Aethen

This is a short post dedicated to those who are taken, still-to-be taken, assumed to be taken, needs to be taken, taken for granted, almost taken, mistakenly taken, taken out, overtaken... and those who will never be taken , Happy, Happy Hearts' month! Sorry I don’t have any thoughts to write for now because I am terribly busy with work and other stuff. I’ll make up soon. Happy Valentine’s Day! Spread the love.

Hello 2010! It’s been quite a long time since I posted. I did not have time to blog since Christmas break as I kept myself busy with lots of stuff and I think I’ve partly lost enthusiasm in blogging but I’ll post here from time to time. Or maybe I just became wanderlust! The last few weeks of 2009 was FUN and full of adventure, I really had a long busy vacation way back home. Our family was complete during Christmas and New Year celebrations; there were also so many reunions and gatherings with old friends, classmates, and relatives. I thought that I will be having enough sleep during my vacation in Marbel, but I was wrong, every day was a busy-and-no-sleep-only-fun day for the partying and get-togethers were left and right. Now that it’s already 2010, I thanked God for the providential blessings; I also thank everyone for the gift of love, and for journeying with me in this life. 2010 is sure to be a great year for the Philippines. Let’s all do our share in making sure that we...

I’ve been meaning to write a Year Ender. I hope that this one is not yet too late to post. 2008 has barely started and it's now an end. Too many things have happened to me--both bad and good--and this is perhaps the best time to write about them as find and retrieve my self again this year of the Ox. I cannot recall everything with precision; but I can, however, create a clear picture of the events that have transpired. What is clear is that I will only write about the most important and significant ones. If I have, for the record, forgotten some very monumental events, then blame it to my being stolen. A lot has happened this year, I can’t even sum up all to one entry. 2008 was a year of milestones and blessings from Him. To list a few significant event, it was the year when: 1. I organized a blog seminar in Marbel 2. SOCCSarGen bloggers society was organized 3. I became an active staunch advocate for equity and quality education 4. I graduated in college 5. I moved to Manila 6....

Thinking what I can do this Christmas. Hi friends and bloggers, here I am again. So how was your Christmas parties and celebration? I had a great time with officemates, friends and family. I did have hangover on the some few parties but manage to get over it. I'll be celebrating my christmas away from home but will be welcoming new year in Mindanao. I'm going home on December 28 for some family and friends celebrations and get-together and will be back after a week in Manila, January 5 (I guess that would be enough vacation and rest). After that, I'll be back to my exciting and challenging life here in Manila (which I enjoyed). Work. Study. Work. Study. Work. Study. Work. Party. Work. And the cycle goes on. This new year, my mother have already reserved and prepared for it and our family would likely have to spend the night on the roads watching the fireworks. It can be fun though hopping here and there neighbor's houses in our subdivision and cheering with the crowd ...

"Volunteers are not paid not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless." Aside from December being the month dedicated to Overseas Filipino Workers, it is also dedicated to the other version of Pinoy modern heroes, the Volunteers. Photos in the above slideshow were taken during the Awarding of the Outstanding Volunteers of the Year organized by the Philippine Association for Volunteer Efforts and the National Economic Development Authority held on December 8, 2008 at Manila Hotel. Mark Aethen Agana (South Cotabato) is one of this year's awardees, in the Youth Category (that's me). Being a volunteer, it elated me very much being surrounded by fellow Filipinos who see volunteerism and community service a potential force of nationbuilding. This National Award for Volunteerism I received is dedicated to my fellow volunteers in Mindanao. This is OUR fruit of love to realize and weave the dreams of the Youth in South Cotabato, guys. To the T'nalak You...

I just wan't to include this picture. Nothing to do with my post. I realized that if a man breathe in all his visions and exhale them as actions , everything becomes possible well maybe except doing those things in the limit of human boundaries to execute. Now that I am breathing what I thought I needed to survive, procedures must be performed admirably. Often, people decide if they are to live their life as a dream or make it a reality but I chose both. Live your dream in reality – with this direction, you’ll appreciate life more. Once you recognize the value of it, happiness would just come. I thought of these because of people I see walking the same path each day back at the streets and also of hearing their stories of happiness and struggles and sacrifices. Some made change, some are content, and some has nothing. Bottomline of this awareness is that life could be lived the way you wanted it to be. Just not make it complicated. Breathe in your capacity to live and exhale li...

I can now relate on how yuppies live their life while working, on waking up early in the morning to prepare for work, on cramming just to finish a project before deadline, on how to deal with your boss or even bosses, on how to build professional relationship with your co-workers, and on how some justify the pay against workloads. These are some of the experiences that a young professional is living through in the world of work. The aim may be rewarding and fulfilling ( well, I don’t know to others but with me, reward and fulfillment = happiness ; but I did not yet say I am happy with my work now, I need to be aware of it first ) ending to being happy with it. The need to be productive maybe triggered me to apply for job , jobs actually. I realized that my course load this semester is not that heavy and does not demand time ( I guess ) from me, in fact, I had more unused time than time spent to school, two-thirds conceivably. Thus, I decided to send his resume to IBM, WorldPartner Inc...

Well, how was my birthday yesterday? How did I celebrate my very SPECIAL/LUCKY DAY? It was super fun. That was one of the best birthday party I have had in my first twenty one years here on earth. It was well-spent because of you guys (my family, blogger friends, college friends, best friends, co-leaders, Pathways family, TOSP family, TYG family, and many more). I spent the fantastic night with my TOSP friends (Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines) in the GK designer’s night (cocktail party) organized by Tony Meloto, the founder of Gawad Kalinga (GK) to celebrate the hero-ship of young leaders who work on nation building at NBC tent, global city, Taguig. It was a great event; top executives of established companies, eminent political leaders ( including Vice President Noli de Castro ) and academic leaders, and professionals were there to commemorate my birthday and the event ( the latter is true ). Ryan Cayabyab and his singers entertained us. After the event, we hopped in ba...

The title has no relation to the content of this post. I just want to share that this morning, someone from the National Youth Commission called on my mobile phone, informing and congratulating me for I was chosen to represent the Philippines to the 35th Ship for South-East Asia Youth Program (35th SSEAYP) . I was one of the 28 delegates across the country who will be cruising the south east asian countries on October 21, 2008 - December 25, 2008. There will be a Pre-Departure Activities (PDA) organized for the chosen delegates which will start on July 15-25, 2008 at Tagaytay city but this will be in conflict to my TOSP activities which will culminate on July 17, 2008. Attending to both of these activities will be a big loss in my studies. I'm weighing right now what my heart is beating and is best. I was excited but not sure to accept the program because I have a scholarship contract in a full-time graduate student status in DOST; and also I don't have yet a passport. Hai. ...

Last June 30, 2008 at Manila Hotel, the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) awards scholarship grants to 527 qualified individuals for Masters and PhD degrees. signing of the scholarship contract DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro said the government is very determined to establish a pool of science researchers, engineers and educators, with MS and PhD degrees in the country in the contract signing ceremony of the scholar-grantees. Dr. Ester B. Ogena, Director of the DOST-SEI, said the qualified graduates underwent rigid selection, both by the screening committee and the DOST’s sectoral Councils. “For the Philippines to be at par with our regional partners in terms of science and engineering we need more graduates taking up MS and PhD courses,” she added. From left (fellow scholars in UPD): moi, Claude Ceniza (from USC-Talamban Campus - taking MS Biology), and Nilo Bait (from UP - taking MS Biology) Under the Accelerated Science and Technolog...

We had a really wonderful time visiting with my friends at L ake Sebu . The calm and still water photo was taken while visiting the lakeshore. The Punta Isla was very beautiful and I think one of my favorite stopping places this summer. The Resort Attendants were dressed up in T’nalak cloth costumes and we had fun talking to them. The view was lovely down to the Lake . Last Saturday was a fun day. The volunteers had a teambuilding activity and I was invited to be one of their facilitator. It was kind of a surprise, really. It was a two-day activity Sandra and Kix planned for the new core members of the T’nalak Youth Group. It was an enriching team building and leader-shaping session that will surely prepare the group for though challenges this coming school year. Though, the activities we’re heavy and demanding, we still managed to have fun. I always want to be with them sharing stories and laughs; I always want to be with them, with their dreams. Will surely miss the...

52nd Commencement Exercise (Notre Dame of Marbel University) 2008 I was just wondering why time flies so fast. Yesterday was my last day as a student. Allow me to congratulate myself for a job well done. I want to thank first and foremost the Almighty God and all the people who have shown their support and affection during my life as a student. Thank you Notre Dame of Marbel University for being my guide. Ad jesum per mariam, All to Jesus through Mary. from left: Jomae, Moi, and Mary ahn (my classmates) We are celebrating our journey in college and the same time a day for new life. We are very happy that our grauation day is scheduled on an Easter Sunday. I hope we will find some eggs on the way to our new journey in life. Center: Nanay and bestfriend ronnel imposing my gold medallion I thank all the people who went to our house to celebrate with us the fruit of the hardworks of my parents in sending me in college. To my pathways family, volunteers, and friends for unending s...

2007 has barely started and it's now an end. Too many things have happened to me--both bad and good--and this is perhaps the best time to write about them as find and retrieve my self again this year of the rat. I cannot recall everything with precision; but I can, however, create a clear picture of the events that have transpired. What is clear is that I will only write about the most important and significant ones. If I have, for the record, forgotten some very monumental events, then blame it to my being stolen. Received a Domain as a birthday gift from Jehzeel Laurente . Thanks to him, now I have aethen.com :p Celebrated the 3rd year of Pathways in Mindanao and organized a Concert . Was tagged by Mrs. Magallanes [my instructor in Differential Calculus] as “ Little Leithold " I was granted a scholarship from DOST-SEI (RA 8637 Junior Level Assistance Program). Participated the 4th National Pathways Youth Congress , " Forging ties at five " in Ateneo de Manila Uni...

I met my high school classmates before the year ends. We played ate, talked, reminisced the good ol' high school days in KN (our alma mater), and we laughed like crazy. What surpised me was that either they were now involved in romantic relationships, or that they had just broken up. And some shared that they were happily involved in productive and worthwhile activities. We talked about our plans after graduation and dreams in life which were sweet and real. I was so happy to see them grow better persons and more mature. As early this year, we planned our next get-to-gether party so that the attendance next year will be hundred percent complete. Charlene whose parents have a vacation house at Lake Sebu promised to host the venue for our next party. Along with the planning of it, Ronnel and I suggested to adapt a community in the said place for an extension (outreach program) since some of us will be professional soon. This program will serve as a payback to the blessings we ha...

Pathways to Higher Education-Mindanao has been empowering college students as instruments in fulfilling the dreams of intellectually gifted but financially underprivileged public high school students to enter college. And as part of the community development they continually embrace the mission of Pathways in creating a society where there is equity to higher education and in molding future Filipino leaders. Currently, there are seven Pathways Youth Groups in various universities and colleges through out Mindanao. On it’s third year of continuous service to Mindanaoan Youth, Pathways to Higher Education will be holding Mindanao Volunteers’ Convention dubbed as “ Moving Ahead ”. The said convention will be on the 28th to the 30th of October at Punta Isla Lake Resort, Lake Sebu South Cotabato. The convention will be attended by student leaders and their moderators from Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Tacurong, Marbel and Zamboanga. This convention aims to provide an opportunity where the...

The 4 days and 3 nights summit of the Youth of Asia and the Marist Brothers of the General Council concluded last September 25, 2007 at Mariapolis, Tagaytay city. It was an enriching experience for us to share, talk, think, and discuss about the Christian life and Marist vocation today. Purposely the activities was designed to get a clear picture of the Asian reality, and to understand how Asian Youth face the realities today and to share our role and commitment as young Christians within the Church in the Asian context and finally to share about Marist vocation as one way to respond to this Asian reality. *I designed the tshirt print We arrived one day ahead before the meeting at MAPAC and we were welcomed by the whole community during the dinner together with Bro.Sean Sammon, FMS, the Superior General. There I first met personally, Bro. Vince Celeste, FMS of the IamBalong blog. He was a good person, he accompanied us in Marikina. We have explored the center of Marikina and bought s...

AYMC 2007 Button Pin Design I've just finished the official tshirt design [ to be posted ] of the Philippine delegates and button pin design for the Asian Marist Youth Congress 2007. There are only 3 days left before the congress at Mariapolis, Tagaytay City. The four-day congress is focused on the roles of the Marist Youth in addressing and taking an action in the problems and issues that of Country is facing. It will be participated by other Marist youth from South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, India, and Philippines. Bro. Vince Celeste of VinceCeleste.com - I Am Balong Blog will also attend the congress. *** It was just before my Data Communication class when I learned that I still have so many things to do. I was been too excited of the upcoming congress and of some unplanned activities I have had this past weeks. I over-spent my time in treating my self and taking a vacation. I hope I can still do all the other activities in the near deadlines. I...

On Sunday, my father will be celebrating his 52nd birthday! Our family will be going to the beach for the celebration. It’s been long since the last time we organized a party for my father’s birthday. I invited some of my classmates and friends to come with us. My mother is so excited about the celebration. It will also serve as a venue for both of us to be more bonded. I am not well bonded with my father because we have opposing character and attitude. We always result to debate and argument and he stands every time correct. I am not competing with him against in his principles and philosophies in life, I just would like him to listen and understand us. But his superiority does not take away my respect for him. Sometimes, to avoid such situation, I just keep my mouth shut and quiet in the corner. I understand him because he also wants to feel our presence and love in the house. The case is that, I am having difficulty in disclosing some feelings to him because he is too hard to penet...

Kuya Jay fowarded a message in Yahoo! Mail, inviting all young men to be a Jesuit Volunteer of the Philippines. To volunteer and serve with heart is an all giving dedication for a one year experience of making a change to the lives of other people. In the year 2005, Kuya Jay and Joe , were the JVPs who were first assigned to the Mindanao Pathways as Youth Organizing officers. They spent their ten-month volunteer experience in helping the young leaders in South makes paths for a better Mindanao. The following year, another pair of JVPs, were assigned to Pathways. In that year, two young ladies were given the slot as Youth Organizers. They were Ate Aya and Ate Ria, they made the bridges built by the young stronger and firm. They have spent their term in Mindanao productively. This year, 2007, one one was assigned to the office, a passionate lady who volunteer her self for the same cause. Ate Kix , was that person. She was from Naga and been assigned here in Mindanao to assist us, youn...

Look at those wrinkles and the weary eyes. Exhausted but still positive. With the schedule and task I have, “ Do I still have time to sleep ?” Yes, I still do sleep, but not enough. I need more than 24 hours a day to accomplish my tasks. And it is not like that I don’t manage my time effectively. It just happens that I got involved in these activities. I can’t stop myself in committing to these things that I can’t have enough time with my self. I don’t know but I enjoy doing it: the cramming, when the deadline is near; the adrenaline that rush in my veins when I am so active with it; the feeling of joy, when I complete and realize a thing; and the people I get along with in doing these things I am busy with right now. It is not that I don’t say “NO” to other tasks. I am just passionate about it and I get pleasure from doing it. I divide tasks also with other people involved, delegating them to work in the same objective. But sometimes, I feel like retiring. I got tired also specially,...