“The book that we are launching (also) documents the journey of the former Spanish pueblo to a mega city by the bay”
It is a refreshing experience to once again be part of a book launching ceremony at Solaire Resorts & Casino after the pandemic constrained us from gatherings for almost two years.
Today (editor: September 15) is a significant day. For as we launch the second coffee table book titled Parañaque: A Megacity by the Bay, we also congratulate former Mayor now Representative Edwin L. Olivarez for what he accomplished in the last nine years.
I am honored and privileged to have authored and published two books on the city of Parañaque.
Six years ago, the first book,” Parañaque: From a Pueblo to a Mega City by the Bay” was launched in this same venue. Solaire Resort & Casino had just opened its doors that year.
Thank you to business tycoon Bloomberry Resorts Chaiman Enrique Razon, President and COO Thomas Arasi and Vice Chairman Donato “Natoy” Almeda for your generous hosting of this book launch.
The book that we are launching today not only documents the journey of the former Spanish pueblo to a mega city by the bay.
Its rich cultural and historical heritage, landmarks, and barangays are presented to give the readers, either locals or otherwise, the impression of what the city is all about.
As the book team was weaving the story of Parañaque, we realized that much of the present-day city is the product of the nine fruitful years under the leadership of then Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez.
His accomplishments in good governance, the city’s economy, and in the social services sector showed his mettle as a top-notch government executive.
This brings to my mind the late former President Fidel V. Ramos who distinguished leaders from ordinary people.
According to FVR, and I quote “Leaders do not allow themselves to be bound by traditional constraints; they see what followers cannot; and they know that human will, human energy, human intelligence and human resolve can change the way things are.”
In short, “true leaders must be caring, sharing and daring,” he said.
Mayor Edwin Olivarez has shown he is a caring, sharing, daring and even an endearing leader.
The record of his administration is a testament to this.
He boldly instituted reforms that boosted the morale of his team and yielded higher revenues for the government to fund programs and projects for his constituents.
His call for a BAGONG Parañaque laid the foundation for achievable goals. He provided the vision and through his leadership that vision has become a reality.
This year, another milestone for the city was achieved under Mayor Edwin Olivarez.
Paranaque, A Mega City by the Bay has been institutionalized as the official brand of the city.
It was an idea that was propounded in 2016 and realized with the passage and approval of a city ordinance on February 3.
It has been said that leaders are expected to be models of hard work, honesty, probity, competence, dignity and fairness—who match rhetoric with action, perform and not grandstand, and dare enough to lead the followers to their better future.
There is no doubt Mayor Edwin Olivarez is one such leader.
In writing and publishing this latest Paranaque book, I am grateful for the support provided by the book team, both from my MTVi outfit and from the city government of Parañaque particularly the Business Processing and Licensing Office.
To BPLO Chief Atty. Melanie Malaya who served as project proponent, editor-in-chief and co-publisher, my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the wonderful collaboration and partnership since 2014 to include the first book.
Nobody does it better like Atty. Lanie. Together, we thank our partners in service for making possible the publication of this book.
To former Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Mrs. Janet Olivarez, thank you for entrusting the publication of this book.
May everyone enjoy reading this legacy book and let it be part in preserving the best there is in Paranaque City.
May God continue to richly bless us.
(Speech of the author, a veteran writer and publisher, during the launching of the coffee table book. He is also the executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree planting and environment protection.)