QC's Belmonte and Arjo Atayde Opens 1st District Office

Quezon City's Councilor Charm Ferrer, Art Atayde, Sylvia Sanchez, Mayor Joy Belmonte, Representative Arjo Atayde and Councilor Doray Delarmente

 

 

It's a bit sad to see that some cities don't actually have offices for local government units. It irks me much because people don't have a place to go to, to look for their respective government officials to look for help with their concerns. Things have changed in Quezon City's 1st District as Congressman Arjo Atayde and honorable Mayor Joy Belmonte just opened a new multi function space at West Avenue, Quezon City. This will be dedicated to Arjo's constituents specifically to hold important events, medical missions and a hub for Congressman Atayde's administrative staff.

The blessing of the property was witnessed by various Barangay officials from Quezon City, fellow district members, Councilors Calalay, Ferrer, Delarmente and several of Atayde's Team Aksyon Agad. This wouldn't have been possible without the help of the office of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte who also lauded the young Solon for his recent projects and services. Add to that the different long term assistance programs they put up that's proven to be sustainable during these times. Congressman Arjo Atayde was also flanked by his parents, multi awarded Actress and iconic Sylvia Sanchez and Businessman Art Atayde.

Arjo says "This office will be oen for everyone in my community and we will work hard to make all our plans for District 1 happen in the coming years. We would need your help in making sure we keep our promise, we'll make District 1 stronger, and thrive more than ever!"

This is a win for District 1 now that you've got a venue to go  to when you need help from your elected officials. Here's hoping you wouldn't need to, and just help other community members in your own capacity.

Quezon City to Kick Off Business Investment Summit

Quezon City has been doing quite good despite of the current challenges of the economy. With the pandemic happening, the various complications we get from EU war, the higher US interest rates and inflation, it's hurting us most where it hurts. This has raised prices of essentials, making it difficult for ordinary pinoys to put food on the table.

Not gonna take it without a fight, the Quezon City Government is slated to do a Business Investment Summit with the theme "QC is Future Ready" slated October 7th at Novotel Manila in Araneta, Quezon City. This would be an event where they'd present to various stakeholders how the city has been able to achieve phenomenal "ease of doing business" levels despite the business challenges encountered by the local government unit. They will also be presenting the different initiatives they have planned and currently implementing.

There is more to see in QC! 

This will also be the perfect venue to exchange views about programs and policies, with the aim of better managing LGU and private sector expectations, to help different sectors grow especially in Quezon City. Expected attendees include local and international investors, business leaders, government officials, various stakeholders. Mayor Joy Belmonte has put in reforms on her first term that has garnered 83 awards and recognition from different organizations. It is crucial that in the next few years, she would be able to address to bring more investments and help generate more jobs for her constituents as we all recover from recent years. Suffice to say, it's time to make Quezon City the paramount choice of building businesses. The city is benefiting from the automation and digitization efforts on services like registrations, assessments, tax payments which has been prioritized by the city. They also will continue with social services, the fight against corruption, educate and enhance skills of those who serve the people.

This is certainly a good step to an even better Quezon City, to make people feel progress especially at these very challenging times. It's time we take it to the next level!

HERBERT BAUTISTA Bares Plans on Senate Run: Help Industries Grow for the Future

Spent an afternoon in the suburbs of Quezon City for a chance to talk to Senatorial hopeful Herbert Bautista. Who doesn't know the former Quezon City Mayor and the one who reprised the role of several iconic characters during the 80's and 90's, quite popular with the boomers, Gen X, Gen Z's and millenials too. He is "Bistek" to many... and to boot, he's got over 30 full years of experience in public service specifically the workings of local government matters.

During the small conversation, Mayor Herbert lauded the IATF decision to open theaters in the country as this means a lot of workers in the entertainment industry would have jobs again and start making films. He's seen a lot of his friends in the industry suffer a lot, losing their jobs because of the work arrangements just deem it impossible to be normal once again. It just broke his heart to also see people who he's known for years also pass, COVID-19 really has crippled this industry he loves. He sternly hopes that people start to support worthy shows, programs and films to make up for loss time. He's also keen to see how Filipinos would also see the lineup of films at the Metro Manila Film Festival. By the way, her equally popular sister Harlene Bautista and Heaven's Best Entertainment Productions will be putting one called "Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw" starring Ken Chan and Rita Daniela. The film will also have the participation of Lotlot De Leon and Richard Yap. It'll concentrate on two individuals that will spark romance in the most unexpected circumstances so it'll surely be interesting.

 Here's a few minutes of our conversation that afternoon:

 

Aside from that, Mayor Herbert is running for a Senate seat which is a national post. He's raring to not just file bills for the industries he's worked in but also several things that could push locally produced products in the forefront so everyone could make a living. He's crafted several ordinances that also have benefited the LGBTQIA+ sector and also supports the move to have domestic partnerships. To get to know him even more, he's plannig to put out more personal vlogs to showcase what he loves with Filipino culture, how he adores traveling and share his passion. He's got a lot up his sleeve and hopes by sharing much of his story, he could also get to know more people, places and things he's discovering in the Philippines. 

He wants to help, and he hopes you get to be a part of that movement.

3 Things You Didn't Know About Mark Lapid

I didn't know Mark Lapid was running for Senator. All I knew was he was the son of Senator Lito Lapid, he was Governor of Pampanga and he's part of the Department of Tourism somewhere. He's actually good looking in person, I think that's partly why women adore him. During this short interview, I learned that he's specifically the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer, an office which builds infrastructures for tourist enterprise zones and offices for it. They've built a lot of things in the past few years and they've got it on a list here to prove it. He's left that in the hopes of getting into the Senate, as he's got a knack for public service. He's also for the Freedom for Information Bill, the No Bio No Boto too which we didn't know was actually started by his Father Lito Lapid. He's done countless things in the local government of Pampanga during his term, and did more for TIEZA and Department of Tourism.

I didn't know he was running under the Liberal Party. When asked about this, he admittedly applied for a spot in their Senatorial lineup. If he didn't get in the LP, he didn't really want to run anymore. He didn't have the capacity to launch a national campaign since public service doesn't pay that much. He also believes in the goal of the party. He sternly believes in continuing good things that the administration has done and it would take a couple more years to achieve that dream of a better Philippines.

I didn't know he was so much into making the airports better. The improvements you see right now on the airport is because of their office. He also explained where the money from airport fees go to and why they are continuing to collect it. It entails change in laws and it's one of the things he wants to do as your Senator. He also believes so much in the Tourism industry and how it hastens to create jobs. Since he's into building infrastructures, he's seen first hand how it also developed communities. It's something he wants to also do more, improve, when he gets the chance to serve in the Senate.

Here's more of this interview with the Senator on video:

Part 1



Part 2

If you're still trying to find out who to vote for this coming elections, make sure you take a look at their accomplishments, their background, and what they hope to actually do as a lawmaker. I am in no way endorsing anyone, I am for free will and smarter choices. His passion, service, calling, may all be considered. He's done a lot of work for the agency he belongs too, a natural manager I think. If those are the characteristics you look for in a Senator, you should definitely ask yourself if he's worthy to be there.

You should never just base everything on popularity and TV commercials, study who you need to vote!

For more information about him:

Mark Lapid

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.marklapid.com/

Charee Pineda's Surprise Birthday Party

We traveled all the way to Valenzuela City Hall up north to find Charee Pineda. She's a recent addition to GMA's stable last year as she came from the other channel. What we didn't know was how busy she is these past few years, not just with shooting shows but also serving the people of the 2nd District of Valenzuela. She's a Councilor, and she's well loved by her peers, the Mayor and her constituents. So when they planned to do a surprise party, they did it in style! They had a workshop and leadership training seminar that morning for the scholars under her office. It was also facilitated by World Youth Alliance which is an NGO that she also helps. She thought that she was going to be interviewed about it only with one camera crew but was shocked when she came inside the venue. Surprised as she was, she cried because she didn't know it was going to be her birthday celebration that was going to happen that afternoon. GMA Artist Center, prepared everything including some goodies that they gave away to the youth of Valenzuela City.

Charee here with the representative from World Youth Alliance, wishing her happy birthday.

Mayor Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela City and Charee's co councilors were also there to celebrate with her.

She was so happy because she didn't expect anything on this day but a simple dinner with family. Celebrating it with the people who care for her meant a lot to Charee and she says "I'm a crybaby even if I'm watching TV I cry a lot. I didn't expect this and I was really touched by this gesture. My staff didn't give me any clues. My scholars, the Mayor, it just feels so good to belong with the best people just to surprise me. I was supposed to go to Manaoag but I begged off because of the traffic and only planned to be with family later. I miss showbiz and miss shooting. Hopefully soon I would be able to work in a soap, time management, I hope GMA Artist Center takes care of that even if I'm still in school and with Valenzuela. My love life is so good and it's nice because he's not from showbiz. He's from Valenzuela and he also grew up here so he understands what I do. I want to be a councilor again, it's my first term but I want to learn a lot so that once I get to be in a higher position I would be well equipped. It's the same reason why I'm taking up Political Science. I wish that I could take time and get to appreciate everything that I have right now".