Dolly de los Reyes

Between now and tomorrow lie uncertainties, and that is where life’s paradox dwells. We are taught to work hard for something we want done. We start to believe that there is a somewhere where all dreams meet as one. We heed the signs that seem to lead us to that one destination. We ignore the hindrances to keep focused. There is nothing stopping us to move forward. And then we give our partial best in any area of our life. We live, laugh, and love to experience that momentary bliss. That is NOW. But tomorrow doesn’t come in quickly. In between the two is a small crack, a gap, where countless heavings and sighings are witnessed. This is that one instance when doubt suddenly crowds our hopeful minds. When we suddenly realize that we are not equipped enough for the battle that awaits us. It is when life’s crossroads are met. The end of the tunnel is seen, but the only thread of hope we are clinging into is as dark as a starless night. Negativities creep in and consume most of the powe...

I used to think about the real meaning of LOVE. And as usual, figuring it out isn’t an easy thing. As I grew older, things have changed somehow. Gradually, piece by piece, I feel the puzzle of love is nearing completion. As experiences come one after another, so do lessons and learning that have taken root in my soul. I have come to understand that I have been blessed with the opportunity to grow with my pupils. Slowly, I have realized, there is so much wisdom in these young minds. And since it is February, Love Month, I asked them to define love. Well, I was expecting the usual childish stuff, but it turned out the other way around, for these are things that I have somehow forgotten along the way to adulthood. Through careful observation and innocent reflection, my cherished 11-year old pupils gave me these definitions of love: - True love is not to be found, only to be felt. I did not give flowers to someone because I haven’t felt true love. And for me, it’s not something you can ...

(For my class – Gr 5 Simplicity) Victory isn’t luck; it is earned and gained. I thought it would be me guiding my pupils all throughout the week-long sports fest; it turned out the other way around. Divine Light Academy’s most-awaited event, Palaro 2012-2013, took place last Feb. 4-8, 2013. And it really was fun. I had thought of it as a mere bonding time with my pupils, but my advisory class had shown me things I never really took notice of. Two days before the opening, we scheduled a 3-hour practice in whatever sports they were assigned to compete for. Everyone was eager enough to prepare that they arrived in their full sports attire. (You should have seen them!) And yes, it was a fun morning for all of us. Then the opening came; I was as excited as they were. I was wearing my class’ official jersey. Wearing a bright smile on our faces, we headed off to the parade. The program that followed was more than what we expected. Everyone was really set into high energy level. C...