San Francisco, California Tourist Destination (2015)

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Golden Gate of San Francisco- The Golden Gate Bridge is one of San Francisco’s most famous landmarks as well as a piece of engineering art. You can walk across the bridge if you want, (sadly, I wasn’t able to because we didn’t have enough time), and/or visit the visitor’s center to be briefed on the history of the park. However, since we came over there late, the center was already closed. One can, however, just admire the bridge from every angle and take a lot of pictures, like I did.

Palace of Fine Arts- The Palace of Fine Arts is a Roman-style remnant of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The outdoor rotunda and its lagoon are one of the city’s most photographed sights. Take a leisurely stroll around the lagoon, relax under the rotunda, or enjoy a picnic on the grass.

Ghirardelli Square-Is a landmark public square with shops and restaurants in the Fisherman's Wharf area of San Francisco, California. A portion of the area was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as Pioneer Woolen Mills and D. Ghirardelli Company. 

The square once featured over 40 specialty shops and restaurants. Some of the original shops and restaurants still occupy the square. (Source: Wikipedia)

I am a chocolate lover and I consider this place as a haven! lol

Crooked Lombard Street- Lombard Street is an east–west street in San Francisco, California that is famous for a steep, one-block section with eight hairpin turns. The street was named after Lombard Street in Philadelphia by San Francisco surveyor Jasper O'Farrell. (Wikipedia)

This street is the world’s most winding street. It’s thrilling to watch cars and bikers as they navigate the sharp turns of the road while tourists gawk at them. I felt my stomach turn when we passed by this tourist spot. However, I was still able to take a pose and have souvenir shot in this amazing landscape. 

THE 16^th Avenue Tiled Steps The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps project has been a neighborhood effort to create a beautiful mosaic running up the risers of the 163 steps located at 16th and Moraga in San Francisco. The tiles are beautifully arranged to create mosaics.

Hashtag #GratefulAt43

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Moving on to my early 40’s without knowing what awaits me is a tough pill to swallow. I’m a person who always thinks of the future, & devising initiatives that will compliment my long-term plan is something to me that has to be treated with importance. I know there are many other problems in this world compared to my present predicament. But hey! Don’t get me wrong. This is only my way of expressing my thoughts. I have to feel what I feel because feeling is valid, right? Because generally, I believe we have no control over what life will throw at us. I just put all my trust in HIM. 

However, as an independent career woman, I am, somehow, proud of the recent milestone that I accomplished the past year. Thank you, Lord! Seeing progress in my personal scorecard has made me feel grateful to Him for being my guide and reference in all my major decisions in life, supported by my family & closest friends. And somehow, I tap my shoulder for that, for a job well done. Again, this is one step closer to my aspirations in life where the end goal is self-fulfillment by helping my loved ones develop a balanced kind of life while giving the right amount of service to the people. I just have to master the art of Work and Life balance for me to fully succeed. This time my health should be given top priority over all others, or else, all this sacrifice will be for nothing. 

Also, as I contemplate, I have just lately realized that I should stop pleasing people… That you have to accept the norm of society… That the more you progress, the more haters you get. So, either you stay mediocre and be in agreement with the world, or, be great and learn to rise above the haters. Still, I choose to remain calm and proactive. These best compliments my professional strategy of handling an organization’s common dispute. Thank God there's yoga to help me get to accept this situation at work with ease. (Breathe in, breathe out...). There is only one thing I have always hoped and prayed for --- that God allow me to reach my mid-50’s still active in government service. He may reward me with good strategy and compassion as a leader on how I will handle my emotional well-being so as not to contribute negatively on the mental health state of my fellow employees. 

However, as time flies so fast, doing things outside of my comfort zone is something I should start initiating.  It keeps you feeling alive and motivated at life. Even if it doesn’t work out quite as you’d hoped, what matters is you take some step to realize those long hopes and dreams. Life should be about occasionally taking risks. Not necessarily crazy or death-defying ones, but something that makes you feel accomplished on certain endeavors. That’s what matters most. 

That dream? To enrich your life. To make your family and loved ones happy because they see you happy. To learn new skills. To help someone else achieve something. To see new places and have new experiences. With all these hopes and dreams, I am forever grateful to our Lord for His never-ending love and guidance to a simple woman like me who just aims for a simple kind of life surrounded by my loved ones. 

Davao City: 1st National Information Convention

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"In the age of modern technology and information, ignorance is a choice"

I have attached here the summary report of our previous trip to Davao City to attend 2018 National Information Convention last February 19 to 21 at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang, Davao City. It has been conceptualized with the primary aim of  empowering the community both public and private sectors thru government Information Officer and private media group for information dissemination of all the government's programs and project for the people. The minds behind NIC also hoped to start a movement where communicators model responsible sharing of information and use their platforms to inspire civic engagement. In short, No to Fake News. The activity is under the initiative of the Philippine Information Agency and allied agencies under the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

Selfie while waiting for take off with my office staff whom a first time flyer! Just sit back and relax!:-)

The Day one offered the participants a deeper understanding of the government flagship program and policies and provide insights on how to foster better relations between the government and the media.

The only News Anchor wearing sneaker on live news TV. haha! (Photo Op)

Our Grand Regal Hotel's view at night.

Speaker from DPWH, Department of Energy, DILG and DFA discussed their upcoming programs for the enhancement of the communities. DPWH gave emphasis on connecting people through their “Build, build, build” program that aims to construct more roads and accelerate strategic infrastructure development that will reduce inequality and will pave the way for inclusive growth by 2020. Thou the presentation of the master plan and its perspective is too good to realize, at least the national government is laying down plans to mitigate  the current problems on traffic and its related issue. I just hoped that the build, build, build project of the national government are also aligned to DICT's main goal of putting up an underground Fibr Optic cabling plant to better improve the country's communication facility. The  Department of Energy discussed the power of an informed energy consumer with the project titled “ePower mo”. The project aims to empower energy consumer through information on energy utilization and to make Filipinos energy-smart consumers. Campaign videos on energy utilization was also shown during the discussion. Meanwhile, DILG opened the topic about federalism and its objective to activate the region’s participation in nation decision making and accelerate the economic development of the regions. The PCOO launched the Rehabinasyon program, an initiative on fight against the illegal drugs. They also emphasize the people's need for freedom of information.

I may not be a good writer, a confident public speaker but I believed God place me where I am now to be a communicator of change for the betterment of delivering public service for the people. To all my leaders and mentors, I am forever thankful.

Photo Op with PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar w/ my office staff and mobile kiosk content developer, Myris. 

Pasalubong hoarding time at Davao pasalubong centre/market. 

The Day two provided specifics on harnessing the power of information contributing to social development, responsible use of information, and mechanisms for development communication. Governance and Social Security: Kontribusyong Sulit na Sulit by SSS discussed on how the members’ contribution is computed and encourage the participants to be part of SSS by enumerating the benefits they offers. Media personnel such as Mr. Luisito Beltran and Mr. Rey Langit were some of the speakers during the 2^nd day of the convention. I'm just fascinated to hear their voices while giving talks as it reminds me of my childhood days while my father keeps on listening to their radio programs. They discuss how to empower government communicators and how to fight and identify fake news. Mr. Beltran inspired the participants to always bring intelligence to work and have passion in everything we do. Grassroots communication by Atty. Mesa talked about what makes a successful grassroots campaign that will ease the communication between the government and the general public. Empowering communities through media and information literacy was also tackled during the event. The Duterte App was launched by Sec. Martin Andanar, a mobile application that aims to inform the public regarding the Duterte administration's plans, programs and current news. He also encourage the participants to fight fake news through media literacy. Fellowship night was also held during the 2^nd day, performance from the local artists and raffles for the participants sets the night.

Only one thing is for sure, there is no better way to solve the country's common economic problem than to educate its people and feed them with real data and information. Feedbacks and consensus solutions that will help build the nation will sure to follow in just one touch of a finger. #empoweringcommunities #nic2018