The Gov. Roque Ablan Shrine and Library (from concept to reality)

My grandfather, Roque Blanco Ablan, Sr., was a World War II hero.  He was provincial governor of Ilocos Norte during the Japanese occupation and he was one of the few local public officials not surrender to the Japanese.  Instead he transferred the seat of government from Laoag City to the mountains of Vintar and Solsona.  He continued serving as local chief executive and was even allowed by Pres. Quezon to issue war notes (some are kept at the Bangko Sentral).  In one of his encounters with the enemy, my lolo was separated from his unit.  When the dust settled, he was nowhere to be found.  Historians believe that he was killed by the Japanese.  My lola, Manuela Ravelo Ablan, searched for my lolo's remains throughout Northern Luzon after the war to no avail.

For his heroism, my lolo was awarded the Medal of Valor (posthumously) by Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos.  A shrine was built by the National Historical Institute in Brgy. 20, Castro Ave., Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, to commemorate his bravery and remind others not to forget about the many lives that were sacrificed so that we can enjoy freedom and democracy. 

The Gov. Roque Ablan Shrine in 2006

In 2009, my Dad spoke with the people over at the NHI (now NHCP) to rebuild and fix the Roque Ablan Shrine to make it into a public park and to house a mini-museum.  Construction soon followed.

The new Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Shrine was completed in mid-2010 and it was inaugurated in August of the same year.  The Gov. Roque and Manuela Ablan Foundation (GRAMAF) was tasked to occupy the museum and fill it with my lolo's memorabilia. 

Unfortunately, we hit a snag because most of my lolo's memorabilia got lost or destroyed during the dismantling of the old shrine.  We didn't have enough things to display in the museum.

Luckily, though, we met Quintin Pastrana of Library Renewal Partnership (LRP) through my sister Annette, and the idea of having a museum/library came into play.  It would be great, we thought, if the community could visit the shrine not only to remember the province's heroes, but also to learn.  I mean aside from the provincial and city libraries, which are both small and cramped, there isn't any other place for students to continue studying after school.

And so in February 2011 we partnered up with Quintin's group, who had opened more than 50 other libraries prior to us (mostly in the Visayas), and readied the museum to become a community library. 

LRP acted fast.  Within a few weeks, I was at Bato Balani Foundation picking up over 40 boxes of textbooks.  From Manila I brought the books all the way up to Laoag.

LRP donated all kinds of books.  We had pre-school books for little kids.

We had textbooks in Math, Science and English for elementary students.

We had textbooks for high school students.

We also had a collection of encyclopedias, college textbooks and fiction books.

My sister Annette putting in the finishing touches before the opening.

Last April 25, 2011, the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Shrine and Library opened its doors to the public.

GRAMAF Scholars volunteer to man the library.

With Bato Balani Foundation Exec. Dir. Ching Jorge and Quintin Pastrana

Explaining to the media the rationale of the library

Dad invited over NHCP Executive Director Ludovico Badoy to lead the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Fr. Elarmo blessed the shrine and library.

As Executive Director of GRAMAF, I signed the Memorandum of Agreement with Ching Jorge of Bato Balani Foundation.

Dir. Badoy officially turning over the shrine complex to GRAMAF.

Quintin Pastrana explaining the LRP Program.  Another LRP sponsored library might be sponsored in Solsona.  Another one just opened in Adams.

Right after the ceremony, we let kids come in and start reading the books.

This project wouldn't have been materialized without the help of my Dad, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Library Renewal Partnership.  

The library is open 8am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays.  It is open to the public.  Here are the house rules:

Introduction to Rowing

I've been talking to Library Renewal Partnership's (LRP) Quintin Pastrana for about a month now about the possibility of making Paoay Lake a training facility for the Manila Boat Club and the Philippine National Rowing Team.  Rowers currently row at the Pasig River and La Mesa Dam, but they are looking for a better option.  Paoay Lake is an excellent alternative because of its accessibility (Laoag has an international airport), the lake is clean and calm, and there are currently no jurisdictional/political squabbles over the area.  We've actually talked to the Punong Barangay of Nagbacalan, Paoay, and Provincial Board Member Jessie Galano about the proposal, and the guy was very receptive.  We've also sent a letter to Ilocos Norte governor, Imee Marcos, about supporting the idea.  Hopefully, we meet her this coming June.

In the mean time, Quintin offered me to try out rowing at the Manila Boat Club near the Sta. Ana Race Track in Manila.

And so I did.

The Boat Club's dock is at the Pasig River.

Surprisingly, the river was not stinking that morning.  The last time I took the Pasig River Ferry (which was more than 2 years ago) I could smell the stench even inside the air-con cabin.  And yesterday, I didn't smell a thing.  Also, I noticed the water to be cleaner.  I mean sure, it's still brown and murky, but at least the floating trash have significantly lessened. 

The club is more than a century old.  Most of its current members are expats who used to row in their respective countries like the UK, the US and Switzerland.

Rowing Rules

They have a wide range of racing row boats for a single person, two persons, four persons and even for eight people.

I was told that only the old boats are made of wood.  The boats they use now are made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic and other high-tech composite materials. 

Here we have Quintin, Max and Mang Ben take out a quad scull boat from their boat house.

Here they are laying the boat in the Pasig River.

This is where I sat. The sculling oars are held by oarlocks on the outriggers.  The seat slides front and back to aid the rower in rowing.  The feet are held stationary by a shoe assembly fixed on the boat.

This is us (Max, Quintin, me and Mang Ben) about to leave the dock.

Mang Ben is teaching me the proper technique in rowing.  I can tell you right now it's harder than what it looks like.

I had trouble early on coordinating my lower body and my upper body.  Minsan tumatama yung handle sa tuhod ko.  Minsan nagbabanggaan yung mga kamay ko.  Minsan sablay yung pag-row ko.

It took me quite a while to get the hang of it and "sync" with Max and Quintin.  But once you do get in rhythm and be "one" with the other rowers, you feel good inside because you feel you're part of this well-oiled machine gliding quietly through the river.

This is us after 3.5 kilometers, near the Guadalupe Bridge.

With my baseball cap and shades on, I look like someone in the witness protection program.

This is us on the way back to the Boat Club.  Notice me checking my Blackberry.  Hehe.  We rowed a total of 7 kilometers to and from Guadalupe.  I actually enjoyed the experience and am interested in doing this as a cross training sport if ever it catches on in my province.

Here are my "war wounds."  My calves kept on hitting the edge of the seat tracks.  Result of wrong positioning of the seat and the foot stop.

Had blisters on my heels as well.

And that was my rowing experience at the Pasig River, courtesy of Quintin Pastrana and Max Makowski.  Thanks for inviting me, guys!  Rowing is a cool sport.  The boats are expensive, yes, but once you have that, all a person needs is an oar, himself and a body of water, and your good to go!  

I do hope more people get into rowing because it is a beautiful sport.  And for a country that's an archipelago with a lot of coast, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, why shouldn't we?

Philippine Business for Social Progress

After my stint at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Board, I wanted to continue helping people.  But since I was covered by a year long ban to work in government, I had to do it in the private sector.

I found out about Philippine Business for Social Progress, allegedly the largest corporate-led foundation for social development in the Philippines.  It is comprised of over 200 member companies who pool in their resources to empower the poor and underprivileged through social development projects like building schools, awarding scholarships, providing credit facilities and conducting livelihood programs.  Member companies include Smart Communications, Landbank, Petron, Nestle, IBM, Aboitiz, TV5, and ICTSI.

PBSP also acts as program managers of development agencies.  The foundation currently implements projects for USAID, AECID and Global Fund, and has potential projects with AusAID and CIDA.

We have so many projects that its hard to keep track of each and everyone of them.  There's the Smart Schools Program where SMART donates 2 computers with 1 year internet connection to public schools all over the country.  The program includes training the teachers on how to use the computer.

Then there's the school building program funded by the Angelo King Foundation and Coca Cola, among others.  Just like what FCCCI and other NGOs do, PBSP also builds classrooms in public schools.

Like I mentioned PBSP has a scholarship program as well.  We implement the scholarship program of Petron and Landbank.  We support the student from high school all the way to college.

For health, we are implementing the Two Billion Peso (PhP 2,000,000,000.00) Sustaining TB Control and Ensuring Universal Access to Comprehensive Quality TB Care Program of the Global Fund.  It is our biggest project to date, which aims to reduce TB in the country.  Did you know we rank #9 in the world in terms of TB cases?

PBSP is also into microlending.  We provide financial assistance to small and micro enterprises, sourced from USAID and KFW.  Other poverty reduction projects include empowering mutli-purpose cooperatives with their livelihood and building livelihood centers for them.

I joined PBSP last November as their legal officer.  Among other tasks, I review all contracts and agreements entered into by the foundation.  I draft legal documents.  I act as Assistant Corporate Secretary.  And I also represent PBSP in its cases--the ones I can handle of course.  More delicate stuff is handled by our partner law firm.

PBSP recently celebrated its 40th Founding Anniversary last January 25.  The foundation is headed by Rafael C. Lopa as its Executive Director and Nicolaas Oreel as its Chief Executive Advisor.  The Chairman of the Board of Trustees is Manny V. Pangilinan.

PBSP Headquarters in Intamuro, Manila

PBSP Regional Office in Davao City, Mindanao

Management Team Meeting led by Executive Director Rapa Lopa and Chief Executive Advisor Klaas Oreel

PBSP Board of Trustees Meeting led by Chairman Manny Pangilinan

Annual Membership Meeting (25 January 2011)

40th Founding Anniversary of PBSP with Pres. Noynoy Aquino as Guest Speaker

PBSP is open to all companies, whether small business or MNC, to join the foundation to help reduce poverty in the Philippines.  Member companies contribute a small portion of their gross income to PBSP so that we can implement various social development projects.  Or, member companies can opt to fund their own projects through PBSP, like what Smart, Petron and Coca Cola did.

For more information, visit the PBSP website at http://www.pbsp.org.ph/ or call Membership at +632 5273742.

Life after losing in the elections

Nine months ago I lost in an election contest to represent the 1st District of Ilocos Norte in the 15th Congress of the Philippines.  It was a tough race between 5 candidates:  Reynolan Sales was a former town mayor of Pagudpud and was running for congressman for the 3rd time; Rudy Fariñas was a former city mayor of Laoag and governor of the province; Chito Ruiz was a former town mayor of Sarrat and a family friend; Renato Peralta, was a colleague at the Provincial Board; and myself.

I campaigned hard for 45 days, going from one house to another, informing voters of my platforms and legislative agenda.  Looking back, I think the stands and positions I took on a number of issues were unpopular to a lot of voters and I lost their votes.  For example, I was in favor of the national government having a comprehensive reproductive health program.  The church was not happy about that.  In a congressional debate, the other candidates said they were devout catholics and the RH bill was against their beliefs.  Well, I couldn't lie.  Not even just to please the priests.  I said I was a christian in favor of a national reproductive health program.  I believed then, and I still do today, that it is the duty of the State  to educate the people about reproductive health, especially since we cannot solely depend on parents to do so.  The State has an obligation to provide its people access to reproductive health programs the same way it provides them access to other health concerns like TB, Measeles and Dengue.  Was my stand final?  No.  I admit I don't know everything about the subject-matter and I'd still like to hear other arguments against having a state-sponsored RH program.  If I won, I would have organized town hall meetings in schools, the farmlands, the hospitals, the church and far-flung barrios, so that I can get the pulse of the people.  But I guess, here in the Philippines, just because you're in favor of a reproductive health program, the church conveniently and immediately labels you as anti-life and not deserving to be elected to office.  Never mind the womanizer, the gambler, the drug addict and the killer--you can elect them.  But an RH advocate?  Junk him in the elections.

I also was pro-environment--another unpopular stand.  In 2007, I lobbied for a province-wide conversion of 2-stroke engines (used by 60% of tricycles) to direct in-cylinder engines, which were more eco-friendly.  My proposal was met with opposition from, surprise surprise, the tricycle groups.  And they even threatened not to vote for me if I pursued the measure.  This did not deter me, but my colleagues in the provincial board told me to go easy on tricycle drivers.

In 2009, I sponsored an ordinance imposing a special green tax on the use of plastic bags and an ordinance banning the use of styrofoam products in commercial establishments.  These two products clog our canals and waterways, not to mention poison the sea and kill marine animals.  Guess what, it was opposed by businesses, and both measures were tabled by the Committee on Trade and Industry.

To cut the long story short, I made a lot of unpopular stands during my 3 year term as local legislator and it may have contributed to my loss.  Do I regret making them?  No.  Definitely not.  I think it was important for me to communicate to the voters where I stand on national issues.  They had a right to know, and I didn't want to lie or deceive them.

And if the voters didn't vote for me because we didn't share the same views, I accept it.

---

I came in second. But it wasn't even close.  I lost in all 80 barangays of Laoag City.  I even lost in my barangay.  In towns I thought were my bailwicks, I lost.  I lost in Bacarra, Pasuquin, Sarrat and Vintar.  On the bright side, I won in Burgos, Adams, Carasi and surprisingly, Bangui.  If I hadn't thank the people of those four towns yet, let this blog make it known that I am forever grateful for their votes.  That also goes to the 40,000 voters from all over the 1st District who believed in me.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you.  If there's only a way for me to know who voted for me, I'd go to each of my supporters and thank them personally.  I hope that some day, I'll be able to serve you again.

---

Life after losing in an election is not all that bad.  It's not the end of the world.  Sure, I won't be able to continue doing what I enjoy doing, which is to help shape policy, but I get to appreciate the important things I took for granted when I was busy, like family. : )

These past 9 months, I got to get closer to my wife and help her in raising our baby daughter, Bea.  I took Bea to the doctor's office when Ria went back to work.  I was there when Bea took her first solid food and when she started to crawl.  I give her baths and make timpla her milk.  Na-sukaan na ako.  Na-ihian na ako (iniintay ko na lang na ma-taihan eh).  I enjoy being a dad, more so now as Bea is transitioning from infant to toddler.  She still needs me to hold her hand when walking, but one of these days she'll be able to walk on her own.  I only feel bad that I am not able to do everything my wife does for Bea, but I try to compensate in other aspects.

I also got to finally do the stuff I put in the backburner the past few years, like organizing our family's foundation.  The Governor Roque and Manuela Ablan Foundation was registered at the SEC last August 2010, and it will get its DSWD accreditation this February 2011.  We already have a number of scholars in MMSU and have a law scholarship for MMSU, NWU and UP.

I got to read a lot of books, including, Shop Class for Soul Craft, Sway, Black Swan, Outrage, Free Lunch, Team of Rivals, and, yes, even Eat Pray Love.

---

Having lost in the elections, I am banned from government employment for one year, not that I am patay-gutom to go back to government.

There were several opportunities for me to revive my commercial law practice, but I am just not interested to join the corporate world again.  I tried that before and it left me feeling empty. 

Working in the provincial government gave me the opportunity to help people, and I wanted to continue doing that.  I applied for positions in international aid agencies like AUSAID, AECID and USAID, but the problem is I haven't logged in enough experience in development projects. 

And then I found out about Philippine Business for Social Progress, the largest corporate-led foundation for social development here in the Philippines.  It is composed of almost 300 companies contributing a percentage of their income to implement projects designed to reduce poverty in the country.

I joined PBSP in late 2010 and I've enjoyed my work so far.  Sure, corporate pa rin, pero at least it wasn't interested in just making profit, but in helping people.  We're working with Petron and Landbank in funding scholarships for over 200 poor but intelligent and deserving students.  We're working with Smart to equip public schools with computers and internet connection.  We're working with Coca-Cola and the Angelo King Foundation in building classrooms and laboratories.  PBSP is the implementing agency for the tuberculosis program of Global Fund and USAID.  And that's just the educational and health parts.  We also have projects for the the environment and livelihood.

---

I lost in the elections.  My dream of representing the 1st District of Ilocos Norte in the 15th Congress was shattered. 

It sucks.  Really.

But the world continues to turn

and life must go on.

Renewing my passport at the DFA

My current passport will be expiring in a few months, so I decided to renew it.  I started my renewal process by logging in at DFA's website.  I filled up the form and included Bea's application as well.  I set an appointment at the DFA's Consular Office in ASEANA Business Park, Baclaran, Pasay City.

Within the same day, I received an e-mail confirming my application and appointment date.  I printed the e-mail which included an already filled-up application form.

Here are the documents you need to bring at DFA for renewal of Green Passport (those issued after May 1, 1995).
1.  Current passport and photocopy of pages 1, 2, 3 and last page.
2.  Pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.

For Bea, here are the documents needed for new minor applicants:
1.  NSO Birth Certificate
2.  Photocopy of passport of both parents

Our scheduled appointment was last Friday at 8:30am.  The instructions told us to be there by 8am.  We were there by 8:10.


We showed our application forms to the appointment counter just outside the entrance.  The clerk stamped his name and instructed us to go up to the 2nd floor.

There's a special processing area for Government Employees, Senior Citizens, and Families with Children. We got our queue number and waited to be called.  There were only 2 DFA officers working on Families with Children applications so we waited quite a bit.  WAITING TIME: 60 MINUTES.  

Processing Area on the 2nd Floor for government employees, senior citizens and families with children.

When we got to the counter, the DFA officer received our application forms and accompanying documents.  He signed, stamped and attached a paper to our forms.  After processing, we went to the cashier to pay our fees.  The website said the regular passport fee was P950.00.  But for some reason, our applications were considered RUSH.  So we paid P1,200.00 each.

From there, we got another queue number thinking the "courtesy lane" for Families with Children would continue to the encoding section.  Hindi pala.  Hanggang processing lang pala.  Nahalo na kami sa lahat ng applications.  Our number was more than 200 away from the one being serviced.  Grabe naman!  

I found out that the "courtesy lane" for Government Employees continued.  DFA dedicated 5 counters for government employees.  So, since Ria still works in government, I photocopied her ID and presented it at the processing counter and the guy there annotated our application.  We were able to line up at the courtesy lane for government employees.  WAITING TIME: 30 MINUTES.

In encoding, the clerk took our picture, signature and fingerprints.  We had a bit of a problem with Bea's picture because she wouldn't look at the camera.

Then that's it.  Our "RUSH" passports would be ready for pick-up within 10 working days.  Ria and I couldn't get off work that day so we were forced to avail of the home delivery via LBC.  Lined up again and paid P120.00 each.  So, we'll just wait for our passports in the mail.

Whole process took 100 minutes. : )

the bike as transport

When people find out that I bike they often ask, "mountain or road?" That's because biking here in the Philippines is known to be a sport.  It's highlighted as such right now with the popularity of triathlons.


But biking is not just a sport.  It's also transportation.


I own 4 bikes.  A Trek Allant, a Trek Valencia, a Dahon Jack, and a Japanese bicycle.  And yet I feel out of place when my friends talk about their MTB adventures in Timberland in San Mateo, Rizal, or when I  see the Sokisok Bikers who just came from the trails in Vintar.  That's because none of my bikes are mountain bikes.


I also can't bike alongside  other cyclists in SM MOA, who are training for the Tour of Luzon, well, because none of my bikes are road/racing bikes.


Not for mountains?  And not for roads?  So, what kind of bikes do I have? And where do I use them?


All 4 (2 in Laoag and 2 in Manila) are commuter-type bikes.  And I use all of them as alternative transportation.


You see, back in 2007, when I worked in Laoag, my office was just 500m away from my house.  I felt it was a waste of gas and parking space to use my car.  At the same time, I thought it was too hot and humid to walk.  I didn't want to drive and I didn't want to walk.  My solution was to commute by bike.  I'd get there faster, get some exercise, take up less space, and save on gas (which is quite expensive in the province).


And that's where it started.  I bought a bike and rode it to go to the office.  I later found out that 40% of our trips are just within a 4-5 km radius, and 90% of that time, we drive our cars.  So I told myself, if the place I'm going to was near, I'd use my bike.


I biked to the bakery.  To the drugstore.  To Mcdonalds.  To the coffeshop.  To the barber.  To the mall.  I even biked 11 kms to the Ilocos Norte Hotel and Convention Center just for breakfast. 


Back here in Manila, I try to commute by bike, but it's much, much difficult.  There are more cars, buses, jeepneys, and motorcycles to deal with.  Plus the roads are narrower and have more potholes.  In fact, I've only managed to bike around the metro by joining the monthly critical mass rides of the Firefly Brigade.  Other than that, it's just short trips to Starbucks, the supermarket and the gas station--places not farther than 2 kms.  Beyond that limit, EDSA and South Super Hi-way stand on my way.


Until the other day.


I forgot to claim my drivers license at a sports equipment warehouse (Sonak Trading) in Sucat, Paranaque.  I only realized my license was missing when I got home.  The next day, being the law abiding citizen that I am, I didn't drive (I had no license on my person).  I went back to Sucat using my trusted bicycle.


I never biked West Service Road before so this was my first time.  I kept to the right most part of the road and drove as straight and predictable as possible.  Even then, I got nervous when I'd encounter a truck (and there are a lot of trucks using West Service Road).  Laking takot ko na masagi ako. And then there was the air pollution.  Sobrang mausok.  Feeling ko nagka-lining na ng asbestos yung mga baga ko.  Anyhow, I got to my destination with all my body parts intact.  I claimed my drivers license.  And then I biked back to our village.  17 kms total distance travelled.  Oh yeah, before I got home, I almost got bit by a dog that chased me half a block.


That experience aside, I'd still like to use my bike to commute.  But the roads just have to be safer for cyclists.  Drivers are so reckless in Metro Manila.  Also, there's a problem about bike parking.  Either there's none, or the bike parking area is at the back of the building which makes it susceptible to bike theft.


The only way for our government to listen to our concerns, and to convince motorists to respect bikers, is to go out and bike.  And we show our force through the critical mass rides organized by groups such as the Firefly Brigade.  Hopefully, more people bike.


Because biking is not just a sport.  It's also a form of transportation.

Ang Pag Gamit sa Damo Pagkatapos Mamatay ang Kabayo

Earlier this year I wrote about a proposal to monetize the 250 Million Tobacco Excise Tax share. Because of monetization, the province would only get 175 million. I was originally opposed to this because I believe we should get the whole amount. BUT, considering that the recipients of the fund, the farmers, needed it to protect their crops from the hot and dry weather, I supported the measure.

And as I wrote, the proposal was blocked by 6 board members. The motive was political. It was obvious. The 6 belonged to the rival of the incumbent governor and they didn't want the latter to be mabango to the public 2 months before election.

Of course, the 6 denied it and said they were against the ordinance because of the discount. EVEN though they approved similar ordinances (monetization, discount, etc.) several times before.

They stuck to their story. They were against the proposal because they wanted the farmers to get the whole amount.

I didn't believe them then. I don't believe them now. I think it's all baloney.

Anyway, the measure was blocked, the 175 Million did not come. No aid to the farmers. And the heat wave destroyed a lot of crops during the summer. In other words, dahil walang damo, namatay yung kabayo -- or at least, nanghina.

On the bright side, the plan of the other group worked. The incumbent governor lost. As did I.

Fast forward to August 2010--several months AFTER the election. The new governor, together with some of the board members who opposed the proposal last January, suddenly had a change of heart.

Now, it's okay to use the 250 Million.

You might be wondering if they got the whole amount, the 250 Million. After all, that was their main argument before. That the farmers deserved the whole amount, and they wouldn't accept anything less.

Well wouldn't you know, they used the 250M as collateral to a bank to get.....

Wait for it.....

175 Million.

THE SAME AMOUNT THEY OBJECTED TO 6 MONTHS AGO.

So what was all the fuss about before?!

Why the sudden turn-around? I thought they were fighting for the farmers?

Now it seems they were fighting for their asses. What hypocrites.

What use is the fund now? Second cropping is done. And crops had been destroyed by El Nino.

Tapos na. Saan na gagamitin ang damo eh patay na nga yung kabayo?

What will the new provincial administration do with the farmer's money now that the dry season is over?

...waaaaaiiiit for it...

...Among other things, they're building a new office for the governor and the board members.

Talaga nga naman...