The storms are hereSaturday, May 2, 2009 President Gordon B. Hinckley highlighted the "portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed" in an October 1998 general priesthood meeting address.
He called on members to put their homes in order. Now, more than a decade later, the storms are here."The economic clouds that have long threatened the world are now fully upon us," said Elder Robert D. Hales. "The impact of this economic storm on our Heavenly Father's children requires a gospel vision of welfare today more than ever before."Speaking to priesthood and Relief Society leaders in a newly released DVD created by the Church, titled, "Basic Principles of Welfare and Self-Reliance," Elder Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve begins the discussion by sharing "a gospel vision of the priesthood principles of welfare."Priesthood-based welfare principles are both temporal and spiritual, he said. They are eternal, and apply in every circumstance, whether rich or poor."This, then, is the gospel vision of welfare: to put our faith in Jesus Christ into action.
We serve others as the Spirit directs," he said.What, then, he asked, are these principles of welfare? How can we apply them as spiritual and temporal building blocks in our daily lives? The first building block is to live providently. "This means joyfully living within our means and preparing for the ups and downs of life so that we can be ready for the rainy-day emergencies."Provident living means not coveting the things of this world. It means using the resources of the earth wisely and not being wasteful, even in times of plenty. Provident living means avoiding excessive debt and being content with what we have."We live in an age of entitlement," he continued. "Many believe they should have all that others have — right now.
Unable to delay gratification, they go into debt to buy what they cannot afford. The results always affect both their temporal and spiritual welfare."When we go into debt, he said, "We give away some of our precious, priceless agency and place ourselves in self-imposed servitude. We obligate our time, energy and means to repay what we have borrowed — resources that could have been used to help ourselves, our families and others."To pay debts and avoid future debt requires faith in the Savior, Elder Hales said. "It takes great faith to utter those simple words, 'We can't afford it.' It takes faith to trust that life will be better as we sacrifice our wants in order to meet our own and others' needs."I testify," Elder Hales declared, "that happy is the man who lives within his means and is able to save a little for future needs.
As we live providently and increase our gifts and talents, we become more self-reliant. Self-reliance is taking responsibility for our own spiritual and temporal welfare and for those whom Heavenly Father has entrusted to our care. Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others."To live self-reliantly raises the question, "How do we obtain Heavenly Father's help so that we have enough for our own needs and also enough to serve others?"Fundamental to the principles of welfare is the payment of tithes and offerings."With the payment of tithes, we also learn to control our desires and appetites for the things of this world, to be honest in our dealings with our fellowmen, and to make sacrifices for others."As our faith grows, so will our desire to keep the commandment to pay fast offerings," Elder Hales said. "Freely giving allows us to follow the pattern of the Savior, who freely gave His life for all mankind."Some of the most important welfare building blocks have to do with preparing for the future.
Three areas of preparation for the future include:Budgeting for the future by making a spending and savings plan, carefully making and keeping a family or personal budget, reviewing the budget in a family council allowing children to learn and practice wise spending habits, and to participate in planning and saving for the future.Education for the future by earning educational degrees or vocational training and finding gainful employment. Work hard to become a valued, essential part of the organization.
For those seeking employment, "This is an opportunity to rely on the Lord, to grow, and to be strengthened. If you are seeking a new job, increase your faith in the Lord's desire and power to bless you." If necessary, change lifestyles, and possibly the place of residence, to live within your means. Above all, express your gratitude in prayer for all that has been given to you.Spiritual preparation for rainy days. This comes by keeping the commandments, praying, reading the scriptures, and relying upon the Holy Ghost. "By our obedience we store up the faith we need to meet the vicissitudes and challenges of life. "Keeping ourselves unspotted from the world — being 'good' in this way — we are able to do good for our brothers and sisters throughout the world, both temporally and spiritually."
Monday, May 18, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Boto Mo, I-Patrol mo: Ako ang Simula
ABS-CBN launches Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo: Ako ang Simula
By Maria A. Ressa, Head, ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs; Managing Director, ANC
Long before any slick ad campaign or Barack Obama, I set out to change my world. My inspiration was Mahatma Gandhi, who simply said: "Be the change you want to see." My world was the Philippines, journalism and ABS-CBN in particular. For a long time, I had a love-hate relationship with the Philippines. I love being Filipino but hated the inefficiency, the lack of standards, the acceptance of mediocrity, our situational ethics, our systems of patronage, and our often unjust justice system. Sometimes, when things don't work, you hate that which you love.While I was living outside the Philippines, that was ok. But I realized I didn't have the right to criticize if I didn't pitch in and help. So I did – ending nearly 18 years with CNN to come home to the Philippines for good in 2005. It wasn't an easy decision, but I knew I wanted to retire here. I was old enough to have real experience but young enough to still believe idealism and hard work can change our world.
Right-click here and select "Save Target As..."to download the mp3 version
I'm not the first to say this – that the big change – the revolution – happens after a series, maybe hundreds, thousands of small changes, are pushed by people like you and me. If we each do our part in our areas of interest, then maybe we can reach what Malcolm Gladwell calls the Tipping Point – when the momentum for change becomes unstoppable. It's the same theory – whether it's in ABS-CBN's newsroom or strengthening democracy in the Philippines. It starts with a vision for the future – how things can be better. Then you spread that idea person to person before we reach the critical mass of the tipping point – and change the entire system. I tested this theory in practice – and I can tell you – at least in the newsroom of ABS-CBN, it works.This idea has powered every move we've made, every program we've created: that change begins with you. That you need to stop standing by the sidelines complaining and start doing something – anything – to change what you don't like. It starts with each of us – moving together in the real hard work of nation-building. We created a newscast called BANDILA, which won the Philippines' first ever Emmy nomination. In 2005, our year end offering was AKO ANG SIMULA – focusing on people who changed their world for the better. Last year, ABS-CBN's Foundation gathered artists together in a music video, BAGONG SIMULA. But our most successful project was in the 2007 elections, when we turned our CITIZEN PATROL to a campaign that won top international awards - BOTO MO, I-PATROL MO. We took the immense power of traditional media – print, tv, radio, cable - and combined it with new media – the Internet and mobile phone technology – to create the first instance globally where a news organization called on citizen journalists to come together to patrol their votes and push for clean elections.The idea for Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo was simple: get the people to care and to take action. It's people power with new technology! If you see something wrong or something good, tell us about it. If you see someone trying to buy the votes, snap a picture on your cellphone and send it to us. If you see a town mayor using public vehicles for his campaign, shoot video with your cellphone and send it to us. If you see violence, tell us about it, and after a verification process, we will put it to air. Two months into the 4-month campaign, we received reports from the provinces that Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo helped level the playing field where incumbents were running after we ran a story with the cellphone picture of city resources used for campaigns. So cellphones became effective weapons!The sheer volume of messages we received – about 500 a day leading up to elections and 1 a minute on election day – showed us not only the public's distrust for our institutions and the electoral process, but also more importantly, it highlighted their hunger for change and their own individual battles for integrity. Their fears – because it's dangerous to fight the powers that be – were balanced by their own clamor to make things work. And when we gave them venues to do something about it, they did. After elections, the campaign became BAYAN MO, I-PATROL MO. The responses we received give me tremendous hope.Today, I work in the same historic buildings I entered as a balikbayan in 1986 – excited with the promise of people power. Once the government station under Ferdinand Marcos – a symbol of its repressive rule, it transformed overnight into the people's voice - People's Television 4. A year later, the buildings were returned to the Lopez family, the original owners, one of whom was jailed when the buildings were taken over by the government under martial law. I was here during the coup attempts of the late 80's and during Proclamation 1017 in 2006, when the government stationed an armored personnel carrier outside our gates.Working here reminds me of the cycles of history, the excesses and failures of power, and the role media plays in nation-building. It is also a symbol to me of the failure of Philippine-style democracy, the unfulfilled promises, our mangled institutions and our collective - trampled but indefatigable - craving for something better. As head of news for ABS-CBN, I see the daily search for meaning and hope when I read through the scripts of our newscasts. Reality today gives little cause for optimism: our political system is largely bereft of real meaning because our politicians have changed alliances so often, they seem to have lost track of what they stand for. When symbols lose their meanings and when government after government fails to deliver, we become cynical and apathetic. But we can't stop here! One year before the 2010 elections, stand up and say ENOUGH.It's time to stop complaining, and time to start doing.It's time to stop blaming everyone else, and time to accept responsibility for building our future.It's time to stop accepting the world as it is – corrupt, inefficient, unfair and unjust – and start visualizing the world as it can – and should – be. BOTO MO, I-PATROL MO 2010 is about YOU. Join us and major partners Globe, Bayan, STI, the Philippine Star, Comelec as well as other commercial, trade and academic institutions one year before the critical May 10, 2010 elections as we launch BOTO MO, I-PATROL MO: AKO ANG SIMULA nationwide – in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Register to vote and join the movement in Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo sites in Manila, Pampanga, Cebu and Davao. Join all our news programs across all our different platforms in radio, TV, cable, Internet and on your cellphones! Let's envision a better world. Join the first presidential debate on ANC with Senators Panfilo Lacson, Francis Escudero, Mar Roxas, Richard Gordon, Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. Watch the Artists' Revolution concert in partnership with YouthVote Philippines and ABS-CBN at the Music Museum: "365 Days to Change … Todo Na `To."Don `t let this chance for change pass you by. Use your power to vote wisely. We have one year to create the world we want. If you've had enough but don't want to be defeated, stand up and say AKO ANG SIMULA.
__._,_.___
By Maria A. Ressa, Head, ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs; Managing Director, ANC
Long before any slick ad campaign or Barack Obama, I set out to change my world. My inspiration was Mahatma Gandhi, who simply said: "Be the change you want to see." My world was the Philippines, journalism and ABS-CBN in particular. For a long time, I had a love-hate relationship with the Philippines. I love being Filipino but hated the inefficiency, the lack of standards, the acceptance of mediocrity, our situational ethics, our systems of patronage, and our often unjust justice system. Sometimes, when things don't work, you hate that which you love.While I was living outside the Philippines, that was ok. But I realized I didn't have the right to criticize if I didn't pitch in and help. So I did – ending nearly 18 years with CNN to come home to the Philippines for good in 2005. It wasn't an easy decision, but I knew I wanted to retire here. I was old enough to have real experience but young enough to still believe idealism and hard work can change our world.
Right-click here and select "Save Target As..."to download the mp3 version
I'm not the first to say this – that the big change – the revolution – happens after a series, maybe hundreds, thousands of small changes, are pushed by people like you and me. If we each do our part in our areas of interest, then maybe we can reach what Malcolm Gladwell calls the Tipping Point – when the momentum for change becomes unstoppable. It's the same theory – whether it's in ABS-CBN's newsroom or strengthening democracy in the Philippines. It starts with a vision for the future – how things can be better. Then you spread that idea person to person before we reach the critical mass of the tipping point – and change the entire system. I tested this theory in practice – and I can tell you – at least in the newsroom of ABS-CBN, it works.This idea has powered every move we've made, every program we've created: that change begins with you. That you need to stop standing by the sidelines complaining and start doing something – anything – to change what you don't like. It starts with each of us – moving together in the real hard work of nation-building. We created a newscast called BANDILA, which won the Philippines' first ever Emmy nomination. In 2005, our year end offering was AKO ANG SIMULA – focusing on people who changed their world for the better. Last year, ABS-CBN's Foundation gathered artists together in a music video, BAGONG SIMULA. But our most successful project was in the 2007 elections, when we turned our CITIZEN PATROL to a campaign that won top international awards - BOTO MO, I-PATROL MO. We took the immense power of traditional media – print, tv, radio, cable - and combined it with new media – the Internet and mobile phone technology – to create the first instance globally where a news organization called on citizen journalists to come together to patrol their votes and push for clean elections.The idea for Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo was simple: get the people to care and to take action. It's people power with new technology! If you see something wrong or something good, tell us about it. If you see someone trying to buy the votes, snap a picture on your cellphone and send it to us. If you see a town mayor using public vehicles for his campaign, shoot video with your cellphone and send it to us. If you see violence, tell us about it, and after a verification process, we will put it to air. Two months into the 4-month campaign, we received reports from the provinces that Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo helped level the playing field where incumbents were running after we ran a story with the cellphone picture of city resources used for campaigns. So cellphones became effective weapons!The sheer volume of messages we received – about 500 a day leading up to elections and 1 a minute on election day – showed us not only the public's distrust for our institutions and the electoral process, but also more importantly, it highlighted their hunger for change and their own individual battles for integrity. Their fears – because it's dangerous to fight the powers that be – were balanced by their own clamor to make things work. And when we gave them venues to do something about it, they did. After elections, the campaign became BAYAN MO, I-PATROL MO. The responses we received give me tremendous hope.Today, I work in the same historic buildings I entered as a balikbayan in 1986 – excited with the promise of people power. Once the government station under Ferdinand Marcos – a symbol of its repressive rule, it transformed overnight into the people's voice - People's Television 4. A year later, the buildings were returned to the Lopez family, the original owners, one of whom was jailed when the buildings were taken over by the government under martial law. I was here during the coup attempts of the late 80's and during Proclamation 1017 in 2006, when the government stationed an armored personnel carrier outside our gates.Working here reminds me of the cycles of history, the excesses and failures of power, and the role media plays in nation-building. It is also a symbol to me of the failure of Philippine-style democracy, the unfulfilled promises, our mangled institutions and our collective - trampled but indefatigable - craving for something better. As head of news for ABS-CBN, I see the daily search for meaning and hope when I read through the scripts of our newscasts. Reality today gives little cause for optimism: our political system is largely bereft of real meaning because our politicians have changed alliances so often, they seem to have lost track of what they stand for. When symbols lose their meanings and when government after government fails to deliver, we become cynical and apathetic. But we can't stop here! One year before the 2010 elections, stand up and say ENOUGH.It's time to stop complaining, and time to start doing.It's time to stop blaming everyone else, and time to accept responsibility for building our future.It's time to stop accepting the world as it is – corrupt, inefficient, unfair and unjust – and start visualizing the world as it can – and should – be. BOTO MO, I-PATROL MO 2010 is about YOU. Join us and major partners Globe, Bayan, STI, the Philippine Star, Comelec as well as other commercial, trade and academic institutions one year before the critical May 10, 2010 elections as we launch BOTO MO, I-PATROL MO: AKO ANG SIMULA nationwide – in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Register to vote and join the movement in Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo sites in Manila, Pampanga, Cebu and Davao. Join all our news programs across all our different platforms in radio, TV, cable, Internet and on your cellphones! Let's envision a better world. Join the first presidential debate on ANC with Senators Panfilo Lacson, Francis Escudero, Mar Roxas, Richard Gordon, Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. Watch the Artists' Revolution concert in partnership with YouthVote Philippines and ABS-CBN at the Music Museum: "365 Days to Change … Todo Na `To."Don `t let this chance for change pass you by. Use your power to vote wisely. We have one year to create the world we want. If you've had enough but don't want to be defeated, stand up and say AKO ANG SIMULA.
__._,_.___
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Why Can't We Act Up together?
Everyday, my inboxes are flodded with emails containing news pertaining to the Philippine politics, the present condition, the discontentments of the people, the worldwide crisis etc, etc.
I also receive regular emails from my connections worldwide, those people who are passionate and cling for a change, for a better Philippines. They come from different walks of life, different political views, different opinions and yet one thing sure is that we all want to see the Philippines in a better perspective.
We all cry for a change and for a better Phlippines. In different discussions, we all want to have new breed of leaders and that we have to dump the “trapos.” There’s no place for them. They have created so much trouble in the Philippines and have looted enough in the government coffers and rich enough to sustain their families, friends and cronies until the end of their life. We all agree and know that.
And yet…despite of all these desires for change, why can’t we manage to act up all together? I think one of the reason is…the “me first" attitude.I have noticed that when we talk of something, like a project. People could be very fast in giving suggestions and will never ever run out of great ideas. But when implementation comes. no matter how simple it could be, when it comes to opening their wallets…that’s where the problem comes. All is double closed to some.
The “me first" attitude… wanting to be in the frontline. Be the first, be the leader and second to none. No one would like to be the followers. Many e-groups are being created. When one is not satisfied and if one does not agree with the e-group he belongs, he/she creates his/her own group and asks the others to join, so you are not suprised if you see the same people in different groups discussing the same thing and they do cross postings.
It’s overwhelming to read some postings. Some are very eloquent. I wonder how much time they spend infront of their pc just to express their opinions, their knowledge, their experiences. It’s amazign to read their postings. You feel intelligent when you read…but after that, you finally end up frustrated because nothing is comprehensive with their high falluting words after all. Excuse me is that simple English? Such a waste of time for me.
As the presidential election is fast approaching. many political opposition parties emerge. Many new faces of politicians are coming into the scene. In the OFWs alone, there are already many aspiring parties emmerging officially or not Some have practicaly the same objectives. Crying for change and better governance. When we ask for creating just one and unite other groups…forming a bigger group. The answer is a polite “no”.
We claim to have 10 million Pinoys in diaspora. This could be a very strong group to represent the Filipinos outside the country and let their voices heard. After all, we are the ones making the Philippines a great contributor for its economy. Twenty six billion dollars remitted yearly makes the economy in full swing. Without the OFWs, Philippine will never exist.
There is about 70-75% of people who are not satisfied with the way the Philippine government is being run. We cry for our discontentments, we cry for the injustices to the poor people. We denounce the corrupt leaders. And people go hungry. And yet nothing is really happening.
The OFWs can be a big and powerful tool to topple the present govermment. If we could only show our solidarity…by simply going to register and vote because we are sure that being abroad, the politicians can’t buy our votes. At this point, out of 1 million voters expected to register for the upcoming election, only 52,000 have registered worldwide! What a shame! Imagine the 10 millions worldwide if they all come out and vote?
And some people claim to be saying “Mahal ko ang Pilipinas” and yet we don’t really mean what we say.
If we really love the Pilipinas then let’s move our butts and do something and get involved. Let’s not content ourselves in our comfort zone, in front of our computer spending time getting in touch with our hundreds of friends in Facebook or in Friendster or contenting ourselves watching TV Patrol or WOWOWIE and yet nothing productive is happening and we have already wasted so much time.
We cry for unity. Unity here and unity there. Conferences, meetings, dialogues are being organized everywhere. Apparently, nothing is concrete being made. People go home with the same thing in mind….my “party first”. Or kami muna.
One of my close friends told me…”Susie, you are so idealistic and so naive. In the Philippines, there is no such thing as clean politics.”
And my question comes again….For God’s sake, for people’s sake, for our love of the country’s sake, why can’t we act up together? In the meantime, while we remain divided. Even though we belong to the majority of oppositions, we will never make it. We will continue to allow the trapos enjoy their great lifestyles, looting the people’s money, continue their-extra judicial killings, continue sending educated and over qualified maids worldwide and be abused, continue sending our hard- earned money to our familes and relatives, continue doing our little projects which is supposed to be the governments duty to provide them and we continue forever complaining up to the rest of our lives.
My challenge is, shall we allow this to happen forever?
This time, why don’t we give it a try and make the difference as we always try to preach and claim?
Susie Barbieri see my bloghttp://larigolotte.blogspot.com/ see my blog:http://laptitemere.blogs.friendster.com/my_blog/ see my bloghttp://wfa-ngo.ning.com/profile/SusieBarbieri pls. help my OSYs project in Urdaneta:http://www.ipangasinan.com/myproject/urdaneta_UCLSTC/ pls. support our community livelihood programwww.freewebs.com/urdanetapiglets
Susie Barbieri see my bloghttp://larigolotte.blogspot.com/ see my blog:http://laptitemere.blogs.friendster.com/my_blog/ see my bloghttp://wfa-ngo.ning.com/profile/SusieBarbieri pls. help my OSYs project in Urdaneta:http://www.ipangasinan.com/myproject/urdaneta_UCLSTC/ pls. support our community livelihood programwww.freewebs.com/urdanetapiglets
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Sen. gordon Prefers going to Normandy than Meeting Pinoys in Paris
Few days ago while I was in Cairo, I received an email from a guy in Jeddah announcing the arrival of Senator Gordon here in Paris and if I could meet with him and jokingly said if I could share a drink with him from my husband's wine collection. He even gave me the Senator's roaming celphone number.
Then another email followed from an aid of the Senator asking if I could organize a Pacquaio fight show on tv (although delayed telecast) and invite the Senator to watch with the Pinoy community.
As soon as I arrived yesterday, I tried to arrange the necessary move so that the Senator could watch the show and be with the Pinoy communtiy at the same time. I called the Maharlika Association president in Paris if he could arrange that and he immediately accepted my request. And there should be no problem. What a relief!
I was able to talk on the phone to the Senator after a brief exchange of SMS. He gave me his itinerary and he wouldn't have much time in Paris as his schedule was so full. I told him that it's only Sunday that the Pinoy community will be available to meet with him today. He said that he will be going to Normandy and even asked me if the place is nice. And I said yes. He told me that the embassy is taking him there but he will let me know if something changes.
I thanked him after the conversation and I texted him trying to encourage him not to go to Normandy by to go and meet the Pinoys instead. I told him that it was important for them to meet with him
He responded my text saying he was going to Normandy.
I was a bit disappointed because I would have really wanted him to see and listen to the Pinoys in Paris. They haven't got always a good living condition here as most of them are undocumented. I would really wanted him to talk to them and if he could deliver a ray of hope to these people and inform the Philippine government from a first hand information he gets and how to help these people out.
I know he's got the right to have his own choice but being already in France and has limited time, being a leader who is supposed to represent government, he could have chosen to be with the Pinoys. It could have been a great boost to their morale especially in this time of crisis where no one is sure what the future awaits them.
Anyway, have a great time in Normandy Senator Gordon and enjoy your other meetings in France.
Susie Barbieri
Maharlika Member
Paris, France
Then another email followed from an aid of the Senator asking if I could organize a Pacquaio fight show on tv (although delayed telecast) and invite the Senator to watch with the Pinoy community.
As soon as I arrived yesterday, I tried to arrange the necessary move so that the Senator could watch the show and be with the Pinoy communtiy at the same time. I called the Maharlika Association president in Paris if he could arrange that and he immediately accepted my request. And there should be no problem. What a relief!
I was able to talk on the phone to the Senator after a brief exchange of SMS. He gave me his itinerary and he wouldn't have much time in Paris as his schedule was so full. I told him that it's only Sunday that the Pinoy community will be available to meet with him today. He said that he will be going to Normandy and even asked me if the place is nice. And I said yes. He told me that the embassy is taking him there but he will let me know if something changes.
I thanked him after the conversation and I texted him trying to encourage him not to go to Normandy by to go and meet the Pinoys instead. I told him that it was important for them to meet with him
He responded my text saying he was going to Normandy.
I was a bit disappointed because I would have really wanted him to see and listen to the Pinoys in Paris. They haven't got always a good living condition here as most of them are undocumented. I would really wanted him to talk to them and if he could deliver a ray of hope to these people and inform the Philippine government from a first hand information he gets and how to help these people out.
I know he's got the right to have his own choice but being already in France and has limited time, being a leader who is supposed to represent government, he could have chosen to be with the Pinoys. It could have been a great boost to their morale especially in this time of crisis where no one is sure what the future awaits them.
Anyway, have a great time in Normandy Senator Gordon and enjoy your other meetings in France.
Susie Barbieri
Maharlika Member
Paris, France
Senator Gordon Prefers
Few days ago while I was in Cairo, I received an email from a guy in Jeddah announcing the arrival of Senator Gordon here in Paris and if I could meet with him and jokingly said if I could share a drink with him from my husband's wine collection. He even gave me the Senator's roaming celphone number.
Then another email followed from an aid of the Senator asking if I could organize a Pacquaio fight show on tv (although delayed telecast) and invite the Senator to watch with the Pinoy community.
As soon as I arrived yesterday, I tried to arrange the necessary move so that the Senator could watch the show and be with the Pinoy communtiy at the same time. I called the Maharlika Association president in Paris if he could arrange that and he immediately accepted my request. And there should be no problem. What a relief!
I was able to talk on the phone to the Senator after a brief exchange of SMS. He gave me his itinerary and he wouldn't have much time in Paris as his schedule was so full. I told him that it's only Sunday that the Pinoy community will be available to meet with him today. He said that he will be going to Normandy and even asked me if the place is nice. And I said yes. He told me that the embassy is taking him there but he will let me know if something changes.
I thanked him after the conversation and I texted him trying to encourage him not to go to Normandy by to go and meet the Pinoys instead. I told him that it was inportant for them to meet with him
He responded my text saying he was going to Normandy.
I was a bit disappointed because I would have really wanted him to see and listen to the Pinoys in Paris. They haven't got always a good living condition here as most of them are undocumented. I would really wanted him to talk to them and if he could deliver a ray of hope to these people and inform the Philippine government from a first hand information he gets and how to help these people out.
I know he's got the right to have his own choice but being already in France and has limited time, being a leader who is supposed to represent government, he could have chosen to be with the Pinoys. It could have been a great boost to their morale especially in this time of crisis where no one is sure what the future awaits them.
Thank you Senator Gordon for showing your non-concern to the Pinoys in Paris. We will not forget that.
Have a great time in Normandy and enjoy meeting in France.
Susie Barbieri
Maharlika Member
Paris, France
Then another email followed from an aid of the Senator asking if I could organize a Pacquaio fight show on tv (although delayed telecast) and invite the Senator to watch with the Pinoy community.
As soon as I arrived yesterday, I tried to arrange the necessary move so that the Senator could watch the show and be with the Pinoy communtiy at the same time. I called the Maharlika Association president in Paris if he could arrange that and he immediately accepted my request. And there should be no problem. What a relief!
I was able to talk on the phone to the Senator after a brief exchange of SMS. He gave me his itinerary and he wouldn't have much time in Paris as his schedule was so full. I told him that it's only Sunday that the Pinoy community will be available to meet with him today. He said that he will be going to Normandy and even asked me if the place is nice. And I said yes. He told me that the embassy is taking him there but he will let me know if something changes.
I thanked him after the conversation and I texted him trying to encourage him not to go to Normandy by to go and meet the Pinoys instead. I told him that it was inportant for them to meet with him
He responded my text saying he was going to Normandy.
I was a bit disappointed because I would have really wanted him to see and listen to the Pinoys in Paris. They haven't got always a good living condition here as most of them are undocumented. I would really wanted him to talk to them and if he could deliver a ray of hope to these people and inform the Philippine government from a first hand information he gets and how to help these people out.
I know he's got the right to have his own choice but being already in France and has limited time, being a leader who is supposed to represent government, he could have chosen to be with the Pinoys. It could have been a great boost to their morale especially in this time of crisis where no one is sure what the future awaits them.
Thank you Senator Gordon for showing your non-concern to the Pinoys in Paris. We will not forget that.
Have a great time in Normandy and enjoy meeting in France.
Susie Barbieri
Maharlika Member
Paris, France
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