Hi guys! Right now my bus is probably on its way to Naga. I I’ll be away starting tonight until the 23rd. As the title says, I’m off to Caramoan, Camarines Sur! Please pray for us. Don’t worry, I’ll bring lots and lots of pasalubong…stories and photos to share to all of you! Take care y’all.

I bought one of these cute head-dress/costumes.
Which one? Well, you better watch out for my post on that!

Enchanted Kingdom’s Celebrating its 13th year of Magical Fun. There will be a Fireworks Competition on October 25, a kick-off anniversary bash “Enchante” this October 26 and Spooky Halloween treat, where kids and teens alike can enter EK for free if they come in their fantasy-themed costumes, on October 31-November 02.

I just can’t get enough of the good aromatic yummy tea, so I got myself a stash from all over the place. Yeah, you’re right! I am a self-confessed tea addict. I love tea! Sue me!

As I am of Chinese descent, it’s no surprise that we’re all tea drinkers. Chinese restaurants = Service Tea galore. And we’re no exception to that rule. And now, my obsession with Jasmine, Oolong, Black, Green, Chai, English Breakfast, and a lot more… oh I forgot Ms. African Sunrise from CBTL, will not go away anytime soon.

Photo from Jeric Pena

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Our SLO or Service Learning Option for my Public Administration 161 (Ethics and Accountability) opened realities to me. For the last two Saturdays of August, I have conducted leadership-training seminars to underprivileged Grades 4-6 elementary students of Nayong Tsinoy, a resettlement/ former GK village created by the Federation of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Ascoville, Caloocan City.

Our objective was to be able to teach them or at least show and give them inputs (based on their own basic knowledge and understanding of their surroundings) what it is to be a leader and a team member. We gave them several activities that would ultimately gauge, show, and teach them all about leadership and the skills and values (like cooperation, peace and unity among themselves and to others) that would make them better persons.

I felt that some of the activities we had weren’t really in line with their age level and ultimately didn’t impact them (as much as it would impact, say, a high school or college level student). But even with that constraint, we managed to pull through and cut across that problem with more explanations and other activities on our part.

During one of our activities, we were shocked to find out that these kids, at that early age, have knowledge on what’s happening in our country. We did an activity which made them portray current situations on relationship among peers, relationship or status in their family, in school, in their community, and in our country.

To our surprise, some of what they portrayed are: their fathers beating up and shoo-ing off suitors of their “ate-s” (older sisters) and “tomadors” and “sugarols” (alcoholics and gamblers) wrecking havoc on the streets, and the war in Mindanao. It came to a point that we had a hard time leveling, relating and explaining to them those situations and where those situations lie in the grander scheme of things of being a leader.

But even with such social perspectives in these kids’ (as young as 10 year-olds) minds, I guess I was thankful that some of them acted out something good they see in society - friends helping each other when one of their other friend is sick.

After everything we did, Teacher Mia, the head teacher/volunteer there, debriefed us. She was very thankful of what we have done, and that she hopes that we continue to do these kinds of things because according to her, “it gives hope and promise for these kids’ future.” It is with these little acts of kindness and sharing our time and talents (despite everyone’s busy academic schedule)  she holds the hope of a brighter and better future for the country and for the less fortunate people.

I was touched and moved by her words. This for me was more than enough to make all the exhaustion (from preparing, going there, and delivering the activities) go away.

Recently, we had our assessment in class, and our professor asked us if we see that these kids will be the hope of our future. Honestly, I really don’t know if these kids will be among those people who’ll result to stealing or street rambles (God forbid) or become leaders in their own communities.

The fact is that there are a lot of impovirished kids here in the Metro (What more in the provinces, right?) But what makes me keep on hoping, that indeed there will be future for these kids and for the Philippines, are the people who continue to go out of their comfort zones and continue to make a difference in the lives of our less-fortunate brothers and sisters. One small act of kindness may go a long long way in the hearts of these kids.

I really feel happy and fulfilled after everything. I nearly didn’t want to go through with the Service Learning Option, and opt to just make a policy paper, but after everything, I am glad I did. From start until the end – from the trainings we went through with Eduk Inc. to the actual output we delivered and when we carried out our plans and did our best in making an impact and being the difference to these kids – we came out better individuals, who are more aware of the situations of these people.

My hope is that other schools consider giving Service Learning Options to their students. It’s through these activities we open our hearts, minds, and actually act out and live out what we learn inside the four walls of our very comfortable learning institutions.

The Adidas King of the Road 10k and 21k race results are out! I got it from runningDATCom.

Adidas KOTR 5 km Results
Adidas KOTR 10 km Results
Adidas KOTR 21 km Results

From the previous post, I thought that my time was 1:50:08, but it turned out that I was mistaken (I knew I wasn’t really looking at the clock correctly..), it’s 1:21:23 at a pace of 8:09 mins/km. I was surprised that I did better than my Nike Human Race run!! Woot! Even though I really wasn’t able to train for it because of academic constraints (ahem, hassle talaga, ahem), I did a little better.

Yesterday was the big event. Admittedly I really didn’t think I would be able to finish the 10km long route for the fact that I haven’t been able to train for it. I was swamped with school work and blog event here and there. The only time I got to run was last Thursday, and I really felt bad after. Also, my running buddy, Tiffy, wasn’t around either because she wasn’t able to train too.

Even though this was the case, I finished the race and championed over my apprehensions. I’m not sure if this was the correct time, but the clock said I clocked in 01:50:08 (I hope that was the right clock I looked at - because there were 3 clocks there). Either way, though I lagged a bit from my previous run, I was happy and I thank God I was able to make it!

Oh I saw Pastor Dennis and the rest of the Victory Greenhills contingent. I’m so happy to see them running the healthy race, and most of all, running for God.

Victory Greenhills represent!
Photo from Lawrence Uy

It’s the last week for this semester - last stretch until our well deserved semestral break. PUSH PUSH. We can all do this! I have these to worry about in the week to come:

• Stat 101 4th Exam
• Stat 101 Finals
• PA 113 Case Study Paper
• PA 141 Finals
• PA 141 Policy Analysis Paper Report
• PA 161 Finals

Camarines Sur and Caramoan’s really near yet so far. Anyway, after that, I get to train on a more regular basis. Yey! Why don’t you join us in the next run?

Look at the lowest right portion, do you see my name?
-Photo from The Bull Runner-

Google’s Aileen Apolo’s post says that “there’s so much you can do in three minutes.” She adds that doing a blog post is an example of what you can do in such case.

Shampoo extraordinaire Pantene is throwing a bash for bloggers, and Aileen says that the plans they have presented are so exciting.

TIME TO PARTEH!!!

DATE: October 17, 2008, Friday

TIME: 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Taste Asia, Mall of Asia (beside SM Hypermarket)

A glimpse of what to expect: photo wall, fabfoto, great food, special cocktail drinks, music, hanep dress-up of Taste Asia methinks, and of course, games where you can win instant prizes!

Join us on that fab day by just registering here!

(to check if you got in the list, go here)

I also read that a special celebrity guest is set to grace the occasion *wink wink* “So what can you do in 3 minutes? Well… sign-up for the party now and find out next week.”