Open MEMO to HIMC Faculty and Staff, Mar 25, 2013

To my dear Faculty and Staff,

Congratulations for another successful schoolyear in 2012-13.  The year has taught us a lot and as we move on to 2013-2014, allow me to pose some challenges or things to think about while on your vacation…

It is not the quantity but the quality of knowledge which determines the mind’s dignity.

---WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING

For 2013-2014, HIMC shall revolve its programs on the following initiatives…

Home

Integrity

Mastery

Communication

HOME

We shall promote our school as a second home for all our students providing the needed facilities and proper relationships and treatment of our students

INTEGRITY

We shall practice uncompromising integrity in all our actions specifically in teaching, testing, and giving grades despite the homey initiative.

MASTERY

Lets promote a BACK TO BASICS CURRICULUM. Focus on simplifying our curriculum while promoting quality over quantity.

COMMUNICATION

Communication lines MUST be initiated and enhanced between ALL sectors (Parents, Students, Administration, Staff, etc) to have proper COORDINATION of efforts, feedback, and inquiries to ensure that we HEAR what is being SAID, IMPLIED, and more importantly…what ISN’T being said.

Expect CHANGE these coming months as we look forward to a BETTER SCHOOL for all of us.

Have a good vacation.

--GHR, Director HIMC

Moniq's video

SAlamat anak...made me teary eyed again...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtah8_JumXc
I love you!

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My humble message in the recognition day 2013

A pleasant good morning to all.
Many of you, even the teachers have been wondering where I have been these past three weeks.
Well, I until now am battling an eye injury, been in and out of the hospital, two eye surgeries and lots of Time in the dark. Ive been told the painful words, you might lose sight, you need to give up sports and live a sedentary life while ive been told that everything will turn out fine. Whatever the turn out will be, i just keep on hanging on to hope.
But i am not here to talk about myself, were here because we celebrate your success. One year of consistent hard work is recognized today. What separates you from the quarterly honors is the fact that you were honor students in all the quarters.
Enjoy this moment. No one can ever take away the feeling you are feeling now or this experience or being recognized up on stage.
And for next year, may this moment serve as an inspiration to continue excelling in your studies...i emphasize to continue and not to be complacent.
My dear students, may you all live the saying...Carpe Diem...Seize the day! Never put off tomorrow what you can do today. May it be preparing for your quizzes, saying thank you for your blessings, or giving your parents a hug. Do it now to save you from saying...sayang or i should have.
Your success today may be yours but remember that you share this with your parents, teachers, and friends. So i challenge you, on your own time, in your own small way, to take the initiative to thank all the people who helped you get where you are now. And in the silence of your hearts, wag natin kalimutan magpasalamat sa nagbigay sa atin ng lahat ng ito. Always see your blessings. Dont wait for you to experience blurry vision to have a clearer view of things. Huwag nyo na hintayin lumabo ang paningin nyo para makita ang mga biyaya na ating nakakamit.
Again, my congratulations to the best of the best students!
Good morning.

The pain of uncertainty...

Going through a rough time in my life has brought me to a realization that the pain of uncertainty is far greater than any physical or emotional pain.

Take the case of physical pain,  there are pain killers or actual treatments in either eradicating or lessening the pain.  You face the pain then treat it. Then, its gone.  Wounds in the body are treated to heal.

Emotional pain on the other hand is also, I believe, manageable.  We grieve and feel the pain, then rationalise about it then eventually move on.  The memory lives but the pain subsides.

Unlike the pain of uncertainty,  it lingers.

Like a child who asks for a toy,  saying "NO" to a child may be painful but sometimes, we resort to saying" LET'S SEE..." which is neither a yes nor a no.  It gives hope with the possibility of disappointment.  While the child continues to wait for the final decision,  that child goes through what I believe to be the pain of uncertainty.  I guess, the only thing we should consider then is to minimize the state of being in "limbo"

At the moment,  my medical condition leads me to uncertainty.  From a very physically active athlete,  I have been sidelined for a week and it remains to be uncertain if my condition improves and I can go back to sports or not.  This brings me tremendous pain.

The only important thing is that we hang on to the uncertainty itself as that gives us hope that one day, things will turn out for the better.  Moreover,  cherish all your blessings...your family, friends, and loved ones who have been part of your life.

Sometimes,  we need to face a roadblock only to slow down to be able to smell the flowers around you.  Living in a fast world limits our capability to appreciate our surroundings.

Perhaps, this roadblock I am facing is of a greater magnitude that I ever imagined it to be and I welcome it with anxiety and all the emotional baggage it brings as I look for the way back to my world!

The 14,000kilometer disney marathon...

My wife Tina left for Florida on a Tuesday for her Disney marathon scheduled that Sunday of the week. I had to stay behind to do daddy duties to the three kids who were gonna have a busy weekend themselves...Getty had a retreat Friday-Saturday and an outing Saturday-Sunday for the Harpoons swim team with Moniq.

Tuesday...Wednesday...and Thursday went smoothly as planned.

Thursday night however, I came up with the idea of taking the last flight Saturday after picking up Getty from his retreat, send them to their outing with the driver, and arrive Florida in time to see Tina cross the finish line.

I told the kids my plan and all systems were go except for 2 things...Geri did not want to be left behind and I had no ticket yet.

I tried my very best to reason with Geri but she said its either we both stay at home or I bring her with me. Getty and Moniq agreed that I bring Geri to Florida so we agreed to get on the flight to Florida. I told her repeatedly that it is a very tiring trip and she promised never to complain...which she did!!!

So...as planned, Geri and I got on a 24hour flight to Florida...and had enough time to see Tina cross the line. She did not see us at the finish line. Upon crossing the line, she texted me that she just finished, got hit by a stray baseball, so tired, and so sad...

We went to the race retreat tent and waited for her to come out.

As she went out, she was totally shocked to see us...tears started to fall from her eyes as I firmly hugged her and said..."its ok, I'm here..." Tina has always been there for my big races and I couldnt let this one pass...

Perhaps, this was a moment we shall always cherish for our lifetime...

Dot said...with what you have done, you are the lord of the romantics...

I don't think so...I'm just a man madly in love with his wife...

En todo amar y servir

What many may not know about me is that I teach...

Yes, I teach at the Graduate School of Education at the Ateneo de Manila University. Most of my students are older than me. I have even had the chance to teach my teachers from the ateneo grade school and high school. Although, i also have my fair share of having students who were once classmates, both stand an equal challenge to boot.

Being originally from the school administrative background, teaching has given me a whole new perspective on the dynamics of teacher-administrative relationship. Having hands on experience as an administrator enables me to apply both theory and practical in my class lectures and being a teacher gives me that other view from the teacher in my day-to-day administrative endeavors.

Nonetheless, I make special mention to a question that many have asked me..."WHY TEACH?"

Ii simply answer this question in three words...fulfillment, loving, serving

There is a sense of fulfillment whenever you are able to share and impart knowledge to others. Moreso, there is a fulfilling feeling when you yourself learned something new through interesting discussions.

I teach at the ateneo because I love this school and I enjoy giving back to my alma mater. It is my small contribution to producing men and women for others.

In a nutshell, it all boils down to service. Mind you, teaching is a vocation. We reap our rewards when our students excel in their chosen field.

But as human as i may be, i also get tired. Only God knows until when I shall continue my teaching. I have had my own doubts whether i should continue or stop but, i firmly believe that God has a plan for all of us.

EN TODO AMAR Y SERVIR...to love and serve...AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM...all for the greater Glory of God.

On top of the world...

I would like to share with you a place of tranquility where my good friend MAKOY brought me a couple of months ago.

It was a struggle to get to the top but the view was breathtaking.  Of course,  I was always trying to catch my breath as we were pedalling and pushing our bikes up this mountain.

Not everyone has seen this place and I would like to share with you a glimpse of how beautiful and peaceful it was up there.  Many times, we are stressed with all the difficulties of life and I am just thankful for having the chance to go there to have my moment of peace.

I look forward to going back soon.  I may not have the clearance to bike nor run up there but...I can still walk going there and enjoy the beauty of nature at its purest form.

My 1st treadmill workout-POST SURGERY

Having the clearance for 30 minute workouts of either minimal resistance trainer or brisk walking on the treadmill, I decided to go for the walk today.  

First ten minutes went by with my heart rate rising to 80 as I was so excited to workout.  I kept my speed to 3kms per hour.  I increased it to 3.5 kms the next 10 minutes as my heart rate had dropped to approximately 60.  I increased the pace to 4kms per hour the next 5 minutes then dropped it to 3 as I started to cool down.

For me, its a great start...I have been in the dark the past few days...literally and figuratively as I continue to walk around wearing shades and it is quite endearing that I am able to do what I long to do...

Until tomorrow...I look forward to riding my white horse as I hear the hum of the di2 shifting!

Lubak sa daan...

Last Tuesday, I did my last brick...did 2:30trail ride and 2k trail run. I rested afterwards and noticed black spots on my right eyes vision. I took it lightly and even did a 7k all out workout with Coach Jay in the afternoon.

Wednesday, the black spots were still there so I decided to get a check up. Initial diagnosis, retinal leak and I need complete bed rest for 45 days plus I have to think of another sport already...

Thursday morning...blood tests, ultrasound, x-rays, ecg were conducted in the morning. Aside from the MILD whitening of the liver due to alcohol drinking and a resting heart rate of 40(which alarmed the cardiologist initially but determined it healthy for me...) plus an over the limit hemoglobin count...nahalata yata yung oxygenator ko...hahaha...I practically got a clean bill of health.

Thursday afternoon...I got a 2nd opinion from this doctor who examined my eye then Tina BLUNTLY asked this doctor if I could go back to what I do after I am cured and he said the painful words..."I DONT THINK HE CAN DO IRONMAN ANYMORE" Strike 2! Mukhang chess na lang lalaruin natin nito MAkoy! Anyway, he referred me to...lo and behold...Doc GEORGE PILE of Trimac.

Friday...Doc George examined my eye...(FROM A DECENT DISTANCE) and immediately said...we need to operate to stop the bleeding. For the first time, I felt that there was hope. Doc George operated on my eye. In fairness, he made me feel so popular introducing me to all his staff as a true ironman since his stories to them only consisted doing the half. His staff would occasionally ask me about the sport and it was good therapy for me.

We parted ways after the surgery with HOPE. He told me to give up the Bohol ultramarathon this April but has high hopes that I could do Kona and Florida. 

Yesterday, I went for follow up check up and was given the go-signal to either do 30minute trainer or 30minute walking on treadmill or road...until my checkup again next Tuesday.

Baby steps, I believe there is a reason for this and I will get back on that saddle soon. 

Isang lubak na dapat malampasan...