Sunkissed Stories of the Sweet Princess: February 2013

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Si Baste at ang Hatak Group

I am dedicating this blog entry to all those who are misunderstood, misjudged and apparently called 'worthless'.

I instantly became acquainted with Baste when I first stepped in our school canteen. He was a typical student, wearing an off-white polo shirt, overused pants and what seemed to me a 'bedroom' slippers. He was one of the few who courageously asked me if I am the new Guidance Counselor while I was taking my short break at the canteen. I answered him through a simple gesture of my eyebrows. No words were uttered. That was our first encounter.

What he doesn't know was that I knew him. I knew what he has been doing, what cases have been filed against him and apparently other records which seemed to be unsatisfactory. I had this impression that he will be one of the difficult students that I will handle. However, I was not prepared for the other circumstances that will soon happen.

January 18, 2013, Friday. It was my first activity - the Seniors' Recollection. I invited my closest friends to facilitate the activity. It was risky on my part since I was still trying to adjust to the environment and at the same time, of accepting the reality that this is a 'one-man team', not to mention the scarcity of budget. It was a total turnaround from what I've been oriented at Ateneo.

The recollection started at 8:00am. I was nervous. I was hesitant because I had no idea how the students will respond to that kind of activity. I was restless because earlier that week, I had started my exit interview with the seniors and I was already able to pin point the special students. Yes, I call them special or my favorites so as to create a more relaxed interaction. I kept visiting the three sections just to see how the students are behaving and how the facilitators are. I was more worried on the impression that the students might leave on our invited facilitators. Good thing, Ms. D was helping me all throughout the session.

What surprised me was when it was about time to say their confession, the special students, my favorites were the first in line. Their willingness to avail the sacrament was really overwhelming. Much more when I saw them line up during the communion. It was the time when I can't help but praise God, praise Jesus, that He was able to work through the hearts of these students, through the facilitators. I was happy. I was extremely happy for the students.

The following monday, a teary-eyed parent barged into my office while I was having my exit interview. She was in a hurry. She immediately sat down on the visitor's chair and started talking to me. She didn't tell me who she was but halfway through our conversation, I came to realize that she was Baste's mom. She was asking for my help because Baste got into trouble and was being summoned by the barangay officials. She said that she needs me to talk to Lando, a fourth year student in a different section, to make sure that he won't take his revenge on Baste. She was explaining that Lando's relatives warned her that they will make sure that Baste will pay for what he has done to Lando. I was alarmed, not because of the threat but by this innate feeling that I cannot fail Baste's mom. She needs my help and I must do something.

It was also through our short conversation that I came to know Baste, as a son. Baste's mom shared that her husband died two years ago and that their savings got depleted because her husband has to undergo a series of dialysis. She said that they used to enjoy a comfortable life but everything changed in an instant. Now, she's the only one working for her three kids. She is earning through her manicure and pedicure service and she's maximizing every business opportunity that comes her way. I asked her about her income and without hesitation, she answered me that her average earning is p100 per day and whenever she's lucky, she'd earn p400. I can hardly imagine how she is able to feed four mouths and still send two of her kids to high school with that kind of income. My heart broke when I heard her story.

Baste's mom lightened up when she started telling me about her son. She enthusiastically shared that Baste is a good son, that Baste helps her to earn additional income for their family. She even cited that there was this one time when Baste helped his uncle paint his house and got p200 payment for labor. Baste gave the p100 to his mom and kept the other p100. She added that Baste helps her with the household chores and rarely leaves home during weekends. She admitted that Baste is really fond of his friends and she's aware of what his son is doing but she explained to me, with her pleading eyes, that he is a good person and has been reformed. She added that she decided to quit her regular job so as to monitor Baste's activities with his friends.

After hearing Baste's mom, I had to pat her at the back. I had to reassure her that everything will be okay, that I will do my very best to help her with her concern on Baste and Lando.

That afternoon, I issued a call slip for Baste and asked him his side of the story. He admitted that he punched Lando in the face because his patience just ticked off since he hasn't eaten anything that day and Lando was provoking him. I expressed my dismay and told him that his mom visited me in the office to make sure that he is okay. I saw how his eyes turned from rage to compassion. In that instant, I felt how Baste loved his mom.

A few weeks later, two students were again referred to my office because of a major offense. They were candidates for expulsion. However, I suggested to our Discipline Officer and the parents to give me time to talk to the students before they decide to endorse them to the principal for expulsion. They agreed and I immediately lobbied that they'd be given another chance and assured that I myself will monitor them and report their progress.

I asked the two students to regularly report in my office. Everyday, at 7:00am, 12:30pm and 4:00pm, they will report to the Guidance Office and will serve as student assistants. I signed them up for the Peer Facilitators/Counselors group without asking them. I felt that I need to let them be part of a group that will influence them positively.

It has been two weeks now and these two students have been diligently reporting to my office. They are also attending meetings of the peer group. What's really surprising is that they even recruited their friends to apply for the peer group. That's when I started calling them Hatak Group. When I asked them why they wanted to join the peer group, they unanimously answered that they wanted their image to change, that they wanted to help, that they wanted to become a better person.

As for Baste, I can say that he has changed. His aura has changed. Although he still projects that maangas image, I can sense a nicer and a more kind Baste. I've been hearing him say salamat more often and he hasn't been in office asking for permits so he can enter his class. He would still visit the office but the last time that he did, he was asking for the entrance application form of BISCAST because he intends to enroll in a vocational course on airconditioning.

However, I would still consider these students as work in progress. They still have to go through a lot for their total transformation but I am confident that they will get through it. I will be with them all the way, whatever path they choose, I will make sure that I will never leave their side.

I just hope that the story of Baste and the Hatak Group will serve as an inspiration to many. These kids, these students do not seem to be the kind of person that they are projecting. Give them time, that is all they need. Time for someone to listen to them, time to let them speak, time to let them defend themselves and time to let them grow. I know that there are a lot of Baste and Hatak Groups in every school. We are judging them because of their appearance, their mannerisms and their misbehavior But have we ever asked ourselves if we ever took time to talk and listen to them? Yes, they need our open hearts and unbiased ears because they have a lot of stories to tell. Their stories are rich and their dreams are just hidden there, we just need to let them speak. LISTEN. FEEL THEIR NEEDS. Because if we do, our students will never run out of goals, of dreams. Do you think students like Baste and the Hatak Group like what they are now? what they have become? I don't think so. But we will never understand them if we do not give them our time.

I also hope that whoever will be reading this might also be moved to take that step in order to change someone else's life. THINK. FEEL. ACT. There are a lot of household who would rarely have three meals a day yet there are a lot of us who are quite confused with what to do with their money. I would like to quote my favorite teacher's challenge to us, that if one day, we can already afford to send someone to school, then do so. Helping household by sending one or two of their kids to high school is a big thing. In public schools, you'd only pay less than P1,000 for one school year. See how far p1,000 can go? So please, I am encouraging you to do your part. It is our shared irresponsibility, please act now. It's never to late. You can still ignite the dreams of these students. Don't give up on them, please do your part.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Mga Santong Tao.

Taken last February 16, 2013.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Buhay Gobyerno.

I officially became part of the government when I started working way back in 2007. My participation was the usual remittance of 10-15% of my monthly salary which was forwarded to our government in different forms and in different agencies. It was the time when I came to know who BIR, SSS, Pag-ibig and Philhealth are. It was also in the same circumstance when I gradually accepted that they will STICK with me forever.

Since my starting salary was quite low compared to my batch mates who were working in Manila, I did not really complain on the monthly deductions. I did not really mind how much they were deducting as long as I have enough money to spend whenever my friends and I would dine out or have the usual get together. That was until I started to work in Ateneo.

I was blessed to have a faculty-ranked position when I applied in Ateneo in October 2008. It was a position under one of the busiest or should I say the busiest office in Ateneo. The salary was really beyond my needs, it even supported my ‘frequent wants'. However, that was also the same year when I started to become more aware of my hard-earned money.

I began to question, where does my money go? How come that they are deducting this much? I slowly began to imagine bundles of thousands coming from the monthly obligation of all workers, not to mention the taxes from big companies, multinational companies.

And it all stopped there.

Not until I became part of the work force of the government.

I was hired as Guidance Counselor of the Department of Education, Camarines Sur Division last November 21, 2012. I was assigned at Pamukid National High School, San Fernando, Camarines Sur instead of Pili National High School, my supposedly first work assignment. I have to wake-up at 5:30am everyday and be ready by 6:15am for my 30-40 minute travel. I have to admit that the daily transport is quite tedious on my part considering that my body is not used to long travels.

When I first learned about my appointment in DepEd, I immediately informed my relatives particularly my aunts who were also working in the government. They were both happy and apprehensive. Apprehensive because they know how the system in the government works: the 'usual procedure' and the existing 'protocol'. They basically gave me tips for survival.

Being me, I reported on my first day with excitement. I usually have this kind of disposition whenever there is something new in my routine. My first jeepney ride was quite a thrill, I didn't know where I should say 'para po', how much I should pay and worst, I don't know where Pamukid is in San Fernando. Good thing jeepneys have 'konduktor', they are for me a 'mobile tour guide'.

Finding Pamukid National High School is not that hard, you can easily see the big signage beside the road. However, you would still need to take a few steps before you reach the gates of the school. Our school houses around 990 students with 35 personnel, 29 teaching and 6 non-teaching personnel.

The moment I entered the campus, I felt awkward. Perhaps because I was overdressed that time. I was wearing my black slacks and a semi-formal top. I wanted to make a good impression to my future boss and I remembered that 'power dressing' is an important factor if you want to make an impression, a good one :) Nevertheless, I continued to dress in the same manner even until now, because if I don't, the students might mistaken me as their classmate.

The days turned to weeks and months. By February 21, I'd be celebrating my third month here in our institution. However, it feels like I've been working here for ages and with my short stay, I was able to note a few things that I should always keep in mind.

1. Our work schedule is from 7:30am until 4:30pm. However, based on my observation, in the morning, some people tend to stretch the 7:30am call time to 7:45am or worse until 8:00am. BUT during dismissal, everyone seems to be in a hurry. 4:30 is 4:30. No extensions if possible. Yes, working overtime is a mortal sin not unless there is a school occasion.
2. Not everyone is given a 'blessing'. If you receive one, better keep it to yourself.
3. Almost all teachers would complain about how low their salary is, to think that their daily rate is way higher than the regular daily rate. I came to understand the reason behind after I saw how impulsive they are whenever there are sales representative visiting our campus. If one teacher bought an item, they must buy as well. Talk about competition.
4. Noise pollution is not new in public schools. It's either you go with it or you just bear the noise that's cracking the walls of your office. Perhaps this is the reason of my frequent migraine attacks.
5. It's really rare for teachers to keep their mouth shut and it's quite impossible for them to speak in low voices except during meetings.
6. When you're preparing meals or snacks for a visitor, always include the total number of employees in your school. It's a habit I think and again, I think this is the reason why some schools have depleting MOOE fund.
7. Always know where you stand. Some practices in the government would really test you and your values. Just stick to your values because you can never go wrong if your principles are clear.
8. Know when to 'read between the lines'. Some people would use sarcasm either as a form of joke or to indirectly tell you how they feel towards you. Be sensitive. Know when to smile and know when to reason out. Timing is very important.
9. Find someone who shares the same work value as you do. This will really help a lot particularly in coping with your working environment.

These only comprises a portion of my mental notes. I will try to add more as I try to remember them.

Nevertheless, I am happy where I am now. The longer I stay here, the more that I am convinced that I am needed here. Working in the public sector is quite a challenge, not because of the task but because of the people around you. Perhaps, I'll allot a separate blog entry for the more inspiring story/stories.