Spanish Language in the Philippine Curriculum..again

I’ve read a news from Yahoo that the government plans to integrate Spanish Language lessons in the Philippine curriculum. 

In the past, Spanish lessons have already been part of the curriculum. I would recall my mom saying that she used to take such classes. I think, it would be very beneficial to Filipino students to undergo Spanish classes. Later on, when you’re in the real world, that’s when you realize how important such things are and how privileged one can be to be able to study a foreign language. Besides, the Spanish culture and language is no longer distant from us since we were colonized before by Spain.  I see this as an advantage, more so, an edge for our students. When they graduate and become professionals, they have more confidence in dealing with different kinds of people because they know that they can offer something which other employees don’t have. This would prepare them for a more global approach to professionalism and career. Learning the Spanish language is favorable especially when you’re working in the tourism industry, education and other fields.  

Studying a foreign language can be interesting and fun. For Filipinos, this could be a challenge. We are known for being linguists proven by the various dialects that we have. We got the talent to easily follow and imitate how foreigners say it. We don’t have difficulties in pronunciation and diction. We talk smoothly, with so much confidence, the way our foreign counterparts do it…sometimes, even better. I absolutely agree with this plan to include once again the Spanish language in the Philippine curriculum. Adiós y ¡que lo pase usted bien!

life is wonderful…

it’s been a while since i last posted a blog…i’m hoping i could find more time to write and express my thoughts and ideas…now, as i write, i realize that life is still wonderful. despite the ups and downs, twists and turns and even the highs and lows…life is wonderful. it’s only a matter of how you look at it, how you perceive things and how you react to situations.

at this particular point in my life, something came to an end. it was somehow abrupt and unexpected. but i guess, i saw it coming. and now, i realize that some things have to end to make way for a new beginning. we have to empty ourselves so God could fill us up again with His blessings. old things have to go, so new things could have space. things have to end to make way for more wonderful things to happen. 

that’s how life is. you face it head on with a faith in God that He will never bring us down.  this may be a low point or a tough time, but time passes and so do these events in once life. sooner or later, the storm will pass and the sun will shine brightly again. things will end and more beautiful things will unfold. i may not be certain as to where all this is leading me, but one thing is for sure, i have faith that it will all be for the best.  

Ejay: PBB Teen Big Winner

Last night, at the PBB Big Night, Ejay Falcon from Mindoro was announced as the Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus Big Winner.  

For Ejay, this was the perfect way to end his journey as a teen housemate.  There was no other way to end it than coming off as the Teen Big Winner.   Through it all, Ejay proved that what matters is what’s within a person’s heart.  His being true to himself and to others, his love for his family, his dream of making it BIG someday for his loved ones and his faith in this dream made it possible for him to give this life one great fight.  Until the final test was over, Ejay held on to his faith and dream…and came out triumphant!

Ejay’s entrance to the stage was simply dramatic.  He was carried up by an elevator-like tube.  He came out and was carried down by a makeshift stage from the top with all the fireworks behind him.  Once onstage, he kept staring at the huge audience cheering for him.  He simply can’t hide that look of disbelief in his face and overwhelming joy he feels.  His whole family came up the stage and his father carried him in his arms, as if to tell the world how proud he is of his son.  And so are all the people who believed in this young man’s sincerity and goodness of heart.  

Soar high, Ejay!!!  Mabuhay ka…!!!

Just my thoughts…

…it’s the kind of love that sustains any kind of weather…the kind of love that makes you bask under the sun during summer…the kind of love that shelters you when it rains…the kind of love that keeps you warm during winter…the kind of love that makes you celebrate life during spring…and the kind that makes you see all the beauty in life during autumn…

Someday…

Maybe someday, I’ll find my way back to him.  And I hope and pray that he can wait for me until that time comes.  I go crazy with my thoughts thinking how I’d make it to his side and be with him, finally.  Life isn’t easy and situations are getting complicated, but I’ll try to fulfill the promise I once made.  All my love goes out to him.  I may not be with the man I love, but he’s the only love I know.  In this lifetime, I’ve found him.  I may not be with him, but I’ve found him.

"Maging Sino Ka Man"

There’s no other teleserye that can give the Filipino audience the kind of ending that "Maging Sino Ka Man Book 2" has given us.  The end of this beautifully woven story was both nerve-wrecking and heart-stopping.  The scenes gave me a certain rush of emotions that made me feel so helpless, and somehow very emotional.  Although, I felt that the end was so abrupt, they couldn’t have ended it any better.  It was the best way to end a wonderful story.  It was the best way story could have been told.  The characters’  lines constantly touched and moved its viewers.  I salute all the crew, writers, directors and the powerful cast of this marvelous teleserye that is proudly Filipino - Filipino in the truest sense of the story.  Cheers to "Maging Sino Ka Man"!!!     

Gong Yoo update

The star of the hit Korean series "Coffee Prince" has finally entered Military Service in Korea. 

Fans of the "Coffee Prince" have only started to notice its leading actor, Gong Yoo, but have to bid him farewell for now since he has entered the Military Service last January.  It makes some people sad though we can always look forward to seeing him after 2 years. 

I will surely miss his smile and the ever cute-looking eyes!  I expect more of this great guy after he comes out of the army.  More power to him!!!

Purefoods Giants: Champions no longer…

I felt really sad last Sunday as the series in the PBA All-Filipino Cup ended.  

I was hoping…and actually, expecting for the Purefoods Giants to win the championship series.  Ever since, I’ve always been a Purefoods’ fan.  Back in the 90’s when the team was still led by ‘The Captain’, Alvin Patrimonio and ‘The Defense Minister’, Jerry Codinera, I would often watch out for their games and cheer for them.  Even to a point of being so noisy at home, I had fun cheering for my favorite basketball team.

These days, I started becoming curious again when I learned that James Yap was leading the team.  Towards the end of the All-Filipino season, I started watching their games and cheering for the team again.  And so came the championship game between Purefoods and Sta. Lucia.  I made it a point to watch the 7th game as it was a very thrilling series.  The championship series was tied to 3 wins for both teams, so the 7th game will determine who will take home the trophy.  

I religiously watched the whole game, but all my hopes and cheers crumble when Purefoods started to miss their shots and James Yap could no longer score, which everntually brought the whole team to a big loss against Sta. Lucia.  I felt bad, though there’s still more to come for the Purefoods team!  I’d definitely watch out for the coming games next season.  Keep going guys!!!!  

sleep…

I’m sleepy… These days, I want to sleep a lot.  Sleep is my only escape.  

When I sleep, I don’t ever want to wake up.  When I’m awake, I never want to stop working and sleep.  Somehow, sleep is like a single drop of death.  You drown into something very, very deep…and there, you are taken away from the crazy world…and you go somewhere far.  Somewhere far from all the hurts and craziness in this world. Somewhere safe…

In my sleep, I forget.  I forgive.  Serenity fills my whole being…and I don’t get hurt.  Sleep is a moment of bliss for me that I will continue to cherish… even for a moment…

not to walk away…

I’m tired.  I can’t seem to focus on certain things because I feel helpless and restless.  Work is becoming more and more demanding.  But I can’t seem to move.  Things are waiting to get done, but my actions are short of what I’m supposed to perform.  What do I do???

It’s a difficult time for me.  A lot of things are left hanging.  So many uncertainties that I don’t even want to look at any of them.  I wake up each day and I face this battle.  Not knowing how things might turn out.  Every hour and every minute pass.  But I’m still here.  Even though things get so blurry and everything seems to move in a slow-paced manner, I still manage to stay…and not walk away.

If this doesn’t really mean a thing to me, it would have been easier to turn my back and just leave.  But I stayed.  I’m still here.  And most probably, I’d still be here for a while…  

Gong Yoo: My Coffee Prince

I’ve been watching this Korean drama entitled "Coffee Prince" and I can’t help but feel so excited and engrossed with this story.  At first, it was just about the cute story of a girl, pretending to be a guy, who fell in love with her boss/friend.  But eventually, I kind of noticed the Korean actor playing one of the lead roles.  His name is Gong Yoo.  

I didn’t really like him at first because I thought he wasn’t really that good looking, but not long after a few episodes of Coffee Prince.  I soon realized how handsome this guy is.  He is one boyish, good looking guy!!!  And so, one time I thought of searching the net for some of his photos and I was surprised ‘coz he wasn’t only good looking, he was one hot, boyishly, handsome guy, whose smile can make any girl’s heart skip a beat.  Hmmmm….I never thought he could be so hot!  His eyes can be both innocent and teasing.  His hairstyles are stylish and adds to his manly looks.  His smile can be very disarming…and his body is simply H-O-T!!!      

my anniversary…

One whole year of work at the same company is a special moment for me.  I’ve worked with a few companies, but so far, I never lasted for a year.  Not until now…

February 16, year 2007, I came home from Cebu.  After a short-lived five-day rest, I came to a company to apply for a position.  And right at that  very moment, I was hired.  At first, I felt confused because I didn’t expect to land a job after a few days of being back in Davao.  Nevertheless, I accepted their offer and immediately started my work. 

I felt so energetic and enthusiastic about my work.  Finally, I was somehow back in the corporate world where I feel so accustomed to the pressures and the demand to perform well.  The whole scenario was giving me a different kind of high.  My energy was in a full blast.  I was the first employee hired in the office since it was a newly established company.  There were a lot of things to get done since we’re starting from scratch.  I love the feeling of having to do so much in a day - almost not having enough time to do everything. 

A whole year of work, challenges and struggles.  There were problems along the way.  So many times I wanted to quit.  So many times I wanted to turn my back from everything and go a different way.  But still, here I am working in the same spot, in the same office and with the same people.  I feel so happy and proud about it.  Actually, it was not about my job.  I think it’s more of my personal journey as an employee in this whole, big corporate world.  I felt like, finally, I was able to tame myself.  Finally, I was able to stick it out with something for one whole year.  I used to give up my work after several failures or a few major blow ups, but this time, I made it through everything for one year.  And of course, I won’t survive without the the sweet and candid moments in the office.  The friendship that bloomed between me and my co-workers through all the tribulations of the whole year was a BIG bonus for me.  Being with people who truly respects you for who you are is such a sweet blessing for me.  

Now, I’m grateful to GOD and I truly believe that He has put me where I was meant to be.  There’s always a reason for something.  And I know, in God’s time, He will reveal to me the reasons for all these in my life.   

February 22, 2008, exactly a year after I was hired, I am still working.  But with a little celebration in the office for my first birthday.  I felt fulfilled and a smile full of pride is etched in my heart.   

Learning Korean Language

I’ve had an experience with teaching English to Korean students, but their language seems to also catch my attention.

 Before, I used to learn some Korean words from my students.  Some are the very common expressions that they use.  Some of the things I’ve learned are the bad words of the Korean language…hehehe Excuse me on this one.  It’s fun though.  Some of my students even teach me.  Several times, I felt inspired to take it seriously because they would often tell me that I  have a very good pronunciation of their language.  I never thought I could get those comments from them…hahaha…And so, one of my students promised to give me a Korean book as a present.  They’re really encouraging me to continue learning…and of course, to learn more.  When I received the Korean book, I started reading it and now, I can actually read Hangeul (the Korean alphabets).  I had a lot of fun learning on my own!  Thank God the book was so easy to understand that even beginners, like me, can learn a lot just using the book.  The book’s title is "Korean Made Easy: for Beginners".  I truly recommend this book to those interested to learn the Korean language.  Now, I can slowly read, though, understanding the words is another thing I have to study.  I’ve also memorized some words and their meanings.  

Learning something new is really wonderful.  This process also made me realize that I should always challenge myself to learn something new.  New things that will eventually make me a better person.  Learning is a process.  It never stops…And there’s always a new challenge we can try to overcome.  Happy learning!!!

Not the usual…

Today is Sunday.  It’s supposed to be an ordinary Sunday for me.  Usually, I attend mass early with my mother and stay at home for the rest of the day just watching TV.

Today is not a usual Sunday.  I went to mass late in the morning with my bosses, Mr. Son, Mr. Seol and Mr. Son’s nephew, Kwang Sik.  Actually, they’re the very unusual companions for me to go to mass with, but anyway, I guess we all need a little bit of not-the-usual-thing going in our lives.  We also went to the supermarket with them and I joined them for lunch.  Around 3 o’clock in the afternoon, my boss decided that we all go to Paradise Island just for a breather.  Well, I guess there was nothing else left for them to do and so they decided to visit a beach resort.  They invited me and because I had no other plans in mind, I decided to join them.  During the boat ride to Paradise Island, the sea breeze was really fantastic.  It was so cool and I thought to myself that what I was doing at that moment was somehow, refreshing.

Something new.  Something out of the usual.  Something different!

 I was accustomed to spending my weekends with my family or relatives and so, everytime I had to do something out of this routine, I tend to feel stressed.  But today was different and I realized that having something different can actually be refreshing instead of stressful.  

I had fun.  My Sunday was not the ordinary routine but it was simple…and cool.