Kuwentong Bangtan: Climbing Upward and Inward

Once again, Joon went for a climb to the summit of Insubong Peak (인수봉) in Bukhansan National Park, as indicated by the signpost beside him that reads “신선대 정상” (Sinsundae Summit) at 726 meters.

Like Joon, I go out for walking and trekking. Where I live, we are still blessed with spaces for walks and the like. Each step I take is a conversation with the land, each breath a moment with myself. The soil, the ground, the earth holds memory and the vast sky welcomes every version of me — who I was and who I have become.

I have yet a real mountain to climb, but I know what it means to return to a place I have journeyed before. The landscape may look the same, but I am not. Some things remain. Some things change. This is true of the world around us and the world within us. What new perspectives can one take when the view is familiar, but the soul has shifted?

Perhaps the climb is not just upward, but inward, too.

And this is what I truly love about Joon. Why he is my ultimate. Even in pictures, he has the power to bring me to places where I can rediscover and regain a sense of self. A sacred pause into the wilderness. Never without presence.

Truly, we never walk alone.

The Lighthouse Diary Entries 2020

 Work From Home officially begins this week. 

Sigh. 

Hope floats and I hang on to faith. 

The blog has always been a venue for my musings and writings on the work that I do since I started out. It is no different that, to this day, I blog about my experiences and practice of school librarianship in the Beacon Academy. Looking back in 2020, I was able to write and post six entries. Not bad given how tough the year was for everyone else. 

This is not a resolution, but I do hope to write more about WFH and school librarianship in the COVID-19 era.

Here are links to the The Lighthouse Diary for 2020. It pretty much sums up my work life last year.

The Lighthouse Diary #18: Volcanic Eruption and E-Learning

The Lighthouse Diary #19: Volcano, Viruses and Vigilance

The Lighthouse Diary #20: A Vital Support System

The Lighthouse Diary #21: Two Weeks of BA Library Online

The Lighthouse Diary Entry #22: Getting Ready for Academic Year 2020

The Lighthouse Diary Entry #23: Statistics as Science and Story

Books. Technology. And, Design Thinking!

Since my summer began in early June, I have been to several round table discussions and meet-ups with friends in the education sector and in the book industry. Our topics of conversation range from reading, to books, the creation of information and knowledge, ways to communicate these resources to them and the behavior we apply as we consume them. I discovered and validated three things.

One, technology unceasingly advances in an unbridled manner. Information is continuously exploding. Flooding us in and out of our thinking process. We find ourselves swimming against the current. Well, except for the generation Z, who seem to adapt perfectly well in the ebb and flow of the tides of information. Then again, it seems that they could not go deeper into the heart of the ocean, where more nutritious information and amazing knowledge rest. The digital divide widens between generations, as well as the tech haves and have nots. You have the technology to fish, then you get them. Hook, line and sinker.

Already, there are talks of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. But, there I was talking to publisher friends at how diverse today's readers and users are and this diversity affect the choices of reading materials created and produced. Long ago, their model for book and knowledge distribution follows a linear path. Books go to bookstores, schools and libraries. With the web, wifi and the cloud, everything is out there like an eat-all-you can buffet.

That's number two. Librarians and publishers need to work together to offer reading materials that are programmed to help, assist, aid and inspire readers make informed choices. We also share the same sentiments in the creation and provision of access of books to our readers. A publisher friend is looking at strengthening their research and development unit to channel production and marketing to realistic gains. I am considering demand driven acquisition and one of the concerns I have is whether to subscribe to an ebook lending system. Like my publisher friend, I will turn to research to find answers.

So it never ends - thinking, and finding out solutions to problems. I need to go back and review the Design Thinking principles I learned from my Head of School back in 2014. Because, in Design Thinking, compassion, creativity and critical thinking all come into play when finding out solutions to problems.

Pilgrim's Pit Stop: Reflections on Faith and Life

If you are a follower of the blog, you may have noticed the regular posts I have been writing about: my faith and my relationship with God, the tests and trials I go through - big and small, and the many surprises life has been throwing my way. This Holy Week, as I continue to reflect on the amazing moments when I discover that God is present in my life, I curate these written reflections. Looking back at these events makes me grateful. I am humbled by the graces I receive.

This series of reflections is entitled Pilgrim's Pit Stop.

On Generosity How I pray for grace and when it is answered, it can be life changing and life affirming.

On the Examen and Prayer Apps The Daily Examen is a core of Ignatian Spirituality. Praying the Examen everyday allows me to see and to find God in all things. Through the Examen, I recognize the many colors of life and its complexities. Deep with in the prayer exercise, I experience a knowledge of who I am. It is not always a pleasant discovery. But since God is with me in prayer and in every moment, I am consoled.

On Love and Transcendence  When I realized that I am capable of loving and going beyond myself.

On Midlife and Growing Old with Grace Transitioning to midlife is not a walk in the park, but it can gracefully be achieved!

Living in the Now I have been battling with anxiety since I turned forty years old. I have been prescribed to take medicines but, I opted to go a naturel. Strengthening my spiritual anchor is one way of dealing with the condition.

Pilgrim's Pit Stop appears 4-6 times in a year in the Magis Deo Newsletter. I have been writing for the Magis Deo Newsletter since 2006, when my husband I first joined the community. I took a leave for two years, I think and went back in 2016. It was actually the year when I had my mini-stroke.

You can read about my journey on a second chance on life by following these links: The Big Reveal: My Stroke of Luck, My Stroke of Luck: Trying to Make Sense of It All, My Stroke of Luck: On the Road to Recovery.

The Lighthouse Diary 2019 #14: Don's Tree

The Beacon Academy had its 4th annual school fair last Saturday, February 9, 2019. Congratulations to the Beacon Academy Student Council, the Fair Committee, my co-teachers who moderated the clubs and mentored students, the Operations Team, the School Life Team and the School Leadership who gave their support in making this year's fair another successful event. There were booths, a variety of food, merchandise on display, a talent showcase and a Battle of the Bands.

In previous years, I have volunteered to man booths and assist students in the showcase. There was even one school fair when Nico and I performed with a colleague. We sang a duet of Joey Albert's hit songs in the 80s. Nico was so nice to accompany us in the guitar.

This year, I chose to enjoy myself.

I watched Zoe perform with the Dance Club and sing with Wednesday Firsts, one of the many school bands in the Academy. There are less than 150 students, but around three to four bands exist. There is also a faculty and staff band who performs during special events and occasions like Christmas and Buwan ng Wika. This goes to show how much we love music. It's that, or work can be really stressful we needed an outlet. Either way, it only goes to show that we can chill. And I did just that last Saturday. It is the most relaxing fair I had in my nine years of work in the Academy.

Chillin' at the Beacon Academy Fair

Spreading a mat under Don Salubaybay's tree, I sat, sprawled and lay down to my heart's content. People were doing the same thing all around. Some were eating at the food boths. Others busy buying merch, plants, zines, etc. In what school fair can you sit under a tree, named after a dearly departed colleague and not be called out? It is these little things I cherish these days. Yes, these are signs of growing old. But to me, I call it pacing. Taking my time. Resting.

While under Don's tree, I couldn't help but remember our beloved art teacher who died of aneurysm three, four years ago. He was a dedicated cultural worker, passionate artist, loving father and husband. I lost a friend that year. We would talk about different aspects of art; Indonesia since we have been there for different reasons. Him for his art. Me for my work as school librarian. We both love the coffee and the chocolates in Bali. His art has appeared in a children's book and he donated a copy in the library. One of our precious titles. He is a storyteller too. He uses paper, light and darkness. Shadow Play. I once asked him if we could do a book project together and right away, he said yes. Sadly, he left us all too soon. We planted the tree in memoriam to Don.

Then it occurred to me, while lying on that mat under Don's tree, the many things and the people I have lost while working in the Academy. A lot of things have happened in nine years. What have I lost? What have I gained? What have I given back? What am I learning in the process? Why did I stay? Why am I staying? There are so many answers. So many things that cram in my head that needs unpacking. There are memories that surfaced, not all pleasant but filled with learning experiences all the same.

Oh boy...

Don't be surprised if in the next entries of The Lighthouse Diary, you will read about my reflections of nine years working in the Academy. I feel excited about this little project. I have a good feeling about this. My gut tells me so.

Pilgrim's Pit Stop: What's Love Got To Do With It?

Exactly ten years ago, I wrote an essay about love for the February issue of the Magis Deo Newsletter.  Back then, we were able to churn out monthly issues. Ten years after, a lot of things have changed but the love remains.

I have an archive of the articles and essays I have written in a private

online journal so I recalled what I wrote about love in that issue.

This is the advantage of keeping soft copies of works and written articles

in this age of digital media. Going back to memory lane is easier and

more accessible.

Reading the article, one paragraph struck me because, to this day, I still believe

in the words I professed. I wrote, “when we realise its (love’s) presence

in our lives, we are moved to do greater things beyond our known capacity.

In our all too human eyes, the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

A painful experience transforms into something beautiful. The old is seen as

fresh and new, even ageless. With love, time and space do not matter at all.

In love, we’re diminished but we surface more enriched and fulfilled.

When we love we become fearless. We endure. We persevere… We grow.”

I think about how these lofty beliefs and ideals on love are made real in my life

in the decade that passed. I was only thirty four when I gave up a work and

a position I enjoyed doing over truth, fairness and humility. Ten years ago,

I witnessed how estranged family members helped us survive Ondoy

in its aftermath. I was gifted with the kindness from friends when I least

expected it. I received the generosity of communities I belong to

so I can revive my hope and faith in humanity. There are days when I pray

for a humbled heart to continue acknowledging this grace

because, I feel I do not deserve it all.

As a wife and mother, my heart has been broken several times over. Yet, I go on

loving and living because I am surprised that I am capable of devotion

and faithfulness. For this, I thank my husband and my children.

At the ripe old age of forty four, these I know. True love allows us to accept loss.

Things will never be the same again in parting and in leave taking, but it is alright.

And, when it is time to set free the people I hold dear, it is a way of

loving myself as well.  

May you find love and may love continuously find you! Happy Valentine’s day!

The Blog's Monthly First Post of 2018

Keeping up with a blogging tradition, here are the blog's first post of every month in 2018.

January: Prayer for the New Year I began 2018 with a photo of the moon and fire works.

February: The NonLibrarians in Our Midst Musings on licensed librarians and the controversial assignment of Dir. Gilbert Adriano as National Library of the Philippines administrative director.

March: Priming Session for Digital Learning Talk at Southville International School A pre-activity for participants of the Reading Congress in Southville International School. I have been using the blog as an online teaching tool to extend learning experiences for my workshops.

April: Art, Music and Storytelling Stuff I do that truly matters to me because it keep me sane. Art! Music! Storytelling!

May: Consortium of the South  Here is where you can read the interview I had with officers of the CoTS or Consortium of the South, a library organization of colleges and schools in the southern district of Metro Manila.

June: Teacher at Center Stage: Ana Bacudio I continue the blog's series on Filipino teachers making a difference and being an inspiration to many. For this post, I interviewed Ana Bacudio who is organizing reading centers in Mindoro.

July: Keynote of Pepper Roxas During the 2017 National Children's Book Day (NCBD) at the CCP is a throwback post and a preparation or PR to the 2018 NCBD.

August: Nostalgia and Hero Worship Every summer, we visit museums. The ones Zoe and I visited were the Vargas Museum and the Bulwagan ng Dangal that are both found in the UP Diliman Campus. We saw Toym Imao's installations and sculptures and viewed the art exhibit by CANVAS.

September: Ino at the MIBF 2018 Of course, I blogged about Ino the Invincible and its availability in the Manila International Book Fair. I heard it had good sales!

October: Pilgrim's Pit Stop: On Midlife Because the blog is also my personal space.

November: Picture Book Month In Retrospect I tried keeping the Picture Book Month alive, but failed. Epic.

December: Mini-Books by Teachers It is always a joy to teach and share with teachers the delights of book making. I always begin in small and simple steps. Hoping that it will grow and develop into a big project in their learning community.

And so, this is the blog's 2018. Let's see what 2019 will give us.

The Lighthouse Diary Entry 12: In Retrospect of 2018

Here now are posts I made about work and my librarian adventures at the Beacon Academy. I started the Lighthouse Diary in 2017 and so far, I am keeping the lighthouse lit as much as I can.

In this entry, I wrote about research and what it is as a concept. Needless to say, research is thinking and cognition. In April, I curated my entries and I realized how involved I am in the systems of thinking and teaching skills in the Academy. I often see myself as falling short of the expectations, but a closer look at the work I do as school librarian reveals how involved I am. In this post, I reflect on the library orientation and skills teaching I conducted at the beginning of the school year.

Now I figured that what is missing is a follow through and a regular meeting with students either in formal or informal instructional spaces. Aha. This is something I can work on for academic year 2019!

In September, I wrote about the Dr. Maris Diokno's talk and Pinoy Ako Blog's visit in the Academy. IT was a feel good experience for me as I saw how important librarians and archivists are in this age of  fake news and alternative facts. Finally, the McCann Youth study helped me gain perspective. If teachers are constantly challenged to student centered teaching, then school librarians are needed to support teachers on this challenge. Furthermore, the services and programs in school libraries have to be centered at the learners, adults included.