These Pesky Solicitation Letters December 10, 2008

When we talk about solicitations, I can’t help but feel uneasy or embarrassed each time I hand out a solicitation letter to someone. I am not really a stingy, selfish and ungrateful bitch, but at times, I can be all three.

Let’s face it, folks. These are economically critical times and solicitations, though not really that bad to think, isn’t as good to ponder either. What we earn barely compensates for our needs so, anything extra which supposedly goes to the imaginary savings account is handed over to organizations, government agencies and religious organizations who rob people out of their hard earned money straight in the face. I don’t call it selfishness. I wouldn’t call it stinginess either. I call it practicality. Oh yes, what we possess are blessings we receive from God. But most often than not, what He gives are but enough to answer for our needs. Unfortunately though, there are people who make an imaginary inventory of what we earn and decide that we earn more than what we need. Granted that what they think is true, do they ever make a mental calculation of our household maintenance as well? I guess, they don’t…

We abhor corruption in government, but it is us who teach our officials to steal a few thousand bucks from the treasury because if truth were known, these people could barely live on their salaries alone. Everyday, tons of these pesky solicitations arrive at their table … of course, with the notion of those who solicit that they be given a big amount since the person whom they have solicited from is a big official. Let’s just think that an official earns 20,000 pesos and receives an average of 10 solicitations a day to which he donates 100 pesos each. That’s one thousand pesos, right? That only happens in a day… How many days are there in a month? Does the official have a family and a social status to maintain? Yes! So where does the poor and misunderstood public official go and what does he do so he can satisfy all the people who think too highly of him? So, if you are fond of soliciting from public officials, chances are you are one of the people who have driven him to steal from the people.

I have nothing against solicitations provided that those who solicit will be considerate enough to plan beforehand and think about all the possible expenses that need to be incurred. If there’s nothing in the savings to support it, then why on earth should we go about doing it? To prove something? To be known to create miracles since we are able to arrive at something without investing a penny but at the expense of the people from whom we have robbed through these inconsiderate solicitations? For me, there’s but one rule of thumb in this: IF YOU CAN NOT FINANCIALLY SUPPORT IT, DON’T DO IT! It’s as simple as that. Filipinos have been known to exist buried in debt because of wanting and coveting things they can not afford, right? If we can learn to make a change in attitude, perhaps, there’s still hope after all. But if we continue with the farce that we are well off even though we are not, then, we are as good as a dead dodo.

School projects and activities are often the reasons for the birth of solicitation letters. Teachers aren’t allowed to solicit, but the PTCA and the student government can. Most of the time, they are the ones manipulated to pool in funds for school projects and activities. These students study in the public school so it should be the problem of the agency to finance the school’s needs, right? I have been a product of a public school too… I graduated from Ozamiz City National High School. But I don’t remember my Alma Mater meeting the PTCA to contribute sky high amount to finance for a new school building, a stage or whatever. We made do with the not too conducive classrooms, the not so good chairs … we made do with what we had. If there were improvements given by the local government, good, but if there’s none, it wasn’t much of a problem. I am no perfectionist. I consider myself a realist because the economic crisis that everyone feels at the moment is as real as breathing itself.

Some give more solicitation letters to people whose relatives reside in other countries. But if one is only well informed, if one reads magazines and watch TV, he’ll realize that the economic recession is a global scenario which has led to major lifestyle change even to the people in elite United States. So what makes us think they are better off? Just because their money can be multiplied forty-nine times in the Philippines does not mean to say they are well off. They have to work their butt off in the US with some even putting in three jobs to live decently.

Do I solicit? Yes, I do.

I have been compelled to write solicitation letters — have been given letters to distribute to others, but each time, I ended up putting in unreal names because I get the money from my own pocket. It’s not that I have a lot of money. In fact, there are times when I go to a loan shark to finance my needs… and it is this fact that makes me feel the total hilariousness of solicitations. I have my salary and my husband earns as well, but even with our two incomes together, we aren’t financially well off. So what difference does it have on people who have the same lifestyle as I have? They, too, have difficulty making ends meet. So, if I can make their lives a bit better by sparing them those pesky solicitation letters that rid them of 5 kilos of NFA rice if they give in their precious one hundred pesos, I do the sacrifice of fishing the amount from my own pocket .

Let’s be considerate for once. It’s better to give than to receive, of course. But if everything you earn is not enough for your needs, is it still better to give? I think not, because no matter how noble your motive is, I know you will never be able to give heartily. And no matter how much you pretend, your heat and your conscience will always know.

And so, let me state this as clearly as I can:

KUNG DILI KAYA, AYAW GUD PAKAARON INGNON!

All About Leadership, Superiority & Inferiority December 10, 2008

How does a leader often deal with someone inferior to him in rank, position or status?

As a child, I often witnessed soap opera scenarios depicting the hopeless and helpless plight of housemaids in the hands of their too high nosed and aristocratic masters — inconsiderate masters who think that because they have the fame and the fortune, they could make everyone bend to their will no matter the circumstance. The scenarios were truly heart rending and too much of an emotional burden to even think especially when the abuse escalates from verbal to physical. In those same soap operas, the rich and the poor do not deserve each other; and if they did decide to fight for each other, they almost always ended up with a “You and me against the world” lifestyle theme. Most often than not, goodness and true love ultimately prevailed at the culmination of the long saga with the audience sniffing on to the hems of their blouses or dresses because the final episode were surefire tear jerkers.

In the mind of a growing child, the stark reality of those soap operas brought about feelings of sadness and depression but, it was able to fan the glimmer of hope in the hearts of a few people who dreamed of hurdling the obstacles that life may throw his way in his quest for a better life. Watching as those telemovies unfolded day after day, it was as though I was watching my life on screen or the life of someone close to my heart. Though I was able to gain a handful of life altering insights which inspired my young heart to pursue and persevere despite the odds, it was also a bit of a  scare to think that fellow human beings like me could be monstrous and cruel and inconsiderate of human beings whom they think are inferior to them.

Superiority complex means one’s high regard of his personal traits, appearance, achievements, etc. It’s simply known as the “I am the greatest” attitude. But little do people know that these manifestations of superiority in some people are actually an attempt to camouflage a hidden void within the self. In psychology, the person who manifests superiority is, in reality, the most insecure human being who tries to appear strong and invincible by flaunting his achievements, skills and abilities. Oftentimes, the superior person who oppresses a subordinate, a house help or anyone below him or her in prestige, status or position is actually trying to hide the fact that he or she is threatened. Because he feels threatened, he does everything to make life miserable for the person lower in status. Going back to the telemovies, we actually see these scenarios unfold, right? It is often portrayed by the beautiful rich pampered girl who knows nothing but put make-up on, flaunt fancy dresses and modern gadgets and party all night  — the same dim witted gal who gets jealous of the hard working, industrious and humble house help who, despite her simplicity has a natural grace that ensnared the heart of the boss’ son. The rich girl concocted lies and made life hell for the poor girl, but as expected, goodness always prevailed in the end and true love eventually won.

Most people would equate silence and nonchalance as cowardice. When faced with situations where authority and subordination clash, it is normally expected that subordinates bow down to the person higher in authority. While some hide into silent but more volatile protests (because the effect is spiritually degenerating), some are vocal enough to air their sides and ideas, but most often, they are branded as subversive, rebellious and the like — and promotion is far from those who couldn’t learn to bow to the wishes of a superior. The quiet and reserved (but rebellious in heart, I would like to stress) are the ones who get the nod of approval especially when these clandestine attempts at soliciting favor is coupled with “giftedness”, if you know what I mean. If one doesn’t have the money to provide gifts, he can always volunteer to do anything and everything —  clean the authority’s house  even or feed his dogs to ensure continued support. Pathetic, right?

As observed, the higher the position, the harder it seems to get the leader or the person in authority to understand that leadership is not the work of the head, but the work of the heart because he gets to think that his status and position qualifies him to make ragdusters of his constituents. He expects his subordinates to bow to his every whim and regard everything he says as law otherwise, they are threatened with insubordination. Oh well, I have read somewhere that this is but part and parcel of life … but these leaders are not aware that they are actually being used by the devil to oppress the people lower in rank so he can plant the seed of hatred into their hearts — a loophole the devil creates to entice a Christian away from his God.

I am not generalizing because despite the seemingly uniform leadership practice we see everywhere, there are truly Christian leaders who roam the face of the earth — Christian leaders who aren’t even church leaders and avid church goers, but those who put the welfare of the people below them above their own welfare. Ideally, that’s what leadership is all about as exampled by Christ on earth. I am sorry, but I am greatly annoyed at a leader who blaspheme the name of God in order to manipulate those who are lower in rank because deep inside me, I have this gut feeling that can recognize just when a person uses the name of God in blasphemy to get his selfish ways done and when he uses it in faith.

Even if a leader does get his constituents to obey his will using the sacred name of God in the process, the God of Truth and goodness will always know and ultimately, in God’s perfect time, the leader will answer for everything — if not on earth, he will surely deal with his deeds in another life.

Better Teach A Cat To Speak… Will It Ever Learn? December 10, 2008

A history teacher was preparing for the day’s lesson about Ancient Mesopotamia. Because no good books are available, the teacher printed pictures from the computer the day before — visual aids for topics she was yet to introduce to her classes.

Finally, the bell rang to signal the start of classes. Students soon filled the hallway and entered her classroom …and the session for the day began.

The teacher was excited and of course, confident that everything will turn out right because she has prepared for the day’s lesson.

“Good afternoon, dear students,” the teacher cheerfuly asked.

“Good afternoon, ma’am.” replied the students.

“How are you today?” the teacher asked, attempting to establish rapport with her students.

Most of the students answered, “Oh, fine, ma’am!”

“Does that mean everyone’s ready for today’s lesson?”

“Yes, ma’am!”, the students readily replied.

Confident with her preparation and further motivated by the students’ evident enthusiasm, the teacher started her day’s session.

“Yesterday, we discussed about the Age of Metals. As a review, who among you can name the metals that were discovered by the early humans?”

A student raised his hand. It was Doliver.

“Yes, Doliver,” acknowledged the teacher.

“The metals discovered by the earliest humans were copper, bronze and iron.” Doliver answered.

“Very good, Doliver!” was the teacher’s comment. “You are correct. You really took note of yesterday’s lesson. “

“You have been discussing about metals in your Chemistry class. In Chemistry, you have learned that matter are could be in the liquid, gas, or solid phases. And you must also have learned that most metals are solid… but are all metals in the solid phase?

The class was clearly confused. Some answered yes, some answered no and majority just gave the teacher a blank stare…

So as not to waste time, the teacher just supplied the information instead.” Not all metals are solid. There is, in fact, one well-known metal in the liquid phase. The name of this metal starts with the letter M.”

Kenneth, another vibrant student, raised his hand,” Oh, I know what that metal is, ma’am. it’s Manganese !”

The teacher’s expression changed from serious to playful. Instead of getting angry, she told Kenneth, “Of course not, Kenneth. We are not talking about manganese here.”

Kenneth scratched his head, sheepishly smiled and went back to his seat. Cricyl, who was sitting at the back, raised her hand. The teacher called her, ” OK, Cricyl. Go ahead… What’s your answer?”

Confidently, the girl said, “Mercury!”

“Very good, Cricyl. Your answer is correct!” said the teacher. “Mercury is the metal we are talking about in here. And you know what, class, mercury is used in a particular medical instrument. This instrument is used to measure temperature. Do you know what this is?

The class, once again, became quiet. Not one of the students wanted to say a word.

To give a clue, the teacher rephrased the question, “What do you put in your underarm when you have fever so you will know your temperature? “

The ever vibrant Kenneth raised his hand again.

“Yes, Kenneth, what do you put on your underarm when you have fever so you will know your temperature?” said the teacher.

“Rexona, ma’am!” Kenneth replied.

The teacher was taken aback. Rexona was an underarm deodorant!

What followed was a roar of laughter from the class. Left with no choice, the teacher laughd with them.

“No, Kenneth. What you put under your arms to get your temperature is a thermometer.. not an underarm deodorant.” the teacher informed the boy.

As soon as the class settled and the laughter died off, the teacher proceeded to introduce the intended lesson… about Ancient Mesopotamia.

After the necessary introductions and motivation, the teacher said,” You have already met this topic in your Second Year . So, this is but a sort of review. I bet everyone is very much well versed with the topic… Anyone here who can tell me what he/ she remembers about Ancient Mesopotamia?”

Everyone seemed unsure all of a sudden. None of the students would look at the teacher in the eye.

Thinking he was right, Pwpito, a tall and lanky student gave an answer, ” A kind of polygon, ma’am!”

Oh, my God! Ancient Mesopotamia? A kind of polygon?

The teacher felt funny and sick all of a sudden. But instead of bursting into an angry tirade, she just smiled, her face showing a lot of different expressions. Sensing the situation the teacher was in, the class, once again, broke into a roar of laughter, including Pepito.

Amidst comic antics and all, the teacher, so as not to demoralize the students who apparently had no idea what the discussion was all about, provided her students with necessary information and proceeded with her lesson, hoping that everything will turn out right this time.

And things did turn out right… for a while.

The discussion finally moved forward with the teacher doing most of the talking while the students sat sleepily on their seats… To do away with the monotony, every once in a while, the poor teacher asked questions for the students to react to. The discussion was relatively smoothsailing until the topic veered off to the contributions of Ancient Mesopotamia.

The teacher said, “One of the contributions of Ancient Mesopotamia is the cuneiform system of writing. Historians claim that it is one of the first, if not the first system of writing ever invented. This writing composed mainly of pictographs engraved on clay tablets…. do you have any idea what clay tablets are?”

“Yes, ma’am!” Bryan said.

“So, what is a clay tablet, Bryan?”

“Paracetamol!” the student proudly answered.

My goodness! Paracetamol???!!! What does paracetamol have to do with clay tablets?

Whew! What a teaching experience! And I know the story by heart because I am that teacher and that story is my story. And to think that I meet this situation almost everyday….