Bragging Alert ! Allow me my bragging rights for today.
(MomBlogger in action as she takes photos on stage)
My sentimental husband once intimated to me that he wished he went up the stage to place a medal on our children. He was always busy at work during recognition ceremonies and regrets not taking the time off to do his fatherly duties. This afternoon, this proud father got his chance as he adorned our daughter’s neck with a medal for Magna Cum Laude, BA Psychology during the recognition ceremonies at the University Theater at the UP Diliman Campus. This proud papa got so excited that he reached out for the certificate (see second photo on the right) from Dean Zosimo Lee but he quickly snatched it away from his hands. This is the same father who scolded Marielle to STOP studying because “it is already late at night and you have to sleep”.
It is with great honor to see our daughter beaming as she received her medal. Our dyslexic and math-challenged daughter rose above the difficulties she faced through the years.
1. She was labeled a slow learner by her Kindergarten teacher. She could not read using the phonics system. She stuttered in her speech, had no interest in reading and just wanted to be with her sister. She seemed frustrated often and cried a lot until I discovered “Unicorns are Real”:A Right Brained Approach to Learning” by Barbara Meister Vitale at a book sale.
Don’t commit the same mistake I made. If your child is slow or learning disabled, maybe he or she is a right-brained , visual learner in an educational system designed for left-brained , auditory learners. If your child has difficulty understanding new concepts, seems confused or disinterested, the problem maybe the method of teaching rather the the student. You should know that unicorns are real.
2. I found out she was dyslexic and had difficulty with written language, particularly with reading at the age of 6 years old. Like I said earlier, she could not understand phonetics. It didn’t make sense. Whole words made sense. I wrote a word and told her what it meant and she understood it. Until now, she struggles with some words and numbers and mixes them up every so often. I guess the brain has a way to cope with these challenges and she learned along the way.
3. This daughter of mine hid often from her father during her high school years because her dad didn’t want her to stay up late to study. Marielle would often ran up to my bedroom and beg me to explain to her dad that she needed to study. Funny how we never had to nag her to study.
4. Math never seemed to be a problem for her but she failed it in her first semester in college. She told us that she won’t receive any “laude” but I told her it was alright as long as she did her best and enjoyed her studies.
As parents, we don’t necessarily have to be doomed to a child’s failure or learning disabilities. They can still overcome their difficulties and rise above it with great honor, whether it be a magna cum laude or a pat on the back for a job well done.
Marielle with Summa Cum Laude Laureen Carmela Barlaan Lukban. The only Summa Cum Laude for the CSSP
It is indeed a great honor to celebrate with Marielle on this glorious day , the “Araw ng Pagkillala 2009″ for the UP College of Social Sciences & Philosophy (CSSP) with the theme Ang Papel ng Gradweyt ng Agham Panlipunan at Pilosopiya sa Hamom ng Krisis Pandaigdigan
And she is looking for a job!
More Photos of the CSSP Recognition Rites.
98th Commencement Rites at UP Diliman
Marielle gets her university medal
I wonder how far her honors will get her a job.
This is about me ( a 
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