Dream of Being an Author

Writing has been one of my passions beside singing. In high school I wanted to be a school paper staffer. I failed to "audition" because I was busy singing with a band. With the inspiration given by our Literature teacher, Miss Josefina Nepomuceno, I started composing poems, mostly love poems.

After getting married and having a family, we moved to Molino, Bacoor, Cavite in 1988. I have become a secondary teacher after three years. I got bored being a Secretary at Dept. of Budget and Management. Having been a church layman when I was in the elementary, then a glee club member in high school, I found my way serving in the pastoral council in Aming Tahanan Village. Two years passed, I was invited to join the Pag-iribang Bicolnon cang Sto. Niño de Molino. The Association issued newsletter monthly. They needed someone to help them to continue publishing said material. It was a most-awaited opportunity - to find a venue for my long time dream.
We have published volumes of newsletter, I did the literary page mostly. Sometimes they would ask me write speech in Bicol dialect for the President who happens to be not so fluent with the dialect. When the the economic instability struck brought about by the Cory administration followed by FVR, members abandoned the association. Now, we have stopped the printing of newsletters, except for souvenir programs during the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

I venture into a new venue - writing technical reports related to instructional matters and managerial issues. I have been promoted to Head Teacher. When not observing classes, I busy myself with personalized certificates as reward for students who try to enhance their talent in English. Yet, I still feel this vacuum. I wish i could have finished my masteral thesis. I just thought it was necessary for my career so I didn't pursue it anymore.

What I really long is to write a book that will be read by many people. I have thought of convincing the Rotary Club of Imus that I write anectdotes of Cavite. Next June might be a lucky year for me when Mr. Albis, who owns a printing press becomes the new Rotary President. And from there I hope to make my dream a reality.

The Dilemma of a Secondary Public School Teacher

Every school year, a teacher gets to teach 60 to 90 students in a class. Usually, students are classified according to intellectual capacity. As enrolment officer, I prefer to combine students of different level of intelligence. It is catastrophe letting teachers teach students with 75% general average. Many of these students with 75% average have lack subject/s. It is such a punishment for a teacher to be section adviser of this class. During the first quarter, almost half of the class get failing grades.

The cycle goes on and on. It's like a rollercoaster diving to the bottom having to attend to the concerns of such students. I do not say that these students are the most unlovable creatures on earth. Most of them need attention, care and most of all support - moral, spiritual, material. One strong factor behind their poor performance in school is lack of parents' support in all three acpects. Many parents have left the obligation of looking after their childs' welfare to the school. The poor youth is left confused, neglected. All because of parents' lack of moral responsibility - bringing up several children they could hardly support.

Come last quarter: the poor child has sunk down the list of graduating students. The poor soul is clinging on to a spider's web for survival. It is the teacher full of torment who bears the calvary - to promote or retain. The parents come in sullen faces, the mother in tears. The students feel so downhearted. The teacher is destined to feel all the misery. PASS or RETAIN?

Candida Reodica, RIP

She was a public school teacher in Batangas. We fondly called her "Mader". Her husband, we call "Edad", retired from Bureau of Posts. They had seven live children: 5 boys, 2 girls. All of them were my friends. No age gap for me. They are respectful. I cheered for them during basketball leagues, except for Reinier, and the two girls. Erik, Warren were the closest because we were together in the pastoral council and choir.

When they both retired from the service, they transferred to Palawan. They lived a very simple life, sans electricity in their farm. They toiled their farm in spite of their growing years. Disease is inevitable. Ageing body is vulnerable to it. While the children have individually prospered; married or still single. Grandchildren started to come, more and more. Life is blissful.

The day came to a halt. Mader passed away. An ideal mother and wife has joined the Maker. She is dearly missed but she deserves to be reunited with all the angels and saints, especially our Father. Adieu, Mader. Till then when we join you in paradise.

10 Commandments to Stay Happy

Psalm 146:5 tells us that happiness comes to those who find their help and hope in God. To be able to have a foundation for happiness Richard de Haan shares his list:
1. Give something away.
2. Do kindness.
3. Give thanks always.
4. Work with vim and vigor.
5. Visit the elderly and learn from their experience.
6. Look intently into the face of a baby and marvel.
7. Laugh often - its life's lubricant.
8. Pray to know God's way.
9. Plan as though you will live forever - you will.
10. Live as though today is your last day on earth.

In reality, this is a tall order. Doing all 10 is impossible! Well, you can choose and do two things. No. 2 is manifested in #1, 3, 5. No. 7 can be manifested in 4, 7, 9, 10. It's just like summarizing the 10 Commandments of God into two: 1) Love God above all, 2) Love your neighbors as you love yourself.

Enjoying Life After Midlife

An old friend, former colleague co-faculty in high school who now resides in Georgia, USA commented on the pictures I posted in my friendster: "You seem to be enjoying out there." I truly am. I don't have many friends. I don't go out a lot. I visit close friends for bonding. I just make sure tasks are completed. There's not much now as a headteacher. Just seasonal reports; teachers don't like to be observed. I can't force myself to observe classes when I'm not welcomed.

Why is life enjoyable after midlife? Two sons are employed. We don't see each other a lot. After the Christmas holiday, there's no especial reason to compel them to be home since they're busy with job and other personal concerns. I have adjusted to such life. I'm very comfortable this way, working alone late at night in the internet. I even long to solicit research jobs to make more out of my vacant time. I heard that using the internet, researches can be accomplished for people in far-away places like the USA. Hey, maybe I will do just that: with friends in
Georgia, California, Nevada.

Well, being busy is my hobby. When I'm not tasked to do anything, I do a lot of creative artcrafts. Being a head teacher does not mean I do not handle students anymore. Well, you're wrong. I have a speech club to develop students' self confidence to perform through speech talents. I make mini certificates to "award" performers. I also take care of the readers of selections in the School's "Drop Everything and Listen (DEAL).

The most important part of my being busy in the weekends is the singing in a church choir in Sto. Niño de Molino Parish (Catholic) Church. It has enhanced my voice, at 53, I can still hit those high notes of Mat Monro, Spriral Staircase, Barbara Streisand. It widened my circle of friends as well from different walks of life. A few are plain housewives, others are corporate managers, realtors. It's fun caroling during Christmas to raise fund for the choir; even singing in a funeral wake - we take pride doing this for friends.

So, the point here is, don't fret when menopause strikes. There is still life after productive years. I challenge you to enjoy it; just like me.

An Extraordinary Girl

In my career as a public school teacher, one person has made it most meaningful. From 1991 up to present, none can equal her qualities.

She's just a very ordinary girl when I met her, except for her courage knowing she is Waray. Furthermore, her loyalty is remarkable. She will stand by you when she knows you're right. She's quite generous as well. She's willing to give away the laptop, cellphone of her deceased boyfriend. She willingly shared Php20,000.00 for my 50th birthay.

When everyobody turned their back on me, including my own blood, she was there to cheer me up. When all point their accusing fingers at me, she's the only one left to encourage me. When I fell phycically ill, she's took care of me in my hospital bed.
When she's happy, she brightens my day. When she's in bad mood, she keeps quiet in order not to bother me.

When she flew to far foreign country of Lebanon, she did not abandon me. She left November 2003, only 10 months away from my 50th birthday. I planned to celebrate but she had a better plan. She sent me Php20,000 so I could carry on that celebration. Of course, I did not splurge the gift for my party, the accomodation and food only amounted to Php5,000.00. The rest I used to open a checking account for the Pag-ibig payments for the planned school.

Four years after, the school has been established. Thanks tremendously to the extraordinary girl, VANGIE. So many superlative descriptions can be attributed to her, you can give your own.

The Joy of After Midlife

After Midlife's Challenge

My principal's retirement is fast approaching. Everyday, I count my days of being a department head at my present assignment may come to a stop for a new assignment in another school. Happy or sad? Can't help it. It is destined to happen after I passed the principalship exam in 2005 and appointed head teacher in 2007. Only three of us who passed the said exam became head teachers. The other two are already holding school head OIC assignment respectively. I should be next...

Hopeful? Pessimistic? It is bound to happen, whether i like it or not. I'm saddened that I have to be an office person from June to May, Monday to Friday. So much paper work. So many conferences to attend, meetings to preside, lessons to observe, etc., etc. No more vacations to faraway Sorsogon, Borongan? It will be so much pressure to be in the office everyday. It won't be that exciting except for travels due to official functions. Will that be adventure to the fullest? In my age, adventure seems a thing of the past. Although, I still would like to add more pictures of sceneries or natural landscapes: beaches, mountains, flowers, birds, butterflies.

I really would like to see the whole country. Beeing a school head will give me that opportunity. Communion with nature is always a priority whenever I visit a place. The fresh air that tells me "Thank God, you're still alive", is still the best reward I can have.

Journey After Midlife

Dante Alleghieri considers 35 as the midlife age in his Divine Comedy. I quite agree though at present I am aware that few relatives of friends pass away at 20's. Furthermore, with the new diseases like AIDS, cancer, diabetes, Filipinos can not reach the age of 70.

In all honesty, I may have not met my real biological father whom my mother identified as TAN PENG HONG, I am very grateful that he has passed on to me that real Chinese self discipline. It is very evident in me, for at 53 I still can wear Medium size RTW. My complexion is unlike the others, thanks again to the oriental blood.

Life at midlife is the admission that the end of the line can come any moment. I have fell flat in Coastal Road when the jeep I was in suddenly roared into motion. My fault, I did not tell the driver I was taking the coming bus. I could have been run over by the approaching jeep. Fortunately, the jeepney driver saw me so he did not start his engine.

I approach the end of the line day by day, preparing temporal provisions for the dignified "departure". I try to help people in need to the best of my ability, financially. I still manage to serve the church by being a choir member. I have managed to maintain my commitment and hope that my voice will stay crisp until I reach 60. I am proud that at this age I can still hit the right notes without sounding 50-ish. Jazz. samba. bossa are very cool. I do not feel tensed when hitting high notes.

I am contented with my life now. Many things did not turn out the way I expected them to be when I was younger or newly maried. I just have to accept reality. If I have made wrong decisions, I reap the fruits and pray for the salvation of my sould come judgment day.

Rotary Club of Imus East - Quo Vadis?

2002 - one of the dark years in my teaching career. My new principal treats me in such a way I didn't quite appreciate and vise versa. It was a dilemmna to get a replacement for the promoted one based on seniority or strong personality. The school was still an annex of the mother school, short of funds. Canteen is doing well but still very much in need.

Being an officer of the Pag-iribang Bicolnon cang Sto. Niño de Molino, Inc. (Association of Bicolanos in the Parish of Sto. Niño de Molino, Bacoor, Cavite, I came to know fellow Bicolanos who are Rotarians. I volunteered to be a coordinator of the club in our school. Many students reside in Queensrow, Greenvalley. My target members will not be a problem. Some of them are in the cream section.

The first year, we got a leader from IV-B, happened to be elected out of popularity not by competence. The succeeding leaders went well. We had many projects. Rotary supported us generously. One project which was implemented whole year round: Botica sa Eskwela. We were supplied with over-the-counter drugs for firs aid. The Amoxicillin was prohibited for young people without doctor's prescription. A lot expired.

2007 - the first female president was elected in Rotary Club of Imus-East. Nothing wrong with the gender. It's not an issue in Rotary. What's sad is the lack of fund or machinery to generate funding for the projects proven effective for years. It's 2008 now, more than half of the Rotary year has lapsed. So far, we only had three activities: Alay Lakad, District Assembly, On-the-spot poster/card making where we were fortunate to win the 2nd place with the expertise of multi-awarded Mikahil Roy Oclos. The School Botica is slowly dying. During the Club Christmas Party last December 30, I was informed that it will be revived. I wonder when.

It's still a bit immature to think of the next rotary year. I don't even expect that I could still be a part in the future: change of assignment maybe. I hope that Mr. Albis can revive the Rotary of Imus East. I hope and pray that he will support my project: to write Cavite legends. He owns a printing press. It's very appropriate timing. For now, the big question is: Quo vadis, Rotary Club of Imus East?

A Very Unusual Christmas

December 24 - While singing in a Catholic church wedding, Aunt Vilma texted me: "If you have time tomorrow come to Bubble's house or at my office at DepEd Pasig on the 26th so i will understand the circumstances in the omission of your name in the payroll." Going to Pasig was nearer but I have previous commitment on that day. I was accustomed being at Lamayan St., Sta. Ana during Christmas day until my mother's death in 2005. Going to Capitol Homes in Diliman was quite a trip. I have no choice but to give in to Mama Vilma's request.

I have asked Oniza to come with me. It happened that her mother and sister (Flory and Fatima) were around. They have consented to go along with me. Erik, my first son also gave in. When we arrived at Rome St., Papa Peping and Mama Tessie and family: 2 sons with their wives and daughter with husband with kid/s) were about to leave. Greetings, short they may be but full of warmth. I noticed a companion who made me want to cry: Who's he? He looks like Papa Maning! I told myself but i know it was impossible because it has been years when he has departed. He was looking at my direction, not looking directly but very obvious observing me intently. Have to say goodbye because my main purpose is also leaving in a short while because she has been called by the President.

Hurriedly, we did some picture-taking. At the dining table I cannot keep my silence anymore. I have to know who that companion was. Bubbles told me everyone and was accounted for. No one was with them with the description I gave. "Hala ka, si Papa Maning yon!" Birthday kasi nila (twin Salvador fondly called Papa Badong) ngayon.

That's it! While singing in the wedding, i thought of offering a mass for the twin for their birthday. I failed to drop by the parish office. The thought remained in me, can't have my peace. I have to keep my "promise". Finally, with the 12,000 pesos Erik deposited in my LBP account, i decided to pay our realty tax at the municipal hall of Bacoor. Upon seeing the church facade, I went directly to the parish office. AT LAST, I had offered mass for them in St. Michael Church. How I miss my uncles Maning and Badong. That's the only way I can tell them I love them so.

Thanks to Cousin & Husband

Desperate about my problem with Camella Homes, I was tempted to seek counsel from a private lawyer, a friend of a fellow teacher. I gave a copy of my letter complaint and the advise was to have a demand letter. I tested the water whether that attorney would do me a favor of such letter but the reply was that I talk to Camella people first. Well, my letter clearly stated that I have been waiting for a year for their the much-needed appropriate action. Last resor, contact my cousin whose husband is an attorney.

Bubbles was accomodating and receptive to the idea. She herself composed the demand letter and had it signed by her husband Bogs. I delivered the demand letter at Camella Homes Administrative Department. I waited for the response.

December 22, 3 days far from Christmas day, a team from Camella Homes visited our place and reassured us that the action will be done after Christmas. And so it is after Christmas because they came back January 3. Too late, another crisis has happened: my toilet is again clogged. The next day, no workers reported. I pleaded to speed up their work to remedy the crisis. It is now January 9, the feast of the Jesus Christ Nazarene, I am also carrying a cross until clogging will be cleared.

Prayer for New Year

Lord, 365 days can pass so fast. There are many things left undone. I have given priority to material and earthly matters. I feel sorry for my mistakes but I can not help repeating to the extent of making it a part of my everyday life.

I thank You for countless blessings, material and immaterial, you have showered me this past years. It is a divine proof that no matter imperfect this creature, your love still very much felt.

Imperfect as I am, I pray for my suffering friends and relatives from illness. I also pray for my friends with problems with their daughters. I pray that I can continue serving the parish of Sto. Niño de Molino. I also pray that the next parish priest will be with a heart for his flock. I pray that I can continue helping young people to know the right path for the sake of their future.

I am not asking so much Lord, I leave it to Your will.