This multicab was our vehicle as we launched our immersion activities in Sunflower, Kalasungay, Bukidnon. In fact when we arrived in the purok, there was a meeting. We were given enough time by the purok leader to introduce ourselves and the rationale behind our visit.

During the immersion experience, the NSTP-Literacy Training Service students asked the question: are we ready to travel trough life's ups and downs? Teacher's teacher hopes to share the learning insights of her students anytime soon.

In the meantime, may we also ask you, fellow bloggers-readers: Are you ready yourselves? With El Nino and all other financial constraints that get in the way to make our lives more bearable, we have to hold on to our faith. Always be anchored with God for with Him, everything is possible.

A text message just reached me from a loved one telling me she is very tired as she goes about her job. All I could advice was to remain positive, hold on to God's saving grace.

So, ready for life's ups and downs? On our own, we can never be but with God's help, we muster the guts to say: Welcome life!

While "El Nino" is not a new phenomenon in the Philippines and its devastation already felt in the past, it is still unbelievable when it is here to prove its power. The news has cited many agricultural areas that looked arid and the crops stunted or its harvest below the usual expected limit.

While this is happening with the weather, our attention is caught when the Commission on Election (COMELEC) tells the movie stars to file leave of absence if they endorse politicians or face jail time. Some big names like Kris Aquino and Boy Abunda expressed their concern for such a curtailment and requested for broader understanding. ANC discussed this further in Media in Focus and Adel Tamano was one of the guests who shared that while Ogie Alcasid endorsed him as Senator the actor was not paid. Consequently, COMELEC ruled that this ban will depend on the network where the stars work.

So our weather is hit by "El Nino" while our politicians are hit by "COMELEC". Hopefully, the weather will improve through the arrival of rain and cloud seeding; the politicians avail of the services of the movie and tv stars as the latter are filipinos too and have their own freedom of expression.

We will follow this up with more discussion. We have up to before May 10, 2010!

Have you experienced days when you just feel empty? This was my feeling for so many days now so Teacher's teacher decided to take a much needed break. Now we are refreshed and raring to go. . .

Still, let us pursue the matter of emptiness. Why do we feel it once in a while?

We have learned the hard way how to cope and with God's guidance we managed to bounce back. But the way through was like "dying" to one's pride. Such that even Valentine's Day cannot ease your pain but it can strengthen your resolve to still love amidst the pain.

So, here we are again and please let us know how you managed to overcome your own perils. Belated Happy Valentine's Day friends. Let us move on to better days. . .



Malaybalayan, the Teacher, glances at her plaques and she quips, except for her 20 year service in Ateneo de Davao University, all the rest comes from the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

Now, Malaybalayan is the Vice-President for Field in Bukidnon Council, Girl Scouts of the Philippines.



Who is teaching? Who are listening?
Malaybalayan, the teacher, was invited to talk to parents. Their children were invited by the student teachers to play outside the
classroom.
Barangay Early Childhood Project is part of the extension program of the College of Teacher Education, Bukidnon State University.

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.

At dawn the days begins . . .

Just when it seems nothing moves except nature
Just when the stillness is broken only by your care
Just when the day is about to break to be born
There you are, your life begins.

Who can tell you how you will manage?
To start anew and change your image?
Already I can see you will pretend to smile
As if you have not gone a mile.

Yet you stay strong as though a stone
Like a robot you moved on
For how long nobody can tell
At least today you came to call.

Perhaps for you, it is enough . . . after all, life begins anew at dawn . . .

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.



BSU Extension Unit meets ALS.

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.



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