Justice...

Dear Ma'am Panda,

My name is Kevin Mikhail H. Gomez of the Class MC-3B in the Humanities Division. I am writing this letter to inform you that in my opinion, I believe that the way my teacher in MC 353 Print and Media Principles, Ms. Jen Gaabucayan, grades her students has no proper basis and no proper calculation whatsoever.

First of all, during our Prelim, Ms. Gaabucayan told her students to supply a folder for our quizzes and activities. I know that it was my fault that I wasn’t able to immediately supply a folder for myself but I believe that not having a folder is not enough reason to fail a student. Also, even if I passed her quizzes and activities, participated greatly in her class, and paid for my faults regarding my absences, she didn’t give me the proper grade that I deserved. She gave me a 77. Now I ask, what exactly is her basis of grading her students?

Second, during our Midterms, most of what we were doing was listening to invited – by her– speakers – which were not giving lectures, but sharing personal experiences as journalists – from different newspapers. Some of these “events” were held during our activity period. During these “events” Teacher Jen would ask a payment of money ranging from P35-P45 each from everyone, all 65 students, as an honorarium for the speaker of the day. I personally didn’t give any money because I believed that 35 each would be too much. Just imagine having to pay at least P35 from each of us? That’s almost P2300. And we’re paying that much for a talk about their life as a journalist? Also, I was being very participative during these events of having speakers. She also gave us a project during midterms to record an interview, and I passed that interview to her. She gave me a 53 grade. I didn’t pay anyone of those speakers, what exactly is her basis of grading this time? The payment?

Lastly, during our pre-finals, I believe that I may have missed maybe two of her activities, but I’m pretty sure that I made up for that loss. I’m very disappointed, Ma’am, because I think that the grade that she gave me was not properly calculated and not properly thought of. She gave me a grade of 49 which pushed me to finally file a complaint against her. I don’t even think that you can give grades as low as 65. I know ma’am that I have my own faults regarding this subject, yet I believe that if she could’ve considered the fact that we were the “experimental batch” she would’ve though more clearly of the way she was teaching and the way she was grading her new college students.

Ma’am Panda, with all due respect, where is the justice in the grades that she has been giving. Even Ma’am Baldovino wouldn’t give grades this low. To think, we didn’t even learn anything worthwhile in Ms. Gaabucayan’s class. She treated us like children and she wouldn’t even give points for participation. Most of the people she failed in our class were those who were always participating – myself included. I just don’t understand why she gave grades as low as 49. I’d rather be debarred that be given a grade like this. At least, if I was debarred, I’d still have 65.

Sincerely,

Kevin Mikhail H. Gomez

Like Holding Water

My parents and I had a really long talk last week. right after i posted the last entry, we had this thing. they said that since i was still discerning, i should start experiencing everything there is to experience in life in order to really ground the decision i make about becoming a priest.

They said that i should still be open to the rest of the world before i make drastic decisions. they were right. i think that i should experience the world more before i decide on things so big as to become a priest. but the idea still lies in my mind and in my heart. there is still that fire burning.

During the past few weeks, i've been starting to really control myself. every time i commit one of the 7 deadly sins, i put a mark on my notebook. i made San Alberto Hurtado's technique a reality. he also did that when he was discerning.

I've finally told her my feelings. i compressed those four years of untold feelings into about 30 minutes, and at the same time i told her that i was thinking about becoming a Jesuit.

Saying those words and talking to her like that really helped me in opening my heart to really falling in love with another, yet i may have done that because she might be the only reason why i might not be able to continue priesthood. either way, i still feel really relieved.

Now that i've finally let her go; let the fish out of the cage; the bird out of the aviary; i can finally really find that other without having to compare the other to her;the fish;the bird. (Gets mo?)

Maybe my parents were right. i may be thinking about it too fast. but i can really really see it in my heart. the embers of Gods love are strong within me. strong to the point that i can hear his voice. calling me. telling me to go to the seminary and serve. i have the feeling that the true will of God for me is to become a priest. i believe that i will really enjoy the whole priesthood. i believe that my Lord is calling me there. still, i want to fall in love. i want to really have a really real relationship with someone special. she might be just around the corner, or right under my nose. i'll never know. God knows my plan. He knows that i want to experience things first before i make the "this is really is it" decision.

Thats why i let go of my feelings for her. thats why i want to fall in love. thats why i love God.

Thank You Lord...

For always being by my side, for always listening to my short prayers, for always giving me the right answers(even if its not always positive), for always helping me and my loved one's when we are in need, for always guiding me towards Your love, for always showing me the light of Your hand when I am in the darkest corner, for giving me the capability to love others and You, for making my amateur dreams come true, for teaching me how to serve Your name and wholeness willingly, for being just, for being forgiving, for being kind, for being superior, for being wise, for being everything in my life, for loving me, and for walking by my side. Thank you...

I'm going to be a priest.



For the longest time, I never had any idea on what I would do when I grew up or on what I'd be doing in the next 10-15 years. Maybe fantasies but not realistic. I used to want to become a Doctor, but i failed Biology, then a musician, but I realized that i have to have a decent pay, then a lawyer, but I think I be too lazy to study about laws, but to become a Priest? No way. I didn't even believe in God for a few years in highschool. All that has changed though.



In college, I joined the church choir. I don't know why, but for some reason, i was drawn there. something kept on pulling me to join. Of course some of my friends invited me, but i still had the feeling that i was being pulled to join the choir.



I have been in the Sub Dominant 7 for 6 months now and counting. In those six months, i realized a lot of things. the most important realization of all is that everyday in our lives, there is a small miracle happening. unnoticed by many because everyone is to preoccupied to watch. The mas tells us the story of the life of Jesus, and relates This story to our lives. Since His life was of miracles, so is ours. we just have to believe.



I decided that i will become a priest someday. I realized that my service in the choir may be fulfilling but there must be a way to be of deeper service.

I go to mass everyday. i get to know Jesus better and i get to understand myself better. Believing is so good. to know with all confidence that you are beside Him, that is the Christian faith.



The other night, it was raining, and i was looking for a jeepney ride home. three jeepneys have already passed and people were starting to crowd outside the central 911 office in Ponciano street. since there were already so many people, i assumed that a big number of these people were also going to Ma-a. So i prayed. I prayed the Our Father and said "Lord, pahingi naman ng jeep. Ulan man gud tapos daghan naman mi. Please. nya akua lang front seat. bahala na guot bsta maka uli na mi tanan. salamat Lord." i said this prayer with a smile on my face knowing that He was listening.



After a few moments (not minutes), not one, but TWO jeeps arrived! Not only that, they were EMPTY.



It is in these kinds of small miracles that God shows us how he loves us. I asked for one, He gave me two. He loves us more than we can ever love him, because the amount of love we can ever offer is always returned to us twice as much. that is how much He loves us, and that is the reason why i am answering his call.