The Champions!

The Champions!

Yes, we are the champions... in the recently concluded 23rd SEA Games held in our country, the Philippines won the the overall medal tally with the most medals in the games. Its the first time to happen in the history of SEA (South East Asian) Games! Philippines never did it in last 2 hostings of the event. I bet the whole Filipino athletes were fully motivated by the cheers of the hometown crowd who gave their 100% support and cheers to them. Though, I weren't able to attend the events and just watch the games and ceremonies on tv, I totally supported theFilipino athletes... I even made a support campaign in my forum signitures.

This is a revenge-comeback after Athens 2004 Olympics where we haven't harvest any medal... I hope we continue the feat of champions in the next SEA Games in Thailand. hope this will contunues on future SEA Games and other sports events. May this also serve as a stepping stone for medal harvesting in Beijing 2008 Olympics.

This SEA Games shows not only the abilities of the Filipino atletes but also the culture of Filipinos especially in the opening and closing ceremony of the games - which is colorful and festive. The overall champion shows that Filipinos are truly world-class athletes. We're the real champion! It made me proud to say "Pinoy Ako!" kaya Mabuhay ang manlalarong Filipino!

Goodbye Ian

Goodbye Ian

Today, I bid farewell to my SPED (Special Education) student "Ian" - we have the same name, because my 50 hours of training is already consumed. We bid farewell to the kids together with my classmates and co-trainees there - Nian, Realyn and Jeff. Ian gave me a ribbon award from their recognition day that made me feel elated with my name he wrote on it - T.ian (means Teacher Ian) I also bid farewell to my afternoon student, Patrick. It was an emotional moving farewell with the kids.

Along with Ian and Patrick, I will also miss Tien, Harvey, Richard and Jherold - who gave me a sweet hug in the morning of my last day there. I gave them a hug before they leave and when they say their traditional saying goodbye to teachers "see you again tomorrow", I told them "see you again someday". They become dear to our hearts and my students to me. I hope that I was able to contribute something towards their development despite of their disabilities. I know that they wouldn't understand me or remember me again someday in the future but I want them to know that I will always pray for them.

What are the things I learned? Patience. This was one of the things I learned. I really have a short temper and in SPED it really tested my patience on the kids… especially when they can’t able to catch up what you’re teaching. You also have to learned to understand them since they are special children. Our principal their gave one of the best insight during our last stay there – that the teacher’s role is more fulfilling in SPED because after all your teaching strategy to a special child and they get to catch up what you’re teaching, you feel you are more effective as a teacher and elated that a kid with a disability learns from you. Finally, you learned to love them as you get close to them.