@Katlinfinity
How's everyone? It's been a while. I hope you are all happy, safe and healthy. Keep praying! :)
@Katlinfinity
Joined 15 July 2020 · 18 posts
Teacher * Writer * Inspiration seeker
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@Katlinfinity
@Katlinfinity
Reading on the Lines: Analysis of Kahlil Gibran's "On Friendship" A continuation of my previous article: READ HERE: https://read.cash/@Katlinfinity/elements-of-poetry-analysis-of-kahlil-gibrans-on-friendship-70f30d21 In the first line, the persona is asked what friendship means to him. He starts by saying that a friend is someone who will be there for you when you may need them. In the next line, he compares a friend to that of a field in which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving. This means that you treat them with love and care and in return, you will gain something such as a favor as an expression of thanks. As inferred from the saying 'You reap what you sow', your friend would also treat you the same way you did to them- with love and care. In the fourth line, the persona says that a friend is someone who acts as your 'fireside'. The word 'fireside' means 'home'. Home is where you should feel the safest and the most comfortable. In the next line, he says that you go to your friend with hunger. This can also mean that you go to your friend when you need to fulfill it. The persona also says that when your friend speaks his or her mind, you do not mind whether or not they disagree with you. This goes to show that as a friend, you should respect their opinion, even if they do not agree with you. He says that when your friend is silent, you can still sense that there is something wrong or there is something on his mind. You will be able to tell even if he does not say it out loud. This shows how close friends should be as they need not speak to convey their message. The persona compares it to that of how a 'mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain'. Other than bonding two people together, there should not be any superficial reasons or purpose in a friendship. You should not give too much thought about the benefits you might gain from being that person's friend. This also means that you should only be friends with a person for *who* they are, not *what* they are. You should do the very best you can for your friends. You must let your friends know the way you do certain things. This will help to bring you and your friend closer to one another because there is a better understanding between the two. This can be inferred from the line 'If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also'. When you and your friend have gotten closer, you will 'seek him for hours to live' instead of 'hours to kill'. This shows that you will enjoy your time with your friends because you will 'live' with them. When finding something to kill time, it means that you are bored and there will be a feeling of emptiness that needs to be filled. You will only be with your friends for the sake of killing time. When you 'live' with your friends, you will find time to spend with them, not only when you are bored or have nothing better to do, but because you want to be with your friends and enjoy time together. In the last part, the persona then concludes that friendship should be filled with happiness and pleasure. Friendship is a sweet thing that can be shared among friends. These little joys in life will help to make life much more interesting and fruitful. Next articles: READING BETWEEN THE LINES & READING BEYOND THE LINES
@Katlinfinity
Today, we celebrate the life of our dearest friend, @Mila. She decided to create another giveaway worth 70$BCH. May God bless her always! To participate in the competition, you need do: Subscribe to her @Mila Like this post Follow her on IG : @Mila_photo_graphy WRITE SHORT POST WITH THIS CONTEST AND TAG HER. https://read.cash/@Mila/70bch-giveaway-e58cc73b
@Katlinfinity
Elements of Poetry: Analysis of Kahlil Gibran's "On Friendship" **LINK** - http://www.katsandogz.com/gibran/onfriendship.php https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnLS8pboASM **TITLE** – On Friendship **AUTHOR** - Kahlil Gibran **POINT OF VIEW** – Second Person POV **SUBJECT** – Friendship **THEME** – One of the most wonderful experiences in life is meeting someone who means the world to you. Someone who protects, who cares, and who loves you no matter how harsh life can be. Someone who can offer his hand after you stumbled down. Someone who is simply amazing that no words can help you describe him. **FORM** – Gibran’s *On Friendship* had gone away from traditional poetry that follows very strict forms such as manner and style. It belongs to the kind of poetry called FREE VERSE which means there is a strong tendency to break from the traditional and to become even very unorthodox, unconventional, or even unusual. It is most often used in modern times and presents a multitude of possibilities. Thus, it does not have any structure. The poet uses the free form to make the poem fit the contents and to express the mood or feeling of his work. **LINES** – When we talk about the lines of the poem, these are the vehicle of the author’s thoughts and ideas. These are the building blocks with which to create a poem. In Gibran’s poem, I noticed that some lines are not of equal length as the others. There are lines which are longer, there shorter ones, and are even words and phrases only. This has something to do with enjambment also. I think Gibran’s purpose for doing this technique is to let the readers know where the end of the thoughts and where they start. Thus, the PUNCTUATION at the end of each sentence in the poem is also a major tool for the poet. At times, he will want us to make a full stop, other times a gentle or slight pause, and even others perhaps a sudden break, and so on. Ultimately, then, poetry creates sensations, moods, and images in the reader's mind. **STANZAS** – The poem was divided into three stanzas. However, each stanza does not have the same number of lines. **RHYME** – Rhyme is the SONIC imitation usually of end syllables of words. Considering that the poem is written in Free Verse, it does not exemplify the most typical and best-known kind of rhyme by young people, the END RHYME, in which the words at the end of a given line rhyme. It does not also follow INTERNAL RHYME. This kind of rhyming is different from the end rhyme in that the rhyming takes place somewhere within the line and not at the end. But most of us find it more natural to use rhyming at the end and not in the middle of our poem's lines. Still, the most widely read and enjoyed poetry artfully combines these and other patterns and techniques for the creation of the poems. **RHYTHM** – Perhaps this is the pivot point of all the elements because it is the rhythm that creates a pleasant gliding effect when we read a poem. Although there are no rhyming words in the poem, we can still find a rhythm in it. There is still a soothing effect as we read it properly and sincerely. I guess the words used were just so perfectly combined that they create emotional touch to the readers/audience. **MOOD/TONE** – The mood of the poem is somewhat happy and thankful because the persona talks about his feelings towards his friends who mean the world to him. The tempo of this poem is slow because this poem talks about a touching concept of friendship. It also helps us realize the different aspects of friendship which is intense and deep. This poem helps to answer a very general yet deep question asked by youth. Thus, the way the poet phrased it is deep which makes the poem flow slowly. **IMAGERY** – The use of vivid imagery and apt similes by Gibran is heartening and overwhelming. There is also evident use of metaphor in which Gibran compares his friend to certain things. Share your favorite poem too! PS. Stay tuned for the continuation of this article. :)
@Katlinfinity
Long Live, Lolo Kiko! 13th day of March 2013, the exact date when the Roman Catholic Church magnified the enthronement of its 266th Santo Padre in the person of Jorge Mario Bergoglio who is popularly known as Pope Francis. Honestly, when the Vatican announced that the Catholic community has a newly-elected leader, I didn’t take it seriously. All I have in mind is that he is the head of the clergies, he doesn’t have Roman numeral in his name which makes him unique from any other pope and he rides around in that so-called popemobile with a hand gesture that blesses the people. And that’s all I know! But when Pope Francis came to visit and see the situation of the Philippines on the 15th-19th of January 2015, I don’t know but there is a strange feeling within me that even words cannot explain. It seems like there is a strong force that pushes me to keep track of his activities in the country. Television on. Volumes up. And the meaningful words just magically came out from me, “He's A.W.E.S.O.M.E.” Thus, for us to know more of him and appreciate who he is, let us explore some fun facts about the humble Pope of the People. **1.** ****Lolo Kiko as a Lover**** "If I don't marry you, I'm going to be a priest.” the 12-year-old Jorge Mario sincerely made his vow to a girl in their neighborhood. And it seemed like he was not meant to be with somebody else for his heart and life was already destined for his religious commitment. But through it all, he still kept his word. Truly, he’s amazing! **2.** ****Lolo Kiko as a Twitter User**** You’re right! Pope Francis has a Twitter account. Don’t be shocked because he is A-W-E-S-O-M-E! This is how it goes: “We pray for a heart which will embrace immigrants. God will judge us upon how we have treated the neediest.” — Pope Francis (@Pontifex) July 8, 2013 https://twitter.com/Pontifex/statuses/354180232221171712 “We are all sinners. But may the Lord not let us be hypocrites. Hypocrites don’t know the meaning of forgiveness, joy, and the love of God.” — Pope Francis (@Pontifex) June 23, 2013 https://twitter.com/Pontifex/statuses/348749787824275458 But wait, there’s more! More updated and more awesome for that matter. Pope Francis’ tweet in Filipino language: “Ang pamilya ay ang pinakamahalagang kayamanan ng isang bansa. Nawa’y pagsikapan nating ipagtanggol at patatagin itong pundasyon ng lipunan.” “Ang Pilipinas ay patunay ng kabataan at kasiglahan ng Simbahan.” — Pope Francis (@Pontifex) January 16, 2015 So what are you waiting for? Follow him now and experience his love for humanity. **3.** ****Lolo Kiko as a Humorous Being**** When he was elected as pope, he reportedly told other cardinals, "May God forgive you for what you have done." Others might not get it but it exemplifies his sense of humor. In his visit to the Church of Tacloban before he went back to Manila because of the bad weather, he said, “There are two things I want to tell you. First, pray for me. Second, be quiet.” Then the crowd laughed. **4.** ****Lolo Kiko as an Educator**** Through the Jesuits’ affinity for academics, the Pope completed a master's degree in Chemistry at the University of Buenos Aires. He was a teacher of literature, psychology, philosophy, and theology before becoming the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. **5.** ****Lolo Kiko as a Dancer**** "I love to tango and I used to dance when I was young." Our pope is not only a man of humility and sophistication but also a talented one. Perhaps we could dance together. **6.** ****Lolo Kiko as a Survivor**** Did you know that he lost part of his lung to infection as a youth? And yet, there he goes, full of enthusiasm and strength as if he had not undergone a major operation. God heals if only we believe that we will be healed. Long live, Santo Padre! **7.** ****Lolo Kiko as a Fan**** Pope Francis is a huge fan of One Direction and his favorite song is “You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful” which he described as “a great pop tune with a killer hook.” Oh well, I bet he can hang out with some teenagers out there. He’s cool! **8.** ****Lolo Kiko as a Hand-shaker and a Baby-kisser**** As I watch the pope’s motorcade in Tacloban, one scenario touched my heart. Pope Francis requested to stop the mobile for a minute just to kiss and bless a child in the crowd and take note, it was raining. He also chose an open-air mobile instead of a bullet-proof one. If only he can exchange high fives to everyone, he will love to do it. **9.** ****Lolo Kiko as a Servant**** The pope loves gay people and the proof is when He kissed and washed the feet of AIDS patients in which most people believed that having AIDS was an affliction limited to gay people. He said, “If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?” **10.** ****Lolo Kiko as Pope Francis**** He took his name to honor St. Francis of Assisi, an admirer of nature and a servant to the poor. He can visualize himself to be like the original St. Francis who walked away from a very comfortable life to devote himself to helping the poor and choosing to live in poverty with them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi In the news, we heard some Filipino citizens say, “Nakakahawa ‘Yung ngiti niya.” When he smiles, it seems like it was Christ who smiled. When he talks, it feels like you are listening to God’s voice. And when he waves his hands, it’s the Almighty Father whom you get to see with your naked eyes. His personality strengthens every believer’s faith for eternity. Truly, he is a living prophecy of God’s goodness and love not only for the Philippines but for the whole world. It’s worth the wait. MABUHAY KA, LOLO KIKO!
@Katlinfinity
If you have doubts about your ability to write creatively, READ THIS. “And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” ― Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4379.Sylvia_Plath https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3094683 During my elementary days, writing, for me, was one of the hardest skills to acquire. I struggled much on answering literary questions, writing essays, and making themes. I entered high school and it was not that easy the way I’ve thought it to be. I doubted myself when it comes to writing. There was also a time when I told myself that I was not born to be a writer, and because of the “self-doubt”, I dared to challenge myself. I reached college and enrolled in a program wherein writing is one of the primary skills needed. I read. I practiced. I wrote. I mean l lot! Then, I was surprised waking up one morning realizing that I survived my fear a decade ago. Thus, I was right when I said that I wasn’t born to be a writer, because writing as a skill is acquired not born. I may not be an expert when it comes to writing, but I’m still grateful to have acquired this kind of skill. Being an English teacher requires a lot of effort to learn how to write creatively. As a newbie in the field of teaching, I found creative writing as a powerful tool in teaching literature. I started my sojourn in the world of teaching with the youngest learners in the high school department. Knowing the nature of young students who had just begun exploring their little world of imagination, I became their brain stimulator. As a literature teacher, I had to let them experience what the characters feel in the stories we tackle. I had to know what they are thinking and feeling towards the poems we are reciting. I had to make them imagine the very climax of the stories we are reading. How? By simply letting them write their thoughts, CREATIVELY. Thus, after a year of being with those students, I feel the need to help other young learners to learn the art of creative writing. We can see the importance of creative writing from all walks of life. But I guess, from a teacher’s perspective, the best way to see the relevance of creative writing is to teach it. The dilemma now is HOW? I learned from a certain blog that the best way to help the students discover their colorful world is through their senses, and by creating a rainbow in the class. Thus, to achieve this, one must realize that creativity and education go hand in hand. Self-expression, curiosity, exploration and experimentation, imagination, open-ended thinking, all the natural elements in creativity are important in young learners’ development. "Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man and writing an exact man." Thanks for reading!
@Katlinfinity
Reading makes me... **NOTE: The thoughts below have something to do with my real name. :)** -kindle the fire of information in my mind -appreciate the world around me -teach passionately -hold on to doorknobs of opportunities -live with a purpose -enthusiastically share thoughts and ideas -eager to answer all the whys and hows of life -negate to some not-so-true ideas I hear everywhere -mend a broken heart -AWESOME (wink) -end my unhealthy habits and lifestyle -neglect stagnancy and go beyond my comfort zones -arrive at unexpected endings and conclusions -realize that life’s harsh realities are inescapable -invigorate my brave soul and great mind -zoom in to my ‘needs’ first before my ‘wants’ -curious how things came to be -aware of the many possibilities life has to offer -sleep soundly with a sense of fulfillment -tie the knot that binds my way towards the past and the present -reconstruct the disassembled pieces of life’s puzzle -offer my service for the progress of the nation ***How about you? How does 'reading' affect you?***
@Katlinfinity
Advanced Technology We are now living in a world where advanced technology paves the way for a more comfortable and convenient life. Technology is everywhere and entwined in our daily lives so when technology in the classroom is used correctly, it opens up possibilities for more student learning especially that our students nowadays are mostly digital natives. I strive to make my classroom a fun, engaging place to learn every day. By integrating technology into the classroom in a meaningful and purposeful way, I can hold and sustain students’ love for learning. Using technology in the classroom has transformed me into a teacher a never expect to be. Now, walking in the classrooms and multimedia rooms is very overwhelming due to the existence of televisions and computer units. Technology has revolutionized the way we think, work, and play. Technology, when integrated into the curriculum, revolutionizes the learning process. More and more studies show that technology integration in the curriculum improves students' learning processes and outcomes. Teachers who recognize computers as problem-solving tools change the way they teach. Technology and interactive multimedia are more conducive to project-based learning. Students are engaged in their learning using these powerful tools and can become creators and critics instead of just consumers. Another reason for technology integration is the necessity of today's students to have 21st-century skills. These 21st-century skills include personal and social responsibility, planning, critical thinking, reasoning, and creativity, strong communication skills, both for interpersonal and presentation needs, cross-cultural understanding, visualizing and decision making, and knowing how and when to use technology and choosing the most appropriate tool for the task. See? Almost all the skills necessary for producing 21st-century learners are revolving around technology. Thus, the integration of advanced technology brought me into the following realizations: First, technology makes teaching a lot easier and more convenient on my part. Gone were the days when traditional instructional materials are in trends because what’s in now are the audio-visual presentations in which students can understand exactly how the knowledge is applied to practice. Second, technology helps me track students’ progress since it’s already centralized and more organized. Also, parents can track their child’s performance through these platforms. Third, educational technology is good for the environment because it’s already PAPERLESS. If only all learning institutions are given the chance to shift into using digital textbooks. Fourth, students and teachers can access information at any time! This is possibly the most obvious benefit of technology. When old-school teachers were students, they had to spend hours in the library looking for the information they needed. Today, technology integration makes everything different and simpler. Students can easily access newspapers, scientific articles, studies, and any other type of content online. They can write better, deeper academic papers because they can support their arguments with more evidence. When you give a lecture the students don’t understand, they can find simpler instructions and information with a single Google search. **One thing I learned is that we should not underestimate the power of technology. However, this should not be the reason for technology to replace us, teachers, not only in the mind but most importantly, in the heart of our students. Technology exists to help us and not to overpower us. At the end of the day, it’s the students’ learning that counts in preparation for them to face the challenges that the REAL WORLD awaits.** **THANKS FOR READING!**
@Katlinfinity
Do we have teachers here? Can you share how you are preparing for the new normal in the educational aspect?
@Katlinfinity
21st Century Teacher of Literacy 21st-century teaching means teaching as you have always taught but with today's tools and technology. It means utilizing everything important in today's world so that students will be able to live and prosper in today's economy, as well as having the ability to guide students and to prepare them for the future. We are now living in a world where advanced technology paves the way for a more comfortable and convenient life. Technology is everywhere and entwined in our daily lives so when technology in the classroom is used correctly, it opens up possibilities for more student learning especially so that our students nowadays are mostly digital natives. However, we have to instill in our students’ minds that still, the best way to learn is through the support of a human teacher. Thus, we have to cope with the ever-changing educational system, especially in the 21st century. As a teacher, I strive to make my classroom a fun, engaging place to learn every day by integrating lessons with the acquisition of 21st-century literacy skills in a meaningful and purposeful way, I can hold and sustain students’ love for learning. Integrating 21st-century literacy skills has transformed me into a teacher a never expect to be. Here are some visualizations of who a 21st-century literacy teacher should be. First, a 21st-century teacher of literacy should be media literate, one who has the skill of comprehending the nature of communications, specifically concerning telecommunications and mass media. Second, a 21st-century teacher of literacy should be digitally literate, one who can use digital technology, communication devices, or networks to locate, analyze, use, and produce information. It is the ability to read, write and clarify media, to replicate data and visuals through digital manipulation, and to assess and implement new knowledge gained from digital environments. Third, a 21st-century teacher of literacy should be globally competent, one has to understand the interdependence among countries and their people, and having the ability to communicate and collaborate across cultures. Fourth, a 21st-century teacher of literacy should be emotionally literate; one should have the ability to understand his/her emotions and the students’ emotions as well. This is the capacity to listen to others especially the students and empathize with their emotions, and the potential to demonstrate emotions effectively. Fifth, a 21st-century teacher of literacy should be information literate, one should have the ability to recognize what information is required, understand how the information is structured, distinguish the principal sources of information for a given need, find and assess those sources critically, then share that information. Sixth, a 21st-century teacher of literacy is environmentally literate, one should have the ability to demonstrate proficiency in the environment and the conditions affecting it. Lastly, a 21st-century teacher of literacy should be visually literate, one should have the ability to identify and understand ideas communicated through actions or images (decode), as well as to be able to communicate ideas or messages through imagery (encode). 21st Century Literacy is more than just reading and writing. It is knowing how to learn and know. Thus, it is just but proper for us, teachers, to embody all these 21st-century literacy skills to ensure effective and efficient teaching and learning process. You may also want to read https://read.cash/@Katlinfinity/empower-respond-to-globalization-through-english-proficiency-f99d8514
@Katlinfinity
EMPOWER: Respond to Globalization through English Proficiency “Speak English.” A short phrase yet a very prevailing statement that some people’s ears abhor to absorb; but powerful enough to change things. While it is true that almost half of the world uses English as a medium of communication, some continue to seek it, in the sense that, many of us continue to battle in achieving such excellent communicative skill. When we were still little, we were taught of the sounds. Comes elementary, we’re familiarized with words. Reaching high school, we learned to combine everything and construct good outputs. But how far have we utilized all of our knowledge and understanding and used them to take bigger steps towards success? Our world today now calls for our in-depth and utmost understanding of the different situations our country is facing. As such, we need to be armored enough with skills that will be of big help in uplifting and improving the lives of many. In our economy where businesses with other countries are greatly involved, our communicative skills come very handily. When we communicate with clients or delegates by expressing our thoughts and innovation, this becomes our edge. Through our skills, we persuade them. We prove them our professionalism and devotion and creativity when it comes to business. And this will eventually goad them later on to partner and collaborate with us. Specifically, Tourism is one of the fields where great socio and communicative skills are applied. When people from other countries are extremely pleased and impresses of what we can offer and serve by communicating it to them, this builds a good partnership. English also facilitates understanding and unity in politics. We are all aware that politics is one of the crucial and complicated facets of our country. But with proper and productive communication, every issue is addressed. It is widely used in hearing, impeachment trials, proposing bills, etc. which has something to do with the peace and integrity of our country. See how powerful it is! There’s no way English would be diminished in the field of technology. With the use of communication, our equally innovative and creative inventors have deciphered multiple theories and concepts and hypotheses to come out with something very useful. Moreover, connection through communication with other countries seizing state-of-the-art facilities contributes much to the creation of many things we use to survive- from appliances to gadgets to the tiniest innovation. We also should consider our fellowmen seeking greener pasture in the different parts of the world. Because of their prowess in expressing themselves orally or verbally, there is no doubt, agencies instantaneously hire them to offer their good service. Whatever field it is, they shine in their little ways. That wherever they go, they can carry themselves as to how they carry the place where they came from. It is because they have that clout to show people who they are and what they can do. And most importantly, the English Language can congregate every nation and lead them to one common goal. English gains supremacy, no doubt! A sound may turn into a word; a word into a statement; a statement to an expression- that’s how English toils. A simple conversation can turn out to be a big solution. And at this moment, let us begin striving and achieving our aspirations using our greatest weapon- not made out of innovative technology but a product of our bright minds: ENGLISH!
@Katlinfinity
Heneral Luna: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNObHxCtPCo They murdered an incredible hero who can save them from their colonizers. A treacherous act that is worth regretting. An act of betrayal instead of fighting hand and hand and uniting as one. They killed a legendary man who can give them the freedom that they were longing for. How ironic it was to be betrayed by the ones whom you thought would be your greatest buddies. How sarcastic life can be as it offers friends and colleagues who can, at the same time, be your worst enemy. The world is filled with traitors; you have to be very vigilant and extra careful with whom you trust because you might be the next pitiful victim of the “crocodile’s treason”. The movie entitled “Heneral Luna” is not just a film but a wake-up call that reminds us that some things never change. We, Filipinos, are our own worst enemies, lacking in resolve, and torn by self-interests. If only we try to dig deeper into the message that the movie wants to convey, we would be surprised to discover that its main aim was to teach us to value nation over oneself. Selflessness is what makes humility powerful. No doubt, John Arcilla who portrayed the role of Heneral Luna did his part well. He owned the character, especially that he was the lead role. His role being Heneral Antonio Luna is very human; I mean he is very light and natural. He is crazy, passionate, temperamental, responsible, and even funny and humorous. Honestly, as a viewer, what makes the movie exciting was the fact that it was full of humor. I mean this was indeed based on historical events, but it could also make you smile and laugh through its random scenes. Moreover, I was able to learn more about the legendary general through, of course, the portrayal of Arcilla. I was amused to discover that Luna was also an artist. He was a talented musician and he wrote poetry and essays as well. Aside from being a skilled strategist and a relentless commander during the American colonization, he was also a staunch nationalist who is determined in everything he does, for his principles in life, and his beliefs as well. However, I was just a little bit shocked and alarmed on how he was set to death. The end of his temporary life here on Earth was a brutal action. At the end of the movie, my heart was saddened as I read on the big screen that the unmerciful killers of Heneral Luna were not found. It breaks my heart knowing that the leader of the military forces didn’t even taste the sweetness of justice in the country which he fought for. Personally, the ending made me sad and angry as well. It made me feel this way not only because of the tragedy that befell General Luna but for the greater tragedies that continue to haunt every Filipino until this very day. The life of Heneral Luna was a life worth living. He stood up for what he believes is right and he did full of conviction and bravery. His principles in life were the reasons why he was famously known as Heneral Antonio Luna. He was indeed an extraordinary leader who could make battleships easy for his countrymen. We cannot deny the fact that he left us a mark of the legacy that we would always treasure all the time… his kind of leadership. As the youth of today, we should be inspired by this kind of an eye-opener. May this movie spark more interest for us to read and study more about the Philippine revolution and the heroes who fought for the country’s independence. As Filipinos, we should always bear in mind that Philippine history builds our identity. It shapes our self-awareness and self-knowledge. The past teaches us what humanity has accomplished and what humans are capable of doing whether it is good or detrimental. History helps us understand the role we play in society as well as examine who we are.
@Katlinfinity
RealaeR A fictional story for children... at heart! *wink Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Kit. She was sweet and cheerful that's why she was loved by everyone. She was the center of attraction to her family because she makes everybody happy whenever they have simple celebrations and gatherings. However, she lacked one of the greatest things in the world, a TRUE FRIEND. One night, she prayed to God to give her a real friend. Someone whom she can talk to whenever she feels bad. Someone whom she can turn to when the rest of the world turned their back on her. Someone whom she can tell anything without hesitation and doubt of being judged. On that night, she then slept with a heart full of hope that sooner or later, God will answer her prayers. Kit’s deep sleep brought her to one magical place. There she saw a place in which music could be heard everywhere. The music ensured that there would be happiness and joy for all. The stuffed toys are joyfully singing, the flowers are gracefully dancing, and the animals are enthusiastically playing different instruments. Kit couldn’t believe what she saw so she ran away until a human-size teddy bear came to her and said, “How are you? It was very nice to see you here, Kit!” The little girl was shocked because the big toy knew her name. “Who are you? What is this place? Why am I here?” she answered. “You are here for a purpose. I am Laer by the way. Can we be friends?” Kit was surprised when the big toy offered her hand. “Oh yes! I will love to be your friend, Laer!” On that day, they went over the magical place full of joy and laughter. They shared stories about each other, their common interests, their favorites, and everything under the sun. Thus, a bond was connected, a true friendship was created. However, one day, the music in the magical place slowly disappeared because of the spell given by the witch named Pandoria. Everyone in that land ended up feeling sad because, for them, music is life. The only way to destroy the spell is to kill the witch. Until one night, under the full moon, Laer’s group decided to declare a fight against Pandoria the witch. Kit also joined the group. Everything in the magical land was destroyed because of the war, then Pandoria attempted to kill Kit but she was rescued by Laer. Thus, the attention of the witch was focused on Laer and she immediately killed the big toy. Kit, with a crying heart, took a sword and hit the witch which caused her death. And as Pandoria’s body disappeared, the magical place became alive again. The rainbow appeared and the beautiful music continues. But the victory was not felt by Kit. She was sitting on the side of her dying friend. “Thank you for bringing back our music, for the wonderful experiences, for the genuine smile, for the unending laughter. Thank you for everything, my dear Kit. It was nice meeting you here, best friend. I may not be with you again physically; I know I will be forever in your heart.” Laer said. “Thank you for letting me feel what true friendship means. Please don’t die. It was you who made me realize how wonderful life is. You’re my best friend, right? And best friends do not leave each other.” Tears continued to flow from her eyes until everything became blurred. Kit woke up and remembered everything about her bittersweet dream. She knew she was there for a reason. In that morning, her family surprised her with a simple party. It was Kit’s 9th birthday! “Here’s a big gift for our big baby girl!” her daddy said offering the big present. Kit opened the gift and it was her surprise when she saw the human-size teddy bear that she met in her dreams. “Thank you, Daddy! I will call her Laer, my REAL FRIEND.” On that day, Kit realized that the real meaning of true friendship is sacrifice. Nothing more, nothing less.
@Katlinfinity
Language Error: From a Language Teacher's Perspective “Errors are not always bad; rather they are crucial parts and aspects in the process of learning a language.” This line from one of my readings simply explains the nature and the importance of language error analysis. Learning a not so familiar language is not an overnight endeavor; it is a gradual process, a process which should be taken in a more piecemeal approach, a step-by-step one if that is the case. Thus, from these crucial errors, we can picture ourselves improving from time to time, little by little. As a language user, I had experienced a lot of adversities in learning a foreign language especially when I was still in my undergraduate studies. It was never my dream to become a language teacher. I can still remember my elementary days in which I always complain about my English subjects – complying requirements like essays and formal themes, reading short stories which, I thought, are too long for me to handle, analyzing poems which are full of highfalutin words and figurative expressions, answering questions like *“What is the setting of the story? Who are the characters? What is the moral of the story?”* over and over again. After all, my rants led me to the specialization which I never dreamed to take. When I entered college, all I wanted was to challenge myself. *How long could I take this endeavor?* That was my challenge question. And I almost, almost gave up. As a language teacher, one of the most significant experiences I had with language error is, perhaps, teaching the fundamentals. While it’s true that the basics are the easiest lessons to teach, there are still learners who cannot master them specifically the most common one – their Subject-Verb Agreement. Learners inevitably make mistakes in the process of learning a foreign language. However, what is questioned by most language teachers is why students go on making the same mistakes even when such mistakes have been repeatedly pointed out to them? I mean, whenever I require my students to pass their themes, I always give them feedback and correction notes. One of my practices also is to let them pass their drafts first, check them, and give them back to the students for them to accomplish the final output. Thus, I expect them to incorporate all the corrections in editing just to make sure they’ll do it themselves and learn from the corrections. However, there are still minimal errors. This is the nature of language error analysis, I guess Therefore, it is very important to point out the significance of learners' errors for they provide evidence of how language is learned and what strategies or procedures the teachers and learners are employing in the discovery of language. Learning a foreign language is never easy but there are helpful ways on how we can get there. First, we should understand the nature of the language. How is it, in a way, similar or different from our first language? Second, we should be more patient and determined to attain our desired goal which is to acquire a new language. Perhaps, we could watch movies with subtitles using the language, we could read books written in our desired language, or we could even talk with native speakers. Lastly, we should be open-minded and openhearted too, lol. We must be open to change because it is the only constant thing in the world or the universe rather. (winks) Therefore, I can say that my experiences in learning, using, and teaching a second language molded me to become the person I am today. I may not be perfect enough in terms of using the language, at least I had proven myself that the once “challenge” for me became my greatest asset.
@Katlinfinity
I hope everyone's okay despite what is happening nowadays. Keep on praying!
@Katlinfinity
Friendship or Friendsink? How well do you know your friends? How strong is the bond that connects even the tiniest strand of your hair with theirs? What makes you understand one another by just merely staring with each other’s naked eyes? I bet you’ve already experienced these with your *“pakners en kraym”*. You’re smiling because you can relate? Then all of a sudden, you remember them. The crazy folks who influenced you to do the things you never tried before, and the noisy ones who never let you experienced being a loner. Not anymore! But what if difficult circumstances arise? Imagine that you and your friends are drifting in the ocean. The huge waves are pushing you towards the middle of the dreadful sea and you cannot do anything but to go on with the wild blow of the freezing air. Would you risk your life for them? To attain a friendship of forever, perhaps these words can shed light. 1. Talk When misunderstandings occur, never last a day without talking about it. The longer the problem, the harder it takes to be resolved. If you wait until you’re ready, you will be waiting for the rest of your life. 2. Complement Nobody’s perfect but you can be perfect together. Friendship is not only hanging out together. It is how you complete each other’s well-being. There will be no imperfections when you are united as one. 3. Forgive and forget The ideal formula is simply forgive + forget = love and peace. Forgive the people who hurt you and caused pain in your heart. Forget about what had happened and start a new one with love and peace of mind. It’s just the chapter that has ended, not the whole book. 4. Secrets Sometimes, one of the reasons why good friends quarrel is because some secrets are not being kept by one person or the other. Thus, developing the sense of betrayal and a feeling of hatred and disappointment. When people feel like they are being stabbed in the back, they tend to create a gap that breaks the bond. 5. Trust Show them that you are worthy to be trusted. Make them feel comfortable as they share the story of their lives to you. Trust is like a piece of paper, once it is crumpled, you can never bring it back to its original state again. When someone’s trust has been betrayed, it’s very impossible to regain it no matter how hard you work for it. So when your friends trust you, never take it for granted. 6. Effort When you feel like everything is ruined by a simple misunderstanding, always remember that your friendship started with an extraordinary effort. Thus, it wouldn’t last if that effort will be kept as time goes by. Effort to humble yourself and lessen your pride. Pride is a detergent not an attitude. (Sorry, the writer is fond of eating corn. If you know what I mean.) 7. Time The most precious element in this world is your time. When it passes by, you can never go back and change what had happened. So live it well. Even when you found the person whom you want to spend the rest of your life with, don’t forget to still spend time with your friends. Admit it that when you are happy with your love life, you message them once a week or not at all. But when your heart is broken, their inboxes are full because of your unending dramas. Friends are much better than boy/girlfriends. (From the writer’s point of view; bitterness alert!) 8. Initiative The first to approach are the humble ones. Don’t wait until Christmas or New Year before you solve your problems. Make the first move in order for you not to prolong the issue. Patience is a virtue but life is short. 9. God Put the Supreme Being from heavens above as the center of your friendship. Pray for the wellness of each other and make the Church as your “meeting place” (not literally) instead of going to shopping malls and parks. The authentic realm of forever is in the hands of the Almighty Father. (kaya may forever!) 10. Focus Keep your concentration to the preceding words and you’ll find the ones that are worthy to be focused on. Keep calm and treasure your *“pakners en kraym”*. Just like in the sea of life, the relationship you have with your friends is the foundation of an extraordinary bond that serves as your boat. The sea exemplifies your journey towards success. The huge waves are the obstacles and hindrances that you meet along your way. The wild air signifies the misunderstandings that will surely happen within your group. But whatever it may be; always remember that it will always be worth it in the end. The choice is yours to choose and no one else's. Would you let your friendship sink?
@Katlinfinity
Is she JUST a Woman? I am a woman of love worthy of your respect, A being who was born by grace, not by accident. I existed to serve and inspire without any cost, ‘Coz all I wanted was to leave a legacy with a purpose. I am a woman of extraordinary professions, A daughter, a sister, a teacher with a passion. I am who I am no matter how what they say, I can and I will so watch me play. When shall my presence be noticed by anyone? I sacrificed everything but was never enough for everyone. Do I need to prove that I deserve a stand in this society? Open your eyes and see what caused me so much anxiety. I am a woman of pride and sophistication Who makes mistakes of living in perfection. Let me live to be what I really want to be, And let me die in accordance with His plans for me.
@Katlinfinity
San “JUAN” of a Kind... Are you ready for an extraordinary adventure? Want to have a ride? Pack your things, dress up, and get ready to explore an effortless beauty of nature. A breathtaking town covered with gifts of nature such as serene beaches, abundant forests, and rich heritage. This humble town is one of La Union’s superb pride. Here we are, San Juan! An international surfer once said, “Surfing is the most blissful experience you can have on this planet, a taste of heaven.” No wonder many people aim to experience the thrilling waves in the Surfing Capital of the North for bonding, picnics and unwind moments. It is not just known to local surfers but it’s also recognized in the world surfing circuit. With the fifth-longest coastline on the planet, it is being looked up into as one of the famous surfing areas for almost 10 years, a thought for the San Juaneros to be proud of. It has consistent surf breaks and boasts beautiful white beaches. Local and international surfers visit the town to participate in some of the much-awaited surfing competition of the year. Another pride of San Juan is the pottery industry which highlights the creativity and artistry of the natives. If you would travel up north, you would right away be captivated by the magnificent pots displayed along the narrow borders of San Juan, La Union, particularly in Barangay Taboc. San Juan products range from the famous “dalikan” or the traditional cooking stove, bricks, jars, and other earthenware products of varied sizes and designs. Just like any other work of art, pottery making does not only draw out more of a person’s artistry, but it also helps him pattern and nurture a legacy that would live on and on. A living legacy that even a hundred years could not eradicate its aesthetic influence not only in the province but also in the whole nation. Let us also take a look at some of the ancestral treasures of San Juan. The old lighthouse which is a relic of the Spanish Era still stands though it has been withered through the times. This is a standing witness of how San Juan had grown into a well-developed town through the years that passed. The local government takes an effort to restore the house to its original form to attract more people and tourists. San Juan is usually rich with ancient historical structures such as the Museo de San Juan, Saint John the Baptist Church, and the Municipal Building which seem to have been built during the Spanish years because they were Spanish era inspired. The ancient Acacia trees that surround the town plaza also give life especially on the façade of the municipal buildings. Do you want to take your loved ones to special places but short with your budget? Don’t worry because San Juan makes it real for you. You can tour them to the famous Amparo Park. You can buy your snacks, lay mats on the Bermuda grasses which cloth the grounds green, and play soft music. I bet this is more romantic than being in a luxurious restaurant. The Mini Lake is also a real attraction especially to kids because tilapia fingerlings add spice to it making the kids frantic trying to catch them. At last, after a long day of strolling, we can rest, satisfy our tummies, and meditate for a while. Just search for Kahuna, Puerto de San Juan, Isla Bonita, Final Option, and Awesome Hotel because any will do. These are high-class beach resorts and hotels which offer choice cottages, cabins, and family rooms. Anyone can stroll around and recharge the mind or refresh the soul. The landscape around the hotels would even be so relaxing; you could free your mind and just enjoy life. San Juan does not only possess beautiful places and destinations; it is also rich with beautiful people inside and out. The natives exemplify the sense of hospitability and value unity and responsibility. During town fiestas, there would be friendly competitions to uplift the morale of the youth and to promote every town’s pride and products. “Oh, San Juan, La Union, a blessed place. A gift to man from God.” As the hymn implies, this blessed town is truly a precious gift from God the Highest. That is why the natives are doing their best to flourish these gifts and return it all for the glory of God. It offers beauty in its own rights of beyond compare. It is a paradise in the north that is worth discovering. The rich culture and heritage of San Juan will always be there no matter how many generations would pass. We might not be here anymore in the next hundred years but San Juan assures its people that no matter what happens, it will remain and it will serve as the living conveyor of our greatness to the next generations to come. Are you ready to go home? Pack your things, dress up, and promise yourself that you’ll definitely come back to this splendid town in God’s perfect time. VIVA, SAN JUAN!
