When Wendy Kopp—who founded Teach for America (TFA) in 1989 after proposing it as her undergraduate senior thesis at Princeton—was the luncheon guest of the Makati Business Club and the Management Association of the Philippines, she did not need to delve into any educational philosophy. All she needed to do was share her personal journey.
The adult posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD is now a well-accepted condition, which was first observed among Vietnam War veterans. Now I think there is another form of PTSD—the fetal posttraumatic stress disorder.
The Commission on Elections’ odd decision to leave the candidates and the whole nation hanging in suspense with its sudden adjournment as a canvassing body on the night of Election Day “to take a much-needed rest” was a public relations blunder. It again opened the electoral process, particularly the counting, to doubt and speculation.
Heady from their respective commencement exercises, these fresh college graduates had no time to think holiday, for they knew as early as the last two months of school that a special job awaited them.
The 2013 senatorial elections are shaping up to be the most media-scrutinized campaign in Philippine history. Compared to previous elections, media networks have aggressively organized debates among the 33 senatorial candidates either on their own or in partnership with academic institutions and civil society organizations.
An item titled “SC sacks judge for inefficiency” (Across the Nation, Inquirer, 3/28/13) reported that another lower court judge, this time of a Municipal Trial Court in Cebu City, was dismissed from the service by the Supreme Court “for failure to resolve cases on time” and for other infractions. The judge was found to have [...]
The rising consciousness against political dynasties may become ironic. We are laudably critical, asking candidates to present more than a famous surname. Some propose, however, to boycott anyone branded a dynast, credentials or none. To quote Obi-Wan Kenobi, “Only a Sith deals in absolutes.” Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV is the perfect case study. To [...]
“Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.” Thus said Anton Ego in Pixar’s “Ratatouille.” Where does a new idea come from? How does it start? When does it spring up? Who are the people who usually bring forth great ideas? Of course, all ideas, great and not [...]
They woke up early, some as early as 3 a.m., to get on a bus that would take them to the 1st SMP (Service Management Program) Teachers Camp at Asia Pacific College (APC) in Magallanes Village, Makati City.
In our country ruled by an oligarchy, the political dynasties in most of our provinces enjoy a monopoly of electoral power, to the disadvantage of rival leaders and the general public. “An anarchy of families,” says American political scientist Alfred McCoy.
Poverty rates remain very high in the Philippines, despite its recent economic successes. As in other countries, the rich, and the rich alone, have benefited from economic growth. Some of the country’s children have all the food, comfort, education opportunities, recreation and travel they need, while others, the greater number, are hungry, often stunted, live in crowded, violent neighborhoods, and can’t benefit from school because they are often hungry, lethargic and unmotivated.
I am picking up a phrase from Randy David’s column “Is the Catholic Church in crisis?” (Opinion, 4/14/13): “the transformation of religious practice from one that is Church-oriented to one that is solitary and private.” One such “transformation” is going on. It’s a current trend, especially among the young, expressed in the statement “I am [...]
