I was in my reflective mood these past few days. I was taking into account the role I was given the privilege to perform, a teacher. A learning facilitator.
One of the painfully funny reality that overwhelmed me, as it came to view, is the fact that learning facilitators has this default of "teaching" students how to solve problems while spending very limited and "lacking in meaning" time in equipping students in how to see the true situation, thus properly defining the problem.
This is a very sad thing because even if we have this very brilliant solution to a wrongly framed problem, we only end up being brilliantly wrong = )
The problem still exists.
So, how do we see the true problem? And is it really necessary to define the true problem?
House MD taught me the significance of the later question. Of knowing the true problem because in their profession, if the problem, the disease or sickness, is not properly diagnosed, the patient dies. The margin for error is slim.
Unlike in business. If we misdiagnosed a situation, a problem, well, the worst thing that can happen is we lose all the wealth and the economic system siphons off the "scarce resources" to opportunities with better returns, new businesses.
But we are still alive. We lost face but we are still standing. Pride is crushed but we are still breathing. Given another chance = )
What if this very framing of the truth... this truth context is the very thing that hurts the initiative to clearly see the true problem?
What if the first step to understanding the importance of correct problem definition is in truthfully and vulnerably answering the simple question of ..."What does it mean, to us, personally, if we can truly see the true problems and have the ability to solve them?"
Is it simply a grade? Worst, a passing grade? Is it simply bragging rights?
Honest, does it excite us if we can define a problem correctly? Could we understand the weight, the significance and the importance of properly defining problems like the way doctors see it?
As learning facilitators, do we have the ability to replicate how we feel about problem definition to our students? Could they see our personal journey in arriving in what we know? Could they see why we even took the journey? Why we even choose this journey? Could they feel the burden that we feel?
Is our experience made real in them? Again? First hand?
Could we give the ability of seeing what is the problem? And what it is not?
"One must embrace first that he is part of the problem in order for him to be part of the solution!"
Lord, all I have is You... my Audience of One!
Tuesday
Saturday
right now, this is cool!
"How would you feel if you had no fear?
Feel like that.
How would you behave toward other people if you realized their powerlessness to hurt you?
Behave like that.
How would you react to so-called misfortune if you saw its inability to bother you?
React like that.
How would you think toward yourself if you knew you were really all right?
Think like that."
Author and Philosopher
Feel like that.
How would you behave toward other people if you realized their powerlessness to hurt you?
Behave like that.
How would you react to so-called misfortune if you saw its inability to bother you?
React like that.
How would you think toward yourself if you knew you were really all right?
Think like that."
Author and Philosopher
Wednesday
The Difference Between Industrial Engineering (IE) and Engineering Management (EMG)
Something funny came to me. Maybe an arranged moment = )
A student was asking me if it was ok to shift from his present academic EMG program to IE. When I asked him, "... why?" his reply was, "... because IE is an engineering program."
I smirked. It was obvious that this student was misinformed. Maybe he asked people who did not understand the program design. So I said, "...both academic programs are engineering programs. Period."
So, I press on and asked, "...now that that is resolved, do you still want to transfer?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Hmmm, so why transfer?"
"Sir, because I like the idea that we are solving things using the calculator instead of solving it in the laptop," was his reply.
Note to myself - this man wants to have a hard time in life. Equates useless difficulty to learning. Why don't he take quantum physics or string theory as a hobby then = )
Seriously, the event only confirms that he is confused. Still in the state of figuring out who he is really. And right now, he is defining himself by what he do and the activities he performs.
To a certain point, that's true. And then, if we were given this privilege and we were actually listening, there will be this moment that we will figure out who we are really. The moment where we finally understand why we were born.
Apparently, this man is still journeying and he has not come to that spot yet. I hope he continues journeying meaningfully and starts asking why he was born. = )
Now, about the title of this entry - The Difference Between Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management. Let me answer it this way...
I was one of those who were given the privilege to design this program back in 2003. The idea and the intent behind the academic program is to present a simplex fact, by simplex we mean an idea that instantaneously simple and complex, that for our present civilization to move forward, businesses must thrive.
Our lives are fearfully interwoven to how we physiologically support life. In the past, our ancestors did this by hunting all day chasing baboy ramo, then by farming and now we do it by going to work = )
If you are student, the money in your hands that enables you to pay your bills came from the service your parents rendered to a company. If you are now a professional, the money came from the exchange of your service to your employer. But if we have our own company, that money came from the products we sold to customers.
But all these instances happened within the context of a business.
This fact is the reason why making businesses efficient and effective, whether we own it or we work for it, is a very noble endeavor to commit oneself for life! Serious.
If we do not make businesses efficient and effective, everybody goes to war. A prime example - Google Zimbabwe and ask if business is thriving there = )
This fact is the foundation that brought to the idea of the academic program called Industrial Engineering and its earlier incarnation, Management Industrial Engineering (MIE).
IE came to the scene because businesses must be made competitive in an ever changing world. In fact, the current notion of globalization started with closed countries embracing the American economic model after World War II. With China being the latest very significant country that opened up. This is the reason why IE is closely associated with business. Because its reason for being is to improve business.
IE, by design, is very heavy on the application of improvement tools which explains the existence of courses like Operations Research, Methods Engineering and Ergonomics.
EMG on the other hand, though stems from business too, is a different mental model. It is a different hat. A different mindset.
EMG, though it needs an operational appreciation of the IE tools, is more holistic in nature. This explains why it has courses on Food Service Management, Retail Management, Healthcare Systems, Transportation Systems, Business Process Outsourcing, Banking and Financial Systems and Entreprenuerial Engineering.
EMGs study these businesses as a system, a specimen. Though all these systems needs profit to survive, they get to having a profit in totally different ways. The profit making dynamics of each system, business, is different.
This is the study of EMG.
On top of that, as both IEs and EMGs make work efficient, EMG's added burden is to design a dynamic environment where workers are achieving. A point that's taken in the IE Program in a broadstroke.
These are what makes IEs and EMGs, though related to one another, different. Unique.
A student was asking me if it was ok to shift from his present academic EMG program to IE. When I asked him, "... why?" his reply was, "... because IE is an engineering program."
I smirked. It was obvious that this student was misinformed. Maybe he asked people who did not understand the program design. So I said, "...both academic programs are engineering programs. Period."
So, I press on and asked, "...now that that is resolved, do you still want to transfer?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Hmmm, so why transfer?"
"Sir, because I like the idea that we are solving things using the calculator instead of solving it in the laptop," was his reply.
Note to myself - this man wants to have a hard time in life. Equates useless difficulty to learning. Why don't he take quantum physics or string theory as a hobby then = )
Seriously, the event only confirms that he is confused. Still in the state of figuring out who he is really. And right now, he is defining himself by what he do and the activities he performs.
To a certain point, that's true. And then, if we were given this privilege and we were actually listening, there will be this moment that we will figure out who we are really. The moment where we finally understand why we were born.
Apparently, this man is still journeying and he has not come to that spot yet. I hope he continues journeying meaningfully and starts asking why he was born. = )
Now, about the title of this entry - The Difference Between Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management. Let me answer it this way...
I was one of those who were given the privilege to design this program back in 2003. The idea and the intent behind the academic program is to present a simplex fact, by simplex we mean an idea that instantaneously simple and complex, that for our present civilization to move forward, businesses must thrive.
Our lives are fearfully interwoven to how we physiologically support life. In the past, our ancestors did this by hunting all day chasing baboy ramo, then by farming and now we do it by going to work = )
If you are student, the money in your hands that enables you to pay your bills came from the service your parents rendered to a company. If you are now a professional, the money came from the exchange of your service to your employer. But if we have our own company, that money came from the products we sold to customers.
But all these instances happened within the context of a business.
This fact is the reason why making businesses efficient and effective, whether we own it or we work for it, is a very noble endeavor to commit oneself for life! Serious.
If we do not make businesses efficient and effective, everybody goes to war. A prime example - Google Zimbabwe and ask if business is thriving there = )
This fact is the foundation that brought to the idea of the academic program called Industrial Engineering and its earlier incarnation, Management Industrial Engineering (MIE).
IE came to the scene because businesses must be made competitive in an ever changing world. In fact, the current notion of globalization started with closed countries embracing the American economic model after World War II. With China being the latest very significant country that opened up. This is the reason why IE is closely associated with business. Because its reason for being is to improve business.
IE, by design, is very heavy on the application of improvement tools which explains the existence of courses like Operations Research, Methods Engineering and Ergonomics.
EMG on the other hand, though stems from business too, is a different mental model. It is a different hat. A different mindset.
EMG, though it needs an operational appreciation of the IE tools, is more holistic in nature. This explains why it has courses on Food Service Management, Retail Management, Healthcare Systems, Transportation Systems, Business Process Outsourcing, Banking and Financial Systems and Entreprenuerial Engineering.
EMGs study these businesses as a system, a specimen. Though all these systems needs profit to survive, they get to having a profit in totally different ways. The profit making dynamics of each system, business, is different.
This is the study of EMG.
On top of that, as both IEs and EMGs make work efficient, EMG's added burden is to design a dynamic environment where workers are achieving. A point that's taken in the IE Program in a broadstroke.
These are what makes IEs and EMGs, though related to one another, different. Unique.
Sunday
in those dark times and in these dark times
I was with Beb.
We went to The National Museum. Our Philippine National Musuem, the one in Finance Road, Manila. That old but very classy looking building in white and beige. The one across the Manila Bulletin building. That day, we were the 10th and the 11th visitor. It was almost four o'clock in the afternoon. The Museum closes at 4:30pm.
The last time I was here was during my Journalism class in 3rd year high school. Probably two decades ago = ) It was sort of a field trip.
We spent the morning within the chamber of The Philippine Senate. The Senate used to be housed in this building. I still remember, they were debating and discussing about whether the US Bases should be allowed to continue or not. And in 1990, August I think, they, in one of the proud moments of Philippine democracy, the Senate voted for the discontinuance.
And in the afternoon, together with my barkada, we walked around the National Museum. Noise and this teenage "rebel without a cause" attitude was our companion as we looked and observed the displays. Maybe we acted like that for two reasons: our raging hormones and the fact that the place was kinda creepy back then. The halls were dark. We were scared but we were scarier to admit it = )
But my attitude and my awareness of myself changed when I saw, for the first time, "strapped" artistically, against this huge wall, Juan Luna's obra maestra - The Spolarium!
I felt suddenly small. Awed. As if I am in the presence of something great.
The picture we see in the books of The Spolorium does not do justice to the power and energy that resonates from the actual obra! You have to see it first hand! And when you see it, it is hard not to hear Juan Luna screaming at the top of his lungs and in front of the educated and sophisticated Espanol, "Hindi kami indio! Hindi kami alipin! Kami ay Filipino!"
And when we see it, we will understand why it went to win the top honors in Madrid during the Spanish colonial times! To contextualized what that honor means to 21st century beings like us, it could be liken to, as a poor second, but not quite, winning the Oscars for Best Picture!
And the trip I took last week was not different in substance. In fact, my appreciation of the place was really on, on a lot of levels. I, once again, was reminded of how great the Filipinos are. It is the same spirit that caught Ninoy Aquino when he said, "The Filipinos is worth dying for..."
To understand who we are, and what we could be, we have to go back to who we were and realize that all is not lost. That hope is not just a word and that it could be a reality. We were once the Pearl of the Orient.
To those who read this blog, I challenge you to go the National Museum and sit at the two benches at the second floor and read what's in front of you. And you will see!!!
What is 70 pesos compared to knowing yourself a lot better! I guarantee you, you will have a moment. A life moment. A moment where you are more aware of what really surrounds you. Your eyes will see new things. You will be engulfed. And then, you will be different. Better. A Filipino for the first time!
And please, do not forget The Spolarium! = )
Take it all in!!!
We went to The National Museum. Our Philippine National Musuem, the one in Finance Road, Manila. That old but very classy looking building in white and beige. The one across the Manila Bulletin building. That day, we were the 10th and the 11th visitor. It was almost four o'clock in the afternoon. The Museum closes at 4:30pm.
The last time I was here was during my Journalism class in 3rd year high school. Probably two decades ago = ) It was sort of a field trip.
We spent the morning within the chamber of The Philippine Senate. The Senate used to be housed in this building. I still remember, they were debating and discussing about whether the US Bases should be allowed to continue or not. And in 1990, August I think, they, in one of the proud moments of Philippine democracy, the Senate voted for the discontinuance.
And in the afternoon, together with my barkada, we walked around the National Museum. Noise and this teenage "rebel without a cause" attitude was our companion as we looked and observed the displays. Maybe we acted like that for two reasons: our raging hormones and the fact that the place was kinda creepy back then. The halls were dark. We were scared but we were scarier to admit it = )
But my attitude and my awareness of myself changed when I saw, for the first time, "strapped" artistically, against this huge wall, Juan Luna's obra maestra - The Spolarium!
I felt suddenly small. Awed. As if I am in the presence of something great.
The picture we see in the books of The Spolorium does not do justice to the power and energy that resonates from the actual obra! You have to see it first hand! And when you see it, it is hard not to hear Juan Luna screaming at the top of his lungs and in front of the educated and sophisticated Espanol, "Hindi kami indio! Hindi kami alipin! Kami ay Filipino!"
And when we see it, we will understand why it went to win the top honors in Madrid during the Spanish colonial times! To contextualized what that honor means to 21st century beings like us, it could be liken to, as a poor second, but not quite, winning the Oscars for Best Picture!
And the trip I took last week was not different in substance. In fact, my appreciation of the place was really on, on a lot of levels. I, once again, was reminded of how great the Filipinos are. It is the same spirit that caught Ninoy Aquino when he said, "The Filipinos is worth dying for..."
To understand who we are, and what we could be, we have to go back to who we were and realize that all is not lost. That hope is not just a word and that it could be a reality. We were once the Pearl of the Orient.
To those who read this blog, I challenge you to go the National Museum and sit at the two benches at the second floor and read what's in front of you. And you will see!!!
What is 70 pesos compared to knowing yourself a lot better! I guarantee you, you will have a moment. A life moment. A moment where you are more aware of what really surrounds you. Your eyes will see new things. You will be engulfed. And then, you will be different. Better. A Filipino for the first time!
And please, do not forget The Spolarium! = )
Take it all in!!!
exhale
Lord, my body, my mind and my heart longs for sabbath... This is the first time in all of my six years of teaching full time do I long for a time off... away from school... away from being Sir Elis... away from being Sir Fants... and just be Nunoy for awhile.
Lord, please do not get me wrong, I am not complaining. You have given me so much that I feel unworthy of all the beautiful things You have shown me. Of all the wonderful things that You made me a part of... I am grateful for everything. I am humbled that You chose an inconsistent being like me to part of Your work.
I could give because I received first from You.
Oh, how I long to be refreshed by You, Lord...
Grant me the wisdom to see the path You want me to take.
Grant me the courage to choose it.
Grant me the humility to always call on You as I thread the path.
Oh Lord, my Father, remind me that I am Your child... Your son.
Lord, please do not get me wrong, I am not complaining. You have given me so much that I feel unworthy of all the beautiful things You have shown me. Of all the wonderful things that You made me a part of... I am grateful for everything. I am humbled that You chose an inconsistent being like me to part of Your work.
I could give because I received first from You.
Oh, how I long to be refreshed by You, Lord...
Grant me the wisdom to see the path You want me to take.
Grant me the courage to choose it.
Grant me the humility to always call on You as I thread the path.
Oh Lord, my Father, remind me that I am Your child... Your son.
Monday
a nuclear brush in
It was a privilege. I am honored. I humbled. Indeed, a blessing from God, the Omniscient One. I am thankful to Mr. Henry Palaca for being the enabler.
This last Saturday and Sunday I had the most unique event happen to the academic 'hat' I wear. I had the privilege to facilitate a strategic planning session with the Nuclear Regulations, Licensing and Safeguards Division of our very own Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.
It is unique because Strategic Planning and Management (SPM) is one of the Top 3 things that I instantly gravitated to even during the first time it was introduced to me by Dr Bing Carlos during my undergraduate years and was further honed by Mr Elfren S. Cruz during my graduate studies.
SPM is a topic! My topic! And for it to be the very topic to be discussed and facilitated amongst our very own nuclear scientists and regulators, is a moment. I prayed to God and I hope that that two days could contribute even just an iota to the growth of nuclear science in the Philippines for the benefit of the Filipino people.
Hands down, I facilitated the best class, so far, of my academic career. They listened in a totally different level. They processed in a totally different level. The energy was in a totally different level. Nuclear even = )
I saw passion expressed and heard it in raised voices. Heated. I saw the very heart of a group of people who truly truly want, in the heart of their hearts, to contribute to the Philippine society. I was touched when we were going through the Vision-Mission workshop. I asked them, "What is the one thing, among the six vision and mission statements that you just created, jumps out at you, speaks to you and grabs you?"
And in a hushed tone, almost reverential, they said, "... for the benefit of the Filipino people."
You probably would say, "Chicka!"
But you have to understand this group is a 'bunch' of mid-4o people. In fact, two are already close to retirement. They are old enough to be your Mom or Dad. Heck, they are even old enough to be mine. These people, to put it in proper context, are the students you met way back in college that gave you that inexplicably pressure, because they were so smart, that you were afraid to speak during recitations. And you expect them to pull your leg? = )
And yet, they sat. For two days. Open.
They ask the most insightful and interesting questions.
And if you are a learning facilitator and have facilitated over a hundred classes, you will come to a very simple and beautiful conclusion, sometime in that hundred classes, that the questions ask is a direct measure of the quality of learning and of processing inside the head of "students".
And I was swamped!
One of the beautiful things, though a bit painful, about the two days was when I sat down with PNRI's Director over her quick lunch. She was totally unassuming and still a student after all these years and the many trips to various nuclear facilities around the world.
The conversation started with a casual query, "So, you are following the BNPP?"
Our conversation moved swiftly. From her experience as one of the junior and yet very able hands in the site preparation of the BNPP back in the 1970s to this very peculiar "sayang" expression, pertaining to the mothballed BNPP, only a seasoned and true lover of knowledge could say.
My takeaway from that conversation is that, maybe, BNPP's mothballing is one of the cause why Filipinos love for science has waned over these past two decades.
Maybe, in a very quantum mechanics way, BNPP's mothballing contributed to the "misguided" acceptance of the Filipino student that to be an entertainment celebrity is the de facto standard of someone who has made it.
Maybe they accept it because who should they emulate instead? Our current limelight hogging politicians? That is so Heath Ledger Joker funny = )
In the end, after the two days, I had a better appreciation of nuclear science even if I have watched the National Geographic's take on the Chernobyl meltdown = )
My mind was stretched. Again, I was student. I found a new meaning for RAM other than the Senator Gringo Honasan's. RAM, apparently, means Radio Active Materials. And for two days, it was not weird that I spoke the acronym IAEA in a usual casual banter. I mean how often could you slide in International Atomic Energy Agency in a sentence?
Lord, thank you!
To God be all the glory...
PS
... but when everything is over and done with and the silence of the night embraces my being, all I could hear is my heart beating "Beb...Beb"
This last Saturday and Sunday I had the most unique event happen to the academic 'hat' I wear. I had the privilege to facilitate a strategic planning session with the Nuclear Regulations, Licensing and Safeguards Division of our very own Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.
It is unique because Strategic Planning and Management (SPM) is one of the Top 3 things that I instantly gravitated to even during the first time it was introduced to me by Dr Bing Carlos during my undergraduate years and was further honed by Mr Elfren S. Cruz during my graduate studies.
SPM is a topic! My topic! And for it to be the very topic to be discussed and facilitated amongst our very own nuclear scientists and regulators, is a moment. I prayed to God and I hope that that two days could contribute even just an iota to the growth of nuclear science in the Philippines for the benefit of the Filipino people.
Hands down, I facilitated the best class, so far, of my academic career. They listened in a totally different level. They processed in a totally different level. The energy was in a totally different level. Nuclear even = )
I saw passion expressed and heard it in raised voices. Heated. I saw the very heart of a group of people who truly truly want, in the heart of their hearts, to contribute to the Philippine society. I was touched when we were going through the Vision-Mission workshop. I asked them, "What is the one thing, among the six vision and mission statements that you just created, jumps out at you, speaks to you and grabs you?"
And in a hushed tone, almost reverential, they said, "... for the benefit of the Filipino people."
You probably would say, "Chicka!"
But you have to understand this group is a 'bunch' of mid-4o people. In fact, two are already close to retirement. They are old enough to be your Mom or Dad. Heck, they are even old enough to be mine. These people, to put it in proper context, are the students you met way back in college that gave you that inexplicably pressure, because they were so smart, that you were afraid to speak during recitations. And you expect them to pull your leg? = )
And yet, they sat. For two days. Open.
They ask the most insightful and interesting questions.
And if you are a learning facilitator and have facilitated over a hundred classes, you will come to a very simple and beautiful conclusion, sometime in that hundred classes, that the questions ask is a direct measure of the quality of learning and of processing inside the head of "students".
And I was swamped!
One of the beautiful things, though a bit painful, about the two days was when I sat down with PNRI's Director over her quick lunch. She was totally unassuming and still a student after all these years and the many trips to various nuclear facilities around the world.
The conversation started with a casual query, "So, you are following the BNPP?"
Our conversation moved swiftly. From her experience as one of the junior and yet very able hands in the site preparation of the BNPP back in the 1970s to this very peculiar "sayang" expression, pertaining to the mothballed BNPP, only a seasoned and true lover of knowledge could say.
My takeaway from that conversation is that, maybe, BNPP's mothballing is one of the cause why Filipinos love for science has waned over these past two decades.
Maybe, in a very quantum mechanics way, BNPP's mothballing contributed to the "misguided" acceptance of the Filipino student that to be an entertainment celebrity is the de facto standard of someone who has made it.
Maybe they accept it because who should they emulate instead? Our current limelight hogging politicians? That is so Heath Ledger Joker funny = )
In the end, after the two days, I had a better appreciation of nuclear science even if I have watched the National Geographic's take on the Chernobyl meltdown = )
My mind was stretched. Again, I was student. I found a new meaning for RAM other than the Senator Gringo Honasan's. RAM, apparently, means Radio Active Materials. And for two days, it was not weird that I spoke the acronym IAEA in a usual casual banter. I mean how often could you slide in International Atomic Energy Agency in a sentence?
Lord, thank you!
To God be all the glory...
PS
... but when everything is over and done with and the silence of the night embraces my being, all I could hear is my heart beating "Beb...Beb"
Saturday
heartbreaker
I broke their hearts in a good way...
They broke my heart in a good way...
But I broke yours in a terrible way...
In the end, when your heart breaks
... mine, too.
... in the worst kind of way.
The question is - will you believe this?
They broke my heart in a good way...
But I broke yours in a terrible way...
In the end, when your heart breaks
... mine, too.
... in the worst kind of way.
The question is - will you believe this?
Thursday
blessed at a time of testing
I am being tested.
Today was a trying day, a very long day!
Thank God, a glimmer of sunlight came my way.
"Sir, tingnan ninyo ito! Gaya-gaya sa powerpoint presentation ninyo. Mana ba o nahawa ata, eh?!?"
I smiled.
Actually, I only showed them that they also have this creative version of themselves. All they have to do is to nourish it. I could give now because I received first from Someone = )
It is a privilege to be used by Him to be part of your journey.
Today was a trying day, a very long day!
Thank God, a glimmer of sunlight came my way.
"Sir, tingnan ninyo ito! Gaya-gaya sa powerpoint presentation ninyo. Mana ba o nahawa ata, eh?!?"
I smiled.
Actually, I only showed them that they also have this creative version of themselves. All they have to do is to nourish it. I could give now because I received first from Someone = )
It is a privilege to be used by Him to be part of your journey.
Monday
embracing thought 1
Confused
and blinded
is
being concerned
with
what makes
us
feel good
that we
forget
what makes
us
great...
and blinded
is
being concerned
with
what makes
us
feel good
that we
forget
what makes
us
great...
3rd term scene 1
"... we communicate with a generation
who listen with what they see
and think with their hearts..."
who listen with what they see
and think with their hearts..."
Sunday
FrancisM in me re-loaded
Maybe you have to be in your mid-20s to mid-30s to be affected about Francis Magalona "going home".
To today's teenagers, he may not even ring a bell. Except if you have a crush on her daughter, Maxene = )
Old school? But he is cool!
He is cool because he stood up and did something about what he saw. He wasn't satisfied in being just a critic. He became one of the answers to the problems he saw. He made people care. He made people remember. He made people dance. He made people sing. He made people better.
If you listen to his music and get pass through the sound experience and get to the heart of the songs, you'll hear that he is reminding us of a truth. A truth that we are a great race! A much greater race than what the colonizers wants us to believe! And if you go to his blog, www.magalona.com, you will read in some of his entries what you hear from his songs that this man is a Man from Manila. And proud to be one!
The Man from Manila and to sing about that fact and to be proud, full of spunk and attitude in belting it is a song why songs are written.
I went through similar emotions when I heard Bamboo's "Hoy, Pinoy ako!" for the first time. Both songs came from the same inspired truth. Both songs are siblings in intent, in attitude and in heart!
Lord, may you raise up more Filipino artist from the same inspired line of Francis M.
To today's teenagers, he may not even ring a bell. Except if you have a crush on her daughter, Maxene = )
Old school? But he is cool!
He is cool because he stood up and did something about what he saw. He wasn't satisfied in being just a critic. He became one of the answers to the problems he saw. He made people care. He made people remember. He made people dance. He made people sing. He made people better.
If you listen to his music and get pass through the sound experience and get to the heart of the songs, you'll hear that he is reminding us of a truth. A truth that we are a great race! A much greater race than what the colonizers wants us to believe! And if you go to his blog, www.magalona.com, you will read in some of his entries what you hear from his songs that this man is a Man from Manila. And proud to be one!
The Man from Manila and to sing about that fact and to be proud, full of spunk and attitude in belting it is a song why songs are written.
I went through similar emotions when I heard Bamboo's "Hoy, Pinoy ako!" for the first time. Both songs came from the same inspired truth. Both songs are siblings in intent, in attitude and in heart!
Lord, may you raise up more Filipino artist from the same inspired line of Francis M.
IE302 scene 1
We were in the last few topics of implementing and executing strategies. The tail end of our discussion was about the significance of a reward system in strategy implementation.
Almost everyone was out of the classroom when she approached, together with her peers in a Gossip Girl kindaway, and asked the question.
"Sir, whose fault is it when one motivates one person but the one being motivated is not responding?"
Curiosity was my first reaction. Why didn't she asked this during the class. I mean, so that the whole class would benefit. Was she being selfish? Shy? Maybe she has a reputation to protect. I don't know. But, seriously, I'm glad an insightful question was asked.
I replied, "Well, it is the fault of the one motivating!"
"What Sir?", was her clarifying retort.
"It is so easy to say that it is the fault of the employee. That he is lazy or something. But that thinking limits the possible solution and work around one can put in the table. If one assumes that it is his fault, then a new level of possible solution opens up. Like, the recruitment philosophy and practices of the company. Ideally, if a company is serious about their recruitment, they will always have the highest probability that they will always hire the right person for the right job. If they are not fanatical and passionate about their recruitment, they will lose millions of money in trying to motivate the wrong person. We have to understand that no amount of motivation, rewards and benefits will transform a 'wrong person for the job' to become the 'right person for the job'. Maybe it can happen but it is always short term. Unsustainable. Financially nonviable."
She was confused when she left. And that looked of confusion is the reason why I am punching my laptop's keypads = )
(Lord, this is a new prayer - Please give my students the added confidence to ask questions until all is clarified.)
I got a theory why she gave that quizzical look.
If she applies the answer I gave to a classroom scenario, where a professor is trying to motivate the class or a student to perform better, but the student is going nowhere, then, I "accidentally" placed all the blame for all student's bad performance since Adam on the professor's shoulder.
Actually, I just blamed myself = )
If my theory is right, then that quizzical look is spot on!
If that is the case, then I need to contextualized my answer.
Our discussion of rewards was within the context of an employee-employer relationship. Not in the context of professor-student relationship.
Though some truths applies, not all could be. The dynamics of the two relationship is different. A professor's role, if one would care to research, is that of a second parent. Not an employer.
By this I meant and to put my point across - can you imagine your parents firing you as their daughter? or as their son? That can not be = )
Because that is the case, then simply applying an answer with a different context to an entirely different situation is prohibited. Or disaster is bound to happen.
On a different note, if a professor is true to his calling of facilitating learning, then, knowing that we have to acknowledge first that we are part of the problem before becoming part of the solution opens up a new level of possible solutions in improving not only class performance, but STUDENT performance = )
I am truly excited, like a boy, when I think about these possibilities. The school as we know it will really be transformed.
And I am not thinking about a Utopian transformation. It is a transformation where school owners win because of profits. The student wins because he becomes a well adjusted adult. And faculty wins because his positive influence will know no bounds in the life of a student.
Lord, Your will be done...
Almost everyone was out of the classroom when she approached, together with her peers in a Gossip Girl kindaway, and asked the question.
"Sir, whose fault is it when one motivates one person but the one being motivated is not responding?"
Curiosity was my first reaction. Why didn't she asked this during the class. I mean, so that the whole class would benefit. Was she being selfish? Shy? Maybe she has a reputation to protect. I don't know. But, seriously, I'm glad an insightful question was asked.
I replied, "Well, it is the fault of the one motivating!"
"What Sir?", was her clarifying retort.
"It is so easy to say that it is the fault of the employee. That he is lazy or something. But that thinking limits the possible solution and work around one can put in the table. If one assumes that it is his fault, then a new level of possible solution opens up. Like, the recruitment philosophy and practices of the company. Ideally, if a company is serious about their recruitment, they will always have the highest probability that they will always hire the right person for the right job. If they are not fanatical and passionate about their recruitment, they will lose millions of money in trying to motivate the wrong person. We have to understand that no amount of motivation, rewards and benefits will transform a 'wrong person for the job' to become the 'right person for the job'. Maybe it can happen but it is always short term. Unsustainable. Financially nonviable."
She was confused when she left. And that looked of confusion is the reason why I am punching my laptop's keypads = )
(Lord, this is a new prayer - Please give my students the added confidence to ask questions until all is clarified.)
I got a theory why she gave that quizzical look.
If she applies the answer I gave to a classroom scenario, where a professor is trying to motivate the class or a student to perform better, but the student is going nowhere, then, I "accidentally" placed all the blame for all student's bad performance since Adam on the professor's shoulder.
Actually, I just blamed myself = )
If my theory is right, then that quizzical look is spot on!
If that is the case, then I need to contextualized my answer.
Our discussion of rewards was within the context of an employee-employer relationship. Not in the context of professor-student relationship.
Though some truths applies, not all could be. The dynamics of the two relationship is different. A professor's role, if one would care to research, is that of a second parent. Not an employer.
By this I meant and to put my point across - can you imagine your parents firing you as their daughter? or as their son? That can not be = )
Because that is the case, then simply applying an answer with a different context to an entirely different situation is prohibited. Or disaster is bound to happen.
On a different note, if a professor is true to his calling of facilitating learning, then, knowing that we have to acknowledge first that we are part of the problem before becoming part of the solution opens up a new level of possible solutions in improving not only class performance, but STUDENT performance = )
I am truly excited, like a boy, when I think about these possibilities. The school as we know it will really be transformed.
And I am not thinking about a Utopian transformation. It is a transformation where school owners win because of profits. The student wins because he becomes a well adjusted adult. And faculty wins because his positive influence will know no bounds in the life of a student.
Lord, Your will be done...
Friday
Francis M in me
Francis M
He is really a talented Filipino.
... in my book, alongside Lea Salonga.
He was the first Filipino who made being Filipino cool...
... hip...
... something to be proud of.
... and this was way back in the 90s.
... way before Manny Pacquaio.
The only live performance of him that I was a part of
... as part of the production team
... and as a fan
... was the one in 17 November 1990
... at Letran Intramuros Gymnasium.
He rapped... sang... all heart...
... Got to let you know
... It's a cold summer night
... and, then, the "national anthem"
... Mga Kababayan ko...
His "true talent" status in me was cemented when he sang
... his masterpiece - Kaleidoscope World
Francis M,
I am proud to be a Filipino today
... because one of the foundation that pride rest on
... is you.
I know you are in a much better place now...
I know that you are in place where pain does not exists...
... my faith tells me that.
My prayers to your family.
Lord and Father...
He is really a talented Filipino.
... in my book, alongside Lea Salonga.
He was the first Filipino who made being Filipino cool...
... hip...
... something to be proud of.
... and this was way back in the 90s.
... way before Manny Pacquaio.
The only live performance of him that I was a part of
... as part of the production team
... and as a fan
... was the one in 17 November 1990
... at Letran Intramuros Gymnasium.
He rapped... sang... all heart...
... Got to let you know
... It's a cold summer night
... and, then, the "national anthem"
... Mga Kababayan ko...
His "true talent" status in me was cemented when he sang
... his masterpiece - Kaleidoscope World
Francis M,
I am proud to be a Filipino today
... because one of the foundation that pride rest on
... is you.
I know you are in a much better place now...
I know that you are in place where pain does not exists...
... my faith tells me that.
My prayers to your family.
Lord and Father...
Thursday
crisis' blessing
If there's one group that's really rejoicing about the economic situation, that will be the economics and the business teachers.
Their, our, jobs is much easier = )
During these troubling and challenging times, the classes will always have this heigthened quality into it. Questions abound. Disequilibrium will always be present in the minds of the learner. Two things that almost all learning facilitator always hope for when one is facilitating learning in a classroom.
I hope and pray facilitators see it, exploit it and use its momentum.
Their, our, jobs is much easier = )
During these troubling and challenging times, the classes will always have this heigthened quality into it. Questions abound. Disequilibrium will always be present in the minds of the learner. Two things that almost all learning facilitator always hope for when one is facilitating learning in a classroom.
I hope and pray facilitators see it, exploit it and use its momentum.
Wednesday
"ode" to U2
I've been a fan since high school. 40 and I Will Follow made me noticed. The rock attitude kick in when I heard Bono said, "There's been a lot of talk about this next song. Maybe way too much talk..." And I was hooked when I experimented in playing "With or without you", headphones on, around 2am. That painful prolonged howl. There are only a few things far more painfully beautiful = )
So, when I heard that they will be coming out with a new album, No line on the horizon, I was one of the first who pre-ordered, last month.
I'm a fan because there's no one better out there who writes songs that feels like you just got kicked in the crouch. And the pain not only makes you angry but also reminds you that you are alive!
And maybe this is only true to me, U2 is the best because the lyrics lingers. It lingers because there's always a moment in the song where everything is spot on. The sound, the words... the voice.
And the songs in No line on the horizon is no different.
So, when I heard that they will be coming out with a new album, No line on the horizon, I was one of the first who pre-ordered, last month.
I'm a fan because there's no one better out there who writes songs that feels like you just got kicked in the crouch. And the pain not only makes you angry but also reminds you that you are alive!
And maybe this is only true to me, U2 is the best because the lyrics lingers. It lingers because there's always a moment in the song where everything is spot on. The sound, the words... the voice.
And the songs in No line on the horizon is no different.
Monday
Class Rule 1.0
"Know our role!"
From almost a decade of facilitating learning in tertiary education, I am under the impression that about 80.0% of my students have a hazy definition of their role in a classroom. I know they know that they need to pass the course. And I know they know they are students but I verily doubt if they know what it means to be a STUDENT.
And because I really want to help the students who gave me the privilege to be part of their journey, I am writing this Class Rule(s) to help.
The definition of the word "student" means - "...a person engaged in study; one who is devoted to learning."
(Before we continue let me say that I am hoping, and praying, to be proven wrong with these prognosis...)
I know and see that the effort is there. But I doubt the engaged part and the devoted part. Granting that there are indeed professors who makes it doubly hard to be engaged and to be devoted but what can we do about it? We can not control who shall facilitate our learning. We can not control what kind of "school of teaching" the professors embraces.
But we can verily control how we respond. The power to choose how we respond is definitely within our power. Can we choose to be devoted to learning in spite of and despite of what life gives us? Why don't we try the library? or even Google? = )
Another thing, I am under the impression that the role of being a son or of a daughter supersedes your role as a student even in studying. By this I meant embracing this philosophy of "as long as I do not fail my subjects and courses and hurt my parents, I can do as I please."
Now, I am not trying to be a party-pooper but I am coming from this context - if we devote the time we have now to studies, will we be so accepting of simply a passing grade?
In my take, I doubt it. We would at least be expecting a grade better than 2.0 = )
And my defense to that line of thinking is simply this - if we devote so much time with our boyfriends or girlfriends, are we so accepting that they simply sit beside us? I do not think so, too.
Knowing our role and doing it heightens and stretches our idea of excellence. And this truth is not limited in being a student, within the context of class. This is truer in life.
From almost a decade of facilitating learning in tertiary education, I am under the impression that about 80.0% of my students have a hazy definition of their role in a classroom. I know they know that they need to pass the course. And I know they know they are students but I verily doubt if they know what it means to be a STUDENT.
And because I really want to help the students who gave me the privilege to be part of their journey, I am writing this Class Rule(s) to help.
The definition of the word "student" means - "...a person engaged in study; one who is devoted to learning."
(Before we continue let me say that I am hoping, and praying, to be proven wrong with these prognosis...)
I know and see that the effort is there. But I doubt the engaged part and the devoted part. Granting that there are indeed professors who makes it doubly hard to be engaged and to be devoted but what can we do about it? We can not control who shall facilitate our learning. We can not control what kind of "school of teaching" the professors embraces.
But we can verily control how we respond. The power to choose how we respond is definitely within our power. Can we choose to be devoted to learning in spite of and despite of what life gives us? Why don't we try the library? or even Google? = )
Another thing, I am under the impression that the role of being a son or of a daughter supersedes your role as a student even in studying. By this I meant embracing this philosophy of "as long as I do not fail my subjects and courses and hurt my parents, I can do as I please."
Now, I am not trying to be a party-pooper but I am coming from this context - if we devote the time we have now to studies, will we be so accepting of simply a passing grade?
In my take, I doubt it. We would at least be expecting a grade better than 2.0 = )
And my defense to that line of thinking is simply this - if we devote so much time with our boyfriends or girlfriends, are we so accepting that they simply sit beside us? I do not think so, too.
Knowing our role and doing it heightens and stretches our idea of excellence. And this truth is not limited in being a student, within the context of class. This is truer in life.
love, feelings and actions
Every fool could say that they love somebody so much...
... so much that it hurts.
But that does not mean anything.
But that does not even matter.
What we feel only matters to us.
It's selfish.
It's what we do to the people we profess to love
.... that matters.
.... that counts.
... so much that it hurts.
But that does not mean anything.
But that does not even matter.
What we feel only matters to us.
It's selfish.
It's what we do to the people we profess to love
.... that matters.
.... that counts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)