Edemsclaire Hannah, 14

     Having two girls in my brood is a wonderful feeling. I didn't feel how other girls do with their sisters since I don't have a real one. I have five siblings, all four are males and the other one is the in-between female. So, these two girls of mine are really a gift. 

     My first daughter, Edemsclaire Hannah, her name is derived from our nicknames, her father Ed-ward and I. Our favorite name if ever we would have our firstborn is Claire, but God wanted it to be a boy. Claire, from our favorite Christian love song Awit Kay Claire*click*(Song for Claire), and Hannah from the Bible, mother of Samuel the prophet. Her faith that God would give her a son and her obedience in dedicating her son Samuel to serving God.

     This is her day and dedicating this blog to my loving daughter, we call her EENAH (I-na). Today is her 14th birthday. The daughter who takes care of her younger siblings when I am away. The daughter who has been my assistant in taking care of baby Faith. I have seen her when she was still four years old, a very strong girl, not afraid to do things to experience the wonders of her childhood days. 

     Barely nine years old when I taught her how to administer a catheter to our baby and all the necessary hygiene and cleaning to be done at that time. She is the mother when I am out. She has a greater influence on her two younger siblings as I am observing them. She is loved by her younger sister and I am seeing they are very close. Last night, when she arrived from a Bible camp, her younger sister half-awake heard her voice, suddenly sit up and call her name. When she found out she has arrived, our baby Faith hugged her. Hmmm...a bit jealous on my part :)..but I am so glad they are that close. 

     As for my present for her birthday, I just put it on her bed so that if she wakes up she would see it. She said thank you and we kiss, waited for 12AM to open it, but I am the one excited so I told her to open it and I know she would love it...jaraannn..and I never did go wrong in choosing the Sanrio Hello Kitty watch for her...

I prayed that she will grow up stronger in the real world and in the Lord. I want her to be the best that she can be, not being affected by what others would say but by how her conviction and faith would dictate..L<3 ve U EENAH...

10 yrs old

# daughter #awitparakaykleyr #birthday

 #claire  #14th #eenah #hellokitty

#sanrio

12 yrs old

13 yrs old.

Remembering Our MoM

You were once connected. The cord of life, the umbilical cord, connects you to your mother. All of us came from our mother's womb. Every single cell, flesh and blood, carried us and make us see the light, the life. According to psychologists, 70% of our intelligence came from our mother.  Their nurturing hands become what we are. Everything God has planned for us, every detail..God uses our Mothers to make it happen...

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A MOTHER is something absolutely new." - Rajneesh

"Men are what their MOTHERS made them." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Though once we're connected to them, we can always reconnect. This is the best time. Indeed there are many ways to reconnect with our MOTHER..hug her, say "I love you", pamper her, give her flowers, offer a help from household chores, treat her, pray for or with her, spend time talking to her, cook for her, think of many ways you can make her happy..And if she's already gone, talk to any member of the family or someone close to your MOM, reminisce times with them, celebrate and offer her flowers..For the many MOmmY bloggers out there,  

 

HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY...

Below is the blog title's translation. Click, watch, be reminded & share this to all in memory of our MOMs:
You were once connected. She takes good care of you. Remember her always especially today. For my NANAY, & to ur MOMMY. Happy Mother's Day!#PLDTMothersday

#mom #mother #connection #womb #pldt

Bible Quotes About Our MOther

What does the Bible say about a MOTHER? ..In celebration of mother's day, I'm writing some Bible quotes about our beloved mother. Read and meditate on it. Happy Mother's day to all MOMs...

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my MOTHER's womb." - Psalm 139:13 (NIV)

     Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (2) “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), (3) “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” - Ephesians 6:1-3 (ESV)

"Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, (9) for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck." - Proverbs 1:8-9 (ESV)

"My son, keep your father’s commandment and forsake not your mother’s teaching. (21) Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. (22) When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you." - Proverbs 6:20-22 (ESV)

The Proverbs of Solomon. "A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother." - Proverbs 10:1 (ESV)


Click below for some gift suggestions:

On this special day for her, give her styles 



#mothersday #mothers #Biblequotes

Remembering Princess Diana...

     Today, April 29, 2011, marks the wedding of the century. Prince William, the 1st born child of the late Princess Diana and the heir to the British throne married Kate Middleton. Watching their wedding brings back the wedding of Princess Diana to Prince Charles which everybody knows tagged as a fairy tale wedding. Sadly, their wedding did not come out as in the fairy tale "and they live happily ever after". We all know the history, they divorced, and the tragic accident that we have lost the England Rose. 

      For some who still didn't know, Princess Diana was a descendant of King James II of England through an illegitimate daughter, Henrietta Fitzjames by his mistress, Arabella Churchill. On her mother's side, Diana was Irish and Scottish, as well as a descendant of American heiress Frances Work, her mother's grandmother and namesake, from whom the considerable Roche fortune was derived

     With all her deeds, stature, and grandeur she had lived differently, taken aside the protocol of a British monarchy, especially in rearing her children. I admired her a lot, from her face to the way she glances, to her smile to her elegant and classy dressing style to her no qualms in doing charity works and helping the needy. A true epitome of a queen. Diana was highly visible in support of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, a campaign that went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 after her death.   

      I don't wanna tackle here what she had been through while she's still married. We all know how sad she was. Watching Prince William's wedding, I have some regrets that she was not able to see and witnessed the wedding of her beloved son. Maybe if she's still alive, she would be happy to see how her kids have grown and how she has influenced her 1st born. My admiration for Her Royal Highness, Princess of Wales made me buy books about her.  Lady Diana, Princess of Wales is the Queen of People's Heart.

     Mourning was heard during Princess Diana's death at Westminster Abbey,  now an uproar of celebration for the wedding of her beloved son. Maybe that's the reason why Prince William now Duke of Cambridge wanted to hold his wedding with Kate Middleton Duchess of Cambridge, to erase the bad memories Britons and his family had at the time of his mother's death. Pray that it isn't another fairy tale but a true tale of love story and trust. 

the way she glances.

the way she nurtures her children ...

the way she smiles...

Princess Diana: "The worst illness of our time is that 

so many people have to suffer 

from not ever being loved" 

Earth Day, My Birthday..It Rhymes

Today, April 22 marks Earth Day 2011 with the theme: "Earth Day every day!". The call is to remind Filipinos to do green acts every day. One way we can help Mother Earth:  "ENGAGE YOURSELF TO ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES AND ACTIVITIES." Yesterday, as part of the earthday countdown, the call is to "RIDE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS."
   War raged in Vietnam when the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970 marks April 22. The idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Senator Nelson announced the idea for a “national teach-in on the environment” to the national media. Earth Day Network has its 2012 goal of A Billion Acts of Green® and launched an international, 1-million tree planting initiative. So far it brought 225,000 people to the National Mall for a Climate Rally, amassing 40 million environmental service actions toward its goal. 

According to Senator Nelson, "Earth Day" was suggested by several people in 1969, including, his friend who had been in the field of public relations and a New York advertising executive, Julian Koenig. The idea came to him by the coincidence of his birthday with the day selected, April 22. "Earth Day" rhymed with "birthday," and it seemed natural. Other names circulated during preparations but Nelson continued to call it the National Environment Teach-In, but press coverage of the event was "practically unanimous" in its use of "Earth Day," so the name stuck. So, as Julian Koenig suggested, I'm glad I would say it too, it's Earth Day and it's my birthday...(",)

Teachers of The Decade

     Attending my son's graduation from high school last March 31 made me shiver and reminds me of my graduation day 25 years ago. I wasn't sentimental back then compared to my son's graduation..there's a mixed emotion..happy, that finally another stage of my son's life has ended and the joy of hoping he would be in college and that he would make it better this time...sad, that my son isn't a baby anymore, the one I used to cuddle, he would have his own life and decision and I'm afraid for him to have mistakes.

     As the ceremony has ended, we took pictures with some of his teachers..our teachers. This blog is actually for these teachers who have exemplarily done their work..our English teacher, our Social Studies teacher, and our Music teacher. Except for the first one, both teachers were known for their terrifying effect on students and I had been one of those students. They really have an impact on me as a person and as a teacher. I would say they are effective and efficient as well.

     They are the teachers of the decade, dedicated to their work, inculcating the importance of teaching and learning to their students...How come...I'm an English teacher too and planning to get a certification in TESOL, I still remember the Afro-Asian literature, the use of auxiliary verbs, doing a written report, the World history, reporting inside the class, how to read musical notes, and understanding the piano parts. How to be neat, how to talk in front of people, and how to recite even if you're nervous. Twenty-five years have gone by, and they became the teachers of my son.

     Imagine the times they have been in our alma mater, the times they have spent teaching kids, the many times students were leaving them and new ones came in. I've felt the same way they had felt many times when my own students have graduated. When all else are leaving for the American Dream, they were the ones who are left for the Filipino dreams. And still, no one can surpass the dedication they have..love them all..they deserve more of the best! Kudos to all my teachers..\o/

Our English teacher, Mrs. Raquel Naanep-Bato.

Our Social Studies teacher, Ms. Loida Estrada

Our Music teacher, Mr. Silvestre Mariano.

Graduation

     In the Philippines, we have a 6-year elementary grade and a 4-year high school. Handling the 4th-year students are not quite easy. You as a teacher need to emphasize to them how important to undergo a college or even a vocational course, even what we call a TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Authority) course that would only take 6 months or less. You also have to take note of their subjects if they are on the edge of failing and how much effort they should take for them to graduate. There is also involvement with their personal problems, and sometimes financial...it really took a long way. For almost 10 months that we had been together, finally, they have made it.

     At the beginning of our class, I had encouraged and motivated everyone to dream dreams, a belief in one's self, and faith in God. I have even given them a project on Values (since class advisers were the ones handling this subject as an additional from their expertise) to make a dream board. The objective is to focus on their goal and on what they wanted to achieve. We also had this statement made on the 1st day of our class, that they have to shout and convince himself/herself upon saying it, "Hindi ako magda-drop! ga-graduate ako!" (I won't drop the class! I'm going to graduate!). Classmates who would hear would clap and agree if they were convinced of what each was saying. The law of positive attraction is also convincing yourself that you're gonna make it, that you can do it, that you can have it, that you can achieve it. I told them that if they themselves cannot be convinced of what they wanted to happen, nobody can. I'm sure they did not forget these two starting events in our class.

     Last night, April 5 was their graduation day, all girls were in tears but I'm keeping myself holding on until one of the boys came to me and call me to say thank you and really cry his heart out...I never thought he would cry like a child to me while I'm hugging him...that's the point I can no longer hold on to my tears..it flows..and while I am writing this blog, tears rolling down my cheeks. I'm really gonna miss them..my cellphone for the last few days before graduation day has not stopped receiving messages from them saying their thank you's..that's the essence of teaching I think, letting them know how I care, whoever they are whatever they have done. They are like my own children. It somehow made them realize what I had been doing for them and unconsciously realized what I have told them that they are in school to learn how to learn..and after that night, I think they did...

4N batch 2011, my advisory class...

My Advisory Class on their Recollection

     Kinda late to write this on my blog, since it happened last January 17. The place were Alagad ni Maria (Disciples of Mary) Formation House in Tahanang Nasaret (Nazareth Home) Retreat Center. This is actually a seminary for aspiring priest but as part of reaching out to the youth they offer recollection program for the graduating students of some high schools in and out of Antipolo vicinity. I'm actually handling 4th year students and they have joined this program initiated by our school.
     I was not in the room where the session is being held but I know what is happening inside since I had been into this kind of recollection program when I was in high school. Some of my students were sharing what happened during the session, what they have heard, and what they did. Well, there are some things that some students never shared to anyone but the session made them open it up. I wouldn't share what some of my students found out from their classmates, and it's a realization for them to understand each other and of course to understand these kids..what they have been undergoing in such a young age. But thinking of it, what's the recollection is all about..
     Every Retreat and Recollection is a SPIRITUAL ENCOUNTER with GOD, meant to be a venue for silence, prayer, reflection and renewal. This Recollection is a special moment, each year, which would hopefully facilitate this meeting with God, so as to bring about transformation. A true spiritual experience brings about change in values, attitudes and convictions, rendering persons more “Christ-like” - this is the heart of all the goals and objectives of the Retreat and Recollection Program. As every students who had undergone a recollection program, each had their own story to tell, experiences to share and a reflection to think about. It is knowing who they are, what they have, what they will be if without God on their side or if with Him all through out their endeavors. Recollection is the time for them to bringing again their past experiences, recalling how it was, but not to mingle with these pasts but makes it a learned lesson on how they will face the present challenges in their lives and how they would walk on to their future.

     These students if properly guided and motivated can be pushed on to set and work out their goals. Though they are not the best of the best nor the cream of the crop, each has its own unique personality, special gift, and talents that they can use. Each passing day, I am discovering new things from them and the time is getting nearer for them to say goodbye to their alma mater. On Tuesday, they will receive their diploma and say, "I did not drop the class! I have graduated!"...

Watching The Super Moon

     As we all have known, the Supermoon started at 2 am Sunday, March 20, 2011 (Manila time).  A supermoon is a full or new moon that coincides with a close approach by the Moon to the Earth. The Moon's distance varies each month between approximately 354,000 km (220,000 mi) and 410,000 km (254,000 mi) due to its elliptical orbit around Earth. Lunar Perigee is what we call it. Super moon was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979. It is being said that with the combined effect of the Sun and Moon on the Earth's oceans, the tide is greatest when the Moon is new or full. At lunar perigee, the tidal force is even stronger resulting in more extreme high and low tides, but even at its most powerful this force is still weak.
     At 2:45 am, looking up in the sky, I took pictures of how the moon is closer to the earth. I was worried then if I could take a shot of it since I only have my Sony Ericsson Cybershot 3.5mega pixel cellphone..but..wow... it's very clear, to think I'm not even on top of a roof. That night you could even see the clouds slowly moving underneath because of the shining moonlight affecting the sky. According to some reports, this same phenomenon occurs every 2 decades.

Mesmerized by Baguio..

     City of blooms! The summer capital of the Philippines! whatever you may call it..it's the place I've always wanted to come back to.. the mountains, its landscape, her flowers, the wind, its people. It's been a long time since my last visit to Baguio, 12 years ago..but still the memories, all that is in Baguio lingers. A happy family back then, it seems. I have 2 kids then and we went boating in the man-made lagoon in Burnham Park, took our walk up the 100 stairs, and took pictures with the Mines View Park behind us and The Mansion. Sweet memories..we even experienced a tremor at 2am.  Earthquake!   at first, I thought there was a monster opening the door since our room is connected to the other moving through a common bathroom.
Traveling 6 hours from Manila.. always excited to get there.. remember my first visit when I was in college for a leadership seminar sponsored by one of our student societies I was a member of. Six months after the July 16, 1990 earthquake when Baguio, one that was badly hit at that time.. though we could still see the ruins, its natural beauty can still be seen despite the tragedy. The warmth of the native people living there, and the rich culture, would also make you back and even wanted to live there. I think this is the place where I can really be one with nature, be what I am, be with other God's creation, It's a beautiful place..being tired of the suburbs' polluted air, the noise. it's one place that will bring you to your senses. Though I know there is a far better place than Baguio, still, her flowers leave their color in my eyes.
     One day, two days, or even three days are not enough to see the marvelous splendor of Baguio..and maybe after all these tedious days, I would go back and experience once again the different colors and blooms of Baguio.

TEACHER...TEACHER

      Being a teacher is indeed a noble profession, especially in public school settings. It's not the compensation nor the position that is important, it's the heart, the vision, the burden, and the fulfillment of teaching and guiding the students on how to learn, how to reach their goals, how to face and win the battle. We should help them to be the best person that they can be and be a great motivator to make them go on with life, a life that is worth living. Sad to say..it's not what I have been seeing with some of my colleagues. 

     Every day, my heart aches for these kids. They are not the typical students going to school with enough money in their pockets to spend during break time. They do not come from families who have much to spend on, parents who are good providers, a home with a father and a mother sharing responsibilities in taking care of them, a day without people barking and lashing out profane words, a table with food so it can sustain them throughout their class period. I have seen students running after some trucks or vans to hang out and make their back ride so they can go home, which is too dangerous for them. Some students even go to school without any food on their stomachs. What can a government do about it? and how about their parents not minding them off? And what about the teachers? Actually, some teachers spent more than what the government is giving them. 

     These kids are looking for someone who can give them the strength to carry on, many of them stop dreaming, never wanting to go into college but to get a job to sustain them. I should say, teachers could be their turning point. If nobody believes in them, teachers could be there to inspire and maybe extend some help for these kids that dreams are not impossible if they just focus and think that their dreams are just out there waiting to happen. I kept saying to my advisory class back then, never stop dreaming, dream dreams, go for it, never say I cannot; if they wanted it and if there's a will there is always a way,  there is always a reason for them to say they cannot. I have heard a colleague saying that we should promote these kids since they would never get into college anyway, and as if their life would stop from there. Teachers should inspire, and motivate them to go on, never be the one who will make them stick with what they have. Teachers should never put an end to what these kids can do. 

    However, many teachers are doing things beyond their teaching profession, though sorry for some students who had encountered teachers who took advantage of them in exchange for a diploma. Teachers asking for some "special projects" not even related to the subjects they are teaching. Whoa!,, I even heard one of my students that she was asked to buy something. Sad, but what should we do? Is it the system? Is it the people within the system? or is it the government? Yet, even the least profession being heard, this is the most tasking and beyond the nobility, one could serve.