Education is important, period

Where have I been hiding all these weeks? It’s back to school for my nephew, and like any other “parent,” I was busy fixing his things and completing school requirements. It’s been a really hectic week for us. And I’m dead tired.

Doing this for 8 years, I consider myself a veteran when it comes to back to school chores. I can do shopping without a list and even with eyes closed and I’d know which school supplies he would need for the next 10 months. I know what part of department stores are crowded so we do shopping a lot earlier than the others. For one, he doesn’t like to wait and I don’t like to queue. That part of the routine is solved.

What I dread most is when the teachers give out their own set of requirements like what color of the cover of the notebooks would be, buy this, buy that. So, for the first week, I go back and forth to National Bookstore. The next thing I’m not really looking forward to is putting plastic covers on the books. My nephew studies in a public school. It’s not so much about the tediousness of the work but dismay and pity on some of the pupils.

Lucky for my nephew who is in Grade 6 now, he has only 1 tattered book that I needed to revive this weekend. In the past, I would have to really bring back to life 3 to 4 books. I would painstakingly put cardboard paper on the inside cover so it can be sturdy for at least 3 to 4 more uses. I’ll put thick plastic tape on the edges to harden it, then I’ll have the nicest plastic cover so the book would look decent for use.

Which brings me to the 3-part series published by the Inquirer last week written by Fernando del Mundo. Last year, the paper also did another special report on the decline of the Philippine education. It’s a perennial problem that hasn’t been solved.

My heart goes out to the students and to this country. Okay, the government boasts that education shares the largest part of the budget at 13 percent. The report said, in some countries the budget is pegged at 20 percent or more. It’s a pity that the public schools have to (almost beg) to businesses and corporations for computers and additional books, and even classrooms.

Just a curious thought. Senators receive 200 million pesos a year for their “Countrywide Development Fund” otherwise known as pork barrel. Congressmen also receive theirs for a couple of millions of pesos. They say these are intended for important projects in their districts and communities. Like waiting sheds and basketball courts?

It may be easy for me to say this because I’m not in the position and I don’t know the ins and outs of politics and government. But for an ordinary person like me, I’ll look at it in simple math. 200 million for one senator with a term of 6 years. That’s 1.2 billion pesos multiply to 24 senators and we’ll get 28.8 billion pesos.

I wonder how many classrooms would be built by that amount; or how many schools and students in poor provinces could benefit if the money would be used to subsidize their other expenses like transportation and food; maybe they won’t have to share books; maybe students in remote areas won’t have to walk 3 kilometers a day (one way) if there would be school buses to bring them to and fro school; maybe there won’t be children who would give up school just to help their parents do farm work; maybe the percentage of graduates would increase each year; maybe if there would be more kids educated we could reduce poverty.

28.8 billion pesos for 24 senators alone.

Because it’s free, public school education doesn’t have to be cheap too. Every year, it’s the same scene. Lack of decent classrooms, no textbooks, etc. It’s a sad sight.

I want my taxes to benefit these children. I am willing to pay more if it will go to education; that I will be assured that the small amount I pay will produce one educated Filipino, I won’t really mind another few thousand pesos off my salary.

I hope the government with the aid of the private sector will really focus on education as an important step toward progress, that is if they are serious about it. I don’t have to enumerate what having a good education could do for people and its country. We know it, we just ignore it.

Education is important, period.

Star Wars anniv

I didn’t know that T and I’s anniv falls on the same date that Star Wars was first shown in theaters. What’s the significance? T is a huge, and I mean huge, Star Wars fan.   As Star Wars celebrates its 30^th year, BBC online came up with a feature on “30 pieces of trivia about Star Wars.”The list includes the most trivial like how creator/director George Lucas always ended up dismayed when the cleaning service tidied the set when he wants it to look worn and scuff, to the juicy like how Lucas was able to negotiate having total control and 40% of merchandising sales.Well, I think most Star Wars fans already know of this but it still fascinates me reading these stuff. I didn’t know that the shape of the

What’s on TV?

I’m not sure if it’s the weather or my weariness inside manifested outside. I’ve been sneezing and coughing for a week now. I’ve taken all the meds I know; drank a gallon of calamansi juice; and if I could, I would’ve swallowed the vapor rub if it can make this colds go away.

Not only that, the pain in my back seems to have rested there for a week not wanting to go. And I’m like an old lady grimacing in pain and walking with a limp. Good thing I have fully adjusted with my braces, and sore gums are the least of my worries.

Since I cannot function that much in the house except to bathe the dogs because it’s really very hot here, I stay most of the time in front of the TV. In between commercials, I read pages of “The Wheel of Time Series Book 7: Crown of Swords.”

With the advent of cable TV, it’s quite ironic that I don’t get to see really good shows as when we only have UHF channels. This came to mind when T asked me what have I been watching here. I told him, “Uhm, news?” Yeah, boring answer. So, I tried to find out why I have not been watching as often as before considering that I used to have a weekend habit.

It’s the commercials I guess. I am very impatient with too MANY commercials, even on cable TV. I cannot even watch real good anime on Animax because it’s loaded with commercials. I feel robbed of my precious time just watching those commercials. I’m glad this Korean channel doesn’t go the way Philippine TV goes. I’ve been watching this soap every weekend for months now titled “A Happy Woman.” It’s the usual love triangle story evident in most Korean plots but it’s quite engaging. And the good thing is, there are no commercials. I watch the whole show for an hour with no interruption.

Why not watch movies if I don’t want commercials. I find two hours sitting just watching really tiring and boring. I do watch once in a while if I’m able to chance upon movies that I really like.

I could buy DVDs of the popular series and my friend Tessa recommends “Heroes” which I will try to watch one of these days. I’m also looking at watching “Prison Break,” and if I don’t get bored, might collect all seasons of “24.” I’m also interested with “My Name is Earl.” I saw one episode and I think it’s really good.

Another thing that prevents me from watching TV is when my mother and my nephew learned how to hostage the remote control. So, either I play “Zuma” in my computer or read a book.

Also, there are no exciting local TV shows now. The sitcoms are no longer witty, yes sometimes nakakatawa but most of them are slapstick comedy. The soap operas are very repetitive. News programs are bombarded with commercials too! Imagine, showbiz has completely overshadowed business and sports news. Unlike before when the news format include not only stories of national interest, crime, then followed by business, then sports, then the last one is showbiz news. I like showbiz news. But the thing is sometimes they overdo it. They would cover the pregnancy and delivery of one star from “cover to cover” as if it is all that matters in the world. Or they would either feature the word war of certain personalities. It’s actually very frustrating sometimes to think that TV is a powerful medium.

When there is nothing to watch at all, there’s always Cartoon Network.

I don’t feel deprived or being left in the dark if I could not relate to my friends when they talk about what movies or shows they watch. I don’t feel I have an obligation to please them by watching what they watch so as to be able to connect. I’m okay with my present set-up. I watch only when I want to watch.

New Lokomotiv song

Lokomotiv recently announced that their new song is out…on Myspace Here’s their announcement on Friendster:

Check out the demo for LOKOMOTIV’s new song,
“Time Again”. The band has begun production for it’s
second album in Lo-Fi Studios.

You can also purchase songs from our MySpace
page as well.

myspace. com/lokomotiv

“Supposed” vacation leave

There are so many things I wanted to write the past weekend. But with unbearable back pain (scolio) that kept me in bed for most of my supposed vacation leave, a sore mouth now that I’m a metal mouth, and with colds that wouldn’t go away, writing is not at all possible.

I wanted to write about the election which is touted as “relatively peaceful” with about 3 people dead in Masbate province only, one teacher died in a fire in Batangas, and a shootout in Marawi City (Yes, that’s our police’s definition of peaceful.) but it’s all over the news anyway so why still write about it?

I wanted to write about the ordeal of being a metal mouth (considering my age). I keep assuring myself that it’s not just about vanity but health reasons too. But what really pushed me into giving in to my dentist’s prodding which took over 3 years is simple: I don’t want to wear front teeth dentures when I get old. If I still have a good 40 or more years to live, I want to have healthy teeth at least half of that.

I wanted to write about the life of someone with scolio. The pain is unbearable. I wanted to take 50,000 mg of pain reliever so I could at least do some household chores. I could not even move because it hurt so much. I remembered the simple stretching I learned during my therapy so I did some of that with the help of my nephew and I felt some relief yesterday.

So many things happened and I wanted to write about them but it’s just not possible

Spidey 3: the James Franco show

 Before I watched Spiderman 3 last week, I heard snippets of negative reviews from friends. But I didn’t want to be swayed so I shied away from reviews in print. I wanted to watch with a clear mind.

Here’s what I think of the movie.

Special effects: No doubt that the special effects in this movie is “wicked cool” to borrow one kid’s dialogue in Spiderman 3. I am amazed by the authenticity of Sandman effects. It’s as if it’s real. Venom’s great also although I noticed a little fakeness in one scene when he is Eddie and Venom at once. The stunts are awesome. But New Goblin’s is the IT thing for me there. That headgear is wicked cool and the idea of a wakeboard? Awesome!
But this I have to say, his stunts overshadowed those of Spidey’s. His are cooler and more thought of. Maybe because with Spiderman, his moves would be limited because he is, well, a spider after all. While with New Goblin, they can try out many new things with no restrictions whatsoever and do some experiments.

Plot: Uhm, I don’t mean to be too pa-intellectual but it’s too thin even for a 12-year-old. My nephew said when we left the theater: What’s the real score on his uncle’s case? Ang gulo naman. The reasons for revenge of the villains is too mababaw although my friend Leng said, that of Venom’s was what is really in the comic series. Still, the actors failed to bring out that much conviction. And why, it’s always about MJ only? Can’t there be a more pressing issue like world domination that needed Spiderman’s heroics? They could have at least capitalized on such issues like global warming, terrorism, greed, etc. MJ is MJ alright. Love is love. Para lang they underestimated Spidey’s capabilities with such “an issue” for a climax. (Okay, if I were MJ in real life of course I want to be saved too.)

And please….! Why the dance? Peter looked stupid. Utterly stupid. Sam Raimi, what have you done?

The actors: I like Kirsten Dunst because whatever the others say about her she’s a good actress. Others may not like her to play MJ but personally I feel she did justice to the role since Spidey 1. Here, I could feel her emotions and she really brought out the drama queen in me in several scenes.

Tobey Maguire. Well, he’s good in drama but something is lacking here I just don’t know what. Or why he didn’t push himself into that acting that he’s known for. Because the script didn’t require him to act much?

James Franco. As my title says, it’s the James Franco show. He dominated the screen with solid acting from that kind friend to villainous nemesis. He could switch from one character to another without a sweat. And, honestly, he stole the show with his entry to save Spiderman. Even I couldn’t stop clapping and really got excited. He’s sooooo gooood. I was actually praying that there should be a fourth installment just to explore his character but I only got disappointed when he died in the end. Sucks.

Okay, generally I like watching the movie and I don’t mind watching it over and over again like the previous ones. I understand that it’s not an art film and it wants to target people from all walks of life. The love angle is meant to draw the women and the stunts and effects to draw the men and the kids. And since I’m not that nitpicky (and know-it-all), I’d recommend it to everyone. What bothers me only is that one thing that my nephew pointed out: what’s the “real” score about the death of Peter’s uncle?

For enjoyment, watch it. (I’ll watch it just for James Franco

Mall invasion

I could not imagine how malls have changed the lifestyle of many Filipinos. Malls are the destination of choice when people say “Tara, labas tayo.” And I didn’t realize that this habit has totally shaped the way people think of having a good time until yesterday when we went to SM North Edsa—it is said that it’s the first mall in the Philippines.

As soon as we entered the mall, I knew the air-conditioning would not be enough because of the throng that keeps coming in. Even my nephew was appalled–and deeply disappointed—by the huge number of “mall-goers.” Hindi mahulugang karayom sa dami ng tao. And there’s not even a sale.

I’ve been to several malls in Metro Manila. Even if sometimes I resent it because of the trees that have to be cut down, I knew that “urbanization” is unavoidable. But what puzzles me is the way SM draws people. I mean, there’s an SM mall in almost every nook and cranny of Metro Manila and many parts of Luzon. I think their aim is to have a mall in every town? In Manila alone, notice the very short distance of the malls from each other: Harrison, City Hall, Quiapo, and San Lazaro. And in Pasay, there’s the much-celebrated Mall of Asia.

Puzzles me, why? Wherever SM mall I go, there are MANY people. I don’t know where these people come from but it just appalls me that do we have that many people now? And wherever there’s an SM mall, there’s traffic. Believe me.

Ayala Center in Makati is also increasing its number of malls albeit not as aggressive as SM. There is Greenbelt 4 which now houses Ayala Museum. Soon to rise is Greenbelt 5 across Hotel Intercontinental Manila. Greenbelts 1, 2, 3 have become the gimmick location for most people. It’s alive at night. The shops are of high-end brands. And if you’re not into signature items, you’ll only go there to eat because they have a wide range of choices of really good restaurants. They are also quite expensive but it’s just a matter of budgeting and choosing the right combination of food that won’t make your wallet bleed.

What I like about Greenbelt as compared to SM malls are the trees. The Ayala malls are designed not box-like like SM. The chapel in Greenbelt is still there and around it is where those Greenbelt structures are built. It’s practically cooler there compared to the Mall of Asia.

The Fort is sloooooowly developing itself in becoming another Makati. There’s Market! Market! and Serendra just recently opened. The problem with Serendra is again, no trees. Add to that, the structures are mid-rise so you cannot expect that much shade unless you go inside the shops. Yes, it looks great but it’s burning like hell when you try to walk in the middle of the afternoon.

My friend Tessa likes to shop in Rockwell near Guadalupe, Makati, because there are very few people going there. It’s more relaxing and more time to laze around. Medyo mas tahimik. The Rockwell area was developed mostly for corporate offices. There’s Nestle, Lufthansa, Ateneo Professional Schools, etc. And, there are trees.

I wonder why malls are such a big hit. They carry the same brands, although Ayala Center and Rockwell carries the most number of imported and high-end brands, and SM still gears itself to the masa crowd, and they also have the same food chains and food courts.

I heard that there will be an SM in Tagaytay soon. My dear Tagaytay… it’s completely different now. I can still remember growing up there with coconut trees, pineapple, and other fruit-bearing trees along the highway.

Do I resent the malls? Yes and no.

Yes, because I miss the trees, the plants, and animals are losing their “own” habitat. That is also one reason why some animals go extinct. And for the love of money, these businessmen don’t really care, maybe until humans go extinct too.

No, because it creates jobs for the locals and it decongests the malls in Metro Manila.

I hope people can find a balance between development and preservation. Para everybody happy.