The 12-Year Basic Education of the Philippines

At first, when I heard about this project, I thought that 12 year basic education which may be implemented would be a good idea. I agreed with CBCP Public Affairs Committee chairman Caloocan with what he said: “This is a good thing to consider because we are sure that the purpose of this is to improve our educational system.” I also thought in mind that this is definitely true in my opinion.

After thinking about it, I told my dad what I thought about President Benigno "Noynoy" III's project. My dad told me that his opinion was the complete opposite. So indeed, my opinion changed as well; I was inspired by my father.

Currently, what I think about this project is that the process could take longer than expected. And are they really sure that this would really improve the quality of education of the Philippines? And if applied, it would definitely affect a lot of people's livelihood, mostly, in a negative way.

In my opinion, I think that this project would be very hard to convince to the majority of the citizens of the Philippines. I mean, indeed, if it would be implemented, we would be aligned with the education of the rest of the world, but I bet many citizens would think of disagreeing. It's a too risky situation. In my case, it would have been a good project if it was implemented way back then. It could also have been possible getting the votes of the majority. But now is now, he past was the past, and I hope that the future would be in god hands. That is all I want for the sake of my generation. Right at this moment, I don't have the authority to speak up about my opinion in front of the whole society, but hopefully, the choice of the people with authority right now would think of what is best for the society. And I know that this is the most important for other people as well.

The Me You May Not Know About, But Still, Accept Me For Me

Karen Kathleen F. del Rosario is my full name. At first I thought "Since I'm a full blooded Chinese, why is my family name Spanish?" Then I discovered that my family name should actually be "Leung" but my dad's family changed it, so that's why it is currently del Rosario.

My family is just an average one in my eyes. I have a dad, a mom, an older sister, and a younger brother. My dad and my mom are really hardworking. They don't show how much they love each other in front of us, their children, but deep inside, even though they always fight, I know that they really do love each other. My sister's name is Kimberly Kaye. To tell the truth, she always gets mad at me and we usually fight, but in times that I need her, she's surely there. On the other hand, my younger brother's name is Karl Edward. He likes playing basketball. He and I are always synchronized in almost everything we say or do.

Often, my friends in school always say that my family is rich but I don't really think of it as a compliment because I don't really think that I deserve that title. I feel like I'm just being praised for my parents' success and that doesn't really make me happy. I mean, who would? In my opinion, I'd rather be praised for my own work.

Well now, back to me as the topic, since the second year of high school, I think that I have become more studious since I truthfully didn't take Elementary too seriously. It was a stage of life where I really didn't realize that I was living a fruitful life. Just about last year, I was able to become the top 1 in our class. My parents couldn't believe it until they saw my report card. But at present, I am a third year high school student and during the first quarter of this school year, I was announced top 1 again in our class. Compared to other top 1's, I don't even compare to them. I was sad cause of that, but then my friends helped me realize that I did my best to make it where I am now so I should be proud of myself. My friends really gave me hope.

Sometimes it saddens me that even though I get high grades, it's like my parents are too busy to notice me. Well literally, they do notice me, but it's like they don't appreciate my hard work. I even once told my mom that I was top 1 in the class just about two months ago, but she didn't care and changed the topic cause she was focusing on asking me about something related to school. It really hurt me. But I have to understand my parents as well. I don't know what they're going through so I should just appreciate them for taking care of me for the past few years that I've been alive and the reason why I'm still standing straight right now without any disabilities.

Due to the tough times, I have become stronger. Due to mistakes, it makes me realize that I seek to reach. Right now, my life may be miserable to others, my life may be a blessing to others, despite what they say about who I am or who I'm not, my life will definitely be for others.

Things may change while I am living this life; events, good or bad, may happen that nobody knows but God; the blessings that appear before me but may not be seen as a gift; the love that is being showered before me but can't be noticed. Beneath all that, I thank the Lord for giving me a chance to live. That is the most important to me in this moment. And I Hope that this will be the most important, forever.