GROW Yourself

Hango ito sa Māori principles on wellbeing, kung saan ang kapakanan ng isang bata ay hindi lang responsibilidad ng magulang o ng g**o—dapat itong tugunan ng buong community.

It takes a village to raise a child, di ba? And the state should also do its best to protect and uphold these as part of the rights of every child.

1. Social – Ang dami pa ring bullying cases sa Pinas, and this has been happening for a long time. Na-experience ko rin ito growing up. But oftentimes, people just sweep it under the rug. In my case, I learned to become strong and resilient, but I also reached a point where I almost gave up. Kaya hindi natin puwedeng sabihin sa batang bina-bully na, “Hayaan mo na” or “Magpakatatag ka lang.” Hindi lahat ng bata pare-pareho ang kakayahang mag-cope.

2. Physical – Hindi lahat ng bata ay may access sa healthy food. Marami nga ang nagugutom. Hindi rin lahat may safe spaces and facilities where they can play and exercise. May mga lugar na ang kalsada ay basketball court na rin dahil walang ibang available na space.

And what about healthcare? May accessible at regular bang free medical, eye, and dental check-ups para sa lahat ng bata? Mas maganda rin sana kung may libre o affordable na hospitalization at assessment, especially when parents or teachers notice that a child is showing unusual behaviour or may developmental or health concerns. Early identification and intervention can make a big difference.

3. Mental and Emotional – Napaka-competitive ng schools sa Pinas. Grabe! Mataas ang expectations pagdating sa grades and academic achievement, pero minsan hindi nabibigyan ng parehong attention ang emotional wellbeing at ang kakayahan ng bata to understand and manage themselves.

Sa New Zealand, one of the key competencies in the curriculum is “Managing Self.” Hindi lang “Ano ang grade mo?” kundi pati “How are you coping? Can you manage yourself? Can you ask for help? Can you deal with challenges and setbacks?” These are also important skills that children need to learn.

4. Spiritual – Thumbs up ako sa mga Pinoy dito because spirituality and faith are deeply rooted in many Filipino families. Pero napaisip din ako: possible kayang minsan nasosobrahan? Yung tipong lahat na lang ay “Ipasa-Diyos mo na lang.”

Faith can give children hope, values, purpose, and strength, but perhaps it should also go hand-in-hand with action, professional support, education, and personal responsibility when these are needed.

5. Cultural Identity – Hindi ko lang alam kung gaano pa ito katatag sa bawat isa, o baka para sa ilan na lang. There are communities, including many Indigenous groups such as the Igorot, that continue to proudly preserve their culture, traditions, language, and identity. Pero mayroon din namang nahihiya na sa kanilang pinanggalingan.

A child who knows who they are, where they came from, and that their identity is something to be proud of can develop a stronger sense of belonging and self-worth.

These are just some of the factors that can affect the wellbeing of a child or student. Kaya sana, huwag lahat ng sisi sa g**o.

Teachers have an important role, but they are only one part of a much bigger picture.

Family. School. Community. Government. Society.

We all have a role to play.

***
Andami ko pa sanang gustong sabihin tungkol dito, pero gabi na. 😅
Comment n'yo lang po kung may idadagdag pa kayo.

CLASS OBSERVATION
It's a norm. 🙄

Minsan, may ibang magpapaalam.
Minsan maroon ding biglaan.
Paiba-iba pa yan.

Fellow teachers.
Head of the Department.
Coach.
Principals.

Kaya pasalamat talaga ako na nadalas ready ako sa lesson.
At ang mga bata ay marunong din makiayon.
Dahil minsan, parang pinaglalaruan ako ng panahon. 😔
Gaya ng araw ngayon.

Tapos may feedback pa after niyan.
May follow-up daw anytime.

Yung tipong dapat ay wag ma stress ang mga estudyante.
Pero ang mga g**o ay nararapat lng na sanay sa stress at flexible palagi.

Good luck sa mga future generations.
Kataraka mag cg nlng ka paayun. 😁

Mahal man maskin mga chocolates diri ah.
Pero bakal lng ko ah, pang reward sa maka 100% sa test. 😁😅

Nz vs Oz

Oks naman ang doctor ko dito — proactive.

Dr: I'll refer you for an MRI.

Me: How much is the fee?

Dr. It's free!

Eh why not chokonut? 😁😅

Sa NZ, panadol lng reseta ng doctor ko noon. Sakit sa ulo lng daw naman eh. Kaya tinitiis nlng palagi. But in fairness, libre doon ang aking tympanoplasty.

Anyway, this is one good thing that has happened to me. Kahit bago plang tayo dito eh avail natin ang radiology na libre. Kung sa Pinas ni, ay pwerti! 😁😁😁
Vincent Hospital Werribee

This comment is from a kiwi who moved to Melbourne.

It’s not easy to leave a comfortable life to try something new and uncertain, even if it’s in Australia. It’s always a case-by-case basis—your qualifications, skills, family size, savings, the ages of your kids, and many other factors all matter.

But I strongly agree about the expenses here. Cars are more expensive, and so is insurance, although petrol and house rent can be slightly cheaper. Many other expenses are somewhat similar to New Zealand. Some things are cheaper, while others are more expensive.

So, if you’re very outgoing and spend a lot on entertainment and activities, the cost of living could feel much the same. But if you’re like me—someone who wants to grind, save, and enjoy a simple and quieter life—it’s actually fairly good.

Sana ganto din sa Pinas - may proteksiyon sa mga kabataan from the impact of social media.

Ang NZ kaya?

Stepping outside our comfort zone is scary because it means leaving behind what is familiar and choosing uncertainty instead. But I’m learning that discomfort isn’t always a sign that you’re in the wrong place—sometimes, it’s a sign that you’re GROWing.

The challenges I’ve faced have given me so many lessons, experiences, and perspectives—lessons etched so deeply into me that I can now proudly share them with others and say, “I went through that, and I overcame it.”

My life feels so much simpler now. No car to drive—I walk. No garden or plants to look after. No food business constantly on my mind. I still have other investments and ventures, but thankfully, they can come with me wherever I go because they’re online. And perhaps that simplicity has taught me something important: I no longer need to stay somewhere just because I’ve finally become comfortable there. In fact, the thought of exploring again excites me. If a better opportunity comes, I’m willing to see where it takes me.

Maybe I’m done settling in. Maybe I’m becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable.