Anything & Everything

#FirstMoments with My Miracle Baby - JSM

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:12:00 +0000

My son is already a healthy and handsome 15 year old and in his senior year in high school. Looking at him, you would not think that I had any problem giving birth to him. Or what I had experienced before I had him.

So, when I received an email from Mom Bloggers for Social Good and invited to share my birth story with Save the Children, as they present the 14th annual State of the World's Mothers Report, just in time for Mother's Day, I knew I just had to tell my own birth story.

My son was actually my second pregnancy. The year before I got pregnant with him, I suffered a miscarriage at the first trimester. It was painful and a little discouraging, especially when it was discovered that I had an ovarian cyst, which might have also triggered my miscarriage. They said my left ovary was going to be removed and I was prepared for that...I knew I could still get pregnant with just one ovary. During the operation, my OB-Gyne discovered that the right ovary also had ovarian cyst. My ex-husband was okay for the removal of the right ovary, but my Ob-Gyne knew I wanted a child...and so she painstakingly removed the cyst to find a portion that was clear off it. It took her four hours to removed the damaged area, until only a small portion was left. She said it was just as small as the end of the shoelace or the aglet. She also told me that I could still get pregnant but further tests showed that I wasn't that fertile enough. And I believed her, and had faith that the good Lord would grant me my wish.

Six months after I was operated on and two months after my fertility test showed that I was not yet fertile enough to get pregnant, I did. Still worked for the NGO, and did the usual stuff for the next 9 months. My own ob-gyne could not believe it, she called my son my miracle baby. She knows the state I was in so she really was confounded by my pregnancy. Was very conscientious about prenatal care because I was scared and excited but had a lot of trust on my doctor that she would help me out with everything, God willing. I did not want anything to happen, again.

To be honest, both the pregnancy and the birth was very easy for me....painful but I also have a very high pain threshold, so that was okay. The first cry was music to my ears and I fell in love at first sight. It was on the next day that something happened. A vein burst inside and it was a good thing that my ob-gyne has always been conscientious and so I was not discharged that day. Had I gone home, I would have died, and left my son without a mom.

I have always been grateful that I was given another chance to have a baby and another chance in life. I will always be grateful that I really have an excellent doctor, and all the facilities available. The Philippines may be a third world country but the cities have some of the most up-to-date hospitals and topnotch doctors. Not all the places in the Philippines have that. Some rural areas do not have hospitals or even clinics. They may not have stay-in doctors, some areas do have doctors who come in once a week or month. Or worse, no money to even have their pre-natal check-ups. Some do not even think they need any.

But, I am glad that I knew enough to get all the right care both before birth and after. I will be forever thankful I had family support, the right healthcare support and everything that helps make giving birth a little easier.

In support with Mom Bloggers for Social Good and Save the Children, am sharing my birth story. It may not be as colorful as the other stories by other moms but I think what we all have in common is that we are all lucky to be in a better position to tell our stories. We lived to tell our stories, and we have our children with us.

My son is a healthy, intelligent and loving 15-year old, and he continues to light my life and his birth is something I will forever cherish. Not all have that and you can all read that in a report that Save the Children has released last May 7th. The State of the World's Mother Report compiles global statistics on the health of mothers and children, especially newborns, and they use this to determine the rankings of the best and worst places in the world to be a mother.

Here is a compelling video featuring Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Connelly and other mothers as they share with us their fears, experiences, and their #firstmoments with their own children.

Advocacy: Global Newborn Health #newborn2013

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 03:44:00 +0000

It has been 15 years since I gave birth to my baby boy - Jean-Sijent. Friends and readers know how often I talk about him on and about the advises (aka warnings) I love to discuss here.

Everything happens for a reason they say but back in 1996 when I had a miscarriage with my first baby, I did not believe that at first. It was only after my doctor discovered an ovarian cyst and realized I needed a surgery did I believe. After less than a year, I got pregnant again despite the fact that my ob-gynecologist said I was not that fertile enough. Because of my situation, I was really very careful and I was taken care of really well by Dr. Anne Goingo. I was lucky that she gave me all the time and attention because there were complications on my part. And most importantly, my son was born healthy and without complications.

Not all newborns are fortunate to be born that way. Unfortunately for my brother, he and my sister-in-law had some problems with their 2nd baby. On the 3rd day, my nephew D was operated on because there was blood leaking in his brain. Until now, he is under medication, under physical therapy, and worse, every time he gets sick his doctor has to monitor his situation with tests that can be painful like a spinal tap. The beauty of it is he is alive and oh-so-adorable. And he is living in a country where topnotch healthcare is available.

What happened to D was not only painful for us but also surprising. The first thing my brother asked me was to research if we had anything like that in our medical history, which I found out we did not have. It was then that I realized that there is so much that we need to know about newborn health. According to Cyril Engmann and Dr. Gary Darmstadt in the article on Impatients Optimists, there are some newborn health facts we are not aware of such as:

Nearly 3 million newborns die each year globally.
99% of these newborns die in low- and middle-income countries.
A newborn is 45X times more likely to die in the first month of life, when compared to age 1 month to 5 years.
The major causes of newborn death are prematurity, infection, and birth asphyxia when a baby’s brain and other organs do not get enough oxygen before, during or right after birth.
Complications of preterm birth are the second leading cause of death in children before their fifth birthday.
The majority of these newborn deaths can be prevented.

There is a need a discuss and promote the global newborn health agenda. As part of the need to raise awareness and visibility of the newborn health agenda, several individuals from around the world will gather on April 15-18 for The Global Newborn Health Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, which is just a part of a larger, ongoing conversation on newborn health to generate action.

We need to know more, and we need to let others know more about this. More importantly, we can do something. We can get involved, we can join the conversation.

How to get involve?

Read more about the Global Newborn Health Conference at www.newborn2013.com.
Connect with conference anytime. Streaming live on the web at: www.oneworld.org/newborn2013
Join the conversation on Twitter. Follow and use official conference hashtag (#newborn2013) and don't forget to retweet
Follow Gary Darmstadt (@gdarmsta) – Director of the Family Health Division of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation @gatesfoundation.
Share the facts you learn about newborn health.
Leave comments and ask questions on Facebook
Access all conference presentations and resources here.

The Gates Foundation is working with USAID’s flagship Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), Save the Children’s Saving Newborn Lives (SNL) program and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in hosting this four-day conference.

Disclosure: This post was written for Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good that concentrates on issues involving women and girls, children, world hunger and maternal health. No form of compensation was received for this post.

Boston Marathon 2013 - #PrayForBoston

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:32:00 +0000

I did not have the time to watch the news this morning as I was running late...but then I heard the words: explosion, Boston Marathon, injured, dead...the numbers were not very clear.

As soon as I got into my PC, I checked twitter...where I knew I could easily get the updates. Reading about the explosion was bad enough, but it was more when you get to hear more about those that were personally affected, like the girl who is said to have been killed while running for her cause or the guy who was planning to propose to her girl after her run...he was waiting for her at the finish line.

I really feel for this guy, don't ever take for granted anything you have cause nothing last forever #prayforboston twitter.com/Nhannon1104/st…
— Nick Hannon (@Nhannon1104) April 15, 2013

It gutted me to read about these things...but still it makes you feel good at the reaction of the people...how they stood strong and helped in the only way they could. Sometimes the news is so devastating that you focus on the "bad" of some people...but these things makes you believe in the goodness of people amidst pain, devastation and terror. It makes you hopeful amidst the overwhelming kindness of your fellow human beings...no color, no race, no gender, no biases,no rich, no poor...we are all people....only human.

<this was so nice> Local Boston resident giving @alisonhatfield and us orange juice and offering a… instagram.com/p/YI9_gyOBms/
— Ramsey Mohsen (@rm) April 15, 2013

For all the horror today, what I saw after the explosions was a city of compassion and caring, of people wanting to help. The real Boston.
— Billy Baker (@billy_baker) April 16, 2013

Runner just told me he's been stopped numerous times by Bostonians asking if he needs a bed or a shower.
— Billy Baker (@billy_baker) April 15, 2013

anyone wanting to get out of the back bay come over plenty of tables and calm here and don't worry you don't have to buy a thing
— El Pelon Taqueria (@ElPelonTaqueria) April 15, 2013

We have cold drinks,bathrooms, place to charge a phone and a calm place to sit #westandtogether
— El Pelon Taqueria (@ElPelonTaqueria) April 15, 2013

open wifi, place to charge cell, or just don't want to be alone, food and drinks,- pay only if you can #bostonhelp
— El Pelon Taqueria (@ElPelonTaqueria) April 15, 2013

Thanks to generosity of volunteer blood donors there is currently enough blood on the shelves to meet demand. #BostonMarathon
— American Red Cross (@RedCross) April 15, 2013

Yup, that's @andruzzi63 “@kavekrew: is this Joe Andruzzi? CNN site twitter.com/kavekrew/statu…”
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) April 16, 2013

To the stranger who took me into her home, gave me soup and tea tostop my shaking and a phone to call home, thank you. #BostonMarathon2013
— Judith U (@Autismville) April 15, 2013

This is EXACTLY how the Internet is supposed to work:Help each other in severe time of need.Bless you all who offered to help.
— Jeremiah Owyang (@jowyang) April 15, 2013

Despite the kindness and goodness...there are also those who want to take advantage of this goodness, so have a care when you give out your information:

RT @yahoohomes: Spreadsheet of 4,000 good Samaritans is moving but scary: goo.gl/lJBQz | Please be careful as you offer #Bosto ...
— lemons (@foxydeltan) April 16, 2013

To end this blog: a salute to the helpers, for each and everyone of you!

Tears!!! Great Mr. Rogers quote for times like these twitter.com/samir/status/3… /via @buzzfeed
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 16, 2013

Kate Winslet's What If

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:16:00 +0000

What If

Here I stand alone

With this weight upon my heart

And it will not go away

In my head I keep on looking back

Right back to the start

Wondering what it was that made you change

Well I tried

But I had to draw the line

And still this question keeps on spinning in my mind

What if I had never let you go

Would you be the man I used to know

If I'd stayed

If you'd tried

If we could only turn back time

But I guess we'll never know

Many roads to take

Some to joy

Some to heart-ache

Anyone can lose their way

And if I said that we could turn it back

Right back to the start

Would you take the chance and make the change

Do you think how it would have been sometimes

Do you pray that I'd never left your side

What if I had never let you go

Would you be the man I used to know

If I'd stayed

If you'd tried

If we could only turn back time

But I guess we'll never know

If only we could turn the hands of time

If I could take you back would you still be mine

'Cos I tried

But I had to draw the line

And still this question keep on spinning in my mind

What if I had never let you go

Would you be the man I used to know

What if I had never walked away

'Cos I still love you more than I can say

If I'd stayed

If you'd tried

If we could only turn back time

But I guess we'll never know

We'll never know

Real Men Treat Women With Respect

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:13:00 +0000

This video caught my eye on tumblr recently. My fellow Madridistas are young and I often see what's important to them. It's nice that I get to see that men are not all a@$%holes....gotta show this to my son although, I can proudly say that I know he is one teen who treats women with respect, like he does me and all his aunts and my colleagues.

UP Education: Where is it going?

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:35:00 +0000

Last Friday I read the news about the young woman who committed suicide because she was being asked to pay off her loan and she couldn't take it anymore.

As one of the those students who experienced the first time the UP system used the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program or STFAP, as it is more popularly known, I was also one of the first of thousands of students who opposed it. Supposedly, the STFAP calculates school fees based on students' family income, in a bid to minimize state support for those capable of paying full tuition and divert funds to the financially needy. It is supposed to adjust the tuition fee's based on the capacity of the student to pay. Unfortunately, getting the correct bracket is a long, complicated and tedious process, with so many supporting documents required. And sometimes it can happen that you are put in the wrong bracket.

It makes you ask, as I used to ask, why should I be the one to worry about these things when I am supposed to be studying in the state university? Shouldn't the government be doing the worrying for me? And, why put the burden of my education to the wealthy and better-off families?

I can understand how frustrating, how difficult, it could have been for Kristen Tejada. Yes, she could have appealed for transfer to bracket E, but then again getting all the necessary requirements would need time, effort and money. Yes, she could have appealed for extension, but then again it is a cycle that she knew she would experience over and over again. I mean being on the same bracket and not having the capacity to pay for that fee would mean applying for a new loan again and again. Yes, she could have looked for a job as a student assistant or summer job or scholarship...but then again, why?

The UP Manila Chancellor Manuel Agulto said, "UP has and will always be a government institution that values quality education for deserving bright students of the country especially those who are underprivileged."

Kristen Tejada falls under deserving bright student who is also underprivileged. So, why wasn't she given that much needed opportunity for quality education that could have changed her life and the lives of her family?

The UP students should stand as one to make sure that the UP board officials and the government study once again the mechanisms to assist the poor students in paying for their UP education as well as for them to rethink their "no late payment" policy. Let us not deprive these deserving youth the best education they can obtain simply because they do not have the capacity to pay the tuition fee. UP is a state university and it should get the correct subsidy they need in order that they can lower the tuition costs, so much lower than private schools.

Students tie black ribbons in front of University of the Philippines campus in Manila on 18 March 2013. The students demand justice for the death of Kristel Tejada, a freshman student at UP Manila, who committed suicide for after reportedly being forced to go on leave because her family could not afford to pay tuition. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images) - From Yahoo News

Kristin Tejada is an isolated case they say. Do we need more in order for them to see that need to change their policies? In a year's time, my own son is going to graduate from high school and go to college. Do I have the capacity to send him to UP? Unfortunately, no. Fortunately, Bicol University is available for him. Is it the same? No, but at least we have options, and that option is considered today as one of the best universities in our province. Will it ensure him work? I can only hope so. I for one believes it's not the college you come from that decides whether you get work or not but hard work coupled with determination, good work attitude, the right opportunity and a little luck.

While we cannot expect our children to find work in the Philippines easily, now or in the near future, with so many unemployed and underemployed Filipinos, there are opportunities in other places, God willing. But, first and foremost, the UP education or better yet, the Philippine education should be a priority in order to give our children all the edge they need to be able to find work and excel here or abroad.

Things A Son Should Know Before He Turns 18 and Leaves Your Side

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 02:20:00 +0000

Family and friends know how much I love making lists. From list of things to do to list of things to live by and lists of what to buy today or in the near future. I write articles with all kinds of lists that have included the list of the most beautiful liberal art colleges to smart and beautiful politicians and even the most worthy WAGS. So when I read an article with a list of what one mom believed she must give/teach her son, I loved it. Though I do not remember if it was a blog post or an article but it certainly stayed in my mind and I vowed that one day I would make one for my son.

As my son grows older there is a certain satisfaction in me because we have come this far but there is also a degree of fear that my kind of rearing may have done a damage or two. Looking at my son and how he interacts with society, I think I can give myself a pat because he turned out right.

Still, I can’t help but worry that in the future he might make a mistake. Am not saying he is not entitled to make mistakes, it is a fact of life that we often make mistakes and we must learn from it. There are mistakes though that should not be made if only we have ingrained these facts for them.

via foxydeltan at Pinterest

Here is a list of must-not and must-do’s that I thought any son should know before he turns 18 and leaves the home.

The world does not revolve around you. You are just a speck in the microcosm, so don’t expect people to do things for you. You have to work hard to reach your goal; nobody is going to hand it to you. Be aware of what is going around you.
The old lady next to you is someone else’s mom. Open the door or carry her bag and remember that someone else may be doing it for your mom, right this very moment.
Real men wear aprons. The stove, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, iron, the brooms and mop, do not recognize the hands that use them. Learn how to use all these appliances. It may save you from hunger and dirty clothes one of these days.
You do not have a maid; learn to pick up your dirty clothes. And let me say again, that goes the same way for the things that comes out of your mouth.
When you make a promise, keep it. Your word of honor is something to be proud of.
Keep yourself clean, shower daily, trim your nails, and use your deodorant. Do not wear anything from the dirty laundry basket.
It’s alright to get mad but it is not right to use your fists to settle disagreements. Then, read #8.
It is okay to make a stand especially on issues that matter even when everyone else is silent. Know what these are. And know when it's time for drastic measures.
Treat girls as they are meant to treated; they have brains as well as personality, not just bodies.
There has never ever been a good reason enough for you to break up with a girl over the phone. Have the decency, and guts, to talk with her personally.
Break up first before you get into another relationship. Remember you have cousins and you would not want any boy to treat them that way, too. Karma is a bitch.
Real women do not look like Victoria Secret angels. Just take a look at your mom.
Always keep a condom in your wallet; it can save your life.
Don’t drink and drive. If you are drunk, never get behind the wheel.
You are never too old to use the good manners you learned when you were young.
You were taught table manners, too. Use them.
Peer pressure is something all of us have experienced. You will, too. Resisting the pressure and dare to be “man enough” to participate in something wrong will be difficult. The pull to be one with them is a temptation that will be hard to resist. Resisting though will make a man out of you and surrendering to such a “dare” is cowardice. Read #8.
Texting while driving is a big no-no. SEXTING is a bigger offense.
NEVER use the words gay and black in a derogatory manner. Respect people no matter what race, faith or preference, they are people just like you. Treat them as you want other people to treat you.
Admitting your fault or mistake does not make you less of a man. So does showing your feelings or crying.
It would be so beautiful if you can and will always win but this is reality, learn to accept losing with grace and dignity. And never, ever cheat just so you could win.
Enjoy life, in fact, live life to the fullest. Be happy and know that I am always here for you.
And lastly, be the man that I believe you are. Be true to yourself and stay true to who you are.
Always remember, I love you.
But, that does not mean you no longer have to call me up every now and then. Like I have always said, moms worry.

Note that this is not in order of importance because I feel that these are all important for my son to know. I know that I have always tried to listen to my son because I know that they also want us to know something and Have written about it in my post all children want their parents to know. Sometimes because we are older and because we are their parents we tend to become dogmatic about what we want and expect them to simply follow. I was a daughter once and know that I did not listen to everything they told me, but I did listen to the most important lessons, and pray that my son does, too.

While looking for a photo to include in this blog post, I saw this beautiful and inspiring blog update 25 Rules for Mothers of Sons and I knew I just had to comment and include this in my post, especially for new mothers, though anyone can actually adapt this list, whether she has a son or daughter.

via Motherhood.Ultimate.Career. on Pinterest.

For those with their own list, do share it with me and all the other readers.

KONY 2012: Make Kony Famous

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:09:00 +0000

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Make Joseph Kony famous.

This is the new call to action by the non-profit organization Invisible Children whose mission is to educate people about the ongoing war in Central Uganda, who wants to make the world's worst living criminal famous so that people will know and care enough to bombard policymakers in doing something to stop Kony and his army.

Over the past 26 years, Kony has abducted more than 30,000 children. He and his army rapes the girls and turns them into sex slaves. He arms the little boys with guns and forces them to become foot soldiers and do horrible things including killing their own parents. They mutilate people's face by cutting off their nose, ears and lips.

As a mother I can only imagine the horror their parents are experiencing.

So I am making a stand and I am counting on you to help me. Let us all work towards a better tomorrow for our children. By showing the world who Joseph Kony is and what diabolic and perverse atrocities he has been doing. By reminding our policymakers, our government that even if our country is not threatened by Kony himself, still we need to act and stop something that we utterly know is wrong. By participating in our Make Kony Famous campaign.

To know more, you can go to the following sites:

The Invisible Children Story

Invisible Children Blog

KONY 2012

LRA Crisis Tracker

IC's Letter to President Obama

Join IC on Facebook

Follow IC on Twitter

Watch, share, and sign-up. Volunteer, donate,and get the KONY 2012 Action Kit which you can use on April 20, 2012 when people from all walks of life in different cities of the world cover the night with posters and stickers of Joseph Kony to Make KONY Famous.

Incandescent Enchantments Ongoing Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:30:00 +0000

One of the blogs I follow has an ongoing giveaway and am so excited about my choice which is The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale although I am also interested in 3 other books, one of which is Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough. For those interested to get any of the following:

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver
The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (The Books of Bayern #1)
Matched by Ally Condie
Enna Burning by Shannon Hale (The Books of Bayern #2)

Please just go to this link below and join, instructions are available for you.
http://incandescentenchantments.blogspot.com/2012/01/100-follower-giveaway-international.html

Are You Ready For The El Clasico? My late post...

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:30:00 +0000

I think that all Madridistas are thirsty for a win over Barcelona and tomorrow...

That was supposed to be my intro for my blog update last Friday in time for the El Clasico the next day but then I wasn't able to finish it...had to write my articles first as well as the reports before I could give a take on one of the most exciting matches of all time.

Friends, and blog readers, know that I have always been a Madridista...long before Azkals came and even when Manchester United was on everybody favorite football team. While I am still a Madridista, I have opened my heart and my loyalty to 2 other teams: the Philippine Azkals because I am a Filipino and I am proud that we now have a National Team, and FC Schalke 04 because Raul my ultimate football fave is now with Schalke. I felt bad when he left and felt let down by what I felt was set down by my own team to one of their legends but still I held on. Real Madrid hasn't been winning much the past years so much so that the younger generation knows more about FC Barcelona and Messi...but like I have always said...I am a Madridista for life. And it lives on as my son is now a Madridista too.

As you all know Barcelona won 3-1 and as much as I hate it, there are other games/matches in the league and there's the Copa...in triumph, in defeat, Hala Madrid!

Spain Wins Davis Cup for the Fifth Time

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:29:00 +0000

After a long drought for Rafael Nadal, it was quite nice to see him help the Spanish Armada - together with Feliciano Lopez, David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco, Marcel Granollers, and team coach Albert Costa - win the Davis Cup for Spain against Argentina.

Below is the video of him against one of his bffs Pico Monaco on the first day of Davis Cup, which of course he won. It was great to see him play so passionately again...the past matches have been plagued with illness and the likes and I am always gutted to see him so sad. He has admitted though that the next year will be better for him....which the fans are all waiting for.

On the very last match of the very last pro tennis event on the calendar he played against Argentina's del Potro. He was in a position to clinch the win for Spain and he came through. The game was not all win for him as he played at the first game of the match without a win in the service game. It was only when he was down 6-1, 2-0 when he roared back to even the match and then whent down again until he won the fourth-set tiebreaker.

What I noticed again is how gracious Rafa is in defeat as well as in triumph. This is one attitude that I have observed over and over again which I have tried to impart to my son. As his teammates celebrate his win, and therfore the win of Spain, he went to console del Potro and the Aregentina team, even kissing Pico on his cheek. Such a sweet gesture for one of the best tennis players in the world. Wish he could teach that to Nole.

An hour after the victory of Spain, their fifth world team crown, Rafael Nadal announced that he will not be playing in 2012 since it is an Olympic year. He said:

'Next year I will not play. Next year is a very complex year. It's an Olympic year.
'I have been, for many years, one of the players that plays the highest number of games in a year, and I don't want to over play.
'So next year, since it's an Olympic year, my participation in the Davis Cup is impossible.
'Thank God Spain has a good level of players, and there are many good players that will replace us that play really high-level tennis.'

Then we will just see you at the Australian Open next year and hope you get that No 1 slot from Nole again.

Happy Birthday JSM!

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:11:00 +0000

On the first day of December, fourteen years ago, I got an early Christmas gift. Up until now, and most likely until the end of time, it remains to be the best gift I ever got. Can literally say he was a big, bouncing baby boy but boy was he also expensive. He is what my beloved ob-gyne calls my miracle baby since a year before that I had a miscarriage and an operation to remove my left ovary was done. Only a small portion of my right ovary was free from ovarian cyst but my doc painstakingly removed the worse off it which took her almost four hours to do. As of my last check up before I reported back to my office back in 1997 I wasn’t fertile enough to get pregnant. But the good Lord had other plans for me and gave me this blessing.

The past 14 years is something I cherish, it wasn't always smooth sailing and there are some things I regret but, the one thing that I can say I truly don’t regret 100% is having my son. So anything related to that fact may be a little painful but if it hadn't happened then I wouldn't have my son. Not bitter, just saying….

Poems have been a way for me to show you how much you mean to me, I remember I sent you a Valentine's card when you were younger and I asked your teacher to give it to you. Gone are those days...I don't think you would appreciate it if I do that today. But if there is one thing I really am grateful is the fact that you have remained truly grounded, a thoughtful and ever-loving son.

Last year I shared with you My Wish by Rascall Flatts, today I give you a lovely poem by Susan Polis Schutz:

MY SON I HOPE THAT ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE AND I LOVE YOU

My Son, Live Life to the Fullest

Pin It

Dreams can come true if you take the time to

think about what you want in life ....

Get to know yourself.

Find out who you are.

Choose your goals carefully.

Be honest with yourself.

But don't think about yourself so much

that you analyze every word and action.

Find many interests and pursue them.

Find out what you are good at,

and don't be afraid to make mistakes.

Work hard to achieve success.

When things are not going right

don't give up -- just try harder.

Find courage inside of you to remain strong

Give yourself freedom to try out new things

Don't be so set in your ways that you can't grow

Always act in an ethical way

Laugh and have a good time

Form relationships with people you respect

Treat others as you want them to treat you

Be honest with people

Accept the truth

Speak the truth

Open yourself to love

Don't be afraid to love

Remain close to your family

Take part in the beauty of nature

Be appreciative of all that you have

Help those less fortunate than you

Try to make others lives happy

Work towards peace in the world

Live life to the fullest

My son dreams can come true

and I hope that all your dreams become a reality

I love you.

Reminders For My Teenage Son

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:01:00 +0000

The other day I had a discussion with my 13 year old son about his blatant disregard for my instructions and the PDRRMC Advisory 2:

“Even in the absence of signals from Pagasa and in view of emerging consensus that the rains are likely further accelerate, for the safety and health of our community, we hereby order the EARLY DISMISSAL OF CLASSES in Kinder, Elementary and Highschool, private and public, in the entire province of Albay. School administrators and teachers should advise their students to no longer report in the afternoon. Parents are advised to fetch their children from school. This is an early dismissal, not a suspension, thus classes automatically resume tomorrow without need for lifting.

I came home from the office earlier than he did and so I talked to him. He was silent and at first I thought he understood why I was very mad about it. But then when he replied to me with three suggestions including transferring him to the school in our town so he would not be able to hang out with friends in Legazpi, that’s when I knew he wasn’t getting my point. And I was relentless in my desire that he understand it was not because he hang out with friends in Metro Gaisano but rather that he did despite my instructions and the advisory. There is a big difference. Any other day would have been ok but doing so despite the advisory from the governor meant that he (and the other studes) did not understand the ramifications of what they just did.

Let me remind you:

The PDRRMC Advisory 2 of early dismissal was not so you could go out with friends. They were sent out as soon as needed to ensure that you (students) would be safe at home in case anything bad or untoward happened due to the bad weather. Honestly as soon as I texted you to go home, and trusting you that you would follow, was one worry off for me. I was assured that if in anything bad happened all I had to do was take care of myself because you were home with Pappu and everyone else in the family. (Yeah right…and I also had to ask him how I would be able to trust him to do the right thing and follow clear instructions the next time?) I had to ask you several times, what if Padang happened all over again. Or worse, what if something like 9/11 happened in the Philippines? There was a reason and a basis for that weather advisory which you guys should have pondered on.

My colleagues told me that there were so many students hanging out at the mall that afternoon and well that still didn’t make it right. They could not have understood why there was such an advisory and how their parents might have worried had they known their kids were at the mall and not at home. Yes, I should have checked but then I trusted you and you have never disobeyed me like that. My son, you are basically obedient but then I also understand that you are a teenager and I know this is the time when you will be trying out your wings. I don’t want to brag but so far nothing major, major has disrupted our lives (well other than your father not being there) and we have little skirmishes but not outright disobedience.

Time and time I have told you: The only thing that I ask of you is for you to follow my instructions and not to ever lie. And to remember that it should never be wants over needs. Something like "Expect me to get mad if you did something wrong but lying about it so I don't get mad would get you more in hot water than you already are, because somehow I will learn about it..(mother's have eyes and ears in places you wont expect) and knowing that you kept something from me or worse lied about it is a worse offense."

Thank God you understood me, realized that I wasn't just being a Hitler on you and that my love for you is the reason why I got mad. This is certainly what I hope for us in the future:

Children do know that we love them but when we reprimand you, you think we just got angry for the sake of being angry...or just being Asian Parents (check out this word at UrbanDictionary) and that's not positive for you kids these days.

Communication between parents and their children is very important. And since you turned 13, I no longer read messages from your phone but every now and then I check your online accounts not to snoop but more for security, I hate it when you add people you really don't know and see things you shouldn't. Not a prude but you are still a minor. Trust is what I always remind you of, to lose my trust by your blatant disregard for my instructions, advises and the law, would be tantamount to a jail or martial law...so its better that we have a good relationship based on trust. Unconditional love does not entail me closing my eyes and ears just so we don't quarrel. I rather we argue loud and clear than leave you undisciplined, unruly and possibly a menace to yourself.

25 Manners You Should Teach Your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:11:00 +0000

While reading some parenting articles, I read this one article about manners that I knew I had to blog about it. Kids are easy enough to teach manners, it's actually following it up that sucks. Because when they see somebody else doing something really gross but funny they tend to do the same thing...that is when it's crucial to say it is wrong. If they get away with it even just once then they will do it again.

Pin It

Parents tend to let them get away with it, especially when they do it in public and some people find it hilarious. Make no mistake about it, there are people who find it really funny when a kid burps so loud, well, this still falls under manners right?

Seriously though, at my age, I still tell my dad where am going and how late I will be home and I expect my son to do the same thing...for me that is simple courtesy. And up until now, I remind my son to say thank you (he does say thank you normally but sometimes when busy he seems to forget). Not reminding him to say tabi (please) or salamat (thank you) is like making him feel that it's normal for people to do it for him when what I want him to learn is that when people do things they go out of their way to do it and deserve to be thank for that, no matter who they are, no matter the age.

You just don't say 'please', 'thank you', 'excuse me' to your parents or the elderly but to everybody, even those younger than you. And when I say everybody it means everybody, no matter what the station is life is....respect does not mean only for the rich and the executives. Even those in cheap work clothes like the jeepney drivers, Metro Aides, your household help and everybody you meet.

It's why I always say thank you when paying my fare and one thing I have been wanting to see in other people. I mean it is not my obligation to get your fare and pass it towards the driver so at least I deserve a thank you.. don't you think? And even the driver in cheap work clothes deserves a thank you.

Manner #1

When asking for something, say "Please."

Manner #2

When receiving something, say "Thank you."

Manner #3

Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.

Manner #4

If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.

Manner #5

When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.

Manner #6

The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.

Manner #7

Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.

Manner #8

When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.

Manner #9

When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.

Manner #10

Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.

Manner #11

When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.

Manner #12

Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.

Manner #13

Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.

Manner #14

Don't call people mean names.

Manner #15

Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.

Manner #16

Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.

Manner #17

If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."

Manner #18

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.

Manner #19

As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.

Manner #20

If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.

Manner #21

When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.

Manner #22

When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!

Manner #23

Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.

Manner #24

Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.

Manner #25

Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.

“Children are natural mimics who act like their parents

despite every effort to teach them good manners.”

(Author Unknown)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Things We Can Do In Support

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:50:00 +0000

Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Things We Can Do In Support via HubPages

As October is just around the corner, my FB inbox is getting filled up again with messages from women friends asking me to update my status which of course keeps a lot of men friends guessing what’s with the intriguing status. Who wouldn’t be with such a status as this?

Momisms: The Things Moms Love To Say

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:22:00 +0000

A list of funny things that Moms say!

Pin It

A little birdy told me
Always wear clean underwear in case you are in an accident
Am I talking to a brick wall?
You’re the eldest, you should know better!
Just wait until your father gets home.
You will always be my little baby.
Are you trying to poke your eye out with that stick?
You’d forget your head if it wasn't stuck on your shoulders.
You had best take that look off your face before I take it off for you.
You could grow potatoes in those ears.
Just who do you think you are talking to?
When you have kids of your own, you’ll understand
Do you think money grows on trees?
Were you born in a stable? Close that door.
Some day you will thank me for this.
I've had it up to here with you.
I’m going to give you to the count of 3.
I don’t care who started it – you are going to STOP it!
I can’t believe you did that!
Don’t put that in your mouth, you don’t know where its been.
Did you flush?
Not under my roof you wont!
Stop picking.
Because I said so, that’s why!
I will always love you, no matter what.
You cant find it? Where did you leave it?
This is going to hurt me more than it will hurt you.
If the wind changes your face will stay like that.
Eat your carrots, they will make you see in the dark
If you don’t stop crying, I will give you something to cry about.
Beds are NOT for jumping on.
If you swallow gum it will stick your guts together
The car can’t start until the seat belts are buckled
If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?

I saw this on my notes and remembered they were part of the post I did on parent's teachings. As a mother I can understand why some Moms do say these things but still most of these are things I heard when I was young and still don't understand why it has been said or where it came from and what it really meant. Take for example the phrase "Because I said so, that’s why!", everybody has heard this one time or another from his/her mom, it's almost like an edict, don't ask for any explanation, it just is!

Although we all try to limit saying these things BUT then there are times one is forced to because the situation calls for it. Then again it comes to a point when they learn to question where these phrases are coming from. My son is now 13 years old and there are times I repeat myself...he teases me about it and I keep explaining that if he had only done what I have asked him to do as soon as he was told then there wouldn't be a need to repeat (over and over and over again - redundancy but he said that is what I do). The good thing though is that our relationship is close enough that he is able to tease me about it...according to him I revert to these momisms when I no longer know what to say sometimes because I have actually moved on to another "fault" but just had to have the last word.

RIP Steve Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:58:00 +0000

Probably my favorite line in his speech to the 2005 Stanford University graduates in the commencement address. Something that we all can learn from.

Lift You UP Blog - Always there for You: MISS BUS STOP CONTEST WITH GIVE AWAY PRIZE

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:26:00 +0000

Just got invited to vote on Miss Bus Stop Contest but unfortunately I can't decide yet which one to choose as I feel that I would love to wait for a bus here anytime. I will wait for other representatives, am just truly sorry I cannot share any nice enough bus stop here in the Philippines.

I never really had much experience with bus stops since the system of transportation in the Philippines is quite different and less disciplined if I must say. Bust stops in the Philippines are either bus terminals housing not only several transportation buses going to different places but also food stalls and even supermarket so one can buy 'pasalubong' for their friends and loved ones. Or they are random bus stops somewhere in the middle of nowhere or in between stores. The one thing that those working in the corporate world doesn't like about is the fact that when riding the less expensive non-air conditioned bus or jeepney you don't seem to be in control of the passengers and a lot can happen. In fact you may look and feel good in your new corporate shirts and reach your office looking like you just got off your bed. Usually these yuppies ride the more expensive air conditioned buses, taxis or brave the MRT.

waiting for the bus to arrive

We have been so used to riding jeepneys which has also become an icon of sort for the Philippines. These jeepneys run their own routes and you just have to wait anywhere they pass so you can ride their jeeps and go to your destination. These jeepneys go around their own routes over and over again picking up passengers and unloading passengers when they reach their destination.

Image Source: film.queensu.ca

Image Source: Art Car Central

If you are interested, check out James OH's blog and choose the best bust stop for yourself. Click below to see more:

Lift You UP Blog - Always there for You: MISS BUS STOP CONTEST WITH GIVE AWAY PRIZE

While doing this update I saw two bus stops that I would love to have on my door step...uhmmm, lazy me loves these two:

London Bus Stop

Image Source: elistmania.com

Vancouver Bus Stop

Image Source: InterestingEmails.com

No to Inappropriate and Anti-School Messages on Plain T-shirts

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:07:00 +0000

Retailers and some online clothing stores never learn.

Just a few weeks ago, in time for back-to-school shopping, JC Penney was forced to yank a sweater that read their “I’m too pretty to do homework so my brother does it for me”. There was an online outcry and concerned parents, furious moms and disgusted customers made use of petition website Change.org to produce thousands of signatures from people and forced them to take it off their shelves.

Cited as not giving kids today appropriate messages but rather sexist messages, these retailers should have learned especially since kids, tweens and teens are their clientele. But no, some have to do it again and force parents and customers to file a petition against them.

The recent perpetrator of these inappropriate messages on their cheap t-shirts is Forever 21, a California-based chain of stores that sells inexpensive clothing to teens. The cheap tee shirts retail for $12.80 and really look good with jeans to give teens a relaxed girl-next door look.

Unfortunately the message on it is not only sexist but in fact stupid and inane. The shirt reads “Allergic to Algebra” again sending our kids the wrong message. It seems to say that girls are bad at Math and that’s okay. There has always been a perception that guys are better at math than girls but that is so long ago and so not true. While some say that these messages are an intrinsic part of today’s in-your-face fashion especially since there really are people who never did like Algebra. But then you don’t see cheap t-shirts with these messages in the men’s section.

One doesn’t see muscle shirts that read Allergic to Algebra. It is only the girls who are targeted with these dumb messages that seem to reinforce the perception that girls can’t do math, that it’s okay not to be smart or being smart isn’t attractive or cool. And worse the perception that learning to put makeup deftly is more important than being good in school. Some says the messages is actually anti-education as it seems to say education is not important especially when Forever 21 other shirts read “Skool sucks” and “I love school” on the front and “not” on the back.

These cheap tee shirts have definitely ticked off women, even those who never liked Algebra. And some have even made their comment made known. A commenter Lenish shared: “It’s one thing to be bad at math, it’s quite another to brag about it and think it’s cool. It’s not possible to be a master of everything, but if you want to brag, brag about what you are good at, not what you suck at.”

And PrincessJingles posted: “The last thing the young women of our world need is another reason to think being dumb is cool. … Shame on you.”

One shopper posted a photo on Reddit.com, a social news website, of a mannequin clad in the offending shirt with a green Post-It note attached: “SMART girls are cool. Don’t buy this top.”

Again, parents have a lot to say about what their children wear. Yes, tweens and teens would like to wear what is on trend and its easy enough to do when there are so many online clothing stores out there to choose from. But then we certainly pray that we gave them enough guidance not to choose these crappy messages on their cheap t-shirts.

Image Source: Google Images

Remembering 9/11: The Legacy of Marie Rose Abad

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 05:59:00 +0000

The Americans in the US were not the only ones paying tribute to their loved ones who perished in the different events that made up what we call the tragedy that changed the world, Sept 11.

Maybe unbeknownst to many Filipinos, there was one American married to a Filipino who died that day. And her legacy lives on in a once squalid and reeking with garbage slum in Manila turned into an orderly village that bears her name with 50 brightly one-storey colored homes built in her memory by her husband.

As the world pays tribute to their fellowmen in the US, residents of Marie Rose Abad GK Village offered roses, balloons, and prayers for their benefactor.

According to her Philippine-born American husband Rudy, he had it built in her memory in 2004 as a tribute to their 26 years of marriage and her unfulfilled desire to help the poor in the Philippines. This she saw when they first came here in 1989. After having described to her the Philippines as a paradise, they were appalled to see the squatters, the shanties and the poverty. And she vowed that she would find a way to help which he fulfilled. After drifting for almost 3 years, having lost his other half, he decided to contribute $60,000 for the construction of a village for destitute families in Manila’s Tondo slum.

For Rudy, September 11 transformed him and taught him about suffering. The tragedy opened his eyes and made him want to do something far and beyond. He has become an advocate of philanthropy and continues to urge rich Filipinos to help the poor beyond giving alms.

Rafa Nadal Remains To Be My Champion

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:09:00 +0000

I am gutted because Rafael Nadal did not win the 2011 US Open but at the same time proud that he really did well on the match. The Rafa of old was back and I am so happy for him. Though some do question the timing of Noles medical time out we cannot accuse him of doing it to stop the trend Rafa was on...he was serving and being good at it as usual. We have to admit that Novak Djokovic played brilliantly.

As one reporter described it and I quote:

Djokovic’s style will never be quite as mellifluous as Roger Federer’s, and neither does he have the pugilistic quality of Nadal

At the moment, though, he is a more complete player than either. He has become unbreakable – an agile and beautifully balanced athlete who has developed a near-mystical faith in his own ability.

The certainty of his vision is uncanny. We saw it in the semi-final, where he faced match point on Federer’s serve and whipped an untouchable return crosscourt. And we saw it again yesterday.

Rafael Nadal remains to be my Champion. He may not have won the title today, he may have lost to Novak 6 times over the year but I remain a believer. He is still my RAFA!

Remembering 9/11: Where were you in Sept 11, 2001?

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:09:00 +0000

Ten years ago, on Sept 11, it was late at night or should I say almost early morning and I was watching TV alone when suddenly CNN broke the news about the Twin Tower attack. I was shocked that it could happen to a country like the USA. Then when I saw the tower collapsing, I felt it was crumbling, people jumping from the tower and people looking up at them in shock and horror knowing that they couldn't help.

I have not always agreed with some of the US policies that affected our political will and human rights but on that day I wasn’t thinking about imperialism and ideology…I wasn’t an activist rallying for change. I was just a human being shocked by the capacity of people to hate that they can do something so horrendous without any qualms. Maybe they had, but I didn’t see it the first time they hit the tower, nor the second time they did, or when they tried to hit the white House or the Pentagon. They didn’t have qualms about killing some 2,819 innocent people.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Why the video and the pictures of the chairs? The video is because I love what former President Clinton said about the passengers of Flight 93. He commended the passengers because being citizens did not give them the mindset like a soldier who are ever ready to give up their lives in the hope of saving others. But they did because if they didn't then the plane would have gone directly to the White House. And what these passengers gave was an 'incalculable gift'.

The tribute in Bryant Park was 2,819 empty chairs on the lawn facing the site where the World Trade Center once stood, one chair for every life lost. As one noted 'The number of empty chairs captures the enormity of the lives lost and the stark emptiness of it just drives home the point that I hope is never forgotten. 2,819 people were here one moment and gone the next. 2,819 went to work or boarded a plane one morning ten years ago thinking it would be another ordinary day and they never came home.'

No to T-shirts With Sexist Messages

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 02:59:00 +0000

Been wanting to write about a lot of things but time has been running really fats for me…at the end of the day all I want to do is stretch out on my bed, put up my legs, and pray I get to sleep the soonest. But alas it isn’t possible with several kids wanting this or that. I have only one son but have several nieces and nephews.

Yesterday though I saw this girl wearing what I thought was a one of those simple plain t-shirts only to realize there was a slogan on the front which was quite small I had to stare at it to read. Then I saw her looking at me, I guess waiting for my reaction which of course she didn’t have to wait for long.

I gave her what my son calls my ‘tiger look’ or the ‘stare that could kill a thousand ships’…oh yes, my own son has different names for it. Going back to the girl…how would you as a mother or a woman feel when you see a girl wearing a t-shirt with ‘Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful, hate me because I have huge boobs.’ I did not give her a look because she did have a bigger boobs than me but what she has can already be seen, there is no need to advertise it in such a way that gives more people to stare longer than necessary.

And so I had to research about it and to my dismay there are stores that sell those kinds of shirts and no, this isn’t the first time and yes I am not alone. There have also been negative reactions over it and worse in Australia they had this store which sells baby clothes with ‘negative’ slogans on it. I just wonder why parents would buy their kids t-shirts that just demean us women. Am not simply talking feminist and the like but there are slogans that eggs on the much talked about sexualization of the young girls which I blogged about before. And there are t-shirts I would not like my nieces to wear or slogans I would not want to see on my son’s girlfriends shirts.

Demeaning slogan!

Harmful!

Take a look at some of the mild ones I saw that parents should ban from their children’s wardrobes. I don't dare put some of the really, really wild ones. The black one has the acronym WIFE on it with meanings like Washing, Ironing, F!****ng, Etc as if that's just the jobs of the wife. The last one is the worse for me because it belittles what hell the sexually abused experiences with a slogan like: It's not rape if you yell SURPRISE.

Again this goes back to the topic I wrote about in my old post about provocative apparel, the one that tackled about the sexualization of young girls. Again, I have to reiterate that it is up to the parents to make sure what their children buy and wear. Parents are the ones who buy or give their money to their teens to buy and I do believe they still have the right to challenge their children's choices.

There are simple and cheap shirts in other good online shopping stores like Amazon and the like. Here are some examples:

District Threads Junior Womens Heathered Jersey Ringer Tee

District Threads Junior Womens Tick Stitch Tee Top

It's so nice to see young girls wear what is best suited to them...not act and look more mature than I am and wearing just enough...not too much that they look old and not too little that they show a lot of skin. Maybe, they would think I am a prude but I would rather see a young lady enjoying herself at being teen rather than on make-up, beauty tips, sexy clothes and boys. There is a proper time for that and too much too soon wont make them mature but just maybe they would face problems earlier than usual.

P.S.

As I was writing this blog, I saw on the news about the victory over JC Penney and American Apparel's as they decided to discontinue sale of controversial t-shirt with a message that reads: “I’m too pretty to do homework so my brother has to do it for me.” Consumers, particularly parents, started making noise and one member of the online petition website Change.Org started a campaign with with the message: “Stop selling clothing with sexist messages for girls.”

Image source: badideatshirts, amazon.com, uniformpoint.com,

What You Are Today Is A Tribute To Your Teachers

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:57:00 +0000

Very recently Matt Damon gave a speech thousands of teachers, parents and others who attended the Save Our Schools march on the Ellipse near the White House to protest the Obama administration’s education policies that are centered on standardized tests.

While this has nothing to do with the education here in our country, I just had to commend and thus blog about Matt Damon’s stand. I also do not feel it is right that the salaries of teachers, whether here or in other countries, should depend on the results of the standardized tests of the school children. While I certainly hope that children all learn to read and write because their children were concerned about them learning we have to agree that children have different learning capabilities. There are different ways to teach a child and one style would not work for all.

Children’s learning process does not run the same way. Some may learn fast while others need special attention. Some may learn easily in groups while others may want individual teaching. And Matt is correct in saying that not everything we learn can be tested. The same way that we let our children go their separate ways, to follow the path they love, to develop their passions, and to learn and to love learning to the best of their ability, the way they know best, is how I see teachers should do it, too.

I would rather see my son criticized for being different as long as he believes it is right. I would love to see my son passionately defend his ideas; no matter how different it is with the norm, than simply follow because everybody is doing it. I will champion my son for standing up to his rights, for fighting for the rights of other people rather than be silent so as not to make ripples or disturb the status quo. The ability to empathize and to know what you believe in and to stand for it, what is important, what is right, and most importantly to think for yourself is not something that can be learned by memorizing the abc’s and 1 + 1 but by learning the whys and the hows’, by discovering own strengths and weaknesses, and by knowing that you have a responsibility to your fellowmen, and that you can effect change if you stand for what us right. I know that if there is one thing I would love to know is that I have taught my son to treat his fellowmen equally - not to kowtow to big names and not to shun those in cheap work clothes.

Teachers are parents, too, and I know that they became teachers because they have a passion for teaching. And the result of their passion is one thing that cannot be measure with standardized tests. The incentives, the bonuses, the basic salary and most importantly, the job security should not be based on the result of the school children’s standardized tests.

Here is the complete text of the speech:

I flew overnight from Vancouver to be with you today. I landed in New York a few hours ago and caught a flight down here because I needed to tell you all in person that I think you’re awesome.

I was raised by a teacher. My mother is a professor of early childhood education. And from the time I went to kindergarten through my senior year in high school, I went to public schools. I wouldn’t trade that education and experience for anything.

I had incredible teachers. As I look at my life today, the things I value most about myself — my imagination, my love of acting, my passion for writing, my love of learning, my curiosity — all come from how I was parented and taught.

And none of these qualities that I’ve just mentioned — none of these qualities that I prize so deeply, that have brought me so much joy, that have brought me so much professional success — none of these qualities that make me who I am ... can be tested.

I said before that I had incredible teachers. And that’s true. But it’s more than that. My teachers were EMPOWERED to teach me. Their time wasn’t taken up with a bunch of test prep — this silly drill and kill nonsense that any serious person knows doesn’t promote real learning. No, my teachers were free to approach me and every other kid in that classroom like an individual puzzle. They took so much care in figuring out who we were and how to best make the lessons resonate with each of us. They were empowered to unlock our potential. They were allowed to be teachers.

Now don’t get me wrong. I did have a brush with standardized tests at one point. I remember because my mom went to the principal’s office and said, ‘My kid ain’t taking that. It’s stupid, it won’t tell you anything and it’ll just make him nervous.’ That was in the ’70s when you could talk like that.

I shudder to think that these tests are being used today to control where funding goes.

I don’t know where I would be today if my teachers’ job security was based on how I performed on some standardized test. If their very survival as teachers was based on whether I actually fell in love with the process of learning but rather if I could fill in the right bubble on a test. If they had to spend most of their time desperately drilling us and less time encouraging creativity and original ideas; less time knowing who we were, seeing our strengths and helping us realize our talents.

I honestly don’t know where I’d be today if that was the type of education I had. I sure as hell wouldn’t be here. I do know that.

This has been a horrible decade for teachers. I can’t imagine how demoralized you must feel. But I came here today to deliver an important message to you: As I get older, I appreciate more and more the teachers that I had growing up. And I’m not alone. There are millions of people just like me.

So the next time you’re feeling down, or exhausted, or unappreciated, or at the end of your rope; the next time you turn on the TV and see yourself called “overpaid;” the next time you encounter some simple-minded, punitive policy that’s been driven into your life by some corporate reformer who has literally never taught anyone anything. ... Please know that there are millions of us behind you. You have an army of regular people standing right behind you, and our appreciation for what you do is so deeply felt. We love you, we thank you and we will always have your back.

The Miracle That Is the Philippine Azkals

noreply@blogger.com (foxydeltan) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 03:55:00 +0000

Tonight the Philippine Azkals will play against Kuwait for the second round World Cup Qualifying match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Everyone is praying for a miracle, especially after Kuwait’s 3 goals in the first round.

As my son and nephew has been saying, the Azkals need 4 goals and they should not allow the 95th-ranked Al-Azraq to score any.

Three factors could help the Azkals today:

The boost from the return of Aly Borromeo and Stephan Schrock on the field. The first round showed us how important effective defenders are.
The twelfth man. The profound impact of supporters and fans on how a team performs has long been acknowledged as effective, and in the case of Azkals it certainly helps.
They have played against Kuwait before and have studied how the team plays and work together, and most importantly the team has learned their lesson from the first game and can correct the misconceptions and errors in the first.

While everyone is rooting for Azkals, with some “haters” on the side, and everyone praying for a miracle which is a win over a team that has been playing longer than ours have been, let us not forget that the Azkals have already performed a miracle. And that is to teach and unite our basketball loving countrymen into loving another sport. For a country deeply rooted in basketball, a sport made for tall people, we have made inroads in associated football. Every now and then we take notice of other sports, like baseball, volleyball and tennis, but we always go back to the one true love that is basketball. Seeing the number of Filipinos at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and the millions that tuned in on their TV screens is proof that we have embraced futbol. It took a long time but betcha it’s gonna stay for good.

I definitely pray they make more goals tonight not only for the glory of our country or for the adoration of the fans but more than ever, I pray they score for the team, for the players. They have worked so hard for this and they deserve it.

But, whether they score a goal or not, for me they are already winners. They have already won the hearts of the Filipinos, the adoration of the fans, the respect of other football teams and players.

Win or lose, they deserve our support. For sure, as the team continues to develop and evolve, as we continue to supply the Philippine National Football Team with talented Filipino – homegrown or not is not the issue – players, as the PFF financially supports the team with trainings, equipment and a home stadium to spend their trainings, we’ll get there.

And one of the best ways to show that is to continue our love affair with the game. Teach our kids the beauty, the hard work, the teamwork, the sportsmanship of the sport. Let us start them early because our physique is definitely more designed for futbol. The smaller size of Filipinos makes them nimble and quick which are a plus for a sport like soccer.

With that, I want to share the trailer of Happyland, an Indie film directed by Jim Librian that tackles the sport football. It is a story of the Tondo kids who are footballers dreaming to be international players and how they form a team in slum area of Tondo in Manila. Something all kids can do if they are really determined.