SLOW DOWN, GOD AT WORK

About 10 years ago, when I transferred to Manila to pursue my college degree, I unconsciously buried my laid back lifestyle here in Cavite and worked hard to live up with the fast-paced flow of life in the Metro. I have learned how to love what is fast: fast cars, fast computers, fast transactions, and yes, even fast decisions.

Because I was into debating, I thought finding out the most “sound” argument and spitting it out is enough to “escape” a situation. But I was wrong, I realized that bluffing doesn’t work in the real world.

10 years later, Jesus put me into a state of pause and slowed me down. This year, the Lord made me realize that being “fast” isn’t always good.

During my hiatus, I talked to our pastor and he taught me probably the best lesson I learned this year: DOING DAILY DEVOTION.

For almost a year now, I have learned that communicating with God every morning, before doing anything else (yup, that includes brushing my teeth or drinking coffee), sets the day right.

Ptr. Marlon was right. Because of problems, we are fooled by Satan. We are made to think that our problem is so big that Jesus is no match to it. But hey! If we’ll just learn to SLOW DOWN a bit and reflect before we face the giant in front of us, we’ll be able to crush it down, just like what David did with Goliath! Why do we always force ourselves to solve a problem when we haven’t even tried the best and most effective solution of all? PRAYER

My daily Bible reading (well, of course, I would admit that I have missed some days) coupled with prayers slowed down my mornings. Before, I thought I don’t even have a time to stop for a while to pray because of my busy life. But I have realized that it’s just a matter of commitment.

Another realization that I have learned this year is the fact that most often, we only pray when we need something, but we forget to turn to God when everything is fine. I learned that even during our happiest moments, we should still talk to God. In a family or office, you wouldn’t be happy if your mother or father or boss, will only talk to you when there’s something wrong.

2011 was also a year of mythbusting experiences. They say when you start your year with “bad luck” the rest of the year will go wrong. WRONG! I started this year with hell, and ended it up victoriously through the help of Jesus! He used a lot of people to encourage me. I was reminded of Romans 8:1, that there is no more condemnation once we are in Jesus. The world will condemn us, but Jesus will embrace us if we humbly confess our sins to him and ask for his forgiveness—just like what he did with the robber beside him during the crucifixion. Our God is truly a loving father.

There’s so many more, but I guess I’ll reserve it to my next blogs. Ideas are juggled inside my head, and so many ideas and reminders are coming out, and I’m afraid that this blog might end up incoherent.

I’d like to end by sharing my last devotion for 2011:

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

The world will persecute us. It will not be kind to us. It will discourage us. At times, we will fall, we will fail, we will falter, but never should we give up. Because if we really have Jesus in our hearts, then we should have a faith like a child, that NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE with our Big GOD!

Thank you for reading. Have a blessed new year ahead of you! 






ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:


I'd like to thank a number of people who helped me a lot this year (I hope not to miss anyone)


1. My Family (mama, papa, ate, kuya obin, nene, and Robbie!) 
2. Kay
3. My Cell Leader: Ptr. Marlon Choa and Ptra. Michel Choa
4. My Cell and the SK Praise and Worship team
5. Team Bucal (for the Basketball nights)
6. Paolo
7. Ali
8. ...and many more! (the Lord will be the one to return the blessings to you! =) )

Ang Pasko ng mga TUNAY na LALAKE

Nung Thursday sa aming cell sa Bucal, shinare ko ang mga bagay na natutunan ko sa aking pagdedevotion: at ito ay tungkol kay Jose na isang TUNAY na LALAKE.

Sa New Testament, hindi kasing detalyado at “sikat” ang buhay ni Jose kumpara sa ibang karakter sa Bibiliya. Masasabing ang pinakaimportanteng role niya ay para mabuo ang isang “happy family” na eksena sa Nativity story. Maraming posibleng analysis sa karakter ni Jose. Isa na dito ang perspektibo ng kultura at antropolohiya. Pwedeng sabihin natin na dapat nandoon siya sa eksena kase kung hinde, magiging bastardo si Jesus—isang bagay na hindi katanggap-tanggap sa kulturang Hudyo noong kapanahunan nila. In fact, ilang Bible scholars ang nakapagsabi na “stoning” o kamatayan sa pamamagitan ng pagbato ang kaparusahan sa pagiging haliparot o kaya single moms noong panahon ni Jesus.

Sa Matthew 1:18-25, matutunghayan natin ang maiksing kwento at role ni Jose buhay ni Jesus (at sa kwento ng Pasko). At sa blog na ito, nais kong magpokus sa karakter na ipinakita ni Jose upang matutunan kung ano o sino ba talaga ang TUNAY NA LALAKE. Isa-isahin natin ang mga verses.

• Verse 18: “…Si Maria na kanyang ina at si Jose ay nakatakda nang pakasal. Ngunit bago sila nakasal, si Maria’y natagpuang nagdadalang-tao. (Ito’y sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo.)”

Habang pinagbubulay-bulayan ko ang parteng ito, hindi ko maialis na ilagay ang aking sarili sa kalagayan ni Jose. E pano kaya kung sakin yun mangyare? Yun tipong ikakasal na kame ni Kay tapos malalaman kong buntis siya kahit wala namang nangyare sa amin? Grabe. Kung ako yon, baka makapatay ako.

Bukod dito, kahit ano’ng paliwanag sa akin na kaya siya nagdadalaang-tao ay dahil sa “pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo” hindi ako sira-ulo o lasing para paniwalaan na mabubuntis ang isang babae ng walang pisikal na pagtatalik. Aaminin kong magdududa ako. At baka magalit pa ako dahil dinahilan pa ang Diyos sa kanyang pagbubuntis.

Buti nalang hindi ako si Jose.

• Verse 19: “Isang taong matuwid itong si Jose na kanyang magiging asawa, ngunit ayaw niyang mapahiya si Maria, kaya’t ipinasiya niyang hiwalayan ito ng lihim.”

Para sa isang karpintero, masasabing may mataas na pinag-aralan si Jose. O kung hindi man, may maayos siyang “breeding” at “ethics”. Hindi kagaya ng mga weakling na lalake sa panahong ito, hindi siya nag-astang siga, kumuha ng itak (o kaya lagare kase karpintero siya) at nag-amok. Hindi siya naghamon ng “Sino’ng siga dito?! LUMABAS!” o kaya “Sinong pu@#$%^& ang gumalaw sa SYOTA KO! ILABAS NIYO!” Sa halip ay “hiniwalayan niya ito ng palihim”. Pwede natin isipin na si Jose ay di naman totally matuwid at mabait, kase kung ganon, baket niya hiniwalayan si Maria kahit na palihim pa ito? Sa puntong ito nakita ko ang pagiging tao ni Jose. Tao lamang siya na may damdamin; sigurado ako, nasaktan siya ng bonggang bongga. PERO, gaya ng sabi ko kanina, hindi siya nag-amok. Sa halip, lihim siyang humiwalay at nagbulay-bulay.

Hindi rin siya nagpakamatay; isa pang gawain ng mga lalakeng supot.

• Verse 20-21: “Habang iniisip ni Jose ito, nagpakita sa kanya sa panaginip ang isang anghel ng Panginoon. Sabi nito sa kanya, “Jose, anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tuluyan pakasalan si Maria, sapagkat siya’y naglilihi sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. Manganganak siya ng isang lalaki at pangangalanan mong Jesus, sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang bayan sa kanilang mga kasalanan.”

Sa panahong hiniwalayan ni Jose si Maria, pwedeng isipin natin na baka nagpaka-Emo siya (di ko lang sure kung nagpagupit siya para magka-bangs at matakpan yung isang mata niya na may itim na eye shadow).

Hindi sinabi sa Bible kung naglasing siya. Pwede kasi natin isipin na baka naman hindi anghel yung nakausap ni Jose? Baka espiritu ni San Miguel yun, as in San Miguel Beer. Pero sa tingin ko, hindi lasing si Jose. Hindi ako Bible scholar, pero sa pagkakaalam ko lang, wala pang Gin bulag noon na kayang bilhin ng hamak na karpintero.

Sa verse 21, naisip kong baka badtrip si Jose habang nakikinig sa anghel. Pinipilit na nga siyang papaniwalain na ang pinagbubuntis ni Maria ay galing sa Holy Spirit, diniktahan pa siya sa kung ano ang ipapangalan! Pero si Jose ay may breeding at ethics. Kalmado lang siya. Hindi siya sumagot o di kaya’y nagreklamo. Quiet lang ang lolo mo.

• Verse 22-23: “Nangyari ang lahat ng ito upang matupad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng propeta: Maglilihi ang isang dalaga at manganganak ng isang lalaki, at tatawagin siyang Emmanuel (ang kahuluga’y ‘kasama natin ang Diyos’)”

Sa verses 22-23 makikita natin ang dagdag na paliwanag ng Anghel kay Jose na kanya namang pinakinggan at inintindi. Hindi siya nagtanong or nakipagbargain. Pinakamahalaga ang huling dalawang verses…

• Verse 24-25: “Nang magising si Jose, sinunod niya ang utos ng anghel ng Panginoon; pinakasalan niya si Maria. Ngunit hindi ginalaw ni Jose si Maria hanggang sa maipanganak nito ang isang sanggol na lalaki na pinangalanan niyang Jesus.

Sa pagtatapos ng maikling salaysay tungkol sa kwento ng pagkapanganak ni Jesus, mahalagang bigyang pansin ang PAGSUNOD ni Jose: no ifs, no  buts, basta sumunod siya. Baket kaya? Dahil kaya lasing siya? Palagay ko hinde, kasi kung lasing siya kinabukasan matatauhan na siya diba? Pero sumunod siya dahil meron siyang matibay na pananampalataya sa Diyos.

At take  note, hindi lang niya sinunod yung parte na papakasalan niya si Maria. Hindi pa sila nagtalik ni Maria! Kung sa panahon ngayon, pihadong tampulan ng katatawanan si Jose ng mga nag-aastang “tunay” na lalake. Naiputan na nga sa ulo, hindi pa naka-iskor!

Pero naging matatag si Jose sa kanyang pananampalataya at nanindigan siya. Sinunod niya ang Diyos hanggang sa huli. Hindi gaya ng mga nasa teleserye na pagkatapos ipanganak ay ipinaampon o kaya tinapon ang baby, si Jose ay naging responsible at mabuting ama. In fact, sa mga susunod na yugto ng buhay ni Jesus ay ipinamalas ni Jose ang kanyang pagmamahal kay Jesus: mula sa pagprotekta kay Jesus sa mga kamay ni Haring Herodes (Matthew 2:16), hanggang sa noong siya ay maiwan sa Jerusalem noong si Jesus ay 12 years old (Luke 2:41-52).

Mahalaga ang role na ginampanan ni Jose sa buhay ni Jesus. Pero sa totoo lang, sa kabila nito, ang paalaala sa akin ng Lord sa aking devotion ay hindi i-venerate si Joseph sa kanyang ginampanang role. Kundi ang gawin siyang model ng isang Tunay na Lalake: may paninindigan, marunong magmahal (sa asawa at sa anak), at higit sa lahat, may matibay na pananampalataya sa Diyos.

Ngayong pasko, bukod sa mga regalo at parties, sana ay maalala natin kung baket ba ito mahalaga. Hindi ito isang celebration dahil may bonus o kung ano pa man. Ito ay celebration dahil ang kapanganakan ni Jesus ay nangangahulugan ng kaligtasan; ng kadakilaan ng Diyos na nagpakababa upang tayo’y abutin.

Ngayong pasko, huwag sana natin kalimutang mag-Thank You kay Jesus. Hindi dahil sa pagkaing nakahain sa ating harapan o sa regaling ating natanggap, kundi dahil sa Kanyang buhay na kanyang inialay sa mga makasalanang tao na kagaya natin.

Isang mapagpalang pasko sa lahat, mula sa isang makasalanang iniligtas ni Jesus!

Embracing Chaos

Looking back at the riots and rumbles that I have “participated” in way back high school, I admit that I still do not understand man’s quest for chaos. While majority of the social norms and morals would teach us to seek peace and spread love for each other, it seems that the animal in each human species kick in like a recessive gene hiding within an individual’s blood streams.

We seem to like inflicting pain to ourselves (sometimes to other people too) with the way we make choices and decisions.

It’s true that leaving something behind is very difficult to do. This may be the case since from Scouting to Citizen’s Army Training (C.A.T.), to Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (R.O.T.C.), we have been implanted with the negative impressions that “quitting” creates. “Quitters never win” is what we normally hear from our militaristic leaders.

While in some cases this saying may be acceptable, it is NOT applicable to all situations. In some cases, quitting is actually an act of courage because it is something difficult to do and in some cases, being frowned upon. Some of the many examples are the following:

Smokers who quit smoking

Alcoholics who quit drinking

Drug dependents who quit taking illegal drugs

People who quit relying on themselves (and instead surrendering everything to God)

I cannot help but compare the way Filipinos take the concept of “quitting” with the Japanese culture known as “giri”.  Of course, they are not synonymous, but the results that giri could create may lead towards “honourable” quitting. I have limited understanding about this, but roughly speaking, giri may be translated as “duty” or “obligation”. From what I understand, the highest type of giri is the giri to the world (which includes the emperor, i.e. the government, family, and other non-related benefactors)

Just this year, we witnessed how Prime Minister Naoto Kan expressed his giri when he resigned from his post as the highest political figure of Japan after his approval ratings had a nose-dive following the tsunami and nuclear crisis of Japan early this year.

You might argue: “Well, we had the same acts of resignations. Remember former Ombudsman Merciditas Gutierrez and former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri?” Yeah, well they resigned from their post as Ombudsman and Senator respectively, but only after too much pressure and imminent danger (i.e. being on the brink of imprisonment) loomed. Their decision could have been more laudable if they did it out of respect and honor instead of pressure and dolor.

At present, we don’t see a tinge of the ex-ombudsman and ex-sentaor’s decisions with the way Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo takes her situation. Instead, we could observe the same resilience (or temerity?) that GMA has shown in her nine-year reign with the way she continues to “fight for her right” and delay things regarding her hospital arrest. For Gloria, “quitters never win”. But her camp has probably missed a probability on the other side of her battle cry: that not quitting doesn’t necessarily lead to winning.

In modern Philippine culture that is greatly influenced by Western thought, I still cannot comprehend why we seem to have disposed the equivalent of giri in our nation: the concept of hiya, and how we happily embrace chaos. 

Licensure Exams

"The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board for Professional Teachers (BPT) announces that 10,243 elementary teachers out of 45,171 examinees (22.68%), 6 Accelerated Teacher Education Program (A.T.E.P.) graduates out of 216 examinees (2.78%) and 13,125 secondary teachers out of 41,729 examinees (31.45%) successfully passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (L.E.T) given last September 25, 2011 in 18 testing centers all over the Philippines."


source: http://www.prc.gov.ph/news/?id=217


Another year, another set of examinees, another set of licensed educators (on the slim side), another set of failed hopes and shattered dreams (on the other)...


This year's grim LET result is not new. Last year (September 2010). the national passing rate was also below 50%: 19.58% for the Elementary; 7.21% for ATEP; and 25.86% for the Secondary. That same year (April 2010), there were only 15.44% passing rate for the Elementary; 3.67% for the ATEP, and 23.32% for the Secondary.


While there is an obvious increase in the percentage of passers in the Elementary and Secondary levels, the percentage of passers in the ATEP fell sharply. I can't help but I ask myself, "6 out of 216??!!"


Spell TRAGEDY.


For almost 3 years now, I have been monitoring the results of LET, and I have always wondered as to the reasons behind the unacceptable results. Of course, one can point his or her finger to everyone: to the Teacher Training Institutions, to the professors, to the students, and even to PRC itself. However, this unfortunate event has a lot of possible roots. Various questions may arise, such as: 


1. What kind of graduates have we been producing?
2. What kind of students do we have these days? What are their priorities and what motivates (or de-motivates) them?
3. Who teaches (mentors) our teachers? Are they qualified? Do they know how to teach?
4. How do TEIs implement the curriculum for Education majors?
5. What kind of support does the government provide to Teacher Education Institutions?
6. Is there something wrong with the NCBTS (National Competency Based Teacher Standards)?
7. Where does PRC get its questions? Do they validate it? If so, does that mean that the Board Exam itself is not valid?
8. What actions or steps does (did or will) the PRC undertake?


The list of questions may go on, and the list of answers may grow more ambiguous. But one thing is for sure, if this trend continues, we will have a shortage of public school teachers and a surplus of teachers who will be employed by "small" schools (which, most often than not, thinks of profits rather than education itself, sadly).


That's IF they will still have the motivation to teach... Worst case scenario is a disheartened education graduate who would turn to other (odd) jobs local or abroad, instead of trying it out again and stay in the teaching profession. Underemployment looms. 


I can't help but ask (again): How much advertisement (or encouragement) do we give to our youth? How much appreciation do we give to our teachers (both the "good" ones and the "not-so-good ones")? Do we encourage them to stay and teach (anyway, they will hopefully develop their teaching skills or attitudes)? Or do we push them away because we don't "like" them? Or because they did something "wrong"?


I know the problems. I even know the ill effects of this to the quality of education that our country will have in the next few years. But I admit that I do not know the answers. 


I may have some solutions in mind, but who cares?

BACOLOD Travel Tips

This would be my first ever "travel blog" (so to speak).

Last October 17-18, 2011, Kay and I had the privilege to attend the ALLT National Conference, which was held at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City. Aside from the tough times we had trying to prepare and "polish" our presentations, finding our way going to Bacolod was equally challenging (but it was fun!). The internet proved to be a very helpful source of information for novice travelers like us.

Similar to how we got to Pagudpud, Kay and I also browsed a number of websites and travel blogs to get some directions and tips. This post is somehow a "pay back" to those very helpful information that we got.


AIR TRAVEL


Despite Kay's occasional persuasion for us to travel by sea, I was able to insist that we travel by plane since it would save us a lot of time and energy. It was our first time to travel this far so I kinda "played" with Cebu Pacific's Online services. (Check out http://www.cebupacificair.com/ and try playing with it too! It's not that complicated.) At first, I thought this online service is limited to those with credit cards but I have discovered that we can buy tickets even without credit cards; we can pay through ATMs or through bank deposit. However, since we're not so good in this online and traveling thing yet, we didn't get the best price for the airfare. Nevertheless, it was a learning experience. Getting cheaper tickets requires booking early, a lot early!

From NAIA, we landed at the New Bacolod-Silay Airport.

LAND TRAVEL


At Silay Airport, travelers would be greeted by the famous Ilongo smiles. We didn't have a hard time figuring out where the shuttle services were. FX and Vans going to Bacolod city are available right outside the airport, so there's no reason to be lost. (TIP: If you can't speak Ilongo like us, better speak in English. A professor from USLS mentioned that Ilongos prefer speaking in English than Tagalog since English is their second language and Tagalog is usually L3 or even 4.)

Fares range from 100-150 PHP ($ 2-3)

From Silay, we were dropped at ROBINSON's Mall. Yeah...malls look the same so you wouldn't feel any tinge of "alienation". From there, we asked a guard who was very generous enough to instruct us that we should take the Jeep (which looks like bigger multi-cabs that we see in Buendia-Mall of Asia) with the signboard "SHOPPING-LIBERTAD". Jeepney fare is just 7 pesos since it's just near.

From Robinson's we were dropped at a Jollibee (and had our breakfast there...duh). USLS is just a few steps away from that Jollibee store.

BACOLOD-MANILA


Going back was a bit more difficult. Taxi is very expensive, about 400 PHP ($9.5) so we decided to take the more difficult route. We took a jeep going to SM and walked to the FX/Van Terminal. We arrived just on time because the FX and VANS have a time schedule. 4:20 PM is the second to the last trip and 6:00 PM is the last trip (according to a travel brochure handed out to us). Our flight was at 7:00 PM so we squeezed ourselves into the 4:20 van (luckily, we were sexy!)

We arrived at the Silay airport earlier so we still had time to talk and reflect about our brief but memorable stay in Bacolod. We weren't able to roam around the city (and visit the Ruins, poor us!) but we definitely learned a lot!

PALpak

Epic Failure beyond proportions

This is how I would describe the management style (if there's any) of the Philippine Airlines, the country's flag carrier.

I don't know so much about the technicalities of the on-going cases against them (mostly labor-related). But by mere extraction of information from newspapers and television covers, I have reached a conclusion that there MUST be something wrong with the current PAL management led by Jaime Bautista, its president.

PAL's mass lay-off, which added about 2,600 souls in the bowels of unemployment purgatory, has been deeply criticized by different labor groups because of the injustices that PAL inflicts to its loyal and long-time employees. PAL, in turn, argues about the "legality" of their move because if it will not make such drastic measures, the flag carrier might eventually clip its wings for good.

However, there are a lot of questionable angles in PAL's decision. As an outsider, I would like to know whatever happened to their profit. If in case PAL is getting beaten up by other airlines, like Cebu Pacific, I ask, "Is mass lay-off the win-win solution?" Didn't PAL consider the ripple that this will create? A ripple that in the long run, will turn into a tsunami that would wash them out totally. I ask, "What did they do to keep up with the competition?" Certainly, removing regular and long-time employees is never the best answer.

An even more questionable move is the decision to outsource labor. A clever move on "profitability" but not much on sustainability, I guess. One PALEA member asked a very important question during one of the rallies, "Kami matagal na sa aming trabaho, yang mga yan, tuturuan pa. Gaano nila kaalam ang magiging trabaho nila?" He makes a lot of point. If these outsourced personnel will be on a contractual basis, how sure is their efficiency, accuracy, and most importantly, customer relations skills?

These are just some of the questions that popped out of my head upon observations. I don't really know so much about management and all that. But yesterday, I am sure that again PAL's managers mismanaged. A lot of domestic flights were cancelled to the dismay of a number of passengers. They said they weren't even notified. One passenger who was interviewed said she was from Bataan and came all the way to Manila only to find out that her flight was cancelled. PAL could've sent a simple text message informing her about the cancellation and saving her from the hassle. Apparently, PAL didn't mind at all. They just posted announcements printed in bond papers. Duh.

If this is a demolition job to finally end the decades-long flight supremacy of PAL, it's working. More and more passengers start to choose other airlines.


Epic Failure beyond proportions, translation: PAL-pak

On Museums and Mausoleums

This post would sound jumping onto the bandwagon, but if this means getting more kids interested with learning, then by all means, I don’t mind.

Last Saturday, Kay and I (with the inclusion of some friends, Cherish and Glenn) got the chance to listen to probably one of the most prolific (and comic) historians in the Philippines, Dr. Ambeth Ocampo. His talk, entitled: Queridas ni Rizal really opened a lot of ideas and realizations (but I shall tell about them on a separate post).

Picture Taking outside the Ayala Museum (looks like a family picture, huh!)

I’d like to focus on the efforts and contributions made by the Ayalas in reviving and preserving the Philippine History, Art, and Culture. I don’t know much about their genealogy, but judging their looks I could tell they’re more Spanish than Filipino. Whether it’s a gesture of paying back to the Filipinos (if they are indeed Spanish) or just plain nationalism, the establishment of the Ayala museum is surely a big help in curing the chronic forgetfulness of this country.

Last year (if I remember it well, fingers crossed), Kay and I “vowed” to go museum hopping within the country. Sadly though, museums are either far or costly. We opted to go the Myth of the Human Body museum in Taguig, but we got too busy, so it doesn’t have a check mark yet on the list. We were, however, fortunate to visit the Chrisologo Museum in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. The museum was basically converted from the mansion of the Chrisologos. It was fine but the problem with family museums is that, well, most of the exhibits are about the family. I learned a lot from that visit, especially on the influential political powers of the Chrisologos in the North—the volunteer “curator”/tour guide was a retired government employee who was a “loyalist” of the family, she told us.

Also this summer, I was fortunate enough to walk around the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas Museum. For a school museum, it was superb. The museum is a replica, so to speak, of a Spanish colonial era mansion. I have to admit that I got impressed with student volunteers, as well, who took the role of the tour guide explaining to us the different features of a Mansion during that time. It was a little disappointing, though, seeing the reality that discrimination is greatly reflected with the way rooms are designed. There’s even a separate hall or corridor from which the muchahas and muchachos are supposed to pass (yeah, they’re not supposed to walk through the same area that visitors/guests walk).

The Ayala museum, erected within the heart of the Makati Business district (specifically within Greenbelt, across Glorietta), houses various exhibits. At present, they have a tripartite exhibit that focuses on Philippine treasures, namely: the Golds of our Ancestors, Embroidery, and Pottery. Glenn, Kay, and I had a quick look last Saturday. It was unfortunate that we didn’t have enough time to scrutinize the exhibit because it was late in the afternoon (we visited the place right after we attended Dr. Ocampo’s talk).

Ayala Museum Lobby currently showcases Manga paintings

Walking through the exhibit gave me chills—a different kind of excitement—because of the richness of our culture. The feelings were mixed. Happy because of what I have earned; sad because of what we have lost. I couldn’t help thinking what this country would have been if we weren’t colonized. I really don’t know, but I’m sure that we would have thrived as an economically strong nation because of the natural wonders and resources that we have (provided we managed it appropriately, of course). I can’t help but blurt out my disappointment regarding the way I learned history. I was part of the millions who were victimized by the “Magellan discovered the Philippines in 1521” claim published in sick textbooks. If there’s anything that he has discovered and found, it’s neither the Philippines, nor civilization, it’s opportunity—opportunity to loot.

I could still clearly recall Dr. Martin’s passion as she lectured. I was a freshman in PNU then. Luis Lim was my seatmate (and because he’s really into history, he wasn’t making much noise during lectures unlike what he usually does). Dr. Martin mentioned about the checklist of evidences of civilizations. I can’t remember everything but what remained in me is her discussion of the “megalithic structures”. She argued that we already have the civilization prior to the Spanish Colonial rule (contrary to what they claim) because the Rice Terraces were already there before they came. This means we already have the knowledge for Agriculture and Architecture or Landscaping.

The Golds that we have seen in the Ayala museum is another proof that we really have a Civilization even before Westerners came. In fact, they probably got the shock of their lives when they saw “savage” people wearing bahags, or topless women adorned with golds from head to foot.

The GMA 7 documentary (Philippine Treasures) also contributed in making the youth (hopefully) become more interested about history—something a lot worthwhile than planting fake plants or killing silly pigs using angry birds.

Facade of Ayala Museum 

It was a good start, and Kay and I hope to visit more museums before the year ends. I just pray that the government will do extra efforts in improving state-run museums so that it would be more interesting and accessible to low-income Filipino families; so that kids would have a decent place to visit for “education” tours; so that teachers and school administrators would stop being stupid by bringing kids to Mall of Asia for a fieldtrip.

Learning is a right and not a privilege. If we lose the appetite for learning, we might end up in Mausoleums rather than Museums.

Wika at Dunong

In this world where controversies become instant “trendings” personalities also become instant targets for criticisms and curses. Not-so-long ago the focus was with Mideo Cruz and his Politeismo art work. At present, however, the focus of public outrage is at an ADMU student, James Soriano, because of his seemingly “unmindful” article that downgraded the Filipino language into “the language of the streets” and worse, as “not the language of the learned.”

I won’t join the bandwagon of mudsling and rants (although I admit that the initial reaction I had was hatred as well). Instead, I will try to present my analysis on the possible causes and effects of such an idea or philosophy (if it may be labelled as such) to the general public.

Subalit upang mas paigtingin ang ating pag-aaral sa nasabing artikulo, aking ilalahad ang aking mga naisip at napagtanto sa wikang kanyang pinapatungkulan.

1. Ang Wika bilang Maskara at Sandata

Napatunayan na ng mga pag-aaral sa sosylohiya, antropolohiya, kasaysayan, at maging sikolohiya, na sa kahit anong kultura, komunidad, o bansa, ang wika ay isang epektibo at makapangyarihang sandata. Ito’y nagsisilbing marka ng mga naghaharing-uri. Subalit ito rin ang s’yang naging sandata ng mga api sa kanilang paglulunsad ng rebolusyon laban sa dikta ng mga manunupil. Sa kabilang banda, ang wika rin ay maskara sa ilang pagkakataon. Magandang halimbawa dito si Doña Victorina na nakilala natin sa Noli bilang nagpapangap na Mestisang Kastila sa pamamagitan ng paglalagay ng maraming kolorete sa muka at pagpupumilit na magsalita ng Kastila (na s’yang wika ng kapangyarihan noon).

2. Ang Wika at ang mga naghaharing-uri

Ang wika rin, gaya ng nabanggit sa itaas, ay isang simbolo ng kapangyarihan at pamumuno. Sa pag-aaral ng Bilingualism, may iba’t-ibang uri ng Bilingual Education programs na ipinatupad sa iba’t-ibang panig ng mundo. Isa na rito ang nakilala bilang “Segregationist” kung saan wika ng dominanteng kultura o grupo ang siyang ginagamit bilang wika ng pag-aaral. Isang magandang halimbawa dito ang pag-aaral na nailathala ni Hertz-Lazarowits et.al. (2008) kung saan kanilang sinuri ang ethnic segregation sa Israel. Lalayo pa ba tayo? Hindi ba’t dito mismo sa atin, ipinagkait ng mga Kastila ang kanilang wika sa mga indios dahil hindi nila nais na matuto ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan dahil ito nga’y magbubunsod ng pag-aaklas sa kanilang pamahalaan.

3. Ang Wika at ang Responsableng Magulang

Noong ako ay isang undergraduate sa PNU, nabanggit ni Dr. Nilda Sunga na h’wag daw namin piliting turuan ang aming mga magiging anak na maging L1 o unang wika ang Ingles (lalo na kung dito lang din naman kami titira at hindi mangingibang bansa) dahil baka raw mahirapang makipaglaro sa ibang bata ang aming mga magiging anak. Noong una, hindi ko s’ya maintindihan. Tinuturuan nila kaming maging guro ng wikang Ingles, pero hindi niya nais na turuan namin ang aming mga anak na mag-ingles? Naintindihan ko na lamang ang kanyang sinabi ng aking mabasa ang mga lathalain ni Dr. Jim Cummins (particular ang kanyang Iceberg Analogy at Common Underlying Language Proficiency hypothesis) at noong ako ay makadalo sa ilang kumperensya na kung saan inilahad ni Dianne Dekker ang resulta ng kanyang pag-aaral sa Lubuagan. Sinusulong ni Dekker ang Mother-Tongue Based Multilingual Education Program (MTB-MLE). Napagtanto kong ang isa sa pinakamahalagang salik sa pagkatutuo ng KAHIT ANO’NG wika ay ang pagpapaunlad muna sa kaisipan ng isang bata. Samakatuwid, upang mapagyaman at mapayabong ang ikalawang wika at iba pang wika, dapat munang mapaunlad ang unang wika ng isang bata. Ang unang wika ay HINDI Tagalog, kundi kung anuman ang wikang sinasalita ng mga magulang niya (Ilokano, Bisaya, Chavacano, etc). Subalit dahil sa kolonyal na mentalidad ng karamihan sa atin (at dahil na rin nga sa kulturang nabuo ng mga Kano sa atin) bawat magulang ay nag-aasam na sana ang kanilang anak ay maging mahusay sa paggamit ng Ingles. Delikado ito, dahil gaya ng sabi ni Dr. Martin (2008) “The first set of myths has to do with English in the Philippines. There is a prevailing belief that if you don’t know English, you simply don’t know!” Sa artikulong nailathala sa Philippine Daily Inquirer, giit ni Dr. Martin na ang isa sa malaking kultura (at problema) na ating nabuo. Akala natin, porket hindi marunong mag-ingles ang isang tao, ay bobo na s’ya.

Hindi ko kilala ang pamilya ni James Soriano, pero sa tingin ko, ito ang pagiisip na mayroon ang kanyang magulang (o pwede rin namang may lahing Kano sila) . At nakakaawang bata si James dahil hindi s’ya nabigyan ng pagkakataon na aralin, lasapin, at mahalin ang wikang sinasalita ng mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya. Dahil dito, magiging mahirap para sa kanya ang intindihin at matutunan ang kulturang nakapaloob sa isipan, damdamin, at kaluluwa ng mga Pilipinong “naglilingkod” sa kanya.

S’ya nga pala, propesor sa Ateneo de Manila si Dr. Martin. Sana ay maging guro s’ya ni G. Soriano upang matutunan n’ya kung ano mang ang sinusulat ko dito.

4. Ang Wika at Dunong

Gaya ng nabanggit sa itaas, sa aking pagkakaalam, wala pang pag-aaral ang nagpapatunay na ang wika ay may direktang relasyon o epekto sa utak at katalinuhan ng isang tao. Maaaring maraming matatalinong tao ang magaling sa Ingles, subalit hindi ibig sabihin nito na kapag magaling kang mag-Ingles ay matalino ka. Sa Logic 101, natutunan nating ito’y isang malaking Fallacy (pwedeng False Dilemma o False Cause). Ergo, hindi dahil magaling ang Ingles ni James Soriano sa kanyang sinulat ay matalino s’ya.

This is the reason why I think we should stop bullying or cursing Mr. Soriano, he’s not that intelligent and his write-up is merely an opinion from a mind-set downplayed by a language. Moreover, we have to be careful with playing “ultra-nationalistic” because before we know it, we might be starting to think like him (the other way around) i.e. that English is the language of the elitist, the bad people, etc.

Instead of wasting time ranting and raging in the internet, causing more flame wars, let’s pause for a while and reflect. Think (in whatever language you are comfortable thinking) and realize what needs to be realized…

…like REAL LEARNED INDIVIDUALS…

References:

Baker, C. (2006). Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. New York: Multilingual Matters Ltd.

Hertz-Lazarowitz, R. et.al. (2008). From ethnic segregation to bilingual education: What can bilingual education do for the future of the Israeli Society?. Retrieved from: http://www.jceps.com/PDFs/6-2-08.pdf

Martin, I.P. (3 March 2008). Myths about languages in the Philippines. The Philippine Daily Inquirer

In a station upon a MetroTren*

The apparition of these feces in the crowd;
Ferals on a tic, tac, toe.




*pasintabi kay Ezra Pound

Anatomy of a Fan

When the die-hard Bieber fans learned about his flirtations and public display of affection with fellow teenage artist Selena Gomez, they acted violently to the extent of cursing Selena (as if Selena stole Bieber from them, and as if Bieber would even mind them)

When Lady Gaga was accused of being a member of the illuminati and is a "messenger" of cultic messages, her die hard fans were quick to respond and deny the claim.

When images of Jesus (or should I say Catholic faith) were "desecrated", well, what do you expect? Devotees shamelessly and barbarically act to denounce it (as if they did not learn anything from the teachings of Jesus).

I am in no position to talk about religion as I am a sinner and never a saint. But just like what I have mentioned in Kay's Blog (Amvagueities), I think the root of all problem is...well...RELIGION itself.

If I am not mistaken, I don't think Jesus made mention about religion as the way to salvation (unless of course we treat the personal pronouns "I" and "me" in John 14:6, which refers to Jesus, as "religion")

The recent controversial Kulo exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines proved a lot of facts about Filipinos in relation to thinking, culture, beliefs, temperament, among others. So many that I will just try to present them as briefly and clearly as I can in this post.

1. The Filipino and the Art of Thinking


Noynoy is correct when he said that there is no absolute freedom. The artists cannot expect the people to accept their art, but in the same way, the people do not have the right to destroy other people's work just because they don't like it. (If liking and disliking is easy as a push of that button, then think again, because reality is beyond Facebook.) M. Cruz's creation could be really offensive, but what's the difference with what other people did by vandalizing and trying to set the exhibit on fire (to no avail)? From these series of events, we realize how Filipinos think: impulsive and critical (as in skeptic) rather than meditative and analytical. I admit that my initial reaction was negative as well, and it took a lot of discussions via text with Kay for me to realize a number of things. (Thus, the late post.)

2. The Filipino and the Art of Appreciating Art

"Art can be beautiful it can be ugly...If it's always good, it's propaganda"-Prof. Jose Alberto Tanedo, UP College of Fine Arts (Prof. Tanedo on Art)

I think Prof. Tanedo said it clear enough: we cannot just have everything beautiful, simply because this world is a world of perspectives. What's beautiful to me may not be beautiful to you, and what's morally upright to you may not be morally upright to me. I think Filipinos are locked in the idea that Art is "beautiful". Let's remind ourselves that the Spoliarium is never "beautiful". It's horrendous, in fact. But today, we see it as an art worthy of national praise. I like the last part of Prof Tanedo's statement. True enough, if everything given to us appears beautiful and good, then that's dangerous. Even Jesus told His disciples that the tasks ahead are never smooth. (Matthew 24:9). Bottom line is that Jesus never said that our lives in this world will be full of happiness and beauty. It only becomes beautiful once we have accepted him us our Lord and Savior and begin to see bad things as good things. I am not an Art Scholar or an Art Critique, but I guess we have to go back to basics, for someone to say that something is beautiful, he/she has to explain and rationalize. Beauty is relative.

3. The Filipino and the Art of Overacting

Whatever it is that came into the minds of the vandals, and Dr. Chua when he said, "Hindi gawa ng Pilipino yan! Gawa yan ng Demonyo!" I think it's plain overacting. I believe the reason of CCP for putting up an open forum is to be able to open up ideas and clarify issues (and not begin a shouting match). Sadly, even the most professionals of professionals return to savagery because of emotional imbalance leading to what we commonly know as Overacting. A Black Nazarene devotee even ranted something unchristian because of her overacting, "Hindi namin sya mapapatawad...isa itong kabastusan sa aming...replica"  (See: CCP shuts down Kulo) I strongly suggest that she reviews the Bible as it teaches the most basic act of "forgiving". Most of us thinks that because we devoutly do what we traditionally do, God favors us. We forget that it's not about religion, it's about relationship with Jesus. She said it herself...it's a...well....REPLICA. 

4. The Filipino and the Art of Forgetting

I'd like to end this lengthy blog with a reminder: Exodus 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." We seem to have forgotten this 2nd commandment from God. Aren't we supposed to be worshipping Jesus and not His "replicas"? So what if a "good for nothing" artist lambasts the replica, does it destroy your faith? Does it destroy your God? If yes, check your faith. The last time I checked, Jesus is in my heart...not in CCP...and never in your altars.

***

Mideo Cruz's Politeismo reflects Filipino culture as spelled out by the Spaniards (and even before they came). It vividly exposes how POLYTHEISTIC we are (i.e. worshipping so many gods, from FPJ to Mickey Mouse to Obama and his U.S.A.to Bieber to Gaga.) We have gone gaga over gags.

The effects and controversies it reaped reflect how shallow the Filipino faith is...or shall i say fanaticism?

Paddling against the waves

The recent national pride brought about by the victorious stint of the Philippine Dragot Boat Team at Tampa Bay, Florida led to a number of realizations from various angles.

From the perspective of Philippine traditional politics, this Sports event proved how problematic our system for supporting and developing sports is. This morning, while watching the news, I was able to grasp a little bit of information as to why the government did not recognize the Philippine Dragon Boat Team. Mr. Ricardo Garcia of PSC mentioned that PDBT is not affiliated or registered to the Philippine Sports Commission, which makes them an “illegitimate” Philippine team. Being illegitimate, they are also stripped off from the benefits and support provided by the Philippine government. R.A. 9064 (An Act Granting cash and Other non-Monetary Benefits and Incentives to National Athletes, Coaches, and Trainers, Appropriating funds therefor and for other Purposes) defines that a “National Athlete are Filipino citizens, members of the national training pool, recognized and accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and who have represented the country in international competitions”  

(See: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2001/ra_9064_2001.html)

It’ s just disheartening to realize that the reason why we don’t win in international sports events like the Olympics is not because we lack the skills and the talents, but simply because of papers and of politics. I don’t know what exactly is the conflict between the two parties, but I’m quite sure that this happened because both parties did not reach a clear understanding between and among them.

On the brighter side, from the perspective of athleticism, the Philippine Paddlers proved the cliché “If there’s a will, there’s a way”. A few months ago, they were featured in a news program showing how miserable their status is. The picture of Philippine athletes cooking and eating fish along Manila Bay is more than grotesque, it’s unimaginable. However, with the degree of passion and devotion they have for their craft, these men and women did not let such a circumstance to extinguish the fire in them. Thankfully private citizens and private companies joined hands to support their financial needs in joining the said sports event. Similar to the Philippine Azkals and Philippine Volcanoes, we have proven that even without the presence of the Philippine government, we can really produce quality athletes. Of course, private companies are capitalists in nature, they are helping because it’s a way of marketing and making themselves known, thus increasing sales. But for me, that’s beyond the point. What’s important is that they were able to support and revive our comatosed athletes.

Finally, from the perspective of nationalism and patriotism, Filipinos in Florida proved that despite being away from the country, they still embody the spirit of Bayanihan within them. Bayanihan is possibly more than cultural, it could be biological or spiritual. It is heart-warming and motivating to learn that Filipinos chipped in to support our athletes. It’s something to be proud about.

The Philippine Dragon Boat Team bagged 5 gold medals, but it was never a smooth sailing. They obviously paddled against strong waves discouragements and a tsunami of politicking. But more than the gold, they have brought home the sense of pride, perseverance, and passion. That even without the presence of government support, we can still win. We can still survive.

However, let me be clear that I am not tolerating the corrupt practices of the government. In one way or another, the President Aquino should do something about the PSC, probably ratify or modify the mechanism for registering or affiliating a team or be more open to possibilities and partnerships. Whatever moves they plan to do, they must act soon.

In the end, the lesson that Filipinos should learn from this is John F. Kennedy’s famous lines, "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"

Manny Pacquiao, Efren “Bata” Reyes, Wesley So, Paeng Nepomuceno, Lydia de Vega, Elma Muros, the Philippine Dragon Boat Team, and Philippine Azkals, and many more did their part. Let’s do ours too.

Ang Wika at ang Pagtuklas sa Sarili

Nagsimula ang lahat sa suhestiyon ni Kay na panuorin ko ang dokyu ni Howie Severino na pinamagatang "Itinaga sa Bato". Ngayon, nasa proseso ako ng pag-aaral at pagbabasa-basa tungkol sa BAYBAYIN. Wala pa akong gaanong alam dito, kung kaya't hindi ako susubok na magpakita ng anumang teorya o pananaw sa katunayan o kabulaanan nito (dahil ito ang isa sa mga nagiging debate ngayon)


Sa dami ng mga nabuksang pinto ngayong gabi sa aking panonood, sisikapin kong isulat ng may kaayusan ang mga ideyang naisip ko at naisip ni Kay (dahil nagchachat kami habang pinapanood ko ito). 


1. Ang Baybayin sa Akademikong Perspektibo


Mula sa perspektibo ng pag-aaral at pagtuturo ng wika (language learning and language teaching), nakakita ako ng liwanag na maaring mag-ambag sa pagpapalaganap ng Mother-Tongue Based Multilingual Education Program (MTB-MLE). Mula noong matutunan ko ang MTB-MLE at itinuro ito sa ilang mag-aaral din ng wika, pinanghawakan ko na ang mga positibong aspeto ng pagpapalago ng sariling wika o Mother Tongue. Naniniwala akong ang Wika ay repleksyon at representasyon ng kultura at ang pagkatuto ng sariling wika at ng sariling kultura ay isang mahalagang salik hindi lamang sa pagpapaunlad ng sarili kundi pati na rin sa pagpapaunlad ng buong bansa. Kung ang bawat bata ay magkakaroon ng kaalaman at kasanayan sa sarili niyang wika, magagawa niyang maintindihan ang mga bagay na nakapaligid sa kanya. Mapayayabong nito ang kanyang pag-iisip (cognitive at metacognitive) na siya rin namang magdudulot ng kanyang kakayanang maintindihan ang iba pang bagay at aralin na nanggagaling sa ibang mga bansa o kultura. Ang pagbuhay sa Baybaying Pilipino (o Alibata) ay isang ambisyosong pangarap at pagkilos na siguradong tataasan ng kilay ng ilan sa ating mga kababayan. Anu't ano pa man ang kahinatnan nito, isa itong magandang simula. Panahon na upang magising ang kamalayan ng kabataang Pilipino sa pinanggalingan ng kanyang lahi!


2. Ang Baybayin bilang tabak na wawasak sa Kolonyal na pag-iisip

"...natutuwa ako at pinagmamalaki ko na...before the Spaniards came kumakain na kame sa imported na pinggan...at hindi sa bao o dahon ng saging lamang..." Dr. Lim

Oo nga naman. Kanino ba nanggaling ang kaisipan na bago dumating ang mga Kastila, tayo'y walang sibilisasyon? Na tayo'y mangmang? Syempre, sa Kastila. Ang pagsulat ng Kasaysayan mula sa perspektibo ng mga mananakop ay isang napakaepektibong paraan ng pagpapanatili ng kanilang paghahari. "O..kung di kami dumating edi hanggang ngayon ay mangmang kayo???" Ito ang kaisipang dala ng bawat tekstong inilimbag ng mga Kanluranin. Sa pamamagitan nito, tila nagkaroon pa ng utang na loob ang mga Pilipino sa kanila. Samantalang sila itong nagnakaw at naglaspag sa ating mga yaman!


Ang paglaganap ng Baybayin (lalo na kung ito'y maisasama sa aralin ng mga estudyante sa elementarya o hayskul) ay isang matibay na armas sa pagbuwag ng Sikolohiyang Kolonyal sa bawat Pilipino. Aminin man natin o hindi, malaki ang epekto nito sa pagpapaunlad ng indibidwal sa kanyang sarili at sa pagunlad ng buong bayan. Ang mentalidad na maka-kanluran ay isang malaking hadlang sa ating pag-sulong sa kaunlaran. Tandaan nating HINDI KANLURAN ANG SUSI SA KAUNLARAN.


3. Ang Baybayin sa Pananaw ng Literatura


Hindi ako mag-aaral ng literatura (bagamat may ilan akong literature subject noong kolehiyo) kaya't nagtanong ako kay Kay kung ano ang kanyang masasabi sa Baybayin mula sa perspektibo ng literatura. Simple at deretso ang kanyang sagot: 

"...basta ako naniniwala ko sa oral tradition di na kelangan ng taga sa bato para patunayan na me sibilisasyon tayo..."

Oo nga naman. Yun lamang katotohanan na umabot sa ating panahon ang mga kwento ng ating mga ninuno ay sapat na upang patunayan na may sarili tayong sibilisasyon bago pa man dumating ang mga kastilang mananakop. 

Naniniwala ako sa sinabi ni Kay. Pero hindi rin naman natin maitatangging ang pagsulat ay isang napakahalagang salik ng pagpapanatili ng ating kultura, literatura, at wika. 

4. Ang Baybayin at ang mga posibleng lagim nito...

Inihuli ko ito hindi upang basagin ang mga nauna kong isinulat, kundi upang maging bukas sa mga posibilidad. Maganda ang pagkilos na ginagawa ng grupong nasa likod ng Baybayin. Subalit hindi ko maalis na mag-alala at malungkot. 

Una, halatang ito'y pagkilos ng pribadong sektor. Nakalulungkot isipin na kailangang mauna pa ang pribadong grupo sa pagsaliksik ng mga ganitong bagay. Alam naman natin ang epekto nito: limitado lamang ang maaaring makaalam at matuto nito, dahil kung pribado ito, pihadong may bayad ito. (Hal. sa Disyembre ay bubuksan ang "Mind Museum" sa Taguig. Maganda ito, pero yun nga lang, pribado ito at malamang na mahal ang bayad para makapasok. Ang mga batang walang pera...wala ring pagkakataong matuto.)

Pangalawa, nakakatakot na baka ang paglaganap nito'y ningas kugon lamang, gaya halimbawa ng AKO MISMO na tila hanging mabilis na nakapanghikayat ng kabataan...at tila hangin din na biglang naglaho. Mahilig ang mga Pilipino sa ganito: mga magandang simulain...pero di kayang panindigan o tapusin. 

Pangatlo, baka dahil nga pribadong sektor ang kumikilos ay maging komersyalisado masyado ang adbokasiyang ito at matabunan ang mas malalim at mas mahalagang hangarin ng pagtuklas at pagkatuto.

Heto ang link sa Youtube ng Dokyu ni Howie:

PART 1

PART 2

Period for the 12-year Period

"He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34, NIV)

For 12 years, the woman was bleeding; she was in pain. I can't imagine how grumpy, sad, moody, and disorganized her life was. She's hopeless. But her faith in Jesus brought her healing, hope, and peace. She sought for Jesus no matter what.

In this ever stressful world, do you feel sad? Tired? Grumpy? Disorganized? Hopeless? Afraid? Cast your burden upon Jesus. Seek Him and you'll be healed! You'll have peace! God Bless you all!

On being a mother

                At age 31, Ate is undergoing On the Job Training—not from her field of discipline but an OJT for being a mother. For almost 3 months now, I’ve been observing how the arrival of Robbie changed her lifestyle and philosophy.

                Growing up in a small family, I’ve known my Ate as a smart but “neutrally-active” student. She has been a consistent part of the honors class from grade school to high school (something I wasn’t able to do). Probably because during our formative years Papa wasn’t around, we grew up closer to Mama. Aside from this, having an absentee father for a long time (my first memory of Papa was when I was in grade 2 when he decided to stop going to Saudi and stay with us for good) somehow turned her to a stiff, strong, and at times deviant teenager.

                When Ate wen to college at PUP, I noticed her “liberation”. As they say, college education opens you up to the realities of life. I remember a time when she shaved her head for no apparent reason.

                After graduating, she easily got hired and resigned from them later on to shift to another company. Recently though, she has stopped from working because of her sensitive pregnancy. Since then, I’ve seen her transform from the deviant daughter to a diligent mother-to-be. And right after giving birth, from a liberated college student to a loving full-time mother.

                As I observe them every day, I can’t help but compare the difference between her experience as a mother to that of teenage mothers. At her age, I can see that at some point she’s having difficulties pacifying my nephew (whose cry reaches at least four blocks from our house!). I have also observed the constant “motherhood 101” tutorial sessions given to her by Mama—bathing the baby, washing clothes, feeding, etc.

                I would always tell Kay that Robbie is blessed to belong in two families that care for him and will try to give everything possible to meet his daily needs. We’re not rich but we see to it that he has everything that he needs from milk to diapers to vaccines. Unfortunately, not all babies are born in a family that can provide their needs and appreciate their presence.

                The reality of over population and irresponsible parenthood haunts us as it creates more and more people who are mal-educated, if not uneducated.  Whether we like it or not, population is a very big issue that the government needs to address. Sadly though, certain groups are very myopic, seeng only their immediate surroundings and not beyond the high walls of their posh subdivisions.

                I am writing this neither because I’m righteous nor because I’m holy. In this short life that I’ve been living, I’ve had wrong turns; committed sins that have hurt people tremendously. But what I’m always thankful to God is the fact that I have a FAMILY and a COMMUNITY who didn’t and doesn’t condemn me for the nasty things that I’ve done. I can’t imagine what my life could’ve gone to, had I a family who is unsupportive and discouraging.

                Looking back at my classmates and students who became mothers at such a very young age, I can’t help but think how they have survived the ordeals of parenting. I’m proud of them because they finished college and pursued a career.  But again, not all teenage moms are given the opportunity to study and get a chance for a good life.

                So do we have a population problem? Your age should help you answer.

"Balik-aral"

I was listening to the news this morning and when I suddenly realized that the term "balik-aral" is a politically incorrect term and should not be used--especially in the context with which it was used.

The news reporter used the term in reference to the first day of class today in public schools across the country. Most reports or articles would refer to this event as "balik-eskwela" ("return to school").

I just thought that "balik-aral" should not be used. This phrase may mean two things: it may mean "review" (as in studying previous lessons) or "back to studying" (as in going back to studying). Unfortunately, the way it was used in the news report was intended to mean the latter. 

So what's my issue here? Well, it's not that much of a big deal; it's just a term, anyway. But you see, words play a very important role in shaping an individual's way of thinking, which later on leads to a collective creation of habits and cultures. Last week, I visited Fort Santiago and found a very interesting idea that Dr. Jose Rizal wrote in his essay "Ang Katamaran ng mga Pilipino (The Indolence of the Filipinos)". He said that prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, Filipinos are not lazy people simply because they don't know the word "miracle" (milagro) yet before the Spaniards came. Indeed, the inclusion of the word milagro in our vocabulary made us expect for something divine and somehow hampered us from working. These milagros also resulted in superstitious beliefs that pulled us back instead of pushing us forward.

In our case, "balik-aral" may be slowly seeping into the subconscious of Filipino society. 

I've been hearing the term "balik-aral" since I was in grade school, and somehow, did not mind it. The term is most commonly used during the last weeks of May and first few weeks of June. It entails a return to school from a two-month summer break. 

But my curious question is, "Should we say 'balik-aral'?" In the first place, did we stop from "learning" or "studying"? Yeah, SCHOOLING may have paused for a while to have a break, to enjoy summer. But I believe that LEARNING did not--two terms that are usually misinterpreted and even interchanged. This leads me to think how the Filipino term "aral" is understood by Filipinos. Do we understand it fully? Do we view SCHOOLING as just the same with LEARNING?

"Balik-aral", subconsciously or unconsciously used for so many generations now, may have created a kind of culture which "stops learning". While, some hyper parents in Manila would spend hefty amounts to send their kids to summer workshops (e.g. ballet, music, acting, arts, etc.), most parents in provinces would rather have their kids help them in household chores or have them take summer jobs. Despite the difference on how kids coming from well-off families would spend their summer break compared to kids coming from poor families, there is still something similar between them: LEARNING.

Hence, we realize that whether rich or poor, LEARNING continues--even during the summer break. The question is: "Do we teach our kids to think that learning doesn't stop?" and "How much effort do parents exert to develop a culture of continuing learning among their kids?" On a bigger scope, "How much attention does our government give to develop highly academic and competent learners?"

RH BILL = Problematica

As I watch the “Grand Debate” on RH Bill at GMA NEWS TV, more and more ideas—conflicting and inflicting—dawned on me. The debate was divided into three general arguments on the controversial bill, namely: a. RH Bill & Poverty Reduction; b. RH Bill and Morality; and c. RH Bill and Women’s Health. And as the Debate went on, I continue to reassess the situation—including my stand on it. Later on, I came to a conclusion, RH Bill is a problematica—a term used in science which is used when the classification of organisms cannot be decided.

In the first place, I ask: What has made this Bill so controversial as compared to other bills presented in congress? The best answer that I could think of is religion. The very reason why this social issue has become very controversial is the presence of churches in the midst of it. So does that mean that churches should not have been allowed to enter the scene? NO. In fact, I think these debates are healthy and good for the formation of the Philippine society. Debates present a bigger picture of a situation and this provides us with better perspectives as regards our decisions. It makes us think more critically, making us more tolerant and mature—hopefully. However, the moment ANY religious institution comes into the scene and BARS its flock from the information they need to know, that’s where the problem lies.

For me, being educated inevitably includes being educated and mal-educated. This means that no matter what we do (e.g. parents teaching their children not to do this or that) people would inevitably do (or think, at the least) of something “bad” or immoral at some point in their lives. Why? Because

1.) as we educate our kids on what is right from wrong, the society (which is beyond our control) also consciously and subconsciously teaches them that the wrong may be right and that the right may be wrong and

2.) to err is human.  

If this is the case, are we supposed to sit back and watch the moral fiber of Philippine society disintegrate? OF COURSE NOT! This is why constant reminders should take place—within the family and within the community. You see, life is about decisions. And most often than not, people decide based on what is available around them. For example, if a teenager lives in a community where the start of the menstrual cycle is tantamount to becoming a mother, she will more likely decide to be a mother at a very young age. UNLESS, of course, someone constantly guides her about the consequences of early pregnancy. Have you ever wondered why most rich or educated families control the number of kids they will have? Their DECISION is because of what is available around them—e.g. that having more kids would mean more expenses, more responsibilities, and if one cannot attend to it, might as well control.

Going back to the main point of discussion, there are so many factors that make the RH Bill a problematica, but for this particular blog, I shall only focus on one: MORALITY. From my observations and opinion, the reason why this has turned into a fuss—a very big one—is because of how churches operationalize the term “morality”.

Whenever I teach and conduct debates in my classes, I would always tell my students that I would not encourage “moral” arguments in the motions to be debated upon, not because I don’t like to discuss morality, but because morality, to some extent, is relative. Of course, there are “absolute” or “generic” morality, e.g. killing another human being is immoral, unacceptable in any society (as much as I know). But there are also some moralities that are relative, e.g. to some, it is immoral to have more than one wife, but to some cultures it is not. (NB: This is not limited to Islam. Studies from different societies reveal that other cultures also accept polygamy such as the Israelites of the old testament or the fraternal polyandry in some areas in Tibet and Nepal.)

The “wrongest” move, if I may say, of a church in this war against RH bill is to resort to the most absurd ammunition of all: excommunication of those supporting RH BILL. To me, it’s like a kid threatening not to give a candy if another kid doesn’t want to play.

(Didn’t the church threaten to excommunicate P-noy for supporting RH? See:http://www.mb.com.ph/node/280046/excommunication-hit)

I suddenly remembered Jonathan Edwards’s “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” upon learning about this fallacious (appeal to fear) and “malicious” move by a church.  I felt sad at one point because this move has just made the war worse. It just reminded the people how the prayles of the past still lives today.

While it is true that it is the church’s obligation to teach values to its members, I believe that the priority of the church should not be focused on targeting those who do not like to follow their teachings. Instead, I think they should focus on how to make their teachings sound, appropriate, and practical in order to make the people follow them whole-heartedly and never forcefully. Isn’t it that when Jesus went out to preach the word, many criticized Him and mocked Him? I have never read, heard, nor learned any Bible passage that talks about Jesus retaliating against his detractors.

While morality is a very important factor in the formation and reformation of the society, I don’t think this should be used as a means for threatening the people and making them “believe” the stand of the church on a certain issue—by force nor by fear.

The RH Bill, to date, remains a problematica because I think the essential issues and core objectives on why this was proposed in congress is not tackled carefully. Sadly, the debates have gone out of way. It has started from poverty, went on to morality, and ended up in obscurity.

The saddest part is, as we continue to debate, think, and assess its effectiveness and appropriateness, more and more Filipinos are born, which means more and more Filipinos will potentially become poor tomorrow.