Close to 3 decades ago, a piece of coal entered what was then the Chamber of Dept. Stores (precursor of the PRA). I say coal not because it was black or it dirtied its surroundings but because it was capable of producing diamonds within. It was so they say, Evelyn was a diamond in the rough.

I was fortunate to have represented PAGASA as its VP during the early years of the PRA. The Phil. Amalgamated Supermarkets Assn. has matured through the years holding the hands of Kuya PRA.

Through these years, the diamond within Evelyn Balmeo-Salire was developed and polished as its color shined through brightly, carats of initiated activities turned priceless into retail tradition, clarity of her purpose at the PRA became national as well as global and cuts of her diamond grew into a Team of honed staff ready to carry out PRA's thrusts for any given year.

Coal no more, we salute the diamond that in one way or the other propelled the PRA into what it is today. Of course, the Officers coursed the PRA through good times & bad but Evelyn carried out their decisions & made things happen for the PRA. Rest well, my friend...until we all meet again.

In the morning of 8 November 2023, PAGASA Pres. STC guested via Zoom live over TV5's "One Business News Now." Program was hosted by Diego Castro. A clearer picture regarding stability of prices during this Season to be featured soon in an upcoming National Price Coordinating Council meeting to be called by the DTI Secretary.

In the morning of 4 November 2023, PAGASA Pres. Steven Cua guested via Zoom together with PCAFI Pres. Danny Fausto at TV-Radio Program of "Dito sa Bayan ni Juan" over DZAR with hosts Jesse Lim Arranza & Admar Villando. PCAFI is the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture & Food, Inc. Discussion focused on supply/prices of goods & fresh produce this coming X'mas Season and reasons why costs of production keep getting higher.

On the same eve and at the same venue as the General Meeting for the fourth quarter of 2023, PAGASA held its biennial elections for its new Board of Directors for the term 2023-2025. Former VP Karl Tan of the former SuperBudget Lane Group was invited to head the elections as COMELEC Chairman. He announced the results as soon as the votes were counted that evening.

PAGASA had one of its most well-attended GenMeets on 25 October 2023 held at Chairman Fu Hotpot inside the new Grand Wing of Newport Mall at Resorts World. Among the topics discussed:

The Dev't. Academy of the Phils. (DAP) had invited PAGASA back in 2018 to review their (MGRP) Modernizing Government Regulations Program and find out if too much regulation was strangling the growth of the different industries including that of FMCG's. Interrupted by the pandemic, the DAP resumed the review in the morning of 17 October 2023 at their Head Office in Ortigas Center, Pasig. Focus of discussion centered on DTI's price control via their SRP system, indecisiveness by government when it comes to rules & regulations and its lack of development of the different industries leading to a void in self-sufficiency and food security. Consultation was done by DAP's Research Associate Janine Coleen D. de Villa and Supervisor Reuel Hermoso.

In the fine morning of 13 October 2023, the Jinjiang City Hometown Association of the Philippines opened at the World Trade Center SilkRoad Phils. 2023, an exhibition showcasing the best of products from Jinjiang City. PAGASA was invited to be part of the ribbon-cutting ceremonies and to sign a symbolic agreement to cooperate in the generation of businesses between Jinjiang City in Fujian Province, China and the Philippines.

In the late afternoon of 12 October 2023, PAGASA's staff went to work in suiting up PAGASA's Booth in time for the Show highlighting products from China the following day. In less than three hours, they've put up the museum-motiff booth introducing PAGASA to would-be members and the general public.

The Philippine Retailers Association held its third quarter General Membership Meeting on 12 October 2023 at the Pearl Wing Ballroom of Okada Manila. Keynote Speaker was Robert Dan Roces/Chief Economist of Security Bank. He mentions that the recent lack of government spending did not help push consumption in this consumer-led economy. Consumers were hedging on credit even as bank rates grew rapidly. Revenge spending focused more on durables and eating out. Consumer loyalty most critical factor in keeping retailers afloat.

On the noon of 7 October 2023, VP Liansel Sy attends in behalf of PAGASA the PCAFI (Phil. Chamber of Agri & Food, Inc.) General Assembly at PTTC Building beside Agrilink exhibit at the World Trade Center.

Beside him is PCAFI Pres. Danny Fausto and former Cagayan Gov. (also its former Representative for the Lower House) now DA Usec. DV Savellano- keynote speaker for the Assembly.