The IRONy of the GOLDen Year

Cover Story

LEONARD TUCJAYAO & HERKURT TAMBA

The156-hectare field of Mindanao State University - General Santos City was greeted by the genesis of yet a golden era, as the institution is set to welcome its 50th anniversary this academic year. However, every MSUan was delighted not when such of a news bomb exploded at the brink of a combination of a ‘golden’ economic state in the country where

commodities are its maximum towering prices, and the unhurried information dissemination of the the Office of the Students’ Affairs (OSA) of the enrolment period and opening of classes. Seemingly, the anticipation of a golden era that of PBBM’s and the 50th founding anniversary of MSU-GSC’s is akin to the tale of King Midas and his magic (curse).

King Midas and his Golden Touch

In a fascinating parallel to the fabled King Midas and his insatiable quest for gold, the Philippines has grappled with its own modern-day conundrum as the current administration inscribes a new chapter of its golden era of economic prosperity.

Just as King Midas’ touch transformed everything into gold, the economic environment under Marcos’ reign portrays the semblance of the immense value of such a precious ingot. Reflected in the cost of goods in the market is the Midas’ effect of the echoing profound consequences of administrative frailties and lackluster decision-making.

To further realize the tarnishing state of the government, the nation is hence losing its valuation—its economic appeal to the international market, and crucially, the ongoing state of towering inflationary circumstances borne by the commoners. BBM, aside from his failing stint as agriculture secretary, is once again in the spotlight, starring as Midas and his golden touch. Irony plays the most part in the pursuits of his socio-economic operation since his secretarial initiation, from the tear-jerking onions to the golden rice; there’s no doubt he’s making the Philippines valuable by making the commodities worth their weight in gold (no pun intended).

Perhaps President Marcos Jr.’s campaign vow to peg rice prices at P20 per kilogram remains a tale in the pages of his golden chronicles. Even his department underlings narrate that the story has come to a different plot line, admitting that “lowering the price to P20 would be quite difficult” in a hearing for the DA’s budgetary plan for the following year. On top of that, the travel expense of the OP relatively resonates with the king’s struggles with his power.

Accordingly, such shortcomings ripple down to the experience of the MSUans who are at the mercy of the towering prices of basic commodities. With their pockets so narrow, some students carried the crux of not getting a proper meal. Even if they hanker to satisfy their appetite after a toiling day in the institution, they have to compromise due to the silent voices inside their wallets. If they could be like Midas, whose touch can turn something into value, without a doubt, some would wish to be akin.

The analogy becomes more pertinent when examining the role of the Philippine government in managing economic challenges. The policies and plans reflected the tension between appeasing short-term advantages and guaranteeing long-term stability, much like the unforeseen repercussions brought by his ambitions.

Now, like every other tale, we lean towards the moral that we can learn from the experiences we have undertaken. In the legend of Midas, he grasped the value of wisdom and prudence, in which immediate gains without considering the broader consequences can lead to unintended and detrimental outcomes.

King Midas and his Curse

However, it was not only King Midas’ touches himself that served as the villain of its own story when even institutions, like Mindanao State University - General Santos City, most especially the Office of the Students’ Affairs, failed to lay a hand on the pertinent information dissemination concerning the opening of classes for the academic year 2023-2024 on time.

It was only a week before the genesis of yet another pocket-breaking enrolment period when OSA called for and convened all student-leaders to announce the schedule of the enrolment– by which department, college, and university organizations are expected to collect fees from their respective constituents– and opening of classes for the new academic year. But it could have been understandable had the schedule not been approved even during the final examination of the previous semester. This lackluster action by the institution disabled student-leaders to make further announcements of their fees to their respective constituencies, disallowing the students to prepare ahead of time.

Just as King Midas and his magical power had become a curse, OSA’s failure to touch its duties had caused a massive trouble to every MSUan. While it was worth recognizing that the administration wanted to regulate the number of activities and collection fees of department and college organizations for the economically-challenged students, however, the lack of further announcements and the late information dissemination still posed an enormous inconvenience on the students and panic to immediately make amends for the fast-approaching enrolment process and opening of classes.

It should have been a little bit ideal for OSA to inform its constituents of the institution’s imperative undertakings without compromising the welfare of its people. The Office of the Student Affairs possessed a golden mandate of servicing the students, and MSUans could only hope that just like King Midas, OSA would realize the importance of its touch as well, not that of with a golden curse, but of laying a hand and disseminating information on time for the welfare of the students.

Reversing the Curse

Still, the influence of those in the golden seats remains so relevant that detaching them will lose the significant karat of the valued whole. Their hands are those who can direct the phasing of the administration and can control the language of time; therefore, it is also them who can rewrite the tale, which has long been deemed to be a good story of a bad time.

As we march into the golden years of MSU-GSC, it is our hope that the administration will use their hands to touch and sense the urgencies of the student body. May it be that their power begets prudence—the wisdom and authority in the management and leadership of various situations, organizations, and endeavors; may it be that their hands will be aware of the concerning conditions that continue to debilitate the status quo.

Enveloped within the enigma of the golden touch lies a dual essence—an untapped blessing and a looming curse. Hence, for as long as we do not make good use of the golden touch, it will remain a curse binding us.