My conversations with Ken on the phone does not only keep me sane. They also make me realize some of life’s little lessons.

One recent insight I got from him is about beginnings.

Yeah, I am man of beginnings. I am always enthused with starting new things, trying out something new and something different.

Most of the time, I exert all my energy and resources on something I am initiating. Most of the time, my interest wanes halfway through. They call it ningas-cogon in Filipino.

That concept of ningas-cogon has a negative reputation in the Filipino value system. People would say that it is not about how well you do at the start but how you finish it.

Well, that is sound.

But don’t you think it’s better to make a good start and influence other people to take part in the consummation of what you wish to get done? You start the fire and let it spread out.

Make a number of good beginnings. If you start it real good, you can ease your way out to the finish line. Usually, if something is really supposed to last, it eventually will. But press on if you must.

The reasons?

• Special tasks. I have been my principal’s favorite when it comes to preparation of urgent reports. Though it’s an addition to my learning experience, it eats up a great portion of my time.
• Uzzap meetups. In my search for happiness, I wanted to see the world at a different perspective. I met with a group lonely individuals who take life ever so lightly. I tried to fit in and decided to be carefree for a while. I fed my urge to procrastinate and a lot of work started to pile up. Now, I’m trying to cope.
• Artistic Attempts. Hahaha. I’ve had lots of extra-income this month. I’ve been busy designing shirts. My brother-in-law are partners in this business. He’d ask me to layout t-shirt designs and I help him print them for some commission. I was also invited to talk on desktop publishing using Adobe InDesign at NDMU. It was my first time but I’m glad I was able to pull off a decent presentation.

So what am I gonna do now?

• I will practice saying NO to special urgent tasks if I really can’t do them.
• I will no longer attend Uzzap meetups. In fact, I’ve deleted my buddies. They can’t send me invites anymore. *Evil grin*
• I will start preparing all the paperwork.
• I will not enroll in the graduate school this semester. Although my schooling did not get in the way of my work, I am foreseeing that this second semester, it will, especially when March comes. I have an advisory class for the first time. I’m sure, there would be lots of requirements in March so I’d better take off one aspect that would require my time and energy, and that is graduate school.

That’s all for now. I’m glad that my mind is clear again. Thanks for all the vegetables I’ve been eating in the last three weeks. By the way, I’m turning vegan gradually.

Back in my grade school days, I have always felt that I’m the underdog. I did well in school but nobody seemed to be happy for me. Some people appreciated my abilities but nobody appreciated who I am. I felt unloved, even unwanted.

I am not blaming my parents, though, because I know that raising fourteen children is a heavy load. I have seen their efforts to provide us with what we needed, except for adequate attention and affection. I did not demand that from them; I tried to look for it from other people. And I failed.

Rejection. I loathe that word. I spent most of the past 22 years alone. I tried to understand the world on my own, answered my own questions, fought my own battles, rejoiced in my own victories, and comforted myself in times of sorrow.

Some people came to pick me up. Some people made me happy for a while and then left. Some others just came to inflict more pain.

I thought that because I encourage other people, I have enough courage within me. I thought that because I help them make decisions, I have a clear mind. I thought that because I make people happy, I am happy myself.

I thought I am strong. I thought I’m invincible. But, look, why am I dying?

THE THOUGHT of me being deeply loved by someone never crossed my mind. I have always seen myself in solitude because I don’t think I measure up to the Prince Charming that girls of my age dream of. I have always believed that girls await their Knight in Shining Armor and I don’t know what bad luck is it that I only came in a tee and an old pair of jeans and sneakers.

That was all before I met her (she’s an avid reader of my blog, so I won’t mention her name here). It was barely seven years ago and I was a struggling college freshman then. She’s heard of me from her classmates who have become my friends in some pre-college workshops. The first time we met at the corridor before my first class–in which we were classmates–I saw a tinge of fascination in her. With me? Uhm, I didn’t want to presume but it was most likely that way.

Later on, she told me that she really was fascinated with me and that she saw and liked the distinct kind of person I am. I concluded that there really are things that only girls like her can see. I have always been thankful for it.

When she looks at me
I know the girl sees things
Nobody else can see

All of the secret fears inside
And all the craziness I hide
She looks into my soul
And reads me like nobody can

As days passed by, we’ve become closer to each other, even more intimate than friends. She was there at the beginning of my aspirations and had always been with me in my attempts to achieve them. She uncovered my eyes to the beauty that I have never seen in me. She made me realize that I can do more than what I thought I am capable of doing. It was her faith in me that made me believe I am special.

Come what may, she believes
And that faith is something
I’ve never known before
Come what may, she loves me
And that love has helped me open a door
Making me love myself a little more

She texted me one time, telling me she was waiting for me at a gazebo near the cathedral. When I came to the place, I saw her smiling at me. Her eyes were filled with eagerness as if there was something very important that she wanted me to know. She did not waste time. She braved herself, came right up to me, and told me that she loves me. I knew it took her a lot of courage to tell me straight in the face, knowing her personality. I was quite dumbfounded and embarrassed at the same time. I was happy with all she did for me but it was her best friend that I was falling for.

We hugged and silently spent the rest of the afternoon together as if only our souls conversed.

When I turn away
She knows those are the times
There’s nothing she can say

Nothing that anyone can do
And so she lets me live it through
And when I’m in my darkest hour of uncertainty
She just simply lets me be
And goes right on loving me

Years went on and we each lived our separate lives, entered into relationships, and discovered what else there is to life. We met once again at a fast food chain and chatted about how we faced life after college. We also looked back at the past. Our reminiscence brought us to the gazebo near the church. She told me once again that her feelings for me haven’t changed.

Unfortunately, the situation is definitely not the same.

* * *

I AM certain that a lot people here in Southern Mindanao are taking a backward glance at their own love stories that have been made sweeter and more memorable by songs from the soft-rock duo of the 70’s and 80’s, AIR SUPPLY, who are about to serenade us next week.

My personal love story above that inspired by the song Come What May is my entry to the What Air Supply Song You? Blog Contest pulled off by GenSan’s most prolific blogger, Bariles of GenSan News Online Mag and sponsored by Dreamworks Ventures and Grab-A-Crab Restaurant

The contest is inspired by the upcoming Air Supply Concert in GenSan, on October 2, 2009 at the Lagao Gymnasium, General Santos City. Here’s the concert poster for more info:

The Air Supply in GenSan Concert is a major production of Dreamwork Ventures Inc.’s Platinum Concert Series 2009, in cooperation with the City Government of GenSan, the GenSan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., ABS-CBN.  Other partners are Grab A Crab Restaurant, MISO Hardware, San Miguel Corporation, Coca Cola Bottlers Inc., East Asia Royale Hotel, Coffee Dream, Giacominos, NY Fries and Dips, Giacominos, Gaisano Mall of GenSan and Gregoria Printing Press.

The activities scheduled today include the inauguration of  government projects in the different barangays, tree-planting at the septage treatment facility and in school sites, opening of the agri-fishery fair, thanksgiving mass, fireworks display, and acoustic concert.

I took part in the tree-planting activity early this morning with Junior Ecologist Movement (JEM) members at the Septage Treatment Facility (STF) in Barangay Bagacay.

The area is part of the Calminda Watershed, which is a protected area.

The JEM has always stressed that we do not only plant trees but grow ones.

The clearing behind us was planted with several mahogany  saplings.

Engr. Allan Rivera of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office has always worked with JEM in its activities.

IN THE afternoon, we attended the Thanksgiving Mass and also visited the Agri-Fishery Fair.

Each barangay showcased their local products as well as those that are sold abroad.

For those who do not know it yet, Alabel is the home of the famous Sarangani Bay Bangus that are exported in various countries in both frozen and processed form.

Ms. Christine Gay, Ms. Eljay, and Sir Rolando

My co-teachers and I also went to the carnival and enjoyed some street food.

THIS YEAR’S celebration of Alabel’s Foundation Anniversary might just be the most extravagant in the town’s 38-year history.

Set to kick-off tomorrow, the 8th Kasadyaan Festival has been allocated with Php 3.7 million-budget.

Bombo Radyo reports that Php 3 million pesos of the allocation for the festival was donated by Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, who is vocal about his political plans in the  province.

Various activities have been lined up for the Kasadyaan Festival, including the Manny Pacquiao Php300 Dart Tounament, which was held on August 29, the Basketball Exhbition Game with the Pacman Team,  and the much-talked-about Comedy Night with Pokwang.

Tomorrow, a Thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated at the Municpal Hall at 3:00 PM.

Students from different high schools in the municpality will also be planting trees tomorrow at the site of the Septage Treatment Facility and at their respective school sites.

The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Duyog sa Kasadya, Abundang Ani Pasalamatan.”

The Kasadyaan Festival will until September 10.

Keep posted on this blog for updates.

Be a Fan!

See who’s coming to join the MinBizCon and what are in store for those who’ll attend the two-day conference.

The Mindanao Business Conference is the biggest annual gathering of the business leaders and government policy makers in Mindanao and the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.

For those who are attending the MinBizCon, here are the recommended accommodation in Koronadal City:

NOTE: Deadline of booking/reservation is on August 15, 2009 to avail of discounted rates.

Avoid the RUSH… Reserve Now!

Contact the Secretariat, SOUTH COTABATO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY FOUNDATION, INC. Door#8 Siena Bldg., Rafael H. Alunan Avenue, City of Koronadal 9506, South Cotabato; Telefax No.(+6383) 228-5435.

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By the way, for those of you who came here via Google in search of fast cash payday loans, you came to the right place.

WHEN YOU are in a situation that is as boring as  mine right now, you would always desire for an extra-exciting life. For how can your life have a bit of excitement if you work from Mondays to Saturdays and you go to school on Sundays?

What I need is break from my routine and start doing something different. A business of my own, maybe?

Here’s what I found on the web. It’s something from Pablo Picasso. Yeah, the painter. I’ve known just now that there’s more to him than being a magnificent artists that is known the world over. He also gave the world seven tips for creating an exciting life. And here they are:

1. You have to believe to be able to do.

This must be where Pharmaton derived its famous tagline from. Lols.

Now this is telling me to keep believing that I could start my own business this year and I can do it.

I also tried believing I could start it last year, but it didn’t happen. Well, probably, believing is only the beginning.

2. Push your limits.

Before I could push my limits, I have to know my limitations first.

As regards my business plan, my resources such as financial and material capital, and  manpower, are limited.

Now how do I push it? Explore ideas to expand my current resources? Outsource or cash advance loan, perhaps? Lol.

3. Don’t wait for inspiration or the right moment.

A lot of people, not excluding, wait for the right timing. But Picasso doesn’t believe that there is perfect timing.

Well, for a business venture, timing is important. However, if it is this timing that hinders you from starting one, there might a problem with your business plan. It must be time to change plans.

4. Act.

This is probably what I lacked last year. I didn’t have enough courage to start getting the ball rolling.

What good is plan if it stays on paper? I gotta start implementing it.

5. Ask the right questions.

Maybe, I could rephrase this one to “Focus on the important things.” When you are busy, spending time on the non-essentials is the least thing you should do.

As for my business plan, I should learn the necessary skills for the business above all else.

6. See the hidden beauty by not judging.

Sometimes, we tend to get discouraged by initial outcomes. But for teachers like me, we initial assessment results serve as our guide for improving our strategies.

We have tested the market last year we found out that it’s difficult to penetrate. But it also gave us some insights to have an edge over comeptitors in the field.

7. It’s not too late.

Deinitely, it’s not too late. Haha.

Image above courtesy of savagechikens.com.

That speaks for how great a responsibility it is to equip a child with knowledge, skills, and attitudes he will need when he becomes a grown man or woman.

I’ve realized just recently that becoming a parent is a gigantic role. Not that I am already one…uhm, aren’t teachers considered second parents?

I’d just like to share how I feel right now about being a classroom adviser. It’s a first for me and I find it challenging. If in last two-and-a-half months, I was still trying to familiarize myself to the roles and responsibilities, this time I can feel how important it is to get my eyes open to my students’ behavior and what messages these behaviors mean.

I had psychology classes back in college, and classes on guidance and counseling, too.  How I loved those classes! But putting the theories into practice is but a another thing. If you must, you have to put your soul into it.

A lot of our students need proper guidance. I wonder what would become of them if as early as now they wouldn’t be reminded. These kids have so much potentials that would just be wasted if they will not be given the right opportunities to discover and hone them.

As a classroom adviser, I think that it is my obligation to ensure that my students are properly guided and that they get the learning experiences they deserve from this school.

From now on, I will devote my time to these kids. I will not be teaching Physics. I will be teaching kids.

The 18th Mindanao Business Conference will serve as a venue for entrepreneurs and business leaders, as well as government policy makers from Mindanao and from the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines – East-Asean Growth Areas (BIMP-EAGA) Region to meet and to synergize for the development of the island’s business landscape.

The 18th MinBizCon will be highlighted by a two-day gathering on September 17-18, 2009 at the Fit Mart Mall Convention Center.

This year’s theme, “One. Global. Filipino. Rising Above the Global Challenges”, emphasizes the Mindanao’s Business community’s vision to move ahead and further strengthen its alliance with global partners.

In the conference proper, Government Resource Speakers such as Hon Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr, Secretary of National Defense, Sen. Francis Joseph ‘Chiz’ G. Escudero, and Sen. Edgardo J. Angara have already confirmed their attendance, among others, who will talk on Mindanao’s vast investment potentials, acceleration growth, and bright prospects.

Participants are expected to see a clearer picture of Mindanao in terms of business opportunities here and to gain insights on the direction the island’s business sector is headed to.

Aside from the two-day conference, local entrepreneurs will also get the chance to showcase their products and services through the Trade and Travel Fair, which will run from September 14-20.

In order for entrepreneurs to interact and establish business connections with each other, a Business Matching will be held on September 18 at the convention site.

For those who want to take their time out and explore South Cotabato’s natural wealth, which includes the famous Lake Sebu and the 25-hectare Blooming Petals flower farm in Tupi, there are tour packages available for as low as Php 700 per person.

Golf enthusiasts may also participate in the Golf Tournament, which will be held at the Kalsangi Golf and Country Club, Polomolok, South Cotabato.

For more information, check out the official event website courtesy of the South Cotabato Chamber of Commerce.