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...)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
REMEBERING NANA THELMA (WE WILL MISS YOU, NANA)
I am heartbroken.
Nana, our longtime "mayordoma" who served our family longer than I live, has died this morning. I can't describe no longer what I feel except confusion. I feel the saddest at this moment but I also feel regretful and also a little hatred. But among these things I feel, I pity Nana.
Nana has worked hard all her life and for sure had never tasted the comfort of life other people, including us, has experienced. Although we have shared with her some of what we had in our comfort, it was not enough.
We love Nana, for real. Why not? In the absence of our mother when we were studying in the city, Nana was the one taking care of us. She saw us growing up and she saw all the sorrows and joys we had experienced in the family. Although, to some people who have known her, she may seem like a shadow in our family , but to us Nana will have the best part in our lives.
Nana sacrificed a lot for her own family. In order to save her sisters and grandchildren from severe hunger, at her age (70+, she herself don't know her birthday)she still worked and earn money for them. Worse, her nieces and nephew whom she sent to school had not even tried to support her. She could have stayed in her house and waited for the help of these people. But never. I remembered, just this Christmas, when I gave her a gift she was so thankful and even cried because of hurt she felt towards these people. I was almost teary-eyed at that time, too.
Nana and I had sometimes fantasies about the future. We would talk about the time when we (my siblings and I)would become rich and build a bigger house. I told her that I would really reserve a room for her where she could stay and servants would someday serve her. But these would never happen now. Never.
As soon as I knew that Nana has died, I felt lot of regrets. In the past few days that she was feeling all the pain the cancer has given her, we never spared a time to visit her and just even say Thank You to her. Every time I think of this, I feel like exploding. What must Nana be thinking until the time she succumbed to death? Did she feel bad about us when we never even visited her?
Financially, we are down too, right now. But compared to her we are more fortunate. But we never did help her with the money she could have needed. We are all jobless, but these are not reasons not to help her. I feel very very bad right now. If my apologies could be heard by someone who did, I will keep on saying SORRY to Nana. But Nana will never hear it anymore. But still I would say, Nana, I AM VERY SORRY.
Everything I have written here is not enough to tell all about Nana. But in my heart, Nana will always be Nana. And in my heart, I know Nana has done a lot to us. More than a lot.
Nana, we thank you for all the sacrifices you had given to us. Thank you for taking care of us for the past 20 years. Thank you for treating us like we were your children. Thank you for all the laughter you had shared wit us. Thank you for all the things you had done to us. Without you, we could have been different persons. With all honesty, we love you Nana. Nobody could replace you in our hearts.
We will miss you, Nana. We will.
Nana, our longtime "mayordoma" who served our family longer than I live, has died this morning. I can't describe no longer what I feel except confusion. I feel the saddest at this moment but I also feel regretful and also a little hatred. But among these things I feel, I pity Nana.
Nana has worked hard all her life and for sure had never tasted the comfort of life other people, including us, has experienced. Although we have shared with her some of what we had in our comfort, it was not enough.
We love Nana, for real. Why not? In the absence of our mother when we were studying in the city, Nana was the one taking care of us. She saw us growing up and she saw all the sorrows and joys we had experienced in the family. Although, to some people who have known her, she may seem like a shadow in our family , but to us Nana will have the best part in our lives.
Nana sacrificed a lot for her own family. In order to save her sisters and grandchildren from severe hunger, at her age (70+, she herself don't know her birthday)she still worked and earn money for them. Worse, her nieces and nephew whom she sent to school had not even tried to support her. She could have stayed in her house and waited for the help of these people. But never. I remembered, just this Christmas, when I gave her a gift she was so thankful and even cried because of hurt she felt towards these people. I was almost teary-eyed at that time, too.
Nana and I had sometimes fantasies about the future. We would talk about the time when we (my siblings and I)would become rich and build a bigger house. I told her that I would really reserve a room for her where she could stay and servants would someday serve her. But these would never happen now. Never.
As soon as I knew that Nana has died, I felt lot of regrets. In the past few days that she was feeling all the pain the cancer has given her, we never spared a time to visit her and just even say Thank You to her. Every time I think of this, I feel like exploding. What must Nana be thinking until the time she succumbed to death? Did she feel bad about us when we never even visited her?
Financially, we are down too, right now. But compared to her we are more fortunate. But we never did help her with the money she could have needed. We are all jobless, but these are not reasons not to help her. I feel very very bad right now. If my apologies could be heard by someone who did, I will keep on saying SORRY to Nana. But Nana will never hear it anymore. But still I would say, Nana, I AM VERY SORRY.
Everything I have written here is not enough to tell all about Nana. But in my heart, Nana will always be Nana. And in my heart, I know Nana has done a lot to us. More than a lot.
Nana, we thank you for all the sacrifices you had given to us. Thank you for taking care of us for the past 20 years. Thank you for treating us like we were your children. Thank you for all the laughter you had shared wit us. Thank you for all the things you had done to us. Without you, we could have been different persons. With all honesty, we love you Nana. Nobody could replace you in our hearts.
We will miss you, Nana. We will.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
SONA and I
“Every step forward must be taken in the teeth of political pressures and economic constraints that could push you two steps back if you flinch and falter. I have no flinched, I have not faltered.”
It has been over 24 hours since the State of the Nation Address of the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It was the last SONA of the president (except if she will not step down. Haha! Shiver till you die all you anti-Gloria!) and out of the last eight SONA's, I haven't seen it live almost all of them. Including this last one. But hey! I watched the replay at late night.
To review, the exiting-to-be president talked about the achievements of her administration, most especially the economic success (if you call it a success, if others would criticize), the added jobs, salvation from recession (it's really possible since Philippines is not a wealthy country and if there is we will hardly feel it), all her infrastructure projects made around the country, rebuilding of the damaged cities, the improvements in education including the about hundreds of scholarships given out, the importance of the taxes and how it helped us. She also bragged all the talks to other world leaders and the positive results out of the those talks. And a lot more...
My most favorite part in that speech, however, (even if her critics would say that she showed her arrogance there and that she was not clear on some things and that she is a liar) was when she began attacking people who for long were her archenemies and critics (even some were her allies before). Even if I am not a good follower of the current events, especially about what's going on in the government,but I can sense who are those people. Haha! Hope the people who were attacked are not too Numb And Dumb not too understand! Especially the one who threatened her to send her to jail, which according to Gloria, had also been there!
Anyways, I believe 3/4 of what GMA said. Meaning I'm a believer. If they say she lied, so what? Do you think these critics and antis can do what she has done for eight years. After two administrations who left an economy in turmoil and chaos, she was able to at least improve it a little, even just a little. Imagine what she had to go through after the "ex-convict" left her millions (or maybe billions) of debts? And to add that she is a lady. Gloria has done what she needs to do, though it is maybe not that satisfying. I hope the people who would replace her is better than her because they keep on criticizing her. (Let's wait and see.)
SONA is one proof of her activities. She may have lied on some parts but everything there was not a lie! Crazy are the people to call her a liar in all of what she said.
If I were there present right in front during the SONA, I would have applauded non-stop until the end of her speech. But, tsk tsk! I haven't even seen it live!
It has been over 24 hours since the State of the Nation Address of the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It was the last SONA of the president (except if she will not step down. Haha! Shiver till you die all you anti-Gloria!) and out of the last eight SONA's, I haven't seen it live almost all of them. Including this last one. But hey! I watched the replay at late night.
To review, the exiting-to-be president talked about the achievements of her administration, most especially the economic success (if you call it a success, if others would criticize), the added jobs, salvation from recession (it's really possible since Philippines is not a wealthy country and if there is we will hardly feel it), all her infrastructure projects made around the country, rebuilding of the damaged cities, the improvements in education including the about hundreds of scholarships given out, the importance of the taxes and how it helped us. She also bragged all the talks to other world leaders and the positive results out of the those talks. And a lot more...
My most favorite part in that speech, however, (even if her critics would say that she showed her arrogance there and that she was not clear on some things and that she is a liar) was when she began attacking people who for long were her archenemies and critics (even some were her allies before). Even if I am not a good follower of the current events, especially about what's going on in the government,but I can sense who are those people. Haha! Hope the people who were attacked are not too Numb And Dumb not too understand! Especially the one who threatened her to send her to jail, which according to Gloria, had also been there!
Anyways, I believe 3/4 of what GMA said. Meaning I'm a believer. If they say she lied, so what? Do you think these critics and antis can do what she has done for eight years. After two administrations who left an economy in turmoil and chaos, she was able to at least improve it a little, even just a little. Imagine what she had to go through after the "ex-convict" left her millions (or maybe billions) of debts? And to add that she is a lady. Gloria has done what she needs to do, though it is maybe not that satisfying. I hope the people who would replace her is better than her because they keep on criticizing her. (Let's wait and see.)
SONA is one proof of her activities. She may have lied on some parts but everything there was not a lie! Crazy are the people to call her a liar in all of what she said.
If I were there present right in front during the SONA, I would have applauded non-stop until the end of her speech. But, tsk tsk! I haven't even seen it live!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Trash Bin
I can't write anything. Or I thought so.
I was thinking for a long while what to put right here on my blog but nothing comes into my mind. Everything that pops out of my mind is about my new job, if you call that a job at these moments. It's been three weeks that I go under training, although we were promised it should only be two weeks. Ugh! I don't want to talk about it now. I want to stay positive and I chose this job so I need to treat this better.
Do I need to talk again my daily trips, Dueñas to City (vice versa)? Maybe. I'll try.
Or if I start facing my new students, I could talk about them. We'll try and see.
Just now, I can't come up with anything.
I was thinking for a long while what to put right here on my blog but nothing comes into my mind. Everything that pops out of my mind is about my new job, if you call that a job at these moments. It's been three weeks that I go under training, although we were promised it should only be two weeks. Ugh! I don't want to talk about it now. I want to stay positive and I chose this job so I need to treat this better.
Do I need to talk again my daily trips, Dueñas to City (vice versa)? Maybe. I'll try.
Or if I start facing my new students, I could talk about them. We'll try and see.
Just now, I can't come up with anything.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Just A Thought!
Stop criticizing our President. All our Presidents! If you could not discipline your own ONE self, how much more for the President who looks over 90 million Filipinos! Please be considerate!!
THE GOD OF VOLCANOES
The moment you first step into my town,
The volcano exploded.
It suddenly spewed out
hot, flaming lava -
your hands had crashed it.
The thick smoke came out
of its mouth
when you spoke soft soothing sentences.
The giant embers that flashes out
of the crater sparkling like fireworks
celebrate your coming to my land.
The explosion caused too much trembling
Like you were shaking the volcano;
But I can’t let you stop.
Let’s wait for them to die down
Like we’ve waited for a lifetime
to find each other.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Back to School with 5% Agony
I'm officially enrolled! Yes, I am! After more than two weeks managing my impatience I'm finally relieved to know that I could go back to school, but not as a teacher but as a student.
I am taking up a Master's degree at "some" university here in Iloilo. I enrolled in a major I thought I would enjoy but because of some reasons that I could not openly tell it here, to avoid such embarrassment (chos!). So, last AY 2008-09, I decided to shift to another major. I wrote a letter to the dean, talked to my adviser and asked permission from classmates. Everything was fine, the dean approved the request and I changed major successfully. However, I was absent without a leave (AWOL) for that whole year! Well, it served me not that quite difficult but annoying results a year later.
AY 2009-2010. Even without enough money and happily jobless, I decided to go back study. But since my status is AWOL, they gave a few but patience-testing (that's on my own opinion, I don't know you with you) things to do. First, I have to write a letter requesting for readmission. It might not be that difficult to write a letter but what's difficult is that you can't give any strong reasons except that I got lazy for the enrolment last year plus I was too afraid of frequent absences in my former school. Isn't it difficult. Anyways, I found good reasons and my request was approved - after waiting for one week when the enrolment would be on that week too.
Knowing that my request was approved, I went to school and started my enrolment. They gave me a Physical Exam request slip, had the P.E., (which after this enrolment would be a lot easier), returned to the office and filled up a contact information slip. I was hopeful I could finish the enrolment that day. But, @#$%^!, they forgot to tell me I have to pass another form. A request to credit my advanced subjects in triplicate. But there's nothing I can do but follow or else I'll be left AWOL forever. But the agony was just about to start.
After filling up, I let all the people sign who needs to sign in the request and then they would bring it to the campus far from the city. "Call after two days." They said. Well, I really called two days after then another two days and yet another two days, only to find out they forgot to bring it to the Dean's office. Another *&%$#@! The agony of waiting pumped my impatience to a level where I got nervous every time I think about it. I don't want to wait another year. But luckily before the deadline, the request was back and I continued my enrolment. Whew! After less than 2 hours, my printed RF was stamped with REGISTERED. Yahoo! I mean Google! No, really, Yahoo! Ok! Yehey!
AY 2009-2010. Even without enough money and happily jobless, I decided to go back study. But since my status is AWOL, they gave a few but patience-testing (that's on my own opinion, I don't know you with you) things to do. First, I have to write a letter requesting for readmission. It might not be that difficult to write a letter but what's difficult is that you can't give any strong reasons except that I got lazy for the enrolment last year plus I was too afraid of frequent absences in my former school. Isn't it difficult. Anyways, I found good reasons and my request was approved - after waiting for one week when the enrolment would be on that week too.
Knowing that my request was approved, I went to school and started my enrolment. They gave me a Physical Exam request slip, had the P.E., (which after this enrolment would be a lot easier), returned to the office and filled up a contact information slip. I was hopeful I could finish the enrolment that day. But, @#$%^!, they forgot to tell me I have to pass another form. A request to credit my advanced subjects in triplicate. But there's nothing I can do but follow or else I'll be left AWOL forever. But the agony was just about to start.
After filling up, I let all the people sign who needs to sign in the request and then they would bring it to the campus far from the city. "Call after two days." They said. Well, I really called two days after then another two days and yet another two days, only to find out they forgot to bring it to the Dean's office. Another *&%$#@! The agony of waiting pumped my impatience to a level where I got nervous every time I think about it. I don't want to wait another year. But luckily before the deadline, the request was back and I continued my enrolment. Whew! After less than 2 hours, my printed RF was stamped with REGISTERED. Yahoo! I mean Google! No, really, Yahoo! Ok! Yehey!
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