Ivy and Lloyd visited at school yesterday

I was having a class with my SPED II students when suddenly I saw Lloyd and Ivy just outside the room. I approached them out to greet them. They came to get a video interview on Lloyd getting married this June 16. It felt great seeing my very first students succeed in life.

Speaker, Judge

Last September, MSS conducted SCiMath Camp and they had me as the guest speaker of the camp. It was exciting specially during the Q&A. The campers' teams were outdoing each other for points.Just last October 26, I was back to MSS as one of the judges for the singing contest. They had their sports fest 2010. It was a kind of reunion of mentors of the past. Sr. Myrna, Anna and Inday were my co-teachers in 1997 - 2000. I also met Kelvin, who was there as one of the referees. Needless to say, I always consider myself an active family member of MSS. The school has truly a special place in my heart.

My Commencement Message to MSS 2010 Graduates

Sister Myrna ADC, the mother superior, Sr. Imelda ADC, the principal/directress, Sister Angie, Sister Helen, the teaching and the nonteaching staff, parents, our partners in the education of the youth, batch 2010 graduates of Marcelo Spinola School, to one and all good morning.

How lovely it is to say, “This is the moment!” It is even more fulfilling to know that through the test of this most trying time, when the world is economically not well, our environment is threatened more than ever, the challenges of peace are getting in our way, you, the 2010 graduates of Marcelo Spinola School have made it through. Congratulations to all of you. Congratulations to your parents. Your families celebrate the success you have reaped after all these years of enjoying and struggling through a high school life.

By now, the people around are looking up to you as individuals endowed with skills, talents and character – ready to face a more challenging level. You graduated in this time when the prices of basic commodities are at record high. Our country is just more than a month from electing its new president and other officials. Just at this period, we are experiencing the effects of El Niño Phenomenon. The farmlands produce less. The dry spell has caused the scarcity of water supply. And here, right now, this moment, you are called to be like fountains where everyone can drink. How can we possibly become available sources in this difficult time? How can we ever become like public fountains where everyone can drink?

Just last night, while I was reading through your program, I came across a passage written at the edge of the back-cover that says, “I can do all things in the heart of Christ.” How fitting for this graduation exercises’ theme. Truly, it is in the heart of Christ that we can do all things, that we can really become like fountains – to quench the thirst of the needy, to feed the hungry, to give light to those in the dark, to offer joy to the lonely, to bring peace to this troubled world and to share love to everyone.

Firstly, you are called to be like public fountains of truth and justice. Looking back, you might ask, “Was I honest with what I did to my classmates and teachers?” “Did I practice fairness to everyone?” Graduates, as you move further from high school, you will become even more socially involved. Even at this election period, you are never far from being a part of the entire process. Look at us, your elders, and your parents. Be the change you want us to be when you reach the level where we are now. Be fountains of truth and justice to heal the wounds of our society.

Secondly, you are invited to be like public fountains of joy and peace. As a Marcelo Spinola School graduate in the midst of the people seeking for comfort, be like fountains of joy. Share what you have. Be instruments of peace, flowing like public fountains to everyone seeking for serenity. Share happiness within you. Be agents that bring peace and joy.

Lastly, I pray that you graduates become public fountains of love and service. Remember, we can do all things in the heart of Christ. You are so blessed, dear graduates that you have been here at Marcelo Spinola School. It is a community, working hand-in-hand for the formation of the heart of the young. One can have all the things in this world. But if he has not loved, he is simply nothing. He is like a fountain that has run out of water. He could be a fountain that cannot give water at all. Let us translate this love in our hearts to service. How beautiful is the song “Prayer for Generosity”, “Panalangin sa Pagiging Bukas-Palad”. It expresses the longing to serve even without being paid in return. It tells one’s commitment to be like public fountains – free of charge.

In the heart of Christ we can all become like public fountains. Yes, we are journeying in a tough world. But having the love of God in our hearts, we can confront all the challenges along the way.

I have been always a part of this great school. Our Spinola Sisters were my formators way back my high school life – Sr. Myrna, Sr. Joy, Sr. Milflor and Sr. Nilda. I taught here for three years. Up to now, I still look up to the Spinola Sisters, seeing them as real public fountains of the Love of Jesus. Together, we teachers pray and work hard, that the youth of the land might have the heart of service and love, becoming real public fountains of truth and justice, joy and peace, where everyone can drink.

Leigh, A Spinolanian Tennister

These past days, I've been playing lots of tennis. One time, I dropped by Leigh Cris's place after a tennis game with Hanna, his sister, who is a varsity in tennis in one of the college institutions in Iligan City. Hanna is home for Christmas break. By the next day, Leigh accompanied us playing with my other students in Sibugay NHS, who are very good tennis players. Most of them had to leave, since the classes by Monday shall already resume. So, to carry-on the tennister spirit, Leigh and I agreed that we meet at the DPWH for some tennis action. We played at around 7:45 am this morning. Leigh had long been playing since his elementary. He stopped after such years and played only volley once in a blue moon.

Leigh was a student of mine when he was first year at Spinola. I taught the class where he belonged for only a grading period. That was when I left MSS, way back 2000. He is one of the constant reminders about my unexpected exit from the school. Now he is waiting for the result of the Nursing Board he just took.

A Chat with Leah Riza

Here's an excerpt of our chat just a while ago.

Leah Riza
hello sir Darwin.. musta nman?
12:03pmDarwin
Good ra japon.. Merry Christmas..
12:04pmLeah Riza
Merry Christmas sad dha....
12:05pmDarwin
dili "sad" woi..hehe joke! bitaw, musta na? padad-i unya ko snow ha? nice au imo pics sa snow.. sa snow ra pud.. hehe
12:09pmLeah Riza
hehhe.. gli oi.. kaso malanay sad sya.. anyway, mo visit bya unta ko ni Dione kadto last visit nku dha last March kaso lng nakuha nku iyaha # sa imo mama pa uli nasad ko sa Manila
12:10pmDarwin
ah c.. wer sa u.s ka now?
12:11pmLeah Riza
Dinhi sa Washington DC naa kasi dri ang work sa akong bana

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It was my sister Dione who informed me that she got married to an American guy. One time, she invited me over Facebook and so we got linked.

Looking back the old Spinola time, Leah Riza was one of the III - Matulungin students, whose picture appears at the bottom of this blog site. I wouldn't think she would gone this far, for at the time, she was like carefree and someone who has a happy disposition. Now, she is settled at the US and from our chat, I could sense that she is living a life with some responsibilities. She told me she's working part time there at the U.S. She told me she misses the food here. She plans to visit the Philippines by 2011.

Met Two Spinolanians Today

1. Eng'r. Elnie Celecios
I was walking at the commercial center in Zamboanga on the way to the jeep terminal for Baliwasan when I met Elnie. From our short chat, I learned that he is working as Maintenance Engineer at a big shopping center in the city. We couldn't talk any longer because I had to rush for my classes.

2. Marissa Madrona
My last class in MA SPED was called off and so I could take an earlier trip way back home. I happen to catch up an air con bus. While I was looking for available seats, I heard Marissa's greeting. There was still a vacant space where she was seated, so I took it. She paid for my fare. I was really gratefull. We talked a lot while the bus was on its way home. At that time, she is the OIC at the Rural Bank of Siocon.

Elnie and Marissa were two of my best students way back in Spinola. It is so heartwarming to see them at their working status. It is a teacher's fulfillment seeing his students succeed in their chosen fields.

MSS Palaro 2009 made me reminisce

Ana, a co-teacher at MSS way back '97 came to school and invited me to judge the Literary competitions for the MSS 2009 Palaro. Earlier, she was trying to contact me but she was using the number of my phone that got lost. Anyway, I told her I'd come.

Last Friday, October 23, I entered back to MSS. I saw students playing ball games, some just roaming around. I was right away reminded of my stay at Spinola. When I got to the lobby, I recalled the times when I talked with my students there. I was told that Sr. Myrna was upstairs and the contest would be at the HE Room. Sr. Myrna has been a long-time close friend. She happily welcomed me.

As the contest progressed, I remembered what happened in the past - the moments when I was there at the school. The students were as talented as in the past. I was truly reminiscing the old times!