ink versified

a day in a life of another

2009-07-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

An opportunity like this doesn't happen everyday. Since things are still in limbo in my own workplace, I might as well grab the opportunity of getting myself out of all off the hype and be somewhere else. I texted Catherine for help and she was very much willing to take me with her in her work out of town. Everything was set.

I just enjoyed being just there for the ride. Having to live a life of a med rep made me appreciate the work and how hard these guys are doing their job. Its never a bad thing to also learn some rep lingo such as "balikan", "sleeping" and "ins" and "outs". It was interesting to eavesdrop to their conversations while still trying to digest "consciousness" and "presence" from Ekhart Tolle's "A New Earth".

Tat felt sleepy on our way back so I tried reading to her some pages. There were some ideas that we tried to reflect on and I think the whole thing made Jason sleep in an instant.

who am i to break down?

2009-07-13T01:15:00.000-07:00

"Here I am with all the pleasures of the first world
Laid out before me who am I to breakdown?

Everyday I wake up,I choose Love
I choose Light
And I try, it’s too easy just to fall apart"

Listening to the Submarines constantly reminds me of the events that will unveil in the next month. I'll try my very best not to fall apart then.

I had a good start for the week today. Even if there was a local transportation strike today, I still was able to go to work on time. I also found the classes today very light and open. Something tells me the students have a light disposition and they are very open to learn and participate today.

One can only hope this gets better everyday.

i so envy jon's passion

2009-07-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

I think I'm still not done with Coldplay fever. Jon Schmidt's interpretation is so moving. I hear the upright piano in the sala now screaming, "What are you waiting for? Get the score now! Play it on me, please!"

Yeah right! Like I could play like him, I just wish.

what tweaking does

2009-07-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

Trying to tweak my phone wantonly, I thought of trying to change its password. You see, my phone has this password feature that you could keep your pictures, music and messages safe from potential scandal providers. Now this feature can be accessed in the phone settings which also includes PIN check and Phone Lock. I got it all messed up and ended up changing the PIN... thrice. Then the worst thing happened to a prepaid subscriber who has not kept his PUK. I have definitely lost the battle. It was like my adrenaline was maximized and woke me up from my then stupid state to the sad reality that I will not be able to use the number anymore. I searched the web for consolation, called up their hot line with the person on the other line not even trying to keep his American twang (since he's sure he takes local consumers).

I have had a quite similar experience (does losing a phone count?) with the other network and they were able to give me a new SIM but I retained my phone number with it. This network, on the other hand, said they don't "recycle" numbers. I was just making the person on the other line realize that it would be quite tedious on my part to get another SIM and tell my more than 500 contacts that I have just changed number. I got a "just-read-this-line-if-the-consumer-is-annoying" response saying "We are very sorry about that, sir... Blah, blah, blah." My efforts were futile.

The next day, I was in the mall trying to figure out if I my new number would have a 6 on it (I just think its a lucky number for me). It didn't.

And then the sad attempt to let all 500 know about how one day I was reckless started.

something about coldplay makes me want me to listen to them

2009-07-06T19:05:00.000-07:00

Lyrics | Coldplay lyrics - Viva La Vida lyrics

sesqui night

2009-06-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Xavier University celebrated the sesquicentennial (150 years) celebration of the return of the Jesuits to the Philippines. The event started with the Mass of the Holy Spirit in the afternoon and the Closing of the XU@75 Celebration. I got to work out the scripts for the narrators of the show. I don't know with Direk Bart, I ended up as one.

Adlai, Maxine and TJ were the student narrators of the show. Gil Macaibay made these stunning wardrobes.

Angie and Chevy were part of the faculty narrators. I'm the odd man out. I must have been just a replacement for someone who didn't show up. Haha!

love it!

2009-05-27T03:21:00.000-07:00

Met my brother Darwin at the Terrace and ate dinner. He then introduced me to Gelatissimo. He said I should try it. I got Choco Hazelnut and Tiramisu. A lot of people were getting their flavors. I suggest you try one too.

Christie, Jessa and Melanie got to try the Edge Coaster at the Regency. They got to have certificates too.

I got the call from the Embassy. I am to report on June 5. One more step.

visited the queen

2009-05-26T03:14:00.000-07:00

The Queen City of the South that is. I think everyone will agree that I consider Cebu to be one of the places in the Philippines where you can really sense religion through its people and places.

the next page

2009-05-24T08:20:00.000-07:00

I wish I was able to tell you about what I really feel. Never had the chance after that last day in school. Its been what --- years and I can still say to myself that I never got that chance to move on and work my way out of this situation. This might just sound so absurd and meaningless for you. This was never what you thought it would be. I am stupid not to have done anything about it. I can't always make you an excuse, as I have always done. It has been very convenient on my part and yet it hasn't been helping me grow. I have to give up the role I have labeled you. This is not good for the both of us.

Just today, I bumped into something I shouldn't have gotten into. But then I did because I wanted to know how it was for you to be loved. I discovered all the bitter pills I need to take.

I need to get to the next page of my life. I need to write and continue exploring what life awaits for me. I have been always breathing in and not breathing out.

In the next few pages, I will let go of you.

tabemasho!

2009-05-22T03:33:00.000-07:00

Teriyaki Boy opened in SM City Cagayan de Oro and if you have been to their other stores you would realize it has a different feel. A little reseach reveals that Teriyaki Boy hired Kuni Philippines to redesign and update the store ambiance. It feels more like a resto than a fastfood shop. The space is a little bit claustrophobic but you still have some good breathing space.

I might be wrong as I am just speculating, but it seems like they took inspiration fromUma Thurman's attire (reference to Bruce Lee) in Kill Bill and made it in a living space. Haha!

I need to have more of their Kani salad.

one step at a time

2009-05-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

Having to personally meet people I have been dealing in the last few months during the application process, I was more anxious than excited to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation sponsored by the Philippine-American Educational Foundation to all 2009-2010 grantees of the Fulbright Scholarships.

I got to meet the PAEF people for the first time and I think the feeling of anticipation was mutual. Glad to meet Dr. EC and she was very warm in welcoming me to the PAEF office. Ms. Yolly kiddingly said she finally met "the scholar that was very hard to make contact with" - well that was me. Every time they wanted to contact me - I was either mobile or into something else.

Met 34 other grantees from all over the country. There were only three of us for the FLTA program. Janeth will be in Stanford University, Language Center and Alawi in Skyline College. Both of them get to stay in California, way far from where I will be.

walled city coffee

2009-05-14T21:13:00.000-07:00

I got to visit Intramuros for the second time, this time just for some break before the start of my orientation the next day.

I hope everything goes well tomorrow. I'm just plain anxious.

Drus, you have just been of great help. Even this drink will hopefully put me to sleep.

finding one's way

2009-05-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

The map looked way too easy. If I had to find my way on my own (of which I should have done considering I'm going to do that most of the time in the near future), I couldn't have finished it before the sun could set.

Thanks Drus! Everything went well.

scared the hell out of me

2009-05-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

Ouch!

What was that all about Blogger? Did I just almost lose this blog? Its May 1 not April 1!

Nope. It wasn't a bad dream (since I still have problems getting sleep). It did happen. Blogger wasn't able to display my blog. Good thing I was able to get some help from Google.

I was actually tinkering with my widgets and I got that message (so I thought that caused it) until a fellow blogger experienced the same thing and said other blogs also experienced that same thing that happened to me.

Whew!

you're welcome!

2009-04-29T22:05:00.000-07:00

I opened my email today and got a letter from the World Wildlife Fund.

0910 bc

2009-04-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would be able to go to Mallberry Suites on time for the Planning Meeting of the British Council Teachers' Club. It has been a year since they were able to come back here to meet the teachers here in Cagayan de Oro City. Although they was suppose to the be a transport strike (which I never actually felt that day) I still was able to go and good thing Myki (unexpectedly) was also there. Although I'm not very good at getting along with new people, I was able to know and be acquainted with fellow educators both young and veteran.

The almost whole day brain cracking session made us come up with activities for the whole year. I just hope all the activities would come out well. There's one coming up this May.

ask your doctor about it

2009-04-28T03:50:00.000-07:00

If all else fails, ask the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Sniff.

niga higa laugha

2009-04-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

Just encountered Ryan Higa on Youtube and boy, this guy can really make me laugh. This 18 year old comic genius has parodies and comedies up his sleeves and he can surely deliver. Just watch his videos and you'll agree with the rest of his views (more than seven figures and counting). He has come up with movie in minutes and this one is niga higa's take on Twilight.

and the camerlengo is ewan

2009-04-25T03:22:00.000-07:00

"Here it is." A student of mine handed me a book that looked bloated I never realized it was mine. "But, what happened? This was definitely not in this condition before." I blurted my quick response. Seeing me disappointed, the student said his apologies. He was not the person who I lent my Dan Brown's Angels and Demons, he actually got it and made the mistake of getting it wet - a worse thing you could do with a paperback (there are a lot of other ways - like burning it). He was actually waiting for the hand of God (my hand for the matter, considering that I could have made his school life worse for this simple mistake of ruining my book) to punish him but I don't remember doing anything like that. I considered it more as an accident. I just remember how disappointing it felt that day. I even thought of getting myself a new copy (which I never did since I still have the bloated paperback with me).

I always thought this story was better than that story about a codex that "shook" the world (how come? there isn't even a key?) . While reading it, I even had a scene in mind where the camerlengo encourages everyone to pray (I hope I am not going to be disappointed this time).

Why Ewan? No offense, I don't have anything against this guy. I must say this guy has talent! (no pun intended) when he did Moulin Rogue, The Pillowbook and Starwars. I just had someone else in mind.

Anticipating for its opening in cinemas, I was thinking of reading the book once more.

Oh, the kid failed to graduate that year and I have absolutely nothing to do with it or was it because of the book. Really.

This photo is by Photo By: Zade Rosenthal. © 2009 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

booklat - children's storytelling

2009-04-23T03:14:00.000-07:00

I got to be invited by the Culture and Arts Office to participate in their storytelling program in celebration of Book Day. The way to the Learning Center in Zone 12 Upper Carmen was a bit challenging and we had to some uphill walking. We got very excited to see that there were many kids waiting for us that morning.

I got to share with them the story of the Three Little Pigs and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. We even got to dance and count and act (the list goes on when you're telling stories for children)

Thanks Sandre and Vic! I had fun working with you guys.

the winner stands alone

2009-04-20T04:47:00.000-07:00

Be careful what you wish for. I remember wanting to get a book to read and this beauty appeared in multiple copies on the display window of National Bookstore. My hands were itching to have one. I got out of SM with it.

i want the whole world to know about my infinite mercy...

2009-04-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

What would you have done if Jesus asked you for this favor?

We got to the shrine before the mass started. Call it a miracle, I was never grumpy when they woke me up even if I slept at around 2am. I didn't even doze off while we traveled from the city to El Salvador where the 50 foot Shrine of the Divine Mercy stands and overlooks the Macajalar Bay.

There were already a lot of people so we decided to stay where we could still breathe air (that says a lot about the pictures). The mass songs naturally echoed through the hills and made me sing (wait, it made me sing... the repertoire is so familiar) I sms (sorry) Jake -

"Are you at the Divine Mercy Shrine? Are you conducting the choir today?"

There was something about the mass (the people and the sacrament) that made the event solemn. I just appreciated Msgr. Monsanto's sermon that sounds more like a classroom lecture which comes complete with a ppt presentation (hey, if you want to learn more about your religion, might as well get it from a "teacher", right?).

I tried to get my way around the shrine (I had my camera with me, that was my excuse) to take some shots around. Again, the mass overwhelms me with their reverence. It wasn't the Malasag bedlam I had in mind minutes before we arrived.

An hour ago it was still dark with the stars and the moon above us, an hour later the sun bathed everyone as it rose from the bay.

When we left, a family friend we tagged along said something about the mass and how it felt good having it to start the day. That made me think I haven't been attending masses early morning. Something about starting the day right, I guess.

After the mass Jake replied with a "Yap. How was it?"

I said "It was lovely, it was so familiar. Afar, I could see the conductor's hand move I swear it was you."

future reads

2009-04-14T04:51:00.000-07:00

I havent been reading lately. Would someone please recommend me a good book to read? Yes, I have some books unread or half-finished but there is something about just having a new book (smell the fresh crisp paper) and what new adventure it holds in store for the reader. I was going over the old books I have in the library and I have this volume 1 of a 1959 hardbound book "A Treasury of Great Science Fiction" which had short stories of fiction writers who have the eye for what the feature has in store. It has with it a story by Philip K. Dick which was odd because it involved aliens (recall: Men in Black - the farm guy whose body was used as a skin by an alien? yeah, that one)

Microsoft has presented what it thinks the world will be in 2019. Now so far distant future. Please dont tell me you dont see some similarites with Minority Report (which in fact was also by Dick)

things to discover

2009-04-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, Discovery Channel is where I would usually stop and be a couch potato when I have the remote in my hands (though its not the only channel I get to dwell). Well, the world is really awesome and everyday you get to learn more and more things about it. So what if some things are not as necessary for you to live by, but then again, it would'nt hurt to know about things, right?

MythBusters is just such a great watch that every episode is never a bore. Adam and Jamie try all these myths, urban beliefs and legends etc (things we just hear or even talk about but dont try to really verify it) and try to make it work to see if they are busted or confirm. Grant is such a great guy in the show with his knowledge of robotics. Tori and Kari have also been coming out with their own investigation and probing to some myths, and they even learn from what viewers have to say and do them again.

Whether in a forest or a desert, Bear Grylls seems to survive every time with his skills and techniques in Man vs Wild. You'll never know when you'll be needing those survival skills (if you get lost or something). Of course he has aids with him in the show (duh? who takes the camera shots?).

I wonder if Discovery Channel will still have another season for Most Evil. I like what Dr. Michael Stone has done in his research in his "scale of evil". Creepy but still makes me want to watch it.

lost contact

2009-04-10T03:25:00.000-07:00

Im turning off my phones starting today. I decided to turn it on all on Sunday. A little sacrifice won't hurt. My apologies to those who I wont be able to reply to.

suddenly i see

2009-04-09T03:17:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought I would end up in the house the whole week (not that I'm complaining) Cathy called me up and invited me to hit the pool. She wanted to celeberate her birthday with her friends and we all ended taking a cool swim at Basamanggas.

staple diet for the week

2009-04-08T02:56:00.000-07:00

I just wish I don't get so weak I couldn't raise a finger as the week comes to an end. The people here at home have this and I just wish I could have more than suman and mangga. They're preparing binignit for the next few days. Let's just say its not something I really crave for. I should have started my fasting weeks earlier so that I be able to endure the week's fasting.

look, a present!

2009-04-07T06:54:00.000-07:00

I went to Fr. Pen's office to discuss matters about my plans for the next year and he gave me this cute little stuff that actually made me smile the whole day. I never expected to have been given this present from a friend at Xavier School, Ma'am Je. I brought it with me all afternoon and showed it to people I encountered in school. I think the note says it all (I got a little bit artsy and made it camera ready). Some special people also got what looked like strawberry, flower and I got this shark note clip ready to attack on anyone who tries to mess up already messed up cubicle.

do not kill the messenger who comes to tell the truth

2009-04-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

Why are We a Nation of Servants?

By F Sionil Jose

Here we go again, some inconsequential columnist in Hong Kong takes a cheap shot at our unhappy country, calls us “a nation of servants” and immediately an uproar, and magma feelings of hurt are unleashed. Editorials, columnists, politicians are outraged — they demand apology as if one would really salve the bone-deep insult. It was the same sometime back when an English publisher defined “Filipina” as a housemaid. Such insults hurt profoundly but the pain fades quickly and soon after all that enraged outburst, we settle down to the same complacency, we continue sending more of our women abroad to be raped by Arabs, demeaned by Malaysians and Chinese, heckled by the Brits. What has our sense of outrage brought us?

Go to Hong Kong, to Singapore. Visit the Star Ferry environs in Hong Kong or Lucky Plaza, and Singapore’s Orchard St. And there, on Sundays you will see them, hundreds of Filipino domestics, yak-yaking, socializing on the sidewalk, having a pleasant respite from their work.

To the visitors, tourists and the natives, they are a piteous sight, illustrating so clearly and so well how this country has sank. As a Filipino, having witnessed such, I am utterly shamed. I do not blame our poor women for their sorry condition, for I know only too well their plight is the only way by which they can help their families at home and survive.

It is such a boring cliché now, but back to the not-so-distant past: Filipinas was the second richest country in the region, next only to Japan; our universities attracted students from all over Asia, and we had the best professionals, the most modern stores and hospitals.

And what was Hong Kong then? There were slums crawling up those hills on Victoria island, and slums all over Kowloon. Singapore as an English naval base was like old Binondo, with its small squalid shops and equally small houses.

But look at Singapore and Hong Kong now, then look at our country and people.

Sure, you can find in Makati magnificent mansions, the biggest luxury cars, the tony restaurants, skyscrapers. But elsewhere the ugly sprawl of slums, the very poor who now eat only once a day. We must ask ourselves that question, why we became “the hewers of wood and drawers of water” of the world. What happened to us, a very talented and heroic people with a revolutionary tradition?

Once we have answered this question, then we should no longer wonder why there is a continuing diaspora of our brightest people, of our women. It is then the time for us to be truly enraged — not at that Hong Kong columnist — but at the creators of this dismal miasma we call Filipinas. Do not kill the messenger who comes to us to tell the horrid truth about us. Ingest his message, then turn all that outrage, that vehemence, to the Filipinos who turned this beautiful country into the garbage dump of the region: the oligarchs, the Spanish mestizos, the Chinese Filipinos and the treasonous Indios who sent their money abroad instead of investing it here in industries to create jobs for our people. Then it is time for us to rail and condemn the crooked politicians who are the allies of these wretched rich who permitted the relentless hemorrhage of this nation’s capital.

Revolutionary tradition? Ask those rebels why, after 40 years, these leeches are still feasting on our blood!

The Philippine Star

magnolia ice cream is back! even better!

2009-04-05T10:23:00.000-07:00

I got the chance to drop by the local supermarket and to my surprise I got hold of what every little kid during my time wanted. Magnolia is definitely back to bring all of those who love ice cream back to their childhood moments (remember Anton Ego having his taste of Ratatouille). I was suppose to get any classic flavors they still have but then something better caught my eyes. I got the tub (paid for it) and almost ran like that kid who wanted to show his mother the stars in his hands after a good day in school. Chocolate Creme Brulee is a Limited Edition but I hope I could get more of this.

It does bring back all the good memories. I even recall having enjoy ice cream with a burger in the Magnolia Ice Cream Parlor inside Gaisano City.

earth hour in cdo 2009

2009-03-28T01:06:00.000-07:00

Hosting for Earth Hour 2009 was all fun! I got to be with Chevy again and I also got to meet and work with Maxine. CDO did it! The lights were off but the festivities and fun went on and on.

for the last time

2009-03-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

The team got to be together for the last time and even if we never got to where we really wanted to be, we were all present and got to appreciate each other's company for the last time for this year.

lazy sunday

2009-03-22T01:52:00.000-07:00

I think I'm going to get more of these. I must try to have more lazy days. I had much of Shiro Inu's wet tongue all over my face. The alpha dog wants me to play with him all afternoon. I always find him quite imposing and demanding. I acutally havent done that much research on japanese spitz but this guy can be very noisy and loud. I wish he was as low key as Max, the terrier in the house. But then again, I guess, just like people and their personalities these dogs have their doggienalities I have to deal with.

may the lord bless you

2009-03-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

They always say its the bride that looks the prettiest during her wedding. You can really see how happy and radiant a bride is in a very special day in her life. Thank you very much dear Alice for having me in your celebration. I must say it was one of the most intimate and lovely weddings I have been in to.

i know every mile has been worth my while

2009-03-20T22:52:00.001-07:00

I would like to grab that line from this batch's graduation song. I would like to think that this year, that is what I felt throughout the school year. These are just some of the snapshots I got from the graduation.

Jessa and Nicole, Chair and Vice -Chair of the Light Cavalry Leadership Community 08-09. It was a pleasure working with both of you.

Mc, thanks for the inspiration and idea (magis welcome remarks) and the music (bagong umaga).

The parent of the awardee, (joke!) Ms. May is the OIC for the department.

My other boss, Mr. Gomez. Thanks for the compliment. Although you always teased me about my career path, you have always been the most sane person in school.

Lera and Jinny are the best buddies to be with (when I just have so much of work).

The four conductors - on tour (you see the vessel at the background? LOL). Thats actually our school.

will you vote for earth?

2009-03-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

Cagayan de Oro has responded to the call for Earth Hour 2009.

on vintage

2009-03-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

The senior batch invited me to host their graduation ball. I almost wasn't able to come on time because I couldn't get a cab to take me to the venue. I must say the party went well. Anili here was my co host for the night. I took this picture and I think she looks very pretty in this shot (ehem!). Wasn't able to get to many pictures for the night since I wasnt able to charge my camera.

a year with nikki

2009-03-16T09:29:00.001-07:00

instant adult supervision
ticket mayhem, lost in transition
i want it grand, different!
monday assemblies
cheering
scripts galore
nosebleed
totally different
fun
comfortable
june, jessa, laurence, nikko, nessa, nicole, jp, colin
i must have been too harsh
i just wanted you to be better at it
high expectations
sir nitz, sir nitz!
high notes ear smashing
pe uniform upbeat
mr and ms
pressures @ 75: chapel incident
cool
hawaii appreciations day
dawn mass
hang ups with rodriquez, brito
english culminating tremor
best youth city vice mayor
magis
kota

misoy and sy

2009-03-14T23:42:00.000-07:00

These were two separate birthday celebrations but both worked as a reunion with the people of Sanvitores and Mayer last year. These were invitations that were not to be missed. Every year I get to encounter different students and this group is pandemonium (kidding!). These guys are fun to be with and I never had a dull moment with them. Kent is back (minus both left and right eyebags)! Fun nights!

the call that will make a change

2009-03-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

I was invited by the KASAMA of Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology to judge the 2nd CineArte Digital Short Film Festival. We had to travel early and arrived at MSU at around 9 am and headed straight to the Board Room. Once we arrived, I got a missed call from Manila and my sister told me to contact PAEF before 1pm.

That got me so worried.

I got to review and judge 6 brilliant works from Iligan. I must say, there is defintinely a promise for film production in Mindanao.

I tried to look for a phone I could use during the lunchbreak. I wasnt that familiar with the Iligan scene and I had to rely with calling using my mobile phone. When I called them I politely said that I couldnt use a landline phone because I was out of town. They said they would call me after 1. That was a relief.

And they did. I excused myself from the judging (we were already looking at their trailers) and picked up the call. Dr. Cunanan told me about my being accepted as one of the Fulbright awardee for this year. I thought the words from the other line cam very slow. She asked if I was expecting it. I told her my superiors were. She said the idea must have given me much pressure (of course it did). Instructions were given. I remeber saying yes and thank you as most of my reply.

I never had this much anticipation. When it came, I never knew what to do.

It is happening.

hassle

2009-03-07T09:08:00.000-08:00

I never thought that iPod could give me so much stress. I had my laptop reformatted (which everyone knows changes your whole life - good thing my trusted tech support was able to retrieve all my files - bless you!) and now it does not recognize my iPod and all the songs in it. It suggested that I sync and erase which I never succumb to (otherwise I would be miserable now). They say its about piracy crap and so I had to research on the net and found forums to help me out with this predicament (even the apple guys had their explanations in more than one page of long sentences - just help me transfer my files! Argh!).

Good thing I was able to get what I wanted (inquisitive me). If you need help, just ask me.

admu bares it all

2009-02-12T22:32:00.000-08:00

Too bad, we never really got the time to watch the musical. Sam of Bluerep was kind enough to show us the performance space when we got to ADMU. Our visit was actually to get familar with the theater groups at the Ateneo. We needed to go back to CDO that noon. I got myself the whole music album to get me working on this musicale.

ikatlong tanghal! national university theater festival

2009-02-10T21:42:00.000-08:00

After staging the play Despidida de Soltera, I had to fly to Laguna for National University Theater Festival with Dulaang Atenista. Tanghal is the flagship project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Committee on Dramatic Arts in recognition of the importance of university based theater companies.

Fringe performance of Tanghalang SLU of St. Louis University, Baguio

a monologue from Sining Kambayoka, Mindanao State University-Marawi

Kanlaon Theater Guild of Colegio San Agustin, Bacolod with a comedy where all players where in a situation where a typical 'brownout' made a difference.

I just adore these kids from the University of San Agustin, Iloilo with their interpretation of Juan Tamad.

Sa Aking Kabata was directed by Edward Perez with the Korido Theater Ensemble.

despedida de soltera

2009-02-09T21:35:00.000-08:00

It was a week of triple cram and pressure. But the performance was well appreciated. The class was very proud of what they were able to come up with their part of the Festival of Plays 09.

ohhhs and ahhhs!

2009-02-08T21:03:00.000-08:00

The team got to enjoy Duka Bay Resort's glass bottom boat ride as we celebrated Bro. Irmo's birthday. Its like having a new world underneath. Although we never had seen that much color since there was a storm days before our tour, it was still comforting to see corals thrive in the area. It must be a haven for any bio student (whats the scientific name for the local tsinelas?).

ipag enthralls cdo

2009-02-06T19:24:00.000-08:00

gas it up!

2009-02-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

Is Gaszer of Kaimerah angry? Definitely not. This was taken during the production meeting for Kulturock. Watch Kulturock on February 16, 2009 at SM Atrium 4pm.

jbec 2009

2009-02-02T06:13:00.000-08:00

Xavier University hosted the Jesuit Basic Education Commission (JBEC) Meeting for two days. All the principals of the basic education departments of all Ateneo schools gathered for the bi-annual meeting. I was tasked to present our office, the Office for Student Activities and Social Involvement (OSASI) as one of the best practices of the high school.

It was good to see our school principal then when I was still a high school student. Fr. Bert Ampil is now with the AdMU and was very happy to come back to CDO.

so many things to do, so little time

2009-02-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

Do I look like I'm all stressed out?

cinemagis - winners

2009-01-31T21:40:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the winners of Cinemagis 2009 - Northern Mindanao's First Digital Film Festival. Kiss the Rain (Iligan) won Best Film for the Student Category and Kasing-kasing Amang (Cagayan de Oro) for the Senior Category.

Ok, so I'm a part of the steering committee for Cinemagis however, I cant help but admire the students of MSU-IDS for creating beautiful works. Having to watch and scrutinize all 20+ short films in a single night proved to be challenge for those of us involved in the prejudging.

Even the students at the high school were inspired of their work. In the end everyone involved got to learn more from each other and that's what I believe matters most.

Ukit - There is something about the point of view of the film that makes it fresh and appealing to the audience.

Kiss the Rain - I like how something local can look so foreign without having to try very hard.

5 and up!

2009-01-28T09:53:00.000-08:00

Who would have thought I am now in my fifth year in teaching? When I applied at XUHS they asked me about my length of stay and I said I would probably be working for ten years or so. Until now, I'm still trying to find my niche in the teaching community and I have been moved by the experience of educating students. My life is still a search and a struggle. The funny thing that happened was I there seemed to be a neglect or omission on the part of the personnel that I was supposed to be not included in the awarding. It was the other teachers who were concerned about why I was missed and they were able to correct it before the service awards.

my toefl score

2009-01-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

I just got these tonight.

Test	Test Date	Reading	Listening	Speaking	Writing	Total
TELXML	January 10, 2009	29	30	27	30	116

Reading Skills	Level	Your Performance
Reading	High(22-30)	Test takers who receive a score at the HIGH level, as you did, typically understand academic texts in English that require a wide range of reading abilities regardless of the difficulty of the texts. Test takers who score at the HIGH level, typically have a very good command of academic vocabulary and grammatical structure; can understand and connect information, make appropriate inferences, and synthesize ideas, even when the text is conceptually dense and the language is complex; can recognize the expository organization of a text and the role that specific information serves within the larger text, even when the text is conceptually dense; and can abstract major ideas from a text, even when the text is conceptually dense and contains complex language.
Listening Skills	Level	Your Performance
Listening	High(22-30)	Test takers who receive a score at the HIGH level, as you did, typically understand conversations and lectures in English that present a wide range of listening demands. These demands can include difficult vocabulary (uncommon terms, or colloquial or figurative language), complex grammatical structures, abstract or complex ideas, and/or making sense of unexpected or seemingly contradictory information. When listening to lectures and conversations like these, test takers at the HIGH level typically can understand main ideas and important details, whether they are stated or implied; distinguish more important ideas from less important ones; understand how information is being used (for example, to provide evidence for a claim or describe a step in a complex process); recognize how pieces of information are connected (for example, in a cause-and-effect relationship); understand many different ways that speakers use language for purposes other than to give information (for example, to emphasize a point, express agreement or disagreement, or convey intentions indirectly); and synthesize information, even when it is not presented in sequence, and make correct inferences on the basis of that information.
Speaking Skills	Level	Your Performance
Speaking about familiar topics	Good(3.5 - 4.0)	Your responses indicate an ability to communicate your personal experiences and opinions effectively in English. Overall, your speech is clear and fluent. Your use of vocabulary and grammar is effective with only minor errors. Your ideas are generally well developed and expressed coherently.
Speaking about campus situations	Good(3.5 - 4.0)	Your responses indicate an ability to speak effectively in English about reading material and conversations typically encountered by university students. Overall, your responses are clear and coherent, with only occasional errors of pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary.
Speaking about academic course content	Fair(2.5 - 3.0)	Your responses demonstrate that you are able to speak in English about academic reading and lecture material, with only minor communication problems. For the most part, your speech is clear and easy to understand. However, some problems with pronunciation and intonation may occasionally cause difficulty for the listener. Your use of grammar and vocabulary is adequate to talk about the topics, but some ideas are not fully developed or are inaccurate.
Writing Skills	Level	Your Performance
Writing based on reading and listening	Good(4.0 - 5.0)	You responded well to the task, relating the lecture to the reading. Weaknesses, if you have any, might have to do with slight imprecision in your summary of some of the main points and/or use of English that is occasionally ungrammatical or unclear.
Writing based on knowledge and experience	Good(4.0 - 5.0)	You responded with a well-organized and developed essay. Weaknesses, if you have any, might have to do with use of English that is occasionally ungrammatical, unclear, or unidiomatic and/or elaboration of ideas or connection of ideas that could have been stronger.

messed up

2009-01-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

I cant even get to stay in my cubicle now. Its loaded with so many stuff. Its unbearable I couldn't even dare show it to everyone. A visitor came to visit me and I felt so bad that they had to see all the piles of papers. I wish I could do something about all the workload I'm doing for this part of the school year. Please let this all end!

My back aches and I seem to have something wrong with my eyesight. They say its psychosomatic. I say I need to clean up the mess I have in my workplace.

fish for something

2009-01-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

I remember having to take care of angelfish in an aquarium that needed a whole morning to be cleaned.

I really don't know why I have been featuring food in this blog lately.
But this one is a favorite from Sentro 1850. Balinese Swordtail Fish.

the tikoy revelry

2009-01-24T21:31:00.000-08:00

My mother said tikoy is common food in Cebu. Bakeshops serve them like the pan de sal. She still wonders why they only get sold extensively here in Cagayan de Oro when its the Chinese New Year.

My sister and I never said a thing. We were munching tikoy and we were taught not to talk when our mouths are full.

cinemagis - awards night

2009-01-23T19:30:00.000-08:00

With the executive director for Cinemagis - Mr. Hobart Savior

Jake is the musical director and Dr. Mike Rapatan is the keynote speaker for Cinemagis 2009

Stage Manager, again.

We had Kaimerah to perform for the awards night.

obama's words

2009-01-20T20:49:00.000-08:00

"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

i'm not into coffee, really!

2009-01-19T10:10:00.000-08:00

Mocha Jelly Mint Primo - only from Bo's Coffee. I got my first last holiday break and I'm happy they still serve this stuff. I hope they make this a part of their regulars.

my choice at Loreto's

2009-01-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

Nothing beats having Loreto's Spicy Stuff Squid. Well, if you're not really that into seafood, why not try their Lechon Kawali. We came from a rehearsal for the programs for Cinemagis and needed time to breathe and eat too.

me talking again

2009-01-16T09:22:00.000-08:00

I was invited by the Edmund Campion Club to give a talk to second year students for their storytelling contest on February. I tried to echo to them a seminar I attended last September on the Hero's Journey. We started Friday afternoon and I let them see the movie Kung Fu Panda.

Stories are mostly patterned to what John Campbell as the hero's journey. I introduced to them the pattern which they can use for their story. We had the whole day in Saturday to make their own stories to tell for their storytelling contest.

cinemagis - a first in northern mindanao

2009-01-15T10:18:00.000-08:00

Preparations are ongoing for Northern Mindanao's Digital Film Fest, aptly entitled Cinemagis. Xavier Science Foundation (XSF) and the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) in cooperation with Xavier University Culture and Arts Office (XU-CAO), SM City CDO, XU Central Student Government (CSG), and Teachers' Guild (TG) have collaborated to hold this festival on January 21-23 at the XU Little Theater and SM Cinemas.

Cinemagis will harvest the film making potentials and will give venue for a creative and developmental film making festival through a competition that allows our film making enthusiasts to address and reflect on Mindanao experiences, voices, aspirations and issues.

who says i am only good at eating?

2009-01-14T02:38:00.000-08:00

I had to make the family dinner tonight. I never really got to work because we were already informed that there would be no classes again (this is the second time this week). Nobody was at home to help me out with this chore. Everyone else was very tired (its not like I don't have anything to do, mind you I have so many things in mind) because of the bad weather. Just an ordinary spaghetti, nothing special to talk about it. I just did everything (that includes the cleaning and washing of everything).

so this is what it looks like up there

2009-01-13T22:02:00.000-08:00

Marvs sent me an image straight from the Kochi University Weather Home from their website. From there you could also see how the weather moves for 4 days in animation (mpeg format) and boy, things aren't getting any better.

One can't even see Mindanao from up there! Again, classes are suspended and I have this feeling that I'm actually getting the hang of this - until I was reminded by my mother to cook spaghetti for dinner.

comfort music - upside down

2009-01-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

Everything has been so messed up since the start of the year and so I bumped into this very beautiful song last year when I saw the film version of Curious George. I never thought listening to it again could lighten my spirit. Despite the drenched surroundings outside my house today, having to see this songwriter, singer and surfer in this picture sure makes you feel like something bright is coming (although they say things are going to get worse since it will still rain until the weekend.)

Thanks Jack for the music.

nature scores a spare

2009-01-11T08:29:00.000-08:00

This actually isn't right anymore. The weather forecast never mentioned of any tropical depression nor typhoon. This was just suppose to be a cold front. But the heavy and continuous rainfall alarmed everyone in the city. Recently, CDO had one of its worse flooding with a sudden water surge just a week ago and I can't see why it felt like the city is not prepared for emergencies like this.

It was already 10 in the morning and it was time to go back home. I called and my sister said the heavy rain already made the streets of Nazareth impassable. I said I wanted to get sleep so I would rather get wet. Although it was raining hard, Jake and I were able to hail a taxi along Patag and we couldn't pass through Liceo because the street was already flooded. Then we tried to go pass Tejero and the main highway, but both were also flooded. Flood waters near the Bulua terminar was waist deep. It was like being in an action-suspense movie where we tried to find a way where we could go downtown. The taxi driver was very kind and patient with us even if there was heavy traffic everywhere.

We still had one option, and that was to make use of the Macapagal Road. We thought of going uphill and go to Masterson and use the new bridge and be able to go downtown from Macasandig. We thought of that as our last course of action. When we got to the area, there were a lot of landslide prone areas and mudflow was evident. Unfortunately, we still couldn't pass through because that part there was also flooded. I felt like there really wasn't any way out of it. The taxi driver said he had exhausted all ways to get us to Divisoria and said he will have to drop us back to Patag. We even laughed at the whole idea since it looked like we just has a joyride around and back (of course we had to pay him). He said we should try taking the jeep because they are more elevated.

And so we did and this we encountered. The jeep was able to cross the Liceo area but it was really slow.

I prayed the jeepney would be able to pass through successfully. These student police came from their school in Patag and did most of the traffic monitoring and getting rid of debris of what were washed away from the rain.

The flood was actually everywhere - even in Carmen market. We were able to reach Divisoria and i was able to reach home by 2pm.

I got a text message a friend had to leave their house because of the flood in Barra Opol. I also got a message that there would be no class tomorrow.

head, shoulders, knees and toefl, knees and toefl!

2009-01-08T08:27:00.000-08:00

I have heard from people that I have to study for it, while some said it would just be a breeze. Well, I got myself the book for the new year (along with the $23 price tag). Aside from the start of the classes from the holidays, CINEMAGIS, GMA Kapuso Foundation Relief Support, English Month preparations, and the upcoming JBEC Meeting I am trying very hard to get some time to make use of whats inside the book before doomsday. I am scheduled to take the TOEFL-iBT on Saturday.

I received the email which included the toefl voucher (the $170 cost for the exam) and the instructions as to how to register online. Checking the site, I found out that they already have a testing center here in CDO. A colleague of mine had to take her exam in Davao and another one took hers in Cebu. I was spared to spend more for traveling far just to take it. I went to check with the testing center ( just to make sure I dont get lost on my way to the place) and they told me I will be one of the first test takers who will use their facilities (I think I just saw some people painting their walls white). I hope the fumes don't put me to sleep while I sweat my way through the TOEFL-iBT.

Test taking itself is a skill and I want to learn the nuances of the TOEFL-iBT test. Although it covers the basic 4 macro-skills of the language, they are done in such a way that they are combining two or more skills in one test. Integrative means it will be more challenging.

I have to work on the speaking and the writing components. I don't feel very confident with these two since these are not usually part of standardized tests I have encountered.

Wish me luck!

now showing... doubled with

2009-01-05T09:55:00.000-08:00

Then, I grew up with movie houses in the city that would show two movies for a price of one. When we would go to Cebu, watching a movie was never a problem. The trick then was to help prepare for my grandfather's lunch when we would have our summer vacations in the queen city of the south and gleefully go the cinema and go straight ahead to the projector room and do the routine "mano" to that very tall guy (that's were I got the genes for the height, I suppose) working steadily with the rolls of film. Our lolo will then tell us to go and take our seats inside the movie house. I guess he wouldn't want us to see what happens inside the projector room. But I would insist to stay and wait until they change the rolls of film in between films (yup, they do. Its too fast you don't see them change from one roll to another) and they would have to rewind it by hand using a machine like that which pricked sleeping beauty (again, yup they dont have those rewinders we had for beta max or vhs players) and give it to that young guy with a bike so that he would hand it over to another movie house. When we've gotten bored of having to watch the movie twice or more, we then head back to bade goodbye to lolo and head straight back home. I think working then as a projectionist was something people looked forward to. My nanay would proudly say that my grandfather was able to learn then how to make television sets (That must have been an accomplishment for a time when the cinema was the norm and television was just starting) after a training from American teachers. Those are fond memories I could still remember of my grandfather.

That must have been one reason why I have also loved the cinema.

I share this passion with my students and infuse it even with my helping them learn in my classes. For my second year class, I showed to them "Not One Less".

This is a story of a girl assigned to substitute for a teacher who was leaving the school. Since the number of students was getting smaller and smaller, she was told that she would get her salary if all students will be there when the teacher comes back. However , one boy goes to the city to work and she had to find her way to the city to find the lost boy. I find the movie very touching and would always start with an introduction by saying, "When you see this film, you'll never waste a single chalk again."

For the fourth year students, I showed them "Crash". Students would scratch their heads and wonder why this film isn't as popular as other Oscar-awarded movies around. Of course they would easily identify that Luda Chris is in this film. Most of them find this and the child scenes very moving.

new year, new challenge

2009-01-04T06:35:00.000-08:00

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For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Floods caused by intermittent rains since Friday afternoon swamped low-lying villages in the key southern cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan on Saturday, officials said.

Among the barangays hardest hit in Cagayan de Oro were Carmen, Macasandig, Tibasak, as well as villages along Burgos Street, Consolacion, Macabalan, and Gusa.

In Iligan, the areas affected were barangays Mahayahay, Tambacan, and sitio Manuang, where four houses were reportedly washed away or damaged, while in Bayug Island in Hinaplanon were trapped due to high waters while th sea waters are on high tide.

Evacuees were temporarily housed in nearby elementary schools and were being assisted by the social welfare offices of the two cities.

Cagayan de Oro city administrator Criselda Joson told GMANews.TV that she could not yet give the number of victims affected as the city government prioritized on providing food, used clothing and medicine to those who have been brought to different evacuation centers.

"This is so sudden and we are still expecting the water to rise on Saturday afternoon. We are closely monitoring the residents especially on Isla de Oro and Isla Bacsan," Joson said.

The two islets are located across barangay Carmen and Burgos Street and Barangays Kauswagan and Consolacion, respectively.

The residents in the different barangays said they were all caught by surprise as water rose to high level at about 7 a.m. on Saturday.

Nilda Bacong said she got a call from her mother who resides in sitio Kala-kala in barangay Tibasak, one of the riverine barangays.

"My mother said that most of them are on top of the roof to seek protection as the water rose high. The last meal they had was on Friday night, and I am worried about their situation," Bacong said.

She disclosed that her relatives of 10 families were affected by the flood. As of this posting, she said the water had gone down, but her relatives could not yet leave the house and they were starving.

Cong Corrales, a reporter in a local daily, said when he woke up he found the toilet in their house already submerged, while three of his neighbors' houses were already under water.

"We have been used to the flood but today, we were all caught by surprise as the water really hit the streets. Residents here in barangay Consolacion recalled that the worst flood occurred on January 1956, another was on January 1986 and this one," Corrales told GMANews.TV.

It was the first time that Corrales experienced the worst flood that hit barangay Consolacion since he lived here in the mid 90s.

Mercelita Jandayan-Labial also got a call from her mother informing her that they were seeking protection on top of a warehouse inside the seed lot of Aberasturi Livestock in sitio Tambo in barangay Macasandig.

"My husband is helping rescue my relatives in Tambo. I was told the water has gone down but the current is still strong preventing them to wade the water," Labial said.

Fanny Pabito, the acting City Social Welfare Officer, said her team was feeding children at the West City Central School in barangay Carmen. Pabito also could not give an initial number of the affected residents.

In Barangay Gusa, seven houses have been totally washed out in Purok 8, which is a remote area near the hills.

The police were the first to respond to the rescue operations. Neighbors who were not affected also helped the families who are starving. Donations coming from private groups arrived first.

Amor Sanchez, a resident in Tibasak and the president of the employees union of the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co., said power supply for areas affected had been cut off due to the ongoing rescue operations.

"I have organized neighbors here in Tibasak to provide initial help to those houses submerged along the riverbanks," said Sanchez, one of the lucky ones who house was not submerged in the flood.

Iligan

Nova Chavez, a resident of Sitio Ilang-iliang in Hinaplanon barangay told GMANews.TV that she managed to grab only a bag of personal belongings and her baby after her house was submerged as the Mandulog River overflowed amid heavy rains Friday.

Iligan Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz has directed the Iligan City Disaster Coordinating Council, Philippine National Police and rescue teams to mobilize and respond in severely affected areas. The 104th and 403rd Brigades of the Philippine Army were also helping in relief operations.

Officials said the disaster council was still assessing how many families were affected. No casualties were reported as of posting time. - GMANews.TV

can you tell me how to get back?

2009-01-02T02:30:00.000-08:00

Who would have thought that the show that taught me how to memorize the order of the planets (yup, everyone sing with me... My Very Educated Mother, Just Served Us Nine Pizzas!) is now on its 39th episode.

I must say I have learned a lot from the show. Can the kids nowadays say they have learned much from Spongebob? or Barney?

I think I still have my Ernie, Elmo and Bart stuffs (where did I placed them?) I got in a store in Butuan when I got there to visit my sister.

reads for the new year

2009-01-01T01:35:00.000-08:00

1
Thanks Lera for being so generous and providing me with something new to read. I so wanted to read Tolle since summer. I have already started to read and appreciate what the book is all about. I hope I can finish it though.

Thanks Fr. Pen for Magis, I started reading Queena's introduction of the book and she has poured out her self in writing about her life struggles.

thank you Lord for friends

2008-12-27T02:01:00.000-08:00

In our lifetime, we meet people who will always be there for you whenever you need them (or when they're there but you don't want them near you) . As another year comes to an end and as an individual I have come to experience a lot of things in this world, I also got to know and met a lot of personalities.

Nothing beats having a great day with one's great friends. Thank you.

what's with the dragon's tail?

2008-12-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

Aha! So this is what those volunteers have been doing all along! Hehehe! Oh come on. They're just having so much fun with their party. Thank you LC Volunteers! Padayon! Merry Christmas!

parties, parties, parties!

2008-12-20T07:41:00.000-08:00

The high school had put up a hat party in the quadrangle. A fedora hat would just be right for the occasion.

Glam was the word everybody had to be during the university party. I had to manage the stage during the entire show. Never really had the chance to eat.

we're all in this together - xu through the years

2008-12-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

I was not able to see the full show, I wish the backstage had a monitor. Nonetheless, the show was something worth remembering. I cannot remember the number of nights the production had to stay late which started from the auditions, practices, meetings, threading, final rehearsals and of the performance night.

Sir H, thank you very much for the trust and the opportunity. Jake, your songs are so marvelous! Sir Marlowe, your the best technical man! Ivanell, thank you for having me in your office for a day or two. Hehehe! It was definitely a pleasure and honor working with you guys.

fingerfire stop roundup!

2008-11-29T00:05:00.000-08:00

Fingerfire Stop at SM for the 9th It's all in the Band contest!

Tada! Presenting to you... Excellence Campaign

2008-11-23T06:21:00.000-08:00

This is what the Promotion Team has been very busy with. This is a dream come true to come up with the Excellence Campaign for XUHS as the university celebrates its 75th year. This is the project of Lera for the Promotions for XUHS. Christie did a whole lot of work for this campaign. I completely trust her creative processes and indeed she has never failed to impress us.

was it out of the blue?

2008-11-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

Lyrics | Chris Rice lyrics - When Did You Fall lyrics

I just ended a very manic week...

2008-11-15T08:06:00.000-08:00

...and then you listen to this kid, and you say to yourself "Darn! This kid can melt all your problems away with his talent!" I think I have to really be working so hard because I don't have this kind of virtuoso-ness at a very young age (Mine was eating a plateful of spaghetti and that was just it!).

Sungha Jung made me wake up after a tiring work week. Play more beautiful music to inspire!

stress levels are high - time to dig in!

2008-11-14T01:08:00.000-08:00

Had late dinner at Vienna Kauffehaus with music tandem Cheryl and Jake.

Lolay had her Hungarian Sausage, Jake his lasagna and I had to try their Neptune Platter.

When all was done, we had to have cakes blueberry cheesecake, brazo and chocolate mud cake.

finger firestop startup!

2008-11-13T01:00:00.000-08:00

Lera and I met with her friends who will create the music video for Finger Firestop's song Bagong Umaga.

These guys had to share with the concept-making of the music video. Well, Im not so sure if the video guys got a lot from them. More goofing! Talk about working with teens.

I hope we could make it through this.

banda ni papet!

2008-11-10T02:55:00.000-08:00

I had to make a rush to the main campus for the auditions for the Xavier Day's program on the 3rd of December. Jake and Jo were very much of great help to bring their club members with them to the audition location. I spotted... (ok so they spotted me first)

It was Banda ni Papet!

It was very refreshing to see these guys perform. They really wanted to be a part of the whole program for the opening. I haven't seen these guys in years. When they were still with us they had the passion and the drive (did I forget talent?) to perform. I was able to provide them a venue during the HS show in the main (oh yeah, that was still during XU Days) and during their grad ball, we distributed their songs in CD as memento for their batch (there were during bands during their year. I remember coming up with a jingle writing activity for these kids for SV Agreement just to get them to appreciate grammar!)

I guess all the bands wanted to be there since I also saw John Ganzan and Paolo Ang's band and they now call themselves Random.

And Soundtable was there too. This is all getting weird. I had three students in the band. Joshua and Raffy now are with that band.

And also spotted...

Hey, why is John Paul here? He said his band was auditioning too! Small world!

We ended the whole thing at around 11pm. Not so good. I think my body is failing me.

the brewing starts here... excellence campaign

2008-11-10T02:13:00.000-08:00

Lera and I have been all in the talks in making something diffrent this year for the promotions. We did one last year but I considered risking more this year but offering my assistance to her office. I think we could so much with all of her ideas and mine for this year.

We couldnt help but get excited for what will happen this week.

Christie and Nessa were very much appreciated for their participation for this work. I coudn't be more proud of these very talented students to rise up to the challenge to help us make this dream into a reality. I have already challenged Christie about the project and she was very much willing to work with us. I believe her talent, she has what it takes to make it, and she couldnt refuse me telling her this is something big (and I couldnt just

let this be handled by someone I couldnt trust)!

Last week we have already chosen those who we will make to appear for the campaign. It wasnt a very easy job, considering the whole thing must well represent the school and they should also photograph well.

We started early since we only have the whole morning to work this all out. We started in the kiosks and later in the concrete benches. We then proceeded to the chapel and then in the main building lobby. After there we took more in the LRC and the laboratories. We called it a wrap after we got the final shots in the new canteen.

Phase one is done. I hope things get only better after this. I could sense my stress levels rise.

you might find it hard to choose...

2008-11-08T06:29:00.000-08:00

The cakes in Candy's are considered to be the best in the city, I got myself the tiramisu (above) and Jake got the very sinful chocolate cake (below). He already had a taste of what I had and it wasn't a favorite of his. I had enough of chocolate. We enjoyed our own cakes, no crossing of forks transpired.

get together everyone!

2008-11-07T06:11:00.000-08:00

Got an invite to celebrate Kaye' s birthday at Skypark. Since Kaye was with me for two years, I met both Gonzales and Mayer students in the celebration.

Time to goof around, enjoy the food and the great company. You cant help it, it was a Friday night.

Happy Birthday Kaye!

praliné! praliné! praliné!

2008-11-06T18:24:00.000-08:00

Chocolate lovers! Hear me!

You have got to try Leonidas!

"drew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy"

2008-11-05T07:37:00.000-08:00

This statement was taken from the transcript of Sen. Barack Obama's speech at the Grant Park rally after he won the race for the White House. He attributes his victory particularly to the youth where his campaign had put its efforts significantly.

The workload may weary any teacher's body but the ideals they bear (please say yes if the students really have this) can always shake your spine.

uhm... i have questions that need answers

2008-11-05T07:26:00.000-08:00

I was so stressed out before the start of classes since I had to be in a meeting that took a whole day to finish! (Whew! Argh! Grrr!) And so what better way to de-stress than to sit on a comfortable seat and exercise one's suspension of disbelief and watch James Bond do his spy vs spy work.

The film was not the usual Bond film, for me it was more serious (like Bourne) which made it more appealing for me.

James Bond... check.
A Bond Girl ... check
Villain ... check
M... check

wait, what happened to Q? and Money Penny? What happened to these two characters that give so much spice to this franchise. Did they do this on purpose?

fallen

2008-11-04T07:52:00.000-08:00

I had my first encounter of Richard Poon's music thanks to Anili (she met him personally) and I think I need a break from the usual music i fill my ipod with. His rendition of Fallen is a breather. I also like Let's Call the Whole Thing Off.

I miss playing the piano. As Richard sings his song, I can hear the instrument calling me back to play.

am i allowed to smile?

2008-10-31T09:09:00.000-07:00

Some say yes, others say no. This is confusing. Just wish me the best of luck.

how did you look when you were four?

2008-10-30T09:04:00.000-07:00

Haha! Well this is my answer. This was taken after hearing mass for my 4th birthday. You should thank my nanay for the very crisp polo (I could still visually remember that shirt) and the short shorts (please dont laugh, I was still a kid then).

we're back!

2008-10-21T08:57:00.000-07:00

Haha! Who would have thought its coming back after two years?
Thank you very much yammiedoo for the brilliant design!

swim, laugh and live

2008-10-18T07:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the very adventurous then-students-now-friends mayer pips, a getaway came to reality. The guys just had a ym conference and decided to meet again since it was already their semestral break.

Everybody had fun in the sand. I just couldn't think of any place to regain the energy loss within the semester.

There were only a handful of people in the beach and the weather was just perfect.

a story i have to perk up

2008-09-20T07:35:00.000-07:00

Very fortunate of me to have attended an ACELT Bi-Annual Conference. They had invited all female writers since the conference was dedicated to young women writers in the Philippines.

i cu talk

2008-09-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

I was invited by a college classmate then (now an instructor in CU) to give a talk in a symposium they brewed for their students. Although I had to be in another place(far away) the next day, I gladly accepted the invitation.

It was something scary and exciting since I was going to be talking in another insitution.

I got there and did my part. I was very nervous. I had to work it out (I did I good presentation for that event).

I had to do well because my talk was giving them steps on how to overcome the fear of speaking! Hahaha!

The organizers said I created an impression to the audience. Whew!

kagay-an and kadayawan: a perspective

2008-09-13T23:49:00.000-07:00

To juxtapose two festivities in the Philippines in an effort to provide an apparent comparison may well end up with bringing out not only the best attributes of each but also appreciating the essence of what celebrations truly are. In this literary endeavor where the focus is on two feasts in the southern part of the country, particularly in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Davao, it is hard to figure that this essay is representational in scale since all year round a barrio, municipality or a city has its celebration of sorts backed up by a religious-historical foundation and sustained by obvious commercialism and tourism.

From Kalambagohan to Kagay-haan to the present Kagay-an as a festival title, this is an indicator of the constant change in direction and objectives of the government’s initiative to promote the city fiesta of Cagayan de Oro City. Presently, with the assistance of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Promote CDO Foundation, Inc., a more streamlined and educated promotion of the festivities is hoped to be achieved by once and for all nailing the appropriate title for a city fiesta that was erroneously once thought of the be a place of shame. On the other hand, Kadayawan as a term is derived from “dayaw” which basically means what is good. Similarly, the title also was a change from “Apo Duwaling” - a mix of the three best features of the city; the magnificent Mt. Apo, the intoxicatingly delightful durian fruit and the exotic waling-waling orchid. With a transformation of its name, Kadayawan has evolved as a festival title, true to its aim of showcasing everything excellent the city of Davao has to offer to its people and guests.

Both the Kagay-an and the Kadayawan owe their core to religious-spiritual and historical grounds. Although both are celebrated annually during the month of August, it is good to note that Kagay-an as a festivity is anchored on the feast of St. Augustine of Hippo of whom is the patron saint of the City of Cagayan de Oro. A religious fiesta starts with a nine day novena ending on the feast day itself. Kagay-an can then be equated with that of the Sinulog of Cebu, which is different from Bacolod’s Masskara Festival as the latter is more similar to Kadayawan. Institutionalized after the Martial Law era as a response to a challenge to unify Davao, Kadayawan has acknowledge the diverse cultures and heritage of Davao as a melting pot in southern Mindanao and provides the venue for the promotion and appreciation evident in their Indigenous Peoples Festival (Lumadnong Kasaulogan).

For anyone to say that the Filipino is for the flamboyant and the exaggerated is indeed an understatement. Both Kagay-an and Kadayawan have the streets filled with hip-gyrating beat and vibrant color. Whether you are in the People’s Park watching the different tribes in Davao meet and showcase their dance and rituals or you are in Kiosko Kagawasan along Velez Street in Cagayan de Oro as you are awed by the Golden Float Parade and the Higaonon Dance Festival, one can’t simply let one’s eyes off the pretty sight of performers dancing their way to appeal the audience and to grab the coveted prize.

Amidst all the merriment and vibe festivities like what Kagay-an and Kadyawan have to offer, the incongruity lies in the idea that a lot of these bank much on commercialism. Bringing a native dance or festivities from its source to the city streets are two very different environs that do not share the same weight in the cultural dimension. There are very minute nuances that are lost when cultural dances, for example are performed in the concrete streets. The great proliferation of commercialism also poses a threat to the essence of these celebrations wherein the objectives are gradually blurred from the people as merchandises of all sorts spring prominent all around the city. It has become a sad plight of any city where commerce dictates how a celebration like a city fiesta should run. It is very important to note that we should be able to make up for what we have as a community to make sure that the preservation of culture should be maintained rather than that of gaining monetary merit from all of these festivities. In the attempt to make a community thrive, the education of both the young and the old and exposing them to our heritage comes primary in the quest to cultural identity and that of national survival in this fast changing world. Culture is something that is lived, not something that is just watched from afar, as seen with colorful buntings high above the azure sky, scattered food peelings and scraps in lane corners and a fetid air of urine-laced city walls.

the great debaters

2008-09-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks Fr. Pen (again!) for giving me a copy of this film. As I was watching it, I cant help but think already of guide questions (the teacher in me) I will ask my fourth year students (I will use this material to supplement their Of Mice and Men reading experience.

Once again, Daghang Salamat!

ok , so its my birthday...

2008-09-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

I would want to say my congratulations to the OSASI team for actually coming up with the best prank yet for my birthday this year.

I was trying to get some sleep (after work hours, of course) then they woke me up and told them Fr. Pen and Mr. Gomez wanted to see me at the AP Conference. I went to check since I think I missed something I need to report to them... and then...

SURPRISE!

(Pop went the party poppers. But yes we had to clean it all up, every piece of it or else, we might not be able utilize the room again.

They also gave me this decorate-your-coordinator's-cake-to-represent-all-your-frustrations (that's why it looks like that) Haha! Thanks Alice and Gerlie!

cam you all!

2008-09-01T00:30:00.000-07:00

Just got this. I love the elegance it exudes. OK, so I will try to get an digital SLR if I can. If I can. When Kodak started their campaign to capture memories, they thought cameras are just there to grab the photo. Well, in one of the proms I attended, it felt weird when the students all went to the dance floor taking pictures of themselves. Most of them weren't even dancing! So, I asked myself what memories are they capturing? Where they capturing the ball or the picture-taking scene.

I'll try to stick to the former.

the games that made us one

2008-08-29T01:10:00.000-07:00

I think this promotional campaign of BBC Sports on the Olympics is one of those I really like. It has the works of Jamie Hewlett. If you think the animation looks familiar, let me know about it. Hahaha! Olympic Spirit has embraced Pop Culture!

worse

2008-08-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

If we love someone so much,

how will we be able to handle the day when we are separated?

And, if being separated is a part of life, and you know about separation well,

Is it possible that we can love someone and never be afraid of losing them?

At the same time, I am also wondering Is it possible that,

we can live our entire life without loving anyone at all?

That’s my loneliness. I fear it will continue to get worse.