STORIES FROM CAREGIVERS

STORY 1: A DIARY JOURNAL ENTRY ABOUT HOWARD

Gloria T. Talavera

Tuesday, February 27, 1990

This day is to be remembered as the day Howard was laid to rest in the same plot at the cemetery his
wife was buried 11 years ago.
I think of the small details that transpired today – of how deeply overcome with grief I was over
Howard’s mortal remains. He had lain on his casket, the face and three-fourths of the body attires in navy blue
suit and pants for viewing. Although his pallor was as white as sheet, it was a handsome face nevertheless for
his cheeks had filled out and with his denture in place, it seemed only a high range on the part of the make-up
artist was all that was needed to create the impression that he was merely asleep.
I recall Red’s remark about Terry’s composure, expressing with relief the fact that she had not been
foolish. Not foolish to make a spectacle of herself. Brave enough girl met to cry over her own grandfather’s
lifeless body.
What a contrast I had been! I, who was no relation to the deceased, but was his mere nurse maid who
had administered to the minutest physical need. But God knows I suffered as he laid in pain during the final
hours. I groaned inwardly as he grasped at every breath and finally even with the aid of an oxygen device, his
heart had given him away.
I suppose I transgressed no rules when I gave vent to my feelings. If excessive emotionalism is
somewhat frowned upon by the American public, I say that repression is still the practice in Philippine society.
Howard’s passing away simply leaves a void in my heart, so difficult to fill that, at the moment
unashamed weeping was only recourse.

1. The passage above is a journal entry written by Gloria, a nurse. What is the dominant feeling
expressed by the writer in this entry? Why did you say so?
2. What might have been the relation between Howard and Gloria? Are they close enough for Gloria to
have wept upon Howard’s passing away? What made you say so?

STORIES FROM CAREGIVERS

STORY 1: A DIARY JOURNAL ENTRY ABOUT HOWARD
Gloria T. Talavera

Tuesday, February 27, 1990

This day is to be remembered as the day Howard was laid to rest in the same plot at the cemetery his
wife was buried 11 years ago.
I think of the small details that transpired today – of how deeply overcome with grief I was over
Howard’s mortal remains. He had lain on his casket, the face and three-fourths of the body attires in navy blue
suit and pants for viewing. Although his pallor was as white as sheet, it was a handsome face nevertheless for
his cheeks had filled out and with his denture in place, it seemed only a high range on the part of the make-up
artist was all that was needed to create the impression that he was merely asleep.
I recall Red’s remark about Terry’s composure, expressing with relief the fact that she had not been
foolish. Not foolish to make a spectacle of herself. Brave enough girl met to cry over her own grandfather’s
lifeless body.
What a contrast I had been! I, who was no relation to the deceased, but was his mere nurse maid who
had administered to the minutest physical need. But God knows I suffered as he laid in pain during the final
hours. I groaned inwardly as he grasped at every breath and finally even with the aid of an oxygen device, his
heart had given him away.
I suppose I transgressed no rules when I gave vent to my feelings. If excessive emotionalism is
somewhat frowned upon by the American public, I say that repression is still the practice in Philippine society.
Howard’s passing away simply leaves a void in my heart, so difficult to fill that, at the moment
unashamed weeping was only recourse.

1. The passage above is a journal entry written by Gloria, a nurse. What is the dominant feeling
expressed by the writer in this entry? Why did you say so?
2. What might have been the relation between Howard and Gloria? Are they close enough for Gloria to
have wept upon Howard’s passing away? What made you say so?
STORIES FROM CAREGIVERS
STORY 2: THE FULFILLMENT OF ONE’S AMBITION
Olivia T. Talavera

I am a nurse. I can still remember vividly that I have always been ambitious ever since I was a child.
As an elementary student, I would bask in joy when I could land on the top ten of the honor roll and
most of the time I did. I took the National College Entrance Exam and was proud to get 91% as my general
average.
When I finished high school, my father encouraged me to take up Nursing. He imagined me that I would
look very elegant and chic wearing the well-ironed spic-and-span white uniform of a nurse with its distinguished
white cap.
I was only on my second year college in Nursing when I was faced with stresses – which had drained
me mentally and physically. Giving first-time intramuscular injection to an indisposed patient, rendering
catheterization to nervous male and female patients, giving full bath to a sick, irritable patient. The stresses
that I was experiencing were heightened when I was required to deliver a healthy baby girl through normal
delivery. Delivering ten babies were prerequisite (requirement) for graduation in Nursing.
The tensions that I was experiencing were maximized when I assisted in the Operating Room by
handling surgical instruments to the surgeons. Keeping up with the whims and perfectionism of the doctors
compounded to the stress. You would see how the doctors would skillfully open the stomach with the use of a
scalpel. Moreover, the intestines of the patient looked like sausages. Even if it was twelve midnight, I was very
much wide awake in the Operating Room because of my sheer interest in the operative procedures.
Other tension-producing academic requirements were the incessant quizzes, the difficult periodical
tests, studying for very long hours at night, added by the physical strain brought about by commuting from
Paranaque to Quezon City near Diliman, plus handling life-threatening illnesses of the sick patients.
All of these situations were tough to handle and were factors that lead to physical and mental fatigue
but with the help of Almighty God, hardwork, persistence, plus the help of your friends and loved ones, one’s
ambitions are capable of being fulfilled.
1. What were the stressful experiences of a nursing student as narrated by Olivia?
2. Was Olivia able to reach her ambition? What made you say so?

STORIES FROM CAREGIVERS

STORY 2: THE FULFILLMENT OF ONE’S AMBITION
Olivia T. Talavera

I am a nurse. I can still remember vividly that I have always been ambitious ever since I was a child.
As an elementary student, I would bask in joy when I could land on the top ten of the honor roll and
most of the time I did. I took the National College Entrance Exam and was proud to get 91% as my general
average.
When I finished high school, my father encouraged me to take up Nursing. He imagined me that I would
look very elegant and chic wearing the well-ironed spic-and-span white uniform of a nurse with its distinguished
white cap.
I was only on my second year college in Nursing when I was faced with stresses – which had drained
me mentally and physically. Giving first-time intramuscular injection to an indisposed patient, rendering
catheterization to nervous male and female patients, giving full bath to a sick, irritable patient. The stresses
that I was experiencing were heightened when I was required to deliver a healthy baby girl through normal
delivery. Delivering ten babies were prerequisite (requirement) for graduation in Nursing.
The tensions that I was experiencing were maximized when I assisted in the Operating Room by
handling surgical instruments to the surgeons. Keeping up with the whims and perfectionism of the doctors
compounded to the stress. You would see how the doctors would skillfully open the stomach with the use of a
scalpel. Moreover, the intestines of the patient looked like sausages. Even if it was twelve midnight, I was very
much wide awake in the Operating Room because of my sheer interest in the operative procedures.
Other tension-producing academic requirements were the incessant quizzes, the difficult periodical
tests, studying for very long hours at night, added by the physical strain brought about by commuting from
Paranaque to Quezon City near Diliman, plus handling life-threatening illnesses of the sick patients.
All of these situations were tough to handle and were factors that lead to physical and mental fatigue
but with the help of Almighty God, hardwork, persistence, plus the help of your friends and loved ones, one’s
ambitions are capable of being fulfilled.
1. What were the stressful experiences of a nursing student as narrated by Olivia?
2. Was Olivia able to reach her ambition? What made you say so?
 THE MAN WHO MADE BAD AXES
Nym Wales

There was an enterprising Yankee in New England who loved his family dearly and worked for them
from dawn to dark. He saved every penny for the future of his children and earned every dollar that he possibly
could. He earned a living by making axes in his own foundry, and they became known as very good axes
indeed – so good that the government gave him contracts during the war. These axes, however, were not
made standard, for he wanted a larger profit so that he could help his son go to college and then he could
marry and start a family of his own.
This son was the pride of the old man’s life, and when he volunteered to join the fighting, it was a
source of great anxiety. To save his son’s life, the father would gladly have given his own, but he was too old
for the army.
The son went North in the winter but he did not become a hero and never returned. He was found
frozen to death with a note in his pocket. It said: “Dear Father, my hands are almost too numb with cold to
write. We are sitting in a snow bank, for we cannot chop wood to build a fire or a shelter. The army axes we
have are no good and break at the handle.”
Later on, when the new settlers came, they remembered the story and they named their town Badaxe.

1. An irony is something that happens contrary to what was expected. What event in the story is ironic?
2. If you were the father and you were given another chance, what would you do to make up for your
mistake?

THE MAN WHO MADE BAD AXES

Nym Wales

There was an enterprising Yankee in New England who loved his family dearly and worked for them
from dawn to dark. He saved every penny for the future of his children and earned every dollar that he possibly
could. He earned a living by making axes in his own foundry, and they became known as very good axes
indeed – so good that the government gave him contracts during the war. These axes, however, were not
made standard, for he wanted a larger profit so that he could help his son go to college and then he could
marry and start a family of his own.
This son was the pride of the old man’s life, and when he volunteered to join the fighting, it was a
source of great anxiety. To save his son’s life, the father would gladly have given his own, but he was too old
for the army.
The son went North in the winter but he did not become a hero and never returned. He was found
frozen to death with a note in his pocket. It said: “Dear Father, my hands are almost too numb with cold to
write. We are sitting in a snow bank, for we cannot chop wood to build a fire or a shelter. The army axes we
have are no good and break at the handle.”
Later on, when the new settlers came, they remembered the story and they named their town Badaxe.

1. An irony is something that happens contrary to what was expected. What event in the story is ironic?
2. If you were the father and you were given another chance, what would you do to make up for your
mistake?
READING JOURNAL #3
HONESTY
By Jose P. Laurel

An honest man is the noblest work of God. Honesty, like truthfulness, is a cardinal virtue because
without it, many otherwise fine qualities of the heart and of the mind become twisted and warped into anti-
social traits. Generosity without honesty is nothing but the exhibitionism of a vain man; and intellectual
brilliance without honesty has often been the mark of men who have caused many a humanity’s woes.

Honesty springs from deep faith in the justness of moral world ordained by Divine Will; it is guided by a
clear perception of the true equality among God’s children which is the everlasting basis of man’s duties
toward his fellow beings. To act only from pure and worthy motives, to accord to others what is their due, never
to take what is not rightfully one’s own, never to seek what one does not deserve – that is to be truly honest.

Honesty is the treasure of the poor and the priceless jewel of the wealthy. It is the only dependable
hallmark of goodness.

1. Why is honesty a cardinal virtue?

2. What are the signs of honesty?
3. Give situations that show how everyone in your classroom can practice honesty.

READING JOURNAL #3
HONESTY
By Jose P. Laurel

An honest man is the noblest work of God. Honesty, like truthfulness, is a cardinal virtue because
without it, many otherwise fine qualities of the heart and of the mind become twisted and warped into anti-
social traits. Generosity without honesty is nothing but the exhibitionism of a vain man; and intellectual
brilliance without honesty has often been the mark of men who have caused many a humanity’s woes.

Honesty springs from deep faith in the justness of moral world ordained by Divine Will; it is guided by a
clear perception of the true equality among God’s children which is the everlasting basis of man’s duties
toward his fellow beings. To act only from pure and worthy motives, to accord to others what is their due, never
to take what is not rightfully one’s own, never to seek what one does not deserve – that is to be truly honest.

Honesty is the treasure of the poor and the priceless jewel of the wealthy. It is the only dependable
hallmark of goodness.

1. Why is honesty a cardinal virtue?

2. What are the signs of honesty?
3. Give situations that show how everyone in your classroom can practice honesty.
READING JOURNAL #4

HOW TO SAVE ELECTRICITY

Electricity is an expensive commodity in the Philippines today. A look at an official bill from MERALCO
is enough to give the housewife an average a headache. This is because of the various charges added as the
electric consumption for the month goes up.
To save on electricity, an architect takes into consideration two factors when he designs a house: sun
and wind.
The sun is too hot and too bright. It overheats the surfaces which come under it – lightroofs, walls,
exposed windows, terraces, and the surrounding grounds. Sunlight and, therefore, heat are reflected or
deflected to the house. These may be transmitted through the roof and walls into the interior of the building –
not all at once but after an interval depending upon the nature of the building. Thus, there is, a necessity to
provide “natural” solutions to counteract the sun’s heat.
The three most effective designing solutions to the problem of cooling the interior of a house through
natural means are ventilation, windows or transoms, and insulation of the roof and walls.
Getting the air to come from different sections in a room or house and allow its free circulation is called
cross ventilation. There should be windows in every room, and these should be big enough to provide
adequate air. Transoms or horizontal members across windows help. If the house is much longer than it is
wide, placing it along the average path of the sun and having reasonable wide eaves or roof overhang will give
its walls a minimum of exposure. The ceiling and double walling can also provide a kind of insulation, limiting
the heat that comes in.