Being a Teacher

I suppose that after writing five journals about films and shows in the past, I (unconsciously) made an “avowal” that I will be writing more of those kinds. I have this weekly browsing of our DVDs and I happen to see a movie that I did not watch yet. It is a French film titled, Les Choristes (The Chorus), starring Gérard Jugnot and Jean-Baptiste Maunier.


Movie Poster: Les Choristes

The movie is about an appalling class, led by a very ‘deceiving’ student (Jean- Baptiste Maunier) who encounters a teacher (Gérard Jugnot) who brought out their own God-given talents. The movie started with the narrator (Pierre Morhange) going back to his hometown because of the sudden death of his mother. There he was surprised by a diary of his past teacher. He reminisced his experiences in his past life. He remembered the harsh system of the school for “difficult” boys, and how Clement Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot) knew how to deal with this kind of students. Mathieu believed in the saying that “Music can inspire even the most evil soul” and that led him to be the favorite of his class. Mathieu met characters that really challenged his beliefs in teaching. He fought with the selfish principal who ‘praises’ the saying “Action- Reaction”, stating that the teachers should react to these difficult boys’ evil actions immediately. However, Mathieu knew in his heart that these children have goodness deep within their souls. He learned how to uncover them: by making them stewards of music. He taught his class how to sing. He made them his own choir and disciplined them like how a father should discipline his children. He made wicked and dirty boys into angels. One of the children who made Mathieu a hard time was Pierre Morhange (Jean-Baptiste Maunier). He refused to be a good boy, even though it is against his true self. He chose to distance himself to music, even though it is his passion. The turn of his story was when Mathieu heard Pierre sing. He sounded like an angel (and he looked like an angel). Mathieu invited Pierre to sing in his choir, and fortunately Pierre accepted the invitation. Pierre, as a soloist, wowed many people with his beautiful singing voice. When they all made a move against the evil principal, they were sent out of the school and continued to follow their dreams.

The movie was really inspiring. After watching that, I began to look back my own, dear teachers who made a big mark on my life. According to Bob Ong’s book, ABNKKABSNPLAAko, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stop.” It is true indeed that a successful person is made up of good teachers. And likewise, a vile person is made up of bad teachers. Many people nowadays see teaching as an ‘easy’ job, or as a ‘lesser-of-a-value’ job. Those beliefs are very incorrect! Teachers shaped the minds of Bill Gates, Barack Obama even Michael Jackson. They are all famous people who made a great mark in human history. This movie made stated saying more clear to myself. I can say that after watching this movie, I have not been more appreciative with my own teachers.:-)

The Thrilling Point

“You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love…I love…I love you…”

It was raining really hard that night. I was waiting for something, something that I do not know. I was sitting by the window, occasionally glancing on the street where people pass by with their big umbrellas. How come they decided to walk with that weather? I saw faces, many faces. Faces passing in front of my eyes. Eyes that never dared to look at me, maybe because no one really cared. After several glances, I gradually invite my eyes to a man approaching our house. He was a man with an average body and height. He wears a blue polo shirt and black pants. On his right hand, he carries a bag, more like a ‘briefcase-like’ bag. And on his other hand, he carries a black plastic bag. I stared on that plastic bag for a very long time, maybe I was trying to do an “x-ray” of this possession. Captured by the bag’s mysterious impression, I failed to hear our door bell. Someone’s ringing it. I hastily approached the door, wondering who disturb my peculiar trance. I opened the door and saw this man who was wearing this blue polo shirt smiling at me. Oh, I realized who he is, he is my father. I was stunned with my complete “unawareness” of this man. He seemed to ignore my startling reaction, because he stayed smiling. He slowly gives me the plastic bag. I was wondering, “Is this for me?” I opened it. Mixed emotions flooded in m mind, heart, and soul. This is so nice! I’ve been waiting this time to come! I happily hugged my new prized possession—my CD of Pride and Prejudice.


I made this right after watching the film. :-)

Maybe that was too much for an introduction, but I can’t help it! I just want to write something that I feel in movies—the thrill. I am not sure if you are thrilled by my writing but I think you’ve got the idea, right? Anyway, I am just happy that I own a CD of Pride and Prejudice (2005, American version). I watched it long time ago and honestly, did not understand the concept of the movie (I was 15 back then and I was not a serious person). This movie gave me the “thrill.” Not your usual thrill of being frightened by a big hideous monster or the sound of a violin in E string while the white lady approaches. No, not like that. It is the feeling of an emotion arising from the depth of your soul. The new feeling that creeps all the way to your heart and head, and resides there forever. That is how it felt after watching Pride and Prejudice.

I think that Jane Austen is really ‘forward’ when it comes to the topic of women. Austen wrote a different woman; well, different from her period. She wrote Elizabeth Bennet as an opposite of most women during that time. She gave her a voice to transcend her message what and how women should act and be treated. On the other hand, Jane Austen did not fail to give her audiences their need for romance. She painted Mr. Darcy as a “dream boy” of every girl. Mr. Darcy gave me the ‘thrill’ during the scene where he admitted that he loves Lizzie. Their romance is unpredictable and really exhilarating. You can’t just get enough, like what an ad says.

Aside from the script, the movie will not be a complete success if the casting is not right. Matthew MacFadyen gave justice to the role of Mr. Darcy. He made remarkable lines lovelier with his voice and tone. On the other hand, Keira Knightly did an amazing performance as Elizabeth Bennett. She perfectly showed a ‘renewed’ woman, like what Jane Austen wrote. The other casts like Donald Sutherland, Rosamund Pike, and Brenda Blethyn also made fantastic job in internalizing their roles. In whole, the cast is good and they just made the whole movie a great film.

In life, we always hunt for the ‘thrill’. According to a book about marriages, one of the main reasons of the increasing number of failed (and failing) marriages is the loss of ‘thrill’ in the relationship. The ‘thrill’ is made up of the unpredictability of events, the surprising twists and turning of actions. Like what this movie (and I wish all movies) has, is the ‘thrill’ of being in love again, of renewing your connection to the world, and of being happy to show who you really are.

Miriam College’s statement versus CHED’s order

TheAH1N1 (also known as Swine Flu), has been a sound issue among schools. Since the breakout of the flu in schools, CHED asked the affected institutions to have a week suspension because of the increasing number of swine flu victims. Miriam College, who was reportedly claiming a “positive victim”, did not agree to CHED’s judgment. In one of the interviews broadcasted in GMA, Miriam College’s representative of Patricia Licuanan made a statement confirming their disagreement of the request. The representative firmly stated “Miriam students will surely not follow the advised quarantine; instead they will just be enjoying their ‘extra vacation’ going to malls and other public places where they would get the virus.” Miriam College also informed the media about their implementation of safety precautions against the flu pandemic, and does not need to quarantine all the students. The questions are: Is it right for the college not to follow the government’s orders? And, what kinds of safety precautions are being put into practice.

The Miriam College students have different opinions about the institution’s statement. Some students and even faculty members have been questioning these said “safety precautions.” They said that how could the use of a thermometer and several quarantines for selected students only, be a 100% protection for those who are not carrying the flu. This made students, faculty members and parents, into making blogs, writing petitions, and even rallying for the modification of the institution’s statement regarding the order of CHED. Still, Miriam College stands firm to their decision and made clear that the safety precautions will still be implemented and improved.

The Man Who Can't Be Moved

Note: This week is really tiring because of a lot of homework and projects, and I really need to treat myself for that.

My friend Cerina told me that she was already finished with Ghost Whisperer Season 4 (she only watched that season, hah!). She told me a twist that changed my life (figuratively), one of the characters died. Since I am an avid fan of Ghost Whisperer, I was really excited to watch this new season. I immediately ran to the nearest “DBD-DBD” store to buy the CD (I know it is against the law but I really need to watch it, and I because do not have money).

I watched it. Intently. Listening to every word of the characters, trying to predict the moment where Jim will die. Then, there it was. Shocking, depressing, and painful end.


Jim: You're more beautiful every time I see you. Melinda: You're awake. I love you. Jim: Mel, there's a thing that happened. Um... uh... it's called an embolism - it's a technical term and you don't need to know about it. Melinda: Let me go get you a doctor. Jim: No, please. Just look at me, right here. Please look at me, right now. Look, look at me right here. I want you to remember me this way. Please…

The End.

How frustrating is that?! Jim was a really good husband and person, why do they need to “end” him that way? However, though I am really furious, I think that the way he died (their situation and actions) made a stronger mark to their audience. It was really genuine and touching.

Jim always takes care of Melinda. He is very compassionate and caring, that’s why it it more difficult to “let him go.” When my friend and I had a chat (after I finished season 4 for two days), we shared our thought about our future (hopefully…please God) Jim. Together with our friends, we asked each other what are we going to do if our future husbands die (KNOCK ON WOOD 3x). Some of us said that they will re- marry and some did not answer the question (too frightened to answer). For me, if ever that will happen (KNOCK ON WOOD 3x again), I do not see myself marrying somebody else again. I think that true love comes only on one stroke. It can be repeated, but sometimes, it prefers not to recur. I always thought of the ratio, one man is to one woman; and this scene or series made me think that that theory might be true. That is why I will just “stick to one.”

Aside from my dreams of meeting my own Jim, this scene made me ponder on my own life, and on the people around me. I realized that life is short and you are the only person who can make your stay on this “grand hotel”, worthwhile. It is really nice if you can say to your friend that you are grateful for his or her existence in your life. It is good to tell your parents, siblings and (maybe) spouse and kids, I love you, once in a while. It is healthy to compliment other people who you are not familiar with. And it is always feels pleasant to let your enemies know that somehow, they changed some negative views in your life.

This may be a lame topic to discuss and connect with the reality of life; however, these shows are patterned to the true lives of the people who experienced it. Somehow, I made new discoveries and realizations with these kinds of TV shows.