AKO AT ANG LIPUNAN

Ikaw, ako, tayo ang bumubuo sa lipunang humuhubog sa ating sarili, sa ating pagkatao, at sa ating buhay. Ito ay binubuo ng mga iba’t ibang institusyong may kani-kaniyang papel na ginagampanan sa pagtaguyod ng ating bansa. May pamilyang nagsisilbing ating sanktwaryo, may pamahalaang nagbibigay direksyon sa ating bansa, may ekonomiyang sumusustento sa ating pamumuhay, at may relihiyong gumagabay sa atin tungo sa tamang landas. Lahat ng ito’y may layuning maitaguyod ang ating buhay. At kung ating lilimiin, lahat tayo, bilang bahagi ng ating lipunan, ay may kani-kaniyang papel na ginagampanan sa bawat isa. Kay sarap isiping ikaw, ako, tayo ay magkakaugnay sa lipunang ating ginagalawan. Masasabi kong ako ay mistulang nasa alapaap sa ganitong ideyalismo.
Subalit ang katotohanan ay siyang gumigising sa aking balintataw. Marahil ang nais kong paniwalaa’y isang panaginip na unti-unting maghahatid sa akin tungo sa bangungot ng katotohanan. Tunay ngang ang lipunan ay sumasalamin sa iba’t ibang mukha ng buhay. Isang lipunang prudukto ng katotohanan at hindi ng kathang-isip lamang. Dito natin mapagtatanto na ang lipunang ating ginagalawan ay isang masukal na kagubatang may sariling batas na kadalasa’y umaayon sa mga kagustuhan ng mga taong ganid sa salapi at kapangyarihan. Ito ay ang lipunan ng katotohanan na nagbibigay imahe sa iba’t-ibang mukha ng ating buhay.
Ikaw, paano mo mailalarawan ang mukha ng iyong buhay? Marahil ay nakalalasap ka ng kaginhawaan sa buhay – kaginhawaang karapatdapat mong makamit dahil sa iyong pakikibaka sa hamon ng buhay, kaginhawaang pinaghirapan mo sa mahabang panahong pagbabanat ng buto, kaginhawaang inaasam-asam ng bawat tao sa ating bansa. Sa tulong marahil ng ilang institusyong patuloy mong pinaniniwalaan, ang buhay mo ay nananatiling marangya at matagumpay. Ikaw ay nakakakain ng tatlo o higit pang beses sa isang araw, nakapagsusuot ng mga magagarang damit, may magandang bahay na inuuwian matapos ng maghapong pagpapagal para sa kinabukasan. Ikaw marahil ay isang ehemplo ng maaliwalas na mukha ng buhay sa ating lipunan.
Subalit, batid mo bang sa kabila ng iyong tagumpay ay may mga taong unti-unting kinikitil ng pagdarahop at kawalan ng pag-asa? Batid mo bang may mga taong isang beses lamang kumain sa loob ng ilang araw, nababalutan ng animo’y basahang nagsisilbing proteksyon sa init at lamig, walang tahanang mauuwian – palaboy-laboy sa lansangan? Sila ang mga taong biktima ng kapalpakan ng ilang mga institutusyong pinaniniwalaan mong huhubog sa matiwasay na kinabukasan. Sila ang mga taong tunay na imahe ng ating lipunan, ng ating bansa. Sa kanila nakakintal ang bahagi ng kasaysayan ng ating kasarinlan. Ngayon, kung ikaw ay isa sa mga bumubuo ng ating lipunan, masasabi mo bang ikaw ay lubos na matagumpay?
Oo, batid ko ang lahat ng ito dahil sa aking pakikipagsapalaran sa buhay! Minsan ko ng naranasan ang buhay na matiwasay. At minsan ko ng pinaniwalaan ang iyong paniniwala na may mga institusyon pa rin na pilit na humuhulma sa buhay na matagumpay. Datapwat, ako ay nadapa sa hangaring maabot ko ang aking tagumpay. At ang sugat na sanhi nito ang siyang nagparamdam sa akin ng hapdi ng panaghoy ng mga taong nagmistulang aking hagdanan tungo sa rurok ng tagumpay. Dito ko nakita ang aking sariling nakalugmok sa isang tabi, wari’y ‘di alam ang gagawin. Titiisin ko na lang bang makita ang kanilang hinagpis o pakikinggan ko ang salimuot ng kanilang hinaing? Ang pagkakataong ‘yon ay tila isang tanikalang gumapos sa aking mga paa na siyang humahawi sa aking pagpupumiglas upang masilayan ang minimithing pangarap. Kasabay nito ang mga katanungang pumukaw sa aking isipan, “Nasaan na ang pamilyang nagsisilbing sanktwaryo ng bawat isa? Nasaan na ang pamahalaang nagbibigay direksyon sa ating bansa? Nasaan na ang ekonomiyang sumusustento sa ating pamumuhay? At nasaan na ang relihiyong…?” Bago ko pa maibulalas ang mga huling kataga, napagtanto kong ako pala ay parte ng mga institusyong ito. Pumaimbabaw sa aking gunita ang mga mabubuting salita na nagmumula sa relihiyong nagsilbing daan upang mas makilala ko ang May Likha. Ako ay miyembro ng isang pamilya, mamamayang bumabalangkas sa ating pamahalaan, manggagawa sa ating ekonomiya, at higit sa lahat ay isang anak ng Diyos. Kaya ang namutawi na lamang sa aking mga labi ay ang tanong na nagbigay-daan upang lubos kong maintindihan ang daloy ng buhay: “Nasaan na ako?” Malayu-layo na rin ang aking narating, ngunit malayo pa rin ang dapat tahakin. Sa aking paglalakbay, ako ba ay naging matagumpay?
Tayo na naniniwala sa kapalpakan ng mga institusyong bumubuo sa ating lipunan ay ang mismong bumubuo sa mga ito. Tayo na may pinapasang krus sa buhay ay nagsisilbing krus na pasanin sa buhay ng ibang tao. Tayo ang dahilan sa bahong umaalingasaw sa ating lipunan. Samakatuwid, tayo ang titistis sa kanser ng lipunan na dulot ng kawalang-malasakit sa isa’t isa. Sa puntong ito, tayo nang mamuhay upang magbigay buhay sa ibang tao sapagkat lahat tayo ay may maituturing na responsibilidad na maitaguyod ang pamumuhay ng bawat isa. Ngayon, sa tulong ng mga institusyong dapat nating paniwalaan at ng ating sariling nagsisilbing pinakamahalagang institusyong kaloob ng Diyos; ikaw, ako, tayo ang sabay-sabay na guguhit ng masagana, maaliwalas, at matagumpay na mukha ng ating buhay.

Road Less Taken

I could pretty well remember when I was obliged to choose what course to take up in college. I was a fourth year high school student then when I was about to spend my last few days at Saint Charles Academy, seemingly getting ready to take off the portal of my sanctuary and fly in the wilderness of uncertainty. It was a turning point of my young life from being mediocre to being aspirant. Graduation day came as it just passed by to formally proclaim an end to start. It turned out a very usual celebration for an introvert person like I was.
To choose a course in college was probably the hardest decision I had to do that time. I had completely no idea what guiding rules to follow. I could be easily swayed by anyone who would give me a simple description of a course. Well, how weak I was as a decision maker. Nevertheless, despite this dilemma I encountered, I was still able to make a list of courses from which I should refer to whenever the final moment to select would come.

Since, it was the time of growing cognizance on computer literacy, I dreamt then of becoming a computer engineer someday. In fact it was first in the list. I was so fascinated by performing operations on a computer and designing modern computers probably. Next in the list was Mass Communication. I just loved to imagine myself being in front of a video camera while giving out the latest news in the country or out in the field looking for some situations to cover up. With a flashlight at hand, the simulation was complete in front of a body mirror. The last – and definitely the ‘least’ – was Education; for a reason that choices always come in three maybe. Besides, it was suggested by my sister who had lived a stereotypical life. And though I used to play the role of a teacher with my childhood friends as my students, I never imagined myself becoming one in real life.
On account of financial instability, the first one was definitely not an appealing course anymore. Should it materialize, I could not have finished a bachelor’s degree. No more dreaming of becoming a computer wizard. The second one, on the other hand, gave me quite a hard time to think of its plausibility. Since news on killing or kidnapping of reporters or journalists became rampant, I immediately abandoned that idea. Eventually, I came to realize that I got no choice but to pursue the last one – Education. Apparently it seemed as the only course suited to a less fortunate like me. Whenever my cousins would ask me about my course, I would automatically express discouragement with a statement of promise to take up Computer Engineering when I could already earn my own keep.
Left with no choice, I made a deal with the Lord that if ever I did not pass the examinations at Pangasinan State University, teaching was not really written as part of my destiny, thinking that He had prepared something better for me. It was a point of either to make or unmake it for my future. Momentarily, to my surprise, of all my peers who had dreamed to become a teacher, it was only I who was admitted after passing all the examinations. It was probably a sign from Him that teaching was the track I should traverse – the thing that I could hardly embrace during my first two years in the university. However, the moment that I became used to the customary endeavors a pre-service teacher had to experience, I started opening myself to accepting the fact that teaching was the calling God had prepared for me. The years I spent in college turned out to be the opportunities that metamorphosed me from the cocoon of contentment to what I have become – a dignified person with a role to perform, that is to become a teacher. Now, I am counting years in practicing the profession and have even committed myself for professional advancement. I have learned to wear the authority figure of my identity with a shield of respect from the people called students. I have learned to learn and make others learn. I have learned to love this profession, which I used to abhor. I cannot hide that I am now a full-fledged teacher by action, heart, and soul. And whenever I reminisce moments in my life, I always look back to the road I have learned to traverse – the road less taken.

Social Renewal: The Living Funeral

When a teacher cries in front of a class, the culture will tell it is improper, for he/she must show that he/she is emotionally stable. When a teacher confides his/her problem to his/her students, the culture will tell it is improper, the latter shall be the ones confiding to the former. Culture tells everything one must do. What ought to be and not ought to be show the parameter of morality. If one goes beyond the restrictions, he becomes a deviant.
Many of my professors way back in college always emphasized never to show my would-be students my emotional weaknesses. It did not matter at all, until I became a full-fledged teacher. I have learned to understand the principle behind it. I have learned when and where to be emotional, at least not in front of my students. One professor, I remember, once told me that if you had a problem, just trample on a door mat of the classroom several times while thinking of the problem fading away before going inside to face the students. That professor said it could give psychological effect as if leaving whatever problem you have outside. I did it several times; and, I was just like fooling myself. The problem was still there. And anytime my face would show something noticeable by my physical critics – the students.

Does a teacher need to include in his multifaceted roles wearing of enigmatic mask to emphasize that the show must go on? It is pathetic! Sometimes, amidst the stressing endeavors that torture a teacher, he/she forgets that he/she is nothing but an emotional being – the thing that makes him/her a human.
I have been teaching for over four years; and, never had I experienced this life-changing event that has altered my stereotyped perception of a teacher. Marlon Tabilisma, a good friend of mine, told me several times about this so called “The Living Funeral.” It would really sound creepy to anyone who would hear of it. Whenever he would open his mouth over a dinner, he would always start talking about his class doing this. After several sessions of this mini symposium over a dinner, I finally included it in the symposium I had planned in my subject Sociology with Population Education with my same friend as the speaker. I thought it would only be a drama that would provoke the emotional immaturity of the students. But I was wrong. On September 16, Tuesday, of this year[2008], I finally experienced this most-awaited part of the symposium. Every minute would make you realize that life is short and would also make you consider that loving your enemy is very easy. I could not explain, but it really happened. The environment transformed into an ambiance of melancholy, reflection, and soul-searching. The students would attest for the transformation they experienced. They found themselves going to their own wakes. They heard the sweetest words one may not hear when he is already dead. I also found myself attending my own wake. At least, I was able to hear from my students the sweetest words I did not imagine coming from them.
According to Morris Schwartz, in the novel Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, if the culture does not fit, don’t buy it. This does not mean to go against the moral standards of the society. Who says that crying in front of the students is improper? I cried and I earned respect.

SHE

One of the most important persons in my life is my mother. Her unconditional love for me is her wealth. She has never changed at all from what she was when I was only a student to what she is now that I am already a successful person. She is the person who has taught me the values of patience, humbleness, and fortitude. She is a very simple person, yet determined. She fights when she knows she is right.

This mother's day I really want to make her feel how thankful I am for having her as my mother. No one could really replace her in my heart. She is one of the reasons why I still pursue my dreams in life.

Secrets:

1. She wore the same dress during my graduation day in elementary and recognition day in college.

2. When she wins in jueteng, she will tell me first.

3. She is a bingo addict. When I treated her out to SM, she just spent the entire day playing bingo after eating her favorite halo-halo at Chowking. She even invited her playmate.

4. I was sleeping beside her on bed until I reached third year in college, while my father was sleeping on another bed in the room.

5. On our way to the baccalaureate mass, a day before my graduation in the graduate school, her sandals broke down in the middle of the high way where I needed to get for her while I was dressed up formally. Her feet were trying to keep the sandals in tack until she could manage to walk alongside a mall. Unfortunately, all parts of her sandals disintegrated until she was walking barefooted. I looked for a vendor who was selling sandals and slippers right away. I bought her slippers to relieve her from embarrassment in the mean time, while we were waiting for the mall to open. Finally, I bought her sandals for her not to retract from attending the mass.

She is simply amazing! I love you, Nanay!

Election Fever 2010

I arrived at the polling area at 2:30 P.M. I could see the exhausted faces of some electorate who were patiently waiting in queues. I fell in the last portion of the line. It seemed not moving for about 20 mins. It was even aggravated by high humidity.
Then, I decided to go home and come back when the line would be shorter. I asked my Dad, who had been busy wandering about the polling precincts, to text me when the line would seem to clear up. I went back at 4:20 after receiving a text from my Dad. As I got near the area, the line turned out longer. I had no choice but to endure the ordeal of exercising my political right.
Finally, I was able to cast my vote after two and a half hours. The feeling was different. I felt I became more of a Filipino citizen. The indelible ink on my index finger's nail would remain perpetually symbolic. (The end!)

Education in Global Perspective

The present era is marked by transformational dynamism, characterized by competitiveness in many fields of endeavor. Countries, being the prime movers of dynamism, have metamorphosed to face the challenges, which embody the latest trend in the 21st century – globalization. In a simple meaning, globalization refers to the movement of people, money, goods and services, and information across the countries. Evidently, it is a modern drift of challenges that instigate the countries mobilize themselves to emerge globally competitive.

Education, being the vital molder of human resources of the country, has considered the obtaining trend of the modern world. It has defined its goals and objective covering not only the country’s realm but also the international roads of relationship with other countries. Being the influential social institution to attend to such global challenge, it has enriched its curricula, imperative to hasten the improvement of knowledge and skills of the human resources in the country thereby emerging competitive in the international arena. Academic courses, geared towards the thrusts, have proliferated out in many educational institutions in the country to ensure the employability of graduates in the foreign labor markets. Consequently, professions in demand abroad have always been the tracks traversed by many students. Truly, the trend has influenced the plunge of the educational system and the people in the country.

However, the response to globalization has created schism of acceptance in the academic communities in the country. It has caused a shift to courses in demand abroad and not locally. Many graduates flock over the chance to work abroad every year. They spend a plethora of money just to land in a good job in foreign countries, which usually promise them a multiple –folds of returns – a greener pasture at that — to the family in the country. As a result, the country seems to run out of human resources who, ideally, can propel the changes that our country has long been dreaming of. On account of this scenario, our education system loses its noble vision of empowering the bulk of population in the country and equipping them with skills and knowledge contributory to the country’s development in this modern world.

As far as the Philippine setting is concerned, the educational system must promote courses that will create the professions imperative for the country’s growth and development. Since our country is at its comparative advantage in the field of agriculture, there must be an empowerment of agriculture-related courses in the public and private educational institutions. Let us uphold our conviction that agriculture is the backbone of our fluctuating economy. Thus, we need agriculturists to transform our idle lands to productive resources. Moreover, other professions may similarly uplift the country’s status at our own advantage, provided that these are exercised primordially within the domain. Apparently, the country also needs competitive teachers, who usually contribute to brain drain, to transform the human resources to the labor force, which will fuel up the mechanism of progress in its multidimensional existence. Hence, let us apply this theory of comparative advantage in making our country strong to occupy a space in the international community. With strong country nourished by collaborative efforts from the empowered human capital, we are investing in a sustainable future amidst the global challenges.

MENTORS IN BLUE: Multi-tasked Agents

Armed with high caliber, devised with vast knowledge, and equipped with sterling sense of professionalism, learning becomes fruitful and meaningful in the hands of the so-called multi-tasked agents of education – the mentors.
These agents emerge to be the disciples of professionalism, emblems of nobility, sages of school of thoughts, and soldiers of pedagogy in the battlefield of ignorance. Imbued with mission these agents perform multifaceted tasks, which emphasize their noble raison d’etre.
As facilitators of learning, they create an atmosphere filled with learning experiences as wide as what human minds can imagine, not confined within the four corners of the classroom. They design activities necessary for the learners to metamorphose into competitive and highly educated beings.
As guidance counselors, they serve as the light in showing the right pathway of the learners’ odyssey towards the success. They instill in the learners not only the knowledge but also the values the latter need in the process of their transformation.
As surrogate parents, they play the role of second parents of the learners in the latter’s second home – the school. They ought to tender love, care, and attention, which the learners need as they traverse the lifelong process called education.
As decision-makers, they weigh the bipolarity of circumstances, which usually requires them sound judgment. They stand firm in all their words, taking into consideration the risks they may cause.
The agents of education are also models of professionalism. Having possessed outstanding characteristics , they truly emerge as the subject for emulation, not only for their students but also for the people in the community.
All these roles epitomize the regalia in the field of commendable profession, which is exercised by extraordinary agents – the mentors. Do you dare being one of them?