I have been to a place in Manila where I learned to help these young orphans about their school homeworks and other tasks. I also experienced being with the children at a famous dumpsite in Quezon City, not only learning how to read and write but also to play just like the little ordinary kids on the streets. That’s how I found myself as an educator in a non-formal setting.

But just this morning at one of my classes, I nearly lost my temper after pupil misbehaved inside the class. He wasn’t around when I came in and checked the attendance. As I started to have a review of our yesterday’s lesson, he just came in and blurted a word contradicting to what I was still trying to explain to them. I was explaining to the whole class how to make a letter to their parents as they identify the good qualities they have. Was it out of naughtiness? Was it out tendency to look for attention? I didn’t know until I realized that I was still wrong whatever the reason why he just blurted out a word while I was still talking. I shouted back at him out of my irritation.

He kept quiet and bowed his head. I realized that I hurt him. I understood how an experience in the family made him do it. I didn’t wait for an hour, right there and then, I whispered asking for an apology and he nodded while getting his activity workbook which we were using. I was relieved. He made a letter for his mother with heart caricatures. That part touched me. After I checked his work, I learned something form the letter that made me realize I indeed misunderstood him. What a pain, what a joy.

Attending a national convention of Religious Brothers in the Philippines in Bacolod, I learned the verb form of being a Brother. “To brother,” means to care or show compassion to others. To brother the pupil I had today was supposed to understand him and his difficulty and what made him misbehave. I wasn’t suppose to reprimand him in a bad way. Instead, have talked to him a nice way.

I don’ want to compare the learning between a formal school and a non-formal school setting. What matters most is the learning of a child. And so tonight, an hour ago, I made sure that I must be fair to all my students at the Evening Class. They are, in fact, stress relievers for me. There is so much fun in learning most of the time; which is really different when I am teaching at the Day High. At the end of the day, I can be very thankful to this little kids for they seemed completed my day and made me once again, pray for them, ask sorry for my lack of preparation and being too strict to them.

The joy and pain of being a teacher is always with the tasks. But since it is not just an ordinary task, the joy and pain give meaning to what I am doing as a Religious Brother in the school.

Here, in this blog, for the readers, I can’t just talk about Gabriel Canizares. It adds to the pain… and anger against the lawless elements and towards the “inutil” government we have here in the Philippines.

Lord, open my eyes to see you in the eyes of this young; that you entrusted them to me as your own so that I may see and own you in them. Amen.

©2009 The Itinerants Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

As I was counting seconds, one boy seating at the back raised his hand and recited after I recognized him, “Life!” Somebody added, “Parents or family!” I picked those lines and started processing their answers so that I won’t lose their attention; and of course to attain my objectives.

It’s a special day for me and I don’t want to ruin it. I asked the question not because today is my birthday. It was part of my lesson plan for the day.

Indeed, life is the greatest gift that I am thankful of at the moment.When I was born; as I was told, my parents rejoiced much especially my father when he learned that his first child is a boy. Life was not only a gift to me but also to my parents.

This gift becomes an everyday choice. A FB friend sent a birthday message saying, “May you have more years to come, and more life in your years…” Some lines for me to ponder… A gift that we choose life. We choose life because God’s grace is enough for us to choose what is life giving for us. Today, I chose to live a happy day just like when we started the lesson today in our class; that’s just a part of my day’s experiences.

Text messages, calls and online greetings made me busy replying and reading emails. That made my heart fat and full of joy. This morning, I bought and served two big “puto sa bilao” in the faculty room for the teachers and I was happy. Thanks to Ms. Chona for accompanying.

A foreign call surprised me. I had to guess who was on the line until I recognized his voice. It was Fr. Vincent from Kerala, India. He is a good friend-priest who stayed with the Brothers at MAPAC few years ago. Aside from calls, text message flooded my inbox. It was so touching receiving text messages from my friends, former classmates and former students at Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC), as well. And of course, after our Morning prayer, I received my mother’s greetings.

This afternoon, I was surprised when I was told that we will have our dinner outside. A simple dinner was expected. For sure, it was simple yet, a treat of the owner of Thai Restaurant in Bayan of Marikina; she’s the Marist School Parents and Teachers’ Association (MSPTA) president at the moment. Four MSPTA officers were around aside from the Brothers of the community. We also welcomed the presence of Brother Gabe from Gen. Santos City.

Thanks to all the people who greeted me and made my day very happy. My gratitude goes also to my community for being with me.

A brother remarked, “This is now your last birthday as 20’s. Next year, you will start counting in 30s..” That made me reflect and said within, “I choose life.”

*Choose Life – 21st General Chapter of the Marist Brothers.

*Updates about our Palawan escapade to follow.

©2009 The Itinerants Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

As of now, I’m also thinking of changing the main theme for this. Would it be a newstheme? or just retain this so far, the most simple theme I have. Simply speaks about its purpose, not too elaborative, not too minimal but just expressive…

Of course, the /project site intended only for my students will remain together with my /photoblog. Those blogs will still be there… Just this main blog… some posts will be deleted, some will be edited… Soon!

Not now, but soon!

©2009 The Itinerants Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

Pero, kontra naman ako sa panukala ni Escudero na “across-the-board passing grade” ang ibibigay sa mga batang biktima. Dahil may natutunan na sila sa kanilang experiences… May mali yata? I-google nyo ang kanyang proposal “across-the-board passing grade for Ondoy victims” Ano sa palagay mo? Anong say mo? Wala kasi akong masabi… I mean, ma-blog at the moment! LOLZ!

©2009 The Itinerants Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

But two weeks ago, mas malala pa rito ang experience ng madaming tao dito sa Metro Manila. Parang nawalan nga akong magsulat hinggil nito. Nakakahiya mang sabihin, wala kami sa bahay nang maganap ang trahedya na dinanas ng madami. We were out-of-town and I thought we’re not that affected much. I just realized when we started reaching out to our own school personnel and students around Marikina City and as far as San Mateo, Montalban, Cainta and Malanday. Some places were visited by our colleagues.

Ngayon, wala na namang kuryente. I just read kanina sa facebook na may sumabog na transformer sa Rizal. How I wish nandun si Megatron na aayos ng nasirang planta ng kuryente. Transformers, di naman totoo yun. Habang nagtitipa ako nitong keyboard kasama ang dalawang kandila na nagsisilbing tanglaw sa aking ginagawa, aking napagtanto kung ganito rin ba ang mangyayari sa darating na halalan. Nabanggit ko rin ito kanina sa aking klase kung anong ipinapahiwatig ng mga nagaganap na ito lalo na nang nabanggit ng isang kalihim ng ating gobyerno na malaki ang possibility ng blackout or brownout sa darating na summer 2010. Isa nga ba itong pagsasanay para sa darating na halalan? Para may pagkakataon ang mga masasamang pulitiko na gumawa uli ng dayaan kagaya ng ginawa ng ating Presidente noong nakalipas na halalan? Sino nga ba ang di-makalimot sa “Hello, Garci” scandal? It seems we are being conditioned that this will normally happen during the election. Just my opinion.

Masaklap man isipin na ang lahat ng tao ay may pagkakamali sa pangangalaga sa acting kalikasan, may mga tao rin naming parang walang pakialam sa ating lipunan. Nagbabatuhan ng paratang, nabibintangan sa kapalpakang nangyari noong kasagsagan ng bagyong Ondoy. Poor urban planning, ayun sa opinion ng mga eksperto. Sino nga ba ang mga eksperto? Yung mga taong may pagpapaganda lamang ng mga kalye ng Marikina o ang mga matatalinong hanggang sa salita lamang at nagsisipaglitawan kung malapit na ang halalan?

Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, Masaya pa rin ako na nakakakita ng isang tao na nakangiti sa harap ng videocam habang walang-pagod sa paglilinis ng kanilang bahay na nasalanta ng baha noong nakaraang mga linggo. Ang likas na katatagan sa bawat Pilipino ay halatang may pagkakaisa pa rin tayo. Ngunit hanggang kelan ito? Isang larawan sa dyaryo ang napagtuunan ko ng pansin. Nakikipag-agawan ng mga relief goods ang dalawang tao habang nababanaag sa kanilang mukha ang hirap na dinanas.

Sa ngayon, laman ng aming leksyon ang pananampalataya sa Diyos. We were discussing about faith in God  and yet there were moments when we had a difficulty understanding about its meaning in our own context. It is a good moment to reflect about our recent experiences; typhoon Ondoy, being victims of this typhoon and how to cope with the tragedy we experienced. And tonight, the two-hour long blackout helps me start reflecting. Thanks to this laptop’s battery for letting me finish this “seems-non-sense-reflection.” Thanks also to my mobile phone for letting me post this entry as quick as it could. Whew!

©2009 The Itinerants Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

Two weeks ago, the Department of Social Studies of our school announced the culmination of “Linggo ng Kasaysayan” (History Week) to be held today, September 25; an activity integrating the learning of the students from year seven to year 10. It is being implemented by the Social Science Department of the school. Every homeroom was asked to prepare their bulletin board for a contest and the advisers will present themselves as models representing the different chosen countries around the world. Everybody was excited and I have observed the eagerness of the chosen teachers to be consorts. I was asked to be one of the consorts representing the country of ‘Indonesia.” I was thinking for a while of ways how to get costumes from Indonesia. Then I remembered the Brothers of Jolo community (Jolo, Sulu). To cut the story short, they sent one for me. That was just one of my memorable experiences recently…

Future Leaders

Another story that struck me recently was last night’s activity. Instead of having a regular session, I asked my students from the Afternoon Class to practice their presentations/project. One first year student came to me and complained about her classmate. She was disappointed with the one who withdrew from the group due to misunderstanding with some members. I learned that they were having a hard time of what to do and who’s to be followed. There were suggestions coming from each member and they just can’t start practicing their piece. I asked them to seat down so I could listen to what they were complaining about. When somebody started to talk, everybody also started talking. And I got the point, I asked them about the value of listening to one another. Deep inside, I was smiling but I didn’t want to get involve so I facilitated and left the decision making to them.

I saw their potentials to become effective leaders of their own group. They just needed to be guided and be enlightened. That situation made me happy to feel their eagerness to start their activity. They were full of smart ideas which I believe, will help them not only to have a very good presentation but to build friendship, camaraderie among them. I felt relieved when they were able to come up to a one favored decision. I asked them to, “Give each other a chance before complaining that you or they can’t do.”

Happiness for an ordinary teacher

I can still remember one night in my prayer after my last class in the evening, “Lord, give meaning to what I am doing.” With this short recollection, my prayers were answered once more… Tomorrow, Saturday, we will be having our second regular community recollection in Batangas. It will be a chance for me to reflect once more and get rid from my preoccupations for a while.

And I felt satisfied, contented for the day. That recollected experience with the Afternoon Class gave another meaning to my teaching profession and more than that, to my vocation as a religious brother.

2009 Teachers’ Month Campaign

This reflection entry is also dedicated to all teachers in response to 2009 Teachers’ Month Campaign. Here is the copy of the Memorandum from DILG:

Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
A. Francisco Gold Condominium II EDSA cor. Mapagmahal St..
Diliman. Quezon City

August 13, 2009

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
NO. 2009-112

TO : ALL PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS, CITY MAYORS, MUNICIPAL
MAYORS, DILG REGIONAL DIRECTORS AND OTHERS
CONCERNED

SUBJECT : 2009 TEACHERS’ MONTH CAMPAIGN

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared
October 5, 1993, and even’ year thereafter, as World Teachers’ Daw For this year, the Commission
on Higher Education has set a month-long observance of the Teachers’ Month Campaign from
September 4 to OcLober 5, 2009.

Part of the celebration is the awarding of the winners in the Search for Outstanding
Teachers on September 4, 2009, sponsored by the Metrobank Foundation.

Considering the important role that teachers play in nation-building, all local government
officials are requested to take the lead in:

1) Coordinating with the local media in featuring the roles and contributions of
teachers in the development of the youth and in overall nation-building;
2) Conducting public information on the Teachers’ Month Campaign and on the
World Teachers’ Day;
3) Undertaking special activities ro honor teachers; and
4) Mobilizing the support of the business community to provide discount privileges
to teachers during the momh-long celebration.

All DILG Regional Directors are hereby directed to cause the widest dissemination of this
issuance to all local authorities within their jurisdictions.
h’or the information and guidance of all concerned.

By the authority of the Secretary
Austere A. Panadero
Undersecretary, LG

©2009 The Itinerants Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.

Meet the Family

Blogie made a concise yet clear introduction how the Mindanao Bloggers came about. I was inspired to blog more about my own native place especially when he called me to stand up as the lone blogger from Gen. Santos City who was present during the WordCamp. I was expecting to meet the bloggers like Avel, Ayel and Aethen. They are my fellow bloggers from SOKSARGEN area. But anyhow, I remembered them and maybe a time for me to pay in return since I wasn ‘t able to attend to two Mindanao Blog Summit held in Davao and in Gen. Santos City.

I am thankful to Blogie and the organizers for the warm welcome, not only to me but also to other bloggers. I felt the family spirit working. I believe that.

I am grateful for the presence of other bloggers I met and some of them whom I knew through blogging; like Nina Fuentes, Ederic, the young Jezhlau and the man behind Blogcebuworld; and I was looking forward to meet the generous Major Zaldy but I wasn’t sure if he was there…

The Different WordCamp Philippines 2009 Speakers

There were lot of things I learned from the different speakers. I was eager to know more about Wordpress and other “press” being explained by Beau Lebens of Automattic, also from Markku. I also learned from Danny Arao about the difference between meanstream media and blogging and how they can work together for this coming 2010 national and local election. Below is the slide presentation of Beau Lebens. I hope it gives you an overview of his talk during the WordCamp.

As what Danny Arao tells his journalism students, “write well, write fast and be responsible,” I think this post is not yet irrelevant. I think I must learn from his words of wisdom about being a blogger who is also concern with my social responsibilities; “watchdog of the watchdogs,” he said. Meeting Seth Bindernagel was a chance for me to tell him about the integration of Mozilla Firefox in most of our school computer laboratories; not only in one school but most of our schools in Mindanao. Last two years, a blogging workshop was held at NDMU and as an old Mozilla Campus Representative, I also included it in our activities. Seth talked also about localization of Firefox which sounds interesting to me.

Congratulations!

Once again, it’s a successful event hosted by different people behind the WordCamp Philippines 2009. Congratulations for the job well done last Saturday, September 19 at Asian Institute of Management in Manila. With your determination to gather the Wordpress bloggers, developers and experts, it was indeed a good one. I was satisfied with the presence of the different resource speakers who talked relevant and important matters about wordpress and social responsibility.

Update!

Blogs who blogged about WordCamp Philippines 2009 as of now (Ginaya ko lang po ang ginagwa ng ibang bloggers, ok lang ba?)

• http://juddstamaria.com/2009/09/21/wordcamp-philippines-2009/
• http://webstandards.raquedan.com/?p=562
• http://rowjielogy.com/2009/09/20/wordcamp-philippines-2009/
• http://www.makieduardo.com/2009/09/im-a-happy-camper-at-wordcamp-2009/
• http://buddygancenia.com/blog/wordcamp-philippines-2009/
• http://scriptych.hivefire.com/articles/81072/presentation-at-wordcamp-philippines/
• http://justwandering.org/2009/09/blogging-browser-and-balut/
• http://softwarecritics.info/events/wordcamp-philippines-2009-highlights/
• http://www.jehzlau-concepts.com/2009/09/wordcamp-2009-was-awesome.html
• http://tjantunen.com/2009/09/20/what-i-learned-in-wordcamp-09/
• http://www.wpthemedesigner.com/2009/09/18/live-blogging-at-wordcamp-philippines-2009/
• http://menardconnect.com/2009/09/20/my-wordcamp-philippines-2009-experience/
• http://www.migsmobile.net/2009/09/19/today-is-wordcamp-philippines/

©2009 The Itinerants Path. All Rights Reserved. Want to see the images? Please visit www.vinceleste.com/blog for more of this.