Baguio Insider

When we participated in the Baguio PAGASA Workshop last February 9 and 10, little did we realize that we were in the presence of greatness.

For Nicanor Perlas was amongst us, tirelessly, selflessly opening up our minds, body and souls to the very real possibility of changing the world to make it a wonderful place to live in.

THIS JUST IN: Nicanor Perlas’ article on THE NEW PEOPLE POWER is on the front page of Philippine Daily Inquirer (2/27/2008) today!

As I listen to Jun Lozada’s change of heart and direction, I see the influence of this smiling, enthusiastic man, who has such a tremendous respect for every living being and is busy helping everyone find the spark of “the Divine in us” as the way to solve the problems that beset our personal lives and the world. (Nicky had mentioned, only in passing, during the workshop, “I talked to Jun last week (before he left for Hong Kong) …”

Nicanor Perlas, and his PAGASA team conduct the PAGASA Workshops of Hope without charging a professional fee — all we had to do was ask for his time and his wisdom and he came! Of course there were costs to bring the team up, find a venue, provide meals and accommodations, workshop materials but that part was just as easy.

Nicky flies in all the way from Iloilo to Manila, rides up from Manila to Baguio and back. Imagine that!

And it all starts with being the change we want to see. You see, Baguio will heal if we heal, and Baguio will become the Baguio we want deep down inside — clean, safe, prosperous. Nicky has helped so many people and provinces, do this. He is a man on a quiet mission that is gathering momentum all over the country.

When I was told I should change I kept frowning and thinking, “WHAT??!!” And then I got it, “I have to be the change I want to SEE” For example, if I want folks not to call me ‘Idiot’ I should stop calling others ‘Idiot,’ too, don’t I? Nicky made a Shallow Sally like me understand the living truths in the messages all the sages of the world have been repeating over and over: Jesus Christ (of course, the Greatest of them all), Gandhi, Confucius and how they are real, true, and best of all relevant (see truth is timeless so it would be relevant forever)

He has gotten like-minded individuals — those who want a better life and a better country (for one cannot exist without the other) and taught us ‘the formula’ to make it happen. The funny thing about this is, the ‘formula’ is in everyone — we just have to find it again.

Let Nicanor Perlas and his team take you on a wonderful journey so deep that you emerge from it stronger, powerful and ready to take on the ‘problems’ of your life, your town, your country and even the world.

The 1st Baguio PAGASA Workshop

The 1st Baguio PAGASA Workshop was empowering, enlightening, humbling. It was so intense because there were less attendees than we expected, so those who joined got way more than they ‘bargained’ for. But the funny thing is, everyday, after February 10, folks have been coming up to me, asking when Nicky Perlas would be in Baguio.

That got me thinking, the Baguio chismis mill is slowing down. Before, everybody knew what was happening even BEFORE it happened! Hahaha!

So, ta-da!, we were able to squeeze another Baguio PAGASA Workshop into his schedule (for the Cordillera area also, so Sagada, Ifugao, Benguet, Kalinga and everybody else please come, too!). We don’t foresee Nicky coming up monthly after this so this is YOUR LAST CHANCE for many, many months (unless we get uber-lucky).

The first workshop was held on a weekend, so many folks were hesitant to attend because Sundays were sacred: for worship, for family. This time, the workshop will be held on a weekday because, I quipped, “It’s easier I think to get Baguio folk to skip work or school than to skip family and church.”

The 2nd Baguio PAGASA Workshop

The fantastic journey starts at 8:30 am on March 10 and ends on March 11 at 7:00 pm. You will be with a lot of nice people (in the first one, I knew only one of the girls but find that the nine of us there are now best friends) in a workshop like no other. It’s not a seminar with different modules. So we break only to eat and recharge. And we promise to feed you very, very well. Not just your tummies, but your mind, soul and spirit as well. I am in charge of the tummies!

• You can belong to any religion or sect and this workshop will be right for you for it transcends and encompasses all faiths
• You don’t have to be physically fit for you will not be made to perform any physical exercises
• All adults of all ages are invited, but distractions like pets, children and cellphones will be asked to be put on hold for the duration of the workshop
• You can stay-in or live-out of the venue, depending on your preference, but we strongly recommend stayin-in.
• You don’t have to be an intellectual or well-read to participate
• There is nothing at all scary or difficult about the experience — you will not be asked to ‘bare your soul’ or even make a testimonial or confession
• You just have to promise to invest two days of your life to have a very bright future open up before you
• We make it easy, really. All you have to bring is YOU.

Then we all emerge into the real world with answers and directions and plans. The new best friends come as a bonus!

And this is my personal guarantee: THESE WILL BE THE BEST TWO DAYS OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE!