Batch 54_Apprentice Portfolio_Aparicio_opt

P o r t o l i oAPPRENTICE

EDNON JOHN E. APARICIO

B54-011

About
the
Cover

I have chosen this colorful picture as my portfolio’s cover because it looks like a
painter's palette in the middle of creating an art masterpiece where the hues start to
mix up.

I gravitate towards this cover because I view my life as a colorful interplay of
beautifully orchestrated life events that make my existence of profound sense. I
cleave to a faith that everything that happens in my existence, both the good and the
unpleasant, is of purpose – great purpose.

Like any painter's palette, nothing makes sense until the art piece is complete. So
is how I view my life. I am a work in progress. And the best representation of who I am
is looking into my life repertoire in the totality of it, not just the magnified ones.

These contemplations also apply to how I view my SFW journey. Akin to an art
piece in the process of becoming, all my experiences in this journey contributed
amply to making my vocation as a Local Government Operations Officer richly
colorful, thereby putting me on the pedestal of becoming a true Matino, Mahusay at
Maaasahan.

growth:

the evidence of

Life

Acknowledgment

One of my life mantras is “you can never go wrong
with kindness.” Kindness has been abundant in my
Supervised Field Work Journey – such that wells from
the many personalities I have the blessed opportunity of

meeting in the space of 62 days.



Lavish approbations are for the very generous and
proficient political hegemons of the Province of Surigao
del Sur, Mayor Roxanne C. Pimentel and Governor
Alexander “Ayec” T. Pimentel for graciously hosting

our team, for the support for our learning events, and
for allowing us to stay in their beach house for our SFW.

Our team prepared for a humble apartment to rent for
the SFW, yet you lent us an abode beyond our
expectations. We are truly grateful.


Thanks to my supervisor CLGOO Olivia P.

Bagasbas, for being an empowering, inspiring, and
efficacious leader. I have learned a lot of professional
and life lessons from you that I will cherish and try to

mimic in my journey as an LGOO in the Department.
Indeed, you are grace under pressure personified.



I am blessed to have been paired with you, Kuya
Marlon, and Louda because we have taught each other
patience and understanding for the things we differ from
and acknowledgment and appreciation for the things we
agree on. Our team, the Nomad ELMs, is a chapter in my
life story worth remembering. Thanks to you two for
being my excellent partners in this SFW journey.

Acknowledgment

Many thanks, Barangay Bongtud family, headed by
Punong Barangay Charisse Valentine P. Pineda, for

accepting me as a barangay member. Special shoutout
to Barangay Secretary Ruth L. Luengas, Barangay
Treasurer Vilma T. Lozada, and SK Kagawad Hazel

P. Llano for always making my stay in the barangay
office filled with fun and brain-stimulating conversations.

You both are my best workmates in the barangay!



Many thanks, DILG Surigao del Sur family, headed by
PD Pedrito P. Alacaba, for the support and
camaraderie during our SFW journey.



Thank you, RD Lilibeth A. Famacion, CESO III, and
ARD Donald A. Seronay, for the support.



Thank you, DILG Agusan del Sur PD Arleen Ann R.
Sanchez, and Muscular System Group for guiding me.



To my anchors in this Apprenticeship journey, Mama
Eda and Papa Nonie (†), thank you for inspiring me to
push forward. Thank you for teaching me to pursue
contentment with godliness in this fleeting existence.



To my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, thank you for
the enablement, wisdom, and providence. May you be

glorified in the things that I do.

public service

TABLE OF
CONTENTS

1 IntroductionSFW Objective | p 10
Duration | p 11
Place | p 11

Training Area 2

Tandag City | p 13
Barangay Bongtud | p 17

3 The Training Experience

Journal | p 20
Observation and Insights | p95
Overall Reflection and Self-Appraisal | p98

Appendices 4

p102 | Resume
p 103 | Photocopy of Daily Time Record

p111 | Journal
p181 | Others

B54-011 OF ODDITY AND MAN

Out of the islands, a voice is given;
A man is emboldened to speak that which spur life.
Out of the impoverished, a strength is drawn;
A man is commissioned to lead others out of strife.
Out of the dowdy, a truth is enlivened;
A man made a champion to shed light.

Ednon John

He was infinitesimal,
As grain of sand in a vast ocean.

He was unknown,
A bleak strobe in the dark night.

Yet, he was fervent,
A new life breaking out of sullen stump.

Of mirth, he was named Ednon.
Ed of his mother, of his dad, Non.

Odd and peculiar,
He cozied in the eccentricity of going against the usual.

Oft the bickered,
He impassioned to understood.

Disadvantage was his banal,
He grew up the askance of “why?”
Yet, when wisdom started dawning,
He started to recept life, “why not?!”
Of purpose, he saw through the perennial,

Beyond the ugly and rife.

As his sojourning inches forward,
He resolved to brandish might.

In quite transparency,
He inspires fellow dismals to go beyond trite.

Yes, in his contriving with anomaly,
He spills his life to service indomitable and tried.

He was oddity, He was man.
He was a deviance that dispel the egregious.
He was oddity, He was man.
He was a beacon ever constant and valorous.
He is oddity, He is man.
He is Ednon thriving above the inconsequence of the arduous.

This poem was created during Module 6: MLE of Component 1

INTRODUCTION

SFW OBJECTIVE
DURATION
PLACE

9

General Objective

At the end of the SEW, the apprentices
shall be able to demonstrate
competencies as LGOOs in the
following areas:

1. Management of learning events
(trainer)

2. Formulation of a CapDev Agenda
(coach, facilitator, advisor)

Specific Objective

Specifically, the apprentices shall be
able to demonstrate the following:

1. Ability to lead a group in problem-
solving processes (seeking solutions)

2. Ability to develop a shared sense
of direction (defining success)

3. Ability to translate plans into
action (achieving results)

4. Ability to design strategic
planning processes (thinking
strategically)

5. Ability to deal with shifting
conditions (managing change)

6. Ability to encourage innovative
practices (promoting excellence)

7. Ability to create training plans
and logistics (designing programs)

8. Ability to develop learning plans
and resource materials (transferring
knowledge)

9. Ability to apply adult learning
principles in learning activities

10

LOCATION
TANDAG CITY

62 DAYS

11

TRAINING AREA

TANDAG CITY
BARANGAY BONGTUD

12

MABUA BEACH, TANDAG CITY AT DAWN
PHOTO BY EDNON JOHN APARICIO

TANDAG CITY

Caraga's Old Capital...Simply Natural

Long before Tandag became what it is today-- the bustling capital town of
Surigao del Sur -- it was inhabited by the Manobos and the Mamanwas. They lived
along the river banks under the leadership of Suba, their Chieftain. Suba was later
converted to Christianity by Father Juan dela Encarnacion, a Spanish missionary.
After Legaspi’s final conquest of the Philippines in 1609, the Spanish government
sent missionaries to subdue the hostile natives. One of these missionaries was
Father Juan dela Vega. He was sent to Tandag. To establish a symbol of authority,
Fr. dela Vega erected a stone fort and built a small settlement about a size of a
football field enclosed by a stone wall. Out of this settlement rose the town of
Tandag, which later became a center of faith.

Tandag became a port of call to the Spanish Galleon that sailed along the
southern part of Mindanao during this period. It is generally believed that
somewhere underneath the deep sea near Tandag’s twin Linongao Islands lies a
sunken galleon.

Source: Tandag City Ecological Profile

13

In 1650, Tandag became the capital town Upper Photo: Lunch with the Pimentels (left to
of Surigao or Caraga, then a district that right: Louda, Ednon, Mayor Roxanne, Gov.
covered the present provinces of Agusan, the Alexander, and PB Charisse Valentine
two Surigaos, and a part of Davao. As the
center of faith and capital town, Tandag was Lower Photo: Fishing boats docked on elevated
fortified with cottas erected sometime in the platforms in Barangay Bongtud
18th century, within the northern part of the

town and near the old cemetery on the
western side. These fortifications served to Upper Photo by Imi Louda B. Espina
protect the town from Moro raids. Lower Photo by Ednon John Aparicio

In several separate attacks between 1754 14
and 1767, the Moro pirates wrought havoc and
destruction on Tandag. Father Jose Ducos, a
Jesuit from Iligan, came to rescue and rebuild
Tandag from the ruins wrought by these Moro
raids. He established the Tandag Garrison and
restored the Tandag priory. Although the
Tandag fort somehow survived, part of it got
destroyed during the Second World War.
Calamities like typhoons and earthquakes
finished off what remained of it. This is why
artifacts and relics of these structures are
nowhere visible.

Tandag finally afforded the fundamental
transformation via Republic Act 2786, an act
that created Surigao del Sur and whose salient
measure made Tandag the capital and seat of
the provincial government of Surigao del Sur.

On June 23, 2007, Tandag became a city
by RA 9293.

Source: Tandag City Ecological Profile

The present-day Tandag comprises about

29,173 hectares or 6.95% of the

province's total land area and about

1.65% of the total area of the Caraga

Administrative Region. Under Republic

Act 9392, an act converting the

municipality of Tandag in the province of

Surigao del Sur into a Component City to

be known as the City of Tandag on March

13, 2007, and followed immediately by a

plebiscite on June 23, 2007. But the

cityhood seemed so bleak after the

League of Cities of the Philippines filed a

petition declaring the cityhood

unconstitutional before the Supreme

Court of the Philippines. To date, Tandag

Cityhood remains questioned. There are

21 barangays distributed into four

homogeneous ecological units. Roxanne C. Pimentel

Tandag City Mayor

Tandag City is located along the northeastern coast of

Mindanao, facing the Philippine Sea. It is 448 nautical miles

from Manila and 150 from Cebu. It is bounded on the north by

the municipalities of Cortes and Lanuza, on the east by the

Philippine Sea, south by the towns of Tago and San Miguel, and

west by the Municipality of Sibagat in the province of Agusan

del Sur. The distance from Surigao City in the north to Tandag is

about 200 kilometers (120 mi), and 331 kilometers (206 mi) is

the distance from Davao City to the south.

15

Type: Component City
Income Class: 6th Class
Island Group: Mindanao

Region: XIII (Caraga)
Province: Surigao del Sur

No. of Barangays: 21
Postal Code: 8300

Land Area: 29,173 Hectares
Elevation: 88 m (289 ft)
Coordinates:9°04′44″N 126°11′55″E
Population: 62,669 (2020 Census)
Density: 210/km2 (560/sq mi)
Households: 12,014
Primary Industry: Farming and Fishing
Official Language: Bisaya (Surigaonon
dialect), Tagalog, English

National
Awardee

2017

2018

2019

16

ASSIGNMENT:

BARANGAY BONGTUD

HISTORY TWIN LINUNGAO CHARTER
"Bongtud" is the Visayan ISLANDS Barangay Bongtud was
term for a "Hill". formally founded in 1963
The Twin Linungao Islands Natural hazard barrier and
are the landmark of the eco-tourism destination of by the Republic Act
barangay. The land mass 3590 known as the
that was formed by the the barangay BARIO CHARTER ACT
siltation of the Tandag River together with some
and reclamation activities is SEAL barangays of Tandag.
presently inhabited by
6,069 persons (2020 MAP
census). Bongtud is engulfed by
the Tandag River and the
JURISDICTION
Bongtud is one of the six Pacific Ocean
urban barangays of
Tandag City. It is home to
the old town hall, the
cathedral, and city plaza.
It has seven puroks
namely, Kalipayan, Santan,
Mabuhay, Panaghiusa,
Marigold, Sinugdanan, and
Sto. Niño

COUNCIL PUNONG BARANGAY
Bongtud is led by Punong
Charie Kaye M. Macapala
Bevelyn T. Solis Barangay Charisse
Ernan Y. Missiona Valentine Pimentel
Lyod L. Luengas
Alvin Jason C. Tello Pineda
Maryann A. Coma
Emmalyn J. Fuego
17

WHAT'S IN THE

BARANGAY OFFICE

18

THE EXPERIENCE

JOURNAL
OBSERVATION AND INSIGHTS
OVERALL REFLECTION AND SELF-APPRAISAL

19

60 Days SFW 1AUG
Sojourning Begins 22

Overture

On August 22, 2022, Monday, we arrived in Tandag City from a 3-hour haul
from Butuan City in Kuya Marlon Monterola's car. The car was cramped with
our luggage, backpacks, and assortments of duffels that we prepped for this

60-day Supervised Field Work.
Our first order of business upon arriving in Tandag City was to pay courtesy

calls with the personalities that will help us in this SFW Journey.

During our first hour in Tandag City, we paid a courtesy
call to DILG Surigao del Sur Provincial Director Pedrito

P. Alacaba, CESO V. He gave us a brief about the
governance dynamics in Tandag City and the Province
of Surigao del Sur, which are both led by the Pimentels.

He also bid us good luck in our SFW journey.

In the afternoon, upon the prodding of CLGOO Olivia
P. Bagasbas, we proceeded to DILG Tandag City for
our introduction. PD Alacaba introduced us to her
and set expectations and instructions for us.

We paid a courtesy call to Tandag City Mayor
Roxanne C. Pimentel. CLGOO Bagasbas introduced
us to the good mayor who, knowing that we are still

looking for an apartment to rent for the SFW,
offered us to live in their beach house since it is

unoccupied and untended at the moment.




We capped our first day in Tandag City with a
sumptuous dinner the good mayor hosted for us in
their villa. Joining us were CLGOO Ging Bagasbas and
PD Boy Alacaba and his wife. After dinner, we settled
in our abode for the next 60 days. A very spacious
beach house made of hardwood.

20

2 AUG Week 1 | Putting in Place
23

During our second day in Tandag City,
we dedicated our time to crafting our
individual and team action plans that we
will submit to CLGOO Bagasbas for her

approval.

In the evening, we started setting up the
bulletin boards that we will install in
DILG Tandag City Office as well as in our
respective barangay assignments.

After we made our draft individual and team
action plans, I proceeded to design our bulletin
boards. I used Canva to create the elements to

be pasted on the boards.

21

Week 1 | Putting in Place 3
AUG
24

On the morning of our third day in Tandag
City, we presented to CLGOO Bagasbas

our draft individual and team action plans.
She read each entry and made appropriate

corrections and recommendations, which
we implemented immediately.

At around 11 a.m., we paid a courtesy call
to Tandag City Vice Mayor Eleanor D.
Momo, who happens to be the wife of the
1st District of Surigao del Sur Congressman
Romeo S. Momo, Sr.

During our third day, we got to interface with CLGOO Bagasbas and were able to discuss the
expected outputs for our SFW. She shared that the next three weeks will be busy because of

the many activities pipelined by the city. SGLG National Validation and the 10th Sangkaan
Festival will take place in the first two weeks of September, and the preparations are in full

swing.

22

4 AUG Week 1 | Putting in Place
25

On our fourth day, we uploaded the Individual and Team Action Plans in the drive that
Ma'am Annabel F. Yangson, the SFW Coordinator of DILG Region XIII (Caraga),

signed. We busied ourselves for the rest of the morning, setting up our bulletin board
in the DILG Tandag City Office. While we were setting up, Ma'am Ging, the CLGOO,

said that her office was too small to accommodate additional three personnel in a
room approximately the size of the main bedroom. Yet, she informed us that once the
City General Services Offices formally transfer to the new building, the good mayor

will give their old space to DILG Tandag City. The transfer is due in October. She
apologized if we could not set up tables of our own but must make do with the

available space sitting next to her existing staff. In the afternoon, Ma'am Ging
instructed us to join Hijay, her team, in delivering the invitation letters she had
prepared for the management committee meeting the following day. It was an
exciting experience because we could visit the barangay offices of the 21 barangays
of Tandag City. As we finished the tour, two realizations came to me. First, Tandag
City is one of the bigger LGUs in the province of Surigao del Sur, yet you can visit all
21 barangays in half a day because they were able to establish good road networks.
Traversing from the barangays to the city proper and vice versa is not a hassle.
However, I noticed some barangay offices we visited were old and rickety. This needs
to be considered by the city government to upgrade the barangay offices because

these are the focal point of basic services at the grassroots.

23

Week 1 | Putting in Place 5 AUG
26

Mayor Roxanne C. Pimentel intently listened
and looked at the governance areas to prepare
for the SGLG National Validation on September

07, 2022. It will be Tandag City's 5th award
should they be conferred with it. And we are

positive they have it in the bag.

I, Louda, and Kuya Marlon took selfies as
we joined the Tandag City Management
Conference. The main agenda includes
the LGU's forthcoming SGLG National
Validation.

Leadership dramatically impacts the direction of an
organization. In the case of LGUs, the Local Chief
Executives are the image of governance of their

respective towns.
While I have already met Mayor Roxanne C.
Pimentel during my first day in SFW, it was during
the Tandag City Management Conference that I
could witness just how hands-on she is in the city's

affairs. Each time Ma'am Ging brings up a
governance concern, the good mayor ensures to
approach the concerned department head and
encourages them to ensure that they accomplish the

required documents and preparations.
I saw a mayor in her over and above her city's affairs,
which was a glimmer of hope. Oh, how I pray all the
LCEs in the Philippines are as dedicated and sincere
as she is. We will have a better chance at attaining

our Ambisyon 2040 much sooner.

24

6AUG Week 1 | Putting in Place
27

We spent our first weekend at Pacific View
Hotel because we had to move out of the
beach house, which some nuns will use for
their retreat. The hotel we moved in is owned
by the family of Vice Mayor Eleanor D. Momo.
It is in front of the boulevard where many fiesta

activities are performed.



For our first weekend, we sent our laundry to
the laundry shop along the strip where the
hotel was located. We also finished making

our barangay bulletin boards. In the afternoon,
we roamed the stalls in the boulevard and
enjoyed a hearty dinner in one carenderia in
the area.

25

Week 1 | Putting in Place 7 AUG
28

For our first Sunday in Tandag City, I joined our
church's Lord's Day Celebration via the FB live stream.



In the afternoon, Kuya Marlon and I went to the 3rd
floor and watched the boulevard from that vantage
point. We observed the locals flock to the exposed
reef during low tide. We believe they are looking for

shells and urchins. Their activity is what our local
dialect calls "namasol."



While watching them, we discussed our concerns
about delivering the required outputs for the SFW. We

figured that we would face several challenges since
the city is in fiesta mode and is quite busy with the
SGLG National Validation preparations. After the fiesta
week, they also calendared the Barangay Visits, a

serbisyo caravan form.

26

8
AUG SETTLING IN
29
W2

National heroes day happened to be our eighth
day in Tandag City. So, we spent the day exploring

the city and experiencing its beauty.

Going into this SFW, I have committed to posting my local finds,
such as food shops, tourism spots, and replicable local practices, on
my social media accounts. I told myself it would be my humble way
of promoting Tandag City while I was within her folds for 60 days.

It is high time that we should promote local tourism. Encourage
fellow Filipinos to discover our own rather than gush over the idea of
foreign travel. I am not against the latter, but it would be a more
beautiful experience if we delve into the wonders that foreigners are
dying to see - our natural wonders.

27

SETTLING IN 9AUG
30
W2

Day 9 is when I first made I was welcomed by Barangay
appearance to my Secretary Ruth L. Luengas (in

barangay assignment, blue) and Sangguniang
Barangay Bongtud. Barangay Member Charie Kaye

M. Macapala (in black)

The first document I posted in One of the many firsts I did was
my newly installed bulletin is a to clean the aircon of the office

copy of the letter of of the barangay secretary
introduction written by Ma'am where I am co-located because

Ging. it was too dusty it could not
produce cool air.

28

SETTLING IN

10AUG W2
31

On my 10th day in SFW and my 2nd day in Barangay Bongtud, I
officially met Punong Barangay Charisse Valentine P. Pineda. She is

the daughter of Tandag City Mayor Roxanne C. Pimentel and the
Province of Surigao del Sur Governor Alexander T. Pimentel.

The first thing I noticed was her simple, unassuming, and effortless
demeanor that radiated through the room.

For the two days I have been in the barangay, I noticed that a KP case
is filed daily. In my curiosity, I asked Ate Ruth, the barangay secretary,
why it seemed they had accepted many KP cases. She responded that
most of these are petty concerns of neighbors involved in slandering

each other or what we call "marites" concerns. She said that per her
record, the KP cases in the barangay average 30 to 40 cases yearly. So

I kid, "did they show up because I am already here?"

29

SETTLING IN

W2 11 SEP
01

Every Tuesday and Thursday are the KP hearing days in
Barangay Bongtud. And on the first day of September, I

observed how they hear KP cases.

I observed that the
Barangay directly
assembles the pangkat in
hearing cases, something
that they need to do away
much sooner since it is
not in accordance to the

KP Law

However, I find the method quite effective since, per the information of the
barangay secretary, it is the officer on duty who usually chairs the

mediation. I think this is something that lawmakers can look into for the
improvement of the barangay justice system. For barangays with many KP

cases to hear, it is pretty taxing for the Punong Barangay to lead the
mediation, notwithstanding the other responsibilities he has to attend to.

30

12 SEP SETTLING IN
02
W2

On our 12th day in Tandag City, we
proceeded to the DILG Surigao del Sur

Provincial Office because we had to
process our daily time records. Since
Ma'am Ging is on official business, we
asked her if we could stay in the PO for
the rest of the afternoon, which she

approved.

In the afternoon, I started writing the

crafting of the learning activity design

for the barangay development program,

which the good mayor requested to be

our intervention for our assigned

barangays. After work, we decided to visit the

Cathedral constructed in Brgy. Rosario,

Tandag City, as our way of exploring the

city. Afterward, we had dinner in a locally

known "pares" store.

As we returned to our residence, we
discovered that the good Governor and
Mayor were hosting a dinner on the view
deck of their resort. They invited us over
to join the fete, and we enjoyed the night

listening to an acoustic band over a
lavish feast of Japanese and Filipino

cuisine.

31

SETTLING IN

W2 13 SEP
03

The Nomad ELMs

For our second Saturday in Tandag City, we decided to walk
from Mabua Beach to the boulevard and basked in the
festivities littered across town.

32

SETTLING IN

14 SEP W2
04

On Sunday, the first family of Surigao del Sur, the Pimentels, invited
us over lunch. It was a great experience witnessing how humble and

approachable they are as individuals and as a family. In the
afternoon, Kuya Marlon and I cut our hair while Louda had her spa

day. In the evening, we opted to dine in Liam's Cafe, a local
restaurant that serves impressive pasta and baked potatoes.

33

The Nomad ELMs

Tandag City Team

Ednon John

The Cook Marlon

Imi Louda

The Photographer The Consultant

34

35

We are the Nomad ELMs, the Tandag City Team on
Supervised Field Work (SFW) for the 54th

Apprenticeship Program for LGOOs II and III of the
Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) through the Local Government Academy (LGA).



Our team comprises LGOO III Ednon John E. Aparicio,
LGOO II Imi Louda B. Espina, and LGOO II Marlon C.

Monterola. ELM is the acronym for our bynames.
However, "elm" is also a type of tree with various
historical and cultural symbolisms that our team
aspires to embody as we continue our vocation as civil

servants.



In French folklore, the elm was considered the "tree of
justice." Underneath its branches, judges reflected and

received inspiration for how they would rule. In
Heraldic symbolism, what used the figure of the elm
represents friendship, protection, support, romantic

love, and love among all people. Knights often add
"elm" to their names to signify their Christian
allegiance.



We added "nomad" to our team name since that is the
nature of our job. LGOOs do not establish permanent
work residences. Instead, we go where we are most

needed.



Of these attributes, our team aspires to become
beacons of just and sincere service to the citizenry

where we are needed.

36

Held every first
week of

September,
Sangkaan is an
ethnic mardi gras
marked by street

dancing and
stationary
festivities
performed through
tribal music and
dances. This
historical merry-
making showcases
the fight between
the native Manobo
and Muslim
pirates who
established
Tandag as a Moro
stronghold in the
pre-Spanish era.

37

WEEK 15 SEP
T H R E EA w e e k o f f e t e 05

On September 05, 2022, the 10th Sangkaan Festival officially kicked off
with a grand parade. We joined the DILG Tandag City team and enjoyed a

good stretch of a festive walk that ended at the City Gymnasium. In the
afternoon, we went to the Executive Conference of Tandag City to

conduct a mock SGLG validation. It was a fun experience because we
identified some documents the functionaries did not prepare properly. In
the evening, we joined the Barangay night hosted by the City Government

of Tandag. The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the
winners of the cooking contests held in the afternoon of that day and the

concert, which showcased renowned singers such as Dingdong
Avanzado, Jessa Zaragoza, and the Chocolate Factory. The show caused
us to join the shindig enjoyed by the barangay officials present that night.

38

WEEK 16SEP
T H R E EA w e e k o f f e t e 06

Kuya Marlon and I joined the coastal clean-
up activity on September 06, 2022, which is

part of the weeklong Sangkaan Festival
Celebration. We joined the DILG Surigao
del Sur Provincial Office in that activity. At
about 10 AM, we arrived in the DILG Tandag
City and continued our preparation for the
SGLG National Validation. I designed the
tabs for the individual folders and was in-

charge in filling them with necessary
3 9 documents.

WEEK 17 SEP
T H R E EA w e e k o f f e t e 07

On September 07, 2022, Tandag City was zoomed in on its
governance areas through the watchful eye of LGOO VII

Maricel Bechayda of DILG Region 6 for its 5th round of Seal
of Good Local Governance national validation.

In the morning, the three of us assisted Ms. Bechayda in the
conduct of table validation. In the afternoon, we sent her to
Carmen, Surigao del Sur, for their turn at the validation. The
SGLG National Validation was a beautiful experience in my

SFW Journey that I will cherish.

40

WEEK 18SEP
T H R E EA w e e k o f f e t e 08

A day after the SGLG National
Validation, we met with Ma'am Ging and

discussed our concerns regarding the
learning activities we hoped to
implement for our SFW. She was

receptive to our needs and helped us
plan our learning activities. She also
gave us a crash course on HRMD Plan
and CDA. In the evening, we met with
the chief of staff of Taguig City, Mayor

Cayetano, and had dinner by the
boulevard.

41

WEEK 19SEP
T H R E EA w e e k o f f e t e 09

The street dancing competition of
the 10th Sangkaan Festival happened

today. The city's main streets were
closed to give way to the dancers.



On our way to the city hall, we used

alternative routes to reach the
office on time.



Ma'am Ging tasked me to write our
letter request to Vice Mayor Eleanor
D. Momo concerning our observation

of their Sangguniang Panlungsod
Sessions.



In the afternoon, we added entries
to our portfolio.



In the evening, Mayor Roxanne C.
Pimentel invited us to the dinner she

hosted for singers Karylle Yuzon,
Kean Cipriano, and JM De Guzman.



We capped our evening by singing

and dancing along with the
celebrity performers at the

boulevard.

42

“Greatness is a rare field of air
one has to be taught how to
breathe.” – Philip of
Macedonia


In my 32 years of existence, I

have lived most of it ascribing
to the axiom above. Indeed,
greatness doesn’t happen
overnight; it is built. It is not
innate; it is created.


As I tread the path of being a

Local Government Operations
Officer taking more significant

roles in and for the
motherland, I can surmise that

living the ethos of being a
Matino, Mahusay, at Maasahan

na LGOO is not a walk in the
park; it is a tedious process of

becoming. One that is a free
dive into an unwonted
kaleidoscope of fun,

challenges, victory, setbacks,
glory, and much more.



Being on Supervised Field
Work for my 32nd birthday, I
have minimal expectations and
preparations for it. My age has

gotten into my head, and I
have pivoted viewing my
birthday far from the vivacious

celebrations and swell
sentiments that engrossed me

in my younger years. I just
wanted to wake into it with
gratitude and intoxicated with
the purest assurance of hope,

knowing that I have been
lovingly taken care of by a

gracious God amidst my
recurring stubbornness all
these years. I just wanted to

live the day and not
sensationalize it as if it was
made for me because it never
43 was.

Yet, the ways of
the Lord are splendid

and succinct.

I awoke to a video call from my
family, who greeted me with their
sincerest greetings. My social
media accounts were flooded with
wishes and prayers. And Ma’am
Ging treated us to an island
hopping with a lavish feast of
crabs, fresh catch fish, and an
overflow of fun and merrymaking.

In the evening, the good mayor Roxanne C.
Pimentel invited us to the dinner she hosted

for Bamboo, Erik Santos, and Aicelle
Santos. I am floored because I am a big fan

of Aicelle Santos. I spent the rest of the
evening eccentric at the three
p e r f o r m
a n c e s .




September 10, 2022, was closed for me in a

triumphant fireworks display; a telltale of
how my day has been, of how my years in
the Lord have been –

an orchestrated color burst.




44

WEEK 21 SEP
T H R E EA w e e k o f f e t e 11

For the Nomad A day after my birthday, I proceeded with
ELMs, Sundays are our usual Sunday programming. Kuya

our market day, Marlon went to church in the morning, I
laundry day, a day joined our church's Lord's Day celebration
to celebrate Lord's
Day, and a day to via FB live, and Louda snoozed longer.
Per roles, I prepped breakfast. However,
try a local we had our lunch at Uptown Cafe as our
restaurant.
continued commitment to get to know
45 Tandag City through its local food
venues.

After our lunch, we had Kuya Marlon's car
washed.

We then proceeded to the market for our
weekly groceries.

In the evening, we resumed writing our
building our portfolios.

SFW
so
Far

46

STEP

01

STEP

02

STEP

03

Week 4
PLA
NS

UNFOLDING

STEP

04

STEP

05

STEP

06

47

Week 4 22SEP September 22, 2022, is one for
PLA
NS 12 the books. A day of quaint firsts!

UNFOLDING

In the morning, I witnessed the
release of a sea eagle back to
nature—an experience of great
rarity and significant allusions.



I am one of the three "As" of
Sanliyab based on our behavior
pattern inventory - one of the
three eagles of the batch. Thus,
witnessing that moment was

surreal.
Also, the release took place in
one of the Twin Lingungao Islands
(the smaller island). I had planned
on climbing either of the islands,
yet I reached one of its peaks in

my office clothes.



At noon, my BLGU Bongtud family
treated me to a sumptuous lunch in
Mandarin Tea Garden, a restaurant

owned by PB Pineda.



These firsts bring throbs to my
heart as I consider just how good
the Lord has been towards me in
orchestrating all these to happen.
I do not deserve this much, but he

has lavished me anyhow.

48

23SEP Week 4
13 PLA
NS

UNFOLDING

I have been personally
enamored by the wit, candor,
and sheer excellence of Ma'am
Ging since we first met. I have

long to witness how she
facilitates training, let alone
how she does a workshop on

the Executive-Legislative
Agenda (ELA), and that day
happened on my 23rd day of

SFW.



Today, we joined Ma'am Ging
and observed how she

masterfully facilitated the ELA
of Carmen, Surigao del Sur.


I loved how she ensured that
each department head was to
view themselves as the best
consultants their municipal
mayor had. That and other

techniques I witnessed from her
are etched in my core as

something I must exhibit should
I conduct future learning
events.



We capped this day with a
karaoke bonding with the DILG
Tandag City Family. I noticed
that each of her DILG Tandag

City staff takes after Ma'am
Ging, a good singer.

49