March 2, 2009
12:16 am
Yes it’s a quarter past midnight but I am still awake and wanting to write. I would just like to take advantage of the free wifi signal. Not a lot of things comes for free so I am fond of them. I love ‘em actually.
Something wonderful made my February. Amidst the roller coaster of things I had this month more good things happened before Feb. finally ended.
My OJT ended in the 25th which was made special by the visit of the company’s ceo. He said hi and given us gummy bears. I found the gesture so cute. He sat in the chair beside me and commented that I type fast. I just smiled. I didn’t try to converse with him I was afraid I run out of English.haha. Since he’s German his eyes were luminous and beautifully blue. Well, I didn’t have a crush with him. Sir R. was still my bet. Go Pinoy!haha..
In the afternoon of the 26th I went to Cabanatuan by myself. I thought of asking my brothers to drive me there or even just in the terminal but Kuya Rene’s car which we were supposed to use that time was out for repainting. So I had to travel by myself.
I hailed a taxi. Manong driver was elderly and nice it’s just that he didn’t know where the bus terminals in Cubao were. He stopped somewhere only to take on the U turn slot because he didn’t get it right. Hmm..the meter was running. I had to pay extra for his mistake. (haha..kuripot na talaga ako C:)
I reached Cabanatuan about 7 pm. My seatmate in the bus was nice too. She assisted me to get into my destination. She even asked for my phone number and wished me luck.
The next day, the 27th at 1.30pm I with Mrs. Talavera went into the contest venue. For the fourth time in a row I am competing again for the essay writing category of the DC-SUC III CIRPS. DC-SUC III CIRPS is the annual regional literary and arts competition of the 13 state colleges and universities in Region 3.
As what I’ve said earlier it was my fourth time to join. When I first joined the contest during my first year even I myself can’t believe that I aced the first place. However in the next two years I’ve lost.
But since I am already about to graduate I still said yes when ma’am asked me if I can join this year. In my mind I said why not, this is the last chance I’ve got and I have nothing to lose anyway.
About 2 in the afternoon the tension charged room moved especially with Dr. V’s “a pleasant good afternoon” greeting. The board of judges were introduced which was composed of two considerably young men and a middle aged woman.
After the sop’s we were asked to proceed into the writing area then later on the chairman of the board announced the topic that we had to write about.
Then my nerves waged through. After more than three months of not writing using a pen and paper I almost didn’t know how to write. Maybe if there was a computer that can be used I’d gladly use it. But nothing else can be used other than the pen and paper and the gelatinous substance contained in our skull.
5 minutes passed and I still have no idea. When I looked around, the others have already consumed half page of a yellow paper.
I didn’t know how to start. Then later on I just write whatever came in my mind. We had a time limit. I even got confused with grammar(as always). I am prone to dangling modifiers and has/have errors. There was no more green line to warn me if I commit grammatical mistakes (Fragment.Consider revising). Definitely, my computer dependence is high
I finished 15 minutes ahead of time since I can’t think of anything else to add and if I revise it I might run out of time. After writing into the two pages of the front faces of the yellow papers and scratching three pages I submitted my paper.
I went out the venue and told ma’am how it went. I completely have no hope that the essay I’ve written will hit a mark. Well, after winning once but losing twice I can’t afford to have any expectations.
Afterwards I hanged out with Howie. I was really tired, to the highest level. I’ve been having late nights for quite sometime and I was just fresh out from OJT.
Later on we went to the nearby town mall. I and tita Howie window shopped and tripped on the salesmen.(Howie is ASCOT’s most popular gay.)
After dinner we went back to NEUST. I glanced to the score board simply. I did the peeking discreetly so that I can also simply accept defeat if I lost again.
But when I looked in the box provided for the score in essay writing something was written. My world lighted up. I won something! 3 for 3 points was written. To my utter surprise I won the 4th place!
Yeah, my first place was really just for once but I am still glad. At least I had something. It was a nice way to part with my college years. Also, it served as a validation for myself that I can write.
Unlike before when I won the first place this time I can somehow remember the things I’ve written.
I tried to rewrite it but for sure I might have unintentionally altered or deleted some words. But the essence is pretty much the same.
Here it is:
Topic: The recent five year proposal of CHED for some degree programs: Beneficial or detrimental?
The recent five year proposal of the Commission of Higher Education is one of the recent issues to stir the interest of Filipinos who are characterized for having strong values towards education.
Perhaps CHED just want to address the issue regarding the poor quality of education in the Philippines but lengthening the years of studying is the solution?
The Filipinos who are living in a third world country rely on education to uplift their standard of living. Parents and students alike do their best to get a diploma. Getting a diploma increase the chance of having a good job and a beneficial salary.
Unfortunately as years went by that diploma alone no longer guarantee a person to get a good job. In this highly modernized world the competition is fierce especially in the international level. Are the Filipino graduates prepared to take on the challenge?
The proposal of CHED clearly answers the question. It is a resounding no. Each year the unemployment and underemployment rate increase which are also potent indications of existing problems.
Lengthening the years of studying also means an increase in expenses and time. Will the sacrifices be worth it?
If we try to look at the real causes of the poor quality of education in our country can we say that the solution being proposed is the answer?
The five year proposal is untimely. In the middle of the financial crisis that the Filipinos are experiencing right now the increase in expenses and longer time for studying are the least of what they need.
The poor quality of education is not the student’s fault therefore they should not be the ones to suffer.
Lengthening the years but not changing the circumstances on how the education is conducted is not a solution but is a waste of time.
What should be the done is to address the more important issues detrimental to the quality of education.
First and foremost corruption must be eliminated. The appropriated funds for education related endeavors must be properly laid out.
Another factor that contributes to the degrading of the quality of education is the rise of popularity of privately operated institutions. As what we can observe they multiply rapidly but the quality of education they are giving is not guaranteed.
Relative to this, the Commission of Higher Education must meticulously regulate these institutions. Those that are proven to be only after the revenue must be prohibited from continuing their operation.
If after all those steps have been seriously taken and the problem is still the same then maybe the five year proposal can have its implementation.
