Scribbles

During the past few weeks I have been traveling from one province to another to help out in trainings. Because trainings are being done simultaneously, it was very nerve wracking and exhausting to prepare for. Our travels to the sites also entail many airplane and bus rides. Thankfully, my mom and my sister booked the three of us on a trip to Vietnam. This is the break I probably deserve after all the pressure I had to put up with. Thankfully also, my boss allowed me to go on this short vacation despite our busy schedule. Vietnam has a lot to offer. In Ho Chi Minh alone, there are a lot of French-inspired structures that you wouldn't want to miss and shops you would love to shop till you drop. If you have more money and time, you can also spend a day or two in Hanoi.  However, since we barely had three days to go around, we had to choose the places we would go to.  We arrived mid-afternoon on a Friday in Ho Chi Minh. Since my sister was insistent that we watch the...

Six months ago, I joined a very famous non-government organization. This was actually a dream come true for me because I have always wanted to work for that group ever since college. It was not a high paying job but a sense of satisfaction was always there after every activity. The first two months were not easy. I was in transition from almost doing nothing to multitasking. I had to travel to my assigned area once a week and go around just to make sure that everything was running smoothly. I had experienced going home just to pack my bags for another week of training in some area. That was probably the most exhausting thing I have ever done in my life. However, despite the exhaustion I enjoyed the rush. Seeing the smiles on the people we served took away all the exhaustion I felt. Towards the fifth month of my stay, there were changes that happened. Some found it good, some found it bad and others just took it in stride. We tried to be optimistic about it. I tried to be optimistic ...

If I do not include my time off during the Holy Week, I would have to say that I was not able to really feel the summer break. I spent my April & May alternately in Laguna and Sagada  doing seminars where I have to act as both documentor and errand/assistant girl for the facilitators and the participants. So when my new officemates invited me to join them to their trip to Caramoan, I said YES right away. Without thinking about whether I have the money or not, I let my "kaladkarin self" take over. And since I am not entitled to go on a leave yet, I decided to use my "off-set privileges" and asked my boss if I can be absent for two days so I can join the trip. Thankfully, she was nice enough to let me go. We rode the improved PNR (Philippine National Railways) from the Espanya station in Manila to Naga. This was actually my first time to ride the PNR. At first, I was hesitant to ride that train because...

I hate travelling by boat. I have this eerie feeling that the boat would stop working in the middle of the ocean and we'll get stranded. Or something bad will happen to the boat and we will be eaten by sharks. Crazy? I know. However, I cannot pass out the chance to go back to Calaguas (even though i vowed never to return after my barfing incident 2 years ago). So even if I have apprehensions with this beach trip, I still decided to come. Plus, I have my best friend, Yani, in tow so I don't have the heart to deprive her of this beautiful island called Calaguas. Pleasantly enough, the trip was very smooth. There were no big waves to make my tummy turn upside down. The boat cruised very fast so the trip didn't felt like it was super long. And the good part was the boat didn't stop in the middle of the ocean (thank God!). When we got there, there were so many people and I started reminiscing the time when we went there and there were few people in sight. Peace and ...

Tumira ako sa Elbi ng apat na taon nung college ako sa UP. Ang ate ko rin ay tumira dun nung nag-aral rin sya sa parehong unibersidad. Ang pagkakatanda ko sa lugar na tinuturing kong pangalawang tahanan ay eto ay isang lugar kung saan napaka-relax ng feeling. Pumapasok kami sa klase na ang suot lamang ay shorts, t-shirt at flipflops. Kumakain kami sa mga carinderia at fast food chains 3-4 times a day depende kung may natitira pang allowance. Tumatambay kung saan-saan. Pero siguro ang pinakanatatandaan ko sa lahat ay yung feeling na safe ka kahit na naglalakad ka sa Grove or sa loob ng campus kahit alas-tres na ng umaga. Partida pa na mag-isa kang naglalakad at nakainom. Yun yung kilala kong Elbi. Yun yung minahal kong Elbi. Pero bakit ganito na ang nangyayari sa Elbi ngayon? Sa nakalipas na 5 buwan, tatlong estudyante na ang napapatay. Ano na yung nangyayari sa Elbi na ubod ng safe? Yung lugar na hindi ka matatakot na maglakad kahit na madaling araw na at lasing ka pa? Ano na ang g...

Ah. Its that time in August when the whole UP system is frantic because the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) is fast approaching. Classrooms are prepared, Saturday classes are suspended, and there is horrendous traffic inside every UP campuses in the country.  I remember the time when I had to take it myself six years ago (it was that loooong already?!?). I was super scared that I wouldn't be able to answer the questions. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to finish the test. Most of all, I was terrified that I wouldn't pass and get into UP.  Being able to be admitted in this prestigious institution is a dream come true for almost everyone. As the arrogant professors of the University would say, being able to enter UP means you are part of the crème de la crème of the country. That you are one of the few who possesses a great mind (no offense to non-UP people). So for those who will be taking the UPCAT, here are some tips that would probabl...

Dahil ipinagdiriwang natin ang ika-113th Araw ng Kalayaan, gusto ko sana magsulat tungkol sa isang  isyu na sa tingin ko ay dapat pagnilayan ng bawat Pilipino. Ito ay tungkol sa pag-aaral  ng  ating sariling wika at pagiging matatas sa pagsasalita nito.  Sa malamang hindi lang ako ang nakakapansin nito kasi napapag-usapan ito sa mga klase ko nung asa kolehiyo pa ako. Pero napapansin nyo ba na marami sa kabataan natin ngayon ay may mas magaling na magsalita sa Ingles kesa sa Filipino? O kaya naman hindi magawang magsalita ng diretsong Filipino? Sa panahon kasi ngayon marami sa mga pamilyang Pilipino na asa tinatawag nating "upper" at "middle classes" ang mas pinipiling ituro ang salitang Ingles kesa sa Filipino. Yung tipong bawal kausapin ng  Filipino yung bata at ultimo yung yaya ay kailangan matuto mag-Ingles. Ang ganitong senaryo ay maaaring sanhi ng "globalization" o kaya naman naniniwala yung mga magulang na mas nakaka-angat ang anak nila kung sobran...