Checkmate!

Winning a chess game requires unique or perhaps old but tested strategies in playing the game. The objective - winning - must be clear to the player, and he must understand the different pieces on the board; what each represents, and what each can and cannot do. One has to be mindful of not just his own moves, but of the moves of the opponent. It's either you win by reacting to the moves of the opponent, or by making the opponent react to your moves. But whatever you do in a game, you keep in mind your own strategy.

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Just like playing chess (or any other game perhaps) a socmar campaign's success would rely greatly on the strategies used. Thus, formulating the strategy to be used would mean thorough analysis, planning, analysis, planning, analysis and planning. In doing so, all aspects of the campaign would be looked into - purpose, target market, objective and SMART goals, barriers and benefits, 4Ps, budget, monitoring and evaluation. Whew! Long list, huh? But of course! Socmar aims to change the society. It aims to achieve development. So it needs a careful planning and implementation. If well-thought, though, this may beat the social problems (opponents) and finally win the game. Ooops! Checkmate! ;)

Because We're All Different

Know your audience - this is what we, speech comm majors, had always kept in mind whenever we had to deliver a speech or present a performance. Something that I consider parallel with one aspect of socmar planning. If public speaking and performance have the audience, then marketing has the market. The target market would always be important in any marketing strategy. Knowing how to identify and segment them would be very helpful as we try to formulate our goals and objectives, and the entire campaign as well. Knowing who to benefit from the campaign would keep us focused and aligned with all other aspects of the plan.

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But more than just identifying, I believe that a socmar plan also requires understanding of the target market. Just like in speeches, it's not just identify the audience, but KNOW the audience. The market has several characteristics, individual and group behaviors that might affect the entire socmar campaign. For instance, certain age groups may have different reactions towards a certain campaign (teens reacting on anti-smoking campaign negatively). Keeping this in mind would help us know what to expect from our market.

.......................
Our group have by the way come up with a name - THE Press. Makes sense with our DEPRESSION awareness campaign. ;) So far, the group has been working on the background of the campaign, formulating its objectives and goals.

Overwhelmed

We have come to that part where we have to apply what we have been learning so far - in our own social marketing campaign. And as I started reading the materials for module 4, I was overwhelmed on the things that have to be done for a socmar plan. :| 

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I just don't consider myself good in planning. I feel that I do something better when it's impromptu. :D But stuff like this COULD NOT be done in one sitting.; COULD NOT be implemented overnight. A thorough and careful planning should be done before a such campaign gets implemented. And so the task begins..................................................

Sooooo social

Correct me if I'm wrong, but these days, when you say SOCIAL, most probably you would think of these......

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But there's more to SOCIAL than just social MEDIA or social NETWORKING, and that's SOCIAL MARKETING. Yet, only few probably knows about it. Perhaps, some would even think that it's marketing on social networking sites,  like the growing number of products available on Facebook and Multiply. 

This social marketing thing may be a new concept to some, but it has been around for so many years already. DF 3 has made this concept clearer to me. People still remains to be the very core of this concept. Social marketing happens because there are certain issues that we want to address. Issues that involve us, people, the society. Everyday, everywhere we go, anywhere we look at, we see so many issues that we people face. But we remain looking at this issues and have learned to live with them, and by them. Socmar wants to change this; it wants to us to change and be the change we need to achieve a better life. But this is not as simple as it may sound. Socmar requires a framework, a plan carefully thought of before it is implemented. And more than that, it requires a heart for doing so.

.................
Our group has started working on the topic we have voted for - depression. In our first chat meeting, we shared several articles and studies on depression. We also discussed the different concepts that we would be dealing on, primarily the causes, symptoms, signs of depression, and the different ways to seek help.

Comm for De.... what?

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So we want to be involved. Fine. Actually, we HAVE to be involved. After all, this development thing is for US. So who else should work for it, right? But here's the thing. How many of us actually gets involved with a total knowledge, understanding and awareness of what we are getting involved in? Of what all these are for? Of what we are doing?

Just like the text on the picture, where some parents would want to get involved in the development, and, well, life of their children (of course!), yet, sometimes they don't really understand what they are doing (Oooops! Sorry parents!), community participants in C4D sometimes don't understand what all these are for, and what all these are. Why? Because we Filipinos are fond of this so called mob mentality. Yeah, I may sound too negative, but I just wanna point this one out. We go with where the majority goes. We want what the majority wants. Even if we don't like it, even if we don't understand it. Just look at the rallies and protests happening around. You'll see kids holding placards of protests, which they can't even read. (Well, yeah, they are most probably paid protesters, like claques, but still, the point is, they don't understand what they are in to) You'll see people tweeting R.I.P. Rowan Atkinson just because it's 'trending'. And so on..

Communication for development requires community involvement - it requires people who are directly affected to be part of the problem solving. More than just going with where everyone else goes, it requires these people to understand their situation, look for possible solutions to their problems, have a voice to speak them out, and collaborate with others to be able to help the entire community. Sadly, there are still some people who just say yes to what the majority says yes to. OR they just follow what the higher authorities say. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. The people involved should have a total understanding of their situation and the things they can do to change it. Involvement requires individual and collaborative decisions. If not, then C4D would be pointless.

The World in Our Hands

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WE are in a never-ending quest for a better life... for all of US.

What basically sums up my most important learning in Module 1 is the function of we and us in grammar - We and Us are FIRST PERSON, PLURAL pronouns. We DOES the action; Us RECEIVES it. 

1. First Person


Social problems occur because we, humans, see them as problems. We are the FIRST PERSONS to know about it, we are the first ones to see it. Whatever does not satisfy us pushes us to change it. As we strive to change our current situation, it is still us, who first look for the solution, and not anyone else. It is us who knows best what to do about it, because we are part of it. To identify a social problem means to feel that there is something disturbing about it. We don't just listen to others saying that there's something wrong; WE feel that there IS something wrong, so we strive to make it better.


2. PLURAL


A society is not just about one person; it consists of MANY people as its members. Development would not be possible if only one person wants it, or if only one person works for it. One is not enough to move a mountain built by many. A problem would not be solved by only one mind thinking, and one pair of hands working. Change would not happen if we would rely to few people to do the change. 


3. DOES and RECEIVES the action


No one will do the work much better than the people directly involved in the problem. WE are the ones to act about the things that we deem needed to be changed, after all, it's for US. Whatever good or bad that we do, the endpoint would be us.

...........
In the near future (yes!) I would take part in (and hopefully initiate) a social marketing/ social mobilization program. I am currently in the academe, and any educational issue is really close to my heart. Keeping in mind the importance of the "we", I would have a clear analysis of my audience first, and I would see to it that I get them involved in the program, making them realize that the better life they had always been longing for, lies in their own hands.

Because Silence Means Something

Even silence communicates.


At 4:00 AM, my mind is still restless. So many thoughts come and go, run and run and run. I'm staying late tonight trying to catch up with all my academic backlogs. And the silence around me keeps whispering to my ears, trying to remind me of things I usually forget at the middle of the noise, during the busy days of my life, when I try to balance the different roles I play. 

via

This time, it's just me, with my heart and mind speaking, and with the quiet surrounding whispering. No other voice, no other noise. No expectations. No disappointments. Just purely me.

Friday's Letters

Love,love,love!!

Dear Self,
Thank you for giving time to yourself last weekend. You had an awesome time with your friends, indeed. :) You should always remember to pause and give yourself a break every once in a while. :)


Dear College Friends,
I couldn't believe we were the 'last man standing' in that restau-bar, talking until 4am! Basically about everything, from culture, to gender, to education, to Philippines, to beer, to boyfriend, to gays and lesbians, to UP, to studies, to work, to life.... and an endless list of things. :) Cheers to a wonderful friendship! Cheers to your studies Dujie and Jelly! Cheers to the Philippines! Cheers to life! :)


Dear Mama,
I appreciate that very short but meaningful conversation we had over lunch this morning. It seldom happens, and it's well-appreciated. I hope we can have more of those talks. I love you. :)


Dear Work,
It was a busy week, but thank you for making me accomplish such big tasks! :) Also, classes are opening next week. Please be good to me. :)


Dear Graduate School,
Please be nice to me this sem. I'm looking forward to new activities, discussions, ideas and lessons that you would give me on the next five months. :)


Dear Hex Hall Trilogy,
You made me fall in love with Archer, and be sarcastic with Sophie. I loved Jenna and Cal so much, too!! :)


Dear Weekend,
Bring it on! :)


Always,
Val

Because I'm a Crybaby

Well,the title says it all. Yes,I cry a lot. Really. A lot.


The week has been a tough one,seriously,and horribly tough. (a little exaggeration on the 'horribly'). And I realized that if I've got a fatal flaw like all the demigods of Rick Riordan, it's my, obviously, emotion (yeah,that's in fact very human).


After a short talk (which,ugh,I cannot elaborate) tears just burst out of my eyes,and the first person to see me crying that day (the same person who insisted that I have that talk) sent me a message, "Pssst! Wag ka ngang umiyak.. ano ba to". And all I could say was, "Sorry naman,iyakin talaga ako."

And then the person to whom I cried it all out, laughed at me at the height of my emotion,leaving me saying,"You're such a true friend, you're laughing while I'm crying!". And I meant it.

The next few nights were still my "crying moments" and as I tried to console and counsel myself (Yeah,I actually do that sometimes), I got to remind myself that whatever extreme emotion I feel, I cry - happiness, sadness, fear, anger, irritation, excitement...ugh...name it. Sometimes, a simple situation/ scene/event/thing that triggers or provoke the emotion works. But sometimes it has to be extreme,like the I'm-so-touched happiness, or the I'm-so-depressed sadness, or the grrrr-I-want-to-throw-anything-and-shout-at-anyone anger, like that. The thing is, I easily cry.

And as much as I want to stop the tears from flowing, the emotion is just difficult to fight. And no matter how hard I try,breathing in and out just doesn't do the trick. Tears are unstoppable.

Friday's Letters

Dear Week, 
Thank you for being a little tough. You made me cry a lot and I think I needed that. You also made me forget to work at night and just lie down on my bed to read. Refreshing.


Dear Mr. Rick Riordan, (Percy Jackson,Annabeth,and the rest of the Olympus),
Thanks for keeping me company for the entire week. Your four exciting quests made me realize that challenges, no matter how tough they are, can be overcome.


Dear TJ and Sir EJ,
Thanks for laughing while I was crying and making me feel that I did the right thing.


Dear Students,
The last week of summer classes was well-spent, and the entire semester was awesome. Thank you!


Dear Sweetness,Tenderness,Kindness,Smiles, and Love Words,
Please continue pouring me with yourselves, and make me an instrument in spreading you to everyone.


Yours,
Val

Because I feel the Thrill :D

At around 5, we learn to read, at around 10 we read to learn. At around 13, we/some stop reading. 

I was one of them.

I didn't grow in a print-rich environment, and reading wasn't the kind of thing I would love to do. Even required materials were seldom read. My literature class was enjoyable during discussions, but the reading part was not. First few pages were read, and the bookmark was kept in place for months. 

Until I met the Little Prince.

I was inspired, I felt young, refreshed and relaxed. I cried, I smiled, I dreamed. I fell in love. With the fox, the snake, the rose, the pilot. I was then introduced to Yellow and Stripe, and I felt that there was Hope for the Flowers. I fell in love again. With the caterpillars, the cocoon, the butterflies, the flowers. With them, I hoped.

Then I lost the interest. Again.

Bookmarks stayed where they were again. Months were counted to finally get to the end, if I got to actually reach the end. Some lent were sent back untouched. 

Until the 4th of July, when I met James Patterson. I was given a 2nd Chance, to be the 6th Target.

Through him, I solved crimes with the Women's Murder Club. I investigated and hunted the suspects with Lindsay Boxer, examined the victims' bodies, and looked for other traces of evidence with Claire Washburn, fought a fair trial with Yuki Castellano, and reported crimes with Cindy Thomas.

I was also brought to the Beach House, and fought with Jack Mullen in looking for Peter's murderer, and more than that, proving that he was murdered. I felt bad when he was left by Dana, felt disgusted and disappointed at how money can buy people and turn the entire justice system upside down, feared for Jack's friends' lives, saddened by the death of some pertinent, special, and innocent people, and felt hungry for justice and fair trial.

Then I found myself indulging into mystery/suspense/thriller books. I finally found my interest. One of my interests. 

................

I am no lawyer, neither am I a cop. I have no plans of going into solving crimes, or committing one. But I found my interest in reading through gruesome details, social issues, murders and the like. I love the mystery behind, the feeling of suspense and thrill as you are astonished by how things go, and to go round and round wanting more. 

Now,bookmarks don't stay where they are.

Killing Time

Sitting on someone else's chair, in someone else's office. Hearing someone else's office mates and friends talking about someone else's stuff.

It's 3:23 in the afternoon, and all I can do is stay in this place, wait til it's 5, and stare at this computer. How I wish a good book was right in front of me now....

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Roses,Liliums and more

A normal, initial reaction of a girl who receives a bouquet of flowers is to be giddy, excited to know the Prince Charming who gave it, and just, well, be happy. 


Another item in the checklist that tells me, I’M NOT NORMAL.

After the break, my student broke into our class (he had his break for 30 mins and came in while I was already discussing) from the rear of the classroom, walked towards me, and handed me a bouquet of flowers. Pink roses and white liliums in purple wrap. I was at the height of my disgust, telling my students how disappointed I was of their behavior, and the mood of the class turned differently. I felt like I was I high school teenager at the middle of my class being teased by my classmates. Well, it's almost the same, except that I was the teacher in that class, and those teasing me were my students. I asked my student several questions: What's that for? Who gave it to you? (translated in my head: What the hell is that? Who on Earth gave it to you?-they may sound mean,but really,if I were not in front of my class,I would have said that)


My women's instinct switched on immediately. It's him. I know it's him.


It wasn't plain instinct though. It had logic in it. The student who brought the flowers to me has the same surname, almost the same personality, and a lot of resemblance with my former student (so I really think they're brothers), who is a very close friend of "him".


And my logic and instinct were both.........................right. I received a text message from "him" immediately after my class. "Hi. Nareceive mo yung flowers?" Confirmed!


BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!


I received another text message from my little sister: "Ate may flower dito sa bahay may nagpapabigay sayo.." "Yung _________ na student mo ang nagdala,walang sinabi kung kanino galing.." (And this student also happens to be a friend of "him".) True enough, another bouquet of flowers (a larger one) welcomed me home. Peach,pink and red roses with a big white lilium at the center, in pink wrap. My initial reaction: "What the???"

I wasn't giddy,I didn't feel any excitement. I wasn't that eager to know where it came from. I don't know. Really, I'm just not normal. Or maybe I am. The thing is, this "him" happens to be someone I really don't like. Not that I hate "him", I just don't like "him". And I don't like" him" for no reason,of course. (I'm mean,but I'm not that mean to actually 'broadcast' the reasons and incidents that made me dislike "him",so I'll keep it that way: I have reasons,and I mean,really,GOOD reasons). 

And one more thing. We just moved in to our new house last Saturday, but the flowers reached our new home. I felt like I was being stalked (yeah,right,I may not be a celebrity to 'deserve' a stalker but how on Earth did he reach our new house??) I was having mixed thoughts and emotions,until I couldn't contain them all that I suddenly felt blunt. Nothing. Then afterwards came back to my vigorous self as if nothing unusual happened on that day.


................................
The flowers were vibrant in colors, attractive, and refreshing to look at. Pink roses and white liliums in purple wrap. Peach,pink and red roses with a big white lilium at the center, in pink wrap.

April "Fools" Day :)

Oh,yes,April 1!! :)) 

At 7:00 PM, (I was late so it was around 7:10), we started walking, chatting, looking for that Korean Restaurant, and finally, celebrating the birthday of my two superfriend housemates, Joicee (April 1) and Jelly (April 9). :D

All the Single Ladies Birthday Girls, Joicee and Jelly, and their uber cute cake c/o Ate Regh :)

At a Korean restaurant (I forgot the name, sorry) somewhere in Ortigas, we ate............................

Samgyeopsal! :)

... and drank (well,THEY)....................

Soju!

... and took pictures................................

Erick, Joicee, Vince

... and took more pictures..............

Le, Jelly, Vek

... and more..............

Speech Comm majors!!!

... and chatted, and laughed the whole night!! :D (We went Noraebang after but we didn't have pictures there. :| )

It was a very tiring and happy day. Happy to see my friends, celebrate their birthdays (with their brothers Erick and Vek, and with college friends Vince and Ate Regh), and celebrate life with them! :D 

Happy Fools! :D

 Next: Summer outing!!! BEACH!!! :D

The Graduates

On a typical Saturday morning, as my mom turned on the T.V. and with nothing really interesting to watch on ABS-CBN, she tuned in to Cinema One. THAT always wakes me up on a Saturday morning (I sleep on the couch) and because I couldn't go back to sleep anymore, I,well, spent the first few hours of my day on a movie released years before I came to Earth -- The Graduates.

Very timely indeed, it's March! The movie starred the stars of 80's. A graduation ceremony opens it and a class reunion sets the ending -- and what's in between? Of course the "what happened to who after graduation".

- Snooky, a rich, and intelligent young lady, ended up planning to put up a business with her boyfriend, Gabby, a rich kid who got everything he wanted, who by the way once tried to go illegal with smuggled guns. 

- Lani put up her own restaurant, supposedly with her best friend Dina, whose dad was accused of estafa. 

- Selling all kinds of good to anyone, Gina ended up marrying a doctor to whom she 'sold herself' and had a good life.

- Ronnie stayed in his talyer fixing cars, and breaking them to claim money from the insurance company where Orestes worked as a clerk, and earned more from his under the table commissions.

-Joel, the simple guy, by the end of the year received an award  for a successful project on peace as an executive assistant of their barangay.

- Though highly qualified with her diploma, Maricel settled on baby sitting, left with no choice because no company would hire her.

- And the leadership awardee, William, refused to work abroad and work under foreign companies with the belief that Filipinos should not be 'colonized' again, and spent his year working for their University's annual.

...................

A new batch of graduates, thousands of them,will be there marching (or have marched already) with a little fear perhaps but full of hope for their future. But really, "what will happen to who" after graduation?

My fellow instructor asked me once,"What would you feel if you see your former student, who finished a 4-year course, selling stuff on the street?" I immediately said, "At least, he has a job, and he's not a bum." And when I actually saw a former student (he's my student in Philippine literature) on the street selling bananas, I wondered, what happened to his degree? Was he able to use it in any way? Or is it just that there are very little opportunities for him? So what was the 4-years (or more) of being in school for? What was his diploma for? (Has my subject Philippine literature helped him in any way?) Was it his teachers to blame? The university? The government? Him? ..........And more questions in mind..and I guess I have even more questions for those who were left unemployed after graduation.

A quarterly data of the government statistics office reported that there are 2.92 million unemployed Filipinos in the country, and this rate is among the highest jobless rates in Southeast Asia. And 17.8% of these are college graduates.

Yes, these are just statistics, but this is an alarming fact. If those who finished college cannot have a job, what more are those who didn't even reach high school? Or should it be, do you really have to have a college degree to land into a job? Is the 4-year college program an enough training to make us prepared for the future? Or should we be just thrown into the ocean and choose right then and there whether to get drowned or learn how to swim?

After receiving their diplomas, these graduates will have to go face this what they call "real world". A lot may not be fully aware that it's harsh out there. That their diplomas are NOT enough weapons to fight the "battle" of survival in this brutally sweet world. Their dream bubble of a "good life ahead because you've got a college degree" might suddenly be poked right in front of them. Reality check.

There's nothing wrong about being idealistic, but one cannot escape the reality, so they should strike a balance between the two. No one knows after all. They might go big time, or maybe not. They might go illegal, or maybe not. And they might probably be part of that increasing percentage of college graduates who are jobless, or, maybe not.

For now, let them march their way to receiving their hard-earned (or maybe not) diplomas. Congratulations, Batch 2012! :)

Cue: Aida March

I Won't

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When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, 

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, 

When the funds are low and the debts are high, 

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, 

When care is pressing you down a bit, 

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns, 

As every one of us sometimes learns, 

And many a failure turns about, 

When he might have won had he stuck it out; 

Don't give up though the pace seems slow-- 

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than, 

It seems to a faint and faltering man, 

Often the struggler has given up, 

When he might have captured the victor's cup, 

And he learned too late when the night slipped down, 

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out-- 

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, 

And you never can tell how close you are, 

It may be near when it seems so far, 

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-- 

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown 

Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin

I remember writing a paper as a final requirement for my PanPil 17 (Panitikang Pilipino at Kulturang Popular) class about Bob Ong, being a 'pop culture'. By then, he had written I think four books (ABNKKBSNPLAKo, Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ang mga Pilipino, Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas,Alamat ng Gubat). Then it was followed by more books, and just before 2011 ended, he (she?they?) released the 9th Bob Ong book, Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin. And as usual, I took time to read it.

The cover looks like a typical Precious Hearts Romances pocket book. And it would surely be thought to be one, except for the picture of the 'couple' with the guy with big muscles and the girl which looks like a typical Filipino aswang.

And I guess the cover itself almost says it all. It is a book, basically about Bob Ong's presentation of the 'reality' on Philippine TV and film industry, presented in three major themes: action (with comedy and fantasy), horror, and romance. The book is divided into these three parts:

action, horror, romance

I can't give a detailed description of what's inside this book. Bottomline of it is that, the Philippine media (primarily TV and movie) have already become too commercialized, to the point that they have lost the essence of a good TV or movie or song or book material. Everything is based on profit, based on popularity. They make the viewers stupid and shallow with the kind of material and acting they provide, yet the viewers love it. It also discusses the Philippine materials (film, songs, TV shows, books, etc) as a copycat from Hollywood, giving it a Filipino touch, but still remains a copycat. Yes, we've got really good artists - directors, script writers, writers, graphic designers, actors and actresses, film makers, song writers, musicians, singers - yet most of them are not appreciated, or not even given the chance to be appreciated as the "big" names overshadow them. Quoting Bob Ong:

"Nawawalan ng silbi ang magagaling na artista dahil napupunta ang mga trabaho sa mga star na may pinakamaraming fans! Pinapatay ng komersyalismo ang sining na siya ring dapat bumubuhay sa mga negosyante at ordinaryong tao sa industriya natin!"

Another good point discussed in the book is the less readers produced by this generation. Because of computers, internet, TV and other forms of popular media, only few people (particularly young Filipinos) spend time to read. And I mean, read a good book, and read a book written by local authors. There might be a pretty good number of readers still, but they read the foreign. Thus, Philippine literature might be dying...

"Bayani pa rin ba si Rizal kung walang nagbabasa ng Noli Me Tangere? Panitikan pa rin ba ang mga papel na may sulat kung walang taong magbabasa nito?"

The entirety of the book might be seen as trying to reflect on what is happening in the Philippine art. But looking at the smallest details of every line delivered by every character (the book is written as a script), one will see all other issues that hunt the Filipino people, and the Philippines as a whole. Full of wit and satire, this book is a wake up call for everyone. But at the end of the day, we ask ourselves, "What do we do now?"

No,no,no I'm not Anna Go

I have always been mistaken (as in AAAAALWAYS) as my sister Anna Loraine Go. You know those people (my Mom's friends way back) who would always tell me, "Uy, Anna, kumusta na?" "Uy, Anna ikaw na ba yan? Ang laki mo na." Then I would always give them a sweet smile with "Ay,hindi po ako yun, Ate ko po yun." :))

So I thought of listing down 5 things about ANNA GO ( to prove them I am not her). :))

Here it goes....

1. She's a very bibo kid - always part of different intermission numbers, always a participant of different school or inter-school competitions whether it be extra-curricular or co-curricular activities, with her sweet and pleasant smile (obvious ba? Uhm, konek?) and her talent and I.Q.

2.  She consistently topped her class. Well, no need to say that she was always the first honor in her class since she entered school. (Ikaw na! :D)

Plus she was a Papa's girl. :)) 

3.  She's our Achie (oldest girl in the family) but her height doesn't seem to agree. Haha! Peace. :))

4.She is a beauty queen. :D She had won various beauty pageants (Ms.Palaro, Ms. ARASOF, Ms.Nasugbu) and was always a favorite muse of different basketball leagues, with her Chinita beauty and oozing confidence and poise. :)

And most importantly...... 

5. She had a boyfriend, and she now has a husband. :)

We're different, totally different. I can never be her because she's the ONLY Anna Go. Happy birthday, Achie. I love you always and forever. :))

33rd "Monthsary"

The idea is from a dear friend Gracee, who celebrates her 1st month in her new job today. (Congrats!!) And I realized that my first day at work was also on a 15th. It was June 15, 2009 and today is  my 33rd month in BatStateU. :D

That's too long to compress in a single post, too many memories to write (but I really can't write them all) so here are some of the high lights (which were documented) of the past 33 months of Maa'am Val. :D

Dear job,

Happy 33rd monthsary!! :)))

with my students (2009-2011)

BERSEC Team,  July, 2010

President's Night, October 2010

Dart Tournament, December 2010

Mr. and Ms. BatStateU, March 2011

Prof Ed class final video shoot, March 2011

Graduation, April 2011

CTE Summer Outing, April 2011

Fun Run, August 2011

w/ CON, General Christmas Party, December 2011

w/ Ms. Eleonor and Ms. Rhea, Sir EJ's bday, December 2011

HRM Function, February 2012

Let's count more months, and more years. I want you to know that I'm deeply in love with you.  :)) More love!! :D

-Val

Tangled

Today, I was amused and amazed by the magic of a lesson my students taught me: Learn WHEN TO HOLD ON, and WHEN TO LET GO. :)

photo credit

The activity was simple, it's basically the Doctor Quack quack Filipino children of our generation usually played. My students formed a circle holding each others' hands, right hand to right hand, left hand to left hand, and the goal is to untangle themselves. There were two groups with 14 members each. It took time for both groups to finally be untangled. The enthusiasm and excitement was there at the beginning, but towards the end, some were determined to finish it, some wanted to give up. Different personalities were revealed: there was the leader, the impatient, the persistent, the cool ones, the mediocre, and the apathetic, among others. :D You could just imagine how frustrating it was for them to do the activity. After around 20 minutes, both groups were able to form new circles. :) 

But before they reached their 'success', each group had to come up with different decisions: One let go of each other and started all over again, and the other held on and continued untangling their arms. Both, though, succeeded few minutes after making these decisions.

It was supposed to be about group communication, group dynamics, and team work. But the issue of letting go and holding on caught the interest of my students more than anything else. What if group one decided to let go, and do it over again, and group two decided to hold on and continue untangling themselves, would they still succeed? What if the 'leader' of the first group gave in to what some of the members wanted, that is to redo everything? And what if the 'leader' of group 2 did not listen to the other members saying, "Let's just do it again?" 

This, however, was not just a matter of 'destiny', but a matter of choice. Group one had to let go two times and redo everything before finally, they decided that this time, they had to hold on until the end. Group two had to hold on, and believed at first that they should follow the basic rule of the game: no one lets go of his group mate's hands, before they finally decided that it's time to let go and start all over again. And they were untangled.

Perfect timing. :))