My Small Steps from a Man with a Big Heart

DOLE Undersecretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and the author

Have you ever wondered why I christened my blog as "Small Steps"? The logical answer is because in reality I can't take big steps :-D. Aside from this, there is this one person, a very respectable one, who gave this strong two worded advice/comment to yours truly during those times when I felt that everything in this world is not fair. My feeling back then was it's just me against the world and everybody hated me. Feeling so low, I comforted myself by reading the blog of this man. A blog that exudes with radiant intelligence and wisdom. I knew he doesn't know me personally but I did put up a brave face by leaving a comment there. If I remember it right, I said that I'm also a member of a certain team and we've been trying very hard to accomplish something for the better by introducing changes unacceptable to many. That's why instead of gaining friends, we gained enemies. I never expected that the childish comment of mine would merit an answer that would make my attitude towards life turn 180 degrees. He commented back by saying . . . take small steps . . . small steps.

Two words that totally changed my outlook towards everything. Gone are the days of my being pessimistic, judgmental and very emotional than intellectual.

The rest is history for I am now a better person driven to continue taking small steps to achieve my goals in life and a person with the capability to accept the things/instances I can't change.

Thanks for the opportunity and realization, Sir Hans!

p.s. Many thanks to our Info Officer, Ms. Charmaine Sonsona, for the photo op with this great man!

A Friend so Beautiful Inside and Out

If there's one person, other than my hubby, I feel good when I'm with - it's none other than my friend, the author of the very popular blog www.gandaeversomuch.com, Mr. Orman Ortega Manansala.

With him, I feel very much comfortable. With his blog, I get to smile more often and how I secretly wished I was like him!

He's fun to be with. He's got that irresistible beauty and confidence. Indeed, a friend who is so beautiful inside and out.

He's my endorphin-trigger. That's why I have a stress free life now.

He's my cuddly teddy bear. A hug and a buzz from him usually make my day brighter even if we don't see each other that much.

This is Orman and I hope and pray he'll stay this way forever.

Happy blogoversary master blogger! Remember the first time we hung out together? we didn't flew that high ;-) But now, you're the most beautiful and charming flying blogger I have ever known! Proof? please try on this LINK!

Again, stay beautiful, my friend!
Continue inspiring us, your blogger friends. . .
soar high with your generosity and aura of fearless confidence!

Atty. Rafael O. Montilla for City Councilor

My cousin, Atty. Rafael Olaer Montilla, is gearing for a city council seat. He's one brilliant lawyer with a heart for anybody who needs his help. I am supporting him because I know and I believe that he'll make a good councilor, I swear!

His platform of government is nestled on the acronym - PAENG OLAER!

P-romote transparency and accountability in local government transactions;

A- ddress fiscal and expenditure management and develop alternative revenue generating mechanisms at the local level;

E-ncourage the establishment of cooperatives;

N-urture the development of youth through the promotion of sports;

G-ive priority to poverty alleviation programs;

O-perationalize performance standards in local bureaucracy;

L-ead a simple and decent life;

A-dvocate transformational changes for the upliftment of the
greater majority;

E-nhance wider citizen participation;

R-ecognize continual improvement to the delivery of basic
services.

On May 10, 2010

Number 29 po sa inyong mga balota - Atty. Rafael "Paeng" Olaer Montilla

please click on this link to see Atty. Paeng's video courtesy of Mr. Edward Lutero

Gotcha TG

good friend Melinda Betaizar, TG and me

Since it is election time in the Philippines, it is but normal to see a deluge of politicians wherever one goes. This statement was affirmed when I saw senatoriable Teofisto (TG) Guingona III at the Gensan Airport the other day. I also saw Ms. Solita Monsod and Vice Presidentiable Loren Legarda there.

That was the third time I saw Sir TG in person and the first time ever I asked for a picture of him taken with me. The mestizo senatoriable was so accommodating. He even suggested as to where we should pose since the lighting was not that good. He even engaged me and my daughter to a very interesting conversation.

The night before, we saw sir TG at the East Asia Royale hotel. He was with ABS CBN's Henry Omaga-Diaz. It was heartwarming to see them pose as I clicked my cam.

the duo obliged to pose with big smiles

Out of small gestures, come big surprises. Sir TG's being so approachable and always ready with a smile, earned him the No. 2 spot on my list of senatoriables. :-D

We're from Mindanao and I think it is also fitting and proper to include in our choices our very own leaders.

Gotcha, Sir TG!

My SMI Escapade (1st of Three Parts)

Early blogger birds at the designated meeting place while waiting

for our rides in going to Tampakan

Socsksargen bloggers, composed of beautiful people of all shapes and sizes, had a grand time last March 6, 2010 during the Discovery Tour sponsored by Sagittarius Mines, Inc.

Bloggers Orman, Avel, Donna, Gilbert, Mandi, Rose, Arnel, Tammy, Dimple, Cindy, Rabsky, Lito, Frances, Van and yours truly together with brilliant SMI people left Gensan for our destination at around 7:00 AM after converging beside the City Hall. On board several 4 x 4 vehicles, the group headed for Tampakan and made a quick stop over in Tupi to pick up Doc Remo and Xyr.

After an almost half hour very fine ride, the group reached our first destination, the SMI Competence Center located at Yakal corner talisay Sts in Tampakan, South Cotabato. Coffee, tea and other what have yous were offered to us as early morning snacks. SMI people present made sure that all our needs are addressed at once.

A brief and concise orientation process followed. Focal persons from different SMI departments were on hand to brief us on everything we need to know. We were afforded the chance to take a glimpse on what and how SMI is , its people, safety practices as well as their projects for environment and tribal groups existing within their area of jurisdiction.

SMI beauties and hunk during the briefing/orientation
inside the SMI Competence Center

Sox bloggers with SMI's Ms. Bench

(Many thanks to Arnel Joshua Lim for the pics used on this post)

there's more about SMI and our escapade in my upcoming posts. . .:-)

Our Mayor Acharon's Major Accomplishments

The Hon. Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr. as he delivers his State of the City Address
(pic courtesy of Mr. Orman Manansala)

This blog author was damn excited when she was afforded the chance to witness first hand our Mayor Jun Acharon's SOCA last February 11, 2010 inside the cavernous hall of the city's new legislative building. Many and BIG thanks, of course, to Bariles for the opportunity.

Glittering names in the government, politics, business, finance, academe, media and military came in droves to watch and hear our beloved Mayor Jun Acharon as he delivered his last SOCA as father and leader of this very popular city in the south. The dashing mayor delivered his SOCA concisely and in a very elegant and respectable manner.

Mayor Jun Acharon demonstrated pride in announcing that new businesses numbering 1,259 brought in investments of 1.397B for the year 2009. Significant contributions of other government agencies were also highlighted during the SOCA. A notable inclusion in his SOCA that made several government agency heads grin from ear to ear.

He also made mention about the good performance of the tourism sector with the continuous growth of the number of tourist arrival per year. Generals like Manny Pacquiao, Philip Nadela, Gerald Anderson and even Melai were also given due recognition during Mayor Jun Acharon's SOCA.

Several major accomplishments were laid down and judging from the applauses given to our Mayor during his State of the City Address, I am proud to say that our Mayor has done his job well and by staying as resilient as he is, I know the world of politics will still be opening more and more doors for him.

Mine and yours' mayor may be leaving the portals of Gensan but the legacy he will be leaving behind will remain forever to remind us that we once had a leader with a very big heart for all generals!

Good luck, Mayor Jun! Go on, sail on, keep on making us prouder to be Generals!


note: the author will be posting here soon the link to full script of the Mayor's SOCA

Pit Senior! My First Ever Sinulog Experience

The author just got lucky to be invited to the 5th Patronal Fiesta in honor of the Sto. Nino of the Damalerio Group of Companies last January 30, 2010. Never before in my life had I experienced something more fervor that what I had on that day. Of course, I'm a firm believer of the Little Child Jesus but my way of giving honor to him is limited in my home altar and the Sto. Nino Parish in Bula. DFC Group of Companies' own version of the Sinulog served as an eye opener for me. It felt really, really good to be able to join in the festivities honoring the Sto Nino. It was an experience I'll be remembering as long as I live.

The colorful stage wherein a very lively singing contest hosted

by their HR Manager, Ms. Grace D. Guevarra, was held a little after lunchtime

DFC chapel's precious image of the Sto. Nino (truly, a sight to behold!)

DFC Group of Companies employees and their families lining up

to pay homage to the Sto. Nino

Damalerio Family matriarch Ma'am Inday, together with other members of the family and their employees, under the heat of thesun while paying tribute to their beloved Sto. Nino nestled on a mini sailboat

The Sto. Nino with the revelers during the procession

The crowd led by the famous Damalerio siblings
as they danced their way to thank and praise the Sto Nino!
(mind you, I had the honor of doing the same too before I took this picture )


A very happy Inkai with my Sto. Nino


Viva, Pit Senior!

Goodbye and Goodluck, Good Girl

The very beautiful DOLE XII Med-Arbiter, Atty. Jade Jamora

Atty. Jade with equally stunning cousin Jinky Pacquiao

Hi, folks! I am dedicating this post to a very good friend and co-employee who is now about to leave the DOLE portals for the better after three (3) years of dedicated service.

Atty. Jade Jamora is one of those persons I admire most. She is young, efficient and very talented. An achiever during her school years and a stunner as a young and principled lawyer. A dutiful daughter to her parents and a loving sister to her siblings.

This charmer holds one of the highest positions among the roster of DOLE Officials in Region XII. She joined the department three years ago and right there and then she earned the respect of her co-employees and clients by performing her tasks and functions with utmost sincerity and professionalism. She is one government employee I am very proud of and I perceive to be worth emulating by our people in public service.

Now that she is about to leave us to serve as Clerk of Court of the Regional Trial Court in Gensan, I have this profound wish for her:

May she continue to shine in her new workplace and the folks at RTC
will realize sooner than we did
how lucky they are for having Atty Jade in their midst!

Thank you, Atty Jade! Goodbye and goodluck, to one of the nicest young ladies I've known!

nota bene: pics above grabbed from Atty. Jade's site

Philippine Popstar Princess' Next Concert is in Gensan ( I have my reasons why i'm watching this!)

sweet 21 year old, Miss Sarah Geronimo

Yes, you heard it right, guys! The Pop Princess, is coming back to Gensan for the last leg of her "Sarah Geronimo -The Next One" concert. It's gonna be on December 11, 2009 at Gensan Lagao Gymnasium. Of course, this is once again brought to us by the dashing and very generous Mr. Michael Wee of Dreamwork Ventures and Grab A Crab Restaurant.

For the record, Mr. Wee is again involving the bloggers in this endeavor of the Dreamwork Ventures by sponsoring tickets for the concert with free gift certificates from his high end resto. He is again teaming up with his buddy, the famous Bariles of Gensan Online News Mag for this " 5 Reasons why you should watch " The Next One Concert" Blog Contest".

So, for my take, hereunder are the reasons why, just like the others, I am very much interested to be there:

- I want to see for myself how does the best among National Anthem singers during Pacquiao matches performs in flesh;
- I love Sarah's immaculate image and I consider her as one artist worth emulating by our young people;
- I admire Sarah's versatility as a performer and I know she'll make all the generals swing and sing with her on December 11;
- I have high regards for her musical director , Mr. Louie Ocampo as well as for her other co-performers, namely; Jay-R, Mark Bautista, Simon Wood, Jimmy Marquez and Billy Joe Crawford; and
- I can't bear the thought of my fellow bloggers enjoying the concert to the hilt and am not with them! :-) ( I really, really love these people and oftentimes we're gathered together because of Mr. Wee's generosity)

poster of the upcoming concert

Expect for another topnotch performance from our Popstar Princess!
So what are you waiting for, grab your concert tickets now!

to buy your tickets, you may contact telephone #s
(083) 554-5430, 301-5555, 0917-3639191, 0932-3433794

or

contact the author of this blog
(yeah, I am selling tickets for this concert hopefully to earn extra ticket for myself
and also because I believe that this concert is worth watching for!)

By the way, this concert is made possible in cooperation with Cebuana Lhullier, Jollibee, Sony Ericsson, Belo Essentials, Magnolia Fruit Drink, Skechers, Sunsilk, Vaseline, Ladies Choice, Careline and Charmee

and

Local Government of GenSan, Grab A Crab Restaurant, Coffee Club 101, East Asia Royale Hotel, Giacomino’s, Gregoria Printing Press, New York Fries and Dips, Gaisano, Miso Hardware, Skycable and High Frequency Productions.

Sir Bob's Black Sambo

Sir Bob Munasque, in the center, together with other SCIPSI managers
(photo grabbed from www.scipsi.com)

Mr. Gabriel Munasque or simply Bob to his friends and close associates is one person whom God must have bestowed all the good qualities we always look for in a man. He is God-fearing, good looking, generous, goodhearted, and most of all a gallant boss with great and genuine concern towards his people. This is evident by the way his employees regard and treat him as their boss.

Aside from all these good qualities this one of a kind man have, there is still this one trait of him that made me say - he's simply amazing! The guy can cook and prepare food that could easily satisfy one's palate. In other words, he's also a gourmet! In fact, I am one of those privileged few who were given the chance to partake of his mouth watering Black Sambo. A very tempting and sinful dessert made out of a mixture of gelatine, cream, milk and chocolate. It was very delectable and could make you crave for more. I couldn't wait to have a taste of Sir Bob's other gastronomic offering!

Photo below is Sir Bob's Black Sambo
(please bear with my cam, it was not set properly during the pic taking)

We Laughed and Posed with John Lapuz

It's my dear friend, Romy P., tickling John Lapuz to the bones!

At the Gensan Airport, it is likely that one will have the chance to laugh and pose with celebrities and almost celebrities!

Romy and I had the chance of a lifetime when we spotted John Lapuz as he waits for his fetchers to bring him to KCC Mall. We took the opportunity of having our pictures taken with this bubbly comedian. Kudos to John for being so accommodating! I love him for this.

The author with the man who always makes her laugh. . .