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: