My Teacher, My Hero: Going Beyond Education

Another one of my winning pieces. This was during the International Teachers' Day Celebration, October 2010. :)

From the humble beginnings of our fruitful lives, there has been a certain kind of person guiding us towards the brighter future that we have all yearned for since childhood. This person is and will always be a part of our existence while we live on earth. And this being, so blessed with knowledge and wisdom, is our teacher.

When we first took our first steps, spoke our first words, and began to see and understand the environment we were in, were we alone? Did we teach ourselves these things? The answer to these questions is definitely a NO. Our parents, our very first teachers, were there to give us the initial guidance in order for us to perform such activities.

The basic definition of a teacher can easily be derived from the statement above, which clearly says that a teacher is "one who passes down general knowledge acceptable in our modern society to the younger generations." Though this holds true throughout the world, a teacher is definitely a lot more than a walking encyclopedia. They are, in essence, our stepping-stones in becoming the ideal citizens that may be able to help shape the future of our world. And not only do they share what they know, they also mold our characters and enhance our perception of the things around us. This, I believe is what a teacher really is.

In films or movies, we often hear the expressions "Oh! My Hero!" or "You're my Saviour!" These lines are often directed to those who have impeccable strength to have incredible abilities that are beyond human capability. Many consider them heroes because their prowess and will to help those who are in dire need. But, despite all of that, people still speak of the "mysterious warriors" or the "silent heroes". This makes you wonder what really makes a person or a being a hero.

When we see an image of Superman, Spiderman and other fictional characters shaped by human imagination, we remember the expressions mentioned earlier. But did you ever stop thinking if these words were also spoken to a teacher? Sadly though, we seldom think of teachers as more than what they are. You might ask, "How, in Heaven's name, can we consider a teacher a hero despite the fact that there is nothing special, like amazing capabilities about them?"

Teachers give almost all of their time for their students and often don't have time to think about themselves. They sacrifice their own personal goals. They offer their strength. They devote almost their whole lives for the welfare and benefit of those who depend on them for two things considered valuable in our lives: Knowledge and Wisdom. Isn't this what being a hero is all about? They save us from the major problems that are affecting our society today with what they impart on us. They go beyond education to offer us something that not many people can give: the will to make a choice before we do something in our lives that may affect us in a positive or negative way. With this, they create in us, heroes as well. It's like creating a sculpture from the clay of another sculpture.

"Great power comes great responsibility" so goes the adage. We often hear of this many times over, it is undoubtedly affirmed in the teacher-hero situation. Only, this time, they don't have that much great power, but they do have a great responsibility. That is, to go beyond the confines of education and to create heroes from heroes.

Astronomy: A Pivotal Step in Nation Building

This was my essay during the National Astronomy Week in the Philippines, which was held at the Rizal Technological University. It won first place. My father established the first astronomy course in the country, and is now the president of the university. I'm a proud daughter, alright. :)

“Astronomy is the study of celestial bodies.” This is, and always has been, the most widely used and accepted definition of this science. When this is taught to the public, the general idea that they get about astronomy is that its purpose is to merely acquire information about the objects that exist in our Universe. Though this fact holds true, astronomy helps us, whether as individuals or a whole nation, in more ways than we can imagine.

The Philippines has experienced wars and being colonized in its past. And although we have been set free from their chains, our country is still in need of nation building. Astronomy is one of the many keys in achieving this. With the number of astronomers rising, our government cannot always allow them buy the telescopes and equipment that they need in their observations from foreign investors. Sooner or later, local establishments should be set up in manufacturing astronomical equipment. This will help the economy in one way or another, especially when foreign countries start importing what our country has manufactured.

On a global scale, which also affects individual nations, our world is facing environmental problems that can lead to the death of our Earth. Though Astronomy may yet prove to have the solution, it provides us with the knowledge that, with our current inability to seek further into our Universe, we have only one planet. Knowing this, people will soon start to realize that unity is needed in preserving our planet; turning the nation’s chaos into order.

In the words of the writer Og Mandino, “I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.” We must remember that simply knowing that there are stars in the sky, we already know a small thing about astronomy. And when our nation seems to fall into darkness, we look at those stars and there we find hope; hope that someday, not only will we reach those points of light in the sky, we will climb the highest peak of the country’s development.

Through Ocean Eyes

The soft yellow bloom that the sun does bring,
Brought forth by the morn as the birds do sings,
Brings joy to my heart as it does to thee.
I feel myself blessed to have eyes that see.

The night is as blissful as is the morn.
The stars rid the world of the scars and scorn.
I gaze up towards the shimmering lights.
Beauty can be seen in different sites.

Music fills the air in a quiet home
As my fingers play the music of Rome.
The melody of instruments unheard
Will I keep on playing without a word.

We were all given hands to preserve art,
I feel mine are for the art of the heart.
With my paintings I show a world in me,
Though they're not as beautiful as the sea.

My heart soars in company of great books.
I don't care about their smell or their looks.
My head in the clouds, not feet on the ground,
Is what these great books bring without a sound.

But nothing compares to the ocean breeze.
My heart with the waves, I stare in a freeze.
The sound of the water as they clash with rocks,
More beautiful than the wind through hemlocks.

To be part of this wonder, I desire,
In my heart and soul burning with great fire.
But I know that on land is where I'm meant.
This I shall not ever try to lament.

Still, I shall see the world through ocean eyes,
And keep on walking through the pain and lies.
For beneath the strife and unending stress,
I know that beauty is under that mess.

I am Emerald Eyes and Ocean Mist,
Nature and water in one special twist.

Takip-Silim

Here's a short poem I made in my native language. It's translated as "Twilight". I was inspired to write this because of the song "Sa Pakpak ng Paru-paro" which means "Wings of the Butterfly".

Sa pagsapit ng takip-silim, lahat ay nagbabago.

Lahat ng kaligayahan sa buhay ay naglalaho.

Sa tuwing makikita ko sa gabi ang mga bituin,

Lungkot ang nadarama sa pagkawasak ng mga mithiin.

Unti-unting nag-iiba ang mga pangyayari.

Hindi na mapakali, nawawala sa sarili.

Ang pag-asa na kay ilap ay hindi ko maabot.

Ako'y gulung-gulo ng pangangamba at takot.

Naghihintay ng bulalakaw galing sa himpapawid,

hihilingin kong mawala mga sakit na walang patid.

Sa paglipad ng mga ibo'y nais kong sumama.

Nais kong maging malaya sa pagkawalang pag-asa.

Sa pagsapit ng takip-silim, kay raming nais makamit,

habang ang mga bituin ay hindi nawawalan ng rikit.

Translation:

When twilight comes, everything changes.

All the happiness in life disappears.

Whenever I see the stars at night,

I feel sadness as my desires are crushed.

Slowly, the way things are happening become different.

the feel of anxiety; can't get hold of one's self.

I can't reach the hope that seems to avoid me.

I'm so fussed with trepidations and fear.

I keep waiting for a shooting star to fall from the heavens,

I'd wish for the pain to just go away.

With the flight of the birds I want to come.

I want to be free from hopelessness.

When twilight comes, so many desires wanting to be reached,

while the stars never lose their beauty.

Uncertainties

The still night air grows strangely cold

As new questions begin to unfold.
The breeze is heavy, unlike before.
What does tomorrow really have in store?

The soft twinkle of a heavenly light
Seems to tremble at my sight.
I wonder now what this all means.
"I missed something. Rewind the scenes!"

Now, once again, running in my mind,
"Why are those stars so hard to find?"
Red topples over blue. Oh, the dread!
I wonder if this is something I've misread.

Though my mind stares blankly into space,
My heart begins to quicken its pace.
The dark ocean, consuming me with uncertainty,
Encumbers me greatly in its infinity.

My pulse and beat begin to fluctuate
As I run towards this unopened gate.
"In the starry cosmos I remain adrift,
patiently waiting for that spatial rift."

Albireo

Red and blue, symbols of war and peace.
Still, there remains this solemn ease.
In a distant region far from Earth
Are these two stars in harmony and mirth.

Soaring high with the heavens' swan,
As beautiful as the serene city of Milan,
Shining not as bright as the Evening Star,
but still able to heal an old memory's scar.

Though yet its name, for me, is still unclear,
I hold on to it as if it were so dear.
And now, as I look up, my hear yearns
To see this star, the light that burns.

If only I could fly and see them as I pass by.
If only I could reach them as fast as a sigh.
My desires would be relieved from this woe;
My desire to see the two stars of Albireo.

Starry Cosmos

Space and time, where mysteries reside,
Bring forth thoughts that will collide.

Speculations, theories... there's still time.
But we won't get the answers by the drop of a dime.

Patience, the greatest value of all,
Is required by us to later stand tall.

For now, the cosmos are clear, no clouds in sight.
Almost everyone is asleep, calling it a night.

Though gazing up above is a wonder indeed,
Rest is something we all really need.

The stars that twinkle resonates
A ray of hope in our dreaming states.

I say good night to you at last
As I look upon the sky so vast.

Astronomy and Poetry in one! A 'good night poem' to all astronomers out there.