Teacher's teacher

While Christmas was already complete with my loved ones around me, it became even better when we were able to go around and share our blessings with my siblings, my in-laws, my nephews and my nieces. The cousins had a grand time having their pictures taken by BonAserios and all along my eyese were twinkling with pride because Bon is my youngest son.

We shared leftovers and still nothing beats a family meal day after Christmas for as long as we spent time together. The young professionals had to bid each other goodbye because their respective jobs would take them to far places. My eyes turned misty myself when my two boys had to leave too because they have "photoshoot" already scheduled.

Other gatherings are lined up until the celebration of New Year's Eve. My thoughts wander for the events over the radio and tv are unfortunate: two shipping vessels collided in the sea around Cavite and up to now 24 victims are still not found; 6 Filipinos were killed in the Greek ship fire; Mt. Mayon still continues its high level of activity so the 10,000 evacuees have to stay put and pray that the local and national government will continue to provide their basic necessities and a 23 year old Nigerian named Abdul Mutallab ignited a small "device" hoping to sow terror in an airliner due to land in Detroit Airport.

Thus, every moment with your loved ones should be treasured: simple or elegant meal or leftovers. With love as the reason for the gathering, nothing beats the taste of food.

Usually, heroes do not like to be honored for that's what being a hero is all about - to "die" for someone without counting the cost. Humans, as we are however, we need recognition not for the fame but for others to be inspired and do the same. Our very own hero from the Philippines, Efren Penaflorida, related how difficult life was in a place where there was danger and poverty. Others have died in the course of the struggle but others were brought" back to life" and were guided by volunteers. His project was known as "pushcart" or "kariton" school and was giving education to the children for more than ten years.

Efren said this after receiving his trophy: "I praise God for every selfless Filipino, every child, every dedicated volunteer." To the children: "Please embrace learning for it will embrace you back."

There were ten heroes all over the world who were honored but we know it was Efren Penaflorida who bested them all. Now, teachers do not find it difficult to mention Efren as one good role model. In my own classroom, I requested my Peace Education students to research more about Efren's Dynamic Team Company. In fact during the Education Week of the College of Teacher Education, Bukidnon State University, some of them memorized the excerpts of Efren's talk which Efren delivered when he was declared CNN's Hero of the Year.

While we are in this gut-wrenching feeling not of disgust but of delight since we are inhaling the air of generosity and selflessness, we come back to where we are. Begin there. You are a hero in your own home however simple your role is.

May this season of Christmas light the darkness of despair and indifference. Thank you CNN for giving enough coverage to all the CNN heroes.

With my daughter and two boys with me - minus one who is presently in Cebu but just called up to greet us - spaghetti, cake, shrimps, crabs, special ribs, fruit salad - gifts from my children - my Christmas is complete.

Deep in my heart, Christmas is more than all the materials we prepare or receive, it is being alive, being grateful for the years of living life to its fullest, being a pilgrim on earth. All these plus the special opportunity to become a parent to such magnificent children - no wonder some say: I can go back to my Maker with humility and offer everything to Him.

Today is Christmas. Thank you Jesus for being with us once again in a special way. Bless the families gathered in your name. December 24 turned December 25, actually a Merry Christmas. To the whole world, the blogosphere in particular, let the spirit envelop us as we wait for the coming of the New Year now that Jesus is in our midst, Emmanuel, God is with us.

Here we are finalizing our plans for "Noche Buena" while the people in Albay, Legaspi Philippines have evacuated while awaiting Mayon Volcano's decision: to erupt or not to erupt. According to Dr. Renato Solidum, Director of Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS), all the signs are present for the volcano to erupt anytime this week.

Teacher's teacher is trying to make light of the imminent eruption with an analogy: that Mt. Mayon heralds Christmas with a Bang through its eruption even as the people in Albay find their Christmas disrupted. This disruption can be carried over to the equivalent problems the rest of the filipinos have to deal with: peace and order, drug trafficking, poverty among others.

In our respective families, we have "volcanic eruptions" of some kind too. Any of the spouses may experience domestic violence. The children may await the "so-called eruption" anytime - Christmas or not. We pray therefore for a proactive change from each person: Give Love on Christmas Day and any day as our New Year resolution.

Re: Ms. R.I.P.E. Bukidnon Coronation, Joint DFA & Council Board Christmas Gathering and Balik Scouting

Date: December 30, 2009

Season's Greetingsof Peace and Joy!

The Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Bukidnon Council, will hold a Joint Council Board and DFA Christmas Gathering, the Coronation of Ms. R.I.P.E. Bukidnon and Balik Scouting on December 30, 2009, Wednesday, at the BukidnonState University Auditorium, Malaybalay City. As a member of the Council Board, your presence is integral to the success of the said activity.

Hereunder is the schedule:

9:00 A.M. Ms. R.I.P.E. Coronation
Joint DFA & Council Board Christmas Gathering

Attire: Long Dress or Sunday's Best
Contribution: P100.00
Exchange gift: at least P100.00


2:00 P.M. Balik Scouting
Theme: "Once a Girl Scout, Forever a Girl Scout"

Attire: casual

Come and meet old and new GSP friends. See you.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines, is now vacationing in Hongkong. Sad to note that she is enjoying Christmas to the hilt while 1.3 million government employees are still awaiting their GMA cash gift. Then, a text was sent to us: ten thousand pesos can already be withdrawn tomorrow, Wednesday, December 23. Yehey!

Thank you GMA but in keeping with the hard times, is it possible to increase the amount? We hope the next president will take this to heart. After all, we are also aware that the amount can never be enough and also more filipinos do not have anything at all.

Fellow teachers: Merry Christmas and a More Efficient and Effective Teaching Career this New Year, 2010!

All the christmas carols are already being sung; the christmas lights glitter as they are draped on trees, buildings, billboards and just about every place and corner; people from every walk of life try to go on buying for gifts. These scenarios are indeed happenning for Christmas, after all is four (4) days away yet for majority Christmas, due to all the crises: death, scandals, unemployment, climate change, extreme poverty, fire, volcanic eruption - is miles and miles away.

There is then a need to go inward and find in one's faith, the reason for christmas which is more spiritual than material. This puts in proper perspective all the usual treats we concoct - that delicious foods, high-priced get-ups do not make christmas. Amidst death, scandals, unemployment, climate change, extreme poverty, fire, volcanic eruption there remains our families, our loved ones with whom we keep on getting the reason for going and moving on. We complain less and savor more the presence of every one in the family.

So now, we listen to the carols and we sing with it; we put some christmas lights outside our humble abode and smile; we wrap gifts which can be as simple or as expensive as you like for as long as it is sincerely given then christmas can happen four days from now or everyday of our lives. Love, after all, is not determined by the event but by each one of us who has endless supply of affection, care, concern, empathy, determination and love.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year today, four days from now then to a new year, 2010!

Death is inevitable. For some it is later while for some it is now. Still, when someone very young passes away, a lingering doubt overcomes us. Questions abound and to a certain extent, we wish bad people die instead of someone still blossoming and finding mark in life.

Many Hollywood stars die just when they are at the pinnacle of their careers: Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Patrick Swayze and very recently, Brittany Murphy. Brittany is only 32 years young. Like Michael Jackson, Brittany's death is charged to medical problems; the former injected with propofol while for the latter, rumored use of cocaine or late stage of diabetes. Nothing has been confirmed yet so investigation is on-going.

For us ordinary mortals, this is a reminder that problems come to anybody regardless of status. We can therefore learn to count our blessings and stay close to our respective families. Have you told your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, you love them? Don't waste time. Do so now.

When God decides to answer your prayers in the positive, you can only close your eyes with gratitude. Look at the Pacquiao family. Manny went through all the pains of a beginner. When he began his boxing career, it was not without struggles. Remember when the decision was a "draw" because one of the judges "did not know how to add correctly?" Manny kept on and as all of us know, the rest is history.