My Last Glimpse of Manila

On Friday, September 14, 2018, at 9 PM, the PSU bus finally picked us up after a two-hour wait. It was originally scheduled for 7 PM, but it arrived late. We were all set to head to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila. I felt deeply saddened to leave our beloved dorm, my buddies, and especially Pangasinan State University, Bayambang campus. We had created so many memories and shared so much love there; time passed so quickly, and I realized these would be unforgettable moments for me. After loading our luggage into the bus, we departed for Manila. In my heart, I whispered, "See you later, Bayambang. Thank you for being the place where I met such kind-hearted and great people. Until we meet again." We headed back during a period of heavy rain and typhoons in the Philippines. We even received word that our flights might be canceled. After a five-hour drive from Bayambang, we finally arrived at NAIA. The bus dropped some of my friends at Terminal 1, while the rest of us went to Terminal 3. We were grateful to find that international flights were not canceled; only domestic flights were affected. We arrived at NAIA at 3 AM, which was very early since my friends and I—who were flying with Cebu Pacific—weren't scheduled to depart until 8:20 PM. This gave us plenty of time to spend in Manila.

The first thing I did at the airport was have breakfast with my friends at KFC. Afterward, I strolled around the airport to find souvenirs for my family in Indonesia. However, the snacks at NAIA were quite expensive. Because of that, my friends and I decided to head outside to explore Manila and find more affordable souvenirs. We booked a van for 150 pesos per person.

Finally, we were exploring Manila! We visited the Manila American Cemetery and took some photos.Later, we went to a mall (though I’ve forgotten its name) where we found many Filipino handmade souvenirs at much better prices than at the airport. We also took a moment to pray at a mosque inside the mall and met some Filipino Muslims there.

After a long but fulfilling day of shopping, we returned to the airport at 5 PM to check in. At 8:20 PM, we flew from Manila to Jakarta. Goodbye, Manila! Goodbye, Philippines!

A House Full of Sisters: My Last Day in Bayambang, Philippines

Friday, September 14, 2018, was our last day in Bayambang, Pangasinan, Philippines. On that final day, so many of our buddies, mentors, students, and even Meng’s family visited our dorm to see us off.

me, inez, meng's mother, shepti, yani and chika

I was so happy they came, even though I knew it was our last day together. We spent the day cleaning our dorm and packing our luggage because we were scheduled to leave for Manila at 7 PM. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my beloved friends, especially those in Dorm 1. Thank you for everything: Yeni and Shepti from Gorontalo; Inez from Bandung; Chika and Kak Donna from Padang; Uni and Yani from Medan; Kak Inna from Tarakan; and Tria from Jakarta. A special thanks to our beloved Filipino buddy who used to stay and sleep in our dorm, Geralyn (also known as Meng). We all came from different provinces and islands, but I feel so lucky and grateful to have met all of you here in the Philippines. I also want to apologize for spending so much time in the bathroom! I know you had to wait forever while I was washing my clothes—I’m sure you won't forget me because of that! Haha. I love you guys. See you at the top, and I hope to see you all again soon. I will never forget these moments.

praying together

you are my breakfast, my lunch and my dinner

I already missed you guys

our kuya and anak mama squad

meng's birthday

A Royal Farewell: Dinner with the Mayor of Bayambang

On Thursday, September 13, 2018, we held a closing ceremony at the Bayambang Campus. The event lasted from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. We performed just as we had during the closing ceremony at the Lingayen Campus. Student-teacher mentors, school principals, local student teachers, and SEA Teacher students all gathered at the elementary building where the ceremony took place. During the event, our names were called one by one to receive our student teaching evaluation results.

the high school principal, me and my mentor "sir justin"

I was incredibly grateful to receive an "ADVANCED" rating for my evaluation.

my result of the student teaching evaluations

After the ceremony concluded, my buddies and teaching partners approached me to give me some farewell gifts. I felt so happy and lucky to have met them during my time in the Philippines. To my Filipino buddies: I will always remember you; thank you for everything.

me, my mentor and my teaching team

Our next agenda after the ceremony was a dinner invitation from the Mayor of Bayambang. We went to Nina's Cafe, which was located within the same compound as the Mayor's residence. There was an abundance of delicious food, and we were invited to enjoy everything we wanted.

having dinner in Nina's Cafe

After dinner, we had the honor of taking a group photo with the Mayor in front of his house.

Finally, we headed back to our dorm to get some well-deserved rest.

Mastering Quadratic Equations with Grade 9 Granite

During my last week in Bayambang, Philippines, I had two days left to observe the Grade 9 Granite class. On Monday, September 10, 2018, I gave the students an activity on solving quadratic equations using the quadratic formula. I asked them to solve the equations I had written on Manila paper. Before they started, I explained the step-by-step process of solving the equations. Then, I gave them 45 minutes to complete the task.

 

The following day, September 11, 2018, the other local student teachers and I administered a long quiz to the students. We gave them one hour to answer the questions on the provided test papers. The quiz covered all methods of solving quadratic equations: factoring, completing the square, extracting roots, and the quadratic formula.

The Souvenir Hunt: From SM Rosales to Urdaneta City

That was our last week in Bayambang, Pangasinan, Philippines. Usually, every Saturday was our excursion day, but that particular Saturday was different. The PSU bus we typically used was unavailable because it was being used to transport the SEA-TVET students to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila. So, my dormmates and I came up with an alternative plan. We decided to go to SM Rosales by van, with our Filipino buddy, Geralyn (also known as Meng), acting as our tour guide. The trip from Bayambang to SM Rosales took about 30 minutes. Joining the trip were Uni, Inez, Inna, Meng, Yeni, Yani, Tria, Chika, Shepti, Febri, Galih, and myself. Upon arriving at SM Rosales, we had lunch at Mang Inasal before exploring the mall. I bought a pair of sneakers and some skincare products at Watsons. We really wanted to buy souvenirs for our family and friends in Indonesia, but since we couldn't find any there, we decided to head to Urdaneta City.

It took about 30 minutes from Rosales (or about an hour from Bayambang). We called our van driver to take us there; I've forgotten the exact fare we paid, but he dropped us off at a traditional market in Urdaneta. I managed to buy T-shirts for my father and my coordinator, as well as a pair of slippers for myself. However, I still couldn't find any keychains. As evening approached, we finally headed back to our dormitory to rest.

More Than a Certificate: The Emotional Finale in Lingayen

Friday, September 7, 2018, marked the closing ceremony for the SEA-Teacher and SEA-TVET programs at PSU. The ceremony was held at the PSU Main Campus in Lingayen. All the participants from the Bayambang, Alaminos, Urdaneta, and San Carlos campuses gathered there for the event. As we entered the hall, I was amazed to see so many PSU students already waiting for us. We performed our traditional dances and sang Indonesian and Thai songs for the audience. Afterward, the MC called our names one by one to receive our Certificates of Completion.

While receiving the certificate meant we had successfully finished the program, I felt deeply saddened and wanted to cry. I realized I wouldn't be seeing my new "family" every day anymore. I would miss my students, my buddies, my dormmates, my mentors, and everything about the Philippines—especially Bayambang. After the ceremony ended, we took many photos together to capture those final moments.

Broomsticks and Teamwork: General Cleaning Day

On September 6, 2018, there were no classes as it was designated as "General Cleaning Day." All students, teachers, and student teachers worked together to clean the entire school in preparation for an upcoming visit from some important guests. The other student teachers and I assisted in the cleaning and observed the day's activities.

Teaching Challenges: Managing Time and Math Lessons

September 3, 4, and 5, 2018, were my scheduled days to teach. On September 3, I taught Grade 9 Granite and Quartz. The lesson was about solving quadratic equations by completing the square.

On September 4, I continued with the same topic in both classes. Since I wasn't able to cover everything the previous day due to time constraints, I used this session to ensure the students fully understood the material.

I only had one hour of teaching time per day. Additionally, I spent some time observing the Grade 10 Makabayan class.

The following day, September 5, I taught Grade 9 Granite and Quartz once again. To deepen their understanding of solving quadratic equations by completing the square, I provided them with more examples and practice problems.

Island Hopping at Hundred Islands: A Day in Alaminos

Saturday, September 1, 2018, was the day of our second excursion. We traveled to Alaminos City to visit the Hundred Islands, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Pangasinan.

I was so excited to be there. The islands were absolutely gorgeous. We had to take a boat to explore the area and hop from one island to another.

I spent my time taking photos and simply enjoying the breathtaking scenery.

I didn't go swimming, however, because I hadn't brought a change of clothes. The following day, September 2, I stayed in the dormitory. I didn't go anywhere because I needed to finish my lesson plans and prepare my visual aids for the teaching sessions in the coming days.

Celebrating Buwan ng Wika: A Cultural Experience

On Thursday and Friday, August 30 and 31, 2018, there were no regular classes. During those two days, the students celebrated Buwan ng Wika (National Language Month). Because of the festivities, I didn't have any teaching sessions and instead spent my time observing their various cultural activities.

And  Afterward, I returned to my dormitory to focus on preparing my lesson plans for the following week.

Continuous Improvement: Teaching Grade 9 Granite

Wednesday, August 29, 2018, was my second day teaching the Filipino students. I was originally scheduled to teach two classes, Grade 9 Granite and Grade 9 Quartz, but I only ended up teaching Grade 9 Granite from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. The remaining classes were canceled as the students needed to prepare for the Tagalog Language Day (Buwan ng Wika) festivities. Before starting the lesson that morning, I conducted a game to engage the students.

I divided the class into four groups, and each group formed a line. I placed four boxes in front of them and gave them five minutes to answer the questions in the boxes rotationally. The group with the most correct answers was declared the winner and  received a prize. After the session, I met with Sir Justin to get his feedback. I was happy to hear him say that my teaching skills had improved since the previous day. He also gave me a helpful tip: to write on the whiteboard from the left side to the right side to keep the notes organized. Afterward, I returned to the dormitory early to finish my lesson plans, as I had to submit them before 5:00 PM that same day.

My Teaching Debut: Quadratic Equations in the Philippines

Yesterday was my first day teaching Filipino students. I handled two classes: Grade 9 Granite and Grade 9 Quartz. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel nervous at all; instead, I felt incredibly excited. In the Philippines, teachers use English as the medium of instruction. Since English is one of their official languages, textbooks and references are all in English, and most Filipinos speak the language fluently. That day, I taught quadratic equations, giving it my absolute best.

This topic is one of my favorites, and since it is a subject I have mastered in mathematics, I was able to explain it clearly. I felt very fortunate to be assigned a topic I know so well. The students in Grade 9 Granite were very active; most of them were eager to raise their hands and answer my questions. On the other hand, the students in Grade 9 Quartz were quite shy—perhaps because they were still adapting to having an international teacher.

After the session, I received feedback from my supervisor, Sir Justin, who observed my classes. He encouraged me by saying that I have the potential to become a professional teacher. He noted that I am good at teaching and have a strong mastery of the material. However, he also gave me some constructive advice: I need to speak louder so that students in the back rows can hear me, and I should make my handwriting larger so  it is more legible from a distance. In the Philippines, students study mathematics for one hour every day. The school day typically runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with Saturdays and Sundays as holidays. Before each class, I had to prepare a lesson plan in English. This was quite exhausting, as it required a lot of time.

Go Blue Team! My Experience at PSU International Sports Fest

Monday, August 27, 2018, was a holiday in observance of International Student Day. Our schedule for the day was to visit the Lingayen campus to participate in an event called the PSU International Sports Fest 2018.

The participants included SEA-TVET and SEA-Teacher students from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

We were divided into five teams, and I was assigned to Team 2, also known as the Blue Team.

We performed our team cheers and chants before competing in various games. There were so many different activities that I can’t even remember all of their names!

Once the games concluded, we headed back to Bayambang.

Sunday Preparation: Market Runs and Teaching Supplies

Saturdays and Sundays are holidays in the Philippines. This past Sunday, we visited the traditional market and CSI, which is one of the main supermarkets in Bayambang. We bought ingredients for cooking at the traditional market and shopped for teaching supplies at CSI.

At CSI, I purchased Manila paper, pens, notebooks, and a marker. Aside from those errands, we didn't go anywhere else. We spent the rest of our time in the dormitory working on our lesson plans and learning media, as we were scheduled to begin our teaching practice on Tuesday.

Rainy Day Plans: A Trip to SM Clark

Yesterday was our scheduled excursion. We had planned to visit the Hundred Islands, which is known as one of the top destinations in Pangasinan, for a few days. Unfortunately, due to the heavy rain, we had to cancel our plans. Instead, we decided to visit SM City Clark. The journey from Bayambang to SM Clark took about three hours.

I felt quite disappointed that we couldn't make it to the Hundred Islands. Once we arrived at SM Clark, Chika and I went to a money changer to convert our USD into Philippine Pesos (PHP). Afterward, we had lunch at Jollibee and spent some time shopping.

I visited Miniso to buy an umbrella and a passport holder, and I also bought a new bag at Jovanni. Aside from that, there wasn't much else to do yesterday. We headed back to Bayambang at 4:30 PM and went straight to the dormitory to rest.

English Excellence: Observing the Philippine Education System

That day, I was scheduled to observe Sir Justin’s class at 8:00 AM. I observed the Grade 9 Granite class, focusing on how Sir Justin opened the session, delivered the lesson, and concluded the class. The students in Grade 9 Granite were incredibly active and bright; almost all of them eagerly raised their hands to answer questions. They were also very polite and well-presented.

grade 9 granite

In the Philippines, English is an official language, so the students' English proficiency is quite impressive. All textbooks and references are in English, and the teachers use English as the primary medium of instruction. After the observation, I approached Sir Justin to submit my initial lesson plan.

me and my mentor, sir justin

Later, he invited me to observe Ma'am Irma’s 10th-grade class. I learned that the Philippine education system consists of four years of Junior High School and two years of Senior High School.

Note: I even managed to get an extra photo with Noah—he was so handsome I almost wanted to bring him home! haha.

me and Noah

After Ma'am Irma’s class, I met with Sir Justin again to discuss my lesson plan. He advised me to revise it with the help of my buddies, Ma'am Lea and Mr. Mark. They were incredibly helpful; we spent time in the campus library discussing and refining the plan.

I, ma'am lea and sir mark were discussing about our lesson plans

Once the revisions were complete, I submitted the final version to Sir Justin. By the time I headed back to the dormitory, I felt exhausted from such a busy day, but it was a very productive experience.

First Impressions: Meeting Sir Justin and the Math Squad

Thursday, August 23, 2018, was my first scheduled visit to the school where I would be teaching.

My mentor is Sir Justin, and he will be guiding me throughout my teaching practice at the PSU Integrated Schools – High School Department.

During our meeting, he assigned me to Grade 9 and informed me that my primary topic would be quadratic equations. He then asked me to begin preparing my lesson plans. Sir Justin also introduced me to the PSU Mathematics students who would serve as my buddies and team members. They are Steffi, Alma, Elly, Lenard, Glen, Mark, Louie, and Frederick.

They are all so kind, and I feel very lucky to have met them. They even accompanied me to the photocopy shop and later showed me the way back to the dormitory. In the evening, our "Papa" from Thailand, Papa Yo, cooked Tom Yum for us.

It was absolutely delicious! Thank you, Papa. Our Papa is so cool, handsome, and an amazing cook! Haha.