We have already sent our formal letter of complaint to the "powers that be" in Naga City. I hope that is the end of it. I really do not want to hurt anyone but I believe our thoughts should be heard. Here is a copy of the letter we have sent to Naga City. Just read on...
18 September 2006
HON. ATTY. MILES RAQUID ARROYO
City Councilor and Over-All Chairman
Military Street Parade Competition
Naga City
THRU: MR. VICENTE S. AVILA
Project Director and Chairman
Secretariat and Rules and Regulations
Dear Madam,
Greetings of Peace and Prosperity!
First, we would like to extend our warm congratulations for a very successful Regional Penafrancia Fiesta Military Street Parade Competition. Through our hard work, our school was able to garner awards for our participating contingents, specifically: 1st Place for our WATC Unit, Second Place for our Sponsors, 5th Place for our ROTC Unit, 2nd Place for Most Disciplined ROTC Unit, and 4th Place for our University Band. We are truly grateful for this opportunity to show the whole Bicolandia what the University of Northeastern Philippines is capable of as an educational institution and molder of values.
At the onset, we would like you to know that we honor and believe in the integrity of the competition and we have no intention to besmirch the reputation of the most prestigious Military Parade Competition in the whole Bicol Region. However, it is with great regret that we write to you this letter to express our vehement protest over what transpired during the Military Parade last 15 September 2006 on the occasion of Naga City’s celebration of the 2006 Penafrancia Festivities. It is of great surprise to our Institution to find out that after the hard work and effort of our University Majorettes, we were not rated as a competing participant in your prestigious competition.
We would like to start our narration of facts by stating why we did not participate in the Category 1 Level of the Competition despite the entry of our Commandant as such. Our institution’s CAT Unit has always been categorized under Category 2. Annually, except last year, we have always submitted our entry under Category 2. Through our Commandant, we have expressed our desire to be included under Category 2. However, our request was verbally denied by Mr. Vicente Avila, telling us that the Order of Parade and the Invitations has already been sent out and the entry can no longer be changed. On this reason, we have decided not to participate in the Category 1 Level and instead concentrate our efforts in the Category 3 Level.
On the day of the Military Parade, our school representatives on stage were already at the Plaza Quezon Grand Stand by around 6:30 in the morning. The undersigned was able to arrive at around 7:00 AM. The parade has not even started yet when the undersigned was asked by Mr. Carlo Oliva, Jr. if we will participate in Category 1. He told the undersigned that they are currently checking and counter-checking the attendance of the participants in the competition. The undersigned expressly mentioned that our school will participate only in Category 3 and that we are truly not going to participate in Category 1. The undersigned believes Mr. Oliva immediately informed those on the field of this information through radio and Mr. Benny Decena, the official emcee, who was just beside him.
Later on, during the course of the parade, another young man in a yellow chaleco approached the undersigned and confirmed the information which she already relayed to Mr. Oliva. The undersigned confirmed the information and thought no more of the incident.
Much later, after the announcement of the winners, our school representatives felt the need to inquire as to the performance of our University Majorettes. Our school did not win. We admit that it came as a surprise to us, but the main reason why we inquired is for us to assess the veracity of our loss and in the process maybe improve ourselves by knowing our weaknesses.
With great surprise, we learned that the judges never gave us any grade. We were not rated. On further inquiry, we were told that the judges did not give us a score because we were not present in the supposedly “FIRST PASS” of our University Majorettes and University Band in Category 1. It truly perplexed us because our University Band, under the same circumstances, whose “FIRST PASS” was under Category 3, was given a rating and in fact won 4th place. We cannot attribute this to anything but to the negligence of the event organizers.
We cannot hide the fact that this had truly upset us. We came all the way from Iriga City. Our school spent hundreds of thousands of pesos to show our best performance in the competition. Our University Majorettes practiced day and night just to master their steps. There is so much commitment and dedication, not to mention sacrifice, just to give their best, yet all has come to naught due to the negligence of the organizing committee.
We would just like it to be clear that we are not belittling the efforts of other schools. We are sure that all participating schools had also sacrificed in the same manner, though maybe in varying degrees, and it is due to this fact that we believe that the organizers should exercise more prudence and justice in carrying out their functions.
To us, this competition, contrary to what Mr. Vicente Avila told us, is not the winning of a mere trophy or medal. It is the prestige and honor that this competition will bring to the University if we win. The organizers should realize that the participating schools spend, even without any cash reward associated with the competition, because they understand the exposure, honor and prestige that this competition entails.
Truly, it is pitiful that no less than the Project Director of this event thinks so lowly of his own competition. For us, this is THE COMPETITION for our ROTC, WATC, Sponsors, Band and Majorettes. We aim for this because it is a manifestation of the values of discipline, hard work, commitment and unity and we believe that winning this competition confirms that as an Institution we have indeed succeeded in imparting these values to our students.
We have always told our students that it is not important if we win, what is important is that they give their best to perform well in the competition. It would not have mattered to us if we lost fair and square, but we were not even rated so how could we have truly lost? It would have been a different story if we saw in the score sheets that we had low scores but fact is, and the undersigned has personally seen it, that the spaces for the scores were left blank.
Our Institution is not new to losing. For several years, we make ourselves contented with what has been awarded to us despite rumors of rigging in the competition. We just do our best to make sure that we play fair and square. We do not employ professional dancers to perform as majorettes. We do not employ professional musicians to perform as part of our Band. All the members of our contingent are bonafide students of our school.
We do not ask much, but an acknowledgement of the negligence of the organizers of the Military Parade. I believe that we deserve no less considering the hard work of our majorettes and the honor of our school. We are duty bound to exercise our right to voice out our protest and this is why we have decided to inform you of our complaint.
On our part, we believe that we have informed the organizing committee properly. This is even boldly confirmed by two facts: first, that our University Band was scored as it should have been and second, we were not announced as a contingent in the Category 1 Level. The announcer on stage immediately called on Participant No. 65 after Participant No. 63 in Category 1, which means that they are aware that we are not participating in Category 1. Clearly, our University Band was rated, but our University Majorettes were not. To our mind, what happened is a result of the negligence of the organizers, something that is truly surprising considering the number of people with radios, cellphones and other communication equipment on the site.
Furthermore, granting that we were suddenly classified as a non-competing participant, still we should have been rated for it is stated in the Guidelines, Paragraph No. 11 “NON COMPETING UNIT will also be rated for record and reference purposes only by the committee & judges”.
What we ask is more prudence and forethought, a recognition that this is a serious competition that should not be treated lightly. The organizers should not toy with the efforts of the participating schools because the schools participate with all their fervor, investing time, resources and people. We truly cannot understand how this could happen after all the years that the organizers were conducting this event. The undersigned has been watching this annual competition since she was in Grade School and the organizers are still the same people who are in charge of carrying out the event. We cannot understand how despite of all those years of experience, this unfair and unjust act can happen.
We have decided that as an institution, we shall honor your decision but this does not prevent us from making our thoughts on the matter heard by the general public. We believe, that like us, they deserve an explanation and a threshing out of all the issues that has cropped up in this competition.
The undersigned has always emphasized that it is not the trophies and medals that makes us winners but our hard work, dedication and commitment to do our best and play fair and square under all circumstances. We still believe in the competition, for in fact, we are once again starting to plan our participation in next year’s competition, but if these issues will not be discussed and once again swept under the rug, we are sorry to inform you that we will no longer participate in a competition that is riddled with doubt and dishonesty.
We believe that our participation in the competition have vested us with a right to be rated and this right has been violated by the negligence of the organizers. It is on this right that we anchor our protest. We also believe that this right should be upheld by a thorough investigation into what has transpired and that the persons responsible are sanctioned accordingly.
Furthermore, we call for an analysis and evaluation of the rules, regulation and guidelines governing the competition. We call for a more transparent and professional conduct of the event. We call for a threshing out of all the issues that has been swept under the rug throughout the years that this competition was conducted. We demand integrity, honesty and justice. We want change and we believe that as a participant in this prestigious competition we deserve no less.
With much gratitude, we look forward to a favorable resolution of the issues our school has raised here. Furthermore, we look forward to a better, much improved event next year.
Sincerely yours,
ATTY. REMELISA G. ALFELOR
University President
Copy Furnished:
HON. JESSE M. ROBREDO
Mayor, Naga City
HON. GERRY BORDADO
Vice-Mayor, Naga City
HON. MILES RAQUID-ARROYO
Councilor and Over-all Chairman
Regional Military Street Parade Competition
MR. VICENTE AVILA
Project Director
Regional Military Street Parade Competition
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Peachy in Davao
I'm on a trip right now here in Davao to attend the AAHSPI Convention here at the Grand Men Seng Hotel. It's my first day here at its been great so far.
It is sooo difficult to go back to old standards after staying at the Makati Shangrila Hotel. In fairness though, Grand Men Seng is good enough. Maybe three stars out of five. I will give a more detailed review when I go back to Bicol. I am trying out their wifi service though, which is how I am posting this entry through. For this alone I think they're okay. Although a little expensive at P120 per hour, pwede na rin considering how cheap things are here in Davao City. Would you believe a P99 Lunch Buffet at Kuya Eds? Grabe talaga! I only had to pop P275.00 for my and Mr. Janolan's lunch. May bottomless iced tea na yon ha. Grabe talaga! When the waiter asked me what drink I would order I asked him how much is the softdrinks, he said P35.
Eh yong bottomless iced tea? P36 po. He answered. AS IF P1.00 MATTERED! Of course nag bottomless na ako. But of course for the P99 it was not Kamay Kainan or Dads. It was a 6 dish buffet with a salad/kilaw/inihaw station and choice out of three variants of gelatin. But an eat-all-you-can is still an eat-all-you-can. Okay na din! Not bad!
Well, my one hour might be over na so I'll just post some more tomorrow. Tah-tah!
It is sooo difficult to go back to old standards after staying at the Makati Shangrila Hotel. In fairness though, Grand Men Seng is good enough. Maybe three stars out of five. I will give a more detailed review when I go back to Bicol. I am trying out their wifi service though, which is how I am posting this entry through. For this alone I think they're okay. Although a little expensive at P120 per hour, pwede na rin considering how cheap things are here in Davao City. Would you believe a P99 Lunch Buffet at Kuya Eds? Grabe talaga! I only had to pop P275.00 for my and Mr. Janolan's lunch. May bottomless iced tea na yon ha. Grabe talaga! When the waiter asked me what drink I would order I asked him how much is the softdrinks, he said P35.
Eh yong bottomless iced tea? P36 po. He answered. AS IF P1.00 MATTERED! Of course nag bottomless na ako. But of course for the P99 it was not Kamay Kainan or Dads. It was a 6 dish buffet with a salad/kilaw/inihaw station and choice out of three variants of gelatin. But an eat-all-you-can is still an eat-all-you-can. Okay na din! Not bad!
Well, my one hour might be over na so I'll just post some more tomorrow. Tah-tah!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Latest...
Its been sometime since I last posted. Been really busy but fulfilling. So many things had happened already.
Last week, we were all having a big high with the announcement of a big win by the UNEP Chorale in the recently concluded World Choir Games in Xiamen, China. The whole university was there when the whole chorale arrived. We prepared breakfast for them but we really could not resist a parade in the Iriga City commercial area just to show that Iriga through UNEP is really world class. So we did, sans the bureacratic permit, we paraded and all people big and small, of all genders, races and ages cheered them on. I was on the coaster accompanying the walking chorale. Hehe... Well, it was almost noon and ... you know...
They also did an instant courtesy call to the Mayor in the middle of Highway 1. Hahaha.... in the middle of the street amidst the traffic, ignoring the blaring tricycle horns and shouts from the disgruntled motorists. Aba, once in a lifetime lang ito. I do not even know when we could afford to send them abroad again.
The important thing is they brought something home and just to show the world that this little place in Bicol that we call home has talents that can conquer the world. Hah!
That same day, in the evening, the UNEP College Department also had their Induction and Acquaintance Party. Bon-Bon (Mr. Norberto Alfelor - the USG Moderator) decided to get me as this year's Guest Speaker. Declining at first, I thought, it would be a great opportunity to bond with the students. To sweeten the deal, Bon-Bon even invited my favorite local band (second to Tanikala that is) Legalize Cannabis.
Now, I really had a problem about this. I told Bon-Bon to just use the name Legalize because I cannot deal with questions on why I allowed such a band with such a name in this University. I may even be asked, am I of the same frame of mind and advocacy as the name of the band suggests? Well, no. Sorry, I really just like their music. I mean, just because some people like Marilyn Manson's music does not make them cross-dressing punkistas di ba. I know of some people who loved Iron Maiden (in my college days) but were quite decent people making straight unos and becoming University Scholars (in U.P. Diliman). I think one of them is a Medical Doctor now.
Going back, I had so much fun. I forgot I am the President of the University. I was stompin like crazy with the kids. I was so amazed with the students. Wala pang nainom yon ha, nag mo-mosh na! Oh well, I don't know. But with the high level of security imposed (gate pass for students to avoid gate crashers and super frisking of students before they enter the University Gate) I don't think any student was able to get in alcoholic beverages. But of course, they could always have smuggled it in with their food boxes. Well, if ever they did it still must have been of such small quantities that it still would not give the same effect as I saw on the students that night. Oh I don't know. Who cares anyway, its done.
But the best thing is, the students had fun. I regretted nga that we had to cut the mini concert short by declaring lights on at 1:00 am. The students had classes the next day and we did not want them to go home wasted. If it was only up to me, I would have let them stay till the sun started to rise in the morning. But, I had to be responsible, after all, I am indeed responsible for the lives of this young adults while they're here in the University. It's difficult to strike a balance between what is reasonable and what is "abuso". But it had to be done. I just promised the kids that I'll throw a party for them at Tan-aw one of these days with of course, Legalize.
The most of this week I spent in Manila helping my cousin prepare for her wedding, attend a bridal shower and also do some errands. It is truly hectic but at least I would get to see my 38 year old cousin get married, sa wakas. I really hope things go well.
That's all for now. As for me, I will just continue doing what is right and I know as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, God will do the rest. :-)
Last week, we were all having a big high with the announcement of a big win by the UNEP Chorale in the recently concluded World Choir Games in Xiamen, China. The whole university was there when the whole chorale arrived. We prepared breakfast for them but we really could not resist a parade in the Iriga City commercial area just to show that Iriga through UNEP is really world class. So we did, sans the bureacratic permit, we paraded and all people big and small, of all genders, races and ages cheered them on. I was on the coaster accompanying the walking chorale. Hehe... Well, it was almost noon and ... you know...
They also did an instant courtesy call to the Mayor in the middle of Highway 1. Hahaha.... in the middle of the street amidst the traffic, ignoring the blaring tricycle horns and shouts from the disgruntled motorists. Aba, once in a lifetime lang ito. I do not even know when we could afford to send them abroad again.
The important thing is they brought something home and just to show the world that this little place in Bicol that we call home has talents that can conquer the world. Hah!
That same day, in the evening, the UNEP College Department also had their Induction and Acquaintance Party. Bon-Bon (Mr. Norberto Alfelor - the USG Moderator) decided to get me as this year's Guest Speaker. Declining at first, I thought, it would be a great opportunity to bond with the students. To sweeten the deal, Bon-Bon even invited my favorite local band (second to Tanikala that is) Legalize Cannabis.
Now, I really had a problem about this. I told Bon-Bon to just use the name Legalize because I cannot deal with questions on why I allowed such a band with such a name in this University. I may even be asked, am I of the same frame of mind and advocacy as the name of the band suggests? Well, no. Sorry, I really just like their music. I mean, just because some people like Marilyn Manson's music does not make them cross-dressing punkistas di ba. I know of some people who loved Iron Maiden (in my college days) but were quite decent people making straight unos and becoming University Scholars (in U.P. Diliman). I think one of them is a Medical Doctor now.
Going back, I had so much fun. I forgot I am the President of the University. I was stompin like crazy with the kids. I was so amazed with the students. Wala pang nainom yon ha, nag mo-mosh na! Oh well, I don't know. But with the high level of security imposed (gate pass for students to avoid gate crashers and super frisking of students before they enter the University Gate) I don't think any student was able to get in alcoholic beverages. But of course, they could always have smuggled it in with their food boxes. Well, if ever they did it still must have been of such small quantities that it still would not give the same effect as I saw on the students that night. Oh I don't know. Who cares anyway, its done.
But the best thing is, the students had fun. I regretted nga that we had to cut the mini concert short by declaring lights on at 1:00 am. The students had classes the next day and we did not want them to go home wasted. If it was only up to me, I would have let them stay till the sun started to rise in the morning. But, I had to be responsible, after all, I am indeed responsible for the lives of this young adults while they're here in the University. It's difficult to strike a balance between what is reasonable and what is "abuso". But it had to be done. I just promised the kids that I'll throw a party for them at Tan-aw one of these days with of course, Legalize.
The most of this week I spent in Manila helping my cousin prepare for her wedding, attend a bridal shower and also do some errands. It is truly hectic but at least I would get to see my 38 year old cousin get married, sa wakas. I really hope things go well.
That's all for now. As for me, I will just continue doing what is right and I know as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, God will do the rest. :-)
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
just a little something to think about
| Your Values Profile |
 Loyalty: You value loyalty a fair amount. You're loyal to your friends... to a point. But if they cross you, you will reconsider your loyalties. Staying true to others is important to you, but you also stay true to yourself. Honesty: You value honesty a fair amount. You're honest when you can be, but you aren't a stickler for it. If a little white lie will make a situation more comfortable, you'll go for it. In the end, you mostly care about "situational integrity." Generosity: You don't really value generosity. Your needs always come first, no matter what. And you'll possibly help someone else out... But only if it helps you in return. Humility: You value humility a fair amount. You tend to be an easy going, humble person. But occasionally your ego takes over. You have a slight competitive streak - and the need to be the best. Tolerance: You value tolerance highly. Not only do you enjoy the company of those very different from you... You do all that you can to seek it out interesting and unique friends. You think there are many truths in life, and you're open to many of them. |
Monday, July 10, 2006
| Your Career Type: Social |
 You are helpful, friendly, and trustworthy. Your talents lie in teaching, nursing, giving information, and solving social problems. You would make an excellent: Counselor - Dental Hygienist - Librarian Nurse - Parole Officer - Personal Trainer Physical Therapist - Social Worker - Teacher The worst career options for your are realistic careers, like truck driver or farmer. |
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
My Birthday
| Your Birthdate: June 22 |
 You tend to be understated and under appreciated. You have a hidden force to do amazing things, doing them your own way. People may see you as strange and shy, but they know little. Your unconventional ways have more power than they (and even you) know. Your strength: Standing up for what you know is true Your weakness: You tend to be picky and rigid Your power color: Silver Your power symbol: Square Your power month: April |
30th Birthday
I just turned 30 last Thursday. Team 2010 offered a Mass for me and I was also given a very simple tribute with a simple merienda that followed. I wrote this that morning while on a break. Just a little scribbling of my thoughts.
30TH BIRTHDAY
It is my 30th Birthday today.
What have I done in the past 30 years?
*Become a University President.
*Marry the Greatest Love of my life.
*Graduate from UP Diliman on time and without any problem to my parents.
*Graduate from Maryknoll (Miriam College) High School with an outstanding library club president award.
*Read the Da Vinci Code and making my faith stronger than ever.
*Become a person of faith.
Truly I can go on and on and count all my blessings but what the only achievement that I can boast is the fact that I have friends and kept them through the years and I have been lucky that these are friends who have been with me through thick and thin.
I am lucky because I do not have to conform for them to love me.
I do not have to lend them money or treat them to dinner and gimiks for them to appreciate me.
I do not have to be thoughtful, God knows how much I have on my mind right now, for them to be loyal and true.
I just have to be me. Without any pretensions. Without any masks. Just me.
As I look on towards the next few years, I think of what more should I do with my life to make sure I do not destroy the purity I have earned through the years and I realized I just have to be my own self and not be swayed by the tides of time.
I still have so many things to do. Not achieve, DO!
Problems are a dime a dozen, and it seems very difficult, but when you look at the half full glass of every issue, you will realize that solutions are a dime a dozen too. It just needs the right amount of leadership and integrity to be implemented. I am not afraid.
30 seems to be a big number. I don’t feel thirty. Age truly is just a state of mind.
I remember walking through the corridors of UNEP and overheard a student talk to another how young their President is. They even said, “Bagana la pa ka igin iginon.”
Others would have felt offended but I just smiled to myself, because that is ME. I am this igin-iginon and transparent little girl who just does what is needed of her. This is who I am. That is my trademark.
As I look ahead and see the work that still needs to be done, I just say,
“Thank you Lord for your belief and faith in me. Thank you for the thirty years of loving family and friends who have nurtured me to be who I am now. Thank you for your everlasting faithfulness. I pray for more.”
30TH BIRTHDAY
It is my 30th Birthday today.
What have I done in the past 30 years?
*Become a University President.
*Marry the Greatest Love of my life.
*Graduate from UP Diliman on time and without any problem to my parents.
*Graduate from Maryknoll (Miriam College) High School with an outstanding library club president award.
*Read the Da Vinci Code and making my faith stronger than ever.
*Become a person of faith.
Truly I can go on and on and count all my blessings but what the only achievement that I can boast is the fact that I have friends and kept them through the years and I have been lucky that these are friends who have been with me through thick and thin.
I am lucky because I do not have to conform for them to love me.
I do not have to lend them money or treat them to dinner and gimiks for them to appreciate me.
I do not have to be thoughtful, God knows how much I have on my mind right now, for them to be loyal and true.
I just have to be me. Without any pretensions. Without any masks. Just me.
As I look on towards the next few years, I think of what more should I do with my life to make sure I do not destroy the purity I have earned through the years and I realized I just have to be my own self and not be swayed by the tides of time.
I still have so many things to do. Not achieve, DO!
Problems are a dime a dozen, and it seems very difficult, but when you look at the half full glass of every issue, you will realize that solutions are a dime a dozen too. It just needs the right amount of leadership and integrity to be implemented. I am not afraid.
30 seems to be a big number. I don’t feel thirty. Age truly is just a state of mind.
I remember walking through the corridors of UNEP and overheard a student talk to another how young their President is. They even said, “Bagana la pa ka igin iginon.”
Others would have felt offended but I just smiled to myself, because that is ME. I am this igin-iginon and transparent little girl who just does what is needed of her. This is who I am. That is my trademark.
As I look ahead and see the work that still needs to be done, I just say,
“Thank you Lord for your belief and faith in me. Thank you for the thirty years of loving family and friends who have nurtured me to be who I am now. Thank you for your everlasting faithfulness. I pray for more.”
Apprehensive
Apprehensive. That is how I feel now. Tomorrow, I will be speaking in front of all the faculty members of the University for the very first time as their President.
Do you ever get that feeling that your mind is so full of stuff that you want to say but with so much thoughts you get paralyzed and say nothing? That is how I feel right now. There are so many things I want to say.
I think the best thing is just to pray and prepare well. Organize my thoughts logically and try not to offend anyone.
Do you ever get that feeling that your mind is so full of stuff that you want to say but with so much thoughts you get paralyzed and say nothing? That is how I feel right now. There are so many things I want to say.
I think the best thing is just to pray and prepare well. Organize my thoughts logically and try not to offend anyone.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
UNEP'S TEAM 2010
I slept early yesterday after a vary exhausted day at work. It was the second day of our 1st institutional strategic planning activity and it was really tiring.
Although, in a way I was disappointed because I was not able to finish the OKRAPISPATRES activity yesterday, we were able to finally come up with an institutional vision-mission that would hopefully bring all our efforts into perspective.
I was happy because at least I learned that everybody in this University was interested to promote the its welfare. Everybody also understood that this University has a great soul that has to be set free from the bonds of mediocrity. We have also decided to give our group a name, the UNEP TEAM 2010. You see, we have time-bounded our vision by year 2010. I sure hope we complete what we have set out to do.
Today, I might have woken up still a little exhausted but I am happy that UNEP has finally woken up from her slumber.
Here's to a great new day UNEP!
Although, in a way I was disappointed because I was not able to finish the OKRAPISPATRES activity yesterday, we were able to finally come up with an institutional vision-mission that would hopefully bring all our efforts into perspective.
I was happy because at least I learned that everybody in this University was interested to promote the its welfare. Everybody also understood that this University has a great soul that has to be set free from the bonds of mediocrity. We have also decided to give our group a name, the UNEP TEAM 2010. You see, we have time-bounded our vision by year 2010. I sure hope we complete what we have set out to do.
Today, I might have woken up still a little exhausted but I am happy that UNEP has finally woken up from her slumber.
Here's to a great new day UNEP!
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Fire Fear
Just a few days ago (April 27,2006) a fire gutted two (2) classrooms at the 4th floor of the Administration Building of the University of Northeastern Philippines here in Iriga.
I was in Manila when it happened and my phone was conking out at that time. They were not able to contact me. I got really pissed when I learned of the news. We are already having a little deficit problem, as it is, brought about by this weak economy were having, and the fire I think, just made it feel like the last straw.
I really do not know how to make of it. There has been a series of fires in schools and hospitals in the region lately. I remember about a few weeks ago, Ramon, my husband of just a little shy of three months told me that he had to fix the fire protection requirements of our school in Legazpi (CCDI) because just a few days before that a fire broke out in Bicol University, Aquinas Hospital and at Divine Word College, all in Legazpi City. Allegedly, there is an arsonist out there targetting big school and hospitals. Damage has only been to property, Thank God!
After this fire in our University, I was told that just a few days before the fire, University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City, CSSAC in Pili, Camarines Sur and CSPC in Nabua, Camarines Sur all suffered the same fate from this so called arsonist.
The fire in UNC gutted the whole 2nd floor of their High School Building - 12 classrooms in all, the CIDG people told me yesterday. The one in CSPC is just a small storage room. All the other fires where in places where there was not really much substantial damage.
What is really strange about the fire in UNEP is that the place that got burned was not really a high traffic area specially it being Summer and all. The two classrooms that caught fire was being occuppied as a Student Lounge so it only had a few tables and chairs. The other room is being occuppied as the office of the Dean of Commerce and Business Education. Electrical lines were also not disturbed as people in the building continued to work on their computers while the fire continued raging upstairs.
Is there really a group out to prove themselves? Oh, I don't know and frankly, I do not really care. Right now, I will just count my blessings:
1. At least there were no loss of life or injury inflicted to anyone.
2. At least now, our Mayor has decided to focus on the needs of the Iriga City Fire Department, something that has been on her things to do list but was not really a priority.
3. At least, we would be able to renovate the office properly and it can actually become three small classrooms for major subjects. The Dean's Office is now located at Rm. 401 where the Dean likes to stay now. He does not want to come back at his old office.
4. Schools are now starting to focus on the fire protection of their school as they provide more fire extinguishers and fix their fire exits.
5. Personally, once again, it made me realize how God can throw a curve ball when you least know it so better to be always prepared.
For now, as I sit on my computer contemplating on the implications of all this on my work and life, I am thankful because inspite of it all, I still feel blessed.
I was in Manila when it happened and my phone was conking out at that time. They were not able to contact me. I got really pissed when I learned of the news. We are already having a little deficit problem, as it is, brought about by this weak economy were having, and the fire I think, just made it feel like the last straw.
I really do not know how to make of it. There has been a series of fires in schools and hospitals in the region lately. I remember about a few weeks ago, Ramon, my husband of just a little shy of three months told me that he had to fix the fire protection requirements of our school in Legazpi (CCDI) because just a few days before that a fire broke out in Bicol University, Aquinas Hospital and at Divine Word College, all in Legazpi City. Allegedly, there is an arsonist out there targetting big school and hospitals. Damage has only been to property, Thank God!
After this fire in our University, I was told that just a few days before the fire, University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City, CSSAC in Pili, Camarines Sur and CSPC in Nabua, Camarines Sur all suffered the same fate from this so called arsonist.
The fire in UNC gutted the whole 2nd floor of their High School Building - 12 classrooms in all, the CIDG people told me yesterday. The one in CSPC is just a small storage room. All the other fires where in places where there was not really much substantial damage.
What is really strange about the fire in UNEP is that the place that got burned was not really a high traffic area specially it being Summer and all. The two classrooms that caught fire was being occuppied as a Student Lounge so it only had a few tables and chairs. The other room is being occuppied as the office of the Dean of Commerce and Business Education. Electrical lines were also not disturbed as people in the building continued to work on their computers while the fire continued raging upstairs.
Is there really a group out to prove themselves? Oh, I don't know and frankly, I do not really care. Right now, I will just count my blessings:
1. At least there were no loss of life or injury inflicted to anyone.
2. At least now, our Mayor has decided to focus on the needs of the Iriga City Fire Department, something that has been on her things to do list but was not really a priority.
3. At least, we would be able to renovate the office properly and it can actually become three small classrooms for major subjects. The Dean's Office is now located at Rm. 401 where the Dean likes to stay now. He does not want to come back at his old office.
4. Schools are now starting to focus on the fire protection of their school as they provide more fire extinguishers and fix their fire exits.
5. Personally, once again, it made me realize how God can throw a curve ball when you least know it so better to be always prepared.
For now, as I sit on my computer contemplating on the implications of all this on my work and life, I am thankful because inspite of it all, I still feel blessed.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
New Blog, New Stories
Its been a tiring Thursday.
Spent most of the day in Goa solving problems.
Now, waiting for my ride back home from work.
Checked my email.
Regretted having missed iblog2.
Got inspired by the disini and mlq3 blogs.
Realized that all my internet activities were wedding related.
Now that the wedding is over and REAL LIFE started,
so many realizations... overwhelming...
an awakening to the truth...
THAT LIFE IS INDEED A SERIES OF CHOICES.
IT IS THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE THAT MAKES LIFE WHAT IT IS.
Welcome to the Dragon's Lair!
Spent most of the day in Goa solving problems.
Now, waiting for my ride back home from work.
Checked my email.
Regretted having missed iblog2.
Got inspired by the disini and mlq3 blogs.
Realized that all my internet activities were wedding related.
Now that the wedding is over and REAL LIFE started,
so many realizations... overwhelming...
an awakening to the truth...
THAT LIFE IS INDEED A SERIES OF CHOICES.
IT IS THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE THAT MAKES LIFE WHAT IT IS.
Welcome to the Dragon's Lair!
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