The invaders said, “What a beautiful archipelago this is, let’s conquer it.” But because they knew that the inhabitants would reject them, they would act benevolently, lovingly, but in the end, their abusive nature would come out. They might not abuse, but it might be too late, so the best thing to do for natives is: Not only protect the territory, but also increase their brain capacity.
To relegate into oblivion anything to do with cultural upsets and colonial abuses to Filipinos, foreign settlers needed to educate as well as miseducate them.
The most powerful weapon is true education, according to Nelson Mandela (1918–2013). This philosophy runs to the same depth as that of Mariano Fortunato Jhocson (1877–1928) who opted to provide education, not artillery, and established what is now known as the National University in Manila (originally Colegio Filipino) in 1900.
But is there genuine Filipino education? Renato Constantino marked this in his The Miseducation of the Filipino in 1970: “Thus, from its inception, the educational system of the Philippines was a means of pacifying a people who were defending their newly-won freedom from an invader who had posed as an ally. The education of the Filipino under American sovereignty was an instrument of colonial policy.”
My input: Education is a ride, but with travel time elapsing. A doctorate might convert an educator into an expert, but if they stop learning and unlearning, the new generation in their midst, under the same bus or jeepney, might lose the chance to understand why they’re traveling in the first place. They might breathe in the rural plaza’s fresh air, so why leave? They might ask. Education need not be expensive so they might think that they’d better educate themselves. under the tree. No time wasted. No pollution. May pera pa naman. Life may remain uncomplicated just like that. What else? Walang trapik.
We would later know that nightmarish traffic has been set against both the urban and rural backdrop.
In the recent EDCOM-reported concerns over diploma mills for teachers intending to finish graduate school for their promotion and reranking, colleagues from various learning institutions called out higher education officials, asking for an immediate halt to the operation of these mills.
Sadly, the entire education sector is not capable of solving the problem. Other sectors may help, but they are not needed. They are not heard either. For instance, bus and jeepney conductors know a lot, and if we sum it up, the woes of students, teachers, etc., getting stuck in traffic can be addressed. Many doctorate degree holders who are “with air” (mahangin) will never appreciate konduktor. They won’t care to listen. Maiingayan pa nga. So take the air out of this kind of doctor, i.e., ignore them like they ignore small members of society, and they will lose their platform. Yes, education will be derailed, but we say yes also to removing educators’ bad habits and wrong shortcuts. They need to relearn the beauty of studying hard, sweating it all out , toward the betterment of schoolchildren and society in general.
That personal approach is the first thing. Our approach to the system is second.
Counting some sensitivity from our audience (conductors and drivers need to provide food and proper education to their children, too), the way we explain a policy to experts differs from how we would do it to the public. Our deep understanding to the plight of common carriers and other road workers, plus our suitable application of our professions, will jumpstart reforms in the education system. Never mind our political leaders in the Senate, House of Reps, DPWH, and that DepEd under the authority of Mary Grace Piattos and other naming of names by the OVP, who slug with each other for absolute corruption. These personalities will no longer be occupants of public office if we know, understand, and do not forget our learning and practice that public office is a public trust.
When politicians ask for our trust using God’s word, but they are not trustworthy because of the growing track record of two, three, or more serious allegations of corrupt practices, they, too will be ashamed. They will no longer be allowed to be voted upon. Perpetual disqualification from any public office suits them, and that operation is within the bounds of the law. We need to learn or relearn that.
We should not allow ineffective leaders to gaslight us, but we put them in the light of education so that they will be enlightened and truly understand that all their power emanates from us.
International perspectives
A Philippine International Studies Organization (PHISO) conference happens on November 7 and 8 at Dos Casa De Amena, Caloocan City, Metro Manila. It marks PHISO’s 10th anniversary with the theme “The international, global, and worlding textbook,” focusing on essays exploring Global South perspectives in International Studies, International Relations, and Global Affairs.
Dr. Alan Chong, a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Multilateralism Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore, and Dr. Frances “Frankie” Cruz, a former president of PHISO, are the keynote speakers of the conference, roundtable discussions of which are a prelude to the publication of PHISO’s 12-section textbook. See https://phiso.org/publications/books/ for other books.
