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Churchill Aguilar

I HAVE known Mr. Ermin Pimentel since the time I was working at Xavier University a few years back. We happen to belong to the same unit — the Research and Social Outreach (RSO). He was then the head of Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana (KKP) while I was with Governance and Leadership Institute (XU-GLI). As our work dictates, we often bump into each other on meetings and conferences since most if not all of our programs are very much interlinked.

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At first, I found him too strong. When he speaks out, he takes command. He has less tolerance with those holding different opinions. He has a way of asserting himself that even the vice president yields most of the time. He takes full control of things and he likes things done his way. On the first five minutes of any meeting he is in, any new comer would know that he was the alpha. In fairness, he gets things done.

While I thought he is just one of those people who think they have the monopoly of great ideas, I was slowly proven wrong and that there is actually more of Ermin than meets the eye. I had a few personal encounters that would attest to such. You see, if Ermin has a strong personality, I, too, am an alpha myself. I do not yield my take if and when I am convinced that I make more sense and even if the heavens fall. I could still remember one time I voiced out my strong dissenting opinion over a certain issue in one of our meetings, they were all shocked that I was actually barred from attending the succeeding meetings because, as I was told, I was not a director and the meetings are for directors only. Fair enough! *laughs*

But just like Ermin, I get things done. And when he noticed that the series of programs I crafted for RCE and GLI were worthwhile causes, he sent his team of volunteers to help me out in all aspects of the operation without any condition even without me asking for it. He was very willing to give a hand that he even made parallel advocacy programs in his office to reinforce my projects. Then I knew why he got everyone’s respect. He is an alpha for a reason. While most heads would only work for the limelight and the recognition that comes with it, he does not care if he plays the supporting role so long as the project has a social impact.

Come to think of it, his pigheadedness or shall I say strong-mindedness, is just what we need to put up with the bullies in the city council if and when those bullies would win again, provided of course that Ermin wins a seat. In that case I bet my life, he will be a pain in their behinds.

Although I still think that Ermin and I are better off on separate rooms as there could only be one alpha in a pack, I say without reservations that a man like him deserves, nay, is very much needed in the city council.

Ermin Pimentel is confidently strong-willed with a heart.

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