wonderful message to you guys this one is really cool.

[eyescube]

A wonderful message to you guys this one is really cool. It's long but worth reading - very inspiring.

"The Power of the Human Spirit"
Dr. Josette T. Biyo
24 October 2003
Edsa Shangrila, Manila

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. For a high school teacher to speak
before a large group of business executives for the first time is
overwhelming. But it is indeed a great honor and a privilege to speak to
the group of people who is responsible for making San Miguel Corporation
the top food and beverage company in the country, and on its way to
becoming one of the top companies in the Asia-Pacific. I am here to talk
about "The Power of the Human Spirit." Indeed, the human spirit has no
limits. If you dream big, and you have the determination and the will to
pursue your dream, it will become a reality. I dreamt of making stars;
I was given a planet.

A few months ago, I was featured in the local, national and international
newspapers. I caused a stir to be the first Asian teacher to win the
"Intel Excellence in Teaching Award" in an international competition held
in the U.S. Since its inception in 1997, no Asian teacher has received
this award. But I think what created waves was, I am a Filipino, and I
defeated 4,000 other teachers from around the world, including the
American
finalists in their hometown. Because of this, the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology Lincoln Laboratory in Boston named a Minor Planet in my
honor. There is now a Planet Biyo rotating around the sun which is
located between Mars and Jupiter.

What made me win in this international competition? What made me stand out
from among the best teachers in the world? My road to attaining this
international recognition is a very long 23 years of improving and
harnessing my craft as a teacher. I consistently study and learn new
skills to improve my method of teaching. I want my methods to be
interesting, relevant, and fun for students. For just like any product,
the measure of teaching success is clientele satisfaction.

I finished a B.S. Biology degree from U.P. in the Visayas hoping to be a
medical doctor. For lack of financial resources however, I took the first
job opportunity available- teaching. Never did I regret this twist of
fate. The day I entered the classroom, I knew I would be an excellent
teacher.

My first eight years of teaching were spent in a rural school. For lack
of teachers in proportion to the number of students, I taught not only
biology, but also other subjects outside my field such as English, Music,
and Physical .Education. The materials, equipment, and facilities for the
type of effective teaching I had in mind were absent. These challenges
however did not dampen my enthusiasm for the job. In fact, I became more
creative and innovative.

I believe that teaching and learning should not be confined within the
classroom. Even during those first few years of teaching, I see to it that
the science concepts I discuss inside the class would have social
dimensions. Thus, I took an active role in school as moderator of the
Rural Health and Science Education Committee. I designed outreach programs
for students and teachers. Through these programs, students were trained
to teach primary health care to the people in the barangays. They also
taught barrio folks how to make cough syrup from plant extracts and soap
from coconut oil. Students also gave lectures on environmental protection
and conservation.

Those eight years of teaching in a rural school has prepared me for
greater
challenges ahead. Working with the children of the poor has instilled in
me the importance of service, compassion, and respect for human dignity. I
have learned to love teaching, and I see it as an instrument for
transforming the person and the community.

After eight years of teaching however, I felt I had nothing more to give
to
my students. I resigned from my teaching job and enrolled as a full time
M.S. in Biology student at De La Salle University in Manila. I was lucky
to get a scholarship which included free tuition and a monthly stipend.

To augment my stipend, I taught as part-time lecturer in the Biology
department and worked as research assistant by one of the senior
researchers in the university. This I did on top of my full-time MS load.
I was so engrossed with my studies however, that I finished my M.S. degree
in one year and five months only, after which, DLSU took me in as a full
time assistant professor.

Teaching college students at De La Salle University was an entirely new
experience. With modern and sophisticated equipment at my disposal, my
world opened to the wonders of scientific research. However, I still value
the importance of nature as a big laboratory such that in my ecology
classes, I would bring my students to the seas of Batangas, the rivers of
Rizal, and the lahar-affected areas of Pampanga to conduct field studies.
Pursuing my Ph. D. while teaching also enabled me to conduct researches
which were presented in the country and abroad.

Research is very exciting. It means sleepless nights, disappointments,
physical and mental exhaustion. But the joy of discovering something new
in nature makes it all worthwhile.

While Manila has provided me with opportunities for professional growth, I
still feel that my heart is in Iloilo. Thus, with an additional degree and
one additional son, I brought back my family to Iloilo in summer of 1995.

In June 1995, Philippine Science High School Western Visayas hired me as a
Special Science Teacher. Only on its third year of existence, the school
welcomed my suggestions and expertise. I helped develop its Science
Research curriculum and introduced some innovations for teaching the
course.

Barely a year of teaching at Pisay, I realized that my role was not only
to teach students but to train teachers as well. This I do by organizing
workshops for teachers in the region.

One day, I received a letter from the students. The letter said, "Dear
Ma'am Josette, we know you are being groomed for directorship of the
school, and you would want to be the director someday, given the chance.
The thing is, we don't want you to be the director. We just want you to be
a teacher. Pisay needs teachers like you. The Philippines needs teachers
like you." Their letter touched me deeply.

When I won the Metrobank Foundation Award in 1997 as one of the
outstanding
teachers in the country, the Pisay community gave me a poster. The poster
was a white cartolina filled with signatures of students, teachers, and
the
non-teaching staff. In the center was a painting of a rose, and the
message which says, "You are the song that plays so softly in our hearts;
that gives us inspiration to aim for greater heights and bigger dreams.
Congratulations. We are so proud of you."

In 1998, I won another national award as one of "The Outstanding Young
Filipino" formerly known as the TOYM in the field of Secondary Education.
Last year, I won the "2002 Intel Excellence in Teaching Award" in an
international competition held at Louisville, Kentucky from May 10-17.

In Kentucky, I presented to the panel of judges and to about 150 teachers
from all over the world my method of teaching Science Research to my
students in Iloilo. I told them that the Philippines is a third world
country blessed with abundant natural resources. However, we face problems
such as the rapidly declining environment and the lack of equipment and
facilities for scientific endeavors. Faced with this situation, I
introduced innovations and strategies for teaching the course. These
innovations included: a) building a scientific library, b) conducting
field studies, c) establishing linkages with research institutions in the
country, d) holding science forums in school, and e) teaching students
laboratory and field techniques which would help them in the conduct of
their research work.

[eyescube]

cont.

The judges and teachers from different parts of the world were amazed that
even in the absence of sophisticated equipment, my students were able to
produce quality research outputs beyond their expectations.

At this point in time, let me show to you what we do in our Science
Research class? ( a five minute power point presentation of my class
activities).

I went to Kentucky with three high school students from the Manila Science
High School, and one student from the Mindanao State University-Iligan
Institute of Technology. These students competed in the International
Science and Engineering Fair which was held back to back with the teaching
competition. The students from Manila Science competed for a team project
in Physics, while the student from Iligan competed for the individual
category in the field of Microbiology. These students were competing with
1,200 other students from around the world.

May 17, 2002 was a glorious moment for the Philippine delegation in the
U.S. When it was announced that the student from Iligan won second place
grand award for Microbiology, our delegation was ecstatic. When it was
announced that the students from Manila Science won first place grand
award
for Physics, our group was delirious. When the grand award for "Excellence
Teaching" was announced, and for the first time in the history of the
event an Asian teacher won, and a Filipino, there was a standing ovation
from the crowd as the Philippine flag was waved in the air.

The Philippine delegation's road to success in Kentucky was far from
smooth. We almost never made it to the U.S. Our visa interview was
scheduled on May 29 when we were supposed to be competing in the U.S. by
May 10. Almost desperate, we went to the Department of Foreign Affairs for
help, only to be told that the Office cannot give us an endorsement letter
to the U.S. Embassy because they cannot guarantee that we are coming back.

It was a painful experience for me and the students. Anyway, we were able
to get our visa on the last minute the most unconventional way, and
brought glory to this country.

Let me show to you the scenario during the first day of the teaching
competition?.

When I entered the judging area, one table in front was occupied by the
board of judges. At the right side of the room, the table was occupied by
the finalist from China and her supporters. The table at the left side
was occupied by the finalists from U.S.. and their supporters. The center
table for the Filipino finalist was empty. I sat there alone.

I went to the U.S. bringing a CD for my presentation. I also brought some
transparencies and a white board pen in case my CD won't work. Coming from
a third world country, I was prepared for the worst. It turned out, I was
the only finalist without a notebook computer. Luckily, one American
finalist lend me his computer; but before doing so, he gave me a brief
lecture on the parts of the computer and its use.

I was the fourth presenter. When it was my turn to present, a panel member
asked if I needed an interpreter. I said, "No thanks." A personnel from
Intel volunteered to run my presentation. I said, "I can do it." After
my presentation, they said, "Wow, you're so cool. You know more than us!"

What am I telling you? That despite our country's limited resources,
Filipinos can compete globally given the proper training, support and
exposure. Our winning at the international scene may not reflect the
general condition of science education in the country. But with our
concerted efforts, my dear fellowmen, we can move this country forward and
show the world that we are a globally competitive race.

Last May, I was in Cleveland, Ohio to present my methods of teaching to
150 teachers from 17 countries. I also served as the team facilitator for
the Spanish-speaking teachers from Brazil, Costa Rica and Argentina.. Last
August, I gave a demonstration lesson to educators from the third world
countries of Laos and Cambodia.

Filipinos are indeed talented and will excel at the international level in
their individual capacity. But as a country, we lag behind. This is
because we lack the spirit of community which is very strong among
progressive nations.

When I went home to Iloilo after the competition in the U.S., my school
gave me a very warm welcome. During the convocation, students and teachers
expressed how proud they are of me. I told them, "I am very proud of you
too. It is you who has brought me to where I am now. Our experiences
together has brought world attention to the fact that hey, there's a
world-class school out there in Iloilo; a school with world-class teachers
and students. I told the teachers and I quote Mr. De Quiros that "being
world-class doesn't mean going internationally and showing our best out
there. Being world-class is passion and commitment to our profession.
Being world-class is giving our best to teaching. Being world-class starts
right inside the classroom."

In winning this international award, I do not claim to be the best teacher
of the land. There are thousands of best teachers out there, working
silently, giving their hearts to teaching, without thinking of benefits or
rewards. I salute these teachers. In winning this award, I believe I was
just commissioned by somebody up there to deliver the message that indeed,
Filipino teachers can be world-class teachers. In winning this award, I
have shown to the world that Filipinos can be world-class if they choose
to
be. And more importantly, I have shown to my fellow Filipinos that they
can be world-class if they choose to be. That if we do our best, we can
conquer the world.

During the panel interview in the U.S., one judge asked me, "You have a
Ph.D. in Biology, why do you teach in high school?" I answered, "And who
will teach these kids?" Another judge asked if how much am I paid for all
my pains. They were shocked when I told them that I am getting a net pay
of not more than $300. a month.

When your job becomes your mission, your primary concern is giving your
best in everything you do. Knowing that you have contributed significantly
towards the creation of a product which can make a difference in your
company and the larger community is reward in itself.

Believe in what you are doing. Believe that you can make a difference.
Believing however doesn't mean you have to stop from where you are now.
Believing is improving your skills and maximizing your potential. With
determination and the will to win, your company can conquer the world.

As members of the San Miguel Family, you are lucky to take part in the
production of high quality and accessible consumer products that can be
found in every Filipino home. Your skills do not only contribute to the
development of the country's economy, but you also bring out the spirit
of fun, joy, and laughter into the lives of the people; thus helping make
everyday life a celebration. Your capable hands can paint a true image of
the Filipino as a people- intelligent, hard-working, passionate,
fun-loving, creative, innovative, "magaling!."

You could paint one bright picture of this country and its people - by
your achievements in the workplace, your teamwork, integrity, passion for
success, and your discharge of civic responsibilities. You can show the
world that you are the new technocrats, capable and willing to meet the
challenges of the new order of market globalization. You can show the
world
that you are the new citizenry, capable of making this country a worthy
member of the league of peace-loving nations.

Be proud!

Thank you very much.

[falalofasion]

i agree this awesome thumbs up

[Mamar]

Haba naman kakatamad basahin!

[BoEinG_747]

Haba naman kakatamad basahin!

kaya nga ang binasa ko na lang iyon post after ng thread starter.

[Mamar]

kaya nga ang binasa ko na lang iyon post after ng thread starter.

:bwahaha: yan din ginawa ko!
tiningnan ko lang kung ganu kahaba tas ang binasa ko lang ung kay fafalo!

[dxx_ddf]

Haba naman kakatamad basahin!

haha, yan din naisip ko kanina. di na lang ako nag post...

[slyfox]

interesting speech altho the first half was a bit too self-indulgent for me. well may right nga naman sya maging proud. buti na lang nabawi nya sa dulo.

[chua_riwap]

Haba naman kakatamad basahin!

Oo nga....He-he! La bang short version?

[BoEinG_747]

si bro falalo binasa yata lahat ,paki summarize na lang at post mo dito
para iyon na lang basahin namin tamad magbasa

[dxx_ddf]

i agree this awesome thumbs up

idol falalo, talaga bang binasa mo???