REAL ESTATE BROKERS' PHILIPPINE REGULATION COMMISSION (PRC) OATH-TAKING AT MANILA HOTEL

February  10, Thursday,  was memorable for Maita and me-- and for any PRC-registered  real estate broker,  who was scheduled to take oath that day at the Manila Hotel.

We arrived at the Manila Hotel exactly at 12:30 noon,  a full half hour earlier than  the stated start of the program.  When we reached the  lobby of the the Fiesta Pavilion, we were greeted by a representative of Jun's Photography-- the PRC- designated official photographers for the event.    As I did not want to lug around a camera,   I agreed to get their services.  I was asked to fork over Ps 1,400 as each inductee is charged Ps 700  for a set of 10 shots. So Maita and I were entitled to a total of 20 shots by any of the roving photographers.  ( Later,  I would learn that there was the Ps 400 package, good for 6 shots).

After having our first 4 shots taken at the lobby, we proceeded to the registration table where  we signed up,  given a copy of the program and a  tag that read "Inductee." At the  entrance of  Fiesta Pavilion,  a stub from our ticket was taken by one the reception ladies.  By the way, each ticket cost Ps 1,000 and we got our tickets at the PRC office when we registered weeks earlier.
 
Among the  first to arrive in Fiesta Pavilion was my Pasay-Makati Realtors' Board ( PMRB)  colleague Marlene Galeos. She was able to "save" 2 tables for PMRB, but by the time Maita and  I reached those tables, the seats were already taken.  PMRB President Atty. Nelson Arquiza then led us to another table -- No 128-- where I sat with other PMRB colleagues.  Maita sat at table No. 118, together with her colleagues from the Muntinlupa Realtors' Board.

After the welcome remarks  by Hon. Eduardo Ong, Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service  (PRB-RES);  the inspirational message by  Hon. Rodolfo Valencia,  Chairperson of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development; the address of keynote speaker Hon. Alfredo Po, PRC Commissioner--   the actual induction of real estate brokers led by  Hon. Po  was  efficiently conducted.  All of us inductees were asked to stand up from our seats,  we raised our right hands and  recited  the PRC oath.  The induction  ceremonies were completed in less than 10 minutes.

What took time was the pictorial with the PRC officials and member members of the  PRB-RES.  To ensure order,  inductees were called to come up on  stage  based on their table numbers.   Inductees waited for their turn while taking the snacks that were served at around 3:30 p.m.

We got our PRC certificates and IDs  at the lobby of Fiesta Pavilion.   We lined  up before the PRC staffers and queues  were based on the first letter of each inductee's family name.  The line at letter R-Z was comparatively longer than the rest-- must be because of the all the Reyeses and Santoses among my fellow brokers-- I supposed.

Then off Maita and I went for our pictorial at the hotel  with the roving photographers from Jun's.  I knew that I had to make the most of the 20 shots that we were entitled.   (I have to claim  the photos at PRC office  starting Feb 21-- that would be another trek, literally.)

Before 5:00 p.m., Maita and I drove  up to Sofitel Hotel.  PMRB members  were invited by Atty. Nelson to have our photos taken by the bay before sunset.    We were a group of about 20 Filipiniana-clad real estate brokers who gamely  took pictures of  one another. 

Just like our PRC-oath taking, the sunset that day was worth waiting for.

At the lobby of the Fiesta Pavilion

Maita and I before joining the tables of our respective boards

Together with the members of the Muntinlupa Realtors' Board led by its President Atty. Dominique Inigo (left)

With my colleagues from PMRB (seated from L-R:  Lucille Cuasay, TA Antonio, Yvonne Apad,  Monette Vicencio and Charrie de Jesus.)

Maita and I with PMRB President Atty. Nelson Arquiza

On our way out of Manila Hotel, stopped by the entrance to  Champagne Room.  Those are the envelopes with our PRC certificates and IDs that I was holding.

Among those early to arrive for the  sunset pictorial at the Sofitel

(L-R) With Art Evangelsta, Paul Reyes and Gilbert Yupangco-- happy with 2 thumbs up!

Maita  having fun  posing  with some of the PMRB ladies

Beside PMRB VP Rene Castillo from whose album some of the photos in  this blog post  were taken

Maita and I (left in shades) together with  fellow PMRB members anticipating the sunset

In the middle, posing on the grass,  is  Marlene Galeos, from whose album some of  the photos in this blog post is taken 

PMRB Adviser Phil Coquia (L) finally caught up with the group.

Maita, enigmatically smiling by the sunset

Finally, a  moment with the sea breeze and the setting sun