Memoir: The First Letter

The mailman knocked

On my door and asked

If I could sign on the paper

And gave me the letter.

I was staring at the envelope

My heart is racing down the slope

My hands were shaking

Then I started reading. 

As I read the letter you sent

I can’t help but feel the excitement,

Tears fell down my cheeks

For the first time, my heart picks

The memory of the first letter

In my heart and soul, will be forever

You've found me, and loved me then

I will love you as long as I can. 

Church Service Activity

     I still remember the first time I attended a church service. It was a fine afternoon when a group of second year Education students came to me and my classmates in one of the benches at school. They introduced themselves and asked if we could join their cell group activity. We all agreed and we had a bit of sharing. Most of us cried because we had been keeping the pain in our hearts, and that was the only time that we were able to let it out. It was a joy that I got to share my problems to them. After the first meeting, we agreed to have at least one day of a week for Bible study. I was really happy and I always look forward for our meetings.

     It was my personal decision to attend church. I cannot explain how happy I was that time. It was one of the best feelings I have ever felt in my entire life. It was the time that I was having problems. I was depressed, hurt, I was in pain. But every negative feeling was swept when I was in the church, singing and crying. I felt that I was healed. My heart was filled with joy, and peacefulness. I felt that I can face all my problems with a smile in my face because I know that God is with me, that He will never leave my side. 

     You can never know how God is going to work in your life. His timing is always perfect. Just when you think that all the hope was lost, He will manifest His love to you in ways you can never imagine. He will lead you to the right path, He will guide you, He will provide everything that you need in life. You just have to put your trust in Him. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9. These are my favorite verses which I can relate to.

Dean Edgar Canda

     Professor Edgar Canda is the new dean of the College of Teachers Education. Dean Canda has been teaching for almost 15 years now. He finished his Bachelor Degree in Mathematics in Arellano University year 1991 and passed the board examination year 1993. He took up his Master’s Degree at National University, and currently taking his Doctorate Degree in the same school.

     When asked about how he manages his time being a father, a professor, and a dean, Sir Canda answered “I actually have a time table. Mondays-Fridays I am in school from 7am-6pm. Saturdays I am in graduate school, and on Sundays, I spend it for my family. When I have free time, I bond with my kids and I tutor and help them when they have assignments. When they have exams, I help them to review their lessons. And the night is for my wife. Ha Ha Ha just kidding.” One of the characteristics of Dean Canda that his students like is his sense of humor.

     Dean Canda has been teaching in PLMar for almost 3 years now. He shared some of his experiences in teaching. “As a professor, I am very satisfied with what I am doing. And as a dean, it has only been two months so I am still in adjustment period. I am really happy.” Dean Canda also shared his motto and his philosophy in life. “Life is a trial and error. Mistakes are inevitable, we commit mistakes but we also learn from these mistakes. My philosophy is, Give the world your best, and the best will come to you.” 

     Dean Canda had been my professor before and I can say that he teaches by the heart. I understood our every lesson because he explained it well and he didn't only teach by theories but also with application. He is really a good teacher because I learned and understood his lessons in Mathematics that I didn't even understand when I was still in high school. His teaching strategies are effective because as I have said, I learned and understood what he taught to us. As an Education professor, Dean Canda also told us what would be the case when we face the reality in practice teaching. He gave us some tips on how to be an effective teacher and how to deal with our future students. One thing that I liked about Sir Canda is his sense of humor. I never found our class boring because he always had some jokes to tell us when he knew we were tired and stressed from all the lessons. He was our energizer in our class. And for that, I am thankful that he became my professor. 

Congratulations and good luck on your new position, Sir! :) 

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." --- Albert Einstein