rhaychagainstthemachine

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

MGA KARAKTER

In my five-year stay in St. Paul, I have met a lot of students. Students with different personalities or characters. Some of them I got to know. Some of them I never really had an interaction with. Some of them liked me. Some of them I liked. Some of them hated me. Some of them I hated. But I did try my best to reach out. And I am really sorry to those who felt that I thought of them less. I believe that it was supposed to be a two-way process. No matter how hard it was for me to get along with some, I still did my part. If ever I built your lives, that's good enough for me. If ever I ruined your lives, I'm sorry. But as I've said my students were my life. I grew up with them in the last five years. You have also built my character and I thank you. For those who ruined my day or my life, kung san kayo masaya dun ako.

Well, well, well.... I have a list of the people who, one way or another, left a mark in my memory. And these people have their own characteristics. It could have been a bad encounter, a heated argument, some dirty looks. Or it could have been a happy memory. We laughed 'til we dropped or let's just say I believed in who they are. Or they simply had their own story to tell. Whatever it is: Bawat isa sa inyo ay isang KARAKTER.

AA Rayray - ang boses sa lupa
Abby Munsayac - likas na maangas
Abby Mendoza - nasa loob ang bangis sa BIO
Aby Portillo - batang parateng nagtatanggal ng sapatos
Adi Manlapaz - lakas mambara
Aggie Dorotan - mas sinasaway mas di sumusunod. I believe in this girl so much
Aggie Romero - survivor. hang on aggie!
Aicel Viguilla - oo pagg medicine drive, magdadala ng gamot!
Agnes Corpuz - isa sa mga itlog. kakulitan sa canteen
Andrea Alvarez - planktophyton ka dyan!
Angela Calingo - very good actress. nasa loob ang bangis
Athalie Reyes - sino mataba ha? ha?
Ayesa Idquival - kamot tayo ng ilong habang kumakanta ng Brightlight. Sinong cheerleader ang nakakasayaw at nakakapag-stunts ng nakasalamin?
Aylene Sarmiento - i call her cauli
Bea Ballesteros - sitsirya
Bea Bravo - gising na Bea
Bea De Jesus - ay kagandang bata!
Bea Gomez - todo magmahal
Bea Justiniano - para sa F4 nakalimutang nadukutan ng cellphone
Betty Baustista - sosy "di kaya" line
Bob Afuang - galing kumanta
Camille Eusebio - pusa, pusa, pusa; one of the elves
Camille Villarin - very timid class rep. I understand you don't worry
Cara Garcia - gifted child and she gave the respect every teacher would want
Cecille Dumlao - twin! kamusta na si mama?
Celine Ganuelas - ang baby na humanga
Charchar Hernandez - Marvin Cruz?! ; chatmate ko yan
Cheche Dimacali - takas tayo!
Cheryl Tulang - saksakan ng kulet
Chrissa Salta - ows di nga?; one of my elves
Christelle Endencia - quiet half
Christina Umali - bangis sumayaw; gulo ng buhok; kakaiba pumorma
Christine Endencia - madaldal half; naglaba ka na ba ng panty?
Christine Teruel - one of the BURN girls; one of my elves
CJ Rivera - tignan mo ilong mo; Odette Khan
Clara Lagman - biceps at triceps
Corina Gueco - si Bin Laden idol nya. Gusto nya ng biological warfare
Cyril Magtrayo - walang kasing kulet
Dana Bustos - walang kwenta si Tricia kung wala sya
Dax Dacanay - sinong mataray?
Denise Francisco - di nag-aaral, daldal lang ng daldal pero taas ng grades
Denise Liao - hay kulet
Denise Palmos - chicken ang bio sa kanya
Diane Tolentino - in love
Dianne Tan - future doctor
Didi Pelaez - sino ba si ANJO?
DinDin Reyes - inantok ako sa isang sentence na yun. I'll miss you Dindin
Elaine Contreras - kahit mabulag ako at ipasalat nyo yung papel alam ko sulat nya yun
Eleanor Geronimo - you'll always be my GIMO
Eloisa Visperas - mabangis na tagatambol ng tribo
Garet Acuesta - turo sa board para di halatang dumadaldal
Gebs Abaco - ako nagbantay dyan nung field trip; sana kumain ka
Gege Montefalcon - isa sa mga ITLOG; kakulitan sa canteen
Ginelle Petterson - the magician!
Ging Bartolome - sobrang kakwentuhan ko yan
Giselle Galisim - liit ng boses
Hannah Manuel - simple humirit; puti ng baby!
Hayca Buenavacz - far away friend
Ilsa Malsi - forever friend; you are 100% UP material
Jaja Landicho - tawa tayo
Jaja Rañon - isang ITLOG; kakulitan sa canteen
Jay Roque - wazzup JayRO? Yeah, yeah!
Jean Garcia - too young to be carrying all her problems;yung iba dun di naman talaga problema
Jeekee Sardina - ano ba kase talaga nickname mo?
Jennifer Castro - laking bata
Jennifer Guitang - i hated her at first now I lover her to death.
Jesse Solis - bakit kailangang close sila ni Sam Milby?
Jessica Cayabyab - beautiful inside and out
Jessica Pua - five-peso incident
Joana Juico - she can speak her mind
Joanah Estrada - the actress
Johanna Tandoc - may kakaibang video; BURN girl
Jolina Galang - Pokwang ng buhay ko; madilim ba?
Joyce Guce - giant; idol sa volleyball
Juela Sanchez - di lang Palace in the Sky at Nature's Park ang mapupuntahan sa Tagaytay
Karen Kalaw - very frank
Karina Trajano - dependable DD student
Kassie Imperial - masipag mag-aral sa bio; naipit sa alertness exercise
Kat Lucas - pure heart
Kat Rollom - isa pang makulit
Kathleen Paz - kain tayo!
Katrina Eduardo - napaniwala ako ng paper nya na may lung cancer ang tatay nya at hypothetical pala ang lahat ng iyon; naiyak pa naman ako
Kayette Gatchalian - inaanak; lakas mang-asar ng teacher
KC Boter - isang ITLOG; kakulitan sa canteen
Keziah Guillen - the newbie who cannot be bullied kase iinit ang ulo
Kimberly Flores - ang mala-novenang spontaneous prayer
Kimi Austria - inagaw nya ang puto ko
Kimmy De Leon - concert buddy; chatmate
KJ De Lara - di totoo ang "first impression lasts" sa kanya; nagpapakatotoo lang sya
Klarisse Cruz - musically-inclined; isa sa mga nationality sa multinational classroom ko
Kookie Ambas - kookie ni monster
Krinkle Yap - the silent artist; hug-giver
Kriska Raymundo - daldal ng daldal
Krissy Rosario - pilipinong devoted sa mga koreano
Kristina Sangco - yeah right South Border
Kristina Santiago - responsible treasurer; checker
Kristine Aroa - studious; pa-morningan na kwentuhan nung retreat
Kristine Hinanay - dependable friend
Kristine Musnit - sparring partner ni PJ sa kakulitan; unat sya
Larisse Tapel - boneless bangus GMO?
Leanne Sarmiento - grabe sa respeto; galing sa Bio
Louise Bernardo - ay parang tanga!
Lourdes Gil - whatever ka talaga!
Luge Carrasco - huge Luge
Macy Kamus - nagwawala yan pag kame na kasama; pag DD prim and proper
Madel Mapile - lakas mantrip
Ma-in Dimayuga -tapang sa dissection; future doctor
Maita Gaerlan - never my student but the girl can make me laugh
Mandy Carlota - the GREAT; keep on winning; mandy is now a lady
Mara Duterte - trusted friend
Marianne Abella - kakaibang humor; she can REALLY make me laugh
Mariel Dee - math wizard
Mariel Sumulong - makulet na baby
Martha Raymundo - very holy and responsible; basta hanga ako sa batang 'to
Mars Panlasigui - very smart kaya lang ayaw mag-aral
Minnie Capco - tumbling tayo?!; nakakatawa kahit walang effort
Mish Umali - fellow F4 fan
Mon Arteche - oh sayawan na lang!
Monica Bayhon - totoong tao; you have to know the real her
Monique Salcedo - abot hanggang heaven ang sense of humor
Myca Salonga - beach haus buddy
Nicole Santos - bangis sa bio; patusok na handwriting
Nikki Cembrano - liit ng boses; galing kumanta ng old songs
Nikki Magbag - good leader and artist; ayaw mag-aral
Nikki Misa - dameng kwento
Paski Pascua - astig far away friend
Patch Abletez - small girl with big heart and mind
Patricia Asuncion - my PAT-A; lakas humirit
Patricia Jimenez - sparring partner ni Musnit sa kakulitan
Patricia Mamaril - Mamers my high-five friend
Paula Cercenia - kala mo lang maangas pero galing mag-aral
Pepay Samson - kala mo mabaet lakas mambara!
Plong Gerona - future model friend
Rachel Santiago - kadaldalan
Rachelle Baliao - windang
Rachell Gonzalez - todo sa energy at kakulitan
Racquel Flores - kala lang pasaway pero baet yan
Raffi Reyes - trusted sister
Rainey Sarmiento - si Manay; fellow Gary V fan
Raisa Agustin - astig
Raisa Casugbu - kala magulo kausap pero magaling yan
Ranice Suguitan - forever kadaldalan at kakulitan
Regine Guevara - the voice from within
Rhea Ciocon - tawa tayo sa sahig
Ria Martires - comedy at its finest
Rizza Diaz - very generous; hang on RIZ, ate's here
Sandra Takada - osmosis problem
Sofia Sanchez - far away chatmate; lagi mahaba sagot
Stacey Santos - isang ITLOG; kakulitan sa canteen
Steph Tan - kala takot sa dugo; dissection survivor
Sydney Retiro - magaling makisama
Tabetha Uy - anak ni Elizabeth
Tala Dolatre - pasahero ko; ganda ng boses
Tami Reyes - malapapaya ang ...puso
Tanqui Tanquintic - taga-send ng jokes
Tara Paulino - too many boys (and girls?)
Therese Docot - mosquito delicacy
Tintin Comia - magaling mambara kahit sino
Tricia Bravante - walang kwenta si Dana kung wala sya; fan nya ko; "AB-Rupt change"; usap tayo in English; I love Triciaaaaaaa!
Tricia Joson - walang kadala-dala
Trisha De Guzman - fan ni Sir John
Violet Maheronagsh - you have to know the REAL her. I love her
Weejee Decena -very responsible. hands down
Yayen Sulit - Jawe; ingay nito sobra

Are these my favorite students? Go ask Cheche, Guitang, Tara, Yayen, Dana, Pua, Maico, Kayette, Violet and Tulang. You'll know.

And those whom I've given new nicknames... use it because it's cute.

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Beginning Today by Penny White

Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday.
It is in the past and the past will never change.
Only I can change by choosing to do so.

Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow.
Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it.
But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.

Beginning today I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration. This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better.

Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life. I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and I will unselfishly share this gift with others. I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.

Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter. I will face challenges with courage and determination. I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.

Beginning today I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time. Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.

Beginning today I will walk with renewed faith in human kindness. Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.

Begining today I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences - I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else; perfection does not exist in an imperfect world. But, I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.

Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy... admire the beautiful wonders of nature. listen to my favorite music, pet a kitten or a puppy, go to the river and splash all over.

Pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures. Beginning today I will learn something new; I will try something different; I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to become the best me that I can possibly be.

Beginning today. And every day for the rest of my life... We cannot go back and create a new beginning but we can all begin today to create a new end.

It's a new beginning for me. I have gone and left my comfort zone for five years. It's time to move on and move up. It's going to be a happy one as I lift everything up to the Lord. Happy birthday morts!

Saturday, April 15, 2006

To Miss or NOT to Miss, That is the Question

I just had some thoughts this afternoon while going through the scorching heat inside my room. Monday hopefully would be the last day I'll go to St. Paul. I should be cleared that day or else I'm going to go crazy. It's not that I dread St. Paul. It's just that I don't want to waste my time, my effort and my gas only to find out that at the end of the day nothing fruitful happened. I know you guys know what I feel. It's frustrating and irritating! Anyways, I don't wanna really cut my ties with St. Paul. After all, five years of my life was spent there. It's such a huge part of me that wherever I'll go, St. Paul will always be part of my resumé and my history. So for today, I'm going to make a list of the things, places and people that i will miss and will definitely NOT miss as I leave St. Paul.

TO MISS:
1. Mavic, Ruth and Joy, my Meteor friends. We've gone a long way from our Meteor Garden kababawans. We've seen through each other's success, loss, failure and triumph. We've had our own share of gossips and intrigues and man, there was a string of those, Almost everyday ata. hehehe! But one thing's for sure. You guys are my truest friends in St. Paul. We may not have talked or hanged out the last few months but we definitely picked up from where we left off and I thank God that my last few days were spent with you. Here's to more intrigues and gossips to come. The greatest bully in St. Paul now signs off. I love you girls!

2. Pia, my ever hardworking partner. I consider her as one of my blessings in St. Paul. With Pia kase, di mo pa sinasabi ginagawa nya na. I know you're going to be great next year. I believe in you. You've been through a lot the past few months and I do hope you get back that smile. Don't stress yourself too much. Life is short, enjoy it!

3. Mrs. Magtrayo, my walking conscience. She tells me bluntly where I did wrong and where I did great. Feedback agad! If I'm bad naku bad talaga. Di siya mahihiyang magsabi na mali ako. I know she does that so that I can improve myself. Bilib din ako sa kanya kase kahit na strict na nanay yan, sobrang mahal na mahal nya mga anak nya. Kahit buhay nya bibigay nya para sa mga anak nya. I'll miss our talk inside my car. I can talk to her about anything. I'll miss her off but funny hirits during critical faculty meetings. She can be the life in a boring party. I'll miss you miss. Di bale you're just a 15-minute drive from my place. Gugulatin na lang kita.

4. Ate Lanie, my angel. Thank God I was seated near her. She has the kindest and purest heart. She never fails to ask me if I'm okay especially when my back is killing me. I can just go to her area and talk, anything and everything under the sun. I can tell her my frustrations without getting any prejudice. She's always there to give advice. I couldn't imagine what could have happened to me in St. Paul if not for the caring that I got from her especially when all the gossips were at its height. She just sat and listened. I love you Ate Lanie. God bless you and your family!

5. Jeje, my true blue assmate. I'm glad that I spent my last few months in St. Paul knowing you. You have a very good heart and your energy is simply contagious. Thank you for listening to me and giving me advice. Thank you for sharing your life with me. It really helps when you're standing inside the MRT and you have Jeje to share your thoughts with. I'll miss the way you laugh. I wish you well. Minsan magtrip tayo, 3x naten gawin north ave to pasay. I love you Je.

7. Lemuel, my talented friend. I never thought that we will be close. Thank God again for the MRT. Thank you for your endless support and sharing your thoughts and frustrations. Thanks for the friendship and sometimes the hugs. Hehehe! Gwapo mo gaga ka!

8. Dece, the bombshell. Another one of my MRT assmates. I never thought we could be close. Whatever issues that we have, forget it. As long as you're happy, then I'm happy too. Wag ko lang malalaman na pinaiyak ka nyan ha. Lastly, Suportahan mo si Ate Kats ha!

6. Ms. Patiño, my first mom. She was my first HTL and she had all the patience to guide me. I can always run to her even if she's no longer my boss. I'm glad that my first refuge in St. paul then was in the loving arms of Ms. Patiño. So far, We never fail to greet each other on our birthdays. This year kaya?

7. Ms. Camacho, the rebel with a cause. She was such a revelation to me. She has gone through a lot but the lady is strong in faith. When I'm down, I just look at Ms. Camacho and look how she lives her life ~ overflowing with God's love. I'll miss her words of wisdom and her little book of quotes (which she manages to collect and keep). I call her My Joyce Jimenez.

8. Sr. Aileen, my fan. hehehe! Lahat ng jokes at hirit ko benta kay Sr. Aileen. Thank God that on my last year she was assigned again in Pasig. You have been very hardworking and yet you still manage to help others especially me. You even share your food with me. I wonder where's that Holy Kettle that you promised. Joke lang po! Thank you for answering all my questions. Thank you for laughing at my jokes. Thank you for always extending your help and checking if I'm still alive with everything on my desk. I hope we can still keep in touch. The jeans, the hair, Lord I offer mty life to you! That's Sr. Aileen for you.

9. Mrs. Fernandez, the spunky woman. She never fails to make me laugh. She also gives me advice. Mrs. Fernandez gives me that push when I'm losing hope. You know what I mean Miss. she's also willing to help anyopne in need. Selfless ang babaeng ito!

10. Sr. Teresita Agana, my booster. Not many people know that I sought help from Sister Teresita. She became like my mother during the times that I was confused. She set everything aside to listen and talk to me and God knows what I could have done that day if I didn't go to her. I'll never forget that. Tough as she appears, she has a very kind heart. I thank her because she believes in me and in what I can do.

11. Ate Tess, my Mega friend. I have this great friendship with Ate Tess. She always helps me with the things I need for the lab. I can joke around with her as if we're really close friends. We also shared some excerpts of our lives. She's very hardworking. Hayaan mo Ate Tess pagdadasal din kita. I'll miss her pancit and sandwich. May utang pa nga ako sa kanya for her birthday.

12. Maaba, chat friend ko nung LAPIS. Maaba di pa tapos yung kwentuhan naten! I like her because she listens and also laughs at my jokes. She also shared her life to me. She also helped me with my aching back through her wonderful massage. Sabi sa yo pwede kang bulag e!

13. Clinic staff for accommodating me every month that I'm not feeling well especially when you had to climb up to the fourth floor.
14. Ate Anna and the Library people

15. Kuya Lito and Kuya Joel. Laging tumutulong tas parateng nakangiti kahit walang reservation ng gamit na hihiramin.

16. Chauvette, Ga, Grace and Zyrille, my playmates in the faculty. They keep me young at heart.

17. Anna's stall and its food. Laging may extra na ulam pag bumibili ako.

18. Bio Lab, my sanctuary. I'd often stay and work there because its really quiet.

19. Multimedia. Malamig na, may internet pa!

20. Yung floor area near my desk. When my desk is full of papers, I sit or lie on the floor to work. Maluwag na, malamig pa!

21. Christmas time at St. Paul.

22. Family day celebrations.

23. Iyakan part sa class retreat.

24. Faculty DEPTHS. Ibalik yan!

25. Mga funny hirits ni Pike.

26. Hanging out with my students. Laughing, singing, eating, bullying each other.

27. NO classes pag may bagyo. I don't have to go to work. Yippee! More sleeping hours.

28. Summer pay kahit walang work.

29. Backstage pass pag may concert sa school.

30. Ate Mel and her sunshine smile. The outreach organizer.

31. Ate TinTin, the lab assistant.

32. Practices during FFC presentation

33. Walang kamatayang Dewberry

NOT TO MISS
1. First period class with matching morning rites.

2. Running down St. paul road from Meralco ave and running up to St. Paul campus and running up again to fourth floor for first period class.

3. Waking up early to beat the traffic.

4. Ang hideous color at cut ng uniforms. Who could forget the SPO1 and mango tart uniforms with matching tablecloth stitching on the collar? Di ba naman talaga!

5. Pag kawindang minsan ni Mrs. Magtrayo.

6. HB ni Sr. Teresita.

7. Office ni Ms. Salgado. I'm sure may reminder na naman ako. But I know it's for my own good. Di ba Ms?

8. Ilang security guard na may favoritism. Yung ibang tao pwede dun magpark ako hinde!

9. Power trip ng ilang tao. Oooopss my lips are sealed!

10. Ang maingay, OA at walang kakwenta-kwentang mga Kwento ni ********. (go figure!)

11. Ang mahabang landas patungo sa Baguio retreat house.

12. Field trip sa Makiling. I've had four, can you blame me?!

13. Presence ng Rugman

14. Being an English teacher when checking quizzes and other written works. Hay kailangan i-correct ang spelling at grammar.

15. Checking

16. SD grading system. Hindi 'to makatarungan!

17. Students' dirty looks.

18. Students not taking their academics seriously. Bahala na nga kayo.

19. Paperwork.

20. Waiting for other teachers to finish para sabay-sabay magawa yung grades. Kawawang mga adviser lalo na pag second year adviser.

21. Angry look at attitude nung isang taga-finance.

22. Long meetings.

23. Cashless ATM pag payday.

24. Ang reply ni Alita na "kay Anna po" or "si Anna po"

25. Mga pa-cute na teachers ng ibang department.

26. Mga intriga at pangjajudge ng mga tao sa ibang tao.

27. Backstabbers at mga choochoo. Makakarma din kayo.

If there's anything that I failed to include, I'll just add next time. Some people may say that what I wrote in the "not to miss list" is a bit offensive. Some may even get hurt. But remember, these are just my thoughts. It's a free country and I am entitled to say or write what I wanted. So Chill!