28 February 2006

Dear Loved Ones,

BELATED HAPPY VALENTINES!!!

My personal activities were caught up in the swirl of exciting events in the Philippines. The main reason for the delay of this journal is because I spent more time watching television to keep abreast with the local happenings. Now I realize not having TV in the U.S. is a Blessing!



As soon as I arrived in Manila on Jan. 23, I promptly resumed my regular activities:
Attend daily 8:00 AM Masses with my husband Gerry at Sto. Domingo church in QC on weekdays, and at the Good Shepherd church in Fairview(we stay in our El Jardin condo, Bohol Ave on weekdays and go home to Neopolitan NFairview on week-ends);
On M-W-F, I reported to our office in Malate, did my duties and responsibilities as Pres. & GM of Fairview Shipping (which is engaged in the recruitment of seafarers for foreign shipowners) and Chair of Fairview Marine Transport (which is engaged in domestic shipping and vessels operation, with Gerry as Pres. We provide for the transport needs of CE Casecnan Water and Energy Co. along the Pantabangan River in Nueva Ecija. Thus, we are business partners of California Energy Co., an American MNE with main office at 6750 Ayala Ave., Makati)
T-Th were dedicated to personal well-being: activities with my Opus Dei Circle – Doctrine classes, Recollections, Confessions and chats (these were what I missed most when I was in the U.S.) Our circle of six (we’ve been together since 2001) is headed by Beth Libarnes, who we fondly call Mother Superior. She is very devoted as we learn so much from her, actually she is my model in this journey to America, she also has a green card and bent on staying long(starting this March 15) in the U.S. to complete the citizenship process / requirements, also basing in California (San Jose);
Went to the malls, watched movies, had lunches with various groups of friends, on different occasions: with our Circle of six; with Ms. Cora Ignacio, with my kumare Tess Santiago, merienda with my PUP Group – Dean Vicky Naval, Dr. Rudy De Lara, Dr. Danny Reyes and Graduate School office staff; dinners with our Couples for Christ Group in North Fairview; dinner with the UST Dominican Fr. Art Dingel in Glorietta, Makati; lunch – Board Meeting with partners of the Nordic Ventures Synergy Center; Despedida dinner with our Seville, North Fairview neighbors (8 couples with pot-luck food on Sunday night, Feb. 26, during the height of the Fort Bonifacio coup stand-off, all of us were in our bedroom where our TV was, to watch the happening); Bday party of cousin Dr. Lee B. at Sterten Condo Penthouse; Despdida at Italiani’s with ODCircle.




Memorable moments were spent with my hubby: watched concerts of foreign artists at the Araneta Coliseum – The Lettemen, The Zoombies and on Valentine’s Day with Mr. Andy Williams, who sang 50 or more songs. It was really a night to remember: Gateway Mall was filled with couples for dinner /shopping; the dome was full house amidst heavy security with many politicians and partners attending: senators, cabinet members, congressmen, etc. What was so touching was the audience of mature couples (mostly above 50s), wearing reds, women with bouquets of red roses, many in long gowns, some in casuals, others on wheelchairs, out to enjoy the love songs/music. Filipinos really know how to celebrate!!!
Then we went to relax for a week in Tagaytay Highlands and Caleruega. During all of these, we were aware of the disasters happening around – man-made and natural – like the Stampede at Ultra, the floods in Mindoro, the landslide in Leyte, the imposition of the State of national Emergency and its subsequent lifting (daw), the aborted coup, etc.

Let me express my cent’s worth on some personal observations on the U.S. and Philippines systems -; on what is hindering our progress. Premise: The U.S. has its Laws embodied in its Constitution and followed through by generations – the rule pf the majority (doing what is good, right and positive) applies and respected by all (with some minor exceptions), like the good cops are the majority while there are also bad cops. The Philippines also has well-crafted laws patterned after the American system. However, the rule of the majority is questionable and the exceptions(bad, corrupt, etc.) seem to “rule”; like while there are good cops, the bad cops seem to be the majority, especially now that PGMA spoiled the military, turning them as her private army to protect her at all cost.

Consider my personal experiences: 1) While driving my Montero SUV toward SM North EDSA from a lunch date, I was flagged down by an MMDA traffic aide, he asked for my license telling me that I was on the wrong lane. Since it was a 1st offense and being a Balikbayan, I asked for consideration but he would not budge. Then I asked if he would issue a receipt for the fine I will pay and get back my license, he answered that I have to go to their Makati office to pay Php 300.00 and claim my license there, which was a very impractical thing to do. Then when I said I did not have time to go to Makati, he said for me to shell out Php 100.00 for merienda. He asked me to open the windows so I can throw the bills as the other aides were watching. (No wonder the proposal to “pay traffic penalty at accredited banks was strongly opposed and not implemented.) Conclusion: The traffic/pay system really breeds CORRUPTION! Then I realized I am really back in the Philippines!

2) In the heat of the Muslim rallies on the cartoon issue against Demark, all the Nordic embassies in Manila were on high alert. Police authorities were asked to provide additional security, so PNP men were mobilized in the various Nordic embassies. As an embassy staff narrated: Instead of PNP men standing outside to watchout for rallyists,, they chose to stay inside the airconditioned rooms, asked for television set for their comfort, asked for coffee, sandwiches and other amenities. In other words, instead of being of help for security, they became a burden to embassy staff , so they requested for the PNP men to leave. If you ask for police protection, you should prepare for a budget of Php 40,000.00 /month/person. And those are the attitudes/practices of just one sector of society. Replicate those attitudes / values to many other groups of society, so you can imagine why our country is in a sad state. No wonder, we hear of “shabu talipapa” existing for so long in Pasig, right next to the Mayor’s office and so many outrageous happenings.

I love my country so much, the food (I'm chubby again), the family/friends, the friendly smiles. In our own little way, we contribute to our economy by being conduit of dollar remittances for allotments of our OFWs, paying good taxes and being good employers, etc. I am a strong advocate for education and training and feel that the ills in our society may be remedied through continuous education and training, like “teach people how to fish, not giving them fish all the time”.

What a nice feeling to be back in Sacramento! But I will cherish great, beautiful memories of my Philippine sojourn for so long!!!
Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG

~AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE~

American River College is a State-funded two-year community college, part of the Los Rios Community College District, which also includes Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, and Sacramento City College.

ARC opened its doors as California’s 61st public junior college in 1955. Its history, however, dates back to February 28, 1942, when Grant Union Junior College was established in Del Paso Heights to train civilian personnel for national service during World War II. In 1945 the name was changed to Grant Technical College.

In June 1954, voters agreed to the establishment of a new junior college district, followed by the approval of a $3 million bond issue in November of that year. Grant Technical College ceased operation after 13 years and American River Junior College was born in the fall of 1955.
For the first three years, classes were offered at the former Grant Technical College campus. However, soon after its first semester of classes had begun, the college purchased a 153-acre site known as the Cameron Ranch on which to construct a permanent campus. By October of 1958, when official dedication ceremonies were held, eight new building complexes had been erected among the magnificent oaks native to the area.

Since that dedication the stately oak has been adopted as the official college symbol (including the campus seal), and many other facilities have been added to expand instructional and related services.

In 1965 the college became a part of the Los Rios Community College District and became American River College. Today, along with Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College and Sacramento City College, ARC is directed by a seven-member board of trustees elected by voters residing in the district.

At ARC, campus facilities development as part of the Los Rios District began with Davies Hall, a three-story classroom and faculty office building completed in 1966. In 1968-1969 new facilities for chemistry, physics, engineering, women’s physical education, and technical vocational studies, were added.

The campus grew rapidly in the 1970s, including a three-story library, a horticulture complex, a major addition to the technical education facility, a childcare center and counseling center.
Today, American River College is among the 10 largest community colleges in the state and is looked upon as a leader in innovative programs and services. It transfers more students to UC Davis and CSU Sacramento than any other community college.

Five decades after its founding, American River College continues its leadership role among the Sacramento area’s institutions of higher education.

Our Vision
American River College is a premier learning community that transforms and enriches people's lives.

Philosophy of ARC

We believe:
Students are the reason we are here; their education is our primary responsibility.

Education plays an essential role in cultivating critical and creative thinking, and in fostering responsible citizenship.

Students should be encouraged to recognize learning as a rewarding lifelong process.

The college is a community in which every person is capable of growth in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

Collegiality among faculty and staff is central to that special tradition we call the ARC family.

A wide diversity of cultures and perspectives enriches our community and adds significantly to the process of learning.

The college serves as a resource for improving the life and culture of the greater community.

Identification of student learning outcomes promotes the effective use of our resources, in order to improve student success.

Our Mission

American River College will:

Serve all students who are capable of benefiting from community college instruction.

Introduce students to those broad areas of human knowledge and understanding that contribute to purposeful and meaningful lives as members of a global community.

Prepare students to transfer to and succeed at a four-year institution.

Provide education and training to prepare students for employment or to enhance career skills.

Provide remedial education that advances students' basic skills so they can reach their academic or vocational goals.

Provide instruction in English as a second language for non-native speakers.

Recognize student achievement through awarding certificates and degrees.

Offer opportunities for lifelong learning and continuing education.

Provide counseling and other support services to help students identify their goals and achieve their potential.

Maintain an educational environment that respects and accommodates a diversity of individual backgrounds, abilities, interests and opinions.

Work in partnership with students, business, the community, government, and other schools to foster community and economic development.
Provide professional development opportunities for all college employees.

"California is a diverse state, thouasands of people each day come and go to the state. Community colleges doesn't mean your entering a non - prestigious school, but rather it is a school for those who are preparing for the future. It doesn't matter what school you are in as long as you're studying abroad you can make it wherever you go, especially when students maintain academic excellence, good standing, motivation, willingness to learn, and be strong in order to become succesful in college. What is the American Dream? The American Dream is Freedom. What is the Califronia Dream? It is Opportunity and Success. The dream will no longer be a dream but will become real only if we strive to do our very best."

~Sean Gerardo =)