A Lesson in Humility

Three months ago. That's how new I am in my present office. We have been asked to submit promotion papers for the official position of Principal I. I'm indeed very lucky. From Teacher I to Head Teacher I and soon Principal I.

I give back all my thanks to God for the tremendous blessings. I did not ask for much but he gave so much in return. I just did what I felt was best; not even a sacrifice was offered. All the trials, I embraced it. I accepted it as part of life of a grown-up individual. Sons both employed. All are blessed.

In the present office, a lot of blessings have been showered again. The teachers are young and resilient. Just like sponges, they're ready to absorb everything. I just have to be careful with the role modeling on my part. I didn't have a problem in this aspect even in the past. Students look up to me though I don't exert much effort. I'm just me.

One of the challenges I faced in this new task was settling the grievances of the English Department. I am very pleased with the performance of the Department because they placed 2nd in school level, Araling Panlipunan being the topnotcher. The problem was the behavior of the subject coordinator. He forgot teachers are human beings - intelligent at that. They don't have to be treated like illiterate indios during the Spanish era. I was not new in this arena. I went through a lot at Golden Acres during my 9 years of stay. I can solve the problem in just one sitting. And I did! To teach the lesson of humility is a piece of cake. I intended to relieve him in his temporary assignment. And how he begged to be given a second chance! The teachers were so compassionate to give in to his request. When a person asks for apology, is the start of humility. That's the best application at the end of a lesson.

Singing Latin Mass Hymns

I feel exceptionally proud whenever I am able to join my choir outside the parish to sing in a mass in Latin. The practice under Arthur Medina is very stressful. He demands performance level even during the rehearsals. Last time I failed to join the choir because I was scheduled to be introduced to the teachers in my new assignment as Officer-in-Charge. It was disappointing knowing that another chance may not come again very soon. But I was wrong. Our choir got invited again last June 21.

We sang "Canticurum for the entrance hymn, followed by "Kyrie and "Gloria". For the offertory, we sang "Jesus Amante", followed by "Sanctus","Agnus Dei" and for the communion,"Venid, Venid". We got surprised when Fr. Vir Mendoza chanted the in liturgy of the Eucharist. We were not prepared for the responses but we have to trust our rusting memory for the lines (that was more than half a century ago when I last recited those lines).

As a preschool child, I used to sing with the church choir songs I do not understand but just the same sang from the heart because I knew those were praise songs for the Lord and other Saints especially Mama Mary. We were raised in strictly Spanish culture, thus the strong faith in supreme God and the veneration of Saints during feast days.

At the Imus Diocese music ministry seminar workshop, it was discussed that Latin songs will be revived in the Catholic mass. I'm sure it will draw a lot of reactions. I'm not so good in singing these Latin songs but I welcome it. It gives a cleansing effect though the language is alien but the meaning is in my heart embedded by the culture and legacy handed down by our ancestors.

First Day as OIC-Principal

June 10 is the big day in Philippine education: the first day of school for school year 2008-2009. I reported for the flag ceremony at 6:00am. It rained earlier so I thought the ceremony was not conducted. But I saw the flag was already raised. After a short conversation with Mr. Balistoy, the English Subject Chairman, I learned that they have not conducted the flag-raising yet. I requested that the flag raising be conducted.

Many late enrollees came and I dealt with them. Transferees are scheduled to be back June 23. I requested for the names of the prospect transferees written on a piece of paper. Piece of cake. Nothing new to me.

At about 11:00am, Miss Capistrano, the new Principal of Golden Acres National High phoned to inform me that Dr. Victoriano, SDS, called to ask her to inform me that Usec. Vilma Labrador will visit me. That created firework in my head. I was requested to text the SDS that I received her message. And the SDS replied reiterating what was relayed by Ms. Capistrano. As a routine, I told the canteen manager to prepare lunch for the coming visitor/s. I also asked the Guidance to prepare a Welcome bulletin board.

The waiting minutes were dragging. I felt I was in the labor room of a hospital. It was not painful in any way. It was just agonizing and at the same time thrilling. I didn't recall the exact time when they finally arrived, about 12:20pm? The teachers requested that am classes be dismissed earlier. The PM students have arrrived and the campus is buzzing with young voices. The USEC commented how noisy it was in my school. The SDS helped me in explaining that the PM students have arrived. I was told to use the public sound system to ask the student to enter their classroom and be quiet. Some students did not hear the announcement. I repeated in the bilingual dialect. The USEC requested the present teachers to come inside the Principal's Office.

And we entered the Principal's Office. There the USEC delivered a short talk on the three A's that will help the teachers' job light: Awareness, Acceptance, Action. A teacher has to be aware of the situation and accept such so that she/he can take action. And the bigger announcement was made. "Your Principal is my niece." I kept the information all these time and there it is... I can no longer deny and why should I? She inquired on amenities like service vehicle, items, number of teachers.

I was a big shot after the visit. I felt they couldn't take me for granted anymore. Even the SDS was extra concerned for me not like before when she would tell me that I am poor in people leadership. A late emergency meeting was called at the Division office. I knew the looks in the eyes of the Principals and Supervisors... so this is the USEC's niece.

Thy Will Be Done

Exactly the same date after my last spot, I was called to the Division Office. The wait is over. The ranking was announced. Finally, Miss Capistrano will be the next Principal of Golden Acres National Hi. Second rank, Mr. Rigon will take Miss Capistrano's post. Rank 3: Mr. Parilla will occupy Mr. Rigon's post. Dr. Valdez takes 4th rank; she is assigned at CAA Annex. I get the fifth rank and I am to be assigned at Gatchalian. I accepted the assignment with a heavy heart. Aside from the great distance, I will be with a notorious personality in DepEd Las Piñas history. God read my thoughts. I was called back to the Superintendent's office. It was almost 5 o'clock and I was wondering what the agenda was. The Superintendent explained that there was a technicality in the decision. Mr. Parilla holds the item of Teacher III while I hold Head Teacher I. Therefore, I should be ahead in rank; I should be in Equittable Annex. I felt so relieved and grateful. It was answered prayer.

Once again, I confirm God's love and protection. A great sinner that I am, yet He never abandons me.

Divine Sign

I was deep in prayer with both knees knelt down. My petitions included the immediate principalship/oic post, the enrolment of Academy of the Virgin Empress this coming opening of the SY 2008-2009. Somehow I also included Myrene, my teacher, that she'll overcome her situation. I didn't ask God for any sign. I seldom ask for signs. I'm always the "thy will be done" type. A very unexpected turn unfolded before everybody's eyes. My companions were singing our hyms. A little boy, we fondly call him Aloy, son of Ronel and Cristy Reyes, approached the "altar" and handed me a stem of yellow chrysanthemums. Gratefully, I reached for the chrysanthemums and placed it in the vase nearest me. I finished my prayer and went back to my seat. It didn't reflect anything to me other than a little boy being sweet who is offering flowers to the Virgin Mary since May is the flores de Mayo month.

After I have settled back in my chair, Mam Lit asked me what the color of the flower (she said "rose", but I corrected her that it was the same as the one we had for the offering). She looked at me with such emotion. "It will be granted, you will become oic", she told me. She attributed the yellow chrysanthemums as a divine sign that God will grant my prayer. Overwhelmed, I could hardly react except for a soft "Thank you".

Our conference followed with the usual lectionary about having natural and super natural faith. It was mentioned again - her own experience of having received yellow flowers - as God's sign, though she did not mention to our group my personal intention. Deep in my heart, I was so grateful about her interpretation of the incident. God's will be done unto me, alleluia. AMEN

Labor Day Trek to the Crater of Taal Volcano

Three years ago, a few students of mine took a trip to Talisay, Batangas. We had a guide, a child only. We wanted to go near the Taal Volcano. The trip pushed through but our guide failed to show us the right turn. We insted went direct to Tagaytay and farther and farther until we reached Lemery. The group got hungry so we decided to stop and enjoy the rest of the day swimming in a public resort.

Today, my long dream materialized. With the Marquezes, I enjoyed a free ride in their Adventure to Banga, Talisay where Ben Jumarang - hubby of co-choir member Manay Elvie - came from. We crossed Taal Lake in a motor boat. The trip seemed less than 30 minutes. The exciting part is the horseback ride to the crater of the volcano. It was my first experience to ride horse. I felt nervous but my sense of adventurism got over me. I trusted our guides.

I felt funny when the horse started to move. The choppy motion made me laugh. I still felt tense in the first 10 minutes seeing we're going up and the trail was rough and narrow. It was becoming hot as we climb higher and higher. I was ready with my sunblock and native hat. My guide, an elementary graduate forgot his cap. He was not immune to the heat from the King Sun. Besides, it was very dusty. We bathed ourselves with the dust and the smell of horse shit. As we went higher, I felt pity for the horse, which would stop from time to time for a brief air.

AT last the crater! What do you know? It's not the one visible in Tagaytay. It's a different part of the volcano apart from that small mountain admired whenever I pass Tagaytay. it's a big mouth for a volcano. The water was all green and smelled not very nice - sulfur. Look, down there! There's smoke coming out! And another one there! I showed my companions how good my far-sighted vision. Hah! This is life. Once in a while, I try to forget my obligations and enjoy my remaining late adolescent stage days.

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.