One of our churchmates, Precious Ivy Bangis topped the National Achievement Test in the Elementary level this year. Have you heard of her name? I bet you haven’t.
This is the sad part of being an achiever.
Ivy comes from a poor but big family. Their house is located on top of a hill (although we jokingly call it a mountain); her parents sell fish and other goods within the community and at times—Mama would tell me—Ivy would skip school simply because she doesn’t have money to spend, so she joins her mother in selling fish in our place.
Despite this, Ivy’s family is blessed with intelligence. I could still remember that their eldest Jordz was also an achiever during our time (although he’s from Cavite Institute and I’m from PCU). Her other sister Koethy, after recovering from a heart ailment, is now a scholar in U.P. The rest of her siblings are also studious and smart. So in reality, there’s really nothing “amazing” with Ivy Joy bagging the top rank in a test administered within the whole archipelago.
What hurts me is the fact that despite the kid’s efforts to study hard and help her family, no one from the government (at least none that I know) from the National Government, to the provincial government of Cavite, to the municipal government of Silang, stretched a muscle to recognize Ivy’s achievement—something that Silangeños should be proud of. When I googled her name, I came across a website that mentioned her merely in one sentence. What a pity. (http://www.e-turo.org/?q=node/430)
Politically speaking, did the government—or whoever that should have been responsible for lauding her—ignored her simply because she’s a nobody? Were they so scared to recognize that the NAT topnotcher only eats rice topped with toyo (soy sauce)? That their “pet” students didn’t even make it to the top ten despite their efforts to extract leakages? It’s an open secret, schools would make everything—and I say everything—just to get that spot, and there they are, beaten up by a common folk.
I can picture out Efren Peñaflorida, who was a nobody as well. But after being recognized globally by CNN, the trapos suddenly became his ally. What a circus, as if the Filipinos would really believe that they support Efren. In the first place, if they really cared, why would Efren need to teach using the kariton classroom? (I shall discuss this in detail, in another blog.)
Good thing Sister Mhie Aboy had the idea of writing a letter to Wish Ko Lang, and give Ivy something that she deserves—recognition, which leads to motivation. It’s a basic principle in teaching and learning: an individual would have higher chances of learning if s/he is motivated to learn—intrinsically or extrinsically. At least, I hope, Ivy would continue dreaming; that despite the biases of the world, there are still some who believes that she will someday contribute something essential to the society.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Munting Eksperimento sa Pagkatuto
NULL HYPOTHESIS: Hindi kailangang ulit-ulitin ang pagtuturo ng pagbibilang sa batang bumibili sa tindahan upang matuto s’yang magbilang
METHODOLOGY: Ituro ang pagbilang sa pamamagitan ng pagbebenta.
Bata: Pabileh!!!
Matt: Anu yon?!
Bata: (Tinuro yung Hanny)
Matt: Eto? Ilan?
Bata: Madame (Sabay lapag ng mamiso n’ya)
Matt: O, ilan yan?
Bata: (ngumiti…bungi pala)
Matt: O, bilangin natin ha? One…
Bata: One…
Matt: Two…
Bata: Two…
Matt: Three…
Bata: Three…
Matt: Four…
Bata: Four…
Matt: Five!
Bata: Five!
Matt: Ayan! Galing mu pala eh. Oh, ilang Hanny ang bibilhin mo?
Bata: Madame!
ANALYSIS: REJECT NULL HYPOTHESIS! T_T
METHODOLOGY: Ituro ang pagbilang sa pamamagitan ng pagbebenta.
Bata: Pabileh!!!
Matt: Anu yon?!
Bata: (Tinuro yung Hanny)
Matt: Eto? Ilan?
Bata: Madame (Sabay lapag ng mamiso n’ya)
Matt: O, ilan yan?
Bata: (ngumiti…bungi pala)
Matt: O, bilangin natin ha? One…
Bata: One…
Matt: Two…
Bata: Two…
Matt: Three…
Bata: Three…
Matt: Four…
Bata: Four…
Matt: Five!
Bata: Five!
Matt: Ayan! Galing mu pala eh. Oh, ilang Hanny ang bibilhin mo?
Bata: Madame!
ANALYSIS: REJECT NULL HYPOTHESIS! T_T
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Master Reset
I’ve been checking papers over papers since Monday (I haven’t finished even half of it), and in my pursuit to escape the stress I will do my best to elucidate my thoughts about the not-so-recent onslaught of Ondoy and Pepeng.
***
I have been staying in Manila for about 7 years now, and I must say that the Ondoy flooding is the worst that I have experienced—even worse than Milenyo, which packed strong winds that uprooted trees and brought down gigantic billboards.
Flooding isn’t something new in Manila; it has been part of a Manilenyo’s life. Indeed, flooding is something that became a routine…everyone expects flooding during the August-September affair.
But this time it’s shocking. The floods instilled fear and paranoia among Filipinos.
Months (or probably years) before Ondoy, a lot of programs, documentaries, and advocacies regarding Global Warming have been shown all over the world—so famous that this topic became the favorite topic in the Cause-Effect essay in my Academic Writing class.
But really, this isn’t new. I can still remember my grade school teacher telling us to bring our own “trash bag” inside the class—somehow, it created an impact on me, because I was able to train myself not to throw my trash anywhere, and keep it in my pocket instead.
From constant observations about climate changes, I can’t help but think of probable reasons why these things happen. In reality, people immediately ask God for allowing these things to happen. But if we analyze the prophetic pronouncements in the Bible along with Historical facts, I think we will find some tinge of clues and answers to our own questions.
Why does God allow these things to happen? I think it’s precisely because of man’s arrogance. Isn’t it true? Don’t we really thirst for learning? For answers to questions that remain questions?
Since Adam and Eve, man has constantly unraveled the unknown. People thought that they can reach God through the Tower of Babel, until God buried it to the ground. Engineers thought they can create an unsinkable ship until the Titanic sank. Americans thought they have created a military might until the fall of the twin towers, and so on, and so forth.
Everything to no avail.
With the same analysis, I came up with an idea that God (or whoever Divine out there if you don’t believe in God) pushes a “Master Reset” button whenever man reaches its ultimate sinful nature. This is probably the reason behind the 40 days and 40 nights of flooding during Noah’s time when people forgot about God and “partied” all day and night long. This is possibly the reason behind the burning of Sodom and Gomora when people became so immoral to the extent of planning to rape Angels.
However, in each of these episodes, someone lives. Noah and his family endured the flood in an ark; Lot survived the wrath of fire…and we…we lived to tell the story and teach it to our youngsters.
On second thought…we also lived…a species of our kind lived…to continue the “legacy” of polluting the Earth…and killing the next generation.
At any rate, the somehow good news would be the Master Reset Button, which is within God’s reach.
***
I have been staying in Manila for about 7 years now, and I must say that the Ondoy flooding is the worst that I have experienced—even worse than Milenyo, which packed strong winds that uprooted trees and brought down gigantic billboards.
Flooding isn’t something new in Manila; it has been part of a Manilenyo’s life. Indeed, flooding is something that became a routine…everyone expects flooding during the August-September affair.
But this time it’s shocking. The floods instilled fear and paranoia among Filipinos.
Months (or probably years) before Ondoy, a lot of programs, documentaries, and advocacies regarding Global Warming have been shown all over the world—so famous that this topic became the favorite topic in the Cause-Effect essay in my Academic Writing class.
But really, this isn’t new. I can still remember my grade school teacher telling us to bring our own “trash bag” inside the class—somehow, it created an impact on me, because I was able to train myself not to throw my trash anywhere, and keep it in my pocket instead.
From constant observations about climate changes, I can’t help but think of probable reasons why these things happen. In reality, people immediately ask God for allowing these things to happen. But if we analyze the prophetic pronouncements in the Bible along with Historical facts, I think we will find some tinge of clues and answers to our own questions.
Why does God allow these things to happen? I think it’s precisely because of man’s arrogance. Isn’t it true? Don’t we really thirst for learning? For answers to questions that remain questions?
Since Adam and Eve, man has constantly unraveled the unknown. People thought that they can reach God through the Tower of Babel, until God buried it to the ground. Engineers thought they can create an unsinkable ship until the Titanic sank. Americans thought they have created a military might until the fall of the twin towers, and so on, and so forth.
Everything to no avail.
With the same analysis, I came up with an idea that God (or whoever Divine out there if you don’t believe in God) pushes a “Master Reset” button whenever man reaches its ultimate sinful nature. This is probably the reason behind the 40 days and 40 nights of flooding during Noah’s time when people forgot about God and “partied” all day and night long. This is possibly the reason behind the burning of Sodom and Gomora when people became so immoral to the extent of planning to rape Angels.
However, in each of these episodes, someone lives. Noah and his family endured the flood in an ark; Lot survived the wrath of fire…and we…we lived to tell the story and teach it to our youngsters.
On second thought…we also lived…a species of our kind lived…to continue the “legacy” of polluting the Earth…and killing the next generation.
At any rate, the somehow good news would be the Master Reset Button, which is within God’s reach.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Bakit boboto pa?
Nitong mga nakaraang buwan, madalas nating makita sa telebisyon, radyo, dyaryo, at maging sa makabagong internet ang mga panawagan hinggil sa eleksyon at importansya ng pagboto sa susunod na taon. Sa isang banda, maganda itong mga ganitong pagsulong sa eleksyon. Totoo naman kasing ang pagboto ang pinakamataas na manipestasyon ng demokrasya. Higit pa rito, ang mga panawagan sa eleksyon ay isang matibay na sintomas ng pagkayamot ng mga Pilipino sa kasalukuyang administrasyon—ito’y isang malakas na panawagan na nais na natin paalisin ang skwater sa Malakanyang. Pero sa mga nakaraang pangyayari sa bansa, bilang isang botante, naisip mo rin ba ang naisip ko? Natanong mo rin ba ang tanong ko?
Una sa lahat, bakit boboto pa kung ang mga pulitiko at gubyerno ay tila bulag at bingi sa mga pangangailangan naten? Lalayo pa ba tayo? E kung yun na nga lang basura na iniwan ni Ondoy, di nila makolekta, ano pa kaya yung mas seryosong serbisyo na kailangan naten? Di bale na nga yung “serbisyo publiko” e, ang punto dito, buwis naman din natin ang gagamitin sa pagkilos na ito.
Doon kina Kay sa Fairview (at malamang sa lahat ng naapektuhan ng bagyo), nangangamoy na ang mga kalsada at bahay dahil sa tambak ng basura na tila nalimutang puntahan ng sanitation department (o ng kung sino man mula sa gubyerno—MMDA malamang). Kung hindi pa nambraso ang kapitbahay nila, hindi makokolekta ang ilan sa kanilang basura. (NB: Ang binraso ng kapitbhay nila ay isang pribadong trucking.)
Pangalawa, bakit pa boboto kung yung mismong mga dapat na Bayani e nagbabalat-sibuyas? Napansin nyo ba si Bayani nung bagyo? Ako medyo lang e, mas napansin ko pa syang nagmomoda sa mga nakahubad-baro sa kalye, kesa tumutulong sa mga wala ng maisuot na damit dahil nasalanta ng baha.
Baket kaya si Gibo (na mukang basang sisiw nung kasagsagan ng bagyo) ang panay pakyut sa media? Tapos komedi pa sila…dalawang rubber boats ang pinadala sa Marikina? Teka nga, mahina ako sa Math…pero sa tingin ko lang, kahit nga dalawang ferry boats kulang e. San kaya napunta yung budget para sa pagbili ng mga kasangkapang pangsagip?
Pangatlo, at pinakamahalaga sa lahat, bakit pa boboto, kung kaya naman pala ng Pilipino. Mga kumag kayong mga pulitiko, di naman pala namen kayo kailangan. Kaya naman pala nameng kumilos at mabuhay ng wala kayo e. Ba’t pa kaya kayo binuhay ng mga magulang n’yo? Ba’t di pa kayo namatay nung bata?
Simula nung una kong pagboto, nung magdisi-otso ako, tanong ko na to: Bakit ba boboto? Lahat ng tao bayolente ang reaksyon saken “Aba’y syempre karapatan mo yon…” “Sayang ang boto mo…” et cetera…et cetera…
Di naman ako hardcore existentialist, pero sa mga panibagong pangyayari sa ating bansa, hindi ba repleksyon nito ang kawalang kwenta ng ating gubyerno? Oo na, masyado naman akong masama; in fairness, may ginagawa naman siguro yung iilang. Pero marahil, mas magiging epektibo ito, at mas magiging mabilis ang aksyon kung gagawa nalang sila…kahit walang media sa paligid.
Bumoboto ako di dahil naniniwala ako sa isang pulitiko. Bumoboto ako kase sayang…sayang ang “slot” ko…baka may ibang gumamit e, ikapanalo pa ng mga panibagong demonyo.
Una sa lahat, bakit boboto pa kung ang mga pulitiko at gubyerno ay tila bulag at bingi sa mga pangangailangan naten? Lalayo pa ba tayo? E kung yun na nga lang basura na iniwan ni Ondoy, di nila makolekta, ano pa kaya yung mas seryosong serbisyo na kailangan naten? Di bale na nga yung “serbisyo publiko” e, ang punto dito, buwis naman din natin ang gagamitin sa pagkilos na ito.
Doon kina Kay sa Fairview (at malamang sa lahat ng naapektuhan ng bagyo), nangangamoy na ang mga kalsada at bahay dahil sa tambak ng basura na tila nalimutang puntahan ng sanitation department (o ng kung sino man mula sa gubyerno—MMDA malamang). Kung hindi pa nambraso ang kapitbahay nila, hindi makokolekta ang ilan sa kanilang basura. (NB: Ang binraso ng kapitbhay nila ay isang pribadong trucking.)
Pangalawa, bakit pa boboto kung yung mismong mga dapat na Bayani e nagbabalat-sibuyas? Napansin nyo ba si Bayani nung bagyo? Ako medyo lang e, mas napansin ko pa syang nagmomoda sa mga nakahubad-baro sa kalye, kesa tumutulong sa mga wala ng maisuot na damit dahil nasalanta ng baha.
Baket kaya si Gibo (na mukang basang sisiw nung kasagsagan ng bagyo) ang panay pakyut sa media? Tapos komedi pa sila…dalawang rubber boats ang pinadala sa Marikina? Teka nga, mahina ako sa Math…pero sa tingin ko lang, kahit nga dalawang ferry boats kulang e. San kaya napunta yung budget para sa pagbili ng mga kasangkapang pangsagip?
Pangatlo, at pinakamahalaga sa lahat, bakit pa boboto, kung kaya naman pala ng Pilipino. Mga kumag kayong mga pulitiko, di naman pala namen kayo kailangan. Kaya naman pala nameng kumilos at mabuhay ng wala kayo e. Ba’t pa kaya kayo binuhay ng mga magulang n’yo? Ba’t di pa kayo namatay nung bata?
Simula nung una kong pagboto, nung magdisi-otso ako, tanong ko na to: Bakit ba boboto? Lahat ng tao bayolente ang reaksyon saken “Aba’y syempre karapatan mo yon…” “Sayang ang boto mo…” et cetera…et cetera…
Di naman ako hardcore existentialist, pero sa mga panibagong pangyayari sa ating bansa, hindi ba repleksyon nito ang kawalang kwenta ng ating gubyerno? Oo na, masyado naman akong masama; in fairness, may ginagawa naman siguro yung iilang. Pero marahil, mas magiging epektibo ito, at mas magiging mabilis ang aksyon kung gagawa nalang sila…kahit walang media sa paligid.
Bumoboto ako di dahil naniniwala ako sa isang pulitiko. Bumoboto ako kase sayang…sayang ang “slot” ko…baka may ibang gumamit e, ikapanalo pa ng mga panibagong demonyo.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
“Don’t English Me” (Tugon mula sa perspektibo ng isang baguhang guro)
Habang isinusulat ko ito, kasalukuyan kong pinapanood ang isang mahalagang dokyu na ginawa ni Howie Severino para sa I-Witness. Hindi ako madalas manuod nito, bagamat maganda ang tema at pagkakagawa sa simpleng dahilan na madaling araw na ito naipapalabas (at 7:00 am ang aking klase sa PNU). Pero sa pagkakataong ito, hindi ko pwedeng palampasin ang dokyung ito.
Sinimulan ang dokyu sa mga iba’t-ibang paskil na makikita sa buong Metro Manila. Sa totoo lang, eto talaga ang rason ko kung bakit ko inabangan ang dokyung ito; pareho kase kame ng trip: ang magpiktyur ng mga pasala-sala, nakakatawa (pero nakakaalarmang) mga paskil sa kung saan-saan. Yun pala, ang sentro ng dokyu ay patungkol sa pangkabuuang prublema ng ating bansa; hindi lang ang mga paskil…kundi ang mismong sistema ng edukasyon na nagturo sa mga gumawa ng mga karatulang ito.
Napapanahon ang dokyu dahil sentro ng diskusyon ang Bilingual policy na matagal nang ipinatutupad sa bansa. Tama si Dr. Jovy Peregrino ng U.P., baket nga ba sa tinagal-tagal ng pag-gamit nito, e wala naman tayong nabuong English-speaking community? Simple lang ang dahilan: hindi kase yun ang wika naten.
Mas lalo pa akong naka-relate sa dokyu dahil kamakailan lamang e eto ang paksa namen ng aking mga English majors sa Foundations of ESL/EFL course: Bilingualism. Doon, napagusapan namen sa klase ang mga teoryang nakapaloob sa mga Bilingual Education policy na nilikha at minungkahi sa iba’t-ibang bansa. Ilan sa mga estudyante ko ang nagtanong kung bakit sa ibang bansa parang ayos naman ang naging resulta, e kung baket sa atin ay parang walang magandang epekto—bulok na nga sa Ingles, sabit pa pati sa Math at Science.
Sa patuloy kong pagsasaliksik, pag-aaral, at ngayon nga’y panonood, marami akong napagtanto hinggil sa mga kadahilanan ng pagbaba ng kalidad ng edukasyon sa ating bansa. Hindi lamang ito dahil sa Bilingual Education policy. May mas malalim pang mga kadahilanan, at narito ang ilan lamang sa kanila:
1. Malnutrisyon- Subukan mong magtrabaho ng walang laman ang t’yan; hindi ba’t mahirap? Hindi ba’t papalpak ka? Ganun din ang nangyayari sa mga batang Pilipino, hindi makapag-isip ng ayos dahil naglalaban sa kanyang sistema ang tanong ni Mam at ang pagkalam ng simura.
2. Walang tulong mula sa magulang- Noon pa man, lagi ko nang sinasabing ang pamilya ay may malaking parte sa pagkatuto ng bata. Magaling man ang guro, ang paaralan, at maging ang bata, kung wala naman itong dadatnang makakausap at tutulong sa kanya pag-uwi nya, malaki pa rin ang posibilidad na bumaba ang kanyang kaalaman at kagustuhang magpatuloy sa pag-aaral.
3. Kawalang-pakealam- Sa dami ng tinanong ni Howie patungkol sa mga maling karatula at paskil, iisa ang karaniwang sagot: “E pareho lang yun!” Marami sa atin ang niyakap na lamang ang kamangmangan. Para sa kanila, tuloy pa rin naman ang buhay kahit na “Bawal umehi detu” ang nakapaskil sa harap ng bahay nila.
4. Walang alam na mga guro- Pinaka-nakakaalarma na marahil ang katotohanang marami sa ating mga guro ay walang alam (at lalo na siguro kung walang planong makialam). Naalala ko pa, ang laging sermon sa’men ni Dr. Sunga noon “Don’t do further damage to mankind!” Totoo nga naman, kapag mali ang naisaling kaalaman ng guro sa mag-aaral, habang buhay nya itong dadalhin…at habang buhay din syang magiging mali—at ayon, magiging magulo na nga ang mundo, gaya ng gulo ng mga paskil na nagkalat sa Metro.
Ilan lamang ito sa napakaraming salik sa pagbagsak n gating Edukasyon. Hindi bat talagang nakakalungkot at nakakatakot na ang dating nangunguna sa Asya, ngayon ay kulelat na? Na ang dating nagtuturo sa mga kapitbahay na bansa, ngayon ay nanglilimos na lamang?
Huwag na natin asahang aangat pa ang ekonomiya ng bansa at ang estado ng pamumuhay ng bawat Pilipino, kung mismong edukasyon natin, hindi natin maalis-alis sa lusak na pinaglulubugan nito.
English major ako, English majors ang karamihan sa mga estudyante ko, at English ang subject na tinuturo ko. Pero naniniwala akong hinding-hindi natin dapat ipagwalang-bahala ang pag-aaral ng sarili nating wika dahil ito ay sumasalamin sa ating kultura, sa ating pag-iisip, at sa ating sarili.
Tandaan: HINDI kailanman basehan ng “katalinuhan” ang “kagalingan” sa Ingles.
Kung sisimulan nating ituro ang mga leksyon sa wikang naiintindihan ng mga bata, mas magiging epektibo ang kanilang pag-iisip. Gayon din, mas magiging maganda ang tingin nila sa paaralan; hindi na nila iisiping ito ay isang “sumpa” na iniatang sa kanilang balikat; bagkus, iisipin nilang isa itong “laro” na dapat gawin ng madalas upang mas lalo pang maging mahusay.
Sinimulan ang dokyu sa mga iba’t-ibang paskil na makikita sa buong Metro Manila. Sa totoo lang, eto talaga ang rason ko kung bakit ko inabangan ang dokyung ito; pareho kase kame ng trip: ang magpiktyur ng mga pasala-sala, nakakatawa (pero nakakaalarmang) mga paskil sa kung saan-saan. Yun pala, ang sentro ng dokyu ay patungkol sa pangkabuuang prublema ng ating bansa; hindi lang ang mga paskil…kundi ang mismong sistema ng edukasyon na nagturo sa mga gumawa ng mga karatulang ito.
Napapanahon ang dokyu dahil sentro ng diskusyon ang Bilingual policy na matagal nang ipinatutupad sa bansa. Tama si Dr. Jovy Peregrino ng U.P., baket nga ba sa tinagal-tagal ng pag-gamit nito, e wala naman tayong nabuong English-speaking community? Simple lang ang dahilan: hindi kase yun ang wika naten.
Mas lalo pa akong naka-relate sa dokyu dahil kamakailan lamang e eto ang paksa namen ng aking mga English majors sa Foundations of ESL/EFL course: Bilingualism. Doon, napagusapan namen sa klase ang mga teoryang nakapaloob sa mga Bilingual Education policy na nilikha at minungkahi sa iba’t-ibang bansa. Ilan sa mga estudyante ko ang nagtanong kung bakit sa ibang bansa parang ayos naman ang naging resulta, e kung baket sa atin ay parang walang magandang epekto—bulok na nga sa Ingles, sabit pa pati sa Math at Science.
Sa patuloy kong pagsasaliksik, pag-aaral, at ngayon nga’y panonood, marami akong napagtanto hinggil sa mga kadahilanan ng pagbaba ng kalidad ng edukasyon sa ating bansa. Hindi lamang ito dahil sa Bilingual Education policy. May mas malalim pang mga kadahilanan, at narito ang ilan lamang sa kanila:
1. Malnutrisyon- Subukan mong magtrabaho ng walang laman ang t’yan; hindi ba’t mahirap? Hindi ba’t papalpak ka? Ganun din ang nangyayari sa mga batang Pilipino, hindi makapag-isip ng ayos dahil naglalaban sa kanyang sistema ang tanong ni Mam at ang pagkalam ng simura.
2. Walang tulong mula sa magulang- Noon pa man, lagi ko nang sinasabing ang pamilya ay may malaking parte sa pagkatuto ng bata. Magaling man ang guro, ang paaralan, at maging ang bata, kung wala naman itong dadatnang makakausap at tutulong sa kanya pag-uwi nya, malaki pa rin ang posibilidad na bumaba ang kanyang kaalaman at kagustuhang magpatuloy sa pag-aaral.
3. Kawalang-pakealam- Sa dami ng tinanong ni Howie patungkol sa mga maling karatula at paskil, iisa ang karaniwang sagot: “E pareho lang yun!” Marami sa atin ang niyakap na lamang ang kamangmangan. Para sa kanila, tuloy pa rin naman ang buhay kahit na “Bawal umehi detu” ang nakapaskil sa harap ng bahay nila.
4. Walang alam na mga guro- Pinaka-nakakaalarma na marahil ang katotohanang marami sa ating mga guro ay walang alam (at lalo na siguro kung walang planong makialam). Naalala ko pa, ang laging sermon sa’men ni Dr. Sunga noon “Don’t do further damage to mankind!” Totoo nga naman, kapag mali ang naisaling kaalaman ng guro sa mag-aaral, habang buhay nya itong dadalhin…at habang buhay din syang magiging mali—at ayon, magiging magulo na nga ang mundo, gaya ng gulo ng mga paskil na nagkalat sa Metro.
Ilan lamang ito sa napakaraming salik sa pagbagsak n gating Edukasyon. Hindi bat talagang nakakalungkot at nakakatakot na ang dating nangunguna sa Asya, ngayon ay kulelat na? Na ang dating nagtuturo sa mga kapitbahay na bansa, ngayon ay nanglilimos na lamang?
Huwag na natin asahang aangat pa ang ekonomiya ng bansa at ang estado ng pamumuhay ng bawat Pilipino, kung mismong edukasyon natin, hindi natin maalis-alis sa lusak na pinaglulubugan nito.
English major ako, English majors ang karamihan sa mga estudyante ko, at English ang subject na tinuturo ko. Pero naniniwala akong hinding-hindi natin dapat ipagwalang-bahala ang pag-aaral ng sarili nating wika dahil ito ay sumasalamin sa ating kultura, sa ating pag-iisip, at sa ating sarili.
Tandaan: HINDI kailanman basehan ng “katalinuhan” ang “kagalingan” sa Ingles.
Kung sisimulan nating ituro ang mga leksyon sa wikang naiintindihan ng mga bata, mas magiging epektibo ang kanilang pag-iisip. Gayon din, mas magiging maganda ang tingin nila sa paaralan; hindi na nila iisiping ito ay isang “sumpa” na iniatang sa kanilang balikat; bagkus, iisipin nilang isa itong “laro” na dapat gawin ng madalas upang mas lalo pang maging mahusay.
Monday, August 17, 2009
May araw din kayong mga GAGO!* (may dagdag ang title na'to..baket ba e blog ko to)
Kahit naunahan ako ni Jeng sa Pagpost nito...di ako papayag na di lamanin ng blog at notes ko ang isang historical na artikulo! Idol tlaga kita Ka Conrado... ;-) ikaw ang nagsindi ng apoy sa aking panulat...pakis nga! mwaah!! tsup tsup!
Matt
Theres The Rub
May araw din kayo
By Conrado de Quiros
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:04:00 08/17/2009
Tatagalugin ko na nang makuha n’yo. Kahit na lingwaheng kanto lang ang alam kong Tagalog.
Tutal Buwan ng Wika naman ang Agosto. Baka sakali ’yung paboritong wika ni Balagtas ay makatulong sa pag-unawa n’yo dahil mukhang ’yung paboritong wika ni Shakespeare ay lampas sa IQ n’yo. Kung sa bagay, ang pinakamahirap gisingin ay ’yung nagtutulug-tulugan. Ang pinakamahirap padinggin ay ’yung nagbibingi-bingihan. Ang pinakamahirap paintindihin ay ’yung nagmamaangmaangan. Bueno, mahirap din paintindihin ’yung likas na tanga. Pero bahala na.
Sabi mo, Cerge Remonde, alangan naman pakanin ng hotdog ang amo mo. Bakit alangan? Hindi naman vegetarian ’yon. At public service nga ’yon, makakatulong dagdagan ng cholesterol at salitre ang dugong dumadaloy papuntang puso n’ya. Kung meron man s’yang dugo, kung meron man s’yang puso.
Bakit alangan? Malamang di ka nagbabasa ng balita, o di lang talaga nagbabasa, kung hindi ay nalaman mo ’yung ginawa ni Barack Obama at Joe Biden nitong nakaraang Mayo. Galing silang White House patungong Virginia nang magtakam sila pareho ng hamburger. Pina detour nila ang motorcade at tumuloy sa unang hamburgerang nakita nila. Ito ang Ray’s Hell Burger, isang maliit at independienteng hamburger joint.
Tumungo ang dalawa sa counter at sila mismo ang nag-order, hindi mga aides. Nagbayad sila ng cash na galing sa sariling bulsa at kagaya ng ibang customers ay pumila para sa turno nila.
Ito ay presidente at bise presidente ng pinakamakapangyarihang bansa sa buong mundo. Kung sa bagay, ’yung amo n’yo ay hindi naman talaga presidente. Di lang makita ang pagkakaiba ni Garci kay God kaya nasabing “God put me here.” Pekeng presidente, pekeng asal presidente.
Sabi mo, Anthony Golez, maliit lang ang P1 million dinner kumpara sa bilyon-bilyong pisong dinala ng amo mo sa bansa.
Ay kayo lang naman ang nagsasabing may inambag ang amo n’yo na bilyong-bilyong piso sa kaban ng bayan. Ni anino noon wala kaming nakita. Ang nakita lang namin ay yung bilyon-bilyong piso—o borjer, ayon nga sa inyong dating kakosa na si Benjamin Abalos—na inaswang ng amo n’yo sa kaban ng bayan. Executive privilege daw ang hindi n’ya sagutin ito. Kailan pa naging pribilehiyo ng isang opisyal ang di managot sa taumbayan? Kailan pa naging pribilehiyo ng isang opisyal ang magnakaw?
Maliit lang pala ang P1 million, ay bakit hindi n’yo na lang ibigay sa nagugutom? O doon sa mga sundalo sa Mindanao? Tama si Archbishop Oscar Cruz. Isipin n’yo kung gaano karaming botas man lang ang mabibili ng P1 million at karagdagang P750,000 na nilamon ng amo n’yo at mga taga bitbit ng kanyang maleta sa isa pang restawran sa New York.
Maliit lang pala ang P1 million (at P750,000), bakit hindi n’yo na lang ibigay doon sa pamilya ng mga sundalong namatay sa Mindanao? Magkano ’yung gusto n’yong ibigay sa bawat isa? P20,000? Sa halagang iyan 50 sundalo na ang maaabuluyan n’yo sa $20,000. Pasalu-saludo pa ’yang amo n’yo sa mga namatay na kala mo ay talagang may malasakit. Bumenta na ’yang dramang ’yan. At pasabi-sabi pa ng “Annihilate the Abus!” Di ba noon pa n’ya ’yan pinangako? Mahilig lang talagang mangako ’yang amo n’yo.
Bukod pa d’yan, saan ba nanggaling ’yung limpak-limpak na salapi ng mga kongresista na pinansisindi nila ng tabako? Di ba sa amin din? Tanong n’yo muna kung ayos lang na i-blowout namin ng wine at caviar ang amo n’yo habang kami ay nagdidildil ng asin—’yung magaspang na klase ha, ’di yung iodized. Ang tindi n’yo, mga p’re.
At ikaw naman, Romulo Macalintal, tapang ng apog mo. Maiisip mo tuloy na sundin na lang ang mungkahi ni Dick the Butcher sa “Henry VI” ni Shakespeare: “First thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.” Pa ethics-ethics ka pa, pasalamat ka di nasunog ang bibig mo sa pagbigkas ng katagang ’yon.
Marami mang sugapa rin sa aming mga taga media, di naman kasing sugapa n’yo. At di naman kami sineswelduhan ng taumbayan. Wala naman kaming problemang sumakay sa PAL at kailangan pang bumili ng P1.2 billion jet. Anong sabi n’yo, kailangan ng amo n’yo sa pabyahe-byahe? E sino naman ang may sabing magbabyahe s’ya? Ngayon pang paalis na s’ya—malinaw na ayaw n’yang umalis. Bakit hindi na lang s’ya bumili ng Matchbox na eroplano? Kasya naman s’ya ro’n.
Lalo kayong nagpupumiglas, lalo lang kayong lumulubog sa kumunoy. Di n’yo malulusutan ang bulilyasong ginawa n’yo. Para n’yo na ring inagaw ang isinusubong kanin ng isang batang nagugutom. Tama si Obama at Biden: Sa panahon ng recession, kung saan nakalugmok ang mga Amerikano sa hirap, dapat makiramay ang mga pinuno sa taumbayan, di nagpapakapariwara. Sa panahon ng kagutuman, na matagal nang kalagayan ng Pinoy, at lalo pang tumindi sa paghagupit ng Typhoon Gloria, dapat siguro uminom na lang kayo ng insecticide. Gawin n’yo ’yan at mapapawi kaagad ang kagutuman ng bayan.
Sa bandang huli, buti na rin lang at ginawa n’yo ’yung magpasasa sa P1 million dinner habang lupaypay ang bayan sa kagutuman—di lang sa kawalan ng pagkain kundi sa iba pang bagay—at pagdadalamhati sa yumaong Ina ng Bayan. Binigyan n’yo ng mukha ang katakawan. Katakawang walang kabusugan. Mukhang di nakita ng masa sa usaping NBN, mukhang di nakikita ng masa sa usaping SAL. Mukhang nakita lang ng masa dito sa ginawa n’yong ito. Sa pagpapabondat sa New York habang naghihinagpis ang bayan.
At buti na rin lang mayroon tayong sariling wika. Di sapat ang Inggles para iparamdam sa inyo ang suklam na nararamdaman namin sa inyo. Di sapat ang Inggles para ipakita sa inyo ang pagkamuhi na nararamdaman namin sa inyo. Di maarok ng Inggles ang lalim ng poot na nararamdaman namin sa inyo.
Isinusuka na kayo ng taumbayan, mahirap man sumuka ang gutom.
May araw din kayo.
Matt
Theres The Rub
May araw din kayo
By Conrado de Quiros
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:04:00 08/17/2009
Tatagalugin ko na nang makuha n’yo. Kahit na lingwaheng kanto lang ang alam kong Tagalog.
Tutal Buwan ng Wika naman ang Agosto. Baka sakali ’yung paboritong wika ni Balagtas ay makatulong sa pag-unawa n’yo dahil mukhang ’yung paboritong wika ni Shakespeare ay lampas sa IQ n’yo. Kung sa bagay, ang pinakamahirap gisingin ay ’yung nagtutulug-tulugan. Ang pinakamahirap padinggin ay ’yung nagbibingi-bingihan. Ang pinakamahirap paintindihin ay ’yung nagmamaangmaangan. Bueno, mahirap din paintindihin ’yung likas na tanga. Pero bahala na.
Sabi mo, Cerge Remonde, alangan naman pakanin ng hotdog ang amo mo. Bakit alangan? Hindi naman vegetarian ’yon. At public service nga ’yon, makakatulong dagdagan ng cholesterol at salitre ang dugong dumadaloy papuntang puso n’ya. Kung meron man s’yang dugo, kung meron man s’yang puso.
Bakit alangan? Malamang di ka nagbabasa ng balita, o di lang talaga nagbabasa, kung hindi ay nalaman mo ’yung ginawa ni Barack Obama at Joe Biden nitong nakaraang Mayo. Galing silang White House patungong Virginia nang magtakam sila pareho ng hamburger. Pina detour nila ang motorcade at tumuloy sa unang hamburgerang nakita nila. Ito ang Ray’s Hell Burger, isang maliit at independienteng hamburger joint.
Tumungo ang dalawa sa counter at sila mismo ang nag-order, hindi mga aides. Nagbayad sila ng cash na galing sa sariling bulsa at kagaya ng ibang customers ay pumila para sa turno nila.
Ito ay presidente at bise presidente ng pinakamakapangyarihang bansa sa buong mundo. Kung sa bagay, ’yung amo n’yo ay hindi naman talaga presidente. Di lang makita ang pagkakaiba ni Garci kay God kaya nasabing “God put me here.” Pekeng presidente, pekeng asal presidente.
Sabi mo, Anthony Golez, maliit lang ang P1 million dinner kumpara sa bilyon-bilyong pisong dinala ng amo mo sa bansa.
Ay kayo lang naman ang nagsasabing may inambag ang amo n’yo na bilyong-bilyong piso sa kaban ng bayan. Ni anino noon wala kaming nakita. Ang nakita lang namin ay yung bilyon-bilyong piso—o borjer, ayon nga sa inyong dating kakosa na si Benjamin Abalos—na inaswang ng amo n’yo sa kaban ng bayan. Executive privilege daw ang hindi n’ya sagutin ito. Kailan pa naging pribilehiyo ng isang opisyal ang di managot sa taumbayan? Kailan pa naging pribilehiyo ng isang opisyal ang magnakaw?
Maliit lang pala ang P1 million, ay bakit hindi n’yo na lang ibigay sa nagugutom? O doon sa mga sundalo sa Mindanao? Tama si Archbishop Oscar Cruz. Isipin n’yo kung gaano karaming botas man lang ang mabibili ng P1 million at karagdagang P750,000 na nilamon ng amo n’yo at mga taga bitbit ng kanyang maleta sa isa pang restawran sa New York.
Maliit lang pala ang P1 million (at P750,000), bakit hindi n’yo na lang ibigay doon sa pamilya ng mga sundalong namatay sa Mindanao? Magkano ’yung gusto n’yong ibigay sa bawat isa? P20,000? Sa halagang iyan 50 sundalo na ang maaabuluyan n’yo sa $20,000. Pasalu-saludo pa ’yang amo n’yo sa mga namatay na kala mo ay talagang may malasakit. Bumenta na ’yang dramang ’yan. At pasabi-sabi pa ng “Annihilate the Abus!” Di ba noon pa n’ya ’yan pinangako? Mahilig lang talagang mangako ’yang amo n’yo.
Bukod pa d’yan, saan ba nanggaling ’yung limpak-limpak na salapi ng mga kongresista na pinansisindi nila ng tabako? Di ba sa amin din? Tanong n’yo muna kung ayos lang na i-blowout namin ng wine at caviar ang amo n’yo habang kami ay nagdidildil ng asin—’yung magaspang na klase ha, ’di yung iodized. Ang tindi n’yo, mga p’re.
At ikaw naman, Romulo Macalintal, tapang ng apog mo. Maiisip mo tuloy na sundin na lang ang mungkahi ni Dick the Butcher sa “Henry VI” ni Shakespeare: “First thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.” Pa ethics-ethics ka pa, pasalamat ka di nasunog ang bibig mo sa pagbigkas ng katagang ’yon.
Marami mang sugapa rin sa aming mga taga media, di naman kasing sugapa n’yo. At di naman kami sineswelduhan ng taumbayan. Wala naman kaming problemang sumakay sa PAL at kailangan pang bumili ng P1.2 billion jet. Anong sabi n’yo, kailangan ng amo n’yo sa pabyahe-byahe? E sino naman ang may sabing magbabyahe s’ya? Ngayon pang paalis na s’ya—malinaw na ayaw n’yang umalis. Bakit hindi na lang s’ya bumili ng Matchbox na eroplano? Kasya naman s’ya ro’n.
Lalo kayong nagpupumiglas, lalo lang kayong lumulubog sa kumunoy. Di n’yo malulusutan ang bulilyasong ginawa n’yo. Para n’yo na ring inagaw ang isinusubong kanin ng isang batang nagugutom. Tama si Obama at Biden: Sa panahon ng recession, kung saan nakalugmok ang mga Amerikano sa hirap, dapat makiramay ang mga pinuno sa taumbayan, di nagpapakapariwara. Sa panahon ng kagutuman, na matagal nang kalagayan ng Pinoy, at lalo pang tumindi sa paghagupit ng Typhoon Gloria, dapat siguro uminom na lang kayo ng insecticide. Gawin n’yo ’yan at mapapawi kaagad ang kagutuman ng bayan.
Sa bandang huli, buti na rin lang at ginawa n’yo ’yung magpasasa sa P1 million dinner habang lupaypay ang bayan sa kagutuman—di lang sa kawalan ng pagkain kundi sa iba pang bagay—at pagdadalamhati sa yumaong Ina ng Bayan. Binigyan n’yo ng mukha ang katakawan. Katakawang walang kabusugan. Mukhang di nakita ng masa sa usaping NBN, mukhang di nakikita ng masa sa usaping SAL. Mukhang nakita lang ng masa dito sa ginawa n’yong ito. Sa pagpapabondat sa New York habang naghihinagpis ang bayan.
At buti na rin lang mayroon tayong sariling wika. Di sapat ang Inggles para iparamdam sa inyo ang suklam na nararamdaman namin sa inyo. Di sapat ang Inggles para ipakita sa inyo ang pagkamuhi na nararamdaman namin sa inyo. Di maarok ng Inggles ang lalim ng poot na nararamdaman namin sa inyo.
Isinusuka na kayo ng taumbayan, mahirap man sumuka ang gutom.
May araw din kayo.
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Politics of Awards
Awards are born with controversies.
In 2006, months before (and during) our graduation, protests were launched by PNUans (particularly those from the Torch publications) because the Graciano Lopez-Jaena Award for Journalism was not given to Mark Bercando (the Editor-in-Chief back then). The students believed that Bercando deserved the award, but for some “political” reasons, the administration of PNU was able to see technicalities which turned the table against the leader of the student publication.
In 2005, Mohamed El-Baradei, the Egyptian Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, received the Nobel Peace Prize in conjunction with protests and uprisings around the world because of his alleged leniency towards Iranian nuclear development program.
Recently, Cecille Guidote-Alvarez and Carlo J. Caparas are facing questions and protests after receiving the National Artist Award for this year. Protesters argue that Caparas does not deserve the award and that Guidote-Alvarez is disqualified for the award because she happens to be the executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
I have nothing against Caparas and Guidote, and I don’t like F. Sionil Jose that much as well. But I must say that there are questions the Malacañang is compelled to answer. What are the standards for being conferred with the highest award for the arts? When can we consider that an art form has reached the level of being “nationally acclaimed”? When the masses embraced it? Or when its underlying philosophies and presentations embodied the heart and soul of the country?
To some extent, these two artists may be deserving, but probably, the time isn’t ripe yet for them. The more they brag about it, the more disrespect would they gain from people. (This has been the reason for GMA’s unpopularity—scandals and issues came after the other.)
I pity Caparas and Guidote-Alvarez for clinging to their awards as much as their boss clings to her illegally-acquired seat in Malacañang.
***
Awards are given to honor people who have done something exemplary, something noble, something . Honorable and deserving people don’t beg for awards because in the first place, the conferring of awards are all for show. At the end of the day, it will be the people who will truly judge the person that should be given with utmost respect—we have witnessed this when Ninoy and Tita Cory died.
In 2006, months before (and during) our graduation, protests were launched by PNUans (particularly those from the Torch publications) because the Graciano Lopez-Jaena Award for Journalism was not given to Mark Bercando (the Editor-in-Chief back then). The students believed that Bercando deserved the award, but for some “political” reasons, the administration of PNU was able to see technicalities which turned the table against the leader of the student publication.
In 2005, Mohamed El-Baradei, the Egyptian Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, received the Nobel Peace Prize in conjunction with protests and uprisings around the world because of his alleged leniency towards Iranian nuclear development program.
Recently, Cecille Guidote-Alvarez and Carlo J. Caparas are facing questions and protests after receiving the National Artist Award for this year. Protesters argue that Caparas does not deserve the award and that Guidote-Alvarez is disqualified for the award because she happens to be the executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
I have nothing against Caparas and Guidote, and I don’t like F. Sionil Jose that much as well. But I must say that there are questions the Malacañang is compelled to answer. What are the standards for being conferred with the highest award for the arts? When can we consider that an art form has reached the level of being “nationally acclaimed”? When the masses embraced it? Or when its underlying philosophies and presentations embodied the heart and soul of the country?
To some extent, these two artists may be deserving, but probably, the time isn’t ripe yet for them. The more they brag about it, the more disrespect would they gain from people. (This has been the reason for GMA’s unpopularity—scandals and issues came after the other.)
I pity Caparas and Guidote-Alvarez for clinging to their awards as much as their boss clings to her illegally-acquired seat in Malacañang.
***
Awards are given to honor people who have done something exemplary, something noble, something . Honorable and deserving people don’t beg for awards because in the first place, the conferring of awards are all for show. At the end of the day, it will be the people who will truly judge the person that should be given with utmost respect—we have witnessed this when Ninoy and Tita Cory died.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Leaving a Legacy
The plight of Celso de los Angeles—the founder and “mastermind” of the Legacy group of companies—is a lesson that GMA and the rest of the scoundrels of this government (and we) should take very seriously. Having diagnosed with cancer, he is now under hospital arrest because of multiple estafa (or should we say, “multitude” estafa). His life story tells everyone that there’s no perfect crime.
Dostoevsky has shown this to us many years ago when he wrote Crime and Punishment. It almost appeared that Raskolnikov committed a perfect crime because the police failed to pin him down. However, at the end of the novel, his own conscience brought him to his own Punishment—which somehow led him to a more peaceful life.
The Bible gave more a chilling account when God cursed Cain for killing Abel. (Cain thought that he can hide from God.) But what most of us didn’t read is the continuation of Cain’s life story. After being banished from the Garden of Eden, Cain actually strived hard to change, making his sons accept blessings from God. (Genesis 4)
But de los Angeles is a totally different man. I’m not so sure if he has the conscience of Raskolnikov or the perseverance of Cain. But one thing’s for sure: whatever is happening to him now is part of the punishments from the crimes that he has committed to the plan holders of the Legacy group.
Each one of us will eventually be punished with the sins we commit everyday. There’s no such thing as big or small sin. Yeah. God is god, and he’s just (unlike us); how each one of us would wish that GMA’s soul be burned in hell 77 x 77 times (or more). But GMA’s sins are not that different from the petty sins that we do.
At the end of the day, the question lies on how we will act like Raskolnikov and Cain: to accept our mistakes, repent our sins, and strive hard to change our attitude.
I’m not writing this because I’ve done the task. I’m writing this because I’m struggling to achieve it.
Dostoevsky has shown this to us many years ago when he wrote Crime and Punishment. It almost appeared that Raskolnikov committed a perfect crime because the police failed to pin him down. However, at the end of the novel, his own conscience brought him to his own Punishment—which somehow led him to a more peaceful life.
The Bible gave more a chilling account when God cursed Cain for killing Abel. (Cain thought that he can hide from God.) But what most of us didn’t read is the continuation of Cain’s life story. After being banished from the Garden of Eden, Cain actually strived hard to change, making his sons accept blessings from God. (Genesis 4)
But de los Angeles is a totally different man. I’m not so sure if he has the conscience of Raskolnikov or the perseverance of Cain. But one thing’s for sure: whatever is happening to him now is part of the punishments from the crimes that he has committed to the plan holders of the Legacy group.
Each one of us will eventually be punished with the sins we commit everyday. There’s no such thing as big or small sin. Yeah. God is god, and he’s just (unlike us); how each one of us would wish that GMA’s soul be burned in hell 77 x 77 times (or more). But GMA’s sins are not that different from the petty sins that we do.
At the end of the day, the question lies on how we will act like Raskolnikov and Cain: to accept our mistakes, repent our sins, and strive hard to change our attitude.
I’m not writing this because I’ve done the task. I’m writing this because I’m struggling to achieve it.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Girl (?) Who Cried Wolf
When GMA said sorry about the ‘Hello Garci’ scandal, some gullible Filipinos believed her (although most did not). When she denied her involvement in the NBN-ZTE scandal, fewer were convinced—which became lesser when her photos in Shenzhen, China together with the first gentleman and NBN-ZTE executives leaked.
Recently, a very familiar wolf cry resounded in the air when GMA asked the congress to allocate 19 Billion pesos for anti-flu vaccines. With all the problems that shake the government, added with the 2010 election frenzy, aren’t we supposed to be doubtful?
Questions immediately popped out of my head when I learned about this. Firstly, do we really have swine flu? If so, is it really that deadly or dangerous? I just thought that such an amount is too much for vaccines. Many remote areas in the country don’t even have enough supply of paracetamol and decongestants. Why not use the funds to improve medical services or equipment in rural areas across the country?
Secondly, how sure are we that the fund would really go to the health sector? I can’t help but be reminded of Joc-joc’s Fertilizer Fund scam. Will the doctors and nurses (and patients) suffer the same fate as that of the farmers? Will the fund go somewhere else?
Lastly, how sure are we that the fund would really be used for vaccines? Even if it goes to the health department, would all those be used to buy the anti-flu vaccines? Or will it again be used by the administration allies to campaign for the upcoming elections? Or will it be used by ConAss(holes) to lobby charter change, perhaps?
19 Billion is a staggering amount for vaccines—a staggering amount sucked out of the blood and sweat of the Filipino people. If this amount will be injected to the wrong pockets, then we should do as what the villagers did: ignore the girl—or should I say hag?—who cries out loud…until she gets eaten by the real wolf.
Recently, a very familiar wolf cry resounded in the air when GMA asked the congress to allocate 19 Billion pesos for anti-flu vaccines. With all the problems that shake the government, added with the 2010 election frenzy, aren’t we supposed to be doubtful?
Questions immediately popped out of my head when I learned about this. Firstly, do we really have swine flu? If so, is it really that deadly or dangerous? I just thought that such an amount is too much for vaccines. Many remote areas in the country don’t even have enough supply of paracetamol and decongestants. Why not use the funds to improve medical services or equipment in rural areas across the country?
Secondly, how sure are we that the fund would really go to the health sector? I can’t help but be reminded of Joc-joc’s Fertilizer Fund scam. Will the doctors and nurses (and patients) suffer the same fate as that of the farmers? Will the fund go somewhere else?
Lastly, how sure are we that the fund would really be used for vaccines? Even if it goes to the health department, would all those be used to buy the anti-flu vaccines? Or will it again be used by the administration allies to campaign for the upcoming elections? Or will it be used by ConAss(holes) to lobby charter change, perhaps?
19 Billion is a staggering amount for vaccines—a staggering amount sucked out of the blood and sweat of the Filipino people. If this amount will be injected to the wrong pockets, then we should do as what the villagers did: ignore the girl—or should I say hag?—who cries out loud…until she gets eaten by the real wolf.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
A (H1N1) = A Hysteric Nation
I was in the middle of a lecture last June 3, 2009 when Bro. Armin’s (DLSU president) memo regarding the 10-day quarantine circulated. My initial reactions were a combination of disappointment and distress. Disappointed because class suspension means make up classes; distressed because DLSU’s decision would breed paranoia. I’ve told my friends and family to wait for the domino effect…
And there it goes. The Filipinos are now in a state of mass hysteria. Schools and offices are suspending operations; more and more are wearing masks. I find these moves futile and counter-productive. Futile because no matter how much disinfectant these schools and offices apply around their campus and buildings, the virus is still out there—invisible, inevitable. Counter-productive because it slows down everything—from simple lessons and activities to national economy.
I’m not a doctor, but in my level of analysis, I just think that the Filipinos are making false moves in treating this epidemic. So what if there are viruses in the air? If I’m not mistaken, they co-exist with us in this planet. Well, just like what I said to my students after reading the memo: “If we die today, we die today.” Moreover, current reports tell us that the virus isn’t so deadly. In fact, Dengue and Malaria are scarier than A (H1N1) (but we’ve never heard a school that suspended its classes because of them).
I blame everything to the media (and partly to the Department of Health) for planting the seeds of paranoia into the minds of the Filipinos. We receive reports about more people being infected by the virus, but we rarely hear (or read) updates regarding those patients who have recovered! We heard cases of patients being quarantined, but now we hear them say there’s nothing to be afraid of, and that we can be cured even at our homes. Absurd. Pathetic.
Let’s stop the paranoia. Take our vitamins. Strengthen our immune system. If we still get sick, then let’s pray for recovery.
And there it goes. The Filipinos are now in a state of mass hysteria. Schools and offices are suspending operations; more and more are wearing masks. I find these moves futile and counter-productive. Futile because no matter how much disinfectant these schools and offices apply around their campus and buildings, the virus is still out there—invisible, inevitable. Counter-productive because it slows down everything—from simple lessons and activities to national economy.
I’m not a doctor, but in my level of analysis, I just think that the Filipinos are making false moves in treating this epidemic. So what if there are viruses in the air? If I’m not mistaken, they co-exist with us in this planet. Well, just like what I said to my students after reading the memo: “If we die today, we die today.” Moreover, current reports tell us that the virus isn’t so deadly. In fact, Dengue and Malaria are scarier than A (H1N1) (but we’ve never heard a school that suspended its classes because of them).
I blame everything to the media (and partly to the Department of Health) for planting the seeds of paranoia into the minds of the Filipinos. We receive reports about more people being infected by the virus, but we rarely hear (or read) updates regarding those patients who have recovered! We heard cases of patients being quarantined, but now we hear them say there’s nothing to be afraid of, and that we can be cured even at our homes. Absurd. Pathetic.
Let’s stop the paranoia. Take our vitamins. Strengthen our immune system. If we still get sick, then let’s pray for recovery.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Reading and Leading
I never loved reading until I became an English major. Well, frankly speaking, I didn’t actually “love” reading back then, I was just “pressured” by the fact that during our free time, my classmates would sit anywhere and read their novels (nope, not just the required ones).
When Dr. Venancio Mendiola “hired” me to become his student assistant, I became enlightened on the power and joy of reading. He always tells me that if I want to go to different places and learn their culture, I have to read books. My first “reading assignment” was to finish reading Carlos Bulosan’s “America is in the Heart” and D.H. Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers”. “You’re not an English major unless you’ve read this and that!” is what Dr. Mendiola says all the time whenever you answer “No” to his question, “Have you read ____?” Later on, I realized that I’m NOT an English major (‘cause I haven’t finished reading all the books that he gave and assigned to me).
I didn’t become super smart after learning how to love reading. But I must say that it really helped me a lot in preparing myself for my profession as teacher and in becoming a better person. Lately, I lost track of how I learned to love reading, and I was anxious to know how to encourage my students to love reading. It’s just not part of the “Filipino culture”. But the good news is, culture is created by people, so we can make reading a part of the Filipino Culture.
However, sad realities pull the campaign for reading down. One of them is the book tax, and the other is the erroneous textbooks that are distributed among public schools nationwide.
It is just sad to realize that a lot of people become aloof with reading because of its high cost. My younger sister is just lucky that my Ate bought her the Twilight saga, because if she would just save from her allowance, it would take her years to buy them all. I’m saying this because I never experienced buying literature in big bookstores (i.e. National Bookstore, Powerbooks, Fully Booked, etc.) All of my books were dug from Booksale.
How in the world do you expect people to buy a book when they don’t even have food to eat? How in the world do you expect our country to progress if the “passports” to learning are merely displayed in bookstores?
The government argues that books like “Twilight” are not under the category of “educational” so they must be taxed (around 1%-5%). But the question is, how do they categorize “educational”? I think this is one of the misinterpretations of the government about books (and learning). Not everything is learned through overt presentation of facts and information. Some facts and realities in the world are learned covertly by “experiencing” them through literature and other art forms.
For example, textbooks would teach you how to love the nature, the parents, the classmates, etc. But afterwards, it would tell you to use the correct rules of subject-verb agreement, which makes you forget the lesson on “love” because the quiz is going to be about subject-verb agreement!
On the other hand, literature opens the minds of the readers to delve deeper and search for life’s meaning.
This has been the perennial problem of our country’s education. We have been too textbook-based, making our people shallow in analysis, poor in comprehension, and weak in decision-making.
Speaking of textbooks, how do you suppose will our students learn if textbooks are flooded with errors (not just typographical, mind you) but with “facts, concepts, logic, grammar and usage”? (PDI, Editorial, 6/9/09)
***
I always tell my friends that education is really the answer to all of our country’s problems. Give the people quality education and everything else will follow. Peace will follow (because educated people know how to respect different cultures; my friendship with Sir Ali proved this); Economic Advancement will follow (because people will learn how to get and maintain a good job or business); Poverty and Overpopulation will be lessened (because people will realize how important family planning is) et cetera… et cetera.
Our leaders are readers, and the readers today will be the leaders tomorrow. Ergo, if no one reads today, no one leads tomorrow.
When Dr. Venancio Mendiola “hired” me to become his student assistant, I became enlightened on the power and joy of reading. He always tells me that if I want to go to different places and learn their culture, I have to read books. My first “reading assignment” was to finish reading Carlos Bulosan’s “America is in the Heart” and D.H. Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers”. “You’re not an English major unless you’ve read this and that!” is what Dr. Mendiola says all the time whenever you answer “No” to his question, “Have you read ____?” Later on, I realized that I’m NOT an English major (‘cause I haven’t finished reading all the books that he gave and assigned to me).
I didn’t become super smart after learning how to love reading. But I must say that it really helped me a lot in preparing myself for my profession as teacher and in becoming a better person. Lately, I lost track of how I learned to love reading, and I was anxious to know how to encourage my students to love reading. It’s just not part of the “Filipino culture”. But the good news is, culture is created by people, so we can make reading a part of the Filipino Culture.
However, sad realities pull the campaign for reading down. One of them is the book tax, and the other is the erroneous textbooks that are distributed among public schools nationwide.
It is just sad to realize that a lot of people become aloof with reading because of its high cost. My younger sister is just lucky that my Ate bought her the Twilight saga, because if she would just save from her allowance, it would take her years to buy them all. I’m saying this because I never experienced buying literature in big bookstores (i.e. National Bookstore, Powerbooks, Fully Booked, etc.) All of my books were dug from Booksale.
How in the world do you expect people to buy a book when they don’t even have food to eat? How in the world do you expect our country to progress if the “passports” to learning are merely displayed in bookstores?
The government argues that books like “Twilight” are not under the category of “educational” so they must be taxed (around 1%-5%). But the question is, how do they categorize “educational”? I think this is one of the misinterpretations of the government about books (and learning). Not everything is learned through overt presentation of facts and information. Some facts and realities in the world are learned covertly by “experiencing” them through literature and other art forms.
For example, textbooks would teach you how to love the nature, the parents, the classmates, etc. But afterwards, it would tell you to use the correct rules of subject-verb agreement, which makes you forget the lesson on “love” because the quiz is going to be about subject-verb agreement!
On the other hand, literature opens the minds of the readers to delve deeper and search for life’s meaning.
This has been the perennial problem of our country’s education. We have been too textbook-based, making our people shallow in analysis, poor in comprehension, and weak in decision-making.
Speaking of textbooks, how do you suppose will our students learn if textbooks are flooded with errors (not just typographical, mind you) but with “facts, concepts, logic, grammar and usage”? (PDI, Editorial, 6/9/09)
***
I always tell my friends that education is really the answer to all of our country’s problems. Give the people quality education and everything else will follow. Peace will follow (because educated people know how to respect different cultures; my friendship with Sir Ali proved this); Economic Advancement will follow (because people will learn how to get and maintain a good job or business); Poverty and Overpopulation will be lessened (because people will realize how important family planning is) et cetera… et cetera.
Our leaders are readers, and the readers today will be the leaders tomorrow. Ergo, if no one reads today, no one leads tomorrow.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Careless Whisper, Careless Doctor, Careless Dancer
“I’m never gonna dance again…”
The first line in the chorus of Careless Whisper could be Katrina Halili’s personal pledge after scandalous sex videos featuring her and Hayden Kho spread faster than the A H1N1 virus. Indeed, the title of the song fits these two showbiz personalities well.
Without a doubt even if Ms. Halili is the victim in this real-life drama, she is careless as well. Many of my friends (most of them females) raised their eyebrow upon knowing what has happened. Their initial reaction was, “Why should we pity her? It’s her flirtatious act which brought her to this disgrace.” Indeed, if we are to make a grassroots analysis of why and how this scandal happened, we would be led to the fact that “it takes two to tango.” There would be no scandal if she did not allow herself to be lured by the looks and machismo mechanismo of Dr. Kho.
However, much of the carelessness lies on the sexhibitionist doctor. There are various levels of carelessness that we may attribute to him. One of them is his carelessness to have his homosexual tendencies be exposed. As what Kay suggested in her blog, “Is it possible that his narcissism then doesn’t just stop on “bragging” or “showing off” his escapades, but serves a channel for an unconsious way of “sexually motivating and satisfying” other men?” (http://isdafish.blog.friendster.com/)
I have to agree that his move to “share” and “boast” about his sexcapades to his male friends is something very gay. In my opinion, a straight guy wouldn’t really tell the world about the number of women (and men) that he had sex with. I wouldn’t dare show a personal sex video (assuming I have one) to my bestfriend Alfie. I mean, for what? Boast that I’m a guy because I have had sex with more women? Pussy. Oh yes, aside from being a pussy-eater, Dr. Kho’s move is only done by pussies. A real sex machine and sex god would be at a lost when asked to count and name names.
Moreover, Dr. Kho is too careless to have these videos scatter like wildfire WITH HIM IN IT. He was so stupid and careless to include himself in the videos. He could have shown it; and bluetoothed an edited copy where his face is hidden and the women’s faces were clear. That would have been more "hustler". Now, he doesn’t have an alibi.
In relation to this, the fact that he was identified might lead to prospective women getting aloof of him. He might even lose the greatest milk factory of all: Vicki Belo. Probably, after a few days or months, he would lose his greatest boastful phrase to his beermates: “Only Belo touches my skin (and fills my pocket) who touches (and fills) yours?”
“I’m never gonna dance again…”
The first line in the chorus of Careless Whisper fits the careless acts of two people. Indeed, when one whispers, one should be very careful not to be heard. Unfortunately, Katrina and Hayden’s whisper became a shout heard and feasted upon by the whole world.
The first line in the chorus of Careless Whisper could be Katrina Halili’s personal pledge after scandalous sex videos featuring her and Hayden Kho spread faster than the A H1N1 virus. Indeed, the title of the song fits these two showbiz personalities well.
Without a doubt even if Ms. Halili is the victim in this real-life drama, she is careless as well. Many of my friends (most of them females) raised their eyebrow upon knowing what has happened. Their initial reaction was, “Why should we pity her? It’s her flirtatious act which brought her to this disgrace.” Indeed, if we are to make a grassroots analysis of why and how this scandal happened, we would be led to the fact that “it takes two to tango.” There would be no scandal if she did not allow herself to be lured by the looks and machismo mechanismo of Dr. Kho.
However, much of the carelessness lies on the sexhibitionist doctor. There are various levels of carelessness that we may attribute to him. One of them is his carelessness to have his homosexual tendencies be exposed. As what Kay suggested in her blog, “Is it possible that his narcissism then doesn’t just stop on “bragging” or “showing off” his escapades, but serves a channel for an unconsious way of “sexually motivating and satisfying” other men?” (http://isdafish.blog.friendster.com/)
I have to agree that his move to “share” and “boast” about his sexcapades to his male friends is something very gay. In my opinion, a straight guy wouldn’t really tell the world about the number of women (and men) that he had sex with. I wouldn’t dare show a personal sex video (assuming I have one) to my bestfriend Alfie. I mean, for what? Boast that I’m a guy because I have had sex with more women? Pussy. Oh yes, aside from being a pussy-eater, Dr. Kho’s move is only done by pussies. A real sex machine and sex god would be at a lost when asked to count and name names.
Moreover, Dr. Kho is too careless to have these videos scatter like wildfire WITH HIM IN IT. He was so stupid and careless to include himself in the videos. He could have shown it; and bluetoothed an edited copy where his face is hidden and the women’s faces were clear. That would have been more "hustler". Now, he doesn’t have an alibi.
In relation to this, the fact that he was identified might lead to prospective women getting aloof of him. He might even lose the greatest milk factory of all: Vicki Belo. Probably, after a few days or months, he would lose his greatest boastful phrase to his beermates: “Only Belo touches my skin (and fills my pocket) who touches (and fills) yours?”
“I’m never gonna dance again…”
The first line in the chorus of Careless Whisper fits the careless acts of two people. Indeed, when one whispers, one should be very careful not to be heard. Unfortunately, Katrina and Hayden’s whisper became a shout heard and feasted upon by the whole world.
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Injustice Done to Jun Lo*
“Crucify Jesus! Free Barrabas!”
This is what I immediately heard upon watching from the news last night that Jun Lozada, the whistle blower of the NBN-ZTE scandal, was arrested for perjury. I’m not saying that Lozada is Christ-like; he is way too far from that. But his case is quite parallel to that of Christ: You spread the good news; you expose the malady of the system; you inform the people about the official’s lies and scandals, and in return, you get persecuted and imprisoned.
Because of this, I can’t help but think: How many Jews actually voted for Christ’s crucifixion? The Bible did not give us statistics; but from Pontius Pilate’s wordings, we were given the idea that majority voted for Barrabas’s release and Christ’s crucifixion.
“When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye [to it].” Matthew 27:24 (KJV)
However, what we saw in front of the Manila Police District is quite in contrast with what happened to Christ. What we saw are enraged people asking for Jun Lozada’s release and Jovito Palparan’s imprisonment. (Fortunately, the rallyists did not ask for Palparan’s crucifixion. That is too holy for a slaughterer. He should face a firing squad, just as his victims faced the bullets that were purchased using the taxpayers’ money.)
Somehow, I’d like to think that Pilate’s “simplistic” judiciary procedure is a viable solution to put an end to the corruption and human rights cases (among others) of the present administration. I can’t help but suggest: Let’s put these cases to a vote. All those who want to punish GMA and her cronies raise hands… Oh, I’m quite sure that majority of the Filipinos would even raise their feet.
But that’s too far from reality.
If the Magdalo is truly regrouping, then the present administration (and the people) should be ready. Jun Lozada is probably just one of the “stimulators” for another coup; or who knows? Civil war?
*pun intended
This is what I immediately heard upon watching from the news last night that Jun Lozada, the whistle blower of the NBN-ZTE scandal, was arrested for perjury. I’m not saying that Lozada is Christ-like; he is way too far from that. But his case is quite parallel to that of Christ: You spread the good news; you expose the malady of the system; you inform the people about the official’s lies and scandals, and in return, you get persecuted and imprisoned.
Because of this, I can’t help but think: How many Jews actually voted for Christ’s crucifixion? The Bible did not give us statistics; but from Pontius Pilate’s wordings, we were given the idea that majority voted for Barrabas’s release and Christ’s crucifixion.
“When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye [to it].” Matthew 27:24 (KJV)
However, what we saw in front of the Manila Police District is quite in contrast with what happened to Christ. What we saw are enraged people asking for Jun Lozada’s release and Jovito Palparan’s imprisonment. (Fortunately, the rallyists did not ask for Palparan’s crucifixion. That is too holy for a slaughterer. He should face a firing squad, just as his victims faced the bullets that were purchased using the taxpayers’ money.)
Somehow, I’d like to think that Pilate’s “simplistic” judiciary procedure is a viable solution to put an end to the corruption and human rights cases (among others) of the present administration. I can’t help but suggest: Let’s put these cases to a vote. All those who want to punish GMA and her cronies raise hands… Oh, I’m quite sure that majority of the Filipinos would even raise their feet.
But that’s too far from reality.
If the Magdalo is truly regrouping, then the present administration (and the people) should be ready. Jun Lozada is probably just one of the “stimulators” for another coup; or who knows? Civil war?
*pun intended
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
When Victims become Bitches
I can’t help but react violently in PDI’s headline today: “Nicole recants, clears Smith”
This is a big slap on the face of the Filipino people—especially amidst issues regarding Visiting Forces Agreement. I wonder what has gotten into the mind of Nicole for clearing Daniel Smith of the rape case.
My initial reaction is extremely against Nicole. (My students even got shocked with my reaction upon reading today’s paper—I almost said “bitch” out loud.) Can you blame me? Everybody rallied behind him just to convict the White Devil and his allies, and here she is as if telling the whole world, “Sorry, I lied.” [Did GMA train Nicole?] As a Filipino, will you not feel ashamed? Degraded? For centuries, we have been raped and abused by imperialists, and it is just so annoying and frustrating that it still lingers up to this day. Nicole’s move sends the message: “Rape me now, pay me later.”
However, I don’t want to put all the blame upon Nicole’s shoulders. If she was truly raped, I reckon she has been burdened so badly, so let’s give her the benefit of the doubt.
In the interviews, Nicole’s mom was deeply sorry to Atty. Ursua for dropping the case. She explains that her family has been haunted, and never had the chance to move on with their lives. She blames the slow and pathetic justice system that we have here in the Philippines. Reality check: What are NGO’s and human rights activists against Daniel Smith, a son of Uncle Sam, a señorito of the Philippine government?
Indeed, one of the factors for Nicole’s recant might be the hopeless justice system we have here.
What infuriates me is the fact that a handsome and powerful rapist might be acquitted not because of his innocence but because of the powers that work behind him. Worse, this move might invite more rapists to come over the country.
It’s a good advertisement for sex tourism:
“Come to the Philippines and rape our women…It would just cost a little hassle of earning the ire of the people, but who cares? For only P100,000, you’ll be acquitted in no time! So hurry! Call within the next 10 minutes and you’ll receive a sleeping pill absolutely FREE!”
Now, the world looks at us as Bitches rather than Victims.
This is a big slap on the face of the Filipino people—especially amidst issues regarding Visiting Forces Agreement. I wonder what has gotten into the mind of Nicole for clearing Daniel Smith of the rape case.
My initial reaction is extremely against Nicole. (My students even got shocked with my reaction upon reading today’s paper—I almost said “bitch” out loud.) Can you blame me? Everybody rallied behind him just to convict the White Devil and his allies, and here she is as if telling the whole world, “Sorry, I lied.” [Did GMA train Nicole?] As a Filipino, will you not feel ashamed? Degraded? For centuries, we have been raped and abused by imperialists, and it is just so annoying and frustrating that it still lingers up to this day. Nicole’s move sends the message: “Rape me now, pay me later.”
However, I don’t want to put all the blame upon Nicole’s shoulders. If she was truly raped, I reckon she has been burdened so badly, so let’s give her the benefit of the doubt.
In the interviews, Nicole’s mom was deeply sorry to Atty. Ursua for dropping the case. She explains that her family has been haunted, and never had the chance to move on with their lives. She blames the slow and pathetic justice system that we have here in the Philippines. Reality check: What are NGO’s and human rights activists against Daniel Smith, a son of Uncle Sam, a señorito of the Philippine government?
Indeed, one of the factors for Nicole’s recant might be the hopeless justice system we have here.
What infuriates me is the fact that a handsome and powerful rapist might be acquitted not because of his innocence but because of the powers that work behind him. Worse, this move might invite more rapists to come over the country.
It’s a good advertisement for sex tourism:
“Come to the Philippines and rape our women…It would just cost a little hassle of earning the ire of the people, but who cares? For only P100,000, you’ll be acquitted in no time! So hurry! Call within the next 10 minutes and you’ll receive a sleeping pill absolutely FREE!”
Now, the world looks at us as Bitches rather than Victims.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Ang Simpleng Tanong ni Leiah
Kaninang umaga, habang nakikinig sa mensahe ni Mam Evelyn Feliciano sa Sunday worship service, nilapitan ako ng aking inaananak na si Leiah. At gaya ng nakagawian, nagmano sya, humalik sa pisngi, at yumakap.
Si Leiah ay limang taong gulang at natural na malambing (kahit nga si Kay, na unang beses nya palang nakita ay kinaibigan na nya…at tinawag na “ninang”—at dahil don nakatipid ako sa regalo nung pasko…hehehe…)
Anyway, sa gitna ng kanyang paglalambing ay bigla nya akong tinanong, “Ninong, ano’ng gusto mo paglaki ko?” Dahil nakapokus ako sa pakikinog, ang unang pumasok sa isip ko e kung ano ang gusto ko para sa kanya: guro, nars, doktor, etc.
Di pa ako sumasagot ng dugtungan nya ang tanong, “Kase si Daddy laptop, si mommy naman t-shirt, sampu daw, si Eunice [nakababatang kapatid nya] pangcolor, tapos ako siguro…ahmmm.. spaghetti…e ikaw ninong?”
Napangiti ako. Maraming bagay ang dagling pumasok sa isip ko.
“Ahmm… ako siguro…Piano” Pangiti kong sagot sa kanya.
“Piano? Ah..sige!” Masaya n’yang sagot, sabay yakap.
Sa kanyang pag-alis, bigla kong naalala ang minsang sinabi sakin ni Mama na noong bata daw ako ay para akong si Leiah…madaming gustong gawin sa buhay. Pag tinanong mo daw ako noon, ang sasabihin ko gusto ko maging astronaut; kinabukasan, piloto ng eroplano; sa isang linggo; scientist naman. Pero never ko daw nabanggit na gusto ko maging guro.
Naisip ko tuloy, may naipangako din kaya ako kay mama? Sampung t-shirt? Daster? Typewriter? Radyo? Ref? Oven? TV? Nabigay ko kaya?
Tinext ko agad si Kay para sabihin ang saloobin ko, at ang agad nyang sagot ay, “hindi pa naman huli ang lahat para tuparin kung ano man ang pangako mo…”
Sa isang simpleng tanong ni Leiah, napagmuni-muni ako; nagiisip-isip hinggil sa mga bagay na hindi na gaanong napapansin sa gitna ng kabisihan.
Ngayong panahon ng graduation, naibalik kaya natin sa ating mga magulang ung mga “pangako” na binitiwan natin sa kanila? Natupad kaya natin ang mga pangarap nila para sa atin? Nasagot kaya natin ang mga katanunang na bumabalot sa kanilang isipan, habang umiikot ang pwit sa pag-iisip kung saan kukuha ng pang-matrikula at pambaon natin sa isang panibagong linggo?
Sa totoo lang, hindi lang naman ito ang ekslusibong panahon para magpasalamat at tumupad sa mga pangako. Araw-araw, dapat ay may katuparan: kung nagawa mo ung nasa “To-Do List” mo; kung naipasa mo ang requirements sa subject; kung na-beat mo ang deadline mo sa boss mo; at marami pang iba.
Ikaw? Anon’ng gusto mo paglaki mo?
Si Leiah ay limang taong gulang at natural na malambing (kahit nga si Kay, na unang beses nya palang nakita ay kinaibigan na nya…at tinawag na “ninang”—at dahil don nakatipid ako sa regalo nung pasko…hehehe…)
Anyway, sa gitna ng kanyang paglalambing ay bigla nya akong tinanong, “Ninong, ano’ng gusto mo paglaki ko?” Dahil nakapokus ako sa pakikinog, ang unang pumasok sa isip ko e kung ano ang gusto ko para sa kanya: guro, nars, doktor, etc.
Di pa ako sumasagot ng dugtungan nya ang tanong, “Kase si Daddy laptop, si mommy naman t-shirt, sampu daw, si Eunice [nakababatang kapatid nya] pangcolor, tapos ako siguro…ahmmm.. spaghetti…e ikaw ninong?”
Napangiti ako. Maraming bagay ang dagling pumasok sa isip ko.
“Ahmm… ako siguro…Piano” Pangiti kong sagot sa kanya.
“Piano? Ah..sige!” Masaya n’yang sagot, sabay yakap.
Sa kanyang pag-alis, bigla kong naalala ang minsang sinabi sakin ni Mama na noong bata daw ako ay para akong si Leiah…madaming gustong gawin sa buhay. Pag tinanong mo daw ako noon, ang sasabihin ko gusto ko maging astronaut; kinabukasan, piloto ng eroplano; sa isang linggo; scientist naman. Pero never ko daw nabanggit na gusto ko maging guro.
Naisip ko tuloy, may naipangako din kaya ako kay mama? Sampung t-shirt? Daster? Typewriter? Radyo? Ref? Oven? TV? Nabigay ko kaya?
Tinext ko agad si Kay para sabihin ang saloobin ko, at ang agad nyang sagot ay, “hindi pa naman huli ang lahat para tuparin kung ano man ang pangako mo…”
Sa isang simpleng tanong ni Leiah, napagmuni-muni ako; nagiisip-isip hinggil sa mga bagay na hindi na gaanong napapansin sa gitna ng kabisihan.
Ngayong panahon ng graduation, naibalik kaya natin sa ating mga magulang ung mga “pangako” na binitiwan natin sa kanila? Natupad kaya natin ang mga pangarap nila para sa atin? Nasagot kaya natin ang mga katanunang na bumabalot sa kanilang isipan, habang umiikot ang pwit sa pag-iisip kung saan kukuha ng pang-matrikula at pambaon natin sa isang panibagong linggo?
Sa totoo lang, hindi lang naman ito ang ekslusibong panahon para magpasalamat at tumupad sa mga pangako. Araw-araw, dapat ay may katuparan: kung nagawa mo ung nasa “To-Do List” mo; kung naipasa mo ang requirements sa subject; kung na-beat mo ang deadline mo sa boss mo; at marami pang iba.
Ikaw? Anon’ng gusto mo paglaki mo?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Much Bragging about Nothing
While reading the newspaper this morning, I can’t help but marvel with my new crush, Jovie Ann Decoyna, who topped the 36, 455 passers of the November 2008 Nursing Board Exam. Nothing much is supposed to be marvelous in her exemplary performance in the board exam, except for the fact that she is an Ibaloi, and a daughter of a farmer and OFW. Just like what I felt during my undergraduate years in PNU, I was once again challenged. If this girl did, yes we can! (Obama are you in?)
However, a more intriguing issue regarding the latest Nursing Board exam is the roster of top performing schools. It appears that the not-so-advertised schools like Xavier University and Silliman University are among the top ten. Ironically, the self-proclaimed “best” schools were not included. The list provided by PDI involves schools with “100 or more examinees” and I’d like to give the nursing (business) schools the benefit of the doubt. [But is it really possible that these schools have more than 341 examinees—the number of takers from Xavier?]
***
Every time I roam around the metro, I would see gigantic billboards parading their graduates who “topped” the board, which is then followed by a highly fallacious statement: “We are no. 1.” Among the fallacy-stricken schools are the OLFU (Our Lady of Fatima University)—which has advertisements along the Novalichez area—and UERM (University of the East Ramon Magsaysay, I’m not sure if the acronym is correct)—which has an advertisement along E. Rodriguez.
Let me clarify that I have nothing against these schools, nor the graduates of these schools. I have friends who graduated from these schools who are now applying the nursing skills that they have acquired from these schools.
At the end of the day, my message is simple.
As students and future parents, let us be vigilant on choosing the school that would educate us and our children. Be cynical, if possible. Ask yourself, “Will this school really help me in bringing out the best in me? Will this school provide me with the competencies that I need when I go out in the field and work? Or will this school just profit from my tuition and other fees?”
The school is a place for exploring the world and oneself, and one thing’s for sure: If the “school” prioritizes profit over learning, that is not a school. That is a company. I know one in Laguna. Beware.
However, a more intriguing issue regarding the latest Nursing Board exam is the roster of top performing schools. It appears that the not-so-advertised schools like Xavier University and Silliman University are among the top ten. Ironically, the self-proclaimed “best” schools were not included. The list provided by PDI involves schools with “100 or more examinees” and I’d like to give the nursing (business) schools the benefit of the doubt. [But is it really possible that these schools have more than 341 examinees—the number of takers from Xavier?]
***
Every time I roam around the metro, I would see gigantic billboards parading their graduates who “topped” the board, which is then followed by a highly fallacious statement: “We are no. 1.” Among the fallacy-stricken schools are the OLFU (Our Lady of Fatima University)—which has advertisements along the Novalichez area—and UERM (University of the East Ramon Magsaysay, I’m not sure if the acronym is correct)—which has an advertisement along E. Rodriguez.
Let me clarify that I have nothing against these schools, nor the graduates of these schools. I have friends who graduated from these schools who are now applying the nursing skills that they have acquired from these schools.
At the end of the day, my message is simple.
As students and future parents, let us be vigilant on choosing the school that would educate us and our children. Be cynical, if possible. Ask yourself, “Will this school really help me in bringing out the best in me? Will this school provide me with the competencies that I need when I go out in the field and work? Or will this school just profit from my tuition and other fees?”
The school is a place for exploring the world and oneself, and one thing’s for sure: If the “school” prioritizes profit over learning, that is not a school. That is a company. I know one in Laguna. Beware.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Why Evil Men Live Long
The Filipino cliché “Masamang damo, matagal mamatay” is aptly used in today’s pressing situation—most especially in relation to Gloria Arroyo’s administration and family. Indeed, Mrs. Arroyo and her minions’ evilness seethe through the marrow to the point of controlling death to work its way. Is it possible that Hades is bribable?
I just can’t help but ask, “Why in the world does FG Mike Arroyo suddenly become ‘unhealthy’ during exposés of his crimes?” Moreover, I ask myself, “Why is he still alive anyway?” Yeah, when the issue “dies down” he resurrects and plays golf.
Malacañang appears to have lost its creativity in making alibis. Their scriptwriters probably thought that since the “health reasons” alibi “worked” during the NBN-ZTE scandal (in reality, it did not), then it would more likely work again the Nth time around.
But the Filipino people stopped from being ignorant long ago (unfortunately, Filipinos begin to be indifferent). No one in his/her right mind would believe such poorly written stories coming out of the Liars’ Den.
Speaking of liars, it is very important to note the infuriating statements made by the executive liar Eduardo Ermita. Assuming that every accused has his/her rights, don’t we have to? Shouldn’t we hear the explanations regarding FG’s involvement in these corruption cases straight from him? Why does he continue to deny the allegations when documents tell of his involvement? The constitution clearly states that the people have the right to know. Obviously, these braggarts don’t have any plans to respect the rule of law.
Ermita is even too arrogant to say that FG should not face the senate inquiry because this might “stress” him, and that FG should play golf instead. Ah, a man truly worthy to be clubbed down. If Ermita would just act human, even for a very short time, he will know how “stressed” Filipinos are. No, “stressed” is too soft a term. “Pissed off” is more appropriate.
The Arroyo administration is dead wrong if they think that the “resilience” of their government is due to the people’s support. This evil people live long, because they have established a strong relationship with the forces of darkness.
I just can’t help but ask, “Why in the world does FG Mike Arroyo suddenly become ‘unhealthy’ during exposés of his crimes?” Moreover, I ask myself, “Why is he still alive anyway?” Yeah, when the issue “dies down” he resurrects and plays golf.
Malacañang appears to have lost its creativity in making alibis. Their scriptwriters probably thought that since the “health reasons” alibi “worked” during the NBN-ZTE scandal (in reality, it did not), then it would more likely work again the Nth time around.
But the Filipino people stopped from being ignorant long ago (unfortunately, Filipinos begin to be indifferent). No one in his/her right mind would believe such poorly written stories coming out of the Liars’ Den.
Speaking of liars, it is very important to note the infuriating statements made by the executive liar Eduardo Ermita. Assuming that every accused has his/her rights, don’t we have to? Shouldn’t we hear the explanations regarding FG’s involvement in these corruption cases straight from him? Why does he continue to deny the allegations when documents tell of his involvement? The constitution clearly states that the people have the right to know. Obviously, these braggarts don’t have any plans to respect the rule of law.
Ermita is even too arrogant to say that FG should not face the senate inquiry because this might “stress” him, and that FG should play golf instead. Ah, a man truly worthy to be clubbed down. If Ermita would just act human, even for a very short time, he will know how “stressed” Filipinos are. No, “stressed” is too soft a term. “Pissed off” is more appropriate.
The Arroyo administration is dead wrong if they think that the “resilience” of their government is due to the people’s support. This evil people live long, because they have established a strong relationship with the forces of darkness.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
SERYENG EMOLASLAS: Tomo 1, Blg. 4: Ang Correlation-Coefficient bilang Panukat kung ikaw at ang Jowa mo ay para sa isa’t-isa
Sa panahong ito na usong-uso ang mga Emolaslas kids (mostly dahil sa pagkabigo sa pag-ibig), mahalagang malaman natin kung anu-ano ang mga posibleng hakbang upang maiwasan ang mga extreme cases ng ka-EMOhan.
Una sa lahat, i-identify naten ang mga usual na rason, at sa partikular na seryeng ito, magpopokus tayo sa isang rason “daw” ng mga break-ups: INCOMPATIBILITY.
Sa araw-araw kong pakikisalamuha sa ibat-ibang uri ng tao (at sa araw-araw kong pag-uusi sa mga usapan ng mga studyante sa dyip, ng mag yuppies sa coffee shop, mga mababantot na naggiGym sa labas ng Boarding House ko, at maging ng mga bakla na nakatambay sa labas ng parlor (na katabi ng suki kong karinderya), madalas kong marinig ang terminong Incompatibility.
“Siguro di talaga kame swak sa isa’t-isa…gusto ko to, pero yun ang gusto n’ya…”
At dahil nagkataon na sa araw-araw na pakikisalamuha ko sa kanila nitong mga nakaraang araw ay nagrereview ako ng mga posibleng statistical treatments sa kamoteng tisis ko, heto’t nakaisip ako ng pamamaraan upang ma-“measure” ang compatibility mo sa jowa mo.
(DISCLAIMER: Walang scientific proof ang sumusunod. Pawang kagunggungan lamang.)
So ganto ang gawin natin, hanapin naten ang mga trip mong gawin, at trip n’yang gawin. Tapos i-tabulate naten, at subukan nating hanapin ang level of significance ninyong dalawa. Heto ang pormulang gagamitin natin:
r= [∑xy- (∑x) (∑y)/n]
√ [∑x2- (∑x) (∑x)/n] [∑y2- (∑y) (∑y)/n]
Let:
x= Boy
y= Girl
xy= minultiply na boy at girl
∑xy= summation ng minultiply na Boy at Girl
x2= Dinobleng Boy
y2= Dinobleng Girl
∑x2= summation ng dinobleng boy
∑y2= summation ng dinobleng girl
n= bilang ng mga trip nyong gawin
Ngayon, ang gagawin natin ay itabulate ang mga trip nyong gawin.
Halimbawa:
1. magmall
2. manood ng sine
3. manood ng basketball game
4. magkape
5. maglibrary
6. magusap ng mga pilosopikal na bagay
7. mag-usap tungkol sa kabulukan ng gubyernong Arroyo
8. mag-usap ng mga debate motions (dahil isa sa inyo ay alagad ni Sir Ali)
9. kumain ng Jolly Spaghetti
10. Manlait ng mga nakakasalubong.
Ito ngayon ang magko-constitute ng n.
Tapos, iskoran mo at ng jowa mo ang n. 1-10 ang rating scale; 10 being the highest (meaning super trip mo) at 1 being the lowest (meaning super badtrip ka)
Halimbawa: MAGMALL-- x=5; y=10
Tapos isquare mo ang x at y, para makuha ang x2 at y2. (x2=25; y2=100)
Tapos imultiply mo ang x at y, para makuha ang xy.
Tapos, itable mo.
Kunin ang ∑ by simply adding all x's, y's, x2's, y2's, at xy's
Tapos, ayun, iderive mo na ung formula. Malaki ka na. Alam mo na yan, at tinatamad na ko magtype.
Ito dapat ang sagot mo (kung hindi ito ang sagot mo, ulitin; kung di pa rin pareho, wag ka mangealam, blog ko to; absolute ang sagot ko.)
r= 0.39
Ngayon tatanungin mo ako kung ano ang interpretation nyan. Well, eto ang interpretation ng mga sagot sa Coefficient-Correlation:
0.7-0.99= High positive correlation
0.3-0.69= Moderate positive correlation
0.1-0.29= Low positive correlation
Lower than 0.1= Negligible correlation
In short, kung kayong magjowa ang naexample sa taas ay moderate ang inyong konek. May mga bagay na ok kayo, na halos katumbas din ng mga bagay na magkaiba ang trip n’yo.
So ano ngayon ang implikasyon? Aba ewan ko sa inyo, either gustuhin mo ang gusto nya o gustuhin nya ang gusto mo. Ngayon kung di nyo magustuhan ang isa’t-isa, edi ayaw nyo sa isa’t-isa. Ergo, magbreak nalang kayo. (But don’t laslas yourself.)
Una sa lahat, i-identify naten ang mga usual na rason, at sa partikular na seryeng ito, magpopokus tayo sa isang rason “daw” ng mga break-ups: INCOMPATIBILITY.
Sa araw-araw kong pakikisalamuha sa ibat-ibang uri ng tao (at sa araw-araw kong pag-uusi sa mga usapan ng mga studyante sa dyip, ng mag yuppies sa coffee shop, mga mababantot na naggiGym sa labas ng Boarding House ko, at maging ng mga bakla na nakatambay sa labas ng parlor (na katabi ng suki kong karinderya), madalas kong marinig ang terminong Incompatibility.
“Siguro di talaga kame swak sa isa’t-isa…gusto ko to, pero yun ang gusto n’ya…”
At dahil nagkataon na sa araw-araw na pakikisalamuha ko sa kanila nitong mga nakaraang araw ay nagrereview ako ng mga posibleng statistical treatments sa kamoteng tisis ko, heto’t nakaisip ako ng pamamaraan upang ma-“measure” ang compatibility mo sa jowa mo.
(DISCLAIMER: Walang scientific proof ang sumusunod. Pawang kagunggungan lamang.)
So ganto ang gawin natin, hanapin naten ang mga trip mong gawin, at trip n’yang gawin. Tapos i-tabulate naten, at subukan nating hanapin ang level of significance ninyong dalawa. Heto ang pormulang gagamitin natin:
r= [∑xy- (∑x) (∑y)/n]
√ [∑x2- (∑x) (∑x)/n] [∑y2- (∑y) (∑y)/n]
Let:
x= Boy
y= Girl
xy= minultiply na boy at girl
∑xy= summation ng minultiply na Boy at Girl
x2= Dinobleng Boy
y2= Dinobleng Girl
∑x2= summation ng dinobleng boy
∑y2= summation ng dinobleng girl
n= bilang ng mga trip nyong gawin
Ngayon, ang gagawin natin ay itabulate ang mga trip nyong gawin.
Halimbawa:
1. magmall
2. manood ng sine
3. manood ng basketball game
4. magkape
5. maglibrary
6. magusap ng mga pilosopikal na bagay
7. mag-usap tungkol sa kabulukan ng gubyernong Arroyo
8. mag-usap ng mga debate motions (dahil isa sa inyo ay alagad ni Sir Ali)
9. kumain ng Jolly Spaghetti
10. Manlait ng mga nakakasalubong.
Ito ngayon ang magko-constitute ng n.
Tapos, iskoran mo at ng jowa mo ang n. 1-10 ang rating scale; 10 being the highest (meaning super trip mo) at 1 being the lowest (meaning super badtrip ka)
Halimbawa: MAGMALL-- x=5; y=10
Tapos isquare mo ang x at y, para makuha ang x2 at y2. (x2=25; y2=100)
Tapos imultiply mo ang x at y, para makuha ang xy.
Tapos, itable mo.
Kunin ang ∑ by simply adding all x's, y's, x2's, y2's, at xy's
Tapos, ayun, iderive mo na ung formula. Malaki ka na. Alam mo na yan, at tinatamad na ko magtype.
Ito dapat ang sagot mo (kung hindi ito ang sagot mo, ulitin; kung di pa rin pareho, wag ka mangealam, blog ko to; absolute ang sagot ko.)
r= 0.39
Ngayon tatanungin mo ako kung ano ang interpretation nyan. Well, eto ang interpretation ng mga sagot sa Coefficient-Correlation:
0.7-0.99= High positive correlation
0.3-0.69= Moderate positive correlation
0.1-0.29= Low positive correlation
Lower than 0.1= Negligible correlation
In short, kung kayong magjowa ang naexample sa taas ay moderate ang inyong konek. May mga bagay na ok kayo, na halos katumbas din ng mga bagay na magkaiba ang trip n’yo.
So ano ngayon ang implikasyon? Aba ewan ko sa inyo, either gustuhin mo ang gusto nya o gustuhin nya ang gusto mo. Ngayon kung di nyo magustuhan ang isa’t-isa, edi ayaw nyo sa isa’t-isa. Ergo, magbreak nalang kayo. (But don’t laslas yourself.)
Monday, January 26, 2009
SERYENG EMO: Tomo 1, Blg. 3: Mga Praktikal na Tips sa Pagpili ng Trabaho
Sa t’wing magtatanong ang sangkatauhan kung san ako nagtuturo, dalawa palagi ang sagot ko—syempre, dalawa naman tlaga ang unibersidad na pinaglalagian ko bilang “gurong kaladkarin” (sarili kong translation sa part-time teacher; wala kaseng permanenteng eskwelahan e). Pero aaminin kong pag may tono ng kayabangan ang nagtatanong saken (tipong ineestima ako dahil muka akong adik) lantaran kong sinasabing sa La Salle ako nagtuturo,
“Sa Benilde?”
Ang madalas na follow-up question.
“Ay hindi, sa Main.”
Sabay ngiti na may pagpapakumbaba…pero deep inside, “Kala mo ikaw lang mayabang sa mundo a…”
Pero di yan ang paksa ko.
Napapadalas na din kase ang tanong saken kung baket ako nananatili sa PNU, gayong ilang buwan akong ‘di pinasweldo at buwan-buwang delayed ang dating ng sahod. Lagi kong rason na binabalik ko lang sa PNU ang tinulong nito saken bilang iskolar ng bayan. Lagi kong dinadahilan na gusto ko lang makatulong sa mga gaya ko na may simpleng pangarap: ang makatapos sa pag-aaral, makapagturo, at makatulong sa pamilya.
Pero di ko ikakaila na madalas kong daing ang krisis pampinansyal. Magkano lang naman ang sweldo ng part time sa PNU? Delayed pa. Tuloy tanong ko na din sa sarili, “Bakit nga ba?”
Lately, nahanap ko na ata ang sagot; isang simpleng katotohanan…PNU is where I belong (Naks! Parang tagline ng GMA-7 nung 90’s)
Pero totoo! Sa constant chikahan ko sa’king mga profs (na ngayon ay kapwa ko na guro) unti-unti kong napapagtanto na hindi ako nag-iisa sa PNU. Lahat pala kame ay ganon pa rin. Hikahos. Pero masaya. Yung inaakala mong prof mo na maraming pera? Wala rin pala. Baon din sa utang, gaya ko. (Syempre di ko na ikukuwento kung sino)
Naisip ko, siguro ito ang dahilan kung bakit kahit mababait naman ang mga teacher sa La Salle, di ako makakonek. Pag nagkwentuhan kase sila di ko nararamdaman na nagutom sila; na naglakad sila dahil walang pamasahe; na nagpa-photocopy ng paisa-isang chapter dahil walang pambili ng libro. (N.B. Di ko rin naman sinasabing payabangan ang moda nila. OK din naman ang mga joke time nila…pero yun nga, baka dahil puro joke time kame sa La Salle at walang madramang tagpo at masinsinang usap.)
Hindi naman ako career expert. Pero siguro ang tinutumbok ko ay ang katotohanan na kung saang trabaho ka man nakakonekta ngayon, pinakamahalaga ang saya na nararamdaman mo. Masasabi ko sa ngayon na walang katumbas na salapi ang mga halakhak na matatamasa mo kasama ang mga tunay na tao: ang mga estudyanteng pareho kong butas ang bulsa; ang mga kapwa ko guro na may sari-sariling bagyong binubuno.
Noon, regular ang pasok ng sahod ko sa ATM; may bigas quarterly; may bonus (kuno) every 3 months; at kung ano pang anik-anik. Pero di ko na-feel ang “fulfillment” at “growth.” (Pero hindi ko tinotolerate ang kabulukan ng sistema sa mga public schools, PNU included)
Maraming salik ang pagpili ng trabaho. Pag-isipang mabuti…at pinakamahalaga sa lahat, ipagdasal sa Diyos. After all, di ka rin naman nakatapos dahil lang sa sariling kakayanan…
“Sa Benilde?”
Ang madalas na follow-up question.
“Ay hindi, sa Main.”
Sabay ngiti na may pagpapakumbaba…pero deep inside, “Kala mo ikaw lang mayabang sa mundo a…”
Pero di yan ang paksa ko.
Napapadalas na din kase ang tanong saken kung baket ako nananatili sa PNU, gayong ilang buwan akong ‘di pinasweldo at buwan-buwang delayed ang dating ng sahod. Lagi kong rason na binabalik ko lang sa PNU ang tinulong nito saken bilang iskolar ng bayan. Lagi kong dinadahilan na gusto ko lang makatulong sa mga gaya ko na may simpleng pangarap: ang makatapos sa pag-aaral, makapagturo, at makatulong sa pamilya.
Pero di ko ikakaila na madalas kong daing ang krisis pampinansyal. Magkano lang naman ang sweldo ng part time sa PNU? Delayed pa. Tuloy tanong ko na din sa sarili, “Bakit nga ba?”
Lately, nahanap ko na ata ang sagot; isang simpleng katotohanan…PNU is where I belong (Naks! Parang tagline ng GMA-7 nung 90’s)
Pero totoo! Sa constant chikahan ko sa’king mga profs (na ngayon ay kapwa ko na guro) unti-unti kong napapagtanto na hindi ako nag-iisa sa PNU. Lahat pala kame ay ganon pa rin. Hikahos. Pero masaya. Yung inaakala mong prof mo na maraming pera? Wala rin pala. Baon din sa utang, gaya ko. (Syempre di ko na ikukuwento kung sino)
Naisip ko, siguro ito ang dahilan kung bakit kahit mababait naman ang mga teacher sa La Salle, di ako makakonek. Pag nagkwentuhan kase sila di ko nararamdaman na nagutom sila; na naglakad sila dahil walang pamasahe; na nagpa-photocopy ng paisa-isang chapter dahil walang pambili ng libro. (N.B. Di ko rin naman sinasabing payabangan ang moda nila. OK din naman ang mga joke time nila…pero yun nga, baka dahil puro joke time kame sa La Salle at walang madramang tagpo at masinsinang usap.)
Hindi naman ako career expert. Pero siguro ang tinutumbok ko ay ang katotohanan na kung saang trabaho ka man nakakonekta ngayon, pinakamahalaga ang saya na nararamdaman mo. Masasabi ko sa ngayon na walang katumbas na salapi ang mga halakhak na matatamasa mo kasama ang mga tunay na tao: ang mga estudyanteng pareho kong butas ang bulsa; ang mga kapwa ko guro na may sari-sariling bagyong binubuno.
Noon, regular ang pasok ng sahod ko sa ATM; may bigas quarterly; may bonus (kuno) every 3 months; at kung ano pang anik-anik. Pero di ko na-feel ang “fulfillment” at “growth.” (Pero hindi ko tinotolerate ang kabulukan ng sistema sa mga public schools, PNU included)
Maraming salik ang pagpili ng trabaho. Pag-isipang mabuti…at pinakamahalaga sa lahat, ipagdasal sa Diyos. After all, di ka rin naman nakatapos dahil lang sa sariling kakayanan…
Thursday, January 8, 2009
SERYENG EMOLASLAS: Tomo 1, Blg. 2: Mga Praktikal na Tips sa Panliligaw
O teka, reaksyunaryo ka naman masyado. Syempre alam ko namang di ako expert sa larangan ng panliligaw. Ang mga babasahin mo sa ibaba ay mga tugon lang ng mga girl-friends ko na informal kong sinarbey…
Nung hayskul ako, mga request na “Pre, tulungan mo naman ako manligaw oh…” ang usual na maririnig mo sa barkadahan. Syempre yung mga dabarkads kong may jowa nung mga panahon na yon, maraming shineshare (at top-the-lolo story ang labanan, kung Hershey’s yung binigay nung nauna, Cadbury naman ung iyayabang nung pangalawa, syempre yung pangatlo Ferero ang iyayabang; samantalang ako Goya lang)
Ang mga usual approach nung kapanuhanan namen e medyo discreet pa. May texting na din naman noon, pero pang rich and da famous lang yun. 15kyaw pa kase ang 8210 noon, at 5110 ang humahataw sa takilya.
Number one pa nun yung PA-KYUT GAMIT ANG GITARA approach; although medyo bumenta din noon kung dancer ka (naalala ko tuloy ang Palara Boys, Dance group nina MV Welsh Jay, Bryan Romero, at Geoff Valencia) Ang masaklap neto, isa ako sa mga gitarista sa PCU, pero kahit kelan, di bumenta sa chiks ang todong pakyut habang kinakalabit ko ang gitara kong nabili ko dahil sa pagbebenta ng turon at lumpiang toge. Tanggap ko naman na palagi akong basted, bukbukin kase ang muka ko, payatot, at higit sa lahat, wala akong pera (hanggang ngayon naman..hehe)
Sa di malamang kadahilanan, nauso din noon yung mga LOVE LETTERS na nakasulat sa tissue paper. Grabe. Sa sobrang panget ko magsulat, as usual, olats ako sa approach na ito. Matinde mga barkada ko non. May subject kase kaming Bible sa PCU. Syempre, kadalasan walang dala ang mga studyante non (e kahit nga yung ibang nagsisimba, di nagdadala ng Bibliya e, yun pa kayang hayskul student) So ang siste, hihiram ng Bible sa kras (o kaya Physics textbook) tapos pag sinole, nakaipit na ang tissue. Ang di ko alam, kung binasa ng kras yon, o pinang-iwang lang.
Pero di yang mga nasa itaas ang pinupunto ko, eto talaga. Ayon sa aking survey, heto ang mga katangian na gusto ng mga babae sa lalake (inuulit ko, informal ang sarbey na ito, so statistically, not valid and not reliable)
1. May sense kausap
2. May sense of humor
3. Sensitive
Kung napansin mo, lahat ng tatlong yan ay may “sense” Ibig bang sabihin nito ay “common sense” lang ang kailangan sa panliligaw? Marahil. Kaso sabi ni Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Common sense is not common at all.”
Kung manliligaw ka dude, siguraduhin mong kaya mong magsustain ng conversation. Karamihan kase ng mga girls, mahilig makipagkwentuhan (so related sa unang serye, kelangan medyo may variety ang mga alam mo. Di lang about basketball, UFC, o kaya Dota. Mahalaga din na alam mong hindi club sa Mindanao Ave. ang Twilight na kinababaliwan ng mga kabababihan ngayon.
Pangalawa (although mahirap to, kase pag pilit korni ang dating) dapat kaya mo s’yang patawanin. Sabi nga ng mga napagtanungan ko, kung di daw sila mapapatawa ng guy, edi parang ang miserable naman daw ng magiging dates nila.
Pangatlo, dapat daw e sensitive ka (di naman to the point na iyakin ka na) yun lang alam mong makiramdam sa gusto ng girl. (dito super guilty ako, bubugbugin ako ni Kay pag nabasa nya to) Kunware, dapat alam mong idol na idol ng nililigawan mo si Ai-Ai, so wag na magatubili pa, kahit korni para sayo, yayain mo sya manood ng Ang Tanging Ina Nyong Lahat. Dapat alam mo rin kung gusto na nya umuwi, magstroll pa, kumain, magTimezone, bunutin ung kilay mo, tuklapin ung whiteheads mo sa ilong o kaya kurutin kili-kili mo. Mahirap, pero as much as possible, gawin mo ung ikasasaya nya (pero syempre may limits, bahala ka na umisip kung ano ung limits)
Yun lang. Sa totoo lang, kung ayaw naman sayo ng babae, kahit anong pilit wala ka magagawa kundi maglaslas (joke lang. wag ka magpakamatay. Hellow. T_T Gayahin mo si Doc Hayden. EWWWYY!!!) Pag ayaw sayo, wag mo na kulitin; someday marerealize din nya na sya ang nawalan (yun e kung magaaral ka. Tapos magiging saksespul ka, tapos mabait ka and all. Pero, kung mananatili kang tambay, malake tiyan, lasenggero, walang pinag-aralan, malamang magbunyi pa yun sa right decision nya.
Nung hayskul ako, mga request na “Pre, tulungan mo naman ako manligaw oh…” ang usual na maririnig mo sa barkadahan. Syempre yung mga dabarkads kong may jowa nung mga panahon na yon, maraming shineshare (at top-the-lolo story ang labanan, kung Hershey’s yung binigay nung nauna, Cadbury naman ung iyayabang nung pangalawa, syempre yung pangatlo Ferero ang iyayabang; samantalang ako Goya lang)
Ang mga usual approach nung kapanuhanan namen e medyo discreet pa. May texting na din naman noon, pero pang rich and da famous lang yun. 15kyaw pa kase ang 8210 noon, at 5110 ang humahataw sa takilya.
Number one pa nun yung PA-KYUT GAMIT ANG GITARA approach; although medyo bumenta din noon kung dancer ka (naalala ko tuloy ang Palara Boys, Dance group nina MV Welsh Jay, Bryan Romero, at Geoff Valencia) Ang masaklap neto, isa ako sa mga gitarista sa PCU, pero kahit kelan, di bumenta sa chiks ang todong pakyut habang kinakalabit ko ang gitara kong nabili ko dahil sa pagbebenta ng turon at lumpiang toge. Tanggap ko naman na palagi akong basted, bukbukin kase ang muka ko, payatot, at higit sa lahat, wala akong pera (hanggang ngayon naman..hehe)
Sa di malamang kadahilanan, nauso din noon yung mga LOVE LETTERS na nakasulat sa tissue paper. Grabe. Sa sobrang panget ko magsulat, as usual, olats ako sa approach na ito. Matinde mga barkada ko non. May subject kase kaming Bible sa PCU. Syempre, kadalasan walang dala ang mga studyante non (e kahit nga yung ibang nagsisimba, di nagdadala ng Bibliya e, yun pa kayang hayskul student) So ang siste, hihiram ng Bible sa kras (o kaya Physics textbook) tapos pag sinole, nakaipit na ang tissue. Ang di ko alam, kung binasa ng kras yon, o pinang-iwang lang.
Pero di yang mga nasa itaas ang pinupunto ko, eto talaga. Ayon sa aking survey, heto ang mga katangian na gusto ng mga babae sa lalake (inuulit ko, informal ang sarbey na ito, so statistically, not valid and not reliable)
1. May sense kausap
2. May sense of humor
3. Sensitive
Kung napansin mo, lahat ng tatlong yan ay may “sense” Ibig bang sabihin nito ay “common sense” lang ang kailangan sa panliligaw? Marahil. Kaso sabi ni Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Common sense is not common at all.”
Kung manliligaw ka dude, siguraduhin mong kaya mong magsustain ng conversation. Karamihan kase ng mga girls, mahilig makipagkwentuhan (so related sa unang serye, kelangan medyo may variety ang mga alam mo. Di lang about basketball, UFC, o kaya Dota. Mahalaga din na alam mong hindi club sa Mindanao Ave. ang Twilight na kinababaliwan ng mga kabababihan ngayon.
Pangalawa (although mahirap to, kase pag pilit korni ang dating) dapat kaya mo s’yang patawanin. Sabi nga ng mga napagtanungan ko, kung di daw sila mapapatawa ng guy, edi parang ang miserable naman daw ng magiging dates nila.
Pangatlo, dapat daw e sensitive ka (di naman to the point na iyakin ka na) yun lang alam mong makiramdam sa gusto ng girl. (dito super guilty ako, bubugbugin ako ni Kay pag nabasa nya to) Kunware, dapat alam mong idol na idol ng nililigawan mo si Ai-Ai, so wag na magatubili pa, kahit korni para sayo, yayain mo sya manood ng Ang Tanging Ina Nyong Lahat. Dapat alam mo rin kung gusto na nya umuwi, magstroll pa, kumain, magTimezone, bunutin ung kilay mo, tuklapin ung whiteheads mo sa ilong o kaya kurutin kili-kili mo. Mahirap, pero as much as possible, gawin mo ung ikasasaya nya (pero syempre may limits, bahala ka na umisip kung ano ung limits)
Yun lang. Sa totoo lang, kung ayaw naman sayo ng babae, kahit anong pilit wala ka magagawa kundi maglaslas (joke lang. wag ka magpakamatay. Hellow. T_T Gayahin mo si Doc Hayden. EWWWYY!!!) Pag ayaw sayo, wag mo na kulitin; someday marerealize din nya na sya ang nawalan (yun e kung magaaral ka. Tapos magiging saksespul ka, tapos mabait ka and all. Pero, kung mananatili kang tambay, malake tiyan, lasenggero, walang pinag-aralan, malamang magbunyi pa yun sa right decision nya.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
SERYENG EMO: Tomo 1, Blg. 1: Mga Praktikal na Tips sa Pagpili ng Jowa (para sa mga babae to)
Dahil sa nabubuang na ako sa pagsulat ng tisis kong walang kawawaan, pagbigyan n’yo na ko; magpapaka Joe D’ Mango muna ako sa mga blogs na ipapaskil ko…
Kanina, dahil wala pang klase sa Lasalle, ay buong maghapon akong tumambay sa PNU. Plano ko talagang mag-research at ituloy ang pagsulat ng atras-abante kong tisis, e kaso ewan ko ba…
Anyway, may napala naman ako maghapon (kahit papano). Bandang 2:30 ng hapon ng mapagtanto kong kelangan ko na talaga magpunta sa Library at maghagilap ng mga references. May katagalan na rin siguro akong di nakakaakyat sa 3rd floor, nagrigodon na pala ang maalikabok na mga bookshelves doon. In fairness, maalikabok pa rin sila.
Napansin kong as usual, mas maraming tambay sa meatshop sa harap ng CED at sa catwalk sa harap ng Luncheonette. Maluwag na maluwag ang Library, parang EDSA pag may laban si Pacquiao.
Pero in fairness, may nakita naman akong dati kong mga studyante. Partikular ang itatago natin sa pangalang Lara Croft. Nagdodrowing s’ya ng abutan ko, pero maya maya ay nagbasa na din. Nagkamustahan kame saglit, tinanong ko kung bat s’ya nag-iisa. Nalungkot ako sa sagot n’ya, “Ayaw nila dito sa Lib e.”
So ano ngayon ang relevance neto sa EMOLASLAS BLOG SERIES ko?
Simple lang. Mga girls, kung ako sa inyo, (lalo na kung studyante ka) bastedin ang mga lalakeng ayaw maglibrary—syempre literally at figuratively ito—(mga lalake, wag ligawan ang babaeng hindi nag-aaral o talagang ayaw lang mag-aral, korni yan kausap believe me)
O teka, wag kang reaksyunaryo. Ito naman e based on experience lang. Kung ayaw mo maniwala, e tigilan mo na ang pagbabasa neto.
Madalas mapagkwentuhan namen ni Kay ang bagay na ito. Napagtanto lang namen na malaki ang posibilidad na boring, walang kwenta, at korni kausap/kasama ang jowa na di nagbabasa o kaya di nag-aaral. Baket kamo? E ano’ng paguusapan n’yo kung wala namang laman ang kukote n’ya?
Eto ang mga posibleng topics n’yo:
1. Yung lamay kagabi. Klasmeyt nya nung grade 1. Nasaksak ng icepick
2. Yung ex-jowa nya na nagJapan dahil gusto iahon ang pamilya sa kahirapan (malamang iparamdam pa nya sayong magJapan ka na rin)
3. Yung snatcher sa Quiapo na nabilhan nya ng N95 for only P1,500 (at iinggitin ka pa n’yan)
4. Yung pinakaunforgettable moment sa karir n’ya bilang player sa liga pag summer. (nakagawa sya ng 2 points, pero ipagtatanggol ang sarili, “Ako naman halos ang gumawa ng rebounds. Grabe pagod na pagod ako tumalon!” Ang magandang sagot d’yan ay: “Try mo maging Kangaroo”)
5. Kung gaano kalaki na ang improvement sa biceps at triceps n’ya. Ok sana kung kasabay ng paglaki ng muscles e ung utak nya, o kaya kahit ung bank account lang sana pede na. Pero kung muscles lang tlaga, ampaw pa rin.
Pero kung sa tingin mo naman e “cool” ang mga topic na nasa itaas (lalo na pag “love” mo naman ang kausap mo) e kalimutan mo na lahat ng sinabi ko.
Kanina, dahil wala pang klase sa Lasalle, ay buong maghapon akong tumambay sa PNU. Plano ko talagang mag-research at ituloy ang pagsulat ng atras-abante kong tisis, e kaso ewan ko ba…
Anyway, may napala naman ako maghapon (kahit papano). Bandang 2:30 ng hapon ng mapagtanto kong kelangan ko na talaga magpunta sa Library at maghagilap ng mga references. May katagalan na rin siguro akong di nakakaakyat sa 3rd floor, nagrigodon na pala ang maalikabok na mga bookshelves doon. In fairness, maalikabok pa rin sila.
Napansin kong as usual, mas maraming tambay sa meatshop sa harap ng CED at sa catwalk sa harap ng Luncheonette. Maluwag na maluwag ang Library, parang EDSA pag may laban si Pacquiao.
Pero in fairness, may nakita naman akong dati kong mga studyante. Partikular ang itatago natin sa pangalang Lara Croft. Nagdodrowing s’ya ng abutan ko, pero maya maya ay nagbasa na din. Nagkamustahan kame saglit, tinanong ko kung bat s’ya nag-iisa. Nalungkot ako sa sagot n’ya, “Ayaw nila dito sa Lib e.”
So ano ngayon ang relevance neto sa EMOLASLAS BLOG SERIES ko?
Simple lang. Mga girls, kung ako sa inyo, (lalo na kung studyante ka) bastedin ang mga lalakeng ayaw maglibrary—syempre literally at figuratively ito—(mga lalake, wag ligawan ang babaeng hindi nag-aaral o talagang ayaw lang mag-aral, korni yan kausap believe me)
O teka, wag kang reaksyunaryo. Ito naman e based on experience lang. Kung ayaw mo maniwala, e tigilan mo na ang pagbabasa neto.
Madalas mapagkwentuhan namen ni Kay ang bagay na ito. Napagtanto lang namen na malaki ang posibilidad na boring, walang kwenta, at korni kausap/kasama ang jowa na di nagbabasa o kaya di nag-aaral. Baket kamo? E ano’ng paguusapan n’yo kung wala namang laman ang kukote n’ya?
Eto ang mga posibleng topics n’yo:
1. Yung lamay kagabi. Klasmeyt nya nung grade 1. Nasaksak ng icepick
2. Yung ex-jowa nya na nagJapan dahil gusto iahon ang pamilya sa kahirapan (malamang iparamdam pa nya sayong magJapan ka na rin)
3. Yung snatcher sa Quiapo na nabilhan nya ng N95 for only P1,500 (at iinggitin ka pa n’yan)
4. Yung pinakaunforgettable moment sa karir n’ya bilang player sa liga pag summer. (nakagawa sya ng 2 points, pero ipagtatanggol ang sarili, “Ako naman halos ang gumawa ng rebounds. Grabe pagod na pagod ako tumalon!” Ang magandang sagot d’yan ay: “Try mo maging Kangaroo”)
5. Kung gaano kalaki na ang improvement sa biceps at triceps n’ya. Ok sana kung kasabay ng paglaki ng muscles e ung utak nya, o kaya kahit ung bank account lang sana pede na. Pero kung muscles lang tlaga, ampaw pa rin.
Pero kung sa tingin mo naman e “cool” ang mga topic na nasa itaas (lalo na pag “love” mo naman ang kausap mo) e kalimutan mo na lahat ng sinabi ko.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Matsing ka ba?
Lingid sa kaalaman ng nakararami—marahil dahil sa aking buhok at porma—ay isa akong Born Again; at oo, bagamat isa akong makasalanan at madalas ay pilyong nilalang, ipinagmamalaki kong ako’y anak ng Diyos.
Bago lisanin ang taong 2008, nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong dumalo sa isang retreat sa Naic, Cavite. Dito maraming bagay ang aking napagtanto. Kung susubukin kong ilista dito ang lahat ng aral na aking napagbulay-bulayan sa tatlong araw na retreat na iyon, baka libro ang maisulat ko. Pero dahil akmang-akma sa pagpapalit ng taon, hayaan n’yong ibahagi ko sa inyo ang ilustrasyon ng matsing.
***
Minsan ba’y naisip mo kung paanong hinuhuli ang matsing? Ang ibon ay kadalasang binabaril, ang isda ay kinakawil, pero ang matsing? Pano nga kaya?
Napakadali lamang naman pala.
Ang dapat lang palang gawin ay gumamit ng buko bilang pain. Ang nasabing buko ay tatapyasin (gaya ng pagtapyas na ginagawa ng tindero ng buko o kaya naman pag umorder ka ng buko juice sa restoran). Pagkatapos nito ay lalagyan ng anumang bagay na pahaba sa loob na maaaring bumara sa butas pag kinuha ito.
Syempre, ang mga taong gaya natin ay maiisip na itagilid o itayo ang bagay upang mabunot ito sa loob, pero ang matsing, hinde. Ipapasok ng matsing ang kanyang kamay sa loob ng buko; hahawakan ito ng mahigpit na mahigpit; aangkinin nya ang bagay na iyon (kahit di naman n’ya alam kung ano ba tlaga iyon). Tapos ay pilit nya itong bubunutin mula sa buko. Syempre, dahil hawak nya ito ng mahigpit, babara ito sa maliit na butas ng buko.
Dito na s’ya sisimulang habulin ng mangangaso; at oo, kahit na may nakaambang panganib ay ‘di n’ya bibitiwan ang bagay na iyon. Isasama n’ya ang buko sa kanyang pagtakbo; at dahil mabigat ito, babagal ang pagtakbo n’ya at madaling madarakip.
***
Napakasimple lang naman ng aral na itinuro sa atin ng ugaling matsing. Babagal ang byahe mo kung marami kang dala. Madarakip ka ng kaaway kung di ka magbabawas ng karga. Gayon din sa ating buhay. Hindi ba’t lalo tayong bumabagal; lalo tayong nababalisa sa dami ng mga iniisip natin? Syempre, bilang tao, hindi mo naman talaga maaalis ang mga problemang dumarating sa buhay mo. Pero subukin mong bitiwan ang mga bitbit mo at ipagkatiwala sa Diyos, at tiyak na makakaramdam ka ng pagkakuntento. Kung ang Krus nga binitbit ni Kristo para sa’yo, yan pa kayang simpleng problema na yan?
Oo. Kung iniisip mong madali itong sabihin pero mahirap gawin, tama ka, tao tayo e. Ako man ay maraming problema; ako man ay may dalang mabigat; ako man ay may malaking utang. At hindi ko naman sinasabing nagawa ko na ito; hindi ko sinasabing matibay ako sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Pero kung ating itutuon ang ating paningin sa Diyos, kung ating ipagkakatiwala sa kanya ang lahat, pihadong mararamdaman mo kung gaano kakomporableng tumakbo, mag-aral, magtrabaho, at mamuhay sa “malupit na mundo”.
***
Ngayon, saliksikin ang sarili.
Matsing ka nga ba?
Bago lisanin ang taong 2008, nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong dumalo sa isang retreat sa Naic, Cavite. Dito maraming bagay ang aking napagtanto. Kung susubukin kong ilista dito ang lahat ng aral na aking napagbulay-bulayan sa tatlong araw na retreat na iyon, baka libro ang maisulat ko. Pero dahil akmang-akma sa pagpapalit ng taon, hayaan n’yong ibahagi ko sa inyo ang ilustrasyon ng matsing.
***
Minsan ba’y naisip mo kung paanong hinuhuli ang matsing? Ang ibon ay kadalasang binabaril, ang isda ay kinakawil, pero ang matsing? Pano nga kaya?
Napakadali lamang naman pala.
Ang dapat lang palang gawin ay gumamit ng buko bilang pain. Ang nasabing buko ay tatapyasin (gaya ng pagtapyas na ginagawa ng tindero ng buko o kaya naman pag umorder ka ng buko juice sa restoran). Pagkatapos nito ay lalagyan ng anumang bagay na pahaba sa loob na maaaring bumara sa butas pag kinuha ito.
Syempre, ang mga taong gaya natin ay maiisip na itagilid o itayo ang bagay upang mabunot ito sa loob, pero ang matsing, hinde. Ipapasok ng matsing ang kanyang kamay sa loob ng buko; hahawakan ito ng mahigpit na mahigpit; aangkinin nya ang bagay na iyon (kahit di naman n’ya alam kung ano ba tlaga iyon). Tapos ay pilit nya itong bubunutin mula sa buko. Syempre, dahil hawak nya ito ng mahigpit, babara ito sa maliit na butas ng buko.
Dito na s’ya sisimulang habulin ng mangangaso; at oo, kahit na may nakaambang panganib ay ‘di n’ya bibitiwan ang bagay na iyon. Isasama n’ya ang buko sa kanyang pagtakbo; at dahil mabigat ito, babagal ang pagtakbo n’ya at madaling madarakip.
***
Napakasimple lang naman ng aral na itinuro sa atin ng ugaling matsing. Babagal ang byahe mo kung marami kang dala. Madarakip ka ng kaaway kung di ka magbabawas ng karga. Gayon din sa ating buhay. Hindi ba’t lalo tayong bumabagal; lalo tayong nababalisa sa dami ng mga iniisip natin? Syempre, bilang tao, hindi mo naman talaga maaalis ang mga problemang dumarating sa buhay mo. Pero subukin mong bitiwan ang mga bitbit mo at ipagkatiwala sa Diyos, at tiyak na makakaramdam ka ng pagkakuntento. Kung ang Krus nga binitbit ni Kristo para sa’yo, yan pa kayang simpleng problema na yan?
Oo. Kung iniisip mong madali itong sabihin pero mahirap gawin, tama ka, tao tayo e. Ako man ay maraming problema; ako man ay may dalang mabigat; ako man ay may malaking utang. At hindi ko naman sinasabing nagawa ko na ito; hindi ko sinasabing matibay ako sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Pero kung ating itutuon ang ating paningin sa Diyos, kung ating ipagkakatiwala sa kanya ang lahat, pihadong mararamdaman mo kung gaano kakomporableng tumakbo, mag-aral, magtrabaho, at mamuhay sa “malupit na mundo”.
***
Ngayon, saliksikin ang sarili.
Matsing ka nga ba?
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