Loren makes a good move

In a political atmosphere of savage politics, Senator Loren Legarda’s declaration of political independence last Thursday was a gust of fresh wind. Unencumbered, to borrow one of her words, by bitterness, recrimination and ill feelings toward the party she left.

It was a simple statement of what she felt: the need to speak out freely, fairly and objectively on the raging issues of the day outside of the disciplined – and naturally constricting confines – of a political party.

Perhaps, what former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said of the resignation over DZMM minutes after Senator Legarda read her declaration, best described Legarda’s classy act. "It was the highest form of political delicadeza," said Fred Lim.

The deeply held beliefs that led Senator Legarda to politics are often obscured by her pretty face but beneath is a woman of true substance – and guts.

Her voting record in the Senate says so. Her academic pursuits, including a master degree in national security administration, shows breadth and depth and scope.

Her personal life is just as interesting.

What senator can climb mountains to negotiate for the release of captured military officers one day, then pause for a photo shoot for one of the glamour magazines the next day?

A charmed life can also be a principled one.

A Lifesaver

I went through bad times in my life. Many instances, I had nowhere else to go but a pawnshop. As a student in Manila, my monthly allowance of P500 was often delayed as Samar seemed farther than Neptune – except that Neptune had probably better roads than my beloved Samar, and I would run out of fare money. My most precious jewel, a Seiko watch had come and gone to pawnshops and had saved me from walking from my house to school and from mild starvation.

There are thousands of pawnshops around the metropolis. I’ve learned that you have to choose the reputable ones because I’ve heard some horror stories that some pawnshops alter your jewelry. Not that anyone would have taken a special interest on my decrepit Seiko watch but I took good care of it because it saved my life many times over. Every time I would get my allowance from the bank, I would rush to the pawnshop and retrieve my watch making sure that both hands were intact.

In Cebu City, one of the best pawnshops is Prime Asia Pawnshop. Its mantra is that the needs of customers come first, and that the reason for their existence is to meet these needs.

Ernie Enad, a good friend of mine who always sends me the best danggit and daing na pusit from Cebu, is the general manager of Prime Asia Pawnshop. He says, "we place a high value to trustworthiness, reliability and honesty. Since the customer is the lifeblood of the organization, we are committed to serve them the best way we know how. For our customers, good service is not enough. They deserve the best!"

Which is why Prime Asia Pawnshop continues to grow. At present, it has 60 branches concentrated in the Central and Western Visayas region and in Northern Mindanao. Last June, they entered a partnership with EBUSINESS Services, Inc. (EBIZ), one of the agents in the Philippines for the Western Union Money Transfer service.

This new partnership is just part of the company’s vision to provide people with the fastest way to send and receive money worldwide, which will benefit not only families with members working abroad, but the general public as well.

Exciting Events At Riverbanks

Three big, exciting and entertaining events await everyone now until December 2003 at the Riverbanks Center in Barangka, Marikina.

First was the Grand Opening of the newly refurbished Boiler Room Comedy Bar a couple of weeks ago. It is a comedy-videoke-disco bar all rolled into one featuring some of the country’s finest stand-up comedians. This no holds-barred entertainment haven will have a cutting edge appeal to those whose idea of fun borders in the insane albeit with a dash of sophistication. The new Boiler Room Comedy Bar will be open every night from 8 p.m. onwards.

A Star Search for the Golden Voice of the Valley 2003 also had its first Elimination Night some weeks ago at the Station Grill. A unique and innovative amateur singing competition, it will go on every Wednesday until its Finals Night on Dec. 15.

And the most exciting event is the Miss Gay beauty of the Valley 2003, a gay beauty pageant which was launched recently also at the Station Grill and which will go on every Monday until its Coronation Night also on Dec. 15.

Three exciting events. Three great reasons to visit the Riverbanks Center in Marikina. These productions are produced by Big Fun Company, where my good friend Lito Caseye is sales and marketing manager for special projects.