Where is Rizal?
At the beginning I thought it was hard to for me to motivate the graduating class especially with the ever popular boring subject, RIZAL. If you are done with the subject you know what I am talking about and to those who do not have it yet, good luck! Hehe. . .It is really a great challenge for me to put the mood of every student in the"excitement" there is in Rizals life and how will my students appreciate the things that Rizal did, the fact that I did not even enjoy it myself when I was taking it back in my college days. . . My god, how will I get the attention Mr. Ralph Roen Mendoza in his deepest sleep in my class???well, he was so busy and so tired for the BULPRISA Meet. . .
I have read not only local books about Rizal but also books written by foreign authors and have visualized the things they saw in Rizals life which helped me more to understand not only the regulated content of Rizals books in the Philippines but also the international perception of Rizals valiant heroism.
June was a challenging month for me because I thought I am only making story-telling-a-lie in the class because they seemed not to be interested in the topics. . but I continued even though Mr. Santiago was not in uniform for several times and I dont feel good seeing them in a multi-color scheme (monochromatic kasi ako). . .and I think a lot of them, Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Alapar and of course Mr. Magaling (Magaling mag tamper ng ID). . .I do not know why is it so had for the seniors to be in uniform??why?why?why?
Prelim was over. . . Shew! I felt a little over the top because I was able to introduced Rizal in a different intenteresting way. . Mr Dionisio started participating in the class. . .and of course Ms. Jhoanna Marie did it also. . .siempre Ms. Emma Rose was on the line. . .
I never thought that STI Balagtas students will be very interested in the subject. . . until one day, my voice really cant make it. Talking for the straight 9 hours was not easy. . try mo. .and I was not only talking, take note of that. . .so we came up to with a plan of trying a Saturday class instead of the weekdays, so we tried fixing the schedule, I consulted Dr Barundia (Our Dean) about it and he approved the request until one Saturday morning, the wrath of heaven came upon the class. . .hehehe. . .I got angry for most of the students were late, my God late na late so, after more than 30 minutes of waiting, they came and I have given them the verdict of being late: (1) three Rizal film analysis, (2) interview Marilou Diaz-Abaya, and (3) Document 100 descendants of Rizal. . . wow thay all gave me a bad face. . .hehehe. . . and there was silence for a week. . .except Mr. Bernales who was always asking me bakit ako nagalit. . .kuletz!. . .hehe. . .well it was just misunderstanding pala ng schedule because I assumed an early class and they pressume a later one. . .(See?how communications work???)
So my melodramtic scene was over, I missed myself at that time so I went back to reality . . .We brought back the original time and made the plans for the finals. . .
Imagine guys. . .RIZAL ROSE FROM THE DEAD!!!
There was a little fear in my heart the time before the show. . .We went home late that night. . (the day before the show)
And the moment of truth was revealed. . . .
Every corner of each scene was a time warp.. . The setting, props, costumes and the lights were all there and not to mention the music was perfect. . .Though there were no movements nor dialogue of each mannequin was seen or heard, but the lobby was still filled with numerous expectators and it was a surprise for the entire school because I intentionally did not announce it because I am not that confident about it. And I was wrong!
I cant imagine that our students from STI Balagtas could make a Mannequin Show that spectacular!!!Even better in my university experiences. . .
I was at the corner of the second floor's stairs when we began, my heart stopped for 20 minutes and surprisingly Sisa came out portayed by Ms. Angelie Cruz and Ms. Chiqui Lou Ylagan followed by Mr. Allan Eugene Baiza shouted "Mga Baliw" portrayed pilosopo Tasyo and delivered his dialogue nicely and perfectly. . .I thought the wolrd stopped together with my heart and the applause I heard from the audience around was like a horse running inside my ears. . .
There are no words good enough the say at that very moment. . .
I saw in the deepest heart of my students that Rizal is alive in them. . .from the classroom they have proven to me that Rizals spirit flows into their veins as they carefully be in the paradigm of Rizal, even for a moment or maybe just for a semester but the appreciation of what Rizal has done to the country was again felt by the Rizal Class of STI Balagtas. . .
And even for being still for 40 minutes seemed so hard and so rewarding.
It was really an honor of educating and helping others learn and be reminded of how we should love our country by being in the shoe of Rizal and of the people who helped him accomplished the liberation not only of the counrty but also of the heart and mind of every Filipino was and will be the ultimate goal of Rizals life as part of the curriculum.
In deed RIZAL IS NOT DEAD. . .
He is here. . .
In our hearts. . .
In our mind. . .
KEEP RIZAL ALIVE!
click here to Rizals Freindster : http://profiles.friendster.com/josemercadorealondaypepe
