Sunday, December 11, 2016
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Rekindle and Behold
LOL.
I was literally bursting in laughter as I opened my blog account and realized how passive I have been in the past years in this endeavor. Since I required my students one, might as well resurrect this account and post something worthwhile today and hopefully in the coming days.
The last time I gave a shot on this, I was still a teacher in a private school I dearly loved. Many transpired and evolved ever since. It was a memory of time worth keeping and remembering. You see, immediately after I tendered my resignation, I received a call from the Department of Education informing me that I have a spot in a renowned public school - Manolo Fortich National High School. It was a mass hiring, back then. AND I could still recall the mixed feelings I had as I behold a new environment which later on has become a family I belong to at the moment.
Three years have passed and I should say being a public school teacher ain't no easy task to deal with. I remembering being enveloped with fear, confusions, and the like for the transition from being a private school teacher to a public school teacher ain't easy as pie. You could say that I was being a little melodramatic but I really went through a lot just to prove my worth here in this institution. All I have with me is that passion to do something new and the thought that this job has that purpose significant for me and my family.
Some days are really frustrating: when students are behaving badly, when students cannot comprehend quickly; when trainings come one after the next, when assigned tasks to do seem to be endless; when contest results seem to go wrong; when health problems arise; when colleagues seem to be displeased...(...and the list goes on...) But at the end of the day, I just wear a grin for I have embraced (and I must embrace) the kind of world I wanted in the first place. After all, a teacher needs to be flexible and resilient. I must be one! Being a teacher for a decade? I am, I firmly believe so.
Actually, there is that kind of rewarding truth to being a public school teacher! Most days, I just find myself smiling because of the overwhelming progress my students are making, be it on their academics, or their behavior in and out of the classroom. People I work with help me a lot to get through. As But more than that, (I don't mean to brag here) my colleagues often turn to me for HELP for planning, strategy making, communication, editing, and whatnot. There are times I get tired but I just could not find that damn gut to say NO. I respond, and I work without complaint. What only comforts me is the overwhelming, gracious feedback I get from them.
Cliche as it may seem, teaching is really challenging but the challenge is what keeps me going. I would always remember the grueling training days I always have with my students before embarking a tilt or even the day to day classes we have. I have demands, a lot of it actually, and I am just so proud of how responsive my students are! It gives me extreme joy knowing I have challenged students to reflect in their endeavors, take the next steps, continuously improve, and push them outside of their comfort zone. There's never really a dull moment! Most especially when students reach out and extend the warmest gratitude they can afford. The feeling at times would seem to be indescribable!
In the end, I know what teaching should be all about: it's changing the world not just for the good, but for the best, ONE person at a time. If we want to see enduring commitments, we can learn from one and all. Students learn from us teachers, we, too, learn from them. We all know how the fruits of our labor continue to grow and flourish and dynamically create an impact in the most unexpected ways (and means). We may fail, but from this failure, we will definitely triumph! These thoughts do count, and will eventually sustain me for as long as I live with my family, with my job. I am tired at times, but I am happy today and hopefully, beyond.
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM!
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM!
Monday, January 23, 2012
On Losing
Nothing can spoil your mood like a loss of a valuable.
January 11-14, 2012: The Regional Schools Press Conference was held at Valencia City. Fortunately, I was once again a budding coach-participant to this annual regional affair. I was with three of my equally budding student-participants: Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe Lozarita, Shaira Salonoy, and Vicar Sussane Gonzales. Being with them was again a fun-filled heck of an experience.
Our first day was just like an ordinary day for a 3-day competition. We were welcomed in Valencia City Central School. We were supposed to be billeted in Batangan Elementary School but since this was the place were the flood hit weeks earlier, we were asked to stay in the city proper. The elementary delegates of our Division were escorted at City Central School. The secondary at the ALS-annex school of the City National High School of Valencia.
Well, our rooms were quite dilapidated. 'Twas as if the school building was a thousand years old and that its renovation or repair was seemingly forgotten. Not to mention the fact that as guests, we were deprived of a comfortable place to stay at up until the last day, all with complete beddings. Even then, we tried to make ourselves comfy as we do not have a choice anymore.
Our first night seemed to just be okay. Since our billeting quarter is right beside the City Oval/Plaza, we were entertained (weren't we?) by a Potpourri Night sponsored by SAIT (San Agustin Institute of Technology.) Plus, we got to view a fireworks display.
The second day was the formal start of the occasion. The parade, opening program, these stuff, just so the host division could do such formalities. 'Twas in the afternoon when Shaira was into her event: Photojournalism. We waited for her then went back to our quarter. That night was a much awaited night for them. Why? because it was then the concert of Cueshe Band. I could just fathom the excitement in their eyes when they asked permission to go. From the supposedly '1 song" to "1 whole concert" attendance. With their new found friends Michael and Garyll, they really enjoyed it! Well, even without being there, I got to listen to their music in the quarter while trying to get a little rest. 'Twas midnight when they finally got back to our room. Seeing their pictures was already enough proof of how merry they were.
That fun-filled moment was a good tickle to let us all down in bed. So who would have thought something wrong was about to happen?
Well, we just lost our valuables the morning after! That was really an extremely frustrating feeling! Mine, as well as Nica's and Shaira's phones were gone with the school camera! Unknown burglar/s came into our room. We lost our valuables unnoticed. We were fast asleep then! Our roommate-a teacher from Quezon National High School, offered his cellphone so as we could try to contact our numbers. Nica's and Shaira's were already number busy. But with my Smart? It still kept on ringing until the third time. So we went to KARANCHO and to the POLICE STATION for a blotter report with a pinch of hope that the items could still be retrieved.
Cliche as it may seem but humans as we are Life must move on! And so that day still continued. Nica went off to Lake Apo for her Feature Writing Event. So as with Vicar for Editorial Cartooning in the contest venue SAIT. At first, it was indescribable knowing we don't have contacts anymore and that we just agreed to wait on one area. After that day, we didn't get much of a tour in the city since it was raining. So we just stayed in our quarter do some chitchats, malong fun and take some photo ops inside. This continued until our last day finally came.
The last day seemed to be giving us a thrill while at the same time giving chimes of fright and sheer nervousness. Who wouldn't have these pent up emotions? It's the Closing and Awarding Ceremony! To cut it our shortly, we lost! The girls didn't make it to the Top 7! Well for them, I know there was a feeling of sadness and regret especially that the Nationals will be at Palawan!
Nevertheless, life must go on again! As I have been telling them, everything happens for a reason. God has His special reasons why He had our valuables taken by burglars and why He let us felt the loss of victory. Perhaps, this is God's way of reminding us that still, we only lost our valuables. We were still able to go home safe and sound. Probably, our loss in the Regionals is God's way of reminding us that in life, we lose, we win. After all, our loss would let us embrace triumphantly the next time winning comes our way!
To Nica, Shaira and Vicar: don't give up! We are all winners in a way or another.
January 11-14, 2012: The Regional Schools Press Conference was held at Valencia City. Fortunately, I was once again a budding coach-participant to this annual regional affair. I was with three of my equally budding student-participants: Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe Lozarita, Shaira Salonoy, and Vicar Sussane Gonzales. Being with them was again a fun-filled heck of an experience.
Our first day was just like an ordinary day for a 3-day competition. We were welcomed in Valencia City Central School. We were supposed to be billeted in Batangan Elementary School but since this was the place were the flood hit weeks earlier, we were asked to stay in the city proper. The elementary delegates of our Division were escorted at City Central School. The secondary at the ALS-annex school of the City National High School of Valencia.
Well, our rooms were quite dilapidated. 'Twas as if the school building was a thousand years old and that its renovation or repair was seemingly forgotten. Not to mention the fact that as guests, we were deprived of a comfortable place to stay at up until the last day, all with complete beddings. Even then, we tried to make ourselves comfy as we do not have a choice anymore.
Our first night seemed to just be okay. Since our billeting quarter is right beside the City Oval/Plaza, we were entertained (weren't we?) by a Potpourri Night sponsored by SAIT (San Agustin Institute of Technology.) Plus, we got to view a fireworks display.
The second day was the formal start of the occasion. The parade, opening program, these stuff, just so the host division could do such formalities. 'Twas in the afternoon when Shaira was into her event: Photojournalism. We waited for her then went back to our quarter. That night was a much awaited night for them. Why? because it was then the concert of Cueshe Band. I could just fathom the excitement in their eyes when they asked permission to go. From the supposedly '1 song" to "1 whole concert" attendance. With their new found friends Michael and Garyll, they really enjoyed it! Well, even without being there, I got to listen to their music in the quarter while trying to get a little rest. 'Twas midnight when they finally got back to our room. Seeing their pictures was already enough proof of how merry they were.
That fun-filled moment was a good tickle to let us all down in bed. So who would have thought something wrong was about to happen?
Well, we just lost our valuables the morning after! That was really an extremely frustrating feeling! Mine, as well as Nica's and Shaira's phones were gone with the school camera! Unknown burglar/s came into our room. We lost our valuables unnoticed. We were fast asleep then! Our roommate-a teacher from Quezon National High School, offered his cellphone so as we could try to contact our numbers. Nica's and Shaira's were already number busy. But with my Smart? It still kept on ringing until the third time. So we went to KARANCHO and to the POLICE STATION for a blotter report with a pinch of hope that the items could still be retrieved.
Cliche as it may seem but humans as we are Life must move on! And so that day still continued. Nica went off to Lake Apo for her Feature Writing Event. So as with Vicar for Editorial Cartooning in the contest venue SAIT. At first, it was indescribable knowing we don't have contacts anymore and that we just agreed to wait on one area. After that day, we didn't get much of a tour in the city since it was raining. So we just stayed in our quarter do some chitchats, malong fun and take some photo ops inside. This continued until our last day finally came.
The last day seemed to be giving us a thrill while at the same time giving chimes of fright and sheer nervousness. Who wouldn't have these pent up emotions? It's the Closing and Awarding Ceremony! To cut it our shortly, we lost! The girls didn't make it to the Top 7! Well for them, I know there was a feeling of sadness and regret especially that the Nationals will be at Palawan!
Nevertheless, life must go on again! As I have been telling them, everything happens for a reason. God has His special reasons why He had our valuables taken by burglars and why He let us felt the loss of victory. Perhaps, this is God's way of reminding us that still, we only lost our valuables. We were still able to go home safe and sound. Probably, our loss in the Regionals is God's way of reminding us that in life, we lose, we win. After all, our loss would let us embrace triumphantly the next time winning comes our way!
To Nica, Shaira and Vicar: don't give up! We are all winners in a way or another.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
A Winning Entry to the 2011 NSPC Online Writing Contest (Advisers' Category)
My Heart Speaks April 12, 2011
“Love wins.”
Life as I see it seems to be immeasurable. As I see it, I am bombarded not just with the momentous events I indulge in but also with the stressful dilemmas that came into my life. You see, I am now in my midst 20′s and somehow my own perspective of life has changed through the years. I remember my youth and the feelings that run my life. How could I ever forget that I didn’t have a complete family I can proudly call my own? How could I ever forget the times I blame God about the kind of life he has bestowed me? How could I ever forget the insecurities (of all sorts) I always felt to my peers? How could I ever forget the strength I had to face whatever comes my path despite the misapprehensions in my life?
THE BIRTH OF AN UNWANTED CHILD
I was born out of wed luck and what’s worst is my parents are actually pure blooded cousins! I only knew when I graduated high school. Hatred. Grudge. Pain. I felt every pinch of it. I didn’t have any outlet of my pent up emotions. What made it lighter and easier was my grandmother’s constant summoning and reminding of me of the fact that they are still my parents. It helped that I lived and grew up with her. Being religious was just so easy for her to forgive and forget my parents’ mishaps. Little by little, prayer after prayer, I was able to tell myself to learn to forgive. And so it happened. As I recall it, it was not just with a snap of a finger. It took me more than a year to allow the value of acceptance and clemency in my heart’s system.
A NEW BEGINNING
Years passed and despite everything I went through my only consolation is my utmost dream to make a change. I grew up with a courageous purpose in life. Thank God, I didn’t become a rebel child! Now, life seems to be so special. When I got married, everything fell into its proper place.
THE CALLING
My view of life changed. Much more when I began to work on my chosen career: teaching.I have been teaching for five years already. Somehow, it has become (and i know it will still be) a one heck of an experience. My life experiences not to mention my God-given skills were my weapons in teaching young minds and hearts. At some point, I still stumble. Financial constraints come unnoticed. Much so when the demise of my grandmother happened at the time that I am at my most fulfilled life. Melancholic as it seems but this did not stop me.
THE REALIZATION
What keeps me going is my love for my family. What moves me is my passion to teach. Gone are the insecurities. Gone are the rejections. I am now driven by my courage and strength to continue living my life. I withstand everything. God drives my life now.
I am only longing for God to continually be with me. So when time comes that He will get me, I can proudly say, “Thank you God! I had a wonderful life down there!”
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Heart of a Young Mother
After several weeks of hard work and extra hectic schedule, I finally had the chance to spend the last 4 weeks with my 2-year old daughter Maria Gwyneth. Being in school, 7 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon, Mondays to Fridays, is already a huge sacrifice (not to mention some Saturdays spent in school) for me as a mother to Gwyn. You see, I took a one year leave just so I could give birth to my baby well and of course to take care of her personally in her first months in this challenging world.
Gwyn was barely 8 months old when I came back to work. You see, my nature of profession and career isn't that easy. I am a high school teacher in a nearby Catholic private institution. What makes it more challenging is that my doting husband Gleen is a teacher too but in a public high school. This would mean mean to say that we only look after Gwyn after school. That is from Mondays to Fridays 5-9 since after that, she's already fast asleep. We could only spend more of our time with her on weekends.
You might think this is just another ordinary anecdote of a young couple. But, I am just so proud to tell the whole world what a lucky woman I am for having Gwyn (credit goes to dadi Gleen too).
Honestly, being a mother has been a difficult and struggling task for me. This, I guess comes from the fact that I got married at a young age though I am not yet emotionally stable. I was raised by my grandma only and that I wasn't able to have a "family" that would exemplify what it is and what should be done "having one" on your own. I was not surrounded by children that even when I was young, I was not asked to go out of our house. And even when I was on my teens, I could not socialize with peers like others do. You see, being raised by a grandma is different by being raised with your real parents, with siblings at that matter. But still, I greatly appreciate what grandma has done to me. After all, I would not be where I am now if not for her hard work. I salute Lola! Though sometimes, I feel a lot of pain and depression because my way of treating Gwyn is sometimes a cause of argument between my husband and I. Maybe because we are still beginners on marriage and parenting or maybe because there is still this misunderstanding of some sort between us. But despite our petty quarrels, I still acknowledge the patience my husband gives. He doesn't know this but actually, in every pain I feel whenever we have petty fights, I just become stronger to face what lies ahead of us especially that I do not have someone else to turn to (if we have petty fights) now that Lola is gone.
Well, Gwyn and Gleen are the most precious possessions I have in life as of the moment. It's as if my marriage was a blessing in disguise. It was when I experience what a joy it really is to be a mother to her and I also feel the joy of a daughter (a feeling I never felt when I was her age) she shows us. This, I really think is an exchange of "firsts' between us.
I’d like to tell the world just how proud I am as the mother of Gwyn. I never thought just how beautiful my baby has grown up to be as of now and I know in the years to come – inside and out. Yes, I’ve always known how she easily capture people’s attention whenever we go to the malls or even in our neighborhood only. But more than just this manifestation, I am proud at how good and smart she is - even at her very young age. She is so sweet and loving. And while she continually shows her playfulness and is sometimes getting hyperactive, and a "maldita" still she manages to be obedient little by little. I hope she continues to be. She does things we ask her to do like getting something or even putting something back to its proper place.
God, I can’t describe the feeling… My heart truly melts as I hear those oh-so-beautiful-words from my daughter… Her words are more than enough to soothe my tired and sometimes broken heart…Her simple " good night mi, good night di, lov you mi, love you di" just make us smile. One thing that is so surprising and note-worthy is that her appreciation to the value formation and discipline tha twe have been trying to instill in her. She knows if something is bad. She would just then say "bad na" or would utter "tama na, tama na". I just can’t imagine how, at her age, had she learned to appreciate that. I think most kids usually don’t.
My daughter never really ceases to amaze me!
I was startled to see my 2 yr-old Gwyn confidently imitating Angel Locsin doing her own version of the pole dancing. Moreover, she can actually turn on and off the television on her own. Another thing that amazes me is her ability to communicate well and act especially in Filipino and a little in English. She loves to sing and dance and do the catwalk (with matching flying kiss and seducing eyes). But what really makes this little girl stand-out is her in-born talent of making people laugh! Yes, I see a natural talent in her. She knows exactly how to make us all laugh. And she actually finds pleasure in doing so. Indeed, I am the number one fan of this little one!
Like other kids, she also has flaws that we cannot just simply ignore. As I've said a while ago, she really is a "maldita". She has this temper of a child we really are trying to understand. I guess this is one of the challenges of having her as a child.
As of now, I just feel so richly blessed having her around. I just pray that as we discover more of her talents and traits, she would grow as a mature and responsible individual. I pray that I can be there for them and guide them as they grow up…
Someday, she will learn to find this blog, and read this. When she does, I want her to know how much she makes me proud and happy as a mother, and just how much she and her dadi Gleen make me feel fulfilled as a person despite some problems that come our way!
Gwyn was barely 8 months old when I came back to work. You see, my nature of profession and career isn't that easy. I am a high school teacher in a nearby Catholic private institution. What makes it more challenging is that my doting husband Gleen is a teacher too but in a public high school. This would mean mean to say that we only look after Gwyn after school. That is from Mondays to Fridays 5-9 since after that, she's already fast asleep. We could only spend more of our time with her on weekends.
You might think this is just another ordinary anecdote of a young couple. But, I am just so proud to tell the whole world what a lucky woman I am for having Gwyn (credit goes to dadi Gleen too).
Honestly, being a mother has been a difficult and struggling task for me. This, I guess comes from the fact that I got married at a young age though I am not yet emotionally stable. I was raised by my grandma only and that I wasn't able to have a "family" that would exemplify what it is and what should be done "having one" on your own. I was not surrounded by children that even when I was young, I was not asked to go out of our house. And even when I was on my teens, I could not socialize with peers like others do. You see, being raised by a grandma is different by being raised with your real parents, with siblings at that matter. But still, I greatly appreciate what grandma has done to me. After all, I would not be where I am now if not for her hard work. I salute Lola! Though sometimes, I feel a lot of pain and depression because my way of treating Gwyn is sometimes a cause of argument between my husband and I. Maybe because we are still beginners on marriage and parenting or maybe because there is still this misunderstanding of some sort between us. But despite our petty quarrels, I still acknowledge the patience my husband gives. He doesn't know this but actually, in every pain I feel whenever we have petty fights, I just become stronger to face what lies ahead of us especially that I do not have someone else to turn to (if we have petty fights) now that Lola is gone.
Well, Gwyn and Gleen are the most precious possessions I have in life as of the moment. It's as if my marriage was a blessing in disguise. It was when I experience what a joy it really is to be a mother to her and I also feel the joy of a daughter (a feeling I never felt when I was her age) she shows us. This, I really think is an exchange of "firsts' between us.
I’d like to tell the world just how proud I am as the mother of Gwyn. I never thought just how beautiful my baby has grown up to be as of now and I know in the years to come – inside and out. Yes, I’ve always known how she easily capture people’s attention whenever we go to the malls or even in our neighborhood only. But more than just this manifestation, I am proud at how good and smart she is - even at her very young age. She is so sweet and loving. And while she continually shows her playfulness and is sometimes getting hyperactive, and a "maldita" still she manages to be obedient little by little. I hope she continues to be. She does things we ask her to do like getting something or even putting something back to its proper place.
God, I can’t describe the feeling… My heart truly melts as I hear those oh-so-beautiful-words from my daughter… Her words are more than enough to soothe my tired and sometimes broken heart…Her simple " good night mi, good night di, lov you mi, love you di" just make us smile. One thing that is so surprising and note-worthy is that her appreciation to the value formation and discipline tha twe have been trying to instill in her. She knows if something is bad. She would just then say "bad na" or would utter "tama na, tama na". I just can’t imagine how, at her age, had she learned to appreciate that. I think most kids usually don’t.
My daughter never really ceases to amaze me!
I was startled to see my 2 yr-old Gwyn confidently imitating Angel Locsin doing her own version of the pole dancing. Moreover, she can actually turn on and off the television on her own. Another thing that amazes me is her ability to communicate well and act especially in Filipino and a little in English. She loves to sing and dance and do the catwalk (with matching flying kiss and seducing eyes). But what really makes this little girl stand-out is her in-born talent of making people laugh! Yes, I see a natural talent in her. She knows exactly how to make us all laugh. And she actually finds pleasure in doing so. Indeed, I am the number one fan of this little one!
Like other kids, she also has flaws that we cannot just simply ignore. As I've said a while ago, she really is a "maldita". She has this temper of a child we really are trying to understand. I guess this is one of the challenges of having her as a child.
As of now, I just feel so richly blessed having her around. I just pray that as we discover more of her talents and traits, she would grow as a mature and responsible individual. I pray that I can be there for them and guide them as they grow up…
Someday, she will learn to find this blog, and read this. When she does, I want her to know how much she makes me proud and happy as a mother, and just how much she and her dadi Gleen make me feel fulfilled as a person despite some problems that come our way!
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