Happy Hours

After the Echo-Seminar conducted by our school head, we ate lunch together. Then, our school head told us that we may have a singing session. Before, I joined in their singing activity, I made a letter request and training matrix for the Campus Journalism Seminar on October 18-19, 2008.

Then, I went to where they were - at IV-Humility Classroom. Most coteachers drunk beer. Last October 8, it was the birthday of one of my coteachers but she was not around during that day since she was in Cebu guarding her sister who was hospitalized.

They know thatI do not drink hard liquor, hence, they did not force me to drink with them. My mom gave me coffee instead. They requested me to sing so I did but because of a phone call I went out of the room so I would be able to attend to it.

When I came back, they were teasing me especially because of the choice of songs I had. These were the songs I sang:

• Looking through the eyes of love
• A very special love
• Save the best for last
• Tell me where it hurts
• Dancing Queen
• Torete
• Mr. Kupido

Out of the songs I chose they concluded that I am in love. That I do not know yet. Love can be verified through time, right?

Even before when I'm asked to sing, most of these songs are what I choose.

Kuya Ewi sang "Be My Lady". This song reminds me of a person who was part of my past. Well, the song did not actually have the same effect as before. The past was really over. Same as a line of the song "I remember the boy but I don't remember the feelings anymore."

Time Management

Many of my coteachers are wondering how I am able to manage my time. They are aware that aside from being a teacher, I have other assignments - school publication adviser, Circle of English Language Lovers (CELL), and the Education Management Information System In-charge, coach during contests (Chamber Theater, Declamation, Desktop Publishing, etc). Aside from these, they know that I have tutorial classes at home and that I am part of an outsourcing business.

Time Management is the answer. We have the luxury of time. The choice is in our hands as to what will we do with it. Filipinos are oriented with "siesta".

For me, I make use of the "siesta" time or liesure time in learning new skills or in enhancing what I already have. Instead of just lying on my bed and staring at the ceiling, I read books or magazines, play guitar or keyboard, or write articles.

Time is something which cannot be brought back once gone. That's the reason why I make the most out of it...

Smile

"A smile means nothing but gives much..."

During the search for Little Miss Sto. Rosario, the talent that I liked best was that of Angel but it is only the way she delivered the piece which needs to be improved still. However, the message of her piece was splendid.

It was all about "smile."

When I was still working at Leyte Normal University - Integrated Laboratory School (LNU-ILS), my students called me the "Smiling Teacher."

At present, my students call me the "Tiger Teacher." Can you see the irony? Well, it is not because I do not smile to them but it is because I wear a facade when in front of the kind of students I have at present. My goal is for my students to be "globally competitive"ones. In reaching such a goal, an element of being strict is necessary because if you will be lenient with them, all the more that they would not learn the skills that they really need.

The pictures I have posted were taken last night. You are free to give me comments regarding the pictures I have posted...

The Power of Words

Here are famous quotes related to the power of words:

"Words: they can't be changed, rewound, or taken back, they make their mark signing into the guestbook of history." - Christina Pagliarulo


"Words in general and adjectives in particular have power. It is a power that comes in degrees or shadings. People and even societies can make value judgments on others just by the shadings of the words they use. Weird, strange, different and unique are really just different shadings of the same word but evoke completely connotations when applied to individuals or groups of people."
-Mr. Prophet
(Source: Book: "The Path")

"I have always been more afraid of a pen, a bottle of ink and a sheet of paper than of a sword or a pistol."-Alexandre Dumas
[Source: The Count of Monte Cristo (Penguin Classics) ]

Do you agree with these quotes? The power of words cannot really be underestimated. Some people seem to be tactful. Others are tactless. Whichever kind you belong, think about the possible effect it will have to the one you will address or speak to. Both have advantages and disadvantages but I still believe that the power of positivism overpowers negativism.

For instance, I have had a student before who was very naive. She does not greet any teacher except for one. She is intelligent but seems to have a different world. One time, she met the principal, she did not say anything. Of course, the principal got angry.

The principal said: "You should know how to greet persons in authority."

The student answered: "I don't have a good day, why should I greet people then?"

The principal called my attention being the adviser of the student. When I went out of the Principal's office I tried to talk to the student.

"Dear, I was called by the principal earlier and she told me what happened. Is it true that you are not greeting the other teachers and also our principal?" I said.

"Yes ma'am." She replied.

"How come you always greet me?" I inquired.

"Because you make me feel I am loved by calling me with my first name or calling me dear. I see the sincerity on your face when you say something to me because you always give me your sweetest smile. I am sorry ma'am if I caused you to be reprimanded by our principal. My name may not be very important to others but the way you say my name makes me feel being loved."

This was a very touching experience. Words without actions would not always convey the message that is in your heart.

Questions which need time to be answered...

When presented with a question, the time I take to respond depends on the degree of difficulty of the question. The higher the level of question given, the more time I need to give an answer. However, when it comes to personal questions, I really take time in giving an answer because for me not all answers have to be unvieled. There are answers that I keep to myself. These are few of the inquiries addressed to me by my friends today:

Question # 1

We know that you have many suitors but what take you so long in saying "YES" to a suitor?

My answer:

I am a person who stands by my word. My YES really means a lot to me. I need time to know a person better.

Question # 2

Is there any chance that you will still open your doors to your ex-boyfriend?

My answer:

I have had a cup for him. I told him that he could fill it with water but he must not let it overflow. He broke the cup that I reserved for him.

As Cupid said in the story Cupid and Psyche, "a relationship without trust cannot survive."

Question # 3

When will you marry?

My answer:

I could not answer the question at present. Maybe, when Cupid strikes my heart again or when my Prince Charming finds me.

Question # 4

Who will you consider as your Prince Charming? Or what are the characteristics of a man you are looking for to be your husband?

My answer:

I would go for a man who has a strong faith in God, has a great determination for the future, and has an abounding love for me.

Question # 5

In case you will have a family of your own, would you still be a dedicated teacher?

My answer:

Having dedication to any work is an attitude. Hence, if such an attitude is in the person's heart and mind, then may she be single or married, it would still be there.

Search for Little Miss Sto. Rosario of Tabango

Haven't heard from me for a couple of days?

Last October 3 and 4, I was sent to Calubian with four other teachers to be one of the coaches for the Area Level Meet. That's why I was not able to post entries in my blog.


Last night, I was one of the judges for the "Search for Little Miss Sto. Rosario of Tabango." This Search is the highlight of the Omega Clan Fiesta Celebration. Here are three of the pictures I had last night.
The first picture shows the two other judges of the Search. From Left to Right:

Catherine Marie B. Santos, a 3rd Year
College Student of the University of the Philippines, Tacloban Campus. She is a runway model of Jun Encarnacion. She was a high shool Student of mine at Leyte Normal University - Integrated Laboratory School.
Jumar Lumapak, Guidance Councilor of Leyte Normal University.
Me, a teacher of MRVNHS... (You may add the rest of the needed information...)
The second picture is my close up photo. However, it is quite dark. Well, the spotlight was focused of course to the contestants... Anyway, I can still be seen, right? So, it is not a problem then.

The last picture shows the sleepy "Inday May." This was taken after the show.

Well, you may have opinions regarding these photos. This does not show my real complexion because of the light.

You need to remember, that pictures are just semblances. They are not really worth a comparison to what is real...

Restful Holiday

Today is declared an official non-working holiday. Supposed to be we will have an echo training but because of typhoon "Pablo" it was cancelled.

You might notice the title that I have used is "restful holiday." For me, it really is. Normally, during weekends and holidays, I would have tutorial classes from 8a.m. up to 5p.m. Today, I preferred to cancel my tutorial classes except for one (at 4:30 - 5:30p.m. with Diane).

For more than three hours, I slept. Sleep is the best weapon of the body after all. Anti-bodies work properly if we have enough time to rest...