How Valenzuelanos can become Ambassadors of Good Governance

I am neither paid nor coerced by the camp of Sen. Grace Poe and Mayor Rex Gatchalian to share some points that you may consider in choosing our country’s next president. I, being a Valenzuelano, will be voting for Sen. Grace Poe and below are my reasons.

1.       Mayor Rex Gatchalian is the spokesperson of Sen. Grace Poe. This means that they have a deep relationship in the political arena. Since this is the case, we can be assured that Valenzuela City will improve enormously on the next six years under her tenure, if she wins.

2.       The marked improvement in Valenzuela City’s governance can be replicated in other local government units since Sen. Poe listens to Mayor Rex. I have read and watched several interviews of Sen. Poe and I always have this feeling that it is Mayor Rex who is also talking because her syntax is most of the time parallel with that of our chief executive.

3.       In specific elaboration to point number one, if Valenzuelanos will have dire concerns in the future, Mayor Rex can easily tap the President for immediate aid or attention.

4.       No matter who wins as the next president of the country, it is ourselves who will make the difference in our lives. BUT, if the next president is ‘close’ to us, we will be one of her priorities.

5.       Sen. Poe knows what to do to alleviate poverty, which is the root cause of other societal problems – drugs, crimes, ignorance, etc. Just like the Gatchalians, she will do business – a carefully crafted one. She will generate 2 million jobs every year, which will be tantamount to the number of families that will be properly fed and be given dignified lives. (If a family, which is the basic unit of the society, is strong from the inside, all its members can potentially contribute to the country’s inclusive growth.)

6.       The additional comfort that we may experience in the future as Valenzuelanos is something that we could also share to our relatives in other parts of the country. How? You know very well that the Gatchalians are just tweets and PMs away, and they ACT and RESPOND. Help is at your fingertips anytime, anywhere. In effect, you, Valenzuelano can be an ambassador of Good Governance to other Filipinos because you know what to do.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you’ve been proud and happy with Valenzuela City’s achievements left and right, let us share the same exhilarating experience to our fellow Filipinos in other parts of the country.

Are you not tired of lifting your brows to political figures who claim that they’re our country’s only hope and salvation? Our salvation will come from ourselves, from our hard work, and wise choices. And I believe that there is no better way of strengthening our government than choosing the leader is reachable to us. 

The Rebirth of Miss Valenzuela

It was a sudden tweet last Friday morning that Summit Media, the largest magazine publishing company in the Philippines, posted that they were going to hold a mommy bloggers’ workshop the following day. For the longest time, I have been waiting for this opportunity to come along. I cancelled my social appointments that Saturday to reward myself the chance to be part of that sophisticated conference for bloggers. I found myself on the right track.

I was happy to have tagged along Andrea, a registered nurse at Valenzuela health department, who shared with me that she also loves writing. I probed on her potential blog slant in the future and she said that she is interested in sharing stories of the people she meets on field whenever she’s deployed to promote community health service. I told her that what she likes is going to be complimentary with what I’m writing because I also want to share stories about our home city.

Buddy of the Day: Andrea of City Health Department

The mommy bloggers’ workshop, organized by Good Housekeeping of Summit Media, was an afternoon of learning held at Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Libis, Quezon City, which was attended by veteran and aspiring mommy bloggers and members of the magazine’s online community.

The highly credible speakers during the workshop were Sheila Catilo, a photographer specializing in family portraits, travel photos, and magazine editorials; Christine “Tin” Dychiao, a retail consultant for online stores and retail brands who also maintains the blog -- manilafashionobserver.com; and Ginger Arboleda, a professional blogger (mommyginger.com) and a superwoman who ‘s a CEO of three companies.

Ms. Shiela Catilo

Ms. Ginger Arboleda

It was through this workshop that I was inspired to revamp my social media accounts. I started from asking myself, what is my personal brand? I consulted my sister Lavinia for her perception on my image and identity and she said, “You’re a writer and a former beauty queen,” hence the birth of “Miss Valenzuela.” If you follow me on twitter and Instagram, you’d see that both were already renamed.

Applying What I Have Learned.

Product Photography

Scepter Pen Is My Brand
- Miss Valenzuela

The Etymology of Miss Valenzuela.

“Miss” delves on the feminine side of my articles that talk about the glamour of living a life where one can magnify simple joys into a profound source of contentment. This, for me, is indicative of what an ideal life should be of former beauty queens. While skin-deep beauty is temporal and fading, one’s character and strength inside should continue to exude radiance, to touch lives better just like Audrey Hepburn and Miriam Quiambao.

The “Valenzuela” part is indicative of my target audience and my identity as a professional writer. While my college friends have found their niche in various fields, I found mine in local government service. Anyhow, since day one of my blog, accounts herein talks about the journey of a Valenzuelana.

Folks, welcome to my blog and I hope you’ll enjoy your experience here on my virtual social life.

Family Day: Kuya J Restaurant, Toy Kingdom

It was my children’s day out last April 13. We went to SM Megamall together with their father who wanted to buy them something at the mega shoe sale. Unfortunately when we got there round about before lunch, the mega trade center was already jam-packed with adults. Some were already lined up at the payment counters because maybe they were already there early, and lots were still roaming around to pick the items they would purchase. We decided not to go there anymore because our children might get agitated inside. By the looks of the multitude of people in the store, I don’t think the discount we’ll get is worth my children’s inconvenience.

We had our lunch instead at the Kuya J Restaurant, which according to my ex is owned by a Filipino actor, Jericho Rosales. I like the interiors of the resto. It’s cozy and it exudes an ambiance as if it’s intended for people who love to read. If I’m going to be wealthy in the future, I would like to have that equally nice interior design for my internet shop.

After eating, we just strolled at the mall the whole afternoon. We went to Toy Kingdom for the kids to choose the toys they like. My son ended up buying two bey blades. As for my daughter, since we noticed that she was laughing so hard at the battery operated barking toy puppy, that’s the one we selected for her.

My daughter’s laughter was priceless. My son’s thankful gaze was meaningful. We definitely had fun!

Forever (A Poem)

April is National Literature Month in the Philippines. For this, I am featuring the poem written by my senior citizen-student, Nanay Flordeliza Edroso, entitled “Forever.”

This poetry compares the present generation’s notion of love as to that of her time. Nanay Flor was born in the generation when men still court the women of their dreams through “harana” – this is suitors’ traditional way of pursuing women by singing love songs for them. 

According to nanay, young lovers these days have negative perception about romantic relationships. They say there is no such thing as “forever” in love. Maybe this is because of the pain they had to deal with their exes, that’s why teenagers already have a preconceived, pessimistic view on love. Nanay repels this notion because contrary to her experience, she was able to find and keep her “forever.”

Nanay Flor is my student in Philippine Literature. She is the famous 70-year old grandmother who finished her secondary level in 2014 at the Valenzuela National High School in Marulas, Valenzuela City. Her inspiring story of “graduating in high school despite old age” captured the interest of the media because it gave a strong message of hope to individuals who consider going back to school, but are afraid of being ridiculed by their younger classmates.

Nanay Flor, a city government scholar, is currently taking Food Service Management at Valenzuela City Polytechnic College.

Find out more about her at: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/flordeliza-edroso

e-bayad Tour in Quezon City

                A couple of days ago, my officemates and I went to Quezon City to check out their e-Bayad Tour project because we are bound to do the same for our upcoming business tax payment season. It was my suggestion to check out what other local government units are doing for this kind of event, so that we could adapt their strong points and perhaps avoid potential mistakes. Anyhow, when we talk about nation building, no local government entity should hold the monopoly of good practices. Good practices are meant to be emulated and shared.

                 The highlight of the activity is the passport stamping activity which enabled its participants to be aware of electronic payment options which are now available for them, such as but not limited to the use of mobile money, credit card and debit card payments during point-of-sale or online transactions.

The local government of Quezon City’s e-Bayad project was participated by GCash, Citibank, Landbank, and of course USAID.

                Valenzuela City be testing GCash acceptance among our taxpayers on April 19 and 20 in a pilot marketing activity. We are targeting July for our full blast e-Bayad Tour version.

I am quite lucky to belong in a workplace where employees are paid by simply doing what they love to do. In my case, a communication graduate, the thrill of meeting new people, exploring places, sharing ideas, manning events, and everything that falls in between – I consider these as the most gratifying episodes of my career life. 

Note to Self: Paradigm Shift

I do not like “short orders” at work. These refer to tasks being handed by people to me, as if their requests are as simple as mindless encoding of texts in the computer. For several occasions, I felt the urge to blurt out, “Seriously, you just barged in without prior notice and you wanted to get your request right away? I’m a writer. I also plan and conceptualize my output. Writing is an art. Time is essential in writing. You can’t hurry me up. Blah! Blah! Blah” These angry words are futile and pointless utterances that will just fall on the clueless ears of the messengers and not their supervisors. It’s useless to nag. Hahaha!

The quick fix? A forced smile and these soft mental reminders: “I am a public servant, the person in front of me is just following orders, the requesting group may have been very preoccupied and desperate of help, and perhaps I was sought because I am trusted.”

If you have been serious about your job, you will shine effortlessly. Even if sooner, you will be a victim of a demolition job orchestrated by your colleagues or superiors, you can’t be shaken easily because you have already established a dignified image of yourself. You cannot pin a good man down.

The water pump may be rusty and lifeless but it's historical and priceless.
It's a matter of perception.

Always consider giving help to others as an opportunity. You’ll never know the significance of your small actions to people with grateful hearts. Whether or not there’s going to be a good karma for doing something nice, simply realizing that you’ve made yourself a blessing to others is already a biggie.

So good day folks, let’s pull up our heads high, let’s get into action, and let’s make heaven a place on earth.

John Mark: Strong and Spirit-Free

     John Mark Domingo, the first and only visually impaired student of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV), graduated BS Public Administration on April 7 at the PICC.

     Domingo was thankful to former Mayor WIN Gatchalian for the trust and opportunity that he has given him so that he could complete his college education.

     Our young achiever shared that he had been rejected by several private and public colleges because of his condition. Personnel in these schools would tell him reasons such as – they lack program for the blind, they have no available facilities, or their teachers are not ready for students like him. While everybody seemed to turn their backs on him, it was Kuya WIN remained steadfast with his confidence in him.

     Domingo reckons that Kuya WIN personally called the school president of the local university so that he could get accepted in the school hassle-free. That action of Kuya Win marked the realization of his dream – to continue his journey as a college student.

     Since Domingo entered college in 2012 up until 2016, he religiously received financial assistance from the local government. Every semester he receives Php 5,000 from the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

     He believes that Kuya WIN can really deliver his promise of “Free Higher Education” to the entire nation because he himself experienced how Kuya WIN really puts premium on investing in people. He attests Kuya WIN’s capability to open the doors of education to everybody, even to persons with disability (PWD) such as himself.  

John Mark delivers his thank you speech during the birthday celebration of Kuya WIN
at the People's Park Amphitheater

     He deems his achievement as a catalyst to shift the public’s perception on his sector as something “vulnerable” to “full of potentials”. He says the society is beginning to recognize PWD’s worth as differently-abled persons who can also contribute to the nation’s progress.

     Domingo encourages his fellow PWD that they should not falter in their dreams because dreaming is free anyway. He said that while challenges are inevitable, they should just continue to believe that they could make it through. And once they have weathered their storm, they will feel great about themselves.

Smoking, Fraternity and the Lesbo in Me

     I’m no chain smoker at least at this point, but smoking somehow has been a necessity for me at work these days. “Yosi,” our colloquial term for smoking, is serving as my breather every time I feel like I’m having too much work.

     I tried smoking way back in college, when I got the opportunity to befriend a Tamano from a powerful clan in Muslim Mindanao. She’s a beautiful woman who’s very cool and nice too. She smokes every time we chitchat during our vacant period. Having in mind that second hand smoke is more dangerous than the first hand, I tried smoking too. It was a so-so experience and I did not get addicted to it. I just liked her company that’s why I also smoke whenever I’m with her. I stopped smoking when I noticed that my front teeth were getting brittle.

     And now in the office, with the pressure I’m getting there, I’m beginning to ran back to find my peace and solace in smoking. My yosi buddies, who are usually guys (sometimes gays), tag me along for yosi breaks. These are the same folks who I would go out with for beer sprees when I’m free.

     My life style is gradually shifting again from being homey to carefree. The latter gives me a very strong sense of social belongingness because once again, I get to do the things that make me enjoy life better each day.

     I’m the only woman in our yosi circle of friends. My best buddies right now are Kuya Rex, Harry, and Rafraf. Kuya Rex is always the accommodating one. Harry is the youngest – he’s smart and listens to reason, but does things his way if he believes he’s correct. And Rafraf, he’s our rock star!

     At this age, I think I’m excreting more androgen than estrogen. I appreciate better the company of boys who are just always chilling; unlike girls who are always complaining and over-thinking of plenty of stuff. Being surrounded by male machismo is like a warp zone for me, in a good light, because I get to discover the different side of men unknown to many women. Sitting with them over bottles of beer is just like my Anthropology days in college, when immersion was required to understand a different gendered space. And I love my learning experience.

     For the new close friends I have, here’s what I have to say: Cheers to my fraternity! 

The (insert adjective) Boss

Have you ever experienced being put into hot water several times because your superior doesn’t like you? You are not alone. It happens. And I think this is especially true if a subordinate is deemed by his or her superior as a “threat” .

When you are a leader, you can’t afford to be insecure to your subordinates because if insecurity will get in the way, it can lead to counter-productive results in the organization.

What are the tell-tale signs that your boss is doing you a demolition job?

1. Memo is everywhere – Issuing a lot of memo is a sign of a disorganized office.  It means that every small instruction has to be on paper that’s why your boss seems to transfigure himself or herself into a memo-making machine. If the memo is directed towards you, this could also be an indicator that your boss is collating evidences against you so that if he or she sees an opportunity to fire you, he or she is backed up with documented citations.

2. You are reprimanded for little things – If your boss despises you, every negligible error that you commit in the office will be magnified. If he or she sees a chance to humiliate you within the earshot of your officemates, that would be a pleasant experience for your aggressor. If you happen to have subordinates too, your boss will call your team the ‘most disorganized one’ even if everybody knows that it’s not true. So, never expect that your boss will praise you in front of other people.

3. Rules are stricter when imposed to you – A bad ass boss plays favourites and his chosen ones are either arrogant or obviously privileged. They easily get a raise in their pay check, their leave applications are approved faster, and they don’t receive written or verbal reprimands even if they are lousy at work.

4. They tag your overtime work unofficial – Even if your boss is aware that you are concentrating on a month-long project but you failed to kiss his or her ass every day, err... inform him or her that you will be spending extra hours in the office to work on your project, expect that the overtime hours that you filed will be stashed, quoting the rules of the Civil Service Code, under the presumption that you will no longer question his or her discretion because it is bound by the law.

5. Your office pals become distant to you – Your workmates who are close to you will be aggressed too. If they are ass-kissers, they will forget about your friendship and side with the boss because they will choose ‘benefits’ over harm. But if they wear thinking hats too, they will inform you that their hands are tied. Sympathizing and understanding officemates will apologize to you if that they can no longer help you because they are instructed to make your life in the office difficult. Here, the boss employs a “divide and conquer” strategy.

6. Blame game becomes common – If your boss writes a lousy press release and the chief executive disliked the content and writing style, he or she will tell the big boss that it was YOU who wrote it even if you did not.

7. You are no longer being given an assignment – There are times when you get into the office and you will find yourself surprised that everybody is busy and you’re not because you’re not included in the project. This is so because your boss doesn’t want to see you having an opportunity to garner accomplishments that will add feather on your hat.

8. People from other departments feel the animosity – You will be discretely approached by several people in the organization to ask you if there’s a gap between you and your boss. It is possible that your insecure head contacts the people who may have trust in you to inform them that the inter-department collaboration you handle is unofficial unless approved by him or her. This is really a sad scenario if your boss has selective memory when it comes to you. Your boss will deny knowing your on-going project even if he or she is always looped in the email or even if there was a prior conversation about it.

9. Your presence in the office is strictly monitored – Complimentary to item no.1, your boss will often contact your team mates to check if you’re around. If you’re there, your boss will make you feel unneeded. When you’re out to take a break, your boss will accuse you that you're always not found in your station. If your cool officemates will make fun out of the situation, you will be surprised to receive the “Call Me Baby of the Year Award” in your Christmas Party with matching explanation that your boss always misses you when you’re not around.

10. Walls have ears and all eyes are on you – In addition to item no.9, since you seem to be a threat to your boss, every little move that you do is being reported to him or her by the minions. Some may add unfounded side comments to make their report spicier. It must be true that, “you should keep your friends close but you should keep your enemies closer.”

11. You are asked to do crazy stuff. If you get to accomplish the task, the next one is crazier – Your boss will approach you to give you an insulting job such as to re-type a 50-page law book that is better purchased than re-encoded. You get to find a pdf version on Google which saved your time from re-typing the whole thing and e-mails the link to the boss where it can easily be downloaded. Your office messenger will go back to you to inform you that you are being asked by the boss again to photocopy 50 SETS of the 50-page book. Amazing.

12. Crocodile tears come out of his/her eyes - Your boss personally calls the HR officer beyond office hours to lament that one of his subordinates posted something nasty about him or her on Facebook and namedrops YOU as the most probable person to have done it. Your boss badmouths you and calls you unprofessional and disrespectful – even if you’re not and the Facebook post was done by somebody else.

13. All the working systems that you are using will be challenged and changed without your concurrence – You are safekeeping files for future research use. Here comes your nosy boss who wonders how come you still manage to accomplish something even if you’re not being given any workload at all. The boss finds out that you are maintaining files in a particular manner. Your boss will order you to change the way you keep your documents. When you get to follow the order well, the boss changes his or her mind again and finally orders you to SUBMIT all the files to him or her. Your important files are now all gone.

14. All the good men are disappearing one by one – A good leader sees and acknowledges potentials in people, trains them, and nurtures them so that they may become future leaders too. An insecure boss will only find the negative qualities of his men and will let go of them one by one because no one in the pool is allowed to become better.

It is so sad that there are crooked professionals who are like that, right?

Worry not. Believe in unicorns and sunshine after the rain. Let’s start counting our blessings and wiggle off the rubbish. Cheers to your exciting careers life!