Once Upon A TYPE…

Posts Tagged ‘cambodia international academy’

Filipino Teachers Shining Like Stars in Cambodia

Who would have thought that someone like me would ever be quoted in one of the most prestigious newspapers in the Philippines? A couple of months ago, Mylene’s aunt conducted an email interview for her article about Filipino teachers working in Cambodia and I was lucky enough to be included in her list. You can read it in Inquirer or just by clicking this link.

Now that the article’s printed out and was read by millions all over the country and the world, I realized quite a few things, here they are:

1. Filipinos are naturally talented and skillful. Wherever we may be – in or out of Philippines, we can be a star and shine brightly in our chosen career. Kaya naman gustung gusto tayo ng mga employers dahil alam nila na kaya nating gawin ang trabaho kapag ibinigay sa tin.

2. We give our best in what we do. Dugo’t pawis and puhunan natin para sa magandang buhay kaya naman madaming Pinoy ang maganda ang buhay. Salat man tayo sa trabaho sa Pinas, we see to it that we’ll have better lives somewhere in the globe and in the end, we always give back to our country by sending remittances to our family and relatives. Aminin na natin na malaki ang porsyento na kinikita ng gobyerno mula sa perang padala natin mula abroad kaya naman malaki din ang paghanga nila satin at pagpupunyagi na galingan pa ang ating mga trabaho.

3. We knows to endure and sacrifice for better living. Minsan kahit mahirap na ang trabaho at critical na ang sitwasyon, we still do our work according to the standards we are expected to give. Masakit malayo sa pamilya pero para sa ikabubuti ng buhay ng ating mga minamahal, kakayanin nating lumayo. Tunay na malaking sakripisyo para sa bawat mangagawa sa ibang bansa ang makitang lumalaki ang mga anak ng malayo sa piling ng kanilang mga minamahal sa buhay pero we keep moving and striving for them kasi sila ang “trophy” natin sa buhay.

There are ups and downs working abroad. Sa ibang tao mayaman kang maituturing pag galing ka sa abroad, ang inde nila alam, matinding hirap din at lungkot ang inaabot ng mga katulad ko. Ang iba taksil pa ang tawag sa min dahil mas pinili pa daw namin na pagsilbihan ang ibang lahi kaysa ang mga kapwa natin Pilipino. Ang sagot ko naman:

Inde ako impokrito para sabihing walang mali sa gobyerno natin, pero inde din ako magmamagaling para sabihin sa kanila ang dapat nilang gawin. There are things way beyond my control and there’s only one thing I can do to make my life worth living – it’s to strive for everything. I believe that we are genius in so many ways and we think differently, may mga tamad na gustong umasenso agad at mayroon namang hardworking pero inde mabigyan ng opportunity para gumanda ang buhay. I’ll say I’m blessed. Utang ko sa Panginoon ang ano mang tinatamasa ko at nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong naniniwala sa kakayahan ko, dahil sa kanila ang buhay ay nagiging masaya at maganda. Sana ganun din sa ibang tao.

Mabuhay tayong mga Pilipino, sana maging inspirasyon tayo sa iba at wag tayong mawalan ng pag asa sa buhay. Darating din ang time na makakaraos tayo sa hirap.

Thank Ms. Leti  Boniol of Inquirer for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Cambodia International Academy Gives Back

When your blessed with many things, it is always good to share it with others. Last March19, Saturday, twenty one street kids were able to receive love from the students of Cambodia International Academy. CIA’s Student Council had raised money from our previous Family Day activity in December and they have decided to use partial of their earnings to give some help to less fortunate kids in the city.

There were foods, drinks, games, and gifts  for the street children to enjoy. They swam and played in the pool while the rest were having fun in the soccer field. The students and other school staff also joined the event in making it meaningful and memorable.

I have learned that those children were forced by their parents to go out the streets and work the whole day. What a pity because at their young age, they’re already exposed to life’s cruel ways of earning and living. To save these kids, the NGO’s go to their home and pay $2 to the parents. This serves as the kid’s daily earnings from begging outside, just enough to buy some rice and noodles for the family. After the NGO’s paid the parents, they will gather the kids to the centre and teach them how to read and write, then at 5pm they will be sent home.

It hit me clearly that in life, not all is fair. I felt sad for those kids because they’re being abused by their own irresponsible parents. For a while I told myself that the parents should be the one educated not only the kids, but then again who am I to judge?

After the activity, I felt blessed for all the things I have in life. I may not have all the riches in the world but I have my own bunch of happiness to make my life complete – a happy family, loving husband, fulfilling job, and simple things to be enjoyed in every day’s life.

First Day High

13 September was the first kick off of Cambodia International Academy for SY 2010-11. More than 500 students came to attend their first classes and that includes my children Andrea and Aaron. It has been a very busy week organising every single details in my class. Prep is also tedious, especially now that I am teaching three levels of sciences. Challenging is the right word and I am beginning to love my job more than ever before. The classes that I have are very extra ordinary. Unique in so many ways and so different from the previous ones.  I am sure that this year’s gonna be a lot of fun!

Going back to Andrea and Aaron, so far they’re having great time coping at their new school, meeting new friends, and improving study habits. It’s too early to say that they’re very good but they are surely giving their best in the class.

Since the classes started, my alarm is now ticking at 5am every school days – to prepare lunch boxes and snacks for the three of us. I haven’t spent a single dollar at the canteen since Monday and that’s an achievement The foods that I prepare are way more healthy than the ones they sell in the canteen. Plus, they always have the same menu which is quite tiring if you don’t have any choice but to buy and eat them.

Rating the week, I’ll give perfect 10 for the challenge, 10 for efforts, 5 for the admins who are a bit late this year in giving supplies for the students, and 10 for my students who are diligently following every instructions I give. The school is still undergoing some minor constructions like placing new large vinyl banners outside and other stuff that are classroom related.

I’m glad that it’s Friday today, I’ll be able to sleep more and take some rest before I hit the kitchen again tomorrow, remember that it’s my cooking day every Saturday and I’m still thinking what to cook this weekend. For now, I’ll enjoy reading some of the literature books I brought home, from my little library and play with Aiken whom I miss so much!

Cambodia International Academy went to Kirirom

Feb. 26, 2010 – Cambodia International Academy headed to Kirirom Hill Side Resort for the annual educational field trip together with more than 300 students from kindergarten classes up to grade 9. The start of the trip was a bit chaotic with all the unnecessary changes in the bus list, students without their name on the roster, not enough seats in the bus, and others that should have been avoided if the admins have anticipated these things happening. Anyway, my blog is not all about that!

It’s my first time to be at Kirirom together with my husband Nestle, he came with me because he’s after the Chambok waterfalls which is up in the mountain, but sadly, we didn’t go there as the trails are quite dangerous. In the resort, you can do quite a few things – visit the mini-zoo, ride the ponies, do the rope slide (which scared the hell out of me!), biking, swimming, kayaking, and enjoying nature. The place is perfect for families who wants to escape the busy life in the city. There are many cottages where you can relax and do some BBQ. The resort also have rooms rooms for ren just in case you want to spend more time with your love ones.

My students are all game to try the activities they have and we really had a great time bonding together, plus they’re all nice and quiet during the trip, no one is a pain in butt all through our journey. Most of them spent their time biking around while me, Neath, Dara, Rithy, David, and Him went to try the rope slide. I was so amazed with the little kids who did the slide first, I mean they’re way smaller than me and all of them were not scared to jump off the base. While when it’s my turn, they had trouble sending me off because I don’t wanna let go, hahaha! My knees were all shaking and I could feel my heart beating fast, as if it’s going to jump first out of my chest, geez! I will admit that I am afraid of heights and after that jump I swear that I will never do it again

Rithy

Neath

David

Dara

Teacher Joyce

The short field trip brought me and my students closer together and we are looking forward for more activities like this. To those who’d like to come to Kirirom, it is advisable to rent a car to make your travel easier. You can book it to any local travel agencies here in the Penh. It’s been a long day…I hope all the teachers had a good time with their youngsters. I’m out to sleep now

New York New York

with energies on the top level selected K3 & K4 students of Cambodia International Academy (CIA) performed the most awaited dance for the Children’s Day on May 23, 2009!

to the tune of New York New York the students gave all their best to dance gracefully in front of the hundreds of parents and visitors who attended the programme. the days of practice finally bear  fruit and i am proud of what we have achieved!

more pictures posted on my multiply account

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