Outcast

Read this piece in PDI the other day and I found it interesting.

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YOUNGBLOOD

What for are schools?

By Karen Diane Sta. Maria
Inquirer
Last updated 01:50am (Mla time) 06/07/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Coeds equate school with wardrobe. More than on books, professors and the curriculum, students allot a lot of time researching on the latest back-to-school fashion and hairstyles. For them, the start of the school year is an opportunity to shop for new clothes -- lumped together with the usual school materials, of course, so that their parents will not notice the purchases.

On the first day of school, students sashay down hallways wearing new shoes, new socks, new blouses and, I bet you, new underwear, too. Each of them walks like a rich kid, even as their parents recoil at the sight of the deductions on their paychecks because of the loans they got for their children’s school expenses.

This is the problem with Filipino kids: They don’t know their parents’ money’s worth. Unlike in other cultures, Filipino parents place upon themselves the responsibility of paying for their children’s education. But even as parents go crazy looking for money for their children’s schooling, the kids go crazy thinking of what clothes to buy, which guy to hook or which girl to date.

These kids never learn to value their education because they do not know the real value of the money that goes into their tuition and other school expenses. They did not suffer high blood pressure or soak their feet in puddles of rain after work, so they don’t realize that they break their parents’ hearts with every subject they flunk.

Most kids see education as just a passing fancy and never realize how hard their parents work to earn the money to pay for their tuition. Have you noticed how fast teenybopper magazines sell in May? That is because May is the month when young girls forage for the latest fads and makeup tips so that come June, they can strut around campus carrying the latest bags or sporting the newest hairstyles. These kids go to school to parade their new stuff or their bodies.

Have you noticed how gym enrollment spikes during summer? Aside from getting flat tummies for summer outings, college kids “prepare” their bodies for the coming school year to elicit “oohs” and “aahs” and hopefully snag the man or woman of their dreams. These college kids go to school to date.

Elementary students have their own back-to-school agenda. Spiderman lunch boxes, Barbie stroller bags and Bratz pencil cases are just some of the reasons some kids want to go back to school. They go to school to play.

Come to think of it, nobody goes to school nowadays to learn. Kids have a hundred reasons for getting excited about going back to school, but they have nothing to do with enriching their minds and broadening their knowledge. And their poor parents often pass up a good meal for themselves so they can save money for their kids who will just play, brag and date in school.
Students never realize the importance of education as they go about their hedonistic ways while in school. For kids, school is time away from their parents and a time to try smoking, drinking, drugs and sex.

It would have been better if Filipino students were to fend for themselves. If they had callused hands or their blood pressure shot up while they were at work, maybe they wouldn’t spend that P100 on a pack of cigarettes and two bottles of beer while hanging out in a nearby pub instead of attending a Math class.

True, education is a combination of intellectual, mental and emotional learning. These experiences are essential for a person’s holistic growth. But students must always remember the principal purpose for which their parents send them to the best schools despite the skyrocketing tuition: so that they may enjoy a good life in the future.

Parents don’t send their kids to school for their own self-gratification. They would spend their money on weight-loss programs or on a new vehicle if that were what they wanted. They spend thousands when June comes for the love of their children and to make sure that when they’re gone, at least their kids have had a crack at success.

But many kids consider it more important than finding answers to their assignment to discover what matches the new blouses they bought at a European brand sale last summer.

It will be a continuing cycle if Filipino kids don’t realize soon to what lengths their parents go just so they may have a good education. Kids will continue going to school to date or to glam up. And parents will continue to break their backs to earn enough for the next year’s tuition while their kids cut classes and watch the latest movies.

Filipino parents will continue to sacrifice while kids keep up with their hedonistic ways. Because parents are too proud to admit to their kids how they cried at night, how they fell from the jeepney during a client call, how they skipped lunches, or how they almost stole some petty cash just to have money for their tuition.

It is high time parents and children discussed openly their family finances. Parents shouldn’t be embarrassed to show their kids their tuition receipts. It’s not like one is saying, “Hey, this is how much I spent for you, you brat,” but it is more like giving them an idea of how expensive education can be and how much it takes to show them one’s love and concern. The kids ought to know how much blood, sweat and tears parents shed to send them to school each year. Kids should know that each pack of cigarette they smoke or each bottle of beer they drink is probably one taxi ride their mothers had forgone during a stormy night so she can put the money aside for their allowance.

Some financial institutions offer wealth planning seminars for youngsters and teens, where experts give advice on how to manage even small amounts of money. If children attended these sessions, they would have a better grasp of the concept of money and perhaps appreciate how much a college course takes away from their parents’ bank accounts.

Then they will learn the real value of education.

Karen Diane Sta. Maria, 24, is a communications professional in one of the country’s leading private banks.

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=69917

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The intentions were good but I think the delivery was awful. I smell fits of envy and jealousy. Makes me wonder what kind of school life she had. Seems to me she probably couldn't fit in and never had game.

It ain't easy but like what I always say, "you gotta do whatchu gotta do".

Rehabbed

Had my last rehab session last night. It was undoubtedly the most useless session as well. I'm not even sure if the therapist assigned to me was a real therapist to begin with. It seemed like he didn't know what he was doing. He was asking for guidance from the other people there.

If it weren't my last, I would've walked out or requested for a different therapist. I'm going back to my rehab doctor tomorrow. I hope he clears me and doesn't send me back for another leg of therapy. Chances are, I won't go back anyway.

Uncomfortably silent

I feel so uneasy participating in deliberations wherein the discussion is applicable to my own personal experience.

I can't make a stand because I will surely be biased. I obviously have to inhibit myself.

NBA Finals

The Cleveland Cavaliers finished off the perenial Eastern Conference contenders Detroit Pistons to enter the NBA Finals for the first time ever. I know Lebron's been playing magnificent basketball as of late, but I don't know how they'll match up against the seasoned San Antonio Spurs.

One thing's for sure, it's going to be one boring NBA Finals series. NBA rating haven't been good lately. So it's gonna take another steep drop. I'd rather watch the slumping Yankees than see this one through.

C'mon, who'd ever thought of a Cavs-Spurs final?

I just realized that my surgically-repaired knee is far from being 100%. I experienced some discomfort earlier as I played more games that I intended to. There's this sharp pain just above my patella and it's annoying as hell.

Need to get back the lift on both my legs. I have about four weeks to make sure I bridge the gap.

Beckham's back

David Beckham returned to rousing cheers as he was recalled to join the England squad after almost a year out. It can be remembered that he resigned as captain of the team after last year's World Cup in Germany. He was subsequently cut when Steve McLaren took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach. Becks started in their international friendly against Brazil today.

He ignited the England crowd with a superb deadball assist to current England captain John Terry for the opening goal, and the first in the newly-refurbished Wembley stadium. Beckham was in fantastic form throughout the game, and amply received a standing ovation from the English faithful when he was substituted in the 77th minute.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw as Brazil scored the equalizer in injury time.

Changing of the guard

Since joining IBM in March of last year, I've been under the care of three managers. I'll be having my fourth manager starting next week albeit on an interim basis. My current manager is moving into a regional role effective June. I certainly wish her all the best.

My new interim manager is a pillar in the IBM organization having been in the company for the past 25 years. I will surely learn a lot from her especially with the wealth of experience she brings. I actually wouldn't mind having her as my manager permamently.

I'm looking forward to working with her real soon.

Goal! The Dream Begins.

Caught the movie 'Goal!' over at HBO earlier. I could relate to lead character Santiago Muñez primarily because of two things: football and asthma. I remember bringing my inhaler during games and tucking it under my compression shorts.

Fantastic stuff.

UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson

This was the most anticipated mixed-martial arts match since the Liddell-Ortiz bout in UFC 66. Chuck 'The Iceman' Liddell has avenged all his previous losses except to Quinton 'The Rampage' Jackson. Both fighters were screaming KO's prior to the light-heavyweight title fight.

It was kinda a disappointment because it ended too early. I swear it would've been one helluva fight should it lasted a few more rounds. Jackson clocked Liddell with a menacing right hook to the face that knocked him down. A flurry of punches to the downed Liddell forced Big John McCarthy to stop the contest.

At first glance, I think Big John intervened prematurely. But replays showed the stoppage was justifiable as Liddell was flat-down on the ground at one point, and couldn't intelligently defend himself from Quinton Jackson's pounding.

I hope a rematch will be in the works soon. This championship bout didn't live up to a lot of people's expectations.

Light workouts

I participated in a couple of basketball scrimmages this afternoon for the first time after a long hibernation. Last time I was in a game was early September 2006, which was about 8 months ago. My ACL reconstruction was last November.

My legs are still weak and I had very little lift. I could feel the exhaustion on both my thighs after my second game.

I'm feeling good about my progress. I think I'm still on track.

Major pain in HR's ass

Times like these, I'm glad I'm out of recruitment. They've been screwing up lately.

No go

It's final. I ain't leaving.

Sense and sensibility

It's not the person. It's the situation. It just doesn't make sense anymore.

You gotta do whatchu gotta do.

To fly or not to fly?

D-Day is just around the corner. I'm still confused. Everything is pointing to the latter though.

Serendra = Crap

Serendra is way overrated. Everyone's going gaga over this small place where there's not much to do. It's just a fad that'll soon go away and be forgotten. I'd rather hit Market Market than go back there.

Did I mention the condos/apartments look cheap too? Some low-end housing units elsewhere look way better.

Debt-free

After a long time of luxurious splurging, I've finally cleansed all my credit card balances. The only recurring charges I have now are a few gadgets I bought on layaway plans. Everything else is spot-free.

Now, I'm wondering how long I can sustain this.

Rehab: Day 1

I went to my first official post-op PT session yesterday. I was expecting difficult exercises but I gone relatively simple ones. The therapist told me that the doctor should've prescribed more complex exercises since I was an athlete back in the day. Regardless, my legs were hell tired afterward.

I'm up for two more sessions this week. I'm planning to finish the eight mandatory sessions by month's end.

Word power

Spent the weekend in Tagaytay with some recruitment folks. A colleague of ours volunteered her place for an overnighter due to the long weekend. For the uninitiated, it's Election Day today.

Anyhow, one of my highlights from the trip was that no one could beat me in Scrabble. I took this seriously cause we were positioning it to be a battle of schools. The lone Atenean lorded it over everyone else. We played three games.

Being humble in victory, I won't even mention their universities. =P

Is it just me or does anyone else find Kris Aquino-Yap calling her newborn kid 'Baby James' annoying?

Poor kid. He grows up carrying a stupid name while having to coexist with a retarded half-brother.