Quality Education Amid the Pandemonium

 "Quality education!"This was Rizal's battle cry which reverberated for over a hundred thirty years ago today. He knew so well that only through the right education can his people be set free from the shackles  of poverty and oppression.Quality education was our hero's vision long ago. Now, it is a long overdue aspiration of a people aching to be born to a reality and relevance of education for equal competence and opportunities with other nations of the world.

But what is meant by quality education?It is not merely the rote memorisation of historical dates and facts, scientific theories and mastery of the three R's; rather, it is that kind of education that will help every Filipino to live a life of righteousness and decency,and above all, the knowledge that will help him earn his daily bread,because we cannot preach democracy over a hungry stomach, late Raul Manglapus said.It is that education that will help the Filipino to be productive,self-sufficient,progressive and contribute a fair share in the development of his country and the economic emancipation of his people.Quality education implies an upgrading of educational standards, tantamount to the development of excellence in education as well as in life. It is the main thrust of education at all levels in this country.Its ultimate aim is to provide each Filipino  with the opportunity to develop his full potentials for self-actualisation and productivity. It is geared towards the inculcation of desirable social,moral and cultural values from which a strong sense of national pride, discipline and commitment to meaningful and productive participation in society will emerge.

Leaders of higher education should expand access of students from all socio-economic backgrounds to quality institutions. In the large scale,there has to be improvements in the general economy and a better match between professional and technical training and manpower needs.Education will continue to be a must in our country during these changing and troubled times and for the next century.

Education however,is not a one-sided affair that should be monopolised by the mentors; rather,it is a partnership between the government and the school.The school, which is the basis of society, the book in which written the future of the nation, must work towards the cultural,economic and moral uplift of the Filipino youth,and consequently, of the nation.It must coordinate all capacities of the youth to ensure a most effective participation in the shaping of the nation's destiny.The school which is the excellent place for the cultivation of great talents and breadth of views,must keep abreast with time today and thereafter.It must invest all resources,time and prestige in order to make the students well- informed, rounded,conscientious,and become useful and productive part of our human resources.The educators on the other hand,should bear in mind that quality education of the youth for usefulness will assure to him the true art of successful living in a far and fast advancing world. They must keep in mind  that poor quality of education will wreck the youth and the nation eventually. 

The youth, which is the greatest of this nation's unexplored resources must therefore be taught to be virtuous as of old,rounded and militant and great as of the demand of his time, dignified, industrious,and productive.He must be trained in the arts and crafts suited to his needs.He must be availed of the professional,technical and vocational tools to ensure economic and intellectual stability in the mission of building a strong nation.This way, his potential contribution to his country will be far greater than the most advance technology and the most powerful nuclear energy put together.

What greater gift can we offer the Republic than equip the youth with quality education as his weapon with which to conquer the complexities of the world in the midst of the pandemonium brought about by the man-made pandemic disease designed to devastate our nation connived and conspired by megalomaniacs .kleptomaniacs  and historical distorter in the government? Quality education_yesterday, a demand ; today,_a lifebuoy!

Genee Marie

 She grew up to the rhythm of the waves,

Of the singing winds and the rustling leaves;

She breathed the fragrance of the ocean breeze,

That swept across the sun-kissed southern ,seas,

For her home stood by the sand-laden shore,

With talisay canopy by its door.

She may journey far , but will not forget,

How the prickly sand grains with dewdrops wet,

Clutched at her soft, little feet as she rolled,

Over the earth with grey carpets unfurled,

And there,the briefest hour went winging through,

With smell of seaweeds on her sole and toe.

She will always vividly remember,

The cold August morns when rain drenched her hair;

The scent of shells she picked and kept so well,

And all the things to which she bade farewell,

When on that fair June day she took her leave ,

With youth's memories clinging to her sleeve.

 

Ang Necrological Service para sa Retired Teachers

     Sangka bes, kang dekada 90, nagpatawag kang  meeting ang TESTA. Ginhambalan kon matao kang necrological sevice kag death aid sa retired teacher, ukon indi.Hambal kang nagaprotesta, naga kuno ma-"necro" pa sa retired teacher ay wara ruman tana sa serbisyo? 

     Ginahaya kato si Mrs. Tiquison nga retired teacher kang Bagumbayan Elementary School. Nagatudlo ako sa Bagumbayan, gani bisan may stage fright ako, nagtindog ako sa pagsabat. Kuon ko, "Naga ngilin gid kamo mag-necro sa retired teacher ay ang maestra, bisan ano ka hina,may nahimo man ra nga mayad sa sulod kang haros kwarenta ka tuig na sa serbisyo? Bisan sa pagtudlo na lang ra sa mga bata sa pagsulat ka ngaran nanda, sa pagpanabon na sa  aramutan nanda halin sa sangkidit na nga sweldo, kag sa pag-amot na sa nagkaramatay na nga co-teacher ukon anda partidos.Sala na bala ra kon wara lagi tana mapatay kang sa serbisyo pa? Para maman-an kang tanan,ang Bagumbayan Elementary School, nagasarika sa lupa nga gin-donate kang tatay ni Mrs. Tiquison. Ang pulis gani nga wara ka lapak college,sobra lang pulo ka tuig sa serbisyo ay napyerde ang politiko nga nag-appoint kana,kag kang sa serbisyo pa tana, ginabaklan na kang trenta sentimos nga habon hamot kag parigusan sa bomba it alas dos sa kaagahon ang buang.Dayon, patuwangan na sa mga iboy kang tienda paagto sa idalum eskwelahan ay digto nanda udakan.Bation sa balay ang siyagit kang buang ay nagasarab-it sa barbed wire samtang ginapasakay sa kudal. Ti, kang mapatay ang amo nga pulis,ginhaya gid sa munisipyo, gintabunan pa kang bandera, naka-half-mast ang bandera kag may 21 gun salute."

     Masabat pa daan ang nagaprotesta, pay nalidis ang nasandig nga tapi sa dingding nga wara man it hangin kag natumba daan kana kon wara masagang kang sangka maestro. Kuon kang mga teachers, ginamurtuhan ron tana kang kalag.Ti, kundi, halin kato gin-necrohan man nanda ang retired teacher. He he he. 

Remembering the Retired Teacher

You welcomed the young with open arms,

They, who hailed from far across some farms;

Like the Lorelei,you lured them with your charms,

Hidden behind a friendly smile that warms .

Like a first born daughter or son,

You valued each child's life second to none;

Of their precious health, you were the guardian,

With better nourishment, you acquainted everyone.

You developed their fluency in the language,

And moulded them into little stars on the stage;

In every competition, you gave them courage,

And harnessed their skills to their advantage.

You did not fail to give scouting a space,

By training the little ones to survive in many ways;

To discern which value to embrace,

And enjoy life in the open or another place.

Sweet were your memories of every December,

The times when you and the kids spent Christmas together;

From you, they learned to give and to remember,

To them, you were a friend, their "Santa" or gift-giver.

Sports, you never set aside at all,

Hence,you also taught them tricks with the ball;

To break the monotony of facing the wall,

You seasoned their life with experiences outside the hall.

You were never selfish of your cooperation,

With the community or any organisation;

You extended your service without hesitation,

Unmindful of the return or compensation.

In every school project or undertaking,

You did your part without complaining;

You believed that every good thing is worth doing,

You did well,in spite of the meager wage you were receiving.

When each school year came to an end,

You let go of the flock that you tend;

They're sad to leave,but with no broken heart to mend,

Because everyone, to the next grade you send.

So it came to pass,each year went slipping thru your fingers,

The briefest hours went winging with children's laughter;

Until one morn, you bid farewell to every co-worker,

To join the clan of the retired teachers.

You retired from service,but not from teaching,

'Cause you rose from your ashes after a moment of dying;

This time , with Catechism, you go on preaching,

The mission to spread truth, you never cease loving.

You proved that, "once a teacher,always a teacher".

Your loyalty lingers like a flickering ember;

For you goodbye is not forever,

But only an interlude of now and thereafter.

Si Lola

Matanda at mahina na siya,

Madalas nakaupo sa silya;

Saka nakadungaw sa bintana,

Tanaw ang araw na palubog na.

Bilang niya ang oras, walang biro,

Sa paraan ng huni ng tuko;

Kung Biyernes ay ayaw maligo,

Paniwalang mula sa ninuno.

Lahat ay kanyang nakakasundo,

Ang pagmamahal ay walang lilo;

Ang pagdarasal ay walang hinto,

Ang Maykapal ay lagi sa puso.

Malabo na ang kanyang mga mata;

Tuwing lumapit ako sa kanya,

Buong katawan ko'y kapain niya,

Saka sabihing,"Kay laki mo na!."

( This poem was written by my youngest child, Ria Lu when she was in Grade vi) 

Tribute to the Teacher

Teacher, should anyone write your story,

It would be most properly told this way:

You live the life of a missionary, 

Serving as the light of humanity.

You leave your humble cot at break of day,

The distant school is your destiny;

Bearing the burden of responsibility,

Which is your noble profession's top priority.

A caring shepherd to some forty strong,

You commence the day with the national song;

Then let your brood stretch and bend for not so long,

Watching that the naughty ones may not do wrong.

When you are through tidying up the ground,

So it would be safe for kids to roam around,

Into the classroom you are promptly bound;

Everyone accounted for, safe and sound.

Before everything else, the Lord you praise,

Letting the children recite their prayers with ease;

Touching each young mind with simple grace,

Impressing God's image through time and space.

Like an angel with invisible wings,

You candidly smile at each child who sings ;

Then, imbue with good manners the young little things,

Telling them of the joy a"Please"or "Thank you"brings.

Before your class, you are the superstar,

Each flip of your fingers is magic from afar;

As you discuss all topic from love to war,

With awe and wonder, pupil's ears stand like a radar.

When a prodigal one strays from the fold,

Not with hateful anger, you wisely scold;

For all that you intend is but to mould,

All children, into men with heart of gold.

Like the gentle showers that drench the land,

You quench learners'thirst with your magic wand;

Framing letters A to Z with your hand,

The blackboard and chalk at your command.

You are the artist who can describe in lines, thin or wide,

The beauty and secrets that beyond the sunset hide;

And the scientist too, that can explain the tide,

Or unfold the mystery of the world outside.

You're the agriculturist who trains every hand,

To exploit and nurture the gift of the land;

But a great choreographer too when you danced,

Re-echo Beethoven's music like a band.

Children's progress, you take note with vigilance,

The weak and the slow, you give a fair chance;

Never failing to set a due allowance,

To shortcomings brought about by ignorance.

Remedial measures, you efficiently give,

In the improbability of man, you believe;

With perseverance you polish till you achieve,

Targets with which no remuneration you receive.

Never did you chatter and prattle,

Nor bragged of any not fought battle;

You busied your day with a hustle,

Researching from pages that crackle.

You rush to the clinic a hurt first Grader,

As one like a doctor, nurse or aid giver;

You're nothing less than a crutch to a toddler,

Coaching each little one to grow a bit bolder.

You depart your workshop at close of day,

 With your mind focused at the community;

As with the young, you try to deliver the old from illiteracy,

Aside from classroom load,you break your back with NFE.

When you reach home,the children are ready for bed,

They know you always come late, so they dine ahead;

They understand your work, for to them you said,

The home and the school,both you have wed.

Weary with toil,you haste yourself to sleep,

Knowing that soon, another morn shall creep;

And back to school, in a hurry you will leap,

For a vow of loyalty to service you must keep.

all these, you do from year to year,

From June to March, you labour till you wear;

The laws of morality, you always adhere,

To meet people's eyes, you have no fear.

Come election day throughout the country,

Stoic as a Spartan, you guard the ballot's sanctity;

To justice, clings steadfast your loyalty,

Even if "Goodbye to life", you must say.

To the village folks, you are called fondly ,

Their great Cicero or the attorney;

You are the healer, preacher or the M.C.,

With services ,"gratis et amore".

Ah! Teacher_your breed had sprung onto this earth,

Even ahead of the Greatest Teacher's birth;

Time and again you have proven your worth,

Mankind hails you as the goddess of the hearth.

You served humanity beyond duty's call,

Through all the centuries,nations great and small;

You have counselled the wise and the humble,

Artists, doctors, sailors,_you made them all !

You are the silent brand of unsung hero,

Yet laurels nor golden crowns will not do;

For no reward can ever be so true,

Than with all our love, we will see you through.

 

 

Ang Manunudlo

 Ang pagkamanunudlo isa ka propesyon nga balaan,

Kay ang manunudlo tulay sang mga pagtulun-an;

Mga ihibalo nga makapasulhay sang pangabuhian,

Kag makapasanyog sang pagpasulabi kag pagbinatasan.

Ang manunudlo ang nagahaw-as sa mga pamatan-on,

Gikan sa pagkaignorante pakadto sa pagkamangin-alamon;

Agud sing maayong pangabuhi makaangkon,

Kag indi mag-antos sa kabudlay kag kapigaduhon.

Sa bulig sang mauti nga mga maestro kag maestra,

Nga nagtudlo sang nanuhaytuhay nga asignatura,

 Ang mga bata sa ulihi makakita sing maayo nga obra,

Kag mabatak ang iya pamilya, pati man ang iya banwa.

Ang manunudlo , nagabutlak nga paglaum,

Iwag sa hunahuna nga masihit kag madulom;

 Tungod sa iya,indi mapulak ang tagsa ka handum,

Nga sa tuburan sang kinaalam, makainom.

Siya ang nagabanaag nga silak nga bulawan,

Bugay nga kasanag sa tunga sang kadudulman,

Agud nga sang tao dalayon nga matultulan,

Ang banas sang kaayuhan kag katarungan.

Ang mga henyo nga nabantugan,

Sa manunudlo,sadto anay nag-agi man;

Kon sila wala ginhanas kag gintudluan,

Ayhan, wala sila nangin sampaton kag mapuslan.

Ang manunudlo maukod nga nagapatigayon,

Sang bisyon kag misyon sang Department of Education,

Agud kauswagan,kalinong kag katawhay ang tayuyon, 

Kag makatibawas man ang bug-os nga nasyon.

Mahal nga Birhen Maria

 Mahal nga Birhen Maria,Iloy sang katauhan,

Sa imo pag-abot sining kalibutan, namuskad ang kabulakan,

Nag-amba ang kapispisan kag naghugyaw ang kalangitan,

Kay nabun-ag ang gintakda nga iloy nga labing balaan.

Bitu-on ka sa langit nga labing masanag,

Nga sa bug-os nga kalibutan, amo ang iwag;

Iloy sang sa Gihapon nga Panabang ang imo bansag,

Dalangpan nga sang Amay sa langit, sa amon ginhatag.

Ikaw, Mahal nga Birhen ang amon paglaum kag kaluwasan,

Tag-ampo namon sa Anak mo nga Labing Gamhanan;

Sa kaputli kag kaligdong , ikaw ang amon huwaran,

Birhen nga pinili nga sang sala nga panublion wala mahilabtan.

Bilang mga anak, imo kami tanan ginbaton,

Kay ikaw ang gintugyan sang imo Anak nga mangin iloy namon;

Gani ang amon kalag ginatinguhaan mo nga luwason,

Paagi sa pagtudlo sa amon nga mangamuyo kag magdebosyon.

Nagpakita ka sa mga tao sa madamo nga kahigayunan,

Kay sa kalaglagan kag kalautan, buot mo kami tabangan;

Paghigugma nga balaan ang imo kasangkapan,

Agud nga ang mga nagtalang kag nalisdan imo maubayan.

Kabay ang imo iloynon nga pag-ulikid hatagan kabilinggan,

Kag ang pangayo mo nga magbalik sa Ginuo ang mga tao, pamatian;

Agud maluwas ang bug-os nga kalibutan sa kalalat-an,

Kag masubay sang tanan ang dalan padulong sa Kahimayaan.

(Hambal ni Susan kay Fernando Poe Jr. :"Labis pa yata ang debosyon mo kay Mama Mary kaysa kay Jesus Christ, ah". Sabat ni Ronnie: ."Bakit, kung wala ang Mama Mary,meron kang Jesus Christ?"

Aral: Mahalaga ang ina.)

The Teacher

 She is kind as October air,

As November morning,fair;

She is blissful as December laughter;

Gay as January shower.

All of February's secret art,

Flowers in her gentle heart;

Tender, loyal, magic-versed,

With the child in mind first.

Ningning

 Like a sparrow on the ground,

She would hop and skip around;

Snugly seated on the mound,

She'd fondle a bug she found.

With her hand, she'd scoop the brook,

Wearing an innocent look;

She'd bathe the turtle she took,

From her big brother Noknok.

While the sun peeps in the east,

And the sky, hazy with mist;

Field of buds her eyes would feast,

Then dance on tiptoe in the midst.

She keeps very secretly,

In a pouch tucked too tightly;

Lizard's cut tails, two or three, 

Talisman, to win each play.

Of earthworms, you cannot scare,

She'll just stick her tongue and glare;

But with spiders,in great fear,

Will suddenly disappear.

She'll run home when the rain drops, 

And twilight shrouds the hilltops;

She'd wonder where the wind stops, 

And ask why the pea pod pops.

When at the porch she would lie,

And watch the night melt and die;

She'll slumber till dawn is nigh,

And the birds at daybreak fly.

Do not wake or even shake her,

Let her dream without falter;

Tomorrow will come after,

Time for her fate to alter.

Tribute to a Brave Sower

 You quietly came, unnoticed,

In one of Our Lord's chosen lot;

Embracing His church so cherished,

As you rebuilt and blessed the spot.

I heard your sermon, brave sower,

Resound upon the temple's wall;

Persuasive, ardent like prayer,

And mighty as a father's call.

You mingled with us, all weather,

And tried to sow the words of God;

Then hoped they'll grow without falter,

That we may have Him,flesh and blood.

I saw Jesus' flock you gather,

And lift up human dignity;

Each service you freely render,

For God and mankind's full glory.

Like a torch in distant sight,

Glowing bright in a starless night;

You guide the youth,shedding them light,

To shun the wrong and do the right .

Hatred in your heart, you have none,

You're a good friend to everyone;

Your soft words make troubled minds calm,

Or rescue a lost soul from harm.

You have sown the seeds of salvation,

Planted the heart with conviction;

Braving shadows of corruption, 

To break the shackles of coercion.

Now, your untimely death we mourn,

For you left your treasured parish;

We cling to the faith we cherish,

Sown by a brave preacher we miss.

(A posthumous tribute to the late Rev. Fr. Eleuterio Carton, on his birthday)

Boracay

When on that first of May afternoon,

We had to leave Boracay so soon;

I felt so lonely as one forlorn,

For the time that passed can't be reborn.

Petty memories that deck my mind,

Are but precious tokens I can find 

Of the blissful place we left behind,

With images in my heart enshrined.

The clean, white sands clinging to my feet,

Sunset where the sea and the sky meet;

Sand castles by the shore proudly greet,

Welcoming sightseers to a treat.

I shall always fondly remember,

Those fun-showered moments of summer;

And cherish through the changing weather,

The hours of communion with nature.

The morning mist that shields the sun's rays,

The evening fog that enshrouds the trees;

The blue water glimpsed from the terrace,

Boracay is blessed to have all these.

 

Mr. Creator, Why Did You Create the Herbs ?

In a seminar for the clinic teachers as health guardians of the school on April 20,1978, a doctor commented:"Man has already reached the moon,but still you run to the herbolarios. for treatment."

I stood up and answered:"We did not take up the study of herbs with the purpose to rival our physicians in their medical practice.As teachers, our only honest objective is to be able to utilise the local and cheap sources of medicines for immediate remedy of any instant health problem that may occur in our classroom. Since, although it is true that we have thousands of nurses and doctors produced by our universities each year, we cannot avail of their services everyday of our classroom lives, especially in remote barrios where most of us are assigned because they preferred to work abroad due to the very low income in our country which had become impoverished because the corrupt officials in the government here siphoned the money of the people. In addition to this, there are no drugstores in the far-flung barangays.

Our only problem now is to be able to distinguish  the stupid practices of medication from truly sensible ones. For example, what is wrong if I tell my pupil to scrub his scabies with coconut oil since the mother cannot afford the expensive ointment prescribed by the doctor which can be bought only in his own drugstore with a borrowed license from a pharmacist? On the other hand, if an herbolario would tell me to steal the brief of a man and rub it on my pimples, I know that it is purely stupid .( although there is a scientific explanation behind that.)

In my contemplation, I asked this question: 'Mr. Creator, why did you create the herbs?' In silence, the Creator answered me through the  pages of the bible which reads _'Behold, I have created you superior among all my creatures ;and plants and animals are yours to master .All these are  yours for your life maintenance and survival'

(Stupid ones do not look for these exact words in the bible because I have only extracted the meaning of what is written there and stated them in my own words)

The Councilor

Consejo de los Dioses! This is how I envision the Sangguniang Bayan.Yes! I call it Council of the gods because it is composed of fine ladies and gentlemen, the cream of the society, addressed  "Honorable", and in whose hands rest the blueprint of a municipality.

Who is the Councilor? The town folks had watched him metamorphose from a wise village adviser of the datu , to this vastly influential figure called "konsehal". 

What is a Councilor? The Councilor is the most powerful man of his town.He is the lawgiver. He makes laws that can change the course of his people's life. No one is above the law; but the Councilor is behind every municipal law. No one must put the law into his hands; yet, the Councilor has the law in his hand..He enacts measures to prevent lawlessness, disorder and violence. So, he is a peacemaker. He adopts measures to protect his people from man-made and natural disasters. He is their savior. Through his ordinances, he upholds virtue and morality, and prevents vice and moral corruption. He is their disciplinarian.

The Councilor is an environmentalist .He is a naturalist, He takes steps to protect plants, animals and natural resources.To the municipal officials and employees, he is the Godfather. He determines their duties, powers positions and wages. He provides expenditures for programs, projects and services of the municipal government and budget for protection of government properties.He even provides for additional allowances and benefits to judges, prosecutors and public school teachers.

To the barangay officials , the Councilor is their Cicero, their attorney,their mentor and even their insurance security facilitator. The Councilor could also authorise the mayor to negotiate and contract loans.He could appropriate funds for construction of public buildings , restrain the use of a property, reclassify lands and establish fire zones.Indeed ,so great is the power of this man called the Councilor . It seems that he could even tell the wind and fire where to stop . Living or non-living, both are covered by his authority.From the humblest tuba gatherer to the richest man in town , he sets their taxes.The fishes in the sea, and the weighing scale in the market, through his ordinances are under his control. 

The Councilor is put into his position with a mission to fulfill. He is designed to do something for others, to achieve a purpose made out for him at the start.His urgent business in the Council must be service to his people through legislation. The task of lawmaking is gigantic and calls for wisdom and prudence. So he must be well-informed.He must utilise.his potentials and channel his energy towards    the betterment of his people.He must make laws applicable to the prevailing conditions and circumstances..He must meet the needs of his people .

The Councilor is the prime mover of the local government. He can make and unmake his municipality. So, he must be well-versed in his line of work to ensure the economic, political and moral stability of the municipality. He must not serve as a wallflower in the Council; neither must he harbour selfish motives. He must keep his people safe and sound within the fences of the law.He must make them feel that the workings of a democracy is to their advantage .

As the law is the universal guardian of mankind, the Councilor must wield it with utmost care. This is the golden deed that should justify his existence in the Council.As a flower blooms not just to fade, but to leave a tiny seed, so, too, in his heart, he must not nurture corruption nor greed, instead,the people's welfare must be his heroic creed. He must make laws that would serve as his weapon to conquer progress and an impregnable shield that shall protect the people from the arrows of injustice.The Councilor must bear in mind that abuse and misuse of the law is the winter of the society and wherever this winter treads, it takes along its sister, disorder,and if they stay in the municipality forever, more lives, more people and the entire local government will be wrecked .

If the Councilor is unscrupulous,and misguided, he would be the most destructive element of the local government He will be the restraining force of a  municipal development,  a poison bomb that could annihilate a town's progress. A bullet can kill only one person (my cousin said) at a time, but a senseless law made by an irresponsible Councilor can reduce the whole municipality into decadence.

On the other hand a Councilor who is upright and cultured can enrich and develop his municipality to a degree greater than the latest technology can do. He would lay before his people the prosperity that they have long dreamed of  and aspired for. If this happens, I, the little citizen of the Republic shall raise my voice and toast to the greatest man of the Council, I shall shout:"Mabuhay!" let the gentleman live!He is_"The Councilor!".

(For the Councilors of Tigbauan In celebration of Semana sang mga Konsehal )