In Save More of Marina Mall, we took advantage of all the taste-tests!

Number 1:

Number 2:

 And fed our tummies again…

Foot long before going to Mactan Shrine:

  Very much like the tiangges in St Francis, Greenhills and Quiapo…

And another tiangge in Mactan Shrine…

Very much like the tiangges in St Francis, Greenhills and Quiapo…

Time to meet more friends. On our way, I’ve realized that Cebu is very much like Manila too – busy streets, sun heat, noisy people.

First trip: sing-along.

Later that day, after a day of chatting and reminiscing our high school memories, we dined together somewhere in Mactan.

 TGIF! It’s parteee time!  We went to different places in Cebu. First stop was in IT Park:

After 30 minutes of strolling around, we felt we had to feed our tummies.

Uncontented as we were, we headed to the famous Mango Avenue, particularly in Club Juliana… and later discovered, the place was very much for teens.

Good thing, some of our high school alumni came and rescued us. We all enjoyed the night at The Outpost where we witnessed live bands, fire dancing and a whole lot more.

See you tomorrow in Cebu guys! I miss yo’ll! I’ll be there 800 hours.

While everyone else in town considered Sunday as their rest day, five yuppies preferred t o spend this day with each one’s company. These five yuppies were Richard Jumao-as, Jay Pinayt, Rochelle Efondo, Roxanne Sandulan and yours truly. Another high school batchmate Rechel Leopardas wasn’t able to make it to the gathering because she was attending her graduation exercises inthe University of the Philippines Diliman.
The first meeting place was in Trinoma Mall. The group took their lunch in one of the best dines of the mall, Davao’s Tuna. Obviously, we missed the Bisaya ambiance. While waiting for the group to be completed, Mister Donut was the next waiting spot since it was a very easy place to locate being situated at the back of the mall’s stage. Of course, we got a li’l food for our stomach. Just a little to bridge the gap of time. When everyone arrived, we proceeded to Red Box. There, we availed Red Box’s Happy Hour service . We sang unlimited videoke songs, we danced like there’s no tomorrow, we drank spontaneously, we posed for the cameras – well, just for souvenir, a sort of documenting the affair so the rest of the batch get jealous as soon as we reveal the pictures. (Evil laugh)
We weren’t contented just yet. After exhausting all of Trinoma including its fresh view of its botanical garden, we went straight to Eastwood City, which was about P150-taxi drive away from where we were. We ate dinner in Mang Inasal where the best chicken inasal were served. The boys ordered big servings while the girls chose the sulit meals because the latter were on their diet. (Blush)
As soon as we finished dinner, we went straight ahead to Eastwood’s Bowling Area. We played duckpin bowling for an hour despite our very ungeared outfits. We bought socks, and of course, we rented bowling shoes so we can play. I didn’t mind that I had to wear the required shoes despite my outfit for that day, a doll dress.
At around 10pm, Rochelle complained that her right arm was in pain. Since the night was young and while we were walking out, we heard the booming music of the Bed Room. We went in, we ordered another set of draft beer and tried the flaming wine of which the bar’s offering. Richard’s colleague arrived to join us. We danced – among ourselves, those who were seated adjacent to our tables, to strangers. We were all happy. We were all enjoying.
By 12mn, the Cinderella of our circle, Rochelle, forced everyone of us that we pack and head home. She had an early morning duty in the AFP Medical Center, she complained. Having felt over-satisfied with the experience, we all bid our goodbyes. To Batch 6 of Tagbilaran City Science High School, pictures are posted below. Now you can hold your jaws.

Meeting high school friends has always been one of my priorities wherever I may be. Early today, I chose to get a flight via Cebu so I could meet up with my Cebu-based friends. Because it was a short notice, I was only able to meet two of them. They were Donna Celesta Plaza and Genne Grace Abing. Unfortunately, Lovella May “Czaji” Sagetarios was not found in the moment so she wasn’t there. Poor Czaji, you missed the fun. Here is a picture Czaji.

(L-R): GG Abing, Donna Plaza, Yes Dumagan

My piece for this issue was my speech that I delivered during the Induction of Officers and Acquaintance Party of my Alma Mater, Tagbilaran City Science High School at the Coralandia Resort and Restaurant just a month ago. I chose to post this item not just because people requested me to, but because I want to offer this as a tribute to my Alma Mater dear. There or thereabouts, my speech went this way:

Maayong gabii kanatong tanan!

It took me quite a time to construct my speech simply because I cannot think of a good introduction. I want to come up with something different from the usual, something unique. But as much as I want to, I cannot. How I wish I could avoid clichés, but if these clichés are better said as they are, then I would rather keep the sanctity of their very meaning.

Actually, all I want to say is thank you. Thank you for gracing me here tonight. I feel so pleased that I am given the opportunity to interact with Bohol’s brightest, though I know for the very fact that, well, I am the school’s last resort as your speaker tonight given the constraint of time. I kid.

I remember my first acquaintance. It was held at JJ’s sea foods. I remember how we, the freshies at that time, felt intimidated by our higher batches simply because we were freshies. And we thought that we were sort of inferior from them, or maybe that was just what I thought. And the more annoying thing about it was the fact that we even had seat plans so that most of our tablemates were completely strangers to us. Of course, it served its purpose well. Mao gani acquaintance di ba? That’ why my advise to the freshies, and to some of those half-baked sophies, ayaw namo pag-uwaw-uwaw. You enjoy the night while it is still young so that by the end of this occasion, you will have an experience worth-keeping, you start establishing relationships, bridging gaps. To the juniors and to the seniors, a bigger responsibility is in your hands tonight. Because you are the ates and kuyas of your younger batches, you guide them and make them feel at ease with you. Do not build gaps with them, nor let them feel inferior to you, the same way I felt during my time.

I’m never really missing my sci hi days because the environment that I am in right now is very much “sci-hish” or let me say that our sci hi environment is very much like a small UP. In UP we have students all over the archipelago and even all over the globe. Like UP, sci hi has students all over the province, with different personalities, practices, and lifestyle. Though we speak the same vernacular, we have different dialects of it. We have different dictions because we come from 47 different towns and 1 city. Also, like UP, ethnocentrism also exists in sci hi. The ones from the city especially those coming from private schools feel superior over the rest. Di ba? It’s more likely that the ones coming from the private schools are ingleseros and ingleseras. But of course, you don’t have to misinterpret them because that’s actually how they are trained. But sometimes, yes, masubraan ra pud. That’s probably the reason why the rest of the students find these ingleseros and ingleseras as braggarts. In UP, the students from the metropolitan feel the same. Pero ang mga bisaya didto and the rest of the people from the Visayas and Mindanao areas, dili gyud palupig. At least kami, makapanlibak nila unya dili kasabot sila. And besides, statistics shows that most of the achievers of our country are actually from the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Hail to us, then!

But what is more unique about sci hi is the kind of bond we have, a bond between and among students and between and among students and teachers. It’s true that the best way for one to learn is to learn it by heart. We are very grateful that we have very much competent teachers in our school. However, much of their credentials is their heart in teaching and imparting beautiful thoughts to us. Yes, very much true, despite the low compensation that they are receiving.

By mere appreciating everything that we have now, our little facilities, our small school, our friendly staff and our noble teachers, I believe, that by doing all these, you can always keep the flame burning among sci hi dudes and dudettes, not only when you’re in your high school but even when you go beyond our institution. This is proven and tested. Kay bisan sa among batch mga lagyo mi sa usag-usa, we still find time every breaks to meet and kamusta our fellow sci hi dudes and dudettes, our friends, our brothers and sisters we will treasure forever.

To everyone, I hope you’ll enjoy the night while you start contributing to the strengthening of the bond that unites.

Cheers!

I never waste opportunities. If they come, they are not going, because I am grabbing them. I always believe that opportunity comes but once, that’s why in every endeavor, I make sure that these three things be accomplished: service, fulfillment, and happiness.

This exactly was what I accomplished some three years ago when I was admitted in the university that every Filipino aspire, the University of the Philippines Diliman. I can still remember how I cried for joy, how eager I was to actually start my college education. I also could not forget how my family was so proud of me. Such a wonderful feeling, indeed! But attached with this excitement was my greatest fear of rejection. I was intimidated that the new society that I will soon partake would not accept me as the person that I really am, a member of a minority group, a Bisaya.

I thought I cannot make it: coping up with a different culture from where and how I was raised. I thought, mine was so backward, very baryotic, very conservative; and the new environment will just eat me up that I’ll mislead my own identity, my being me, my being a Bisaya.

But this fear turned out to be a myth. When I entered the university, I realized that the kind of culture adopted by the people is very diverse. I was convinced that I should not feel pity for myself. I realized that I have one big, rich culture that I should be proud of. I am a Bisaya.

This realization didn’t just hit me alone. Because the university has students all over the 7,107 islands of the Philippines, the reservation that I felt was not mine alone to keep. I found out that it was in fact all of us who felt the same, whether you come from the provinces, or from small islands, or even from the metropolis.

My experience of staying in dormitories in the university really helped me know my identity more, that more than being a Bisaya, I am a Filipino – very rich with culture and traditions. It is always good and fulfilling to know that our very difference in culture and belief made us one, as a Filipino. However, what made it even more rewarding is the fact that all of us were actually open to and with our identities. We experience from culture to culture, and by mere interaction meant a learning process. Gaps were bridged. Cultures refined.

It even helped me more when I took up Intercultural Communication. In this class, I was able to understand not only the Filipino Culture but with all other cultures around the globe. I got to meet people with different colors, races, beliefs. I got to interact with them and appreciate them. From this class, I also learned theories and concepts that are even helpful to fully understand the dynamics of intercultural communication.

More to it, however, is my sorority. Because we are a sorority based in the Philippines, we get to meet different people. We have projects not only for the members but to the Filipino people as a whole. It is always an achievement when you know that you’ve helped a lot with the gain of actually understanding different kinds of people, with different culture and beliefs.

Now, I am on my final year, actually, on my final semester, taking up Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication. I want to try something more. And because opportunities are much more open this time, I would not dare miss it, or else I’ll miss half of my life. I know that by trying out opportunities around, I can learn so many things not just learned in school. I know that by actively joining events and occasions necessary for building a better me is an accomplishment that I will treasure forever.

I don’t know what’s in store for me months from now. But no worries much. The future will take care of itself, for me. Because I take much care for my present.

I never did mind Speech disorders, not until I took a course on the bases of speech. This course discussed the scientific approach of the production of speech. I took it last year and until now, I continuously find it very useful in communicating to my family, peers, and to all the people around me.

Learning a certain speech disorder known as Phonological Disorder made me realize the importance of proper Speech Production.

According to C. Bowen, Phonological disorders involve a difficulty in learning and organizing all the sounds needed for clear speech, reading and spelling. One of the factors of this disorder is due to improper training of speech production during the pre-school years of the child, plus of course, the fact that it can be hereditary.

The safe thing about this is that this ailment can still be treated. The sad thing though is that what actually one thought to be ordinary and normal is actually an illness that needs treatment; or else be totally disabled.

I have two friends, both have speech disorders. The first one, she had a difficulty in pronouncing letter /r/ so that every time she mentions her name, she says Mawie instead of Marie. She’s already college now, same age as I do but she has not worked this problem out. This girl did not and does not pay more closely with regards to her speech disorder. Until now, she just treats it normal, “the way it is” for her. Other than letter /r/, her pronunciation is already fine though.

The other friend of mine is a communication student. He had bad pronunciation skills that we tend to correct him most of the time. He mispronounced certain words so that sometimes misunderstanding arises between and among him and his friends. For instance, when he speaks up something, his friends may interpret what he just said differently from what actually it should mean. Until he worked it out. He practices his pronunciation and improves it. He took up speech courses that would train and expose him to proper pronunciation techniques. Good thing about him is that he consults help from his professors and colleagues if he is doubtful on some matters pertaining to his problem. He seeks advices to his friends. He keenly recognizes his mistakes and acknowledges his friends’ assistance. Now, he is more than okay. He already pronounces the words well.

I presented these two cases of speech disorders because I found it relevant in learning the importance of speech at least for individuals who are very particular in their voice and diction skills. My point is that even the worst speaker in this world can still have his speech skills remedied, only if he’ll treat it seriously and should avail to solution that will disentangle him from his worst pronunciation habits. I believe that my generation today needs proper awareness even up to the most basic mode of communicating. One way to become a competent person is to be confident, of course in handling yourself and in conveying information to people. How else can a person be confident if he himself from deep within him doubts his speaking and persuading abilities because he has poor accent? Too bad, especially when you see everything is perfect in you yet there is just this one thing, one easy thing just not right.

As what I’ve said, it’s not really a terrible problem at all because you can still treat it, even your letters /r/ and /s/ anxieties. How? Just my second friend did. Though very cliché, we must admit that practice makes perfect. Let us admit errors, make these lapses motivate you as you bring yourself to the way to achieving your target. Be confident in handling yourself. How else can you gain other people’s confidence in you if you don’t have one? Above all, be yourself. Your hard work is worthless if after all you become another you because you think you become great more than others are.

The primary tool for communication is language; therefore as speakers (because we ARE speakers), it is a must to know even the very basic of speech. The youth of today should take necessary measures to obtaining this vital matter. The gain for this sensitivity will be beneficial for the upliftment of our personalities as Filipinos, when our time comes.

I am sure that the Boholano nursing board passers jumped in jubilation when the Court of Appeals rules partial retake, allowing only selective retake to nursing board examinees who took during the second quarter this year. It can be noted that simultaneous rallies nationwide were being demonstrated as regards with the retake of the nursing board exams due to reported and proven leakage of the said licensure examination to some of its examinees.

I say good news to all the Boholanos who just passed the said examination because according to the CA in its release of rule just last Friday, “the nursing graduates who passed the licensure examination conducted in areas outside of Metro Manila and Baguio and those who registered at but did not attend the “final coaching” sessions of the three review centers suspected of leaking test questions may immediately take their oath as professional nurses”.

I say that this ruling is nothing but fair and totally impartial. I do not at any rate concede to the idea of the retake of all examinees to the said board exam. Why so? Firstly, not all of them cheated. Yes, there was cheating and it was such a shame to PRC to having had allowed or tolerated such a devastating act, but then there are still thousands of good creatures who underwent the said examination with all honesty, as compared to hundreds of them who had such malicious minds, who resorted to cheating partially because of their frustration and fascination to qualify themselves as professional nurses. Secondly, such a move would require big amount of funds from the government, which, I think, could be better allocated to other immediate needs of these students. Education. Why not appropriate all these funds to the education sector so the department would be challenged of the responsibility imposed to them – the responsibility to give the citizens higher quality of education – so that by the time the students shall be taking the board examinations, they will be very much confident that they will pass the said key towards achieving their professions. I think that these nurses-wanna-bes were just forced to cheat because they’re desperate enough to pass the licensure exam. I mean, almost everybody now resort to studying nursing because they think and feel that it’s the only channel for them to have a decent and prosperous living. A common Filipino farmer or fisher folk cannot actually get the kind of life that our nurses and their families are experiencing because of their jobs across the seas. Lastly, the retake of all examinees would only mean a threat to the credibility of the PRC. How? Though this would sort of impress the people of PRC’s primary decision to let all examinees retake the exam, this would only lessen their credibility as the country’s regulatory and assessment commission on how well or not the country’s studentry perform towards achieving their professions. If fairness is what they’re after for, then certainly such a primary decision is neither acceptable, necessary, nor beneficial.

With these reasons, I remain. I highly commend the CA’s rule with regard to this matter. Congratulations to the passers once again!