Gratitude

4:11 AM at 4:11 AM Filed under:
April 11, 2012

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.

Life's Challenges

2:06 AM at 2:06 AM Filed under:
March 27, 2012

"A challenge is a general term referring to things that are imbued with a sense of difficulty and victory" from Wikipedia.com. Two keywords from the definition of challenge from Wikipedia.com are difficulty and victory. Difficulty is about things that are not easy, hindrances and obstacles that might make someone quit, leave or do something else. To conquer such difficulties need commitment, faith in God, trust and belief in yourself, passion, tenacity and the yearning for success. If one does not allow to be defeated by difficulties then victory might be and will be reachable and attainable.

Challenges are part of life. Sometimes, it might be in the area of relationships, career, family, money or health. It might make us emotional, hurt, depressed or stressed. If we allow ourselves to be affected in that manner then we might lead ourselves to more problems. It is more advisable to face the challenges well. To look at it as an opportunity to do better, to be more conscious of things and to focus on what matters most in life. It also makes us stronger and better.

Let us conquer our fears. Let us not be consumed by emotion. Let us be more rational. Let us accept challenges and find ways to resolve them. God is with us and He will help us find solutions to our problems. No problem is unsolvable.

Moving UP

1:54 AM at 1:54 AM Filed under:
Mar 18, 2012

It's the month of graduations and moving up ceremonies. Children can't wait to go on another journey in their lives while missing the people and events that made their stay in school memorable and exciting while parents are very excited to see their children go up the stage as they move up another year in school or finally receive their diplomas.

Finishing each level of education is a success and progress by itself. It shows how a student commits to reaching a goal of getting a degree, the educators working hard to guide and mold young minds, the parents who work hard to give a good education and future for their children who are their biggest treasures in the world and the community who work on influencing and guiding our youth to become the best they can be.

Moving up is a sign of progress, growth and it also indicates change. Moving up does not only happen during graduation but in many aspects of our lives. It happens when we are promoted or when we are given more challenging roles in our respective careers. It also can be the improvement of one's lifestyle due to hard work and perseverance to give a good life to his or her family. It can also be termed as level up or simply improving.

Time, forces and certain factors will make us feel that it is the right time to work on move up. God will guide us to where we should be and what we should do next. He will give us what is best for us at His best time.

Struggles

4:25 PM at 4:25 PM Filed under:
I am sure each of us has passed through struggles and conquered them. In our personal lives, in our career and in any aspect of our daily lives, we go through struggles and we become emotional especially if it something that we value.

Why do we struggle? Sometimes, it's because we need to make life changing decisions. Sometimes, the decisions affects our loved ones and family. Sometimes, we need to choose. Sometimes, we are so undecided that we are left in a quandary.

Struggles mean we have choices or options. It just means we need to choose our own adventure. It also means we still have time to make well thought of and well informed decisions that we can commit to.

I am currently seeking God's guidance and listening to my loved ones and supporters on what is best for my next step. I want to do so much and I need to make an important decision soon. I hope and pray that it will be the best and most appropriate decision. I offer my life to the Lord.

2012

2:45 PM at 2:45 PM Filed under:
Jan. 3, 2012

It's a new year. We look forward to a new beginning and to be much better than what we were last year. We also hope and pray for more blessings and opportunities.

Every time a new year comes, we are full of hope and optimism. Moreover, we want to start the year right and well.

Let us pray for God's guidance as we make things better in our lives and for our community and country.

Happy and blessed 2012 to everyone! Me and my family pray and hope for love, peace, prosperity and happiness to one and all. God bless.

Tingog para sa mabaskog nga pamilyang Ilonggo

Tingog para sa mabaskog nga pamilyang Ilonggo
With my wife, Dr. Candice Tupas and our daughter Alexa

Picture Slideshow