My Socially Constructed Reality

Amazing! I had my passport application approved in less than three hours in DFA Manila. I consider that amazing because I tried applying at DFA Clark a couple of times but I was rejected on both attempts. And I didn't understand WHY. Here's the story: On my first attempt, the evaluator noticed that my mom's last name in my birth certificate was different from her last name in my marriage certificate. When she asked me why, I said it was because she was already married to my stepfather (British citizen) when I got married. According to the evaluator, I have to show my biological father's death certificate and my mom's marriage certificate with Uncle Steve to prove that my mom in the marriage certificate is the same as my mom in my birth certificate. ANO BA YAN? I thought that suggestion was stupid. My brother and sister have their passport and my mom has her own but she didn't have to prove anything about her marriage, tapos ako ang gusto nilang magpatunay...

What Virginia Means You are very hyper. You never slow down, even when it's killing you. You're the type of person who can be a workaholic during the day... and still have the energy to party all night. Your energy is definitely a magnet for those around you. People are addicted to your vibe. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze ...

Yesterday, I attended a seminar on parenting at my kids' school. Parents were invited to attend the seminar titled " The Carrot, the Egg and the Coffee Bean: A New Perspective in Parenting. " T he seminar made me do some reflections about my being a parent now. I guess parenting is much more complicated than being a writer or being a teacher. But of course, being a parent is also much more rewarding. In my case, my family, especially my kids, is my source of everything: happiness, strength, fulfillment, faith, and inspiration . Because of this, sometimes, even if I feel so weak, I have to pretend to be strong in front of my kids. I have to smile even if I already feel like giving up sometimes. It's because I don't want my kids to see that something is wrong. The speaker in the seminar said that PAIN IS PART OF LIFE and that THE MORE PROBLEMS WE ENCOUNTER, THE MORE OPPORTUNITIES WILL COME. He also emphasized the LAW of ATTRACTION which says WE ATTRACT ALL THAT HAPP...

Joining Dr. Umaly and I during the book launching on Sept. 15 at SM Convention Hall, Mall of Asia: Professor Lee (President, International Language Institute). Joowon Yoon (my former student), my mom (also a writer), Ms Badette Cunanan (PR Manager of the Manila Bulletin), Jung, Dea-woung (my thesis advisee), and Kevin (my Korean ESL student). "Bringing this book into your classroom is like taking with you the oldest newspaper in the Philippines and one of the best publishers in the country." Of course, another photo op with the wonderful people from Vibal and the Manila Bulletin. From left: Mr. Julius Rolando Corotan (PR Communications Head, Vibal Publishing House, Inc.), Mr. Cesar Inocencio (Editorial Coordinator, Vibal) and Ms Badette Cunanan . What was I thinking during this time that I was sitting next to Mr. Inocencio while waiting for my turn to speak? Nothing. I was just trying to make myself believe that there's nothing to be nervous about. And I guess ...

LIBRA : (September 24 to October 23) A new window or opportunity opens up. Make snap decisions if you want to capitalise but bear in mind you may have to trade freedom for financial improvement. Rewards will compensate for personal sacrifice.

I woke up this morning with so many thoughts in mind. The things that I have been pondering on since 6 a.m. till now (almost 1 p.m.) are the same things I had in mind for the past months. It's about something I've been longing to materialize. I want to resign from my full-time job. Just teach elsewhere. Find decent job in the UK. Continue writing online. Continue teaching ESL.

"We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe." -- Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Holocaust survivor

The tentative program for the September 15 Launching will be as follows: Brief Lectures I. Talk by Dr. Ruben Umaly (Topic: Teaching English as a Second Language through Newspapers) II. Talk by Ms. Virginia Bautista (Topic: Teaching English through Newspapers in the Classroom) Launching Proper I. Word from the Authors Dr. Ruben Umaly & Ms Virginia Bautista II. Word from the Publisher Vibal Publishing House, Inc. III. Guest Speaker Dr. Umaly's friend from the Academe IV. Word from Manila Bulletin Mrs. Paciencia Pineda V. Closing Remarks VI. Book Signing The program will start at 5:30 PM.