Mendoza: Love day

Sunday, February 12, 2012

DIRECTOR'S Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of DepEd 11 Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy, CESO IV to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education) I do not consider my job as plain work -- rather it is my LIFE. "We have to continually examine what succeeds and fails, and why. We have to uphold and live true to our battle cry and slogan of governance: “Education For All (EFA) 2015: Karapatan ng Lahat, Pananagutan ng Lahat."

It is Valentine's Day tomorrow and as we celebrate this second most important occasion according to popular belief (Christmas of course, is the first), it is my wish that everybody will mend his ways and substitute anger with love just to may this day meaningful and if I may not be too demanding, for lifetime.

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For the sake of this day, let me share to you some information I have gathered from cyberspace that are relevant topics as we celebrate this day of love.

It is noteworthy to note according to http://www.history.com/, that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance and that St. Valentine contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

The website pointed out that the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome.

When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men.

Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl--possibly his jailor's daughter--who visited him during his confinement.

Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. Despite the diverse versions behind those stories, they all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and most importantly romantic figure. The website continues that by the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Expressed in different languages, both locally and globally, the three words "I love You" always complete this very special day and even during ordinary days. From http://www.omniglot.com/, here are some of the translations of these three magic words:

Cebuano -- Gihigugma ko ikaw; Ilocano -- Ayayatenka; Bicolano -- Namumutan ta ka; Hiligaynon -- Palangga ko ikaw; Kapampangan -- Kaluguran daka; Pangasinan -- Inaru Taka; Tagalog -- Iniibig kita, Iniirog-kita (old fashioned); Tok Pisin -- Mi lavim yu; Latin -- Te amo; Thai -- (M) phom rak khun, (F) chan rak khun; Tamil -- nan unnai kadhalikkiren; Scots -- Ah loove ye; Norwegian -- Jeg elsker deg; Malay -- Aku cinta padamu; Korean -- sarang hae; Japanese -- daisuki desu; Indonesian-- Saya cinta kamu; Greek -- Sas aghapó and German -- Ich liebe Dich.

Happy love day to all especially to my beloved wife, Che and children RJ and Chelo.

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You can access DepED Updates, latest issuances and other relevant information through our website: http://www.deped.gov.ph. For comments, suggestions and/or contributions, email me at renzthescribe@gmail.com. For queries, complains and other concerns, call DepED Region 11 at (082) 227-9342 or fax to (082) 227-1102 and (082) 221-6147.

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Mr. Lorenzo E. Mendoza, M.A. is connected with DepEd Regional Office 11 and currently on study leave to pursue a degree in Diploma in ICT, Multimedia at TAFE South Australia, through the Australian Endeavour VET Scholarship Grant under the management of Austraining International.