Monday, December 12, 2011

Piliin Mo!

Piliin mo ang magmahal...kaysa ang masuklam
Piliin mo ang tumawa...kaysa ang lumuha
Piliin mo ang lumikha...kaysa ang sumira
Piliin mo ang magtiyaga...kaysa ang manghinawa
Piliin mo ang pumuri...kaysa ang manira
Piliin mo ang magpagaling...kaysa ang manakit
Piliin mo ang magbigay...kaysa ang magnakaw
Piliiin mo ang umunlad...kaysa ang mabulok
Piliin mo ang manalangin...kaysa ang manisi
Piliin mo ang mabuhay...kaysa ang mamatay
Piliin mo ang tamang pagpapasya...upang ikaw ay lumaya at tunay na lumigaya.
- adapted

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Metadata Development and Resource Cataloguing Workshop


Well guys, here I am again sharing with you my latest educational escapades through Metadata and Resource Cataloguing Workshop (watch out for the spelling) here in GSP, Tagaytay City, Philippines.  It was sponsored by SPHERE through AusAid with the coordination of EDPITAF.  Our new staff (LRPDS), Dir. Pilor, Sir Eric, Micah, and I represented DepEd-IMCS in this wortwhile activity.  Almost all the DepEd bureas,  offices, and some selected regional offices were increasingly contributing to its success.  There are loads of information to discuss so I won't delve further so I will just present pictures of the day to day activities.  Soon, if my time allows, I will relay some important details to this post.  Cheers!

 .

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Happy 5th Birthday to My Son Isaiah Joaquine!

Congratulations to my son Isaiah Joaquine who is celebrating his 5th birthday today!  I am so happy to see him growing stronger and healthier.

He was so sickly as a baby and for your information he's been hospitalized for more than 2 months at the Chinese General Hospital.  First, inside a pay ward and second, at the charity station (when we no longer afford the high rising cost of the expenses).  Series of test(s) have been made just to find out why, for so long, he was not recovering.  Later, he was diagnosed to have G6PD deficiency (you google it, I'm tired of explaining or just click the link).

I can vividly remember (it was Christmas time in 2006) all the patients at the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) have been moving out to go home while my baby was still fighting for his dear life.  He had a seizure and his skin turned almost gray.  The attending physician asked for the help of other medical staff to revive him.  I been crying and my heart was pounding heavily.  I asked God why my child has to suffer this agony?  Let it be me, Lord.  As if God has been testing me, other doctors were called for some needed help,  From where I stand, I can see the doctors collectively shared their expertise just to help Isaiah.  After few minutes,  the doctors left the room without saying a word and I told myself -- is this the day?

Later, the nurse-on-duty approached me and shared the wonderful message that my baby has been revived and that his skin color turned normal.  Wow,  God thank you!  I thought I ran out of tears before but that time liquid in my eyes continuously flowed.

My family and my sister (Ate Margie) have been constantly looking after Isaiah and we've spent Christmas, New Year and Valentine's Days at the Chinese General Hospital.   And the rest was history!

My son, this is your day!  Make the most of it.  We love you.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Inspected Printing Houses

I visited 2 printing houses last Monday and Tuesday at Quezon City.  I was tasked to oversee if the suggested findings of the evaluators have been thoroughly implemented.  It's good to note that the suggestions were corrected, however, my group still found 4 minor errors that were not seen before.  I know I am responsible for everything because I signed all the pages of the camera-ready copies which meant I saw everything.  My group made a consolidated report on our new findings.  I am just waiting for the ax to cut me into pieces.  By golly.

This morning, I have been very busy working with my colleagues here at IMCS.  We transmitted books to the procurement service and made correspondence to different publishers.

I hope that tomorrow will be an interesting day at the office.  Cheers!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Dirty Tricks of Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Manny Pacquiao

I just got these information from the Philboxing and You Tube and I found out evidence(s) of how Marquez cheated Pacquaio in their latest trilogy.  Marquez kept on whining how, again, for the nth he lost to Pacquiao.  Well he deserved to lose. He stepped on Manny's foot six times (click links on Philboxing and You Tube).  Well, in my opinion, the hardest shot that Marquez made was the head butt to Pacquiao on the10th round. Marquez sucks!

Marquez stepping on Manny's Foot
(Photo from Philboxing.com)
top view
Marquez stomping his foot to Pacquiao then throws a punch
(photo from the internet)

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Manny Pacquiao Did It Again!

I just watched the game of Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (trilogy) and the two players are too conscious on exchanging punches.  The game was close and so was the right eye of Marquez.  Naturally, Pacquiao wins by Majority Decision.  I was not truly impressed with the decision however, the fact that he was the defending champion proved it all.  Again, to Manny Pacquiao, congratulations!
What happened to Juan's face?
(Photos taken from philboxing.com)

How could Juan Manuel Marquez win?

Pacquiao thrown 578 punches connecting 176 while Marquez had it 436 connecting 138. Pacquiao threw 304 jabs connecting 59 to Marquez's 182 with 38 connects. Pacquiao threw 274 power punches connecting 117 while Marquez threw 254 with 100 connecting.To everyone debating pts: as a challenger, you have to upstage champ to win. Close fights always go to title holder. you do the math: pacman(reigning WBO welterweight champion)/marquez(challenger). Comments from Mr. Gil Virtudazo

Juan Manuel Marquez should not have waited for Manny to come in. He did not carry the fight. He was not the aggressor. He was swinging badly from 9 to 12 rounds. His corner made him to believe that he was leading, while in fact he was only credited with 10 points each for 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th rounds. Try to review the video and try to mute the video. 116-112 for Manny Pacquiao is a convincing score. What was lacking was the total domination of the fight by Pacquiao tha's why viewers were not satisfied of the outcome. Comments from Ms. Luz Aridien after the fight.

People expected that Manny would throw even the kitchen sink but it did not happen. The truth is Manny won but not convincingly. Congrats Manny!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Happy 9th Birthday Betty!

Now is the 9th Birthday of my beautiful daughter Helena Beatrice Asi. I am wishing her the best and that she gets what she wished for. Take care always my Betty!

Josel and Betty

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Hooked on Chess Opening Preparation!

November 4-8, 2011 is the schedule of the 2011 Intercities Tournament at Tanauan, Batangas, Philippines and at this time I am so excited to learn that I have in my team superb players in the Philippines. Again, for the nth time, I will represent the Department of Education. Only this time the cast will be star-studded. Manning board 1 will be FM Jony Habla, board 2 will be handled by CM Jose Aquino, Jr., and board 3 will be guarded by CM Rainier Labay. At board 4, the man to watch is Ramil Acosta, the usual point-picker of the team, and at board 5 will be me (an unknown chess player from the University of the East).

The timing seems to favor me due to my 4-day vacation at the office. So, like what I said on my title, I am really hooked up on my opening preparation. I digged on my arsenal the almost rotten book "Kasparov's Opening Repertoire" by Shamkovich and Schiller and reconfigure my totally unused chess database Fritz 11.

Since my task will not be as big as those of my team mates (boards 1, 2, & 3), I will just have to draw my games and let them handle the rest.

Ok. Back to work...err games. I will immediately inform you guys of my struggle at Batangas. Cheers!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Brand New Eye Glass

It seems that I am not getting any younger. Even my eye vision is deteriorating.

Last week, I had my eyes checked by an expert and he recommended me an eye glass that was progressive in nature. I obliged.

I am now wearing it.

BTW, I was told to wear it every now and then. Urgh...

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Applied for the Renewal of My Passport

I am so happy that the transaction for the renewal of my passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Manila, Philippines was so fast. As a government employee, I have a privilege to go to government lane (fast lane), however, yesterday was a different story. I just stand in line on a short queue of regular applicants and finished my dealings within 1 1/2 hours. Great!

The things needed were, just get an appointment through online application, prepare all the photocopied pages (1st, 2nd, and the last 2 pages of the passport), you have to decide if your passport is to be prepared express (P1200) or regular (P950),and should you want your passport to be delivered to your house just prepare additional P130 for your choice of courier.

My next visit would be the U.S. Embassy!

Monday, October 17, 2011

The ABC's of Creating Life of Your Dreams

Guys! Allow me to share with you this worth-reading material. Enjoy.
-------------------------------------

The ABC's Of Creating the Life Of Your Dreams
By Jim Donovan

You deserve to live the kind of life you've always dreamed
about. You can have everything you want in life, if, you are
willing to do what it takes.

I have broken the process into three simple steps I call the
ABC's of creating the life of your dreams.

Yes, having the life of your dreams can be as simple as
A,B,C, if you follow the steps.

Accept...

Accept the fact that your thoughts and actions have
contributed to the circumstances in your life. If you are 25
pounds overweight, you did it by choice. Nobody forced the
food into you, did they? If you are in a job you do not
love, you're the one who stays in it.

Take responsibility for your life.

This will empower you to make changes. A good exercise to
get you started is to take a personal inventory. This
exercise is similar to grocers taking an inventory of their
stock.

Take a sheet of paper and list all of the things you like
about yourself along with those areas you want to change. It
is important you list the good along with the "not so good."
When you have finished, you will have a clearer picture of
what you want to change in your life.

Believe...

Believe in yourself. Dare to dream!

And when you dream, dream big!

The late, Norman Vincent Peale said, "If you want a big
life, you have to have big dreams."

However, before you can have what you want, you must know
what that is. You need clearly defined, written goals.

Start with a clean sheet of paper. Across the top write
"Dream Sheet." Now list all of the things you want to have,
do be, and share.

Don't worry right now, how you will accomplish this. Simply
write. Do this for at least a half an hour. You will be
amazed how easy it will be for about 10 minutes, then you
will have to really think about what you want.

Now that you have clearly defined goals, you are ready for
the next, and most important, step.

Commit to your success...

Commit to your goals, right now.

On another sheet of paper, write each goal. Next to it,
write a short sentence or two about why you will accomplish
this. It has been said many times that you can reach any
goal if you have a big enough why.

You are now ready to develop an action plan. Write each goal
on a separate sheet of paper. Next to each one, list one or
two immediate steps you can take to move toward this goal.

Don't worry about knowing everything you'll need to know. As
you start moving, the path will reveal itself. It's much
like the headlights on your car. They only light a certain
distance in front of you but, as you progress, the road
ahead is lighted for you.

What will you need to learn? Whose help will you need?

For example, if you goal is to shed 25 pounds, you may want
to consult a health professional. Perhaps you want to join a
health club, buy a book on exercise, take a class, etc.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are always people,
probably right around you, who already know what you need to
know or do and would be happy to help, if only they were
asked.

You deserve to live a full, healthy, happy, prosperous life.
It is up to you.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Am So Happy to Receive an Invitation

I am so glad to receive an invitation from my cousin to visit US in July 2012. Actually, this is the 2nd time I got this offer from her (free round trip ticket to the US - yeheey!). This time I won't let this opportunity to let go. I am claiming this offer! To God be the glory!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

World Teachers' Day!

I wish to extend my warmest greetings to all my teachers during my elementary, secondary, tertiary, graduate school, and my senseis in Okinawa, Japan. You gave me so much inspiration and, like you, I became just like you - a teacher myself. Special greetings to my mom, my parents-in-law, and my wife who happens to be mentors as well. Greetings!