My top 20 2014 achievements with God’s blessings and guidance

In leis is the House Speaker Joseph Souki; Jean Jeremiah, former Rep. Felipe Abinsay Jr. and the writer, Amado Yoro

Have you ever wondered how to get others to follow your lead? Research has found that most of the world’s top leaders follow seven actions to attract followers. Amazingly, the actions are the same whether the leader is in charge of a fundraiser, a social group or a community, and as a community organizer and volunteer, they are tips and pointers on how I achieved a set goals in my personal style, a personal stroke and approach and experience to meet my goals with at a 50% success rate:

 

Focus with your time; Allocate a time to do and apply your skill in time management; Time discipline, stick to schedule; Invite, include, involve; Good coordination; Trust: apply power of delegation with authority; Share your ideas, listen to others idea; Follow up and take action further actions as needed; Be consistent with the “can do attitude”; Don’t pretend to be a perfectionist, we are all human being; Measure your pace, assess and re-assess your progress; and Be humble and accept criticism in a positive for improvement.

Just do the best in small worthy ways and rather than doing nothing and thus accomplish nothing.

Below is an article that helped me so much in my extracurricular activities as I was a member of the Maharlika Toastmasters Club in 1992.

How to attract followers for any task

By Dr. William A. Cohen, page 12, The Toastmaster Nov 1992

People won’t follow if your actions are geared toward making yourself feel important. In contrast, if you make others feel important, they will eagerly acknowledge your lead.

Promote your vision. No one will follow you simply because you’ve decided you want to lead. Some may not want to follow you although you’ve been appointed or elected leader. You need a clear idea of where you want to go, then you must promote your idea to your group and convince them that your goal is worthwhile—lead by example: in action

Treat others as you would like to be treated. After all, would you want to follow someone who treated you badly—of course not.

Admit your mistakes. [Don’t be defensive or confrontational-argumentative]  If you are the leader, you are responsible for everything the members of your group do or fail to do.

If people have earned your praise, let everyone know about it. Encourage others to earn praise also. But dispense criticism in private, so as not to cause unnecessary embarrassment. Frequently, just the fact that you are displeased is embarrassing enough.

Be visible. To really know what’s going on, to fix what’s wrong and to capitalize on what’s going right, you need to get around. This provides additional opportunities to motivate your team members. You will even gain “secondary motivation” from those you talk with who repeat your words.

Make competition a game. People love to compete. That’s one of the secrets of successful products, sports and video games. So try to beat past goals, other group or old records. You’ll exceed your expectations, and you and your followers will have fun in the process. ONLY SEVEN ACTIONS—can they really be so important in getting people to follow your lead? Try them—but look out! You just may become a world class leader yourself !

Below is to justify the product and the result of my personal, professional activities. Not a perfect one but at least I did something rather than just an idea and do nothing.

Accomplishments:

Humbled and honored in winning the 1^st prize in the SELACA Poetry Contest 2014 with a P10,000. I donated the prizes to my relatives in Tapao, one who is taking Music in college; 2 taking youth leadership training and for the Church Youth Group [note: I was 2^nd prize in 2013] Part of the prize was given as a gift to a close friend with some additional amount to peso equivalent.

Successfully spearheaded, initiated, implemented the “Walk for Fun Projects” Sinait Fit, Healthy and Active as a fundraising project for the Sinait Medical Mission as collective efforts by Annak Ti Sinait Iti Hawaii and the Sinait Alumni related to the Sinait Medical Mission April 2014 in Sinait through the leadership of Hermie Gaspar, Bill Gaspar, Davelyn Quijano, Gus Concepcion, Romulo Basuel, Antonio Ipalari, and other officers and members.

Successfully spearheaded, initiated, planned and coordinated as to raise fund for the Construction of the Sto. Cristo Milagroso Shrine/Marker in Logo Dadalaquiten Norte, Sinait, Ilocos Sur, through the leadership of Davelyn Quijano, Gus Concepcion, Romulo Basuel, Antonio Ipalari, and Hermie and Bill Gaspar and the ILORETA family for donating a parcel of land where the Apo Lakay/Black Nazarene Marker was constructed. Logo Dadalaquiten Norte has been believe to be the Black Nazarene was landed by waves as was been floated from Nagasaki, Japan in the 1620’s. Sto Cristo Milagroso became the religious patron saint for Saint Nicholas de Tolentino Church in Sinait [Simbaan a Dakkel]  

Successfully conducted the Elections for Annak Ti Sinait and Sinait Alumni as Election Chair. Able to coordinate an Evening with VIP’s Special Ranking officials from Sinait: Vice Mayor and Engr. Glenn Guzman; Sangguniang Bayan Member Romel Dayoan and Punong Barangay Roselily Dayoan of Dadalaquiten Norte, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Edgar Yabes and Mrs. Yabes, in a separate dinner get together attended by members and officers of joint Annak Ti Sinait and Sinait Alumni Assn of Hawaii.

Former Rep Jun Abinsay and Caoayan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Germy Goulart.

Successfully conducted the Elections for Ilocos Surian Assn of Hawaii as Election Chair, and served as Adviser. Reelected Danny Villaruz, the longest serving president ever since 2001 with a successful administration mainly the Ilocos Surian Medical and Homecoming Mission 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and expecting to led the December 2015. Other ISAH projects such as President Elpidio Quirino Leadership and Humanitarian Award, Scholarship, Typhoon Victims Assistance Program, etc. And as a Chairman of Culture and Arts and Pingki [The Flint] editor, we successfully set-up the 2^nd President Elpidio R. Quirino Leadership and Humanitarian Award with additional Title Award like the [a] Gabriela Silang Award, [b] Don Isabelo Delos Reyes Award [Don Belong], [c] Leon Pichay Award, and [d] Benito Soliven Award for youth at ages 16-25, Philippines only, with Danny Villaruz, Jun Abinsay for the Award Committee with a theme: Dayawmo….Dayawmi. [You’re Pride…Our Pride]  Also provided assistance in amending the Mrs. ISAH Contract in adjusting fair and reasonable incentives amount to the candidate and the sponsoring unit organization. Also on May 17, 2014 Installation of officers and directors as installed by Consul General Roberto Bernardo, and guest speaker US Senator Brian Schatz, I was “Pedro Bucaneg” in Taldiap ti Ilocos Sur Cultural and Skit presentation representing the well known political, cultural, social and legendary heroes from Ilocos Sur.

Successfully assisted the annual OFCC convention as Co-Chair with Jake Manegdeg and Election of Officers as co-chair with Danny Villaruz, Larry Ramirez, John Ramos, Jun Abinsay and others, for the last 15 years back, with other Convention Chairs like Ernie Pascua, Carlota Ader, Leo Gozar, Mario Palma. Able to attend, participate in the OFCC regular monthly board meetings. As a co-Chair for the Committee on Recognition and Award for the Selection of the TOP TEN UNIT ORGANIZATIONS based on meetings and activities attendance and other worthy projects within or outside a respective unit we were able to award the following organizations out of the 42 unit member affiliated with OFCC, with no particular order: [1] Annak Ti Sinait iti Hawaii/Sinait Alumni, [2] Bulacan Circle of Hawaii, [3] Cagayan Valley Assn., [4] Kalayaan Philippines-Hawaii International, [5] La Union Circle of Hawaii, [6] Magsingal Assn of Hawaii; [7] San Nicolas Teachers Assn of Hawaii, [8] United Group Homes Operator, [9] United Laoagueñeos of Hawaii, [10] Vigan Assn of Hawaii –Committee Members: Larry Ramirez, Chair;  Loida Yamamoto, Amado Yoro, co-chairs.

Successfully served as Judge [with a multi-awarded writer Francisco Ponce] for Mothers and Fathers Day KNDI Radio by the request of Mr. Geronimo Malabed, Owner.

Successfully renewed the Agreement for the Adopt a Hawaii both Oahu Filipino Community Council [OFCC] and the Samahang Ilocano, International, Kalihi street and Farrington Hwy, Waipahu, respectively [2 miles each] with the Hawaii State Department of Transportation, Highway Division

KPRP Pinoy Power Radio CEO/Owner Emmie Anderson and KPRP Program Director Cesar Bonilla during the UFCH Progress Award Night.

Humbled and honored to be a Cover page with feature story written by Myra Yoro Madayag, Layout Artist for Timpuyog Journal [TJ]. Published numbers of poems and articles in TJ including the Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa as “Ang Ating Kaibigan” with the UFCH Progress Award 2013. The publication of the Brgy Katipunan legendary history written by Myra Yoro Madayag at my request in behalf of Mr. Danny F. Agsalog, Budget and Finance Director, Maui County. I retained my status as Hawaii Correspondent for TJ. And concurrently, I retained my column PARADISE PAGE with The Ilocos Times (http://theilocostimes.blogspot.com) as regular weekly columnist; my www.Iluko.Com Amado I. Yoro Online, maintained my www.juntagobernador.blogspot.com  and my writings to the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle and some contributions to Bannawag, and monetary donations to Gumil Filipinas Conference, I sponsored five student delegates to the National Convention and Seminar and Workshops held in Claveria, Cagayan in April 2014.  Lizelle Cate Oandasan, Nichole Velasco,  Aparri West National High School; Redelyn Sabal, Christina Repalda Cagayan National High School, Tuguegarao City and Baby Erlyn S. Domingo CSU, Sanchez Mira Campus. Humbled and honored that GUMIL ILOCOS SUR included me as one of the “Outstanding Writers” for the Golden Anniversary Celebration in October 2014, and for being Pedro Bucaneg Awardee 2002 and as Man Writer for Poetry Award 2007 awarded by the Gumil Filipinas. As a former officer of Gumil Sinait and member of Gumil Ilocos Sur before migrating to Hawaii in 1971, I voluntary donated monetary gift.

As a Chairman of the OFCC Special Projects Committee, we successfully renewed and led the regular monthly Feeding the Homeless with the Institute for Human Services with the assistance of my co-chairs: Angie Santiago, Armi Farinas, Jesse Pascual, Art Abinsay, Al Sabangan, Eddie Agas, Sr., Danny Villaruz and able to increase numbers of volunteers from other people and other organizations like Santiaguenians Assn of Hawaii led by Maria Cristina White; Candonians of Hawaii led by Helen Grace Villanueva Go; the University of the East Alumni Assn – Hawaii Chapter led by Baybee Hufana Ablan for the continuous implementation of the UFCH Resolution 2010-001 Maui Convention in partnership with OFCC and first original groups: Annak ti Sinait, Ilocos Surian, Divine Word College Alumni, UGHO, IFSH, Fil-Am Sport; And for the Adopt a Highway Clean Up Project, we also increased the number of participants from various organizations, church and families.

Successful ISAH picnic at the Park Neal Blaisdell Park as Co-chair with Al Sabangan, Danny Villaruz, Roger Tapat, Art Abinsay, approximately 70 members in attendance from the 13 unit organizations f Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan Lapog, Sto Domingo, Vigan, Santa, Narvacan, Candon, Santiago, Santa Maria, Magsingal, Tagudin, Caoayan.

Successfully led an ADOPT A PARK [NBP] for St. Paul’s Church with approximately 70 volunteers on Sept 27, 2014 and with a $1000.00 grant from Matson Navigation Ika Pu’u Aina with the City and County Park & Recreation Department

Co-coordinated and participated in the Sept 14, 2014 OFCC Adopt a Park as initiated by Jean Jeremiah, OFCC past president with about 67 volunteers and with a $1000.00 grant from Matson Navigation and the City and County Park and Recreation Department.

On November 29, 2014, I was elected as OFCC Council of Past Presidents Vice Chairman [COPP], Danny Villaruz, Chair and Jean Jeremiah, recorder.  There are 21 living past presidents out of the 45 men and women who served OFCC since June 1959, the formation year. These living past presidents actively involved with OFCC projects and activities like Ilalo Parayno, Jun Abinsay, Dr. Arnold Villafuerte, Cirvalina Longboy, Franklin Borromeo, Ben Cabreros, Eddie Agas, Sr., Maggie Domingo, Jenny Quezon, others like: Maria Etrata, Ernie Pascua, Edith Pascua, Lynne Gutierrez, Gerry Rojo, Victor Agmata, Victor Guillermo, Romualdo Agustin, Gene Albano.

Successfully continued to sponsor the annual AMMAFLA literary writing contest for budding writers in Ilokano short story since 1997; with the partnership with Francisco Ponce, Alfred Quibol, with the management and coordination of Mr. Cles B. Rambaud, Bannawag, and able to produce another brilliant, intelligent and versatile writer to the Carlos Palanca Awardee 2014 Ronelyn Ramones. Other contestants who have gone thru AMMAFLA to Don Carlos Palanca Award include: Eden Aquino Alviar, Danny Antalan, Ariel Tabag, Arnold Jose, Dr. Clarito De Francia, Sherma Benosa, Jaime Agpalo, others.

Resource speaker for the Gumil Hawaii Literary Seminar/Workshop [Labor Day 2014]; and the Gumil Filipinas 4^th International Conference in Honolulu [Oct 31-Nov 2, 2014] sponsored by the Gumil Oahu.

Delegate to the Hawaii Diocesan Convention representing St. Paul’s Church last October 2014; and maintained our family pledge for the general fund and for administration and operations of St. Paul’s Church. I maintained my status as an advisory capacity for the Bishop’s Committee, the 3 legs: Laymen of St. Paul’s, Women of St. Paul’s, Youth of St. Paul’s, and the Vicar with other 3 elders: Emma Valdez, Eddie Agullana and Albina Gamponia.

Successfully sent as a donation three balikbayan boxes to MMSU, Batac City, contents of my collections of old copies of Bannawag magazines from 1971 to 2007 by the recommendation of Dr. Aurelio Solver Agcaoili for the Ilokaniana Section of the MMSU Library and as acknowledged by Dr. Alegria Tan Visaya, both active leaders for TMI-Global and Nakem Conference.

Successfully rejoined the Filipino Coalition for Solidarity and served in the Advisory Council relating to social justice, social issues and concerns include but not limited to immigration, civil rights, government and politics, education, culture to name a few.

In personal health matters. Thanks God, it was successfully cleared and certified as 100% clear in my once in every 10 years Colonoscopy Exam and procedures Sept 22, 2014. Successfully maintained my weight ranging 138-144 pounds; my Blood sugar 85-130; AIC 7.9; Systolic 126, Diastolic 76; Pulse rate 78, and regained my walking ability after my left ankle surgery caused by accident as I fixed my roof and my left ankle’s fractured bones and now able to keep my 4-5 miles daily regular walk. My eyes examination was adjusted from every 6 months to every year. PERSONAL matter: I successfully convinced my sister to become a US citizen by naturalization to give a door of opportunities to her members of her family left behind to come to the USA, Hawaii in particular. Thanks God, she passed her interview and be sworn in on February 17, 2015.

Under accomplished:  Due to personal and family reason, I was not able to continue my house re-Roofing; unable to find a part time job for additional income—my babysitting of my 3-year old granddaughter may have hindered my job hunt. Unable to go to the Philippines for the Sinait Medical Mission and the Construction of Sto. Cristo Milagroso Marker.

Others: Loss of friend the demise of Larry Ramirez. I have destroyed and discarded 65 rotten trophies; I am bit disappointed: AV leadership direction, KNDI program arrangement, EPT for unprofessional criticisms for the initial presentation of the 2^nd PERQ Award. Sick for 8 weeks from June 29, 2014 to August 31, 2014 missed UFCH convention.  Major damage to KIA due to mechanical troubles: transmission and engine to a very costly repair estimates of more than $4K.

Unsuccessfully pursued my membership to the Filipino Interpreter and Translator Association. [FITA]; my mortgage and insurance training, my membership as a former 2^nd degree Chancellor and Pursuivant [secretary] to the Knights of Rizal-Hawaii Chapter due to time and family reason.