Horay! For another school year has
unfolded. Absolutely, my first year of teaching in St. Mary’s Academy was an
ecstatic one. How could it be not an ecstatic one when every month there is an
activity that we need to tirelessly achieve? I would say that there are “many”
times that I physically and emotionally wanted to give up simply because I am
tired. Looking back to that oath of promise, I then fathom that I should never
give up. Physically, maybe because I have to stay up late at night in the
faculty pounding the keyboard for every week’s learning plan and about two to
three hours of power point presentation making for the next day’s lesson. Then
there would be this many paper works that are so demanding and needed to be
passed on that day or the next day. The extreme would be the normal naughty and
talkative students in class on how you would bring together making more and
more sermon then the lesson that day
HAHAHA. With everything, the only way to get rid of the many things is a deep,
deep sighs and a sip of a cup of coffeeJ. That
sometimes suffices everything. On the other hand, emotionally I am tired
because reflecting upon each day, there is a point in time that I need to asked
myself: to where did I go wrong? (San ako
nagkulang?) . But then like a bridge over troubled water, I always find
more reasons that will make me each day smiling instead of frowning with a
raised eyebrowJ. The people around me inside the faculty room number 3, recently
dubbed to be the capital faculty of many things (laughs J) has significantly share
many of the best memories to treasure inside and outside the school.
My first year was even more colorful as I
have my very first advisory class. It’s hard to forget June 13, 2016 as I first
step on room AB-408 of Grade 9 Our Lady of Fort Pilar. I was greatly nervous
looking at the whole class that I have to step out and make a deep breath. I
find it difficult to look each of them waiting and staring at me. Cause of
nervousness? They are all still young and I find it very difficult to adjust
since I was handling college students back then. Since I was new, I don’t
really know the routine during the morning ceremony. Everything was a big
adjustment for me – the students, the environment, the routine—all in all the
way of life in SMAP. As days goes on, I tend to learn little by little how
things works in the school. Apparently, on the first week that we were all
together having all the get to know stuffs, orientation of the schools rules
and policies which they all heard for most of them for about seven to eight
years (but still most of them become deviant of the policies HAHAHA), and different activities, I all find them
charming, needs more motivation (because they do not want to dance with my
videos, they find it awkward L sad. HAHAHA)and QUIET! Then I have to say that my last description
was in total opposite as days goes on (laughs J).
With our room known to be as “The Curse Room” (sinumpang kwarto) because of the
many issues and problems that every student confronts who are using it, I may
say that we have at least put an end about 70% only of that curse. To share
some of the 30%, they just had twelve damage lockers, cracked mono blocks and
blue chairs, painted curtains (gossh) and the worst is the issue with the
remote controller of the projector. Looking back on all of these experiences, I
just learned many things for the incoming years and of course, I just gonna
smile on all of it. Still at the end, there would always be the good and the
bad memories I have to cherish with them forever.
I know that all the efforts and supports I
have exerted to them are worthwhile. It has been a remarkable first time
experience for me of becoming an adviser. With all the winnings and losing,
still life goes on for us to look for more and better opportunities creating
reasons to continue being as one. From the very start, I do not expect it to be
something awkward but the hash tag #FPGoals that I presented on the first day
of the class seems immortalize in most of the activities we have undertaken.
It’s innate to them, to always achieve for the best. Like any other
relationships, there are many times that I see and feel misunderstanding among
them and with me. I have to admit that there are many words from me that at the
end of everything, I have to eat all what I have said and done. Mea culpa—my
apology.
To tell more of my first time experience as
an adviser, below are the pictures and the story behind it that reflects how my
June 13, 2016 up to March 17, 2017 with them was something noteworthy, solid
and phenomenal.
This is AB-408 of Grade 9 Our Lady of Fort
Pilar for SY 2016-2017. It shows calmness, serenity and tranquility before June
13. I have to prepare everything as they come- the bulletin board, the lockers,
the chairs, the over-all set up of the class. There were 46 blue chairs here
intended for 44 students and two for the observers. Everything was unflustered
then before they came and hit the whole school year. It is very significant to
me because this is the first advisory classroom that I have which I uttered
many good and bad words which will be forever treasured. This will surely be
miss by me as it became part of my historical teaching experience.
And here goes our very first class picture
after the shadow play performance. Originally, I have 44 students from FP until
such time that one needs to be transferred to another section. I have to make a
decision of who is to be transferred. As time goes on (this is a confession
from me J), I realized that if I follow my decision then, it would be one of
the wrong decision I have made in the entire school year. I went to Ms. Lapid,
our grade level counselor, to ask questions and look on every student’s
evaluation by their advisers before. I then learned, that among them is a story
I never expected they are experiencing. Maybe it’s God’s choice that one must
be with me in order to make my school year more challenging. Then in the middle
of June, Marilyn joined the class as their newest classmate. I remember my
lines then after the morning ceremony: “Sino ka? Dito ka ba?” Everything
was then part of the history with my 20 boys and 24 girls.
 |
| FP @ Nayong Pilipino |
 |
| FP @ Zoocobia |
 |
| FP Girsl <3 |
 |
| Behind us are performers @ Nayong Pilipino |
 |
| More and more swing. |
 |
| FP on a wider perspective. |
 |
| Strike the pose which way you want it :) |
Field trip! It’s our very first outdoor activity
as a class. We went to Pampanga specifically to Zoocobia and Nayong Pilipino. I
saw how carefree everyone was enjoying the trip. I was still in the adjustment
stage. I must admit that I do not want to get attach so much with everybody
from that trip. I was just observing them- taking photos, a lot of running in
the middle of the high temperature of the sun, and many more. They were really
having fun. I just let them do the way they want to do things then. It’s a
great experience also for me.
The Pistang Pinoy in line with the
celebration of
Buwan ng Wika and Historical Month paves the way for the
whole SMA-P community to have our first eating session together. That day was
so fulfilling yet tiring since there are a lot of preparations to be done. It
was my first time to notice the artistic side of my students in the preparation
of the classroom-from the blackboard and food preparation inside and outside
the room. It was really tiring (as in literal na nakakapagod) but, it was a
delightful boodle fight among us.
 |
| After the boodle fight. |
Our second outside the school class
activity was Youth Camp. It’s an overnight activity at Maria Antonia Paris
Retreat House in Quezon, City. Undoubtedly, the whole class share the same “unforgettable
experience” from this YC. Started with a very jolly and gleeful atmosphere with
all the different talks, activities and games plus a sumptuous lunch, snacks
and dinner prepared to us by the Sisters and ended up with a crying session at
the school chapel. This retreat has physically drained me as the class violated
“MANY” things inside the retreat house- the noise, the air conditioner, the
cabinet of the air conditioner, the worst is the broken door knob. They really
make history! Then at the middle of the night, there is this …ahhhmmm… secret.
It’s for us only J. While they are all busy crying, I was busy also making the video
presentation for them while I am on a state of too much angriness because of
the many violations. Something we have to be a shame of but at the end of
everything, get laugh about it. Overall, everybody has enjoy the youth camp and
I saw how immature everybody was enjoying their younger years. I might be tired
on that activity, but everything was worthy as the memories and experience with
them is very historical for me and I guess for them also. Grabe! HAHAHA.
 |
| Arrival at the Retreat House |
 |
| Getting ready for the lunch. |
 |
| Games. |
 |
| Iyak! |
 |
| The sunshine tells us to move on the pain of life and look for better opportunities ahead of us. |
Then there is this Socialization activity
of Grade 9. I saw the pain of many in giving their best for the practice and
performance. I saw the dedication of many just to win for the Cheer Dance
Competition. Apparently, it’s not for us this time. Good things await for us.
 |
| FORT PILAR in Japanese Character. |
 |
| Smile and strike a pose :) |
 |
| Grade 9 SY: 2016-2017. I'll surely miss everybody. |
Then there is this Intramurals 2016. This is very challenging for all of us. There are a lot of misunderstandings, heartaches, bad words but at the end of everything, we find time to celebrate as a class as we bagged 2nd Placer in Grade 9 level.
 |
| The FP's Sims Family |
 |
| Rainier and Ponchang as Greek gods and goddess. |
It's December time. In a span of about two weeks, everybody will be on their Christmas vacation. I know that many among my advisory class know when my birthday is. I have a class on them that day at 1:30-2:30. They are all tasks to do the group performance task. When I was in the room, everybody was busy working on the GPT. Apparently, IC and I share the same birthday. They were like greeting “Happy Birthday … IC!” Then for me, its dedma. All in a while during dismissal time when I am about to dismiss the class after my last period, they have this birthday surprise for me which I do appreciate so much. I was so touched with the video presentation and a chain of messages from them and significant people that I’ve worked in the school. Of course, the onesie which I and Ms. Dar badly wanted. I just realized that no matter how I say bad and becomes a nagger to them, they still appreciate me. With that, my thanks stretches into forever to everybody most especially to those who extend effort just to look for onesie. Hugs and Kisses J
 |
| Thank you FP :) |
 |
| The caption is <3 |
The love continues in our Christmas Party!
Yeheeeyy J. Everything was set the night before the party by some of
my girls. They were all busy preparing for the classroom decoration and set up.
Come next morning, I was shocked when the room seems like a party bar with the
strobe lights. All in all, it was a great Christmas Party with them.
 |
| FP in our Christmas Party |
 |
| Strike the pose whatever way you like it. |
 |
| They always do the way they like it, the boys. |
Its 2017 this time. At this point,
I was almost everyday mad at them, nag at them that comes to the point that I almost
wanted to give up on them. They have violated a lot of “basic” rules of the
school, disrespectful to most of their teachers and many more which makes me
hands up and hands off to their katigasan ng ulo. Given the benefit of
the doubt, I still appreciate how they have prepared again for me for the
community day. They may not directly tell to me but I sense conflict in the
class. Reading all their letters, one word stood up—sorry. I do appreciate all
the letters they have given to me. It would be better if they know how to
express it and at the same time act on it. As days goes on from that point in
time, I do have that bad feeling towards the class. Nonetheless, I still
perform wholeheartedly and with enthusiasm my duties to them as their adviser. I
always pray that things may come back the way it was then, the way it was good
as it started.
 |
| Fierce while Ponchang is very jolly. |
 |
| Mixed emotion with the name. I don't know if i'll be happy or not at it HAHAHA XD |
Its practice season again for the
academy days. Fort Pilar performs a musical dance number inspired by the
musical theater The Wicked. We were all busy making the costumes and the room
decoration for the academic exhibit. It was tiring but I find the joy in making
it since I have the helped of many in the preparation. Apparently, there is
still the bad mood within me during this period. Nothing changes since they are
all getting worst.
 |
| The beauty and the happiness are all depicted within them even without me. |
 |
| FP's Academic Exhbit |
 |
| FP's Academic Exhibit |
The end for the school year is
about to come. Nothing changes about my class status even though I can see that
Katreena and the rest of her friends do a lot of efforts to bring what was then
the class when they only know laughter without any form of misunderstanding. That’s
life. I was completely ready to let go of all the memories I have with them. Apparently,
the heaven is always good to bring what can be done to make things for the
better. Until our last week during the exam, I have set my mind to let go of
the hatred and detestation I have in my heart. It’s time to move on for me of
the things that will bring noting but ill feelings to me. I have to love my advisory
class and I will forever love them. I have to eat what I have said then. The
naughtiness, the disrespect, the wrong doings and violations, all that has
contributed to the bad memories I had makes me better for the next time. I know
that I never meet most of their expectations as their adviser since I know that
I cannot make everything perfect for them. At least, I have tried. I am sorry
for all the imperfections. Nonetheless, my heart is indeed in gratitude for a
whole year round of happiness, laughter, hilarity, enmity and dislike that
contributed to a memory to be treasured forever. It was a great first year of
teaching and first year of becoming an adviser with them.
Until our last day of school ...
 |
| Turn Over Ceremony of Grade 9 and Grade 10 |
 |
| Point to wherever you want ... the FP's way. |
 |
| Forever Blue and White. |
 |
| Year End Party. |
 |
| Year End Party. |
The memories stretches into forever ... my first ... my Grade 9 Our Lady of Fort Pilar.
 |
| memories... |
To God be the Glory!
I love mimay!
TumugonBurahin