From being lost to shopping frenzy... and finally to the Summit

The ZamPen ICT Summit was organized by the DOST - ICT, DTI,
RITECC-9, CCIF and the Local Government of Zamboanga,
which is now popularly called Asia's Latin City

I did not receive the memorandum about a summit on ICT in Zamboanga. But our principal sent me a text message, advising me to attend the event. Earlier, a co-teacher informed me that the summit's schedule was September 25 - 26. Despite being unsure about the schedule, I still went to the city on the 25th and took the 4:30 am bus. I went straight to Astoria Hotel and I saw that the DOST was holding a workshop, which was about Tsunami Preparedness. I immediately informed Mr. Alavaren, our principal and he advised me to just find a lodging house since the summit would be on the 26th. "I was so lost," I told myself. 

After I checked-in in a hotel, I decided to go on shopping. I bought a wallet (Hicock), a travelling bag (Champ), and 2 collared shirts (A&F and Bobson) and some toiletries. I also treated myself with a nice Greenwich pasta with a slice of pizza and some spicy fries. I took my dinner at D' Twins Fried Chicken. 

Yummy lasagna with garlic bread and spicy fries! 

Came the summit day, I checked out from Mag V Hotel and went back to Astoria. There, I saw Mr. Alavaren. I also met Ma'am Cielo, who used to be our head in ICT-iSchools Project. The iSchools project closed last year (December 5). There were many attendees to the summit, mostly from the business sector in the region. The summit was graced by ICT officials from Manila and by the speakers, who were the successful individuals in the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry. The summit tried to present to the region the possibility of operating BPO. The summit was an eye-opener for me. I realized that my younger sister Dyan, has been in the business. She is doing medical transcription in Cebu. As soon as I got back to the school, I shared to my students what I learned from the ICT Exhibit. 

Officiating Officials' Seminar Accreditation in Dapitan

With Sir Nonoy who participated in Soccer, and Lovely (Leonneth)
in Gymnastics. Photo Courtesy of Leonneth M. Moncupa

Having been given a 4, 500 peso-check from the Special Program in Sports Fund, I had no choice but to attend an accreditation workshop, Chess Game in Dapitan on September 21 - 23. I was with Sir Nonoy and Lovely. There, I realized how complex it is to officiate chess games. I met some of the best chess players in the Region. I was so anxious that we'd be all playing. Good thing the trainers decided to group us with some of the veteran chess arbiters. Our leader was very smart and we solved all the given problems and questions during the practicum. On September 23, the written exams were given to all the participants. I was very apprehensive about the test. Good thing, one good chess player helped in answer some hard questions. 

We, three, dropped by Lee Plaza and dined at Chowking, after we brought some groceries for pasalubong.  There's so much to do back to the station. I have to study a lot further. I heard that I would be the tournament manager in Chess in the 2012 Congressional Meet. Good luck to me.