Spin101: Life at Random

On October 5th, the entire world will be celebrating the World Teachers’ Day to honor our mentors who, in so many ways, have helped in honing us into becoming good and productive citizens. Being a teacher myself, I know how it feels like to be honored and appreciated. All my weariness after a semester’s painstaking hard work always seem to vanish away whenever I read my students' evaluation of my teaching. So, in observation of this very significant day in the lives of the teachers, I would like to honor and pay tribute to all those who have become my mentors and have played very significant roles in my life, especially those whom I will mention here. My elementary days now seem like a hazy memory as those were more than a decade ago, but I will never forget my teachers who did a great job in teaching me the very critical lessons in life. Who will ever forget Ma’am Alvarez , the terrifying Grade 2 teacher who lives just in front of the school? She is the first teacher I ever had g...

I was once asked by my Philosophy teacher what I wanted to be -- a very simple question that entails a very simple answer. I stood up from my desk and said, looking straight into his eyes, “ I want to be rich and famous .” It took him a few seconds to respond and he gave me an inscrutable long look. On the background, I heard murmurs from my classmates; and when I looked around, I met some pairs of equally inscrutable eyes. I really didn’t know how that simple and totally honest answer can cause such a fuss. Perhaps, it’s because he wasn’t expecting that kind of answer after the previous ones’ answers were same old, boring, and, nothing else, but all answers that can only be borne out from Boringsville. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, my teacher seemed to have awakened and immediately realized he is in the middle of a class. “ Well, that’s for Ms. Nocete. Rich and famous (he was looking contemplative while saying this). Anyway… ” And he continued his discussion on ambition...

Who says one can never have a perfect life? Well... I DO! For now, at least. And I thank the Lord for all these great gifts. Even though I sometimes feel scared and undeserving, I just try to enjoy these moments while they last. Father God is watching me all along. Thank you God. Thank you for this perfect life.

The sky wasn’t in its best mood. The afternoon was slowly waning, giving way to a cold, damp evening. A few minutes of traversing through the wet road,and we finally arrived at the little house in the middle of the woods; where we were greeted with sweet smiles and warm hellos. Big, old Dash, the official guard of the house, was barking at us nonstop. He gave us his best warning look as we passed by him, as if telling us not to do something stupid or we’ll have to see. The sweet smell of bamboo matting greeted us as we entered the house. Its cool ambiance made us feel comfy and welcomed. Its lamps resemble those of the ones I often see in native restaurants and the well-arranged wooden chairs and benches looked really inviting. I was really impressed at how organized the house is despite its size. There are only very few things inside the house, showing the simple and never-showy lifestyle of the owners.Unlike most Filipino homes, no television set or clock can be seen in their living...

It was daybreak when we left. Faces lit up with excitement. Thoughts of walking on the white sands, of island hopping, of bathing on the cold waterfalls, of all the activities prepared… these must have been keeping everyone’s minds busy that time. All was set for the trip. Our short stopover for breakfast by the beach was so fun. Everyone was enjoying their meals. Everyone was having fun,but they were oblivious of what was about to come up. The trip continued with everyone full after the hearty breakfast. Some were asleep, some talking, some were watching the view from the windows of the bus. I was asleep like some. It was ideal for dozing off because the wind became even cooler with the movement of the bus. Then suddenly… Shrill cries of horror woke me up from my deep sleep. I opened my eyes. Leaves.Dust.A crashing sound. “Oh, God! This really happened to us,” was the first thought that crossed my mind. I awoke just a few milliseconds before the bus hit the roadside. I felt the impac...

Today I went back there, To the very place where my eyes opened Where my ignorance faded along with every sunset Where my dreams started to bud from out of nowhere Where I learned… and continued to learn… Until learning becomes a foe And discouraged for those who are low. Today I went back there, To that place that ate up all the happiness in me It swallowed it whole that I no longer had time To know it existed, to know it was real. That place taught me a lot About the world as a whole About its inhabitants, about what’s real. Today I went back there To that place that made me realize the sad truth That when you are weak, your place is down there And you do not have any right to step up Because when you attempt to do so They will start kicking you off the ladder Until you fall down, until you fail, until you live in misery. Today, I saw everyone again Those who became part of my dreams Those who encouraged me to climb up despite all the kicking Those who discouraged me and treated me p...

This is to exercise that freedom of speech they are talking about. Allow me to apologize ahead to those people who will be affected, in any way, by this article. I was totally stunned upon seeing the headline of our university newspaper today. I totally understand that it is big news, and that it deserves a space in the paper. However, it could have been placed elsewhere, like the fourth page perhaps. Putting it in front of the paper in bold, big letters explicitly shows bad manners among those who are responsible for the publication of the said paper. Writing that kind of news and making it the headline story is such an insane, unscrupulous act. It is like announcing to the whole world how bad your own father is and slapping him straight on the face. There is this so called freedom of the press, but there is also what they call manners. Without the support of the university president, the university publication would never exist. Without his approval, they will not be able to do anyt...

Things have been going well, I guess. The things that have happened to me may not be that much, but they are enough to make people say that I have gone a long way after a year of being a part of the "jungle". Things happened very fast. I even cannot imagine up to now why and how they took place. I did not even ask for any of these things; they just come. It even seems to me that a certain force is manipulating things to work in my favor. I really believe that I have done something good in life to deserve all the good things that are happening to me now. I admit I am not a religious person, but I have strong faith in God, and I believe that He is the one who gave me all of the things that I have now. I do not go to church regularly. I even barely go there. I have experienced being with nuns and priests, and I should say that I was not pleased with them. I know they are also human beings, but it should never be an excuse for them to do selfish things or talk ill about other peo...