Teacher's teacher

Venus Raj is an inspiring example of the young. While others succumb to depression and/or despair, she accepts the mistakes as challenges. So when she was asked what greatest mistake she had committed and what she had done about it, she responded without hesitation that in her 22 years of existence she has not committed a "major, major one".

Since she said this "double word- major, major "- she became fourth runner-up in the Miss Universe Contest and has launched the Major-Major You tube sensation and blogs that garnered many followers. This the fuzz and what the fuzz is all about.

For most students, being 22 is a time when one is preparing for graduation or has just graduated so it is a stage when life is exciting and is filled with many firsts. The idea of a great mistake does not come yet in the picture. So Venus has a point in claiming she has not committed a major, major mistake. When all things are said and done, Venus will definitely have all the chances to bloom and fulfill her dreams: many major, major tasks that will occupy her attention for a long, long time. To Venus: Congratulations once again!

Sr. Inspector Rolando Mendoza, once a bemedalled policeman later became a hostage taker and finally a murderer and dead.

Mendoza's tragic life gives us a glimpse of what a desperate person is capable of doing to be heard. He was a policeman for three decades - received recognition through the many years of service. Unfortunately , he became embroiled with corruption and so his career ended with all the benefits due him denied him. This was the whole point of his despair - robbery extortion case that ended his career. He wanted to understand why the Ombudsman came to this decision.

Without going into the details, there remains a person in pain, someone who may not be in his proper frame of mind, a person who wants to know why his benefits that come after many years of service will no longer be his and his family's.

This kind of disbelief has bearing when you know of many cases that involve millions only the players are big names in politics or upper echelon in society. Up to now the cases are never filed and so they remain free as free can be. Sorry Mendoza, you are caught!

The other side of the violent scenario are the hostages who came to our country as tourists - tourists. Now Hongkong has labelled our country black - tourist spot. You can almost sense the repercussions this will have for our Filipinos working in Hongkong, many of whom are domestic helpers.

When things are said and done - life goes on and we ask who will follow Mendoza's strategy: hitch ride, announce that it is hostage - taking when one's life is at stake, shield himself with the hostages ultimately death of those who are caught in the crossfire - and death of the hostage-taker.

Now we, the audience who saw the drama unfold on tv, are still asking ourselves and Mendoza: was it worth it?

Would you believe a classmate of mine came to my doorstep - with me not remembering who she was. It was because she looked so professional and sexy at the same time! Expect a photo with the two of us in it and have a grand time deciding who is better looking!!!(Just joking)

2010 minus 1970 equals 40, yes 40 years being apart. This seems to be the trend - the feeling of retracing roots. This visitor of mine literally went around to look for us, her classmates. We decided to have a reunion this coming December. Do you have similar plans with your own batch?

Scenarios, like this, put a smile in my lips and tears in my eyes. Even 40 year separation seems not too long ago. Our features have matured but our warm and candid pleasantries are as alive and rejuvenating as ever it beats any so-called "dope" (not that we have tasted one at all). Then my attention was drawn to the present situation I am in: I really do not feel good with some people in my office. How do you try to cope with his/her presence you do not like at all. In my case, I just offer it as one of my crosses and look constructively at it. After all, five years more to go and I hope to retire and focus my attention to my travels and my garden.

So friends in blogosphere, let us organize ourselves to a support system. Let us comfort each other through our blogs and cope with the travails of everyday living. Word of comfort for me, anyone??? I will look forward to it.

August 21 is Ninoy Aquino's death anniversary so it was meaningful that while we remember a fallen hero, we revive the Girl Clubs of the Scouting Movement!

The event began with Prayer/Reflection followed by Colors, Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat and Rededication to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The enthusiastic girl scouts sang the Girl Scout Hymn. Christy Damasco, the Council Executive, presented the participants, guests, consultants and facilitators. Lina Agnes Ocaya Eduave, the Council President, welcomed all who came!

Mrs. Lourdes A. Ouano, Provincial Nurse I shared with the girl scouts important points about Adolescent Reproductive Health. It was a timely topic to discuss what with so many young girls who seem to have boyfriends as early as twelve years old. The others even unfortunately become pregnant in their high school years! Hopefully, the participants became more aware of the choices that protect their future and decide to follow their dreams to become professionals.

Reina S. Aserios and Ana Ninfa B. Caballero, facilitators of Senior/Cadet Planning Board and Junior Journalists Guild; Radio/TV Club and Ham Radio Club respectively grouped the girl participants according to their choices what organizations to belong to. Do visit www. girlscoutsbukidnon.org to know who the elected officers were.

From Bukidnon State University, College of Teacher Education, the following cadets came: from National Service Training Program-Literacy Training Service component T7:30 class- Karen Joy Anay, Junalyn Tande, Regin Cartin, Lady Fatima Villegas, Mary Grace Habasa, Trisha Bandao, Karleen Jezza Gasper, Chiel Alvarado, Cherrilyn Gumban and Vanessa Mangasto; T1:30 class -Julie Ann Ugtal, Demi Marie Visto, Cleah Datoy, Janessa Libre, Rose Angelie Ampong, Hazel Charmaine Liman-ay,Chedette Hope Magayano, Hannah Lou Balandra and Sarah Mae Bildo.

With happy volunteers, the Girl Scouting Movement lives on!!!

My teaching career began in 1972 and I agree that more than thirty years later, I remain a student. This has become more transparent now that the internet has caught us unprepared. Some of us who lived with the "typewriter expertise" have to shift gear and painfully try to keep pace with computer technology.

The experts aptly share the thought: "Once a teacher, always a student." I hasten to add: Furthermore, a teacher is parent, facilitator,planner,instructor, evaluator rolled into one. No wonder they declare teaching as the noblest deed!

Fellow mentors , seize your moment and claim the recognition due you.

Fellow bloggers especially those who take time to read my blogs - a special comebacking hello!!!
Here goes Teacher's teacher once again rejuvenated and hoping to remain more present than absent. Certainly you can identify with some of my angst??!

Have you ventured into the "unknown"? Have you begun asking questions we refuse to entertain, mainly because they delve with mortality? Well, that seems to be my preoccupation all these many occasions of staying away.

So do share with Teacher's teacher what your experiences are along this line.

Thus far, life does look very precious nowadays especially since reaching the fifty plus ten sphere.

By the way, we have been smitten by Plants vs. Zoombies that my hours were spent overcoming these monsters. It keeps us asking how creative the creators of this game are. Who are you? Congratulations for such an exciting yet "teeth-grinding" sessions. Any tip how to play the levels shorter? It seems the "try again" has been overly done again and again our hands are over fatigued. Yet over and above our complaints, here we go - am interested to "kill the zoombies" even now.

So back to the more pressing matter of living, how are you coping?