Davao's "Bato" (The Rock)

For all Dabawenyos, his name has become synonymous to a man of action - an officer that the common people can rely on and a nemesis to criminals. His 18 months term as Davao City Police Director will soon end in a few days following his transfer and promotion to Camp Crame as Chief of Staff, Police Training Service of the Philippine National Police. I may not know him personally, but as a blogger and Dabawenya by heart, this post is my tribute to one tough guy called "Bato".

PSSupt. Ronald "Bato" M. dela Rosa (source)

A Small Town Boy's International Feat

One thing I love about blogging is the opportunity to meet different folks from different strokes. Individuals who followed their passions and eventually carved a name for themselves. This is the story of a small town boy who will inspire students to do their best and show the rest of the world the Filipino caliber. 

I was given the chance to attend a media round table discussion with Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2013 award-winner Judel Jay A. Tabsing from Panabo City National High School (PCNHS), Davao del Norte. Although this is very far from my field of communications, my presence there were because one - I am and will always be a development worker (I worked five and half years for an education project) and two - stories like these I believe deserve everyone's time and attention. 

Sixteen-year old Judel bested more than 300 entries from all over the world at the recently-concluded Intel ISEF 2013 competition in Phoenix, Arizona last May 22-27, 2013. His study entitled Impatiens balsamina Leaf Extract as Potential Fungicide Against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 Causing Fusarium Wilt of Banana won fourth award in the Plant Sciences Category.

Judel's winning moment at the Intel ISEF 2013 (Photo courtesy of Intel Phils.)

A Letter for Tony

Dear Dad,

This is my mandatory blog post for you on Fathers' Day. I know you will not understand what a blog post is so let's reserve it for another time. But allow me to get sentimental with this letter and tell you things which I'd like to believe you already know - only this time the rest of the blogosphere is reading. Again, I'll explain what that word means when you're feeling techie.

Dad and Ina-Tay on her 33rd birthday

I Want to be a Maricar

I just finished watching on YouTube the video of Richard Poon and Maricar Reyes' wedding held last Sunday. It was touching, my eyes were welling up and I can't help but utter a silent prayer - Lord, in Your faithfulness and love, please let me be  a Maricar.

Source

Why I love working with expats

Lately, I have allowed myself to go to uncharted territories. The journey so far has been exhilarating, I can't confidently say though it's rewarding because I have yet to see. But these new directions caused me to be pensive and press rewind. I have gone this far because I learned from some of the best people to work with - expats. 

Now before you raise that eyebrow and ask how much I must've been paid to write this post, allow me to qualify my statement. I know some of you have horror stories about working with foreign nationals and how they caused you sleepless nights and fleeting moments of insanity. Albeit some who made me work wounded to the point of almost second-guessing my capabilities that took so long to build, my experience is generally happy and meaningful. 

We were one big happy family! (circa 2004). 

I noticed that I actually work better with foreigners than with Filipinos. I'm not being critical of my own race here, however I personally find it relatively easier to share the four corners of an office with them. And from my years of experience with them, here are some reasons why: 

Where art thou Wisely?

I looked for Wisely yesterday on my ballot - such person did not exist. While watching the election coverage on TV Wisely was nowhere to be found. I was looking for Wisely and my search was in vain.

Image from inquirer.net

An afternoon with an icon

In one of my previous posts, I mentioned my excitement to be granted a sit-down interview with one of Davao City's icons. She was responsible for bringing home the "Waling-waling" and making it synonymous to Davao. Last February, she was named one of GoNegosyo's 13 Filipina Entrepreneurs of 2013. Know more of this inspiring lady who seems to have a Mida’s touch, founder of the Puentespina Orchids and Tropical Plants, Inc. and the Waling-waling lady herself – Charita P. Puentespina.

Chari Puentespina holds GoNegosyo's 50 Inspiring Stories of Agri Entrepreneurs book where she was featured

At the mention of her name, one would instantly think of the stunning purplish blooms of the famous Waling-waling (now named as the country’s second national flower) that she helped save from extinction in the 1980s. Her passion to “bring home” Vanda Sanderiana back to the Davao after seeing it in one of her trips in Bangkok made her a household name to orchid lovers here and abroad. 

Sit-down interview with an icon

Ina-Tay is very excited to be granted a sit-down interview with one of GoNegosyo's Women Entrepreneur Icons 2013.

I'll give you a clue:

Photo from the web

Now do you have an idea? Stay tuned...

An open letter to a new blogger

"ate lany, lookie! I have a blog na din! role model man gud tika  good example. HAHA. pero bitaw ui, it's to pass the time, and to help me improve sa akong pagsulat... nagbutang ko ug link sa imong blog didto sa akong blogroll :))" 

http://medicalschoolroadtrip.blogspot.com/

This was a message I received a few minutes ago from my cousin Karla or Mae-mae as we fondly call her. Immediately I started crying because I was so overwhelmed that I inspired her to make her own blog. She even called me her role model. *tears* Oh Mae...

A requiem for Tatay

This is my tribute to one of the male figures in my life, a little sentimental but every word is from my heart. Tatay, this is for you.

I gazed at his coffin last night and I have to smile while fighting back tears. Our next door neighbor of 27 years (we lived at Fortune since I was five years old - do the math how old I am now), Tatay as we fondly call him, joined our Creator dawn of Sunday. A day after I came home for good from GenSan. It was bittersweet.

An Ode to Mum

This post is way, way overdue but with a valid reason. I have been swamped at work and I avoid using my company-issued laptop for blogging. Since my 31-year old Ina-Tay back can only accommodate the weight of one laptop, I had to leave my old but very reliable personal laptop at home. Hence the delay.

WE ARE FAMILY! Ina-Tay (pardon my eye bags; this was after Christmas), Mummy, Ton-ton and baby Leia

Without much ado, I want to greet my female parental unit aka Mummy, a very happy birthday. Sorry that I haven't taken you to some fancy dinner because I've not been paid yet. But a certain portion of my paycheck is earmarked for the delayed birthday dinner and a little something for you.

Sir Nonoy - My Teacher, My Hero

This post is in celebration of Teachers' Month (September 5 -October 5). UNESCO in 1993, inaugurated World Teachers' Day to celebrate, who else, teachers and their most important role to guide young and old alike in the life-long learning process.

Image taken from the web



This may sound cliche but I owe huge part of who I am today to my teachers. My view on things were in part influenced by these selfless individuals who imparted their knowledge to all of us - in the name of service and sheer love of teaching. I'm writing this short but sincere post straight from my Ina-Tay heart way before October 5th, for the fear that I might get too busy and completely forget.