Where Speaking Brought Me (My experience in the YMCA Regional Academic Olympics 2007)

Last week, I went on leave from work for 3 days to prepare for the YMCA Northern Luzon Regional Academic Olympics. This is the next level after my victory in the city competition last November, which was my first ever bid in extemporaneous speech. My former instructor in Psychology and friend was the one who gave me the push to compete despite my skepticism; I know I’m good at oration or declamation but the thought of delivering impromptu speech made me shiver. Eventually, it turned out a success.

Other than shopping and packing my clothes, my preparations included reading a week span of back issues of the newspaper to grasp some facts on current events. I had a heavy dose of controversies between GO (Genuine Opposition) and Team Unity Senatorial Bills for the upcoming elections as well as the stuff on carbon-offsetting ignited by Al Gore’s infamous documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”.

I was at our meeting place (Olongapo City Hall) by 12:40AM. The agreed departure time was slightly delayed to wait for other delegates who reside far from the city proper. If I’m not mistaken, the whole delegation (elementary to college) comprised 5 vans and 1 mini bus.

As I have expected, travel to Vigan was long; roughly 12 hours. But still, I think our trip was shorter compared when I first traveled there with my family back in 2004.
We made 3 stopovers this time. During the trip, we alternated sleeping and eating, and had a great fun chatting and sightseeing. It didn’t take long for us to be at ease with the 3 competitors for Team Quiz Bee from another school. They’re just as hilarious!

Subic Bay itself is among the most popular in the country but Ilocos’ is really amazing! Although the shore is rocky, the water is a cool hue of green that fades to blue along the coast which arched splendidly. Those who had cameras or camera phones tried their best to get good snapshots of it as well as of the steel bridge somewhere in the boundary of Ilocos Sur I guess.
Our awe of the place only intensified when we got in the city plaza renowned for its old architecture. It is where all the brick-paved streets of the “heritage village” converge. Kalesas (tall horse-driven carts) rush about. We were amused to find that even modern establishments such as a bank, a shopping mall, and fast food stores like McDonald’s, has exteriors resembling the old houses.

After some asking for directions, we arrived at our accommodation before 2PM. We stayed in the University of Northern Philippines where the competitions were also held. Our building was right beside the auditorium and school library. We settled in classrooms which they furnished with beddings.

After having lunch, my schoolmates, our coach, and I took a kalesa ride to the plaza to buy some snacks, bread and bottled water and to scout for what may be bought for pasalubong (treats). We inquired in the market, the price of the “bagnet” (marinated and dried pork thigh) and the “Ilocano longganisa” (sausages made by filling pork intestine with ground meat and spices, and tied in sections). These are Vigan’s specialties other than the “Chicha-corn” and empanada. We took pictures of some buildings and it was interesting to learn that their city mayor have the same family name as mine.

There was an opening/welcome program during dusk and all competitions shall be held the following day.

After dinner, I went with two co-delegates to the plaza again to buy a mosquito-repellent lotion and have a better dinner because the food they served at the cafeteria was oily and mostly meat (I’m a vegetarian). Although it’s just past 8:00, the drugstores and groceries at the plaza are already closed. We therefore supposed that Vigan might have been considered a “city” just because of its modern establishments but urban-living and “nightlife” isn’t actually as prevalent as in Olongapo and other metros. A kind tricycle driver took us to a drugstore near the hospital which seems as far as from the university to the plaza, only take the opposite direction from the campus. He also said the Governor’s famous baluarte is not too far from that hospital.

Saturday morning, most of us woke at around 5AM. We have no certainty whether breakfast would be provided hence we dashed to the plaza again and had some hot drinks. Most of the fast food stores aren’t open yet so we just got our drinks from a thrift stall. There were residents participating in the exercise program and not far from there, a marathon is assembling.

We sped back to the school, had a quick breakfast and got dressed for our respective competitions. Extemporaneous speech and oratorical contests were held in a hall which I think is the school’s laboratory for Hotel and Restaurant Management.

I entered the hall clutching a bottle of water and sat at the last row but we were later asked to occupy the two front rows; grouped into oratorical and extempo, high school and college respectively. Should I say I felt a bit “out of place” when I saw the other competitors in full formal wear – one is wearing a barong, another a suit, and a lady is even wearing a fully-sequined red filipiniana gown! As for me, I was just wearing a pale yellow short sleeved polo with embroidery on the front and brown slacks. We drew our numbers and I was second. However, the facilitators decided to hold the oratorical contest first. I must say that all the orators did great; no more than 3 seem novice hence I guess the stiff part of the competition wasn’t delivery anymore but rather, mastery.

I got the chance to get acquainted with my two seatmates while the oratorical was ongoing. Judith and Dennis are great people; warm and smart. Judith is an AB English student and is competing in the same event for the third time I guess. Dennis is equally interesting being an Education student major in English and has a good sense of humor. I later learned that of 6 competitors, only 2 of us are not in a communication-related field. Oh! I forgot! I am in communications too – Information Communication Technology. *lol*

After the oratorical contest, most of the audience already left which somehow helped lessen our uneasiness. We got to watch the high school competitors and I must say that they are better than us. The assertive juices of youth are obvious. They got to extend a little beyond the allotted 3 minutes and they have rich vocabulary that some of their words, I didn’t understand. There was this pretty young lady competing for Baguio who seems really smart and she did her talk almost without pausing to think and yet still made sense. I learned that she’s very active with such public speaking contests especially in debates.

Finally, it's our turn. We were led to a room in the second floor of the building and were instructed to shut off our cellphones. I was later isolated into another room and was given two minutes to think on the topic and after which, was led back to the hall to deliver my speech.

I believe I made a good connection with the judges while delivering my speech for I could see them nod in agreement in points I stress. I was also told by few that I made a good delivery. The only problem perhaps was that I really don’t know very well the topic neither did I anticipate it might be given thus I haven’t discussed much on it. The question was about the mission and objectives of YMCA and its relevance to protecting the world. I simply talked about very practical observations to make sense.

After the Skilled Folk Dance event, we strode off to the plaza again to shop for souvenirs and pasalubong and get the last chance to take pictures. (I’ll upload these as soon as I got copies from our coach). We strolled around the old streets hopping from one shop to another. The prices of goods are usually 3 for 100 pesos and only few would allow tawad (discount) for no more than 10 pesos. At the end of the day, my purchases include chicha-corn, woven bag and purses for giveaways, key chains, shirt, slippers for my grandma, and some cacao tablets with a very rich aroma. We spent an hour shopping and had admired the serene glow of lamps lining the old streets at dusk.

The awarding ceremony was held in the evening. Eventually, I didn’t win; Dennis emerged as champion while Judith came third. For the college level, Olongapo’s only gold was won by our representatives for Vocal Duet but overall, Olongapo delegation ranked third.

My defeat wasn’t very hard for me. I had witnessed Dennis’ delivery and I’m convinced he would win. I fully support him for I know he fought fair and square. I guess it isn’t very hard to admit defeat to someone deserving and I guess it’s rewarding enough to get to represent the city and compete with the region’s best speakers. I intended to approach him at the auditorium to congratulate him before setting for home. As for Judith, I had gotten her number earlier and sent her a text message.

There was a tour for everybody scheduled the next day but for some reason, we have to return home on Saturday night. We had packed our belongings before the awarding program and are set to go home by 11PM. There was no traffic and our driver seems very familiar with the ins and outs of the area hence I was surprised that our travel took no more than 8 hours. I slept almost all the way home.

The experience was really rewarding, both academically and for leisure. I’m not sure whether I’ll be blessed with another chance to enter the regional competitions. I might try another event; perhaps in Oratorical. I’ll forever cherish the sense of pride of having represented the city and more especially, the chance to be with these bright and friendly people.

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.
Pierre de Coubertin, "The Olympic Creed"

University of Northern Philippines grounds

Lyceum delegates with Olongapo delegates for Vocal Duet -

High School Level (2nd and 3rd from right)

Kalesa ride to the plaza with Widel and Sir Bert

Plaza

A street of the Heritage Village

Shopping for pasalubong

Soft Sweet Thoughts (An open letter)

Dear sweetie,

Seldom am I able to tell you how grateful I am for you being around; probably I never had. Now I hope that through this letter, I’ll be able to do so.

I am guilty of having taken you for granted during the early times when you just came in to my life but believe me, I did not mean to. It’s just that maybe, it took me quite a while to realize your worth. I am sorry for that and yet I am grateful you never left me despite my insensitivity.

My busy life restricts us to be together most of the time but no matter how late I return, you would always patiently wait for me. Even if I still have to do a lot of things when at home, you would just lie beside me and stay up until I finish my task. You don’t actually have to do that but you insist that it’s your only way to show me support while I bury my nose on my books or homework.

You have been a good friend more than simply a companion to me. Even without words, your mere presence is a great relief when I am sad or lonely. You shared me yourself to cry on and you don’t mind getting damp with tears.

My actions or words may sometimes conceal my feelings making you think that perhaps I ignore your efforts but I do know that you express your love to me mainly by providing me comfort. You would always offer me rest whenever I’m exhausted. Moreover when I am sick, you stay by my side all the time. Your dedication is invaluable.

You’re always there when all my other friends seem to be too busy with some things and for a long time haven’t dropped me a ‘hi’. Such may be a reason for you to be jealous because I desire someone else’s attention while you were there for me all the time yet you never made a big deal out of it.

You always keep me warm and make sure I have sound sleep at nights. It seems you find simple pleasure in watching me sleep peacefully and I must say that that is sweet of you.

I feel guilty though that I could not reciprocate all these. I confess there were few times that I had not been loyal to you. I simply can’t have you along and I gave in to others. I am sorry. With all your kindness, I know you deserve better things. I’m sorry I cannot afford a bigger room for us neither could I keep our place tidy all the time. Everyday I would wake up and rush to start my day leaving the mess to you. And when was the last time I bought you some clothes for a gift? I cannot remember if I really did even once.

You are very patient yet I know I owe you apologies for my shortcomings. I’m always trying to be better and eventually make up for those. Thank you for never leaving me and serving me unselfishly. No matter what, I’ll always cherish snuggling beside you… my darling pillow.

mggm

In a Teacher's Uniform

My very first day as an official “ka-Lyceum”1 is one of my unforgettable moments. As a working student, I attend school straight from the office more often than not, wearing our polo-barong uniform. I was not familiar with the room numbers yet so I had to inquire from few students outside who responded by nodding. I entered the room. I haven’t had any acquaintance yet hence was feeling very uneasy I didn’t even sit down. I just stood at the rearmost side near the door and stared out blankly. My classmates came in and took their seats without even a whisper and remained that way for roughly half an hour. No instructor came. I stepped out of the room wordless. Realization came only the following day when I finally broke the ice and spoke with my classmates. They confessed they mistook me for an instructor! *First day high!*

Similar misconception happened when I first used my shoppers’ card in one of our local department stores. While attending to my transaction, the shopkeeper asked, “Teacher ka?” When that happens, two things cross my mind: one, I look old for my age (which has already been an accepted truth) and two, I exude the authoritative attitude expected of teachers.

Teaching is among my admired professions and admittedly appeals to me more than my current field. The way I see it, what makes teaching special is its considerable opportunity to influence vast audience. That opportunity is inherent to the profession in such a way that regardless whether a teacher is regarded to be “good” or “bad”, still, he/she has affected the lives of their students. The difference lies only whether they had motivated the student thus were admired, or their inefficiency was discouraging thus they were disliked.

Henry Brooks Adams best put it: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence ends.” A typical Filipino spends 14 years schooling from Grade 1 to fourth year college. Should we include preschool, graduate studies and short courses, our scholastic years extend beyond that. We advance in level and acquire more knowledge and yet, we remain under the instruction of teachers. I better realized the importance of the role of teachers in our existence especially during a child’s formative years which I think include adolescence also. I remember when my sister was in kindergarten, one of her favorite pastimes at home is to play teacher. She would pull her small chalkboard and lean it against our cabinet and “hold a class” complete with a stick and yelling to “noisy students”. Now, it amuses me to hear similar stories about my officemates’ kids. This proves that a child’s mind is indeed a tabula rasa which shall absorb learning derived from experience and interaction. (I hope my Humanities instructor wouldn’t deny me for forgetting the philosopher who presented this concept. *wink*)

Teachers play a vital role in boosting their students’ self-confidence which leads to being independent and responsible. However, focus should be on motivation first; independence and responsibility is achieved in the long run. Teachers ought to establish symmetry between challenge and encouragement as well as with authority and sociability. Tasks should not be too easy so as to avoid being taken for granted yet neither should it be too tough that it becomes parallel to impossibility. Being able to accomplish things in breakneck pace does not always spell productivity. Quality complements productivity because we cannot consider something as completely done if we have lapses somewhere. Thus, to achieve quality education, it is more important that both students and educators should assure that a strong understanding of the underlying concepts pertinent to the undertaking has been established first prior to being conscious with deadlines and rushing the output. Sad truth is that there are teachers who seem to have entered the profession to take “revenge” for their own hardships in college by overloading students with requirements.

Moreover, teachers must project reasonable authority so as to convey that they mean business and fortify the impression that they are the persons fit to consult on their respective areas. It is indeed unprofitable and risky to receive instructions from someone who doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Nonetheless, teachers should also maintain a pleasant professional relationship with their students to serve their purpose – to guide and be of help. I really admire teachers who encourage students not to hesitate to raise questions and would patiently find means to clarify confusions according to the student’s aptitude. These are the teachers who are not allergic to the word “spoon-feeding” and know very well when said approach would be helpful. More admirable are the few teachers who have significantly affected their students’ personal lives to a certain extent by being a friend who gives sound advice, a pat on the shoulder, kind words, and sometimes may even share material resources.

Humiliation should not be mistaken as “challenge” as this may shatter one’s confidence especially when the person is still striving to find his strengths and establish his identity in the social circle. On the other hand, commendation should be amply given to someone who does well or at least exerts extra effort. Again, keyword is “balance”. Appreciation should be genuine and not mocking, and must not be lavish to avoid being misinterpreted as favoritism and cause the one being praised to be conceited. I believe that it is rewarding enough for students to see that they get grades they deserve. I had few instructors who seem to believe it is degrading for them to give a grade of flat 1. I think otherwise. High grades could gauge how effective the teacher is provided that all criteria in the grading system show how well the student performed; excluding extracurricular incentives of course.

Teaching is a noble profession; effective teaching is a work of love. Bob Ong, in his humor-editorial book “ABNKKBSNPLAko?!” upheld his view that teachers should be rightfully recognized as “mga makabagong bayani” (modern-day heroes) as much as, if not rather than OFWs. I share his stand. Truly, overseas workers endure being a pilgrim and have to confront issues of homesickness, racism, abuse, etc. just to be able to remit foreign currency. However, I believe that sacrifices of teachers are fair heroic acts because most of their time is spent away from home to attend to the noble duty of molding minds and being a role model to their students yet majority of them aren’t compensated as much as OFWs. Nothing could better illustrate patriotism without having to die for the country than to stay and serve our own people despite low financial gain.

Teaching, as we know, is not a high-paying job at least in our country. With the promise of nursing and technical vocations nowadays, what has teaching have to bid against? From my acquaintances, only few took up Education for a college degree; most of them have a (public school) teacher relative. Teaching is often considered as a second option and part-time job. It has become a trend that graduates of other degrees resort to teaching for various reasons – most common of which are additional income, to gain (first) working experience, or simply to have something to do while awaiting release of their board results or working visa abroad. Definitely, nothing is wrong with these yet such may also imply the Filipinos’ shortsighted perception of teaching.

Good enough, the opportunity for teachers have fairly increased in the international market lately, both for typical classroom setup and online instruction.

Furthermore, some people, especially males, find teaching as a "non-challenging job"; i.e. boring. While that is understandable and teaching really is by nature a routine, it’s not easy at all. Having to prepare lessons for every subject they teach and repeating the same for each class they meet daily could be exhausting. Hence, I see very little difference between teachers and merchandisers discussing over and over to different audience, the benefits of that multi-purpose kitchen knife, availing a credit card, or residing in that estate. Nonetheless, the chance to interact with a diverse group of people with different attitudes, motivation, lifestyle, and ideas is not at all boring. While students learn from their mentors’ expertise, teachers eventually learn effective group management.

Teaching is indeed a profession which entails hard work, dedication, lots of patience and unceasing pursuit for improvement. A technical person who does well in the industry may not always be similarly effective in teaching because proficiency is having acquired knowledge while teaching is sharing knowledge. It is not hard for us to distinguish a professional (in its profound sense) teacher from a so-so type. I appreciate teachers who make a difference by performing their jobs with sincerity, those who value student welfare above being compensated for their services, and those who are honest enough to admit their shortcomings. This world needs more of their kind and our reciprocated cooperation and respect may be our humble tribute for them.

I have a high regard for teaching. For now, I know no other way to advocate its significant undertaking than value the knowledge and virtues my schooling has infused in me until that time when I shall again encounter that question “teacher ka?” and finally I shall be eligible to answer yes and smile. MGGM




1 Lyceum is the school where I am presently attending college whereas "ka-" is a Filipino prefix synonymous to "mate" like "kabarkada" (peer) and "katulong" (helper)