My Top 10 Scenes I Had in 2011

I have always this thinking of being afraid every time the year changes. If only I could have psychic powers to look in the future what's in store for me, I could definitely not feel the same way I've been experiencing for a lifetime. Whenever the year ends, I watch the fearless forecasts of some psychics and even manghuhulas that guests on a certain talk show (expect that at the last week of December, just right after Christmas). Most of them really do happen, but some of them are not.

This year, I had some bumps and bruises along the way but in spite of those, I became more challenged, determined and proud of myself. I became matured with the problems I am facing, though most of them needed to be dropped with tears. And aside from the low lights, I also had really good times with my family, my friends and my students. I may say that this year is not as perfect as for others, but 2011, for me, will be the most memorable one, if not for the rest of the decade or even century.

Now, let me round-up with the issues, scenes and happenings that I had for the past twelve months. This is my own way of saying farewell and good riddance to this year and say hello to the much brighter year (hopefully this would not be the end-of-the-world year), 2012.

TOP 10 - MY PURCHASE OF MY NEWEST BABIES, FITFLOPS FOR MEN AND HP PAVILION DM1 - I only knew before that Fitflops are for women but they also got something for the men. And yes, having this slippers is my Christmas gift for myself. Every time I use the slippers, I feel taller, fitter and prouder (hehehe). It is too expensive but it is really worth it. I bought a brown slipper, as what my good friend and the assistant telling me that it looks good on my feet. I love it, no doubt about it. Another thing that I bought for this year is my laptop, HP Pavilion DM1. Yes, it is really a dream come true to me, since it is a must for my work. It is not a full-sized laptops as what my colleagues own; it is just small and comfortable to bring to. I bring it on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays because I am afraid to bring it and going to Manila for my weekly novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help and St. Jude. Aside from myself, my dear friend T. Tere and my student Justine also own this kind of laptop. I promise myself to take good care of these two things that I love, knowing myself to just putting it somewhere and not cleaning and taking good care of it. I would cherish every moment I am using them (from a very sentimental person like me!).

First row from left: T. Nancy, T. Aiz, T. Tere, T. Sheena and T. Mhae.
Second row from right: T. Audrey, T. Roxanne, T. Normie, T. Che, T. Gina,
T. Susan, T. Carina, T. Donna, T. Flora and T. Doveeh

TOP 9 - MY SOMEWHAT RETURN TO MY FIRST LOVE, THE GRADE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT - While we were celebrating the Foundation Week of our institution last September, I was with my students who were visiting all of the classroom in which they decorated it according to their countries. I was shocked when our principal called me to have a meeting. I didn't know about it, I have no idea with it. Suddenly, our school administrator saw me and asked me to go with her at her office. And then, since T. Aiz would leave our institution and her load as English teacher for Grades 5 and 6, she asked me if I could somehow substitute her for the month of October and I'll be returning to SpEd after the Second Quarter finishes. I was really in awe, in shocked and in a confused sense. I was so afraid on what would happen to me. It was fast, really, really fast! I needed to prepare myself since it was in the middle of the school year and I'd be seguing what T. Aiz would leave. I was really happy when some of my former students loved me to go back to Grade School. But I had something at the back of my head, I was not familiar with the new kids I would be handling. They were Grade 5 - Obedient. Formerly, I was handling Grade 5 - Generous, and yes, I am missing handling regular students. There are huge differences in handling both regular and special students. In regular, they do not show much love as what the special students do with their teachers. In special, I do reprimanding like a couple even hundreds of times while in regular, one word sizzles all. But what I loved in my somewhat return to the Grade School Department were my colleagues, friends and super best friends like T. Mhae, T. Tere, T. Gina, T. Susan, T. Nancy, T. Donna, T. Flora and T. Doveeh and the new faces like T. Normie, T. Roxanne, T. Che, T. Sheena, and T. Audrey. At first, I was really excited and a bit felt new because most of them were very quiet and peaceful, totally different from the Grade School I've been into. Still, my heart belongs to them. I went back to SpEd because I wanted to finish my work there and if a chance would be given to me, why not to stay there again.

"Look down upon me; my life is a life of crosses,
my days are days of tribulation and my heart is
an ocean of bitterness."

TOP 8 - MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH ST. JUDE THADDEUS, PATRON OF HOPELESS CASES AND THINGS DESPAIRED OF - I thank my dude Sir Yuan for telling me about the miracle of St. Jude. He was the one who mentioned it to me and told me that his miracles were actually true. Last May when our family had a very serious problem, I thought of going to St. Jude just to say a deep prayer for my mom's health condition. His National Shrine is located in Nagtahan, Manila; really far from my home, nevertheless it is for my mother so I need to do that sacrifice. After my stay in school, together with my dude, we go to St. Jude just to hear mass and pray the novena. There, we were eagerly listening to the priest as he says all of the rituals for the Holy Mass, and after that, the novena for St. Jude Thaddeus. Same thing with the novena for Our Mother of Perpetual Help, its novena is also serene, peaceful and miraculous in its own little way. The first I heard the novena, it was way too special for me because they actually turned off the light for a much lighter drama and a very peaceful one. I loved also the homily of the priest, who hailed from Cebu. It was really a very special novena for me. Yes, it was for my mother and with that, I began my devotion to St. Jude, as a patron saint for hopeless and despaired cases. Last August, I made my birthday novena with him and I was hoping he answered my only wish, to ease the pain my mother used to feel. And I could say the miracles of St. Jude are really true!

Yours truly with Sir Phil. He is now in Catanduanes.

Yours truly with Lilyput. She is now in Jeddah.

Yours truly with T. Aiz. She is still here but somewhere.

TOP 7 - MY UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS WITH MY FRIENDS WHO LEFT ME ALONE (JOKE!) - Martin Philip Alcantara, Marie Lyrize Agoncillo and Aileen Chu, these are my friends who left me, not dramatically, but for their own good and I understand, as their friend (no harsh meaning, hehehe!). My ever loving pare Sir Phil went to Catanduanes as what the Lord wants him to do. According to him, he is doing well helping his uncle doing some duties for their church and at the same time, he is somewhat doing some errands like speech choirs and all. I am so happy because his talent of a showman still exist in him all the way to Bicol! I miss everything about him, from the way he does conscience to me and for always giving me practical jokes just like shocking me, especially every night before we go home! I am so happy with what he is right now! Just continue what you're doing and great job, pare!

My dear friend Aileen Chu went to another institution for a very personal issue. I truly understand especially if you do not feel any more happiness, well let's not put this into more details, just like it. She was the first teacher who approached me when I was still starting as a teacher. She told me almost everything and in return, I also helped her whenever she had problems dealing with the wonderful world of the English language. We had a petty tampuhan before, and with that, I knew more about her. We always eat out, talking and talking about everything and anything under the sun (even though we usually hang out at night), and before when she still have someone special, she usually tells us about it. Now, she transferred to another institution, find so much hard time in it but feels at home every time I text her. If you only knew how much I miss you and I can't wait for our own gimmick in January!

And yes, my dearest kapatid. My crush, my inspiration, my ka-chikahan over the phone, and of course, my little sister, she is Lyrize Agoncillo. She is now in Saudi, working as an administrative assistant in a well-known hospital in Jeddah. Since she's very far from us, only Facebook and Yahoo! Messenger is the only source of our fun and laughter. I miss her expressions like "nasa-sad ako!" and "alam mo yung..." I also remember her over Starbucks Coffee, most especially last January when we visited the Intramuros branch, the best Starbucks Coffee branch before I visited the Pedro Gil branch. I am missing the times I'm just going to call her before midnight and we will talk about almost everything. And I miss her voice, from a very angelic one to an almost-lost voice of hers. I am so happy for her, together with her love of her life Noel with their eight glorious years of relationship, for what she is right now. She feels happy and contented and I know that in the end, she will be more happy and exciting as well! I can't wait for that kapatid


To the three of you, yes you left me but I am so happy for you guys! Good luck!

TOP 6 - MY DEEPER INCLINATION TOWARDS THE FILM NO OTHER WOMAN - This is my favorite Anne Curtis' soon-to-be-award-winning and box-office-hit! From its trailer, down to its poster and to its movie itself, no wonder everybody was so hooked into it last September and that includes myself. Aside from having Anne Curtis as one of the lead, it also has Cristine Reyes as the doting wife and Derek Ramsay, the husband who has everything, a loving wife, a very successful business and a rich and gorgeous mistress. Now, that's the focal point of the story, seems like are you still willing to pursue a love that the world against it. The lines are all historically mentioned in this quality film: "Ang mundo ay isang malaking Quiapo, maraming snatcher!" "What would you do if the only man you love is unfortunately married?" "I-pack-up mo na yang Lucy Torres mo, ilabas mo na diyan si Gretchen Barretto. Anak, ako na bahala sa red stilettos mo." "Don't you dare fall in love with me!" Those lines might be heard by some and might be said by some but having that kind of relationship will surely be going to hell. Anyways, the movie is a box-office hit, thanks to its director, to its production staff, to its cast and to the millions of Filipinos who purchased the P110 to P200 worth of movie tickets just to see this illustrious movie of 2011. I don't think they will have a part two of it, since it has an ending. But another kind of movie as same as with it, I don't think so. There were so many films that have depicted a story of infidelity but this one has it all! I love it up to heavens!

This is your show, this is your time. It's Showtime!

TOP 5 - MY SHOWTIME EXPERIENCE AND BEING PART OF THE MADLANG PEOPLE - That was September 20, a day before our Foundation Day when my group from the SpEd Department simply called Intermediate and High School Special Class Group had our exposure trip on ABS CBN and Lazer Maxx. We've been talking about this since Summer of 2011 and when it was the time I was being asked if I would agree or not, I definitely answered positively. Since August, we've been negotiating with the people on ABS CBN on how was it will be done. And then, finally, it was already happening. It was my first time to go inside of this huge building and I may say it is really trembling. I am expecting to see stars in which I am only seeing on TV. I'm not that kind of a worshiper to some artists, only few, but still the places inside ABS CBN that I only see either on ASAP, Umagang Kay Ganda, Kris TV or anywhere gives me goosebumps. I saw the studios of Happy Yipee Yehey, Kris TV (unluckily we didn't see my Mama Kris Aquino), TV Patrol (wherein Leon my student and I became news anchors in an instant) and their biggest studio called Studio 10 where the shows Gandang Gabi Vice and ASAP Rocks hold. But of course, our stay in ABS CBN would never be complete if we did not watch any of their show and we chose Showtime. Two reasons, I want to see Anne Curtis in person and I want to experience how was it inside of the studios of Showtime and being part of the Madlang People. The way they host the show seems like they were like at home, talking and chatting freely as if nothing is really happening and as if they are not working as hosts. The way the bang to each other, the way the say what they feel, the way they dance, the way they boost their self-confidence, it is truly unkabogable and only Showtime has that other than other noontime shows in the country (of course, nothing beats Eat Bulaga!). I had the privilege to introduce to them our institution, greeting all of the people who are so close and so dear to our hearts and of course, I have the chance to say "Welcome back, Anne Curtis!" Prior to our visit, Anne Curtis wasn't able to part of it for almost two weeks because of her European adventure. I was really worried and I was always following her through her Twitter account. Then, one Sunday afternoon, I was really happy when I saw her tweet that she will return to the show on the day that we will watch! I was really, really in a joyful state during that time. I also saw my everlasting idol when it comes to comedy, Vice Ganda. He/She is really amazing in his own way of performance. He/She is very true, a very straightforward gay and yes, he/she is so pa-girl. Why other gays can't have the best of both worlds unlike him/her, just wondering? But despite of her nice and respectful kalandian, I still love Vice Ganda until forever aside from the fact that she loves Mama Kris. Showtime is love, love is Showtime!
How I can't wait to go back there watching with our family and friends!

Guwapo nito oh, s**t!!!

TOP 4 - MY UNKABOGABLE FRIENDSHIP WITH SIR YUAN, THE DASHING DEBONAIR HIMSELF - Before, we were just considered as co-teachers. Since I was part of Grade School Department and he was part of High School Department, we could not have find time to have quality time or to talk. There was also a time that we shared an FX going to Baclaran and we talked about our present love which is Special Education. In my blog and my former notes on Facebook, I used to mention him almost but not all of my posts because I am always with him. Sir Yuan is known in our institution as one of the head-turners, Mr. Papabol and gorgeous man in town. Admittedly, I used to admire him a lot but I never thought that I am going to be not only his friend but a brother, kapatid in a way. We hang out almost every day, we love talking with or without work and we are both in love with love. There are times that we don't understand each other maybe because he has so many in his mind in which he doesn't know when and where to start but he is such a loyal and trusted friend. He loves gadgets, knowing that a real man loves gadgets and he smiles a lot when he is being caught on cam. Before, whenever he was being photographed, he didn't have any confidence in smiling because he was not aware of his own confidence. He is so proud to tell to us that he hails from Tondo, he knows all of the known Filipino writers and the and he tells us almost everything about his life, in which he is known for. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart how you feel the word "importance" to me every time we are always together. I am so happy also because finally, you were able to acquire the idea of "moving on" and finding a "new one." He always tells me that it is not yet final, or not yet a probable one but it seems that nowadays, I see him as happy as he can be. I never thought that we will be like this, like a brother, like a best friend, like a truly kapatid. Thanks, dude!


TOP 3 - MY TURNING POINT QUESTION ABOUT MY CAREER IN THE FUTURE - I did an exclusive interrogation about my own kind of career this 2011 and my answers are all wrong. I was really aiming to have a change path with my career, not knowing what will happen next or what will happen to me in the end. I was pretty excited when I was being said by my boss that I will go to another department because according to myself, I want to learn more about it. But it proved me really, really wrong. My good friend does an enlightenment to me; we even had an argument on looking for an answer on what's wrong with changing my career. I said before that I knew God pushed me to that direction so I guess this is the right moment. Everything turned out good, from the time I was now bringing all of my things to my new department, learning more and more things about it and knowing about my bright future with it. But so many things have made me think a hundred times about my chosen career. I had so many questions about myself that could prove myself right or prove myself wrong. I was even crying just to know the answer but thanks to my dear friends, they told me what to do and what not to do. Still, I manage to ask myself on what possible career will I have in the near future. Am I going to pursue more in my present chosen career, or I need to go back to where did I start? I decided that I will go back; I decided that maybe this is the right track for me and I need to keep that in my mind and in my heart. I can have that again but still, I don't know what is for me for next year.

My love of my life

TOP 2 - MY LIFE IN THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SPECIAL EDUCATION - They are so close to my dearest heart. They remind me of my big brother who had been diagnosed with Autism since he was a kid. I do understand them, I do even know when to treat them nicely and I do even know when not to caress them because they are not on a good mood. My life tilted 360 degrees when I decided to teach them. Admittedly, it was a dream come true for me to go there because I know my direction is there. But  along the way, I haven't found what I should find from it. I was also asking myself if I really achieved it. But regardless of my questions about my career, taking good care of them is the best asset of my job right now. One important thing that I love about them is the way they love you back, a hundred percent and even more. They get easily irritated, mad and worse, threatening. I had difficulties in the way I teach because you wouldn't if they got something from you or not. I had also some difficulties with paper works because I never had enough support with it. The Individualized Educational Program and Progress Reports bedazzled me even more than a simple UBD Lesson Plan from the regular school. Another admission, I miss teaching regular kids. I did become a real strict one but I know that they've learned it (I don't know if its true?). I may say that the world of Special Education is indeed special and different, but handling these kinds of kids became the love of my life and it will be until forever!


TOP 1 - MY MUCH WORRISOME TO MY MOM'S HEALTH CONDITION - I should not post here the picture of Mom for what she had had for the year 2011. It was really the most inexplicable, most memorable to date and the most absolute commotion we ever had as a family! My Mom's health condition became failing during the months of April and May, especially in May when she had problems with her standing posture and walking. We went to Asian Hospital to seek emergency medical assistance and we found out that she has a tumor mass at the right part of her head. My initial reaction was really alarming because I never thought it would happen to her. I was really, really worried; not concentrating to the things I was about to do. I was beginning my stint with SpEd when suddenly this one happened. We weren't know what to do, how to begin and what to expect to if and only if, my Mom was needed to be operated. She should undergo so many kinds of operation, in which the doctors could only understand. We stayed in Asian for four days and three nights and with those days of staying, all that I was doing was to pray really, really hard. I was also asking my co-teachers to help in my conviction to Him, just to let my Mom ease the pain she was taking. Luckily, she went to her normal shape after her stay to another hospital, just a few blocks away from Asian. But after a few months, she felt another pain and this time, it got even worse. It happened just a few days before my 24th birthday. There was also a time we were fighting on which way were we going to stay just to let go of the pain. On September 19, she had undergone her very first operation. Fortunately, the tumor took away and from the biopsy done, it was just a plain bukol being sprouted in her right part of the brain. With that, before I was used to be so worried with her, and now with medications and guidance, my Mom is A-ok right now! Thank you God...

For 2011, I need to thank so many people, my family, my ever loving friends and of course to you, readers who hugged my blog so tight! I don't know if somebody is really writing but yes, I am afraid there are so many!

I'm looking forward for a better 2012. I don't know why do I feel this but maybe something big might something happen in the year that is about to begin! Now, let's go back to our normal way of posting, which is about my own kinds of brouhahas!!!

Happy New Year everyone!!!

And of course, Toodles!!!