ABUSIVE RELATIVES OF OCWs

Filipino families are closely-knitted. Culture and traditions of Filipinos were passed on from the numerous ancestors of different races but the strongest in influence are the Spaniards having colonized the country for more than three hundred (300) years. It's a blessing and liability at the same time. As the fundamental unit of the society, the family passes on the traits and practices to the children and to the next generation. Birthdays, Christmas, New Year, Fiesta, All Saints'/Souls' Day - these are numerous occasions wherein families gather, reunite and strengthen their bond with each family member. They feel divided if one member is not present.

With the boom of Filipino workers overseas due to their desirable working practices, family members have developed a new custom in treating the members employed abroad. It involves dependence on the support of the ocw for all the family's needs: education of offsprings, birthday celebration, hospitalization, wedding, you name it. No wonder, some of them play the game on the red streets just to be able find additional income. Sad, but true.

They have forgotten about the sacrifices their ocw kin do in order to be able to support all their whims. The pitiful ocw has to work 18 hours for the overtime pay while the folks at home just spends their hard-earned money for their comfort and convenience.

The disadvantage of this is the local folks do not strive to be self-reliant. They stop schooling, remain out-of-school and worst - get hooked on drugs. Some get married and never bother to get a job. But how can one get a job when one is undergraduate from high school? This is the sad picture of some Filipinos who have ocw kin/s.

Loving is Giving Space

In loving someone, you feel you want to be beside with the beloved always. As the song goes, We are inseparable, that's how it is, inseparable." When you are with each other, as if things will not turn to the wrong direction. You feel so whole, warm, safe, content, and hilariously happy. On the contrary, you feel that if you are not beside your beloved, you love each other less. There's the saying also "Out of sight, out of mind." When you are far from each other, thoughts of going stray from the bond of one of the party is very tempting. It's crazy, you're mind is racing while your heart is palpitating. It's breaking you heart and your head gets a migraine as stomach is churning. Every muscle of your body is acidic. The reality, I myself feel embarrassed for tagging along a lot of times. I am telling the world, "I'm so desperate to watch over him, see him do all things, be around him at all times." It gives a message of immaturity, faithlessness and selfishness.

Giving space to the beloved is giving trust. It is your chance to say, "Your love is true, I need not be blue. What fear I feel, what insecurity may be budding - I have to fight and dislodge from my mind. I have to trust my love and myself. I am God's creature, sophisticated and complicated though simple in many ways. I just love to continue to love. That's the reason for my existence. Love is meaningless without sacrifice. Sacrifice makes love sweeter.

Loving Makes the Impossible Happen

One can be amazed how loving people can make impossible things become a reality. Love becomes a very potent force that things you have never done can become a reality. It gives one the drive, strength, time, faculties for one to do things for the loved one. It is a reality accepted that blood is thicker than water. However, there are people who do not show care and affection to their relatives. It is a tendency for people to ignore or take relatives for granted, especially if they're not dependent on each other. Just like any ecological community, bonds are established on the met needs - especially the financial aspect. It is ironical that loving cannot be demonstrated in every sense of the word without the facility. How can you give gifts without it? How can you give vitamins, ticket for concert, dinner in a restaurant, capital for business? It is sad that relatives who cannot provide financial support are those who are being taken for granted.

It is a material world indeed. The home cannot flourish in an empty stomach. Children will grow ignorant if parents do not spend for their education. Family members will not glow if they do not enjoy balanced meal in the dining table. They will have short life span when diseases will not be treated with costly medication. But when one truly loves, he will go to extremes just to provide for the needs of loved ones. That's the only time we can say "Love makes the world go round". Prince Valiant for all his mighty strength will weaken without his Princes Alita.

Message for Students during JS Promenade

The month of February is very special to Filipinos. We look forward to this month just as we would wait for Christmas. Filipinos are romantic by nature. We express our love to many people close to our heart by giving gifts, singing carols, cooking holiday food and many more. We celebrate Christmas tirelessly even in the midst crisis. February is the time for more expression of love and affection. Valentines Day may be over last February 14 for the world, but not to the Filipinos.We extend the hearts' day until the 28th or 29th during leap year.

Let us show our love in the positive and fruitful way. I do not say that having relationship is inappropriate. Love comes without giving any notice. You just fee it. You feel butterflies in your stomach. You get excited just by seeing the face of that special someone. But please, in behalf of 63 teachers in our wonder school, this our advise to you: No PMS. Treasure your dignity until your wedding night. It's the most priceless gift you can give to your spouse. It is heavenly to learn the art of lovemaking with your legal and moral spouse. You can face God and the society with pride. In these times that we are financially burden, the only wealth we can be proud of is our dignity.

Son Refuses to be Wed

I do not take pride in my son's refusal to be wed. I'm not trying to justify his action. It all started as a happy affair. Sheryl had to undergo treatment in order to avoid miscarriage. I wasn't expecting the close date in marriage of my only two sons; Erik being wed thru civil rites last December 8. But responsibility calls for the male to save the dignity of a pregnant girlfriend. I could feel that Teng was willing to take the responsibility. My son has grown up to be a Man. I was optimistic that he will mature more with the new development.

But alas! While waiting for the improvement of Sheryl's condition, a disaster occured. How, when and other details I was not truly aware. But I felt it was the right thing to do - not to push thru with the marriage. The hurt party hurled negative and below the belt accusations and character assasination to the whole family. I just took them peacefully. We cannot see the child. We will not be recognized at all. She is a girl, that's all I know.

In the future when she grows up, I am confident that she will search for her blood. I am now. My father is also anonymous and I long to meet him until my last breath.

NAT Regional Mock Test - A Reunion

February 17, 2009.
The mock test is the second of its kind this school year(the first was division level) in preparation for the actual achievement test nationwide on March 11. In the previous years, only one mock test was conducted. It is significant on my part for the examiners who came to my school were my fellow co-teachers from my previous assignment. Having been very busy the day before, I did not examine the list of those teachers.

Came the moment, I arrived in the office to find former fellow teachers enjoying breakfast. A few minutes of "hellos" without any pretension. From 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, I did rounds, short discourse with a few whom I felt comfortable with. Not one mentioned a word about the kind of manager I have turned out to be. I was not the perfect hostess, I admit. No words are necessary. I just felt it.