Month: June 2020

ADOPTION OF LCP (DO# 12 S. 2020)

by Roger, posted in Education Updates

School Year 2020-2021 is considered as the dawning of the new normal in the field of education. The premature birth of the new normal in education is not part of the Department of Education agenda. The global pandemic mushroom as a pivotal point forcing officials to revisit education road-map of the country in response to this new normal demand.

This coming August 24, 2020 is the first day of School Year 2020-21. What do Filipino learners expect? What parents need to know, do and understand? These are just few of the many questions that may lingers into the minds of the community folks that needs a clear and concise answer as department of education pushes its way towards continuous education for all amidst global outbreak. The level of excitement is heightening as the date comes close to the 24th day of August 2020. Doubts over students safety, teaching and non-teaching personnel safety, preparedness of the school personnel, tools availability, efficiency of technology, etc are some of the many issues and concerns that appears to be a road block to achieve quality education in this trying times.

Taking parents’ perspective, might also have the same cobwebs in mind for this could easily seen as impossible. But being educator by profession and actively managing a school who knows everything how DepEd prepares for this school year would say that education need not stop because of COVID 19. Instead should continue.

In the light of this stance, DepEd Order No.12 S. 2020 entitled ADOPTION OF THE BASIC EDUCATION LEARNING CONTINUITY PLAN OF SY 2020-21 IN LIGHT OF THE COVID 19 PUBLIC HEALTH AND EMERGENCY, highlight the adoption of Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) as road-map to follow this School Year 2020-21 to ensure continuous education among Filipinos.

BE-LCP is an intervention package design to respond to the basic education challenges brought about by the global crisis.

The Basic Education Leaning Continuity Plan is rooted from the health safety and protection of clients and personnel, ensure learning continuity employing the provision of multiple learning delivery modalities, manage and facilitate the safety return of learners and teaching personnel with due consideration on the projected scenario of the Department of Health and IATF, and linking the BE-LCP to the DepEd’s future thinking with in the framework of Sulong Edukalidad.

This DO 12 S. 2020 also adopted the so called Most Essential Learning Competencies. Let’s remembered that since 2016 upon the implementation of K to 12 curriculum, a numbers of subject competencies were found to be overcrowded. Teachers struggle to finish their competencies because of its extras. In response and in compliance of RA 10533 on the provision of curriculum review, Sec Briones created a review committee on the standard competencies and MELC resulted as the department find its way to implement the different modalities of BE-LCP.
Hence, MELC becomes a necessity thing wherein number of competencies were significantly reduced according to their level of importance and impact to the lives of the learners beyond graduation.

MELC is not a new thing but from the establish standards streamlined to be able to respond to this new demand of new normal teaching and learning situation.

On the process of streamlining, the members of the review team were guided by the following: a) alignment with the national and local framework b) connection of content to higher concepts across content areas c) applicable to the real life situations d) important beyond many others things e) cannot be acquired in other means except through formal education. In general MELC provides the list of enduring competencies which would provide learners the needed skill for life deep, life wide, life long and life wise enduring learning.

On the other hand, the department’s decision to open classes on August 24, 2020 was made possible with due consideration to socio-economic factors such as prolonged disruption of classes which would somehow associate to some social risk of young individual, encourage education-related economic activities, and resume school-managed support system.

Furthermore, the department also incapacitate teaching and non-teaching personnel on this significant pivotal point of education rethinking for future planning and development with high regards to digitally aided teaching and learning process without compromising time honored values attached to the old normal. This would seamlessly re-tune educators by graciously move out from the old normal curtains to the new normal scenario responding educational needs while keeping in mind public health safety and well being. This is important to avoid untimely extinction of the old normal time honored values allowing to permeate into the social media platforms as virtual substitute to the usual social norms for the past years.

DO # 12 S. 2020 encapsulate the adaption of Basic Education- Learning Continuity Plan to contain all localize issues and concerns to ensure continuous delivery of basic education to the Filipinos cutting across various learning modalities for the benefits of the learners keeping in mind strictly the health and safety of the learners, the teaching and teaching personnel. This Department Order aligns itself with the four pillars of Sulong Edukalidad which included: K to 12 review and update, improving the learning environment, teacher’s upskilling and re-skilling and engaging the stakeholders for support and collaboration.

All the details highlighted above in this adoption, the BE- LCP would be implemented with emphasis on innovation, agility and synergy in the direction of future development of Philippine education with due consideration on downing demands of the new normal condition.

In response to the directive under this department order, there was a delineation of contextualize Learning Continuity Plan down from the central office, regional offices, division offices, district offices, schools and to the implementing individuals,teachers, through the Teacher Learning Continuity Plan detailing the School Learning Continuity Plan upon actual implementation.

As the present condition demands, with the notion that face- to- face instruction is not possible until COVID vaccine is available, distance learning is the only option. Distance learning, which can be easily referred to as Home Schooling, can be delivered in two modes using the online delivery through internet connection which could be either synchronous or asynchronous and the modular mode which uses the printed modules to be supplied to the learners through the identified Community Learning Centers, locally known as “Purok” for those who are in the geographic location that is considered as off grid.

A very important consideration is to practically organize class groupings according to the strategic location of the students. Such grouping is said to be strategically organize if learners Community Learning Center (CLC) is the nearest point compared to all other CLC’s within his/her geographic zone. Doing all this would save time and effort for both the learners and the teachers most especially when moving instructional materials to the CLC’s as the curriculum year start.

The real scenario for this coming opening classes on August 24, 2020 for most school located in the remote areas would be modular or in simple saying “home study”. This is a type of self pace learning which could be co-manage by some qualified family member tutor in collaboration with the teacher for the benefit of the student.

Learning materials will be delivered to the respective Community Learning Center or “Purok” ready to be picked-up by the student at the agreed time interval. Likewise, at a reasonable time interval, the required output of the module shall be retrieved by the teacher for assessment of the students’ learning progress using rubric stipulating the performances level with corresponding points. The technicalities of this things will surface as the need arises but rest assured that education really continue.

As can be anticipated on the implementation process, some parents seems to dislike the idea of tapping them as their student co-manager of learning for their siblings. Many would just loosely say that there’s no need of involving them for all of these are teaching tasks from which teachers are given salary. Yes it sounds correct but technically wrong for teachers are not passing on their duties and responsibilities to parents instead tapping them to be a qualified partner to overcome bad impact of COVID 19 among Filipinos learners.

Teachers couldn’t deny their duties and responsibilities to the learners being the teacher and the second parent in school, but the main concern here is to join hands together to help save the siblings from the aftermath of COVID 19. Until such time all of us sets our foot on the ground in the new normal through norming. Remember parents and teachers that picking up a fight and harboring some grudge out of envious in this global pandemic will end up into nothing but to the disadvantage of the learners.

In general, DO 12 S. 2020 spouses the BE-LCP in accordance with the four pillars of Sulong Edukalidad which will be implemented with emphasis on the innovation, agility and synergy as the pivotal points looking at the future of the education in the country.

 

Reference

DO # 12 S. 2020 ADOPTION OF THE BASIC EDUCATION LEARNING CONTINUITY PLAN OF SY 2020-21 IN LIGHT OF THE COVID 19 PUBLIC HEALTH AND EMERGENCY,

Views: 86

MATTHEW 8: 23-27 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 30, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

Jesus got into the boat and His disciples follow him. Without warning, a fierce storm burst upon the lake, with waves sweeping the boat. But Jesus was asleep. The disciples woke him up and cried, “Lord save us!  We are lost!’” But Jesus answered, “Why are you so afraid, you of little faith?”  Then He stood up and rebuked the wind and sea; it became completely calm. The disciple was astonished. They said, “What kind of man is he? Even the winds and sea obey him.”

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Brothers and sisters, life is  woozy like on a  boat. It is difficult to achieve stability. The “ fierce storm in the reading” represents the different challenges of man. Like Disciples of Christ, fear and worries hostage their hearts and minds almost forgetting Jesus was with them. That was how  they were controlled  by their actuation.

When Jesus said “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” This reminded us that whatever the level of difficulties and  challenges that we might be in, Jesus can stop it anytime if he want to. The response of nature unto him was a sign of full authority, not only to us human but included forces and powers of nature. Nothing happen without the Divine intervention.

Finally brothers and sisters, trials, problems, and other hard of this life are natural. Likewise man’s reaction to these adversities is fears and worries. But remember Jesus has full authority over and above this earth that whatever he commanded, will be doned. What we need to have is faith to be able to connect ourselves to God so that His will be done unto us.

Views: 116

LIFE IS WINNING ONESELF OF NEGATIVITY

by Roger, posted in Positivity

A. CIRCUMSTANCES

Ara, a girl who has been shunned away by her parents and relatives lives in depression. Being compared to others constantly. She feels sick and she lacks interest in the things she is supposed to love. Due to her irrational thinking, she decides to try suicide to end her miserable life.

B. STORY  RESOLUTION

“Why won’t you be like Sia? She’s talented, brilliant, good at academics, an athlete and a musician. You should learn more. Not sulking around like that!” Ara’s mother scolded her. Ara lowered her head. She didn’t have the appetite to eat now. Not right after she was compared to her cousin again. 

“Thank you for the meal.” She blandly said and stood up, carrying her dishes with her. Ara put the dishes in the sink.

“Where are you going young lady? You haven’t finished your meal yet!” Her father angrily shouted at her. 

She acted as if she’s deaf and did not mind her father. All she could think is her life being so miserable to the point she wants to be dead. 

As Ara lied on her  bed, tears started streaming down her cheeks. Why do they need to compare her to her cousin? She let down the tears. She felt useless. She felt that she wasn’t enough. Her very existence isn’t enough. Maybe that’s why they shunned her away. 

Ara cried herself to sleep. When morning came, she readied herself for school. She left the house with low spirits and headed for school. On the way, she saw many other students talking with each other. She smiled bitterly. Her emotionless eyes stared at the students. 

Ara saw her cousin, Sia walking with her friends, smiling happily and teasing with the others. Right then and there, she decided. She would end her life. Maybe then, her parents would be proud of her. 

Class started and Ara wasn’t into the lesson. All she could think are ways of how to kill herself for once. She wanted a painless death, not like the pain she feels everyday. 

Once the class ended, Ara stood up immediately. Even though the teacher was still in the classroom, she ran out the classroom and went to the school building’s rooftop. She would jump. It’s the most effective way to her death. Since the building was five floors high. 

She climbed the railings. Wind swept her hair away from her face. She stood atop the railings and inhaled deeply. She wanted the pain to go away. 

“Look! Someone’s gonna jump from building A!”

“Oh my God! Somebody stop her!”

Shouts started to echo in her ears but she didn’t listen to them. 

One student reported the situation to the teachers. The teachers immediately went to the rooftop and consoled Ara to stop. She looked at the teachers with tear-stricken eyes. 

“The pain would stop if I die.” Ara said in a low voice but enough to let the teachers hear it.

“No, it wouldn’t go away! You’re just hurting yourself!” One of the teachers said.

“How would you know?” Ara asked.

The teacher was silent. 

Once Sia heard what the situation is, she immediately went to the rooftop. She saw Ara with her face full of tears.  

“Ara come down, please.” Sia pleaded.

“Why would I? It’s not like you would be affected if I die.” Ara said in an emotionless voice. 

“Why?” Sia asked, confused.

“Haha, you have everything! Every single thing that my parents want! I only want them to be proud of me being me! But who knows what happened after they saw your progress! They actually shunned me away! Always scolding me for not being enough! Do you know I feel useless everyday?! That my very existence is a joke?! Do you know how painful it is to live a life full of doubt?! To live in the shadow of another person?! No, you don’t because you are the star that everybody looks up to!” Ara’s emotionless face broke. Her face was distorted.

“Ara… I don’t have everything.” Sia sighed.

“Those things… I don’t own them. But please Ara. Stop this farce. You are you and I am me. Accept yourself. Don’t let others ruin your life. You are enough. I love your craftiness when. It comes to situations where I needed help. Remember when I almost got raped? You helped me then and beat up those hooligans. I’ve idolized you then. I never look down on you. I worked hard on being an honor student so that you could be proud of me. You know I don’t have parents. I only trust you, Ara. And I love you. As a sister.”

Ara stared wide eyed at Sia. The teachers took advantage of the situation and carefully guided Ara down. When they finally reached concrete ground, Ara fell on her knees while crying. Sia also cried.

The next day, both of them walked together hand in hand towards school. Although Ara was still in an awkward position, she still felt a little bit happy. Finally, someone to lean on when she’s sad.

C. LESSON TO LEARN

Remember to always be away from negative thoughts. You are you, do not be jealous of what you don’t have. Everybody has their own sad sides. Instead, live a life where you are contented of who and what you are. 

Views: 97

MATTHEW 16: 13-19 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 29, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

After that Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, “Who do people say  the Son of Man is? They said, “For some of them, you are John the Baptist; for others Elijah, or Jeremiah, or one of the Prophets.”  Jesus asked them, “But you, who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “ It is well for you, Simon, Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.  And now I say to you; you are Peter; and on this Rock I will build my church; and never will the powers of death overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heavens: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

The world is full of trials and tribulations that even faith in God does not spare believers from their hardship of this life. It even hinders active engagement to the Father because of divided attention brought about by worldly worries. However, as Jesus said to Peter that “ It is well for you, Simon, Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.”  Jesus reminded us that to know Him is not more of man’s effort but by the grace of the Father in heaven. If you have known God by this time, it is not to anybody’s credit but instead a divine blessing that you must be thankful of.

The blessing of wisdom is a divine gift. A gift that will strengthen believers special from the rest of the people for, faithful find an invincible joy, happiness, tranquility, calmness and peace in adversities as a product of their indestructible faith in him. This is the gift that Christians, apostles, martyrs and the cloud of witnesses have on their steadfast of faith. It is this kind of faith that allows Christian community to grow in numbers throughout the year amidst too much persecution.

In totality brothers and sisters, it is not right to say that believers are free from trials and hardship of the life. Faith must be tested with trials and tribulation before God bliss us the wisdom of knowing Him. It is God alone who can reveal himself in us in perfect timing.

Views: 107

UNDERSTANDING FEAR

by Roger, posted in Positivity
  1. CIRCUMSTANCES

Happy is always afraid of crowded places, or situations where she could be potentially embarrassed or panicked. Having been a shut in NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) her teenage days, she has developed agoraphobia. Due to that, she couldn’t bear to go outside her house but she had to as she has office work. All she does is play games and watch anime during her free time and is not socially active. Her grandmother is worried about Happy’s situation. 

  1. STORY RESOLUTION

Happy was buying groceries. She was in line for the counter when she noticed a brand new lip balm beside her cart. She looked at the lip balm for a minute and then decided to buy it for personal purposes. She happily put it in her cart.

The person in front of her was finally done, it was her turn. She took out all the things in her cart and the cashier started to scan all the items. The bill was 44.7 dollars. Happy took out her coin purse. She handed the money to the cashier. 

“Maam, you need five more dollars.” The cashier said gently. Blood rushed towards Happy’s face. She was embarrassed. She looked inside her coin purse but there was only a single cent in her coin purse. 

“uhm, take out the ketchup please.” The cashier smiled and took out the ketchup. 

“You still need three more dollars ma’am.” The cashier said again. Happy’s mind was in shambles. She was so embarrassed! She looked around and saw that the person next to her was looking at her intently. 

“Excuse me, miss, hurry up. We don’t have all the time in the world.” The next person said rudely. Happy felt like crying. Oh God, what should she do? She was in a panic that she staggered a bit. 

“Come on miss.” The other customers started complaining also. 

Happy closed her eyes to prevent the tears that are about to fall from her eyes. Then she had an idea. She looked at the monitor and saw what was the most expensive item in her cart. It was lip balm! 

“M-miss cashier, take off the lip balm please.” The cashier nodded and smiled. 

“That would be 25.7 dollars maam.” She quickly paid the bill and ran out. 

“Humph, buying groceries yet have no money.” she heard. Happy lowered her head in shame. This was why she hated society. 

When she arrived at her house, she immediately ran off to her room. Happy’s room was completely dark. Only the night lamp was on. Happy quickly turned on the TV and watched anime. She immediately calmed down. Her previously palpitating heart was now calm. As expected, only anime was her comfort.

The next day, Happy got up from being seated and stretched her limbs. She binge watched an anime series the whole night and didn’t get even a wink of sleep. 

She took a bath and put on her work clothes. She rushed towards her workplace. To be honest, she didn’t like her work. Encoding might seem to be an easy job at first, but there were too many files to be encoded for her. The stress of being pressured by her higher ups are piling up in her brain. 

“Why are you late?”

“Encode this. I want it this afternoon.”

“Make. a powerpoint for the presentation of your group. Tomorrow is the deadline.”

“Give the report to me at nine A.M.”

Blah blah blah…

Happy panicked. 

“Where’s the report I asked last week?”

“Did you submit the manuscript today?”

‘Please… Let me rest for a bit…’ she thought. The workmates who nagged her kept on nagging. It’s her phobia again. This damned phobia always gets the best of her. 

“Could you guys at least give her time? Or else I wouldn’t hesitate to report your negligence to the higher ups.” Chase, her office mate said to the others. Happy looked up at Chase. Her head blanked out for a minute.

“What could you report?” one of the office mates asked, snickering at Chase. 

Chase pointed at one woman who had a red lipstick, “seducing the department manager for more bonuses,” Then Chase pointed at one man, “negligence of work.” 

Both were startled. 

With a ‘humph’, both walked out. The others got a glare from Chase, then they also retreated. 

Happy lowered her head in shame. “Thank you.”

Chase smiled. “It’s okay to have fears, but don’t let them ruin your life.” Chase patted her shoulder and walked away.

She stared at Chase’s back for a while. His words sank in her heart. She clenched her fists. She must conquer this fear !

The following days, she worked diligently. Not missing a single file. Always on time for work. Confident towards her presentation. The buzzing feeling of her phobia gradually went off. Because as soon as she felt her fear rising up again, all she needed was to remember Chase’s words of encouragement.

  1. LESSON TO LEARN

All of us have fears. Some fears are not useful, but some are. By conquering your fear, you’ll achieve a more blissful life. As for Happy, conquering her greatest fear is the best goal to achieve. Not only did she have a good life, but she also had achieved a comfortable life wherein one can do whatever she/he wants.

Views: 118

WHEN THE WORLD TURNS BACK ON YOU

by Roger, posted in Positivity

A. CIRCUMSTANCES

Tom, a bully always picks on the weak. He never listens to his parents. His parents decided to transfer him to a school where he couldn’t go rampant. But will his aggressive nature calm down at a new school?

B. STORY RESOLUTION

Tom smirks as he enters his new school. New environment, new weak students, new bullies. He couldn’t wait for another victim.  As he strode towards his classroom, he spotted a girl wearing glasses looking down on her books. Tom smirks. He found his new victim to bully. 

As soon as class started, Tom looked at his surroundings. There were all kinds of students. A jock, the cheerleader, the nerd girl he saw earlier, the popular group of students, the silent group and the naughty ones. Tom was puzzled. Why didn’t anybody pick at the nerd girl? In his old school, everybody would pick the nerds until they cry. Then he decided. He would make a change at this school! He would bully the weak here and be the king at this school!

Some students approached Tom and made friends with him. Tom felt that they were his match so he didn’t bully them. He made new friends immediately. 

“Hey, why don’t you guys bully that girl?” Tom asked his new friends and pointed at the nerd girl. His new friends looked at one another. 

They were about to answer Tom’s question when the teacher arrived at the classroom. The teacher let Tom introduce himself and then let him sit down at the vacant chair. 

Although out of the class, Tom was eyeing the nerd girl. She was scribbling something in her notebook and occasionally smiling to herself. Being a thirteen year old bully, this behavior triggered the bullying ideas of Tom. 

The class ended, it was time for lunch. Tom went out with his new friends towards the cafeteria. They were laughing and enjoying their lunch when Tom saw the nerd girl entering the cafeteria on her own while hugging a notebook. Tom grinned. 

He looked at his newly found friends and said, “look at what I’m gonna do guys. It’ll be fun.”  His new friends were puzzled but nevertheless, stayed silent and watched his actions. 

The nerd girl sat on a corner. She didn’t order anything from the counter and just directly sat on the table. She once again scribbled something on her notebook. Nobody was paying attention to her. 

Tom sneakily went behind her back. Then suddenly, he grabbed the notebook from the girl and raised his hand so that the girl couldn’t get her notebook. 

The girl shouted in surprise. All the students in the cafeteria looked at the two. Tom smirked.

“Haha! I have your notebook. Whatcha gonna do?” He said teasingly.

“Give! Give!” The girl desperately reached out her hands to get her notebook but Tom was a head taller than her. 

Tom opened the notebook and saw unreadable texts in it. He laughed loudly. 

“What, you can’t write? How old are you? My God, are you stupid?” Tom said laughingly. Whispers started to circulate in the entire cafeteria. 

The nerd girl started to cry. 

“Awe, the stupid started to cry. What a crybaby.” Tom teased and took out his tongue. 

Tom’s friends stood up. “Stop it, Tom!”

Tom looked at his friends, “why? Isn’t it fun to see another cry? And look, she’s so stupid all she could do is cry and scribble.” And Tom smirked. 

The girl’s cry started to get louder and louder. 

“Stop bullying her!” Someone from the other groups said. 

With a ‘heh’, Tom said, “what are you gonna do if I don’t stop?” 

“How cold are you? A mere transferee started bullying a girl on his first day!” A senior student said.

The cries of the nerd girl was heard by the teachers, so the teachers immediately went in the cafeteria. They saw the scenario by themselves. And one of the teachers who came was Tom’s homeroom teacher. 

“What happened to Danielle?” A teacher asked. Another teacher calmed Danielle. 

A student immediately reported to the teacher about what happened. 

“Who’s Tom?” 

Tom raised his hand. He felt that he didn’t need to be felt threatened. So he wasn’t nervous. 

The teacher was serious. “Come with me to the office. Miss Garcia, please call Danielle’s parents.” 

Tom looked at his friends with a smirk but his newly found friends were frowning at him. They turned around and continued eating. Tom was surprised by their behavior. Didn’t they enjoy what happened? 

Once the teacher and Tom were in the office, Tom was immediately scolded by the teacher. But Tom had a poker face. 

 

“So what if I bullied her? It’s not like I can traumatize her. Psh.” 

The teacher was about to say something when a man and a woman entered the office. They were both wearing business clothes. They looked noble. 

“Mr and Mrs Lee please sit down.” the teacher calmly said.

“I thought this wouldn’t happen to my daughter again, Mr Stephan.” the man said. Tom’s heart was beating fast. This was the nerd girl’s parents? 

The teacher bowed slightly as if apologizing. “I am so sorry Mr. lee. It’s a new student that bullied Danielle. I am about to explain her situation to him right now.” 

“Go and explain. I will sue this boy for bullying my daughter. Just let his parents talk with my lawyer.” With a ‘whoosh’, Mrs Lee turned around and left. Only Mr. Lee was in the office.

“We will wait for his public apology.” then Mr. Lee also left, following his wife. 

The teacher looked at Tom. 

“Boy, you probably don’t know but Danielle has Autism and Dyslexia. Her parents carefully placed her here in this school as to protect her from being bullied. She can’t read. She also has a traumatic past about being bullied. And you just triggered her trauma.” the teacher sighed. Tom felt guilty. “Go and tell your parents about the public apology or else your family will be dragged down by you. Mr. and Mrs. Lee is one of the leading businessmen in the industry and probably they won’t let you off.” 

Tom went home trying to escape what he had done in the school. How should he explain this to his parents? He decided he wouldn’t say anything to his parents.

The next day, all Tom could see are the glares from his schoolmates. They haven’t forgotten what he had done yesterday. 

When class was going on, Tom’s parents called the school. Apparently, a warrant of arrest came in stating that Tom should be invited into the precinct. Tom’s parents were fired by their employers and they were sent to the streets. Now Tom really regretted what he had done. 

 

REALIZATION

Life oftentimes is unfair. It might not always be in our favor. Worst,  could drag anyone down into the helpless ground unnoticed. After all, life recompense like the saying that goes “What you give to the world is what you receive from the world.” 

 

Views: 89

WHEN SOMEONE NEARLY BROKE HER HEART

by Roger, posted in Positivity

A. CIRCUMSTANCES

Berated, laughed at, bullied and thrown away by the people around her. Bertha who had a huge birthmark on her face faced humiliation all her life. Her parents didn’t took notice of her everyday life. So, she lived like a clown. At school, she is always  alone because no one would make friends with her.

B. STORY  RESOLUTION

“Look, its Bertha the half. Haha.”

“I bet she still  with Andrew.”

“Like, eww. Does she still think Andrew likes her?”

“Of course not! Everyone knows Andrew just used her for school projects.”

Bertha lowered her head. Yes, she knew that Andrew, her boyfriend, is just using her. But what can she do? Only Andrew took notice of her even if it’s just using her. 

Bertha walked towards the school’s soccer field, where Andrew was practising soccer for a tournament in the upcoming month. She saw Andrew. She smiled lightly and was about to walk up to him when the cheerleader approached Andrew and planted a kiss on his lips. Bertha froze on the spot. Why? She thought. Why did she needed to be so ugly? Just why?! Tears started to stream down her face. She turned around, walking briskly towards the school gate. She wanted to go home. 

Wiping the snot and tears away from her face, she bumped into a person. Bertha fell on the ground but she did not looked up. Tears were still spilling from her eyes. 

“I am so sorry, miss! Are you okay? Are you hurt? Let me check.” The person was genuinely concerned about Bertha. But all she could hear is the disdain brewing inside her head. 

“Please… Just leave me alone…” Her voice was like an angel descended from heaven. And at that moment, the person felt like he needed to help this helpless girl. 

He offered his hand towards Bertha. She was surprised, and she unconsciously looked up. The person was smiling to her. 

“Come on now. Get up, it’s dirty on the floor. A person as pretty as you shouldn’t be crouching like that.” The person said. Bertha was dumbfounded. She? Pretty? Did she heard it correctly? 

“I’m sorry. You must be mistaken. Im ugly. I do not deserve to be praised.” She said in a low voice. 

The person was still smiling. “No matter how big your birthmark is, or how ugly you feel you are, remember, there is always a person who could appreciate your beauty. No matter the race, or how many freckles you have in your face, or how fat you are, somebody will appreciate you.”

As if in a daze, Bertha unconsciously teared up. But she held her tears up. Yes! She shouldn’t be insecure! She’s a beauty. A one of a kind at that. 

The very next day, Bertha didn’t hung her head low. Now, she walked full of confidence. Those who looked down on her, showed a surprised face but still berated her. But that person’s words filled Bertha’s heart. She would be insecure, yes that wouldn’t go away but by remembering that someone has finally acknowledged her, her confidence would shot up. 

And as for that boyfriend of hers, he didn’t deserve her. A man using a girl is as good as a trash.

REALIZATION OF THE STORY

As Bertha thought back at those miserable days where she was in her miserable state, she realized was not how it seemed. Her life must go on. She should enjoy her life, and think positively. Remove all the negative thoughts and do not think about how others think about you. 

Views: 81

MATTHEW 10: 37-42 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 28, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

 

Whoever loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me. And whoever loves son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me.  And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life. for my  sake, will find it.

Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me. The one who welcomes a prophet, as a prophet, will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just man, because he is a just man; will receive the reward of a just man. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is my disciple, O assures you, he will not go unrewarded.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

This Bible reading showed us that life could in two options. These options could be an earthly life or life in heaven.

Verses 37-39 (1st paragraph) warn us that choosing a life in the light of this world would not lead us any further beyond this life. It falls on the saying that goes “ones soul’s belong where one’s heart belong.” Meaning, life would be in great trouble if we fixed our eyes on this world alone for this world has nothing to offer but temporal life.

Verses 40-42 (2nd paragraph) encourage us to offer our everything to God for a reward will be kept in heaven for us beyond this life. Keeping sight off from oneself is like searching for life unto Jesus. Offering our whole self to him is sharing our lives to others in their struggles with Jesus.

Remember, brothers and sisters life is not better off from Jesus. Heap of rewards  are in heaven in exchange of  doing good  to the least of our fellow.

PRAYER

Lord, let me give of myself completely to you and to the people I love and serve.  Let me not count the cost for loving you and your people for by doing, is reward in itself.

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MATTHEW 8: 5-17 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JUNE 27, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

When Jesus entered into the Capernaum, an army captain approached him, ask his help, “Sir my servant lies sick at home. He is paralyzed and suffers terribly.”Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The captain answered, “I am not worthy to have you under my roof, just give an order and my boy will be healed. For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers. And if I say to one, ‘Go!’ he goes; and if I say to another, ‘Come!’  He comes; and if I say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was astonished; and said to those who were following him, “I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel. I say to you, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven; but the heirs of the kingdom  will be thrown out into extreme darkness; there, they will wail and grind their teeth.” Then Jesus said to the captain, “Go home now. As you believed, so let it be.” And at that moment, his servant was healed. Jesus went to Peter’s house and found Peter’s mother-in-law in bed with fever. He took her by the hand and the fever left her’ she got and began to wait on him. Toward evening, the brought to Jesus many people possessed by evil spirits; and with a word, he drove out the spirits. He also healed all who were sick, In this way, what was said by the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled: He bore our infirmities and took on himself our diseases.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

The encounter of the captain and Jesus was a wonderful encounter of faith culminated with a genuine trust unto him. When the centurion said “my servant lies sick at home paralyzed and suffer terribly” is the same us our lives most especially in this trying time. We need a captain who can facilitate a wonderful encounter of faith to fetch us out of this difficult situation. But wait, who do you think are these captain representative of us now?

Brothers and sisters upon birth, we can be either a servant (boy) or a captain. If by assessment failed to be a servant, then be a captain. Knowledge of our Christian duties and responsibilities is important to be able to align our actions to the will of the Father.

To be a servant is not easy for a servant is the subject of pain and sufferings however, there is no need to worry about because a captain will come to facilitate the greatest encounter of faith unto Jesus. The very least the servant would do is to offer the whole of his life to Jesus for healing. Being the captain, should continue to facilitate meaningful encounter by proclaiming the gospel of the Lord unto the sick majority.

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Learning Continuity Plan

by Roger, posted in Education Updates

Running an institution in this new normal situation is not easy. Learning communities serve as the change venues of life to effectively adjust to the new demand emerging from the current situation. Education is  change for the better. The new situation that we have now is not getting any better day after day instead stuck in fear locking down institution and homes for safety.  But for how long we could sustain if we will not do something out of this situation? No matter what, life must go on by just  playing an excellent scape of this difficult situation day after day.

 

As educator, we work for change. A change process that will augment the present status of life into something better. Yes! forcing a dramatic change is not possible at this time but a carefully planned transformational change would matter in a couple of months? or years perhaps? Depending on various adaptations so desired in this new survival set up.

Hence, the Department of Education in her efforts to serve the Filipinos, device the so called Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan to ensure uninterrupted services to our valued client in a safe and secure way  through careful planning   base on research findings and recommendations using the available resources and technology of our learners.  It is our hope and prayers that school stakeholders, internal and external, will  join hands  together  to support  the school Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) to be implemented this coming August 24, 2020.

Presented here is the Learning Continuity Plan  (LCP) of  Mulao National High School for School Year 2020-2021.

 

Hover on top of the LCP cover and click to view…

 LEARNING CONTINUITY PLAN

 

 

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