THANK YOU LORD
A Year-End Review
As I write this blog post, my first for 2016, I am in the
midst of cleaning up our bedroom and our home office. While in the throes of throwing away old
garbage and letting go of some stuff, I can’t help but feel nostalgic and a
little sentimental.
2015 has been a good year, I actually found it hard to let
go. So let me give you a run-through of
the year that was.
Early 2015
The year started pretty hectic. I was looking forward to the execution of the
K-12 Transition Plans of the HEIs under my care. I had to make sure that we are able to ride
the wave and be able to negotiate through the waters of K-12 and be able to
cross the vast unchartered ocean to land on the other side unscathed and
victorious.
However, late 2014, I was elected as a director of the Metro
Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) and this led me to being
appointed as the Chairperson of the Enterprise Development Training Institute
(EDTI) of the MNCCI, the training arm of the Chamber and surprises of all
surprises, the Chairperson of the Bicol Business Week, the annual flagship
event of the MNCCI.
This development got me really busy. I had to delegate K-12 transition execution
to other persons in the HEIs concerned and fortunately, I made the right
decision. So from the start of the year
until the middle of 2015 this occupied my days.
Mid 2015
June is always the busiest month for us in the education
sector being the start of the school year.
On the homefront, I was moving my two kids from the old
Ateneo campus on Bagumbayan to the new campus in Pacol. Nico was going to start in the big school as
a first grader and I moved Rocky to the new campus as a Nursery pupil to be
with his Kuya.
Between buying school supplies and ensuring that my kids
were well adjusted in the new school, I still had my work and MNCCI tasks. Add to that my Rotary meetings, Red Cross
meetings and social events that made my planner look like a coloring book
instead of a serious organizing tool.
As the Bicol Business Week was drawing near and making me
worried, Naga City got awarded as the Most Competitive Component City in the
country. This led to an innovative
re-branding of the event as Bicol Business Month and thus a move to November
from the original September date was necessary.
I begged off the chairmanship of the event.
My primary reason was that by November, members of the
family who will run for public office have already filed their candidacy in
October. This means I will once again be
part of the team that will ensure their success, God-willing. I told Gilbert, the MNCCI president that I
cannot possibly be able to make time for the BBM preparations and I did not
want MNCCI to suffer the consequences of that.
I was glad that he understood and made the 1st Bicol Business
Month the success that it is today.
THE LIFE SHIFT
Now, as if my plate is not already overflowing, I was asked
to run for Vice-Governor of the Province of Camarines Sur. I initially said no. We had four candidates running in our
family. I wanted to give my full support
to their campaign and running as a candidate myself may seriously affect the
campaign on my family members.
However, God has different plans. And yes, I decided to run wholeheartedly
because I truly felt the need for change.
With no preparations whatsoever, I agreed to be candidate for next year’s
election and boy was I in for the greatest change in my life.
END OF 2015
Yes, my entire life changed when I said yes to run for a
public office. My entire personal
schedule was obliterated to be replaced with a more grueling schedule of
barangay visits and leaders’ meetings. I
am no longer garbed in my usual corporate attire but in blue polo shirts and
jeans and I no longer have time to indulge in doing my make up in the
morning. I also do not have time anymore
to check on my kid’s homework so whatever free time I have I spend with my
kids. Even my husband is complaining.
But, this is the life I chose. At least for the time being while I try to
persuade the electorate of my fitness to the position I am eyeing. This is what should be done, marching on with
the river at my back, just like what my Kuya Ted constantly reminds me. I just have to let the people who love me understand this new normal that I have embarked on and I know with their love and understanding everything will be fine.
THANKFUL
2015 is actually a year of firsts for me. First time to run for public office. First time to reach a lot of places in the
province which I’ve never been to before like Lupi and Cabusao. First time to ride a helicopter. First time to speak before multitudes of
strangers who never met me. It is tough
but I am always thankful for the experience.
Not everyone is given this chance to serve, whether as a
director of an organization, as a teacher, and now as a probable public servant
and I will always be grateful for the opportunities given to me. I am not always sure that I deserve the trust
and confidence, but when given the opportunity I always make sure that I give
it my all.
I am also thankful for all the people who made 2015 a year of success, from my UNEP Family, to my Partido College Family, to my CCDI Family and also even to TEAM CamSure Happy, to Team Arnie and to my Team Peachy Families, you all made my life so much easier letting me have time to things that matter most. I have nothing but gratitude in my heart.
Malayo pa ang lalakbayin natin mga kasama kaya't patuloy lang tayo sa ating gawain para sa bayan.
Not for me, but for us.
2016
As I face my 40th year, as I am turning the big
4-0 by June, I pray for more patience and fortitude because I know that the
race is long and I need the endurance to finish it. Yes, I am afraid, but gladly, I can say that
my Faith is always bigger than my Fears.
So, I welcome 2016 with much positivity and love. With prayers and the will of God, I know I
will overcome.
Happy New Year!
