THE ESSENCE OF MAN

My Lenten Reflection

A lot is happening around us. Natural disasters have not been as common now as before. Crime is high, and so does inflation. Wherever you look, it seems as if nothing good exists anymore. I just read a book that talks so much about our stimulus-response action. According to what I have read, there exist a space between stimulus and our response, and in that space lies our choice. The freedom and the power to choose is our birth gift. Everyone has this power. Whatever bad stimulus hits us, our response is determined by our choice. Hence, we are not supposed to be affected by all these negative vibes around us. However, they have adverse effects on us because of our bad choice for a response.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT - WHAT ARE NEW?

Notre Dame of Dadiangas University Experience

Last April 15, I was in General Santos City. I was invited in NDDU through Phoenix Publishing House to talk about Classroom Management. The school was big - PAASCU accredited Level II. The teachers were very amiable and appreciative of what I shared. My schedule was loaded I was not able to see around GenSan. I did not get to see Cong. Pacquiao too. He was busy preparing for his fight with Mosley. I though lived very close to Jinky's Boutique. I was billeted at Ice Castle Hotel. With this post is my picture inside the hotel's room rehearsing my pesentation. Below is the description of my presentation.

SEMINAR TITLE: Classroom Management in the New Learning Economy

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The seminar is a full day interactive lecture aimed at improving learning acquisition through enhanced student-teacher interaction in an effective learning environment.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE: To enrich teachers with both contemporary and time-tested classroom management strategies for the learning environment of the new economy

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: (1) To re-acquaint teachers with the four elememts of classroom management (Marzano), (2) To familiarize the various behavior influence techniques used to effect order and discipline, (3) To prevent and deal with unwanted behavior inside classrooms of the new learning economy, and (4) To identify teacher roles in helping students become effective persons

PARTICIPANTS: Besides regular classroom teachers, academic heads and the different subject area coordinators may benefit from the seminar. Christian Living teachers may join to provide additional input in terms of the Church’s teachings on discipline.

ACTIVITIES: Meaning-making engagement on the following topics: Content, Conduct and Covenant Management; Mind/mental Set: Withitness and Objectivity; Physical Aspects of Classroom Management; Preventing and Dealing Unwanted Behavior; and Classroom Discipline Models

THE RH BILL HULLABALOO

From Mad as a Politician

(I took this from a Yahoo comment on Pnoy's stand on the RH Bill http://ph.news.yahoo.com/aquino-risks-church-ire-reproductive-health-bill-20110417-053849-671.html)

I was born and reared a Catholic. I have not abandoned my faith in the God that Christianity has been proclaiming and has been worshipping. That, despite what I have learned studying church history, despite Yallop's "In God's Name" or Dan Brown's novels (if you please), and even despite my clear knowledge that my religion is by virtue of a historical accident, that is, due to the mistake of Magellan's navigator.

What has made me keep my faith is the true message of the Christ regarding the true nature and end of man, the world, the teachings about humility, kindness, sacrifice, compassion, etc. All these have made me keep my faith--not and never the doctrinal teachings, dogmas and prejudices of the Church.

In fact, what we see all around us, the corruption, cruelty, greed, dishonesty and apathy, all these to me are signs of the failure of the Church to truly influence the Filipinos to be good and honest men. The scandals inside the Church have not also been good examples. Many times, the acts of the Church have been geared towards preserving its wealth and power. Very far from Christ's teachings.

For me, what the Church should instead do, is to look inwards, search itself and try to find out honestly where they have gone wrong. Its vaunted stand on issues of government often times becomes a smoke screen for unthinking Filipinos and not a fair position considering that religion can be a strong bias for untrained and less-than-critical minds. In other words, that the Church sometimes openly play upon and use the ignorance of men to uphold its own biases. Sometimes, I really wonder if this could be the work of the Devil. Surely, infiltration is a potent weapon and could even be the weapon of choice by the Other Side.

I WAS IN NAVAL, BILIRAN

UBD Workshop in Cathedral School of La Naval

Last April 7 to 9 I was in Cathedral School of La Naval in Naval, Biliran. I was invited by S. Joy, the principal, and Sir Victor, the academics affair head to conduct a seminar-workshop with the teachers on UbD. My stay was fruitful and very rewarding. I was able to rest but at the same time inspire the teachers to write their unit plans for the incoming academic year. CONGRATULATIONS CSN!

THE NATURAL POWERS OF MEN

An Inspirational Message

Last Monday and Tuesday, I went from one room to another bidding the students good luck on their final examination. In those two days I was also able to share some insights about success, failures and foolishness. The latter, foolishness, is to encourage those with failing grades to study harder and pass the exam.

I came across one good definition of a fool. A foolish person keeps on doing the same thing everyday and expects a different result. In a contemporary fable by Robin Sharma, failure is simply a bad decision done each day which grows to be a disaster later on. On the contrary, success is a good decision put into action daily which later becomes a tsunami of victories.

This afternoon you, our dear students, are recognized for the outstanding work you have accomplished. You were no fool and you made every failure a stepping stone towards success. You turned out to be the best among your classmates. However, you should more than know right now that with the honor you receive today comes more responsibilities. These responsibilities are the true measures of your being human. It is not the medal that will be hanged around your neck that makes you human. All of us were endowed with natural powers to be the best. I am now going to tell you the four natural powers we were all given:

1. Being alive and human, you have the power to work each day and express the absolute best within you. All of you here this afternoon have fully harnessed this power. You came to school everyday and worked hard to better your best self next day.

2. Being alive and human, you have the power to inspire, influence and elevate each classmate you have by the gift of great example. Now, this may be your problem. Have you inspired your friends to study as hard as you did? Did they succeed in all the subjects just like you did? Have you influenced your classmates to perform the assigned tasks to the best of what they could? Have you been a good example to your classmates?

3. Being alive and human, you have the power to create positive changes in the face of negative conditions. And this, my dear students, does not need a medal around your neck. Have you been a positive driving force in your class? Have you made a positive change in the family? Kahit wala kang medal na nakasabit sa leeg, kaya mong gumawa ng mga kanais-nais na bagay galing sa wala o’ kaya’y galing sa isang napakapangit na sitwasyon.

4. Being alive and human, you have the power to treat others with respect, appreciation and kindness. This last power sets us apart from other animals. We do not just have the intellect. We also have souls and the heart to love others just like what Jesus Christ did to the last, the least and the lost.

Because of the medals that will soon be hanging around your necks, the challenge to prove among yourselves these powers becomes greater. Yes, you have worked so hard each day. Yes, you have inspired others to achieve more. Yes, you have created a positive change. Yes, you have the heart for the unloved and the unfortunate. Pero itong lahat kayang gawin ng maski sinumang tao, may medal man na nakasabit sa kanyang leeg o’ wala. But because you are recognized to be more than your classmates, you are honored this afternoon, then you share the same dilemma with Peter Parker a.k.a. Spiderman: with great power comes greater responsibilities. Yours beginning this afternoon is, “With great honor, comes greater tasks…and what are these tasks?

Work harder each day and be the best always.

Set a good example to inspire others.

Create a positive change whenever opportunity presents.

Manifest God's love to others.

KAYA BA?

FOREWORDS FORETHOUGHTS

Fear Not My Friend

When people are confronted with things that are new, this causes fear. By nature, we are afraid of anything new because it agitates the status quo. However, it is only when we are threatened that we fight back, strive harder to survive. When you started English I with me, I knew you were afraid. You have so many apprehensions. That was not really my intention. All I want is to challenge you to work harder, aim for more than what you already have achieved.

I know now that all your apprehensions before, all your fears are baseless. If you have faltered then and gave up, you would not have achieved what you have accomplished now. You have realized that you are no longer the same naïve person who first stepped in SMA nine months ago. With sheer effort, patience and diligence, you have overcome your fears and reached more than what you could imagine last June. You have proven to yourself that with the right motivation, support from your parents and determination you can do things. You have the power to create.

Each of us is endowed with talents and skills. These are God-given gifts for us to enjoy life more the way He wills everything to be. I am very happy that young as you are today, you have realized that you can do so much if only you believe in yourself. Nothing is impossible. Always believe in your power to create. You may have done wrong, but you also have the power to rectify yourself. I hope these new insights about yourself will bring you more successes and happiness in life in the future. I hope you will continue to nurture your giftedness, your skills. Hone them some more. The world is yours… and it will be yours… tomorrow.

ODE TO STILLNESS WHEN YOU WERE GONE

kalalum na sa kagabhion...kangitngit

daw naulaw mopahiyom ang bulan

katugnaw sa hangin

nga sa imong kaunoran

gapukaw ning dughan

nga sa kainit

nakabsan.

dili ba kahapon lang

gaingon ka...

gihigugma mo ako

kalalom na sa kagabhion...kamingaw

maski ang mga gangis

dili mapukaw

sulod sa hagamay kong lawak

anino sa kagahapon miputos

ning kasingkasing kong gaantos.

kahapon lang gaingon ka...

gihigugma mo ako

...kahapon lang

THE FOOLISHNESS OF YOUTH

Parental Blunt, Blame and Blunder

Kung atong sud-ungon karon, lisod na kaayo sabton ang mga kabatan-onan. Ang ila nga mga panglihok-lihok, kanatong mga gulang na, usahay makasapot. Paminaw sulay sa ila nga mga sinulti-an, maluma ang mga asosiloy sa Alcoy. Ang ako gayud nga ikahi-ubos kay ang mga batasan sa mga kabatan-onan nga unta molunot sa pag-usbaw sa panahon, inay mura ug nabaklag. Daw baho pa sa ilagang patay. Usa ka ginikanan ako nga nakahinabi miaging adlaw mahitungod sa batasan sa iyang anak nga ako upod nga tinun-an sa eskwelahan.

Sa wala pa ang pista, nakahinagbo ko ang inahan sa usa sa akong mga tinun-an. Gusto g'yud niya nga ako iyang mahinabi kabahin sa grado sa iyang anak. Kini katungod ug responsibilidad sa usa ka ginikanan. Gikalipay ko kaayo ang iyang sugyot. Pero ang grado sintomas lang sa mga daghan pa kaayong problema. Usahay kita'ng mga ginikanan dili makadawat sa nahimong sangputanan sa atong mga anak. Kay lagi ang bata nahagbong man, ato dayun nga batian ang kaguol kay ang kahuyang sa bata usa man ka salamin sa ato 'pod nga dakong pagkulang kanila.

Sa adlaw nga mibisita ang maong ginikanan kanako, akong nasuta ang dako kaayo nga problema. Siya nga inahan wala 'gyud panahon para sa iya nga anak kay atoa man lagi siya sa layo nanguyamot aron ikabuhi sa iyang pamilya. Pareho sila sa iyang bana. Nahiuli lang sila tungod sa piyesta. Ang ilang mga anak nagadako lang sa ilang iyaan. Ako 'pod nga nahibaw-an nga masuso pa kini nga iya nang gibilin sa iyang igsoong babaye. Niadtong panahona, ang bana uban pa sa bata; pero kay lagi ang iyahang pares nanginabuhi man upod, ang amahan wala 'pod panahon para sa ilang mga anak.

Ang wala nahibaw-i sa daghan kaayo nga mga ginikanan, dili kuarta o' kaha gugma ang bahandi nga ilaha puwede nga ikagasa sa mga bata. Parents did not know that the best gift they can give their children is to develop self-respect in them which is born from healthy self-image and self-worth. Pag mismong mga ginikanan wala makakita sa kaimportante sa pagkatawo sa ilang mga anak, ang mga bata dili g'yud modako nga tarong. Self-worth and self-respect are the foundations for a child developing into a better person. Kung wala ang mga ginikanan sa kiliran sa ilang mga anak, dako kaayo kini nga ikahiubos sa mga bata ug nga kini dayun nagahatag ug sayop nga pagtuo nga ang mga ginikanan wala gamahal kanilang mga anak.

Ang batasan sa mga kabatan-onan karon salamin sa dako ug daghan kaayo nga mga pagkulang sa mga ginikanan. Sayop ug guol kaayo nga hunahuna-on nga ingnon ta lunot sa panahon ang mga nahimong kasaypanan sa mga kabatan-onan. Niadtong dugay nang mga tuig nga milabay, ang mga bata dili pa kaayo buluyagan. Kini tungod kay ang mga ginikanan anaa uban kanila nga gamatuto. Nabati sa mga bata kanhiay nga sila gimahal, that was why they developed a very healthy self-image of themselves. Karon nagpabuyag ang mga kabatan-onan tungod gani kay nagkulang ug dako ang mga ginikanan paggiya kanila sa maayong pamatasan. Kadaghanan 'pod sa mga bata karon wala upoy kumpleto nga pamilya. Subo nga palandungon.

Unta dili sa mga bata ibasol ang tanan...

MY MIND FLIES UNDERWATER

Mumbling the Incomprensible

Ingon sila nga ang tawo gahi ug ulo. Tinuod gani nga ang ulo gahi g'yud. Mao gani nga kung mapakong 'ta, di man g'yud mabuak ang atong ulo. Sa mga aksidente diin ang ulo mapantok taman sa gahi nga butang, niining hitaboa pwede g'yud nga ang ulo mabuak. Tungod sa kagahi sa atong bagul-bagol, gamay lang nga hangin o' kaha tubig sulod sa ulo, makaboang kundi man makamatay na dayun sa tawo.

Lisud diay kaayo kung ang ulo masudlan ug hangin. Dili kini mogaan, kun dili mabug-at samot sa kaboang. Karon nga ako naglibog sa lunsay mahitungod sa akong kaugalingon, sa gimahal ko nga yutang natawhan, ug maski gani ang kagubot sa Egypt nga nikalabat na hangtud sa Yemen ug Iran, nasudlan na kaha ug hangin akong ulo? Mora-mora ug mao na g'yud kini ang nahitabo.

Dili ba 'pod kaha nga nalibog ko tungod sa kainit sa panahon? Pero ning-ulan man pipila na ka adlaw ang milabay. Bugnaw na ang palibot, pero ngano man nga gubot gihapon akong panghunahuna? Eksakto man pod unta ko sa kaon. Hinoon, naa na pod koy gibati sa akong lawas. Pero di man ko mahadlok na nga mamatay, so dili ni ang nagpagubot sa akong ulo daw lukot. Kung ako maglingkod, mag-inusara diha sa balay nga wala man unta'y gibuhat o' kaha gikalingawan, moandar g'yud ako kaboang ug kalabad sa ulo. Naunsa na!

Nagkatigulang na pod ra ba hinoon ko. Pero sa gikaingon ko na, di man pod ko mahadlok mamatay na, basta di lang pod ko mag-antos sa kasakit. Seguro, naa pa ko gusto mahimo o' kaha makab-ot dayun ako na nga nasuta gamay na lang ang panahon. Kini ba kaha ang nakapalabad sa kong ulo? Gabati ra ba ko sa akong dalunggan dayun naa usahay tubig nga mogawas. Wala kaha masudli ug tubig ako ulo? Ug unya nalumos na akong utok? Kalooy sab sa. Pero nahurot na seguro ang tubig kay wala naman gaagas sa akong dalunggan.

Gikapoy na 'pod ko sa akong trabaho. Momata ko ug sayo, dayun ang akong tibuok adlaw pare-pareho na lang ang mahitabo. Puol ba kung ingnon ta. Dayun ang mga kabatan-unan karon dili na nako maangkasan pa. Lisod, ingnon ta spellingon. Napulo'g duha na 'pod ko katuig sa akong trabaho. Seguro nagpuol na gyud. Gusto ko gamay excitement sa kinabuhi. Gusto ko mopalayo una, ug didto sa layong dapit magpahulay ug magpractice sa ug kamatay.

Ang akong kinabuhi karon fake kaayo. Daghan ko ug gihimo nga dili gyud ako ug mas daghan pa gyud unta ko ug gustong himoon pero dili ko mahimo sa pagkakaron. Maldito ko ug Scorpio pa gyud - lala kung mangitik, makamatay pa gani sa hustong timing. Puno na kaayo akong utok sa kaboang dayun gusto na kini nga mogawas. Kung sa tanga pa, kulang kaayo sa labok ug itik. Ako na hinoon ang nalanag sa akong kaugalingong kabangis. Hinay-hinay mura ako ug nahilo na sa akong kaugalingong kaboang. Dili gyud kini tungod sa hangin o' kaha sa tubig ni'ng akong utok.

Lisod kaayo kining kinabuhi ta nga wala na gasubay sa atong panag-ingnan. Ang langgam nga unta galupad-lupad kung ihawla magaluya. Di ba kung ang isda haw-ason ta sa tubig, mamatay? Ang tawo pag-ihikaw mo na kaniya ang iyang kagawasan, maboang. Kung imo nga pugson ang tawo pagpuyo sa kinabuhing bakak, daw wala siya mabuhi ning kalibotan kay buhi man siyang patay nga matag adlaw kanimo nakig-uban. Ablihi ang mga mata ug tutuki ug tarong. Kini bang tawo nga sa kong atubangan ania karon, tinuod ba o' kaha dakong bakak. Boang lang seguro kay humok na ang bagul-bagol.

V DAY - IN MEMORIAM

Life is Too Short...
carlo b.

I died...

just before I was born

like the night

that snatched my cradle away

only to elope blind

I am dead...

when I was born

left behind to suckle unfree

crying through the night

when everyone sleeps

I will be dead...

long before the night

allows the new moon

to pass the day

and then the sun shines

RECLAIMING MYSELF

Life Has To Move On

After my ninth year of working, I asked for a rest. I was tired then, but was later on convinced to continue working. Physically, I begged to rest; however, mentally I was still willing to serve. Today though, I am both tired bodily and mentally. My mind is set already to rest, and physically, I am exhausted. I badly need a change of environment and perspective to see myself again.

I have grown much professionally with my current work. However, after quite a number of years working, I got lost and have forgotten about myself healthwise, never mind my family. Because of the nature of my work and the personality of the institution where I am at, there were things I used to do before that I have to set aside to maintain the integrity of my workplace.

I used to go out with close acquaintances before, but time and proper decorum do not allow me the same today. With this, I isolated myself and led a very lonely existence. The things that I missed most are running and mountain biking. I usually bring home work (which is actually my fault), so I cannot do both anymore. I have forgotten how to enjoy life and commune with nature. I am bored with how routine my life has become.

The predictable cycle of my life coupled with personal problems threw me into a fit of self-pity which spiraled into depressive moods that I can no longer understand myself some time. I have been very sad and lonely for some years now. However, because of the nature and demands of my work, I continue assuming a well-composed facade. I live two live -- I look so strong outside but I am an emotional mess inside. I want to slow down things and reclaim life's beauty that was intended for me to enjoy.

WORDS THAT CHANGE MEANING - CHARITY

A Case Like Basket Case

Together with faith, hope and love, charity is one of the Christian virtues. Like "pity", this word has also changed its connotation from good to bad. Originally, "charity" directly translates to agape in Corinthians - agape being the kind of love that most resembles Jesus'. Charity entails too much patience and altruism on the part of the giver. Through time, however, there was a shift in the perspective. Charity is being looked now from the point of view of the recipient, and this started the problem. Man has always been too proud to be the object of both pity and charity that we cannot just imagine ourselves to be another "charity case". Polluted word, man's folly - what a waste of good intent!

WORDS THAT CHANGE MEANING - PITY

Pity the Giver No More

Similar to the root word of "piety" and "pious", this word denotes higher form of sacrificial love. The word originally is meant for the giver. When somebody "pities" another, his "pity" is taken to be a life-giving sacrifice that the recipient has to receive. The one who "pities" is drained of too much energy because what he gives is himself for he sacrifices. Today, however, the meaning of "pity" shifts from the giver to the receiver. The receiver who is the object of "pity" is looked at as somebody weak, useless and worst, penniless. We often hear, "I don't want your pity." This is because the recipient does not want to feel powerless over everything in life. When one is the object of "pity" , his existence is relegated to inhuman level. Whatever happens, the word "pity" is not what it was supposed to be. So pitiful!

ALL IN HIGH FIESTA SPIRIT

300 Years of Inspiration from St. William of Aquitaine

Dalaguetnons have always been known to be deeply pious and religious. Our piety and religiosity went back many years ago when the Spaniards first came to our place. With the inspiration of San Guillermo de Aquitania, Dalaguete has progressed a lot in all aspects of life. The people have become more mature in fulfilling their respective roles in the community. Economically, the town has grown from a lowly fourth class municipality to second class in less than three years. In a cycle, this growth has created more jobs and built more infrastructure which paved more development. These were all accomplished because the people have been steadfast in their faith for a better Dalaguete. This unwavering Dalaguetnon piety and religiosity are inspired by the examples of Sr. San Guillermo.

Dalaguete would not have been in all high spirits today if not for her people. The Dalaguetnons themselves have played a tremendous role in placing Dalaguete where she is now. The farmers in Mantalongon and in other mountain barangays continue to labor, breaking backs to provide the municipality green gold for her coffers. Young professionals always come back to Dalaguete, start their productive lives bringing in more income to the place. The elderly remain active, the retirees continue to work for the good of us all providing the younger generation with the best examples of how age intermarries with success and fulfillment. The wealth of Dalaguete first resides on her people. If not for these hardworking and gallant women and men, Dalaguete would not have been as productive as she is now.

Because of the industry and resilience of her people, Dalaguete has continued to soar up high in terms of economy. In just a short time, the municipality has gone up "high class". Income-wise, the town is doing very well - earning so much from the produce of the land. We are still one of the major vegetable suppliers of the region. Income has also gone up because of the more intensive, effective and efficient revenue collection. Because the Dalaguetnons are now more capable of spending more, their spending pattern and habit have also helped a lot the local economy. Coupled with wise spending and proper planning, Dalaguete and her people will continue to soar high, that becoming a city would never be a dream so far.

Standing in one corner, one is able to see as many as three bakeries in Dalaguete. A lot of buildings sprouted in strategic locations. New roads are opened and old ones are concreted. Now the town has a decent plaza and safe place for children to play. The government exerted much effort for infrastructure to grow with the people. Because of the income provided in by the people, the local government is able to give back to the people in terms of infrastructure projects which will further boost the economic and socio-cultural status of the town. The newly refurbished cultural and sports complex will surely be the envy of other municipalities in this southern part of the province. This is just to name some, but with the people's continued patronage and stewardship of what the local government has done so far and built, we definitely will go a long way farther.

It would have been regrettable if I had left Dalaguete to earn my keep somewhere else. Looking at where she is now and being able to experience personally the pains, the excitement and the victory she has been through always brings back memories and a tear or two in my eyes notwithstanding the awkward lump in my throat. Through the years, I have seen my hometown flourish into one economic hub in southern Cebu because of the the diligence and resilience of my fellow Dalaguetnons. These traits inspired by the life of Sr. San Guillermo in turn give the town's economy a great push resulting to development in infrastructure which we ourselves enjoy today, and hopefully for next generations of Dalaguetnons to come. Celebrating 300 years of grace and pride, Dalaguete and the Dalaguetnons indeed have come a long way through.

300 YEARS OF GRACE AND PRIDE

Grace Under Pressure, Pride Above All Others

Despite our very tight schedule, I am very proud that my colleagues and my students have pulled it off successfully last night in our fiesta presentation. The day started quite badly. I was so pissed off when the schedule of the affair was questioned. It blew my top. My anger escalated to near unbridled rage when somebody talked back to me in a not so considerate manner. I went to the library, breathed regularly and my anger was appeased. We prepared the stage with quite a few snag and ate lunch late at 2p.m. Everything that happened in the morning was forgotten when the presentation started. The graders were adorable, the performers were superb, and the teachers...simply were so game despite all the odds crossing their ways before they were able to breeze through their dance number. It was so stressful yesterday, yet I was so proud of you all guys. Congratulations!

LOST IN MORE THAN TRANSLATION

Filipinos Kill the Time

Time is gold. It has never been silver nor bronze. It has always been gold. That is how people before value every ticking seconds of time. The absence of accurate and fast technology to tell time could have been a cause why people of the olden times put so much premium on time. Today, the value of time is as golden as before. Ride an airplane that brings you to your destination late, and you may miss great business opportunities. A doctor on the operating table always will say that every second counts for the patient under a knife. But wait...! Do not ever mention time to most government officials. Most of them with time suffer mast cell overload with histamines.

I did not know that some important government officials and politicians would grace the opening of the Agri-Business Fair situated in front of UV. Our students were there, I thought, to look and see what the fair was all about. When I walked out the gate, I saw that they were still outside. They were not allowed to get inside because the ribbon has not been cut yet - the fair has not been declared open to public. But how long they have been standing outside, I did not bother check the time. The government official to cut the ribbon has not arrived on time (read as late). I heard that the fair was supposed to open at 9a.m. Sadly, time has never been gold at all this morning. I want to be fair though. Maybe the government officials to cut the ribbon had something more important to do than manipulate a pair of scissors to cut a rafia declaring the key chains inside to be devoured by the all-eager grade school pupils.

Well, what is new? I was asked to be one of the masters of ceremony in a fiesta event way back time. The program was scheduled to start at 9p.m. We were able to sing the national anthem at past 12 midnight. Sorely, the invited guests to crown the less-happier queen started his campaign trail inside the house of the mayor. I remembered to be wearing a blue suit then. I thought it turned black with sweat waiting for the old politicians to crawl their way to the cultural complex. Why invite politicians from outside town to grace affairs that our people have labored so much to perfect? They were a shining and golden example of Filipino time - the time that does not just stand still but kill. I was really lost in time.

THE SUN IS OUT... AT LAST

Will I Miss the Rain?

When I was just a child, I loved the rain. It always comes around the start of the school year - starting July onwards until September. I usually sat by the window then and watched raindrops trickle by the awning. If the rain poured heavily off came my clothes and I could be seen frolicking half naked and wet with an ear to ear grin. The cold could not even bite. It was pure unadulterated fun. I always miss the fun once the rainy season ends. I cannot wait for the next season to begin.

Now that I am old and balding, do I still look forward to the rain? Time has changed so much. The rain that is comparable to manna before brings havoc to life and properties today. Has the downpour from heavens mutated? I think it has not. Unfortunately, man created a monster out of the rain. The water cycle still is there; however, a lot of side players would like to get into the action. All these have been man's misdeeds - his selfish miscalculation of nature's gift to his kind.

Will I ever miss the rain again today? I am not sure anymore. For several days, life has been so dreary and wet. Everywhere one looks, water seems to occupy all the nooks and crannies where it is not supposed to be. I don't blame the rain though. I may be even one to blame for why the rain now misbehaves. Still it retains its fascinating effect on me, but now I fully understand that it could fight back if man continues to be so self-absorbed with destroying nature and even his kind. I just hope the sun will not ever be like the rain. it is now out...at last.

THE QUEEN OF KANGKONG FESTIVAL

The Ludicrousness of Schools as Cultural(?) Centers

The government agency responsible for ensuring quality education in the country has changed its name as often as the confusion that results in the short term memories of students. When I was young, it was Ministry of Education and Culture. When I first taught in high school, it became Department of Education, Culture and Sports. Today, it is called the Department of Education, sans culture and sports. For whatever reason, I would like to believe that the change in name is supposed to reflect the thrust of the agency for quality education for all. However, when feast days in honor of our beloved saints come, Culture slowly creeps and reattaches itself to the Department of Education. I am referring to this not so stellar practice of converting schools (even for a week) into bogus, trying hard cultural centers at the expense of education quality (kuno!).

When fiesta comes in our place, we cannot do so much our share(!) in uplifting quality of education in the Philippines. Precisely because everyone is busy rehearsing for the nightly presentation of dances (which makes teachers look like trying hard tuods), never ending saga of street dancing (which makes our students look like slaves to insecure, reputation-challenged seasonal not seasoned festival choreographers) and countless requests for parades and rita-ritas to the delight of band trainers who learned music by belting out in cheap karaoke bars. These are all for the guise of social awareness, civic consciousness and cultural development. These are all in the sacrifice (He…he…he!) of education, quality education (Ho…ho…ho…u…bo!)

How should schools teach students culture – the appreciation of tradition and heritage? Is it by dancing in the street to the beat of oil drums? Or is it by declaring festival queens who unfortunately come in not so admirable titles? Can you imagine a queen of the Utanon Festival? She must be an achada! How about the Siloy Festival Queen? Does she reign over tikarols and buntogs and mayas and the yellow-breasted bulbol? I can only pity how a Pitlagong Queen smells – bahalina, dauat, or tungog? And how about the Banig Queen, Cabcab Queen, Bonga Queen, Tostado Queen, Bolho Queen, Sinulog Queen? Where are they now? Have they improved our understanding of who we are as people, as Cebuanos and as Filipinos? No! Nada…we are even going to teach Spanish next year in high school. Tu no hablaes Ingles? My gulay! Festival dancer ka seguro sa?

MISTAKEN IDENTITY, YOU MADE MY DAY

Hi Joe, I am Juan

Who's handsome? Definitely, I will be the first to say that I am. This Freudian self-worship may not actually be harmful; it even helps sometimes. If the confirmation, however, comes from others then I am doubly happy, it would resurrect my long dead grandfather from whom I have inherited my not-so-Pinoy looks. I have always been mistaken for someone I am not. In one of the high end restobars in Manila, someone congratulated me for winning a motocross event. I have never driven a motorbike, and someone mistook me for an extreme sports athlete. Cool! I have also been mistaken for a priest, not just once but several times. In one of the posh hotels in Cebu, I got past through the body scan and security check. The security personnel asked, "Father, are you attending the convention?" Yes, I said and I got in without the usual hassles of body frisking. To top, I have so many times been mistaken for a foreigner. It should have been the mixed of genetic grace. I am taller than the usual Juan. I got a patrician nose and I grow a lot of facial hair faster than my scalp. Children thought I am "Hi Joe". My former teacher thought I am one too. Just a while ago, coming from school, as I entered the house a fish vendor shouted, "Isda, Sir." I gestured No with my hands. She must not have seen it and thought I did not understand her at first. She shouted again, "Fish, Sir!" and that made my dreary Saturday all too sunny. I entered the house with a smile on my face.

WHO ARE YOUR TRUE FRIENDS?

Fair Weather Pals No More

Friendly acquaintances in school sometimes can escalate into something that one cannot handle. Ordinary classmate to classmate friendship soon becomes intimate connivance for something more foolish. Several junior students forged friendship only the ends of time supposedly could break. When grades in Chemistry, however, started subliming faster than any aromatic compound could, the sweet fragrance of sisterhood evaporated like any foul smelling sulfuric vomit. How can somebody, much more your (best?) friend, leave you like dirty rag on the wet floor? How can your (best?) friend ignore you at the canteen? Now you wonder. Has she ever been a friend at all? Poor, poor you girl. You've trusted so much. Friends come and go... and like the yo-yo they leave badly a bruised soul when hit they do.

FLOW OF THE RIVER -

Three Secrets of Success

Success remains elusive to most people. To some it represents the essence of life, for what is life if one lives a loser. Taking important lessons from a lowly yet determined river, life indeed can be successful with focused goal, creative resourcefulness and plenty acts of kindness. The river continuous to flow to the sea because right from the start it sees where it is going. To succeed, one needs a goal, a vision to work for. The river when hot goes underground to escape the scorching sun only to re-emerged farther down crystal clear and more determined than before. Lastly, the river does not forget to feed water even to its smallest tributary. Kindness begets kindness. From the lowly river, one needs to focus on a goal, be creative around problems and spread kindness to all to succeed.

I AM ABSENT TODAY

The Price(?) for Being 40

Many said life begins at forty. I don't know what to say but I think this idea holds much water. Whether one needs life because he has not yet lived one or simply because he has to re-live, I don't know too. One thing for sure, I need a new life.

When I am almost 40, I often feel tired almost always at the end of an academic year. Maybe I have started zealously that I got tired later. It could also be just plain burnout. I maybe stressed too from to many things to think of. Definitely I have nobody to blame but myself.

Or maybe I have to have a new life after all. How will I do this? I could always quit my work and find another. I may, however, rebirth back to just being a plain classroom teacher. I have better plans though. I want to live town for a while and live where no man has been before. In this case, I just do not live again, but more so be born again.

WOE TO YOU, GRADES

What's in them really?

Four times in the life of a student, he is sucked in a swallowing vortex of fear for what he dreadedly calls as the report card. Every grading period is a struggle to all hard working students to stare point blank at their grades, passed or failed. A failed grade not only vouches one's lack luster performance but also carries with it a depressing stigma that maybe the student is not performing very well or worse, that he does not really know. All of these indeed are causes to fear for a student who fails.

When a student fails and when the teacher is "good" in all the real sense, the former may indeed have not been performing very well. It would, however, be prudent to note that grades are not solely based on performance alone. There are intangible factors that go with grades. A student may have been performing very well but his sense of time management may have prevented him from giving adequate and equal attention to all subjects. he may have some preferences and may have used up all his time on a few subjects only.

Behavior also counts in some subjects, most especially the non-academic ones. A student may fail because he is misbehaving inside the school. The students should remember that the vision of the school does not only stop at them acquiring academic skills but also for them to be able to develop good manners and acceptable behavior in the community where they belong. It is sad that a lot of students today are needing of good manners. There are just so many students now that have clouded perception of what is good, acceptable and downright offensive behavior.

The parents too figure in the school performance of a student. Parents are the motivating factors for them to excel. What happens, though, if the parents are not there? If the latter may not be motivating enough, at least there are people who may be deterrent for the student to be not doing his job at school. The parents may monitor the study habits of their children. They may also be checking their children for requirements they may have to perform as other evidences of learning. Sadly, some parents are not at home.

It is indeed frightening to receive a report card with a failed grade. How much more, failed grades! A student may not deserve the scorn when he fails precisely because there are intangibles that come with failures. Yes, he may not be performing very well, but his lack luster performance may have been due to poor time management and the absence of parents who are the cheer leaders on the side. Worse and these may not be easy to remedy is bad behavior. Simply there are students that are annoying, the school is better off without them inside the class.

KM. 15 - DEAD END

What My Life Will Not Be 15 Years Hence

Fifteen years from now, my life would be worthless if I am loveless, penniless and homeless. Without love, I would not have inspiration. Without money, what's the purpose of living? Without a home but only a house to stay lessens my being into mere animal existence. What is there to live for, therefore, without love, money and the warmth of a home?

Love, money and home are what will make my life fifteen years hence worth living. Love inspires me to work harder and be the best husband for my wife, the best father for my children. Money as they say makes the world go round; thus, my life in riches revolves with the world. A home is not a house where only animals live. Definitely with love, money and home my life would be worth living.

I look around and worthless life is governed by the absence of love, paucity of money and the lack of warm embrace of a home. How many men have been mercilessly broken down into boys because they have not loved at all? How many men live on streets literally begging for their existence? How many men are contented with just boxes for shelter, rags to warm their nights? Should I decide to make my life worth living, I would have loved, earned my keep and build a home fifteen years from now.