The nightmare has began. We've started scouting for a school for Miguel since he's already a senior in high school. My Mom didn't have a hard time when it was my time since my school then did everything for us. We just filled-out the forms and paid and then we were given the exam permit. I'm not sure though with Miguel's school and I was told that's it's really better to submit applications early.
Here's a couple of information I found online. I will be updating this post as soon as I get new updates.
University of the Philippines (admissions page)
Application deadline: June 18, 2010
Examination schedule: August 7 and 8, 2010
(provincial testing centers will follow a different timeline)
Ateneo de Manila University (admissions page)
Application period: June 15 to August 9, 2010
Fee: PhP500
De La Salle University (admissions page)
Application period: June 1 to August 30, 2010
Fee: PhP600
Mapua Institute of Technology
Application period: no announcement yet
University of Sto. Tomas (admissions page)
Application period: July 1 to December 10, 2010
Fee: __
Mommies! Be sure to prepare the following:
1. ID photos: 1"x1", 2"x2", 1.5"x1.5", passport size (you never know when you'll need it!)
2. Background information about your child: achievements, club memberships, contests joined
3. Copy of report card (just in case), but you'd usually have to request for the "Certificate of Scholastic Record"
4. List of courses that your child is interested to take.
Miguel and I started a Google spreadsheet last summer and this is where we placed all pertinent information about the schools and background information. I had Miguel do the research and we're constantly updating the spreadsheet (this is actually good training for him since I'm sure he'll be collaborating with classmates for papers in college hrhr).
Good luck to us Mommies!
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Also thinking about whether Miguel should commute to school or have him stay near school. SM Development Corporation launched last week "MyPlace South Triangle" located on Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City. You may call 858-0300 for inquiries. I'll probably be doing some research on this topic as well. Will post when I get more information about it.
I started writing when I was 8. My mom got me a journal where I could rant (prob so I won't be an annoying brat). I stopped writing for 8 years until the pen and then later on the keyboard called on me again. I blog because I like writing and that's just about it. Hope you get inspired though... Bite the apple!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Humility and my Dad
"Do not set yourself up to be served."
I don't remember the exact words that Fr. Hilarion said this morning during his homily. It was a timely reminder for me since sometimes I do get carried away whenever someone heaps you with praises (my boss just recently gave me a huge pat on my back recently). Fr. Hilarion, who's probably in his 90s now (he was one of the first 3 Passionist Fathers who came to the Philippines) defnitely burst my bubble and put me back in my rightful place.
It was a good time as well to reflect on how my Dad taught me the value of humility. He did it by example. I am a Daddy's girl and I remember my Dad would always bring me to Quad and we'd have merienda at Luk Yuen. He'd also bring me to the tennis court whenever he played tennis and I saw the good camaraderie they had. It wasn't all eat and play, my Dad also brought me to the different projects he initiated and was involved in our Parish. The most memorable for me though was when he worked out to free an innocent man from prison and when they embarked on getting our Parish Church built.
My Dad's 77 years old now, retired and just resting at home. He doesn't get around as he used to, but I see a lot of his friends visiting him at home, oftentimes just to chat or ask for advise. This morning his friends from Knights of Columbus had a "couples" breakfast at home because they were going to have a marriage encounter activity. My Dad gave up a lot for us (especially the offers he got to run for government) and he didn't become spectacularly popular, but he has served (and continues to do so) and he has done this with much humility.
I love you Dad. Happy Father's Day.
I don't remember the exact words that Fr. Hilarion said this morning during his homily. It was a timely reminder for me since sometimes I do get carried away whenever someone heaps you with praises (my boss just recently gave me a huge pat on my back recently). Fr. Hilarion, who's probably in his 90s now (he was one of the first 3 Passionist Fathers who came to the Philippines) defnitely burst my bubble and put me back in my rightful place.
It was a good time as well to reflect on how my Dad taught me the value of humility. He did it by example. I am a Daddy's girl and I remember my Dad would always bring me to Quad and we'd have merienda at Luk Yuen. He'd also bring me to the tennis court whenever he played tennis and I saw the good camaraderie they had. It wasn't all eat and play, my Dad also brought me to the different projects he initiated and was involved in our Parish. The most memorable for me though was when he worked out to free an innocent man from prison and when they embarked on getting our Parish Church built.
My Dad's 77 years old now, retired and just resting at home. He doesn't get around as he used to, but I see a lot of his friends visiting him at home, oftentimes just to chat or ask for advise. This morning his friends from Knights of Columbus had a "couples" breakfast at home because they were going to have a marriage encounter activity. My Dad gave up a lot for us (especially the offers he got to run for government) and he didn't become spectacularly popular, but he has served (and continues to do so) and he has done this with much humility.
I love you Dad. Happy Father's Day.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
First Day of School Blues
I started my day early yesterday and had my whole day planned out. I realized when Miguel's classes started that it would be best for me to stay up after the school bus picks him up at 5:30 in the morning. Finish chores and other stuff by 7 and then start work at that time as well. I am also more productive in the morning especially when I need to do some pencil pushing.
My day was going on well and I managed to finish more tasks since both the boys were out. It was a really great idea to start things early. Nothing was going to spoil my perfectly planned day. I was dead wrong. I forgot that it was the first day of school for most schools and EDSA was like a parking lot (again). I always leave for meetings an hour ahead of time since I hate being late.
I told my appointment 15 minutes before our scheduled time that I was running late. He said it was fine. Thirty minutes later I was still stuck in traffic and I felt that it was going to take another 45 minutes before I would reach his office (what a shame!). I called him up, hung my head in shame, and requested to re-schedule our meeting. Good thing he was really gracious about it. Whew!
Gee... so much for economic growth no thanks to EDSA's epic heavy traffic. I do certainly hope that whoever sits as MMDA head would have an iron hand and implement the law.
My day was going on well and I managed to finish more tasks since both the boys were out. It was a really great idea to start things early. Nothing was going to spoil my perfectly planned day. I was dead wrong. I forgot that it was the first day of school for most schools and EDSA was like a parking lot (again). I always leave for meetings an hour ahead of time since I hate being late.
I told my appointment 15 minutes before our scheduled time that I was running late. He said it was fine. Thirty minutes later I was still stuck in traffic and I felt that it was going to take another 45 minutes before I would reach his office (what a shame!). I called him up, hung my head in shame, and requested to re-schedule our meeting. Good thing he was really gracious about it. Whew!
Gee... so much for economic growth no thanks to EDSA's epic heavy traffic. I do certainly hope that whoever sits as MMDA head would have an iron hand and implement the law.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Parenthood
I became a parent at the young age of 18. I think I've always known that I was going to be one at a young age and for a reason that I only understood more than a decade later. I can never imagine how my life would be without Miguel at my side.
I cannot say that I easily slipped into the role of parent. I had lots (loads, many-many) help from my family, especially my parents. I was lucky though since Miguel has always been a good child. He's not sickly, he's obedient and has so far shown no interest in having a barkada. AND he still enjoys my company (I do certainly hope so). He has his own interests so I let him be. I do intrude sometimes when I think he's forgetting about his other interests.
On the other hand though I can honestly say that it took me awhile to balance my work and life priorities. Being a single parent I had to work doubly hard and I can say that taking my MBA at an early age paid off. Eventually I looked for a company that was mommy-friendly. With much hard work and prayers I managed to work for one. Social life? It was only in my late 20s that I managed to have one haha. Becoming a single parent also helped me know who were my real friends were.
I only slipped in the full time "Mom" role when we finally moved out of my parents' house. I had to learn really fast on how to be a full time Mom and wife. During our first month Miguel didn't want to move in with us since: (1) we didn't have all the stuff we needed yet, (2) I was still learning how to do the laundry and ironing (3) he was probably scared he'd go hungry because of my cooking. Hahaha!
We have so far survived and when things settled a bit, Miguel's grandparents have had to demand for him to sleep-over so they can spend some time with him. I know that I have to change pace on my "mothering" now since Miguel's turning 16 soon and a high school senior, but it's still quite hard to push him out of the door (haha) so he could mingle more with kids his age (he enjoys hanging out with my friends more than kids his age).
Becoming a parent drastically changes your life and with it comes a lot of sacrifices and the fact that you don't live for yourself anymore. The joy though far outweighs the sacrifice. And, God willing, I definitely want to have more!
*Thank you Sweetie for being there now to share the joys and pains of being a parent. Big challenge huh =)
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My friend Sonnie sent me a message earlier about a free seminar they are hosting on, "Web Safety for Parents". It's free and will happen on July 10 and August 14, 2010. For more details and to sign up please check out their website.
I cannot say that I easily slipped into the role of parent. I had lots (loads, many-many) help from my family, especially my parents. I was lucky though since Miguel has always been a good child. He's not sickly, he's obedient and has so far shown no interest in having a barkada. AND he still enjoys my company (I do certainly hope so). He has his own interests so I let him be. I do intrude sometimes when I think he's forgetting about his other interests.
On the other hand though I can honestly say that it took me awhile to balance my work and life priorities. Being a single parent I had to work doubly hard and I can say that taking my MBA at an early age paid off. Eventually I looked for a company that was mommy-friendly. With much hard work and prayers I managed to work for one. Social life? It was only in my late 20s that I managed to have one haha. Becoming a single parent also helped me know who were my real friends were.
I only slipped in the full time "Mom" role when we finally moved out of my parents' house. I had to learn really fast on how to be a full time Mom and wife. During our first month Miguel didn't want to move in with us since: (1) we didn't have all the stuff we needed yet, (2) I was still learning how to do the laundry and ironing (3) he was probably scared he'd go hungry because of my cooking. Hahaha!
We have so far survived and when things settled a bit, Miguel's grandparents have had to demand for him to sleep-over so they can spend some time with him. I know that I have to change pace on my "mothering" now since Miguel's turning 16 soon and a high school senior, but it's still quite hard to push him out of the door (haha) so he could mingle more with kids his age (he enjoys hanging out with my friends more than kids his age).
Becoming a parent drastically changes your life and with it comes a lot of sacrifices and the fact that you don't live for yourself anymore. The joy though far outweighs the sacrifice. And, God willing, I definitely want to have more!
*Thank you Sweetie for being there now to share the joys and pains of being a parent. Big challenge huh =)
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My friend Sonnie sent me a message earlier about a free seminar they are hosting on, "Web Safety for Parents". It's free and will happen on July 10 and August 14, 2010. For more details and to sign up please check out their website.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Happy Independence Day! (And a Google Doodle for Us!)
This year's Independence Day feels different, probably because we are all looking forward to a fresh start with the proclamation of President-Elect Noynoy Aquino (congratulations P. Noy!). It's probably the same feeling that our ancestors had 112 years ago.
Last March I had a strange conversation with an elder in Cebu. He was trying to convince me NOT to vote. He said it was useless since nothing would change anyway. Well... my bottomless optimism got me through almost 4 hours of waiting in line just to vote. And I'm definitely not stopping by just voting because I told myself I will try my best to serve my country in however little way I can. I hope that old man will realize that if he wants to see change happen, it has to start with him.
"Be the change you want to see." (Saw that on a shirt yesterday).
Happy Independence Day everyone!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Noy the Movie
It isn't a date movie, but Sweetie and I (in one of the rare times we watch a movie) went to see it on a lazy Sunday evening. We were curious and originally thought that the movie was all about President-Elect Noynoy Aquino, but when we watched the trailer and read the synopsis on the "Noy the Movie" website it was about the struggle of "Noy" (played by Coco Martin) to earn a living for his family.
The disparity of how the two "Noys" lived their lives struck me. One lived in truth and lived for the truth, the other lived a lie to live. Noy pretended to be a journalist to earn a living and followed Senator Aquino's campaign trail. He was in it for the money only and only when Caloy (Baron Geisler) pointed out that his work did not have any soul in it that Noy started thinking about what he was really doing.
Caloy further questioned Noy on his motivation for work. Does stealing because you are hungry mitigate the sin? Does selling drugs lessen the crime because you did it for your family? Do you just do things for your own family? Why don't you help others? Noy didn't get what Caloy said and answered back by saying he was weird.
That was the turning point of the movie and I would like to believe this period in our history is also a turning point for all of us. Truth vs. lies. Light vs. darkness. Progress vs. retrogressing (again). The last part of the movie showed how Noy's character evolved and how he tried to right things as one person. Lies to truth. Darkness to light. Retrogressing to progress.
The movie reinforced my belief that it will not take just one man to change our history. We all have to take part in it. "Noy the Movie" is definitely not a date movie (I didn't expect it to be), but I'm sure glad that we watched it instead of the other movies that were available because I felt that it was a good reminder on what we should do as Filipinos.
And yes, I cried at the end.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
May Iba na Ba?
Emo mode on.
Kiddin'.
Just wanted to share this video I took when I tagged along with Sweetie during the launch of Marco Sison's album, "Hindi Ko Akalain". I grew up listening to Marco Sison's songs since his hits used to play a lot on the radio. I only realized when I listened to him sing live that Marco Sison has an awesome voice and has deepened even more with age. And you'll definitely go on emo mode when you listen to his songs.
Here's one of his songs from his new album, "May Iba na Ba?" (bagay nga pang-telenovela!):
And Marco Sison's version of, "Till I Met You".
Kiddin'.
Just wanted to share this video I took when I tagged along with Sweetie during the launch of Marco Sison's album, "Hindi Ko Akalain". I grew up listening to Marco Sison's songs since his hits used to play a lot on the radio. I only realized when I listened to him sing live that Marco Sison has an awesome voice and has deepened even more with age. And you'll definitely go on emo mode when you listen to his songs.
Here's one of his songs from his new album, "May Iba na Ba?" (bagay nga pang-telenovela!):
And Marco Sison's version of, "Till I Met You".
Saturday, June 5, 2010
The Philippine Tarsier
Tarsiers are quite adorable creatures. I made the photo (above) my wallpaper and showed it off to my colleagues and they wondered what it was. Tarsiers are primates (not monkeys) and they have really huge eyes (as big as their brain) and their tail is longer than their body. According to our tour guide Dolly, tarsiers are nocturnal animals, territorial and are very sensitive. When tend to kill themselves when they get too stressed out (so turn off your cam's flash when taking their photo).
During our trip to Bohol last May I was overjoyed to see healthier tarsiers. The last time I went to Bohol the tarsiers I saw at the Loboc river cruise boarding area didn't look all that happy, probably because they were in a cramped place and there were just too many people poking at them. It was a different experience for me during my last visit to Bohol. The tarsiers I saw were plump, happy and I even managed to feed one! Woohoo!
Here's a couple of really cute photos I took during my trip to Bohol:
You may want to read more about my trip to Bohol:
The Bohol Ati Tribe
Tubigon
I Heart Panglao
Friday, June 4, 2010
What is Your Toughest Job?
Last night at the airport Apl de Ap's song "Take Me to the Philippines" started playing in my head. I was weary from the bumpy ride home from Singapore, but I felt surprisingly re-energized (more like rebooted). I guess the song came to me because I was happy to be home and happy that my brain has been buzzing with so many ideas that I think may help our country (hopefully!).
My current job is probably the toughest job I've ever had. I had to get over my stage fright, being shy (I still am) and I give myself pep talks every so often to boost my confidence. I have so far used all of my faculties for my job and my education has been fully utilized (thank God I got my MBA early). The hardest part though is balancing my work life with being a full time Mom and my new role as a wife.
And there is so much opportunity. So many things we can do for our homeland. At the Changi Airport yesterday I had merienda while waiting to board the plane. I ordered some milk tea and toast and belatedly noticed a new food kiosk. The name of the kiosk was Bengawan Solo and it was selling all sorts of Indonesian goodies (including lapis, my favorite). And I thought, "We should have something like this!" With puto, kutsinta, puto seko, pilipit, biko, polvoron, etc. etc. and since all of our goodies are yummy I'm sure it would sell! Or perhaps a store that sells all Philippine herbal meds. I know I'm rambling but there's just so much we can do to help our country (and don't get me started on app ideas I have).
Anyway, so what is your toughest job? Win some stuff from Alaxan by leaving a comment below and sending an email to alaxantoughjobs@gmail.com of a photo of you doing your tough job. Your entry and photo will be posted at www.toughjobsphilippines.com. I will pick 3 winners after the deadline on July 15, 2010 --> extended until August 15, 2010.
Winners can claim their prizes at GeiserMaclang Office – 6F Cambridge Center Building, 108 Tordesillas cor Gallardo Streets, Salcedo Village, Makati City
My current job is probably the toughest job I've ever had. I had to get over my stage fright, being shy (I still am) and I give myself pep talks every so often to boost my confidence. I have so far used all of my faculties for my job and my education has been fully utilized (thank God I got my MBA early). The hardest part though is balancing my work life with being a full time Mom and my new role as a wife.
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| From Digitalfilipino E-commerce Summit |
And there is so much opportunity. So many things we can do for our homeland. At the Changi Airport yesterday I had merienda while waiting to board the plane. I ordered some milk tea and toast and belatedly noticed a new food kiosk. The name of the kiosk was Bengawan Solo and it was selling all sorts of Indonesian goodies (including lapis, my favorite). And I thought, "We should have something like this!" With puto, kutsinta, puto seko, pilipit, biko, polvoron, etc. etc. and since all of our goodies are yummy I'm sure it would sell! Or perhaps a store that sells all Philippine herbal meds. I know I'm rambling but there's just so much we can do to help our country (and don't get me started on app ideas I have).
Anyway, so what is your toughest job? Win some stuff from Alaxan by leaving a comment below and sending an email to alaxantoughjobs@gmail.com of a photo of you doing your tough job. Your entry and photo will be posted at www.toughjobsphilippines.com. I will pick 3 winners after the deadline on July 15, 2010 --> extended until August 15, 2010.
Winners can claim their prizes at GeiserMaclang Office – 6F Cambridge Center Building, 108 Tordesillas cor Gallardo Streets, Salcedo Village, Makati City