Confession 101: I miss DCHS (Part 1 of 4)

OK, I must admit I miss Davao Christian. I miss my students. I miss teaching. I miss my wonderful colleagues. I miss Davao. I miss the hustle and bustle DCHS life.

What prompted me to leave Davao Christian was that I abused myself too much. Yes. It’s me. It’s not them. The problem is me. I wasn’t able to handle things well as they should have. To give you an idea about how I live my life back in the city: during weekdays time-in in school is 7:10 but usually I arrived past eight in the morning. I will facilitate classes in different subjects. Check papers, reading at the library, and prepare for my class. In the afternoon, I teach Philippine history to freshmen and economics to the seniors. At 5:00 PM time to have bonding moments with students at the basketball court/canteen/library or have some chit chat with my fellow teachers. 5:30 Math tutorials to sophomores until past 6 o’clock. 6:00 to 7:00 PM some rest and internet. In my last year in DCHS, I had special session at past 7:00 PM until 10:00 pm. At 10 PM, time go home and read some stuffs or simply fall asleep because I’m tired. By the way, one of my weaknesses is my health condition; I easily get tired and easily get sick. During weekends, I attend a graduate school. These somehow are mind boggling sessions but I love it. (It’s a struggle to have discussion with my professors and when I go back to my classroom, I just have a pint of the concept to teach because they are just high schoolers. I even find my econ class too technical. I should have had made it easier). After my classes at SAEc, I have to go home in Tagum to spend some time with my parents and siblings and nephews and niece. Monday early morning, go back to Davao and work. I wasn’t able to give time for my spiritual growth on weekends.

So that’s it. I just miss that lifestyle. I miss facilitating different subjects. My favorite is Desi’s Physics class. Had no chance to faci all subjects within my four-year stay in Davao Christian. I miss talking to students and having usual conversations especially when they confess to me their crushes at school (Thanks for the trust). Hmmnnn… kilig moments for typical high schoolers. Sometimes, students will approach you just to share something about their struggles at home; about on how biased (as they see it) their parents and guardian are towards them; about why people don’t understand the way they are and the worse thing is to compare them to other people; about their struggles in meeting the expectations of the people around them. High school years indeed are wandering years of one’s life. You start to question lots of things about yourself, about life as a whole.

I miss teaching. I think this is the one thing I want to do for the rest of my life; to share my knowledge, to teach them appreciate the beauty and richness of the Philippines and what can we do about it; to open their minds about the importance of economics and how challenging it is; to influence one’s life, to help other people appreciate the beauty of life, to mold young minds and help them realize about the complexities of life. I love to teach almost everything under the sun. (Hmmnn… I become an annoying know-it-all person already). I know I want to be a teacher. I reached four years teaching at Davao Christian partly because of the challenging students I had. It’s even more noteworthy to teach if you have brilliant students like Raphael Go, Marlu Te, Sharmaine Mamaed, Gio Yenco, Kristofer Li, Lian Sta. Maria, Gary Aquino and so many more (so sorry I cannot enumerate everyone… I have high regards to all of you). You have to be equipped when you get inside the classroom and face those 40 curious minds in front of you. Be prepared because out of nowhere they will ask you questions which you might not expect from 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 years old students. But what’s more rewarding are those students who are very humble and kind. Respectful and obedient. Well-mannered students like Issa So, Justin Ng, Jan Robert Chua, Nathalie Vanya King, Karen Dalapo, Gabriel Tay, Gianelle Yenco and numerous others (again, so sorry I cannot enumerate everyone… I have high regards to all of you). I really appreciate your respect and kindness to me. May God will bless you more.

Bonus experience would be the times when we go out of the school and spend some quality time together. Staying overnight at the beach, or at their posh houses, swimming at their own wave pool, playing bowling, dining out together and my favorite: watching movies together. Thanks a lot also for the people who invited me to be part of their splendid birthday parties.

I miss my wonderful colleagues. It would be very difficult to find another group of people as real and as nice as the faculty of DCHS. The students should be thankful to have teachers like them. I’m thankful that I met Jocy So-Yeung, Desi Magnaye, Elizabeth Juezan, Brian Lopez, Leolyn Jugador, Glema Dizon, John Chavez, Relyn VillapaÑa, Dexter and Sashi, Grace & Mel Basilio, Mam Gina, at marami pang iba (again, so sorry I cannot enumerate everyone). They are very kind and supportive. I’m so thankful that Ma’am Jocy was my coordinator because she helped me a lot cope with my teaching strategies. She never fails to give appreciation and constructive criticisms with my work. One-of-a-kind Desi Magnaye for his generosity and a listening ear. Mam Glema for the trust and support. Mam Grace for the understanding and influence to work beyond my limits. Hahahaha… Mam Leo, a true Mommy. Mam J for believing in me and for her motherly insights about my life. Sir Brian for being a good teacher and company. (Baka magalit yung iba na hindi na-mention, on-the-spot po ito…no review and editing. Pasensya na kung nakalimutan mamention.) The trips together and the simple quality time at the faculty office and at the coffee shops made my stay in Davao Christian a positive experience.

I miss the school itself. The structures. The air-conditioned classrooms. The AVR and the Auditorium. The canteen. The basketball court. And my favorite: The LIBRARY.

But the best things in life are not meant to last forever so we must learn to live and let go.

A country you must explore...and did I hear myself say fall in love too?

My teachers probably had inculcated a deep sense of nationalism in me or probably with those great Filipinos I read about and even met. I don't know why I love this country so much and I must say...the Philippines is indeed a beautiful country. The Pearl of the Orient they say and I couldn't agree more.

I must say that I am fortunate enough to travel some parts of the Philippines since high school. Most of my travels are co-sponsored so less expenditure in my side (besides I can't really afford to travel on my own expenses considering my family's financial status) and yet very rewarding and even more than that. God loves me so much because He gave me opportunities to enjoy His creations even here in our country.

Before, I would be so happy if I can talk to a foreigner. I would be so glad knowing that there are people from other parts of the globe who appreciate our country. I wonder why we Filipinos do not have that much interest in our own land where in fact the Philippines is such an awesome country to explore. It is because what we usually hear, read, and watch about our country are negative things. It has been twice that I was reprimanded by my European friends about why Filipinos prefer to put into the news negative (sometimes frustrating SHALLOW events) than exposing what is something good happening in our country. I was ashamed but I continue to love this country and hoping that someday things will get better.

Going back about exploring the Philippines, there's lot... lot... lot of places to discover in this archipelago which is composed not only hundreds of islands but thousands. From small and astonishing vanishing islands to majestic mountain ranges. Last month, my college friends and I visited the province of Surigao and you will be awed by the wonders of natures there. From crystal clear blue waters of Enchanted River (which is literally enchanted for me) to the magnificent Tinuy-an falls. Only God can create such marvelous nature formations. Today with my teacher friends, I am enjoying the cool waters and idyllic island of Siquijor. Every destination has really something to offer that suits your needs in a vacation...adventure, sight seeing, meeting strangers, meditating or simply unwind from stressful city life.

All we have to do is letting ourselves lost in some places and discover that after all, this country is worth living in.. :-)

The Comeback

It's been a long timesince the last time a posted a blog here. And yeah...amazing things happened. Travels to Palawan, Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Lake Sebu, Mati and ordinary side trips in Samal. Who would expect that I experienced all that for the past two years. I presented my paper at UP Diliman, and my article Priceless Reward was publish in Philippine Daily Inquirer...a dream come true indeed.

I'm still teaching in Davao Christian until now and things are never been the same. (edit you next time).

The Blue Room

I just have been to Blue Room, the official bar of the Apo View Hotel. It's a small place yet so vibrant. The band Platinum performed and they are simply fantastic. MUsic of almost genre are being played. I was even able to dance with one the singers. It was indeed a wonderful experience.

Sir Mel invited few days ago of having sometime together and he Apo View would be the perfect place to be. Without hesitation, I decided to say GO since it is very timely also to have a break after a very tiring quarter. And it was worthy indeed. The Platinum band was very amazing that they will really entertain you in a very dynamic way.

Great place and great performances!

Break

I have just been to People's Park with the (ex)?girlfriend, Analou. It was a tough decision actually. Words were hardly spoken from my mouth. It took a lot of courage to speak the truth, the hurting truth. In short, we are officially break as being lovers.

Lovers indeed since we spent special times also. Special in the way I could never imagine I can experience. Dining outside, going home with her and introduce her to my family; stays in hotel, traveling, strolling at the park, and especially talking about life and sharing experiences, and most especially, trusting each other and caring for each other.

After all of those things, it was very difficult to end such relationship. But things occur sometimes of course not the way we expected to them to happen. I know I handle the relationship very poorly. Time, communication, excitement, special treatment were gone as time passes by. Why I keep on defending myself?

Why?

There are just things that can't be explained by words alone.

To you my, salamat sa lahat2x. Sa care and love mo sa akin. Especially for being so patient and understanding eventhough I'm one of the worst persons to deal with. I know, great things will still happen for each one of us. Just take care.

Salamat kaayo.

I just can't cheat to myself and to other people.

Busy Days

I was not able to appreciate life as it is these past few days. I have been very(?) busy with the different activities in school - both in my workplace and in my graduate studies. More often, Davao Christian consumes most of my time. I had great experiences though with these exhausting times.

Almost two weeks ago, the I Love Philippines Club of DCHS went to Butuan. The activity aimed to promote national consciousness to the youth about our very fascinating past. I'm referring to the pre-Hispanic times. We visited the National Museum, the Balanghai Museum, the Masao River, the newly built Diosdado Macapagal suspension bridge, and the oldest tree in the Philippines located in the town of Magallanes. It was indeed a great opportunity to experience such travel for free. lol

Last Friday, the entrep class of Ma'am J ocy had a short workshop about entrepreneurship. And guess who was the speaker? it was actually Mr. Illac Diaz. we had an opportunity to have lunch with him and to have simple conversation with him. he is truly an inpiring

My hometown

These past few weekends I keep on going home. I certainly don't know why but there is just something that keeps me coming back home often. Well, there are maybe many reasons for it. Our house is very simple(literally) but what is something in home that you feel like very at ease, very comfortable.

The security maybe and the feeling of belongingness and probably ownership. Ha ha ha ha ha what strange reasons for it. Or maybe the company you have at home. But you know it's not an assurance also since there are so many houses which are actually very fancy and yet many people who are living there are not comfortable being there. Well, in my case I just love being with my family. Reminiscing the childhood memories which we joyfully share with each other. Good times and certainly sometimes tough times are worth talking for. Ha ha ha ha ha. My sister Deling would be very amazed on how we succeeded those difficult times before. In short, even though we are not able to renovate fully our house yet but the feeling of being there, standing, sitting, dining, sleeping is just too soothing. The feeling of contentment is just indescribable. Ha ha ha ha ha.

The environment also is one factor. Sometimes in Davao life is so busy that I forget to breath naturally sometimes. More vehicles in the streets, airconditioned classrooms and offices, clogged boarding house. I feel suffocated. Unlike here, the scenery is still green. Less vehicles. Natural air and windy. Serene especially during evenings. What could I ask for? I even have a plan of working here next school year. Ha ha ha ha ha.

After dreaming of living city life, I am asking now going back home. Humans are really insatiable. Ha ha ha ha ha. But of course, I will be bored after some time living here probably. He he he he he.

Still, Davao has something more to offer! But I just love my hometown, Tagum!