Ilihan Integrated School- Ilihan, Tabogon, Northern Cebu, Philippines
After a week-long of errands and business, it has finally come to an end. I had so much on my plate lately and I have been traveling back in forth between Cebu City and my hometown, Caduawan, Tabogon, Northern Cebu, Philippines. Do you want to know why? Spare me some time and come read my blog.
Lately, I have been blogging about my recent travels for the whole week. I have been so busy with so many errands that I unluckily got sick after days of hustling hard with the sudden change of weather from the scorching heat of the sun in the daytime and the rain pouring at night time. I got a week off from my corporate job so I had time to process all my necessary business.
For those who don’t know me well enough, I am Jian Ornopia, I am a Licensed Professional Teacher, and I graduated Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English. I am not yet employed in the Department of Education so in the meantime, I am currently working for one of the world’s largest consultancy agencies which is located here in Cebu IT Park, Cebu City, Philippines. Working on the corporate world for me is something I am proud of, being able to talk to international clients, handle their businesses and so much more. But it all comes down to one thing, one thing I am passionate about : teaching.
I have always loved teaching since I was younger. I could only remember the days when we played ” Pretend Teacher” with my younger cousins. Growing up, I also taught in Flores De Mayo classes every May of each year back when I was younger. I always love the idea of being able to teach young children. Mold their minds, touch their hearts, and change their lives. It just comes out naturally. I just love doing that. It makes my soul alive.
When I got regularized in my current corporate job, my team leader asked me a question that rang a bell. As soon as I signed the regularization papers, he asked me, “When are you going to resign?”, “Do you see yourself staying in this company for several years?”. That question struck me. I knew to myself that I love the corporate world but I love the teaching world more. It took me some time to answer him. Of course, I told him, as a Licensed Professional Teacher, I do not see myself in this industry for so long. Teaching will always, always be my first love. He smirked and I know, he knows where I am coming from.
It was on the nineteenth of September when my mother sent me the memorandum from the Department of Education regarding the Senior High School Special Ranking. The deadline for the submission of the requirements was on the twenty-ninth of September. I was busy at my corporate job and I was in full doubt if I could make it til the submission date because I certainly could not process it all in a span of two or three days. I had to take a week off work.
Today is the day, I submitted my requirements at Ilihan Integrated School - Ilihan, Tabogon, Cebu.
As soon as I arrived at their prestigious institution, the Ilihan Integrated School Map welcomed me. I was looking for the principal's office. I had a hard time figuring it out, luckily they had a school guard I could ask and he showed me where the school principal’s office is.
I found the office and this is what it looks like from the outside. It is clean, well-maintained, and it is surrounded by lots of plants.
When I got in the office, I saw 
I applied for a Teacher II position at the Senior High School level and I am crossing my fingers but not getting any high hopes. Because I always live by my favorite statement: que sera, sera whatever will be, will be.
According to Aneko Yusagi : ”It is better to regret trying and failing than to regret not trying at all.”
I certainly agree with that. Because, not all the time, life favors us. But at least, we know to ourselves that we tried.
It was my first time to visit here at Ilihan Integrated School, so when I finished submitted my papers, I did not miss the chance to go on a mini school tour by myself.
Ilihan Integrated School Araling Panlipunan and MAPEH Park
This is one of the vegetable gardens you will see once will enter their school. It is very well maintained and the plants are fresh and growing healthy.
Mini Nursery
I also saw this mini nursery by random grade levels and it amazes me so much. I just love the thought of teaching students in this modern day the importance of valuing plants and trees and how we can all be advocates of keeping our Mother Earth healthier with a little eco habit at a time.
English Park
Here is another vegetable park I love the most, the English Park. Not only it is filled with colorful and lively paintings but it is filled with fresh vegetables. It was so refreshing to the eyes. We all love to see green leafy vegetables, do we?
As it was my first time to visit this school, I was shocked they had such a huge school ground. I was amazed at how big their school is. The buildings are huge. I did not expect that.
One thing I loved the most was that they had a multi-purpose covered court where they could hold programs and occasions without worrying about the heat of the sun or the pouring rain. Hopefully, all schools will have such covered courts.
They also had a canteen inside the school vicinity that sells healthy and delicious meals to the students. It is really safer for schools to provide school canteens rather than stores outside the vicinity to prevent learners from crossing the roads and getting into accidents. It is great how the meals are affordable. Student-friendly price indeed.
I also passed by these abandoned playground slides. I think it would be usable it just needs a little bit of cleaning and beautification. The learners would have enjoyed playing on these playground slides.
PET BOTTLES. PET stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate and these bottles are recyclable. Kudos to the school that teaches the learners the value of the 3Rs: Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.
Kudos to the teaching staff and management of Ilihan Integrated School for keeping a school conducive to learning and an eco-friendly school that teaches its learners the value of taking good care of Mother Nature.
I then headed home because it was just a ten-minute drive from my house. My dog was so happy to see me.
While I was walking towards home, I had so much in my mind.
➣ I made half pass through it! I deserve a pat on the back. Who would have thought that after my hectic schedule, I was able to pass all my requirements on time?
➣ Whatever the result is, it won’t hinder me from doing what I love. Teaching will always be number one on the list.
➣ Life will not always go the way we want it to but at least, we tried, by all means.
➣ Learn to clap for others while waiting for your season. I have always been happy to see all my friends achieve their promotions and whatever they deserve in life, because I know, soon it will be my turn too.
➣ We must always follow our heart. No matter what we do in life, if it is not by our will and passion, it will always seem to be a difficult day, every day.
➣ We must never, ever give up on our dreams. It may take many days, months, or years, but if it is your time, it will be given to you. You’ll just have to wait for your time to shine. Patience is a virtue.
What a long day indeed. Let me take a nap. Ciao!