Interact Club of Imus-East Awardees

Congratulations to the following graduating students:
1. Angelie Angel
2. Lara Maris Lorenzo
3. Mikhael Roy Oclos
4. Jan Vincent Veracruz
5. Jerlyn Joy Lasagas
6. Paola Bernadette Roxas
7. Jamel Barbosa
8. William Andales
9. Ceasar Ryan Arenas
10. Ana Riza Jane Tarca

Kamay ni Hesus

Translation: Hands of Jesus
It has been my long-time dream to visit Lucban, Quezon, followed by "Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at Lipa, Batangas. I know it was very remote because of financial concern. With the income of English Dept. this year, the dream has become a reality.

March 15, 2008, a week after Ms. de Lachina's retirement : we finally pushed through our trip in spite of the conflict due to the demise of Ms. Aseron's father. It was exciting on my part as the manager; wheter to push through or postponed. Mrs. Honrales advised that we postponed but I did not heed her. So on we go...

What makes the place fascinating especially for Catholics are the more than life size images of saints. Just near the entrance is the mysteries of the holy rosary all four: Joyful, Light, Sorrowful and Glorious. I had my picture taken with the Last Supper and the Descent of the Holy Spirit. I looked like a small kid with the images.

The church is jampacked with the faithful community from all over the Philippines. Reading the names of donors on the cemented pathway, even balikbayans really found the place a must for their itinerary. With the healing power given to Fr. Joey Faller, countless disabled believers in their wheelchairs go home up on their own legs. For those non believers, the 300 steps journey to the giant Risen Christ is a personal victory. It's much stiffer than the steps of the Baguio Lourdes Grotto. For the believers, going up to the more than life images of the the Stations of the Cross becomes a real sacrifice. They could at least feel the suffering of going up to Mt. Calvary, being exposed to the hot sun and later being drenched by rain.
A little bit of my sins being washed away? That was the primary reason for taking the journey.

Praying that with the management of Fr. Joey Faller, the Kamay Ni Hesus will not turn into a Novaliches or Antipolo. AMEN.

The New OIC

March 6, another program was held at Golden Acres National HS. This time it's the turnover of the retiring Principal to her successor OIC. I admit, I'm very pleased with the development. Mrs. Violeta Gonzales, or Mam Davi to many, has been designated OIC while the next Principal has not been chosen yet. She is willing to give a shoulder that I can cry on. At least, I believe she is genuinely concerned about my plight ever since.

I made the introduction for her in the turnover ceremony. No long speech, just an informal way of introduction:

"Today, I am tasked to talk about a lady... I am greatly honored having assigned to perform the task. When I approached to ask for pertinent personal information, she decline to give me any, rationalizing in all humility that such information is not necessary. I have known her since 1991 as a colleague at Las Piñas National HS (Main). I have known her to be jolly, sweet and considerate. I may not see her often, but when I do, I learn a lot from her. Now that she's going to be our OIC, I hope to learn more from her. Ladies and gentlemen, the OIC of ..... Mrs. Violeta Mabaza Gonzales."

Hazel is Not a Nut

I have been fortunate to have one niece who is sweet and thoughtful. She has made me her idol, that even in the choice of school she chose my alma mater, PWU. We're not so particular about the university. One time she asked me that we meet. It's the first time I have received such invitation from her. The issue? She's a HRM student. She invited me to attend her laboratory in food and beverage. It's a first time for me, especially it coincided with an art exhibit. It sounds exiting.

When we finally met at Southmall, I treated her lunch. She made a few revelations about her other aunts. She has been disappointed by one who just came back from Jordan, and two uncles. She admitted she was afraid of me when she was still a kid. I was strict with my younger siblings, tried to be a role model but somehow didn't work out. We had different background and personalities. We didn't grow up together.

I had the impression that her mother does not understand her - sort of generation gap. Who can understand teen-agers? It's an ordeal for other parents. But I sensed that Hazel is a nice girl. Blood relation is thicker than water and I felt this for Hazel. Diday is not a nut.

Tribute Program for Mam de Lachina

I was tasked to prepare the program for the tribute for Miss de Lachina, our school principal whose retirement is March 7, 2008. The over-all coordinator of the event is the Faculty President, Mr. Rex Magdaluyo. Every department was assigned a different task. I guess, the program was easy and very cheap as far as the logistics is concerned.

I used my personal computer which has a printmaster program. It's very easy to use predesigned cards and other social forms with this program. The cover came out very attractive; looks like Mam is a debutante. The design was a flower; sort of pink lily. It was very fitting for the honoree.

The performers were Cherrie Lou Ignacio who sang "You'll Never Walk Alone; Wennilyn Bunda sang "Special Memory". The song numbers were modern Singkil, modern dance, Esperanza, and lastly tango. I performed the tango with a new teacher, Myrone Bungag. Thank, God. We did justice to the latin dance. The Supreme Government Council officers delivered a farewell message. All teachers sang "Thanks To You". I was so irritated when Mrs. Oliver declined to stay at the back as I have requested because she did not attend a single practice. I conducted as they sang and deep inside my hatred was boiling. Can you imagine? This Oliver stayed at the back of Miss De Lachina "feeling" so nice and close. How I despise that woman who has no ethics and social graces. She is fitted to be in perya in barangay fiestas.

Picture-taking was done by table and by department. So many acted like teen-agers, so eager in posing with Ma'am. Didn't leave the area and joined all picture taking. I joined only once in the table, with English department (once again,how unlady-like was Oliver who posed beside Mam with open mouth and lungs coming out. Disgusting!)

Dr. Victoriano did not attend, sent Mrs. Violeta Gonzales, English Supervisor to deliver/read her message. Everyone was jubilant. I admit, I have never danced nonstop before. I danced with Mr. de Vera, Mr. Pedro, and Sir de los Santos: all Principals. I also danced with Rico Espiritu, a female guest from CAA, Gina Aguites; and the GPTA Pres., Mrs. Aurora Saunar.

I'm happy and proud that the program was very successful. As I admitted in my closing remarks, in all the programs I have prepared, that was the most festive, colorful and most successful. I thank God for this and all the teachers who practiced patiently their production number.