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!!!