Personal Childhood Web
I would like to take this opportunity to honour a few of the people who have made me who I am today... Those who have cared for, nurtured and helped develop me. |
| At my wedding Standing from left to right: sisters Jessica and Missy, Papa, myself, husband Jason, Mommy, brothers Robby and Ziggy Seated from left to right: sister-in-law Tisha, brother/Kuya Edward |
First is my mother, Josefina Anita Brown King. Very loving, Mom never runs out of kisses and heart hugs for all her kids. Compassion is one of her gifts, making her the go-to girl for everybody we know. She has also been supportive of all my choices and endeavours. She attended all Parent Teacher Conferences about me and all activities in school and was often voted PTA president too. When I got low grades she never seemed disappointed or angry like the moms of my friends. Instead, she always said with a hug, "I know you can do better. Try again next term". This inspired me to always try to do better, knowing that my mom believes in me.
An educator herself, my mom has taught me and my siblings how to be very independent in studying. She did not baby us when we had assignments or researches to do. She bought all reference books she knew and encouraged us to look for the references we needed by ourselves. I also remember how my mom would respond when my siblings and I asked her what a particular word meant... she would always say, "we have a dictionary. Go look it up". Frustrating for little kids like us but I see now why she did that.
It is because of her influence and training that I did well in school. It is because of her belief that I was able to also believe in myself. Her loving ways have also helped me become more loving and compassionate to people around me.
Second, my Papa, Edward "Dodie" King. Everyone who knows our family thinks that I am our Papa's favorite, called often as the Daddy's Girl. I do not think this is true though I admit that I think I am the closest one to him. My Papa was very hands-on in caring for me, which he was not able to do for my brothers and sisters (work prevented him from doing so). He never lacked in showing affection to his children. We always received hugs, kisses and playful shoves from him. A sport enthusiast, he is the one who inspired us to pursue sports. He encouraged all of us to do our best in the sport we have chosen.
I did well in sports mainly because of him and he made me feel like the most important person in the world. His love for me helped develop a positive self image.
Third, my Kuya (Kuya is a Filipino term for older brother), Edward B. King, Jr. Yaki, as I fondly call him, took real good care of me. Being 7 years older, he looked after me, baby sat for me and according to my mom, was very proud of me; he would brag about me to his friends and classmates while referring to me as HIS "pinky baby". His affectionate ways, I believe influenced me to become very caring and nurturing to my younger siblings.
Fourth person is my Kindergarten teacher, Prof. Dena S. Culaba. Teacher Dena was a great teacher. She always took the time to know each of us, encouraging us to be the best that we could be. I remember her sitting behind the piano playing and singing for us. A smile never left her face. I loved her as a teacher. That is why even if I got an abusive teacher the following year, my experience with T. Dena seemed to have balanced it off. As a child, I kept thinking that when I become a teacher I will be like T. Dena. Now, I am happy to say that my favorite teacher is now a colleague. She is the chair in the department (Early Childhood) that I teach in (and she looks exactly the same as she did when she taught me in Kinder; she did not age at all).
 |
| Me (seated center) with T. Dena (seated wearing white), my former Kindergarten teacher and now our department Head |
posted by Elizabeth King Santos @ 4:12 AM
2 Comments:
I loved reading your personal childhood web. Seeing your family photos, reminded me of my children's dad's family, who are Fillipino also. My children are fillipino etc. and their family had such strong ties and togetherness, which is evidence in your blog. Keep family close and keep striving for excellence. You did a great job.
Thanks, Troyleena! You're right, Filipinos are very clannish.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home