Message in a Cone

A note from another student who didn't sign in full dated April 4, 2000:





Earth is fast revolving around the sun and another
batch of naughty students is gonna say goodbye
and that's us, the craziest students.
I wanna say thank you for all the
things; your lessons and your
patience even though I'm
sleeping in your subject,
I assure you I learn a
lot from you becoz
in my dreams you're
still teaching
me how to
face the
world.

Clean-Up and Tree Program

The closing of Palarong Pambansa in Puerto Prinsesa City, Palawan coincides with the Las Piñas City Clean-Up and Tree Program. April 25 - high school principals attended the closing of the Palarong Pambansa. I was designated OIC by Mam DAvi. What sheer luck for me! I have to manage that teachers will cooperate in the said program. With the help of Mrs. Austero, Mrs. Honrales, Mrs. de Castro and Dr. Ranie Copada, I felt confident that we can succeed.

The CAT trainees were of great help. I am very thankful that they were present. They did most of the dirty ground work - digging the ground, carrying the mahogany seedlings which male teachers will not willingly do. The Supreme Students Government also came to extend a helping hand. I assigned one officer to have the attendance signed by the participants. I divided the participants into two groups: one for the Candido Ramos Drive; the other beside the covered court along Marcos Alvarez Avenue.

Everyone found the program enjoyable though Mrs. Nicolas only prepared coffee and bread.

Michael Olivo, RIP

Let me first thank Mouse e Teclado for the comment to my post "Heartwarming Message". I'm flattered that a big international company paid attention to my post. This made me realize that I should continue writing about my students.

So here, it is.

Let me point out that this post is not so pleasant. I just want to point out that a message given to me long time ago became a reality.

During my first year of teaching at Golden Acres Annex of Las Piñas National High School (Greater Metro Manila, Philippines) I handled the last section (I-El Vibora) in First Year as Adviser. It was my first time to teach the freshmen in my 8 years of teaching. It was a very challenging assignment having to advise students from different family backgrounds.

Michael Olive was one of those who can be considered comfortable because his mother is a city government day care teacher and his father is a Phil. navy serviceman. At the end of the school year, I gave them a slum notebook to write on. This is what Michael wrote:

March 30, 1999

I hate to say goodbye because I will miss my classmates and I don't want to be separated from them. And I'm afraid that the others will be retained in first year. I wish some day the students of I-El Vibora will meet again and that is only my dream. I know it won't happen.

P.S.
I love you Ma'am and I wish you will be my adviser again next school year.
Signed Michael F. Olivo

Michael died from tragic crime after graduation in high school (2003). I just attended my uncle's wake and funeral in Sorsogon. I was not able to pay respect to his remains.

Five years after his death, I chanced on to read former students' messages. I suddenly realized that while still alive he had the vision that he will not meet his classmates again. No matter how, it won't happen to him for he has passed AWAY.

May the soul of Michael Olivo have everlasting peace. May his killers get their just punishment in their next life.

Because of You

Amalia Arafol from I-Sampaguita (Batch 2007-2008) handed me an oslo paper last Feb. 29(2008) containing a poem. I did not expect such an act because I have scolded her a few times for not taking her studies seriously. I have seen that she has potential but she is not exerting any effort to maximize such potential.

Do you know who made me change?
Do you know when I hit the range?
It's the very moment we met
And let me discover things I cannot forget.

You are different above them all
You are the answer upon all call
You can appreciate things undone
You can make two different things one.

It is you who I share my knowledge
And I will not let you stand on the edge
All alone and feel sorry
I will be here, don't worry.

I will be there for bleed and shed
Through my glimpse turns me dead
I will not feel guilt nor repent
I will not and I just can't.

Will you please appreciate
This little poem which I devour my faith
For the very time that you raise me strong
And grasp me from the path of wrong.

Here then, accept my gratitude
And I do, thank your aptitude
Now that I know what to do,
I had changed because of you.

Karen Joy, Salutaturian

Heartwarming Messages

Amalia Arafol writes:
"First of all... thank you po sa lahat ng efforts sa pagtuturo...kahit po minsan sobrang kulit at pasaway ko... naging sobrang concerned pa rin kayo sakin.
Tinuruan nyo po ako na maging mabuting student.. kahit po I'm not that perfect sa pag gawa ng speeches product of my creativity...."

From Angelica Mikaella Federez:
Thank you for everything that you have done to me - for teaching me how to appreciate things. For sharing your knowledge, for those times that I cannot stand on my own, you are the one I can rely on! Thank you Ma'am! especially for appreciating things undone...

According to Elgie Marie Fuego:
Even I'm not a speech club member, I learned from you, a lot! In your movements and the manner of speaking , I see your hidden personlity from you how to standin my own feet. Thank you very much....

Poem from I-Sampaguita

Before SY 2007-2008 closed a group of I-Sampaguita students came to me and gave a gift. The gift is not similar to the usual. It's a green cartolina which contains a copied song entitled "Thanks to You". On the other side is an original composition of Elgie Marie Fuego entitled "Thank You":

For teaching us how to stand
To be creative and imaginative enough
To speak with courage
And to expand our knowledge.

Giving yourself as an example
To imitate by other people
Showing a great difference
And a noticeable patience.

These are some things to realize
To describe,to mention and to recognize
And these are reasons even few
But let us say a . . .

Happy
"Thank you."

In another fold/side of the cartolina are heartwarming messages:

"Even though you are not my mom, you teach me to be a good and kind student, especially a good son...
(Alvin Lake Tubay, Charlie Amarela)

"Maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga naituro nyo sa amin.
(Cagadas & Chuan)

" I know that you got mad when I quit on the Speech Club and I'm very sorry for that. But i thank you for your knowledge you share with me.
I also appreciate all the beautiful deeds you show to me. You help me to enhance my self-confidence that is very useful to me up to now. I wish you all the best and may God Bless You!
(John Allen Fernando)

More to follow on the next blog.