It's 4 in the morning, Manila time.
The beginning of the end of the first quarter. The last weeks have been a bit crazy, a bit manageable. A HD crash, server migration, a regrettable typo, a lot of night-to-dawn cross-overs which I see will continue. In the last 72 hours, a very tight deadline for an old client which then sees print when the press operators log in for work later.
A handful of local events missed, many of which I wanted to comment on in my blogs but couldn't; a few more tech-related, social and cultural stuff I'm interested in, all read hurriedly and digested just fairly recently. A "volunteer" work input for peers I hope would help with the forthcoming planned event.
There were a few unexpected silver linings to provide consolation. No, make that two outstanding life vests instead: an incredible, soft-spoken data-saver named Alvin — he, among the geek of all geeks I have ever encountered — and an assistant reconciled, trustworthy and competent as she had been, who came just in the nick of time: thank you both.
So, it's another Monday. A March Monday. Bring on the sun but let some breeze cool us off. Meantime, to bed I go for the much-needed power nap.
'night, for now.
(this blog is cross-posted)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
CafeXperiment.com's Pic of the Day
I received an email this morning from cafeXperiment.com, a site I enjoy looking at time and again, informing me that the photo I sent them during Holidays '08 is today's Pic of the Day. The image was taken at Figaro-Royale Place on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City during a meeting in December 2008.
You can see the big picture here. Thank you, cafeXperiment.com.
You can see the big picture here. Thank you, cafeXperiment.com.Monday, January 5, 2009
In small things forgotten: Mang Milton's iskolar pays it back as we all should (update)
(Shelving a New Year post in favor of this story which I hope will help start the year right. Thank you for reading.)
There were three 'cute guys' over at the UP Repertory Company in my time, all of them more than just acquaintances in the theater campus scene: Eugene, Mike and Bernie.
Cute they were, physically and in demeanor, but 'guys' they weren't, biologically.
Eugene is Eugenia Domingo, the spontaneous wise crack who, back then, was an underrated actress with overflowing confidence you could sense it from buildings away, and now, properly recognized for her talent. Mike is Mike Rivera — Michelle, if you will — the petite and dependable over-all production person who always had a ready, sincere smile for everyone;
Like everyone in UP in my time, all three were state scholars who at some point in their UP lives have had to seek financial assistance or other to complete a course. Unlike everyone in UP, however, they enjoyed campus life differently in that extra-curricular work, theater in this case, became an alt-life they pursued with passion while maintaining above-average school standing and still managed to avoid being slapped the maximum residency rule.
A [re]connection for a hero
I got reconnected with Eugene and Mike last year at the 2008 Cinemalaya screening. Though brief, the reunion was nonetheless gratifying.
A few days ago, through mutual friend Dante Garcia, Mike and I are now virtually reconnected because of Mike's story on Meliton Zamora, or Mang Milton.
"Meet Meliton Zamora, a retired University of the Philippines janitor and my hero. For forty-five years, he swept floors, cleaned up trash, watered plants and did odd jobs at the University", Mike wrote.
It turns out that dependable Mike, always present at Rep's activities and visible at their tambayan, was much like the majority of Iskolars ng Bayan in our time: juggling studies, org activities and familial obligations.
Also, Mike's generous smile defied this multi-tasking reality so adroitly that she always came across as problem-free and relaxed.
"Back then, [Mang Milton] was just one of those characters whom you got acquainted with and left behind as soon as you earned your degree and left the university for some big job in the real world...But for many UP students like me who were hard up and had a difficult time paying their tuition fees, Mang Mel was a hero who gave them the opportunity to finish university and get a big job in the real world."
The mop and a pen
STFAP, UP's socialized tuition fee scheme, was already in effect then, and Mike was categorized under Bracket 9. That meant full payment of tuition fees and being ineligible for any financial assistance from the University.Mike's father had lost his job three courses short of her graduation. Mike worked part-time to supplement her allowance and had to avail of a student loan on her last campus semester. However, looking for a faculty member to guarantee her turned out to be a daunting task (..."But those whom I approached either refused or were not eligible as guarantors").
Twenty-four hours into the last day of enrollment, Mike was hopeless and helpless on the steps of the AS lobby.
"Mang Mel... mop in hand, approached me and asked why I was crying. I told him I had no guarantor for my student loan and will probably not be able to enroll this semester. I had no hopes that he would be able to help me. After all, he was just a janitor. He borrowed my loan application papers and said softly. 'Puwede ako pumirma. Empleyado ako ng UP.' He borrowed my pen and signed his name. With his simple act of faith, Mang Mel not only saved my day, he also saved my future."That was fifteen years ago. That summer, Mike settled her dues.
675 days less
Mang Mel is now retired from UP and, although given due recognition for his 45 years of service, his retirement pay was only credited 171 days of work. The University deducted about 675 days from his full retirement pay as a result of the unsettled loans Mang Mel guaranteed countless of students.
"This seems to me a cruel repayment for his kindness", Mike wrote. Even in retirement, Mang Mel still works odd jobs like "doing a little sideline gardening for a UP professor in Tandang Sora" to make ends meet.
"This seems to me a cruel repayment for his kindness", Mike wrote. Even in retirement, Mang Mel still works odd jobs like "doing a little sideline gardening for a UP professor in Tandang Sora" to make ends meet.
Not the blues
Sometime in November 2008, Mike was told that Mang Mel recorded an album in a mall to sell to help with daily expenses.
I had availed of a student loan myself with a faculty as guarantor. I wonder, however, how many students in all of Mang Meliton's 45 years in UP actually had his signature on their loan forms, and how many students of the 675 days deducted to his retirement pay failed to settle loans due him.
In retirement, Mang Mel is creative. I personally think, though, that a CD at P350 each only goes a long way.
I had availed of a student loan myself with a faculty as guarantor. I wonder, however, how many students in all of Mang Meliton's 45 years in UP actually had his signature on their loan forms, and how many students of the 675 days deducted to his retirement pay failed to settle loans due him.
In retirement, Mang Mel is creative. I personally think, though, that a CD at P350 each only goes a long way.
It seems Meliton Zamora is not asking for much. Forty-five silent years of service Mang Mel, or Milton, routinely cleaned away the floors and corridors of AS the best he could while students engaged themselves in on- and off-campus pursuits. Yet Mang Milton, with so much goodness in his heart, demanded nothing back, save perhaps for some appreciation for his voice this time around.
A cyber call to a real cause
"This is a cybercall to anyone who did not get to pay their student loans that were guaranteed by Mang Mel. Anytime would be a good time to show Mang Mel your gratitude." Could a recipient to Mang Milton's generosity be anyone I personally know besides Mike? Could anyone else be moved or be interested in listening to a silent hero, this time by purchasing Milton Zamora's CD from No. 16-A, Block 1, Pook Ricarte, U.P. Campus, Diliman, Quezon City (behind UP International House) or through his daughter Kit V. Zamora (0916-4058104)?Kitakits, taumbayan! (update)
Meanwhile, Mike and a couple of friends from UP Rep, like Eugene, Dante and others are putting together something An invitation: A Night with Mang Mel at Taumbayan
My friends and I have invited Mang Meliton Zamora to a night of food, music and kuwentuhan at Taumbayan, a new tambayan that serves delicious grilled food. Mang Mel wil be selling his CD’s there. So if you want to buy a CD, meet Mang Mel, show your gratitude or pay your student loan back (don’t worry, you can pay it back discreetly and we won’t make a target out of you and will be thankful that you paid it back)…[Read full invite]
Do come.
Read Mike's full post and album list here.
Added 05 Jan 09: Map to Taumbayan
Credits
Palma Hall photo by ButchukoyD
Mang Milton's CD photo by Mike R.
Friday, November 21, 2008
A Return to the Native: Ifugao Chronicles 2
I FOUND MUCH OF MY early November days organizing thoughts down to a Keynote presentation for a mixed audience scheduled for November 10-13, originally, but was cut short by one day: a workshop on newsletter writing and design in Banaue, Ifugao.
Interacting with Ifugaos in formal and informal events is always fulfilling in the sense that not only are they warm and hospitable, they are also very polite and are eager learners who, in turn, share their lives through their stories.
From all workshops handled thus far, I found the majority of Ifugao youth inquisitive yet mostly quiet and go about tasks assigned to them without ado. They are keen observers who know how to enjoy themselves and be in the moment. The older ones are mostly quiet, too, preoccupied with physical work or wrapped in their thoughts, but answer queries in simple and direct terms.
We were billeted in a separate cottage because it is the only one equipped with hot shower. But the shower only warmed the water at best, and lasted only about 5 minutes when I used it. The heating device was a total no-match to the cold weather.
Even the Ifugaos themselves, the Asipulo attendees from the southern part of the province whom we expected to at least be acclimatized to the temperature, thought their protective wardrobe insufficient during the evenings. The teenagers, however, could still brave the 5 o'clock early morning chill as they wasted no time dipping in the icy pool water throughout their stay, a total of three chilly morning dips in one of the resort's amenities.
When meal time came, we found out that one had better heed the invitation to dine because it did not take a minute to cool down newly cooked, steamy food in that weather.
It is interesting that the municipality of Asipulo had thought of reviving their community newsletter and the public high schools as keen in continuing theirs. Many of the selected student-attendees live in mountain farmlands without electricity; I attribute their diligence to school work to the fact that their lives still do not revolve around the latest urban celebrity gossips, or mindless telenovellas that take up a big chunk of their time which they devote to house chores and accomplishing family tasks. Reading among students, therefore, as well as writing and being able to understand information correctly, is taken rather seriously. So unlike many youths of their age from other parts of the country.
Day 1 session's first brave volunteer reading
news selection; trusty old MBP in the background.
news selection; trusty old MBP in the background.
Thrice postponed, this workshop was something that grew on me, as I intended my appearance mostly in support of my colleague's writing segment only; the design and layout component would be a postscript to that workshop, unless the participants relayed further interest in the design and layout aspect of publishing a newsletter, which meant I had to be prepared with something; I normally can give an impromptu talk on the publishing process, as I had done in some previous workshops anyhow.
This workshop later transformed into a tightly-planned, full-blown editorial and publications seminar because the organizers, the municipality of Asipulo, Ifugao, backed by funding from the UNFPA, intended a 3-day workshop to be participated in by 40 attendees from both the local government unit and selected high school students and their advisers.
What transpired on Nov. 10-12, the final schedule, would be part of a series of workshops to the Ifugaos, the fourth held so this year in the province, by my colleague and I. What makes this different from the first three is that the activity was organized by the local government, with teachers and students formally attending alongside municipal employees.
This particular workshop's budget had to be reduced at some point: the intended 40 heads came down to about 33; the venue was moved from Isabela Province to Banaue, and the number of days reduced to two, from what would have been three straight seminar days. Having it in Banaue was probably the best decision the organizers made, especially since they also transferred the venue from Banaue town to a resort located in Aparanga-o, or 7 kms. north of the town center. There, I got to meet Doe, a female deer, yes, owned and tended by the resort owner himself, Andres Dunuan, a genteel and gentleman farmer who really was a former mayor of Hungduan. Mayor Andres married a softspoken Banaue lady and made their base there upon his retirement.
A welcome banner is a nice touch.
This workshop later transformed into a tightly-planned, full-blown editorial and publications seminar because the organizers, the municipality of Asipulo, Ifugao, backed by funding from the UNFPA, intended a 3-day workshop to be participated in by 40 attendees from both the local government unit and selected high school students and their advisers.
Ready and attentive, the selected high school students
will be staff members of their school newsletter.
(Photo by Isabel Templo)
will be staff members of their school newsletter.
(Photo by Isabel Templo)
What transpired on Nov. 10-12, the final schedule, would be part of a series of workshops to the Ifugaos, the fourth held so this year in the province, by my colleague and I. What makes this different from the first three is that the activity was organized by the local government, with teachers and students formally attending alongside municipal employees.
The first of three batches from different national
high schools of Asipulo who made it to the first-day session.
high schools of Asipulo who made it to the first-day session.
This particular workshop's budget had to be reduced at some point: the intended 40 heads came down to about 33; the venue was moved from Isabela Province to Banaue, and the number of days reduced to two, from what would have been three straight seminar days. Having it in Banaue was probably the best decision the organizers made, especially since they also transferred the venue from Banaue town to a resort located in Aparanga-o, or 7 kms. north of the town center. There, I got to meet Doe, a female deer, yes, owned and tended by the resort owner himself, Andres Dunuan, a genteel and gentleman farmer who really was a former mayor of Hungduan. Mayor Andres married a softspoken Banaue lady and made their base there upon his retirement.
Andres Dunuan, former Hungduan mayor, farmer, resort owner
and articulate guide to the resort's living museum exhibit
Interacting with Ifugaos in formal and informal events is always fulfilling in the sense that not only are they warm and hospitable, they are also very polite and are eager learners who, in turn, share their lives through their stories.
No time wasted discussing an assignment during dinner break
From all workshops handled thus far, I found the majority of Ifugao youth inquisitive yet mostly quiet and go about tasks assigned to them without ado. They are keen observers who know how to enjoy themselves and be in the moment. The older ones are mostly quiet, too, preoccupied with physical work or wrapped in their thoughts, but answer queries in simple and direct terms.
Lunchtime chill outside of seminar venue, almost visibility
zero past the path going up to the highway.
We were billeted in a separate cottage because it is the only one equipped with hot shower. But the shower only warmed the water at best, and lasted only about 5 minutes when I used it. The heating device was a total no-match to the cold weather.
Grace, one of the resort's personnel, serves a full lunch;
our cottage by its lonesome in the background.
our cottage by its lonesome in the background.
Even the Ifugaos themselves, the Asipulo attendees from the southern part of the province whom we expected to at least be acclimatized to the temperature, thought their protective wardrobe insufficient during the evenings. The teenagers, however, could still brave the 5 o'clock early morning chill as they wasted no time dipping in the icy pool water throughout their stay, a total of three chilly morning dips in one of the resort's amenities.
Veggie viand for us—fresh harvest from the resort's organic garden
When meal time came, we found out that one had better heed the invitation to dine because it did not take a minute to cool down newly cooked, steamy food in that weather.
❖
It is interesting that the municipality of Asipulo had thought of reviving their community newsletter and the public high schools as keen in continuing theirs. Many of the selected student-attendees live in mountain farmlands without electricity; I attribute their diligence to school work to the fact that their lives still do not revolve around the latest urban celebrity gossips, or mindless telenovellas that take up a big chunk of their time which they devote to house chores and accomplishing family tasks. Reading among students, therefore, as well as writing and being able to understand information correctly, is taken rather seriously. So unlike many youths of their age from other parts of the country.
The fourth batch of students with their adviser (seated behind), travelling from the farthest barangays of Asipulo, took all day to get to Banaue for the seminar and arrived at dinner time. Here, they still managed to listen to an overview of the sessions they missed. Right after this short session, however, the student in black (front) briefly lost consciousness due to exhaustion from the trip and the sudden Banaue chill. Mayor Andres (the resort owner) and their adviser were in command of the situation and the student was fine and participating actively the next day.
They are, however, not nescient of current events and things related to the 'now': they have cellphones because it is necessary for communications, they are aware of, and know the benefits of having a computer or television; they are knowledgeable of current music beats and do have a sense of fashion.
Teachers and advisers from three high schools in their own tête-à-tête
Their advisers, the female teachers whom their parents entrusted their children to, still bear the focus and dedication of many old school teachers I have come to know: attentive, intelligent and caring. I believe these kids are lucky to still not have to lose their teachers to some domestic work abroad.
The teachers were not only there as guardians to their students, but were active participants in the seminar, too, fielding their own questions, raising points and sharing their own experiences from other seminars.
After my segment on our last day, they wrote something on the board and instructed the students to sing along to an impromptu farewell song for us. A simple but very meaningful and warm gesture that helped ease the late afternoon parting of ways.
Members of the Asipulo local government Community
Relations group huddle during dinner break
Relations group huddle during dinner break
Gabby, Janno, Satur and the rest of the hardworking guys (and girl) from the local government unit of Asipulo, thank you for listening, for the opportunity to meet more new friends and the chance to impart some thoughts on media and visual literacy, media appreciation and news values.
I always look forward to trips to Ifugao province and bring home with me lessons and stories from fellow Filipinos. This event is no exception.
....
Credits and links
Venue: Banaue Ethnic Village and Pine Forest Resort, Aparanga-o, Banaue, Ifugao
Organizers: Municipality of Asipulo Community Relations Office and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
All photos by krvilla/nov.08 except where otherwise noted.
Monday, November 17, 2008
look
(Note to self)
Retiring old template to this new one with custom header.(Nov 19)
Added Flickr slideshow to sidebar.
(Nov 20)
Revised header to include photo of my mug, notebook and pencil.
Friday, August 8, 2008
080808
For good or bad, for better or worse, all eyes are on China now, this era of cable, cellphones and the internet.
.....
Ironic how the event is a showcase of _Chinese_ culture, that which was almost erased from history. It certainly is putting on a show for all to see.
.....
Tomorrow's above the fold pic, everyone's office or cafe topic (no, not everyone; only those who watched):
Love the amazing harness work. Would also be interesting to know what the event's technical rider is like.
So, the Olympics opened, and at least the ceremonies ended without harm to anyone, except Brunei's opening events participation and possibly Sultan Bolkiah's face. Other than that, I think we really don't need more bad news than we've already been having. Or had, like in past olympics.
Tomorrow and each day of the event will be a different story. We'll see.
Lighting of the Olympic torch video grabs taken from the stream at justin.tv
Is the world order shifting faster at this hour then it ever did?
.....
Ironic how the event is a showcase of _Chinese_ culture, that which was almost erased from history. It certainly is putting on a show for all to see.
.....
Tomorrow's above the fold pic, everyone's office or cafe topic (no, not everyone; only those who watched):
Love the amazing harness work. Would also be interesting to know what the event's technical rider is like.
So, the Olympics opened, and at least the ceremonies ended without harm to anyone, except Brunei's opening events participation and possibly Sultan Bolkiah's face. Other than that, I think we really don't need more bad news than we've already been having. Or had, like in past olympics.
Tomorrow and each day of the event will be a different story. We'll see.
Lighting of the Olympic torch video grabs taken from the stream at justin.tv
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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