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!

The Easter Vigil Celebration 2009

The Interlude choir, through the hard work of Kuya Roger, our president and Kuya Manny the Liturgical Committee Chair, has been preparing way ahead of time the celebration of the Easter Vigil. Specially that this commemoration has so many parts that are not commonly done, we really had to be also prepared on our part as a choir. Kuya Manny requested me to put melody on 7 Psalms, two of which were for the Palm Sunday and Good Friday and the other 5 for the Easter Vigil. We asked the assistance of Ricky to have all the Psalms recorded on diskette to be played on organ since none of us in the choir knows how to play the organ. After the tedious recordings and preparations, the Psalms and the liturgical songs had been readied before the schedules. Last Sunday, Pamela sang the Psalm: "Dios ko, Dios ko, nganong Imo akong gibiyaan" very meaningfully. Last Good Friday, I sang the Psalm: "O Amahan, gitugyan ko ang akong kinabuhi diha sa Imong mga kamot."

This afternoon at 5:30, the Easter Vigil Celebration started with the blessing of the fire, which was followed by the Liturgy of the Word. Ate Ofelia, Darlene and Kuya Manny sang Psalms 104, 16 and Exodus 15 respectively and Kuya Manny and Ate Des sang in duet Psalm 42. I was so happy because the assembly and even Bishop Tonel, his co-celebrants and the assembly sang with the choir loudly. I and Darlene sang the Litany of Saints during the Baptismal Rites. On the whole, the choir did a great job. Bishop Tonel told us that we had good music that we made the people sing too.

Kuya Manny prepared a dinner for the group at his home. There, we celebrated as the Interlude Choir Family for having done a good job in our singing ministry.

Happy Birthday Fr. Jim

Fr. Jim McAuley is a priest from the US. He used to work at the World Trade Center before entering the seminary. He was ordained at the age of 33. I came to know him, and eventually became a close friend because of my being a choir at the church. I thought it was with my students, the ZSNHS Choir that we have become good friends.

Anyone who knows about Fr. Jim has only one thing to say: "He is a good person". One time he asked me when my birthday is. He was amazed when he knew I was born on the 7th of April because his mother was also born on the same date. I too was surprised to have known from him that his birthday is on the 8th. This morning, I woke up at 4 (and joined with those in the pictures above) for a mañanita for Fr. Jim. I didn't expect that I'd play the guitar for the singing, and also that I'd lead the prayer upon Fr. Jim's request. I felt so happy. We took the morning snack and then left at once because there would be more batches to greet the good priest, my friend.

To you Fr. Jim, a friend and truly Jesus' faithful disciple: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

A Different Kind of Celebrating My Birthday this Year

More than any other birthdays I have had, this day has to be the most meaningful. I was skeptic about attending the Chrism Mass this morning at 9 because of my sprained right foot. Yesterday Kuya Manny encouraged me to hear the mass and as a gesture of my thanksgiving, offer something in the Holy Eucharist. But when it was about to be 9 am, I finally decided to get dressed, prepare the gift and proceed to the church. I saw Kuya Manny there and I thought he really was delighted to have seen me bringing my offering. He and his wife, Ate Lourdes greeted me a happy birthday. It was an amazing moment to see almost all the priest in the prelature converged at the Cathedral for the Chrism Mass, and even more special for me, celebrating my birthday at the Church. The mass was highlighted with the blessing of the oil. I went home once the mass was over. I received a text message from Kuya Manny that Bishop Joy was appreciative of the Psalms that I have been putting melodies with. We would have a practice at the church for the Easter Vigil, as our choir will have a big part during the upcoming celebration. The Bishop was indeed nice, that he even greeted me. He heard some of our Psalms and he said they could be compiled on an album and may be marketed. As I was about to leave, my close friend Fr. Jim (who will be celebrating his birthday tommorow; today is his mother's birthday too) greeted me also. Darlene, who is a choir member accompanied me for a halo-halo snack at Ati-Atihan. I brought her to her place and I went home then.

This evening, I attended the last night of Lenten Recollection. Bishop Tonel was still the speaker, and he delivered a very interesting and relevant talk on God's Commandments. I was with the Interlude Choir for we were rendering musical service. Pamela, one of the choir's precious voices, gave me a custard cake, which I brought home later. My best friend buddy Dwight was my companion after the recollection. We drank (ooops, not alcohol!) L-carnitine containing juice at the ONB. Then I went home at once.

Oh, before I forgot. I received birthday greetings from these great friends - Pamela, Mam Glo Canillas, Kuya Roger (our choir president), Allan (my best friend in the entire world), Dyan (my closest sibling, who's in Cebu), Dwight (my little bro), Jenny (the pretty and sexy one), Ciara (who's in CDO working as HRMO in Coke)..

Injured!

I was volleying tennis with Niel at around 7am. Later, his little bro came around and then his father too. The two were played doubles with some who were ahead of us. As they were done (they won), Neil's father said that we play doubles too. Neil was with his younger bro and I with his father. They promised that they give us a zero score. Indeed, it was like going into that direction because with us serving first, they broke points and got the first score. But we gained momentum at once, and tied with them 1-1. I struggled a lot with my partner and our opponents were nailed at 1 as we already won 5 game points. I was on the net as we were heading for the sixth point when a hard ball from Karl (Neil's bro) was about to land at the edge of our court. The ball was over head and I thought I was responsible to have it returned. I jumped up and successfully smashed it back to the opposite court, at the expense of my right foot - it landed angled and I felt like I had my bones removed off my foot as it dropped on the hard court. I sat down and examined my injury and I thought it wasn't that severe. I even told them that we could continue. But Neil's father would want us to go home for my sprain could get even worse.

This afternoon, I had my ankle "hilot" (reflexed?) by Nang Marina. The pain during the process was even more, but my foot got felt better after a while.

This evening, I attended a recollection at St. Joseph's Cathedral with Bishop Joy Tonel as the speaker. It was worth attending and after it, I even felt even much better.

Playing Tennis (Doubles) with Pros

I woke up at around 5:45 am after an early sleep last night. I got my rockets ready and proceeded to my playmate's (Leevani) place. We volleyed for like an hour already when some younger players would also volley and play within the court where we were playing. At the time we were starting to play, there were already two tennis pros playing on the other court. When they were having a break, I and Leevan transferred to the court where the pros were playing. To our surprise, they invited us to play doubles with them. It was already past seven and I was kind of tired already. But we played with them anyhow. My partner was really great at securing the balls back. I heeded to his advise that I stay on the net. It was indeed challenging for me and I never thought I could play that better. They even told me that I now can play tennis. Wow! Hearing it from them was truly amazing! Amazing it was indeed for I and my pro-partner won the game 8 - 6!

After the game, I treated Leevan with a hamburger snack. He would be going back to Sta. Clara this afternoon after he will have taken a special test. Leevan or Ban-Ban is one of my students in Chemistry 102, at WMSU-Ipil ESU.

Congrats Dimple

My smart niece Julianne Hyacinth, fondly called "Dimple" just finished her first grade today. She is the 7th honors of the class she belongs. Well, I should not be surprised because just by now, she can already read the 200 Sight Words! Way to go, Dimple!

Boracay, truly an Island Paradise (Thanks to DEDP)

My being part of the Division Education Development Plan (DEDP) was a kind of an unexpected venture. I was assigned as an ADHOC member and as one of the lead writers for the ALS (Alternative Learning System). I have had lots of opportunities, however hard were the demands for the group to finish the grand plan. Top of it all, would be the knowledge on making a feasible plan that I gained. As soon as the plan was packaged, presented, approved and enhanced further, the Division Office of the DepEd in Sibugay rewarded our endeavor with a trip to the Island Paradise Boracay, and there we went and enjoyed from Feb 26 to March 1! (I also posted a blog about my visit to Boracay on my other page: http://darwin-beachbuddy.blogspot.com)

Best Wishes to my cousin Lynlyn and his husband Billy!

Malubal Falls: The Revisit (Dec 28, '08)

This morning at around 8, I prepared the "head" of the lechon as our pasalubong for our friends who were waiting at Malubal. I also bought a small can of fruit cocktail and a can of condensed milk as we would be making a buko salad at Dude's home. Audz, Edz and I went off to Malubal., and got there past 10:00 am. Audz had to fetch Sargz and his friend JR so Edz and I just waited at Dudez place. Dudez came over after some minutes and soon enough Audz, Sargz and JR arrived. Audz cooked lechon paksiw while Sargz, though quite tired got some buko. After the rice and the paksiw were done, we wrapped our baon, as we would be revisiting the falls, this time with Sargz. Dudez' mother was delighted that we left her some lechon paksiw.

At almost 12, we started walking. Sargz had to really rush with our trip, because he'd be playing a championship basketball match at around 4:00 pm in Guinabucan. With that, we had to get at the crossing Piling, through a habal-habal ride. We were six, so loading us all in one habal-habal would be a crazy thing, considering both our number and size. But then, we proceeded with it as the driver was OK. JR seated on the front, I was next to the driver, Dudez followed, Sargz, well, in standing position (there's just no other way to fit us all in) came next, Edz, had to face Sargz' rear bumpers, having positioned next and at the back most was the superior leader, Audz. I could really feel the strong compression of us all. Sargz had his hands holding on my shoulder and it felt so tickling! But I couldn't move - doing it would endanger everyone. I was so helpless. Anyhow, we reached Piling and paid the driver 30 pesos.

We got to the place, earlier than the last time we got to the falls. Moving down the cliff wasn't as difficult as we already have had the experience to do so. The falls was reduced of its water, most possibly due to the lower amount of rainfall. But the majestic view of the falls was still there. It was only Dudez and I who were swimming on the water. But after we took our lunch through a boodle fight, everyone swam already. We had Sargz took a picture with us. He wished the group was complete. But Jenz and Armz were attending to other invitation(s), they just couldn't be with us. At almost 2 pm, we climbed up the side of the falls to go home. We were making lots of fun as we were on our way back home. Sargz and JR took a habal-habal ride after we bid goodbye with our distinct group sign.

Edz, Audz, Dudez and I dropped by Malubal Elementary School. We took pictures of our selves there. (The pictures (falls and school) are albumed at my friendster account). Audz and I left Malubal at almost 3:00 pm. I got home at 4:15 and dressed up to attend the Mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral. The Celebration was on the Feast of the Holy Family.

Tres Andanas Falls: Twice Lost, but Got there Anyway

Sargz (Kevin) has been telling the group about "Tres Andanas" Falls in Guinabucan. It was last December 8 that Audz (Dwight) and I went to Guinabucan just to see the place of Sargz in San Fernandino. We'd be back to go to the waterfalls, Sargz has been proudly telling us about. Yesterday, Audz and I went back again to Guinabucan, and by the time, to set our feet at the falls. We left Ipil at around 8:30 am and got to Malubal at past 9 am. We gave our presents to Dude'z mom. She was so thankful with our gesture. Dude'z dressed up and went with us. We dropped by Ed'z place and she also went with us to Guinabucan. Sargz was just outside his house when we got to the place. We grilled the marinated pork we brought for our lunch. I and audz gave our gifts to sargZ mom and she too was grateful with our presents.

At almost 1 pm we started walking off to the falls. Sargz invited two of his friends to serve as our guide. While we were on the way, I noticed that none of us really know the place as our supposedly guides kept on asking whenever we passed by a house. Their not knowing of the place was confirmed when we were lost after we walked through Kasay - I. Oh, I remember! We passed by a Center of Daughters of Christ of Saint Vincent. It was a nice place, with playgrounds for children. Anyway, we shifted our path when someone told us that we were on the wrong way. Then we got to a house, which was nearest to the falls. The owner of that house was kind to offer us water for a drink. He pointed where the spot was - the place from our view was a forest area. We walked downhill and again, ended up lost. But we decided that we walk downstream to get to the falls. It was already more than a hour of walking. I have had an experience of walking through stony brook, but the journey we had yesterday was the longest and most challenging to date! We met two girls along the way and our thinking that there was no "tres andanas" at all was erased when the kids told us that we were already nearing the "busay". I and Audz were at the last line and when we got to the falls, everyone ahead of us was already marveling at the falls.The falls, which is at Kasay - II, has been so named "Tres Andanas" (Three Floors) with the basis of how the waterfalls are arranged. At the top, there are two waterfalls from separate streams. Both flow toward a single waterfall, which is at the lower level. Such waterfall flows towards the lowest waterfalls, which has the widest drop. We were so afraid to dive on the water because it appeared so deep. We moved down the lowest falls and then took a swim. The water was both deep and very cold, that we had to swim as fast for fear of what might be in the deep water. We left the place at 4:18 pm, upstream that time. Thanks to my jogging at the Capitol, I somehow had the physical preparation of walking long distances. We got to the Guinabucan road at 5:48 pm! We dropped by Saberon Store for a refreshment. Then, we proceeded to sargZ house. They prepared us a nice dinner - lechon kawali, with macaronni salad as our desert.This morning, we left the place to attend to the first birthday of my nephew - Mark Joshua.

Merry Christmas!

Yesterday evening, I heared the Christmas Vigil Mass with Dwight at St. Joseph's Cathedral. Earlier, I cooked pancit and escabeche for the noche buena and got ready by 6:50 pm to hear the 7:15 vigil mass. After the celebration, we went home and ate. Then we got up to the Capitol to have a party with Dwight's relatives. The spaghetti was really delicious. I met Charmaine, an student of mine, way back my first year of teaching at Marcelo Spinola School. After some shots of Emperador, we moved down and shared Tanduay with iced tea at Arturoz's. I was sending this text message I made to some friends:

Celebr8
Christmas
d
way
Jesus
ws
born
4
us.
He
bcame
human
2b
a
perfct
sacrifice-
a
gift
frm
d
Father
2save
us.
Ds
season
lyk
Christ
may
we
b
gifts
4
aders
too!

(that was exactly 160 characters)Today, I woke up around 7 am, took a bath and dressed up for the Christmas Mass at 8:15 am. Kuya Manny had the English songs ready, but because we learned that the medium should be Visayan, JC (kuya Manny's son), the LCD-Laptop operator had to shift from PowerPoint files to another files. Anyhow, the mass was solemnly celebrated. I got home straight and slept a lot. This afternoon, Dwight and I planned our travel tomorrow. We bought the things we need. I went to Daday's place but she wasn't there. She was just home and the kids were there too. I bought home a 105-peso ice cream and the kids ready loved it. Papang was there too. Later, Mamang arrived and gave Dimple and Angel some nice outfits.

Christmas Party '08

I could not have much time with my students to plan for a Christmas party because I have been attending to the needs of my Provincial Chess players, being their coach. The kids anyhow managed to inform me that they already made a plan for the party. This morning at ten, the program got started with a doxology of the ZSNHS Choir, with me as the guitarist. We sang "Emmanuel", as it is timely for the season. Last night, the choir was doing a splendid singing during the 3rd Anticipated Novena Mass, in celebration of the Feast of the Birth of our Lord Jesus at the jam packed St. Joseph's Cathedral of Ipil.

Then the program was opened with my welcome remarks. I emphasized to them: "you would never have your third year life again, so make memories of fun and joy." "you will only be third year once in your entire life." There was a nice dance presentation, which was followed by search for Mr. and Miss Christmas , III-Diamond Class '08. The kids were really thrilled as their classmates did their catwalk. Parlor games followed. There was a paper dance contest. Jimboy and his partner won the game. There was also statue dance, which I joined in. Unfortunately, I was eliminated. Then we took our lunch, after which, the Chris Kringle followed. I gave my gift to Kristelle Ann and i got a gift from Jeraldin.The kids proceeded a park at Suclema. I couldn't go with them because I had to see my chess players at Central.

Blocked Road

It has been like four times that I found a hard time passing through the street in our purok. Of course, the path itself has been difficult, but it's not a big problem to deal with, as anyone in the place got used to it after having driven along the road again and again. Now what is this hard time I'm talking about? Look at this picture:

It is really difficult to drive further because the road is like blocked entirely. Those people at the left side are the ones operating that truck in the picture. They are selling water. They really saw me taking picture of them, but I knew what I was doing. They have not done it once, and they would certainly do it again. I hope they would have a parcel of their mind that would consider other passers by of the road. After all, they are not residents of the purok. Too bad!

Tennis for me was simple as it seemed to be but…

I woke up early, put my jogging wear on, placed the tennis rocket on my bag and fetched Jenny from her place to Neil’s house. Yesterday, we called for a tennis play that would be played this morning. We left the motorcycle at Dwight’s place and started hiking up the hill of Ipil Heights. It was around 4:30 am when we got to the base of the hill. We jogged up right away on the inclined road. It was my first time that I made it all the way up. Then, we started on hiking again till we reached near the National High. After some deep breathing and ample stretching, we started on brisk walking along the slope, and when we were around 70 m to where there’s a rugged path, we jogged up again. It was calorie-burning as I almost run out of breath having got to the top. Then we walked up further till we got to the highest point. Then we walked downhill to cool down. We were half way through the concrete road and decided to jug up again. It was still dim when we got to the tennis court.

As soon as there was some little brightness, we started on smashing the tennis balls with our rockets against the tall wall with imprints: “Go Tennis with Hofer”. It was difficult to hit back the balls since it was still not that bright. In my case, I got the ball flown out of the wall and I had to tediously find it each time it got out. Anyway, when the dawn completely broke, we got started on playing at the court. It was my first time to hit balls inside a court. Tennis was simple as it seemed, when I saw almost every game of grand slam events on TV. But it wasn’t easy at all. There were many approaching balls, which I failed to even hit. But as the game progressed, I got my timing, which is an important element – move back a bit and smash on the ball! I could not forget how I hit the ball with my forehand, and got it all the way in, really fast. Neil, who has been playing tennis, even marveled at what I just did. The playing got me really sweat a lot. After we felt we had enough, we walked downhill and took our usual refreshment at our “suki”.

I am looking forward to playing tennis. My father was a player himself. The rocket that I used, Dunlop (McEnroe Series) was given to him by his playmate, Dr. Vicajoy.

Happy Fiesta, Nuestra Señora Imaculada Concepcion

It was since last week that Kevin, John Dwight and I planned to go to Malubal to attend the christening of Reneheart’s (Kevin’s elder sis) son, on the occasion of the Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Yesterday morning, after the jogging, the three of us went to the cold place of Malubal. It was around 10:30 am that we got there, so Kevin asked that we proceed to San Fernandino, Guinabukan for us to see his place. Along the way, Kevin was skeptic about us pursuing the trip because he felt like bashful that we would see his home. But we told him we go there for the people, not for the house. We got there at 10:46 am. I was bringing with me an apple. I was feeling thirsty so I had it eaten. We were waiting for Kevin’s mother but she wasn’t there. We learned she was washing clothes at the river.

At 11:11 am, we went back to Malubal straight to Reneheart’s home. At the time she was at the Chapel with her husband and son for the Christening Rites. It was near lunchtime when I saw Reneheart approaching, carrying her little boy. The table was prepared and the family asked me to lead the prayer. We ate the sumptuous lunch and right after, a long-neck Tanduay was served. When we were about to finish the rum, Kevin’s father came. He was already loaded; hence, he talked a lot. He ordered for another bottle long-neck of “the number 1 rum”. That really got me loaded too. At around 4:45 pm, we left Malubal and went back to San Fernandino to meet Kevin’s mom. There, I met his beautiful mom and she was so accommodating. I told her that by this Christmas vacation, our group will drop by their place to go to the waterfalls called “Tres Andanas”.

After a short talk, we drove off back to Ipil. We dropped by at “Ego’s” place and then went to the IMAVEMCO noodles factory to see my Papang. Then we went to Arturo’s place to have another Tanduay session. Then we all went home after finishing 2 Senior bottles.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

My blog has been created by me with the big help from Blogger.com, for probably the same reason as those of other bloggers. Well, I personally have this as a channel to which I may be able to document my very life – whatever might and will have come to pass as I continue with my existence here on earth. “It’s My Life”, the title of my blogsite, clearly tells that the stories here are and will not be that of others, but how their lives have and will have become part of my very life's stories, whatever the circumstances might have been and may have happen.

After having posted a number of events of my life here in this site, I have become skilled in writing, spontaneous with my expression of thoughts, more appreciative of friends and things life has to offer and top of it all, been finding answers to the question: “what on earth am I here for?”.

Certainly, I am the most avid reader of my own blog. Now that I learned that many have accessed and read through my stories, I have felt a bit flattered that they too, have taken the time to read my blog – the story of my life. To them, I thank so much for somehow, I have some people around, knowing my stories. It is an unexpected added value to this site, that they may become better, as this site fosters the unfolding of the beauty of life that lies behind this seemingly unhappy world.

Pacman's the Best!

I was about to finish washing my clothes when the "Dream Match" between the "Pacman" Manny Pacquiao and the "Golden Boy" Oscar dela Hoya was about to commence. I rushed to Ate Bibing's house to watch the fight. (Our TV just got damaged; it will be fixed tomorrow yet). When I got there, I saw some neighbors, eagerly waiting for the start of the fight. I thought at first that Pacman wouldn't simply make it, considering dela Hoya's stunning titles, advantageous height and a stronger physique. Many pre-fight analyses saw dela Hoya's success in the so-called Dream Match. When the fight was about to start, I felt like anxious about Pacman's fate. But from the first round till the eighth, Pacquiao was way better than his Mexican opponent, that the latter had to succumb to the fight for a reason that "his heart still willing, but his body couldn't sustain the fight anymore". Everyone in the house was in jubilation of Pacman's easy victory. The highway was also de-loaded of passing vehicles. The shouting of the people from nearby houses could be heard, the moment Pacquiao got his power punch on dela Hoya.

Pacman's truly the best. His most recent fight proved that a dream could come true if you worked enough for it. Congrats Philippines!