Skip to main content

March

We just came from my daughter’s “Moving up Day”. It’s a commencement. She has satisfactorily completed the preschool program. Soon after the summer break, three months from now, she’ll be in grade 1…

As I watched my daughter march on stage, I thought of the innocence still lingering in her mind perhaps on what graduation means. Then it occurred to me; it’s just a step compared to a march…

As if such marching is coinciding within the month of March, though what does the third month of the year actually reminds us? If we’re to be too literal about it, it seems an evocation for us to march towards a certain direction. In fact, graduates undergo simulation of it and might as well be some sort of training in walking into a bigger responsibility.

Finishing a bachelor’s degree for instance, after how many years of college education, may it be with honors, awards, citations or merely crossing the finish line, we all feel like winners. Various compliments are at hand. Every graduate or should I say the parents deserve a congratulatory remark… I say both. I suppose, to say “Welcome to the real world” would be a more fitting salutation for newly college graduates to be greeted with. Question is; does it mean what it suggests? Just like being desired “good luck”, is it a pleasing wish or a caution for it is what they need… LUCK.

We really cannot say that nothing else is likely in season during this time of the year except commencement exercises. After which, there would be celebrations and after those grueling years behind books who wouldn’t want to relax and enjoy the summer sun. More so, you owe it to yourselves to be treated before embarking on a new path. You might as well grab the opportunity to have fun since you could be unsuspecting of the challenges that lies ahead and still take it easy just in case luck does not come marching in with you in a more realistic set-up.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean to demoralize the high-spirited newly graduates. Fact of the matter is I still believe there are those new degree holders who could be highly competitive. My point is; is it fair or a hostile ground where they’re being welcomed.

With the world’s economy on the downside, it’s a gung-ho world out there. Retrenchment seems to be the way for companies to improve on their financial stability. Thus, laying-off of employees is a prevalent choice. In trying to secure a position as one among the employed where the fittest survives, you’re required to possess that so-called X-factor. It seems having finished a college course is not enough.

Is it just? I can’t say it’s not but I wouldn’t say it’s with justice as well. You see, in as much as I would like to be completely considerate of employers’ standpoint; of course they want to hire the best they could rely on but then, what’s the use of the training and the things you have learned in school (not to mention O.J.Ts) if they’ll prefer and employ someone with, let’s say 3-5 years of experience in a related job? If the 4 or 5-year course isn’t enough, where will they get the experience? Can’t they give raw talents a chance or the screening of applicants is just not that extensive? Nevertheless, there are establishments that take on fresh graduates but we just cannot ignore the fact that the ones that matter most or rather the ones that are offering the best deal or dream job so to speak are the discriminating ones. No wonder they make quite an impression and it’s not entirely their fault. They’ve earned to be in a position where they can command. Where does that leave us and where do we stand?

Furthermore, let’s not pretend as if we’re not bothered by the prejudicial practice brought about by companies that prefer alumnae from reputable schools. I’m a product of one of these top academes, and I may have the edge but I cannot say I’m better than those who did not have the privilege to enroll in these institutions of higher education. Whatever happened to “potential” and “innate talent”?

What about connections? While there are job hunters that carry loaded weapons, it’s unfortunate for them to lose their “prey” to a “lucky predator” or more sadly to a “scavenger”. You get the picture…

March will remind us of so many things including the irregularities above-mentioned since it’s a time the number of the unemployed increases. With these eventualities, our economy seems to be further going down. Who are we to blame? Perhaps the government? Pointing the finger on whoever we think is the culprit is not the solution. We better face it bravely and with confidence. It’s up to us to make do of what’s on hand at the moment. Let’s take it as a motivating factor to prove that each and every one of us can show our true worth and make a difference.

I hope this March will be a better one. It’s a time to gather our thoughts on how to contribute and do our share… For now, wear those groovy shades, head for your favorite summer destination and bask in the sun. You might just realize it’s the life you want to live. Accordingly, it’s actually providing you directions and inspiration on how to get there. The more you will be challenged to strive harder… then you will look forward to the next March, and the year after and every March of every year.Enjoy your summer. See you at the beach!
Labels:

Enjoy reading? You might enjoy these posts too...

Stop The Hate

And spread the love... I could have used “Spread The Love” for a title and the “stop the hate” for an onset instead... However, nowadays, a more intriguing issue leaning on negativity stirs a more engaging traction; when subject is abject. “Vilify and it goes viral; praise and it (apparently) goes to waste...” Also, I could have just merged the two as it should be; given that when you stop the hate, it should correspond with spreading the love. But then, what’s rampant along today’s society is how people would rather pay attention to other people’s “negative attributes” to conjure up prodding against those being maligned instead of focusing on (their) fine qualities that merit compliments. For some, they forego of the possibility of being labeled as “humble brags” which similarly get misinterpreted (probably out of envy) and turn into critical imputations from others. Thus, they turn into the opposite as critics instead and express something else against anyone/thing from...
Read more

Rain, Rain, Go Away. Walang Pasok Anyway

“Walang pasok” might as well be for “wala ng (puma)pasok na pag-unawa” among us... Suspension of classes during this rainy/typhoon season here in Baguio and Benguet has been a constant issue. Both are under separate government units. Thus, its respective local government’s discretion on such weather-concerning decision is rather sought, apparently for all the “authority and liability” aspect’s worth. One major concern however is that, there seems to be a discrepancy on the two governing bodies’ jurisdictions along the inclement weather’s path (and radius), geographically within a common “area of responsibility” which raises these concerns: Baguio is in Benguet What if a student happens to be a resident of, say, La Trinidad but studies in Baguio or vice versa... Do we have to rely (every time) on their discretion? How about considerations leaning towards common sense which could affect one’s academic performance (isn’t that ironic) ... will it be taken against the stud...
Read more

Uncles and Aunties of Baguio: Who We Are is Who We Were

While it’s true that it was patterned from, as well as inspired by the far more reaching “Titos and Titas of Manila” Facebook group which apparently has been conceptualized from its recently implied premise, “ Uncles and Aunties of Baguio “ on the other hand was initially thought of and created for the purpose of a more nonchalant acceptance given its commonplace exclusivity other than reliving the good old times as an acknowledgment of the difference from any other generation. Come to think of it, the connotation behind “Tito/Tita of (what place) ” as currently referred to doesn’t actually have “that sweet” forethought. It’s almost leaning towards “that sourness” caught between “nagmumurang kamatis” and being “may asim pa” ... Imagine (say) one in his 40s at a party among a bunch most likely half his age “leveling” with the young ones still yet courteously addressed as “Tito” (not to mention, that’s with ”po” and ”opo” )... However, not to appear defensive and at the same ti...
Read more