Professional Skills vs Academic Knowledge, Travel Goals, Embracing YOU

Are professional skills more valuable to graduates than academic knowledge? Does a higher degree get your foot in the door, or does your past work experience count for more? And beyond this, how valuable are professional skills vis-à-vis work experience or academic credentials?

I am having my first PhD classes this month. Despite my educational credentials and almost similar work experience vs. my partner who is into IT (I am currently in the education industry), our salaries have 8x disparity to his favor.

Education is very important. A degree is a winning ticket to turning lives around economically. More important than the school where you came from, is also the kind of degree you take as well as your character, goals and dreams.

An act of kindness can help you as much as the person you’re helping out.

Bucket List: Japan

Day 1: Tokyo Shinobuya
Day 2: Ghibli Museum
Day 3: Tokyo Dotonburi & Shibuya
Day 4: Shinkansen to Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto
Day 6: USJ
Day 7: Osaka Castle
Day 8: Airpot to Kanzai

God, when we focus on You things get alright.

In order to love who you are, you cannot hate the experiences that shaped you.

Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles, Pampanga Tourist Attractions, Exceptional people, Math as a language

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When in Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles, Pampanga, might as well do these:

1. Visit the Salakot Monument - a stage with the design similar to the Filipino farming hat called salakot and commemorates the complete turnover of the whole Clark Freeport Zone to the Philippines. The place used to be a US Army Base. Viewing Fee: Free
2. Old Canons - in front of the Clark Museum, these canons were from Spanish warship named Seville around 1778. Viewing Fee: Free
3. Clark Museum - know the background of the whole place, what it was originally and how the place was transformed to what it is now. Viewing Fee: P30/head P350 fee for tour guide
4. El Kabayo Riding Stables - Get all the western cowboy you want with this version of the Wild West complete with horses, stables, picnic trails and more. Entrance Fee: P50 Horseback riding 20-mins P150, Calesa ride - P200, 45-minute forest trail ride P300.00 All day joy ride P700 Getting there: From Clark proceed to duty-free shopping area. At the intersection of C.M. Recto Hwy. and Gil Puyat Ave., turn right to picnic grounds toward Mabalacat gate. Or enter thru Mabalacat gate.
5. Nayong Pilipino - A theme park of Philippine landmarks, this is the modern version of the one used to be near NAIA. Entrance fee: P50
6. Zoocobia and Paradise Ranch - An open zoo where you may interact with the animals, feed them and pet them. Paradise Ranch on the other hand is nature park on top of the mountain. There's a pool. Entrance Fee: P500/head
7. Clark Parade Grounds - Open field with a lot of history, offers a jogging path and huge space for events.
8. Bicentennial Park - Near the Clark Parade Grounds, has a pavilion, stage, play ground for children
9. Picnic Ground - Ideal for family picnic, has biking lanes and bikes for rent

Yes you are! ctto

Exceptional People 

The truly exceptional focus on cultivating their inner worlds and the more soft-spoken qualities of their character because they know to be wholly successful, it takes being a really good human being. ~ Sherrie Campbell

Exceptional people are:
1. Gracious - To be graceful is to be strong and assured in who one is, even in the midst of challenges
2.  Kind - consistent in how they treat, think about, and speak to others - even those they don't care for. they can love someone even if they do not like them. If they cannot say something nice, they have the control to remain quiet.
3. Composed - the less they react, defend, explain, become fearful or controlling, the more command they have over a situation. abiding
4. Fearless - They know it takes courage to love fully, to change themselves when necessary, to feel deeply, to take risks even when it is scary and to chase their dreams with passion and an unwavering tenacity. Be all there
5. Deliberate - clear and persistent on who they are and what they want to be
6. Intelligent - smart about the world around them and inside them
7. Humble - do not see life as being all about them, in fact, they prefer to celebrate the accomplishments of others as much as their own
8. Honest - simple, upfront, gentle, but direct in the "being" of who they are, dependable and authentic
9. Loving - warm toward others and kind to themselves

Math as a language - ELISA MARIA GUERRA CRUZ, Benbowm C, at Stanly, J. (1980) "Sex Pagkakaiba sa matematika kakayahan: Katotohanan ng artepakto" Science, Volume 210, 12 Disyembre 1980.https://my.vanderbilt.edu/smpy/files/2013/02/ScienceFactOrArtifact.pdf

OECD (2015), Ang ABC of Gender Equality sa Edukasyon:. Aptitude, Behaviour, Kumpiyansa, PISA, OECD PublishingHttp://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264229945-en

6-year old Erap Joke, Kids are really naughty, Android's accelerometer, What's inside God's heart, Packing for a swimming outing

While trying out a new game on the computer, our 6-year old asked her dad: "What's the next step?"

Dad: "It says there press any key."

6-year old: "Where's ANYKEY?"

Naughty by nature
Grabbing the chance to teach my kids about life lessons, I immediately veered our conversation to drive home a point: parents should be respected and not hurt.

Mommy: "You came from inside my tummy, that's why I am your mother. Mothers shouldn't be shouted at."

6-year old: "But you get mad at us too." (Caught than taught, eh?)


Not giving in, mommy answered: "That's because you are naughty."

6-year old: "Kids are really naughty, mommy!"

:D

Kids are kids. :)

Playing with past tense
Excited to share his latest triumph, my 4-year old announced:

"I lock-ted the auto rotate, dad!"

God's heart
While on a long road trip, the kids with their cousins were looking for ways to entertain themselves. It came to a point when they did questions and answers.

4-year old: "Does God have a heart?"

8-year old: "Yes!" enthused his cousin.

4-year old: "Where is it? I know, we are all inside of God's heart."









Swimming outing list
Summer in the Philippines means vacation time and swimming time. Packing well means a better swimming outing, so here's my default list:

1. Waterproof bag or any plastic container to put all those wet swim wear
2. Set of clothes to wear after swimming
3. Shampoo and conditioner - if swimming in pools, it is best to wash away the chlorine in your hair. Ideal is to wear swimming cap.
4. Towels - bringing extra never hurts
5. Comb or hairbrush 
6. Deodorant - sun will make you sweat, better be protected
7. Body splash or moisturizer - more common here, lotion
8. Water - bring back the loss water from perspiration and swimming by drinking lots of fluid

Food and drinks are assumed covered!

Adventure Resort in Norzagaray, Bulacan - Entrance Fees and Rates

My brother learned about Adventure Resort while watching a GMA-7 morning TV show. They say it gathers swimming, rapelling, zip lining and wall climbing all in one destination.

Since we're taal Bulakenyo, the place may be a closer summer destination. Sharing with you the rates of their facilities as of March 2012.

Daytime Rates and Other Charges

Entrance:

Adult Php125 

Kids Php100

Cottage for 15 persons+ - Php500

Package promo per head: Swim - zip - rapelling - wall climbing - Php300

Per facility rate:

Php120 - zip line

Php85 - wall climb

Php75 - rapelling

Some guidelines: white shirt only, no maong bottoms. Food may be brought inside, but there's a cafeteria serving short orders. No alcoholic drinks allowed inside, even Emperador Lite.

You may want to also check these links for photos and other details about the resort:

• Bulacan Philippines Tourism
• Bulacan Resorts
• Here In The Philippines

Evoliving at Nuvali, Taxi Boat and Picnic

Coi feeding at Nuvali. Or are these carps?

Lois is five years old now. We wanted her to experience something new now that she's a year older. We asked her if it would be riding a horse, bike or boat. She chose to ride a boat.

Nuvali was a family-friendly neighborhood which offers a taxi boat around its man-made lake from 8am-5pm. It's also popular for its fish feeding where guests may buy Nuvali fish food for P15/pack. So one Sunday, we trooped there and invited some family to make the celebration more meaningful.

Getting there was easy. There were enough directional signages along the road from Sta. Rosa exit. Or it really helped that husband and sister-in-law are South-side residents. They are Laguna natives. :)

We also have a printout of the locational map from Nuvali's official website. There's a new u-turn area to get to Solenad, the commercial area of Nuvali, they say. Though I think not taking it would still work. 

Solenad Lunch

We had our lunch at Yellow Cab. There are lots of places to eat at there – poshy restaurants to affordable meals. Then it was taxi boat ride time. It costs P30/person. Ma Dahls treated every one. :) 

The boat ride took them under a tunnel/bridge then around the fountains. The ride was fast and water splashes are guaranteed, sending the kids screaming with glee. 

 

After lunch, we checked the tiangge area near the parking. There was a live band playing when we arrived. Not sure if that's there all the time. They're good, playing acoustic songs. I heard them sing a Christ Tomlin followed by a Glee TV show original. The performers encourage the crowd to step up and sing with them via an available microphone. They project lyrics of the songs so it's easy. I wonder if the volunteers know that the performance is broadcasted at the other side of the restaurant row?

The tiangge offers clothes, toys, fashion accessories, food and some house furniture. There was a signage which states that Nuvali doesn't support piracy, but I noticed that some toys are China-made, which is somehow confusing.

We were thinking of renting some bicycles at P60/hour. You have to have a valid ID to do this. We decided against it, not because we don't have Ids but because there are no kid bikes.

Picnic for Lois

For a short picnic, we trooped near 7-11 at the Convergys Building. Or I think that Evo Tech Bldg. Anyways, they have a spacious lawn in front and we already saw some lying on the grass. Carlos had a grand time running around the greens. He never mind that it was 3pm and the sun was scorching hot. Lois was nibbling with her friends, showing me the hand-painted banig bag she did at the Nuvali Open House. Baby Skid was fast asleep, perhaps tired and lulled by the winds.

Nuvali Residence?

Are we going back? Not really. It's a nice experience, a good treat for the people of Sta. Rosa and of Nuvali. Though I wouldn't desire to live there. Houses and lots go for P2.5M+. A 500sqm lot only is around P5m I guess. My ideal place definition is different. Plus the toll rates going to Manila are costly. It's not for me, we'll it's way above what we can afford. :D

Picnic without mats?! What kind of organizing is that? Hehehhe!

But the kids enjoyed it, the same way they did QC Memorial Circle. My kids are really growing up different. Just the way I want it.

December 2009 in Photos

Christmas is more meaningful and special this year, now that both kids are bigger. Lois is a preschooler, and Carlos is a toddler. Quite some talkers. Here are things we conquered December 2009.

Ate Aliyah looking after the buffet table with the mermaid doll

Cousins too - Moi and Raymart. It's great that they are batchmates, my pamangkins.

Newest addition to our BIG family, baby Samantha Angela, named after Lola sa tuhod, Ine. Ren ren is big bro now.

Proud to be from Pandi

Yes, something world-class has FINALLY come out from Pandi, Bulacan - my hometown. For the longest time, it has been a quaint, little town unknown to the country. I'm sure it is still now, I just saw the town announcement that it has gained 2nd-class municipality status. Kudos! But the time of reckoning is upcoming with the opening of Amana Waterpark. It boasts of a wave pool that's the biggest in Asia along with 12 others. It is scheduled to open on March 28, 2009.

From what I've heard, they will be bringing in TV celebrity Jericho Rosales during the opening salvo. He's a surfing aficionado, maybe he'll ask him to do some tricks at the pool. If swimming at Amana is the same as surfing the beach waves, then surfers won't have to travel as far as La Union for the waves.

I'm really excited for Pandi as the resort will surely bring in jobs and improvement to my town. As early as now, I've heard they're limiting the hiring to Pandi residents. My brother tried applying as a bookeeper. I hope he gets it.

To get there via public transport, take the Sta. Maria, Bulacan route of bus lines. Then alight at Walter-Mart Sta. Clara in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Take a jeep to Pandi, at the Pandi Poblacion, take another jeep ride with the Bagbaguin signage. It'll pass there. Perhaps they'll come up with a direct route. I hopefully pray.

Entrance fee they say is P250/head.

And for the contact numbers, they are: 0922-8708428, 044-6612384, 044-6612383.