Quote

“We have proven that for as long as you have the heart, you can make it. The resources will follow.” Every Mindanaoan knows that... by heart. - Estremera

SOLDIER

I AM A SOLDIER.

Have given up life for the great cause. Have lay down oneself offered as a tribute to the Almighty. Have pledge allegiance to commit and render faithful service.

Brave. Courageous. Defender. Sentinel. I am for the Father’s glory. I am bound to win every battle to come my way. No room for stupidity. No room to fail the King. Only the promise to fulfill.

For the Father, I am a Fighter. I fight for what is right. I fight to win. I win and win more. I have chosen this field. I have chosen to beat losing. I chose to be of service to the King.

Obama's Speech to Children (excerpts)

But the truth is, being successful is hard. You won’t love every subject you study. You won’t click with every teacher. Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right this minute. And you won’t necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.

That’s OK. Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who’ve had the most failures. JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was rejected twelve times before it was finally published. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, and he lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, "I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

These people succeeded because they understand that you can’t let your failures define you – you have to let them teach you. You have to let them show you what to do differently next time. If you get in trouble, that doesn’t mean you’re a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to behave. If you get a bad grade, that doesn’t mean you’re stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.
No one’s born being good at things, you become good at things through hard work. You’re not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You don’t hit every note the first time you sing a song. You’ve got to practice. It’s the same with your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right, or read something a few times before you understand it, or do a few drafts of a paper before it’s good enough to hand in.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and to learn something new. So find an adult you trust – a parent, grandparent or teacher; a coach or counselor – and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.

And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you – don’t ever give up on yourself. Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.

The story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got tough. It’s about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.

It’s the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.

So today, I want to ask you, what’s your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a president who comes here in twenty or fifty or one hundred years say about what all of you did for this country?

Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you’ve got to do your part too. So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.

NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY PHOTOS
@SONSHINE LAND ON APRIL 25, 2009

KCI: MASSIVE CLEAN-UP DRIVE @ PEOPLE'S PARK

MASSIVE CLEAN-UP OF
KEEPERS' CLUB INTERNATIONAL: WHERE I BELONG!
BECAUSE WITH KCI, I CAN BE THE CHANGE THAT I WANT TO BE.

FRATERNITY DESPISED

FRATERNITY DESPISED

Out of one’s longing to gain friends and to satisfy one’s desire with the sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, reality shows us how young people of today are pressured to join fraternities and sororities.


Beatings and painful initiations should not be a necessary factor before a teenager can satisfy his longings for brotherhood and sisterhood.


A number of students have already been rushed into hospitals just because of hazing.
Real friendship can’t be measured with one’s endurance to beatings nor it can be quantified with one’s planned or choreographed concern. True friendship means doing something for the other without expecting in return.


It will probably take years before hazing perishes from the fraternity scene but solutions can be done to make hazing less common, until it no longer exists. An iron fist is needed in creating stricter laws to prevent hazing from occurring, putting better education about fraternity and more intervention from college administrators.

Opinion

Overhaul / Bull’s eye

(Scaling greater heights of impossibilities and bring them down to the realm of the possible)

In a country wallowing in worsening poverty and graft and corruption, efforts of each citizen aimed to endure and survive is obvious. Dubbed as the only Christian country in Asia, the nation continues to wobble in scarcity.

The world has already produced brilliant officers, geniuses, religions and denominations yet the problem brought by curse remains. For centuries, intellectuals are grouped in political, religious and various arenas to find consensual answers to address and completely eradicate these old-rotten problems, but the acts always fail. The key towards a way out seems elusive.

The outbreak in 1896 Philippine revolution emphasized that civic action can be factor but is not the absolute answer. Twenty-two years later, controversial issues pushed politicians to cry for moral revolution but still the problem continues. After those century-fought battles and after our generous heroes shed their blood on the land, still, the root of the problem has not been uprooted. The bull’s eye has not been hit.

No matter how good the system is, what matters most are the people who are running it. Real revolution does not only entail a change of political or social system. The situation calls for the acceptance of spiritual revolution as the mother of moral revolution. With this, comes the need to build an edifice of change not only in the hearts and minds but deep down to the very essence, man’s spirit. This is the power of repentance, a power entitled to every sons and daughters of the Father which will change not only the hearts and minds of men but so is his spirit.

Man has been fenced out blinding him of his capacity, disarming him of faith and hope. Man’s capacity was limited. But with the power to break free not only from political paralysis but from the bondage of sin through repentance, nothing is impossible.

This revelation empowers individuals to soar beyond what the physical mind can think of and what the average body can perform. This empowers him to get out of the box and shed away fears and deception that is hindering and blinding him for long bringing man into a dimension of possibilities generating unthinkable progress in an unimaginable time.

Today, few Filipinos realize that there can be no real democracy if there is no enlightened citizenry. It is only when people can truly accept and apply repentance that is when the bull’s eye is hit best.

Opinion

STRIVE TO RHYME FOR UNITY IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FATHER IN THE SON

Elusive

In a country ran by a government of intellectuals, progress seems elusive.
The brilliance of the country in individual sports like boxing, billiard and bowling always outweighs the luster of Filipino teams winning in group sports. The same way with our political system. It is a puzzle as to how brilliant individuals who work as a group still fails to solve our national problems.
One probable reason is because Filipinos do not have the concept of teamwork. Pinoys don’t have the concept of self-sacrificing aimed for the common good.
There is nothing wrong with aiming for the top; all people are entitled to it but Filipinos should remember not to step on other’s shoes in order to get ahead.
There is a need to get rid of the old paradigm which dictates Filipinos to prefer to work individually in the advancement of oneself hampering the group goal.
The nation has already suffered for long. So are its people. If the world could only comprehend the mantra of unity then man will not be solving national problems for long.
If all the nation gets from the current controversies is a choreographed cry for unity or a resolution not to get caught sinning, then the cycle of regression will continue.

Keeper's CLub

WELCOME!

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC:

IM ON LEAVE!

Should you have any writeup that you want to post here, e-mail me at chelynxa@yahoo.com.

Nice reading!

Thank You

Before the slideshow, i will send first my greetings to the people whom i am with for the past 9th International Youth Congress. My hi's and hellos to the people enumerated below:

1. Amor Rivas- kasama ko sa kwarto, kakwentohan ng malalim ng topics,
   
2. Karmyl Zapanta- Si Jakikush, partner sa Give Us namin sa kwarto...ehehe
3. Ellana Pancho- Si Ate Poots sa set ng kwarto. heheh
4. Reina "Noreina"Ayang- Si ate Norie sa set sa kwarto.
   
5. Christy Casilagan- Secretary during the literary IYC-Davao, errander
6. Karla Zapanta- taga-aliw, biglang sumasayaw ng medyo wala sa timing pero fun
7. Pamela Pelera- taga-rebuked, taga-bantay sa mga nakababatang kapatid, taga-linis ng kalat, taga-pukaw, taga-yawyaw, fun din naman
   
8. Inday Romula- kasama ko sa work job, a big help, kasabayan sa picture
   
9. Panabo people- ang nag-wowork job talaga, thank you, during the time og literary works
10. Abegial Amante- nakaka-aliw, nakaka-inspire ang buhay, the nanay in the house among a lot of young sisters/relatives with parents all abroad.
    
11. Rio Tare- medyo neighboor ko sa pagtulog kulot number 1
    
12. Joyce Borja- nakikinig lang sa usapan, kulot number 2
    
13. Lailanie "Bilog" Sagun- picture-mate, mahilig talaga to sa picture
14. Clairol "Bongga" Puertos- make-up artist, ka-literary-mate, ka-picture-mate, every word my groove as in
    
15. Christina "Baki" Camapana- Si Ate Kathy daw to siya, ka literary-mate, ka-picture-mate din, nakakarelax ang presence kasi relax din siya
16. Phoebe "Phoeberoots" Morales- if you want to talk about non-sense topics, go to her. the doll-shoes girl
17. Jenny Ann- lumulubog lumilitaw
18. Room 202 unmentioned- ka room-mate, kawork-job
19. Lustre sisters- mabait naman
20. Radio broadcasting and drama casts- mabait din naman, salamat for the cooperation
21. IT people- salamat, sana even to the years to come, mangunguna parin ang Davao pagdating sa IT events
22. Painting people- sa pagdrawing niyo po sa editorial cartoon ko. ehehehe
23. Sa lahat ng aking mga youth leaders, youth coors- salamat sa Amahan sa mga reminders, sa mga motivations and all. :D
24. The rest of the administrative staff pinangungunahan ng Appointed Son of God, Pastor ACQ and all of the full-time miracle workers- SALAMAT!
    

Sa lahat ng hindi na mention, actually the team from Davao has more or less 200 participants, sa inyung lahat, May the Father of the Almighty Father be upon us as we continue to faithfully walk with Him.

Open field

When you serve the Father with gladness, you feel like a star. hehehe! You feel empowered and you feel like you are the most beautiful person in the world who deserve absolute happiness. I don't know. It's like magic. Honestly, i feel more than jasmine trias or happyslip. Laughs. Naniwala ka naman.

If love works in mysterious ways, the love of the Father works more deeper, in manner that you cannot sleep. Laughs. After all the lessons absorbed, after all the experiences gained and after all the love that i felt, it's no wonder I spend my spare and even my working time thinking about my life and my future.

When i was in college, i learned to deal with things, one step at a time. One of classmates was instrumental for me to understand "not to worry about the future, but to worry about today first." That's why i usually don't plan for "long-term plans about myself" because i don't want to be frustrated because i always find my plans in deviation to "what is right."

Life is a mixture of surprises. Sometimes, i don't want to think about tomorrow because though i strive to plan and plan for the best of my future, still my plans are not working. It's not effective. Usually, as i observed when you deviate from "what is right" or from "His will" you feel "dry" or you feel "empty." The luster of your star fades away.

You know, honestly, when i was in my freshman years, i look like an ugly duckling. Really. I thought that the mind matters most. But as time passed by, i realized the necessity to gain a "pleasing personal appearance."

Ayun, i learned too understand how to deal with my fair skin, how to go my derma and ask for help about my white heads (Though its so harsh. I hate dermatologists the most next to dentists! They don't used anesthesia! Ouch... Try to imagine a person in white robe holding a semi-plier hitting your white heads take note "one by one."), how to forget laziness and go to my dentist, how to routinely take my vitamins for healthy living, how to care for the environment, how to work with love and excellence, how to be humble always bearing in mind that all these things are not mine and how to take care and prioritize my spiritual life more than anything.

WRITING AS A CALL

You know what, i was absent here for a month i think, that's why i have a lot in my mind. Honestly i want to share with you how i found that there is a calling behind my writing activities.
When i was in high school, i have a good grades in English (g2dFttS) because i have a tutor but "I HATE ENGLISH. I LOVE MATHEMATICS." This is maybe because at a very young age since birth, i was exposed with numbers. I was exposed in an environment where calculator is common, where the people around me are constantly telling me that "Math is simple!" Ayun naniwala ako, tsaka nadala ko rin ito, disregarding english along the way kasi sabi nila "It's hard."

Hay naku, how i get frustrated every time i have an exam and it includes an essay-type of exam. Lumalagpak ako pagdating sa mala-paragraph na answers! I can't express myself. Until i became a college student. Malay mo, and without me noticing everything happening, after four years, gumradweyt ako ng Mascom! Praise the Father! A total opposite from my wants and ambitions. Ayun, dun na nagsimula ang aking paglalakbay sa daan ng karurukan ng "eternal na buhay." Hayun saan ko kaya nahuhugot ang mga salitang ito.

Alam mo ba for the past weeks that i was absent here, i spent most of my times writing for literary works for our team para sa International Youth Congress. Pero i thank the Father, so far hindi pa naman ako nag nonosebleed and hindi naman nauubos ang english ko. Praise the Father again.

When your mind is mumbling with words, you will really try to find a way out where you can pour it out. Sometimes i don't want to talk to others because they can't understand me or they find me boring kasi sa dami ng gusto kong sabihin. Laughs. That's how talkative I am. Kaya ko ito, sinusulat nalang.

For the past days, i thank the Father, kasi nagsisilitawan ang mga tunay kong mga kapatid. May mga kapatid ako for fun lang. May mga kapatid ako for noble purposes. May mga kapatid din ako for beyond-the-surface-friendship yung hindi lang for friends but there is sharing, true concern and rebuked kung kailangan as we trek the way of righteousness. Hay, ganun talaga.

Ngayon ko lang nalaman na may mga tao palang pilit na binabalikan ang pahinang ito para ito'y basahin. Mga kaibigan, don't be overwhelmed. Ganun talaga, when you are a princess, you live like a princess, you experience things like a princess. Kaya huwag kayung ma-syak sa lahat ng nakikita niyong "grandeur pictures" with amazing backgrounds kasi as I have said "I am a princess." Syak ka ba? Wag nalang. Paniwalaan mo nalang kapatid kasi i am living with it. Laughs again!

Kapatid, kapatid, kapatid, hindi mapatid ang aking kaligayahan sa lahat ng mga pinagdadaan ko ngayon. Maraming mga first time akong na experience ngayon:

1. First time kong manalo ng ganito karaming awards for International Youth Congress. Glory to the Father through the Son.
2. First time kong nakita si Sir ng ganun kalapit with a big smile for me.
3. First time kong magkaroon ng ganito kalaki at ka-conventient na trolley. Kasi pangit yung trolley ko before.
4. First time kong mag-impaki ng ganito ka-jump-packed.
5. First time kong mag-isip ng ganito kalalim
6. First time kong makahawak ng laptop, digicam, video cam, n95 na parang akin pero hindi akin. Pero at least sa kapatid ko.
7. First time kong sinurrender ang lahat ng aking mga gadgets including my cell phone, kaya don't contact me, if you'll contact me, my sister will answer you instead of me. I think i'll be hiding.
8. First time ko atang magkaroon ng white kingdom dress. Laughs!
9. First time kong mag-testify sa harap during Thanksgiving and Worshipped Presentation.
10. First time kong pumirma ng contrata with a stipulated life-size commitment.
11. First time kong... ang dami ng first time... nakalula... hindi ko na ma-enumerate lahat. If you're interested i will try to send it to you through "telekenisis" brain-to-brain conversation. hehehe. You want? we'll try. If it will not work, then we'll try again 'till it works. hehe
    

International Youth Congress!!! YEhey

This is a compilation of a thousand pictures. Please be patient as you bear with us in shouting for victory and happiness! The glory belongs to Him!

Happy Graduation. PDF!

Pictures capture via N70. More pictures coming soon. pdFTTS!

Life tapestry

Bakit ganun ganyan (Part II)

Mas pakiramdam kong mag-tagalog ngayon. Sa mga taong ayaw mahawa sa komplikado kong pag-iisip ngayon, mas mainam pong wag niyo nalang pong basahin ito. =)

Sadyang may mga bagay na kay hirap intindihin o hindi ko lang talaga sya naintindihan o sadyang ayaw lang ipaintindi sa akin.

Dahil dito, bumalik sa aking ala-ala ang paalaalang sadyang sa buhay may mga bagay na dapat paniwalaan nalang, sundin kesa naman ma syak o mabagot ako sa kaka-antay ng sagot kung bakit ganito ganyan.

Sadyang may mga importanteng bagay pa akong dapat gawin ngayon, pero para paalalahan ang aking sarili kaya ko po pilit na tinitipa ang mga salitang ito, para naman mabawasan ang mga salitang gusto ko pong bigkasin pero wala akong makausap, computer lang. =)

Hay naku, sadyang ganun lang talaga. Balik trabaho na muna ako, para naman may magawa akong kapaki-pakinabang sa sambayanang Pilipino, mga mumunting bagay sa pagligtas sa bansang pilit na niyuyurakan ng mga taong walang magawa sa buhay.

Ayan, as simple as that, masaya na ulit ako. Ganoon la'ang. accept ng accept, learn ng learn, smile ng smile, kasi masarap mabuhay sa mundong ibabaw.Lantakin natin ito ng may kasayahan, kagalakan at pasasalamat.

Sa mga taong nagbabasa nito, pasensya sa abala.

Subject-verb agreement

When is committing a mistake on subject-verb agreement pardonable?

I am guilty to this. An adage says that doing the same mistake twice or more than that is foolishness and considered stupidity. Is committing a mistake with my grammar makes me fall both to the first and to the latter? Oh no…

I’ve been studying both the simplicity and complexity of grammar since my elementary years. Most of my instructors are quite good with grammar.

Because they’re good and I always found myself receiving papers with red corrections due to my spelling and grammar insufficiencies, chunks of thoughts linger into my mind that I can not write. Even in my lower years, I choose to love mathematics and science and technology where my instructors focus on the thoughts I have about the magical and complex yet so simple subjects (oh, yes). Like when you’re so excited about a subject matter, a magic happens because you tend to forget about the grammar and your words tend to fly one by one as fast as superman.

I find a friend in the subjects of math and science. These are the subjects when no one argues everything I know about Einstein, about manipulating an equation and about researching for possible solutions to our on-going subject problems (which I already forgot how).

Some say I am weird, but what a fool of them. This is a reminder for me that I AM INDEED NORMAL. So what??? That only proves true that individuals are favorable agents and accomplices of deception, the weapon of the adversary.

This blog helps me forget about the notion that “I CANNOT WRITE.” It started when I got traumatized during my high school years on how I got very low scores in every essay question. No matter how I study and no matter how I memorize my book plus my notebook back to back from leaf to leaf, I still flank because of my grammar and spelling. I mean my grammar is not that disappointing but because every single mistake is considered a minus point and competition during our high school days is so harsh that committing single mistake would mean a substantial thing. It can mean another point which will enlist or not enlist me to the higher honor students.

How INSTRUCTORS become so HARSH sometimes. I only pray that they will not serve as the blockade of our dreams the same way as how Israel is blocking the food supply of Gaza people. Yes, its part of their job to train us with what they call “the harshness of the outside world.” But you need to understand that you should not use your profession to fuel us with negative thoughts and which will lead us to doubt our own selves especially to the high school and elementary students who most of the time thought that “MY TEACHER IS ALWAYS RIGHT. PERIOD.”

How teachers become so influential in the life of the students.

I am praying that those teachers who are teaching because of money not because they have the passion for their profession. Please wake up. As I am asking for the big heart to teach these students in the near future that I may not act the same way as the “Teachers whom I hate before.”

When you’re trying to write for something but with another topic lurking in the middle of your brain cells, this is what will happen. –A twisted content not parallel to the topic. I’m thinking that it is an art and I am not planning to rewrite it. =)

I find this post very insufficient. I'll update you my dear blog on how i found out that my hands are not meant to stitch skin, hold blood and slice bodies (yung doctor) the concrete plan i have when i was a child.

Note: I don’t mean my school today. I have a very happy disposition as to where I am enrolled today. I am writing in general terms, I can see that you are reading my words in disbelief.

Back to work.

St. Michael High School Batch 2004

Assessment as of 2008, days before College Graduation (pdF!)

I was deeply shocked when my google desktop display this file. I can't even remember that I've written and delivered this speech four years ago. There's a a feeling of guilt as to how i semi-murdered some characters here and a feeling of happiness as to how my high school friends are really trying hard and working hard to achieve each dream.

Okey as of this writing, majority of us are on the verge of completing our thesis. As of this writing, most are coping with deadlines since graduation is only a couple of weeks away (wow, how time flies so fast). Glory to the high heavens for all the blessings, for the grace, for everything for whoever we are now.

So far, around two of the my high school friends have chosen to prioritized marriage over school. Another classmate is a candidiate of Magna Cumlaude from a renowned school of the semi-skolar ng bayan (galeng'). Sir Daniel Ducao called me weeks before this post and he's doing fine. Ma'am Jenna Gutual-Pillo has quit her job and is now a fulltime mother-wife. The entire batch has been into reunions, christmas gatherings and swimming night outs I mean day outs without my presence and my visit to them as well as to the school is as blurred as the eyes of my schoolmate (laughs).

This is a post for my high school friends. If you want to add something just leave a comment and I am very willing to update this post just for the benefit of this historical record (chaaa).

I am bound to Iligan this month. But still no concrete plans of going to my past hometown.

My dear friends I have also a past post about the swimming birthday party (remember when???) just take a look on the archives. I guess it's posted on the month of December during the birthday of my sister. Just correct me if I'm wrong. Okidoki.

GOOD AFTERNOON

ON A ONE MOONY EVENING WHEN THE STARS ARE FULLY SHINING I COME UP TO A DECISION TO SEE OUR FUTURE THROUGH TIME TRAVELLING. AS I PRESS START ON MY DEVICE, I SAW A VERY BRIGHT CLOUD THAT BROUGHT ME IN THE YEAR 2O25.

THE VERY FIRST SCENE WAS BREATH-TAKING! I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS! IT WAS ACTUALLY I FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE IN A COURT ROOM. I AM ALREADY A LAWYER. ON THE OTHER SIDE WAS ATTORNEY NIELMA BELLE RAMOS HELPING THE PROSECUTION PANEL

WHAT A PICTURISQUE MOMENT. I SAW THE LANDING OF A JET LINER WHOSE PILOT WAS KRIS WILVIN CANAMA AND ON BOARD WERE ALBERT ALIA, JACKIE JAMES PACATANG, RAYMUNDO CAMASURA AND EDDIESON BARRICA. WITH THEM WERE LEAH FE ORDENIZA, MARILIE CINCO, AIZA FERNANDEZ AND MARIVEL TEVES AS THE STEWARDESSES. COMING OUT WERE SENATOR BERNIEL RUNDINA HOLDING HIS WIFE DEAL SANIPA, AN ECONOMIST AND AN EDUCATOR. THEY WERE MET BY THE GORGEOUS CONNIE TRONIADO, THE HEAD OF PHILIPPINE TOURISM. I HAVE SEEN GROUP OF SOLDIERS WHICH INCLUDE JOHNY CABANLIT, NOEL ANOTADO, JOSEFEL MEDALLE, MARCELLO MELLANAR ACE VERNIE MUNOS AND SOME OTHERS MARCHING TOWARDS THEM. THEY WERE HEADED BY GENERAL JYNEPHER ASOK, AND COLONEL ARSENIO SALVACION. THIS AWARDING CEREMONY WAS ALL ABOUT CLEO ESTUDILLO, A SCIENTIST WHO INVENTED A TREE THAT WILL BEAR MONEY!!! WOW! THAT WAS VERY FASCINATING

AS I TURNED AROUND THE OTHER SWITCH OF MY MACHINE, I WAS BROUGHT INTO THE GARDEN FULL OF FLOWERS. IT WAS THE WEDDING CEREMONY OF THE MILLIONAIRE, PETER JUN BALATERO AND A HACIENDERA, CRISTINE RODRIGUEZ. THE CEREMONY WAS CONDUCTED BY JEANILO ANTONIO. THE NUNS INCLUDING DEVIE ENGUITO ATTENDED THE CEREMONY ALSO. THE RECEPTION WAS HELD IN THE GLAMOROUS HOTEL OF MS. SHAUNA MILLONDAGA. AS I LOOKED STRAIGHT I SAW JERALDINE CANETE, RHM CABANDAY, ANALYN PARADERO AND JELLY ANN ACLAO, THE HOTEL MANAGERS. I SAW A HONDA CIVIC AND I WAS CONFUSED ABOUT THE GUY INSIDE. UNTIL I SAW THE VERY IMPRESSIVE MR DANIEL DUCAO, WEARING AN AMERICANA. AN INTERNATIONAL BAND CALLED SONIC BATTLE FILLED THE PLACE WITH ROMANTIC MUSIC. JAY BANGLOS WAS THE BACK-UP SINGER, JANE IRENE MANLIGRO WAS THE LEAD SINGER, HEMSON LUGAGAY WAS THE GUITARIST. THE KEYBOARD WAS PLAYED BY DARWIN CAPAROSO AND THEIR DRUMMER WAS THE VERY FINE-LOOKING ROLANDO TY. THE NEVER-FADING BEAUTY OF MS. ERLINDA BALANSAG WAS ALSO IN THE SCENE. HER EYES WAS FULL OF FULFILLMENT AND HAPPINESS. WITH HER WAS HIS NEPHEW, CONRESSMAN TOMASITO YACK HOLDING BERNADETTE RUDINAS YACK..

I’M NOW IN THE NEW SCENARIO. I WAS IN A FIELD WATCHING THE 2025 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF SOFTBALL GIRLS. THE TEAM FROM THE PHILIPPINES WAS NAMED MICHAELIAN GIRLS. THERE COMES SHYNE ANCELINE MENDOZA, HAVING AN UNBELIEVABLE HOME RUN. I ALSO SAW WILDY SALUTILLO ON THE FIRST BASE, MARIA NISZIEL LOPEZ ON THE SECOND BASE, AND MERCEDES LANSADO ON THE THIRD BASE.. ON THE OTHER CORNER I SAW NICEL ABACIAL, MAY ANNE ENGUIO, MARY CLAIRE YBANEZ AND SOME OTHERS STRECHTING AND MAKING PREPARATIONS. ON THE CROWD I SAW A GROUP OF ENGINEERS,THEY WERE ENGINEER RECHIE MERCADEROS, ENGINEER URSO DOLLOSO III, ENGINEER PARADERO RICKY, ENGINEER JUNMAR RETARDO, ENGINEER ARNEL GULAHAB. ENGINEER ROCK FERRAREN AND ENGINEER RONALD GRADO.

SUDDENLY THERE WAS A GREAT CHANGE. I FIND MYSELF IN CANADA ATTENDING THE MS. UNIVERSE BEAUTY PAGEANT. THIS IS GREAT!. I SAW MY BEST FRIEND STEPHANIE POTUTAN ON THE STAGE BRINGING THE NAME OF THE PHILIPPINES. ON MY SIDE I SAW, A CLOSE FRIEND FROM ALASKA DAME DEONETTE RAMAYRAT TOGETHER WITH HER SON AND HER HUSBAND, MR. JUNVIEL CANDANO, AN INVESTOR. ON MY OTHER SIDE I SAW A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN, MRS. NINA CHARMAINE AGNES TY. SHE WAS OUR BB. PILIPINAS 2015. I WAS ATTRACTED BY THE LOUD VOICES GIVEN BY GENEVIVE ALOJASIN AND LIEZEL MAY FERNANDEZ, NOW RESIDING IN IRELAND. ON THE OTHER SIDE I SAW PROFESSOR JUN KARREN CAPAROSO AND HIS FAMILY.

AS I GO ON OPERATING MY DEVICE, I WAS BROUGHT ABOUT TO A HOSPITAL. IT WAS SUPERVISED BY DOCTOR SAHARA MAY LEGASPI AND DOCTOR KENNETH PEREZ WITH MICHELLE ABACIAL, NETCHIE ANOTADO AND CLAIRE DINOPOL AS THE MEDICAL ATTENDANTS. IN ANOTHER CORNER WERE NURSES MAKING CONVERSATION WITH EACH OTHER. THEY WERE REA LOU DELOSA, CYRIL HOPE SUSADA, RODITA VELONO, ANNALYN PARADERO, ARCELLE DELA CERNA, AND MARJORIE DACILLO. IN A SECOND, THEY WERE ALL PANICKING WHEN VERNESSA TAGBACAULA TIGOL WAS RUSHED INTO THE HOSPITAL BY GABRIELE KRISTOFERSON TIGOL BECAUSE SHE WAS ABOUT TO DELIVER THEIR FIRST BABY. AFTER THAT, I TOOK A WALK. AND THEN I FOUND MRS. MAGNOLIA PEARL CABARDO AND MR. JAN CHARLES CABARDO IN A ROOM HOLDING TWIN BABIES. THEY WERE VISITED BY THE ALLURING LADIES WHO ARE NOW PROMINENT BUSINESWOMEN. THEY WERE ELENLY BAGALANON, IRIS MARIE BATERNA AND MANILYN LUAB, THE FAMOUS SINGER.

I WAS ALSO BROUGHT INTO A MODELLING SHOW. THE PROGRAM WAS STARTED WITH IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE FROM BROADWAY CENTRUM. THE PERFORMERS WERE SHERWIN HONCULADA, NEPLEX ANOTADO, JULIUS NAVAREZ, JEFFREY TOLOPIA, CATHERINE BINAURO, JUVELYN ENDOCAL AND GRETCHEN YOSORES. I WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED WHEN I SAW KENNETH ALISON, JEREME BANAWAN AND RJ REY PATULADA COMING OUT POSING AS ONE OF ITS FASHION MODELS. I FOUND MYSELF SCREAMING AGAIN WHEN I SAW BOYS WHO REALLY LOOK LIKE DAO MING ZI AND HUA XE LI. BUT THE MASTERS OF CEREMONY, JUVINEL GUANCIA AND AMY ROSE TOLOPIA ANNOUNCED THAT THESE HANDSOME GUYS WERE ACTUALLY NOLYJUN LUGAGAY, DARYL SECLOT AND ELVIN BENIDA. ON THE OTHER SIDE, I SAW A GROUP OF BUSINESSMEN FRESH FROM THEIR OFFICE. THEY WERE DANILO HUMIGOP, JADE MIRONTOS, JEMAR SAQUIN, ARSENIO SALVACION. JOINING WITH THEM WERE THE GOOD-LOOKING COUPLES, ENGINEER SHERNAN YBANEZ AND JELLY ANN ACLAO YBANEZ, GEODITIC EHNGINEER MARK LOUIS MARK LOUIS BONGANCISO AND MARY ANNE DIMPASO BONGANCISO. THE EXTRA-REMARKABLE SHOW WAS DIRECTED BY NHIZA BALAGOT AND PRODUCED BY THE ATTRACTIVE XYRILE VON SEBANDAL.

FINALLY, I MET THE GUY WHO WAS BEHIND MY TIME TRAVELLING. HE WAS MR. ALFONSO MORALES JR.

THE MACHINE WAS SO HIGHLY SCIENTIFIC THAT I COULD FORESEE ME AND MY CLASSMATES ON THE PEDESTAL ENJOYING LIFE IN 2025. WITH THESE PROPHECIES, I DO HOPE FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF OUR DREAMS.

NASAAN AKO???

ON LEAVE!!!
ON LEAVE!!!
ON LEAVE!!!

Bangladesh

This a response to my query answered by Badrud Doza, from Bangladesh.

Regarding Bangladesh, this site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh#Economy may give you a comprehensive idea. To be specific to your quarry, many people of Bangladesh are poor but a good number of people are of middle class, they are literate, professional and conscious citizens of Bangladesh. A section of people are also rich - millionaires. They are big businessmen and politicians. The politicians here made money through exploiting people & government machineres and underhand negotiations. Their race for power became so aggressive and nasty, that a caretaker government backed by Army took over the power in 11 January 2007. This event is known as 1/11 in our country. The CTG is taking some reforms which may change the future of the country, if the next political government continue the reforms.

There are many multinational companies working here and some 5 star hotels also. There are few international standard hospitals are established in recent years where employees are highly paid.

The major religion is Islam ( 85% ), then Hinduism, then Buddhism then Christian-ism. But people are in communal harmony and there is no major conflict between groups in last the 50 years.

The best achievement of Bangladesh is the Nobel peace prize by Dr. Muhammad Yunus in 2006.He is working on micro credit to alleviate poverty from Bangladesh. I have a page dedicated to him.

Long talk .Better be stopped here.

Bdoza

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Questions

Bakit Ganun Ganyan?

Why is That?

I am bound to take an indefinite leave on blogging but I can’t stop myself posting all of the out bursting feelings I have inside.

Why do some people act unprofessionally though they are professional? Why do some people can’t respect and value my time? Why do some people tries to hide at the skirts of “memory gap” or “deafness” syndrome? Why do some people act as if nothing has happened? Why does environmental concern is not evident among the majority? Why do people keep on sinning? Why do people shield themselves as hurdles towards my dreams? Why do…??? Why do…??? Why do…??? Tsk…tsk..tsk… Why do I have so many questions?

But to you people who are trying to hold and prevent me from obeying the Father’s will.I have Mr. Mike Arroyo’s alleged trademark statement towards Mr. Joey de Venecia: BACK OFF!

In this post, I am very sleepy. I have been waiting for my instructor. I have been waiting for my exam. I have been waiting a reply from the dentist. But all to no avail, I have not finished anything up to this very hour. All has been postponed. Some circumstances crossed at my instructors’ schedule which are much important than my appointment to them.

Lessons learned:

1. Don’t depend on your instructors. Do what you can do
2. Relax. Don’t panic. Calm down
3. Don’t waste time. If others are showing unwillingness to help you, then help yourself out. No one can help you in these times except yourself and the Father. Walk with Faith. Don’t give up. Don’t give in.

I can’t afford to waste my time. I am asking my friends and to the people I am having a “simple business,” let us try to work harmoniously and let’s respect each others’ schedule. But of course, Flexibility is the key word. I should learn to adopt with changes. Life is not planned by the individual perfectly. Some things are just beyond our control. So, I leave that to you Father. As I take my sleep today, I lay my life in your comforting hands. Make it a memorable and comforting journey. Zzzzzz…

FEET

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People's Park of Davao City

I was HERE!

People’s Park, Davao City’s Newest Landmark

A four-hectare urban buffer zone identified as the lung center at the heart of the metropolis is People’s Park: the newest landmark of Davao City, the Project Manager Engr. Elisa Madrazo said.

Twenty different components constitute the P 72-M People’s Park drawing in both local and foreign visits, a part of the move of the city to promote Davao tourism that is open for the public, free of charge.

Madrazo said that “People from all walks of life are coming here. We have a tally-counter of more than hundreds of people coming… There are some people who are coming here in the park, they’re telling me that some portions of the park seem like Singapore, Malaysia and other countries...”

Roughly, over a thousand species of trees and plants from different areas of the world such as those from Southeast Asia formed the man-made tropical rainforest giving visitors a real feel and touch with nature.

The park provides the students with the real sights of rare and even nearly extinct species of plants and trees and exhibits showcasing orchids, tropical flowers, and ornamentals.

Given this atmosphere, the park has become a sanctuary for group learning and discussions. Groups of students from far places visit the park for the Lakbay-Aral program of Department of Education.

“We also consider this area as a learning center. In this generation, maybe only few know the different kinds of trees” Madrazo said.

(Leave a message if you want the entire story)

Feeding Program

I wonder why spoons are hard to bite?

Christmas from the Heart - David Axel

Blogging

I-blog mo

Sadyang natural na sa tao ang pagsusulat. Pero kung ikaw ang isa sa mga nabibigo ng magsulat sa mga napupunit, naluluma at maaring mawalang mga papel, mas mainam kung i-blog mo nalang.

Ang patuloy na pag-usbong ng teknolohiya ng Pilipinas ang nagbigay daan sa tinuturing isa sa pinakabagong pamamaraan ng komunikasyon sa pamamagitan ng internet, ang pagba-blogging.

Ang blog ay maituturing ding isang diary na naglalaman ng mga saloobin, pananaw at opinyun na kadalasang tumutukoy sa mga pampersonal na isyu. Maari rin itong maging isang album na naglalaman ng mga kalipunan ng mga larawan.

Ang blog ang sinasabing pinakabukas at libreng paraan, na nagbibigay kapangyarihan sa isang ordinaryong mamamayan na ipahayag at isalarawan ang isang pangyayari diretso mula sa paningin ng saksi.

Maari ring ang isang blog ay naglalaman ng mga kalipunan ng mga sanaysay, tula at kwento. Maliban dito, maari rin itong maging isang kalipunan ng iba’t ibang paksa katulad ng sa kalusugan, paglalakbay, kalikasan, ispiritwal o pampulitikal man na ninanais na isaliwalat ng may-akda o blogger nito.

“It (blogging) helps me to reach people beyond my verbal reach,” ani Badrud Doza, isang political blogger mula Bangladesh.

Nagiging interactive ang komunikasyon at nagkakaroon ng diskusyon sa pamamagitan ng pagdagdag ng mga mensahe at puna galing sa mga mambabasa.

Ang iba naman ay ginagawang pagkakitaan ang pagba-blog. Isang bagay na maaring gumana at maari ring hindi sa isang blogger.

Maaring malaman ng blogger ang pinagmulan at tagal ng pagbabasa ng kanyang mga mambabasa sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang statistics program. Kung gaano ka detalye ang program ay depende na sa program na ginamit.

Iilan lamang ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit marami ang mga nalolokong mag blog.

Ang blogging ay hindi lamang para sa mga baguhan. Pati mga prominenteng tao ay nahuhumaling dito. Maging si Bill Clinton man ay may sariling blog.

Hindi din hadlang ang edad. Bata man o matanda ay maaring magkaron ng blog basta’t may kapasidad itong maipahayag ang sarili at may sapat na kaalaman pagdating sa computer.

Nasa blogger ang desisyon kung nanaisin niyang gawin ang kanyang blog sa isang journal o pahayagan na format at pampubliko o pribadong account. Maliban sa pagsusulat, na-ipapakita din ng may-akda ang kanyang gawaing sining sa pamamagitan ng kabuuang tema at ayos ng blog.

Kung gusto mong mag-umpisa ng blog, maari kang mag-register sa mga libreng blog networks gaya ng wordpress, blogger at livejournal.

Sa pamagitan ng isang blog, malayang makapagpahayag ng saloobin ang isang blogger. Pero kakabit ng kalayaang ito, ang responsibilidad ng pagiging tapat sa sarili sa kung anu ang katotohanan at tama dahil sa pamamagitan ng internet, abot ng blog mo ang mundo.

How to create Website Traffic

I am tagging Faheem: click HERE
(Yeah. Let us enliven life with the power of positive thinking! I live by it everyday. We create our own environment. Our thinkings create words that goes out of our mouth, then it creates actions.)

With your question on how to create traffic. You can do a lot of things. You can post "posts with educational value." Example, the posts which create the most traffic in my page are about the topics i usually write for my school, e.g. literary criticisms, essays, etc... Probably because a lot are researching about it.

Another is by filling those "tags" in every section. Aside from that constant updates on the blog makes my readers kicking to open my site every time they're in front in the computer. Actually, i am embedding codes on my page so as to know/trace the readers. i think three programs are installed, but i am the only one who can access it. The numbers on the stat counter are false, they are not true.ahaha...

Constant updates can help. Like those blogs which are often updated are usually the ones which search engines like yahoo's, google's web crawlers dig and eventually by these networks' help, help other people trace us (and copy our blog's contents, smile).

I want you to know that google is searching not by the titles only but the the whole body and tags of the posts. Yahoo, on the other hand, is digging posts by "title." This means that bloggers should really mind on thinking "how to perfectly title each post." Is there a word like perfect title?

I want to do a lot of things with this blog, but i am still on the verge of finding my free time.

You can also submit your blogs to other networks like "dig" (but this doesn't work for me). Or others like mybloglog, technorati, etc.

About blogger's costumization. I can't promise if i can post the things i know about it and post it here. But for the sake of a lot of people who are asking me how, just live me a specific question. Then, let's see if i can help. Don't forget to live me a message on where will i send/placed my answers to your questions. Okey, it's better that way.

BTW, Wordpress costumization is another story. But wordpress is also cool. It's fast. And header costumization is simple. But again because the costumization thing takes time and perseverance (And a little knowledge of editing). So, Go endure!


I am also tagging my New Online Friends:

Tribute K -click HERE
Badrud Doza -click HERE

Badjao

'Discrimination still among us'
By Chelyn Torejas of Jose Maria College

DILI ko maulaw manglimos pero maulaw ko moadto og skwelahan (I am not ashamed to beg but I am ashamed to go to school," teenage Lino, a Badjao, said.

"Okay lang man ang teacher pero usahay ang classmate ang mo-kantyaw. Ingnon man silag, 'Badjao, Badjao'. Usahay pod dagko na sila, maong maolaw (The problem is not with the teachers but with the classmates. The children are being teased, branded as Badjaos. Others are ashamed because they are older than their classmates)," said Lolita Adjari, the leader in one of two Badjao communities in Matina Aplaya.

Leah Genson of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Pag-ugmad sa Kabataan, which is operating a pre-school inside Adjari's community, and is also maintaining elementary scholars in nearby Matina Aplaya Elementary School, admits that discrimination is one of the issues being faced by their students.

But, they are trying to address this by sending their social workers to schools where the children experience such.

"Pinapaintindi sa mga estudyante ano ang mga Badjao," she said.

Discrimination persists, and the target of these, are not just the Badjaos, but Mindanao's other indigenous peoples as well.

"Daghang mga kasinatian anang discrimination. Akong magulang wala nakahuman og skwela kay magsige raman kakita og sumbagay (We have experienced discrimination. My brother even had to stop going to school because he would always find trouble from the constant teasing he got from his classmates)," Lucy Rico, a lumad and the Scholarship In-charge of Minadanawon Initiatives for Agricultural Dialogue said.

The teacher Rico added has the key role that can minimize if not totally stop discrimination as experienced by indigenous children at school.

Matina Aplaya Elementary School guidance counselor agrees. Equality, she said, should be fiercely taught in school.

Making sure that the marginalized get proper education, however, can help bring up not just their people's self-esteem but also their role in their communities, consequently bringing them the opportunity to lead and be heard which a meek, uneducated community may not readily take up.

"Mao gyud nay pinakagwapo kung mahuman gyud na sila. Gwapo mana paghuman nimog skwela syempre naa man gyud na mo-hire sa imoha (It is best if they, the Badjaos, will finish their studies. Simply because, if you have acquired education, you will have a greater chance of being employed)," Jonathan Irales, 26, said. Irales, son of a former leader of the other Badjao community in Matina Aplaya, is the only one in their community who has graduated in high school.

His case, however, should not be exceptional saying there are well-educated Badjaos in Sulu, Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi who have college degrees. He proudly calls them as "professionals".

"Abi sa akong papa Tagalog, pero Badjao diay. Sila lay nagsupporta, gikan sa ilang katigulangan gipa eskwela gyud silag maayu (My father thought they were Tagalogs and did not recognize them as fellow Badjaos. Their parents and relatives are the ones who have been supporting their studies)," Irales said.

There are already existing programs in some cities in the country that address the education needs of Badjaos.

If Macau has a floating casino and fairy tales have floating castles, early this year, a floating school in Zamboanga City was established to suit the mobile lifestyle of Badjao children. This has been established to bring the school closer to the Badjao community instead of forcing Badjaos to go to school, taking into consideration their dependence on the seashore, boat-dwelling lifestyle and their language.

In Sulu, Marines have been instigating "Learn to Read and Write" program directly aimed for the Badjao community.

"Poverty is not a reason of not earning education. I have been in a poor family. I go to school with nothing. Poverty is not a hindrance towards education," said Bengaura, who was in the community paying a visit to the family of her Badjao student.

It is in recognition of the more difficult climb a child from an indigenous peoples' tribe has to go through to achieve basic education that programs designed especially for the IPs have been developed.

For one, the Department of Education established an Institute for Indigenous Peoples Education (IIPE) in 2004. Part of the program is an Alternative Learning System (ALS) intended for out-of-school children/ youth and adult population teaching basic literacy skills. It promotes its advocacy that learning can take place anytime and any place suitable for the convenience of the learners.

ALS is an alternative learning solution if one does not have an easy access with formal schooling due to its modular and flexible programs.

There is also the Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue, established in 2001, and is giving comprehensive college scholarship program among different indigenous people from different tribes who can pass the screening exam. The program which is actively supporting IIPE, Rico said, is currently supporting 14 scholars.

"Bisan dili namo kultura mo-eskwela daghan ang naningkamot tungod sa kausaban sa panahon tungod sa kalisod (Though studying is not in our culture, a lot strive to acquire it because of poverty and the changes brought by time)," Rico said.

Rico however admitted that the organization has not yet reached the Badjaos. "Sa pagkakaron daghan mang mga NGOs, sa government nga ginatotoakan sila (Badjaos). Ang among ginatabangan kato gyung layu katong walay naghatag og panahon (NGO have been giving an eye on Badjaos. Our organization is presently helping those tribes from far-flung areas that are not yet receiving help from any organizations," Rico added.

The embassy of Japan, in its official web portal, further affirmed its main support with the "Community Education Center" directed towards children and adult Badjaos in Isla Verde, Barangay 23-C, Davao City.

Wary of strangers

The Badjao group, however, believes they have been made use of and are thus wary of organizations extending help to them but have other agenda in mind. "Mao nay pinaka-number one namo nga kasuko kanang motabang pero wala (We are angry at those people who only makes good-for-nothing promises)," Adjari said.

Irales recalls how a group of people gathered them for a picture taking who explained that it would generate donations. Until today, the Badjaos from Matina have not received any donations from the group.

"Nakita na lang namo sa picture, gigamit rami (Until we saw our pictures. They only used us)," Irales said.

Education at the bottom-line

Lurking amid all these woes is still one basic right, the right to education that seemed to have been kept away from the Badjao children by their elders and by the society.

"Education is a societal concern and responsibility," Department oe Education Sectretary Jesli Lapus said in the "Give Us This Day" program of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy aired between 8-12 p.m. last November 19.

"Ang edukasyon makapa-usab gyud sa kinabuhi sa tawo depende sa imong pagdala kung naa gyud sa maayu nga dalan... Wala naman gani bugas mopa-eskwela pa kaha wala naman gani ikapalit og panihapon palit pa bag lapis. Kung naa man gani chance nga makaeskwela paningkamotan nga mapahimoslan ang tabang (Education can change one's life depending on how you used it. If there are chances, strive to benefit from those help)," Rico said.

"Education is one of the ways of life in this world. But the very essence is that in this world we need education because education gives a life to a person... there you will learn what is right, what is wrong and what is best how to do the work," Bengaura said.

"Usa na sya ka way nga ma assert ang among katungod kay kung dili mi moeskwela unya behind kaayu mi sa mga panghitabo, unsaon namo pag assert nga kami tawo, mao ni among tribu nga angay ninyung ilhon, unsaon namo pag-assert atong right nga nawala sa amoa (Education is one way that we can assert our right. We will be left behind if we will not go to school. How can we assert that we too are your people, that this is the tribe that you need to acknowledge and to assert our right that was lost)," Rico said referring to the importance of education among indigenous people.

Bengaura, however, said that while teachers can encourage children to study hard, the ultimate encouragement should come from the children's homes. The responsibility to motivate children to go to school lies with the parents, she said.

Unemployment breeds unemployment. In a competitive world, inefficiency due to lack of formal schooling and basic literacy skills is one reason that triggers it. In this community, the cycle continues.

When a need for education clashes with a way of living, the education programs can suffer an uphill climb. Though the Philippine constitution upholds the right of every Filipino for free basic education, complete cooperation and literal presence of the supposed-to-be-students are needed before it can address the learning needs of the marginalized just like with this community.

Badjao

The streets, their school
By Chelyn Torejas of Jose Maria College and Stella A. Estremera

BADJAO children are on the streets, tapping rhythms on their drums made of tin cans and PVC pipes way before the Christmas break; tapping on car window shields, asking for "pamasko." In response, the motorist taps back while staring straight ahead, not looking; it's the signal for "go away."

Some mumble, some don't even take notice, others smirk in disdain, others look the other way, some ask: If they are on the street, when do they go to school?

They don't.

While the education sector is talking about cyber education utilizing the education advantage of computers, Lino (not his real name) has not even touched a keyboard, much less hold a ballpen. At his adolescent age, he does not know how to write and read.

The lad while clutching a modified drum, admitted that he has only reached Grade 1. He doesn't mind though except that there are those who take advantage of his lack of education and shortchange him when he sells shells, trinkets and pearls.

Samuel who does not know his age said, "Mamana nalang ko og isda kaysa moadtog skwelahan parehas raman makat-on ko (I prefer to hunt for fishes instead of going to school, anyway, I still learn from fishing)."

Lino and Samuel are just two boys in two Badjao communities in Matina Aplaya who have been deprived of formal schooling.

In a city where literacy rates are high, the Badjaos are brushed to the sidelines. Their numbers diminutive but not insignificant.

The leader of one of the two groups of Badjao, Lolita Adjari, said that only five percent out of the assessed 150 children and youngsters goes to school. Basic literacy is also absent.

"Naa lay mga upat katao ang makabalo musulat og mobasa. Dili gyud ingon mobasa gyud (There are just around four persons in the community who know how to write and read)," Adjari said.

The lenient attitude of Badjao parents towards education translates into a lenient attitude of Badjao children in going to school.

"In and out, sulud pod usahay dili, og ganahan lang (The children goes to school irregularly. It depends if they feel like going)," Adjari said when asked about the school performance of their children.

A child development center is being operated for free by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Pagugmad sa Kabataan right within Adjari's community. Still, attendance is erratic.

Children were attracted to the center because of the television. But when power supply was cut off from their community when they failed to pay their bills, students lost their interest to go to school as well.

The Matina Aplaya Elementary School is a walking distance from the two communities. But Libertad Bengaura, the school guidance counselor, and another school staff said they have very few Badjao students enrolled.

"They don't give a value when it comes to education," Bengaura said.

While those who may be interested to enroll are faced with yet another problem: birth certificates, or the lack of it.

Of the present crop of children in Adjari's community, only 15 have birth certificates, which they got when the city government, through the instigation of City Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III, held a mass registration some four years ago. Those children registered at that time are now in their teens, more have sprouted, and several more have settled in.

"Mao lagi gikaproblemahan. Kay kung moadto na sa elementary kinahanglan gyud og birth certificate (That's the problem because these children can not be admitted in school without birth certificates)," Adjari said.

Councilor Avila, to whom Adjari has already discussed the need for more birth registrations, said another round of civil registry activities are scheduled in the coming year.

During the interview, residents pointed out lack of income as the main cause for quitting school. In a family who depends on fishing, selling pearls, rendering songs and selling ukay-ukay as a living, parents according to Adjari cannot afford to fully sustain the children's allowance and school supplies.

Kalingalan Kasayon, one of the elders, was quick to say that sending a garnchild to school is expensive.

While Jonathan Irales, 26, son of a former leader in the other community, who is hailed as the only community member who finished high school said it was easier during his time because school things were not as expensive as they are now.

Both Irales and Adjari affirmed that not one of the 68 families living in the area has graduated from college.

"Grade 5, Grade 6 diha lang gyud na siya taman (It is only up to Grade 5 to Grade 6)," Irales added.

"Minyo lang wala nag-eskwela (They're all married but have not gone to school)," Kasayon said when asked about the educational level of his children.

The UCCP Pag-ugmad, however, is not giving up on them, although Pag-ugmad's Leah Genson admits it is one continuing struggle against generations of neglect -- both from the community and the government.

"Meron na tayong 20 scholars, elementary yan sila. Sa pre-school, 15," she said.

Also, she said, they have mobilized an organization of Badjao youths both in Davao City and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, the Tingog Kabataan, which harnesses the talents of the young and give them a voice in their communities. The group had a gathering last Saturday at the Brokenshire auditorium.

They also have social workers clsoely monitoring their students, she said. "Basta kami ngayon, every week pumupunta ang social worker, two days sa Matina Aplaya and two days sa Sta. Cruz," Genson said.

There's a lot of counseling needed, she said, to stimulate the children's interest in education. What they are trying to do is make it easier by providing for the financial needs of the student and providing pep talks as well.

"Isa sa mga advocacies namin talaga is no to early marriages. Dapat kasi ang malaking mindshift pa," she said.

Irales said that once a Badjao reaches 13 years of age, he or she can already get married. This was echoed by Adjari.

Thus, even before finishing elementary grades, the newly-weds would stop their schooling and earn a living to support their forthcoming family.

"Pati na rin yung pangangailangang kumita. Kaya yung mga batang lalaki, once adolescent na sinasama na ng mga papa nila mangisda sa laot," Genson said.

Genson is optimistic they can make a difference, although it might take some time. She tacks hope on Irales whom they are pushing to take up a college course and one other student who already graduated in elementary to push through with his secondary education.

In the meantime, Genson takes courage from the fact that the number of teenage marriages among Badjaos in the communities they serve are dwindling.

"Kumokonti na talaga ang nag-aasawa ng maaga," she said.

This may be a small step, but it means a lot in finally bringing the Badjaos into the mainstream where they will no longer be conveniently forgotten in the fringes of the coastal communities that have long been their home. The next step: bring them all to school so they can enjoy their right to education. But before that, give them a name and a nationality through birth registration.

Basic rights of a child, these are called. But to a Badjao child, he may not even be aware he has been deprived of such.