Aiza R. Ballesteros-Beso, Librarian

Mrs. Aiza R. Ballesteros-Beso, Librarian

Melchor F. Cichon

2014

Tomorrow marks the last day of duty of our most loved librarian of St. Therese- MTC Colleges-La Fiesta Site, Molo, Iloilo City after more than five years of continuous service to the College.

We know that all of us from the library staff will surely miss her contagious laughter, her unselfish help, and her kilometric patience. She is not just an inspiring librarian, but she is also a beauty from dawn to dawn.
When she is around, we know that a gloomy day will turn into a sunny day.
With her experience in the library, she has become a walking encyclopedia in terms of library policies and procedures. Almost all of us would consult her whenever we have library projects, and works to do, more particularly when PACUCOA, TESDA, etc. inspections come in. Or even during ordinary day.
When she talks or comments on the works being done by her colleagues, one would not feel degraded. She has that inspiring way of convincing her fellow workers to do the right way. So one will not have that hurt feeling after the discussion.
That's Ms. Aiza Ramos Ballesteros-Beso, Librarian.

Adrian Cahilig Bernaldo, A Piece of His Life and Thoughts

Adrian Cahilig Bernaldo, A Piece of His Life and Thoughts
By Melchor F. Cichon
January 5, 2016

I have not met him personally. He just happened to be my kasimanwa.
Both of us are from Lezo, Aklan. But he stays in Lezo, while I stay in Iloilo City. Both of us are Facebook lovers.
There was a time when he commented on one of my posts in my Facebook account. From thereon, we became friends.
Adrian Cahilig Bernaldo was born in Lezo, Aklan. Both of his parents are from this place. He took his primary and secondary education in Lezo, and got his tertiary education in Kalibo for his degree in Computer Science. For sometime, he was a seminarian student but he discontinued it due to some financial problem.
Soon after his college education, he worked as a computer teacher at Malinao School for Philippine Craftsmen. He is still employed there. In 2015, he was awarded by his school as the 2015 Most Friendly Teacher.
When I asked him of his greatest accomplishment, he indirectly told me that it is in the hearts and minds of the young people of Lezo whom he touched through his religious undertakings.
If not teaching, Adrian serves at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Lezo in its various activities like teaching catechism to the children. Since he is an artist, he also helps in the decoration of the church.
This affiliation of Adrian to these church activities started when he was still a young boy. In fact he wanted to be a priest, but he changed his mind, because, although he had a sponsor, it was still economically difficult for him to continue his religious studies. So he gave up this ambition, although that desire to be a priest is still with him until now.
His father is a carpenter while his mother is a housewife. Despite of this, all the three of them siblings are now professionals.
Before I closed my interview with him, I asked him about the pressing problems that are being encountered by Lezonians who are staying in our town. He gave three items: Politics, Water system, and the Road from Lezo to Numancia.
Below is my interview with Adrian:
Melchor F. Cichon (MFC): Mayad nga hapon, Adrian. Abu gid nga saeamat sa pagsubaybay kang mga posts sa Facebook Account ko.
Adrian Cahilig Bernaldo (ACB): Nami magbasa, Sir, pangpalipas oras.
MFC: Tama pangpalipas it oras. Mangutana kunta ako kimo, parang interview. Plano ko abi nga sueaton ko ring short bio-profile ag dayon hay ibutang ko sa akon nga blog nga Distinguished Personalities of Lezo (http://lezopersonalities.blogspot.com) ag sa ang Facebook Account ro profile nga maobra ko.
ACB: Aw..sus. hehe. Nahuya ang Sir ipost sa Facebook. Gusto ko eat-a magserbisyo sa Dios it hipos.
MFC:Hinayon eang naton ron!
ACB: Haha!
MFC:So pwede eon?
ACB: Sige eon lang—sugot!
MFC:Ay, saeamat. So pwede eon ako makapangutana?
ACB: Hehe. Sige.
MFC:May I know your philosophy in life? And how it shapes your life?
ACB: Doing all things for the glory of God. Mabahoe gid a ro epekto sa pangabuhi don Sir kon may direksyon para sa Dios ro imong ginaobra.
MFC:Right. Is this your guideline since you were a boy? Where did you get this idea?
ACB: Gusto ko gid a nga magpari since maisot pa ako. Nagsueod gid man ako sa seminaryo, sa religious congregation, pero wa ako nagpadayon.
MFC:Ham-an? Ano nga rason nga nagbaylo ring panan-awon?
ACB: Iba abi Sir do formation sa religious life, dapat hay disedido ka gid a. Lipatan do tanan dahil sa oras nga magprofess ka’t vow hay indi ka eon kabalibad kon siin ka itapok Ro will of God hay depende eot-a sa imong superior. Matig-a gid mat-a siguro ang ueo ay owa’t ang naila it vow of obedience.
MFC:Kon sa bagay--the will of God is somewhat relegated to the Superior. Pangatlo ka eon sa mga nainterview ko nga ro andang handum tag maisut pa sanda hay mangin pari, pero sa ulihi hay nag-eain ro andang paminsaron. Ham-at nahimo ra nga trend sa mga taga-Lezo nga mga unga?
ACB: Dati abi, Sir, si Monsignor Nalangan nagbuhay gid imaw iya nga pari sa Lezo, haeos ro mga pamatan-on kato sa ana nga time hay active gid sa simbahan. Somehow naimpluwensyahan nana siguro especially gid don ako sa time nana. Ako nagstart magserbe sa simbahan. Naila abi ako kato kana magtan-aw nga nakasuksok it sutana ag magkanta kon magmisa. Sa ana man nga time nag-umpisa magserve do mga naging pari. Kurondaya, kapareho nanday Fr. Reniemar ag Fr. Magic.
MFC:Kon sa bagay. Pag-eaum ko hay raya ro impluwensya it katikismo sa Lezo Elementary School. Igto ka man nagtuon king elementary ay?
ACB: Huo, Sir. Una man ako nagtuon dati. Part man eon don, Sir, hay sa ana nga time active do mga catechist. Kapin pa gid kon Mayo, abo nga mga unga do gaadto sa simbahan para sa katekisis.
MFC:Imaw gali. Tag sa elementary ka sa Lezo Elemtary School hay active ka sa mga cultural activities? Ano nga mga awards ring nabaton kato tag sa Lezo Elementary School ka?
ACB: Haha..owa gid sir. Mabudlay pa abi kato ro pagpangabuhi, gapanghueam ka pa kon mag-intra ka. Isaea pa, hapuon ako kat unga pa...paeaabsent gid kon sumpungon it sakit.
MFC:Ahay. Mayad ay na-overcome mo rayang sakit. Pero mayad ay natapos mo ring pagtuon sa tama nga oras. Saysin-o ngani ring mga parents ag ano ro andang profession?
ACB: Kat nagabahoe man ako hay medjo nagabuhin man do pagsumpong hasta nga naduea mat a Ro akong Father hay si Nemis Bernaldo, gapamanday imaw, Sir; si Nanay hay sa baeay manlang, si Evelyn Cahilig apelyedo kat daeaga pa maw.
MFC: Taga-Lezo sanda tanan? Mga professionals eon kamo tanan nga mga magmaeanghod?
ACB:Taga-Lezo gid, Sir. Tatlo manlng kami. Ru sumunod kakon hay sa Akelco gaobra; do kamanghuran namon hay owa pa’t obra. Owa pa siguro nahuman do barko nga masakyan nana.
MFC: Mga haeangdon ro imong mga magueang ay maski makaruyon ro inyong sitwasyon hay nakatapos gid kamo sa inyong pagtuon. Pagkatapos mo it elementary hay siin ka dayon naghigh school ag pagcollege mo hay siin ka nagtapos? Sa anong kurso? Ag ham-at raya nga kuso ring ginpili?
ACB: Ngani, Sir. Iya man ako nagtapos sa Lezo Institute para sa high school ko, Sir. Then nagBS Computer Science ako sa Aklan College, 2003. Ku 2006 ako nagsueod sa seminaryo. Ugaling nagguwa ako ku 2008. Ku 2010 - 2012 nag-uniting ako sa Teaching sa ACC man ag nakapasa sa board ku 2012. Sa una nga kurso napilitan lang ako ay gusto ko gid kunta magsueod iya sa Diocesan seminary pero malisod gid financially, maski may sponsor ka. Dati, parang trip-trip ko eat-a mag-units sa teaching; ag nagtry magbuoe it board. Makon, kon maakig kakon do Dios kara ay nagguwa ako sa seminary indi ako kapasar.
MFC:So owa man naakig kimo ro Ginuo ay nakapasa ka sa board. Pagkatapos nga nakapasa ka sa board hay siin ka dayon nag-agto?
ACB: Hahaha! Akon-akon eat-a don, Sir. Actually naga-uniting ako hay nagaturo eon ako it religion iya sa parochial skul, hasta nagparanking ako. One year after nakapasa ako ag gintawag ako it Malinao School for Philippine Craftsmen (MSPC) katong September, 2014 kon batunon ko ay gausoy sanda it Computer teacher ag syempre grasya eot a run. Ginrecommend ako it panel ag na approved ro akong recommendation exactly 1 year eon hin-aga, Sir. January 5. Nag-in ako ku Jan. 26, 2015.
MFC:Ah, OK. Outside it school rooms, ano ro imo nga hobbies? Ag ano gid ro imong gustong maabot sa imong pangabuhi?
ACB: Magsakay sa motor ag magwarang-warang, Sir. Kon may okasyon sa simbahan hay ako gid do gaobra it mga design ya sa simbahan, medjo may pagka-artist man abi ako’t sangkiri. Kaibahan ko si Jeno Icasas nagdesign it belen ku nakataliwan nga Paskwa. Akon eang do concept, imaw gavisualize. Di man ako kantigo magpainting.
ACB: Kon sa minatuod nga sugid, ro desire nga magpari hay iya pat-a kakon; pero fulfilled eot-ang sang naabot sa kabuhi. Owa ang gahangad nga magprincipal o ano pa nga position. Dou akon eat-a hay do makabulig ako sa mga estudyante ag mainspire ko sanda, ok eot-a kakon don. Kita man siguro nanda ang ugali, Sir. May award ako sa bilog nga skul ku Teachers Day, 2015.
MFC: May pamilya ka eon? Kon may una, sin- o ra ngaean ag ano ra profession?
ACB:Still single and available
MFC:What do you think is your greatest accomplishment?
ACB My greatest accomplishment is hidden in the eyes of men. Accomplished eot-a ako sir serbe sa Dios, through a persons life I hav touched, it maybe in my profession or in my religious life.
MFC:What do you think is the most pressing problem of our town Lezo and how should this be addressed?
ACB Ist problem: Relationship (matsa pang Mr. Universe ang sabat ngara) gakaeasamad do relasyon it mga taga-Lezo because of politics and politicians. Why not work hand in hand for progress. In the end, sin-o ro gabenepisyo kara? Kita-kita man gihapon. 2nd problem: Water system. 3rd problem: Karsada nga guba from Poblacion to Numancia, partly eon sa may Sta. Cruz. Naeuoy ang sang motor mag-agi. Mayad a do mga politiko hay kotse a ro andang saeakyan. Solution? It maybe political will.
MFC:Do you have any thing more to say to our readers?
ACB Owa eon man ako’t mahambae. Saeamat gid.
MFC: Thank you for your time.

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14 Elma Cahilig Ruadiel, Kiisaay Louise Placer Autencio and 12 others

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Nestor Martinez Doon sa tatlong problema na sinabi ni ACB,,yong no. 1 ang dapat ay agarang magawan ng solusyon ...madali lang ito di na kailangan ng malaking budget ,di na kailangan na mag-intay ng matagal ....TAYO,,mismo ang sarili natin ang solusyon ...REPORMA ..sa sarili natin at pananaw sa buhay ...tama ang sabi ni sir ACB sa bandang huli tayo ang makikinabang .....

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· Reply · January 6, 2016 at 11:21pm

Bernie Vitan good am,melchor nabasa ko ro imong intervie kay adrian nga unga ni nemis bernaldo ? dun sa tanung mu na problema ko atung banwa partikular sa water system tama ro gin sabat n adrian, nagbakasyon ako it 2014 at yan ang napansin ko sana magawan ng solusyon ko atong nga opisyales it banwa ro po problema, thanks sa manga gina share mong imformation kamun !

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· Reply · January 7, 2016 at 9:22am

Nestor Martinez Natatandaan ko nong araw naglatag na ng malalaking tubo ng tubig sa agcawilan para daw sa water system ,,pero di naman napakinabangan ang mga tubo ninakaw na ata ..sayang ang budget ..kulang siguro sa pagaaral ang naturang proyekto kaya walang nangyari

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· Reply · January 7, 2016 at 9:30a

Vergara Lambito

A Pride of Aklan
Melchor Cichon
April 15, 2012

The first of the two cum laude graduates of the Great Saviour College of Nursing is an Aklanon. She is Luisa Ace Vergara Lambito, 19 years old.

Her graduation was held at CAP Auditorium, Iloilo City, on March 13, 2012.
Ace has always been an honor student since her elementary grades. She graduated as a salutatorian at Jaro II Elementary School, Iloilo City. In high school, though she was just a typical student, she was always in the Star Section from first year to fourth year. When she graduated in high school, she was on the Top 30 of her batch. That was the reason why she was an entrance scholar when she enrolled at the Great Saviour College of Nursing for her BS in Nursing degree. For four years, she maintained that scholarship, and so she graduated cum laude together with Jeremiah Sirilan.
Ace is the third child of Grace Vergara Lambito and Julius Berdonar Lambito of Aklan. She has two sisters and a brother. Their eldest is an HRM graduate and currently working at the Tide Hotel, Boracay. The second is on her 6th year dentistry at Iloilo Doctors College, while their youngest is a 2nd year high school student at Central Philippine University.
Ace is now busy preparing for her nursing licensure board exam.
And hopefully, Aklan will have a new nursing board licensure topnotcher.

Dioserey Cabiling Victoriano: A Profile

Dioserey Cabiling Victoriano: A Profile
by
Melchor F. Cichon
December 15, 2013
Every time I reached the office, I would always see him mopping the floor or cleaning the Comfort Room. There at times, I would hear him singing. I presumed that he was happy doing his job.
Then he would wipe the glass divider of the internet section. Or would wipe the tables and the chairs. Then he would do other things to make his area clean and tidy.
One time, his supervisor told him to look up the walls to see if there are cobwebs. He simply said, "Yes, Ma'am."
After that, I would always see him sweeping the upper part of the walls and of the ceiling.
Before he would leave our office for his lunch, he would always ask me if I have something else for him to do.
After his lunch break, he would again come back to our office to check if there were litters around or if there were chairs not pushed back to their proper places.
At four in the afternoon he would again come back to the library to close the windows and empty the waste cans.
And when I request him to help me carry some books or other library materials, he was always willing to help.
It seemed that he was not getting tired of doing his job as a janitor. Perhaps because he was contented with his job.
But he had to go because he only had a five month contract with the school.
I am referring to Jioserey Cabiling Victoriano, the janitor who was assigned in our library for five months. He is known as Joss among his friends.
Joss was born in Gemumua Agahon, Passi City, Iloilo on February 8, 1992. It was there where he finished his elementary and high school education.
After high school, he enrolled at Interface Computer Science, where he enjoyed a scholarship but then he had to quit because of financial problem.
Because of this problem, he could not proceed to the course that he wanted to take. He said that he wanted to become a scientist. When I asked him to clarify, he told me he wanted to become an astrologer to know more about the planets and other celestial bodies in the skies. But I told him , he could read them in the books and in the internet. But he said that, it is much better if somebody could teach him more, somebody who could guide him.
That's the reason why if given the opportunity, he read books.
He is fond of reading adventure books. And when he got a chance, he would see adventure and science fiction movies.
Now that it seems to be impossible to reach his goal, I asked him what alternative he is taking. He said, he wants to get into business. "Even just a small one. And when I have enough money, then I will try to pursue that dream of mine."
Anyway, he is still young. And to dream is free.
I told him that I often heard him singing while he was working. And I told him that he has a good voice.
"That's right, Sir", he said.
"While in high school", he said, "I used to join in some singing contests. In fact, I won second place in one of those contests. But I did not pursue that singing career because I was shy. I am glad I am not as shy now as before."
Before he worked in our office, he was working as a service crew at one of the branches of Jollybee in Iloilo City. It was there, he said where his self-confidence was improved. And that confidence I have was further developed when I worked in this office."
I asked him if he has something else to say.
"No one is perfect, but we can try to be perfect," he said.
That's Joss, the personality who dreams to become an astrologer.

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Melchor Cichon Joss Cabiling Victoriano, December 14, 2013

December 15, 2013 at 4:02pm · Like

My Lola Juana

My Lola Juana

By Melchor F. Cichon

September 8, 2012

Tomorrow, September 9, 2012 is a Grandparents Day.
And I remember my Lola Juana.
I did not see my Lola on my mother’s side.
But I was lucky to see my Lola on my father’s side. She is Lola Juana No-o Cichon.
She was born in Banga, Aklan. I do not know what year it was.
My first idea of Lola Juana was when I was already in Grade 3.
She liked to drink tuba, or the coconut wine.
At about 8 or 9 in the morning, she would walk from their house to the house of our tuba gatherer neighbor who sold tuba. After drinking tuba, she would again walk to their home, this time a little groggy. Since our house was along the road, I would watch her to kiss her hand. And then she would get me one centavo or five centavo coin from her puyo or clothe purse and gave it to me. Oh, how happy I would be then.
At that time, a one centavo could buy a candy, a dolce de lemon. Unlike now when you need one or two pesos to buy a candy. At that time a ganta or about 2.25 kilos of rice would cost P0.65. Or a bottle of Coke or Pepsi would cost P0.10.
On Saturdays or Sundays, I would visit her in their house and play with my cousins.
But my Lola Juana would always call me and gave me something to eat, either a boiled ripe banana or camote. If she had no boiled banana or camote, she would give me a one centavo coin. I do not know why she always had that one centavo coins in her puyo.
After graduation from my elementary school, my parents decided that I continue my schooling in Zamboanga City. When she learned about my transfer to Zamboanga City, she looked for me. She wanted to give me something for my pabaon—a genuine five centavo coin. I was too happy to receive it. I do not know how I spent that money.
After four years, I went home to my hometown, Lezo.
The first person, I visited after I settled my things, was my Lola Juana. I did not bring her anything for my pasalubong for her. I just wanted to hug and kiss her hand.
She cried upon seeing me. And me too.
I did not stay long in Lezo because I had to go to Manila to continue my studies. So I was again out from my hometown and from my Lola Juan for more than four years.
While, I was in college in U.P. Diliman, I learned that Lola Juana passed away.
Since I could not go home, I just prayed for the repose of her soul. She was 104 years old then.

Reysa Alenzuela

REYSA C. ALENZUELA

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Post Graduate: Doctor of Philosophy. 2007. UNIVERSITY OF ILOILO

Masters in Library and Information Science. 2003. UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Bachelor of Laws (132 units). 1998- 2002. UNIVERSITY OF SAN AGUSTIN

Undergraduate : Bachelor in Secondary Education (Cum Laude)
Major in English and Library Science. 1994- 1998. UNIVERSITY OF SAN AGUSTIN


WORK EXPERIENCE
November 2, 2012 - Present, Lecturer. Central Philippine University, Iloilo City

November 2, 2012 - Present, Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) Coordinator
University of San Agustin, Iloilo City

July 9, 2007– November 2, 2012 , Director, Thomas Jefferson Information Center
Embassy of the United States in the Philippines

June 1, 2003 – July 4, 2007, Director, Learning Resource Center. University of Iloilo

March 1, 1999 – May 31, 2003, Graduate School Librarian. University of Iloilo



AWARDS

Young Achiever’s Award
This award was given by University of the Philippines Library Science Alumni Association (UPLSAA) and the University of the Philippines School of Library and Information Studies (UP SLIS)
Bulwagang Tandang Sora, UP College of Social Work and Community Development, Diliman, Quezon City
May 25, 2013.

Best Paper Presentation. 3rd International Symposium on Emerging Trends and Technology in Library and Information Science at Jaypee University of Engineering & Technology Guna, India
October 26-27, 2012

Most Outstanding Alumnus in Information Science. December 17, 2012

LES (Locally Employed Staff) of the Month Embassy of the United States of America. July 2010

Best Library Program for 2009 (Institutional Award) Philippine Association of Academic Libraries . January 26, 2010


LECTURES/ PRESENTATIONS

Guest Speaker. “Power by Numbers in Accreditation: Collaboration, Linkages and Parthership”. PLAI- Western Visayas Summer Conference. May 24- 25, 2013.


Guest Speaker. “National Conference of Public Librarians”. November 6-8, 2012

Paper Presenter. “The Thomas Jefferson Information Center Network : Shaping the Narratives of Dynamic Engagement.” 3rd International Symposium on Emerging Trends and Technology in Library and Information Science . Guna, India. October 26-27, 2012 http://www.jiit.ac.in/jiit/ettlis2012/

Resource Person. Lecture on “Building Dynamic Engagement in Libraries”. Dumaguete City. October 18, 2012
https://picasaweb.google.com/108409655351029024274/LectureOnBuildingDynamicEngagementInLibraries

Resource Speaker. “American Corners and It’s Benefit to the Filipino Public: Promoting Games in the Library” 2nd National Congress of Special libraries in the Philippines. August 2-3, 2012

Chair, Souvenir Committee. National Book Week 2011. Philippine Librarians Association, Inc.. November 24-30, 2011

Presenter. “Social Networking Tools and Rules for Libraries Converging in the Social-Media Driven Environs” 4th Rizal Library International Conference. October 21-22, 2010 http://rizal.lib.admu.edu.ph/2010conf/1/alenzuela.html

Control Officer/ Facilitator/ Organizer and Moderator/ Lecturer in 35 fora, symposia, conferences, trainings all over the Philippines from January 2009- May 2011.


PUBLISHED/ UNPUBLISHED WORKS
Reysa Alenzuela (2012). “The Thomas Jefferson Information Center Network : Shaping the Narratives of Dynamic Engagement.” p. 429-432. In Kataria, Sanjay et al. (eds). Future of Libraries in Digital Age. New Delhi: KBD Publications.

Preparedness for Government Monitoring and Evaluation and Institutional Performance of Academic Institutions in the Provinces of Panay and Guimaras. A Doctoral Dissertation presented to the University of Iloilo. March 2007.

Training Needs Assessment of Academic Archivists in Iloilo City. A Thesis presented to the University of the Philippines- Diliman. May 2003.

Problems and Trends in Academic Institutions in the Tertiary Level in Western Visayas. A research presented to Graduate School Department, University of Iloilo. October 2004.

Dear Ryza,

I already got the copy of your bio-data.
Can I ask you some personal questions to make my write-up more interesting?

1. Your birthday, and place of birth.
2. While in high school, did you ever think of becoming a librarian?
3. Why did you chose to become a librarian?
4. Now that you are a successful librarian, what else would you wish to be?
5. In your personal opinion, what else should be done to make library education in the Philippine more competitive to other professions in the Philippines.

Thank you and more power.

Nong Mel

16 minutes ago

Sir, here are my answers:
1. March 4, 1977 - Iloilo City
2. Never had a chance to know that librarianship was a profession. My parents expected me either to take up Political Science of Biology. They wanted me to take long courses. I landed in Bachelor in Secondary Education. Since I used to faint when I see numbers (hyperbole intended), I opted to take Bachelor in Secondary Education major in English but with my lofty goal to get an edge over others, I decided to have a double major -- so I opt for Library Science. If BLIS has been approved then, I would have taken up BLIS.
3. Some paths are winding but all lead to our purpose (I always believed in higher purpose) It wasn't by choice, its more of pragmatism. I don't exactly know the scope and depth of librarianship then. I just wanted a course where I can be sure I land a job after graduation and I have better chance to be promoted so I decided to take the road to librarianship. I've always been working out to be a good planner as you can see. Though I love books, I love to do research, there were several detours. I took up Bachelor of Laws dreaming to become a lawyer, also thought of studying abroad in Linguistics but when another opportunity knocked - to become the Director of University of Iloilo Learning Resource Center, I chose to focus and commit myself to librarianship. Supposedly Archives. But all my job lead me to managing libraries/ information center which I did for more than 15 years.
4. I'd wish to promote awareness of the importance of Archives and to develop library/ information science (LIS) education in the region into a world-class 21st century competitive one.
Archives is a very important endeavor oftentimes neglected or given the least priority but without these valuable materials our legacy, our society will be placed in oblivion. I do hope that soon I can promote it at least in WV.
We know that the pace of LIS development in the Phl is uneven -- mostly in the Capital Region. I wanted that LIS participation be also amplified in the region. We have great potentials. Having been working in the academe for a few months, I've seen the potential for growth in terms of graduates in the Visayas and Mindanao considering the demand aside from the undeniable fact that there is a great need for professional librarians. We need to produce more graduates to face the quick turn over (transfer) and potential brain drain. A lot of highly qualified LIS leave the country for a greener pasture. For mentors and academicians, we should not take it as a threat rather embrace this opportunity to show to the world that we can produce globally competitive graduates, we can supply the local and international demands with higly qualified graduates.
5. Despite the changes in our jobs as librarians brought about by emerging tehcnology, LIS are still stereotyped as old fashioned bookworms. Maybe we can strengthen our collaboration so we can be more visible, our impact and role in nation building be felt. To cite a few, we have a great role in promoting respect for intellectual property, we are the most authoritative profession to speak up for free access to information, we bridge the road to deepen undertsanding of cultures, we have sophisticated knowledge on evaluating and retrieving reliable information. We should do more proactive and engaging programs and keep up with fast pace of emerging technology. Thus LIS education should lead in the promotion of a culture of research, should inculcate that sense of pride in the profession, develop curricula that is geared towards honing creative, innovative and dynamic professionals.
So far, these are all I can think of.
Best,
Reysa

Dear Ryza,

I already got the copy of your bio-data.
Can I ask you some personal questions to make my write-up more interesting?

1. Your birthday, and place of birth.
2. While in high school, did you ever think of becoming a librarian?
3. Why did you chose to become a librarian?
4. Now that you are a successful librarian, what else would you wish to be?
5. In your personal opinion, what else should be done to make library education in the Philippines more competitive to other professions in the Philippines.

Thank you and more power.

Nong Mel

6 minutes ago

9:47pm

Sir, here are my answers:
1. March 4, 1977 - Iloilo City
2. Never had a chance to know that librarianship was a profession. My parents expected me either to take up Political Science of Biology. They wanted me to take long courses. I landed in Bachelor in Secondary Education. Since I used to faint when I see numbers (hyperbole intended), I opted to take Bachelor in Secondary Education major in English but with my lofty goal to get an edge over others, I decided to have a double major -- so I opt for Library Science. If BLIS has been approved then, I would have taken up BLIS.
3. Some paths are winding but all lead to our purpose (I always believed in higher purpose) It wasn't by choice, its more of pragmatism. I don't exactly know the scope and depth of librarianship then. I just wanted a course where I can be sure I land a job after graduation and I have better chance to be promoted so I decided to take the road to librarianship. I've always been working out to be a good planner as you can see. Though I love books, I love to do research, there were several detours. I took up Bachelor of Laws dreaming to become a lawyer, also thought of studying abroad in Linguistics but when another opportunity knocked - to become the Director of University of Iloilo Learning Resource Center, I chose to focus and commit myself to librarianship. Supposedly Archives. But all my job lead me to managing libraries/ information center which I did for more than 15 years.
4. I'd wish to promote awareness of the importance of Archives and to develop library/ information science (LIS) education in the region into a world-class 21st century competitive one.
Archives is a very important endeavor oftentimes neglected or given the least priority but without these valuable materials our legacy, our society will be placed in oblivion. I do hope that soon I can promote it at least in WV.
We know that the pace of LIS development in the Phil is uneven -- mostly in the Capital Region. I wanted that LIS participation be also amplified in the region. We have great potentials. Having been working in the academe for a few months, I've seen the potential for growth in terms of graduates in the Visayas and Mindanao considering the demand aside from the undeniable fact that there is a great need for professional librarians. We need to produce more graduates to face the quick turn over (transfer) and potential brain drain. A lot of highly qualified LIS leave the country for a greener pasture. For mentors and academicians, we should not take it as a threat rather embrace this opportunity to show to the world that we can produce globally competitive graduates, we can supply the local and international demands with highly qualified graduates.
5. Despite the changes in our jobs as librarians brought about by emerging technology, LIS are still stereotyped as old fashioned bookworms. Maybe we can strengthen our collaboration so we can be more visible, our impact and role in nation building be felt. To cite a few, we have a great role in promoting respect for intellectual property, we are the most authoritative profession to speak up for free access to information, we bridge the road to deepen understanding of cultures, we have sophisticated knowledge on evaluating and retrieving reliable information. We should do more proactive and engaging programs and keep up with fast pace of emerging technology. Thus LIS education should lead in the promotion of a culture of research, should inculcate that sense of pride in the profession, develop curricula that is geared towards honing creative, innovative and dynamic professionals.
So far, these are all I can think of.
Best,
Reysa

The assassination of an Aklan ‘Katipunero’

BY MELCHOR F. CICHON

TOMORROW, March 17, 2015, the province of Aklan will commemorate the 118th death anniversary of Francisco del Castillo, the leader of the Katipunan in Aklan.

His killer was another Aklanon named Moises Ilicito, who lived to a ripe of old age of 106. He died in Banga, Aklan in 1963.  His story has become a tell-it-again legend that has survived to this day in Aklan.

If one goes to Kalibo, Aklan today, he would see the Del Castillo Shrine. And if he goes to Banga Municipal Cemetery, he would see the modest tomb of Moises Ilicito.

Francisco del Castillo, believed to be a native of Bantayan, Cebu, came to Aklan sometime in the 1890s as the “anointed” man of Andres Bonifacio to organize the Katipunan in the province.

Legend has it that while Moises was serving as altar boy in the church of  Malinao, Aklan, a fortune teller told his parents that someday, he would kill a man.

Believing that, his parents thought of a way to shield the boy from death penalty. They found a way to have him work for the Spanish government as soon as possible.

At the age of 21, Moises Ilicito worked as a guardia civil somewhere in Capiz.

One day, a drunkard Spanish officer known as Lt. Olivares drew his sword and threatened to kill Moises. To defend himself, Moises also drew his sword and engaged the Spaniard in a fatal fight. For killing the Spanish official, Moises ended up jailed in a bartolina.

While in jail, Moises Ilicito learned that the Spanish government was looking for a native who would kill an emerging rebel leader in Aklan.

That leader was Francisco del Castillo, who was then very active in recruiting native members for the secret revolutionary society that would eventually be unmasked as the Katipunan.  Their mission was to attack the Spanish garrison in Kalibo.

On learning of the plot by word of mouth, the Spanish authorities looked for somebody to capture Francisco del Castillo, dead or alive, Moises volunteered. Because of his reputation as a sharpshooter, he was released from prison and was assigned as one of the guards at the garrison in Kalibo.

Francisco del Castillo and his men came to attack the garrison in Kalibo on March 17, 1897.

He pretended to be looking for a certain Tan Juan Azarraga, the wealthiest person in Kalibo at that time.

Recognizing the man to be the rebel leader, Moises asked Del Castillo to surrender. When the latter refused, Moises fired at him.

In the exchange of gun fires, Del Castillo fell lifeless from his horse.

That encounter temporarily stopped the revolution in Aklan.

Later, Col. Ricardo Monet proclaimed amnesty to the remaining Katipuneros in Aklan. Through the intercession of the parish priest and the wives and mothers of the Katipuneros, some of them surrendered thinking that the amnesty offer was real.

Unfortunately, it was not.  It led to the detention of 21 surrenderees.

However, two of them – Cenon Quimpo and Nicanor Gonzales – were released through the intervention of their wealthy families. The 19 others were later shot to death by the Spanish authorities.

But it did not stop the living Katipuneros led by Eustaquio Gallardo from reorganizing. They planned a retaliatory move.

One month later, about 40 Spanish troopers honored an invitation to a feast in Tangalan, Aklan. As soon as they had comfortably seated, the servants who were actually Katipuneros came to the dining table with hidden bolos and knives. At a drop of a handkerchief, they suddenly hacked the unsuspecting Spaniards to death.

After the revolution, Moises Ilicito was appointed as a judge of Malinao, Aklan. He married Nicolasa Mabasa of Banga, Aklan and lived with her in that town. They had seven children.

Moises died in Banga, Aklan on Dec. 1, 1963 at the age of 106./PN 
Source: http://panaynewsphilippines.com/2015/03/16/the-assassination-of-an-aklan-katipunero/