My Unforgettable LET Experience (LET from a Unit Earner's Perspective)

1. Sa totoo lang, nahirapan ako sa Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers o kilala din sa acronym na LET. Bukod sa kulang ako sa paghahanda, hindi rin ako nagtapos sa kursong edukasyon -- isa akong unit earner. Ano nga ba ang isang unit earner? Ang unit earner ay ang mga professional na hindi nagtapos ng kursong edukasyon ngunit kumuha ng minimum required units (18 units) para maging eligible kumuha ng LET. Sa ibang kolehiyo o unibersidad ang program para sa unit earner ay tinatawag na TCP (Teaching Certificate Program),  CPE (Certificate of Professional Education), at marami pang iba. 
2. Makukuha ang 18 units sa loob lamang isang semester. Ngunit may ibang kolehiyo o uniberisidad na nagbibigay ng 24 units, 30 units o higit pa para sa unit earner's program -- pero syempre doon ako sa 18 units, yun lang naman ang kailangan sa PRC eh. Ayos di ba? Sa loob ng limang buwan parang education graduate na din. Ngunit bilang isang unit earner, masasabi kong kulang ang matututunan mo sa loob ng limang buwan o isang semester lalung lalo na sa larangan ng edukasyon. Malawak ang larangan ng edukasyon, kailangan talaga maging matyaga sa pagbabasa ng mga aklat, journals, articles, mga research, atbp. patungkol sa edukasyon -- mas maganda din kung magkaroon ng exposure sa pagtuturo para magkaroon ng malawak na pangunawa sa edukaskyon. 
3. Sa mga unit earner na mag-fifile ng requirements sa PRC, kailangan magpa-assess muna kung anong major ang tutugma sa bachelor's degree na nakuha sa kolehiyo. Hindi maaring mamili ng major -- ang PRC ang magbibigay nito. Nung nagpa-assess ako sa PRC, Values Education ang ibibigay sa aking major. Isa nanamang pagsubok dahil hindi ako Values major -- nagtapos ako sa kursong Pilosopiya pero "related" naman sila, kaya naging positibo ako. Sabi ko sa sarili ko susundin ko lang sa pag-sagot sa exam ang basic moral principle  "Do GOOD, avoid EVIL." 
4. Sabi ng karamihan, mahirap daw mag proseso sa PRC. I-handa ko daw ang sarili ko sa pag akyat at pagbaba ng hagdan at mga mahahabang pila. Pero matapos ang lahat ng pananakot na iyon, hindi ko ito na-experience. :) Ang bilis ng proseso nung nag-file ako ng requirements sa PRC -- marahil pinagpala ako nung araw na yun dahil extended ang filing. Anung ginawa ko? Nagpunta sa PRC ilang araw bago ang extended deadline of filing -- kaunti nalang ang mga tao nung mga araw na yun. A FRIENDLY REMINDER: Bago pumunta ng PRC, aralin muna yung proseso ng pag file, kumpletuhin ang anu mang requirements na hinihingi ng PRC (kailangan specific sa requiement na hinihingi ng PRC) at HUWAG BIBILI NG WHITE ENVELOPE WITH METERED STAMP SA LABAS NG PRC upang maiwasan ang anu mang aberya. :) 
5. Nang matapos ang pag-file ng requirements, paghahanda na sa board exam ang aking ginawa. Nung mga panahong iyon, wala akong panahong mag review center dahil nagtuturo ako sa kolehiyo. Hiniram ko ang mga reviewer ng kapatid ko for General Education at Professional Education from PNU. Pag wala akong ginagawa binabasa-basa ko siya pero hindi ko talaga sya matutukan dahil kailangan ko din maghanda ng ituturo ko; maghanda sa mga events at activities ng school; at kailangan din gawin ang mga paperwork na kailangan naming ipasa. Ang masaklap wala akong makitang LET reviewer para sa Values Education. Sinuyod ko ang buong kahabaan ng Recto pero wala talagang available na LET reviewer for Values Education. Ang ginawa ko nalang, bumili ako sa labas ng PRC ng photocopy ng exam for Values Education. Pinagaralan ko yung mga topic ng questions at nag research ako sa mga terms na nakalagay sa choices sa bawat tanong lalo na kapag hindi ko alam ang sagot. Matrabaho sya, pero worth it naman. TIP: Kung bibili kayo sa labas ng PRC ng mga photocopy ng exam, HUWAG NYO SUNDIN ANG ANSWER KEY NA NASA LIKOD -- mali ang mga sagot doon dahil sila sila din daw ang sumagot noon. 
6. Kasabay ng paghahanda sa pagkuha ng exam ay ang mga mataimtim na panalangin. Madalas ako nagpupunta ng St. Jude Shrine sa may Malacañan dahil malapit lang ito sa unibersidad na pinagtuturuan ko.  Sabi, si St. Jude daw ay patron of desperate and hopeless cases kaya di ako nag-atubiling lumapit sa kanya  -- yung hopeless case nga napagbibigyan yung case ko pa kaya. :) Nag dadasal din ako kay Our Lady of Perpetual Help sa aming parokya sa Sacred Heart Parish - Kamuning. Syempre ang main event --- magpa-bless ka at ipa-bless lahat ng gagamitin mo sa exam, para banal na banal ka at iyong mga gamit sa araw ng exam. :) Pero bottomline is, ask for Divine Providence. I-offer mo lang kay Lord ang iyong endeavor -- sabi nga nila "Do your best and God will do the rest." Always remember, "God answers all our prayers in a way that is best for us."Sabi ng mga kakilala ko na nag exam ng LET at nakapasa, kailangan daw one week before the exam just relax, chill out and enjoy life nalang daw ang get enough sleep -- hindi ko nagawa yun. Dahil kulang na nga ang panahon ko mag review nagkumahog akong magbasa isang linggo bago ang exam. Pero isang araw bago ang exam nag relax nalang ako at natulog ng maaga -- it worked for me. :) 
7. MARCH 29, 2015: THE BIG DAY - LET it go! Chill lang kami lahat sa room. May mga nagkwe-kwento ng experience nila sa paghahanda. Ako? I'm trying to act normal kahit feeling ko unti unti ng nawawala lahat ng nabasa ko -- pero kalma lang. Remember, always follow the instructions of your proctor/s at HUWAG BIDA BIDA.
1. GENERAL EDUCATION: First wave, fresh na fresh ka pa sa part na ito. Always remember anything under the sun maaring lumabas dito. During the exam mabubuksan mo ang mga lumang baol sa utak mo na tila limot mo na yung mga tipong galing pa sa childhood memories mo, kinder, elementary, high school at college. Minsan may mga tila "out-of-this-world" pa na mga tanong. 
2. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION: Second wave, medyo ok ka pa sa part na ito -- medyo shocked lang ng bahagya ang utak mo dahil sa mga out-of-this-world na tanong na na-encounter mo sa General Education. Level up na ang mga tanong, mostly situational. Medyo na frustrate din ako dahil naka 20 questions na ata ay wala pa akong siguradong sagot. Ang nakapagtataka bakit wala sa exam na yung karamihan ng nabasa ko galing sa reviewer... anyway, dito talaga masusubok ang pundasyon mo sa edukasyon. Lahat ng mga "ism ism" dito lalabas. Buti nalang sa exam na natapat sa amin wala masyadong Republic Acts (RA's). 
3. MAJOR: VALUES EDUCATION: Last wave, kahit sabaw na ang utak mo sa part na ito eh kailangan paring ituloy ang laban. Akala ko magsusurvive na ako sa basic moral principle na "Do GOOD and AVOID EVIL" -- I was wrong. Parang extension siya ng Professional Education exam. Nabuhayan din naman ako ng loob dahil karamihan ng natalakay namin sa Pilosopiya ay nandoon sa exam -- kahit papaano may mga ngiting namutawi din sa aking mga labi. Sa examination ng Values Education dalawa ang highlights Morality and Conscience plus kailangan at least may idea sa Guidance and Counseling. 
8. Matapos ang sampung oras natapos din ang LET, ngunit nagsimula naman ang worst part "the agony of waiting." Sa pag hihintay doon mo na malalaman ang mga maling naisagot mo sa exam at bawal daw ang may bura dahil magiging null and void ang exam mo -- mind you,  makakadagdag ang mga ito sa anxiety at stress mo. Nandyan na din yung mga taong magtatanong saiyo kung kumusta ang exam at kailan lalabas ang result -- medyo nakaka-pressure lang. Sa mga panahong ito, babalik ka ulit kay Lord para at least maibsan ang agony, anxiety, and stress na dulot ng paghihintay. 
9. MAY 15, 2015, ito daw ang expected release ng result. Maraming nagmatyag, nag-abang, at UMASA. Natapos ang araw walang result na lumabas galing PRC. Lalong tumaas ang stress level ng mga naghihintay ng result -- extended ang agony of waiting. Ang hugot pa ng iba "pati ba PRC paasa na din?"
10. MAY 23, 2015. Ang sarap ng upo ko sa aming bahay habang nagfa-facebook. Biglang may lumabas na link sa aking newsfeed at nakalagay doon na "PRC releases the results for March 29, 2015 LET." Sabi ko baka "hoax" lang dahil hindi kilala ang link --  tulad lang kasi sya ng ibang link na lumalabas sa facebook para ma-like and share tapos "phising" lang pala ang pakay sa account mo. Pero out of curiosity I still checked it, at bumulaga sa akin ang List of Successful Examinees. Biglang nanginig ang mga kamay ko at bumilis ang tibok puso ko -- sabi ko sa sarili ko "Lord, this is it." Pumasok ako sa kwarto ko at doon ako nag check ng aking pangalan sa laptop. Pumunta ako sa PRC website at dahan dahan as in paisa-isang letra ang pag type ko. Nang mabuo ko ang apelyido ko -- ayun #7652. Kakaibang tuwa ang naramdaman ko -- isa na akong Propesyunal na Guro.
11. Hindi ko maitatanggi na nakatulong ang pressure mula sa mga taong naniniwala na maipapasa ko ang LET -- ito yung mga pagkakataon na nagkakaroon ng magandang dulot ang stress and pressure sa atin. Dahil dito, nagkaroon ako ng motivation -- nakakahiya pag bumagsak ako. :) Kidding aside, laging tatandaan na mahalaga ang tiwala sarili at higit sa lahat ang tiwala sa Diyos. Aminado akong hindi sapat ang paghahanda ko sa LET, I just took a "leap of faith" and surrendered everything to Him. And this was my LET journey -- Jay Mhar Gaffud po, Professional Teacher.

What is LOVE?

This blog entry was originally written by my student, Ira Jelo Morales, as part of their requirement for my subject, Philosophy of Man.

Love, ano nga ba ang love? Ito ba ay isang bagay na pinanghahawakan? Napupulot lamang ba ito sa tabi-tabi? Nabibili ba ito? O kaya naman ito ay isang makapangyarihang salita na walang sinuman ang makapagbibigay ng tamang kahulugan.

Pag naririnig natin ang salitang “Love” o “Pag-ibig” ano ba ang unang pumapasok sa ating isipan? Iba’t iba ang pananaw ng bawat tao sa Love. Ang iba pag naririnig ang salitang ito ay napapaiyak na lamang, ang iba ay natutuwa, samanatala ang iba naman ay bigla na lamang nagagalit. Para naman sa iba “Love is Sex” na sa kabilang banda “Love is Pleasure” na binigyan nila ng ibang meaning ang “Pleasure” dahil ang Love is pleasurable not because of sex but the feelings you get when you are being loved, iba na iyong “Love is Sex”, iyon ay lust over love na, hindi na pagmamahal ang habol mo sa isang tao kundi sex na, kaya sa huli wala kang mapapala. Napakalawak ng salitang “Love”, masyado itong komplikado para sa ibang tao. Mapakapangyarihang salita ang Love.

Ayon sa Wikipedia “Love is a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes that ranges from interpersonal affection (“I love my mother”) to pleasure (“I loved that meal”). It can refer to an emotion of a strong attraction and personal attachment.” Pumasok na naman ang salitang pleasure sa Love na maaring i-attribute sa kaninang nasabi na “Love is Sex,” maaring para sa iba ito ay mali, pero para sa mga taong ganito ang paniniwala ito ang ibig sabihin nila para sa “Love”. Ayon naman sa Bibliya “Love is God” and “God is Love”. At ayon naman sa aming Professor sa Philosophy na si Mr. Gaffud mula sa Phenomenology of Love, Love is acceptance, mahal mo ang isang tao kapag tinanggap mo kung ano siya at kung sino siya, hindi ‘yung babaguhin mo pa siya para lamang matanggap mo siya ng buo, sabi nga sa kantang Love me for what I am, “You’ve got to love me for what I am, for simply being me, don’t love me for what you intend or hope that I will be. And if you’re only using me to feed your fantasy, you’re really not in love so let me go, I must be free.”

Without Love, you are nothing at all. Ma-e-experience o hahanapin lamang natin ang Love kapag na-experience o nadarama natin ang pagiging mag-isa sa buhay. Sabi naman ng iba ay “Walang Forever” sa pagmamahalan ng dalawang tao o sa isang relasyon, nasasabi nila ito dahil ito ang na-experience nila sa Pag-ibig na kanilang natamasa sa kanilang karelasyon. Ngunit merong talagang Forever ayon kay Mr. Gaffud, ang sikreto sa Forever is Contentment. Makuntento ka sa kung ano at sino ang karelasyon mo, tulad ng kaninang nasabi na tanggapin mo kung ano at sino siya.

Na-conclude naming magkakagrupo na iba-iba ang pananaw nating lahat sa Love sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasa namin sa sulat ng bawat isa sa’min. Naiiba ang bawat pananaw ng tao sa Love dahil sa kanilang mga na-experience, na-e-experience, nakikita o nadarama. Love is just a word, you just give it meaning based on your own experience.

WORDS are POWERFUL

Courtesy of GOOGLE

Words are very powerful. Words can make or break persons’ lives. It has the power to uplift the lowly or condemn the boastful. It also has the power to convince but it also has the power to drive away. With this, one should be mindful of the words that he or she is using because, who knows, it could be interpreted the other way around.

Each word has its own meaning. The meaning of words could either be positive or negative. Positive words give assurance to uncertainty and peace of mind to the troublesome. However, negative words give discomfort, paranoia or worst destroy lives.

Courtesy of GOOGLE

Words have proven its power through generations. For instance, in our own history here in the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal proved the old saying that “the pen is mightier that the sword.” Through his words printed in Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo the Filipinos rose up against the Spaniards and eventually gained the freedom that they were dreaming of. 

Courtesy of GOOGLE

Not so long ago, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. also proved the power of words through his vigorous speeches. The Filipinos were moved to put an end to the regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. These are only few facts that that can prove how powerful words are.

Each and every one of us was given the same power -- the power of words. We should be mindful on how to use words effectively to be able for us avoid chaos and promote peace and harmony.

Me @ 23

courtesy of GOOGLE

How time flies when you are having fun. It’s been 23 years already. 23 years of existence, 23 years of blessings!  Yes, I am now 23 years old. And as I celebrate this momentous event in life, I am also in deep thought of what I had become so far. Who is Dax at age 23?

I am now enjoying a broader horizon – a better understanding of life and its realities. This is the time of my life wherein I am continuously applying the things that I've learned from the people around me and the various institutions that I've been to. In my 2 years of exposure on the outside world, I had memorable experiences, realizations that made me ponder, and time for me to dream of my future.

I am also on a period wherein I am trying to put a certain game plan in my life. For the 2 past years, it seems that everything was not in place. I was in a continuous search for a greener pasture wherein I can be fruitful. This search was difficult, I admit, because I don’t have contentment. I have this tendency to look and crave for more. But I've realized that my craving to have more only reinforces my disappointments in life -- as the popular saying goes “you can’t have it all.”

courtesy of GOOGLE 

There is a need for me to stop, think, and ask myself.. “Where am I going?” I need to decide now. I am not getting any younger. I need to design myself in such a way that I know and I like what I am doing. I should have a clear vision of what I want to be in the future. As of the moment, everything is still unclear.But I believe that with the help of God, I can find my way…

The Role of Effective Communication in our Lives

Communication is essential in our daily living. It helps us to relate effectively and clearly with other people.The field of communication is very broad. Before, I thought that communication is only limited to verbal expressions. I was was wrong. Communication could be conveyed in different methods. It is not only verbal  but also non-verbal. Both verbal and non-verbal communication helps in conveying thoughts or feelings between persons.

courtesy of GOOGLE

Communication is usually defined as a process by which an individual transmits stimuli to modify the behavior of other individuals. But the definition of communication that struck me most is that "communication occurs when there is a meeting of meanings." I personally believe that communication fails because there is no meeting of meanings. I see communication as a weapon; a very powerful one. If communication is to be likened to a gun, words will serve as one of its bullets. Words are very powerful because it can make or break lives. One should be sensitive in using it.

courtesy of GOOGLE

The importance of communication in our lives impels us to become more effective communicators. Thus, it is very important to consider communication as a tool in order to establish good relationship towards others.

UNMASKING: The Journey to Conquer One's SELF

I personally believe that the longest journey that man has to undertake is the journey towards the self. Indeed, man has conquered the things that surround him, even the heavenly bodies; but unfortunately man almost forgot the most important thing to be conquered which is the self.

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One's self image is made up of two factors, the positive and the negative side. The positive side is one's strengths and the negative side is one's weaknesses and limitations.Whenever I relate to people, I do not show them immediately these factors, especially my negative side. I tend to hide this side of me because I am afraid to be to be judged, criticized or being rejected. However, to be able for me to establish a good relationship with other people, I tend to wear a mask.

Each of us has a mask. Our masks symbolize truths in us that is being accepted by other people especially the society. This is the face that we show to the world. With this, our masks become our persona or public image. Wearing a mask is not bad but one should be mindful that wearing a mask is not always a necessity.

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Unmasking one's self is the first step in order to have a good self-esteem. This act of unmasking begins with the examination of the self. One should learn how to value one's self  and treat it with dignity, love and reality. This begins with acknowledging and accepting  one's strengths and weaknesses. Eventually this will lead to a healthy self-worth and most specially a healthy self-image.

My Vocation Story

Being a priest was not my childhood dream. I vividly remember when I was a child, I had several ambitions in life. First, was to become an accountant. This dream was a result of constant encouragement from my auntie. Before, whenever I go with her in the bank she keeps on telling me that "I want you to become like that..." then she points at the manager of the bank. Second was to become a doctor because most of the siblings of my father are medical doctors. I also remember that there were times before when my friends and I were playing, I usually take the role of the doctor.Lastly, was to become a teacher someday. The family of my father were not only doctors but also educators. As a matter of fact, my grandfather once became the undersecretary of education. This inspired me to take up education. I want to become like my grandfather someday..

All these dreams turned down when I started to get involved in our parish. When I was in elementary, my father encouraged me to become an altar boy. I was grade five then. I really enjoyed serving during the Mass. After years of serving a desire to become a priest someday eventually sprouted. The desire that I felt was quite mysterious. One day when I was serving at the Mass I told myself, "I want to become a priest." This happened when I was in Grade 6. I eventually nurtured that desire to become a priest someday. There were times that my friends and I were playing as if we were celebrating Mass. When I told my family that I would like to enter the seminary, their answer was a big YES. They gave their utmost support for my chosen vocation. I remember the response of my father when I asked permission from him.. "if that's your dream, go for it, I will support whatever is your decision."



Upon entering the seminary, I was shocked because all my ideals when it comes to seminary life collapsed. Before entering the seminary, I thought most of the seminarians were very pious and religious. I was wrong. Violations here and there, too much hiding from formators and seniority complex, those were my first impressions of seminarians.Eventually, the time came that I started to get used to the seminary life. I also made violations, hid from formators and many more. Satisfactorily, I survived the challenges of the seminary life for almost five years because I always bear in mind that I am in the seminary because of God and for God.



When I reached Postulancy, there was a desire to explore the outside world and at the same time help my family. Being the eldest in the family is difficult. From time to time, I am being haunted of my responsibilities in the  family considering their situation at present. It was October 5, 2011 when I decided to apply for a two-year leave in the seminary. It was really a crucial decision that I made. Before coming up with my final decision, I sought advice from my formators, classmates and friends. I really prayed hard because I felt the need of Divine Providence.


I personally believe that being a priest is not a contest of time. What really matters is ones readiness to respond to the challenges of priesthood. Our vocation is a gift form God and the challenge for us is to handle it with care and utmost love.