Lucky Me!

Guys, you may not believe it!

I was on my way out at Watson's, after buying some vitamins and medical stuff,  located at SM San Lazaro Branch, Manila when, suddenly, I was blocked by this beautiful saleslady who offered me to buy Rexona products.  She was so inviting so I indulged to buy (sorry I forgot to ask her name).  I didn't know that there were some perks after buying that thing.

Here was the catch.  That saleslady made me stood about 4 steps from the cabinet purposely-prepared for Rexona's promo.  She instructed me to throw a ball at a 9-hole mold and I unintentionally made a shot at the right corner hole.  Then the saleslady shouted, "Oh man, you got the iPod!"  I shouted back "What?"  She handed me the ball I used then asked me to shoot again.  So I tried very hard to put the ball in the hole I shot earlier, but I missed. I got the lowest hole at the right corner instead.  I was told that I got a key chain.  I was waiting for further instructions when the saleslady, after searching at the room near the cashier's place, told me that her manager was not there so I could pick the iPod nano tomorrow (actually it is today).  She made me sign a receipt and asked me to return at 1 p.m.

I believe I am so blessed because God made me  a shot I didn't know what's at stake. Need I say more?

Reminiscing the Past

I have been thinking of my past struggles, especially my deepest frustration due to the death of my first-born child. It happened years ago but the emptiness still lingers within me.

I still remember that I didn't have the financial capacity to pay for my son's hospital bills that ballooned to P375,000.00. I even asked the help of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the senators. I was so lucky that the former shared a hand.

What a shame! I have been crying most of the time for I couldn't take the body of my child from the hospital (who was frozen) because, again, I couldn't pay. Sorry my baby. Not until I pawned the title of my land (from the province) to the hospital that I got my kid (or else he'll stay there 'til eternity).

Paalam Aking Mahal

Joselito Asi (c) 8 Agosto 2010

 

Akala ko’y tuluyan ka nang nawaglit

Sa isip at puso ko’y ikaw’y tinikis

Lahat ng nangyari’y pilit na inalis

‘Pagkat walang magandang bunga ang maling pag-ibig.

Ngunit ang tadhana’y sadyang mapaglaro

Nakita kang minsang walang kibo

Iiwasan ka sana’t agad akong lalayo.

Ngunit tumimbuwang nadagil ang pinto.

Halakhakan ay di magkamayaw,

Munting pagkakamali ko’y agad sinumbatan

Ngunit nang tingnan ka sa dakong likuran

Kamay mo’y inabot, hiya ko’y naparam

Puso ko’y walang tigil sa pagpintig

Kapag kasama kita’y lagi nang may kilig

Ngunit batid kong mali’t di dapat ipilit

Dahil ikakasal ka na sa kaibigang matalik.

At tayo nga ay nagka’walay

Luha ko kanina’y ngayo’y hikbi naman

Kabiguang dulot tila magpakailanman

Kawangis ng kandila sa init ay nalulusaw.

Agad akong umuwi’t kumuha ng punyal

Isang saksak agad kong iniunday

Sa puso kong bigo sakit ay ninamnam

Buhay kong ito’y akin nang wawakasan

Ngunit bago ako lumisan

Sana'y marinig mo aking hirang

Paalam, paalam

Paalam aking mahal.

IMCS Workshop on Developing Textbooks

Alas, the three-day workshop on Developing Textbook and Teacher's Manuals for Public Secondary Schools was over. The workshop was well attended and our participants were publishers, authors, editors, book designers, and teachers coming from the National Capital Region.  IMCS was able to invite Mr. Antonio Calipjo Go, a long time critic of sick books, who presented his vast array of findings (error-filled books).  Not that I depend Department of Education (which caters to public schools textbooks at this time) but most of Go's findings were on private schools textbooks.  I have been waiting for him to reveal how he was able to get all those findings, what method did he use, etc. because his topic covers research too.  Ah... maybe because of the limited time given to him. 

At one point, a heated argument ensued after topic on tools and minerals were discussed but that was just part of intellectual discussion.  What interest me most was the argument on the word 'observe' wherein one participant stated that, in science, this word is all-encompassing.  Meaning, if you use the word 'observe' it would not only mean to use the sense of sight but the other senses as well. 

BTW, I acted as emcee during the closing ceremony and I was able to make  ad lib(s)

I would like to thank everyone who, in one way or another, helped in making this worthwhile activity a success.

First day at the workshop

Just attended an Orientation Workshop on Developing Textbooks and Teacher's Manuals at Development Academy of the Philippines.  I introduced one of the speakers and I have been busy assisting some of Department of Education's participants.  I was the technical guy this morning and am so proud of it. 

Too many tasks to finish

The works at the office are filing up and everybody is trying to finish their tasks on time.  The themes keep changing from job rotation to sharing loads.  Name it, we have it.

The coming week is challenging too since we will be facing our bete noire as one newspaper had stated in one of its articles.  I am really excited and agitated as well because I don't know what will happen.  I wish everything will be fine.

Finally, Home Again...

Finally,  after 10 days of workshop in Tagaytay City, I'll be back again to where I belong - home.  I will be able to glance my wife and kids whom I missed so dearly.

4th Day @ TICC

I just finished reading the book about Gulliver's Travels written by Jonathan Swift and I felt I was traveling with him too, it was so amazing.  Gulliver must be really a genius due to his knowledge on learning new languages.

I'm just so happy to receive a phone call from my wife who is in Manila.  I'm so delighted to receive an information that Helena Beatrice (my beautiful daughter) was tapped to join the MTAP review.  Yehheeey!

Orientation Workshop @ Hotel Kimberly

Attended a workshop on STRIVE at Hotel Kimberly in Tagaytay City. 

First Day at TICC

I just had a long trip from Manila to Tagaytay City late in the afternoon.  It was a very long trip so I had a very long sleep.  I was so tired because I had to finish some stuff before going to the workshop venue.

At TICC, I was transferred to different rooms and it pissed me off.

As I settled down, I was able to watch the "Secrets of Magic: Revealed" and I was so amazed with the show.  I couldn't sleep so I got my laptop and search for a wifi-signal.

A text from my wife made my day!

Went to SM San Lazaro to Hear a Mass

I went to SM San Lazaro yesterday to hear a mass.  I learned that at 9:00 a..m. during Sunday(s) a mass is held at the entrance of the mall. 

Thank you for your greetings!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who greeted me (verbally and at Facebook) on this very special day.  To my twin brother Emmanuel best wishes to you and may you fulfill all your dreams.  Take care always.

You were asking for my age?  Clue.  I won't be able to apply for any Japanese Scholarships now.  Got it?

Black Out in Manila

Sad day for Manilans yesterday. The entire electric system including the telephone lines were shut off due to devastating typhoon "Basyang."  Would you believe it?  Years before if it was a brown out people could still use their phones to call their immediate relatives, but now,  it's different.  I can't even use my postpaid SUN internet line.  Terrible.  I spent the whole day at SM San Lazaro with my family. 

I went home at 9:45 p.m. and since there was no electric power in the city,  I decided to bring my kids at the Hotel Sogo, Recto Branch for the much needed sleep.