VIEW THE FLICKR ALBUM BY ALEKSI MARI B. GUMELA
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VIEW THE FACEBOOK PHOTOS BY PATERLITO GARCIA

VIEW THE FLICKR ALBUM BY FREGER S. REYES
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Visiting former PBA player Al Solis held a basketball clinic on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Weber Leisure Center, Skokie, Illinois.  The event was made possible through the Chicago Dirt Riders, Zamboanga del Norte Association in Illinois (ZAMNAI) and DYC. Alvin Ang spearheaded the project.

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Beginning in 2007 Ambibo will choose a man, woman, or idea that has most influenced events in the preceding years for ZaNorteans. In time this list will become a roster of honorees who have contributed to the betterment of the lives of our kababayans both at home and abroad. Ambibo.com’s Person of the Year are individuals who, through their profession, have made the community a better place to live and work; have shown outstanding leadership in the advancement of ideas and their careers and have contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of our culture. They embody the Ambibo spirit.

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Eddie Ampoloquio Artajo was born on June 6 in Baroy, Lanao to Teodula and Fidel, both deceased. He attended elementary and high school at the Andres Bonifacio College in Dipolog City . He finished his Civil Engineering course at Feati University in Manila. Seeking greener pastures and adventure, Eddie migrated to the United States in November 1972. As one of the first Dipolognons in Chicago, he assisted those newly-arrived settle in the new country. Tales of Eddie’s self-sacrifice and tireless efforts to serve abound. Eddie Artajo also pioneered the online presence of the Zamboanga del Norte community through his websites, including Daily Dipolognon where our kababayan abroad get their updates on local news and events. He is now it’s CEO and President. Eddie has 2 children, Giscard and Arabella, both happily married with their own growing families.His siblings, Rachel and Fidel, Jr., and Ligaya and Belen have been constant supporters to Eddie’s many projects.

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Speech at Ambibo.com Person of the Year 2009 Award Ceremony

Fellow Zambonorteans, ladies and gentlemen, good evening!

It is really a great honor to be chosen as “Person of the Year 2009″ by Ambibo.com. I am not sure if I deserve the title that is bestowed upon me. Of course, I understand the responsibilities assigned to me. I sincerely and willingly will assume them except the idea of speaking in public. I am so allergic to it. In fact, I told Luz that I would rather just sing because there is a karaoke that would help me out but Luz has concerns such as “what’s going to happen if I be out tune”. I guess, it’s not really an option, so here I am.

I am thanking ambibo.com for the award that you have given me tonight. Rest assured that the responsibilities that go along with the honors are instilled in my heart and you have my dedication and determination to face any challenges that might come my way to the best of my ability. I will continually take pride as a member of this organization to pursue the goals and objectives of the organization. In addition, my involvement to the undertakings of this group has been a passion for me that commitment does not really become an issue.

Let us remember that this organization or community we have established represents our root, our foundation, In fact, belongingness which derives a sense of acceptance is one important factor that got me motivated to be involved. It felt so good to see it grow into a huge umbrella that, we, the inhabitants have sought shelter from. To me, this is a family but on a bigger scale because we look after each other. We have always been together in determining our aspirations and we have always worked hand in hand to make it a reality for a common goal.

In closing, I am calling or encouraging our youth and for those who are out there just watching to come and join. Make this your outlet to release your stress after a hard day’s work. Take the time to share your family values and traditions with everyone in the organization. Often times, a balanced life of incorporating play and spending time in whatever our organization engages, will be well-worth it. Mind you, it will become a satisfying and fulfilling experience. Believe it or not , it is going to be HOME.

So tonight, join in and make this another enjoyable night for you. Thanks everyone for the recognition.

VIEW THE FLICKR ALBUM BY JOEM C. BAYAWA
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“Accidental vocation…”

By  Anthony Harvey B. Dalmacio
Consultant Vice Dean, College of Computer Studies
Director for Club Administration
Rotary Club of Dipolog

Accidental: Occurring unexpectedly, unintentionally, or by chance.
Vocation: a special urge to a particular calling or career.

I put the definition on top for a reason: To fully understand my subtitle for this week’s issue. An Accidental Vocation, I chose these words to describe how and why I am working in an academe.

“I was never born to become a teacher…” this was my line since I stepped out from college. I always wanted to work in the IT industry but never in an academe. I never have the guts or patience in teaching. I always wanted to finish my work ahead of time; I never dwell in a situation for so long. I always want quality in my projects. I was never an excellent student; I was never an achiever in college. I do cheat; I do copy from my classmates during exams.

In 2004 I started teaching. At first I always get confused every time students are having a hard time understanding our lessons, I always get disappointed every time students got low scores in my exams. I tried to ask myself, was it me? Or is it them?

I never realize I was walking alone on my own path, believing that I am having same students as my classmates in college. I was trying to set some standards which I thought they could reach, I was trying to push them, forgetting that they need help instead of a standard.

As time passed by, I loosened up. Instead of pushing students to the limit, I tried to become someone who’s willing to teach and accommodate. I became a friend and a listener to my students. I tried to experiment different techniques in teaching, making my approach performance-oriented, result-oriented instead of a classroom oriented. I tried to listen more to them instead of me talking more to them. I allowed them to open up and communicate; I established an interactive classroom environment. What I discover best was, relating “technical specifications” to “real-life situations”, translating “complex discussions” to “simple, fun-related interactions”, Transforming “intricate lines-of-codes” to “straightforward lines-of-real-life-thoughts”. Things are already so knotty in IT, so why make things more complicated?

Three years later, I started to see some success stories; my students are slowly getting recognition locally, recognized for their exemplary performance in their field of study.

My students are slowly getting recognition nationally, showing advance knowledge in their chosen field.

I have done my part, now it’s their turn.  This is my accidental vocation: Teaching and transforming lives, I was never born to be a teacher, but I am one.

I never lived my life to the fullest, but I touched lives.

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First published on August 2009
Ang Dipolognon
Rotary Club of Dipolog Weekly Journal