Balayan Fiesta 2010

Gheanne, Louise,

Monirah & Zerina

all soaked up

Our thanks to our gracious hosts STI College Balayan whose very respected President, Christy Dimaano invited us to this event for the nth time. This year I chose to bring my Volleyball team members to have some bonding within themselves and experience the fun in this fiesta. Here are some highlights from the fiesta.

Mah Gurls with Christy Dimaano

of STI College Batangas

during the parade.

We also visited the house

of Louise's friend, Jaja Andal

Me and Louise having fun

The Showdown between

STI Volleyball players and

STI College Balayan Faculty members

YOurs truly with

the STI College

Men's Volleyball Team

The Pogi with the

STI College Olympians

Women's Volleybelles

The Pogi with the Ladies

Gary Coleman (1968 -2010)

As a Dark kid growing up in the Ateneo, most of my classmates would kid around and call me Garrido Coleman! Back then, one of the more popular television shows was Different Strokes which starred one of the promising child actors in the 80's - Gary Coleman. I myself was amused by the genius and comedic timing of Gary Coleman. Unfortunately after his childhood he literally never grew up because of an ailment. Gary suffered from a congenital kidney disease which halted his growth at an early age - he was 4 feet 8 and even as an adult still looked like a child. Even as a kid he still underwent two kidney transplants in 1973 and in 1984 which requires him daily dialysis. Gary suffered epidural hematoma after falling and hitting his head at his home. He was in coma and eventually died. Its just so sad to hear that another idol of mine has died.

The Antipolo Cathedral

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Cathedral

This story comes all the way from the time when the Spaniards were still ruling the country. In 1626, Governor Juan Niño de Tabora travelled from Acapulco Mexico to the Philippines on a Galleon. On that trip, the governor brought along the brown image of our blessed virgin mother. For months the Galleon braved the rough stormy and dangerous seas which eventually found its way to the Philippines in one piece. Because of this the Governor called for a big celebration as he credited the image as the big reason for their safe voyage to the Philippines. The procession started in the Jesuit Church in Intramuros to the Manila Cathedral which was the first house of the image of the Blessed Virgin. It was because of that voyage that the Blessed Virgin was called Nuestra Señora dela Paz y Buenviaje.

The Majestic Altar

When the Governor died the Image was turned over to the Jesuits who then were constructing a church in Antipolo. It was said that the Holy image was always found on the trunk of the tree called Tipolo which grew in the original site of the church. Because of this, a pedestal was carved out of the trunks of the tree which made the image become known as the Virgin of Antipolo.

The Virgin of Antipolo from afar

During the Japanese occupation the image was evacuated and brought to the mountains of Angono and afterwards returned to where it is now after the war. Every year devotees commemorate this transfer as they join the "Alay Lakad" from Quiapo Church to the Antipolo church every 30th of April. I still remember that time when I was a gangly 15 year old together with my family, we joined the walk from the Edsa-Ortigas intersection where we gathered at 10pm, we reached the Church of Antipolo at 5 am in the morning.

The Beautiful stained glass window

Today, thousands of devotees flock the Church which is also one of a few National Shrines in the country. The Church is more popularly known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage of Antipolo. Most of the people who go to the Shrine are OFWs and others who are praying for a peaceful voyage specially abroad. My sister who is bound to go to work in the United States in the next few weeks has been bugging me to go to this Cathedral, now I know why.

Mama, Elaiza and the kids

Since it is a Cathedral, the Diocese of Antipolo which extends until Montalban Rizal is headed by Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes. This diocese is actually an auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Manila. It is composed of 29 parishes with 45 diocesan and 8 religious priests administering to it. I am just lucky that while spending my saturday morning celebrating the 9am mass, the Priest gave a history of the very historic place. I am lucky indeed to know that the image I held in my hand is a historic artifact that goes back 4 centuries ago. Truly a blessed saturday and I hope that my sister will have a safe voyage to the US and back here.

Yours Truly praying for Good Health

STI joins ABS-CBN in nation building

The STI - ABS-CBN partnership has gone a long way. Since the 1998 Elections, STI has supported the ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs in their coverage of the National elections. The most impressive partnership was in 2007 where STI and ABS-CBN was the primary source of news after the polls have closed. The quick count that was participated by more than 15,000 STI volunteers in 100 sites nationwide gave the country an idea on how the polls will turn out since it took a month before the actual winners were proclaimed. The STI - ABS- CBN count was lauded for its accuracy.

Boto Mo Patrol Mo Registration
in Legazpi City

Last year, the Comelec announced that the 2010 National Elections will now be automated and that the results will be known by midnight and validated in a few days. This announcement obviously created such stir most specially withSTI and ABS-CBN because the partnership is predicated on the slow pace of election results. But the road doesn't end there since ABS-CBN continued its quest for nation building by continuing a project it started in the 2007 elections - Boto Mo Patrol Mo.

Bacolod Registration of Boto Mo Patrollers

As early as May 10, 2009 a year before the National Elections, ABS-CBN together with its partners and STI launched the Boto Mo Patrol Mo campaign with the theme Ako ang Simula. For me this theme is very apt and really a call for each and every Filipino to be aware by starting change from withing themselves. STI would eventually help out in the Boto Mo Patrol mo campaign by providing computers and manpower nationwide in the registration proceedings. Four months after, STI would respond to the call for Nation building as it celebrated its 26th Anniversary with the theme SIMULAN NATIN. Now its STI's turn to tell the world that start will come from STI which aptly supported ABS-CBN's Ako ang simula.

Boto Mo Patrollers registering inside
the STI Mobile School in Cagayan de Oro City
as ABS-CBN Interviews STI CDO's Colbert Rabaya

The ABS-CBN coverage of the 2010 Elections was actually the culmination of the year long partnership of STI and ABS-CBN for Nation building. STI provided 100 computers to the ABS-CBN war room which looked like a US Naval base command center after their news crew showed the latest in high tech news reporting through touch screen monitors and reporting through holographic images. Technology surely took a big part in this news crew.

STI HQ Volunteers at the ABS-CBN Command Center
18 hours non stop but still wearing smiles

I myself was very proud of the STI team that took part in the election coverage. From the volunteers that summarized polling centers & precincts, analyzed processes, created excel tables, encoded, sorted, packed, labeled SIMs, tally sheets, IDs, streamers, fans & tshirts, wrote, proof-read, revised guidelines, & kits for the STI schools, delivered materials to these STI schools, delivered and installed computers at ABS-CBN, provided technical support, emailed and called the STI Schools. These tasks are not easily done considering we have to squeeze it in our own work.

STI College Global City volunteers

getting ready

I am also proud of my STI HQ officemates who spent countless hours in traveling and attend coordination meetings, participated in dry runs, orientations, ordered food for the other volunteers, spent overnights in the office, And to top it all the same volunteers who spent more than 18 hours supporting the STI cause nationwide during election day. STIer's did all other things that helped ensure the attainment of the objectives of the project. I would like to say NO OTHER SCHOOL DID THIS FOR ONE WHOLE YEAR NATIONWIDE!

To the men and women of STI, I am really proud of this institution and I am happy to be a part of this cause in my own small way. Together let us be a part of building this nation once again and become more vigilant in our quest for better governance. Together let us all say - Ako ang Simula kaya Simulan natin!

Election day mayday

Then Polling place

For the first time in three elections I finally had the chance to troop to the polling places and cast my vote for the 2010 Philippine Elections. I was unlucky not to participate in the past two elections since I was part of the STI Halalan Team that helped out with ABS-CBN and was at the studios first thing in the morning. This year, I thought that I will partake in the same exercise, luckily my boss excluded me since I have a big event next week. So its just a matter of me today you tomorrow exercise.

my name is not on the list

Honestly I was hesitant to go to the polling places since I know for a fact that names get deleted once you do not vote for two elections. Even though I know of such ruling I still prepared and went to the polling places since I believe its my duty to do that since the last time around It was not my choice not to vote. Although I knew about it, I still did not register for I still thought I might still be in the list. When we got to the Culiat Elementary School my fears were right - I wasn't in the list of voters. Much to my dismay I just accompanied my mother and my two sisters to vote.

A concerned voter asking everyone to line up

Just like what was seen on television, the PCOS machines and ballots were ready but the polling places were not. Since most of the precincts were combined so that one PCOS machine can accommodate as many, I think the people in the polling places did not anticipate the rush of voters plus the snail's pace in voting which eventually clogged the hallways of the polling places. What was quite hard was for the senior citizens to endure so much specially when the temperature rose to as high as 36 -37 degrees. After knowing that I wouldn't be able to vote I just helped my mother walk up and down to the third floor so that she may cast her vote.

Clustered Precinct is

the new term in this election

Once inside, my sister also assisted her. Luckily they were registered in the same precinct since they had to register again. My sister has been voting in Cebu for the past decade together with my mom and that is why its also their first time to vote again in our area. We were just lucky that they finished inside one and a half hours under the sweltering heat of the sun and the lines plus the sweat that we got. According to my mom that's the most she has sweated in a long time. Talk about sauna vote.

I never knew it was edible ink

For those who went to their respective precincts to endure the heat, the lines and the sweat just to vote - I hope there are more Filipinos like you. The big voter turnout and the fact that a lot of people really stayed on means that they now understand that one vote makes the difference and that they are really hoping for a change in our country. As for me, what I learned is that I should've registered last year. Well whatever happens I hope by 2013 I will be able to be part of the electoral process once again. To the winners - please eradicate the corruption at the lowest level of government first. That would be a good jumpstart to help the Filipino people.

Dick gets my vote

How i wish GMA would have given his blessings to Dick Gordon to be the standard bearer of the administration. That way he would have the machinery to reach out to the whole country what a magnificent person he is and that he is the only one capable of running the country. I have thought hard and have come down to Dick Gordon and Bayani Fernando for Vice-President.

The question is...WHY GORDON? WHY BAYANI? I believe Dick is the most capable among ALL candidates to run a country. One of the most important accomplishments that he has done was the transformation of Subic into a international sensation. I remember back then that they were asking the senate not to let the americans and the bases in Olongapo go since a lot of people from Olongapo rely on these bases for their livelihood. Unfortunately they were let go. What did Gordon do,they did not bicker, point fingers or cry a river for the senate to reinstate the bases, but instead he made things happen by using all his resources and transforming Subic to what it is today. Also, there a lot more that Dick Gordon has done.

The next question is, Why Bayani. First i believe that in order for graft and corruption to be lessened or eradicated, we need leaders who will not clean the mess and instill discipline. The problem with us Filipinos is that we got used to many negative things that we always want the fast way out. Well that is not the case with Bayani, he has made headway with the MMDA which incidentally Mayor Binay handled and I believe he handled it well.

We all have our own views and opinion but I believe only through Gordon and Bayani will our country really stand up because as compared to the other candidates they are performers and their track records can speak for what they have done. So for those of you who are still undecided - Gordon - Bayani na tayo.

Jobslive 2010 bigger and wider

Yours truly interviewed

by ABS-CBN

Jobslive 2010 is the biggest job fair in the country as it opened on SM Malls nationwide from up north to down south. Spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment, Jobslive 2010 brought together more than 400 big corporations to this Labor day affair as their efforts were also duplicated in SM Baguio, SM Rosales, SM San Fernando Pampanga, SM Clark, SM Marilao, SM Baliuag for Northern Luzon. SM Santa Rosa, SM Dasmariñas, SM Lipa, SM Taytay, SM Lucena, SM Rosario, SM Naga in Southern Luzon. SM Iloilo, SM Bacolod and SM Cebu in the Visayas while Mindanao had SM Davao and SM CDO. The biggest ones were done in SM San Lazaro, SM North Edsa, SM Megamall and the SMX Convention Center.

Our student Volunteers

Secretary Marianito Roque of the Department of Labor and Employment made sure that last year's one day, one place job fair will decentralized so that more people would be serviced and more jobs would be landed. On a national scale the jobs that were available were around 100,000 positions as mentioned during the press conference.

Ready for the registration

Besides the Job Fair, livelihood programs were set up in different places most notably at the SMX Convention Center. STI was once again at the forefront of this nation building activity by providing computers and manpower. STI's was partnered with Philjob-net to help out the registration proceedings. STI deployed 30 computers at the SM Megatrade hall event while 40 computers and volunteers were set up at the SMX Convention Center.

Another view of the registration

Non other than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited the Job Fair grounds as thousands of jobseekers flocked the SMX Convention Center. This year was more orderly and luckily more jobseekers had more choices on where to go as SM Fairview, SM North Edsa, SM San Lazaro also opened their doors to thousands of jobseekers. Till next year's job fair.

Getting ready to entertain

Jobslive 2010 a sequel to Jobapalooza

Supporters of JObslive
Asia Brewery, STI, BDO, Globe

This time its more than 100,000 jobs that will be available as job seekers will be treated to a buffet of employers on its labor day job fair. The Labor and Employment sector of the government said that this year's job fair entitled JOBS LIVE 2010 will be joined in the NCR by around 150 employers that would make available 80,000 vacancies abroad and another 30,000 opportunities for local employment.

STI once again a part of nation building

Also, to make this Job Fair bigger the Department of Labor and Employment tied up with the SM Group of companies so that SM sites nationwide can host a similar job fair on the same day. That is why it is safe to say that the event is a nationwide event that is spearheaded by the government so that our countrymen can beat the unemployment trend.

yours truly talking about
STI's participation

STI for its part is one of the institutions helping out in this worthwile endeavor once again. STI will be opening its Metro Manila schools to job seekers who would want to register. As we very well know a lot of job seekers don't have computers and that is why they need not go to any internet cafe but to any STI site near them so that they can register for free.

A closer look

On the Labor day event, STI will be entertaining these pre registered job seekers as the system set up by Phil-Jobnet will help the job seeker get job matches that in turn he can use to maximize his time in the job fair. He can actually go inside the job fair and go straight to the companies that he has a job match. At the same time he can ask for a printed recommendation to the company he has a job match with. Again this promises to be another monumental move to help our countrymen land jobs. I am just happy that STI is once again part of nation building.

Press Conference at the
SMX Convention Center

To pre-register please go to the Phil-JObnet site.

The wedding I won't forget

With the newlyweds

People come and go in my life. A lot of them still stay with me till now but a lot has just passed by my life. Some of them I shared good memories and some I remember because of the special place they've put me in their lives. One person who I hope will still be a part of my life is my former dancer from STI, Zerina Tiangco. Her bubbly personality caught my attention and her way of being nice, polite and happy to be with made us instant friends. Since our ages are worlds apart, I think she has considered me as a friend and a father figure to whom she could relate stories and ask for advice from.

All-stars Pictorial

From the time we met a lot has changed through the three years that we have been together. Through the STI All-Stars dance team's gigs we would often share countless happy moments together with the other girls. From that time she has also matured and established a serious relationship with a co-STier, EJ Tan. Zerina and I shared a common interest in food. She is just lucky that she is young and her metabolism is fast that she doesn't get fat easily. But like my other gurls we have shared countless dinners, lunches and coffee stories which made our bond stronger.

Funtime at a Parokya ni Edgar Concert

Last friday my little gurl, who i consider like my daughter (she calls me daddy) walked down the aisle to get married to the person who has made her feel complete -EJ. And in that wedding, she asked me if I can stand as one of their Godfathers! At first it elicited a big laugh from me, but when it finally sunk in I realized Oh My God is this true. Well, I told her I am honored for I have always been a person who gave her advice whenever she was in a bind. Now there are two of them.

The Godfathers and Godmothers

I am just happy to make it to the wedding since my schedule was quite unforgiving the past few weeks. I told myself I had to squeeze in this wedding even if it was on a weekday. I am just glad that my baby is now on her way to having a family. Good luck EJ and Zerina, and like what I always tell you, I will be by your side no matter what. Just call me - The Ninong! Ayyyy.

Ms. Philippines-Earth Candidates visit STI

Summer is a time when beauty pageants from all over the country take center stage. The Philippines is the home of so many pageants that almost every city has a miss like this or miss like that who in turn will help promote their place as the ambassador or ambassadress of their city. One pageant that continues to put significance and deeper meaning to beauty pageants is the Ms. Philippines –Earth beauty pageant.

This pageant is different for it uses the search for Ms. Philippines-Earth as a vehicle to help spread awareness about relevant environmental issues in the country and abroad. This pageant has become a very much anticipated event that a lot of people call the candidates “Beauties for a cause!”

As the pageant goes on its tenth year the Ms. Philippines-Earth organizers has invited STI as the provider of computers and tabulations systems for the pageant. Aside from that, the five title holders will each receive a gift of knowledge worth P 100,000 each that can help them get quality education from the only school that has an enrolment to employment system – STI.

At the forefront of putting STI back as computer providers is Ms. Philippines-Earth 2007 Jeanne Harn who herself is a former Ms. STI title holder. The coronation night of Miss Philippines Earth 2010 is on April 25, 2010 telecast live on ABS-CBN and The Filipino Channel which is the most-watched Filipino channel for Philippine news, entertainment and advocacies in the Filipino communities worldwide. The candidates will work hand-in-hand with the Miss Earth Foundation in worthwhile projects such as the “I Love My Planet Earth” School and Community Tours, watershed rehabilitation programs and coastal management initiatives.

As sponsors, STI invited the candidates of Ms. Philippines -Earth to the STI Academic Center. The girls were given a tour of the building by yours truly and judging from the many smiles and laughs of the candidates we can conclude that they enjoyed the tour. Good luck girls and hope some of you who visited will win the crown.

Olympians and Beauty Queens do mix

The STI College Olympians were all excited to entertain visitors to their practice - candidates of Ms. Philippines - Earth 2010. Everyone took time to wait for the beauties and the candidates were worth the wait as when they arrived they were greeted by the Olympians with a welcome streamer. Picture taking and a little introductions came after that. Here are highlights of the visit.

A lovely welcome to Henri

Ms. Cagayan de Oro pose

with the CDO Boys

Norman is wall smiles!

Who wouldn't

Ivan and Raffy pose with the beauties