A Summary of Max Schulman's "Love Is a Fallacy"".

He was a freshman law student who is totally intelligent, keen, wise and clever. He is really proud of himself that he chooses what type of people he will be encountering. He chooses well the girl he will be marrying. Love between him and his wife doesn’t matter to him. Ha want an elegant and presentable girl. A girl who is somewhat like beautiful, at least has right proportion of the body and who is neat and clean is what he hopes for. But the most important aspect he wants is intelligence. He saw most of these standards to Polly. Polly is neat and clean. This girl is beautiful and has guts. She is not that sexy but has already the “ready for development” feature. She is gracious because she eats clean and neat. She stood like a real lady. But she is not intelligent. Although he likes girl who is compatible for a lawyer like he will be, and a girl who can take care of his children, he chooses Polly. According to him, it is better to change a beautiful but dumb girl into a smart one than to turn an ugly smart girl into a beautiful one. For Polly’s situation, it is easy for him to make Polly as intelligent as he is. But Polly is tied to other guy. That guy is his roommate in the university he is studying. His name is Petey. Petey, as what he describes, is a dumb and jitterbug. Even though they have the sane background, Petey is pretty different compared to him. Petey is quite emotional especially when he is searching for a raccoon coat he will be using for the swim. He couldn’t find one so he asked him. The said law student remembered that his dad had this kind of coat. After the conversation, he went to his dad and got the coat. He then came back to the university. He offered the coat to Petey but in one condition, Petey would let him date with Polly. Petey is aware that he and Polly are not lovers. He thinks of the deal wisely, until he realized to deal with him. He then has a date with Polly. He knows that Polly has no intellectual capabilities so he met with her and teach her some information particularly logic. Within 5 days, he taught Polly to be wise and clever when it comes to giving statements and concluding. After 5 days of teaching Polly, he then tested Poll’s brain if she really had learned. He made it somewhat like realistic to be able to determine Poll’s capabilities. At that that particular day, he was amazed by hearing the answers of Polly to her but there was a problem. Polly is taking it seriously and literally. Even though that he means of something else, Polly is considering it as a test. He wants to be with Polly, but Polly wants to be with Petey. He asked her why she chose Petey when he is so brilliant compared to Petey. Then Polly answered it by saying that Petey had a raccoon coat.

Violent Reaction?

As a girl or maybe a lady, I will never be fallen in love with that man in the story. He is arrogant and very proud of himself. He only thinks of is intelligence. In short, he is emotionless. He doesn’t care about his feelings and as well as the feelings of others. He just thinks of himself. He even insults one’s imperfectness. He thinks of himself as a perfect and that no one could stop him or refuse him. Imagine, he doesn’t care about what he feels towards Polly. In fact, he doesn’t really feel anything.

If he will be compared to the present type of guys of these days, he will really be called as “manhid” or a “manggagamit”. And I hate that kind of guys. I really hate them all. and if someone would dare court me, I will really vomit a pail of food from my mouth.

There are really guys who are like that. It’s true that we can’t control their attitudes. Maybe they have these weird principles of life. Da… what the hell I care about those principles of theirs! They only think of their good future. They don’t think of what will happen if they will be married to a woman whom they do not love. Some do these because of business. If you are a famous businessman, you will not dare to marry a girl who doesn’t even have her own house. Of course you will search for a good one. It could be as wealthy as you are or someone that had made a great name in a country like politicians. Some also marry women whom they don’t love because of arranged marriage. Is it still popular these days? Maybe they are still. We have to consider that not the parents are the ones who will suffer in the end but the children. So if I was the parent, I will let my children marry the people they loved.

Maybe I’m not at the right time to say these all to you. Maybe I don’t really understand the situation of the world. But I can always be sure that I will not marry the person whom I don’t love. I don’t care of the hindrances because I know how to think well and to choose the right one for me. And of that assurances, I am confident that I will be choosing the man who is right for me both by financial, by family’s approval and by emotional.

Another reaction that I want to elaborate is the comparing. Like what the man said in the story, he is right for Polly because he is brilliant and wealthy. But the features seen outside are not that very important. Maybe they are important for some reasons but the ones inside are more important, the attitude, the feelings and the sincerity of a person. I know exactly that people nowadays are looking forward to attractive and well-looking people whom they will love. Unlike before that people didn’t care about their physical features, they thought if their feelings. But… we must not forget that heart can never rule the brain. It is always the brain that says to the heart the right emotion to feel. So don’t be fooled by your emotions because it also means that you are not using your head.

On Being Taught by Students.

“Good morning, ms. Ouano”, that’s the exact sentence I remembered when I was a student teacher during the KYSD. I felt appreciated by those words. And maybe it was one of the encouragements I received from the students I had discussed or visited. If I felt appreciated and respected, I assume that all the other student teachers were feeling the same way too.

It was very different between standing in front of the students discussing and sitting on the armchair listening. Discussing needs a lot of energy so that your voice would be very clear and loud, your lesson would be discussed well, and so that you will not appear as boring to the students you are teaching. While being a student, you also need a lot of energy so that you would not sleep while the discussion is going on. You must be active so that you can catch up the important concepts of the lesson. Both situation are similar yet different.

I’ve experienced teaching and being taught. But the one in KYSD was strange because we were taught by our own classmates and schoolmates. Honestly, I didn’t listen to all the student teachers because some didn’t master the lessons assigned to them. Some even made mistakes in teaching us. But it was also good because they’ve tried their best (that includes me!). I felt comfortable because they were just my classmates and I know that we already had made a friendship made between all of us. I never wish that I would be the best student teacher but instead, wishing that one of them would become the best student teacher.

If we had something learned from them, it means that they’ve done their job well. That’s the most important thing to be accomplished when you are a teacher. It is not about how good you are to tell jokes or how to entertain them which are also good factors.

If I was proud of myself, then of course I was proud of all the student teachers. I must assure them that they were really unique individuals because at their young age, they’ve done a job that originally suites for adults or to people older than they are. They were really like real teachers because despite that we are classmates; they showed no favoritism to any of us. They were fair and no bias. They showed humility despite of the respect they’ve got. They showed no much pride to their selves. But they showed good examples that everybody is expected to follow and remember. It would not matter if they committed mistakes as long as they admitted their mistakes. What really matter are their spirit and their passion towards teaching. Their hard works in preparing made a great role in their success. Although they were some misunderstandings, they made it to the top and raised the flag of satisfaction and success.

As a student, I realize how hard it is to be teacher when the students are not listening. So I suggest to those students who sleep during the time of discussion, better try to be a teacher even once and let’s see what will be your reaction if you will see your students sleeping. What a shame on those students who insult their teachers! I don’t like students who drop the graces from their hands and those who throw their garbage of mistakes without recycling to be able to learn from those mistakes. Guys… if I were you, I will be very good to my teachers so that they will feel happy and that I will also learn. Bye………………… Thank you…………………

The difference between like and love.

I like Gener’s height but it doesn’t mean I love him. I like James’ hair but it doesn’t mean I love him. I like Essem’s nose nut id doesn’t mean I love him. I like Aiden’s eyes but it doesn’t mean I love him. I like all of my classmates but it doesn’t mean I love them all. Girls, be careful when a guy tells you that he likes you. And also boys, please be careful when we say we like you because it’s so hard to expect love from someone who don’t love you that much.

I was once a victim of like and love case. I also had victimized someone of like and love case. Let’s talk first of the someone I had victimized…

Gener (not Gener Neil Aviso) was my classmate when I was grade 3. Someone asked me if I like him, so I said yes. Because of that, he expected that I also loved him. He told me his feelings and he was not happy when I told mine.

Let’s talk about me as a victim.

This time, it’s different. I have a crush before named Dave (not his real name). He told me that he liked me. Instead of being happy, I was sad because I know that like is very different from love. I stopped loving him because I don’t want to expect. But I was wrong. Like developed into love and I never knew that he loved me by the time when I loved him. Now, I’m trying to bring back the feeling I felt for him before. It’s doing well. I hope that when the time that I am ready to face him, he still loves me.

ometimes, you like a person and later on love him/her. There are also times that you love a person but not liking him/her? Why are these happening? It is true that when you love a person, you don’t need to like him/her first?

Maybe it’s true because I don’t like my present crush because he’s hotheaded. But why do I love him? Why do I want to see him always?

Again and again, like in dictionary means to be pleased with. Like is a sweet word to hear. You feel appreciated when someone says he/she likes you. Like is sometimes associated with love. But love is seldom associated with like.

The differences between like and love according to thesecategories:

rDictionary meaning
it’s so obvious that like means admiration while love means strong affection. And they also have different spellings, right?

rEmotional matters
like means admiring something or someone. You can always love what you like but you can only seldom like what you love.

Hey, people!! Don’t be fooled by people when they said they like you because it differs from liking and loving things. When you like this particular stuff, you also love it. But if you like a person, it doesn’t mean you love that person. See? Words really have different meanings according to where they are implied. They also differ from how you say it. Things and people are really different.

You can’t sacrifice everything for the person you like but you can really sacrifice everything for the person you love. You will not cry very hard when you loose the one you like but I’m sure that you will shed a pail of tears when you loose the one you love. You’ll not feel jealous when you see someone close to the one you like but you will feel jealous to the person close to the one you love.

Although liking and loving are different, don’t lose hope! The person likes you might love you as well in the near future. But don’t ever expect if you don’t want to suffer and to be hurt at the end. Liking and loving are also similar for they both cherish the said people. Remember, don’t be victimized when they say they like you because at the end of the day, they will surely choose the person they love.

What will you choose?

“Oh my God! It’s so difficult. Do I really have to choose?” that’s one of our reactions when we are about to make decisions. Decisions are important. They are the basis of our tomorrow’s happenings. So whatever we are facing today, is the result of the decision we made yesterday. What if you regret after making a decision? Is it going to be too late to change the decision you have made? How about the person you love? Will you give up everything for him/her?

Here comes Danny. Danny’s parents separated. As a matter of fact he has a brother but is no longer w/ him. He is living w/ her mother while his older brother is living w/ their father. He was just 6 months young and his brother was 1 year young when their parents separated. He was supposedly living together w/ his brother but his father’s parents took his brother away from him.


18 years gone by. He does not think about his father and never did. He doesn’t even know his father’s name or address. All he thinks about is his beloved mother who brought him up well. Danny loved a girl named Carla. She was his first love. He was just 11 when he met Carla. Carla, on the other side, is a loving daughter. She loves her family so much. She does everything for her family and that’s why she doesn’t accept any suitors. Danny is aware that Carla doesn’t love him. But despite that , he still continued loving Carla. Danny knew Carla’s love. It was Dexter. Dexter is rich, handsome and tall. But those characteristics are nothing for Carla. Carla loved him because he was not boastful of what he has and that he is always good to Carla.

Dexter and Carla are always together. Danny felt jealous because he loved Carla so much. One day, he knew that Dexter proposed to Carla. He felt depressed because Carla isn’t supposed to accept any suitor as she told him. He planned something to take Carla away from Dexter. As Danny started doing his plan, Carla talked to him. She said, “Hey, Danny. What’s happening to you? You’re not the Danny I knew before! Is there any problem? “ No I don’t really have any problem. My problem is you. You have changed, Carla. You said you don’t love me because you don’t want to love anybody at this time. But why did you let Dexter propose to you? You know what, you’re so unfair! Carla answered. “ Hey what’s the problem with me?! Did I do something wrong? You already know that I don’t want to love. I didn’t allow Dexter to court me but he never listened and you that I can’t control anybody. It just happened that way. I’m sorry. I mean, you don’t care about what’s happening to me: You are just a suitor, not my boyfriend, “ Carla shouted.

Upon hearing the reply of Carla, Danny cried for the first time. He never expected that Carla would talk like that. And because of what Carla said, Danny became more aggressive. He continued on his plan, He met his friends. They planned to invite Carla into a party and invite Dexter into a basketball tournament. They did it that way to prevent them from being together. Danny was with Carla and Dexter was together with Danny’s friends. When Danny’s friends and Dexter came to the sports complex, they got him to a room and punch him on the different parts of his body. While Carla was with Danny, somebody called Danny, his mother. “Danny, I’ve found your father”, his mother said. “What?! Really?! Where is he? Where is brother?”, said Danny excitedly. “You’re brother watched a basketball tournament”, his mother answered. “what’s his name? I want to see him”, Danny asked. “just go with me to the complex”, his mother replied.

Danny, Carla and Danny’s mother went to the complex not knowing the scenery they will be seeing. When they arrived, people were gathered in a corner. Somebody was lying on the floor. Then Danny’s mother shouted, “who did this to your brother?!” then suddenly, a tear fell from his eye. The man lying on the floor, the man whom he hated so much, the man who took Carla, and the man who was attacked by his friend is his BROTHER! But it already happened. If Danny would tell the truth, Dexter would commit justice, as well as his parents, and Danny would not be with Carla anymore. But if he would choose to be with Carla, his brother’s case would be left unsolved. What would he choose? You, what would you choose, the person you love or the person you have been longing before?

I dreamed of him…

It was a Thursday night full of sadness and tears. I hurriedly went to the bed and let my tired head rest on my favorite pillow. I just let the words of my mother passed from my left ear to the other ear. I didn’t eat. My mom scolded me and gave me millions of moral words, but I ignored. I stood from the bed and dressed like a princess. Not a princess in physical features but like a princess not doing anything. I slept ahead of time while my mother was not yet finished with her millions of words, “Hey, where are you going? You’ll not eat? It’s already 7:00. Why are you late? Was there an activity in school? Hey!”. When she opened the door of the room, I was already asleep I think. About a few hours after, I opened my eyes and saw nothing but black. Then I remembered that I was alone in the room without any glimpse of light. Then I heard of a voice saying, “Hey, eat here! It’s already 10:00”, my father said. “Don’t let her eat! Let her sleep the whole night without any food in her stomach. I’ve called her many times but she didn’t eat. Let hear learn a lesson”, my mom shouted. Though I felt hungry, I didn’t go to the kitchen because I know that there would be another millions of moral words waiting for me. I just close my eyes again…



Then I dreamed that I was in a room together with a guy I used to know. I didn’t recognize him that easily. And in my dream, I also had another dream…



We were in a wonderland full of flowers and medium-sized fruit-bearing trees. Fragrance was all around the place. We were wearing all white. At that moment, I already saw his face and embraced him as if that I know who he really was. We walked together and stroll at the place. We were alone at that place until there were birds coming to us and were singing a song that was very familiar to me. Then we arrived at a point where there was a river. The sound of the flowing river was very fascinating. Until we reach into the falls. It was so long that you hardly could look the most top end of it. But when we go around the wonderland, I feel into the ground when I stepped on a stone. When I woke up, I went back to my first dream, remember? I was still with him. In my first dream, I was unconscious before I woke up. And… that guy saved me. And do you know who was that mysterious man I’m talking about? He’s Oishi! Do you still remember Oishi? When you read my entry entitled “Special Friendship”, he was the man on that story.



It is almost 2 years since we separated after the graduation. As I’ve heard, he is presently studying at CIT. I still remember him and the memories we had. But honestly, I don’t remember the feeling anymore, maybe because he is away from me and maybe the love I felt before for him was not developed. But I really appreciate the dream about the wonderland. And I am happy that even once in my life, I dreamed of him…

How dare you say that?!

I’ve been studying high school in UP for almost 2 years already. And those years had already become memorable to me. I’ve met many challenges in everyday life and different problems encountered. I made many mistakes and I’ve done many successes. But one thing sure is I’ve done my best and I did what I have to do.



Almost all of my sacrifices resulted to something good. I am a consistent honor student until now and I’m happy about it. But I wonder why, why people expect too much from me, especially my family. It’s like they think that I’m a genius or something? It’s like that I know everything and I can do everything. All of these things made me afraid to commit mistakes.



Whenever I made a mistake, people would say, “You’re intelligent, right? Then why didn’t you use your head?”. How dare they say that? They don’t know what I’ve done. They don’t know how many miles of problems I’ve crossed. They don’t know about what I feel. Sometimes the would say, “I thought you are smart, but why don’t you understand what I told you?”



When a person is smart, it doesn’t mean that he/she is perfect. Let’s consider my situation. Let’s just say that I am smart or somewhat like intelligent. I may be the most intelligent student in the school but it doesn’t mean that I can do everything that the people want me to do. It rally would not mean that I am forbidden to make mistakes. I can’t give you all what you expect from me. All I can do is to show what I got and what I can only do. And they don’t have the right to tell me who I really am just to show a reason why I should not commit mistakes.



You know what? It’s so painful for my part. I have so many sacrifices and yet this is what they will do to me. It’s so hard to be patient when you know that your feelings are being hurt. It’s hard to hide these feelings especially when these kinds of happenings are happening almost everyday.



Another thing involved here is my school. Why do they have to include my school in the issue? It’s nothing. It doesn’t mean that if I’m like this, it is because of the teachings of the schools. I know that UP students are intelligent and are expressive about their feelings but they really don’t have any right to use my school as a reason of my imperfectness. It is so disappointing when you knew that the people around you think that you are like this, when you know that you are not. It’s like they are having wrong impressions.



I just hope that they will change. I hope that they can also realize what I feel. I know they have conscience so they might as well feel bad of what they have done. I hope that this article would inspire others who have the same situation as I have. Don’t worry guys! We may not be the most perfect student or child in the world for them, but we can always be the best person in the whole world by being true to ourselves and being who we really are…

Do you believe in destiny?

I really do… I really do not know if I will believe in thing they call destiny. Destiny in dictionary means the seemingly inevitable succession of events. Some people understand destiny as coincidence, a chance or an accident. But some say that destiny really does exist. What if I’ll tell you that you are not destined with your love? Would you still love him/her? Would you believe in me? I’m not a fortune teller so don’t worry, just joking… So much for jokes, do you really believe in destiny? Is destiny important to you? Can it affect your relationship among family, friends and loved ones? Try to reflect on this situation because I do expect your comments, which must contain the answers to the questions.



Leslie loves Earl. They are classmates. (Oh, I forgot to tell you that this story is so true. It came from my cousin.) There was once a meeting in school. Leslie’s father entered the gate. He didn’t know where was Leslie’s room so he asked a boy. (The boy was Earl.) After asking, Leslie’s father continued walking. Then he arrived at the registration table. While signing, Earl’s mother arrived. (Hmmm…) Leslie saw what happened. She then smiled. After the meeting, Leslie’s father and Earl’s mother talked to each other while Leslie and Earl behind their parents were very silent.



Another incident was about the project. It was a project that involved speaking, writing and reporting. Leslie was assigned for speaking and she had to be partnered with someone who was not good in English. Then it happened that her partner was Earl. She then felt worried because she knew that she would not be comfortable with him, until the moment of truth came. As expected, Leslie could not speak straight because something was in her mind and it’s very obvious that it was all about Earl. After the activity, they still never talk to each other. But Leslie wondered why Earl would also be silent when he was not with other girls in the room. (They were secret lovers.)



One guy came to Leslie and said that Earl could not talk to Leslie because he had fallen for her and Earl was trying to stop his feelings because of something very personal. (At that time when Earl was falling for Leslie, Earl had already a girlfriend but it was a secret.)



Leslie wondered what was that personal reason why Earl was trying to stop his feeling towards her. And then the unexpected thing happened. Leslie knew about Earl’s relationship with a girl on the same school. She cried because she expected to be loved by Earl. Earl really loved him but it was too late because he already had a girl friend. Leslie decided to ask Earl frankly. Earl denied his feelings and then Leslie stopped loving him for that reason. After a few months, Earl and his girl friend separated. Then Earl talked to Leslie and said, “I’m sorry for what I’ve done. I thought I could forget you. But I didn’t. And now I broke up with my girl friend just for you.” “Oh, really? You loved me? Why didn’t you fight for your love? Don’t you know it’s too late to say those words? You denied your feelings about me before and here you are in front of me pleasing me to accept you. Excuse me, Earl but I don’t love you anymore. You already hurt my feelings,” Leslie answered.



See? Even if you think that you are destined because of events that always happen between the two of you, it doesn’t mean that you are meant for each other. Destiny involves making decisions. And those decisions affect your destiny, your life and the life of your partner. So if I were you, try to say the things you want to say to anyone else. What if they are the words that could create your good destiny? Love and destiny are not the only things needed in a relationship, it always involves making decisions and acceptance of each other. Now, do you believe in destiny?

Being happy of your happiness

When I wake up every Saturday morning, I always feel very sleepy. It’s like I want to go to bed again and continue to sleep. But when I remember the students, something is telling me to get up right away and proceed to the bathroom. The students that I am talking about are the Hipodromo Elementary School students. They are the students that we are mentoring every Saturday starting from December until February.
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Last March 17, the mentoring ended with a simple celebration but with a great meaning and pleasurable date for us mentors. We were there in a sports gym together with the other mentors, students, the PTCA of the school, the principal of the school, Sir Roberto Basadre and one official of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation. Ramon Aboitiz Foundation was the sponsor of the Academic Mentoring program. We also call this program as MAKE.




I remembered the first time when I first saw the paper posted near the Palma room. I was interested in joining. I first thought that I am not qualified because I thought that only 3rd and 4th year students are allowed to join. But when I read the paper, it also include 2nd year students. Together with Ronald, we went to a 4th year student and registered right away. After I month I think, one of my classmates told me that I was accepted. I was happy upon hearing those words. I know that I can help many students just by teaching them lessons from Mathematics. I know that I can be one of the keys to their future. I think that I am one of the people who could be part of their lives as they go through to their journey.



When I first taught there, I felt awkward because they are not the students I used to see when I was in elementary years. The students I used to see were clean but when I saw them, I felt pity on them not because they are poor but because they were not given any opportunity to be clean just in a little way. Because of that, I was more encouraged to teach well and also to encourage them to study hard for their grades. I observed that they were not that slow learners, in fact they are fast learners. They only lack follow-ups and more support from their parents or their guardians.



Going back to closing ceremony, it was a happy day. There were games for the students and of course they were prizes for the winners. There were speeches from people involved of the mentoring program including the mentors and some of the students. I was happy hearing the message of one of the students. I was overwhelmed when she said that she had a great time with us during the mentoring weeks. I felt satisfied that my sacrifices in waking up early every Saturday morning resulted to something good. Not just good but we made the students better in their educational performances.



When I saw them happy, I was also happy. As long as I know that they were benefited, I could find the job successful. As long as I know that they will always remember what we taught, I will be confident that they will be on the right track for their goals. In behalf of the other mentors, I want to say, “Thank you and good luck!” to the students of the Hipodromo Elementary School. We are happy of your happiness.

What a UP student is not

We all know that UP consists of brilliant students, right? I’m not boasting but we can’t deny the fact that if we are compared to students from another school, we are outstanding! I’m happy that I’m part of those success of UP. But nothing is perfect. Nobody is perfect. We too are not perfect. So, what are the imperfectness on us?



It’s so shameful to say but we are not that neat. As you enter the classroom, foot mops are scattered all over on the floor. Pieces of paper are laid and even stepped. And… we only clean if we are told to do so and if there is checking on cleanliness drive. I hope that you had observed some students seeing pieces of paper or plastics but not picking them up. It’s so disappointing. I also admit that sometimes I don’t pick up plastics only if they are wet or they came from the muddy area. You could also see students in Home Tech room leaving the materials of their projects on the table and not keeping them in the safe and clean place. I’m not that very fun of cleaning but as long as I know that it’s really time to clean, them I would really clean.



I also observed that UP students are hard headed. Am I right? Yes, it’s true! You could see students not listening to the teacher and making some noise. I know that teachers hate noise when they discuss but they consider because they don’t want to waste any time in teaching. Oh, how patriotic! You could also notice students not following the rules and regulations in school. You could see some playing during school hours. That’s a violation except if it’s PE time. You could also see people writing anything on the board without any sense. That’s wasting chalk and that’s one of the rules always violated. When you say “silence”, they will really ignore you even if you are shouting. It’s like they didn’t heard any word from you. When there are practices, it will really finish late because the students will not listen to any of the leaders or the teachers.



Another problem of UP students is being late. I admit that I have tardy marks and I’m one of those contributing to the tardy marks of UP. Even if they were told to be early or if they were told for the deadline for any project, they would not do anything but rest and forget those projects. We are deadliners… we work during the last minute. We don’t work when there is enough time to do the project. We even ignore them and even forget about the deadline. That’s one of the complaints of the teachers. We are always not prepared and if we work on the last minute, of course, the details would not be complete because we are hurrying.


See? We are also like those students out there! I just hope that each time we realize our faults, we will already change them. I wish that we will be improved and that we will follow the rules of the school and have respect on ourselves and in our school’s image. How matter the weaknesses we have, we are still the UP students known as fighters and will never surrender ‘till the end!!! I love you, UP High!!!

Music: An effective pain reliever

I cried once but music had made me feel better. I was very angry one time and music made me calm. I was disappointed once but music made me not to worry. And when I’m happy, music is always there for me to make me happier.



I remembered one time when I saw unforgettable scenery; I suddenly ran from the place and went to the room and play the guitar. For about 3 songs, I felt calm and not angry anymore. Even I f I can’t forget what had happened; at least I have something to make me feel better whenever I remember what happened at that time.



I’m fun of playing musical instruments not just guitar but also bandurria, piano, organ and flute. Bandurria was the first musical instrument I had learned. I learned playing bandurria from my elementary years specifically grade 5. I was first under Sir Lyndon then after him, to Sir Norman who is the former teacher of Sir Lyndon.



Sir Lyndon was so good to me. In fact, I found him cute when I first saw him and he was very young compared to other music teachers in our school before. Sir Lyndon was silent but deep inside had many jokes. I thought I would have a hard time in learning the said instrument but it was so easy because I tried my very best. After many sessions, Sir Lyndon invited me to join the Saint Lourdes Parish Rondalla but it was so far from our place so I didn’t agreed. He told me that even if I was just grade 5 at that time, I would be qualified because I had the skills(char!). it was a great opportunity to me because I was the first bandurria player who was a beginner who was invited to join the group. By the way, he told me that invitation after I played successfully the first music piece he had given to us.



After cute Sir Lyndon, there came the hotheaded Sir Norman. He was very strict especially in attendance. Just 3 absent marks then you would be out of the group. And when you are late, you would stay at the back of the room without any copy of the piece. Sir Norman was very good when it comes to skills. He was very systematic and disciplined. But after that year, he and the school’s principal had an argument and later on, he was ousted from the school. I was sad about that news because Sir Norman really knows about music and I know that it was not his fault.



When I reach 2nd year, I was under Sir Warner Ylaya. Sir Warner was very very hotheaded. He was more hotheaded compared to Sir Norman. He always got mad even I there’s no reason to be mad. He always shouts whenever we made mistakes and that’s what I really don’t like about him. He was very unfair. He favored more on one of the members because that particular student was one of his students before. I really don’t like him and he was very insensitive about the feelings of his students.



And now, I’m already 2nd year. I’m enjoying playing the guitar almost everyday. I learned to play the guitar because of my father’s encouragements. But later on, it was already my choice to learn more about the guitar. Actually, I never had any music lessons in guitar. I just learned to play it by myself.



Music played a great role in my life. It is my 2nd best friend next to Jesus. It is always there for me. He knows well of what I feel. And whatever I feel, it reflects to the music I play. If one day I can’t hear any music, I would really be out of myself. I can’t imagine my life without the guitar, which is the instrument I always play. So for the heart-broken out there, I want to recommend music: an effective pain reliever.

GoGirl!!!

Since I was here in UP, I always smile and I always cry. I smile because of my success like being one of the honors. I cry because of the challenges and problems I’ve faced. Honestly I say, UP is so hard. It’s so hard to be here at 7:30 every morning. When you enter the campus, problems are starting to come over you. When you enter the classroom, you’ll see students busy studying and reading. Then you sit on your chair and also do the same things. Then the bell rings. Everybody is hurrying and returning their books to their bags because the teacher is there already. The test will start right away. Then you remember what time you slept last night. You studied the whole night. You reject watching television because of the test the following day. Then you suddenly forget one item on the test. You recall the things you had studied last night. Buy you can’t still remember. Oh my god! Well, if I know, that’s one of the expressions used of some students when they are on the same situation. Then the teacher suddenly said that the test is over. Then they will be checking of the test papers. When the papers are returned, your score just passed the passing grade. Then you feel like crying. Then you blame yourself because you didn’t study so much. Then you walked out of the room and go the comfort room and have all your tears falling there.


I really don’t want those things to happen me. I don’t want to imagine myself having low scores as failed scores. I don’t want to cry because of that reason. I want to be proud of myself even in just a little way. But as I journey everyday, the roads are getting harder to cross and longer to reach the end. I just wish I could have special powers that when I say study, my body would follow. And when I say recall, my brain will go back to the book’s page and tell me the correct the answer. But that is impossible, very impossible.


But despite of all the projects, assignments, researches and everything, I always have hope that I can do them all in time and in proper way. Every time I feel tired, I just sing a song and entertain myself so that I can’t sleep. See how hard it is to be UPian. I’m thankful that my classmates are also supportive. They believe in me as much as I believe in them. They appreciate me as much as I appreciate their abilities. I love my classmates and they are one of my inspirations. I just hope they will not stop loving me because I will never be tired of loving them. As much as I can, as much as I do, I will never surrender. I’ll do what it takes to be a successful person. I want to be like my father that even if he is already married, he is still trying to reach his goals. He is still working hard to be a great father to us. I just wish that my family would support me ‘till the end. I hope that they will not be tired of my excuses when I go home late or when I am not at home during rest days. I hope that until the very end of my life they could say, “GO GIRL!!!”

Reflections on Teachers and Teaching

Before the KYSD begins, I already planned to be one of the student teachers. I applied as member of the faculty handling the subjects Biology 2 and Geometry. I was no longer nervous at that time because I had already experienced that challenge. I know already the feeling to be a student teacher.

When I went to Madam Kerr for applying as Geometry teacher, I was afraid that there were already students who applied the said position. I was really wishing to pass because I like Math especially Geometry. But when I came there, I was the last applicant who Madam Kerr accepted. I already felt calmness at that time. I was assigned before the first day of KYSD. I was also assigned to assist Madam Kerr on the periodical tests of the first years on their computer subjects.

So I went to Bartlett class. As expected, I assisted Madam Kerr. The first year students called me “ate”. I don’t know how to react because I am shorter than them. Some of them are already my friends. But I’m still conscious to the other students.

After that hour, I have to go to Benton room and let them check their periodical tests. Not only that, I also have to explain to them the answers. What a challenge! But I was confident because Madam Kerr was so good to me and some of the Benton students are my classmates before. It was so enjoying because they are so jamming. I enjoyed a lot there. There were laughs and shouts there. I feel so welcome there. They made me feel happy and satisfied.

After 15 minutes, I went to Villamor class and again assist Madam Kerr. They also called me “ate”. Whatever they want to call me, I can assure to them that I can be their friend as long as they won’t be bad and as long as they would respect the higher years.

When I went back to Palma room, to where I belong, the people were amazed. They wondered where I came from. Then I told them I have classes in Bartlett at 1:00, in Benton at 2:00 and in Villamor at 3:15. Then they said that I was so busy that I was like a real teacher.

After that whole afternoon of teaching, I realize how hard but enjoyable it is to be a teacher. I knew that you must be very ready before facing your students.

On the first day of KYSD, I received my id and started to teach at that morning. I taught Biology. We were 4 teachers in 2 hours. Each of us has 30 minutes to discuss the selected lesson. I was assigned for “digestion”. I really prepared a lot for that. I really enjoyed discussing to them the lesson. I was happy that they really listen and they understood what I had discussed.

Wow, what a feeling! I will always remember those experiences. They serve as challenges to me and because of that challenges, I’ve learned so many lessons.

Cheaters on the way!

Once in our life we found someone we don’t like and we don’t want to be. But somehow it makes us realize how selfish we are not to treat them fair. How about someone who sinned against you? A sin which worth your freedom and even if your life? Would you forgive that person?

I had a schoolmate named Nena (not her real name). She is one year younger than me. She is also my neighbor. When I was grade 3, I joined a dance group with four members. She was also one of us. In our group, she was the slowest learner. Our choreographer always scolded her because of that. I feel pity on her so I encourage her to be strong.

When she reached grade 4, I’ve heard that she became an honor student. I was amaze of that because she didn’t have any awards before. She sometimes goes to our house and asks me to teach her on some of her lessons. So I thought she was changed. I thought she became more responsible. But I was really, really wrong.

I was a member of a Rondalla group in our school before. I had co-members who are her classmates. One of them had told me that Nena cheats. I was shocked upon hearing the news. She said that it was Nena’s seatmate who told her. Nena would peep at the book during the test. She often tells the checker to mark check her wrong answers. And because the checker was frightened at her, she would also follow Nena. Nena also asks her seatmate for the answers. If her seatmate refuses, Nena shouts her seatmate’s secrets. By that reason, her seatmate follows her. Have you ever realize how powerful she is to demand on her classmates?

Suddenly, I remember that there are times when she borrows my grade 4 books. She would return after 3 days. I wondered if she copied the answers of my book. So I investigated.

Starting from that moment, I always observe on her activities. And then one time, she borrowed my English book. She also brought her English book into our house. What?! She was comparing the answers. Then she put some marks on her book. She was also memorizing the answers. Isn’t it cheating? She didn’t see me because I was hiding behind the refrigerator. Oh my God?! I can’t imagine she can do that.

She was the number 1 issue in the campus. Everybody was talking about her. But there were still students who didn’t know about the issue. It is so shameful to say but I really hate her! After all the encouragements I gave her, she would just cheat on me! And don’t you know that she became the valedictorian of their batch? I hate her because she took away all the chances of the other honor students who were more deserving than her! I really feel pity on those students because I also had those experiences. I really hate CHEATERS! If I could hear someone who is a cheater, I would really hate him/her. Cheaters destroy our sacrifices! Cheaters block our path into our dreams! Cheaters stoop us to be successful! They are all obstacles in the way!

But I can’t be like this forever? What if she would say sorry to me? Should I forgive her? I can’t answer my own question. But as of now, I want to be sure that no one of my friends is a CHEATER because I HATE them ALL!!!

Jealous

We can’t deny that once in our lives we felt jealous of someone. Even though how loyal we are to ourselves; there are some things that can make us jealous. What really is jealousy? Jealousy doesn’t mean you’re not contented of what you have or what you are but it is something that you don’t have and you are not but you want to have or you want to be; but that is just according to people that I’ve asked. But for me, jealousy is something that can make me feel worse and loser. It makes me feel that I am that imperfect. I tried not to be jealous so that I will not feel that I am a loser. I try not to appreciate much the people so that it can’t develop jealousy. But even how careful I am not to be jealous, something can really make me feel jealous…

I can’t answer my own question. I can’t control my feelings. I don’t know why it must happen. I have no other choice but to face the truth that I am jealous, I am jealous of someone very close to my soul.

Whenever we are alone together, I feel there is contentment. But when people try to appreciate her, I feel I am under. I feel I am loser. I don’t know what to do; I don’t know what to say. I just keep quiet and bow my head. See, I’m very under.

Why do people love her because of that? Why do those people make me feel that I am not like that? They are not literally comparing but they are emotionally comparing. I feel bad and pity to myself.

Sometimes I ask my self why I am not like that. Sometimes I wonder why is she like that and why I am like this. I am jealous of her not because I want to get the people’s attention and appreciation but because I want to be loved by somebody I loved.

It’s so hard to be always like this. I can’t hide my self away from her because what I’ve said before, she is close to my soul. I’m not angry to her but the one that can make me angry is her pride. She is very proud to herself. She hates people who don’t appreciate her. She even tried to insult me. She is making me jealous!

Why is she like that? If she is just good to me and treat me that we are just fair, then I would never be jealous. If she would not make me feel jealous, then I would not be feeling this so hard.

Why do some people are like that? Why do they want someone to be jealous of them? Are they not contented of the appreciations they had? Why do they have to do this? Why do they have to hurt other’s feelings?

But don’t you know that I found someone who made me feel I’m better than her. He is Jesus. Every time I pray, I feel He is very proud of me. Every time I wish, He makes me feel that I am important. I wish there would be someone aside Him who can make me feel winner. I hope there would be somebody who could say, “ I love you because of who you really are”.

A Special Friendship

Have you ever had a special friend? What do you feel whenever you are together? Are you sure that you are just friends? Are you sure that he/she is just a FRIEND? Are you sure that you are just his/her FRIEND? Be SURE!!!

I had so many friends and I always had the same feelings with them. I am always together with them. We always share our secrets. But there was one friend of mine that I will never forget because of one special thing.

When I was kinder 2, I met Oishi (not his real name). He was my best friend. He was the only boy who was my friend. He was special to me because I feel very special to him. I remember before that every recess; he always shares his drink to me. He always obeys me when I want him to be quiet in class. He always follows me wherever I go. We play together after classes. He was like my brother at that time. That’s the first reason why he is special to me.

When we reach elementary, we were in the same school but we were not classmates. He is in another section. But still we were in contact. We had our own nicknames! Whenever we met at the end of the class, we eat together. He still remembers me. That’s the second reason why he is special to me.

We were not classmates until grade 5. But I was amazed when we became classmates in grade 6. I was really happy and he felt the same way too. And the most exciting is that we were seatmates!

But something has changed. We were still close to each other but he was not following me whatever I wanted him to do. I know I can demand on him because I am the president of the class before. But even if I am the president or not, he followed the other boys.

It took time for me to accept him again. But I realized that we were no more kids. We were already grown up friends. We already have our own crushes. We all have our personal problems.

He still told me secrets. He told me who is his crush. He told me everything. He told about his family. He told me about what he felt about his enemies. We became closer to each other.

Months gone by, I am no longer on his side. We no longer stick to each other. It’s as if that I am avoiding him. I don’t know why. There was a time when I saw him together with his crush. I don’t know why but I feel jealous. Oh my God?! What was that feeling?

I know it was been so hard for me to accept what I felt. I can’t control it, right? I know that you know what’s that feeling I felt, right? I know we can’t be because she liked another girl.

But I realized that maybe it’s just because I am so close to him. Maybe it’s just normal that I felt that way. I’ve already accepted the truth. But whatever I felt about him, I know that he is so special to me. And I know that I will always cherish this special friendship of ours.

My diary, my best friend

Have you ever found a friend that you consider as the best? Have you found someone who is always there to hear your words without even judging you? Have you tried searching for him/her? Or, have you realize how hard it is to have that kind of friend?

I had so many, many friends. Even if I can’t remember some of them, I always remember their faces and the memories we had. It’s such a happy feeling together with them. But I have to be honest that I still want someone, someone who doesn’t belong to them and someone I dreamed for. That someone is a best friend.

I want a friend who is always there for me. (Don’t worry; I’m not that demanding). I want someone who could accept my imperfectness and mistakes. I want someone who is loyal to me without even minding the gossips around. I want someone who is ready to sacrifice all for me because I will do the same thing whenever I could find that someone. But it’s so hard to search for that someone. I just realize that that a best friend doesn’t have to pass my standards. A best friend is someone you are very comfortable to say your feelings and secrets. And, I found one already. It’s my diary!

I have a diary before when I was elementary. I didn’t treasure it so well and already forgot some things on it. Now, I started to write on my new diary. But this time, it’s different. Instead of having “Dear diary”, I changed it into “Dear Lord”. Why? It is because Lord God is my best friend. Aside from praying, I write the things I want to say to the Lord. I consider Lord God as my best friend because I feel comfortable to Him. And it’s so magical, that even if I’ll only think of the words I want to say, He could already hear those words. But if I continue thinking about them, I will just forget about those things. So I decided to write all of those on my diary. All the things I wrote there is for the Lord God. I know He can’t me by words and by voice but He can answer me through mysterious ways. He can answer through the people He used as instruments. But don’t you know that I still wish to have a best friend. Yes, I’m still wishing to have someone like the Lord God. But at this moment, I already feel contented on what I have.

You? Do you have a best friend? How do you feel about them? Are you sure they are real? Have you tried to test them? If I were you, let God and destiny test them! It’s the best way to be sure if they are really real friends. But no matter what happens, always treasure those friends. We can’t deny the fact that they are still part of our lives. They are still in our hearts right now. Whoever they are, you just hope that they also cherish you. Whatever the memories you had, always keep them in mind. We don’t know when and where they will come again to your life.

As of now, I’m proud to say that my best friend is my DIARY!

Destiny and Friends

Do you have friends? How many are they? Are they still in your side? Do you still have contacts? Do they still remember you? Whoever they may be, the important thing is how you cherish them even if the time for you to be with them is limited.

9 years ago, I met Chin-Chin. She was my first friend who was very close to me. I met her when we were kinder 1 at Lahug Elementary School. She originally came from Manila. She went here in Cebu because her father was assigned here before. We were always together before. She made me feel I’m good. But unfortunately, her father was assigned to another place and she had to transfer into that place. That was the last time I saw her.

When I reached kinder 2, I met Genevieve. She was my ever-mean friend. She is so mean but I like her. Her mother and my mother were also friends. We go home together but before we go home, we go to my sister’s school, which is also her brother’s school. Obviously, my sister and her brothers were classmates. She was my friend whom I experienced sacrificing. I know it was just a simple sacrifice but it has a great meaning to me. It was an afternoon when we bought notebooks for our new subject. I saw a nice notebook, but when she saw it, she wanted it to be hers. So I gave it to her even if I really liked it. I expected that we would be classmates again in elementary but unfortunately, they transferred to another house away from the school. So she also had to transfer into another school near to them. And that was the last time I saw her.

When I reached grade 1, I met Jenny. Jenny was so talkative. The teacher always scolded her because of her talkativeness. But I found her enjoyable and funny. I became close to her. But she transferred to another school when we are about to enter grade 2. And that was the last time I saw her.

I met someone when I was in grade 2. I forgot her first name; I only remember her last name. It was Ronquillo. She was my classmate from kinder 2 up to grade 2. I was close to her even before kinder 2. But the time when I already appreciate our friendship, she transferred to another school. Again, that was the last time I saw her.

I remember Rosie. She was my classmate who I always tease. Despite of all the mean things I did to her, I appreciate her. She has a good voice and we were both members of the school’s choir. We were always together. Actually, we were seatmates. I really like her, but destiny keeps on playing. Our school found out that her father was working in abroad. And because our school is a charity foundation, it doesn’t accept people who can afford studying to another school. She was kicked out by grade 4. Unlike my past friends, it was not the last time I saw her.

When I was grade 4, I met Marianne. Marianne is so beautiful but silent. She is intelligent but poor. She is talented but shy. And most of all she is very good. I think she has the best attitude. She is so humble. She had nothing to be insulted. She’s almost perfect. Her face is as innocent as Mother Mary. She is so good to all. I liked her so much. But her father was fired from his job so she went to public school and there she studied. And that was the last time I saw her.

Remember Rosie? I saw her again when I was grade 5. Instead of being happy, I was shocked when I saw her. She had already changed a lot. She was not the shy and humble girl I knew before. She became very proud and boastful. And the worst of all, she just passed my way and did not greet at all. I was disappointed. At last, it was the last time I saw her.

When I reached grade 5, I got closer to Divine Grace. It sounds funny but she has the same name with Manny Pacquiao’s daughter. Divine had the most beautiful voice in the school but she is shy. She would only sing if she would be forced to. Teacher always scolded her because of her one attitude, being late in all things. She submits project late. She arrives in school late. She does things late. But my teacher just didn’t realize that she was never late in trying to be punctual. And she was never late in my heart. Because of the scolds she received from the teacher, she transferred to another school by choice. But that was not the last time I saw her because we promised to meet again.

Like what we promised, we met again. When we met, there was a change but this time it’s not from good to bad but a bad to good. She wasn’t shy anymore. She wasn’t even late. Because of that, I thought that her decision was right. It is now all right for me to be away from her as long as I know that she is now a better person that I can like more whenever we meet again.

See, I have so many friends that I thought I can be with until forever. But destiny keeps on taking them away from me. It had taken away the special people instead of the ordinary friends I had. Maybe they are destined to another person. Wherever they are at this time, I still remember them and I’ll always treasure the friendship we had before.

It was the story of my destiny and my friends…

What should I take?

Even if I’m just a second year high school, I’m starting planning on what course I will take in college. My first choice is mass communication. It is my first choice because I love to express my feelings in public through speaking. I want to be good in speaking. I also love journalism because like the mass communication, it helps me express my feelings, but this time through writing. I love to write my opinions on what is going on in the country. It is how I can share my own opinions with. I like journalism because it makes feel that I am free on what I wanted to do. But I got discourage a little when the issue about the killing of the journalists came out. I got frightened upon hearing the news.

I also have a plan to take music course. I want music because I love music. I am fun of playing instruments and I am still interested about music. I want to know more about music. In fact, I can harness my skills and abilities through taking this course. But I realize that if I am going to take music course, I want it to be in up school of music where most of the Filipino musicians came from. I know that my parents would not allow me to be away from them.

I also love psychology because as what they said, I’m good in counseling. I don’t know if I’m really like that but it made interested to take that course. Well, It’s a good course not just because it is not that expensive but because it makes you understand the livelihood of people and what they feel.

When I joined the debating society in school, I got so interested about law. When we first debate, it was so hard for me to adjust because I am not used to speak in front of people especially that in debate you have to speak in 7 minutes! They are not just ordinary people that I am talking about but are well-informed people. They are going to take down notes on what I will say and definitely will rebut those things that I will talk about. It makes me realize that what we are doing is just the same as what the lawyers are doing every time they are in the court. But it also made me shiver when I hear the word “law” because as what I heard of one of the teachers in UP, it’s very hard to take this course.

My mother wants me to be an accountant especially if I will be a certified public accountant. That course is all right for me because I’m not that bad in Math. She said that if I will be a CPA, it would be easier for me to gain money.

As now, I will promise to love whatever course I will be taking in college. I still have 2 years to decide. One thing I am sure of is that I will be good in my studies.

Beatrice

Well, it’s so hard to start a very broad story that will possibly reach a mile. I was really thinking about posting this entry. I was thinking if posting this entry can help Beatrice in her problem. Well, stop what you are doing right now. Just read this and please, if you have advice, please be kind to share it with me. It’s the reason why I post this entry.

I’ve decided to write this story on my first entry because I want it to be very special. Well, no more other things to talk about. I’ll start now with her story.


Beatrice is 2nd in their family. She is well known in their community because of her school. People describe her as mysterious because she seldom goes out from her house and no friends at all. She only talks to her childhood neighbors and does it very seldom, unlike her older sister, and this what they say as her weakness. Her sister is a friendly punk girl. She would always smile whenever you meet her. She is someone that you will be enjoying when you are together. See, they are very different.


Beatrice is silent while Alexandra is naughty. They both love music but they have different ways in liking it. Beatrice likes songs with beautiful meanings while Alex don’t mind about the meaning! They are also different as daughters of their parents. Beatrice is sweet while Alex is just….. a daughter in name. But don’t you know that they were very close to each other before?


When they were just in elementary years, they bath together, go to school together, eat lunch together and go home together. Wherever Alex goes, Beatrice is always with her and vice versa. They always stick to each other. But when Alex reached her high school years, she has already changed. Beatrice could no more talk to her like the way she want it before. Alex’s grades pulled down. She went home late. Beatrice wondered so far but still she couldn’t know why. She thought she was just ignorant about it because she was just in elementary at that time.


But when Beatrice reached high school, she is still wondering why she’s sister is like that. She didn’t see any bad influence in high school. But she doesn’t know that their schools are very different, so very different. Beatrice’s school is a school of the scholars. It is where most of the professionals came from. Alex’s school is huge, had many students, students who really differ from each other. Some students are dropouts from other schools. Not insulting but it has the most dull high school students in their province.


Days went by so fast. Changes also occur rapidly and terribly, specifically on her sister. Alex went home very late. Whenever she is asked why she’s late, she always has unbelievable reasons. She was always out and didn’t ask permission at all. Beatrice was very worried about her sister.


One day, it was Friday when it was almost 09:00 pm and Alex had not yet arrived, Mother worried so much. She asked Beatrice to call all the classmates of her sister. Beatrice did it. Alex was nowhere. She was not in any of her classmate’s house. She didn’t bring her phone. She didn’t even call, until mother received a message from an unregistered number. It was written there that,” Ma, I’m at the church right now. I will go home right away after the mass ends, Alex”. Because of mother’s anger, she called the number and asked who it was. He was Alex’s classmate. He said that Alex was just going to church at that time when she borrowed his phone. So, it means that before Alex texted to mother, she is still in the school. What might is she doing in school at that time? So they waited. It was 10:00 when Alex arrived. Mother scolded her so terribly. Beatrice was also frightened at her mother’s voice. But in the middle of their discussion, Beatrice noticed that her mother’s voice was no more in anger but already in sadness. She heard sighs. They were the cries of her mother inside the room where her she and Alex were talking. Beatrice stopped reading and turned the television’s volume down. She listened very carefully at every word her mother spoke. “ I don’t know why you changed like this. You are not the Alex that I’ve known before. What, what is the reason? Was there a problem about our way of disciplining you?”, mother cried as she said it. “ There’s no problem about you, it’s about… father and Beatrice”, Alex answered. “What is all about your father and Beatrice?”, mother respond. “ Father always appreciates Beatrice’s doings. He always insults me about my studies and my… life. After hearing those words, Beatrice’s tears started to fall. She said to herself, “What do she think of me? I’m not father’s favorite. She didn’t even know that I am jealous of her whenever our parents worry so much to her and care so much to her”.


After that incident, Alex never talked so much to her sister.


Now people, what can you say about the story? What advise can you give to Beatrice? What will Beatrice do on her sister? Will she leave the problem unsolved or do something to let them be close together again?