The Other Face of Christmas!

For almost a thousand years, Christmas has been celebrated by christians in all parts of the world. The celebration and celebrants may differ in many ways but the day has the same meaning for all-it commemorates the birth of Christ, Christmas shows us a Jesus who is himself rich but became poor that he might enrich us with his poverty.

Today, facing our social reality especially the plight of our people including those who are working abroad, we are led to another view of Christmas. A discrimating Christmas. A Christmas which ignores the poverty of our people.

A true Christmas culture as I define it, should make others happy through the sharing of love and peace by challenging everybody to apply and live the message of the Child's birth in the manger-to be in solidarity with the poor and to challenge a corrupt social system based on power and domination. But in our harsh reality, Christmas is very different. A Christmas which is supposed to give face and strength to the poor (materially, financially and spiritually), is distorted by the culture of commercialism and materialism. Christmas is identified with money and the culture of the "haves". Evrybody is on the go, shopping for Christmas gifts, for decors and for table at Noche Buena and so on. Other sare busy preparing for vacations, outings and family reunions. Indeed, Christmas has become like a big birthday party minus the birthday celebrator!

Those who have less in life; those who are in the margins of society are the ones who are always left behind. Christmas for them has become a mere dream-a Christmas meant only for some.

Everybody hopes for a joyful Christmas and a good life too. Nobody likes to live in poverty. But, if we are going to look at the plight of our people, we will notice the gap between the rich and the poor has become more defined. For the rich, tghe big gap doesn't mean anything, but for the poor ot matters a lot. It is manifested by the fact that the poor see themselves as helpless victims of the social order because they who have nothing are even getting poorer while others who are in great abundance are even getting richer. It seems that society has a big bias against them.

But let us not forget that the very essence of Christmas. God became poor, for the society to recognize the struggle of our poor brothers and sisters. to give them a face and place in society.

As we celebrate Christmas, may we not just focus on the externals that accompany it, but also and more importantly on the true meaning of this season. Let us not forget our starving neighbors, the children begging in the streets, our tribal brothewrs and sisters knocking on our doors and many others. Giving them material gifts is good but offering them love and concern is better. Are you prepared to help them, not only by just giving them goods every Christmas but by living in solidarity with them everyday of your life?

Summer!

Summer?! How do people define this word? What do people do during this season?

Summer is usually the warmest season of the year. Most people go back to their provinces, go to other parts of the country or eevn in other countries for a vacation. A period of fruition, fulfillment or even happiness for most. Anoter fact is that most of the students are happy at this point of the year for they could already take a rest from all the tiring scool projects, assignments, practices,and discussions. Just like any other student I'm also happy during this season because I could get to take a rest from all the school stuffs and somefow feel accomplished for all the hardships I've done in school. Like this coming summer I'm already so excited because I am about to accomplish and end my almost ten months of hardworks in my second year high school stay in UP (University of the Philippines). Though this season is very hot or warm I still find it as a nice time of the year because I could get to see my other cousins , friends and relatives again. And have more time to spend with them. There are also times that I go to the beach with my friends or relatives for sun bathing (No, just kidding!). We really go to the beach to relax, have fun and to somehow ease our longing for the cold waters of the beach.( Because we often go to the beach in a year...) . Another reality is that many "palamig business" like ice creams, snow cone, halo-halo and other cold desserts are now very in demand in stores and supermarkets for this people consider this to somehow quench their thirst and to ease their warm feelings due to the warm temperature. At this time too my other hang out is in the spots complex in our barangay. You know why?! It is because I always watch the summer basketball league tournament. Aslo becasue some o my cousins are going to play on the said competition.
Actually this has already been my schedule every summer. I wake up the late and the earliest time is about 8 o'clock in the morning. Then, I help in cleaning the house. In the afternoon I went around the plaza or just play badminton with my friends. And evry night, we go to the sports complex to watch the basketball games. We usually go home at around 12 o'clock in the evening. But, as soon as we arrive home we don't usually sleep right away. We still make "chika-chika" on our favorite place in our street the place which we called "bukid-bukid" (It is because it is like a small hill !). And if the time we get hungry I and my friends so as my cousins go to the bakeshop to buy some bread. This is the best time o the year for me because i can enjoy a lot and have more time to be with my friends. How a bout you? How do you find summer? Do you also consider it as the best time of the year like me?

I am who I am.......

Each one of us is different in our own ways. We may be the same in many ways but there is really something in us that makes us different from the other. Even twins, they may have the same faces but they will always differ from one another. It maybe in the way they dress or in their attitude.
I also differ from you not only physically but
also on the inside attitude I have in me. People may think I am like this and like that. I do this and that. But whatever people may think all I could say is that this is me. We can't really resist people's first impression towards us, right?! Because they don't
know us that much yet. Actually as far I know myself, I am a girl filled with so many dreams. I dreamed of becoming a singing superstar someday because I have this passion in music particularly in singing. I sing but not really that good. And because of my love for music I am now currently a member of the "Glee Club" in our school. My inspiration of reaching this dream of mine someday is my favorite artist the "Pop Princess", Ms. Sarah Gronimo. I also love taking care of kids like my young cousins, my nephews and nieces. I'm also fond of teaching them basic nursery lessons that's why before I dreamed too of being a teacher someday and build my own nursery center for those kids especially for those who are less fortunate in life. AS a teenager I love to hang out with my friends. Just strolling around the mall looking at new dress, shoes, some sort of girl stuffs.I'm not really close with my boy calssmates and friends. I just don't feel like being close to them. I always think that they are not good friends 'till the day i've proven it wrong to myself .It was when I get the chance know them more and that's the time i've ralized that they can be also good friends and better than my other girl friends. I wear "short" short pants, spagetti straped blouses, razor backs and even mini skirts. I just find myself comfortable when I wear these kind of dresses but of course not in church. Every summer I always go with my cousins in the sports complex in our barangay in watching the yearly summer basketball league. I could often hear comments from my friends or classmates regarding my attitude that I am a strict and a hot-tempered person and most of them who say this are my boy classmates and friends. They also say that they are afraid at me especially when I start to become mad.(hahaha...)Yes! I admit I am strict and hot-tempered but as far as i'm concerned I only turn out into this kind of person when it comes to school works like projects and plays which I think is really effective for them to have some respect on me as not only a person but as a leader aw well. I also have this attitude wherein I pity old people especially this amereican people who are in the country and just walking around without no one with them as if they are alone in this world. As a friend too I always see to it that I can have time for my friends. A time for me to listen to their problems and everything they want to tell and to somehow give them my opinion or my advice. In our "barkada" at home I'm also the peace-maker of the group.(char!) I find ways for my friends who have problems and misunderstandings towards each other for them to talk and arrange things between them. As ar as I want I don't rseally wnat to have enemies. But we could never resist that there are people who doesn't for who and what we have been to showing to them so thay will hate us for who we are by back-stubbing us. But all I could say is that this is me. I've been being true to myself. What I have been showing to the people is myself. Just a simple girl who always wish and hopes to be accepted for who I am.

Years of Challenges!

Have you ever heard or read this message: "Blessed are those who are given so many challenges by God for He knows that you are strong enough to carry all the problems and most of all he believes that you can do it!" ? Its' such a nice and inspiring message, isn't it? But it's sad to know that only a few believes in this and that most contradict to this message especially those who have problems and thinks that God is not with them. But as I have understand this message I could say that God gives us challenges for us to go back to Him, recognize Him and realize that there is only that one person whom we could ran to always, anytime and anywhere at the saddest part of our lives aside from the people around us. Yes! all of us have veen given tests by God which could either change and loose our faith towards Him or keep and make us strong and even stronger so as in tightening our faith towards Him. Now I will share to you the challeges I and my family underwent called "our years of challenges".
Like all of you I and my family experiences test or challeges too, as if each year there is always that very big problem that will come to our family.
One was when I was still about a month old at that time when the house we rented got burned. And unfortunately we were not able to save any of the things we had at home such as appliances and clothes. But we are still happy because no one in the family was hurt and a lot o our relatives helped us recover rom the tragedy.The next challenge came when I got sick of dengue. At that time I don't have the strong body resistance to fight the disease because I as still young. So, i have to be hospitalized for a couple o days for urther observations. Bags of blood were transplanted to me and some of which came from my father.(so touching!)Thanks God again because I got cured. Another one came when we noticed something wrong on my brother's leg.It has a diferent shape compared to his other leg. At the same time he was also compalining of the pain he feels on it. We worried so much beacuse we thiought it is something complicated. But so far from our expectations, the doctor said thatit was just normal. Just a sign and a part of his growth and being so athletic.And just recently we are facing this challenge regarding my father's helath. We are not yet sure of his real sickness. He has been compalining about his stomachache and abnormal use of the comfort room everyday. We also noticed that he became thin now . Now, he has been undergoing several treatments. And we are again so blessed because we have our neighbors who are helping us in some of the expenses. From the two tests the doctor's were sad of the result and he was advised the to undergo another test. And it was so much of a blessing to know that it is not as complicated as we thought.
We were able to overcome and pass these challenges by praying to God for guidance and asking Him to give each one of us in the family more strength. And as I have noticed that instead of loosing hope we were more hopeful, we became stronger and we became closer to God. Our family's faith towards Him became even more stronger too. That's how God knocks our heart for us to know that He is just there though we can't see Him and that He doesn't give us problems which we can't solve.

A Day For Our Teachers..........

We have this yearly celebration of KYSD or the Know Your School Day in our school. during this week-long celebration we give tributes to our teachers and mentors who have become our second parents (mother/ father) and part our daily lives as well. Within these days we give thanks to them for all the hardworks, patience, love, care, knowledge and everything that have helped us to what we have become and known now aside from our real parents of course. During this days too we are given the opportunity to experience what our teachers do!
Actually, we have just celebrated our KYSD (Know Your School Day) last January. I wasn't able to teach any of the subjects we have in our year level unlike last year wherein I taught 2 subjects: Science 1-C and Health 1. But anyways I'll just share to you my last year's experience on this KYSD activity/ celebration in our school. A week before the activity I thought to myself on what subject/s did I excel which is suitable for me to teach. Then afterwhich I was given a form for me to sign up. I submitted the form to the adviser of the subject I want to teach for an interview. During my two interviews I could still remember that I was so nervous at that time. My heart was beating so fast. The teacher just asked me several questions like: "Why did you choose to apply this subject to teach?", What will you do in order for your students (classmates) to listen to you?", and many more. But the technique I used in order for them to find me confident was I didn't show to them that i was nervous at that time and instead answered them with full confidence on myself. And I was then so happy when I got accepted on both subjects I applied. But that doesn't end there yet. I had to research on the lessons or topics assigned to me by the teacher for me to teach. Afterwhich I read all what I have reseached and understand the lessons very well and I even prepared a short quiz for them to know if they listened and learned something from me. Until the day come when it is my turn to teach. I projected my voice loud enough for them to hear me properly. I was so glad because I saw them listen and behave properly all throughout the discussion. No wonder that they got good grades in the quiz I gave them. It was such a tiresome yet a memorable experience to me. Doing that kind of thing like teaching was indeed a great challenge for me. That's why I was somehow became proud of myself because I was able to pass that challenge successfully.
Now I know and realize how really hard it is to be a teacher. And that handlingg a large number of students is not an easy work. But it is really a great job and an honor especially when you will find that your students would really learn something from you.

A Beauty Queen!...

Hi to all of you! Good day!
Here I am again posting another blog. This blog of mine will tell you the diferent side of the " Rocel now" or it's simply the "Rocel before". Some people wouldn't think that I was once a "Beauty Queen" (Charing.!). Yeah that was for real! Before, I am used of joining diferent beauty pageants may it be in school, in barangays, a city, in different malls or even in televised contests. For some it's quite unbelievable, right?! But it's really the truth.
It all started when I was four years old when my mother let me join the "Little Miss San Roque" in our barangay. Funny it was being the youngest candidate on the competition. But it wasn't then a hindrance or me to shine among the twelve (12) candidates. At the pageant night I was crowned as the 1st Runne-up. I also received three other more special awards: "Miss Photogenic", "Best in Production No." and the "Darling o the Crowd". My mother enjoyed the experience being a "stage mother" and got kinda "addicted" to it. So then a few months later I joined the "Little Miss Pricess Asia" of ABS-CBN (channel 3). I won during the pre-eliminations and in the semi-finals which made me one of the grand finalists of the said competition. Unfortunately, I didn't win on the grand finals which was then held at the Ayala Activity Center. But, I still enjoyed the experience being with some of the famous artists and gained more friends as well. After that competition a few months after I joined the "Little Miss Philippines" of GMA 7. I also won during the pre-eliminations, semi-finals and now including the grand finals held in Gaisano Countrymall. i got the award "Best in Centennial Costume" which was automatically the 1st Runner-Up of the pageant. (during the pageant I got the chance to know Miss Aiza Seguerra) More cometitions came, like the "Metro Princess" in Gaisano South, Super Metro- Mandaue, Super Metro Colon and Super Metro Ayala. I won as the 2nd Runner-up in gaisano South and Super Metro (Mandaue), while in the other two malls I only reach until the grand finals. Another one was the "Prince and Princess of Sky Cable" held in SM Entertainment Plaza. I luckily won the 1st Runner-Up Princess title during the pageant. I also joined some contests in barangays wherein I got the opportunity to win the title, like "Miss Cashra Y2K" in Nivel Hills, Lahug, "Little Miss Kalinaw" in Sitio Kalinaw and this barangay wherein i unfortunately forgot the title of the contest and the place where the pageant was held. I once also represented our place in Argao for the "Little Miss Argao" inthe city fiesta of the whole Argao (obviously!) which is the hometown of my mother. it was quite a tight competition and though I didn't win any of the titles I was still happy awarded as "Miss Friendship" (ows...friendly?!) ad at the same time I gained many friends again and somehow made my relatives be proud of me. We also have this yearly competition o "Little Miss Agham" in our school during our Science and Technology Month. i was luckily chosen to represent the school when i won during school competition in the district level and luckily won during that contest and finally competed to represent the Mabolo District in the division level. I won the "Miss in Authentic Wear". Although I didn't get the chance to win any of the titles but I was still happy having won one of the special awards and somehow I have brought honor to my school. And there are still a lot of competitions I joined which I didn't mention anymore in my blog. (so tired of remembering already...hehe). Actually as o now I have 15 trophies and 27 sashes which is a mak and remembrance o all the competitions I have joined. It's really tiresome joining this kind of competition. Hard in trying my very best to please everyone especially the judges. The experience was fun, i gain a lot of friends and self-confidence and also being televised and talked and the center of all the "chikas" after my friends and relatives saw me on the television and also the honor i've given to my school, relatives and family as well.

What a UP student is Not..............

Evrytime I walk towards home I could pass by a lot of students from different schools and one of which is the school we usually call as our "sister school"(Florencio Urot Memorial National High School). Why "sister school"? It is because our uniform (skirt) looks likely of the same style and color as well. Most students from that school would ask me "From what school are you?". I answer them in a low voice "I'm from up!". Then they would say "Oh really! You must be so intelligent?!". A question which i really find it hard to answer. While others who know me already would say ,"Give way! because a UPian is going to pass". It really feels awkward when they treat me that way. But I admit, Yes! it feels so nice and flaterring everytime i hear them praise me. But, I don't want them to feel and think that I am higher than them. I once thought to myself."Why am i treated this way?".They think that UPians are always like this and like that. But one thing I could say is that we Upians have some characteristics which you might think we are but all i can say is that you're wrong. I will tell you some of the characteristics which we UPians are NOT.

First. A Upian is not a QUITTER! Yes! A true UPian does not quit easily. There are these instances that we are so pressured already by many school works like projects, tests/quizzes, assignments or these activities and presentations which we really find hard to give ample time to prepare. Then, he/she could say,"It's really hard to be a UPian!I (we) want to quit!".But that would only be until words.


Second. A UPian is not a NERD. People may say that aUPian is a nerd. I'll tell you a UPian may be called intelligent and chosen ones but I don't think so he/she studies that much (like everyday). Because as far as I know that aUPian studies only when there are examinations.(haha!) Yes a UPian studies a lot especially when there are examinations of course to get good grades but a Upian knows how to balance his/her life. That we give time to relax from all the stress and somehow enjoy our teenage life.


Third.A UPian is not only intelligent but is also talented. A UP student does not only excel academically but he/she also has the talent to be proud of. These students aren't only giftend with the minds but with talents as well.
Fourth. A UPian is not RICH. Most UP students really come from poor families and are lucky or shall i say fortunate enough to get the chance to study in this school which people call as "poor but deserving students". But, as far as some people are concerned that there are many students coming from rich families that have "invaded" this said to be a "democratized" school. And even some of this students have been given the chance to have scholarships than those who are really less fortunate in life.(Pathetic truth)


And most of all, a UP student is not that PERFECT. I, you, we, everyone commits mistakes.Right?! So as we UPians do commit mistakes too. A UP student does not know everything in short we are not perfect. There are subjects wherein we find it diifficult. But it doesn't mean that we donot deserve to stay in UP because out of the thousands of applicants who tried their very best to enter this school but we were really the ones chosen.So it means that we have our good in some ways and we are good in several fields but not everything.