Remembering Where We came FromAugust 31, 2008
As I celebrated the 2nd part of my post 29th birthday special event last Aug 29, I sponsored 29 kids baptism ceremony that was held in Alta Tierra Parish in Jaro, Iloilo City and a reception in SM Activity Center, SM City Iloilo for 200 people (this includes kids, their parents, loved ones, media, my staff, my family and friends).
Truly, It feels good to help others. It is said that one of the most important sacraments is the sacrament of baptism since this is the entry to the Christian World.
I am very happy to become part of these children's lives and hope to be a good counselor to them, adviser, guide and second father.
Thank you to all of the people and institutions who have helped me make this special project into a reality.
As I celebrated the 2nd part of my post 29th birthday special event last Aug 29, I sponsored 29 kids baptism ceremony that was held in Alta Tierra Parish in Jaro, Iloilo City and a reception in SM Activity Center, SM City Iloilo for 200 people (this includes kids, their parents, loved ones, media, my staff, my family and friends).
Truly, It feels good to help others. It is said that one of the most important sacraments is the sacrament of baptism since this is the entry to the Christian World.
I am very happy to become part of these children's lives and hope to be a good counselor to them, adviser, guide and second father.
Thank you to all of the people and institutions who have helped me make this special project into a reality.
Kasadyahan Pangkabataan
10:03 PM at 10:03 PM Filed under: Author:
First part of my post birthday special project with the Bantay Bata Iloilo Kids
As I turned 29 years old this year, I decided to celebrate my birthday with the 29 kids of Bantay Bata Iloilo(part 1 of my post birthday special,part 2 will happen this coming friday, August 29, which is a free baptism for 29 children and a free reception for them with their parents and closest family and friends). Games, prizes, a mascot and breakfast were prepared to make the event memorable to the children. I chose to celebrate it with children as my way of sharing my blessings to others and to children since I am the youngest elected official. Furthermore, there is sincerity and idealism seen in children. If they are happy, they truly are happy. If they are enjoying, they say it and it truly shows. Children show us young adults the value of truthfulness. The feeling of making young people smile even just for a time is something that is priceless and a birthday gift for me that I will treasure.
The Simple Life
9:36 PM at 9:36 PM Filed under: Author:
I am a proud member of the Junior Chamber InternationalAugust, 26, 2008
A lot of us Filipinos residing in our home country, the Philippines think that life in other countries especially in the United States of America is all that good. We were made to believe that the US of A is a land of milk and honey. It is said to be a land of realized dreams and hopes, a land full of opportunities.
In my second visit to the US of A very recently, during my free days from the United Nations Intergenerational Leadership Forum, I took the time to meet Filipinos from Manila and Iloilo who live and work in various states there. It was nice to see them. I saw them realize their dreams of having a house and a car and becoming financially competent. Needless to say, they have also reached a certain level of success in terms of their chosen careers. I was so happy for them but I was also sad that they had to go out of the country just to find greener pastures.
Another thing that took my attention was the fact that life in the US made them more responsible as they needed to work hard in order to earn and pay their bills. They also had to take care of household chores. Furthermore, they were compensated based on merit, performance and number of hours worked. So, the more hard working you are, the more remunerated you are.
The apparent great life and dream we think of when one migrates and works to another country has its own consequences as well. They experience their own unique challenges with the different situations they face there as compared to being in the country.
A simple life of having to take care of everything of your personal needs, no other person to rely on and to do all other chores is something that got me. I admire their courage to take the risk of living alone and leaving their loved ones to find a way to earn more and give a good life to the ones they left at home.
In the States, everybody apparently is treated the same. One does things on his own. A celebrity here or one who enjoys the good life becomes ordinary there. Life there is seemingly less complicated.
I would like to believe that wherever one resides in, lifestyle is influenced by culture, the socio-economic situation and circumstance.
After three weeks in my latest visit to the US of A, I believe that it’s time to live a life that’s simpler. We can do that even in our own country.
From Small Town Boy to Global Man
11:26 PM at 11:26 PM Filed under: Author:
In the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DCTruly, everything starts with a dream and one works hard for it until it becomes a reality.
I was born the youngest of seven children on August 11, 1979 of then Region VI Assemblyman Niel D. Tupas and Mrs. Myrna Causing-Tupas in Iloilo City. My parents are natives of the Municipality of Barotac Viejo. It is a peaceful, quiet small town in the northern area of the Province of Iloilo.
I lived in Iloilo Province and Iloilo City until I was three years old. My parents then decided to send me to Metro Manila schools and universities starting at Kindergarden until college.
My dream way back when I was two years old was to become a commercial airline pilot. I eventually let go of that dream due to the costs of pilot school and the need for a 20-20 vision. Never had I though that the dream of becoming a pilot was because I wanted to lead groups of people and let them trust their lives to me. Also, maybe it was because I wanted to bring people to different places and probably because I also enjoying travelling.
Fastforward 27 years after that little boy’s dream, I am now the youngest City Official of a highly urbanized city, Iloilo City and also a media personality with TV and Radio programs as well as a newspaper column. I have also finished a masters degree and in less than a year will hopefully earn my doctorate degree. I might not have become a commercial airline pilot but have become a pilot of communities, sectors and peoples. A young voice dedicated to excellent genuine public service and I am hoping to serve as a glimmer of hope and inspiration to many young people and the young at heart.
My work not only as public servant, media personality and entrepreneur but also as a national officer of a youth political party has brought me to differnet parts of the globe such as Asia, America and Europe. It has made me mingle with different cultures and nationalities. It has broadened my mind and perspectives in life.
Recently, I was chosen as one of the 75 participants/delegatees among over 800 applicants from 55 countries to become part of the United Nations by invitation only Global Intergenerational Leadership Forum. The topic focused on Human Rights and The Millenium Development Goals. I surely learned a lot from the forum and it has given me skills that could help me perform my duties well…More than the learnings, I also gained an “international family” that make one a global citizen.
In my free time, I also took the opportunity to meet up with old friends from high school, college, Manila and Iloilo who are residing and working in the US of A. It was a great reunion of sorts and truly Filipinos wherever they are bring the warmth and hospitality we are known for.
Up to this day, I feel like I am still dreaming of what has transpired and of who I became…Who would believe that a small town boy could become a global man.
Aug. 15, 2008
She taught me to be less uptight, to enjoy the world, to read books and to be open to new things. For all of that, I thank her.
When we broke up after 4 years of being together, I went out with 4 women, one at a time. Some from Iloilo and some from Metro Manila...Some potential gf's, some I had mutual understanding with and some became my gf's but I might have been looking for a formal closure to truly make the next serious relationship work...I even had foreign special girl friends.
After years and years, I'm glad me and Pam met up in New York City during the free time after my official visit to the United Nations Headquarters. I'm happy that we're good friends now and both of us have turned our dreams in terms of our careers into reality. I'm also happy for her that she has already settled down.
After the meeting, I felt so good that I have established a good friendly relationship with her. I also hope to finally settle down in the near future. This time I'm all set and ready to commit and to hold on until the end.
LEX, Oregon, United States of America
Birthday in America
9:51 AM at 9:51 AM Filed under: Author:
With the other UNESCO Global Leadership Forum delegates from around the world
I was able to visit the US Capitol in Washington DCIt was the very first time that I wasn't in my home country, the Philippines, when I celebrated my birthday last Aug. 11, 2008. I now understand how Filipino overseas workers or migrants feel when they celebrate their special days without their family and closest friends with them. I had mixed emotions that day since I miss Iloilo City so much and the people I love. I wanted to celebrate my special day in my home city and with the special people in my life. On the other hand, I was overwhelmed with the suprise my fellow global leaders prepared for me. Imagine 70 young leaders from around the world singing happy birthday to you in two major events and had a little something for me. I felt that I had an international family. Anyway, I'll be posting pictures of the United Nation's intergenerational global leadership forum soon and also my visits to Ilonggos residing and working in various states in the United States of America. Furthermore, I wana say that it was great to see my old friends from high school, college and from Iloilo that I met in various states here and who took the effort to warmly accommodate me and show what Filipino hospitality is all about
LEX, Connecticut, USA
Let's keep in touch
11:15 PM at 11:15 PM Filed under: Author:
Thank you for the 73,000 votes and the overwhelming support
Press Conference in my office with the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps
In the session hall
Took oath of office...Sen. Noynoy Aquino administered the said oathWelcome to my webpage. This would serve as a venue for the exchange of ideas, information and pictures of events being done and plans for my little share in helping Iloilo City improve. Feel free to visit the site and let your friends know of its existence. For any concerns or suggestions, contact me through councilorlextupas@yahoo.com.
Calendar of activities
Ordinances & Resolutions
MAJOR Seminars/ Conferences Attended
