By EDISON D. ONG
On the morning that I met Tina Funtanilla, I had come from the gym. I did a light workout to feel good and well.., of course, to shape up. I have been going to the fitness center for two years now. It’s a sacrifice. It is a commitment. I have set a goal and I want to realize it.
Anyone who enters a FitnessFirst center is greeted: "Motivation is what gets you stated, habit is what keeps you going." It can’t be missed because it is painted on the wall.
Tina and I did not meet to discuss gym membership, but something else that is exciting as working out, getting in shape, feeling good, becoming inspired.
We talked about the days of yesteryears, the usual who’s who and what has become of our common friends and acquaintances stuff. One such person is Rico Hizon.
Having lived and worked for eleven years overseas, Rico Hizon is the Business and Financial News Anchor of BBC World News. He is a familiar face around the globe. During our time, nearly two decades ago, Rico and I constantly crossed paths covering the trade and industry beat.
Most global business executives, that includes IT professionals and top honchos, tune in to his program while dressing up in their hotel rooms before their day’s business conferences, seminars, lectures and meetings.
Rico observed that the perception about the Philippines abroad has always been uneven. "There are more negatives than positives," he says.
"In one friendly and casual gathering among friends, Rico along with fellow well-meaning Filipino senior professionals living overseas decided, why not put up a feel good website? A website that will make every Filipino feel proud that we have achieved a lot as a people and continue to be successful in various ways here and abroad?" recalls now Singapore-based former senior real estate executive Tina who doubles as GNP spokeswoman and marketeer.
Thus in the first quarter of this year www.goodnewspilipinas.com was launched.
"Just 2 months ago GNP was just getting a mere 30 visits a day. Today, GNP is registering as many as 3,000 visits a week or jump of more than 1,000 percent in only 60 days. And that is zero marketing. All from just good hearted people willing to help spread Good News Pilipinas thru emails or chats. So what started out small is now a growing force of believers in GNP," reports Tina.
"Our objective in news selection is simple. No politics! No politics!" Hizon stresses.
Judging from the website’s content, GNP presents stories on achievements and breakthroughs by Filipinos here and abroad. Like newspapers and other news websites, GNP has news on national events, (The Good Balita), business and economy (Biz Progress), sports (Sporting Gold), Tourism (Beauty of the Philippines), arts and culture (Arts and Culture Achievements), entertainment (Showbiz Success), and information technology (Technology Milestones).
GNP is also an online venue where Filipinos can come together and share their successes, whether it is big or small, so it can serve as an inspiration for others to achieve their own little successes in life too.
The stories are largely contributed by journalists who "believe in the good news" and are not aligned with any political or interest group: Susan de Guzman, Giselle Kasilag, ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Dr. Wilfrido Villacorta, Food Columnists Claude and Maryann Tayag, Literature Czar Krip Yuson, Travel Journalist Expert Margie Logarta, New York based journalist Yvette Fernandez, former fund manager and now anti-corruption advocate Vincent Lazatin, Photographer Lester Ledesma. Corporate executives like; Wiggy Funtanilla Director Johnson & Johnson Singapore, Raymond Miranda VP-of Walt Disney Asia Pacific, Claire Miranda, Radio and TV personality Singapore, Melanie Syquia -Hizon Managing Director of Tactica Communications International.
These people have established credibility, expertise and reputation and would not let their names tarnished.
ALL IT TAKES
The advocacy and passion we share in this website is simple. love and pride for country, says Hizon. He further adds, that all it takes is for us to be more positive about our country.
According to Funtanilla, the responses they have received are overwhelming! "We are thrilled and inspired by the countless compliments we receive by email about the website!"
One in particular, she says, is a Filipino American in New Jersey who said she was up the whole night attaching the link of the website to her friends.
She was so happy that finally there is an inspirational feel good website on the Philippines!
Another one reads, ‘More power to the GNP Team, and may your love for the Philippines and Filipinos continue to burn brightly, as a beacon and inspiration for all Filipinos living in the Philippines, and all over the world.’ So we say, spread the good news, believe in the good news and let us move the nation forward," ends Hizon.
NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS
Hizon adds that good and positive things happen everyday. "We just want this news highlighted in the website. I think it’s about time we address our fragmented image abroad and hype on the brighter side. The site is a breathe of fresh air."
A site he says, that will boost your spirits and bring renewed hope and confidence to our beloved country.
"The advocacy we all share in this website is simple. Love for country. Proud of being Filipino. Spreading the good news about the Philippines and the individual and group triumphs of Filipinos in general," Rico and Tina stresses.
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