Reflections on Life

With the death of one of my student last Sunday, it made me ponder on life itself. That event is a reminder that everything has an end. No matter how much we try prevent it, death comes and it will come. What is worst is that it comes on times when we least expect it.

I remember Charlz was just seated on the 2nd row in the middle column of the seating arrangement smiling last Friday, July 25. A well behaved boy with a warm personality.Sunday came and we reported to school for the homeroom PTA meeting and the news of his suicide welcomed us. What a lost! At first many doesn't want to believe it and so we went to their house to verify. And we saw him there ready to be embalmed.


As to why did he do it? That we don't know for not even a note was left in his room.Family and friends are puzzled for they were just with him Saturday night. The nearest possible reason they can point out is family problem, the illness of his father and the series of consecutive deaths in their family ( imagine the death of his two uncles and one grandfather in just one year? And prior to that, there are two more cousin's father who passed away last 2009.)

Life, how precious and fragile it is. What we make out of this life will affect where and what we will become when we meet death. Personally, I realized that I might be working hard earning for a comfortable future but am I also prepared for the inevitable? Or I might have prepared well myself, done good and served God but in just a split of a second decision to take away my life can erase all of the good deeds diverting my path from heaven into what they call Limbo if not in hell. This is what I fear. It is not the ghost of the dead nor the hardships of life but the capacity of the individual to take away his own life using his own hand. I hope and pray that the series of suicide happening in our locality will end.

To those who have gone ahead in the afterlife, may they all rest in peace in Christ Jesus. And may the evil that claims prematurely life come to an end. Amen.

Recycling an old post

I just want to share a post I've written a few years ago from my friendster blog he he...


There’s this cute little girl in the gym whose name is Daphne. Around 9 years old, tan, chubby, talkative, playfull, beautiful especially with her smile. The niece of Ms. Sanil. She is an elementary here in San Jose School.
I didn’t take that much notice of her. But just this Tuesday, after the culmination of the nutrition month, I don’t have the enthusiasm to enter my last class. Everybody is so tired after the activity in the morning and everybody wishes the day to end right away. Then I met Daphne as I was going out of the faculty room. She was surprised that she didn’t knew I am a teacher in the High School Department. I read in her face that it is a pleasure to see me there. It made me smile wide and she smiled wider. But I have to go on because I will be late in class.
Few days later, as the jeep I was riding on stopped for some more pasaheros, it was Daphne getting inside and she gave me that sweet angelic smile again. The vacant seat they got is five people away from me  but I can hear her conversing with her adult companion. She was telling her about me. The more I smiled when she said I am her CLASSMATE! He he he…well, the adult was amused and so was I, but hey, it’s true isn’t it? We are studying karate in the same classroom (ground floor of Epiphany Church), with the same schedule (MWF) and under the same teacher, Sensei Jun, therefore we are classmates.
Then last Friday August 3, 2007, we are about to start and she isn’t yet around. Her friend, Kim who is a quiet and honest girl, told us that she might not be coming because she has an appointment with her doctor. When asked why,she said that Daphne told her it’s about dieting! hmmm… the little girl is already figure concious, huh? But she just amused us gain this time.
When we were about to start, she joined us with her maong on. Poor Daphne, Sensei reprimanded her because of that. Have he only known that she just came from a visit and because of her eagerness to join us, she didn’t drop by her house to get a change of clothes, maybe he too would be amused as well.
After the session, she is again so noisy running, laughing and playing with the other kids until her sundo tagged her to go home.

Another school year

 A few hours from now, I will be back to San Jose High School for a meeting that will start another school year. It's happy and sad. Sad because many of our colleagues will not be with us in search of greener pasture. Public school teachers receive twice or thrice of our monthly pay. A few hours ago, Joan, another close friend and colleague confirmed that she will resign to work as a call center agent in Manila. I wish her good luck for I know that she needs it more.

Though many will go, I am anxious to meet new colleagues who will later be friends. One friend from the past will even be one among us starting tomorrow. I am also anticipating the many changes that will happen this school year for the improvement of the curriculum, facilities and of course our skills (and I hope and dearly hope a big raise in our salaries).

But no matter if it is sad, happy or a combination of both, with this new school year also comes a better me. I vowed not to let anything to get in the way of improving my craft and creativity. It is a way to celebrate the gifts God gave me. No matter how simple or ordinary they are. I hope this year I'll be able to do it.

Photos

It's photo spam day he he he.... Simply just want to share some photos taken from the past

                                                         somewhere in windy Cagayan

Inside Cal-lao Cave (as pronounced), Cagayan

Statue of the Virgin Mary near the cave's altar where we had mass

A hole on the roof. History says many people went into this cave to secure their lives during the WWII  and many of them died.

Halsema highway

Good morning, Sayangan!

Parish church inside Saint Paul's Academy

Wandering dog @ Puerto Galera

 

The rich color of the ocean

Batangas Port

Boats for rent for Php 1,000.00 each. Capacity: 10-14 people to tour around the tourist spots and go around SNORKELING!!!

Where wild monkeys thrive in Mindoro

Boat ride!

The tour

White sand beaches are many. It takes a boat ride to go some of the islands of Mindoro where there are no houses nor resorts where one can experience the serenity of the place. And there are less people too.

Ahhh...Melanchony...the feeling of experiencing the luxury and beauty of the place but with the knowing that  it wont last forever...

                                                    Dusk on the gulf.

At dawn, colleagues wake up early to have a healthy walk by the beach and some picture taking too. The camera man is unaware that he is the subject of my lens...he he he

                     No, that's not a volcano. Just a mountain at Puerto Galera at dawn.

In every place we go, it's nice to have a visit to God in His house.

These yachts are also for rent. Didn't bother to ask how much.

No dress code here. Wear anything you are comfortable with whether it's a bikini or the classical Filipino swim wear: T-shirt and shorts...he he he

The picture of a Mountain of virgin forests and the fresh and clean blue-green sea. Underneath thrives a variety of rich marine life protected by the local government for tourism and ecology. Sorry, I can't show you how it looks like underneath the sea for lack of waterproof camera. But it would be more fun experiencing it first-hand. Snorkeling costs only around Php 100.00 - 150.00. One can also go on diving but they have to bring with them their own diving gears or rent it from a shop in the town center, which is some kilometers away.

Truly the Philippines is rich with beautiful places to go. My plan this summer is to hike up the mountains of my hometown and capture the Cordilleran spirit. I just hope I will be able to do that...he he he

A quote from an uncle

Just want to share an uncle's wisdom shared from the clan's yahoo group...

( family pic of my dad's )

To all in the Indaw and Basali branch,

Whilst looking at the old and new pictures posted here by Egbert, I thought of this.....
 that THERE IS HEALING IN REMINSCING THE PAST!..... somehow, there is a feeling of CONTENTMENT, JOY  AND SATISFACTION! it is making us WHOLE AGAIN! This is so because we are able to connect the PAST, the PRESENT and perhaps we are now able to VENTURE INTO THE FUTURE WITH RENEWED SPIRIT AND VIGOUR! WITH UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE!
I hope this is true to some of you.
Manny

She now rests in heaven

At last Mam Mayo was laid to rest this noon at the Baguio Memorial Cemetery. We bade farewell to a holy woman. While observing the burial rites, It came upon my mind the memories with her and her family. Again, it made me teary eyed.

I remember the time when we ate Cim asked me to join them in the mass at SM. I thought I was going home after that but I ended up having breakfast with them and joining the family in sending 'te Cim in the terminal.

She never was my teacher but when I was still in college, I was with CYA when she came inside the Alumni office. She offered me her "baon", a pack of cookies she bought from the grocery. Though I wasn't hungry, I got some because I don't want to offend this kind and demure woman.

Once when going up General Luna St. feeling sad, she happily called me and hugged me. I know my face tells what I'm feeling but by that simple gesture, she comforted me. 

There are a lot of memories, good memories shared with her and her family but the most precious of those are her smiles. The feeling of acceptance and kindness. These qualities, I wish to emulate. I thank God for making me know Mam and her family.

The truth dawned on me this morning is that we all know she is now in heaven. But it also means we will surely miss her. God bless her soul.

a raconteur's attempt: I-TUBDAY (UPDATED)

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a raconteur's attempt: I-TUBDAY (UPDATED)