Saturday, March 29, 2008
Being a Parent for a Night
Last night I went to the Conception Integrated School Secondary Level graduation ceremony in Marikina since some of my 3I students from ANI studies there. Little did I know that I was to be the proxy parent of Clang. She also went to ANI and we were friends but I was never her teacher. So I was surprised that I was to be the one who will march with her in the quadrangle and go up the stage when she gets an award. She's the recipient of the PGMA Award for Leadership. She's the president of their Supreme Student Government (hhhmmm... following the footsteps of her proxy dad).
The funny think about being a proxy dad is that I also felt a sense of pride when Clang's name was called and we were about to up the stage. That (and more) must be what it feels like to be a parent during graduation night.
It was nice being there with my ANI kids and seeing them go up the stage to receive their hard-earned diploma.
This was our first photo together before the march
"Are you his father?", the DepEd official asked me.
Congrats Clang :)
@ 
Friday, March 28, 2008
Escapist
This evening I had supper with one of my mentors. I have several mentors in Ateneo but this particular one can really strike a deep, emotional chord within me. He made me realize how much of an escapist I really am. He made me realize that I need to feel the sense of urgency in matters that I have long set aside. He made me understand that I need to learn to be myself, especially to the people whom I seem to be running away from.
It's great to find mentors within the university. They can truly provide wisdom. They can ask the questions that are hardest to answer. They can teach how to be human, and how to be yourself.
Finally I have a Tamagotchi! Thanks to Ynav (who lent this to me) I have my own pet to take care of! Hehehehe! Ever since elementary days, I've always wanted to have a Tamagotchi. I don't know why. Maybe it's driven by an inner desire to feel needed. Whatever the reason is, I'll enjoy OmOm (my pet) for some time.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Para Sa'yo
Salamat sa lahat ng iyong ginawa para sa akin.
Salamat sa tulong sa tuwing ako'y nangailangan.
Salamat sa pag-iintindi at pasensya.
Salamat sa mga pagkakataong ako'y iyong inalagaan.
Salamat sa panahon, sa ngiti, tuwa, luha, at lungkot.
Patawad sa lahat ng aking ginawa sa'yo.
Patawad sa aking mga pagkukulang at ang aking mga pagkakamali.
Patawad sa hindi ko pagtulong sa mga panahong ika'y lubos na nangailangan.
Patawad sa kawalan ko ng pag-intindi at pasenya.
Patawad sa pagkakataong ika'y aking napabayaan.
Patawad sa nasayang na panahon, sa nawaglit na ngiti at tawa, at sa mga luhat, lungkot, at kapighatiang aking naidulot.
Nawa'y patuloy kang pagpalain ng Maykapal.
Isa kang biyaya sa buhay ko.
Mahal na mahal kita.
Obama and Clinton related to Bradgelina
I have been "infinitely curious" of the on-going race between Hillary and Barack. Here's something interesting.
Obama is ninth cousin to Brad Pitt, and Hillary Clinton is ninth cousin to Angelina Jolie. Therefore, the couple’s daughter Shiloh is related to both candidates
[via Yahoo! News]
Obama related to quite a number of other politicians
Obama has a prolific presidential lineage that features Democrats and Republicans. His distant cousins include President George W. Bush and his father, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Lyndon Johnson, Harry S. Truman and James Madison. Other Obama cousins include Vice President Dick Cheney, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and Civil War General Robert E. Lee.
[via Yahoo! News]
Clinton, on the other hand, is related to some famous singers.
Clinton, who is of French-Canadian descent on her mother's side, is also a distant cousin of singers Madonna, Celine Dion and Alanis Morissette.
[via Yahoo! News]
I wonder how genes play a role in the kind of policies these presidentiables have in mind. Probably there is no connection.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Attending a Friend's Graduation
This afternoon, Bettina called me in my cellphone. She told me that one of our 3I kids in ANI called her. He invited Bettina to his graduation on Friday. He said he had no one to be with him on graduation day. Bettina called me so I can go with her.
It's been a while since I've communicated with my 3I kids. I know that those that came from Marikinia Science are doing well. But I had several students who had real family issues. In some way, I feel guilty for not being able to constantly check on them. It had to come to a point that one of them had to call us so that we can remember them.
These kids really changed my life and I think I owe to them to at least be with them when they need their kuya the most.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Woooooooooooooords
I was taking a break from making my Project Management Proposal when I found this. Here are some of the longest words in the English language. Enjoy!
1. Honorificabilitudinitatibus
The word consists of 27 letters. This word appeared in the script of Shakespeare titled “Love's Labour's Lost”, which means “invincible glorious.”
2. Antidisestablishmentarianism
The word consists of 28 letters. This word means “opposition to the withdrawal of state support or recognition from an established church, esp. the Anglican Church in 19th-century England” as explained in Dictionary.com. It has been quoted once by the British Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone, 1809- 1898.
3. Floccinaucihihilipilification
The word comprises of 29 letters. It means “act or habit to deny the value of some particular things.”
4. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
The word comprises of 34 letters. This word appeared in a movie called “Marry Poppins”, which means “good.”
5. Hepaticocholecystostcholecystntenterostomy
The word consists of 42 letters. It appears in the “Medical Dictionary” edited by Gao De as a surgical terminology, which refers to indirect artificial tube surgery between the intestine and gallbladder or in the gallbladder and bile duct.
6. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
The word comprises of 45 letters. It appears in the eighth edition of Webster dictionary, which means “pneumoconiosis disease caused by inhaling small particles of quartzite.” Miners are particularly vulnerable to this disease. (I actually know this word)
7. Antipericatametaanaparcircumvolutiorectumgustpoops of the Coprofied
The word consists of 50 letters. There is a display of one French writer's ancient story in a library shelf, with this long English word as its book title
8. Osseocaynisanguineoviscericartilagininervomedullary
The word consists of 51 letters. This is a terminology related to anatomy. It appeared in a novel called “Headlong Hall” written by an English writer, 1785-1866.
9. Aequeosalinocalcalinoceraceoaluminosocupreovitriolie
The word consists of 52 letters. This word was invented by the British Medical author, Dr. Edward Strother, 1675-1737. It is used to refer to the composition of mineral water found in England.
10. Bababadalgharaghtakamminarronnkonnbronntonnerronntuonnthunntro -
varrhounawnskawntoohoohoordenenthurnuk
The word of consists of 100 letters. It appeared in the book titled “Finnegan wake” written by Irish author, Andean James Joyce, 1882- 1942. This word refers to the downfall of Adam and Eve.
11. Lopadotemachoselachogaleokranioleipsanodrimhypotrimmatosi -
lphioparamelitokatakechymenokichlepikossyphophattoperisteralektr -
yonoptekephalliokigklopeleiolagoiosiraiosiraiobaphetraganopterygon
The word consists of 182 letters. This English word is derived from the Greece word, originating from the drama script of comedy titled “ecclesiazusae” written by a Greek writer, Aristophanes, 448- 385. It refers to spicy foods that cooked from the remaining vegetables and beef.
12. Methionylglutaminylarginyltyrosy -
lglutamylserylleucylphenylalanylalanylglutaminy -
lleucyllysylglutamylarginyllysylglutamylglycyla -
lanylphenylalanylvalylprolyphenylalanYlvalythre -
onylleucylglycylaspartylprolylglycylisoleucylg -
lutamylglutaminylsErylleucyllysylisoleucy -
laspartylthreonylleucylIsoleucylglutamy -
lalanylglycylalanylasparthlalanylleucylg -
lutamylleucylglycylisoleucylprolylphenylalanylse -
Rylaspartylprolylleucylalanylaspartylglycylp -
RolylthreOnylisoleucylglutaminylasPfraginylal -
anylthreonylleucylarfinylalanylphenylalanylalany -
lalanylglycylvalythreonylprolylalanylglutaminy -
lcysteinylphenylalanylglutamylmethionylleucy -
lalanylleuOylisoleucylarginylglutaminy -
llysyhistidylprolylthreonylisoleucylproly -
lisoleucylglycylleucylmethionyltyrosylalany -
lasparaginylleucylvalylphenylalanylasparaginy -
llysyglycylisoleucylaspartylglutamylphenylalany -
lthrosylalanylglutaminylcsteinylglutamyllysylva -
lylglycylvalylaspartylserylvalylleucylvalylalny -
laspartylvalylprolylvalylglUtaminylglutamylsery -
lalanylprolylphenylalanylarginylglutaminylalany -
lalanylleucylarginylhistidylasparaginyvalylalany -
lprolylisoleucylprolylisoleucylphenylalanylisoleucy -
lphenylalanylisoleucylcysteinylprolylprolylaspartylalany -
laspartylaspartylaspartylleucylleucylarginy -
lglutaminylisoleucylalanylseryltyrosylglycy -
larginylglycyltyrosylthreonyltyrOsylleucyl -
leucylserylarginylalanylglycylvalylthreony -
lglycylalanylglutamYlasparainylarginylalany -
lalanylleucylprolylleucylasparaginylhistidy -
lleucylValylalanyllysylleucyllysylglutamy -
ltyrosylasparaginylalanylalanylprolylpro -
lylleucylglutaminylglgycylphenylalanylglycy -
lisoleucylserylalanylprolylaspartylglutaminy -
lvalyllysylalanylalanylisoleucylaspartylalany -
lglycylalanylalanylglycylalanylisoleucylsery -
lglycylserylalanylisoleucylvalyllysylisoIeucy -
lisoleucylglutamylglutaminylHistidylasparaginy -
liSoleucylglutamylprolylglutamyllysylmethionyl -
leucylalanylalanylleucyllysylvalylphenylalanyl -
calylglutaminylprolylmethionlysylalanylalanylt -
hreonylarginylserine
The above word refers to "Tryptophan synthase a protein", a chemical name for a substance that contains 267 kinds of amino acid enzymes. (I hate CHEM!!!!)
[via Writinghood.com]
For words that you can actually use, go to Virualsalt.com.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Calendar of Sumilao Farmers' Last Days in Manila
The Sumilao farmers have won the land that they have been fighting for in years. Join them in thanksgiving and celebration before they leave for Bukidnon.March 20- Washing of the feet (Caritas)
March 21- 7 Last Words- Sumilao version (Caritas)
March 22- Bisita Iglesia around the Manila Parishes; March to Ateneo and mass at the Church of the Gesu at 8PM
March 23- Victory Fellowship at 9AM (San Jose Seminary, Ateneo); 4PM Mass at San Jose Covered Courts (Bukas Palad will lead the choir)
The farmers will be walking to various schools and institutions that have supported them.
March 24- Balicbalic, Asilo
March 25- Visiting and thanking support groups (c/o Msgr. Gerry)
March 26- Holy Spirit, Manila schools
March 27- DLSU and Adamson
Afterwards, the farmers will be returning to Caritas before finally heading for Bukidnon.
March 28- Press Conference and Victory Party (Caritas)
March 29- Departure from Manila and mass with Cardinal Rosales at Sumilao, Bukidnon.
Let us continue praying for the Sumilao farmers and for our whole nation.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Sumilao Farmers are Victorious
Sumilao farmers celebrates triumph of social justice this Easter Sunday, March 24 (4:00 PM) at the San Jose Seminary Covered Courts. Ateneo mass (8:00 PM) with Fr. Provintial and Ateneo president Fr. Ben Nebres, SJ.San Miguel Corporation has returned the land and Sumilao farmers will soon go home straight to the 144 hectares with Cardinal Rosales celebrating mass.
We invite all supporters to join the celebration.
It will definitely be a joyful occasion for the Sumilao farmers. After more than a decade (10 years since the hunger strike and more) of struggles, finally the farmers will be able to till their land.
Although there is much joy in the hearts of many, personally, I have my own reservations for this resolution. I am a staunch believer that the 144 hectares should be given to the farmers. In the current resolution, 50 hectares (inside the 144 hectares) will be directly sold to the farmers (MAPALAD cooperative). The farmers will be able to plant within this 50 hectares with conditions (i.e. no building of permanent structures, no use of fertilizers, no planting of tress, etc.).
The remaining 94 hectares will be provided outside the 144 hectares. The farmers will choose from a list of available land provided by SMC. But unlike the 50 hectares, this 94 hectares will be put under CARP (thus taking a longer time to process) with the MAPALAD farmers as its beneficiaries.
I may have my own reservations with the ending of the struggle for land. But I would still say that I am very happy for the farmers. Who am I to judge this decision that they made? They have fought for their land for so long. I sincerely believe that it is about time that these farmers walk on their own land and not on the streets.
Thank God for this answered prayer.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Thinking of Ayano
I don't want to be sentimental right now but I'll definitely miss Ayano. She's been an amazing friend to all of us and I have been thinking about her since we parted ways right before noon. She's an exchange student from Japan and she's been in the Ateneo since June. Unlike many exchange students, Ayano really embraced the Filipino culture. I remember during her first months wherein she was still having difficulty speaking Filipino. But after months of daily (morning) tutoring, she can now fluently speak Filipino (amazing!).
Ayano is very special to a lot of people. She's active in AtSCA especially in their area in Marytown and she's giving her whole heart to the fight of the Sumilao farmers. Many would joke that Ayano is more of a Filipino than many Filipinos. I will have to agree to that. Just look at her multiply site, it's entitled "Mahal ko Pilipinas!!!!!".
Thursday, March 06, 2008
What Do You Stand For? - A Creative Advocacy Campaign
I read this e-mail in one of my (numerous) Yahoogroups about a class project that is very creative. It involves sponsoring a quilt (worth 30pesos) wherein you can write about your advocacies and the things that you stand for. They are starting their campaign today and they will be stitching the quilts together next week on Monday.
While I was on my way to Matteo-Ricci, someone called me (by name). When I saw her, she invited me to sponsor a quilt for their quilt. I was surprised that they recognized me and even invited me to be their first sponsor. I was so happy, amused, and impressed by the project that I sponsored three quilts (patches)! It's an amazing project especially when a lot of people support it. The proceeds will be a donation to UN (or was it UNICEF? - I will confirm this ASAP).
LET US SUPPORT THIS PROJECT! They'll be in one of the stone benches in front of CTC-JGSOM until Monday.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
DepEd is Anti-Political
MANILA, Philippines -- Students should be “insulated” from politics, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said, as he appealed to political groups and personalities not to bring their battle over the national broadband deal to the campus grounds.
[via Inquirer.net]
Politics, again is being seen as something dirty. DepEd secretary clearly doesn't want students to get involved in the affairs of the nation. Lapus comes across like a shadowy, grumpy scrooge shouting to children "You have no business here! This is only for the BIG BOYS!". Yes, big boys who no nothing but lie, cheat, and steal!
“These are (youngsters with ages ranging from) 15 to 16, they are not even voting, their minds are young. As we always say, please insulate basic education from politics.” Lapus added.
[via Inquirer.net]
If we want to form a youth sector that can truly be source of that "third force", then we should not be insulated from the realities of our society, more so the issues surrounding the political sphere. High school students are mature enough to be informed and create their own opinions. It is their right to know and to take a stand. Don't give us this BS that there is a need "to insulate basic education from politics"! This democracy was earned through the power of the people and we should continue fighting the battle for democracy everyday. It is the failure of those who came before us that they left the democratic institutions on their own. It's about time that the people (not only the politicos) work for their democratic institutions. Let us pressure our "public servants" to be accountable and truthful. And let us not let the guilty ones get away without due punishment.
On other news: EO 464 has been scrapped by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has scrapped Executive Order 464 but has retained the right of executive privilege.
At the same time, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said it is unlikely the Palace would invoke Memorandum Circular 108, issued after the Supreme Court declared parts of EO 464 unconstitutional and described by critics as a virtual clone of the controversial order.
EO 464 bars officials in the executive department from testifying in legislative inquiries.
“Effective immediately I am revoking EO 464,” the President said in a statement.
She said, “Executive officials may no longer invoke EO 464 to excuse non-attendance from legislative inquiries.”
[via Inquirer.net]
This is a good step towards winning our fight for truth, justice, accountability, and reform. But of as the article cites, Memorandum No. 108 entitled GUIDELINES ON APPEARANCES OF DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OTHER OFFICIALS OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT BEFORE CONGRESS is still in effect.
If GMA is truly not in cahoots with the whole ZTE-NBN scam then she and her office should not bar any executive official from testifying before the Senate. The people should continue being vigilant to prevent any cover-up from happening. Let us not just let our politicos decide the fate of our nation. Our democracy should stop being elitist. It should become more participatory.
Here's yet another news: Poverty worsens between 2003 and 2006.
Poverty incidence increased to 26.9% for families in 2006 compared to 24.4% in 2003. This is however lower than the 27.5 % poverty incidence in 2000.
[via NSCB.com]
The poverty line is peggged at ONE DOLLAR a day (This stems from the faulty assumption that a person can live with only one dollar in his pocket everyday). With a strong peso-dollar exchange rate, how can a person live with less than 42 pesos a day? There may be economic growth but with the continued prevalence of poverty I see no clear indication of development in sight.
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan: The march of the 144 Sumilao farmers around Malacanang today was powerful enough to shake the government. In this light, the church-led procession tomorrow (March 6, Thursday) is hereby postponed until further notice.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Maglalakad Ako Kasama ang Mga Magsasaka
Simula bukas (Wednesday), maglalakad muli ang 144 ng magsasaka ng Sumilao paikot ng Malakanyang upang singilin ang mga pinangako sa kanila ng pangulo patungkol sa kaso ng kanilang 144 ektaryang lupa.Bilang suporta, maglalakad ang ilang mga guro, estudyante, at formator ng Ateneo kasama ang mga magsasaka sa iba't ibang araw mula bukas hanggang Biyernes.
Ako'y humihiling sa inyo na tulungan kami makalikom ng pera sa aming Sumilao Pledge Walk fundraising project upang masuportahan ang mga pang-araw araw na pangangailangan sa kampanya.
An Manapat*Granni Granados*Carla Baybay*Dambo Pornela* Dudj Amor*Abi Victoria*Leland dela Cruz*Randy Tuaño* Harvey Keh * Michael Liberatore*Bobby Guevarra* Tim Gabuna*Omi Castanar… and more!
Route:
Guazon- United Nations – Taft ave- Aurora- Ayala Bridge – P. Casal – Legarda – Nagtahan
Pledge a minimum of P50.00 per one full round a marcher accomplishes.
Visit the Martsa Ta Booth at the Kostka Extension from March 4 to 7.
Or text Ophalle 0929-2435111. Give your name, name of marcher, and amount of pledge.
Shalom aleichem is a Jewish greeting in Hebrew meaning "peace be with you". Since prior to the campaign weeks, my heart has been fearful, restless, and anxious. A lot of thoughts have been bothering my mind. But words of wisdom came from a mentor of mine that shook the depths of my being - "You're not acting like a leader".
Then there, I realize that I have been too anxious of a lot things that in reality, I have no hold of. I realized that anxiety springs forth from my frustration in failing to control the circumstances that I belong to. This comes from the assumption that I CAN fix everything. But I learned that there truly are things that I cannot change. There are things that I am powerless over. In fact, there are many things that I don't have any hold. It is my selfishness and egoism that filled my heart with fear and anxiety. But when I learned to empty myself (kenosis) of my selfishness, I begin to find inner peace.
As I undergo kenosis, I surrender all my cares and burdens to the Lord (who is the only who has complete hold over me and my future). As I empty my heart, I make room for the grace of God in my life, and as this grace permeates my being, I begin to understand what Christ meant whenever he greets his apostles "Peace be with you." Christ is the Prince of Peace not because he shall end all wars but because through him, we can find inner peace. It is through utter submission to the will of God that I find my strength and my purpose. Through this emptying of myself I understand what shalom truly is.