 It is my belief that not very many people appreciate the commitment and sacrifice as practiced by the members of our Field Team.
The first aspect that we must consider is their location. They are based locally in Tagudin. It is an environment that shows how hard and taxing life could be. The volunteer members, in addition to their SAS Ai commitments are also the primary bread winners of their families. Talk about a heavy responsibility.
Secondly, they are volunteers who spend their free time and talent for the sake of our scholars. They attend meetings with them once a week. They counsel them, guide them, and mentor them. They also proctor their Internet usage and chaperon them on field trips and excursions.
We can show the members of our Field Team our true appreciation for their efforts by acknowledging them personally and publicly during the holidays. We can truly show them our high regard with our participation in the activities wherein we get to serve them. For those of us who are going home specially - it is Christmas... could a gift or present or two be that far behind?
Go ahead and treat our Field Team members to some siopao, or pancit, or calderetta, or better yet - give them a food basket for the holidays. Tell them how much you appreciate their commitment and sacrifice.
 Due to illness from a hectic travel schedule this report has been delayed.
(Photo at left L-R) Willie, Albert, Virgie (in back) Mae, Remy, and Louella. Photo courtesy of FT.
Sister Virgie and four other members of the Daughters of Isabela traveled to Tagudin on Nov. 12th. It was a visit to remember! The weather cooperated and the Buenavista Family Inn was just terrific! The Kalding was the best we ever tasted.....including Kilawen, kaldereta and Pinapaitan. Lots of fresh fish caught by the local fishermen and straight to the live coals for the Tinuno and to the pot for the Sinigang with camias, salamagi, and manga.
We also had lots of young Buko and fresh off the tree marunggay leaves cooked with with native chicken (tinula)..........and different kinds of seaweeds, not to miss mentioning the various fruits such as, chico, atis, lansones, star apple, pias, salamagi and ripe mangoes and green mangoes.
We even managed to eat Bisukol, adda pataw na nga Laki (real fresh) Bagnet, kilawen nga Bilis and an array of native desserts such as: bibingka, tupig, patupat, kaskaron, pancit malabon, kamoteng kahoy, iniruban and young coconut with ginitaan! Enough with the food...........
The best part was meeting the Field Team with Albert and his Team of smart Women (see photo below)! We were impressed with their knowledge of SAS AI and how adept they were about their responsibilities as the field team, how much they love the scholars and their work and how one can feel that they love what they do when relating their experiences with parents, the scholars and the teachers.
Albert is an excellent leader! Sister Virgie shared her plans with the Team however making sure that the final plans will have to go through the Prez and the Chair of the Scholarship Committee before anything becomes official. Sister Virgie also let the Team know that her plans are pending until the monies come in and until they hear from the Prez. I am pleased with the Field Team's work and I personally endorse supporting them every which way we can.
Albert took us to the market.............real interesting! What a guy.......reminds me so much of Leonard because he is so pleasant, bright, good looking and easy going! The church still looks the same since I left Tagudin..........I was sad not to see my grandparents' home because it had been demolished in order to build a courthouse. The Plaza was packed with tricycles, little stalls of goodies, toys and trinkets. There is a gigantic building across the street from the school and the SAS AI banner is proudly standing by the wall that separates the church from the convent.
At any rate, the LaMorena House where I was born was still there and that made me happy. I felt I still am connected with my hometown, Tagudin! By the way, after we attended the 6:30 a.m. Mass and we left the church, I couldn't find anyone I knew from before............but thanks to five people who came to say hello....Mang Mediong, Nang Salome, Manang Ellen, Auntie Cresing and Tang Rodring Labitoria, her husband (Lorna's Dad)!
Ay Apo! nobody knew me from a can of paint! My friends were dumbfounded to know the number of successful students/people St. Augustine School (SAS) produced. We read the missionary sister's landmark in Farola and climbed the lighthouse pretending we were the nuns who arrived that beautiful day 100 years ago. I think you will all have a great time at the centennial! Photo below (L-R) Willie, Jessa Lastimosa, Mae, Louella, Virgie, Yvonne, and Albert pose in front of St Augustine Church and the Grotto.
 Jesus says, "The poor... they will always be with you. I am going back to my Father." Even Jesus knew that the term "poverty" comes in many shades, shapes, colors, and degrees. Look at the statistics maintained by the US Government, for example. A person who is considered poor has a wide screen television set, a car, a microwave oven, a bath and a bedroom.
Take a look at a poor person in the Philippines and you can readily see the world of difference. Poverty in the Philippines is caused not by people not wanting to work for a living but of people who cannot find work to make a living. In America, we have many people who are poor because they want to be poor. They are homeless because they prefer to be homeless. America is the only place in the world where Freedom exists. You are free to have nothing it that is what you wish.
What is the point of all this? Let us cut to the chase. Mention about a paying job to a Filipino and you will get a million applicants lined up at your doorstep in a heartbeat. Mention about a job picking lettuce in Arizona and you will get no applicants from the US side but will be inundated by braseros from south of the border. So it is an attitude. Poverty and poorness rests on personal attitude.
If you are a Balikbayan (a returning ex-patriate) vacationing in the Philippines, you would do well not to be showing off your bulging wallet, lest you never see the light of another day. Poverty, much like hunger drives people to take desperate measures. How quickly the welcome mat is pulled from underneath your feet. A word to the wise: when in the Philippines, don't flaunt it even if you've got it because the poor will take it away from you.
Just enjoy yourself and the scenery, enjoy the hospitality of a friendly people but do not ever make any pronouncements about how chicken feed money is, or how you are shoveling dollars that line the streets - as if to say that in America dollars grow on trees. First, it is a lie. Secondly, it is very unhealthy for the other Balikbayans who will be coming home after you have left and on a strict budget.
 Melanie Florentino, SAS Ai Director of Sales and Marketing sent this concept of an information booth and kiosk for the Centennial celebration. Here are highlights of this set up that we all need to be talking about.
The Tarp
Notice that the backdrop tarp is designed so that we can use it as the ballroom backdrop during the Centennial Ball. In order for us to use it and re-use it, the tarp necessarily must be portable. We have talked about tying it down through grommets to a scaffolding frame. This way we can tear it down and reassemble it in a jiffy.
The Main Table
On the information table we will have a laptop, jars of jelly beans and lollipops. We should also have a game "Guess how many Jelly Beans are in the glass jar" - this would provide some activity while other folks may be registering for the raffle or checking out the Centennial merchandise.
The Lectern
Off to the left is the lectern or podium that the MC can use to make all the announcements. Perhaps we can rent a Karaoke system or a sound system.
Your Ideas and Comments
We are soliciting your ideas and comments regarding this set up. By the time we are required to set up this table, it will be too late to be making suggestions. Do it today.
 Sharen Mae Munar, SAS Ai Scholar, Senior high school student at SAS elected SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) Chairperson in Ag-Aguman.
Congratulations!
The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) (Youth Council) is the governing body in every chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataanbarangay in the Philippines is mandated by law to have its own chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan in which the members elect their officers called as the Sangguniang Kabataan. The Sangguniang Kabataan is an off-shoot of the KB or the Kabataang Barangay (Village Youth) which was abolished when the Local Government Code of 1991 was enacted, (Wikipedia). We at SAS Ai are very proud of Sharen Mae. As one of our senior high school student scholars, she shows much promise. Her dream is to continue her studies in college and someday be a Business Administration major. We are doing all we can to facilitate her dream. Join us in congratulating our scholar Sharen Mae Munar.
 It was kind of special weekend treat for the scholars - a fun-filled Saturday at the Buenavista family house in Farola, courtesy of Leonard. Various activities were prepared by Leonard and the Field Team for the scholars to work on. Lunch was served (sinanglaw and grilled fish with bagoong and tomatoes, thanks again Leonard) right after Remy arrived. After merienda (yummy pancit, thanks Leonard), the scholars were urged to check the virtual classroom. With two (2) laptops, each scholar was alloted a certain length of time to accomodate them all. We emphasized to them the importance of the virtual classroom and why should they regularly visit and participate in it.
 Each scholar was asked about his / her own challenges in school. We took careful note of their weakest points. Almost all of them expressed concern over their difficulty in coping with their subjects particularly Mathematics, Science and English. Leonard told them that it would be almost impossible to conduct tutoring lessons for them on said subjects because it is time consuming. Nonetheless, he shared helpful tips on how to improve their study habits, of their duties and responsibilities as students and scholars and gave them guidelines on proper time management. The kids also took time to stroll along the beach, had some photos taken near the famous Farola lighthouse. They really had a great time and wished for a repeat. . .
 Yvonne made an "inside the classroom" scenario and gave a lecture on English. She also shared her experiences as a teacher and asked them to write a summary of what she discussed with them - to find out if they really listened to her lecture, to check if they fully understood what was discussed, to identify their weak points, to help them improve their skills in English communications. Mae and Louella joined the group and assisted Yvonne in evaluating the summaries written by the scholars.
 Afternoon activities followed almost immediately or we won't be able to finish them all. While Leonard was taking video shoots with the scholars, the Field Team took the chance to discuss among ourselves on how to seek ways and means to make the field team a better and a more efficient group.
We all agreed that each one of us will have specific duty / task: A team effort, just like handling the sigay or silot. . .Mae will be dealing with the LGU with Louella as back up. Mae will also be the property custodian. Louella and Noel will be in charge of the scholars' internet use. Remy will record all business transactions of the organization (here in Tagudin). She will also be our secretary. Albert Bunoan will responsible for all affairs with SAS and the scholars. As team leader, he will also be in charge of communications.
 One day the mother duck took her ducklings out of the basket wherein they were hatched out into the world for a stroll. There was a pond in the farm but it was across the road. The mother duck thought about it for a moment. "Hmmm this would be a good time to teach the ducklings how to walk in line and to be careful when crossing the street." So, off they went.
The ducks followed the mother waddling right behind her and following her lead. When they got to the edge of the road there was a drop from the sidewalk down to the surface of the asphalt thoroughfare. One of the ducklings, excitedly jumped ahead of the others, even overtaking the cautious mother duck and jumped. Kerplop... the little duckling flipped on his back and his legs were pumping up and down while his featherless wings were just tiny appendages proving useless in the situation.
The mother duck screamed. "You little fool. Who told you to break ranks and jump ahead? Did I not tell you to follow? Get up before I smack you senseless."
"But Mama I can't get up. I am flat on my back. What am I supposed to do?" entreated the little duckling now all confused and bewildered.
"Get up I say. And don't play any more shenanigans!" The mother duck quacked her way over to the pond leaving the poor little duckling to negotiate his predicament on his own.
Eventually and after some hurt pride the little duckling limped over to the pond and sat there on the shore. "Well come on in!" yelled the mother duck.
The little duckling didn't even budge. He was too afraid to do anything - lest he flipped on his back again.
Where did the mother duck go wrong with the little duckling? What would you have done?
BEGINNING TOP ROW BY THREES (L-R) - Karen Paola Makil.................................................................. 89.222
- Karen Laurente...................................................................... 88.889
- Jonel Leal.............................................................................. 87.111
- Jessa Lastimosa (HS Senior)................................................... 87.10
- Mirasol Literato..................................................................... 86.00
- Rose Ann Fajardo.................................................................. 85.555
- Ina Gabaldon......................................................................... 85.111
- Jonas Garcia (HS Senior)........................................................ 84.80
- Sharen Mae Munar (HS Senior)............................................... 84.60
- Ma Cristina Javier.................................................................. 84.555
- Michelle Pera......................................................................... 84.111
- Randy Doctor, Jr.................................................................... 82.888
Congratulations to our Scholars! There is no room but up. Study and work hard. You will reap the rewards.
 Please join me in wishing Estrellita Purugganan, our New SAS Ai Treasurer a very Happy Birthday Today, Tuesday, September 14th. Today Estrell turns 39 years old. Many happy returns and we hope that you will celebrate more birthdays in the years to come.
To brother Hermes - Mr Purugganan himself, the proud head of the House of Purugganan we say thank you for helping SAS Ai through your solid support of Estrell.
 Please welcome our New Madame Treasurer, Ms Estrellita Purugganan. She currently lives and works in the beautiful state of Virginia with her husband, Mr Hermes Purugganan and their two daughters. Estrell joined SAS Ai because she is driven by her generous and kind heart to reach out to the poor kids and help them get a good high school education.
She fondly remembers the days when she herself used to attend SAS, coming all the way from Santa Cruz, sometimes riding jeepneys and buses just to make it on time. The nuns were strict then too and she knows that SAS gives quality education combined with spiritual and social formation teachings. Estrell knows the value of hard work having come from humble beginnings herself. She is an accountant by education and a Quality Assurance Analyst by trade and work experience. She is currently affiliated with the big aerospace company Northrop Grumman.
 In welcoming Estrell to the position, let us give our heartfelt expressions of gratitude to Elizabeth Fajardo, who was the first to volunteer as SAS Ai's treasurer. Her reasons for passing the responsibility to Estrell are based on the current economic climate and job constraints. Liza is a perfectionist and will be the first one to tell you that since she can no longer allocate a decent amount of time to look after the SAS Ai financials, it would serve SAS Ai better if somebody else did the work. Unselfishly, she gave the challenge to Estrell knowing that SAS Ai will be in good, capable hands.
We thank her very much for her sacrifices, her personal attention and commitment. Liza has become the first lifetime member of the board. It was part of her pact with Estrell when they negotiated the conditions of the responsibility change or hand-over. Which proves that not only is Estrell an expert at handling the books, she is also an expert negotiator.
Thank you Liza and God speed.
 This is an old English proverb. A farmer was on his way home from the fields one day and came by a stream. He had just given his dog Bailey a lamb bone to chew. Bailey happily carried the bone between his jaws and ambled along behind the farmer. When they came to the stream and as the farmer stopped to dip his feet in the cold, refreshing brook, Bailey ran on to the bridge and stopped mid-bridge to look down at the water. Bailey saw a dog's reflection with a bone between his jaws. Bailey's arithmetic told him he could have two bones instead of just the one between his jaws. Before he knew it he was barking at the reflection to acquire the extra bone. "Plop" went his own lamb bone into the water. Instead of addition Bailey executed a quick subtraction. Bad dog arithmetic.
 We have 12 scholars in our hands. They are doing really well. We can fund them through all 4 years of school. Our formula seems to be working. Our Field Team knows exactly what is expected of them. They will be talking with the public school principals and head teachers for their next crop of scholars for school year 2011. The kids know by now that there are 12 slots available: 3 for high school seniors, 1 from SAS elementary and 8 from the public school elementary. So far, we have found 5 sponsors to fund these scholarships. We need to find 7 more.
We are praying to get some money deposited in the bank account so we can proceed smartly with our campaign to recruit 12 scholars for school year 2011.
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