I can vividly remember the very first event when I was formally introduced and spent time with Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco Jr. during the selection of Official Candidates for Mr & Ms Hannah’s Ecotourism Philippines 2017 at Market! Market! We were seated alongside each other on the judges’ table back then.

I never expected that first encounter to reel off my regular visits to Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center whenever they would host preliminaries of different national pageants. I’ve always considered Pagudpud to be such a far and remote place to go to. But after just two consecutive invitations to head up north, I got so used to the trip – be it by plane or by bus. The #CrownJewelOfTheNorth became like a second home, having spent six (6) workcation weekends there last year.

With that, I have grown much closer to the Proprietor himself – Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco Jr. – a down-to-earth man who has placed his unwavering faith in my talents and capabilities. And no event by Hannah’s went by without my presence (and coverage).

Up to this year when I got significantly involved in the nationwide Go-Sees, Grand Callback and Actual Competition for Mr and Miss Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines 2018 up to preparations for Miss Hannah’s World Tourism, he was always there checking on us – always the hands-on superior whose fatherly presence I regularly look up to with such endearment.

Now that Gov (as we fondly call him) has sadly moved on to be with his Creator, I feel a sense of great loss. Last night, I could not find the right words to say to his loved ones who are left behind. But this morning, I finally gathered the strength to face up to the reality of his untimely passing.

#TeamHannahs with Col. Nolasco (center)

Mahal na mahal ka namin, Sir! Hinding hindi kita malilimutan. Ikaw ang inspirasyon na laging gumagabay sa akin at sa amin. At sana’y tuloy-tuloy mo pa rin kaming bantayan.