Just a Little Respect

They say that honesty is still the best policy. Well, I must agree with that. Early on, I have decided that I would like to be honest and transparent with all of my students and I did.

I showed them the real me, I guess, too much of the “real me. I have forgotten I was “just” their teacher. I have expected so much and that was why I got disappointed. I thought I could make them realized things fast enough. I just realized it also took me a while before I understood the importance of education.

After I graduated from High School, I continued studying for only one semester and then I stopped for three semesters because I was already working. It was then, that I realized how important education is.

When I have started feeling disappointments that’s when I knew, I did something wrong. Probably, I was just too naïve or too idealistic to admit that I am not as efficient and as effective as I want me to be (yet). Or probably, my husband’s correct, I have expected so much from them.

Am I asking too much from them? I only wanted respect. Sometimes it’s easy to say we respect someone but it’s hard to show it. Sometimes, just listening while I am discussing is more than enough.

Not everyone is going to know how to appreciate everything you've done for them. You have to figure out who's worth your kindness.

Making a Difference

I received an SMS from one of my co-teachers last night asking me to prepare some "words of wisdom" for today's meeting with the Parents. We have scheduled a meeting for the parents of our students who deserve "more attention" than the rest of them.

I would like these parents to know that their children are special in every way. They may be "causing troubles" sometimes but they still need attention and care. I also felt, we as their teachers, still need to make a difference to each of these students.

Whenever I would think of making a difference, one story would always come to my mind. I have heard this story long time ago, and I thought I could still use this story this time.

A friend of mine was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset. As he walked along, he began to see another man in the distance. As he grew nearer, he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up and throwing it out into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things out into the ocean.

As my friend approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had washed up on the beach, and, one at a time, he was throwing them back into the water.

My friend was puzzled. He approached the man and said. "Good evening, friend. I was wondering what you are doing."

"I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide right now and all of these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they'll die up here from lack of oxygen."

"I understand," my friend replied, "but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many. And don't you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can't you see that you can't possibly make a difference?"

The local native smiled, bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he replied, "Made a difference to that one!"

We should never cease making a difference, the world may not notice it, but making a difference to someone's life can go a long way.

Welcome to Blogspot

Two years after graduating from College, one of my best buddies asked me to teach in Indonesia, but it didn't happen. Year 2009, I saw an ads that one of the schools in our place was in need of a teacher. I tried to apply, I was offered the job but I did not take it.

Year 2010, I finally landed in a teaching job. It was indeed a dream come true. Now, I am writing this post for my students who might be reading my blog. I have asked them to create their own blogs because I want them to try something else and to experience the fun and excitement (and probably, earn) in blogging.

So guys, I will be waiting for the links for your blogsites. :)

11.11.11

From horror stories to movie title and to being the lucky number for gamblers, 11.11.11 have different meanings.  And lucky for me,that day had been very significant.

11.11.11 marked one of the highlights of my new career.


August 2011, we received an invitation from STI for their "2nd Voice of the Youth Oratorical Competition", with the theme "Rediscovering Filipino Values. I see. I act. I advocate.


Our principal showed me the letter and entrusted me to take charge of the preparation for the competition.

I have chosen my student, Jhune Perez, to be our representative. He appears to be a timid boy for me; and he may not have the most wonderful voice in the class but I saw the potential in him.

The Pre-contest was held. From 40 schools, we're trimmed down to 15 participants.

The date for the competition on the Divisional Level was set, 11.11.11. It was held in Gaisano Mall Activity Center here in Kalibo, Aklan. We were all nervous in the place, plus the Aircon worked to make our feet colder..


I have heard 15 high school students speaking their minds out through the art of public speaking. They had their messages heard. I just hope the whole Philippines could have heard them speak!



The program started at 1:00 pm and ended at 5:00 pm. The final announcement was said. Congratulations to the winners!

I have always believed that excellence in not being the best but doing your very best in everything. The battle's half won, just by joining alone. We may not have won the competition but we have learned a lot.

I will be looking forward to joining more competitions like that.

The Pleasure is Mine

Last week my principal handed me over a letter personally written by her. I thought, it was some kind of personal message about wishing me well or asking what I did during semestral break.

When I opened the letter I found out that she patiently copied all the comments of my students from the evaluation that the HR and the administration did last month.

I was just glad to know where I was standing with my students. Their comments also made me inspired and helped me put my perspective back.



I was also grateful to know that my Principal is proud of me and would like to keep me in her team. Knowing that you are appreciated means a lot. However, I have always worked with one thing in mind. Honoring and pleasing but an audience of One.

Follow Your Road

I was checking out YouTube and saw this video. One of my favourite songs. I really like the lyrics of this song. It reminds me of the things that happened to me not so long ago.

When I went to Singapore, I actually had the times of my life.

In there, I had all the time in the world. I could go home at 12 midnight not worrying if my kids have already eaten or that my husband would reprimand me for coming home late. I could eat at any restaurant that I would like to try. Buy probably the things that I could not afford when I was just working here in the Philippines.

But, all the while God was dealing with me. He was teaching me things I could not have comprehended had I not went abroad.

Honestly, when I have decided to go back here in the Philippines I was a bit afraid. I do not know what lies ahead. I never wanted to go back working in a Call Center. I know it pays well, but I want to work somewhere else.

If you really follow God's plan everything will work out fine. As what the Bible says,

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

God's leading was that I have to go back home. I am glad I obeyed.

I never imagined that God would allow these things to happen in my life. I believe that I am now where God would like me to be. I have a wonderful job, I get to sleep with my family every night, God allowed me to study again for a better career, and He allowed me to be a part of the ministry in the Church. I may not have the money now to buy everything I wanted, but God provided me with everything that I will need.

We just have to follow the road where God is leading us and everything will work out fine.

Follow Your Road

With so many roads
that seem to lead
down to the sea
I wonder which road
will be the right
one for me

others may fall away,
dead ending left and right
but there is this one road
that journeys far out of sight
Have you wondered where
your road will lead you?

maybe to a bright day of sunshine
or a starry night in heaven
or it might be you're afraid to go
afraid to go, but you've got
to follow your road or you'll
never know never know

we are all but travellers
living in a foreign land
trying to find our way
the best as we can
looking for an answer trying
to find some way

though we have journeyed
far it's not quite far enough
have you wondered where
your road will lead you
maybe to a song that needs singing
or summer rain (don't be afraid to go)

or it might be afraid to go,
afraid to go
You got to follow your road
or you'll never know


(Chorus)
you got to follow your road,
follow your road,
follow your road
you got to follow your road,
follow your road,
follow your road
you got to follow your road,
follow your road,
follow your road
and maybe someday your road
will take you far away

you know when you will find it
and someday you will get there
don't give up

Real Learning

Our principal called me the other day to tell me that one of my students in my Values Class came into her office to talk to her.

Our Principal told me that she was so proud because we are able to successfully let the students imbibe the lessons well.

The last topic on our Values class was the lesson on “Bayan Muna, Bago Sarili.” I talked about the importance of loving our country and tried to make them realize that we, the Filipinos, should care for our country, otherwise nobody else will. We could not expect the foreigners to care for our country.

I also made mention about the flag in our school. I noticed that our flag was torn so I asked the office to request for a replacement. However, the replacement has not arrived yet. I told them seeing our torn flag, also torn me apart.



I told my students to respect our flag and to sing our National Anthem with all of their hearts.

I also told them my experience when I went to Singapore. I felt that my love for our country increased when I went abroad. I told them my experience when the hostage taking of the foreigners from HongKong happened. I was inside the MRT and I called my husband to tell me the updates. I was crying inside the train as I hear the news. I immediately called one of my church mates and asked her to pray with me right that moment.


While my husband was telling the updates, I was having a different vision. All I can see was our map and it's being stabbed to death. I hope that every Filipino will think first before we act, especially if it is something that could affect our country.

It was the same day when my student talked to our Principal. She talked to her and asked her about the flag. She said that she was so touched by our topic and would like to help in any way possible, even if it means she/they will buy the new flag. She said, she could no longer bear seeing our torn flag as well. This is the real essence of learning.

Learning is not a noun but a verb; because true learning should push us to act.