My Journey at Pan De Azucar

by: Joshua Ichiro P. Anasco

The date is June 29, 2018, morning at the municipality of Miagao province of Iloilo . Papa accompanied Mama and I to the plaza so that we will go to Concepcion to help Mama on her dissertation and for recreation. But most likely to help Mama. We are going to go back on July 2. So, we said our goodbyes to Papa and Aiko is already at school. We rode a taxi and we were brought to Tagbak Terminal in Jaro where we rode a bus going to Concepcion. It took us about 3 hours to reach our destination. Mama told me that Concepcion is a small town. Well, smaller than Miagao. When we arrived there, we ate lunch at 7-eleven which is kind of not the right thing to eat in a new place because there are 7-eleven almost everywhere. It is really a small town with a lot of  trisikad and habal-habal and they are not actually seen in Miagao. Then, we went to our hotel named Jun Bee. The name of the hotel is like the commanding word in Taekwondo which means “ready”. The spelling of the word is just like this: joonbi. So, we took a nap there and we prepared for our job.

 

We first went to an engineer where he designs best for the municipality. I was in charged for the documentation. Then, we went to the CRM. Then, I bought a charger because we forgot our charger at home. We also went to a hotel named Pan De Azucar (not the island or not in the island in Tambaliza). We ate there and Mama asked the staff of the hotel if it is okay if we will check the rooms. Guess what? It is way better than Jun Bee because in Jun Bee, their CR has a 2 doors: one for the room and one for the hallway! Their room is also kind of weird. But in this Pan De Azucar hotel, it is just like any other hotels. Then, we went back to Jun Bee and went swimming.

The next day, Mama and I went to the fishing port where we saw a lot of baby sharks that they aren’t supposed to be caught according to BFAR. Then, I also saw many fishes that I haven’t seen before. Then, we ate banana and bought some food for our journey to the island Pan De Azucar in Tambaliza.

We rode on a motor boat with some people who were having an outing going to the island. I saw a coal power plant, beautiful islands and many more along the way.

When we arrived there, we were greeted by many motor boats, children, and dogs. Pan De Azucar is a small island. They even have no roads! 

So, we went to our resort, still named Jun Bee but now in the island. When we went to our rooms, I was maybe kind of shocked because our room is not an ordinary room like any other resorts. It’s a Bahay Kubo! But, the CR is way better than the other Jun Bee we stayed last time.

We also started our job right away. First we went to Kagawad Daryl’s house because Kapitan assigned him to be in charge in helping Mama. But Kagawad was not yet there because he attended a wedding. So, Kagawad’s father-in-law who is a fisher, was the one that Mama interviewed while waiting for Kagawad.  I was still in charge of documentation. It almost took about 2 hours for Mama to interview the fisher that I slept at the bench at Kagawad’s house. After that, Kagawad came and Mama and the fisher is already finished. Mama just left the questionnaire so that we will eat lunch. After that, we rode a motor boat to another sitio with Kagawad named Sitio Punting. There are many boats because there is a fiesta. We interviewed 3 fisherman and I am still in charged in documentation. But this time, the interview just took 30 minutes. So while waiting, I took some photos and I tried to text Henry happy birthday because his birthday is June 30. Unfortunately, there was no signal! Even back in our Bahay Kubo cottage, there was no signal. Then, after eating and interviewing, I noticed that the beach was low tide and we still have to go back to the part of Pan De Azucar where our cottage was. So, we had to use the path that the children used every day so that they can go to school! Then, we fell asleep with no electricity from 10 pm and with a lot of mosquitoes biting. It was good that Mama brought Off Lotion.

The next day, Kagawad escorted Mama and I to climb a mountain. I pretty love it! I love the mountain climbing and I also love the view. On our way back to our resort, Mama interviewed another fisher. After that, Mama and I went kayaking on the beach! I tried to reach very very far from the island. I also saw a black jellyfish. I accidentally hit it with my paddle. Then, we also went swimming. I tried to swim to the anchor of a boat. It was good that my senses reacted right away because I saw a jellyfish that is color transparent. I swam away luckily. Then, we prepared our things to go back to the main land.

When we arrived back to the mainland, we decided to extend one more day because Mama has not yet received the questionnaire from the CRM. We also decided to stay at Pan De Azucar Hotel. We checked in then went to church.

Afterwards, we ate dinner at the restaurant of Pan De Azucar Hotel. Then, we watched a movie entitled Gulliver’s Travels. Then we slept.

The next day, Mama went to the tourism office and somewhere I don’t know. Mama just left me in the hotel and she was again almost 2 hours out. So I just watched TV. Then, we had lunch in Pan De Azucar restaurant with Ms. Bunjak of Conservation International. Then, we went to the tourist lounge to buy souvenirs. Unfortunately, there were no souvenirs which we were looking for. So, we went to the Ceres terminal and went home.

I really enjoyed and learned a lot in our stay in Pan De Azucar, Concepcion, Iloilo, Philippines.

                                               

                                                           

Valedictory Speech of Ichi

“However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.”

Our commencement speaker, Mrs. Ofelia Tan-Velasco; DepEd Division representative, Mrs. Sonia Soncuya; our honoured guest, Mayor Macario Napulan; our respected district supervisor, Dr. Rigardo Girado; our beloved principal, Ma’am Jacinta Nonato; industrious PTA Officials led by Mrs. Maribel Nacionales, MCES Alumni Association, Inc. President, Mrs. Pureza Guzman; dearest parents & families who are with us today; my fellow MCES graduates; friends and schoolmates; ladies and gentlemen; that is a quote from the astrophysicist Stephen Hawking that exactly describes our commencement theme this year which is “K to 12 Learners: Ready to Face Life’s Challenges”.

I remember, when I first put step at MCES, I was excited -excited to learn, read, write and meet new friends. I faced and hurdled challenges. The very first challenge was with the K to 12 Curriculum wherein all our subjects except English were in Hiligaynon. It was a challenge in the sense that most of us were exposed by our parents into Kids TV programs and shows like Barney, Dora the Explorer, Little Einstein, Disney, Nickelodeon, among others, where conversations, rhymes and songs, counting, and basic mathematical operations are in English. Our parents did not expose us to Hiligaynon Kids TV Shows – if there were such shows at all! Not to mention that I started schooling in a foreign land where another language is used as medium of instruction. When I was in Grade I, I remember that my mother and I spent more time reviewing in Mother Tongue than any other subject so that I will be well versed in Hiligaynon.

I later found out that my experience is not unique at all. Most of my batchmates had similar experiences. Who would have thought that a “Bandi” is actually a Basket instead of a yummy snack of caramelized sugar and peanut? Who would have thought that “Dalandan” is actually color Orange instead of the yummy citrus fruit or juice? Why were we required to say napulo kag isa instead of simply saying 11, duha ka napulo kag duha instead of a shortened 22, isa kagatos kag walo ka napulo kag tatlo instead of simply saying 183?

I can clearly remember also that our first Science topic when we were in Grade I was “Phases of Matter” and this topic keeps repeating until Grade VI.

Many challenges to learn our lessons during our Elementary days and, thank God, we survived.

Moreover, to ensure that we grow up as well-balanced children, our parents and teachers encouraged us to join extra-curricular activities. For example, I joined MTAP from Grade I to Grade VI. But when I was in Grade 5, I was eliminated in the Division Elimination Level. But that experience did not stop me from joining MTAP again. In fact, I joined MTAP the next year and I reviewed very well. Because of my indomitable spirit, I became one of the Second Honors during the Division Elimination Level and, for the first time, NJ and I won 3rd Place during the Oral Division Level.

Another experience: I joined Binalaybay in Grade I. I won 1st place, but my award was taken back after about 15 minutes while I was still savouring the joy of winning. That Gold Medal was given to the 2nd Placer for one reason or another. Again, it didn’t mean that I should stop joining contests again. Instead, I kept practicing and joined more Binalaybay and other contests where I learned a lot from those experiences.

This school year, I joined journalism under the category of Science and Technology Writing Filipino. During the Congressional Level, I got the 15th Place which is the lowest award to be considered to move up to the next level. Some of my classmates teased me because I am the tail of the awardees. But I did not listen to them. I kept practicing and reading more information. Gladly, I reached the National Level.

All of us who graduated today have our own stories to tell. It is not automatic for us to realize our individual dream or what we wanted to become. There is no short cut. There is no magic wand as we watched from fairy tales. We need to give our best efforts to realize those dreams. For example, after graduating today, we need to proceed to High School. A High School which we dreamed of and we think to be the best. For example, when I learned that the Philippine Science High School is the best high school in the country, I looked forward to entering that school. In fact, when I was asked while I was still in Grade V where will I study for High School, I was all out to say: “In PhilSci”. My parents let me realize that entering PhilSci is very hard because out of more than 26,000 who are taking the PhilSci entrance exam every year, only 1,200 will be accepted nationwide. In other words, only 5% (out of 100%) is my chance of entering into my dream High School. So, it was a great challenge for me. But I kept reviewing and paying attention to class. And, I am glad that I am one of the Principal Qualifiers of the Philippine Science High School for School Year 2018-2019.

These are just examples of challenges we faced during our stay at MCES. We experienced sweet winnings and different flavours of losing.

Many of us today received medals or awards for our efforts. But this does not mean that those who have no medal or award today are lesser than us. It is just that we have different circumstances in life. Some of us are fortunate enough to be given the resources and opportunities. It does not mean that those who have no medal or award today has lesser chance of realizing their dreams, to have a bright future and have a good life when we grow up. In fact, you may have no medal today but when you will give extra effort in High School or College, who knows, you might get one too!

But let us keep in mind that these medals are just decorations. It is my hope and prayer that those of us who got these medals and awards will be inspired to maintain our performance when we are already in High School and until we graduate in College. And may we continue to be humble, respectful and be thankful. What is more important to really reach our dreams is our attitude. We should continue to develop a strong character to really do our best in our studies whatever problems and challenges we meet along the way. Let us not make any excuses or blame anyone if we cannot finish our studies. Let us continue to be independent and be responsible to face all challenges of life after we leave MCES. We survived Elementary. We will surely hurdle also High School and beyond as long as we enjoy studying and stay focus on our dreams. Let us never give up no matter what!

In behalf of the MCES graduating class this School Year, I would like to thank everybody who supported us in the activities we were involved in while we are here at MCES. To all our Teachers: Ma’ams & Sirs, THANK YOU for what you have taught us. Indeed, we learned a lot from you! To our Class Advisers from Kinder to Grade VI, THANK YOU very much for being our parents while we were in the classroom. We really salute your patience to manage about 30 to 40 children at the same time! I want also to especially mention Ma’am Mildred Patrivo who was my coach in journalism. Ma’am, thank you very much for coaching me until the National Level. Thank you also Ma’am Legaspi, Ma’am Montano, Ma’am Eusuya, Ma’am Gamilong, Ma’am Monserate, and Ma’am Nomananap for your patience in reviewing me in MTAP. Ma’am Rheyza Tacay, Ma’am Jinny Ann Larupay, Ma’am Janice Uy, Sir Nyel & Ma’am Grace Napilan, THANK YOU also for standing as my coaches in Taekwondo. I really appreciated your extra efforts. I want also to thank you, MY DEAR CLASSMATES and younger schoolmates for your love, support and cooperation. In behalf of the MCES graduates, I would like to express also my deepest gratitude to OUR BELOVED PARENTS for your sacrifices, unconditional love and support for all our activities. Mama, Papa; Tatay, Nanay; THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Above all, we want to thank you LORD GOD for giving us the opportunity to go to school to learn.

Once again, “However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.” Congratulations my fellow Graduates and a pleasant morning to everyone. May the God Almighty bless us all!

-
Joshua Ichiro Pilapil Añasco
Valedictorian, SY 2017-2018
Grade VI-Special Science Class
Miagao Central Elementary School
Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines