15-289

1st Journal

The institution that was assigned to my class and I was Commonwealth

Elementary School. It is situated in Brgy. Commonwealth, Quezon City along the
Commonwealth Avenue. It was founded or established by Maria Deyro-Galang. The
schools mission is to protect and promote the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable,
culture-based, and complete basic education. They dream of Filipinos who passionately
love their country and whose values and competencies enable them to realise their full
potential and contribute meaningfully to building the nation. The CSP Institution
Supervisor for the Commonwealth Elementary School is Ms. Ellen Gilua. The school
principal of the school is Mrs. Emely Pelobello. Mrs. Donna Laya-Lago is the schools
head teacher. The beneficiaries of the institution, who are the students of the school,
came mostly from the vicinity of the school. The students were enrolled by the parents
or guardian to be a part of the school.
The most striking about the 1st Institution Visit was that it was the first time that I
had even been in classrooms of a public school. And I noticed that they were very, very
different from the classrooms I grew up with. They were very crowded unlike the
spacious AHS classrooms. They were hot inside unlike the well-ventilated classrooms in
the Ateneo. And they lack equipments or teaching aids as opposed to the AHS
classrooms with a sound system, a computer, and an LCD projector. This made me
realize that I and the other students of the Ateneo, and even the students of private
schools, are lucky to be able to be enrolled in schools which are complete with facilities
needed for full learning.
The task that was assigned to me was to teach a sixth grade class. I felt that this
would be a whole new experience and I am privileged to be able to interact and l,
maybe, learn from them. In my own words, the three objectives of the CSP are to make
students: use their gifts and talents in helping others; improve their skills to contribute in
the society; and fully give oneself in the institutions. The task given to me will lead me to
the fulfilment of the CSP objectives by: making me use my talents and skills in teaching

the class; using my class as an improving ground which will help me in enhancing my
skills; and teaching me to sacrifice my time in to help those in need.
After the orientations in my classroom and in the school, I expect that the
institution will be a place where I will learn about the life outside of my house and the
campus. As for the school (AHS), I expect that it will continue in being supportive in its
different programs where its student are being a part of. And as for myself, I expect
myself to be open about the new information I will receive during Dama and that I will
change in how I perceive things, especially in the society.

BALANA, Bienvenido Jr. S. (9A)

15-289

2nd Journal

Part 1
In my recent institution session, my class and I were taught how to teach in the
Atenean or Ignatian way. The experience-reflection-action cycle was introduced to us.
This cycle is also known as the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm. It is Ignatian because it
was from St. Ignatius. It is pedagogical because it pertains to the philosophy of
education. And it is a paradigm because it is a way of seeing.
We were also taught what makes up a lesson, class, or teaching plan. It consists
of: the context, learning objectives, methodology, and homework. The context is the
background of the lesson and the starting point of the discussion. The learning
objectives are the objectives from the students point-of-view. Also, the learning
objectives are supposed to be measurable to ensure the completion of the objectives.
The methodology or the flow of the class discussion can be the opening prayer,
sequence, and the reflection (after the discussion). Lastly, the homework, which is
optional, is the synthesis. Homework could be used to finalize the discussion and
make them remember of the lessons that day.
Part 2
Since my parents are members of Rotary International, an organization
dedicated in helping poverty-stricken families and people infected with diseases, I was
given the chance to join them in a feeding program and a medical mission in Pakil,
Laguna two years ago. For me, it felt touched or loved by God because He gave me the
chance to go outside of my comfort zone and reach out to the people in need.
One barrier that kept me from recognizing and/or appreciating His love was that I
was shy. I kept on hiding from them. I did not want to talk to them. I was unable to relate
with them. I was tasked to hand out bags of rice and clothes to the families in the venue.
Instead, I went away from the bag distribution area and sat down in the other end of
the venue. I was unable to use or take advantage of the chance to reach out to the poor.

Being shy and introverted will prevent me from doing my responsibilities properly.
It will make me weak and a burden in team activities. It will also make me unproductive
and will make me achieve nothing. It will also prevent me from being just and loving.
Being introverted and shy will make me look like I dislike the people, especially the ones
in need, I want to help. It will make me look like I avoid them and I am disgusted by
them. This will make me a person who is unjust and not loving in the eyes of others.
What I plan to overcome this barrier is that I should: put myself in their place,
develop my social skills, and be brave and take courage. For me, the number one
problem is that I cannot relate to them because I dont know where they are coming
from. I dont know what type of lives are they living. So, I should put myself in their place
and envision the type of situations they are facing. The second problem is that I cannot
talk to them or even give a kind gesture because I have poor social skills. I should talk
to people more and even hang-out more. And lastly, I should be brave and start even a
very short conversation with others. I should be courageous because I am scared of
talking to others, especially if dont know them.
BALANA, Bienvenido Jr. S.

9-A

15-289

3rd Journal

Part 1
In my last institution visit, my group mates and I were able to teach our students
Tag Questions in English, Star Gazing in Science, Integers in Mathematics, mga Aspeto
ng Pandiwa in Filipino, and Kaunlaran and ang Estado in HeKaSi. There were lessons
that my group mates (according to them) and I dont know such as the Tag Question in
English and Star Gazing in Science. Our group was able to teach them this is first
asking examples and definitions from the students then using our context clues to
continue the teaching. It was true that we were not only there in the school for the
students to learn from us but also us to learn from the students as well. Overall, the
teaching session is joyful and active because of the participation of the students in our
prepared activities for them.
Part 2
The needy in my life are the ones who are materially poor. The ones in the
streets with no proper shelter and basic needs. I consider them as the needy in my life
because they are the ones either left out of the economic competition in the society or
mislead to the wrong path, tempted and blinded by the criminals and evildoers.
The persons who exhibit Christian Commitment at home are my parents. They
care for us, their children. This is their commitment to God during our baptism to care for
us and love us whatever happens to us.
In school, my teachers, especially Mr. Pagsi, are the ones who exhibit Christian
Commitment. They sacrificed their lives for us. They dedicated their lives to teaching
children. They manifest their commitment to God in helping others live a life of faith.
They guide students to live a truthful and peaceful life.
In the CSIP Institution, I consider we, students, are the ones who demonstrate
Christian Commitment. We go out of our comfort zones in school and at home and
sacrifice our time to do our commitment as Gods children to spread His love to others.
Through our institution sessions, we are give the chance to spread His love to others.
I commit myself to got out of my way and reach out to the less fortunate ones. By
joining orgs and projects of the school for helping those in need (such as Akay and
other socio-spiritual orgs) and joining my parents in their medical missions, feeding
program, and other pro-poor projects of my parents in Rotary. Doing these are part of
my commitment to God to spread His love and help those who are in need.
CSP service can be a tool or chance in helping others, especially the needy. It
is an opportunity to do my Christian commitment, to pull up those in poverty, and guide
back those who are in the wrong path to the path to a faithful life.
BALANA, Bienvenido Jr. S.

9-A

15-289

4th Journal

Part 1
In my family, the one that I admire the most is my dad. It is because he knows
how to do everything. When it comes to fixing things or making things, he can do it.
The classmate that I admire the most is Matti Tan. I admire him because he is
able to do all the responsibilities of a class president, a batch representative, and an Astudent.
The teacher that I admire the most is Mr. Pagsi. Even if he is already 73 years
old, he still dedicates his time to teaching. He sacrifices his life to teaching.
In our CSP Institution, the one that I admire the most is the CSP Institution
Supervisor, Ms. Ellen Gilua. I admire her because she finds extra time to help in helping
others. She gives extra effort to help in our projects to help others.
Essentially, all of them are hard-working people. My dad uses his time to
understand things and how they work so that he could fix them when broken. Matti
manages his time to do his responsibilities properly and completely. Mr. Pagsi uses his
time to prepare for his classes and always goes to class prepared. Ms. Gilua uses her
extra time from teaching in the activities of the CSP in the Commonwealth Elementary
School. Being hard-working is important because it makes you do good things. It drives
to do things for the benefit of yourself and, especially, others. Nothing great could be
made if you are not hard-working. If you are just lazy, sitting all day or sleeping all day,
nothing was accomplished. Being hard-working is the force the makes people great
because of the things they make.

Part 2
The value that I have and is being enhanced by the CSP service is being openminded. And the key thing to reaching open-mindedness is understanding others. The
CSP service helps me in understanding others and having an open-mind by sending me
to the peripheries. Through this, I was able to understand more about them.
BALANA, Bienvenido Jr. S.

9A

15-289

5th Journal

Part 1
During my last institution visit, I realized that I was really attached to my class and the
service. It was already two weeks since my group mates and I taught our class and I missed
them. I was happy to see and teach them again. Our group was able to review the class their
current lessons in English, Science, Math, Filipino, and HeKaSi: Prepositional Phrases,
Galaxies, the Metric System, Mga Pang-abay na Ingklitik, and Mga Bayani at Pagiging
Produktibong Mamamayan. During this visit was I able to feel many emotions, for the first time.
Again, I missed the class. I felt proud of my class for being to actively participate in our
discussions. And I felt very glad and happy with the class.
Part 2
That one aspect in my lifestyle is being true to myself and others. By being true to myself
and other and not living under a mask, I do not join the confusions that linger in our society. No
one will be fooled. Also, this value in my lifestyle is the most important. All the values in my
lifestyle will not stand nor work if I am not true to myself, if I live a life of dishonesty. Even if you
live simple and be with the poor, and you are still living under a mask for publicity, it is nothing.
Even if you care for others, but not for them but for your own benefit, it is nothing. Living a life of
honesty and being true to everyone is the key to live a true and pure Christian lifestyle.
There was this time during our Christmas break, I was with my friends in BGC. While
walking in High Street, I saw an old woman trying cross the road. As I saw her slowly and
maybe struggling to cross the street, I separated from the group to help her. Even if some might
think that it was uncool, I still did. After I helped her cross, a man approached me and thanked
and praised me for doing it and what he calls, taking the risk. There was another time when
my friend and I went to UPTC to meet with another friend and have lunch their. While waiting for
the latter, my friend and I went around and went to different shops. While looking at some
products in Tickles, I accidentally bumped a toy and it fell on the floor, broken. Instead of
blaming my friend, which some always do, I paid for my own wrongdoing and lived the life of
honesty. I offered to pay for the broken toy but the shopkeeper didnt accept it, saying that it was
okay.
In my experience at the CSP Institution, the aspect of being sensitive to others and their
needs is given more attention. For me to be able to be sensitive to others, I need to understand
first. And visiting the CSP Institution helps me in understanding the lives of others, my fellow

Filipinos outside of my house and the University campus. By being able to listen from them, I
am able to understand their condition. From them, I am able to know their problems, what they
lack, what they wish, and what they dream. And from the knowledges and answers that I can
understand them and, therefore, I am able to be sensitive to them.
Even after my CSP Service, (1) I can still continue to listen and be sensitive to others by
joining my parents in their medical missions, feeding programs, and teaching session in Rotary.
(2) By simply throwing the garbage in the trash bins and segregating them, I am able to care for
the environment. I am able to be one of His stewards of His creation. (3) By buying the things I
only need, focusing on my needs, and leaving out the unnecessary wants, I am imitating and
emulating Jesus, His lifestyle and sacrifices. He who only focused on His needs and giving to
others that are supposed to be His wants. These actions are essential because all of these
guide us toward Jesus. All of these actions were done by Jesus in some other way and calls us
to do the same. By doing these actions, we are living a life of faith and love. And living a life of
faith and love is the key to pure and true happiness that will last forever.
BALANA, Bienvenido Jr. S.

9A