Tears of Joy

     Yesterday was a busy day as usual. Many students made inquiries regarding subjects that will be offered this summer 2010. They had a common concern -- to enroll  this summer so as to remove their incomplete/failed grades in the previous semester.

     My attention was caught by a girl sitting quietly. I looked at her and noticed that she seemed sad, and so I greeted her, "Joy, how are you?" Yes, I recognized her immediately as my former student when she was in her junior years. And to my surprise , tears started rolling down her cheeks.

Rest and Re-charge Lipa City Batangas Style!

The market is full of nothing but fresh produce!

     After a full-blast 2nd semester ends, everyone deserves a rest. True enough, I found a couple of days with friends to retreat from the busy and noisy city of Manila  to a quiet place in Lipa City. =)

     Lipa City has indeed transformed from a simple town which is just a part of Batangas City into a progressive independent city as it is now. The progress of the city is spectacular with the presence of tall buildings, including big malls like Robinsons and SM. Banks, fastfoods, restaurants, and other businesses are found  in every corner of the city.

KUDOS Batch 2010

     The graduating Batch 2010 has something to be proud of! It is the batch with the most number of graduates with Latin honors. I'm sure the students will be very happy upon learning  that their grades qualify them for such honors, and more than anybody else, their parents will be very proud of them.

     Receiving a diploma representing a bachelor degree in college is more than enough for  parents to rejoice.  Learning that a son or daughter will graduate with honors  give additional reason for parents to celebrate because it  represents initial returns on their investment.

Goodbye

     Very early in the morning, at exactly 5:30, I received a text message from Associate Dean Ma. Teresa B. Arce sharing the sad news about the passing away of her mother-in-law. I replied and conveyed to the family my sincere condolences.

     In many occasions in our lives, we celebrate the birth of a child or coming home of our loved ones. It brings us joy and happiness. But when it comes to losing someone or saying goodbye, grief and sorrow envelope our hearts.

Easter Sunday

     I had a short on-line chat with Karen Gimena just a while ago. Karen is one among the candidates for graduation in Batch 2010. This petite, simple girl was my sudent in Financial Accounting. Very quiet, yet attentive, she seldom recites, but she delivers during written exams. I know after graduation, I will not see Karen anymore in the campus as often as I do now, because she will start a new phase in her life. She will be one among the hundred of thousands working girls rushing to catch up regularly with the first trip of the train in the morning going to Makati or elsewhere to her workplace.

A Day of Soul Searching

     Holy Friday is a significant day to us because we look back at history. We remember the sufferings of Jesus Christ to save mankind. We examine ourselves and renew our faith in God.

     It just happens that April 2 is also the birthday of my eldest son Mark. So it's bonding time also for us. But I see to it that we don't indulge in food. Instead I just prepared a simple food (tuna spaghetti) which is his all-time favorite.

A Week Of Drained Energy

      Last week was really a toxic one. Many students came to my office to ask for their grades. They wanted to know whether they passed or failed. If they pass, they will prepare for graduation and enroll in a review school to prepare for the board exam. If they fail, they will petition for opening of same subjects this coming summer.