Villar Foundation Partnered with DZRH for Manila Bay Cleanup

Villar Foundation Partnered with DZRH for Manila Bay Cleanup 

The recent cleanup drive of the Villar Foundation with Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), attracted hundreds of volunteers.

Keeping with its environment-related advocacies, The Villar Foundation had recently inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) as represented by radio station DZRH in its Manila Bay Cleanup drive.
 
The Villar Foundation, led by its vibrant Managing Director Cynthia Villar, together with at least 1,000 volunteers from schools, barangays, NGOs, socio-civic organizations, and other private individuals and groups had joined the cleanup drive. Their assigned garbage cleanup area is in the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat & Eco-Tourism Area or LPPCHEA, off Manila Bay.
“We have always been concerned about the condition of the Manila Bay. The recent typhoons have shown all of us the bay’s decaying state due to people’s indiscriminate throwing and dumping of garbage there. Regular cleanup drives such as this are always a good idea,” quips Cynthia Villar.

During the recent typhoon Gener, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), at least 200 truckloads or over 500 tons of garbage, washed away to shore by the storm surge, was collected around the Manila Bay area. It took weeks to completely collect the big piles of garbage.
Villar added that the foundation conducts regular weekly cleanups at LPPCHEA but Saturday’s cleanup with DZRH is just bigger in terms of number of volunteers.

As per the MoA, MBC or DZRH lead the Manila Bay Cleanup project last August 25, 2012 (Saturday) along the coastline of Manila Bay from Navotas to Bacoor, Cavite in line with their agenda to help promote any and all efforts in relation to the promotion of sustainable ecosystem of Manila Bay.

The clean-up activities took place from 7am to 11am onwards and the garbage collected was turned over to the appropriate government solid waste collector in the area.

“The Villar Foundation and DZRH agree that this is a joint cooperative undertaking, but more importantly, it is a major public service activity that shall help contribute to the promotion of a livable, healthier and ecological sustainable Manila Bay,” cited the MoA.

Villar has been vocal about her strong support for the protection of Manila Bay. It can be recalled on March 16 this year that Mrs. Cynthia Villar filed a petition for Writ of Kalikasan against a Manila Bay reclamation project that is seen to cause catastrophic flooding in the area. The Supreme Court granted her petition and issued a writ of kalikasan in April, 2012.

“We will continue to support campaigns or drives to protect Manila Bay and neighboring areas including LPPCHEA. At the same, time, we will continue to oppose projects that will cause damage and destruction to the bay and nearby cities,” cited Villar.

For more details about the projects and programs of the Villar Foundation, please visit its website www.villarfoundation.org or follow its Twitter account www.twitter.com/VFoundationInc

Viva & Goodah Are Now Partners

Viva & Goodah Are Now Partners 
 
VIVA Entertainment, Inc. owner Vic del Rosario, Jr. sealed partnership with iconic food brand GoodAh!!!, the quick service restaurant (QSR) chain that pioneered the all-day, all-night, “25-hour” food service concept in the country.

Del Rosario, Jr., popularly known as “Boss Vic,” decided to buy into GoodAh!!! and contribute in growing the brand further. He sees GoodAh!!! opening more branches to give the new generation of Pinoy fast food diners the opportunity to enjoy great-tasting, Filipino comfort food.

Shown in photo are (L-R), Timothy James Yang, President of GoodAh!!!; Vicente Del Rosario Jr., VIVA Entertainment, Inc. owner; and GoodAh!!!directors Richard Yang, Jose Antonio Soler and Andrew Mendiola, during the contract signing. For more information about GoodAh!!!, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodahopen25hours

PENGUIN UPDATE: I was unfairly hit

PENGUIN UPDATE: I was unfairly hit

From page one most of my posts are now on page three! I was unfairly hit by the latest Penguin Update :-(

Why are those Press Releases and photos from the PR's CD on page one and two? Is that the quality of post Google wanted? 

Google are you really serious? You want us to copy paste the PR's CD that was distributed to us? Because you give greater weight to the quality of those posts than our own wordings and actual experience. Shall I add our own photographs?

This is so unfair! I don't even use SEO, black hat, white hat or green hat whatever, yes, I can't process them on my mind but I saw and heard those terms from other bloggers.

I'd like to ask Google why am I being punished for using my actual experience than copy pasting articles sent by the PR agencies.

I don't even participate anymore in blog comment exchange like the ones they practice on blogger groups.

If you feel your site was also unfairly targeted,  you can submit this form to Google on the newest Penguin update:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/vie … aTBQbkE6MQ

Tell tale signs of a Penguin hit:

• A big drop in ranking by as much as 20 to 30 places
• A traffic drop  by as much as 50 to 70%
• A note from Google in Webmaster Tools concerning the quality of your website 

Geez, I don't know if I even have a webmaster tools. Well, well, I decided to just copy paste from now on to please Google. 

FREE SEMINAR: Chinoypreneur Day

FREE SEMINAR: Chinoypreneur Day

 

Free Registration!

For centuries, the Chinese are regarded as pioneers in business. Ask a non-Chinese about a characteristic that best define them and you will likely receive this answer: good in business (the other is rich but that is the by-product of the first answer). Sometime in June, Forbes released its much-awaited 2012 Philippines’ richest. Not surprisingly, more than half of the 40 entries in the list were of Chinese descent, and not even critics can discount the economic value they contribute to the Philippines.

To date, this phenomenon remains shrouded in mystery. What made the Chinese so adept in business? What made the Chinese become movers and shakers in business at all?

The irony was that the Chinese never intended to become businessmen nor entrepreneurs when they stepped onto the Philippines let alone prosper from it. They were prepared to do anything. Historians and anthropologists agree that the Chinese venturing into business was about survival. 

But those days are long gone now. Today, the Chinese fosters an environment that allows the youth to grow up to become entrepreneurs just like previous generations. Fortunately, the community supports such environment and continues to cultivate and harness the entrepreneurial spirits of the youth. 

And count “CHInoypreneur” to support such cause. 

“CHInoypreneur” is an advocacy project of CHInoy TV, the country’s only trilingual magazine show.  This project is co-presented by Multiply.com in cooperation with Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), Go Negosyo, Mansmith and Fielders and the Alliance of Filipino-Chinese Students (AFICS). 

Launched in 2011, CHInoypreneur aims to promote entrepreneurship among the youth and to help improve the current state of Chinoy-owned businesses by educating them with different tools, technologies, and strategies in the fields of leadership, marketing, finance, information technology and human resources that would enable them to compete with the bigger and more established companies.  CHInoypreneur also aims to foster unity among the Chinoy community across different industries.

CHInoypreneur will revolve around two main projects: the CHInoypreneur day and the CHInoypreneur Challenge 2012.

The CHInoypreneur day is a one-day seminar that will be conducted by different business experts and will invite aspiring businessmen and even college students. Sharing their insights and expertise will be business gurus such as Samie Lim for franchising; Josiah Go for marketing; Randell Tiongson for finance; Paulo Tibig for basics of entrepreneurship and Michaelangelo Lobrin for business values.

Meanwhile, the CHInoypreneur Challenge 2012 is a business reality segment on CHInoy TV that will have college students apply what they have learned from the CHInoypreneur seminar. 

Now on its second run, this year’s CHInoypreneur Challenge 2012 promises to be bigger and bolder, with collegiate students showcasing their entrepreneurial skills in a competitive challenge. Some of the participating schools are the De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas, Philippine Cultural College, Chang Kai Shek College, University of the Philippines, and University of Asia and the Pacific.

The CHInoypreneur Day will be held at the 7th Floor Federation Center in Binondo, on September 1, 2012. Don’t pass this opportunity to learn from the brightest minds of Philippines business, and get a sneak peek at how the CHInoypreneur 2012 business competition will unfold this year. 

Registration for CHInoypreneur Day is free. 
Just visit the CHInoy TV fanpage to register (www.facebook.com/chinoytvofficial).

VIDEO OF PNOY'S EULOGY TO JESSE ROBREDO

“Mission accomplished na siya sa mundong ito.” (He has accomplished his mission in this world.)

The wife of the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said her husband often wondered if his works in the national government were appreciated. On the day he is laid to rest, Robredo got a resounding answer from his boss, President Benigno Aquino III.

Aquino paid a final tribute to Robredo, hailing him as a trailblazer in his administration’s campaign for a straight and narrow path.

Aquino delivered the eulogy for Robredo before a packed crowd of Robredo’s family, friends, Cabinet members, colleagues, supporters and well-wishers at the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia in Naga City on Tuesday, August 28.

The President summed up the various roles Robredo played in his 54 years.

“Nawalan po ng asawa at ama ang kanyang pamilya; nawalan po ang bayan ng isang tapat at mahusay na pinuno. Nawalan po ako ng isang kapatid sa opisyal na pamilya sa Gabinete, ng kasangga sa mga ipinaglalaban, at ng kapartido,” Aquino said. (His family lost a husband and father; the nation lost a faithful and competent leader. I lost a brother in my official family in the Cabinet, a comrade in advocacies, a partymate.)

Ultimately, though, Aquino said his loss was personal.

“Nawalan po ako ng isang mabuting kaibigan.” (I lost a good friend.)

Aquino said during the hours Robredo’s body had not yet been recovered, he was hoping the Secretary would suddenly show up and apologize for getting everyone worried.

Robredo’s plane crashed off Masbate on August 18. Aquino led the search operations in Masbate. On August 21, divers recovered Robredo’s body.

HIGHEST HONOR. Leni Robredo receives the Legion of Honor award on behalf of her late husband from President Aquino.

‘What you see is what you get’

After days of tributes and testimonials from those close to Robredo, it was Aquino’s turn to answer the question: who was Robredo?

“Talaga pong huwarang lingkod-bayan si Jesse: nakatuon palagi sa kapwa at handang magsakripisyo. Sa lahat ng mga nakakausap ko, siya ang taong walang kapasepasensya sa bola. Kay Jesse, what you see is what you get.” (Jesse was truly a model public servant: focused on others and ready to sacrifice. Among the many I have talked to, he is the person who hates flattery. In Jesse, what you see is what you get.)

Aquino recalled fond times with Robredo, particularly when the Cabinet would unwind through songs. He said Robredo would look for someone to sing with and was happy to share the chorus with a colleague.

“Pinakabuo ang kanyang ngiti kapag pasampa na siya sa entablado; tawa po siya nang tawa.” (His smile was biggest when he is onstage. He kept laughing.)

Aquino said this memory represents Robredo’s brand of leadership.

“Hindi siya naging kuntento sa status quo; pinatunayan niya sa Naga na posible ang pagbabago. Posibleng madaig ang sistemang matagal nang nangingibabaw; posibleng madaig ang mga pulitikong napakatagal namayagpag at kinasangkapan ang pusisyon para sa pansariling interes.” (He was not content with the status quo; he showed in Naga that change is possible. He showed that the prevailing system can be overcome, that we can defeat politicians who have long ruled and used their position for their personal interest.)

Aquino added, “Trailblazer po si Jesse sa tuwid na daan. Pinatunayan niyang puwede palang magtagumpay sa pulitika nang hindi nagiging trapo.” (Jesse was a trailblazer in the straight and narrow path. He showed you can succeed in politics without being a traditional politician.)

Aquino’s frontman

As an alter ego, Aquino said Robredo was one of a kind. While there are those who wait for the President to take the lead in addressing problems, Robredo himself would take the initiative.

“Si Jesse po, kabilang sa mga bibihirang tao na ang sasabihin, ‘Sir, ako na lang ang haharap, ako na lang ang pu-pronta.’” (Jesse is among those who will say, ‘Sir, I will be the one to face this.’)

At the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the President said Robredo was a fast worker, whose policy was to do everything ASAP.

The President recalled the time that informal settlers asked for help via text message because it was flooding and they were in the danger zone.

“Nag-text po sa atin na nanghihingi ng tulong at saklolo; kinakabahan sila sa paglilipat, at nagtatanong kung may kabuhayan ba silang daratnan. Kinausap po sila ni Jesse. Matapos ang dalawang oras na meeting, ang mga SOS text, naging thank you text na po. Salamat Jesse!” (They texted us asking for help. They were nervous about being relocated and were asking if they will have livelihood. Jesse was talking to them. After two hours of meeting, the SOS text messages became ‘thank you’ text messages. Thank you, Jesse!)

IMPRESSIVE FAMILY. Aquino thanks the Robredo family for their strength and for carrying the nation despite their grief.

Loss like Ninoy

Aquino said he witnessed how devoted Robredo was to his family. In the times he treated his Cabinet to meals, Aquino said Robredo would beg off if the event fell on a weekend.

“Sagrado sa kanya ang oras kasama ang pamilya. Palagi siyang nagmamadaling makauwi sa Naga.” (Family time to him was sacred. He was always rushing to go home to Naga.)

The President also paid tribute to Robredo’s widow, Leni, and daughters Aika, Patricia and Jillian for their strength throughout the ordeal.

“Talagang pinapahanga n’yo kami, dahil kayo pa ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa amin, kayo pa ang nagbibitbit sa amin.” (You really impressed us because you are the ones giving us strength. You are the ones carrying us through.)

Aquino said Robredo’s loss reminded him of the death of his father, the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. Yet like the generation of heroes inspired by his father, Aquino said he was certain Robredo’s death would spark the rise of new Filipino heroes.

The President ended his eulogy on a joyful note.

“Kaya’t huwag na po tayong lumuha. Sa halip, magpasalamat tayo. Sa maikling panahong narito siya sa mundo, tayo pa ang nabiyayaan ng pagkakataong makapiling si Jesse Manalastas Robredo.” (So let’s not cry. Instead, let us be grateful. In the short time he was here in this world, we were blessed with the opportunity to be with Jesse Manalastas Robredo.)

JESSE ROBREDO'S TEN LESSONS ON GOOD GOVERNANCE

JESSE ROBREDO'S TEN LESSONS ON GOOD GOVERNANCE

Mayor Jesse Robredo's commencement address to the graduates of Ateneo de Manila University Class of 2003 while he was still the mayor of Naga City.

Toward the end of his address, Robredo gave this advice to the young people listening to him.

“This address will not be complete without venturing to answer the question as to where will you go from here,” he began.

“Should you choose to be a big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond? Whatever your doubts are, follow your heart… I must say that desire and commitment far outweigh knowledge and skill. The latter can be learned. Without the former, your life’s work will be a profession and not a vocation. 

“You must always remember that you cannot give what you do not have. Measure success in terms of how pleased you are with what you have done and not as to how people define it, with its attendant perks."

“Later on in life, you will realize that it is neither your successes nor your conquests that will give you satisfaction. It is your contribution that really matters—paying back what you owe the community that nurtured you.” 

Under the leadership of Robredo, Naga City achieved a remarkable record, being the “most awarded” local government unit in the country by Galing Pook, which in 1994 started recognizing the best practices in local governance. The city garnered its first Galing Pook award on its first year and to date has received a total of 14 Galing Pook awards. 

The folks behind Galing Pook (which means “Good Place”) distill 10 lessons and “guideposts” on the practice of good local governance as shown by the record of Robredo and Naga City. These are (edited only for space constraints):

1. Improve productivity. Naga embarked on a program that aimed to bring out the full potential of various departments and offices of the entire city government. The program focused on four main thrusts of providing sufficient services; getting optimum outputs with minimum expenditure; producing quality results as desired and planned; and making services accessible and acceptable.
2. Computerize. The city created an effective and efficient management system that streamlined business transaction processes, provided a dependable database for more effective decision-making, and made the city administration more responsive to its citizens’ needs.
3. Empower the people. The city government laid down a clear and comprehensive framework that allows its constituents to take active part in governance. Nagueños are able to voice their concerns and suggestions to City Hall and act on various issues—from procurement to budgeting, to scuttling an initial plan of the local government to set up a golf course. As a result, 193 nongovernment and people’s organizations now work with the local government through the Naga City People’s Council.
4. i-Govern. The city tapped the “power of information” and its value as a truly empowering tool when made accessible to the people. Nagueños need only to go online for their business license, birth certificate, or even when they want to bid for government procurements.
5. Reinvent institutions. In the reinvented school board of Naga, the structure is able to ensure transparency, accountability, participation, and predictability. The membership has been expanded and has made education officials accountable to the public.
6. Train the youth. The City Youth Month Program of Naga engaged the city’s top youth leaders to compete for any one of the 45 slots that would put them in executive and legislative positions, as well as in the nongovernment sector. The project enhanced greater involvement of the youth in government affairs.
7. Be prepared always. Started in May 1991, Emergency Rescue Naga addresses the urgent need for fast and reliable service in times of emergency. ERN provides 24-hour quick response medical and protective services to all Naga residents in crisis situations.
8. Prioritize the marginalized. Naga faced the challenges posed by informal settlers by launching the Kaantabay sa Kauswagan or Partners in Development Program in 1989 guided by two key principles. First, the government will not help the urban poor unless they actively participate in solving their own problems. Second is the tripartite effort among the urban poor organizations, national and local government agencies, and landowners in which the interests and abilities of each party are taken into account.
9. Invest in children. The comprehensive and innovative pre-school program addresses the need for improved access and equity in quality education for the young. The program has also facilitated the integration of differently abled children in the mainstream of society.
10. Together, we can do better. The Metro Naga Development Council pools together the efforts and resources of 13 local government units, the private sector and the national government agencies in Camarines Sur focusing on projects addressing the immediate needs of the community and lay the groundwork for long-term growth in the area.

Thanks to GMA News and to friends who passed this along.

VIDEO OF LENI GERONA ROBREDO'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE LEGION OF HONOR AWARD ON BEHALF OF MAYOR POGI JESSE ROBREDO.

VIDEO OF LENI GERONA ROBREDO'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE LEGION OF HONOR AWARD ON BEHALF OF MAYOR POGI JESSE ROBREDO.

To Jess,

Rest well, we will love you forever- Leni

EULOGY OF PINOY IN HONOR OF JESSE ROBREDO

Eulogy of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III President of the Philippines In honor of the late 
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Jesse M. Robredo

[Delivered at the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, Naga City, on August 28, 2012]

Bilang kawani ng gobyerno, tanggap na po dapat natin: Darating ang araw na bababa rin tayo sa puwesto—sa madaling salita, magreretiro. Ngayon pa lang po, nai-imagine ko nang magkikita-kita tayo sa isang restaurant nang may kani-kaniyang senior citizen card na nakasilid sa pitaka. Magkakainan tayo, magtatawanan, at pagkukuwentuhan kung ano ang mga pinagdaanan namin. Kung ano ang mga nagawa natin.

Hindi na po makakasama si Jesse sa mga kuwentuhang iyon. Hindi na po natin makakabiruan si Jesse tungkol sa pagkilatis sa mga manliligaw ng anak niya, at sa mga susunod pong taon, wala na rin siya para makipaglaro sa mga magiging apo niya.

Hindi madaling tanggapin ang biglaang pagkawala ni Jesse. Hindi po natin inasahan ang pangyayaring ito, ngunit sa kabila ng ating kaba at pagkabigla nang unang marinig ang balita, ginawa natin ang lahat ng ating magagawa upang mailigtas siya kung papalarin, at kung hindi man, upang mabigyan ng angkop at marangal na pagwawakas ang trahedyang sinapit natin. Habang humahaba po ang panahon, umasa tayo na isang minuto ay darating siya at sasabihing, “Pasensya na kayo, naabala ko kayong lahat sa tagal ng pagdating ko.”

Ngayon po, kaisa ako sa pagluluksa ng sambayanang napagkaitan ng isang tunay na lingkod-bayan. Kung mayroon pong Diyos na nagmamahal sa atin at bukal ng katarungan, sigurado akong kapiling na niya ngayon si Kalihim Jesse Robredo. Nawalan po ng asawa at ama ang kanyang pamilya; nawalan po ang bayan ng isang tapat at mahusay na pinuno. Nawalan po ako ng isang kapatid sa opisyal na pamilya sa Gabinete, ng kasangga sa mga ipinaglalaban, at ng kapartido. Nawalan po ako ng isang mabuting kaibigan.

Sino po ba si Jesse Robredo? Talaga pong huwarang lingkod-bayan si Jesse: nakatuon palagi sa kapwa at handang magsakripisyo. Sa lahat ng mga nakakausap ko, siya ang taong walang kapasepasensya sa bola. Kay Jesse, what you see is what you get. Tahimik at masipag siyang nagtatrabaho. Hindi siya nagpadala sa kapangyarihan. Sa kabila ng naabot niya, nanatiling simple ang kanyang pamumuhay, hindi nalalayo sa karaniwang taong napakalapit sa kanyang puso.

Si Jesse po ang tipo ng tao na batid ang kanyang mga kakayahan at limitasyon. Halimbawa po: sa kantahan. Kadalasan, kung may kasiyahan, kami-kami lang din ang nag-e-entertain sa sarili namin para makatipid. Si Jesse po, hahanap ng mga kasangga para may kasabay siyang kakanta ng chorus, at hindi na siya mag-i-individual performance. Pinakabuo ang kanyang ngiti kapag pasampa na siya sa entablado; tawa po siya nang tawa. Sa dami po ng mga talentadong nagkukumpol-kumpol, nakakapagtaka na halos wala kaming marinig sa mga boses nila bagama’t may mikroponong tangan o hawak.

Dalawa raw po sa paborito niyang kanta ay “My Way” at “Impossible Dream.” Tatak nga po siguro ito ng mga paniniwala niya. Hindi siya naging kuntento sa status quo; pinatunayan niya sa Naga na posible ang pagbabago. Posibleng madaig ang sistemang matagal nang nangingibabaw; posibleng madaig ang mga pulitikong napakatagal namayagpag at kinasangkapan ang pusisyon para sa pansariling interes. Trailblazer po si Jesse sa tuwid na daan. Pinatunayan niyang puwede palang magtagumpay sa pulitika nang hindi nagiging trapo.

Hindi po madali ang pagtahak sa landas na ito, lalo na noong nagsisimula pa lamang siya sa serbisyong pampubliko. Malawak at malalim ang mga pagbabagong inasam niya, at sinimulan niya ito ng hindi nakakatiyak kung may patutunguhan nga bang tagumpay. Katambal ng kanyang mga pangarap ang napakaraming mga praktikal na konsiderasyon, ngunit pinili niyang lumihis sa mga nakasanayang mga pormula sa pulitika. Alam po ito ng mga taong malapit sa kanya: mas pipiliin pa niyang makulong kaysa bumitaw sa mga causa na aming pinaniniwalaan. Nang nasa oposisyon po kami, hindi naman puwedeng suspendihin ganon lang ang mga nasa lehislatura, pero sa katulad niyang Mayor, laging nakabinbin ang banta ng pang-aapi o dineretso ngang inapi na. Mas marami at mas mabigat ang pagtatayang ginawa niya sa kanyang buhay pulitika. Ito pong isyu ukol sa kanyang citizenship, alam naman natin ang motibasyon. Pero hindi siya nagtanim ng galit sa mga nagsampa ng mga paulit-ulit na walang katuturang kasong ito.

Alam po natin ang katotohanan sa pulitika: may ibang nakangiti kapag kaharap mo, pero kung tumalikod ka, pakiramdam mo sasaksakin ka. Napahanga talaga ako ni Jesse, dahil miski ang nagpakita sa kanya ng di-kagandahang ugali, kaya niyang harapin nang walang bahid ng galit at pagkayamot.

Bukod sa mabait, matino, at mahusay si Jesse, mabilis din siyang umaksyon. Lahat, ASAP sa kanya; hindi niya ugaling patagalin sa mesa ang mga magagawa naman ngayon. Kung kayang simulan, sinisimulan agad niya. Naalala ko nga po, minsan may mga informal settler na kailangang ilipat, dahil nakatira sa danger zone sila kapag bumabaha. Nag-text po sa atin na nanghihingi ng tulong at saklolo; kinakabahan sila sa paglilipat, at nagtatanong kung may kabuhayan ba silang daratnan. Kinausap po sila ni Jesse. Matapos ang dalawang oras na meeting, ang mga SOS text, naging thank you text na po. Salamat Jesse!

Iba po talaga si Jesse. Kapag mayroon tayong matinding problemang kinakaharap, palagi naman pong nandiyan ang mga taong sumosuporta at magsasabing, “Nasa likod mo kami.” Pero si Jesse po, kabilang sa mga bibihirang tao na ang sasabihin, “Sir, ako na lang ang haharap, ako na lang ang pu-pronta.” Hindi po nasa likod. Talagang kasama sa pilosopiya niya sa buhay ang hindi maging pabigat sa kapwa; ang palaging mag-ambag ng pinakamalaki niyang maiaambag, o lagpas pa, para makahanap ng solusyon.

Kay Leni, at kina Aika, Tricia, at Jillian: Sa totoo lang, medyo nahihiya ako sa inyo. Kayo ang pamilya; sigurado akong pinakamabigat ang kalungkutang nararamdaman ninyo ngayon. Pero talagang pinapahanga n’yo kami, dahil kayo pa ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa amin, kayo pa ang nagbibitbit sa amin.

Leni, alam mo naman, hindi tayo masyadong nagkakakilala, dahil na rin pinilit ni Jesse na magkaroon siya palagi ng private time kasama ang kanyang pamilya. Alam ng Gabinete ito: Sa hirap ng aming mga pinagdadaanan, ang pinakagantimpala ko po sa kanila ay paminsan-minsan ang pagpapakain ng isang kaaya-ayang hapunan. Pero pag weekend ako nagyaya ng kainan, siguradong magpapaumanhin na si Jesse. Sagrado sa kanya ang oras kasama ang pamilya. Palagi siyang nagmamadaling makauwi sa Naga.

Hindi lang ang mag-anak na Robredo ang nawalan ng Padre de Familia. Pati ang buong DILG, ang mga nagtatrabaho sa field, ang lahat ng natulungan niya, ang buong Naga, parang nawalan ng ama. Kaya nga po bukod sa kalungkutan, matinding panghihinayang din ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Ang dami niyang mga plano, at talagang kitang-kita na po ang direksyon ng mga reporma. Namuno siya sa pagpapa-totoo ng mga teorya sa pamamahala na pinag-uusapan lang sa mga libro. Ginawa po niya iyan sa Naga, at iyan din po ang nasimulan na niyang gawin sa pambansang antas. Kayo na po ang mamili– sa Bureau of Fire Protection, kung saan nakakuha siya ng mga fire trucks na mas mura pero mas maganda ang kaledad at mas marami ang kakayahan; sa BJMP; sa PNP; pati na ang mga informal settlers. Maraming mga lumang problema na, sa tulong ni Jesse, sa wakas, ay nakikitaan na natin ng solusyon. Sayang po talaga.

Ngunit wala naman sigurong magsasabing may kulang pa sa mga inambag ni Jesse. Dapat po yata, tayong mga nakinabang sa kanyang buhay at pagsusumikap, ang tumumbas sa kanyang mga nagawa, at mag-ambag naman ng parte natin.

Naalala ko pa po ang mga agam-agam namin nang biglaan ding pumanaw ang aking ama noong taong 1983. Marami po sa amin ang nagtanong: Paano na tayo? Sino ang magtutuloy? Parang ligaw na ligaw po kami; nawala ang aming pinuno.

Pero sabi nga po ng aking ina, “If cowardice is infectious, then bravery is all the more infectious.” Ang nag-iisa, dumami nang dumami hanggang nakamit na nga ng buong bayan ang pagbabago. Hindi mauubusan ng mga bayani ang lahing Pilipino. At kung si Jesse ay isa sa mga naging bunga ng sakripisyo ng aking ama, sigurado po akong may ibubunga ring mga bagong bayani ang pagpanaw ni Jesse.

Sa ipinapakitang pagpupugay at pagmamahal ng taumbayan ngayon, sigurado ako, may isang henerasyon na naman ng mga Pilipinong mabibigyang-inspirasyon, at mahihimok na maglingkod sa ngalan ni Jesse. Sila po ang magdadala ng katiyakan: Katiyakang makikita natin ang plano ng Diyos sa likod ng pagkawala ni Jesse. Katiyakang makukuha natin ang gantimpala ng katarungang nagbubukal sa pagmamahal ng Diyos: Na lahat ng kagandahan at kabutihang naidulot at naipunla ni Jesse, ay tunay at buong-buong mapipitas dahil sa dulot niyang inspirasyon.

Ang sabi po sa pangalawang liham ni Paul to Timothy, Chapter 4, Verses 6 to 7: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…” Angkop na angkop po ito kay Jesse; mission accomplished na siya sa mundong ito. Marapat lang na matamasa na niya ang mga gantimpala ng isang buo at mabuting buhay, sa piling ng Diyos Ama. Nasa hanay na po si Jesse ng mga bayaning sumusubaybay sa atin mula sa kalangitan, at nagbibigay-lakas sa atin upang ipagpatuloy ang kanilang mga mabuting gawain. Kaya’t huwag na po tayong lumuha. Sa halip, magpasalamat tayo. Sa maikling panahong narito siya sa mundo, tayo pa ang nabiyayaan ng pagkakataong makapiling si Jesse Manalastas Robredo. [Applause]

Paalam, Jesse. Sa ngalan ng sambayanan maraming, maraming salamat.