Hail to my Alma Mater

It still makes perfect sense to me, what my professor back in college said: “Wala sa eskuwelahan yan, nasa estudyante yan!” (Its not about the school, its about the student).

And so I wonder, what’s up with people who are too damn proud of their alma mater? I mean, I can understand the pride and the loyalty to your school that honed you and taught you the things you know. But that doesn’t mean you are better and more equipped than the ones who didn’t graduate from UP, La Salle, or Ateneo for that matter. It seems that if there’s one thing common about people who came from this school is that they are TOO PROUD.

This is not a contest though of who’s the proudest of them all, my observation points to people who came from University of the Philippines. The so- called “iskolar ng bayan”. Let me cite a concrete example: It was a simple conversation that turned ugly, one of my workmates asked my friend who studied (but didn’t graduate) at UP if she went to the UP Fair and the latter answered, “Ayoko pumunta dun puro rakrakan!” (She meant she didn’t want to go there, because there were a lot of punks and rockers and all the bands played rock.) I butted in and said “Shunga! Di kaya puro rock tugtog dun!” I defended the crowd and the bands that played because not all of them play rock. (Pinikpikan, Giniling Festival, Up Dharma Down they aren’t pure rock) Her polite rebuttal was: “Hindi ako shunga!, pumasa kaya ako ng UPCAT!” (Im not stupid, I passed the UPCAT) I don’t think I have to explain what UPCAT is but for the heck of it, UPCAT is the entrance examination for high school graduates who wants to make it to the most prestigious school.

Yes its petty and maybe a little elementary. But its just a small part your everyday conversation with a UP graduate. Not that I have something against them, I’ve met people who came from UP who didn’t need to rub it in that they came from UP. 90% of the time if you’re speaking with a UP alumni, they’ll find a very smooth segue on the conversation that they came from UP, I studied at UP. It was nice to study in UP, I still visit UP. There’s nothing wrong with that I suppose, they love their school so much that if one of their school’s merchandise was pajamas and nightgowns they will sleep in it and rest their heads on a UP Pillow.

My point is, it is not your school that will make you who you are. You have to work on it. Respect is gained not enforced along with your self worth that you may have lost with your failures. Your now seemingly insignificant brilliance doesn’t always translate to wisdom. If you continue on equating intelligence with how high your IQ is you are bound to fail. And fail you shall.

This is not an article against UP graduates, although it may seem that I singled them out, this is about every student who are too proud of their school and foolishly believes that graduating from their school ensures them a bright future. Nothing comes easy. And in the end, some of them end up donning a headset and get tied to a chair, 8 hours a day.

[Mo Twister wrote an almost similar take about this topic, you can check his post at http://www.motwister.com/blog/2009/11/20/are-you-too-proud-of-your-school.html ]

Actor-Politician

The other day, I was listening to the good times morning show on the radio and Grace Lee made an interesting comment about actors who are running for public office and turned down Mo Twister’s invitation for an interview on his show. Apparently Ara Mina had a very memorable experience on his show. She was able to uplift the morale of showbiz personalities who turn into accomplished politicians. She did this simply by her wit and intelligent answers to extremely regular questions. (What the ?)

Grace pointed out, they are afraid to come to Mo’s show but they are not afraid of the people they will be held liable and accountable for if and when they win in the coming elections. True. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against actors who become public servants. The constitution does not in any way prohibit them from doing so, but holding a public office is no walk in the park, there’s no director that shouts CUT! if you make a mistake, once a decision is made, it is the people who voted for you that reaps the benefits of your good decision, and they are the same ones who suffer if you made a bad choice.

I wonder what’s going on an actor’s head that very moment when they make that life changing decision to run for public office. I mean what were they thinking? Weren’t they just bored with their lives and thought they’ll raise up the bar a bit and make their lives more interesting. Or is it really the will to do good that pushes them to take the challenge and pray that God will do the rest? This country has suffered enough with one big mistake in the person of Erap and I wish we’ve gained a bit more understanding that good acting doesn’t translate to good public servant.

The fact of the matter is, people are stubborn, it’s the kid in us that gets the better of us, when we make tough decisions that we feel doesn’t directly affect us. We look at elections like it’s a game, we pick those who we think are most likely to win, notwithstanding their credibility and all other factors that makes for a good public servant.

We fail to realize that if they win, we lose.

This is what will happen to the Philippines if ERAP will win again...

[From Conrado De Quiros original article in Philippine Daily Inquirer some 6 years ago about FPJ winning the presidency]

This is what will happen to the Philippines if ERAP will win again...

























































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