2022 REFLECTION – PREZ CORNER

So there goes another year! Whew!

For those of us who’s busy with our lives going about recovering from the after effects of the pandemic, its been almost a year now! We should have many to thank for. It could be our health, our families and loved ones, and most of all, the fact that we could still wake up one day, breath God’s ‘free’ air and most of all, enjoy the blessing of just living one more day on earth. That is already a bonus.

The pandemic decimated a lot of economies worldwide. Not just businesses suffered by the general flow of life has been altered, much less disrupted. Consider this – a vast majority of OFW’s have reconsidered their investments back home and instead of splurging gears and gadgets, people are now seeing the value of buying properties, developing hitherto untapped farmlands and so on.

For those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, some are exploiting and exploring unknown talents and skills that would have otherwise remain hidden had the pandemic never occurred.

For those of us who are lucky enough to keep our jobs, thank GOD, we are still able to sustain people around us, and maybe pursue some hobbies to keep our minds and spirits sane.

Those on the margins of the society who are left unattended by the burgeoning expense on local governments, the post pandemic recovery remain long and arduous. Losing income due to the closure of major establishments, perhaps our farmers and housewives find it hard to sustain the increased demand for basic commodities. Yet the economic engine continue to turn and cranking at full speed. Even though beyond their control and generally a factor of supply and demand equation, outputs of farmers remain a challenge in this part of the globe.

For 2023, our AAB and AAS program will have to undergo a major reset. Rest in the sense that the goals may need to be realigned considering that the pandemic has brought about so much uncertainty in the world. Reset in the sense that the parameters how we measure success is no longer the same as the time we conceptualized this long term program.

I am inspired by this LGU leader up north who has single handidly uplifted the lives of his constituents simply by great governance, an honest to goodness leadership and malasakit service. In just 9 years, Mayor Guillen has almost put an end to the Poverty index from 20% down to 5% in his town of Piddig. If he can do it, why not the rest, one may ask. Or in the context of our movement, if he can do it, why can’t we tap on the lessons of their program and become a key player in the quest for upliftment of lives among the marginalized.

We dont have their budget, yet. We dont have their resources, yes. We may not even the have same clout. But in focusing on the right skill and livelihood programs to complement what LGU’s are mandated to do, we can accelerate the development of the LINAPEW barangay.

Onward to 2023 and beyond!!!

Covid 2nd Wave

Not to make as an excuse, but as of May 2021, the Covid situation in La union is likewise on 2nd wave, like the rest of the country. As a result, no major projects, activities have been lined up in order to pursue our AAB and AAS projects to date.

Stay tuned Folks. This too shall pass.

Rizal Day – Dec 30

As we reflect on this day in our history, the death of our national hero, lets us be reminded of his sacrifice, his selfless devotion to country and service.

We may not have his abilities, skills, influence and wealth. But we can be inspired by the same passion that he has. For after all, passion can only come from the heart. Passion brings change. Passion enables action. It is more infectious and viral than any virus known to man.

Long Live Rizal and his ideals of selfless sacrifice!!!

2020 Reflection – Abnormally new normal

December . Reflecting. An unusual year. Sights of empty cities, empty workplaces, empty shops, empty stores, perhaps maybe empty hopes.But, life after covid has to go on. We may have empty cities, shops and workplaces. But it only means our houses are full, our roads are safer, our pockets, well heavier. Family ties are stronger. Relationships renewed and refreshed. Hopes reinvigorated.

If there is one thing I learned this year is that “not all things that can be counted, counts. and not all things that counts can be counted.”Counting on you 2021!

And oh by the way, Its 24 days to go to christmas 2020!

June 2020 Update and Communication

Dear Batchmates,

Now that the COVID19 pandemic threat has appeared to be waning (or at least the ECQ move) has been downgraded to most parts of the country (including La Union), I wanted to reach out to all and outline the plans, aspirations, behind the scenes and general thoughts of yours truly.

BEFORE COVID ECQ

• Not widely communicated, but the plans of batch90 officers for 2020 include the following:
• We target 1 project each under AAB and AAS to complete our 2020 activities.
  • Under AAB: Were thinking of doing Medical Mission to one NEW locality (Sto Tomas (Raoias brgy perhaps?).
  • And in parallel, we shall continue to follow up and meet up with our original AAB Barangay in Linapew, assessing where they are now, measuring the impact of our earlier projects with them, like reading room, farmers seminar, housewives seminar, medical missions etc. Once known, we shall embark next steps with them.
  • Under AAS: We plan to hose the AAS Robotic Application summer camp this May, geared to follow up the Robotics Seminar in December 2019.
• We made plans (albeit sketchy) in December 2019 how we ought to do this. And do follow up meetings tjis 1st quarter of 2020. Unfortunately, COVID stikes.

 

DURING COVID ECQ

• As you know, some DMMMSU batches have used, and take advantage, of this time to reach out and donate to the COVID effort.
• Their donations ranges from relief goods, ie. rice, sardines etc to PPE to Cash donations.  We laud their efforst! Well done and bravo!
• Behind the scenes, yours truly is tempted join the BANDWAGON too. In fact, I’ve started to have discussions during Covid to make our presence felt and donate relief to Linapew et al.
• But basic reasoning overcame my pull-from-the-hip emotions.
• And as such, we said,
  • because our remaining funds are earmarked to a bigger AAS and AAB, we shall stick to our plans;
  • because our stakeholders (batchmates) are expecting these funds for this purpose alone, we shall abide by this;
  • because our goals, vision and mission, goes beyond COVID, we shall doggedy pursue this.
  • not to mention, we might unwittingly expose our batchmates to COVID if we go out there and do our donation drive…
• And as such, we let go of the urge this time, and come back stronger.

POST COVID ECQ

• After the lifting of the ECQ and move to GCQ, believe its time to revisit the core purpose, vision, mission of our group. Its important we remain faithful to what we started.

LET US BE REMINDED THAT:

• Our CORE PRINCIPLE states that we are going to EQUIP people, not GIVE them material needs. In means we will be aiding them learn as much, and apply as much livelihood skills to become independent, and not dependent from government. We have to continue to march towards this principles.

• Our VISION states that we will be CHANNELS, not sources of help. Channels grow if the source grows. Channels DON’T OWN the resources, they are merely STEWARDS. This way, we will have full accountability to these things we steward. And we have to be faithful to report to our stakeholders status periodically.

• Our MISSION states we will COORDINATE and ORGANIZE sessions in collaboration with various advocacy groups, government extension arms and NGO’s. Doing so MAXIMIZES our resources, and enable us to spread wider our reach, influence and base.  It is tempting to take the credit once something of this magnitude becomes successful. But this is not our core, not our motivation, not our purpose. We have to remain faithful to our mission.

• We also said WE ARE NOT going to replace LGU’ work in the community.  Because WE ARE NOT LGU. Lets work in collaboration with them, perhaps obtain permission where needed, but never to replace their role in the locality. This way, we avoid politicking, avoid partisan politics and not beholden to any political figure. We aspire to be insulated against these forces (good or bad), but not ISOLATED. Hence, we have to outline early on what were not going to pursue.

 

COVID quaratine allowed us to reflect what, or WHO’s, important in our lives. It has certainly impacted mine. I hope and pray you have been enlightened while undergoing thru COVID lockdown, and hope you are equally inspired by these musings.

Let’s march on on this NEW NORMAL…

Yours Truly

Prez Marcos

 

 

 

 

 

AAS Event: ROBOTECH 2019 with STEM UP and 3D Tayo Collaboration

Inspiring, and challenging!

This is how the participants view the recently concluded ROBOTECH 2019 by Batch 90 in collaboration with STEMUP and 3DTayo cofounder Engr. Jerome Castaneda.

Excitement filled the air as a never-before-seen and experienced event is about to unfold, both by the participants, teachers and by the batch.

As our country continues to develop and leapfrog towards 22nd century technological advancements, we believe that the next generation of technoprenuers ought to be cultivated at a young age. Simply exposing them to modern tools, techniques and equipment is just but a starting point. More needs to be done.

The best part is that the seeds have been planted. We hope and pray that these seeds will continue to be cultivated, nurtured so that one day, one (or more) of these young turks will set the pace and pave the way further than we have ever achieved.

Mabuhay ka Batch 90!

 

Ending 2019 with a BANG!

Yes Batchmates, for our 2019 AAS Project, let.s all come and join the ROBOTECH session. Date is December 27 at Aringay National High School. We are featuring a speaker, honed abroad, but came back to the Philippines to share his passion for his craft as a mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur/Robotics and science education advocate.

COME one COME all!

2019

The 2019 May Local and National Elections have just been concluded. And so in the interest of not being labelled as participants to partisan politics, our group has decided to forego any plans for 2019 until after the May 2019 Elections are over. True to our word, we have not held any AAB and AAS activities in deference to this national event. 

Now that the election is over, plans are underway to continue the AAB and AAS initiative.

2018 AAB – 2 in 1 EVENT!

Yet another milestone for 2018! Oplan “TULI” and Mushroom growing for Linapew farmers was a success!

Per the wishes of residents in 2017, our team heard their plea. Thus we collaborated with DOH Regional team once more to render this service to adolescent kids. It was a sight to behold! And nostalgic too! As the kids go thru this, we remember the days when we men of Batch 90 transitioned to manhood and underwent the same procedure ourselves. As such, seeing these boys grimacing and gingerly walking towards home brought ‘closure’.

To cap year another meaningful day, and to maximize our presence, we collaborated with an expert farmer/entrepreneur to conduct “mushroom growing techniques” geared towards the linapew farmers. They (farmers) are extremely encouraged! This new technique will for sure complement their income and bring more food to the table (literally and figuratively).

Was worth everyone’s summer time!

The life building continues!

Mabuhay ka Batch 90 for ‘setting the pace, paving the way’!!!

 

 

 

 

 

2018 is here!

Dear Friends,

As we gear up for 2018 activities, I am encouraged by what Gandhi said about being human. This quote perfectly lines up to what has been written in scripture before Gandhi.

And I quote ” “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”

Let’s reflect and once more prepare ourselves for the summer activity!

Go batch 90! Your footprints are being seen. And your efforts are being recognized, here and elsewhere.