A Summer to Remember in Boracay (Part One)

Boracay beats Santorini, Greece and Bali, Indonesia as World’s Best Island. This amazed me so I decided that I would go for paper presentation at the First International Young Scholars Conference hosted by De La Salle University Manila on May 17-19, 2013.

Boracay, the world's best island!

I really wanted to visit Boracay. I have often read and heard comments that Bora is famous for its white sand , luxurious hotels, bars, relaxing spas, and challenging  water adventures. Sound exciting indeed! Bora is often featured in television and magazines and I just could not wait when would  I spend my summer in Bora. And when I received a letter of acceptance from DLSU Manila that my paper on Tausug and Kagan legends was accepted for paper presentation, I said to myself, “ This is now the time to be in the world’s best island”. A colleague of mine also sent her abstract, but unfortunately, she did not receive a letter of acceptance. I invited also some of my colleagues to join me in the conference but due to financial constraint, they did not make it.

Coffee break with the keynote speaker, Dr. James Franklin from the University of New South Wales, Australia.

I have been a beach lover since time immemorial ( just kidding. Our house is near the beach. The bay is my playground and I am not exaggerating.) I have enjoyed the beaches in Davao del Sur, Samal Island, Saranggani, Surigao, and Camiguin. And this time, I would invade Bora!

My summer in Bora was not boring. The energy from my colleagues in USEP Obrero and Tagum kept me burning plus my international friends from Australia, Norway, Malaysia, Japan, India, Indonesia were always there to complete the crowd.

Enjoying the sumptuous lunch with colleagues from USEP Tagum.

The Boracay Eco-village Convention Center accommodated the paper presenters and researchers all over the world. It is a 20-minute ride from our hotel in Station 2. We stay in a hotel located at the back of the famous La Carmela de Boracay. Our co-participants often asked, “Where are you staying?” And I replied, “La Carmela.. at the back of La Carmela.” We only paid Php 1, 500 a night and it is an air-conditioned room,  has two beds, and toilet. Not bad for a traveller.  Thanks to Dr. Yee, a colleague from USEP Obrero,  for booking this hotel. I really had a hard time where to stay and I always asked my friend, Lex who went to Bora last March 2012, on where to stay but Lex just said to me, “ Sa Station 2 kuy. Mura didto. Station 2.”

Expensive. Luxurious. These were the adjectives that I often heard from my friends who just spent their vacation. And yes, I was shocked when we were about to ride a tricycle from La Carmela de Boracay to the highway ( it is a just a five-minute walk) and the driver asked us to pay Php 50. What on earth are they thinking! "Bat ang mahal? Ganyan ba kamahal ang sipa ang mga driver sa Bora?", Iko asked. Iko and I decided to walk. Iko wanted to ride a tricycle because he wore a formal attire ( very formal : long sleeve, pants, coat and tie) while I had just my polo shirt and pants. “ Sir, ang daya mo. Bat ka naka ganyan lang? “ I smiled and replied, “ Comfortable ako rito Sir eh.” From the highway, we took a tricycle to the venue and the driver asked us to pay Php 100. That’s Bora anyway.

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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.

The working committee headed by Dr. Roble, takes a pose with the speakers.

The seminar aims to actively contribute to the development of all subject areas in Applied Linguistics; to promote the exchange of linguistic knowledge and best practices in the language classrooms; to stimulate cooperation among educators and researchers in the field of Applied Linguistics; to foster understanding regarding linguistic issues and collaborate with other organizations/institutions with related objectives and goals.

The LSM members with Dr. Milagros Villas, President and Sajed S. Ingilan. Treasurer.

Speakers were : (1) Dr. Rodney C. Jubilado, an Assistant Professor at the Humanities Division of the University of Hawaii, United States of America, and specializes in Theoretical Linguistics; (2) Dr. Mabel Victoria, a faculty member of Mahidol University in Nakon Pathom, Thailand, and a holder of Doctor of Philosophy n Applied Sociolinguistics and Intercultural Communication; (3) Dr. Francisco Perlas Dumanig, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and his research interests are in language teaching, World Englishes, and discourse analysis; and (4)  Dr. Leorisyl Siarot,  a faculty member of the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology, Davao Oriental, Philippines and a holder of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Linguistics.

The speakers shared their expertise during the curriculum revision of AB English and Master of English in Applied Linguistics.  USEP was recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as the Center of Development in English.

Dr. Dumanig suggests some subjects to be included in the curriculum while Mr. Ingilan, deputy Program Coordinator listens intently to the discussion. 

Dr. Jubilado talked about the language documentation of indigenous languages in Mindanao, and language learning, identity , and culture of Filipinos in Hawaii ; Dr. Victoria on Applied Linguistics according to KERMIT, the frog; Dr. Dumanig on language choice and language policies in multilingual families; and Dr. Siarot on the interface of Mandaya language and culture.

The seminar was participated by researchers, experts, instructors, and learners of Applied Linguistics from Davao Region, North Cotabato, Bukidnon, Agusan, and other places in Mindanao.

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Eid'l Fitr

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

Takbir! Takbir! This is the takbir ( remembrance of greatness of Allah) that I always hear every six in the morning in the Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Breaking the Fast). This serves as the alarm that wakes me up and signals that it is indeed the end of ramadhan, the end of one month fasting of Muslims all over the world.

Inah Hadji Hadija was busy preparing the food. My aunt Tasmera helped her in accomplishing the task. This time, my mother would no longer wake up at 2 a.m. to prepare our sahur ( morning meal). This time, my mother would no longer prepare the food for our iftar ( evening meal). This time, my mother would go back to her usual routine of preparing our meals.

Sahur!

Inah Hadji then checked our clothes for this big event. Every Eid’l Fitr, a Muslim wears his best attire, his best scent, his best smile. This is a time to celebrate, a time to enjoy that at last, Muslims have surpassed the one month fasting. Subhanallah walhamdulillah hiwalailaha illallah allahu akbar!

Inah Hadji, wearing her badju Malayu, happily carries her grand daughter Indah Ashley.

I then immediately performed the ablution. My brother also prepared his polo shirt. My father looked for his best upper dress and his “habul”, lower dress. Habul malingkat or beautiful lower dress is always worn to mark that it is indeed a special occasion. My aunt wore the badju Melayu or Malayu dress that I bought in Kuala Lumpur. My mother also wore the hijab and badju Melayu that I gave. My cousins and other relatives have their abaya or long dress designed for prayer.

And yes, we were ready to go to the masjid. As expected, many worshippers were already there. And the prayer started with the takbir, and continued with the sunnah, and the khutbah. Some were crying because of the greatness of Allah. Some were just sitting in one corner and reflected that another life has been given by Allah, a life that needs to be cherished and cultivated with faith in Allah. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar.

Imam Hadji Usman Indanan, the imam or priest who gave the khutbah or sermon emphasized that iman or faith must be in our hearts as this will guide us in every activity that we will undertake. Some internalized the message of the khutbah. Some just took it just a word, yes a word only. A clear indication is that they do not fast because of lack of iman. Or they do not fast because they cannot sustain, or the common answer is , “ we don’t have enough money”. “Jed, makaya nimu magfasting? Di ba 3 a.m. mo mukaun den 6 p.m. pud? Daghan kaayo ka kaunun ana eh.” These have been the common questions of my colleagues and even my students. If you have iman, you can sustain the one month fasting though you are working. “ Makaya uy. Salig lang gud sa Ginoo. Faith ba. Ana ra mana. Makaya lagi ng magklase. Magdiskas pa gud ko. Salig lang.”

Pajamu!

Tiyula itum, the famous Tausug food.

In my case, I want that every month is ramadhan because I only break my fast at 6 p.m., and then have my sahur at 3 a.m. Sometimes, I do not wake up at 3 a.m. I like ramadhan because I do not need to have my lunch, and my breakfast which means that I do not have to buy and prepare foods. I like ramadhan because my mother prepares good foods, yes delicious foods. It is always a festival if it is ramadhan. Every after taraweeh ( a series of prayer done after Salatul Isha), there is a pajamu or foods in the masjid. Muslim foods are prepared such as the baulu, pullu pullu, panganan, ja, apam, juwalan, pasung and other Tausug delicacies.

The Tausugs take a pose after the prayer in Eid'l Fitr.

Ramadhan is meant for cleansing, not just of the body but of the soul also. Allah is so good because he designs this for mankind. Allahu Akbar. During Ramadhan, Muslims are so busy worshipping the greatness of Allah. Aside from performing the daily prayer, Muslims also perform the tarawaeeh ( after salahtul isa, 8 p.m.) and tahadjud ( midnight prayer, 12 mn to 2:30 a.m.).

The Tausugs, young and old, stay at the bay watching the boat racing.

Eid’ Fitr is a time for love and reconciliation. It is the best time to express your love to your family, relatives, and friends. Muslims usually visit their family during Eid’l Fitr. They dine together and share the best moments of their lives. Tausug kids usually love Eidl’ Fitr because they usually receive gifts. Eid’l Fit is a time for sharing with what you have. Playing volleyball and basketball , running, boat racing are just few of the games that Tausugs are enjoying every Eid’l Fitr. Young and old are very happy and contented with what they have. Eid’l Fitr is a time for reconciliation also. This is the time to put an end to hatred and forget the past and bad memories.

My place - Tacub, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur

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Online Quiz 4 for Literature and Technology Students

 Choose a difficult word that starts with the first letter of your first name. Give its lexical category, its synonyms and antonyms, and use it in a sentence. Post your answer on or before August 12, 2013, 1 p.m. AVOID PLAGIARISM.

Follow this format :

Difficult Word : SOPHISTICATED
Lexical Category : adjective.
Synonyms: cosmopolitan, smart
Antonyms : innocent, naive
Sentence : His crush is a sophisticated English lady.

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Online Quiz 4 for BSEE and BSECE Students

Choose a difficult word that starts with the first letter of your first name. Give its lexical category, its synonyms and antonyms, and use it in a sentence. Post your answer on or before August 10, 2013, 9 p.m. AVOID PLAGIARISM.

Follow this format :

Difficult Word : SOPHISTICATED
Lexical Category : adjective.
Synonyms: cosmopolitan, smart
Antonyms : innocent, naive
Sentence : His crush is a sophisticated English lady.

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Online Quiz 4 for BSME and BSGeo Students

I will be on leave on August 7, 2013. With this, answer this task: Choose a difficult word that starts with the first letter of your first name. Give its lexical category, its synonyms and antonyms, and use it in a sentence. Post your answer on or before August 8, 2013, 1 p.m. AVOID PLAGIARISM.

Follow this format :

Difficult Word : SOPHISTICATED
Lexical Category : adjective.
Synonyms: cosmopolitan, smart
Antonyms : innocent, naive
Sentence : His crush is a sophisticated English lady.

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Online Quiz 4 for SAEc and CGB Students

I will be on leave on August 7, 2013. With this, answer this task: Choose a difficult word that starts with the first letter of your first name. Give its lexical category, its synonyms and antonyms, and use it in a sentence. Post your answer on or before August 7, 2013, 10 p.m. AVOID PLAGIARISM.

Follow this format :

Difficult Word :SOPHISTICATED
Lexical Category : adjective.
Synonyms: cosmopolitan, smart
Antonyms : innocent, naive
Sentence : His crush is a sophisticated English lady

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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.

I was amazed of the facilities and the establishments inside the airport. “Walang ganito sa Pinas. Ibang klase..World-class!” I noticed also that the janitors there were old Malays, Chinese, and Indians. “Kahit matanda na nagwo-work pa rin pala. Sila yung makikita mo na naglilinis ng sahig na salamin, yung mga nasa banyo na naglilinis ng dumi ng mga tao mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo. Kumakayod pa rin pala ang mga matatanda. Sa Changi airport, malulula ka sa elevator. Naku ang taas, ang haba. Ang mga mamahaling damit, bag, pagkain ay nasa loob.  At nung kumain kami sa Changi, naku ang mahal ng food pero ok lang yun paminsan-minsan kelangan mong maranasan to. Walang ganito sa Pinas. Nakakapanibago talaga. At ang LRT nila ay konektado sa airport. Kaya mula airport diretso na kami sa LRT para makarating doon sa condominium ng friend ni Mam Rowena Nuera. Kasamahan ko pala sa Language Department ng USEP si Ma’am Nuera. Doon kami tatambay at magpapakasasa sa condo ni Ma’am Lyra. Si Ma’am Lyra ay co-teacher ni Ma’am Weng sa University of Mindanao. Siya rin ay isang USEPian, AB Language and Literature yung kurso niya. Ngayon, sa SG na sila nakatira kasama ang kanyang pamilya. Sa National University of Singapore na pala siya nagtratrabaho.

                Nagtataasang mga gusali ang panay nakikita ko. Di ganito ang Davao, ang nakalakihan kong siyudad. Ibang-iba ang SG. At ang linis! Totoo nga pala yung sinabi ng estudyante kong si Zyril Roque. “Bro, limpyo kaayo ang SG. Maulaw ka maghugaw-hugaw. Ayaw pagpataka ug luwa didto”. Totoong-toto nga. Nakapunta na si Zyril sa SG dahil doon nagwowork yung sister niya. Sa LRT, samut-saring tao ang makakasalamuha mo. Oo, tama ka. Samut saring amoy din ang malalanghap mo. Amoy ng Malayu, Chinese, at ang panalo sa lahat ay ang amoy ng mga Indian. Di talaga maikakaila na amoy ng Indian. Ang tapang-tapang.

                Nung nasa Bali pa kami, binigyan na kami ng sketch ni Ma’am Lyra about sa condo nila. Di kami mawawala ,sure na sure ako. Ask lang talaga ng ask. Dito talaga matetest yung English mo. Mga isang oras din ata yung travel naming mula Changi papunta sa Condo. Di ko na matandaan kung ano yung pangalan ng condo. Pasensya na po. Tagal na kasi noon eh. Basta ang matatandaan ko maraming Chinese doon. Mataas ang building. At di close ang mga tao. Di nila kilala kung sino yung kapitbahay nila. Walang pakialaman unlike sa Pinas, pulutan ka palagi ng kapitbahay mo. Kabisadong-kabisado ko nina  Manang at Manong! 

                Muslim friendly si Ma’am Lyra. Maranao siya pero Christian na siya ngayon. So alam niya na di ako kumakain ng pork kaya no pork yung pagkain namin. Salamat Ma’am Lyra. Si Ma’am Weng au tulog agad pagdating naming sa Condo. Lantang-lanta. Kinabukasan, pumunta ako sa Universal Studios. Si Ma’am Weng tulog pa rin kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko na ako na lang mag-isa magliliwaliw sa SG. At kayang-kaya ko to! Di naman ako maliligaw siguro.At ang sarap ng stay ko sa condo. Libre lahat sa food. Movie marathon. Kain. Tulog. Malling. Chatting. 

                LRT. LRT. Ito yung means of transportation doon. May card ka lang, ok ka na! Makakatravel ka na! Sentosa, Universal Studios, at mga mall. Bawat istasyon may mga mall. Kasabay ko nga pala sa LRT si Ma'am Lyra. Papuntang work siya sa NUS, isa mga bigating university sa SG, sa Asya at maging sa mundo. Hanep nga ang SG!  Ito lang yung napuntahan ko doon. At ikli-ikli naman kasi ng panahon. Buti na lang nakatagpo ng mga kaibigan sa  USS. At ang dami-dami mga Pinoy doon. Namamasyal at nagtatrabaho. Sa isang mall, Pinay ang saleslady sa Giordano kung saan ako bumili ng I LOVE SG shirts. At doon naman sa Merlion statue, Pinoy din yung photographer doon. Kahit saan nga ang mga Pinoy sa ngalan ng pakikipagsapalaran. “Ganito lang yung trabaho naming dito pero malaki na ang sahod kung ikukumpara mo sa Pinas. “  Sa Universal Studios of Singapore ko talaga naenjoy ang mga araw ko. Sarap bumalik sa SG. Sarap magbakasyon sa SG lalo na pag may maraming pera! Mahal sa SG mga parekuy! Dollars! 

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MALAYSIA : My New Home ( Part Four)

“ Jed, you tour Malaysia alone so that you get to familiarize the places. You will not be lost as long as you know how to read, and ask. ” This was a piece of advice from Dr. Rodney. “Oh if that is the case Sir, I will stop first writing this research about Muslims in Malaysia. You know I went here to tour this place.  Hahaha.”

Masjid India. Central Market. Bukit Bintang. Petronas Towers. These are on my list. These are the places that would tell the cultures in Malaysia. And I  immediately bought my card for LRT.

Here I am exploring Masjid India! Alhamdulillah!

Masjid India. “ Sir, I want to buy pasalubongs for my family : kopiah, badju Melayu, hijab, etc. .”  And Masjid India is the right place. And yes, here in Masjid India you can buy all things you want for your Muslim brothers and sisters. Cheaper, affordable, and you can ask discount if you want! Just speak in Bahasa or greet them in Arabic, “Assalamu alaykum”. Masjid India is the oldest masjid in KL.  It was built over a century ago my Indian Muslim merchants.  About 3,500 Muslims perform the salahtul Jum-ah in Masjid India.  In Masjid India, I came to know different people : Malaysians, Indonesians, Iranians, Indians, and many others. And my Indonesian friend took me a picture infront of Masjid India. Terima kasih Masjid India, and I got three badju Melayu, seven hijab, four kopiah for my family and friends.

Sharina, an Ilokana balik-Islam, gave me a discount when I bought shirts in Central Market.

Central Market. Housed in an Art Deco building near Petaling Street, Central Market is one of the famous landmarks in KL. This is one of the most visited shopping centers where you can buy handicrafts, jewellery, clothes and many others. And to my surprise, there were lots of Filipino vendors. I met Sharina, an Ilokano balik-Islam. She married a Melayu and now enjoying the life in KL. She gave me a discount when I bought three shirts in her store. I met also a Samal Filipina saleslady who knows a little of Tausug, and Cebuano.  She shared that she has a sister in Buhangin, Davao City that is why she knows Cebuano. I bought stuffs in her store and I got a discount!

I am roaming around the busy Jalan Bukit Bintang. 

Bukit Bintang. “Go to Bukit Bintang. And you will enjoy there”, a friend from Norway once said this to me when I was in Puka Beach, Boracay. “ Nice place lah Sajed.”, Nurul Jannah, my Malaysian friend also related how nice to be in Bukit Bintang.” And so I walked and saw the beautiful and busy Jalan Bukit Bintang. Bukit Bintang is one of the shopping centers . It houses the Berjaya Times Square, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Imbi Plaza, Fahrenheit 88, Low Yat Plaza, Starhill Gallery, Sungei Wang Plaza, and Pavillion Plaza. And there were many people here..people from all over the world.  I toured the luxurious mall in KL, the Starhill Galllery. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, Valentino can all be found here. I was told my my friends that it is indeed cool to stay here at night. Night life is very night life. Massage, bars, foods.. They are all here.

The elegant KLCC located at the base of Petronas Towers.

Petronas Towers. Your stay in KL would not be complete if you do not visit the Petronas Towers, a pair of skyscraper office buildings, that are among the world’s tallest buildings. The Twin Towers, built to house the headquarters of Petronas, the national petroleum company of Malaysia, were designed by the famous Argentine born American architect Cesar Pelli. These were completed in 1998. The plan for each tower is identical : an eight-lobed circular structure that contains 88 stories of occupiable space and a pyramid-shaped pinnacle surmounted by a slender steel spire. At the base of the Petronas Tower is the elegant Suria KLCC, Malaysia’s premier shopping center. It houses over 400 stores. Many foreign nationals stay and enjoy the scenic beauty of Petronas Towers. It was nice sitting here and talking to different people.  I happened to meet two Indonesian ladies while I was roaming around, and they were in KL just to travel. How beautiful life is! 

Life in KL is as cool as the fountain in this park outside KLCC. 

When I was in the park in KLCC, I noticed a group of Cebuano young men enjoying each other’s company. They were talking loud and sharing their experiences in KL. “Ayusa diri bay uy. KL najud ni.”, one of Cebuano boys exclaimed. I came across also of a Tagalog family having their group picture at the fountain in KLCC. “Jumpshot tayo. Jumpshot!”  “ Saan po kayo sa Pilipinas”, I asked. “Laguna po kami. Pasyal pasyal lang kami dito.”  Lovers, friends, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives: they all gathered here to have an iconic experience in Malaysia.

Good evening, Malaysia!

If I would define home, I will simply put in one word, and that is MALAYSIA. 

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Online Quiz 3 for Technology and Literature Students (Reading for Information and Details)

Read the article in this site http://sajedsingilan.blogspot.com/2013/07/some-issues-in-english-language-teaching.html . In your perspective, what skill should be given emphasis in English 1 and how should it be taught? Write your views in the comment box below on or before Aug. 4, 2013, Sunday, 9 p.m.

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