They spent most of their childhood at Asilo de San Vicente in UN Avenue, Manila. Luisa, the elder, is 13 or 14 years old while Paolo maybe around 12 or 13. They weren’t able to know their father according to the social worker assigned to them, while their mother works as a house helper. They don’t have their own house, the worst, a so-called home. I’m just quite happy that these two kids are with their mother for now; but maybe just for the moment. They were accepted by the mother’s employer to stay with her in the servant’s quarter which made me think: how do they freely interact as a family if they are just staying in a house that doesn’t belong to them, that limits their movements..?

I just met them today, and I was happy seeing them around enjoying the moment with other children swimming at the pool. Ms. Neri told me stories about these kids whom I was with few years ago. Things changed, but their longing was there: a happy life. How can they be happy when most of their life was spent away from their parents? Or some of them have accepted that they don’t have a family to go home to? Ibet (not his real name), for instance, was able to be reunited again with his parents and siblings after many years. He ran way from home when he was still a very young boy and yet longed to be with his family again. His appearance on television’s noontime show helped a lot. His father and siblings were able to trace where to look for him. That was a  gift for him that Christmas. He was filled with joy as he was telling me his life’s story.

Paolo excitedly showed to me his report card this morning. He was improving and even bragged about his being top 8 in the class. Yes, he was improving but from very low grades, and he’s not aware that he belongs to the lowest section of the school where he goes to. The social worker told me that he missed the tutorials we had before. After I left, he was asking many times when will I come back and teach him again about his lessons. He has many ambitions shared; he wants to rebuild his family, to have their own house and especially, to finish his studies and get a good job in the near future. His ambitions were playing in my mind. How can I help his family? I seemed to be helpless but I am not in despair about them.

Few years ago, an agency in Chicago, USA asked me about Asilo. To make the story short, the company’s representative came here in the Philippines and arranged an agreement on how can they help Asilo’s program. Maybe this time, as you read their life’s stories, you can make your own mind on how can you help them in your own little ways. How about giving them tutorials every weekend? Or just to follow up their studies and give them moral support? Or becoming a sponsor? At present these two kids attend into a government primary school. Yet the fact that their mother just receives a very minimal salary, and that doesn’t include these two kids’ education, how can they have a better life in the near future?

Anybody who is interested helping them may just inquire here. And if you are near Marikina Heights, you might want to help them by giving tutorials, you may just contact me here also and I will give you the details how can you find them.

As I was reading the newspaper this morning, I can’t just get rid of comparing some of the government leaders of our country to the COWS of Bashan. These leaders who are expected to serve their fellow country people and to lead a good governance. Ah, cows…

A newspaper headline says about the failure of the military and the police to present the 43 barangay health workers but suspected NPAs to the Court of Appeals despite of the writ of habeas corpus issued by the Supreme Court.  These people are working for the concern of the poor people who can’t just afford going to our hospitals. Are they trying to hide something? Were different types of torture were done? I can still recall how a drunk military official asked me a lot of strange questions when I was held for three hours in Gen. Nakar in Quezon Province. We had permits shown to them for exposure-immersion yet it wasn’t respected. Instead, treated us as untrustworthy persons. I can’t give my full trust to our Philippine military now. Ah, cows…

Another news item is focused on how Panlilio, the elected Governor of Pampanga was evicted from his office as Governor. Recounting of votes was done by the COMELEC upon the request of Lilia Pineda, whom as we know has close ties with the President, who is also allegedly protecting the suspects of Maguindanao massacre, the Ampatuans after giving her winning slate during the 2004 national election. Ah, cows….

Talking about the Ampatuans who allegedly murdered more than 50 people in Maguindanao, one Ampatuan bodyguard who is also a massacre suspect was killed by Mangudadatu’s security men at Gaisano South Mall in Davao City.

Yes, national election is fast approaching. How is our COMELEC? Have we learned from “Hello Garci scandal”, the allege conversation between Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Virgilio Garcillano? Around a week ago, mock election was done as preparation for the automated 2010 election. How was the result? COMELEC says it was almost perfect. What does it mean, it’s still open for chances of cheating. There were hitches. Ah, cows…

Can I still trust the COMELEC? Can I still trust our government leaders? We are shouting for change but please, let us make changes our selves. Election is fast approaching, be vigilant against election fraud. Vote is sacred, not a sacred cow, vote wisely in choosing a good leader; it’s one way how to fulfill your call to be a prophet of today; speak out what you think is right. Don’t be a cow…

It was a surprise for me. I thought the students just forgot to erase the writings on the chalkboard before I came in, and I didn’t bother my myself about it until I asked them to sit down after greeting them a good evening, “Everybody sit down…” I asked them. But them responded in one voice, “No, not yet! We have a surprise for you.” I quickly told them that I hate them, for I hate surprises and I laughed. But indeed, they started to sing the modified ABS-CBN’s station ID. And me? I was silent and let them do what they wanted…

For the past busy days, I was so serious with our topics just to cope with the lesson plan I made before having Christmas vacation. There were requirements to finish and submit, checked quiz papers and assignments, and aside from that, observers also came to observe my class management style. In spite of my hectic schedules, I was still able to reflect about that recent experience with them.

With a little yellow paper flower they made, a letter they read (asking me to be more patient with them), and the song they sang, they made my smile and, of course, love them more and that’s to teach them well and learn more from them.

As their modified song goes,

“Ang nagsilbi nating gabay
Upang makamit ang inaasam
Kayo lamang aming guro
Walang iba kundi kayo
Salamat sa inyong turo
Muling magkakakulay ang Pasko
Dahil kayo po, bro, and star ng Pasko.”

See? They just expressed themselves, their creativity and sincerity as students. That made them lovable and admirable as first year students. And after that, were able to consume three periods for that session since the next teacher was not around. The classroom activities we had added color to what we wanted to learn from our lesson.

Lesson I learned this time? Don’t underestimate the capacity of a person to express her/himself as a person for each individual is unique. It’s indeed a good preparation for Christmas! An Advent!

Our sympathy to these victims…

We are calling the legitimate authorities to act on this. Grant justice!

I have been to a place in Manila where I learned to help these young orphans about their school homeworks and other tasks. I also experienced being with the children at a famous dumpsite in Quezon City, not only learning how to read and write but also to play just like the little ordinary kids on the streets. That’s how I found myself as an educator in a non-formal setting.

But just this morning at one of my classes, I nearly lost my temper after pupil misbehaved inside the class. He wasn’t around when I came in and checked the attendance. As I started to have a review of our yesterday’s lesson, he just came in and blurted a word contradicting to what I was still trying to explain to them. I was explaining to the whole class how to make a letter to their parents as they identify the good qualities they have. Was it out of naughtiness? Was it out tendency to look for attention? I didn’t know until I realized that I was still wrong whatever the reason why he just blurted out a word while I was still talking. I shouted back at him out of my irritation.

He kept quiet and bowed his head. I realized that I hurt him. I understood how an experience in the family made him do it. I didn’t wait for an hour, right there and then, I  bowed down and whispered asking for an apology and he nodded while getting his activity workbook which we were using. I was relieved. He made a letter for his mother with heart caricatures. That part touched me. After I checked his work, I learned something form the letter that made me realize I indeed misunderstood him. What a pain, what a joy.

Attending a national convention of Religious Brothers in the Philippines in Bacolod, I learned the verb form of being a Brother. “To brother,” means to care or show compassion to others. To brother the pupil I had today was supposed to understand him and his difficulty and what made him misbehave. I wasn’t suppose to reprimand him in a bad way. Instead, have talked to him a nice way.

I don’ want to compare the learning between a formal school and a non-formal school setting. What matters most is the learning of a child. And so tonight, an hour ago, I made sure that I must be fair to all my students at the Evening Class. They are, in fact, stress relievers for me. There is so much fun in learning most of the time; which is really different when I am teaching at the Day High. At the end of the day, I can be very thankful to this little kids for they seemed completed my day and made me once again, pray for them, ask sorry for my lack of preparation and being too strict to them.

The joy and pain of being a teacher is always with the tasks. But since it is not just an ordinary task, the joy and pain give meaning to what I am doing as a Religious Brother in the school.

Here, in this blog, for the readers, I can’t just talk about Gabriel Canizares. It adds to the pain… and anger against the lawless elements and towards the “inutil” government we have here in the Philippines.

Lord, open my eyes to see you in the eyes of this young; that you entrusted them to me as your own so that I may see and own you in them. Amen.

As I was counting seconds, one boy seating at the back raised his hand and recited after I recognized him, “Life!” Somebody added, “Parents or family!” I picked those lines and started processing their answers so that I won’t lose their attention; and of course to attain my objectives.

It’s a special day for me and I don’t want to ruin it. I asked the question not because today is my birthday. It was part of my lesson plan for the day.

Indeed, life is the greatest gift that I am thankful of at the moment.When I was born; as I was told, my parents rejoiced much especially my father when he learned that his first child is a boy. Life was not only a gift to me but also to my parents.

This gift becomes an everyday choice. A FB friend sent a birthday message saying, “May you have more years to come, and more life in your years…” Some lines for me to ponder… A gift that we choose life. We choose life because God’s grace is enough for us to choose what is life giving for us. Today, I chose to live a happy day just like when we started the lesson today in our class; that’s just a part of my day’s experiences.

Text messages, calls and online greetings made me busy replying and reading emails. That made my heart fat and full of joy. This morning, I bought and served two big “puto sa bilao” in the faculty room for the teachers and I was happy. Thanks to Ms. Chona for accompanying.

A foreign call surprised me. I had to guess who was on the line until I recognized his voice. It was Fr. Vincent from Kerala, India. He is a good friend-priest who stayed with the Brothers at MAPAC few years ago. Aside from calls, text message flooded my inbox. It was so touching receiving text messages from my friends, former classmates and former students at Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC), as well. And of course, after our Morning prayer, I received my mother’s greetings.

This afternoon, I was surprised when I was told that we will have our dinner outside. A simple dinner was expected. For sure, it was simple yet, a treat of the owner of Thai Restaurant in Bayan of Marikina; she’s the Marist School Parents and Teachers’ Association (MSPTA) president at the moment. Four MSPTA officers were around aside from the Brothers of the community. We also welcomed the presence of Brother Gabe from Gen. Santos City.

Thanks to all the people who greeted me and made my day very happy. My gratitude goes also to my community for being with me.

A brother remarked, “This is now your last birthday as 20’s. Next year, you will start counting in 30s..” That made me reflect and said within, “I choose life.”

*Choose Life – 21st General Chapter of the Marist Brothers.

*Updates about our Palawan escapade to follow.