K to 12: The Best Path for Students

K to 12: The Best Path for Students

Written by Jose Angelo Tiglao

Is the K-12 Program truly necessary here in the Philippines?

The Department of Education (DepEd) has proposed a possible shift of the country's basic education curriculum from a mere 10 years to a full 12 years of learning comparable to that of the United States of America. DepEd Secretary, Bro. Armin Luistro, has suggested this program in lieu of the ten-point agenda of the president of the Republic of the Philippines, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Currently, 70.9% of the unemployed workers here in our country are only high school graduates. This goes to show that due to lack of tertiary education, these high school graduates did not have the educational requirement for the jobs that they need; a problem that can be corrected by the K to 12 program.

Furthermore, students who cannot afford to pursue college cannot find a suitable job due to lack of academic credentials provided by the over-congested 10 year basic education. The current curriculum does not feed its students enough knowledge regarding different fields that the 12 year curriculum can provide. Some Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are not considered as professionals because of this problem.

Nevertheless, the country has still produced brilliant graduates through the 10-year education. Influential people like Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and President Benigno Aquino III are products of the current education system.

However, majority of students nowadays graduate in an early age, usually in the ages of 15-17. This age bracket shows that these graduates are not yet of legal age (which is 18); thus, may show signs of unpreparedness in getting a job, making a life-changing decision, or pursuing a higher education.

In conclusion, the K to 12 Program presents itself as a cure to the dilemma of unemployed graduates and those students who are unprepared to pursue higher studies. The DepEd's goal to prepare students to venture in reality through a 12-year basic education allows them to be confident in their future endeavors.

K to 12 is a need of the youth today to prepare themselves for their future. It is an improvement for the better.

RH Bill: The Antidote to Poverty?

RH Bill: The Antidote to Poverty?

Editorial of Argumentation

Written by Jose Angelo C. Tiglao

The alarming increase in population has been a considered by many an important factor to why many Filipino families are below the poverty line today. If that is the case, will the approval of the Reproductive Health Bill alleviate the status of poverty here in the Philippines?

The Reproductive Health Bill, popularly known as RH Bill, is a Philippine bill aiming to guarantee universal access to methods and information on birth control and maternal care. The bill is known to provide information in the fields of family planning, birth control, sex education, and distribution of contraceptives.

According to statistics, the Philippines is already the 12th most populous state in the world today. This has been a proponent by the government to heed action in order to remedy overpopulation. In addition, the government sees it fit to educate the populace regarding the population-poverty connection.

However, population does not completely attribute itself to poverty. Simon Kuznet, Nobel Prize Winner of 1966, presented in his research that there is insignificant empirical association between population growth rates and output per capita (economic growth). Rather, it is the rate at which technology grows and the ability of the population to employ these new technologies efficiently and widely that permit economic progress.

Furthermore, there are still many factors contributing to the increase poverty that the government has yet to address such as corruption and lack of education. The government’s excuse of using population as a scapegoat to implement the RH bill is unacceptable.

It is very disappointing, however, that some prominent government officials support the bill. One of them is Vice-President Jejomar Binay who expressed his support for condoms stating, “With condoms, there’s no abortion. It’s just prevention.” Although President Benigno Aquino III has stated his neutral stand regarding the issue, he stated that he will fully support the crafting of a firm policy that will address the serious problem on population.

This is why the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has expressed distaste with the RH Bill made by Congress. Because 81% of the Filipinos are Catholics, CBCP has tried to stop the implementation of the bill in order to “retain” the moral and religious values that Catholics have. They have reached the point of threatening the President that once he supports the bill, they shall decide on excommunicating the head of state.

Nevertheless, the State expresses their intent desire to help address the alarming increase of Filipinos below the poverty line. The RH Bill must not be considered as a panacea to poverty as the overpopulation is not the main foundation of poverty. It is the government’s duty to enhance the livelihood of the people and not revert the problem back to the Filipinos.

Sibonga’s Pride: A Sibonganon’s Faith in God

Sibonga’s Pride: A Sibonganon’s Faith in God

Sibonga is a 3rd class municipality in the southeastern coastline of the province of Cebu, Philippines. It is bounded on the north by the city of Carcar, on the west by the municipalities of Dumanjug and Ronda, on the south by the municipality of Argao and on the east by Cebu Strait.
Derived from the word bonga – a native name for the bethel nut tree – the village was thickly covered with African palms (Betel Nut). When the Spaniards came, they asked the natives the name of the place. The natives answered “bonga”, the local name for betel nuts. The place was then called Sibonga by the Spaniards, who did not understand the native dialect, and who thought that bonga was the name of the place.
According to the 2007 census, Sibonga has a population of 40,765 people and has 25 barangays.
Sumptuous Food, unique culture, undying traditions, and an uncharted history – these are the heritages that make the town of Sibonga. A pleasant retreat from the city’s harsh environment and loud noises, Sibonga offers a distinct serene provincial lifestyle that is merged with unforgettable tourist spots like SIMALA’s Marian Monk Monastery, a beautiful uphill church that has been considered as one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines, and the church of Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Zaragoza, an ancient, coral stone church with fresco paintings on the ceilings that rival that of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Festivals, parades, religious rituals coupled with the Sibonganon’s charm and the people’s penchant to celebrate as a break from the humdrum of daily living – these are the cultural elements that place Sibonga and its constituents way above the ordinary.

BONGA FESTIVAL

During the month of August, the people of Sibonga celebrate their Bonga Festival – coming from the word “fruit”, from the original betel nut, “bonga” has expanded to mean harvest. This festival is to give honor to the town’s patron saints, Our Lady of Pilar and Santa Filomena. Highlighted with beautiful street dancing and ritual competition, the Bonga Festival is a form of thanksgiving not only to their patron saints but also to Christ for giving them abundant harvests.

The whole intention of the festival is for the Sibonganons to become united in an advocacy to let their fellow Sibonganons realize that fruits, such as mangoes, bananas, papaya, and the cereals, are very important, not only for the daily sustenance of the populace but also to the economy of the town.

Since Sibonga heavily relies on Agriculture for living, the citizens of Sibonga unite in the practice of celebrating the importance of their harvest because without it, they would probably die because of hunger. The Bonga Festival is the way to show us all that Sibonganons rely heavily on Agriculture for their living.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmcbKw4DWsk&feature=related
- An example of a Bonga Festival presentation.

PASTORES DE SIBONGA

Pastores de Sibonga is a short Christmas play which narrates the story of Christ's nativity in song and dance as performed in Brgy. Magcagong, Sibonga, Cebu, Philippines. The play is similar to the Tagalogs’ Panunuluyan.
Dating back from the 1920’s, Pastores de Sibonga is performed by at least four dancers. The female dancer wears a red blouse or red shirt paired with a long white skirt. The male dancer wears a red shirt paired with black pants. Accessories include a round hat decorated with cut-outs of the sun, moon and stars in yellow, red, green, and other brightly colored papers together with a yellow sash tied around the waist. An oval-shaped, red anahaw, is used and held by the right hand during the performance. The white square handkerchief is held by the left hand folded into a triangular shape.
The accompaniment music is a rondalla of string ensemble (guitar, banduria, and bajo). The lyrics tell of the pre-, nativity, and post-nativity settings. It expresses happiness, joy, and worship, and offers praises and gifts for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The play depicts the shepherd's adoration of the child Jesus.

The play itself shows that we Sibonganons use theatre in order to portray our faith in the birth of Jesus Christ. As a predominant Catholic town, Sibonga promotes Christianity through simple plays such as this, in order to let others know that religion can be expressed in various forms of worship.

THE MONASTERY OF MARIAN MONKS

The Monastery of Marian Monks or better known as Simala, is a well-known church here in the town of Sibonga. Popular because of the different testimonies of the devotees regarding miracles, people all over Cebu and even out of the country come to Sibonga not just to see the church with Moorish tones in its facade, but also to pray for healing of different ailments.

Some were cured of illness, passed the licensure examinations, received guidance, achieved spiritual enlightenment, and so on and so forth.

The church of Simala symbolizes that we Sibonganons not only respect but truly give importance to our religious icons such as Mama Mary. The Holy Sculpture of Mama Mary is the main icon that is displayed in Simala and that is what brings many people in and out of Sibonga to Simala.

Simala is a place for devotion and silent prayers. Simala will remain to be the symbol of Sibonganons’ true religious fervor.

THE FORGOTTEN BEAUTY:
NUESTRA SENORA DEL PILAR DE ZARAGOZA

Rivaling Rome’s Sistine Chapel, Nuestra Senora Del Pilar De Zaragoza Church boasts of a gothic interior that truly shows Sibonganon’s hard work and devotion to Catholicism that is present on the ceilings of the church.

Built last 1881, this beautiful gothic church, which has been gradually forgotten by the new age, is a relic of true Sibonganon culture.

The whole church gives an ambiance that makes a passerby, tourist, or a Sibonganon, reflect on everything in life.

The church is a product of the Sibonganons’ hardwork, from diving to the bottom of the ocean to gather the corrals, cut them into blocks, and piling them one on top of the other using apog (lime) and egg white paste. It might have taken the workers years to complete the structure. Labor alone, without faith, could not have prodded them to finish this intricate architecture wonder.

Due for reconstruction, the church has been asking for donations from Sibonganons and tourists in order to rehabilitate the church so that both its interior and exterior will be renovated to its original splendor.

The culture and tradition of Sibonganons regarding religion is present in this Church. It symbolizes not only our Catholic faith, but our realization that there is hope in the future, regardless of the sins and miostakes that we commit. God is good and forgiving.

The frescoes on the high ceiling are the main attraction of the church. The painter reveals to us the true nature of Sibonganons regarding Catholic faith. We are a religious people and thus, we are people that truly respect God above all things.

THE PATH OF A SIBONGANON

The town of Sibonga, as for me, is a place where Filipinos with exceptional Catholic devotion is born. Sibonganons are capable of showing the world that Catholic faith is needed to be able to realize our faults and mistakes. The four things I have pointed out – the Bonga Festival, Pastores de Sibonga, the churches in Simala, and Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Zaragoza – are simple things that a Sibonganon can be proud of. Our faith to God is carried through all that we do so that when we grow up and have children and grandchildren; we are able to pass this pride that we carry that is about the place that we grew from.

“Sibonga is my town of which I am proud of,” these are words that I will never be afraid to say in my entire life. Sibonga for me is my town and my pride, forever.



MABUHAY ANG SIBONGA!!!


Resources:

http://www.maxtein.com/travel/simala.html
http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/nuestra-senora-del-pilar-de-zaragoza-sibonga-cebu
http://www.cebufestivals.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmcbKw4DWsk&feature=related
http://www.cebudaily.com/images/23-sibonga-c.jpg
http://mycebuphotoblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/northern-cebus-simala/

General Information

Name: Tiglao, Jose Angelo C.
Home Address: Apt. 4 Essons Manor, Urgello St., Cebu City, Philippines
School: Southwestern University, Aznar Road, Urgello St., Cebu City
Year: 4th Year
Coach: Dr. Catalino Abos, Ed.D.
Contact Number: 09081385310
URL of Blog: http://hunter522.blogspot.com/2010/08/sibongas-pride-sibonganons-faith-to-god.html

SONA 2009: To watch or not to watch?

The State of the Nation Address or more commonly known as SONA is drawing nearer for her excellency, President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo. But before we discuss if people should watch or should not to watch her SONA, I shall take you back memory lane about what truly is a SONA.

The SONA or in Filipino the Talumpati sa Kalagayan ng Bansa is a speech given by the country's presidents in order to say, inform, assess, and congratulate, anything that happened during his/her term. The SONA is also a chance for the opposition to protest and rally against the reign of the president and wish for her resignation. The first ever SONA was made by President Manuel Quezon on June 16, 1936. But let me ask you readers this. Why did no one protest against the SONA's of our former presidents and why protest so much against our current president?

Her excellency has made a total of 3 SONA's; one on 2001, one on 2005, and her last as she says this July 27, 2009. If we recall again, during her first SONa millions of people listened and believed. The second one was scary due to many controversies concerning her. And now comes her final SONA. The SONA in which she wishes to assess herself on how she tried to become a great president despite all of the controversies and insult from the mass public.
Now let's go back to the main topic. Shoud we watch the SONA or not? I believe we should. If you are thinking I am biased and you're saying that I'm a Pro-GMA, I am saying to all of you that I am not. I just believe that it is wiser to watch her excellency for one last time. To show her our respect since she as well is human. If you are going to watch, watch the SONA with your heart and your mind, not only with one of those. Watch and listen to her with both in order to know if she is telling the truth or not. And those to does not wish to watch her, do not overflow your emotions. Believe in what your heart and mind belives in. Not only one of the two. The SONA of GMA is something a choice if we would wish to learn or not. Her SONA is her last and we should try to watch it.

Now I hope that I was capable of persuading you all to watch her SONA may you be Pro- or Anti-, as long as you watch to show respect. You know I've heard people say why GMA is speaking English during her speeches and they can't understand it. But I am telling you now this and this is a fact and a way to end this long writing of mine, try to dwell with this; "When you see a foreigner crying and he is speaking, you would comfort her because you know that languages cannot bar the soul of the golden heart"

Beauty is truth, truth beauty! - John Keats