Jolly Christmas Party need not be extravagant

12-16-10

And so the kids under my advisory enjoyed the simple party. Simple, because we did not contribute specific amount for the food. The students prepared by group. We had a simple lunch and we did not even have the money-spending exchanging gift. But we had the party that was jolly. Some joined in the karaoke singing. Others were ecstatic playing the parlor games. The winners got candies as their prizes.
I was surprised by a student who gave me a gift. I thought that was an act of true sharing. I wished I could have given her something in return. But I thought she was grateful that I sponsored the drinks and the games' prizes, and most of all, of my presence. Earlier, they thought the party would not pursue. The kids went home with smile on their face. These pictures can really tell, even more than what I am saying here.

Gift of Christmas

I was arguing with some of my third year students this morning on the idea of exchanging gifts. They suggested that we raffle their names for the exchange gifts as one highlight for the Christmas party in school. Over the years of my teaching, I always succumb to the desire of the kids; after all, it's their party not mine. However this time, I have seen the necessity of bringing up my stand on exchanging gifts. I discussed with them on the idea about gifts during Christmas. I told them that after the Magi gave their gifts to Jesus, they did not ask for any exchange. "We are the very gifts for others, as Christ came to share to us the gift of Salvation," I added. I further said that Christmas is not about expecting for something to be received but it is a moment to share joy to everyone. A family could have all the decorations, food preparations and everything for the celebration. But if there's no peace in the home, what's Christmas for? Some of us try to feel the presence of the season by having all the materials for the celebration of holidays around. It is every Christian's responsibility to tell the world of the meaning and reason for the Season: The Birth of Jesus, the Emmanuel.

I was relieved that somehow, they agreed that we shall not have exchanging gifts anymore.

Just to have a url for the pic...

Camp Blog 3 in Butuan

I stepped my foot for the first time here in Butuan City just yesterday afternoon. I'll be here up to November 28 for the Camp Blog 3. We are housed at the Almont Inland Resort, but we are having our sessions at the CARAGA State University. I have yet to find out what this city could bring. For the meantime, I have to accomplish the requirements of the camp.
Camp Blog 1b
Camp Blog 2

UKShirts

Great comfy shirts for less than a hundred pesos each. Not really bad for k-Swiss, Puma and Adidas brands of tees. It just takes some patience and lots of "ukay-ukay".

Happy Birthday Mamang

My mother's official birth date is November 10. By tradition, she celebrates her birthday on the 18th of November. So today, she is a year older. She threw a party at the cooperative, of which she is the general manager.

I wish her good health, sound mind and a more fruitful life under God's blessing and love.

Exceptional Eighth for Pacman

Pacquiao's fight with Margarito this afternoon was something to be celebrated on. Margarito was way taller and by his stance, one would not have the thought that any boxer with the physical stats of Paquiao would ever badly punch him. But Margarito was heavily punished by the Pacman, who today, earned his eighth world boxing title via unanimous decision. Indeed, he is the best boxer that ever lived!

Got a New Bike

I just bought this one today. Fr. Dodong Pagulon, had me and the motor blessed at the Bishop's House lawn after the 5:15 pm mass of our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Zamboangeños Robbed Me Twice in a Day

Zamboanga City should be dear to me. I finished my college there. I completed my academic requirements in my M.A. Science Education in the same city. There, I have found lots of friends and made memories to cherish for life.

In a fateful day, so never expected by me - two people there robbed me. November 4, 2010 was the day I was bound for Zamboanga to claim my PRC ID and enroll at GSIS for the latest e-card.

Having decided that we had to be back at GSIS by 3 pm, we proceeded to PRC in Baliwasan. Upon knowing that we couldn't get in because of what we were wearing, we decided that one of us would just bring our SPA. We had to print a copy, and we had to go to an internet cafe to have it done. When I got to the cafe, there were many people inside, and I did not notice that I was already picked of my wallet. The wallet contained a considerable amount of money plus ATM cards and my driver's license. I felt like I was ripped of my clothes at the time and I was so helpless with the situation. I wanted to go home right at that moment. I just had to stay further for my GSIS transaction.

I was already robbed; but I had to stay further, to have me enrolled at GSIS, at least to have the consolation of my coming to the city. While on the line for the ID processing there at the GSIS, we were dismayed by how the attending personnel was doing. He was like delaying time. He even took a snack, while seeing a line of his clients waiting for him. Then we just heard that the company would have a meeting at 4:30 pm. Again, I was robbed. This time, robbed of the chance to enroll for GSIS UMID. That personnel could have given me just 5 minutes; he didn't. He was so afraid of his boss.

Now, Zamboanga to me has been changed forever. I suddenly recalled all the partiality it had brought to me when I was still studying there. That day of November 4, I was robbed twice. But the city has robbed me many times already.

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.