Bonjovi (Bed of Roses)

Let me share with you my favorite video. This was performed by Jon Bonjovi in Zurich, Germany. I'm sure you will like this.

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The Greatest of All Time

Boxing has always been my passion ever since I was a kid. I was 7 years old and I remember watching the fight of Tyson vs. Holmes. Mike Tyson was my childhood idol. I was told that he hits harder than a horse kick. I thought he was invincible and indeed he was. If not for his being jailed and his uncontrolled temper, I think he could have been the greatest heavyweight of all time. He will destroy even Muhammad Ali with his raw power and devil-may-care style. Never in my wildest ideas that there would be a Filipino who could even surpass what Mike Tyson did during his prime. He is none other than the man we all love and admire, Manny Pacquiao...

Some people say that this man is even greater than Muhammad Ali. It's too early to compare but Pacquiao has become a legend in his own right. History will be the judge and I'm sure, it will be kind to the Pacman. Maybe.... why not? He is a hero not only to the Filipinos but to those people who come to know about his life story.

Manny Pacquiao saved my sanity.

Yes, indeed. I remember when a crisis came in my life. I had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. I only had the internet to read about his life and watch his fights in youtube. I myself have my own version of predictions about what's going to happen in his fight. I kept myself occupied with it because boxing inspires me. Boxing has so much similarities with life that if I follow it's principles, I think I can go on with life and face whatever struggles that confront me. It taught me not back out with any challenge that comes. Manny's story kept me going. Well, I was able to survive with the struggle. I felt victorious and said to myself, "Maybe, this is the same feeling Manny has whenever he wins a fight.

I believe this is not only true to me but also to every Filipino who follows him. If only for this, Manny Pacquiao should be called, "The Greatest of All Time".

The Beauty and Magnificence of the Church

     Christ was born into the world in simplicity. He could have chosen to be a king and born inside a castle laden in gold and expensive linens. He chose a manger instead with poor parents, noble in character though. When he was teaching and preaching the word of God, he once said, “Foxes have holes and birds have nests but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head”. As I travel to different places and see the splendor and beauty of the churches around, I sometimes wonder, “Is this what Jesus wanted when He established His Church? That church people would have to spend a lot of money for what? Is it only to showcase the power of the Church?” I somehow felt guilty with what I was thinking though.

Upon further reflection, I realized that it is not what it seems to be. When I was a child, we used to live in a very small house yet we try our best to keep it clean and orderly. Whenever there are surprise visitors, we tried to arrange it the best way we can though in a rush because we knew that even though it was just small, it would represent what kind of people there are inside the house. When we became older and all my siblings have become professionals, we made an agreement that we will build a house presentable and spacious enough to make our visitors feel comfortable and for us to be proud of our family.

A house is a representation of one’s personality and dignity. The church is the “house of God”. Everything in it is sacred and important in practicing our faith. We all know how significant Christ is in our lives and it is but proper that we build the place where we practice our faith in a stunning manner. But we must not forget that the beauty and splendor of the Church are all but secondary. The more essential thing is how we come face to face with God and how we prepare ourselves to be worthy of Him.   

Prayers

I noticed with some of my students whom I request to lead the opening prayer that most of them are non Catholics. I want the opening prayer to be voluntary among students and spontaneous. They pray well except that they do not make the sign of the cross. And I ask myself, why is it that those who are good with prayers are those who are non Catholics. What is wrong with us Catholics? Maybe it’s just that we Catholics are not that passionate enough to express our faith. It has become more of a challenge for me on how I can present our faith to all in the most beautiful manner. I want to teach everyone that praying is a good thing to do and one must not be ashamed of proclaiming his faith to everyone. Perhaps I could make a change.

On Chizwiz!

I had plenty of time checking the exams and preparing my lesson plans this week. It was tempting to just watch videos in youtube instead of working but if I resort to procrastination, I know that it will result to missed chances and opportunities. Upon reflection, I discovered that in my age, I’m looking for more meaning in my life. I want to be as matured as I can in dealing with the situations that confront me. I also ask myself, what are those things that I can do to make myself more loving and acceptable to others. As much as I want, I’d like to surround myself with sensible persons who can give me "wisdom" instead of “chismis” or something like that. But in Jesus’ teaching, it is wrong to exclude any person whoever they are. I am also a sinner in many ways and what difference do I have with the Pharisees if I act against them. Maybe it’s part of my calling to just show good example and be a good friend to anyone I meet. That is the best challenge for me now.

Math and Science Week Reflection

Last Tuesday was the celebration of Math and Science Day. It was only when we entered the Sylvia P. Lina Theater when I learned that CL Week coincides with Math and Science Week in the Day School when I saw the banner there. I asked Sir Dex what is the reason behind why CL Week would be celebrated along with Math and Science Week. I never realized the correlation at once until he told me that perhaps it is because faith and science must always go together. He was right, we’ve been studying that since college and how can I forget that...  Students must not be confused with the knowledge that Math and Science gives and with the teachings that the Church offers us. That was what I was thinking when Sir Jess, before the end of the program, mentioned to the students about Einstein’s words that say, “Science without religion is lame.” I hope that the students got the message well. As a CL teacher, I have to continue to follow it up otherwise, most of them will have misconceptions about faith and science.

Reflections about the School Visit

Last Thursday’s activity was very enriching for me as a teacher. The choice of the school for us to visit was very good. We went to Poveda for the said activity. The campus was like a monastery when you enter it and students seem to behave well. I asked one of their teachers if they behave the same way when no one is observing them and she said yes. I was laughing at Sir Cloyd when the baskets with eggs caught his attention. Students told that those were their babies and they are required to take care of them for two weeks. He was delighted with the idea that he would like to adapt the same activity with his topic about responsible parenthood. But he was quite worried because he wonders if our students could have the same response as the Povedan students. It was a challenge though but I’m planning as well to have the same activity with my class. Will I be able to motivate them as our counterparts did in their school? That may be a test for one’s skill as a teacher. But I’ll take my chances. If they can do it, so will I....