July 1, 2009

Last June 29 was the highlight celebration of the Patronal Town Fiesta of the Municipality of Bartotac Viejo. At present, the Mayor for 8 consecutive years of the said town is my brother, Mayor Raul “Boboy” Tupas. Prior to him, the Mayor was my mother for 9 consecutive years, former Mayor Myrna Causing Tupas. Years prior to her term, the mayor was my father, now Governor Niel D. Tupas. Before my father, my grandfather who is the father of my mother was Municipal Mayor of the said town for two decades. My father became the first ever president of the Mayor’s League of the Philippines. This distinction catapulted him to become one of Region VI Western Visayas’s Regional Assemblymen and then he became Congressman of the 5^th District of Iloilo for 11 consecutive years before becoming Governor. My other brother who was then Senior Boardmember of the 5^th District of Iloilo became the Congressman of the 5^th District of Iloilo last 2007. What made him win despite all odds was his commanding lead in the Municipality of Barotac Viejo.

In my case, without the TUPAS family name, I would have had a much harder time to enter Iloilo City which is a highly urbanized city and separate from Iloilo Province. My whole family can’t even vote for me. I was the youngest candidate and city official at age 27 when I won. I never had a political background or influence in the City. My family name helped me out a lot and the effect of the capitol siege. What built our family name and the good reputation it has in public service started with the Municipality of Barotac Viejo. The municipality gave birth to Tupas in politics and public service. It has stood by our family for generations now.

Even if the municipality can’t vote for me and I am already a resident of Iloilo City and not anymore of the Province of Iloilo, the gratitude to Barotac Viejo will always be present. It was instrumental in bringing our family to higher posts in public service. Thank you Barotac Viejo. As Will Smith has said in the movie Hitch, “You can’t go to where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been”.

I am proud of my roots and family legacy that can be traced from and to Barotac Viejo. Even if I was born in Iloilo City and I am already a resident and the youngest city official of Iloilo City, I will always be proud to say my family hails from Barotac Viejo. Asenso Barotac Viejo!

As what I usually say as my battle cry or my usual spiel, Para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.

June 28, 2009

I never believed in getting into long distance love affairs before. I felt that the distance factor is something hard to handle. The person is physically absent, not available as easily as one wants and the costs of meeting up is a bit high. Furthermore, it would need a lot of good foundation to make it work. Thus, I never entertained to have any of this type of relationship before.

Nowadays because of hard times, families and loved ones are forced to live separately due to the need to find a greener pasture for the family’s future. These are the overseas Filipino workers situations or a loved one working in a different part of the country. I’m sure if they had the choice, they would want to work and live in the same place but the financial aspect wouldn’t usually allow such. I have high regards to those who sacrifice and who sometimes feel homesick just to be able to provide well for their family.

My perception of long distance relationships has changed dramatically. I met a girl who lives in a different place and I decided to pursue her and have her in my life. I know what it would entail but I guess true love conquers all hindrances and true love knows no boundaries.

I guess long distance or not, if one wants things to work out well, it can happen…It is possible.

Para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.

June 23, 2009

Charter Change or Cha Cha as it is more commonly known has been tried by various administrations from the time of then President Ramos. Political personalities tried to move for such but usually the timing seems ill and suspect since it was always before the end of the term of the sitting president. Moreover, we would want a logical reasoning on the need for Cha Cha and trustworthy people who will make sure it isn’t for their own benefit.

If I were to be asked, I would think the constitution needs some revisions in terms of economic restrictions but I would rather opt that a Cha Cha should be allowed to happen after 2010. This would remove worries and concerns of people who believe that there might be term extensions or self serving constitutional changes to be made by our legislators. Moreover, I would prefer Cha Cha to be done through a Constitutional Convention so that the people can vote for their trusted representatives who will basically just focus on Cha Cha and will not work for their own personal benefits.

There are more important things our legislators should and must focus on for the good of our country. Cha Cha can wait after 2010. As they say, timing is most crucial and critical in making successful political decisions.

Para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.

June 17, 2009

Independence is defined by Microsoft Thesaurus as autonomy, freedom, liberty and self reliance. Last June 12, the whole country celebrated its 111^th year anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence. There were a number of celebrations by the government units and even private establishments. I just hope that the youth would value the independence that we have.

Independence was hard fought by the previous Filipino generations who wanted to have self rule and decision making for the good of our country. They fought through diplomatic means and even with arms. Independence was quite elusive and it took decades for them to achieve it but they never gave up.

The youth were born with independence already achieved. Some are not familiar with how hard it was to get. Some of us even do not value it that much because it is such a given. It is like being given allowance by our parents that we might not know the value of money that much that we can spend it quickly. This is unlike having hard earned money that we make wise decisions and where to allot the money we have. Thus, it would be great for us to know our past so that we could appreciate our present and better prepare for our future.

Para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.

June 13, 2009

Some of us have so much to do but so little time available. We tend to neglect some or put urgency to some. We may have focused too much on something and too little on another.

In my case, it seems that politics and public service aren’t the only things that get my time. I have to finish my doctoral studies, maintain my TV and Radio shows, make sure I have articles here, spend quality time with family and friends, visit and have quality time with my Pangga and also manage well my hobby and other interests. It seems that I have too much to do but well I guess it makes one more productive. As my Nanay always tells me, “It’s better to be busy than to be idle”.

To be honest, there are days when I feel so tired because there is so much to do but I feel thankful and blessed to have all of these than nothing at all. I also am grateful of the support of my family, friends, pangga, supporters and the people of Iloilo City. What I do is just plan my day, week, month and year well so that I could manage everything.

There will always be time for everything as long as we prioritize well. As the tagalong cliché goes, “Kapag gusto, maraming paraan…Kapag ayaw, maraming dahilan”.

Para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON Kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.