EDUKASYON

Casts:

Maricel Padera-one of the students who walk for almost 3 hours to school
Sheila Padera-sister and classmate of Maricel Padera
Madeleine-a student who is teaching her co-student
Merlina Arabis-a 52 year old student in high school but is determined to finish her studies
Analyn-undernourished, 12 year old who is still in grade 1
Luis-hardworking student who sells things to food for his family

Synopsis:

Nowadays, our country is facing a bulk of crises. Some of these are poverty, corruption, poor quality education, a growing number of crimes and insufficient jobs for Filipinos. But education and poverty will be given more emphasis since they related to us students.
Let’s not deny the fact that most Filipinos are in poverty line, thus they can’t afford a quality education. Some of them are mostly from depressed areas. Maricel and Sheila Padera, Madeleine, Merlina Arabis, Analyn and Luis are just a few of these students. They are willing to learn but they are incapable of obtaining quality education. As they say, education is expensive.
Some of the reasons behind poor quality education are lack of finances; lack of teachers, books, and rooms; malnutrition which gives rise to continuous drop-outs of the students; and far too many students in a room that some students can’t almost hear the lessons that are discussed.
Some students like Maricel and Sheila Padera are often facing a precarious journey. They are walking for almost 3 hours to school although they are uncertain of the journey they are traveling. And come to think of it. That journey is their school. They are not sure whether they are heeding the right tract but one thing is for sure. They are determined to finish their studies even their dreams are as far as the destination to their school.
There are also some schools that have no books to use that’s why the teacher needs to borrow a book from their acquaintances. There are also some instances when teachers get absent in the class because of sickness and many other reasons, and when this happens a student teaches his co-students. One of them is Madeleine. She is writing the lectures in a blackboard with holes in order for her classmates to copy it.
In Masbate, which is known to be the 2nd poorest province in the country, there is a student who is older than her teacher. She is Merlina Arabis. She is very determined to finish her studies though she is already 52 years old.

Commentaries:

I can say that poor Filipinos are really oppressed with many troubles. I can imagine how they really want to finish their studies amidst all their trials and incapability to support their needs. As I watch the video, I felt some sort of guilt upon me. My mother is working capable of supporting my finances in education but I’m somewhat taking it easy when it comes to my studies. Sometimes, I ignore some of my subjects not knowing that there are thousands of students who want to be in my place.
I am amazed with the desire of Analyn to pursue her studies amidst the poverty her family is experiencing and she often don’t have food to eat but behind that, she still excels in the class. I wished all students were as determined as her.
There will come a time when students will be graduating from their schools but the problem they have experienced will remain unless the government takes action upon this matter. I can also say that we Filipinos are also responsible to make our dream come to reality. Let’s work hard for a better future.
Some students also cannot concentrate with their studies because they are working hard to support their family, just like Luis. Most Filipinos are poor because they are not educated, and they are not educated because they are poor but it doesn’t mean that those Filipinos will remain in the poverty level. I still believe that life will be better. We just need patience and determination.