Xerte

This software has caused me this tiresome sensation. This has been my 9th day here in Negros Occidental, and 3rd day for our training on preparing learning objects using Xerte as software.

For one thing, Xerte is an open source, so there'd be no problem with license issues. Although the program is relatively new, it offers viable possibilities for information tech integration in the lessons. One feature that I like is the interactivity function. Before, we can just have pictures as visual aids. With Xerte, images can be labled using buttons. Texts can also be customized so they can be dragged to corresponding boxes. Interactive quizzes can also be generated. I have to thank the benevolence of the iSchools Project of the CICT.

There's more to know about Xerte. For now, having tried it and produced a learning object is a big deal for me. After the tedious trial-and-error encounters, I am somehow relieved, having submitted the required output. Thank God!

Been to the Church of the Queen of Peace

Still in Nature's Village, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, I was hurrying up yesterday to catch up on a trip that would bring some Catholic participants to a church in Bacolod City. After having the job done, we took a ride on a jeep and got there after about 10 minutes. The church is unique in a way it was built. True to its name, Queen of Peace Church, it is shaped like a crown of our Lady. I felt so good when I got in. Perhaps, it was because the church is air conditioned. The Solemnity of Corpus Christi was celebrated. Throughout the mass, I felt so blessed. The flow of the celebration was so serene and the choir sang heavenly and solemnly.I could say it was one of the most unforgettable moments I have here in the sugarcane province of Negros Occidental.

Got a Shot of a Volcano Mouth

While on a plane on my way to Bacolod - Silay Airport last May 30, my companion Sir Coro brought my attention to Canlaon Volcano. Amazed by its breathtaking view, I got my newly bought digicam and took a shot on the craters of Mount Canlaon, which is situated in the Province of Negros Occidental.

Here now in Talisay City, Negros Occidental

My being here has been a journey. Just yesterday at 4 am, I took a bus ride to get to Zamboanga City to catch up on a 945 am Cebu Pacific Flight for Cebu, connecting to Bacolod-Silay International Airport. I got to Cebu at 11 am. Prior to my arrival there, I told my sis Dyan, who resides in Cebu that I'd drop by the city for 3 hours. Indeed, Jonathan (her husband) fetched me and my companion sir Coro, with his car to his home in Consolacion, where we took our lunch. It was a happy moment because I got to see my cute niece Danna and my grown up nephew Jonas. I arrived here in Talisay City yesterday afternoon. It was so good to see some familiar good people - Sir CP, Ma'am Lei, Ma'am Toni and Ma'am Alex.; just this morning I met again Ma'am Fritz and Sir Rey, who were my camp blog 1b classmates. Their presence truly made me remember my days in Pampanga (last camp blog 1b).

I thought I was just going to attend a seminar; now, I'm going to be part of a planning workshop. Whew!

Another Winning Moment for Lee

Expectedly, the American Idol Top 3

L-R: Casey James, Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox are the 2010 American Idol 3 Finalists. Who I do I think is going to be the one? Lee! He's got the best vocals and plays guitar really nice. From the start, I have the feeling he'd go this far. Click here for the related news @ the American Idol website.

What Lies Ahead?

Now that the country will be managed by new leaders, I could only ask: "What lies ahead?" After all the discussions, arguments and display of support, where are we led to?

Noynoy, who is sure to win as president is seen as a unifying symbol. It is most important that everyone takes part in the transformation of this country. I thought he was a wiser choice for a president need not be really good, who seems to be needless of the hands of everybody.

Zamboanga Sibugay could be under the rule of new people - the Jaloslos. Many things are heard from them. I pray that they handle this province with sincere service for the common good.

Just Voted

Having the disposition and conviction to participate in the historic first ever automated elections in the Philippines, I got my self ready by 7 am and together with my father, drove to Sanito Elementary School to cast my vote for Noynoy as President. It took a while before I found my precinct (35 C) because it is clustered with A, B and D. Anyhow, I managed to fall in line with my mother and my father. (We are numbers 110, 111, and 112 respectively.) We are Team Yellow!

It didn't take that long to vote but because 4 precincts are clustered into 1, the line of voters was really long even at past 7am. I pray that the entire process of the 2010 Elections will truly be clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful.

It was a Bad Dream; it could be a Nightmare!

I slept at around 3am this morning after surfing the net. I should be so sleepy that I fell asleep right away. I just realized I was dreaming already when a saw a scene where I was having conversation with some people. Suddenly, I had a sensation some ghost getting into my body. I was telling everyone around that I was possessed. No one believed so I asked that somebody give me a mirror so I could prove them. Having a mirror in front, I could see another face on the reflection. Abruptly, I felt that my body became numb, my hands and feet felt rigid and I couldn't move at all. I relaxed a bit and woke up immediately. I had a bad dream; it could be a nightmare. I drank plenty of water at once. When I returned to bed and started to sleep, I could feel that I was like about to be possessed by some bad spirit. I made a Sign of the Cross and I didn't realize that I was already asleep. Thank God I'm alive.

Aaron Kelly didn't make it to the A.I. 2010 Top 4

http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/news/a/american_idol/2010/100505/281x211.jpg

After the performances of the top 5, I was really afraid of Aaron's fate on the American Idol. True enough, yesterday, he landed at the bottom 2 with big Mike and eventually, ended his American Idol journey. He's one of my favorite four.

Lee's Awesome Top 5 American Idol Performance

I thought Lee DeWyze sang the song even better than the original. This particular performance would surely push him to to finals. Break a leg Lee! Here's the video of his winning rendition of Sinatra's "That's Life".

Fantastic Dapitan

The last time I was at the Shrine City of Dapitan was in December '99. It was for a field trip to Rizal Shrine. Just last Friday, Lovely, a friend and a co-teacher invited us over to stroll around Dapitan, and to have fun at the Fantasy Land and Dakak Beach Resort.

I just arrived from our trip, some 2 hours ago. It was indeed a fantastic experience that I made with my friends there. I couldn't forget the fun we had while walking around and taking pictures of our selves with some historic places as backdrops.

At the Fantasy Land, the rides were amazing and stomach-squeezing too! The galleon ship, the roller coaster and bump car are among those unforgettable. The horror house was really frightening as the props and casts were like the real things and creatures.

I'd been to Dakak last May 2006. I didn't have the time to swim since I was there for a seminar. This time, I really had some fun under the sun. I took a nice swim, had some pictures of the beach view and even got the opportunity of riding on a jet ski. Whew!!!

In one of our leisurely walks, we dropped by Lovely's folks' home. It was a happy moment for her that she met her parents, siblings and relatives. Lovely is truly a friend that brought me just anywhere and I enjoy every time we spend with our friends. Had it not been due to her eagerness to make us happy, I would just have stayed in Ipil the whole summer.

My Fave Four on American Idol

Race the Time

April 10, Saturday. Commonly, during this summer time, the day is a chance to do whatever one would like to do. But it wasn't like any other ordinary day. I had to skip my morning tennis games. Instead, I got formally dressed in white polo and black slacks, put on my polished black leather shoes and was at the church by 8 am. I would be playing the organ, singing with the choir and chanting the Litany. Bro. Arnold would be ordained as priest and a seminarian, as deacon.

Just before the mass, ma'am Daisy called up that our class/final exam in EDSP 222 in the city of Zamboanga would be at 1:30pm. I never told her what time would I be arriving. I just said that I would be late and asked her to tell ma'am Yolly that I'd be busy at the church. The celebration started at past 9 am. I thought it would not be that long - that I could still catch up the 11 am trip and get to the city at 2:00 pm. But the mass ended at past 12 pm. I rushed back home and changed my clothes. I commuted on a single motorcycle and just at the entrance of the terminal bus, I saw an approaching aircon bus, which I took a ride on and brought me to the city by 3 pm.

Just in time when I arrived at the school, ma'am Yolly and our classmates were taking their snacks. Our professor was so kind that she was even telling me to take a rest for a while. She was glad to know that I am active at the Church for she herself, is a devout Catholic. Finally, I rendered with my group our presentation for the finals.

God is truly working in silence in times when time is hard to catch up on. What really matters most is how one gets to his destination.

A Birthday Celebration Like No Other

A. Tennisters' Time (5:30 am - 4:00 pm)

I woke up to the call of the alarm which I set last night. I fetched Manilyn to DPWH, after inviting Karl, JiJay and James. They all had no idea that it is my birthday. I played with them three doubles, and I won every game. We decided to go to the beach. Earlier, Manilyn was asking why I was receiving a lot of greetings. It was only when we were at the beach when they knew it was my birthday. Ciara, who is working at Coca Cola in Cagayan de Oro, called up and greeted me.

B. Choir's Moment (4:50 pm - 8:00 pm)
After the beach party, I prepared for the 5:15 pm Wednesday Mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral. The Interlude Choir sang with me playing the organ. How nice it was to celebrate my natal day, at the house of the Lord. Fr. Meloy was the celebrant. After the mass, I treated the group with some pancit guisado and sandwich. Sr. Mary Aurea played the organ to the tune of happy birthday and the choir gladly sang for me. We proceeded on practice for Bro. Arnold's ordination this coming Saturday. The brownout caused us to call it a night. My sister Dyan, who is in Cebu and Ma'am Daisy called me up to greet me a happy birthday.

C. Coteachers' Version (8:45pm - 11:00 pm)
Christine (A), Lovely, Sweet, Kulot, Ma'am Glo, Jiji were waiting for me at NESORICOM. Once there, we decided to go out. We finally agreed to go to Kamayan. We just had a couple of beer each, some chicken barbicue and grilled squid. Tommy and Harvey were there too. Ryan just sent me text.

D. Facebook Friends Turn (11 pm - 12 am)
When I opened my FB account at Ellan's Inet Cafe, I read the birthday greetings of my friends. How thoughtful of them. Of course, I played farmville and fishville too.

Back to the Hard Court after a Long While

James, Karl Vincent, Jayson, Neil, Tonton and I smashed tennis balls at the DPWH hard courts just this morning. I played 5 games and won only 1. But then again, all I wanted was to just play and get wet with sweat. How I missed my stokes and I thought I somehow made some good shots. I look forward to playing some more great tennis.

Jollibee lied to me

I was with Sweet at the Jollibee this afternoon. It was her who would order for me. I chose chicken with rice for I was kinda hungry at the time. When our orders were served, I was not liking the chicken thigh. It was so less lean and like fatty. I requested that Jollibee change it to breast. The attendant went into the kitchen and returned at once, and told me that THEY ONLY HAVE CHICKEN LEGS AND THIGH TO SERVE. As I was eating the meal, I suddenly noticed that TWO CHICKEN BREASTS WERE SERVED to the costumers, who were at the table next to us. I was so dismayed. JOLLIBEE LIED TO ME. How could it so, when at the ads, it is so candid and friendly and would not at all tell a lie? Jollibee Ipil was like a nightmare at that time. All of a sudden, the taste of the chicken that was still on my tongue was something unpleasant. When I got home, I asked McKoy to buy 2 kilos of chicken and some ready-made breading mix and I asked him to fry some. The taste was by far so delicious. It was truly something made out of true labor. I don't know if I'd ever go back to Jollibee. What a disappointing experience I had there.

He's fast, so fast, really fast..

Joshua Clottey kept saying in an interview after his bout with the world's best fighter, Manny Pacquiao.
I was planning to download some video this morning but I opted to watch the live fight. I really did not enjoy the show that much as with other fights of the Pacman. Clottey, all throughout the match kept on fencing his face down to his tummy like it seemed he was making sure he wouldn't be hit so he won't be knocked down. But Manny gave a real nice boxing show. I thought the audience worldwide applauded for the great fight Pacman displayed. Way to go Pacquiao!

Love AI 2010

And here are the...



source:

http://unrealityshout.com/blogs/the-official-american-idol-2010-top-12-finalists-and-how-we-rate-them

Crazy for UK Jackets

Fridays would be times I look forward to. The first thing that would come into my mind would be about buying surplus jacket items. These jackets I bought rage from 100 to 150 pesos only. I use them whenever I travel to Zamboanga City for my weekend studies at WMSU.

Erika, My New Niece

AVATAR

Things really work out just fine if you just let them happen and you accept them with an open mind.

Even last week, I was already planning to watch Avatar on Saturday (January 16). I was glad to have heard that our last period in MA Special Ed would be called off. I was telling to myself, "yes, I'd watch AVATAR". I had no idea though that it was still showing. As I was on my way to the city, I met a former student way back Pangi NHS. In our short talk, she suggested me that I go home earlier. But I told her I was going to watch Avatar. I conditioned my self that if the cinema was full, I'd go home right away. When I got to Mindpro Citimall, I was glad to know that there were still vacant seats. I watched the entire film, and I found it so amazing. I went straight to the terminal after having fully watched the movie. While the bus was about to go, I learned from the text message of my sister that there's a bus that was ambushed. The bus left Zamboanga at 7 pm. I would have taken a ride on it had I not watched the film. I know it was a mere coincidence, but sometimes, such a thing happens for some reasons.

Munting Tinig

Narito ako, may mga munting pangarap.
Bawat sandali, ay hiwaga ng buhay.
Sa pagsikat ng araw, malayang daigdig.
Tinig ng kagalakan, sa hanging malinis.

Narito ako, may mga munting pangarap.
Isa't bawat sandali ay liwanag ang taglay.
Sa pagdaloy ng ulan, payapang daigdig.
Tinig ng kagalakan, daghoy ng pag-ibig.

Mga munting tinig ang aming alay.
Isang pangarap, isang pag-asa, layunin sa mundo.
Mga munting tinig ang aming alay.
Kapayapaan, kasaganahan, at pagmamahalan
Sa mundo...

Narito ako, may mga munting pangarap.
Isa't bawat sandali, ay liwanag ang taglay.
Sa pagdaloy ng ulan, payapang daigdig.
Tinig ng kagalakan, daghoy ng pag-ibig.

Mga munting tinig ang aming alay.
Isang pangarap, isang pag-asa, layunin sa mundo.
Mga munting tinig ang aming alay.
Kapayapaan, kasaganahan, at pagmamahalan

Mga munting tinig ang aming alay.
Kapayapaan, kasaganahan, at pagmamahalan
Sa mundo...
Kapayapaan, kasaganahan, at pagmamahalan
Sa mundo...

Mga munting tinig...

Spending Some Time with These...

I hope I could somehow moderate. There have been times that I come home like past 11 pm just to do things in Facebook. But so far, I could sense I'm not yet in the category of addiction. Somehow, Facebook links me with some people.

Court Shift

Last week, I have been playing every morning with Leigh Cris on the hard tennis court at DPWH. A friend of mine Jiji Chiong invited me to play at the DepEd's clay court sometime last week also. This morning, I just found my self playing on another court with jiji. Volleying on clay court really got me sweat a lot. What a great exercise to start the day.

Welcome 2010, Thank You 2009

Last year, I mean, yesterday, my day got started with playing three tennis games at the hard court of DPWH. Regional tennis players Manilyn, Hanna, James, Jesker and Karl were among the players I played with. Kuya Romy and his son Jiji also played with us. 2009 was truly the year when I played tennis a lot better. We tennisters celebrated our companionship at the beach in Palid. I went back home just before 12 am. I was sleeping at Kuya Romy's house. Good thing, James woke me up. I hurriedly drove along the high way homeward with the fire crackers blown just everywhere. I managed to arrive home untouched.

My 2010 first gig was with the Interlude Choir. I played the organ during the New Year's Mass at 8 am, that was celebrated by Bishop Joy Tonnel. It was so good to know that we opened up the new year with the Holy Eucharist, which brings hope for another year to journey.

Happy New Year everyone!

Best Wishes TinTin and Kim

Joshua's 2nd Birthday

Christmas, a Time of Rejoicing

Last night, the Interlude Choir sang during the Christmas Eve Mass. It was the highest form of celebrating Christmas as it was meant to welcome the Child Jesus. I sang the verses for Glory to God in the Highest to the tune of "O Come all Ye Faithful." I also helped Sr. Aurea play the organ. Earlier before the Mass, we had our Noche Buena at home. Daday prepared Lumpiang Shanghai, Pancit and Fried Chicken. Those got me really stuffed.

This year, this was the message I sent via text to my friends:


"Merry Christmas. This is truly the time to rejoice for unto us, the Child, Emmanuel is born, King of kings and Lord of lords.. the Messiah, Christ our Savior."

I got it sent to many at around 11 pm.

This morning, I joined in the choir for the 8 am Christmas Eucharist. After the mass, the choir dined with Bishop Joy Tonnel at the Bishop's House. Love the spag.

A Chat Good to Save

Darwin
merry Christmas sir!
9:53pmRodel
Merry Christmas din
fan mo ako sa blogsite mo
tinitingnan ko everytime may new post ka
:)
9:55pmDarwin
oh that's heartwarming sir.. :) thanks.. actually parang online lesson (current topics) sya. have to catch up kasi out for 10 days..
9:56pmRodel
malay mo maging CNN hero ka din in the future
9:57pmDarwin
let's see.. hahaha!
9:59pmRodel
ok... abangan ko yun. Bangitin mo lang name ko ha? Pag on tv ka na
10:01pmDarwin
hehe.. honestly sir, u'r one of the heroes sa blog ko.. had it not been due to ur great help, hindi ganito kafunctional ang kemikalidad.. so far, the kids are catching up.. nakakatulong talaga para mas easy ang lesson..
10:04pmRodel
that's great! Legacy yan sir. Continue to impart things to people. Influence yan. Continue to make an impact.
10:05pmRodel
maybe isa sa mga students mo will change this nation through science in the near future
and 1 of the reason is you and you effort to improve the teaching strategy
through blogging
:)
10:07pmDarwin
what can i say.. hope to meet u again sir.. u truly are a good person and an unknown hero..
10:07pmRodel
Thanks anf Good Night
Merry Christmas
10:08pmDarwin
nyt..
10:08pmRodel
abangan mo yung http://rodelsinapilo.com
matatapos ko na
10:11pmDarwin
wow! lookin forward to see that sir.
10:12pmRodel is offline.

Great Gifts this Christmas Season

Gift No. 1

This I received from Ate Lourdes Roxas of the Interlude Choir. We had our Christmas Party last December 12 at the Sibugay Plaza’s Imperial Room. This gift symbolizes my love for food. Yeah, food buddy I am. But I wish that I’d be choosier with the food I have to consume. The three small bowls should be the quantity of rice I have to eat in a day (1 per meal).

Gift No. 2

My advisory class had their party last December 16. We had Kris Kringle. I got this from Jureen Cabarles. The pen container signifies my love for writing. There’s just too much “pen” to use. The globe suggests my being a traveler. This year, I have gone to places like Boracay, Cebu, Bayangan Island and Pampanga. I wish I could visit more places.

Gift No. 3

I got this from the Teachers’ party last December 17. It’s a food (again) container. Actually ma’am Vivian originally won this as freebie. I gave my canister to her and this item, she handed over to me. I want to mean this as something that tells me to save some money. I pray I could. Its fist contents were coins, wallet, cell phone and keys. It should be more likely of a safety box.

Gift No. 4

My truly beautiful friend inside-out Jenylyn Chiong, Jiji as fondly called, gave me these back packs last December 18. She sent me text message that I bring pandesal and cheese in exchange for the back packs. She was going to take breakfast with her husband in NESORICOM subdivision. Once I got there, they were already finished eating. Nevertheless, she still gave me these back packs, which are useful for my Saturday classes in Zamboanga.

Best Wishes Ellen and Daryll

ZSNHS Choir First Time as Wedding Singers

Teachers' Christmas Party

I was taking time staying home until it was already 9 am. I thought the party would start late. I proceeded to Trivilegio's Resort, the Zamboanga Sibugay NHS Teachers' Party venue. Lechon, Halang-halang (the best), Kinilaw, Menudo were served. I was eating using my hands. It's the best way to eat food, trust me. Just be sure to sanitize before eating. I usually rub my palm with some spare squeezed kalamansi extract. Accordingly, its acid kills bacteria. (Science huh.)

There was a different kind of gift giving. We raffled on some freebies. Anyone who wishes for the won item(s) from others, may just ask from the ones who won those. In my case with Ma'am Vivian, we exchanged our items. It was nice. After the lunch, I and Christine B took a cool bath at the resort's pool. We went home ahead afterward.

Christmas Party in School 2009

Procrastination has always been my thing. I wish to end this up at once. I started moving for the students' party when it was almost 10 am already. I took a bath, dress up. I would not think it would take time, plus the perennial problem of locating my motorcycle key! And so, I went to the town to buy candies. I promised my students that I'd be giving the prizes for the parlor games' winners. Then I had to have a gift for the Kris Kringle. After I had all these done, I roamed around the metro to buy 2 lechon manok. The town was like ransacked of roasted chicken. Luckily, I found a store. The price was Economics-based. Ya, mas mahal kay gamay ra ang stock! P 170 per chicken. I thought the kids were already waiting. Good thing they were still about to start when I arrived. There was a lot of fun activities. I went home at around 12 pm. I had to get myself ready for the singing engagement at St. Joseph's Cathedral for the 7 pm Advent Mass. The school's choir would be singing.

Watch these youtube videos.

Big Star

"This is how big the star is!"

Ate Diding asks if the star is OK.

A little bit of lines

Just this afternoon, Jenny Agustin and Ate Diding were helped by the students finish a "big star" - the school's official entry to the Parol Making Contest. I was about to have class with the kids, but many of them were busy with the completion of the parol. I opted not to hold class with them. As soon as it was done, I took pictures with the kids.

The preggy Jenny is busy with sticking some stuffs

Interlude Choir Family's Christmas Party 2009

Balachang Lami-a!

I read this from this url http://www.chow.com/ingredients/613: "Belacan, balachang (Malay); bagoong alamang (Filipino); kapi (Thai); terasi or trassi (Indonesian). Dried shrimp paste is a common ingredient used in Southeast Asian and southern Chinese cuisine; it is made from fermented ground shrimp."

Just this afternoon, my co-teacher-friend Lovely called for a "balachang" session again. It would be my third time to chow on this truly appetising foodstuff. After the classes, I drove off to UZ Complex with back riders Lovely and Sweet for the food trip. Earlier, Tin B and Jiji were informed. The two were like done eating when we got to the place and they had to leave ahead to visit Ma'am Glo at the Provincial Hospital.

Balachang really tastes different. I think it is best eaten when not so hot (just warm enough). I asked Lovely to fan on the pan-roasted banana slices since they were freshly (hotly) served. It is actually the Balachang (sauce) that makes eating this food a real taste bud excitement experience. The sauce seems to be made of bagoong, tomatoes, and spices with chilli. I don't know the rest, but I think there's such a secret ingredient.

Looking forward to more balachang session. BALACHANG LAMI-A!

English Week 2009 Culmination

Story Telling Winner (2nd Yr)


Best Speech Choir Entry (4th Yr)