Face-Buking

It would be highly hypocritical of me if I would say that I do not miss using Facebook and if I would say it is useless or totally a trash. One year after I deleted my Facebook account, I admit that I miss posting "what's on my mind"; I miss sharing readings, pictures, or videos; I miss being informed about the travails of my friends, relatives, and former classmates.

However, admit it or not too, Facebook's role in today's generation has reached beyond limitations.

The latest issue on the two students of St. Theresa's College in Cebu is worth discussing. As an overview, STC barred two girl students from attending the graduation rites because they posted pictures (wearing bikinis and holding a bottle of liquor and a cigarette) on Facebook . School officials argue that this is against the moral values being forwarded by the institution. But on the other hand, parents of the FACEBUKING students argue that the Facebook of their daughters are private, and therefore the school is not supposed to have access to it. This means that the school's access was "illegal" and an invasion of their daughter's privacy, so to speak.

Allow me to present some of my opinions regarding the matter. I will try to be as objective as possible as I look into the issue from the perspective of a Christian, a Teacher (academician), and a human (dehumanized by social networks).

Facebook and the Academe


There has been a growing concern about cyber bullying among schools and universities because students are constantly becoming bullies and bullied, across ages, races, and social status. Progressive schools have acted quickly on this by amending school rules and regulations, including rules on how to avoid and reprimand cyberbullying and bullies.

Unfortunately, some students are still unmindful of what they post and the effects of these to classmates or friends. A classic example is uploading a "stolen shot" of someone sleeping or in his/her unguarded moments that are funny to other people but embarrassing to the bullied.

I am guilty of this and I admit that when I still have a Facebook account, I have bullied colleagues and friends. I am apologizing to those whom I "victimized".

As a means to correct this wrong attitude that I have developed due to Facebook addiction, I have modified some of the syllabi of the subjects that I teach and included discussions on Netiquette. I strongly encourage basic education teachers as well as tertiary educators to do the same. Most students are not aware of the damage they could do. They think it's their right to post anything they want.

If you ask me how to start, and argue about this "freedom" they are talking about. I'd suggest a classic and simple argument: THERE IS NO ABSOLUTE FREEDOM. While it is true that they have the right for freedom of expression, this freedom must not negatively affect other people. It must not be used as a tool for degrading another person.

I agree that STC has the right to uphold the moral values that it is founded on. However, if it is true that they have indeed invaded the privacy of the students, and if it is true that they did not provide due process in dealing with the case, then they are in a very big problem.

Facebook and Catholic education


Sadly, people are very quick to upload, comment, or "like" using Facebook without pausing for a while to think what the effects of their "clicking" activities are. One example of this is a teacher from a private school, who "liked" a photo uploaded by a student pointing a "dirty finger" on the school's logo. Either the teacher is an "impulsive clicker" or he/she is simply not a critical thinker.

Because we can easily connect to the social networking sites, we often forget to stop for a while and think about the effects of what we post.

What's alarming is that we are quick to post and repost non-sense things, but avoid "liking" and reposting uploads about Jesus.

STC is a Catholic school and it upholds Catholic virtues. If it will not make a stand, then there will be no difference between public education and Catholic education. If they give up the fight, they cease to exist.

Facebook and the the process of Dehumanization


Admit it or not, the internet has been slowly "dehumanizing" us. Because we face the computer most of the time, we fail to realize that what we post is seen and observed by human beings on the other side of the internet world.

The actions of the STC students are alarming because of their boldness to post "sexy" pictures (wearing bikinis) and to sashay their vices (liquors and cigars). I cannot help but wonder if at any point in their life, they have posted anything about the retreats or lessons that they have realized from recollections and other activities that Catholic schools offer. (I am not a catholic, by the way, so this isn't a defense for the church.)

But what's more alarming is the fact that the parents seem to just brush off the issue and tolerate the acts of their daughters. Don't get me wrong, I do not want to sound like "conservative" but I think the parents should have at least disciplined their daughters.

I could probably accept the wearing of bikini, anyway, I think it's a private swimming affair and that's the proper attire when you swim. But parents allowing minors to drink and smoke? I'm sorry to sound like "holy" here, but where's the value of the parents? Or let's try to move away from "morals", where's the concern of these parents to the HEALTH of their children? We know for a fact that liquors and cigarettes do NOTHING good to our body. Why do these parents allow their daughters to develop the habit of drinking and smoking?

I will probably not be able to understand them because I grew up in a family and a community where drinking and smoking is not acceptable and even damnable.

As a final note, I'd like to give a word of advice:

Parents, DO NOT ENROL YOUR CHILDREN TO CATHOLIC OR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS IF YOU CANNOT ACCEPT THEIR RULES, REGULATIONS, AND MORALS.

Students, READ YOUR STUDENT HANDBOOKS AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES STIPULATED IN IT

Fellow internet users,LET'S BE CAREFUL ON WHAT WE POST. (Huwag magpa-FACE-Buking...na hindi ka sanay mag-isip.)

The Coming of Age of Eat Bulaga

No one would ever doubt the influence that Eat Bulaga has imprinted in the Filipinos' psyche, and it would probably take another lifetime for that to be replaced if not removed. Almost everyone in this generation and the next have been entertained and subtly injected with the entertainment that is "Eeeeaaaatttttt.....BULAGA!"

I am obviously writing from the perspective of someone greatly influenced not just by Eat Bulaga but by Tito, Vic, and Joey as well. But I'll try to be as objective as possible in this post. 

First, the not-so-good

Eat Bulaga is not a perfect noon-time show and its influences are not altogether good. If I am not mistaken, it is them who started involving sexy dancing girls with skimpy clothes and "daring" dance moves that are most commonly (and supposed to be limited there) seen in cabarets or beer houses. 

Much as I do not want to sound too orthodox or too pure, I don't think the role that these dancers play in the show is essential. Aside from seemingly "commodifying"  women, they downgrade women to merely "backgrounds" and never equally important as that of the hosts. 

Eat Bulaga also popularized TV pageants that seem to be just a level higher than that of Barangay Beauty pageants. Again, this segment seems to have become a venue for the "boys" to stare at women in underwear for free (and in the middle of the day!) In the past years, Eat Bulaga has successfully injected their brand of machismo in every man and woman. Sexy dancers and pageant contestants have created a culture of "liberalism" that tells that young that "Hey! It's OK to show some skin off..." and "Being teased by men is just 'normal' "

I grew up with these, and though I could have had my own choices, of course, I think the "womanizing" antics of Vic and Joey have gotten into my system. (Fortunately, I was able to remove it through God's grace.)

Good thing they have removed these pageants.

Moving on to the good

Despite the bad taste of Eat Bulaga's production team in the past years, I think EB has finally come of age. Could it be caused by the "maturity" (literally and figuratively)  of TVJ? Whatever the reason is, I strongly commend the team. 

First, the introduction of PINOY HENYO repackaged the concept of entertainment in noon time shows. This, for me, is highly commendable since we have been soaked with too much "stupid games" that are, aside from no-brainers, usually disdainful or a form of mockery. While it is true that the hosts would still often chide and tease contestants who failed to guess the word, the audience now realize (hopefully) that it is entertaining and exciting to think. 

Secondly, EB's Juan for All, All for Juan has become more of a social movement rather than a simple portion of the noon time show. This has created a benchmark too high for other networks, that despite all efforts, they have subtly given up the fight. I commend EB for re-defining the concept of Bayanihan, a Filipino culture that has slowly disintegrated with the continuous Westernization (and lately Koreanization!) of Philippines.

Back in elementary, our textbooks had pictures of men carrying a nipa hut and transferring it to another place. I hope textbooks have been changed because this might have created a subconscious notion that "it;s ok to transfer and build a house anywhere we want" (giving birth to illegal settlers). I strongly suggest that writers integrate Eat Bulaga's concept of Bayanihan in the textbooks. Aside from being timely, it is relevant, and realistic. 

EB also constantly modifies their mechanics and the most recent is the disqualification of rowdy and chaotic players and the whole barangay itself. On the other hand, EB provides extra gifts and rewards to those who peacefully participated in the game: both the individual and the whole barangay. As I write this, EB has just awarded a barangay in Gapan Nueva Ecija. They gave a fire truck to the barangay which is very helpful and practical, instead of giving out money which could just go elsewhere. What particularly called my attention is the criteria for judging the best barangay. One criterion is sustainability, i.e. if the barangay continued with the bayanihan even in the absence of Bulaga staff. (Although I wonder how they were able to monitor this.)

I couldn't help but think, shouldn't the government follow EB's example? I mean, instead of giving Pork Barrel to greedy congressmen, why not just have a centralized treasury where politicians request for purchase and they do the purchasing. The province then receives whatever they need in kind and not in monetary form. This way, I think, corruption will be lessened. 

While these moves may be criticized for being too behaviorist (because people do things wanting of a reward in return), I think for starters, this would be acceptable.

BULAGA! not merely an 'initial shock'

Eat Bulaga is merely a noon time show and it can't and will not be able to change culture. They have just started a spark and still, change should start from an individual. That's a fact. 

I hope and pray for two things:

1. That those Bulaga has visited will be able to come up with sustainable development and realizable goals which would lead to massive societal change; and 

2. That the government will emanate from Eat Bulaga's example (While they can reach "mula Aparri hanggang Jolo" through airwaves, they cannot bear everything upon their shoulders.)

In the end, the change that BULAGA has initiated will only create a lasting impression if the government and the whole country will start to become more creative and driven as Tito, Vic, Joey, and the rest of the Dabarkads. 

Crowns and Thorns

I could not imagine how Chief Justice Renato Corona must have been feeling at this point. As the impeachment trial opens today, various thoughts have probably been rushing towards him.

Why me?
Why now?
What's next?

Who knows? Being interrogated is something traumatic, what more being impeached in the rule of law and in the perception of the public. I have a very limited knowledge about the rules of impeachment, but I'd like to share my thoughts about it.

1. Milestone- I think this impeachment proceeding is a milestone in the country's judicial process. For one, this is the first time that a Supreme Court Justice would be prosecuted under the rule of law. This may have pros and cons of course, but I think the pros outweigh the cons since this would create a big impact to the public that in our country, power, position, and authority are not tantamount to judicial immunity. For average the average Filipino like me, this sends a healthy "fear" i.e. fear not to do (or repeat) any wrong doings because there is indeed a justice system working.

This is also positive in a way that it will send a message to the world. This will debunk falsely written historical accounts that this country, prior to the arrival of Spaniards, does not have a system of government. This will prove that this country has had logic and justice deeply rooted within our consciousness and subconsciousness.

2. Circus- On the negative side, I think this impeachment has also become a circus for some. Not everyone showed professionalism within the process since some prosecutors have (I think) gone beyond the line. Showing evidences in public, in my opinion, is an outright trial by publicity and this is not good since not all Filipinos are skeptic and critical. I condemn this act because I believe these issues should have been settled DURING the impeachment proceedings and not BEFORE it. This has most probably led to prejudices among Filipinos. We have to always remember that at this point in time, whether they have shown or proven evidences or not, the Chief Justice is innocent simply because he has not been proven guilty, yet.

I also denounce any acts from ANY religious groups or sects that jump into this lowly mudslinging. The constitution clearly presents a demarcation line between the Church and the State, which means that the while churches may have the moral obligation to remind or make people reflect, they should not be making sides. Moreover, to those reading the Bible and believing in Jesus, we should remember that He himself teaches AGAINST politics in churches. How many times have he questioned the Pharisees and Scribes? Instead, I believe that they should be standing firm on the basis of peacefully resolving social and political issues like this.

3. Reflection of Bravery and Courage- Finally, I think this impeachment is a reflection of the growing vigilance and patriotism. It is also a reflection of Bravery and Courage both on the side of the Chief Justice and his prosecutors. To impeach a chief justice requires bravery and courage aside from intelligence. Similarly, to face such a trial needs more than bravery and courage and CJ Corona has proven he's up for the battle.

In the end, wherever this case goes and whatever verdicts it would bring, I pray that it would lead to a better Philippines.

Let's not just be contented to pursue justice. Above all, let's learn our lessons.

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?