May 7, 2009

Some people tend to be shy or feel insecure of their humble home, simple stuff and simple things they have in life. They feel ashamed at times or they feel that some might think of them in a different light if it is known. What they do not know is that it is better to have humble beginnings because it pushes you to strive more and reach your dreams. It is also an inspirational story to have had those beginnings until one becomes big one day.

My Tatay hails from a coastal and far flung barangay in the Municipality of Ajuy, Iloilo. It is called Barangay Bay-ang, Ajuy, Iloilo. He was born to a simple family that worked hard to make ends meet. My father had big dreams. Ever since he was a kid, he wanted to be a lawyer someday and eventually a public servant. Some of his contemporaries during that time might have just laughed off his ambition and thought it was impossible. Tatay believed anything is possible as long as one works hard for it and perseveres. He did not allow poverty to stop him from reaching his dream. He walked on a daily basis 15 kms just to go to Culasi Elementary School and at times walked bare foot because he couldn’t buy slippers or shoes. When time came that he finished his Bachelors of Law Degree and needed to take a review and the bar examinations in Manila, he had another obstacle the money needed to spend for the review and the bar. Being very persistent in his dream, he found a way and this is by selling their family’s 13 Carabaos. He was blessed and lucky to have passed the bar and even got the highest mark from examinees coming from outside of Metro Manila. He became a certified lawyer and then worked for the poor. After which, he became interested to serve the public in a bigger capacity as a public servant. Even with the lack of machinery, a name recall, the funds to back him up and was against political titans, he was courageous enough to fight for the people and his dream. He lost a couple of elections but always had a way to bounce back with might. He became Mayor for 7 years of his adopted municipality, Barotac Viejo. He then became the first ever President of the Mayor’s League of the Philippines, then #2 rank Regional Assemblyman of Region VI for 6 years, followed by becoming 5^th District Congressman for 11 years and now on his last term and 8^th year as Governor of the Province of Iloilo. Imagine a poor boy who didn’t have a lot going for him has now reached his dreams and even more. Truly, good things happen to those who work hard and who find ways.

To all Ilonggos, let us not allow poverty or any kind of hindrance to stop us from dreaming big and from reaching our goals. Nothing is impossible as long as you set your eyes on the target and have the full commitment to go for it no matter what.

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

May 4, 2009

Being frugal and practical is something that I have started practicing when I started to work even when I was still in college. I felt how hard it was to earn money and I eventually realized its value. Before such, when I was relying on allowance from my parents, I just spent and spent without thinking much of savings and using money wisely. Our perspective truly changes when we start working for our own money and for a living.

In today’s hard times, we always hear what is called the global recession. We also get unemployment numbers, information about people losing their jobs and companies closing down. It is a very scary world now for the labor market. Even the best of the best lose their jobs and have a hard time getting a new one. Thus, let us be more careful on how we spend our limited resources. Let us always work on a budget. Let us put our money on some profitable manner and only purchase what we need and lessen those wants.

Every single peso counts nowadays. So, let us spend right and spend wisely.

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

May 1, 2009

Even in my growing up years due to schooling in Metro Manila, I always proudly say that I am an Ilonggo and I speak Hiligaynon. I believe that the best people come from Western Visayas especially from the Province and City of Iloilo.

When I was sent to lend support and my presence during the Aliwan Festival where our Dinagyang, Kasadyahan and Paraw Regatta Festivals were ably represented, I felt so much pride to see our contingents display their talent and how much appreciation the audience showed by the loud claps and voices of support even from non Western Visayas audiences. I was also happy that the Iloilo Basketball Team won as National PRISAA Basketball Champion as I was informed by a good friend who told me about it a day before the highlight of the Aliwan Festival.

There are also a lot of Ilonggos who are now serving the national government in all branches. There are also a lot of Ilonggo entrepreneurs who have made it big. Moreover, in any field or career, Ilonggos shine and lead the way. Truly, great talents and minds have been blessed to our people.

As such, I will always and forever proudly say to the world that I am an Ilonggo. If in the event I would be asked to chose, what nationality I would want to have, I will always choose to be an Ilonggo Pinoy.

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

With my closest friends from Ateneo De Manila, Jones and Sheila with one of our ADMU Dormers Kabarakda Dok Arbee




April 28, 2009

Some say that the true measure of a good and real friend is the number of quality long relationships he has kept over the years. How many elementary, high school and college friends do we still have constant communication with? How many of them do we share our most memorable moments with? How great is the bond that even beyond distance and physical absence, the closeness still remains?

Old friends are our connections to our past and to the growth we have experienced and gone through. They are the ones who know us inside and out and who stay when the false friends are gone. They are there to give us support and strength. They are there to share the most important times of our lives from the happiest to the saddest.

I am blessed and thankful to have my La Salle Green Hills barkada still intact as well as my Ateneo De Manila University barkada. These are my friends who saw me develop as a young boy to become a young man and who went through all of the process of growth. I usually still meet up with them every time I am in Metro Manila. As they say, true friends are hard to find, I’m glad I found a lot of real friends in my life.

Let us value special people in our lives. Let us make sure that we thank and recognize their worth and value.

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