Hi! I'm teacher Rod!

"Like a virgin, touched for the very first time!" 

No, it wasn't Madonna's talking, it's me Teacher Rod! 😅

Yes, it's official! I am now teaching "Holistic English Proficiency Program" H. E. P. pro. at Lee's English Center in Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

But of course, this is a work from home (WFH) job, where I will be working as a part-time teacher which started on Monday, June 14, 2021.

I had my teaching demo Tuesday, June 8, 2021, with Ms. Angelyn Hilario, Manager for Lee's English Center. 

Where I remember, I had to sing to clearly introduced the teaching approach I will do if ever my application will push through with the center. 

While, I had an interview with Ms. Mavic Lee,  Lee's English Center-Director Monday, May 31, 2021. 

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR LEE? 

I had to embrace once more the long hours spent for preparing a lesson. The easy part is, I do not need to gather the information anymore for we are following a complete session shared via google documents. 

Literally, the load of work is how you are going to present it to your students in two ways; they're having fun but most importantly they were learning from you. 

I had a teaching experience in two different colleges and schools. Roosevelt College System in Cainta, Rizal in 2009 until 2010.

And went back again to the world of teaching in ELJ Center for Media Arts Senior High School in June 2018 to March 2019.

Honestly speaking, I have to adjust again with a different set-up of learning which is done now online.

The lesson are made up of 8 sessions that has different content based on the age and the level of learnings of the students. 

The difficult part is working on a power point presentation. Why? Because the design of your lesson must somehow match your topics.

This is where you are choosing and learning the best font and color for your alphabets and numbers along with the photos that must blend or match your presentation. 

So far, I consumed 6 to 8 hours for one presentation. If I am not satisfied with the design of the power point it gave me, I also used other applications available. 

Review spelling and grammar related problems. Yes, we do have a ready made sessions but checking of the content is a must to all teachers. 

THE TECHNICAL ASPECT

Not unlike the traditional face-to-face teaching where you are attending a physical class with a number of students per subjects, the online teaching is a work from home set-up that is highly dependent on wired connection that supplies strong internet connectivity. 

Some uses a desktop for this set-up, but in most cases, a personal laptop that is space saving is what we prefer. 

If a room where the work from home set-up do not have a perfect lighting condition, one must use a ring light to meet the right standard for teaching online. 

In this case, a webcam with a 1080 HD also is a must for teachers. Along with a headset that has a noise-cancellation features. 

But it has to come with a plain or white background that will help you to catch your student's attention. Say goodbye to many things you see behind while conducting an online teaching. 

Other things you need, a USB port for the mouse, headset, webcam, etc. 

OTHER NECESSARY EQUIPMENT FOR ONLINE TEACHING

If you are teaching a young learners such as  kinder, elementary, junior high school, one must consider also using visual aids. 

Like I personally printed for a copies of star-shaped reward to commend your students like stars to say that they are awesome, doing great a  job. 

I also printed copies of delighful images of rewards like an ice-cream, cookies, cupcake,  strawberries and pizza. 

But you know what, these elements are useful for students, it's like you're selling a new product or maybe an existing product but it has added flavors to excite their  senses. 

HOW ABOUT THE WORK LOAD? 

I have an M/W/F schedule, but it's eating my time from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. 

I had to wake up two hours prior to my 9:00 am schedule. 

Supposedly, I am currently handling 6 students. But the Lee's English Center believes that it will give a big difference if the teaching approach is done by a teacher to only one student at a time. 

During your time-in, you have to send a group in messenger the exact time you logged in. And after every session you have to send photos of the highlights of your one-on-one session with your students. 

So, if I have 6 students I have to send six times of our activity via a screegrab. And when the session ends, you have to log-out as well using the same group messenger. 

Every session with your students via zoom was recorded. Teachers at Lee's English Center are all required to upload this file after in a Facebook page exclusive for teachers only. 

If you have a strong internet connection at home, another hour is required to complete this step. 

And since, lessons changes, teacher Rod is required to make another lesson every other day. And this is a cycle that I need to repeat until, I was totally done with all the lessons. 

SACRIFICES

Long time, means less time for the family, and even less time you commit for other activities you give yourself. 

But I remember, I am also doing it for my family to help us in handling monthly bills and expenses. 

Teacher Rod here is working as part-timers only while also waiting for some applications sent in other companies that will mature as time progresses. 

A 51Talk Journey!

I had my very first attempt on applying as 51talk teacher 14th of February 2021.

At the time, I do not have a wired connection, I only had a prepaid wifi at home. Unfortunately, I failed the technical test.

I moved on from that heartache because I found a new regular work in Ortigas.

But something bad happened, the Dreamwave Media Network who offered me job was a scam.

To cut the long story short, I sought help to a former co-worker/friend Ragie (51Talk Teacher) to help me out with the referral. Teacher Mae Laurel started teaching way back October 2020 up to present.

After sending her a request referral Tuesday, May 25, 2021, a certain Chad called me for an initial interview.

The questions were all simple like I was asked if it was my first time applying for 51Talk, If I had teaching experiences previously. The surprising part was, I was asked to sing ABC alphabets and counted numbers 1 to 10.

Chad from 51Talk had a bedroom speaking voice. But I remember I told him indirectly to increase his volume when speaking.

After a call, there was a telephone prompt voice which asked me to rate the call he did for the interview. There was only two choices press 1 or two for a good or bad conversation with him.

I gave him a very good feedback.

The following day, it was for technical test with a certain Gina.

I refused to use my eldest daughter's laptop that has a better specs. By doing this, I was told I never made ir again.

Out of showing eagerness to the post I wanted to acquire, I said I felt bad about the unfavorable result. But when asked if I will used another laptop, I was told an instruction to get the  "operating system" (OS). I followed their instruction and was given the so called "conditional pass."

The very next day, I was granted a chance and have attended a 51Talk pre-service orientation.

I got shocked to see many aspiring teachers who wanted to pursue a career also in teaching in 51talk. 

At this very stage, we were told about so many things like our salary, all the requirements that we have to submit, 2x2 photo, a government id, diploma, and an NBI, recorded and uploaded a voice introduction and gave a little background of myself. 

While the very big chunk of our responsibilities was to finish all the sent examination links forwarded on our emails. 

These includes the course that an aspiring 51talk teacher has to finish, introduction to 

teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), the new teacher training, and the H5 self-access material too. 

Everything was all here how to teach, previously successful teaching class done, parts of speech, how to pronounce the critical words correctly, and several helpful teaching methods like the total physical response (TPR) or the use of body movements, visual aids, AC icons and many more. 

It was all given to me in a blast. Now, I happened to choose a not so wise schedule for the "national teachers training" (NTT) three days after 51talk pre-service orientation. 

Part of my unforgettable experience was cramming the very night all the way to the examination date. 

Unfortunately, there was several links of the said examination thay I haven't taken yet. 

And from scheduled NTT Sunday, May 30, 2021, it was moved to Friday, June 4.

The time was also different for it cale to my senses that I am not a morning person. 

But it was a very good decision because our neighbor started to do a home renovation at that very moment. The extra loud noise produced out of cutting all the tiles for her flooring was very similar to an act of sabotage. 

The days I was waiting for NTT,  I was training at home. I even prepared for visual aids I will use. I even practice for the technical aspect. 

But you know prior to this, I approached my youngest sibling Salie and have offered a help for some of the things I will be using. 

We went to the mall and scouted for the best webcam and a headset to use for the training and if ever I will pass it.

I even requested my youngest Mikayla to be one of my student to practice the exhange of dialogues and spiels I will be using during the NTT.

And then finally comes the much awaited training. I think from how I remembered it, we were 18 aspiring teachers under trainer Karen. 

Prior to the NTT, we were given an instructions via skype that we have to send screen grabs of the finish exam links. But one teacher for some reason missed this. 

It took us more minutes before the training started. 

But I also wondered, why it even escaped on the teachers monitoring? Also, I knew that the teacher never wanted this to happen. But since its escalated, we were all witness when the trainer almost lost her temper.

The training proper to some who are so curious about how it was done. The teacher participants of 51talk was required to do a live mock demo (a recorded one) but the twist was you also have to play a student by yourself. 

The trainer will observe from her end the following how you pronounce the words, no grammar related problem, the techniques you used in teaching, it has to be short and simple all the time because we were told that at the very beginning we will be teaching a zero level student. 

The students they were referring here are from China with an age ranging approximately from 5 to 12 years old. 

I was so spontaneous and lively and full of confidence at the beginning. But towards the end of our 10minute demo my attention got called thrice. 

The very idea here was I have to follow strictly not just the rules in teaching but the content of the teaching demo as well. 

After that, I and my partner were given attention to some of our mispronounced critical words like three, this, the, and even the word picture. 

My attention got called also when I said the word "generous" which the trainer said a zero-level student would not understand. 

But luckily, I wasn't called for any single grammar related problem when speaking during the test. And that part really I was so happy. Because I also have standards too when speaking upon reaching this very age. 

After that, the trainer will give you a message via skype if you a successful candidate you will still stay in the training. 

But if go so unlucky, you have to leave the group during the training. 

The beauty of this, you can re-apply again after a month. 

About the said information, I'm just not sure now if I am willing to try again.

Only time can tell.

To some of the aspiring teachers who showed the standards they were looking for...CONGRATULATIONS! 👏

SQUEEZE HARDER

 

At the beginning, you have a resources enough to handle daily needs.

This is very similar to a brand new toothpaste you prefer and purchased in the nearby grocery or elsewhere. 

This is comparable to your monthly obligations that you can handle well like electricity, water, apartment rental, telephone, groceries and other important necessities.

But the unexpected coming of the pandemic changes all our daily lives. 

When the lockdown got implemented many of us literally has to stop from working. Many of us lose their jobs. 

To survive, from the expensive or popular brand of toothpaste, we settle for something unbranded. Similar from getting a job sometimes far or out of our expertise. 

A realization that you have a family to feed, and an obligations to meet. 

This is the time now, you make use of your remaining resources. 

Every move has a plan, every step is calculated. 

From a full amount of toothpaste you place on your toothbrush, you lessen them. 

Because you never wanted to reach the very end that even though you squeeze harder... 

there were none. 

OPEN TO WORK

 

Good day! 

I am Rodolfo Garabot, aka "Rod,"  an experienced Broadcast Journalist for two decades now.

I graduated Bachelor of Arts, A. B. Communication Arts at the University of the East in Caloocan, in 2000.

I began my professional career when I started working as Program Researcher for Balitang K, a news magazine program in ABS-CBN, Channel 2.

Then occupied positions such as Editing Supervisor in The Filipino Channel (TFC). 

After 8 to 9 years of working with the Network, I moved to GMA 7, and worked as Segment Producer for "Good News, Kasama si Vicky Morales," in GMA News TV in 2011 to 2012.

Another opportunity came in when I became an Associate Producer for Solar News, 9TV, and now popularly known as CNN Philippines for 6 years, under Nine Media Company in Mandaluyong City. 

A hunger for career growth, and financial stability pushed me to find another work which led me from becoming an Executive Producer at The Manila Times Television in April 2009. 

Another very recent opportunity was spotted and given to me when I was hired for Dreamwave Media Network as News and Current Affairs Head. 

Now, I am open to work for another company and willing to share my expertise in the broadcasting network or any related field.

Through the years, I developed a philosophy in life which a strongly believe... 

"Dream, 

Work Hard, 

Triumph." 

Thank you and more power! 

Respectfully yours,

Mr. Rodolfo A. Garabot

Interested Applicant

A SAD BUT TRUE SCENARIO

When you applied for a post, and the company thinks you're suitable for the job, they will send you an email to know that you're being shortlisted.

Some gave a concrete time for a zoom interview, while some just let you know that you have to be on standby. 

After more than two hours of waiting, they became ready for an interview. But as an applicant, you're not informed that there are 7 more candidates buying for the same post. 

The back-to-back exams and the interview is over. You were told that when the result is ready, you will be informed. 

Here comes a week, or two, you send them a text and an email. 

The beautiful ending, they never answered any of these inquiries. 

May I ask, do you know that your human resources have this kind of behavior? 

YOUR FAILURE ALSO COUNTS AS A SUCCESS

 

One normal scenario a  candidate has to go through is sending resumes to a number of companies he/she would wish to become part of it.

Most of the time, they'll be sending a generated automatic response that there's a bulk of applicants they have to screen. And that you have to wait for their notice if they find you suitable for the desired post you applied for. 

When you became too lucky, you will receive a text or an email that you were shortlisted. 

You will be scheduled for an interview and an examination too. 

But come to think of it, do not even blame yourself if you never pass their standards. 

It just happened that you are not the only applicants who applied for the post. 

Sad but true even though you think you are qualified, they will pick for a candidate who has the highest qualifications than you. 

But applicants, think of it this way also it doesn't mean that you are not chosen because you have less potential than others. That's part of the screening process. 

Try to look at it in a different perspective, like your favorite brewed coffee maybe, the right job for you is still brewing before it was ready for you. 

And also, the most important part is the thing you consider a "failure" is also counted as your winning moment too. 

The quirky community pantry in the Philippines: Magbigay ayon sa kakayanan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan (Give what you can, take what you want)

It started with an inspiration and an agitation as well, when the very first "community pantry," in the Philippines was established in Maginhawa in Quezon City. 

The woman who intiated this brilliant idea of extending help to our fellow Filipinos is Ana Patricia Non, 26.

Obviously, the act of kindness came out because of the lockdown in the country due to the spread of the deadly coronavirus, COVID-19 and what Non and the rest of the people was seeing the inability of the government to give food and financial assistance to those in need. 

At the beginning, Non was seen struggling. The most recent was the controversy she was framed as to red-tagging issue with the communists. 

But as time goes by, the act of kindness multiply from one to 807 community pantries in total now. 

The act of giving is presented in a quirky manner

The community pantry in Maginhawa in Quezon City provides foods for free like rice, eggs, vegetables, milk, bread, vitamins, disinfectants and many more. 

If this particular act of kindness went viral, an act of a group of woman who went to not just get something but everything in a community pantry in Quezon City also did the samething. 

That is why, a reminder signage that began with "Magbigay ayon sa kakayanan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan," now has a different "hugot lines," relatable to many of us. 

In Barrio Obrero, in Manila, Christine Mae Norombaba came up with a breakfast community pantry that goes with "hugot lines," popularly known by many ay "hugot pantry." 

And because it came up with a breakfast theme for community pantry, what they served for free was the following...

From a famous birthday feast that most people connects to life longevity..."Pancit!"

But before getting a free serving you will read these lines... 

"Pansit para sa pinagpalit sa pangit," along with a follow up lines..."mapapakain ka talaga ng pansit sa sakit!"

Normally, this is being offered by ambulent vendors, peddlers of "taho."

Here, it comes with a hugot lines which says..."taho, para sa pagibig na naglaho." 

(Taho for a love that fades away). In short, "ghosting!" 🤣

It was serving breakfast, so expect soup like sopas. 

It comes with a unique hugot lines..."Sopas, pasa sa iniwan ng "so fast!" 

(Sopas for those who were left so fast) 

And I think the most catchy hugot lines about "lugaw," or "porridge," who lacks suitors... 

"Lugaw, para sa walang manliligaw." 😂

But wait there's more because a certain "Marvin Garcia," organizer of "stock box community pantry,"  in Silang, Cavite, came up with a "witty," one. 

From Garcia's Facebook post on Tuesday, April 23, he only wanted to stress the point to only get what they need, without too being preachy about it. 

Looking at these eggs that has a signage which says..."kumuha lang ng pang-umagahan, hindi ng pang leche flan."

(Please get eggs only for your breakfast). 

And even a rack of ketchup has a reminder signage which says... 

"Kumuha ng pangsawsawan di pang spaghetti." 

(Get a sauce for your dip only, not for a spaghetti recipe). 

Canned goods also came up with a witty but concern signage reminder which says... 

"Isa-isa lang ang delata, upang 'di masira ang abrelata." 

(Get one can at a time, to not ruin your can-opener). 

While, in packs of layered sugar it says... 

"Isang pack lang ang asukal, mahal ang insulin." 

(Get only a pack of sugar, the cost of insulin is expensive). 

And even a basket of garlic has a saying which says... 

"Isa-isa lang po sa Bawang, hindi po totoo ang Aswang." 

(Get only a whole garlic, the unearthing rumors are not true). 

Street food for community pantry

In Marikina City, the concept of free food giving was extended also for donating to people a "Street Food!"

From a Facebook post of a netizen named Sagun John Rufinel, in Barangay Concepcion Uno, on Monday, April 26, he offered his kababayans street foods for free!

In his signage it says... 

"Tumuhog batay sa pangangailangan, mag-ambag batay sa kakayanan." 

From this community pantry, one mother said and was thankful that her son now has food to eat at home when he wakes up. 

Not only a mother benefited from the street food community pantry but also tricycle drivers, construction workers, motorists, passers-by, and many more. 

It doesn't  just fed the hungry people but also helped the livelihood of Gil, who owns and sells the street foods.

From basic needs to wants community pantry

The idea of giving do not just have one interpretation now, because in Barangay Sto. Niño in Makinina City, aside from food giving...the shoe capital of the Philippines gave something very known to their city. 

A reporter from ABS-CBN, Adrian Ayalin took photos of people quequed to get a pair of slippers, sandals, and shoes! 👠👟

Brewed Coffee for free community pantry

Photos of a patrolman in Barangay Santo Cristo, Tabaco City in Albay gave free not 3 in 1 coffee but brewed coffee for residents. 

☕

In his Facebook account post, Mark Aleph Maceres, shared his team initiative of a "Modern Day Barangayan and Bayanihan," program of the Albay Police Provincial Office.

In his interview with Philippine Star, Maceres said he only wanted to share what he has, his hobby of making coffee out to the community. 

Because some people appreciates his effort, they were also bread donations given to pair now with his brewed coffee. 

Zero Waste Community Pantry:

Magbigay ayon sa kakayanan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan at i-recycle ang mga lalagyan

(Give what you can, take what you need, and reuse containers) 

In St. Therese Street., Peñafrancia in Brgy. Cupang, in Antipolo City, the community put an emphasis on zero-waste practices. 

Jr. Papel stressed in his social media post the value of preventing one from using single use plastics, and encouraged everyone to use recycled bags and bottles too. 

They also advised the residents to bring their own bottles and bags upon claiming items in their community pantry. 

One great example to a zero-waste practices was the used of glass jars for condiments like soy sauce, vinegar, and fish sauce or patis to be given away. 

But you see, the idea of helping and giving do not only applies to people who has alot to offer or those whom we say rich anf famous. 

A living proof to that was Thelma, a seller of bitso-bitso, an Ilonggo delicacy. 

She was once passed by in one community pantry, she asked if she can get some. 

Aling Thelma took rice, 3 eggs, one apple, a noddles, vegetables and dried fishes. But instead of just saying thank you, she replaced it with her bitso-bitsos. 

She explained, that she is selling to have a day's budget solved. And now that she got it, she was even more willing to share what she has. 

(Photo courtesy: Lors Langoey MI) 

And also the same kindness was reflected in the heart of a taho vendor in Barangay Panamitan, Cawit, Cavite where he offered a few glasses of what' s he's selling. 

(Photo courtesy: StarFish Project/Facebook) 

It is indeed proven here that there is no amount of help small or big to share one's blessings to other people. 

Just like a virus, this act will continue to grow to inspire more people.