Staring Down Math? Try Music!

A couple of years ago, I was a teacher at the University of Asia and the Pacific. Teachers oftentimes get a not-wholly-undeserved rap for not making the content of the subjects that they teach more alive for their students. And while there is a fine line between "dumbing down" the subject matter in order to play to the masses and truly innovative teaching that integrates the theoretical with "real life", I believe that teachers should never stop trying. Even well-meant classroom disasters are better than the apathetic droning of teachers who don't want to invest themselves in their classes.

Regardless of how people feel about the medium with which Lamar Queen communicates the content of his subject, I applaud attempts like these, which try to bridge the gap between languages heretofore alien to students and teachers: mathematics and rap music. Enjoy!

In His Time

I rarely blog about politically charged issues. First, I know very little about politics. What little I know can hardly be called information, valid observation, insight, or even credible conjecture. Second, most political issues that matter are divisive. While there will always be a need and a proper forum for such discussions, you won't find it on this blog.

However, the current plight of Former President Corazon Aquino invites reflection. Conrado de Quiros writes:

"I have little doubt that if Cory had wanted to extend her term, she could have done so. Not only legally but morally, not only as a matter of private wish but of public will...

She could have stayed on, but she did not. I have little doubt as well that she got no small pressure from kin and friends who could not comprehend how anyone could be so loath to seize opportunity. Years before, Cory was pressured to accept the nomination to fight Marcos in the snap elections, and she agreed reluctantly. This time she refused adamantly. She had restored democracy, she would not be the one to scuttle it."

Let us forget, for the meantime, that Mr. de Quiros has certain political views that are not friendly towards the current occupant of Malacañang Palace. His politics, for once, is not an issue. But his observation, albeit somewhat colored by nostalgia, bears remembering. Sometimes, the hardest thing in life is to let go. And the bigger the sacrifice, the more noble the action. I'm not sure what were the circumstances that surrounded Former President Aquino's refusal to seek another term. But the fact that she didn't, despite every worldly reason to do so, come hell or high water, speaks very well of her. Or Him. Given her well-documented piety, it is not unreasonable to consider that Christ might have had a lot to do with her decision to relinquish the reins of power.

Regardless, let us all pray for her recovery.

Note: I'm sorry that I can't link to the article in question. Philippine Daily Inquirer has rather strict rules on reproducing or otherwise using their intellectual property in any form on the Web.

Many thanks to Open Road for the link on Former President Aquino's medical condition.

Chasing Away the SING-ALONG-KOT Blues

Last night, I was pleasantly surprised to bump into my old friends (emphasis on "old") Miguel de Jesus, Kim Chong, and Gene Abao at Mag:Net's SING-ALONG-KOT. As we age gracefully into what is best characterized by Dante Alighieri, Middle Age, the moments in which we are no longer held hostage by the duties and responsibilities that have come to define us are few and far between.

And so, we live for moments like these:

moments in which we gather;



moments of bittersweet realization;



moments of unbridled passion;



and moments where time stands still.



It was a lovely evening. Many thanks to Trina, Sheryl, Myra, Xilca and guitarist extraordinaire Bob Guerrero for their company and, more importantly, their sympathy. We should do this again!

Bag of Beans

A seasoned traveler once told me that the best way to encounter a new place, or to reacquaint one's self with a fond old memory revisited, is through the food. My wife and I have fond memories of our Tagaytay rest house, largely because we've never associate the rest house with any rest. It's amazing how much work goes into maintaining such a modest place. I have a newfound respect for builders and contractors who can install doors that can close, toilets that can flush, and floorboards that don't warp with the slightest change in temperature. Still, a hard day's work cleaning, repairing and troubleshooting deserves some reward.

Fortunately, Bag of Beans is literally right across the street. I have often reflected that if at the end of every problematic toilet bowl, leaky pipe, or warped floorboard is a delightful cafe like Bag of Beans, then I would be a handyman. Alas, and to the great loss of the personal construction industry, there is only one such cafe in the immediate vicinity of Tagaytay and Batangas.


I like simple food. Moreover, I adore eating places that can do simple fare well. I ordered a simple meal of bacon and scrambled eggs. The bacon was crispy without being brittle, and flavorful without being salty. The eggs were equally delicious, moist without being wet. On the side, I ordered one of their heavenly raisin and cinnamon loaves, a fresh, hot, and aromatic delight that could only come from bread baked without preservatives. I washed all this down with bottomless brewed coffee.

The place is clean, and the toilet facilities are adequate. The toilet area is housed in a little extension separate from the eating area. My only complaint would be that the men's room, albeit clean and well-light, suffered from low water pressure at the time. Of course, as I was not the captain of the USS Enterprise, I could not boldly go where no male customer had gone before. But I assume that the ladies' room was adequately provisioned.

If you're ever in the Mendez, Tagaytay (on the way to Batangas), drop by Bag of Beans. It's a lovely place that serves simple food that anyone can enjoy.

Storytelling Fun!

In the Borra household, finding common activities that are fun and involve the entire family is akin to finding the Holy Grail, and not in the fun, Monty Python sense. But the Lord is kind and merciful. Every once in a while, despite the hectic schedules that my wife and I keep, and the general level of sustained playfulness that our kids are capable of maintaining, we find ourselves in that special place where all we have to do is be thankful for the opportunity and enjoy our blessings.

Last night, prior to evening prayers, the family enjoyed the adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine before going to bed. I haven't the foggiest what the adventures of Thomas were, but I remember everyone, at one point or the other, rolling around in laughter. My second son Manuel, in particular, is sometimes difficult to please. But when he is happy, the purity of his joy is wonderful to behold. Have a blessed day!

Foundations of Parenting: Love and Service!

My biggest fears, and conversely my biggest aspirations, concern my kids. Oftentimes, when I was younger, older folk would often begin their observations of my, or my generation's behavior by saying "In my time..." Like most younger folk, I would bristle inwardly about the litany to follow.

Sadly, and only because I do not share, at this moment in time, God's divine irony, I find myself wondering about how my kids will cope with the world that they have inherited from their largely irresponsible forebears. Specifically, I wonder about how my kids will react to the reality of widespread poverty, and spiritual malaise. Will they embrace their civic and Christian duties? Will they develop a healthy respect for individuals regardless of social, economic, and religious differences? Will they serve?



Yesterday, Bishop Chito Sanchez picked the entire family up to visit the orphanage of Jesus Loves the Little Children Foundation. I wanted the kids to come and see what papa does because I realize, despite my obstinacy and pride, that there is very little I can say to them, now or in the future, that will truly help them realize how important it is to love, share, and serve others. They have to see it. They have to experience it. They have to make their own, hopefully informed decisions about how to deal with the world they were born into.

And it's not just about them. Bishop Chito has been operating the orphanage since the late '90s, and the sad reality is that despite all the many technological and medical advances that Man has made in the last century, we still have to find a remedy of something more than cardiovascular: the indifference that has built around the human heart.



Bishop Chito is spearheading a fundraising event, which I am proud to be part of, for this worthy cause later this year. I would like to invite people to participate in this endeavor. There is much that remains to be done, but as these pictures attest, there are smiles to be saved.

A Tale of Two Nerds: Alpha and Obama?

It's rare in my vocation to have the opportunity to share the many wonderful experiences I have been blessed with in ministry work. It's even rarer to have the opportunity to share the eternal laughter which accompanies joyful service to a joyful and loving God. Here's a clip from International Week 2009:



My accomplices in the video above were Dr. Benie A. Sy and Roberto F. de Ocampo. They deserve all the credit in the world for refusing to run back down and leave me to be picked apart in my shame. Many thanks!

And since I'm in such a giving mood, here's a video which you may have seen, but definitely deserve to see again. John Hodgman roasts President Barack Obama.



One of my favorite lines from the very entertaining roast:

"Despite his Spockish calm and gangly frame, the president is known to dabble in sports. And not just bowling, but the hard stuff ... basketball."

Many thanks to Henry Abbott for reminding me of the great divide, illustrated in passing above, between actual basketball and NBA Live.

Enjoy!