Panabo City. Tagum City. Davao City

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The first time I went to Davao City was in February of 2013 during the Department of Science & Technology’s (DOST) launching of Smarter Philippines at Marco Polo Hotel. 

The program aims to drive the country towards more efficient and reliable services in several sectors and help produce world-class products, services and human resources as the DOST taps science and technology to help stimulate the country’s economy.

Alejandro Melchor III, deputy executive director for ICT Industry Development of DOST-ICTO, said that ICT could empower various industries, even agriculture, to enhance their capabilities. It was just so overwhelming that during his presentation, he showcased City of Balanga as one of the Local Government Units (LGU), which has great potential to a smarter cities program based on its ongoing initiatives on economic development. He even remembered my name during his presentation as we met during our eGOV Awards program entry presentation in Clark Pampanga on November of 2012. He requested me to rise among hundreds of participants to acknowledge our LGU’s effort on the same program. I felt like I was wearing a five-(5-) inch high stiletto at that moment. During our dinner cocktail meeting with Davao ICT Council on the same day, I was able to shake his hand for such an overwhelming acknowledgment of the City of Balanga through me as our City Mayor was not available during the program launching.  

Launching of DOST's newest umbrella program dubbed "Smarter Philippines" at Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City last Feb 21, 2013 headed by Science Secretary Mario Montejo, USEC Louis Cassambre, Exec. Deputy Dir. Alejandro "Buds" Melchor III, NICP-ICT Council Officers and other foreign delegates. 

Photos were taken during Capability Building Seminar for ICT Council officers run by the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines headed by Ms. Wit Holganza. The event was held at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City on February 21 & 22, 2013.

NICP-ICT Council Luzon Cluster Meeting.

Deputy Executive Director Mr. Alejandro "Buds" Melchor III during his smarter cities presentation. 

The girl with the long-black hair is me. Photo courtesy by one of my co-delegates during Smarter Philippines opening program at Marco Polo Hotel last February 21, 2013, Davao City.

Cocktail dinner hosted by Davao ICT Council led by Ms. Witt Holganza as their welcome treat to NICP delegates and officers. 

I had the opportunity to go back to Davao again, this time with my fellow department heads during our Study Tour 2014.

On our first day we had a courtesy call to Panabo City Mayor Jose L. Vilvosa Sr. followed by courtesy call to Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon. Cited during study tour was the presentation and discussion on Tourism Development, Child-Friendly Programs, Care for School Chair Programs, Economic Enterprise Projects, Reef-to-Ridge Environment Conservation Program & its initiatives in Promotion and Advocacy of city’s plans and program which were my department’s main concern. 

Hey guys listen, there will be a question and answer portion after the Panabo City presentation on thier solid waste management program, please prepare yourself. lol :-)

Last activity for the day was the site visit at Tagum’s City Economic Enterprise Office. In photo, we all looked hungry! It was evident in the expressions on our face! 

And the last leg of our study tour was at City Government of Davao. We had presentation and discussion about Davao’s Tourism Development, Literacy Programs, Smoke-Free Program and ICT-related program such as IT-driven eGOV infrastructure in Davao’s Public Safety & Security Command Center & IT-BPM Industry. I am just so thankful that since Balanga ICT Council is an active member of National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, we were assisted in our entire trip in Davao Central Business District by our very own NICP Chairman Ms. Witt Holganza who happens to be one of the active IT-BPO players of Davao City.   

Dialogue with Davao's CCTV Command Center Administrator. Col Decada, are you listening to what they are talking about here? Any inputs to contribute? Hope this blog not reach col decada's knowledge! Peace men! hahaha :-)

Go Beyond Leadership

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It was early January this year when our Human Resource Management Office instructed me to submit all necessary documents needed for the processing of my new appointment as Department Head of Management Information Services Office. I was just an acting officer of the said office for the past six (6) years. Honestly, I felt more anxious than joyful with the great news that I received that day. At the back of my mind, too many questions kept popping up. And one of the concerns was: can I really manage it? Am I really capable of the position? Am I really the right person for the position? Do I really deserve the trust given to me by my fellow leaders? It is not because I can’t deliver what they expect of me. Knowing myself in terms of public service, I can give 100% of my management and leadership skills. However, I am more worried about their expectations, considering I am not an IT professional, nor a graduate of any Journalism course that can complement my present office mandate. I am just an Educator.

Allow me to give you a chronicle on some of my wacky experiences when I was just starting as a neophyte in my government service at City Mayor’s Office way back 1998. Photos below are the exchange of written love notes from my previous superior, now one of the dynamic political leaders of the province of Bataan, and on how these experiences led me to where I am now.  These notes that I have kept in my archive served their purpose. They molded and prepared me to the more challenging role that I am doing now.

And knowing that the LCE is already annoyed with me, I have to think of ways on how this problem could be solved without seeing him personally for some sermon and arguments! lol :-)

This man never gets tired of calling my attention and reminding me of my work performance. At times, when our office has no clients and he has available time, he would call me to his office for a one-on-one talk just to remind me of my "kasungitan" (mood swing).lol

 One time he gave me a surprise phone call just to check if I was observing the proper phone etiquette at the work place. And he would constantly remind me that I should improve my manner of answering telephone calls. I even learned from him the art of coordination and proper way of addressing clients needs specially people coming from the poorest of the poor. It helps develop my patience and humility in serving people. This is how he developed and molded me as a leader. And I admire him for that.

Photos below are some of my experiences that really measured my leadership skills in terms of good governance together with some of my proactive fellow department heads in the City of Balanga.

This photo was taken year 2008 at Baguio City as I was invited to be one of the speaker by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for around 300 newly elected Barangay officials, a seminar-workshop and orientation on local good governance. I was requested to give some overview and talks on how information technology can help speed  up government services and how it can help streamline government processes.

This photo was taken year 2011 during awarding ceremony on National Literacy Coordinating Council as Balanga bagged the first placed category for best practices on implementing literacy programs.

A nerve-wracking experience to be seated in front of the defence panel during the Performance Governance System (PGS) Revalida while the Chief Executive was reporting on the present performance of the City of Balanga. This was necessary for us to take another step forward in our ongoing PGS accreditation held at PICC Manila in October of 2013.

This photo was taken together with our Honorable City Mayor Joet S. Garcia and fellow department heads during Dangal Balangueno 2011. 

White Rock Beach Hotel & Waterpark, Subic Zambales

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It has been almost half of 2014 already, and yet I haven’t been able to write any article on my blog. This only shows how toxic and busy I have been compared to last year. So while on a beach vacation today, I have more free time to write and update my followers on all the relevant things that have happen in the past six months. Anyway, another year had unfolded. Words of praise to our Almighty Creator for all the blessings, pains, personal and professional struggles that have come into my life this 2014 as I go along my way in my new year of journey. Clinging to His words of promise is not an easy task. Let’s face it: sometimes disappointments lead us to frustration that really measures our faith. Even though how much you try to be a good person, still somebody will shake your foundation.  Somebody may have walked out of your life, which I believe is with a purpose; somebody might have done you wrong because they didn’t like you as person or a leader, or just plainly out of envy. I lift all of them up to Him and go on with my life believing that someday, God will give me the answer and those issues will be resolved. The Bible says, “The secret things belong to God”. I just want to be thankful for all the people who believed, who trusted and preferred to stay with me despite my practice of some personal and professional principles, which they didn’t approve of. I am starting to embrace the fact that there are things/situations that we can’t change and we have to accept them even if it’s hard. 

There are people whom I may never forget to be thankful for because somehow they have become part of who I am and where I am now. Their names will forever be etched in my heart. And I will forever be grateful that they have become part of my life.

I am just so lucky to celebrate my special day with my best friend-cousin and two nephews who are all based in Germany. Today, reminiscing our childhood throughout our five-day stay in WhiteRock Beach Resort in Subic Zambales makes me feel so blessed and rewarded.

In photo is my nephew Gabriel. I told him to brace himself as I was in a rock and roll mode during the ride! lol

On the night of my birthday, we decided to go out of the resort and went on a gig party inside Subic Freeport Zone in Pier 1 and transfer to The Palace Bar at Magsaysay Road looking for a different type of music genre and bar experience. 

On our fifth day of stay, the Jetski addict with my nephew Bryan Jay. 

I'm gonna missed this two handsome hunks! :-)

Surprise Birth day visit from a special friend close to my heart..

It gives us more reason to be more thankful as we both grow older. Her month-long vacation in the Philippines is not enough to catch-up on the lost ten (10) years that we had not been physically together, seeing or not talking to each other because of our busy schedules. Exchange of thoughts and life’s experiences became our guiding principle, to always see things in a different perspective. At the end of the day, we both believed that Life is really wonderful and worth living.