I was born in Cainta Rizal and lived at my parents’ house for close to 30 years. Everyday, I would pass by the bridge along Ortigas extension that crosses Pasig River. Regardless of what route I took, I had to cross the river to get from the city to our house. So I have seen it evolve from being simply Pasig River to being a community for settlers from various provinces. Now it is a waste bin, a public toilet for the many who have built their homes along its shorelines, a trash bin for those who happen to pass by with the need to dispose of their wastes.

With the effects of Typhoon Ondoy still fresh on my mind, I firmly believe that the need to rehabilitate Pasig River has to become the priority to us and to the people who have long taken advantage of its benefits regardless if it’s only to provide them a place to throw their garbage.

ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. together with Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has launched the Run for Pasig River Marathon. This marathon which will be held on November 8, aims to help the program to rehabilitate the Pasig River. This event will provide a glimpse of the state of the Pasig River as well as challenge marathoners with its non-traditional route crossing nine of the 13 bridges of the waterway, and with portions to be run alongside the river.

For more details, you can visit their Facebook event page of Pasig River Marathon or exchange thoughts with others who will Join the Run for Pasig River Marathon. Come on, Save the Pasig River, sign up and run!

A special day that recognizes, celebrates, honors, inspires and empowers women.

Last year, I was part of the International Women’s Day celebration that our office held for its employees.

The event was filled with inspirational talks, workshops and bonding activities for hundreds of women employees in attendance.

I was awestruck at the smell of confidence, success, sophistication and strength.

We were treated to inspiring stories from women-leaders like Cynthia Mamon, President of Sun Microsystems… Queena Lee-Chua, an award-winning mathematics professor of Ateneo de Manila University… Emily Abrera, Chairwoman of McCann Erickson Philippines. They talked about how they worked hard to get to where they were. We heard about the challenges they overcame as they juggled their work and their obligations to their husbands and kids. They also spoke on the sacrifices they made and how being a woman became both a blessing and an obstacle to achieving their goals.

This year, I am fotunate to be invited again to the Internation Women’s Day celebration on March 8. Together with the thousands of women around the globe employed by our office, I will celebrate being a woman.

Here’s a quote taken out of last year’s event:

Being a woman is neither an excuse nor a reason to fail in the workplace. At the end of the day, you don’t bring your gender to the table; it’s your skills, your attitude, and your competencies that enable you to succeed

If you are a woman… join us. Celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2007.