2012 DBTI Alumni Homecoming

It was a fun Saturday for the alumni of Don Bosco Technical Institute - Victorias last February 4 when we had the Grand Alumni Homecoming.

The Art of Seduction

Tsinelas Drive Season 4

It has been 4 years since I started my Tsinelas (slippers) Drive campaign. It started when I learned about a good friend, Jireh, who had been celebrating her birthdays with homeless children and in the home for the aged. I told her that what she was doing was awesome!

I got inspired to do something for my birthday too! Then my yearly Tsinelas drive was born. I would solicit for slippers or ask for donation to purchase slippers. I would pick a school in one of the haciendas in Victorias City. Why here? Because I grew up in this place. And I know that there are a lot of secluded schools in these places. I realized this when I was in high school since we would have outreach programs in these places.  Tsinelas Drive 2009

So this year, I was aiming for 27 people to donate or pledge. (I'll leave it to you why I chose 27.) And every year, I would text and email everyone about this. This year was something new. I posted my cause in Facebook hoping for donations and pledges to arrive and I was not wrong! A lot of people wanted to donate!

We went to Faith Christian School in Hacienda Luisa in Victorias City. The area is just in front of the Coliseum. I was with Jude and Soi. When we got to the place, the Head Teacher, Ms. Arlene, greeted us and welcomed us into their humble school. All the students followed and greeted us too. I told them our names and why we were there. I told them how grateful I was. And we started unpacking all the slippers that we brought. I could see the anticipation from everyone.

with Soi and Jude

On our way to the school

unpacking...

With Teachers Arlene (in blue) and Ailene (in white)

The students helped in unpacking everything and rounding them up at the center. They even formed A - C - E!!! I was smiling! We started with the preschoolers. Everyone else were excited while they waited for their turn. Everyone had a new pair and yet we still had a lot to give. We called the children who were watching the activity so they may choose theirs as well.

spell ACE?

Preschool students ready to fit a pair

Everyone was excited as they tried the slippers on to check which one would be a snug fit. We didn't stay long since we were expected in the meeting of our Rotarians in Bacolod. After everyone got their slippers, I still had 2 pairs of Dupe (I had 5 pairs courtesy of Mariel.) So we had a mini dance showdown! When we ended the activity, not everyone was there for the photo op but those who stayed behind, gathered for our group picture.

Dance showdown

Just a few of them who stayed for the group picture

I would like to thank my friends who helped out in this year's project:

Mariel Genito of Islandscape Inc, distributor of Ipanema and Dupe

Glady Tomulto of Experience Negros! 

Marvi Pioquinto

Sharon Flores

Mikay Manaloto

Cheryl Choresca

Valeen Solancho

Jen Valladolid

Soi Cañete

Jude Quingco

and to anonymous donors

Thank you so much!

To go to album

5 Things to do this month

Here is my list:

1. Visit Intramuros with Carlos Celdran as the Tour Guide 

2. Try authentic Chinese food in Binondo

3. Tour UP Diliman

4. Learn how to use a gun

5. Book a flight to Manila for a friend's wedding next month (although am having second thoughts because of the price)

What's your Top 5 for this month?

50 Festivals Challenge: #1 - 14th Adobo Festival in Silay

Silay City, Negros Occidental
November 5, 2011

I've heard of the Adobo Festival a few years back but it's just last Saturday that I was able to experience it.

     "Adobo is the name of a popular dish and cooking process in Philippine cuisine that involves meat or seafood marinated in a sauce of vinegar and garlic, browned in oil, and simmered in the marinade." - Wikipedia.org

I asked Jincky to have lunch at Balay Negrense where the festival was held since she's also from Silay. I arrived just in time for the judges to try the dishes prepared by different culinary schools. We had to exchange our cash with the money chits that the organizers prepared at the gate. We were also given Free Tasting tickets to experience the food created by the culinary students/chefs.

An array of Adobo inspired food were served for lunch aside from the food for prepared for tasting. We just had to choose. There were Puso ng Saging Adobo, Takway na Adobo, Adobong Tahong, Spicy Shrimp Adobo, and the chicken, and pork Adobo. 

We didn't have a hard to choosing what to eat since we were hungry!

With Patricia Monfort

Jincky and I

Since there were not a lot of tables to accommodate all the guests, we shared our table with a family of 8. I guess they were also from Silay since they knew some people who were there too.  I met Patricia Monfort in the event with Jakey. I also met Mrs. Villar. Ms. Maricar Dabao and Ms. Glady Tumolto were also present. 

I got a chance to have a photo op with Chef JP Anglo of Mushu who currently is one of the judges in Junior Masterchef Philippines. 

  with Chef JP Anglo

Mayor Oti Montelibano, the Mayor of the City also graced the occasion and passed by our table to ask us if we were enjoying.(In fact we were!) We can't but notice all of the wealthy men and women of Silay City  present to enjoy. 

hmmm... I am not sure what this is called...  

Mayor Oti Montelibano thanking everyone who came

This is my first entry for my 50 Festivals Challenge too! 

A report, APRRC 2011

A week has passed when delegates from the Philippines and neighboring countries attended the Asia-Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference 2011 in Subic Bay. I can still recall the excitement that I felt while I was on my way to Manila alone. I had to take the bus alone too!

This year, District 3790 from the Philippines hosted almost 500 Rotaractors from Thailand, Taiwan, China, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Australia and from our country. Prepared with plenary sessions, leadership speakers, workshops, networking activities and cultural shows, the conference truly made an impact to all delegates.

District 3850, were represented by yours truly, DRRE Ruvinier Ace D. Viñarta of Rotaract Club of Bacolod North, President Aldimin Kalli of Rotaract Club of Zamboanga West, and PP Isabel Moreno of Rotaract Club of Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

We had a welcome dinner on our first night after we were given our respective room assignments and had settled down. We socialized with the rest of the participants and danced to the music played by the bands.

The Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center which was at least 10 minutes away from our hotel has seen most of what has happened in this conference. We had the opening ceremony, presentation of dignitaries, inspirational talks, country reporting and the first ever Mr. and Ms. APRRC capped the first night.

I was so excited for the Amazing Race the following day. This was the chance to bond with others and to tour Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) since I was a virgin in this place. We were not even close to accomplish our first goal yet when we had to head back to our hotel and end the game because of the heavy rains. We continued the day with workshops facilitated by Rotaractors from different districts and clubs. The cultural show was the highlight that night. Each country also showcased their national costumes, and other items that they can present. It's unfortunate that our district was not able to put up a booth and highlight the different delicacies that we could have offered the delegates.

We went back to the convention center for the last few talks and final announcements on our last day. Delegates from Thailand and Taiwan promoted APRRC 2012 and 2013 respectively. The transfer of gavel from the Philippines to Thailand was also part of the ceremony. It was a happy and sad day for me. Happy because I got to know other Rotaractors; sad, because it was my last day in Subic.

This is the first time for me to attend this kind of gathering; a gathering of leaders, of good people and of individuals with a purpose to uplift lives. It may not have been a perfect event because of the circumstances that happened. But I know that deep inside each of the delegates, we've learned to accept differences and we've understand more of the goal that we aspire.

To all who were involved and participated in the Asia-Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference 2011, Aim High!

Defying Gravity video

I was scavenging for videos of Kerry Ellis' Defying Gravity when I saw this! 

Amazing video! 

And the background music suits it well!  

from tsidkenu223