My 2013 - Part I

Yes, this is indeed a late post.  But better late than never.

In fact, this is my first post for 2014.  Where was I for the first two months of the year? Ah, that would deserve another blog.

For now, here's a look back at how blessed I was last 2013.

JANUARY

I could say my 2013 started with a blast since I traveled to Cebu with one of my everdearest and longest friend, Elaine.  As she is very familiar with Cebu, she prepared an itinerary so that we could make the best out of our 2-day stay there.  Food, places and friendship celebrated indeed ...

Just as we arrived back in our hometown, Davao City, I remained busy with the IBP National Convention.  I was more than a participant since I was part of the Programme Committee, which was in-charge for the opening ceremonies and the evening programme.  I was some kind of an FBI agent on-stage/near the stage, since I was in full suit mode, with radio on hand and ear-piece.

I also turned 32 .. ooh, ooh, ooh!

FEBRUARY

Our family, together with Tita Grace got to experience the Venue Party Boat.  I have to remind myself to bring Allan here.

MARCH/APRIL

March and April were awesome as our family was complete for JJ's graduation.  Johanna was home from Australia while Jennifer and her cutest daughter, Ally, were also in town, all the way from US of A.  It has been years since we were complete.  I think, the last time was in 2005.

Words and pictures are not enough to show how happy and grateful I am with our family.

APRIL/MAY

After my sisters left, I was nevertheless busy with the remaining summer as I had my "racket" ... I taught summer classes in Law School.  It was no easy task since I have to prepare for it everyday, in addition the work I do at the office.  It is not really easy to prepare for a 2-hour class everyday, in law school at that.  And it was my first time to teach Business Organization 1 in Law School.  But, hey, I survived!

It was also in April when I decided to take the New York State Bar Exam .. as I have posted in my status before, "This is it!".  As such, I began reading (seriously).  Although, it was hard since I was also preparing for my class during these months.

I also volunteered during the election period.

JUNE

This time, I was in full mode for my review for the New York State Bar Exam.  Yes, I took time off from the office, although I go there once or twice a week just to do some work on urgent cases.  I spent my time studying at home.

I also made arrangements for my undergrad teaching load.  I asked permission to take time off for one semester but I'll be back by November.  The only load I accepted was my law school class, in which I had advance and make-up classes for lost time when I will be away in July and August.

And that is just the first half of my 2013 :)

The Book of Questions: Question 2

Question 2:

Do you believe in ghosts or evil spirits?

Would you be willing to spend a night alone in a remote house that is supposedly haunted?

Answer:  Yes, I believe in ghosts or evil spirits.  They are somewhere out there.  And I also believe in the power of prayer.  But no, I can't really say that I have had close encounters.  Yes, I would be willing to spend a night alone in a remote house that is supposedly haunted.  

I remember I was in our high school and we spent the night in school to finish our year book as we have just graduated from high school.  We were staying at the Computer Room at the second floor.  Some of our teachers stayed at the faculty room on the ground floor.  We were still working at around midnight and we had some questions for one of our teachers staying at the faculty room.  It was not urgent but I volunteered to go downstairs.  I have heard a number of "stories" in the stair way but I went nonetheless.  And nothing happened.    

   

Speak

I was invited to be a speaker for my alma mater way back in 2005.

I declined. I told my former teacher that I am not yet ready. I was still working in Makati at that time, although I already informed our manager that I decided to leave and go back to Davao to study law.

While I was in law school, some of my previous teacher will make parinig that I should be a speaker whenever I visited some programs of my alma mater since my brother is still studying there.

Last year, I was again at my alma mater during the Call to Honors for my brother. They invited me again and I could not say no. I think they would not allow me to say no anymore.

And so, I was informed of the day I was to speak in my alma mater. The time, date, place and theme were given to me, as well as the well-known fact that I have to be in a Filipiniana dress.

I had to submit my resume and a picture first. I tried looking for a Filipiniana gown to rent but my mom decided to buy one. I liked the dress but it had to be altered to fit me.

I asked my sister if she will be free that day to assist me, my PA for short. At first, she wasn't but with a stroke of luck, she was able to change her schedule to accommodate me.

A week before the big day, I had an idea inside my head how I would go about in my speech. It was only three days before where I finally sat down and put my ideas into words. I had a draft by Sunday. The speaking engagement was on a Wednesday.

I had my dress rehearsal the night before. So far, so good. My client informed that there was to be a hearing the next day. He just received a notice and I have not yet entered my appearance. Good thing my father willingly oblige to be there instead of me.

On the day itself, I was there at the events center. It was surreal for me to be there as a speaker.

I was happy to see my teachers. I think this was really the highlight for me.

I was asked if I was nervous. Honestly, I wasn't nervous speaking before the students. But I was nervous since I was in the presence of my teachers and school administrators.

For now, I don't have pictures when I was speaking. My sister was busy with the video. And my brother was one of the awardees. My dad was attending my hearing and my mom could not leave work because of deadlines. I don't even have a picture of my tarpaulin .. hehe.

All in all, it was a nice experience. It was indeed honor. Honestly speaking, I never imagined myself that I would be a speaker in my alma mater after all those years that I attended those recognition and graduation ceremonies during my school years.

Thank you Lord for this experience.

P.S. I was later informed that it was the first recognition ceremony at the Events Center and it was the first time that they gave a medal to the speaker. Honored! ;)

Perseverance

Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.”
― Samuel Johnson

Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Amelia B. Bonifacio, Basic Education Department Acting Principal, Salvacion R. Echavez, members of the EXECOM, members of the Management Committee, Faculty, Non-teaching personnel, parents, guardians, awardees, students, ladies and gentlemen, good morning

I am truly honored to speak in front of all you today here in my alma mater. Indeed, PWC has been a great influence of what I have achieved so far and what I can still do in the future. I cannot help but reminisce the great years I have spent here in. I vividly remember those years when I was usually seated at the front row of the class or when I was one of the first few standing in line with my classmates. And that was because of my height. Yes, I was sort of identified as being “small but terrible”. I was small because of my petite body frame at that time. I was terrible, but not because I misbehaved and often called to the Office of the Prefect of Discipline, but because of how much involved I was with my studies as well as school activities, being a consistent class officer. Indeed, it seems that my size did not matter to me or to my classmates and teachers as to what I can do. However, considering my small frame, I was not really known as one of those students who is physically strong.

With that, it is just but appropriate that I can relate with the theme for today’s Recognition ceremony. As said by Samuel Johnson, a notable English writer, “GREAT WORKS ARE PERFORMED NOT BY STRENGTH, BUT BY PERSEVERANCE.”

But, first, let me ask you dear students, what is your understanding of the word perseverance? What do you have in mind? Now, do not worry. You will not be graded on this question if you cannot think of an answer. Your awards will still be given to you in a while J But please do not think of an answer like “yang mag-persevere ma’am” J

Now, what do we do if do not know the meaning of a word? What do we do if we want to confirm our understanding of a word? Isn’t it that we go ask our parents or teachers perhaps? If we cannot find them, we go to the library and check out the definition in the dictionary. If the library is closed, do we give up? Not really for we could also want to find out its synonyms by making use of the thesaurus in Microsoft Word by highlighting the word and pressing Shift+f7. And in fact, with internet and the technology today, we can even “google” it. Indeed, we do not stop until we find what we are looking for.

So, have you thought of what perseverance means? Actually, in those simple steps that I mentioned in finding out a definition of a word, we are showing perseverance. As defined in dictionary.com, it is a steady persistence in a course of action, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement. It means to remain determined to a purpose even in the face of adversity.

We’ve all heard of sports stars, scientists, celebrities and professionals who made it big because they persevered. Our favorite fairy tale characters and superheroes, from Snow White to the Avengers, were all determined to conquer the villains so that goodness will prevail. Even your favorite Anime and Harry Potter characters were not daunted with whatever adversity that have come their way. And then, you have your favorite teleserye characters who also somehow depict some people who keep on going despite obstacles in life.

The thing is perseverance is present not just in what we read or what we see in TVs and movies. Perseverance is very much alive within us today, at this very instant.

We are all continuing products of perseverance. I stand before you today not just because of my determination from the time I attended school up to the present. But it was also because of an overflowing of perseverance from my parents and teachers, of which I am always thankful for.

And that is the same thing with you dear students. I may be older than you, but just like me, you are being recognized today because of your determination. And not just that, you are here today because of your dedicated teachers who continue to be patient with not just you, but all of you and all of their students, knowing that all of their students have the potential to accomplish things. I once read that “teaching is the highest form of optimism” and I could not agree more, for indeed teachers truly persevere in their belief that the youth is the hope of the nation. They remain positive because they see great potential in their students.

Aside from teachers, you dear students are being recognized today because of your parents and family. They work hard to send you to this school, ensure that you attend your classes, answer your assignments and study for your exams. They continue to persevere so that you, their children can get the best out of this life. As such, just like our teachers, our parents also exemplify perseverance.

Indeed, we are all privileged and blessed by GOD not just with our own determination to succeed but also with the gift of family and teachers who persevere.

Yes, you may say that we all have a long way to go. But it does not mean that we cannot practice perseverance in little projects or in simple everyday things. We can always show our determination in everything that we do.

You see, no one can truly assure us that the coming days, weeks, months or years will be smooth sailing. There will be failures. There will be obstacles. There will be mistakes.

The important thing is we rise from failures, we overcome obstacles, and we learn from mistakes. Do not be afraid of these failures, obstacles and mistakes. Do not give up and always do your best. Keep on going and keep doing the right thing and success will come.

Remember as well what Winston Churchill said – “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” Success means to follow through. Be confident and be strong enough to follow through your endeavours.

Again, to quote Samuel Johnson, “Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.” With the skill that GOD has bestowed upon us, along with our perseverance, there is indeed no barrier to be able to accomplish great works – no matter what your physical size is.

In the end, it is the size of your heart that matters – a heart big enough to pursue and persevere so that you can accomplish great things more than you could imagine now.

May each of us continue to do great works and accomplish great things. May we never forget to acknowledge GOD for the blessings HE gives us and for the virtue of perseverance instilled, not just in the students, but in each and everyone of us here today. Continue to persevere, continue to accomplish great things. Congratulations everyone.

Thank you very much and once again, good morning.

Delivered at the

PWC - Basic Education Department (Elementary & High School)

59th Recognition Ceremony

RSM Events Center

March 21, 2012

December 2011

Huling Hirit!

'Tis the Season to be Jolly ... falalalalalalalala ...

It is indeed the season to be jolly as we celebrate Jesus Christ' Birth. Thank you Lord!

It was indeed a season to remember as we share GOD's love and blessings with family and friends!

We had simple noche buena at home and attended the mass together as a family on Christmas Day!

Pang-calendar .. hehe


I can't help but include this picture of my cute niece!

Before New Year, a gathering with my PWC batchmates .. o what fun!

Pwends!

Girls will run the world!

Classmates!

New Year's eve - bountiful indeed! I was extra happy since this time, I get to spend New Year's Eve with my family and Allan together ;) Thank you jud Lord!

Wacky na sab!


Jazzie, Allan and Blossom (Happy Birthday Blossom!)

However, through all these, tragedy struck in Cagayan De Oro, Iligan and some nearby cities. I was devastated. Who would not be? It was a good thing that our group of law school friends decided to concentrate on the flood victims in CDO and Iligan. I cannot put into other words how overwhelmed we were with the outpouring of donations - both money, water, used clothes and other goods - from our family and friends. We were just a small group and to know that we filled (almost) a small truck is truly overwhelming. All I can say is amazing and I continue to pray for recovery of those who suffered.

Repacking the goods .. as suggested by me. Hence, we stayed late than expected.
But it was all worth it.


fDaghan jud!

Thank you so much for my 2011 Dearest Lord!

natapos ko rin! ;)