Trip to Boracay Island

This was the second time my wife and I spent a weekend at Boracay Island. If you love to be spoiled and live a pampered lifestyle, Patio Pacific is the place to be. Own a room yourselves, simply gorgeous .... and the bathroom was soooo nice. It’s away from the noisy crowd but within 10 minutes you can be right were the action is. I always come back from Boracay as a renewed person.

Just finished another course, A Journey of Grit, Growth, and Global Vision

I am so happy today! I just finished another course at Philippine Normal University and I earned a Certificate in Teaching Profession. I could have finish this course last year but an abrupt stint at Okinawa, Japan made me missed the opportunity. Now, I'm back with my old fighting spirit. God is so good.

In a world where challenges often dictate the limits of one’s dreams, I chose to write a different story—one of resilience, lifelong learning, and service.

My academic journey began at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), where I earned my Master’s in Government Management (MGM). My time at PLM was not merely about obtaining a degree; it was about developing the skills and mindset to lead, serve, and solve problems with innovation and integrity.

The pursuit of growth didn’t stop there. Through TESDA, I was selected for a scholarship program in Application of Multimedia Technology for E-Education in Okinawa, Japan. This experience expanded my vision of how technology can transform education, giving me firsthand exposure to world-class e-learning innovations. It was in Okinawa where I first glimpsed the power of multimedia in bridging educational gaps—an insight since carried back to the Philippines, influencing mywork as an Education Program Specialist II.

To further strengthen my ability to shape the next generation, I pursued my Certificate in Teaching at the Philippine Normal University (PNU)—cementing my role not just as a policy leader but also as an educator at heart.

Today, I am not just applying for scholarships; I am applying for opportunities to create impact. With every milestone—from PLM to Okinawa, from TESDA to PNU—I proved that education is a lifelong journey, and that every challenge can be transformed into a stepping stone. My goal is to harness cutting-edge technology, multimedia, and education strategies to serve communities both in the Philippines and across Asia.

EMPOWERED

I saw these desired attributes on the wall of Philippine Normal University, College of Education. I believe every individual must be empowered.

E - xercises effective communication
M - anifests professional competence
P - ossesses adequate knowledge of the discipline
O - bserves professional ethics
W - elcomes progressive innovation and change
E - xhibits a deep sense of rationalism on global perspectives
R - adiates a caring attitude for others
E - ngages in effective problem solving and decision-making
D - emonstrates personal integrity

Working with Pleasure

My superior assigned me to different regions in the country and I am very impressed with what I saw. Not only did I learn new things about my work I also enjoyed it. I was able to meet new friends on my trips too. I been to Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao - the three major islands of the Philippines.

Here are some photos... I hope you'll like it.

A glimpse of Tuguegarao, Cagayan sunset

As the name suggests ... a museum in Iloilo

A rock at RELC Angeles City, Pampanga

Blast from the Past (My First Week in Okinawa)

I arrived from Manila last November 27, 2007 with a bag full of knowledge which I shared no-end with my friends and colleagues here in Okinawa.
I started forming impressions on Japan as soon as I landed in Narita Airport. When I made it through the landing procedure of the Bureau of Immigration, I found my luggage lined up and lifted from baggage carousel. As soon as I approached the JICA counter at the airport, I was provided with a ticket to a limousine bus, escorted to the bus stop and was whisked to the Haneda Airport then travelled again by plane to Okinawa where I was cheerfully assisted by JICA staff to my final destination - Okinawa International Center (OIC). At the OIC, a room key and a meal card were given to me, some personnel offered explanations as to how these card and other amenities of the center be used. I felt I was never away from home especially after two young Filipinos entertained me by telling wonderful experiences during their first week of stay. The following activities at the center also made me imbibe some values of the Japanese - particularly love for work and promptness.
Oooh... how can I forget the raffle day for the trainee to attend an Observation Tour at Okinawa Aquarium (believe me it was so huge and was in the deepest part of the sea). The slots for the participants were 53, but more than 80 persons signed up in the manifesto. So what the JICA staff did was picked 53 individuals by random. Sad to say I was not chosen. But the big fighter that I am, I did not quit... I know that somewhere along the way some trainees who were selected would not be able to join the trip for some reasons or another. So I thought waiting early in the morning would be a great idea... maybe I could get a slot... oh maybe...
The next day I immediately went to the registration room but got shocked after I saw five other individuals, ahead of me, forming a long queue in case someone backout of the trip (I thought I was the only one with that kind of thinking). So I was kinda praying that God would give me a chance to join the trip - then two persons called the staff that they won't be able to join... another three called and sent peelers that they won't be able to make it... after 10 minutes I was left alone in the line and I was so nervous, my heart was pounding too fast... maybe if you would come nearer to where I stood you would hear my heartbeat. But no one backed-out...
The coordinator then made a signal to the driver to start the engine... I got so frustrated and sad... so I prepared myself to leave and never to look back again...
While walking (with my head showing melancholic despair), I felt a soft tap on my shoulder - "Common join us young man!"
I consider myself fortunate that these two generous people from the bus company agreed to accommodate me in a two-seater bench...
and the rest was history.

Penultimate Day of the Training at Okinawa

Taken at OIC Karaoke Room

Let's party

Eat and drink all you can

Ewww...

Sumemasen...

Kore wa nan desu ka

Donna no ga o-suki desu ka

AMT 2007-2008 participants - Okinawa, Japan

Closing Ceremony at OIC

To view more pictures of the ceremony please click the picture below ...

Closing Ceremony at OIC

Final Presentation at OIC

2007-2008 AMT Course
Okinawa, Japan

Lito from Philippines

Tebao from Kiribati

Kanykey from Kyrgyztan

Dima from Kyrgyztan

Iyad from Palestine

Claudia from Bolivia

Yousef from Iran

Javier from Panama

Ariel from Argentina

Ale from Argentina

Tropical Beach - Okinawa City

Where the Sky Meets the Soul: A Day at Tropical Beach, Okinawa March 8, 2024

Some days come and go, forgotten like grains of sand washed away by the tide. But March 8, 2024, stood still — a shimmering pause in time — when I found myself standing at the edge of the Pacific, staring out at the infinite blue of Tropical Beach in Okinawa City.

It was the kind of morning poets try to write about and never quite capture. The sun rose like it had something to prove — gilding the sky in gold, scattering warm light across the crystal-clear shoreline. The breeze carried the scent of salt, peace, and something ancient... something deeply Okinawan.

I wasn’t alone — but the beach made me feel like I was exactly where I needed to be.

Locals jogged past with friendly nods. Children chased waves. Couples strolled with sun hats and soft laughter. And there I was — a curious soul far from home, caught between awe and gratitude.

The sand was warm and soft, like Okinawa’s gentle hospitality. The ocean? A moving mirror that seemed to reflect more than clouds — it mirrored memory, longing, healing.

Tropical Beach wasn’t just a destination. It was a conversation between nature and nostalgia. I stood still and listened. And it spoke — of battles fought and peace reclaimed, of cultures blended, of a people who never forgot how to smile even when storms hit their shores.

I dipped my feet in the water and let the waves play around my ankles. No schedule, no deadline — just the present moment. The kind that reminds you you’re alive.

We had lunch under the shade of palm trees, the sun still dancing above like a carefree child. The laughter of friends, the rhythm of the tide, the calm in my chest — I wanted to bottle it all and carry it with me.

By the time the sun began its slow descent, casting amber reflections on the water, I knew I was walking away with more than sand in my shoes. I had a story. A quiet one. A powerful one.

Tropical Beach, on that quiet March 8, taught me that paradise isn’t just a place — It’s a feeling you find when your mind lets go, When your heart opens up, And when you let the sea remind you how small — and how infinite — you really are.

These are the pictures I personally took at the Tropical Beach, Okinawa City

using my Canon IXY Digital 91015. I hope you'll like it.

The Meaning of Life

What is the meaning of life?

"Taking pain," said the nail.
"Keeping cool," said the ice.
"Driving hard," said the hammer.
"Being up to date," said the calendar.
"Being sharp," said the knife.
"Making light around you," said the fire.
"Sticking to it," said the glue.
"Being bright," said the lamp.
"Being on time," said the clock.
"Saving a drop," said the faucet.

And best of all"Learning from it,"said the mistake.

- Quotes Alive

Photos of Travels to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka

Three Cities, One Unforgettable Journey: My Observation Tour in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka February 22, 2008

Some dates in life feel ordinary. Others — like February 22, 2008 — feel like a snapshot of something bigger. That day marked the beginning of a journey I’ll never forget — a week-long Observation Tour across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka with my fellow JICA scholars. And no, it wasn’t just another field trip — it was a kaleidoscope of discovery, insight, laughter, and living history.

Tokyo: Where Tradition and Technology Shake Hands
We began our adventure at the Tokyo International Center, nestled right in the beating heart of the metropolis. Tokyo was a sensory overload in the best way — neon lights against ancient shrines, bullet trains next to cherry trees. We even got to stroll through one of Tokyo’s famous parks — a quiet, sacred corner in the midst of a city that never sleeps. The air was crisp, the trees stood tall and stoic, and time seemed to slow down for a moment. It wasn’t just sightseeing — it was soul-soothing.

The city taught us about precision, politeness, and how technology can coexist with deep-rooted culture. Even ordering ramen felt like a ceremony.

Kyoto: Where History Breathes
Next stop: the Kyoto International Center, our base while exploring the former imperial capital. Kyoto was a living museum — every street, every alley, every temple whispered stories centuries old. We wandered through stunning shrines, admired timeless wooden houses, and glimpsed into the graceful world of the geisha.

But beyond the postcard-perfect views, Kyoto gave us a sense of continuity — a deep understanding of how the past continues to shape the present. It felt like walking through a storybook, only this one smelled like incense and echoed with the footsteps of samurai and scholars.

Osaka: Where Energy Meets Heart
We wrapped up our tour in Osaka, based at the Osaka International Center. If Tokyo was sharp and sleek, and Kyoto was reflective and regal — Osaka was all heart and flavor. It welcomed us with open arms, loud laughter, and street food that deserves its own religion. Takoyaki, okonomiyaki — name it, we tried it!

Osaka didn’t try to impress us. It simply was. Honest. Humble. Hilarious. Our conversations grew louder, our friendships deeper, and our laughs longer. It was a fitting finale — a celebration of the journey, the people, and the joy of learning outside the classroom.

Looking back, that Observation Tour was more than a study visit. It was a pilgrimage of perspectives. We saw the many faces of Japan — from stoic elegance to unapologetic modernity, from structured order to unfiltered charm. And we saw those cities not as tourists, but as curious minds with open hearts, guided by the spirit of exchange and understanding.

To my fellow JICA scholars: thank you for the shared stories, the inside jokes, and the moments that didn’t make it to photos but etched themselves into memory.

Three cities. Countless lessons. One journey that changed me forever.

NHK Tokyo, Japan with Dimitrii from Kyrgyztan

Tokyo Tower

Me with Kanykey from Kyrgyztan at Tokyo Disneyland

NIME Tokyo, Japan with my friends at Okinawa

96 Things About Me

1. I was born on a Thursday.
2. I’m a Cancer born in the year of the Dog.
3. I have a very unique foreign sounding surname (Spanish, Chinese, Filipino, etc.).
4. I have a long first name but very short surname.
5. I have an identical twin brother.
6. I feel sad when somebody makes comparison between us.
7. I’ve had my first crush at age 10 but she disliked me much.
8. I have had so many crushes but I never told them.
9. Finally, during my Junior High School I mustered the courage to court a certain girl.
10. She dumped me right away.
11. I was on the honor roll during my elementary and secondary school days.
12. I passed the examinaton to be a priest.
13. I was a grantee of GSIS.
14. I have a naturally funny face.
15. I have made a lot of acquaintances.
16. But only few closest friends.
17. I love watching movies.
18. I am a die hard fan of Jacky Chan and Jet Li.
19. When I am in a forlorn mood I prefer staying alone.
20. I suffered a vehicular accident when I was just kid.
21. My family was not paid a single cent.
22. I played very good basketball game but I stopped playing after somebody punched me.
23. Intelligence is one of my erogenous zones.
24. I have a Business Administration degree.
25. I have an MA degree.
26. I have had 2 major scholarships.
27. I can easily forgive but I never forget.
28. My favorite food is well-done mollusc.
29. I am a chess maniac.
30. I used to play chess endlessly.
31. Longest was 2 days with no sleep.
32. I was a varsity chess player during my college days.
33. Now, I rarely play chess.
34. I don’t smoke.
35. I hate cigarette but not the smokers.
36. I am a beer drinker.
37. But I only drink when there is an occasion.
38. I am a very competitive person.
39. I love computers.
40. I first went online in 1992.
41. My favorite colors are orange and blue.
42. I have been to different countries.
43. My favorite city is Okinawa.
44. I can speak English, Tagalog, and little Spanish and Japanese.
45. I don’t quit easily.
46. I like to sing and dance.
47. I am a loyal fan of Michael V.
48. My first car was box-type Mitsubitshi Lancer.
49. I know that true love exists.
50. Traveling is one of my passions.
51. I am a diet conscious.
52. But I love to eat.
53. I made several wrong decisions in my life.
54. I work best when I am being pushed to the limit.
55. The heaviest thing that I carried is an empty wallet.
56. I am an accidental winner.
57. I experienced so much pain in my life. Now I can withstand any problem that I will encounter.
58. I pick my battles.
59. I love on the spot jokes.
60. I am the person I am today due to my past.
61. I have had my sordid past.
62. I experienced "booze" 2 years after graduation from college.
63. Fun to be with.
64. Secretive.
65. Difficult to fathom and to be understood.
66. Quiet unless excited or tensed.
67. Takes pride in oneself.
68. Easily consoled.
69. Honest.
70. Concerned about people’s feelings.
71. Tactful.
72. Friendly.
73. Approachable.
74. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable.
75. Moody and easily hurt.
76. Witty and sparkly.
77. Spazzy at times.
78. Not revengeful.
79. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things.
80. Guides others physically and mentally.
81. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully.
82. Caring and loving.
83. Treats others equally.
84. Has a strong sense of sympathy.
85. Wary and sharp.
86. Judges people through observations.
87. Hardworking.
88. No difficulties in studying.
89. Always broods about the past and the old friends.
90. Waits for friends.
91. Not aggressive unless provoked.
92. Loves to be loved.
93. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.
94. Highly energetic and motivated.
95. Accepts problem as challenge.
96. I am my own worst critic, I become a better or worst person not because of others but because of me.