June Pride
When I called my Dad the other day, I asked if my niece was in school that morning. He said no because she was still on vacation. I realized that the Philippine school year has not even started yet. But it should, soon.
Unlike here in the United States, schools in the Philippines open in June. After a brief Christmas vacation, classes resume usually after the Three Kings in January. And close in March. During my time, we did not have semestral breaks. I was told they started those in 2005.
I feel a little disappointed in myself because I haven’t finished packing the box that I have been meaning to send to my niece who will be in third grade this year. It contains a new school bag and other school supplies among other things. I also got her a pink rain coat because I know that the opening of the schools is also about the beginning of the rainy season.
I bet she is so excited. She goes to the same school that I went to. When I went back in 2007, her book bag was worn out and torn on the side so I bought her a backpack. She probably used it until the end of last year. I better hurry it up and send her box. It won’t get there until a few weeks after her first day of school.
There were several things me and my brothers used to do before school started. From first to third grade, we were required albums instead of notebooks. A pad of ruled paper fastened together and onto a folder that served as the softback. When we started using notebooks, we pulled out the spirals that held the pages together and then sewed the leaves back together with a yarn. It prevented the pages from tearing easily and if the notebook was going to last a year, the spirals would most likely bend to one direction inside the book bag making it hard to turn the pages.
The first day of school was something I always looked forward to. I used to put on my uniform and practiced carrying my packed school bag. My dad would always tell me that I’d ruin something before the first day of school. The closer the day got, the more excited I felt. I was like an anxious bride. And in the beginning of a new school year I had something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.
‘Something old’ were my classmates of the previous year. In most (if not all) public elementary and high schools, the kids are grouped into sections according to learning speed. During my time, there were at least 35 students in each section and about 10-13 sections, the first being the ‘cream of the crop’ and the last needing the most assistance. So you see pretty much the same faces and have the same classmates unless a student makes a very recognizable and significant change in performance. They did happen but not very often. I grew up with more or less the same set of friends. The kids did not move or transfer schools as much as I have noticed they do here in the States. If there were transferees, they were seldom and usually settled in and stayed until they graduated.
Another ’something old’ were my uniforms. Elementary and high schools, public or private have uniforms. In grade school, our uniform was a white blouse with a sailor collar, black and white checkered skirt, white socks and black shoes. I certainly didn’t get new uniforms every year. In fact, I used one of my Kindergarten uniform skirts up until I was in third grade. Four years! They sure got old and way too short and I begged my mom to please buy me new ones. I think I cried everyday for a week and then she finally had new skirts made for me in the middle of the school year.
‘Something new’ were of course my school supplies. I loved the smell of new paper and pencils. One could have witnessed the makings of a nerd. I felt my mom used to buy supplies very late that it always got me worried. And she would always tell us, “Oh, you wouldn’t need that.” I’d say, “But Ma, that’s what the teacher told us to buy.” Then my mom would sternly say, “Michelle, I am a teacher. I know what you need”.
Usually my school shoes were new, too. I guess my mom didn’t have much choice because I of course outgrew my shoes almost every year. But they were not always new from the box. I was often given shoes that still had life in them. But they were certainly new to my feet! I used to polish them so it would not be too obvious that they were not brand new. A black Kiwi shoe polish and an old rag and presto! They were shiny and new looking!
‘Something borrowed’ were the books. The government provides public students with academic books. Definitely not new because those are lent and are expected to be returned at the end of the school year, and will be reused for the next. Our books then were old and needed restoration right when we received it. They used to not print enough, either. The books were distributed in ratio depending on the number of students. Often, it was ‘one book is to two students’. It was hardly ever ‘one is to one’.
‘Something blue’, make that somebody blue was usually my brother whose birthday is in June, around two weeks after school has started. So by the time our parents have spent on tuition fees, school bags, supplies, uniforms and shoes on all four of us, there was no more left for his birthday celebration. My mom used to console him by saying “at least you got new school stuff”. But so did the rest of us and it was not even our birthday. Many times, he felt disappointed on his birthday.
I imagine my parents felt as blue as (if not worse than) my brother. Tuition fees during my primary years did not get any higher than 60 pesos. I believe it doubled by the time I was in sixth grade. But things would all add up and always used up a budget that was already thin in the first place.
At a young age, I understood the meaning of and the feeling when ‘the pockets are empty’. So when there was ‘no more’, none of us siblings pushed either of our parents to produce. That’s why even when my things were not all new or I didn’t have everything that was written on the requirements list or when my brother didn’t have a party on his birthday, we still anticipated school. We were just glad that they put our education before anything else.
Education is a priority specially in poor Filipino households. Sometimes, they even sacrifice the food on the table as long as the kids get to go to school. Being able to send a child to school is a pride for the parents. You would usually hear them tell their kids, “Education is the only thing I can pass on to you.” They want their kids to have a better chance at life, something maybe their own parents were not able to do for them or for whatever reason they obviously did not get to live.
I know it is true that education is something parents anywhere in the world, always want their kids to have and being able to give them education gives unmatched pride and fulfillment. But growing up in the Philippines, I saw how it was always put first on the list.
Michelle: It is very common to hear most parents in my time to say also to their children: “I do not have money or material things to give you as your inheritance. However, giving you an education, is the most important inheritance that we can give you.” This statement applies specially to the poor families with numerous children. Have a good evening!
Hi Michelle – Wonderful story – it’s most similar to those baketko (asawako) [my wife] has told me of her schooldays. After one of those “olden days” storytimes, we decided to “help the cause.”
We provide a scholarship at a private school to two promising students who come from extremely poor agricultural barangays. Without the help, they’d be with their siblings and parents, out in the fields trying to eek out a living.
Of course, our current standard of living makes these scholarships seem like petty cash to us. To them, though, it’s an opportunity they eagerly and thankfully take – they pay us back with top level grades and honors.
We’ve already had a couple of graduates who ranked #1 & #2 in their batch. Talk about payback!
Hi Michelle, again a very wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it with us! I agree with Paul – actually we did the same to one of our nieces and nephews. And Paul is very right: they also paid us back with top levels and grades.
Kamusta ka Michelle,
Thanks for taking us on your journey while in school. My little Chesca will be starting 3rd grade as well, I believe June 15th is the day. So far Rose has everything she needs to start back up and tuitions all paid for already.
Your growing up seems to mirror Rose’s upbringing too, at least till there family business became much more successful, and she was then able to go to private school. Chesca now goes to this same private school in Maasin City, and she loves it.
Thanks again for sharing your life with us.
Salamat kaayo, ingatz,
Danny
Hi Michelle we have three starting back tomorrow well one going back and two new high schoolers one that graduated from elementary valedictorian and one that stopped schooling but at my coaxing he is going back and then we have our junior this year. It is an exciting time here at Tagum National HS
Good morning Michelle,
I pay for the school of a son of friends of mine in Manila,and next year, he will stard to learn spanish in INTITUTO CERVANTES.
He is 9 years old,his name is Felipe(well his actual name is Matt) it sounds to me like door mate,or table mate,so I ask permition to the parents and to him to call him Felipe,some times when the parets call him Matt,he gets angry,he says my name is Felipe¡¡¡he is avery sweet boy.I love him.
Have a nice day.
Hi mIchelle,
You’re right!Education is one thing a parent can give to their children w/c they can hold on and keep as long as they live. My father was a farmer so there’s always food in the table but not a lot of money, unless we sell the crops he harvested. One thing for sure, we didnt need to buy rice. My mom is a shoemaker, thats where we got our baon everyday. I’m one of the 7 children so you’ll know thats way harder putting us to school at all. Had to support myself to college, and my two younger brothers did too. It was way easier for the 2 youngest one coz by then, were all working and helping out, besides, them two got full scholarships at Mirriam College, so we only had to think about allowances…. but believe me, coping up with “joneses” in that kind of school is a challenge itself. Had to let them understand, “you are there to study…. nothing else”
good writing!
Hi,
I live in davao but from st louis where I grew up and spent most of my life except for two years. I live in central west end on waterman st.
Just wanted to say hi
Wow nice story Michelle… I remember when I was in 1st grade my school bag is netbag…
Hi Michelle
Another great story from you…
A lot of what you write about, I remember my wife telling me when we first met. About the hardships and wearing secondhand shoes etc etc. We sponsored my niece to go to college during evenings after her normal working day. Thankfully she studied hard (unlike me!!!) and has now got a good job and is helping her sister to attend college. I was surprissed how cheap education is (in UK terms), and how greatful my niece was for the support we gave her. She tells me ‘you can never learn too much’. She’s a bright girl, it’s a shame she would still be washing peoples clothes if we didn’t help her.
kamusta michelle
ahhh i know your feelings here as i have paid for 1 sister inlaw to finnish high school and now 2nd year of collage,also a brother inlaw through 3 years of collage.i know they wouldent even have a chance at collage if i wasent the one to pay.i want them to have more opertunitys in life with higher education.as for me i didnt even finnish highschool.actually i was lobstering when i was 17 and making about 3,000 usd a week.so i figured i would be a fisherman all my life but i have regrets because if i find different work its usually hard labor and poor pay.
salamat michelle
Hi Michelle,
. And dont get me started about those nuns hehe 
Great story. It brings back memories of my school days. We were also poor as there was ten children, dad worked 2 jobs, one at a dairy, and the other as a janitor. We rarely got new uniforms at the begining of the new school year. Mom would always buy the uniform two sizes too big then hem up the pant legs and bring in the seams. I would have to wear the same uniform for 2 years
Hello Michelle,
Great story,Seems like me when i was at elementary,at 1st level i had my uniform from my sister that i dont even know how old it was.I only got a new uniform when i was at 2nd level but my mom made for me longer and hem them so she could make longer until i finished my elementary grades..Great and unforgettable experienced!!
Michelle, good story…my family values education as well. There are 9 of us siblings and I am the 7th child. My parents were working hard for all of us to go to college. My mom’s philosophy is :”We do not have properties to share with you but with college degree, we are equipping you to survive and nobody can take this away from you.” I am so glad I have parents who sacrificed for us to finish college and have a better life than they had.
What we do in my family is helping our nephews and nieces in college like what our older brothers and sister did, then these students, after college and have stable jobs, then it is their turn to send their younger siblings or cousins to college and this will be a chain…helping each other to alleviate poverty.
Luckily, I married a guy that has the same value in regards to education. I work as a teacher here in the US and I always tell my students how lucky they are that education is free from pre-school to high school and that includes school supplies, lunch (if you are below poverty line, books, etc.
David B Katague, I think they still say the same things to the current generation of students. I for one, believe very much in the power of education. I believe it is something every child should be given the opportunity to have but the same child should be expected to really enrich his mind and his being.
Thanks for stopping by, David.
Paul, We need more people like you! There are absolutely a whole lot of kids who are extremely smart and with great potential who early on in their lives lose hope and eventually just give up on their dreams. I think there is nothing more tragic than when a child stops dreaming.
Congratulations! I’m sure you feel like fulfilled parents! Next time they need nominations for heroes, you ought to submit your names. You not only did something for your scholars, but to their future children as well and to the community they live in!
I cannot express just with words how much I appreciate people like you!
Klaus, Your nieces and nephews are very lucky! Congratulations to you too and of course to them. I think education is in itself a gift both to the person who sends them to school and definitely to the one who receives the chance.
Thank you and take care.
Danny, Thank YOU for reading it. Rose has been lucky and so is Chesca. I am sure they are both very excited too.
Gee, Michelle, thanks but there are no real heroics here. I’m sure there are many more folks doing the same thing – just as Klaus is – but either don’t appear here or lurk quietly.
The real heros are the kids who snatch opportunity and make the best of it. We’ve had a child or two who refused the scholarship as they wanted to hang with their barcada! No heroics in that, either.
It will be a little easier now – we’re moving back home to I.N. and won’t have to rely on the kindness of friends to coordinate things in our absence.
Hello Paul,
I agree with Michelle on this one, we need more people like you in this world willing to help when they can, a little kindness in this world goes a long ways, and we need our unsung heroes like yourself. You may not like that label, but it fits!!
I hope to be able to do these things in Maasin. I hear so many stories of this, especially single mothers, not able to send there children to school.
Salamat kaayo,
Danny
You better just take it Manong Paul. One who saves lives is labeled a hero. That’s exactly what you did & still do to those kids. You save them from ‘kamangmangan’ and help them dream a better life. Where were you when I needed a sponsor? Hehe.
I tend to get very passionate about education. This is probably the kind of job I’ll still keep when I’m old enough to say I’ve had enough and as I ‘fade away’. Or maybe sooner. (I have a whole new story in mind. But I have to rest this head and body or else I won’t have enough energy tomorrow to keep up with two little fidgety kids.)
Goodnight Manong.
Tommy, Good luck to all three of them. Congratulations to both the graduates and I’m glad the other one went back to school.
Wow Valedictorian! You must be very proud. And of course, it is the prize in itself for the student. I was the class Salutatorian in elementary and high school. (Ahem
) That’s another story I can write about.
Wishing Tagum National High a great start!
Antonio Marqués Sans, Felipe huh. I’m sure you know that our country is named after King Felipe II of Spain.
Anyway, good luck to Matt/Felipe. I just hope he doesn’t get confused.
cris, Wow Miriam! A close friend of mine is a ‘Miriam grad’.
I think it is specially important that the eldest finish his/her studies as it becomes the ’standard’ for the rest of the siblings. Good job Cris! I know for a fact that sending oneself to school is never easy.
And you are definitely right in that students should focus on learning when in school and not worry about what others ’strut’ that they can’t.
lloyd, Hi! Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate it a lot.
According to google map, I am about 19 minutes away from CWE. Now you know I still don’t know my way around here. And I’ve been living here since 2005! Haha!
Philmor, Awww. You know what, though, aren’t these kind of stories dear to our hearts? Because as bad as we felt at the time, it actually makes us proud of what it taught us. At least that’s how I feel. And when I write about how it was not all “shiny” for me when I was much younger, I am honestly smiling inside because the memory does not bring pain at all. It is just what I experienced. Oftentimes, in fact, I am proud because I can say “I have been there” and that I know how it feels and- look, it didn’t kill me.
Bacolod Barry, Thank you.
Congrats to your niece and good luck to her sister.
It is indeed a great edge to have an education specially in a country where the blue-collar jobs earn minimum wage or less.
RonW, I’m sure they appreciate your help very much.
I like it that here in the US, labor is not cheap. It shouldn’t be. And it also builds ‘trade pride’, you know. In the Philippines, one can hardly hold his head up high and say, “My job is in construction” because almost always, that means he could hardly feed his family.
Take care.
Hudson, Wow, my mom did that, too! She’d have longer skirts made for me and hem them so she could make them longer the following year. Haha! That’s really a good trick, you know. Sure worked for me. (Or her.
)
And your dad was a busy man.
(Excuse the pun.)
kostas kai juvy, My brothers experienced that a lot, too. Now, good thing I was the only girl haha! We used to always say that the eldest was lucky.