BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 1 (PIA) – Teachers should tell more about Filipino solidarity to their students.
Philippine Information Agency Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena conveyed this message to hundreds of elementary and high school teachers at the Pintig Pinoy lecture here recently organized by the Department of Education (DepEd) – Negros Oriental.
The activity aims to empower teachers in their role in shaping youth’s social participation today.
Oquiñena said that the issues of climate change, the dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, poverty and corruption are problems that challenge Filipino solidarity and can be overcome if people would unite to face these “bullies.”
Oquiñena emphasized that the school teachers play a big part in molding every youth’s well being as they grow up and they should take advantage of this by imparting the value of unity and solidarity to their students.
“You have been given a task, a responsibility and an opportunity to co-create a person especially now that the challenges are very tough, (we have) climate change, poverty, the threat of war, the lack of food, etc. This is the time we teach a very important lesson, the ability to be a unifying person,” Oquiñena said.
“We can only face climate change and other challenges if we learn how to be one. We cannot address social concerns kapag watak-watak tayo,” he added. This is part of what he calls the ‘Filipino’ brand which young people should learn today.
Oquiñena explained that the Filipino brand connotes excellence, right attitude towards others and the ability to set aside insecurities, biases and self pity in order to work for the good of the nation.
Aside from these, ‘Filipino’ brands also exhibits confidence in facing challenges and compassion to fellow countrymen.
He noted that the country experienced colonization thrice and this led to the perception that Filipinos are treated as second class citizens.
But Oquiñena believes this can still be changed if teachers can inspire students to have the sense of purpose and passion in their lives.
“We should make sure that we will raise children that will have an intelligent heart before an intelligent mind, because an intelligent heart is a sure foundation for development,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Pintig Pinoy lecture was attended by SSG Advisers (Secondary Schools), main high school principals, Araling Panlipunan department heads, district HEKASI coordinator, central school principals, DepEd, Sillimanians and elementary and high school teachers. (mbcn/ral/PIA7-NegOr)