Thursday, April 21, 2011

I jogged today; It's a Good Friday

I thank God today, Good Friday, and I think the whole of humanity should. Today the world literally stops from splurging in the sea of utter banality. I was able to jog early in the morning. And that is so rare. The last time I jog around the new government center in the morning? I couldn’t remember. It must be long ago. And I like it. I think that sometimes we have to break the monotony of living each day just repeating things over and over to remind us of so many things. Thus this is the time to recollect and reflect.

Very appropriately, I watched yesterday the film 3 idiots, as recommended by an officemate. It became instantly famous in the office that everyone shared profound thoughts about it. One day, without really wanting to buy a copy of it, my eyes was directed to see it. It must be fate so I had it in my bag. Of course I paid.

I felt the urgency of the message of the film that I immediately thought of blogging about it. And hopefully it will reach places and far destinations. I even thought that the government should have film showing in schools most especially, high schools, and if possible, with their parents and teachers. Is this asking too much? No. Believe me. If you’ve watched it, congratulations! Share the message of the film.

Don’t worry, I am not a film spoiler. I will not exert effort to narrate the events in the film. What I will do is to ask questions, well I consider them thought-provoking, so that you will already identify which character are you in the film.

Students should watch it. It will make them have a special connection with the three idiots or see themselves as one of them. That is even better. To be bookish or street-smart? To follow what makes us happy or follow what makes our parents happy? To choose a course mainly because society will put you in the pedestal of fame and power or because that what makes you happy? To always yield to tradition or stand for what is right? To say yes because it is the right answer or yes because it is what is expected of me? To memorize theories or to understand them? To make a life or make a living? To make our parents happy and live life that they wanted for you or make them happy by honestly telling them what you want and what makes you happy?

Parents should watch it. Do you ask your children what they want when they grow up or you immediately tell them you will be a doctor like me. Or you will soon manage our own business? Or you will defend my clients when you will be in the list of lawyers? That you will be a nurse because they make considerable fortune in the US and elsewhere in the world. That you will be a doctor because society will regard you with awe and admiration.

Teachers should watch it. Do you encourage your students to memorize theories and definitions in toto and when a word or phrase is missing, a deduction will be imposed? Do you not even ask if they understood? Do you tell your students that life is a race and that to be called successful you will outdo your competitors? And topple them if necessary? Have you failed a student because you think his idea will never work though he insists to make it work but you chose to close the opportunity?  Do you regard your students as someone below you? Did you choose to impose rules because you think it is disrespect to your-being-in-control when in fact they deserve certain considerations? Did you make them see that the Diploma is the end-all-and-be-all of studying? 
Students, teachers, and parents, make your choice.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tourist Attraction in Bacolod - FOOD

What to do in Bacolod? Eat. Eat. Eat. The magic of three. Forgive the redundancy. I mean food of sheer extravagance. Food is Bacolod's main tourist attraction. That's the point.

And I realized that these photos are not mere food presentations. They are testaments of friendships gone deeper. Of lengthy, carefree exchange of unadulterated, uncensored thoughts. Of reverberating laughter sometimes if not all the time scandalous. Of sobs and tears. Of life that's so sweet or so bitter. Of getting-to-know-each-other the nth time. Of just being there, peace and quiet, because its the presence that matters. Of wanting to be heard. Of wanting to listen.

Tuna Fettucini at Bobs SM

Baby back ribs at Lord Byrons, Homesite (Models; l-r, Emmylou Iman (PP of First Farmers TMC, Razelle May Villanueva (SMBI Chemist). Are they camera shy?


Baby Back Ribs at Cookies and Crumbs in front of Bacolod's New Government Center.

Beef Salpicao, Cookies and Crumbs

still at cookies and crumbs

Chalet at L'fisher

Chalet, L'fisher with Jabez Oberes (Humorous National Champion)

Mud Pie at Calea. Model is Ma. Adee Light Elumba Hilado-Loquellano (SMBI Microbiologist).

Beef Salpicao and Grilled Chicken Salad at Pepe's.

Calea again. With Marely Pajaren-Cerdania (Coke Chemist).

Oriental Chicken Salad at Bascon Cafe

Roast Porkloin at Cafe 1925

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Another Very Inspiring Individual


One of this year's summa cum laude graduates at the University of the Philippines (UP) has made a new record: that of garnering the highest general weighted average (GWA) in UP since World War II.

John Gabriel Pelias, graduating with a B.S. Mathematics degree on Sunday (April 17), has a GWA of 1.016.

He will be giving the valedictory address at the graduation of the 2011 batch.

The highest GWA ever earned by a UP graduate was a flat 1.0 made by Exequiel Sevilla who graduated with a degree in B.S. Commerce major in Business Administration, summa cum laude, in 1927.

"Sevilla's 1927 record still stands [as the highest GWA]," said Jose Wendell Capili, assistant vice president for alumni relations of UP. (abs-cbnnews.com)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Harvest Season

2011 Division D Speech to Evaluate Winners: 3rd Place - ACB Emily Go-Villanueva; 2nd Place - CC Jay Cris Famoso; 1st Place - ACB Gay Marie Gane



Winning the Prepared International Speech Contest. From l-r, ACS Mhel Sillador (Division D Governor; CC Vic Navales (LGET); myself; DTM Wilson Lee (District 75 Governor)

"Bring In The Microphone"

Winners in the Prepared International Speech Contest: 3rd Place - DTM Greg Vallejera; 2nd Place - ACS Philip Matthys (not in photo as he went back to Iloilo after the contest); 1st Place - CC Jay Cris Famoso

Winning 2nd Place in the Speech to Evaluate Contest

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

THE RUINS

This visit was not planned, as always. My friends are the spontaneous type. I was sleeping after my graveyard shift when I received a text message from Lee that later in the afternoon we will rock THE RUINS in Talisay. It's sad to note though that LEE (next to me) is leaving bacolod so soon. And I think that's the major major reason for this escapade.

I googled THE RUINS IN TALISAY for some basic information and I found an article written by Mini Javellana - J. Here it goes:

The structure of The RUINS is of Italianate architecture with neo-Romanesque twin columns. In New England, they often were homes to ship's captains. The father of Maria Braga was a captain of the ship. The mansion was built after the death of Maria Braga and it became Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson's mansion residence with his unmarried children.


It was the largest residential structure ever built at that time. Felipe, one of the sons, supervised the construction making certain that the A-grade mixture of concrete and its pouring was precisely followed.

The structure met its sad fate in the early part of World War II when the USAFFE, then guerilla fighters in the Philippines burned the mansion to prevent the Japanese forces from using it as their headquarters.

Despite the inferno that it underwent, bringing down the roof and the 2-inch wooden floors, the structure still stands and has withstood the test of time mainly due to the oversized steel bars and the A-grade mixture of concrete used to build it.

The monumental size and grandeur of The RUINS bespeaks of the lifestyle of the "Hacienderos" in the not-so-distant past.

The pipes used to channel the electric wires, imbedded in the ceiling are still used today. The 4-tiered fountain was done after the mansion was built. Angelina, one of the daughters, maintained a beautiful lily garden in and around. A Japanese gardener painstakingly took care of the plants until the burning of the mansion.

A belvedere at the second floor, facing west, in a glassed-in sunroom with bay windows affords a beautiful view of the sunset and the coast line of Talisay City.

The tiles seen today in the mansion are all original. Arrays of varied designs of tiles used throughout the mansion have been grouped together at the foyer of the back entrance of the mansion.

The flooring used for the mansion were alternating red and yellow long-span, 2-inch thick, hard wood running from the main entrance facing the fountain all the way to the end of the dining room with no joints. They were a meter wide and 20.5 meters long. The living room near the veranda and all the bedrooms were all of wooden floors.



Friday, April 1, 2011

From the Page of Ilustrado

I am currently reading Miguel Syjuco's book, Ilustrado, which made him won, first the Palanca for unpublished novel, and then the bigger win which is the Man Asian Literary Prize. This is his debut novel but certainly not that of a novice writer.Simply said first does not always equate novice. As I read the book, he wrote a description of the centerpiece of the Bacolod Plaza. This morning right after breakfast at Jollibee beside the Plaza, I passed by it and remembered the book. So I decided to get pictures of it so that other readers will see it for real.

18th Panaad sa NEGROS

Pre-Panaad Activities


April 1, Friday      - Press Presentation “Search for Lin-ay sang Negros” (Bacolod Casino Hotel)

April 2, Saturday - Festival Costume Parade “Search for Lin-ay sang Negros” (SM City Bacolod)

                             - Governor’s Cup Panaad National Golf Tournament, VLMPC (NOGCC Marapara)

                              2:00 p.m .- Derby (Panaad Covered Court)

April 3, Sunday - Talent Night “Search for Lin-ay sang Negros” (Robinson’s Place Bacolod)

                             Governor’s Cup Panaad National Golf Tournament, VLMP (NPGCC Marapara)

                             2:00 p.m.- Panaad Derby (Panaad Covered Court)

April 4 Monday Day 1

6:00 a.m. - Hataw sa Panaad w/ Ching’s Group (Football Field)

8:00 a.m. - Panaad Thanksgiving Mass (2F Stadium)

9:00 a.m. - Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for:

- Panaad Tourism & Trade Fair @ LGU Pavilions*

- Negros’ Best Products Display, NOTLDC (2F Stadium, North Wing)*

- Organic na Negros Agri-Fest (GF Stadium, North Wing)*

- Livestock & Dairy Products Fair (GF Stadium, North Wing Grounds)*

- Festival Costumes Exhibit & Competition (GF Stadium, South Wing)*

- Eco-Garden & Wellness Show (south area across Candoni Booth)*

*Daily Activities

2:00 p.m. - Panaad Derby Championship (Panaad Covered Court)

3:00 p.m. - Motorcade & LGU Floats Competition (Provincial Capitol to Panaad Park)

4:00 p.m. - Opening Ceremony & Festival Dance Competition (Stadium)

- Fireworks Display

8:00 p.m. - GMA “Kapuso” Show (Stadium)
April 5 Tuesday Day 2

6:00 a.m. - Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Football Field)

7:00 a.m. - Athletics (Panaad Field)

8:00 a.m. - Volleyball (Softball Field)

Taekwondo (2nd Level Stadium)

Chess (Stadium VIP Room)

10:00 a.m. - Daily Trade Fair & Exhibit @ various venues (refer to Day 1)

6:00 p.m. - Negros Pop Music Festival – Composo/Pop Song Writing Competition (Stadium)
(Hopefully I can watch this event)
- NOPSSCEA Cultural Show (Stadium)
April 6 Wednesday Day 3

6:00 a.m. - Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Football Field)

7:00 a.m. - Athletics (Panaad Field)

8:00 a.m. - Volleyball (Softball Field)

Chess (Stadium VIP Room)

UPLBAA Annual Panaad Seminar (2nd Level Stadium, Center)

TESDA Livelihood Skills Olympics (Panaad Covered Court)

9:00 a.m. - Latin Dance Sport – Elimination Round (NOMPAC Gym)

10:00 a.m. - Daily Trade Fair & Exhibit @ various venues (refer to Day 1)

1:00 p.m. - Drum & Bugle Competition, Secondary Level (Football Field)

2:00 p.m. - Boxing (Panaad Cabanas)

3:00 p.m. - Latin Dance Sport – Adult, Senior & Juvenile Categories (NOMPAC Gym)

8:00 p.m. - UNILIVER “POP FIESTA” (Stadium)

April 7 Thursday Day 4

6:00 a.m. - Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Football Field)

7:00 a.m. - Mambukal – Panaad Team Relay

8:00 a.m. - Chess (Stadium VIP Room)

Volleyball (Softball Field)

Environmental Information Advocacy (Panaad Nursery)

10:00 a.m. - Daily Trade Fair & Exhibit @ various venues (refer to Day 1)

2:00 p.m. - Boxing (Cabanas)

3:00 p.m. - Animo Puppet Theater Group –PEMO (Panaad Park Stage)

5:00 p.m. - Negrense/Ilonggo Folk Dance Competition (Stadium)

9:00 p.m. - Technical Rehearsal, Lin-ay sang Negros (Stadium)

MOR Local Stock –Ilonggo Music Fest (Panaad Park Stage)

April 8 Friday Day 5

6:00 a.m. - Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Football Field)

Volleyball (Softball Field)

10:00 a.m. - Daily Trade Fair & Exhibit @ various venues (refer to Day 1)

1:00 p.m. - Provincial Capitol Employees’ Day (Covered Court)

2:00 p.m. - Boxing (Cabanas)

8:00 p.m. - “Search for Lin-ay sang Negros 2011” Pageant (Stadium)

April 9 Saturday Day 6

6:00 a.m. - Hataw sa Panaad w/ Ching’s Group (Football Field)

Murcia – Panaad Run

- Lions Club Fun Run

8:00 a.m - Farmer’s Day Celebration & Farmers Forum (Covered Court)

10:00 a.m. - Daily Trade Fair & Exhibit @ various venues (refer to Day 1)

3:00 p.m. - Closing Ceremony w/ Awarding & Presentation of Winners (Stadium)

7:00 p.m. - Outstanding Farmers & Fishermen Awards – (OPA/PVO/ABS-CBN (Panaad Stadium)

- Fireworks Display

ABS CBN’s Kapamilya Fiesta Caravan (Panaad Stadium)