SO MANY things to be thankful for, so the cliché goes. But nothing could be more apt but to put “God” in the phrase to express real gratefulness.
The past year was so significant and memorable to me. It was the year when I chose to finally leave CDC, my employer for 26 years. I am not using “retire” as I often face the question “why have you retired when you are still so young?”
So, am I happy now that I’m out? To be relieved of the stress that does not only cover 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but also off-work hours and weekends is the best answer.
You see, I have been opting out even before my former boss Noel Manankil filed his resignation as CDC President in October 2020. But I was dissuaded out of it as I felt I cannot leave him even if there were no reasons to do so except for the pandemic’s impact to Clark and environs.
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So many friends ask “what have you been doing now?” as if they find me bored.
On the contrary, I am still on my toes on many productive endeavors since opting out in April last year. In fact, my wife once remarked “you seem even busier now.”
Opportunities have abound and I have grabbed very few of them. One is teaching a subject matter in my forte – Purposive Communications. I was able to complete a semester of it at Mabalacat City College not just because on the invitation of good friend and its hardworking President Mich Ong. But because I want to pay it forward too, imparting knowledge to students in my hometown.
I am also back on the saddle insofar as active media practice is concerned.
Glad to be writing for this paper again, which I missed so much. Am thankful to Editor Jovi De Leon for being patient with me in those (many) times I skipped my column articles.
This paper gave me an opportunity to grow too, professionally. I got the rare chance to cover the United Nations General Assembly in New York for SunStar Pampanga for many years.
That chance has kept going on from year 2000 up to this time as President Paul “Concon” Laus entrusted me with another task for Laus Group where SunStar Pampanga is a part of. I am honored to have worked with his late Dad on three occasions (SunStar, Mt. Pinatubo coffeetable book, and in CDC as its former president). I am equally blessed that boss Paul, has taken the baton and let the legacy of Levy P. Laus live on, together with Mam Tess and his siblings.
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I am far from retiring, especially media practice.
Being elected as the president of the country’s grandest press organization -- the Pampanga Press Club -- is another honor for me. There is a big shoe to fill though, with former journalism classmate and PDI reporter Tonette Orejas making sure that members’ welfare is uplifted even through the pandemic.
I am thankful for the trust that PPC colleagues gave me. The position comes with it a huge responsibility. Already, a baptism of fire had come in the killing of fellow member Jess Malabanan, whose case still has to be solved in the name of justice.
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MERRY MAKING I have witnessed in the revival of fun and laughter at Xevera in Tabun, Mabalacat City.
Weeks before Christmas, I got the chance to see the newly developed children’s park near the Clubhouse. It brought joy to hundreds of families not just from the Xevera but from nearby villages, even those from Tarlac province and Angeles City.
And its new owner-developer Weschester Realty Corp did not stop providing fun not just for kids but for everyone since it assumed the rehabilitation of the community.
It has raffled-off to lucky resident Erlin Joy Reyes a brand new Geely Coolray, one of the best selling crossovers in the country today. A sales agent in Carlos G. Juan also received 150,000 incentive in return.
Father and son team Rodolfo G. Valencia and John Nico P. Valencia (chairman and president of RGV Group of Companies, respectively) stopped at nothing since taking over the property development to bring life back again to one of the most complete communities in Central Luzon.
The property was not just besieged with many issues while its residents faced uncertainties. Weschester was quick to resolve all that as residents are now smiling back again and are now indeed merry.