Kayang Kaya Basta Sama Sama!

By: Zarelle Bernardo, Special Ed Teacher (PG County, Maryland USA) , PTN Overseas Moderator

We are teachers and education advocates who "met" in the cyberspace and were pulled together by a common vision last year. We started exchanging thoughts, we listened to each others' rantings, we celebrated each other's achievements. We were teachers and advocates educating and empowering each other. That was how the Pinoy Teachers Network started. We still continue living our noble vision...

I left September 2005 along with 49 other teachers to work here in Maryland. I emailed Marisol soon as I got here and she showed up with a bunch of stuff in time for the cold season -- a lip balm, a good pair of gloves, winter coat and a phone card to call home. I've only known Sol through blogging and before that meeting I only know Sol's face through her pictures online. I didn't expect that little act of kindness became one of PTNs first biggest projects (for now), the "2005 Winter Drive".

I am so proud to say that in one year PTN has helped a lot of Filipino teachers here in the States and in the Philippines. PTN is an active organization that works hand in hand in collaboration with Filipino communities and the Philippine Embassy to the U.S. with projects for the benefit of our fellow Filipinos at home and abroad. Being a part of a generation that is no stranger to the negativity happening around us - greed, envy, corruption and crab mentality, the positivity of PTN made me believe that Filipinos are still good hearted and always ready to help. It made me feel more proud to be a Filipino. It's true that we can achieve great things as long as we hold hands and stick together. "Kayang-kaya basta sama-sama!"

Mabuhay Pinoy Teachers' Network! Happy 1st Birthday!!!