A mother’s personal note on her daughter’s prom

“Hi ma and pa. I’m home na po. Thank you so much for everything! I enjoyed my prom, thanks to you and it wouldn’t be the same if it weren’t for you. This is something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life. Thank you and I love you.” – Coleen Pascual

As a mother I spent all these years making sure that my family is getting all the best that they deserve. All I want is their happiness and the joy of this universe. If they laugh I should be there laughing along, if they cry I am always ready to offer a hug and if they want the stars I give them the night sky. They are my whole life. And the most fulfilling part ever is to witness how my children grow and be a part of that growth.

My daughter Coleen just had her junior prom at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel last February 18, 2012. This is not only very special for her but most of all a turning point for me as a mother. I could not believe my eyes that my little baby daughter has majestically transformed into a very beautiful, elegant and gorgeous young lady.

I remember that late last year she just celebrated her sixteenth birthday. Sweet sixteen in fact! I found myself then with tears in my eyes, very happy for my princess that she is beginning to get a taste of adulthood. My feelings are just normal, I just could not help but to be overjoyed and excited for her all the more.

Now, she truly has become a spontaneously stunning head-turner. Her elegant bustier serpentine gown in mauve color accentuated with scattered flowerette beads at the bodice and petal fingers on the hemline is just perfect for her. Her makeup complemented exactly the figure of her face and it brought out her true beauty. She was oozing with so much grandiose and glamour.

My daughter Coleen is but wonderful. I see in her eyes how happy she is and how happier she will become in her prom. I would want to see how she dances but I could not. It is her night anyway. I have a lot of questions in my head but I later realized that she is going to a prom – the place where she will sense her becoming more than just a girl. That she alone can decide what will make her happy. That she can enjoy her utmost social independence.

The only thing that I can do is to wish her luck on her way though. I moreover would like my daughter discover her true self. Later as years pass by, she will be dealing with many kinds of people. The experience on those days shall test her emotional and social quotient. So I prayed that the prom night would be a strong start of developing her both emotional and social foundation.

On the other hand, however, I know that I need to become a stage mother. In this way, I can give her direct support of whatever she may feel. Of whatever she is feeling that she does not know. The gowns and the makeup is not the thing in a promenade but rather the support of a mother to her growing daughter. She needs something else other than going there beautifully groomed and dressed. She needs permission and acceptance. As a mother, I have the tendency to be protective and selfish because who would want their daughter to be hurt anyway. That is why I gave my daughter Coleen my full trust, love and confidence that I am sure made her so happy. She might not see it the way I saw it but the most significant thing is that everything went well.

Girls and boys may see it as another special school activity but in its truest sense it is already the preparation for a more serious life ahead. Having crushes is not something that my daughter is exempted. I know that puppy love is silently at work. That is why I always at the guard for support. Her father and her siblings are always at the back up too.

We expect that suitors will queue their lines before our window and that is another point again when she needs her family’s support. After all two years from now she will be legally responsible for her own affairs. By that time I and her father would just be confident that we prepared her enough.

BM Olive to Misamis Oriental for Legislation on Consignment System

By Michael D. Masirag

Pending ordinance of BM Olive on institutionalizing the Cagayan Consignment System is still yet to be approved for 2nd reading in the plenary. The Health Committee chaired by BM Olive conducted a committee hearing on this and present were concerned government officials especially Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Marcos Mallillin.

The committee as a whole agreed upon for a “Lakbay-Aral” in Misamis oriental who has been enjoying a consignment system of the same nature for the actual evaluation of the committee for more effective implementation in the province. This was also dubbed as one of the best practices of the Misamis Oriental Province.

The Honorable Governor approved the tour to observe and study their consignment system. BM Olive said that the team is optimistic that the issues and concerns will be resolved and the proposed legislation will be facilitated.

BM Olive and her team shall be on official travel to Misamis Oriental from February 26-29.

BM Olive talks in TV-Radio program Tipon-Tipan

By Michael D. Masirag

Cagayanos were able to watch and listen to the First District Board Member Maria Olivia B. Pascual as she talked on local television and radio program Tipon –Tipan of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) R2 on Tuesday, February 21, 2012. BM Olive talked about her resolutions and ordinances in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Cagayan province.

Host Mr. Oliver Baccay started the program asking BM about her pending ordinance in the plenary, the creation of a diagnostic center in the province. BM olive explained that this is to provide Cagayanos with quality service at a cheaper cost.

She further explained that the diagnostic center will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities which are at par of those in the private centers or even better. This is to assure that clients will get the most accurate and truthful result of their examinations.

She was asked on how it could be possible, BM Olive answered, “this is the beauty of this ordinance, the province shall forge a partnership with private sector which will provide majority of the needs to put up a diagnostic center, one of which is providing for the equipment.”

“Ang mangyayari po dito yoon pong private company na partner natin sila ang magproprovide ng halos lahat, ang part lamang ng probinsya generally ay ang lokasyon ng center at mga karagdagang administrative staff”, she said.

The proposed Diagnostic center is eyed to be located in the ground floor of the Paseo Reale Mall to facilitate its operation. Heavy and big equipment are expected to be there. Lessees on the first floor are expected to end contract beginning next year and on that time the renovation of the site shall start once the ordinance is approved which is still on its 2nd reading.

Ms. Mean Sagabaen of Radyo ng Bayan asked BM as to when will the ordinance be passed and she humbly answered that refinements of her colleagues in the SP are the things yet to be collected since there are things which they best know especially the BM –lawyers

“The ordinance is in fact well supported by our Governor and Vice Governor only that there are things which need to be polished and that is what I expect from my fellow Board Members since we all know that more heads is better than one”, she added.

Another reporter from DWPE, Ms. Lani Perez asked what equipment shall be provided. BM Olive answered that the machines would be the basic in a diagnostic center like City scan, x- ray and the likes. She stressed, “should there be needs of additional equipment depending on the circumstances later, the partner company shall provide as well, like the MRI and of course constant upgrading of the available equipment.”

On Consignment System

Another pending ordinance of the lady BM being the chair on committee on health is the institutionalizing of the Cagayan Consignment System which is again another way to help people avail of quality health related services of a cheaper cost.

According to the ordinance, the consignment system is to forge an agreement among medicine and drug suppliers and the province for government owned hospitals. This is to ensure that patients are getting effective medicines for their ailments at lower cost and new drugs. This is also a way for the hospitals to generate income which shall be used as additional funds for the hospital operations.

BM Olive however reiterated that the ordinance is not really to after the income but rather the income would just be a result of a more systematic way to handle patients’ finances. The ordinance is rather to secure the people of a safe medicine which are proven effective at a cheaper price since this would be a consignment system.

This is also a way to prevent fraud among health care providers and drug suppliers and most of all to strengthen the system in the province.

Other matters

BM Olive was grilled also with questions pertaining to her position as BM which she gladly and joyfully answered and informed the press about her activities and programs. She impressed upon the press that she has been very busy promoting health and nutrition in the whole province as the committee chair on health and in particular in the 1st district. She is in a strong advocacy of fighting anemia which is caused by Iron deficiency in the body.

She promotes the consumption of the I-rice or the Iron rice to help prevent anemia. She as well goes from one barangay to another, from one municipality to another to lead the IDA hataw, another effective way to informing the people of the health benefits of exercise and Iron in the body.

“Being the Committee Chair on Health, I would love to see all Cagayanos healthy and through this ordinances and activities, I hope that in one way and the other we shall achieve that goal. I might be misunderstood whenever I go to even 2nd and 3rd districts but let not that be an issue, as a Board Member of the province I ought not to serve only the people of the 1st district, I am just more than grateful that the Hon. Governor Alvaro T. Antonio has always been very supportive of such activities.”, BM expressed.

The show which normally runs from 9:00 to 10:00 in the morning exceeded at most 15 minutes for the BM to be able to answer the questions of the media.
The program is aired live via clearview channel and live hooking of the DWPE Radyo ng Bayan.

BM Olive supports House Bills of Rep. Jack Enrile

By Salvador F. Roploc

“If other Provincial Boards from all over the country have already expressed their support, then why we can’t we extend our own support especially that the author of these two House Bills is no less than our very own Congressman Juan Ponce Enrile, Jr.?” This is the question posed by First District Board Member Maria Olivia B. Pascual in her sponsorship speech for the two resolutions she had submitted before the Sanggunian Panlalawigan of the Province of Cagayan.

Recognizing the necessity to fast track the passage of legislations now pending before the House of Representatives, BM Olive recently authored two resolutions extending support to the bills filed by the Honorable Juan C. Ponce Enrile, Jr. in Congress. Resolution Nos. 12 and 13 series of 2012 were approved and adopted by the Sanggunian Panlalawigan last January 18, 2012.

Resolution No. 12 extends support for the passage of House Bill No. 00553 otherwise known as “An Act Instituting Policies Governing the Household Employment Industry, Establishing a Standard of Protection and Promoting the Welfare of Household Helpers.” On the other hand, Resolution No. 13 extends support for the passage of House Bill No. 04626 otherwise known as “An Act Providing For a System of Determining the Minimum Food Requirements of Filipinos, Reorganizing the National Food Authority, Establishing the National Strategic Food Supply and Reserve Corporation and For Other Purposes.”

In her sponsorship speech, BM Olive pointed out that HB 00553 or the “Batas Kasambahay” seeks to institutionalize and uplift the minimum working parameters and standards of the household helper industry. Moreover, the lady legislator also expressed that the bill strives and aims to bring the traditionally informal labor sector of household helping closer towards the benefits and protection accorded by law to the more formalized sectors of the labor force. Finally, BM Olive stressed that proposed measure seeks to redress the grave injustice levied on this significant sector of the labor force by providing for the basic structure that would uphold the dignity of household helpers and protect their rights and privileges.

Turning to HB 04626 or the “Food for Filipinos First Act of 2011”, BM Olive stressed that the proposed measure recognizes the principle of food sovereignty, which is the “right of peoples, communities and countries to define their own agricultural, labor, fishing, food and land policies, which are ecologically, socially, economically and culturally appropriate to their unique circumstances.” She also pointed that the bill includes “the true right to food and to produce food, which means that all people have the right to safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food and to food producing resources and the ability to sustain themselves and their societies”. Further, she also pointed the importance of the aforesaid bill in that “it strives and aims to adjust our export and import policies as a nation by giving great consideration to what is needed by our people first before we send our raw materials and produce to other nations.”

Finally, BM Olive said that the two bills are both very laudable and are indeed revolutionary because of the great changes that they are expected to bring to our constituents. Indeed, these two bills will directly affect all Filipinos and will bring greater good for all of us.

Meanwhile, copies of the two resolutions were immediately sent to the House of Representatives and to the Committees therein where they are still pending.

BM Olive signs as witness to the MOA entered into by PhilHealth and Cagayan Province

By Michael D. Masirag

BM Olive Pascual as chairman of the Committee on Health was one of the witnesses who signed the Memorandum of Agreement entered into between the Provincial Government of Cagayan and PhilHealth Region 2 during its grand MOA signing for the their renewal of sponsorship last February 22, 2012 at Crowns pavilion, Tuguegarao City.

PhilHealth membership fee is set to increase this year from the original amount to P1200 which will double for the next year. The MOA signing is a commitment of the partnership of the 2 parties involved for better and more improved health care services for the people of Cagayan.

This is also to encourage all the people to enroll in the said program to be able to provide them another means of help especially health related.

BM Olive is noted to be an active supporter of the programs of the PhilHealth which she deem significant to the people of Cagayan, proof of this are her pending ordinance in the plenary, an ordinance adopting the National Health Insurance program for the enrollment of Barangay Health Workers (BHW), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), Barangay Population Officer (BPO), Day Care Workers (DCW) and provincial School Board Funded Teachers (PSB) in the province of Cagayan.

Governor Antonio said in his message that this is another milestone for providing quality health care services to the Cagayanos, he even joked that his arrival 1 hour and thirty minutes before the event started is a display of his true commitment to this endeavor.

Also present were, Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Marcos Mallillin, PhilHealth RVPs Elvira C. Ver and Oscar B, Abaddu Jr. Dr. Tita Callueng of DOH and some municipal mayors, Board Members Mila Catabay Lauigan. Winoco Abraham and Atty. Vincent Pagurayan.

SUN-FCP Club on its 1st anniversary

By Michael D. Masirag

It has been a fruitful year for the Spouses Unite for Nutrition – Families’ Caring Partners (SUN-FCP) Club of the Municipality of Lal-lo which turned 1 year old last January 30, 2012 since its birth through the initiative of the former mayor, now Board Member Maria Olivia Pascual. The club primarily aims to support the Municipal Nutrition Committee in the implementation of the nutrition programs in the municipality through its activities.

Spouses of all the elected officials from barangay to the municipal level compose the club members and officers. Spouses of the Municipal officials serve as the club’s advisers while barangay members are led by the spouses of the barangay captain as presidents. Other members are the spouses of barangay kagawads, secretaries, treasurers, nutrition scholars, health workers, population officers, day care workers and tanods.

In making the club more organized and united, barangay officers are federated and the incumbent President is Mr. Corneliio Cabalsi, the husband of Captain Remedios Cabalsi of Barangay Sta. Maria.

The celebration started with a HATAW at the Municipal Park at 7:00 in the morning with almost 100 people participating composed of the RIC Barangay Presidents lead by the Federation President BM Olive Pascual and RIC Coordinator Ms. Josephine Acebedo, also present were the staff of the Municipal Agriculture Office, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer/MHO Dr. Maria Concepcion Abbang and her staff, Kagawad Ernesto Bolando, Mercy Vinarao, Wilma Siriban, Charito Arteta, Ederlina Bolando.

The formal program was opened by the OIC-MAO Jimmy Bacuyag which was held at the MAO. Three grand prizes were awarded to the top 3 winners of the 1st Resource Generating project of SUN-FCP.

Highlighting the program, National Nutrition Council Regional Coordinator, Ms. Julie Maestre conducted a planning workshop among members which mainly tuckled ways and means to better improve the services of the club in achieving their goals. Main issue is the achievement of the MDG’s first goal which is to eradicate extreme poverty through reduction of the prevalence of underweight-for-age under-fives and the percentage of households with inadequate energy intake.

At the middle of the discussion, the President gave a report on the clubs’ accomplishments very detailed to which Mrs. Rhodora Maestre appreciated very greatly. She even encouraged the club to be a model to other clubs in other municipalities of the province.

She said “I would like your president to share what this group does as one best practice of Lal-lo in the nutrition program for the national evaluation in May 2012.

BM Olive instead of giving a lengthy message she motivated the officers and members to be inspired more of their roles in the development of the Municipality especially in the health sector.

The celebration culminated with a renewal of the officers and members’ pledge of commitment to SUN-FCP Club. This is to ensure a healthy Lal-loqueno community in particular and the whole Cagayano community as well. This is the Cagayano dream.

BM Olive tours Escolarinas ’77 in Cagayan Province

By Michael D. Masirag

Reminiscing the cherished moments of the past is the best thing to do when we miss people so dear in our hearts. It is even wonderful if we relive those moments by creating more to be missed. We cannot bring back the beautiful memories of the past but we can make amazing things to look back to. This is what we should do and this is what First District Board Member Maria Olivia B. Pascual just did when she brought her batchmates right from the corners of Metro Manila to pride upon what Cagayan Province can offer.

On February 11-14, 8 Escolarinas batch ’77 plus 2 of their spouses and 1 very close friend adventured into some of the places in the province. Among those who were able to join are spouses Marilen Tomacruz and Ciros Tomacruz, Annie Yu, Ma. Theresa Ramos –Tess, Ma. Ramona Siquisor –Monet, Annabel Beltran, Erlinda Lumabi, Eleanor Tarog, Diocelyn Damatac, spousess Quellie Maranan and Regie Maranan.

Different tourists’ destinations unfolded every hour before their eyes with so much amusement that they cannot help but to “wow’. Not even blinking, they hopped from one spot to another as BM Olive prepared the itinerary.

The shortlist is a perfect pheromone for first timers which surely brought out their bewilderment.

Their arrival at the grounds of Cagayan Province is a mark of exciting and fantastic moments ahead of them.

Escolarinas visit the workplace of the Board Member which they loved taking pictures.

The Calvary Hills at the Municipality of Iguig where station of the cross is portrayed with the human-life sized characters caused them to breathe in very deeply.

Visiting the Mini Christams Village experience in the Municipality of Lal-lo featuring the personal village collections of BM Olive is a post Christmas experience in the province.

Participating in the IDA Hataw at the Sta. Maria, Lal-lo is responsible for every sweat which comes out of their pores which eventually made them aware of the advocacy on fighting Iron Deficiency Anemia.

Aware of the need to fight global warming, the Escolarinas joined in the tree planting activity at the Municipality of Lal-lo in support of the national greening program.

Overjoyed with the arms of the first suspension bridge in the country – the Magapit bridge which connects the province of Cagayanand Ilocos province.

Taking part of the history, Escolarinas get to touch the Oldest Bell in the Far East laid in the Municipality of Camalaniugan.

Getting close to the Pacific Ocean as Escolarinas posed behind the place where the river meets the sea at Aparri, Cagayan.

Escolarinas pray to the Our Lady of Piat, Piat, Cagayan.

Escolarinas take picture at the facade of the Provincial Capitol.

Posing with “pandoy” the boy tour guide featured in Maalala Mo Kaya, Escolarinas prepare for their caving adventure in Callao caves.

Escolarinas pose while they wait for the thousand bats to come out from their place, the experience is completely wonderful.

Escolarinas’ final destination – St. Claire’s Church at Iguig.

The Escolarinas were so captivated with the robust meaningful moments in their short stay in the province. Every experience is gleaned in the corners of their smile speaking of unfathomable joy and excitements. This is the experience of their life that shall be remembered wherever they go. The visit was fast-paced and rewarding journey written in the pages of their lives. Every tick of the clock meant a lot as they stayed in the soils of Cagayan. They even vowed to come back with their families and friends so that same experience shall theirs to make.

Mayor Florante C. Pascual of the Municipality of Lal-lo and the husband of BM Olive is equally supportive of the Escolarinas’ tour around the province. He also spared some time with the visitors to personally introduce some of the places they should never miss.

BM Olive Pascual thanked all her batch mates for visiting the province because it is not only another get together for all of them, it is also one way of doing her duties as a Board Member of the First District of the Province. As a leader BM Olive feels the responsibility of promoting the province to everyone who deserves to see and experience the beauty and wonders of Cagayan. This is the responsibility of everyone to be proud of the smiling land of beauty in his/ her own ways. This is the way of the Board Member. This is the vision all of us should see – to make no stranger to the province. This is the Cagayano dream.

GTU Job Fair on Feb 18 -19

To all who wish to be employed locally and even overseas please attend the Gobyerno ti Umili Job fair at Arranz Gymnasium (Cagayan Sports Complex) on February 18-19. Please bring resume. The following are the job vacancies:

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT

COOKS
FRONT DESK CLERK
HOTEL SUPERVISORS
CASHIERS
SALE COORDINATORS
FINANCE SALE REPRESENTATIVES
MERCHANDISERS
SERVICE CREWS
CUSTOMERS SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE CLERKS
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE CUSTODIANS
DISTRIBUTOR SALES PERSONNEL
INVENTORY CLERKS
PROJECT ENGINEER
MECHANIC HELPER
AUTO ELECTRICIAN
TINSMITH (LATERO)
SECRETARY
DRIVERS
NURSES
ENGINEERS
DOCTORS
LAWYERS
SOLDIERS
PMA- APPLICANTS
MANAGEMENT TRAINEES
CREDIT INVESTIGATORS
CUSTOMER ASSISTANT
BOOKKEEPER
POSTING CLERKS
LOAN PROCESSORS
GENERAL CLERKS/ ASSISTANCE
SECURITY GUARDS
GARDENERS
JANITORS
ROOMBOYS
AGRICULTURAL ACCOUNT OFFICERS
DIRECT MARKETING AGENTS

OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT

CIVIL WORK SUPERVISORS
QUANTITY SURVEYOR – CIVIL
SHUTTERING CARPENTERS
STEEL FIXERS
CARPENTERS
CERAMIC TILES
MARBLE TILES
PAINTERS
TILE FIXERS
MASONS
CIVIL GENERAL FOREMEN
FACTORY WORKERS-FOR TAIWAN
DOMESTIC HELPERS
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS

Good luck everyone. Let this be one way of helping our folks to achieve a better living.

SP lauds DSWD R2 Director

By Michael D. Masirag

Sensitive on the efforts of public officials who put the interests of their constituents above their service, First District Board Member, Hon. Maria Olivia B. Pascual sponsored a resolution congratulating DSWD Regional Director, Arnel B. Garcia for being adjudged as the “Best Manager” by the DSWD National Office through its Program on Awards and Incentives For Service Excellence (PRAISE).

RD Garcia bested all other Regional Directors nationwide with his extraordinary contribution to the DSWD’s role in the service to our countrymen. One of his very laudable efforts is the conceptualization and effective implementation of the Disaster Recovery Program in Cagayan Valley which greatly helped Cagayanos during the onslaught of typhoons that previously hit the province.

The resolution was approved today, February 8, 2012 on the 53rd regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cagayan presided by the Vice – Governor, Hon. Leonides Fausto.

In her sponsorship speech, BM Olive said that although RD Garcia is not a Cagayano his service to Region 2 where Cagayan province belongs is very creditable.

“The award he received was indeed laudable because he bested all other regional directors of DSWD join the entire country. It was no less than the Secretary Dinky Soliman who conferred the award. Thus being one of the Local Government Units under the jurisdiction of DSWD Regional Office 02, this representation believes that Provincial Government of Cagayan should also recognize such exemplary and very laudable award received by the director. Although Director Garcia is not a Cagayano, the award clearly speak of the quality work and dedication Cagayanos are getting form a non Cagayano. Awards such as this gives inspiration not only to the awardee but also to the people who work under him”, BM Olive stressed.

Vice Governor Odi meanwhile averred that it is one of the duties of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan – to give credit to those who serve selflessly to the people. It is just but proper to give them due recognition which will give them further inspiration to serve more and excel.

BM Olive after the session added that this is one way of encouraging people to make a difference in serving their fellowmen especially to public officials like them.

A copy of the resolution shall be forwarded to the office of RD Garcia for his information.