Category Archives: Education
Boy from P seeks advice
Boy from P (P stands for a town in Ilocos Norte) seems to me a shy guy. Sometimes, I even misperceive him as snobbish. But one busy night, when I was working long hours at home as usual, he popped … Continue reading
Filed under Education
A grade school reunion
It’s December 30 as I write this, and you would think that I have, as most of you have, gone to over a dozen get-togethers and parties this Holiday Season. You’re right. And last night, I went to one of … Continue reading
Boy from Currimao tops fisheries exam
This young man makes me proud to be from Ilocos Norte. Jerick Christian P. Dagdagan, a cum laude graduate of the BS in Fisheries program at the Mariano Marcos State University, landed at the top spot of the Fisheries Technologist … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Filipino Youth, Heroes, Ilocos
Alumnus pained by DWCL ban
I have always known Jaime Lao as an admirable human being. While undergoing dialysis treatment twice or thrice a week, he managed to serve as president of the Central Student Council at Divine Word College of Laoag, and president, too, … Continue reading
Ianree kayganda
DEAR AIAN, On June 1, you took your new job as provincial tourism officer of Ilocos Norte. You left a teaching career in the university to assume a responsibility where you feel you can be of better service to society. … Continue reading
200 call center jobs open.. and this time clean
The most difficult column I have written by far is that of Ilocos Norte-based call centers that sell—in ways deceptive and malicious—porn sites, for I knew it would create a stir and would affect the livelihood of those involved in … Continue reading
Top athlete crosses finish line, cum laude
DEFYING STEREOTYPES on student athletes, this guy proves that there is as much gray matter between his ears as the muscles in his arms. Arnel Jordan B. Doming has gathered 15 gold medals from various regional and national sports competitions … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Uncategorized
What a student learned from my class
On our last meeting, I asked my students about their top five learnings in our subject Sociology1-Society and Culture, and this one I find most amusing. Very attentive girl this civil engineering junior. Click on the pic.
Congressional Forum unfolds
THE WILLIAMITE, official publication of Divine Word College of Laoag (DWCL), is holding a congressional forum for contenders in the first district on Feb. 24, Wednesday. All five candidates—Kris Ablan, Rudy Fariñas, Atong Peralta, Chito Ruiz, and Teteng Sales are … Continue reading
Filed under Debate, Education, Government/Politics, Ilocos
Politicos should learn from this labandera’s son
HE HAD NO party, no posters, no leaflets, but Jonas Paul B. dela Cruz, a third year Civil engineering student, grabbed an overwhelming win over his three rivals in the Central Student Council (CSC) presidential race at MMSU. Garnering around … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Government/Politics
The “sorry” we are yet to hear
DR. AURELIO SOLVER AGCAOILI, the University of Hawaii professor who publicly called the late President Manuel L. Quezon “stupid” three months ago, has not apologized for what many felt was an arrogant and irresponsible remark. I have written about this … Continue reading
Nasken nga Ilokano ti pagisuro
Iti agtultuloy a panagsuek ti kalidad ti edukasion iti pagilian ken iti umad-adu a sukisok a mangipakita a nasaysayaat ti panagadal dagiti ubing no maaramat ti nakayanakanda a pagsasao iti panagisuro kadakuada kadagiti umuna a tukad ti elementaria, impaulog ti … Continue reading
Honest janitor hailed in world wide web
I USED TO HAVE a great disdain for government employees. I always imagined them as inept, inefficient, corrupt, and good only in petty gossiping. Your karikna also considered them as insensitive, arrogant and proud, what with clerks acting like the … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Family, Heroes, Ilocos, PinoyPride
Preparing the thumb for the stains of politics
One of the letters I received was from William S. of California USA. His letter merits attention, because he suggests I write about something he finds important. Part of his letter reads: “I am one of your avid readers in … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Government/Politics, Media, Sociology
Seafarer’s son tops CFAT, takes up nursing
(I am tempted to write about my grandniece Ananda’s very first day in school but the euphoria of seeing our beloved baby begin her educational sojourn is yet to subside, and I lack coherence when I feel euphoric, so I … Continue reading
Redefining rivalry, top 2 grads take competition in stride
THE RIVALRY could have been as fierce as the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton match. After all, at stake was the honor of being this year’s top graduate in a well-esteemed university. But for Kathleen L. Hortelano and Julius-Ver A. De Guzman, … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Kuwento, Philosophy
Top town dad earns Socio degree
AS A POLITICIAN, Rommel T. Labasan is currently busy attending commencement ceremonies in a number of schools. He is usually a guest of honor and speaker. On April 3, however, it will be his turn to wear a toga and … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Government/Politics, Sociology
Congratulations, classmates!
The other week, I was surprised to find on my table a paper bag containing a violet-colored something. It was the class jacket of MMSU Pharmacy Class of 2009, with my name embroidered on the chest part. A personalized handkerchief … Continue reading
Filed under Education
RH Bill Tackled in Multidisciplinary Forum
The Department of Social Sciences of MMSU-CAS initiated a multidisciplinary forum to tackle House Bill 5043 or the Reproductive Health and Population Development Act, one of the most controversial legislations pending in congress. It was held at the CAS lobby, … Continue reading
Filed under Church, Education, Government/Politics, ReproductiveHealthBill, Uncategorized
Budding Sociologists tackle the laoagcentralissue
INSTEAD of submitting tired academic papers, my students in Sociology of Development are working on a blog (http://laoagcentralissue.wordpress.com). Using the sociological lens, the blog tackles the complex issues that surround the construction of a mall in downtown Laoag. My … Continue reading
Filed under Church, Education, Government/Politics, LaoagCentralElem, Sociology
Pockets of redemption
Aside from writing and teaching, my heart also beats for community organizing. That is why when I was asked to handle the National Service Training Program-Community Welfare Training Service (NSTP-CWTS) in our college, I immediately agreed. Photo here shows a … Continue reading
Burgis Conservation
OF COURSE, you’ve already read about the buzz created by conservationists regarding the construction of a mall in downtown Laoag. They claim that there are two Gabaldon buildings in the compound where it is to be built, and that the … Continue reading
Filed under Arts, Education, LaoagCentralElem, Polls, Tourism
isipin mo na lang meron pa, meron nga.
[Ngayong linggo sa aking mga klase sa pilosopiya, sinisimulan naming talakayin sina Heidegger at Sartre. Tiyempong natsambahan ko ang kyut na tulang ito ni Joey Yusingco, na naging estudyante rin minsan ng bespren kong si Alona Ureta-Guevarra sa Ateneo. (Ang … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Philosophy
Dear MMSU
Today, you turn 31. The past year, one of your children was hailed one of Ten Outstanding Students in the Philippines. Also, a mentor bagged the coveted Metrobank Outstanding Teacher plum. You have produced topnotchers and victors, and brought home … Continue reading
Filed under Education
Why Sachi should go to UP
(What follows is a letter-cum-essay that was published in the Youngblood column of the Philippine Daily Inquirer some years ago. I am not exactly proud of this. Looking back, I was rather insensitive and immature. But I am posting it … Continue reading
Love sealed on a balikbayan box
“Roughly speaking, one loves not because one wants gifts, but because one wants their meaning.” -Niklas Luhmann PARALLEL to something big happening in Manila, the MMSU Graduate School organized recently a Research Forum on Migration and Development where this columnist … Continue reading
Philosophizing the nurse, nursing the philosopher
ALL RIGHT, my students are bright, as we boast of having one of the finest nursing programs in the country. Their training is rigid, and the selection process very tight. But, at the turn of the semester, I feared that … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Migration, Philosophy
The Powerless Academic
I feel like a prostitute, used and not taken seriously, unimportant and powerless, paid for some passing need. This is how a few years in the academe has made me feel. Thousands of Nursing students have attended my classes, and … Continue reading
Provincial bliss
MRS. MATIPO of our university library was the 50th person to ask me this question: “What made you decide to come home to the province and teach here?” It was mid-June last year and I was meeting the librarian for … Continue reading
