August 11, 2012 - The day I turned 33..
4:14 PM at 4:14 PM Filed under: Author:It truly was a happy birthday. Thank you to everyone who made me smile, laugh, feel loved and blessed, and truly happy. Thank you to all who helped me celebrate my bday with socio civic projects for poor kids and indigent families. My day started at 7am with a mass in St. Clement's with my wife & daughter and all barangay officials. Then we went to the Sports Complex for the Liga Day. It was followed by my annual special bday proj, Ang Pabunyag sa Syudad ni LEX Tupas yr 5, a mass baptism for poor kids with their indigent families. After this, we went to the Universal Peace Federation Interfaith Event. I was chosen as Ambassador of Peace of UPF last Dec 2011. My day continued with an event with the Red Ladies of Iloilo City in Molo and a Fiesta Event of Barrio Obrero, Lapuz. It ended with a late dinner with my wife & daughter together with Nanay & Tatay and my bro at 9pm until 10pm. What a long day but a very memorable and happy one. In each of the events, people sang happy birthday to me..thousands of people and they made me feel loved and special. The gratitude will always present.
Continuous Learning
12:10 AM at 12:10 AM Filed under: Author:Letting God lead the way
5:02 AM at 5:02 AM Filed under: Author:Many of us have our own dreams and aspirations. We work hard for it and we try to make it happen. Some we reach easy, some passed through trials but were still attained while some are not given to us no matter how hard we try. To the dreams that became realities, we praise God and thank everyone who helped us make it possible. For the dream that was evasive and did not happen, maybe God has a bigger plan for us or maybe God has something much better for us.
Failure or not being able to reach the desired destination at our own schedule and time might probably mean that there is a redirection to something better, bigger and more appropriate for us. Something that wasn’t planned but it just happened. Sometimes, it might also be a test of courage, tenacity, passion, intensity and commitment. When we never give up in reaching our dreams no matter how hard it takes, no matter how long it would take and no matter how many obstacles and hindrances we have to overcome.
It is in giving our lives to God and in letting Him lead us that we find the right path and we reach the success that is meant for us. When we allow God to be in control, then good things happen. Sometimes, the more we plan for something, the more it doesn’t happen but just let God and you’ll be surprised it all falls into place.
Comprehensive Children's Code of Iloilo City
5:40 PM at 5:40 PM Filed under: Author:City enacts children's welfare code
April 26, 2012
I am very much thankful of all the support of and the guidance of all stakeholders, concerned groups & individuals and my fellow public servants. After more than 3 years of working for the passage of this particular ordinance, the Comprehensive Children's Welfare Code of Iloilo City was passed on second and final reading yesterday during the regular Iloilo City Council session. This is for the protection of our children's rights, privileges, health, against abuse & exploitation, for women (mothers, elderly & girl children), and for healthy & strong Ilonggo families. The children are our treasures and they are the future of our city. We will now work to be the Most Child Friendly City in Region VI and hopefully even of the Philippines. Thank you to all stakeholders who have made this passage of the code possible. To God be the glory.
Below is a write up for the said code. Thanks Karen of TNT.
City enacts children's welfare code
Letting God Lead the Way
5:01 PM at 5:01 PM Filed under: Author:I would like to take this opportunity to thank again the people of Iloilo City. In the Recent RACI Election Preference Survey conducted February to March 2012, I am honored, humbled and blessed to still be the top choice for Iloilo City Councilor with a very decent and strong lead from the second placer and a commanding lead from the third placer and onwards. For Iloilo City Vice Mayor, I am second in rank in the survey next to the incumbent. This became possible because of the strong and continuous support of the people of Iloilo City. Thank you Iloilo City.
Just a few months ago, a RACI Performance Satisfaction Survey was conducted and we were also honored and blessed to receive the highest performance approval rating of a City Official especially in the City Council. Months before that, we were honored to receive the Dangal ng Bayan Award for Legislative and Service Excellence for the second time from CONPHIL in Ateneo De Manila University.
These awards and recognitions are neither for me alone nor for my family but this is because, due to and for the people of Iloilo City.
I did not strive to get awards or recognitions but rather I worked hard to render excellent public service to Iloilo City through legislative measures and special projects and programs. The people of Iloilo City took a risk on me in 2007 when they made a new face and a new name the youngest elected City Official despite the challenges and obstacles that came my way during that time.
I am more inspired and energized to serve Iloilo City with continuous excellence and with commitment, integrity, honesty, transparency, good governance and passion. I strive to make myself a better public servant through continuous education by obtaining my Masters in Public Management major in Local Government Administration from UP Diliman Campus OU in 2007, by obtaining my Doctor of Management specializing in Public Management from the Central Philippine University in 2009, by attending international and local seminars, training programs and forums, and I am presently planning to take up Law in the near future if time permits and if it will not affect my personal and public responsibilities and duties. Furthermore, I also observe and implement best practices in the local and international government administrations as well as in Public and Private Partnership Programs. We will only be successful if we work together as a team and as partners. Great things happen when we unite, work harmoniously and think of the good of the communities and for Iloilo City in general.
To be honest and I have been saying this from my first term until now, I believe that power is only temporary and it is from the people of Iloilo City. It was just lent to those who were elected for a specific time period. As such, we should show people that we deserve their trust and confidence. I always say that whatever people want and God’s will when it comes to public service, I will follow. If people will say continue, then I will. If they say, it’s time to stop, then I will stop. If they say continue and it’s time for a bigger responsibility and a higher position, then I will submit. At the end of the day, power comes from the people and is for the people. As long as I am needed, I will make myself available for the people of Iloilo City.
Again, the gratitude will always be present. To God be the glory.