From Valenzuela City With Love

May peace and love
abide in your home.
Daily blessings of God
are there for us to enjoy


Mayor Win Gatchalian
Valenzuela City

How sweet the text message. I was deeply moved even when the greeting came from an unknown number. Imagine, ako na tubong Manila, na ang lingering relation lang sa Valenzuela ay ang ex-boyfriend ko na forgotten na, and here is Mayor Sherwin G greeting me a very impersonal "Good Morning" message to brighten my day.

Such heartfelt thought would never come from Mayor Lim.

Local elections is just less than a year away and politicians are really making headways for their name to float during the campaign days. I really don't know how the beloved mayor of Valenzuela performed during his term. But this is never a good way to win people's hearts. Accomplishment is the sole basis, and you don't have to put it in a tarpaulin like what Mayor Abalos of Mandaluyong did after the completion of a road near Acacia Lane.

Merits are earned subtly. You never shove it down people's throats.

Win Gatchalian, who is not and will never be my mayor can always deny that the random text message was his doing. But beneath the layers of denial, it will still be a win-win situation for his publicists. Those critical of his leadership would accuse him of petty politicking while those who have been blessed by his graces will remember him next summer. 

Nevertheless, it is a defeating strategy.

I would like to believe that the time of trapos is over. And with the rise of social media, attention is given to those who find time to communicate with people directly. Even in an online landscape. Word flies that the mayor aspires to become a senator. And because of what his minions did; for reminding me that much work is needed to change the leadership mindset of this country; 

I'm sorry to say, sir.

Epals have no place in my ballot.