There is HOPE!

Last October 10, 2006 (10/10 sounds lucky?), Limelight had its first telecast and we had two young and upcoming personalities: Ms. Rachel "Baby" Arenas and Mr. Harvey Keh.

Rache is the daughter of the indefatigable philanthrophist Baby Arenas, known for her Padre Pio Foundation and very successful fundraising events for various causes. She is a product of the De La Salle University and completed certificate course on negotiations in Harvard University and a Masters in Global Politics from Tufts University. She has served under two presidents in various positions. Presently, she is a consultant to the National Development Corporation's subsidiary known as Maritime Leasing Corporation (the company speaheading the development of the country's nautical highway).

Harvey on the other hand is a product of the Ateneo de Manila University. The former Executive Director of Pathways and a Director of Synergeia, Harvey is a consistent advocate of basic education. He was selected and awarded by the Asia Society as one of the top Asian youth leader in the 21st century. Presently, Harvey is the Executive Director of the AHON Foundation and the leading proponent of E2K or Edukasyon tungo sa Kaunlaran.

Both are from well-to-do families and can afford to pursue other interests in the corporate world but they decided to do a "much fulfilling role in community building." Rache is launching her Health, Education and Livelihood for Pangasinense in the 3rd District of Pangasinan while Harvey is marshalling the power of the youth to effect a change in the political landscape by getting them more involved in mentorship, volunteerism and the like.

LimelighTV is honored to have both in its initial telecast. Both recognized the common factor that they were blessed with a good life, with civic-minded parents, with the best education and because of these they want to give back their time and talent to the community.

I say we have hope and there are millions of them out there. Doing their own thing, bidding their own time, building a new generation of Filipinos. Good luck to Rache and Harvey!

My First Blog

Although I have been always riding the so-called Net Wave, having advocated for a common online site for the Philippine Congress in 1995 via the defunct www.philcongress.com (we decided to remove it after the House of Representatives decided to be online by 1998) which was awarded the 1st Web Awards for government site, despite the site being done by private citizens; got hooked ICT for politics and elections; actively supported the oversight portal of the CPBD of the House of Representatives; etc., I have refrained from joining the blog community since I felt who would even care to read my thoughts and opinions about things, issues, policies, events, etc.? I heard there are more bloggers than readers so will I add to the disonance?

Then I attended the farewell party of a good friend, the former FNF representative to the Philippines, Ronald Meinardus, where one of the guest (Manolo Quezon) talked about Meinardus' interests on blogs and podcasts. But then again, who would, in my profession, want to write what happens in the backrooms? or what transpires in the so-called hollowed halls of public institutions? or with the total confidence of a political client?

Last October 10, 2006, my initial telecast of my 30-minute show aired over RJTV. RJTV is the only free cable TV in Manila. I grabbed the opportunity when a friend, Harry Tambuatco, inquired. It was like completing the media tools PUBLiCUS have. Limelight is where you meet personalities behind the issues. It is all about advocacies. I thought, it would be cool if I can extend the exposures of my guests online, via my blog. So, I leave it at that and hope you will allow me some leeway to get the hang of this technology.