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 2^nd 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.

September 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.

September 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.

September 23, 2008

This 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).

Sept. 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...