#exploreappreciategrow2015 Year in Review

#exploreappreciategrow2015 Year in Review

January

Reunion with Essie, Kaila, Angelica, Andrei, Lei, Jeanjer, and Jewelle

New friends--Glen and Luis

Dr. Bienvenido V. Santos Cup--Graydiators!

Dinner with Ms. Sara, EJ, and Zeke

February

Kadramahan over EJ

Fell in love with Tonette's "That Thing Called Tadhana"

JSCB Successfully Organized the Parent's Appreciation Day

Study Period Convo with Ms. Kat re Tadhana

Movie Date with Mama

March

English Project Presentation about Tuesdays with Morrie

Tom's Birthday Celebration

Hot Charles Lovers

MITIS Next Bright Idea

Reconciliation with EJ

Booth Day--WTF: What the Food

Karaoke with Ms. Anna and Rose

MITIS Challenge Facilitator--"Charles is so scary." -Celeen and Mona

Convos with Iona

Misunderstanding + Reconciliation with Myra

April

Music Fest 2015--"Say Something" with Athena, Roda, Sophia, and Jeff

Ms. Luz's Birthday Celebration

May

Teacher's Appreciation Week Celebration

Delivered the Morning Message

Samgyeopsal and Karaoke with Tom, Myra, and Nikki

Scrapbook-making with Joel, Myra, Roda, and Athena

Reunited with Rica

June

OJT 2015

Shooting for Disciplinary Policy

July

Iona's Birthday Celebration

Star City with Myra and Nikki for Myra's Birthday

Nikki's Birthday Celebration

August

Photo Scavenger Hunt with Mase, Jane, and Yeji

EducationUSA at US Embassy

Year End Awarding

Class Elections--President

Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz 2015

North Park with Ms. Sara

MITIS Filipino Film Fest

SCB Elections--Treasurer

August 23--First Convo with Irish

September

Frappe from Irish

Domino's with Ms. Sara and Myra

Burger King with Ms. Sara and Myra

SCB Team Building 2015

North Park with Ms. Sara and Myra

Samgyeopsal with Myra, Nikki, Joel, Tom, and Twins

Project-making at Veritas' House

When a Friend Does Something He Doesn't Usually Do--Selfie

"I trust him."; "He makes me feel welcome." *non verbatim

Giligan's with Myra

CSO: Raise the Bar 2.0--21 Laps

October

Counseling Sessions with Ms. Nica

World Teacher's Day 2015--Ms. Iya's Student-teacher

Heneral Luna

Classic Savory with Sir Ecko, Sir Richmond, and Myra

Hosted UN Declamation with Iona

Hosted UN Cultural Convergence with Ms. Sara

North Park with Ms. Sara

Irish's Help re Costume

Selfie with Irish

Confession to Ms. Iya--"Inspiration"

Hairstylists--Rose and Myra

Convos with Papi Keith--"Charles Opabae"

Grade 9 Bags 1st Place in Cultural Presentation

November

AlDub at ATC

National Youth Congress '12

Scholar's Election--President

Coffee Play with ...

Mr. Park's with Myra and Tom

Runner Up in Awareness Exhibit

North Park with Ms. Sara and Myra

Mr. Park's with Myra and Sir Ecko

Mr. Park's with Myra

Sleepover at Irish's House

Field Trip 2015

Affirmation of Best Friendship

Shakey's with Tom, Myra, and Joel

Pepper Lunch with Ms. Sara and Joel

XVth BIRTHDAY -- Nov. 26 and 27, 2015

Enderun Seminar with SCB Members

Grade 9 Greeting Video

Cake from Myra

Wallet from Tom

Singing of Happy Birthday during Lunchtime

Shakey's Dinner + "A Second Chance" with Myra, Nikki, Keith, Tom*, Ms. Yo, Ms. Sara, and Joel*

Book from Ms. Sara

Message from Athena

December

Notebook from Nikki

Sleepover at Irish's House

Gifts from Irish's Mom

Nuclear Youth Summit 2015

Earphones from Irish

Christmas Party 2015 Organized by SCB

Giligan's + Timezone with Myra, Nikki*, Athena, Joel, and Jeff

TFIOS + Note from Tom

Sharpee from Joel

Bag(?) from Ms. Sara

Clay Doh from Ms. Jerri

Pen from Sir Earl

Note + Purse from Ms. Ave

Cake from Irish

Bracelet from Ms. Yoko

Convo with Keith

Convo with Ms. Yo

Project-making at Veritas' House

"#WalangForever" with Myra and Nikki

Poem from Myra

Confession to Elly

STRIPES

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! We bring you the August to November issue of STRIPES, the official schoolpaper of MITIS. Articles, photos and more: feel free to read and share.

The Transition

In 8 days, I'll be ending my #exploreappreciateandgrow2015 journey (but of course, its epiphanies and journeys will stay in me), so I'd be rounding up the best and the worst moments this year full of trails of emotions. I'd be uploading that one of these days.

For 2016, I've thought of two hashtags that would be the framework of my actions and interactions. Two of them are actually interconnected, but I don't know if you'd know their relationship--it really depends if you know me well. Those two hashtags are:

#ignoringnegativitiesandreducingvulnerability2016

and/or

#expectlesstoreducestress2016

Should I pick just one or apply both (because why not? Kkk)?

---

Can I just live alone? Can I be independent now? I'm just so tired of everything.

Thoughts

"It's better to ask than to know nothing." (Gasid, 2015) "How would you learn if you do not face your fears?" (San Juan, 2015) "If it's meant to happen, it will find its way." (Opague, 2015)

Is Social Status Still Important Today?

In the past, people valued social status and hierarchies so much. This defined who they marry, interact with, and talk to. This gave them the jobs they suit into having, based on the eyes of the society. This specified their wealth and power. But in the society people are living in today, are social strata still important, and do these still define the things mentioned above? In my opinion, as much as I want to say that yes, it still matters, I think it doesn’t matter anymore, but it still exists. First, everybody has the right and CAN voice out their opinions and thoughts about something, may it be in favor of or against. Before, you’d be punished for speaking against the government, but now, we’re freer to tell them our thoughts. We now have multiple media to channel these thoughts—rallies, letters, and most especially, social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (The rise of these social networking sites has broken down many old class barriers.) So in that manner, we can all be equal in letting our notions out. (But still, remember our social responsibility and the significance of respect.) Second, before, only the wealthy and the bourgeoisie can (or sometimes, were allowed to) study. Males were expected to be the ones knowledgeable, while females can stay at home and do household chores. But today, knowledge and information are already accessible for everybody, no matter what your gender is, no matter how much money you have. Schools are open to everybody, and public schools and scholarship grants are there to help the needy. Far more people go to university and colleges now than ever before. With these, anyone has the capacity to study and dream. Also, everybody has the right to choose and specialize in their own job, unlike before. When you’re a peasant, you are expected to be a farmer, and then that’s it, no further developments or anything (not that I’m belittling anyone here). Today, as long as you are qualified for something and are willing to work hard to improve in your craft, you can have the job of your dreams. Notionally, at least, we live in a society where opportunities and chances are open for everybody. Fourth, before, they believed that the rich is for the rich while the poor is for the poor. Meaning, they shouldn’t interact with each other since they don’t belong to the same social strata. But now, relationships and friendships are believed to not have any limitation, as what it should really be. One more idea to support this is the survey conducted by Mike Savage, a Professor of Sociology at University of New York. He asked people what class they think they belong, but most people where indecisive and ambivalent. On the contrary, it still exists in a way that it can still affect one’s perception of himself / herself and his / her environment. According to the same research, it isn’t just as simple as “wealthy-working classes”; today’s social classification is even more intricate, where more factors are considered such as the quantity and quality of friends you have; what you enjoy in your spare time; what club and organizations you belong to; how often you eat out, watch a movie, hang out with friends, or travel; and many more. Overall, in my own opinion, social classes aren’t really as important as it used to be before.

Love Messages

God knows how much I love my (J)SCB family! I have learned a lot from them--from all the talents and ideas they have shared. Now, I feel like sharing the messages they wrote for me. Every time I read them, I feel so valued and that my existence here on earth means something to people. Here they are:

Mona: ... You seem like a fun person to hang out with. Magaling kang magpatawa tapos magaling ka din academic wise. Also, you're a good friend. ...
Chantelle: ... I see you as a good leader in the future ...
Joshiah: ... I know you're smart! =) ... I have been blessed to be given a chance to become your friend. ...
Sir Pierre: Iba ka talaga Charles!!! Thank you for taking the challenge. I know you can be a great leader.
Unknown: You are so amazing! You are overflowing w/ greatness! Thank you for sharing what you learn & your ideas.
Miss Mae: Congratulations! You have an amazing opportunity to touch lives.
Athena: ... I believe in you. ... I can't wait for your really "pakabog" events. Believe in yourself (I know you do) because we believe in you. ...
Sir Melvin: You are the most outstanding student I've ever seen.
Sir Richmond: Thank you for the inspiration you give me as my student. ...
Myra: You're so special. I'm always here for you no matter what. When everyone turn their backs at you, I'll be here.
Unknown #2: ... You guys may not be a perfect class, but you guys are the best people in G8!
Unknown #3: Thank you for being very responsible. ... Thanks also for encouraging me to come. ...
Unknown #4: I believe the Junior SCB are being led by a very awesome leader. The lower grades are in good hands. ...