Teacher's teacher

Almost all schools resumed classes today, January 4, 2010. In Bukidnon State University, College of Teacher Education, we did. So, "classes resume; students assume; teachers presume." With a situation like this, the focus now is to prepare for Mid-term examinations. The students must assume their main duty to prepare for mid-term examinations which will be given next week. The teachers presume the course coverage is set for an assessment.

Yet inside the classrooms, teachers sensed that the students still had the "christmassy look" such that the teachers had to take the cue to bring them back to the academic pursuit of scholarly discussion. In our case, we spoke about New Year's resolutions in the context of critiquing one's plans as a writer, as a peace advocate or as community organizer. Somehow the strategy worked.

The news tells us about what is happening around the world and teachers incorporate all these in the lessons. The following are good points for discussion:

"Towering Achievement" of Dubai by constructing the tallest building in the world;

Mt. Mayon in Albay Legazpi, Philippines, decides not to erupt after all, so evacuees go back to their homes;

Preventing terrorist attacks through stricter security rules for travellers;

MetroManila Film Festival raised millions: did you view one?;

Las Vegas Shooting in a Federal Court; Gunman killed

The rumored film about the Maguindanao Massacre for sale; copies were confiscated.

Teaching, indeed, does not "leave any stone unturned" if in the process the students ask questions, give comments, formulate summary statements. Teachers try their very best to facilitate the learning environment but are aware of the difficulties that they have to endure if they really want to put more action than words.

Well, "classes resume; students assume; teachers presume." Francis Keppel says: "Education is too important to be left solely to the educators."

Who was it who said that "being alone" is the way we came to this world so it is a fact of life we must accept. However, as we go on with the business of living, we gradually come to terms with our needs, one of which is to reach out and make friends. Of the many people we come in contact with, there are others who really make us vow never to be with them but in the same vein of realization there are those who really make us bloom and allow us to trust them completely. Of this group, we sift more and more until we zero in on someone. By then, you have learned to categorize the people around you: acquaintances, fair-weather friends, genuine friends and the love of your life.

We presented the aforementioned as though as a matter of fact. In reality, it is not as easy as narrated: for others can become your genuine friends or so you think but can become your enemies, God forbid. Some, you treated as acquaintances but through time, you got to know each other and true enough you are now "bff" (best friends forever).

Notwithstanding what has been said, you still have to cope with the question at hand: How do you cope with being alone? How? Teacher's teacher suggests the following:

One: Develop your personhood such that in the end, you know you are on your own;

Two: Love with all your head, with all your heart and love with the awareness you have to let go;

Three: There are three things we learned from an earlier blog: only three things last, faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love; thus, view this question in the eyes of a believer, longing of a hope(r) and trust of a lover;

Fourth: Savor every moment of your life, alone or not, spend most of your time living, not existing. While you go on asking, spend more reflecting and thanking God for the gift of life.

How do you cope with being alone? For 2010, it is to cope period.

The kind of questions we raise, according to experts, says much about our personhood. Yet, it need not always be the higher order thinking kind of questions that we must focus on, otherwise the content tends to be more academic than personal. Questions, like, how's life today this second day of the new year, 2010? for example, sounds so ordinary and routinary yet it can mean everything.

How's life, for you, today this second day of the new year, 2010, is a question that encompasses the direction you may follow for the month or the whole year; or the heartbreakingnews you received throughout the day or the lifechanging note someone texted you or relayed to you by phone.

For the sake of discussion then we settle on the case in point: questions. For our main reference, the Scripture. Let us savor every word of 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 which we hope will be our guidepost this New Year, the unknown, incoming 2010:

Excellence of the Gift of Love: "If I speak with human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and, with full knowledge, comprehend all mysteries, if I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous; it does not put on airs; it is not snobbish. Love is never rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over injuries. Love does not rejoice on what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to man's forbearance ; to its trust, its hope, its power to endure.

Love never fails. Prophecies will cease; tongues will be silent; knowledge will pass away. Our knowledge is imperfect. When the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. When I was a child I used to talk like a child, think like a child, reason like a child. When I became a manI put childish ways aside. Now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. My knowledge is imperfect now; then I shall know even as I am known. There are in the end three things that last: faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love."


These verses always remind us of the values in life that withstand the test of time. Perhaps this new year, 2010, whatever questions may arise in our lives: think 1 Cor. 13:1-13 and definitely, in the end, only three things matter whatever the question is; questions on faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love.

This second day of January 2010: how's life today really means: Do you believe? Do you hope? and Do you love? If your answers are in the affirmative: You are in the right path of life. Sail on!

"I Love You, Man", "Confessions of a Shopaholic", "Obsessed", "The Secret Life of Bees ", "Changeling", "Bride Wars" and if our eyes will still hold up: "The Accidental Husband", "Imagine That" and "Soloist" - 9 films in one day!!!!!!!!! A marathon of films on the first day of January, 2010 - right in our living room. The sponsor of this session is my only girl but my youngest son and I join as audience. At the back of my mind is the wishful thinking my two other boys are here with us too. Now it dawns on me that life will turn out like this sooner or later but in this case, sooner - my children are grown up and therefore it is time to let go.

The whole day of the first day of the year was spent just being at home - together. The films made us laugh together; cry together; smile together; shout together; sing and dance together. The messages of the films inspired us too.

How about your first day of the year? How did you spend it?

May this year be great, fantastic, prolific for every family all over the world.

The news is that the saying "once in a blue moon" happens anytime today, January 1 and on January 29, 2010, at least in the Philippines, experts say. There is no blue moon but for people in Albay, Legazpi, Philippines, if nature cooperates, they will see the "blue moon" because of the gravitational pull between the heavenly body and lava which produces the effect of seeing the moon covered with blue illusion. What a simplistic attempt at an explanation of a very complex happening but the point is there, to see the "blue moon" happens only "once in a blue moon" - once in a very long while.

Like "writing one's blogs" it also goes through "an international line" sort of effect. Teacher's teacher is writing this piece today, January 1, 2010, 8:59 in the morning, Philippine time but while it will get published, it will be credited for December 31, 2009 not January 1, 2010.

There are facts of life we must accept to maintain sanity. Anyways, they do not kill us rather open our horizons to the broader scope of life's realities, like the "blue moon" and "international line". So while we are talking about things that are very complicated to conceptualize but happen anyways, we better come up with all our wishes however improbable it may happen. Believe in the "blue moon" and "international line" results which may not occur instantly but will happen surely.

Let us close our eyes and open our hearts to the power of auto suggestion coupled with Divine Providence. . .

for Ayeng: that as the national media chief of Adel Tamano, she becomes instrumental in Sir Adel's win as one of the 12 Senators of the Republic of the Philippines; even as she goes on with her entrepreneurial successes with God's help and stays as the best "Ate" in the universe;

for Ben: that as a creative videographer, Atoy Martinez gives him more projects; even as the dream in me lives on that Ben decides to finish his studies or goes into alternative learning system because he is the best "kuya" in the world and he deserves only the best;

for Chevy: that as a call center agent, he reaches the pinnacle of achievement; even as he pursues his other interests and remains the best son in the whole galaxy;

for Bon: that he gets the best offers as a wedding photographer (see BonAserios.com); even as he zooms into the zenith of what God destines him to be and become and remains the "most malambing" son in the Milky Way; and

for Teacher's teacher and Malaybalayan: that her incoming 60th year of existence in this world marks greater things for her together with her family (her hubby Boni , Jr. included who is now with the Maker but guides the family from Up there): holistic achievement in the teaching profession, good health, more stable finances and a new house this year.


With your own list of wishes intact together we pray:

You alone, God, know our past, present and future . . .
You alone, God, know what is in our minds and hearts before we utter them aloud
You alone, God, know our pains and our joys especially those which are hidden . . .
You alone, God, know the nuances of our thoughts for words sometimes do not capture them.

Here are our wishes Father God, the others may not have been amply enunciated but You know.
Let these wishes guide us towards its fruition which can only happen with your help.
Let our energies emanate from you so that it magnetizes everything we do towards its completion.
Ultimately, let everything be according to your will so that when they do not materialize we know it is your will but it is for the better.

Accept our wishes, Father God and bless it just as we look forward and sail on this New Year: 2010!

Remember: "Once in a blue moon" your wishes come true so wish and pray.

It was published in Gold Star Daily dated December 30, 2009 that while 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, there are "only 3,200 tigers left in the wild". For obvious reasons, every part of the tiger can be exploited for gain: its skin can be used for fur and decorative purposes while the animal's body parts can be used for medicinal concoctions. The Prime Minister of Nepal, Madhav Kumar has pledged to establish a National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Crime Control Committee. Russia too will host a tiger preservation summit in Vladivostok in 2010, especially because Khabarovsk and Primorye regions are inhabited by 500 Amur tigers.

So the tale of the tiger is sad to note. However, initiatives are being done to save them from extinction. It is not therefore a hopeless case but a call for vigilance.

Similar cases have been manifested, e.g. tarsiers, whales, elephants, apes and others animals. May our collective consciousness and awareness become a loud and effective call to save the animals.

2010 is Year of the Tiger and so we hope Tigers thrive more in number, not fewer. . .

There are people we meet in life who are very organized. One time, I came near a table of one such person: all documents arranged according to order of urgency. The table was a sight to behold. Even the drawers which were opened looked so arranged what with all the contents clipped and labelled. This is one of my New Year resolutions: to be organized.

Next in line is to finalize our plan to construct a house. The whole year will be a year of forced savings. With so many who tried loaning from a "Love Housing Program" and finding it asking many requirements, the best solution is to save minimum of three or four thousand a month for a year or so and if religiously done, the amount is supposed to reach seventy-two thousand or ninety-six thousand pesos in two years. If I can make a go of this, it will not just be a resolution but a revolution. I am not very good at saving, you know.

Third in line is to painfully assess my life's journey. Now that I am approaching sixty, the reality of mortality is an issue I must come to grips with. My children are all grown and indeed it is true that there comes a time when you have to let go. Somehow, I stay in the background and offer them back to God who takes over from where I left off. Certainly, it will both be a resolution and a revolution.

Finally, I have to own the fact that I have up to 2015 to work as a teacher. By then I will be 65 years old. Imagine 65 years old. Only God knows of course how long we have on this earth so all I can do is hold on to the faith that God knows what is best for me. This portion is definitely part of a five year resolution . . . until further notice . . .

My beloved readers, this blogspot is fast becoming my "sounding board" or "think aloud journal". Whatever will become of it, rest assured, the intention is to share my inmost thoughts to jibe with yours. Where we think alike, I am humbled and confirmed and where we do not see eye to eye, take it with a grain of salt.

Fellow sojourners, how about you? Have you formulated your New Year resolution? or is it a revolution? One year duration or more?

Today is December 30, 2009 fast turning December 31: time for resolutions as we await January 1, 2010!!!

Whenever survey results are aired about the performance of Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo as President of the Philippines and with emphasis it is said that once again she gets negative mark, I find myself wanting to know who these respondents are. I would like to know if they know what performance is and whether or not they have performed well in their own jobs or state of life.

Being a teacher and President GMA knows this, we are regularly evaluated by our students. Without generalizing, there are students who give low marks due to the fact that they get low grades which in fact they deserve. There are students who give high rating to their teachers even if they receive low marks for as long as they learn from these mentors.

Similarly, who can deny the fact that President GMA has guided us through the financial crisis? Whether we like her or not, we have to give what is due her: high performance!

To President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: Happy New Year and Good Luck to you new plan to become the congresswoman of Pampanga.

R.I.P.E. refers to Regional Impact Project on Environment. This project is pioneered by Eastern Mindanao Region, located in Daliaon, Toril, Davao, Philippines so there is always glow in our eyes when we talk about it. In fact, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, National President, thenTeresita Choa, received in behalf of the Regional Headquarters its first ever International Award in Johannesburg, South Africa. Olave Award was made possible because of the R.I.P.E. undertaking of Barangay 7, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Philippines which was declared First Place in Eastern Mindanao then recognized International awardee in Johannesburg, South Africa. Now, R.I.P.E. continues its thrusts through the MS. R.I.P.E. contest.

At a time when our environment is crying for help; moaning for care and concern so that it can still do its job to protect Mother Earth, we are called to do, however little, our role to do something - be it through, Reuse, Recycle strategy or plant a tree, adopt a tree campaign.

December 3o, Wednesday, is the coronation of the beautiful ladies who give life to R.I.P.E., after which they will hold their Christmas celebration.

The afternoon will usher in "Balik Scouting" - GSP, Bukidnon Council's attempt to bring back the Girl Scouts, wherever they have built their bases and come home to Malaybalay, Bukidnon State University auditorium for a reunion, re-commitment to the Girl Scouting Movement.

W e l c o m e back Girl Scouts. "Once a Girl Scout, Forever a Girl Scout."

Miss R.I.P.E. Coronation, Christmas Celebration, "Balik Scouting" Rolled into One Great Gathering. . .