Unpolished Jewels

'Students are jewels'. These are words spoken by one of the teachers I met recently. Up to now these words resound to my brain. I pondered and searched my heart. Slowly it sank into my head... gradually I convinced myself. Indeed they are. After all, each child is a precious gift from above endowed with much potential.

With this thought, let's consider our role. Our role as adults is to mold and polish such jewels so that they shine priceless as they grow. But what if we fail to rub-off their rough edges? What if when we are torn between 'protecting' some rights and correcting misbehavior we close our eyes and choose that which is less messy? When we let mischief go without correction and reprimand, we fail to do our role as refiners of these unpolished jewels.

Some may say 'we cannot play God'. But I did not suggest that we make them perfect. I only want to call on parents, educators, school administrators, and loving and caring adults to enforce corrective and disciplinary measures when necessary to mold our children to become equally caring and respectful member of the human race. Let's discipline them in such a way that we bring out the best in them. Let's constantly help them to shed-off unacceptable behavior. For no amount of treasures can buy a man some dignity, honor and integrity. They are priceless qualities brought about by proper discipline.

"Diamonds that have poor to extremely poor polish are less brilliant." anonymous

Lumang Diary

December 6, 2004
Nagpunta kami ng pamilya ko sa Real, Quezon noong Linggo ng gabi, November 29, 2004. (Tagaroon talaga kami. Lumipat lang kami dito sa QC noong 1984.) Doon na kami inabot ng dalawang bagyo, willie at yoyong. Hindi ko kayang ilarawan lahat ng naranasan namin doon. Kalunus-lunos ang naging kalagayan namin doon at ng mga naiwan pa roon hanggang ngayon.
Noong Lunes ng maghapon ay malakas na ulan ang dala ng bagyong willie. Bumaha sa buong bayan ng Real, Infanta at General Nakar. Nasira ang apat na tulay, daan-daang bahay ang lumubog sa baha, giniba ng troso at baha at maraming buhay ang nawala.

Sa loob ng limang araw na inilagi ko doon ay pangkaraniwang tanawin ang maya'tmayang binibitbit na bangkay sa plasa. May 27 na guho sa kabundukan ng Siera Madre bago makarating sa bayan namin.

Libo-libong troso ang nakalutang sa dagat pasipiko ngayon na siyang inanod kasabay ng tubig,putik, bato na mula sa bundok. Parang bangungot! Akala ko ay hindi na titigil ang galit ng Diyos at ng kalikasan.

Kapag nahawan na ang mga guho at putik ay babalik ako doon upang mag-volunteer. Sa ngayon ay limitado ang kayang gawin ng isang babaeng volunteer. Maraming paghuhukay, paghahawan at paghahakot ang kailangang gawin upang makaabot ang relief goods sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo.

Nakauwi lang kami noong Biyernes dahil na-airlift kami. Narescue kami ng isa sa mga presedential choppers.

Ang mga illegal loggers ay mga kriminal! Dapat silang masilya elektrika.