Teacher's teacher

Why is there need to clarify where the massacre actually happened is really not the issue knowing that 57 people have lost their lives even before their time, but for the sake of sanity, let it be known  that Ampatuan is not the whole of Maguindanao, Philippines. Certainly there are still good and moral people. Even those who massacred the 57 helpless victims may not represent the greater number of Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Lord, will you save us if there are 100 good people?

Teacher'steacher is still not herself even when Mayor Andal Ampatuan allegedly came out not out of hiding but out of showing to the people he was not really hiding. How can such an outrageous scenario like many vehicles filled with people, be strafed causing all its riders to die and then a backhoe was on hand to hide the "deed" just happened to be there with no one knowing is beyond anybody's capacity to fathom. Lord, will you ave us if there are 50 good people?

Let us for a moment - ponder on what the government is doing if they are doing something substantial at all .  Our officials wear black  dress or black bands - as though it is enough. Words uttered that the perpetrators will not escape the hands of justice and a promise was specified, the case will be resolved within 36 hours. Lord, will you save us if there are 10 good people?

Malaybalayan joins Teacherallherlife in praying that all the aforementioned will take its course with the 57 victims uppermost in their minds before the wrath  of God will haunt them till their consciences gnaw on them every moment of their remaining lives. Lord, will you save us if there at least 5 people? four?three?two?one?

If in an earlier blog we made mention of the Maguindanao massacre where around 47 became the victims of such heinous, ungodly  acts, now the number has risen to 57! Also, the number of mediamen who were there to cover the event and were also murdered reached 13. God, have mercy, what is happening to our country especially Mindanao?

ABS-CBN news covereage, TV Patrol today, Wednesday, shows horrible pictures - of buried vehicles together with the dead bodies of the victims - of a pregnant woman mercilessly killed. I am sure the heavens are dumbfounded what men can do to their fellowmen all because of power or just plain money or blind obedience. If the heavens were to strike and punish these people, would they  understand- if at all - why they were punished?

Father God, please forgive us for the desecration of the image and likeness you have accorded man.

Day in and day out we go about our activities nary a glance what the weather has to say. Then, rain comes or extreme heat disturbs our comfort, still we do not allow ourselves to be sidetracked by weather. Finally, typhoons announce the gravity of its destruction and finally too it got your attention.

Indeed, the weather teaches us things we take for granted. For one, man, the steward has not been very good in his job at taking care of the environment. This negligence accrues and manifests itself in the weather which does not function as scheduled. Experts charge it to climate change.

Secondly, the weather makes man grateful. After all, weather can refer to good days which go our way. There is "manna from heaven" so to speak.

Thirdly and lastly, the weather announces ahead of time what good or bad tiding is to come. It advises us to be ready before it is too late.

Thus, let us give more attention to the weather.  Find out what it wants to say. Acknowledge it and pray it will make your day.

In the United Kingdom ,  floods greeted them as the morning came and unwanted rain is still falling; in Australia, bushfire ate their forest and fire is still burning and expanding its extent of destruction; in Sumatra, Indonesia, a ferry boat sank. CNN reports, of the 225 passengers, around 200 are rescued but 25 died. For more details, see CNN.com.

Just when we cannot help but be so saddened, we begin asking: what is happening to our world? good news crop up: Efren Penaflorida, our very own kababayan, was declared hero of the year 2009-not because he did something light but he spent more than 12 years of his life, with the help of his fellow workers of the same calling to teach children while they stay in their pushcarts (kariton). Nine other finalists in CNN Heroes all spent much time serving the less fortunate.

So, once again, what is happening to our world? We can say, it is telling us the world is bound to become even worse if we do not "clean our act" by taking care of our environment, making it more green. It will also become better if all persons work together to make a difference in the lives of others.As always we should remember, we have only one world and we affect each other more than we realize.

It is not long time ago when Manny Pacquiao made the Philippines, land of brave boxers - Champion - and now, an Efren Penaflorida made our country a land of heroes as well. Teacher's teacher is teary eyed at the thought of these young people telling the whole world what and who Filipinos are!

Was it not long ago when we admitted voting for Efren and was not sure if her vote was counted. It is now water under the bridge but am really thrilled for Efren - imagine, a hero among us.

For us, ordinary mortals, don't worry we are heroes too everytime we do our household chores, study our lessons, accept the everyday challenges that come our way. But for now let us just be happy for Efren, a fellow Filipino.Thank you CNN! May I link with CNN heroes.com?

Allow Teacher's teacher to pay tribute to peace through a reflection . . .

For a long time the common notion of peace is "absence of conflict", quiet surrounding. It may still be today but there has to be more to this description. After all, one can be going through a conflict and in the middle of the turmoil realize that the other side of it is peace.

Problems that beset man and society are so complex yet deep into its basic cause is man's selfishness which we prefer to be the more apt explanation why peace never seems to happen easily.

So my dear Students, look deep into your hearts just as we do too. Peace comes when our hearts are ready to minimize our selfishness.

Oprah Network is now the "baby" that wil be the focus of Oprah's time. This will have to be if the plan of Oprah to finally put to an end her Oprah show at CBS will really push through on September 2011.TV commentators are busy giving their forecasts but in the meantime, the show will become more watched than ever as the countdown begins.Oprah will then become richer than ever too.
 
How Teacher's teacher wishes that before Oprah goes to better and bigger things, she will by accident come across Malaybalayan.blogspot.com where two blogs: Blogs at Fifty and Teacher's teacher.blogspot.com are just raring to meet her. We can dream, can't we?

Oprah, Teacher's teacher is from Malaybalay and Malaybalay is the niche of Malaybalayan. We dare you, you have been anywhere or everywhere but unless and until you see Malaybalay, you haven't seen it all. How  about it? May we give you a timetable to grace us with your presence on or before September 2011?

November 16, 2009, Monday, Malaybalay City, the birthplace of Malaybalayan received its visitor from Rome: His Excellency, Most Reverend Edward Joseph Adams, D.D. His visit was in line with the 40th  anniversary of the Local Church of Malaybalay, from April 22, 2009 to April 22, 2010. 

This visit reminds Malaybalayan of her experience of seeing in person a Pope! All catechists received, Malaybalayan included, the Apostolic Blessing. Without undermining the significance of the blessing, the momentous opportunity to be in the presence of the Pope, the Vicar of Christ, is like being in the presence of  the Most Holy One, you feel unworthy yet honored and humbled for being chosen to be there.

This visit of the Nuncio is also, in spirit, the visit of Pope Benedict XVI and this is very comforting to all the catholics all over Malaybalay - all over Bukidnon - all over the Philippines. Viva il Papa!

According to Webster, a hero is a man  of exceptional quality who wins admiration by noble deeds especially deeds of courage. Using this description, can you quietly say you have been a hero sometime in your life? Teacher's teacher says, why not? Since man is made in the image and likeness of God, a person has the inherent quality to do good - to become a hero.

If you are hesitant to claim you are a hero, let us move on and ask: have you met a hero in your life? The first persons who come to mind are our beloved parents. Then, we think of our other loved ones. Then, our teachers and all other people who express concern for our good development.

Teacher's teacher believes there is no end to do what is good to others for it comes back to one's self.  This is the beauty of man's aspirations, that as we do what is good, there is the temptation to do the opposite. The constant struggle of the "yin and the yang", the white and the black, the good and the bad is a person's mission to handle. To overcome evil and do good makes every person a hero. 

There are meetings and THERE ARE MEETINGS. The meeting between Barack Obama, the President of the United States and Hu Jintao, the Prime Minister of China is what is referred in the latter type of meeting. It  implies the  meeting of two leaders of the two most powerful countries which is in fact vital for other countries. For Obama, it is his first visit to Beijing, China as president. This meeting is held at a time when there is economic recession so the key global issues that they have to discuss include trade, climate change and nuclear proliferation. The followers are left asking, so?

Indeed, countries which are developed are worried for while they claim that they must do something to protect the world for the sake of humanity, others already know they are doing it to protect their interests. Notwithstanding this observation, we are still happy the two leaders meet and from their initiatives, other countries can also engage in collaborative ventures where a multiplier effect can take place.

For us teachers, meetings are vehicles to bring people together to plan, discuss, decide, celebrate, learn together.  Let us join the two leaders if only in the spirit of oneness with their desire to take care of this one world, mankind is in-charge of - for the present and future generations.

US-China Meeting: November 2009 in Beijing China: A Beginning for better things ahead.

One views CNN and we read about Iran's nuclear power. Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt say they also have plans to build their own nuclear weapons. Ordinary mortals are left tongue-tied and as a teacher, this information must be disseminated to young people for further deliberation.

Some points to share: With all the calamities and crises that beset mankind, is the nuclear program the best course of action? We have only one earth so we only have to put on the tv to see for ourselves how interconnected we are with each other. It is not too long nor too difficult to come to a realization that should the nuclear weapons fall into the wrong hands or a certain power-hungry prime minister or president decide to dominate another country, destruction would be unforgivable.

This leaves the ordinary mortal to what he/.she alone can do from his/her end: Pray, pray and pray for all the world leaders to be enlightened and wake up to the reality that they too are ordinary mortals. To put it
plainly: each of us will be accountable to the Creator who appointed us stewards not destroyers of His creation.

Did you listen attentively to our Philippine National Anthem, Lupang Hinirang, being sung during the Pacquiao-Cotto fight in MGM, Las Vegas? If before it was Martin Nievera's attempt at giving zest and creativity, this time it was lack of both. It was painful that the singers were divas (kuno) in their own right yet their voices did not "click"- jibe-blend at all. We cannot help but ask, did they practise? and if they did, why did they not "do something at all" up to the end of the song? How we wished Lea Salonga, the singer, sang it. After all,she volunteered. Please give this attention. Especially because Manny Pacquiao won so once again our country won. Sorry, ladies, back to the basic: plain, simple correct blend of correct

As a teacher, all signs of submission to a higher power, we call God or Yahweh or Allah or Bathala, are marks of a humble person, a deeply religious one.

As a teacher, Secretary Clinton inspires women teachers of today: to express oneself with oozing confidence. Her awareness of big issues makes us understand why she wanted to become President of the United States and when she did not make it, President Barack Obama did not mind appointing her as Secretary of State.

What a day at The Peak where Malaybalayan met Michael Jackson and availed of imaginary "golf lesson" from Tiger Woods. See for yourself. We can dream, can't we?

This week (November 8-15,2009) is a most momentous week.Today, November 12-Fr. Sinnott was released by his captors. It is so painful to listen to Father. He slept in a hammock for a month according to him so for someone of his age, it must have been physically uncomfortable. He was not able to take his medicine for ten days so only God knows what its after effects on his health would be. To Father Sinnott: God has kept you in his care and am sure you will find in your heart to forgive the hostage- takers.

Today also, Hillary Clinton visits the Philippines. Others say it is one reason why Fr. Sinnott was released. Never mind if we will never know if it is so or not. Things happen for a reason. In the meantime, Clinton's presence is most welcome notwithstanding the protests. Let us wait how her visit to Zamboanga, Mindanao will fair. So what is your take on the Visiting Forces Agreement? This is one issue that has many facets. Teachers usually just allow the students to come up with his/her own reflection and somehow offer a more proactive course of action.

This coming Sunday, November 15 in the Philippines . . . Filipinos will be huddled together in a room-sala, bedroom, restaurant, theatre, classroom, carenderia and all other nooks - with the sole objective: to watch Pacquiao fight. Perhaps it is the Filipino in me that is coloring my forecast but in my gut, am sure Pacquiao will win. Let us accompany our intense wish for Pacquiao's triumph with prayers. Manny, our prayers are with you.

It has been expressed by councils in Eastern Mindanao Region, that membership in the Girl Scouting Movement has been steadily declining. True to its motto: "Be Prepared", the Regional Headquarters responded to the pressing need and invited the Membership Teams per council to a joint plan how to go about the problem in a proactive manner. Indeed, the meeting was worth the effort for the GSP is now expanding its membership to the barangays and out-of-school setting. Go! go! GSP!!!

Malaybalayan was not yet a blogger when Bukidnon Council held its Convention. The ever supportive Mayor of Malaybalay, Hon. Florencio "Doc Boy" Flores gave an inspiring message. After all his mom, Mrs. Vicenta Flores was once the president of the Council and now a lifetime member being our role model of the commitment she accorded the Girl Scouting Movement.

The new logo of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines refers to the following:

Only Malaybalayan and Dr. Nitz got the chance to strike a loving pose with the birthday celebrator, Ligaya C. Malaybalayan happens to be the President of the Professional Studies and Performing Arts Faculty, College of Teacher Education, Bukidnon State University. Expect more photos as the teachers will prepare for the Education Week first week of December!

These beautiful ladies are taking their time - taking in the majestic scenery of Binahon Farms in Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon. Malaybalayan is bent on holding on to the thin tree to pose for you; all the other beauties are contented with a carefree pose while they await the morning's session on Strategic Planning for the success of the National Service Training Program.

The incoming debaters are taking their time while they still have some to spare. Soon they are off to their off-campus teaching experience. Malaybalayan sends you off with love.

In an interview, Manny Pacquiao made it clear that he is not just fighting Miguel Cotto for the money but for the Filipino people as well. As always he invokes God's blessing so he will be victorious.

Education 108 is one subject in the College of Teacher Education in Bukidnon State University which is an Introduction to Guidance and Counseling including Special Education. Malaybalayan invited Elsie Yongco and Daylin Galo to teach the students Sign Language. Congratulations to the Ed 108 students who passed with flying colors, but of course with Malaybalayan as their instructor, what else could happen?

There were ten hearing impaired pupils who taught the college students and what a learning they the got!

The Education 108 students were taught the alphabet, in this case, they began with letter A.

The next photo would show how the hearing impaired pupils became their mentors. Letter A through the Sign Language.

Years of teaching can be an advantage when dealing with various kinds of pupils or students but only to an extent. Nothing beats the charism of the teacher who really "ticks". This is a gift one has to work for so many years. Others learn the hard way while others have it as if to prove that others are born to become teachers. So, what makes teachers "tick"?

In the course of learning the hard way myself and being a teacher for more than thirty(30) years now, teachers tick because of the following: 1) they love what they do so their eyes glow while they teach, their enthusiasm oozes; 2) they are multi-talented; they possess multiple intelligences so while they teach, their senses are open to where the learners are so if they observe that some are "bored" and need action songs, they ask if there is need to stop what is being done, for an ice breaker. If the reponse is positive, they belts out a song and show the actions that go with it. 3) they are eager "beavers" themselves so there is no end to their quest for something new so when the current trend to go "computer" or go twittering or go blogging they as are game; and 4) they are fun to be with so laughter is a solution to the unavoidable lull in sessions that are so "heady".

The four scenarios indicated above do not alone comprise all the qualities of the teachers who "tick" and "click" but the message is loud and clear: Teachers can always become one if they do decide. After all, they survive the minimal salaries they receive; they manage to laugh amidst the many things to be done at home and in school; they attend seminars and conferences to update and upgrade their capabilities while laden with financial and emotional challenges at home and in school.
As to the question then why do teachers "tick"? They just do period.

Any Girl Scout, out there?

Any Girl Guide out there?

This is your Tita Reina from Bukidnon Council, Eastern Mindanao Region, Philippines.

This is our new logo for the Girl Scouting Movement in the Phillipines.
I will give a prize to a non-filipino girl scout who can give the meaning behind the new logo.
This is good up to this week-end only while I will be in Cagayan de Oro City to visit my two big boys: Benben and Bonbon. Good Luck early birds!!!

In our college, we have student aides. They help us maintain the cleanliness of our faculty room. We also request them to do errands when time does not allow us to do the same ourselves. Some of them are also our students but some are not. The following notes come from them.

Aidz writes: Thank you Ma'am for being so joyful. It is more than enough to brighten up somebody's day! God bless.

Maricel shares: Blessed day Ma'am. At first, I really did not understand why God brought me here in the faculty room. I am ashamed of teachers so I tip toe everytime I enter the office. As the days passed however, after observing what you do I began to appreciate why I want to become a teacher myself. Now I feel happy everytime I see joy in you as you give your best for the students to learn. I am fortunate to know you more and am blessed to witness how noble teachers are. Thank you Ma'am.

Liway divided her note to Learning: and Unfogettable Moment. Under Learning she writes: I now become more careful with what I say! Under Unforgettable Moment: When you requested me to prepare lunch for your students who had a seminar-workshop. I may not be the best cook but because of this vicarious experience I realized I have more skills I can improve on. Bye Ma'am!

When I receive notes like this, the teacher in me knows more fully why I have remained a teacher all these thirty years and more. Notes, like these, make me smile. Thank you Aidz, Maricel and Liway. May your tribe grow more in number.

Three fourth year college students came to ask their grades because they are under probation. As their English teacher, I asked why they never informed me that they were under probation. After some explanation I told them to come as a group, write all the names of those who are truly under probation. So they came back with the list: List of students underprobe. Underprobe? I told each senior student to write the words “under probation”. A certain Joy wrote “Under Probetion; Richel wrote “Under provision” and Sharie wrote “Under probesion”.

I gave them another chance: Joy wrote “Under Provetion”; Richel wrote:”under Provition while Sharie wreote “Under probession. With disillusionment written on my face, I gave them a third chance so Joy wrote “Under Probition”, Richel wrote “Under Probhetion “ and Sharie wrote “Under probission”.

Not that Spelling is the end all and be all of one’s education but definitely for the fourth year students who are already preparing for the in and off campus teaching, their inability not to spell correctly the words “under probation” is a cause of alarm. Their so-called attempts to spell it again and still misspell it even more is a cause of greater alarm.

With fatigue I closed my eyes. . . and prayed that challenges in real life are the real criteria that will measure the education we have accorded them. These students may not know how to spell many words but with the many years spent in school, they already know thousands of words so what is “under probation” compared to these countless other terms (I hope).
I need not be disillusioned nor become cynical because of fatigue. Life is greater than misspelling some words.