The Itinerants Path

The master of the ceremony announced, “And for the winners of Best Costumes, the third place goes to..!” “Don’t tell me it’s me,” I told my co-teacher while waiting for the result of the Best Costume competition. “It’s Brother Vince!” I was just kidding but the emcee just announced it. I wasn’t expecting that I will be included to the list of winners. I was happy, and was very happy not because I got a certificate of recognition but because all teachers participated and prepared well  to give awareness to all students about “Peace,” which is the theme of the activity.

Two weeks ago, the Department of Social Studies of our school announced the culmination of “Linggo ng Kasaysayan” (History Week) to be held today, September 25; an activity integrating the learning of the students from year seven to year 10. It is being implemented by the Social Science Department of the school. Every homeroom was asked to prepare their bulletin board for a contest and the advisers will present themselves as models representing the different chosen countries around the world. Everybody was excited and I have observed the eagerness of the chosen teachers to be consorts. I was asked to be one of the consorts representing the country of ‘Indonesia.” I was thinking for a while of ways how to get costumes from Indonesia. Then I remembered the Brothers of Jolo community (Jolo, Sulu). To cut the story short, they sent one for me. That was just one of my memorable experiences recently…

Future Leaders

Another story that struck me recently was last night’s activity. Instead of having a regular session, I asked my students from the Afternoon Class to practice their presentations/project. One first year student came to me and complained about her classmate. She was disappointed with the one who withdrew from the group due to misunderstanding with some members. I learned that they were having a hard time of what to do and who’s to be followed. There were suggestions coming from each member and they just can’t start practicing their piece. I asked them to seat down so I could listen to what they were complaining about. When somebody started to talk, everybody also started talking. And I got the point, I asked them about the value of listening to one another. Deep inside, I was smiling but I didn’t want to get involve so I facilitated and left the decision making to them.

I saw their potentials to become effective leaders of their own group. They just needed to be guided and be enlightened. That situation made me happy to feel their eagerness to start their activity. They were full of smart ideas which I believe, will help them not only to have a very good presentation but to build friendship, camaraderie among them. I felt relieved when they were able to come up to a one favored decision. I asked them to, “Give each other a chance before complaining that you or they can’t do.”

Happiness for an ordinary teacher

I can still remember one night in my prayer after my last class in the evening, “Lord, give meaning to what I am doing.” With this short recollection, my prayers were answered once more… Tomorrow, Saturday, we will be having our second regular community recollection in Batangas. It will be a chance for me to reflect once more and get rid from my preoccupations for a while.

And I felt satisfied, contented for the day. That recollected experience with the Afternoon Class gave another meaning to my teaching profession and more than that, to my vocation as a religious brother.

2009 Teachers’ Month Campaign

This reflection entry is also dedicated to all teachers in response to 2009 Teachers’ Month Campaign. Here is the copy of the Memorandum from DILG:

Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
A. Francisco Gold Condominium II EDSA cor. Mapagmahal St..
Diliman. Quezon City

August 13, 2009

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
NO. 2009-112

TO : ALL PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS, CITY MAYORS, MUNICIPAL
MAYORS, DILG REGIONAL DIRECTORS AND OTHERS
CONCERNED

SUBJECT : 2009 TEACHERS’ MONTH CAMPAIGN

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared
October 5, 1993, and even’ year thereafter, as World Teachers’ Daw For this year, the Commission
on Higher Education has set a month-long observance of the Teachers’ Month Campaign from
September 4 to OcLober 5, 2009.

Part of the celebration is the awarding of the winners in the Search for Outstanding
Teachers on September 4, 2009, sponsored by the Metrobank Foundation.

Considering the important role that teachers play in nation-building, all local government
officials are requested to take the lead in:

1) Coordinating with the local media in featuring the roles and contributions of
teachers in the development of the youth and in overall nation-building;
2) Conducting public information on the Teachers’ Month Campaign and on the
World Teachers’ Day;
3) Undertaking special activities ro honor teachers; and
4) Mobilizing the support of the business community to provide discount privileges
to teachers during the momh-long celebration.

All DILG Regional Directors are hereby directed to cause the widest dissemination of this
issuance to all local authorities within their jurisdictions.
h’or the information and guidance of all concerned.

By the authority of the Secretary
Austere A. Panadero
Undersecretary, LG

On this day..

• Body, Mind and Spirit - 2006
• Suffering... Meaning and the Reality - 2006
• Practicing Safe Celibacy - Review - 2006