This article may seem absurd to many, weird to some and perhaps reasonable to just one. But who else has a better reason to tell “school leaders” how efficient and effective their work could become than someone who belongs to the lowest hierarchy of the kingdom of an organization? He who gets affected most has the better reason to suggest. Thus, I lay down my version of the five-fold path to superb leadership.
1. We must become the change we want to see. - Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
First and foremost, a leader should walk his talk. If he wants to change the people he leads and make a significant difference in the workplace he must be the first one to undergo cleansing and renewal. Nothing is more absurd than an ‘unclean’ leader who preaches morality and uprightness. But worst is the one who punishes subordinates for wrong acts that he himself has committed. The bottom line is... change to see change.
2. Ah well! I am their leader; I really ought to follow them! - Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin (1807-1874)
Following people you lead is the ultimate paradox of leadership. As it is the sum total of all the contradictions of leadership, it is understandably the hardest to follow and consequently the easiest to break. Essentially, this has something to do with listening to people and treating them as human beings and not robots. Ah, but the term 'listening’ itself is often misunderstood and commonly neglected, intentionally or not. Listening to people is ‘really’ listening to them. Not just to please them and make them feel you’re not despotic; but ‘really’ listening to their needs, opinions and feelings. But then again there’s another problem with the term ‘really’ as many people willfully interchange it with the term ‘pretentiously’ and pretend they really listen.
3. Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. - Mother Theresa (1910-1997)
I won’t delve so much on this issue but all I have to say is this—almost always, cases decided by the Supreme Court in relation to a superior and a subordinate involved verbal and other forms of abuse. If you want to make yourself part of the ‘prestigious’ list… Go ahead. I’m not holding you back!
4. Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. - Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
This reminds me of The Lord of the Ring. Remember how Frodo tried his best to resist the temptation of the ring but in many times failed as the power of the ring was so much a force for him. Had it not for Smeagle, the beast and the ‘accidental hero’, the worlds of mortals and immortals would have been in the greedy clutches of Dark Lord Sauron. This literature by JRR Tolkien depicts the true-to-life saga of school heads and other leaders. The burden of the task of leading is truly heavy and it will determine the substance of a leader’s character—whether he will become a dreadful ‘power-tripper’ or a prudent guide. The choice is always his or her to make.
5. The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on. . . . - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)
Effective leadership for the most part is the power to inspire. Good leadership transcends the boundaries of physical presence. A good leader is someone who is capable of planting good seeds in the heart of followers. Good seeds that grow even without the extraneous pressures. Effective leadership brings out miracles and enables an organization to achieve things beyond the ordinary. I have yet to meet someone like this. Honestly.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija (The First Cry of Nueva Ecija)
The tyrannical and oppressive reign of the Crown of Spain had undoubtedly caused bitter tears and bloodshed to the Filipino people. The long history of Spanish rule was indeed marked by abuse and discrimination of sorts that many Filipinos tried to escape such wrath. Most significant of which was the Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK). Founded by Gat. Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan envisioned to overthrow, by use of arms, the rule of the Spaniards over Philippine soil. The high-spirited call to overcome the colonial power eventually reached Nueva Ecija. And the Novo Ecijanos bravely heeded to the cause. For two nights initial recruitment for the Katipunan took place in Gapan and Mambangnan, San Leonardo. The first was held at the residence of the then Teniente Mayor of Gapan Pantaleon Valmonte; while, the second occurred at the house of Crispulo Sandico. It was truly not difficult for the people of Nueva Ecija to act subversively against the oppressors and to sympathize with the noble calling of the secret organization. Among the first Novo Ecijanos to join the Katipunan were Mamerto Natividad, Marcos Ventuz, Epifanio Ramos, Domingo Cecilio, and Mariano Llanera who in the middle part of the Katipunan struggle would serve as general of the revolutionary government.
However, the secret organization was unmasked prematurely because of the irresponsibility of Teodoro Patinio who confessed the existence of the Katipunan to his sister and a nun. The two women urged Patinio to disclose the same to a priest. Sure enough he did it. Father Mariano Gil of Tondo upon knowing the impending threat to the frailocracy and the government immediately reported what he learned to the Spanish high authorities. And acting on the information, the governor general ordered the civil guards to search premises and arrest suspected members of the Katipunan. By ill-fate the ledger that contained all the names of Katipuneros fell in the hands of the government.
Gat. Andres Bonifacio and his men, though still unprepared, on August 26, 1896 declared war against Spanish rule. The First Cry of Pugadlawin was the beginning of the open hostilities between the colonizers and the Katipunan freedom fighters. And on August 29, 1896, the Bonifacio-led Katipunan seized the Spanish arsenal at San Juan del Monte. Many more battles took place.
Hoping to contain the insurrection, Governor-General Blanco in turn placed the country under Martial Law. The arrest of suspected members of the revolution further increased in number. Bloodshed became inevitable.
The atrocities spread fast. The inherent violence of military rule was never made exclusive in the capital for it likewise reached nearby provinces. In Nueva Ecija, the same fate occurred to Katipuneros. On August 31, upon the order of Colonel Val, Captain Machorro, the head of the civil guards in the capital of the province, forcibly arrested and detained Mamerto Natividad and Marcos Ventuz. The following day, September 1, Captain Machorro proceeded to Gapan also to arrest Teniente Mayor Valmonte. Being close friends, Valmonte was able to convince the civil guard captain that he would voluntarily go with him the next day. Because of this, Valmonte was able to tell Llanera of the impending plans of the civil guards. And on that very day, realizing the urgency of the situation, they conceived a plan which later on would be laid down in the pages of history as one of the significant events in the revolutionary period.
On the night of the same day, assisted by able men, Marcelo Payumo, Samuel dela Merced, Alipio Tecson, Juan Horquiza, Andres Romero and Rogino Ortiz Luis, Llanera scouted in search of men who were then members and non-members of the Katipunan. Making the most of what they have, the Llanera group planned to seize the provincial capitol and free their arrested comrades with the employment of a diversionary tactic---
The Katipuneros acted as they planned. They disguised their true intent by employing the Musikong Bumbong of Cabiao and informed the communities that they would be heading towards the Capitol not for some other reasons but to pray for the release of their fellow comrades.
September 2, 1896, Tuesday, around 11 am in Cabiao, the Katipuneros were lined-up and ready to face whatever might be the consequences of their acts. Llanera mounted on his horse and the Musikong Bumbong played eagerly as their hearts longed for the reckoning hour. From Sityo Pulo, the band played on. As it passed the old church, its bell tolled--- a sure message that the reign of greed would have to face the wrath of the oppressed Novo Ecijanos.
The Katipuneros then reached San Isidro. Surprised as he was, Governor Val ordered his men to inquire of what the commotion was about. Doubting as to Llanera’s true intent, he instructed Captain Machorro to prepare the guards for an armed confrontation.
Three in the afternoon, Llanera and his men approached the Capitol. Captain Machorro, Sgt. Moreno,and six civil guards warned the incoming Katipuneros to stop. Realizing the true resolve of the Katipuneros, the civil guards fired at them…. Violence ensued… The Llanera-led group attacked at the enemy, face-to-face; while the Valmonte-led Katipuneros fought from the rear.
For three days, the battle that would later on be dubbed as the First Cry of Nueva Ecija claimed many lives from both ranks. And out of Providence and sheer determination, the Novo Ecijanos gradually crushed the enemy defenses. The Spanish fortress, the symbol of its enthronement for hundreds of years, was decisively demolished by the brave heart and insurmountable courage of the Novo Ecijanos. For the first time, the oppressed was feared by no less than the oppressor….
Such was the reason why we are here this very day; to commemorate the show of courage and bravery of our ancestors and to remind us that despite the seemingly unsinkable odds, the spirit of the TRUE NOVO ECIJANOS PREVAILED. The Novo Ecijano, needless to emphasize, has a unique legacy on its own. Look yonder and behold the flag….indeed I fervently pray that such ray that stands for our Blood’s bravery shall not be lost in all of us and that every ounce of blood that Llanera, Valmonte and the rest of the Katipuneros sacrificed would not be put in vain. Such is my prayer. Such is what I also ask from you….
However, the secret organization was unmasked prematurely because of the irresponsibility of Teodoro Patinio who confessed the existence of the Katipunan to his sister and a nun. The two women urged Patinio to disclose the same to a priest. Sure enough he did it. Father Mariano Gil of Tondo upon knowing the impending threat to the frailocracy and the government immediately reported what he learned to the Spanish high authorities. And acting on the information, the governor general ordered the civil guards to search premises and arrest suspected members of the Katipunan. By ill-fate the ledger that contained all the names of Katipuneros fell in the hands of the government.
Gat. Andres Bonifacio and his men, though still unprepared, on August 26, 1896 declared war against Spanish rule. The First Cry of Pugadlawin was the beginning of the open hostilities between the colonizers and the Katipunan freedom fighters. And on August 29, 1896, the Bonifacio-led Katipunan seized the Spanish arsenal at San Juan del Monte. Many more battles took place.
Hoping to contain the insurrection, Governor-General Blanco in turn placed the country under Martial Law. The arrest of suspected members of the revolution further increased in number. Bloodshed became inevitable.
The atrocities spread fast. The inherent violence of military rule was never made exclusive in the capital for it likewise reached nearby provinces. In Nueva Ecija, the same fate occurred to Katipuneros. On August 31, upon the order of Colonel Val, Captain Machorro, the head of the civil guards in the capital of the province, forcibly arrested and detained Mamerto Natividad and Marcos Ventuz. The following day, September 1, Captain Machorro proceeded to Gapan also to arrest Teniente Mayor Valmonte. Being close friends, Valmonte was able to convince the civil guard captain that he would voluntarily go with him the next day. Because of this, Valmonte was able to tell Llanera of the impending plans of the civil guards. And on that very day, realizing the urgency of the situation, they conceived a plan which later on would be laid down in the pages of history as one of the significant events in the revolutionary period.
On the night of the same day, assisted by able men, Marcelo Payumo, Samuel dela Merced, Alipio Tecson, Juan Horquiza, Andres Romero and Rogino Ortiz Luis, Llanera scouted in search of men who were then members and non-members of the Katipunan. Making the most of what they have, the Llanera group planned to seize the provincial capitol and free their arrested comrades with the employment of a diversionary tactic---
The Katipuneros acted as they planned. They disguised their true intent by employing the Musikong Bumbong of Cabiao and informed the communities that they would be heading towards the Capitol not for some other reasons but to pray for the release of their fellow comrades.
September 2, 1896, Tuesday, around 11 am in Cabiao, the Katipuneros were lined-up and ready to face whatever might be the consequences of their acts. Llanera mounted on his horse and the Musikong Bumbong played eagerly as their hearts longed for the reckoning hour. From Sityo Pulo, the band played on. As it passed the old church, its bell tolled--- a sure message that the reign of greed would have to face the wrath of the oppressed Novo Ecijanos.
The Katipuneros then reached San Isidro. Surprised as he was, Governor Val ordered his men to inquire of what the commotion was about. Doubting as to Llanera’s true intent, he instructed Captain Machorro to prepare the guards for an armed confrontation.
Three in the afternoon, Llanera and his men approached the Capitol. Captain Machorro, Sgt. Moreno,and six civil guards warned the incoming Katipuneros to stop. Realizing the true resolve of the Katipuneros, the civil guards fired at them…. Violence ensued… The Llanera-led group attacked at the enemy, face-to-face; while the Valmonte-led Katipuneros fought from the rear.
For three days, the battle that would later on be dubbed as the First Cry of Nueva Ecija claimed many lives from both ranks. And out of Providence and sheer determination, the Novo Ecijanos gradually crushed the enemy defenses. The Spanish fortress, the symbol of its enthronement for hundreds of years, was decisively demolished by the brave heart and insurmountable courage of the Novo Ecijanos. For the first time, the oppressed was feared by no less than the oppressor….
Such was the reason why we are here this very day; to commemorate the show of courage and bravery of our ancestors and to remind us that despite the seemingly unsinkable odds, the spirit of the TRUE NOVO ECIJANOS PREVAILED. The Novo Ecijano, needless to emphasize, has a unique legacy on its own. Look yonder and behold the flag….indeed I fervently pray that such ray that stands for our Blood’s bravery shall not be lost in all of us and that every ounce of blood that Llanera, Valmonte and the rest of the Katipuneros sacrificed would not be put in vain. Such is my prayer. Such is what I also ask from you….
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Man Named Oskar Schindler
Would you be willing to give up money, fame and influence to be able to save others? This was a question Oskar Schindler answered with a resounding “yes” during one of the darkest chapters of our history.
Oskar Schindler was a son of Hans Schindler and Franziska Luser. He was born on April 28, 1908 in Svitavy or German Zwiattau in Moravia, Czech Republic. Given the wit on business venture, he worked after class as commercial salesman. Later on, he married Emilie Pelzl on March 6, 1928. It was a childless marriage.
Sometime in 1930’s, he began to have several jobs. In 1935, he became a member of separatist block of the Sudeten German Party. In Abwehr, he began his work as a military intelligence agent for the Germans. Also, he joined Nazi Party in 1939. Nazi documents pointed out that Oskar continued working for the Abwehr which led to German attack launched against Poland.
One of the great men during the Holocaust was Oskar Schindler. He saved almost 1, 200 Jews during this tragic event in world history. He made the Jews work in his enamelware and ammunitions factories located in what is now Poland and Czech Republic. This he did to save their lives.
Because of his exceptional deeds during the war, he was recognized through the book entitled “Schindler’s Ark” in which he was the subject. Later in 1993, a film was made based on this book, “Schindler’s List”.
Holocaust: The Rise of Hitler Adolf Hitler, a German politician, established a dictatorship, which was commonly characterized as fascist or totalitarian government. He made himself powerful through public exposure and persuasive speeches. He pursued aggressive policy after taking control of the Lebensraum. Hitler caused the triumphant military conquest of Poland in 1939.
During this period, Schindler gained business advantage from the German Invasion of Poland. Through influence, he managed to own an industrial factory in Krakow from Nathan Wurzel who was a Jewish industrialist then.
Oskar changed the name of the factory to Deutsche Emaillewaren-Fabrik, or DEF as advised by Wurzel. This factory manufactured enamelware. His laborers were reached more or less a thousand Jews. The Jewish Itzhak Stern, who was Oskar’s accountant, helped him to get hold of his Jewish slave laborers.
As a businessman who acted favorably for money, he hid wealthy Jewish investors for a consideration during the crisis. Later, however, he started protecting his workers from brink of death. Shortly after 1939, Hitler and his forces began murdering people whom he believed to be as inferior to the Aryan race. Thousands of Poles were killed. City ghettoes were built for Jewish Poles. Thousands of them were likewise killed and starved to death. And thousands of innocent people followed the same fate.
In the late July 1941, Hitler decided to extend the systematic killing of Jews to all German-occupied Europe. It was observed by the Nazis, however, that killing people became traumatic to the German police officers and soldiers. Thus, the Nazi- Germans built death camps in Poland where Jews and other prisoners from all over Europe were brought in. From there, transported prisoners were killed easily in less stressful manner. Through the large gas chamber built in the camps, the slaughter of the prisoners was effortless and impersonal for they were killed by the poison gas. This mass killing of Jews and prisoners was known as the Holocaust. Approximately one-third of the 18 million Jews were killed without mercy during the Holocaust.
Schindler’s Concern When Schindler witnessed the 1942 raid in the Krakow ghetto, he felt an inner drive to do what he must do. As soldiers shipped inhabitants to the concentration camps at Plaszow, he made his best effort to protect his workers. This he did even it meant putting danger into his own life.
As reported, Schindler began to transport young Jews out of the Nazi-established ghetto at his expense. He brought the youngsters to Polish nuns and were claimed to be Christian orphans so that they might be spared from the clutches of the Nazi forces. He likewise made arrangement with Amon Goth, military head of Plaszow, to cause the transferring 700 Jews to a nearby factory compound which spared them from the ravages of the German police. In all of these efforts, he had to bribe officials to insure impunity and success.
Furthermore, Oskar every effort to convince SS-officials to permit him to transfer his industry’s 1, 100 workers, later on referred as Schindler Jews, to Brnenec (German: Brünnlitz), Czechoslovakia to save them from mass extermination.
In Brnenec, he obtained another factory. There, he tried producing ammunitions but was unsuccessful. This, however, did not actually matter as the effort was mere front to his primary intention.
After the War: The Fall of Hitler A series of losses to the Allies and failure to defeat the Soviets had left Hitler’s armies severely weakened. Hitler made more defenses against Americans as he launched his last reserves west into the Ardennes country of Belgium and Luxembourg in the Battle of the Bulge 9 December 1944 to January 1945. Until he realized that neither of his hopes would work, he appointed Karl Donitz, the head of the navy and a devoted Nazi, as his successor. Then Hitler finally committed suicide with his wife, Eva Braun in Berlin on April 30, 1945.
After the fall of Hitler and majority of the Nazi forces, Schindler freed his workers.
While at the mercy of bankruptcy, he did not accept any assistance from the Jewish organizations. He went to Argentina sometime in 1948. In 1958, Oskar returned to Germany and tried to establish businesses but all proved as great failures. Schindler moved to live with his friends in Hildesheim, Germany in 1971. Due to heart ailment, he was brought to the Sankt Bernward Hospital in Hildesheim on September 12, 1974. He died on October 9 at the age of 66. He was buried at the Catholic cemetery, Mount Zion, Jerusalem.
His Legacy
Schindler was the only former member of the Nazi Party who was recognized for his great deeds of risking his life to save Jews during darkest days of Nazi rule. In honor of him, he was recognized as the Righteous among Nations.
Poldek Pfefferberg, a Holocaust survivor, retold Schindler’s story in the form of novel, Schindler’s Ark which was later renamed as Schindler’s List, written by Thomas Keneally. Steven Spielberg came out with the movie, Schindler’s List in 1993. The film won the Best Picture in the Academy Awards. The film gave prominence to Schindler who was generally perceived as a good man. The film depicted Schindler as a man who was amoral, at times opportunistic, but at best with a heart for Jews.
During the autumn of 1999, a suitcase belonging to Schindler was found by his friends. It contained thousands of photographs and documents including his farewell speech when the Schindler’s Jews were set free and the now famous Schindler’s List. This was reported in Sttuttgarter Zeitung newspaper. These documents were placed at Israel’s Holocaust Museum of Yad Vashem.
Oskar Schindler is perhaps one of the best examples of lives changed by the harshness and mercilessness of war. His life exemplifies that in times of darkness mankind can rely on the heart of kind men and women who are willing sacrifice everything for the good of all.
Study Guide1. Who is Oskar Schindler? Discuss the impact of his decision which relates to risking his life to save the Jews.
2. Make a timeline of the significant events during this period in Schindler’s life.
3. What could have led Oskar to do what he did?
4. Did he ask for anything in exchange of what he did for the Jews?
5. Would you consider him a good role model? Why?
6. If you were Oskar would you do the same thing? Why?
7. Relate Oskar’s life to a saying or proverb you know and make a brief discussion about how they are related.
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Most Amazing Things in Life are Free,Surprisingly
Having a loving wife and a sweet daughter...
Having friends...
Being with people who really care...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Top 10 Things na nakapagpapaiyak sa akin...
1. Inspirational TV Programs
2. Pag maysakit ang sinumang mahal ko sa buhay
3. Motivational at inspirational books
4. Sentimental moments
5. Pag nagbabasa ng love letters
6. Success stories ng mga simpleng tao
7. Heartwarming movies or documentaries
8. Achievements ng loved ones
9. Puwing sa mata!
10. Pag pinaghihiwa ako ng asawa ko ng sibuyas!
2. Pag maysakit ang sinumang mahal ko sa buhay
3. Motivational at inspirational books
4. Sentimental moments
5. Pag nagbabasa ng love letters
6. Success stories ng mga simpleng tao
7. Heartwarming movies or documentaries
8. Achievements ng loved ones
9. Puwing sa mata!
10. Pag pinaghihiwa ako ng asawa ko ng sibuyas!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Rule of Law
"For as in absolute governments the king is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other."--Thomas Paine, Common Sense(1776)
Ano ba ang rule of law?
Ang rule of law bilang doktrina ng sibilisadong komunidad ay ang pangingibabaw ng batas na iniluwal mismo ng mga taong bahagi ng isang komunidad upang walang sinuman,maging tao o mga grupo ng tao ang maaring magdidikta ng mga panuntunan o aksyon sang-ayon lamang sa mga konsiderasyong pansarili, kapritso, at kaginhawahan o praktikalidad. Ito ang pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno o organisasyon sang-ayon LAMANG sa nakasulat at itinadhanang mga batas sa pamamagitan ng pagsunod o pagtalima sa due process. Ang rule of law ang siyang proteksiyon ng mga miyembro ng organisasyon o mamamayan ng isang bansa laban sa anarkiya o diktadurya.
Ano naman ang rule of men?
Bilang isang doktrina, ang rule of men ay tahasang taliwas sa adhikain ng mga taong nagsusulong ng doktrina ng rule of law. Ang doktrinang rule of men ay isang klase ng pamumuno kung saan ang pagpapatakbo ng pamahalaan ay nakasalig lamang sa kapritso at pagnanais, makatwiran man o hindi, ng mga nasa puder ng kapangyarihan. Ito ang doktrinang pinagmumulan ng isang gobyernong arbitrary at may mahinang tindig sa usapin ng due process.
Ano ba talaga ang maganda--"KING is LAW o LAW is KING na paniniwala?
Para sa may pang-unawa at may lubos na pagmamahal sa moralidad, kaayusan at kasaganaan...hindi ko na kailangan pang sagutin ang tanong na 'yan.
Ano ba ang rule of law?
Ang rule of law bilang doktrina ng sibilisadong komunidad ay ang pangingibabaw ng batas na iniluwal mismo ng mga taong bahagi ng isang komunidad upang walang sinuman,maging tao o mga grupo ng tao ang maaring magdidikta ng mga panuntunan o aksyon sang-ayon lamang sa mga konsiderasyong pansarili, kapritso, at kaginhawahan o praktikalidad. Ito ang pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno o organisasyon sang-ayon LAMANG sa nakasulat at itinadhanang mga batas sa pamamagitan ng pagsunod o pagtalima sa due process. Ang rule of law ang siyang proteksiyon ng mga miyembro ng organisasyon o mamamayan ng isang bansa laban sa anarkiya o diktadurya.
Ano naman ang rule of men?
Bilang isang doktrina, ang rule of men ay tahasang taliwas sa adhikain ng mga taong nagsusulong ng doktrina ng rule of law. Ang doktrinang rule of men ay isang klase ng pamumuno kung saan ang pagpapatakbo ng pamahalaan ay nakasalig lamang sa kapritso at pagnanais, makatwiran man o hindi, ng mga nasa puder ng kapangyarihan. Ito ang doktrinang pinagmumulan ng isang gobyernong arbitrary at may mahinang tindig sa usapin ng due process.
Ano ba talaga ang maganda--"KING is LAW o LAW is KING na paniniwala?
Para sa may pang-unawa at may lubos na pagmamahal sa moralidad, kaayusan at kasaganaan...hindi ko na kailangan pang sagutin ang tanong na 'yan.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Acts, Deeds...Not Theories
The State of Things in the Philippines at Present
On Corruption. Based on an article published in the International Herald Tribune dated March 13, 2007, nearly $2 billion dollars, or roughly 13 percent of the Philippines' annual budget, is lost to corruption in the country each year (United Nations Development Program). In the same article, it was said that “local corruption monitors confirm that graft and bribery in the Philippines remain rampant. Corruption has penetrated every level of government, from the Bureau of Customs down to the traffic police officers who pull over motorists to demand bribes”.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Daily Inquirer in its July 05, 2008 online edition reported that “[in the] 2008 WB [World Bank] study shows…our country’s corruption control ranking worsened from 45 percent in 1996 during the term of President Fidel V. Ramos to only 22 percent in 2007 during the incumbency of President Arroyo, edging out bottom-dweller Indonesia”. Also in that news report, the newspaper stated that “the Philippines is perceived as the most graft ridden in East Asia and among the worst in the world, and our people regard the Arroyo administration as the most corrupt in history”.
On Poverty. Local TV station giant, GMA 7 claimed in its news report that survey from SWS (Social Weather Stations) showed that “the incidence of hunger in the Philippines has reached a new high”. It added that “in the fourth quarter of 2006, at least 19 percent of families in the country, roughly 3.3 million households, experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the last three months”. In the SWS survey, 52 percent of respondents said that they considered themselves as poor. The TV station also said that “World Bank data support the survey results. As of 2005, the lender's data show that 10.8 percent of the country's population survives on just $1 a day and another 41.2 percent make do with less than $2 daily”.
The “Presidential Promise”
Amidst the so-called damning US-dominated World Bank study, President Macapagal-Arroyo promised that “we will work to fix the corruption that has, unfortunately, long plagued our nation. We have been working to take control of the situation. Our efforts will include passing a comprehensive anti-corruption reform act in 2008” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 05, 2008). But like any other promises, some people think that this is again another “presidential promise” that is meant to be broken. Indeed, only time can tell if this will materialize or not.
A Perceived Solution
Much has been said about corruption, moral degradation, political instability and solutions thereto that are perceived to lessen, if not ultimately stop these sufferings. The former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani was one of the Filipino leaders who believe that there is still hope and thus proposed one solution. Briefly, she stated that:
“At the bottom of our economic problems and political instability is the weakness and corruption of moral foundation of our society. We do need an economic recovery program. We also urgently need a moral, intellectual and spiritual recovery program.”
The solution—an economic, moral, intellectual and spiritual recovery program—is not really a novel one as this solution is something more of common sense than sheer ingenuity. While this author believes that this is indeed a plausible solution, he hesitates to believe that this can be achieved in the absence of one important ingredient—political will. Any solution will surely fail if implementers have no political will. Honestly, the people are already fed up by so many promises and plans. In the author’s opinion, Shahani’s statement is mere book decoration and but a mere piece of oratory without solid actions. The people need more than mere discussions and inquiries from our leaders. We need actions not words.
On Corruption. Based on an article published in the International Herald Tribune dated March 13, 2007, nearly $2 billion dollars, or roughly 13 percent of the Philippines' annual budget, is lost to corruption in the country each year (United Nations Development Program). In the same article, it was said that “local corruption monitors confirm that graft and bribery in the Philippines remain rampant. Corruption has penetrated every level of government, from the Bureau of Customs down to the traffic police officers who pull over motorists to demand bribes”.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Daily Inquirer in its July 05, 2008 online edition reported that “[in the] 2008 WB [World Bank] study shows…our country’s corruption control ranking worsened from 45 percent in 1996 during the term of President Fidel V. Ramos to only 22 percent in 2007 during the incumbency of President Arroyo, edging out bottom-dweller Indonesia”. Also in that news report, the newspaper stated that “the Philippines is perceived as the most graft ridden in East Asia and among the worst in the world, and our people regard the Arroyo administration as the most corrupt in history”.
On Poverty. Local TV station giant, GMA 7 claimed in its news report that survey from SWS (Social Weather Stations) showed that “the incidence of hunger in the Philippines has reached a new high”. It added that “in the fourth quarter of 2006, at least 19 percent of families in the country, roughly 3.3 million households, experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the last three months”. In the SWS survey, 52 percent of respondents said that they considered themselves as poor. The TV station also said that “World Bank data support the survey results. As of 2005, the lender's data show that 10.8 percent of the country's population survives on just $1 a day and another 41.2 percent make do with less than $2 daily”.
The “Presidential Promise”
Amidst the so-called damning US-dominated World Bank study, President Macapagal-Arroyo promised that “we will work to fix the corruption that has, unfortunately, long plagued our nation. We have been working to take control of the situation. Our efforts will include passing a comprehensive anti-corruption reform act in 2008” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 05, 2008). But like any other promises, some people think that this is again another “presidential promise” that is meant to be broken. Indeed, only time can tell if this will materialize or not.
A Perceived Solution
Much has been said about corruption, moral degradation, political instability and solutions thereto that are perceived to lessen, if not ultimately stop these sufferings. The former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani was one of the Filipino leaders who believe that there is still hope and thus proposed one solution. Briefly, she stated that:
“At the bottom of our economic problems and political instability is the weakness and corruption of moral foundation of our society. We do need an economic recovery program. We also urgently need a moral, intellectual and spiritual recovery program.”
The solution—an economic, moral, intellectual and spiritual recovery program—is not really a novel one as this solution is something more of common sense than sheer ingenuity. While this author believes that this is indeed a plausible solution, he hesitates to believe that this can be achieved in the absence of one important ingredient—political will. Any solution will surely fail if implementers have no political will. Honestly, the people are already fed up by so many promises and plans. In the author’s opinion, Shahani’s statement is mere book decoration and but a mere piece of oratory without solid actions. The people need more than mere discussions and inquiries from our leaders. We need actions not words.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Wny I Ask My Students to Memorize?
I am really blessed to have met a professor who taught me the value of accuracy and deep understanding. In fact, it was her methods and techniques that partly form the foundation of my teaching techniques. I recall her saying "It is better to ask your students to memorize good poetry or verse because that will open the flood gates of possibilities.They may dislike it at first but it's up to you to deliver the needed push so that they fall off the cliff toward greater and more profound learning based on solid facts."
Memorization in present day educational setting has somewhat received a rather negative reputation. Memorization is frowned upon not only by students but by a considerable number of teachers, as well. If you ask students to memorize a poem or some lines of verse, the next thing you here is an uproar of complaints. And I do not blame them for doing that because it is, so to speak, "normal" these days for they live in an age of disillusioned love for liberty and have-it-your-way mentality. They should not be blamed for feeling that way likewise because memorizing is such a tedious task and human nature (particularly that of today's)tells you that most people just don't have that much liking to do tasks like that. "The easier to accomplish something the better" is a conviction that has reached dogmatic proportions.
But, memorization if treated as the end all and be all of learning is not good. My belief is that memorization or remembering is the starting point of any other kinds of learning. The bone of my contention is this: How would you be able to apply, analyze, synthesize or even evaluate things without having solid data on which these thinking skills will be based on, in the first place? It is really impossible to gain "any" higher form of thinking without accomplishing the basic step--remembering raw data, that is.
Now, I'd like to enumerate what research and authorities have to say about memorization and remembering.
I
"The memorization and recitation of the classic utterances of poets and statesmen form part of a tradition of learning that stretches back to classical antiquity, when the Greeks discovered that words and sounds—and the rhythmic patterns by which they were bound together in poetry—awakened the mind and shaped character. They made poetry the foundation of their pedagogy. Athenian schoolboys learned by heart the poetry of Homer, through which they gained mastery of their language and their culture. They memorized as well, in versified form, the civic pronouncements of Solon, the founder of the Athenian political tradition."
--In Defense of Memorization,Michael Knox Beran
II
"Just like learning to walk before you can run, learning multiplication and memorizing the times tables are building blocks for other math topics taught in school - higher learning such as division, long multiplication, fractions and algebra."
--The Importance Of Memorizing The Times Tables
Susan Jarema
III
"The most important quality of being a good scholar is a trained and retentive memory."
--Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the
Christian Faith, Marvin R. Wilson
IV
"First, at the base of the pyramid (Bloom's Taxonomy) is memorization. Every student must memorize in order to have a firm foundation. The base of the pyramid has the widest expanse which indicates the importance of memorization."
--The Need for Memorization, Drill, and
Excellence, Donna Garner
V
"Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You”. The Word of God is precious book to the Christian; it is our guide and manual for daily living. Because it is so valuable to us as Christians, the psalmist stresses the importance of memorizing it."
--Milford Bible Church
VI
"Why, then, do so many middle-class Americans now act as if education is nothing more than a 'game'? . . . Along with any serious commitment to subjects like English and History, the idea of education as a way to sharpen mental discipline, to cultivate higher cultural interests, or to teach civic principles has simply disappeared."
--Ready Or Not: What Happens When We Treat
Children as Small Adults,Kay Hymowitz
VII
"To learn "by rote," according to Webster's dictionary, is to learn "by memory alone, without understanding or thought." ...Plant precepts in small children's heads, and you'll shape their thinking and their actions as they grow.
But not all memorization is learning by rote. To commit something to memory isn't necessarily to learn it "without understanding or thought."
--The Difference Between Thinking and Knowing
(Memorization doesn't deserve its bad
name),Claudia Winkler
The space for this post is not enough to lay down all proofs and arguments in favor of memorization. What has been presented here is just a short list--a very small tip of an iceberg, indeed.
Memorization or remembering is not just like mushrooms that emerged from nowhere. Rather, it emerged from a long line of tradition the effectiveness of which has been tested throughout the ages. And thus, the derogatory notion about it is totally uncalled for and unfounded.
NOTA BENE: This post may be reproduced or republished provided proper and complete author citation and link back to this blog is given.
Memorization in present day educational setting has somewhat received a rather negative reputation. Memorization is frowned upon not only by students but by a considerable number of teachers, as well. If you ask students to memorize a poem or some lines of verse, the next thing you here is an uproar of complaints. And I do not blame them for doing that because it is, so to speak, "normal" these days for they live in an age of disillusioned love for liberty and have-it-your-way mentality. They should not be blamed for feeling that way likewise because memorizing is such a tedious task and human nature (particularly that of today's)tells you that most people just don't have that much liking to do tasks like that. "The easier to accomplish something the better" is a conviction that has reached dogmatic proportions.
But, memorization if treated as the end all and be all of learning is not good. My belief is that memorization or remembering is the starting point of any other kinds of learning. The bone of my contention is this: How would you be able to apply, analyze, synthesize or even evaluate things without having solid data on which these thinking skills will be based on, in the first place? It is really impossible to gain "any" higher form of thinking without accomplishing the basic step--remembering raw data, that is.
Now, I'd like to enumerate what research and authorities have to say about memorization and remembering.
I
"The memorization and recitation of the classic utterances of poets and statesmen form part of a tradition of learning that stretches back to classical antiquity, when the Greeks discovered that words and sounds—and the rhythmic patterns by which they were bound together in poetry—awakened the mind and shaped character. They made poetry the foundation of their pedagogy. Athenian schoolboys learned by heart the poetry of Homer, through which they gained mastery of their language and their culture. They memorized as well, in versified form, the civic pronouncements of Solon, the founder of the Athenian political tradition."
--In Defense of Memorization,Michael Knox Beran
II
"Just like learning to walk before you can run, learning multiplication and memorizing the times tables are building blocks for other math topics taught in school - higher learning such as division, long multiplication, fractions and algebra."
--The Importance Of Memorizing The Times Tables
Susan Jarema
III
"The most important quality of being a good scholar is a trained and retentive memory."
--Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the
Christian Faith, Marvin R. Wilson
IV
"First, at the base of the pyramid (Bloom's Taxonomy) is memorization. Every student must memorize in order to have a firm foundation. The base of the pyramid has the widest expanse which indicates the importance of memorization."
--The Need for Memorization, Drill, and
Excellence, Donna Garner
V
"Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You”. The Word of God is precious book to the Christian; it is our guide and manual for daily living. Because it is so valuable to us as Christians, the psalmist stresses the importance of memorizing it."
--Milford Bible Church
VI
"Why, then, do so many middle-class Americans now act as if education is nothing more than a 'game'? . . . Along with any serious commitment to subjects like English and History, the idea of education as a way to sharpen mental discipline, to cultivate higher cultural interests, or to teach civic principles has simply disappeared."
--Ready Or Not: What Happens When We Treat
Children as Small Adults,Kay Hymowitz
VII
"To learn "by rote," according to Webster's dictionary, is to learn "by memory alone, without understanding or thought." ...Plant precepts in small children's heads, and you'll shape their thinking and their actions as they grow.
But not all memorization is learning by rote. To commit something to memory isn't necessarily to learn it "without understanding or thought."
--The Difference Between Thinking and Knowing
(Memorization doesn't deserve its bad
name),Claudia Winkler
The space for this post is not enough to lay down all proofs and arguments in favor of memorization. What has been presented here is just a short list--a very small tip of an iceberg, indeed.
Memorization or remembering is not just like mushrooms that emerged from nowhere. Rather, it emerged from a long line of tradition the effectiveness of which has been tested throughout the ages. And thus, the derogatory notion about it is totally uncalled for and unfounded.
NOTA BENE: This post may be reproduced or republished provided proper and complete author citation and link back to this blog is given.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
When Eros Strikes
Relationship is an art of blending
In relationships and magnets, opposites attract. A rather timid man gets hooked with an out-going, sparkling woman while an out-going man is dazzled by a timid, reflective woman.
Men and women are like magnets and they have different temperament. And making the somewhat clashing differences blend with one another is a key to maintaining a lasting relationship. A man or a woman's failure to understand the temperament of the other may often lead to stand-off and word-war.
Relationships call for mutual adjustment. Men and women in relationships have to acknowledge and appreciate the emotional needs of one another. In this regard, a “give and take” attitude will definitely be helpful in attaining a healthy relationship.
As a rule of thumb, we should not aim to change the temperament of our partner; but we should aim to channel that temperament to blend with our own and vice-versa. Opening the line of communication and spending more quality time with each other will greatly boost this process of blending.
Relationships, indeed, call for opposites that blend.
Falling in love is magic!
Falling in love and the term love per se are two very distinct emotions. Falling in love is such an exciting feeling that sweeps a person head over heels. It can be a flash of weird, spine-tingling sensations or a first of the many steps to find true love.
Falling in love is a powerful instinctive, emotional attraction of one toward the opposite sex or of the same sex, in certain cases. And fortunately, when the feeling is mutual, meaning one falls in love with another and the other reciprocates the feeling, this act of mutual falling in love can grow into a beautiful love affair.
Falling in love, in my case, was a truly an inspiring experience. It touched the very heart of me that I could not possibly get myself the focus I need to do things that I had to do then. There were moments of immense daydreaming…The sudden weakness I felt in the knees and increase in bodily temperature whenever I saw her was to me the most exciting of all moments when I fell in love.
Falling in love is not so strange a phenomenon. You don’t have to search for it; it just happens. And when you fall in love, you can’t do anything to stop it. It haunts you day and night. Like a patriot missile, it follows you wherever you are. Certainly, it is so mysterious.
When you fall in love, the feelings you have are not always pleasant. I bet that for people who have experienced this powerful potion of Eros, they felt a total mix of emotions--excitement, doubts, overpowering attention on one’s self-image, and even extreme jealousy.
Falling in love is nature’s way of showing how fragile and delicate men and women are. It is likewise nature’s way of telling us that there are cases beyond our control. Definitely and for most cases, people who fall in love lose control. It’s the time in our lives that the heart overpowers the mind, decisively. It makes brave men and women go “chicken” and it makes the most brilliant the dumbest of all creation!
Many of us think that falling in love is all about sex. I beg to disagree. Sex may be an inescapable aspect of it in the long run; but, that is not the “end all and be all” of falling in love. Sex is but a mere outward manifestation of surrendering ourselves to the dictates of the most overwhelming of all human emotions—love. But, sex can never be the object of true and unconditional love.
Falling in love is one of the essential steps on finding our lifetime partner. Being attracted to another person is the most basic part of settling down. In this regard, falling in love as a stage in our lives is significant.
I always tell my students to be careful when you fall in love. But I know deep inside that this is an irony. Why? Simple…It’s because as I said earlier, falling in love is usually that time in a person’s life when the heart takes control.
Many of my students ask me “what is love?” and when I explain, I end up first explaining “how do you know that you have fallen in love?” then, proceed with their question. Almost always, my explanation would be like this—love is… falling in love with the person over and over again… every second of the minute, every minute of the hour, every hour of the day and everyday of your life.
Falling in love is really one of the best experiences that any person can ever have. It’s compelling. It’s wonderful. It’s magic.
"Favorite Love Quotes"
"Love makes the world go round" so goes the song. Imagine a world without love, that's probably the worst of situations--yeah, a loveless world is indeed a lifeless one. As for me, I have always been living for love's sake. I laugh, I cry, I breathe because of love.
The term love has many meanings. Millions have tried to explain love. Some have even tried to calculate love. But almost always, they end up trying. And, that is no surprise because love is mysterious. I guess this blog is to end in the same way the others did. But, who cares anyway!
The love verses below are some of my favorites. The list contains some of my original quotations on love, too. As you read them, take time to suck the juice out of magical words of few of the world's romantics and feel the rush of passion into your veins; think of that very special someone you would rather spend your life until this world is no more....
----o0o----
"Life is but a world torn in shreds and the world--a row of flesh crushed in bitterness, without love." -Joel M. Santos
"The true meaning of religion is thus not simply morality, but morality touched by emotion." -Mathew Arnold
"Love never claims, it ever gives. Love ever suffers, never resents never revenges itself." -Mahatma Gandhi
"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,Old Time is still aflying,And this same flower that smiles today,Tomorow will be dying." -Robert Herrick
"Oh, my luve’s like a red, red rose,That ’s newly sprung in June;Oh, my luve’s like the melodieThat’s sweetly played in tune." -Robert Burns
"If I must die, let me... in love's blade." -Joel M. Santos
"If this be error an upon me prove, I never writ nor no man ever loved." -Shakespeare
"The greatest irony of life is to love your enemy better than yourself." - Joel M. Santos
" Roses are red and violets are blue, And all the sweetest flowers that in the forrest grew." -Edmund Spenser
" If there ever comes a day When we cant be together keep me in your heart, Ill stay there forever." -Winnie the Pooh
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go.Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same."
-Flavia Weedn
"Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter." -John Keats
"I've never been so condemned in my life, I've never been so wretch'd, so damn'd, and miserable. But all these I shall happily endure for a minute shared with you." -Joel M. Santos
"Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile." -Franklin P. Jones
"At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet." -Plato
"Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."
-Robert Frost
"Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence."
-Henry Louis Mencken
"Love is a friendship set to music."
-E. Joseph Cossman
"They do not love that do not show their love. The course of true love never did run smooth. Love is a familiar. Love is a devil. There is no evil angel but Love."
-William Shakespeare
"And she wrote my name on a piece of flesh and my soul flew upon the universe."
-Joel M. Santos
"Love is eternal - the aspect may change, but not the essence. There is the same difference in a person before and after he is in love as there is in an unlighted lamp and one that is burning. The lamp was there and was a good lamp, but now it is shedding light too, and that is its real function. And love makes one calmer about many things, and that way, one is more fit for one's work. " -Vincent Van Gogh
"One is very crazy when in love." -Sigmund Freud
"You can't blame gravity for falling in love. "
-Sheetal
"How on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?"
-Albert Einstein
"A man falls in love through his eyes, a woman through her ears. "
-Woodrow Wyatt
"Thought cannot avoid the ethical or reverence and love for all life. It will abandon the old confined systems of ethics and be forced to recognize the ethics that knows no bounds. But on the other hand, those who believe in love for all creation must realize clearly the difficulties involved in the problem of a boundless ethic and must be resolved not to veil from [humankind] the conflicts which this ethic will involve [us], but allow [us] really to experience them. To think out in every implication the ethic of love for all creation -- this is the difficult task which confronts our age." -Albert Schweitzer
“You will never know love unless you surrender to it.” -movie quote from”Fools Rush In"
“kisses are a better fate than wisdom.” -e.e. cummings
"True love stories never have endings.” -Richard Bach
"Love is falling in love over and over again and true love is to be in love every second."
-Joel M. Santos
" I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning
" When love is not madness, it is not love." -Pedro Calderon de la Barca
" Let me lie,
let me die on thy snow-covered bosom,
I would eat of thy flesh as a delicate fruit,
I am drunk of its smell, and the scent
of thy tresses
Is a flame that devours."
-George Moore
" The simple lack of her is more to me than others' presence."
-Edward Thomas
"All the world is but a dying ember without your presence."
-Joel M. Santos
"My heart to you is given:
Oh, do give yours to me;
We'll lock them up together,
And throw away the key."
-Frederick Saunders
"In law, not all love is legal.
But in love, it doesn't really matter."
-Joel M. Santos
"See! the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea: -
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?"
-Percy Bysshe Shelley
"To die is even blissful... when you're the reason."- Joel M. Santos
In relationships and magnets, opposites attract. A rather timid man gets hooked with an out-going, sparkling woman while an out-going man is dazzled by a timid, reflective woman.
Men and women are like magnets and they have different temperament. And making the somewhat clashing differences blend with one another is a key to maintaining a lasting relationship. A man or a woman's failure to understand the temperament of the other may often lead to stand-off and word-war.
Relationships call for mutual adjustment. Men and women in relationships have to acknowledge and appreciate the emotional needs of one another. In this regard, a “give and take” attitude will definitely be helpful in attaining a healthy relationship.
As a rule of thumb, we should not aim to change the temperament of our partner; but we should aim to channel that temperament to blend with our own and vice-versa. Opening the line of communication and spending more quality time with each other will greatly boost this process of blending.
Relationships, indeed, call for opposites that blend.
Falling in love is magic!
Falling in love and the term love per se are two very distinct emotions. Falling in love is such an exciting feeling that sweeps a person head over heels. It can be a flash of weird, spine-tingling sensations or a first of the many steps to find true love.
Falling in love is a powerful instinctive, emotional attraction of one toward the opposite sex or of the same sex, in certain cases. And fortunately, when the feeling is mutual, meaning one falls in love with another and the other reciprocates the feeling, this act of mutual falling in love can grow into a beautiful love affair.
Falling in love, in my case, was a truly an inspiring experience. It touched the very heart of me that I could not possibly get myself the focus I need to do things that I had to do then. There were moments of immense daydreaming…The sudden weakness I felt in the knees and increase in bodily temperature whenever I saw her was to me the most exciting of all moments when I fell in love.
Falling in love is not so strange a phenomenon. You don’t have to search for it; it just happens. And when you fall in love, you can’t do anything to stop it. It haunts you day and night. Like a patriot missile, it follows you wherever you are. Certainly, it is so mysterious.
When you fall in love, the feelings you have are not always pleasant. I bet that for people who have experienced this powerful potion of Eros, they felt a total mix of emotions--excitement, doubts, overpowering attention on one’s self-image, and even extreme jealousy.
Falling in love is nature’s way of showing how fragile and delicate men and women are. It is likewise nature’s way of telling us that there are cases beyond our control. Definitely and for most cases, people who fall in love lose control. It’s the time in our lives that the heart overpowers the mind, decisively. It makes brave men and women go “chicken” and it makes the most brilliant the dumbest of all creation!
Many of us think that falling in love is all about sex. I beg to disagree. Sex may be an inescapable aspect of it in the long run; but, that is not the “end all and be all” of falling in love. Sex is but a mere outward manifestation of surrendering ourselves to the dictates of the most overwhelming of all human emotions—love. But, sex can never be the object of true and unconditional love.
Falling in love is one of the essential steps on finding our lifetime partner. Being attracted to another person is the most basic part of settling down. In this regard, falling in love as a stage in our lives is significant.
I always tell my students to be careful when you fall in love. But I know deep inside that this is an irony. Why? Simple…It’s because as I said earlier, falling in love is usually that time in a person’s life when the heart takes control.
Many of my students ask me “what is love?” and when I explain, I end up first explaining “how do you know that you have fallen in love?” then, proceed with their question. Almost always, my explanation would be like this—love is… falling in love with the person over and over again… every second of the minute, every minute of the hour, every hour of the day and everyday of your life.
Falling in love is really one of the best experiences that any person can ever have. It’s compelling. It’s wonderful. It’s magic.
"Favorite Love Quotes"
"Love makes the world go round" so goes the song. Imagine a world without love, that's probably the worst of situations--yeah, a loveless world is indeed a lifeless one. As for me, I have always been living for love's sake. I laugh, I cry, I breathe because of love.
The term love has many meanings. Millions have tried to explain love. Some have even tried to calculate love. But almost always, they end up trying. And, that is no surprise because love is mysterious. I guess this blog is to end in the same way the others did. But, who cares anyway!
The love verses below are some of my favorites. The list contains some of my original quotations on love, too. As you read them, take time to suck the juice out of magical words of few of the world's romantics and feel the rush of passion into your veins; think of that very special someone you would rather spend your life until this world is no more....
----o0o----
"Life is but a world torn in shreds and the world--a row of flesh crushed in bitterness, without love." -Joel M. Santos
"The true meaning of religion is thus not simply morality, but morality touched by emotion." -Mathew Arnold
"Love never claims, it ever gives. Love ever suffers, never resents never revenges itself." -Mahatma Gandhi
"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,Old Time is still aflying,And this same flower that smiles today,Tomorow will be dying." -Robert Herrick
"Oh, my luve’s like a red, red rose,That ’s newly sprung in June;Oh, my luve’s like the melodieThat’s sweetly played in tune." -Robert Burns
"If I must die, let me... in love's blade." -Joel M. Santos
"If this be error an upon me prove, I never writ nor no man ever loved." -Shakespeare
"The greatest irony of life is to love your enemy better than yourself." - Joel M. Santos
" Roses are red and violets are blue, And all the sweetest flowers that in the forrest grew." -Edmund Spenser
" If there ever comes a day When we cant be together keep me in your heart, Ill stay there forever." -Winnie the Pooh
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go.Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same."
-Flavia Weedn
"Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter." -John Keats
"I've never been so condemned in my life, I've never been so wretch'd, so damn'd, and miserable. But all these I shall happily endure for a minute shared with you." -Joel M. Santos
"Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile." -Franklin P. Jones
"At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet." -Plato
"Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."
-Robert Frost
"Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence."
-Henry Louis Mencken
"Love is a friendship set to music."
-E. Joseph Cossman
"They do not love that do not show their love. The course of true love never did run smooth. Love is a familiar. Love is a devil. There is no evil angel but Love."
-William Shakespeare
"And she wrote my name on a piece of flesh and my soul flew upon the universe."
-Joel M. Santos
"Love is eternal - the aspect may change, but not the essence. There is the same difference in a person before and after he is in love as there is in an unlighted lamp and one that is burning. The lamp was there and was a good lamp, but now it is shedding light too, and that is its real function. And love makes one calmer about many things, and that way, one is more fit for one's work. " -Vincent Van Gogh
"One is very crazy when in love." -Sigmund Freud
"You can't blame gravity for falling in love. "
-Sheetal
"How on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?"
-Albert Einstein
"A man falls in love through his eyes, a woman through her ears. "
-Woodrow Wyatt
"Thought cannot avoid the ethical or reverence and love for all life. It will abandon the old confined systems of ethics and be forced to recognize the ethics that knows no bounds. But on the other hand, those who believe in love for all creation must realize clearly the difficulties involved in the problem of a boundless ethic and must be resolved not to veil from [humankind] the conflicts which this ethic will involve [us], but allow [us] really to experience them. To think out in every implication the ethic of love for all creation -- this is the difficult task which confronts our age." -Albert Schweitzer
“You will never know love unless you surrender to it.” -movie quote from”Fools Rush In"
“kisses are a better fate than wisdom.” -e.e. cummings
"True love stories never have endings.” -Richard Bach
"Love is falling in love over and over again and true love is to be in love every second."
-Joel M. Santos
" I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning
" When love is not madness, it is not love." -Pedro Calderon de la Barca
" Let me lie,
let me die on thy snow-covered bosom,
I would eat of thy flesh as a delicate fruit,
I am drunk of its smell, and the scent
of thy tresses
Is a flame that devours."
-George Moore
" The simple lack of her is more to me than others' presence."
-Edward Thomas
"All the world is but a dying ember without your presence."
-Joel M. Santos
"My heart to you is given:
Oh, do give yours to me;
We'll lock them up together,
And throw away the key."
-Frederick Saunders
"In law, not all love is legal.
But in love, it doesn't really matter."
-Joel M. Santos
"See! the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea: -
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?"
-Percy Bysshe Shelley
"To die is even blissful... when you're the reason."- Joel M. Santos
Monday, May 12, 2008
5 Things Students Don't Know About Their Teachers
You rarely see a teacher and a student getting along well with each other. Perhaps this is because of the rules that professors impose upon their students; and as democratic as we all are, students dislike rules and limitations.
Teachers Know How to Listen
More often than not, students consider their teachers to have closed ears. Well, this isn't entirely true. Good teachers only close their ears when they have to. For example, if a student failed because of not doing his obligations, then the teacher is compelled to give failing marks to that student. However, if the teacher sees that there is a potential in you, they will usually wait for you to approach them and confess about your difficulty in doing and learning tasks.
Teachers Take Care of Their Students Like Their Own Child
Unknown to you, the teachers treat their students like their own child. They assign you tasks, gives you things to do, and punishes you whenever there is a need to. Do not think that a teacher gets happy when a student fails; they feel a bit of disappointment within themselves if such situation happens.
Teachers Understand You Because They Were Once Students Too
Most of the students deem that they are not understood by their teachers. However, this is not a fact. Teachers used to be students so they perfectly understand how you feel and how you react. They are just doing their jobs to make it possible for you to become better students.
Teachers Feel Every Emotion That You Feel
Teachers are very good at gauging feelings. They will know if a student is sad, depressed, happy or intimidated. They evaluate through the response of the student at academics. Students easily get affected and it shows through their grades; teachers act upon this problem as swiftly as they could.
Teachers Are Capable of Mistakes Too
Teachers are great; but they are not perfect. Like us, they commit a few mistakes from time to time. We cannot really expect them to be perfect. After all, we're all humans and we're all capable of committing mistakes.
Teachers Know How to Listen
More often than not, students consider their teachers to have closed ears. Well, this isn't entirely true. Good teachers only close their ears when they have to. For example, if a student failed because of not doing his obligations, then the teacher is compelled to give failing marks to that student. However, if the teacher sees that there is a potential in you, they will usually wait for you to approach them and confess about your difficulty in doing and learning tasks.
Teachers Take Care of Their Students Like Their Own Child
Unknown to you, the teachers treat their students like their own child. They assign you tasks, gives you things to do, and punishes you whenever there is a need to. Do not think that a teacher gets happy when a student fails; they feel a bit of disappointment within themselves if such situation happens.
Teachers Understand You Because They Were Once Students Too
Most of the students deem that they are not understood by their teachers. However, this is not a fact. Teachers used to be students so they perfectly understand how you feel and how you react. They are just doing their jobs to make it possible for you to become better students.
Teachers Feel Every Emotion That You Feel
Teachers are very good at gauging feelings. They will know if a student is sad, depressed, happy or intimidated. They evaluate through the response of the student at academics. Students easily get affected and it shows through their grades; teachers act upon this problem as swiftly as they could.
Teachers Are Capable of Mistakes Too
Teachers are great; but they are not perfect. Like us, they commit a few mistakes from time to time. We cannot really expect them to be perfect. After all, we're all humans and we're all capable of committing mistakes.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
How to be happy
1. Learn to see the good side of even the worst of situations. See problems as challenges and failures as mere setbacks. We are capable of accomplishing things--great or small.
2. Love yourself. Appreciate your strengths while you polish your weaknesses.
3. Love others as you love yourself but convince yourself too that you are no martyr as everything has its end and the most important thing is that you've given unto Cesar what is for Cesar...so keep what should be yours, too.
4. Share.
5. Live every minute of your life as if it were your last!
6. Do not covet so much those things that you do not have yet. Forget things which are impossible for you to have. Make use instead of what you already have and be contented for the meantime.
7. Compete with yourself and not with others. Beat your best, always...but if you are unable to beat your record, it's fine as you always have another day to try again.
8. Days don't stop even if you don't have money or if you are heartbroken or if you lost your pet or if you are scolded or you lost thousands. Make your lack of money as a source of your inspiration and not of your desperation.
9. Live your life and not somebody else's. Your life is, in some ways, better than the life of the person you are "copying".
10. Let your dreams soar...Let them take you to places. But, never end there. Make them happen.
11. Have faith.
12. Learn.
13. Tell yourself you are cute, you are handsome..you are one of a kind.
14. Cry some. Laugh some. Suffer some. Enjoy some.
15. Show the world who you really are. If people around you accept you, that's great...but if not, that's fine. Accept the fact that you cannot make everybody happy no matter what you do.
2. Love yourself. Appreciate your strengths while you polish your weaknesses.
3. Love others as you love yourself but convince yourself too that you are no martyr as everything has its end and the most important thing is that you've given unto Cesar what is for Cesar...so keep what should be yours, too.
4. Share.
5. Live every minute of your life as if it were your last!
6. Do not covet so much those things that you do not have yet. Forget things which are impossible for you to have. Make use instead of what you already have and be contented for the meantime.
7. Compete with yourself and not with others. Beat your best, always...but if you are unable to beat your record, it's fine as you always have another day to try again.
8. Days don't stop even if you don't have money or if you are heartbroken or if you lost your pet or if you are scolded or you lost thousands. Make your lack of money as a source of your inspiration and not of your desperation.
9. Live your life and not somebody else's. Your life is, in some ways, better than the life of the person you are "copying".
10. Let your dreams soar...Let them take you to places. But, never end there. Make them happen.
11. Have faith.
12. Learn.
13. Tell yourself you are cute, you are handsome..you are one of a kind.
14. Cry some. Laugh some. Suffer some. Enjoy some.
15. Show the world who you really are. If people around you accept you, that's great...but if not, that's fine. Accept the fact that you cannot make everybody happy no matter what you do.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Sana
Buti na lang hindi dumating si Atty. Castillo kanina. Pagod na pagod kasi ako at tantsa ko sasaltod ako kung sakaling natuloy nga ang exam sa Nego.
Nakausap ko kanina ng matagal-tagal dalawang kaklase ko. Isang pulis at isang negosyante. Tanong ko sa kaklase kong pulis (sa lahat ng pulis sa totoo lang siya lang yata ang humble at matino)"pre kahirap ng buhay dito sa pinas no?" Oo nga e maliit masyado sweldo swapang pa karaniwang nakaupo...Sa madaling salita medyo umikot dun ang usapan hanggang sa mapunta kami sa usapan tungkol sa tagumpay. Point blank tinanong ko ang kaklase kong negosyante..."pre pano ka ba nagtagumpay?" Tumingin lang siya ng ilang minuto tapos sinabi niya "katuwiran ko lang kasi sa buhay e ganito...BAKIT SILA."
Napaisip ako. Oo nga no? May pitik yung sinabi niya...Bakit sila--Bakit sila nagawa nila bakit ako hinde? Bakit sila nakaya nila, bakit ako kumpleto ang mga paa, kamay, hindi bulag, bingi o may anupamang kapansanan hindi ko kaya?
Minsan din natanong ako ang estudyante ko...Ser, pano niyo nagagawang mapagsabay ang pagtuturo sa tatlong eskuwelahan, pag-aaral ng law at pagiging ama sa pamilya niyo gayong iisa lang naman ang katawan niyo at kaunti lang ang oras? Tumingin lang ako sa kanya tapos sabi ko "Ewan ko kung paano".
Maraming mga bagay dito sa mundo ang talagang mahirap isipin at minsan nga di na nga dapat pag-isipan pa...kailangan na lang gawin bagaman suko na ang katawang lupa.
Kagaya ng katwiran ng kaklase kong--BAKIT SILA--hinahangad ko rin nga na sana may mangyayaring maganda sa katwiran kong--EWAN KO KUNG PAANO. Pero alam mo kung may choice lang ako... sana, sana, sana--
Nakausap ko kanina ng matagal-tagal dalawang kaklase ko. Isang pulis at isang negosyante. Tanong ko sa kaklase kong pulis (sa lahat ng pulis sa totoo lang siya lang yata ang humble at matino)"pre kahirap ng buhay dito sa pinas no?" Oo nga e maliit masyado sweldo swapang pa karaniwang nakaupo...Sa madaling salita medyo umikot dun ang usapan hanggang sa mapunta kami sa usapan tungkol sa tagumpay. Point blank tinanong ko ang kaklase kong negosyante..."pre pano ka ba nagtagumpay?" Tumingin lang siya ng ilang minuto tapos sinabi niya "katuwiran ko lang kasi sa buhay e ganito...BAKIT SILA."
Napaisip ako. Oo nga no? May pitik yung sinabi niya...Bakit sila--Bakit sila nagawa nila bakit ako hinde? Bakit sila nakaya nila, bakit ako kumpleto ang mga paa, kamay, hindi bulag, bingi o may anupamang kapansanan hindi ko kaya?
Minsan din natanong ako ang estudyante ko...Ser, pano niyo nagagawang mapagsabay ang pagtuturo sa tatlong eskuwelahan, pag-aaral ng law at pagiging ama sa pamilya niyo gayong iisa lang naman ang katawan niyo at kaunti lang ang oras? Tumingin lang ako sa kanya tapos sabi ko "Ewan ko kung paano".
Maraming mga bagay dito sa mundo ang talagang mahirap isipin at minsan nga di na nga dapat pag-isipan pa...kailangan na lang gawin bagaman suko na ang katawang lupa.
Kagaya ng katwiran ng kaklase kong--BAKIT SILA--hinahangad ko rin nga na sana may mangyayaring maganda sa katwiran kong--EWAN KO KUNG PAANO. Pero alam mo kung may choice lang ako... sana, sana, sana--
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Meron akong ibubulong sayo.Lika lapit ka.Konti pa...."#@$%^&*()_(&6%4$%^###" Sabi ko kase lumapit ka ayan tuloy di mo na-gets!
Ang tsismis daw malalala pa sa weapons of mass destruction ni Saddam. Ang tsismis daw kayang hatiin ang dagat katulad ni Moises. Eh panong mangyayari yun e di ba salita lang naman yun! E pano ka naman papatayin ng salita katulad ng weapons of mass destruction ni saddam? O kaya paano magagawa ng salitang papangyarihin ang imposible katulad ni Moises?
Ano ka ba? Tanong ka ng tanong ...
Ang tsismis ay malala pa sa WMD ni Saddam kase:
1. Ang tsismis pumapatay ng dangal na sang-ayon sa karamihan ay mas mahalaga pa sa buhay na kaya namang wasakin ng WMD's.
2. Ang isang tsismis pag pinasabog kayang kumalat sa isang iglap sa buong mundo; ang WMD's sa isang lugar lang ang perwisyo.
3. Ang tsismis pag lumala pwedeng maging dahilan ng hiwalayan ng mag-asawa. Ang WMD's hinde!
4. Ang kaalaman mo tungkol sa isang tsismis ikinakalat. Ang WMD's hinde!
5. Pag ikaw ang natsismis matagalan ang sakit at para kang naglalakad na walang ulo. Pag tinamaan ka ng WMD isang sakit lang wala lahat pati katawan.
6. Ang tsismis ginagawa din ng mga matitino. Ang WMD hinde!
7. Ang tsismis ginagawa kahit saan sa simbahan man o eskwelahan. Ang WMD hindi ule!
8. Ang tsismis ginagawa mo-ko-natin. Ang WMD hindi...malay ba nating gumawa nun.
9. Ang tsismis kayang magpaanak ng nagtanan pa lang. Ang WMD hinde.
Marami pa sana akong sasabihin kaso baka i-tsismis mo na ko eh. Kaya hanggang diyan nalang muna. Tandaan lang natin mga "kabaggis" (kapatid sa Tagalog) ang tanong na 'to sa tuwing mangangati ang dila natin at gusto nating i-kwento ang buhay ni KWAN kay ANO...Sasaya ka ba kung ikaw naman ang pagtsitsismisan? Kung hindi, 'WAG. Kung oo, GO!
Lika konti pa. May ibubulong ako sa'yo.
Ang tsismis daw malalala pa sa weapons of mass destruction ni Saddam. Ang tsismis daw kayang hatiin ang dagat katulad ni Moises. Eh panong mangyayari yun e di ba salita lang naman yun! E pano ka naman papatayin ng salita katulad ng weapons of mass destruction ni saddam? O kaya paano magagawa ng salitang papangyarihin ang imposible katulad ni Moises?
Ano ka ba? Tanong ka ng tanong ...
Ang tsismis ay malala pa sa WMD ni Saddam kase:
1. Ang tsismis pumapatay ng dangal na sang-ayon sa karamihan ay mas mahalaga pa sa buhay na kaya namang wasakin ng WMD's.
2. Ang isang tsismis pag pinasabog kayang kumalat sa isang iglap sa buong mundo; ang WMD's sa isang lugar lang ang perwisyo.
3. Ang tsismis pag lumala pwedeng maging dahilan ng hiwalayan ng mag-asawa. Ang WMD's hinde!
4. Ang kaalaman mo tungkol sa isang tsismis ikinakalat. Ang WMD's hinde!
5. Pag ikaw ang natsismis matagalan ang sakit at para kang naglalakad na walang ulo. Pag tinamaan ka ng WMD isang sakit lang wala lahat pati katawan.
6. Ang tsismis ginagawa din ng mga matitino. Ang WMD hinde!
7. Ang tsismis ginagawa kahit saan sa simbahan man o eskwelahan. Ang WMD hindi ule!
8. Ang tsismis ginagawa mo-ko-natin. Ang WMD hindi...malay ba nating gumawa nun.
9. Ang tsismis kayang magpaanak ng nagtanan pa lang. Ang WMD hinde.
Marami pa sana akong sasabihin kaso baka i-tsismis mo na ko eh. Kaya hanggang diyan nalang muna. Tandaan lang natin mga "kabaggis" (kapatid sa Tagalog) ang tanong na 'to sa tuwing mangangati ang dila natin at gusto nating i-kwento ang buhay ni KWAN kay ANO...Sasaya ka ba kung ikaw naman ang pagtsitsismisan? Kung hindi, 'WAG. Kung oo, GO!
Lika konti pa. May ibubulong ako sa'yo.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Imbiyerna
Sabi ko na nga ba dapat 'di nalang sana ako nanood ng Marimar. Kaimbiyernang sobra.
Biruin mo puring-puri ko pa naman ang direktor kasi at least na di pinagmumukhang tanga ang mga tao kasi ba naman sa unang pagkakaton sana e may bida sa pinoy telenovela na hindi engot. Biruin mo sa maikling panahon nakapaghiganti siya ng sobra. At sobrang saya ako noon hindi dahil fan ako ni Marimar o Sergio o ng isang kinopyang palabas. Masayang masaya ako kase sa wakas nakalabas na sa kahon ang soap operang pinoy! Sabi ko grabe ok 'to kasi di na stereotypical ang dating kung saan lagi nalang tanga ang mga bida. Pero ayun nga nagkamali uli ako. Ngayon ayan naman ang bidang si Marimar na lula at utuin....
Naisip ko tuloy ganyan talaga siguro ang mundo. Sabi nga ni Naomi sa Matrix nung tinanong siya ni Morpheus "some things change some things don't." At sa kaso ng pinoy soap opera hindi na nga siguro mababago ang stereotype na bida---sampalin, tadyakin, utuin at engot. Naisip ko rin na talaga sigurong may mga bagay na di na mabubura sa isip at gawi nating mga pinoy. Kapag pulis, buwaya. Kapag inglisera, magaling. Kapag titser, may salamin. Pag pari, mabait. Pag Atenista, sosyal. Pag UP, radikal at pag presidente, madaya!
Pero 'di ba kayo nababato sa ganun? Di ba tayo nasusuya sa paulit-ulit na parang kapalaran na ngang matatawag na mga bagay na katulad ng mga bida at kontra-bida sa mga teleserye at telenovela?
Ako kasi bagot na!
Sana makakita ako ng telenovela na--- bidang lasenggero't matalino na konting kanti lang ng kontrabida e ubusan na ng lahi ang labanan; pulis na di abusado na laging nandiyan pag kailangan; bangkong nagpapautang sa super babang interes; mga pulitikong honest at sincere sa mga pangako nila; mga estudyanteng magalang at titser na di na kailangang magtinda ng tocino at rumaket sa xerox para mapagkasya ang kita; at mga mayayamang kumakalinga sa mahihirap at mga mahihirap na di tamad at talagang nagsusumikap.
Gusto ko na ng ibang telenovela!
Biruin mo puring-puri ko pa naman ang direktor kasi at least na di pinagmumukhang tanga ang mga tao kasi ba naman sa unang pagkakaton sana e may bida sa pinoy telenovela na hindi engot. Biruin mo sa maikling panahon nakapaghiganti siya ng sobra. At sobrang saya ako noon hindi dahil fan ako ni Marimar o Sergio o ng isang kinopyang palabas. Masayang masaya ako kase sa wakas nakalabas na sa kahon ang soap operang pinoy! Sabi ko grabe ok 'to kasi di na stereotypical ang dating kung saan lagi nalang tanga ang mga bida. Pero ayun nga nagkamali uli ako. Ngayon ayan naman ang bidang si Marimar na lula at utuin....
Naisip ko tuloy ganyan talaga siguro ang mundo. Sabi nga ni Naomi sa Matrix nung tinanong siya ni Morpheus "some things change some things don't." At sa kaso ng pinoy soap opera hindi na nga siguro mababago ang stereotype na bida---sampalin, tadyakin, utuin at engot. Naisip ko rin na talaga sigurong may mga bagay na di na mabubura sa isip at gawi nating mga pinoy. Kapag pulis, buwaya. Kapag inglisera, magaling. Kapag titser, may salamin. Pag pari, mabait. Pag Atenista, sosyal. Pag UP, radikal at pag presidente, madaya!
Pero 'di ba kayo nababato sa ganun? Di ba tayo nasusuya sa paulit-ulit na parang kapalaran na ngang matatawag na mga bagay na katulad ng mga bida at kontra-bida sa mga teleserye at telenovela?
Ako kasi bagot na!
Sana makakita ako ng telenovela na--- bidang lasenggero't matalino na konting kanti lang ng kontrabida e ubusan na ng lahi ang labanan; pulis na di abusado na laging nandiyan pag kailangan; bangkong nagpapautang sa super babang interes; mga pulitikong honest at sincere sa mga pangako nila; mga estudyanteng magalang at titser na di na kailangang magtinda ng tocino at rumaket sa xerox para mapagkasya ang kita; at mga mayayamang kumakalinga sa mahihirap at mga mahihirap na di tamad at talagang nagsusumikap.
Gusto ko na ng ibang telenovela!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Tabletang Katol
Nakakaasar! Gustung-gusto kong magreview para sa exam ko sa Negotiable Instruments Law pero malamok. Isang litro na yata nasipsip ng mga lintek sa binti ko. Lilipat ako pero para silang mga heat-seeking missiles na kahit saang lungga ako magtago eh nakikita 'ko. Naisip ko tuloy ba't kaya di nalang makaimbento o makaisip ang mga tao ng mga ganitong bagay kontra pesteng lamok:
1. Tableta na gawa sa katol na prescribed by doctors. Pag ininom mo eh fully-protected ka dahil pag sumipsip ang lamok ng dugo mo ay tepok sila.
2 Isang malaking kulambo sakop ang buong 'pinas para di sila makapasok
3. Laslasin ang pulso (salitan ang bawat miyembro ng pamilya) at ipunin sa mangkok ang dugo para dun nalang sila sisipsip.
4. Pasalihin sila sa relihiyong 'di kumakain ng dugo (pasintabi po sa mga relihiyong may ganitong paniniwala...hindi po layunin ng sumulat na manira o mangutya o anupaman).
5. Magbreed nalang ng mga lamok na lalaki at tomboy kasi'y mga babaeng lamok lang naman ang nangangagat.
Hay...ibang klase talaga pag ako ang na-badtrip. Kung anu-ano ang pumapasok sa kukote ko.Pero talagang lintek lang ang walang ganti pag bumagsak ako bukas sa exam. Sukdulang di na 'ko mag-law matupad lang ang mga bagay na nabanggit ko na yan at mga maiisip ko pa 'pag nagkataon.
1. Tableta na gawa sa katol na prescribed by doctors. Pag ininom mo eh fully-protected ka dahil pag sumipsip ang lamok ng dugo mo ay tepok sila.
2 Isang malaking kulambo sakop ang buong 'pinas para di sila makapasok
3. Laslasin ang pulso (salitan ang bawat miyembro ng pamilya) at ipunin sa mangkok ang dugo para dun nalang sila sisipsip.
4. Pasalihin sila sa relihiyong 'di kumakain ng dugo (pasintabi po sa mga relihiyong may ganitong paniniwala...hindi po layunin ng sumulat na manira o mangutya o anupaman).
5. Magbreed nalang ng mga lamok na lalaki at tomboy kasi'y mga babaeng lamok lang naman ang nangangagat.
Hay...ibang klase talaga pag ako ang na-badtrip. Kung anu-ano ang pumapasok sa kukote ko.Pero talagang lintek lang ang walang ganti pag bumagsak ako bukas sa exam. Sukdulang di na 'ko mag-law matupad lang ang mga bagay na nabanggit ko na yan at mga maiisip ko pa 'pag nagkataon.
Isang pag-amin
Hindi ko gawi na maglantad ng aking baraha... Kadalasan pinipili kong maigi ang mga bagay na lalabas sa 'king bibig at mga salitang aking isusulat dahil batid ko kung gaano kapanira ang mga salitang binibitiwan ng basta-basta na lang.
Sa pagitan ng katotohanan at pagmamahal para sa isang kaibigan, ano ang dapat na panindigan? Dapat bang lambungan ng pinagsamahan ang katotohanan o ipagkait sa katotohanan ang liwanag alang-alang sa pagkakaibigan? Ganito ang sitwasyon ng buhay. Kailangang mamimili. Kailangan itakwil ang isa para sa isang bagay na mas mahalaga.
Ganito ang sitwasyon ko ngayon.
Sa pagitan ng katotohanan at pagmamahal para sa isang kaibigan, ano ang dapat na panindigan? Dapat bang lambungan ng pinagsamahan ang katotohanan o ipagkait sa katotohanan ang liwanag alang-alang sa pagkakaibigan? Ganito ang sitwasyon ng buhay. Kailangang mamimili. Kailangan itakwil ang isa para sa isang bagay na mas mahalaga.
Ganito ang sitwasyon ko ngayon.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Boring Magturo
Kahapon, umatend ako ng miting sa DO. Mga ilang oras ang nakalipas dumating si Jerwin, isang schoolmate, isang kaibigan noong ako'y nakikipagbuno pa sa CLSU. Sa pag-uusap namin, nalaman namin na iisa pala ang nararamdaman namin sa aming propesyon bilang titser sa ngayon...Parehas kaming nakararamdam ng pagsasawa sa paulit-ulit naming ginagawa...gising.kain.linis.pasok.pirma.turo.galit.turo.turo.pirma.rekord.basa.tulog.gising.... "Badtrip na 'ko pare,paulit-ulit nalang" sabi namin sa isa't-isa.
Natapos ang miting, pumasok ako sa klase at nagturo.Dipa ko kumakain n'on mga bandang alas-dos na ng hapon. Naupo ako pagkatapos kong ibaba ang bag(sa araw-araw kase na ginawa ni Lord para kong magha-hiking sa kung saan) at isang aklat sa Law. Minasdan ko lang sila...mga estudyante..nag-uusap, nagkakaladyaan, nakaupo, nakatayo, nakalinga sa kung saan, nakatingin sa akin. Ewan ko ba...pero bigla akong napaisip. "Ano kaya kung layasan ko nalang mga 'to? Ano kaya kung tumigil na nga ako sa pagtuturo? Ano kaya kung humanap nalang ako ng trabaho?" "Oo nga...tutal parang wala namang nangyayari sa ginagawa ko." dugtong pa ng isip ko.
Kinagabihan, mga alas-otso, sa klase namin sa Administrative Law.Sisibat na sana muli ang isang ideya sa isip ko ng nag-vibrate ang aking cellphone....
1 message received...isang text mula sa estudyante---
" sir, gud pm po...tnx po talaga sa inyo...sa suporta...sa lahat...kayo po talaga ang nagpapatibay ng loob ko. tnx po uli..tnx po."
Napaisip ako. Hindi yun ang unang pagkakataon na makatanggap ako ng message na ganung tipo, sa katunayan marami-rami na rin nga sila.Pero, ngayon ko lang kasi naramdaman ang pagkabagot sa buhay-titser. Kaya siguro iba ang dating.
Kinaumagahan. Sa pagharap ko sa salamin, napangiti ako sabay nabanggit "sige nakakabagot man pero itutuloy ko pa ring magturo."
Natapos ang miting, pumasok ako sa klase at nagturo.Dipa ko kumakain n'on mga bandang alas-dos na ng hapon. Naupo ako pagkatapos kong ibaba ang bag(sa araw-araw kase na ginawa ni Lord para kong magha-hiking sa kung saan) at isang aklat sa Law. Minasdan ko lang sila...mga estudyante..nag-uusap, nagkakaladyaan, nakaupo, nakatayo, nakalinga sa kung saan, nakatingin sa akin. Ewan ko ba...pero bigla akong napaisip. "Ano kaya kung layasan ko nalang mga 'to? Ano kaya kung tumigil na nga ako sa pagtuturo? Ano kaya kung humanap nalang ako ng trabaho?" "Oo nga...tutal parang wala namang nangyayari sa ginagawa ko." dugtong pa ng isip ko.
Kinagabihan, mga alas-otso, sa klase namin sa Administrative Law.Sisibat na sana muli ang isang ideya sa isip ko ng nag-vibrate ang aking cellphone....
1 message received...isang text mula sa estudyante---
" sir, gud pm po...tnx po talaga sa inyo...sa suporta...sa lahat...kayo po talaga ang nagpapatibay ng loob ko. tnx po uli..tnx po."
Napaisip ako. Hindi yun ang unang pagkakataon na makatanggap ako ng message na ganung tipo, sa katunayan marami-rami na rin nga sila.Pero, ngayon ko lang kasi naramdaman ang pagkabagot sa buhay-titser. Kaya siguro iba ang dating.
Kinaumagahan. Sa pagharap ko sa salamin, napangiti ako sabay nabanggit "sige nakakabagot man pero itutuloy ko pa ring magturo."
Thursday, January 17, 2008
nagkukubli sa ngiti ng liwanag
nagkukubli sa ngiti ng liwanag ang mga abo ng kahapon
pinipilit kaligtaan ang sulyap ng nakalipas at pagmulat ng hikbi sa dibdib nitong punyal
marahan, pumapatak, dumadaloy ang dugo mula sa ugat ng panahon
inaasam, ninanasa na makamit ang pagsibol ng mga punlang huling alay
sa aking pagtahak sa konkretong pasilyo ng alab at dalita'y
pumapagkit sa aking mga paa niig ng dugo't lupa.
mainit yaong bunga, pumupunit sa laman ng katawang lupa.
bumibigay na ang isip sa pagpupunyaging giliw
said na ang pag-asa
at lakas'y lumisan na.
"wala na ngang bukas"wika ng kanluraning hangin
at sumang-ayon na rin nga, bagaman pikit-mata,ang huni ng mga alon.
ngunit, ang puso'y may piglas sa kalagayan ng mga bagay
may impit sa kanyang pintig
may bulwak pa sa pagbuga
iniluluwang buong pilit kumpol ng dugong patay
kapara'y lason sa sistema...
(itutuloy...)
pinipilit kaligtaan ang sulyap ng nakalipas at pagmulat ng hikbi sa dibdib nitong punyal
marahan, pumapatak, dumadaloy ang dugo mula sa ugat ng panahon
inaasam, ninanasa na makamit ang pagsibol ng mga punlang huling alay
sa aking pagtahak sa konkretong pasilyo ng alab at dalita'y
pumapagkit sa aking mga paa niig ng dugo't lupa.
mainit yaong bunga, pumupunit sa laman ng katawang lupa.
bumibigay na ang isip sa pagpupunyaging giliw
said na ang pag-asa
at lakas'y lumisan na.
"wala na ngang bukas"wika ng kanluraning hangin
at sumang-ayon na rin nga, bagaman pikit-mata,ang huni ng mga alon.
ngunit, ang puso'y may piglas sa kalagayan ng mga bagay
may impit sa kanyang pintig
may bulwak pa sa pagbuga
iniluluwang buong pilit kumpol ng dugong patay
kapara'y lason sa sistema...
(itutuloy...)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The Untamed...The Prehistoric.../published in the Greenleaf
With fast-paced, rapid change in technology, many educators including myself are caught off-guard and tongue-tied, oftentimes. In a world where the web is not just for spiders, where a folder is not just for papers, where mouse doesn't have tail and is merely left alone by cats because in the first place they can't eat it, and surfing means you have to stay at home or in an air-conditioned room...teachers, many teachers are usually regarded as somewhat pre-historic and untamed by the young generation. This is not a joke but a fact of life. And does it not ring a bell?
Once I went to attend a training with a handful of eager teachers. There I met a guy, an old guy--Mr. P_. Wearing well-pressed black trousers and pink polo shirt, Mr P_ went inside the air-conditioned room. He pulled a chair and sat in front of a PC right at the center isle of the training room. He looked around. He saw me and some of the other guys. He smiled at me and I returned the favor. And so the training began and out came the lecturer firing words ala AK-47... to be continued
Once I went to attend a training with a handful of eager teachers. There I met a guy, an old guy--Mr. P_. Wearing well-pressed black trousers and pink polo shirt, Mr P_ went inside the air-conditioned room. He pulled a chair and sat in front of a PC right at the center isle of the training room. He looked around. He saw me and some of the other guys. He smiled at me and I returned the favor. And so the training began and out came the lecturer firing words ala AK-47... to be continued
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
ukol sa masining na duelo ng dalawang higante
Ilang linggo na rin tayong binubuliglig ng mga humpay na palitan ng patudsada ng dalawang higanteng estasyon sa telebisyon--ang abs-cbn at gma7. Sa maghapon kong pagtatrabaho, sa totoo lang, ayoko ng makita pa ang remote control. Simple lang kung bakit. Sawa na ako sa patuloy na paglilinis ng kamay na paulit ulit din namn nilang dinudumihan sa pamamagitan ng pagbabatuhan nila ng putik sa isa't-isa. This battle of words that is raging on between these tv stations has become a big disappointment. I thought our television stations are responsible. I simply thought they are different. I was wrong.
Let me explain my side.
Media is first and foremost a public service rather than a business enterprise. As such, television networks and all other media organizations for that matter have the obligation to serve the public selflessly. It is their duty to uphold what is true and factual not from the perspective of a handful of self-serving interests and think-tanks they call as masters and gatekeepers but from the perspective of sincere and honest reportage. Beyond the call of pockets,therefore, comes the call for the truth--the very reason why people have use for media, in the first place. Sadly, these stations have been feeding the mouths of the masses with their perceived and convenient truth and facts. This, I think, is a mark of decadent mass media system.
From the context of these two rivals, media is no longer "mass media" BUT media for the preservation of pride and gains and the annihilation of an enemy. Perhaps, they are losing sight of the essence of what makes journalism a noble cause to pursue--rendering selfless service to the people and the perpetual obsession for the naked truth.
Their actions present a daring paradox. Previously, they were among those that/who reminded the people not to become willing prey for the glorious supper of a vicious predator they call "trial by publicity". They were fierce and aggressive in this call against it. But now, everything is different. What at stake now is no longer the seat of a president who allegedly plundered from public coffer. What at stake now is the business interest of these two Goliaths. And, still they are fierce and aggressive but not on how to kill "trial by publicity" but on how they can stealthily and cleverly use it to crush and send the other Goliath to the far-reaches of the abyss.
I think one or two official statement/s from each network will be enough to state their respective case. Exhausting all corporate resources to kill the other network is unwarranted, in fact senseless. Stupid and dumb the people are not. We are thinking organisms. You need not feed our mouths with your carefully-phrased words. For God's sake you need not do that. You are insulting us.
Para sa isang karaniwang empleyado at mamamayang tulad ko--korte ang wastong lugar upang magsiwalat at magbunyag ng mga pinaniniwalaan ninyong katotohanan. Yaman din lamang at naihain niyo na ang inyong mga argumento sa hukuman, maari ba..please lang tumigil na kayo. Your actions are devouring the tender minds of the young people. Your publicity gimmicks incite them to think illogically like you do.
Yes, it is but permissible for each network to protect their interests but achieving that at the expense of innocent people is totally uncalled for.
Live up to your creed as journalists.
Let me explain my side.
Media is first and foremost a public service rather than a business enterprise. As such, television networks and all other media organizations for that matter have the obligation to serve the public selflessly. It is their duty to uphold what is true and factual not from the perspective of a handful of self-serving interests and think-tanks they call as masters and gatekeepers but from the perspective of sincere and honest reportage. Beyond the call of pockets,therefore, comes the call for the truth--the very reason why people have use for media, in the first place. Sadly, these stations have been feeding the mouths of the masses with their perceived and convenient truth and facts. This, I think, is a mark of decadent mass media system.
From the context of these two rivals, media is no longer "mass media" BUT media for the preservation of pride and gains and the annihilation of an enemy. Perhaps, they are losing sight of the essence of what makes journalism a noble cause to pursue--rendering selfless service to the people and the perpetual obsession for the naked truth.
Their actions present a daring paradox. Previously, they were among those that/who reminded the people not to become willing prey for the glorious supper of a vicious predator they call "trial by publicity". They were fierce and aggressive in this call against it. But now, everything is different. What at stake now is no longer the seat of a president who allegedly plundered from public coffer. What at stake now is the business interest of these two Goliaths. And, still they are fierce and aggressive but not on how to kill "trial by publicity" but on how they can stealthily and cleverly use it to crush and send the other Goliath to the far-reaches of the abyss.
I think one or two official statement/s from each network will be enough to state their respective case. Exhausting all corporate resources to kill the other network is unwarranted, in fact senseless. Stupid and dumb the people are not. We are thinking organisms. You need not feed our mouths with your carefully-phrased words. For God's sake you need not do that. You are insulting us.
Para sa isang karaniwang empleyado at mamamayang tulad ko--korte ang wastong lugar upang magsiwalat at magbunyag ng mga pinaniniwalaan ninyong katotohanan. Yaman din lamang at naihain niyo na ang inyong mga argumento sa hukuman, maari ba..please lang tumigil na kayo. Your actions are devouring the tender minds of the young people. Your publicity gimmicks incite them to think illogically like you do.
Yes, it is but permissible for each network to protect their interests but achieving that at the expense of innocent people is totally uncalled for.
Live up to your creed as journalists.
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