Bell Church: Baguio's Hidden Temples

The Bell Church in Baguio City is located near the border of La Trinidad. In fact, if you are coming from the city center, either by a car, cab or jeepney bound to La Trinidad, the Bell Church is right before the arch that says Welcome to La Trinidad.

There is no entrance fee to the Bell Church, but the compound is open from 7 AM to 5 PM only. Within its walls are several Taoist temples intricately adorned with bells and dragons. These pagoda structures line-up the slopes of a mountain side.

Here are few of the pictures I took from the Bell Church.

Proclamation No. 655: 2014 Philippine Holidays

Here is one proclamation that we all look forward to: Proclamation No. 655.
Under this proclamation, the regular and special non-working holidays for 2014 include:

Ayala Bridge

This picture of Ayala bridge was taken during the Million People March last August 26, 2013.
This bridge is a witness to countless political marches and rallies.

Here are some of the facts about Ayala bridge.

Musings on the Million People March at Luneta

Today is National Heroes Day, a national public holiday to commemorate the national heroes who fought valiantly for the country. Any remembrance of this sort is eclipsed this year by the Million People March which calls for the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or the pork barrel.

I joined the march to be counted as one of those who support the pork barrel abolition. Needless to say, I am among the millions of Filipino workers who feel betrayed, cheated and victimized by our corrupt and greedy public officials who allegedly pocketed millions of pesos through funding of bogus NGOs from their PDAFs.

Yapos ng Ulan (a repost)

I used poetry to express myself to those dearest to my heart when I was in high school. I gave about six different poems to six different classmates. I know they were not much to brag about, but coming from someone like me who feels like moving mountains each time I have to make an essay or a report, six different poems were an achievement. I'm quite sure too those poems were not Palanca materials, but they were poems nonetheless that were crafted from the depths of my innocent soul.

Last year when Habagat flooded the Metro, I posted Yapos ng Ulan, which I eventually took down this year when I decided to make this blog less personal, and more educational. Now, I am reposting the poem in the aftermath of TS Maring.

KISP Grade 4 class

All teachers want their students to understand their lessons, but not everyone can make their students learn to understand.

This is something we miss out when we want to be popular. We tend to compromise what is essential, and give importance to what is superficial. In my seven years of teaching, I have noticed that the more popular teachers are those who are easily persuaded, and those who give free time and easy tests. But the ones who are most treasured by their students are those who have touched their lives and instilled values and discipline in them. I would like to belong to the latter group.

I am used to being referred to as a very strict teacher; even scary to some. So it is quite a joy in my heart each time I receive a letter from a student for it could only mean one thing for me: the child sees and feels my heart beyond my strict disposition in class.

Imagine my disbelief when I received a compiled letter from Grade 4 (thanks too to teacher Kim Nan Young, their homeroom adviser). I was overflowing with positive feelings.

I am sharing the pictures of their letters. You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge.

KISP Grade 9 class

The last semester of KISP gave me the chance to be a sub-adviser of Grade 9. I found it as an opportunity to connect more with my Korean students, as that’s what homeroom periods are supposed to be, and it was a chance for my students to get to know me better as my brave students in the past would attest that I am a lot kinder most times than during Math class.  J 

However, the directive was clear: all sub-homeroom advisers are to monitor the students for the first ten minutes while the class is doing independent study. So, being a sub-homeroom adviser gave not much opportunity for us to interact. I came to class to enforce the directive while I made additional teaching materials for my grade school classes. A few times, I had asked help from students who did not seem to be in the mood for independent study. We, teachers catch these moments and take it as a chance to connect with the student.

And so I was quite surprised that during my last day with the Grade 9 class, they gave me letters and so much more. Thanks too to Ms. Han Haejin, the Grade 9 homeroom adviser.

I am sharing the letter they gave me:

Love Letter to the Filipinos

I came across this open letter on my facebook wall shared from I'm Proud to Be Pinoy page. The facebook post said SHARE and LIKE so I did as it deserves attention and appreciation.

It is a sentimental open letter from an American teacher to the Filipino people. 

The author is David H. Harwell, PhD, a former professor and assistant dean in the United States who now travels and works abroad designing language training programs. He is a published author and a son of a retired news editor.

Confessions (Kokuhaku)

Directed by         :        Tetsuya Nakashima

Awards               :        Jury Choice, 14^th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival

                                    TV Taro Award (Best Film), Elan D'or Award

                                    Best Picture, 53^rd Blue Ribbon Awards

                                    Best Supporting Actress, 53^rd Blue Ribbon Awards

                                    Picture of the Year, 34^th Japan Academy Prize

Director of the Year, 34^th Japan Academy Prize

Screenplay of the Year, 34^th Japan Academy Prize

Best in Film Editing, 34^th Japan Academy Prize

Best Asian Film, 30th Hong Kong Film Awards

Black Dragon Audience Award, 13^th Udine Far East Film

My Movies Audience Award, 13^th Udine Far East Film

Best Picture, 2nd Theater Staff Film Festival

Best Leading Actress, 2nd Theater Staff Film Festival

Confessions is the second of the three films I have watched on this year's Eiga Sai at Shangri-La Cinemaplex. This film is Japan's official entry to the 83^rd Academy Awards, and was shortlisted for Best Foreign Language Film.
Click on this link for the screening schedules of Eiga Sai.

[Spoiler Alert]

News Round-Up: WHAT THE F ARE THESE?

A lot have hit the news since my blog last week about the informal settlers along our waterways but I have not taken serious time to write my musings.
Here are three of the stories and articles that got me caught up thinking "What the F are these?"

Eiga Sai 2013 Screening Schedules (July)

In celebration of Philippines-Japan Friendship Month and the 40th year of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation, Eiga Sai 2013 showcases 17 mostly award-winning Japanese films produced between 2005 and 2012. This year's Japanese Film Festival takes place at the following venues:

• Shang Cineplex Cinema 2, EDSA Mandaluyong City from July 3 (Wednesday) to 14 (Sunday)
• FDCP Cinematheque, Davao City from July 19 (Friday) to July 28 (Sunday)
• Abreeza, Ayala - Davao City from July 20 to 21 and July 27 to 28
• Ayala Center Cinema, Cebu City from August 7 (Wednesday) to August 11 (Sunday)
• University of the Philippines Film Institute, Quezon City from August 19 (Monday) to August 25 (Sunday)

The Festival is hosted by Japan Foundation Manila in cooperation with the Japanese Embassy of Manila, Shangri-La Plaza and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

As in all other foreign film festivals, Eiga Sai is FREE. Tickets are distributed 30 minutes before the screening time, but lines queue up an hour before.

The screening schedules are:

Squatting. It's More Fun in the Philippines. Or Is it?

I still cannot get over the news days ago about the Php 18,000 subsidy the government is planning to give to each of the more than 19,000 squatter families along the San Juan River, Tullahan River, Manggahan floodway, Maricaban Creek, Pasig River and Esteros Tripa de Gallian, Sunog Apog and Maypajo for their relocation. I found it ridiculous that these illegal settlers, I mean informal settlers will be paid to relocate after occupying spaces that they are NOT supposed to inhabit.

Anti-Squatting Law and Its Subsequent Repeal

The Anti-Squatting Law was instituted by the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos. He penalized squatting and other similar acts under PD 772 in 1975. However in 1992, the passage of Lina Law, otherwise known as RA 7279 or Urban Development Housing Act of 1992 (UDHA) imposed a requirement of relocation before eviction. Furthermore in 1997, then President Fidel V. Ramos decriminalized squatting through RA 8368 or the Anti-Squatting Law Repeal Act. Even if the law claims it does not intend to compromise the property rights of legitimate landowners, clearly RA 8368 and the Lina Law gave our professional squatters the upper hand in settling into areas they do not own. 

Squatting. It's More Fun in the Philippines

Live by the historic Pasig River.

Cramp in ingeniously-made shanties.

Bask in the colorful waterways of the city.

Feel the heat and enjoy the beautiful chaos.

Be paid Php 18,000.

It’s more fun being 
a professional squatter.

The Resume of Dr. Jose P. Rizal

Today is the 152nd birth anniversary of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
If he were alive today, at 35 years old, his resume would look like this:

Mutual Funds: Know How Your Money Earns

If you are planning to invest in a mutual fund, it is a MUST that you understand how your money will earn.  Information pertaining to this can be looked up in the internet, but the investment jargon may complicate what should be a simple computation. Asking a licensed representative is the BEST OPTION since you can immediately throw in questions whose answers could shed light on your investment options.

This blog will simplify information on how a mutual fund investment earns. To understand it best, I came up with a scenario to see how an EQUITY MUTUAL FUND earns. Note that an equity mutual fund is just one type of a mutual fund. At the end of this blog, I will provide a simple explanation how this differs with the other types.

WARNING: This blog includes simple math calculations. Read at your own risk.

Mutual Funds Basics

About half of the population of America invests in mutual funds. In the Philippines, mutual funds are gaining popularity as it is in a sense an investment vehicle for beginners. But while many recognizes the value of having investments, many are still unaware of how to start investing in mutual funds and which fund to invest on.

Here are the basic information one should know about mutual funds.

Banned Names

In the Philippines, you can practically bestow your child whatever name you fancy for there is no law that regulates the names given to Filipinos. Fortunately, there are no known Filipino parents who have given names to their child as ridiculous as Demonyo (Devil), Tumbong (Anus) or Karahasan (Violence). Ridiculous as these names are, parents from Japan, Denmark and New Zealand have tried to bless their child with these not-so-common names. No wonder their governments, and some others, have a list of banned names, while Iceland has the Personal Names Register, a list of 1,712 male names and 1,853 female names where parents can choose Icelandic names from.

Read on to know which names got the “nays” and which name scored an “aye.”

Le Prenom (What's In a Name?) and the Philosophy of Names

[Spoiler alert.]

Le Prenom was this year’s opener for the 18th French Film Festival held at Greenbelt 3 in Makati. The film revolves around a dinner invitation by Elisabeth to her brother Vincent, who is expecting a baby boy. Everyone is in high spirits trying to guess the name of the baby until Vincent reveals the name is going to be Adolphe. Chaos ensues after the announcement. Bickering brings forth shocking revelations in their lives.

But what’s in Adolphe that had caused such a pandemonium?

A Guide to the 18th French Film Festival

I cannot remember when I started watching foreign films in festivals, but I know why I did: they were FREE. Some of the festivals I have seen were French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. These events are included in my anticipated events each year. And dear am I glad when I stumbled upon the schedule of the French Film Festival this year? Most definitely. 

The French Film Festival is on its 18th year and will be open to the public on June 7 to 9, 2013 at the Greenbelt 3 cinemas. 

The line-up of films includes:

Click on the film titles to view the trailer in Youtube.

The Hypocrisy Behind Jessica Soho Gang-Rape Joke

I read the news through the twitter updates. Like many Filipinos, I was infuriated, and utterly disgusted at how cheap a Pinoy entertainment could be and still be a big hit. This I felt before watching the viral video below in Youtube.

But not long after, I also found this in Youtube:

The video is an episode of Bubble Gang last July 16, 2010. The title was "Reyp-reypan."

So after all the ruckus, GMA is not without sin too.

Of Fishes and Me

I am excited as hell to get an aquarium tank in my room. Not that I never had one, but it has been a long time since my last tank. I used to have tropical freshwater tanks that had cichlids in it such as auratus, kennyi, convict and red empress. These Lake Malawi fishes were one of my favorites as they are very colorful, and easy to breed. The downside of owning cichlids is that they are very aggressive towards each other, and thus require a big tank.

My Pick: 10 Quotes from The Great Gatsby

The movie adaptation of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s novel of the same title is theatrical in depicting the tale regarding the American Dream. Set in the era of the Roaring Twenties, the story revolves around the title character, Jay Gatsby, a self-made American man seeking to live an affluent life he believed was his. The themes of idealism, decadence, excess and social upheaval put a greater drama on Gatsby’s shady past and marriage-marring rendezvous with Daisy Buchanan.

But what makes Jay Gatsby great?

Teacher's Day @ KISP

Teacher's Day is celebrated in the Philippines on the same day as the UN World Teacher's Day, October 5th. However, in South Korea and other countries such as Colombia and Mexico, Teacher's Day is celebrated every May 15th.

How it all began in South Korea

It was started by a group of Red Cross youth team who visited their former teachers who were sick or retired. Since 1963, it has become a day for Korean students to appreciate their teachers. Traditionally, teachers are given carnations and cards, and are presented with a program in school.

My Experience of Teacher's Day @ KISP

I was told that there used to be just a program for the teachers in the past years. However this year, classes were held for three periods before the program commenced.

7 Weekender Events: May 16 - 19, 2013

It has been awhile since I have gone around the metro, so after casting my vote, I thought of looking for events I could go to this weekend. And these are what I have found:

Fearless Forecast: 2013 Midterm Elections

from specials.sunstar.com.ph

My forecast for the winners of the 2013 Midterm Elections for Senators:

1. Loren Legarda
2. Francis Escudero
3. Alan Peter Cayetano
4. Grace Poe
5. Nancy Binay
6. Cynthia Villar
7. JV Ejercito
8. Bam Aquino
9. Koko Pimentel
10. Antonio Trillanes IV
11. Sonny Angara
12. Gringo Honasan

My Pick: 13 Movies from May to December 2013

The first trimester saw blockbuster movies in Philippine cinemas such as Gangster Squad, Zero Dark Thirty, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Warm Bodies, Beautiful Creatures, Jack the Giant Slayer, Oz: The Great and Powerful, The Croods, GI Joe: Retaliation, and Iron Man 3, which broke box-office record for the biggest weekend opener. Two movies which are supposed to be shown last December but was postponed due to the annual Metro Manila Film Fest became this year's openers: Les Miserables and Life of Pi.

With two more trimesters to go, 13 more blockbuster movies are coming up before 2013 ends. These are:

1. Star Trek Into Darkness

Release Date:     May 16

After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.

Grade 1 Mother's Day cards

Mother's Day is celebrated every second Sunday of May in most countries. Unfortunately this year in the Philippines, it is being eclipsed by the brouhaha on Midterm Elections which comes a day after Mother's Day. To make sure that my students will have something to give to their mothers on May 12, I adjusted my Grade 1 SRA activities to match the celebration.

7 Election Commandments

May 13, 2013 is the 31^st Philippine Senate Election.
Here are 7 Election Commandments you shall abide by on the day that is more festive than all of the Philippine festivals combined.

My Pick: 20 Life Hacks to Simplify Your World

Life Hacks are little ways to make our lives easier. These are practical tips to de-clutter and organize your space. From a list of 50 life hacks, my 20 personal favorites are as follows:

1.

2.

Summary of Senatorial Candidates' Stands on Philippine Issues

A good friend of mine shared the issues grid she found from her Facebook wall. It contains the names of all the senatorial candidates and their stands on hot national issues such as RH Bill, Sin Tax Law, Cybercrime Law and Divorce, to name a few. The original copy is no longer clear, so I retyped them in Excel, and made a jpeg copy below.

How to Locate Your Voting Precinct on May 13, 2013

The Comelec provides an online tool, The Precinct Finder, to locate your precinct or polling place on the Election Day.

There is also a link to Precinct FinderTips you can go to if you have trouble with name verification. This is common for those with prefix and suffix names such as Ma., Maria, Jr., Sr., II, III, etc. A screen grab is provided below for the Precinct Finder Tips.

In my case, I tried about 6 combinations of my suffix name JR to no avail. Good thing I already have my Voter's ID which shows where I should put my JR, and whether there should be a period or none. Also upon scrutiny, your Voter’s ID already bears your precinct no. Then again, it is still good to check the Comelec’s portal because it has a link to Google maps.

For Android users, you can also check the status of your registration and eligibility for elections using the ABS-CBN Interactive application Comelec Halalan 2013.

Vote wisely. Make a difference.

Have you made your list of 12 senators? Check out mine at My Pick: Senatorial Line-Up.

200 Most Commonly Misspelled Words

Check out the list below and take a quick quiz to see how you fare with your American English spelling.

My Pick: Senatorial Line-Up

The National Election is in two weeks and I have not made my choices of senators yet.

The internet does not return any search for a complete list of senatorial candidates except for Wikipedia, so I used it to make my partial list below.

Science Day at KISP

Yesterday, Science was celebrated at Korean International School with lots of fun-filled activities. Classes from the Elementary Department toured around classrooms that were turned into exhibit areas, food stalls, and team-building activity rooms.

Does professionalism end after school hours? Is being a professional 24/7?

This question was thrown at us in our class in Ed 223 Human Problems of School Administrators & Teachers. Here is how I answered back in 2009.

Quick Quiz: Introductory Algebra [Beta Version]

Test your First Year High School Math [Middle School 7 Math].

The quick quiz has 5 items that must be answered in 3 minutes.
Since this is in beta version, the test does not end even after the 3 minutes is up.

Also, questions are limited to those that do not require objects from the Equation Editor such as exponents, fractions, and other mathematical symbols.

The test is simple yet challenging enough.

Are you ready to face your Middle School 7 Math again?
If so, then go to Quick Quiz.

You may also find this test on http://www.mobilestudy.org/u/28989/.
This test is downloadable for mobile devices at http://www.mobilestudy.org/u/28989/m/.

Reader Contribution

WordPress is the most widely used platform for blogging. There are about 64 million WordPress sites in the world, but over 375 million people view more than 4.1 billion pages of wordpress.com each month last year.

For a comprehensive look at the statistics for WordPress, go to http://en.wordpress.com/stats/.

Safe to say that still a significant number of internet users do not own their own blogging site. For WordPress visitors vis-a-vis users alone, about 311 million of precious minds may not have been heard from in the year 2012. This underscores the importance of comments sections, chatboxes and Reader Contribution.

Since, I too value what you have in mind, I encourage you to send any of your published or unpublished article through the Contact Me page. You may also send any article that you would like to share with other readers. For students, you may send in journal entries about your school life, classroom experiences, or just about anything about life and learning. Photos of your projects and videos of your classroom presentations are highly appreciated.

Speak your mind and be heard... or read.

Celebrate learning.

For a comparative look at the Top 10 blogging sites, go to http://topsitesblog.com/blog-websites/#comment-24072.

2013 Specialized Math Review Summer Program

The 2013 Specialized Math Review Summer Program kicks off with a FREE Diagnostic Test for all incoming Senior High School students. The diagnostic test aims to assess the level of proficiency of the students in the 5 Content Areas of High School Mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics). In addition to these 5 Content Areas, Numerical Ability is diagnosed to gauge the procedural fluency and strategic competence of the students. Results of the diagnostic test are sent to the students a week after the test.

The program spans 6 Saturdays, with 4 hours per session. Students undergo a battery of mock tests to expose them to the pressure and style of college entrance exams. The program culminates with a simulation test parallel to the diagnostic test to determine the level of progress the student has made in the course of the review.

For more information, you may call or send a text message to 0915-2105988 or 0942-8BOYET8.
You may also go to Contact Me page.