It’s been forty-five days since I arrived back in the Philippines. I plan to stay here for at least a year, after a seven-year overseas teaching career, hoping to achieve my dreams of becoming a published author. What can I say, my parents taught me early on to go for what I want. So every day (and night), I do what most writers do - sit down and write (eating is optional, sleeping is avoided).

Okay, enough drama. I just really wanted to wish you all a Happy Heroes Day. I’m reposting one of my earliest entries, written back in the days when I had more time to blog. Reading it again after two years, I must admit that some parts made me want to make a few changes. Nahh, just keep it real! It’s what I wrote. It must have been what was in my heart ;-)     

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Notes to Neo (In search of modern-day Filipino heroes)

Morpheus : You are The One, Neo. You see, you may have spent the last few years of your life looking for me, but I’ve spent my entire life looking for you.

I’m sure that you can still remember this scene from the movie, The Matrix. You almost wanted to be Neo in the movie. Imagine being told that you are someone special and that you are “The One.” It’s very similar to Jesus’ message to his disciples as written in the book of John. He said, You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.

How cool would it be if this same message was said to you by someone you look up to? What kind of warm feelings and happy emotions would you feel if your idol or mentor told you that he has been waiting for you all his life and that you are the chosen one?

The Chosen One
Being The One means that you have a special mission in life to become a hero and that you are destined to do heroic deeds. By doing heroic deeds, you become a hero. Conversely, by believing that you are a hero, you do heroic deeds. Two questions immediately come to mind: Who is a hero? What is a heroic deed?

Who is a hero?
Three definitions from Merriam-Webster are worth mentioning. A hero is 1) a person admired for his achievements and noble qualities; 2) one that shows great courage; and 3) the central figure in an event, period, or movement.

The reason why I chose these definitions from Merriam-Webster is because they don’t state that a hero must risk or sacrifice his own life. It’s a known fact that many, if not all, of the heroes that we pay tribute to are usually the ones who have risked or sacrificed their lives for their countrymen and for the Motherland. We remember Andres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Gregorio S del Pilar, Emilio Jacinto, Gen Antonio Luna, Marcelo H del Pilar, Melchora Aquino, Diego and Gabriela Silang, among others.

Growing up, we learned about their heroism and how bravely they faced death in defense of the Motherland. Most, if not all, of our national heroes died for the country. Social psychologists will agree that the Filipino’s mind is conditioned to believe that heroism equals martyrdom. For us, heroism demands the ultimate sacrifice - one’s own life. And this message is greatly reinforced in our Catholic faith. Jesus, we are told, had to give up his own life so that we may live. The messiah, the ultimate hero, could not fulfill his mission in life until his death on the cross. Some would even go as far as saying that his mission in life was to die on the cross. Catholicism usually honors martyrs as saints. Even in the Bible, we are told that Jesus said, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 

Conrado de Quiros in his Inquirer column entitled Heroes, pointed out that there could be something wrong in the last line of our national anthem which reads, Ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo.

From our national heroes, to our religious heroes, to the lyrics of our national anthem, each and every one of us is conditioned to believe that to be a true hero, you must die in martyrdom for what you believe in.

What is a heroic deed?
My personal definition would be this: A heroic deed is an act that promotes positive consequences for the greater good, even if it means that the doer has to face risks and/or sacrifices. Moreover, a heroic deed should not, in any way, intend to bring harm to innocents.

By this definition, a heroic deed can be as simple as opening a door for a woman, or helping children cross the street, or offering your seat to the elderly. Using this definition, we can understand why the government recognizes Overseas Foreign Workers as our country’s modern-day heroes. With this definition, we begin to recognize the simple acts of heroism exhibited by people who return lost-and-found valuables to their owners, by agents of the law who stop criminal acts, and by ordinary citizens who go out of their way to do small acts of kindness.

As said in the book of Proverbs, from small beginnings come great things. When we learn to appreciate small heroic deeds, we will begin to recognize the individuals whose achievements have brought honor to the nation. They are the ones who have made a difference in the lives of our countrymen. People whose service and dedication to their work deserve merit and honor from the government. They are the modern-day Filipino heroes and we should have a system in place that will give them credit for their achievements and/or service. We can pattern it after the UK Honours System. One example of the UK Honours is the knight/dame award wherein a successful individual is knighted by the Queen and gains the title of Sir or Dame. I suggest that the winners in our own version of the Honours System should also get their prizes and awards with pomp-filled ceremony during National Heroes Day on national TV. This will send a strong message to our youth that you don’t have to die to be a hero. You can be a national hero simply by being good at what you do and by providing meaningful service to your community.

A New Message
Is it time that we re-evaluate the message that we are sending to our children whenever we emphasize that to truly love God, you must be willing to die for your faith and that to be a hero, you should die for your country?

I’m not suggesting that we forget the sacrifices of our national heroes. What I am proposing is that we shift our focus away from heroes who have died for the Motherland and turn our eyes towards the heroes who are still in our midst. The ones who are still alive. We must highlight the achievements or the services of our modern-day Filipino heroes - individuals who have led successful lives for themselves, for their families, for their community, for their countrymen, their community, and ultimately, the country.

It’s up to you whether you prefer to do simple deeds of heroism or you choose to contribute on a more massive scale, or both. But the message is clear: You can be a hero too.

Mabuhay ka, ikaw na bagong bayani! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Lester G Cavestany
August 26, 2007 - National Heroes Day

Time spent, lessons learned

Moving toward dreams and goals

My Philippines, home

I hope that the next time I post an entry in this blog, it’ll be when I am already in Manila. I’ve booked my flight for July 16, 2009. And I am so excited to spend (at least) a year with family and friends. I’ve been working overseas for seven happy and fulfilling years. But seven years is seven years. So I guess you could say that I’ve got an itch. But in truth, it’s not an itch, it’s a heart’s longing for home.

Yes, it’s true. Astrology is Science. This is according to the definition of Science of the proponents of Intelligent Design (aka Creationism). For if we define science as the search for truth and knowledge, then it should also include an attempt to understand the supernatural. And so as we say goodbye to the Year of the Rat and welcome the Year of the Ox, let’s make believe that (Chinese) Astrology, is in fact, science.

What’s in store for us in the Year of the Ox? According to chinese.astrology.com,

Go to the site and see how your sign fares in the Year of the Ox. As a follow-up to last year’s vanity post, here’s what’s in store for the me in the Year of the Ox:

Here’s to good health, prosperity and success in the Year of the Ox! And as they say here in Hanoi, Chuc Mung Nam Moi.

Evolution, on a personal and social level, is the theme of the coming year. That’s because scientists will be celebrating Charles Darwin’s 200th birth anniversary and the 150th anniversary of his (r)evolutionary book, On the Origin of Species. This is why the world will be referring to 2009 as the Darwin Year.

Some people hate Darwin for diminishing the credibility of the Bible, the Creation story in particular. Others love him for his agnosticism. And there are also those who simply want to focus on his evolutionary theories on natural selection and  the survival of the fittest. Love him or hate him, his teaching remains: Evolve or die!

Speaking of evolving and adapting to our environment, I would like to share with you the 2008 version of Karl Fisch’s Shift Happens.

I know you’ll agree with me that we simply must prepare our children for life in these exponential times. As a teacher, I believe that the shift has to happen in schools.

Here’s to a great 2009! May the Good Lord continue to bless and guide us all. And as we honor our national hero on his 102nd death anniversary this Wednesday, let’s revisit his inspiring and award-winning poem, A la Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth) 

Unfold, oh timid flower!

Lift up your radiant brow,

This day, Youth of my native strand!

Your abounding talents show

Resplendently and grand,

Fair hope of my Motherland!

Click here to view the full version of the poem in Spanish, English and Tagalog

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Image Credit:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b35/wanax/avatar-1.jpg

But honestly speaking, it wasn’t really at school where I understood the role of muses. It was during the opening ceremonies of basketball tournaments. There would be a parade of teams and each team would be led by their muses. Even at the barangay level, it was a requirement for every team to have a muse. I was only 7 when I watched my first basketball tournament parade. That’s when I understood that a muse is someone who can channel divinity to inspire us to be at our best and act like gods.

Anyway, I was watching MTV last weekend and I was struck by an awesome song by 13 of the most popular female singers in pop culture. I call them the 21st century muses. The song was in support of the fight against cancer. But if you listen closely to the lyrics, this inspiring song can apply to any area of life that needs to be conquered. It can even be used by Inter-Faith rallyists. 

So if you need a lightning bolt from the Big Guy in the Sky, simply listen to “Just Stand Up!”

1. Be It Unto Me

 
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.

2. Practice what I preach to my students

As an IB-PYP teacher, I have encouraged and helped my students to adhere to the IB Learner Profile.

With a big focus on:

3. The World’s Greatest Boxer

 4. Other cool songs:

After Image’s Mangarap Ka

Switchfoot’s Dare You To Move

Lenny Kravitz’s Believe

As I take my quantum leap in 2009, I put my faith in God and all the great spirits and divine lights. I ask for the Holy Spirit to fill me with the ethos to finish my novel and fulfill my destiny. 

Lastly, I would like to share with you a prayer I adapted from the book, Transitions. Here’s the prayer in my pocket:

O Lord, today I embrace Your will and timing as my own

Today I place my faith in Your Divine Wisdom

that unfolds beauty and success at their proper time

I offer myself as Your verdant field and I pray

that I may always be in the care of the Divine Power of Your Universal Forces

I feel and accept Your Divine Love and Providence for my perfect blossoming

Today, with humility, gratitude and openness

I ask for spiritual intervention in my earthly affairs

I ask for help and guidance, and in the asking,

great things happen and manifest. Amen.

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Image credits:

http://store.ibo.org/images/LearnerProfileEngLG.jpg

http://theopenclassroom.blogspot.com/2007/11/goals-for-us-as-learners.html

http://www.ascension-research.org/magnify.html 

I’d like to thank Tonyo Cruz of Bloggers Kapihan for inviting me to join the Blog Action Day 2008. This year’s theme is about making a stand against poverty - Manindigan Laban sa Kahirapan. 

Poverty is close to my heart because teaching is often viewed as a noble profession, but not a lucrative one. But the thing that bakes my noodle is the fact that all social development organizations recognize the role of education as a means to eradicate poverty. Or as Oxfam International put it, “Education is critical to breaking the cycle of poverty. By expanding horizons and increasing opportunities for employment and social development, education is a key to enable poor individuals and marginalized communities to take control of their lives and stand up for their rights.” Which brings me to my first point about poverty. If we recognize the critical role of education in improving the lives of everyone, especially the poor, then isn’t it about time we started investing more money and resources in our teachers, especially those who teach in the public school system.

There, I’ve said it. Now we can move on to lighter things.

I’m sure you’ve heard the time-honored Chinese proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”   But here’s a story about two men who have been taught how to fish. Enjoy

Once upon a beautiful weekend, two men, Juan and Sam, were fishing on the lake. Juan was very relaxed on his boat, smoking a pipe. Juan didn’t look that interested in catching more fish. Sam, on the other hand, was on a bigger boat and was very eager to catch fish.

Because Sam had a bigger boat, he felt that he was was richer than Juan and he felt that he was entitled to give some pointers to his “lazy” fellow-fisherman.  ”Why aren’t you out fishing?” asked Sam.

“Because I have caught enough fish for the day,” said Juan.

“Why don’t you catch some more?”

“What would I do with them?”

“You could sell them and make more money,” Sam replied. “With that you could have a motor fixed to your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. Then you would make enough to buy nets. These would bring you more fish and more money. Soon you would have enough money to own two boats . . . maybe even a fleet of boats. Then you would be a rich man like me.”

“What would I do then?” asked Juan.

“Then you could really enjoy life.” said Sam.

“And what do you suppose I might be doing right now?” said Juan.

I’d like to share with you what I learned in our field trip: Basically, the water cycle goes like this

We did a lot of walking and the students listened to a number of group discussions. It was a big day. It included stops at the water treatment plant, raw sewerage sites and also construction sites - all valuable parts of the trip. But kids being kids, they were tired. Of course, the teachers and parents were there to support them and encourage them with words like, “Only two stops to go” or ”Guess where we’re going next! A construction site where they’re putting in all the big pipes for the sewerage system!” and “This is our last stop and then it’s home time.” 

We were there to remind the students to “Soldier On! (for the sake of learning)”.  It made me appreciate my role in educating the children. Children need and deserve someone there to encourage them that even though things are not going easy, we must keep going because in the end, these things are for your own good.

But it made me think about the struggles that sometimes adults have to face. We also get tired. We also need someone or something there to encourage us to keep going. As we approach the end of our first term, I can’t help but appreciate the school breaks we have. I know that some people say that teachers get too many holidays. And teachers are quick to say that the students need some time off. But honestly speaking, teachers need some time off too - to rest, to rejuvinate our minds and bodies and prepare for another term of (fun and) learning. 

As I was thinking about this, I realized how difficult it could be for someone who doesn’t have anyone or anything that can encourge them to get through the difficult times. What if someone is tired? Maybe even fed-up of life? Who can be there to give a helping hand? Family, I guess. They’re always there to listen and support. Friends, perhaps. As long as troubled person doesn’t think that what he’s going through is uniquely his/her own experience and his family and friends won’t understand.

Who do we turn to when we are at the lowest of lows? Who can we count on when we hit rock-bottom? Personally, I think we turn to a Higher Power.

(I can almost hear the song, “Yahweh I know you are near” - one of my favorite church songs at the St Francis Church in Lourdes School Mandaluyong. ) 

Today, I learned a little something about what it means to have faith.

First of all, I would like to thank Caballeros (my kababayans here in Hanoi) for the compliment they wrote in my blog today. ”Nakakataba po ng puso, maraming salamat po.”

Then it got me thinking. What is it about us that enjoys receiving positive feedback from others?

“Ask (the question) and you shall receive (the answer)”, so the good book says.

And I received the answer in my Inbox from the newsletter of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (Obviously, a teacher’s newsletter). In their Smartbrief the other day, they linked to a recent brain research that discovered that ”There is an area of the brain that responds strongly to positive feedback: the basal ganglia, just outside the cerebral cortex.  The activity of this area of the brain does not change.  It remains active in all age groups: in adults, but also in children, both eight-year-olds and twelve-year-olds.”  (The study was really about how the brains of young children, pre-teens and adults respond differently to reward and punishment - good stuff for parents).  In another study, I found out that one of the principal chemicals of the basal ganglia is dopamine - the feel good chemical.

I just think it’s really interesting  that our brain’s ability to respond to negative feedback improves as we get older. Another thing that’s worht mentioning is that neurologically-speaking we are primarily positive feedback seekers. I’m sure the “we were born to be happy” fans are all rejoicing in this new scientific discovery.

But the critical point raised by the study was the power of feedback, negative or positive, in shaping our identities and actions. Obviously, we can’t always give positive feedback (although the study suggests that we should always try to be, when dealing with 8 and 9 year olds). So I think it’s best that we understand how we can communicate positive feedback to others.

Once again, I turn to the knowledge and wisdom of teachers to guide us. In Educational Leadership’s article this month entitled, “The Power of our Words”, Paula Denton shares

Five Guiding Principles for Positive Language

1. Be Direct

When we say what we mean and use a kind, straightforward tone, children (and adults) learn that they can trust us. They feel respected and safe, a necessary condition for developing self-discipline and taking the risks required.

2. Convey Faith in Others’ Abilities and Intentions

When our words and tone convey faith in others’ desire and ability to do well, they are more likely to live up to our expectations of them.

3. Focus on Actions, Not Abstractions

Focusing on action means pointing to the desired behavior.

4. Keep It Brief

5. Know When to Be Silent

The skillful use of silence can be just as powerful as the skillful use of words.

And now it’s time for me to be silent.

Here’s your chance to vote for your favorite weblog and win prizes in this year’s Philippine Blog Awards which will be held on the 21st of September at One Esplanade.

Check out the nominees: 

• ·´`·.¸.» j u l i a ·´`·.¸.»
  
• Adventures of the Coconuter
• Alfredo B. Palconit Jr. Blog
• Basta Igat, Sikat!
• Basta…
• Batang Yagit
• Behind Wonderland
• bikoy.net
• Buhay Coy on Campus
• Comicology
• Confessions of a Pinoy Blogger
• Day-toDay Heroes
• Dog Are Us!
• ederic@cyberspace
• Filipino Voices
• Flavored Tongue
• FruityOaty
• Heart of Rachel
• Hola Filipinas
• Indistinguishable Gibberish
• just curious
• kain pinoy
• Kiss the stars with me
• L A G A L [ O G ]
• Life’s Existence
• LUCKWATCHERO: My STORY. My PRIDE. My THOUGHTS.
• Macuha.com
• Makoy’s Memoirs Of A Certified Blogger
• marketmanila.com
• Mico Santos’s Lagalag
• Mike Villar
• My Boring Life… Now A Blog!
• Mykiru Isyusero
• NewIvory
• Octwelve
• Philippine Nursing Resource & Updates
• Philippine Nursing Seminars & Trainings Source
• Pinoy Ambisyoso
• Ready To Be Rich
• Reel Advice
• Seed Interactive
• Senor Enrique
• Serena Mithane
• The Heritage of Cebu
• The Journal of The Jester-in-Exile
• The Konoha Ground
• TurfSite Manila

HOW TO VOTE:  (From Philippine Blog Awards)

1. You have to be a blogger. That’s why the award is called Bloggers’ Choice  To qualify as a blogger, your blog should’ve been online on or before June 9, 2008 and you should have at least 10 posts.

2. You may choose to include the list of sponsors in your post. See list below.

3. Submit your post URL and some basic info to the Philippine Blog Awards committee using this form. Make sure that you provide the COMPLETE URL of the post you created for your vote to be valid.

4. Once you have submitted your vote post URL, wait for the confirmation from one of our committee members. Please be patient, we will manually go through each and every vote post to make sure it’s valid.

5. So what will you get out of this? Well, aside from the fact that you will make your favorite blogger happy, a valid Bloggers Choice Award vote entitles you one (1) raffle entry.

ONE BLOGGER = ONE VOTE = ONE RAFFLE ENTRY

The organizers would like to thank the following sponsors:

• Level Up! Games
• Nokia
• Blog Bank
• Smart Communications
• Josiah’s Catering
• Rsun Technology Store
• Yahoo
• XFM 92.3
• Buddy Gancencia Reality TV
• Ultravision Photo and Video
• Click Booth
• Aloha Board Sports
• Sheero Media Solutions
• YourPinoyBroker.com
• Belo Medical Group
• Inquirer.Net
• Toshiba
• ROAM Magazine
• PLDT

VOTE NOW!

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image credit: http://www.yugatech.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/2008-philippine-blog-awards.jpg