A Summer to Remember

Boracay beats Santorini, Greece and Bali, Indonesia as World’s Best Island...READ MORE

My Malaysian Co-presentor

“Bora is full of haram.” This was the statement of my Malaysian friend. Sexy ladies and men were sprouting.... READ MORE

USEP holds Applied Linguistics Seminar

The Language Department of the University of the Southeastern Philippines (USeP) holds a two-day seminar on Applied Linguistics on August 1-2, 2013 at the Social Hall of the university....READ MORE

Relaxing at Britania

I have been handling classes every summer in my university, but this would not hinder me to enjoy what is due to my body....READ MORE

Malaysia: My New Home

Truly Asia. After my trip in Bangkok, I immediately flew to Kuala Lumpur for research consultancy and leisure of course....READ MORE

Exploring the City of Angels

This is HEAVEN. This is BANGKOK....READ MORE

Eid'l Fitr

Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. La ilaha illallah hu allahu akbar. Allahu akbar walillahilhamd....READ MORE

How should one teach grammar?

One should teach grammar through a communicative task , with incidental focus on form....READ MORE

Singapore: The Lion City

October 24-26, 2011. After our conference in Bali, Indonesia, we immediately went to Singapore, the lion city. We landed at the famous Changi International Airport....READ MORE

Study of Language

I believe that longitudinal research is essential to the advancement of knowledge in language teaching....READ MORE

Thursday, September 05, 2013

Pointers for the Midterm Exam

1. Grammar
    1.1 Synonyms and Antonyms
     1.2 Morphemes
     1.3 Verb Tenses
2. Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusion
3. Outlining
4. Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Online Quiz 5 for AB Literature and BIT Students

Good day, students. You have just finished taking the Prelim Exam and you are now ready to proceed to the next lesson, Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions.With this, I want you to do these tasks:

1. Read the following travel articles :

A. http://bit.ly/16PdWT1

b.http://bit.ly/16PdZOJ

c. http://bit.ly/14FykjR

d. http://bit.ly/14FyoA3

e. http://bit.ly/16PeoAC

f. http://bit.ly/1dfm2rx

g. http://bit.ly/16PftbC

2. Choose one article. Make an inference about the title. What does it imply?

3. Please go over with the content of the chosen article, and then arrive at a conclusion as to the overall experience of the traveler.

Please post your answer below on or before August 30, 2013, Friday, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Online Quiz 5 for BSBA and BS Geo Students

Good day, students. You have just finished taking the Prelim Exam and you are now ready to proceed to the next lesson, Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions.With this, I want you to do these tasks:

1. Read the following travel articles :

a. http://bit.ly/16PdWT1

b. http://bit.ly/16PdZOJ

c. http://bit.ly/14FykjR

d. http://bit.ly/14FyoA3

e. http://bit.ly/16Pekku

f. http://bit.ly/16PeoAC

2. Choose one article. Make an inference about the title. What does it imply?

3. Please go over with the content of the chosen article, and then arrive at a conclusion as to the overall experience of the traveler.

Please post your answer below on or before August 26, 2013,Monday, 6 p.m.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Online Quiz 5 for BS ECE Students

Good day, students. You have just finished taking the Prelim Exam and you are now ready to proceed to the next lesson, Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions.With this, I want you to do these tasks:

1. Read the following travel articles :

(a.) http://bit.ly/16PdWT1

(b.) http://bit.ly/16PdZOJ

(c.) http://bit.ly/14FykjR

(d.) http://bit.ly/14FyoA3
(e.) http://bit.ly/14FzdZE

(f.)  http://bit.ly/16Pekku

(g.) http://bit.ly/16PftbC

2. Choose one article. Make an inference about the title. What does it imply?

3. Please go over with the content of the chosen article, and then arrive at a conclusion as to the overall experience of the traveler.

Please post your answer below on or before August 22, 2013,Thursday, 9 p.m.

The Unplanned Travel in Cavite


The thoughts and jokes of the doctors during our sojourn in Cavite are still fresh in my mind. It was an unplanned trip which started when we had our sudden visit at Dr. Rodney’s residence in Penaplata, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines. 
The green green grass in Penaplata, Island Garden of Samal gives a sense of contentment to the people here.

Dr. Rodney, head of the Filipino Studies Program at the University of Hawaii in Hilo,  invited us to have a dinner at his home before he would go back to his new home : University of Hawaii in Hilo, United States of America.  While Cocoy was serenading the group ( We were with the cousins of Dr. Rodney) at Moonstar Mountain Resort in Penaplata, Dr. Rodney told me that his flight to Manila would be on August 14, 2013, Wednesday, 11:40 a.m. via Philippine Airlines. “Sir, August 16 is a local holiday here in Davao.”, I replied. “Oh! Why not join us in our talk at De La Salle Dasmarinas, Cavite. Then, we will go to Tagaytay and Manila.” , Dr. Rodney suggested. Oh, it sounds inviting!
Wandering at Moonstar Mountain Resort. 

“Kapatid, let us join them in Manila.”
“Huh? How about my work?”, Cocoy responded.
“ Unsay work? Holiday man sa Friday. Sige raka work. Relax-relax pud”.
“Wala koy kwrta kapatid.”
Instantly, we got tickets. Thanks to the online purchase of tickets!


Waiting for the fight bound to Manila.
While everyone was busy celebrating the Kadayawan Festival, Cocoy and I went to Manila last August 16, 2013 and we went directly to the place of Dr. Francis Dumanig at Tierra Nevada, General Trias, Cavite. Dr. Francis is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
From the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Dr. Francis rented a taxi for Php 1,200. “Sosyal talaga itong si Francis.”, Dr. Rodney commented as we entered the subdivision owned by politician Manuel Villar. “Alam niyo yung mga pinamimigay ni Willie Revillame sa kanyang programa, andito yung mga bahay. Andun o. Tingnan niyo.”, Dr. Francis said as he toured us in his place. “ Magkano ba ang bahay dito Frans? Bibili ako. Masarap ang hangin dito.” , Dr. Rodney asked.


Feel at home at Tierra Nevada, Gen. Trias, Cavite.

After having our dinner at around 10 p.m., Dr. Rodney wanted to walk around the subdivision. “I need to burn calories.” As we walked,  we ate a penoy ( duck egg which is not fully developed similar to hard-boiled egg). That was my first time to eat it. “Ayos man diay ang Cavite Sir. Lami kaayo ang hangin diri ba.”, Cocoy shared. “ Kuha diri Saj.”

The two professors shared their pieces of advice while we were having our midnight snacks in a convenience store inside the Tierra Nevada. “You are still young. Work abroad lah. Once you are there, you can travel the world. “, Dr. Rodney enlightened us. “Eat healthy foods. Do not abuse yourself.” Though we slept around 3 a.m., I and Cocoy did not regret because we got brilliant words from these two professors.
On August 17, Saturday, we went to De La Salle University Dasmarinas, Cavite and it was a blast because we had a chance to talk to the faculty of the College of Liberal Arts and Communication during our lunch and attended a seminar on Language, Culture, and Identity.


The National Book Store inside DLSU Dasma.
 “Ayos kaayo ilang school Saj. Mas ayos pa sa USEP. Naa silay National Bookstore sa sulod, museum, dako kaayo ang library, luag ang oval, daghan mini-hotels. Then ang architecture sa ilang building panahon pa ng mga Kastila. Naa pay Aklatang Emilio Aguinaldo o!  “, Cocoy realized.  “Siyempre Cavite eto kapatid. Very historical.”,I answered.

The Tourism students of DLSU Dasma toured us in the museum. “Sir eto po yung mga kababaihan noon. Sabi po nila kapag di po nakangiti, ibig sabihin noon mga birhen pa.”, a male tourist guide described the picture on the wall. “ Aba si Lola nakangiti, ibig sabihin di na siya birhen.”, Dr. Rodney commented as he laughed out loud. “Sir huwag ninyo pong tawanan yung mga larawan diyan na nakasabit.Magagalit po sila.” “Mayroon din po talagang nagpapakita dito sa museum na ito. Totoo po yun. “

“Akala ko hindi ganito ang DLSU Dasma. Mas maganda pa sa DLSU Manila, sa totoo lang.”, Dr. Francis said during our tour in the campus. Dr. Francis spent some years for his Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics in DLSU Manila. Thanks to the young and active Dean Christian C. Francisco of the College of Liberal Arts and Communication for driving us.

After listening to the talk of the professors who are connected with the different universities outside the Philippines, we stayed for a while at SM Dasma and had bibingka for our snacks. “Dili man diay ni made of rice Sir. Harina man diay. Mas lami pa ang bingka sa Comval.”, I uttered these words as I tasted the bibingka in Cavite. “Mas lami pa ang bingka sa Digos Sir.”, Cocoy continued. We then proceeded to Robinsons and we saw there the church of Cocoy. “Uy, naa man diay diri ang simbahan sa mga sosyal, Ang Victory. “ , Dr. Rodney commented. “ Mao ni ang relihiyon nina Piolo Pascual ug Sam Milby. Alive, alive jud.”

On August 18, Sunday, Dr. Francis brought us to Tagaytay and we were with Dr. Daisy Orcullo, a professor in Malaysia, her husband Billy, and her nephew Ibrahim, who are all Balik Islam or Muslim converts.  Allahu Akbar!



Ibrahim, Billy, and Dr. Daisy bought some items in Memory Lane.
Actually, this is  my second time to visit Tagaytay. I first admired the sceneries way back in November 2010 with my fellow Language teachers at USEP. This time, the admiration still remains as I visited the Memory Lane, a store owned by Filipina actress Jolina Magdangal. “Wow.Ang ganda..parang castle…Ito talag yung nakikita ko sa tv at nababasa sa magazine.”, Dr. Daisy praised the establishment of Ate Jolina.


At Jolina Magdangal's store "Memory Lane".
It sells memorabilia that Jolina bought during her travel around the world. “Mao ra ni? Wa may wi-fi diri kay Jolina. Kapobre.”, Dr. Rodney commented.
The newly constructed Skyranch for leisure .
 And it was so cold in Tagaytay because it was raining but still, we enjoyed the place as we were enchanted by the Skyranch. “It looks like Genting Highlands in Malaysia. Malamig talaga. Maganda pa ito kaysa sa Baguio.”, Dr. Daisy appreciated the place. “This is my first time here. Maganda talaga dito kami nagcelebrate ng anniversary namin.” Dr. Orcullo treated us a coffee since it was raining. We had a good dine at Max’s Restaurant and thanks to Dr. Rodney for treating us. “I just talked for 30 minutes and DLSU Dasma gave me Php 5, 000. Let us celebrate!”

The active Taal volcano.

Enjoying the fresh air in Tagaytay City.

“ Mubuto lagi ng Taal Volcano lagi diri. Sige rata katawa.”  We were so happy during our stay in Tagaytay. “Tigbason” is the big word. Dr. Rodney shared that when his brother went to Marawi City in the Philippines, he was forced to buy 12 pairs of slippers. “ Ang akong igsoon nagpili-pili ug tsinelas didto sa tindahan sa Maranao sa Marawi. Sige man ug sukud-sukud sa tsinelas ug giingnan sa Maranao, “Kung dili ka mupalit sa tsinelas, TIGBASON!” .  We all laughed. Muslims are known to be harsh but Ibrahim, whose parents are Boholono who are now Balik Islam, said, “Di naman po siguru ganun Sir.”
Dr. Francis, Dr. Daisy, and Dr. Rodney are relaxing in Tagaytay.
The foods that we had for our lunch were all halal, because if someone orders a non-halal food, tigbason!
When we were going back to Cavite, a truck with loads of pigs passed by, “Hala naay baboy!”, Dr. Rodney noticed, and Dr. Orcullo said, “Hala Tigbason!”.  And we all laughed again inside the private car rented by Dr. Francis.

Danny sent us from Cavite to Ermita, Manila. “Danny, ihatid mo kami sa Maynila kasi kung hindi, tigbason!”. Danny now knows the meaning of the Cebuano term , “tigbason”.
Cocoy, my college barkada, my travel buddy.
We stayed in a hotel in Ermita. We had a coffee session and dinner in the hotel since it was raining because of typhoon Maring. “Kuy, naa mi Ermita”, my text to a friend who is staying near UP Diliman. “Nah. Party2 diay inyo tirada diha Kuy.”, he replied. That was my first time to visit Ermita and I heard a lot of stories about this place. “Manila: Gates of Hell”. This was the comment of Dan Brown in his intriguing novel, Inferno. “Why kapatid?”, I asked my friend Cocoy. “Look at those prosti. They are few of the reasons why Manila is tagged like that. “, he pointed his mouth to the prosti inside and outside the hotel. “Sana magdamit naman ng maayos itong mga prosti nato para hindi nakakahiya.”, my remark after witnessing an Arab who ignored two prosti. “I don’t like. Sorry.”, an Arab strongly said. “Kapatid, hindi yun chicks. Bayot to.”, Cocoy discovered. “Tan-awa ang totoy. Fake mana.” While staying in the hotel, I witnessed also other international tourists like Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese along the street of Ermita. “Hadluka diri uy. Tan awa to Saj o murag kanang hudas gani kanang sindikato sa pelikula. Nakaalahas. Opaw. Naa mga bodyguard.”

If you want to have sex, just visit this place. I was just shocked because these foreigners were with prosti who were not that pretty. In my view, these foreigners were only after of sex or maybe because our perspective really varies.   Though it was raining, still the negotiation continued. Business as usual.  “Pero wa japun makapildi sa Silom sa Thailand. Grabe ang boom-boom didto.”


“Tara na! Manguli nata sa Davao!”. We arrived safely in Davao just this morning at around 10:05 amidst the typhoon Maring.









Friday, August 16, 2013

Relaxing at Britannia Group of Islands ( Part One)

I have been handling classes every summer in my university, but this would not hinder me to enjoy what is due to my body.  When Jared, my friend working at Wyeth who was based in Butuan City, invited us to visit Britannia Group of Islands, I immediately replied, “ Sure. We will be there.”  And Jared assured us that he would take care of our stay in Butuan and Surigao.

The Britannia Group of Islands


“Ayos kaayo ang Britannia Jed. Cool lagi kaayo ang place. Lami pajud ang food. Presko. Mura lang.” Jared often texted these lines to me.  “Oh? Ayos pa sa Camiguin? Kuyaw! Adtuon nato na!” I dismissed my English Bridge Program class at 3 p.m. since that was our 10th day. English Bridge Program is a course designed to incoming freshmen to enrich their communication skills and prepare them to college life.  “ Tara na! Idismiss na nah imung klase! Naghulat na ang Britannia sa atoa! , Lex messaged me.




On May 25, 2012, Lex and I took a Bachelor Tour bus bound to Butuan City since our friend, Jared, was in Butuan City waiting for our arrival. It took around eight hours before we reached the pad of Jared and he welcomed us with his car. We arrived at 12 midnight and immediately hit the sack to prepare for our travel to Britannia Islands. But Jared did not sleep with  us. “ Kuy, wala diri natulog si Jared.  Gibiyaan ta. Delikado ni.”, Lex said when he woke up. “ Didto ko natulog sa hotel uy. Sayang kaayo kay nilakaw na akong boss. Sayang ang bayad sa hotel if walay matulog.”, Jared replied. “Pastilan. Didto na lang unta mi nimu gipatulog Ja.”, I continued.

“Ja, guapa lagi imung kauban sa haus. Uyab nimu na?”, Lex interestingly asked.

“ Buang. Dili uy. Friend ko mana si Daphne. “

“Ipaila ila ko ana beh. Chix kaau bai.”.

“Kaligo namu uy. Taas taas pa atung biyahe. Ako baya inung driver. Paita”, Jared said.

“Okay! Joyride ta ani ron!”

“Sweet dreams in a beautiful nightmare.”  This was the line that we often heard while we were in the car. “ Kuyawa nimu ug sound trip Ja uy. Jessica Sanchez man kaayo.”, Lex commented. “ Chix kaau ug sounds si Jared”, I laughed.  Jared thanked us because we joined him. He was not bored with the travel because Lex and I were there. Lex and I were Jared’s good friends not because Jared has the car and the money, but because we are his true barkada. Yes, Jared has the money but he is so “kuripot”. All his friends knew that.
We stopped at Jollibee San Frans in Agusan del Sur. “ Diri rata para tipid. Makabusog man japun.”

“OK. Payts!”, Lex uttered.  “ Mamili pamu. Libre na baya inung sakay. Ambi inung kwrta beh mamalit for breakfast.” , Jared said. “ Atay. Abi ba nako libre ni.”, I commented.

On our way to Britannia, we had a glimpse of some islets. “ Jed , mao na nah. Mao na atung adtuan.”
“ Bulag bulag jud diay Ja oh”.

Britannia Group of Islands is the paradise of Surigao del Sur situated in Barangay Britannia, San Agustin.  It is composed of 24 islets scattered in the open sea.


“Tara! Ligo na ta! Asa man atung sakyan?”, Lex excitingly remarked to Jared.

“Hulat. Order sah  ta pagkaon para after the island hopping maniudto nata. Dugay2 baya ta sa isla.”, Jared replied.

Jared is enjoying the sun and the sand.

“Atay. Gigutom na bya ko. Sige lang makaya ra. Laag sah ta.”, Sajed uttered.

We rented a boat to tour the Britannia Group of Islands.  Cool waters. White beaches. This is what I love.  This is what relaxation means. This is an escape indeed from a busy life in Davao City.


I could not memorize anymore the names of the islets that we visited. What I have in mind are the swimming sessions and sun bathing that we had. In one island, a group of ladies was asking our names and I said to Lex, “Kuy, makatira jud ka diri. “ And as went on, we discovered that the ladies were from Bangkal, Davao City. What a small world! There was one lady also who get interested with Jared, but Jared ignored. It is not his type.  

Lex: " I am now a good swimmer." 

Lex  was not a good swimmer, but when we were in Britannia, he had learned how to swim. “Kabalo nako Kuy. Kabalo nako mulangoy.”

“Ja, praktis ug langoy ba. Naunsa.”

Life is cool in Britannia. 

“Jed, akong heart. Di makaya.”






Thursday, August 15, 2013

Online Quiz 5 for BSEcon and BS Entrep Students

Good day, students. You have just finished taking the Prelim Exam and you are now ready to proceed to the next lesson, Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions. I will be at  De La Salle Manila this weekend to attend a seminar , and I will be back on Monday morning, thus I cannot attend in our class. With this, I want you to do these tasks:

       1. Read the following travel articles :

( a.) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-summer-to-remember-in-boracay-part-two.html ;
    
( b.) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-summer-to-remember-in-boracay-part-one.html;

( c ) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/07/malaysia-my-new-home.html;

( d ) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/07/malaysia-my-new-home-part-two.html;

(e ) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/07/malaysia-my-new-home-part-three_28.html;

( f) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/07/exploring-city-of-angels.html

2. Choose one article. Make an inference about the title. What does it imply?

3. Please go over with the content of the chosen article, and then arrive at a conclusion as to the overall experience of the traveler.

Please post your answer on or before August 19, 2013,Monday,  9 p.m.

P.S. You may answer this during our time. Just go to the virtual library of USEP.

Online Quiz 5 for BSME Students

Good day, students. You have just finished taking the Prelim Exam and you are now ready to proceed to the next lesson, Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions. I will be at  De La Salle Manila this weekend to attend a seminar , and I will be back on Monday morning, thus I cannot attend in our class. With this, I want you to do these tasks:

       1. Read the following travel articles :

( a.) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-summer-to-remember-in-boracay-part-two.html ;
  
( b.) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-summer-to-remember-in-boracay-part-one.html;

( c ) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/07/malaysia-my-new-home.html;

( d ) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/07/malaysia-my-new-home-part-two.html;

(e ) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/07/malaysia-my-new-home-part-three_28.html;

( f) http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/07/exploring-city-of-angels.html

2. Choose one article. Make an inference about the title. What does it imply?

3. Please go over with the content of the chosen article, and then arrive at a conclusion as to the overall experience of the traveler.

Please post your answer on or before August 19, 2013,Monday,  9 p.m.

P.S. You may answer this during our time. Just go to the virtual library of USEP.



Monday, August 12, 2013

Pointers for the Prelim Exam in English 1

1. Familiarize the terms: UNIVERSAL GRAMMAR, LEXICON, PHONETICS, MORPHOLOGY, SYNTAX, SEMANTICS, EXPLETIVE, AUXILIARY
2.   Context Clues
3.  Reading Comprehension

Your instructor will provide the booklet.


Sunday, August 11, 2013

A Summer to Remember in Boracay (Part Two)

Life was cool in Boracay as I enjoyed the White Beach which has three sections: Station 1 dubbed as the most expensive station because of its luxurious hotels and establishments located in the northernmost part ; Station 2, the place where we stayed, is the center of White Beach and the best place to shop, eat, and party; and Station 3 is the southernmost section and the most peaceful place.
Mango shake in the morning at White Beach, Boracay.


Night life was so hyper in Boracay. One of the attractions was the fire dancing,, and La Carmela de Boracay has this in their pool. Many tourists, local and foreign, were busy watching the fire dancers exhibiting their talents. And I was one of them who was mesmerized with their performance. Your night life in Bora would not be complete if you would not go on partying at the famous and elegant Epic Bar where tourists, and the artists were spending their precious moments with friends and family. I joined the party at Epic Bar with friends from Manila, Makati, Cebu, and even from Norway, India, Japan, and Russia. 

I am with Kenny, an economist, a  friend from Russia.

Beautiful ladies, handsome men, pretty gays, gentle lesbians were gathered together to dance with the music. The loud music plus the noise from the tourists made the experience worth remembering. As I roamed around, I happily witnessed also the dancing chefs. They cooked at the same time danced.  The night life started at  6 p.m. and ended in the morning, and people just enjoyed partying without considering the expenses and of course the effects of the alcohol.

Fire dancing at La Carmela de Boracay.

I did not have the grand time enjoying the water adventures in Boracay since my primary purpose was to present a paper in the international conference. Though the schedule was so hectic, I found time for island hopping with friends from India, Norway, and Manila. At least, I had a panoramic view of the beautiful and world-class Boracay. Bora is Bora indeed. While we were in the middle of the sea, there was this man in his 40s who asked for a tax. “Sir, bayad po.” My friend from Manila answered, “ Ha? May bayad ba pati rito? Dagat na to ah.” Another man was also busy selling ice cream in the middle of the sea. “Ice cream po. 50 pesos.” My friend reacted, “Bat ang mahal manong? 30 pesos lang yan sa Convenience Store ah”.  We all laughed. 
My swimming buddies in Bora.

And we reached also the island where the bats are resting. We wanted to visit the island but we needed to pay again so we just decided to stay in the sea and glanced  at the bats. We had a stop over at Puka Beach. We visited already the Puka Beach during the Day 2 of the conference prior to the island hopping. Puka is a virgin beach as what they say and it was so relaxing so stay here. Only few, most of them were foreigners, were there swimming and sun bathing. 

The cool atmosphere at Puka Beach.

 “Bora is full of haram.” This was the statement of my Malaysian friend. Sexy ladies and men were sprouting. You cannot afford to close your eyes because you will miss the chances, the chances of watching these bodies.  If you want to feel heaven, just stay in Bora and you will have a grand time enjoying what has life to offer.  
 
Nurul Jannah, my good friend from Malaysia.


After the conference? Swimming in the conference pool.