My family attended the very happy occasion of the Christening of Eunice Kyle Dacumos at Makati. I was supposed to participate in the Barangay Wesley (BW) chess team elimination (try-out) at Robinsons Galleria, Manila but gave way to my wife's invitation to attend the special festivity of my brother-in-law's (Noel) daughter. It was such a full-packed event attended by friends, relatives, family, and well-wishers.
Congratulations Eunice Kyle and welcome to the Christian world!
I got this news from facebook that my kababayan Rogelio Antonio, Jr. (he hails from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro) currently the ranked 2 player of the Philippine chess team was ousted from the team due to unknown (though there are varied conflicting reports) reasons. Reading the items from the blog of Susan Polgar added some major controversies and problems. If you read the comments you would probably judge what was happening. Why did they (both parties) discuss it in public where in fact they could talk it privately to settle everything.
Yeheey! I found this new activity during my free time. I played chess tournament games at ChessCube even during wee hours. I have been so effective during midnight too. I have beaten strong chess players and , would you believe it, some of them were accusing me of using chess programs to beat them. Which is of course untrue. That only means that I am improving in my game.
It's a long weekend because on Monday (August 30) will be an official holiday. During the first day, my wife and I went to a tripping to find our permanent residence, however, what we found were too expensive and not within our budget.
We planned to go to Baguio City or somewhere else but we decided not to push through due to Helena's final review day of the MTAP, Her education is much more important than our travel, you know. I hope that she will be selected and be given an opportunity to be in the elite group.
Hopefully, this afternoon or tomorrow we could go somewhere else to see different places and again experience our family bonding.
I have been watching the Miss Universe beauty pageant and have been praying desperately that Miss Philippines would get the coveted title. Guess what? She got a pretty easy question from Mr. Baldwin. But her major major answer seemed to be unusual for the judges. You see, before going to the pageant she encountered problems on her documents, moreso, with her nationality issue which created problems (challenges) that almost caused her to being dislodged as a Philippine candidate to that prestigious event. Isn't that a major issue? Perhaps, the judges perceived her answer, though unnatural, to be dishonest.
She had had all the chance to answer beautifully and indeed she bought time when she told one of the judges "thank you sir, blah...blah...blah...) but she blew it!
Missed opportunity for my bet. Anyway, Ms. Raj is still young and in fact her answer is not that bad, however, in a pageant there are no wrong answers --- only good and better ones.
Yeheey! I just claimed my brand new iPod nano 8gb as my prize yesterday. I would like to thank Rexona and all its staff who are behind this promotion. BTW, what I bought was a Rexona spray for men worth P150.00 but I got a prize worth P8,500.00 (check the price dude!) I am so excited, and I can't hide it. God is soooooooo good really! Here are the pictures of my latest winning...
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?
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).
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.
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.
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, 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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
'been busy today. Just finished tasks on recording and safekeeping some documents transmitted by evaluators. Transferred some files @ our new stockroom located at Dorm E. Cleaned the library and corridors with IMCS staff and had a sumptuous lunch courtesy of Sir Eric. Made some correspondence to valued clientele and called some VIPs.
Have you read the first issuance of memo. no. 1 from the P-noy administration? It caused deepest sadness to my colleagues here at IMCS. Most of my co-workers, predominantly contractual employees, were disoriented, perplexed, and dismayed over this new issued memorandum. Considering that most of the offices/services here at DepEd were manned by contractuals how would the organization effectively and efficiently run. Take for example the case of the monitoring unit of my group whose staff are 70% non-regular employees. Would they be able to fulfill their assigned tasks since their terms of office would be cut short? Just asking...
Since yesterday was a holiday, I (with my wife and kids), visited Rhys birthday at Navotas. I arrived there in the afternoon but there were no visitors yet so I decided to pick my things which I left when my family transferred to Manila last November. I spotted my useful books which I used during my training in Japan and some worth-reading manuscript like "Kasparov Teaches Chess" which I kept long time ago when I was very active playing chess (ahedres-ajedrez). After packing things I found out that there are no visitors yet and my parents-in-law were still not there so I decided to play chess at Malabon Chess Plaza. I scored convincing victories against club opponents but was unlucky on solving chess puzzles.
I returned to my parents-in-law's house after I received text that all were present. I enjoyed the food served which were a combination of Italian, European, and native delicacies. As my kids enjoyed playing with their cousins, so was my wife interestingly shared her views with her parents. I had a drinking spree with my brothers-in-law as we watched the game between SMB and BMEG for an outright semi-final berth of the PBA league. SMB proved to be the better team this time.
We went home at about 10:00 p.m. and immediately went to sleep. Hugh...
After a week of seminar at Tagaytay International Conference Center, I am back to Manila. It's very difficult to stay late nights to look over the works of our evaluators.
The sudden shift of temperature makes it difficult for me to control sneezing. Perhaps, the only consolation is that today and in the next two days I don't have office works because it is a Pasig Day and regular holidays.
It's almost a 4-hour trip to Tagaytay International Convention Center (TICC) and I felt very tired. The three-hour trip was prolonged by the bus staff (San Agustin) who was trying to get all the passengers they could. I observed the almost all the vendors were allowed to market their products. Maybe you could imagine how many times I was bumped by passengers while sleeping. So, instead of having a wonderful trip I had this hate inside me trying to explode anytime. Upon reaching Olivarez station I was pacified as the two people beside me gave some tips on how to get to TICC.
Alas! I found the place. Should I say this? It was too inviting. I was assigned at room 143 (is it room for LOVE) with Sir Eric and Sir Edgar who happens to be my colleagues at DepEd.
BTW, as I entered the convention center, I found the lightings to be dark and not conducive to reading. Except for the ready-made movable lightings the hall would be dull. To tell you frankly, the airconditioning unit is functioning well and the food was served on time. The staff are so courteus and helpful as well.
Yesterday, I got this alien allergy from unknown source. Either, I got this from the food I took or from the extreme heat. I felt very annoyed by this.
Hi guys! Since it's school time I am back to my usual routine. I wake up as early as 5:00 a.m. to open my computer and check some emails (no farmville anymore) and see if all torrents work I did the other day are effectively running. Also, I browse if there are pending moves I have to make by clicking the chess.com and gameknot.com sites to update my chess knowledge. At 5:30 a.m., I bring Betty to her school (using my Japanese bike) at P. Gomez ES and buy some morning stuff at a nearby bakery. After that, I again check my i-connection if it is downloading some self-help books and some programming languages. Simultaneously, I turn on the radio and listen to DZBB programs for some updated morning news. At 6:00 a.m., I take a bath, eat breakfast, and check my things before going to the office.
That's what I wrote in my journal, but the truth is I went back to my apartment after accompanying Betty to her school just to sleep again. I miscalculate the time (always) that is the reason why I am tardy in going to office.
Attended the Couples For Christ (CFC) 29th Year Anniversary at the Luneta Grandstand yesterday. Though my wife and I are not very active we tried to grace the ocassion to witness the ceremony. The activity was well attended by members coming from the farthest provinces and even by bunch of followers from different parts of the world. The scorching heat was felt during the whole afternoon but it has never been a big deal to those in attendance. At six o'clock in the evening a sudden downpour was experienced but the music ministry, dancers, sponsors, members, and organizers never blinked an eye to go home as they continuously prayed and offered thanks to the Lord. Congratulations to all CFC members and see you next year!
I have had a 3-day break. Slept much of the time and considerably been busy learning new programing language such as Phyton. During siesta period I played billiards and chess at a nearby street.
