Career Calamity 2010

Let's see now...

I am currently working part time as a professor in Santa Isabel Music Department. I'm handling Statistics class for undergraduates and masters students, Measurement and Evaluation and Economics. Somehow, I have widened my horizon as a teacher as I improve my teaching methods in statistics while learning new subjects to teach. Good thing technology is better now in Santa Isabel.

I am also "rushing" my thesis work in MS Epidemiology. So far, my adviser has approved my topic. Next step: review of literature. It's still a long way to go. But in addition, I took two penalty courses this semester: Seminars in Epi and the dragging Evaluation Research. I could have taken easier subjects, but something told me that I needed them.

The Evaluation Research class is really something. Master and DrPH students were merged in this subject, so imagine the tension, not to mention that it is a UP class. I remember a case study report done by a DrPH classmate where a 2-paragraph case study was expanded into matrices in dozens of Powerpoint slides in the report. I thought it as an overkill, being somewhat simplistic as I am, but my classmates were intimidated by the sophistication of the report that elevated the standards in the succeeding reports! So much for intelectualizing simple things - a UP culture.

About my music career, I discontinued my Music study in favor of my Epi thesis. Although I already have a good background in music theory, I still have to continue eventually. So far I topped my music classes last semester, simply because my other classmates, who are also my current students this sem, were not very competitive. But despite my discontinuation, I experienced some good application of my rusted violin skills. Aside from the mall tours and simbang gabi last Christmas season, I had a couple of "harang," a wedding where I played with a few more violinists and a pianist, a concert for a cause violin performance in solo with keyboard accompaniment, and an on-the-spot accompaniment with flute and keyboard in a church concert in Navotas at Christmas Eve.

I also have accepted a few consulations, and still continue finalizing my outputs in some of my rackets. I was also able to direct a play (see previous post). But I am trying to limit my sidelines and try to focus on what is more important.

So that's my career status for now. I do not gain much financially, but it can wait. Besides, although I'm turning 28, I still look young and can still pay P6.00 in jeepneys, saying, "estudyante!"

The Best Yearstarter

I never expected the feeling after is so heartwarming. At first I only wanted to get it over with, but when it ended, everything changed.

I was referring to directing a school musical play in Immaculate Heart of Mary College, Parañaque last January 8 and 9.

On a night just a few weeks before the play, I stepped into the school campus despite the heavy traffic just to spit the bad news - I wanted to quit as director. but the Franciscan sister who invited me to do the job pleaded to take my word back. That morning the same nun was nagging me to work on the script right away, plus the tickets and invitations. "That wasn't part of my job!" I ranted on everyone in Santa Isabel about my situation. "I was just invited to help them, not take all the burden!..."

But that was weeks ago, last year.

We only had a serious practice about a week before the play and everything was in a rush, almost close to impossible. The committee members, teachers, complained on the rush work and the kids were haphazardly memorizing their lines. I had to patch everything up in just days. I even had to give up everything I do for a week to do it once and for all.

I remember directing our high school class plays as interclass competition. My intentions of directing those plays were rather personal, as I wanted to prove that directing does not need badmouthing and nasty attitude, as what I experienced with a classmate who directed several plays himself. We didn't always get the gold, but I still made my point.

I was a teenager then. This time, I am an adult directing grade school pupils for a musical play. I definitely showed no nasty attitude nor badmouthing. I was more of a big brother to them, joining their silly game as their commander. But as the days passed, the game became serious. I became stricter as judgment day came.

All went well. Not only that, it went great. I heard the feedbacks were positive. But what has bearing was the perceivable success of the musical to me as the director. The kids were great.

Too bad I don't have the pics as proof at the moment.

I have a perennial disease of not saying NO to favors. This was one of them. As a new year's resolution, I included saying NO to any favor that will lose my focus to my priorities. But honestly, I'm very grateful that I didn't give this one up.

But if asked to direct another school play, I'd say NO.