A Visit to Manila Ocean Park

As a treat to my daughter's 6th birthday, I brought her and the whole family to the Manila Ocean Park. It was an amazing experience for kids and adults as well.







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First Time Father

It was 2:30 a.m.
I was deep in sleep when a gentle nudge on my left side stirred me — followed by the quiet, urgent sound of my wife calling for help. Her face carried the shadow of worry, eyes wide, uncertain. I glanced at the bed and noticed the sheet was wet. At first, I thought it was just a spill. But no — to my astonishment, the water was coming from her. She was in the final stretch of her pregnancy, and this... this was no ordinary night.

Like a prince roused for his beloved, I leapt into action. I supported her carefully, trying not to show the tremble in my hands. She told me she wasn’t in pain — only discomfort from the fluid steadily flowing. I held her close, clipped her safely into my arms, whispered reassurances that everything would be alright. I led her gently to the bathroom. Then, foolishly thinking we could still sleep this off, we returned to bed.

But sleep had other plans.
Minutes later, another shout — this time with urgency in her voice. She had spoken with her OB-Gyne. “We need to go to the hospital. Now.”

We scrambled to pack. I showered in record time. Then we rushed into the night, hailing a taxi as the city slumbered. Inside the cab, we made light of things — joked nervously that maybe this was it. That maybe our baby didn’t want to wait the remaining three weeks on the OB’s calendar. That maybe today would be the day we’d become parents.

At the hospital, she was questioned quickly, and then — just like that — they wheeled her toward the delivery room.
Wait... what? Already?

That day, we were gifted a son. A fragile miracle. A boy with lungs too weak for this world, but with a spirit that fought for sixteen days inside the NICU. And then... he let go.

---

That was seven years ago today.
This is his seventh death anniversary.

And every year, the pain replays like a scene I can't edit. I was young. Unprepared. Maybe even foolish. I missed the chance to hold the title of “first-time father” in full.

My son — wherever you are in the vast universe, in a place I can’t reach but feel so near —
I LOVE YOU.

Always.

#everyone #firsttimefather

New Important Words

I just learned two new important words...

D - Drop
E - Everything
A - And
R - Read

It was shared by Dr. Benilda S. Santos of Ateneo de Manila University.

M - Make
E - Excellence
A - A
N - Necessity

It was shared by Dr. Churchita A. Villarin, Education Supervisor II of Region VII.

I got these information from our Regional Cluster Training of Textbook Evaluators at Ecotech, Cebu City.

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