Looking for Gift Ideas? Give a Statue of St. Joseph

Even with the Christmas season coming to a close,  the  reasons  for giving continue.   This 2011,  I suggest to anyone who is  looking  for a gift item  for  family members,  friends and for  anyone Catholic --specially to those whom we think already have   practically everything-- to  consider giving a  statue of St. Joseph.

I myself gave my father a statue of St. Joseph for his 80th birthday last December, and-- it goes without saying--  he was very happy to have received  it.   

For one, St. Joseph -- aside from being the de facto Patron Saint of Real Estate Brokers-- is .the Patron Saint of Fathers and Workers.    Another reason  is that when  one buys  the statue from San Jose Seminary--  situated beside Loyola School  of Theology inside Ateneo de Manila-- part of the proceeds goes to  the formation of seminarians.

We all know that the number of local priests is dwindling.  Giving an item as simple but meaningful as a statue of St. Joseph can somehow help address this concern.

San Jose Seminary can be reached  through telephone number:   426 60 02 loc. 4861.   Each  statue costs Ps 1,200 and comes in a corrugated box.  And with it also comes   the sincere appreciation of  the  San Jose community of priests and seminarians.

My Thank You List for Today

Janette Toral, program director for the blogging course I am taking up at Ateneo de Manila, invited me to join this writing contest on “Thank You Day Philippines.“ It required my submitting a photo entry with a short write-up. Prize is a box of Toblerone. To read more about the contest, go to http://www.thankyoudayphilippines.com

Though I like Toblerone, I sent in an entry not for the prize, but for the experience of it. Then I thought that perhaps I could also list down things that I am thankful for as a realtor. Here are some that  came to mind:

1. RESA Law (Real Estate Service Act). Starting this 2010, real estate brokers licenses will now be issued by the Philippine Regulation Commission. Brokers are now in the same “licensed” league of doctors, lawyers, accountants and engineers and other regulated professions.

2. Local Realtor Boards. I belong to (PMRB) Pasay Makati Realtors Board while Maita, to Muntinlupa Realtors Board. It is good to deal with fellow brokers who belong to realtor boards: we adhere to the same code of ethics and we have recourse in case there are professional conflicts or differences to be addressed.

3. PAREB (Philippine Association of Realtor Boards). Given the nationwide reach of PAREB, we brokers can network with colleagues from other regions. We can all tap in to its active MLS or multi-listing service. And given its current affiliation with the National Association of Realtors –USA, we can use the designation “REALTOR.”

4. Noynoy Aquino. Others can say what they want, but Noynoy’s promise of change is confidence-boosting for business and economy. One just has to drive along the streets of  Makati CBD, Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City to see the renewed level of construction activity. We brokers have a lot of selling to do.

5. St. Joseph. I am glad to know that we brokers have a patron saint to call on. St. Joseph-- the carpenter and guardian of the Redeemer-- built and kept a house then for the Holy Family. He too can help us today, if we believe.

Let me close by gently asking this question: “What are you thankful for today?”