10 Sobresaliente Moments of Dr. Jose Rizal

Happy 150th Birthday to you, Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (is it correct?)

How would you imagine if such a person having an age of 150 still alive and kicking? A sesquicentenarian person could never ever live especially in today's generation where millions and millions of wrath and dishonesty are presently served. Dr. Jose Rizal might become the Filipino's version of the Dalai Lama, for some words of pushy wisdom and enlightenment to be heard by the today's youth who had abolished the true essence of education, responsibility and dignity.

I still remember how my former college professor introduced to us the real Dr. Jose Rizal. I only knew him in three ideas: he was our National Hero, he was at the P1.00 coin (during my heydays, there is still a P1.00 coin, bigger than today and has a picture of Dr. Jose Rizal), and a province east of Metro Manila was named after him. These were the ideas that I had when I was still in my elementary days. High school came when we learnt the two novels of the greatest hero, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. I delightedly and delectably loved the story of Noli Me Tangere because of the colorful characters, not with El Filibusterismo. Then I learnt about Rizal Avenue, Rizal High School, Rizal Cement and even Jose Rizal University in Mandaluyong. Everything here in the Philippines was about Rizal. As what my first statement said, I only knew the whole of him when I entered college, thanks to my professor in my Rizal subject (it was Republic Act 1425, stating that the life, works and death of Dr. Jose Rizal should be included in the curriculum of the public and private high schools and colleges). We had learned his childhood days, adolescent stage, overseas studying, love life and of course, his greatest battles against the Spanish regime. For me, that's sobresaliente!

Here in my post, I would like to give the ten (10) sobresaliente moments that Dr. Jose Rizal taught me, and probably taught you, and better yet, taught each and every Filipinos. These are only my thoughts and ideas so it is all up to you if you want to agree or not.

Dr. Rizal's famous quote about loving our own language

1. BEING A POLYGLOT - As far as I know, Rizal has a mind of a genius in any aspect. And being a genius, could you imagine that he could speak 22 different foreign languages. He could speak of course in Filipino, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Greek, Arabic, Sanskrit (a language in India), Portuguese, Japanese, Hebrew, Malayan, Catalan (a native dialect in Spain, somewhat a mixture of French and Spanish), Latin and so much more. He wrote an essay in French, poem in Spanish and in Tagalog, learnt and talked Japanese for a special someone and he even said his last words as what Jesus Christ said, which is in Latin - consummatum est - it is finished! Nevertheless, he gave us a powerful quote in which each and every Filipino should possess and love the national language: "Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, ay mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda." Now that's sobresaliente!

The Triumph of Science Over Death

2. NOT JUST A DOCTOR - Dr. Jose Rizal, as his name suggests, was a licensed ophthalmologist. He held his clinic in Hong Kong, just a short lived. He even made an operation to his mother's failed eyes, in which according to history, went successful. But not only as an ophthalmologist, Dr. Jose Rizal was known for. He was also known to be a writer, we could never have the two greatest novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which the students in high school are now studying. He was also a journalist, having a pseudonym of Laong Laan and Dimasalang in their newspaper La Solidaridad. Dr. Rizal was also a sculptor, renowned for his work The Triumph of Science over Death. And he was also a painter, educator, farmer, historian, and playwright. And aside from those jobs, he had expertise in architecture, cartography, economics, ethnology, anthropology, sociology, dramatics, martial arts, fencing and pistol shooting. He was not only a plain doctor, but a globally-competitive individual. That's sobresaliente!

Dr. Rizal and his first love, Leonor Rivera

3. BEING A LOVER BOY IS NOT ABOUT THE LOOKS BUT THE WORDS - Physically speaking, Dr. Jose Rizal haven't had anything of a matinee idol, a dashing debonair or a "crush ng bayan." He has a height of a small boy (think of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, hahaha!), a dark-to-fair skin complexion, a wavy hair, and a not so smiling face. But he has a mouth of flowery languages and phrases that some petite, gorgeous and beautiful women have fallen for him quickly and easily. From his whole span of love life, he had nine women whom they had affectionately or secretly affectionately in loved with the National Hero. His very first love, Leonor Rivera (who happens to be his first cousin), was his greatest and undisputed love. He was deeply in pain when he knew, while on his studies in Madrid, a news about the marriage of Leonor to an Englishman named Henry Kipping. Because of the saddened situation, he inspired Leonor Rivera as Maria Clara in his novel Noli Me Tangere. He was also engaged in a "mutual understanding" kind of relationship with Segunda Katigbak. I imagine whenever Dr. Rizal was being asked by his friend on how he and Segunda were doing. He might answer, "we're just friends!" He also got engaged with other beautiful women not only in our native land but in other countries: Leonor Valenzuela, a Filipina (I wonder if he was thinking of Leonor Rivera) Gertrude Beckett, a British; Nelly Boustead, also a British with an Iberian descent; Seiko Usui, a Japanese; Consuelo Ortiga y Rey, a Spanish; Suzanna Jacoby, a Belgian and his last love before his tragic death, Josephine Bracken, an Irish. As what his love life presents to us, it is really reachable and everybody can experience to love and to be loved, despite of your physical and emotional stability. I'm not saying that Dr. Rizal has no looks of a perfect Adonis, but come to think of it, why would you love a man who has the best asset but no-brainer which is in return, you would be having a lot of trouble and a repentance in the end. Makes sense, right? Sobresaliente!

4. A THOMASIAN AND AN ATENISTA - Yes, Dr. Jose Rizal enrolled and studied at these two greatest universities we have here in the Philippines. He studied his elementary days in Ateneo Municipal de Manila, which was now known as Ateneo de Manila University presently located in Quezon City. Before his execution as his last walk, he glanced at the Ateneo, which was still located inside Intramuros and said, "I've spent my glory days of my youth there!" Now, the university named their main library after the greatest alumnus, the Rizal Library. Then he had his college at the quadricentennial, Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, studying medicine specializing in ophthalmology. He wasn't able to finish his studies in the said university because of a circumstance their family had that's why he needed to sail west to Madrid, Spain. Though Dr. Rizal's culture of a Tomasino is only short lived, he was still part of their history. What would other universities feel and take if our National Hero became their alumni. As what probably could La Salle and U.P. have told to the two, "nauna lang kayo!" Just kidding.

5. LOVING HIS SIBLINGS - Dr. Jose Rizal was the seventh in all of the children of Don Francisco Mercado and Doña Teodora Alonso. In the brood, they were only two boys and nine girls: Saturnina, the eldest sister; Paciano, the eldest brother; Narcisa, Olympia, Lucia, Maria, Concepcion (who died at the tender age of 7), Josephina, Trinidad and Soledad. He was deeply in love with the care his sisters give to him. And also, he idolized his older brother Paciano, in which he was the one who gave Rizal as his surname as he will study further in Spain. They did everything for the sake of their parents, a value of a Filipino family had ever since. Maybe they could have arguments and misunderstandings, but because of faith and love inside of their homes, they finished it with kisses and hugs. How we wish, we could be like the Rizal siblings!

Dr. Rizal with his friends in Europe

6. LOVING HIS FRIENDS - Aside from his siblings, he has the best of his friends in his whole span of his beautiful life. There were time he got into trouble, as a little boy but deeper within, a friendship has started and it made him a loyal one. He became friends with Ferdinand Blumentritt, Juan Luna, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Pardo de Tavera, Marcelo H. del Pilar and so much more. He gained so much friends when he went to Spain, which all of them were all his contemporaries. With it, Dr. Rizal was not bragging of his achievements or whatever he has towards his friends, he actually humbled himself and making friends not because of what he have but because of the idea of making new and best friends.

Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo fantastic covers

7. THE RISE AND RISE OF NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO - An account in history told us that while he was doing Noli Me Tangere, he was handling the piece de resistance of Francisco Balagtas, entitled Florante at Laura. And also, since he was considered as a bookworm, he used the idea of racial discrimination and segregation from Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. After reading, he brought up to his mind of making a story that was about the true anthology of Spanish regime in the Philippines. And that's how Noli Me Tangere was born. Because of his inner thoughts and angst, he created the characters of Crisostomo Ibarra, Maria Clara, Pari Damaso, Kapitan Tiago, Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo, Doña Victorina de Espadaña, Sisa, Basilio, Crispin, Pari Sibyla, Pari Salvi and many more. Each of the characters that he created has their own kind of story and attitude. And the characters has deployed what Filipinos were during the Spanish occupation. The Filipino was represented by Crisostomo Ibarra as a standout wanting for a change in the society of the Philippines. Sisa, who was a mother-turned-insane woman, and her sons Basilio and Crispin represented the victim of the harsh punishments of the Spanish priests and governors. Maria Clara represented a woman who was became the output of a victim of sexually thirst friars. Doña Victorina represented a woman who wished to have a better life ahead marrying a Spaniard. But that Spaniard was not really a rich person, making Doña Victorina a social climber, and a follower of an incorrect culture. After the death of Maria Clara (she actually committed suicide after putting herself inside the convent), the story unfold into El Filibusterismo, turning the name Crisostomo Ibarra to Simoun. He became a jeweller and a member of a syndicate, which is the truth is, he did it for a revenge against the Spanish friars. Honestly, I didn't follow the trend of the story of El Filibusterismo, mainly because my Filipino teacher in my fourth year did not exactly teach us the story. But, Dr. Rizal's prowess in writing became an eye opener not only to him, but also to the whole Philippines, who are tirelessly wanting to have a freedom against the Spaniards during their heydays.

A mother and a child

8. THE GAMU-GAMO STORY - If you watched the biopic of Dr. Jose Rizal, entitled as namesake, José Rizal, then you watched a part of the movie of his mother telling the story of a little moth playing near the fire. His mother, Doña Teodora Alonzo, told him a story of being obedient to mother by telling the story of the mother moth and the little moth. The mother was telling her child not to go near a fire because it might cause him death. But the little moth did not understand and follow its mother, so it tried to go closer and closer to the fire. Apparently, an accident happened to the little moth because its wing had caught by the fire of a candle, which brought him to its death. While Dr. Rizal's mother was storytelling, he was actually looking at their "gasera" and saw the same and actual burning of the little moth. What is the moral of the lesson? Be obedient to your parents. I always hear this from a radio show that why do our parents always commend us what to do and what not to do. They said that it is not about the good for us, but they want us not to commit the mistakes that they did during their youthful days. So as a child, we should follow them for us not to do the same thing again. If you could put the story of the moth in realization, probably the mother moth tried also to play near the fire, but she knew she might get caught or had accident so she didn't pursue. The little moth did not comprehend to the mother moth, so what happened to him was the result of disobedience. Dr. Rizal, as what his life suggests and portrays, was an example of a good boy. He truly loves his parents, especially his mother, and he obeys them wholeheartedly. That is why his life became courageous and of course, beautiful!

9. HAVING A JOY OF TRAVELLING - Dr. Rizal had a remarkable journeys in his life. His first attempt to have travel was when he went to Biñan just to study. Then he went to Manila also to study his high school and college education. Afterwards, he ventured to his first travel abroad. Before arriving to Spain using a ship (according to some accounts, he was actually having seasickness during the whole trip), he went first to Singapore, then Sri Lanka, then Yemen, then Marseilles in France, then going to Barcelona plying a train. After so, he went to different places in Europe such as Germany, where he wrote his novel Noli Me Tangere; in Belgium and he wrote there his second novel, El Filibusterismo; England, Japan, Hong Kong (which was still under the British rule), and so much more. Indeed, he actually tasted freedom of travelling but at the side of it, he felt seasickness, homesickness and of course, aloofness towards other people. But with other accounts, he actually made friends while on board of their ship and gained many knowledge about the places he had been to. Dr. Rizal was actually having a bundle of joy of travelling because he was not only doing it for the sake of his education but to learn how to live independently and knowledgeably-gained.

The most heroic, courageous and brave move of Dr. Jose Rizal

10. READY AT DEATH - After everything that happened to him, he was being pointed as one of the leaders of the revolt against the Spanish government because of the publication of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, exiled in Dapitan, charged and jailed in Fort Santiago and the darkest of all, sentenced to death by means of firing squad at Bagumbayan. I read an article about his execution and I was truly inspired by him (of course, I do not want to be executed!) because he did not sense of being nervous or afraid upon his death. His pulse rate and blood pressure was in a normal state and it seemed that he did not portray a scared and shattered person leading towards his final destination. Maybe he was really ready at death, because he knew exactly that it was for the country that he loved so much and not because of his personal interests and favors. I was shocked, after watching the biopic of Dr. Jose Rizal, that after the fires from the soldiers, he was also given a mercy shot, that way the Spanish police and government officials knew that he was really executed well. It was a viva for the Spanish people but loss to the Filipino. At 35, he faced death because of charges and disillusionment, but for Dr. Rizal, at 35, he gained so much popularity. Maybe during that time, they knew that it is their excitement and gain but after years and years, decades and decades, a century thereafter, Dr. Jose Rizal's treasures of revolution and brilliance had been adapted, learnt, valued and of course, impersonated by millions and millions of Filipinos worldwide. So he was really ready at death, because after all, he might be idolized by many millions in the forefront. Remember, all of us, whether rich or poor, famous or neglected, man or woman, "may ngipin o wala," we're all getting to our final destination, and that's death.

Sobresaliente! That's how we can describe Dr. Jose Rizal! He was really good, speechless felt. His gorgeous works are really our treasure that our grandchildren can still have. Hopefully we could have the values of Dr. Jose Rizal from any aspects because it is not about his name who is important here, but the values he has from his family, his works, his life and his death that we should inculcate in our minds and spirits.

I do hope that our parents, our teachers, our superiors could say to each one of us, Sobresaliente!!!

Happy birthday, Lolo Jose!!!

Toodles!!!

For My Dear Friends

I was heading home when I heard this beautiful song from Mariah Carey. I remember this from a TV commercial way, way back in the 90s and it is all about the beautiful gift called friendship (though the commercial is about using a face powder). To all of my dear friends, you know who you are, sorry and thank you for the gift of friendship. Rest assured that I am always here whenever, wherever and whatever might happen to both of us! (In short, I'm having a full drama tonight!).

Let's sing I'll Be There by Mariah Carey featuring Trey Lorenz

You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back
Where there is love
I'll be there

I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll have faith in all you do
Just call my name
And I'll be there

I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be your strength
I'll keep holding on

Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness is all I'm after
Whenever you need me
I'll be there

I'll be there to protect you
With an unselfish love I'll respect you
Just call my name
And I'll be there

I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be your strength
I'll keep holding on

If you should ever find someone new
I know she'd better be good to you
'Cause if she doesn't
I'll be there

I'll be there
I'll be there
Just call my name
I'll be there

I'll be there
I'll be there
Whenever you need me
I'll be there

Toodles!!!

Poem Poems 2

Subukan ko naman kayang magsulat ng poem (coñotic lang!) using the Filipino language? Pakiramdam ko kasi mas mabulaklak ang damdamin at mga salita kapag ang gamit mong wika ay ang sarili mo. Though, I still love English! Hindi na talaga maiaalis sa akin ang aking love sa English. Parang, I was thinking na nga if I will switch again from Special Education to English dahil I really miss teaching it. Though, it was really my hardcore passion, to teach kids who were having special needs and attention! Anyway, nalayo na naman tayo, kailangan ko ng magsimula!

ULAN, ULAN
Paggising sa umaga o kaya'y naalimpungatan
Patak ng ulan, tuloy tuloy walang humpay
Maingay sa bubong, naiinis o kaya naiirita
Umuulan na naman, gala'y purnada na naman

Pero anong pakialam ko, mas gugustuhin ko ito
Patak ng ulan, bigay sa aki'y napakaganda
Walang init, walang alinsangan, walang irita
Kapag umuulan, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam ko

Ang ayaw ko nga lang, lumalakas, nagngangalit
Aangat ang tubig sa daang walang papuslit
Basa lahat, lalo na ang pinagkakaingat-ingatan
Paa'y siguradong lalapnos, lalo na't ito'y nalinisan

Ang emosyon, naku, kapag sinabing umuulan
Nakikiayon ang panahon sa anong mayroon ngayon
Masungit man o malungkot, nariyan ang pagkakataon
Lumabas at umiyak, tiyak hindi halata iyan sa ulan

Kung puwede nga lang sana ibalik ang nakasanayan
Na kapag nagbabadya, pagligo sa ula'y handa na
Kasama ang barkada, tawanan at kuwentuhan
Sabay-sabay nagtatampisaw, kapag bata'y liligaya

Huwag niyong ipagsabi na ang ulan ay salot
Dahil ako'y mang-aaway, sisigaw na parang sigalot
Ang ulan para sa akin ay isang natatanging yaman
Nagbibigay sigla, sa pusong matagal nang nag-iisa

~ Ito ay para sa aking pinakakamahal na rainy season!!!

TAMBALAN
Walang kuwenta ang isang magandang buhay
Kung wala ang dalawang tagatanggal ng lumbay
Tambalan, bakit kay galing ninyong magpatawa
Sa mga taong ang iniisip na lang ay problema

Ang tawa ninyo'y sobrang nakakahawa
Paano ninyo nagagawa magsalitang walang sawa
At mag-isip ng punchline sa mga taong naloloka
Kaya ang iba, ang ginawa'y kayo'y ginagaya

Hindi kumpleto ang umaga kapag sila'y wala
Parang Biyernes Santo ang pakiramdam ng madla
Parang natalo sa lotto, ending at pustahan
At parang iniwan ng taong minahal ng lubusan

Kung makikita ko lang ang ating kinabukasan
Siguradong magtatagal ang samahang Tambalan
Walang papayag sa amin kung ang ere niyo'y huli na
Siguradong maghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan, hala!

Emmy Lou Gaite o ang engkandyosang Nicole Hiyala
Adrian Policena o si Chris Tsuper, sa kanya'y pagkilala
Maraming salamat sa palaging umagang napakaganda
Kung marami lang akong pera, kayo'y nabiyayaan na

Natapos na ang isang araw ng kanilang halakhakan
Maghihintay muli ng bagong ratsada kinabukasan
Alam ko, alam niyo tayo'y naligayahan muli
Marahil nasabi niyo'y ang buhay ko'y may kuwenta uli

~ Ito ay para sa aking pinakamamahal na Tambalan ng Isang Balasubas at Isang Balahura

PAG-IBIG AYON KAY...
Narito ang ilan sa mga nabasa kong salita
Ganito ang tingin nila sa napakalakas na puwersa
Pag-ibig, kung susumahin, hindi naman kailangan
Pero sa mga salitang ito, tiyak magbabago ng biglaan

Ayon kay Oscar Wilde, nagsulat ng The Happy Prince
Ang mga babae sa lipunan ay ginawa para mahalin
Hindi lamang sila ay upang maiging intindihin
Marahil ganito ang gagawin sa diyosang napakahinhin

Kung ang musika lamang ay pagkain ng pag-ibig
Ang dapat mong gawin ay patugtugin ng patugtugin
Ika nga ng isang napakagaling na manunulat
Na itago na lang natin, William Shakespeare ang ngalan

Willa Cather, salamat sa iyong mga tanging salita
Tungkol sa pag-ibig, sinamahan pa ng pagkamilagrosa
Kung mayroong matatawag na dakilang pagmamahal
Lagi mayroong milagro sa inyong kay gandang pagsasama

Sinabi ng matalinong Griyego si Ginoong Plato
Sa haplos ng pagmamahal, lahat nagiging makata
Ibig sabihin ba nito'y ako'y nagmamahal ng matino
Dahil nakagawa na ako ng napakaraming tula

Pati ang mga pintor, nakikiayon sa salita ng pag-ibig
Si Voltaire, na nakilala sa kanyang magagandang obra
Ang pag-ibig ay parang canvas, gamit sa pagpipinta
Iniayos ng kalikasan, imahinasyo'y pilit na binurda

Kayo, kilala niyo ba ang magaling na si H.L. Mencken
Ako kasi hindi pero sa salita niya'y ako'y nabighani
Inihalintulad ang pag-ibig sa isang pangit na digmaan
Madaling simulan ngunit mahirap tapusin ang laban

Ang aking pinakamamahal na si Kahlil Gibran
Aakalain mong nabanggit niya ang mga ganitong wika
Noong siya'y kabataan, pag-ibig ang kanyang guro
Sa gitnang taon ay katulong, sa katandaa'y kaluguran

Si Lao Tzu, nakilala bilang isang magaling na pilosopo
Na kung saan, pati ang pag-ibig kanya ay inako
Sabi'y kung magmamahal ng sinuman, bigay nito'y kalakasan
At upang mahalin ng sinuman, bigay nito'y katapangan

Si Antoine de Saint Exupery, nagbigay din ng sariling wika
At para sa akin, ito ang pinakamagandang talinghaga
Ang pag-ibig ay hindi patungkol sa pagtititigan
Kung hindi ito'y pagtitinginan sa iisang direksyon lamang

Sila na ang magagaling pagdating sa pag-ibig
Nakaranas na siguro kaya nakapagbitiw sa kanilang bibig
O, pag-ibig, kailan ko kaya ika'y mararamdaman
Damdamin ko'y nangungulila, kailangan ng pampasigla

Isa na lang, huli na lang at kailangan siyang mailathala
Mula sa napakamakatang ngala'y Francisco Balagtas
Na kapag ay pag-ibig ay pumasok sa puso ninuman
Tiyak hahamakin ang lahat, masunod ka lamang

~ Ito ay para sa mga taong in-love! Kayo na!!!

Sana'y natuwa kayo sa aking palabas (theater ito?). Kailangan ko ng magmadali dahil ako ay aalis mamaya!

Toodles!!!

Tumblr Mania Na Naman!!!

For this time, try naman natin kumuha ng mga Tumblr quotes na puro funny. May ilan akong nakuha na akala mong funny pero sapul pa rin sa puso at sa isipan! Mayroon din na from the reality, at meron din namang talagang nakakatuwa talaga!

Sige try ko, kapag walang nangyari, makikita mo!

Ok fine, kayo na ang SM Department Store!!!

Pagbilang kong sampu, nakashogo na kayo!

Huwag ganoon, men!!!

Dramatic parts of the body itong mga 'to!!!

Barkadahan, period!!!

Napapanahon!!! Sa simula ka lang talaga masipag!!!

May kilala akong ganyan magdasal!!! Hehehe!!!

May tinamaan ba???

Toodles!!!

Oh English, Stilleth Maketh Me Thy Faithful Servant

A week from now, I'll be processing myself through my veins that I am no longer teaching regular kids at the big school, thus I'll be facing the kids with special needs. How devouring! But yes, I really need to challenge myself facing these beautifully-created kids who has special needs because I know deep down in my heart that they need me. But at the back of my head, I still miss being a full-fledged English teacher; talking to my students how wonderful this language is, and how lovely to speak, write, listen and read English.

What if I didn't pursue my career in Special Education, and this year I'm still part of the regular school? My kapatid left her devotion and they created a hearsay that the best person to substitute her is me. If that could happen, I'll be handling Filipino 2 and 3 (my goodness, in my three years of experience as a teacher, it is my first time to adapt Filipino in my profession!) and grandly, English 4! Wow, that is really remarkable! I'll be teaching the best of world literature! I can't say that I am so much imbibed with literature but I know some accounts. I will be gladly privileged if they will allow me to teach these students about the greatness of the English world, in grammar and in literature.

I was thinking of some teaching methods, strategies, techniques, everything on how will I handle such bright students under my skin. Here are some of the activities that I wish I could do them, but maybe I can have these in my next set of students (pardon me, but these kinds of activities cannot be done with my new loves, the special kids!):

SHORT FILM - In our institution, the celebration of English Week is the first main highlight and most of the students are really into it. If I became the teacher of English in high school, I will be asking third year and fourth year students to do a short film, digitally made and mastered (if they can really do it!), about the theme. They will create their own story based on their understanding, interpretation and abstract. And with it, they will be using any kinds of video camera, from their phones or handycams or anything. They will make a 10-15 minute film and it will be shown at our auditorium. There will be an awarding ceremony and I will give credits for the story, direction, cinematography, editing, acting and of course, the whole film itself. It seems that I'm going to let them experience being a great filmmaker.

WHO'S THIS WRITER - In the English class, especially in high school, reporting in front of the class is one of the main highlights. But I will change the course of reporting. Instead of talking about the story, since literature is the forefront of our class, why not ask the students to report about the writer. His or her students will definitely understand the ideas, purposes, attitudes, achievements and personality of the writer. For example, our topic is about the Sonnets of William Shakespeare. The student will do the reporting about the life of William Shakespeare, and I'll be doing the piece, the way he wrote it and the theories that he used while writing it.

ENGLISH IN THE REAL WORLD - As fourth year students, they might ask me what's in store for them in college and after college. I'll be asking them to do a real scene about the corporate world and how will they use English. First, I'll be letting them to watch some video clips of the people living in a corporate world. Then, we will have some round table discussions about the people who are considered movers and shakers in the community and how do they use the English language in their everyday contact and transactions. Then, it will be followed by a mock portrayal of them. I want them to understand the importance of being proficient in using the English language, not only in school but in the real world.

PROJECT: SUBTITLE - I'll be asking some of my students to choose one Filipino movie (or if they can, a non-English film) and they will do a subtitle to it. I want them to know the science of translation that most of the English speakers would want to comprehend some of our best films.

BOOK REPORT BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY - It is a passé for some English teachers to ask the students to read a novel and make a novel analysis. But in my class, I would like to make it differently. I will be dividing them into different groups (depending on the number of the students) and I will give them the name of the book, the author and the synopsis of the whole novel. For one quarter, they will divide their novel into chapters or anything they want and they will read their part. And after doing so, they will be get prepped on their so-called defense and the thing called "press conference," and the students, together with yours truly, will ask questions about the novel that they've read. For the novels, I will give them not the classics but contemporary English literature. I want them to know more about the English literature not by means of Shakespeare or Twain or whoever, but the other writers/authors who are so good in writing and telling stories.

MAKE YOUR OWN ENGLISH WORD - Since the inception of such expressions like OMG! and other sorts, I will ask my students to do their own English word that they want to be added in the Webster's Dictionary. They will create an entry from the dictionary (pronunciation, especially in IPA), etymology of the word, sentence usage, even synonym and antonym. Whoever becomes the English Word of the Class will have a very good point as his or her project!

I have so many ideas in my mind but the time tells me it's time for your new career! I'll be very happy with the transition and everything, but of course, you will never ever forget the first love that you had. Me, my first love in teaching is the English language. Thank you for making a true-blooded English fluent speaker! I will be forever your servant, just tell me how and when, guaranteed I'll be coming back to your arms!!!

Thank you to my former professor, Ma'am Neriz Gabelo for telling us that English and its literature are incomparable to any! I'm proud to be your student and your friend!!!

Thank you to my English Coordinator, Ma'am Litta Pineda for telling how good I am in speaking English. Because of you, I am so inspired to do such blogs like this and to inspire my students that English should not be feared!

Thank you also to my former professor, Ma'am Christine Catalan-Tuaño for inspiring me to become an instant grammarian, especially every time my dear friends are asking me for the correct pronunciation, definition and synonym! More importantly, the correct syntax of the sentence!!!

Oh, English, stilleth maketh me thy faithful servant!!!

Toodles!!!

Hindi Ko Man Lang Binigyang Halaga Ang Salitang PAGTITIWALA

Bakit may mga magkakaibigang nagiging masaya kapag magkasama? Bakit may mga magkakaibigang nagbibigayang ng pagtitiwala sa isa't isa? Bakit may mga magkakaibigang hanggang sa huli ay magkasama pa rin? Pero iba ito! Isang napakalaking kasalanan ang nagawa, pero ang tanging gagawin lamang ng isa ay humingi ng kapatawaran.

Ikaw bilang isang matalik na kaibigan, may mga pagkakataong sa iyo lamang sasabihin ng iyong kaibigan ang mga sikreto at kung ano pa man. Kayo lang din ang nagkakaintindihan. Pero paminsan-minsan, may mga pagkakataon na nasasaktan mo ang matalik mong kaibigan dahil may nagawa kang mali, o nasabing hindi maganda, at lalong-lalo ng pinaglaruan mo siya at pinagmukhang kawawa.

Ikaw bilang isang matalik na kaibigan, ang hilig mong patawanin ang iyong kaibigan, lalo na kapag siya ay nasa gitna ng pagkalakas-lakas na unos sa kanyang buhay. Sa iyo siya lumalapit kapag siya ay may problema. Pero paminsan-minsan, may mga pagkakataon na naiinis na siya dahil kulang na lang ay halukayin mo na ang kaloob-looban ng kanyang pagkatao, dahil nga naman kaibigang matalik mo siya. 

Ikaw bilang isang matalik na kaibigan, ibinigay niya sa iyo ang pagtitiwala. Alam niya na sa iyo lang siya may lakas na loob na magsabi ng totoo, sikreto at kung ano pa mang opinyon na sa kanya'y dapat ikaw lang ang nakakaalam. Pero paminsan-minsan, may mga pagkakataon na nadudulas ka at nasasabi mo ang mga salitang dapat sa inyo lang at hindi na dapat malaman ng iba, at marahil kung mangyari man iyun, tiyak na malaking pagtitiwala ang mawawala sa iyo.

Ikaw bilang isang matalik na kaibigan, inakala mo na hanggang sa huli ay magkasama kayo, magkaroon man kayo ng sariling buhay at pamilya. Kahit may mga sarili na kayong buhay, pilit niyo pa ring isinasantabi ito dahil ang inyong pagkakaibigan ay pang-habambuhay. Pero paminsan-minsan, may mga pagkakataon na nakakalimot ka at ni tawagan man lang siya ay hindi mo na magawa dahil abala ka na sa lahat.

Ikaw bilang isang matalik na kaibigan, iniisip mo ang kapakanan ng iyong matalik na kaibigan. Lagi mo siyang sinasabihan ng "mag-ingat ka!" o kaya nama'y "kamusta ka?" Maganda nga namang isipin na kahit malayo kayo sa isa't isa ay may nag-aalala sa iyo. Pero paminsan-minsan, hindi galing sa puso ang mga pagbating ibinibigay mo sa kanya, may masabi lang na talagang iniisip mo ang kalagayan ng iyong matalik na kaibigan.

Marahil napaisip kayo! Ano nga ba ang sukatan ng isang tunay na pagkakaibigan? Ito ba ay sa haba ng pagsasama? Sa biruang nagawa niyo na? Sa mga sikretong kayong dalawa lang ang nakakaalam?

Pagtitiwala ang dapat na mayroon sa inyong dalawa. Mawala man kayo panandalian sa isa't isa, alam niyong tiwala pa rin kayo sa isa't isa. Sana kahit minsan, hindi mo maisip na pagtaksilan ang matalik mong kaibigan dahil tiwala siya sa iyo na hanggang sa huli, maubos man ang tao sa mundo at mawala man ang lahat, ang tiwala ay hinding-hindi pa rin maiaalis sa inyo. Sana kahit minsan, hindi mo maisip na saktan patalikod ang iyong matalik na kaibigan. Alam niya kasing kung saka-sakali siyang matumba sa problemang ikinakaharap niya, may masasandalan siya. Sana kahit minsan, hindi mo maisip na iwan ang iyong matalik na kaibigan. Dahil noong ikaw ay nasa isang matinding pagsubok, walang araw na hindi ka niya ikinamusta at ikinabahala sa kadahilanang may magawa kang hindi tama.

Pagtitiwala ang nawawala, nawala at kung sakali man, mawawala sa dalawang magkaibigang nagkasakitan at nagkalokohan!

At iyun ang ayaw kong mawala sa aking kaibigan. Pero huli na ang lahat, nagkaroon na ng lamat ang aming pagsasama, ang aming pagkakaibigan, pero sinayang ko ang pagkakataon! Sinayang ko ang lahat, dahil lamang sa isang bagay na talagang malaking pagkakamali na gawin. Hindi ko na alam sa susunod kung pagkakatiwalaan pa niya ako sa mga problemang puwedeng mangyari sa kanya. Hindi ko na rin alam sa mga susunod naming alam kung totoo pa ba ang mga tawa o sadya na lamang. Hindi ko na rin alam kung sa akin pa rin niya ipagkakatiwala ang mga sikretong siya lang at ako dapat ang nakakaalam. Sinayang ko ang pagkakataon! 

Kung mabasa mo man ito, alam mo kung gaano ko pinagsisihan ang lahat! Sinimulan ko ang gulo na ito, payagan mo akong tapusin ito sa pamamagitan ng kung ano mang bagay ang gusto mong ipagawa sa akin. Payagan mo ako sa mga patawad na sinasabi ko sa iyo. At sana, kung papayag ka, magsimula muli tayo. Kung may lamat na ang samahan natin, mas mabuti pang bumili o gumawa ulit ng bago para masaya na ang lahat.

Sa kaibuturan ng aking puso, ako ay humihingi ng hanggang langit na patawad sa isang napakalaking kasalanang aking nagawa!