How much do you know about the Constitution?

I was saddened by the fact that lots of Filipinos do not even know some of the fundamentals of the Constitution. I mean even those provisons which I think are essential in the life of an ordinary citizen of this country.

While I am having my lunch in a carinderia near our house I was attentive while listening to a college student while she explains to a woman which I think, is in her 40's, the quailifications of a president of the Philippines. Well, that I think was a very good point on her part because she tries to inform the woman of a basic knowledge that an ordinary citizen like her should possess espeially at her age right now.

She explained that a person, to be qualified as a presidential candidate should be atleast forty years old. On that part she is correct but not until when she added that an additional qualification is that, he who has the intention of running for presidency should have served atleast 10 years in the government.

I was on the verge of spewing the food in my mouth the moment that I heared that.The Constitution clearly provides in Section 2 Article 7 that "No person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election,and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election."

Now the question is where did she get that idea? Did she even browse the constitution or such are hearsays coming from unreliable sources. I pity not only the student but also the woman she's talking to because she was a recipient of a false statement and was deprived of a verifiable truth.

But I don't wanna blame them. Such case is an evidence of a weak system of education in this country. If there's an institution responsible for informing its citizens about the basics of the government, that should be the Department of Education.

Come to think of it, that woman, at her age might have exercised her right of suffrage for several times. And that college student may participate in the election in the future. It was just so sad to realize that maybe the reason of bad governance here in our country is that people are just plain ignorant.

RUN OF THE MILL

I was called for a recitation to my intro to law class this morning. It was actually the second time that I was called, the last time was last saturday. I might say that it was an average and a mediocre performance though I studied all night just to be capable of answering all the questions that will possibly be thrown on me. But as my professor said, reading is far from understanding all the cases. I don't know how I would change this lifestyle that I have. I'm being happy of being just an ordinary student without striving hard of becoming extraordinary.

But I know, life doesn't end there. I still have my chance of changing this kind of attitude that I have. I must overcome this notion that I must only become regular. I know that the chance of excellence is being robbed by this principle that dominates me.

I couldn't be like this if I am really determined of pursuing law in the future. I couldn't be like this in law school. Being a working student would not justify this kind of performance that I have right now. There are lots of working students out there who still manage to be the best that they can.

I need to have a strong inner motivation. I shouldn't be contented with mediocrity. I should not shrink towards it. :(

NOSTALGIA

Whenever I come home to Subic, I always have this feeling, it's hard to explain but I think it's a sort of nostalgia. I am having this obsession of return. I want to stay longer beyond the time that my work and school would permit me. I would always want to breathe some fresh air. When you're home, you feel that you're secured and nobody could harm you.

It's different, it's refreshing. You would feel that you are reborn and ready to face new challenges that life would bring you. When you leave, you would always wanna cry. It's that sadness that would get in your way. You will always want to go back. Well!!! I really miss being at home.

Junior Year is Over!

Junior year is over. It means that I have to prepare for Atty.Daye's nerve wracking recitations. It means that leniency should be out of my system before the classes start. I heared stories about her, and I felt an intense feeling of fear. But ofcourse that is an overstatement. Assesing her through her angelic face somewhat relieves me otherwise there is something behind those smiles...