I’m Grateful

Hello WordPress!

If you have read my previous posts, maybe you might wonder what happened to my mother now. If that’s the case, thank you very much for caring. Also, thank you to all who prayed for my mother.

Good news! She is now out of the hospital!

She is now recovering well from her hospitalization since the end of October.

I actually thought we are gonna lose her. Looking back, it felt like there was someone writing a script for us and the timing of the storyline was just right.

It was surreal.

I was about to go home that Sunday afternoon when the doctor called in the morning and asked us to visit her and explain in Filipino what had happened to her (since the doctors find it hard to speak in English). During that time, we brought an iPad for her to meet all my siblings at least online.

The mentality I had that time was that it might be our last moment of seeing her alive. I was ready of what was to come. Or maybe not.

But whatever happens, my heart was ready to face the future of my mom’s condition with courage.

Now I know that taking that leap of faith was worth it.

From this experience, I realized two important things: health and time.

During my five-day stay with my family, though I was worried with what is to happen to my mother, I still felt at peace with just me being there with my family.

Moments like laughing at a botched sinigang, walking in the park with my father, playing with my nephew, seeing my niece smile, riding a bicycle together with my brother, talking to my sister-in-law about a cleaning detergent, meeting a friend of my younger sister, meeting the family of a Japanese friend in a ramen restaurant, and the list just goes on. I know these are simple moments and it only make sense to me.

You just have to be there and experience it yourself.

These are the moments I am thankful I am present.

I never felt that kind of peace of mind and comfort for a long time. It was not a trip to a beach resort, rides in an amusement park, or eating in a fancy restaurant. To me, it was just those mundane moments that left a mark.

When I am in the presence of someone I care the most, those are the moments I cannot help but be grateful. It is the mundane moments that I treasure in my heart.

In spite of my mother’s health decline, I am still grateful. What is important is that she is still alive and recovering though I do not expect her to be like she was before she got hospitalized.

But still, I am grateful!

High School Life

Hello WordPress!

Once again this is Allen and I’m here to announce about my latest podcast episode about my high school life.

Again, the episode is spoken in Tagalog so just bear with my bad voice and accent. This podcasting has become my excuse from writing in long form. Like writing, speaking is also a skill that I can hone. But yeah, I know I must go back to writing again. Sorry for the short rambling.

It will premiere this 8 PM Japanese Standard Time and 7 PM Philippine Standard Time in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts.

In case you want to chat with me while we listen to the podcast, you may join me in the Live Chat on YouTube.

In case you are wondering, the title of my Podcast is Gardener of Suma.

Hope you all stay safe and God bless.

Truly, it is better to give than to receive

1. While checking the examination papers, I am surprised with the profoundness of one student. It seems that she is not fourteen years old; she is way ahead of her peers in terms of maturity.
2. Last Tuesday, accompanied by her sister, she was the only student who gave me a gift as her appreciation. I learned later that she also gave gifts to her other teachers as her Christmas presents. I got a tumbler from her.
3. This gesture, though it’s simple, warms the hearts of teachers. Truly, it is better to give than to receive. As a teacher, I realize that I am giving more than what I am supposed to offer to my students. It is more than the lessons and grades I give. What is it then? It is my presence.
4. I hope that more than anything else, my students will treasure my presence the most. I am priviledged to be able to share my life with them inside and outside the classroom. I am blessed to be able to witness their blossoming to adulthood.
5. Now, I am thinking of writing a draft of a goodbye letter to the NDC community: all personnel, parents, GIA scholars, and specially the students. Before the school year ends, I usually write a letter to the people who have touched me and made a difference my life.
6. I’m teary eyed right now. Yes, I am a such a sensitive man. Because the school year is almost finished, I have to leave people behind here in the school. Good byes are real and I am leaving next April.
7. I know I have my failings throughout this year. I admit that. Mea maxima culpa. And if ever I have offended people even if I did not mean it, I am sorry for that.
8. Today is my brother’s birthday today, it’s almost Christmas and 2017 is about to end. It’s a year of hellos and goodbyes.
9. I will attend a recollection on December 31 to thank God for all the blessings and ask pardon for my shortcomings.
10. Thanks for reading my streams of thought. Goodbye.