THE responsibility always ends somewhere, and it is found not far from where it was propelled. Regardless of reasons, valid or not, the professional who takes the credit is logically bound to receive the criticism – always take the good with the bad. That is an eternal rule.
The first to hit mud is the head, the first to get scratches are the pioneers. The story of humankind tells those trailblazing stories of heroes and leaders who had rarely led unscathed. The point is: those who hold the power or responsibility walk on a thin line between glory and shame. It is the natural law; the manager cannot blame it to the utility worker, the decision maker cannot pass it to those who do not have the said discretion, and those who call the shots naturally risk the public’s backlash – why blame it to the underpaid rank and file? The buck ends somewhere and it should be found not too far from those who wear the hat.
Great leaders and managers consider this reality. As such, they will invest on the workers’ development, uplifting those who uplift the company or organization. They see the worker’s progress as an asset, and not a threat of a takeover. Great workers equals great work equals great leaders/managers.
That is why I understand the passion and pain involved in lobbying for office needs -- additional personnel, office space, funding, and needed policies. I understand why implementers have to wear an armor to battle for such work requirements. This is because after all the office politics, bureaucracy, and those things beyond our power, and especially in cases of unfortunate happenings, we would eventually eat the ‘blame’ recipe for breakfast just the same. The buck ends here after all.
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After the La Trinidad Coffee Fest, La Trinidad will celebrate the Strawberry Festival as a community event – gathering the participation of the town’s barangays and local establishments in its major events. Such direction of prioritizing the community’s involvement has its own beauty: “Let the locals enjoy for now...” There will be a time when many big brands will flood the valley town, and more tourists would stay on our narrow pavements. There will become a time when locals will stay at home during the festivities, and fresh-eyed visitors will eagerly await our events. There will be a time when the Strawberry Festival will be owned by the country, and not La Trinidad alone. For now; let the locals beat the gongs and dance the Tayaw, let the barangays come up with their own recycled floats, let the La Trinidad people compete in artistic and musical events among themselves, let our local bakers offer their strawberry cakes and pastries, let our farmers present their sweetest and biggest strawberries, let them own the festival...for now.
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The success of La Trinidad’s Coffee Festival is attributed to the hardworking employees of the Municipality, especially the Municipal Agriculture office headed by Ms. Felicitas Ticbaen. Of course, the events will not be possible without the ever supportive line-agencies of Benguet and CAR as a whole: Dep’t of Agriculture, Dep’t of Trade and Industry, and Dep’t of Tourism. We also thank our exhibitors, farmers, and coffee stakeholders for their most valued participation. We, of course, thank our Municipal officials, headed by Mayor Romeo K. Salda, for the opportunity to celebrate our favorite elixir: Coffee. Agbiag ti Kape ti Trinidad!