Friendships
WmyE met in 1995 when I first arrived at the University where I was to pursue Master of Science in Engineering (Mining) Degree. It required at least 30 months for me to be there. This study grant from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) included a bridging program and my completion of at least two subjects in the Graduate Diploma in Mining course. I remember asking the Uni's International Office where I could find other Filipinos studying in the university. They gave me his number and after the day's orientation, I immediately proceeded to a pay phone where I contacted him. Sure enough, we got connected and that was how we started this friendship of 22 years and going.
His name is Jose Ruperto Martin Marfori Andanar, better known as Martin Andanar. He now sits in President Duterte's Cabinet as Secretary of the Presidential Communication Operations Office. Sec.Mart is a former television news personality and news anchor, radio commentator, podcaster, audio blogger and voice-over artist who last worked for TV5. He was a PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Male Newscaster and a PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Morning Show Host. He will celebrate his 43rd birthday next week, August 21 and I am so blessed to have been part of his character-building journey from Inn of Khong in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia to Malacanang.
Just this weekend, Sec.Mart was back in Baguio to launch his Office's latest project, the Provincial Communication Officers Network (PCO Net). This PCOO initiative provides a platform to LGUs to ensure a coherent and efficient flow of information, in line with President DU30's desire to connect to communities. PCO Net is a network of government communicators that will have direct access to the Office of the President through PCOO. As a direct recipient of news and information releases, this group is expected to curb proliferation of fake news and unverified information. The network is a part of the PCOO’s mainstreaming efforts in public information and will operate under the newly established Communication Coordination Committee (CCC). The CCC is chaired by Sec.Mart and is composed of PIA, Radyo Pilipinas, PTV, PNA, RTVM, and the PCOO Office of the Secretary-Media (OSEC Media). The CCC will ensure that communication workshops and training are organized starting this year to enhance the capabilities of PCO Net.
During his visit over the weekend, Sec.Mart sat down with Manong Ramon Dacawi who shared the experiences and hardships of a dialysis patient. The PCOO Secretary signed the petition for and gave his commitment to support the campaign for free dialysis. He also gave his commitment to support Baguio City's and Benguet's bid to host the "coolest Palarong Pambansa in 2018."
Thank you for the visit 'tol and see you soon. Congratulations, pala, for your recognition as Most Outstanding Alumni of the University of Ballarat (now Federation University Australia). Happy, happy birthday and don't mind the "pineapples," bashers and saboteurs. It comes with the territory so keep your head up and continue the great job that you're doing for the country and the Filipino people!
Happy birthday also to Aaron and Migs Velarde, Pox Bugasto, Sheila May Sanqui, Mary Ann Sagayo, Dinan Gacad, Dickson Kimakim, Mon Alliado, JapJap Gacad, Joseph Almazan, Regional Director Reynaldo Digamo of EMBCAR, DENR ARD for Technical Services Agosto Lagon, Malen Catajan, Maane Regacho, Edward de Peralta, Vivian Romero and all the other supercool August celebrators! Basta Agosto, ASTIG!
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” ~ C.S. Lewis “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.” ~ Muhammad Ali “A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” ~ William Shakespeare