Author Topic: Interview with Carlita Gallares-Schroeder  (Read 1479 times)

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Interview with Carlita Gallares-Schroeder
« on: July 14, 2009, 07:54:34 PM »
By Loy Palapos
Sunday Post

       A typical Boholana, in terms of beauty, charm and talents, but definitely smarter than not just a few, she comes to Bohol regularly for a brief visit; but during the TBTK (Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan), a gathering of Boholanos all over the world every three years, she comes home months before July, the Sandugo season (where TBTK is a highlight). This year, she was already in town before the fiesta month of May, and would be home long after the merriment has shifted to low gear.

       Carlita Gallares-Schroeder is a name not familiar to many, but her moniker “Lik-Lik” is, and always rings a bell. She tends to TBTK as nobody else does, since it commenced inspiring Boholanos in the Philippines and abroad in the year 1999. Triggered by Dr. Nick Lopez as the movement’s Founding President, and later by Betty Garcia (as the succeeding President), TBTK has been a great success, that it won the interest of the then Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, who wanted it duplicated in the other provinces of the nation.

       Nurturing TBTK is never a joking matter, but Lik-Lik has long proven capable of the oftentimes “thankless” job. Spending one’s own money for the travel expenses, especially in the coordination chore, could drain a shallow pocket. But not her pocket, which can never be drained. Coordinating with people with varied idiosyncrasies is a totally absorbing and tiring task, to the point of exasperation. But, thanks, God… Lik-Lik has enough patience, and more than enough charisma to get things done. If Presidents of TBTK come and go, Lik-Lik Schoeder stays. She is a virtual necessity.

       This interview took place at the Garcia Museum at 8:00 AM last July 10, Friday. With Rose Soy and ten others, he was a “hands-on” manager cleaning the site that has already shown signs of neglect. She believes the memorabilia of The Greatest Boholano is a legacy everybody owes to the succeeding generations.   

 LMP: When did you arrive from the States?

 CMS: I left San Francisco on April 27. I was in Manila on April 29. I arrived here  in Tagbilaran on the same day, because I really wanted to attend the  fiesta.

 LMP: But your main objective is TBTK?

 CMS: Yes, my main objective is to follow-up the activities of TBTK, being the  over-all Coordinator of the movement.

 LMP: You have been doing this for TBTK?

 CMS: Yes, since the time of Nick Lopez.

 LMP: Why not just you becoming the President of TBTK? That is basically the  job of the President?

 CMS: One thing is, I don’t want any position that many people will be aware of,  especially in media. I want that my job will be “behind the scene”  only.

 LMP: But even if you say “behind the scene”, you have been doing many  things months before July. You have been spending your own money,  your transportation, everything… that is a very big blow to the pocket.

 CMS: Yes, but I’ am doing it for the love of Bohol, since I was born here in  Tagbilaran.

 LMP: Anyway, because of that love of Bohol, why not you as a President?

 CMS:  No, I don’t want to accept the position. Let’s just give it to the others  who are interested in that position.

 LMP: This is the 4th TBTK and every TBTK there is always a head of everybody  else. It seems as if you are the reception committee of one person. And  do even this cleaning right now. 

 CMS: Actually I made the schedule a year ahead, because you know, in America  you have to plan ahead, especially a big family. That’s the reason why the  schedule of TBTK is in July because it’s the school vacation of the  students in the States. They want to bring their children, they want to  come back here as a family.

 LMP: On this 4th TBTK, who are those who are expected?

 CMS:  The Lapez family I saw here in Tagbilaran the Borja family, Rocha  family,  and also our first Mrs. Bohol International which is Inday Sarabosing- Parras, the wife of Justin, also with her whole family. Then I came across  last week a group from Australia who registered, and also from Hong  Kong and other foreign countries.     

 LMP: You are the one coordinating with them even before you came here in  Bohol?

 CMS: Yes, being the TBTK coordinator, together with Betty Veloso, the  Chairperson and Cora from New Jersey. We’re sending letters to update  them about the schedule. 

 LMP: Are you expecting that there will be more people from abroad coming to  TBTK this year than before?

 CMS:  I think so, because this the first time the Boholanos from Europe will join  the celebration; and also from the Middle East and Africa. TBTK is  not  just for the couple but for all the Boholanos and friends.

 LMP: But there is one thing that is very obvious. There was a CONBUSAC  Convention in Seattle last week, and you missed it.

 CMS: Yes, I missed it.

 LMP: In favor of TBTK here?

 CMS: Actually, CONBUSAC is supposed to be scheduled this week, so we  thanked the President of CONBUSAC Carlos Caga-anan because they re- scheduled the conference earlier.

 LMP: But the CONBUSAC last year was made in August.

 CMS: The reason the CONBUSAC was made last year is because there was no  TBTK.

 LMP: So, TBTK is supposed to come ahead of the schedule?

 CMS: It depends; like next year there will be no TBTK, for we only have it every  3 years. CONBUSAC is every year.

 LMP: In the Florida Convention of CONBUSAC, it was made clear that TBTK is a  movement and CONBUSAC is the organization, what is the connection as  of now between CONBUSAC and TBTK?

 CMS: We coordinated with the officers of the CONBUSAC about the  activities and events. 

 LMP: Is Nick Lopez coming?

 CMS: I haven’t talked to him, but Betty told me that some of the CONBUSAC people are coming.

 LMP: How about Betty, when is she coming here?

 CMS: Betty will arrive today; she’s taking care of the Journal.

 LMP: Will she be there for the Malacañang visit?

 CMS: Yes.

 LMP: How about you?

 CMS: I cannot go this time; I will be here because some Boholanos will be here and not all of the balikbayans will go to Manila with the whole family. I think I should be here when they arrive.

 LMP: You will meet them at the airport?

 CMS: Not actually at the airport, we will go to the Registration Center at Metro Centre Hotel.

 LMP: So, you also become the registrar?

 CMS: Yes, I will be there. I am just directing what to do and help the others.

 LMP: What are the highlights of TBTK this year? What would you consider as one thing that has not been done before which you are doing now?

 CMS: We scheduled activities that were not done before. We want the Boholanos to enjoy their vacation here in Bohol. We coordinated with the Bohol Sandugo group and we’re proud that Sandugo has a Bohol Day Celebration.

 LMP: From the TBTK point of view, what would you consider as the most important, the highlight?

 CMS: The most important is, we invite all the Boholanos and not only Boholanos but also their friends. We want to promote Tourism, we want to invest. We have lots of events here, we started the Malacañang visit, and on 15 the registration, the Mrs. Bohol International Coronation will be on the 17.

 LMP: How many candidates do you have?

 CMS: We have 8 candidates.

 LMP: Is it the same as before when money was involved?

 CMS:  Actually, the money paid is for the registration. Even me, I registered. Our registration for the Mrs. TBTK is the only event that involves money.

 LMP: What are your beneficiaries this year?

 CMS: Our beneficiary this year is Partners Intervention, the kids who are abused. There are 20 kids, the youngest is 5 years old and the oldest is 15. I went there 3 times already and I feel bad with the living condition of the kids. In July 16, we will bring all the candidates to the place; I just want them to see the situation.

 LMP: Basically one reason for the TBTK is to help.

 CMS: Yes, we want to help. The abused children really need some help. I want them to be comfortable in their living conditions right now. These kids have a project, using the rubber slippers, where they put some beads to make them look nice. And sell each pair at P100.

 LMP: As of now, is this a private entity or of the Government?

 CMS: Actually it’s the Province’s, I invited some officials.

 LMP: With donations from the private sector?

 CMS: Yes. We cannot take pictures with the kids to protect them because some of them have in court cases. I was really touched.

 LMP: So, the proceeds of Mrs. TBTK will be for the kids?

 CMS: Yes, but not at all.

 LMP: How about Ms. Bohol International, are you expecting surplus money?

 CMS: The one in charge of the Ms. Bohol is the Bohol Chocolate Hills Jaycees. They are the ones who organized it. I know that they also have projects. The money we collect for the TBTK is not that big. We pay for the dinner, production, and other expenses.

 LMP: People who have not been involved in any preparation would only come to surface and enjoy?

 CMS: Yes, but they think that we have millions of money in TBTK. Some of the money will go to the beneficiaries.

 LMP: When will this be held?

 CMS: On July 17 at Metro Centre Hotel.

 LMP: How about Ms. Bohol International?

 CMS: It will be held at the Holy Name University Gym.

 LMP: There was a time when I asked Ms. Yorong about the Coronation, and she mentioned about Calape.

 CMS: Yes, I heard, that but we hold it here in Tagbilaran because there’s the problem of transportation if it will be held in Calape.

 LMP: So, everything is settled?

 CMS: Yes, with the help of the Almighty God, guiding me what to do. And people who helped me. I’m doing this for my love of Bohol, I just want o help and coordinate. Tagbilaran now is really different than before.

 LMP: You are expecting that this TBTK now will a big success?

 CMS: Yes, it will be a big success if we work together. Teamwork is very important, we want to welcome everybody. We want to show our love to the people.

 LMP: What’s the schedule?

 CMS: On July 20th, Monday and Tuesday there will be a Medical Mission, a  reunion of Holynamians in Metro Centre. The special guest will be Giselle  Sanchez. And also the reunion of University of Bohol. In Tuesday, it’s the  reunion of the Bohol Provincial School of Nursing, BIT and Bohol High  School, and in July 24, 7’oclock will be a basketball game at HNU Gym,  HNU vs. TBTK teens and movie celebrities led by Cesar Montano and a  local team. And in the 21st there is a Red Carpet Showing of the  “Kamoteng Kahoy”  directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, it will be held at  the Screenville, Island City Mall.   

 LMP: It must be something new. It has not happened yet in Bohol.

 CMS: Yes, actually Maryo is here right now shooting the movie “Bohol, Nandito  Ako”, some of the actors and actresses are here already. We all know that  Maryo really loves Bohol. So, everybody is invited for the Red Carpet  Showing at Island City Mall. He is also inviting some artists like Gloria  Romero which is part of the movie, also Nash Aguas and Sharlene San  Pedro. It so happened, Anna Capri was here last night and with her  mother which is a daughter of a Boholano, Felipe Acharon. It is their first  time to visit here, that’s the reason why they are here.

 LMP: I heard about a film festival.

 CMS:  It is the movie about what happened to the children in Mabini that will be  shown in July 22nd at Island City Mall. Since Maryo would be here so, we  moved it to 21st. It would be a launching of the “Kamoteng Kahoy”.  I hope people will watch it.

 LMP: Maryo is here?

 CMS: Yes, he is here already preparing for the movie. He wants to promote Tourism in Bohol. It is also one of the reasons why I came home early  because I want to promote Tourism. I want to help, for the  development  of Bohol.

 LMP: What is your message to the people coming from all over the world to  attend the TBTK celebration?

 CMS: My message for them is that, come home and please enjoy your stay  here. There are lots of opportunities to enjoy here in Bohol. Spend time  with your families that you haven’t seen for long time, go to the beautiful  spots here where you haven’t visited yet. Enjoy and have fun in our own  place. Don’t forget to pray to God that everything will be okey.

       Being a Gallares carries with it a birthmark of competence and excellence, dating back to the yesteryears when Celestino Gallares was Governor of the Province of Bohol and Atty. Ondoy Gallares was a Boholano anchor in Malacañang. That Lik-Lik exhibits the formidable genes of achievers, could be traced to her roots.

       She has a BS in Business administration degree, Major in Economics, from the University of the East, at a time when only a few Boholanos could afford being educated in Manila. She worked at PATTS Flying School and Aeronautics Parañaque City; then at Family Savings Bank in Manila. When she learned that a branch could be opened in Tagbilaran City she requested for a transfer (to be back home), for her mother then was migrating to USA. She stayed at FSB for seven years, until she decided to go abroad. Because of her banking experience, finding a job was not a problem. She landed a good-paying job at Crocker Bank in San Francisco. When she heard of the Crocker Bank and Wells Fargo Bank Merger in Sacramento, California, she applied for a transfer and, despite 10 other aspirants (she was the only Filipina), she was the one chosen.

       In 1989, at Sacramento International airport she met Gene Schroeder. On May 2, 1992 they came to Tagbilaran and had their grand church wedding at the Saint Joseph Cathedral. They settled in Sacramento. During the 50th Anniversary of Holy Name College, she came back as the Golden Jubilee Queen, with her husband as escort.

       Life has been kind to her, she wants to share what she has. A kind-hearted philanthropist (she doesn’t like to advertise her projects), she finds TBTK an outlet for her benevolence.

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John 3:16-18 ESV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

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