unbreak
I love adobo; I love spoon and I love fork! Yes, I'm Pinoy... Proud of it!
I know... I know... It's been a while since I've touched my keyboard and produced something of worth in my publications. I'm so sorry guys, guess I just had too much to say or maybe too little. I've been putting off some stuff and I just had to deal with some things. I've had to much stuff on my mind that I wasn't able to put into words. Anyways, one topic just forced me out of my dormant mode.
I'm sure that almost every Filipino out there has heard the story about this one Filipino boy who has been subjected to racism in Canada. It just caught my attention. Yeah, it might already be old news but it's never too late to express sympathy with my fellow Filipinos. It's never too late to stand up for what you believe in and it's never too late to fight for what you think is right.
This Filipino family has been living there for seven years and Luc Cagadoc (the boy) practically grew up there but still maintained his Filipino heritage. The Gallardo-Cagadoc family was startled when there youngest son Luc Cagadoc refused to go back to school after being reportedly ridiculed by his teacher infront of his friends after using a spoon and a fork during lunch break. The whole family was enraged, as I was, having heard / read the little boy's side of the story. I'm sure every Filipino who's heard of his story shares their family's sentiments.
It is understandable to punish a child if he/she misbehaves or act in a manner that does not meet the norms of society but it does not mean that the punishment should degrade or conflict the child's beliefs and traditions. Assuming that the boy did act inappropriately, he should have been disciplined accordingly and not attacked in such a manner that totally questions his morale and that of his upbringing and culture. What's worst is that the parents of the child acted in the most civil way possible and tried to resolve things by meeting with the said child's teacher. But what they received was hostility instead. I am not negating the fact that Filipinos abroad living in foreign countries should well in no doubt conform to the traditions and practices in the place where they reside, but it should also be taken into consideration that each one of us has his/ her own beliefs and has been accustomed to things that may be different to what each of us has been accustomed too, and thus should be respected. I believe the only solution is Respect! Cultural and racial diversities should be respected and should not be put down just because it is different to what we may believe. I feel that it is such a simple thing to ask. Respect should not choose a nationality, a gender or age. It should be given and expected from each one of us especially from those who are lucky enough to have been educated.
What hurts me the most is that the principal who's supposed to be diplomatic, especially when it comes to bridging the gaps between the teachers, students and parents have undoubtedly pre-judged the situation as well as acted in a manner that lacked professionalism and diplomacy. The said principal did not only fail in meeting the norms expected from a person holding such a powerful position but also raised issues concerning racism. Asuque, the principal, even resorted to comparing the little boy's manner of eating to as of a pig. That is like saying that the entire Filipino race, as well as to the other parts of the globe that use spoon and fork as part of their table etiquette, are pigs. It is also like asking the Chinese people to eat noodles and subject them to ridicule for using chopsticks. If children are to be subjected to disciplinary actions when they act inappropriately then it should be the same way to everyone else who fails to meet the standards placed by society.
I expected a lot more from the heads of the institution, because they are the ones educating the children. If they themselves can't act descent, then how can they expect the children that they are teaching to grow up as mature and upstanding citizens? They are setting such bad examples. It is understandable for a seven/ eight year old boy to try and eat with a spoon and fork because the food that he was eating required for such utensils. I challenge anybody to eat anything with soup and not use spoon. Of course it is plain nonsense to do so! It is upsetting to think that people, who have acquired such high level of education, can act in such a manner that is low and uncalled for. I hope that they might stumble to my site and read this publication for them too see how many people they have hurt with such an act. I pray that everyone else to do the same and express their own views about the matter but without stooping to their level. I urge people who will be writing their own sentiments to prevent from name calling and attacking any racial issues for as I said Respect is the only solution with this problem and for most problems for that matter. And we can only receive respect if we show respect. Thanks and have a nice day everybody! Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino!
-gif l.t.
;11:02 AM
loves.
GOD =) || family (",) || friends ;) || sweet gestures || romantic acts || long conversations || moonlight walks on the beach || SUNSETS / sunrise || swept off my feet || personally written poems || SENERADES
hates.
HYPOCRITES! || PLAYERS / LIERS / smooth talkers & the sort || being... judged || told what to do || smirked at || intentionally ignored || left hanging || taken advantage of
calendar/events ?
my bro's & tita's bday!
mother's day!
my debut. 10/10 - tagal pa!.
my forever wish list!(:
true love =)
simple things.
happiness.
yesterdays. (my archives)
October 2004
January 2005
April 2005
May 2005
June 2005
July 2005
August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
November 2005
December 2005
January 2006
February 2006
March 2006
April 2006
May 2006
June 2006
July 2006
November 2006
December 2006
April 2007
