WHILE 2022 was a blast: what with running for public office in May 2022 – a childhood dream hatched in Bohol but realized in my adoptive city of General Santos, and returning to the home of my ancestors – Bohol – which inspired me to produce my own talk show in September 2022 – with origins still in General Santos – to reintegrate myself in the community, 2023 is definitely another new beginning, and all new beginnings, regardless of age and gender are both exciting and scary at the same time!
Both two major life events in 2022 are answered prayers and I thank my Bible Study Group and prayer partners in General Santos City and other parts of the country and the world – yes that extensive – for praying with me. Nothing beats a community of prayer partners. Jeremiah 33:3 and Joshua 1:9 is real to me.
While at new beginnings, some decisions we had made in the past are conceived out of discussion with a person we trust and have faith in. Then there is betrayal of trust and the way to move forward is to set aside those decisions and take another path because that’s how life works.
Betrayal as I learned through life is a natural occurrence like family feuds and the endless drama that distract us from our life’s purpose. Betrayal for traditional politicians is akin to their chosen path however, since we are cut out differently, it hurts us on a personal level unless of course our hearts are callous and made of stone. But I don’t think anyone’s heart can be made of stone at all. It’s all a bunch of crap when people say that. At some point, a person hurts when betrayed.
Thank God then for new beginnings and new opportunities to right the wrong of the past. It’s the only way to move forward.
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Since August up to present, I haven’t quite acclimatized with the politics of Bohol – just yet, perhaps because I’m still getting reacquainted with friends from childhood to college and relatives and the pleasure of meeting them is still foremost in my head. There’s always a fresh look at friendships and relations, oh yes, there is! But I’m sure that in the next couple of months, I will get there. Let’s just say I’m still transitioning and enjoying my return and being politicized right away is not a good start.
What’s important to me is advocacy and to ensure that the talk show becomes a platform especially for leaders and advocates coming from the different sectors of the community. Their voices should be heard. Thus, I am also having fun searching and looking for guests who are active but quiet players in the community.
I also have no intent of making enemies. If our principles collide, we couldn’t work together, however, if we respect each other’s point of view without resorting to character assassination, that will be welcome. We can always disagree but respect each other nevertheless. That’s called being civilized.
For now, let’s celebrate our brand-new New Year 2023, and like I always say, reinvent ourselves in areas we haven’t explored just yet. I always believe in delving into other areas of interest. And in all these reinventions, I thank God for the greatest gift of courage!
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Condolences
Our deepest sympathies to the family of the late Engr. Antonio “Ondoy” Libay Dominguez who passed away on Dec. 22, 2022. Nong Ondoy and Dr. Fe were good friends of my parents. Dr. Fe was a dentist who provided us dental care growing up either in her clinic on the second floor of their residence in the city of Tagbilaran or at the Tagbilaran City Health Office where she held clinic. I had many dental sessions with Dr. Fe growing up.
Our condolences to long-time friend May Dominguez Limbaga, CPA, serving the province of Bohol as provincial internal auditor, Engr. Ruel “Bobong” Dominguez of Mississauga, Canada, Ma. Gemma Dominguez, RN of New Jersey, USA, Engr. Gil “Jojo” Dominguez, also of New Jersey, USA, and my high school classmate Antonio Leo “Dandan” Dominguez, a dentist like his mom who practices his profession in Tagbilaran City.
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Writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City every Saturday, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. She can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
