Blue blooded or Green Minded?
1:39 PM at 1:39 PM Filed under: Author:
La Salle Green Archers vs. Ateneo Blue Eagles
October 1, 2008
The recently concluded UAAP championship games between the La Salle Green Archers and the Ateneo Blue Eagles still serves as an exciting sports match that has been existing since way back when of the rival schools. It has always been able to bring about excitement, admiration, intensity and the love and affiliation of students to their Alma Mater.
In my case, I am blessed and privileged to be an alumnus of both schools. I started studying in La Salle Green Hills from kindergarten to High School and went and got my AB Economics degree from Ateneo De Manila University. Just to add, I am also thankful to have been a UP Diliman campus alumnus graduating the youngest in my batch in my Masters in Public Management major in Local Government Administration program when I was only 26 years old (started at age 23). I also had international school exposure from the Asian Institute of Management with my Basic Management Program and Leadership Program. Currently, I am the youngest ever doctorate student on my 2nd year Doctor of Management with concentration in Public Management program of the Central Philippine University.
Going back to the topic at hand, every time there is a UAAP game, especially when it involves Ateneo vs. La Salle, I am left in a quandary to what side I belong to. My old friends are in the La Salle side and my college friends are with the Ateneo side.
I remember when I decided to run for a Student Council post in Ateneo that there were doubts and misgivings of my candidacy for certain reasons and one of which was that I was a Student Council Officer in La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) and they said during that time that no LSGH alumnus has ever made it to the Ateneo Student Council. Apparently, the rivalry of the schools was emphasized with my candidacy. Thankfully and luckily, I won by a landslide and a year after I was appointed as the first LSGH alumnus to the Student Council Department Head post which is sort of a cabinet post as Chairman of the Department of Academic Rights and Services. At that early stage, I wanted to become a link and a symbol of unity amidst the school rivalry. I could even relate this experience to my experience in Rotaract, Jaycees, Kalipi which gave me a fresh face and a newcomer a resounding mandate with high and influential positions. This also could be true with my run as the youngest City Official of Iloilo City going against all odds even with the issues being thrown against me as I was a newcomer, said to be an outsider and was not with the administration but still the city gave me a convincing win. For all of these experiences, I believe I have grown and am ready to face any challenges that come my way. Thus, I truly believe in the saying “nothing is impossible”.
I am very lucky to have had the chance of going to the said best schools in the country because not all have the opportunity to do so. I am very much humbled with such and I am doing my part to share whatever knowledge I have learned from these schools that molded me into becoming a man for others.
I am thinking of a blue sky (ADMU) and a green environment (LSGH) with the colors maroon (UP) symbolizing passion which is public service, yellow (CPU) symbolizing optimism and idealism and my signature color blue which symbolizes unity (UGYON) and orange which symbolizes energy and enthusiasm.
Empowering the Youth
7:46 AM at 7:46 AM Filed under: Author:
Councilor LEX speaks in front of 1,600 students from various provinces and cities of Region VI for the Regional Hospitality Industry Seminar
Resource Speaker, Entrepreneurship in today's hospitality industry
Councilor LEX shares information and knowledge about leadership and management to over 250 students of various Iloilo City medical related schools (only about 150 were expected but more came)
Lecturer, Leadership and Management in Today's Modern Times
With my 1 week boy city councilor counterpart Andrei
The only elected Philippine Delegate to the UNESCO Intergenerational Leadership Forum in Storrs, Connecticut, USA and New York City, USA
The Only Philippine elected delegate to the Asia Europe Young Political Leaders Summit in Denmark (Europe)
The Only Philippine elected delegate to the Asia Europe Young Political Leaders Summit in Denmark (Europe)
Sent by the Liberal Party as observer to the local elections in Taipei and Kaoshung, Taiwan
Attended a seminar in Indonesia
Chosen as one of the Philippine China Youth Ambassadors in 2005 and went to 3 cities in ChinaSeptember 28, 2008
It is an honor and a privilege to be considered as a youth leader in the City of Iloilo, much more of Western Visayas and amazingly of the Philippines in Global Events.
In the City of Iloilo, I am thankful that I am invited as lecturer or guest speaker of various youth events for schools, associations and professional organizations for their local fora and regional assemblies. I always feel the pressure of doing well and of trying to exceed expectations so as to impart a certain knowledge and to try to be an inspiration to the youth not only of the City of Iloilo but also elsewhere.
I believe in the talent, competence, integrity, energy and dynamism of the youth. I also believe in getting guidance and wisdom from the experienced and from learning from their mistakes. I also believe in treating women well and fairly. These are the sectors I believe should be empowered and given full recognition for their efforts of improving our society and of making them reach their potentials.
As a member of the youth sector, I am proud to be of service to you my fellow youth and also to the women and the elderly sectors.
As Dr. John Maxwell has said, "only secure leaders empower others". I believe in nurturing and guiding young minds and of developing more leaders to introduce change and innovation in our communities. The more leaders we have, the better it is for our country and the world.
City First (Unahun ang Syudad)
7:40 PM at 7:40 PM Filed under: Author:
ribbon cutting to open the Tourism Photo Exhibit
Awarding John B. Lacson as the champion of the Toursim Quiz Bee
during the blessing of the new city proper district health officeSeptember 25, 2008
I have always practiced the policy of City First. It means that the progress of Iloilo City comes before my personal and political interests. This is the main reason why as the youngest City Official I cross party lines and go beyond political affiliations for the benefit of the city. As of the moment, I consider myself as an independent in the City Council. I ran under my own local political party, UGYON party (Ugyon is a hiligaynon term which meand to unite or united).
I support programs, ordinances and projects whoever they emanate from whether administration, opposition or independents as long as the purpose is good, the plans are feasible and for the welfare of Ilonggos and if would result to the progress of the City. It would even be much better if it focuses on the sectors I give most attention to: women, elderly and the youth.
I will stand for my beliefs and my conviction whether it is the popular or the not so popular thing to do but what I believe, based on my analysis and proper consultation, is what is best for the city.
I thank my parents and family members for giving me the space and for trusting me to make well thought of decisions in my area of responsibility even if sometimes we don't see eye to eye on certain issues but the respect remains.
Let us continue to work for the progress of Iloilo City and for the betterment of the socio-economic condition of the residents of the City.
The Upcoming Children's Month
7:07 PM at 7:07 PM Filed under: Author:
With the boy and girl City Officials
with the San Ag Student Council Officers and Students
Young Leaders: City Councilor LEX with SK Presidents: Jan Jan (Iloilo City) and Karl (Iloilo Province)
with the proud parents of the talented kids
with Jenny and JohnThis coming October, we are again celebrating Children's Month. This is the month that we focus on children's rights, priorities and concerns. Although it is good to have a whole month focused on children, I tend to believe that giving attention to children should be done daily, weekly, monthly and for the whole year.
LEX Express Artistic Productions (LEAP) joins the celebration of Children's month with a TV special episode of the talented and children leaders of Iloilo City. We will have Jenny and John, both very young talented singers and Jan and Karl, both young leaders representing the Sanggunian Kabataan. It is the very first time both SK leaders from Iloilo Province and Ilolilo City have accepted to be interviewed at the same time. Being the youngest Iloilo City Official and said to be the voice of the youth of Iloilo, I work with different kinds of people from the most simple to the biggest personalities and from the administration, opposition to the independents. What matters to me is what would be best for Iloilo City and Iloilo in general. I go beyond political affiliations for the good of the people and the community.
For the young people and the young at heart, let us continue to work together and focus on our similarities. Let us show our talents, skills, leadership, passion, integrity and unity. Our strong and determined voice will definitely be heard and listened to.
For the progress of Iloilo City, unite young Ilonggos (UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo), unite Iloilo (UGYON Iloilo).
The women I dream of
6:40 AM at 6:40 AM Filed under: Author:
with one of my dream girls: Pauleen Luna
Anne Hathaway: My international celebrity crush
Kristine Reyes: My local celebrity crushSept. 19, 2008
I have always had a certain type of girl which I get easily attracted to...
As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder..
In my case, I have always been attracted to the model type of women. Until now, I am still attracted to that kind of woman but one who also has substance.
She is someone who knows how to stand up for herself and also one who knows how to stand up for her man. A woman who does not only have superficial beauty but more importantly inner beauty..
I am searching for that form and substance "right" woman...I am praying to have the permanent and last gf in my life soon...
My wealth is my health
6:49 PM at 6:49 PM Filed under: Author:
Sept. 18, 2008
Health is something that should be ascertained by every individual.
In my case, I have started valuing taking care of my health by eating right, sleeping well and exercise when I started going to high school. Factors such as my asthma before, my yearning to be fit and to feel good about myself have lead me to become a health buff. Right now, I continue such by eating less junk, getting at least 8 hours of sleep a day and hitting the gym every other day.
It might have all started with the superficial benefits of being healthy but it eventually is about becoming more productive and active.
I hope each and everyone would spare some time to live healthy and for sure you will see and reap the benefits of doing so.
I can't be Governor of The Province of Iloilo
10:06 PM at 10:06 PM Filed under: Author:
mingling with the people of Iloilo City
with barangay folks in Iloilo City
With Senator Noynoy Aquino
With Senator Loren Legarda
with Senate President Manny Villar
With Senate Majority Floor Leader Kiko Pangilinan 
with former Senate President Frank Drilon
with former Senate President Jovito Salonga
with Makati Mayor Jojomar Binay
with Sen. Richard GordonPictures above with some of the national personalities were taken before the 2007 Elections
Sept. 16, 2008I have decided to transfer my residency in Iloilo City in the year 2005. Since then, I have been a Syudadnon and in 2007 was elected as the youngest City Official of Iloilo City.
Iloilo City is a highly urbanized city which is independent of Iloilo Province. It is comparable to Makati City, Quezon City and the City of Manila. It has its own set of elected officials having a City Mayor which is the highest elected post in the city. We can't vote for provincial officials like the Governor, Vice Governor and Provincial Boardmembers. Thus, I couldn't even vote for my father and siblings when they also ran for public office in the province and they couldn't also vote for me...
At present, Iloilo City is considered as a lone Congressional District that has only one Congressman but there are current moves to redistrict the city to accommodate two Congressmen and there will be 8 city councilors elected per district which will now have a total of 16 councilors. At present, there are only 12 city councilors elected city-wide and a total population of over 400, 000. The voting population is a little less than 300,000.
I am not talking about politics right now...it is more about sharing some facts and figures with the current set up of governance in Iloilo City.
As such, I can't be Governor of the Province of Iloilo until I am still a resident of the City of Iloilo and an elected City Official. I am proud of my roots which can be traced from the Municipality of Barotac Viejo, 5th Congressional District and the Province of Iloilo but for now, I love Iloilo City and this is where I was given the mandate to serve. For now, I will work to the best of my ability to make Iloilo City great and one of the best cities to live in.
I am honored and priviliged to be given the opportunity to work with different kinds of people from the biggest political leaders and to the simplest people who have become my friends. Let us work well together as I go beyond political affiliations. It is not important if you are with the administration, opposition or an independent. What matters is we unite and work for the good of the Ilonggos and the Filipinos in general.
Marangal na Kabataang Liberal
7:28 PM at 7:28 PM Filed under: Author:
with the Western Visayas Delegates and the Marka Liberal Natioanl Board Officers with LP Sec Gen Cong. Jun Abaya
With Ilocos Sur Boardmember and Marka Liberal Pres Zuriel Zaragoza and former Sec. and Batanes Cong. Butch Abad
With LP President, Sen. Mar Roxas
September 9, 2008
Things happen for a reason and when one decides and commits, it’s all systems go.
I have been part of Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (Kalipi) for over four years already and I have been elected unopposed as its National Vice President for Students in the 5th National Congress in the year end of 2004 in Roxas City, Capiz with the overwhelming support of over a hundred delegates from different provinces, cities and schools of the Philippines that are composed of elected Philippine government officials, appointed government officials, professionals and students below 35 years old and above 15 years old. It is the youth wing of the Liberal Party (LP) of the Philippines. Kalipi is part of the start of my political career in the local, national and global scene.
I am very honored and humbled to have been given the chance to serve KALIPI. In my almost four years as the incumbent National VP for Students, I have been able to re-found Kalipi QC and Kalipi UP Diliman and I saw the birth of Kalipi Miriam and Kalipi Ateneo. These were just dreams before but with God’s grace and the support of others, it became a reality. I have also taken part in various events of Kalipi Ilocos, NCR and have visited Mindanao. I am also happy to report that I was able to organize the biggest BOLD Seminar ever and it was in Iloilo City having almost 300 new memberships in just one time. I am also thankful that Kalipi Western Visayas became a strong force with the birth of Kalipi Guimaras, Kalipi Negros Occidental, Kalipi Antique, Kalipi Aklan, Kalipi Iloilo Province, Kalipi Iloilo City and Kalipi Capiz. I have also represented not only Kalipi but the Philippines when I became delegate of the Seminar on Running Successful Political Campaigns in Indonesia, the Young Political Leaders Summit in Denmark and the Intergenerational Global Leadership Forum in the United States of America. Furthermore, I was also chosen as one of the Philippine-China Youth Ambassadors that went to Beijing, Shanghai and Huangzhou, China and I was also tasked with the blessing of LP to be an observer in the Taipei and Kaoshung Local Elections in Taiwan. I definitely grew professionally and personally with my stint in Kalipi and with my affiliation with LP. My successor as National VP for Students is former Roxas City ex-officio Councilor Pepe Del Rosario, son of Capiz Congressman Tony Del Rosario.
Just this September 8, 2008, I was again given the honor and privilege to be elected unopposed and unanimously as the new National Executive Vice President of Marangal na Kabataang Liberal which is the youth wing of the Liberal Party. The current LP President is Senator Mar Roxas. I would like thank the overwhelming support by the majority of the national board officials who were my colleagues, the delegation from Northern Luzon (Cordillera Region led by MARKA Liberal National Treasurer Abra Mayor Jendrix Luna and Ilocos Region led by MARKA Liberal National President Ilocos Sur Boardmember Zuriel Zaragoza) and Southern Luzon (Bicol Region led by the MARKA Liberal National VP for Community Naga City Barangay Captain Elmer Baldemoro ), Visayas (Panay led by myself, Tweety Tupas-Balleza with the support of City Councilors, Boardmemebrs and Municipal Councilors of Panay, Guimaras, Negros Occidental and Eastern Visayas) and Mindanao (Davao Region led by MARKA Liberal National Auditor Ernie and other provinces) and a number of NCR delegates.
I hope and pray that with this new challenge and with a higher position entrusted to me (just a heartbeat away from the Presidency), I will continue to do well and provide excellent service to my fellow youth of Iloilo City, of Western Visayas and of the whole Philippines…so help me God.
I can relate with Sen. Barack Obama but I admire Sen. Clinton
7:45 PM at 7:45 PM Filed under: Author:
Turning Dreams into RealitySeptember 2, 2008
Before I start, I would like to make it clear first that I write this not as a local official of the Philippines but as a student of global politics. Given such, I would like to share not my political take on the US Elections since I am not a US Citizen but more of how I see the two former presidential rivals for the Democratic Party’s Presidential Nomination.
I was seen as an outsider of Iloilo City before since my family traces its roots from the Province of Iloilo and my parents and other siblings are actually government officials of the province. My father is the incumbent Governor, my mother was a former Municipal Mayor, my eldest brother is an incumbent Congressman of the 5th Congressional District and my other brother is an incumbent Town Mayor. Iloilo City is a highly urbanized City with almost 300,000 voters and is independent of the province which means the city does not vote for the governor and is not under any provincial official. In terms of my political career, what I did was unexpected; I transferred my residency about two years before the 2007 elections from the Province to the City and then ran for the City Council. The current set up right now is that a City Councilor is voted City-wide and the city has 180 barangays. I was a fresh face, probably not yet seen by the majority of the electorate and I was practically unknown. Some political pundits said I had no chance of making it. Some even laughed when my name was being floated as a possible candidate for the City Council and some even did bet that I would lose. I was perceived to be too young being 27 years old. I did not have the support of the local administration. I ran as the lone candidate of my local political party, UGYON, which was like running as an independent but was then adopted as a guest candidate of the Genuine Opposition. A lot of the established political personalities didn’t want me to make it. A lot of mudslinging, maligning, story making and destructive politics were used against me. When the dust finally settled, I am blessed and privileged to be given the chance to serve against all odds with one of the highest number of votes for a first time candidate in the city and the youngest at that. The once seen as a non-serious, non-viable and long shot candidate made it. Immediately after, some members of the media and political observers considered me as a possible candidate for a higher position in an election that was too far away.
I felt that my political story kindda resembles that of Sen. Obama. I could relate to him. He worked hard to get respect, admiration, achievements and broke stereotypes and glass ceilings. He was able to inspire the youth and to make the seemingly impossible a reality. He is now the Presidential nominee of the Democrats. He is the first African American and one of the youngest too. I have the greatest respect and admiration for what he has achieved.
On the other hand, I feel for Sen. Clinton. She is such an outstanding woman. She is a great achiever and a form and substance lady. She has also earned her merits. She seemingly is the type who can stand up for herself and who knows when to stand by her man. She was also able to make a great transfer from being born in Illinois then becoming first lady of Arkansas and then becoming US Senator representing the state of New York. She also made history by becoming the first woman presidential candidate to win more than one primary state election. She won more than twenty and almost becoming the first female presidential nominee of a major political party.
I don’t know why I am so amazed with Sen. Hillary. I even want to have a wife like her. She is someone who is strong, determined, passionate in her beliefs, a trail blazer, a good mother and apparently a steadfast wife. What I also liked about her is that she was good at the background when she was first lady of the State of Arkansas when her husband was then State Governor and when she was first lady of the US of A when her husband became President and was excellent when she took the fore ground by becoming a government official herself. I wish, hope and pray to have a wife like her.
In fairness to the other presidential contender, Senator McCain, he is also a war hero and a political maverick which are traits that are uncommon and admired by others. Who could go against the powers that be especially if they come from your political base that easily?
I would have liked to meet these amazing global leaders. Well, at least, I am honored to have been able to visit the US Capitol where they have their offices, session hall and conference rooms. It was the closest I could get but maybe some time in the future, God willing, I would be given the chance to meet them and that would be a great day.
