How Did I Begin Writing?

I was in Junior High when my English teacher signed me up to participate in the school's press conference. It was the time when most of the senior staffer will soon exit in the editorial board. When I entered in the huge writing venue, I felt that we were all fishes in the ocean; some were big, others were small to become writers. The judges were the fishers with their fishing nets ready to screen us all. We were all made to write in all journalism categories; News Writing, Editorial Writing, and Feature Writing in English and Filipino. I was fished out winning in all three (modesty aside) categories. And that's how I get to be the next Editor-in-Chief in our school paper.

My first two trips in Cebu were made free with pocket money because of two Regional School's Press Conferences that I participated in. My first was in Lapu-lapu City and my second in Mandaue City. Though. I never made it to the NSPC.

I moved in Bacolod in May 2006. It made my debut as a travel magazine writer in a national publication, Philippinewide. I was asked to write a feature story about the Masskara Festival which of course came along my first writer's fee.

Take Pictures!

Pictures are a great deal for Filipnos. That is the reason why they will never be replaced with videos and other media. There's just a whole lot of difference about having pictures as a way of collecting and remembereing memories. Not to mention that Filipinos are a bunch of melodramatic people.  Almost every occassion, from the simplest to the grandest, taking picture is as basic as breathing.



I started blogging in June 2008 and since then all the pictures posted in this site were taken using my Sony Ericsson P1i cellular phone with a 3.2 megapixel camera.




Last Sunday, I bought my first camera. A 12.1 megapixel Sony Cybershot Digicam will now bring a change to how pictures will present the story itself or facilitate understanding when words are not enough in this blog. And hopefully the change is for something better!



Coffee, Anyone?

For someone like me who works on a rotating schedule, coffee is not a social accessory; it is a necessity. Thank God, Coffee shops are ubiquitous.

Coffee shops in Bacolod are practically easy to find. They are almost strategically located in the major Streets of the City.

Calea, Bobs, Kuppa, Bascon, and Starbucks are among the most popular for coffee addicts. Some are inside huge shopping malls like Brew ha, Bo’s, and Pietro. Some which are relatively new now gaining popularity are Café Uma and the newest coffee shop which is part of L’ Fisher Hotel.

I think it is also worth mentioning some coffee shops, though they closed already, made a connection to me. Café Vienna, now Bistro Negrense, was something I liked because of their acoustic nights during Friday’s and Saturday’s. Music and coffee make a perfect combination when you are tired or stressed out. Those moments when you intentionally don’t want to think and you are just there to feel good and come out feeling renewed ready for slumber. Another one is Figaro which was inside SM. It was one spot in the crowded mall where you can find serenity and silence. And this is probably the reason why they closed. The good thing though is that I was able to buy my first coffee tumbler there a week before they closed. A pretty good remembrance!

Calea, since I set foot in Bacolod, has been a favorite hang-out for all ages. A sweet-tooth that I am, one wouldn’t question my love for their mud pie. Something that I can probably eat three times a day!

Bascon Café, particularly the one near La Salle, is a very intimate nook. This is a relatively small café which is quite good for lengthy and personal chitchats. I am talking about the making-up-for-the-lost-time kind of conversations. A place made relaxing because of its being away from the frenzied city streets.

Bobs is one of the popular coffee shops if not the most. I believe that this coffee shop and Calea are one of Bacolod’s identifying marks.

Then Starbucks came. I must admit that when it opened it changed my desire to consume coffee. That is why, as early as December, I already got myself their 2011 planner. It has an artistic cover. I chose the red velvet one.

Now, I’m on to having my second planner. To date, I have 5 stickers. Coffee, anyone?

Division D Christmas Party

Voice of Our Youth Impromptu Speaking Contest

Having to sit as a judge in the District Level Youth Impromptu Speaking sponsored by Rotary was very taxing. I felt the lingering pain in my head after listening, analyzing, comparing and contrasting the different speaking style and technique of 16 high school speakers in Negros, Panay, Zamboanga, and Pagadian. ‘Twas a good thing I was seated beside TM Mario who cracked jokes in between speakers. Somehow it made my sanity intact. And the cold venue at Peque Gallaga Theater blew away the heat in between my ears.

Emerged champion is the male speaker from Iloilo. Second place is the female speaker from Zamboanga and the third is another female speaker from Bacolod City. My warmest felicitations to the winners and to the Rotarians for a pleasant Saturday morning full of wit, reason, and critical thinking!

SUPERMARIO

I cannot certainly imagine what toastmasters would be like not having him around!
I immensely admire him because of three things; his humor, optimism, and charisma.

I am talking about the toastmaster who inspired Toto to sign-up as a toastmaster. I am talking about the toastmaster whom TM Kim identifies with. I am talking about the toastmaster who became the first Division D Governor, Competent Toastmaster, Competent Leader Mario Pao.

Who says studying accounting makes one suicidal? And who says that studying the law is as difficult as forgiving? Not for TM Mario. He is both a certified public accountant and a lawyer yet he remained grounded. His humility always exudes in the way he speaks and the way he deals with fellow toastmasters, may it be the young ones or the once young, the seasoned or the seasonal toastmasters.

Apart from his outstanding leadership as Division Governor, he is very famous for his gift of humor. If Barangay Toastmasters Club has DTM Greg Vallejera, Riverside Toastmasters Club has CTM Mario Pao. I call it a gift because his jokes though recycled the nth time, he still makes everyone giggle. And I am one of them! Whenever he attends the meeting, it’s always a pain in the jaw. That’s how fun and crazy when he is around!
When I was the vice president for education, he was with the club through thick and thin. I remember him texting to all members, “Lakat na kamo di kay daw mapatay na club ta!” I must say that his love for toastmasters is beyond question. He is also one of the few members who never refused to roles assigned to him. His reply would always be, “Ok ko!” When I requested him to give a brief history of Riverside Toastmasters Club during the anniversary last Saturday, he immediately answered, “Ok” with an additional note, “Praktis ta saot.”
Yes. One of his self-professed talents is dancing. Until now he still thinks they won in that dance contest at the Davao District Convention”. According to TM Jam, he could be your dance instructor for only twenty pesos per hour.

During meetings, a lot of us may consider table topics as the most challenging. Yet, TM Mario, every time he expounds a table topic, he always does it smoothly and comfortably. His words, always positive and full of wisdom, make his speech glimmer like gold. When someone praises him, he would always reply, “Rest assured the feeling is neutral”.

Many toastmasters have always confessed their admiration to TM Mario. Count me in! Maybe someday, a monument will stand, in honor of his contributions as a toastmaster. In his monument will be these words, a passionate leader, a gifted humorist, and a toastmaster icon. However, to me he is simply called “Super Mario!"

The Smedley Award

The Smedley Award is the first award that my club, Riverside Toastmasters Club, received in my term as the President . The award is given for having added five new members in the club.