It's a beautiful day for a parade

Filipino Cultural Heritage day! My theory on the increased nationalism in Filipino immigrants abroad is that it is in our nature to hold on to whatever it is that makes us feel closer to home. I think that's the reason why immigrants watch more Filipino TV than people who actually live in the Philippines or why Filipino graduates from foreign universities have a heightened sense of political activism in them. In a way, it is how people compensate. Through the inevitable separation of distance, Filipinos in the other side of the world find ways to build a bridge or something that will strengthen and tighten the chain.

I have to say that Filipinos here are a mixed bunch. A lot of us are kinder to one another by virtue of being in a foreign land, while some of us seem to have forgotten who we are and think that by being in America, we can act all high and hoitytoity. This is something I have learned from the Consulate where even Ambassadors-to-be deal with temperamental and arrogant naturalized Filipinos in the most humble, patient manner. I guess the true mark of greatness is adjusting yourself rather than letting other people adapt to you. If you keep your ego in check, it shouldn't be a problem. :)

Anyway, I also have some learnings about the education system in the US. Schools here are zoned per district, wherein every end of the year, children take the district test to make sure that the schools perform well. If it does, it gets more services. If it doesn't, the budget gets cut. What a practical incentive. Also, a perfect breeding ground for cheating. I also found out that the State allots $65,000 per year for each child who goes to a public school. Everything here is free, from notebooks to books to everyday lunch and snacks. This translates to an opportunity to save, to start a college fund for young families or a retirement one for older ones. For a sister like me, it means my sister will get a bigger chance at higher education. One that I never got (and so I have to fight tooth and nail to get accepted to bigger schools with better programs). I have to admit that I love the premium America puts in education and while I would want to stay in the Philippines when I grow older, I will gladly uproot just so my sister experiences quality, First World education. Never mind if her spelling, speech and grammar will suck. She has a big sister and her big sister's collection of books for that.

On to the pictures... (of the parade that I failed talking about)

The kids had a parade right beside the road. Hehehe.

Filipiniana in front! Partyyyy at the back!!!

My cousin Victor with his partner who can bury him alive any day. >:P I r meanz.

Fruit kebab. I love how Filipina mothers, wherever they are in the world, are generally pa-bongga whenever kids need food (or anything else) for school.

Bessie Carmichael is a multi-lingual school (Spanish, English and Filipino). This is Grade Five, 201's Filipiniana section.

Boys who will break young hearts someday

I've always wanted data pages as big as these.

And all my elementary life, I dreamt of having a book corner where I can actually read. The kids can take home the books if they want to! And no, not just to borrow. To have!

The Rachel Berry in me (Writing, not singing) also craves for recognition and for applause. I love the idea that the best stories get posted on the wall. I wish the nuns in my school thought of this. :(

This is a public school. *cue heart shattering for all the public schooled-kids in the Philippines*

Of course, there is always Tinikling whenever we celebrate Filipino Cultural Heritage.

And some good old Wowowee dancing from small children. *THIS GOT ME GOING @@@_@@@*

At dahil hindi ko ineexpect na makikita ko pa siya ulit after ng meeting namin sa Borders, ipopost ko ang picture niya para sa inyong lahat. Nalaman ko na teaching intern rin siya sa school, nagtuturo siya sa kindergarten. Hindi lang art major, teacher pa. (Obvious ba na ayokong ma-google. Or maintindihan, just in case hanapin niya ako online). Napaka lang ni Kuya. Pero minus points for quoting (and misquoting) Voltaire and Cicero in front of me. Akooooo, ako na bigla nalang nakakamemorya ng mga librong di ko kailangan kailanman. Feeling ko feeling niya di ko alam ang mga bagay na ganon. Porket mataba ako, ganon ba? Pweh, mas mura libro sa Pilipinas noh! (BWAHAHAHA!!!)

Also, ito ako. Just in case may mas gwapo kayong relative sa San Francisco na mahilig sa mga majujubis. Etchos. Mas gwapo kesa dun sa nasa picture ha, bilang wala naman akong ibang nakikilala dito. BWAHAHAHAHA. Napaka ko. Feel na feel ko ang mga puti, nauubusan naman ako ng Ingles later on. :)) Ayoko na. Mababasa ito ni Mama. Hi, Mama!!!

Hahaha. Why I always start strong and end ditzy in my blog posts is so beyond me. Hahaha.

So there. I already submitted my practicum stuff today so the extension days tomorrow until next week will just be for charity. The work is rewarding anyway (This is me, still thinking about people + Google. HAHAHA!). Tomorrow, we're going to Reno, Nevada. The Silver State! I'm not sure what to feel about being pulled out of FVR's arrival committee but hey, the hype of slot machines at the casino beats any important person. :)) Hehehe. Exciting. Beginner's Luck, here I come! :D

Good night!