SURPRISES DURING THE 51st PAREB CONVENTION IN CEBU

Last Thursday, I flew in to Cebu for the 51st PAREB (Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards)  Convention.  I was with over 40 members of PMRB (Pasay Makati Real Estate Board),  who set aside time  for this annual event  participated in by fellow brokers from  various chapters-- now totaling 60 as reported by 2011  PAREB  President Ariel T. Martinez.

Maita was supposed to join me in  this 3-day convention held at Cebu Waterfront Hotel, but last Wednesday, one of our daughters fell ill. She was having  intermittent fever and had to be under medical observation to rule out dengue fever.  Maita decided to stay behind in Manila.

I made multiple hotel bookings-- so when I had to confirm my accommodations  I had to give up my reservation at Citi Premiere Suites-- a new hotel that offers value-for-money packages.   Instead, I firmed up  my  arrangements at  another place-- where Maita and stayed  2 years  ago--  which I would rather not disclose for privacy reasons.

To me, the convention turned out to be peppered with surprises.     At the airport,  I  saw a group of  ladies  holding a welcome banner.  It turned out that one of those who  patiently stood there was Marilou Canizares  of Cebu Real Estate Board.  When I decided to share a cab  going to the city with fellow brokers from the same Cebu Pacific flight that I took that Thursday morning,   they turned out to be  two fellow alumni from San Jose Seminary--  Leo Hernandez and George Pimentel--   who would later be re- elected  regional director and elected national  director, respectively.

There were about 700 delegates to the 3-day convention and I was glad to have come across some members of PAREB-Lucena City.   Among them were Ramon Tan and Arman Valencerina-- who was elected regional director for South Luzon.   This in the light of  my parents'  recent  decision to sell a   2.8 hectare property in their  hometown of Lucban, Quezon-- what makes this property distinct  is the fact that is almost adjacent to the famous "Kamay ni Hesus" Shrine  that was put up by  Fr.  Joey Faller.

During the 80's theme night last Friday, my colleagues from PMRB-- Sweetie Gardiner and Ashley Valera won best costume.   And the biggest surprise that evening-- finding myself on center stage, pitching in for a colleague who was not able to fly in to Cebu at the last minute.   And somehow,  PMRB still landed 3rd place   among 6 real  estate boards  that competed.

Before the convention ended last Saturday night,  we at PMRB had more  reasons to celebrate.  Our candidate to the Most Popular Lady Realtor Lesley Geronimo finished 2nd Runner-Up.

Our President Atty.Nelson  Arquiza was elected national director.  That was not a surprise though.  One of Neslson's  favorite rallying points for our  board is "together we get there!"  In Cebu, I believe,  PMRB got  somewhere memorable.


51st PAREB Convention Photos in my Facebook Wall.

Photo Credits:  Coy Ledesma,  Vinia Lapuz, Elena Jove,  Atty. Nelson Arquiza,  Sweetie Hardiner, Mercy Reyes, Paz Bentulan and Paulo Pilar.

Group Shot with Outgoing PAREB President Ariel T. Martinez (in grey  blazer to my right)

At the Gala Night with  Mercy Reyes, Manny Boacaling, Art Evangelista, Rene Castillo, Newly Elected National Director Atty. Nelson Arquiza, Nympha Bocaling and Anton Bocaling

Group Shot with 2012 Most Popular Lady Realtor 2nd Runner-Up Lesley Geronimo

How PMRB Won the PAREB Mini-Olympics by 100+ Points

Last Sunday, May 29,   a number of local realtor boards under PAREB (Philippine Association of Realtor Boards) gathered at la Salle Greenhills for the annual  PAREB Mini-Olympics.

Real estate brokers from as far as Angeles City made it in time for the formal start  before 8 a.m.    After the invocation, PAREB President  Atty. Ariel Martinez welcomed the delegates.  PMRB (Pasay Makati Realtors Board) Vice-President Rene Castillo led the assembly in reciting the Oath of Sportsmanship.

During the last  PMRB General Membership Meeting at Metroclub,  I  was  furnished by our Secretariat (thanks to Tere and staff) with the tally of how our board fared in the 14 events.

• Biggest Delegation
• Local Board President's Run: 3rd Place. Atty. Nelson Arquiza
• Women's 50 Meter Dash:  1st Place. Paz Bentulan
• Men's 100 Meter Dash: 2nd Place. Raymond Tiongson
• Men's 4x100 Meter Relay: 1st Place. Raymond Tiongson, Ashley Valera, Gail Esmino, Wilfredo Monzon
• Egg Relay: 1st Place.  Ashley Valera, Egay Olimpo. Atty. Rhodora Dapula, Elena Jove, Amor Milana
• Sack Relay: 1st Place.  Paul Eyes, Jaime Aldenese, Edgar Olimpo, Paz Bentulan, Elena Jove
• 3-Legged Relay.  Carlos Pascsio, Gail Esmino, Edgar Olimpo, Jimmy Aldenese, Atty. Diana Mamaril, Elena Jove, Amor Milana, Mercy Reyes
• Obstacle Course: 1st Place.  Raymond Tionson, Ashley Valera, Christian Yap, Paz Bentulan, Elena Jove
• Swimming Relay:  1st Place.  Raymond Tiongson, Rene Castillo, Paul Reyes
• Mixed Free Throw: 1st Place. Marco Benitez, Paul Tan-Chi, Raymond Tiongson, Paz Bentulan, Elena Joves
• Men's 3-Point Shoot-out:.  1st Place.  Marco Benitez, Paul Tan-Chi
• Buzzer Beater: 2nd Place Marco Benitez, Rayomnd Tiongson, Paz Bentulan, Elena Jove
• Tug Of War: 1st Place. Christopher Ong, Oliver Co, Erickson Rodriguez, Paul Reyes, Gilbert Yupangco, Marlene Galeos, Amor Milana, Atty. Diana Mamaril
• Cheerdance Competition: 2nd Place.  Rene Castillo, Erickson Rodriguez, Edgar Olimpo, Carlos Pascasio, Jaime Aldenese, Ralph Tsai, Sweetie Manez,  Elena Jove, Paz Bentulan, Star Alayon, Lesley Geronimo

PMRB won  the championship for  the  second time in a row, with  205.5 points-- more than 100 points ahead of  runners-up Pasig Realtors Board (101 points) and Manila Realtors Board (58 points).

So how did  PMRB do it?  Let the pictures speak for themselves.

Photo credits:  Phil Coquia, Nelson Arquiza, Rene Castillo,  Sweetie Gardiner, Marlene Galeos, Gilbert Yupangco and Amor Milana.

A part of the Biggest Delegation

... and another part

At la Salle Greenhills field for the opening ceremonies

Revving up for No. 1

Before the PMRB Streamer

At the parade of colors

With  the PMRB Best Board Banner

PMRB President Atty. Nelson Arquiza escorting PMRB MPLR Candidate and Muse Lesley Geronimo

Paz Bentulan  leaving rivals  behind

Ashley Valera  ahead in the race, while Carlos Pascasio cheers  at the background

Atty. Nelson winning the preliminary heat in the President's Run

Taking the lead  in the Obstacle Course

On the way to the Sack Race  Gold finish

Tugging to Win

This time with feeling

With 2 of the PMRB Mermen

Center: The  three Champion Mermen:  Raymond Tiongson, Paul Reyes and  Rene Castillo-- wearing "blue"

A Blue Eagle shooting for the win in la Salle

Group Shot before the Awarding of Medals

Bemedaled Athletes and Cheer Dancers

"Glee"

Phil Coquia thumbs up for 3-Point  Shootout Winner Marco Benitez  (Paul Tan-Chi is the other gold  medalist) with Lesley Geronimo, Sweetie Manez and  Elena Jove

PAREB President Atty. Ariel Martinez handing over the Championship Plaque