May 10, 2009

Everybody has a past. It might not be all good and one might rather try to forget some things. What is important though is we learn from our mistakes and consider it as part of the journey to reach what is best for each of us.

The past should not control us from enjoying the present and in looking forward to a good future. The past should not be a hindrance or an obstacle.

In my case, I was traumatized before by not so good relationships and even betrayals in the past. It made me distance myself to everyone because of the fear that it might possibly happen again. It sometimes made me paranoid and afraid of close and intimate relationships. It was not healthy and it was affecting my interpersonal relationships. It took awhile before I let go of the fear. It took good people and a great girl to make me want to risk again. This time it was worth the risk. This time I have opened myself again to others and made my relationships stronger and better.

A past should not unfairly affect the present and the future. One bad event or some villainous people should not make one generalize that everyone and everything can and will be like that. Let us all look at the goodness in each person. Let us just be wary and careful of how we deal with various types of people.

Whatever I have experienced before made me stronger and a better person who can and is willing to face any challenges that might come my way. It actually helped me deal with things today and what possibly or unexpectedly will happen tomorrow.

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

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.