New Librarians

Warmest congratulations to all who passed the recent Licensure Examination for Librarians held last November 11-12, 2008! For the list, please click here.

On Socola's GA and SW

Last October 28-29, 2008, I attended the 22nd General Assembly and Seminar-Workshop of SOCOLA (SOCSKSARGEN Librarians Association, Inc.) held at Notre Dame of Marbel University. It was a two-day affair with four topics discussed by invited speakers from Davao, Manila, Marbel and GenSan. However, I was only able to hear two of the topics as I was tasked to accompany one of our speakers, who was from Manila. We were roommates in the hotel and we sort of have this “FC” (feeling close) effect. Imagine, we only met that day, but we hit it off right away. In the hotel, we talked and talked as if we’ve known each other for a long time, until we both were very, very sleepy. I enjoyed her company, as she has a very open and very down-to-earth personality. And I was surprised at myself on finding out that I can also be open even to a perfect stranger. Well, It was a nice experience all in all.

me, with Paul, Noriette and the speaker, Ms. Melody

MBS2, a success!!!

I was one of those fortunate generals who attended the recently concluded 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit held at Family Country Homes and Convention Center in General Santos City last October 25-26, 2008. It was undoubtedly a very successful gathering of Mindanaoan Bloggers headed by Avel Manansala, the man behind Bariles Republic. This man, whom I only met during the summit, was very accommodating and made everyone comfortable and at home. I think no one in the summit felt left out or OP (out of place). In fact, as I observed, every blogger had a blast during the summit and during the tour. Sir Avel’s commitment and effort to make the summit a success was incomparable! Congratulations Sir Avel and your staff for a job well done!!!

with our very own City Mayor Jun Acharon
me with the MBS2 tarp as background

the man, Avel Manansala aka Bariles
with Bariles, Kea and Jessie
some of the freebies
my name tag

the pinoy R.N. on board

me with Kea

Kea with her school friends and with C.M. Acharon

MBS2 Update of Sponsors

Thank you to the following for making 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit possible:

CO-PRESENTERS:
City Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr.
Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio
NOKIA
Department of Tourism XII
ABS-CBN Regional Network Group
Bariles Republic
Gen. Santos City Tourism Association
SOCCSKSARGEN Blogers

GOLD SPONSORS:
Friendster
Globe
AMA Computer Learning Center
Grab A Crab Restaurant and Coffee Club 101
Gregoria Printing Press

SILVER SPONSORS:
Nokiahost.Com
Asia United Bank
Family Country Hotel & Convention Center
East Asia Royale Hotel
Fine Pixel Advertising
IDEAS

BRONZE SPONSORS
GenSan Sale.Com
Blogging from Home Book
Pacific Seas Seafood Market
Generals Logimark Exponent
Prints and You
Writing Edge.Com
Forest Lake San Carlos Park
Rolee Bakery & Cafe
Jehzlau Concepts
Techykid.Com
Jaypee Online.Net
Blue Media Communications
International Container Terminal Services, Inc
Shalom Wizard Academy
Dreamworld Travel and Tours
Sta. Cruz Seafoods, Inc.
Dellosa Design Build Services
Kristan Bookstore
DOLE Philippines
Husky Bus Lines
Shakey's Pizza
Family Brand Sardines
Gaisano Mall of GenSan
Chowking - KCC
Jollibee National HighwayProcter & Gamble Philis., Inc
Mega Sardines

USC, Sugbu...

After 16 years I was in Cebu City again, particularly, University of San Carlos where I took my Library Science course. I was sent there for one week training on preservation of Filipiniana materials and then for another week for a seminar and book selection. On my first week, I stayed alone at a motel in Pelaez Street, just across USC’s College of Law. On the second week, I stayed at Casa Rosario near the Redemptorist Church in Mango Avenue with my boss and five faculty members.

Cebu City has a special place in my heart as it was there I enjoyed being a student. On my first night and even if it was drizzling, I walked from where I stayed to Fuente Osmeña thinking of a dinner at a barbecue place called Larsian. However, when I reached Fuente Osmeña, the barbecue place was not there anymore. And so I went instead to Robinson’s and dined at one of the food stalls there. I had puso, ngoyong and fried crabmeat balls. They were not that yummy, but I felt good that I was able to taste again some of the food my classmates and I enjoyed so much, 16 years ago. I was glad I was given the chance to be in Cebu once again. I hope to be back there soon.

MBS2

Mindanao Bloggers Summit 2 will be in GenSan come October 25-26, 2008... See you all there!

"Be seen, be heard, be counted!"

MBS2 Logo & Sponsors

****I'm joining too!****



CO-PRESENTERS:
NOKIA (Philippines), Inc.
Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr.
Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio
ABS-CBN Regional Network Group
Mindanao Bloggers
Bariles Republic

GOLD SPONSORS:
ACLC-Skeptron Ventures, Inc.
Gregoria Printing Press

SILVER SPONSORS:
Asia United Bank
NoKiAHOST.COM - P5/day Philippines Webhosting
Family Country Hotel & Convention Center
East Asia Royale Hotel

BRONZE SPONSORS:
GensanSALE.COM - AnyThings for Sale in Gensan
Blogging from Home Book
Pacific Seas Seafood Market
Shalom-Crest Wizard Academy
Generals Logimark Exponent
Prints and You
Sta. Cruz Seafood, Inc.
Dellosa Design Builders, Inc.

Need help! (MBS2)

I have just signed up on this blog site. This is actually part and an application of my lesson on Web 2.0. Then, I saw an ad on TV about Mindanao Bloggers Summit 2 to be held here in GenSan. Well, my curiosity got me and so I tried surfing on the net for more info about it. I found out that there's no registration fee needed. However, the organizers thought of a unique way or should I say, clever way, for an interested party to register. Well folks, it may sound that easy, but for me, who is just starting to know my way around this blog site, I am having trouble registering. Okay, okay, I'm actually quite panicky as there's a deadline to register. I don't know how to register! Wait, can't I just barge in at the venue come October 25-26, 2008? Pleaseeeeee?

My favorite poem...

-Love Song-

I cannot love you

Only with my head

Or only with my heart

Or only with my belly button

Or with fingers and toes

I may fall in love

With one or more parts

Like swimming among lilacs

Or squirming in dung

Again and again

And again

But if I love you

We have to rise

And chase butterflies

Or follow a bird

To the end of a rainbow

Though we won't find answers

To never-ending questions

If you wish to love me

Do, not only with your eyes

That blaze like sunrise

And turn from coal to ashes

Not only with your palms

That knead the sweat from my hips

But do not touch my soul

Not only with your belly button

That mirrors nothing

Not even the masks you don

For your superiors and enemies

Not with bended knees

To worship me

That crackle at the whim of youth

At the whip of age

If you love me

Know me, too

And do, with all of you

And yourselves you

Have yet to meet

And yourselves you still

Have to embrace

For I am not only cistern

But also lake, river, rain

The sea of life

I am not a vase

Or just a piece of land

But earth that floods

And quivers at the spine

To reject or accept

Anything foreign

To my soil

I am not a canvas

Not mere paper

But the story and the substance

Without which you cannot

Paint or write or sing

If you learn to love me

With or without the monotone

Of always and forever

Then I won't need

Others in fragments

Others who tear me

To pieces to match me

Part by body part

Then shall we know

Loving is not falling

Or being caged or strangled

Or winning a race

But opening, sharing

Little by little

As flower unfolds

Naturally, curls into fruit

Or fades into another bud

Yes

Rising, flying

Soaring, changing

Being reborn

Being whole

Becoming

Being...

-by Marra P.L. Lanot-

Zipline Experience at Sabros Camp, Digos, Davao del Sur, Philippines

August 30, 2008, a Saturday… the day I conquered one of my fears-- my fear of heights. Initially, it was a mixed feeling. I was so nervous... so afraid... Yet deep inside me there was this desire to try it. Yeah, try it. And I thought, it's now or never. Then there was this other side of me, which was saying, "Nah, it's too scary"... So I was enveloped in seconds of life-changing decision. Do I really have to do it? In the end, I finally gave in to my desire to conquer, if not all of my fears, at least some of them. And that moment was an opportunity that I need to take. So I finally did it, and it was so great! The experience, the adventure, the fun, the adrenalin rush--it was indescribable! My nervousness? It was nowhere to be found just seconds after we took off! It was replaced by sheer thrill and joy of sweet victory. So, I am now a conqueror...