A diverse group of adults collaborating on a project with design plans and maps spread out
School opening is one of the special events in the yearly calendar. People are getting busy as the first of day of school approaching. Indeed, school heads, teachers, non-teaching personnel, learners, parents and guardians have so much preparations ahead of time.
School districts are busy in preparing essential things for the school facilities, operation, curriculum, supervisors, administrators, non-teaching staff, utility, maintenance, security, educators, parents, and learners.
School administrators are busy in planning, implementing, and assessing school policies, programs, projects, and events.
School educators are busy in attending, participating, and collaborating with other colleagues in various in-person and virtual training for ease teaching and learning.
School learners are busy preparing their basic school needs such as school uniform, shoes, bag, digital device, reading, writing and art materials.
Parents and guardians are busy helping their kids in providing those school basic needs mentioned.
Whether you are a superintendent, supervisor, administrator, coordinator, educator, paraprofessional, front desk staff, payroll staff, counselor, nurse, utility, maintenance, security, bus driver, police, parent or learner, are you ready for the school opening this year?
An antique wooden cane rests on a rustic table alongside a decorative hand fan and embroidered cloth.
Dahil napagod ang aking isipan sa maghapong paggawa ng mga gawain pampaaralan ay hirap ako makatulog ng Linggo ng gabi nang ika-10 ng Enero, 2026. Mga pasado alas 10 ng gabi na seguro ako nakatulog kalaunan. Habang mahimbing akong nakatulog sa kalamigan ng kuarto ko ay nanaginip ako at ganito ang mga pangyayari na isasalaysay ko sa inyo.
Ang Pagdating ni Nanay sa Bahay
Sa probinsiya namin ay may okasyon na nagaganap sa bahay. Pagtitipon ng buong pamilya at mga kamag-anak. Nagulat ako nang buksan ko ang pinto ng bahay namin ay bumungad sa aking harapan si Nanay. Parang pagod siya na dumating galing sa paglalakad sa gitna sikat ng araw. Naka kulay lila siyang duster na suot. Puti at maiksi ang buhok niya. Ang sabi ko, “Sino kasama ninyo dumating?” “Mag-isa lamang ba kayo?” Hindi siya nakasagot. Mag-isa nga dahil wala akong nakitang kasama niya. Pumasok siya sa bahay pero kalaunan ay lumabas siya ng bahay at umupo siya sa kabilang gilid ng daan na yari sa semento. Walang bangko o upuan doon pero umupo pa rin na para bang namamahinga o may hinihintay. Wala siyang katabi o kausap sa may daanan.
Ang Pag-uwi ni Nanay at Indo Pancing
Nang kalaunan ay nagpasyang umuwi si Nanay. Mabilis ang kanyang paglalakad. Sinusundan ko daw siya para alalayan. Hinawakan ko ang braso niya na payat, malambot, kulubot na parang naglalaylayan na ang mga balat. Pero maliksi at malakas pa rin ang pangangatawan niya kahit na siya ay payat. Ayaw niyang pahawak sa braso kaya binitiwan ko na lang ang braso niya. Nang paliko kami ng daan ay napansin si Nanay na itinapon na baston na yarin sa bakal, itim ang hawakan at itim din ang paanan ng baston. Hindi niya basta makuha dahil nakapulupot ito sa water hose at basa ito dahil sa tumutulong tubig. Ang sabi ni Nanay, “Kailangan ko ito.” habang pilit niyang hinihila yung baston na napupuluputan ng water hose. Mukhang ayos at buo pa ang baston. Nahugot niya rin at nag-umpisa ng maglakad gamit ang bastong nakuha sa harapan ng bahay. Nang akma na kaming papaalis ay may lumabas na babae na may hawak na tatlong pamaypay na may ibat ibang kulay, may kulay berde, dilawan at pula na nakabalot pa ng plastic. Iniaabot ng babae sa amin. Seguro naawa dahil naglalakad kami sa gitna ng araw. Sabi ko kay Nanay, “Baka may may-ari ng baston na yan na napulot natin.” Sumagot yung lalaki na nakasalamin na asawa ng babae na lumabas rin bahay nila. Ang sabi ng lalaki, “Sa inyo na yan dahil may nabili na kaming bago.” Nagpasalamat kami sa lalaki. Habang naglalakad kami ni Nanay, hindi namin namamalayan na nakasunod pala sa amin si Indo Pancing, kapatid ni Nanay na pauwi rin. Si Indo Pancing ay nakasuot ng duster na dirty white ang kulay ng damit. May napulot din siya na mga punda ng unan sa daan sa tapat rin ng bahay na kung saan namin napulot ang baston ni Nanay. Ang mga punda ng unan ay marami kaya nakasayad pa ang mga ito sa lupa habang si Indo Pancing ay naglalakad. Ang punda ng unan ay yari sa manipis na tela na parang tela ng kulambo ang ginamit. Ang mga punda ay parisukat Ang hugis na parang pang throw pillow ito at may ibat ibang kulay rin na light mga kulay nila, may berde, pula, asul, at iba pa.
Nauna nang nauna si Nanay sa paglalakad at hindi ko na natanaw. Nakasunod sa kanya si Indo Pancing na may hila-hilang mga punda ng unan. Ang sabi ko, “Nasaan na si Nanay?” Nakita ko sa malayo na nakarating na si Nanay sa tirahan niya. Nakikita ko sa malayo ang bubungan ng bahay na parang bungalow style nito na isang palapag lamang. Nakita ko si Nanay na nasa harapan ng bahay niya at hindi makapasok dahil nakapadlock pala yung gate nito. Isang lalaki na lumabas sa Isang malapit sa bahay ni Nanay sa gawing gilid sila ng bahay parang si Ca Raul at may dala-dalang baril. Tumayo Yung lalaki na naka puting T-shirt sa kabilang gilid ng kalsada at nakaharap sa harapan ng bahay ni Nanay. Para mabuksan ang gate ay itinutok niya yung baril na dala sa kandado para mabuksan lamang ito.
Nagising ako ng pasado ala una ng madaling araw ng Lunes, ika-12 ng Enero, 2026. Pumasok sa isip ko na parehas pala ang araw ng kamatayan nila Nanay at Indo Pancing, magkapatid sila, na natapat sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon ay sa tuwing Enero 28 ang death anniversary nilang dalawa. Tapos si Nanay ay namatay ng 1:03 ng hapon at ang kaarawan niya ay sa buwan ng Disyembre.
People gather around a detailed stone building set in a lush mountain valley at sunset.
Gabi ng Sabado petsa Enero 10, 2026 nataon sa kapistahan ng Santo Nino ay nanaginip ako ng isang gusali na may tatlong palapag. Nagsimula ang panaginip ko na umakyat ako sa isang gusali na may tatlong palapag. May hagdanan ito pataas at umabot ako sa ikatlong palapag ng gusali. Mukhang bahay yung gusali na inakyat ko. Nang nasa ikatlong palapag na ako ay nakita ko na ang mga dingding at kisame nito ay yari sa semento na pininturahan ng light color na parang pinaghalo ng puting pintura at konting asul kaya medyo bluish ang puting pintura nito. Nakita ko sa pag-akyat ko na may malaking tubo yari sa bakal sa loob ng bahay na malapit sa hagdanan. Nakapintura din ito katulad ng kulay ng nasa dingding at kisame ng bahay. Hindi ako nagtagal sa ikatlong palapag at bumaba na ako. Paglabas ko ng bahay ay napalingon ako sa gawing kaliwa at natanaw ko ang isang gusali rin na may tatlong palapag. Sa pakiwari ko ay isang paaralan ito ng sekondarya na may light color din pero yung paaralan ay medyo matingkad ang pagkaasul niya kaysa sa bahay na kung saan ako bumaba. May isang lalaki na nakaputing kamiseta na may kwelyo na nasa edad 30 hanggang 40 siya at may dalang flashlight dahil parang magdapit hapon na noon. Nakita ko tatlong palapag na gusali ay madilim at walang mga ilaw. Yung lalaki na mukhang bantay ng paaralan at ako ay naglakad patungo sa paaralan. Yung lalaki na nakaputing kamiseta na may kwelyo ay pumasok sa gawing kaliwa ng gusali. Hindi ako sumunod dahil madilim ang gusali at nagkaroon ako ng takot na pumasok sa gusali. Habang nasa baba at harapan ako ng gusali ay maya-maya ay nakita ko na maraming mga bata na bumababa sa gusali na nagdudulot ng ingay ang kanilang pag-uusap habang bumababa sa mga hagdan ng paaralan. Hindi sila naka-uniporme na parang nagpraktis sila. May mga lalaki at babae na pawang mga estudyante sa sekondarya. May mga lalaki na nakashort at nakasapatos. Yung isang mataas at kayumangging lalaki ay nakasuot ng gray na kamiseta. Ang mga babae ay nakashort din. Ang isang maputi at magandang babae ay naka-kamiseta na satin na may stripe na kulay na pababa ang disenyo ng stripes nito. Ang kulay ng stripes ay dark blue o navy blue sa magkabilang gilid at ang stripe sa gitna ay kulay puti. Ang babae ay nakapony tail ang kanyang buhok. Marami ang bumababa at nagstand by pa sa harap ng paaralan dahil may silongan ito at may mga upuan pa at doon nila inilatag ang kanilang mga bags habang patuloy silang nakikipagkwentuhan sa isa’t isa.
Nagising ako at alas singko y media (5:30) na pala ng umaga ng Linggo, Enero 11, 2026.
An inviting rustic dining table set with candles, fresh fruit, and nautical-themed decorations
Ika-03 ng Enero, 2026 nang madaling araw ay nanaginip ako na nasa isang kainan kaming mga magkakapatid sampu ng kanilang mga pamilya. Dumating daw kami sa kainan na gabi na at doon maghahapunan. Nasa bukana lang kami ng kainan at naghanap ng mauupuan dahil maraming kumakain sa loob na pawang mga banyaga ito at may mga mapuputing mga tao na nakaupo sa loob ng kainan na nagkukwentuhan. Nababanaag ko sa panaginip ko ang isang maputing babae na malapit sa aming kinatatayuan na nakaupo at nakikipag-usap sa kanyang kaharap. Blonde ang buhok nito at naka-pony tail ito at nakasuot ng sleeveless na itim na damit. Nakatagilid siya sa amin na nakikipag-usap kaya yung gilid ng mukha lamang niya ang nakikita ko. Ang ilaw sa kainan ay medyo dilawan ang kulay at hindi gaanong maliwanag. Nakita ko na punong-puno ng tao ang kainan. Wala kaming maupuan kaya tumawag kami ng isang waiter para bigyan kami ng upuan. Nag-abot ang waiter ng dalawang bangko na natitiklop. Ang bangko na unang inilatag ay isang mahaba at sinundan ito ng isang maiksi. Inilatag muna yung mahabang bangko na natitiklop na parisukat ang bawat sukat nito nang makita ko ito sa top view na magkakabit kabit ang bawat sukat na kulay brown ang kulay at walang sandalan ito. Mukhang nakadesenyo ang bawat sukat nito sa bawat tao na uupo. Sa mahabang bangko na nasa gilid inilatag ay doon naupo halos ang mga babae na kapamilya ko. Tapos may lamesa na natitiklop din sa gawing harapan ng mahabang bangko. Pagkatapos nailatag yung mahabang bangko ay inilatag din ang maiksing bangko sa kabila nito. Sabi ko raw sa sarili ko na “Bakit maiksi yung isa eh marami kami”. Tapos sa likod namin pag uupo na kami ay daanan ito ng mga tao na magiging sagabal kami sa pagpasok ng mga tao sa kainan dahil malapit kami sa pintuan ng kainan o baga nasa bukana kami ng kainan.
Umorder na ang mga kapatid ko ng mga pagkaing Filipino. Habang kami ay naghihintay ng inorder na pagkain ay may dumating na isang maputing babae na mukhang Hispanic ang itsura nito. Marami itong bitbit na mukhang mga pinamili niya dahil pawang nasa loob ng paper bag ay yung mga pinamili niya. Tumayo yung babae sa tapat ng aming lamesa. Iniisip niya kung uupo ba siya sa lamesa namin dahil wala ng maupuan sa loob ng kainan. Maya-maya na nga ay umupo na rin siya sa aming maiksing bangko para kumain sa lamesa namin. Sabi ko raw sa isang kapatid ko na babae habang naghuhugas ako ng kamay bago kumain na “Pwede ba siya makikain sa atin?” “Magugustuhan kaya niya yung pagkaing Pinoy”. Sumagot ang kapatid kong babae at sinabi niya na “Pwede naman siya makisabay at makikain sa atin. Kaya lang baka mag-aagawan sila sa pagkain at mahihiya siya makiagaw. Hindi rin siya makakain ng husto.”
Nang malapit na ako matapos maghugas ng mga kamay ko ay may pumila na babae na naka bistida na sleeveless at kulay itim ang bistida niya. Parang siya yung babae na Hispanic na maghuhugas ng kamay rin ng mga kamay bago siya makisalo sa hapag kainan namin.
Nagising na ako at 7:30 ng umaga na pala ng Sabado. Nagreflect ito sa kisame ng kuarto ko nang oras na yun.
Exploring the mystical and cultural importance of the number seven across various contexts
On the 7th day of December, 2024, my loving mother was born and named her Teofila Montehermoso Mas. Being the youngest among her siblings, my mother was the lucky one for us. She was the blessing to her own family as well as to her parents and siblings. Today is her 101st birthday in heaven. We also lucky enough and fortunate to have a loving Nanay, our mother. Nanay was a loving and caring mother. Also, she was an empathetic woman who is resilient, tough, hardworking, patient, responsible, determined, hopeful, faithful, understanding, courageous, helpful, kind, and can forgive persons.
Nanay together with her family surpassed many challenges in life but they never quit or surrendered. My mother tried her best to help and support her family at all times. Her death at the age of 94 was so painful and very sorrowful to us but her legacy as a loving mother remains with us. Her mother’s advice was our prime treasure more than anything else. Her greatest life served as our inspiration. Her personal and family values were very remarkable to us.
A father and daughter enjoy singing and dancing together in a cozy living room decorated for Christmas.
Today, May 27, is the death anniversary of my loving father, Guillermo Menes Meron. I know that my father was a great folk singer and dancer in our hometown, Santa Cruz, Zambales, during his younger years. He was usually invited by single men for Harana or locally known as “Tapat” at night time to accompany them while singing in front of the house of the ladies whom they like. Most of the time, there were three of them such as a guitarist, single man and a singer. These men including my father went home late but with smiles on their faces.
My father was also invited in wedding parties, fiestas and political campaigns with folk singing and folk dancing. He entertained the people around with his songs. He sang Zambal songs as well as Tagalog songs whoever his audience is.
If given the opportunity to bring back the past, I wish to dance and sing with my father while my mother is sitting in front and happily watching us.
Stepping on the snow and feels its coldness is one of the greatest dreams of any person living in the region with temperate or warm climate or experiencing dry and wet seasons only. It sounds pretty amazing sometimes to be like a child specially when you missed those things that you never had experienced when you were a child. Snow that you often see only in the holiday greeting cards is now real thing on your hands and feet.
In Science, snow is a part of the water cycle. It appears during the process of precipitation whereas water falls on the surface in various forms such as drizzle, rain, hail, sleet or snow. Snow is a solid form of water. Snow is made up of purely two hydrogen atoms and one atom of oxygen just like the rain water. If pure water reacts with other elements or compounds in the air or on the earth surface, it is considered a mixture already. If the air temperature in the atmosphere is on or below freezing point which is zero degree Celsius, this is the time when the condensed water in the atmosphere turns into snow then falls to the ground or commonly called “snowfall”.
Snowfall has advantages and disadvantages as well. Snow makes the surroundings purely white in color which lasts for several days. It binds the family members at home to stay connected and engaged. However, snow can also harm plants, animals and humans due to severe coldness. It also disrupts the daily activities at work. Snow can also affect the motorists, power supplies, public and private sectors including business communities.
In spite of advantages and disadvantages of snowfall, let us consider that it is a natural phenomenon beyond our control but we can mitigate and prevent its massive adverse effects by understanding the nature of snow and its possible impacts to our physical, social, emotional, economical and political environments. From then, we can design good plans, make wiser decisions and do great actions.
In the middle of pandemic due to several variants of covid19, people easily get sick tremendously. Many people are still recovering from sickness. Some of them are still in the worse medical condition due to complications. Most of the time, these people are bedridden and helpless in the hospital, quarantine facility or home quarantine.
Do you know the feelings of the patient being isolated, bedridden and helpless? Do you know also the feelings of the bedside caregiver monitoring the 24-hour medical condition of the patient? It is very tough to become a patient or a caregiver. Patients and caregivers are really experiencing physical, mental, emotional and financial pains.
Physical Pain
Medical patients are experiencing physical pains. They cannot turn over their bodies by themselves because they are so weak. Their blood cannot circulate well which may turn into bedsores and develop into skin wounds that prone to infection. They cannot open their eyes to see everything around. They cannot open their mouth to say something what they need. They cannot eat well using their mouth. Instead, they eat through nasal tubing that brings out physical discomfort. They can sense the pain while injecting the needles on their bodies. They cannot move their bodies voluntarily. They stay on their body positions for several hours.
Likewise, caregivers of these patients have physical pains too. They stay with them most of the time and monitor their health condition. They patiently lift up the patient’s body when needed. They patiently feed them and allow them sip some liquids in order to prevent dehydration. They quickly respond to the patient’s needs like changing diaper, cleansing the whole body and changing clothes.
Mental Pain
Medical patients are experiencing mental pain. They have many thoughts. They think negatively most of the time. Thoughts like what if they cannot survive. What will happen to them? Who will take good care of their families? Where are my children? Do they come?
Similarly, caregivers have mental pains too. They are worrying about the patient’s severe condition. They are thinking about what will happen next. Thoughts such as what they will tell to their families and how they will tell it. Do they feel sorry about it or just listen to what the family will say? Most of the time, caregivers are confused mentally. They cannot decide wisely on certain things.
Emotional Pain
Medical patients are experiencing emotional pain. They can only hear the voices around. They feel very sad that brings out unstoppable falling tears from their eyes. Patients know that they will die anytime. With their conscious mind, they pray silently. It is really difficult for them to leave their families, relatives and friends. It is very tough and heartbreaking process of separation in their entire life. They want to win the fight for life but they are helpless to do it.
Caregivers have emotional pains too. It is hard for them to look at the patients who are suffering from severe illnesses. They can feel the deep pain internally. They also cry and feel sad. They try to comfort the patients by all means.
Financial Pain
Medical patients and their families are experiencing financial pain. They spend much money and have developed huge debts from hospitalization costs, medical procedures, professional fees and medicines. They spend from hundreds to millions value amount of any currency. The outpatients incur medical expenses, food supplements and other necessary materials such as diapers, alcohol, bath soap and wipes.
Sometimes, caregivers are experiencing financial pain too. Most of the time, the caregivers are close relatives of the patients. If the family has poor economic condition, the caregiver usually provides the needs of the patient unselfishly. Being front liners, caregivers provide their humane services to the patients unconditionally.
It was Saturday before the sun sets in August 20, 1966 at around 6 pm when I was born in our ancestral house at Poblacion, Santa Cruz, Zambales, Philippines. This was my real birthday.
My parents were Guillermo Menes Meron (41) and Teofila Montehermoso Mas (41). Both of them were naturally born and residents of Santa Cruz, Zambales.
My Three Pillars
I spent my childhood and teenage years in my home town. I treasured wonderful and beautiful memories there. My supporting father, caring aunt and loving mother served as the three pillars of my life.
Even though, the three pillars of my life were gone one at a time, still, I really missed and loved them so much. I would like to thank, appreciate and recognize them for their unconditional love; for providing me what I need; for allowing me understand what life is and knowing its purpose.
My Journey
I spent most of my adult years in Meycauayan City, Bulacan, Philippines and some few years abroad rendering essential public services. Life experiences built up stability on me; surpassing any challenges along the way to attain my goals.
My family, friends, relatives and colleagues are always there to advise and help me. Most of all, I would like to thank God for giving me life, blessings and another year; for continuously guiding me on my journey in life.
I wish for a healthy, wealthy and happy life on my birthday.
A mother who is looking and waiting for her loving mother.
What is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? Do you know that every part of a single mother worth more than a million? Let me explain its value.
Your Head
As a single mother, you used the top of your head to carry a bundle of newly harvested rice grains for meal; a bundle of firewood for cooking or a basin of Anchovy fish for selling. You also used your head to think wisely and find right solutions for the daily problems.
Your Eyes
As a single mother, you kept your eyes to your children for their safety. You used your eyes to discipline your children. Eyes that maybe big and wide; on-focus or understanding and kind-looking to your concern. Sleepless nights in times of sickness of your children just to ensure they were safe.
Your Nose
As a single mother, you used your nose if the newly laundry clothes were smelled pleasant and if the children were smelled stinky already and they need to take a bath.
Your Ears
As a single mother, you used your ears to listen to your children and grandchildren’s amazing stories. Through your ears, you heard the sound of the roosters in the early morning wherein you rise from bed instantly to fetch up water for daily consumption.
Your Mouth
As a single mother, you used your mouth to give pieces of advice to your children and grandchildren. You taught them the right things and told them to become nice and hardworking person with brighter dreams in life.
Your Shoulder
As a single mother, you used your shoulder to carry the “Buli” bag or “Pandan” bag with fruits and vegetables inside when going home after the whole-day work in the rice field.
Your Breast
As a single mother, you breastfed your young children regularly so that they will grow healthy someday and free from any kind of illnesses.
Your Heart
As a single mother, you provided unconditional love to your children and grandchildren. You have a big heart too to your parents, brother, sisters, nephews, nieces, husband and in-laws. You knew how to accept and how to forgive persons. You really loved them so much.
Your Arms
As a single mother, you used your arms to strongly uproot the rice seedlings, transplant them on rice fields and harvest the rice grains after a few months. You used your strong arms to pound and manually mill the greener rice grains up and down then filter them using “Bilao” to make it into whiter rice grains.
Your Hands
As a single mother, you used your hands to prepare “Buli” or “Pandan” fibers, weave and design them properly into a local mat for sale. You used your hands to catch fishes along the shallow river and pick up shells on the shoreline with your siblings and children. You used your hands to wash the clothes of your children and grandchildren then press these clothes after drying. You used your hand to put the wet face towel on his/her forehead when he/she has fever. You used your hands too in giving foods to the very young children and elderly people around you.
Your Waist
As a single mother, either be sunny day or rainy day, you bent your waist the whole day while planting rice seedlings on the rice fields for a little payment or non-monetized payment of your labor instead, work exchange.
Your Hips
As a single mother, you sit on your hips almost the whole night just to weave and finish intentionally the local mat so that you can sell it then later buy some foods for your children, grandchildren and sister.
Your Legs
As a single mother, you used your legs in walking distantly about two kilometers away from your home to your work place and do the same routine when going home from work place to your home. Your legs consumed all the energy reserved in walking after the whole-day work. You also walked in going to the church to attend Holy Mass with your sisters on Saturday evening regularly. You bent your knees whenever you pray.
Your Feet
As a single mother, you used your feet not only to separate the greener rice grains from its husk but also to clean up the house floor. You used your feet to stand up firmly against all tough moments that trying to bring you down but they fail. You courageously stood still and never give up.
Thus, for this special day wherein everybody celebrates the Mother’s Day and for this special occasion wherein every member of the family comes together, what is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? What is a Mother’s Day without her presence?
