Please Take Care of Your Health

 To my fellow DepEd colleagues — please, take care of your health.

Many of you know my story. Almost a year ago, I was struck down by a stroke. It happened right after a MATATAG training in QC. I went home with a slurred tongue and a strange heaviness in my chest. I tried to open my laptop to tell my supervisors I couldn’t attend the next training in Baguio because something felt wrong… but my left fingers would no longer obey. I couldn’t type. I couldn’t control my own hand.

My wife rushed me to Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital in Tondo. After CT scans and emergency procedures, I spent fourteen long days confined. I came out partially disabled. My left hand and leg felt like they belonged to a stranger. Every day, I cried quietly, asking myself: How did I end up here?

Diabetes, stress, poor eating habits, and sleepless nights finishing reports — all the things we shrug off as "part of the job" — had finally caught up with me. The once strong and fiery "Lito-san" felt like a broken shell.

I filed for leave with pay for eight months, using the service credits I had accumulated over 33 years in DepEd. At the time, I couldn’t even hold a pen, let alone teach. But through therapy, prayer, and sheer stubbornness, I started recovering. When my neurologist finally gave me the green light, I returned to work as a "one-hand machine." My superiors spared me from heavy tasks — maybe out of kindness, maybe out of respect for my decades of service. I was simply grateful to be back.

Then came the heartbreak.

I had prepared every document for my Employees’ Compensation (EC) claim, hoping for support for my partial disability. But GSIS denied it. They ruled that my condition was not work-related. As you can see in the attached letter, they state that "Diabetes Mellitus is a lifestyle disease," and therefore, my stroke is not compensable.

I appealed. I hoped for reconsideration. But the verdict remains: Denied.

I was stunned. I was devastated. The sadness settled is heavier than the stroke itself.

Lesson learned: Take care of your body. Guard your health like your life depends on it — because it truly does. Don’t let stress and overwork steal your future the way it almost stole mine.

Stay healthy, mga kasama. We give so much to the service — please, don’t forget to save something for yourself.

Job Opportunity: Technical Assistant III

 

📢 Job Opportunity: Technical Assistant III

The Bureau of Learning Resources - Office of the Director is HIRING for a Technical Assistant III under a Contract of Service.

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📝 Summary of the Position

This is a great opportunity for qualified individuals to contribute to policy review and development within the Bureau of Learning Resources.

Detail	Information
Position	Technical Assistant III (Contract of Service)
Salary	Php48,000 + Premium
Office	Bureau of Learning Resources - Office of the Director

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✅ Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Preferably a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Development Communication, English, or any related field.

• Experience: 24 hours of relevant training and 2 years of relevant experience.

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📋 Key Responsibilities

The role involves providing technical support, including:

• Conducting research and data-gathering to support policy reviews.

• Drafting policy guidelines related to learning resource provision.

• Consolidating and updating data on the status and implementation of various bureau policies.

• Editing and proofreading technical documents, reports, and presentations.

• Preparing reports, summaries, and technical documents for meetings.

• Performing other related tasks as assigned.

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✉️ Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents:

1. Letter of Intent addressed to Atty. Suzette T. Gannaban-Medina, Officer-in-Charge, Office of the Director IV, Bureau of Learning Resources.

2. Duly accomplished Personal Data Sheet (CSC Form No. 212).

3. Curriculum Vitae.

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⏰ Deadline and Submission

• Send your documents to: blr.od@deped.gov.ph

UPDATES: 6 Months After My Stroke

 

Six months ago, my life changed in an instant. A stroke, an event I had always associated with someone else—someone older or more at risk—brought my world to a halt. The days that followed were a blur of hospital rooms, worried faces, and the hum of medical equipment. Today, as I reflect on the six-month milestone, I am struck by how far I have come and how much further I want to go.

The first weeks after the stroke were the hardest. Frustration and fear crept in often. Would I ever regain what I had lost? The stroke had left me with weakness on my left side and difficulty with speech, and I felt imprisoned by my own limitations.

Rehabilitation became my new full-time job. My therapist became my greatest ally. She encouraged me to celebrate small victories—like standing unassisted for the first time, walking a few steps with a cane, or tying my shoes. Speech therapy became a lesson not just in words but in patience, as I retrained my brain to form sentences and express myself.

Progress was slow, but it was there. By the third month, I could walk short distances without assistance, and my speech, while halting, improved steadily. My family’s unwavering support was my anchor. My daughter would sit with me for hours, practicing words and encouraging me with her infectious optimism. My son, though busy with his own ML life, always made time to check in, often bringing me books to read or simply sitting by my side, reminding me that I was not alone in this fight. My ever-supportive wife worked tirelessly, helping me regain independence in countless ways. By this time, I could bathe on my own again—a significant milestone.

In my fifth month, I took a bold step and joined over-the-board (OTB) chess games. In fact, I participated in the 2024 Chess Paragames without a companion, a testament to my growing confidence. YouTube and Netflix became unlikely yet welcome sparring partners, offering both inspiration and distraction as I rebuilt my life.

At the six-month mark, I can say that life feels more hopeful. My left hand, once lifeless, now grips a pail shakily but determinedly. I can walk unaided for longer stretches, and my speech is clearer, though I still trip over words now and then. Perhaps the most significant change is my mindset. I have learned to embrace resilience and adaptability. The stroke took much, but it also gave me a new perspective. I no longer take the small things for granted—the joy of a morning walk, the comfort of a family dinner, or the satisfaction of completing a task I once found impossible.

This journey is far from over. Challenges remain, and there are days when frustration threatens to overwhelm me. But I have learned to meet each day with gratitude and determination. My stroke was not the end of my story; it was the beginning of a new chapter—one marked by resilience, hope, and a relentless pursuit of recovery.

Six months in, I am still healing, still learning, and still fighting. And for that, I am proud. 

#everyone #strokesurvivor #postrecovery

A Soaring Haribon of PLM

🎓✨ MAGNA CUM LAUDE! ✨🎓

A Soaring Haribon of PLM

Today, our hearts are soaring higher than the Haribon itself. 🦅
Our daughter, Helena Beatrice Dacumos Asi, takes her well-deserved flight as a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) — Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in English — marching with pride at the SMX Convention Center. 🌍❤️

In a world where many believe success favors the privileged, Helena stands as living proof that grit, perseverance, and strong values can carve a shining path toward greatness.

A proud product of the Philippine public school system, her academic journey began in the humble classrooms of P. Guevarra Elementary School, continued through the vibrant corridors of Soliman High School, and reached its peak at PLM, where she now graduates Magna Cum Laude.

Helena’s story is not one of comfort or luxury—it is one of quiet strength, discipline, and determination.
Born to two devoted public servants—her mother, a Values Education teacher at Abad Santos High School in Manila, and her father, a Senior Education Program Specialist at the Department of Education Central Office—Helena grew up in a home where wealth was measured not in pesos, but in integrity, service, and love for others.

Through the years, she excelled as a consistent honor student, honed her leadership as an active student officer, and earned the respect of her mentors as a researcher and team player. Each recognition she received was forged not in ease, but in resilience—proof that excellence can bloom even in modest soil when nourished with hard work and heart.

Beyond the academic halls, Helena is also a gentle soul—a cat lover who finds comfort and joy in the quiet company of her feline friends. They remind her, and all of us, that even amidst life’s storms, small acts of tenderness keep the spirit alive.

This October 2025, Helena Beatrice Asi dons her cap and gown not just as a Magna Cum Laude graduate, but as a symbol of every public servant’s child, every student from public schools, and every dreamer who has fought through the odds.

Her journey declares:

“You don’t need privilege to rise—you only need perseverance, heart, and the courage to keep climbing.”

We could not be prouder. ❤️

— The Asi Family

Today, our hearts are soaring higher than the Haribon itself. 🦅 Our daughter, Helena Beatrice Dacumos Asi, takes her well-deserved flight as a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) — Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in English — marching with pride at the SMX Convention Center. 🌍❤️

In a world where many believe success favors the privileged, Helena stands as living proof that grit, perseverance, and strong values can carve a shining path toward greatness. A proud product of the Philippine public school system, her academic journey began in the humble classrooms of P. Guevarra Elementary School, continued through the vibrant corridors of Soliman High School, and reached its peak at PLM, where she now graduates Magna Cum Laude. Helena’s story is not one of comfort or luxury—it is one of quiet strength, discipline, and determination. Born to two devoted public servants—her mother, a Values Education teacher at Abad Santos High School in Manila, and her father, a Senior Education Program Specialist at the Department of Education Central Office—Helena grew up in a home where wealth was measured not in pesos, but in integrity, service, and love for others. Through the years, she excelled as a consistent honor student, honed her leadership as an active student officer, and earned the respect of her mentors as a researcher and team player. Each recognition she received was forged not in ease, but in resilience—proof that excellence can bloom even in modest soil when nourished with hard work and heart. Beyond the academic halls, Helena is also a gentle soul—a cat lover who finds comfort and joy in the quiet company of her feline friends. They remind her, and all of us, that even amidst life’s storms, small acts of tenderness keep the spirit alive. This October 2025, Helena Beatrice Asi dons her cap and gown not just as a Magna Cum Laude graduate, but as a symbol of every public servant’s child, every student from public schools, and every dreamer who has fought through the odds. Her journey declares: “You don’t need privilege to rise—you only need perseverance, heart, and the courage to keep climbing.” We could not be prouder. ❤️ — The Asi Family