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!"...

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. 

LOVE LETTER & POEMS

I have asked some of my 4th year high school students to submit a poem about anything in Filipino or English. I am surprised to find out that many of them can really write poems whether in Filipino or English. I have made some editions to share you some of them..

©istockphoto.com/peepo

DEAR 

is written by Jeremy Alba 

A love professed for someone dear to him.

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A POEM FOR MY LOVE

is also written by Jeremy Alba

An admiration for someone  he loves, 

yet waiting for her to love him back.

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YOUR SONG

Jeisoun Douiyan 

Kung lahat ng tao sa paligid mo iniwan ka

H'wag na h'wag mong iisiping ika'y nag-iisa

Nandito lng ako mag-aalaga sa 'yo

Ibibigay ko sa 'yo lahat-lahat pati sariling buhay ko

Pag ika'y nagkamali sa iyong ginawa

Ipapakita ko sa 'yong hindi ka dapat mahiya

Hahawakan ko nang mahigpit ang iyong kamay

At sasabihin ko sa 'yong "hindi ka dapat malumbay"

Ito ang awitin ng buhay ko

Ang lirics nito ay umiikot sa mundo mo

K'ya please h'wag ka mawawala sa buhay ko

Dahil baka matapos ang "your song" ng buhay ko!!!!

This is lyrical poetry about making a promise to a woman he loves. 

Translation in English is provided in the link

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My Pain, My Joy

Emily Faith's 2nd bday

It was during my seven (7) months of pregnancy that I had come to know that my baby has a congenital defect. It was seen during the ultrasound test that she is hydrocephalic. When the doctor told me the baby’s condition, it was as if my whole world suddenly stopped. In all those remaining weeks of my pregnancy, I had to undergo a series of ultrasounds and was really shaken to find out that her spine is curved. Worse came to worst, my baby's back is not fully developed when she was born and she needs to undergo an immediate operation to close her back as well as to insert a shunt on her head at that time.

Life has not been that easy for us, but there is a life that has to be carried on. Though doctors told me she wouldn't have good mental development, it was unfair for my baby not to let her be given a chance to see the light of this world. God is the only One who could get back what He has given.

weeks old, before the surgery

My daughter has been diagnosed with myelomeningocele or a syndrome of  Arnold Chiari malformation II. My little cuddly baby who was only 5 lbs more had undergone two (2) types of operations when she was barely a month old. One in the head for the shunt and another on her back to repair her lumbosacral. As she was growing, there is no trace that she has mental retardation as doctors had insinuated when she was still inside my womb. Now that she is four (4) years old, it pains me to see her moving from one place to another though with some limitations, because she wouldn't be able to walk due to damaged nerves in her lower extremities.

But in all of these, I have been thankful to the Lord for the special gift He has given us. We have given her the name Emily Faith Princess, after my name, and because through faith, impossibilities had become possibilities. Though there are therapies and medications needed for her to stay healthy, she’s giving us joy and laughter. That baby girl who has limitation in her movement never give us limitation for the joy, sweetness, and embraces she's always giving us.