Teacher's teacher

Corazon Cojuanco Aquino, first woman President of the Republic of the Philippines, is remembered today, if alive, is now 77 years old. It was during her presidency that freedom was restored to the Filipino people. She died after a battle with cancer but left as her legacy an administration that was not tainted with corruption. "A Woman Dressed in Sunshine" is how Swatch described Tita Cory in its limited edition of watches.

Throughout the day, around 400 masses were celebrated in Tita Cory's honor. A huge statue was sculpted to remember a prayerful woman president, loving mother and faithful wife to the late Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Sr. Ninoy was assassinated himself when he came back to the Philippines to run as president against his opponent, then Ferdinand Marcos. Ninoy was famous for his faith in the Filipino people: "The Filipino is worth dying for."

At the present time, just when there will be elections on May 10, 2010, the only boy among the children of Ninoy and Cory, Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. "Noynoy" is running as President of the country.

Today however, is only about Tita Cory who is an icon of democracy and for the catholics, an icon when it comes to praying the rosary all throughout her life especially in moments of trials and tribulations. Tita Cory, Teacher's teacher finds in you an epitome of motherhood and womanhood. Happy 77th birthday even if we know you are already happy with your Maker.

Sometimes we call money the root of all evil and to a certain extent it is true. As we go on living however, we learn that money is part of living and somehow life looks good when you have money than when you do not have money. By now we realize it is not how much we have but that at least we have money of our own.

There is a situation we always experience when we pity ourselves because we have to ask for money to buy your provision. So when the opportunity arises and you have extra cash to put away, do so. Make sure you have money you can truly call your own.

Let your very painful dilemmas become your teacher so you will have all the push to make good your plan to become independent. Even if your children who are grown can be expected to give you cash, include in your desire to save to have money you can spend the way you like it and keep some the way you want it.

This early therefore, make sure you have put away some money you can truly call your very own no matter what!

In fact, it is not only in Haiti but right here in our own places too. It is Haiti that is the focus of attention now because two weeks after Haitians experienced 7.0 earthquake and the succeeding aftershocks, people died, thousands of them, and all the basic things are nowhere to be had. Donations come from all over the world yet up to the present the question remains: where are all of it? Are the most vulnerable receiving aid at a time when it is most needed? Why is there looting? Why do people kill each other for food even when the vehicle carrying it is in sight?

The sad imagery speaks of the bigger things that happen. In the first place, the government does not seem to function systematically. Although our observation may not be accurate but we can not avoid but comment how CNN and United Nations seem to be the ones running the show and telling the world what is happening to Haitians- especially the children and the old.

The glimmer of hope remains ignited because while we see the almost unbearable sufferings of the victims still they sing, pray, smile or say thank you to the rescuers; the medical mission/volunteers go on working day and night unmindful of their own health and safety. One volunteer recounted how she could hardly wash her hands after rescuing so many wounded patients because there was no water much less alcohol or hand sanitizer.

We, the onlookers over tv, can only pray for the Haitians, for all the volunteers and well meaning donors. Please God, bless all of them. We hope to send some financial aid in our own little way.

The extension unit of Bukidnon State University, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Philippines, through its very active and ever resourceful director, Dr. Estela Itaas, initiated the move to hold Basic Literacy Seminar-Workshop. This was made possible when the Supervisor of Alternative Learning Systems of Region XI, Mrs. Helen Arancon spent one whole day with the BSU extensionists on January 23, 2010, Saturday, at the Media Resource Center in BSU.

All the participants, Malaybalayan included, had only positive feedbacks upon hearing from the resource speaker all the intricacies that come with genuine Basic Literacy Training given to out-of-school youth and adults. The next move therefore is to hold literacy mapping after floating the Community Needs Assessment Questionnaire. This way we, the extensionists can respond accurately to the need and level of the clientele.

Interesting to note was the clarification that formal education and alternative learning systems are of equal footing. Now there is a clear attempt to provide Education for all.

Expect some documentation when my students in National Service Training Program-Literacy Training 2 will launch its meeting with the community leaders in Sunflower, Kalasungay, Bukidnon Philippines.

BSU-Extension Unit met ALS at a time when the need to immerse the students to the community and experience first hand the rare opportunity to become men and women for others presented itself.

Experts differentiate mere teachers from effective teachers like this: "Teachers, like leaves, abundantly abound; effective teachers, like fruits, are rarely found." On one hand, there are many who finished the degree in teaching and so they they teach. On the other hand, effective teachers are those who imbibe in their teaching, the vocation which demands from them extra time and effort- always go a mile more to explain, to tutor if there is need, to be of service.

We advance then that the former is plain teacher while the latter is an educator.

Teacher's teacher hopes to meet other educators through this blogspot. Please post a comment and inform us how to contact you. May your tribe increase!

We woke up this Friday morning, January 22 and as we viewed GMA, Marlene Aguilar IvlerPollard, the mother of Jason Ivler, began sharing what she can say how her son has been unjustly treated, as though already proven guilty instead of being considered innocent before any trial. She also insinuated that her bodyguard who is British, can also be a suspect in the whole thing, can be the informer who now is given the reward money and so on and so forth.

Usually when someone shares her "hearts" out on primetime tv, especially a mother, we reach out through our tears and sadness but in this case, we got migraine! As Undersecretary Renato Ebarle Sr., the father of the victim allegedly shot by Jason Ivler said in response to what we saw and heard, Marlene Pollard is "the best actress". Personally, we agree.
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Thus, we can learn from all the things that are happening in our surroundings. But most of all, we should go back to our own family: make sure we know what they are doing, where they are. At least most of our homes are not mansions or situated i n a 1,000 sq. or so meter stretch of land so we can readily see each other!

George Santayana declares: "Family is one of nature's masterpieces." We, the mothers, have so much to do right there in our families. All of us have a lifetime to finish our masterpieces, our respective families.

Cerge Remonde is a "fixture" on tv since he became Press Secretary of Malacanang . For us who are from the Visayas and Mindanao we are elated because he represents what some of us can achieve if we do well in our jobs. Visayans seem to excel in whatever field they go into and especially when they try their luck in Manila, Philippines.

My daughter, for example, is appointed as Media Chief of Adel Tamano for Senator Movement. Yes! Adel Tamano for Senator Movement - please do not forget!!!

Back toCerge Remonde, we are beginning to hear how generous he was as a person and how fair he tried in his dealing with the media personnel. His peers spoke of his diligence and persistence and they knew he would go places which he did.

To Cerge Remonde, our prayers. Our children will find in you the picture of tenacity and excellence. Rest in peace . . .Our condolences to the bereaved family. . .

It is not difficult to understand why mothers love their children. Others say: but of course! The moment the mom becomes pregnant, the unique relationship between the mother and the child is uniquely theirs. This special bond blossoms more deeply as the baby is born and once again, the extent of mother-child relationship is all embracing.

No wonder then children are better when with mothers than without them. A mother's love is a love beyond compare. It is an epitome of unconditional love. Yet, can it ever be questioned as something "destructive" or love that "spoils" or "stifles" the growth of the child?

Mothers out there, this is the topic that has surfaced as we see and hear Marlene Aguilar Ivler, mother of Jason Ivler to the extent of going against the law and is now facing the charge: obstruction of justice. This happened when Marlene allowed her son to hide in their home while the law was looking for her son to face the charge of shooting a certain Ebarle,Jr. We also hear Marlene declare that however the world will call her son, monster or any other description, no one can diminish the fact that she loves Jason with all her being. Is the love of Marlene, the mother, towards her son, Jason, what we mean by a mother's love, an epitome of unconditional love?

Malaybalayan invites you, especially mothers, to comment. We are aware we cannot judge anybody but we can learn from each other's love stories.

In times of great distress we utter things we really regret after giving it much thought. We forget most of the time that "much is expected from people who receive much". Who are these persons we label as having received much and from whom?

They are the achievers who go through every undertaking with ease. Sometimes they develop the talent to excel through the help of tutors or keen follow-up from supportive parents or sponsors.

Then there are the generic geniuses who just astound us with their inherent gifts of excellence that even the ones concerned cannot claim it to come just from their own genes. This is an instance of pure gift from the Almighty which we cannot question but just acknowledge.

Then, also included are the teachers and other servants of the law who are given the mission to "lift up" the minds of the young and hopefully someday, the young will take their rightful place in society and take care of the world in turn for the perpetuation of mankind.

Then there is in fact every man and woman of whatever race, status or culture from whom a unique gift has been bestowed by the Maker from whom each one of us ultimately will go home to. To each of us therefore, much is expected for each of us has received much.