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You don’t need statistics to show you that the quality of our
current educational system, especially in the public schools is
disappointing. As a degree and license holder in Education, I have
found this rather degrading. For I once believed that I can change
the world and inspire minds; maybe save a soul or two.
Back when I was in college, with rose-colored
glasses on, I felt like I’d soon catapult to success, take my
family out of the slums, and write my story to inspire the
world—all before I turn 30. Nine years away, I’m still nowhere
close to fulfilling my complicated dreams! My mom says I’m
impatient and unappreciative, but then I remind her that unlike rich
kids, my situation doesn’t give a lot of options; while others
revel in clubs, outings or coffee, my choice of a high would be
earning extra. I always ask: if those seeds of dreams were not meant
to grow, why were they planted in me? I’ve always felt out of
place. Like an old soul in an underdeveloped culture; a deep-sea
fish in a shallow, third-world gutter.
I took my siblings out for a day of fun before
another stressful school year starts. We watched Kung Fu Panda, and
instead of being inspired, I got depressed. Our friend told us that
the character he could relate to the most was Monkey, for like him,
he was the silent type. My sister said that she was more like Viper,
who wasn’t the leader but neither was she in the bottom ranks. I
thought I was like the panda, Po, who would turn to food whenever he
got upset; I also expected to see myself in the feisty Tigress, but
then I realized that I was more of the villain—the snow leopard,
Tai Lung—who was made to believe that he would one day become the
greatest. And he almost got there; but unlike Panda, he was not the
kind, unassuming type. I’m very much like him—aggressive,
ruthless and full of darkness springing from frustrations and
shattered dreams. But who can blame Tai Lung, or me, for that
matter? When I have seen so much, have become great in something,
yet can never hold the dragon scroll—or be given what I know I
deserve.
We shopped for school supplies; my siblings
seemed so excited about school. But I wondered: Was school ever
useful to me? After siphoning your money, what does it equip you
for? Don’t get me wrong; I’m grateful for the scholarship La
Salle endowed me and the diploma I brandish. However, many of who
are considered the most intelligent and successful men in history
are notorious for being “class loafers,” such as Bill Gates and
Albert Einstein. Do theories from error-ridden textbooks prepare you
for the real battle out there? Going back to the movie, the Furious
Five Warriors had been trained all their lives, but greatness
wasn’t their destiny; it was for a fat, unskilled Panda armed only
with a ridiculous passion for Kung Fu.
Perhaps the secret to greatness is passion.
Holding on to the end of the rope tightly, and gathering strength to
climb up again. School taught me religion but not faith; arithmetic,
not logic; grooming, but not the power of beauty. I’m not saying
that you shouldn’t go to school; a learned mind is essential for
success. Nevertheless, one must now understand that education is not
only within the four corners of the classroom. It goes beyond that.
And in treading alone will we find the greatest teacher.
Accomplishment and income make me happy, and
perhaps the only things that do. A lot of people may think that
I’m a wretched soul right now but do you think I care? To hell
with boyfriends who can’t pamper you, or friends who’d vanish
along with the limelight. You’ll never understand me until you get
into my shoes. And the shoes I’ve been born with are designed in a
way that confuses everyone, even my Creator.
Speaking of shoes, why not start the school year
right by joining Otto Shoes’ “Proud Pinoy Shoe Design
Contest,” which aims to tap Filipino talent? It’s the perfect
chance for high school and college students and nonprofessional shoe
designers to share their vision for local footwear and see their own
masterpieces being sold on Otto’s shelves. Loads of great prizes
await the winners in these three categories. Submit entries by June
30, 2008. For more details, visit any participating Otto store.
Let’s join and grab this chance to save a sole or two!
marylaine_viernes@manilatimes.net
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