Island Adventure: teachers' getaway

On the Verge of Sinking? What an Experience!
(Before I proceed, let me convey my heartfelt thanks to my lovely friend, Lovely (the one below). Her kindness made it possible for these pictures to be posted here. Thanks Love!)We were truly having a great time at the beach resort of Jed Jajuri in Labason last Saturday and Sunday. We (some teachers of Zamboanga Sibugay National High) were planning for such a travel to celebrate our companionship. Indeed, we had so much fun, thanks to Jed who let us enjoy in his resort FOR FREE! We sang to the top of our voice with the Video-K we rented. Of course there were drinking sessions and we slept after we have had enough of the day.

Came Sunday, we decided that we go to the Island of Bayangan. I personally have seen the island from a distance many times and I have been told of its beauty. We sailed through on a pump boat to Bayangan by around 10 am and got there after 35 to 40 minutes. The island was truly amazing! The 100 m extension of sand bar was breathtaking, seeing that it's not that flat and was made of pinkish white sand, which was from course to fine texture along with some coral debris scattered all over. The white sand underneath the waters makes the seaside flash in brilliant sky blue! Most of us walked through the sand bar till we get to the main island. We were truly having fun as we took a swim on the island's cool, clear and clean water. I also happen to get to the community, and had known from the settlers that the island was pounded by a super typhoon last month. We saw coconuts uprooted and some 4 houses destroyed. Anyhow, we went home at around past 1 pm. We had no idea about how wavy the sea could get at such time.
As the boat was cutting through the waves, we were not so alarmed until one big wave pushed the pump boat hard and was like causing the water coming in already. The same happened as we moved further. It was even getting worse that when we were half way through, even larger and stronger waves continued to pound on our boat. I too was worried of the situation. I know how to swim, but there were some of us there who don't know. I opted to keep on praying and I thought everyone there was doing the same. The waves were truly strong even at the part where we were nearing the destination already. I could see the face of the ladies showing anxiety. But I thought they were so brave for never was there any time that they panic. We somehow managed to reach the shore unharmed and were greatly thankful that nothing bad happened.

It was truly an experience. Having fun and all fun would not make an adventure complete. Having gotten to the island was truly something. Maybe, our way back was something to make us remember the time we spent there!

Ocotoberfest 2009

Chess Champions Again

The 2009 District Athletic Meet opened last Friday morning. I was to coach my four chess players namely:

Boys
Board 1 - Joven Torrefranca
Board 2 - Eloydee Mesia

Girls
Board 1 - Charis Cutamora
Board 2 - Albertine June Din
The result was simply a repeat of last year's Meet

(http://itsmylyf08.blogspot.com/2008/11/sibugay-high-in-chess.html).Boys board 1 and Board 1 and 2 of the girls were all undefeated, turning out an over-all champion for Zamboanga Sibugay NHS.

Happy World Teachers' Day

A teacher is…

Someone you can turn to in times of trouble

Someone you can lean on whenever you fall

Someone you can cry on when you feel displeased

Someone you can ask for something unbeknownst

A friend to someone who needs a helping hand

A brother or sister to anyone who’s abandoned

A mother or father who guides your pathway

A door that is open, each and every day

Your comfort in moments of worry and gloom

Your sunshine that makes you grow and bloom

Your boat that leads you to a blissful destination

Your shield that shelters you from obliteration

My Winningest Tennis Moment

Earlier this afternoon, Manilyn (a former student of mine, who came home from Zamboanga, where she studies BSBA at Pilar College) invited me that we play tennis at around 6 pm or so. I told her that right after the mass, I'd come over. We would be playing at a clay court in Pangi.

After I took my dinner, I went to the court and just right after a few seconds, I was ready for some action. I (with my partners) won all the following pairings:

Game 1: with Efren vs. Jingjing & Toto
Game 2: with Darious vs. Manilyn & JayJay
Game 3: with Manilyn vs. Kenken & Jayjay
Game 4: with Jingjing vs. Toto & Jayjay.

Top of it all, it was the volume of sweat that I turned out, that always marks my winning moment. It was so light-feeling after sweating a lot!

Sibugay High Palarong Pampaaralan '09 Opens Today

salo-salo 2gether

Food has a lot of purposes indeed. It was through it that we, teachers had our get together at Campus B. This morning, there was a program at the Division Office, and so there was no class. Jiji told the group that we cook adobo. We shared 50 pesos each, and then I and Jiji went off to the market. We came back to school and cooked pork adobo, fish stew and agar salad and 2 kg rice too. By 12 pm, the table was ready. It was something new that we took lunch together, in one big table. We really enjoyed the moment.Attendance:

Jiji, Ma'am Glo, Joy (Kulot), Orlyn, Ma'am Vivz, Sir Doming, Sir Coro, Ma'am Neneng (Escala), Ma'am Lilia, Joy (Neneng), Tintin, Lovely, Sir Edward, Sir Jhonny, Sir Nonoy, I

Sibugay High crowns its 2009 Mr. and Miss Palaro

At past 4 pm, a pageant show was presented, searching for this year's Mr. and Miss Palaro. The search coordinator-director was my friend Lovely. She assigned me to host the show. I was a bit tense at the start but as the show progressed, it was like something that I enjoyed on.The winners were the representative of the Seniors for Mr. Palaro and the candidate of Sophomores was crowned Miss Palaro.The show was graced by truly outstanding candidates, a powerhouse board of adjudicators and a well-setup physical arrangements. Congrats to the organizers - the MAPEH Department.

Omar and Kara won the Cluster 2 Science-English Spelling Bee

Yesterday, in celebration of the National Science and English Festival 2009, several contests were held at Zamboanga Sibugay National High School. I was the coach for the Science-English Spelling Bee with Omar (III-SPED) and Kara (III-SPED) as my contestants. They were a team of two, as representatives of Zamboanga Sibugay NHS. In all of the rounds, they were ahead than any of the other four schools, and so they were the winners, eventually. They scored 29 points, which was followed by 23 and 21 points, which settled 2nd and third representing San Antonio NHS and Titay NHS, respectively. The words were endeed difficult, but they managed to correctly spell 14 words from other schools.

Check out the ZSNHS's Science Club blogsite

I did not want to put into oblivion the event we had in school last Friday and Saturday. It was the school's science camp. I decided to blog what took place so, check it out: www.scizsnhs.blogspot.com.

I Qualified for the iSchools Camp Blog!

Sir Dodong, our principal forwarded to me a text message from the ICT Coordinator, Ma'am Cielo. I was so surprised that my essay-entry that I e-mailed to the CICT was good enough to qualify me for the camp Blog sometime this October 16 - 26! The following is an exerpt of Ma'am Cielo's e-mail:

Congratulations! Your entry to the iSchools Camp Blog 1B training which will be held from Oct 16-oct 26, 2009 in Clark, Pampanga (venue to be announced as soon as details are available). for now, we need your confirmation that you will attend. di po pwede mag back out once magconfirm.

to wit, the following have qualified:

	BONIFACIO SANDOVAL TEACHER TITAY NHS
67	ANGELINE OLEGARIO	STUDENT	WMSU LAB HS
68	ERICSON ALIETO	TEACHER	WMSU LAB HS
69	FATIMAH INGKOH	STUDENT	WMSU LAB HS
70	GENALYN BIADNES	TEACHER	ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR NHS
71	DARWIN LUMOSBOG	TEACHER	ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY NHS

Out of 90 entries, yours belonged to the top 60 who will attend. You have brought honor to your school and the region . Congratulations! You have until sept 23 to confirm, otherwise , your slot will be given to the next in rank.

Today is Our Lady's Birthday

I woke up at around 4:45 am. Earlier on, I had such time scheduled for alarm through my phone. I took a warm bath and gotten my self ready for the Holy Mass, which would be at 6 am. When I got to the Cathedral, I saw Kuya Roger and Kuya Manny who were busy preparing many things. Ate Marie and Ate Lourdes were also there already. Last night, I sent Kuya Manny a recorded Psalm that would be sung for the Celebration. The Psalm was indeed great and was sung meaningfully: "With delight, I rejoice in the Lord." I also played the musical organ live. We, the choir sang Marian songs (Ave Maria as entrance hymn, Stella Maris during the post-communion and Mother of Christ in the final). It was a joyful celebration of the birth of Our Mother. The mass ended at around 7 am. I directly proceeded to Zamboanga Sibugay National High School for my classes.

May the Blessed Virgin continue to pray for the whole world. Ave Maria!

Gotten better already

Just awhile ago, we the Interlude choir just had practice for the Holy Mass tomorrow, which is the commemoration of the birthday of Our Lady. My co-members in the choir commented that I am now playing the musical organ like a pro. Kuya Manny even commented that I am already like a master of it. How heartwarming it has been to hear it from others, that after all my self-practices, I am now better than I was, like a month ago. I am so thankful to God that He paved the way for my knowing Sr. Aurea, OSB, who has been teaching and encouraging me to play the musical organ, live during each mass our choir is assigned. I know that I still have more to practice. For now, I am so blessed with friends who continue to give encouragements.

whata Sunday!

I was waken up early yesterday by an SMS message from JiJi, inviting me for a tennis game. It was around 6:00 am that I got to his place. I proceeded to KenKen's house and there he was, preparing too for our tennis play. Then at the DPWH tennis court, we wiped off the slightly wet surface as it was raining a bit last Saturday. We volleyed for like 45 minutes and it got my shirt wet. When KenKen's father (kuya Norman) arrived, he joined us and we played doubles with me and KenKen as partners. After our game, Ate Daylin came around. She doubled with Kuya Norman against me and Sir Butch. We lost to them at 4 - 8. Winning the game really didn't matter (it never mattered to me at all) to me. What has always been the priority is me, getting fit while enjoying.

When I got home, I got a text message from Roland, a 3rd Year college student of mine that we pursue on what we planned last week - that was to have a good time at the beach on Sunday. He asked me if I could drop by so we could get Miguel his classmate. Then, we three proceeded to the wet market to buy fish and all what we would be enjoying at Palid Beach. When we got to the place, I saw a lot of friends. Miguel was amazed how could I have such a number of friends. We really had a great time there despite the limited rice. We swam to the wavy waters and it was such a fun jumping off the waves! We left the beach at around 5pm. When I got home, after drinking plenty of nice, cold water, I fell into my bed and enjoyed a long night sleep!

Rest in Peace Ate Mila

Last week, while we're (the Interlude Choir) practicing songs with Sister Aurea, we heard a news that Ate Mila, a member of our singing ministry group passed away by a complication due to appendicitis. Of course, we were all shocked. These past few months she hasn't really been that active with us but Ate Luz told me of her intent to be back again to the choir. She is survived by her son who's at his 20's and her daughter Meldie (our choir's projector girl), 16. Ate Mila should now be in joyful reunion with her late husband.

It was only like more than a year that I have known ate Mila. She to me, is a simple lady, a beautiful person inside and out, and a loving mother. She used to be at the "alto" group in our choir.

Last Saturday, the choir visited her wake at her parent's home in Tirso Babiera. Sr. Aurea led us in praying for her eternal repose.

Happy Birthday Daylin

My sis celebrated her 26th birthday last Aug 16. In the morning, I was busy at the church being the choir organist, and a beginner at that. Huh! When I got home at around 11 am, I saw that Mckoy was busy at the kitchen. He was preparing for the birthday lunch. Papang asked me what gift I would give to the celebrator. I handed my sis 500 bucks and she was happy with that.

I took a little sleep after the lunch to prepare my self for a tennis match. I sent SMS to my students/playmates telling them that we'd play at 3 pm. I sweat a lot and it was really great having felt good after the game.

Today, Our Lady of the Assumption Feast

I woke up early and drove off to the church. The Interlude was going to be the choir on the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist for the Feast of our Lady. I would be playing most of the songs on the organ, live!

The mass started at around 5:30 am. I was really pessimistic at first, having the thought that I might commit mistakes. You see, I am a beginner when it comes to organ. It has been just more than a month that I have practiced playing on organ. We were singing Marian songs in the post-communion and in the final. Anyhow, the mass got over and I thought I somehow at least got a passing mark because my mentor, Sister Aurea gave her OK with my performance. Way to go! But I know I am still on my first step. If time permits, amidst all trials, I believe that within a year, I could be better.

At 8 am, I rushed to DPWH to play tennis with my students. It has been a while since I played. Somehow, I played and I really sweat a lot.

so sorry i am

It's really not that easy to say sorry. Often we tend to be biased with our very selves and at times when our actions cause pain on others, we are most likely to reason out on our favor.

I did not expect a thing that I could hurt someone so close to my heart - that's Kuya Manny. He has been so good to me and my gratefulness for his kindness and his family would not suffice to express how happy I have been knowing him and his family. While we were practicing a song, and after having sung it, he flashed on an LCD another hymn , which wasn't really the song that we would practice with the choir. (Kuya Manny had all those PowerPoint presentations made). But the song was great and it's one that has been so familiar with me. So we sang or practiced the song. I saw that some words in there were not the ones I used to sing with my students. And so I told him that it was "wrong" and I thought I was really pressing hard the issue. Then he told me he did not intend it to be that way. He was really hurt when he said that. On my part, there was truly no speck of intention of hurting him or whatever, but then again, I hurt him. Because of the conviction within me that I wasn't purposely turning him down, I said sorry again and again. I was truly profoundly sorry, having thought that despite all his hard works, there I was, simply saying that something was wrong. Anyhow, I was glad that he offered me his hand after all.

"To forgive is divine". Perhaps, so famously known. But there nothing to forgive for anyone who is not sorry at all.

Got a new phone today

When I received my "differential" a couple of weeks ago, I decided that I buy a new phone. I used to have an MMS phone but I unfortunately lost it. It fell out of my pocket while I was driving. I used to like the N70 so I thought of buying one. Last Monday, my sis told me that she would be going with her husband Mckoy to Zamboanga City on Wednesday. I asked her if she could drop by a mall to buy for me N70. So yesterday, she bought the phone at a wise price. Now I have it and I truly like the unit.

Oh by the way, they went to Zambo to buy a spare part for the vehicle of IMAVEMCO. Unluckily, while on the way home this morning, the motor on which Mckoy was riding had its back wheel interior burst due to swelling caused by very hot road. Their son Joshua was with them. Good thing the little boy was wearing helmet (all of them anyway) and not a single scratch or bruise was inflicted on him. This morning, I really had a bad feeling about their travel. My heart was really palpitating fast when I had my thoughts on them. Thank God, there were good Samaritans who helped them. Mckoy and my sis got some minor bruises and pain. They're OK now. Thank God!

Congrats Rainier!

My contestant in Science III Quiz (Chemistry), Rainier Mesia of Zamboanga Sibugay NHS won first place in the District Level Science Contest 2009 that was just held this morning at Ipil National High.

We are now gearing up for the next level, the SLC which will be sometime next week at Titay National High.

Dimple turns 7 today.

Dimple and Angel got their birthdays celebrated yesterday, since the dates are only two days different. Papang treated them two lechons. The kids were so happy having all their friends attended their party. Happy birthday Angel and Dimple!

Farewell President Cory.

Former President Corazon Aquino flashes the ‘Laban’ sign as she speaks to thousands of people at an anti-Charter change rally on Sept. 21, 1997 at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. AP-Bullit Marquez (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/168752/Former-President-Corazon-Aquino-people-power-icon-passes-away)
Tita Cory is indeed an icon of democracy. I do still remember my childhood days when she struggled with the Filipino people to free our country from dictatorship. When she came here in Ipil, my elder brother had an unforgettable experience with her. While the people were surrounding her, she threw her yellow garland, which was caught by my bro. I could recall her words to him that was told to me by my bro: "Iyo na 'yan boy!".

This morning at 3:18, she passed away. May she now rest in peace with Ninoy, as her legacy of freedom linger forever in the hearts of true Filipinos.

Happy 5th Birthday Angel!

just visited the internet cafe after a long while

all these past days were tennis, school, church, musical organ, tennis, school, church, musical organ..

just yesterday at 7:30 pm till like 9:00pm, I was playing doubles with wangyOe as my partner. well, he is a national athletics meet player. he brought our team to a 2 - 0 victory! Manilyn, jesker and j.j. were playing with us.

whew! what a life! but then again, "it's my life"!

May's almost over and yet

haven't yet posted that much... what a busy life!