pakulba. Wala gid ako nagsala. Gintagaan ako tsansa sang Syudad magserbisyo. Sa liwat, salamat gid.
Also, not only have I reached a seemingly impossible task of becoming the youngest and the freshest face City Councilor in Iloilo City but I have also been blessed in my broadcasting career. I have been TV anchor for almost 2 years. Radio Anchor for more than a year and newspaper columnist since Jan this year. Ang damgu kag ambisyon, subong tuod-tuod na kag ginaubra ko gid sang pinakamaayu.
Dreams do come true as long as you believe in yourself and you work hard for it.
Ini ang inyo amigo, abyan kag primo sa Syudad sang Iloilo, Ang Tingog sang Kabataang Ilonggo nga gaulikid sa katigulangan kag sa kababainhan, gasiling, para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.
For comments and/or suggestions, email councilorlextupas@yahoo.com. This also serves as the email used in my account in www.friendster.com and www.facebook.com. You could also check out my web page at www.lextupas.blogspot.com.