Acquaintance

Starting to have a good frnd now.   I just met him. and i am overjoyed to have him. unlike those in the past whom i considered to be good friends---- I ended up dismayed when I proved they aren’t good companions, they aren’t true to me coz they were only there for me when they want something. I just thank d Lord that for a short time, I was a good friend to them even if it ended up that they aren’t tru to me.

 ryt now, I am blessed to have acquainted with a new friend, new face, new voice. I have a feeling that this will turn out good; he have made me feel an emotion totally different from what I felt in the past. he have showered upon me his sweet concern, loving heart, patience. he has understood me better. he has a listening ear and a powerful encouragement that uplifts my senses and really believe in myself. he is  more than willing to call me his good friend. above all, he let me feel I am LOVED.

On Becoming a Mother

Once there was a newborn child. She was helpless; innocent, delicate. Her parents attended to her needs not just during those times when she cried helplessly, but every minute of her life until she passed childhood, adolescence, teenage and young adulthood.

She was like us today- capable of feeling the desire to belong, passionate about life, and above all uncertain of what might the future has in store. However, unlike our age, she did not have the ample time to avail of the glowing education we now have because back during her time, only the males were allowed by most parents to enroll in schools.

So, she ended up unfinished in her elementary studies and lo! She find no regrets because just in time, she met this man who made her heart beat not in typical way. To make the story short, she ended up living in with this man, which is a couple of years older than her. (Not bad, right? Besides, age doesn't matter.)

Their relationships were time-tested. But as the test of the times became much and much heavier....they also were growing-both in maturity and in age:) Eventually, she performed all the duties of a wife, and they lived happily.


They were blessed to have five diligent, industrious, studious, and respectful children- three versus two (female vs male) :-) They were an ideal family- not in terms of finances, but in terms of how love, care, and respect were shown in each of them.

Not until his husband got sick, so sick that he stopped from working was she forced to perform the duty as a breadwinner as well to the family. Then her husband's sickness got worst. This led her to double her time-  attend to their kids' needs and her husband's needs and at the same time work hard enough to meet both ends in order for their family's survival. For more than five years, this was the case.

Then it ended one day- sometime in April 2007. It all started just a matter of five days after their second eldest son delivered his valedictory speech in high school. Her husband died. Then life became miserably unbearable, at least that's how their children characterize what happened from then.

It was indeed a challenge to start all anew. She showed how it takes to be a strong woman- and people admired her.

But something went wrong. Really wrong. Nevertheless, I opted not to include it in this writing because whatever had happened. That belonged to the past. What is more important is what we have now. And our mother is all we have as of now. And we respect her, she has our high respects for her. Above all, we LOVE her.

Life is filled with uncertainties. You can never know what the future has in store. You will never know what challenges you ought to face. You will never have what you used to have in the past when you lost it. What is certain is that every decision you make counts much into the kind of future that you will have.

:)

Missing my Papa

I hope I can still hear his voice. 
 I wish I can still listen to his praises.
I pray I can still hug him.

He was just an ordinary man. A typical father per se. But he has a dream, a great ambition.

The ambition was not plainly for himself, but for the sake of his family. I can still remember him brag to his barkadas that someday, his son will become a notable person in our place. That someday, his son will elate the family to a better life. That someday, his children will not be like them anymore, totally opposite from the illiteracy and dirty jobs attached to them. 

That was my "Papa."

He was just a typical father, yes. But he was the greatest man I've ever known compared to Galileo, Isaac Newton, Neil Armstrong or whosoever!

He was a man with dignity, a man of reputable principle; one who fought what was right and what was morally accepted. Above all, he was more than a typical father as he provided us our needs, played at times, and disciplined us well.  He even attended regular meetings in school every time the PTCA called for one. And he was always present and interacted with people.

The wrinkled brown, yet dignified face he possessed is still vividly registered in my memory. He was a great man. He's the greatest man I looked up to.

Papa loved us. I can feel it though he never uttered those words to us.

I can still remember the laughter, the joy, the smile in our faces every time he used to play fun with all of us, his 5 children. 

But all these are plain memories now. I cannot have his tangible presence with us. I can no longer hear his voice. I can no longer listen to his praises and encouragement. I can no longer have him back. He is gone.Gone.

I always feel disadvantaged upon seeing children who still have their parents close with them. 

To see a child whose father or a mother accompanying him or her to school, or playing with them in a park, is a scene irritating my eyes. 

Right there and then, I shed a river of tears because I never had the chance to experience those basic needs of a child an now, I have been acting as the father in the family, in his place. 

I am in grief because I never had the chance to tell him how proud we were to be his children! Yes, still in grief for losing those meaningful and once in a lifetime opportunity to make him feel we are proud he was our father!

I never had the opportunity to let him know how much we care for him; that we were so lucky to have him as our Papa. I never had the opportunity to give him what he deserve to have. I never had the opportunity to show him my achievements and to tell him, all along, Mama and him are our inspiration!

The time he spent with us was so short. But I sincerely hoped he was once happy in his life to have us. 

I still believe that someday, we will cross our ways together. Surely not on this world but the life after this. There, we will surely let him know those unspoken words that we, his family had always wanted him to know. 

We love you Papa! 

Adios.

On Lesson Planning

Lesson Planning requires teacher expertise. It is a vital component of the skill which is a must for all teachers. The lesson plans created by the teacher will determine the kind of output that the learners will have and thus, a teacher must possess the meticulous and intensive studies of the various strategies and activities that will be employed during the lesson.

The things I stated above summarize my dreflection with regards to lesson planning experiences while I was on the course of Practice Teaching at Camanjac National School. Through the daily lesson plans duly corrected by my mentor, Mrs. Acabal, my skills in lesson planning are becoming more enriched each day. The learners’ outputs after each session has proven me that my styles and strategies to be employed must have been suited enough for my students’ needs, interests and capabilities.

I owe million thanks to my mentor for all her praises, advices and encouragements while I was in lesson planning each day. Credit is also accorded to my former teachers at the College of Education and as well as my teachers in the Social Sciences Department.

Thus, each day is another opportunity for me to improve more and more the way I deal with lesson planning. When given the chance to be really teaching the field into ACTUAL experiences, I believe the knowledge I acquired and the practices I had each day is more than enough for me to be more particular with the manner, matter, and methods I will use in lesson planning.

On Lesson Planning

Lesson Planning requires teacher expertise. It is a vital component of the skill which is a must for all teachers. The lesson plans created by the teacher will determine the kind of output that the learners will have and thus, a teacher must possess the meticulous and intensive studies of the various strategies and activities that will be employed during the lesson.

The things I stated above summarize my dreflection with regards to lesson planning experiences while I was on the course of Practice Teaching at Camanjac National School. Through the daily lesson plans duly corrected by my mentor, Mrs. Acabal, my skills in lesson planning are becoming more enriched each day. The learners’ outputs after each session has proven me that my styles and strategies to be employed must have been suited enough for my students’ needs, interests and capabilities.

I owe million thanks to my mentor for all her praises, advices and encouragements while I was in lesson planning each day. Credit is also accorded to my former teachers at the College of Education and as well as my teachers in the Social Sciences Department.

Thus, each day is another opportunity for me to improve more and more the way I deal with lesson planning. When given the chance to be really teaching the field into ACTUAL experiences, I believe the knowledge I acquired and the practices I had each day is more than enough for me to be more particular with the manner, matter, and methods I will use in lesson planning.

Personal Education Philiosophy

To instruct someone... is not a matter of getting him to commit results to mind. Rather, it is to teach him to participate in the process that makes possible the establishment of knowledge. We teach a subject not to produce little living libraries on that subject, but rather to get a student to think mathematically for himself, to consider matters as an historian does, to take part in the process of knowledge-getting. Knowing is a process not a product. (Bruner)

My personal philosophy of education has been changing since the first moment I stepped into an education course. However, I don't see this as something that is negative. In fact, I think that a teacher's personal philosophy of education should forever be evolving. Teachers should continually make efforts to inform themselves of new technology or innovations that help to facilitate learning in the classroom.

I believe that each student has the capacity to accomplish any goal that is set for them as long as they feel connected to what they are learning; without a link between the students and material, the interest is lost and the learning is harder and may take more time. According to Jean Piaget's theory of development and learning, a developing child builds cognitive structures, or schemes, that connect previous knowledge and/or experiences to new knowledge. This connection cultivates the student's understanding and responding to his or her environment. As a student makes progress, his or her cognitive structures increase in sophistication.

A teacher must also have positive expectations. This means believing in each student and believing that the student can learn and be successful. Students only learn as much as the teacher expects; teachers who set high expectations for their students will receive higher achievement from their students. It is amazing to see what students can accomplish when they know and sense that someone believes in them. It is my aspiration as an educator to help students meet their fullest potential by establishing an environment where my students feel safe, are comfortable taking risks with new learning, and presents them with opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas.

My philosophy of education aligns itself closely to that Jerome Bruner's Theory of Constructivism. In the Constructivist theory, the learner selects and transforms information, constructs hypotheses, and makes decisions; its focus is on knowledge construction, not recitation of knowledge. Knowledge is constructed through one's personal experiences, previous knowledge, and beliefs. For me as an educator, this means that I try and encourage students to discover principles by themselves. I give them the opportunity to have dialogue among their peers and with myself. My main task as a teacher is to present information to be learned that matches or closely matches the student's current level of learning. From what I have stated, my philosophy of education aligns itself to that of Progressivism. This philosophy greatly impacts the way in which I decide to design and develop a curriculum. My curriculum would focus on promoting progress and in improving the self and society. The emphasis would focus on the learning process; develop thinking skills, better interpersonal relationships, and meeting student interests. The students would be encouraged to be creative, express their own ideas, and appreciate the differences between themselves and others. My responsibility would be to guide and stimulate curiosity and interest in students and push them towards problem solving and scientific inquiry.

Reflection on my Philosophy of Education

One famous educator once wrote that a successful and efficient teacher is one who is anchored on truths and substantial philosophy. He must live with that philosophy and must be characterized with that philosophy. In short, a philosophy-anchored teacher is one of the essentials towards the teacher’s success. Why? It is because we can see that he has the sense of direction as to what to do, where to go and what to execute given the various problems or situations in the field of teaching.

With this, I find it an edge that I possess over the others that I have a philosophy in education which I follow. And again, I will reiterate that like the strategies of teaching, there is no single philosophy of education whioch can be considered best. Let us go back to the idea that knowledge of several philosophies is a must in order to adjust to the needs of the situation. Thus a combined eclectic approach in our daily dealings as a teacher can help a lot in order to answer the demands of this rapidly changing environment.

In the Analects, on Education, Confucius says, "Anyone learning without thought is lost; anyone thinking but not learning is in peril." I believe, as teachers-to-be, we must strive to prepare learners through academic readiness to make themselves more complete human beings. I believe that we have a responsibility to ensure for learners the most favorable environment we can for their integration of knowledge and scholarship and for the acquisition of necessary comprehension and synthesis skills. To accomplish this task we must provide for them ample and purposeful opportunities to develop and to test developing hypotheses and to encourage an advocacy of the notion that a part has coherent meaning only in the context of "the whole." If what we desire for learners is a sustained and productive response to order in flux, then we must stress the plurality of the foundations of knowledge and the diverse angles of refraction on ways of knowing.

Student Teacher's Prayer

A Student Teacher’s Prayer

I want to teach my students how--
To live this life on earth,
To face its struggles and its strife
And to improve their worth.

Not just the lesson in a book,
Or how the rivers flow,
But to choose the proper path,
Wherever they may go.

To understand eternal truth,
And know right from wrong,
And gather all the beauty of
A flower and a song,

For if I help the world to grow
In wisdom and grace,
Then I feel that I have won
And I have filled my place.

And so I ask your guidance, God
That I may do my part,
For character and confidence
And happiness of heart.

Education

Education is a lifelong process. It will pass from one generation to generation. It will not end up to the time you graduated; it will only stop when you are already breathless. Thus says Dr. Henry A. Sojor, in one of his speech engagements in the College of Education during my lower years in college.

With this, this portfolio is prepared as one of the ways in order to put the learned experiences and theories into actual practice.

Education is very much vital to one’s life. It is an instrument not only for personal transformation but also for national development. It can change or develop the behavior, traits, and the glimpse of a person.

Education can bring all the luck in life. It can make you a refined human in the future and it can also make you a good asset in the society. It is the key to thrive in life that is why notwithstanding the hardships and problems that we encounter in our daily lives, parents would seek ways, they would really strive hard, they do their best just to send their children in school.

Education is a right not a privilege. It is the obligation of the government to educate all citizens of all levels living in the country. Educating our young ones and our people should be your priority because it is the only way to have a progressive country. Especially today’s life, we are living in a very competitive world. Through education we can compete with other countries in different aspects. It is something that should not be taken for granted because the future of our country lies on it.

Scholastic Life..waaaaaaaaaaaah!

oh! how wonderful!


you are so stressed with burdens of heavy loads..you've given all your best just to accommodate their enrollment..coordinate with the other volunteers whether they are doing the right thing- ensuring that they do not commit errors at the same time ensuring that all scholars will be accommodated. u r incharge of the order and sequence of those to be processed.. u sacrifice ur time and enrollment to help them,(without pay- coz u volunteer).


ikaw na nga itong naghirap matulungan lamang sila....ikaw na nga itong gumagawa ng mga paraan para lamang magampanan mo nang maayos ang iyong tungkulin..

but here comes the good scholars who can't undrstand u!.


pasalamat naman ako sa mga kasamahan ko sa NORSU Schoalrs' Federation na walang sawang sumusuporta sa akin at pakikipagtulungan din ng mga kaibigan kong student assistants sa NORSU CARE Center sa pamumuno ng Director at Schoarship Coordinator na si Dr. Noel E. Yasi..thanks of course sa patience na ibinigay ng Poong Maykapal!

but one thing that erased the burden is the simple one-liner statement--


-junrey, salamat ha kasi na-enroll na ako dahil sa tulong mo/n'yo...:)

waaahhhh..kaysarap at at the end of the day, marami naman pala kaming natutulungan:)

I Urge and I Plea

They say that poverty is not a hindrance to success. Yes, that must have been true but here is one thing that stirs my pessimist mind.

Last month, I was once on a mood to stroll and I found myself already walking along the seemingly endless sidewalk somewhere in the downtown. The joy within me turned out bitter later on. Lo and behold! My heart broke upon seeing three siblings who shared one plastic of rice and chunks of leftovers as their viand. Where were the parents of these innocent children? What has the government done in order to alleviate their needs? And the next question which prompted on my young mind is that how many youngsters should still be born so that there would have no starving street children at all?

Later that day, I had the chance to emcee a party in my school. I was in front of the elites- talked with them, shared laughs with them and ate delicious food with them. Some of them were local executives and councilmen- government leaders who were supposed to sit down and plan together for the eradication of poverty among their constituents. While we enjoyed every food we ate, more and more children, women, and men around the world suffer from hunger, and our locality is not an exception.

After that night, I went home with despair in my heart. I can no longer contain the pain. The party entertained me and brought a romantic sensation to me since once in a while, I was able to forget our situation at home. Many people observed how jolly and enthusiast I am in front of them. Here I am again, back into the melodramatic situation of the reality. The pain is almost unbearable. Although we were happy that time, there were many people who are in pain because they are hungry; they suffer from poverty.

Where was the government who was tasked of employing the basic services to its people? What has happened to their laws, policies and programs?

Why do we have to be poor? Why are we not like other well-off families? It sounds absurd but I actually reached to that point of blaming the injustices of reality.

How many times have I felt my hear as if pounded hard upon seeing those poor old beggars on the streets asking money from people as a source of their subsistence? How many times have I spared my peso-coins to some poor street children upon seeing their innocent faces and listening to their naïve pleas just to obtain some food.

If people were only given equal access to wealth…

On the other hand, the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that it is the duty of the state to protect its people by providing them equal access to public services. But the reality tells us that what was written in that written instrument 23 years ago remained unfulfilled. And there’s a slim chance that it would still be fulfilled considering the status quo of corruption.

More and more people get sick of poverty. The scenarios we observe everyday in our environment tell us that the government’s effort is still not enough. The radio and television news we hear and see everyday support the idea that poverty in this country is almost unbearable and should be treated seriously. If left unremedied, we will end up as poor as Bangladesh.

Poverty is a perennial problem in our society. We should take actions against it. The collective effort of the government and its people will surely guarantee a poverty-free Philippines. You and I, young and adults alike have a special responsibility in the uplifment of our cause against poverty. We should rise up and fight poverty.

I am fed with the worsening condition of poverty here. I no longer want to see young street children strolling down the streets subjected to danger. I no longer want to see inequalities here brought about by poverty. Above all, I want to see myself fighting actively against poverty and let it not be an obstacle for me to live a simple yet fruitful life.

Our situation can still be changed once we change our attitude towards the issue. As the famous principle in psychology says, and I quote: “Positive attitude changes the situation.” The government’s effort to fight poverty should be revitalized. The situations nowadays call for change. And I still believe that hope exists.

I am the youth of today. I belong to the recent generation and will be in the future of this country. I love my fatherland and I still stick to how Rizal described the youth like me- that I am the hope of my Fatherland. And I urge the government not to take us, the youth for granted. Help us realize our dreams and ideals of a better society. Leave us not.

The Wonders of this Life

I am blessed. Yes, I am blessed.

I feel how God loves me with the overflowing blessings, wonders, and amazement He showed me.


Akalain mo naman....almost nang nawala sa amin si Mama noong inatake siya sa puso---severe cardiovascular disorder,,, chronic heart failure. :( wala akong ibang maisip...gulung-gulo... paano ko to haharapin? wala kaming pera pero bakit nasa critical na kondisyon si mama..? imagine, for 8 days, nasa critical care unit siya! waah! 2500-3000 pesos ang kanyang mga gamot, di pa kasali ang sa mga gastudisn para sa mga laboratory tests nya, ecg, x-ray, atbp!

siguro kung hindi ako anak ng Diyos, tiyak na baliw na ako ngayon.

pero God is indeed good!

biruin mo, nalampasan namin ang halos dalawang linggong pamamalagi sa ospital?>,,God is so great!


andaming tumulong...Andaming nag-abot ng pera, lahat ng mga nilapitan ko--God was my strength noong pumunta ako sa iba't ibang offices ng gobyerno, salamat sa gobyerno==---kahit medyo napakagabal nila...natutulungan pa rin naman kami at the end of the day!

salamat of course sa church ko at sa mga taong nag-alay ng kanilang mga dasal!


kung hindi ako nagiong matatag at nanalig sa Diyos, hindi ko mapapangalagaan si Mama at ang aming 3 month old na bunsong kapatid!!!


salamat sa Panginoon! Purihin siya nang magpawalang-hanggan!

Makulimlim ang Langit

Makulimlim ang buong kalangitan habang natagpuan ko ang sarili na nakahandusay ang buong katawan sa isang bahagi ng malawak na kaparangan.

Tila nagmamasid ang aking diwa sa kalawakan ng parang na iyon. Kaganda ng mga bulaklak na tila nagsasayawan. Ang mga ibong gala naman ay nakikita kong pumanhik na sa kani-kanilang punongkahoy habang inaawit ang kanilang pagpapahinga mula sa buong araw na kalayaan. Napapitlag ako. Mabuti pa ang mga halaman, batid ko ang kaligayahan nila habang nakikindayog sa mga hangin. Waring malaya nilang nailalabas ang kanilang damdamin! Nakakainis pagmasdan ang mga ibong tila nag-aawitan habang sinasambit nila sa isa't isa ang kanilang mga naramdaman mula sa buong araw na paglalakbay.

Wala akong karapatang mainis!

Wala akong karapatang mabalisa! Masaya naman ako, hindi ba? Masahing tao, aktibo, walang pinuproblema, nakaya lahat ng mga bagyo sa buhay--- ganyan ang pagkakakilala ng mga tao sa akin. Ganyan kasi ang lagi kong ipinapakita. 

Ipinapakita ko ang sa tingin ko ay dapat nilang makita sa akin nang sa gayon ay makilala nilang malakas ako at hindi madaling nadadala ng anumang dagok ng buhay. Ganyan nga ang ipinakita ko sa kanila. Ngunit ang hindi nila alam- mahina ako. Hindi lang basta mahina. Mahinang-mahina! 

Oo, mayroon akong hinahanap. Hindi ko alam kung ano ito. Naiilang akong tumingin sa mga halaman at ibong gala na malayang naipapalabas ang kani-kanilang damdamin! 

Ang tangi kong alam na siyang lagi kong natatandaan, ay makulimlim ang langit.