People Update: John Baybay (my fist pound student) ended the semester being on time 6 times, late 5 times and absent once. It's been fun to continue to find him and have him find me every class period that I attend to make our little connection. I have officially named the "give me your water" guy Freddy, Freddy the Fruitcake. I probably run into him at least 5 times a week as he hangs out near NORSU and roams the same streets I walk to get to and from work. For the most part our interactions have been short and pleasurable. When he calls out to me from across the street or in the yard where his mother works, "Hey . . . Peace Corps!" I just call right back to him, "Freddy!" He keeps smiling as I go on my way. The two boys in the tree never came back. Their beds made out of sacks eventually fell to the ground and now-n-days their tree provides shade for the road construction workers nearby on their lunch break. Hope the boys are doing well elsewhere.
Go . . . Go . . . Go . . . Youth: I just love young people! The students at NORSU are awesome; they smile, they say hello to me all the time, super sociable at ages 16-20, they are easily entertained and laugh at my jokes, (my newest Filipino joke: Why did the chicken cross the road? I don't know . . . let's ask the chicken. It is funny because there are chickens everywhere and I usually spit this one out just when one is crossing the road. I regress.) and they rise to the expectations of the faculty(although it seems that expectations are often low) just like youth all over the world.
Speaking of high expectations, whomever is sponsoring and assisting with the student run school paper is the kind of leader I've been hoping for in the Philippines. (S)he isn't encouraging the young writers to 'play it safe' or 'appease the leaders above' like it seems the majority of the Philippines people are accustomed to doing. These young writers are getting out there and pushing their leaders for better policies, conditions, and education.
Every Thursday, when the paper comes out and sits on the front steps of the school, I rush out to get one. I love reading it! It is exciting, controversial, deals with current, pertinent issues, and fun to read. And who knows, these young Filipino students might help get the fans fixed in Ralph & I's classroom so we can stop sweating when we teach! Here are some examples.
From The NORSUnian
We write for you, we fight for you!
Vol.XXIX Issue No. 10
September 19-24, 2011
The Radical Mind: How To Sell Chicken Joy (exerpt):
Ryan E Gantaloo (Feature Editor)
Customers go to Jollibee (local fast food joint) not only because of their delicious Chicken Joy but because of their warm accommodation, strategic location to the masses, clean comfort rooms (bathrooms), neat surroundings, and attentive and well-trained staff. This is what I'm talking about. The Philippines lacks these things.
The Philippines is a very beautiful country, that's not a question anymore. But I am also very sure that tourists won't be coming back after they find out that a paradise like ours has nasty-smelling comfort rooms, terrible service in some restaurants, aging airports, and bumpy roads.
For our tourism industry to succeed, we need to reshape the physical appearance of our country. We need to invest more on infrastructure. We need to create more concrete and wide roads, maintain the cleanliness of our tourist spots, remodel and renovate all of our international airports, fix the rates of the hotels and restaurants, and lastly, supply enough manpower that are well-trained and service-oriented.
In other words, advertising is not enough. The beautiful beaches and breath-taking sceneries are not enough. For the Philippines to be truly world-class, we need to be world-class in all aspects.
Opinion Counts: Once In A Blue Moon
Rina Marie S Rubia (News Editor)
It is of students' bliss when a teacher sometimes does not hold classes, might it be because he or she attended a seminar or was on a sick leave. The students' glee levels up most especially when they are purportedly to pass an assignment, but are not finished yet. Or when a teacher was supposed to give a quiz but the students are unprepared. What a relief?
But what if the same situation keeps on repeating every time and that the teacher seems fond of skipping classes already? Would you still find it pleasurable?
There are some instructors here in the university who conduct classes 'once in a blue moon.' Worse is, they do not inform the students about their whereabouts, or the reason of their absence. It is ironic, however, that teachers hardly accept an absentee who cannot provide an excuse letter.
Sometimes when a part of their conscience disturbs them and they finally decide to meet the class, they are nevertheless 15-30 minutes late. There are many instructors here who are intelligent and who possess fine skills and talent that when religiously shared to the students would make the latter become great and successful in their fields. Unfortunately, these teachers are insensible enough to not see the real influence of their capabilities when properly extended.
Students pay a reasonable amount every semester hoping that they can gain knowledge and believing that the entire sum would be worth it. But with this kind of scenario, can they still say that they have paid enough?
It has always been an agreement during the first day of classes that when a student incurred three consecutive absences, he or she shall automatically be ousted from the class. (I've personally never heard of this policy. I'll look into it and get back with you.) I question if this policy exempts the teachers in doing so. Those teachers who only meet their classes once, twice or thrice every month or semester, aren't they deserving to be dropped out of the class?
Some teachers here are not only employing 'once in a blue moon' system, but are also selfish. Selfish in a sense that they limit the knowledge they can impart to students by not attending their classes regularly. There are some who only tackle one topic within the whole semester. Now how would a true-blue Norsunian be productive with such limited knowledge imparted?
They say that a student's learning does not depend wholly on teachers. The greater part of it comes from a student's initiative. Yes I agree. But students would exert more effort if the teachers, their second parents, would show a little more concern.
NORSU is a state university as far as I know. Students do not simply need mere theories and boring discussions. They also need extensive applications. The instructors, who are indeed competitive, intelligent and updated, ought to be proactive and determined in conducting classes.
So unless those teachers refrain from employing 'once in a blue moon' system of holding classes, their poor students would remain poor.
Editorial: Overlooked
The sun was up once again, and the university is back to life. Back are the students into their respective classrooms. Back are the teachers and faculty members into their offices. Back are the vendors into their stalls, and back are the construction workers into their humble roofless abode above the CIT premises.
With the every sparking of their welding rod and with the every thump of their iron hammer, one can say that the construction is on its way to completion sooner or later. This is worth commending the administration. It is of no surprise that the university, we are so proud of, is slowly metamorphosing into a more beautiful institution, both in its physical appearance and in creating a great name of excellence in different career fields.
Sad to say, however, that with the serious attention the administration has given to its massive constructions, they may have overlooked the small and the simple. The ceilings of some classrooms need to be fixed. Some lights need to work. Some fans and electrical outlets need to function. And some classrooms lack chairs.
Would not it be better if we start with the small needs and focus on building new and costly projects later? It does not mean that we should put the latter a level lower than the former. There is nothing wrong with new constructions, just as long as the minor repairs and the little needs for a more conducive classroom are also given attention. Besides, these developments do not benefit a number of people only. Each and every Norsunian feels pride with a more beautiful and well-maintained campus.
Flint Kaynon Balmadres, a third year Bachelor of Science in Psychology student, commented that most of the classrooms he attends are hot and dim, making him uncomfortable every time he has his class there. He claims that this is because some fans and fluorescent lamps in the said rooms do not work.
Furthermore, Jecon Uy, a second year Bachelor of Science in Mathematics student, shared the same view. He said that some rooms in the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management have malfunctioning light bulbs and non-working ceiling fans.
One faculty member, who requested for anonymity due to her position, shared that the fans in her room need to be fixed and that sometimes the heat affects her class because the students do not feel comfortable, refraining them from listening to the class discussion.
Another concerned faculty, who requested not to be named, said that some electrical outlets in some of the rooms at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and CTHM are not functioning and needs to be fixed. (Hey, that's my building. I wonder if that anonymous faculty member is Ralph because our room 304 doesn't have fans or electricity coming out of the outlets.) He added that some chalk and white boards, window grills, and classroom chairs are also partially destroyed.
It seems like someone in the administration has overlooked these little things. It is important that more attention should be given to it before these grow to be big problems.
Love It, Love It, Love It,
- Jaco
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