Sam Milby, an accomplished student leader here in the Philippines, was chosen by the Department of Education to become the “youth spokesperson” at the DepEd’s annual National Leadership Training for Student Government Officers at Teachers Camp tomorrow in Baguio City.

Sam Milby, a product of the Philippine education system, who was also a recognized student leader throughout his studies here in the Philippines, is truly a good choice to be a spokesperson for the emerging Filipino leader.

What the…???

Are you telling he’s not even a product of the Philippine education system?  What?  He can’t even speak conversational Filipino?  He’s an actor?  A model?  He’s from the US?  Whoa!  Wait a minute…

According to Sarah Katrina Maramag, deputy secretary general of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, “What we need are stars in quality education, not publicity stunts.”

Furthermore, Antonio Tinio, head of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers added, in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, added, “Why has DepEd chosen a foreigner who barely speaks Filipino to be its spokesperson?  On the other hand, he’s a good choice if they want to highlight how deeply entrenched the colonial orientation is in our educational system.”

Have we gone mad?  Or am I just envious?  Maybe a combination of both.  Maybe I’m wishing I was the spokesperson.  Or maybe, just maybe, we are so interested more in the glamor, glitter, and gold that we forget how to make things right.  We want flashy and pang-masa, or “for the masses.”  I’m hoping Sam Milby becomes a good spokesperson for the Filipino youth and leadership.  I don’t know much about his history here in the Philippines as a youth leader, so I should not jump the gun.  Maybe he does have a rich background in the Philippine education system.  Maybe his looks and talent alone will inspire the student leaders of the Philippines at this conference.

Or maybe, just maybe, this is another “dumbing down” of the Philippines.  We are telling our own people that we are so stupid, we won’t know the difference.  Just put a pretty face in front of them, and it will inspire them with awe.  Why do we keep on dumbing down our own people?

We deserve better.  We deserve more.

When I went to the US at the age of 9, I did not know how to speak English.  Sure, I spoke the very basic, “My - name - is - Chris.  I - am - nine - years - old.  I - like - chicken.  My - favorite - color - is…”  For a few years, other kids teased the way I spoke.  But in less than two years, I outdid all of those kids who laughed at my English and my Filipino accent.  How?

Reading.  I read voraciously.  In fact, I was in a program called Read, Read, Read.  Redudant, huh?  The point is, read!  Read in the bus.  Read while waiting in line.  Read in your bedroom.  Read while taking a dump.  Read the labels.  Read the cereal box.  Read the back of a shampoo bottle.  Anything you can get your hands on, read!

Last night, I bought three books at Fully Booked at the Fort:  Grammar Express, which I sent to a colleague in Nueva Vizcaya via LBC this morning, Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, and Speechs that Changed the World, the stories and transcripts of the moments that made history.  I’m surrounded by books.

But I would highly recommend reading because it worked for me.  I became a better speaker, debater, and person because of it.  We can make the excuse that we don’t have enough time.  But a book is not heavy, and sooner or later, you’ll have some time, whether your waiting for the taxi or your waiting for your food.

Happy reading everyone!

Today’s Manila Bulletin, page 4, reads Manila offers free education to youth.

I must applaud Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim for and his city government for working to make Francisco Balagtas Elementary School in Sta. Cruz, Manila to be a free school.  I hope that there are more of this in the Philippines.  In the US, my education was virtually free all the way to high school.  Yes, there were the occasional fees here and there, but it was very, and I mean very, affordable.  I also hope that teacher’s salaries will be increased because it will motivate to work harder and have pride in what they do.

Below this article is another headline that reads, Teachers, parents urged to uplift quality of education.  This time, it’s Valenzuela city mayor Sherwin Gatchalian urging more than 200 educators and community members  to become more involved in the education system of the city.  This is great news because we normally forget that we have a voice in how we want our education to be.  We leave it up to the educators themselves to do as they wish.  Parents, first and foremost, have the responsibility of ensuring that their children get the best education, no matter how poor you are.

Every thousand miles begins with a single step.  This is one of the early steps that our elected leaders are taking, and I applaud them for this.  Let’s just hope that, in the process of the many steps to come, it is all for the common good, and not for the selfish few.

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