A friend was once on the white beach of Calanggaman Island, the sun kissing the horizon at noon, when a foreigner approached him and asked why there was not much infrastructure in this gem. He shrugged, half-irritated, half-embarrassed, because the foreigner was correct. We are sitting on top of a treasure chest of natural wonders, yet we still behave as if we have lost the key.

Our province—Eastern Visayas—is not unfamiliar with grandeur. We have Kalanggaman’s fantasy sandbar, Sohoton’s legendary caves, Limasawa’s historical coastlines, Lake Danao’s mountain embrace, and Canigao’s tranquil charm, all laid out like sacred lines in a forgotten hymn. But while these places bristle with raw, untamed beauty, they lie idle, unexplored, and undermarketed. What we can offer, we don’t have in tow. And that is the tragedy: not that we don’t have it; we don’t seriously take what we have.

I’ve seen it myself. Sun-kissed Cuatro Islas boatmen with the palms of their hands calloused to the bone act as tour guides, mechanics, and lifeguards for a day’s pay of a few hundred pesos. There are no accredited tour programs, no new comfort rooms, and no trained lifeguards or certified cultural guides. Visitors manage on their own, sometimes with the result of disillusionment. We invite visitors to visit, but when they arrive, we’re not prepared to offer them a world-class experience. It’s as though we invite guests to a banquet, then serve them reheated leftovers on broken plates.

We don’t need cement sidewalks or quaint signs. We need vision. A leadership that goes beyond just barangay clean-up efforts or mere beauty pageants. A leadership that can release what we already possess—our islands, our people, our histories—and present them to the world with pride, not with added-on cosmetics. We need to stop waiting for that miracle investor to drop from heaven. We start by educating our young to be narrators of our tradition, by extending sterling and genuine hospitality, and by putting investments in small but enduring systems of sustainability. This is not a race for pursuing Western standards—it’s an exercise of making our standards seen and recognized.

The irony is that we already have the blueprint. See what the other provinces have done—Camiguin, Siargao, Bohol. These are not great wealth areas, but they had vision and persistent drive. Eastern Visayas has been running continuously in feast-or-famine tourism mode: all din fiestas and all quiet the rest of the year. We mix design with promotion and infrastructure with development. We construct roads to the beaches, but do not construct structures to safeguard them. We illuminate boardwalks but permit mangroves to wither in their footsteps. It is nature and faith in decay.

If we don’t intervene, the price is not just losing tourists, but losing ourselves. We educate our offspring on Samar’s caves and Leyte’s history, yet what is the value of learning these if we can’t save and enhance them? Why say pride when we won’t even give a decent toilet within the vicinity of our most-accessed waterfalls? This’s not lost economic opportunity; this’s lost opportunity for dignity. The neglect’s not only material—it’s moral, spiritual, and social.

And no, this is not only the Department of Tourism’s responsibility. It’s in the hands of those who make their budgets in LGUs, in schools that mold young minds, and in the media that decide what to highlight. It’s in our customs—how we greet guests, how we treat garbage, how we respect the sanctity of our domains. The world is watching. But most importantly, we are watching ourselves. All that plastic wrap along the beach, all that wild touring, all that lost comfort rooms are small, quiet concessions that we believe our paradise is not worth fighting for.

If we do need to start somewhere, let it be with respect—not the formal sort that resides in opening benedictions and ribbon cuttings, but the sort that appears in the unglamorous, no-frills effort of tending, staying current, and loving our own. We do not have to be another Boracay or Palawan—we just have to be the best Eastern Visayas has to give. The world will imitate if we first learn to value the beauty that already lies at our feet.

Building a stronger team is crucial for the success of any business. By following key strategies, a business owner can foster a collaborative and supportive environment where team members can thrive. Clearly defining roles and responsibilities, hiring the right people, and promoting open communication are essential. Providing opportunities for growth, fostering a positive work culture, and encouraging collaboration are also vital.

Setting clear goals, providing regular feedback, and encouraging innovation further contribute to team strength. Leading by example is crucial in inspiring and motivating team members. By implementing these strategies, a business owner can build a strong team that drives the growth and success of the business.

Building a stronger team for a business involves several key steps. Here are some strategies that a business owner can implement to build a stronger team:

1. Clearly define roles and responsibilities: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member to avoid confusion and ensure everyone knows what is expected of them. This will help in setting clear goals and objectives.

2. Hire the right people: Take the time to hire the right people who have the necessary skills, experience, and cultural fit for the team. Look for candidates who not only have the required technical skills but also possess good communication and teamwork abilities.

3. Foster open communication: Encourage open communication among team members to promote collaboration and idea sharing. Create a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their thoughts, opinions, and concerns.

4. Provide opportunities for growth and development: Invest in the professional development of your team members by providing training, workshops, and opportunities for skill enhancement. This will not only help them grow personally but also contribute to the growth of the business.

5. Foster a positive work culture: Create a positive work culture that promotes teamwork, respect, and recognition. Recognize and appreciate the efforts and achievements of team members to boost morale and motivation.

6. Encourage collaboration and teamwork: Encourage collaboration and teamwork by assigning projects that require the collective effort of team members. Foster a sense of unity and shared goals to enhance team cohesion.

7. Set clear goals and objectives: Set clear goals and objectives for the team and ensure that everyone understands them. This will provide a sense of direction and purpose, aligning the efforts of team members towards a common goal.

8. Provide regular feedback: Provide regular feedback to team members to help them understand their strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback should be constructive and aimed at helping them grow and develop professionally.

9. Encourage innovation and creativity: Create an environment that encourages innovation and creativity. Encourage team members to think outside the box and come up with new ideas and solutions to challenges.

10. Lead by example: As a business owner, you should lead by example and demonstrate the qualities and values you expect from your team members. Show dedication, professionalism, and a strong work ethic to inspire and motivate your team.

Remember, building a stronger team is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and investment. By implementing these strategies, a business owner can create a positive and productive team environment that contributes to the success of the business.

THIS is the unmistakable mark of true love, one that channels the very love of God of whom we are his image and likeness, meant to share in his very life and nature. Irrespective of how things go in our life, whether they are going up or down in human terms, as long as we have that true love, the taste of love will always be sweet.

And the basis for this assertion is the truth of our faith that defines true love not only in human terms but also and most especially in spiritual and supernatural terms. True love is not only natural, subject only to the laws of nature which cannot help, given our wounded condition due to our sin, to bear the baggage of the infranatural.

This spiritual and supernatural love can transcend whatever temporal condition we might be in. As St. Paul once said, this kind of love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Cor 13,7) And given the current conditions in the world, we truly need this love to survive all the trials and challenges in our life.

The challenge we have here is how to have this kind of love and how to keep it going all day and all the time. For this, we should always find ways of how to keep going our relationship with God who is the very essence, source and power of love.

Let’s remember that when God created man, he entered into a personal relationship with us precisely because we have been created by him to be his image and likeness, to be a person, and not just a thing, a plant or animal, with whom we can share his very life and nature.

As we often hear, we, among God’s creatures, are not just something. We are a someone, a person, with intelligence and will. It is with us, together with the angels, that God establishes a personal relationship. We have to learn how to do our part in corresponding to this God-initiated relationship.

For our part, we should just find ways of how we can keep that relationship alive and vibrant, able to feel the reassuring will and ways of God. Only then can we manage the sweetness of love despite the varying conditions and situations of our life here on earth.
We should come up with the appropriate strategy to deal with this condition of our life, some kind of structure or system that can guide us irrespective of the changing circumstances of our daily life. This structure or system should be made up of some practices of piety that would keep our spiritual and supernatural bearing intact as we navigate the seas and oceans of our life.

These practices of piety should be the basic ones like a time for prayer, recourse to the sacraments especially the holy eucharist and confession, some devotions like the praying of the holy rosary, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and other practices like regular examinations of conscience, presence of God all throughout the day making use of human devices, etc.,

Everyday, we have to tweak this system to adapt it to the peculiar conditions of the day. In this regard, it is also good to consider our concrete physical, emotional and mental conditions, so we would somehow know what to do when their strong and weak points would impact on the different events of the day. Not all days are the same. There are what we call ‘good’ days and ‘bad’ days.

The following is the speech made by this writer on the occasion of the 31st Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 8 Anniversary, held at St Paul School of Professional Studies at Mary Ngo Auditorium Palo Leyte. The speech uses a management tool called PESTLE Analysis. A PESTLE analysis examines Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors influencing an organization or region. Here is how the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 8 (CHEDRO-8) impacts Eastern Visayas through this lens:

Honorable Maximo C. Aljibe Regional Director of CHDRO 8, SUC, LUC and Private HEI Leaders, esteemed educators, dedicated public servants, and the vibrant youth of Eastern Visayas.

Today, we gather not just to reflect on the progress of our beloved region but to pay tribute to the unwavering force behind much of our advancement—the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 8 (CHEDRO-8). This institution is not merely an administrative body; it is a catalyst for growth, a beacon of hope, and a foundation upon which the dreams of thousands are built.

A PESTLE analysis examines Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors influencing an organization or region. Here is how the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 8 (CHEDRO-8) impacts Eastern Visayas through this lens:

PESTLE Analysis of CHEDRO-8’s Impact on Socioeconomic Status & Human Development in Eastern Visayas

Politics: The Guiding Hand of Educational Governance

Under CHEDRO-8’s watch, education is not just a privilege—it is a right, protected by policies that ensure academic excellence and accessibility. The commission works tirelessly to align our institutions with national mandates, forging partnerships that uplift our universities and colleges. Its leadership ensures that our region stands shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the nation in academic prestige and integrity.

Economy: The Engine of Prosperity

Education is the most powerful economic equalizer, and CHEDRO-8 holds the keys to unlocking opportunities for every student in Eastern Visayas. By certifying quality programs and ensuring graduates are equipped with industry-ready skills, it directly contributes to the employability and innovation that fuel our local economy. Its initiatives do not just shape individuals—they shape communities, bringing forth new enterprises, stronger livelihoods, and a brighter future for all.

Society: The Heartbeat of Human Development

CHEDRO-8’s impact resonates in every home, every school, and every workplace. It stands as a force for inclusivity, ensuring that education is accessible to all—regardless of status, background, or circumstance. It empowers the marginalized, uplifts the disadvantaged, and strengthens our social fabric, cultivating leaders who drive Eastern Visayas toward progress.

Technology: The Gateway to Innovation

In an ever-changing world, CHEDRO-8 is our bridge to the future. It champions digital transformation, integrating technology into our learning systems and preparing students for industries driven by innovation. It understands that education must evolve, ensuring that our graduates do not just adapt to change—they lead it.

Law: The Guardrail of Excellence

CHEDRO-8 does not simply promote education; it safeguards its quality. Through rigorous certification and strict compliance with national academic standards, it preserves the integrity of our institutions. It demands nothing but excellence—because the future of Eastern Visayas depends on it.

Environment: The Steward of Sustainability

CHEDRO-8 recognizes that education is not only about intellectual growth but also environmental responsibility. It supports universities in fostering sustainability, research, and advocacy, ensuring that our region thrives not only academically but ecologically.
A Future Forged by CHEDRO-8’s Dedication

So today, let us not merely acknowledge CHEDRO-8’s contributions—let us celebrate them. Let us recognize the immense role it plays in shaping our economy, strengthening our society, and elevating Eastern Visayas to greater heights.

To CHEDRO-8, as headed by Director Maximo Aljibe and the able and sturdy force in the Supervisors and Public Servants at CHED , we thank you. For your vision, your diligence, and your commitment to a future where every student holds the key to success. For us , the Association of Local Colleges and Universities Region *8 ,You are not just an institution—you are an inspiration.

Let us stand united, working hand in hand with CHEDRO-8, ensuring that education remains the driving force behind our region’s unstoppable progress.

Mabuhay ang CHED Regional Office 8! Mabuhay ang Eastern Visayas!

The midterm election is over but issues remain in the public mind, chief of them the action by the election commission against candidates who it caught taking liberty at poking sexist statements against their opponents or against the dignity and honor of women. In what the Philippine Commission Women commended as a firm action by the election commission second division in disqualifying Mr. Christian de Guzman Sia as a congressional candidate of the lone district of Pasig City. This disqualification was based on violations of anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines, underscores the importance of upholding gender equality and respectful public discourse during elections.

In its statement following the aforesaid firm action by the election commission, it urged political aspirants to study the provisions of Republic Act 11313 known as the Safe Spaces Act and Republic Act 9710 known as the Magna Carta for Women and other legal provisions, with the invitation reach out to their office for further guidance. On its face, the action is laudable insofar as protecting the rights of women are concerned. But a revisit to the abovementioned laws defines the punishable acts through unwanted remarks directed towards a person, commonly done in the form of wolf-whistling and misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, and sexist slurs. The provision is general but does not include with specificity political campaigns.

On the other hand, there is the fundamental principle in our constitution, statement unequivocally in section 4 of article 3 better known as the bill of rights which states that “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.” Very clearly, the laws upon which the election commission based its action must not violate the constitution. But the regulatory actions of the election commission and the laws it relied upon are clear curtailments of the fundamental freedom of expression. It acted not just as a regulatory body as it usurped a primarily judicial function when it declared the candidates’ statements as violative of its regulations and the laws cited above.

While the intention may be considered good, it cannot be justified in curtailing the right of the people to speak freely. With these actions, people are reminded of the dark days of martial law under the despotic rule of the conjugal partnership of Ferdinand Sr. and Imelda Marcos when during that time the regime boast that people can speak freely even against the dictatorship. But people shiver in fear and cower to the whims of the dictators with the thought that they have no freedom after speaking. People are well aware that even jokes against the dictatorship could send them to prison without any formal charges, warrant or trial. The supposed violators could find themselves behind bars, the unlucky ones just get lost in the middle of night or sent to the great beyond.

We are confronted these days under the rule of the magical president who is the namesake of his dictator father, with a regulation that is protected by the fundamental provision of the constitution regarding the people’s freedom of expression.

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