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.

At about 30 minutes past 8 pm, hunger was starting to strike me. Exhaustion was beginning to haunt and defeat me. Good thing I was seated beside a very jovial father whom I instantly shared a chat with.

As we watched different vehicles crawled the crowded roads, and let our bus swerved on its own paths to get its way amidst the seas of automobiles, we shared personal views from Philippine politics to Philippine economy to family life even to Frank and Helen. MV Princess of the Stars and RCBC bank robbery, security measures and spouses’ responsibility to support each other were the threads that linked us.

He works in the security and IT maintenance department of Allied Bank and a father of two growing youngsters.

Working as an in-house corporate maintenance technician and IT security specialist at Allied Bank, he has to travel at least two hours in the morning to service different branches and another more than 2 hours in the evening when he goes home.

Both being parents, we shared the same sentiments on how difficult it has now been to provide our children the best basic needs from food to education to clothing. We also shared the same reactions on the on going fare hike. I learned that he has been spending at least P150 for his daily fare alone. We both lamented that earning minimum will never really provide a family man and his family a decent living.

Our long bus ride gave me a chance to find a confidante in incognito. Through the sincerely friendly man I shared a seat with, I was able not to take notice of my hunger, neither my fatigue nor my exasperation. I was also able to share a meaningful chat.

In him, I saw how a very responsible spouse and father can inspire not only his children but also his better half to build dreams and realize them for his family. That it always feels great, even it is obviously hard and humongous to work for your family.

We reached our destination at 40 minutes past 9 pm. It was a long ride. It was a long chat, too, that made me established ties.

To you Sir Victor, thanks for a serendipitously heart-warming and affable conversation. Hope to see you again!

Had to get our tarpaulin banners done for our school paper grand exhibit is scheduled next Saturday and my co-teacher and ever-loved adviser-mentor asked me to have them ready by Sunday. She requested me to have the announcement streamers be posted by tomorrow, Friday.

And at times like that, I got a very helpful, dependable friend who can assist me. Mr. Mike Uy owns and manages Tarp Kingdom, a one-stop tarpaulin banner printing shop on cor. Reina Regente st. and Recto ave., Manila.

I have been depending on Tarp Kingdom for all my banner needs for about a year now and it has always provided the best service every client like me need and deserve.

With the shop’s friendly clerk, Justine, artist/designer Greg (there was Grace back then, but she has to continue her studies so she has to stop working), assistant, Charm and the printer operators I easily made friends with, I always feel at home and attended.

Aside from tarpaulin banner printing for all occasions and banner needs, they also offer large format printing, tarpaulin vinyl stickers, panaflex signages, calling cards, personal stickers, button pins, invitation, souvenir tags, mugs and plate prints.

Got some designs here printed at Tarp Kingdom.

You can visit their website, too.
For your tarp needs, I can introduce you to Sir Mike

Oh I’ll show you the banners for our school paper exhibit later

I’ll reserve those for my next entry