Inspiring episode

ASIDE FROM THE EPIC of our fallen heroes, the latest of which are the Filipino soldier-casualties of Marawi City, we find inspiring the stories of people who rose to prominence through sheer determination, persistent hard work and resolve.

One such person is Rocky Gathercole who, from a newspaper article “deserves to be lauded for bringing honor to the country through his lavish creations”. Among his clients were the heiress Paris Hilton and song icon Katy Perry.

From abject poverty and homeless situation, Rocky rose to become an international figure in design and fashion, from the Middle East to the United States where he dressed celebrities like Beyonce’, Thalia, Tyra Banks, Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, Carrie Underwood and others.

Rocky’s existence was bleak: he was abused by his father and abandoned by his mother, so he lived on the streets and fended for himself in difficult circumst an ces.

It is this dark episode in his life which turned him passionate to help abandoned children through a foundation, particularly Lingap Kapamilya’s Bantay Bata.

Many are Gathercole’s beneficiaries as he embarked on projects aimed at restoring people’s identity and dignity. His philantropic acts are aplenty and he seems to enjoy every bit of kindness he bestows on anyone.

Wish people emulate Gathercole’s beneficial gesture with no expectation of reward in return.

* * * Budget proposals submissions. Every July of each year, departments/offices at the city government of Mabalacat and every LGU throughout the country are instructed to prepare their budget proposals are instructed to prepare their budget proposals for 2018.

At PESO Mabalacat City, I am confident that the present PESO head will reenact the 2017 budget and probably add more projects to help the citizens of Mabalacat City.

In coordination with Tesda, Dole and other government agencies, PESO Mabalacat City has several options to provide trainings for able-bodied residents of the city’s 27 barangays.

Now, more than ever, the need for skills trainings is foremost as the Asean infrastructure get front attention so that we can compete with our neighbors.

It is about time PESO Mabalacat City acted with dispatch as far as trainings are concerned.