Wednesday Nostalgia...

...on the 78th Foundation Anniversary of PAEF.

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by PAM

 

Reconnecting with friends and fellow Fulbright Scholars and Humphrey Fellows under PAEF, Inc.
Among them are: Hon. Shirley Agrupis, Ph.D. (Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education), Tony Lambino, Ph.D. (President, Ayala Foundation, Inc.) and Karol Mark Yee, Ph.D. (Executive Director of EDCOM 2).

I have a feeling that the 24th day of March in the year 2026 will be etched in my mind... and heart, and shall be remembered with much fondness, indeed, for a long time.  I participated in the celebration of the 78th anniversary of the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) - the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines.  

It was a joyful and quite emotional occasion for me.  So many memories - very good ones, came rushing in, and it was overwhelming.  I received a Fulbright Scholarship under the Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Scholarship Program (FPASP) in 2002 to study for my Ph.D. degree at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, USA.  The FPASP gave me a very generous five-year scholarship, and I am forever grateful.  The experience was, indeed, life-changing - to say the least.  It opened so many doors of opportunities for me... as well as my loved ones, and the Institution that I now serve.  I returned to the Philippines (and to the University of Santo Tomas, or "UST") in 2007 where I became the 2nd woman Dean of the first Engineering School in the Philippines, the UST Faculty of Engineering, in November 2012.  I served in this capacity for nearly one decade, which were some of the best and most productive years of my life.  I will let history account the ups and downs, and the tremendous gains of the Faculty in those years that now became a 'norm' in its daily pursuits.  For these rare opportunities, I am, indeed, grateful to God.

In Academic Year (AY) 2021-2022, I became a recipient of the Hubert H. Humphrey (HHH) Fellowship, also under PAEF.  As a Humphrey Fellow, I spent nearly a year at the Pennsylvania State University ("Penn State") where I held my local Professional Affiliation (PA) at their Innovation Park at Penn State.  It also gave me the opportunity to return to Cornell for my non-local PA and work with former professors and colleagues for six weeks.  I also got to spend another six weeks at the Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, specifically at their Engineering Innovation Studio.  That gave me the opportunity to take a step back after a tremendous ride as Dean of UST Faculty of Engineering... and determine my next 'mission', especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.  In 2022, I returned to UST to lead the newly launched "Office of the Assistant to the Rector for UST Santa Rosa".  Four years later, we have reached milestone after milestone... and I am very grateful to God.

PAEF's March 24, 2026 event has given me the opportunity to take stack of the highlights of my professional and personal journey since the day I became a Fulbright Scholar for the first time in 2002, joining the likes of Tony Lambino that year, who is now the President of the Ayala Foundation, Inc., among others.  And, in 2021, after a grueling screening process, I was chosen by PAEF's Selection Committee to become one of the five nominees of the Philippines for a Humphrey Fellowship.  A few weeks later, in a world competition at the Washington, D.C., I emerged as one of the two Filipinos chosen by Washington, D.C. to finally receive the Humphrey Fellowship for AY 2021-2022. It felt extremely surreal that time.  I don't think I have gotten over the thrill of receiving that good news.

I am not sure if I have done enough to deserve the honor of being a two-time PAEF scholarship recipient.  I am certainly been trying very hard.  Some days I feel that, perhaps, I should spread my wings wider and try a different avenue, and see how else I can serve my country and the world in a way that befits the honor and recognition that I received from PAEF, the Philippine government, and the USA.  These days, I feel that this contemplation is turning the tide... and I cannot wait what awaits me elsewhere.  I give my full trust to the Lord, and I surrender all the days of my life to Him and in service to Him.

***

Image credit:  All photos in this post belong to me.

*** 

Something old, something new...

 ...and how sentiments change over the years... but not the love for music.

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by PAM

Among many activities in the coming week, I am currently preparing for my 'debriefing' tomorrow with the Executive Director of the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), which is the Fulbright Commission of the Philippines, or simply, "Fulbright Philippines".  This is the second time that I will be doing this as this is my second time to receive a study grant from one of the Programs administered by PAEF on behalf of the Philippines and the United States of America (USA).  Somehow, it feels different than how I felt 15 years ago when I returned to the country after five years of studies in the US as a Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Scholarship grantee.  Although that wasn't my first time to study abroad then, it felt different because of the expectations attached to being a Fulbright scholar and earning a PhD even when the experience was extremely humbling.  It was a life-changing experience though and that was why it was a challenge to be re-integrated to my work's community.  This time around, it is even more different because of the expectations in the workplace, primarily due to my age, experience, and the more challenging work that awaits me.     

The same University, the same person...

two moments in time, twenty years in between.

Everytime I feel like I passed a milestone in my profession, or in my personal life, I offer a 'special' prayer to God... to allow contemplation.  And, just when I thought that I have experienced the best in my current profession already, therefore, I am done, and I am ready to diminish into retirement... a 'new chapter' opens up.  Then I realized that the milestone that I just passed is 'the best' in the previous chapter... while the most beautiful moment in my life is yet to come.  'The best is yet to come', indeed - thanks, BTS for the reminder.  I think that when we adopt this way of thinking, this attitude, then life will always be exciting for us... and it will always be worth living for, and living to the best of our ability, too.

This generation is very lucky because they have BTS to keep reminding them about these things.  When life throws us a curve ball, and we struggle to hit it, missing it most of the time, sending us to the darkest of moods and bleak vision of our future, BTS reminds us in "Mikrokosmos" to just 'shine, dream, smile' because someone else might be finding inspiration in us.  If we keep smiling no matter how much we're hurting, we shine our light upon them... and they glow, and shine their light upon us, too.  And then, through our lights, we create our own constellation, our own cosmos... our very own mikrokosmos where there is nothing else but wonder and beauty.  Through their songs, BTS built 'that door in our hearts' that opened to the "Magic Shop", where all the answers to our questions await us, comforting us, assuring us of our life's significance, our relevance, our place in this world... just waiting for us... there in our hearts.  And, when we pray, the answers become clearer, more meaningful, make so much more sense.  And, when the 'new chapter' feels more intimidating than the previous one, in "Life Goes On", BTS offer their hands so we can 'run away to that future' where all the sufferings and anxieties fade into just an 'echo in the forest'.  

Physically older but wiser (gosh, I hope!),

less stylish but more comfortable (I swear!)...

less years in the future ahead, but happier... 

much happier (it's true!)!

I am no longer young... and I am not complaining either!  I've gone through so much in this life already... thankfully, with very little regrets.  And yet, I, too, bump into seemingly insurmountable challenges once in a while.  And, every once in a while, I need a sweeping inspiration, too, to keep going.  BTS provides some of that needed inspiration... the reason to laugh through their hilarious antics; the reason to get up and move about, shake about, and rid myself of the negative energy by trying to move like them.  Of course, it is impossible to move like them (well, for me!  Hahaha....)... but as I try, the momentary distraction makes my heart swell with glee.  It gives me time to re-think my priorities, what is most important to me... and then, as I settle down to reflect, I hear the door knob to my heart clicking.  And then, I find myself walking into my "Magic Shop" in my very own "Mikrokosmos".  As I watch the stars glow so beautifully, I get convinced that, indeed, "the best is yet to come". In the meantime, "life goes go on"!

If people in my generation doubt about BTS's ability to make sense out of life through music the way our favorite artists in the past did, then I recommend that they listen to this...

2021: BTS ("I'll be missing you")

Isn't it as good as this...?

1983: The Police ("Every breath you take")

I rest my case. 💜

***

Photo credit:  The photos in this post were taken by various individuals for me.  As such, they belong to me and, therefore, I have the freedom to do as I wish.

Video credit:  The owners of the videos featured in this post are indicated in the videos themselves.  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

***

Saturday photo, er...

 ...I meant video!  Okay... and some photos, too.

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by PAM

Beyond the backyard...

The horses at the stable located at the 

Baker Institute for Animal Health

of Cornell University

One of the things that I love about living in Ithaca in Upstate New York is how one can be very close to nature.  There is always an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature whatever time of year... although winter can be truly harsh.  

An assortment of blooms in the 
Cornell campus in Ithaca, NY
during spring time.

This is the beauty of studying at Cornell University, too, specifically in its Ithaca campus.  Aside from it being an Ivy League... and, therefore, the quality of education is topnotch, the Ithaca campus is surrounded by nature in its unadulterated beauty.  The campus itself is beautiful:  dramatic in Autumn, surreal in winter time, deliciously pretty in spring, and totally smashing during summer time.  More than anything else though, the company of brilliant and fun students, and awesome mentors, was totally wonderful and unforgettable.  I spent five years in the Ithaca campus of Cornell as a PhD student in the mid 2000s.  I thank the Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture scholarship program endlessly for the opportunity... because those were some of the very best years of my life!      

So, in AY 2021-2022, I had the opportunity to return to Cornell.  This time, I return as a Hubert H. Humphrey (HHH) Fellowship grantee.  The HHH Fellowship Program is under the Fulbright Scholarship Program of the US Department of State.  It is a highly competitive program that is usually awarded to professionals in their mid-career or leaders who are ready to move up to more influential leadership roles in their field of work.  In my Humphrey Fellowship, I was primarily hosted by the Penn State University in State College, PA but I chose Cornell as the venue for one of my two six-week non-local Professional Affiliations. The other one is Boise State University in Idaho.  I couldn't be any happier! 

Enjoying a lovely spring time
evening, walking around East Hill
area of Ithaca, NY.

In Ithaca, I stayed at the eastern side of the campus... up a hill, towards downtown. The house where I stayed this time was the same house where I lived on my last year as a PhD student in Cornell.  Its location is adjacent to that of the Baker Institute for Animal Health of the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, which is recognized as one of the very best Vet Schools in the world.  The house has among the most beautiful views of Ithaca sunset, which gets dramatic during spring time because of the usually thick dark rain clouds that contrasted with the burning red-orange color of the sun as it sank in the horizon among the tall trees on the hills. It is absolutely lovely!  

Every single day, I was motivated to start the day well by the cheerful tweets of birds outside my window... and the gentle fingers of the rising sun that knocked on my window with its comforting warmth.  They brought smile to my lips as I prayed for that beautiful day that beckoned.  All day long, the horses at the stable of the Baker Institute grazed around the hills, and they usually wandered at the house's backyard.  I enjoyed watching them, especially the two most active ones who loved to run around.  They are the ones featured in the video above.  

Towards the end of the day, I put all my concentration on my work so I can eat dinner early with the kind family who owns the house... and relax as I watched the beautiful sunset at the backyard.  In the evening, I put on my walking/running shoes, put on my earphones, and pull down my favorite playlist on Spotify - mostly BTS music, of course!  I then joined some of our neighbors as I walked/ran a minimum of 4km, chasing the colors of the sunset fade into the night.  Perfect day for Namjooning, indeed!  

I usually went to bed every single night satisfied with my day... and happy that I got to rest well as I anticipated another lovely day to come my way in the morning.  Looking back, those days that were full of hope reminded me of my favorite line in one of the newest BTS songs, "Yet to come".  The line went, "dream and hope, and go forward - we're so about it!"  Yes, I am so about it, too!

Ahhh... Ithaca!  Take me back!  

***

Video credit:  The video featured in this post belong to me.  I shot it for the sole use of this post.

Photo credit:  All photos used in this post belong to me.  I took and processed them for the sole purpose of this post.

***

Wednesday Nostalgia

 Boys in music... 'too many boys, too little time', or is it?

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by PAM

Alright, I am on the last stretch of my Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship (HHH).  The reason why I know this for sure is because I already received my e-ticket for my journey home - back to the Philippines, from the Institute of International Education (IIE).  

I do have mixed feelings.  On one hand, I am excited to go home... nine months of being away from home is simply too long especially when the living condition where you temporarily live is very different from the lifestyle that you're so used to at home.  Too many adjustments to make... most of which are extremely humbling, and sometimes, it's almost demeaning.  Indeed, 'there is no place like home'!  And yet, for the HHH Fellowship, there are so many very positive things - the most important of which are the new people we meet, and the opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues and friends, and, on personal level, get-together with family members, too.  And so, I carry on with HHH Fellow's life as usual, taking things as they come - more rationally than emotionally.         

For a positive distraction, I, of course, rely on my 'go-to' company - music.  There are so many new music to listen to, but I decided to listen to old favorites and the new favorites.  Duran Duran and BTS, respectively, of course.  They have two things in common:  (1) they look good, and (2) they made/make good music, at least, good enough for their respective generations.  Time will tell if their music will stand the test of time.  But one older song by BTS reminds me of a 'counterpart' song by Duran Duran... probably because of the similar appeal of the music videos (MVs) for the songs.  This BTS song is "Run", which was released in 2015 - two years after their debut.

🎜 "Even if I run like crazy, I am still in the same place..." 🎝

I do believe that that the MV is very well done, and the members seem to have a knack for acting, too.  They gave their roles justice.  It might be too 'angsty' for the song, which talked about unreciprocated love, while the video is more of the complicated friendship among boys. Either way, love is involved, indeed... and the boys made that come across the screen. 

The 'counterpart' song from Duran Duran is "New Moon on Monday" (NMM), released in 1983 from their "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" album - their third studio album.  I must add that this was my favorite album of theirs... although the first album of theirs that I ever bought - in cassette tape format, shared with my sister - was "Arena".  It was a compilation of the live versions of their songs from the first three albums: their debut album, Duran Duran; Rio; and Seven and the Ragged Tiger.  Like "Run" by BTS, "NMM" was released two years after Duran Duran's debut in 1981.  

🎜 "New moon on Monday and a fire dance through the night.  I stayed the cold days on a lonely satellite." 🎜

While there is some difference in terms of theme - angsty teenage boys' issues for "Run", and organizing a rebellion for "NMM" - both are effective visual accompaniment for the songs.  It should be pointed out though that the MV of NMM was released almost two decades prior to the launch of YouTube in 2005.  I remember waiting for days and hours just to watch the video on MTv and/or other video channels in the '80s.  And, we can only watch it once each time!  It was a test of patience... and yes, passion for the song, Duran Duran, and music as a whole.  Duran Duran were the early innovators on the use of MVs - they turned MV into a "mini movie".  This made music fans more engaged... it's like making a movie out of a book... book readers are usually excited, or at the very least, curious, to see how the book is interpreted by the movie makers. And part of the success on an MV is how well the singers look and acted in the video... putting pressure on music artists to become 'total performers'... hence, BTS's rigid training in dancing, and acting, too, and their adherence to attractive visuals when performing - whether live on TV or in concert, or on MVs.

These days, it is very common to have a MV viewed more than one million times worldwide within minutes after launch on YouTube.  And one can now watch the videos a hundred times on the first day of release, thanks to YouTube.

It is amazing that people of my age can still have something new to be passionate about in the music scene these days.  In my case, its BTS and their music, more than three decades when I first became a "Durannie".  Not a bad thing at all!

Alright, time to return to my HHH stuff!  

***

Video credits:  The owners of the videos are indicated on the video themselves.  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

References:  Bighit's and Duran Duran's official websites.

***

   

Sleepy in Seattle... (Part 1)

 ...for about 60 hours.

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by PAM

Yes, I am talking about Seattle - that famed city in Washington State, home of the 'sleepless' widower, Sam Baldwin, and his son, Jonah, with whom Annie Reed of Baltimore fell in love in that iconic 90s romcom, "Sleepless in Seattle", starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.  My sister and I decided to visit the said city because the first time she visited it three years ago with her husband they were unable to visit the Space Needle.  Since then, the Space Needle has been that one annoying 'could-have-been' of hers whenever she thinks of Seattle.  I haven't been to Seattle, so we  

   
Part of our drive from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to downtown Seattle.

both took advantage of the opportunity to visit the 'rainy city' during my winter break from Penn State.  Luckily, Alaska Airlines had an affordable deal for people like us who did not plan ahead.  And still very luckily, The Westin in downtown Seattle decided to join the roster of affordable hotels this season of generosity, and it's halfway between the Space Needle and the Pike Place where most of the iconic tourist spots are located.

As our flight from Boise, Idaho left at 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday, we had to get up at around 4:30 in the morning.  We reached the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at about 7:00 a.m., local time.  And,

Experiencing West Lake and the Public Market at
Pike Place on an early Sunday morning.

because we would be too freakishly lucky if Westin would allow a very early check-in, we just pre-checked-in and left our stuff in their baggage storage.  We then went to walk down about five blocks to the Pike Place at about 8:00 in the morning through the West Lake Center.  Unfortunately, the original Starbucks store opened at 10:00 a.m., and we were both starved and needing caffeine. So, we settled for breads at a local bakeshop and bottled water.  Apparently, all the coffee makers in the area were still 'sleeping'.  So, we went about the place sleepy and freezing but fascinated nevertheless.  By the time we made our way back to Starbucks, there was a looong queue, snaking around Pike Place.  We figured that by the time we reach the front of the queue, it would be lunch time; and without caffeine, we doubted that we can get through that without falling asleep in the street.  

So, we decided to return to the hotel to check-in and to take a nap.  By the time we awoke, it was

Experiencing the amazing sights, sounds and taste of Seattle.

 lunchtime.  We returned to the Pike Place but the queue at Starbucks was even longer than when we left, and the whole Pike Place was very crowded... notwithstanding covid omicron variant scare.  So, we decided to eat in the Farmer's Market.  We found a cozy restaurant overlooking Piers 57 to 59, in which the iconic Seattle Great Wheel stood prominently.

After lunch, we walked around Pike Place and downtown Seattle as we were gifted with a favorable weather... meaning, it was not raining.  We found specialty stores and a number of highly-recommended places for eating and sampling local brews.  After feasting our senses on the local Seattle stuff, we returned to our hotel to rest our legs a bit.  By about 3:30 pm, we were ready to venture to the harbor and see the 'rainy city' from the Great Wheel.  We were debating with ourselves whether to go there in the evening to experience the light show as well, but we decided to take advantage of daylight to see the city since it was our first time to ride the famed Wheel.  So, we took our time walking the 0.6 mile or so distance from our hotel, identifying spots that we wish to see from a better vantage point up the Wheel.  So, along the way, we feasted our eyes on the grandiose of Seattle's hi-tech architecture. It was quite terrific, and we were excited to see all from the Wheel!  

The entrance towards the Wheel was through the Miners Landing along Alaskan Way at Pier 57.

Experiencing the beauty of this 'rainy city' from the
Seattle Great Wheel.

 There was a variety of places to eat sea food delicacies and a fascinating exhibit on Alaskan Gold Rush.  It was a bit of history recreated into a fantasy land for kids and kids-at-heart to enjoy... but the main attraction is the Great Wheel, which did not disappoint!  The experience was quite unforgettable especially that the sun was starting to set by the time we commenced our three-round ride.  The dramatic colors of sunset took over the Seattle horizon, winning over the gray clouds that hung over the skies, masking the sun all day long.  It was quite beautiful.  As the warm colors of sunset hit the glass outer walls of the buildings in the city and the water at the harbor, the dramatic colors were reflected back to the ambient atmosphere.  The effect was surreal,  The city that was made serene by the thin gray clouds looked as if it was shrouded with the colors of sunset.  It was truly a sight to behold!  In the future, when I think of Seattle, I'd probably think of that moment as my defining experience of the city.

As we took videos and tons of photos, it felt like darkness overcame the city real quick, and by the time we were walking away from Pier 57, the temperature was dropping quickly as well.

A bit chilly but a lovely early evening walk at the
harbor along Alaskan Way.

 Nevertheless, we chose to walk along the harbor towards Pier 66 where the Bell Street Cruise Terminal is located, and the original Port of Seattle was.  We took the foot bridge to cross over the Alaskan Way, giving us a beautiful view of the harbor with the dimmed colors of sunset and the new rows of ultra-modern city residences across.  It was a long walk but it was worth it.  There was a mix of tourists and locals who were walking with us, and the mix of interest about the city and the pride for the city that our companions exude added to the charm of the first day of our visit.  Of course, there were instances when we had to deflect the curiosity of bewildered-appearing men who wandered the streets, but the city's security people who rounded the streets efficiently kept the experience towards more favorable for tourists like us than not. 

We returned to our hotel very satisfied of our first 12 hours of visit.  Dinner was leftover from lunch, which was a lot, plus fresh fruits from the Farmers Market with delicious locally made chocolates for dessert, and cookies for late snacks.  As we took about 20,000 steps all day, we were quite exhausted... and very sleepy, too!

To be continued....

***

Photo credit:  All the photos and video used in this entry are mine.

   

Saturday photo

"Philip, Philipina, Philippe"... for the Philippines.

It's been a hectic week once again!  But, what else is new?  Nah, not complaining... I'm just amazed that I'm still feeling like I can do a 5k run after that "marathon" I ran this week.  Perhaps, the "pit stops" in this week's marathon were truly refreshing and exhilarating... they added to the energy rather than zapping it.  Good, good!

So, the US Ambassador to the Philippines, H. E. Philip S. Goldberg, visited the University of Santo Tomas last Wednesday as Lecturer in the 3rd installment of the University's Diplomats' Lecture Series.  He spoke to the students about his career as a diplomat, hoping that his example might be of use for those who aspire to become diplomat themselves in the future.  He emphasized the importance of being "curious about things around us" especially those that constitute diplomatic affairs such as political, economic and

H. E. Philip S. Goldberg, US envoy to the Philippines, visiting
the University of Santo Tomas for the first time.

public affairs.  "Accumulating knowledge about these diplomatic activities," he said, "will become very useful in your future career as diplomats."  He said that "an innate curiosity of world affairs" can translate to an overseas role as a diplomat, but that it all "begins from understanding your own country." 

For a diplomatic mission to be successful, he emphasized the importance of "strengthening people-to-people relationship through educational programs, cultural programs and youth programs".  This is why he considers Education USA as one of the major programs of the US Embassy in the Philippines that he works hard for to keep moving forward and benefit the Filipinos, especially the youth.

Of his work as an American envoy to the Philippines, he made mention of the long-standing friendship between the United States of America and the Philippines as his basis in conducting his diplomatic mission in the country.  And he came to his post in Manila with a rich background and experience.

With the challenges of climate change to which the Philippines is very vulnerable, the maritime security-related tension with economic and international political implications in South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, the very promising economic growth that the Philippines is currently enjoying, the challenge of being at the cusp of political transition as the local and national elections loom, and many other interesting transitions in the ASEAN region where

Crystal Clear: H.E. Goldberg, making a strong point on...
international maritime issues, especially the respect of freedom
of navigation. 

the Philippines play an important role, the Ambassador has got his job cut out for him.  Of his appointment to a diplomatic post in the Philippines at such 'exciting times', he was said to be a perfect fit, being one of the US State Department's "best and brightest".  And, indeed, he hit the ground running when he arrived in November 2013 to assume his post after typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hammered the Visayas, leaving tremendous devastation in the area, and thousands of people needing emergency assistance.  The Ambassador proved equal to the immensity of the task, standing side by side with Filipinos as they combat the daunting challenge.

Having seen first hand how the Filipinos who suffered from Yolanda's rampage bounced back over the last two years, he expressed his admiration for the Filipino's resilience during his Talk.  He also spoke about the "impressive optimism of Filipinos" that is now resulting to a "commendable economic progress" among others, and the "admirable way by which the Philippines is dealing with the South China Sea issue".

As recipient of the Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Scholarship and having enjoyed the full benefit of the US Department of State's Education USA for five years in Cornell University, located in the beautiful finger lakes region of New York State, I feel duty-bound to support the efforts of the US Embassy in reaching out to Filipinos in friendship.  Not that I don't enjoy it, because I do - tremendously!  And, while I've followed from a distance the Embassy's activities over the years, I think I've never felt this much affinity to the Embassy since Ambassador Goldberg assumed the post at Roxas Boulevard.  I believe in his  sincere and faithful sense of mission to my country, and I'm an admirer of his mind's sharpness... although he can be quite severe in his facial expression - even when he jokes.  Oops!  Hmmm, 'diplomacy'... I need to exercise it some!  :)

Seriously, I'm a fan.   

More power to you, Your Excellency!

***

Photo credit:  The first photo was from Mr. Philippe Jose Hernandez, the Assistant Director of the UST Social Media Bureau (SMB).  I took the other two photos.

***

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.

***

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.

***           

1st of April nostalgia...

...and it's amazin', ain't foolin'!
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by PAM


Yesterday, my morning was spent working with friends at the USAID Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) in the newest posh establishment in Makati City, the Makati Diamond Residences, which is only on its 'soft opening'... therefore, still 'priced for academics'. :)  The USAID STRIDE is the cousin of Fulbright and Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Scholarship Program - my 'home' when it comes to educational support.  Therefore, my morning was spent well - productively, and with much nostalgia.  There were plenty of moments where unrestrained laughter and goofiness were in order... and I seized and savored all of them with gusto.  Talk about feeling 'at home'! :)

The afternoon was spent in my University (of course, my beloved USTe)... connecting with colleagues who are working hard - even when they are supposed to be on a holiday already.  What can I say?  Ever heard of "commitment"?  It's a 'good stuff', and there's plenty of that in USTe's Faculty of Engineering.  With my colleagues, this afternoon was definitely smothered with 

It gets tough... but it gets more fun, too.
So, we carry on.

Engineering's flavor of commitment, and humor-under-pressure.  From the frenzied worries that propel them to work hard like there was no tomorrow to the reassuring feeling of togetherness - the "we're all in this together" sort of feeling - to short but thoughtful conversations peppered with wisdom... I got a pocketful of all that from this afternoon's interaction with my colleagues - my friends... my team!  

But, going back to nostalgia... I just joined the "Cornell University State of the Food Science Department" webinar, 12 midnight to 1:00 a.m.  The Chair of the Department, Dr. Olga Padilla-Zakour, walked us through the way that the Department is paving - to yet another destination of excellence in education. It was an hour spent very well!  Gave me many very good ideas.  There was that familiar feeling of warmth to hear Dr. Olga's voice and distinct accent.  She was the very first person from Cornell I've spoken with albeit via e-mail.  Her positive response to my queries and her naturally inspired way of relating to people made me decide to try my luck in Cornell... the rest is history.  The photographs from Dr. Olga's presentation of the new Stocking Hall, the state-of-the-art new home of Cornell Food Science, were awesome!  But, most of all I am just very proud of how the Department is progressing... so many incredible accomplishments - from research (99 publications in just one year is close to insane!) to teaching, from extension services to relationship with the industry, from cutting edge research and teaching facilities to virtual facilities, and from excellent professors to high-achieving students.  Just the one-year accomplishments leave one gasping, and speechless with awe.  And when I think about all the farmers and entrepreneurs they have helped out through their Extension Programs and research works, making a positive impact on the sustained growth of New York State, and contributing to global food security... I am humbled by the mere thought of it all. I am just very proud to be an alumna! 

Of course, that segment of this journey that brought me to one of the most unforgettable 'stops' would not have been possible if not for the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines, and the Philippine Department of Agriculture.  This is why, whenever an opportunity to assist 'the family' presents itself, I always do my best to make time for it.  I had such a good experience, I wish for more people to have the same, if not better, experience.    

Just last Saturday, I was looking for inspiration to keep going... because the demands of my work is getting too much for me to even think about.  Over the last 24 hours, I found many nuggets of inspiration... nostalgic feelings that serve as moral compass, reminding me of the worthy reasons why I am where I am in the first place albeit extremely stressed out.  I felt like 'someone' threw me some 'sweet treats'... and they taste 'heavenly'.  Indeed, God is good!

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Photo credit:  Thanks to Engr. Eisson Marcelo for the loan of the photo.

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Wednesday nostalgia

Pondering a rich and enriching experience.
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by PAM

Yesterday I was working on an 'assignment', which had me 'unlocking the door' that leads down memory lane.  My 'assignment' required that I dig for photos and memorabilia from my days in Cornell University as  a Fulbright scholar.  My Cornell 'vault' is so massive that the little time I had to work on my 'assignment' only afforded enough to allow me to merely skim the surface, and this came up first...

AY 2002-2003 Fulbright Scholars Seminar in Washington D.C.
sponsored by the US Department of State and organized
by the Institute of International Education.

I remember, it was my first time to share a hotel room with a 'stranger', a fellow scholar, as we were paired by our hosts from the Institute of International Education (IIE) for our accommodation.  My roommate was a Greek girl, and I learned a lot from her... uhm, ahem, I don't think I'd like to discuss that part of my experience here though. ;)  Suffice it to say

Meeting Mrs. Harriet Anna M. Fulbright, the widow of
Senator J. William Fulbright, in Washington D. C. 

that, yeah, I think I'd like to live in Greece for a year or so someday... and see whether my former roommate's promises of Greece can actually be realized. :)  Having known another Greek... a guy, a classmate in Cornell, and now I consider as one of the most intelligent people I've ever met in my life, I think that, indeed, living in Greece for a year or so should be worth it! :)

More than  anything else, my experience in Washington D. C. with my fellow Fulbright scholars from about 50 countries, conversing with them, analyzing international issues with them in friendly but challenging debate, going on community development activities with them in the US capital, storming the World Bank with them, and even partying with them like there was no tomorrow was absolutely personally enriching!  I never felt so alive and so exhilarated in my whole life before that!  

And, Cornell, too, played a big role in my life-changing experience between 2002 and 2007... Cornell was the paradise that I imagined an Academic environment was supposed to be.  The campus was an absolute beauty... especially in autumn, and totally vibrant on summer days.  It was the reality of my idealism as an academic before I set foot on its beautiful

Reaching my 2002 destination after 28 years of life in
the academic world - as a student and as an educator.

campus on that fateful day in August 2002.  I had a pilot plant for a 'playground' for my graduate studies at the Institute of Food Science and Technology to begin with!  And I've met and sat in the classes of world-renowned scientists and educators.  Of course, my experience there was far from 'perfect'... although I'm not sure what 'perfect' meant as far as Academic experience is concerned.  And yet, it stimulated my whole being, irreversibly changed me in ways that are beautiful. I learned to be wholly independent and self-reliant, and discovered many strengths in me everytime I was challenged to respond to an interesting question.  As I formulated my answers, with the help of my mentors, and tried them out to fit the question, more than ever before, I was convinced that there's no such thing as stupid answers... only stupid questions! :)  And, answering even the most stupid of questions still makes you learn many invaluable things about the subject matter... and about yourself.

After my stint in Cornell under the auspices of the US Department of State via Fulbright, I was a completely different person.  My values were the same, but I felt I had a different outlook on many matters, and I am able to view things from different perspectives.  I felt like a shy turtle that poked its head out of its thick shell for the first time, and loved what it saw.  All of a sudden, it wants to spread its wings and soar like an eagle, or growl and sprint like a graceful tiger!  All of a sudden, it was a turtle no more!

Indeed, the only way to know more about your own strengths and God-given attributes is to dream big, and then take courage to go out there and fulfill your dreams.

***

A ray of sunshine...

...in my little world of sports, 'IKA' and Fulbie-ness!
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by PAM

'Sunshine' in the middle of all this Pacman-was-KO'd frenzy? I'm sure you're guessing that that sunshine's gotta be Lionel Messi's doing, right?  Ya know what?  Of course, you're right!  Hah!

Yep, he did it! With a
Thumb up... if you're the greatest!
(Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)brace of goals in FC Barcelona's La Liga contest with Real Betis last Sunday, La Pulga surpassed Gerd Mueller, posting the highest goal tally in one calendar year in the history of the 'beautiful game' - 86 goals!  INCREDIBLE, I know!  And, nope, he ain't done yet, mind you, ah, nah!  

Last week, during FCB's 1-1 draw with SL Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, we stared in horror as Leo clutched his knee in pain while on the verge of equalling Mueller's 40 year-old record.  The whole football world waited in nightmarish suspense waiting for the FCB medical team to issue word on Leo's injury.  Later in the week, it was described to be 'just bruises' and, therefore, he was declared fit to play in the La Liga on Sunday. Whew!  And play, he did... providing the two goals in their 2-1 win against Betis, and eclipsing Mueller's record on the most number of goals in one calendar year for Club and country as well! And he didn't think much of the record feat, not more than FCB maintaining their position at the top of the Liga Table.  Awesomeness? Definitely awesomeness, couldn't be anything else!  Woohoo!  

Alright then, Pedro Pinto (of CNN), you may keep promoting Cristiano Ronaldo as a human-too-sort-of-a-football-god, but it's all smelling like a fourth Ballon d'Or for Leo here.  Even you cannot deny that... so, just let Don Riddell talk some sense into you, sir, to cushion the blow.  I'm sure you'll recover... you always have anyway!  =)  

There, Pacman, and my dear kababayans, we have hope... let's pray that Manny Pacquiao's misfortune last Sunday was a mere glitch, a 'minor' error of judgement... although the blow couldn't be mere 'bruises' 'cause he actually passed out on his way down the canvass, and stayed passed out for a few seconds. Whew!  Horrific!  Later in the night though (Monday early morning, Manila time), Messi turned ugliness to beauty.  Let's hope that a ray of sunshine from Mama Mary's loving hands chases away the horror of Pacman's nightmare (and all Filipinos', too).  Like I said before, we're proud of Pacman no matter what.  Now, if he picks up where he left off before straying 'away from sunshine', then we'd be more than just proud. Hooray!    

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Striking a balance... sunshine through my (TV) sked

For the first time in a few weeks, I was able to watch all five episodes of "Ina, Kapatid, Anak" on TV last week.  This means that I got home everyday last week on or before 8:15 PM.  Hooray!  And after that very intriguing sneak preview last Friday, giving us a hint of what the 'IKA Gang' has in store for us this week, I resolved to win back 'my weekdays nightlife' from the selfish grip of work, and catch all five episodes again this week.  So far, so good. Hooray!  :)

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A ray of scholarly sunshine...

Yes, yes... and yes again!  I got to sit in front of a formidable panel of big brains again today with their intimidating stares and sharp, fast-moving thoughts darting at me like Legolas' arrows.  I had to swallow hard several times to make sure that I haven't passed out.  

Yeah, I attended a Fulbright/PAEF (Philippine-American Educational Foundation) meeting to fulfill a task this afternoon... and I got that exhilarating feeling back again!  Cold, sweaty
That good old feeling....hands shaking, my mouth dry, both ears on fire, and my heart beating like it was going to jump out of my chest... that familiar feeling when I first sat for a panel interview, vying for a slot in the 2002 Scholars line-up.  Today, 10 years later, I got the same feeling all over again, but this time vouching for the wonderful men and women who are vying for a precious slot in next year's line-up of scholars... the thought of how those incredible men and women worked hard to get their names in "watermark" in the line-up, and were later counting on me to make their case to the Big Brain Panel so their names could be written in permanent ink in the prestigious list, felt like a Marquez uppercut for me - I was close to falling face down on the floor even before feeling the blow!   Honestly, feeling like that twice in 10 years, I can't tell which instance was harder!  And, honestly, I LOOOOVE IT!  How exciting!

The lunch was also fantastic today, especially with a company who speaks tirelessly of wonderful things, things that I only get to speak about - with myself - when reading good books... the enjoyable conversation over lunch did encourage me to check that my ideals are in place.  I wish of more days like this.  This is my problem with sitting on "big chairs"... they tie you down, and run you dry - until you're almost empty to just realize that you're drying up.  Thank goodness they can't touch your soul, even in your most dry spell!  In any case, I prefer sitting on grass, under the shade of a beautiful tree whose branches and leaves play the most soothing of music when the wind blows gently... lots of sunshine for the mind... and the soul.  So, now you know why I rarely sit on the 'actual' big chair behind that massive table that felt more like a bullet block in that cold, cold office... and if I had no choice but to sit on it, I'd usually sit on the very, very edge, so I could get away as fast as I could when my obligation to sit had been rendered. :)  Ah, life... always beautiful, but never perfect.  And yet, we love living it, just because it is a gift from God.

Alright, enough of that sunshine talk now.  It's nighttime... time to work!  Right!  Ugh!  Bring on Batman then! :)

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Wednesday nostalgia...

...living Mother's dream.
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by Philipina A. Marcelo


I've been rearranging and redecorating my bedroom... just to give some semblance of "newness" to it in keeping with my "a new life of celebration" agenda. While sorting old photos, I found this from more than 50 years ago...

It's a photo of my late mother's (second from right) from her college days. I think this was from her induction to her College's Honors Society. She was, I gathered, a very good student... and she dreamt about Fulbright scholarship then. But, of course, that dream never came to fruition because she had us - her six kids - instead, at a young age. And then she passed away at 48 years.

It was her dream - a beautiful dream... and I lived it. It hardly seemed fair. While I've always worked very hard and with real passion, and enjoyed my work tremendously as well, I never planned for Fulbright nor did I ever delude myself into believing that I'd ever deserve it - it arrived like an unexpected gift, and a truly incredible and exhilarating one at that. Had she lived to see my Fulbright stint, I'm sure my mother would have been very happy for me... as if her own dream had been fulfilled. :)

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Super Sunday

...and I'm not just talking about the English Premier League!
======================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


No surprise

I did shout and "woot-woot" the whole time as I watched Chelsea battled Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on an English Premier League Super Sunday! The match was a "must-win" for both Clubs, as they tried to go up the League Championship Table - closer to the leaders, Manchester United (#1) and Arsenal (#2). Therefore, both sides started with their best men, with Chelsea opening with their epically expensive Spanish acquisition from Liverpool, the gorgeous Fernando "El Niño" Torres. The Blues had home advantage... and the Stamford Bridge fans didn't disappoint - not a surprise, of course! While the Citizens put up a tough contest, mostly preventing El Niño from scoring, the Blues trashed them via a 2-0 victory in an action-packed match. Of course, El Niño is yet to make his first goal for the Blues. The Stamford Bridge action was followed by another tight match between Sunderland and El Niño's former Club, Liverpool, which the latter won, 2-0, out of sheer pride - again, no surprise.

While there wasn't much surpise in the outcome of the matches, it was a satisfying afternoon of fantastic football!

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A 3D surprise

As my throat was parched from all the "whoa-ing" and "aaw-ing", two of my sisters and I refreshed with some shopping at the biggest Mall in the Philippines, SM City-North EDSA, which is about five minutes away from our place - without the Parking wait, that is. :) While SM City has always been jampacked on weekends, there was an unusually big crowd at "The Block" - one of the newest additions to "The City". We went to check it out... and were pleasantly surprised to see that the United States Embassy's Roadshow, "America in 3D: Diplomacy, Development and Defense", stopped by and stationed for three days at "The Block". We were lucky to catch it on its third day. So, we made the most of it! :)

We went around to check out the Show and Exhibits. My sisters and I found a mutual High School friend who worked for the US Embassy's Commercial Services Section manning one of the exhibits. It was a fun mini reunion... and then I was grabbed on the shoulders by someone. I turned to see who it was and I was thrilled to find my friends at the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF)/Fulbright Commission of the Philippines! They invited me and my sisters inside the PAEF Booth with a "we have a surprise for you" teaser, and what I found sent me reeling in excitement! It was a "Wall" of Fulbright Alumni Testimonials... and my own "testimonial" was part of it. Beside my testimonial - a sentence from my post-Programme report, to be accurate - was a photo of mine from ten years ago... from my Fulbright application packet in 2001! It made me feel kind of nostalgic and felt a pang of longing for those exciting Fulbright/Cornell University days. Aaah, those were truly incredible days... exploring what one of the best Universities in the world had to offer under the auspices of the "Mother of all Scholarships" - absolutely surreal! Until now, I am still figuring out whatever good thing I've done to deserve such an incredible experience - I am so undeserving. Nevertheless, my sisters and I were so delighted to re-live those days through the "Wall"! We posed for a few souvenir shots beside my testimonial panel, chatted with my PAEF/Fulbright friends for a few more minutes... and then continued shopping. :)

Hmmm... talk about Super Sunday!

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A cool surprise

As always, bonding time with my sisters culminated to a foodtrip. Our Sunday escapade was no exception. We voted unanimously for a "to-die-for" dessert... and ice cream got our triple nods. We escaped the heavily commercialized stores in the Mall though and went serching for a "unique" ice cream concoction... and we were happy to find a little ice cream parlor close to where we live. It was simply called "Ice Cream Store" - a small, two-car parking, four-table store, with no airconditioning. They weren't just serving ice cream concoctions with a surprisingly wide range of choices, but they were also selling packed ice cream in an impressive variety of flavors and formulations that were absolutely unexpected given the store's size. The Food Scientist in me was very impressed to see their coconut milk and virgin coconut oil (VCO)-based formulations. I myself am working on stuff like this in my research work, and I understand the challenges in formulation, processing and overall quality... thus the fascination.

My sisters and I ordered different Sundae concoctions, which were all reasonably priced and very satisfying in terms of taste and fun eating - truly to-die-for! And then, we brought home several of the varieties they were selling - in pints and cups - and continued eating at home without feeling "robbed" since all products were reasonably priced! :) The coconut milk varieties were very good - light and tasty, with decent texture. But what was best about them was that there weren't lactose intolerance-induced stomach upsets after enjoying them, and that added to the sweetness of sisters bonding. :) Naturally, we vowed to return to the Ice Cream Store soon... and to spread the word about the store's existence.

So, yeah, I had a Super Sundae, er, Sunday... uhm, both, actually!! :)

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Photo credits: (1) Fernando Torres during Chelsea's March 20, 2011 match against Manchester City in Stamford Bridge - Getty's Image, grabbed from the Zimbio website.

I own all other photos.

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