Archive for the ‘tech voc’ Category
Sangal di Kultura
The Arm of the LORD is not too short to save
God willing, the voters make a decision this Monday towards a new administration in the national level and in the local government units. This campaign period, I have decided to be on the observing panel of the election preparations. For more than 26 year our family has been in the political exercise because of my dad’s 15 years as a councilor later on my short stint in city hall. But personally, I started earlier as we were the first to volunteer in NAMFREL when it was organized.
This coming election is expected to be bloody and highly controversial. “They cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts…” We are faced with a possible dictator, the last one we had was proclaimed with no warning at all, this one is uttered openly and boasting that “papatayin ko sila. etc etc” this is an election where people are cheering for a president who openly abuse women’s, disregard rule of law and practice open execution, COA ruling on ghost employees, rule Davao with the NPAs and more. Several pastors I heard say “God used the evil to right wrongs of Israel” I agree because people have become disobedient and prostitutes of other gods, that God allowed it.” O people of God, we have called judgment upon our disobedient people. Have not humbled ourselves and confess our unfaithfulness and seek God’s mercy.
But some people I talked to say that it’s a protest vote, but when I followed up and say “so ayaw mo daang matuwid, how about Aroyo was it a better administration” its is revealing that they would say “a hindi, mas maganda pa daang matuwid” so what are they protesting about. I am sometimes baffled with the response. And most of the young voters, have no history or experience of martial law, because they lived where peace was in the land. They do not realize that many died to keep that peace and democracy. But to some they prefer martial law then democracy. Oh peace, as elusive as love of a forsaken lover!
We have alternative candidates, so voters cannot say there is no choice. We have a choice and the decision is ours. Voters do not exactly know the candidates, so they rely on media, social media included to TV, radio and caucuses which is to enlighten or black propaganda. Voters do not really know these candidates and they are only influenced to make a vote. However, it goes it is a decision to be made.
“The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene, so his own arm worked. According to what they have done, so he will repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. “ (Isaiah 59:15-18) We are testing God and asking for judgment, we have arrogantly dismissed forgiveness for our wrongdoings, we have ceased to uphold democracy and we have stopped humility and now awaiting the consequences of our deeds. We enjoyed peace since 1987, that a short time but so history repeats itself.
But yet we can rise from this if the people will sober up and humble themselves for- the arm of the Lord is not too short to save. (Isaiah 59:1)
(Philian May 7, 2016)
Sangal
Sangal Di Kultura
People without a past… without a soul
Seretse Kamma said a nation without a past is a lost nation, a people without a past is a people without a soul. Unfortunately, the Filipino youth of today are losing a sense of history of what made this country what it is today. Young adults of today have no idea of what Martial Law was during the time of the Marcos and Edsa non- violent revolution that put Cory Aquino into the Presidency. This part of the Philippine history was experienced by their parents and grandparents, yet it is too distant for them to fathom. They are like a generation with no clear identity and a description of what they are as a people – Igorot, Cordilleran, Filipino.
The educational system has changed and tried to integrate culture by introducing the mother tongue in the primary school curriculum. Unfortunately, still the education department seemingly is ignorant of its people like calling the Igorots as Aetas in its handbooks, describing the bodong as a means of revenge and not a peace pact. The Igorots are now using media of all medium trying to correct printed literature that is being used in the whole archipelago, but will the writers, editors and the education department apologize and restitute- big doubt, but at the same time give them a benefit of proving otherwise. It is a sense of identity that one needs to dig deep into one’s history and traditions.
This weekend, I just finished giving a walk-through of the history of BSBT during the Employees Development Program at San Fernando. It is worth mentioning that BSBT has left footprints into the life of past students, past employees and the community. When technical and vocational institutions were unpopular and seem to be an obscure, BSBT pioneered practical and relevant courses meeting needs of industry. These later became popular and been made into TESDA competencies. The BSBT courses included training of room boys and chambermaids which we now call Housekeeping NC II. Courses like “ practical bookkeeping for non- accountants” in 1972 which is now Bookkeeping NC III of TESDA. This historical past has carved the heart of BSBTs existence which has made it a school with its degree courses in BSBA, BTTE and BSHRM and now the Senior High School of the Technical Vocational Livelihood Strand. It is the legacy that the founder, Galo D. Weygan left a sense of history that shapes its identity and guide BSBT’s future.
Going back to our present young generation, questions are raised like “what is their sense of history that will guide them as they participate in the May 2016 election?” The older generation? it is understandable as they have short memories but what about our youth, what will guide them in their choices? Did their parents and other members of the older generation prepare this generation enough for them to be able to make a choice based on a history which will bring a bright future for the country. Maybe, we need lots of soul searching even past the Holy Week.
Philouise's Weblog 