Let me start by saying I'm not leaving Ateneo. I'm not even leaving DISCS. I've taken on a new position: Director of e-Learning for the Konrad Adenauer Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University (CFJ).
The job was offered to me several months back, even before I went on leave. However, I turned it down because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to cope with the load. I recommended other people who, as it turned out, were also hesitant to take on the extra work.
After some thinking, I spoke to the CFJ again and asked if the position was still open. It still was. I asked if they could still consider me for the position. They did. And I got the job.
There were several factors that convinced me to pursue the job, but let me just share this one: I realized from my break that one source of frustration for me was that I kept saying no to interesting work because I believed I had to clear my schedule for my job as chair. After some thinking, I realized that the only way to let go of the frustration was to start saying yes. It is additional work and my schedule will be crazy (October just got even crazier). However, it will at least free me from this feeling that I am missing out on opportunities.
***
My sister, Mari Delfin, is part of Lakan Bakor Foundation, a group dedicated to providing financial assistance to indigent patients at the Philippine General Hospital. One of Lakan Bakor's recent projects was the renovation of the children's ward. Part of the renovation was to cover the walls with murals.
Mari asked me several months back whether I could recommend an artist. I recommeded Quix Maiquez and his girlfriend, Mara. Quix was a student of mine in CS 175 three years ago (I taught him everything he knows--hahaha! kidding!). He has also done some multimedia authoring for the grade school project.
Quix was eager to take on the project, partly because it was for a good cause and partly because it was a wonderful opportunity for an artist. He had I believe over 80 feet of mural space in all, plus it was a high-traffic spot. I have yet to visit the site, but looking at their online gallery, I think Quix and Mara did a great job!
Check out the murals!