The Challenge

The first time I did home service tutoring was with a young piano enthusiast who thought she could learn to play the piano in three days. She did of course, learn finger placement, and I’d say it kept her interested until the next rounds of lessons until her recital came up. And perform she did! To the delight of the audience, she played with gusto, her small fingers gliding and flying on the keyboard like a real pro. The happiness and pride I saw on her face as she took her bow amidst unceasing applause is one that has been etched in my memory.
But it isn’t always rosy. I had a chance to teach dyslexic brothers who competed for attention ever so often! This meant preparing extra set of visuals for them coupled with, you know what, patience! There will be days of crying, some bickering, but always ending up with them on the piano, trying to outdo each other. I was the proud teacher on the day of their recital!
With home service comes the hassle of having to commute from one end to the other. It isn’t always that you can have two or three tutees within the same block (I wish) but my home service experiences included catching the next commute, rain or shine, being late and suffering the awkward moments of having to explain that you will cancel due to inclement weather or simply difficulty in getting a taxi ride.
I have the good fortune of parents who were enthusiastic with their children’s progress. They asked questions, extended help when needed, and were very punctual with payments. And what’s more, they recommended my service to other parents, which is an acknowledgment of their satisfaction. I particularly remember a parent who went out of her way to help me find other tutees within her area after seeing how difficult it was for me to always be on time! Some of the parents, past and present, are friends of mine in social networks.
One advantage of doing home service is that it afforded me time to schedule my personal affairs without the hassle entailed in school teaching. I am currently graduating from a second degree, something I probably may not have been able to accomplish had I been in a regular school setup.
Another big factor is commanding your own fees. There are of course considerations to make, distance and travel time, available hours, mine and those of the tutees. Since I have students who are both free in the morning and in the afternoon, everything comes down to scheduling.
The thing is, what I thought to be the last I’d choose as a career, home service, that is, turned out to be a wonderful decision after all.

Concert at the Park Year Opener

I was back…sarap mag-perform ulit

Kuha ito sa Acuatico Resort sa Laiya Batangas. Napakalakas ng ulan nung kami’y dumating pero nag-”swimming” pa rin kami ng aking mga kaibigan at nung hindi tumila ang ulan…pinalipas namin ang oras sa bidyoke, kainan, kwentuhan at inuman.

At siya namang pagsikat ng araw kinabukasan! Sa kapaguran namin nung nakaraang gabi ay tinamad akong bumangon agad…kaso naisip ko heto na ang araw…kailangang samantalahin. Kaya bumaba na ako mula sa aming cottage…ang siste…ako lang ang sinipag. Ang barkada ko ay puro nasa kanilang mga kama at tamad pang magsibangon.

It’s not far down to paradise
At least it’s not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away
And find tranquility
The canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me

It’s not far to never never land
No reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy
Of innocence again
The canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me

Sailing
Takes me away
To where I’ve always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free

Fantasy
It gets the best of me
When I’m sailing
All caught up in the reverie
Every word is a symphony
Won’t you believe me

It’s not far back to sanity
At least it’s not for me
And when the wind is right you can sail away
And find serenity
The canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me

My friend was asking for directions and I was still in “twilight zone” but was able to give her the correct route and was even able to advice the Correct short-cuts to take.
No wonder she calls me “the navigator“. I guess when it comes to goin’ ’round the metro I can confidently say “I’ve got you covered”.

I’ll Cover You from RENT

ANGEL
Live in my house,
I’ll be your shelter,
Just pay me back
WIth one thousand kisses
Be my lover
and I’ll cover you

COLLINS
Open your door,
I’ll be your tenant
Don’t got much baggage to lay at your feet
But sweet kisses I’ve got to spare
I’ll be there and I’ll cover you

BOTH
I think they meant it when they said you can’t buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease you are my love, on life
Be my life

Just slip me on,
I’ll be your blanket
Wherever,whatever, I’ll be your coat

ANGEL
You’ll be my King, and I’ll be your castle

COLLINS
No, you’ll be my Queen, and I’ll be your moat

BOTH
I think they meant it when they said you can’t buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease you are my love, on life
All my life

I’ve longed to discover
Something as true as this is

COLLINS
So with a thousand sweet kisses,I’ll cover you
, With a thousand sweet kisses,I’ll cover you,
When you’re worn out and
tired,When your heart has expired

ANGEL (At the same time as COLLINS)
If you’re cold and you’re lonely
You’ve got one nickel only
With a thousand sweet kisses, I’ll cover you,
With a thousand sweet kisses, I’ll cover you

BOTH
Oh, lover,
I’ll cover you,
Yeah,
Oh, lover,
I’ll cover you…

Para sa inyo ito…

Dahil Nariyan Ka
by Noel Cabangon

Ang aking puso’y puno ng tuwa dahil nariyan ka
At ang bawat tibok nito’y may kakaibang nadarama
Kay tagal kong naghintay, ngayo’y di na muling mawawalay
Ang lubos na ligaya na nadarama ay dahil nariyan ka

Ang aking mundo’y biglang sumigla dahil nariyan ka
At ang simoy ng hangin ay may pag-asang dala-dala
Ang mga bituin sa langit ay liwanag na nagsasanib
Ang lubos na pag-ibig na nadarama ay dahil nariyan ka

Ang bawat likha sa paligid
Ay tila umaayon sa ‘ting pag-ibig
Parang langit
Parang walang hanggang panaginip

May [likas] sa aking mga mata dahil nariyan ka
Ang bawat sandaling kapiling ka’y anong saya
Kay tagal kong naghintay, ngayo’y di na muling mawawalay
Ang lubos na pag-ibig na nadarama ay dahil nariyan ka

Ang bawat likha sa paligid
Ay tila umaayon sa ‘ting pag-ibig
Parang langit
Parang walang hanggang panaginip

Dahil nariyan ka…

USO na naman ang sakit.

ang payo ko lamang sa inyo mga kaibigan ay ingatan ang inyong kalusugan…

sabi nga “Health is Wealth”

“kapag ikaw may sakit, patay negosyo!”

Kaibagan, sana’y “PANATAG” ka