A few years ago, a friend who had just returned from the United States told me, "I saw two of your books at the New York Public Library." Then a year or so later, another friend who worked as a librarian in America said to me, "You can consider yourself a fulfilled writer. You have been listed by the Library of Congress." Intrigued by those statements of friends, I asked my brother Ed to make a survey of libraries to find out where copies of my works, especially books, are located. A literary work is the writer's brain-child. To the author of the works in this Directory, it is a great pleasure to know that his "children" have spread to many countries around the world.
The works included in this book cover varied themes and subjects, but as the title chapter “Valentine Means Love” suggests, the theme of love-love of God, of country, and of people —predominates. Moreover, the title signifies that this work is part of my love offering to my beloved Alma Mater [Central Philippine University] on her 100th anniversary.
Most of the meditations and messages in this book were delivered before the board members, officers, and some employees and clients of Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc. (TSKI) and Opportunity Kauswagan Bank (OK Bank). TSKI is a non-stock, non-profit Christian development organization. It was founded in 1986 and in twenty-five years, by God’s grace, has become one of the largest microfinance institutions in the Philippines. From a staff of three, TSKI now has 2,700 employees. From a dozen of fish vendors in the La Paz Public Market in Iloilo City in 1986, it has 300,000 active, current clients in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. OK Bank is a microfinance-oriented thrift bank that is majority owned by TSKI.
The Iloilo Provincial Profile is a yearly publication published by the Provincial Planning and Development Office. This document contains updated data and information gathered from different line agencies and various provincial government offices. This publication will guide development planners, policy makers, researchers, and potential investors on the present socio-economic situation of the province as well as potential investment opportunities.
ILOILO City – This city’s much celebrated Dinagyang Festival, represented by Tribu Pan-ay from Fort San Pedro National High School, clinched its eighth championship title at the Aliwan Fiesta 2024, held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay City on June 29. Maasin, Iloilo’s Tultugan Festival took second place.
ILOILO City – The hard work and dedication exerted by the warriors, dancers, props, artists, and the entire team of Tribu Pan-ay contributed to their triumphant performance to bag the Aliwan Fiesta 2024’s champion trophy.
