[My friend Riza beautifully wrote a thought on her page that features the majestic sunset (or was it sunrise?) at Shambala. She says: “We can always wait for the sunrise and the sunset… for surely they will come. We can hope for the rain during summer… for sometimes they really pour. But how can we wait for something or someone… when we don’t know if they will come at all… We should only WAIT for something with POSSIBILITY but not for those without certainty.” Thank you Riza for enriching this world with your provoking insights.
Here, I offer an alternative (but not necessarily opposing) take that, hopefully, could form part of a bigger gamut with Riza’s challenging thought.]
I - Possibility is DEFINITELY different from uncertainty. The first is positive; the second, negative. But come to think of it, they both form part of a continuum we call life: the first is like a glass seen half-filled, the second a glass seen half-empty. The thirsty worships the liquid in the container like god, the water-filled belly loathes the liquid it feels unnecessary. The same water of life can be seen differently in another milieu: the possibility of abortion could be happiness to some; the uncertainty of abortion is surreal to others.
II - Life is both sunset and sunrise: it is not defined mainly by our resolve but by how we are positioned in the flow of things, and how we are positioned can sometimes be a trap – much like how the earth traps us. No wonder, traps can create great literature! The traps of space, the traps of distance, the traps of feelings, the traps of slavery in the mind, the traps of capitalism and all other -isms, the traps of seeming emptiness, even the traps of over-purposefulness! But imagine if the earth rotates another way, then the sunrise will actually be the sunset of our lives, and all traps are valued as necessities for genuine joy. For now we cannot fathom the opposite of what we have come to accept. But who are we to say that things could not change if and when God wills it?
III - Science hopes to understand the flow of life and un-life, and strives to influence it: at times successful, yet often a failure. But with some sparks in our being – some crazy thoughts and, perhaps, a dash of philosophizing – we get to appreciate the balance of things, we get to discover some amalgamation of meanings of existence: the negative and the positive, the sunset and the sunrise, the uncertainty and the possibility. Possibility is definitely different from uncertainty. But ONLY FOR NOW! For who am I to say that the possible is indeed possible, and the uncertain indeed uncertain? Like what Job realized before his Creator, there is so much that is beyond my measure of things.
IV - There are a few left, though, that could be a subject of my choice. Indeed it is just a limited list of things for which my choice of the things to wait can be applied, for the coming and going of things I cannot even predict with certainty. For me, I am sometimes challenged by not waiting for the sunrise or the sunset, for I easily cognize what to expect and undemanding recall can sometimes bore humans. I am challenged, though, to wait for the moon that disappears one second when it was there full the previous second, then changes colors from silver to magenta without warning or absent any shadow of fear. Sometimes I relish the impossible when it is yet to be fulfilled – like visions incomprehensible to many a sense – yet this only proves my ordinariness and predictability just like most people, for lack of contentment!
V- There is nothing right or wrong in waiting for anything. What I wait for, I do not expect all others to anticipate for the level of appreciation and abhorrence varies from person to person. And it is not my right to judge anyone what he likes if I dislike it. For in the end, it is just a choice which is that to wait for and hope for in this world and beyond – whether it is heaven or hell. And I cannot even blame the others, if they do not wait and hope for anything at all. BECAUSE that is their choice; AND that is their choice.
4 March 2011
2:25 am
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
THE TEACHER AS INTERVIEWEE
It was a great experience to be interviewed by one of the country’s foremost columnists, Ms. Rina Jimenez-David of the Philippine Daily Inquirer last Friday, February 4, 2011.
She was very nice, but very incisive than anything else. She was friendly, but she spoke with solid integrity. I will be a hypocrite if I do not admit that I am big a fan of the writer for decades now, who has become very well known not only because of her columns but also for her appearances on TV shows as panelist or social critic, and for her causes relating to women’s concerns and community development.
Judging from the many columns that she has written which I have read previously, I really thought that her lengthy interview of me will be featured primarily as one of her four- to five-section column. To be interviewed by her was, indeed, honor enough. That she even spoke lengthily about what Darwin International School has been doing in educating the youth, devoting her whole column today on Darwin – its goals, dreams, activities, challenges and results – honors the school, its parents, its personnel and, most especially, its students no end.
To thank Ms. Jimenez-David is in order. But the best way, perhaps, of thanking her is to continue what I love doing, and to do it even more with faith for the youth and passion for educating the nation – teaching Filipino students well, with the solution of current educational problems in mind. And I say this with one objective truth in mind: no school can accomplish its goals in a vacuum. Society, culture, institutions, policies and the whole educational system all enhance or impinge on the effectiveness of a school to contribute to the community. Surely, teaching alone is no guarantee of contributing to social development; it could even aggravate problems if educating people is not seen as a prime tool in social engineering. But engineering social development is something that is easier said than done.
It takes a penetrating writer to delve into the heart of her interviewee. An ordinary writer uses words to ask, write about her topic and make a point. But a good writer uses her heart to feel the pounding of another heart; she uses her mind to talk to society at large. Words are mere slaves of her beliefs; she is the master of her piece. A writer is not just a commentator but a human who is capable of feeling trends and reading social forces. She is a social actor of her milieu. She co-writes with the rest of the people the history of freedom and progress we all hope to attain.
The title Ms. Jimenez-David gave her piece, “The Little School That Could”, speaks precisely of what I have always believed all along: that quality education is not just about big campuses but about big hearts for the learner’s yearnings; that teaching is not about perfect teachers but near-perfect love of teachers for teaching; not just about gargantuan facilities (though, there is nothing wrong with vast facilities per se) but about grand visions for the students’ future. It is not just about the process of working hard but of raising standards and working hard to achieve these for the benefit of the students.
Teaching well is working with disparate resources like musical instruments which, nonetheless, are capable of creating a harmonious melody. I thank Ms. Jimenez-David for giving Darwin a space to sing its song of hope amidst deafening despondency plaguing our nation at this juncture of our history.
8 February 2011
11:50 pm
FRIENDS:
You may follow this link to read the piece written by Ms. Rina Jimenez-David titled “THE LITTLE SCHOOL THAT COULD”.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20110208-319077/The-little-school-that-could
She was very nice, but very incisive than anything else. She was friendly, but she spoke with solid integrity. I will be a hypocrite if I do not admit that I am big a fan of the writer for decades now, who has become very well known not only because of her columns but also for her appearances on TV shows as panelist or social critic, and for her causes relating to women’s concerns and community development.
Judging from the many columns that she has written which I have read previously, I really thought that her lengthy interview of me will be featured primarily as one of her four- to five-section column. To be interviewed by her was, indeed, honor enough. That she even spoke lengthily about what Darwin International School has been doing in educating the youth, devoting her whole column today on Darwin – its goals, dreams, activities, challenges and results – honors the school, its parents, its personnel and, most especially, its students no end.
To thank Ms. Jimenez-David is in order. But the best way, perhaps, of thanking her is to continue what I love doing, and to do it even more with faith for the youth and passion for educating the nation – teaching Filipino students well, with the solution of current educational problems in mind. And I say this with one objective truth in mind: no school can accomplish its goals in a vacuum. Society, culture, institutions, policies and the whole educational system all enhance or impinge on the effectiveness of a school to contribute to the community. Surely, teaching alone is no guarantee of contributing to social development; it could even aggravate problems if educating people is not seen as a prime tool in social engineering. But engineering social development is something that is easier said than done.
It takes a penetrating writer to delve into the heart of her interviewee. An ordinary writer uses words to ask, write about her topic and make a point. But a good writer uses her heart to feel the pounding of another heart; she uses her mind to talk to society at large. Words are mere slaves of her beliefs; she is the master of her piece. A writer is not just a commentator but a human who is capable of feeling trends and reading social forces. She is a social actor of her milieu. She co-writes with the rest of the people the history of freedom and progress we all hope to attain.
The title Ms. Jimenez-David gave her piece, “The Little School That Could”, speaks precisely of what I have always believed all along: that quality education is not just about big campuses but about big hearts for the learner’s yearnings; that teaching is not about perfect teachers but near-perfect love of teachers for teaching; not just about gargantuan facilities (though, there is nothing wrong with vast facilities per se) but about grand visions for the students’ future. It is not just about the process of working hard but of raising standards and working hard to achieve these for the benefit of the students.
Teaching well is working with disparate resources like musical instruments which, nonetheless, are capable of creating a harmonious melody. I thank Ms. Jimenez-David for giving Darwin a space to sing its song of hope amidst deafening despondency plaguing our nation at this juncture of our history.
8 February 2011
11:50 pm
FRIENDS:
You may follow this link to read the piece written by Ms. Rina Jimenez-David titled “THE LITTLE SCHOOL THAT COULD”.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20110208-319077/The-little-school-that-could
Saturday, January 15, 2011
DARWIN'S UP, ATENEO AND LA SALLE PASSERS!
As a teacher, one feels delighted to see his students conquer their fears and eventually achieve their goals. For many a fourth year high school student in the Philippines, graduating from school does not go without dreaming to get into the top schools of the country, including the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila and the De La Salle University.
Yearly, at least 75,000 take the UPCAT, with all hopes of getting a slot in the state university. Unfortunately, there are only a few thousand slots. Yearly, only 5 to 10% of the takers pass the examination, one of the most difficult college entrance tests in the Philippines. I am very proud to note that 11 of my 19 graduating students at Darwin International School made it to the UP system for the coming school year. This is about 60% of the total, fortunately higher than Darwin’s 50% achievement last year. My heartfelt congratulations go to the following:
1. Julie Anne Acierto
2. Dominic Gilbert Emiterio
3. Ma. Cecilia Enriquez
4. Hector Evangelista III
5. Jamee Kaye Fabros
6. Rei Pauline Hermogenes
7. Maria Divina Hernandez
8. Cynthia Marizze Mendoza
9. Mark Mico Montecillo
10. Shiela Inna Sinsuat
11. Timothy Jemuel Talusan
Wait! The good news continues! The Ateneo de Manila University already released, too, the results of the Ateneo Entrance Test (ACET). Yearly, only 25% of Darwin graduating students passed the exam, an indication of how difficult it really is. This year, however, 8 out of 19 made it! That’s 42%, almost double Darwin’s yearly result. Congratulations to the following:
1. Dominic Gilbert Emiterio
2. Jan Voltaire Enriquez
3. Jenelle Faustino
4. Rei Pauline Hermogenes
5. Maria Divina Hernandez
6. Cynthia Marizze Mendoza
7. Shiela Inna Sinsuat
8. Timothy Jemuel Talusan
But the good news does not stop there! De La Salle University has already announced the results of its college entrance exam. And guess what, 100% of Darwin’s graduating students made it! Last year, it was 92% passing rate. Now, this batch finally made true to their goal of achieving a 100% result. Congratulations to the following:
1. Julie Anne Acierto
2. Harold Balandra
3. Jade Ibhar Cuambot
4. Dominic Gilbert Emiterio
5. Jan Voltaire Enriquez
6. Ma. Cecilia Enriquez
7. Hector Evangelista III
8. Jamee Kaye Fabros
9. Jenelle Faustino
10. Rei Pauline Hermogenes
11. Maria Divina Hernandez
12. Cynthia Marizze Mendoza
13. Mark Mico Montecillo
14. Maria Cia Cirelle Panol
15. Avvie Yvone Reyes
16. Marian Suzanne Sagun
17. Shiela Inna Sinsuat
18. Shiela Loure Sinsuat
19. Timothy Jemuel Talusan
This batch of Darwin students, Batch 2011 (BATCH KABAITAN), earned the honor of having the most number of individual passers in UP and Ateneo so far, the batch that has broken the yearly 25% passing rate in Ateneo by almost doubling it to 42%, and the batch that first got a perfect 100% passing mark in the De La Salle University exam.
The above passing rates simply point that all graduating students of 2011 have been placed in the top schools of the country once more, not to mention other top schools like UST, Mapua and Sab Beda where Darwinians normally pass at 100% rating. The standards of Darwin are very high. It is very demanding, expecting a lot from students. They have to maintain a minimum of 85% every grading period. It fascinates me to realize that these students have accepted the challenge to always compete against themselves than compete with others. Realizing one’s weaknesses and strengths are keys to setting a vision for oneself. These students of mine just set their vision to be with some of the top college students of the country and be under the tutelage of the best college teachers of the land. But they could have not done what they have done without the full support of their parents who are always with them in their journey. So, my congratulations go most especially, as well, to their parents. You are some of the most fortunate parents of this country for having children with big dreams; and your children as so fortunate, too, for having loving and responsible parents like you!
Your journey, my dear students, has just begun. You should continuously thank God for all His blessings, and ask Him for endless mercy and guidance in your incredible trek. There are more and higher mountains to scale. Have confidence in yourself that you can successfully chart you life at this dark stage of our society. It is in the young that this country depends on to illuminate somehow our history. And for as long as young people will accept the challenge to participate in changing not only one’s life but also one’s social system, there will always be hope for the Philippines. Your having passed the UPCAT, ACET and the De La Salle Entrance Exam is another beginning. There will be more uncertainties, disappointments and even doubts you need to subjugate. There will be more missions to embrace, dreams to live, bigger beginnings you need to work hard for to start, numerous challenges to surmount and endless successes to enjoy and inspire other with.
Carpe Diem! God bless all of you.
15 January 2011
3:51pm
Yearly, at least 75,000 take the UPCAT, with all hopes of getting a slot in the state university. Unfortunately, there are only a few thousand slots. Yearly, only 5 to 10% of the takers pass the examination, one of the most difficult college entrance tests in the Philippines. I am very proud to note that 11 of my 19 graduating students at Darwin International School made it to the UP system for the coming school year. This is about 60% of the total, fortunately higher than Darwin’s 50% achievement last year. My heartfelt congratulations go to the following:
1. Julie Anne Acierto
2. Dominic Gilbert Emiterio
3. Ma. Cecilia Enriquez
4. Hector Evangelista III
5. Jamee Kaye Fabros
6. Rei Pauline Hermogenes
7. Maria Divina Hernandez
8. Cynthia Marizze Mendoza
9. Mark Mico Montecillo
10. Shiela Inna Sinsuat
11. Timothy Jemuel Talusan
Wait! The good news continues! The Ateneo de Manila University already released, too, the results of the Ateneo Entrance Test (ACET). Yearly, only 25% of Darwin graduating students passed the exam, an indication of how difficult it really is. This year, however, 8 out of 19 made it! That’s 42%, almost double Darwin’s yearly result. Congratulations to the following:
1. Dominic Gilbert Emiterio
2. Jan Voltaire Enriquez
3. Jenelle Faustino
4. Rei Pauline Hermogenes
5. Maria Divina Hernandez
6. Cynthia Marizze Mendoza
7. Shiela Inna Sinsuat
8. Timothy Jemuel Talusan
But the good news does not stop there! De La Salle University has already announced the results of its college entrance exam. And guess what, 100% of Darwin’s graduating students made it! Last year, it was 92% passing rate. Now, this batch finally made true to their goal of achieving a 100% result. Congratulations to the following:
1. Julie Anne Acierto
2. Harold Balandra
3. Jade Ibhar Cuambot
4. Dominic Gilbert Emiterio
5. Jan Voltaire Enriquez
6. Ma. Cecilia Enriquez
7. Hector Evangelista III
8. Jamee Kaye Fabros
9. Jenelle Faustino
10. Rei Pauline Hermogenes
11. Maria Divina Hernandez
12. Cynthia Marizze Mendoza
13. Mark Mico Montecillo
14. Maria Cia Cirelle Panol
15. Avvie Yvone Reyes
16. Marian Suzanne Sagun
17. Shiela Inna Sinsuat
18. Shiela Loure Sinsuat
19. Timothy Jemuel Talusan
This batch of Darwin students, Batch 2011 (BATCH KABAITAN), earned the honor of having the most number of individual passers in UP and Ateneo so far, the batch that has broken the yearly 25% passing rate in Ateneo by almost doubling it to 42%, and the batch that first got a perfect 100% passing mark in the De La Salle University exam.
The above passing rates simply point that all graduating students of 2011 have been placed in the top schools of the country once more, not to mention other top schools like UST, Mapua and Sab Beda where Darwinians normally pass at 100% rating. The standards of Darwin are very high. It is very demanding, expecting a lot from students. They have to maintain a minimum of 85% every grading period. It fascinates me to realize that these students have accepted the challenge to always compete against themselves than compete with others. Realizing one’s weaknesses and strengths are keys to setting a vision for oneself. These students of mine just set their vision to be with some of the top college students of the country and be under the tutelage of the best college teachers of the land. But they could have not done what they have done without the full support of their parents who are always with them in their journey. So, my congratulations go most especially, as well, to their parents. You are some of the most fortunate parents of this country for having children with big dreams; and your children as so fortunate, too, for having loving and responsible parents like you!
Your journey, my dear students, has just begun. You should continuously thank God for all His blessings, and ask Him for endless mercy and guidance in your incredible trek. There are more and higher mountains to scale. Have confidence in yourself that you can successfully chart you life at this dark stage of our society. It is in the young that this country depends on to illuminate somehow our history. And for as long as young people will accept the challenge to participate in changing not only one’s life but also one’s social system, there will always be hope for the Philippines. Your having passed the UPCAT, ACET and the De La Salle Entrance Exam is another beginning. There will be more uncertainties, disappointments and even doubts you need to subjugate. There will be more missions to embrace, dreams to live, bigger beginnings you need to work hard for to start, numerous challenges to surmount and endless successes to enjoy and inspire other with.
Carpe Diem! God bless all of you.
15 January 2011
3:51pm
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