I finally got my authographed “Blas F. Ople: As We Remember Him” book today! Signed by no less than Ms. Susan “Toots” Ople herself (daughter of the late Sec. Blas F. Ople). I won this book at the FilipinoVoices.com Philippine Issues Writing Project through this article.
Ms. Toots is as I have expected her to be — warm, relaxed and amiable. Her nephew Carlo Ople (blogger of waukster.com) was with her — equally notable in character as evident from his cheery personality and witty comments.
I endured a three-hour trip from Calamba City, Laguna to Cibo (pasta restaurant) at Gateway Mall in Cubao and got there just in time for lunch. But I assure you, it was well worth it. Ms. Toots, with the many functions she so skillfully juggles, obviously is such a busy lady that’s why having lunch with her is both an honor and a pleasure. Other people as busy and important as hers would have opted to have the book sent to me via courier. After all, who am I to merit such time from her? But no, she is not some other person. She is Susan Ople — daughter of Blas Ople — and that’s exactly what differentiates her from the rest. She is a daughter living the virtues and traits passed on to her by her father. One meet-up, one lunch, and I knew I was fortunate enough to be in her presence. She doesn’t have a bit of “political-complex” in her, she treats people with respect and equality. True to the creed, I’m certain, to which every Ople lives by.
Barely halfway through the 290-page book, I gleaned better and deeper understanding as to why Blas F. Ople is revered from a distance by his countrymen and loved from within his group by family, friends and peers. The book is packed of accolades for him by a few of the many people whose lives he’s touched and I certainly couldn’t add to that anymore. All I have are a few memories of his colorful political career as seen through television and read through printed media as I was considerably “politically young” at that time. But I remember that whenever he spoke on TV, I was always in awe of the words and ideas he shared. He seemed all too perfect for a statesman.
So it is definitely with great pride and joy that I will keep this book. I will cherish it and pass it on to my son, in the hope that, like me, he might glean insight as to the quality of a true Filipino politician. As for me, well, the only time I took my eyes off the book after getting it, is right now — as I write this. And I’m eager to finish this post so I can go back to reading it again. And again.
RJMarmol.com 
13 responses to “I Got My Prize Book Today!”
I’m so happy for you!!
What an awesome experience that must have been :)
p.s. – great article you wrote to win!
Jonathon (a.k.a. Victor)’s last blog post..Pondering Death
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thank you victor..having you here is always a pleasure. i have heard of the sad news though.. i hope you are doing better. it takes time, but i trust that you’ll get through with it..hold on..
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i was just as thrilled to meet you, RJ. am really touched that you liked the book and will pass it on to your son when he’s older. will add you now on my facebook so we can be real friends, not just cyber acquaintances. God bless!
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@ms. toots, hello! :) i’d be delighted to be your friend on facebook, yay! thanks for dropping by once more. i hope to see you again in the near future… cheers! :)
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RJ, it makes me so happy that your wonderful article was repaid by such a wonderful prize. The luck of the draw, I guess it was meant to be.
Yes, Toots Ople has definitely inherited the wonderful nature of her father..
Congratulations, as well as thank you, for participating..
It was an honor to have had you join the writing project, and it was an honor for me as well for Toots Ople to have donated such a wonderful prize..
I hope you can write about the book in the future..
Nick’s last blog post..BLOGSWARM: STOP SULPICIO LINES
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@nick, glad to have you here! i am filled with gratitude every time you visit my humble blog. i feel it doesn’t merit a visit from writers of your caliber :) but you are here long after the project is over, and for that, i’m deeply honored. thank you for the encouraging words, i keep those in a special place in my heart…
meeting ms. toots was definitely a bonus to the already remarkable book i wish every Filipino would get to read.
i will definitely write about the book and recommend it to family and friends.
it has been a truly wonderful experience to take part in such a commendable writing project. i look forward to more in the future. this is something you do so well, nick. and you can only get better, i’m sure. all the best!
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Sadly, eye was hoping I could win that book over at FV. More sadly, I didn’t win any hehe :)
Congratulations and looking forward to a book review from no less than the winner :)
[splice]’s last blog post..Hear Ye, Hear Ye
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*I was eyeing the prize and was hoping :)
[splice]’s last blog post..Hear Ye, Hear Ye
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@splice, oh.. i wish i can share this to you.. :( it was sheer luck that won me the book anyway.. :) and now, i guess the pressure’s on me to write a review.. :) i hope i get to write an acceptable, if not a very good one.. :) all the best to you too..i’m sure there are more writing projects to come..we can always join over and over again.. :) cheers!
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sikat ang blog, nagcomment ang writing project organizer and prize donor… at ka-facebook pa, ang galing, aliw…
naku nakalimutan na siguro yung sa akin kasi late na ako nakabalita hehehe…
Congratulations!
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hey peterahon! :) thanks for leaving your comment.. :) yeah, so happy they were so nice to drop by my humble blog.. :) blog about your prize too when you get it..so eager to read it myself..cheers! and congrats to us both! :)
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Hi RJ! It was really nice meeting you as well. Congratulations and more power to you and your blog!
Waukss last blog post..On Turning 26 Years Old
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@carlo aww, you’re here! :) thank you. it was my pleasure being in your company even for just a short while, like I said, it was well worth the trip..and more. :) hey, happy birthday! 26..too young! the future holds many good things for you..i wish you the best in everything and i mean it. :) cheers, carlo! :)
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