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.

A Long Weekend

The National Heros' Day fell on a Sunday. This holiday is usually known as Bonifacio Day. He is the contender of Rizal for the National Hero. So, he fortunately falls second only to the great Jose. What does one do on a long weekend like this. I cancelled our plan to visit Paskuhan Village, now called Hilaga, to view the giant Christmas lanterns which show Kapampangan's craftmanship in lantern-making. I was down with a bad cold and cough. I had to consult a government physician for my antibiotics. I stayed in bed the whole Saturday, watching television. I took hold of my 50th birthday video taken by choirmate Levy Certeza. It was four years ago but didn't feel I'm fours years older. It took this long before I could appreciate the fun we had during the celebration at Fernino's KTV. The songs of yesteryears i belted, "The Nearness of You", Sir Rick's "Ebb Tide", "Amor"; Manay Elvie's Evergreen. Then the modern songs of Archie, our organist, the new member from Citihomes belting a la Josh Groban. But the most striking was my duet with my eldest son, Erik in the song by Barry Manilow, "Somewhere Down the Road". Teng belted out his rock lullabye as well. Niña, whom I thought was Erik's gf, rendered "Breathless. The video ended with cake lighting, singing birthdya song, slicing of the cake plus cake icing facepainting. I have to wait for four years ... to appreciate simple joys. That's the problem of many people nowadays. They're too busy to appreciate life. I thank that single day God told me to rest and value my only LIFE.

Green Chocolate Hills

Bohol - famous for the 8th wonder of the world chocolate hills found only in the Visayas region of the Philippines, but during the rainy months the hills are covered with green grass.

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.