Inferno of Rules

          After hours of travelling, all alone, I reached the gate of sins. There is no other way to go so I continued and passed through.

          I reached the Circle of Hair (first circle). There, I saw boys being punished by having their head shaved every time hair grows back. They were those who didn’t have proper haircut as said by the rules. Sir Tom was there, commanding each and every scissors and blade that shaves the heads of the boys.

          I then continued walking, frightened by everything I see. I reached the second circle, the Circle of Clothes. There, I saw students that wear heavy and multiple clothes and were forced to walk around. They were there because they didn’t wear proper uniforms, including the I.D. I saw Ma’am Elaine managing the whole circle. I persisted in walking, leaving the circle.

          I then realized I was already in the third circle, the Circle of Trash. There, I saw holes that continue dumping trashes in the whole circle.The people were forced to clean their surroundings or they will be buried there. At the top of the circle, I saw Ma’am Jennylou watching those who were there because of littering around the school.

          As a continued walking, I then reached the Circle of Words which is the fourth circle. There, I saw those who are always speaking in Tagalog. The people were forced to write unending novels written in English. There, I saw Ma’am Tenny supervising the circle.

          I then reached the Circle of Noise as I walk (fifth circle). I saw there the people who were always chatting of nonsense and those who always shout and cause noise pollution. There, they were forced to talk to anything but people continuously. I saw Ma’am Ruby taking charge of the whole circle.

          The Circle of Unpunctuality was reached by me within minutes of walking. There I saw people forced to work on anything and required to finish on time. The feet of those who fail were burned. I saw Ma’am Pareja taking the lead in the lead in the sixth circle.

          After forty minutes of travelling with my feet, I reached the seventh circle, the Circle of Cheats. There I saw those who cheated on tests and assignments. There roams a ghost which when captured by a person in there, can already go and free his self. The ghost can pass through anything that no one can even touch it and the whole circle’s floor was blazing, burning the feet of all who are in it. There, I saw Ma’am Nazareno as the chief taking the supervision in the circle.

          I immediately continued on my way. Then I reached the eighth circle, the Circle of Classes. There, I saw Ma’am April guarding the whole circle. The people there were those who cut classes. They were chased by terrifying monsters and ghosts that force them to run and feel deep tension.

          I continued until I reached the last circle, the Circle of Lie. There, the people were those who lied. They were burned by the very low temperature caused by the ice. None of them can even move because of the extreme coldness. There, I saw Ma’am Juliet watching all those who are in the circle.

          I immediately passed through and found a way out. Luckily, I was able to go out the Inferno quickly and completely. 

A Message to His Love, Evangealica

Come live with me and be my love

From today ‘till the end of time

And we’ll prove that it really is

A feeling that is everlasting.

We’ll go to those places you like

Let ourselves be enchanted to views

And have all those dresses you want

Shoes and necklace with diamonds.

With my best, I will protect you,

And be the finest princess’ knight

Ever by your side when you’re sick

And take care of you as I always will.

I’ll love you more than I can say

Love you more each and every day

And if these joys may please your heart

Come live with me and be my love.

I swear I mean these words of mine

 For it’s true love I really feel

I love you now ‘til forever

Please come with me and be my life.

This Teacher's Day...

          “Teachers make all professions possible”. This saying just proves how important teachers are. Their job may just be that simple; teach, give tests, record, compute, etc. But the truth is, being a teacher needs much patience, perseverance, understanding, and love to work. It is very tiring to be a teacher. This teacher’s day, I just want to thank all my teachers from the start until now for helping me to be what I am now.

          When I was at pre-school, Teacher Lyn was my first teacher. I still remember how she taught me (with my classmates) where is left and right and how to count. I didn’t finish my nursery though, because I was somehow irritated of school those days. So when I came back to school again, my mother enrolled me on the kindergarten class. We were only five in the class and Teacher Kris was our teacher. She taught us many things including how to count 1 up to 100. She was able to return my love of school and I’m very thankful of it.

          In elementary, I had so many teachers. Teacher Minnie was my grade 1 and 2 English teacher. She was very good and she loves all of her students. I remember when she gave me an answering booklet on my birthday. I was very touched by it and I felt she wants me to be more intelligent. I did answer all activities in that book. Teacher Emmie, and Teacher Melanie were also my teachers in grade 1 and 2. They taught me the basics in Science and Makabayan well. Without them I would not know the advanced topics well.

          When I was in grade 3, I transferred to another school, and I had a new environment. My adviser was Ms. Beth. Even though she was strict, she disciplined us well. I spent my years of studying there until grade 6 and I met many teachers. Sir Edz was one of my favorites. He was entertaining and at the same time very good in teaching. Ms. Belle was a teacher that loves and cares much about her students. Ms Vangie was still a very good teacher even she makes the discussion entertaining. Ms. Neth was a very good Math teacher and she encouraged me to study more for me to be smarter. Ms. Wheng was a very good guidance councelor at the same time a teacher. She made my attitude better. Sir Daniel was my adviser when I was in grade 6. He was a very good Math teacher and she disciplined us well. My other teachers who helped me a lot were Sir Raymar, Ms. Gherleen, and Sir Ronnel.

          Now I am a highschool student here in CNSHS. Ma’am Pareja was my Natural Science teacher and she was very good in teaching. She was also strict in making students disciplined. She taught me not only about Science but also about real life and good attitude. She is a teacher I surely will never forget. Ma’am Lenny was a skilled teacher with morals to share to her students. Ma’am Jennylou is funny and very good in computers. Together with Ma’am Myra, Ma’am del Val, Ma’am Bel, Ma’am Orsal and Ma’am Paulo, my first year became really meaningful and fun.

          When I was a sophomore, Ma’am Jenette was my adviser. She was very loving and kind, at the same time a very good Math teacher. Ma’am Chato has always been funny in our Geometry class. Ma’am de Luna, and Ma’am Digma was also very good and they taught me to be more industrious and disciplined. Ma’am Arlyn was very kind to us and made us experience many things in class like various kinds of reporting. Sir Tom was strict about discipline. He taught us very important lessons especially in health education. Ma’am Tenny was also very kind to us and taught us many things in English and Music. Ma’am Elaine was also very funny and informative in her subject, Biology. I learned many things from also from all of them. My second year was worth it because of them.

          Now, in my third year in this school, my adviser is Ma’am Arceo. She always entertains us in class. She is strict but very good in teaching Math. Ma’am May is very good in English and she also teaches us many values and lessons. She trains us to be good not only in writing, but also in speaking. Ma’am April is a very good teacher of Chemistry. She makes us more disciplined aside from just making us good in the subject. Ma’am Lucky is very kind at the same time very good in Analytic Geometry. She encourages her students as she teaches them effectively. Ma’am Jenny is very good in explaining even the most confusing topics in Physics. Ma’am Malou is very kind and understanding to us. Sir Ces is entertaining and very informative as he teaches Statistics. Ma’am Ruby always helps us on our research. Ma’am Eve always gives understanding and teaches us the lessons slowly so we’ll understand those, also Ma’am Ligsa in Spanish. Ma’am Arlyn has always been very understanding and kind to us. I’m contented and confident that my teachers will be able to make me better this year.

          Every teacher is different from each other. They have different personalities, techniques and styles. But all of them are still the people who make all professions possible. They are all those who mold people to be a better one. They all deserve honor and countless gratitude.

To Be or Not To Be

Great doubt in his mind trembles

As the decision in his mind doubles

To be or not to be, that’s the question

Should he live or leave this world now?

How sad it is to lose a beloved father

Worse case, the criminal is his brother

So now he bravely takes the chance

To taste revenge and grab justice

Now that he has so much uncertainty,

Anger, pain and hatred in his heart

What should his choice be?

To be or not to be, that is the question

Comedy of Errors

        The group one had just finished their report. It was about William Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. I was happy they were able to discuss the play clearly. I understood the whole story even for just 2 days of reporting.  The characters, settings and scenes, all were cleared to me.

        The play itself was confusing(and it really confused me). It is because of the 2 pairs of twins, "AE" and "AS", and "DE" and "DS". It showed the funny side of having mistakes. I was much entertained by their errors because of their twinhoods especially when "DE" was locked out of his own house. I also learned lessons from the play.

        After learning all about Comedy of Errors, I can say it was really funny and very entertaining. Another good thing in it for me is its length which is not so long. It was very easy to understand because you will easily finish reading the story. There were also many entertaining scenes and lessons in it even though it’s not too long. In general, Comedy of Errors is truly another must-read and must-watch play of William Shakespeare.

NCAE: Is it Really Important?

       The National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) is a special exam given to assess which career best suits you based on your interests, abilities and strengths. It has many fields of questions. The results will give you where you are good at, based on your scores. Is this exam really helpful? Do we really need it?

           NCAE’s aim is very helpful. If its results are really true, it can be helpful if the strongest field will be followed and taken as the course. If we go for the course which we are good at and is our interest, it will be easier for us to pass. We will also have easier career after finishing our studies because we love our job (it is our interest). I think this will really help high school students.

        NCAE will also only be effective if we answer the questions honestly and fairly. We should not cheat with it because it might help us significantly. The test results will give us suggestions of what course may be ideal for us. However its results may not be of your plans, you may still not follow it. It may just happen for some, but it still has a very great aim for us so I think it is very helpful for students about to go college.

How Important Sports are to a Student's Life?

       Intramurals in schools are done for students to develop sportsmanship, unity and leadership. For them to learn, sports are done and played by them. Team sports, individual sports; in any sport they do, they will learn something. Other than those, sports have more benefits and importance for students. In physical, mental, social and psychological, sports help make students’ life better.

        Sports can develop students to be humble in victory and magnanimous in defeat, which is sportsmanship. Team sports make them united because of their aim to win. Sports make them fitter because it’s a kind of physical activity. Chess, strategy games and mind games enhances their thinking skills. Their social skills are also enhanced because they meet many new people while they play. They also become happy when winning and when they enjoy the games.

        Sports give an important impact on a student’s life. Every student should have experienced sports in their life. If not, their student life may not have been complete. It is a fun way to improve ourselves, so what are you students waiting for? You should join sports activities in your school!

Mother Tongue and English Language: Which Should I Use More?

        I am a Filipino with Tagalog as Mother Tongue. I’ve learned it since I was a child as I live in Tanza, Cavite. As I learn in school, I’ve also learned the universal language which is the English language. I am slightly good at it, but not so fluent, unlike in my Mother Tongue. In every day, which of them should I really use?

          Tagalog is easier to use, and probably most natives would prefer to use. English is more preferable in schools, some offices and used mostly by professionals. Because I’m a student and at the same time a Caviteño, I may prefer the two. I can use them well to communicate. I also love both of those languages.

          But now that I’m still just a person that lives in my native town, I think I should use Tagalog more. It is because I am usually talking to people who don’t prefer English as means of communication. It would be easier for me if I use Tagalog. Though I think I should also use English sometimes especially when in school for me to be practiced and when I’m only obliged. Also, when I grow up and become a professional if ever, I think I should use English more than Tagalog.

Robert L. Fredricksen III

          Once there was an affluent man named Robert L. Fredricksen III. He usually doesn’t go out and mingle with the people in their town. Though auspicious, he is known in their town as a taciturn, vacuous and uncouth man because the townspeople weren’t able to communicate with him and they only judged by what they see.

          He was working in an office a bus away from their place. There, it was unanimous that he was a loving boss not only to his work but also to his officemates.

          One day, though he knew that he was the assignee in their office for that day, he had a furlough because he had a very high fever when he woke up. He wasn’t feeling well that he cannot even buy his own medicine outside. He knew that that fever he was feeling was caused by his stage 2 brain cancer. No one ever knew that he was bearing that kind of disease except himself.

          While he was resting in his balcony, hoping that he will feel well soon, he heard a hag vociferating in the road, begging for help. She stopped on Fred’s gate. Fred stood up to approach her. The hag somehow became coy when he saw Fred approaching her. “How can I help you?” Fred asked the woman. “I need some food and water for I haven’t drank and ate for a long time.” the woman answered. “Ok, just wait a second”, said Fred while he went inside to get food.

          He got a glass in the cupboard, filled it with water, and also got some canapé in his fridge. After preparing, he went outside and gave the food to the old woman.

          The woman quaffed the glass of water and ate fast because of her great hunger and thirst. “Thank you very much sir!” she said. “How can I help you back? Please give me your request and I shall be very grateful to help you back for your accommodation.” she added. “Can you please buy me my medicine in the near drugstore here?” he said. “Ok” the woman acquiesced quickly. He handed the money and said what medicine she should buy, then the woman walked away slowly.

Fred went to rest again and waited for the woman. While waiting, he noticed that the hag was taking too much time out there, he thought the fact that maybe she was taking a long time in the queue, or won’t come back again, which he had accepted easily, without bitter feelings or anger.

He also thought to himself that he was able to help the hag even though he was sick.

He then thought that the hag was a wraith, because the day after, when he went for a checkup in the hospital, he found out that his brain cancer was now healed, a great miracle!

The people in the town had heard about the kindness of Fred, and they knew that Fred is really a helpful neighbor, and not a taciturn, vacuous and uncouth one.

            -2nd Quarter-          

Mr. Rain

Mr. Rain! Oh Mr. Rain

Here you are again Mr. Rain

Showering us with endless raindrops

Blowing us your cool winds

You refresh our surroundings

And make the green more green

As the flowers sing their joyfulness

To your drops that give them happiness

You make the busy day calm

You make the warm noon cold

You’re making me rest in comfort

And remember memories in the past

So you’re leaving now Mr. Rain?

Thank you for the good things you’ve done

I really enjoyed your visit here

Just don’t forget to come again, Mr. Rain!

Ecological Crisis: Certain but Preventable

          Ecological crisis is slowly occurring in the world. It includes global warming, climate change and many more problems today and on the future. It is undoubtedly a serious threat to mankind and to life. Can there be a way to stop or prevent this? We should act now, and not later or tomorrow, for our mother Earth.

          In the condition of the world today, there is still a chance to make it fine again. We can help healing our world by many things. Planting trees is one of the best ways to make it because they clean the air. Avoiding contribution in the pollution will also lessen the threat. Also us, using technologies like computers and other gadgets, can help by not using abusively such gadgets. More ways can be done and even how small or how big your contributions are, it is still a great help in healing the world.

          It is not yet over. We should just be hopeful and determined to restore the health of our world. It may look so impossible for now, but surely it can be accomplished. Let us just be united for just one goal and for the sake of the next generation. We should do the job our Lord has given us before it’s too late.

What a Wonderful World

by Louis Armstrong

I see trees of green… red roses too

I see them bloom… for me and for you

And I think to myself… what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue… clouds of white

Bright blessed days… dark sacred nights

And I think to myself… what a wonderful world

The colors of a rainbow… so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces… of people… going by

I see friends shaking hands… sayin’ … how do you do

They’re really sayin’ … I love you

I hear babies cry… I watch them grow

They’ll learn much more… than I’ll never know

And I think to myself… what a wonderful world.

Comic Relief Ending

Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is a tragic story of two people with true love for each other. A tragic ending was very good to show how they really love each other, and also to leave a strong feeling to the readers. But how if it’s ending was a comic relief? Will it still be like that? If its ending would be changed and make it a comic relief, it may be funny but give more satisfaction to the readers.

In the story, Romeo found Juliet dead and he killed himself, followed by Juliet when she woke up. To change it to be a comic relief, I would make the poison ineffective; when Romeo drinks it, he would close his eyes and wait ‘till he dies. After a few minutes of waiting, he’ll realize that he’s not dying and, he’s not dead. He would be angry to the Apothecary, disappointed and very depressed (all of those feeling would only be in his mind). By that time, Juliet would wake up and will find Romeo near her in the room. Romeo would know the plan and they would be able to escape. Their families would be friends by some time because of them, they would be married, and they would live happily ever after.

A comic relief ending for “Romeo and Juliet” may remove the seriousness of the story for a short period of time. It can also make the story funny. But it can give more satisfaction for the story to the readers because it would be a happy ending. Though funny, a comic relief ending is still an effective type of ending. It is a “twist” that can entertain the readers a lot.

Creative Writing: Rewriting the Ending

          The tragic ending of “Romeo and Juliet” was really sad and disappointing. It was not the kind of ending I was expecting for a beautiful flow of a love story like that. I expected a happy ending for them. And if I am to change its ending, I would make it a “happily ever after” for Romeo and Juliet. It might be better and satisfying if it was that way.

          In the Act 5, Scene 3 of “Romeo and Juliet”, Romeo went to Juliet’s tomb and found her dead. It was planned that she will become alive again after some more time, but Romeo didn’t know it and he killed himself, also Juliet, when she found he was dead. If I would change what would happen there, I would make the potion’s effect be shorter so that when Romeo comes to Juliet, she would wake up. Romeo will not drink the poison anymore. Juliet would explain the plan to Romeo, and they will escape. They would live happily even though their families don’t like it. After some time, their families would be convinced that Romeo and Juliet should really be married because they really love each other. They will be married, and their families would be brought to each other because of them, the feud will be ended and they would live happily ever after.

          It was a very good and very effective style to have the ending of “Romeo and Juliet” a tragedy. It gives lasting feelings to the readers. But if the ending was happy like that, the readers may have been more satisfied. Overall, Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” was a very entertaining and fantastic love story. And Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other is an example of true love.

Family is the Best

            “Blood’s thicker than water, and when one’s in trouble, best to seek out a relative’s open arms”. Our family is worth more than friendship. They are the best thing to rely on when we are in trouble. They will always be with us no matter what. They are our first guardians and friends.

            An ideal family is firm, understanding, respectful, and honest to each other. A family that is firm together stays together and cannot be overwhelmed by any challenge of life. Its members should be  understanding so they can easily know each other’s true feelings and needs and whenever there are quarrels, they can both easily make-up because they understand each other. They should also be respectful so they can lessen fights with each other. Honesty in the family is important because it helps the members to know easily how each other feels about something; “Honesty is the best policy”, so as the saying goes.

            Our friends can be there when we are in trouble, but our family will always be there and never leave us. We are lucky we have a complete and happy family. We should always love our family because they are will always stay with us through the years that would come. They have loved us since we are young. Now that we are growing, we should give them back the love they deserve especially our parents.

My Childhood Guide and Hero

Father’s day is coming. I would want to be with my father all day and talk with him for we can barely talk to each other because of his work. I can also join with him in his pastimes like watching sports. We would go out with our family and go everywhere he wants. I would want to make him happy and realize that he had been a great father for the family.

            I would not request anything for him to give me, but I would give him my time if ever he needs it. I hope that he would remain responsible, caring and loving for our family. He would probably still be like he was from the start, who is always there for me when I need help, teaches me good values and always makes me happy. And because he is dedicated, I think he will surely be. I would also remind him that he is the best father, and with his guide and teachings, I will do my best to be responsible and disciplined just like him.

            I am so happy that I have a father like him. I learned his good values by seeing him doing it for us. I would love him more especially because he's growing old now. I will start to be a good son for my father by doing well in school and obeying him. I would try my best to follow his success and be kind and great like him.

Affinity Towards School

                A new year of studying had started again. All are not so familiar. I knew that we will be having new classrooms, subjects, teachers, and responsibilities. I thought adapting with such new environment would be hard. But I also know that it’s just normal for students, especially because the long vacation had just ended.

          Our classroom was fine for me, it’s downstairs, and it was much lightened up by the sunlight. We had new subjects such as Chemistry and Physics and subjects like English and Math are already in level three, so it will be harder, but it was alright for me because I knew that it will be taught well by our teachers.  We had new teachers; I don’t know much about the third year teachers, so I thought that I should just go with the flow and I will know them more as days go by. We had different tasks assigned like the cleaning areas; the back of the office was assigned for us, to clean it was not easy because it’s muddy but we were able to clean it together. I liked the new pathway for the juniors in front of the third year building because of it we can walk without worrying of mud or slipping. The canteen 2 was fine for me because it was very near and has good food for us students.

          After two weeks in school, many had changed. I had realized that it was not really hard to familiarize myself with the third year environment. I think the reasons why I was able to adapt easily were my thoughtful friends and understanding teachers. Having them made school enjoying for me. To go and study in school was not boring and hard; it was fun instead.