Recent pictures of President Cory Aquino and Secretary Jesse Robredo are reminding all Filipinos about two selfless, humble, honest, and committed leaders who joined the Lord in the month of August. As they now rest in the best hands of the Lord, we pray that the Lord will send more selfless, honest, committed public leaders to serve our country and our people.
Let us also remember heroes who gave up their lives for the sake of our people and our country: Ninoy Aquino included. He was assassinated before he could fulfill his hope to convince Marcos to end his dictatorship. His death spurred the Filipino people to topple and to drive away the dictator from Malacañang.
May Ninoy's death and those of our other heroes which the nation is asked to remember on the 21st and 26th of August, respectively, remind all Filipinos to treasure their freedom and never to allow any other dictator or foreign power to control this nation ever again.
Cebu's founding anniversary will be remembered this August 5. This year will see Governor Davide leading the province with his simple but committed public service.
Many are expecting and hoping that Cebu will experience real transparency and accountability from the new elected officials.
We hope the basic needs of the millions of poor and needy will be prioritized. May there be enough food, jobs, homes, clean water, toilets, better education and health services for Cebuanos, between now and the next founding anniversary next year. Will that be too much to ask or to expect?
On a private level, last August 1, Eric Floreto, our Cebuano friend now residing in Toronto, Canada happily shared the news that he made it to the top 10% of the Nicholl's Screenwriting Contest (the most prestigious in the world and run by the academy awards) out of 7,251 entries!
His achievement deserves to be shared to inspire other Cebuanos to go for their dreams just like him.
Aside from being a freelance aquaculture consultant and teacher, Eric (who graduated from the University of San Carlos, finished his Phd at Kagoshima University in Japan, and then returned to teach at USC) moved on to try his hand or rather to develop his God-given gift of writing science fiction screenplays!
It will not come as a surprise if someday Eric will be among the top, most-sought after and award-winning screenplayers locally and globally. Padayon Eric, go, go, go for your dreams!
And for those who wish to discover and know more of who you are, your role and relevance in this world, the Movement of Imaginals for Sustainable Societies through Initiatives, Organizing and Networking or MISSION (Cebu), in partnership with Wellnessland Health Institute and the West Gorordo Hotel will conduct WORKSHOP COURAGE for two days, Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11, with multi-awardee Nicanor Perlas as facilitator.
A day earlier, on August 9, Friday at 6-9pm, Sir Nic Perlas will facilitate a workshop entitled SCIENCE AND SPIRIT: Discovering Where They Meet for those who are seeking to understand how these two “realities†divided…meet.
As seats are limited, all those who are interested may contact Ms.Teresa Ruelas at 0915-6474666 (Globe) or Gian Carlo Luna at 0922-4327388 (Sun) or 0917-6333118 (Globe) or email atwhoamicebu@gmail.com for more details.
Catholics will be celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the 15th. The whole nation is asked to observe Eid'l Fitr on the 9th of August, a holy festival for Muslims, which marks the end of the Holy Month called Ramadhan.
Once again, allow us to greet you all a busy but happy, memorable August!
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Email: cherryb_thefreeman@yahoo.com