My partner took this shot of me at Dos Hermanos Beach in Pagudpud (Joy Arguil)
I may have been blogging for more than eight (8) years now, but my love affair with pageantry traces itself back to when I was still a young boy living in the rural environs of Hagonoy, Bulacan. The interest turned into the great passion that it is right now. And today – as I celebrate my 53rd – allow me to thank the people who have either put up with the quirks, unpredictability and hectic lifestyle I lead or accepted me as a significant part of the world that has shaped and molded the person you continuously read and follow here, in my Facebook timeline and other social media accounts.
To my family – Mama, Papa, siblings (and siblings-in-law), nephews and nieces – who give me their unconditional love and support inspite of the days and nights when I would always be anywhere but home in my coverages and out-of-town commitments. At the end of it all, they will always be my shield – protector, if you will – ready and willing to catch me when I fall or show their tempered approval in whatever successes I have made.
To my partners at normannorman.com – Joy and Joseph – who can almost always read me like a book. They know my work style and what I give importance to. Most importantly, they have learned to adapt to my need for coverage speed and urgency when it matters most (and believe me, it matters 95% of the time). I wouldn’t have been able to manage everything without their valuable help and presence.
To the important people in Philippine pageantry who I could no longer name individually for fear of unintentionally leaving out an important person or two, thank you for the trust in my skills, abilities, presence and influence. I have very carefully crossed between national pageant organizers, camps and provincial/regional organizations in the hope of giving everyone the kind of spotlight they rightfully deserve. Add to that the bonds I have established with several Beauty Queens (and Kings), these are treasured friendships that lend more meaning to the work that I do.
To my readers and followers – people who continuously await my next article, feature or post – I have learned a lot about how to take in criticisms, swallow my pride if need be, dodge unnecessary bashings and play along the ride of comments both pleasant and otherwise. I am not a perfect human being. But I will never mean harm or disrespect to anyone. Because one thing I am 100% sure of myself is that envy is the last emotion I will give in to. As Bertrand Russell said, envy is one of the most potent causes of unhappiness. And I am a happy creature to begin with. 🙂
“Let age, not envy, draw wrinkles on thy cheeks” – Thomas Browne
Truthfully, it’s hard for me to say how long my remaining shelf life as a pageant blogger is. It could expire soon or extend indefinitely depending on how fate will dictate the flow of activities (and realities) that will unravel in the next few months or quarter or in early 2018 perhaps. But I am and will always be a thankful blogger.
Maraming salamat po!
Coverage partner Joy Arguil and I in Pagudpud
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We live in a technology-driven Universe where bashings, negativity and jaded minds exist. 
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