13 Remarkable Years of Memories

Going back to the place where I first learned how to read words and write my own name feels really great. It feels even greater remembering how the little me, with a xiaolin head wearing jumper, sings during events and competitions 13 years ago. Yes it has already been 13 years since I first stepped inside The Refiner's Christian School.
I can still remember very vividly how my classmates in preschool cry because their guardians have to leave. I sat down, quietly observing such a new yet interesting environment. It is in this school I discovered that I can sing. As early as Preparatory, I would always sing during events and other occasions that the school helds.
And so I continued my studies here up to Elementary. More challenging but always interesting productions were mounted by the school; from which I believe I gained confidence and superior interpersonal skills. It is also during these days that I, together with a classmate was chosen to take the acceleration exam, making me a year ahead of my real batchmates.
When I graduated Elementary, it was rather frustrating that the school does not have a High School Department yet. Therefore, I had to go to another school for an academic year. Thank God, the next year they already have it! And as expected, I transferred back to RCS and stayed there until I graduated.
It is through RCS that I discovered, developed, and utilized my God-given talents. It is throught this family that I learned the most important values in life. Since then many people ask how RCS got it's way and now takes the highest stand; the answer is not simply the most competent and excellent teachers and staff, but it is through GOD alone.
I can't express how grateful I am being placed here by God. I'm currently an active Student Leaders at my College and I believe this conviction to help and serve has been inculcated by the very foundation of my philosophy - GOD through RCS.
My Alma Mater, congratulations on your 13th Year Anniversary! More power and God will surely bless you more. -Jai ^_^

Confessions of a Great Pretender

You will certainly ask me why I considered myself as “a Great Pretender” and here’s the reason, or should I say reasons why. Since childhood, I wanted everyone to see who I really am by just looking at me. I used to be a person with a “what you see is what you get” personality, and I have had proven that. Before, by just looking straight into my eyes you can easily determine the situation I’m in.

That was before. Now, I don’t want anyone to know the real me (that’s for a reason I myself don’t know). Most people know me for being a strong-willed man with a mature mentality superior among those of my age. More than that, most people also look up to me whenever they have problems or difficulties. Yes, I am this man. Yes, I am strong, I am smart, and I am mature. But to tell you honestly, I am also weak, helpless and immature at times.

I don’t want anyone to know what I am going through. Why? It’s because I don’t want them to see me a weakling. I know I’m not. I just can’t show everyone the real me. All of us have problems, and I for one have many of them! Problems that you can’t imagine would come at this young age. I just turned 18 last March, but if you will know all my problems, I’m so sure you too will think why I’m in these at once.

If I were to frankly tell what kind of person I am, well then I am a HYPPOCRITE! I can be considered plastic because I do not show the real me to everyone. But again, I tell you, I am not! It’s just that I’m not comfortable letting everyone know that I am not fine. Before someone will notice any sign of weakness in me, I fix myself and act as if nothing happened. With that I can say that I am also a good actor. For I can make people believe that I am okay when the truth is that I’m actually not!

To tell you honestly, it’s not so easy to act in front of too many people. But even if there are only few of them or even just one, it’s so hard for me to express myself and tell him/her what I am really going through. All my life I’ve been here for all my friends, especially to those who I am very attached with. But after these heroic deeds and remarkable acts, there were only a few moments when I felt that they are here for me too.

Though I am having these in mind, for me once a friend, you’ll always be my friend. It sucks whenever I feel that they are taking me for granted. That hurts, so much! Amidst all these, to all my friends who might read this, I thank God you’ve been a part of my life. You’ll have the best of me as long as you’re my friend.

Now that’s why I have been a Great Pretender. Not to be a hypocrite, but to be able to identify the painful truth among the enticingly beautiful gems. T.T

Budget Cuts: Cause of the Poor Quality of Philippine Education?

We were all aware of the quality our education ‘was’ decades ago. Just a few years ago, the Philippines actually ranked as one of the best. But what happened now? Where are we? The answer might seem morbid, but sometimes the truth really hurts, WE ARE AMONG THE LEAST EXCELLENT COUNTRIES.

Being a part of this Profession, Vocation, and Mission, it really hurts to know what and where Philippine Education is right now. It’s hard to accept that the said field we are in is rapidly growing worse if not at its worst. With these things in mind, all of us can derive to our own conclusion on how and why these things actually happen.

The rapid decline of Philippine Quality of Education was caused by numerous if not so many reasons. Upon reading lots of different arguments regarding this matter, my eyes were opened that almost all of these causes are present in the Philippine society. When we try to stop for a while and think about it, we’ll end up with our own set of answers. The most prevalent among all I’ve read and heard are the following: poverty or financial incapability, corruption of the government officials, and lack of funds.

All three factors are very evident in the daily lives of Filipinos. But let’s try to focus on the last one, the LACK OF FUNDS. For the year 2011-2012, the initial budget plan allotted for the education sector is amounting to 238 Billion Pesos. For a normal Filipino, this is already too much. But if you are going to think as a financial expert, this amount is so insufficient. The said amount also did not meet the primary recommendation of UNESCO which is AT LEAST 550 Billion Pesos.

See? It’s not even 50% of the recommended budget! Funds aren’t really lacking. It just depends on the people in position of deciding for the betterment of each Filipinos if they will give what they deserve or just keep “it” for themselves. Sad to say, but none among the best universities of the Philippines got it through the World’s 300 Best Universities.

This is our situation; this is the real scenario of Philippine Education. Misuse of funds or improper allocation, greedy and corrupt leaders, thus resulting into a very poor rating for the quality of education, these wrong doings must come to an end for us to enjoy what each Filipino truly deserves. So for those in position, I highly suggest that the change everyone is craving for must start from you.

Misfortunes and a Lost Umbrella

This very unwanted day started so light, that’s why I never thought such things would happen. I woke up earlier than I used to, so for sure I won’t be too late for my class with Miss Dancel at 9:00 am. But still I entered the school gate at 9:30. Fortunately, Miss Dancel wasn’t present because she had to go somewhere else. Afterwards, I together with Nica and Cielo worked out on our “things to do”. We had the letters for our Field Study signed by Miss Parocha, and then I also worked things out for the Thesis. We took early lunch at the canteen; I ate 1 rice, embutido, and mantou.

After eating lunch, I went to the Cell group at the KKB and PH kubo. Kuya Jonathan was the speaker for that day. He spoke about one of the most common parables of Christ, the Prodigal Son. Truly, we have heard it since we were still very young. But then again, GOD reveals Himself to us in ways we can’t explain. This has been me. I used to be a Prodigal Son too. But because the love of GOD is truly unconditional, I am here testifying how great He has been and will always be in my life.

So blessed, I entered our English for Specific Purposes class with Miss Ella. Of course I have my simple yet sensible assignment. As usual, I am very active and participative in class though every once in a while I’m using my laptop and browsing my facebook account. Miss Ella gave us the chance to improve our assignments and tasked us to submit it the next meeting. After dismissing the class, my misfortune started!

An hour and a half ago, when I went upstairs and finally reached our room “C307”, I have with me my 2 week old, moss green, Peacock umbrella. And because it’s wet (‘coz I used it), I placed it at the back of our room so that it can somehow dry. Unfortunately, after our class with Miss Ella my mind was preoccupied of my “things to do”. I still have to do my drawing for Art Appreciation, get the consent for Thesis signed by our Adviser and Moderator, and a lot more.

With a lot of things in mind, I left the room and forgot about my umbrella there. It did not take so long when I remembered it! I ran as fast as I could from the Student Center up to C307 only to find out that it’s not there anymore. I asked the Professor and the students inside the room if they saw my moss green Peacock umbrella, but they answered NO. So sad, though I still managed to thank them for answering me.

I was really worried because that 2 week old umbrella was given by my Tita. She bought me that umbrella because I lost the other one. Actually, the first one was stolen when we had our research at the UPOU Library. This time, I lost another umbrella over again! Of course I already know what she will be telling me the moment she knew about it, but what I’m thinking about was that umbrella isn’t just cheap, it’s somehow expensive. And to think that was the second time for this school year. I can’t imagine how mad she will be.

Just after realizing and accepting that I can’t have it back, I started what I have to do. I conceptualized the drawing with the help of Ruth Joy and Kuya Justine. I also remembered that I have to have a 1/8 illustration board for that project so I went out to buy one. Thank GOD I thought of borrowing Kuya Bryan’s jacket (because Jerome borrowed mine earlier)! So out I went to buy what I have to buy. I’m not worrying because it’s just drizzling by that time. But as unlucky as I’ve never been the stores outside ran out of stock of the illustration board. Meaning to say, I have to go to D’ Square to have one. And really very unfortunate, big raindrops started to fall. So I ran as fast as I could to save myself from being soaking wet. I don’t know why I’m so unlucky today but I REALLY AM!

I stayed outside the boutique beside an eatery. As I’m waiting for the rain to stop, it turned out that it’s actually raining harder. For more or less than 15 minutes, flood rose almost near to the ground which I stand. The first thought that came up from my mind is that, whoever he/she is that held my umbrella be as wet as I was. Then I realized that was too bitter. I just prayed to GOD for Him to stop the rain and let me buy what I have to. A few minutes later with continuous prayer, the rain gradually stopped.  Thank GOD for answering my prayer!

And so I was able to buy 1/8 illustration board that I need. With my shoes and socks and even my pants soaking wet, I rode the tricycle back to Letran. Thanks to Kuya Bryan’s jacket which somehow served as my covering so that my upper body wasn’t so wet.

These unfortunate events almost made me cry. But to tell you honestly, I learned a lot from this experience. I’ll highlight 3 most important lessons I got from this day.

1.     1. Bad things happen when you least expect them to.

2.    2. Prioritize. Identify the most important things to do, and do it as soon as possible.

3    3. Learn to value things, not because they are expensive but because they really are very important!

This day may seem to be filled with the least expected things for a Monday which starts my week. But I also thank GOD for letting me experience such as a way of teaching me these lessons. So whoever you are who got my 2 week old, moss green, Peacock umbrella: GOD bless you! J