School of Thought

Looking back then, I had several reasons why I was excited during graduation. Excited at last after four years I will no longer see my teachers who have terrified me so much and make it even worse by standing at the door just to check whether or not you completed the tormenting ordeal. By so doing you just earned your ticket to go home. (Promise that feeling was way more than answering the quadratic equations in Trigonometry.) Well, later on, I realized how valuable it became as an effective way to retain your learnings and at the same time improve your handwriting. That I did not realize until my professor in one of my major subjects in UP would do the same. She let us copy all her lectures (YES, I never expected to have that in UP) and worst she validates her exam word for word according to what has been written on the board. So, I looked into my notes (well, I don’t have any). TRIVIA: I had the same set of notebooks from 1^St-4^th Year and most of the pages are filled with scribbles, doodles and the different strokes of my signature. Well, there are notes, but they belong to the minority of the content. I almost flunked the subject and almost dropped my scholarship then. For another reason I was excited because finally I’m a step closer to fulfilling my dream of entering UP. My parents know that ever since I was young, I would always say, I want to be in UP, especially when people would ask me where I want to study. The answer would always be default. So graduation in high school means that, I am finally going to UP. That excitement is a manifestation of our quest in reaching new heights, venturing to new experiences and definitely something that we really wanted to happen. That Thing Called Tadhana.

Today most of you would have to figure out or are figuring out the uncertainties that lie behind after graduation. It is necessary that at this point, you are clear and sure enough of what path you are taking in the future.

However, today’s scenarios compel us to make decisions far from what we believe we can be. It has been harder for us to set the directions we want for ourselves. We end up failing to realize our individual ambitions. Thanks to the models of our society who failed us. But I hope, this is not the right time for you to feel cynical about the country we live in. It is not the right time to cut the ropes of hope.  It is the right time to believe that this nation will be great again.

Saktong Buhay: Sa de-kalidad na Edukasyon Pinanday. This year’s theme reminds us of the parallel view between quality education and improved life condition, the latter being a powerful means to achieve the best things that life can offer

Knowledge.Skills.Attitude. The right amount of these three will help you succeed to whatever course of life you will have to take.

Acquire knowledge. Read more. One of my teachers in elementary has really influenced me to read. To borrow her words:  (Basa gid bisan panit pa kang ibos kag dulce). I took that seriously, even today, I would always stop on bulletin boards, ad postings, etc. Enjoy learning. To put it in Bob Ong’s words. “Dalawang dekada ka lang mag-aaral. Kung ‘di mo pagtiyagaan, limang dekada ng kahirapan ang kapalit. Sobrang lugi.” It is also crucial to determine what knowledge to intake, surely you just have to choose wisely. There is a lot of them offered for free, it’s up to you to choose. There will be a lot of teachers out there, still, it’s up to you, who are you going to follow. But one thing in mind, always quest for the right one.

Develop life skills. Remember, we study not for school, but for life. Master the communication and the interpersonal skills. They will come handy to you. When mastering these skills, stick to your game plan. Practice, practice and practice until you turn it into a habit. People skills are becoming rare, especially on your generation when most of you would spend most of their times in front of the computer, cellphone and tablets. Mind you, mastering the people skills helped me to survive so far my four years of stay in the DILG. I have to contend with the reality that I was the youngest to take the current position where decision-making is part of the job. I have to contend with the mere fact that there are a lot of people whose egos are so high and I just have to deal with them. Those skills we learn from to day to day experience will become valuable tools for us, so keep them, harness them and use them.

Attitude. In reality it is not enough that you are the brightest, the most intelligent, the most talented and the exceptional one for that matter. Often, those who are average succeed because they have the formula that most of the times are overshadowed by those who have the highest IQs. That formula is the right attitude. Sir Walter Scott once said that for success, attitude is equally as important as ability.

In my office table, I have this list of 25 Things that make a Happy and Successful People. Every morning before I start to work, I devote some of my time rereading that list all over again. That became my checklist and motivation to think and do well even at times when everything seems to be out of their order

Let me share with you some of these things.

Be grateful and prayerful

Prayers go up. Blessings come down. Begin your day by being thankful for all the good and bad experiences you had. The miracle comes in when you started to realize the value of each of those experiences----good or bad. How will affect the course of your life depends on how faithful you are in His words. Acknowledge His grace and omnipotence. Always be guided by His wisdom and in order to do that, pray! Everything we have here is temporary and on His will, so before you begin anything, look up to Him.

Take Responsibility

Putting it again to the words of Bob Ong, “Huwag mong sisihin ang sir among pamilya, palpak mong syota, pilay mong tuta o mga lumilipad na ipis. Kung may pagkukulang sa’yo ang mga magulang mo, pwede kang manisi at maging rebelled. Tumigil ka sa pag-aaral, mag-asawa ka, mag drugs ka, magpakulay ka ng buhok sa kilikili. Sa bandang huli, ikaw din ang biktima. Rebeldeng walang napatunayan at bait sa sarili.” I came from a family who has no stable income then. My father is a tricycle driver and my mother is the best housewife ever. We live one day at a time and that would depend on how much my father could have after the whole day of enduring the scorching heat of the sun or worst getting wet the whole day come the rainy season. I go to school with hand me down items from school uniform down to my school shoes. Most of my school supplies are from the kindest people in the neighborhood, relatives and family friends.  But our lack of those things did not hamper us from pursuing our dreams. I did not blame our condition then, instead I took that as a challenge to be responsible for every action I will take and value most the things that I have. I took the responsibility of improving our living condition. I dedicated and committed my time to excel in my academics. I know then, that this could be the only way up. Today, I’m starting to reap the rewards. My siblings will no longer experience the same hardships we had before. I always tell them how lucky they are and that they should be grateful.  Our parents had always been supportive to us even though we know from their end it is extremely difficult. Now I understand where they are coming from. I pursued excellence because at the end of each school year, every medal, plaque, and trophy were a token of gratitude to them. Our parents had paved the way for us to dream big and aim high—sky is the limit.

Believe and Persevere

The parents have to take on the responsibility of providing guidance and support. It will not always be the money and the socioeconomic status, we have to go beyond it, believe and persevere.

To put it in Marie Curie’s words, “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”

I share the same sentiment of Anthony Lagdameo played by JM de Guzman in the movie That Thing Called Tadhana when he was musing with the paintings in the Ben Cab museum. Indirect quote “…nung pumasok ako sa UP ang gagaling ng mga kaklase ko, akala noon magaling na ako, hindi pala, marunong lang…” It was a struggle then for me, I thought I had the best when I entered UP. Instead of getting frustrated, I managed to work on things little by little. I started to believe on what I have and worked through it. I persevered through those four tormenting years. I managed to graduate with honor and this Sablay is a testament to that. I survived the sweet torture to earn a UP education. I was not the brightest and the most intelligent, I just kept the right attitude. And I hope this will keep me on track as I aim to wear this Sablay again when I finish my graduate studies next year.  

Take Risks and Make Mistakes

My apologies if I keep on referring to Bob Ong’s words of wisdom. Promise these were my guidebook and it did no harm to my sensibilities. And I quote him again, “Hindi final exam ang passing rate ng buhay. Hindi ito multiple choice, identification, true or false, enumeration or fill-in-the-blanks na sinasagutan kundi essay na isinusulat araw-araw. Huhusgahan ito hini base sa kung tama o mali ang sagot, kundi base sa kung may kabuluhan ang mga isinulat o wala. Allowed ang erasures.” This time is the best years to experiment, but please don’t get me wrong. I am not saying you go to drugs or engage in illegal activities in order for you to know they are bad, that’s a lame logic. While there are plenty of temptations and distractions, the decisions you make here are truly what dictates your future, as the weak fail and only the strong survive. We are not invincible, but when we’re young, sometimes we think we are. We’re getting no sleep and making crazy decisions left and right. We believe that no matter what we do, everything will somehow work out. In a way it’s true, but we also need to learn it won’t always be that way. Everything won’t always work out, and when it doesn’t, we need to learn how to be okay with that, and how to move on. We need to fail to learn how to succeed again. Failure is crucial to our eventual success.

Dare to Dream and Follow that Dream

Promise, this would be last from Bob Ong. “Tuparin ang mga pangarap. Obligasyon mo yan sa sarili mo. Kung gusto mo mang kumain ng balde-baldeng lupa para malagay ka sa Guiness Book of World Records at maipagmalaki ng bansa natin, sige lang. Nosi Balasi. Huwag mong pansinin ang sasabihin ng mga taong susubok humarang sa iyo. Hindi ako naniniwalang kailangan ng tao mangarap dahil gusto niya ng pera o gusto n’yang sumikat, o gusto n’ya ng impluwensiya. Side effects na lang ang mga ‘to. Nangangarap ang tao dahil binigyan s’ya ng Diyos ng kakayanang mangarap at tumupad nito.”

But this should not stop from dreaming alone. We have to climb our ways to fulfill our dreams. No matter what it takes. Never do anything just because it’s convenient for you. Look to challenge yourself and build your own dream instead of building someone else’s. Even if it doesn’t exactly make sense now, create something with great value so you can cash out big.

This brings me to my last point. Give back. JK Rowling, the writer behind the Harry Potter series said that “We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.” Let’s move out from ourselves and become responsible individuals of the society. Unleash that magic that is leadership.

The challenges we bear today require us of the new breed of leaders coming from our ranks. The young people of this generation should believe and work for the betterment of this nation. It will always be difficult along the way, fighting with our personal demons; vices, negative influences and character. Our desire to change beginning with ourselves should not end up from answering the question “What I will become in the near future?” It has to be lived, and in order for us to succeed we have to work the hardest way. A leader is measured not by how high he rose from the ranks. but how much he worked for it.

Being a leader begins with our acceptance that we are. You need not to be the president or any other position in that case for you to be called a leader. By that simple acknowledgement that you are, makes a difference.

Leadership with Humility

We are in times when leadership positions are adhered as something grand and powerful, filled with the vast expectation that a position is such a maneuvering factor. That those who sit in the position are as divine as the Gods of the Olympus, that they shall be worshipped and adored with utmost reverence.

Today, we need leaders who build into the character of humility, acknowledging our vulnerabilities as a human without underscoring others’ capabilities. We lead, to serve rather than lead to be served.

Leadership with Passion and Commitment

It is important that we have the dedication in all things we do. This measures the success and the fulfillment of our desired outcome. Leadership with a heart creates a significant spark in every decision that we take and in every endeavor that we envision. An attitude that we do it because we love to, not because we are forced to do it, the results would always be different.

On quality education producing quality leaders

Education is the greatest social equalizer. Take every opportunity, grab it and work through it. The reason why I put emphasis on leadership is that, this is what we lack in order for us to move forward. We always fail to become leaders on our own circles despite the opportunity to become one. Education is more than earning a diploma, it is about being relevant to the society.

We may always find ourselves struggling along the way, but we are confident that with the right knowledge, skills and attitude honed through the years, we can always end up as victors!

Look back. Those who supported you before anything, deserve to be taken care of when you reach your success. If you aren’t doing this for the ones you love, then you’re not doing it right. Family comes first, no matter what happens. If you work for whom you love instead of just yourself, you will get far.

Finally, take this in mind; be amazing at what you do. Always bring your A game; Dream big, but stay realistic. Never be afraid to dream, but be grounded. Dream big and work hard for it. Happy and successful people started from dreaming and slowly paved their way to the top because they never stopped working towards their dreams. 

Waves never bothered me anyway

Thinking.Waiting.

      It was actually a decision I have been thinking over and over again before I finally decided to jump in to the experience of a lifetime. A lot of scary and discouraging stories have been told but these did not dampen my spirit to conquer the open seas and the long hours of getting there. Finally, I set foot to Caluya, a first class municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. The municipality consists of three major islands (Semirara, Caluya, and Sibay) as well as several minor islets, namely, Liwagao, Nagubat, Panagatan, Sibato and Sibolo all located in the Tablas Strait between Mindoro and Panay islands.

The view approaching Caluya Island

A lot has been said about the majesty of the islands and the wonders it has to offer to visitors like me. It was actually an official travel as we are set to inspect and document the Department's projects implemented in the municipality. Before setting-out in the journey, I have to condition myself and assure it that everything will be alright. The preparations even include remembering all the basic swimming skills I have in case things go worst.

The reward. The picturesque sunset welcomed us in Caluya

It was actually changed by excitement and thrill knowing that most of us in the Department were not yet able to set foot in the island municipality and it was extra privilege to be there just within my three-year stint.

We sailed to Caluya in the afternoon of May 5 via Libertad. We were serviced by the municipality's motor boat which took us to the island in a matter of three hours. Those were the longest three hours I had primarily spent on praying, hoping things will just be fine and anticipating the worst to happen. My senses were all at mark and paranoia starts to creep in. Despite that I never shown the feelings I have to the group and remained calm throughout the trip.

I was able to relax when we are finally approaching the island. Seeing the land form within the nearest horizon assured me that everything is fine and I have nothing to do but enjoy. The majestic sunset treated our naked eyes with delight. At last we reached our destination safe and wet.

Calmness and serenity. The morning view of Caluya shoreline

We stayed in the island for two nights. Daytime activities included project site inspection and documentation. My team was lucky enough to travel around the island via one of the municipal trucks. We climbed atop the hill to the project site. Geared with my camera and voice recorder, I took the best opportunity to take pictures of the project and interview beneficiaries. It was one experience I really enjoyed after so many years of being in hiatus from writing developmental stories on hand. I really loved this craft ever since my college days when we had our subject on Development Communication. Conversing with the people in the periphery and taking accounts of their real stories is a food to the soul. All the fears and anxieties I had before taking the trip were gone and the feeling of contentment and fulfillment is so overwhelming.

Taken before we left Caluya Island back to mainland Antique

We went home happy and looking forward for more opportunities like this one. Below is the story I made during the visit.

Fulfilling the Promise of Safe and Potable Water

Performance Challenge Fund

Caluya, Antique

Hiking several miles atop the hill just to fetch water will no longer be a daily struggle for every Caluyanhon. This is the promise brought by the construction of Palawan Spring Box and Water Tank in the island municipality of Caluya. A promise made possible by the Performance Challenge Fund. 

On our way to the project site

Inspection time. My team and personnel from the Municipality conducts joint site inspection

Caluya is a first class island municipality in the northernmost part of the province of Antique. The municipality consists of three major islands (Semirara, Caluya, and Sibay) as well as several minor islets, namely, Liwagao, Nagubat, Panagatan, Sibato and Sibolo all located in the Tablas Strait between Mindoro and Panay islands. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 30,046 people. This island municipality can be reached in approximately 5 hours pump boat ride from Lipata, Culasi, Antique or 3 hours from Libertad, Antique. A commercial sea vessel is plying the Libertad-Caluya route on a scheduled basis.

One of the children I got to interview in the site

Having been conferred with the Seal of Good Housekeeping in 2011, the Municipality of Caluya was able to access the Performance Challenge Fund in 2012 worth one million pesos. The municipal government has identified the development of the Palawan Spring in Barangay Sabang as a response to one of the major problems on the provision of potable water to its residents. The community depends on the deep wells which are very limited to the beneficiaries of Barangays Poblacion and Sabang and only few of these were identified to be safe for drinking. Palawan watershed is identified to have abundant source of water that can cater the residents of the two barangays. The LGU as part of its counterpart has already bought the land area where the spring is located and has been secured by a fence in order to protect the place from incidences that might threaten the condition of the area. The project is located in Sition Napay between Barangay Sabang and Poblacion and it is 1.5 kilometers away from the main road. 

The PCF grant was utilized to construct a new spring box which served as a catch basin fo r the flowing water from the Palawan Spring. This is an addition to the existing spring box which was constructed in the late 1970s. A cylindrical water tank has been constructed as well in the downhill from the stream which will serve as the main reservoir. The construction started in the later part of 2012 and was completed in July 2013. A total of 2, 259 residents from the two barangays benefited on this project and now enjoys the convenience of accessing potable water in their communal faucets. 

The water tank constructed as part of the project component.

Punong Barangay Elvero de San Jose of Brgy. Sabang narrated that before the Palawan Spring was developed the people in Sabang have to get their water from a source in a place they called “Ambulong” which is a distance away from the barangay proper. The gallons of water then are transported by a carabao-driven cart traversing the hilly landscapes of the area. He said that the ordeal is even worst during rainy season when it is harder to reach the place. The improvements made in Palawan Spring have been very beneficial to the 9 97 populace of Sabang, he said as they can now access water on a scheduled basis without going up the unclear terrain.

A family of 9 residing near the site in Sitio Napay has been very glad of how the project eased their scuffle just to get safe water for drinking. Jean Bulyanday, one of the family members accounted how they used to go uphill just to fetch potable water and end up having their containers half-filled when they return to their home. According to her, the slippery way had always been a difficulty they endure when fetching water from the spring. The construction of a spring box and the pipes being laid down from the water source has been very helpful to them especially during rainy season. “Indi run kami mabudlayan pa magbuol tubig,” she said. (It will no longer be difficult for us to fetch water.)

Mayor Genevive Lim Reyes said that the municipality is massively investing on Water System Projects in order to ensure that everyone has an access to safe and potable water. The project in Palawan is among those being continuously developed and we are grateful for the support provided by the DILG through the PCF that we were able to construct a new Spring Box and a Water Tank which will serve as a reservoir for the distribution lines. 

The municipality has acquired the site to ensure the smooth implementation of the project and for future expansions which will not benefit only the people from Sabang and Poblacion but the other nearby barangays here in Caluya Island. Once fully completed, the municipal government of Caluya is planning to turn the project into a public enterprise in order to ensure its operational sustainability. 

Presently the project is undergoing its first phase of expansion with funding support from the Bottom-up Budgeting on the Provision of Potable Water provided by the DILG in 2013 for the municipality of Caluya. This is one testament to the commitment of the municipality in their investment for the Water Supply Projects in the island. The PCF has kicked-off the realization of one of these projects and the support shown by the LGU has transformed the project beyond its physical structure into a materialized hope of every Caluyanhons. The one million peso grant for fostering accountability and transformation has marked the Municipality of Caluya among those highlighting Performance that Changes the Future.

My personal prize. A picture taken with Mayor Genevieve Lim

Indeed, the waves never bothered me anyway!

This is worth sharing

http://opinion.inquirer.net/73964/blinded-by-light

Read on...

Jump shot

Will do this soon!

Rubbing elbows

In the past days, I have been depriving myself with a good night sleep and the perks of holiday rest, all for one big reason, the boss is coming and everything has to be in order so just to please the technocrat and politician ego in him. Even if I am dreadful with numerical encounters, I faced the challenge and pound on several revisions on statistical figures, millions of pesos, columns and rows in excel and the formulas I don't even remember using before. I took the pressure on interpreting these figures, making analyses, comparing the numerical universe to the contextual field of comparison. All these and more have been taking much of my time. I have been going home from the office late and drag myself the next day back to the reality that there still things that need to be done. Even until the day, I embraced the fact that sleeping is an option and I have to brace myself with the on-going revisions on the program. I still managed to compose myself and strike a fake smile on top of  everything that is turning against the original plan.

I am not alone on this course of struggle, the Regional Management has to be flexible and quick in every new arrangements made. The Field Offices have to be alert to respond on every new instructions provided and everyone in the circle is on their toes. The stress and pressure are evident in the atmosphere yet we managed to keep calm and work with grace. We have to contend with every element. The dogs are on standby giving their own versions of instructions. We remain to be steady despite the shaking conditions. I was tasked to run the show and it was the hardest and most stressful tasked I have ever done. The master is so hard to please and he bears the image for that. On top of that are the dwellers on his circle who appears to be the screening committee before we deliver anything in front of the demi-god. Protocols have to be observed and some have to be ignored due to their stupid nature and absurdity at some point.

I am not a believer of the master's words. I used to look at them as purely superficial and a showcase of hypocrisy but I don't give damn chance to speak out loud and let my sub-conscious over rule my sanity. In the end, I still bear that posy and polite smile and try to be as civil as expected. That one day activity has opened me to several realizations that helped me sort some confusions I have in the past days.

We managed to push through the activity. Rubbing elbows with the demi-gods is quite a task worth my life's sanity and calmness. I will surely have next encounters and probably I'll know how to deal with it better.

Worka(holic)

Just when I am ranting about my work I got to stumble into this article from Rappler. Secretary Jesse Robredo's words to her daughter were so perfect that I deemed the timing so impeccable.

Read on:
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/54143-robredo-letter-aika-graduation-career

Smiles in Disguise

Most of the people around me would probably describe me as one happy person who never fails to inject humor even at the dullest moment. This is probably because of my disposition to take things at the most positive way possible. However, there are times when despite the positive aura I try to bear I could not help but endure that silence from within and disguise a smile I knew I never meant to display. These are the moments when I could only stage a fancy stare towards the farthest horizon and make every words phrased so awkwardly just to form sensible thoughts.

At some point, there a disappointments, frustrations and regrets I can never fathom to rationalize. These are thoughts I could hardly process and make some justifications to appease my restless soul. During these moments, I can only be as sane as possible but inside it is ripping me apart. Things become uncontrollable and I can no longer reconcile them to what is at hand. When frustration creeps in, I just take a deep sigh and look forward to a good night sleep to let it pass and hopeful that tomorrow will be another good day!