Quezon City mayoral candidate Mike T. Defensor said there is a growing need to improve certain places in the city designated as centers tourism to make them more attractive and beneficial to the local government and to the residents of the city who will be directly benefited with additional livelihood and employment opportunities. In a dialogue with residents of Districts 3 and 4 who flocked to his headquarters, Defensor discussed the possibility of putting up a “Night Zoo’ at the Parks and Wildlife Center along Elliptical Road that will invigorate tourism in the city and generate employment for city residents. “This project will focus not only on tourism but it will also translate into jobs and employment opportunities for our people that will surely benefit the local government, stated Defensor. Defensor expressed his readiness to coordinate and enter into a partnership with the government agency he once headed, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to implement this proposed project for the city. He also expressed confidence that local and foreign tourists will flock places in the city like the Parks and Wildlife Center if they will be transformed into first class tourist sites. “The growth of tourism in the city requires the administration’s commitment and the political will to implement changes that will propel growth and development. I firmly believe that with every business venture that will be started in the city, however big or small, will help provide livelihood opportunities for the citizens of Quezon City,” added Defensor. At present, aside from taking care of the welfare of the animals and the facilities of the Parks and Wildlife Center, Defensor is also eyeing the possibility of putting up a night market and other added attractions to transform the place into a major tourist destination while also maintaining environmental concerns and the peace and order situation not only in the said area but in the whole city as well. #
(Salamat, by The Dawn)
Mike has always been dear to us since we were kids. He’s a good friend who came running when we needed him. Mike was the go-to guy even before he became Cong. Mike, and then Sec. Defensor. Many of us knew he was destined for public service. Mike was the consummate politician, a trait he developed since grade school. We thought he would go on to become president, if he didn’t disappoint the fickle Filipino public.But it seems he has. So much so that he is vilified by the media at every opportunity. His actions are always placed within the perspective of his relationship with an unpopular president. Justifiable, though harsh.
So we set up this blog. Some of us have worked with him and have seen him make what we thought were good decisions. But some of us were also there when we thought he made wrong ones. But that is how a man is made -- by the choices he makes.As his friends, the best we can do is stand by him and try to help everyone else see things from a different light.
On the campaign trail, the mayor running for re-election walks up to a house of his campaign adviser and rings the doorbell. When a small boy opens the door, the mayor introduces himself, “Hello there, little boy! What’s your name?”
“Little Johnny,” replies the small boy.
“Well, Little Johnny, I’m Mayor Hoffman. I’m running for re-election. Can I speak to your father?”
“He’s in the shower right now,” answers Little Johnny with a giggle.
“Oh! Well, is your mother in the house too?” asks Mayor Hoffman.
“Yes, she is. But she’s in the shower with my daddy,” replies Little Johnny with a snicker.
“Oh I see,” says Mayor Hoffman who pauses a moment thinking of what to say next. Then he smiles and says, “Little Johnny, can you go see if they are through now? I would like to speak to either one of them. It’s important.”
“I don’t think so,” replies Little Johnny with a big laugh.
Surprised to see the boy laughing heartily, the perplexed mayor demands, “What’s so funny, son? Is there something wrong with your parents?”
“Well, when my daddy asked for the Vaseline while they’re in the shower, I handed him the Super Glue.”
