Preparing for Retirement Tribute

I guess, I'm really getting old. It's the first time that my superior is retiring. At 65, she's ripe for retirment. And where does that leave me? I'm in the next circle. No kidding, thinking of retirement gives me the feeling of satisfaction
It's as if nothing bad will happen in thr "future."

The greatest challenge in preparing a retirement tribute is finance. Rex Magdaluyo, initiated the tribute with only 30 thousand budget. Food is the most expensive factor. The invitation is the cheapest. Lucky for English Dept., the task given to is very simple. The only challenge is the selection of performers,emcees, selections to perform.

Fathers Are Men

Here is a poem i composed for my cousin Pia.

Course not the man
Tall and strong
Sweet and gentle
Played serenades with the wind.

Hate not the man
Weak to resist
Vulnerable to charm
Loved a wife more than once.

Love that sinful man
Sick yet proud
True yet lost
Lived through battles and conquests.

Forgive that ageing man
Old, resigned
Blue, despaired
Fathers are not saints, they also sin.

Engr. Jun Lozada

Out of nowhere, here comes a new hero after the revelation of De Venecia on the ZTE controversy. They turned their ire on the father when he was ousted from his post in the Lower House. Is he telling a lie? or the truth? Qood question! Survey says: We Only 8% believed Lozada is lying. Of course, only NCR is involved in the survey.

From his looks, he is very much Chinese from Albay. It was revealed that he could pay P400,000 annually for the membership in Wack-Wack Golf and enjoy all its amenities. Rich guy. But why did he reveal the ZTE deal? Is it for more money to doubly enrich himself? Can't help doubting his motive. We're tired of such issues in politics. Comes the "Gloria Resign" move again from the opponents and religious sector.

Whatever be the motive, this will affect the dollar rate. Whatever it is, we can see the reality in our government. Until now processing of election is done manually. How many elections have already passed after the proposal of its computerization? Teachers were so hopeful that their sufferings during elections will be over? Why can't it become reality? For simple reason that politicians especially those incumbents cannot cheat the result.

It is a noble intention to give the computers to public schools where students cannot afford to buy the gadget or pay internet cafe fees. But in my own experience, our school being a recipient of 10 units of foreign oriented computers, very few students can use the computers; not all teachers can enjoy the facility. So many controlling factors rearding the maintenance.

We thank Jun Lozada, hoping earnestly that we can move one big step: imprison the greatest mastermind of all times - First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

To Forgive

When I was in the elementary grades, I became a contestant in a declamation competition. "Vengeance Is Ours, It's God's" was my ticket to visit other towns of Sorsogon. I luckily landed the second placer. Tears wouldn't come out as I recited "I saw my father hanging, dead!"

I had a number of ordeals that other people would coax me to do revenge. I have been rebuked, insulted, put to shame, ignored completely for greedy motive. To all these, I fought through logic and temperance. My antagonists, one of whom has intelligence which should enable him to understand complicated conditions; yet until now fail to accept God's will.

Came a time that even young individuals put me in a hot spot when they reported to their teacher in English who was supposed to be my subordinate that I announced during the Festival In English and Speech Talents (FEAST) competition that they were not good in pronunciation. How their teacher hated me and thought ill of me. I even reported the matter to their adviser. When other neutral teachers investigated, they (students) asserted that they really heard me give such statement. I did not confront the students. I wouldn't waste my energy in such trivial matter. I trust that the time will come when they will realize their fault.

And it did; This Valentine's Day happened what I anticipated. I was surprised by their move. They were about to enter the Faculty Room but we (a fellow teacher and a student teacher) heave come out of the room to go home. They greeted me "Happy Valentine and we would like to say sorry for what we said about you during the FEAST.
I have descended five stairs and didn't want to respond but I heard one insistent voice, asking for my reply. While descending more stairs, couldn't deny them so I replied. "What could I say? The damage has been done but I forgive you. And voices answered back, "Thank you, Mam."

Unsolicited Love

I received a joke thru text messaging from an unknown sender: somebody who didn't tell me he/she changed her sim card.

They were best friends since they were kids. Dianne kept her love for Enzo secret. Years passed, they separated ways and stopped communicating with eache other. But Dianne still hoped Enzo would come back.

After two years, her prayers were answered. She received a message: "Diane, I have surprise. I'm coming back. Love and kisses, Enzo.

She waited at the airport, but he didn't arrive. Then a sexy lady said,"I'm Lyn, friend of Enzo. I have bad news." Tears fell from Diane's eyes. Then the lady smiled and said. "Gaga, It's me - ENZO!"

This may be just a joke. But who can really say? I believe this story is not impossible. Other related stories happen everyday. We tend to love strongly, unconditionally only to find out in the end, the feeling you have was wasted for nothing. Your passion has taken you to extreme dimension only to find out that the passion you fervidly fought for was consumed by an icy spirit. In other divine cases just like Vangie and Sam: it's simply putting it in "You're not meant for each other. God has a different mission for each of you." Easily said but difficult to handle. After a year, insomnia could infest the bereaved lady.

It's about time to shift direction. Destiny is not for us to discern. The indefinite designs are from above.

Father Forever

When my mother died, I was torn between resignation and nothingness. I know completely that it was the end of the road for my mother. I know she was better off passing away to end her calvary. Nothingness haunts me because I dreamed that I will be beside her when she gets older. After giving me away to her nurse aunt Cristina when I was seven years old, I desperately needed to be with her some time even in my mid adult years. God, how empty this makes me feel.

My stepfather was the cause of all her sufferings. She worked from daybreak to sundusk to feed the family and send children to school while the irresponsible man all that he needed was a bottle of liquor. Tired for the whole day's labor - sending the children to school, doing laundry of Rocha's family, marketing and cooking lunch, ironing the clean clothes, marketing and cooking dinner - a drunk bastard would expect his share of a wife's duty even by force and exhibition of violence was dessert for my siblings.

My cousin Pia is so gross with her father for countless mistakes, womenizing among them. However, they were not abandoned. Uncle Pidoy didn't leave them hungry. Mama Tessie didn't go begging from one brother to another. But I cannot meddle now. Pia is outside the country. She has made up her mind to treat her father cruelly, sending him out of their home. "Give my mother her peace."

Just allow me few words. I didn't get to know my own father. Until the last breath, I would wish to see him. You have your father who is slowly bowing out. The severity of his offenses can still be considered if you have a humble heart. All is needed in this scene is forgiveness.

It's Not All IQ

Being a teacher in English means not only teaching the macro skills listening/speaking, language/grammar, reading, and writing. I make it a point to tell my students especially the first section to stay humble. I give very high consideration on humility. Students who belong to the first section tend to feel they are intelligent and don't need others' help. The situation at present is they do not have respect for teachers who are not their current subject teachers. Many of them would just pass without any sign of courtesy.

Intelligence is the faculty of a person that allows an individual to absorb knowledge and to understand such knowledge. They absorb the word "respect" understand the meaning, but it is not practiced. Filipino culture of "kissing the hand" of elders is most likely a thing of the past for them. Time will come when they will grow old. They will realize that "it's not all iq".