By Atty. Egay Uy
WHEN I joined the city government in 2013 after I retired fron the private sector, I had no doubt I wore the hats of a mentor and an implementor. As a mentor, I brought along my little knowledge about running an organization that could otherwise make waves about its functions.
Sadly however, I came to realize that although it was doable, it was indeed difficult to teach an old dog new tricks, and would take so much time to eventually make the dog roll over, sit, and all.
Then times were that I had to wear both hats at the same time. Through readings and practical application of real-life experiences, the hat of being an implementor was not a big deal at all, contrary to what it appeared to be. Not perfect, but we have weathered the storm, so I thought.
Then came the present assignments. Again I had to wear both hats. Besides, I have developed the passion to execute what I am tasked to do. Of course there were failures and there were successes. Nobody’s perfect ― the usual excuse.
Being a mentor, and passing on to the supposed understudy the nitty gritty of things, does not, of course, include supporting the propensity of the latter to later develop that sense of invulnerability and arrogance and the joy of putting one over the other. No, it does not.
But that is another story. What is important is that the passion has to continue and be pursued relentlessly without fear or favor.
Then the words of Mayor Oscar S. Moreno dawned upon me that no matter what we do to make the community comfortably livable, “time will come when people will no longer remember us, but what is important is, during our time we have done our best.”
I could only hope to sit and relax because those whom we have mentored will look ahead with one goal: to continue to pursue the best for the betterment of the lives of this and the generations to come, and pass on to the next rungs that passion and conviction.
