Wednesday, September 19, 2007

GAWAD PARANGAL

One of the highlights whenever the Civil Service Commission celebrates its founding anniversary is the “Parangal… Pasasalamat”, an annual awards rite for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees. “This is where CSC awards exemplary individuals and groups in government the prestigious Presidential Lingkod Bayan, Dangal ng Bayan and Pagasa Awards”. The ceremony was held on September 19 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Aside from the officials and employees of the Constitutional Offices headed by CSC Chairman Karina Constantino-David, Commissioners Cesar D. Buenaflor and Mary Ann Z. Fernandez-Mendoza, Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita, represented the Office of the President. With him is Nonoy Catura (inset picture), a very humble, non-political, uncompromising and down to earth Undersecretary of the Office of the Executive Secretary, Office of the President. Nonoy, was formerly with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, after the Ramos Administration (if my memory serves me right). He was the former superior of Edsel Arrieta (now deceased), who negotiated peace with the CPLA and other rebel groups all over the Philippines. Usec. Catura and Usec. Robert T. Rivera, who is also a straightforward and non-partisan Undersecretary of the Office of the Press Secretary are usually together everytime that a press briefing is held in MalacaƱang. Secretary Arthur Yap of the Department of Agriculture did not make it. He was, however, represented by Director Ofelia Agawin, who is also a career officer in the Department of Agriculture. Many of the awardees were from the DA either from its line bureaus, attached agencies or from the private organization supervised by the Department.


The affair was splendid! However, taking pictures of subjects in a dimly lighted environment without a flash, using only available lights is not an easy task. Even experienced photographers finds it difficult to handle. Nevertheless, it is challenging. Herewith are some of the pictures:


Friday, September 7, 2007

107th Anniversary of the CSC

As I was uploading the videos in You Tube concerning the aero dance exhibit of CSC officials and employees in commemoration of our 107th Anniversary this September, I reviewed blog entries posted at Pinoyblogosphere, where I used to blog. My attention was caught by the blog entry of basapa concerning the heroism displayed by two Americans, Mr. Troop Edmunds and Mr. Jerry Hawe, who rescued Lani from the alleged sex slave trafficker in Malaysia. Mr. Edmunds and Mr. Hawe, retired marine officer and FBI agent, respectively, are already in their 60’s. They traveled more than 6,000 miles away from home and conducted their own search and rescue mission and recovered Lani successfully.

I wonder what happened to other Pilipinas who were with Lani, the operator of this alleged sex slave syndicate or what the Malaysian Government is doing on the matter. I would like, however, to invite everybody to convey our sincere gratitude to Mr. Edmunds and Mr. Hawe. They deserve the admiration and respect not only of our OFWs, but the entire Pilipino nation. While my Great Grandfather may have been one the fierciest enemy of the Americans during the Pilipino-American War, the heroism displayed by Mr. Edmunds and Mr. Hawe deserves our respect and admiration in the same way that the Americans respected my Great Grandfather in the battlefield.

On the brighter side, the prisoners in Cebu, that caught worldwide attention for their callistenics dance, was, once again, featured in CNN news. Government officials and employees regularly performs mass callestinics dance in their offices long before the “thriller” in Cebu prison camp caught worldwide attention. The difference: it was performed in a prison compound and was featured in You Tube.

CSC mass aero dance exhibit is now featured in You Tube, but not in a prison compound: