One of the advantages of setting a target of just one blog entry a week is that I am able to allow myself the time to process my thoughts for at least a handful of days before publishing them. A week’s contemplation over certain feelings over daily events makes for better-worded recollections. This is not to say that there is no value in honest spontaneity, but those are better suited for Twitter or Facebook (if those thoughts get published at all). I wouldn’t say that more ruminated expressions are less genuine, but rather they are more circumspect and, well, a little more–polished. Most of all, I also get to avoid any prospective regrets should I want to take back whatever I might have initially wanted to say. Thoughts and feelings undergo processes, and they change over time–in this case, days, at least. I don’t usually harbor my initial reaction to most of life’s circumstances.
The past week saw the Philippines conclude its Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a grand hosting of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila from November 10-14.
I make a point to put this in posterity in my blog because a significant part of my work as a civil servant this year involved preparations and execution of various tasks in line with the responsibilities of the Presidential Communications Operations Office as lead agency of the ASEAN National Organizing Council’s Committee on Media Affairs and Strategic Communications (CMASC).
In my opinion, given the circumstances at hand, the CMASC did a good job in hosting the international media centers during the two major ASEAN Summits this past week and last April, and during the 50th ASEAN Anniversary and Ministerial Meeting last August. Aside from that, it was able to execute and implement various grassroots programs and campaigns to promote, educate and inform stakeholders on ASEAN related information. It also provided publicity and communications support throughout the year to more than two hundred ASEAN-related meetings and commemorative events.
Gusto ko iparating ang taos-puso kong pasasalamat sa lahat ng bumati. Hindi ko man kayo mapasalamatan isa-isa, nabasa ko lahat ng mga messages ninyo at masaya ako na bahagi kayo ng kaganapang ‘to.
Congratulations to all the parents who made this happen for all us new lawyers. This achievement is yours. Congratulations and thank you!
‘Di ko alam kung sa Pilipinas lang ganito natin idina-dakila ang pagiging abogado. I have a theory that more than the fact na napakahirap maging abogado sa Pilipinas, malaki ang pagtingin natin sa mga abogado at ganoon na lang kung ipagdiwang ang pagkakapasa sa bar exam dahil sa pangangailangan ng indibidwal, pamilya, at mga grupo na pangalagaan at ipaglaban ang kani-kanilang interes. Perhaps a manifestation of the many contradictions in society, or of its weak institutions that families celebrate having the advantage of having a lawyer to protect their interests. But that is for social scientists to discuss adequately. Othwerise, what are lawyers for, really?