A wish and a prayer...

...on this beautiful occasion of Jesus Christ's birthday.  

While the world continues to swirl in dizzying activities, we retreat in the solemnity of rare solitude to reflect on God's greatest gift to mankind - His only begotten Son - to redeem us from the bondage of sins, so we all can live in the peaceful beauty of God's love for all eternity.

Lord Jesus, may we keep growing in love and faith to follow you, knowing that you are the Way to the Father, the Truth, and the Life.  May we find the courage and the wisdom to follow the example of your blessed mother, the Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph, her husband, whose faithful obedience allowed the Father to show His love and mercy to us through you - the very meaning of the nativity.  May you stay in our midst as we celebrate your birth so we don't lose sight of the path to the Father.  Amen.   

Merry Christmas to one and all! :)

***

Photo credit:  Thanks to my sister for taking this photo-on-an-impulse, while we prepared to celebrate Christmas with our family.

***

Saturday photo

This one's for keeps... therefore, posting it!

I had to borrow this photo of Prince Harry from the official Instagram account of Kensington Palace.  There is something beautifully haunting and refreshing about this photo of H hugging a sedated elephant during his three-month trip to Africa on wildlife conservation mission.  He was lamenting how "30,000 elephants we slaughtered last year alone" for their tusks.  With the photo above, he expressed his protest about how wildlife has been suffering to extinction because of unscrupulous practices... "a pointless waste of beauty," he says.  There is honesty in it, much emotion and some sense of serenity being one with the 'big boy' of the wildlife.  Of course, the artistry in the way the photo was envisioned and executed is just wonderful.  I thought the moment needs to be preserved in this on-line repository of mine.  So, here it is!

So, now you know why I am sooooo looking forward to... retirement! :)  So much to look forward to, I can't wait!

***

Photo credit: The photo belongs to Prince Harry, posted on the Kensington Palace official Instagram account on 2 December 2015.  Thanks for the loan of the photo.

***  

Not just some ball game...

...it's all about lessons in teamwork.
======================================================================
by PAM

"What a kick!
"Beautiful, beautiful Rugby from New Zealand."

"It's New Zealand's!  And it's history - confirmed.
"The All Blacks, still the kings of World Rugby."

It's been a while since I had an adrenaline rush from an exciting sports match.  In fact, I'm beginning to feel kinda 'lifeless' these days... just surviving on high dosage of 'excitement at work' - if there's such a thing, that is - which leaves me 'comatose' from exhaustion after the adrenaline rush subsided... because that's what work does.  I did see 'this and that' sporting event lately... and they kinda drew some flat "woohoo" from me... just because the inspiration was short on spirited runs, and bereft of deep interest on my part admittedly.

Highlights from the Rugby World Cup 2015 final match between
NZ All Blacks and Aussie Wallabies via Fox Sports 2. 

Anyway, you get the picture... I've been living a 'boring' life - no time to appreciate other forms of excitement outside the suffocating confines of huge responsibility and imposing challenges that come with the 'territory' conquered at work with my brilliant team.

I never thought that I'd get a good slamming dose of excitement from the Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC 2015) final match between New Zealand's All Blacks and Australia's Wallabies... just a while ago.  Boy, that was a burgeoning dose of pure adrenaline right there!  NZ's All Blacks routed the Wallabies, 34-17, to retain the Webb Ellis Cup, which they collected in 2011, making NZ the first country to retain the Cup, and the first country to become World Champion three times.  What a match indeed!  And, I cannot thank Prince Harry of Wales enough for introducing me to this 'passion' of his. :)  Yes, the Prince sort of introduced the game to me - indirectly, that is (I'm not that lucky!)... through press releases from the Kensington Palace on Twitter. :)  Gosh, but of course, I wish I knew the Prince personally just because he seems humorous, compassionate, and real.  But that's another topic for a post... if I'd get lucky enough to find the time for it, that is. :)

After seeing a bit of matches in the Group Stage of RWC 2015, and those quarter final matches between Australia and Scotland, New Zealand and France, and South Africa and Wales, I was hooked!  I had to go on-line and educate myself with the rules of the game... and, I admit, it wasn't easy.  I'm still struggling to understand the rules... and getting used to terms like "scrum", "ruck", and what have you.  But what I am certain of is the way the players in the attacking side strategize to set one of them to go for a try, and the way the opposing team set up to stop the other side is absolutely beautiful to watch!  And, I thought you only get to be fascinated by brilliant team tactics in football (soccer).  I was wrong.  Rugby is the real deal, too!  It's a wonderful balance of intelligent team strategy, physicality with a huge dose of roughness, and fun. Love it!

With the exception of tennis, I've always preferred team sports over individual sports.  I like the interaction among players in a team.  I love watching the way a number of individuals move in an invisible woven fabric of harmonious rhythm, moving as one, thinking as one, eyes fixed on a common goal, moving forward like one body... and then celebrating triumphantly after reaching their goal.  I believe that is called 'Teamwork'... and the victory always seems sweeter when shared with teammates. I cannot help but feel the adrenaline rush that propel the team to move forward, and feel the excitement of winning.

Teamwork in team sports inspires me as a leader.  Great coaches like Pep Guardiola challenge me to think outside the box, to recognize talents in my team and figure out a

The best Team emerged victorious... NZ's All Blacks!

way to optimize their talents to work for the benefit of the team.  And great teams, like FC Barcelona - 'more than a club' - inspire me to view winning differently... not for personal glory and achieving personal ambition, but making a difference in people's lives with achievements that are pleasing to God.  

One wise person always tells me that there is "no OJT for leadership, it's either you've got it or you don't".  In response, I always tell him, "yeah, but there's football, and all sorts of team sports that a leader could watch... to inspire teamwork, to learn coaching that brings out the best in every individual in the team, to come up with inspired team strategy... and succeed - as a team."  And I believe that with all my heart.

Today, the 'beautiful men' in All Blacks affirmed these.  There were brilliant individual performances, but they all contributed to the Team's goal.  In the end, it's not about the brilliant man with the nerves of steel, Dan Carter, or the legendary captain, Richie McCaw, or the ferocious Ma'a Nonu, or anyone else... it's all about New Zealand... it's all about All Blacks... and it's all about the love and passion for Rugby.  And, what a great fun it all is for the fans of the game!

Huge CONGRATS to All Blacks!  And, hey, the Wallabies were worthy championship contenders, too.  So, congrats to them , too!  And, huge congrats to England for hosting a really exciting tournament!  

And since the adrenaline surge refuses to subside, why don't we soak it up?  So, here they are again....

"We got the job done tonight, so it's great."
"He gets this chance to do something now that nobody else has done: to hold on to a second World Cup, a third Cup - for his nation." 

*** 
Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.
Photo credits:  (1) I took all the photos from the live cablecast of Fox Sports 2 - thanks.
                        (2) Thanks, Rex photo via www.telegraph.co.uk.

***

The Call to serve...

...and the joy of serving.

=========================================================================

by PAM

I guess we can call this a special edition of "Saturday photo"... except that, it's a collage of photos, a collage of memories, a wealth of experiences over the last three years. 

'Exhilarating' does not cut it... not even 'incredible', but yeah,
it is absolutely unforgettable!

Three years... three years of all-out bone-breaking, heart-wrenching, gut-smashing, dizzying, passionate service... just utterly incredible!  

Three years ago, I was headed to a 'new adventure' somewhere 'exotic and wonderful' when I was called all of a sudden to serve.  It was so unexpected, so bewildering precisely because serving as Dean of our Faculty of Engineering in the University of Santo Tomas cannot be any more remote in my mind than the north pole is the opposite of the south!  But, with the rich and long history of the Faculty, and the many wonderful people who served it as Dean, to be called to serve it was indeed very humbling.  And I did not have enough pride to say no.  

So I closed my eyes, sought the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and searched my heart for God's answer.  While my mind struggled with my heart, a powerful voice that came 'booming' from the very core of my heart 'whispered silence', a silence so profound and awe-inspiring... and, in my mind, light shone through a path that was strewn with glimmering letters.  The letters were arranged in such a way that they say 'service'.  

In the horizon, I saw a glorious beauty where the Faculty shone in a way that I've never seen it shine before.  But along the dream-like walls lining up the path are frightening challenges, towering tasks that were threatening to swallow me alive.  They all seemed insurmountable, unconquerable.  There were alluring temptations to enjoy the glory of the Dean's seat... which, I imagined, were irresistible to many of those who came and went to serve, and especially to those who covet the seat.  And there were beautiful jewels that shone like pure white light - gifts - that can be won to bring at the foot of God's throne in a humbling sacrifice.  There were gifts of friendship among colleagues, gifts of camaraderie with friends in and out of the University that leads to working as a powerful Team, gifts of service that enable our students and colleagues to realize their full potentials, gifts of creating new and innovative strategies that propel the Faculty to conquer many uncharted territories, beautiful assorted gifts of joyful service.  To me, those gifts and the opportunity to bring them at the foot of God's throne as offering were irresistible, no matter how burgeoning the sacrifices that I needed to make in exchange.  I believe only a few are called to have the opportunity to serve in that way... and nothing is more humbling. And so, I said 'yes'.  I then prayed with all my heart as I started walking along the path. 

The rest is history.  

And I believe that history has been kind... and so, my heart sings joyfully... especially, that the glorious beauty that I saw in the horizon when I started walking the difficult and challenging path turned out to be real... and the joy that I feel in every beat of my heart is very real, too.  It's a beauty that is impossible to even imagine, a beauty that I wouldn't have the inkling of a means to even imagine if I didn't heed the call to serve... because such beauty can only come from heartfelt service - leadership through service.  And, I thank God with all my heart for it all.

Amen.

***

Getting inspired...

...to get going.
============================================================
by PAM

I spent a few hours today just staring at the ceiling, reading some, and writing a bit... just looking for inspiration... a little reason to keep doing what I currently do.  And then, I thought of YouTube... why not?  They have plenty of "inspirational stuff" on YouTube, have't they?  

And, I found this...

"It makes me more determined than ever that this wonderful,

awe-inspiring children should have happier and healthier lives.

And I hope that my mother would be proud, too.

"I'd like to think I'm just one of the lads, whether am or not."

...and, oddly enough, my inspiration wires went a bit tingling in a beautifully sweet buzz. Yeah, I'm all shallow like that... but what else is new, right? :)

I know, I'm more than a year late to be greeting Prince Harry on his 30th birthday, but I'm really amazed to see that "the spare" has grown to become this really lovely man, grown to be his own man.  The "wild child" has grown to this disarmingly charming man who invokes raw emotion from people, and inspires them to do what they do with real passion and joy... no regrets, no reservation for as long as what they feel in doing what they do is real, welling from love and deep caring. And then, quite automatically, this attitude leads to living a truly meaningful life.

Happy belated 30th birthday, H!

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***

Forced vacation...

...because the body is a-complainin'.

====================================================================

by PAM

Hello, flu!

It's that season.  Work is incredibly heavy, weather is bad, sleepless nights... and then you have situations that make your blood boil.  And, what do you have?  A good recipe for headache, a perfect concoction for an indefinite confinement in bed with your 'old friend' called flu, that's what! 

What can I say, the spirit is very willing to keep going, but the flu says things are tearing the body apart, and it's so not good.  Therefore, flu is taking charge because the body needs to recover, and it's owner is such a slave driver!  

Therefore, sorry work, but to bed, will this body be, it must be... for a few days.  

***

Tears...

...for the sake of shedding tears.
====================================================================
by PAM


Uhm... do you watch HGTV's 'Cousins Undercover'?  Yes?  So, then you know that when you start shedding tears when the emotional house owners finally see their transformed house in spite of John Colaneri's hysterically giddy mood, you might just be too stressed out, and are just looking for an opportunity to let your frustration out without appearing like your're complaining, or that you're being a wuss! :)  And then you cry your eyes out until you admit to yourself that you're being silly.  So then you focus on the Italian good looks of Anthony Carrino (oy!), and you know, it'll be alright?  Right?  Right! :)  See, this is the most wonderful thing about being single... you can crush on all the Anthonys and the Harveys (Specter, of 'Suits', who else?) in the world, and nobody's gonna be rolling their eyes on you.  Hmm... did I speak too soon? ;)

Going back to the correlation between stress and TV tearjerkers, I think that, with the depth and breadth of my stress right now, this is what I need...

@23:34 min - 25:04 min
Fr. Walker : Why are you here (in the church)?

Mike Ross:  Because I'm afraid!

...to let some steam off.  Why?  Well, this 'Suits' episode is all about mistakes on top of mistakes, buried under the rush of realities that the characters needed to deal with every single day.  The consequence of their mistakes came biting the behind of every single one of them when something finally gave.  And it happened in this episode.  I can relate to the characters because I'm afraid I may have made a BIG mistake - I mean, huge - in choosing a person to help lead a very important initiative, one that's critical to our Organization's sustained growth... and I'm paying the price right now.  Per previous experiences with other people, I thought that I could help that person to want to "reform" by showing my confidence in that person to lead something important despite the person's awful leadership track record.  Idealism? Misguided optimism? Or, foolishness, perhaps, on my part?  Whatever it was, it was a misstep, because as it turned out, one wise person who warned me about "old dogs not being able to learn new tricks" was right.  What can I say, I chose to see the "goodness" in the "dog"?  Dear me!  Now, I realized, the "dog" isn't actually "old"... it's just deranged - by choice!  It's too selfish to lead.  And, I've put it off the leash!  What a disaster waiting to happen!  

I admit, it was a gamble... which I feel I'm losing right now.  That is, if I wouldn't be able to muster the courage to set aside 'mushiness' and cage the 'deranged animal' as soon as possible.  Needless to say, I am utterly disappointed with myself... not so much because I committed a misstep, but because I stubbornly believed that the goodness in every person, no matter how little, always prevails when common good  is at stake.  In this instance, I am convinced that this idealistic belief is not always true... apparently, for some people, selfishness prevails.  And, since I made the decision, no matter what, I am responsible for that misstep.  The good news is, it's not too late.  There is time to correct the mistake before this ugly head of consequences grew to a dispicable monstrosity.  So, yeah, pass me that box of tissue will ya, this 'Suits' episode is such a massive tearjerker, it's makin' me weep!  And, yeah, the screenplay, editing, acting and direction are brilliant, too.  Too good, they make me weep!  Some people have all the talents. *weep* 

See, idealism can't only lead to obesity... it can also bite your behind like a 'mad dog'! Oy, I need a puppy.

But, more than a 'puppy', I need to act - fast!

***
Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***

Saturday photo

Paradise... what I wouldn't do to be in this place right now!
"Beam me up, Scotty!"

All parts of my body ache right now... abused to their capacity to endure pain.  It would be nice to take a plunge in that blue water, and allow the thick foam to massage hurting muscles.  It would be nice to float on the water, just staring at the blue skies above and the lush green foliage around, surrounded by the healing blue water and the quiet serenity of the place. Calm, clean, natural beauty... just amazing!

***
About the photo:  This was taken from one of the beaches at the Le Grand Coastal Trail in Esperance, Western Australia.

***

Old hobby...

...is dying.  Surely though, it doesn't have to be that way.
================================================================
by PAM


I have been reading again... I mean, reading fiction again.  Going into adulthood, it has been one of my fave hobbies that I take refuge in whenever reality becomes a bit 'unbearable'.  Growing up, it was some sort of 'addiction', the one 'vice' that I used to indulged myself.  It was where most of my money went... and I say it was an investment that was worth every centavo.  It stretched imagination to a vividness that links fiction to a creative reality.  As a result, I feel that the creative side of my brain has always been 'well-exercised', and it helps now as I try very hard to be creative in leadership.  

'Creative in leadership'... oh, God, how I wish that was true!  The only thing is I can only wish for it!

Fiction or non-fiction, I love reading... and writing, obviously.  The past how many months, however, had been grim as far as reading per se is concerned.  Too much work... too many worrying stuff in my head, too many concerns that demand most of my waking hours... and sleeping time, too.  Too much!  Even my metabolism seems to protest... I have been gaining weight, even when I'm usually forced to skip meals!  The extra fat around my tummy is so uncomfortable, so is the extra weight in my arms... they make movements limited - it's utterly frustrating!  I'm very sure the metabolism problem is not just due to age... it's more due to the 'unhealthy lifestyle' that I lead these days in my desire to satisfactorily render a service that's way beyond what is expected of me.  Uh-huh, idealism can lead to obesity, I tell ya! ;)

"It's my feeling we'll win in the end.

I won't harm you or touch your defenses, vanity and security.

Don't you forget about me."

My fave hobby has taken the back seat - way behind many 'priority activities', activities that are supposed to make life worth living for... mostly for others, or so my 'idealism gauge' suggests.

But over the past two weeks, I found myself browsing my cyber library with materials to read where I can get lost in the fragrant garden of creativity in fiction.  In fact I was surprised when I realized that I've read five books in seven days in spite of my heavy schedule!  And I was even more surprised that three of those five books were ones I've read several times already in my teenage days.  I read through, closing my eyes here and there, and realizing that I've almost memorized the words... and that most of my involuntary expressions now were borrowed from the

Letting go, thankful for a full life lived without regrets.

heroines in the books I read while I was growing up.  It should spook me a bit, shouldn't it?  But, nah.  In fact, I think I'm appreciating my childhood... my 'growing-up years' were kinda cool.  My childhood wasn't perfect, that's for sure, but those years were remarkable as they shaped the kind of person that I've become.  And, based on the level of fulfillment that I'm feeling now, I deeply appreciate my childhood.  The wonderful experience that those years held was partly because of the influence of a family member, my uncle, who passed away recently.  Like my old books, he completed my childhood... planted some dreams worth pursuing in my head and in my heart.  And now that I am chasing my dreams with much gusto and incredible feeling of fulfillment, I give thanks to God for gifting me and my siblings with his presence in the early years of our lives, which shaped our dreams and aspirations towards our adulthood.

Sure, I can be happier now despite the many gifts from God that I immensely enjoy.  But hey, isn't that what faith is about?  You let God direct your life... accept His will, His gifts without question and use them productively to praise Him, glorify Him, hoping in his love that He will lead you towards the fulfillment of the most precious dreams you hold closest to your heart.

Sometimes, you just have to hang in there... keep hoping, keep wishing, keeping the faith... keeping an eye on the horizon with hopeful anticipation - the quiet and peaceful horizon where a new day is about to burst in its wonderful glory!  And you calm your restless heart with God's assuring peace and love.

Life goes on.


***
Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***
      

Mining for 'gold'...

...in the land down under.

=======================================================================

by PAM

And the 24-day adventure in the land down under begins!  Thanks to Australia Awards (AA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the government of Australia, and to the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) Curtin University in Bentley and in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.

A colleague and I received a Fellowship from AA to visit WASM Curtin University in the land down under.  The goal of the visit is to learn through experiencing how WASM operates in order to revitalize the mining education in the Philippines, specifically addressing gender imbalance under the girls and women empowerment program of Australia.  My University and the Curtin University signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year, and forging a partnership between our Faculty of Engineering and that of Curtin's Faculty of Science and Engineering is one of the priorities.  Specifically, we are working on jointly offering a Graduate Program in Chemical Engineering with specialization in Metallurgical Engineering as a concrete step in revitalizing mining education in the country. 

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!
Arriving on the 20th of August to visit Western Australia - for the first time.

Exploring the Curtin University Bentley campus.
Oy, oy, oy!

It's my first time to travel to Western Australia.  So far, so good.  Perth is not as I expected... it's so much better!  In fact, I'm loving it!  I'm excited to go through the whole duration of the visit.  I cannot wait to visit Kalgoorlie - the "Gold Capital of Australia".  I wish to visit gold mines, and experience the historical places of Kalgoorlie. 

I'm not sure exactly what to expect, therefore I am keeping an open mind and keeping my travel options open.  Nevertheless, I secretly hope to run into a "gold mine"... and soak it up a bit.  And by "gold mine", I don't just mean a place where you find a block of that glittering yellow-brown metal... I hope to find "gold mine of people", ya know, new colleagues, new friends... and a "gold mine of new experiences".  Can't wait!

Your move, Oz.  Surprise me!  Oy, oy, oy! 

***
Photo credit:  Both photos were taken by Numz De Guzman - thanks.

***

Saturday Photo

A humbling experience... I wish to be worthy
of this at some point in my life.

***
Photo credit:  I took the photo at the APEC Meeting, held at the Philippine International Convention Center.

***

Saturday photo

Moody skies, highly reactive seas, confused atmosphere... 
...and we get ready whenever they feel pissed off - by us! 

I spent the transition from July to August 'on air'... and serving my professional community, too, in another part of the country.  On my way to my destination, my plane 'bumped' into a think air pocket, which made it almost roll over!  It made all of us in the plane felt like we landed extremely badly or something... and were terrified when we realized that we were still actually on air!  Man, scary!  

Apart from the on-air scare, the trip was fantastic, in terms of how much our group has accomplished, and how much we, as a group, grew closer with one another.  It was a fulfilling few days... and I expect more great things to happen today as we finally take a few hours free before heading home.  

So, let's do this! :)

***

Saturday photo

Singapore, the Bay Area... five years later.

Yeah, the last time I was in Singapore was in 2010... I was being a 'big tourist' that time with a few friends, and working a little bit.  This time, I was working more... and traveling with more people, too... and 'playing' a bit.  But none of the busyness distracted me from seeing how much S'pore changed from an impressive new 'first world' country to a true benchmark of what progress is about!  It's absolutely incredible.

If how fast internet flies was any indication of progress, then Singapore is flyin' on supersonic speed, man!  And yet, they are not investing on nuclear weapons to be called a 'super country'... and they are being good stewards of the environment as well.  To me, that's the new norm of true progress... when people understand that power is not about lording over nature to lord over humanity, but it's about being in-sync with nature as it breathes... in fact, as it breathes life.  It's all about sustainable living.

S'pore is a concrete jungle...
...and yet, it is the epitome of a 'green city'.

At the rate Singapore is going, it's probably a good idea to go there every quarter of a year to keep track of how it is evolving into a 'super country'... in a way that's never been seen before!  

Dis I experience anything that's unfavorable?  Hmmm... yeah, I didn't get to visit a church while there.  It's either my schedule was horrendous, or the urban planning did not consider spiritual health as a priority?  Come to think of it, back in 2010, I didn't get to visit a church either.  But, I choose to keep an open mind... and plan to visit more frequently.

***

Saturday photo

Birthday celebration is a 'family thing'... at least, for me.

Or, 'foodie-ing' all day long with a fave foodie buddy.

Whatever it is, it always begins with a prayer... a thanksgiving, a celebration of a year's worth of wonderful gifts from God... gifts that begin with a wonderful family, gifts shared with and by loved ones, gifts that fill the year with beautiful memories... gifts to treasure and hold dear in our hearts for many years to come.  

And, I thank God for all of them!  

Amen.

***

Hello, July!

Nice to see ya again, old friend!  I've been dyin' to see ya... aah, ya have no idea!  

So... let's start with a vacation, shall we?  Let's!

'Staycation'... a matter of figurin' out priorities.

***

Photo credit:  I took the photo by the patio of the lounge of a hotel in Quezon City, Philippines.

***

More than 'just teaching'...

...it's about preparing young people to commit to the "art of living in a sustainable world'.
==================================================================
by PAM

A month ago, I was reading an article on one of my favorite news sites entitled, "What to Learn in College to Stay One Step Ahead of Computers".  Yes, I know, that sounds odd!  The article seems to imply that there is a need to prepare our students for a future that pits them with computers!  Anyway, among many others, my attention was caught by a statement that goes, "a college education needs to be broad and general, and not defined primarily by the traditional structure of separate departments staffed by professors who want, most of all, to be at the forefront of their own narrow disciplines."

These days, just being at the forefront of your own discipline has seized to be important and "fashionable" in the field of higher education.  Today, it is more important to stand side-by-side with colleagues in a multi-disciplinary team assembled to craft multi-faceted projects that integrate theoretical concepts with the "art of living in a sustainable world".  In Engineering, we go one step further... with a blend of technical and practical lessons that motivate our students to assume personal responsibility in being the steward of our environment, taking care of the world we live in.  Today, what is more important is

Lush... it would be nice if this beauty is maintained for many
generations to enjoy.

making sure that the kind of education we offer allows our students to function well in the society; to respond appropriately and sufficiently to issues that ensure a sustainable future.  And this is especially of great importance in countries like ours, which are not only rich in natural resources, but have been joked about as also being rich in natural disasters.  While the joke can be hilarious, the real effects of these disasters are absolutely not!  Perhaps, disasters would not be as "natural" if we become more conscious of the impact of our activities on the environment; the impact of the technologies we develop and use on our natural environment.

Where I teach, an important part of the students' education is learning how to handle sensibly the issues that may adversely affect a sustainable future.  Part of it is in our core values of competence, commitment and compassion.  In the case of Engineering students, the competence in developing "green" technologies and structures; the commitment to the Engineer's oath of being steward of the environment rather than being disruptors of the ecological processes in our natural environment; and compassion in putting the interest of a whole generation that thrives on a healthy environment above wealth and fame.  We hope that with this, we can enjoy a future that is not filled with hazards and occurrences that do not necessitate constant and resource-intensive mitigation... keep mother nature happy, so she could continue taking care of all of us sufficiently.

***

Photo credit:  I took the photo in the Underground River of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines.

***

Saturday photo

Or, perhaps, 'photos'?

Seeing others realize their dreams...
...as you did a while back.

I know, I complain about busy schedule and all that... and yet, when 'connections' on the other side of the Pacific howler for assistance on something, I (almost) automatically move things around in my calendar to do my best to accommodate.  Sometimes, admittedly, I try to ignore... but, at the end of the day, I feel absolutely rotten for not trying.  So, I try... I always do.  And, I know why, too.  

These guys helped me fulfill a dream I didn't even fully realized I can be so passionate about... until very recently.  I just wanted to be of service to my country.  I did 'this and that' to try to do that... but I've never gone close to feeling like I've done something remotely related to 'service'.  And then, they gave me this opportunity to study in an Ivy League Institution on that lovely, lovely hill somewhere full of beautiful lakes... I was actually opting for something else before that, just because I didn't know better.  I thought I just wanted to get away from all the overwhelming boredom I was feeling then... to find a 're-start' of sorts, 'sprint' from there... and then slow down to run a 'marathon'... all the hopes of "service" all gone. 

The 're-start' at the hill was splendid!  So awesomely splendid!  And, the 'sprint' was the most exhilarating thing I've ever known.  All the wonderful experience even made me think that, perhaps, I didn't need to run a boring marathon and actually go on a real 'journey'.  I found much encouragement from my 'connections' that that is actually doable.

And then, as I slowed down for the final inhale-exhale to run that 'marathon'... something shone in the horizon, and it says "service".  Through it all, my 'connections' have been there for me... in a way, making sure that I see how that thing in the horizon shone as beautifully as I've always imagined it would.  And it really is breathtaking, too!

Now, whenever I get an invitation, I try to make time... 'cause, ya know, it's nice to have people around you who also see the beauty of that 'thing' shining in the horizon.  Those moments are priceless... and they get you focused on the journey.

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Photo credit: I took most of the photos; two were taken by other guests at the USAID STRIDE reception for scholars and grantees at the Makati Diamond Residences on 18 June 2015.

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Stan-ning...

...for the love of clay!
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by PAM


Yep, I've been paying attention - I swear! :) 

Uh-huh, of course, the allure of the beautiful red clay distracted me some from my deadlines, what d'ya think!  I did see a little of that Roger Federer-Gael Monfils fourth round bit before passing out from exhaustion, working on something... and, of course, that Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray semi-final bit, too.  Before that, I was admiring the courage of David Ferrer as he battled Murray for a place in the semis, and how great it was to witness that muscled battle for a place in the semis between the King of Clay', Rafael Nadal, and the king of... uh, 'everything'?  As in, everything - now - Djoker, of course.  I remember being a bit shock as I watched Djoker unseat the King of Clay... whew!  I know that Nole has beaten Rafa a few times... but never in Paris, well, not until this year anyway.  And, the minute Stanislas Wawrinka secured a place in the semifinal, at the expense of RF, I knew he had a chance in conquering Paris... notwithstanding Djoker or Rafa and Murray.  The pounding of Jo-Wilfred Tsonga by 'the other Swiss' in their semifinal duel was a clear warning to Djoker that capturing Paris was not going to be a walk in the Park.  What with Stan's canon backhand?  

That dazzling 'dirt' in the City of Light...
...and the men that make it special.

I gotta admit though, great as tennis's big men were, and magnificent as they were on clay, they didn't have my full attention.  I was quite distracted by my-- well, ya know what - my work, what else. :(  Old news, old excuse... and, just what do we do about it?  We'll know in a few months... but that is not the point of this post. :)

Goin' back to tennis... I'm really glad to see 'Stan the Man' triumph in Paris, congrats to him!  He may have reduced RF to a mere QF-er, but the same feat kind of crowned him as the next victor of Paris... for it has become a pattern, whoever beats Federer in the QF or Semis, goes on  to win the final.  It's like an anointment to become a champion... the way Djoker rose to being the Number One player in the World, the way Nadal became another legend of tennis, the way Murray found and embraced his own greatness, the way Juan Martin Del Potro found the Champion's way.  They all had to go through the Swiss Maestro.  I know, I'm biased... too much of an RF fan, I am, admittedly. :)

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Photo credit:  I took all the photos from the live coverage of the French Open 2015 by Balls, Channel 34 on Skycable.  

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Second treble on the table... and, they took it!

And, I saw them do it - live!  Visca, el Barça! 
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by PAM


I have been feeling really frustrated to have kept missing the UEFA Champions League matches this season.  In fact, my last post here on the Champions League was published on August 2013!  It's that bad.  

I know that there are trade-offs in the choices we make in our lives, but two years of not being able to watch a full match in the Champions League has been gnawing on my sanity!  Too much work... just too-too much!  It used to be worth it... but, without time to refresh my mind by indulging my (justified) hunger for great fun, adrenaline rush and tactical thinking through a healthy dose of the 'beautiful game' is 'killing me'... seriously!  OK, perhaps following the Spanish La Liga and the English Premier League, too, is a luxury, considering the choice I made two-and-a-half years ago... but missing the Champions League for two years??  OK, that's like sacrilege for a football fan!  

Football fan or not, I think we all deserve some time to have a little fun - even if only for health and sanity's sake.   


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Putting my foot down... gotta watch the final!

Sooo, before losing it, I put my foot down and decided to mark my calendar and cancel anything else that coincided with the Champions League final in Berlin... especially that the final is between my favorite Club, FC Barcelona (o, yeah!), and Juventus FC!  As it turned out, I didn't have to cancel anything because the match airs live via cable on a Sunday at 2:30 a.m., Manila time.  So, I had to sleep early Saturday night to wake up in time for the game.  And, oh, boy!  What a treat it was!

What a reunion between Barça... and I! :)

The match was a fast-paced one, with the men from both sides starting with spirited sprint on that beautiful green turf of Berlin.  Everyone watching knew right off the bat that both sides were gunning for the cup with powerful artillery - no compromise!  Both sides have a worthy mission.  Both sides won their local Leagues and local Cups going into the Champions League final.  Juve was gunning for their first treble - the 8th Club to do so if they managed to get Lady Luck smile their way; and Barça was aiming to make history to become the first Club to achieve the treble twice.  Juve's manager/head coach, Max Allegri, was a worthy victor... but so was Barça's freshman head coach/manager, Luis Enrique, relatively young as he may be!  

Champions League followers were expecting the final match to be a battle of midfields, Juve's was led by the veteran, Andrea Pirlo, and Barça's was led by the brilliant Andres Iniesta.  Everyone was also picturing a duel between Barça's "magician", Lionel Messi, and the Italian side's seasoned goal keeper, Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, in front of the Italian Serie A champs' goal.  Naturally, a swarm of defenders were about Messi early on; and naturally, Lucho Enrique and Don Andres expected this, and so did Neymar Jr., who pressed the Juve defense early on.  It was a battle of midfield tactics alright.  In fact, duirng the first four minutes or so of the match, the quick-witted Don Andres Iniesta orchestrated the attack for Barça, getting his men touch the ball, once, twice on the turf as they gather towards the Juve goal.  Don Andres found a little opening, slipped the ball through to Ivan Rakitić, who acted quickly and decisively, and sent the ball past the surprised Buffon (and he's rarely surprised!) to hit the back of the net!  The Catalan side took the driver seat, 1-0, merely four minutes into the match!  And the sprinting and tactical battle intensified.  Whew, beautiful!

The rest of the first half was a great duel of wills between the two sides...  Barça pressing to provide a cushion to their lead, Juve was looking to equalize while resisting the advances of the opposite side.  Their horns were locked tightly, but I gotta say that the great tactician, Don Andres, and the South American demolition trio, Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, with the do-or-die hustle from Dani Alves, kept Juve mum, as they pressed relentlessly.  Barça's attack crew kept the ball with the Catalans, not giving the Juve attackers, led by Carlos Tevez, much chance to create damage.  

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Finishing the task

One would think that in the second half, Barça would be running to finish the match with another goal, but it was Juve's Alvaro Morata who picked up the remains of a saved attempt for a goal by Tevez, about ten minutes into the second half, to equalize. That scattered the Catalan men for a while, and the Barça defense was the first to appear like they were feeling the heat.  It did look like Juve was going for an all-out attack of the FCB goal manned by the 23-year old German keeper, Marc-André Ter Stergen.  However,

Neymar, securing the win with a third goal for FCB.

the young goal keeper, calm and serene in front of the goal, proved to be up to the task - very impressive!  I have to say that Barça's defense, which was usually suspect when things go wrong, proved to be equal to the task as well... well, after recovering from their "initial shock" caused by the Morata goal anyway.  Call it the Don Iniesta calming leadership effect... that man has that effect on his team.  He gets them back on attacking track - fast!  

The formidable South American attacking trio in front of the Barcelona crew kept pressing... they launched many attacks that would've shattered to pieces a goal keeper made of less finer stuff than Gigi Buffon was.  At some point though, something had to give.  In one of the blistering attempts by Messi to get FCB in front again, Buffon saved, but spilled the ball, which was apparently went too weighty after being walloped by Messi's left foot.  The hungry Suarez, without hesitation, sprinted to send the loose ball to the back of the net as Buffon was still sprawled on the turf recovering from Messi's assault, 2-1.  Such is the lethality of Barça's attack line.  Just as quickly as he scored though, Suarez picked up a yellow card as soon as the game re-started after Barça's celebration of his goal! :)  Oh, boy!  At least, the yellow card did not involve biting of someone's ear. ;)

The lead could have been stretched by Neymar to 3-1 about the 70th minute or so, but his header was ruled out as the ball accidentally touched the back of his right hand before flying to the goal. That little touch couldn't have changed the trajectory of the ball... but it was disallowed anyway, and it was fair enough.  Juve then continued to press for opportunity to equalize, as Barça's South American attack trio did the same relentlessly, propelled by the midfield, which was led by the great Xavi Hernandez in the last 15 minutes or so of the match. After a few rolling around by Suarez, whose wailing can be a bit embarrasing and/or irritating at times, Lucho decided to pull him out, and Pedro Rodriguez came on.  During the last minute of the five-minute stoppage time, Messi, Pedro and Neymar ran for a final attempt for a goal, which sent my heart all a-thump-thumping with crazy excitement!  And Neymar kicked the last goal in with such force uncaring about any sort of destruction that such force may cause - no chance for even the likes of Buffon to stop - claiming the 2015 Champions League trophy for good... and FCB's second treble!  And, into the history books they went!  Yowza!  

Awesomeness?  Ah, well... no other way to describe it!  I was glad that, at least, I watched the final - live!  If only for that, I resolve to avoid ranting (here) for the next... uhm, five (working) days, maybe? :)


***
P.S. Footie Beautie

I have to say, I love this Barça - Lucho Enrique's Barça, that is.  Their movement as a Team is very fluid.  They still play the "possession football" that was central in Pep Guardiola's Barça, and they still work wonderfully as a Team as in the "Pep era", but there's a bigger component of "no-excuse attack" that makes this current ensemble very exciting to watch.  There is a hint of "savagery" in their hunger to get those goals coming... there is a flavor of unabashed display of enjoyment as they make those goals after a relentless pursuit.  There is raw desire for the best result possible... it's honest, it's compelling, it makes one wants to celebrate with them, it's great! 

Pep's Barça was all about tantalizing movement.  They moved beautifully and gracefully in a well-timed approach to the goal that they were just breathtaking to watch.  They seemed to be playing football on their own, without opponents!  The fantastic goals seemed like mere "icing on the cake", and the trophies are more of a payment to the display of beauty rather than a prize for winning the competition.  Lucho's Barça has more 'muscle', and they have no qualms about displaying it, and they do so as beautifully as possible, too.  They are not only beautiful to watch, they produce nail-biting excitement in their devil-may-care attacks, but in a well orchestrated moves that involve the whole Team nevertheless!  They keep you on the edge of your seat, they make their spectators gush adrenaline, and they challenge their opponents to match their pace.  Pep's 'delicately beautiful men' have been transformed to Lucho's 'exciting men's men'!  It felt different to watch this new Barça, and I love it! 

And, I love all the show of love among the 'beautiful men' of this 'beautiful game'... all the kissing and hugging without any hint of self-consciousness, all the good cheers after the match that show true sportsmanship, are just fantastic to watch.  I missed seeing all this for the longest time... it has been killing me!  But, I got good dose of my 'wonder drug' from the Berlin final of the Champions League.  Life is good!  It is, ya know! :)    

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Photo credit:  I took all the photos in the collage from the Balls Channel live feed via Skycable (Channel 34), except the center photo, which was obtained from the UEFA Champions League's twitter account - thanks.

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