Lights... Camera... Action.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has always been a challenge especially for me who's not an expert in this field. I only know the surface of the surface of internet, computers and such. Luckily, Mr. Richard Arellano, our ICT subject teacher, gave us a group task that is complicated, yes, but at least I can say that I can be more productive in making it.

Each group was tasked to make a film that involves all the primary elements of multimedia: text, audio, video, animation and graphics. We were also told to display the common social issues that exist today in our society.

In creating a film, it is important to consider the plot, setting, time, and, of course, the characters. The script and storyboard can also help organize the production, they help the characters and the cameraman do the right thing according to the director's taste and style. The actual filming isn't as easy as it seems. There were awkward moments, we had to take a scene several times before getting the most convincing outcome. The characters also often forget their lines and just run out of words that could have been alternatives. There were also instances when we just can't help ourselves from laughing, consuming our time. Lack of resources, unpredictable weather, and absence of characters are just some of the factors that made our shooting duration longer than expected. If the shooting was hard, so was the editing. Since I am not an expert in this matter, we just left it to our editors' powerful hands.

Our experience in creating our film was really not simple, but was a remarkable one. We had so much to learn and remember. How movies make it seem very simple and realistic is way beyond my knowledge and talent. What I do know is that in life, "Lights... Camera... Action" is also applicable. You need the lights—God and the people around you. Then, look for the best angle. Lastly, do the right thing to act upon every situation. That, for me, is a perfect foundation for your own story.

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Adiós!

"We are happy to have you in our home, the home of the talented and the gifted."

It was so overwhelming to hear those words from Mrs. Rosario A. Noneza, the principal of Nabunturan Central Elementary School SPED Center as they welcomed us to their institution. Two weeks ago we were sent off to our work immersion. It was the start of a new experience, new lessons, and new reports and work.

At first, it was like a just-for-compliance task for me. As long as we can do our tasks, finish our required papers and reports, then we're done. But when we experienced the reality of a teacher's work, I realized that there is so much more in going to school, facing the children and teaching the learners.

On the last day of our work immersion, I became so busy with all my papers. When I told my supervisor and when the kids found out that my work immersion is already done, they were surprised of my sudden completion. The students wanted me to stay longer and told me to visit them. They became so clingy, giving me hugs and goodbyes.

Eighty hours just went by so fast, but the lessons that we learned will remain in our hearts forever. Our experiences, may it be good or bad, with the children are remarkable and genuine. They may be unbearable sometimes but they are all special in their own way, if given the right time and discipline. It would not be too surprising to find their faces as they take their own path and venture for their own future, years from now.

18 Little Things

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."

Henry Brooks Adams (1838-1918) American historian, journalist and novelist.

In our work immersion in Nabunturan Central Elementary School SPED Center, we faced different children who possess different tastes, talents, abilities and skills that only the 21st century  kids have to offer. And because of this, we knew a lot of things and learned how to adjust in our workplace. Here are just 18 little things but they are big lessons and helpful guidance as to becoming a teacher.

1. Build relationship.

Being in your workplace requires congeniality. You cannot be good in your job if you are not good towards the people around you. As for me, it is like wearing 2 masks. One is maturity for dealing with the teachers, and the other is juvenility for the children.

2. Be beastly.

Even if you are playful and juvenile, you also need to be a beast, sometimes. Not literally, of course. You still need to tame them and take control of things.

3. Patience is a virtue. 

Kids consume patience! Make sure you have tons of them.

4. Become a model.

Kids tend to admire older people. Because of this, they love to copy everything we do, say and have. Whatever they are now, however improbable, could be the basis of whatever they will become.

5. Be an attention-seeker.

Think of some ways to get their attention, just like shouting "hi!", which they would respond to with "hello!" You can also clap your hands as loud as you can.

6. Use bribery.

Every kid loves prizes. It cwould be chocolates, candies or money. If you can't afford anything at the moment, you can still bribe them with... "No one goes home unless you all keep quiet!"

7. Be a good magician.

Sometimes, you also need to create some lies to divert their whines. This can also come in handy when a kid refuses to write or answer quizzes. Have some good talking and story-making skills to keep them going.

8. Be a better magician.

"A VERY good magician never uses the same trick twice." There are times that you have to think of new and better techniques to entertain and tame them, or else, it will bore them.

9. Alwaya smile. 

This isn't a very hard job for me, I can say. Kids really love greeting new people. It's like a message saying that they want to be friends with you. So you just have to respond with a nod, a hand wave, or the simplest smile you have.

10.Get ready for monkeys. 

Children really are clingy! They will hug you, hold and grab your arms, so watch out for them.

11. Be prepared for multiple proffessions.

One moment, you're a teacher, and then the next, you're a parent. Now, you're a janitor, and then you're a secretary. You can also become a referee and a nurse after the fight. There are so much to experience. No need for years of study, a day of teaching is more than enough.

12. Get a voice lesson.

Practice your voice as they are the foundation of teaching. You will use it all day. Discuss, instruct, discipline. It is much expected to have raspy throat after several hours of teaching.

13. Observe your surroundings.

Be observant not just to the students, but also to the teachers, as well. This can help when you're already on your own.

14. Grab some buddies.

Aside from intangible things such as love, patience, and hardwork, you also need pen, paper, pencil and chalk. Students love to play with these, so you gotta keep some extra.

15. Learn how to write their own way.

You don't want to be laughed at because of bad penmanship, right? Keep the letters aligned, make them big, and follow the blue-red-blue rule.

16. Have time-management.

All the students' performance should be recorded, plus, your own reports and requirements. Thus, you should think of them first before your own leisure time.

17. Always absorb positive energy from your environment.

If you get stressed, you will get old fast. When you feel like bursting, just take a deep breath and imagine a peaceful place. You can also play with the kids, if you want. If you can't go against the river, then go with it.

18. Every child is special.

Don't. Ever. Forget. This.

Good Day... "Ma'am"

January 17, 2018, Wednesday, the first day of our work immersion, definitely a new environment and new experience for us. On the first half of the day, an orientation was held to let us and the teachers know what to do for this work

immersion.

At first we were just relaxed, too relaxed that we managed to greet the Nabunturan Central Elementary School-SPED Center principal, Mrs. Rosario Noneza, and the Asst. School Principal of Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School, Mr. Sandy Yee, with all smiles. But when we were assigned to different areas and grade levels, that was when I felt the pressure and nervousness that was just hiding in me, without me knowing.

At noon, we were instructed to report to our supervisor or critic teacher. I was very nervous, given that I am assigned to Grade 1. Honestly, I was expecting to be assigned to a higher grade. Dealing with mother tongue (Sinugbuanong Bisaya) is a big challenge for me since we have'nt experienced that when we were still in Grades 1 and 2. When I was asked by my supervisor to introduce myself, I did not know what to say. My mind just had a blackout. Sure, the students are just kids but standing in front of them still made me stutter.

I believe that we are all gifted with luck because fortunately and thankfully, my supervisor is approachable and kind enough to teach me a lot on my first day. She showed me different school forms, e-card, dialy lesson log, and many more, that unlike the traditional way, are recorded through computers.

All in all, my first day still is a great, new experience for me. It was funny how the students stare at you, observing on how you do whatever it is you are doing. They are innocent, little kids adoring what you look like, what you do and how you act even if for you and for your standards, you are the worst of your kind.

One day down, 9 more to go. I just hope I can make it 'til the 10th day.

The Seeds

           One day, some scientists conducted a research on how to easily make a seed grow into a beautiful flower in a short period of time. The seeds went through a hard time. Many experiments were done to them. They tasted variety of chemicals in different dosages. They even went through death-like situations...

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           Last January 5, 2018, Friday, a send-off ceremony was held for all Grade 12 students of Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School. It was done to display and ensure the partnership among the parents, the students and the school before the 80-hour work immersion of the students begins.

         Part of the ceremony was the candle-lighting. The lit candles were to show our parents that with their support and our hardwork and perseverence, our future will shine brightly as those candles.

          It was a beautiful sight. I saw happiness on the students' faces and pride on the patents'. I even saw a parent with tomato-red eyes and nose, probably due to crying. She must be so proud to be that emotional. She's not my mother, but I somehow felt happy and overwhelmed to see her react like that.

          The send-off ceremony was a big step in our last year as seniors. It was like a confirmation that all of our hardwork is acceptable and well-appreciated by the school and that we are qualifier to do the work immersion which is a major requirement for graduation. It was like the universe was telling us that it would take only a few more twists and turns and we'd reach our destination, our goal.

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         As the K-12 Curriculum pioneers, we are the seeds. We are also called the "experimental class". Sometimes, we feel like we get a very small benefit out of the 2-year "experiment" that was done to us. But nevertheless, we were improved and crafted to be the best. Those variety of chemicals in different dosages were intended to make us bloom into something that we did not or still do not know at the moment. Those seeds are the firsts; the firsts to taste all the hardwork, the firsts of all the benefits, the firsts of all the good and bad things. And there is nothing that could ever compare to firsts.

                                                                   

Experiencing Simballay Festival 2017

             Simballay Festival is the annual festival of Nabunturan, Compostela Valley. It is usually celebrated on the month of December, showcasing the different bahay-kubos (huts) of the 28 barangays of the municipality. Simballay is a Mansaka word which means, “Togetherness, sharing and thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.” The 23rd Simballay Festival was held on December 11-14, 2017. On its first day, after our last period, we headed to the venue where the festival was held. And I was surprised to discover so many new things.

             Firstly, I noticed that I easily get overwhelmed. It was such my pleasure, and I was very happy that the festival started right on my birthday, my 18th. But of course, the Simballay staff didn't know about that and it was just a pure coincidence, but still...nevermind.

             Secondly, I exaggerate a lot. When we reached the destination, it was not as magical as it is at night time (which I've seen in Facebook, by the way), but it was still a feast for the eyes. The people were busy taking pictures, eating, talking, public displaying of affection, shouting, selling, and etc. The street was so full, I was afraid it would explode because of its content. Thankfully, it didn't.

             Thirdly, picturesque views cannot only be seen in other places but even just here in our province. The venue was just several meters long but it was already a sight worthy to be adorned not just by Comvaleños but by tourists from different places as well.

             Lastly, Nabunturan is a home of talented and kind people. The festival was not just about the bahay-kubos, but it was also about the different skills that the townfolks have. I was overwhelmed by the people ushering us into their bahay-kubos. There were coconuts, vegetables, rootcrops, rice and so much more that prove the bountiful supply of nature. I was also amazed by the man painting right inside one of the bahay-kubos. I am a fan of paintings and seeing a painter in action was just like...nevermind. Several meters from him was another display of paintings. We were informed that it was made of coffee instead of the usual paint.

There were also sculptures; The Last Supper caught my eyes first. At night, there were chorale contest, Garbo ng Nabunturan Singing Contest, and so many more. I wasn't able to witness them, though. My parents wouldn't permit me to.

            Honestly, it was my first time to visit Simballay Festival for I am not a resident of Nabunturan. I am used to our own festival, Diwanag, which the Montevista people also celebrate every December. But it was a different, fun experience that every person would want to have. Simballay Festival, just like any other festivals, is everything we see in posters and posts in social media, but it is so much more. You'll definitely feel like...nevermind.

A DAY FOR THEM

                  A special day for the special people in our lives, December 1, 2017, was the day for all the parents of the students of Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School (NNCHS). The school, as a learner-centered public institution, also valued the parents who constantly support the students, and conducting the Parent's Day was just a very simple thing to make them feel happy and special.

               The program was intended to make the parents know the different achievements of NNCHS in different fields. Showcasing the talents, skills and diligence of the students would ensure the parents that the institution does its best to serve and nurture the young minds of the students.

             The Parent's Day served as a break from all the chores, stress, and work that our parents go through every day. But, if we would just allow it, we can make everyday a Parent's Day in our most simple way. By going to school and taking our studies seriously, doing the household chores, being obedient and respectful, or even just by forgetting our favorite television series because they're watching theirs, we can already make them feel special.

             We may hate them sometimes for being too protective, but it's just their way of telling how much they love us, and unconsciously or consciously, we can do things that can tell them that we love them too. So thank Him for giving you parents, no matter how imperfect they may be.