Opinion: Spoonfeeding and its Disastrous Results to the Mind

THE NOTION BOX

By Mari Begonia A. Cinco

A man can read fifty books cover to cover and know something, but a man who has intently read five pages of a single book can gain more. In itself, it is a puzzling concept. Is it not that with more knowledge, you gain more understanding? It need not be the case.

The people of today probably have more potential in learning than those who did a century ago. Actually, they have more potential than the people from a decade ago. Aside from the fact that man is slowly developing himself to become a more potential being of intelligence, he has made advancements to his environment to further establish this as well. With the power to invent, he has created for himself a world where information is literally at the tap of his finger. He can receive whatever data he appeals to with ease. Add to this society as a whole exchanging information through media and education, the result is a profusion of everything we know and can know. This phenomenon is where the trouble begins.

The world has become reception frenzy. It takes in everything the senses can process and builds up stacks of information which are later stored as knowledge. If it can be utilized for future purposes, it is now a matter of remembering. The effect of this, however, is not a world of understanding and wisdom, but rather a blunt one scarce of the two. The reason is that knowledge is not the same as understanding. Knowledge is information in the mind that has made interrelationships. It has made universal concepts and it is maintained in our mind. But to understand is to grasp the meaning of knowledge. We are no longer troubled by this however, because the answers are all given out by our educators (teachers, professionals, the media, etc.) so we do not have to sort out the meaning for ourselves. Even after they have discussed everything there is needed to know, it still is not understood. It is simply “recorded” and only “replayed” when necessary. It is still knowledge and not understanding. Hence, the world will not intellectually advance. The reason for this is the concept of spoonfeeding.

Spoonfeeding is the process of being given information and receiving it with almost no effort. It includes having all the information at the palm of our hands and all that information being pre-chewed into explained matters. When this happens, we no longer begin to think for ourselves. Thinking has been done by someone else for us. Our own thinking process is no longer utilized and this leads to atrophy. When thinking is atrophied, the mind will not function as it should when in use or it decays from no use at all. In short, the mind will not be able to understand independently, even less will it be able to judge for itself.

This is perhaps the reason why it is hard for people nowadays to analyze. The mind has become so used to things given with ease and explained beforehand that when it is time for it to analyze, it will either fail miserably or try to scrape answers from the source of its pre-chewed food. The danger of this is grave.

With various controversial issues such as the RH Bill, the works of Mideo Cruz, poverty, political conflict and others, it is important to be able to judge on these matters with full understanding and critical thinking. The atrophied mind will not be able to put itself to the job of understanding without immense difficulty. When it is hard to understand, it will therefore be difficult to judge. The closest the spoon-fed mind will come to judgment is when other people have made their opinions and arguments thoroughly explained (or not) and the mind will decide which seems the more appealing based on the senses it feels. When this happens, it will not really perceive truth, but just records of opinions which will be spout out and passed on the likewise, true or not. In effect, the world we will have is not a world that can understand, but the predicted world that assumes that it understands when matter-of-factly, it does not even know what it has processed.

Perhaps we have already adapted to spoonfeeding in our lives, but that does not necessarily mean we can’t learn how to feed ourselves. We all need our education and without the knowledge of others, we will be lost in our own. To be able to understand for ourselves using our own mind will allow us to be able to learn how to judge for ourselves, exercise our minds and come to discovery without bias. It will be a matter of making choices for ourselves and being able to judge individually to what is given to us. Not all things we believe to understand for ourselves will be valid, which is why we learn more and try to understand more. Not all things will come to understanding, but we are only human.

To be able to think for ourselves will help us make progress. Society would begin to make an upscale climb to understanding and wisdom. To be wise is to search, not have things found and given to you. If we learn to think for ourselves, it will mean the less liking of the blunt future that can be.

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Opinion: Hanging from a Tree

By Ginyn A. Noble

They say we all are apples. They say some are fresh, ripe and juicy apples – full of potential and the promise of goodness. On the other hand, some are rotten, wasteful nuisances mixed in the basket of supposedly good apples, and thus, drag the inviting image of the whole down. They say it’s unfair for the fresh apples, but what about the rotten ones? Will they be left to go to squander?

The good apples – they are the classically diligent students. They are never late nor absent, and their make-up duty record is spotless or very minimal. They are very attentive in class, even actively participating in recitations. They study for the sake of studying (and maybe sometimes, for others, for the color of grades). They are the teacher’s pets and the class’s volunteered representatives. They do deserve all the praise and high regard, without any trace of bitterness. These are the fresh apples.

The bad apples, however, they indeed are sores to the eye and migraines to the mind. They are habitually tardy, missing in class and on make-up duties. They doze off during lectures and even cut classes occasionally because “they can’t take any more.” They prioritize sleep, party and procrastination. They neglect to maximize their expensive tuition fee, their golden opportunity for education. They study for the sake of passing and getting school over with. They take for granted and even show minimal respect to professors and instructors who diligently teach and try to get through to them. These are the rotten apples.

I beg to differ. They’re not rotten, not just yet. They are simply unripe and just a little dusty. They’re sour and averse to taste, but that doesn’t mean they can’t develop into the more taste bud-friendly form. Otherwise, they may already have the best appeal from taste to appearance an apple can have but had caught some dirt during their transport. Yes, these students have undoubtedly wrong ways. Their absences and tardiness are inexcusable (or with cunningly invented pretexts), and they ought to do better in academics. They should be reprimanded; they should be intervened with. Nevertheless, do we take the time to assess them thoroughly first? They are regarded negatively without prior investigation as to why they act or feel the way they do. They are eaten and expected to be fresh apples right away without wiping off the soil around their delicate exteriors first and giving them a little time.

These people are on the fine line between “getting along just fine” and “on the way down to failing college.” “Getting along just fine” means being average, non-exemplary and unnoticed, while “on the way down to failing college” means missing out on truly learning, failing to bring out the most hidden potentials, defunct prioritizing and letting clouded judgment rule one’s decisions. Beneath the seeming lack of effort and critical thinking though lies stories of brokenness and depression. These are remotely knowable, barely touchable and hardly fixable realities that they have to live and cope with. Going through the day is hard enough. How much more would this be along with the complex, exhausting responsibilities of Nursing student?

What they want is a little empathy, a little understanding. They need passive supervision for them to realize on their own that they have to step up for their own sakes. They will encounter certain friends and even professors or instructors who give genuine concern over them and make them want to change for the better. They will stumble upon lessons in life which will wake them up and point them into their rightful paths. They will eventually mature enough and learn to sacrifice the momentary hedonistic pleasures like relaxing and partying while they ought to be seriously preparing for their future. In the long haul, they will think of sacrifice as a friend, a teacher and a means of delayed gratification. They will come to point where they say to their selves, “Yes, it was all worth it.”

This year, I learned about sacrifice. Cliché enough, I learned it the hard way. I came in this year as an immature, hardly responsible student who just wanted to pass, to get along – a rotten apple, one might say. Because of sacrifice, however, I am eventually coming out of this year molded into a student worthy enough of being called a Thomasian - a Thomasian who does not simply settle, but gives a great effort to excel. I was not rotten just yet; I guess I was just a grubby, little unripe apple who just needed a little dusting, just like the rest of us are. Along with the rest of us too, I am on my way to the pedestal where I can exclaim, “Certainly, it was all worth it!”

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Paano mo ilalawaran sa isang bata ang Pasko?

Column: Sigwasan ng Buhay

Ni Mary Grace Marteja

Maaari nating sabihing ito ang isa sa pinakamakukulay na pagdiriwang sa buong taon, maliban sa mga pista. Ito ang panahon kung kailan araw-araw kinukuyog ng mga tao ang mga malls at ibang pamilihan para makapamili ng iba’t ibang pandekorasyon sa bahay. Pinakasikat na dito ang Christmas tree na karaniwang sinasamahan pa ng kung anu-anong pansabit. Tila ba kalbo ang naturang puno kung wala ang mga palamuting yaon; may kumikinang na mga bilog, hugis-estrelya, at parihabang kinaluluguran ng mga nakamamalas nito. Hindi rin mawawala ang mga parol at Christmas lights na nagbibigay-kulay sa mga bahay tuwing gabi.

Maaari rin nating ilarawan ang mga gabi sa tuwing Pasko. Nagsisilipana ang mga batang nangangaroling ng mga pamilyar na pamaskong awitin. Gamit ang mga tansan, lata at patpat, nakalilikha ang mga bata ng kanilang tugtugin. Sa panahon nga ngayon ay may mga dala ng gitara ang ilang nangangaroling. Mayroon ding pare-pareho pa ng damit upang mas maging presentable sa paningin ng iba. Minsan ay sinasamahan pa iyon ng kaunting indayog ng balakang at pitik ng mga daliri. Karaniwang pera ang ibinibigay ng mga taong-bahay na kanilang naaabutan.

Isa pang hindi mawawala sa ating kultura ang kabi-kabilang mga Christmas party, sa paaralan man o sa opisina. Punong-puno ng kasiyahan ang ganitong okasyon. Kabilang na rin sa ating tradisyon ang pagbaha ng mga regalo – laruan, damit, sapatos, bag at kung anu-ano pang abubot na panregalo. Magastos man ay tila hindi na iyon alintana ng mga Pilipino. Ang mas mahalaga’y makapagpasaya ng kapwa at maging masaya na rin.

Sa madaling araw naman, gising na agad ang mga tao upang dumalo sa misa de gallo o simbang gabi. Maaari rin namang magsimba sa gabi ngunit mas maraming mga tao ang pinipiling magsimba sa madaling araw. Isang motibasyon para gumising ng maaga ay ang paniniwalang kapag nakumpleto mo raw ang siyam na simbang gabi ay maaaring matupad ang iyong pinakahihiling. Pagkatapos ng misa, samu’t saring kakanin ang nakabalandra sa harap ng simbahan. Pinakauso rito ang kulay-ubeng puto bumbong at dilaw na bibingka bagaman hindi rin naman patatalo ang suman at matamis na taho.

Sa bisperas naman ng Pasko tiyak na abala sina ate, nanay at lola sa kusina para sa noche buena. Para silang mga mahikera na sa bawat kumpas ng kampay ay magkakaroon ng milagro sa iyong harapan…mga masasarap ng pagkain! Hindi mo aakalaing ang mga walang kabuhay-buhay na sangkap mula sa palengke na minsan pa’y may masangsang na amoy ay mapagbabagong-anyo nila at magiging malinamnam na mga putahe. Amoy pa lang ng mga iyon ay tiyak na maglalaway ka na at agarang kakalam ang iyong sikmura. Anupa’t ‘pag iyong napagmasdan na ang mga nakahain, tiyak na hihilingin mong sana ay Pasko na lamang araw-araw. Nadadagdagan pa ang sarap ng salu-salong ito kung kumpleto ang buong pamilya.

At pagsapit ng mismong araw ng Pasko, magsisimba ang buong pamilya at magpapasalamat sa biyaya ng kanilang tinamasa ngayong taon at tatamasahin pa sa hinaharap. Pagkatapos ng misa, karaniwan na sa mga Pilipino ang magpunta sa bahay ng mga ninong at ninang, na tila inaasahan na ang pagdagsa ng kanilang mga bisita sapagkat mayroon tiyak na ihahaing minandal at ibibigay ng pamaskong-regalo o salapi sa mga batang tuwang-tuwa.

Sa kabila ng masayang pagdiriwang na ito, masasabing ang mga bata ang mga magiliw na saksi sa kagandahan ng Pasko. Sila ang karaniwang sabik para dito—dumako pa lamang sa kanilang isipan ang imahe ni Santa Claus at ang sako-sakong mga regalong dala nito ay tila abot na sa kanilang tainga ang kanilang mga ngiti. Bakas sa kanilang mga mata ang isang uri ng ningning na nagpapahiwatig ng busilak na kaligayahan—lalo na kung nakakatanggap na sila ng mga regalo mula sa kanilang mga magulang at mga kaibigan. Hindi nakapagtatakang sa tuwing palapit ang Pasko’y wala nang ibang bukambibig ang mga kabataan kundi ang Christmas party na kanilang dadaluhan, mga regalong kanilang ibibigay at ang mga aginaldo na matatanggap sa kanilang mga ninong at ninang.

Kung tutuusin, ating masasabi na kasing-ningning ng mga Christmas lights at kasing-garbo ng isang Christmas tree ang imaheng pumapaimbulot sa isipan ng isang bata sa tuwing naririnig niya ang salitang “Pasko”. At minsang tayo’y naging mga bata’y naramdaman rin natin ang kasabikang ito.

Ngunit, isang tanong ang dumadako sa ating mga isipan.

Puro ningning at kagandahan lamang ba ang nagbibigay-kulay sa Pasko? Ano nga ba ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko?

Ngunit hindi rin dapat natin kalimutang ipabatid sa isang bata na hindi lahat ng tao ay may kakayahang bumili ng Christmas tree o kahit simpleng parol man lamang. Hindi rin lahat ay nangangaroling dahil lamang gusto nila ngunit dahil kailangan nilang kumita ng kahit kaunting barya. Hindi rin lahat ay nakapupunta sa mga Christmas parties at nakasasali sa palitan ng mga regalo sapagkat kailangan nilang maghigpit ng sinturon kahit kapaskuhan. Lalong hindi lahat ng kahilingan ay matutupad nang dahil lamang sa nakumpleto mo ang siyam na simbang gabi. May mga tao ring hindi pa nakararanas makatikim ng noche buena sa buong buhay nila o kung may nakahain man sa hapag na ubod ng sasarap, hindi naman buo ang kanilang pamilya.

Higit sa lahat, dapat malaman ng bata na ang Pasko ay ang araw ng ating paggunita sa pagsilang at pagsasakripisyo ni Hesus upang mailigtas ang sanlibutan mula sa kanilang mga kasalanan. Hindi lamang sa mga bagay na nabibili ng salapi umiikot ang tunay na kahulugan ng Pasko. Walang tutumbas na kulay, kinang, kasiyahan at kainan sa araw na ito kung hindi rin lamang isasapuso ng mga tao ang pagpapasalamat sa Maykapal, pagbibigayan, pag-unawa at pagkalinga sa isa’t isa.

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A Gavel Unbanged: A Scale Unbalanced and a Silenced Fourth Estate

by The Nursing Journal 

“Justice denied anywhere diminishes justice everywhere” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

A year has passed since the atrocious Maguindanao massacre took place but the litigation is nowhere near its completion and justice has not been served. The crime that ended numerous lives is deemed as one of the worst, if not the worst, crimes that have taken place in our country as Filipinos mass murdered fellow Filipinos all for political motives and an undying thirst for authority. Add to that, more than half of the casualties were journalists wanting to bring the truth closer to the people, hoping to keep the spirit of democracy alive for their hometown. Their lives were mercilessly ended, leaving the Philippines touted as “the most dangerous place for journalist all over the world”.

Unfortunately, it seems that justice will not be attained anytime soon. People believe that the progression of the case will remain sluggish as there are more than a hundred suspects and numerous witnesses are yet to be called to the stand. The estimated time of conclusion would be about a decade – a lifetime’s worth of waiting to have justice restored. Apparently, the return of the spirit of freedom and democracy may also take forever.

As long as the scare of the Maguindanao massacre is present in our country, journalists who bring the truth to the people would be apprehensive about presenting the facts to their fellowmen, especially with the threat not only to their own lives but also to their families’ as well. And as long as justice has not been met and no one is held accountable for the monstrous crime, similar callous criminals would still resort to these actions as very few of them are punished. We might never see the end of this.

This is not just a battle of political clans or journalists. It is a battle of all Filipinos. This is a battle for our rights and our freedom to speak. Time may have passed and events may have occurred in our history but we should never forget the injustices made against our people.

A year has passed since the atrocious Maguindanao massacre took place. How many years will we wait for justice to be served? How sure are we that this won’t ever happen again? What will you do?

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ADELA: A DEPICTION OF THE FILIPINO NURSE

Column name: SPEECHLESS
By Charmaine M. Parado

Last November 18, college play Ang Ikapitong Panaginip ni Adela was performed in the Medicine Auditorium. It portrayed the struggles of Adela, the representation of “Florence,” as a mentally-ill patient, as a woman, and as a NURSE.

Florence is a VOLUNTEER nurse in Maguindanao who was raped and brutally tortured. She was found unconscious and bloodied behind the hospital after attending a videoke party. This incident stirred the apprehension of nurses in the country. They worried about the security of nurses especially the volunteers and their RIGHTS.

Ang Ikapitong Panaginip ni Adela is an eye-opener. This is the condition of nurses in our country. They are “raped” or abused in different ways. Nurses are usually taken for granted. No one ever thought “What would hospitals be without nurses?”

The tear-jerking fact in our country is its ailing healthcare system.

Patients are financially abused and nurses, especially the fresh graduates, are treated by some healthcare institutions as mere experience-seekers. Instead of being paid for the services equal to the remuneration for the regular staff, they are the ones who pay just to avoid idleness and to meet the requirements for a secured employment.

It’s really odd that nurses work in hospitals as “trainees” for months to half a year like regular employees but they are the ones paying for the opportunity. This is a form of abuse because, although hospital is a different kind of place, in other establishments, when they accept trainees, they pay them with what people call, “starting salary.” The trainees’ salary is a little smaller than the regular employees’ but for a beginner in any industry, it’s more than just a wage.

Aside from that, people do not understand the fact that nurses are professionals because there are times when they are not regarded as such. In fact, some hospitals implement the contractualization of nurses.
Nurses need to undergo a complex process before having a college diploma, passing the board exam, obtaining a license, and fulfilling other requirements. Nurses are professionals who deserve a secured job.
It’s disturbing that nurses were compared to “salesladies and waiters” by a government official when asked what he/she can do to alleviate the current situation of contractualized nurses. “Ngayon puro contractualization eh, security guard, janitorial services, salesgirl, mga ganun, to avoid benefits, pero hindi dapat. Even the hotel waitresses are now contractual,” the official said.

I do not mean to undermine the people that the official compared with the nurses. However, nurses are really different from them. They didn’t need to undergo the complex process that nurses have to experience just to get a job.

I am not against anybody but it’s really painful for me to see the situation of nurses in our country thinking that what they are today is what I will possibly become someday.

There is no doubt that because of the current situation of nurses in our country, many are tempted to leave for greener pastures and many are taking up Nursing for the greater chance of working abroad.

In spite of this, we still have hope. We still see many Adelas in the hospitals, in community health centers, and even in classrooms who dream of becoming “Super Nurse” or BAYANI.

Yes, bayani or “hero” is what nurses are! They work despite all difficulties they encounter without thinking of what they will have in return. They take care of people, with their hearts, with their best efforts, and most of the time, with their own life also at risk.

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‘White Christmas’: RNs on Duty

Column Title: Blissful Silence

by Ma. Kristel M. Nadlang

The chilly morning breezes and the flickering lights in alternating hues have heralded the start of the season most-loved and most-anticipated by the entire nation. This Yuletide season ushers in an upward spiral in commercialism as a multitude of people linger in malls and bazaars to pick out presents for their loved ones. Even the roads become accustomed to heavy traffic situations, frequent rush hours and an increase in the density of people. Christmas carols and jingles dominate the airplay in most radio stations everywhere, resulting to a ridiculous encore that could be straining to the ears if heard for hours. Social networking sites are bombarded with shout outs and status messages teeming with a lexicon associated with festivities, joyous exchanges and endless merry-making. Indeed, the Christmas season brings in an influx of endorphins or “happy hormones” in everyone’s systems.

It feels like breathing Christmas in every setting you are in—even in the four walls of the hospitals. To camouflage the serious aura of the medical institutions in time for this season of mirth, the administration would put up decorations of the red and green variety along with the colorful, perpetually shining lights in contrast to the dull, white surrounding they used to be. However, these are only superficial add-ons, aesthetically-speaking. They exist to remind the passersby of the upcoming Christmas celebration so as to avoid being tagged as “cold-hearted” or anti-social institutions. Nonetheless, in reality, hospitals do not cease operating just because it is the holiday season—the time when most people are off-duty and enjoying their long-awaited vacation in favorite destination spots. No, they are open 24/7 and in full swing. Saving lives is forever continuous in the pulsating beat of medical institutions.

The aforementioned statement speaks true of the people who collectively make hospitals functional. Among the front liners in the medical team are the registered nurses (RNs) stationed in the respective wards—the very same group of people who spend most of their time with the patients admitted in the unit. Because of this, RNs need to be in a continuous loop when providing patient care; there can never be any gap in the line-up of client assignments. With this, shifting schedules are enforced by the nursing administration. With the creation and implementation of shifting schedules, nurses can be rotated either to the morning, afternoon or night shift, not excluding holidays. Thus, RNs are obliged to render their service without being partial to the day and time of the year—not even on December 25, Christmas Day. This pertains to the “call of duty” that comes with a profession dealing with the entity that is life. Nurses cannot turn their backs on their vowed commitment “to do good” to their clientele. This was clearly expressed in the Nightingale’s pledge for nurses, “to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully”.

Nurses seem to be waging a “White Christmas” campaign in hospitals as they don their usual, reliable white uniforms and put their nursing caps on. To be working on a supposedly stress-free day may be overwhelming for most but the awaiting responsibility far outweighs personal interests and desires. That is what genuine commitment commands of people in the “caring” professions—to be mindless, devoted servants of the sick, the well and the afflicted. When nurses assume their caps on, it is tantamount to bearing the hefty responsibility of rendering quality patient care on their shoulders.

However, when nurses work for hours on supposed holidays, are they living on to their vocation and commitment truthfully or are they mere mechanical robots existing because they were forced to report on an unpleasant day for duty?

The answer lies on the honest registered nurse, herself. Some RNs feel “obliged” and “compelled” to work on December 25 when, considering the reality of this profession, they should not. In some people’s perspective, this circumstance could not be helped—most especially in our culture. Filipinos are known to have developed a penchant for holidays, merry-making. Furthermore, strong family ties and tradition dictate this invisible rule to be with our families and loved ones on special days of the year. As a result, Filipinos yearn for Noche Buenas or Christmas parties come holiday season.

Most RNs, on the other hand, do exhibit commitment and genuine sincerity in looking after the welfare of their clients. They do not sulk over missing festivities for they fully understand the gravity of the field they are in. True, they might to be with their respective families but they know it is also their responsibility to care for their clients—they are extremely good in prioritization. It is, indeed, the mark of a true nurse to continue to “care” despite the odds and to carry on fulfilling their duty on hand. Christmas, after all, is the season of love—a season where selflessness, generosity and charity become the cornerstone. A little bit of self-sacrifice does not hurt at all. Thus, if ever you get shifted on Christmas, consider this simple thought.

Put your nursing caps on. White Christmas, everyone!

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For Real or For Show?

Column: Reality Bites

By Mervyn Tan

“All the world’s a stage; and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time, plays many parts.” – Shakespeare

As the beloved Nursing Week commences, one can’t help but think back on all the presentations that transpired. From singing to dancing to acting, the Nursing community definitely showcased its undeniable talents in various captivating performances. It was enticing and it was entertaining especially from where we were seated. But how would the view be from backstage?

As performers would always say, and I would definitely agree, it’s crazy backstage. The microphone may be on even when it’s not, the gigantic props are too big to be concealed or there are too many cast and crew members for the lead to squeeze in and enter the stage. Things don’t always happen as planned and mishaps are bound to take place. When they do, the best thing that we can do is to cover them up and pretend everything is going just fine and it was all part of the show. No one will be able to know the difference as long as you’re quick and keen to mask the flaws. But the stage is not the only place where acting or even directing takes place. Everyone we meet in our everyday life can put up a show and pretend that they are okay even if they are not. And as surprising as it may sound, even the government and its politics can put up a great show.

Of course, we would not be able to know that it was a cover-up until things blow out of proportion or we’re too keen to detect what might just be a manipulated broadcast. The spokesman would be quick to assure everyone during press releases that the situation is under control even when in reality it is not. Take the hostage-taking incident a few months back, for instance. At first, it was said to be under control until we found out that the hostage-taker had already murdered seven tourists. After quite some time, we learned the story behind the whole drama and what was happening backstage. Another incident would be the recent bus transportation strike which, again, was said to be under control. However, the traffic jam that day was a nightmare of epic proportions. Perhaps, there were measures taken to alleviate the situation. But the cover-up was not enough because we have not only seen but also felt the consequences of the predicament. The list can go on and on but we would not really be able to figure everything out because the only ones who know the real score would be the ones behind the whole production.

This makes me wonder what else could the administration have covered up and what else will they be concealing from the people? A news blackout here, a bribery there - how difficult could it be to hide the flaws of their performance? Although the media tries as much to deliver accurate and reliable news to us, we can never really be sure what reaches us is the truth or just a made up story by the government to assure damage control especially now that the current administration is still in its primacy. We need to be careful and figure out the story behind the story, if ever there is one.

For now, we just have to scrutinize: Is what we see for real or for show?

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Opinion: Between the Lines: Two or More, Please

It’s pretty amazing how fast time can fly. Before you know it, it’s Christmas, and consequently, a new year. The year 2010 would herald a new set of leaders and possibly, a new government. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves— 2009 left a deep, if not downright terrifying, mark in the heart of every Filipino.

Last November 23, fifty-seven people were killed in an election-related massacre in the Maguindanaoan town of Ampatuan. Surprisingly, this wasn’t just a brainless killing or even the result of a suicide bombing, but an actual series of cold-blooded murders. Women, lawyers, and even reporters had been killed brutally—apparently, not even these kinds of people could deter murderers. In a statement, Joel Simon, Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), had said that the Ampatuan massacre was the deadliest single attack on the press ever documented by CPJ.

But that isn’t the point.

If, for a moment, we set aside our feelings of grief and anger over the incident, we might notice that the mass murder was a consequence of one man challenging the authority of the current governor. To be completely technical, Esmael Mangudadatu was merely trying to challenge the Ampatuans. In fact, the convoy was on its merry way to file the former’s Certificate of Candidacy when 100 armed men attacked them and killed them all, regardless of who or what they were. 

Looking back, for the previous elections wherein the Philippines has been under a multi-party system, in which not one party often has a chance of gaining power alone unless they work with each other to form coalition of governments. The major political parties in the country include Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Nationalist People's Coalition, Liberal Party, Nacionalista Party, and much more. Of course, these parties do not just involve the national government but also stretch to the various cities and provinces in the country. In fact, Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his two sons, Gov. Zaldy Uy Ampatuan of the ARMM and Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. were members of President Arroyo’s political party, Lakas-Kampi-CMD , until they were recently kicked out due to their alleged participation in the massacre.

And so, if the country is under a multi-party system since God-knows-when, wasn’t Mangudadatu allowed to even try for a gubernatorial position this coming election? Since when did Maguindanao become a monarchy? Granted, the Ampatuans had been in control of the said province since 2001, which is already pretty impressive in itself, but wouldn’t any sort of competition at least be tolerated? After all, with the amount of power and influence they have, they should be laughing and smirking at, and giving points to Mangudadatu for his hopeless attempts. Instead, innocent people are slain, Maguindanao is declared to be in a state of emergency, and the powerful Ampatuans are accomplishing their grand fall to disgrace—wonderfully. This series of events brings to mind the reason why Mangudadatu would want the gubernatorial position. Is it simply because he wanted to further his own career, and winning over Ampatuan Junior seemed plausible enough? Or, did he want to accomplish something that Gov. Ampatuan has failed to do? There are a lot of questions, and so few answers coming forth.

But the intricacies of national politics only serve to get on my nerves. Why? Because I feel helpless in the face of such blatant crimes being committed. In the end, there’s nothing left for us normal citizens to do but to wait for the decisions of the authorities, which are, hopefully, right and for the better. Instead, I would like to touch briefly on our very own election for the Nursing Council, which will be held before the end of this semester. 

Last school year, we witnessed the solo campaign of the BISIG party list. And unsurprisingly, they won, although it wasn’t too much of a sweep like most people expected. Last semester, I agreed to include my name in a list petitioning for the founding of the other party-list, SANDIGAN. I did that, not as a person with spite or grudge for the present authority, but as a fair and freedom-loving student of the College of Nursing, who would like to see a healthy competition in our own ruling body. In practice, one-party systems tend to promote executive domination of the legislature and reduce its autonomy. For that reason, I firmly believe that at least two parties are needed to ensure that there are real choices for citizens to decide on who should govern them.

After all, distribution of power will help prevent any communist-socialist form of government from occurring. And if we start on enforcing fairness and freedom in our own small election, who’s to say that it can’t happen in the large-scale government election as well?

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Editorial: Keeping the Legacy Alive

“The measure of how well you’ve lived your life does not depend on how much you have done when you were alive, but on the persistence of the changes you’ve made after you die.”

For weeks, various EDSA I documentaries were simultaneously aired in almost every Philippine television station, all to honor the “Asia’s Icon of Democracy”. It was during EDSA I when not even a single drop of blood was shed. It was also in EDSA I when the rosaries in the hands of the people outnumbered the numerous army tanks that lined the fear-stricken streets. And it was in EDSA I when a frail widow stood steadfast to her faith, and this faith empowered the nation and granted them the unity to fight against the country’s own oppressors.

The whole world was left in an ‘expected shock’ as the death of the late President Corazon C. Aquino greeted the month of August. Everyone knew that, with the progression of her cancer, it was only a matter of time when she’ll meet our Maker. Various accounts of her suffering became widespread throughout the media, and as a response, the nation joined hands in prayer as they hoped for her recovery and well-being.

But the time finally came and we Filipinos were left with no other choice but to bid goodbye to our “Mother of Democracy”.

As we take some moments of silence for grieving over our loss, we also take some trips down the memory lane to revisit the instances wherein “Tita Cory” stood up for our country’s freedom and democracy.

Yes, she may not have single-handedly conquered Marcos’s dictatorship, but she was definitely one of the key persons who united the Filipinos to stand up and fight for their rights in what was deemed as the most peaceful and successful demonstration in history: the EDSA Revolution.

Yes, she may not have been the best political strategist or the most educated president, but no one can refute that she was the most purely intentioned and the most nationalistic leader that the Philippines ever had. Amidst all the public and political mockery, she maintained a calm and unshaken disposition. She remained undaunted as numerous taunts and criticisms were thrown at her direction by her political opponents. Her undying faith in God, her love and loyalty for the Philippines and the Filipinos and her unshakable/unfailing morals were her only sources of strength.

Yes, she might have given up the throne a score year ago, but the nation has always put her in the same place, recognizing her presence. We have always had the safeguard, knowing that “Tita Cory” would be there to promote our freedom and democracy whenever it is in jeopardy. She became the voice of the nation, airing out its unheard cries. Whenever she sees a desecration imposed onto the country’s democracy, she breaks the silence that had been her solace, courageously yet peacefully expressing her disapproval through the power of prayer. Indeed, she had always been our president.

But now that she’s “gone”, who will protect our democracy when it is in the midst of threat and oppression? Of corruption and societal infidelity? Of confusion and chaos?

WE, the Filipino people, should have learned by now to protect our own rights for our own sake and for our country’s sake. History was the teacher, and the present is now our test. We owe it to Tita Cory to make sure that all that she had fought for would not be compounded within the time frame during which she existed, but across generations of Filipinos as well.

Her legacy must neither be buried together with her in the grave, nor must it be exhumed when her death anniversary comes. Her legacy is nowhere near a coffin’s definition—it lives on.

It must not be confined within a cold-stoned monument that could withstand corrosion, yet is defeated by time and ignorance. The stone can be destroyed the same way a decorative title is forgotten.

Instead, it should be kept alive in our hearts, in our words and in our actions. Like the robust and unswayable evergreen that withstands the havoc-wreaking winds of winter, or a mighty dyke that shields an entire population from a deluge, her legacy should remain strong and indelible.

Let us continue the legacy of Tita Cory by fighting for our freedom and democracy wherever we may be, by ensuring truth and justice in everything thing that we do and in every decision that we make, and by doing all the aforementioned in a peaceful and Christ-like manner.

By: UST Nursing Journal

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Opinions: PGMA Administration: “So long!” or Sooo long!”?

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) delivered her last State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 27, 2009 at the Batasan Complex… or did she?

This is the mind-boggling question that has been lingering in everyone’s minds even after PGMA had delivered her 9^th and “last” Philippine SONA for her administration.  As ridiculous as it may seem, the most anticipated part of the SONA wasn’t her declaration of the country’s status or the contributions of her administration, but rather, a straight-to-the-point, and hopefully, a final statement regarding her political aspirations and her plans of accelerating the ratification of Charter Change. But to everyone’s dismay, PGMA didn’t give a straightforward answer during her last SONA, and the expected contents of her SONA were delivered followed by a surprising blow.

As it has always been with her previous addresses, PGMA delivered the SONA with various statistical data and mentions of personas who were able to benefit from her programs and wished them well. By doing this, she reinforces her statements and assures that what she’s saying is factual. The dilemma would now rest on whether the people should agree or disagree, believe or doubt the facts presented. However, she didn’t end all portions of her SONA with a simple wish or appreciation.

At the end of almost every achievement she mentioned in her speech, PGMA delivered quick jabs to her detractors and other political aspirants who have been critical of her administration since the elections are fast approaching. Some people would just let this action as it is because they believe that it is PGMA’s right to vent out her sentiments and defend her administration from the “unjust” criticisms thrown at her. Some, however, deem this action as a low blow that was definitely unfit for the situation. Ideally, the event should have been a medium for us, Filipinos, to be informed of their country’s development, and the things that are still needed to be done for it to progress – not the woes of the president. It might have been understandable if it was mentioned for a few times in her speech. But her continuous reiteration of her retorts seemed to have transformed the speech into something that is uncalled-for. There was too much “unnecessary” emotion that seemed to have impregnated the supposedly formal and informative address. Yet, what’s done is done; whether Filipinos approve of her response to all those criticisms she had received through all her years of governance or not is entirely up to their liking.

However, we should consider the fact that she has remained silent whenever she was the one who was receiving all those low blows. In a psychological sense, the SONA might have been the only means wherein she can defend herself and her administration. Come to think of it, all presidents were able to lead his/her country to advancement, even for just a sector of the government. No one can ever say that his/her country wasn’t able to benefit anything under the leadership of a president. We may detest the Marcos regime for its period of dictatorship, but no one can deny that at the earlier part of the infamous president’s reign, there was a remarkable progress in the economy, particularly in peace and order. This is not to equate President Marcos to President Arroyo. This is just to point out that there will always be an opposition and their presence will always be felt, or to be more specific, heard. Just as the fallibility of humans is in question, so is the fact that PGMA is not devoid of any faults in terms of her governance. We do have numerous scandals such as the “Hello, Garci”, “ZTE”, “Fertilizer Scams” and other controversies during the time of her presidency. Yet, no one can claim that the Arroyo administration wasn’t able to lead the country to development, especially in the various sectors of economy, education, employment and energy utilization – all of which she had given due emphasis as her achievements in the SONA.

After delivering all the important details and reports in her SONA, PGMA concluded her speech with these words: “I shall step down from this stage but not from the Presidency. My term does not end until next year. Until then, I will fight for the ordinary Filipino. The nation comes first. There is much to do as head of state—to the very last day.” This may not be the explicit response that every Filipino is hoping for, but it is indeed a sign that she intends to relinquish her position when her term ends. This is not to say that PGMA did plan to hold on to her position—no one would really know the answer to that one. It’s just that the Filipinos cannot help but to heighten their senses for the possibility of her lingering onto the position, especially with her apparent motions of promulgating the Charter Change and with her rumored political aspirations as a governor, post-presidency. Some Filipinos would admit that they have much fear that she might push all of these so that she can be the first “Prime Minister of the Philippines”. But then again, they are also aware that this wasn’t the first time wherein there was a motion for Charter Change. As it was mentioned in the SONA, PGMA’s predecessors have already tried to impose this during their regimes, also harboring the same criticism. But, nevertheless, the suspicions were present and this is why we are so keen to come into action because we know that “prevention is always better than cure” and we would opt to prevent the possibility of history repeating itself. Although PGMA never said that she intended to stay in her position, we, Filipinos, find that her actions speak otherwise and thus call for an immediate action. But still the same, nothing is certain.

Everyone can only hope that PGMA would willingly and peacefully vacate the presidency once her term ends, just as it should be done. We have experienced much from her administration and we are grateful for the public service that they received. However, come 2010, just when the Arroyo Administration has served its purpose very well, the Filipinos will be ready to bid it a ‘so long’—akin to what they did with the previous administrations. Yet again, we Filipinos could only hope that it would turn out that way. 

Only time will tell what the future holds. Everyone has his/her own vision or forecast of what the future might bring. Some Filipinos see the possibility of PGMA staying in her position as the most probable outcome, while some believe that she would peacefully and willingly give the position to her successor. All that we can do for now is to wait and see what the future might bring. 

Yet we couldn’t help but ask ourselves the same dog-eared questions:

Will we bid the PGMA administration a “So long!”?

Or are we going to rant another desperate “Sooo long!”?

  By: Mervyn C. Tan: Just Thoughts

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