Posted by Royce on Jun 29, '08 10:09 PM for everyone
Being the reluctant leader that I am, I embraced my power and accepted being not only as an ordinary Outside Coach but as Head for Students Needs in LEAP 36. Coming from Love, Trust, Surrender, and Excellence, I was able to deliver what was expected (and even more what was expected in some cases). All of these were made possible through the loving and supportive people in the LEAP Community.
I allowed myself to receive the support and trust of Pinky (our Deputy; one hot and gorgeous babe); Wes (one of the OC addicts and pioneer in the massive OC recruitment); Tracey (another OC addict and one of the members of LEAP 32 who is more than just a "kapatid"); CC (love lang nang love di ba), Coaches Sony and TJ (sobrang love ko kayo kasi love nyo rin ako, thank you for believing in me); Head Coach Jovy (kahit nosebleed kapag kausap kita, I still love you and support you because you inspire me with your love); to the powerful and loving OC student needs - Tina, Rani, Migs, Marco, Rens, Disen, Jessica, Karen, Monette, Tita Charry, Adie, Clarissa, Eloisa, Ian, Shelwin, Tito Jobert, Jic & Mic, and my sisters Ruth & Ate Chie - maraming, maraming, maraming, maraming salamat and thank you for bearing with me; Technical Team - Terry, Kuya Earl, Vince and the rest of the gang(salamat, salamat, pa-copy naman nung video and pictures hehehehehe); Ces (the ever loving and supportive LEAP seminar manager, thank you for making our volunteer work a meaningful one and teaching us what excellence really is); and to my Life Coach - Phoebe who pushed me to greater heights and taught me how to SOAR you know how much I love you (pano ba iyan, single na naman tayo; pero I know deep in my heart, there is someone waiting for us, somewhere!); and to numerous friends I have, salamat, I am deeply humbled and honored by all of you!
LEAP 36 taught me the value of love, patience, trust, surrender, openness, greatness, acceptance, and vulnerability. Whew, all of that in a span of close to 6 months.
After LEAP 36, what now?
Love lang nang love. After all, the journey of walking the talk never ends.
Posted by Royce on Apr 22, '08 6:36 AM for everyone
This is it guys. I am going back to school again to pursue higher studies. I was scheduled for an interview with the program chair last week (April 17) but I was in Baguio & La Union for our Center Planning & Team Building. Earlier this morning I got a text that the interview will be at 3:45pm today. Out of my excitement in doing the video documentation of our event last week, I only remembered the interview past 4pm. And so from CSB I sprinted all the way to DLSU Bro. Andre Hall. I arrived 4:20pm at the program chair who was luckily still in his office waiting for me.
The interview went well. He was pleased with my academic credentials and my work experience. He even commented that I might find some of the subjects in the PhD program very similar to what I have taken up in my MA. Nevertheless, he hopes that I will learn something new with what they have to offer. At some point he commented that I had a very peculiar curriculum in my Masters. Well, I simply told him that some of the subjects were refresher courses since I overstayed (hehehe ). The bright side to it all is that I don't need to take any other pre-requisite courses even though he was contemplating on me taking up Cognitive Psych subjects. Thank God for those 9 refresher units - Advanced Social Psych, Industrial Relations, and Test Construction (another hehehe ).
We then proceeded with the program advising. He asked me if I will be on Full time or Part time. The natural answer was Part time since I'd be working full time and the College allows 6 units (2 subjects) only under a trimestral system per term. Given that, the program chair prepared my program of study for my PhD Educational Psychology (with concentration in Quantitative Methods). After some thinking and typing in his computer, the computer printout spelled out my destiny for the next 3 years (if I stick to the plan that is). Well, I do plan to stick to it. My tolerance would be in finishing the program is before I turn 35.
This is no big joke. It would mean that I would have to organize my life all over again; set new priorities; and make goals. Talk about sleepless nights cramming, studying, doing research, exams, and other school stuff . I do miss those things and so begins another chapter in my life at the age of 31 by April 28 .
Oh, by the way, who interviewed me, hmmm, he's no other than Professor & University Fellow, Allan B.I. Bernardo, PhD.
Posted by Royce on Apr 14, '08 11:18 PM for everyone
It was a very tiring but fulfilling day last Saturday - April 12, 2008. Here's what happened that day:
[Saturday] 4:30 AM - Woke up. Not feeling well because of the very hot weather. 5:00 AM - Still in bed with cough & cold 5:15 AM - Bath time [it was practically morning since the sunrise was very early] 5:30 AM - Dressing up 5:45 AM - Got cab going to CSB 6:00 AM - Arrived at CSB & started working for the Admissions Test 8:00 AM - Finally, breakfast c/o Tropical Hut 11:00 AM - End of the Admissions Test & start of the Outreach preparations 11:30 AM - Lunch... yum yum yum yum c/o Ambers 12:00 PM - Back to Outreach preparations 1:30 PM - Departure for WHARF 2:00 PM - Arrived at WHARF 3:00 PM - Start of the activities 4:00 PM - Quick nap after a quick merienda c/o the sponsors 4:30 PM - Left wharf, enroute to Robinsons Galleria for the bowling meet 5:30 PM - Arrived at Galleria - Paeng's Skybowl 6:00 PM - Coke break & start of the event: Star Wars Philippines vs Via Astis Bowling Tournament 9:00 PM - End of the tournament; VA lost ; left the place 9:30 PM - Caught the MRT going home 10:00 PM - Bought late dinner/snacks from McDo in Quezon Ave 11:00 PM - Arrived Home, watched some tv shows 11:30 PM - Started to read chapter 8 of "The Power of Now" book [Sunday] 1:00 AM - Sleeping time
Posted by Royce on Apr 12, '08 1:19 AM for everyone
Mobile Disk (1999-2008)
Call me a sentimental geek, but I'll surly miss my very first USB thumb drive. It finally moved on to what is beyond cyber space (actually it registered an unreparable error and simply died) yesterday, April 11, 2008. I bought it around 1999 in Shangrila at the top floor computer area (it's now a row of resto's). Even though it's only 128MB it costs around PhP2,000 way back then. I guess, it was so expensive because it was very novel idea at that time to have such device.
Me and my Mobile Disk have been through a lot of memorable things. It stored my Graduate School projects, PowerPoint presentations, and my MA Thesis. There was a time also that it was almost taken by a "holdapper" who held a knife at me and other passengers in an FX (hmmm... it's a funny story, I'll share it again some other time).
My friend told me it's just an object and will be forgotten eventually. I agree, but at least it will be remembered here in my multiply account.
Posted by Royce on Apr 8, '08 1:17 AM for everyone
It will be almost a year already for my LEAP experience anniversary. A lot has happened to me both good and bad. The awareness has brought me to great heights as well as deep and profound depths in my spirit. I have awaked from a long slumber of restless and stagnation. And the constant wishing for a better world for myself. There is no more need to dream and imagine. I claim it. I owe it NOW!!!
After The Secret, there comes now The Power of Now and A New Earth to invigorate my Being. I am grateful for all that I have learned and will continue to learn about myself and the world. Truly I Soar NOW.
Posted by Royce on Mar 14, '08 1:35 AM for everyone
Yesterday, I went to the house of my sister to check up on them and the new baby (Evan). What was supposed to be a quick visit ended up as a deep and profound experience. I was able to watch a film, The Peaceful Warrior. According to my sister and brother-in-law, the film is a very-LEAP themed movie.
At first I was very skeptical. Probably because of what I was going through these past weeks. I felt that I wasn't living out my purpose and my dreams. I also felt that I was misjudged by others of what I can do and cannot do. These realizations really tormented me and made me look on how my journey has been. It came to a point of seeing things differently and questioning what were the intentions. The 3Rs were brewing inside of me just waiting to explode. Should I just give up what I really wanted or fight it off in defeat.
I then allowed myself to be vulnerable and simply watched the film. There were moments that I felt very resistant as shown in my behavior of beeing sleepy. Then as the film was about to end, I was reminded of my journey in LEAP and after LEAP. I saw how I was and how I could be. Getting the goals were really a bonus. It's the journey from point A to point B that really mattered. Somewhere along the movie, it was asked how a character would feel if he gets what he wanted and how would he feel if he didn't get it. To me, what was the value of it? In my case, whose goal is it? Mine or am I simply living out the expectations from others. As I went home, I took the time to reflect how my life is. Yes, past is already in the past. No use on relieving it. But then, why am I so caught up with things that have not happened yet. Where are all of these fears coming from? Who am I up againts?
It all comes down to one question, WHAT DO I WANT?
Posted by Royce on Feb 27, '08 2:24 AM for everyone
From Wednesday November 23, 2005 - 12:59pm 360 Journal : Something to look forward to...
"Today is something to look forward to as I put more and more of myself into this blog. It has become my mode of escape from myself -- how I think and how I feel.
Well what do I look forward to each new day... now that each new day seems the same old day I had yesterday? Do I just look forward to the weekends wherein I will be off from work? Or do I just wake up each day wondering how will I survive life in the urban world.
I look forward to a happy life. (There goes again my quest for happiness.) This time, a simple life will suffice. Away from the complexities that surrounds me. I don't want to sound bitter or depressed over my current situation, but, you see, it shows here. It manages to find its way from my heart and my mind to my actions, my fingers, my keyboard, to the computer and eventually to this blog.
I look forward to the day that I'll look back to this entry and wonder, "What the heck was I thinking?!?"
I hope that day I'd realize, it was something funny but deep."
Indeed, WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING!!!
That was then, but today, it still seems a universal truth that haunts me once in a while. It's a good thing that coming from a greater level of awareness, I can choose to be happy and grounded.
HAHAHAHAHA is all that I could think of... SO WHAT!!!
Posted by Royce on Feb 22, '08 6:08 AM for everyone
I weep for our nation amidst all of the controversies, lies, and half-truths spreading across this land. To think, we've been through all of this (counting 1, 2, 3, and so many more) and not once have we learned. Most of us fell into the trap of false hopes, broken promises, and temporary relief from life's struggles. Some chose to remain quite. Some simply listened. Others tried fighting but opted to go with the other side. Perhaps the salvation from all of this are those who did learn and choose not to simply fade away in the darkness. One tiny spark can cause a reaction. A single light in the void can shed calm, comfort, and peace to far corners of what seems eternity.
As this light is lit and passed from one Filipino to another in hopes of breaking free from the darkness, let us be guided by this very powerful and beautiful Lasallian prayer:
Lord, let me be the change I want to see To do with strength and wisdom All that needs to be done And become the hope that I can be. Set me free from my fears and hesitations. Grant me courage and humility. Fill me with spirit to face the challenge And start the change I want to see. Today, I start the change I want to see. Even if I’m not the light, I can be the spark. In faith, service and communion Let us start the change we want to see, The change that begins in me.
Posted by Royce on Feb 19, '08 6:03 AM for everyone
It was in high school when I first knew about the story of the Velveteen Rabbit written by Margery Williams. Ever since then, I've made this story a big part of my life.
The story is about a toy rabbit who wanted to find out what is REAL. According to a very old and wise horse toy, "Real isn't how you are made. It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
When the rabbit asked if it hurts to be real, the horse replied, "Sometimes. When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
Then the rabbit asked how long does it take for someone to be come real. The horse said, "It doesn't happen all at once. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
The horse continued, "Once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."
How about you... are you REAL???
P.S. Luckily, it was in one of those rare moments of hanging out by audio stores that I found an audio book version of this wonderful story. Check out the music page of my site http://ecyor.multiply.com/music/item/166
Posted by Royce on Feb 18, '08 12:15 AM for everyone
I am in a space of overwhelming love and gratitude. I was given the rare chance and privilege to journey in love with 107 powerful students, 12 courageous staffers, and 3 inspiring Facilitators in the Foundations of Leadership Excellence (FLEX) Team 92.
It took me a lot of courage to step up as Chief of Staff in leading and creating a memorable FLEX last February 16-17 at the OCCI. My take home insights and learning from it is that I am indeed a loving and trusting man. I can also create bigger things than myself. And, as I soar in love, I inspire people. Truly, My Love Creates and Inspires.
I am humbled by this experience. Thank you to Coach Max, Coach Bel, Coach Russ, Tina, Joanne, Elaine, Eloy, Rene, Rey, Ramil, Ricky, Spike, JB, TJ, Wiljohn, Ces, Tess, and August for the love and support.
Our Staff Team Commitment statement goes:
We, the fun and loving staffers of FLEX Team 92 commit to excellence with openness, trust, and passion.
What's next for me? Well, after attaining my goal to chief in FLEX, the next one would be to chief an ALC seminar. I know it's coming my way and belive in it 100% and do so with the rest of my goals for 2008!!!
Posted by Royce on Feb 8, '08 12:35 AM for everyone
It was on Monday November 14, 2005 - 01:20pm that I embarked on writing my thoughts, aspirations, as well as feelings in blogs.
Life has never been the same then. Before Multipy.com, there were my two Yahoo 360 accounts. The first 360 account was hacked and I didn't get to claim back that account. It's a good thing that I can still view what I have written there.
Looking back, it's nice to read and re-read how I have lived my cyber life. The journey from then to now has been filled will all sorts of wins, losses, highs, lows, and extreme emotions. Thank God, I managed to endure all of those. Hopefully,I would still be able to write another 5, 10, 20, 30, or more years in my cyber journal and look back to this precise entry and laugh at myself for having written this in the first place.
Posted by Royce on Jan 16, '08 12:04 AM for everyone
Prologue.
It's lunch break time here in the office as I blog this. I have nothing to do and was a little bit hurting from the price I payed after a 3R's incident last night. I could write about it but I chose not to dwell on it anymore. Good thing there was Coach Marlon who was on-line to help me get back on track. I was then reminded of the remarks by my Coach Phoebe on why no one in LEAP 32 wrote anything about the 3rd Intensive and of other stuff after LEAP. Here then is my version.
Life will never be the same after LEAP.
After the personal stretches, triumphs, and exhilarating experiences I went through the Trilogy from FLEX, ALC, and LEAP, I now come from a higher level of awareness. Often I fall prey to my comfort zones and old ways; nevertheless, I shift at once to regain my focus and ground & center.
It was during the 3rd intensive in LEAP where I really felt bliss and orgasmic happiness. There was overwhelming gratitude to all of the people who journeyed with me and supported my growth and greatness. It was a time in my life wherein I couldn’t cry no more because of the immense love in each and everyone there present with me. it was as if I was in Nirvana or Heaven or the most beautiful space & time on earth at the moment.
People there hugged each other, laughed with each other, cried with each other, and loved one another. Talk about breaking down barriers, old belief systems, and personal barricades. All that you could see where beautiful, gorgeous, handsome, abundant, loving, powerful, courageous, trusting, responsible, honest, and all sorts of positive essence qualities present in the people. To outsiders, this gather seems weird and will come as a shock. However, to those who experienced it, it is simply the truth – we are all loving people.
Talking about my goals, I didn’t get to be 100%. Days before I really felt bad about it and wanted to quit. It then hit me, the goals were just a bonus. The journey was what made the difference. My FLEX, ALC, and LEAP journey from point A to Point B was the real reward. And that is something that no one can ever take it away from me or judge me either.
Life is about relationships. People will forget about my life accomplishments as well as mistakes. What they will never forget is my gift of personhood and on how I touched their lives. LEAP taught me how to value this. My life, love, and being inspire people. I do this by being in essence and in excellence.
Talking about the now… The Power of NOW
Just like any other LEAP graduate, I continue to move forward with my life. At times, I get stuck, lose my way, and lose ground & center just like anybody else. In spite of this, I manage to either shift at once or totally feel it and live with it. After all, each and everything that happens to me is a learning experience. Why deny myself of the pain and sorrows when this is in fact the reality. It’s a matter of being aware, being in control, and being in essence.
It’s also a good thing that there are other LEAP graduates and Coaches around to support my highest good. There is also the staffing and outside coaching in the FLEX, ALC, and LEAP which helps me energize when I feel that the harsh world has sucked out all the life and love in me.
Epilogue. What now?!?
Coach Marlon was very kind enough to unearth my issues. It wasn’t about the people around me that I resist and choose to have 3R’s with. He very frank about it and in my face, the problem was me. I was projecting all of my insecurities and shortcoming on other people when it was all about my life drama.
After that feedback, I then regained my focus and ground & center. There was still the pain. Why should I sulk with the past and torment myself when I could just learn from it and just start moving again forward with my life.
What does it mean to move forward??? Well, moving forward for me is setting up new goals, loving myself, perfecting my love, and living out my life declaration-- My life, love, and being inspires (yup, this is my moving forward declaration).
NOTE: I haven't read this book even though our LEAP Theme was taken from it. Anyone want to give it as a gift???
Posted by Royce on Dec 31, '07 10:58 PM for everyone
Inspired by Wicked, this will be my battle cry in 2008. The year 2007 has been a fun-filled and exhilarating year for me. I look forward to 2008 full of love, happiness, and abundance. My life goals for this year includes the following:
My own pad.
Learn to drive.
Own a brand new car!
Get down to 150lbs.
Enroll and start with my PhD (Passed Exam/Interview & got go signal to enroll from program chair April 22, 2008; enrolled in 6 units last May 2008).
Financially balanced & abundant (75% in terms of wiping out 3 out of 4 credit cards as of June 26, 2008).
Out of the country travel (Dubai here I come... October 2008).
Be a FLEX (done Feb 16-18, 2008) & ALC chief.
Be a LEAP coach (Technically an Outside Coach for Leap 36; Head of Student needs).
Get married.
This is all possible because of my mantra "In the realm of possibilities".
). The bright side to it all is that I don't need to take any other pre-requisite courses even though he was contemplating on me taking up Cognitive Psych subjects. Thank God for those 9 refresher units - Advanced Social Psych, Industrial Relations, and Test Construction (another hehehe 
. I do miss those things and so begins another chapter in my life at the age of 31 by April 28 
.
; left the place
I weep for our nation amidst all of the controversies, lies, and half-truths spreading across this land. To think, we've been through all of this (counting 1, 2, 3, and so many more) and not once have we learned. Most of us fell into the trap of false hopes, broken promises, and temporary relief from life's struggles. Some chose to remain quite. Some simply listened. Others tried fighting but opted to go with the other side. Perhaps the salvation from all of this are those who did learn and choose not to simply fade away in the darkness. One tiny spark can cause a reaction. A single light in the void can shed calm, comfort, and peace to far corners of what seems eternity.
