(UPDATE) NDCC suspends classes in Metro Manila, Rizal

By Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com) Updated September 27, 2009 01:06 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The National Disaster Coordinating Council today (Sept. 27) announced that it will be suspending classes in all levels in Metro Manila and Rizal province tomorrow (Sept. 28).

NDCC chairman and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has opted to suspend classes to concentrate government rescue and relief efforts to thousands of people displaced from their homes due to the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy (international name Kestana).

Teodoro, however, said government agencies will continue their operations tomorrow especially to assist in the rescue and relief operations by local government officials.

Several cities in Metro Manila, including Pasig and Marikina, and towns in Rizal, such as San Mateo, Cainta and Taytay, have experienced massive flooding due to the continuous heavy downpour yesterday.

San Isidro Catholic School, thanks for the wonderful experience!

Teaching may not be a lucrative position.
It cannot guarantee financial security.
It even means investing your personal time, energy, and resources. Sometimes, it means disappointments, heartaches and pains.
But touching the hearts of people and opening the minds of students
can give you joy and contentment
which money could not ever buy.
These are the moments you teach for,
and these are the moments you live for.

God bless, teachers!

Burst Out into Tears this Evening (T_T)

Lord,

I just saw him this night while I'm waiting for someone in the tricycle terminal to accompany me to get into the subdivision for half-a-fare ride. Unfortunately, he just passed in front of me as if he has not seen anyone. I felt I'm an air for him. I believe he saw me and I'm 100% sure of it. I'm pretty sure! But, as he passes quickly in front of me and while my eyes are following where he would go not missing a glimpse of him, I felt how he was so hurt. I felt the large gap, the pang between us and I concluded that he is totally angry and bitter with me. I dunno if this was just all about what I think I feel, but with all the hot and spicy words I've thrown to him via this blog and other shoutout networks, I fiercely stabbed him with sharp and double-edged statements which made a deep bloody wound in his heart and especially in his ego as a man. I badly crave in approaching him that time, honestly. However, walking away and snobbing me clearly signifies that he does not want to talk to me and he does not have anytime for a pig like me. YES! I realized... I am the pig playing in the mud which I'm always mentioning in my previous arrogant posts. Inside the tricycle, tears fell from eyes.

This weekend (3-day vacation), I reflected. There's really something wrong that affects everything in me. One of these is our friendship -- friendship that has been broken; friendship that has been lost. I realized how arrogant and highly I am having a ton of guts and a thick face putting him down when I should help him forget me for a purpose. I realized how self-centered I am focusing only on myself, fighting for what I believe will make me win, and blaming him for hurting me. I am so insensitive, not knowing what he really feels, thinks, and wants to say. I've been so close-minded and inconsiderate about his point. I believe he has his point but I dunno how I would know that. I'm definitely eager to know his side, but...

I dunno where to start.
I dunno how I will approach him. :((
I dunno how would things be alright between us.

Please give me an answer, Lord.

I admit I've been a pain-in-the-ass and a stumbling block for my brother.

So, sorry. (i_i)

I'm looking forward to how You would make our friendship stronger than before.

And I'm looking forward to how we may glorify You having a mature and godly attitude towards dealing with each other and focusing on Your expectations to us as Your son & daughter and not on wasting our youthful time on untimely and immature expectations for each other.

You said in Exodus 3:5 that we should "Take off our sandals." Help us, Lord to forget ourselves and selfish desires and reasoning. You also said in Ephesians 4 that in our anger we should not sin. We should not let the sun go down while we are still angry. Sorry, Lord, if the words that I dropped for him have not been helpful for building & encouraging him. Lord, help us to get rid of all our bitterness, rage and anger with each other. And bring the spirit of kindness and compassion for each other, forgiving just as You forgave us.

Help us to manifest Your Words, Lord. May we glorify You as we open our hearts for FORGIVENESS. Amen.

*****************************************************************************************************************

Dear Spongebob,

Sorry.
I hope we would have time to have a serious & professional talk.
I'll make it up to you. Please. [fingers crossed]

Sincerely,
Ms. Krusty Crab (-.-)

Memorable Quotes in My Phone: Part 1

• Hindi lahat ng pag-iwas ay pagsisimula ng paglimot. May mga bagay lang na dapat pagsanayan muna bago tuluyang iwanan para 'di ka na masaktan.
• I tried to be the sweetest girl for him. Unfortunately, diabetic pala sya! Kaya ayun, naghanap ng WALANG LASA! Sooo sad.. c",)
• It's non-sense to be sad with what is gone. It's useless to frown and be in despair if one thing or someone needs to leave you behind. With or without the right explanation, whether it's the truth or just lies, just think of those who are always there and never left. Appreciate everything and everyone you have. Grab it before it's too late. They're the ones who's worth your tears. LOVE unconditionally.
• It is pointless to be in a relationship if you can't see yourself spending the rest of your life with your partner. TRUE LOVE is not a past time. Choose someone whom you can share and talk things with, whom you can be friends with. For when the passion runs out, your love for each other will remain.
• A virgin girl is always teased by her classmates. All of them have experiences in bed except her. One time, she gets angry. She said, "I can be like you anytime I want. But no matter how hard you try, you'll never be like me anymore."
• If they don't know how to value you, let them go. It's much better to lose them than feel stupid all the time.
• If you love yourself despite your infinite faults, how can you hate anyone at the glimpse of a few faults?
• Love one, not two. But love the one who loves you too. Love not three, not four. But love the one who loves you more. Love not five, not six. But love the one who really sticks. Love not seven, not eight. But love the one who's willing to wait. Love not nine, not ten. But love the one who will love you until the end. Ü
• I hope true love is like a man playing chess...that he's always afraid of losing his queen.
• God knows what's best for us, so why should we complain? We always want the sunshine but He knows there must be rain. We love the sound of laughter and the merriment of cheer. But our hearts will lose their tenderness if we never shed a tear. God tests us not to punish us but to help us meet tomorrow. So, whenever we are in trouble and everything goes wrong, it's just God working on us to make our spirit strong.
• An effective witness knows how to speak to all kinds of people. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

Practice Teaching @ SICS: 08/13/09

Journal: 2nd Observation

It's a lecture day, so I witnessed my CT on how she facilitated her lessons in 1st year and 2nd year. In her 1st class, I-St. Jude, I found out that she first discussed the story before going to its elements. So, it's a content - form way of teaching literature. As she discusses Jose Garcia Villa's Footnote to Youth, she integrates values into it and it's vividly seen from her art of questioning. I just remember our literature professor at that moment. Whenever we are having our teaching literature demonstration, our professor always reminds us to enhance our questioning skills because as we elicit answers from the students, they will be able to understand the story in a deeper sense. My CT asked series of questions where she drew out response about the boons and banes of early marriage. When it comes to relationships, students are really participating especially in giving their ideas about it. No wonder na buhay ang dugo nila about it because they are in their adolescent stage.

In II-St. Matthias, the topic was order of adjectives. From my CT's presentation, I got an idea on how to teach the series of adjectives. I love my CT's version of Pinoy Henyo game in which student B will describe the magic word through descriptive adjectives. In I-St.John, my CT asked me to check the students' assignments. For those who don't have any, their diaries will have a "no-assignment-in-English" remark. My CT told me the purpose of doing so. Giving them such remark will serve as an evidence to their parents that they are not doing their homework, and it's a proof in case the parents will question their son or daughter's low grade. Since I already had a background from I-St. John's class in teaching homophones-homographs-heteronyms, my CT asked me to teach it to I-St. Simon. It was a privilege for me because the class that I would be dealing with is a peaceful class according to her, and it's obvious that the class is really cooperative and participative. Before my lecture started, I really felt uneasy and nervous because it is my first time to be in the real field. If I would comment on my performance, I would say that I should boost my confidence more, practice my questioning skills, and be careful with the sequence of the lesson and even mannerisms. It made me feel regretful because I think I still left questions unanswered. So, I crave for more learning and improvement especially in handling different classes with students who have various personalities. I believe, I will finish my practicum and go out from San Isidro Catholic School (SICS) having more passion for this noble profession.

Practice Teaching @ SICS: 08/12/09

Journal: First Observation

Ms. Cristina C. Clemente, my cooperating teacher (CT), introduced me to her First Year advisory class, I-St. Jude. I was surprised because the students' greeting was totally different from other schools I observed. It was a long heart-warming welcome. "I greet the God in you that is the God in me. Praise be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Good morning, Ms. Nesperos." Then, I just realized, "Oh! I'm in a Catholic School. No wonder why it is so." Having a seat at the back, I was amazed because the classroom atmosphere is condusive to learning. It has an average number of students that I believe I could handle; it has organized bulletin boards; the room is well-ventilated; and the class has ID passes when a student needs to go to the powder room, canteen, office, store or clinic. I believe I won't have a problem with the school's facilities.

Aside from the students having this welcoming spirit, they are also courteous. I think in every corner of the school especially in the canteen, some students would greet me, "Hi, Miss!" Honestly, I'm adjusting on the way I think whenever I hear their greeting "Miss." Why? I think it's too informal to call a teacher or a female school personnel "Miss" as if she's a stranger. But, since it's their way of greeting female teachers, I have to get rid of the unnecessary feeling.

Even in greeting other female instructors, I have to call them "Miss." I hesitate calling and greeting them so for I feel as if I call them, "Hoy! Miss!" I prefer to say, "Hi, Ma'am!" because that's how we greet our female professors. Well, I really expect a great adjustment being in a Catholic School.

When it comes to my CT, I honestly have this reluctance to approach her because she has a strong personality. I'm a bit hesitant and shy to ask her questions regarding the practice teaching because I don't want to intervene with her affairs especially when she's already teaching her students. I don't want to disturb her in the midst of the class. I just decided the that I would break the ice when she's already available. However, keeping silent won't really answer the big question mark on my head. So, I really have to approach her. Unless I would have the guts to be inquisitive, I won't know how to write the Curriculum Pacing Guide (CPG), I won't know how her standards, and most especially I won't know her more.

In this first observation, I learned that aside from having the mastery of the subject matter and content, a teacher should also master classroom management. As what I have observed from my CT, she has a loud commanding voice which really calls the attention of the class. Aside from having a command, she has also a sense of humor which makes the classroom atmosphere more lively. She is so organized especially in presenting her lessons and instructions.

This day was a great discovery day! From the six classes that I have observed:

• I-St. Jude (7:10am-8:10am)
  
• II-St. Matthias (8:10am-9:10am)
• I-St.John (9:10am-10:10am)
• II-St. James (10:30am-11:30am)
• I-St. Simon (11:30am-12:30pm)
• II-St. Thomas (1:00pm-2:00pm)

I knew each section's differences from the others and I realized that I should adjust more and prepare more.

Here We Go Again

Here We Go Again by Demi Lovato

I throw all of your stuff away
Then I clear you out of my head
I tear you out of my heart
And ignore all your messages
I tell everyone that we got through
Cause I'm so much better without you
But it's just another pretty lie
Cause I break down
Every time you come around
Oh Oh Oh Oh..

So how did you get here under my skin
Swore that I'd never let you back in
Should've known better
In trying to let you go
Cause here we go go go again
Hard as I try I know I can't quit
Something about you is so addictive
We're falling together
You think that by now I know
Cause here we go go go again

You never know what you want
And you never say what you mean
But I start to go insane
Every time that you look at me
You only hear half of what I say
And you're always showing up too late
And I know that I should say goodbye
But it's no use
Can't Be With Or Without You
Oh Oh Oh Oh..

So how did you get here under my skin
Swore that I'd never let you back in
Should've known better
In trying to let you go
Cause here we go go go again
Hard as I try I know I can't quit
Something about you is so addictive
We're falling together
You think that by now I know
Cause here we go go go again

And again and again and again
I threw all of your stuff away
And I cleared you out of my head
And I tore you out of my heart
Oh Oh Oh Oh..
Oh Oh Oh Oh..

So how did you get here under my skin
Swore that I'd never let you back in
Should have known better
In trying to let you go
Cause here we go go go again
Hard as I try I know I can't quit
Something about you is so addictive
We're falling together
You think that by now I know
Cause here we go go
Here we go again
Here we go again

Should've known better
In trying to let you go
Cause here we go go go again
Again Again Again Again and again
and again and again and again and again
and again and again and again and again and
again and again..