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

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

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

Hazing

…an eye-opener with the onset of school year

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.

Si Cacai…masugid na pupil ng Maria Z. Bayya Elementary School

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

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!

Disiplina

Disiplina

ni Apolinario B. Villalobos

 

Parang sirang plaka ang mga guro sa pagsabi sa mga mag-aaral na kailangan ang disiplina upang maging maayos ang kanilang pamumuhay paglaki nila. May mga iilan ding mga magulang na nagsasabi nito sa kanilang mga anak. Pati ang simbahan at gobyerno ay hindi nagkukulang sa paalalang ito.

 

Subali’t sadyang matigas ang ulo ng tao, kaya nakalakhan ng maraming bata ang kawalan ng disiplina na siyang dahilan ng kanilang paghihirap sa pagharap nila sa mga pagsubok ng buhay.

 

May mga katanungan na sana ay magbubukas ng kaisipan ng karamihan sa atin, hinggil sa ganitong bagay. Halimbawa:

 

• Ilan sa atin ang nagtatapon ng tirang pagkain dahil may pera namang pambili ng iba pa para sa susunod na kainan?
• Ilan sa atin ang nagtitira ng pagkain sa pinggan tuwing kakain sa labas, restaurant man o mall para maipakita sa mga nakaupo sa katabing mesa na tayo ay sosyal?
• Ilan sa atin ang nagbibigay ng pera sa mga anak para magastos nila sa computer shops, perang dapat sana ay naitabi para sa iba pang pangangailangan?
• Ilan sa atin ang gumagastos ng mas higit sa kinikita?
• Ilan sa atin ang ayaw magsuot ng mumurahing damit dahil nahihiya at natatakot na makutya ng kapitbahay at kaibigan?
• Ilan sa atin ang sumusunod agad sa kagustuhan ng nagwawalang spoiled na anak na may gustong bilhin sukdulan mang umutang, mapagbigyan lamang siya?
• Ilan sa atin ang ayaw man lang turuan ng gawaing bahay ang mga anak dahil magmumukha silang kawawa at kukutyain ng mga barkada?
• Ilan sa atin ang mas gugustuhing bumili ng mahal na mga gamit para sosyal ang dating, sa halip na ang mas mura para sana may perang maitabi pa?
• Ilan sa atin ang ayaw kumain ng tinapay na walang palaman o di kaya namimili ng palaman?
• Ilan sa atin ang nagtatapon ng basura maski saan lang?
• Ilan sa atin ang may ugaling batugan?

 

Ang mga nakikitang ginagawa ng magulang at matatanda, kahi’t na masama ay iisipin ng mga bata na ang mga ito ay tama, matatanim sa kanilang isipan at gagawin din nila sa kanilang paglaki. Nakalimutan natin na sa murang edad ay dapat hubugin ang kaisipan ng mga kabataan. Alam nating lahat iyan, nguni’t marami sa mga magulang na tumatandang tanga.

 

Ang masama, kung  malaki na ang mga bata  na naging suwail ay saka pa lang magtatanong ang mga tangang magulang ng….”saan ba ako nagkamali?”

The Elisa P. Bernardo Elementary School in New Passi, Tacurong City

The Elisa P. Bernardo Elementary School

In New Passi, Tacurong City

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

It was a scorching afternoon when I was invited by Judith Bernardo to New Passi, a barangay at the foot of Magon Hill, after we met at a party, hosted by a cousin. I deemed it another adventure, so I accepted her invitation as I was curious about her project or donation for the school named after their mother, Elisa Panizales Bernardo. As I had still time to be spent in the area, I thought it would be a worthwhile trip.

 

From the city of Tacurong, we drove over the paved highway, turning left at the junction where the San Lorenzo Ruiz parish church was located, just across the Cordero mango grove. Both sides of the road were shaded by the thickly-foliaged African palms. Very noticeable was the fast development of Baras, where the Bird Sanctuary and the Jarell Resort are located, as well as, Upper Katungal. Practically, houses of indigenous materials stood proudly side by side with colorful concrete ones which were made more interesting by their contemporary architecture. I even noticed a lodging inn with an obviously western block design. Very noticeable, too were the number of small convenience stores (sari-sari stores) and small stalls filled with wet market commodities, that lined both sides of the tidy road. Their presence manifested the affluence of the residents.

 

We dropped by the Barangay Hall of Baras where Judith delivered donated sets of aprons needed for a certain project. I learned that she has been engrossed in various projects in Baras and New Passi for several years now. When we reached New Passi, we went straight to the site at the back of the Principal’s office where a two-burner stove of concrete and bricks was being constructed. It was intended for the feeding program of the school for the children of poor farmers, and which was initiated by Judith’s elder sister, Nita. As a background, the feeding program was conceived by Nita when she learned about the heavy absences every Monday and Friday. She was told by the principal at the time, Charlie Braga, that many students are impoverished, so that most of them would go to school without taking breakfast at home. From then on, Nita regularly donated I sack of rice which volunteer mothers and teachers cooked into gruel.

 

On the other hand, the sight of teachers and mothers cooking gruel on makeshift stove on the ground made Judith decide to have a sturdy stove made for them. The design is such that combustible wastes except those made of rubber and plastic could be used as fuel. She personally looked around for able masons who could undertake the construction.

 

Adjacent to the school is a small parcel of rice field donated by the late Serafin Bernardo to the school so that it would be able to generate an income for projects. Since the time of Charlie Braga as principal, it was well-maintained.  Incidentally, Mr. Braga has been transferred to the neighboring school of Baras as a promotion. He was also responsible for the picturesque landscape of the school, the main avenue of which is lined with hardwood trees. Pockets of flower gardens are also distributed throughout the campus.

 

The other concern of both Judith and her sister, Nita is the lack of library. There had been plans for its construction but unexpected problems would always crop up. On our way back to the city, Judith confided her wish that someday the project would be realized, but realistic that I am, I told her that assistance from concerned sectors is necessary, First, a structure had to be built and second, books are needed to fill the shelves. The project would surely involve a considerable amount. I confided that I have the same wish….but with a hope that benevolent hands would “touch” the school someday.

 

 

 

 

A Surprise Visit to NDTC Molders of Youth…Ms. Norma Rafael and Mr. Morito Parcon (Davao City)

A Surprise Visit to NDTC Molders of Youth

…Ms. Norma Rafael and Mr. Morito Parcon (Davao City)

By Apolinario Villalobos

 

It was an unholy hour in the morning of Thursday, around 7AM when I trudged my way toward the gate of Ruby Subdivision to search for the home of the noted teachers of Notre Dame of Tacurong, the former Norma Rafael and Morito Parcon, but now lovey dovey partners for life. I took a tri-sikad (foot-pedaled pedicab) whose driver fortunately knew them, as Mr Parcon also served as a president of the homeowners association. When I knocked at their gate, it was their eldest, Toto, who answered my call and told me that his parents were attending that day’s Mass. I learned that they never miss a single Mass every day of the week.

 

The imposing Mt. Apo at 10,311 feet above sea level, practically loomed behind their home at the western dead-end portion of their “village”. The medicinal herbs that practically surround their home were a delight to the eyes. Due to the abundance of turmeric, they have ventured into packing of its powder form in capsules which at Php6 each could be considered the cheapest in the market. But one has to knock at their gate to make a purchase as their “business” is home-based and was originally intended to “kill” boredom and time to keep Mr. Parcon busy after having been hospitalized for a long time.

 

Our talk dwelt on the good old days in Notre Dame of Tacurong when Mr. Parcon was teaching Political Science in college while Ms. Norma Rafael was molding young girls at the former Girls Department which was under the administration of the Dominican Sisters (Order of Preachers). The college and Boys High School departments were, on the other hand, under the wings of the Oblate priests (Oblates of Mary Immaculate) with the assistance of the Oblates of Notre Dame (OND) Sisters.

 

Mr. Morito Parcon could well be considered as the historian of our city, for coming out with an extensively-researched book on her political history that covered the days when Buluan served as the “Mother Town” until the administration of Jose Escribano, the controversial mayor who got involved in a murder case. It took Mr. Parcon some time and loads of patient interview of pioneer leaders and settlers who came from the Visayas and Luzon, as well as hectic days of poring over filed records of early local government offices.

 

We mentioned names of his other students, some of whom were Ruel Lucentales, who was an Assistant Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at the time of his death, Jaime Bides who was a tour planning officer of the Marsman Travel and Tours, and later a businessman and resource person on spiritual matters, Renato Hingco who was connected with the Department of the Budget and Management (DBM) and Felizardo Lazado who was also with the DSWD before occupying an important position in the Ministry of Human Settlements later on. On the side of the Girls’ Department, names such as, Esther Bagsic, Talama Makilala-Saavedra, Rodina Ballena-Marasigan, Virgie Paragas, Esther Bagsic, Elma Darjan-Bides who is the current Tacurong City Accountant, and many more were mentioned. It was a meeting of quick reminiscences to the delight of my former teachers who, I had to help recall important moments in the past. For the photo opportunities, I asked them to pose in front of the tall and thickly growing wild sugar cane, crawling medicinal herbs, as well as, big pomelo look-alike and cure-all “magic fruits”. Some photos were taken with their eldest son, Toto.

 

I am sharing this experience to give an idea to viewers that even a simple visit can make important people in our life very happy…they who helped us grow into responsible citizens of the country. That is why, I smiled when, Mr. Parcon proudly declared, “I made them all”, referring to us, his students. Indeed, he did his best and I can attest to that!

 

 

 

Ang Kagarapalan ng Ahensiya ng Edukasyon

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.

Our Beloved School and Inspiring Students

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!