PARTY AT BOSS EDWIN

Boss Edwin tender a party during the last week of December 2008 at Martinneli Speech Center, we were there from 11AM until midnight. On that same day, Rene de los Reyes' house was blessed, and have a party on that same day, ang nahitabo, nagtabok-tabok lang ko sa duha ka imbetasyon, so as not to disappoint one of them, ug para way mahay...

Beer literally spilled and overflow on that day....and we really enjoy. Thanks to Boss Edwin.

Gerard, with staff of Congressman Codilla, and Festejo Sounds owner, Mr. Yon Festejo during that party at Martinneli Speech Center, December 2008.

Nagbaha ang Beer, og nalingaw ming tanan.

Tope, Benie, Mr. Lee, staff at congressional's office

JANUARY 2009

The front of the Municipal Hall in Kananga, Leyte

The perimeter fence of Kananga Central School- beautifully designed by Mayor Eming Codilla himself, who finish his course on architecture.

My officemates at the Office of the Municipal Mayor, (l- r) Roberto Dikit Borela, Maam Luz Fin, Maam Joy Fontanoza, incharge of the tourism programs, administrative assistant V and secretary to the mayor, Maam Marilou M. Aseo, Sheena Fuentes, Vincent Jun Jun Haliclic, Ritcho Limgas, and Gerardo C. Reyes Jr.

Last week of December 2008, few days before my transfer to Kananga LGU. We have some good time at the Congressional Office with Junel, Boyet, Benjie, Pareng Rodmar, Rambo, Tope, Mr. Lee, and others.

My wife, Cheng and my sis, Genim, do the shopping on the day before New Year.

CHANGE took place during the very first week of the new year, 2009.

We, together with my daughter, Angel, wife Cheng, sisters, Mae and Genim celebrated the New Year in our apartment in Bagong Buhay, in Ormoc. Unlike Christmas Day, my Mama was not able to join us. As usual, the start of the new year was done with some ceremonies since my Mama, and my sisters knows a little about Feng Shui, and I really enjoyed it.

I was there at Ormoc Superdome to attend Cong. Codilla’s birthday, and it was also my last day in the Congressional Office. I was there to spend some memorable times with my officemates, Orly, Boyet, Rodmar, Jonel, Tope (Christopher), Rambo (his real name is Randolf Mangle). Kim was also there, I called her ma’am. She is my colleague in media, 8 years younger than me. She is my closest friend in the industry, and we enjoy spending time with each other. More than 5,000 attended the birthday of Congressman at the Dome.

January 5, Monday, is my first day in Kananga –LGU. At first I feel an alien in the office. Kaila nako, gamay pa lang. We have our lunch at Barangay Lonoy, and then at 5:00 PM back to Ormoc again. My first two weeks in Kananga was indeed difficult for my part. I need to wake up as early as 4:30 in the morning so that we can have our breakfast by 6:00 AM and then ride a bus bound for Kananga at 7:00AM, but this did not happen. I can catch a ride at already 7:30 or worst, 8:00 AM, and arrived there at past 8AM or 9:00 already, which is always embarrassing. I need to adjust, and I need to solve this problem the soonest.

Another thing that needed my attention is to open a BPI account as required by our bureau chief of BusinessWorld. It was last November 2008 that I started writing for national paper and I love it. I earned P 5,000 for my first month, and the following month was already fruitful. I was able to open and I received my first honorarium last January 16, I think.

Saturday, Jan. 17 I together with Cheng and Angel was in Kananga, and look for a house. It was rainy and we have no other choice but to decide at once. We spotted a good place at Conejos house along the highway but the landlady later changed her mind. So we opted to choose the house of Alex-Helen Montesclaros along Pablo Tan St. in Poblacion. It is an old house across the house of Darayday Osmeña-Dacurawat, a known caterer and businesswoman here.

January 18, we finally transferred to Kananga on board Elmer’s multicab. Elmer is the son of our landlady in Bagong Buhay (BLISS) in Ormoc.

The fish in Kananga is cheaper compared that in Palompon and Ormoc. Dinhi makapalit kag hasa-hasa nga tag-50 o 60 lang, or bariles nga 80 lang or isda nga tag 30-40 lang. I learned that the supply came from Carigara and Leyte, Leyte. Sa Palompon mas mahal, I don’t know lang ngano. To think, Kananga is a landlocked town, Palompon on the other hand is a coastal town, pero ang isda ngadto, (in my hometown) is more than 100 gyod. Naay less than 100 kadto na gyung mga di na maayohon.

Pork also is cheaper compared in Ormoc. Tag -140 lang diri while in Ormoc 150 or 160, I don’t know tag pila sa Palompon.

Our rented space is only a walking distance from Municipal Hall. Duol ra gyod kaayo. I learned that our neighbor Darayday is from Palompon, sister of Benjie Osmena, our neighbor in Palompon.

September -December 2008

At work: at the office of Cong. Codilla

With friends and colleagues at the Congressional Office, Orly, Boyet, Randolf and Benjie.

Inside the office of my boss, Congressman Dodong Codilla

My wife, Cheng and daughter Johnill May (Angel)

Ormoc, December 24, 2008

My return to Ormoc was indeed satisfying. I reported at Congressional Office on the 18^th of August, while my officemates in Palompon-LGU are not aware of my plans. I will not divulge to them my plan to look for another job---until I am already settled, I mean working well and satisfied.

I left my wife and daughter in Palompon. We rented a space in Ipil I along Zamora street at the house owned by Ogel Arevalo, a close relative, and whose wife, Teresita is a long-time friend. My daughter will celebrate her birthday this September 2, and I need to work double time to raise money for her 1^st birthday.

I sought the help of my best friend, Arnel Villarente, and he agreed to be my co-maker to secure a loan at Pure Cash in Palompon. He is a long-time and trusted friend. We were together when our former boss (the Oñates) was still the mayor of Palompon sometime in 1998 until 2004. I suddenly made a turn when I needed something important in 2004, and choose to support the other political parties. Until now, I cannot think how it happened. I really don’t want to put the blame to our former boss (I was working Palompon LGU in 1999-2004) that I was not able to get an item despite having with them for a long time—but they should be blamed for that. Anyways, all those things are already part of history….

The loan was approved a day before my daughter’s birthday and the following day was indeed very memorable. We have a celebration. It was a children’s party and everyone enjoyed.

After the birthday, I reported to Ormoc. I spent some of my idle time at night at Ormoc City Food Park, they call it, Parola or payong-payong, spending good times with friends and women. It really ease my loneliness since I missed my family so much. I want them to be in Ormoc this time, but I want them to be here if I already have an item/ plantilla at the City Government which is I think not attainable as of this time. The Municipality of Kananga, instead whose mayor is also a relative, Mayor Eming Codilla, offered me for a position in the LGU, which I am also very interested. Maybe I can work there if my chances are slim in Ormoc LGU.

I talked with Papa J and I told him that I already decided to transfer to Ormoc since I want to finish my studies and definitely I am looking for greener pasture. I find it difficult to talk to Palompon officials, or to Herville about this, so I just decided not to report in Palompon LGU. Anyways, there no need for me to tender a resignation since I think I am not in the Plantilla, and I am just a mere JO. I loved my work so much, as Budyong writer, but I have no other choice but to give my family a bright future.

During a news coverage in Western Leyte College, I was introduced to a young reporter of Ormoc Cable, Kimberly, later on I knew her well, we become close friends, and we forged that kind of bonding. Kumbaga, mas suod nako siya compared to other reporters and colleagues in media.

The middle of September, my family is in Ormoc and they stayed with me in Can-adieng at the house of Jun Tarroza, a colleague in media and city govt. They enjoyed their three weeks stay in Ormoc, going to plaza, church, Centrum, Gaisano, the newly-opened store—The Point, and other places. Then they returned to Palompon on the 1^st week of October.

I went back to Ormoc alone. I know that I am lonely if my family is away. No one will cook for my food, no one will prepare for my clothes, I eat my lunch late, and sometimes forget to eat my supper. Most of the time, I choose to buy goto at the terminal and then have some bottles of beer at payong-payong while exchanging pleasantries with some friends there. I used to go at Charo’s place, she sells beer, and everytime I went to her place, she introduced me to some beautiful ladies. And that was it. Ing-ani jud ning kinabuhi nganhi sa payong-payong.

The mood was festive around the City, as the LGU will celebrate the 60^th charter celebration of Ormoc. Secretary Yap visited few days before the 20^th of October. He inaugurated the bio-ethanol project in Ipil, Ormoc City, in Leyte Agri Corp. which is the first and only bio-fuel plant in the country.

Escudero, who is rumored to run for President visited Ormoc, and after the press conference at Sal’s Bar, he distributed gifts for the newsmen and reporters. I attended a Civic Journalism Seminar at Hotel Alejandro in Tacloban for three days and I was informed that my daughter was not feeling very well. Our speaker was Vergel Santos of BusinessWorld, Isagani Yambut of Philippine Daily Inquirer, Yvonne Chua of PCIJ and other known personalities in the field of journalism. It was very fruitful.

Then back in Ormoc, I spend time for CFD and we have our fellowship at beach of Jovenal Alesna, my colleague in CFD, located in Brgy. Macabug in Ormoc. Two days later, I decided to go home to Palompon even if it was still Tuesday. My daughter was sick. Pagbalik nako nawala ang iyang hilanat. Gimingaw ra diay nako. So I decided to bring them to Ormoc on the first week of November. But our stay in Can-adieng will be only until the middle of November, so we look for a new place, and we find a good one in Bagong Buhay, some 4 kilometers from the city proper. Good that the fare is only P 6.

I was among those who covered the visit of former President Estrada, Jojo Binay, and other opposition leaders. They visited Kananga, Palompon, Isabel and other towns of 4^th district. The Codilla’s accompanied them. As early as November, I was informed that I will report to Kananga the soonest time possible. I decided to have it by January. During this month, I was accepted as one of the correspondents of BusinessWorld, a national newspaper and I am very happy for it. I was told to open a BPI Savings Account for my honorarium.

My decision to transfer to Kananga was finalized. Mayor Eming and Maam Rowena requested me on the phone to work with them. And the offer was good. But I am still contemplating if I will stay there or I will commute everyday to report for work. Ako pang gitimbang-timbang kung di ba ko maglisod kung mag byahean ko everyday.

December 2008, I was not able to go home to Palompon during the Fiesta on December 3, but I was there when Ambassador Peter Sutter visited the town on the second week of December. We celebrated Christmas in Bagong Buhay together with Mama, my sisters, Mae and Genimae, my wife Cheng and my daughter Angel. Our Christmas Party became controversial when some of our names did not appear in the list of DPWH-4^TH LED.

I immediately texted Kim and informed Ormoc Cable about this and it was aired on TV. The officials of said agency reacted, and they looked for me. I was also awarded as one of the top-10 as best feature writer sponsored by Express It At the Park. The awarding was held at Leyte Park Hotel.