A Moment with Ciara in the City of Golden Friendship

Ciara is one of my brightest students. She was a consistent honor student at Marcelo Spinola School, the Batch 2001 Valedictorian and now a Certified Public Accountant. Should she venture for a higher goal, she would definitely make it for her heart is steadfast, and her will is straightforward and she has a brilliant mind. She too is a friend of my favorite sister Dyan. Last March 23, 2008 we met at the Church during the Easter Sunday Mass.

Looking back, in 2004, DepEd required all teachers in the public school to take the English Proficiency Test. Luckily, I got a score which qualified me for a mentor’s training in Davao. January 16 - 21, 2005 was the schedule of the training. I had to be in Davao early morning on the 16th. I had to leave Ipil by the 15th. I sent a text to Ciara that I’d be going to Davao and I’d drop by Cagayan de Oro. At the time, I thought there was still a communication between her and Allan (her former BF), who is a close friend of mine.

I arrived in CDO at around 4 in the afternoon. Ciara gave me the instruction thru text on how I’d get to her apartment. Fortunately, I found it. Something was wrong with my phone at that time. Allan earlier requested that I send him text as soon as I see Ciara. Anyway, Ciara introduced me on that friendster thing. I had no idea about it so she helped me out creating my own account. The friendster that I have now was made in CDO. Then we went out. Ciara treated me in an “eat-all-you-can” restaurant. I didn’t realize that I had to eat all the food I got, or pay for the left over! Whew! It made me so full up. Allan called up Ciara while we’re eating. I thought he asked if we (Ciara and I) met. After the dinner, she brought me to a park. I forgot the name of that place but there were many displays there, which were sold at affordable prices. I took a bath as soon as we arrived at her place. She called up a friend on how I would go to Davao. At around 11:30 pm, we parted our ways and I was so grateful for her hospitality. All of a sudden my phone recovered at the bus terminal and I received many texts from Allan. I told him I was already on my way to Davao.

It was my first time to go to CDO and Davao. It was made easy by a truly wonderful and beautiful inside-out friend. "Thank you Cia. Hope to see you again."

The MSS Pioneering – Dearest to me, Closest to my heart

It was sometime in May 1997, when Sister Milflor and I had a talk regarding my up-coming stay at MSS when I saw the first student that was introduced to me by Sister Milflor. He passed by the Principal’s Office and he was kind of smiling. He was a little boy wearing a checkered blazer. Sister Milflor told me that he was going to be one of my third year students. It was at that instant that Sister Milflor told me something about the class. She told me that the students are cherished in her heart. (She would often tell to a student “yes, my dear?” and I know she meant it profoundly.) Mommy Margie earlier told me not assume that all the kids were that smart regarding the way I would teach. “Hinay-hinaya lang na sila Dar” were her exact words. Sister Milflor told me that the kids were pampered with love and care by Sister Joy, who left for her mission in Angola, Africa. Sister Milflor is there too now. It was Sister Milflor who told me “you know it is love because it hurts.”

The principles in education were all that was dominating in my mind. I recall our supervising teacher telling us not to do the things that the students are supposed to do, be friendly but maintain a clear cut to avoid over-familiarity.

True enough, I wasn’t so friendly with the pioneering class. All that was there on my mind was to get my lessons across. I would solve grades up to the last point and would not mind about having even a little time with my students. I could not even remember very well what goodness I have shared with my students in the first quarter of the year. I remembered my not showing up at the table setting/preparation during the Nutrition Month in July because of my anger for some reasons. I did not even eat any of their preparation. What is more remembered was the very difficult case between six of my students with a student in second year. It was the most trying time of my stay at Spinola. I wished I could have resolved it without any students dismissed from the school. The event taught me a lot. It made my heart soften for the students. Had I been close with them, I would have prevented it from happening. It was so heavy for me that I got a migraine after and was hospitalized. I was surprised by the visit of my students there. I suddenly realized that I was kinda too far from them. I was on leave for about three days. When I returned to school, the class was very quiet. I know it was about the dismissal of their six classmates. I started to get closer with them. During lunch breaks, many of them would stay near the canteen and some at the receiving area. I would go to such places and we would talk anything under the sun.

Sister Ardeen (now a Carmelite nun in Zamboanga) loved so much the group. It was to me that she would talk regarding the students. We even formed a sort of a group with some of the boys of the III – Masunurin (the name of the section of the pioneering). We would sing near the convent in the afternoon with Sister Ardeen. We also brought the students to Naga for a special prayer. It was a nice experience. The picture of the bright moon that time we were travelling to Naga is still very vivid in my mind. A student was asking about how come we only see the same side of the moon all the time. We had a prayer at the church and then went out lying on the grass. Our quarter was not that spacious, but we sustained our sleep till morning and went home.

Another experience I had with them during their third year was our trip to Suclema. It was for the birthday of their classmate, the daughter of the then Barangay Capt. Villarosa. Jazheel is also well remembered because it was his case that I made my first house visit. I talked with his father regarding his absenteeism and after that, I saw him already present in school. (But he had to take summer for his failed grade in Math. He wasn’t able to march on their graduation day. But right after the graduation, I went to Toto (Jahzeel’s nickname) and we visited Lloyd’s celebration.)

It was kind of bizarre that I got to be closer with them when they were at their fourth year. Maybe because at the time, I had the most number of hours with them – two hours in Physics and an hour in English IV, I got to know them better. IV – Magiting was the name of their section. I still remember how Dave drove the class wild with how he recited in my lessons. They were more participative and assertive. Christine, the batch valedictorian was also coming out.

Perhaps, reminded of the fact that they had to leave the school after their graduation, I started missing the group. It was sometime in November 1998 that I had a celebration with the boys on Roger’s birthday. There was a student there who vomited on my pants, which I still wore on my trip to Zamboanga by the following day(I didn’t realize until I was at the bus). It was like a regular routine that we go to Ivy’s place during a fiesta in Pangi. There was even a time that the mother of Allan came over at around 1 am to check if her son was there. Good thing ma’am Bienvenida was good. She told me she wanted to make sure I was around. On the dawn of January 1, 1999 I strolled with some of the students around the town then to the Palid wharf and our lunch was at Glenda’s birthday. It has been also a routine till now. The graduation of the students was very hurting to me. But they had to leave their school to find their selves somewhere. A week after their graduation, some of them stayed with me at my home because I was alone. The entire family went to Gensan.

I thought I would never ever see them again. But in their first sem break, they came home to visit me. They were also present during my birthdays. Lloyd had the perfect attendance. His father and I have the same birth date. There were also times that we have our reunion at the beach. Even until now, we still see each other. But time really has changed and we all have to heed to our priorities. We might not be that any close now but, I swear…

“I am not what I am now, had I not lived at MSS”

MSS or Marcelo Spinola School is the only Spinola School in the Philippines. It is handled by Spinola Sisters, which originated from Spain. I believe they have scores of schools there.

The school was built during the time when Ipil was raided by the Abu Sayyaf. But despite the event, the school opened by June 1995. At the time, I was in my 3rd year college at Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City. I really never heard of the school during that year. When I was on fourth year in Secondary Education course, Sister Myrna, who has been a close friend of mine, way back my high school life, told to a friend that I call up their convent if I’d be willing to teach in Spinola School. I was somehow excited because my first year of teaching would be in my hometown. I would also like to give my first shot in teaching in a private school. Sister Milflor was the principal when I applied there. After my teaching demonstration, I was hired.

Valuable were the memories I have in Spinola. In my first day of teaching, I experienced a different kind of environment. There were many smart students, and yet the simplicity and serenity of life could be felt. There were no tensions. All there was was a friendly environment. The Sisters really believed in my capacity. They gave me teaching loads not only in Science but also in English. I didn’t know that I could be a language teacher. I was even sent to trainings for further enhancement of my competence, and I thought it worked out for me. I also have learned how to share my thoughts candidly. Thanks to our BEC sessions. I also experienced handling a difficult case among some students. But it caused me my migraine.

Teaching science is my forte. I would not have been what I am in science now, had I not been given the opportunity to polish my learning through teaching all science curricular subjects. Now, I am enjoying the gains of my learning in Spinola. I recently passed the Comprehensive Exams in Science Education. I authored the making of indigenous science instructional materials in the school where I teach now and the 4th grading Science I Regional lesson plans. I brought my students last year to Baguio City as regional delegate to the 4th National Science Fair.

Perhaps, every member of the Spinola Community from 1997 to 2000 learned about my sad parting with the school. But however that might have been handled or whatever could have been the cause, I believe it was God’s providence that I leave the school I love to work with and be somewhere and do the same ministry or even better. MSS is forever etched in my heart. There, I didn’t only find my self’s worth, I gained valuable memories that I shall treasure for life. I too have gained good friends like Inday, Melai, Helen, Bebey, Ana, Roy, Anabelle, Jonie, Rosafey, Cleofe, Sherie Ann and of course, the Sisters and mommy Margie. Ma’am Margie was a teacher of my brother and sisters and me (all of us!). There were times when the Sisters and the teachers would go out and enjoy our company. How I truly miss it all.

“Thank God I Have Some of The Pics Saved!”

I never knew I was needing my old pics until I found this blog site. Thank God I have some of those saved. Some pics are even decomposing already. Good there is a scanner that is within my reach. I got it all scanned and whoala! Here are some.

Oh, this picture was taken during my birthday in 2001. I was already out from MSS and I was looking for a job at this time. Joyce, who is one of my favorite students (you know she led the section and handled her classmates very competently) is that pretty lass at the leftmost. And there’s a guy in red shirt there. I thought he was Joyce’s friend. Of course my sister Dione, who is pretty in yellow. Roland (wearing cap) is a big time in Manila now. I think he works at a computer company. He brought his GF once here in Ipil but we failed to meet. At the right most is Lea May. We just met some days ago. She’s working at the bank already. Good job there May!


Now this one was taken at Marissa’s birthday (April 5). "Happy Birthday Marie!" Marissa works in a lending company in Zamboanga. That guy in marine blue shirt is Eng’r. Elnie. I would not be surprised if he’d become one. He was and is very good in math. Pidong (Alfredo, wearing cap) is a deacon at a Military Camp. He’s going to be a priest one day. Let’s pray for him.

I kinda like this one. I look a lot slimmer than my looks at present. This was taken during one of our classes in Chemistry at MSS (Jessie is holding a Chem textbook). You see, we had to stop for a picture taking. How I miss my students! Huhuhu…

This picture paints a million words, but I wouldn’t have a single word to absolutely portray what would have been in our hearts and minds here. I just love this pic. We knew we had to document the last few days of fourth year life of these students here at MSS.

Ipil Wetlands Field Trip… something that reminds me of some people

It was February 2000 when the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR, here in Ipil was making information drive in the schools that the month will observe World Wetlands Awareness. I was with my first year students then (the would-be Batch 2003) in a symposium on wetlands at MSS.

Right after the symposium, I planned with my students to go on a local field trip to observe wetlands in Ipil. I requested ZAMSURECO to help us out with our trip. After the arrangements were made, finally we had a day to roam around Ipil. We stopped by the Sanito River. It wasn’t any new at all because the river is a common sight in Ipil but the presence of everyone, made it different. Then we went to WESMIARC (am I right? Did we pursue of visit there as planned?) to see the small ponds there. Our last stop was at Fontanoza’s fish ponds. There we took a lot of pictures. I thought that was the most significant stop because the kids saw the creatures, plants and animals that thrive in wetlands.

Gilbert Adlawon is one of my most remembered. I heard he graduated cum laude in Ateneo de Zamboanga. There was also Jovani Aparece who was very good in my science class. And Carla Escaño was also very good in my class. I remember Gilbert Tagalog’s “teacher-like” explanation in one of our sessions. He drove the class crazy. He is now married to Daryl Gallosa, his classmate. I heard just last year that Joseph Sevilla committed suicide. How sad. Some of my first year students of this batch became my students in college at WMSU Ipil. They were Gilbert Tagalog. Melanil Monteron and Romelyn Robles. Joy Mañalac had her practicum at the school were I teach now. I thought I saw Jembo working at Lams and Bars. Good boy. And Jefferson, the small but really awesome, just visited our school in line with his work in a cooperative.

This group of students was the most serious. I heard that they have been really doing well in their fields. Congratulations. I hope to hear from you soon.

Lawis

Lawis is a lingo of Bisaya which probably means shoreline. The Lawis in Palid, in the Provincial Capital Town of Ipil is a tranquil, rocky, mangrove-forested ecosystem. There you can see the modified roots of bakawan trying to capture oxygen in the air during low tides. Before you can get to the place, you pass by houses along the shoreline, then along a mangrove forest. It is a memorable place for me. I wish to go back there but I heard that it is now being fenced by a private owner.

I had a student named Marvin Sedenio, first year at the time, who lived near there. On January 31, 1999, Marvin accommodated me and some of my fourth year students at his home. Rowell made all the arrangements, and it was Allan who fetched me through his “Force” motorcycle to get there at Lawis. It was for a reason that we went there. I had a misunderstanding with one of them in December 1998. Having patched it up, we decided to go to Lawis.

So attendance check – Joel and Adolfo (first year then), Harrison, Dennis, Lloyd, Leah (the only girl, now wife of Jahzeel), of course, me, Boy Edmar and Allan, were there. We documented our visit there with the camera we bought. There, we swam and play like little children till noon! Marvin’s father was a fisherman, and he offered us fresh fish for our lunch. We walked across the shoreline and went to the Palid wharf. There, we were like kids jumping and swimming. Then we walked through the sands and went back to Lawis to take more pictures. We had the best picture there at a very nice tree. (I lost my copy of it. I think Dennis or Rowel still has it.)

Came next week, our pictures were developed and their classmates, upon seeing the splendor of the place went with us back the following Sunday.

Some of my third year students went there with me by the end of the month of February 1999.

The MSS Batch 2000 – the Friendliest

Confident, assertive, candid, sentimental, cheery, friendly and bold… these are words that would come into my mind about the MSS Batch 2000. Honestly, I did have some sort of “things-not-done” in the preceding batch. My first celebration with batch ’99 was spoiled by my anger, but the following year, batch ’00 “mend” the event by making it happen with me. We even won awards for “table setting competition”. Many of them won in sports fest – in literary, musical and sports too. Our Christmas party was the jolliest among all the sections at the time. We were like crazy playing with our parlor games! I didn’t know what went wrong one time that this advisory class of mine had to have a confrontation with the fourth year then. Anyway, I thought that was patched up.

We had a lot of memories to smile and laugh at. Perhaps, the trip to the Shrine City of Dapitan was the most unforgettable one. We would always tell the story of our “adventure” at the hill in Rizal Shrine. Around 10 of us were trekking through the bushy and steep side of the hill. We just found out that we were lost. Upon seeing a brook that was flowing down the hill, we followed through the waters and, eventually reached the Shrine area. Our companions would have called for a help had we not arrived in 30 minutes.

I taught them Chemistry, Physics and English. But perhaps the most important learning I shared with them is the significance of friends in life. No matter how challenging a travel would be, one would always get there because a friend is there to help.

Some of them are already working now. Some have their own families already. Recently, I just met somewhere in Ipil, Ryan Gingco, who was the batch’s valedictorian. My sister Dionessa, who was a batchmate is with her son and they live at our house. Joyce, O Joyce… I always see her at the friendster. Rhea and Sheryl visited home one time to solicit help for Jeason. I think Jeason is OK now. Munard, the “delight of the batch” is busy with his business. Roland is working in Manila. His parents are my Ate and Kuya in the Interlude choir. The rest… well I hope to hear from you. I miss you all.

My Buena Mano Post - The MSS Pioneering

While I was at my fourth year college, I made some negotiations with the Spinola Sisters in Zamboanga regarding my willingness to teach at their school in my hometown, of course Ipil. I didn’t expect that my stay there at Marcelo Spinola School would change me forever.

Right after my graduation, I applied and was hired at Spinola. Came June 1997, I was assigned to be an adviser of the 3rd year class, which was the pioneering. I didn’t have any thoughts that the students would become special part of my life. They became my closest friends and we would go out anywhere to celebrate our companionship! That was way back 1997 to 1999! How I wish I could go back to those years again and again.

Until now, they're still my friends. Some of them are working at some schools and companies as teachers, others have already married and have their children, some are working abroad... Some of them are my regular "drinking buddies" and some are just regular friends... but wherever they may be or whatever they might have been into now, they are part of the strings that are forever attached to my life.