Prayer Leader

I was sent to Makati at Shangri-La last December 9-10, 2010. Karen Padawag of Aboitiz asked me to lead the prayer. Here it is:

Heavenly Creator,

We are gathered here to celebrate your gift of love in its most concrete form: nature. Your majestic land, air, water and fire have never failed to remind us of your inexhaustible affection. They have also reminded us how selfish we've become in abusing the home you have prepared for us. Guilty, O Lord, that's how we feel for forgetting how much love you've shown through nature and so we'd like ourselves to be reminded once more, thru this environmental essay writing contest sponsored by Aboitiz. Through this, grant that our insensitivity be moved so we can act on the damage brought about by pollution not only of air, land and water but also of our minds. May the essays submitted in this contest not only change what we think but how we feel. Make us responsible Lord, because we ought to. We are also grateful for these young writers, hopefully, there are still ears and eyes out there who have the heart to see and listen to what they have to say. Grace this event with your presence Lord. Bless today's gathering. May it succeed and meet its objective--to attain unity in preserving our biodiversity. More than expecting today's recognition, we all offer these or your greater glory. AMEN.

I was actually approached by the Information Manager of WWF. He told me personally that I am such a competent speaker. :) That alone made my stay there more memorable I'd say. For someone to notice an opening prayer is something else. Well, at least for me. :)

My Favre

Rosanna

Rossanna: Teachers were just repeaters!

T1: Kami?! repeaters...excuse me!

T2: Teachers are not repeaters. I repeat, teachers are not repeaters.

T3: Are you a teacher?

C-Serena

T1: Uie unsa diay nang C sa imong GBC

T2: C for Serena *smiling confidently*

T3: Ang taas ang fish part...

Gladiator

Teacher 1: Gwapo lagi na imong gladiator sandals, gang!

Teacher 2: Tinood ka?!

Teacher 1: Lagi! Mura kag gladiator...

Mga Pahalipay

Gicheck na akong friendster ug mao kini akong hikit-an:

What is your best memory with this person ?
''there's no specific memory. but every minute i spend with this person are my best memories. :) Hi Ms. Barriga! Miss youuuuu :>''- Maila Garcia

I want to thank my ever loving and kind tacher, friend and older sister, miss Henelsie Barriga. ;* - Shairra Galope

Confessions of a Young Teacher

A morning in the second week of June 2007, I went in my first class chin up, shoulders straight, breast out as I walked up to the platform and greeted each of my students with a set of bad-tempered eyebrows, a smoldering look and disappointed lips. I moved my spectacles a bit to manage my nervousness and saw clearly how each stared back and looked at me from hairpin to sandals all of them swearing to hate me from that second on to the last day of the school year. It’s a success! No one in class knew I had a 20/20 vision, I was hired a week ago and I was a century younger than they thought.

The moment I thought I managed, I started to juggle for words stammering, stopping in the middle of my discussion and hanging like Pentium 1 for the innumerable things I wanted to express with no words to contain them. I fastened my grammar on my script and made sure all the words I needed were prepared for my disposal, still, words betrayed me. I sweated on adjusting my eyeglasses and dressing up like my great, great grandmother just to let them all know that I am mature enough for this profession. Along the corridor, I swallowed every eyes of disapproval from my colleagues who always knew they were better than me. What’s even worse is I am a probationary teacher who just graduated Magna Cum Laude from a prestigious school and I gave them all the right to expect this much from me as they did to the principal.

With all these emotional baggage, I grew more tired each day dragging myself to class fighting every chance of failure and failing every time I try. My self esteem was almost always totally wrecked at the end of the day that even my four years of college didn’t seem enough to lift me, it let me down. It all became unbearable one day when I was substituting a sick teacher that suddenly my senses blacked out and I wish I hadn’t been conscious enough to hear my students shouting, “Miss collapsed! Stretcher! Stretcher!” A couple of hands clutched me and rushed me to the clinic. The nurse checked my blood pressure. “70/40,” I heard. I can’t believe that even in the readings in the sphygmomanometer, I failed.

While I was supposed to be resting, I brainstormed on so many things that happened when I re-entered the academe. It’s very difficult to swing in between being young and being a teacher. The time when I am supposed to be allowed to commit mistakes and have fun, people expect me to be perfect and boring. I cannot even be in clubs, parties and hang-outs without being watchful for there are too many eyes checking on me if I am still morally upright for my profession. How can they expect me to be more when I admittedly have less of which can only be learned through experience? And so I chose to close my eyes and rest my case.

Over the next few days, I stopped trying to be a teacher. I removed my eyeglasses; I dressed up along with the latest fashion still not forgetting the sleeves, the collar, the long skirt and the required earrings. I stopped observing my co-teachers along the corridor; I got rid of my script; I studied harder than when I was a student and I forgot about my coordinator. The change was liberating.

Although some of my colleagues are still having qualms if I could still make it a month more, a lot of my students were happy that I broke my eyeglasses and I used my “contacts”. They were grateful that I know how to smile and laugh on their linguistic somersaults despite the pact we had on subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent. They forgave me when I stammer as they helped me out and during my “happiniss, igg, pish days”, they dwelled not on my words but understood why I sometimes commit mistakes. And as they stopped dwelling on what’s wrong with me, they started learning what’s right.

My teaching moments come in times when they forget I am their teacher. These are the times when I never miss on letting them realize, how stubborn I can be. Whenever they talk I simply call their attention and ask them an ultra-difficult question. After a minute, everyone is quiet as they listen to my winning question, “How can you talk to him/her, and not talk to me now? You know I am a very jealous teacher and I’ve always wanted your attention but if you want me to share it with you, here’s the best time. You talk and we listen simply because we respect you.” The class would giggle but they knew I was dead serious.

My students had their share of teaching moments too and often do these come to me when I am least prepared. “Check the verb in the sentence, I love you,” a boy cut me with an, “I love you too, Miss. So, are we official?” Everyone was silent waiting for my response. Smiling, I said, “Yes, we’re official…officially divorced!” We all laughed and continued the lesson using the two useful verbs—love and divorced. Although these instances always appeared to be distractions, they served well as icebreakers in class. After all, I don’t have to be too hard, too mature and too all-knowing to gain their respect. I just have to be myself.

After three months, my students led on spreading the rumors about me and they as well exerted effort to stand true to what they had exposed in campus. I felt reassured but afraid of the result because I’m not sure if my efforts were enough though I know I am into it for the right reasons. As the principal handed me my summative evaluation, my efforts said: You’re still an English teacher and no longer on probation.

Asa na akong mga sugilanon?

Buot man nako na mudalikyat diri aron makapahungaw sa akong mga mulo sa kinabuhi. Apan arang kadaghanan gayud nakog mga tulubagon. Karong tuiga, usa ako ka:

Class Moderator - 2-Kostka
Club Moderator - Lectors Club
Student - MA English
Teacher - English 2
Daughter, Sister, Friend
Parish Lector

Hahai... Usa ko muhawa, bilin nako among class shirt. Proud kaayo ko sa ilang gibuhat! Dara oh!

Emcee

Si Maistra ang na-assign mag-emcee sa Sophomore's night! Big event ito ng second year level. It's either we make it or break it. To make it would mean, there will be another Sophomore's Night next year and to break it would mean, the activity tonight will be the first and the last. But, hey we're almost close to tears when Sir Lumactod mentioned that next year, Sophie's night will push through! The affair was a succeess. As an emcee, I gave it my best look and best performance. I can really say, I gave all and went further my limitations already. Wohuuuuu! Im excited for the pictures! Really excited! Go Miss Barriga!

Waiting...

Now, Kostka's waiting for the verdict. Well, I believe we've done our best. If that was a showcase of Magis, we evidently embodied it ourselves. But we are still hoping, really hoping we can make it. But win or lose, ill not leave my class/classes behind. They'll have me till the end. Rest assured! :) Good night, good luck and GOD BLESS US!

PS. If I dont post any after this, it means, we lost both in Malikhain and Eco. :)

Nika's Blog

http://nikagutierrez.blog.friendster.com/

we were told a while ago that games would stop if our grades would maintain low.

she told us:

” i know how happy you are to get a grade of 83.. 82.. 85″ i thought it was an insult.. then she said:

“because i know how hard you worked for your grade”

in me, i said. Shes the only one i remember so for, that has that kind of realization. before that she said

“im not here to be liked, im here to teach”

i said in me, she doesnt always have to leave a trademark in people. she teaches us, more than noun phrases, prepositions, etc. i think she knows that. She tought me how to participate. b4, i thiught she was like my blackbelt instructor, i was always scared which made me study all her nosebleed words. i kept participating because i want her to know me. Now she does, she knows a lot about me, even the ones she doesn’t need to know. She now knows i don’t knoe how to spell doesn’t ( it has always been dosent )

i want her to know i don’t want my 2nd yr life to end. i have been learning more than a language in our class..

when she was talking to us, her eyes seem teary, she came in the room.. disturbed and annoyed, insulted and still pretty. ok going back..

when she told us how she felt, i felt like crying. She has been a big part of my life. she wasn’t just a teacher to me, nor to everyone. she always filled a space innn our hearts with hers.

I dont know how we connected so much, i dont know who else knows about her private life: who i call: SAJJADA.. i dont know if the others know whats in her cell gallery.. i dont know if they do. but i feel so special when she tells me those, i just her student. i know i left her memoirs, good.. and bad.

I hope she reads this. i ahve been waiting foe myself to type this:

because i want everyone to knoe your the gratest teacher i ever have.

you know who you are, queen B.

Top 5

It's been a long time since I last blogged. I can't. Papers, lessons, tasks, etc. refuse to allow me but not this time when I'm in ecstasy. Before this school year started, I thought that being a moderator will just cause me to sleep later than usual, demand me to be earlier than normal, strip me off my faith (for the lack of time to pray), and kill me of cramming every morning. However, having a moderating class disciplined the stubborn me. From June, till now, (well so far I guess) I wake up, sleep and go home earlier than usual. I seldom cram than last year and I go to mass almost everyday. Wow! what a top-down of expectations. What's more to this is that my moderating class has been a blessing in disguise. (In disguise?) I thought they're another bunch of jerks who will try to piss me off every second of their lives. (yes, until trying only..bwahaha..) But, I'm ashamed to have thought that. They are exactly the moderating class a moderator would dream to have. They aren't as utopian as u think but there's one thing which makes them perfect for me... THEY LISTEN.

Recently, we became part of the top 5 finalist of the Ecological Presentation out of 13 sections. And, just now, we're on the same slot in the Malikhaing Presentasyon sa Filipino! Wohuuuu!!! I'm a proud moderator. Even if we don't get to bring home the bacon, I'll keep the pride. Congratulations 2-Kostka! I love you!

Congratulations to 2-Campion! They made it to the top as well. And as for my other classes, don't worry you still have me. Win or lose! I'll not stop supporting you. You don't need to win to gain my support. Trust me! :D

Disappointed!

I dressed up for the THE Culminating activity of 2-Campion. Only to see myself waiting for the formal invitation and still waiting until now...even if the event is about to end. Hmp! I'm totally pissed off with this fact! I texted a couple of people even just to let me know where to go! But no one bothered...so why will I care? Anyway, I don't mind though...hopefully, 2-Kostka will not do this to me. My moderating has always been what's left with me at the end of the day. :) Now, my fon is flooded with sorry's! damn! I hate SORRY's especially if they're but superficial mumblings just to start of another offense a month after, a year after? hmp!

I Had Fun

I'm more than contented with how my classes went about today. I'm satisfied and fulfilled. ^^ Nalingaw ako!

Halfway SY 2008-2009

Happy ko this year despite the load of work on me. Lipay kaayo ko sa mga klase na na-assign sa ako. Ug angay gyud sila na mabutang diri sa akong mga pinaka-importanteng sugilanon. Gigasahan ko sa Ginoo ug 2-Bellarmine, 2-Campion, 2-Jogues ug 2-Kostka. Tunga nami sa tuig nanag-uban ug ako nagpabilin na malipayon sa ilang presensiya. Id say this year is my most efficient year in my teaching career. Swerte ko sa ila. Tungod nila, ganado ko mutrabaho. Dili sila mga buotan tanan. Dili. Ang uban, oo. Pero sa kadaghanan, hasta kasipat gyud. Apan sa akong mga klase karon akong nasinati ang todo na gyud na pag-ila sa akong mga nabuhat sa ila. Kung unsa sila ka mapasalamaton nga ako ilang na-maistra, mas labaw ko nga mapasalamaton sa ila. ^^ They always make my day. Thank God for them.

Batang Yagit

Dugay-dugay na pud ko wala kadalikyat diri. Apan dili kini nagpasabot nga wala na koy labot sa kalibutan sa blogging. Ang blogging usa ka samin sa kinabuhi, samin sa mga kaagi nga way laing tumong kung dili ang motudlo sa mga dapat buhaton ug mga dili dapat buhaton.

Dili na mahilain sa usa ka tawo ang iyang mga sugilanon sa kinabuhi--mahisulat man kini o mahibilin nga handurawan. Wala lamang gipili ni Batang Yagit na magpabilin sa iyang alampatakan ang iyang mga kaagi, iya pa gayud nga gisulat kini aron makutluan ug pagtulon-an sa uban.

Ang ordinaryong blog magsige ra ug yaw-yaw mahitungod sa ilang kinabuhi ug kinabuhi sa uban. Diha lang kutob. Unsa may matun-an nimo diha? Ang uban? kutob ra mulingaw... Apan kay Batang Yagit, balanse. Inubanan sa iyang mga yaw-yaw sa kinabuhi, ang iyang paglantaw sa mga butang: nakaayo ba kini? adunay sayop? unsang angay buhaton? ug uban pa.

Alang sa usa ka maistra, hinaut nga mahatagan ug atensyon ang mga blog sa kabatan-onan aron makahatag kini ug lamdaman. Sa samang paagi, makahatag kita ug kabilin nga gihatagan nato ug higayon ang mga sama ni Batang Yagit na makalugar sa atong katilingban.

Eco Presentation

Nadaug mi! Yehey! Out of 13 sections, nakuha ang 2-Kostka! Weeee....

Kaon ug Hangin

Lisod kaayo noh makaila kag mga inggitero ug inggitera? Kay masking wa kay ginahimo naglihok ka sa kadaut! Ug ngano nagayawyaw nako diri? Ganihang buntag nangaon mi sa akong kauban sa karinderya sa kilid-kilid. Tuod gigutom mi ug mao ray among tuyo didto. Unsa pa man diay ang posible nimong himoon sa kan-anan diba? Pero ayaw ka! Kaila ka ug naa pud diay muadto ra didto aron manlibak. Aw tood nagkaon pud sila, nagkaon ug storya. Makasabot ra unta ka kung mga wa silay iniskwilahan. Kaila kag maistra ug maistro pud sila sama namo? Wa ko nagtoo nga ang mga tawo unta na hinangaran sa katawhan sa ilang natun-an sa skwelahan ug sa ilang mga tinudluan mosugat sa imo ug greet, "Good Morning Virgins!" Nilingi ko sa likod kay basin naay assumption na nahitabo sa among likod. Apan wa may kinunsaran ug ispirito santo sa among likod na angayan sugaton ug samang pagbati. Kami diay! Nihilom nalang mi ug nicomment ug pasiaw. Below the belt man toh SIR, MAAM! Sila nagngirit lang ug tan-aw sa amo dala comment2 ug mga way pulos nga butang. Ug ngano nag-in-ana sila? Sala ba namo kung taas gyud ang tinan-awan sa uban sa among ginatudlo? Sala ba namo nga kami ra gyud inyong mahuna-hunaan ug istorya? Wa ko nagdahum in-ana sila kababaw. Ako'y nalooy.

Bakasyon

Magbabakasyon ako sa Manila ngayong darating na Lunes hanggang Miyerkules. ^^ Alam kong mamimiss niyo ako kaya matuto kayong gumamit ng cellphone pagnagkataon. Hehehe... *Hugs* Ingat tayo! :D

Sa Adlawng Natawhan

Lami kaayo mag-birthday ang maistra. Kaso dimalas lang ko kay walay klase. Kay kung naa pa, nagprepare2 na ug surprises ang mga bata. Apan masking Abril akong bday, OK ra ghapon. Husto naman sa ako nga mahinumduman. Lami mamaistra kay siguradong naay gyuy mo greet sa imong bday. Syaro sa gatos ka studyante wa gyuy magkamali ug hinumdum? hehehe... ^^ Daghan kaayo nag-greet sa ako gahapon in fairness. Maong lipay ko! :D