Movies are quite expensive here in Singapore, but the hype convinced me that The Forbidden Kingdom would be worth the price. Who wouldn’t want to see Jet Li and Jackie Chan together?

Continue reading ‘Movie Review: The Forbidden Kingdom’

My classmate from the University of San Carlos said that there’s a policy in their school stating that “a teacher who has not taught a subject at least twice during the regular semester cannot teach that course during the summer.” Makes sense to me.

Summer classes are complex. They’re 5 months (20 weeks) compressed into 5 weeks. Instead of meeting thrice a week, you meet every day. And each summer meeting is nearly equivalent to 2 meetings of the regular sem. Not much time for rest and relaxation because you’ve got to figure out when to read that pile.

I recall last summer when I had 9 units– 9 MA units. Plus one of those subjects is “Dozen of the Century.” It required us to read 12 influential works of the 20th century. Around 10 of them were novels and the rest were clusters of poetry. Do the math: 2 books per week. Crazy. But it’s manageable. I don’t think anyone failed that class, and we were more than 30 students.

No beach or pool for me that summer though. So my dear students, if you want to survive summer, you have to bid good bye to your social life. Just kidding, my point is that a bit of sacrifice is necessary. My first summer without contact with a body of water paid off.

I guess summer classes have its pros and cons. On the bright side, you really get to bond with your classmates. Yes, that is your social life. I also observed that a number of teachers tend to take it easy, too (There seems to be an awareness of the condensed reality of summer). The ease doesn’t necessarily come in compromising the content, but in adding fun to summer, Plus, the pace is really fast. But that’s a double edged sword: “Next week na ang test? Ang bilis naman! Kaka submit lang ng paper, trabaho na naman!” At least the ideas are still fresh. Strike the iron while it’s hot. We also have the summer heat to bear with. It causes me to get drowsy after lunch time. Ah, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak!

If it’s that complex for students, imagine the challenge that teachers face. Let’s start with the need to double time on checking.

I’m playing the role of teacher this summer. My 2 classes are during and after the usual time for lunch.

Should a student with a 5.0 in Math be awarded a Pisay diploma?

Apparently, some people may be marching on Tuesday in spite of a 5.0 (failure) in a Math subject.

Here’s an excerpt from blog entry “Attention : Batch 2008! Ito na ba ang gusto niyong maging value ng pisay diploma?” by the Math teacher / PSHS alumna who started the online discussion:

Don’t you realize that you’re stripping the pisay diploma of it’s worth when you vouch for your batchmates who you know don’t really deserve the diploma?

Alam niyo yan!

Kahit gaano katamad ang estudyante sa pisay, kahit gano katamad KAYO sa pisay, hindi kayo nakakakuha ng grade na 5.0!

Mahirap, sa totoo lang, makakakuha ng 5.0 sa pisay,unless talagang WALA KANG GINAWA! (aka tinamad ka). Kaya wag niyong sabihin na may ginawa talaga ang mga classmate niyo kung di niyo naman talaga alam. Ang sama ng luob ko sa mga sumulat ng letters vouching for the “diligence” of some of your batchmates. Diligence?? What the …?!!!!

Read the entire post in [this link].

To readers unfamiliar with the Pisay community: Yes, this is a big deal because Math is a major aspect of the school, the school is Philippine Science High School Main Campus, and the grade is a 5.0, not even a 4.0. Read its [Mission and Vision].

Continue reading ‘Ito na ba ang value ng PISAY diploma?’

Okay, Mr. Paolo Mendoza, here it is:

1. Your greatest influence? Why?
Hannah Montana. Just kidding. It’s Josemaria Escriva. Why? Long story.

2. Arrange the following activities according to what you would do first: get the clothes from the sampayan, get the baby from the crib, turn off a running faucet, open the door to a knocking fella, answer the phone.

Given that the baby’s crying and that it’s starting to rain.
(1) Get baby from the crib
(2) Get clothes from the sampayan and
(3) Turn off a running faucet along the way
(4) Check the door for who it is
(5.1)if he’s someone I know, I’ll open the door
(5.2) if not, I’ll ask him to wait and I’ll answer the phone first

3. What is the weirdest word in your vocabulary?
Weirdest word: “Ngyark”
Weirdest word group: “Pambihirang patis!”
^ Evidence that I’m jologs, too.

4. It is time to name your voodoo doll… who is it? Continue reading ‘The Philosophical Bastard’s Meme’

Jason Castro’s a talented lad who pulls off great singing performances every now and then. As Simon said, one aspect of his charm is definitely his goofiness.

Watch the video below and observe Jason Castro’s dance moves. No offense, but he could really stand in as the man inside Disney’s Goofy mascot. (Also watch out for Michael Johns at the end of the clip: it’s hilarious how he clings to Brooke’s… thigh!)

The “unforgivable” people– the other day, my student and I were talking about these characters in our lives.

It’s odd that I write this now, having written a published article on forgiveness. It’s not that I want to hold an eternal grudge against this person, whom we shall call Voldemort (for this person must not be named). I have tried many times to understand the situation and convince myself to forgive Voldemort. I even said “it’s okay, I don’t have anything against you.”

An action-packed summer awaits me: Recently, there’s been small talk about the possibility of encountering Voldemort within the next few weeks. Continue reading ‘When ‘Forgive and Forget’ is a Farce’

Read BryanBoy’s thoughts on Malu Fernandez’s latest [lack of] insight here:

http://www.bryanboy.com/bryanboy_le_superstar_fab/2008/03/malu-fernandez.html

I agree with him. These are the Divalicious lines that are contested:

But blogging, aside from Perez Hilton and the other big time bloggers (you know who you are) is for me a slacker job or a medium and pastime for lonely people to connect. Unless you’re in bloody Siberia or in a Gulag prison, try stepping outside your comfort zone and turn off the laptop or pc, you just might find some real live people to talk to instead of typing away in cyber space.

Read her original article here:
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife2_mar10_2008

Although she repeatedly denies that she’s taking revenge, she does admit that her perspective is from “the point of view of someone who has been a victim of vicious blogging and blogging as a new communication medium.” There you have it, an admission that her thoughts are tainted by the past issue.

Apparently, the only name she drops and equates as a big time blogger is Perez Hilton. What are her standards of ideal blogging anyway? Continue reading ‘Malu Fernandez Strikes Again: “Blogging is a Slacker Job”’

Many people have already talked about Bb. Pilipinas World winner Janina San Miguel’s amusing Question & Answer portion for her English.

As an English teacher who’s taking up MA English Language and Literature Teaching, what bothers about the win is not her “terrible” grammar.

The grammar is understandable. You should hear Marian Rivera converse in English — yet, the people love her. It’s the answer that missed the point.

The question was about her family’s role in her Binibining Pilipinas candidacy. She answered that they are the “most important persons in my life.” That answer is nowhere near the specific aspect of joining the pageant. Plus, “most important persons” is not a role. Her family could have played a lot of roles: supporters, benefactors, inspiration, etc. The bulk of her reply was a pathetic series of excuses. In short, she did not answer the question.

It’s sad, really.

Ms. San Miguel is not the only one who gave answers that lacked sense. The reason why she has more buzz is her English. (Sigh) Why are many Filipinos so obsessed with the English language as if it’s the most sacred thing on earth? I recommend reading my colleague’s recent PDI article, Myths about Languages in the Philippines, which says:

There is a prevailing belief that if you don’t know English, you simply don’t know! … The link between intelligence and English language proficiency is very flimsy. In this world, you will find intelligent people who cannot speak a word of English, as well as not-so-smart ones who are native speakers of the language.

The problem with the answer is not the lack of English proficiency but the lack of display of intelligence. Continue reading ‘Binibining Pilipinas 2008 Controversy: It’s NOT just about the English’

Continue reading ‘E34 Consultation Schedule’