Purposeful Penguin is @ www.edwinsoriano.com

Volunteer Programs in the Philippines - by Ka Edong, the Purposeful Penguin

May 6th, 2009

I received a huge amount of web traffic from my “Ako Mismo” article on Technobiography.com .

I relate closely to the campaign because I am a volunteer myself. I strongly believe that individual contributions build up to something big in nation-building.

I spent a year in Cuyo Palawan as a volunteer teacher, was an elections-volunteer for NAMFREL in at least three elections and I continue to volunteer in PSI as a speaker.

Here’s taking another step forward and providing information to my readers about how else we can contribute in nation-building.

www.OneTama.com - Excellent website to get ideas on how you can contribute on an individual level
Rock Ed Philippines - “No More Excuses, Philippines!”
Gawad Kalinga
Habitat for Humanity Philippines
DOH Blood Bank Program
Red Cross
National Youth Commission
NAMFREL
World Vision Philippines
WWF-Philippines
Haribon Foundation
Jesuit Volunteers Philippines
UN Volunteers
Center for Volunteerism in the Philippines
Volunteer in the Philippines
VSO Bahaginan
Voice of the Youth Network (coming soon)

More to come.

If you know of other volunteer program links, feel free to comment below.

ka edong
volunteer

Posted in Lists | 2 Comments »

Painter, I

May 2nd, 2009

First Published on 18 Sep 2005 at 12:51 am.
Filed under Reflections.

I’ve always wanted to be a painter.

I feel the power of creation through painters and their paintings. I feel that people who create are closer to God.

I feel there is a profound ecstasy in creating. You are in control of what you are creating.

I remember being in an art studio in UP Baguio. There was this one painter who had 4 paintings on-going. She had a palette and would work on one painting. And then, she’d step back and appreciate her creation - a work in progress. What’s curious is that she would walk up to another of her (unfinished) paintings and use the same paintbrush with mixed colors to retouch other paintings.

Creation.

I should not feel so envious. I create too.

I am writing a paper. And I am proud of my work! I take pride in what my work is and how it will be appreciated and used by others. This is my creation. A creation made through me by my God.

ka edong
Painter, I

Posted in Reflections | No Comments »

Listen in: First Meeting with My 5-star Mentor

April 30th, 2009

In a training last week, we were challenged to get the “Michael Jordan” or the “Tiger Woods” of our industry for a mentor.

As a result of taking on that challenge to “go get a 5-star mentor!“, today I met for the first time my latest mentor.

My 5-Star Mentor

Meeting My Mentor, Mr. Juan Halili

To protect his privacy, I will call my mentor “Mr. Juan Halili”.
Rather apt as I will look to him for guidance as “one” of my mentors (pag-halili).

Mr. Halili is a very accomplished executive with Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in mentoring | 4 Comments »

My Mentors and what they mean to me

April 28th, 2009

Last Friday, I was on day 2 of our John Maxwell training: Developing the Leader Within You.

One portion of the training discussed mentoring. We discussed the importance of leaders being mentors. This allows the mentor to “replicate” himself (and do more) at the same time allows the mentee (the person being mentored) to grow in leadership and in responsibility.

And the foundation of a mentoring relationship is a genuine care of the mentor for the mentee.

My mentors

We were asked to write about our mentors - one in our personal life and one in our professional life. We described how our mentors were instrumental to our growth and development.

I shared to our class what I wrote. Then our facilitator, Alex Castillo, challenged us further. “Have you thanked your mentors? Have you thanked them enough?”

Anna Salcedo

I took out my cellphone and started texting my mentor at Intel, Anna Salcedo. Anna was my manager at Intel for almost three years. She’s 3 years younger than I. She had excelled at Intel (likewise with the help of her mentor) and took good care of our team throug hthe years.

Anna and Edong

This was my message for Anna, and the exchange of texts that ensued. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Reflections | 1 Comment »

Developing the Leader Within You

April 24th, 2009

I’m taking a two-day Leadership Training course through my company.

It’s an excellent opportunity for me and my classmates. Learned a lot in day 1 and shall learn a lot more in day 2.

Developing the Leader Within You - by John Maxwell

Our facilitator is Alex Castillo, an excellent trainer with many good stories to tell and a lot of insights to share.

One portion of our training yesterday featured a video by John Maxwell discussing the 5 levels of leadership: Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Personal Development | 3 Comments »

This day last year, I died

April 21st, 2009

On April 21, 2008 at around 6:21 am, I was driving from Quezon City to Cavite.
I was barely 5 kilometers from my home when
I met an accident .

I share my story here.
More importantly, I share my lessons learned.
So that my death and my second life shall be more meaningful for me and for the people I love.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Reflections | 2 Comments »

Easter Exercise for your Happy Heart!

April 13th, 2009

Here’s a funny Easter reflection story I picked up from my father over the Easter celebration.

I love hearing my father’s stories which he tells us with much gusto. He’s half smiling the whole-time he’s telling the story, half winking and looking for approval laughter from his family, his captive audience. I seriously think he has a set of index cards where he keeps his jokes and stories, ready to be shared at the right moment.

Embrace and Carry!

Embrace! - Tito Ed, Andrei and Cali -- Happy Hearts all!

This story is about Tito Jay and Tita Peach, our Read the rest of this entry »

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Best Day of My Life

April 3rd, 2009

Got this via email. Awesome how strangers can change something deep inside of us.

Best Day of My Life

Many thoughts cross your mind one hour before the beginning of an Ironman Triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run). Can I finish? Was my training plan sound? Did I do everything I possibly could to prepare myself for the day? What if I get a flat tire on the bike? What is my nutrition plan for the bike and run?

Self doubt is natural.

As I rode down the hotel elevator one hour before the beginning of Ironman Wisconsin , I overheard the following conversation between strangers:

Stranger 1 - “Good morning. How are you?”
Stranger 2 - “Best day of my life.”
Stranger 1 - <surprised by the reply, silence, apprehension for the Ironman race>
Stranger 2 - “Young man, make this the best day of your life.”

These simple 5 words from an anonymous stranger stayed with me for the next Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Inspiring People | No Comments »

Litratuwaan #4

April 3rd, 2009

Litratuwaan #4: Saan ito?
I crossed this bridge on foot. When I entered on one side of the bridge it was afternoon and still bright. When I exited on the other side and it was night time and all dark!
Question: Where is this place?