Redefining Philippine Education

Redefining Philippine Education

Dear PGMA (An Unsolicited Letter )

I know there’s a little chance that you will read this letter but I will write anyway.

Twelve years ago, back when you were still a senator, you were such an inspiration to me. How I admire that poster with your photo taken while you were in the fields perhaps, wearing a Filipiniana and a salakot. Your smile was so real.

You were such a superb senator. I never heard any negative news about you or if there would be some, I did not mind listening to them at all… and so when you ran for a vice presidential post, I became addicted to Manila Bulletin just to track your standing. When you were finally proclaimed VP, I had my own celebration… You showed the world that a woman is not just a woman, but someone who can also lead, who can equally compete and who has also potentials… and so I looked up to you the more.

Three years after being a VP, the nation was torn between opening and letting go of the controversial brown envelope of President Estrada. I had nothing against him but when I saw that history was about to unfold, I never left the TV set and almost cried when finally, you took over. I knew it was never an easy task for you. I don’t know if it was true that everything was really planned and that there was a conspiracy or something, but no matter what I heard, I still stood beside you. I remember when you said that you would not run for presidency, I told myself, this lady is such a very humble leader. All of a sudden though, you changed your mind and proclaimed that you would run. It was my first time to vote then, and yes, I did vote for you.

I was sort of heartbroken when I heard that you won because you had to use your “machinery.” I told myself those were just allegations… and when finally, I listened to a Garci recording, I had to accept that somehow, there was something wrong but still, I believed in you. And with all the ups and downs that this country had gone under your belt, I never failed to believe in you and pray that you would be guided and that you would be a better person and a leader.

I don’t want to write about how you made some lives broken because I know you have read a lot about it. I would like to focus more on the things that I really like about you.

First, you choose some good people in your cabinet. You placed Bayani Fernando in MMDA and I love it when I commute. Manila is better… and safer especially when I have to use the overpass. You also placed Dick Gordon in Tourism and so WOW Philippines was born which generated more for the country. And even Secretary Dinky Soliman who had to fight for what she believed is right and left you. Look, she is now being considered as part of President Noynoy’s cabinet.

Second, you have the vision to make the 7,107 islands be more accessible to everyone. We were under foreign oppression long, long ago because of the DIVIDE and RULE strategy. One datu against one datu but your farm to market roads and other bigger roads made transportation better than before.

Third, you don’t say that you are just a human being when you fall short of circumstances. Instead, you would apologize, in front of the national TV. You said you were sorry when you had lapse of judgment. Recognizing that you are at fault is one of the hardest things to do. So Kudos to you!

And lastly, you have reminded me that sooner or later, we will all fade away… from this world. You said in front of a hundred of soldiers that “you will just fade away” as their commander-in-chief. You really made me cry. I know it was just a news article to some but that article helped me explain to my Sunday School students that we all need to focus our lives to the Lord and serve Him in every way we can because we will never know up to when we can serve the Lord. So while we are still strong, while we can still see things clearly, while we can still run and sing, and dance and play, let’s use our strength to reach out and do good…

Anyway, like what I said, I don’t know if this letter can reach you but I hope whether you read this or not, you continue all the positive things that you’ve done and try to review all the negative things that are said about you. This can be your source of strength too and a point of reflection…

P.S.
You will be in my prayers. Thank you for inspiring me.

Why Reading is the Next Big Thing?

Teaching children how to read is sometimes like waiting for your Internet broadband connection to speed up. It seems forever and if you don’t have the patience, you would just give up.

I know how it feels. I used to be a part-time teacher-aide in a developmental center and I’d say that reading is really a partnership between the parents and the school. Some children are fast readers because they are exposed to reading prior to having been in school while some are “not much interested” because they are left in the arms of the TV couch. There is nothing really wrong with letting your children watch educational TV programs, but you have to be very much involved in having them appreciate reading.

So why is reading the next big thing? Reading opens up a lot of opportunities for a growing child. Learning to read, and comprehend, is the transition point from a flat world to a round world. A book is a treasure chest of knowledge and learning. Imagine how boring the world would be to someone who cannot read! It is like being left in the ocean with no lifejacket at all. You have eyes and yet you are blindfolded. You can see and yet you don’t understand. No parent would want his/her child to be left behind. You may not all have the money on earth to give your child the shining diamonds or the biggest palace, but, if your child knows how to read, he/she can conquer the world!
There are soooo many ways on how to bring out your children’s reading interest and the best of which is to C.A.R.E.

C- Create the love for reading by example.

If you yourself are not a reader, how would you expect your children to be?
Research says that setting an example can be done as early as conception.We
may not believe it, but the brain development of a child starts in
the mother’s womb. If you’re past the conception stage, setting an example
can start by tagging your child along on your trip to the bookstore or
library, or reading to your child at bedtime.

A-Allow spontaneous reading, but make sure you provide really good reading
materials at home.

The top four books that you should invest in are the encyclopedia, almanac,
atlas, and dictionary. You can also go for collections of word puzzles, world
trivia, and the likes.


R- Reduce time spent in watching TV; spend quality time instead reading really,
really good stories.

You don’t only impart the love for reading to your children but you assure them
that you are available for them and that you love them, especially when you do
the reading before they go to sleep, or as part of playtime. See to it that
reading time with Mom and Dad is something that your children will look forward
to.

E- Entrust your child to an institution that advocates reading.
I’ve been with Southville International School and Colleges for almost two years
now and I’d say that the school has really been living to its name of being a
reading center, not only in the Metro but in the rest of the Philippine
archipelago as well. As early as preschool age, Southville students are taught
how to read. As shared by Dr. Garcia, a parent of three Southville students
during the recognition of the students, “Our youngest daughter Andrea, along with
Girl Scouts Overseas participants from Troop Daisee of Southville Prep girls,
joined and camped with other 5-6 year old girls from different international
schools. In one of their activities, the mastercamper’s first question was, “who
among the daisees know how to read,” and we were pleasantly surprised to say the
least, when only the three Southville girls raised their hands.”

As I’ve said, teaching children reading, and love for reading, is a home-school
collaboration. Once parents have started a reading culture at home, it is
important to choose a school that has a strong reading program.

The Indispensable F

Back in college, we were told that our generation (those who were born 1987 up) belong to Generation “D” --- short for Generation Distracted. All the diversions in life were readily available such as Friendster, YouTube, Cellphones, PSP, and MP3 to name a few. These are said to be the culprits behind our generation’s lack of FOCUS, especially in our studies. That was years before the advent of Facebook, Twitter, Wi, and pre-paid mobile broadbands! In my mind, I tag the younger generation as GenD10… Distraction to the 10th power.


With the way technology has been evolving, it’s easy to conclude that the younger generation will have more and more distractions and diversions that will compete with their FOCUS in studies. More and more parents are faced with the challenge of raising children who will remain focused in their studies.
There is no perfect solution to this problem. However, parents can take a cup of T.E.A to develop the Indispensable F in their child:


T- Teach your child to play CHESS.
Chess is the most misunderstood, and oftentimes underrated, sport. People would always run away from learning the game as they’d say chess is either for the mentally-gifted, genius, or for the boring and uninteresting people.
However, a cognitive study conducted in Europe among children ages 5-12 years old found out that chess as a board game, is an excellent mind stimulant that helps children develop maturity thinking. More than that, chess puzzles and openings help children improve their memory skill.
Good memory + Sound judgment = FOCUS.


E- Enroll your child in academic programs that will make them love studying.
THAT WILL MAKE THEM LOVE STUDYING. This is the part that most parents overlook when enrolling their child in academic programs. Most schools offer after class programs that are geared towards improving a child’s academic performance. However, not all seem enjoyable. In fact, students who are placed in tutorial programs would complain about the bulk of work that they have to do. So better choose what program your child will be in or scout for schools that offer really good after-class activities.

One program that I know of is the Abacus Mental Math Program in Southville International School and Colleges, an international school South of Metro Manila. This program, also open to non-SISC students, teaches children more than just mental math; it teaches them concentration and focus. (Click on the link for after-class programs. www.southville.edu.ph)


A-Always train your child in the way that he/she should go.

Start them young. Train them up in the way that you would want them to be and with proper guidance and support, your child can never be in disarray. Help him/her discover and reach his/her goal. For sure, he/she will have that indispensable F not only in his/her studies but in his/her life as well.




Chess photo from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/terms.php