2011 year in review

I did a lot of new things this year. 2011 has been a surprise to me and it's helped me grow personally and professionally. I got to travel a lot this year! It's a first! I was very blessed this year and all I can say that it's been an awesome ride! Here are my highlights of 2011! No ranking in particular!

Click on READ MORE to see :)

To all you loyal followers of this blog, wishing you all an awesome 2012!!! :)

Thank you Mr. Robinson

Last July at Comic-Con, I was really fortunate to have met the creator of "The Joker", Jerry Robinson. He was a real gent! He was accommodating and friendly. I was really surprised that the creator of one of the greatest villains of all time was in Comic-Con!

Last December 8, I was shocked when I got a text from my friend Gerard who was with me at SDCC. He said that Jerry Robinson has passed away... :(

I felt bad that one of the pioneers of comics had passed away... He was 89.

From Comic Book Resources

Robinson was born in Trenton, New Jersey on New Year's Day in 1922. At only 17 years of age, the aspiring artist was hired as an inker by Batman creator Bob Kane, and over the next several years, Robinson offered as much visual input into the character's world and cast as his originator. Robinson co-created Robin, the Boy Wonder and is often credited as the primary influence for arch-villain the Joker, though Kane and Robinson would clash over credit for the villain's creation in later years. The artist was soon hired away from Kane's shop by "Batman" publisher DC/National Comics, for which he served as a staff artist, drawing many of the most striking covers of comics Golden Age.

From DC Comics' Senior Executives

“Jerry Robinson illustrated some of the defining images of pop culture’s greatest icons. As an artist myself, it’s impossible not to feel humbled by his body of work. Everyone who loves comics owes Jerry a debt of gratitude for the rich legacy that he leaves behind.”—Jim Lee, DC Entertainment Co-Publisher and artist of "Batman: Hush"

“Jerry Robinson was one of the greats. He continued to be a vibrant, creative force well into his nineties, with ideas and thoughts that continue to inspire. Jerry was a great advocate for creators. It was my pleasure to meet and work with him. He will be missed.”—Dan DiDio, Co-Publisher, DC Entertainment

“It’s impossible to work at DC Entertainment­ without feeling the impact of Jerry Robinson’s contributions to the industry. His influence continues to resonate today.”—Bob Harras, DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief

“Jerry Robinson was an innovator, a pioneer in storytelling. His artwork was always astonishing, but his contributions to the Dark Knight mythology go far beyond art. The streets of Gotham City are a little lonelier today...Jerry will truly be missed.”—Mike Marts, "Batman" editor

It was an honor to have met Jerry Robinson... He will be missed by the industry.

SDCC 2011

A signed copy from my friend Miguel Ramos. I got this as a birthday gift last October.

TULONG DUNONG

Over the past few days I've been seeing a lot of links about Tulong Dunong. This got me thinking...

I graduated from Ateneo de Manila High School in 2003. I was a TD Kuya in H. Bautista Elementary School in Marikina. I was in the English Track and I tutored the advanced students. They were a joy to teach!

But this post goes to all the undergrad students of Ateneo High. 

To the current Juniors, Sophomores, Freshmen of Ateneo High, I'm telling you, Tulong Dunong is the best, if not, one of the best things you'll experience in High School. It's a big responsibility! But remember that this something unique in Jesuit Education. This is what being a man-for-others is all about. Sure cliche na kung cliche. But believe me, seeing the MTV above reminded me that even after graduating, you're still a Kuya. We will always be Kuyas to our less fortunate brothers and sisters and it's up to us to help.

You will do a lot of lesson plans. A LOT! But do it with heart and you'll be ok. :) My class was special. We were under Miss De Guia and Mr. Brazal. Sir Brazal was the guy who checked my lesson plans and hindi sa pagyayabang, I got all As :) Like I said, you're a Kuya and you have to do it with heart. Think of the kids. They really look up to the TD Kuyas. Believe me... If there's one thing I want you to pick up from this, during senior year, take your lesson plans seriously. Don't cram it guys :( We want the kids to be better at school... Just take it seriously and you'll do well :)

Below is a message from my TD Teacher Miss Meng De Guia... 

Fr. James O'Brien, SJ never intended Tulong-Dunong to be a high profile program --never wanted TD to be advertised. All these years, the program relied on God's providence without the aid of media. Times have changed though and the funds to support our scholars have dwindled. But the spirit of TD -- to promote HUMAN DVELOPMENT (as Fr. OB used to say, "to let each become what he is capable of being and becoming") and to get our people out of poverty still lives. This video is meant to RECONNECT with all those whose lives had been touched by the TD Program and to hopefully ENCOURAGE them to once again be these promising kids' kuyas/ates. To find out more and to help, here's how: log on to www.tulongdunong.org. Thank you friends!

If you're a student from Ateneo High, drop me a note if you have any questions or if you need any tips! I'd be glad to help :) If you were a student in H Bautista Elementary School, drop a message too! :)