It's been almost a month since I was deployed (If deployed is the right word)as a substitute teacher to a far flung barrio here in our town, Taminla. Taminla is about 30 minutes away from the town proper where I live. With the travel time, it is much nearer compared to going to the city. But, if I were to choose, I still have to choose going to the city because of a simple reason that the road is paved. Haha! What would you expect from a barangay road?
I never thought I would be teaching in this place so far. (Taminla is situated beside Palangguia and Tina, Pototan; Hinalinan, Dingle; and Sariri, Badiangan. The barangay is also near Calinog and Lambunao.) At first, I was hesitant to take it since it's too far and I don't know any person living there. If there is, I have seen them at least ten years ago and may not be living there anymore. But, then, after some advice, I took the offer.
My first day was a little misadventure. Our driver and I didn't know the right way going there so, there are times that we got lost and the best part was when we passed in a puddle and Splash! my khaki pants turned brown. Isn't that nice? That time I was already thinking of quitting. But it never happened.
I soon find out, a few days later that I was actually enjoying it there. The kids are so polite, friendly and though they may not seem to be as smart as the kids in the city, they have a lot more determination to learn compared to the privileged ones. They are also easy to be told and are more obedient.
The teachers were also accommodating that you would feel so welcome and immediately feel comfortable towards the school.
But what's unique to this place and that I find interesting is that it has an ATI Settlement. There are two tribes of Atis here but has only one chieftain. And though Atis are nomadic, the Atis of Taminla are otherwise (a bit). However,no matter how they try not to be nomadic, their way of living are still primitive and seems like time has left them somewhere and never to progress.
There are others also, who has lived like the uta's (non-Ati peopel). And when they are taught, they tend to have a better life, too.
OK. Enough of Ati talk first. I'll discuss it on the next blog.
I learned to love the kids. It was not hard to like them. They're all the same kids like the other kids I know. Only that, of course, the lifestyle are far, far different. I learned also to appreciate more of simper things (but would rather have still the complicated life).
I would love to teach there. But I also have my selfish side. I think I can't live there. Honestly, I am and will not be used to that kind of a very simple community. I am used to a life in a town and the city. But maybe, maybe, I could live in a rural community. As long as there is Cable TV, an internet connection, an easy access to the malls, a branch of Coffee Break, a house very similar to my house, my friends living there (the list goes on and on...)
No comments:
Post a Comment