ILIAD AND ODYSSEY

The blind Ionian poet, Homer, contributed a lot in Greek literature. “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” are some of his popular works.

When we watched “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” we realized that both discuss love, revenge, and glory.

In Iliad, the death of Achilles’ friend brings him back to the war for revenge. When he killed Hector he thought that it is over and he will be honored.  Agamemnon killed his daughter in order to win the battle, he sacrificed his beloved daughter. While in Odyssey, Odysseus defeated the Trojans, he did not recognize Poseidon’s help so the god of the sea took revenge. Odysseus left his loved one, his wife and new born son, to fight for Sparta.

In Greek and in our culture, sacrificing is still observed, even the greediness for glory that results for revenge.

Greediness affects one’s life and makes it miserable.

DEPRAVED ONE.

 “Everyone dies, whether today or fifty years from now.” –Achilles

Achilles, the son of Peleus and the sea-nymph Thetis is the most powerful warrior of the Achaeans in The Iliad.

In book 22 of Iliad, Achilles was able to defeat Hector . A sharp point hit Hector’s gullet, Achilles drove the spear point through his neck.

Hector’s corpse was tied on Achilles’ chariot, he cut through the tendons at the rear of both feet, from heel to ankle an ox-hide thongs was threaded leaving the head  to drag behind. He climbed up in his chariot, an lashed his horses. They sped off eagerly dragging Hector. A dust cloud rose above him, his dark hair spread out round him, Hector’s head was covered by the dust  (22.510.231-232).

 Achilles has a superhuman strength and has a close relationship to gods. He has the marks of a great warrior and shows that he is the mightiest Achaean army but still he cannot control his pride. Achilles is driven by a thirst for recognition. He still wants to live an easy and long life but his personal doom forces him to choose. And in the end he chose to sacrifice everything for glory.

Achilles may strike as heroic to Achaeans, but for me he is a ruthless, enormous,  and hideous warrior that frights nothing just so his name will be remembered.

FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT

To become a president of a country is a privilege especially if you're a woman. People may say that a woman cannot handle difficult situations. But for me, that’s not true. A self-proclaimed plain housewife married to Benigno Aquino, a mother of five, an advocate of democracy, harmony, devout piety, and a symbol of equality, Maria Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino, surpassed all the trials of her life and became our first female president and fought for our country’s democracy.

In her married life, Cory and her family was allowed to leave for exile in the (USA) United States of America. And her husband, Benigno Aquino, come back here in the Philippines without his family and was assassinated on Tarmac of the Manila International Airport. Millions of people took part on his funeral rites, and it has 

been the biggest Philippine history.

We all know that a woman’s heart is delicate. But Mrs. Aquino used the death of her husband as a motivation to start anew. She took care of their children and lives peacefully until the day that Mrs. Aquino served our country from 1986-1992 after the People Power Revolution that led to the expulsion of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

And in 1992, she stepped down from Presidency but still active in politics. In 2008, she surprised us when she publicized that she had colon cancer. After a year, she died at the age of 76. A bold woman like her made a great contribution to our country for fighting for our democracy.

\“It is true you cannot eat freedom and you cannot power machinery with democracy. But then neither can political prisoners turn on the light in the cells of a dictatorship.”

--Quotation from our former President
CORY AQUINO.

The way of life: EXCELLENCE

”Encourage and assist each child TO STRIVE for ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE and TO MAKE EXCELLENCE HIS/HER WAY OF LIFE.”

Taytay United Methodist Christian School is one of the best institutions. If one happens to graduate from TUMCS, expect that he/she will be successful in his/her own way.

Let’s take Ms. Jaalah Noelle G. del Rosario as an example; she graduated in TUMCS year 2009 without being recognized though she’s in the top 10. But now, she’s a Dean Lister, she won 2^nd place in PHILTOA quiz bee, UP Domestic quiz Champion, and a silver medalist.

Ms. del Rosario was able to prove herself by striving for academic excellence, which she has learned from her dear Alma Mater, TUMCS.

Truly, Taytay United Methodist Christian School had a great contribution to its alumni. Therefore, TUMCSians, let’s all face tomorrow with excellence.

And brood; strive for excellence, BE ONE OF US.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Gaffe is the access to the new findings.

“Ang GRAMMAR madaling tignan pero mahirap i-apply.”

That’s the statement I would never forget. Truly, GRAMMAR is hard to apply if one does not know the use of SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT, TENSES, and such.

Not all writers, scientists, or I would say professionals worked proficiently at first. Of course, they do commit mistakes before they’ve achieved what they are now. People are not perfect. But, committing mistakes are not a blockade to become successful. Mistake is an error in action or opinion caused by an insufficient knowledge. 

Albert Einstein

Sir Isaac Newton

Charles Dickens

People think that it is a humiliation if someone will discern a mistake. But, it’s not. Be thankful instead because one will know his mistake and learn from it. And eventually, will not repeat the same mistake, will train to improve better, and also will learn to accept corrections.  

That’s why students have teachers, choirs have conductors, actors have directors, and teachers have professors (in MA and Doctorate).

Students and Teacher

Choir and Conductor

 Still, it’s not enough to learn from others. Reading books (dictionaries and famous poets), searching the net, writing, and exploring new things will help.

As a final point, always remember that in WRITING it’s not just about how well you know grammar rules, how many books you've read, how well you perform in class but also, know how to YOU WRITE WITH HEART AND PASSION.

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”

--Albert Einstein

TRIUMPH in PARITY.

"There are victories of the soul and spirit. Sometimes, even if you lose, you win."

--Elie Wiesel

The 26^th founding anniversary of TUMCS was held successfully. The seniors and selected juniors attended the Joint Worship at TUMC Dulo. After the solemn and full of thanksgiving worship, the students rehearsed, for the upcoming intramurals, to show that TUMCSians are talented.

15^th of February, the whole school gymnasium happening to feel the fright. Each cluster has a category to compete with. The first category is Cheer Dance, the JUNIORS started their chant

 “JUNIORS the BEST the BEST” 

and took their place.

The second category is Modern Dance, the seniors made it on the first place with the interpretative way of performing their routine.

And lastly, Ballroom which was won by the JUNIORS again.

The field demo ended with SMILES on JUNIORS’ face for reigning in the cheer dance and ballroom category.

Physical competition followed, each team was eager to win. Since that it is a competition, it’s typical that some player will be injured and fouled but not to the extent that a player will disrespect the decision of the referee, just like what had happened on our first game of basketball.

All have done their best but still, we know that only one will stay on the top. The JUNIORS compete dynamically and fairly that’s why we've bagged the title in Mr. and Ms. Intrams, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, and even Chess.

Truly, we've proved that JUNIORS are the BEST!

 We did it all for God’s Glory!

“When I was a young coach I used to say, “Treat everybody alike.” That’s bull. 

TREAT EVERYBODY FAIRLY.”

 -- Bear Bryant

NO to BIGOTRY, PREJUDICE, RACISM, and DISCRIMINATION.

Every individual is given an opportunity to express enjoyment in mingling with others.

 But, because of the word DISCRIMINATION, many people started to hate life and the world. It’s like they’re living in a planet with full of hypercritical inhabitants. As far as I know,

DISCRIMINATION means making a difference in favor of or against a person or thing based on the group, class, or category. 

But why do people have to discriminate 

others? Didn’t they think that the 


discriminated ones also have a heart and 


it hurts every 

time they do a distinction?

   

 Just like the nerds, they are being isolated because some of us thought that they are different in terms of their way of thinking. Most of us didn't think that they are just blessed because they have a higher IQ than the typical populace. 

It’s not their fault to be different. Their way of clothing and interacting towards others were affected by the people around 

them.

In my case, I am very fortunate that I never experienced being discriminated.

Remember, “DO NOT TO DO OTHERS WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT DONE TO YOU.” If you do not want to be discriminated better try to fit in everyone in our cluster.  You’ll never know maybe one day you’ll experience what you have 

done to the discriminated ones. 

Let’s care for them because they are still 

God’s masterpiece.