Charice Pempenco Sings God Bless America

My loving parents, Mateo and Editha.


Picture I found in the internet from the last year's election campaign.



The pride of the Philippines, Charice.


I got so emotional when I heard Charice sang God bless America during the pre-inaugural party of President Barack Obama. Like my parents who are residing now in Houston, Texas, USA, Filipinos should invoke God to guard and protect the place they are living. My parents are working there with immigrant Visas. I know it is not easy for them adjusting to the new culture, new bosses, new neighborhood and new life style. But what makes me smile always is the thought that they are supporting, loving and caring for each other. (Oh, I missed my parents!)


The economic crisis did not exempt USA from being affected; it is really a global phenomenon. US President George Bush received a lot of criticisms, negative feed backs, rallies and protests of Filipinos not just in America, but also here in our country and other parts of the world. Now with President Obama, we are hoping for a great change, good governance and pro-people policies. With his slogan “We are One!” that spells peace and unity for the whole world, everybody is having high expectations. We are all hoping that economic and other global problems will now be addressed to.


In my opinion, America is still the land of milk and honey. But oftentimes milk turns sour and honey will eventually be out of supply (thanks to the bees!). So we better pray, “God, you bless America!” And I say, “You bless my parents too.” And you Charice, sing more for the Philippines, for America and for the world.

Carmen - Still a Big Winner of Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras'09

The Municipality of Carmen Sinulog Contingent bagged the third prize for the free interpretation category, third place in street dancing and the best in musicality. If you will add up all the cash prizes, it is equivalent to the prize of the first placer. But I believe Carmenanons did not think about the money, they see it more as another successful, fruitful and meaningful offering to the Sto. Niño.



Congratulations to all!

Viva! Viva! Pit Señor!

Municipality of Carmen Sinulog 2009 Contingent

As a teacher you will have a thousand of privileges and of course what comes with it are also a thousand of responsibilities. In just a span of eight months, I was able to become a host of different school and community programs, a judge of different socio-cultural contests, contest facilitator, volleyball coach, stage play trainer, show writer/director, quiz master, oration coach, speech choir trainer, and the most recent task is, to be the chaperone of the Sinulog performers of the Municipality of Carmen Contingent for the Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras 2009. But I consider this task more of a privilege than a duty; it is because I was able to witness together with my colleagues how the dancers, the musicians and the props men were improving from the day one of the practice until last night for their dress rehearsal.

I had really witnessed how their choreographer Angelo Manapsal, who was also responsible for making The Carmen National High School Contingent won the Sinulog sa Kabataan 2008, imparted his knowledge, skills and grace to the dancers. Angelo did a marvelous task in demonstrating every steps and actions of the dance, supervising every detail of the costumes and props, creating the music and beat with the drummers and buglers and giving instructions to the props men and other performers. The tasks of the teachers actually were to check the attendance and to distribute the snacks or meals to the performers. It was quiet a simple assignment, but we were proud of our little effort in showing Carmen our love and support.

Last night, the performers were having their dress rehearsal. Fr. Benjamin Cotapay offered a mass and blessed all the costumes. Government officials headed by the energetic Mayor Sonia Q. Pua were present to witness the event. Different government and non-government organizations of Carmen were also there, and of course I should never fail to mention some of the Carmenanons who were very excited and proud to watch for the firs time the dancers in their African inspired costumes. I know Angelo and the performers were all nervous for the high expectations of the Carmenanons. After the practice, I became confident to say that the performers never failed us, we had really seen how they were giving all their best, performing as if it was their last. But of course the best presentation is yet to come, that would be on the Grand Mardi Gras Day, January 18, 2009.

Good luck Carmenanons! And kudos to all, for the unity and cooperation you have showed to the whole Christian world.

Viva Pit Señor!

Proud Teacher

Many people were flabbergasted about my decision on shifting career, from being a Physical Therapist to become a Secondary School Teacher. What surprised me most are the negative reactions I got from the people I never thought would react that way, my friends who are teachers. They really discouraged me of pursuing this career. They have their different reasons, and surely they can validate them; but still I stick and remained firm with my decision on becoming a full pledge educator.

I think that I am called to be a teacher; a true vocation that I believe will enable me to attain self actualization. To treat patients as a Physical Therapist and see their progress is very self fulfilling, but I feel that there are greater things I can do as a teacher. To be the students guide, to open doors for varied experiences in life, to touch their hearts and to motivate them to reach the highest peak of their goal are the things I like to do as at teacher.

All these things are the reasons why I took up teaching. I know there will be more surprises and trials that will come along the way, but at the end of the day I will be proud to say, “I am a teacher”.

Magtutudlong Catmonanon

Magtutudlong Catmonanon is my online personal journal. Catmonanon is an adjective which means somebody who comes from Catmon, Cebu and magtutudlo is the Cebuano term for teacher. Yes, I am a teacher who hails from Catmon but I am teaching in Carmen, Cebu right now. Wherever I will be, the truth will always remain, that I am a Magtutudlong Catmonanon.

I am publishing this blog to pay tribute to my beloved town Catmon, Cebu. Catmon is very special to my heart; I was born here, I played, I prayed, I laughed, I cried, I loved, and I am educated here. In other words, I become who I am because of Catmon.

This site also serves to pay homage to the most noble profession, TEACHING. The human race have survived and evolved as a species partly because of a capacity to share knowledge, the important task of a teacher, therefore I think, people should respect and honor teachers who did their different jobs well.

I will post here some personal events, thoughts, insights, opinions and additional stuffs like poetry and other literary works, old as well as new photographs of personal, family, campus, church, community, and other activities.

I had kept a diary when I was in high school, but I lost it. I had another diary during college days, and I still have it until now. Since blogging is an in-thing, I’d like to continue my writings through this blog. I don’t know how people will find and react to this personal site, but I just wish it will serve my purpose well, to free my thoughts and let many people know about it.