Graduation Ceremony

I was asked by my sister-in-law to attend the grade 6 graduation ceremony in a public school in Lucban, Quezon. Since the child is my godchild and his father in Australia, I agreed to accompany the boy. The graduation ceremony is supposed to start 1:00 PM and as an eternal early bird me, we where there before 1 PM.
We sit beside the covered court and my godchild was ordered by her teacher to get 2 plastic at the back. Upon checking, it's a sandwich and a juice for merienda. The graduating students were not required to walk formally toward their seats. To my horror, the principal announced that the graduation program is not yet available and it will be a magic if it will arrive by 4:00PM. The program was started by an opening prayer where nobody cares and followed by the awarding of honors. Then the mayor, vice mayor and their entire party arrived of which the program was stopped by the principal to announce the arrival of the local politicians. Then the vice-mayor suddenly delivered his remarks in the masquerade of advising the students but in reality a campaign speech. The program was continued but after 20 minutes, the candidate for congressman and board members showed up totally disrupting the graduation ceremony. To make the entrance of the congressman impressive, he brought with him a fiberglass basketball frame complete with his name. I shook my head when I saw this blatant disregard of the sanctity of a graduation ceremony. The board member and the congressman ate 1 hour speaking in front of the hapless audience. I almost choked when the principal announced that the Mayor will also speak afterwards.
This is the mirror of how this politicians treat all of us. They have no respect of our time and of our feelings. The teachers,pity them, they are willing pawns of these leeches.
The graduation ceremony stretches to 8 hours. The longest grade 6 graduation ceremony I attended. My frat brother Tim said that I should trust the system. But Tim, the system of election needs to be overhauled or change first. If election caters only the moneyed and the dynasty it is a complete failure. We need to cleanse the system, but how that's the problem this country faced since its inception.

ALC

Brother, France etc.

My youngest brother Ricky decided to settle with finality to France. His Cathay flight will bring him to the massive Charles De Gaulle airport on April 4. My mother, the usual crybaby, keep on worrying that her bunso will be forever away. I can not blame her, she might not see him anymore since she's already 68.
Temporarily I will be the surrogate father of my brother's 2 children. This is the sad reality of the Filipino diaspora. The rate of family break-up caused by immigration and/or overseas employment keeps on rising. How can I convince my brother to stay?. He got a dream that the Philippines can not provide.
The campaign advertisement of a senator claiming "pangarap kong tuparin ang mga pangarap mo" smacks of deception and unethical cum misleading statement. Only a fool will fall on this nonsense.
My brother's dream is to provide a good future for his family and no amount of political gimmicry can assure him that the solution is at hand.
The pain of separation in exchange of the mighty euro is not easy for my brother to decide on. To soften the impact of his absence, I assure him that I will take care of his children.
Yeah, it's painful to see him go but I am also thankful on the opportunity he will be having.
Yeah, I am a brother's keeper.

ALC

Of local elections and other nonsense

For the past one month, we are bombarded by TV , radio and print ads of local and national candidates. In Lucena City and Quezon Province, the mood is like a big fiesta whenever a candidate arrives in a barangay. Who cares about platform? Who cares about graft and corruption? Who cares if a candidate is a jueteng lord or an ex-convict?. What is important to the poor people of Lucena is that they can have free lunch and a chance to rub shoulders with the mighty. To receive money from them later after a campaign is a given. This is a sad reality in my city of Lucena. Nobody from the local candidates talk about the following:
1. The rampant illegal gambling that destroys the fabric of the family.
2. The existence of government sponsored short-term lottery which pervades the
culture of gambling.
3. The bastardization of Perez Park wherein the pea-brained politicians replaced
the monuments with disneyland castles. It is not a sunken garden anymore.
Maybe the old Perez is grumbling in heaven!.
4. The lack of long-term plan to generate employment.
5. The lack of long-term plan to improve infrastructure.
6. The lack of long-term plan to improve the quality of education.
The local candidates are running to PROTECT THEIR OWN INTEREST. They are promising a lot of hot air but without substance. They will give to the people what they will get from the people. Cry my Lucena! Can you blame me for not voting this coming May?.

ALC

To the 2007 Graduating Class

For the past two years as your Chairperson I could proudly say that I did everything to make you the best Computer Science graduate you could be. Your transformation from being passive to assertive software programmers shows that we did not fail in our mission.
Now that you are leaving the portal of Sacred Heart College, allow me to give you some fatherly advice.
You will enter the workforce in an economy that is booming and a lot of job openings related to your course are beginning to gain momentum. Seize this opportunity because this rarely happens in the boom and bust cycle of our economy. You might find that the jobs are concentrated in Manila and rarely in Lucena. Please accept the fact that ours is a country where Manila is a magnet for companies to make money. In order for you to make money you temporarily condition your mind to work in places outside Lucena. Why is it that I strongly recommend Manila?. It is because the blue chips companies are there. These blue chips are the big companies which can help propel your career in the upward trajectory. Working in these companies will provide you free trainings, extensive exposures and numerous mentors. Then when you jump job in the next company there will be also a jump in your salary. While working in Manila, utilized your proximity to schools like Ateneo, DLSU, MIT and UP and enroll for your masteral degree. They offer classes for professionals in the evening and Saturdays. The teachers that you will meet and the knowledge that they will impart will not only impress you but influence you for life.
When you choose a company please make sure that you find the right fit. A company that will utilize your strength, set your passions on fire and provide you a culture that fit in naturally to you, go for it. You will enjoy your job and at the same time earning a living. But be prepared for some annoyance for those people who will not like you. You should accept the fact that this is not a perfect world and there is no perfect person. There will be always three kinds of employees you will meet whatever company you work for: the disciples, the fence sitters and the saboteurs. Be the disciple, work as if God is watching you and be loyal to the vision of the company. Avoid like a plague the fence sitters and the saboteurs, they can not help you in achieving your personal goals.
Remember always your Computer Science teachers who stay late at night preparing for lessons so that you can learn. Their sacrifice is truly a sacrifice befitting as a whole year Lenten season. Remember Sacred Heart College who honed you holistically.
At the end of the day it is not the money that is important but your contribution to this world.
When you come back ten years from now, I will ask you how many poor people did you help. I will leave the asking to your future wife/husband and children how much you earn.
Good Luck to you!.

 Arnel L. Cadeliña

To the Batch 2007 Phians

For the past several months you witnessed the resurgence of our HSLKP. The yahoogroups and the launch of the website are not only 50th anniversary projects but the result of yearning to be part of the bond that keeps us together. If you read the yahoo messages you will notice that the brothers are scattered all over the Philippines and to several places abroad. Many signified their intention to come to our anniversary because they feel that they will miss something big in not attending. The 354 Phians listed in the roster are your brothers who walked in the same initiation path as you experienced. The first kick, second kick, hell night, baptismal and acceptance we all gone thru. That made us different to other fraternities. We have a tradition that still standing after 50 years. It is this tradition that you should not disregard because this is the connections that unite us together. If you notice a young brother and an old one arguing just remember that during their active Phian days they are trained not to accept everything as acceptable. If you hear no debate and argument it is not HSLKP. Do not be intimated by the past accomplishments of the past Grand Council because your environment is different from ours. During our time, we ruled the academics, the school paper and the politics in the University because we were passionate as a Phian. Our masters were demanding us to excel in the field where we are into and they raised the bar as the initiation went thru. We recited the poem “If” in all parts of the campus whenever the master wishes, we dressed like beggars and we wore barong courting our future Phianette. If your batch can equal the accomplishment of my fellow Phians during my time, you are good. If not, forcing you to do it will result in a negative way to you psychologically. The best thing that your Grand Council can do is to attract future Phians that can contribute. But attracting them requires a good role model. As an active Phian you should at least be good academically. How can you attract a valedictorian as an initiate if the active members are rascals?. You should accept the reality that we need new blood to make HSLKP relevant. Just remember that the elder Phians are always behind you because you carry our name. Anything that disgraces HSLKP disgraces us all so be careful on all things that you do in all your activities that carry our fraternity name.
When you attend the 55th anniversary five years from now and you see the Phians that you trained excelling in their craft you can truly say that you are a true Phian.
Marrying your Phiannete, just like what I did, is a bonus though!.

Good Luck to your Grand Council!.

Arnel “Arcade” Cadeliña
Batch 1985

Lovestruck

I supposed to post this article on February 14, Valentines Day. But due to numerous tasks it was only last night that I have the time to complete it.
My first year students are asking me to write about courtship and love. I keep telling them that I am not an expert on this one, that I fell in love only with the same woman several times. This woman I'm talking about is now my wife. Still they keep on begging me. Finally I gave in, wrote this article in the wee hours of the morning.
For those who are looking for the right partner here are my grain of salt.
If you are courting or being courted ,avoid this man or woman:

1. Argumentative. If your boy or girl keeps on arguing everything under the sun the best thing that you will do is....run. If you marry this type of person, your house is hell on earth. Imagine arguing everyday with her about money and the toothbrush you left in the kitchen. That's pure hell.
2. masculine or feminine aggressive. When you say aggressive he/she is egoistic, self-centered and demanding. Wake up! Can you love a person who love herself more than you?
3. Possessive, jealous and tendency to be gay. This type of person may require a shrink. He/She don't want you to be out of his/her eyes. Your every movement is monitored, every person you talk with is competitor. If you add the tendency to love the same sex, you better be looking for somebody else.
4. Alcoholic. This is addiction and every addiction is dangerous to you. The tendency you might be beaten is 90% and the likeliness that your wealth be squandered is 100%. You want a future wife/husband not a mental patient.
5. drug-users. same as number 4 but on a higher degree.
6. Family-slaves. Yes, there are Mama's boy and Papa's girl. They can not decide, they always cling to their parents everytime they have problems. How can you marry someone who is asking his mother what color of toothbrush he should buy every month?
7. Does not believe in God.. The tendency to do evil is great for non-believers. Will you marry a guy who want to bring your son to the church or to someone whose church is a cockpit or a beerhouse.
Can you now decide whom to fall in love with?
Good luck!

ALC

Microsoft Vista

Last week Microsoft Philippines launched the Microsoft Vista at SM Mall of Asia. Many students, professionals and even corporations are asking themselves if now is the right time to upgrade their OS. My answer is it depends. If your OS is still Windows 95, 98 and 2000 you may opt to buy it but if yours is windows XP you still have at least 5 years before Vista emerges as default OS for PC’s. So stay with your XP’s at least for the moment.
As I tried Vista it boasts of speed, security, baked-in Search, Aero, sidebars, MCE and Tablet OS functionality. But judging from the crowd at SM Mall of Asia, Microsoft Vista will not be a huge success in 2007 and 2008 in the Philippines. Relatively only a handful Philippine Corporation will be using it this year.
But since 90% of the PC purchases (either desktop or laptop) in the Philippines are Windows-based machines we are at the mercy of Microsoft Corporation to migrate to Vista sooner or later. It is because we know that Microsoft will not support XP indefinitely just what they did to Windows 95 and 98.
In what year before Vista lords the PC’s in the Philippines?. My estimate: 2012.

ALC

This Time They Are Relevant

For so many years I was frustrated on what’s happening politically in our country. The people keep on electing unqualified politicians in the local and national elections. Their reliance on popularity and name recall resulted to electing congressmen and senators who have no ability to write laws. If there are pea-brain-monkey in the Senate and slow-poke-turtles in the house it’s the fault of the electorate. Truly there is a need to educate our voters.
The constant useless bickering of the house and senate shows the quality of our politicians. When you listen to them you sometimes feel the need to strangled their neck and erase them in the face of the earth.
So for several years, I was one of the million Filipinos who are not only frustrated but also angry.
But yesterday it’s a different thing. The senate approved in the final reading the PERA ACT or the Personal Equity and Retirement Account Act. This PERA Act, authored by Angara, will allow us to contribute as much as P50,000/year for our own private retirement account. The scheme will require us to deposit our contributions in banks which will then be managed by an entity under the Department of Finance. This entity will invest our funds in government securities, bonds, foreign currency and non-speculative stocks.
Our PERA savings will be available to us when we reach 55 years old either as a lump sum or lifetime pension.
The contribution will be tax exempt.
This time the politicians specifically the Senate are relevant because this PERA Act bill answers a need of the people.
Can you imagine the domino effect if politicians forget their self-interests and make laws that are relevant to us?

You see, it is a number game!

I am a veteran of job hunting. Immediately after graduation from college, I applied to not less than 100 companies. It may sound crazy but I got the last laugh. Out of that 100 companies around 20 responded. You see, it is a number game. The more resume you send the higher the chance of being employed. Of the 20 that responded, 5 landed me to an interview. Now, I've been to three companies, mingled with a lot of people, hardened by good and bad experience. My toughness is a direct results from being bloodied in the arena of work. Now I will share to you what companies are looking for an applicant which were collated from my journal:
Top Qualities Sought by Companies
1. Communication skills. You better polish your English. Whatever type of work, the skill in written and oral communication will not let you down.
2. honesty/integrity. Your grades will be your ticket to be hired but having an integrity will keep you promoted. Whom will you trust? A summa cum laude grad who steal time and money or an average guy who finish work with quality (thinking that his name is his only possession).
3. interpersonal skills. A worker who can relate well with other people is priceless. We are suckers for those who care.
4. motivation/initiative. A person who do his job even without asking. Is that you?
5. strong work ethic. Only one key be Christcentric and this ethic will follow.
6. teamwork skills. There is no place for loner in a work setting. If you want to do it alone be a hermit.
7. analytical skills. You can not escape the Math thing. Everything involve numbers.
8.flexibility/adaptability. When I mean flexible, I mean adopt to every situation.
9. computer skills. It's 2007, it's a requirement!
10. detail-oriented. You should practice it everyday. Utilize your skills in time-management.
Remember it's a number game. The higher your qualities, the more chance of you earning money.
Good luck!

ALC

My Birthday Wishes

It's my birthday on January 9. I am nearing mid-life. According to some this is the right time to assess a life, when you are in the middle. To check if you are a blessing or a curse to others. Even Confucius told bluntly eons ago that those people who reach mid-life and are despised will find it difficult to reverse the contempt of others. This will serve as a caution. There are lot of people in their 60's that regretted the things that they didn't do when they are in their middle age. But they can not turn back the hands of time. This I don't want to happen to me.
The real challenge now is to make my life a real gift to others. To avoid the curse of turning into a tiny speck which when blown away by the wind nobody notices anymore, because of being non-contributive.
Here's my wishes:
1. Health for me and my family. I am very much aware that physical and mental weaknesses are ambition killers. They destroy the will to win. I have to make sure that my family is healthy.
2. Enough money when I retire. I am an optimist by upbringing but to rely only on SSS pension is to invite poverty on my retirement years. Worse, SSS may not be there in the year when I retire.
3. My past, present and future students to have a job or create their own job. I am always praying for them and do everything possible to make them employable. To see them earn money and help their family is for me a real accomplishment.
4. My COMSCI faculty to always think that teaching is a gift. To teach less deeply is a mortal sin on our profession. In the corporate world, you work what's define in your job description and that's it. In the academe it's much more than that. How many students you have a semester? 200? 300? That's the number of souls and brain you need to shape. That's the gift that is not available in other profession.
5. Sacred Heart College as an academic institution to survive for the next hundred years. This is a college that serve the poor and will continue to serve it as long as we keep the vision and mission burning.
6. Philippines to have a political, religious and economic leader who love the country more than themselves.
7. For the highly skilled Filipinos to have the opportunity to work with a decent wage so that they will not work anymore outside the country.
These are my birthday wishes.

ALC
1/9/2007

Year 2027

For my colleagues, my brothers and all my blog readers around the world, may the lesson of this story bother you

ALC

It's the Year 2027 and the retirees of Lucena City, the capital of Quezon Province Philippines, were suffering from little or no money at all in their age when they need money most. The retirees were facing extreme poverty, yet no help was in sight. So the head of SSS and GSIS Lucena announced that they will meet all retirees in Lucena City Hall and it will be devoted in discussion on ways to increase the pension money. The SSS and GSIS head's srong beliefs became infectious, and the retirees from all barangays in Lucena City grew excited as they happily anticipated the money that they believe will surely follow the meeting. Word quickly spread, and that meeting, retirees from all over Quezon Province packed the town hall.

The SSS and GSIS head looked upon the retirees, whose faces were full of eagerness. Their clothes were neatly pressed, their gray hair done, their shoes shined. They believed in the SSS and GSIS 's ability to make money, and they had faith that their prayers for additonal pension will be answered.

But the SSS and GSIS head never started the meeting. Instead they told the retirees to go home. "You do not truly believe that you will have more money", the two heads said to the astonished gathering.

"Why do you say that?" an old woman asked.

"Because," the head of SSS replied, " if you did not believe in financial planning 20 years ago, you will not believe what we will say today".

Feeling dejected and oppressed, the retirees trekked in their respective homes and weeped.

They pound their chest and say "If I only..... spend less and invest more.....

ALC

True Christmas

If you are rich be generous
If you are poor be hopeful
If you are a father be the head
If you are a mother be the light
If you are a daughter be obedient
If you are a son be studious
If you are a mother –in- law be a friend
If you are a father- in- law be the wise
If you are priest be like Christ
If you are a politician be a role model
If you are a Filipino be a lover of your country

To all my blog readers around the world. May you have a truly Merry Christmas!


Arnel L. Cadeliña & Family

Para sa Mga Taga-Bikol

Kumusta na?, Ayos pa ba?
Eh, kung hindi, Paano na?
Ewan ko ba, bahala na.
from the song "kumusta na" by Yano

Para sa Mga Taga-Bikol

Si Pepe ng Albay ay nagtatanong
Habang sinisipat ang bahay niyang walang bubong
Lintek na delubyo! bakit pa masa ang tinumbok?
Hinimas ang sugat at pasa dala ng batong bundok.

Tumingin sa paligid at nagilid ang luha
Ang kanyang barangay binura ng baha
Wala na ang gintong palayan ni Mang Jose
Hindi na makinig ang tungayaw ni Rosie

Wala na ang hikbi ni Nene at tawa ni Buloy
Tunay na nakakabingi ang katahimikan sa Barangay Uloy!
" Parang sa Leyte at Aurora noon" sabi ni Kapitan Tadyong
"Huwag mag-alaala" sambit ni Kapitan.
Darating na ang pork barrel ni Congressman

Sumingit si Kagawad Manny at nagsabi
"Aba, Jueteng at si Mayor ating asahan"
Hindi napigil ni Pepe ang sarili
Dumura sa lupa at nagsabi
" Lahat ng pulitiko, sundalo at rebelde, sambit ang masa sa kanilang pangarap.
Tunay ngang lagi nilang awit
Pero sa huli bakit tayo laging sabit?"

Natulala ang Kapitan at ang Kagawad
Tingin nila kay Pepe ay di propetang huwad.
Nagpatuloy si Pepe sa kanyang pasabi:
" Huwag natin silang asahan na babago sa ating pamumuhay.
Ang delubyong ito ay tunay na nagpamulat sa akin,
na edukasyon, pamilya at panalagin
Ang tunay na susi ng masa
Upang mabuksan ang saradong mata"
Muling tumingin si Pepe sa maputik na paligid.
Sinaliksik ang puso at walng galit na nadagit.
Nang masipat ang kanyang dalawang anak,
Tumingin sa langit at napaiyak.
Hindi sa muhi kundi sa galak.
Para sa masa? Bagong Pag-asa.

ALC

Trough in 2007

The government will not likely meet its P63 billion budget deficit target and will instead incur a P101.3 B shortfall, estimates by the House of Representatives think tank showed.

Business world, Dec. 4, 2006

Is the Philippines cursed?, that the only way to exorcised the demon is to leave the country the soonest time possible? Why is it that we Filipinos who dream of staying and serving the country are harvesting instead an onslaught of pain and sufferings? Are circumstances(man made or natural) shoving us to the wall, forcing us to raised our hands and say goodbye to our patria adorada?

As a student of business, I am sharing to you the signs that our country will still be in trough or depression again in 2007.

1. Slow economic growth of 4.7% -5.3% in 2007.

2. The threat of El Niño is here.

3. The highly inflationary June 2007 election.

4. Export of the country wanes because of recession in the U.S. and slow growth in Japan.

5. Slow death of manufacturing in the country due to rampant smuggling of agricultural and consumer products.

6. Foreign investors buying long-term Philippine Global Funds. (they will earn more if depression materialize)

For Filipinos who will stick to the country through thick and thin, here;s how to survive the tough 2007:

1. If you have stocks and equity mutual fund sell it now.

2. Then buy stocks again when they hit bargain price.(Usually before the election or before Christams season ). Hold it for 20-30 years horizon.

3. If you are close to retirement, buy bonds and invest in money market.

4. Real estate will be a bargain in depression. Take advantage.

5. Convince your family to be self-sufficient. Plant vegetables in your garden.

6. Spend less and earn more. Use your wise judgement here.

7. Be healthy and take care of your family's health. It will save you money.

8. Prayer always help. Never stop doing it.

My wish for all of us to make 2007 a smooth sailing.

Am I now entitled to greet you Merry Christmas?

ALC

State Colleges and Universities

"Over the past few years, we have seen an explosion in the number of state colleges and universities, driven largely by the desire of politicians to commandeer state resources and create trophy institutions in their localities"
Alex Magno
Phil. Star, Dec. 2, 2006

The readers are advised that the content of my comments may hurt . I am just asserting my freedom of expression and since I pay my taxes religiously, the concern people deserve to know the truth. If you want to know the truth, read on:

1. Mr. Magno and I have the same observations. In Lucena, politicians created the "City College of Lucena" eventhough there is already SLPC-Lucena and SLPC-Lucban to cater to poor students. Since the City College sourced their funds from the cash strapped Lucena City fund, delay of teachers salaries are common and facilities rots. They are short changing the students.
2. If this creation of state colleges remain uncontrolled, we might end up with a state college in every congressional districts.
3. Majority of these state colleges are hastily organized. Their content offerings are basically unregulated, resulting in grossly inferior quality of education.
4. Scrutinized it closely (teachers, administrators etc.), you may conclude that they are mainly extension of patronage mechanism developed by local politicians.
5. They are not capable of providing qualified skills, tarining that the market could later absorb.
6. Students are flocking there only because of cheap tuition fee.
7. It is horribly run.
8. Because they are subsidized by our taxes, it discourage private investment in the provision of educational services.
9. The best approach is to close down the substandard but heavily subsidized state colleges.
Solutions:
1. Instead of spending on this diploma mill state colleges, politicians should instead offer a voucher system to encourage poor students to enrol in quality colleges.
2. Let us not rely on politicians and local education bureaucrats to change the education system. Believe me they are fearful of change.
3. We need help from outside the education establishment, from NGO's, from Corporations, that can deliver the ideas and resources to force the reforms.

ALC

Sparrow

Thanks for your comment. I browsed your blog and it seems you are based in Florida, USA. May I get your full name so that our Alumni Coordinator can get in touch with you?.
It's very heartwarming to hear from a 1991 batch Cordian.
Mabuhay ka Sparrow!

ALC

Ireland and the Philippines

In just over a generation, Ireland has evolved from one of the poorest countries in Western Europe to one of the most successful. It has reversed the persistent emigration of its best and brightest and achieved an enviable reputation as a thriving, knowledge-driven economy.
As a result of sustained efforts over many years, the past of declining population, poor living standards, and economic stagnation has been left behind. Ireland now has the second highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita within the European Union (after Luxem­bourg), one-third higher than the EU-25 average, and has achieved exceptional grow.

One of the biggest successes of the Irish economy has been new job creation. From 1990 to 2005, employment soared from 1.1 million to 1.9 million. Economic growth, more jobs, and rising living standards meant the resolution of the emigration problem, which had bedeviled Ireland for generations.

How Ireland Became the Celtic Tiger
by Sean Dorgan of Heritage Foundation

If you are familiar with history, Philippines and Ireland have a lot of in common :

1. Both are Catholic country.

2. Stagnation and emigration are a way of life.

3. English speaking and low labor cost

4. Companies are uncompetitive

5. depended heavily on agriculture

6. high unemployment

7. drain of human capital due to immigration

8. persistent inflation

9. huge public debt

10. government responsible for excessive and misguided public spending.

How come Ireland became the most successful economically with the 2nd highest per capita in all of Europe while the Philippines remain at the bottom of the heap in Southeast asia?

Their secrets :

a) At the heart of these policies was a belief in economic openness to global markets, low tax rates, and invest­ment in education.

b) Ireland’s transformation was national in scope, with individu­als, businesses, institutions, and government sharing the same ambition.

c) It involved parents deciding that their children would have choices that they did not have and would not be forced to leave their home com­munities because of economic necessity.

d) Political decisions were driven and sustained by the public will for success.

e)Smaller government became part of the road to success. There was surprise with the first moves to cut spending severely across a range of programs and abolish a number of government agencies.

f) moderate wage increases in return for modest reductions in direct income taxes, in effect allowing take-home pay to increase more than the pay raise granted by employers.

g) While cutting back on spending, the govern­ment took steps to promote business investment.

h) The people of Ireland have assiduously invested in human capital over the past 40 years. Ever since the OECD published Investment in Education in 1966, education has had a central position in Ireland’s development policies. Education in state colleges and universities is free from elementary up to college.

This economic openness, combined with low taxes, pragmatism and ambition, further invest­ment in education, and a continuing eye to the future, are the ingredients for success. this only prove that hard work and good policy can bring rewards.

Let us test the current regime claim that they will make the Philippines a First World country when they step down in the year 2010. Check the space if the current policy exists in this regime:

[ ] The economy is open to the global market.

[ ] Companies and workers enjoy low tax rates.

[ ] Investment in Education is their priority.

[ ] The government enjoy the trust of the people, businesses and institutions

[ ] The government is not encouraging immigration because there are lot of jobs available.

[ ] They cut spending accross all government programs.

[ ] They abolish a number of government agencies.

[ ] education is free in all state colleges and universities from elementary to college.

7-8 yes answers. Congratulations you live in a First World Country.

5-6 yes answers. Thank your government. They take care of you

4 below yes answers. Peace man! Throw the gun!

ALC

U.P. announces 300% Tuition Fee Increase

"University of the Philippines Board of Directors unanimously approved 300% increase in tuition fee or a ma ximum of P18,000 per semester."

Philippine Star, November 19, 2006

This is rather sad. Many poor 4th year high school students who are bright can't afford the P18,000/semester tuition fee. Most of them coming from the province will now think twice going to UP.

You may notice that the current GMA regime does not prioritize higher education. The military is her priority. The country who prioritize education always come up a winner. Look at Ireland now being called as a CELTIC Tiger. The Irish knows that in order to compete they need quality workers. How they do it?. State-funded education is available at all levels, so you will not have to pay fees unless you choose to send your child to a private school or college. you will not be charged fees for approved full-time undergraduate courses in state-run universities and Institutes of Technology, although you may have to pay a small amount for registration, exams, etc..

With a lot of pork barrel (in billions) given to congressmen and senators, what on earth that they did not allocate money for the improvement of higher education?

Why are they not making laws to make higher education affordable?

Are they deaf and blind or are they deaf and blind?

ALC

Ten Forever Jobs

My students are asking what jobs will stay almost forever. Here's my list (with the help of Forbes):

1. Politician - We hate their trapo ways and some of us vomit whenever they handle a microphone. Though we adore a few. We can continue to expect actors and actresses to be elected.

2. Prostitute - This oldest profession will always on the rise as long as poverty is around.

3. Morticians- We can not escape death. You can be placed in a coffin or be cremated.

4. Tax Collector - You can not escape tax either. If they can tax the air you breath in the future, they will do so.

5. Barber - unless you are bald, you are heading for a haircut almost always monthly.

6. Artists - Creative writers, comedians, actors, entertainers, painters, designers. Art changes and evolves with technology, but it will never disappear.

7. Religious Leader -Many people will continue to look to religion to find meaning in their lives.

8.Criminal-The crimes may change, but the profession will remain.

9.Parent- OK, so it doesn't pay very well. Or at all. But there will always be a demand for someone to raise our helpless human babes.

10. Soldier-The world's population is growing, religious fervor shows no signs of abating and precious resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Count on the military to stick around for all kinds of future conflicts.

National Career Assessment Examination

"Education Sec. Jesli A. Lapus announced that the 300,000 4th year public and private high school students are required to take the National Career Assessment Examination scheduled for December 12"

This announcement caught many parents by suprised and wonder if this is similar to the defunct NCEE. I browsed the DepEd Memorandum No. 342 series of 2006 regading this National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) and summarized below:

1. The NCAE will be done first in Manila on December 12. Others to follow.
2. This is not similar to NCEE. Therefore students can flunk and still go to college.
3.This aims only to guide high school students and parents on what appropriate career path is fitted for them.
4. The exam consider mental competence, aptitude, skills and interest.

This is a good project of Sec. Lapus because some college students are unemployable because of the wrong choice of course. The parents will spend large scale of hard-earned income and they should know what course that will fit their children's competence and interest or else all will be squandered.

ALC