Manila Day, Stroke Day: How June 24 Changed Everything for Me

 I apologize for the delay; I was unable to post for several months. I had a stroke last year, and this is my story.

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While the city blazed with parades, lights, and fanfare, my world dimmed in an instant.

I remember it clearly—or at least, I try to. The day began like any other Manila Day: warm air, buzzing streets, and that proud, defiant heartbeat only our capital knows. But somewhere between the laughter and the feast, my left arm went limp. My words began to slur. My heart knew before my mind could catch up: this was not normal.

I was having a stroke.

While others were marching in celebration, I was being wheeled into a hospital, not knowing if I would ever march again.

The irony bit hard—on the day Manila was born, I almost died.

The days that followed were blurred pain and silent prayers. I couldn’t move my hand. My body, once strong and steady, had become unfamiliar. I was a prisoner in my own skin. But something in me, something Manila-bred and fire-forged, refused to give up.

I fought.

One twitch became a movement. A breath became a sentence. One step became two. Then three.

Now, one year later, I don’t just celebrate Manila Day — I honor it as my second birthday. Not the day I was born, but the day I was reborn.

I am not the same man I was.

I am slower, maybe. But I am deeper. Wiser. Grateful.

The left hand may still be stubborn, but the heart? It’s unstoppable.

So today, as the city raises its flags — so do I.

A survivor. A warrior. A living testament to the spirit of this city and the strength that rises when all else falls.

Happy Manila Day. Happy Survival Day.

#everyone #strokesurvivor

PCAP Gathering @FoodbytheCourt

 I had a blast at the PCAP Gathering yesterday (February 10, 2024) at Gil Puyat, Makati City.  For the first time, I was able to attend a group of chess arbiters, players, and owners.

Not only that the food were free - some games offered so many prizes for the interesting games.  There were also raffles.  My wife and I unexpectedly won two of them.  Yeheey.  One of the events was called "Chess Palaro" wherein each team composed of five members will play against 3 other teams.  I was just a substitute because I have not yet found a team, luckily, an arbiter back-out at the last minute due to previous commitments.  My group was so lucky that we tied for first (1-3) after 2 difficult games and won a very lucrative prize.  

Atty. Paul, the PCAP Commissioner, Chairman Michael Ong Chua, and Engr. Jojo of Team Camarines offered a substantial number of prizes for the participants.  Hats off to them.

I am looking forward to another PCAP event. 

Served as a Learning Manager during the MATATAG NTOT

 I accidentally landed a Learning Manager (LM) stint during the MATATAG NTOT last Febuary 5-9, 2024 at the Red Hotel, Quezon City.

Last Friday, February 2, two of my colleagues and I were called at the Office of the Director, NEAP and we were told that they were lacking 9 LMs and 6 documenters for the event.  I was hesitant at first since I have no training whatsoever on that kind of undertaking. I was about to back-out, but I remembered that I already have the Travel Authority (TA).  I thought I will just be a participant.  

After 30 minutes of discussion with Dir. Lea (NEAP) I accepted the task to be an LM since time is of the essence.  Additionally, I was also looking for leadership and management training, I thought it would be a good time.

Came the date of the workshop, I led the group of Grade 1 participants composed of CLMD chiefs, PSDS,  education supervisors, principals, school heads, and master teachers.  My tasks were assigned the group to have management of learning (MOLs), introduce participants, help the participants to be comfortable during the meeting, take photos, and the lists goes on and on.  I should fill the gap and patch it. 

I never knew that the work as an LM will be so taxing, but just like a knight helping her damsel in distress I took the challenge. I religiously performed the itinerary; it is quite boring - yes but it's worth it.  What were the challenges during the event? Too many to mention.  During the break, the elevator was full, the food was sometimes not delivered on time or perhaps lacking, the air condition was not that cold during the afternoon, the internet connectivity was poor, etc.  But I can't complain. I know it is a part of a learning process.  The ideal scenario was that all things must be working but really, it's not.  So I need to be patient, or the facilitators must.

With 600+ participants, 18 classes (break-out rooms), and a number of Program Management Team (PMT) - the event was really challenging. It's good that Director Lea (NEAP) and Director Sam (BCD) who guided us along the way.

At the end of the training, I learned that on the bidding documents there must only be 8 break-out rooms stated but the facilitators didn't know that even the participants.  Well, I just keep on complaining!

I just realized that there was a story behind a story.  As a leader, I must be patient.  What an experience.

A Brief: Socorro A. Pilor

From My Old Files: A Woman Who Taught Us More Than Mathematics

In one of those unexpected twists life throws our way, I once found myself tasked with introducing the Director of the Instructional Materials Council Secretariat — my former boss, Ms. Socorro A. Pilor — to a distinguished audience. I remember thinking, How do you condense a lifetime of dedication, brilliance, and humility into a few minutes at the podium?

Years have passed since that day, but while sorting through my old files in a quiet moment, I found the worn sheet of paper with my introduction still intact. And as I read it again, I realized it wasn’t just an introduction. It was a testament to a life’s work — and the story deserved to be told again.

Ms. Socorro A. Pilor’s journey began at St. Paul College, where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education, major in Mathematics and minor in English. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Teaching Mathematics from De La Salle University, this time as a scholar of the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines.
From her earliest years as a young teacher at her alma mater — juggling math and English classes, inspiring both high school and college students — she showed a rare dedication to her craft. But she was not content to simply teach; she wanted to grow. That drive took her to the Division of City Schools in Manila, where she joined the ranks of Manila Science High School’s finest educators.

Her career opened doors to the world. She became a MOMBUSHO scholar in Japan, training for a year and a half at Tsukuba University. Later, she honed her skills in educational technology in Malaysia, learning to develop computer-assisted teaching tools for science and mathematics.

She was more than a teacher — she was a mentor, coach, and builder of champions. Under her guidance, her students brought home top honors in mathematics competitions. And while plaques and trophies filled her shelves, she often said her greatest award was seeing her students succeed in life. One of them, Dr. Raymond Sison, would go on to win the Metrobank Outstanding Teacher Award in 2010 — a full-circle moment for both mentor and mentee.

Her contributions extended far beyond the classroom. She became an editor of mathematics textbooks, a Supervising Instructional Materials Development Officer, and a recipient of the General Manager’s Award and the Outstanding Employee Certificate of Recognition. Eventually, she took the helm at the Instructional Materials Council Secretariat, first as Chief of the Evaluation and Training Division, and later, as its Executive Director.

On the day I introduced her, I ended with these words:

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Ms. Socorro A. Pilor, Executive Director of the Instructional Materials Council Secretariat of the Department of Education.”

Looking back now, I wish I had added something more — not about her titles or awards, but about the kind of leader she was. The kind who inspired without raising her voice, who corrected without belittling, and who believed in people more than they sometimes believed in themselves.

And perhaps that’s the truest introduction of all.

You Don't Have to Put All of Your Eggs in One Basket

 I have not posted anything here in months because I was so busy with my other tasks at the office.  Also, I am too engrossed in my role as a YouTuber.  For your information, my YT channel has reached a milestone, it has more than 1,500 subscribers, reached more than 4000 watch hours, and is now eligible for Ads. You can visit my channel and you can make some comments at As Good As I Can Be it is now running Ads and I am just waiting for the PIN for it to be monetized.  Please, don't forget to subscribe too.

You might wonder what comes to my mind to say something about the title of my blog.  Well, it goes this way.  I have two friends at the office who happened to be skillful and talented and they were promoted recently.  I am so happy for them, Mam Judy, also my Kababayan, was promoted from PDO III to Senior Education Program Specialist (SEPS) while my dear friend, George will be promoted from SEPS to Learning Resources Supervisor in DepEd Sorsogon City.

The abovementioned colleagues were so brilliant that they were entrusted with so many things at the office, e.g., Judy was tasked to perform duties in all procurement activities while George was tasked with National Math Programs at the office.  They were the lead roles without assistants, I am so afraid of what would happen just in case someone got sick or somebody went on a leave of absence. 

Now the challenge, because opportunity knocks - which anyone, of course, would grab.  Judy was promoted by another office a month ago while Goerge will be in DepEd Sorsogon City in August. Voila!  The positions will be vacant and there was a need to train new employees.  I am praying that our office will be able to get competent people like them.

Moving on, I felt that as a leader, you have to assign people other than the focal person(s) some vital tasks so as not to experience similar challenges in the future.  Hopefully, the problems will be over by now or in the coming weeks since new employees will be at the office soon.  

New Vacancies at DepEd Central Office

 Dear Friends,

Do you have what it takes to be a government servant?  Well, this is your chance to be one.  The Department of Education is looking for dedicated and talented people to join the biggest public organization in the country.  The deadline for applications is on December 29, 2021. Apply now!

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Mindoro Tamaraws Booked Quarterfinals Berth in PCAP

Dear Readers,

Last Saturday, July 17, 2021, the Mindoro Tamaraws made history by qualifying to the quarterfinals berth of the just concluded Play-in of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) sponsored by SGM Wesley So via online tournament through Zoom by upsetting the ever-reliable Palawan Queens Gambit team with a score of 11-10 in the first match and subduing them again via a score of 17-4 in the second match.

With the consistent scorers of Team Mindoro, the heroics of the Arena International Master Joselito Asi from Calapan City proved to be a huge surprise as he drew with WIM Beverly Mendoza in the blitz game and then won in a seemingly losing position in the final stretch of the rapid game.  His victory proved to be crucial as the team needed 2.0 points to advance to the second match since the score was 9-10 in favor of Palawan team which has a twice-to-beat advantage by virtue of its higher ranking.  On the brink of defeat and in a losing position, AIM Asi mated WIM Mendoza during the panic time thereby helping the Tamaraws moved to the second match with the score 11-10 thereby leasing a new life.

The Tamaraws fielded the same team members while the Queens reshuffled their board placing during the second match.  Since the Mindorenos gathered some momentum during the first match, their team continued to rake points and led 4-3 in blitz and needed only 7 points to win.  

During the Rapid match, however, boards 1 and 2 fell victim to accurate moves of the Palawan Queens early in the games and the players had to wait for the results of boards 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 for the complete scores.  

It was like waiting for eternity as the break-out room where the teams were assigned was so silent due to the importance of the games.  A few moments later, points were being written in the Zoom chatbox by the 5 Mindoro players signifying that they all won their remaining games.  What a sigh of relief, and the rest was history for the Mindoro Tamaraws!

Team Mindoro is thanking its sponsors and benefactors - Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan of Calapan City, Mayor Romulo "Muloy" Festin, LGU-San Jose Occidental Mindoro, Atty. Paul Elauria (PCAP President), Team Owner Mr. Justin Tan, and others. 

Team Composition:

Team Owner - Mr. Justin Tan

Team Manager/Board 1 - AGM Emmanuel Asi

Team Coach/Lady Player - ACM Michella Obaza Concio

Lady Player/Board 2/Import - WFM Szente-Varga Fruzsina (Hungary)

Lady Player - AFM Cylliz Kaessa M. Merilles

Seniors - Cesar Cunanan and Marcelo Abeleda

Homegrowns - USNM Rainier Labay, AGM Nezil Arj Merilles, Ronald Berdera, 

                         Zejih Angelo  Merilles, ACM Richard Allen Sicangco, and AIM Joselito Asi

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Eliminating Diabetes: Rotary Club of Manila

 Thank you so much Rotary Club of Manila and your transformational leaders for sharing your precious time and resources at the Claro M. Recto High School, Division of City Schools, Manila last December 4, 2020.  I was one of the recipients during this time of pandemic and I am so proud of your efforts.  May your tribe increase! #rotaryclubofmanila #rotaryinternational

 

Lifelong Leadership Congress

Good day friends from everywhere.

I had the opportunity to attend this important event sponsored by the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) this November 2020.  Mind you, it is just the first day of the workshop and I felt that I was overwhelmed by information already.  

First and foremost, I had no intention to attend this important activity for I thought it was only for the Career Service Executive Eligibles and not for the Career Executive Service Written Examination (CESWE) passers like myself.  But the very moment that I received an email from CESB inviting me to go to that event I immediately grabbed that opportunity.

Here I am after answering the Adversity Quotient (AQ) and the  GRIT Gauge Assessments (GRIT Gauge) I felt that I was a renewed man.  AQ discusses one's ability to respond constructively and GRIT Gauge reliably predicts performance, learning, agility, resilience, tenacity, and well-being.

I did poorly on the first exam but recovered fully-well on the second one.  Amazing!

I have been attending various activities of CESB before but this one is giving me great satisfaction. 

Helping Cats in the Time of Turmoil

🏚️ Storm, Stray, and Sacrifice: A Mother Cat’s Typhoon Rescue

I’ll be honest — I’m not really a cat person. But yesterday? Yesterday changed something in me.

It was November 1, 2020, and Typhoon Rolly was throwing a fit over Binondo, Manila — strong winds howling through narrow alleys, rain pounding rooftops like a thousand drums. I was inside, focused, prepping for a big online Rapid Open Chess Tournament hosted by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines on Tornelo. All calculations, strategy, and focus.

Until life — raw and real — interrupted.

From the hallway outside our condo unit, through the screen door, I saw a mother cat scurrying back and forth, a tiny kitten gripped in her mouth. Panic was written all over her posture — not fear of humans, but that primal urgency of saving her babies from something bigger than all of us: nature in rage.

I didn’t pay her much mind at first. Chess awaited. But then she returned. And returned again. Each time, more frantic. Each time, wetter and more desperate.

That’s when it hit me. This wasn’t just a lost stray.

This was a mother on a mission.

I rushed to the door and opened it. She bolted in, kitten still clamped gently in her jaws. I wiped them dry with an old towel. But then, something unexpected happened.

She paused at the door. Looked back. Waited.

And then — zoom — ran out into the storm.

Two minutes later: she came back with another kitten.

Then another.

And another.

Until four kittens were safely inside.

This heroic feline made three dangerous trips in the middle of a typhoon, soaking wet, braving gusts that would knock a full-grown human off balance — all to save her babies.

And she trusted me — a non-cat person — with their lives. That moved me deeply.

The two older kittens we were feeding outside? Turns out, they were hers too. So I scooped them up and brought them in. A full family, reunited. Safe. Dry. Together.

I don’t know what tomorrow holds for this little clowder of survivors. But what I witnessed wasn’t just instinct.

It was love in motion, courage in action, and motherhood at its most fierce and fragile.

And somehow, in that storm, a piece of my heart got claimed by cats.

Yes — I may not be a cat person…

But maybe, just maybe, they chose me anyway. br /> style="clear: both; text-align: center;">

Vacancies at DepEd-CO (Batch 66)

There are vacancies at DepEd CO now.  If you are interested, the deadline is on March 6, 2020. Join now!

Batch 64: New Vacancies at DepEd Central Office

DepEd Central Office welcomes competent and dedicated people of all backgrounds.  Join now -  work together and inspire others!

Batch 62: New Vacancies at DepEd

Hello guys,

Sharing you the vacancies at DepEd-CO.  Join now.