Seminar at Lewis Grand Hotel

Last week I attended a three-day workshop on Gender and Development (GAD) planning and budgeting held at Lewis Grand Hotel in Clark, Pampanga.

GAD GFPS

On Day 1, we brainstormed on gender sensitive projects that we were told would be inspected by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Commission on Audit (COA). On Days 2 and 3, a writeshop was facilitated by DILG – Caloocan Cluster Head Ms. Imelda D. Basilio. She imparted a very informative talk that was both practical and truly uplifting for GAD workers in the local government.

Writeshop
Photo Credit: Ms. Yssa Dimaapi

Seminars are indeed healthy in organizations. It keeps everybody updated of the most recent trends, in our case, crucial mandates of the national government. Moreover, it promotes camaraderie and solidarity.

The sales and marketing team of Lewis Grand Hotel is quite commendable because despite our last-minute change of schedule, the coordinator remained very much willing and patient to assist us.

Every space in the hotel is really appealing and selfie-friendly. The only part in the hotel that was not so nice was the facility in the second floor conference room. The white board is not neat and you can’t erase the permanent ink on the board. In effect, it had been a useless tool during our seminar. Good thing the employees are quick to respond to our requests for technical assistance. Only, they were unable to fix one of the two microphones we needed that time.

The food was also delicious. I just noticed that for three breakfasts that we had, the menu is always almost the same. Meals are often red meat too and creamy soup. I wish they served seafood at least once.

Despite the negligible concerns that I have experienced at the hotel, since the employees were all amazing, I’m going to rate Lewis Grand Hotel a relatively high passing score of 7 out of 10. 

If you would like to also try the venue, here are the contact details:

Tel, No.: (+63 45) 625.3947 * Fax No.: (+63 45) 625.6186

Email: sales@lewisgrand.com | Website: www.lewisgrand.com

Address: Don Juico Avenue, Clarkview, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines

Thank you Lewis Grand! I had a good time. See you again soon.

A Cross Journal for My MA Journey

I woke up this morning with concerns flying over my head, like the birds you see on tv when a person hits his head and suddenly becomes dizzy.

I’m off to a seminar tomorrow and I haven’t prepared my stuff yet, I have not finished reviewing my son for his periodical test yet, and due to the heavy rains, I have not given the midterm exams to my students in both colleges where I teach. Soon, I will have to check tons of test papers and hurry up for the grade computation. Geez, I don’t want to complain but I’m quite overwhelmed.

My quick fix today? I grabbed my make-up set and colored my face a bit, cleaned my lateral, took a power nap while I plugged my earphones on to listen to an OPM, I’m having my coffee as I’m writing this, and in a few seconds I’ll meditate.

Hey, Liz! This was your dream remember? You longed for that “super fabulous mom” image. Do you hear Pussycat Doll’s song in your head saying, “Be careful what you wish for ‘coz you might just get it?” And voila! You’re there but you still find yourself restless.

Anyhow. I’m putting out my long-kept Cross journal and pen which Arch. Padilla gave me two Christmases ago. My female officemates exclaimed that it was such a fine gift and they asked how come I’m only using it now.

Not a status symbol. Just a reward to myself.

Well, since I’m not rich and I seldom acquire a fine notebook, I decided not to use it for a while until such time I deem myself involved in a really important project where I can put the journal to better use. That time has finally come because I have finally enrolled in masters.

I’m taking just one subject this sem – qualitative research. Paper works again! But at least, this is indicative that I have another step forward, and this is the best part.

I really have to acquire some more time management skills. Weeeeeeeeee!

Teaching Is Therapeutic

 My main reason why I asked for a full pack teaching load is income.

Onset, I only computed for my available time. I teach right after my day job in one university, and on Saturdays, I teach in another nearby college. I have not anticipated that certain changes will take place in my career which are luckily positive, but somehow make my body ache because of overwork. So on weekends, my body never fails to communicate to my brain that it wants to just doze off.  

Lately, after getting to know my students better, their natural humor unstoppably emanates during discussions. While at times they tend to be unruly, they’re also easy to silence whenever I start tapping the board or the table to call attention. I guess the funny bone in me is the culprit why I cannot be as strict as I wanted myself to portray. Whenever my students start to crack jokes, I tend to get carried away.

Last night, in my technical writing class for accounting majors, the assigned group reporter conducted a game which they called “Pass the Message with a Twist.” Its difference to the traditional game was that, the players are supposed to eat a candy while relaying the message to the next player.

Team A was consisted of six tall girls while Team B was consisted of six short gals. One of the boys at the back yelled, “Maám, Team B needs three more because they couldn’t be counted as one, they could only be counted as point five (.5).” Then he noticed one of his chubby classmates in front so he continued, “But if you will add <insert name> in the group, they would be complete because her size will compensate for them all.” A roar of laughter followed.

The game facilitator then told the girls to line up so that they could proceed with the game. While Team B was forming the line, the same guy sang at the back, “Heigh-ho, heigh-ho…” in the tune of the Walt Disney’s animated film – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. My goodness, the kids were very silly!

Good thing, the petite girls were not affected at all by the joke although of course, I was a little wary also.

I hear some teachers say that their profession keeps them young. And last night, I felt what they meant. Laughter healed my tired body.

The photo below is a picture of my literature class last semester. Their attention phase was also a mind game called “4 Pics 1 Word.”

 

Discussion Attention Phase: 4 Pics 1 Word

Apart from classroom humor, when students prepare well for their classes, teachers are also pleased. 

C’est La Vie

I read in a tweet this morning that having an enemy is not bad at all because it means that at a certain point in your life, you have stood up for something.

It’s never a nice feeling to wake up in the morning to have ill baggage in your heart towards other people; but it is neither nice to let other people step on you too.

I am really thankful that my papa is still alive to take care of me. One time when an old woman berated me of my stature in life, he was immediately there to fight for me.

I realized that the love from one’s family is the most sincere of all – it knows no bounds. At the time when I got devastated, my mama and papa were there to help me through, as well as my siblings who actively contributed to my recuperation. And they still do.

Life indeed is like a wheel. Sometimes you’re on the top, sometimes you’re at the bottom. One thing I learned also is that, moving forward in life is not a chance of fate but a decision to make. I am glad that after a year of storm, things are now calmer and more peaceful.

I only pray that I could take away the sadness in my son’s eyes. He seems problematic and tiresome every time I see him lately.

Birthday of Dr. Pio Valenzuela Marks My Career Rebirth

I had posts on social media that insinuated how unhappy I was with my job. I used Facebook to flaunt my activities and accomplishments to my online friends who are my co-government employees, to help me create an image that I am a productive person, for I felt that my kiss-ass officemates were more favored by our boss and  a demolition job against me was underway.

I love my job as a writer but our office culture suddenly changed due to the leadership style of our former superior, which was quite difficult to get along with if you’re the type of employee who wears a thinking hat. I surpassed the “dark ages” of our unit when almost all of the seasoned team leaders in our department vanished one by one. Now, our present office chief was my mentor who really knows what he is doing.

Ecstatic as I was for having a new boss, I have been more than helpful to my officemates on our first major event assignment – the celebration of our local patriot’s birth anniversary.

Wreaths At The Triumvirate

At the commemoration of Dr. Pio Valenzuela’s birthday, our team decided to pursue what we did last year – instead of accepting expensive wreaths from various socio-civic organizations (which will just wither at the Triumvirate grounds), we wrote them a letter expressing that monetary cash gifts as additional funds for the Dr. Pio Valenzuela Scholarship Program would be more meaningful and practical.

Even if I was only supposed to write and to do editing jobs in our department, I welcomed additional tasks that supported our team endeavor then. When we needed students to represent the Dr. Pio Valenzuela scholars in our ceremonial fund donation for the scholarship program, I contacted my students for help. When we couldn’t find someone to lead the prayer for the event, I was volunteered by my new boss and I did not decline. Below the platform, I was also monitoring the host’s script while assisting in the program's over-all flow. The event was such a success! The mayor commended our team.

Government Personnel with the Dr. Pio Valenzuela Scholars

This event is meaningful to me. Apart from paying respect to our local hero, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, the event somehow made me feel like I’m a phoenix. My career didn’t die for long. I’m back on track.

6K for Senior Citizens, for real?

A friend asked me a couple of days ago if it is true that the government is giving Php6,000 to all indigent senior citizens. She saw on Facebook the post below, hence the question.

Screenshot from Yalehd Sotnac

 While I was pretty certain that the news was true, I didn’t know its mechanism at the local government’s end. So I called up Ms. Kat of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) at 352-1000 local 1129, and asked her if the inquiry was valid.

According to Ms. Kat, the program is not new and CSWDO has been implementing it for quite some time now. The funding is sourced from the national government.

She clarified though that the amount is not given in one go annually, but Php500 monthly. It is awarded to all indigent senior citizens from age 60 and up, who are not receiving pension of any kind.

Availing of the benefit is quite simple. One must simply submit a photocopy of his or her OSCA ID (Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs identification card) at the CSWDO. After which, social workers will do a home visit and evaluation.

It’s good to know information such as this, but it is even better to know how the program works to enjoy the privilege. 

Good Bye Office Bully

Indeed, the Lord never sleeps. The oppressed should never lose hope because God is always there to give comfort to the abused and the weak.

I have never imagined that I will be a victim of office bullying. For the longest time that I have been working as a professional, I have always deemed myself competent and skilled enough to be my every co-workers reliable partner… until barely-there common sense, insecurity, misplaced ‘loyalty,’ office politics, selfishness, and self-righteousness of some of my colleagues were successfully intertwined by the-one-who-must-not-be-named.

Prior to “that creature” leaving, “it” was voraciously ready to rip every piece of me. My long-valued friendships with my co-workers have ended under its watch, my image to some of the big bosses was distorted and badly tarnished, my supposed overtime pay that I intend to use to feed my children was denied, and I was made to appear as a good-for-nothing employee.

The little UP girl in me was crying, “How could this be? I was one of the key drivers of our department. I worked with my heart and soul for honest to goodness public service. I do not deserve this injustice.”

I gathered some courage to air my concern. It wasn’t easy. I cried a bucket of tears and asked good people around to also pray for me. After a couple of days waiting, I reaped a favourable result.

Now here I am, more empowered than ever.

“Karma” is real – whatever it is that you do unto others will ricochet unto you seven folds. Spread good karma.