Bona fide Text
Thank U Sir
The teachers were honored to have Dr. Ernesto Garin in Teachers' Summer English Course of St. Joseph School (Iloilo), Inc. on April 17-30, 2008.
If you listen to him very attentively you would learn more than you would have expected from him. He is just one gifted man with overflowing tips on different genre of literature.
Who would ever believe that at his age as of this time, he would remember every bit of his past and tried to tell it to all of us? He used these as his examples and out of those we would crack jokes that would make us laugh to the max.
The 40-hour course was very educational and worth of our time. You would never feel any dull moment of his lecture because he is so witty and very spontaneous.
We, the Josephian teachers would always feel the excitement every time we have our session with him. He lectured on grammar, technical writing, public speaking and tips on how to deliver declamation, oration, monologue, storytelling and verse choir.And at the end of his lecture he would ask for outputs to check whether we applied the tips he kept on reiterating to us.
I'd like to share one of my write ups that earned a Very Good rating from him.
If Only...
"I never said that I loved you..." This line is just like a rope trying to strangle Toni to death.
Few days ago, Sam brought Toni home after their high school reunion party.
"You look so pretty tonight. You know what, when we were in high school, you were a shy type."
"Yeah, maybe a bit. How can a footballer hunk notice an ordinary girl like me then?"
"Ohs? Don't be like that. I remember, I've talked to you right?"
"Yes, as if you talked to me that time. Huh, you asked a piece of paper because we're having a test. For you, it is a talk?"
"Oh well, we'll talk about these things next time. I'm already in front of my house. Thank you for bringing me home. You take care. I'm just a call away."
Little did Sam know that Toni has a crush on him since high school until the day their lives crossed again during the party.
"He..hello," Sam said.
"Hi!Who's this?" Toni answered.
"Oh, Hi Toni. This is Sam! Can I invite you for a cup of coffee?"
"Hi Sam!Sure!"
Toni was so excited to see Sam once again. She couldn't imagine Sam would invite her for a cup of coffee.
"Motttthhheeerrr!!!" she screamed.
"Yes!Toni! Why are you shouting? Anything wrong?" the mother asked, in puzzled.
Toni hugged her and as if she won a lottery, they caught themselves dancing for joy. Until her mom cut that joyous moment..
"Wait!Wait! Are you fooling me Toni?"
"No mom, I think Sam likes me. And I think this is it! The time that I've been waiting for. This afternoon, the coffee shop will witness how Sam tells me that... Oh Toni, you're the one for me... Ohh mother! Can't you see how happy I am. At last, I will be no longer single by tomorrow."
"Poor girl, don't expect too much, " Toni's mom said.
"No Mom. I'm very excited to see him," she answered very quickly.
Until the afternoon came and Sam fetched Toni. For the first time, second time, third time and so on. Yet Sam didn't mention anything to her. Sam would always open the talk with football games and life in college. One day...
"I can't stand this anymore.." Toni's voice was a bit shaking.
"Stand what?!" Sam was surprised.
"This! Us! What do you mean by all these things? We're going out, eating together. Calling each other for how many days already."
"Toni, this is my wayto make up with you after what happened in high school. I admit, I didn't notice you during that time. That is why, I'll see to it that before I go back to Australia to continue my studies, I can make up with you."
"Sam.... I thought you love me,"
"I never said that I loved you..."
Tears dropped slowly from the eyes of Toni as she walked away from Sam. Sam tried to call her back but...
"If only I didn't expect too much.... if only," she said.
To Sir Garin, in behalf of the Josephian mentors, I would like to say thank you for sharing your knowledge and for the pieces of wisdom you gave us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.