Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the places and moments that take our breath away-Anonymous
Having the same philosophical belief with Jean Paul Sartre poses a problem. If you are receiving so much blessings in life, whom do you give thanks to?
It all started with the movie, The Bucket List (see my article written on Feb. 14, 2008, titled “TheBucket List”). Then I made my own list of things to do before I “kick the bucket.” And started on my quest to cross of the items written in the list. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Here are the items in my Bucket List or Things To Do Before I Die that I crossed out in 2008.
1. See the Colosseum and the ruins of Imperial Rome
In 1985, a TV series titled Anno Domini was aired in Channel 7 and I closely followed it, even though, I don’t fully understand its plot (hey, I was 10 yrs old). That series bolstered my love of history and since that day, have always wanted to visit the ruins of an empire whose achievements, arts, engineering feats and other influences can still be seen up until this day.
2. Enter St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican City.
Vatican City holds the distinction of being the smallest sovereign country in the world. But I think this Holy City should also be honored as the only country that is also a museum.
Though St. Peter’s Basilica no longer holds the honor of being the largest Christian church, its rich and glorious history will always be a part of its halls, corridors and nave.
3. Throw a coin and make a wish at the Fontana De Trevi.
The romantic in me made me include throwing a coin in a fountain immortalized by a song and a Hollywood movie.
4. Visit and tour the Louvre (corollary to this is to see the actual Mona Lisa and to do a tour of the Da Vinci Code).
What’s in a name? So wrote William Shakespeare. Perhaps the Francophone origin of my name has such an effect on me that I love almost everything French (have read a lot of books about its history, have studied its language, never missed the French Spring in Manila and even my favorite philosopher and painter are French). Since I was in Grade 2, I’ve been dreaming to visit Paris at least once in my lifetime. And a visit to the city of lights is incomplete without visiting three sites: The Louvre, The Arc de Triomphe and The Eiffel Tower
5. See an actual painting of Claude Monet, my favorite painter for the past 16 years.
Our time in France is extremely short, thus we can’t make a trip to Giverny to see Claude Monet’s home and garden. Good thing that the Louvre has several Claude Monet paintings on display and I was able to fulfill this item.
By the way, I made two paintings that were done in the post-impressionism style of Claude Monet. I just hope that the person who received those paintings as a gift have kept it.
6. Explore a foreign city that I’ve never been to before, without asking for any directions , without any guide and without getting lost.
Inside our family car, I am known as Pierre The Navigator for my (ahem) skills (?) in map reading (Beck is the one who drive). And we would travel to different provinces without asking for any directions, with just a map to help us find our way.
I made a challenge to myself to explore a foreign city, that I’ve never been to, with just a map as our guide and I will not ask for any directions, without getting lost. And I was able to pull this off. And what made this sweeter is the thought that I achieved this, in the city of my dreams: Paris.
Beck and RP standing on a bridge that connects Ile De la Cite to the rest of Paris. At the background is the famous Notre Dame Cathedral.
7. Enjoy a two-hour meal at a Paris street side cafe
8. Pay homage to the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte, my childhood hero.
“Whatever is the outcome of this contest, I will still buy French wine, specifically beaujolais. My life is incomplete without French wine. In victory, I deserve it. In defeat, I need it. “- Pierre Cantillero when asked by David Celdran what he will do with the Php500,000.00 cash prize in the Grand Finals of Battle of the Brains, Year 5.
That line I quoted during the Grand Finals of Battle of the Brains in 1997 was a paraphrase of Winston Churchill’s words in praise of champagne. But he also “borrowed” it from Napoleon Bonaparte, the historical figure that is most synonymous with France.
Here’s a bit of trivia: Napoleon Bonaparte is the historical figure that is portrayed the most number of times in movies. As of last count, he was featured in 194 movies; beating Jesus Christ with 152 movies and Abraham Lincoln with 137.
Me and RP in front of the sarcophagus of Napoleon Bonaparte
9. See the Eiffel Tower
The iconic symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to see this in person.
10. Climb the top of Arc de Triomphe and take pictures of the Paris city scape.
The Arc de Triomphe is the second largest triumphal arch in the world. Its so tall that it takes 284 steps to climb to the top of this arch, or the equivalent of a 16 storey building.
I’m not someone who shed tears easily. But tears are swelling in my eyes when I saw the city scape of Paris and the 12 major city avenues that surround the arch. It’s been my childhood dream to see this.
11. Make a TV appearance/guesting with all of the local TV networks.
Last March, I wrote about Channel 7 being the only major local network in which I have not “appeared/guested” in. Then two months later, I received an invitation by the Kapuso TV show, 100% Pinoy to be their guest as they will be making a documentary/feature on pinoys who joined and were successful in different kinds of competition.
12. Watch the complete The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in one sitting.
Being in front of the boob-tube for 10 hours is not an endeavor worthy to be part of anybody’s Bucket List (unless you’re a couch potato). But LOTR is such a marvelous movie that I have long planned to watch it in one sitting. And I was able to do this on the eve of Dec. 24, 2008.
Twelve Bucket List items in 12 months, its a good start. Telve items, down, 89 items to go. Hope to cross some more items in 2009.
Crossing off items in my Bucket List are not the only things that made 2008 a very good year. The following are some of the notable events that happened this year
1. RP, for the third year in a row, is the first honor in her school and received 7 of the 15 special awards. It must be the genes, he he he.
2. Spending my birthday with the Philippine muay thai team in Bangkok and with the three biggest names in muay thai; Kaew Fairtex, Naruepol Fairtex and Yodsanklai Fairtex.
3. Renewing my friendship with Oliver Tungol. The problem with me is that although it will take so much and the reason will have to be too severe for me to be angry with somebody, I keep grudges that would last for years.
I foolishly harbored a deep resentment over a friend, who has no idea that such ill feeling exist. Good thing that Oliver and I were able to patch things up and remain good friends.
Oliver Tungol is one of the best quizzers of my generation and he is also a visionary for organizing a club of quiz enthusiasts that produced several quiz champions, among them, Richard Pante, Percival Biadora, Emmanuel Simbulan and Lingwi Valguna.
I maybe criticized for putting too much credit to my quiz group, but I think I am entitled to this opinion. Before Oliver Tungol and his PUP Quizzer’s Circle, there’s no PUP in the quiz map. Let it be put on record.
4. Of course, Beck winning the 2009 Mrs. Philippines-Asia Title. This for me is the biggest achievement of my family for this year. Need I say more?
January 17, 2009 at 3:24 am |
You had a blessed Year Ender with your wife finally fulfilling her dreams. It must have been an emotional moment for her to win a title. Save the best for last.
Thanks for the pics! Hope to visit France with my wife someday. Hehehehe!
I remember back in 2001 when my best friend and I were planning to join the French Foreign Legion.
Do you ever plan to go to visit the UK via the tunnel?
Did you try to follow or even go to the place mentioned in Dan Brown’s book “Angels and Demons” while you were there in Rome and in the Vatican?
I remember I used to watch those quizzes in RPN9 back in the “days” – Battle of the Brains I think. Did not get it to watch it much because of the blackout. When I first stumbled on your website, I noticed your other blog about quizzing and somehow managed to dig a little bit of my memory that I saw you compete in the Battle of the Brains.
Well, circumstances or not, world crisis or not, I hope I will be able to go train at the Ultra this year and meet you guys.
January 17, 2009 at 12:15 pm |
Thanks, Ray. Its Beck’s lifelong dream and she finally realized it last year.
Really?! I also planned on joining the French Foreign Legion, way way back. I once dreamed of becoming a soldier and I tried to enter PMA but when a buddy failed the entrance exam (I passed), I chickened out thinking that I don’t want to enter that institution alone. I’ve always wanted to march to the tune of La Boudin ever since I watched the movie March or Die (which happens to be the unofficial motto of the French Foreign Legion).
How old are you? I think the age limit to enter the said special force is 40. Remember, a High School friend of mine married a French Foreign Legion. I’m supposed to post the pics but at that time, I was busy. Then it became too late for me to post it.
I took about 900 photos (plus 500 photos from beck’s camera) of our trip to Paris and Rome. I’ll give you a CD of these photos if you like. I haven’t read “Angels and Demons” yet so I don’t know the places mentioned inthe novel. Though, we plan to go back there in 2011, because I want to run in the City of Rome Marathon wearing my Filipino flag design muay thai shorts (that is if we will be able to weather the current world financial crisis)
Well, quiz is a very big part of my life. And I hope to stage (and make it a regular event) an interschool quiz this year. There are two things that I wish the Filipino youth would do more of: that is engage in sports and read some more. Hope I can make a difference through muay thai and quiz bee.
The instructor’s training will have several batches this year. Don’t worry, we’ll have lots of opportunities. When we finally meet, I’m sure we will have a lot of stories to tell.
January 17, 2009 at 1:24 pm |
I’m 30, and yes we really tried to get visas to go to France around summertime there July to August of 2001 and the entrance physical tests were easy but around basic training it was tough! We met a Filipino from Pangasinan and he said that he went awol and took him a hard time escaping from France. He said that it was hard and tough. He went to Israel to find a career in their army there. I do not know if he was successful.
Honestly, since I was a kid I dreamt of being a soldier and going to PMA. But I’m the only child, and a miracle child also and my mother had dedicated me to the Lord. So I’m more interested in History and Military History. Hoped to finish a degree someday in Education majoring in History.
Hey, thanks! I would love to have a CD of your photos.
It’s funny that you mentioned reading and sports. As we are making reading a big part of our children home’s school. We had difficulty in implementing the ACE school system with our kids here since they come from the interior and reading is not popular to them. So we had to adjust and adapt. So we are implementing a reading program for the kids here for them. Personally I believe that a love for reading is essential as this is a foundation for a thirst for knowledge as they go through the stages of their academic lives and also their personal lives. I rather have the kids reading books here and into sports than them playing computer games like most of Pinoy kids these days. I find it horrendous when I was still in college years ago that the first year students and most of my young classmates would be reporting like they were in 1st year or 2nd year high school. I remember several of our professors shaking in disbelief of what most of the youth are nowadays. Internet gaming in-between their classes, that’s the image of the youth nowadays.
During Fridays, we have a quiz for the kids here. Either Science, Math, English and Spelling to encouraged their minds also and to push them through health competition and for the kids to realize and know their own selves by evaluating on their own the limit of their knowledge in a specific subject. Our kids came from backward areas so it may be a slow process for them but they’re improving.
Do you have any formats for quizzing?
That would be a “first thing” to do for a Pinoy to run in the Rome Marathon with your “Pinoy” shorts. You could put Yod’s name written on the right or left part of your lower shorts. Maybe Yod would like that. Hope the local networks would air that event when you do that.
January 19, 2009 at 11:20 am |
As we continue our correspondence, I would discover that there are a lot of things we have in common aside from muay thai. History, specifically, military history is one of my favorite subjects. In fact, because of this, my favorite Computer Strategy games are Medieval and Imperial Glory.
At least you made it through the physical test, while I didn’t even made an attempt.
Please give me your mailing address and I’ll send the CDs to you.
I share the same concern and I’m afraid that my own daughter is falling victim to the trap of new “entertainment” technologies. Even in my work, I would encounter Nurses who passed the NCLEX but have little knowledge of the world around them. To share a funny anecdote. We are proposing to some nurses that we can deploy them to Jamaica. One nurse said that she doesn’t want to go there because most storms in the Pacific originate within the vicinity of the said country. I told her that Jamaica is in the Carribean, in the Atlantic. And she argued with me, to no end that Jamaica is in the Pacific!
There are several formats of doing a quiz. But its sort of difficult to explain through this. Please remind me to bring you to an Irish Pub that holds regular quiz bees that my friends are frequenting and I’ll show you how we can make a quiz interesting.
I was inspired to do the run wearing the Philippine flag when I saw several Europeans and Latin Americans doing the marathon with their respective countries’ flags designed on their running apparel. I tried to look for the Philippine flag and I couldn’t find any. Well, I think that’s not worthy of the attention of the local networks. It’s just that I want the Pinoys in Rome to be proud of their roots.
January 20, 2009 at 1:45 am |
My mistake! I’m sorry I poorly worded my earlier paragraph about trying to get in the French Foreign Legion. I meant to say that the requirements for entering the Legion was easy (for me at that time) and not the training itself.
The physical entrance was like 20 push-ups, 40 sit-ups, climb a 20 foot rope without using your feet, 4 to 8 chin-ups, and it was required that you did the luc leger or run on a track while carrying a ruck sack 10 to 13 kilos if I’m not mistaken. We tried it here in the Philppines when our physical conditioning was high and so we expected the physical entrance to be easy. But unfortunately, we never made it to France. My best friend (unknowingly to me) got so starstruck with the Navy’s SWAG, that he enlisted in the Marines – was unqualified, now he is in the Phil. Army.
I also had a personal issue back then with my purpose in life. If I was to pursue what I wanted or what the Lord wanted me to do here in the ministry and children’s home. It was a time of soul searching for me. So in the end, I chose the latter and I am glad I did.
Did you ever heard how Phil Army soldiers and even ROTC officers keep on telling that story that it was a Filipino who invented the M-16 Armalite named “Armando Leyte”? Oh man I got so fed up hearing that lie, that I punch an ROTC officer during my college days during a heated debate. I was more angry at such ignorance than the ROTC officer really believed that that story is true as told by the Army soldiers.
Wow! With the nurse you mentioned, is this generation that bad? Man! We used to speak good English and write very well in English. Nowadays, most of the youth are not interested in such academics.
When I was in college the previous years, most of my classmates could not even write an English report from scratch. It was all copy and paste. Some did pay me to write write their reports. Hehehe!
You like strategy games too!? Wow! Didn’t know that you are an armchair general too! I used to play RTS games back then. The first one was in the 1990s, Command and Conquer and X-Com. My father would really get angry at me for spending so much time immersed in those games. Until I realize that I was a PC game addict. To help myself reformed, I got involved with kickboxing. At this time, I honestly can say, that I am not a slave to it – UNLESS a strategy game, with my favorite period and a subject I am interested in, draws me to that world of military history up into the wee hours of the morning. But I usually allow myself to get immersed during summer vacation time of the holiday season. The past years I was into WW2 RTS, the TOTAL WAR series, Shogun, Medieval, Rome Total War, Medieval 2. I’m looking forward for their upcoming release of 17th century warfare. I’m also looking onto Tom Clancy’s RTS End War. But I am glad my wife is there to help me and smack my head to senses if I’m tempted to play during work hours and to keep from being more than a casual gamer.
We have some PCs for the kids here at the Home to learn and use. Sometimes, if their grades are good, we let them play during Saturdays and Sunday afternoons with a time limit. During summer or holiday vacations, those left behind at the home get to play but only an hour each.
Some history subjects that I was interested last year was about the rise of Genghis Khan ( I didn’t even know that the Mongols reached Java), the Japanese Samurai and their Samurai wars and also military history subjects that are related to Genghis Khan’s campaigns. I am also very much interested in the history about Zheng He – the famous Chinese explorer and his adventures. I thought about purchasing Gavin Menzies’ book last year but when I researched about his thesis, I found out that there were major historians who opposed him and that Menzie’s theories did not have much solid evidence. Though his theories were interesting. There was an article by an English professor also that I got interested in researching about last 2006. His theory was, that the Troy in the Iliad was in Britain and supported his findings with archaeological finds there, etc. http://www.trojan-war.co.uk/
It is an interesting theory though.
As for me, you could put me in a library or in a bookstore and I will be happy. I remember getting locked up in kindergarten in the school’s library in Lorma College. I did not know at that time that they were turning the school upside down looking for me but I was in heaven reading those ladybird science books.
I must say that I read books even when I am in the CR since my early high school years even until now. Hehehe! I told our high school kids about it here and they started doing it too!
Sometimes, I browse and drool of books I would want to purchase. I go to betterworld.com for books with the subjects I am interested in and just drool and put them on a wish list. At this time, I am into the Israeli-Arab Wars from 1948 to the 1970s. I want to research and learn about the IDF’s tactics.
Well I hope you get to run in that marathon. It would be a good news tidbit for TV networks. You know naman that as long as there is a Pinoy involved in something good, they usually report in on the news.
Here’s the mailing address.
Ray Duclayan
C/O Abraham Duclayan
Purok 4, Sevilla Center
City of San Fernando, La Union
2500
Advance thanks for the pictures!
January 20, 2009 at 11:21 am |
I think I can do all of those physical tasks, except for the rope climbing. I don’t know, I really have an issue about the climbing things (trees, etc).
Well, I’m sure you have made the right decision. The most important thing is to be at peace with all the choices you’ve made.
He he he. Yup, I heard that Pinoy urban legend several times. What happened to the ROTC officer? When I get into arguments regarding facts, and I know that the other person is wrong, I just let them be. And would have this parting shot taken from Thomas Gray’s poem, “Ignorance is bliss. So I’ll just leave you in your own state of happiness. ” He he he.
I don’t know if its really that bad. But I encountered a lot (as in a lot) of graduates during recruitment fairs who made me yell “They’re victims. They’re victims of the failure of education!”.
Like you I have all of the Total War Series: Medieval 1 and 2, Shogun, Rome. I even have their expansion pack (Rome: Barbarian Invasion and Medieval: Kingdoms). I also have American Conquest (The Complete Series: Fight Back and Divided Nation); Cossacks (The Complete Series: Back to War and Art of War); Battle for Middle Earth; Age of Mythology; Allies vs. Axis and Imperial Glory. I prefer turn based strategy games than RTS so I stick with Total War and Imperial Glory (and the other softwares are gathering dust). Yeah, I’m waiting for the release of Empire: Total War which they say will be this March. Man, are we war freaks?
Beck would sometimes calculate the amount of money and time I’m spending for these PC games. All of my games are the original copies, sometimes I would even buy the Gold Edition. I even purchased several books on Military History to find out the military strategy in every era. I don’t know, perhaps this is just a sublimation of my unrealized dream of becoming a general.
I have Gavin Menzie’s book 1421: The Year China Discovered America (got it for free, I’m a sucker for freebies) though I haven’t read it yet. So you’re more interested in ancient Eastern Warfare. I gravitate towards European warfare both Medieval and Napoleonic Era.
Good for you, you still have time to read. Work, business, family and muay thai and Medieval 2 often prevents me from reading. I have so many unread books in my house that if I will read 2 books in one month, it will take me 2 years to finish them all. Its not an exaggeration.
Israel’s exploits during the Arab-Israeli War really should be text book material for modern warfare. I’m personally amazed at Ariel Sharon’s gamble, during the Yom Kippur War, to disobey orders from the Southern Israeli Command and attack the supply lines of the Egyptian 3rd Army. His original order is to reinforce the front, but then he figured out that if he will do this, the Egyptian Army will also send its reinforcement and may result to a protracted battle. He decided to race to the Suez Canal and target the bridges that connects 2 Egyptian Armies. This lead to the isolation of the 3rd Egyptian Army that eventually led to its defeat. His exploit is so daring and successful that it re-wrote NATO’s military strategy in case of a war with the Soviet Union.
Did I tell you that my last hope of fulfilling my dreams of becoming an AFP officer is to finish an MNSA in the NDCP? Still dreaming to be called Lt. Col. He he he.
I hope so too Ray. I’m saving money for that Roman marathon.
I’ll ask Beck to burn some CDs so I can send them to you.
January 21, 2009 at 2:36 am |
Good for you, you have the originals. On the other hand, I can only purchase (unoriginal) copies. Hehehe! Actually, I’m waiting for Imperial Glory to be available here in our City.
Well, we are not war freaks. It’s just that we have the desire to feel the tension of battle commanding armies that would change the course of history. The feeling of fighting those battles would hinge upon a new direction of history with every battle won or lost. We are fortunate to be able to play these games and feel what is like to be in that certain general’s shoes, his mind, his strategy, his wit, his plan, his courage and the risks of “shall I do or not do this” with the challenges of the battlefield at hand. It’s a feeling also of fighting those battles with the technology during a particular historical period. How it was like to command Rome’s legions and other ancient armies, or to know what’s like to command armies and fight battles in the Medieval age or the Napoleonic Age.
Then it’s good to be able to play the battles with other options of “what ifs” and discover the outcome of the battle.
Well, through the years, I’ve read about ancient tactics during the bronze and iron age, then onto the medieval age. It’s just that Genghis Khan’s conquering army caught my fascination of the Mongol’s tactics during the medieval age. Their “Feign Retreat” tactics, logistics, and how they used it to defeat larger armies, their willingness to evolve and include the technologies of their conquered foes – their expertise of willing to adapt. The Mongols were really unique for their time.
This time, warfare is so much different with the technology around.
But my interests with the IDF, their tactics, in fighting a three-front war in a modern era was and still amazes me.
Maybe we could swap stories and ideas when we meet when we are not training. Hehehe! I hope to learn from you.
Well there’s no age limit in studying! I am sure you would be a brilliant Lt. Col. Hehehe!
January 24, 2009 at 12:52 pm |
There’s no difference between the original and the pirated copy. Its just that its sort of a thing for me to buy the originals because of the instruction manuals.
Imperial Glory has several faults which is why I still prefer Total War, which I think is closer to actual combat.
Yes, Genghis Khan’s military strategy and tactics were far advance compared to other military powers at their time. But I think he was able to do it because they have the advantage of having ample supply of horses compared to their European counterparts. And also, mongols are nomads, and their military strategy adapted to their lifestyle. Whereas Europeans prefer to settle and fortify cities, hence their lifestyle also adapted to their lifestyle, which made their military immobile compared to the mongols.
Hope to learn from you too!
Thanks, for the encouragement. Who knows, we could be classmates at NDCP.
January 24, 2009 at 4:34 pm |
Da,alam ko ‘yung “what’s in a name?”.Di ba sa Romeo and Juliet yon?Yung sinabi ni Juliet s may balcony scene?BTW,I love you!
January 30, 2009 at 5:02 am |
I was really hoping to finish a degree in history. Now CHED wants college degrees to be for 5 years!!!!! I hope CHED’s proposition gets successfully opposed.
February 2, 2009 at 1:38 am |
What a great year indeed for you and your family. I wish that this year and the coming ones will be even greater.
Thank you for mentioning the “renewal” of our friendship, as a notable event in your life in 08. You already heard my last word on this and if you ask me, I have no issue or objection on us being friends for the rest of our natural life.
Lastly, while I appreciate your recognition of my humble contributions to our organization, let it be said that PUPQC’s success and legacy is due to our collective and unrelenting vision, hard work and perseverance. The credit is due, not only to me, to all of us.
Cheers to an even more fabulous 2009!
February 2, 2009 at 1:08 pm |
Now you’re telling me. When I was in 3rd year H.S. I’m really hell bent on taking up A.B. History in college.
We’ll our government has a long history of, should I say, unfathomable laws. Their reason for proposing it is because of the declining quality of graduates that our HEIs produce. If this is their reason then how come several well known universities in Europe, particularly in the UK, are offering 3-year college degree. Our weakness is Primary and Secondary Education. I think we have one of the shortest basic education in the world. Compared to our ASEAN neighbors, they have 12 years basic education compared to 10 years in the Philippines.
February 2, 2009 at 1:23 pm |
Thanks, Oliver. At the start of the 2008, one of my goals is to renew friendships with at least 4 people whose friendships I missed so much. I never thought there will be a 5th. Thanks, for the friendship man.
Well, you started PUPQC, which opened a lot of opportunities for several PUP quizzers, which also established our school in the quiz map.
Beck and I might be in Cambodia and Vietnam in April. I’ll send you an e-mail if it pushes thru so we can pay you a visit. Take care, man.
Thanks for dropping by. Regards to your family.
February 3, 2009 at 8:03 am |
Yep. In the UK, the degree courses that are the longest are a Law Degree (5 years) and Medicine.
I agree that basic education should be strengthened AND IF POSSIBLE, the minor subjects in college could be taught in secondary education. So that when they go on to college, the students could concentrate on the major and needed subjects that pertains to the degree they are taking.
That’s why the UK has a literacy rate of 99%.
At this time we are really renovating our education system here in the Home. ACE education is not as effective with the kids here. Not that they are illiterate, but that it’s because of the backwardness and the lack of desire and love to learn where they came from. One of my programs here at the Home, is to get the kids to love reading and for them to discover their interests in various subjects and topics through reading books. Then I encouraged them to research the academic/literary subjects they are interested in online. The love of reading really helps push their interests and discover their own selves and their other undiscovered interests.
Alfredo, (my student in Muay, the one at my website) surprised me one day when he asked me about history and various historical subjects. I never, ever expected him to ask something like that. It was a satisfying surprise though, since it was an indication that through reading, my program was working.
Now if CHED pushes 5 years, (groan)I’d rather save for an online degree in history or apply for a correspondence degree.
February 4, 2009 at 10:56 am |
But come to think of it, our two government agencies, CHED and DepEd are in a bind. DepEd once proposed to have a Grade 7 and it was vehemently opposed by almost all sectors.
We once planned on transferring my daughter to The British School Manila and I was amazed when I researched on their curriculum. Its no wonder why UK education is often hailed as one of the best in the world. Unfortunately, there was a long line of waiting list (more than 200 the last time we inquired) of applicants, so I guess we have to look elsewhere.
If I may suggest (at least it worked for me), let your students watch historical movies such as Waterloo, War and Peace, Elizabeth, etc. and have a discussion after wards. Then for literature, there’s a lot of old movies that were based on Greek mythology. Just be careful in pointing out the historical and literary inaccuracies.
February 5, 2009 at 10:42 pm |
Nice suggestion. We have some film showings from time to time. Can’t find Waterloo and War and Peace, though. Elizabeth, would be “too much” for our current students. When I say backward, they were really backward. The parents think that we could just pass them on the next level. But the ACE tests show the results. Unlike their kids who were previously in public schools that the only remedy for them to pass to the next level, is to either fill up sacks of cow dung, collect flowers/orchids, anything the teacher would ask the kid to give, so that he/she could pass the final grading and go on to Grade 6. When these kids came to the Home and did an ACE diagnostic test, the test resulted in the Grade 6 students being actually Grade 1 to 3 in academic knowledge. It was a hard time and it still that we really had to establish a solid foundation and fill up the gaps and also to get them interested in the subjects they really do not enjoy. Reading is slowly getting them interested in other academic subjects. So we take it one step at a time. I will kiss the ground when our kids reach the time when they would be discussing and debating about subjects such as history, science, and, literature, in either Tagalog, English, Ilocano or Kankanaey.
One time I was happy when I was eavesdropping on several of our Grade 3 boys who were discussing and debating about dinosaurs while they were doing their gardening chores in Kankanaey. Hehehe!
February 6, 2009 at 10:51 am |
I saw some copies of Waterloo and War and Peace in Astrovision. Perhaps you can try the one in SM Baguio, the next time you visit that place.
Yup, Elizabeth maybe too heavy and also too “Hollywoodized”. I made an article about the historical inaccuracies in the movie way back Dec. 2007.
Please enlighten me about ACE? Its the first time I heard about it. Is it like the Piagetian system or a Montessori system?
Like what you said, one step at a time. Just make learning fun experience and very soon, they will have a discourse about the diverse topics in history and other sciences.
February 7, 2009 at 2:33 pm |
I’ll scout around Astrovision if I go to Baguio.
ACE, Accelerated Christian Education. Well it is education program for the individual student through the use of PACE Books. A student has an “office” of its own. I can’t explain it all here. For more info http://www.sotphil.net/
If a student is brilliant enough he can accelerate himself from Grade 1 even to Grade 3 within a year. The student is not held up in a class or a group. The student, according to his/her ability can upgrade him/herself. The passing grade though is strict from 85% to 95&.
There are other details but I hope the link I provided can give you the info you need to know.
But our kids, cannot cope with it at this time. So we really have to think of several programs that could help and accelerate their learning.
February 12, 2009 at 4:13 pm |
I see. I think the curriculum of my daughter’s school has the same principle, but they use the Alpha-Omega curriculum (with its Life Packs). But we will be transferring her to another school because I think her current school is too small (plus other concerns). We lined her up for entry to The British School Manila, and hopefully, she passes (despite the long queue line)
I know I still owe you the CDs (Beck is taking a long time to make the copies) but I’ll try to send you something for your kids. Plus the video of the Battle of the Best.
February 13, 2009 at 2:32 pm |
With your little girl’s brains, I wouldn’t be surprised if she would be a famous scientist someday or a famous game programmer/developer. She could chose to be what she wants to be because of both of you and Beck as responsible parents.
With the kids here, my heart goes out to them. It seems that the general notion of most Pinoy parents these days is just reproducing but no quality parenthood. They reproduce seven kids and wish that all seven or at least five would go abroad and make them rich.
Just take your time about the pics. Thanks in advance for the video of the Battle of the Best. You guys are busy. Beck, being Mrs. Philippines Asia beauty queen,comes with lots of responsibilities and it’s not just a sitting-pretty title. So I understand. Just take your time bro.
February 13, 2009 at 5:40 pm |
Thanks for the kind words, Ray. I do hope she will achieve much in the future.
That is the reason why I am very much contented with having just one kid. I want to focus on my energy and resources to ensure a bright future for my child. I am not sure if I will be able to attain this goal if I have more than one child.
I think, we also have the government to partly blame for it. They have policies that favors families with multiple children. Like for example the withholding taxes for salaries. Couples with 1 child pay higher taxes than couples who has more children. When I complained to our accountant regarding my tax rate, she jokingly advised me to have mo children! Compare that to China (I think even Japan, just not sure though) wherein couples with more than one child pays higher taxes than a one-child family.
In the US, the law mandates that one bedroom can be occupied by a maximum of 2 children. If you cramp more than that number into one bedroom, the social welfare department will get your children. We have a nurse who was deployed to Nevada and she has 7 children. She has no choice but to rent a house with 5 bedrooms. (It is also mandated by law that parents must have a separate bedroom).
Still, a promise is a promise. I will send these things to you as soon as Beck will resume to normal