Showing posts with label education. Show all posts

Personal Views on Three Filipino Issues

…Education, School Activities, Christmas

By Apolinario Villalobos

I have nothing against the education, the requirements and activities, and the celebration of “traditions”, but it seems that the practices have gone overboard. Instead of helping, they have created more problems – FINANCIALLY to the impoverished.

EDUCATION is very necessary, no question about that. Unfortunately, the K-12 system has added misery to the parents who can hardly send their children to the former 4-year high school as the new system has stretched their financial agony by two more years. Due to the haphazard implementation of the system, many schools have been caught without the necessary facilities for effective implementation. Before, a high school graduate may already have the chance to work as a store attendant or a security guard so that he or she can earn and save for his or her college education. Today, the parents must spend for the education of their children beyond the Grade 10 up to 12 so that the “high school” education has been attained for a diploma needed for a job as sales lady, security guard, messenger, etc. Why the need for the extra 2 years, then, when the graduates shall land on the same kind of job? I have not yet mentioned here the corrupted printing of text books which have been converted into workbooks that are discarded every end of the school year as  this long-time issue may just ruin the day of viewers.

SCHOOLS COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER IN IMPLEMENTING REQUIREMENTS AND HOLDING OF ACTIVITIES. In first year high school, there is already a requirement for a “thesis” which many students do not even understand. To be able to complete a requirement, they practically “copy/paste” materials from the internet. Some schools right at the early opening of classes are already requiring students to join “educational tours” supposedly as part of a certain “module”. Those who cannot afford the expensive trip are required to submit a report that require them to go to the internet where they spend long hours of browsing and copy/pasting, printing and collating of materials that they stole from the different sites. Where is the connection of the educational trip to the supposedly research?

Here is a classic story of a young mother who sells pastil as a livelihood to help her husband who drives a tricycle with a “boundary” of Php150 a day….to send their 3 children to high school. Since October this year, she has incurred a total loaned amount of Php8,000.00 that she used for the “school requirements” and lately for the “family day” and “Christmas party”. I need not elaborate on the “school requirements”. But the “family day” and “Christmas party” are two activities that should be thought of…as regards their necessity. For practical reasons due to the financial difficulty of the time, are they really necessary when so many families can hardly afford to give their children decent school allowance? After the family day that is supposed to bond the family, the impertinent children are back to their cellfones while the poor mothers are back to their laundry, cooking and cleaning of the house. Unfortunately, as I am writing this, the poor mother and her husband have yet to pay, Php3,000 as balance of their loan…and the year is already ending!

CHRISTMASTIME IS GIVING, NOT ASKING FOR GIFTS….IT IS ALSO SUPPOSEDLY, THE “BIRTHDAY (?)” OF JESUS  CHRIST. Unfortunately, the parents should be faulted on why children have the wrong notion about the season. In this regard, children are sad if they have no new clothes, toys, no expensive food on the table. Also, instead of thinking about the impoverished as the recipients of material gifts intended for Jesus, they want to have them for their own gratification.

On the other hand, lest I be misunderstood, I like the unifying intention for the celebration of Christmas, but there is a need for its utmost understanding. Many Christians already know how the pagan-based celebration has started. For the sake of unity, there has to be a reason for getting together. Feasts have to be celebrated as man by nature loves festivities and rich food….the way pagans of long ago wanted them. THE PROBLEM IS, MANY OF THOSE WHO OBSERVE THE TRADITION TODAY ARE OBSERVING IT WITH ARROGANCE...THEY FLAUNT TO THE WORLD THEIR EXCESSSES IN LIFE…WITHOUT THROWING A CRUMB TO THOSE WITH THE LEAST IN LIFE.

Ang Mga Pagkakaiba ng Mga “Private” at “Public” School Teachers

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Iisa ang pagkakatulad ng trabaho ng mga guro, ma-private o ma-public man, at yan ay ang “layunin” ng kanilang ginagawa na magturo. Ang mga pagkakaiba ay nasa uri naman ng kanilang “employer”.

Ang employer ng public school teachers ay taong bayan dahil ang suweldo nila ay galing sa buwis. Ang employer naman ng private school teachers ay mga negosyante.

Maraming pinagdadaanang “butas” ang pera na kailangan ng mga public school teachers at marami ring sagabal na hindi kontrolado. Ang mga sagabal na ito ay nadadanasan ng mga public school teachers na nakatalaga sa malalayong barangay na ang iba ay nasa paanan o sa gilid ng bundok, at bago marating ay kailangang tumawid pa sa mga ilog. Samantala, ang mga private schools ay karaniwang matatagpuan sa mga barangay ng bayan at lunsod.

Kung may mga bagay na kailangan ang mga public school teachers, pupunta sila sa principal na sasangguni naman sa district office, na makikipag-coordinate naman sa mas nakakataas na opisina. KUNG NASAGAD NA PALA ANG BUDGET, NO CHOICE ANG PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER KUNDI DUMUKOT SA SARILING BULSA! Samantala, kung may kailangan ang private school teacher para sa pagtuturo, lalapit lang siya sa kanyang employer na negosyante na obligado namang gumastos…dahil negosyo niya ang eskwelahan. Yong isang dating schoolmate ko na may isang eskwelahan na ngayon, siya mismo ang namimili ng mga gamit sa eskwela dahil ayaw daw niyang masira ang quality ng pagtuturo ng kanyang mga teachers.

Pagdating sa suweldo, nakakaungos na ang mga public school teachers kahit kaunti dahil nagkaroon sila ng adjustment, pero kulang pa rin kung tutuusin, batay sa kanilang ginagawa. Samantala,  masuwerte ang mga teachers ng mga high-end o “class” na mga private schools na naniningil ng lampas-ulong tuition fees dahil malaki ang suweldo nila.

Dahil sa mga nabanggit, dapat ay tumahimik na lang ang mga pumupuna ng negatibo sa ginagawang diskarte ng mga public school teachers upang kahit walang nakukuhang suportang financial mula sa nakatataas sa kanila ay tuloy pa rin sila sa kanilang ginagawa, kaya kalimitan ay gumagastos sila ng sariling pera.  Hindi rin madaling lumapit sa PTA dahil marami nang pinagbawal lalo na pagdating sa contribution. Malabo rin ang pagboluntaryo ng mga magulang na todo-todo ang kayod kaya kulang pa nga kung tutuusin ang buong araw upang kumita para sa kanilang pangangailangan

ANG HIRAP KASI SA ILANG PILIPINO NA EWAN KUNG TANGA O NAGTATANGAHAN LANG, MALIMIT NA GINAGAWA AGAD KAPAG MAY PROBLEMA SA ESKWELA AY MAGTANONG NG, “BAKIT HINDI HUMINGI NG BUDGET?”, O DI KAYA AY, “BAKIT HINDI I-INVOLVE ANG PTA?”. THE BEST AY TUMAHIMIK NA LANG SILA!

The Unsung Heroism of Teachers

By Apolinario Villalobos

Teachers become the second parents of children as they step inside the school campus. I do not want to dwell on their wage as everybody knows that despite the adjustment, still, it is not commensurate to their effort and time spent in school. Weekends sometimes see them in school sprucing up their rooms to make them conducive for the learning of their young wards. If they are lucky, they get support by way of budgeted “allowance” from their superiors for the aforementioned expense which oftentimes is not enough so that they are forced to shell out their scrimped savings.

I know of teachers who are supporting in their own affordable way, pupils who go to school without breakfast. They include these unfortunates in their packed lunch or sandwiches. Those assigned in far-off or remote schools, with some beyond several hills and swift rivers, had to spend for the fuel of their “single motorcycles”. Some viewers of my blogs are teachers and they told me that they are also spending for their own teaching materials…actually, a traditional practice that include even the purchase of floor wax, brooms and dust pans.

They may have been able to collect simple jewelries…hard-earned investments, but according to my teacher-friends, it took them several years to complete the payment made on installment basis. On school days, they have to wake up at dawn to prepare breakfast for their family, leave home for school before 6 or 7AM, stay in school till 5:00PM or beyond, tackle the flood during rainy months on the way home, immediately attend to their family upon arriving home, and work on their modules till late in the evening for the next day. Due to bad traffic, many would arrive home as late as 9:00PM.

Many teachers become spinsters and bachelors because of their dedication to their job. Some say, they have no time for the “loving-loving”. Worse, many also develop TB due to unhealthy condition in their workplace. The consolation that they get from their job, especially, if they are handling kids is the loyalty and devotion from them. These brought about common statements from their pupils, “….sabi ni Ma’am…”. “…ayaw ni Ma’am niyan…”. etc.

I remember my teachers in Tacurong Pilot Elementary School, such as, Mrs. Paradero, Mrs. Sucaldito, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Barber, Ms. Davala, Mrs. Amar, Mr. Palencia, Mrs. Ramos, Mrs. Domider. In NDTC Boys Department such as, Mr. Elmer Festin, Mr. Jamorabon, Ms. Uy, Mr. Cabiles, Ms. Hojilla, Ms. Palabrica, Mr. Gabertan. In NDTC college department, such as, Mrs. Lechonsito, Mr. Canzana, Ret. Judge Jacosalem Makilala…..and many more. (I hope viewing schoolmates and classmates can help me out recall names….please add.)

Alas! Without “Ma’am” and “Sir”, where would I be? 

Hazing

…an eye-opener 

By Apolinario Villalobos

Now and then, front pages of newspapers scream expositions on deaths that result from hazing. Investigations are conducted. Parents and concerned organizations hold rallies to put an end to the fatal ritual…and most often, they bark at the wrong tree.

There is already a law against it. Some schools ban fraternities. The police is doing its part. Meanwhile, concerned parents and organizations forgot to call the attention of other parents, especially, the students, themselves. The fact is that, most students who join fraternities to have a feeling of security and belongingness, are already of age, and know what they are doing, yet they do it.  They read news about death resulting from hazing, yet, they take the risk by still joining.

With all those mentioned circumstances, why should parents blame the school?...and the police who cannot solve the crime immediately? Some parents blame the world, but themselves and their sons and daughters who upon entering the portal of colleges and universities become ambitious and arrogant. These sons and daughters thought that they can have a share of prominence in the campus by joining fraternities, and have their fingers or knuckles bear the mark of affiliation.

Some parents of hazing victims, on the other hand, insist that they did their part by warning their sons about joining such kind of organization. Really?... It has been found out that parents of some students who died from hazing belong to the fraternity that the departed tried to be part of! Some parents are even known to remind their sons and daughters to see to it that the fraternity that they will join, also has government officials as members, so that the latter can be approached for help in times of need. The price of selfishness is too expensive, indeed!

Some schools are doing the right thing by letting their students sign a release waiver, so that they will not be blamed if the latter would insist on joining a fraternity. The police is not in the position to pass on the blame, in view of the existing law, because it is their duty to solve a crime. Besides, passing on the blame will not solve the problems on hazing that is pestering the campuses. Many cases of hazing that result to the death of neophytes are left unsolved, hence, relegated to the sidelines, with their folders turning yellow and accumulating dust in filing cabinets of courts.

Doubts are floating if hazing can be possibly put to a stop, as officers of the fraternities involved are entrenched in the different nooks and corners of the government, with some even staff of schools, and who just remain silent every time a new case hits the pages of newspapers and aired over TVs and radios. Helplessness and futility of the effort is very evident.

The hazing victims have been given the opportunity to enjoy a much coveted, but expensive education, but they wasted it because of their arrogant social climbing attitude and desire to be part of the elite crowd in the campus. And, most unfortunately, many students who were known to be shy, have learned to smoke and imbibe alcoholic drinks after joining fraternities.

Before viewers who are members of fraternities will misjudge me, I would like to make it clear that I am not referring to all students as being arrogant with social climbing attitudes that push them to join fraternities. Most, especially, I am not contending that all parents are selfish enough as to encourage their children to join fraternities known for their members who are government officials. I know that there are still many students who are sane enough to make use of the hard-earned money of their benefactors – parents, elder brothers or sisters, by focusing their mind to their studies.

A student need not join a fraternity to shine in the school campus. The school is intended for learning and not for negative socializing.

Wrong Information from Textbooks

That Filipino Students are Forced to Learn

by Apolinario Villalobos

As I gain years in life that slowly push me towards the threshold of my destiny, I cannot help but think about the things that I was “force-fed” as a knowledge-hungry pupil in elementary and a trying student in high school and college. I am now beginning to think that they could be wrong, such as:

Si Cacai…masugid na pupil

ng Maria Z Bayya Elementary School

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Si Caca, 6 na taong gulang ay anak ni Eke. Grade 1 siya sa Maria Z. Bayya Elementary School sa Carmen, Tacurong City. Nakita ko ang sarili k okay Cacai dahil sa kanyang sigasig sa pag-aaral. Ayaw niyang mapahiwalay sa kanya ang kanyang mga gamit pang-eskwela kahit pa sumasama sa kanyang nanay na si Eke na nag-oovernight sa bahay kung saan siya ay naglalaba at naglilinis. Hapon pa lang pagkatapos ng kanyang klase ay pumupunta na silang mag-ina sa bahay na kanyang pagtatrabahuhan. Si Eke ay civilian volunteer din sa Barangay Hall ng Carmen kaya pagkatapos ng duty pa lamang siya nakakapagdiskate ng “sideline” na paglilinis ng bahay at paglalaba. Magaling sa paglinis si Eke ng bahay kaya siya palagi ang tinatawagan ng kanyang kamag-anak na si Neneng upang magkaroon din ng extra income. Napag-alaman ko rin na bilang volunteer ay nagbabantay din siya ng Barangay Hall sa gabi.

Ayaw ni Cacai na iwanan ang kanyang mga gamit sa school dahil nag-aaral din siya sa gabi. Kahit pa ilang beses siyang sinabihan ng kanyang tatay na si Roy na mag-aabang ito sa gate ng school kinabukasan upang iabot ang kanyang bag, ayaw pa rin niyang pumayag. Isang beses ay sinagot daw niya ang kanyang tatay ng, “paano akong makakapag-aral kung iwanan ko ang bag ko?”. Dahil, sa sinabi ng niya ay hinayaan na lang siya na bitbitin ang kanyang bag kapag sumama kay Eke.

Sumasabay siya sa paggising ng kanyang nanay, 4:00AM ng umaga upang mag-ayos. Wala siyang reklamo kahit walang ulam sa almusal at tuyo ang baon sa eskwela. Kapag nagtrabaho si Eke sa bahay ng kanyang kamag-anak, kinabukasan ay nagmamagandang-loob naman ang kapatid nito na si Toto na ihatid si Cacai sa school 6:30AM pa lang. Nanggagaling pa sila sa President Quirino na mahigit sampung kilometro ang layo sa school. Ang bahay naman nina Cacai ay pwedeng lakarin mula sa school kaya pag-uwi niya sa hapon ay kasama na niya sa pag-uwi ang kanyang nakakatandang kapatid at sa bahay na sila nagkikita uli ni Eke na nakauwi na rin mula sa pinagtrabahuhan.

Nang ako ay sa kaparehong edad ni Cacai, nagkaroon ng sunog sa bayan namin. Nang magkatarantahan sa paglabas ng mga gamit sa bahay upang mailipat sa katapat na plaza, ang binitibit ko ay ang plastic bag na ang laman ay mga gamit ko sa eskwela. Ang mga binitbit naman ng mga kapatid ko ay mga damit nila. Dahil sa ginawa ko ay piningot ako ng aking ate. Minsan naman, may nagbirong classmate ko na nagtago ng mga gamit ko. Nang malaman ko kung sino ang nagtago na ang pangalan ay “Anselmo”,  hinabol ko siya ng panudsod ng damo na palaging kong dala bilang requirement upang makapaglinis kami sa assigned area naming sa bakuran ng eskwelahan. Noong nasa elementary ako, walang pwedeng makialam sa mga gamit ko sa eskwela kahit mga kapatid ko.

Pareho rin kami ni Cacai dahil kaya naming kumain ng kanin kahit walang ulam. Sana sa paglaki niya ay matuto rin siyang kumain ng tutong na sinabawan ng tubig at binudburan ng asin.

Katangahan ng isang Iskolar ng Bayan KUNO

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Sabi ng isang “iskolar ng bayan” KUNO na tuwang-tuwa dahil sa pagpirma ni Duterte ng scholarship program para sa tertiary level, “SIGURADONG MAKAKATULONG ANG ISANG EDUKADO SA BAYAN”…TANGA SIYA!...MAKITID ANG ISIP AT MAIKLI ANG PANANAW!

Hindi guarantee ang edukasyon para makatulong ang isang Pilipino sa bayan. MARAMING OPISYAL NG BAYAN NA MGA MASTERS AT DOCTORS NG KUNG ANU-ANONG KAEK-EKAN NA TINAPOS SA MGA UNIBERSIDAD SA PILIPINAS AT IBANG BANSA ANG NAGING DAHILAN NG PAGHIHIRAP NG BAYAN DAHIL SA KANILANG KORAPSYON. SA SOBRANG DUNONG O INTELLECT, NAGKAROON SILA NG IDEYA KUNG PAANONG MANGURAKOT AT MAGPALUSOT KAPAG NABISTO. MARAMI RING NAGDODOKTOR-DOKTORAN SA KUNG ANONG LARANGAN GANOONG BINILI LANG NILA ANG TITULO….MGA KAPALMUKS!

Nakalimutan ng taga-UP pa naman na IBA’T-IBANG URI ang pagtulong sa bayan, hindi lang ang pag-upo sa aircon na opisina. Diyanitor man o security guard o pulis o sundalo o messenger o driver o matadero o tindera o manikurista o barber, etc. ay nakakatulong din sa bayan. Ang mga iyan ay maituturing ding mga haligi ng ekonomiya ng bayan. ANG MGA ISKOLAR NG BAYAN KUNO…GUSTO AY MGA PANG-OPISINANG TRABAHO LANG!...SINO SA KANILA ANG GUSTONG MAGING MEKANIKO NG SASAKYAN O COMPUTER TECHNICIAN NA MADALING PAGKITAAN?...WALA!!!!! ANG GUSTO NG MGA HANGAL NA ITO AY NAKA-HIGH HEELS SILA O NAKA-KURBATA KAPAG PUMASOK SA TRABAHO.

Ang matindi pa, ang mga iskolar kuno ng bayan ay walang utang na loob dahil sa halip na tumulong kay Duterte ay sumasama pa sa mga TRYING HARD o NAGMAMAANG-MAANGAN NA MGA KOMUNISTA KUNO UPANG MAG-INGAY SA KALSADA AT MAGBATO NG PINTURA SA U.S. EMBASSY…LALO’T HIGIT AY MAGKONDENA KAY DUTERTE DAHIL SA PROGRAMA NIYA LABAN SA DROGA NA ANG LAYUNIN AY MAILIGTAS SA KAPAHAMAKAN ANG MGA KABATAAN! SILA AY MGA NAGKUKUNWARING MATATALINO PERO UTAK IPIS NAMAN NA ANG GUSTO LANG AY MAKI-RIDE ON SA KUNG ANO ANG USO. Kaya, kung tutuusin ANG KARAMIHAN SA KANLA AY HINDI KARAPAT-DAPAT NA GASTUSAN NG PERA GALING SA BUWIS NA ANG KATUMBAS AY PUYAT, PAGOD AT PAWIS NG ORDINARYONG PILIPINO NA NAGHIHIKANOS DIN SA BUHAY.

Dapat sa scholarship program ay gawing “study now, pay later plan”…meron na yata nito pero hindi lang naipapatupad ng maayos kaya pumalpak. Dapat papirmahin ang mga gustong mag-avail upang mapilitan silang magbayad sa gobyerno kapag nakakita na ng trabaho. Kapag hindi nila ginawa ay ipatanggal sila sa trabaho upang magkaroon ng leksiyon. Kung nakapasa sila sa programa, dapat din silang palinisin ng kalsada tuwing walang pasok o di kaya ay papuntahin sa slum areas upang magturo sa mga bata.

Ang hirap din sa mga iskolar kuno na ito, ang yayabang pa! Nabisto tuloy na hindi lahat sa kanila ay mahihirap, lalo na ang pumapasok sa UP dahil ang requirement lang ay makapasa sa exam. Ang habol nila sa UP ay prestige. Masabi lang na graduate sa UP, kahit pasang awa ay solve na sila. Kung may interview man bago maka-avail ng scholarship,  hindi rin siguradong epektibo….ang dapat ay masinsinang background check (BI). Ngayon, kapag ipinilit ang BI requirement, siguradong magrereklamo ang mag-iimplement ng scholar program dahil sa kakulangan ng mga taong gagawa nito. So, balik na naman sa sisihan kapag pumalpak ang programa tulad ng nangyari sa 4Ps na hindi lahat ng beneficiary ay mahihirap kundi malalakas lang sa Barangay na siyang nagbibigay ng recommendation sa DSW.

Sa bandang huli, hindi maso-solve ng scholarship program para sa tertiary level ang problema sa edukasyon. ANG DAPAT NA TUTUKAN AY ANG NAPAKABULOK NA SISTEMA KUNG SAAN AY KASAMA ANG MGA DISPALINGHADONG TEXTBOOKS NA KARAMIHAN AY MARAMING MALI AT GINAWANG WORKBOOKS KAYA HINDI NA NIPAGAGAMIT SA IBA PAGKATAPOS NG PASUKAN. ANG DAPAT GAWIN AY IKULONG ANG MGA NAGKUKUTSABAHANG CHED AT DECS OFFICIALS AT MGA PUBLISHERS….PERO DAHIL WALANG GINAGAWA TUNGKOL DITO, TULOY ANG PAGDURUSA NG BAYAN!

Mga Kuwento ng Tagumpay at ang Inutil na

Educational System ng Pilipinas

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Dahil sa pagputok ng balita tungkol sa disgrasyang inabot ng mga estudyanteng patungo sana sa Tanay (Rizal), kanya-kanya na namang hugas-kamay ang mga ahensiyang may kinalaman sa edukasyon. Sa tindi ng pagkawalang puso ng may-ari ng eskwelahan, nagsalita pa ang isa sa kanilang opisyal na ipagpapatuloy pa rin daw ang sinasabi nilang leadership training. Mabuti na lang at may kumilos upang ito ay mapigilan dahil sa tindi ng ngitngit ng mga magulang ng mga namatay, nasugatan, at mga nakaligtas.

Wala na talagang pinagbago ang CHED at DepEd dahil hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin silang ginagawa upang matigil na ang walang silbing mga field trip at kung anu-ano pang kataranduhan ng mga private schools na hatala namang ginagamit lang para sa junket. Pwede namang gumamit ng documentary films na kuha sa aktwal na pasilidad na gusto nilang pasyalan, bakit hindi nila gawin? Ang sinasabi ng iba ay nakakalibre daw ang ilang titser at opisyal ng eskwelahan sa pagsama sa mga estudyanteng gumagastos ng kung ilang libong piso para lang “makapasa”. At ang matindi, ay ginagamit pa ito ng ibang eskwelahan upang pagkitaan! Kung pinatigil man ang mga walang silbing “field trips”, ito ay PANSAMANTALA na naman!

Walang silbi ang diploma sa panahong ito dahil karamihan ng meron nito ay wagas na nagsasabing pampayabalang lang daw naman nila, at sa pag-apply ng trabaho, bahala na daw kung may makita o wala . May alam akong walang interes sa pag-apply kaya apat na taon mula nang makatapos ay istambay pa rin. Kung babae naman, nagkandalosyang na sa kapapanganak ay ni hindi man lang nakapasok maski probationary job. Ang kailangan sa panahong ito ay tiyaga at sipag na maaaring dagdagan ng diskarte. Yong iba ay namumuhunan lang ng laway o “sales talk”, pero kumikita….pero wala silang diploma. Hindi nangangahulugang ayaw ko nang mag-aral o makapagtapos ng kurso ang mga kabataan. Ang ibig kong sabihin dito ay baguhin ang pananaw tungkol sa edukasyon at ang sistema upang hindi mahirapan ang mga estudyante at mga magulang…hindi yong eskwelahan lang ang kumikita.

Merong mga eskwelahan na sumisingil ng “security fee”, pero wala naman silang security guard. Ang para naman sa mga magulang, kung hindi kaya ang gastos sa kolehiyo halimbawa, bakit hindi ipasok ang anak sa TESDA? Ang masaklap pa dito, dahil sa K-12 program, sa halip na 4 na taon lang ang high school at pagkatapos ay pwede nang mag-vocational school na mura, nagkaroon pa ng dagdag na gastos sa extended high school na tinawag na “senior high school” na bukod sa mahal na tuition ay halos wala ring napapag-aralan ang mga bata.

May isa akong kaibigan na nagkuwentong ang nanay nila ay hanggang Grade Four ang inabot subalit naging matagumpay bilang negosyante na ang inumpisahan ay isang maliit na sari-sari store. Lahat silang pitong magkakapatid ay nakapagtapos ng mga matataas at mamahaling kurso tulad ng “Engineering”. Noong nasa elementary pa daw siya, tinuturuan niya ang nanay nila kung paano isulat ang tamang spelling ng mga pangalan ng produktong tinitinda. At, ang nakakatuwa, madalas daw umutang sa kanila ang principal ng kanilang eskwelahan…at lahat ng mga titser niya! Ang sabing pabiro sa kanya ng nanay niya minsan, “….kita mo na, kung naging principal ako, hindi ko kayo napag-aral lahat…”.

Yong isa ko pang kilala, hindi rin nakatapos ng high school kaya nagtanim ng palay at mais at namili pa ng mga ito, pati bigas bilang negosyo. Ngayon, may gilingan siya ng palay at mais at dumami na rin ang mga taniman ng palay, at may international resort pa na sikat sa internet!

Yong nakausap kong babae sa isang karinderya sa Sta. Cruz (Manila), akala ko ay katulong, yon pala ay may-ari. Hanggang Grade Two ang inabot subalit may karinderya pa sa Blumentritt, Cubao, Pasay at Baclaran. Yong isa namang akala ko ay driver ng isang SUV na mamahalin, yon pala ay mismong may-ari at ang malaking junk shop sa di-kalayuan ay kanya….hindi rin siya nakatapos ng high school.

Masama mang sabihin, pero karamihan sa mga kabataan ngayon ay lulong o adik sa mga gadget at barkada kaya maski simpleng report na gagamitan ng English ay hindi magawa….at karamihan ay mayayabang pa.  Makapag-submit man ng project na ni-research daw ay kinopya pa pati tuldok (period) at kudlit (comma) sa internet. Kaya pagkatapos gastusan ng magulang, pagkakuha ng diploma at maisabit sa dingding, balik uli sa mga bisyo – barkada, basketball, lakwatsa, at gadgets. Ang mga masisisi diyan ay mismong mga magulang at ang inutil na educational system ng Pilipinas!

MAY ISANG MANDARAYA

….TEACHER PA!

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ano pa nga ba at sa panahon ngayon

May mga pandarayang nangyayari

Sa lahat na halos ng pagkakataon;

Malakas ang loob ng mga gumagawa

Mukha’y makapal at matatapang pa

Pati ang konsiyensiya’y di alintana.

Paano kaya kung teacher ang gagawa?

Katulad ng nangyari sa isang bayan

Na maunlad, tahimik at mapayapa;

Nagpatimpalak, ginanap upang matuwa

Mga estudyante sa isang eskwelahan

At ang mga hurado ay mga maestra.

Nguni’t ng masaklap ay nakalusot pala

Ang isang hurado ng contest na ito

Dahil ang isang kasali ay nephew niya!

Itong teacher itinuloy pa ang  paghusga

Ganoong pinag-uusapan na ang isyu

Na kapalmuks siya at walang hiya talaga!

Dahil sa pangyayari, ano pang tiwala

Ang maipapakita sa mga teacher natin

Na dapat sana ay pagmamalasakitan?

Paano pa silang sundin ng mga kabataan

Kung katarantaduha’y ipinapakita nila

Kaya’t sila’y nililibak, sa halip na tularan?

ANG RESULTA….NANALO ANG PAMANGKIN NIYA!

ANG KAGARAPALAN NG AHENSIYA PANG-EDUKASYON

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Dahil sa kagustuhang makasipsip kay Duterte ay naisipan na rin ng ahensiyang pang-edukasyon na mamigay ng condom sa mga estudyante. Para ano?...para ma-encourage sila na mag-sex dahil feeling na safe sila? Kasabwat yata nila ang mga short-time lodges at motels sa ideyang ito. Kung ganito ang takbo ng isip ng namumuno ng ahensiyang dapat ay nagbibigay ng tamang gabay sa mga kabataan, wala talaga silang maaasahang maaliwalas na kinabukasan. Kung malilibog ang matatandang ito , huwag nilang idamay ang mga kabataang estudyante!

Napakaraming importanteng isyu ang dapat na asikasuhin ng ahensiya, lalo na ang taunang pagtaas ng tuition at patuloy pa ring paglimbag ng mga librong workbook ang format sa halip na textbook, kaya hindi na magamit pagkatapos ng isang taon. Ang pinakahuling sistema ang dahilan kung bakit napakaraming mga titser ang halos walang pakinabang dahil inaasahan na lang ang pagsagot ng mga estudyante sa mga tanong sa workbooks…ni walang balitaktakan dahil inasahan lang din ang isa-submit na kinopyang assignment mula sa internet….buong-buo dahil ini-copy/paste.

Noon pa man ay marami na ang nagsasabi na ang ahensiyang ito ay tahimik lang pagdating sa kurakutan. Dahil sa pakikipagsabwatan ng ilang mga opisyal nila sa mga negosyante ay nagsulputan ang mga “fly-by-night” publishers ng mga workbook na napakaraming mali pero pinapalampas, at dahil walang nakukulong, hindi natatakot ang mga publishers kahit paulit-ulit silang magkamali. Napakalaki ang kita sa mga libro dahil hindi bababa sa 500pesos ang bawat isa. Dahil diyan ang nasa prep school pa lang na bata ay napipilitang gumagamit ng set ng mga libro na ang halaga ay hanggang 5thousand pesos o higit pa. Walang magawa ang mga magulang dahil nagsisilbi ding “test papers” ang mga workbooks na may mga question na dapat sagutin sa huling bahagi ng bawat chapter. Pagkatapos ng isang taong gamit ay ibebenta lang ang workbooks sa junkshop sa halagang wala pang 20pesos batay sa bigat ng mga ito sa timbangan. Dahil sa raket na yan ay marami ang yumamang nagbukas ng mga kinder/prep schools.

Malakas ang loob sa paggawa ng ka-demonyohan ang ahensiyang ito ganoong hindi nga nila mapabigkas ng tama sa mga titser mismo ang letrang “R”…. silang proud pa sa pagpa-impress dahil “Americanized” ang accent sa pagsalita ng Pilipino. Ang salitang “condom” ay hindi nga mabigkas-bigkas ng mag-asawa sa harap ng mga anak maski nasa hustong gulang na ang mga ito, pero ang mga inakalang pantas ay animo nilukuban ng demonyo sa pagpanukala ng pamimigay din ng condom dahil adbokasiya ng presidente Duterte ang family planning….talagang mga sipsip!

Wala na…..talagang wasak na wasak na ang sistema ng edukasyon ng Pilipinas, kaya kawawa ang kasalukuyang henerasyon ng mga estudyante at mga susunod pa. Mukhang may MALAKING dahilan kung bakit kapit-tuko ang mga opisyal sa puwesto sa ahensiyang ito.

THE “DRIVE” OF A PERSON

SPELLS HIS SUCCESS

By Apolinario Villalobos

There are people I know who graduated as summa cum laude or magna cum laude or have taken up post studies for Masters and Doctorate, yet, they failed to succeed vis-à-vis with what they have gone through coupled with money spent, without mentioning the time. On the other hand, many average graduates who finished ordinary courses from far-flung colleges have immensely achieved success. Of course, being at the right place at the right time can help, but the most essential factor here, is the “drive” within a person. In this view, the school and books could be necessary but not guarantees for a bright future if those who benefited from them lack the enthusiasm and energy to crash through the hurdles that block their way towards success.

This is the real situation in finding an ordinary job by fair means and working one’s way up in the corporate ladder: Graduates, regardless of their course and where they graduated, undergo a series of interview and examination, so it doesn’t matter if one is a graduate of a provincial college or a high-end university in a city, as what matters, is he passes the tests. From the lowest rung of the echelon, he works his way up based on his performance and other on-the-job criteria, and not on how he fared when he graduated as such record is already in his 201 file. The current basis is his performance, diligence, relationship with colleagues and bosses, and punctuality. If the guy is one who does not complain every time added work is given to him, he gets a plus, and also when he shows a congenial teamwork capability and respect for time.

The problem with many new-hires today, especially, the snooty graduates of high-end universities, is they complain every time they are given added tasks. They view such tasks with disdain for being not part of their job description, instead of considering them as opportunities for advancement. As a result, because of their high regard to their high-end alma mater, they always expect to find another job if they resign after a short span of stint in the job. On the other hand, graduates of the unassuming colleges have more reasons to work hard and grateful for being hired and recognized for their willingness to learn more by doing added tasks with gusto, which in effect prepares them for better opportunities as they strive for the next rung of their career.

Meanwhile, many graduates are so conscious about the “management” attached in their course. It does not spell any difference at all in the face of highly competitive job-hunting today. One typical example is when we had an on-the-job trainee who was taking a two-year secretarial course. She was admirably punctual and even made attempts at editing our drafted memos which we sincerely appreciated, because we were not always sure if what we scribbled to be typed by her were grammatically correct all the time. She put the topsy-turvy office file in order and did not mind rendering overtime if necessary despite her being just an OJT.  After completing the required time, she left and somewhat affected us. When we were in need of a secretary, we put our Human Resources office to task by demanding that we want our former OJT or nobody at all. It took them some time before locating her and finally giving her the job. Today, she is an Executive Secretary…liked by all her colleagues in the office including her boss. 

THE “DRIVE” OF A PERSON

SPELLS HIS SUCCES

By Apolinario Villalobos

There are people I know who graduated as summa cum laude or magna cum laude or have taken up post studies for Masters and Doctorate, yet, they failed to succeed vis-à-vis with what they have gone through coupled with money spent, without mentioning the time. On the other hand, many average graduates who finished ordinary courses from far-flung colleges have immensely achieved success. Of course, being at the right place at the right time can help, but the most essential factor here, is the “drive” within a person. In this view, the school and books could be necessary but not guarantees for a bright future if those who benefited from them lack the enthusiasm and energy to crash through the hurdles that block their way towards success.

This is the real situation in finding an ordinary job by fair means and working one’s way up in the corporate ladder: Graduates, regardless of their course and where they graduated, undergo a series of interview and examination, so it doesn’t matter if one is a graduate of a provincial college or a high-end university in a city, as what matters, is he passes the tests. From the lowest rung of the echelon, he works his way up based on his performance and other on-the-job criteria, and not on how he fared when he graduated as such record is already in his 201 file. The current basis is his performance, diligence, relationship with colleagues and bosses, and punctuality. If the guy is one who does not complain every time added work is given to him, he gets a plus, and also when he shows a congenial teamwork capability and respect for time.

The problem with many new-hires today, especially, the snooty graduates of high-end universities, is they complain every time they are given added tasks. They view such tasks with disdain for being not part of their job description, instead of considering them as opportunities for advancement. As a result, because of their high regard to their high-end alma mater, they always expect to find another job if they resign after a short span of stint in the job. On the other hand, graduates of the unassuming colleges have more reasons to work hard and grateful for being hired and recognized for their willingness to learn more by doing added tasks with gusto, which in effect prepares them for better opportunities as they strive for the next rung of their career.

Meanwhile, many graduates are so conscious about the “management” attached in their course. It does not spell any difference at all in the face of highly competitive job-hunting today. One typical example is when we had an on-the-job trainee who was taking a two-year secretarial course. She was admirably punctual and even made attempts at editing our drafted memos which we sincerely appreciated, because we were not always sure if what we scribbled to be typed by her were grammatically correct all the time. She put the topsy-turvy office file in order and did not mind rendering overtime if necessary despite her being just an OJT.  After completing the required time, she left and somewhat affected us. When we were in need of a secretary, we put our Human Resources office to task by demanding that we want our former OJT or nobody at all. It took them some time before locating her and finally giving her the job. Today, she is an Executive Secretary…liked by all her colleagues in the office including her boss. 

OUR BELOVED SCHOOL AND INSPIRING STUDENTS

By Rene Aquino

I am part of the work force of the Bagumbayan National High School assigned at its  Barangay Masiag Annex. In just a few months of my exposure to a typical rural setting, I have seen the struggle of the less unfortunate students who struggle to enrich their knowledge at all cost. Many students in the school are practically fending for themselves as farmers. As many of them come from beyond hills, I assume that they wake up at dawn to spend an hour or two in their patches of vegetables or help their parents tend their small rice or corn field etched from what could have been the edge of a forest, or feed one or two domesticated animals, usually hog and goat after which they leave for school, without even a warm gulp of coffee which is considered a luxury in the rural areas. They trek on trails over hills and cross creeks.

Shoes are out of the question, as even a pair of rubber slippers are a priority listed way behind the more necessary food for the family….not even umbrella against the searing sun or pelts of rain. Decent clothes are considered treasures, as even a 20pesos shirt is considered as a big expense. Looking back to my school days, until I graduated from college, I feel super lucky!

Much as I would like to share, there is not much that I could, but make do with whatever little left after scrimping on my monthly wage. My colleagues do the same aside from using some of their hard-earned wage to buy necessary instruction materials.

Our school is a cluster of structures distributed over a rolling landscape. Most school activities especially the parade are done at the barangay plaza, actually, an open space with the ground turning to mud on rainy days and become dusty on summer days.

We love our school. Our young farmer students are looking forward to at least, be part of it until they finish the senior high school….and, for such effort, they sort of become our inspiration to do our best. They endeavor to realize their dream even without breakfast, or even a gulp of warm coffee in the morning before trekking to school, nor a pair of shoes, not even umbrella against the sun and rain….their dream gives them strength and courage to go on!

The Trail to Masiag from Bagumbayan (Sultan Kudarat)

…profile of the Filipinos’ endeavor to survive

By Apolinario Villalobos

(PHOTOS BY RENE AQUINO, Administrative staff - Masiag Annex/BNHS)

The winding and muddy ribbon of trail shown in the accompanying photos leads to the Masiag Annex of the Bagumbayan National High School. Bagumbayan is a young municipality of Sultan Kudarat province. It is peopled by those from the older towns of Isulan, Esperanza, and Tacurong, with some purportedly, to be current migrants from the Visayas. During the middle of ‘70s, Bagumbayan figured as one of the most affected areas in Cotabato, caught in the midst of altercation between the Islamic “Black Shirts” and Christian “Ilaga”. And, Masiag then, was dotted by huts of farmers which were distributed kilometers away from each other. At the height of evacuation, Bagumabayan was listed as among the origins of both displaced Christian and Muslim families, aside from Esperanza, Lambayong, Tinumiges, Udtong, Katiko, Buluan, Datu Paglas, and unknown sitios beside the Ligwasan Marsh.  

When Claudio Estante opened the Department of Social Welfare office in Tacurong to cover the Sultan Kudarat province, the primary purpose was to serve the evacuees, I was the lone staff initially hired and the branch was under Region XI based in Davao City, with Agrinelda Miclat at its helm as Director, but today, due to expansion program of the agency, the branch is under Region XII. As we were overwhelmed by the burden of statistics gathering and relief distribution, additional personnel were hired from Notre Dame, and which included, Ruel Lucentales, Renato Hingco, Dominador Lictawa, Mildred Palabrica-Balili and a little later, Felizardo Lazado. Teddy Lapuz volunteered his services for the organization of displaced youth. Soon afterwards, full time Social Workers were sent by the Regional Office to augment the workforce of the Welfare Aides and the lone Youth Welfare volunteer.

The trails today are not what we used before when we visited Bagumbayan, as they were more of ruts impressed by wheels of carts and sleds drawn by carabao or water buffalo. Relief distribution was concentrated at Esperanza, but occasionally, on “clear” days, distribution effort was extended up to Bagumbayan to reach out to those who refuse to leave their farm. From where we were posted with military escorts, intermittent exchange of volleys of shots could be heard. Several times, Esperanza and Bagumbayan were cordoned off which practically deferred the travel of buses and private vehicle to Cotabato City for days. DSW was closely in touch with the 12^th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army at Isulan for updated news on the situation of the towns surrounding Tacurong. There were days that we would encounter jeepneys loaded with casualties and wounded. The two hospitals in Tacurong – Tamondong and Eugenio were always full as they admitted both Christian and Muslim patients.

Today, with relative peace that envelops the province of Sultan Kudarat, the local government is exerting much effort in reaching out to those who have gone beyond the last frontier, particularly, toward the slopes of Mt. Dagoma which is profusely covered with forest of hard wood that draw illegal loggers. An aging former lawmaker even admitted on TV that he had been holding on to his logging concessions in that area for a long time in a desperate effort to explain his tremendous wealth, perhaps to convince the people that he did not dip his fingers into the coffers of the government as did some of his colleagues who were involved in “pork barrel” scams.

Teachers and office staff of the Masiag Annex are from the Main Bagumbayan National High School. They practically trek their way to their assigned post, rain or shine. Those with single-engine motor bikes are fortunate, though. These altruistic teachers do not hesitate to sacrifice part of their measly wage to buy instruction materials needed to be effective in their vocation. Situations such as shown in photos have necessitated the use of “habal-habal”, motorcycles used as some sort of a commuter service for an affordable fee.

For the resourceful Filipinos in Mindanao, what has been kindled by an endeavor for survival has definitely laid down the foundation for progress…as Mindanao is full of such opportunities. Meanwhile, the  Bagumbayanons  and Masiagnons are patiently treading along the trail towards the fulfillment of one!

In commemoration of the World Teachers’ Day/ October 6… (a reblog)

Ms. Necessity…My Best Teacher, Ever!

by Apolinario Villalobos

Each of us has one teacher in our lifetime that stands out. While others consider their Math teacher as the best, some consider their English teacher as one. Mine, is Ms. Necessity…my best teacher…ever!

Born without the proverbial silver spoon in my mouth since childhood, struggle has become synonymous with my life…but Ms. Necessity was always just a few feet ahead of me to show the way. For my thirst for knowledge at an early age, Ms. Necessity made me collect old newspapers that lined the inside of boxes of dried fishes that my parents sold in the market. For doing so, I earned not only bouts of pinches from my elder sister but ear- twitching, as well, because the bundles of papers that I brought home made them pinch their nose. I had to keep them under a bed and would bring them out when I was alone to admire the big letters that I would copy on our dusty yard. Every space of our yard would be filled with words copied from newspapers that smelled of dried fish…and so was I, too, at the end of the day.

When I finally entered a school room as a “visitor” (equivalent of the prep today), Ms. Necessity told me to use discarded plastic bags found in a dump beside a bakery near our home for my “school bag”, so I went there and gathered as many sturdy bags as I could find. I got me plenty of “school bags”, some of which I kept as spare. Our parents could not afford to buy us real school bags which during the time were considered as novelties that only the rich in our town could afford. Ms. Necessity also told me to make my own raincoat out of the discarded plastic bags. Not only was I able to make one for me, but also another one for an elder brother.

For school allowance, Ms. Necessity told me to sell ripe fruits of our star apple in the market on Saturdays and Sundays. Ms. Necessity also told me to ask our neighbor for their fallen ripe tamarind fruits so that I could sell them in school. Due to the abundance of bulgur wheat and oatmeal doled out by American missionaries in our school that I and my brothers brought home, Ms. Necessity told us to persevere on them for breakfast and lunch rather than go to school with empty stomach. Some months, the school was also given yellow corn meal that the Home Economics teacher cooked and given to the children during recess period. Ms. Necessity told me to fashion a cup out of pad paper to hold the gruel cooked into thick and sticky consistency that I slurped down without the use of spoon as I had none. The rest of the pupils brought cup or saucer and spoon. Those were my colorful elementary days, with Ms. Necessity beside me.

Later in life, after overcoming the pains of loss of loved ones and consistent wants, Ms. Necessity told me to persist and just go ahead in following my dreams which I did. She made me accept things as they were without any regret or complaint. Ms. Necessity told me that despite the vastness of life, it was brimming with opportunities for those who were not finicky and could be grabbed by dint of hard work. Many times did she remind me about it…that I proved to be just true.

What is nice about Ms. Necessity is that she never leaves me until now. I thank God, for giving me such a great teacher as Ms. Necessity!

ANTONETTE…NAKADANAS MANGALAKAL AT

TUMIRA SA BANGKETA, NGAYON AY ESKOLAR SA KOLEHIYO

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Si Antonette ay nag-iisang anak ni Minda na nagtitinda ng kape, tinapay at tsitserya sa bangketa malapit sa Sta. Monica St. ng Ermita na nai-blog ko two days ago. Nahiya akong tanungin noong unang nag-usap kami kung single mom si Minda pero mabuti na lang at siya mismo ang nagsabi na maliit pa si Antonette ay namatay na ang tatay nito nang magkita kami uli. Bumalik ako sa puwesto ni Minda upang maghatid ng kumot at ilang gamit. Mabuti rin at napaunlakan ang pakiusap kong makita si Antonette kaya walang kaabug-abog na sindundo siya ni Minda mula sa inuupahan nilang maliit na kuwarto.

Sa mabilis na pag-uusap namin ni Antonette, nalaman kong eskolar pala siya, kaya sa isang semester ay mahigit lang ng kaunti sa sampung libong piso lang binabayaran sa Universidad de Manila subalit malaki ang nagagastos pa rin sa mga project at iba pang requirements para sa kurso niyang Business Administration. Ang allowance niya sa isang araw ay 150pesos. Second year na siya at napansin ko ang hawak niyang lumang cellphone na inamin niyang ginagamit niya sa kanyang pag-research. Tulad ng ginagawa ng ibang mga kinakapus na estudyante, naghahanap siya ng libreng wifi site upang makapag-browse. Hindi nila kaya ang bayad sa internet café na ang singil ay hindi bababa sa 30pesos kada oras. Hindi ko na tinanong kung saan galing ang cellphone dahil baka isipin niyang masyado akong maurirat.

Nang makiusap ako kung pwede akong sumama sa kanya sa inuupahan nilang kuwarto ay malugod niya akong pinagbigyan. Mula sa puwesto ng nanay niya ay nilakad namin ang di-kalayuang kanto ng Sta. Monica at pumasok kami sa isang maliit na sidestreet. Naalala ko ang mga eskinita sa Baseco compound na pinapasok ko habang binabaybay namin ang eskinitang maputik at sa isang gilid ay mga barung-barong. Akala ko, nang pumasok kami sa isang maliit na pinto, nandoon na ang kuwarto. Ang ground floor ay marami ring maliliit na kuwarto. Pumasok pa kami sa isang maliit na pinto bago itinuro ni Antonette ang butas sa itaas na animo ay manhole lang sa laki. Ito ang “lulusutan” papunta sa “second floor”.

Sa tabi ng matarik o halos patayong hagdan papunta sa “second floor” ay may isa pang kuwarto na ang pinakatakip ay kurtina. Hahawiin ko sana out of curiosity kung hindi ko narinig ang, “may tao pa kuya”….CR pala! Unang “lumusot” si Antonette sa butas papunta sa “kuwarto” niya at sumunod ako. Dahil sa kalakihan ko ay halos hindi ako kasya at kinabahan pa ako dahil sa dulas ng matarik na hagdanang gawa lang sa maliliit na pinagtagpi-tagping kahoy.

Ang kuwarto ay talagang maliit. Kung ako siguro ang hihiga sa loob ay nakalabas ang mga paa ko sa pinto. Para lang itong malaking cabinet. Walang bintana at ang pinanggagalingan ng hangin ay isang maliit na electric fan.  Ang upa sa kuwarto ay 1,500 pesos isang buwan, libre nga lang ang tubig at ilaw kaya pinagtitiyagaan ng mag-ina. Ang nakakabahala lang ay kung magkaroon ng sunog. Siguradong lahat ng nakatira sa lugar na yon ay masasawi.

Nang bumalik ako kay Minda, tinanong ko siya kung bakit wala halos siyang paninda ganoong maaga pa. Wala raw siyang pambili at ayaw pa muna siyang pautangin ng Bombay at nagpaparinig pa daw ito na mahirap maningil kaya dapat ay magbayad pa daw muna siya ng balance. Nag-alala nga daw siya dahil sa sinabi ng anak na aabot na sa mahigit 600pesos ang mga kailangan para sa kanyang mga kailangan sa eskwelahan. Mabuti na lang at hindi ko pa nagastos ang 500pesos na pambili sana ng mga payong kaya inabot ko na muna sa kanya upang magamit nila. Pati ang payong na gamit ko ay iniwan ko kay Antonette dahil wala pala itong payong. Dahil kulang na ang pamasahe ko pauwi sa Cavite, pinagkasya ko ang mga barya hanggang sa Buendia (Pasay) at dahil umuulan ay patakbu-takbo ako upang makarating sa bahay ng isang kaibigan na inutangan ko ng pera para magamit sa pagbili ng mga payong sa Baclaran bago umuwi sa Cavite. Mabuti na lang at inabot ko ang kaibigan kong paalis na sana kung hindi bumagsak ang ulan. Ang mga payong ay para sa mga pinangakuan kong mga estudyante noon pa, at ang iba ay pambenta ng mag-asawang may sanggol na nakilala ko sa Luneta.

Babalikan ko sina Minda upang dalhin kay Antonette ang mga gamit na naitabi ko na magagamit niya tulad ng laptop bag dahil ang ginagamit niya ay maliit na backpack lang….

IRRELEVANT ANG ROTC

PERO DAPAT AY MAAYOS ANG IPAPALIT

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Hindi na angkop ang Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) sa kasalukuyang panahon. Itinatag ito noon upang panggalingan sana ng mga sundalong magtatanggol sa bansa sa panahon ng digmaan. Sa makabagong digmaan, hindi na gaanong gumagamit ng mga sundalo o tao, sa halip ay makabagong sandata, lalo na ng iba’t ibang uri ng bomba. Kung makipagdigma ang Pilipinas sa Tsina halimbawa, dalawa lang o tatlong missile, erase na sa mapa ang bansa.

Inabuso rin ang ROTC ng mga nagpapatupad dito na mga military o police officers na suwelduhan ng mga eskwelahan. Ipinilit nilang gawin ng mga estudyante ang pinapagawa sa mga nire-recruit na sundalo at pulis tulad ng “hazing” kaya namutiktik ang media noon ng mga kuwento tungkol sa mga estudyanteng namatay dahil sa “hazing”. Ang isa pang uri ng pag-abuso ay ang overpricing ng mga uniporme kaya nadagdag sa pasanin ng mga magulang, kaya malinaw na naging isang uri ng corruption ng kung sino mang staff ng eskwelahang nagpapatupad sa pakikipagkutsabahan sa mga training officers na taga-labas.

Okey ang Community Service na pangpalit sa ROTC subalit dapat ay ayusin ang programang ito upang hindi limitado sa paglilinis lang ng kapaligiran. Dapat gawing kapani-paniwala ang programang ito upang hindi lumabas na parang “picnic” o “outing” ng mga estudyante dahil sa suot nilang puting t-shirt at tight-fitting na pantaloon…kuntodo make up pa ang mga feeling pretty. Paano silang makakapaglinis ng maayos kapag ganoon ang ayos nila? Dapat ay working attire ang ipasuot sa kanila.

Ilang grupo na ang nakita ko na nagko-Community Service kuno pero “sabog” sila…hindi alam ang gagawin, lalo pa at kung minsan ay hindi coordinated sa barangay ang kanilang activities. Nagpapalusutan pa sa pagpirma ng accomplishment report dahil maski walang masyadong nagawa ang mga estudyante ay napipirmahan ang kanilang report na pangsumite sa eskwela. May mga nakita ako na humawak nga ng walis ay bilang prop lang para sa selfie. Gusto kong linawin na HINDI LAHAT ng nagko-Community Service ay ganito ang ginagawa. Mayroon din namang seryoso sa kanilang ginagawa.

Kung seryoso sa pag-Community Service ang mga eskwelahan bilang pangpalit sa ROTC, ang suggestion ko ay mag-adopt sila (eskwelahan) ng plaza, ilog, Day Care Center, chapel, depressed community, orphanage, new Christian church, at paalagaan ang napili sa mga estudyante sa anumang paraang kaya nila. Gumastos man ang mga estudyante ng boluntaryo ay may kabuluhan. Pwede silang mag-solicit ng mga damit, bibliya, gamit-eskwela at iba pa para sa mga depressed areas na inampon nila; magpaganda ng kapilya; magturo ng pagbasa at pagsulat sa mga bata at matatanda; magtanim ng mga halaman sa plaza, etc. Sa mga nabanggit na paraan ay kitang-kita ang kanilang accomplishment at pwede pang mag-seremonyas tuwing matapos ang semester. Dapat i-maintain ng mga eskwelahan ang adoption hangga’t nag-ooperate sila upang lumabas na isa ito sa mga community outreach programs nila. Ang mga project ay pwede pang gamiting model sa mga kursong may subjects na Social Work, Psychology, etc. na itinuturo sa mga estudyante nila.

Kung paghahanda upang maging makabuluhang mamamayan ang mga estudyante, ang pagko-Community Service ay isang magandang pagkakataon at paraan….. hindi ang pagsusuot ng military  fatigue at mabigat na bota.

Ang pakikipagdigma natin ngayon ay laban sa droga, masamang ugali, korapsyon sa gobyerno, mga tiwaling opisyal, kagutuman, kamangmangan, at hindi laban sa kung anumang bansa, kaya ang kailangan ay linangin o paghandain ang mga kabataan upang magkaroon ng matatag na  pagkatao at malinis na diwa…..diyan masusukat ang kanilang pagka-Pilipino pagdating ng panahon.

Ang Ambisyon ni Macmac

…”errand boy” na may kusằ (initiative)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Nang pasyalan ko si Marissa, ang lola ni Asher o “Pango” (blogged: Asher…ang maipag na “errand girl”) sa karinderya nito sa Sta. Cruz upang kumustahin ang bata ay nalaman kong sa isang eskwelahan sa Cubao pala ito ipinasok at doon ay kasama niya ang kanyang nanay na nagtitinda din sa bangketa. Habang nag-uusap kami ni Marissa, napansin ko ang isang batang nagwawalis sa kabilang puwesto. Sa tantiya ko ay walo hanggang siyam na taong gulang ito at abala sa kanyang ginagawa. Nang omorder ako ng kape, inihatid ito ng batang Macmac pala ang pangalan,  pinsan ni Asher na “nagpapautos” din upang kumita ng pambaon sa eskwela.

Nang iabot ko ang isang makapal na disksiyunaryong pambata kay Marissa para kay Asher ay nakatanghod si Macmac at dikit na dikit ang paningin sa libro. Pinabibigay ng isang viewer ng blogs ko ang diksiyunaryo kay Asher. Napansin ito ng ale sa kabilang puwesto na inaalalayan ni Macmac, na nagsabing mahilig din daw magbasa ang bata at sa pagguhit. Ang paborito daw nitong aralin ay Mathematics. Dahil sa sobrang pagkamahiyain hindi kumikibo si Macmac. Subalit pagkatapos niyang magwalis ay kumuha ito ng isang pad paper na gamit niya sa eskwela at kunwari ay binuklat ito habang sinisigurong nakikita ko ang mga drawing niya. Magaganda naman kaya pinuri ko siya. Sunod niyang inilabas ay isang bulsito (coin purse) na kunwari ay tinitsek niya ang laman pero siniguro ding nakikita ko ang mga lamang tiniklop na tigbe-beynte pesos…..mga ipon niya. Lalo ko siyang pinuri. Dahil sa ginawa ko, lumapit na siya sa akin subalit hindi pa rin nagsasalita.

Hindi pa man siya nakakasagot sa mga tanong ko ay biglang umalis si Macmac upang iligpit ang pinggang kinainan ng isang kostumer mula sa mesa naman ng kanyang lola na kausap ko. Nang makita ang nakatambak na hugasing pinggan, baso at kubyertos, ay hinugasan din lahat kahit hindi niya halos abot ang palanggana. Pagkatapos ay pumunta muna sa kabilang puwesto at animo ay matandang nakipag-usap sa may-ari. Nang may mapansing dumi na hindi natanggal sa una niyang pagwalis ay kinuha uli ang walis at dust pan upang tanggalin ito. Nang makatapos ay saka bumalik sa akin. Noon ko siya tinanong kung ano ang gusto niyang “maging” paglaki niya. Ang tagal bago sumagot at tila malalim na nag-isip bago nagsabi ng, “holdaper” sabay ngiti….para marami daw siyang perang ipamigay sa iba. Ang sabi ko sa kanya, pwede naman siyang kumita sa malinis na paraan upang makatulong sa iba. Yon pala ay nagbibiro lang siya dahil may mas matayog pa pala siyang pangarap na ayaw pa niyang sabihin kung ano.

Habang nag-uusap kami, ay may dumating na matandang lalaking may gulang na kinakausap ang sarili. Marami akong nakitang ganito…kinakausap ang sarili kapag nalipasan ng gutom. Nagugutom daw siya. Hindi na nag-atubili pa ang lola ni Macmac sa pagsandok ng kanin at ulam at ibinigay agad sa lalaki. Nagtinginan kami ni Macmac. Alam kong natanim sa isip niya ang ginawa ng kanyang lola. Binulungan ko siya ng tanong na, “tutulong ka rin ba sa iba tulad ng ginawa ng lola mo?” Bilang sagot, abut-abot ang kanyang pagtango, pero napansin kong namumula ang kanyang mga mata.

Ang pagkakataon nga naman! Ang pagdating ng matandang lalaking humingi ng pagkain at binigyan naman agad ng lola ni Macmac ay nakita ng bata at halata kong may natutunan siya. Ito ang inaasahang dapat na nangyayari….ang ipakita ng matanda sa bata ang tamang gawain upang magaya nito. Naipakita rin ng lola kung paanong makuntento sa kung ano lang ang kaya at ang kahalagahan ng pagtitiyaga, tulad ng pagtulog sa patungan ng mga pagkaing ginagawa nilang “kama” pagdating ng gabi. Kasama din sa pagtitiyagang yan ang pagiging kuntento sa dalawang pares na unipormeng pangpasok ni Macmac sa eskwela na nakaita kong nakasabit. Wika nga, sa katitiyaga, siguradong makakakita rin ng pag-asa upang umunlad ang buhay, o kahit makaraos man lamang. At, sa murang gulang ay nakita ko ang katatagan kay Macmac dahil sa mga napapansin niya….

Ms. Bernardita S. Paclibar and Ms. Nenita P. Bernardo

…my beloved cousins, my strict teachers

By Apolinario Villalobos

Looking back to the days when I was young, I fondly recall my cousins who have been part of my growing up. One was “Ms. Paclibar”, a cousin who was also my teacher in Grade Three, and who was known for her strictness. She was fair, as inside the classroom, I was treated as just one of her pupils. I also experienced spanking and ear-pinching. But every time I visited my “lola” Sayong, their mother, she would offer me fruits from their yard, especially, ripe guavas. If none has been picked on that day, she would tell her younger sister, Heidi (but I fondly called “Lily) to pick some for me.

She chose to stay single till the day she died, as were most of the teachers of the past years. It was a most appropriate decision because when their parents were ageing, she contributed a lot in caring for them. When I was in college, I recalled her hair to have changed color from brownish black into cloudy white, but fitted her mestiza features. That was also the time that she began calling me by my nickname, while I called her “nang Deting”,  as when I was in elementary she would call me in school by my family name. I failed to attend her wake and funeral as I was out of the country when the news of her demise reached me.

In college, a cousin was also one of my teachers, “Ms. Bernardo”. She handled our science subjects. A University of the Philippines graduate (BS Pharmacy), she was supposed to be a pharmacist by profession. But after a short stint in such field, she chose to stay put in our town and teach in the only Catholic school, the Notre Dame. Practically, she was among the pioneers of the school together with the Canzanas, Jamorabons, Romeros, Josefina Lechonsito, and, Mr. Nicolo who later became principal of the Tacurong Pilot School.

As a science teacher she was in-charge of the school “laboratory” with its donated few microscopes, few boxes of thin crystal slides, preserved insect specimen in jars of formalin, and science reference books. It was in that sparsely –furnished room where I saw my first amoeba and other flagellates, cross section of leaves and stems, and microbes in a drop of water from a canal. What took root in my memory was her admonishment of the whole class for the failure of one or two classmates , with a clear reminder that no one can help us but ourselves in order to have passing grades. Being a perfectionist, she expected all of us to pass, and eventually, graduate. We shared the same idea that the school and books can help but intellect is innate in all of us, hence, we become what we are by our own doing...which made me proud of her and our parochial school with its sparsely furnished library.

She exuded sophistication in her tailored dresses, mostly cotton, as she gracefully walked her way from their house to the school and her being slender helped a lot in radiating such image. Her seemingly eternally coiffed hair also added to her classiness.

Their father was our clan’s “Tata” who contributed a lot in making our town what it is today, a flourishing city, as he was a long-termer Vice-Mayor. When he finally succumbed to complications which forced him to stay home, my cousin and teacher whom we fondly call “nene Nita” stayed by his side, until a full-time caregiver was hired.

Today, at an advanced age of almost eighty, “nene Nita” lives at their ancestral house with her youngest sister, Judith, while the younger brother, Nonito, lives not far from them.

Both the Paclibars and Bernardos are among the pioneer families of Tacurong City. But, to my two strict teachers…and beloved cousins, my recognition is more than their being members of the prominent pioneer families of our place. They are among those to whom I owe much of what I am today.