Laban Pa Rin... Kahit Mahirap, Kailangan Para sa Mas Magandang Bukas

My Stroke Recovery Journey | Health, Hope, and Healing

One day at a time. Isang araw, isang laban, isang pag-asa.

Bago ako magpa-acupuncture tuwing Sunday sa Chinatown Charity sa Binondo, napapansin kong madalas na tumataas ang blood pressure (BP) ko. Sa totoo lang, nakakaalarma ito, lalo na sa isang tulad kong stroke survivor. Ayokong balewalain ang anumang senyales ng katawan ko.

Kaya naman agad akong nagpatingin sa neurologist ko sa Mother and Child Hospital. Matapos akong masuri, dinagdagan ang dosage ng mga gamot ko: mula Losartan 50 mg, naging 100 mg, at mula Amlodipine 5 mg, naging 10 mg, ayon sa bilin ng doktor.

Habang iniisip kong sana ay makatulong ang pagbabago sa gamot para makontrol ang BP ko, may panibago na naman akong napansing problema. Namamaga naman ang kaliwang braso at kaliwang binti ko. Haaay! 😔

Minsan, mapapabuntong-hininga ka na lang talaga. Akala mo, may isang problema ka nang naayos, pero may panibago na namang kailangang harapin. Hindi biro ang ganitong sitwasyon, lalo na kapag araw-araw mong pinagsisikapang maibalik ang lakas at kakayahan ng katawan mo pagkatapos ng stroke.

Alam kong hindi dapat balewalain ang pamamaga, kaya kailangan ko itong ipasuri agad sa doktor. Ayokong manghula kung ano ang dahilan. Ang mahalaga ngayon ay malaman kung ano ang nangyayari at kung ano ang tamang hakbang para sa aking kalusugan.

Ang Laban sa Blood Sugar

May isa pa akong concern na gusto ko sanang maasikaso: ang pagbaba at pagkontrol ng glucose reading ko. Sa ngayon, hindi pa ito natutukan dahil wala ang endocrinologist ko nang kailangan ko sana siyang makausap.

Sana, sa mga susunod na araw, ma-review na rin ang blood sugar readings ko at ang kasalukuyan kong treatment plan. Bilang diabetic at stroke survivor, alam kong napakahalaga ng maayos na pagkontrol sa blood pressure at blood sugar. Hindi puwedeng pabayaan lang; kailangan ang tamang gabay ng mga doktor.

Ganito Talaga ang Buhay ng Isang Stroke Survivor

Minsan, nakakapagod. Minsan, nakakatakot. At may mga araw na mapapatanong ka: "Hanggang kailan kaya ang ganitong laban?"

Pero sa bawat araw na nagigising ako, pinipili kong magpatuloy. Patuloy na magpagaling. Patuloy na mag-ingat. Patuloy na maniwalang may mas magandang bukas na naghihintay.

Hindi man bumalik agad sa dati ang lakas ng aking katawan, hindi ibig sabihin na wala na akong nagagawang progreso. Ang bawat maliit na hakbang ay mahalaga. Ang bawat araw na nalalampasan ko ay bahagi ng aking kuwento.

Bilang isang stroke survivor, natututuhan kong hindi lahat ng laban ay kailangang madaliin. May mga bagay na nangangailangan ng panahon, pasensya, disiplina, at higit sa lahat, tamang pangangalaga sa sarili.

Hindi madali ang laban, pero hindi ibig sabihin na susuko na ako. One day at a time. May pag-asa, may pamilya, at may dahilan para magpatuloy.

Sa mga kapwa ko stroke survivor at sa lahat ng may pinagdaraanan, yakap nang mahigpit. Hindi natin kailangang magpanggap na malakas tayo sa lahat ng oras. Okay lang mapagod. Okay lang malungkot. Ang mahalaga, huwag nating kalimutang humingi ng tulong kapag kailangan.

Patuloy akong lalaban, hindi dahil madali ang lahat, kundi dahil mahalaga ang buhay na ipinagkaloob sa akin. Para sa aking sarili, para sa aking pamilya, at para sa mas magandang bukas.

Laban lang. Hindi pa tapos ang kuwento ko. ❤️

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Health reminder: Personal experience lamang ang post na ito at hindi kapalit ng medical advice. Ang bagong pamamaga ng braso at binti ay kailangang masuri ng doktor. Huwag baguhin ang dosage ng gamot nang walang medical advice. Kung biglaan ang pamamaga o may bagong panghihina, pamamanhid, hirap magsalita, pagbabago sa paningin, chest pain, o hirap huminga, humingi agad ng emergency medical care.

#StrokeSurvivor #StrokeRecovery #HealthJourney #DiabetesCare #BloodPressureControl #AcupunctureJourney #Binondo #OneDayAtATime #NeverGiveUp #LabanLang #HopeAndHealing

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After My Stroke, I Finally Stopped Ignoring My Diabetes

This post shares my personal experience with diabetes and stroke recovery. It is not medical advice. Please consult your own healthcare professional for guidance about your condition.

One day at a time, one reading at a time, and one small victory at a time.

For years, I suspected something was wrong but chose to look away. Then, on June 24, 2024, an ischemic stroke changed everything. Recovery taught me that health is not something to postpone, ignore, or take for granted.

Today, I am paying closer attention to my blood glucose readings, medications, food choices, and daily habits. This is my journey from denial to discipline—one day, one reading, and one small victory at a time.

The Years When I Was in Denial

I already suspected that I had diabetes before I went to Japan for a training program in 2007. Like many people who are afraid to confront a health problem, I was in denial. Perhaps I believed that ignoring it would make it disappear.

Of course, it did not.

After returning to the Philippines, my condition was eventually confirmed. Over the years, diabetes became part of my everyday life. Managing it required discipline, regular monitoring, and, eventually, insulin injections.

Looking back, I realize how easy it is to put health last while pursuing a career, meeting responsibilities, and providing for a family. We often tell ourselves that we can deal with health problems later. Unfortunately, our bodies do not always give us that luxury.

June 2024: The Stroke That Changed My Life

On June 24, 2024, I suffered an ischemic stroke.

That experience changed my life in ways I could not have imagined before it happened. Activities I once did automatically became difficult. I had to deal with weakness on my left side, difficulty with speech, and the long process of rehabilitation.

Even now, I continue to experience some effects of the stroke. My recovery has required patience, determination, and gratitude for every small improvement.

I sometimes wonder whether my long history of diabetes contributed to my stroke. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke, but the causes of a stroke can be complex. I leave that assessment to my doctors.

The stroke made one thing clear: I could no longer put my health last. My priorities changed. I want to recover as much as possible, manage my diabetes responsibly, and enjoy more years with my family.

Changing My Habits, One Day at a Time

Since my stroke, I have become more mindful of what I eat and how I manage my medications. I have reduced my meat consumption, made better food choices, and tried to take my prescribed medicines on time.

These changes may seem small to others, but they represent an important shift in my life. Recovery does not come from one dramatic decision. It comes from small actions repeated every day.

Managing diabetes while recovering from a stroke requires attention to medication, nutrition, physical activity, and blood glucose levels. I am learning to listen to my body. When something feels unusual, I ask my doctor instead of guessing.

Most importantly, I am learning that discipline must go hand in hand with patience.

My Blood Glucose Journal

Recently, I reviewed my handwritten blood glucose records and organized them into one journal. Writing the numbers down helped me see patterns I might otherwise have missed.

Some readings were lower than I expected: 70, 73, 75, 77, 81, and 84. I also recorded 57, 50, and 65 in my additional entries.

A blood glucose reading below 70 mg/dL is generally considered low. Readings below 54 mg/dL are considered more serious and need prompt attention. Because of this, I want to understand why these lower readings happened and review them carefully with my doctors.

I cannot know from the numbers alone whether my medication needs to change. Meals, insulin, physical activity, and other medicines can all affect glucose levels. The timing of each reading matters too.

That is why I shared my journal with my doctors. My records give them information they can use to help me manage my diabetes more safely.

My journal is more than a list of numbers. It is a record of my effort to understand my body and take responsibility for my health.

My blood glucose journal—a record that helps me discuss my readings with my doctors. Dates and uncertain entries should be checked against the original notebook.

Consulting My Doctors

Because of my concerns about my glucose readings and medical history, I consulted my neurologist and endocrinologist. My neurologist monitors my recovery from the stroke, while my endocrinologist helps manage my diabetes.

Their guidance is important because I want to avoid both high and dangerously low blood glucose levels. I know that changing insulin doses or other medicines on my own can be risky.

Being proactive does not mean making medical decisions alone. Sometimes, the most responsible thing to do is to ask questions, share accurate information, and trust qualified professionals to guide the next steps.

Update: I will continue recording my readings and following up with my doctors as we work toward a safer and more consistent glucose management plan.

Recovery Is Not a Straight Line

Life after a stroke has taught me that recovery does not always happen as quickly as we hope. Some days bring encouragement. Other days bring frustration because certain difficulties remain.

But healing is not a race.

I am learning to respect my limitations without letting them define my life. Rest, proper nutrition, medical care, rehabilitation, and emotional well-being are all part of recovery.

Managing diabetes adds another responsibility, but I do not want it to become a reason to surrender to fear. Instead, it reminds me to be more attentive, disciplined, and grateful for every chance to improve.

I do not have to change everything at once. I can focus on what is within my control: taking my medicines as prescribed, monitoring my glucose, eating balanced meals, attending appointments, and following my rehabilitation routine.

Small steps may not make headlines, but they can make a meaningful difference over time.

Moving Forward With Purpose

My stroke did not erase my past, but it changed the way I see my future. I can no longer ignore warning signs, postpone appointments, or assume that tomorrow will take care of itself.

Every blood glucose reading, medication schedule, meal choice, and rehabilitation session is now part of a larger commitment: to protect the life I still have and make the most of every day.

I know recovery will not always be easy. There will be difficult days, uncertain readings, and moments when progress feels slow. But I also know that healing is built through patience, consistency, and the willingness to keep trying.

I am grateful for my family, my doctors, and everyone who continues to support me. Most of all, I am grateful for the chance to learn from my experiences and make better choices today.

I may not be able to change the years when I ignored my health, but I can change what I do now.

One day at a time, one reading at a time, and one small victory at a time—I will keep moving forward.

Hopefully, I will get better each day. And when tomorrow comes, I will do my best to make it count.

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Disclaimer: This article shares my personal experience and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Diabetes management and stroke recovery should be guided by qualified healthcare professionals.

JENESYS2026 · Online Japan-Visit Advanced Program: Flood Disaster Management in Japan

JENESYS2026 · Online Japan-Visit Advanced Program

Day 2: When Rivers Talk and Budgets Get Real

8 September 2026  |  Theme: Energy & Climate Change

The second evening opened the way good online reunions do — cameras flicking on one by one, a wave of peace signs, a heart emoji floating up from somewhere in Timor-Leste, someone's cultural sign held proudly to the screen. Twenty-some faces from across ASEAN, all logged in for the same reason: water, and what happens when it refuses to stay where it's supposed to.

"Pre-disaster investment for disaster risk reduction is essential — but it needs huge national budget. What will you do to secure it?"

— Workshop prompt, following Ms. SAKAI Mizuki's lecture

Ms. SAKAI Mizuki, Chief of the International Affairs Office at Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, opened with "Flood Disaster Management in Japan." It wasn't an abstract policy talk. Japan's geography — steep rivers, dense floodplains, a monsoon season that doesn't ask permission — has forced the country to treat flood control as a permanent, almost architectural discipline: dams, levees, early-warning systems, and decades of institutional memory about what happens when preparation is skipped.

The Workshop: Making a Case for the Budget

Then came the turn nobody could dodge. The prompt was blunt — pre-disaster investment saves lives, but it also costs millions. So: what would you actually do to secure that budget? Three minutes on the clock, opinions due in the chat box. Cameras that had been politely nodding through the lecture suddenly leaned forward. Answers poured in — earmarked disaster funds, public-private partnerships, phased investment tied to risk mapping, public awareness campaigns to build political will for spending on something invisible until it isn't. It was the kind of exercise that turns "interesting lecture" into "wait, how would my country actually do this?"

A Quiz to Close It Out

The evening closed the way these things should — equal parts competitive and ridiculous, the kind of segment where someone always insists they knew the answer half a second too late. By the time the last screenshot was taken, the group chat was still going, still arguing gently about budgets, still trading peace signs.

Two lectures in, and the throughline of this JENESYS batch is getting clearer: energy and climate change aren't separate from governance — they are governance, one budget line and one flood season at a time.

#jenesys_asean  |  JENESYS2026 Online Japan-Visit Advanced Program for ASEAN Alumni  |  Organized by JICE

JENESYS Alumni Event: Maritime Safety and Rule of Law, Energy, and Climate Change

JENESYS 2026 · Online Japan-Visit Advanced Program

Day 1: Energy & Climate Change

7 September 2026 · Organized by the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE)

I had the privilege of attending Day 1 of the JENESYS Alumni Event, an online session bringing together ASEAN alumni around the timely theme of Maritime Safety and Rule of Law, Energy & Climate Change. The day opened with a compelling lecture from a University of Tokyo scholar on the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision and the rule of law at sea — a fitting reminder of how legal frameworks and environmental stewardship are deeply intertwined in our region's shared future.

📍 Kentaro Nishimoto's lecture, "The Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) Vision and the Rule of Law at Sea"

It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and meet scholars and professionals from across Southeast Asia. Breakout sessions like the Group B orientation let us put faces to names from Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Indonesia, and beyond — a genuine reminder of how wide and warm the JENESYS family has grown.

📍 Group B Orientation — meeting JICE staff and fellow alumni

One of the most engaging parts of the day was the case study on the Strait of Hormuz, which unpacked how international law — particularly UNCLOS — serves as common ground even between states with sharply different positions. It was a sharp illustration that legal frameworks don't automatically resolve disputes, but they do give everyone a shared vocabulary to work from — the same spirit of dialogue and cooperation that underpins climate and energy diplomacy.

📍 Case study: Strait of Hormuz and the limits of international law

"From Japan to Southeast Asia, we continue to build bridges for a more sustainable future."

📍 Day 1 recap — 7 September 2026

📍 Together again — JENESYS 2026 alumni, Day 1

The discussions, shared experiences, and diverse perspectives on energy and climate change made the event both meaningful and inspiring. Grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and strengthen friendships beyond borders.

#JENESYS  ·  #JENESYS_ASEAN  ·  #everyone

Dilemma of a Stroke Survivor: Day 1 & Day 2 ♟️🧠💪

My chess comeback — one game, one move, one day at a time.

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Day 1 — Nakakapanibago Talaga ♟️

I told you before that I joined an Open Standard Chess Tournament, and it started yesterday.

Nakakapanibago talaga.

After almost two years away from face-to-face chess because of my stroke, I realized that I’m no longer accustomed to long, mentally exhausting battles. But I kept checking in with myself: Kaya ko pa ba?

Pinakiramdaman ko ang sarili ko. Kaya ko pa. Pero nangngapa pa rin.

And honestly, these mental exercises are good for me. Chess forces me to think, calculate, concentrate, and stay patient. So laban lang.

I lost my first game to a college student, won my second game against an adult, and drew my third game against an 8-year-old boy from Taguig.

That third game was a real battle.

I had a one-pawn advantage, and I squeezed everything I could to try to convert it into a win. Pero di kinaya ng matanda. 😂

The game lasted more than three hours and eventually ended in a draw.

Day 1 Score: 1.5 out of 3 games

Medyo nanghihinayang ako sa ilang positions na alam kong dapat sana ay naipanalo ko. Pero ganun talaga ang chess — and perhaps, ganun din ang recovery. You don't always get the result you expect, even when you give everything you have.

At some point, I had to ask myself:

“Pinakiramdaman ko ang sarili ko… kaya ko pa bang magtagal?”

I continued.

Pero tabla talaga.

After the tournament, my twin brother, a friend, and I headed home. Close na pala ang LRT, so nag-jeep na lang kami.

The catch? Hanggang Cubao lang.

So sakay ulit kami ng Cubao–Divisoria route.

Punuan pala ang jeep kapag gabi na.

Hindi na kami nag-Grab dahil may dumaan na jeep, so sumakay na lang kami.

Haissst… punuan pala. 😅

Nauna ang dalawang kasama ko. Ako naman, nahuli na dahil mabagal ako — PWD nga kasi.

Nakupooo… PUNUAN NA! 😂

Ayon, napalaban ako sa sabitan sa jeep.

Medyo masakit sa kamay at likod, pero kinaya naman.

Thanks, God. 🙏

Nahihiya rin naman akong magsabi ng, “Baba na lang tayo.” 😂

Pero that night, I realized something:

Coming back to chess is not just about winning games.

It is also about knowing your body, testing your limits, and learning when to push and when to listen.

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Day 2 — Blindfolded, Literally! 😂

Back again at the 1st Grandmaster Dr. Eugene Torre Open Standard Chess Tournament in Marikina City.

Nakakapanibago ulit na maglaro ng chess F2F.

Kasama ko ulit si utol. Parang UE games na naman noong araw. ♟️

Makakabalik na ulit ako.

Pero Day 2 started with a little problem.

Nabago ang schedule. 7:00 AM daw ang first game.

Eh late na akong nakauwi kagabi dahil sa mahaba naming draw.

Yarii! 😅

Kaya sobrang pagod ako.

At siyempre…

Na-late akong magising.

Ano pa nga ba? 😂

So nag-book na lang ako ng JoyRide papunta sa tournament.

Then came the biggest problem:

Nakalimutan ko ang fully-paid, multi-coated, transition eyeglasses ko.

Nakupooo! 🤦‍♂️😂

Parang naglaro akong naka-blindfold.

Hindi ko halos makita nang maayos ang board, at pati ang sinusulat kong moves, hindi ko maintindihan. Hindi rin sakto sa box ang sulat ko.

(See attached photo later. 😂)

But I still played.

And surprisingly, I managed to score 2 out of 3 games on Day 2.

Day 2 Score: 2 out of 3 games

So after two days, I had a total of 3.5 points out of 6 games.

Not bad for someone coming back from a long chess hiatus.

Pero, again, medyo nanghihinayang ako. May mga games at positions na dapat sana ay naipanalo ko. I know I could have played them better.

But instead of dwelling on those missed opportunities, I choose to look at the bigger picture.

Two years ago, I was fighting to recover from a stroke.

Today, I'm sitting across a chessboard again, thinking, calculating, struggling, competing — and enjoying the game I love.

That's already a victory.

Because sometimes recovery is like chess.

You don't always have perfect conditions.

You don't always see the whole board clearly.

Sometimes you're tired. Sometimes you're uncomfortable. Sometimes you even forget your glasses! 😂

But you make the best move you can with what you have.

One game. One move. One day at a time. ♟️

And yes…
May asim pa ba? 😎♟️

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Tags:
#Chess #ChessComeback #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #FaceToFaceChess #LabanLang #OneMoveAtATime #EugeneTorreOpen #MarikinaChess #ChessLife

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Back to the Chessboard: A Stroke Survivor’s Journey, One Move at a Time

Two Weeks of Flash Floods: When "Suspended" Became the Word I Dreaded Most

A government worker's honest account of two weeks in Manila that tested patience, routine, and resolve.

There's a particular kind of tiredness that comes from getting ready for nothing.

More than once during these past two weeks, I woke up early, got dressed, prepared everything the way I always do, and made my way through Manila's streets to the office — only to have work suspended around 3 PM. By then, the rain had usually picked up again, the streets I'd just crossed that morning were turning into rivers, and I'd be heading back out into the very flooding I had carefully timed my whole morning to avoid.

The first time it happened, I understood completely. Manila floods fast, and when the water starts rising on streets I've walked for years, safety has to come first. No one can control the weather, and no one should be expected to. But when it happened a second time. And then a third. It stopped feeling like an isolated disruption and started feeling like a pattern I couldn't plan my life around.

The Disheartening Part Wasn't the Rain — It Was the Repetition

I think anyone who has worked through a stretch like this in this city knows the feeling: it's not any single suspended day that wears you down. It's the third one. The fourth one. The moment you realize you can't trust your own schedule anymore, and every morning becomes a gamble against the sky.

Each day came with the same quiet question before I even left the house: Will today actually happen, or will I be back out in this by mid-afternoon? There's a specific kind of fatigue in fully preparing for a full workday — mentally, physically, logistically — only to have it cut short, again, before you've even settled into a rhythm. Add to that the reality of getting home through Manila traffic and flooding at 3 PM instead of the usual hours, and the exhaustion compounds fast.

As a Senior Education Program Specialist at the Bureau of Learning Resources, my work depends on continuity — reviewing materials, coordinating with colleagues, keeping projects on track. Two weeks of stop-start days meant tasks kept getting pushed, picked back up for an hour or two, and pushed again. Nothing collapsed entirely, but very little moved forward the way it should have, and the mental load of constantly re-planning around uncertain hours was its own kind of exhausting.

What Kept Me Grounded

If there's one thing I've learned — both as a stroke survivor and as someone who's spent years at the chessboard — it's that you can't control every condition you're playing under. You can only control how you respond to them.

So I adjusted. I kept a running list of tasks I could tackle in short bursts, so a suspended afternoon wasn't automatically a wasted one. I checked in with colleagues more than usual just to stay coordinated even when we weren't all reachable at the same time. And on the days the suspension came, I tried to treat those unplanned hours as recovery time rather than lost time — something I've had to relearn since my stroke, when patience stopped being something I could take for granted.

Two Weeks Later

The rains have finally eased, the streets have cleared, and the office routine in Manila is holding steady again. But I don't think I'll forget how disheartening those repeated 3 PM suspensions felt — showing up fully ready, settling in, and then being sent back out into the same weather I'd just fought my way past that morning.

If anything, it was a reminder that resilience isn't really about the big, dramatic moments. It's about how you handle the small, repetitive ones — the mornings you get ready anyway, even when you're not sure the day will actually hold.

**References:** Recent government advisories and reports noted work suspensions, work-from-home arrangements, and disaster-response measures due to continuous heavy rains and flooding in several parts of the Philippines.

A Personal Essay

The Midlife Crisis
I Never Saw Coming

Between the chessboard, my stroke, my family, and the dreams I had to postpone.

"Kaya ko pa kaya?"

whispered to an old photograph

There are moments in life when you suddenly stop and ask yourself if this is really where you are supposed to be — not because you have failed, and not because you have stopped dreaming, but because the person you used to be can no longer do everything the way he used to. That, for me, is what a midlife crisis feels like. It isn't always about buying a sports car or chasing your youth again. Sometimes it is much quieter.

Opening · The Board

The Chessboard That I Miss

For years, chess has been more than a game to me — it has been part of my identity. I am a chess athlete, an Arena Grandmaster who has competed in the Philippines and in Malaysia. I know the tension of the clock, the silence before a move, the thrill of finding a winning combination. Chess taught me patience. It taught me sacrifice. It taught me that sometimes you have to lose a piece to win the game.

But life gave me a lesson no chessboard could prepare me for: a stroke. Suddenly, the athlete who was used to competing had to learn a completely different kind of competition. This time the opponent wasn't sitting across the board — the opponent was inside me. My body. My limitations. My uncertainty. And sometimes, my own fear.

I still love chess. I still crave the smell of tournament halls, the sound of chess clocks, the handshake before the first move. But there are tournaments I can no longer simply join — not because I don't want to, but because my body sometimes says, "Not yet."

And that hurts. Masakit. Because when you're an athlete, you don't simply miss a tournament — you miss a piece of yourself.

Development · The Learner

The Learner Who Still Wants to Learn

There's another part of me that refuses to grow old: the learner. I have always craved new courses, new technologies, new ideas, new skills, new opportunities. Whenever a new program or scholarship or fellowship crosses my path, something inside me still says, "Gusto ko 'yan."

Then reality sits beside me — tuition, transportation, food, bills, family expenses, my children's needs. And I find myself doing the mathematics of the heart: "Kung gagastusin ko ito para sa sarili kong pag-aaral, saan kukunin ang panggastos ng pamilya?"

So I postpone. Again. And again. And sometimes I wonder how many dreams I've quietly sacrificed — not because I lacked the ability, but because someone else needed me more.

When you're young, you ask, "What do I want?" When you become a parent, you begin asking, "What does my family need?" Somewhere between those two questions, your own dreams sometimes get lost.

Complications · The Long Diagonal

The Opportunities That Passed Me By

There are opportunities I remember — some I pursued, some I missed, some I wasn't ready for, some that simply came at the wrong time. There are doors I look back at now and wonder: what if I had entered that door? What if I had studied that course, accepted that opportunity, competed in that tournament? What if I had started earlier, or my body had remained stronger, or I had more money, or I were younger?

Those questions can become dangerous, because "what if" has no endgame. Like a chess position you keep analyzing long after the game has ended, you can spend your entire life replaying moves that can no longer be changed.

You cannot win a game by constantly analyzing the position you already left behind.

Time Pressure · The Clock

Age Is Another Opponent

There's something strange about getting older. When you're young, thirty seems old. Then forty comes. Then fifty. And suddenly you realize time is no longer something you take for granted. You watch younger people receive opportunities you once dreamed about — new athletes rising, new professionals beginning, students freely pursuing degrees. And sometimes you wonder, "Am I already too late?"

That question has visited me many times, especially after my stroke. Because recovery teaches you humility. You celebrate things other people take for granted — standing, walking, moving, speaking, trying again. And every small victory reminds me: I am still here.

The Turn · A New Position

But Maybe This Isn't the Endgame

Perhaps I've been looking at this crisis from the wrong side of the board. Maybe it isn't a crisis of age. Maybe it's a crisis of identity. Who am I now? If I can't compete the way I used to, am I still an athlete? If I can't study every course I want, am I still a learner? If my body has limitations, am I still strong? If opportunities have passed, do I still have a future?

I think I finally know the answer: YES.

Yes, I am still an athlete — because an athlete isn't defined only by medals. Yes, I am still a learner — because curiosity doesn't have an expiration date. Yes, I am still strong — because strength isn't the absence of disability; strength is continuing despite it. And yes, I still have a future — because the game is not over.

Middlegame, Resumed

I May Have Lost Some Moves. But I Have Not Lost the Game.

My stroke changed my life. My disability changed the way I move through the world. Age has changed my opportunities. Family responsibilities have changed my priorities. And yes, there are dreams I've had to postpone. But I refuse to call them dead. Postponed is not the same as abandoned.

Maybe I can't chase every dream anymore. Maybe I have to choose carefully — to be wiser about where I spend my time, energy, and money. Maybe my next victories won't come with trophies. Maybe they'll come as another course completed, another book read, another skill learned, another tournament attended even if I'm not the one playing, another young person inspired — another day when I wake up and say, "I still want to learn."

Endgame · Definitions

My New Definition of Winning

I used to think winning meant defeating an opponent. Now I understand that sometimes winning means simply refusing to surrender. Winning is getting up after the fall. Winning is accepting the body you have while continuing to strengthen the mind you possess. Winning is choosing family without completely abandoning yourself. Winning is looking at your age and saying, "Yes, I am older. But I am not finished."

The chessboard of life has changed. Some pieces have been taken. Some moves can no longer be played. But there are still pieces on the board — and as long as there is a piece left, there is a move.

Final Position

So, Am I Having a Midlife Crisis?

Maybe I am. But perhaps this crisis isn't asking me to become the person I was twenty years ago. Perhaps it's asking me to discover who I can still become. The younger me wanted to conquer the world. The older me wants to make sense of it.

The athlete in me still wants to compete. The survivor in me wants to inspire. The father in me wants to provide. The educator in me wants to teach. The learner in me still wants to discover. And the dreamer in me? He refuses to retire.

I may have missed opportunities. I may have lost time. I may have limitations I never asked for. But I still have something incredibly valuable: another move. And tomorrow morning, I intend to make it.

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Checkmate is not yet written.

Still learning  ·  Still fighting  ·  Still dreaming  ·  Still living

Labels

Midlife Crisis · Stroke Survivor · Chess Athlete · Para-Athlete · Life After Stroke · Personal Growth · Family First · Lifelong Learning · Chasing Dreams · Resilience · Second Chances · Inspirational Story · Filipino Life

Tags

• #MidlifeCrisis
• #StrokeSurvivor
• #ChessAthlete
• #ParaAthlete
• #LifeAfterStroke
• #StillLearning
• #StillFighting
• #StillDreaming
• #ChasingDreams
• #SecondChances
• #NeverTooLate
• #LifelongLearner
• #Resilience
• #KeepGoing
• #FamilyFirst
• #PurposeDriven
• #FromSetbackToComeback
• #LifeLessons
• #FilipinoStory
• #TheGameIsNotOver

🇵🇭 Alex Eala: The Champion Who Lifted the Spirit of a Nation 🎾

By Joselito Bandelaria Asi

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Disclaimer: The accompanying image is an AI-generated artistic illustration created solely to celebrate Alex Eala's historic achievement. It is not an authentic photograph.

S ome victories transcend sports. They become moments that unite an entire nation.

Alex Eala's historic victory at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C. is one of those unforgettable moments.

With courage, discipline, and unwavering determination, she made history by capturing her first WTA Tour singles title. More than lifting a trophy, she lifted the hopes and dreams of millions of Filipinos around the world.

For generations, the Philippines has longed to see one of its own stand among the world's elite in professional tennis. Alex has transformed that dream into reality.

Every match she played reflected not only extraordinary athletic talent but also the Filipino values of perseverance, humility, resilience, and grace under pressure.

"Her victory reminds us that no dream is too distant when it is pursued with passion, discipline, and relentless hard work."

A Personal Reflection

As a person living with a partial disability after surviving an ischemic stroke, Alex Eala's achievement carries a special meaning for me.

Recovery teaches us that every small victory matters. Every step forward is a triumph over yesterday's limitations. Watching Alex compete with confidence and determination reminds me that obstacles do not define our future—our perseverance does.

Her success inspires not only athletes but also stroke survivors, persons with disabilities, students, teachers, professionals, and every Filipino striving to overcome life's challenges.

A Champion for Every Filipino

Alex has become a symbol of hope.

• 🇵🇭 She has shown young Filipinos that they can dream beyond boundaries.
• 🎾 She has shown the world that Filipino talent belongs on the biggest stages.
• ⭐ She has reminded us that excellence is born from years of sacrifice, discipline, and faith.
• ❤️ She has united millions of Filipinos in celebration and pride.

Today, Filipinos across the globe celebrate her remarkable achievement. From Luzon to Mindanao, from overseas Filipino communities to every tennis court where children first learn to hold a racket, her victory has ignited hope for a new generation.

This is not just Alex Eala's triumph.
It is a victory shared by every Filipino who believes that greatness can come from our islands.

Congratulations, Alex Eala!

May this historic title be only the beginning of an extraordinary career filled with many more championships, unforgettable matches, and perhaps one day, a Grand Slam singles title.

The Philippines stands proudly behind you.

Mabuhay ka, Alex Eala! 🇵🇭
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

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🏷️ Labels

Alex Eala, Philippine Tennis, WTA Tour, Mubadala DC Open, Washington DC, Filipino Pride, Philippine Sports, Women in Sports, Tennis Champion, Inspiration, Stroke Survivor, Persons with Disabilities, Motivation, Resilience, Champions, Sports History, Proud Filipino, Philippine Athletes

📱 Hashtags

#AlexEala #ProudFilipino #PhilippineTennis #WTATour #Champion #HistoryMade #MubadalaDCOpen #WashingtonDC #PinoyPride #FilipinoExcellence #WomenInSports #FutureGrandSlamChampion #SportsInspiration #NeverGiveUp #Resilience #StrokeSurvivor #PWDInspiration #BelieveInDreams #TeamPhilippines #MabuhayAngPilipinas

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© 2026 Joselito Bandelaria Asi | Opinions expressed are personal and intended to celebrate Filipino excellence in sports.

🔐 Encryption 101 for the Bureau of Learning Resources

Protecting Information in the Digital Age

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In today's interconnected world, information has become one of the most valuable assets of every organization. As government agencies increasingly rely on digital communication and electronic documents, safeguarding sensitive information has never been more important.

Introduction

My journey into cybersecurity began unexpectedly in 2007 during my training in Okinawa, Japan under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). While attending the program Application of Multimedia Technology for e-Education (AMT), my fellow scholar, Chubascu Maximus Diranga from Nauru introduced me to the Internet Society (ISOC).

At that time, I was deeply focused on completing my academic requirements and had little opportunity to explore the broader world of Internet governance. Looking back today, that brief conversation became one of the most meaningful introductions of my professional life.

"Sometimes the smallest conversations become the biggest turning points in our careers."

After returning to the Philippines, I became actively involved in several professional communities, including the Internet Society and Google Educator initiatives. Meanwhile, my responsibilities in the Department of Education expanded significantly with the implementation of the K to 12 Curriculum.

Over the years, I served as focal person for Grades 1 and 2 Learning Resources, coordinated with national agencies such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), managed illustrators' activities, Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives, and supervised numerous learning resource projects.

These experiences made me realize one thing:

Information is valuable only when it reaches the right people securely.

Why I Studied Encryption

In 2020, the Internet Society opened applications for its international training programs covering:

• Community Networks
• Securing Global Routing (MANRS)
• Shaping the Internet
• Open Standards Everywhere
• Encryption

Among these offerings, Encryption immediately caught my attention because of its practical value in protecting government information and official communications.

Fortunately, I was accepted into the program.

This article shares what I learned from that experience, contextualized for employees of the Bureau of Learning Resources and anyone interested in understanding why encryption matters.

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🔐 What is Encryption?

Encryption is the process of converting readable information into an unreadable format using mathematical algorithms and secret keys. Only someone possessing the proper key can convert the encrypted information back into its original readable form.

Simple Definition

Encryption is like placing an important letter inside a locked vault. Anyone may see the vault, but only the person holding the correct key can open it.

Why Does BLR Need Encryption?

The Bureau of Learning Resources manages some of the Department of Education's most valuable information, including:

• Procurement documents
• Textbook manuscripts
• Bidding records
• Project proposals
• Financial information
• Internal correspondence
• Publisher submissions
• Quality assurance reports

If these documents are intercepted, altered, or leaked before their intended release, they may compromise the integrity of government processes and create unfair advantages for certain stakeholders.

Encryption helps ensure that confidential information remains accessible only to authorized individuals.

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End-to-End Encryption

One of the strongest forms of protection is End-to-End Encryption (E2EE).

With E2EE, only the sender and the intended recipient possess the keys needed to read the message. Even the service provider cannot read its contents.

Examples include:

• WhatsApp
• Signal
• Telegram (Secret Chats)
• Threema

Think of it this way:

The mail carrier delivers the envelope but never knows what is written inside.

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Benefits of Encryption

• Protects confidential documents
• Prevents unauthorized access
• Prevents tampering
• Supports digital signatures
• Verifies identity
• Protects financial transactions
• Secures government communications
• Strengthens public trust

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Encryption in Everyday Life

Whether we notice it or not, encryption is already part of our daily routine.

• Online Banking
• ATMs
• Credit Cards
• Email
• Government Websites
• Cloud Storage
• Shopping Online
• Secure Messaging Apps

Without encryption, these services would be vulnerable to cybercriminals.

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Protecting Our Data

Digital transformation continues to reshape the way government works. As organizations increasingly depend on electronic communication, cybersecurity is no longer optional—it is a necessity.

For agencies like the Bureau of Learning Resources, adopting secure communication practices is not simply about protecting files. It is about protecting public trust, ensuring fairness in procurement, preserving the integrity of government processes, and safeguarding the education sector's valuable information assets.

"Protect Data. Protect People. Protect Public Trust."

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Disclaimer

This article reflects the author's personal views based on knowledge gained through the Internet Society's Encryption Training Program. It does not necessarily represent the official position of the Department of Education or the Bureau of Learning Resources.

References

• Internet Society – Encryption Resources
• Internet Society Learning Platform
• JICA – Application of Multimedia Technology for e-Education (AMT)

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© Joselito B. Asi | Senior Education Program Specialist | Bureau of Learning Resources