Nothing good comes easy. Ang tanan nga maayu, kampyon kag astig ginapangabudlayan...

It was just a dream before. It was seemingly impossible to happen at an early age and at an early stage of my life. Various reasons made me decide to start with it. It was because of an announcement that I went to school in CPU. It was also because some said I don’t have my own network or group here from an educational institution I graduated from. Furthermore, it was probably for political expediency and it was also for self fulfillment. In addition, back then, I just wanted a Doctor before my name at a very young age and to be one of the youngest doctoral degree holders. Initially, these were some of the reasons why I decided to take up my doctoral studies from the Central Philippine University.

Some said it would be easy for me since I had the best training from the best schools from Manila, namely, Montessori, LSGH, ADMU, AIM and UPD before CPU. Some said I should have chosen a different school or a better school. Well, after 2 years and 2 months of Doctoral studies, I could tell those people, it wasn’t easy and CPU has the best faculty that pushed me to my limits and challenged my mind and my perseverance. I would like to thank my dissertation adviser, Dr. Pabulayan, for patiently guiding me with my paper. Sir, pasensya sa kakulitan ko. To Drs. Lilia Delicana and April Tedosio, thank you for making me feel I have two motherly figures giving sound advice to me and for being such good friends of mine. To Dr. Rio and Dr. Dusaran, I appreciate the vote of confidence in me and for also understanding my personal and professional circumstances. To Dr. Zap, thank you for making me think and not just think but to think deeply and for also being able to truly challenging my mind. To Ng Vilma, salamat gid sa imu nga pagasikaso kag pagatendir sa akun pero ara gyapun ko mangulit asta matapus natun tanan nga papelis kilanglan tapuson. Most of all, my deepest gratitude goes to the Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Fely David, for making me stay on the right track when I wanted to give up and for giving me the tenacity in making a dream into a reality. Apparently, CPU has made me more responsible, accountable and selfless. It has made me more of the public servant one ought to be and one should be.

To my parents, siblings, friends and to my wifey, I thank them also for the moral and emotional support for me to be able to accomplish things that one my age wouldn’t have thought of. To my staff and colleagues, I would also like to thank them for assisting me and for just simply being happy for me.

Tonight, in the eve of our graduation, before we formally get our degrees, I have realized, this degree was not just my own accomplishment and for my own benefit but rather, it is a product of cooperation, a good vision, a great goal and for me to be a catalyst of change and good governance for the community. I will practice what I have learned and hopefully be a much better public servant to continue to reach for excellent public service with honesty and integrity guiding my every action. Moreover, I would like to tell everyone, my doctoral degree is something not only for me but for the benefit of others as I truly reach my peak as a man for others.

Salamat gid sa tanan kag gusto ko ipabalo ang isa pa gid kabutang, I am blessed, honored and proud not just because I already have my Doctoral Degree but because I am now a certified Centralian. Ini liwat si Dr. LEX Tupas, Centralian, gasiling, para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, Ugyon Centralians, Ugyon Iloilo. Ugyon kita sa pagbag-o. Let us lead the change.

Some say that the Filipinos’ favorite pastime is listening and talking about gossips and rumors. This is why there are showbiz news all over from traditional media to new forms of media. This is also why reality shows in our country and elsewhere are hits everywhere most of the time. Furthermore, apparently, people like what has drama and twists. Some say it’s boring to have too much straight and “goody goody” personalities. They add that those who are like that aren’t worth talking about or a minute of their time.

Well, I don’t see anything wrong per se with talking about others as long as we think of their best interest or we respect their privacy. In addition, we should also verify news about people first before we believe them or before we pass them on to our friends and relatives. Let us be sensitive to other people. What if the gossip or rumor is not good to the person involved, how would that person feel? Better yet let us put ourselves in that person’s shoes, would we want to fall victim to nasty and untrue and made up gossip or rumors?

The question is why are there false gossip or rumors? These are used by people with vested interest or dark agendas. These are usually used in politics when one wants to destroy someone’s reputation or credibility and even image to advance his own. This can also be used in business and other personal stuff, to discredit an individual.

I am not a fan of making up stories or rumors against people. It doesn’t do anything good. For those who have good intentions, who are secure and who do well, disregard them and just live your life the way that nobody will believe in those who make up stories against you. There are much more important things to give our attention to.

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.

Continuous education: There is more to learn everyday...I am glad to have finally finished my Doctoral Dissertation Paper

Mga kabataang Ilonggo, mga kababinhan kag mga katigulangan: UGYON kita sa pagbag-o!

Signing balloons, t-shirts, notebooks and other stuff of the supporters after the event

During Vice Mayor Jed's declaration of his candidacy for City Mayor in front of thousands and thousands of supporters

Belief in someone or something is said to be essential to have a productive and healthy relationship. It leads to commitment, concern, love, respect, interest, passion and steadfastness. On the other hand, the lack or absence of trust leads to jealousy, fights, anger, insecurities and other problems in a relationship.

Have you noticed that sometimes it is hard for us to be convinced to want something or someone, buy something, and support someone or something if we lack the trust or confidence to the person or thing. We might need more convincing or sometimes opt for another option or choice.

It is hard to support someone or something that you do not like, do not trust or do not have confidence in or with. If we force ourselves it might show since it is not heartfelt.

Thus, let us choose wisely in all aspects of our lives. Let us not go for what is available and act as if we do not have any choice. We always have a choice and there is no one forced because at the end of the day it is still us who allow ourselves to be pressured by others.

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.

Indecisive as defined by Microsoft Thesaurus as being inconclusive, not definite, unsure, uncertain and wavering.

Most of us do not decide on impulse or maybe sometimes we do depending on what kind of decision we have to make. There are those who study things well and analyze the situation before making a firm and final decision. This is maybe the reason why some have a hard time or it takes them a long time to get married, to choose a course to take, to get a job or pick a career and the like.

Some say being indecisive is not a good sign since it seems that one can’t make up his mind. They say it shows poor or weak judgment and leadership. On the other hand, some say it’s better to delay making a decision due to proper study so as to make a quality decision that one can be committed to than to immediately make a careless and hasty decision.

For whatever it is worth, I would like to share the idea of not going just for what is easy and available. We shouldn’t also be careless by going for what is unattainable as of the moment. Apparently, it is best for us to make a well thought of, well informed and most appropriate decision and action.

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.