The near-far future...


I had coffee with Ala the evening before Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1017 which declares the Philippines to be in a state of national emergency. And, no, I'm not going to talk about this proclamation in this blog because I will just end up feeling sad and upset. Hay, Pilipinas!

Instead, I'd like to talk about one of the things that Ala and I talked about. We were actually talking about her plans when she gets to Australia and her plans for the future. She asked me what my plans were and my automatic response was "go back to Mindanao."

She asked what I planned to do when I finally get to go back. "Teach," I replied.

She expressed her want/hope to actually devote some time in her life to teaching. She thought it'd be nice. I told her that, right now, I actually cannot and do not see myself going into a career other than teaching.

I know that teaching may not be the most well-paying job in the world, especially not in this country. Teachers here are so unappreciated and taken for granted. But, I believe that teaching is actually the most fulfilling job in the world. If you give it your best shot and you really do what you ought to do, teaching affords you contentment and fulfillment like no other job can. Teaching doesn't only mean you can share your knowledge to the young, but it also gives you a chance to really make a difference and make an impact in a person's life. Thus, with teaching comes great responsibility. Great teachers, I believe, don't just educate... they change lives. :)

---


Now, as I sit, typing this entry, in front of the computer, I can't help but think of what the future holds for me. I don't exactly know what my life would be like or what kind of life I will have. All I know is that I want to teach and I want to be of service to my people. This brings me back to this one time, more than three months ago, I was casually chatting with Bok's dad. He asked me the same question Ala did. I gave him the same reply, that I really want to teach. He asked if I had any plans of entering politics. I told him I had neither interest nor plan to go into that dirty world. I told him I wanted to serve my people, but not through politics. He told me something that made me really think.

"Pero hindi natin alam, baka kailangan ka doon para lalo kang makatulong at sa mas nakararami, 'di ba?" (But, we can never tell, you might actually be needed there (in politics) so that you'll be able to help more.)

I just smiled and pondered on that. And, I told him how much I hated politics and how I, as we were speaking, just cannot imagine myself running for office. I told him that there were so many ways one can help his/her people. I, for one, didn't think that running for a position or getting into politics is THE way. He told me that sometimes people change their minds and that he actually thought that I will change my mind when the time comes. Again, I just smiled and sipped my coffee. He sipped his coffee, too, and gave me a knowing smile, the kind of smile we get from our parents when they actually know they're right.

Hmmm. I don't know. The future actually scares the hell out of me. I am very much looking forward to it, but sometimes thinking of what it has in store for me makes me want to go mad because I am just so unsure of so many things. The only thing I am sure of is that I want to and I will try to change lives and make a difference... I will (try to) be a great teacher! I will be of service to my people. :)


Comments

Mec said…
Sis, may the universe conspire to bring to your door experiences that will really challenge you, and opportunities for you to really touch lives and help make a difference for your people...

I have nothing but admiration for good and loving teachers... it's one of the noblest of callings... and even if I don't know you personally, I just know you'd do well...

Yes, it's not exactly rewarding financially.... and it's like motherhood in that, it's so every momemnt... but the privilege of being someone's mentor for a time... that's priceless :)
Anonymous said…
hi! I felt the same way, really do not know what lies ahead of me. I'm an economics graduate and I want to be a researcher/ economist so much just like how much you want to be a successful teacher.

Before March ends, I'll be back in Davao and I'll look for a research post there. A lot of people ask me why would I like to work there, they may not well agree with me, but you know, feeling ko ang true calling ko is to work there. ;-)

I like to share a passsage from the Bible.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV).

I'm seeing a bright future for both of us! Cheers! ;-)
Dilip Mutum said…
I believe that being a teacher is one of the most noblest professions.

Maybe you can go ahead further your studies and aplly for a position as a lecturer with a University.
S.T.P.Peralta said…
clap, clap, clap! gnahan kyo ko sa imo gi post =)
jewit said…
i agree with that knowing smile. you could actually become a teacher in many ways, and if politics calls your name, you could be a teacher of how to do politics the noble way.

i can already imagine crucial hopes to take root if someone like you will stand for mindanao in that dirty arena. *wink*wink*

ingna lang ko if mulansar ka kay ikompanya tikag taman-taman babypink!
BabyPink said…
oi! thanks for the vote of confidece, everyone.:)

adam, before i started my masters, i was actually teaching in the university already. and, that's where i plan to go back to. that's where home is.:)
Balbonics said…
You've got this gentleness and sincerity common in the best teachers I've had. Really can't imagine you doing anything else--you'd make a great teacher! (Basta may libreng merienda!)
BabyPink said…
oo, B! pero kapag tigku-kuwarenta katao ang estudyante, pwede namang tig-iisang kendi na lang ang nerienda, 'di ba?:)
Anonymous said…
baby pink,how are you? sachiko here. been in a hiatus for quite a long time and i miss you guys.

so,u've met ala already? i bet she's nice and vibrant..

mwah!
Anonymous said…
when i was about 9, i wanted to become the next woman president. now i have no intentions to ever enter politics because now, like what you said, i think it is one dirty occupation.

teachers are underappreciated in the philippines. it's sad because they're one of the main reasons we all have reached this stage in our lives. teaching abroad is much better, but doing so is just like turning your back on those who need our help most.

i'm sure you'll be a great teacher. and one day, one of your future students will be full of gratitude for all you've taught him/her.
BabyPink said…
sachiko, i've known ala for two years now. i met her for the first time back in 2004.:) anyway, i'm so glad you're back.:)

laureen, thanks for the vote of confidence.:)
bing said…
hi, baby pink! no doubt that you will do good as a teacher. though the country's political system needs an abrupt change and good people, i am afraid that it wouldnt do you any good to join. corruption has taken its toll and clean servants will be held captive inside the structure, unable to do anything.
BabyPink said…
true, true, miss bing. and, those who are good end up joining the "bad guys." :(
BabyPink said…
yeah, lots of people actually seem to be convinced that i will eventually join politics. i really don't know why! hanuver?! hehehe:)

yes, let's pray for our dreams.:)
Anonymous said…
The Bangsa needs you, babypink, being a teacher or otherwise. The Bangsa needs people like you.
BabyPink said…
salamat, kuya sam.:)

mabuhay ang bangsamoro!!!:)
Anonymous said…
teaching is really a noble profession. they shaped the children. great leaders and famous people look back and remember their teachers.

pangarap ko rin dati iyan, ang magturo. i wanted to make a difference in the world kasi and i know, teaching will make that happen. :D

-noringai
Dr. Emer said…
Congratulations on your decision, Baby Pink. We need more people like you who are willing to share themselves to others. No greater love, as they say. That's also whatI'm doing now and what I will continue doing in the future. :)
BabyPink said…
noringai, tama ka sister! sana maging isa akong "great teacher.":)

doc emer, thank you so much for that. comments like yours keep me going.:)
iceuck said…
i only worry about your patience...
hehe i'm not kidding nor trying to insult you. pano pag kagaya ni SWMNBN ang student mo? :D minsan kasi medyo mabilis umikli pisi mo eh...

actually ninais ko rin maging guro. alam ko kasing malaking bagay ang pagiging guro sa development ng mga bata. pangarap ko nga eh to change the world diba..ang pagiging guro ang naisip kong paraan. kaya nga lang hindi praktikal..eh I'm a material girl living in a material world..kaya napagtuunan ko na lang ang media. pag nagka posisyon na'ko sa isa pang napakaruming industriya na 'to eh hopefully (sana I'm not jaded by then, still disgustingly idealistic) MAY magagawa na ako. change the world through media. amen!

Let's go Diane Cat!! Let's save the world!!! Cat Cat!!
BabyPink said…
hindi naman mg maliliit na bata ang tuturuan ko, college students ang aking mga ward, 'di ba? believe it or not, sa apat na taon kong pagtuturo sa MSU, i've had students worse than swmnbn. iba kapag andoon ka na eh, humahaba ng kusa ang pisi mo. hello naman sa mga hapon na estudyante. hindi pa sila counted sa teaching experience ko, ha.:)

sana nga ay hindi magbago o mawala ang kagustuhan natin to try to do our part sa mundo. simple lang naman ang pangarap ko, basta maka-serve.:)
BabyPink said…
salaam!:)

my template was designed by a friend of mine.:)

thanks!:)

Popular posts from this blog

A Small Voice from Marawi

People don't know that...

Ramadhan Kareem...

Pamamaalam at Pasasalamat sa Apo...

Musicals, Musicals, Musicals and Me