PBBM: ‘Pangarap n’yo ay pangarap ko . . .’

The inauguration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the 17th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

 On June 30, 2022, Filipinos witnessed the inauguration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr., the nation’s 17th president amidst the challenges of the pandemic and pressing economic issues that will confront his new administration.

The inauguration was held at the historic National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila. President “Bongbong” Marcos was the fourth President to be inaugurated in the same venue following Manuel Luis Quezon (1935), Jose P. Laurel (1943), and Manuel A. Roxas (1946).

National Museum of Fine Arts

The President and the other members of the First Family wore Filipino attire as a symbol of their patriotism in action, words, and even in their manner of dressing. His inaugural barong was designed by Pepito Albert. It was inspired by a traditional military uniform during Spanish time. For his dinner barong, it was again designed by Albert and was made of pina barong from Taal, Batangas paired with shoes from Sapatero Manila.

For the First Lady Atty. Liza Araneta-Marcos, her terno was designed by Leslie Mobo. It was made of pure pina, seda, and suksuk embroidered with Sampaguita, the country’s national flower. It was paired with shoes designed by Lila Almario of Greggs Frame.

Singer-host-actress Toni Gonzaga sang the National Anthem. A military-civic parade ushered to welcome the Commander-In-Chief.

In his inaugural address, President “Bongbong” Marcos extends his gratitude for the support of the Filipinos. “You rejected the politics of division . . . You made it happen. . . You picked me to be your servant . . . I don’t take it lightly but I’m ready for the task, ” he said. “I am here to talk about the future, a future of sufficiency . . . Imagine what you and the government can achieve together. We are here to repair a house divided, to make it strong . . . Never forget we are Filipinos  . . . let us all be part of the solution we chose.”

President Marcos stresses that he and the Filipinos share the same dream. “Pangarap n’yo ay pangarap ko . . .” (Your dreams are mine).

He adds that “We will build back better . . . in the experiences that we had . . . There were shortcomings in the COVID-19 response; we will fix it . . . I will complete on schedule the projects that have been started; I am not interested in getting credit.”

Plans are being carried out for agriculture and food sufficiency, education, public health system, tourism, climate change, infrastructure, and business, especially for the MSMEs.

The inauguration was characterized by solemnity, simplicity, and keeping with the tradition. It was attended by foreign dignitaries, VIPs, public officials, and Marcos supporters. Marcos is considered the majority president elected with more than 31 million votes garnered from the recently concluded 2022 presidential elections.

Photos: Screenshots from Bongbong Marcos FB page coverage

#PBBM #inaugurationday #17thpresident #Philippines #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

DOT Congratulates Filipina Boxer Nesthy Petecio’s Silver Medal finish in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

The Department of Tourism (DOT) congratulates Nesthy Petecio for winning the silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics women’s featherweight division.

Petecio’s victory brings pride and joy to the Philippines as she is the first Filipina boxer to bag an Olympic medal, ending the country’s boxing medal drought since Onyok Velasco’s silver medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

The DOT also celebrates Nesthy’s silver medal, along with Hidilyn Diaz’s gold, as these have led the Philippines to a multi-medal finish in the Olympics, a first for the country after 89 years.

The Department expresses its good wishes to Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, EJ Obiena, Bianca Pagdanganan, and Yuka Saso in their remaining games, also thanking them along with the rest of the dedicated athletes from the Philippines for being a source of inspiration of Filipinos during these times.

According to GMA news online, Petecio will receive at least P17 million in cash rewards, a condominium, free flights, and other pledges from individuals. She is set to receive P5 million to be given by the Philippine government to Olympics silver medalists, as mandated by Republic Act 10699.

Featured photo courtesy of gmanetwork.com / Reuters / Luis Robayo

Source: DOT

#DOT #NesthyPetecio #HidilynDiaz #OlympicGamesTokyo2020 #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

Golden Feat: Hidilyn Diaz feels grateful for making her triumph “possible”

As the first Gold Medalist in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Hidilyn Diaz still couldn’t believe that she did it, and conceded that she couldn’t do it on her own, but her faith in the divine providence made everything possible. She posted and shared this message on her Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/hidilyndiaz/

“Di ako makapaniwala na nandito ako ngayon sa Olympics .
Di ako makapaniwala na matutuloy ang Olympics .
Di ako makapaniwala na nandito ang TeamHD.
Di ako makapaniwala na
𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 ako sa Olympics .

Kung ako lang ito, di ko ito magagawa parang impossible. Salamat God sa pagdala ng mga tao, government support, private support, pamilya, kaibigan at prayer warriors para magawa ko ito at maging possible.

Jesus looked at them and said, “with man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible,” Matthew 19:26.

Team HD. Photo courtesy of hidilyndiaz on Instagram


Diaz continues to hog the headlines after she won the gold medal for the Weightlifting 55 kg category in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. With her mighty strength, focus, and determination, she bested two opponents from China (Q.Y. Liao) and Kazakhstan (Z. Chinshanlo). She cleared 127kg in her final lift in clean and jerk and finished with a total of 224kg lifted – both Olympic records.

Hidilyn Diaz was ecstatic after winning the gold medal for weightlifting at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Photo courtesy of Reuters / Edgard Garrido

Diaz is set to receive Php10 million from the government for bagging the historic first gold medal for the Philippines after nearly 100 years of Olympic gold dry spell. Meanwhile, a silver is worth Php5 million, while a bronze Php2 million, but additional pledges from various individuals have reached the total prize of Php35 million+ (to date, as per a recent report).

The Zamboanga City pride is now the most consummate Philippine Olympian. She’s not just a gold medalist, but a multi-medal winner from various competitions, such as the 2016 Rio Olympics, 2018 Asian Games, 2019 World Championships, and 2019 SEA Games.

Hidilyn Diaz has now 232k followers on her Instagram account.

Featured photo courtesy of @hidilyndiaz on Instagram

#OlympicWeightlifting #TokyoOlympics2020 #HidilynDiaz #goldmedalist #pinaypower #Philippines #pinaypride #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

Duterte delivers His 6th and last SONA: “Not once did I waver in doing the unpopular”

On his 6th and last State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Rodrigo Roa Duterte focused on his administration’s accomplishments during his first five years in office, as well as his plans for the country in his last term held earlier today, July 26 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

Duterte was accompanied to the rostrum by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto, and Lord Allan Velasco, Speaker of the House of Representatives as he delivered his speech to the nation.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto, and Lord Allan Velasco, Speaker of the House of Representatives

Duterte gave emphasis to the government’s response to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), social programs, infrastructure projects, the fight against drugs, peace, security initiatives, foreign policy, education, healthcare system, the welfare of OFWs, corruption, the issue on ABS-CBN, among others.

“My purpose was pure and unpolluted,” he remarked. He added: “Not once did I waver in doing the unpopular.”

“The pandemic has taken so much of us as a nation,” he stated. In this regard, he has extended his personal appreciation for the private sector in aid for COVID-19; as well as the goodwill of the international community, and how the pandemic has pushed the LGUs to deliver. “Together, let us rise as a nation,” he ended.

Just like last year, there were restrictions during the conduct of his last SONA because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. A maximum of 200 participants was allowed to grace the annual event.

Government officials
Members of Congress

The presidential family, members of Congress and their spouses, former presidents, foreign diplomats, government officials, and other dignitaries were invited to grace the annual SONA (some attended via zoom, others were physically present in the venue).

The SONA’s National Anthem was sung by singer Morissette Amon. Duterte made a long speech, but impactful, as he had to ad-lib in some portions.

Singer Morissette Amon

As a tradition, the Philippine president delivers the SONA every year to report the state of the nation, divulge his administration’s agenda for his last year in office, and take the feasibility to ask Congress to pass his priority measures.

Sources: CNN, PNA, PTV

Photos screenshots from CNN FB live feed

Women Speak Up

Let’s hear it from these successful women who have made a difference in their own unique ways.

In the course of my work interviewing various personalities, I have come across varying ideas and views about issues – from personal, complex to the most trivial – but what strikes me the most is when those thoughts emanate straight from the heart. It feels genuine and sincere. It makes you think, that we are all the same in the eyes of God – you stumble, recover, and start again, and come out a better person. There is always resilience in the face of trials and adversity.

Here are some of the meaningful quotes I have gathered from my previous interviews with these accomplished women:

Courtesy Dayanara Torres FB Page

“How I rose from scratch makes me a real model for the youth. I will never break that image.”

– Former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres, when she was chosen as one of the “Most Distinguished Women” in Puerto Rico at the age of 23. She shared that she was probably selected because she made well in spite of her very humble background.

Courtesy online source

“Mothers are often placed in a dilemma prioritizing between career and family. But for me, my family is always first.”

-Zsa-Zsa Padilla, actress, singer, mom, digital influencer, during the time when she was reviving her showbiz career

Courtesy reallysharoncuneta IG

“After that trying situation, I’ve learned to appreciate life more. It has strengthened my faith. I feel so blessed and whatever will happen to me, I’ll be fine because I’ve been given so much already.”

-Megastar Sharon Cuneta, on her thoughts, when she had her second miscarriage

Courtesy QueenStar Vilma Santos FB page

“I believe in a woman’s right to express herself and to live her life the way she wants to, without losing her sense of morality. I’ll probably despise myself if I take on any man I meet in the streets. Let’s not limit the definition of morality. The most important thing is to have respect for yourself.”

– Star for All Seasons and Cong. Vilma Santos-Recto on how she sees herself in a movie role “Bata, Bata . . . Paano Ka Ginawa?”

Courtesy Bianca Araneta-Elizalde FB Page

“Always keep your values and be well-grounded. When you get into it, you must be mentally, physically, and emotionally stable. You must know what you want because you can fall into so many traps. Make sure to carry the real person in you.”

– Bianca Araneta-Elizalde on her advice to youngsters who are contemplating a career in modeling and hosting

Katherine Annwen De Guzman. Courtesy www.geocities.ws

“It should be considered so important. Where’s the system going if people aren’t educated? How can we vote for a good president if we don’t have educated people?”

– Katherine Annwen De Guzman, former Bb. Pilipinas-World on her notion that education must come first

Janelle Bautista. Courtesy spot.ph

“My family. And I would dedicate my life to preserving that. It’s something I hold in my heart. My mission is to help build a foundation for a good family because I believe the family is a source of strength for all of us. So that children will have good idols, and when they have their own families they will also be able to pass on the strong family values they learned from their own parents.”

-Janelle Bautista, former Bb. Pilipinas-Universe on what she considers as the most beautiful thing in this world, and what would she do to preserve it

Individually, these inspiring women have made a difference in their own unique ways. Happy International Women’s Month!

#InternationalWomensMonth #views #thoughts #women #personalities #throwbackseries #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph