EDITORIAL 5

On face-to-face...

Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary

Sara Z. Duterte announced that the government was already eyeing full face-to-face classes in November.

This pronouncement ignited varied opinions from the different sectors of the society. Their opinions stem from these reasons.

First, the threat of COVID-19 is still evident. Second, there are still students who have not been inoculated. Third, mobilization has become a problem since the number of public utility vehicles has decreased plus, new rerouting has been implemented. Finally, families continue to experience financial problems due to unemployment and others.

Para sa akin, okay naman ang face-to-face, kasi natutukan ang mga estudyante ng mga titser, kasi ‘pag nasa bahay nahahati ang (oras) ng mga magulang sa trabaho, sa mga anak at trabaho sa bahay. Ang the best talaga ang face-to-face, yun ang gustong-gusto ko, ‘yang faceto-face tayo. Sa ngayon naghahanap pa ako ng panibagong income, kumukha ako ng mga plastic, sinasako ‘tas binebenta sa (junk shop) para sa pandagdag income.

-Reginald de Guzman, Tricycle Driver

To be honest, I feel bothered since our DepEd Secretary seems eager and almost entirely sure that the full face-to-face modality will return in November. Although it was mentioned that they would be open to suggestions. I personally don’t see enough faculty personnel being brought on forums. Considering the once again growing cases of COVID-19, inflation that’s been affecting Filipinos on top of the expenses that come with the face-to-face classes, I believe that the pronouncement must be reevaluated and adjusted according to the situations of the people in different local areas.

-Ayaka Taniguchi, student

They say there is always a first time for everything. Others even add by emphasizing that when it is the first time make sure it is done right.

“In my head and in my heart, I knew I did the right thing!”

The 9th of May was a day of firsts for 7 million out of the 67.4 million Filipino voters who were ready to cast their votes for the 2022 national elections. When I turned 18, I was able to register, vote, and be a part of this long-awaited day.

It was 9:30 AM when my family and I went to the polling place and with the huge difference in the number of voters this year, long lines were expected. Under the scorching heat of the sun and humid air, we were like a dog looking for its tail as we searched for the end of the line to get into the polling precinct.

The long hours of waiting and the long lines brought different people with different perspectives, choices, opinions and beliefs specifically about their chosen candidates along with their how’s and why’s. It dawned upon me how Filipinos, young or old, were affected by today’s society with the modern technology, various social media platforms and all. People’s choices were mostly influenced by the power of the internet – the online marketing campaigns, the publication materials or pubmats of the candidates’ platforms, and even the explanation videos often shared on social media platforms like TikTok, Youtube and others. I, on the other hand, did my own research which I believed strongly helped me choose my candidates and be more confident in supporting, not because I was a fan, but because I hoped for a brighter future for my generation and generations to come.

I refused to be swayed. I even refused my old me to affect what I set out to do that day. I know fully well how impatient I am but not that day. Standing that long and learning that voting machines malfunctioned, the SD cards and ballots could not be read, were unfathomable to the old me. Patience suddenly became my virtue. I was shocked by the slow-paced lines. I was faced with multiple poll watchers and facilitators getting ready to leave and go home without having a single hint on how messy and chaotic the whole place had become. I was caught off guard when I saw people cutting into the queue and making it longer

I’m actually looking forward to it because I am a incoming Grade 11 student and I think it’s a new journey and a stepping stone for college, I’m excited since I will meet new faces, new friends, I will be able to socialize with people more since I knew in our school that there will be face-to-face on November.

-Chloe Mae Estanislao, student

I feel excited because I would finally be able to meet my classmates. I would be able to see my teacher and interact with them. Returning to traditional learning will take time and students will undoubtedly failed to enhance some of their skills while online.

-Jhudiela Alcano, student

I’m not sure if we are now prepared for face-to-face classes. Big adjustments still have to be made and we should make sure that we’ll continue to follow protocols. What will happen if the number of covid cases will increases again?

-Brenz Carl Moral, student

I still don't like face-to-face. I'm still scared to be in class with the rest of my classmates because we all come from different places. What if they have had contacts with people who are infected? Even if I am already vaccinated, I still don't want to get sick.

- Ghieanne Papa, student

I'm excited! Coming to school is something I look forward. I'll just follow the protocol and I'll remind my classmates to do the same thing. Studying at home is a hit boring. there were times when I just wanted to sleep and not attend my classes.

- Evangeline Cruz, student

Ang problem ko sa face-to-face tiyak gagastos ako sa pamasahe at pagkain ng anak ko wala pa naman akong stable na work ngayon.

- Merly Ramos, vendor

As expected, others may express agreement or disagreement about this issue but whatever happens in November, what counts to be the most crucial is that Filipinos are ready to face the circumstance head on. Whatever the consequences are, Filipinos must find themselves on top of the situation. Resiliency plays a big role.

A day of firsts

Danielle Ladao

and harder to stay calm and be understanding under the circumstances. It was definitely a first for me and others like me. Indeed, patience became my virtue- that was another first.

Clothed with patience, I finally got inside the polling place. I am used to being packed like a sardine in buses commuting home, but this was undoubtedly something I was never ready to face. Talk about system and discipline. Hundreds of people were on that small basketball court to find their precinct stations and it was mind-boggling that I couldn’t grasp how we all somehow fit in there. Nevertheless, I braced myself and conquered a pool of bodies to find mine and vote as soon as possible. For the first time, I took hold of a ballot. I had mixed emotions.

Throughout the process, I was undeniably nervous and anxious. Knowing that it was the day when I could show my part as Filipino. It was all surreal.To finally vote was something that I had been longing for – the right to suffrage.

It was critical to exercise that right, regardless of what I believed in or who I supported. I was a first-time voter. Proudly, I was able to exercise that right as proven by the indelible ink on my forefinger. Whether my candidate won or not, it did not matter much; what mattered was I exercised it with pride, sincerity and honesty.

Now that those firsts are over and done with, don’t you think it is time for you and me to stay focused?

Do you want to join me? Let us set out to fight for what is right and use our voice to ensure a fair political process, to assist communities, and to develop our nation. I believe that, rigged or not, with enough power banking on our freedom, we can make an impact. As Taylor Swift’s song “Only the Young” says, “Don’t say you’re too tired to fight, it’s just a matter of time. Up there’s the finish line” because our future is worth our fight. As every day is a new day, we get new opportunities. It's time to change …for the better.

Democracy is flawed, but in the case of the Philippines (Sad reality!), it is etremely flawed.Let’s start off simple. What is democracy? According to what I know and read, democracy is a system of government in which people have the power to decide. At first, it sounds like the best system of government ever created- a government ran by the people, for the people? Sign me up! Yet, believe me, it isn’t good as it sounds!

How can people make the right decisions if the majority is not educated nor discerning enough to know the weight and value of their decisions? Our country’s educational system for the poor (The majority is poor.) is substandard. Some public elementary schools are as awful as they appear, with a big number of primary school graduates unable to read and write. Things will go down faster than predicted once they reach high school. Teachers in public schools, both elementary and secondary, are paid poorly and are seemingly deprived of good working environment, which could possibly be one of the reasons why they put little to no effort in educating the youth. It’s a good thing there are still those who make every effort to teach them, but they with what is going on around, their number and kind may continue to diminish. It would be a nightmare to see them in small number, too small to make a difference.

Could it be why some students prefer not to go to school? Attaining education from public school doesn’t guarantee them a future of good opportunities.

In addition, going to school also gives them another problem. Poor families cannot afford to provide for their children’s school supplies and more. They’d rather use the money to put food on the table. As a result, their children drop out of school to search for jobs, as soon as possible. They grow up as vulnerable adults prone to disinformation and misinformation.

Bereft of many choices, they discontinue schooling just to learn basic knowledge and skills about things that matter. They’ll spend their years doing undergraduate jobs to earn money as much as they can. Indeed, democracy is flawed! They will be adults who’ll prioritize money more than anything and will do whatever they can to earn for their families.

For some reason, they become victims of politicians. They become vulnerable to disinformation and misinformation created by malicious politicians like in the recently concluded elections. The vulnerability, desperation and poverty are capitalized. This is where these political figures web lies and influence young minds into believing something untrue.

A cherry on top? Vote-buying, the so-called soul of democracy, is ever present. Politicians will smuggle folded blue cash into a non-suspicious envelope, along with their names and numbers on the ballot. Who have fallen for this?

They’re the poor, the uneducated, and the unfortunate victims of the poor system. Such kills democracy!

Why is democracy extremely flawed in our country?

Poor education is one of the culprits. And as expected, this naturally gives birth to more issues and concerns that impact the lives of everyone.

The only hope for the country is for the educational system to be fixed or overhauled. Mobilization of the right people is a must. These prime movers must have genuine love for country and its people. Increase in the national budget for education is required. Organizational goals should be properly aligned. Abusing democracy should be stopped. These and more are all a must. If not, we’ll lose track of what’s next!