Midyear Realizations

Apart from the rainy season, June marks another chapter of my life. This would be the time that I will finally recover from being temporarily unemployed and will be facing brand new challenges which I hope could be easily managed.

Realizing these challenges which I am about to face, I came to reflect on how I have regained my self from all the miseries I have encountered in my life from the day I ended my job from a big far away city and get to settle back in my hometown. Quitting a high paying job was never easy, but to give it up for something which you actually love doing is kinda worth it. Why kinda? Well, I couldn't really say that everything which you wanted to do in life will make you successful. The truth is, people will often weigh your success with how much you get to earn for your job. That's, in my case, what I have learned when I was in Manila.

Pera-pera nga ba talaga ang basehan? Maybe yes, maybe no. It actually depends on the person and maybe his or her situation in life. Financial capacity is a great factor in determining if a person would aim for a higher compensation or not. However, there are also those greedy who would aim to become rich and prefer to lose their souls from the materialistic and worldly temptations that surround us.

As for me, I have chosen a path where 'success' has never been comparable to the ones of CEO's from big companies. And this is what depresses me the most; people have standards and this chosen path of mine has not even reached that worldly standard. I got to pick out a career which measures success not in terms of what you earn, but by what you give. People might not just be able to appreciate it, but hey who are they for me to impress? 

Sometimes we just got to value other things aside from money. Throughout all the pain and hardships I have encountered for the past few months, I came to understand the value of family and friends rather than what I receive every middle and end of the month. I feel bad when I have no money, but I feel worst without a family. I can have everything in this world to make me happy, but nothing compares to the joy of having people who appreciate you.

Finally, I will be doing what I actually like to do. I love my job despite that this was not what I actually planned when I was still studying. I had dreamed too of becoming my own boss just like anyone else, but for now I'll take that as a standby goal. Yes, I want to earn to raise a good family someday, to have a brighter future but I guess I will have to take it one step at a time. Like what they say, there's never a shortcut in achieving success; you'll have to work hard for it.

I just hope and pray that as I grace through the remaining half of the year, things will be better. Happy 1st of June!

Philippines' Hidden Paradise: Dapitan (part 2)

After our tour around the city, we were headed to our accommodation which is Dakak Park and Resort. Located at Taguilon, Dapitan City, we never expected that the place has such a big land area. Upon entering the front gate, it will probably take around 3-5 minutes to reach the front desk and waiting area (that's when your ride a bus, what more if you just walk). 

We were warmly welcomed by the staff with a cold drink upon arriving the lobby to get the keys of our rooms. Around 150 people were there for the tour since there were 3 buses who came along with us. It was quite a buzz and everyone was yet too busy and some exhausted from the trip.

Dakak was nothing more but a resort for me. It has big swimming pools, Jacuzzi and a beach. The only thing that separates it among others is its relaxing aura and the highly praised clean, clear and serene beach. It's definitely comparable to the other mainstream beaches in the country.

Overview of the swimming pool at Dakak near the beach front.

Truly, Philippines' hidden paradise!

Clean, clear and serene. Definitely the kind of beach I'm looking for.

By sunset, we were then invited for dinner at the resort's restaurant whose exterior is inspired by Chinese temples. There were even Chinese ornaments inside, too. Sadly, the food that they served for dinner was not dim sum or anything Chinese. We had grilled chicken and two big servings of rice (well, at least it was kinda oriental in some way).

By the time we were done with dinner, we got fetched by our tour bus and took us to Gloria's Fantasyland. A southern version for Enchanted Kingdom, that's my impression of this place. If you have been to EK, then the place might kinda disappoint you but nevertheless, the place was fun-filled and brings out your inner child. It compensates what Mindanao does not have, and who would have thought there's this kind of place in such a small and quiet city like Dapitan.

Gloria's Fantasyland Theme and Leisure Park

Our ticket includes the entrance to the theme park and entitles a single pass to all the rides in the vicinity. I got to ride only eight out of the fourteen rides because I only rode on the extremes (kidding), truth is I only rode on rides which I haven't tried before. And yeah, I chickened out on some rides (haha!).

And yes, our day ended with loud  bang through a fire works display. After Fantasyland, we got out to buy some delicious local pastries for our pasalubong (which I ended up eating along the way).

Baby you're a firework...

The tour was just about 24 hours; we arrived in Dapitan by 11 am and left the same time on the next day. It was definitely a worthwhile stay and could've not imagined to finish the tour with lots of free time in just a span of 1 day.

Going on tour to Dapitan is in fact affordable. Our trip was only for PhP 1,200.00 only and that includes accommodation, food, tour and transportation. Thanks to Fantasyland Travel and Tours for this memorable trip.

If you want to know our full itinerary, here it is:

Day 12:00-3:00am    Assembly time in LANDBANK velez
8:00-9:00         Breakfast (kkb)
11:30               estimated time of arrival in Dapitan
11:30-1:30pm  Lunch (cater)
1:30-2:30         Historical Tour
3:00-4:00         Room Check Inn Dakak
4:00-6:00         free time
6:00-6:30         Prepare for Assembly for pick up in BUS for dinner
6:00-7:00         Dinner Sunset Boulevard (FREE)
7:00pm-12:00mn Fantasyland

Day 27:30am             Free Breakfast
7:30-11:00        Free time/ recreational
11:00                Room Check-out Dakak
12:00nn           Lunch (cater)
1:00-2:00pm    Departure Dapitan-CDO

For more information about our trip and inquiries, contact Fantasyland Travel and Tours.

Tel. Nos.: (065) 906 0055 & 908 1237

Telefax Nos.: (065) 213 6247 & 212 2193

Mobile Nos.: 0939 357 9250 (smart)

0917 627 7991 (Globe)

0922 815 9124 (Sun)

Philippines' Hidden Paradise: Dapitan

Summer would not just be complete without having to go embrace yourself with sun and sand. It has actually been two years since the last time I've spent summer in my hometown or in Mindanao. For the past summers, I had been quite busy making my own life in other cities like Cebu and Manila.

This year, I was lucky enough to join the XUHS faculty with their trip to Dapitan. If it weren't for them I must have been stuck at home bored the whole time this summer. Finally, I had a chance to make the scorching sun kiss me again and it was also a chance for me to reconnect with nature and history.

inside the barge going to Ozamis

For this trip, we had Fantasyland Travel and Tours arrange everything for us. At 2 in the morning, we were all packed up inside a 50-seater tour bus. From Cagayan de Oro, it took about 3 hours to reach the port wherein we would have to ride a barge to reach Ozamis City.

A breathtaking view of the sunrise while on the barge

From Ozamis, more or less 4 hours will it take one to reach Dapitan. Upon arriving, a tour guide went inside our bus and warmly welcomed us. She definitely hyped up everyone from the exhausting 7 hour trip by energetically giving out plenty of historical information about the places which our bus passed through.

Our helpful and friendly tour guide

FYI, Dapitan was the place where our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was exiled for four years. So basically, much of the historical tour revolves around the life story of our hero and the places which he himself has devoted to develop. Almost every place in the city just has a mark of ancestry and Rizal all around it.

During the tour, we were given an ample amount of time to get off the bus to take pictures of beautiful historical sites such as this one. This was the exact place where Dr. Jose Rizal first set foot of the place.

                       

We were also given the chance to visit Rizal's place during the tour. It was the place where he actually stayed during his exile in the small town. There was also a mini museum where other things of his were kept and are on display.

Casa Residencia - The house that sheltered Rizal while he was in Dapitan (now a replica)

                       

The images above would be the entire view of Casa Residencia and the wooden bed frame of Rizal with his picture on it. Kinda eerie and creepy inside, btw.

A beautiful view of the Dapitan Bay just outside Rizal's place. So calm and serene.

After some strolls and reconnecting with nature inside the Rizal Shrine, it was time to check out some historical items inside the mini museum. There weren't much good finds inside actually, but it was alright besides it was just a mini museum. 

Portraits of Rizal and replicas of his works, books, etc.

After the tour around the shrine, we felt our stomachs grumbling already and were lead inside the bus which then took us to a popular restaurant in the city -- Inato Lang.

Inato Lang Restaurant

We had a scrumptious lunch here and the best thing was it was a buffet meal. It definitely filled us up like fueling a car, ready for the next adventures we are about to encounter in this small town.

We were also informed that our lunch for the following day upon departure would still be in the same restaurant except in another branch. Either of the branches mentioned were actually located along the river bank. Thus, expect that fresh air will breeze you while you are taking your meals.

After eating at Inato Lang, we were taken to the Dapitan City Hall to take pictures. Only a number of us dared to go outside the bus and take pictures since we got there around 1 in the afternoon with the temperature around 32 degrees Celsius.

Dapitan City Hall. The roofs of the building were actually inspired
by the design of the soldiers' hats during the days.

Such a long post right? I would have to cut right here for a while. Wait for my next post which continues the story of our Dapitan tour. 

To be continued....

Developers Connect Meets Cagayan de Oro's Geeks

Last April 5, Developers Connect (or DevCon), had conducted a meet up with other technology enthusiasts in the city at the astonishing Cleversoft Complex. DevCon has been widely known in promoting Filipino talents when it comes to the field of information technology. They have various chapters around the country and Cagayan de Oro has just recently been one of them. The non-profit organization has also been known in providing informative and fun events to IT students, educators and professionals.

DevCon Geek Up was joined by different IT professionals and students in the city.

The event started with a pleasant welcome from the Executive Director of DevCon, Ms. Haifa Carina Baluyos, who is also a Kagay-anon now based in Manila. She introduced the organization and its mission to everyone who was there that night. Although this has not been the first time that they had conducted an event in the city (since they already had an initial meet up last February and some university events as well), but still the organization has gone much introduction for the sake of those who have not attended the previous meet up.

Mr. Michael Jones Sia, manager of Gaisano Interpace Computer Systems, one of the lead suppliers of computer hardware in the country has sparked the event with the information of what is actually happening to the IT scene in the city. Afterwards, Mr. Todd Grannis, CEO of Cleversoft Inc also welcomed everyone and gave a brief introduction about his company.

Then there were Tech Talks right after dinner. Topics for the talks were about the trends in web development, mxGraph and an introduction to Twitter Bootstrap by Mr.Cris John Tagupa, Mr. Lionel Amarado and Mr. Arthur Vincent Simon respectively.

Mr. Cris John Tagupa on his talk about
"Trends in Web Development"

Aside from the talks, prizes were also given away to lucky participants who were participative and lucky enough to win during the raffle. Lucky for me, I didn't have to push my luck for any of the prizes because I had my own set of freebies (the perks of being a volunteer and an emcee, yeah!)

Some of the freebies and prizes that were given
away during the event.

The event ended having everyone filled (not just by the food prepared by the Cleversoft Team) with new learnings and information. Everything would not have been possible without its generous sponsors which we would like to greatly thank. 

Thanks to Cleversoft Inc. for the awesome venue and food; Mozilla Philippines and Google Developers Group Phils for the freebies; Globe Labs for the cool 4G Tattoo Sticks that were given as prizes; Gaisano Interpace Computer Systems for the awesome flash drives that were given away during the raffle; BlackBerry, Exist Software Labs, Morphlabs and most importantly to everyone who attended. Till the next DevCon event!

Holy Week Reflections

photo from http://christalonechurch.com

This year's holy week is more than just eating less for penitence and repentance. 2012 and 2013 has been a topsy-turvy journey for me, not even a roller coaster could describe how complicated everything had been which is why this holy week, I've decided to go on a reflection of life and hoping to get things right into place. 

Aside from the fasting I've started since last week, I also would want to think about things that could affect my future. I bet that after lent, I would be encountering a lot of major decision making and I am deeply praying for the Lord to guide me in all my decisions in life.

I admit, I have been weak and my faith has been tested since after graduation, and it had led to different bad scenarios which I, myself have not even imagined to happen. But even until now, there are still instances where I question my faith and ask God why everything has been happening. I know I have no right to ask Him, but despite this, He still managed to slowly give out answers through different realizations.

One thing I have learned through this whole journey is that there is no such thing as a perfect life. I might have been wrong before thinking that my whole life was too perfect and that everything I want could be easily at reach. But reality check, it really isn't; third quarter of 2012 was a twist which knocked me off to think of such realization.

And it was that realization which changed my whole life and how I view things differently. It made me stronger and realize the values of even such small things in life. Although, hatred is still present but acceptance has slowly drowned that ill feeling.

Now, here's a new version of me after a course of trials, molded by Him to become unafraid of the evil world. Though I am still hoping for Him to guide me in all the paths I will be taking, especially on this upcoming dilemma I will be facing by the end of Lent. This time, I promise that I will be doing everything ad majorem dei gloriam, for the greater glory of God.

GDG-CDO conducts Student Dev Day

Since its launching last January 2013, Google Developers Group Cagayan de Oro never failed to bring out the best of the IT Community as it hosted its recently concluded Student Developers Day last February 16, 2013 at the Integrated Technology Building, AVR 1 of Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST). The event is simultaneously conducted with GDG-Bacolod and is sponsored by Globe Labs, the telecom company's innovative and dynamic developer community. 

The event was participated by about 200 students from different schools in Northern Mindanao. It was a great venue for the students to learn new technologies at the same time meet fellow IT enthusiasts from different courses and universities.

Series of talks were presented to the students and a lot of prizes were given away (thanks to GDG and of course, Globe for the amazing prizes). Snacks were also served. It was definitely not-your-kind-of-student-event considering that it was a free event and there were new technologies being discussed by some of the finest people in the IT industry today.

GDG-CDO Community Manager, Josan Dometita shares
some GDG events to look forward to.
-pic courtesy of Mr. Reymart Canuel-

The program was warmly welcomed by Google Business Group CDO Community Manager, Mr. Jon Doblados. Similar to the 1st Meetup, an introduction about the community was done to answer all the curious minds of the students and also to give them an idea on what to expect in joining this community.

After much introduction, various technologies were discussed to the students. Mr. Reymart Canuel, GDG-Baguio's Community Manager was first to discuss how Google App Scripts work.  

Mr. Bryan Carl Chug of Aestrea Software Development made the whole audience shriek as he pulls out one shy student from the audience to help him demonstrate how "groovy" is Grails. As quoted "cool lang tayo with Groovy". 

Ms. Anne Michelle Santos of Globe Labs and
Mr. Reymart Canuel of GDG- Baguio with the students
-pic courtsey of Ethel Bobis-

Bryan Carl Chug of Aestrea Software Development
 discusses how to use Grails.
-pic courtesy of Mr. Reymart Canuel-

 Ms. Anne Michelle Santos of Globe Labs also discussed how Globe can further help developer's apps through the telecom's API's. She even demonstrated how a developer can make a mobile app that could send text messages using their API. She also gave away cool stuffs to those who randomly sent her an SMS using the simple PHP program she presented.

Students were also given the chance to present their developed apps by a show-and-tell. Here's a list of the projects presented by some students during the event:

Alvin Rivera (Capitol University)
Augmented Reality Base ID in Mobile Application

Richeve Bebedor (AMA)
Word Analysis using Google Translate API
Google Maps Data Analysis

Niel Patrick Mugpatan (MUST)
Twitter Bootstrap

Raven Duran (MUST)
Skedyul and GIT

Ravede Guibone and Alyssa Domondon
Android Application for Cagayan de Oro Transportation Route Mapping




The top 2 student presenters namely Alvin Rivera and Richeve Bebedor were awarded with Globe Tattoo Prepaid Sticks while the others got a GDG shirt for their marvelous efforts. All presenters also received a cupcake and a Globe Labs shirt.

The organizers and volunteers of the GDG-CDO Student Dev Day
-pic courtesy of Mr. Reymart Canuel-

 Overall, it was indeed another successful event for Google Developers Group Cagayan de Oro. The event wouldn't be possible without the dynamic speakers, Globe Labs, student volunteers from Xavier University and MUST, and of course the very enthusiastic students allover Northern Mindanao who participated. Till the next Google event!

To view more pics CLICK HERE.

Google is finally in Cagayan de Oro!

Last January 26, 2013 marks a date for all the computer geeks in Cagayan de Oro City. Google Developers Group Philippines has launched its newest chapter in the City of Golden Friendship and conducted its first ever meetup at Dynasty Court Hotel. The CDO Chapter would be the 7th in the Philippines adding with Baguio, Cebu, Manila, Zamboanga, Bacolod and Davao.

The Han and Ming function rooms at The Dynasty Court Hotel were filled
with local computer geeks from different companies and institutions.
-Pic courtesy of GDG-CDO-

The 1st meetup was basically more of a meet-and-greet, overviews about the new chapter and a lot of geeky Google sharing. The event was formally opened by Google Business Group CDO Community Manager, Mr. Jon Doblados. Snacks were served before proceeding with some series of talks and fun.

Google Business Group CDO Community Manager, Mr. Jon Doblados
-Pic courtesy of GDG-CDO-

After everyone got satisfied with the food, Ms. Chelle Gray, Google Developers Group Program Associate for Southeast Asia, officially introduced GDG to the Kagay-anons and what it is in store for everyone. She mentioned the advocacies of Google and why such community was established.

A participant shares her experience as an Android App developer
starting from scratch. "I had no idea on how to develop these 
apps at first, and so I Googled how."
-Pic courtesy of GDG-CDO-

Following Ms. Gray was GDG-CDO's Community Manager, Ms. Josan Dometita who shared her experiences as a GDG Member back then. She mentioned some activities which she had joined such as hackathons and parties. She gave the the community an idea of what's going to happen in the upcoming months for GDG -CDO.

She also mentioned how bonded the different GDG PH Chapters are and even got to do a Google+ Hangout with Ms. Anne Olvido, Community Manager for Bacolod and the whole Philippines. Together with Anne, she told the other members how amazing it is to be part of such community and how it is living up its advocacies.

There were also sharings done by other professionals, games, prizes and let's not forget FUN FUN FUN! The event was concluded by slicing a very cute Android cake (poor Android).

THE MURDER OF THE POOR ANDROID CAKE AND THE COMMUNITY MANAGERS
(L-R) Ms. Chelle Gray, Ms. Josan Dometita , Mr. Jon Doblados
- Pic courtesy of GDG-CDO-

Overall, the GDG-CDO 1st Meetup was indeed a success. Expect GDG-CDO to conquer the local IT scene in the upcoming months. Till the next Google event!