The Verb Family Tree by Regine del Carmen

Once upon a time, there was a famous clan known as the Verb Family. This community has so many relatives and constituents in the Word Society. They become the heart-throb of every sentence that will be constructed. Hence, their status made them important expressions to the world.

One day, there was a conflict between the uses of the Verbs. The struggle resulted into the discovery of the Verbs classification. The clan was divided into two classifications, the finite and the non-finite. The people got confused of the new findings so a fairy godmother appeared and explained the whole bewilderment.

With all her might, she told the people of Word Society that, “finite verbs are those base forms of a word which can be joined by linking verbs and helping verbs. Linking verbs are the ones who link a subject with a complement through its description or explanation, restatement of the subject or description of its state of being. Helping verbs are the ones who assist in forming tenses when they are combined with the main verb.” Then she took a deep breath and sustained, “they are grouped according to transitive and intransitive. Transitives are the verbs that express an action carried out on one or more objects. Intransitive verbs don’t require an object to complete their meaning.” On the other hand, she continued, “the non-finite verbs are the verbals which consist of the infinitive, participle and gerund verb forms. Thus non-finite verbs cannot complete an independent clause nor does their form change.” The people widened their eyes as she went along confidently. “Infinitives are those “to” plus base form verb. Participle can either be present or past tense plus a helping verb to make a verb phrase. And the last, gerund is verb that ends with “ing” that functions as a noun.” The people got even more confused. So the fairy godmother used her magic wand and explained further with examples. Hence, the people got enlightened at last.

My English Language History

Being exposed to the league of presumed writers in my high school was never my intention. I was never into pen-and-paper artillery but because of some crazy people who put decent marks for English subjects in my report card, I have been admitted to the war of the words. I was put in a not-so-accountable position for the school paper. I was the associate editor-in-chief. My tasks were just to fire ammunition to the wrong grammar enemies and reinforce them with angelic ones. Hoping I haven’t killed anyone, I was good at my job that dictated my future in the English army.

College days challenged my writing power. I enlisted for an English Literature and Linguistics degree. The first two years was good. I was having fair grades until I met this terror professor who was like the commander-in-chief of the universal English force. She had that kind of gravitation that pulls the smiles of her subordinates away when she comes to class. As my professor in three different literature classes, she also gave me three knockdown grades equivalent to something you call “three kisses of death”. It was the lowest marks of my life. My junior year was definitely the turning point of my career in the English military but I’m still lucky, all of my mates are also suffering from the same bruise.

That event in my third year put me to questions. What was wrong with me? Why am I getting these grades? Was this about my writing skills? What was wrong with my powers? Are my ammunition getting weaker? I thought of many things just to provide answers. I observe my performance; my writings were just to mainstream for the commander-in-chief. She was missing a piece of my magic, I concluded, and that’s why I’m here.

Loren Phoelicity's 5th Birthday

Pink flamingo. Cute squirrel. Little bullfrog. Zing. First love. True love. To my Little Loren, happy 5th birthday! Thank you for coming into my life though you are almost 18 years late. Hahahaha! Still, I enjoy your company. My days sitting in the house's couch aren't 'lame' anymore. How I wish that we have grown up together, but I guess, seeing you now brought up by our parents is the best experience ever: I got to see myself on you when I was little and how was I being taken care of. I love you Sister. God has planned a beautiful story for us: I came first to pave the way for you. I thank God everyday that you have come! All the best and all the love in the world for you, baby! Lovest, Ate Pres.