Kopi talk Change and transformation in Philippine

Hi florangel thanks for the article it happen everywhere that most basic of public expectations of any presidency could also prove to be the most difficult to meet. But as long as any leader stays the course, he will enjoy the support of the millions who voted for him. Even as his government goes after the corrupt and pursues justice for the many victims of human rights violations in the outgoing administration, as a leader it will also have to be a unifying force, healing wounds wherever possible. Big Task ahead.

Posted by Florangel
It will take considerable reflection and analysis to be able to capture the euphoria, sense of hope and thoughts of our fellow countrymen as they welcome the 15th President. What will Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III be thinking as he takes his oath before Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales? What is the meaning behind the lines in his 10-minute speech? We can expect that hereon, pundits will be analyzing every word as they attempt to probe into the mind of a man who, until nine months ago never imagined that he would assume the highest office in the land.The same was said of his mother, Cory, who was thrust into such a circumstance after the death of her husband. As most everyone knows now, it was Ninoy, who, since a young man, had dreamt of becoming a president of his country some day. Much will be expected of P-Noy as many an academic, columnist, blogger, or man-in the-street has some expectation of how he would run the country in the next six years. For now, let me quote from this heartwarming letter of a father to his son which is

prophetic in many ways. The letter which Senator Ninoy wrote to Noynoy, and now circulated all over Internet, was made public by the Aquino family only after P-Noy announced his candidacy. It shows his concern about the future of his son to whom he had given the responsibility of looking after his mother and sisters. Here are lines which may give us an insight into the mind of Noynoy. His father had written:

"The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience.

There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might, and with all your strength. Son, the ball is now in your hands." (Signed, August 25, 1973, Fort Bonifacio).

These words "honor, conscience, service, pride in the greatness of our people" may help us understand why P-Noy would take a particular course of action instead of another. .

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As the country welcomes the dawn of a new era, a development organization engaged in transformation of communities marks its 60th anniversary. Through worship, thanksgiving, and a forum on the theme, "Nurturing Our Liberating Tradition of Service, the Kapatiran Kaulnlaran Foundation Inc.(KKFI) will pay a tribute to its third Executive Director, Nellie Lacson Mercado this Friday. Nellie started her stewardship of the institution during the 70's, right after the declaration of Martial Law. Those were difficult and dangerous times yet she took that as an opportunity to respond to needs of street children and urban poor communities by setting up the Family Life Center around the Sampaloc area. Among her other projects were the Integrated Scholarship Program for the Empowerment of Women, livelihood skills training, community organizing and management seminars for farmers, fisherfolk, the elderly, the handicapped, and indigenous people, which she initiated and sustained with partner agencies.

Nellie is a CPA, a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. Before she became KKFI's executive director, she was Vice-President of Republic Bank and a lecturer in several Manila universities. She linked KKFI with social development institutions, among them, the International Federation of NGOs for the Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse, and the Association of Christian Institutes for Social Concerns in Asia, where she served as President and Chairperson, respectively.

It was primarily through the success of her programs for marginalized sectors that KKFI received the Aurora Aragon Quezon Peace Award for Development in 1994. Two years later, she was honored by the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church of Southeast Asia by inducting her into the Order of St. Francis of Assisi, the first ever to be awarded. It is her faith and courage that has sustained her in all the leadership roles with various civic and development organizations. She is being honored not only for her stint as KKFI Executive, but also for 22 years of unselfish service where she laid the foundation that had made KKFI endure all these years. Her personal and professional life is a reflection of her philosophy - that what is most important in life is that of commitment to service that would benefit the least of God's children My e-mail is florangel.braid@gmail.com.