On Jacque Bermejo: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/09/29/09/ofw-dubai-draws-flak-over-facebook-remark

Reflection brought about by Typhoon Ondoy

Kay laking kabalintunaan

Kay laking kabuktutan

Na sa aking bansang Pilipinas

Lahat ng matataas

Tumatabon sa mahihirap

A Day Pictures!

September 25, 2009

A Day with 1B

My first Appreciation Day as an adviser.  Among the many things I wanted to say about this day, I would just focus on one: the A Day celebration in the classroom.  

It made me happy.

When I arrived in the classroom with Ms. Biron and Xiao Lao Shi, nobody greeted us.  There was none of the boisterous shouting, whooping, and clapping that greeted the teachers in the other classrooms.  I thought I was in for a disappointment.  I even had to ask our president to offer the teachers chairs.

Then Joshua led the class in prayer.  And it was beautiful for it was sincere in delivery and deep in insight.  I felt affirmed in my belief in this boy's potential to achieve great and good things--a potential that I firmly believe is shared by all my students.  So as he prayed for us, I prayed for them.

We had games afterwards.  They were fun games for all the students and the mentors too gave of themselves to make them successful.  Gerard and Nathan, our dependable hosts for the event, did not have to drive themselves hoarse to give instructions and to ask everybody to participate. The members of the class just did. I did not notice time passing by.  All of a sudden it was break time.

The games too focused on us four.  We were the center of attention as it should be if only for this day. 

Let me end by correcting myself therefore.  The celebration in the classroom did not only make me happy.  It made me proud of my class. Thank you 1B and I look forward to your hosting the A Day not just in the classroom but in the entire school.

Pres. Cory Aquino's Wake -- August 4, 2009

No photos inside the Cathedral. Well and good. It was improper.

I, together with a group of Xavier faculty and staff, were at the cathedral grounds at around 5 pm but we were only able to view the body at approximately 10 pm since necrological services and a mass afterwards were being held inside the church. We decided to wait first at the Chow King branch in front of the cathedral and then at the coffee shop beside it.

Many of us bought souvenirs of t-shirts, pins, umbrellas, and other stuff to remember this great woman and to while away the time.

Mr. Dee, a son in law of Mrs. Aquino later assisted us to get inside the cathedral through a side entrance.

When I heard of the president's death Saturday, August 1, I texted a Xavier colleague and together we made a resolution to go to the wake. I am happy that despite the rains, the long wait, and the surge of people, we persisted for this woman deserves all the show of affections that we Filipinos can afford to give.

Ako si Ninoy -- A Musical

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

It is a musical play based on the life of Ninoy Aquino and through the Xavier School, I was able to watch its gala show last Friday together with Mrs. Enaje and Mr. Perez at the Meralco Theater.

The rating of three that I am giving the play is rather deceiving because I actually liked it. Generally, that is. My expectations were not raised that high because I gullibly believed the show's promos which claimed that they are from Balic-balic and that the theater group was unknown. However, it was colorful, well staged, relatively intelligent, and fun. Not in the eyes of modernist aesthetics and high brow art probably but in my eyes as a viewer who just wanted to relax and enjoy theater. Maybe, if I am from a younger set of audience, I would have enjoyed it even more.

I cried in the end, too. Maybe, I have been primed for it because of the recent death of President Aquino, who I now can proudly proclaim, my favorite Philippine president. The show and the existence of the theater group and the foundation which supported it gave me another reason to hope for a better Philippines--that the society that we dream of and which some of our politicians continues to destroy will be achieved within my lifetime. It will be slow but it will be achieved nonetheless. Peacefully, fully, and deeply. I believe for I am Ninoy.

Finally Posted: 1B Recollection

I barely knew the class having handled them a mere two days before a long break but the recollection proved to be successful and laid a positive foundation of camaraderie for the year. Thanks to Miss Biron for substituting as class adviser.