{Photo shows Gerry C. Valentin delivering a talk [while his image is projected on an adjoining screen] in one of his many directorship meetings among which is his active participation in the PILIPINAS SHELL Retirees’ Association. Gerry is celebrating his 57th birthday today, November 8, 2016. He is a true-blue Bulakenyo, the land of poets and heroes, which perhaps explain how he sweet-talked his former girlfriend, Carol Sacramento, into marriage. Well, the bravery of our heroes from Bulacan got exemplified by Gerry’s unintended feat of wrestling/hurtling a native Botswanan policeman unto the ground [at a time when he got cross-posted by SHELL thereat], after the limp and slim 6-footer of a Botswanan came from behind in a dimly-lit area in metropolitan Gaborone [i.e. Botswana’s capital] as the native tapped Gerry’s shoulder. The problem was that Gerry’s pockets were then awash with cash after his withdrawal from an ATM. Mistakenly thinking that it was a case of a “hold-up”, Gerry grabbed the Botswanan policeman’s arm and wrestled/hurtled him unto the ground. Ironically, it was the Botswanan who apologized and said that he was just going to voice out to Gerry a Christmas greeting then [and perhaps to subtly solicit some Botswanan Pula (i.e. Botswanan currency) which is a Yuletide custom similarly practiced in that African nation] , as that incident happened during the Christmas season of 2004.}
A true native of Bulacan– the birthplace of poets & heroes, it is;
For which reason perhaps, you became a quiz-contest whiz!
Indeed, you breezed through college,
As you want your career quickly managed.
A distinguished certified accountant —
You’ve merged into such a job that’s gestant;
Despite all those who focused on showy upgrading,
CPA’s still speak of good academic-breeding.
For which reason perhaps, and your debonair looks —
You won a CAROL who though not afraid of the spooks–
Got scared when you wrestled a force,
…A police who just wanted some burse.
But the policeman was not from MANILA,
It was from far… so far, in BOTSWANA, AFRICA;
And for this splendid feat in the eyes of that native,
You were hailed as a martial arts votive.
But when you did some explaining,
The police said he was into some kind of greeting;
But as you justified, the surrounding was dark;
And his tap seemed like a burglar’s attack.
And when you reached your prime at SHELL,
They clanged a clarion as though you’re a bell;
And thus, you’ve spread your expertise,
Thus, it was the BOTSWANA cross-post, to beef up the natives.
So, as your friend and faithful colleague,
Stay positive, hopeful and constantly collected;
For in some future time that RUBY
that you’ve found,
I am sure will turn out as a triumph… a promising fount.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GERRY!!!!
