Patag

Way back at Lear, Patag has already found its way on my must-go list. The opportunity, however, presented itself just lat month. I wasn't even invited yet I have managed to join a very intimate group of the Sendicos and their extended family that included Junrey, Marc and JD who asked me to tag along.

The outdoors, whether the mountains or the seas hold an inexplicable amount of interest in me. The thought of hiking and bathing under the waterfalls had me up before sunrise and on the road even before breakfast.

Of the many treats that the place is known for, we only visited the falls that feed the dam and the shrine that was built for the many local heroes who died during the Japanese occupation.

National Parks in the Philippines face the same problem, accessibility. Going up, we waited an hour for the PUJ to fill. Going back to the city, we had to cut our party short to make it to the last trip at 2:00 PM which we nearly missed. The trip back literally was a breeze with the PUJ almost flying, I decided to keep my eyes from the blur of trees we passed by rather than risk losing lunch.

Graduation 2015

This year's rites made a lot of firsts.

First time at SMX Convention Center. Oh, well the building's new so it's to be expected. The accommodation was superb from the fresh smelling carpets, humongous projector screens (we didn't have to bring our own), hi-fi speakers to their able crew.

First to stay at MO2, San Juan and I didn't have to book my own room personally as everybody decided to go home after the celebratory dinner.

First to read during the mass as at the last minute the person assigned to deliver decided he wasn't fit for the job. As usual, I read ( the Prayer of the Faithful) too fast.

First to wear a dress in an event twice. Yeah, everybody voted that I wear the madam-ish kind which I paired with the peekaboo shimmering gold shoes that revealed dirty toenails which made an emergency trip to the mall to buy nail polish necessary.

First to really get pissed at something resulting to my elusive smile in ninety percent of the pictures.

Survey 2: Guintubdan, Ara-al and San Miguel

Summer can be a tad intimidating but where there's a will, there's a way.

Motivation plays a big part in the happy execution of a big task. So, to start off the scheduled second survey, there was this requisite stop at the Guintubdan spring for lunch. Having fun was foremost on the agenda and it was perfectly executed. Little did we know that the energy that we built up from swimming and eating plus the caffeine from coffee was necessary in our survival that afternoon: five kilometers walk downhill for roughly three hours.

To maximize the fun, the key is not to hurry. The catch was we missed the last PUJ going down to the city. It didn't matter then. It didn't matter now. What mattered most that we were able to finish what we have set to do, and more.

Sportsfest

Once every year, I get to wear my marmish persona and act the devil's advocate.

This time, though, I embraced the whole fitness character and let myself be swayed into into imbibing the sportsmanship spirit.

For a week, the Memorial teemed with occasional athletes who kept me company during my morning run. Talking wasn't easy when running so I kept pretty much to myself. 

At one time, I brought Coco (who was already foaming in the mouth after two rounds, I tied her to a post while I ran a little more only to find her walking with Glen) with me; at another time, Limbo (who gave me a hard time, as usual, running after moving objects).

Running for A Cause: Part 2

For the second consecutive week, I spent Saturday night in Bacolod in order to get to the assembly area on time.

Earlier in the week, Mimi got us registered at ABS-CBN. Enlistment cost P350 for the 5km that participated in. That included a running jersey, bib, and after-run snacks (arroz caldo, pan de sal, fitness bar, water - and taho that we bought from a peddler) which I enjoyed so much.


In comparison to last week's performance, breathing was a little regular that I made it to Ramos from the Capitol without stopping. That, for me, was a vast improvement.

I finished my 5k assigment in 46 minutes while Mimi clocked in 7th in her category. In both cases, we're both winners.

Survey 1: Brgy. Nagasi

A time comes when a certified office bum must go out and smell the flowers, even if it is just a small part of the whole thing.

While a host of volunteers got busy entertaining kids in the adopted baranggay, my team of five student council leaders braved the heat going from house to house getting high school graduates and college drop-outs alike sign our survey forms. With K-12 and TESDA's reprogramming, we need some strategy to survive as a business and stay relevant as a skilled-worker provider. 

It was hard work, amply rewarded by thoughtful parents of alumni whose houses we happened to pass by.

Many thanks to the families of Jared Montoya (CHS 2013), Mae Joy Jungco (CHS 2013) and Jeric Montoya (FCCCA) for the snacks and in helping us get around.