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.

My Teacher, My Hero

I found out that the Department of Education will be having its month-long celebration of Teacher's Month this whole month of September and October 5th will be the World Teacher's Day.



I had my favorite teachers when I was growing up, from my elementary teachers, to my college teachers. They were my favorite teachers for different reasons.



It was only when I started teaching that I realized that being a teacher is not an easy job. I have been with different companies before and I have tried different jobs but this one is different. This is something that you will do because you have heard the "call".



I am actually telling my co-teachers that I would like to stick to this job because I really feel that I am called to be a teacher. God willing I will have my license someday. :)



I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of my teachers who helped me along the way. I really appreciate their effort in making a difference in my life.



I asked my students to make their "thank you" letters last week. I told them that the best way they can thank their teachers is to show them how much they are appreciated.



I also got a lot of "thank you" letters from my students. Reading each letter is worthwhile than actually receiving your salary. :)



Happy teacher's month to all teachers!

Day to Day

Whenever I would have the chance to blog, I would always say that I am too busy, and I am. I thank the Lord for all the works that He has given me.



For the record, I would like to post my daily schedule here on my blog.



My Monday to Friday schedule

4:30 A.M. - wake up early to pray and then review my lessons for the day.

5:30 A.M. - start preparation for the day. Hubby will cook the breakfast while I prepare Seandy for his school.

6:45 A.M. - ready to go to school. Hubby will drop me off to my school, then our son, Seandy.

7:00 A.M. - First subject.

11:00 A.M. - Eat lunch then prepare to attend to my class in TECP. (units for education)

12:00 NN - My Educational Technology class

12:45 P.M. - Return to my teaching classes.

1:00 P.M - Start of my afternoon session class.

3:00 P.M. - End of my classes. Time to attend to other matters like checking paper, talking to students, etc.

4:00 P.M. - Off to church for my prayer time.

5:00 P.M. - Off to Aklan College to attend to my Developmental Class

6:00 P.M. - Off to church again to attend Dusk Watch (Bible Study)

7:00 P.M. - Hubby will fetch me up at church to finally go home. As soon as I arrive home, I will open the computer, help my kids with their homework then will have our dinner. Around 9:00 P.M., will wash the kids up to prepare them for bed. Go back to computer to do some homework, do my lesson plan, and research for the next day's lessons. Will then sleep at around 11:00 P.M. and the cycle goes on.



Saturday morning at around 7:00 A.M. will go to church to attend our Morning Watch. Will stay in church up to 11:00 A.M. to prepare some things needed for the next day Sunday Service. Otherwise, after 9:00 A.M. will go to school to do some stuff again.



Sunday morning, have to wake up at around 6:30 A.M. to prepare to go to church early for our devotion. Sunday service schedule is 9:30 to 11:30 A.M. After church will go my father in law's house to have our lunch. Will go home at around 3:00 P.M.



Time to take a rest for a bit. Then be ready for another week the next day.



I may be too busy, but I am not complaining. God has been so kind to me to give me all these responsibilities. :)

The Time is Now

The last post on this blog was the speech that I made for our Buwan ng Wika celebration. Now, I am posting another speech that I made that my student will use in an Oratorical Contest that he will be joining.



This is written in a point of view of a youth.

First week of August 2011, the world was taken aback by the turn of events that took place in London, the capital of Britain. It was branded as Britain’s worst rioting, at least in my generation. It is not that riots are unheard of nowadays, but what caught my attention was that these riots were facilitated by the youths. As reported by the news, most of the looters and vandals are under 20 years of age – purely hooliganism?



As I watch the news unfold day by day, I could not help but think and wonder. According to Dr. Jose Rizal, youth is the hope of our nation. Success lies in the hand of every youth. Whatever happened to these hopes of the nation?

Am I focusing too much on the negative? On the contrary, I would like to think I am very positive. Elementary Science taught me that the very first step in solving the problem is to know the problem. Recognizing the root cause helps a lot in prevention.



Our parents are working hard for us, every drop of their sweat and blood is for our future, but did we ever give attention to these? All we ever have to do is to finish our studies and be a good person in order to return their sacrifices for us. Yes, it is their responsibility to care for us, to ensure that we are given proper education and our needs are provided, but are we worthy enough of their sacrifices? Now is the time to see.



I can still vividly remember the words of our dear President Benigno Aquino III on his State of the Nation Address few months back. He raised a question for every one of us to answer. Using his exact words he asked, “Hindi ba tayo nagagalak, Filipino tayong nabubuhay sa ganitong panahon?” I am a youth of today’s generation. I AM the hope of the nation.



When I was younger, I admire other nationalities. I look at their skin, their height, their eyes and I would feel inferior. I often times imagine how my life would be if I were not born a Filipino. Would I think differently? Talk differently? Reason differently? As years go by, I gradually discover how great the Filipinos are. This realization brought me to my senses. I am a Filipino. God made me a Filipino. Therefore, I am great! I must act.



We may not be rich but our values speak about who we truly are. As I look and observe around, good things are enfolding. I can see that there is really hope. We can now feel the rising of the explosive and talented new breed of Filipinos. How can I be complacent when my teachers are pushing me to excel in everything? How can I not care, if even just the way we hold the flag is being scrutinized? How can I not succeed if they see only the very best in me?



The values that the adults are now passing on to the youth are so much and so strong to be forgotten, to be ignored. The adults are opening my eyes to see what a Filipino youth should be like - one that is pushed to the height for my country. I am entrusted to raise our Race.



The Philippines, has slept enough. I can now imagine the times when other countries would look up to us, when other nationalities would envy us and wish they were born Filipinos.



We should never lose our hope. As William Carey said, “Attempt great things, dream great things.”



If Rizal is living today, if he can see the unstoppable change that is happening to the youths, I know he would be able to say that he was right and glad that the time has finally come for the sun to rise again in the East.



As the hope of the nation, I am committed to the advocacy for the good of our country. My dear fellow youths, it is time to wake up. It is never too late, now is the time for us to do the responsibilities that are given to us. Now is the time to prove that we, the youths, are the fruits of the past, handlers of the present, and the designers of the future. This is the time for us to make a difference.

Buwan ng Wika

We will be celebrating our "Buwan ng Wika" on August 26, 2011. The theme for this year is "Ang Wikang Filipino ay Wikang Panlahat; Ilaw at Lakas sa Tuwid na Landas."



I would like to share the "talumpati" that one of my students will be delivering in the said event:

“ Ang Filipino ay Wikang Panlahat, Ilaw at Lakas sa Tuwid na Landas “



Ang Proklamasyon Blg. 1041 ay nagpapahayag ng taunang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa tuwing Agosto. Ngayong taong ito ipinagdiriwang nating muli ang Buwan ng Wika na may temang, “Ang Filipino ay Wikang Panlahat, Ilaw at Lakas sa Tuwid na Landas.”



Ano nga ba ang koneksyon ng wika sa ating buhay? Marami nang pinagdaanan ang ating wikang Pambansa. Gaya ng ating buhay, ang mga Filipino ay marami na rin naranasan sa nakaraan.



Bata pa lamang ako ay naririnig ko na ang mga katagang ito: “Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa ang amoy sa mabahong isda.” Paulit ulit naming itong binabanggit sa paaralan. Marahil na rin siguro sa paniniwala nang aming mga guro na ang isang bagay kapag paulit ulit mong sinabi o ginawa ay magiging parte na ito ng iyong pag-uugali - magiging parte ng iyong pagkatao.



Si Jose Rizal, sa kanya nagmula ang mga katagang ito. Siya rin ang kauna-unahang tao na tumawag at gumamit ng salitang “Filipino” upang ipagkahulugan sa mga taong naninirahan sa ating bayan. Di nga ba’t Indio ang tawag sa atin noon ng mga Espanol?



Ano nga ba ang Filipino? Noong 1998, isang Griyegong (Greek) diksionaryo ang naglimbag nang salitang “Filipina” upang ipakahulugan sa isang “katulong” o DH ika nga nila. Sa kontinente naman ng Europa ay may isang tatak ng biskuwit na pinangalan din nilang “Filipinos” marahil sa paghahalintulad sa kulay nating kayumanggi.



Para sa’yo ano ang Wikang Filipino at gaanu ito kahalaga?



Mayroon humigit kumulang pitumpo’t dalawang dialekto ang ating bansa. At ayon sa Artikulo XIV, Seksiyon 6 ng 1986 Konstitusyon. "Ang wikang pambansa ng Pilipinas ay Filipino."



Isang layunin ng pagkakaroon ng isang wikang pambansa ay ang mapalaganap ang pagkakasundo ng mga Filipino bilang isang bayan. Layunin din nito na pag isahin ang ating bansa bagama’t tayo ay binubuo ng pitong libo’t isang daan at pitong isla. Ang Wikang Filipino ay panlahat.



Bilang isang estudyante, paano nga ba natin pinapahalagaan ang ating Wikang Pambansa? Nagagalak ako at mayroon tayong taunang selebrasyon ng Buwan ng Wika. Naipapakita nito kung paano natin pinapahalagahan ang ating wika – ang ating Bansa. Sa pamamagitan din nito naipapamalas nating mga kabataang Filipino ang ating galing at pagmamahal sa ating kulturang Filipino.



Sa usapin ng kulturang Pilipino, hindi mawawala na mapag-usapan ang ating pambansang bayani, si Gat Jose P. Rizal. Isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit hinahangaan ko si Jose Rizal ay sa kadahilanang ang kanyang mga ginawa at sinabi ay hindi kailan man naluluma. Ang mga katagang sinabi niya noong una pa ay may kaugnayan pa rin sa kasalukuyan.



Sinabi niya, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng ating Bayan.” Marahil sa mahabang henerasyon na nagdaan ay hindi natin namalayan o naramdaman ang katuparan ng mga katagang iyon. Para bagang ang karamihan ay nagtatanong kung may katuparan pa ang mga tinuran ng ating bayaning si Rizal.



Ngunit ako ay nagagalak at sa ngayon ay unti unti na rin nating nararamdaman ang pagiging responsable ng mga kabataang Filipino.



Kitang kita ko ito sa mga nagdaang eleksyon sa ating bansa. Ang mga kabataan ay naging aktibo sa pagbabantay at pagsisiguro na mabantayan ang boto at mapanatili ang katahimikan sa halalan.



Marami na ring mga organisasyon ang lumulutang na pinasisimulan ng mga kabataan.



Maging dito sa ating paaralan nakikita na rin ang pagbabago sa kung paano namumuno ang mga kabataan. Maraming salamat sa mga guro na patuloy na pumapatnubay sa amin.



Noon lamang nakaraang buwan ay ipinarinig sa atin ng ating pangulong si Benigno Aquino Jr. ang kanyang SONA. Pambihira ang kanyang talumpati, hindi ba? Hindi lamang dahil sa naglalaman ito ng unti unting pag-unlad at pagbabago ng ating bayang Pilipinas, kundi dahil ginamit niya ang ating sariling wika sa pagsasalaysay ng kanyang talumpati. Pambihira.



Isa sa mga nagustuhan ko sa kanyang mga binitawang salita at talaga namang sumuot sa aking puso ay ang mga katagang: “Hindi ba tayo nagagalak, Filipino tayong nabubuhay sa ganitong panahon?”



Ako, ay buong pusong nagagalak na maging parte ng ngayong henerasyon. Katulad ng wikang Filipino karapatdapat lamang na tayo rin ang maging ilaw patungo sa tuwid na landas.



Ang lakas ng isang bansa ay mapagtitibay ng lakas ng mamamayan. Kung mananatili ang bawat isang Filipino na malakas at patuloy na mangangarap ng isang maayos na pamayanan – maayos na bansa, hindi maglalaon at mararating din natin ang tuwid na landas.



Gamitin nawa natin ang ating wikang pambansa upang maisakatuparan ang pangarap na ito. Naniniwala ako na hindi magtatagal at magsasama sama tayong haharap sa isang bagong Pilipinas na pinagtibay, pinagyaman, at pinag-isa ng ating wikang pambansa. "

Too busy to blog

This is so ironic. I have been encouraging my students to start blogging, where in fact I do not have time to blog any more.



Anyway, we're almost done with the first semester. Hopefully, I could write again during sembreak. :)