the second of three…
* SERIOUS BUSI-NESS
- You may attribute it to many reasons — enrolment in DW1, teaching comeback at eccle, renewed stint at ua&p, five teaching preps, two difficult subjects with graduating students — sure, there was never a sem when I was given a pretty easy load, but that’s fine. Am all into the reality that the young should have their share of hardships in order to reap good and worthwhile things at the end. Hardships indeed helped me grow, being more sufficient and serious with the things that should be settled. For the sem, I must have garnered an impression that I became casual in talking of philosophy, yet more serious and strict when it comes to requirements. Aside from that, they also said that my patience is shorter now than before. Well, how about…
1. the maeutic-sarcasm while entertaining late submittees.
2. receiving goodwill messages from students like, "hi ma’am hope you’re in good mood today" the night before the senior class’ final oral exam in Empiricism.
3. more frequent instances of table-taps/bangs/whacks to shut students up.
4. class presidents voluntarily doing their share in taming their classmates. (It only happened during this sem)
5. seeing students estimate my sarcasm meter, by observing how far my eyebrows had gone high and how frequent my eyes roll.
Serves everyone right, I suppose. Guys (yes, this goes to my students), always remember that discipline is always part of the package. Learning is not all about data reception and storage, students also ought to give and for that they should be trained on how to give — and aha, that is when discipline enters. For four semesters of teaching, I learned that teaching is not just a matter of "pointing out", the radical part of it is to push people in doing things that they must not have thought of doing before. We are being like midwives here. Sure, the delivery all depends on the mother giving birth, but somebody has to be around to tell her when to "push".
Should philosophy be treated seriously? I suppose so. Insofar as this is the only subject that deals with the ultimate principles and causes as known by human reason alone; and inasmuch as it touches the innermost, most stable and unshakable truths about man and his world — doesnt philosophy deserve even our lives?
Yep, i might be getting stricter and more bothered by unusual and unnecessary interruptions in class. But I think that’s how it should be. Philosophy should not be abandoned for it is hard, nor should it be laughed about unless you want it to laugh back at you. It’s just that when talking of thoughts and life, I really mean serious business.
* PEOPLE OF THE SEM
- It is not that I first encountered only during this sem. I’ve known most of these people for quite some time, but let’s just say that it was last sem when I had the perfect chance to know them better:
A. FR. RICHARD ANG, OP - the workaholic faculty secretary of eccle. He was our general during the Bing Fa project. He must have taken Sun Zi seriously that he is applying it in running a busy office that shelters three important faculties in the University. Way to go father, but as I keep on telling, "just have healthy habits". =)
B. SIR FERDIE LOPEZ - the madam. While he’s the one in charge of the Philosophy program, I had the chance to know him up close during the accreditation. Hehe, the guy (errhm, lady - am confused, hehehe) simply knows how to handle pressure. Albeit things about work that would usually cause nervous breakdown, Sir Ferdie still manages to brighten up the day. He baptizes people with new names, would always drop a lashing comment or a hilarious joke.
C. THE M’s (Tracy, Arrah, Kathleen) - The wonder girls of Concilium who had been so cooperative and supportive. We’ll have more time to spend and lots of work to do, ladies.
D. A COUPLE OF UA&P KIDS - who are aware that thinking requires the removal of any inhibition. Finally, I got kids who are totally game about putting their corporate and chic modes aside for the sake of extracting firm and unshakeable truths. Though oftentimes noisy, even if my plantilla is flexed by endless questions and interruptions (thanks to Migs and Allan), and even if mindmaps are converted into mindmazes, I am deeply touched by your sincerity to learn. Too bad, I cant spend another sem with you IN class (unless you are interested to fail, heheh), so i’ll just see you around folks.
E. THE ECCLE LOGIC CLASS - who would always attempt to make a heretic out of me. I will always appreciate their being cooperative and inquisitive — especially the Chinese brothers. Enjoy Criteriology and Logic2 next sem. Thanks much and I hope that you will all be good servants of the Lord.
F. DARLENE - the girl who will definitely miss her eclectic and eccentric playlist when she finally enters the convent. Kelan tayo uli mambabadap sor?
G. 1JRN2 - the most energetic advisory class that I’ve ever had.
H. KA GORYO (Gary Granada) - never had a personal connection, but unlike Noel Cabangon’s music that I’ve been quite familiar with for years, it is only during this sem when I started to chew his songs and take ‘em seriously.
