In the past, teachers are satisfied with classroom routine. Educational field trips may come their way but all expenses are theirs or if sponsored the destination is within the country, Philippines.Nowadays, it is not the case anymore. Teachers feel the need to see the world out there and this desire to broaden one's horizon should be strongly supported. In the past, my trips were self-financed and the family saw to it these ere special promotions. So Hongkong, Zhenzhen, Macau came to reality and this happened twice (at least Hongkong). the next destination was Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and to this day, the learning moments are indescribable. My world is bigger yet smaller when thought of as One World.
Now, my daughter is luckier because her Asian trips are now USA-colored. Yes, she is in Washington then after a week or so, visit other states. This rare learning scenarios are facilitated by United States Embassy under their International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). We will have to allow Irene to see the big world out there for us and after a month, come back and teach us her learning insights.
Teachers should see the world out there but they should not miss another reality that the world is not out there but here and now where life is, where she or he is. . .
Commencement speakers, anyone? This teacher has been invited!
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 8:39 PM
Early this morning, a classmate of mine - way back high school and college days (Hello, Judith!) appeared in my place to deliver the good (bad?) news, I am invited to become the Commencement Speaker Malaybalay Central Elementary School, my Alma Mater on March 29. There are no details yet as to theme and other things to consider but already this teacher is honored and delighted for this emotional come back.
Commencement Speech and Speakers, anyone? What are the usual strategies to take note? The last time I was invited was way back 1995 when Bukidnon State College (now Bukidnon State University) invited me as Commencement Speaker of the Elementary School. 2012-1995 = 17 years later . . .
Once all the data are in, expect this blogspot to share the full length of my commencement speech. Any tip dear readers?
A new vocabulary for a new menu by One Happy Photography: Happy Eggs!
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 2:34 AMThere are many words we use everyday and one of them is happy. It is then with some candor and surprise that when my son, the proprietor of One Happy Story, a wedding photography outfit, called his new venture Happy Eggs, the name really made me smile.
Do you see this photo which was shared to friends before it opened? Now it is not just to serve tapsilog but bacon, bulad (dried fish), noodles, tinapa and many more. Visit 19-2nd Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines to taste the newest recipe: HAPPY EGGS!
Indeed, we go through life - busy all the time. Then we find ourselves not feeling well due to the many things that seem to engulf our day to day activities. No wonder life is a teacher's teacher. No one is exempted from learning so the wisdom for the title the experts give to University of Life.
Senior citizens can vouch too of the new twist of challenge they face upon reaching 60. The various physical pains that seem to just click here and there can really make you agree that after 50, the remaining years are life icing on the cake. While we do not want to sound morbid about it, gradually we have to get used to it. If we have to be ready about this, the spiritual aspect of our lives should take utmost importance. this is my next move too. Expect more blogs about this.In the meantime, let us let this point sink . . .
Corona Defense Team holds Press Conference to announce a "bombshell"
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 3:08 AM
In Club Filipino (Greenhills, San Juan, MetroManila Philippines) is still holding a press conference as I write this blog. The "bombshell" of a news: A reliable source tells the Defense Team that Executive Secretary Ochoa is calling as many Senator-Judges to defy the order of the Supreme Court to give Temporary Restraining Order" to open the dollar accounts of the Chief Justice. What teaching moment can we get from this fresh twist? That no less than our President is not interested to give due process and whatever and whoever is concerned, this piece of information is very dangerous and we pray that Pinoy should do something fast before things get out of hand. Remember, the Filipinos are worth dying for, whether they are in favor of the Administration or not. Another teaching moment: Usually one prepares for a hearing but the more you view the Impeachment Trial, the more you observe that the Prosecution team shows how unprepared they are. Perhaps in the bigger scheme of things, they know there is a plan B like "phone the senator-judges" and use their affiliation to the utmost and make sure they impeach the Chief Justice.
President Pinoy, we respect your Office. High hopes have been given to your new administration. However, we cannot help but comment on the way you can be very harsh with your comments. Imagine, say unsavory remarks to someone who is with you in the same gathering? You are a President now. You are the President of every Filipino, whether this Filipino voted for you or not.
The Filipinos can only take so much. In the world of twitter and blog, a joint force can be done to oust you, why not? If not in the real sense, at least in the hearts of Filipinos who have only respect to Ninoy and Cory, your parents. Cory never ran after the murderers of your father even if she could have done so.
"Hinay hinay" lang Presidente . . . (Slow down President . . .)
P.S. One of the Defense team members shared: 100 Million pesos per senator might be released to do just this - to defy the TRO given by the Supreme Court not to allow the opening of the dollar accounts of the Chief Justice.
Let us pray that all this talk from the Defense Team will be made clearer tomorrow when the Impeachment Trial resume . Let us pray for Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to "walk his talk" and take the initiative to clarify this "bombshell".
P.S. One of the Defense team members shared: 100 Million pesos per senator might be released to do just this - to defy the TRO given by the Supreme Court not to allow the opening of the dollar accounts of the Chief Justice.
Let us pray that all this talk from the Defense Team will be made clearer tomorrow when the Impeachment Trial resume . Let us pray for Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to "walk his talk" and take the initiative to clarify this "bombshell".
Death is a teaching moment that mothers should tell their children about. . .
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 2:00 AM
There was one time when I attended a vigil in one rural area. the father was inside the coffin. It was without preparation of how to react that overcame me for one of the little boys approached the coffin and within hesitation knocked the glass and told the father: "Why are you still inside there when it is already morning? Join us". How would you react if you were there? To this day I could not recall how I managed to go through the scenario and remained sane. Months later the mother visited us and stayed for some nights with us. Would you believe a rare bird circled our house and went around the room where the mother, then turned widow stayed. the following day she went home and decided not to transfer in the big city.
The aforementioned scene led me to suggest to mothers to tell their children about death. When my husband died, the children were already in the elementary, high school and college so it was not so difficult to accept death. How about those in very early years, 3-7 years old - how do we prepare them? Please share how you did it for I would not know from experience. . .
However, death is very meaningful if dealt with in the context of faith. It must be difficult if we just talk of death as the end of one's existence. Seen in the eyes of a believer, death is a gateway to a life which has no end.
Volunteer's woe: "Why in the world am I doing volunteer work?"
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 12:10 AM
Volunteerism seems very alive these days. In the forefront are mothers who leave their children almost every Saturday to help the less fortunate brothers and sisters - usually typhoon victims whose pleas for help go to deaf ears. Then there are single ladies who go with these mothers and use their own money to pay their meals after distributing the relief goods but they go home with smiles on their faces because they have helped especially those they have never met all their lives. But then . . .
There are days when other so-called volunteers join them and instead of lightening the load of hands needed to fill up the gap, these so0called volunteers come with "airs" with such feeling that they make the people around them feel inferior or furious why they have to come at all. So some volunteers, in the hope of maintaining sanity shout: "Why in the world am I doing volunteer work?"
This piece is written then to ventilate this side of volunteer work that has to be accepted with patience and faith that the ones concerned will wake up in time and realize that life is short and anyone can become the volunteer or the victim anytime soon. God forbid!
Let us join hands then in praying over these misguided "messiahs" and with God's timely intervention, the good will triumph as always!
Many events, sad to say, more sad than happy ones, all teaching moments but can our heads and hearts cope?
Let us begin with calamities that seem to have no end in coming and leaving every victim, haggardly devastated:
In Mindanao, Typhoon Sendong is noteworthy.Volunteers somehow keep the fire of hope burning but as Mindanaoan has attested, they are becoming fewer everyday and with different agenda they alone can tell. Teacher'steacher was witness to the genuine service given by a small group of friends who pitched eleven to fifteen tents with love. We met the the foreigners who compose All Hands Volunteers who go around the world to empower disaster victims to move on. Being a senior citizen who blogs under Malaybalayan.blogspot.com we were spared the physical strain so what we did was to pray for the safety of all those who spent the whole day pitching tents for others.While this scenario was before me, the teaching moment becomes the learning moment.
While Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City are still not yet fully healed from their losses come 6.9 earthquake in the Visayas especially in Negros Oriental last Monday, February 6, 2012. Our hearts are lost again with words how to mourn with the victims. We could only pray. God alone is their strength because the agencies of government say they are doing their best but we know better . . . a teaching moment indeed and a learning realization of the lack of genuine care from fellows as against God's promise of things of heaven not of earth.
One only has to "google" to find out what is happening all over the world and you will agree that unless we consciously make it happen, there are just more things to cry over, worry over than to rejoice and celebrate.
So do we agree that with all the many things, the many events there are also many teaching moments . . . while the learning moment depends on you!
Signature campaign might be in order and in this regard, this blog volunteers to be the forum for a possible legislation lowering the retirement age to 55 years old and a minimum of 10 years of teaching service whether in the private or government institutions. Why 55 years old? Ah, you need not reach55 to understand the plight. Experts tell us that life begins at 40 and your best at 50 so 55 is just about the ripe time to still avail of the remaining energy left in your system. Why 10 years in service? Ah, once you reach 50 and over, your body becomes more and more prone to leisurely movements. Imagine not falling asleep until dawn, like 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. and job demands you wake up at 6:30 to be ready for 7:30 a.m. class, agghhh! It is time to retire (retire to means, tire again?)
In Elderly Blues and Blows of Malaybalayan.blogspot.com we strongly recommend Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero to pioneer our request for a legislation to the effect that 55 years old be the mandatory retirement age, with a minimum of 10 year service in either private or public educational institution. If it can also be indicated that our pension be higher and other benefits that will make our retirement years more productive and senior-friendly.
If you do sign up include your e-mail address and other details so we can send these data to the good senator and if there is need bring this up as one of the criteria for electing them or not this coming 2013 . . . Any first signature?
A rescue is a rescue and the rescue of Iranians by Americans is praiseworthy
0 comments Posted by Malaybalay Blogger at 5:11 PM
Pirates came whoever they were. Iranians were the ones victimized for whatever reason. Americans were around in the territory and true to their calling to rescue no matter the race, they rescued the Iranians! Whatever is your leaning - pro-American or not - this act is noble.We hear so many criticisms against the Americans but being generous and helpful seem ingrained in their training.
No matter what then, let this trait be emulated by any nationality. We are all human beings with the same need for others when we can no longer protect ourselves. To the rescuers, our hats off. Teachers like this very much and indeed nothing beats action over words. "Walk your talk" is overused but its impact can never be understated.
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