Old Chua Christmas Photos Set B

Old Chua Christmas Reunions Set A

Some scanned Chua Christmas Reunion pix. More to come!

Anika's Bday (with Mia)

Long weekend at Fuego with DBP Officemates and Mia! =)

Spent the long weekend at Punta Fuego (Nov. 28-Nov.30) with Mia, Russ, Shaal, Connie, Nescy, Mitsu, Russel, Justin, Bianca, Gidz, and Danlei. Fun and relaxing! Just what we needed after a stressful 1st month in DBP!

Made more memorable since Mia came over to visit also after more than a year! =) I'll see you again in Jan!

Sa uulitin!

Hangad's 17th Anniversary Party

The time of the year when Hangad's family members get to meet and sing for Hangad. Now we know where Hangad's talents come from. =)

Happy Anniversary Hangad!

Cebu Cebu Cebu! Oct 18-19

Visited Mia after almost 2mo (last visit was in August).

Also celebrated our advanced 6th year anniversary. :)
Tagal na rin. 4 years together in Manila, 2.5 of them as a couple. The next 3.5 apart.

Also met with DBP officemates who were assigned in the Visayas (ZPax - Cebu, Maria - Iloilo, and Ruj - Bacolod) and were in Cebu for some additional training before going to their respective assignments.

Fun times! Food galore rin! Haay... will be back soon. I promise. =)

MAP Batches Vid by the Training Center

MAP 3 Vid from Sir Paul - Pix c/o Nic and TC

MAP 3 Training Graduation Rites

Finally! Good job everyone! Good luck to us! =)

MAP III Thanksgiving Video for Grad

To my fellow MAPees, hope you like it. =)

MAP3 Grad Kiddie Party @ McDo Katips

After 13mo of "heaven and hell", the Mapees - Batch 3, are finally graduating (Oct. 16) from their training.

It's been a blast guys! Panalo kayong lahat!
Good luck to us! =)

Ateneo, UP rise in 2008 world university rankings

Ateneo, UP rise in 2008 world university rankings

By KRIS DANIELLE SUAREZ, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/13/2008 11:32 PM

Two local universities, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and the University of the Philippines (UP), saw their rankings rise in The Times Higher Education - QS (THE-QS) World University Rankings 2008, a leading global ranking of higher education institutions.

In the overall rankings released Monday, Ateneo rose from number 451 in 2007 to number 254 this year, while UP rose from 398 last year to 276.

The THE-QS World University Rankings are based on data gathered in the following categories: peer academic review, recruiter review, international faculty ratio, international student ratio, student-faculty ratio, and research citations per faculty.

Ateneo had an overall score of 48.0 out of 100, up from 30.8 last year, while UP posted a 45.9 overall score, up from 34.7 last year.

Ateneo was tied with Spain's Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, while UP was tied with Germany's Universitat Ulm and Universitat Wurzburg, and the United States' Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

The two universities also figured in the subject-specific rankings for the first time.

Ateneo and UP were both ranked in the top 100 Arts and Humanities institutions worldwide: ADMU was ranked number 79, while UP was at number 82, along with the University of Notre Dame in the US.

ADMU, UP, and another local university, De La Salle University, were also part of the 100 institutions with the highest employer review scores.

Ateneo was rank 76 in employer review, tied with the University of Western Australia, with a score of 88; UP was tied with the University of North Carolina at rank 82, with a score of 87; and DLSU was at rank 92, with a score of 84.

In the overall rankings, universities in the United States and the United Kingdom, led by Harvard University at rank 1, continue to dominate the rankings. The highest-ranked Asian university was the University of Tokyo in Japan (19), while the National University of Singapore (30) was the highest-ranked for Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, two other Philippine institutions - the University of Santo Tomas and the De La Salle University - were part of the group ranked 401-500.

"Further down the rankings, fewer data are available to evaluate each university and the statistical appropriateness of discerning one university from the next begins to decay. Responses for institutions in our survey drop off exponentially from the top of the table, by the time it gets past 400 the results become highly sensitive to error. As a result, precise positions beyond 400, are not published," QS explained in its rankings tally in topuniversities.com.

Now in its fifth year, the research is conducted and compiled by QS Quacquarelli Symonds and features in print in Times Higher Education on 9th October and online on the QS web site www.topuniversities.com on 10th October.

Philippines' HE system 33rd

Meanwhile, the country ranked 33rd out of 40 countries included in the preliminary version of the QS SAFE National System Strength Rankings.

The QS SAFE National System Strength evaluation is "the first attempt to use rankings results, in concert with other indicators, not to evaluate the relative strength of individual institutions but of countries' higher education system strengths as a whole."

The rankings are based on four key indicators combined with equal weighting using standard statistical methods also used for the main THE-QS WOrld University Rankings - overall strength of the system, access, flagship institutions, and economic factors.

The rankings for the top 100 universities were released Thursday, while the rest (101-400) were released Monday.

"These rankings use an unprecedented amount of data to deliver the most accurate measure available of the world’s best universities, and of the strength of different nations’ university systems. They are important for governments wanting to gauge the progress of their education systems, and are used in planning by universities across the world," THE editor Ann Mroz said in a statement.

"In just five years, the THE-QS World University Rankings have become the primary benchmark for comparing universities across borders – recognised for their accuracy and insight. The rankings allow prospective students, parents, academics, employers and journalists to gain an insight into international university education, helping them to make the right choices, whether it is in selecting a university for study or for partnership," Nunzio Quacquarelli, Managing Director of QS Quacquarelli Symonds and co-editor of the Top Universities Guide, was also quoted as saying.

The data was based on survey responses from 6,354 academics and 2,339 employers from around the world.

The overall rankings and the full explanation of the ratings system can be found at the website www.topuniversities.com.

Treasury RLE + MAP 900 classes at HO

Last few weeks of MAP III. Good luck to all of us!

Hangad: Noon at Ngayon Concert Sept 7 + Manong Carlo's Bday

Celebrated Manong Carlo's bday with Hangad's Noon at Ngayon Concert at the Ateneo High School Chapel. =)

Nicky's Despedida

Nix is going to Singapore for work (and for another really good reason). =)

We'll miss you dude!

Late lunch at Chowking Eastwood (with DQ after). Dinner at Nix's place.

Debbie's Birthday Party

Debbie, Mia's bestfriend, celebrated her birthday by throwing a McDo kiddie party for the kids of Alay Pag-asa. =)

Dropped by with Jeanie straight from the Jesuit Deaconate Ordination where Hangad sang (congrats Rev. Cis!).

Hangad: Noon at Ngayon Concert Teaser

Clips from the Aug. 30 show!

----
"Kung aawit ako nang mag-isa, awit ko'y awitin nga ba?"

Block off your calendars for Hangad: Noon at Ngayon, a 10th anniversary concert for Hangad's first album titled "Hangad". The show will feature inspirational and liturgical standards from Hangad's repertoire -- some in their original form, others with fresh new arrangements -- such as Panunumpa, Pananatili, and Pag-Ibig Ko.

Moreover, the show features the launch of a commemorative 5-track CD,also titled Hangad: Noon at Ngayon, featuring new arrangements of well-loved songs mostly from Hangad's first album, plus the first-time release of the upbeat "Walang Ibang Hangad."

Hangad : Noon at Ngayon will be held at 7 PM on August 30, 31 and September 7, 2008, at the St Stanislaus Chapel of the Ateneo High School, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Mass preceeds the concert at 530 PM. Special guest choirs: Ateneo College Ministry Group Choir, Coro Degli Angeli and The Symphony.


Tickets are at Php150, which covers entrance to the show and a copy of
the commemorative CD "Hangad: Noon at Ngayon." Additional "Hangad:Noon at Ngayon" CD's can be purchased at Php100 each. For more information contact mail@hangad.com.

"Habambuhay isa ang Hangad: umawit sa "Yo!"

Hangad: Noon at Ngayon

"Kung aawit ako nang mag-isa, awit ko'y awitin nga ba?"

Block off your calendars for Hangad: Noon at Ngayon, a 10th anniversary
concert for Hangad's first album titled "Hangad". The show will feature
inspirational and liturgical standards from Hangad's repertoire -- some
in their original form, others with fresh new arrangements -- such as
Panunumpa, Pananatili, and Pag-Ibig Ko.

Moreover, the show features the launch of a commemorative 5-track CD,
also titled Hangad: Noon at Ngayon, featuring new arrangements of
well-loved songs mostly from Hangad's first album, plus the first-time
release of the upbeat "Walang Ibang Hangad."

Hangad : Noon at Ngayon
will be held at 7 PM on August 30, 31 and
September 7, 2008, at the St Stanislaus Chapel of the Ateneo High
School, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights,
Quezon City.


Tickets are at Php150, which covers entrance to the show and a copy of
the commemorative CD "Hangad: Noon at Ngayon." Additional "Hangad: Noon
at Ngayon" CD's can be purchased at Php100 each.


"Habambuhay isa ang Hangad: umawit sa "Yo!"


Visit us at www.hangad.com or email us at mail@hangad.com

Manang Trisha's Wedding to Joseph - Aug 2, 2008

Manang Trisha got married last Saturday to Joseph Juico (the councilor from QC) at Tagaytay Midlands. Thought the weather would be bad since on our way up it was raining. But thankfully the weather obliged (though overcast). Lovely wedding. Ganda ni Manang Trish!

Welcome to the family Joe!

Cebu July 5-6, 2008 - Meet the Parents!?!

Had a special trip to Cebu last weekend c/o my parents. My mom was there Fri-Mon due to work which coincided with my dad's competition. Yes. Competition! He decided to join the Dancesport contest out of fun and to challenge himself daw. I guess he's always wanted to perform (my mom and I sing and have performed on stage, she being a member of the 70's group the Ambivalent Crowd) but is a frustrated singer. Kaya siguro dinaan na lang sa sayaw. But he's good! And he lost a lot of weight because of it (payat pa siya sa aming tatlong boys!).

Siyempre, aside from rooting for papa, I visited to meet Mia again. =) Plus, it was a rare opportunity to have both my parents around so Mia and I planned a lunch with my folks and hers (plus grandparents) to celebrate Mia's new job (in Plantation Bay as Training Officer), Lola's birthday, Mia's folk's 25th wedding anniversary, and my dad winning in the competition. Treat namin ni Mia. =)

Mia and I were nervous since this would be the first time our parents would meet (though lolo and lola met my dad already for a consultation before). To think we've been together for almost 6 years now!

Anyway, it was fun. =) Happy kaming dalawa. Bitin nga lang.

Hope to be back again soon! =)

Killing time last Friday - MAP 3

lecture and field trip didn't push through, so we just killed time talking, playing chess, eating, watching dvds, sleeping...

Had to wait for the results of our previous module (exams and grades) plus additional announcements.

RLE 600 - Tayabas - Day 3

the pix didn't upload in order... oh well... lazy to fix it na. hehe...

RLE 600 - Tayabas - Day 2

DBP RLE 600 - Rapid Area Assessment - Tayabas, Quezon - Day 1

Dinner at Palaisdaan with other Quezon-based MAPees.

Sarap ng sinugno (inihaw na tilapia sa gata) at ginataang kuhol! Pati yung lechon kawali, winner!

Araw ng Kalayaan Celebration - DBP Makati

In accordance to DBP's corporate culture and customs, we were required to dress up in Filipiniana for the Independence Day celebration. =)

Part of the celebration was a free concert featuring the DBP chorale, dancers, and Jed Madela and Yeng Constantino.

Street Fighter! - E.Honda vs. Chun Li

Thanks to Jolly for the editing. =)

Bohol 2008 - Day 3

Last day in Bohol. Mia and I started our day early meeting up at 7am for a morning swim at the beach. Lowtide and no people - just the way we like it. =)

After wading and jumping for around an hour, we decided to head back and grab breakfast. The buffet was simple with your usual garlic rice, tocino, bangus, cornedbeef hashcakes, fresh fruits, suman, and egg station. Nothing special but very homey. After breakfast, we lounged by the pool as we waited for Debbie and Luis to get back from the beach (they went when we were having breakfast). We swam until it was time to pack our bags and leave.

This was probably the best vacation I've had so far. =)

Hope there will be more to come. Maybe Palawan, Banawe, Camsur, Carmoan, or Camiguin next? =)

Bohol 2008 - Day 2

Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling at Balicasag Island. Panalo!
More details to follow na lang muna...

Bohol 2008 - Day 1

Spent the long weekend in Bohol with Mia, Debbie, and Luis. An unexpected trip that we were just dreaming about but came true after more than a month of preparations coupled with last minute decisions. =)

Flew to Cebu and we met Mia at the pier (Supercat) around 7am for the 8am ferry. It was delayed though but we still arrived in Tagbilaran around 10:15.

Debbie and Luis immediately started on their countryside tour which Mia and I did last 2006. Their guide was RJ (http://www.rjtoursbohol.com) which I booked via email after reading some reviews on his service while searching the net for bohol tours. He was also the one who arranged our Dolphin watching and snorkeling adventure (but that's for Day 2).

Anyway, while RJ picked up Debbie and Luis, Mia and I were picked up by the Amarela van. The resort (http://www.amarelaresort.com) is a bit out of the way and quite far from the "Bora-type" activites which is found in Alona Beach. We were in the side of Bohol Beach Club though BBC was around a 15min walk along the beach. Still, Amarela was everything Mia and I liked. Quiet, romantic, relaxing. =)

We spent our first day in Bohol just bumming around the resort, swimming in the pool, and taking a nice stroll along the beach to BBC and back. A relaxing start to a great vacation!

cebu may 18

Mia's 24th Birthday!

Spent the day at Tambuli with Mia's family. Fun time just enjoying the sun, sea, and pool. Maalon lang sobra because of the recent rains. But perfect weather. Nice and sunny but also breezy so it wasn't hot. =)

Had dinner with Mia's co-teachers from Gymboree after at Sbarro's Ayala then coffee at Bo's IT Park. Kwentuhan silang girls. Saya!

Happy birthday pangga! Mwah=)

Cebu-Bohol!

Start:	Jun 7, '08 04:00a
End:	Jun 9, '08

Going to Bohol (via Cebu) with Mia, Debbie, and Luis (plus others if they can make it). =)

Will be staying at Amarela. http://www.amarelaresort.com

Can't wait. It looks like paradise. =)

This is going to be a blast!

Flying to Cebu!

Start:	May 17, '08 10:00p
End:	May 18, '08

Flying to Cebu for Mia's birthday. A good break from work (and study).

Hangad's The Easter Journey

Cebu, April 5-7 - Part 2

My last day in Cebu. Started the day by having breakfast at the IT Park at Breakfast Club. Expected more choices for breakfast because of its name but they only served typical pinoy silogs and pancakes. The rest were lunch/dinner items. Nothing special here. Should've had breakfast somewhere else instead like Coffee Bean or Mocha Blends which were nearby.

After breakfast, we decided to drive towards the mountains of Cebu to Tops. On our way there, we stopped at a quirky looking place with a tower and took some pix. Later on we found out it was a small memorial park. Still, it had great views of the city and the place itself was really nice for photos.

After having our "pictorials" there, we proceeded to Tops but decided not to enter because of the P100 entrance fee (to enter basically a place with the same view as where we came from). Instead, we drove back down a bit to go to Chateau de Busay, a resto/park known to hold parties and receptions. We had lunch here which was a bit pricey compared to our previous meals.

After lunch, it was back to Gymboree coz Mia had to get some stuff for her class the next day. Then we just stayed in BTC and had merienda at Postrio before heading home.

Can't wait to go back in May. =)

Cebu, April 5-7 - Part 1

Wasn't really planning on going to Cebu this April since I was there last Feb and was saving up to go back in May for Mia's birthday. But then the Sunday before that weekend, my mom asked me what I was planning to do during the long weekend. I said "nothing" since Punta was booked already by my dad. Then she asked if I was going to Cebu. I said no because I was saving up for my May trip. Then she said I should go and she'd pay for my plane fare. What a mom! (Love you mom!) But the cute thing was that she said Mia and I haven't seen each other for a long time and that we should. =)

Anyway, so I booked my flight that day (thank God there were still semi-discounted tickets left --- 4:50am going and 10:15pm coming back) after ensuring that Mia was free as well. We then began to plan the trip.

Day 1 (Sat) - We planned to go to the beach. Shang and Plantation Bay were out of my budget (since this was impromptu) and searched for other options (aside from Tambuli where we already went the last time). Thus, we spent the day at Cebu White Sands. Fun fun fun! Spent most of our time in the pool rather than the beach since it was kinda crowded w dive boats. Not that many people so it was nice. For P500 a head with free buffet lunch, that was a bargain!

Day 2 - no pix. Heard mass together and passed by Gymboree coz Mia had to prepare some stuff for work. While she did that, I went and bought pasalubong at the grocery. Also started doing the project given to us for work (DBP) due Tuesday. So at least we were productive. Then we went to Mia's place to prepare for her younger brother's (Niko) birthday and graduation (from HS) party which lasted until dinner time. Continued working on my project while Mia did some stuff for work as well like we used to do back in Manila. At least we kept each other company. =)

Day 3 - see the next post for details. =)

Watergun Fight!

Kuleet!

What started out as a Paint Ball gimmik, then a go-cart gimmik endeded up as a watergun tag-agawan-base fight!

saya! simple joys. hehe...

Destressing MAP.

Subra Fuego 2008

Went to Punta Fuego with some DBP MAP III officemates to celebrate Nescy's, Aileen's, and my birthday after our panel defense for RLE 300 and after a month of not seeing each other (since some were assigned to the provinces).

Great company, great food, great weather. Winner! Subra! =)

Hindi rin kami mahilig magpa-picture noh? 850+ pix in 24 hours!

Subra Fuego 2008.wmv

Jose Mossesgeld-Santiago: A Piece of Philippine History

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOSE MOSSESGELD-SANTIAGO

an annotated version of a document prepared for the Guerrero Clan reunion

 

Jose Mossesgeld-Santiago is the second son of Simon Mossesgeld-Santiago y Gonzalez of San Miguel de Mayumo in Bulacan and Rosa Font y Guerrero of Manila. 

 

Befitting his stature, Simon Mossesgeld-Santiago was called Kapitan (Captain), an honorific title given to prominent gentlemen and land-owners. His family name was originally Santiago and Mossesgeld must have been selected (and appended) from the Catalogo Alfabetico de Appellidos (Alphabetical Catalogue of Family Names), in accordance with Governor Claveria’s November 21, 1849 decree. Simon’s only sibling, Tomasa, married Simon Tecson, also of San Miguel.

 

Rosa was a daughter of Petra Guerrero y Leogardo and Gaspar Font, a Spaniard from Palma de Mallorca where his relatives, the Fonteroys, still reside today.

 

Jose, fondly known as Pepito, took the road less traveled by choosing classical opera as his vocation and career. He left the Philippines in 1926 to pursue his dream and brought honor and fame to the family and to the country before World War II. Using the stage name Jose Santiago-Font, he sang in opera houses in Italy, South America and the United States. He had a wide repertoire that included a majority of the main operatic roles for bass: Wotan in Die Walküre, Viandante in Siegfried, and roles in Lohengrin, Mignon, Simon Boccanegra, Forza del Destino, La Gioconda, Don Carlos, Faust, Mefistofeles, etc. He sang for a couple of years in the Roxy Theater in New York. Jose also recorded Filipino songs for Columbia records in the United States.

 

But his greatest achievement is his performing in one of the world’s most famous opera houses, Teatro alla Scala (or La Scala as it is known), made possible when he won the Enrico Caruso vocal competition in the United States. The official La Scala publication of the operas and performers of the 1932-33 season describes Jose as follows: “…voice of rare power and beautiful in its entire range …. Magnificent actor…with acute artistic sense and aplomb.” In La Scala, he sang the roles, among others, of Ramfis in Aida and Sparafucile in Rigoletto. To date, he is the only Filipino opera singer who has performed in this world-renowned theater. 

 

Jose’s son Enrico married Sabina Castillo y Legaspi and they had two children, Simon and Rosa Maria (my mom).

 

Jose married Isabel Llewellyn and they had two sons, Joseph and Phillip. He and Isabel divorced in 1941 and after a couple of years in South America with the La Scala touring company, he came home to Manila where he taught classical singing and produced and directed operas. He also worked as a real estate broker.

 

He has three other children, Mila Santiago, Teresita and Sigfrido, the latter two with Genoveva Perlas. 

 

Jose passed away on March 5, 1959.

 

***

My mom said Lolo Pepito was the first person to record the Lupang Hinirang. We actually still have a copy of that record. The lyrics were different then though, probably used the original.

 

Lolo Pepito also sang a kundiman on the radio - "Hibik ng Pilipinas" during the war which "was a thinly veiled call for independence" (from: Elizabeth Enriquez, "The Filipino Appropriation of American Broadcasting: A History of Radio).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment: 07 Track 7.mp3

New Year's Day 2008 at Masaling and Bacolod

New Year's Eve Celebration 2008 at Masaling

Sipalay, Negros Occidental - Dec 30, 2007

Went to Lola Solidad's (sister of Papa Ding) beach house in Sipalay.
Lovely beach, great food (lechon again!), and wonderful company.
Even had the chance to ride around the area on their glassbottomed banca.
Although there were a lot of dead corals, you could see a good number growing back. In some parts, it was still very intact and fishes were plentiful in the area possibly as a result of it being turned into a sanctuary a few years back.