First day of classes and I feel I am a graduate! Graduate of panic buying of school supplies at National bookstore, graduate of mommy “harassed state” on the first day of classes. Woohoo! I love the feeling that I am feeling relax at the start of the school year!

Somehow, I miss those days, but today also means my kids are grown-ups and won’t need much of mommy’s help. Families go through different developmental stages based on age of the oldest child. We are on Stage 5, the family with adolescent children. Next will be Stage 6, which is the Launching Center family.

I am somehow concerned, this stage is the time that children leave to establish their own households. It is also the period that we parents feel that other people in our children’s life are replacing us.

Finally the last two stages, Stage 7, the Family of middle years and Stage 8, the family in Retirement or older age. It might be a little scary, but the best way to overcome these fears is to prepare for it.  I am just beginning another journey, on to the next cycle!

My purpose for applying to the DE program and my plans after completion of Graduate study at the UP Open University:

My career has always been involved with education. After graduating from medical school, I have worked with the Department of Education for 16 years although not directly involved with teaching students; but as a physician for teachers and students. I was exposed to a life inside the classroom. I did not stop studying. I had my Masters of Public Health in 2000 at UPOU and I was part of the second batch of MPH-DE graduates. I was aiming for a post in the regional level, but I had a change of heart. In 2002, I took up nursing for plans of going abroad and passed all the necessary requirements (CGFNS, NCLEX, IELTS, NLE). Finally, I changed careers; I left the government service in 2005 to go into full time teaching.

Nursing professors were in demand in 2005. I had this opportunity; I applied as a lecturer in several nursing schools. I have been accepted in all because of my master’s degree and my credentials. In 2006, I got tired of studying maybe because of the too many examinations that I took.  However two years ago, I have that inkling again to go back to school for a Masters degree in Distance Education. But, because of work schedules in the College of Nursing and my children going to college I put it on hold.

Now that my eldest daughter is applying for her master’s degree (MAN) and my son currently enrolled in UPOU, I feel the need to go on with what I like—studying and eventually teaching in an alternative way. I like to do new things and innovate with what is being used at present. I have been using the computer for the last 12 years and my children have been instrumental for me to harness my computer skills. One of the things I enjoyed most these days is blogging. Through this, I can connect with other people, teach, entertain, inform and share my thoughts.

This will be my fifth degree if ever I will finish the course, more letters will be attached to my name. But that is not the essence anymore. I just want to be in school again to know what is new and to eventually impart these to others. I firmly believe that a UP education still the best training I have ever received.  I thank UP for imparting to me what quality education is.

This time, during the course of classes being offered via distance education, I look forward to meet new people, gather new ideas and strategies to use inside my classroom, be exposed to a wide range of age groups, the young and the old and know about the use of educational technology. I hope I still have the capability to be proficient in such technology.

It’s about 11 years before my retirement; this will also be a way of preparing for it. Even at the comforts of my home I can still teach or be involve in teaching in my own little way via distance education.

Boysen KNOxOUT, the world’s first air cleaning paint is now available in the market. It boasts of its ability to be an arm to combat nitrogen oxides in the air we breathe.

Metro Manila is considered as the 4th most polluted city in the entire world. Aside from carbon monoxide, Oxides of Nitrogen or Nox, is one of the pollutants in the air we breathe. NOx, or nitrogen oxides, are harmful gases mostly generated from motor vehicle emissions. Trial data indicate that NOx levels in the vicinity of the Guadalupe MRT Station are at times over 200 micrograms per cubic meter — a figure that’s more than 5 times that of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of 40 micrograms per cubic meter.

The Guadalupe MRT station as well as the embankment wall opposite the station along EDSA of over 6,200 sq. meters of area was painted with 740 liters Boysen KNOxOUT . Results of the trial indicate that World’s largest air cleaning Boysen KNOxOUT lowerered air pollution .

It takes about 20,000 breaths a day for a person to live. I spent at least 10 hours a day outside our home, breathing the polluted air of Metro manila, Our home is about 150 meters away from EDSA Monumeto. I Passed by the Guadalupe MRT Station at least thrice a week. That a lot of Nox inside of my lungs and body.

Surely Boysen® KNOxOUT®, offers the relief of that as an air pollution solution in a can. How does it work? KNOxOUT looks like an ordinary water based paint, it has a special ingredient – air cleaning titanium dioxide (TiO2), often referred to as a photocatalyst. When activated by light, it speeds up a chemical reaction that turns ordinary water vapor into free radicals that attack NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the two components of smog; and transform them into harmless substances.

It’s the 10th anniversary of the REPUBLIC ACT No. 8749 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AIR POLLUTION or the Clean Air Act law. The eleventh Congress passed it into law in 1999. The law enforces clean air standards for an improvement in human health and longer life spans

To raise awareness about an alternative way to do our part for the environment, the One Wall One World Campaign is launched. Let us paint the walls around our neighborhood, to help protect our community. If everyone in every community could paint one wall, we can help protect our town, our city and our world. This is the advocacy of “One wall, One world”

To find out more about air Boysen KNOxOUT and to find out which companies and citizens are stepping up to clean our air check out www.onewalloneworld.com.

A good diet, a stress-free mind, and a healthy body are always one’s goal, but gets unmet because of our uncaring attitude for oneself. It might be because of a lot of reasons but once health gets badly affected, all activities will take to have a backseat.

Nutrilite launches their new Fitness Nutrition products, which combines the best of nature with the best of science to provide the fastest way to jumpstart one’s path toward optimal health.

Nutrilite products such as Rhodiola (an herb supplement to boost energy and mental alertness), Strive+ (a rehydration drink) and FitH2O (a drink which hydrates and nourishes the body for light activity) are made from natural, whole plant concentrates and combine the best of nature with the best of science to provide you with the fastest way to jumpstart your path toward optimal health.

Nutrilite together with world renowned athletes Ronaldinho, Liu Xiang, and Paeng Nepomuceno – believe that the quest for optimal health is an everyday sport and it is where endless possibilities of human strength can be displayed and optimal health is necessary to leave a mark and create history.

Nutrilite is the world’s leading brand of vitamin, mineral and dietary supplements with $3 billion in sales in 2007. For 75 years, Nutrilite is grounded on the most advanced research and technology and is exclusively distributed locally by Amway Philippines. For product inquiries or to be an Independent Business Owner, please call 814-8181.

Eden Cheese wants to set a Guinness World Record for the most number of Filipino dishes made with Eden cheese in a single day. Their target, 5000 dishes out of Eden Cheese , which will be held on December 14, 2009 at Araneta Coliseum.

This also aims to showcase our Filipino food culture in 5,000 dishes as a unique, wonderful and utterly tasty experience. On December 14, cooking enthusiasts, culinary students, kusineros, chefs and foodies for one battle royale featuring cheese, with Kraft Eden products demonstrating their versatility in various dishes, from the savory to the sweet.

I grew up in a family who loves to cook, my lola a certified cusinera and my Dad a Kapangpangan who can dish out anything. I use to attend “handaan” wherein my lola was the cook. I never got tired of watching her prepare morcon , and pastel both prepared with cheese.Everything then was prepared the natural way, all ingredients have to be fresh and of the first class quality. My dad was the one who introduced to me the use of cookbooks and how to experiment on some ingredients. I might not have the time to cook but I can do any common dish.

Be part of history, be involved, lets promote Filipino dishes and join the Eden Cheese Event.
Be a Yumm Member and give your own Eden Cheesified recipe. Join Eden Cheese in setting our World Record attempt to cheesify Filipino dishes! Visit www.sarapngbuhay.com !

Eden Cheese is YUMM , Your Ultimate Meal Makeover! Your Ulam Mas Masarap
Eden Cheese , A yummy and Inspiring Christmas, Cheese possibilities to the Limits

Ang Sarap ng Buhay sa Eden Cheese!

I was able to attend the first Celebrity Cook –off Challenge sponsored by Doña Elena Cuisinera Club held at Annabelle’s Restaurant at T. Morato Quezon City. In the competition, celebrities and guest displayed their culinary genius in preparing appetizing Filipino dishes using Doña Elena olive oil.

Guest celebrities Gladys Reyes and Bernadette Allyson displayed their skills in preparing a meal using Doña Elena products such as Pure Olive oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Doña Elena Cuisinera Club advocates the use of olive oil as good partner in the kitchen. An oil rich in monosaturated fat Doña Elena olive oil has an anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive property. Olive oil is also abundant with polyphenols, a potent anti oxidant that scavenges harmful free radicals in the body.

Be a Cuisinera Club member. Cuisinera Club is a cooking community established by Doña Elena to provide first-time and experienced home cooks (we call them cuisineras) , who re pushing for a healthy eating lifestyle. Cuisinera Club aim to encourage and teach cuisineras easy ways on achieving a healthier lifestyle through better nutrition, which can be achieved by using olive oil in their daily cooking.

Some of Doña Elena Products are Doña Elena olive oil, Doña Elena sardines, Doña Elena Anchovy, Doña Elena olives , green and black.

Hurray for Adrian Jeric Pena! His Brinknotes Entertainment Daily Podcast was chosen as Best Podcast in the 3rd Philippine BLog Awards held October 9, 2009 at the PETA Theater in Quezon City.

As I look back through the years when I used to buy him microphone as a toy since he was a toddler, I must have brought him around 20 microphones as each would always break down (you know how kids play) and play with his mini karaoke ( a gift during his nursery graduation).

Two years ago, I was so hesitant to buy him his Samson microphone, as he was telling me that he needs it to improve his podcast recordings. Little did I know that he was doing podcast since 2005, and he was even mentioned as one of the first teen to do podcast based in the Philippines according to an Inquirer article about podcast.

10 years has passed since he was tinkering with our computer. Now, he has really made used of his talent. All I thought is that all of these are part of his hobbies as a growing adult. I never thought this would really make us all proud.

Congratulations Jeric! Once more, you made Mama, Dianne and Roxanne and the rest of the family doubly HAPPY and PROUD.

To the PBA 2009 board of judges, officers and management, thank you for allowing my son to hone his talents and be recognized. This means so much to us.

Here are the list of winners of the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards:

SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Blog Design – The Site Guy
Best Filipino Blog Abroad – The Warped Zone
Best Foreign Blog – My Sari Sari Store
Blogger’s Choice – Micamyx
Best Filipiniana Blog – Pilipino Komiks

TEN BEST POSTS OF THE YEAR

Karnabal by Tuyong Tinta ng Bolpen
Finding Your Soul Mate: A Statistical Analysis by Guttervomit
Lost Gems Of Philippine History: The 1896 Board Meeting by It’s true! It’s true!
The Diving Boys of Quezon Bridge by Dennis Villegas
Twenty Pesos by Lostphotograph
The way of the leaf by SMOKE
Portrait of a dramatic highlight in Nick Joaquin’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino by Gibbs Cadiz
Kaya Dumarami ang Bading Kasi… by Manila Gay Guy
The Parable of the Furry White Rabbit by Good Times Manila
The Amazing Bulul: A Story of Epiphany by The Cat Whisperer

BEST BLOGS

Best Technology Blog – Jaypee Online
Best Travel Blog – Langyaw – Sojourns and Off-the-Beaten Path Travels
Best Entertainment Blog – Lessons From the School of Inattention
Best Personal Blog – Writing on Air
Best Food & Beverage Blog – Table for Three, Please
Best Family & Living Blog – Make or Break
Best News & Media Blog – Virtual Journals
Best Business Blog – Negosyo Ideas
Best Sports Blog – Fire Quinito
Best Hobby & Recreation Blog – Bearbrick Love
Best Fashion Blog – Who is Elyoo?
Best Photoblog – I Am a Documentary Photographer
Best Culture and Arts Blog – magnetic-rose.net: Japanese Pop Culture for Filipino Fans
Best Commentary Blog – The Marocharim Experiment
Best Videocast Blog – Entrepbuff.com
Best Podcast Blog – Brink Notes Entertainment Daily
Best Humor Blog – The Professional Heckler
Best Gaming Blog – Blog Mike Got Game!
Best Advocacy Blog – Autism Society of the Philippines
Best Beauty Blog – The Doctor Is vaINlo

One of the three finalists in The Best Podcast category in the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards is Brinknotes Entertainment Daily. The awards will be held on October 9, 2009 at PETA Theater, Quezon City.

This is the second year that Brinknotes became a finalist. I am proud that Brinknotes has come a long way in podcasting here in the Philippines. From Jeric’s Confessions (2005) followed by Brink Notes Podcast (2007), Pinoy Idol Podcast (2008) and Brink Notes Entertainment Daily Podcast (2009)

The man behind Brinknotes Entertainment Daily is my son, Adrian Jeric Pena. Winning will be the best gift ever, for both of us. Come what may, CARRY ON SON, you will have many opportunities to COME YOUR WAY. In addition, I am proud to say you are already part of the Philippine podcast history. GOOD LUCK!

“Asia’s Titanic”

The MV Dona Paz Tragedy at National Geographic Channel

The MV Dona Paz sea tragedy, as the “Asia’s Titanic” will be shown at National Geographic Channel on August 25, 8:00 PM and with a the replay on August 26, 2009 at 4:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

It the first ever Filipino-produced National Geographic documentary, directed by a Filipino Yam Laranas .

This full-length documentary is about one of the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster, MV Doña Paz , a passenger vessel bound for Manila that collided with an oil tanker, MT Vector last December 1987, just five days before Christmas. It was estimated that about 5,000 passengers perished in the said sea tragedy and only 24 persons were survivors.

At least five of the survivors recounted their ordeal during the sea tragedy, how they survive the tragedy and the meaning it imprinted in their lives.

Kudos to the team behind the making of “Asia’s  Titanic”.

Keeping in touch has never been easier on mobile and web

Many of my friends who are members of different social network sites have invited me many times to join them. Now, I am inviting them to join me at mysandbox.com, my first social network to join ever.

Sandbox is a network community that has lots of component like social network aspect, blogging platform, and photo / video uploads and an online content store where one can download games and music.Mobile blogging (moblogging) through your cell phone is an added feature.

There is a promo ongoing for free coffee and glazed donuts from Krispy Kreme when you sign up. Join and be prepared for free Krispy Kreme coffee and glazed donuts!

Lets blog and share stories at mysandbox.com