Life Impact

"Life Impact"

by Lourdes Cabrilles on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 12:09pm

A women attended her twenty-year high school reunion.There she encountered her freshman year art teacher. She told him that she decided o go to college as a result of his inspiration, and that she was an art professor now at a large state university.

At the end of the evening 's festivities, the teacher searched out his former student, shook her hand, and said, " Thank you for saying those nice things about my teaching. You've really made my day."

"You're welcome," said the woman as he hugged him, " But let me thank you-you've made my life!"


There is usually a good teacher
             behind every good student.
 Whether or not a student remembers
             to thank his teacher,
the influence lives on in the student

                                           ANONYMOUS
                    ( from the book THE HEART OF A TEACHER)

*Repost from facebook note

The Test

"The Test" (via face book note)

by Lourdes Cabrilles on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 4:00am

His name was Lt. John Blanchard, a soldier in basic training in Florida during WWII. One evening he wandered into the post library and found a book to read. The feminine handwriting in the margins intrigued him, so he turned to the front of the book and found the name of the previous owner...a Miss Hollis Maynell

Blanchard did some research and found her address in New York. The following day he was shipped overseas. For 13 months the two corresponded by letter and began to open their hearts to each other. He asked for her picture, to which she refused by saying that if he really loved her it wouldn't matter what she looked like.

 Finally the day came when they were to meet in Grand Central Station, New York City. She had instructed, "You'll recognize me by red rose that I'll be wearing on my lapel."

Let's let the young soldier tell you what happened:

A young woman was coming toward me, beautiful, trim, blonde, eyes were blue as flowers, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her forgetting that she was not wearing the rose...and then I saw Hollis Maynell! She was standing behind the girl. A woman with graying hair. BUT she wore a red rose on the rumpled brown lapel coat. So deep was my longing for the woman who's spirit had captured me that I approached her. There she stood, face was gentle and sensible and her gray eyes had a twinkle. I didn't hesitate. My hand gripped the small worn blue leather book which was to identify me to her.

I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the woman while choking back the bitterness of disappointment. " I'm Lt. John Blanchard and you must be Miss Maynelll. I'm glad to meet you. May I take you to dinner?"


The woman's face broadened  into a smile. "I don't know what is it about, son," she answered, "but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, asked me to wear this rose. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner I should tell you that she is waiting for you in the large restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of TEST!"

Apparently Lt. John Blanchard passed the test! Would you?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).

        (From the book '365 Moments to Cherish' by Robert Strand)

A Teacher's Survival Kit for Everyday Living

Toothpick-Reminds us to look for the good qualities in our students.
             You may be the only teacher who says something positive to them that day.
Rubber Band- Reminds teachers that we have to be flexible.
              Things don't always go the way we plan.
              But flexibility will help to work it out.
Band Aid- Reminds teachers that sometimes we do more than teach,
              That we help heal hurt feelings, broken dreams,
              And lend an ear to a problem.
Pencil- Reminds us to be thankful, and we should list our blessings daily,
              But also encourage our students to list their blessings
              And to be proud of their accomplishments.
Eraser- Reminds us to allow students to know we are human
             And make mistakes just like they do, and its okay.
             We must all able to learn from our mistakes.
Chewing Gum-Reminds us to stick with it
              And encourage our students to do likewise.
              Even the impossible task or assignment can be accomplished
              By sticking on it.
Mint -   Reminds us and our students we are worth a mint.
            (We may not be paid a mint, but we are worth one.)
Candy Kiss- Reminds us that everyone needs a hug, kiss, or warm fuzzy every day.
            (All teachers, students, parents, and even administrators)
Tea Bag- Reminds us we need time to relax,
            Go over our blessings, and take time for others.
            Family, husbands, wives, friends, children need quality time together.


Teachers must be willing to show their students how much they care!

                                                       Original Author Unknown
                                                     From the book "The Heart of a Teacher"
                                                          Author: Ruth Anne Muir

Be a Dreamer

Are you a dreamer? I know everyone of us has a dream, may it be simple or big. It's natural, but sometimes we thought that a dream is just a dream, and its very impossible to happen, but why not try it?

"If it is the last day of your life, what would you do to fulfill your dreams?" This question is very common to me, I've always been encountering this in seminars, workshops, and even in the books I read. What will be your answer to this question? Maybe your answer is the same as mine. One speaker I had encountered told us, 'what's stopping you to fulfill your dreams'? Then I realized, its true, what's stopping me, what's stopping us to do it? So what are you waiting for?...start now...reach for your dreams.

When I was a kid, I dreamed to have beautiful clothes, shoes, and a big house. When I reached high school I wanted to go to Manila and become a writer. I want to write a book, or write an article in any magazine. And why can I do that?, I am not even sure if I can continue my studies in college because of financial problems. Until something good happened to my life. There were twists and turns. While I was working with my cousin in vegetable store in Quezon City, Nana Tiying (my tita-titahan, owner of vegetable store) asked me if I wanted to continue my studies. I immediately said yes, I was so happy then. It was very hard to be a working student but I was very determined. Thank God I finished it with high grades. Nana Tiying was so proud of me. She became my second mother while I was away with my family. And I will never stop thanking her for giving me new hope, new life and  fulfilling my dreams. It never entered my mind that I will finish my studies in a big and famous university (PWU) here in Manila. Then I realized, my dreams were really coming into reality, that even impossible and unexpected things happen if you will just believe.

In this whole journey, I know GOD is with me. HE never left me. I remember the lyrics in a song 'Lift up your Hands to God'..."If you believe in yourself, if you believe there's someone who walks through life with you. You'll never be alone, just learn to reach out and open your heart. Lift up your hands to GOD and He'll show you the way." In fulfilling your dreams, do it the best you can, just believe you can do it and trust GOD.

Now I'm a successful teacher, it was not my dream actually. But maybe God has plans why I became a teacher. Perhaps this will bring me into a wider range of my other plans. Perhaps being a teacher, I could help people build their own dreams. I could help children change their lives. That's why I love teaching now, its very fulfilling when someone became successful because of me. Its more than a gift, its more than a dream fulfilled.

I will never stopped dreaming. Now my ultimate dream to become a writer is nearly coming into reality (hoping...) But even if it will never came, its okay, at least I've always been trying. I also dream to go to the places with snow. I don't know why. I know it's impossible to happen, but I know it will happen (soon).

Be a dreamer...Dream big!...Never stop believing that dreams do come true.

I am...ME!

1. I'm a Bicolana, a typical probinsiyana.
2. I'm a 2nd child in a brood of 9.
3. I came from a poor family.
4. I was bullied during my elementary days.
5. I am a shytype kind of person.
6. I'm so afraid of the dark and ghosts.
7. I am a Papa's girl.
8. I read the word TABLE as T-A-B-L-E...(as in tagalog reading) when I was in grade1.
9. I have brown eyes and brown skin.
10. I belong to zodiac sign, SCORPIO
11. I received 1st Honor awards from Grade1-6, graduated valedictorian.
12. I begin to be in love during my High School days.
13. I experience pains and depressions when my father left us.
14. I'm a working student when I was in college.
15. I drink alcohol, never like cigarettes.
16. Going to mall and buy something is my therapy when I'm depressed.
17. I can't live without my friends. I'm happy when I'm with them.
18. I read lots of books. (Inspirational and Romance, magazines, newspapers)
19. I love sweets. (chocolates, ice cream, cakes, pastries)
20. I love fairy tales, happy ending love stories.
21. I'm a hopeless romantic.
22. I'm very determined to do something I love.
23. I'm very emotional (I easily cry when watching emotional movies/tv shows, reading books)
24. I love Koreanovelas.
25. I'm a nature lover/ want to be an environmentalist
26. I'm a fan of successful people.
27. I'm a trying hard traveler (I want to travel around the Phils, and around the world).
28. When I'm alone I write something.
29. I'm a dreamer (I dream to become a writer, and to experience snow).
30. I'm secretive.
31. I'm easy to please, and I love being appreciated.
32. I'm a good listener and adviser.
33. I may not be beautiful but I have a pure heart and ready to give pure love.
34. I'm single but happy.
35. I am a TEACHER.

Poverty is not a Hindrance to One's Success

"Poverty is not a Hindrance to One's Success" (via face book)

by Lourdes Cabrilles on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 10:33pm

As I read the pages of a newspaper (Inquirer) today, my attention caught by the article " Teenager's grade best in postwar UP" by Julia M. Aurelio. I was amazed by this 19 year-old teenager, GABRIEL PELIAS, who will be graduating this Sunday as summa cum laude with the general weighted average of 1.016 which appears to be the highest garnered in UP history after World War II, (according to the writer).

PELIAS, an only child who supported himself with scholarships as his Lola Sandra had no job and only savings to get them by. His is an inspiring story of how a poor boy dreamed to become successful. The lack of money should never be a hindrance to one's dreams.

After I read the whole article, my past flashed back. I remember how I struggled to finish my studies despite the fact that we are poor and no one to turn to. I finished college as a working student. It was very hard, and thought of giving up due to too much pressure, lack of sleep, etc...But through the help of Liclican's family (esp. Nana Tiying), my sister Phora, my friends, and of course my prayers I was able to go through with it. Now as I look back, I still cry because I can't believe I was become what I am now. Being an educator, I always tell my students my journey of becoming a teacher. I always advise them to finish their studies no matter what the hindrances are. And I know someday, they will remember and thank me for that.

Gabriel Pelias story and  my story are  proofs that poverty is not a hindrance to one's success.

And every CHILD, every person deserves a better EDUCATION.

Remembering Father's Day

"Remembering Father's Day" (via face book note)

by Lourdes Cabrilles on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 4:24pm

I had a happy childhood memories of my father. He was my confidante, my protector, my tutor, my friend, and my ever loving father. I had so much respect on him then. I remember when I was a kid and asking about stars, if why is that there are so many stars, and why we cannot count them, and he tried his best to answer me. I also remember when he took me in his bike in going to school, when he patiently helped me in my school  assignments, and gave me baon  everyday. Honestly I am closer to my father(papa's girl), though I love my mother so much.

I didn't know what went wrong with my family. We had a big family problem as I entered high school. I begin to doubt GOD on HIS love for us, but never hated HIM. I just convinced myself that this was just a test. Until it gone worst. My father left us. And it was very painful. I begin to hate him. My respect to him was lost...who wouldn't?. All the good things that I knew about him were broken into pieces. So many years had passed and the pain is still here. And I really don't know when it will be healed. And when he left, I appreciated my mother so much for being a martyr wife and a loving mother to us. She became our father and mother for the past 20 years, and that was not a joke. I had witnessed her pains, the nonstop cry, the struggles and the trying times of being a single mom. She's the best, a truly perfect mother a child could ever had.

This is why I struggled to pursue my studies despite the fact that we are poor and no one to turn to. I wanted to help my family especially my mother. It's very hard to be a working student, and thought of giving up. But I had to do this for them. I had to be strong. So I finished my studies, and had a teaching job. And I'm very thankful to GOD because HE's always there when I needed HIM the most.

Today is Father's Day, and I still remember him. I remember all those times that I'm with him. Did I miss him? I really don't know. Maybe I'm just used to live without a father. But whatever happened, he is still my father. If not because of him, I will not be what I become now. The values he instilled in our minds when we we're kids were still here in our hearts. And whenever I hear the song "Dance with my Father", I cried a lot. Perhaps I longed for his love, maybe I wanted a father to appreciate all my achievements in life. Now, I still don't know when's the right time that we will be able to reconcile. Maybe I'm still waiting for him to come back to us or to say sorry to our mother and admit his mistake. Or maybe he is also waiting for us to talk to him.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to you, wherever you are! I know you remember us. I hope someday we can talk.

You may NOT be a perfect FATHER....but you tried to BECOME one long time ago.


Update:
* (10.27.11 my facebook comment) I actually wrote this note last June during father's day, i just not published it publicly coz i'm not ready yet to tell my friends about it...until this morning, when we had a seminar and our speaker, shared same situation as mine, and played video about father and son..i was really teary eyed.....then i realized why should i ashamed to have a broken family?...I think this made me strong...wuahh I'm crying while writing:((

Facing my Fears

"Facing My Fears" (via face book note)

by Lourdes Cabrilles on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 11:00pm

I am just a simple teacher with simple dreams. I just want to teach and share knowledge to people. I'm just used to help and support anyone or any event but I don't want to be a front liner. I have a very low self-confidence, I have doubts to myself on whether I can do the things right. I have lots of fears.

Until.....Over a week ago I was informed by Sir Froilan Grate (Pres.,Mother Earth Foundation) that I will present a 10 minute talk in a big crowd about environmental policies. I was very surprised. why me?..I don't know what I'm going to feel that day. If I will feel happy, sad, surprised. flattered,..i don't know. I repeatedly begged off because I know I can't do it. But he never stopped convincing me, he encouraged me, he even said I'm the perfect person to do it because I'm practicing what I learned on environmental policies. So I accepted the challenge. I prayed a lot. I listened to all the encouraging words from my co teachers. I just convinced myself that I can do it.

This morning was a biggest test to me. This is the day I was waiting for. I was trembling the whole morning...who wouldn't?...I will stand in front of these vip's, supervisor, principals, guests, teachers...I even told my friends, can I do it the way I like it to be?...what if the outcome's not good?...how can I face my co-teachers?. But then again I realized I have to do this. So I just lift up to God. I prayed and asked for His guidance. And like what my friends told me, 'believe in yourself' that's the technique...If you believe that you can do it, you can do it...I don't know where my self-confidence came from that I finished my talk with flying colors. It was like magic that I discussed my topic continuously, not nervous at all. Maybe because it came purely in my heart, and I love what I'm doing. I remember my friend Joyce told me 'whatever is done out of love and dedication is always the best'.

I am so happy today, not only because of the award given to me as an  'eco-friendly model teacher' but because I've proven to myself that I did something worthy. When I saw the faces of these people listening to me, that's only the time I feel proud of myself. It's so overwhelming when I heard the applause, the appreciation, the congratulations after my talk. I cannot express how happy I am today. It was unforgettable.

I want to thank everyone for the encouragement, especially to Mam Narag, Mam Vicky,  Maricris and Zarah, your encouragement, hugs, the smiles were big help to me...I love you guys.... Thank you Mam Zeny for all the support, and to sir Froilan for believing in me and the trust. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I wouldn't do it without all your help. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks.

                                                      Thank you all for listening:))

Teachers are Heroes

"Teachers are Heroes" (via face book note)

by Lourdes Cabrilles on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 9:08pm

"My Teacher is my Hero." Who can question that? I know most students will agree to this statement. Teachers are considered heroes,  no matter what their faults and shortcomings are. Sometimes we call our teachers terror, strict, conceited, disciplinarian...etc. And some students may not understand that, but someday they will realize the importance of their actions. For me I can say, I may not be an 'outstanding teacher', but I'm a good and responsible one. I maybe strict, but I can really say that I care and love my students.

Teaching is a priceless gift. In my fourteen years of teaching both in private and public school, I realized that it's really priceless. God has given us special abilities to shape student's characters, to lead them, and to encourage them to develop certain talents. I had encountered different kinds of students...children from broken homes with shattered dreams, students who are poor, unhappy, troubled, depressed, ignorant, rude, and arrogant. And it takes a lot of patience and sacrifice to deal with these people. If a student does not receive any encouragement at home, a teacher may become the most positive influence in his life. And so we are here to guide them...to serve as their advisers, second parents, friend, babysitters, defendant...and of course their heroes. Through those years of my teaching career, I felt the happiness when I see every student learn, when they thanked me for what I have done for the day, when they gave me a card or a note saying good things about me, when I saw the smile in their faces at the end of the day. I felt the satisfaction when someone says 'teachers touched so many lives because of their teachings, and their impact on students cannot be measured.' (quote from a book)


It's Teacher's Day once again....Did you thank your teachers? Did you find a way to make them happy? I know everyone of us has special memories of our teachers. Part of our lives had shared with them. Just remember that no matter what you will become, no matter what your achievements are, always remember your teachers...Saying thank you will make them happy, a simple appreciation will make them smile. Time will come we will become old, new teachers will come. And those students we've nurtured will become successful in their own lives, some will become rich and famous, as we go back to our simple lives when we retire...all we have were just memories, letters and cards, and the class pictures. And when we look back at the old times we had...all we can do is just smile and be proud of their achievements.

I thank God for teachers, and I thank God I'm one of them. I've been a part of someone's life.
This day marks another memorable day of our lives. It's a good feeling to be pampered sometimes, to be recognized, taken cared of,  be appreciated and loved.

"Happy Teacher's Day" to all the teachers out there. Continue to guide and light the way of every child.

Hats off TEACHERS! You are a living HERO.