max and sacha

max and sacha

sacha

max

I haven't really introduced these two.

i skipped the first lesson

Now I have my kokology book 1. Ma'am Mylene has been so generous to give me this as a Christmas present! She gave it to me during SHAPE's overnight get-together.

remember

December 24, 2007 4:30 am

Simbang Gabi

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Chapel

December 24, 2007 10:00 pm
Misa de Gallo
Cagayan de Oro City St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral

Remember

the witch of portobello

I got the chance to get a copy of Coelho's new work - "The Witch of Portobello". I was expecting a different read and I guess I actually got what I wanted. You see, the book (I havent read everything just yet) has a concept similar to that of a documentary where a series of interviews attempts to reveal what you need to know about the main character in the book.

I consider it an interesting read and a lot of questions brew up in my head. It seems that the books I have encountered lately, Say this and Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" have this tint (I couldn't think of a better word) of the Sacred Feminine. Is this a fad? a trend? or an enlightened view?

Never be afraid to ask. And so I get to ask questions from two persons I like to interact with. One is my English professor in the university and the other is a Jesuit scholastic.

Me: What is this movement that seems to be very prominent in the works of Coelho in "The Witch of Portobello" and, say Brown in "The Da Vinci Code"

Fr. Cris: Divine Feminine Thought has many variants. Some may be accommodated in the Christian Faith, some are just plain and simple New Age. In the spirit of discernment, we should sift through them and find where and how God reveals Him/Her Self.

Ma'am Arlene: Yes, I've heard. That the movement: Divine Feminine / Mystique. The tartan cult shows that.

Me: As I have studied world myths and mythology in college, I also observed that there is that shift in power from the female to male. Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Japanese, and Greek to name just a few have this shift of power.

Fr. Cris: Concepts about deity evolve. Its highly anthropological and sociological. It is so much conditioned by the languistic development that happens in the civilization.

Me: Ok. So will there come a time where the Roman Catholic Church will also experience that "change" or "shift"?

Fr. Cris: A closer and deeper look at the history of the church reveals that it does develop. It adjusts with the development of thought. Theology changes emphases according to how human history unfolds. The normativity of Christianity rests in the Incarnation of God, thus making humanity share in Divinity itself.



I got to finish the book. It just isn't the usual Coelho book you read. Some stronger flavor I just can't point at.

i had enough of theme holiday parties...

An all black Christmas get together with my friends in college. Everyone had to wear something black. Good thing nothing of that color was eaten during that dinner party.












Everyone was to be in an animal attire for the university party. Since there would be a lot of wild and untamed creatures in the venue, I chose to come in a park ranger attire. I thought someone had to make sure they're all safe.

that holiday present

Work can be very overwhelming and debilitating. Before you know it, after checking all the literary critiques and book reports, its already back to work on the 3rd of January (I still don't get it why it has to be that early, come on!). And so, I had to think of something I had to keep my mind off all the work. I got to think of making some personalized gifts for the people in school (especially the people I work with in the department) and I came up with the idea of giving them a Christmas CD. I bumped into Diana Krall and Josh Groban and thought of combining jazz and choir music together. Krall’s and Groban’s voices can make you want to drink hot milk and snuggle up the couch this yuletide season.

Anyways, I also had to make sure to create a good cover for it and settled for this gold motif with a picture of a gold Christmas ball hung up a tree. I got to cover the top with parchment to create a frosty look and tie the whole thing up with gold ribbon. I also had personalized copper-colored cards with a simple holiday greeting. (Gee, I wish I could have just taken a picture of it.)

Making those gifts actually took time and effort to make. But that’s exactly the point!

don't ask why its pink (or is it red?)

Never really thought of getting myself one. Yeah, of course I love music but these things are like, say, cellphones that come out more as a fad than something you need. If I'm right these are already the second generation of shuffles and heaven knows what the next one may look like (not to mention how they would market the latest and make you feel you need to get a "better" one than what you already have.) A consumer faces the toughest dilemma. Will he choose the one available in the market and get it while it still hot. Or, will he wait for the price to go down and settle with the discman or any pre-mp3 player he has (yes, it is still one thing I never regretted getting one for myself). But there's the rub! Before you know it. After waiting and saving up for that techie gadget you have always wanted in years, you go to the store and the clerk offers you the latest one (with all the new design, apps, features, whatever-you-call-them) and you drain yourself into thinking if you should stick to your first choice or spend impulsively with the new release.

Let's just say I got one and I'm contended with it. The after service for Apple is good and so is iTunes. It has a lot on it going on like synch-ing, synch-ed and synch-en (whatever suits you) but its cool. I think that's what the Apple company want the consumers to feel.

And don't ask why its pink (or is it red?. Its not like its my favorite color.

xavier days with spongebob

Waiting for the parade to start

Margie (LCLC Chairperson) is heading the pack.

The Light Cavalry Volunteers 07-08

Yeah, kids should'nt be seeing this. It might result to nightmares.

first year family day 07

As the OSASI 1 Formator, I was invited by the First Year PSTAG to their Family Day. They had this sporty theme and I got to be the one of the judges for their search for the best booth.

my sleepless nights

I think i have a sleeping problem. I can't seem to have a good sleep. You see my brain works well in the wee hours of the day. If you see me work at daytime (yes, you if you are my student) wait till you see me at night. All these ideas (however feeble or gandious they are) come to life at night. And so with that, even when I'm already horizonally positioned for the sleep ritual, I just can't sleep well! Do you have that feeling that when you wake up in the morning, it just seemed like you never had slept at all? If you have had similar expereinces, call my attention so that I would not feel stupid about myself not having a good sleep.

There is just so much going inside my brain, I guess.

Sometimes, I just wish I had Dumbledore's pensive.

ko - koko - kokology? What?!?

John Kim introduced the book last April, I guess for a summer read. The authors give you this situations where you are asked to like choose a reponse (similar to that of a quiz you read in magazines, you know that!) and then they get to interpret your response.

It is in actuality a game book in Japan. I wonder what made them make it into a science.

poetry - mini forest style

I asked my senior students to do their poems in the mini forest. Each one will have to submit a contribution for their compilation of poems. I just tried to observe them doing their writing and some of them were uncomfortable with the new learning environment, while others easily blended in the scene. Nevertheless, I think these guys need to stretch their perspective by actually changing their usual, their routine.

Did I forget to mention these guys can write good poetry?

the devil and ms. prym

Reading a Coelho book always makes me feel good about myself. I got the chance to read this (my sister had the book from a friend) and it made me ask a lot of what ifs. A lot of books give us the idea that hell is here on earth... and so is the devil...

hp deskjet F730

HP Deskjet F370
It is one bargain I couldn't take my eyes off.
This is an all-in-one (the only thing it cant do is brew coffee) so I guess I got a good deal for it.

acer aspire 4710z

My first laptop.
Something I have been waiting to have for myself.

A birthday gift for myself for working hard.

my space

The faculty room gets a make-over. This is my cubicle.

mr. pagsi

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Mr. Pagsi.

I got the chance to come contact to one of those considered to be one of the best educators in the country not because of his passion to teach.

Onofre R. Pagsanghan is a teacher. He began teaching at the Ateneo de Manila High School in 1951, taught both English and Filipino for more than four decades, became one of the first awardees of Metrobank’s Search for Outstanding Teachers in 1985, and continues to be recognized for his teaching not only by the Ateneo, but by other national organizations as well.

Mr. Pagsi, as his students fondly call him, has utilized and continues to utilize theatre as a means to teach not just English and Filipino, but Christian values as well. He began “teaching” theatre as moderator of the Ateneo High School Dramatics Society in 1956, managed its transition into Dulaang Sibol in 1966, and has won recognition as a playwright and director in the succeeding decades.

lost something

It was really stupid of me.

A friend of mine gave me this cap for me to use. I had a great time in Siargao and I had that cap with me all along. It kept my head cool from the heat of the summer sun.


And I pretty darn lost it (here in CDO).

I had to tell the bad news and regretfully had to say sorry about my being irreponsible.

My friend something about friendships and how they are more valuable than caps.

I learned my lesson for the day.

what would you do if you see this sign?

i never really knew why they called the place as such -

cloud nine

I just had the best time in Siargao.
Beaches.
Waves.
Island Hopping.
Food.

two nights with fr. george at mirador

It was a surprise for everyone. We were to attend the mass at Mirador Jesuit Residence as we were invited by Fr. Cris. Traffic in Baguio then was a mess and it was a good thing we came minutes before the mass started. I, together with the rest, had time to find our seats at the chapel. I got to sit near the windows (brrr... cold still) and it was Fr. George I saw sitting by my side. It was only during the praying of the Our Father that he realized it was me by his side.

The Jesuits were having their silent retreat.

When the mass ended, he met all of us and he was very happy to have seen all of us. He asked if we were coming tomorrow (Good Friday) and said we were going there again. He was to celebrate the mass.

We had our Good Friday mass again at Mirador. After the mass, Fr. George invited us to dinner at Dencio's. He wore the hat the department gave him.

I will sorely miss this man...

summer time at baguio

I know.

I said to myself I'll have the sun for my summer break.

And here I am in Baguio.

Well, we can't have everything we want.

minority report

Philip K. Dick is one of the best sci-fi writers I have encountered.

After I have seen the film by Spielberg, I was really looking forward to reading the book the movie was based. Any reader would know that one can get so much from reading a piece in its original form.

I got my copy from PowerBooks (SM Mall of Asia). Since I never saw one here, I was like a small child who found the best toy in a shop.

Mind you, the book has so much to offer. Never underestimate your brain when you read.

acelt training

I must say the most brain-draining, time-demanding, and thought-provoking seminar I have had since my Phil Aus Training during my undergrad years.

old mchumor had some strips!

We did some revisions with the literature compilations, and we all worked together to actually beat the deadline. While everyone was working in the revisions, I actually had this idea of working on the layout of the lit com, to -you know, make it a bit more of a book than a compilation. The selections were good, and I thought making it look more appealing to read would actually make a difference. I must have this thing for layout-making (even if I dont have any good training for it) so, I thought I could contribute a little.

So working on the "look" of the compilation was actually an added work in my part, since I also had my share of pages to edit and revise. No complains here, but the pressure was really building up, considering there were still practices for the graduation ceremony and other other activities since it was already the end of the school year.

I should get myself more lessons in publishing.

wishing for summer

Just like anyone else, I anticipate summer's warm embrace.

Bring it on!

I wish I could go back and enjoy the waters of bora.

a fruit grenade with a refreshing burst

That phrase came out as I was asked how I would see a pineapple (yes, the fruit) in a different way. The last activity on creative writing was the most interesting topic during the 2-day seminar we had on English Language and Literature Teaching and Assessment. Everyone (except for our very dear Ma'am Pearl who had earlier engagements) in the English Department were there to learn more about strategies and techniques about ESL. It was more of a break from the routine and we had some time to meet other teachers from different schools in the Visayas and Mindanao.

[Mr. Alan Seaman, English Language Specialist] [During one of the breaks with Ma'am Michele]

[The best colleagues with their best smiles] [A photo op with the guest speaker himself]

the devil wears prada

Im still reading it...

mia and me

The work as Coordinator for the Light Cavalry Leadership Community in the school is one tough job. When this was bestowed to me last school year, I never had it in mind in the first place. I guess other people are amazed when I got it. Well, they should have asked me too and we could all join the bandwagon of bewildered people as to how a probationary teacher (just in my third year of teaching) could get the job whose description entails a lot of overtime in school, hard work and planning and management.

Come to think of it, before I got the job I was already staying late in school (How do you think English teachers would be able to read and grade your compositions?) and did my work seriously (just ask my students), but planning and management? Oh come on! The rest of the OSASI team would say I am the most un-multitasking person in the group. I can't really blame myself and other people of my inadequacies. I think I'm that kind of person who would rather work alone and do my stuff than ask help from other people.

And so the greatest challenge then was to work in and for a community. Mia, as the chairperson of the LCLC has been very generous of her time, effort and talent to serve the whole student body and the whole community. Truly, efforts of volunteers really make that difference we all need in this world. You guys deserve the recognition.

dramatis personae

Plays are always personified by the people who perform them. I really appreciated the seniors in their efforts to portray the characters they were assigned to the 10 plays for this year's play fest. There were those that did not that sucessful but a lot really were effective in thier roles.

appreciate this day

Today is the most tiring start of the week (aside from the JIG event we had in school). Organizing events such as the appreciation day is no easy task. The Saturday before today was back breaking, i must say. The preps for the program, gifts, certificates, presentations, and everything were a smorgasbord of demanding freaks! (Whew!) Jyle, Mia, Krenz, Karen, Cesar, Bernard, Vincent, Yayam and the rest of the LCLC Volunteers and the class presidents maximized the remaining time for making the best appreciation day we could think of.

When people see the program as it is, they dont really see the brainstorming and the hard work behind the spectacle brought to life in front of them. It just like watching a fireworks display in the night sky, people are awed by the bright lights and all. What they dont see and experience is the preparation of mixing all those explosive stuf too appropriate amounts to give just the right kind of blast. I have had my experience in productions and you will really be trained how to think at the opposite side of the fence.

My heart aches for those who complain and give unsolicited suggestions as to improve activties. They can look at my garden from the picket fence and bother me as to how to tend to it. If I look into theirs, it will all be just rubbish since they don't have a green thumb. But, I'm really not interested to look, since I have a paradise in front of my porch.

I don't want to quote Exupery.

the magic pencil - the way it should be told

The 2 - St. Alphonsus Rodriguez class was able to garner the first place for the Storytelling Contest for the Sophomores during the English Month. Although much of the work was done a week before the presentation, the class was able to pull out a very vibrant and entertaining presentation. When I gave them the piece - The Magic Pencil, they were very excited to make a show to their audience. Even if there were only twenty participants for the contest, the others were eager to make costumes and props those presenting.

Since these bunch of students were very creative, they end up having an 8-minute performance during the practices. We really had to squeeze everything (not to mention peel off some of the lines and actions, to the dismay of some performers).

I appreciate the work done by Jessa and those involved in the making of the props; Lawrence and the performers for the synchronization of the actions and lines. Both Joede (as Annabelle) and Erika (as the goblin) really brought down the house with their exemplary performances. Ideas from Christie, Donna, Andre and Nicole also were utilized to make the most out of the alloted time limit.

When you actually win three times in a row (Earth Song, Math Jingle and Storytelling), that actually means you won a grandslam, am I right? Congratulations guys!

trees are the kindest things i know...

I have been doing this thing for the second time and boy I made it big this time. I actually made all the first year students (12 sections) plant together at the same time! I had a different strategy last time, but I thought the impact would be a little more felt when they see all their batch mates do the same thing they were doing, and they did.

48 new saplings were planted today. The mini forest had 48 new trees in it. When Manong Bert (my sincerest thanks for the assistance) told me that we would plant the saplings in that area since some did not survive thus leaving some gaps between the rows of trees, I was elated because these new saplings would be with other older trees. I'm no expert in tree science, but it made me think that the new saplings would be more comfortable there (you can now laugh about my hypothesis, sorry science teachers!) Well, I just thought that since the mini forest would be the next attraction some 30 years after today, then these freshmen would be very proud that their trees are there.

It was tiring.

The kids were all around!

Thank you to LC1 06 Volunteers for the assistance (you are meant for greater things).

Doing something good (or should I say great) does make you feel better.

press the button, it's yours!

The launching of the English Month Celebration for this school year was graced by Ms. Kris herself (well, that's Mia really hosting the game show-presentation of activities) for the game show Deal or No Deal. Last year, the department was also responsible for bringing to XUHS Manny Paquiao and Oscar Larios (again, we just had students then who were willing to punched in public) as they fought for the championship match.

This new face in the launching of the departmental activities really get students to anticipate and to be interested to the various contests and activities for them. Since last year's launching, I believe the others have then followed suit.

Performances like these would not be possible without the initiative of the faculty members and the assistance of the Edmund Campion and senior students who got themselves involved. I appreciate those people around who see the vision the way we are able to see it... and in the process made it work.

The idea actually just came out from one of our discussions - and people make it happen. Anili just asked me recently what would it be for the next year... I just had a smile on my face.

make music with the ivory keys

The ivory keys aren't pearly white anymore, I should do some cleaning.

I don't know what it is with me and with power interruptions + piano playing. Hitting those keys seem to be more purposeful when things around you go silent. Even when I was still studying to play the stringed instrument, I always hated it when a lot of background noise could be heard. I love the sound of the piano, from the pianissimo, staccato to the forte. It is way too delicate to be harmonizing with the noise of the vehicles and the karaoke system in the neighborhood. It just can't compete. And as a warrior, I know when to use a weapon when it is very potent.

Last night was definitely the right moment. A series of power interruptions caused everyone to go berserk. Something must be done. And so I sat on the stool and I really poured my heart on those melodies. It's amazing how my fingers still remember where they were suppose to be when needed. It was just like my fingers did the talking, or singing, or whatever. I still commit those usual mistakes I had, but I played with my heart. There was no applause after the sixth song. All was still silent. I guess I lulled everyone to sleep.

an inconvenient truth

Reading an article of Mr. Conrado de Quiros in the Inquirer (Oh, how I adore his columns!) is like going to church listening to a sermon (But he doesn't talk about religion, but of politics and social issues.)

On one of his recent columns, he mentioned about watching (whatever it takes) this documentary of the Vice-President of the United States, Al Gore. There seemed to be a sense of urgency in his "sermon" about how little time we have to actually do something to save the environment. I'm no die-hard environmentalist, but I think we could do something about it. I have been asking people if they have seen it or if (bless them if they do) they have a copy of the film. But to no avail.

And of course, it just slipped my mind, just like any kid in a grown-up world.

How come we find things when we don't actually look for them? Lo and Behold! As I got to the DVD stacks in an undisclosed place (sorry!) I saw it there, with the rest of the new movies of 2007! I grabbed a copy and went straight home.

And I took the truth like a bitter pill.

an advocate's quest

I was able to host the Lecture-Presentation on Eco-Spirituality and Sustainable Development with Ms. Chin-Chin Gutierrez. I do admire her in her quest to help educate others about learning more about themselves, and of course, the environment.

The topic was something novel and interesting in a way that she, her own way (with the help of a presentation), related our existence with our relationships with God, others and the Earth itself. I was a bit skeptic and analytical about it (sorry, that's just me using my head again) since the presentation was, for me, a hodgepodge of ideas to prove a point. I don't know, I guess I just see some grey areas or holes in the analogy and such that presenting it to highschool students would actually distort some of the truths we consider as logical.

Moreover, people seemed to appreciate her performance ( I really got confused if it was her singing, her presentation, or just the mere fact that they are looking at someone who is a part of a soap.)

Again, I appreciate her efforts. She was very cordial and simple, I must say. We had a dinner with her and the rest of the PSTAG Officers and there she was able to share her experience that fateful day when her house caught fire. For me, that was traumatic, but for her, I could sense she is someone strong.

I remember teachers as they jokingly tell me to ask some very "important" questions to her like, "How does it feel working with Sam Milby?" or "Sino ba talaga si Eli?" I wish I could have granted their wishes, but when we met, I knew for a fact that she came with a purpose (which, was not to reveal things in her soap) and she delivered.

there are some things money can't buy

Location: Greenhills Memorial Park
Time: 7:30 p.m.

I hate to say this was our reunion, so when I saw my 4-Mayer students again (now that they are in college), I said to myself that this was definitely the most awkward place and moment to see most of them in any given time. Everyone (well, as I mentioned, most) got to Greenhills to visit the wake of Efraim's father, who passed away of brain cancer. I remember someone saying that people get to be together in birthdays and wakes, and surely this gathering with my dear students still fits the latter. We had to pay respect for the lost of a father, but I felt the group was more excited to get to see each other.

Everyone has moved on, I guess. Most of them are occupied with their undergrad studies (as freshmen students), preparing for the upcoming midterm examinations. Others are still struggling to adjust to the pressures of college life. A few, well, I should say just are engaged with other things aside from school simply because they want to or because fate has struck them awe.

Whatever and wherever they have lived their lives at present, I am still proud of them.

I was able to have dinner with Cherrylyn, John Kim and Louie at Tapsi Time when we reached downtown. I guess the long trod up and downhill really took its toll for us.

Chicken and Pork Adobo: P55.00
Iced Tea: P28.00
Breaded Pork Chop: P 85.00
Fare: P 10.00
Reunions: Priceless