By Manny Pinol
What do we need to do to ensure that in the future, Filipinos will no longer live with the stigma of a corrupt society and dishonest leaders?
Yesterday, parents and teachers of Ateneo de Davao Grave V class started an advocacy while I believe should be emulated elsewhere in the country.
Selected parents were invited to talk before the Grade V schoolchildren.
I was one of the parent-speakers who was asked to share with Grade V pupils of the Ateneo de Davao grade school my thoughts on the topic “Understanding Your Parents.”
The activity was a project of the Ateneo Grade School Parents Association where my wife is an officer and is aimed at encouraging children to open up to parents and share their dreams, aspirations, problems and fears.
My son, Bernhart Immanuel, is in this grade level and while he belongs to another class, he was tasked by the teachers to introduce me.
“My father is a former Governor and he loves agriculture,” Bernhart proudly told the members of the Andres Bonifacio Section of the Grade V class.
I had to speak in English because of the presence of three foreign pupils – an American, a Korean and an Indian girl.
Standing before a class of 10 to 12 year-old children with 40 pairs of eyes focused on me and listening intently to every word I said, it took me sometime to actually settle down and find the level in which I could communicate with them.
I shared with them the hardships I went through as young boy growing up and going to college with only one pair of pants and two shirts because I wanted them to understand that many parents could not provide their children with things beyond what they could afford.
In this age when kids who do not have IPads and touchphones feel neglected and unloved, I told them that I never complained about the poverty that I faced as a young boy because I understood that my parents, both teachers, did not have a money to provide all of us 11 boys with the things that we wanted.
I told them the truth that I felt insecure as a young boy growing up not only because I was often the smallest in the class but also because my shoes were worn out.
I told them that when I heard mass I had to sit in the last row of the church pews so that nobody would see the holes in the soles of my shoes.
Just like them, I also had my crushes but I did not even the chance of inviting the girls to snacks because I did not have the money to buy even a bottle of Coke.
“But look, I became a writer, a TV sports commentator, a mayor and a Governor,” I told them and watched as the children’s eyes lighted up.
When I noticed that some of them had difficulty expressing themselves during the discussions, I also shared with them the secret to effective public speaking.
“Speak truthfully and you will never have problems communicating,” I told the children.
Then, I concluded my talk with the three lessons which I said contributed to my success in life:
1) Embracing Honesty as a guiding principle in life;
2) Believing in yourself and your capabilities in overcoming the problems in life;
3) Believing and having faith in God.
The reactions expressed by the children in small notepads given to me by the class adviser after the session were very inspiring.
“Today, I learned why my parents can’t give me all that I want and I understand my parents. I learned to be honest too,” wrote Norel Balahay.
Marc Mercader wrote: “Thank you for teaching us to be true to ourselves and our parents.”
“Thank you for sharing your stories with us. I’ve really learned a lesson that honesty can lead to success. I am so happy today, that now I know how I should treat everybody,” said Kate Dianne Serafica in her note.
“Thank you for giving us the 3 (lessons): Honesty, Believing (in) your self, Have faith in God,” Joshua Rafael Lorenzo Carorocan wrote.
Impressed that I personally knew the father of many of the members of the class, Marc Morandante said the “lecture was so fun because you know everything even the father of my classmate. I would like to ask my father if you know him and if he knows you. My father is Remus Morandante.”
Maria Miclat was surprised when I asked her whether her father is the NGO worker Gus Miclat and wrote: “You told me to say regards to my father because you know him, GUS MICLAT. Sure, why not? He he!”
A girl named Kristianna wrote: “I learned something new from you that the secret of being (a) confident (speaker) is (to) tell the truth. Thank you.”
Yassin Mangudadatu, son of Sultan Kudarat Governor Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu revealed his mission in life when he said: “Now that I know your story, I will try my best to follow my parent’s and your footsteps. I know that when I get older I will help people from the deepest of my heart.”
Dane Sunga, who described herself as “AKA The girl who was late,” wrote: “Thank you for teaching us to be honest, to be true to ourselves and to have faith in God. We enjoyed your stay. We hope you did too.”
There was no doubt I enjoyed every minute of my stay with the children.
I also learned a very important lesson.
All that society needs to do to breed a new generation of honest, truthful and God-fearing Filipinos is to share with the children of today these values.
Judging from the reaction of the children to the lessons in life shared with them, it is safe to say that what the country needs now is a nation-wide values formation program to be taught in the homes, schools and churches.
Yesterday, I saw a great hope that the next generation of Filipinos could be spared from the national shame of having dishonest and corrupt leaders.
(Photo caption: Ateneo de Davao Grade V Bonifacio class members pose with me after the talk. Photo by Emily A. Pinol)
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