Happy 60th Birthday Mama!

Billiards buddies and pool player friends, please allow me a personal moment here. Today is a very special day! It’s my mom’s 60th birthday, everyone! And I kid you not!


Mama,

Funny, but it seems that I am at a lost for words now. How do I put down in words my love for you? Words cannot express how much you mean to me, my siblings, and my kids.

Truth be told, you have always been there for me. For us all. For everyone. And though I may not have said it more often, I know that you know how much we love you, Mama.

From us all and the countless persons you have touched with your kindness and understanding, thank you for making us all realized the true meaning of life – that “We make a living by what we get. But we make a life by what we give.”

Happy 60th birthday, Mama! We love you so much! Hope to see you soon!


Love,
Your son

*One Unforgettable Experience with My Mom!

"We make a living by what we get.
We make a life by what we give. The AnitoKid's Mom"

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A Valedictorian! My Closeness. My Soulmate.

Friends, please allow me a personal moment here. My eldest daughter – Maria Agatha (Agi) - Class President, Student Body Council President, ping pong champion, 1st runner-up in badminton, a title holder of her school’s beauty and brains contest, and winner of countless Olympiads and all - has just graduated from the elementary level at the top of her class!

My Little Girl,
The Apple of My Eye,
One of the Reasons for My Being,
My Closeness - My Soulmate,
graduated Valedictorian!
And I kid you not!

Ten of the 12 medals that My Closeness received this morning! (Two of the medals were misplaced by one of the school's staff :) ) The local government also recognized My Soulmate's academic performance! She received Academic Excellence awards from Muntinlupa City's Mayor Aldrin L. San Pedro and Vice Mayor Artemio A. Simundac, among others! Moreover, the Apple of My Eye received the Highest Award for Academic Excellence from the Philippines' House of Representatives through Congressman Ruffy B. Biazon! And get this! A number of schools have also expressed interests in having Agi join them for high school as a scholar!

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again - Yes, I’m a proud dad! But prouder still that My Closeness is growing up with her feet on the ground, with goodness in her heart, with a great spirit, and great love for her dad. Congratulations, Anak ko’y! I love you, anak!

And here is a copy of the speech given by My Closeness:

Beloved Administrator Mrs. Angelita Simundac-Keppel, Principal Father Jojit de Rama, Superintendent Fe L. Faz, Honorable Mayor Aldrin L. San Pedro, Honorable Vice Mayor Artemio A. Simundac, incumbent members of our local government, Teacher Ben Fabian, dear members of the faculty, distinguished guests, parents, and of course, the graduates, The Class of 2008, I am honored to be here!

I am really thrilled to be here today, and very excited too, as I know you all must be, that the respected officials of our great city could join us.

In the world that awaits us beyond the shores of OLLS, no one can say what our opportunities will be. But this I do know! We have a first-class catholic education from a first-class catholic school! Members of this graduating class have been given opportunities to push themselves to the limit and are now going into high school armed and ready with the talents and knowledge gained from our much-loved catholic school!

Thus, armed with our Catholic education, we do not need to live a "paint-by-numbers" life. Decisions are not irrevocable. But choices do come back. And as we set off from OLLS, I hope and pray that many of you will consider making these choices.

And what are these choices that we need to make?

1. The CHOICE TO BELIEVE! To believe in something larger than yourself - to get involved in some of the big ideas of our time. And to promote such with one thing in mind – in pursuit of the welfare of others. Continue to learn this way and everything will unfold before you.

2. The second one is the CHOICE TO PRACTICE PATIENCE! Things will come to you when you are ready to handle them - not before. Just keep walking your road. And as you walk your road, as you live your life, RELISH THE ROAD. Amidst the twists and turns along the way, you will see the glory of life up ahead!

3. The third is the CHOICE TO PLAY TO WIN! Playing to win is one of the finest things you can do. It allows you to fulfill your potential. It enables you to improve the world and develop high expectations for everyone else too. And what if you lose? Just make sure you lose while giving it your best shot!

4. The fourth is the CHOICE TO ENJOY! Enjoy your family and friends! We only live once! Make the most of it!

5. And last but not the least – the CHOICE of HAPPINESS! When all is said and done, awards are temporary and fleeting. It should not be the goal of anyone. Happiness is the right goal. Happiness comes from pursuing interests and passions that do not obviously result in joy. It comes from building a great team, from family, from school, and from friends. Happiness - give until it hurts! For we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Indeed, our graduation is a celebration of achievements! But, it is only the beginning!Today’s graduation serves as the catalyst of our pursuit towards life’s great opportunities and challenges! As we graduate from OLLS today, take with you deep thanks for the courtesy and the honor you have shared with our beloved Mrs. Simundac-Keppel, the energetic Father Jojit, Teacher Ben, the dear members of the faculty, and last, but not the least, your family! Without them, we wouldn’t even be here!

Friends, please allow me a personal moment here! I've been waiting years to say this: "Dad, Mom, Kuya Dado, Kuya Kiko, Patricia, my Lolo’s and Lola’s, my Tito and Tita’s: This one’s for you! I love you very much!

I am very hopeful as I look at our graduates today. The catholic education they have received from OLLS has made them ready to tackle head-on the next challenge: HIGH SCHOOL!

They are competent!

They are confident!

And they are ready!

Thank you very much! God bless! And may your future be worthy of your dreams!

"Congratulations, Anak ko'y!"

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The Ten Years of Howie Severino DVD: A Must-Have!

Me and My Closeness were at the Powerbooks store in Greenbelt, Makati City, to attend the soft launching of journalist Howie Severino's DVD, "10 Years of Howie Severino," which marks and celebrates his 10th year as a documentarist. On the way to Powerbooks, the straps of my closeness' brand new sandals broke! Fortunately, we were at Landmark's shoe section. I asked my daughter to pick out a new pair. However, she insisted that we go ahead to the launch before buying the new threads. "Dad, we might miss the signing! Let's just buy after the event," she said. I explained to her that we had plenty of time, but still, she wouldn't have none of it. Imagine that! Did I tell you that she's also a big fan of Howie? Yes, she is.

The GMA documentary collection

A good number of people attended the launch. Me and My Closeness were hesitant to approach the table. Why so? Well, that's Howie Severino! And Sandra Aguinaldo! And Kara David! and Jay Taruc! O, sa'n ka pa?

Kara, Howie, Sandra, and Jay

Howie signing the AnitoKid's copy!

The Rotary Journalism Awards' Hall of Famer is a father, a journalist, a documentary maker, a travel writer, mentor, a patriot, a pilgrim, and a blogger. Howie was also a grill cook at McDonald's, pretzel vendor at the Boston Common, and newspaper delivery boy before he became a household name.

Fans eagerly line up for their turn at the photo-op

My Closeness with the Man!

My Closeness taking a break at Figaro

Signed. Sealed. And Delivered.

The "Ten Years of Howie Severino" DVD contains 10 documentaries and a special extra feature. My twins requested that we first watch "Best Friend," which focused on an illiterate old man and his clever dog, Habagat. Together, they make a living as street performers doing amazing dog treats that wow the crowds! And the reasons for the old man's determination to make money? He is searching for his youngest son, four-year-old Eddie Boy.

My Closeness got a good feel with "Lolo ng San Francisco." She repeatedly asked me to play it next. And play it, I did. The documentary reminded me of the hardships faced by our veterans and kababayans abroad. Life is doubly hard when one's is working abroad. And life is indeed hard for Floro, our veteran kabayan in the United States. You just have to admire him. He just keeps going and going despite his age. Howie finds out why and the source of Floro's strength back home in the Philippines.

I got to watch "Biyaheng Edsa" during dinner time by playing the disc in one of my notebooks, which I brought in the dining room. Howie transverses the EDSA highway during the anniversary celebration of the EDSA Revolution. If only the national highway could speak! Imagine the stories it would tell! Well, I guess it did - through Howie Severino! His walk from Monumento to Pasay City is a journey through Philippine history itself. The story of the country and the Filipino people. Their joys and sadnesses. Politics and the empty and broken promises that comes with it. Freedom and economics.


Though I still have seven episodes to watch, I'd like to take this opportunity to convey something to Howie Severino...

• Much thanks Howie for this collection of documentaries that can only be described as a COLLECTIBLE! And I kid you not! The must-have collection not only shows the variety and wide range of topics that I-Witness and you can cater to, and the different approaches that you can take in making documentaries. It goes beyond these. The collection is about Philippine culture and pride in their truest sense. It is about the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people. Congratulations Howie! Here's looking forward to your next 10 years in the industry! Mabuhay!

Other interesting reads

• Documentary on a Five-Year-old Filipina
• Corrupt Members of the Philippine Senate and Congress
  Receive Da Daily Donkey Award
  

"I'd walk a mile for The AnitoKid!"

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Leonardo "Dodong" Andam Plays Against Bert Pasay at the AMF-Superbowl!

Dodong Andam with the AnitoKid's twins

One of my good friends, Leonardo “Dodong” Andam, a.k.a. The Rattlesnake/Dodong Dadiangas, played against one of Pasay City’s most notable billiard players, Roberto Dy, aka Bert Pasay, at the AMF-Superbowl, home of the Makati Pool Players Association (MAPPA). The match was a race to 15 game with a 7,10 handicap given by Dodong to Bert Pasay.


The first half of the game was characterized by intense defense and safety plays from both players. Neither one wanted to give the other an ounce of advantage during game play. Thus, spectators, including The AnitoKid, were in for the treat of their lives. Safety plays that billiards enthusiasts could only dream of doing were the order of the day! Dangerously accurate kick shots and bank shots from Leonardo wowed the audience too! And oh! Bert Pasay’s legendary strong break could be heard a mile away! He really breaks that hard!


In the latter half, each rack was decided by either a run-out by the player breaking or by a miscue, in which the opposing player grabbed the opportunity to finish out the rack. When the score was tied at 9-9, the play began to take a twist. Indeed, the Rattlesnake was all about focus that night. However, a rare miss on the 8 ball got the audience seeing Bert capitalizing on Dodong’s mistake. The pool player from Pasay, who was sporting a white cap and wearing a yellow tee and a pair of maong pants, never looked back and finished the game at 15-12.


Bert Pasay was unmindful of his victory, treating it as just a win that needed to be bagged like any other. Dodong, in his three-striped blue polo, maong pants, and Fila rubber shoes, looked stunned. He was silent. Really silent. He briefly glanced at me with a confused and bewildered look. All I could do in return was tap my hand against my chest and point to him in a gesture of triumph. He had nothing to be ashamed of. It was just an unlucky break for him on that 8 ball. And everyone knew that it has been more than a year since he last played a match because of his illness. Dodong really put on a great show that night, reminding everyone why he is billed as The Rattlesnake! And I kid you not!

Leonardo "Dodong" Andam
aka The Rattlesnake
Birthdate: August 15, 1958
Current Residence: Taguig City

Notable Achievements

7th-24th Place, 2007 BSCP National Pool Championships
33rd-48th Place, 2006 BSCP National Pool Championships
65th-96th Place, 2006 World Pool Championship
1st Runner-up, 2005 Philippine International Open
Champion, 2000 SMB Match of the Masters

"The AnitoKid, the Real Thing."

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The First Bloggers' Kapihan Series at the Philippine Science High School in Quezon City!

The AnitoKid and Agi attend the First Bloggers' Kapihan Series
at the Philippine Science High School
in Diliman, Quezon City

Victor Villanueva on how he started blogging

Blogging Beyond the Basics focused on some
of the various aspects of blogging,
e.g., reasons, importance, and trends

PhiSci students

Political Blogging by Manuel Quezon III

Everything has a political aspect

Abe Olandres aka Father of Pinoy blogging getting ready

The forum also included a question-and-answer advisory

Taking a break for some free coffee and donuts

Yugatech and Manual III answer questions
on how to avoid lawsuits

PhiSci student Laurenzo Alba asks about
risks and other concerns related to blogging

A query on what blogging platform to use
and how to go about it

Be anonymous or not?
That is THE question!

Build your credibility by being responsible
for your thoughts and views.

The organizers and moderators
of the first Bloggers' Kapihan series
e.g., Ederic and Shari

More PhiSci students

My Closeness with Abe Olandres of Yugatech

Checking out each other's views and all.
Wait a minute, I think that's Noemi of Touched by an Angel!

Wow! I got a gift just by asking a question!

Really? Then, we're gonna ask one too!

Children of all ages came to listen to
Bikoy, Manolo, and Abe

Preparing some of his gear...

Be different and set yourself apart.
And blogging is a lot of fun, too!

Remember that guys,
we need to find our own niche in the blogoshere!

And don't answer any letter from any law firm!
Believe you me!

Agi with PhiSci's Laurenzo Alba,
who won this giant rainbow-colored carabao
coin bank for his school when he placed first
in a national quiz bee competition.

My Closeness in front of The Philippine Science High School,
one of the country's bests. And I kid you not!


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