Teacher's teacher

Was it not too long ago when November came and before we could fully realize November went and December took over. Then before we could finally accept it is December, 8 days passed and 17 days more and Christmas will be upon us.

Christmas is supposed to be a celebration all year round but December 25 is a day unto itself-a very special day when Jesus is born and love envelops us all. What are your plans this Christmas, year 2009?

Cebu City, Philippines will be a great place to spend Christmas. For us, it is because we miss Tennis Guru, Nathan. Another beautiful place is Bohol, Philippines especially because Ma'am Pinky will give 6 free tickets via Trans Asia. Thank you very much Trans Asia and Ma'am Pinky.

At the end of the day, it does not matter whether you will travel or not; celebrate lavishly or simply for as in the days of old to this day, only the most important think matters: the family stays together, treasure each other's presence. All others are just trimmings.

To you my beloved followers and friends: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

No wonder some people prefer to stay passive about all things that happen: the case of Martial Law in Maguindanao; "Climategate" an illegal attempt to discredit Climate scientists who are now in Copenhagen for the Climate Change Summit; Suicide attacks in Pakistan; Tiger Woods' woes over alleged mistresses; 18 days before Christmas . . . Whatever is your attitude about issues which are overwhelming even as everyday financial problems get one's overall attention, only one solution is best: Amen.

What are implications of Amen? One: Amen means "let it be" or "so be it" so whatever issue there is, let it be- so that it might even resolve itself in time. Two, there will always be issues so let it be and issues as it usually is, some can still be magnified while others die its natural death. Three, passivity may just be a facade but deep down in one's gut is man's stamina for caring, though more inward than outward. Fourth, in every thing, openness should never be ruled out, man is born wondering and wandering so never underestimate his capacity to go beyond himself.

Teacher's teacher feedback? Amen!

To formalize our cooperation and interest in the Climate Change Conference, we referred to UN's Cop 15 through Google's help and voted for the need to do something and tell the leaders to" seal a fair and effective climate deal".

We are not yet sure to join the You Tube questions pool but at the moment our question goes like this: With all the plans of United States of America to add more troops to Afghanistan and all the unemployment among Americans and in the rest of the world, even worse financial challenges, how can Climate Change initiatives take off much less sustain it?

Back here in Malaybalay City where Bukidnon State University is, Accreditation begins tomorrow, December 7 up to December 10. Like "Climate Change Conference", the university will have four full days to prove its "level three" preparedness in giving quality education.


This tells us that life goes on and the challenge to do something with our environment is as important as ever, notwithstanding the many other points of interest that go with well-rounded education.

As an instructor of Peace Education, the upcoming Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen is supposed to be a gathering I would like to be in. This is wishful thinking and so from where I am based, I will give it my all to follow. With CNN's plan to hear your question through You tube, consider me as one of your listeners and viewers.

Do share with Teacher's teacher your own view about Climate Change. The succeeding blogs will revolve around this most relevant and timely Key Issue that affects all of us here and now and in the future.

Climate Change? Change of Weather condition that surprises everyone. It is not usual to have very warm day one moment then rain after few hours and early in the morning, very cool one trembles and hides under a warm big blanket. Morning comes and while it does not rain, the temperature makes those people with sinusitis, yours truly as one of them, sneezing most of the time.

So many factors cause this phenomenon called Climate Change but am sure, man's disregard for proper garbage disposal and burning of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials and cutting of trees without planning for re-planting have to have repercussions sooner or later. The time for repercussions has finally arrived. This summit may be a little late but anything for Mother Nature nothing can ever be too late.

Once a girl scout, forever, a girl scout.
December 30, 2009 - Balik Scouting -
Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Bukidnon Council turns 57 years old.
All Girl Scouts - let us come back to scouting. . . Come on December 30.
Contact (088)8134332 or cell no. 09194047034 for all the details.

"Once a Girl Scout Forever a Girl Scout" is the mantra of every registered girl scout. Now that the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Bukidnon Council is 57 years old, it is time once again to come home . . . "Balik Scouting"!!!
Let the countdown begin up to December 30 - our "Balik Scouting" Day Celeb. Let us renew friendships; relive the patrol system; rekindle the Girl Scout spirit; reminisce the unforgettable camping, training moments; revisit the good, old days.
So, titas, call GSP Office phone number: (088)8134332 or cell number 09194047034 for all the details. Reserve December 30, Wednesday, for your fellow Girl Scouts, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.This early, overhaul your memory boxes/bags and look for those photos, mementos and bring them all on December 30. Remember you will be grouped by patrols. Contests will range from yells to cherished pictures etcetera. Door prizes are at stake too!
57 yells and cheers to Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Bukidnon Council. Bukidnon, Bukidnon, Bukidnon Council, 57 more years or more to come!!!

 While there was a Teachers' Month Campaign, that began in September and ended on  October 5, 2009, the College of Teacher Education in Bukidnon State University, City of Malaybalay, still celebrates Education Week every first or second week of December every year. For this school year 2009-2010, our theme is inspired by ABS-CBN's "boto patroller": Ako ang Simula so ours is: "Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Simula". 

Some of the Education students were encouraged to write their insights on the theme. Some excerpts are worth noting:" While we can urge others to do his or her share to choose the right leaders this coming 2010 election, we can already do something now by throwing one's garbage in the garbage bin or studying one's lesson to come to class more prepared and participate more actively during class discussion. . ."With Peace as the main topic in our subject, the song, Let There be Peace On Earth And Let It Begin With Me, jibes with the theme that one does not impose peace to be given by others but that it begins with me."

As teachers who belong to the College, we made the celebration  more meaningful by giving tribute to one of our colleagues who died last May 2, 2009. Dr. Genoveva Melendez Ablanque was awarded the Most Outstanding Teacher. She touched many lives and her students shared how she changed their lives for the better. Tears were shed but as one of those who paid tribute to her we focused on our faith that she is now with Our Creator and that we are the ones who need her guidance. Ma'am Bebang, our prayers for your eternal happiness with the Lord.

Tomorrow, Thursday, Teacher's teacher will be the chairperson of the Board of Judges in DHABS contest:: Dancing, Hosting, Acting, Band Instrument Playing and Singing talents in one person. More info about the results of the contest in the succeeding blogs.
So to all Education students, say it with conviction: "Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Simula.". Three cheers for CTE: Hep, hep, hurray! Three Cheers for CTE ( College of Teacher Education) declared Champion during Intrams 2009, Hep,hep,hurray!! Three Cheers for CTE, Education being the flagship of Bukidnon State University, Hep,hep,hurray!!!

BukidnonOnLine/Mindanaoan accompanied Malaybalayan and Teacher's teacher to Davao City to begin their Christmas "spotting" shopping. Gaisano Bajada was their first stop but sad to say, not a thing was spotted enough to merit a second and  last visit for a "final buy".  So they proceeded to Unitop San Pedro and voila! choices were made: they bought christmas lights not more than 200 pesos and decors below 20 pesos. Definitely there would be another visit before Christmas Day for more christmas "buys".
 The customers today are very choosy because of the financial crisis. It is not enough for them to see nice things as it used to be. Now, they think and re-think such that they already justify why they finally bought such things.
 
 Many still believe that  the best gift is one that comes from the heart and anything that comes with it is just "icing on the cake." This perspective is so Filipino that Teacher's teacher encourages this to be the  criterion in giving a gift.

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.