pagpasiplat

I'm handling a very special class this semester. They come from different Divisions and are taking up different courses - from Statistics and Chemistry in the Natural Sciences to Political Science and Broadcast Communication in the Social Sciences and Humanities.

We meet four times a week and have become very close to each other. Sometimes we even extend our class to three hours a meeting when we have an exam or an activity that requires more than the usual one and a half hour class period. I have learned to love this class of twenty one students. They come diligently to class and try not to miss our period even when they are not feeling too well. I too try not to be absent, but there are meetings, trips and urgent matters I cannot forego; so, we have to have special meetings to make up for absences.

The semester's almost over. We had a class picture taking this morning, after the period ended. Che said she's going to miss the class. I did not realize that we only had two weeks left before the end of the Semester and that too made me a bit sad. I then remembered that I have their email addresses and I already gave them my own; so, we can still keep in touch and the lessons can still continue on line.

I told them I would write about them this time. They have inspired me to be more conscientious and to be more patient and understanding. They have been kind when I was unable to do my best in class; and we have all learned that trying and trying again when we fail leads to success.

Many people take for granted the talents and skills that the Lord had given them. It gives me great satisfaction knowing that my devotion to this class had paid off. I know that they have learned much and I too have gained knowledge about effective teaching in the process. It is not enough to do your best; you must love what you are doing in order to be effective.

The passion for teaching not only enables you to do the extra mile, it allows you to soar when you no longer have the energy to fly!

The kind words, encouragements and reinforcements for a job well done move these hardworking students to achieve their greatest potential. Isn't that what being excellent is all about? We do not compete with anyone but ourselves; we become the best we can be in our field of endeavor and inspire others to do the same. "Do unto others what you want them to do unto you."

My daughter gave me a text message, informing me that I need to go to their school and meet with the teacher of my younger son. She explained a bit about the situation and I was a bit worried for a while.

We tend to blame ourselves when something is amiss in the lives of our children. We think that we should have been there more or we should have done something earlier to avoid such situations. What we forget however, is that we are only human, and we can only do so much.

My daughter is in her third year, a consistent honor student and graduated Salutatorian in her Elementary Grade. She is usually in the top five of her class (even now in High School) and have managed to join many interesting activities in the process. She is a good writer, very articulate and could very well memorize her lessons because of her photographic memory. She rarely studies, yet constantly gets good grades in Chemistry, and even tops her exams.

My son is generous, helpful and very demonstrative. He loves people and admires them a lot - from the plumber to the great artist, my son simply loves to socialize with people from all walks of life. I used to bring him to Church when he was a baby and he would simply sleep through the service (amidst loud music from the praise and worship band with drums and all!). He loves to play all kinds of sports and have joined some junior leagues in and out of our small town.

He's not as brilliant as my daughter, but he is quite good in Math and definitely exceptional in tinkering with things. I dedicated him as a Pastor and surrendered everything to the Lord's care. In fact, he has undergone many testings and trials, while my daughter has been spared.

I love my kids and I really thank and praise the Lord for giving me such lovely and loving children. They are my true treasures in life. Knowing that they love me too and still enjoy my company is a great blessing. It's rare to have children these days who would go with their parents, especially when they have other friends to be with.

"Teach a child in the way he should go, when he is old, he will not depart from it."

I just finished my class. This semester I have overextended myself to so many people and to so many commitments that I have failed to do my best in what I was called to do - teach. At first I was rationalizing that I was new in my job and there were just unexpected holidays and "free days" because of the annual sportsfest and so many other reasons I could think of.

What is it about life that makes us always feel as if we have not done our best and we have "short changed" the people who really matter in our lives?

It's been a long day and it did not turn out the way I expected. Today is our town fiesta and most of the people managed to go to one house or the other to savor the delicious treat of many townspeople. Here, you really don't have to know anyone to visit a place; it's free for all. We are all welcome to go to anybody's house, sample their delicacies and join the merrymaking. People are one day millionaires here. Sometimes, they even have to borrow money so that they can feed every Tom, Dick and Harry that comes along. It surprises me how a day like this can bring about so much misery later on.

What is more important anyway, tradition or common sense? I feel that it is a waste to have to spend so much in a day; but if you have the means to share with others, it is good to be a blessing. My concern is that sometimes, we fail to share the more essential things in life. What values are we sharing the youth by our extravagance? Have we inculcated the right values to them by living such a life?

"We should walk our talk." It's not so much what we say but doing what we should do that matters. Our actions truly speak louder than words.

Yesterday was a blessed day for me and for people who were also with me during a Seminar Workshop on "Developing Your Communication Skills." It was an upgrading for pastors who want to improve their oral and communication skills.

I was the speaker for three sessions, and was quite exhausted after it. That doesn't matter at all though, because I have met a lot of people who truly just wanted to be in a better position to help others in need.

We cannot change the world in a day. In fact, even in a lifetime, we may not be able to leave a significant contribution to humanity; but did you know that your sphere of influence will actually amount to more than a hundred thousand people before you join the Creator?

We meet a lot of people everyday. At times they may stay longer and be with us for years, other times they may simply be passing through, and yet there are rare instances when certain persons in our lives become a permanent part of our existence. How we deal with each individual actually has a "ripple" effect. Whatever good or bad thing that we have done for that person will ultimately be impressed in his/her personality and carried on to his/her sphere of influence. We leave an impression on people, whether short lived or forever, and this character trait may either be replicated or discarded, depending whether it is worth keeping or throwing away.

We are in some ways connected by affiliation - family, friends, acquaintances or perhaps as extensions of these primary relationships. We may actually be the moving force for many dreams becoming a reality, or simply someone's "wind beneath his/her wings" to urge someone higher and soar even greater heights to reach one's highest potential.

It really doesn't matter how many people you've met in your lifetime. What truly matters is the influence you leave behind. Has anyone's life been better or somehow easier because you have decided to smile instead of frowning; to listen instead of talking; to share instead of keeping things from others; to love instead of blaming or even just to be silent and cry with someone instead of giving advice?

We are all in need of assurance, support, encouragement and love. Others may say it explicitly, while others would simply wait for you to discern their circumstance. Others might directly share their problems with you, while others would sit quietly in a corner and simply pray for the Lord to send them someone. We need others but we also have a need to be needed.

How we treat others ultimately shows how we want to be treated. We may see many people who don't seem to care at all. The truth is, they badly need people to care for them, but since they have not received such kindness, they really do not know how to be caring. We cannot give what we do not have. How then shall we be of help when we cannot even help ourselves? We pray for the Lord to teach us; for Him to send someone who would help us be His vessel of love, joy, peace and healing. "The prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

This morning I received a distress signal from a good friend in the States. "I signed my own death sentence. I am pregnant." I didn't know whether to be angry or simply wail for her. She is such a sweet loving soul, a mother to three kids, hardworking and simply out of control. Her SOS was few and far between - whether she was in Indonesia, in another state in the U.S. or the Philippines, she seem to just be drawn to this cycle of pain and shame. We don't know how to help her anymore. I just sent her a text message to go home to her parents, assured her we love her still and encouraged her to believe that the Lord is able to change circumstances and make impossible things possible.

What do you do when all hope is gone and there is no one and nothing worth living for? Perhaps at one point in your life, you may have been in a similar situation. A love one passes away, a man leaves you for another woman, a person you trust betrays you, and God is silent and you wish death to take you and ease the pain away.

I have had my share of pains and disappointments in life. In fact, more that most people experience in a lifetime; yet I manage to move on, knowing that I am only able to do so by God's grace.

Many of my students have had many traumatic experiences in their lives as well. There are those that were abandoned; teenagers who have been abused; young women who have had abortions to escape the shame and fear of parents; and others who have remained unmoved, in spite of the seeming chaos in their lives. I have witnessed many dreams crumble, and have been part of many victorious moments as well. If we are to focus on our defeats, we cease to reach our dreams and die inside little by little.

When all hope is gone, all things are dark and formidable and nothing good is ever going to happen. When we focus on the silver lining in a dark cloud, we are reminded that the sun is shining even when we don't see it. And in another part of the globe people are rejoicing because there is another day to be grateful for.

We do not live in isolation. What we can do today we must do now for tomorrow may never come for others who have ceased to live. Every act of kindness echoes to eternity, where people pass on each smile and help someone in need.

I remember a visitor asking me why "I trust people so easily". I told him that without trust, we will always be on our guard and not let anyone in our lives. Having so many walls around us may protect us, but it also creates such an indifference that prevents love from flowing. It chokes our innate nature to nurture and develop new friendships and reach others who need tenderness. Death is not simply the absence of life; it is the loss of meaning in one's life. Many people simply continue to function, but have ceased to be alive.

We all need each other to make this world a better place to live in. Only when we transcend our selfish desires and live for others do we find meaning in our existence.

Here in the Philippines, people are fond of titles, awards and distinctions. Maybe more so in the provinces where the name of the game is "who do you know"? This is not to put anyone down or even malign our identity as Filipinos, I am in fact, reflecting on the reality and identity that some people abuse and misuse.

We are a peace loving and very hospitable race. We are a blend of the East and West, the melting pot of many cultures, many beliefs and often, conflicting ideals; yet, we manage to stand up from every storm, smile at loss and even laugh amidst very difficult situations. We value family and friends to the point of murder, even when some of them are really not so good to us. What is it about Filipinos that make us unique, and what is it about the Philippines that make us want to come back home wherever we have been? Some of our friends and relatives have left the country for greener pastures, but always, they would promise to come back "home".

Being the most predominant Christian nation in Asia, the influence of Filipinos would reach the Whitehouse, the inner courts of Indonesia, the remote islands of the Pacific, certain areas of the European Union, to the more arid places of the Middle East, the tsunami regions of Japan and even places that others have never heard of. We pride ourselves for our adaptability and ability to stay calm under pressure. We are resilent to change and our "Bahala na" (rightly coined "Bathala na") attitude speaks a lot about who we are as a people. We live in an era where we are far removed from the fast pace of globalization and demands of being the best in all things. We excel, not for our own glory, but we bask at the victory of others we know. We are in fact a contradiction. We like to cheer for the underdog and hate those who seem to undermine our capabilities. We fight best when we are losing and we emerge victorous when all the odds are against us. Small wonder that even foreigners admire us for our "guts" and kindness, even to those who have been unkind to us. Only here in the Philippines do we create monuments for those who have plundered our nation; where we let bygones be bygones and forgive our colonizers and even welcome them with open arms.

Isn't it amazing that even when the world weeps for our loss, we manage to smile at our adversity and continue to believe in a better tomorrow? There is always a reason to be hopeful. We manage to stand up, knowing that success is not failing once or twice, but a hundred times; yet always, rising after each fall.

There are people who can manage to just sit and talk the whole day in some places in the Philippines. They manage to eat and have what they need. Is that not more wealth than a billionaire who cannot even sleep because he has to think of ways to improve his business?

We are indeed a people blessed by the Lord. No matter how little we earn, we simply thank God at the end of the day and smile at our fortune or misfortune. We know that the Lord will not give us anything that we cannot overcome. Our strong faith in our Maker enables us to dream and soar even higher for His greater glory and praise. It's not who you know but knowing that you know the right Person that counts! Ultimately, it's your identity in Christ that really matters!

It's amazing how time flies and we are left wondering if our life had meaning. We are sometimes so caught up with the things that need to be done that we forget the essential things in life. How many times have we stopped to smell a flower, looked at the lovely hills beside our home or even feel the soft sand upon our feet?

I live in a place where the sky, land and the sea seem to be hewn together in majestic harmony. Located at the heart of the Philippines, in an island called "Panay" where the premier University in Fisheries and Ocean Sciences is located, Miagao is a province of Iloilo.

My father moved here in 1987 when the College of Fisheries was moved from U.P. Diliman to U.P. in the Visayas in Miagao, Iloilo. It was a difficult time for a lot of people from Manila, relocated to an isolated place where people sleep at 7 p.m. and transportation is scarce. I remember that we lived in Villa for about a year... I was in my second year of College when I could only stay there for a week at the most. I would find a good excuse to leave, and go back to Manila, where my friends were. I would enrol even during summer so I would not have to stay in the house during the break. I was always glad to go back to the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, rather than being in the province. That was ages and ages ago. Now, I have come to appreciate the serenity of the province, sincerity of the people and the fresh air. The skies are always bluer here, the water is cleaner and the people are kinder.

I used to abhor the very thought of staying here for good. Now I wonder if I would ever leave at all.

Amidst the many stories of people and many places I have been around the Philippines, there is really no place like Miagao. We fondly call it "Miami" since we feel it's a different country all together and students feel as if it's such a far, far away place, especially when you are there for the first time.

My father spent most of his retirement money for his own home in Miagao. He has his own garden, with vegetables like saluyot, okra, talong, kamote; fruit-bearing trees like lanka, atis, mangga, santol, avocado and saging; some ornamental plants and orchids, a few roses and a bermuda grass to cover the front yard. He has his own poultry with at least three dozen chickens of different varieties. He has the native, bantam and huge kaber chickens.

I have come to love this place, we now call home. My two children have also been immersed in the native language, Kinaray-a and even after seeing many different places from Baguio, Boracay and Tagaytay, the children prefer to stay in Miagao, play with our dog Mica and bask in the beauty of God's creation under the moonlit sky, where the stars seem to shine brighter and the moon seem to kiss the ocean on a clear cloudless night...