Getting acquainted with chess

I can identify a chessboard but I do not know how to play with it.

That is why I decided to join in the chess group of the Digos City Division Sports Clinic which was scheduled today, November 8 and tomorrow at Digos City national High School. Our speaker was Mr. Melvin Sabio.

Mr. Melvin Sabio shows how to play chess.

I learned about the very basic- the king, queen, pawn, rook, bishop and knight. I also learned some of the rules on how to move them and how to capture the enemies.

The participants listen attentively to the speaker.

Tomorrow, we will have a mini tournament. I will attend the first service at the church first before going there.

On Interview and Promotion

I was so happy the other day when I received a text message from the division office that the interview for the Master Teacher (MT) position would be this day, October 31, 2014 from 8:00 AM-12:00 NN. Few seconds later, I also felt anxious..or shall I rather say nervous…

I submitted my pertinent papers last September 1. From then on, I was constantly visiting the division office, (once a week) to update myself for the schedule of the interview.

I arrived at the MC Hall, Digos City Division at 7:50 AM this day. I did not recognize those who were already there. I asked what position did they aim for. I learned that they were applying for an administrative assistant.

Few minutes later, applicants for MT arrived: Mrs. Fortun, Mrs. Morimoto, Mrs. Binoya, Mrs. Peñas and the other one whom I forgot. They are teachers of Digos City Central Elementary School. Mrs. Poncardas of Colorado Elem. School also came. There were also two who were applying for Principal I: Mrs. Merilyn Salboro and Mrs. Evangeline Hernan.

Applicants for AA’s were interviewed first.

We were all given a written exam. For us (MT), we were told by Ms. Oliva P. Miranda to write about this “My Promise to Children: K to 12 Curriculum”.

We were given 30 minutes to write in one sheet of bond paper (no scratch paper was given). I reflected for few minutes before I started to write. Mine was a feature article. I wrote a letter addressed to students. I was not able to finish it because Ms. Miranda already approached me to pass it. I was not able to write the closing and the signature.

During the interview, I was being told by Ms. Miranda to introduce myself. The second question was why should the superintendent hire me and the last was if I am handling an advisory class.

Thank you Lord. It was over. I entrust into Your hands my promotion.

14th Araw ng Digos City

I joined the Civic Parade this morning in line with the celebration of the14th Araw ng Digos City.

The assembly area of Digos Occidental District was in front of the Jack’s Bakery at 7:00 A.M.

After the parade, I went back directly to the parsonage to eat breakfast. Tepen and Shiro were not there yet. They watched the parade along Rizal Avenue.

The UFM had a bayanihan this day. They helped in preparing the place for the sunday school rooms.

Shiro got hurt when his right foot “nabulasot” in the bamboo floor of the cottage in front of the children’s church. His wound (which was about to heal) got worse as blood oozed out from it. Later this afternoon, he had a fever. He is fine now. He already took paracetamol and mefenamic acid.

Happy Independence Day!

Today, June 12, 2014 the entire Philippines celebrates the 116th Independence Day.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Mabuhay ang Pilipino!

A Letter from Brenlyn

Front page of the letter

Jeramil

Jeramil is one of my Grade VI pupils.

Jeramil was always absent in January and February.

At 4:30 this afternoon, I visited Jeramil at their home. It’s located about 1.5 kilometers from school.

When I arrived at their home, Jeramil was not there. He fetched water. I asked his mother why he was always absent. When Jeramil arrived, I also asked him. I encouraged him to go back to school. He promised to go to school tomorrow.

Welcome back Jeramil!

@ the Legend Villas

I’m staying here @ Legend Villas, Mandaluyong City since yesterday @ around 12:30 AM.

The Microsoft Philippines shouldered my stay here. It is because I was invited to demonstrate Windows Multipoint @ the Asian Development Bank in the connection of the ICT Week.

I stayed in this hotel for free. Airfare, terminal fees and land transportation are also shouldered but I was not given any honorarium or allowance.

Just for Today…

I’m suffering from a severe headache now. It is a result of skipping breakfast this day. It’s not because I did not like to eat. It’s because I did not have time to cook and eat this morning.

I went to Davao City with Tepen to see my adviser in thesis writing. We have to arrive there early because I have also to attend the practice for graduation in our school.

I talked to my adviser. Sir Dennis gave some instructions on how to polish my work.

I and Tepen ate lunch at Blue Carabao. Then, we went back to Digos. By the way, we went to Davao using his father’s motorcycle.

Just a reminder…I am the grade VI teacher so I must be there at 1:00 PM.Well, I was late for 30 minutes. I was grateful because my principal was not yet in school when I arrived there.

Ma’am Jo, my co-teacher, was able to facilitate in the rehearsal. She’s assigned in teaching the songs and sequence of the candidates for graduation.

Ma’am Vinluan, Ma’am Franz and Sir Lyndon were also present during this afternoon’s practice.

Hmmm…maybe I’m just stressed with the different activities for today that’s why I am having severe headache…or maybe it’s because also of the nights when I had not enough sleep…or maybe, the most possible reason is the one I mentioned a while ago…