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.