My Best fight ever

Where Shall I Park My Foot for Eternity

I have my first fight when I give birth to my eldest son...though I am already matured for it but I am an innocent for the same. I thought it was the end of the world because of the pain that I endured. The labor in giving birth is no doubt any mother can tell a unique story. I considered my major ovarian operation as another fight in this journey but I survive with 1% of survival, according to my surgeon, documented by the Waiver form signed by my hubby, going back October 15 1994. Another fight again that I fought for my life is when I am diagnosed for a breast cancer in February 2003. But I consider this health problem now to be my best fight ever. It is this stage tat I am fighting for undefined emotional stress, depression and deteriorating hope to win again. I have so many wins in life as I mentioned above and I am afraid God wont provide me another win for I have asked too much. I just hope that God will be kind to me again and give me another extension. If not, this lens will be the last lens I can create as product of my memory.

I hope for the Best Win

With more endurance in life, health problem became my best friend for God is so kind to me. When I undergo with my major Ovarian Operation, my eldest son was in Elementary Grade. I knew my children cannot survived if I die in this stage. I have an ovarian cyst in 1994. It was already acute when discovered. For the benefit of my reader I have included some information about this health problem in the following paragraph and phrases. (ovarian cyst is any collection of fluid, surrounded by a very thin wall, within an ovary. Any ovarian follicle that is larger than about two centimeters is termed an ovarian cyst. An ovarian cyst can be as small as a pea, or larger than a cantaloupe. Most ovarian cysts are functional in nature, and harmless (benign).[1] In the US, ovarian cysts are found in nearly all premenopausal women, and in up to 14.8% of postmenopausal women. Ovarian cysts affect women of all ages. They occur most often, however, during a woman's childbearing years. Some ovarian cysts cause problems, such as bleeding and pain. Surgery may be required to remove cysts larger than 5 centimeters in diameter.) My attending Physician have explained to me that the very reason for my survival despite my very inch of rate survival is my interest to live. My veins collapsed allowing Dextrose to discontinue. My medical records showed that I have gone to 60/40 Blood Pressure. The Physician advised for Blood transfusions. My family did but was not done to me for miracles that my Doctor said that happened. The attending physician almost lost hope too, but when I request for a pain reliever, he provide me Novane, a very controversial pain reliever that brings the patients in so many side effects but turned very helpful to me. I was scheduled for operation early in the 15th day of October, 1994 however my blood pressure got unstable and was reschedule until 3 in the afternoon of the same date. This was very successful. God has granted my wish for the sake of my children. With out warning, I have another fight...my breast cancer in the early summer of 2003. I received my last dose of Chemotherapy last December of 2003. I almost give up because of the undefined discomfort of the therapy. However I have no option so I must. Again, I thanks God for another extension of my life, perhaps not only for my family but for a legacy that awaited for my total commitment in life. After my Chemotherapy, I give up all my family businesses run and managed by me. I leave them to my Children. I ran a newly-opened Rural National High School for seeing the needs of the Community and the Students. I dedicate my life, my wealth to this School. Though I became poor but when I see the smiles of the students, I feel as if I am the wealthiest woman in the world. Some related stories and writings can be seen in my related Blogs and Lenses that I need not to mention it here. Last October of 2007, I have a deep emotional stressed. I assume it be cause by my son's dashing manhood. He married two girls in a day. This cause my to exhaust all my effort and much of my riches and capacity. I was not able to find out that I was suffering another health problem. My Doctor said I was only on a serious emotional stress and she provided me medicines. I was temporarily cured but I started to loss my weight. I feel as I am really fighting for a temporary emotional stress when I lost my interest to live. As if I fulfilled all my purpose in life. My fellow teachers came and cried when I declared to withdraw my three Mathematics subjects to one of them of whom I trusted to carry them fully. I expressed a total contentment and confessed my interest in life. The different between my fight of today to that of the other health problem is my interest to live. Although I have not fulfilled more of my commitment at school but I am fine with my other school accomplishment. Recently, I was diagnosed again for another stage of cancer, and it is liver cancer caused by my breast cancer then in 2003. Base on my research, a breast tumor may transfer to any are near it. I happens to be in my liver and already have ten metastases in both lobes. I discovered, though I did not meet my Oncologist first that the only medicines is to have a Chemotherapy. This was disclosed to me too by my attending physician recently. With out providing me much information about my health problem she referred me to my Oncologist. I have not seen my Oncologist yet because of the Halloween. Perhaps after the Holidays I can see him and can know more about my health problem. I consider this health fight to be my best fight ever. I do not not how to fight for I have exhausted all my strength. I hope God will give another life extension. Thanks for my husband, my only daughter to my son, Cocon for the sincere services they extended. I pray that like, they will also win.

Blue Moment

It was blue moment for me since the first week of September until this date. My intestinal problem bothers me. To this date, I was face with a total stress and was recommended for rest until my condition will be set.

I worried much on my students. Because of my deteriorating health condition, I have to give-up on my subject area. It is not only the growing loneliness that bothers me, but my office work was totally affected. My blogs has missed me so much. I was not able to visit them. For my readers, I hope I can manage to up date some of it, as there are really more news to talk with regarding school activities, especially that the Boy and Girl Scouts Month is at risk. The Scouting month usually falls on the month of November and I was not able to update the school troops.

I am really sad to my health problem. I hope Allah extend my life to the best of my service to the school that I'm serving and the students.

The End of Rmadan

This was the life in the City. They come in group because of easy means of
communi-
cations.
They can
commu-
nicate
to their
choice.
In the
rural area,
they
celebrate the
Id'l Fitr
through
a group
within any Masjeed. People who leave near any Masjeed can come in group.

Being one of the minority tribe of the Philippines. I come to celebrate the Id'l fitr with the group of Maranaw in our locality. I belong to ht rural area, which closeness of neighbors were normal. After the prayer, foods were prepared, enough for the entire community. We came to eat together, chatting every corners, especially mothers and grandmas.Parlor games came after the festive foods. The games do not exempt any age for male. They group themselves and give name to their groups. No one shows their reluctance as the males compete for the games.

This is one characteristic that rural people can boast. Their closeness shine in every affair of the community.As the games ended, the neighbors separate each others and returned home happy for the end of Ramadan.

Mine is to ask ALLAH(s.w.t.) to extend my life and bring me celebrate another year for this Holy month. Alhamdulillah!

HAPPY ID'L FITR TO ALL MULIMS IN THE WORLD!

Maranaw Decorations-I

This a Maranaw Traditional Dolang. A round-like tray, decorated with Ampas ( use to cover the Tabak, a tray-like, decorated with sequence). This traditional were still used these days, especially for a formal affair. The tray is made up of bronze. The Municipality of Togaya of Lanao del Sur is well-known for this thread. They sold their products locally and even import some of their products. This is the reason why our province is regarded as one of the Tourist spot in Mindanao. The Traditional wares of the Maranaw, made up of "okir" (traditional carvings) are popular among them. These really suit to the taste of the Tourists.
This traditional Dolang accommodates Muslim delicacies and natives foods, and being serve as a table. This requires no chairs, as the guest would just sit flat to the floor.These serves as their serving tray.













As a Maranaw, I treasure the decorations it has. Though I belong to the low-income level, but I have few collections that match to my economic status. i am fond of it as mere collections and decorations at home Other wealthy families collected these to prepare for a formal affair. this is true to politicians, as they accommodated more influential persons. A home of any Maranaw who can afford, will not call their house a home with out them. This tradition seal the status of a Maranaw. If we can see much of these in any residence, we immediately conclude as to the stability of once income. This become a symbol for ones economic status, we say, Datus and Baes, names address to Royal Family.

The joy for the Ramadan

Every Muslim in the world observe this Holy month. Being one of the minority tribe of Muslim, I enjoy with this Holy month. Our house is just meters away from the Masjeed. i enjoy watching those children, patiently waiting for the break of their fast.

There was thing in my mind, how this month motivate discipline to these kids. Did they really fast? Or they they are hiding some agenda so that their parents will keep trusting them that they are ended fulfilling their fasting. When I was in primary school, exactly 2 pm, my stomach keep troubling. Because our school was near to a spring water, I was many times tempted to drink water without sharing it to my classmates. Though how much I tried, my hands were pulled backed, as if my imagination was controlled. I was not able to play that trick

When I arrived home, my mother was so busy preparing foods. I remember my my interest in drinking. If I succeed in breaking my fast, I must not be entitled for this foods. These foods were for us, and our mother was in a hurry, thinking to have the best foods upon breaking our fast. From that time on, I never have another try.

Upon glancing those kids feasting to secure the supplied fruits, I realized my childhood. Could these kids like, who was once the tempted to break a fast? Did they ever realized the effect like mine? The Ramadan bring extra joy that when time to break the fast officially, we added extra confident in mind. A confident that only God knows. We motivated a sense of trust and commitment to our faith. No one implement us the values, but we know we must follow. We can betray this faith but God knows even the beating of our heart. It is in this manner that any Muslim can be motivated in a simple way with out imposing much reward or punishment, but only God can justify.

Traditional Maranaw Wedding

I belong to the traditional Maranaw wedding of 80's. Two days before the wedding, the bride's family will gather for the "Traditional Kambitiara". A Maranaw Cultural affairs will be presented days before the wedding. most common are the kambayoka and the kalilang

For the Kambayoka, sets of Onor or a Maranaw singer gather together and sing traditionally in the form of debate. A debate would be in form of Maranaw history or a Maranaw descendants and intellectual debates, philosophically express in form of Maranaw traditional language...known as "kapagongangen". An affair like this will have at least two singers as they were to sing alternately in one or two nights depending on the required length of time. we consider this to be the fondly affair.
As for the kalilang, this is a separate affair with the set of kolintang, agong, dubakan with each correponding players. this what we popularly regarded as maranaw instruments, played publicly which set of players will come and challenge another set of players. For purposes of research we can surf on related sites that focuses on this form. I hope I can elaborate it furhter when I can have the right source.

The HOLY MONTH OF RAMADHAN!

Greeting of Peace and Harmony to All Muslim in the World!

The Month to sacrifice..............

Which poor and the rich are equal

All Human beings are created equal

Feel the true meaning of this Holiest Month..................!

Peace and Harmony For this Holy Month Of Ramadhan

Maranaw Cultural Dance

The first dance formed of at least 6 participants is "kapMalo-Malong". It is Tradtional Maranaw Dance done with Malong as a Costume. This traditional Dance portrays the Maranaw ways of wearing Malong. It is a very colorful dance were participants composed of Maranaw Girls with steps that illustrates different kinds of wearing Malong or the uses of wearing Malong.

It was expected then to be displease from the history of Maranaw Culture, but the Yearly Celebration Of Buwan Ng Wika ( Filipino Cultures and Languages), this dance was activated to the mind of the students to every Maranaw Community. The observance of the Buwan Ng Wika was highlighted by the Maranaw dance, presented with different Maranaw Traditional costumes.

The Traditional Costume were activated, thus keeping it to be alive and no longer feasted by insects in an old Apparador. In a related story about this Tradition, ancient makers and new one bloom in Maranaw society. This costume was even serve as souvenirs for other tribes who visited this locality. Our economy has been resued by this costume, because other tribes started to admire its kind.

In our school, it is a sort of Maranaw costume feastivity when the "Buwan Ng Wika" is Celebrated. The school has itd own Cultural Dance Troupe that maintains the status of Maranaw dance. We are lucky that this Troupe has passed this pride from generation to generations. The outgoing members will be replaced by the entry of Freshmen students. To be simple, all interested students are trained to maintain the number of members.

This is a kind of training that the school has for the students. This will provide students a love to embrace their own culture. This served as their exta-curricular activities, thus the students cannot find ways to diversify their attention to undesirable behavior which may not be acceptable to the society.

To me...being a Maranaw, this is one way of helping the society.

Maranaw Love letter

These are the traditional dance of Maranaw girls. The first one is the "kakini-kini" that portrays girl way of walking but in the form of dance. The other one is "kazanduayan", a Maranaw way of showing joys and satisfaction, also in the form of dance. These kinds is rare now. In 50's, we can see these in any Maranaw community. In early 80's, it begun to deteriorate as other form of Culture were recognized, especially school girls. We can expand our reading by finding related sites that deals with this kind of culture. For these blog, it is done to have familiarity on Maranaw culture but not an advance search.

With this kind of attitude, boys were inferred and cannot even called the girls by name. There is a high respect extended to any Maranaw girl. Mostly, in courting girl, the boy will group each other and visited girls in group too. These group will interact merrily with the presence of the folks. Eyes of both parties speak but cannot explain it verbally. In the form of " pananaroon" ( Marananw means of expressing his love to a girl) the two parties will run their conversations opposing each other. We can see the denial and acceptance of tthe girls on committing to a formal relationship in front of the folks. If these series of conversations, "kapanganakan" in Maranaw terms is honored together with the member of the family, the boy will propose formally. Various forms of courting will follow after the proposal.

I'd like to insert samples of Marananw love letter and the tradtional pananroon. The later is still practice to date. The Love letter vanish in the history of Maranaw because of the exposure to mobile phone. Courting is made easy through texting and not by writing.

An Example of Maranaw Pananaroon:


seka tawo a mapanton n bangkaden gagandaye sa saradyatum di mapos a lalan sa kasnangan, na ombes o khakowangka so polaos o maganding n d ka mindatomanong : (girl)


Ibtad so mantri ko patarogo papanan na zamata di zamata na magironota tadn sa olayan sa rambayong. tanodinka marugun ka myatharo ko mambo a soba ka sa raya na somagansang akoron na o ladas ka sa lilod na pundorosa ko mambo na o kadnka sa titib na mampira ko sa kilid. na o pagalangalanka na magintara ako, na o panik ka sa lamin na somongako sa gibon. na sodn so ranonakn i ipuphangadapakun sa romba a ladan ka. (boy) Thanks to Tisoy and ranaw.com for this portion.


osa imatowaya na pendirondan si sangkad ko sagayadan o linang koris phamaningad sa madait a denggawan, pelabi so bolawan ko bibir o somagayan ka koris phamanongad sa dait andarayaan. (girl)


so alongan khaotho na pakasasagaden den ka minsangko di baogen e moraon sa sanggibo na minsan di balbegen i mombos sa makadorat na langganang ko wa omor na dagangkowa kapatay odi ko mitindos rabao so datumanuong ko inged (boy)


Here is an example of Maranaw love letter. I have a glimpse of this because I belong to the classical girl of 80's. I have crushes then but as to serious relationships, I have none. I have that fear that right guy I've chosen might not satisfy with the tastes of the folks. If the same happen, it will bring me to serious frustration, so I never try. I have check on the possible person but our folks favor most on family origin while I am for education literacy. My feeling died in my heart with out expressing like one.
I cannot blame my self not to follow the decision of the folks. I originate from the crowd of four because my father has four wives. My mother was the second wives. I'm afraid that I might chose the wrong guy and marry as many as my father have. My struggles to be among this crowd might repeat itself. None the less, I have to chose wisely.
The sample love letter that I'm posting steal a potion of my heart. I have cried for days to erase the memory but there no power to erase, tough worries subside.

Sample of Maranaw Love letter (boy)


If i remember right, during the year 1970, maranaw love letter was still practiced by the maranaw ladies, and their suitors. We shall give a wink on its nature. Love letter could either be "kapangoba", a letter from a frustrated sender or ex-boyfriend or girl friend. Other letter can be "kapranon", a letter from a new suitor, feeling lonely and longing to share his feeling to his prospect. The later is mostly done by boys, send as a friendly letter. Upon receipt of the said letter, the girl would acknowledged, reminding the boy whether the girl is available or not negotiable. It is more on a story with a redundancy of words.

When the said letter is received by a lady, the family would grouped themselves and the famous reader within the family will read it aloud. One sentimental letter could bring the listeners to cry. This scene can move the family and may reunite this departed relations. On the contrary, if the writer is new suitor, it will give him a chance to come and court the girl. Since, personal courting is not allowed in this society, this letter serve as the passes of the boy.

We will post an example of Maranaw love letter, written 1970, pages from the collection of a maranaw lady as anonymous. Let us note of the body, the comma and he period is represented by "na" and "ka"

The letter read as:


Alamataya ranon a pizoratana gagaw a pikhaat a rangkono a paka paphanogoden ke tawangko diko bethon. a saya pephakaganat ko ladangko riniwada, na inao ala kirim na obaka pkhadanon ko manga bantoga a tawo na zizino zinowangka o da a rampana a dar na salamangka rinao na gokabo zandoa ayan sa mabaloya tadman na mawita panginogon a makalimogaw sa dar. N o amay ka masokatso alongan lomalangkap a senang mangongorangka ko katasangko boklod a gopen ngganat ko palao a pezalindao i salega rangkaniyan ko kapenggiginawai na oman midar mipangkat na mapasa panggao sa walo na masapidao sa pat na somigay mangangarig sa orogana kiblat na mendod na zando ayanko balibeto iranon na gonian panogoda so lad laino kaparan na mama mindo malondong a artawang gonawan na lagido gopn kidar apemangidansalian na oda kalalansaye a pagalongan so laod na morog na thaman taman i salgo sindaw niyan na asar bo ka minidar i tanda aken ko lalag na ipananayan aken sa aoga-gaog a ganding a sengkoana ronokan a sariato lalakho ka oba ako arangen sa phamanen dezen a dapat a orgis sa ginawa a bimban sa taginepen ka riwara bimban sa dar ka daaken mipagenong sa alongan tanan aya ka oman raken lomimbo so kapenggiginawai na o aya romba aken na baaken midederang a ginawa ko a rasy ko olona man so gawn na oman raken lomimbo so iroy ago so tadem na manako den a ponay a somengko kagagawan sa daden a borodanon na dikoden kapantonan na pekhasaodan aken sa dalaana maminar ka bakopen da borodi a aloyo so damo-aw na daa biyorodanon na adaw rintanga pikir a tangkeda lolotaken namawatan sa ginawa i baakongka lembae sa oragis ago dapat a tadman sa tonganay na inao na maregen na aya ola-olako na marinao di marinao raraprap ko wig na diko maphaka anged .........i ba adempen a ragat a salakaw ko kalodan ka diko maphaka anged ka soden so ranonaken sa romba a ladaneka a oba sagona madiwang i kapenggignawai ka rongko pakakelasa i iniliboteng sa darem ka toba ako maribon na asara pimbitakan a lomalan sa tadman na oso kakhondalia na malo ko kondaraan ka minikarangaken den so inisomaringeno wig a dita kaphanarigan ka lalayon di tanggongen na oso lad o ladangko na diden simbaran sa tig ka osa imnatowaya na pezeleg sa madiris ko lapal o bilanga tawo na pegondaya ko alam so botoon ko otowan ka pelangkap ko maklok so kakasi o alongan ka pezinta somalindaw ko belangan ko dangaday na osa imantow aya na tiyalingoma rasay so da malayam sa dindang na inadil so bolawan sa ropa katonganaya . aya katanodanon na na diman mkambinentay sa ba makapayandeg ka so simalawn o ganding na mindaog sa kakasi a ipekhasirang o tawo ko mawatan go marani na pezengko ko pagiridan sa panogodana bantog na mitho manto kargan i ola-ola kargan.

Na lengenan ta sayaden i giyagaw sa kanggaring ka makabolotha ribon na ditaden makatimbang ko mga bantoga a tawo. Inao ala sorat na o amay ka marinaw na balingangka sa rinaw na sowi ka sa rangkono ka bataden maka alang sa ko tawo a makadadaya. Tamat.

An answere from the girl

Pzambesamber pman s Pzamber o inodara magaog a makapokaw sa pikir ka oman raken lomimbo na dikoden kapantunan na kasaudangko sa lo ka awga pindo iyan a kiyarendana raken ka aden kon a salakaw a maka biraye sa dar, na inao ala kirim na obaka phadanon ko tawa malambata tawn na oba kidar mipangkat na bolayokangka rinaw na lengi angka a gagaw na dikapman prondan. Amay ka minayongka ko mawatana salinding a aya kadederangan o tantowa lolotaken na aloyo angka pindo, na perinarinawingka na gongkawn panothola a soden so kyatangked a mithinampiri so wig sa salalaw a legawan na mana koden a tikaw a rinadongana torog, ka kagiya si maregen a romibon ka romibon na obabo piragatan a kabsaran so insan na go bo rangkono mawog sa makarampana sa dar,na kiyabagowam pman so kapenggiginawai a dita masangkaya dar na daandorangan tawon.
Ino saken maregen a minsan orimpay so wig ka ana manayo sa dar, na katigangkoron a pakapepenogoden sa ginawnagka ranongko a thalenda ka inalang a biyolawangko sa dar baaken mambo ngaran a karenda renda aken ko kayo mering bolawan na birai sa mawatan na lengengka inantara a maregen sa ginawa ka mathakho patogina a kandadilagaken ko kayowa pata romaging na di ta kaphagimanan ka bimban sa sakaingud na inao bolawangko na odaka zarog maganatang sa romangkono so pandang na manganon so kanggaring na obako minikopor a sekabo i kawgan a kataman sa ranon na kagiya sa imanto na sansara imantawn ka inalangako niyan sa inikasawanga dar.
Inao ala kirim na o amay ka marinaw na goka makambalingan na zanaangka ko gadong so panyolam masaleg a pimbogabonga dar a daraken pethorogen a kinidakatengkoron ko ingaran di matembo na oba kelas so sigay na mimbalingan ki ladan ka apiya di manayo ka ba kilasan gagaw na pagadimaten aken a tadman ko kanggaring ka dibo tatap sa pikir na matag pephaka alang ko kanayo initangkap a ipzorota iman.
Marendan so inzana sa ginawangka a kirim na paladangkawn layok so toladang kamanisan ka bankari di katawi a pito barang so borok a inikhanayoon ka ba aya koron sabot rendanen ta niyambo sa daa kasidan tawon. Na Lengenan ta sayaden e ranon gagaw sa lolot ka bataden tatangkeden a tawa malamba tawon...Tamat

Traditional Way of Maranaw Courtship

Tradtional Maranaw Girls (thanks to the girls in the photo)




Traditionally, Maranaw girl is not allowed for dating. Considering classical girls of 80's, they were not exposed to dating. The communication was very limited which love letter was the only means to express a deep feeling for a love one. It's so different now which mobile phones are everywhere. Any expressions for your love one can be receive in a minute and would cost only the sender an amount of one peso (Philippine currency). Except, sex education was not encourage and any girl cannot defined her feeling other than to miss every moment they shared with a boy. The relationship if any was sacred, which the boy respect every angle of the relationship because of his intention of marrying the girl and not for fun nor for experimentation.

I grew up in a Christian area but my up-bringing is Maranaw Culture. The way Maranaw girl behave was exactly mine, and any suitors was disregarded because of many factors to consider, The whole must be satisfied by any interested suitors, the family background and mostly was the dowry. This is the major cause of any relationship to breaks even to this date. Tracing on the family of origin is one, and this true for any girl or boy who proposes for marriage. The title of Sulutan or any pristigious social title should be dig up to perfect the relationship. Now a days, three factors complicate the issue. It must originate from a Sulutan, a political power and a B.S. Degree. This make any Maranaw girl to balance her decision and the family's choice. With all these requirement, a boy must be a Muslim. This last factor Islamic that does not require material things or political influence from both.

My next issue will be on formal traditional courting....really interesting.

It is easy to become a man, but it's hard to behave like One

The traditional Maranaw and its attire





I am a Maranaw and old saying in this title is hard to observe. The culture, the tradition and the practices of being a Maranaw can be embrace by heart with out punishing ourself. This an identity that runs through our blood and carried through our upbringing. There is no need to adjust because our environment helped us to develop and behave like one.
This make our family behaving in a Maranaw way. The way we interact with this society, we make our identity as our point of reference. This minimize problem among us and the other member of our family to be among with burdens of our society. We became a family of educators and we consider this as legacy for the students and the community.