Back to School

Primary and secondary school students in Victoria go back to school and that includes my two boys. Last Monday they picked up their school stuff neatly packed in a box and didn't cost me a cent. And because my kids go to a state school and we hold a concession card, everything was absolutely free - notebooks, papers, sketch books, art pens, pens, pencils, glue sticks, markers, even erasers and sharperners - except the uniforms, of course, which I purchased on lay-by.

When I checked and labelled all their things last night I saw that the materials were not cheap and were of good quality. This got me thinking about the public school system in the Philippines which although free leaves much to be desired and the pupils who deserve more than what they are getting. Then I started to recall the days back in the Makati when I had to go to the bookstore and spend over a thousand pesos for my kids' school supplies that either were consumed halfway through the school year or got lost in school in which case I had to make several trips back to the bookstore and replace the supplies adding to the already burdened budget.

And then I went back to that moment of labelling my kids' school supplies and appreciated our good fortune of being here enjoying the benefits of a free education. I sure hope that someday soon, Filipino public school students can also have a taste of a truly free education. But of course others would say suntok sa buwan.

Celebrating the Eucharist the Aussie way

Each time I go to mass on Sundays, I couldn't help but miss how the mass is celebrated in the Philippines.

Masses in the Philippines are very visual and lively never mind if the choir sometimes sings out of tune. Eucharistic ministers and lectors/commentators have their own black & white attire which lends an air of formality to the celebration and not to mention the beautiful floral arrangements that adorn the altar.

In contrast, masses here are not as lively because not all masses have choirs and is devoid of the visuals I have mentioned above. But I'm proud to say though that a Filipino choir regularly sings at our parish church. Masses here lack some of the formalities Filipino masses have. We recite the Nicene creed (which I haven't committed to memory yet) and kneel throughout the consecration until the Great Amen. (Anyone who attends mass at San Sebastian Church know what I mean.) We also recite the old version of the Lord's prayer which I never get used to saying. And most of all, Eucharistic ministers and lectors/commentators wear anything they please. Yesterday I was shocked to see the man giving communion wearing cargo shorts! I thought the attire was totally inappropriate.

After trying to get over my shock, I realized that it didn't matter what the person giving the host was wearing but what he was giving. I guess I have yet to adjust to the Catholic way of life here where rituals and visuals do not take centerstage.

To serve and be served

Our school just hosted a welcome back BBQ for the staff at lunchtime today and got to take a peek at the kind of leaders the school have.

I was supposed to be on desk duty for the duration of the BBQ but when our library manager knew that I was going to miss it on account of my shift and even if my colleagues promised to get some food for me, she voluntarily took over my roster so I can attend the BBQ. I thought it was sweet of her because as far as my experience goes, none of my bosses would have done the same for me. They'd get food for me, yes, but not to the extent of relieving me of my duties just so I can have a good time.

Also, the idea of a welcome back lunch was foreign to me coz back in the Philippines administrators couldn't care less to welcome their employees back from the holidays after a perfunctory greeting for the new year and would only be too happy to see them go back to the nitty gritty of work.

At the BBQ, I saw some of the school's top brass mingling with the staff. Nothing unusual there until I saw one of the directors who heads our national office with an apron on and grilling sausages and burgers apparently enjoying what he's doing. And all I could think of was "WOW!". A couple of minutes later, I saw him again carrying a box of sausages to be grilled. And I thought in the Philippines, officers in his position won't do such a thing in front of subordinates especially wearing a shirt and a necktie.

But that's not the end of it. I actually saw our school's CEO get a pack of disposable plates and place it on the table for the latecomers. I know it's such a small gesture but again I've never seen a president or chairman in the schools/companies I've worked for in the Philippines who would bother about small things such as plates for staff because they're all seated in the presidential table with hordes of waiters attending to them.

These guys have earned my admiration. Certainly Filipino managers can learn a thing or two from this post.

Holiday blues

I'm just glad the holidays are over. The moment the second week of December came and Christmas parties were held, I somehow suffered a bout of depression. I had this urge to write about how I was going to miss Christmas in the Philippines but decided not to add to the literature on how sad it is to celebrate Christmas away from the Philippines. Suffice it to say that I share the same sentiments of other Filipinos abroad who were not in the Philippines for Christmas. Iba talaga ang Pasko sa Pinas.

But we did have a white Christmas after all (2005 was one of Australia's coldest Christmas in summer) even for just a few minutes with hail blanketing the streets and my sons were all too happy to hold ice as big as peas in the palm of their hands. (I actually prayed that the ice didn't get any bigger so as not to damage properties). The hail and rain in some parts of Victoria and snow in the mountains, although unexpected, was very welcome in light of the bushfires that have been occurring around the country for more than a month now. A welcome reprieve for the brave firefighters who got the chance to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones.

Looking back at 2006, I had a blast for the first half of the year professionally and personally while the second half was like a rollercoaster ride with the ups and downs of adjusting to life in Australia. And with a new baby to look forward to in 2007, life here won't be more colorful.

New life, new job, new baby - what could I ask for more? A plane ticket to spend the holidays in the Philippines with new baby in tow won't be such a bad idea.