Been to Malangas

I was with my school principal this morning at Malangas National High to participate in the 2010 Regional Team Supervision (RTS). I was assigned as the encoder for the consolidated observations on the performance of demonstration teacher in math. This has been my third (successive) time as encoder in the RTS in the province. It's my first time in this famous coal mine town of Zamboanga Sibugay.

Happy Birthday Dyan, my sis

Mother of two cute kids (Jonas and Dhanna), wife of a loving and dedicated husband (Jonathan Maraon) and a sister of mine. At the moment, she's in Cebu. My sis Dionessa and my mother (with Angel and Inin) are there to celebrate with her and her daughter Dhanna's birthday. Dhanna's birthday was last October 15.

May she have good health and more blessings.

Rosary Today

I was skeptic about having the Rosary prayed at home. My sis and mother are in Cebu. They should have helped me prepare the house. But Ate Jo of BCBP requested that we have it done this afternoon. At around 5 pm, Ates Des, Jo and Ofelia came. We prayed the Holy Rosary, with me as the leader. It was a great moment having prayed the Rosary for some special intentions.

eCard Transactions culminated at the Lake

Just this dawn, I was awaken by the message alert tone of my phone. I read the message at once, and I learned that everyone was already geared up to go to Pagadian for our GSIS transactions. I was diffident about going since I have not yet found my GSIS e-Card and I thought it was already lost. Anyhow, we proceeded to the city. To the dismay of the three of us (I, Jiji and Odessa), enrollment for the new GSIS card (UMID) would not be entertained. Good thing for the other three (Sweet, Tintin and Lovely), they got their UMID Cards activated. After some mall strolling and buying stuffs, we headed back home. We decided to drop by a famous lake in Lakewood. These pictures tell some stories.

It's World Teachers' Day

Teacher, I am

Why do I try to comprehend someone else’s problem?

Why do I try to make true someone else’s dream?

Why do I try to ease up someone else’s strife?

Why do I try to take part in someone else’s life?

What do I get from appeasing other’s difficulty?

In turning someone else’s aspiration into a reality,

Or in letting them see how great this world could be,

What will I become - wealthier, more famed will I be?

I am a teacher and I help, touch lives, and share

Distinction, prosperity, and greatness – I never bear

Only the optimism and inspiration to others I grant

For a teacher just anticipates for his students’ triumph

I will never turn out to be greater, after I teach

For all I work is for other’s ambitions to reach

I teach that this world we have may be better

All the goodness I have done, they will remember

A fresh little rose, along with a sweet greeting of "happy teachers' day" got my morning started in school. I was about to instruct my students to clean the room, but seeing them already doing it, I opted to accomplish the monthly attendance report. I was observing around too and I could see the preparations for the school's celebration of the International Teachers' Day. My students gave me a delicious purple cake. I was touched most by the letters that conveyed their appreciation for what I have been doing to them. After the program, we teachers converged at the science lab room where we took our sumptuous lunch together. The PTA shared food for the lunch.

In the afternoon, the Alumni Association, headed by Guituan Brgy. Captain Welborn Presno brought to us a surprise program. The barangay captain of Pangi, where the school is situated was also there to grace the program. Great intermission numbers by the JR Dancers truly entertained us teachers. Our provincial governor and 2nd district congressman gave us all teachers certificates of appreciation.

related post: Happy World Teachers' Day (2009)

Zamboanga Sibugay High Opened its 2010 Palaro Yesterday

After the parade of all delegations, the opening program was held at campus B, with Sir Edward as the host. I and Regina Mabanag of IV - Rizal, sang "The Prayer" and "Lupang Hinirang." After the hoisting of the school's and the teams' banners, the lighting of the urn of friendship and unity, the speaker's (Mr. Roger Abonado) message and the principal's (Mr. Alberto Alavaren) pronouncement of the official opening of the 2010 Palaro by the Campus, the much awaited pop dance, cheer dance and field demonstration competitions started. Here are some of the highlights:

Zamboanga Sibugay NHS Crowns its 2010 Mr. and Miss Palaro

Again, I had been assigned to host the search for the 2010 Mr. and Miss Palaro. Good thing this time around, I have a co-host - my student in Physics class Rovena Caray, with a SPED student Dreamer Lamberte as the anchor. We were given some time to rehearse with the candidates, and just tonight, we were the emcees for the show, directed by Ms. Leoneth Moncupa.It has been one of the best pageant presentations at the school. There were highly esteemed board of judges for the production presented by the MAPEH Department. The show was packed with great intermission numbers, special awards from the sponsors and lots of surprises during the announcements of winners.

At the end of the presentation, after the fund-raising and pageant contests, the representatives from SPED and IV Year, Elbert Canillas and Millesa Egon, were respectively crowned Mr. and Ms. Palaro 2010. It was for the first time the the special awards were gift packs from the major sponsors and the minor awards were tokens. The major prizes were Teddy Bears, plus sashes with imprinted titles to the Mr. and Miss Palaro 2010.Next year's presentation would surely be something new and different again. Congratulations to the organizers for the great success!

Today, Sr. Aurea,OSB is a Year Older

Sister Aurea is truly a gifted person. She would be most known to be musically adept. We find her friendly, lighthearted and accommodating.

Her active work in the improvement of the celebration of the Eucharist at the church has been the path to my knowing her. I have been in the music ministry as a tenor and a guitarist of the Interlude Choir. Long have we been using the musical organ using pre-recorded accompaniments. There were times that we had to catch up on the accompaniments. Sister Au taught me to play the keyboard instrument, and after some months, I just found myself playing the instrument during masses. I could say, I am grateful and blessed by her coming here in Ipil. Who would have taught I could play the keyboard.

Last night, we celebrated her birthday at the church with Bishop Joy Tonnel and the Interlude Choir Family. It was truly a joyous time for Sister Au as she was cheerful with the gesture of love we showed her. Happy birthday Sister!

Angel turned 6 last Saturday; today, Dimple is 8.

Angel turned 6 last July 31, 2010. There was a lunch party at the house. The visitors were from IMAVEMCO, our neighbors and friends of Daday (Angel's mother).

Today, just this lunch time, some teachers of Dimple and Angel together with their friends came for the birthday lunch. The officemates of their mother from PEO also joined in. I invited two of my tennister buddies, Kenken and Jiji.

The parties were fun-filled celebrations as the kids really enjoyed the lunch. The celebrators also felt glad that they were given the lunch parties.

Heart of a Shepherd

If you love Me, feed my lambs; be My heart, My voice, My hands. If you love Me feed My sheep. And for My part, I give you the heart of a shepherd.

Lord, You are my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where You give me repose. Near restful waters You lead me, to revive my drooping spirit.

You guide me along the right path; You are true to Your name. If I shall walk in the valley of darkness, no evil would I fear. You are there with Your crook and Your staff. With these You give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head You have anointed with oil my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell forever and ever.

image source: http://godwordistruth.wordpress.com

Love this Song!

My niece Dimple really loves to sing along with this nice song. It is the soundtrack of GMA 7's prime time show "Pilyang Kerubin", which is also well-loved by the kids at home.

I have watched the TV show and I found it "good-to-watch" for the kids as it promotes right attitudes and good deeds.

Happy Birthday Papang

While recovering from my sickness, today my father's 62nd birthday is held at home. Just this morning the kids were busy greeting their Lolo. Macoy cooked pork adobo for our breakfast. I had a nice spaghetti for lunch. Just this afternoon, Mamang prepared pancit behon for the coop.

Just a while ago, Mamang prayed over the celebrator. Papang energetically and gladly blew the birthday candle on the rocky road butter cake, which was brought by Daday. We had fried fish and grilled chicken for our dinner. We wish Papang good health and sound mind.

A Red Light along my Way

Blisters on my lower left face

I've been too harried with works in school, teaching actions, choir responsibilities, internet activities, travel to Pagadian, plans of going out... many things have come my way and then just one afternoon of June 23, a ray of red light got into my sight. What a big STOP it was, when I realized I was infected of chicken pox. I was so worried. At first I thought I got a German measle from a friend way back in Talisay City. But the blisters were so pronounced. I got the chicken pox virus. I went to Ciudad Medica last Friday (June 25), and the doctor told me I was kind of late. The medicine he would have given would have prevented the growth of the blisters all over my face and body. He was even asking where was I in my childhood; why I wasn't infected then? Yet, I took the anti-viral medicine for 5 days, every after 4 hours. I lost my appetite, but I had to eat. It was a real bad time. My sister sent me packs of powdered colostrum milk, which contain good amount of immunoglobulin. The milk could have also helped me along.

Now it's July 3. Just exactly 10 days from the lighting of that red light. I took a warm bath this morning. I had the water infused with warm citrus leaves decoction. Most of the blisters have dried up. The scars are so obvious as they scatter all over my face and body. The infection was indeed severe. I still have more days to handle this dying out sickness. When the wounds are healed, I think I'll be seeing the bright green light.

I have been to several sorts of journey. This time, I have been brought to something hard to travel - the journey within me. It has been a real trying time. I realized how I needed the people around who assisted me through the early days of my infection. There were times that I cried when I pray. It was then that I came to know how bad the situation was, and how helpless had I become. But the sweet part is when you just look around and see that everything is going to be alright. We just can't have only one kind of journey!

Johnric turns 7; In-in is Christened

The home is stuffed with people lunchtime, in celebrations of Nonoy's 7th birthday and Christening of Erika Nessa Lumosbog-Casquejo. A couple of days ago, my sisters and I prepared for the food to cook for the double party.

At 11:30 am, In-in was baptized at St. Joseph's Cathedral, with Fr. Elmer Alforque as the officiating priest. After the Christening rites, the guests and godparents proceeded home for lunch. Some of the guests were the officemates of my elder sister Levi, others are friends of Dionessa, some from IMAVEMCO and from our neighborhood. Ate Kathy, prayed over the celebrators and the meal we partook.

1st Week in School

I have the Independence Day to thank, for the holiday last Monday. I was spared from the would-have been busy first day in school. But I wasn't. The first week that has been was indeed a busy one. Having four sections of three year levels to handle, three subjects to prepare and two campuses to serve, this week shows a preview of a hectic school year to journey. At the moment, I'll just take a deep breath. Now that it's Friday, thank you Saturday and Sunday. You both shall pamper me with the comfort of not waking up early.

Now this one's called a "journey".

I have had lots of travel before. I treasure the memories of each place I visited. Never have I thought that I'd have a journey that is so packed with experiences. How did I take on such a trip? Let me count the ways.

4 airports, 4 flights,
3 bus rides& 7 cities

It was May 30, 2010 at 9:45 am that I flew from Zamboanga International Airport and landed at Mactan International Airport at 11:00am. After buying an item at a mall in Cebu, I took the 4:20 pm flight for Silay and got to the airport at past 5 in the afternoon. I even got a rare chance to take a shot on the craters of Mt. Canalaon, which is situated at Canlaon City, Negros Occidental. Going home last June 9 (While on the wait for the trip to Cebu, I witnessed the proclamation of Noynoy, which was shown on the TV screens in the airport), I traveled from Silay to Cebu and then on the 10th of June, from Cebu to Pagadian City.

It was my first time to set my foot in Negros Occidental. I was there for two seminars in Nature's Village in Talisay City that would run from May 31 to June 9. I also got a chance to go to the cities of Bacolod, Silay and Victorias.

Heritage Homes, Haciendas,
"The Ruins" in Talisay,
& Vast Sugarcane Fields
June 4 it was when the sponsor CICT got us participants visited many historical places in Negros. While inside the shuttle, the tour guide introduced many ancestral homes that can be seen along the streets of Silay City. We particularly got to Balay Negrense and Hofileña's Ancestral House. Many artifacts and collections can be found inside these houses. As we traveled further to Victorias City, we could see the vast fields of sugarcane. We finally stopped by "The Ruins" in Talisay City. The 1920's house was put on fire during the 1942 Japanese occupation. The house should be made of quality materials that its framework have withstood burning and time.

3 Unique Churches

The church inside a sugar milling compound in Victorias City was once put to controversy because of a journalist's misinterpretation of the Lord's painting. The tour guide however gave us the rightful explanation. Then we visited another one - "The Chapel of the Cartwheels", which is found in a sugarcane surrounded hacienda. It was rather more symbolic than architectural. The cartwheels, the stone altar and seats, plow blades, the sculptures of Our Lady and the Lord Jesus are so indigenous, that they represent the farmers and their struggles. Finally, I joined in the Eucharistic Celebration at the crowned-shaped church of the Queen of Peace Parish in the provincial capital City of Bacolod. It was there, where I found serenity and comfort after all the busy days in Negros.

1 momentous Bloggers' Reunion
The one I had been so excited about the travel was the meeting again of the camp blog 1B classmates. It was indeed a great time having seen them one more time. I was also so glad to have seen again our trainers - Sir Rodel, Ma'ams Lei & Alex and Sir CP at 1B. More to these are also the addition of more friends from 1A, and participants from Negros and new mentors in Camp Blog 2A in Negros. Camp blog 2A also gained me a brother, Ericson and a big bro, Stephen. It is also in camp blog 2A that I learned how to make a web-based interactive learning object, thanks to Ma'am Rein, I produced one. This journey would not have been possible without the sponsorship of the iSchools Project, managed by Ma'am Toni. Forever grateful I am for the CICT, which helped me grow professionally.
2 Happy Moments with My Sis in Cebu
Dyan and his husband Atan were so kind to me that they gave me good times in Cebu. Last May 30, they accompanied me to a mall to buy a digital camera. Then on my way back home last June 9, they treated me a scrumptious dinner at Mooons' Cafe in IT Park in Lahug, Cebu. We finalized the night with a video k madness in Banilad. I also had a great time with my cute niece Danna and grown up nephew Jonas.

Noy Proclamation Viewed at Silay Airport

It was June 9, 2010 - around 4:10 in the afternoon, just in time when I and my co-bloggers just seated at departure area, when we saw on TV the proclamation of the Philippine President-elect Noynoy Aquino and the VP-elect Jejomar Binay. It was a different kind of experience considering that I was in an airport (Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City, Negros Occidental) when I witnessed such a historic event. Noy-Bi are the first executive officers of the land, who were elected through an automated election, along with local officials nationwide.

It felt great having the President that you and the majority voted being proclaimed. I also realized of the role a have to play now that the leader that I chose is going to manage this country.

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.