As we 'commemorate' the martyrdom of Benigno Ninoy Aquino today, August 21, I am quite thankful for this welcome breather before the busy week ahead.

First up is the 3rd G2iX CIO Forum on 'Trends in Strategic IT Solutions for a Tough Economy' happening on Aug 26 at the Prince Albert Rotisserie at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila. We're looking forward to hosting a new batch of CIOs as we discuss both IT concerns and innovations in reference to delivering business success.  The forums also represent a venue for local CIOs to learn more through networking in the spirit of fostering a stronger local business CIO community that will hopefully, be able to contribute to a better national economy as well.

But not only are we serving some C level stuff as we host the Google Technology User Group [GTUG] Wave Meetup the next day, Aug 27 at our Tech Bar. 

Then, to end the week on Aug 28, a bunch of staff will be promoting the Exist Code Camp at DLSU.  This bootcamp of sorts offers new graduates a once in a lifetime chance to jumpstart their careers and become 'tech rockstars'.  To learn more about the camp and what prizes they have in store (yes, major!), visit Exist.com.

On a parting note, as busy as we all are with these activities, it makes me wonder whether this kind of freedom would have been possible had Ninoy not died on that fateful day which eventually led to a return to democracy.  Though not as perfect as we Filipinos may wish the current situation is, we must admit (for those who lived through those dreadful years), we are much better off now with the kind of freedom we have in pursuit of our dreams -whether it involves business and/or personal 'IT and technology' passions. 

For this, I am most thankful.