This is an autobiography sui generis, a one-of-its-kind narration from an insider’s lens with a worm’s eye view, up close and personal. The author reveals how he navigated through the halls of power and how the Philippine presidents played their roles and influenced the outcomes of their decisions. The biographical portrayal brings us back to familiar history as major events in those past 30 years unfolded with lots of privileged information and insightful scrutiny unbeknownst to the public. The Kauswagan massacre. Cebu Pacific Flight 387 plane crash. DAPECOL hostage crises. El Niño drought. Bangsamoro problem. MNLF and MILF conundrum. Dealing with CPP-NPA-NDF. Abu Sayyaf’s hostages. Nur Misuari’s arrest and handover. Norberto Manero. Muammar Khadaffi and his favorite elephants. Buliok War. Maguindanao Massacre. The failed MOA-AD. Ustadz Malik and the Zamboanga siege. The mining issue. The enchanted Mount Diwata. The impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona. Janet Napoles. The killings of journalists. Mamasapano and the SAF-44. Marawi siege. The phenomenon of the fresh stem cell therapy. And how was it to win as a Congressman by 7 votes? What is the real story behind the infamous Cabinet prayer for President GMA? How was he sidelined by Mar Roxas and evaded public embarrassment? Even the earlier portents of the China problem. This book is a fresh wellspring of experiences, bringing about important tips on wielding and using power, negotiation, peace talks, and crisis management. This is a book of wisdom gleaned from walking with the presidents for three decades. For those interested in buying a copy of the book, please contact the family: Ning Dureza (0928-559-0818).

The Centennial Edition serves as the 2nd Edition of the One Man’s Vision that first published in 2005 by the great chronicler of her time, Josie San Pedro. The 1st Edition chronicled the beginnings of the visionary founding father of the University of Mindanao. It captured in historical textual prowess how Guillermo E. Torres Sr. started it all and how the better half, Dolores P. Torres, sustained the legacy. In this Centennial Edition, in celebration of the 100th-year birthday anniversary of the founder, the legacy continues as the son, Guillermo P. Torres Jr., the heir to the throne and inheritor of the royal duty, opens a new era of strategic opportunities for the university. One Man’s Vision is dedicated to the great man and his legacy in establishing the university. The 1st Edition is an evolutionary collage of this legacy, while the Centennial Edition presents the link of the collage with a historical perspective. The new edition organizes the evolutionary events into a more historical vista of what happened since 1946. While the 1st edition concluded in 2005, the Centennial Edition gives a peek from 2005 until 2014. Apart from re-organizing the chapters into a more historical perspective in the old edition, the new edition expands the story of the heir to the throne. It also gives a glimpse of UM’s New Season campaign in observance of the university’s second cycle of Strategic Plans from 2012-2017. Combined together, both editions act like a time machine that brings the readers into a flashback in the past and zooms back to the present. Along the way, one gets a picture of what the future holds for the university that started in a simple dream and vision of the founding father.

Gone too soon, and sudden. Even amidst the zenith of his career as Davao’s foremost pediatric surgeon and civic leader, Dr. Santiago C. Aquino – or Jojo among his peers and family – had to prevail against all odds, even had to sacrifice his own so that others may live. He had to persevere through his own fears without troubling other people. Jojo C. Aquino’s biographical book serves two raisons d’être: express the deepest gratitude to those left behind by immortalizing his works; and provide closure for those who were caught by surprise, grief and despair. The man is sorely missed. Overcoming Odds weaves the life story of Jojo C. Aquino through a scholarly depiction combining interpretative biography, illustrative biography, and digital biography. May his mortal life and exceptional work continue to inspire his colleagues, family members, and most especially his patients, to aim to become better persons and help others in need. Jojo C. Aquino lived and died, and shall live again, forever in this book. For those interested in buying a copy of the book, please contact the family: Armel M. Aquino (0995-966-1046) or Renette M. Graves (0945-342-5694).