Very early I took a jeepney ride.

From my home, I needed to travel at least two hours, via four different jeepney rides to reach Carmona. On my first ride, I felt needing to pee. I was hesitant to ask the driver to stop, and tried to ignore what I was feeling. I initially chose to control it. But we were passing a  road to no man’s land! (OMG! all rice fields! Waaah!) Then a little later road where only shanties in residential areas  could be seen; there was still no gasoline station in sight!

Anxiously uncomfortable, I took the nerve to self-effacingly ask the driver (great thing, I was seated beside him) to stop by the nearest gasoline station for I couldn’t contain it anymore! Considerately, the driver smiled and asked if I could wait a little bit longer for there was no nearest gasoline station within 10 kms.

Nervous and fretful, I silently clasped my fists and sighed and prayed. (Lord, let me reach the appropriate place to urinate, pleaseeee!) Whew!

And why all of a sudden tricycles and even pedicabs drastically appeared in front of us! They were blocking our way waaaaaaaaah!

Why did these children and old women cross the streets only now when our jeepney had to pass! Why of all the instances did the traffic officers, in barangays we passed, stopped our jeep to give way to school children who needed to cross the streets! And what did these cows do on the street with us! (Sighhhhhhhhhh!)

The driver finally sensed I couldn’t last a minute anymore, he considerably told me that we were to reach the house of his friend. He stopped over and told the owner of the house (who luckily [I was still lucky, YES!] was outside the gate) to please allow me to use their toilet. Without asking the owner’s name, I sheepishly asked for permission and dashed towards the direction he gave me. Finally…the relief! the comfort!

I sincerely thanked the owner of the house. I went back to my seat. I still did not mind the passengers’ sneering stare and derision. I sat back now comfortably (who cares! )

I reached Robinson’s Palapala jeepney terminal. I was the last passenger to alight. Before I alighted, I asked the jeepney driver’s name, and sincerely thanked him. Again thank you, Manong Ross.

For that was what Tanza National Comprehensive High School’s pool of student-journalists’ mantra in the recently held 2008 Division Schools Press Conference (Secondary Level), Oct. 9-11.

We knew that if we wanted to keep the winning tradition of TNCHS in the field of campus journalism, it all depended on each of US (their trainer-coach included).

As I already shared in my previous blog, TNCHS delegation was composed of 21 hopeful young writers (14 contestants for individual categories in news writing, editorial writing, feature writing, sports writing, copy reading & headline writing, editorial cartooning, photojournalism and seven others that comprised the broadcasting team).

And all these talented student-journalists did work, practice, and review hard to be intellectually, emotionally and psychologically prepared for the competitions.

Winning tastes so sweet. Keeping and maintaining the crown could be painfully demanding and overwhelming though. What more if you have been clinging unto the championship throne for 13 sweetest, inspiring long years!

AND THE POINT IS….WE DID ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT! YEAHHHHHHHHH! (alright, am shouting out too loud, am jumping while am typing…the heck, WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! AND I NOW HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO SCREAM from the top of my lungs, RIGHT?!)

Four The Clarion student-journalists bagged gold medal for the individual writing competitions namely: Danjie May Ronquillo, editorial writing (English); Benjie Tubelleza, photojournalism (English); Princess Lea Bubuli, photojournalism (Filipino); Melvin Amparo, sportswriting (English).

TNCHS broadcasting team captured gold, too. Members Jomielyn Pulido, Giann Paola Centeno, Francis Louie Gonzales, Rachel Anne Castro, Chrislie Alzaga, Eloisa Marie Culler and Mannel Hernandez excellently presented a simulated five-minute radio program besting more than 20 groups from the entire province. Pulido and Centeno were awarded Best News Presenters; while Gonzales was recognized as one of the two Best Anchors making them three qualified for the Regional Schools Press Conference. They will be included for the Cavite’s Broadcasting Team who will compete in the 2008 RSPC, tentatively scheduled on Dec 1-5 in Batangas City.

Other winners included John Joel Cabuhat and Lady Janine Parpan, copyreading and headline writing (English and Filipino respectively); Aira Marie Quijano, editorial writing (Filipino). All these three won third place in their respective contests.

Contributing to TNCHS victory were Joel delos Angeles, editorial cartooning (Filipino), 9th place; Christalene Jewel Mercado, news writing (Filipino), 12th place; Rommel Ponesto, news writing (English), 13th Place.

Tanza National Comprehensive High School, for more than 12 years, has reigned supreme in the  overall standing of all private and public high schools in the entire province. In fact it now holds the 13 Overall Champion for the Best Performing School trophies out of the 14 years DSPC has been held - a feat too difficult to duplicate. Accordingly, this achievement was made possible by the patience, dedication, intellect and selfless tutoring and service by The Clarion’s/ Ang Klaryon’s adviser par excellance, MS. AMOR S. KAGAHASTIAN, we fondly call her MA’AM K.

This year though, it will be the first time the delegation will technically miss Ma’am K. She is now on leave and she is not technically in the list of TNCHS list of delegates. However, we are still very privileged to have her during weekend reviews and practices.

Being the co-adviser, I had to screen and conduct qualifying activities among talented student-journalists of our school. Out of the more than two hundred journalism students we have, only 21 had to be chosen - one for each contest-category and seven for the broadcasting team.

Am very proud to share with you the names of the hopeful young writers who are trying hard and are committed to continue Ma’am K’s winning tradition. In the list, too, are the contest and category each of them will be joining.

Melvin Amparo - Sports Writing (English)

Emmanuel Domingo  - Sports Writing (Filipino)

John Joel Cabuhat - Copyreading & Headline Writing (English)

Lady Janine Parpan - Copyreading & Headline Writing (Filipino)

Danjie May Ronquillo - Editorial Writing (English)

Aira Marie Quijano - Editorial Writing (Filipino)

Lara  Cecilia Pono - Feature Writing (English)

Gian Zechariah Siapo - Feature Writing (Filipino)

Rommel Ponest - News Writing (English)

Christalene Jewel Mercado - News Writing (Filipino)

Cedrick Dones - Cartooning (English)

Joel Angeles - Cartooning (Filipino)

Princess Lea Bubuli - Photojournalism (Filipino)

Benjie Tubelleza - Photojournalism (English)

Comprising the Broadcasting Team are : Rachel Anne Castro, Eloisa Marie Culler, Jomielyn Pulido, Giann Paola Centeno, Chrislie Alzaga, Francis Louie Gonzales and Mannel Hernandez.

Albeit this year’s presscon puts pressure on us, we are certain that we have been giving our best and we surely are ready to compete and to win! Oh yeah, wish us luck! And yes, see yah in Batangas City where 2008 RSPC will be held.. and then in Bicol Region by February 2009, for the NSPC SEEYAH!

Only today, I had five different responsibilities that put my grit, my resolve, my patience and passion to test.

I had to meet my student-writers for the elimination for four different writing competitions. I had to prepare writing themes and activities and exercises. I had to edit and coach these young writers how to make their articles interestingly relevant. I had to go to my Geline’s school to meet her class adviser and get her report card, and to pay her tuition fee as well (my enrolment chill is not yet over!) I had to attend the working and planning committee ingress and orientation for the Cavite Division Schools Press Conference - an annual campus journalism event for elementary and high school students.

And not only five people were wanting to see, talk and meet me today! (yeah, meeting people would be great but not if you need to discuss about WORK! ARGH!)

(I think am now making it a habit of counting and listing what I have to accomplish, geesh!…I just hope I do not sound complaining nor whining!…DO I???!!)

I was feeling depressed and stupid. I was getting disoriented and feeling distorted. I was trying to put a happy face so that my family, colleagues and my students would not notice. But there they were; they could read me like a sonnet. They could tell by simply looking at me that I was keeping/carrying something inside.

“Never let anyone hurt you, for no one has the right to hurt one beautiful person like you.”

And she must be right! My very dearest friend, Ma. Jovy P. Legaspi, was right.

And what deeply right, too, was SHE and Jose S. Custodio could always make feel loved and understood.

We were in a planning committee meeting yesterday for our upcoming Division Schools Press Conference, and we did discuss, plan and finish our tasks for the day.

After the day-long meeting, I sat with Ma’m Jovs and Sir Joey. Like a child, I cringed close to seek and draw strength and enlightenment. And I was never turned down, neither was mocked, nor blamed.

Their presence was so endearing. Their wisdom was uplifting. Their acceptance and understanding of me were so comforting.

Their seeing the beauty of a person in me, their acceptance of the greatness and the very humane in me, and their affirmation that they would be my friends no matter what I become made me reassess that the reason for feeling down and devastated for the past week was hollow and pointless. I DO HAVE A LOT MORE SPECIAL AND IMPORTANT REASONS (AND SPECIAL PERSONS) TO BE JOYOUS, THANKFUL AND BE MORE BLESSED.

Making me realize how fortunate I have always been for having friends like them was and always be a blessing.

The registration committee at work!

I may have not been given the opportunity to listen to any of the meaningful and worthwhile talks presented during the WordCamp Philippines 2008 as a regular camper, but I had the chance to work with great people with brilliant minds and awesome characters as a volunteer.

Held in College of St. Benilde, Manila on Sept. 6, WordCamp Phillippines was a gathering of great bloggers all over the country (and some other parts of the world too).

Paul Villacorta, one volunteer from Cebu, was checking his Plurk account (notice our SOS lunch: a loaf of bread had saved our sanity :D)

Di halatang gutom! My new found-friends, Sharlin Cruz and ChiQ Montes with me, while enjoying our slices of bread to keep ourselves up and moving even if it was already way past 1 pm. Thanks to Chowking for our lunch! It was just difficult for volunteers to have lunch on time because we were to let the campers have theirs first.

It was a great experience working with people so harmoniously even if it was only  the first time we met.

I was assigned to usher the sponsors and hand them their  Camp Badges

Learning from them and establishing ties with them are already an awesome prize one blogging newbie like me can cherish.

Looking forward for the next WordCamp Philippines here!

The Volunteers say Cheese! (Seated) Jonel Uy, (Standing L-R) Paul Villacorta, Sharlin Cruz, Gwen Nava, Winston Almendras, Rein & Chiq Montes

A WOrdCamp Philippines volunteer’s life would not be complete without a souvenir shot with Matt Mullenweg

Due to heavy rains brought by tropical depression LAWIN, slippery mountain trails and caves, and as much as we do not want to put anyone to any unlikely situation, we had, on the 11th hour, to reset the TOUR DE PINAS BANAUE-SAGADA STOP.

Sadly but considerably, I had to decide the rescheduling on October 30-November 01, 2008 because of my own busy working sked this coming September. (Anyone interested to join is welcome. Just send me an email at Rein1911@gmail.com.)

I was excited packing my personal thing for the tour when my father warned me (and indirectly stopped me from going) that there was storm alarm posted in the Mt. Province. He did not want me to go.

Upset by the idea of postponement, but bothered and considerate about my parents’ concern and how my friends, who were going with me, would experience if we would rage against heavy rains in the mountain, I had apprehensions of  going.

Immediately, I browsed PAGASA website and read this advisory:

Severe Weather Bulletin Number NINE
Tropical Cyclone Warning: Tropical Depression “LAWIN”
Issued at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Public Storm Warning Signal Number One elsewhere now lowered.

Tropical Depression “LAWIN” is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over the Western section of Luzon which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 p.m. today.

–>

THANK YOU, GOD FOR A BRIGHT SUNLIGHT SHOWERING MY FACE THIS MORNING AS I TYPE THIS BLOG ENTRY!
THANK YOU, MY LORD, FOR MAKING ME FEEL SLEEPY, finally!
ALL my worries and concerns I ENTRUST THEM in YOUR DIVINE GUIDANCE AND PROVIDENCE! IN YOUR LOVING, CARING HANDS, LET ME and ALL OF YOUR CREATION BE RESTED… BE AT PEACE. AMEN!

Have been busy presenting lectures to student-writers and school paper advisers of different schools here in Cavite and some municipalities/cities of CALABARZON.

Exhausted, I checked my mail as I arrived home from Calamba City.

I felt great and excited to read an invitation to volunteer for the First WordCamp in Southeast Asia. It will be held on 6 September 2008 at College of St. Benilde, Taft Avenue, Manila.

It will be a gathering of WordPress Bloggers, seemingly a group of brilliantly extraordinary minds and expressively creative souls. (Would it be arrogance to make me think am one of them, too? :D)

For more details, please click philippines.wordcamp.org

Here are the generous sponsors that make the event a success.

• i.PH: the Domain for Individuals
• Free Online Flash Games
• Wazzup Manila Philippines
• Real Estate CRM
• Real Estate Website Designers
• Orange County Real Estate
• Auto Insurance Quotes
• Lane Systems Inc.
• RedMedia
• Orange County Business Lawyer
• Cebu Pacific Air
• Reality Wedding Videos

Gazing at the pages of the old issues brought blissful memories of our gloriously youthful spirit of literary and journalistic expressions.

Seeing fellow staff writers (old and not so-old alike) and fellow Klaryonistas in one spirit of awe, reminiscence, appreciation and achievement was moving and heart-warming.

Presenting them the glorious years of achievement of all the Journalism students of Tanza High through a grand exhibit was indeed a momentous occasion.

Now that I am still a part of The Clarion and Ang Klaryon publications as an adviser this time, I am deeply committed and challenged to never let the spirit of excellence and achievement in me and among Tanza National Comprehensive High School’s budding journalists die.

The Clarion and Ang Klaryon have reached immortality! And this was made to happen by one adviser who is the personification of dedication, intelligence, commitment and excellence - Miss Amor S. Kagahastian.