It’s been so long since the last time I looked at the stars at night. Time has passed, too fast that I didn’t even notice how much my face has changed. I have indeed grown old! Things are really different now, very different. Or is it?

I don’t know what really happened… as if I’ve gone to many different worlds, to another universe. Everything was uncertain. Everything is uncertain.

One thing is for sure though - that I’ve missed a lot…

that I’ve missed my life.

why?

Why do we have to laugh when we feel like crying?
Why do we have to smile when we feel like bursting into tears?
Why do we have to pretend to be strong when we feel like kneeling down?
Why do we have to mature so fast without experiencing how it is to be a little child?
Why do we have to search for the truth when in the end you’ll only regret what you’ll find out?
Why should one continue living when s/he desperately needs to die?

Why….

What is there to be afraid of? Nothing. What happen happens.
Life is a mystery, so don’t problem about tomorrow anymore.
Live every moment of your life at a time. Just let the days pass by.
You’re still breathing now but who knows you’ll be in your grave later.
Don’t be afraid of death; instead, be thankful of it because it’s a solace.
Yes, death is a solace!

Whoa…. Why am I posting these?…
It’s my world anyway…. So…
the following are just some of the comments, cards and letters given to me by some of my students under the course title, Philosophy of Man.

Thank you for everything poh! = )
I’ve really learned a lot from you
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Salamat poh sa lahat ng tinuro niyo! Dami ko po natutunan…
God Bless Po!
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Thank you so much for everything that you imparted to us. In some ways, you were able to change our lives through all your teachings and you have helped us to realize ourselves. Your part in our lives is definitely remarkable to all of us. In the short time that we have been together, you were able to help us to appreciate ourselves and try to know the meaning of our lives. Thank you for being patient to all of us and teaching us what you know. We’re grateful for the opportunity that you have been our teacher. Thank you so much for everything and we’re looking forward on seeing you again.
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Thank You!Salamat!
Agyaman kami!
It was appreciated!
Dacal Salamat!
Daghag Salamat!
“You will be remembered forever.”
Take Care!
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Thank you po ma’am for being with us. For the times we are in front of you, I enjoy every single moment we are sharing, laughing and discussing.
Thank for everything.
Best regards to you and God Bless You.
Sana makasama pa namin kayo.
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salamat po sa pagpa2xncia po samin at sori po if nahurt po nmn kau
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Ma’am, I just want to say Thank You! I’ve learned a lot from you, you’ve helped me widen my knowledge about life. Experiencing what real freedom is. What love is and all. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I really can’t enumerate all things I’ve learned from you…there’s a lot words can’t say.
I have learned a lot and experienced some of it. And now as we all continue, I hope in our prayers and hopes, we will continue this life with strength. Discover ourselves and share our knowledge and our experiences…
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Hi! Maam,
Thanks po for everything you taught us and I really learned a lot…
So, I just wanna say, Gud luck po and I wish you all the best…
Enjoy life… :-)
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Please don’t lose hope for humanity. Not to flatter you ma’am but honestly to me you are the best philosophy instructor. And I’m sure my classmates feel the same way as I do. I am very thankful that you became our instructor; I enjoyed each and every moment of our class. I’ve learned a lot from you, which helps me become a better person.
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Ma’am honestly you have such a very strong influenced in me. You changed the way I look at reality and life. Thank you very much!
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Thank you for the human in you…
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When I am able to touch other people’s heart and helped them go back to the core of their being, my hope for humanity is gradually reviving. I’ve showed them the other sides of reality, the multifarious colors of life, the joyous and melancholic sounds of music…and they were disturbed, awakened, cried, began to question, to search….

Yes, to search….

I graduated Bachelor of Philosophy just last year, April 2004, and it was my first time to teach, formally as an instructor in my Alma Mater – Saint Louis University, Baguio City, during the 1st semester of school year 2005-2006. I never dreamed of becoming a teacher (especially a philosophy “teacher”!)! But hell! Here I am, teaching!

Even when I was in the undergrad, of all the branches of philosophy, I hated Logic so much! I told my superiors they could give me any of the branches or major subjects in philosophy except Logic and yet, they have given me 18 units teaching load for Logic! And only 6 units for the Philosophy of Man! (Actually I had 12 units for each subjects during the prelims and then comes midterm, there was a reshuffling of philo instructors for some stupid reasons, taking my 2 ‘philo of man’ classes, replacing it with 2 other logic classes! Humph!) Many or most of my students in the Philosophy of Man adored me, idolized me, looked up to me, and even claimed, young as I am, I’m the best teacher they ever had! What a lovely melody to the ear, right? Yet when it comes to my classes in Logic, I felt crap, stupid, incompetent.

I got very high score in the Department Head and the Director’s Evaluation during the class observation because it just so happened that the director went to my Philosophy of Man classes. The director was impressed for my mastery of the subject matter, for my excellent teaching method, and praises, praises, praises. However, I am not sure of the Student’s Evaluation of me because misfortune of all misfortunes, the director went to my most hated class in logic, and curse of all curse, I walked out of that class just a meeting before the evaluation! (We meet every Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. I walked out on Saturday, and the Student’s Evaluation was on Tuesday, at random). Because the class were so noisy and were complaining a lot regarding their exam scores for not reading and not following the instructions, as clearly stated in their test papers, and because I was actually not feeling well on that Saturday but I still entered my class, I became so sensitive and felt disrespected and preferred to leave the class although it was too early for class dismissal. Damn! Make one mistake and you’re doomed!

Ah, whatever…. Just as not everyone will hate and curse you, not everyone will love and like you. As seen in the list of Student’s comments, it is divided,or shall I say, inconsistent. Some thinks I’m good, some thinks I’m worse. Some liked me; some are not. Anyway, the 1st semester is over and I’ve learned a lot from it. I promise to keep on improving my teaching method, and be the best “teacher” that I can be. ;- )

Student's Comments

A while ago the secretary of the director of the Institute of Philosophy and Religion handed me a copy of the comments of some of my students in Logic - the class wherein I once walked out. Here it is…

- She discusses the subject matter clearly to be understood, but sometimes not.
- Please don’t walk our again. (Yes, never again)
- Don’t let your students overcome yourself. Don’t walk out.

- She should be more patient to her students.
(Well yes. But sometimes enough is enough!)

- She should know how to smile and not to look as if she is always angry at everybody. She must talk properly and clearly so that we could understand the lesson.
(Honestly I’ve always been the serious type of person, heheh! And hey, I talk properly but I’m just not used talking loudly, I’ve always been soft-spoken person so those who are seated at the back can’t hear my voice clearly).

- Improve your teaching. (Yes I will)
- Friendly, approachable. (Thank You)

- She masters the subject, but she does not excel in teaching it. (
Yes, this is actually the primary reason why I don’t want to teach Logic! It stays in my head and I don’t now how to share/to communicate it!)

Sometimes she does not apply the principles in it, and she makes errors in the recent exams. She just returned the paper and went away. There is no consideration for any corrections.
(No one is perfect, heheh! And oh, I’ve already made lots of considerations just to increase your grades, and you were already used to it, and so you don’t use your mind anymore so that even simple instruction you cannot follow).

- Ms. Abordo is very patient to her students. She is also very approachable and has a good or she knows good relation to her students.
(Thank you very much!)

- She must improve her teachings…
- Improve her teaching and her approach to the students. Also improve her attitude. ( ;-) Ouch!)
- She’s happy most of the time, which is a good thing because not all teachers and instructors do. At times she gives second chances to students who failed the quiz to bring up their grade through seat works. (Thank You!)

- Ma’am you need more practice…since it’s your first year of teaching, we can’t blame you but please improve for the betterment of Louisians…anyway, thanks!
(You’re welcome, and thanks also)

- Good luck to your other years to come.
- Ma’am Abordo is nice. She’s a good teacher and I do like her. Keep up the good work.
(I’ll keep the good work; I’ll improve whatever is lacking. Thanks!)