Padre Millon's Class... Today

There is a chapter in El Filibusterismo, entitled, “Ang Klase ng Pisika” The protagonist is the student Placido Penitente (as his name implies, he’s good-natured and apologetic) and their physics teacher was Padre Millon, who teaches physics like philosophy. In this particular chapter, Rizal is confronting the manner the Spaniards are educating the Filipinos. Aside from Padre Millon’s “teaching technique,” the laboratory and apparatus are for display only, even the blackboard is not used. How can someone properly learn physics without using any scientific instrument at all?

And for nearly two centuries after Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere, some, if not all, teachers are still teaching the Padre Millon way. The education system still has many problems, and the government didn’t care much about the importance of education. What a way to pay tribute to Jose Rizal!

There’s still a huge need for modern classrooms, textbooks if not enough for students are full of errors. And it’s not all about the physical part of it. Students need competent and dedicated teachers. The curriculum should always be up to date and should satisfy the student’s needs. Your author is a victim himself of incompetent and indifferent teachers. It is as if they just teach for salary. I remember one professor who teaches programming with wrong syntax. The students in our college are like guinea pigs ready for some laboratory testing because of yearly change in curriculum. I believe the same thing happens in other colleges and universities.

Are our classrooms ready for natural calamities? In case the classrooms are used as evacuation centers, how can the school administration ensure that there will be no class interruptions? How about textbooks, is the information accurate and appropriate? Are there enough books for every student?

Are masterals and doctorals enough to evaluate the teachers’ or professors’ competency? How can we determine their dedication in teaching? Can the teacher adapt to the student he/she has? Is the curriculum appropriate for the times?

On the other hand, we shouldn’t forget the teachers, some government officials and the private sector as well that does their part to uplift the situation of our education. TV programs had shown stories of teachers who crossed rivers and walk kilometers of rough roads just to go to school and still didn’t have enough salary for their families. We have our fair share of corrupt government officials but there are some who perform their duty well. And the private sector that donates textbooks, school supplies, and even classrooms, we should thank them even if some of them do this just for publicity.


...


Pag wala akong magawa eto ang nangyayari... hahahahah!

I'm in a Mood for Jazz

A week after I attended the Jazz Workshop with the Logic Band in Ateneo, I still have hangover on it.

The best lesson I learned during the workshop is to consider the type of audience when you play your adlibs. You have to make your adlib simpler and not too much technical when you have non jazz listeners, but if you have musicians as audience, it's good to have some technicality.

And because of that, I also sort of studying these musical modes... The dorian, phrygmian, ionian (by the way, it's just the Major scale... I was dumbfounded when I found it out...). Aside from studying these, I'm also in the process of reviewing notereading (since i don't read notes that much) and practice piano more often.

I also finished two songs, the Bernice Co tribute "10", and the nationalistic "Isang Awit." I initiated composing two jazzy songs, "Jazz 1" and "Jazz 2" (because I can't find a suitable title for them at the meanwhile.)

14 February 2009

I think I have the most memorable Valentines of my life. Before this year's Valentines, my only memorable Valentine's day was way back in high school, where I was set up to a blind date to an acquaintance in another section.

I was not set up to a date, nor initiated it whatsoever. I just watched a volleyball game. What's so special about it? UST, my favorite volleyball team won the game, and it set a happy mood to the players after the game. I borrowed a digicam from a friend and had my composition notebook ready for autographs.

UST won against Adamson, 3 sets to 1. MVP Contender Aiza Maizo sizzled for 30 point and she drew ample support from Bernice Co, Rhea Dimaculangan, Maika Ortiz, and Judy Caballejo to put Adamson's Angela Benting's 33 points to naught.

After the game, I went outside the Arena, waiting for the girls to come out. Then there they came. First, it was Aiza Maizo. I already took a picture of her after the game. I just requested her to sign my notebook.

Denise Tan was next... and the people (including me) mobbed her... Definitely because she has the most supporters amongst the UST Women's Volleyball team. In fact, it is because of her why I took interest in volleyball again. I only took a picture of hers since I was too shaky and nervous... And because of that, I didn't notice that her chinita eyes were closed in the picture. She didn't play though, but still very popular...

Then Rhea Dimaculangan came. She's not telegenic, but she's a lot more beautiful in person. And she's a great setter, great enough to snatch Denise Tan's minutes. And I discovered that she's pasmado... My notebook and sign pen were wet, hell I care!

And finally, Bernice Co. She's so beautiful, with or without makeup. And I made sure that I get a photograph with her signature nail polish... I forgot to tell you that she's beautiful. And she signed my notebook... YAY!

Right after I got her signature, I immediately went to Santolan to go home. I wanted to ride a bus but there's none! After a few moments, Bernice with her friends were on the same side of the road with me. Finally a bus came but it's already full. I took the Robinson jeepney, and hey, Bernice's group also rode the same jeepney. I was just too timid and shy... There was a rose vendor but I didn't took the chance...

But anyway, it's a happy day. Well, I still rank my high school blind date as my most memorable Valentine's day, but this year is a good second :D