Some newly elected local officials recently assumed office under a cloud of feuds and unfinished projects—their predecessors left behind a trail of unpaid contractors and festering garbage in the poblacion. The new leadership promised change, as they always do, but whether they will clean up the town or just repaint the walls remains to be seen.

This is the reality across Eastern Visayas: a new crop of mayors, vice mayors, and councilors have taken their seats, and we dare not hope blindly—we must hope wisely.
Every election is a reset button, but it’s not always a reset of problems. Often, it’s just a change of faces—names reshuffled within dynasties, allies taking turns in power like musical chairs at a family reunion. In places like Eastern Samar and Southern Leyte, many LGUs are now helmed by first-time officials, some with noble intentions, others riding the coattails of their surnames. The people’s jubilation, marked by fireworks and brass bands, is slowly giving way to an awkward quiet—the kind that comes after the carnival leaves and the potholes are still there.

What makes local leadership both thrilling and terrifying is its immediacy. Unlike national officials, mayors and governors don’t get to hide behind speeches and spokespersons. Their failures rot on street corners, stink in public markets, and drown in clogged canals. A broken barangay road or a botched relocation site cannot be shrugged off with “We’re still studying it.” There’s no room for arrogance here; the people know where their leaders live, and they can knock on their gates.

But here lies the rub—some of these new leaders, intoxicated by the novelty of power, walk into town halls like gods arriving at their temples. They come with entourages, not agendas. Their first acts are often not executive orders or ordinances, but renovations of their offices and changes in their official Facebook profile photos. They speak of “transparency,” yet refuse to hold public consultations, claiming they already “know what the people need.” One wonders if they ran for office to serve or to pose.

Still, I do not want to be unkind. In fairness, some new officials mean business. Some mayors have begun revisiting procurement protocols and have hired a municipal agriculturist who actually visits farms. They consulted fisherfolk before proposing coastal infrastructure upgrades. Such moments are rare but real, and they remind us that new blood in governance is not always a curse—it can be a cure, if done with sincerity, sobriety, and skill.

Yet the work is harder than slogans make it seem. Many LGUs are buried in debt, hamstrung by internal politics, or controlled by invisible puppet masters—the retired but still powerful politicians pulling strings from behind. Even with fresh faces, the bureaucracy can be a swamp. Staff appointments are traded like favors. Public funds are spoken of as if they were private allowances. And so, we watch: will these new leaders drain the swamp or settle into it?

It’s also on us—the governed—to keep asking questions. It’s easy to celebrate new leadership on Day One, post their photos with heart emojis, and share their campaign jingles one last time. But the harder, more crucial task is to monitor budgets, attend barangay assemblies, question dubious projects, and demand regular reports. Leadership is not magic. It’s a job, and like any job, it must come with performance reviews.

If we are to wish the best for Eastern Visayas, it’s not enough to hope these new officials “do well.” We must expect and demand that they work; that they solve problems rather than paint over them; that they listen more than they talk; that they carry the burden of public office not as a badge of status but as a call to service. True change won’t arrive through slogans—it will arrive, slowly and stubbornly, through honest work, public scrutiny, and perhaps, a little grace.

Every crisis is an opportunity, as the Chinese people says or as repeated by motivational speakers including the late John F. Kennedy. The Pingyin mark of danger and opportunity are common misperception as discovered and proven these days. It is in fact a combination of Danger and Change-point. It may not be Crisis plus Opportunity but danger and change point after all.

The water crisis is on its prime in the northern barangays of Tacloban. Since later part of June, the previously strong surge of water on the tap is replaced by air and nothingness.
The people in that Pabahay area are resorting to making their own Water Well, and even Buying Mineral Water for bathing, washing and flushing. Who says it cannot be done, on a supposed lower middle class income? The people are lining-up for water rationing and fighting for lions share, who says it cannot happen because it is also a political reality, fighting and always quarreling, only in the Philippines.

I go to the area every weekend and I noticed that the area is always at the receiving end of brown outs, no water and hard roads. It is a reflection of social disparity and even neglect. Which is rather sad because, the population at the area of Suhi, GMA, Sta Elena, St Francis 1, St Francis 2 Ridgeview and all the great names are given not-s o great service, especially from the water utility owned by the richest family in the country.

Its quite sad, but true, this area represents a place of supposed hope. Where its people come from the different danger zones relocated to start a new yet subjected to the scarcity as clearly defined by water absence, not shortage.

At the end of it all,what can we say? Simple we say HAHAY! We let go of that hopeless sigh and line-up to buy Mineral Water for our toilets, we shall bathe and gather the used water for the water closet and pray that the gods of that water company will finally listen and make the water come back, until then we shall grind our own teeth and sigh.

The concept of influencing customer decisions might seem manipulative, but in reality, it’s about understanding the psychological principles that drive purchasing behavior. It’s about crafting persuasive messages and experiences that resonate with customers on a deeper level, fostering loyalty and driving sales. This isn’t about tricking customers; it’s about understanding their needs and desires and presenting your product or service as the ideal solution.

Understanding the Psychology of Persuasion

Several key psychological principles underpin successful customer engagement. One of the most powerful is reciprocity. Offering something of value upfront, such as a free sample, a discount, or valuable information, increases the likelihood of a customer reciprocating by making a purchase. This taps into our inherent desire to repay kindness and favors.

Another crucial element is scarcity. Highlighting limited availability, time-sensitive offers, or unique features creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity. This taps into our fear of missing out (FOMO) and can significantly boost conversions. Think of limited-edition products or flash sales – these tactics effectively leverage scarcity.

Authority also plays a significant role. Customers are more likely to trust and follow the recommendations of experts or credible sources. Using testimonials from satisfied customers, endorsements from industry leaders, or showcasing certifications and awards can establish your brand’s authority and build customer confidence.

Consistency is key to building long-term relationships. Encouraging customers to commit to your brand, even in small ways, increases the likelihood of future purchases. This could involve subscribing to a newsletter, joining a loyalty program, or leaving a review Committed customers exhibit greater loyalty and consistency. Initial investment, whether financial or emotional, strengthens their connection and reduces the likelihood of switching to alternatives. This commitment fosters brand loyalty and sustained engagement.

Liking is another powerful influencer. Customers are more likely to buy from people and brands they like. Building rapport through personalized communication, showcasing your brand’s personality, and creating positive emotional connections can foster a sense of liking and trust. Authenticity is crucial here; forced attempts at connection can backfire.

Finally, consensus plays a role. Positive relationships drive purchasing decisions. Customers favor brands and individuals they connect with on a personal level, building trust and loyalty that translates into repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Showcasing social proof, such as customer reviews, testimonials, or the number of people who have already purchased a product, can significantly impact purchasing decisions. This taps into our innate desire to conform and follow the crowd.

Ethical Considerations

While understanding these psychological principles is crucial for effective customer engagement, it’s vital to use them ethically. Manipulative tactics, such as deliberately misleading customers or exploiting their vulnerabilities, are unethical and can severely damage your brand’s reputation. Transparency and honesty are paramount.
The goal is not to trick customers into buying something they don’t need but to help them find the solutions they’re looking for. By understanding their needs and desires, and by presenting your product or service in a way that resonates with their values and aspirations, you can build trust and loyalty.

Practical Applications

These principles can be applied in various ways:

– Website Design: Use compelling visuals, clear calls to action, and social proof elements to enhance the user experience and encourage conversions.

– Marketing Campaigns: Craft persuasive messages that highlight the benefits of your product or service and leverage scarcity and authority to create a sense of urgency and trust.

– Customer Service: Exceptional customer service cultivates strong, positive relationships. By exceeding expectations and creating memorable experiences, businesses build rapport, fostering customer loyalty and advocacy through positive emotional connections.

– Social Media Engagement: Use social media to build a community around your brand and encourage customer interaction.

By strategically applying these psychological principles, businesses can create more effective marketing campaigns, build stronger customer relationships, and ultimately drive sales. However, remember that ethical considerations should always guide your approach. The key is to understand the customer, not to manipulate them. Authenticity, transparency, and a genuine desire to serve your customers are essential for long-term success. The ultimate goal is to build genuine connections and provide real value.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

“THEN began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most of his miracles, for they had not done penance. ‘Woe to thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes.’” (Mt 11,20-21)

Thus lamented Christ over the people he had been giving a lot of favors. It’s a lament that continues to take place up to now, since we cannot deny that despite all the good things we have been having over the years, we still continue to be impenitent over our weaknesses, mistakes and sins.

While it’s a given that we cannot avoid sin, considering our wounded condition, it should also be given that we need to also have an abiding need for penance. Nowadays, it would look like while our sinfulness has become worse, our duty to do penance is practically neglected.

The sense of sin is being aggressively undermined. And that’s simply because we are not anymore referring things to God. We are simply referring them to our own ideas. The clear distinction between good and evil is practically erased.

Our sense of penance is in crisis because our idea of what is good and evil is now reduced to our personal preferences, or at best to what can be termed as our social, political, cultural or even ideological consensus. Our legal system is often regarded as explicitly atheistic or agnostic, to free it from the so-called religious bias.

We need to make an effort, even a worldwide campaign, to boost our spirit of penance, explaining our dire necessity for it and the ineffable benefits we can derive from it.
The spirit of penance is not actually something that is dark, negative, painful, etc. It’s not something we should run away from. In fact, it’s not something that we should just bear and tolerate since we cannot avoid it.

We need to embrace it, to love it, and thus, we have to develop that spirit as best that we can. It is actually something beautiful, since it is purifying and liberating. It recovers us from our wounded condition and reinforces our dignity as persons and children of God.
We need to develop and live this spirit of penance because it is clear that sin continues to dominate us in this life. In fact, it is quite clear that things are getting worse. There are now powerful and well-established structures of sin in our midst before which we are simply an easy prey.

The networks of corruption, pornography, godless and worldly ideologies, etc. are proliferating, taking advantage of the powerful technologies and the relative vulnerability of many people, especially the young ones, who are not yet prepared to properly handle these networks.

The virtue of penance should include the desire and practice of regular and frequent recourse to the sacrament of penance, where through the ministry of priests, Christ comes to us as father, friend, judge and doctor. This sacrament not only reconciles us with God, but also repairs whatever damage our sin would cause on others and the Church in general.

This virtue of penance also includes the desire and practice of continuing atonement and reparation. This can be done in many ways—exerting greater effort to pray, being more generous with our sacrifices and daily self-denials, especially in food, drink, and comfort. It can be done also by doing many corporal and spiritual works of mercy, etc.