Social Renewal: The Living Funeral

When a teacher cries in front of a class, the culture will tell it is improper, for he/she must show that he/she is emotionally stable. When a teacher confides his/her problem to his/her students, the culture will tell it is improper, the latter shall be the ones confiding to the former. Culture tells everything one must do. What ought to be and not ought to be show the parameter of morality. If one goes beyond the restrictions, he becomes a deviant.
Many of my professors way back in college always emphasized never to show my would-be students my emotional weaknesses. It did not matter at all, until I became a full-fledged teacher. I have learned to understand the principle behind it. I have learned when and where to be emotional, at least not in front of my students. One professor, I remember, once told me that if you had a problem, just trample on a door mat of the classroom several times while thinking of the problem fading away before going inside to face the students. That professor said it could give psychological effect as if leaving whatever problem you have outside. I did it several times; and, I was just like fooling myself. The problem was still there. And anytime my face would show something noticeable by my physical critics – the students.

Does a teacher need to include in his multifaceted roles wearing of enigmatic mask to emphasize that the show must go on? It is pathetic! Sometimes, amidst the stressing endeavors that torture a teacher, he/she forgets that he/she is nothing but an emotional being – the thing that makes him/her a human.
I have been teaching for over four years; and, never had I experienced this life-changing event that has altered my stereotyped perception of a teacher. Marlon Tabilisma, a good friend of mine, told me several times about this so called “The Living Funeral.” It would really sound creepy to anyone who would hear of it. Whenever he would open his mouth over a dinner, he would always start talking about his class doing this. After several sessions of this mini symposium over a dinner, I finally included it in the symposium I had planned in my subject Sociology with Population Education with my same friend as the speaker. I thought it would only be a drama that would provoke the emotional immaturity of the students. But I was wrong. On September 16, Tuesday, of this year[2008], I finally experienced this most-awaited part of the symposium. Every minute would make you realize that life is short and would also make you consider that loving your enemy is very easy. I could not explain, but it really happened. The environment transformed into an ambiance of melancholy, reflection, and soul-searching. The students would attest for the transformation they experienced. They found themselves going to their own wakes. They heard the sweetest words one may not hear when he is already dead. I also found myself attending my own wake. At least, I was able to hear from my students the sweetest words I did not imagine coming from them.
According to Morris Schwartz, in the novel Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, if the culture does not fit, don’t buy it. This does not mean to go against the moral standards of the society. Who says that crying in front of the students is improper? I cried and I earned respect.

SHE

One of the most important persons in my life is my mother. Her unconditional love for me is her wealth. She has never changed at all from what she was when I was only a student to what she is now that I am already a successful person. She is the person who has taught me the values of patience, humbleness, and fortitude. She is a very simple person, yet determined. She fights when she knows she is right.

This mother's day I really want to make her feel how thankful I am for having her as my mother. No one could really replace her in my heart. She is one of the reasons why I still pursue my dreams in life.

Secrets:

1. She wore the same dress during my graduation day in elementary and recognition day in college.

2. When she wins in jueteng, she will tell me first.

3. She is a bingo addict. When I treated her out to SM, she just spent the entire day playing bingo after eating her favorite halo-halo at Chowking. She even invited her playmate.

4. I was sleeping beside her on bed until I reached third year in college, while my father was sleeping on another bed in the room.

5. On our way to the baccalaureate mass, a day before my graduation in the graduate school, her sandals broke down in the middle of the high way where I needed to get for her while I was dressed up formally. Her feet were trying to keep the sandals in tack until she could manage to walk alongside a mall. Unfortunately, all parts of her sandals disintegrated until she was walking barefooted. I looked for a vendor who was selling sandals and slippers right away. I bought her slippers to relieve her from embarrassment in the mean time, while we were waiting for the mall to open. Finally, I bought her sandals for her not to retract from attending the mass.

She is simply amazing! I love you, Nanay!

Election Fever 2010

I arrived at the polling area at 2:30 P.M. I could see the exhausted faces of some electorate who were patiently waiting in queues. I fell in the last portion of the line. It seemed not moving for about 20 mins. It was even aggravated by high humidity.
Then, I decided to go home and come back when the line would be shorter. I asked my Dad, who had been busy wandering about the polling precincts, to text me when the line would seem to clear up. I went back at 4:20 after receiving a text from my Dad. As I got near the area, the line turned out longer. I had no choice but to endure the ordeal of exercising my political right.
Finally, I was able to cast my vote after two and a half hours. The feeling was different. I felt I became more of a Filipino citizen. The indelible ink on my index finger's nail would remain perpetually symbolic. (The end!)

Education in Global Perspective

The present era is marked by transformational dynamism, characterized by competitiveness in many fields of endeavor. Countries, being the prime movers of dynamism, have metamorphosed to face the challenges, which embody the latest trend in the 21st century – globalization. In a simple meaning, globalization refers to the movement of people, money, goods and services, and information across the countries. Evidently, it is a modern drift of challenges that instigate the countries mobilize themselves to emerge globally competitive.

Education, being the vital molder of human resources of the country, has considered the obtaining trend of the modern world. It has defined its goals and objective covering not only the country’s realm but also the international roads of relationship with other countries. Being the influential social institution to attend to such global challenge, it has enriched its curricula, imperative to hasten the improvement of knowledge and skills of the human resources in the country thereby emerging competitive in the international arena. Academic courses, geared towards the thrusts, have proliferated out in many educational institutions in the country to ensure the employability of graduates in the foreign labor markets. Consequently, professions in demand abroad have always been the tracks traversed by many students. Truly, the trend has influenced the plunge of the educational system and the people in the country.

However, the response to globalization has created schism of acceptance in the academic communities in the country. It has caused a shift to courses in demand abroad and not locally. Many graduates flock over the chance to work abroad every year. They spend a plethora of money just to land in a good job in foreign countries, which usually promise them a multiple –folds of returns – a greener pasture at that — to the family in the country. As a result, the country seems to run out of human resources who, ideally, can propel the changes that our country has long been dreaming of. On account of this scenario, our education system loses its noble vision of empowering the bulk of population in the country and equipping them with skills and knowledge contributory to the country’s development in this modern world.

As far as the Philippine setting is concerned, the educational system must promote courses that will create the professions imperative for the country’s growth and development. Since our country is at its comparative advantage in the field of agriculture, there must be an empowerment of agriculture-related courses in the public and private educational institutions. Let us uphold our conviction that agriculture is the backbone of our fluctuating economy. Thus, we need agriculturists to transform our idle lands to productive resources. Moreover, other professions may similarly uplift the country’s status at our own advantage, provided that these are exercised primordially within the domain. Apparently, the country also needs competitive teachers, who usually contribute to brain drain, to transform the human resources to the labor force, which will fuel up the mechanism of progress in its multidimensional existence. Hence, let us apply this theory of comparative advantage in making our country strong to occupy a space in the international community. With strong country nourished by collaborative efforts from the empowered human capital, we are investing in a sustainable future amidst the global challenges.

MENTORS IN BLUE: Multi-tasked Agents

Armed with high caliber, devised with vast knowledge, and equipped with sterling sense of professionalism, learning becomes fruitful and meaningful in the hands of the so-called multi-tasked agents of education – the mentors.
These agents emerge to be the disciples of professionalism, emblems of nobility, sages of school of thoughts, and soldiers of pedagogy in the battlefield of ignorance. Imbued with mission these agents perform multifaceted tasks, which emphasize their noble raison d’etre.
As facilitators of learning, they create an atmosphere filled with learning experiences as wide as what human minds can imagine, not confined within the four corners of the classroom. They design activities necessary for the learners to metamorphose into competitive and highly educated beings.
As guidance counselors, they serve as the light in showing the right pathway of the learners’ odyssey towards the success. They instill in the learners not only the knowledge but also the values the latter need in the process of their transformation.
As surrogate parents, they play the role of second parents of the learners in the latter’s second home – the school. They ought to tender love, care, and attention, which the learners need as they traverse the lifelong process called education.
As decision-makers, they weigh the bipolarity of circumstances, which usually requires them sound judgment. They stand firm in all their words, taking into consideration the risks they may cause.
The agents of education are also models of professionalism. Having possessed outstanding characteristics , they truly emerge as the subject for emulation, not only for their students but also for the people in the community.
All these roles epitomize the regalia in the field of commendable profession, which is exercised by extraordinary agents – the mentors. Do you dare being one of them?

My Only Wrath

You had been a good provider;
You even made my life nicer.
A symbol of a perfect father,
The emblem of love, joy, and laughter.

You went far for a greener pasture
Just to give birth for my brighter future.
You built the house where life was so sure
For me to feel your presence so pure.

But one thing you just did not realize,
Your absence took away your precious price.
And when your image was drawn back on my eyes,
I became colorblind; I was unable to recognize.

Changes, indeed, are permanent thing
In my innocent cognizance you ever bring
For all my perception about your perfection
Have already vanished and reached expiration.

The Prayer of Faith

O, Loving and Forgiving Father
Who rule over the heaven and earth.
Your image speaks of your existence;
Your magnanimity reflects on our credence.

Touch us by Your forgiving hands
As You bring us our hopeful chance
To be free from the cage of darkness
And fly high in the sky of goodness

Direct us toward the enlightenment
As we walk along the aisle made of Your garment.
Bless us with Your bountiful graces
As if we are showered with confetti of success

O, Lord, we thank You then
For the love You have given
As we exalt Your most precious name
In the paramount of every moment.

Long Lonely Life

All the time I was alone;
No one was there to call me on.
My solitude that came so long;
Your presence just had it gone.

At first you could see,
The spirit of joy in me;
It was a manifestation
Of my grateful emotion.

And the time quickly passed by
As it all happened for a while.
For all the memories that we shared
Were part of the answer to my prayer.

Now that everything came back
As it was used to be;
Once again I am covered up
With a cold presence of solitary.
Nevertheless, I would like you to know
How grateful I am for the company you showed.

Complete

I’ve found a reason
to wake up each morning with smile.
To breathe the air
the day… is gonna be alright.
The sun shines through my heart
beating your name out loud,
Reminding me of someone
the one I really love.
Chorus:
Whenever I see you smile (touch your face)…
Whenever I hold your hands (hug you tight)…
Whenever I hear your voice (kiss your lips)…
my day gets brighter.
You make my life complete.
I’ve found the answer
to ease the pain I feel inside my heart,
To heal the wound
and let it fall in love.
You’re its missing part….
I just couldn’t hide
this feeling I have for you inside.
Now, I fin’ly realize….
(Repeat chorus except last two lines)
…my heart beats faster
(Repeat chorus)
Bridge:
You put a meaning to my life.
You give me hope so I survive.
You teach my face how to smile.
Now, my eyes forget how to cry.
(Repeat chorus except last two lines)
…my heart beats faster
(Repeat chorus)
Coda:
I hope to be with you is fine.
I want to stop the hands of time.
Oh…I wish the day won’t last
just for the two of us
‘Coz you make my life complete.
Oh…complete

Terminal Point

An ordinary day turned out to be a nostalgic reminiscing of forgotten momentous piece of my life.Saturday, the day when I usually clean up the week-long piled up mess in and out the house. It is an ordinary day for a home buddy like I have always been. It is a weekly ordeal of my life as I dust every piece of cheap figurines and souvenirs – which have been the objects for collection of my ate – and begin to sound horrifying as my cough reminds me that I have Allergicrinitis and asthma.

It was a Saturday of forgotten month and year where my day got almost ruined by a moment in the past alleviating my oblivion on its entire existence. I wished I did not bother myself cleaning the inside of my bookshelf where all my precious books and an organized photo album are kept. As my ordinary custom in cleaning works, I always take a peep at any document-looking papers, which have been olden by antiquity. I open books as if I look for something, which deserves to be thrown out to unload the burden I carry whenever I look at my smutty room with heavy eyes. In the mean time, as my hands were finished going over the pages of a book, the next object, which received my remaining few seconds for the shelf was the photo album.
There seemed to be no big deal, for it was my usual stuff subject for cleaning. But, as I opened the album and gazed at my portraits – good enough for an illustration in the subject Developmental Psychology – there seemed to be something strange about my pictures during my recognition days in elementary and in college. I had not noticed this before, but it really made me laugh and teary-eyed. My mother’s dress during my recognition day in elementary was the same dress she wore in my college recognition day. Nanay really takes care of her belongings – she got no choice.
But as it runs through my experience, somber is the shadow of laugh. The next few moments were a dramatic scenario. As I looked straight in to the eyes of my portrait, it awakened my cognizance that the day important to all the others was the day I extremely abhorred. It made sparks of nerve in my mind, which had long been earthen by stupor.
I tried not to remember anything about it, but every moment was like a nightmare, which gave me vivid flashes of scene amidst the kingdom of darkness. I saw myself crying bitterly and helplessly. It was my graduation day – the day that marked between the ordinary and extra-ordinary, failure and success, and mediocrity and insatiability. Four years of waiting, a month of hope, and a day of downfall – this was the countdown of my life like as I stepped out of the college without bringing home the bacon. Everything seemed turn out futile. It was lifetime recognition, which was lost in the air that I could hardly gather and figure out its plausibility to be formed again. I was hopeless. That destiny was fulfilled by mistakes. If they just knew how my soul cried out loud on the verge of my despair. It was one of the trials I would not expect life could offer me. I could have conquered my inferiority complex, which has long dwelt within my ego. I could have become better. It was a rare chance I could prove myself. It was an honor, which would never belong to me as it flew away until it was gone. Attached in back of my portrait was a folded paper where my poem for my alma mater was inscribed.

I was crying profusely when I was reading the poem. I felt it happened only yesterday. The pain that I abandoned was coming back to embrace my thoughts. When could I put the closure to these thoughts? I decided to close the album as I thought it might lessen the melancholy.
Days, months, and years have passed by; but, whenever graduation day comes in for the others, that moment tries to penetrate in to my mind – a curse that will forever be with me. However, could my destiny have changed should have that recognition been attached to my identity? No one could really tell. Nonetheless, I know that my holistic capabilities can not be measured by only academic standards. I know I can take an extra leap ahead in my odyssey in life. It is a matter of believing in myself. I know I have moved on. And I say I am ready to face the sunrise of the new me.

Who is Rolly?

If I were to have a second name, that would be ROLLY. My mother told me that it used to be my name. It was only changed to Marlon because I was so sickly with that name, as the saying works. Anyway, I find it a different one. I just believe that a name influences one's being. That is why most names have etymological meanings. I am just wondering what I could have become with this name. I would never know!For this let me savor this abandoned name in this blogsite. Who knows? I may discover the unknown realm in me with this.

Now and then may I be called Rolly in this site.

A Trip to Remember

The fever is still warm. On account of this, let me give you a vivid narrative of one of the most awaited educational ventures, which happened in the school year – the Ilocos Trip. Let your mind travel back in time and think that it is only 11:00 P.M. of February 03, 2010. The excitement is just around the corner. Everyone is keyed up, checking the packed meals, baggage, and other stuffs. The faculty is busy counting the number of students who either have asked for consent or just faked their guardians’ approval to join a quite expensive trip. And the buses are just about to vibrate to signal that everyone is in and ready for an 8 hour-long joy ride to the realm of Ilocos.
6:00 A.M., February 04, 2010, the busses arrive at the first destination – Fort Ilocandia. Everyone heads to the beach to feel the aquatic zephyr that gently touches the morning face. Some are meandering along the seashore to take some panoramic souvenir photos, while the others are getting ready for a delectable breakfast. The beauty of the place only whispers that the journey is yet to begin.
9:00 A.M., as the busses get near the next stop, everyone is astounded by what the word ‘enormous’ really means, as the gigantic modern windmills start to appear conspicuous to the eyes. It is like a scene from the movie Titanic, when Rose sees for the first time the so called unsinkable ship. It is as if the windmills are the ones that cause the wind to oscillate and force the seawater to vow by throwing its waves and not the other way around. Unfortunately, the windmills this time are not in the mood for a show. The coastal sand is like pebbles with its size.
12:00 P.M., the farthest destination, Pagudpud, is yet to reveal its beauty. Truly, it can be dubbed as the “Boracay of the North” because of its nearly white beach (light brown dominantly mixed with white sand) and crystal-clear water that serves as the mirror to the panoramic blue sky. Both the teachers and the students are delighted by what the place can offer – crystal-clear seawater, nearly white beach, boating, snorkeling, and the like. Everyone can’t wait to swim and feel the amalgam of the coldness of the open water and the hotness of the atmosphere. Truly it gives a therapeutic effect from the body to the soul. Everyone will really wish to stay longer, if not forever. The paradise-like place is really worth the 12-hour ride.
4:30 P.M., the group, lulled by the tender accommodation of the nature, leaves the place with a promise to come back. Undoubtedly, Pagudpud beaches offer spellbinding experience that soothes one’s exhaustive soul. Everyone feels floating on the verge of letting go of a romantic place as Pagudpud. God really is an excellent architect of nature.
6:00 P.M., all the buses finally reach the Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte. Mrs. Connie Borromeo, the university coordinator for reservation, takes the group right away to the university’s training center where the latter will stay overnight. The students are assigned to their respective air-conditioned rooms – though some rooms do not have sufficient ventilation to pamper the students with a restful night. Due to their number, some students need to share beds. Meanwhile, food stubs are suddenly given away to the students to control the distribution of the packed meals. After a few minutes, the students make a queue to receive their luscious meals served systematically. The first day ends with a sound sleep from everyone.
8:00 A.M., February 05, 2010, another day of excitement and fun is about to unfold. After eating the breakfast, which consists of a cup of rice and some pieces of Laoag longganisa and scrambled egg, the group is fetched to the main library to meet Prof. Bella Gerbacio for a tour. The PSEd students, under the supervision of Mrs. Nancy Ramores, visit the laboratory school for some observation. In the meantime, as the students form some queues, they walk slowly inside the building to see the voluminous collections of books. Besides reading materials the library is also rich in authentic paintings, pictures, posters, and museum pieces.
9:30 A.M., the group is divided into two to visit the Marcos Museum and the Paoay Church alternately to save time. In the Marcos Museum, some students see for the first time the alleged remains of the great president Marcos, lying peacefully in a Perspex coffin. The caretaker says it is the real corpse of the president wrapped with a wax.
After a while, the students and the faculty enjoy buying some native delicacies, such as tinubong, chichacorn, kalamay, and some handicrafts sold alongside the museum, which really add to the taste of the place.
In Paoay the students are overwhelmed by the religious edifice that has withstood the test of time. The antiquity of the church suggests that it has witnessed the course of history. The group also finds out that the belfry and the church are made up of lime stones, sands, and eggs. No wonder why it has been declared as one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
2:00 P.M., the buses station beside the Provincial Capitol of Vigan City. The group becomes so excited to wander around the city to see the beauty of ancestral sceneries. In a short while, the tour guides show up to take the group around the city. Adjacent to the capitol is the Burgos Museum, the first destination in the list. In the museum the students explore every corner to see different antiques from old pictures to rusty artifacts.
After getting amazed by antiquated art pieces, the tour guides take the students and the faculty to the pagburnayan, another art work. Ms. Hanna Lynn Fiesta demonstrates how to make one using a manual pottery wheel.
Then, the group finally sees the so called Hidden Garden. As the group discovers the hidden garden, the students and faculty have their souvenir photos taken. The garden showcases the gifts of nature altered artistically.
4:00 P.M., one of the most-awaited destinations in the trip the Baluarte ni Singson seems to have some problem in accommodating a big number of visitors. Eventually, its vastness makes the group realize that an ample space can keep them from the ferocious animals behind the bars. The baluarte serves as a mini zoo where different species of animal, such as eagle, peacock, Bengal tiger, bearcat, reticulated python, ostrich, and many more, are nursed.
5:30 P.M., like a fierce animal freed to the wilderness, the students and the teachers indefatigably roam around the streets to buy some souvenirs and native delicacies. Some ride in kalesa (carriage) to experience the mode of transportation during Spanish Regime; while, some just walk to feel the ambiance and leave no stones unturned in looking for a shop that sells products at cheapest price. The lights along the streets add to the antiquity and romanticism of the place.
7:30 P.M., The group bids farewell to the lovely places in the North bringing home the unforgettable memories. Despite the group’s wish to stop the time run, the rule of nature cannot simply be defied. Everyone is tired as a dog but will sleep as a god.

About the Title

My Daily Bread as it is. This contains my daily accounts, encounters, endeavors, and life story. This depicts how I see the world away from others' criticisms, standards, or points of view. This is my story, which vividly details about the things and persons that make the most and worst of my existence.