Birthday Challenges!

Just experienced tremendous challenges during my birthday celebration.  Firstly, a super typhoon devastated some parts of Numancia Residences where I live.  No water, no electriciy, and no food since everything happened so fast.

After the typhoon, my family and I was able to go outside and we went to the Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila.  I immediately got my Shakeys card inside my wallet, of course to get my free birthday pizza, only to be told that they were offline.  I am so upset.

We just went to another store "Karate Kid" after that, we spent the rest of the day at the mall.

Keep safe guys!

So Blessed!

On July 9, 2014 (previously scheduled on July 7), I will start the IELTS review for free (thank you DepEd) with my colleagues in Makati.  Hopefully, I will be able to improve my English and use it effectively.  It will be almost 3 weeks, July 9, to 25, 2014, of long and painstaking struggle.     Guide me Lord and give me your wisdom!

Answered Prayer!

I heard this morning that I passed the 1st Step in the Australia Awards Scholarships for the 2015 January Intake Applicants, meaning, I passed the paper qualification.  I now have to pass the IELTS and the rigorous interviews at the Department of Education Central Office. Lord, please guide me again and give me your wisdom so that I can hurdle all these challenges.  Bless me God!

Hear My Petition Lord

Lord, please intercede in my behalf.  I would like to study abroad as scholarships were offered by Australia. Grant Lord that my superior will nominate me so that I could compete with the best here in the department and the rest of the applicants nationwide.  Bless me God!

God is Good!

I am so blessed today.  After long months of waiting for the rationalization program of the Department of Education I finally got the assurance that I will be retained and will not be able to have a co-terminus item (CTI).  I was interviewed by my Director and by my superior at the Evaluation and Training Division.  Thank you Lord for the advanced gift on my birthday.

Bonding Time with my Family @ Lucky Chinatown Mall

What a nice feeling to share moments with my family at the Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo, Manila, Philippines.

Death Found Me

(c) Joselito Asi

Your words had me stalled
I faded
Time stopped
I felt I was trapped.

I got lost and I felt empty
Alone and full of misery.

I'm wasted
'but kept on walking...
and walking still...
until death found me.

Para kay Gigi Reyes

Para kay "Gigi Reyes":

Siguro naman sa pag-uwi mo ay may mabuti kang maitutulong sa ating bansa. Aping api na ang bansang Pilipinas alam mo iyan. Ituwid mo na ang sa tingin naming mga ordinaryong mamayan ay patuloy na pagyurak sa kaban ng bayan. Nakapagtataka naman kung bakit kaapelyido mo pa ang isang heneral na katulad mo'y nadamay rin sa akusasyon sa paglustay ng yaman ng Pilipinas. Subalit marahil ay iba ka sa kanya dahil buhay ka at may pagkakataon ka pang ipaalam sa bayan ang iyong nalalaman sa tandisang paglustay ng ating yaman. Ibangon mo ang iyong pangalan at ang karangalan. Nawa'y mabigyan mo nang linaw ang dumidilim na katotohanan. Sana ang lahat nang ikikilos mo ay para sa bayan!

#20PHNET Forum Program ISOC-PH

Just attended the #20PHNET Forum Program for ISOC-PH at Asian Institute of Management, Makati, Philippines.  Can you believe it?  The Philippines is now celebrating the 20th-year of internet use. I'm so glad I was able to celebrate this milestone with the IT experts and techies.  Congratulations Philippines.

Focus of Education

We have had an intellectual discussion this morning during our usual Monday morning activities at our office. My director pointed out that the foci of education on the 20th century are the "resources of the learners (i.e. textbook, classrooms, and teachers)" and on the 21st century the focus of education is "what the learners are learning (i.e., assessment, etc.)."

Dingdong Dantes and I

What a sudden turn of events!  I was walking near the Bulwagan ng Karunungan Hall after the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Department of Education, Central Office when I overheard that the GMA actor Dingdong Dantes would be visiting in the afternoon.  I felt extremely happy about it since he was my daughter's favorite actor.  I thought that a photo-opportunity with Dingdong would be a surprised gift to Betty since I would present her the Dingdong and I would-be photo.

However, bulk of work loads at the office caused me to forget everything that I planned, until at about 7:00 p.m., I was reminded by my colleagues that the actor was still there at the BK Hall.  I immediately went down with one of my friends and  took our chance to meet Dingdong.  Luckily, he was still there.  The actor was so kind to give me this pose.

Dingdong and I

Accidents happen in the most unexpected moments!

March 4, 2014

Yesterday, I was bumped by a slow-moving white vehicle's right side mirror at San Antonio Village, Pasig City between 6:30-7:00 p.m. but I did not react right away since I did not feel any pain. Now, the tingling sting on my shoulder is so annoying.

March 5, 2014

This morning, while I accompany my wife to Quiapo (Avancena HS) for the NAT examination, I heard a sudden sound on my backpack's zipper I took a peek and it was indeed opened. A guy appeared from my left side and I immediately threw an elbow (the one I was bumped yesterday, remember?) on him but it didn't catch his face. At an instant, I stepped on his slipper so that he couldn't move away - but he was able to escape. I was trying to measure this guy if I could beat him in a fistfight, which I felt I could, I moved towards him and as I was about to take a desperation punch two individuals appeared from nowhere. This caused me to change my mind and instead protected my wife by just leaving the place. I'm glad it was over. My wife told me not to return to that place again!

Luneta Chess Blitz Tournament 2014

Tied for  1st to 3rd places at the just concluded Luneta Chess Blitz Tournament with a score of 4 out of 5 points. Carrying 4/4 points in the penultimate round but got ambushed in the final round by "Kuting" in a very exciting game. Tie-break was not so helpful as I ended with 15 Buchholz against my opponents 17 and 11.5 respectively.