SM LAUNCHES fashion for babies Babies are just so cute, and many of us have this
Mommy Andi discussed just how much she loves
secret wish for them to remains babies... forever if possible.
to dress up her little fashionista as she shared how they
Pink ribbons, tiny polo shirts and blue shoes make them look
celebrated her rock star-themed first birthday. Andi recount-
even cuter and many parents have developed the hobby of
ed how cute baby Elle looked as she donned an Alice in
taking photos of their little ones to immortalize their cute
Wonderland costume they found in the department store.
moments. This pure adoration over babies was highlighted in the recent launch of SM Department Store’s babies’ apparel, SM Babies. Fourteen beautifully lit pictures of Metro Manila’s loveliest moms and their little angels taken by photographer Pilar Tuason graced the wall of the Conservatory in Manila Peninsula in a photo exhibit called “Special Moments.” “Special Moments” highlights the priceless bond between mother and child featuring SM Babies collections for bedtime, playtime, baptismal, and party time.
Model and TV personality Lexi Schulze also shared her fascination with SM Department store’s collection of beautiful clothes for her young one. “You could spend half of your day at the department store and still be amazed how convenient it is. All that you need in one place,” Mommy Lexi said. “Special Moments” was put together by the same team behind SM Kids’ Fashion as they wanted to give it its own identity and focus on a complete line of apparel that caters specifically to children up to two years of age. The team handpicked all the moms who par-
A behind the scenes photo montage was presented
ticipated in the exhibit which also included TV personal-
on-stage showing just how much fun and bonding moms like
ity Nicole Hernandez-De Los Angeles, society moms Marta
celebrity Andi Eigenmann and radio jock Delamar Arias had
Araneta, Isabel Olondriz-Murd, Maia Martirez-Hing, and Grace
with their babies Elle and Cooper while posing and smiling
Barbers, as well as sisters Emilie Montenegro-Yupangco and
for the camera.
Rose Montenegro-Boonpongsa. Model Georgia Schulze-del
Mommy Andi, along with fellow SM Babies ambas-
Rosario, blogger Tin Dychiao, and make-up artist Angela
sadors Lexi Schulze and Amanda Griffin-Jacob discussed how
Yeo are also featured alongside designer Rosanna Ocampo-
convenient it is to dress their up babies with the new SM
Rodriguez and magazine editor Juana Manahan-Yupangco.
clothing line. Former VJ, model and now supermom Amanda talked about the fun and excitement in dressing up her little guys at an affordable cost. http://fitandfabmanila.com/sm-launches-fashion-for-babies/
filipino student leaders attend
NCR YOUTH HOURS 2012 Over a hundred empowered Filipino students recently gathered in an annual youth forum that served as a venue for the exchange of ideas and for the discussion of issues affecting the youth today. The NCR 2012 Youth hours held at the Far Eastern University (FEU) in Manila last month gathered 130 student leaders from De La Salle University, Don Bosco Technical College, FEU, Jose Rizal University, St. Paul – Manila, University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines. Under the theme “EDGE: Every Day Great Examples for Nation Building,” the young leaders engaged in workshops on leadership, academic excellence, social responsibility, and school administration. Youth hours was organized by the Outstanding Students of the Philippines – Alumni Community (TOSPAC).
“Young people are a crucial segment of a nation’s development” “It has been said that we are the hope of the future, yet this world has plenty of wide sea of obstacles trying to block our path, misleading us. The hope lies on the heart of leadership, a heart which the youth of today should have, for them to be called a genuine youth leader of future’s hope,” Marko Matibag from Quezon City Chapter of Scholars commented before the start of the forum. Youth Hours 2012 called for the youth’s empowerment through a clearer awareness of self, a deeper appreciation of one’s calling and commitment to serving others, and stronger ties with fellow student leaders. “Young people are a crucial segment of a nation’s development,” said International Resource Panel of the United Nations member Dr. Anna Siriban-Manalang. Youth Hours 2012 covered important topics such as Youth Empowerment, responsible citizenship, the role of the National Youth Commission and the Prospect of the Filipino Youth with regards to Nation Building. http://fitandfabmanila.com/filipino-student-leaders-attend-ncr-youthhours-2012/
ROCkwELL’S ROCk THE CiTY HALLOwEEN:
a truly unique one All the little ghosts, witches and monsters in town gathered with cartoon characters, superheroes and royalties for a hundred percent rocking Halloween hit at the Rockwell Tent. It was a sold-out family affair, and nobody dared to declare boredom. The room was filled with friendly and bright-colored decorations so as not to scare the little ones. And as soon as the registration started, boys and girls alike excitedly fell in line to bewitchingly get their face painted, hair sprayed and nail arts done. Others opted for a harmless tattoo to add spice to their glam get-up. Music was performed by MCA artists and YouTube sensations Krissy and Ericka. Rockwell’s own rock band also added excitement to the event. There were acrobats that enthralled participants and a magic show that made everyone’s hearts pound for excitement. Kids also enjoyed balloon twisting acts and a Trick-or-Treat session in different stores inside the Power Plant Malls. The whole family enjoyed games such as ‘Name that tune’, ‘Name that artist’ and the Gangnam style dance-off. The event was a blast. Laughs and smiles were let out as pictures and videos were taken, prizes won and candies collected. As Rock the City came to an end, new treasures surfaced: a sack full of loots and a bag full of memories.
http://fitandfabmanila.com/rockwells-rock-the-city-halloween-party-a-truly-unique-one/
pOiNTiNg fingers Reports have been most intriguing after the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) presented its final report on September 21 to the President recommending about 13 people that may be held accountable for the Quirino Grandstand hostage fiasco...what’s intriguing, and even more dismaying and disappointing is the fact that members of the press are as well recommended to be held liable for the tragedy. Earlier reports stated that President Benigno Aquino III claims full responsibility for the mishandling of the August 23 hostage crisis that claimed lives of eight Hong Kong tourists. But of course, the wind blows on another direction, changing sails and the names of who’s to blame. Press freedom is at stake here as Erwin Tulfo of TV5 and 3 Media Networks (ABS-CBN, GMA 7 and TV5 - with the exception of the special case of GMA 7) are being pin-pointed as partly responsible for the gruesome outcome of the hostage taking incident at the Luneta Park that claimed lives and criticisms all over the world. The incident reflected and affected the country in such a terrible way. The media, of course, is involved in the case, being the respondents and messengers during the crisis, but Justice Secretary Laila De Lima said that sanctions have been issued against the media because they violated their Code of Ethics. Now, is there really a clear basis on this recommendation for lawsuit, or are they just trying to hold the press people liable for putting in their best efforts to communicate news and information with accuracy, timeliness, brevity and clarity? What’s gone so wrong? Why are they putting the blame on the media? It is very unreasonable. To think that after covering a very newsworthy event, the people who have presented it as part
of their sworn responsibility to the public are now being considered as “the bad guys” who have led to the tragic event. And if they’re so sure about it then, they should’ve found a way for media people to not get in the way when the hostage crisis was taking place. Although it is true and justifiable that the media may have affected the flow of negotiation and the outcome of the incident, it is unduly suppression of public information when they’d point fingers at the media, especially since they (the government and/ or the persons-in-charge) have not released any order for media black-out... meaning that they have allowed for the media coverage to begin with. It is, perhaps, an essential argument to point out whether the media had observed the highest degree of professionalism in broadcasting the hostage taking, but is this a strong basis to charge them with criminal cases? I suppose not. It is extremely unfair to charge broadcasters of both radio and television who covered the tragedy, otherwise, no one would be brave enough to once again report to the public what is entitled for them to be aware of because the media will be threatened that a lawsuit might, once again, be waiting for them at the end of their broadcasts and reports, as well as it could also be implied that the government is denying the public their basic rights in the field of information and communication. Talking about professionalism? Well, it is maybe due to the fact that the press had broadcasted internationally how well-untrained our “should-be professionals” are in handling a crisis such as the Quirino Grandstand hostage taking, putting the face of the administration, the police district and maybe even the entirety of the Philippine islands to shame and feeling both guilty and
sympathetic to the Chinese republic. The media should not be held responsible for these “should-be professionals” incompetencies, negligence and lack of ethics and discipline in working on their jobs efficiently, so what’s the real point of the criminal charges? They have not set clear guidelines as to the limitation of press coverage and even if what they’re accusing the press community is true - that they have violated some of the norms of the Kapisana ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), then shouldn’t it be the KBP sanctioning the media personalities involved. Now, what they (the government and the IIRC) are doing is like shifting guilt to the media, condemning and criticizing them on how they’ve handled the case, when all the more they are simply doing their jobs - providing the public with information at its best that they deserve and fulfilling the responsibilities designated in line with their professions. So I think that the IIRC recommendation of filing lawsuits against the members of the media is a form of suppression of press freedom and a threat to the industry of open news and information sharing. Where’s the democracy fought for by the President’s mother if he’ll tolerate this open suppression of the freedom of the press and the right for public information? Now, as the floodgates of media oppression and press freedom suppression swing wide open, the issues of establishing and creating clear guidelines as to covering crimes in progress should be given sufficient attention and clarification. No lawsuits against media men would be possible if there is a profound boundary that separates media right to information and responsibility to inform from breach of justice.
workshop and group discussion
Global Youth Summit 2012 September 7, 2012 SM City North EDSA Skydome
Nearly a thousand youth delegates from different foreign and local universities gathered for the Global Youth Summit last September 7, 2012 at the SM City North Edsa’s Skydome - and I am lucky enough to be one of them. Focused on the theme “3D: Design, Develop, Deliver,” the whole-day ordeal was enriching enough in that student leaders, such as myself, were able to exchange thoughts and make plans that we think would be beneicial to the country. As was stated in the event description, the event aimed to serve as a venue where students can gather and have their voices heard on issues such as healthcare, education, and the environment. It also encouraged us participants to come up with solutions to the -Philippine’s pressing problems when it comes to the matters stated above. As delegates of FEU’s Tamaraw Volunteers (TamVol), my group was assigned the education issue of K plus 12. Given a time limit of an hour to discuss and come up with a concrete plan, we were able to present our project proposal which even got chosen as one of the top 10 proposals (without ranking or order) amongst more than 90 others. We were so proud we were learning and getting recognized for what we’ve come up as a team bearing the name of our university. It was truly a feeling of accomplishment shared within the team. It’s very refreshing. One of my most remembered quote from the Global Youth Summit was said by CHED Commissioner Dr. Nona Ricaforte in her speech. Spoken in the native toungue she said and I quote, “Alam niyo ba? Kayo ang aming inaasahan. Kayo ang future leaders kaya ang dapat gawin ninyo ay tingnan ninyo lahat ng kilos ng ating mga namumuno, pati mga politicians natin, at huwag natin gayahin and hindi dapat.” Also, one noteworthy speaker was Laugh With God Today’s author Mr. Michael Lobrin. He’s funny alright, and downright a person with both the sense of humor and the gift of wisdom. But later in his 20-minute speech, he said that the reason why a lot of us are still poor is because of the wrong mindset. He further said that We don’t lack leaders. But we lack good leaders. Leaders with vision. All the things I’ve heard and learned for the Global Youth Summit have, in a way or another, inspired me and challenged me to become an even better citizen of this country. Indeed it is true that when we change our thoughts, we’re a step closer to changing our world.
campaign
Environmental Youth Camp May 31 - June 2, 2012 Morong, Bataan
It was a three-day ordeal. The Communication Workers of the Philippines, better known as CWP, together with the All NTT Workers Union of Japan deviced the 2012 Environmental Youth Camp last May 31 to June 2 at the Dorothy Beach Resort in Morong Bataan. With the theme: Living in a People Oriented Environment, the youth camp included discussions on the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, a hike to a mountain and a visit to the Aeta community where we were able to discuss the children’s education and health and crossing a hanging bridge at a very high altitude. We were also able to share food, clothes and toys with them. We’ve alos gathered to clean the shores of the nesting beach where sea turtles locally known as ‘pawikans’ lay ang hatch their eggs. It was educational, fascinating even. Mr. Harold Yalung, the event organizer, was able to knit together why we did those activities it was to show the interconnection and diversity of life on the planet. We were later given the chance to make something out of anything we could ind in the area, and then given the chance to explain its importance. I did a seemingly household decoration out of a bottle and branches, and explained how we sometimes bottle up ourselves with some notions and ideas, and how there’s a need to branch some of them out to people. Before the end of the camp, we were grouped according to our place of origin and I was later assigned as a Circle Leader for Quezon City’s Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement Network. I later realized that the event was not just a camp, but rather a campaign to stop the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Revival. As it was a defective powerplant, it was deemed not safe to operate. Dr. Giovanni Tapang, spoekesperson of No to BNPP Revival said that opening the powerplant is not the answer to our looming energy crisis. That the country has vast energy resources we can tap, which are both safe and reliable like geothermal powerplants and windmills. I believe the campaign has a good chance of being heard.
fund raising and awareness campaign World Vision Philippines’ 12-Hour Famine September 29, 2012 SM City North EDSA Skydome
No child should suffer from hunger. And lucky are those who think and treat eating as nothing special, but many are those who still consider having a single meal to be a struggle. I, as part of the FEU Tamaraw Volunteers, was counted in as we pledge our support and joined other Filipino youths in its stand against hunger in World Vision’s 12-hour Famine at SM City North EDSA’s Skydome last September 29.
could be dying because of hunger. Statistics only show us the black-and-white details of such a problem. In reality, many are so poor that they do not have the means to buy enough food for their families to stay well and stay alive. The famine lets the youth experience what it is to not have food whenever it is desired and assume the place of someone who is starving. Through this, the World Vision hopes to inspire the youth to stop the spread of hunger through raising funds to help starving families and have a deeper understanding and compassion for those who are hungry.
With the hunger conditions worsening in the Philippines, the number of As a volunteer, I’ve always people who are chronically fed on the constant hope and effort famished and undernourished to help others. But now, I believe, is continuously increasing. we went hungry for a change... Children who go to school simply because we are motivated by with their stomachs empty are seriously affected as their brains fail to function our hunger for a change. due to inadequate food and insuficient nutrients Though the problem still persists, we lourishing within their systems starved for a cause, and what’s more comforting Hunger should not be a problem for just to know is that the FEU Community and the Tamaraw Volunteers will continue the ight those who are directly affected by it. We should against hunger in its own version of Famine all be concerned because of its effects on the people, especially children who are malnourished in the coming months as we had our Famine and underweight; who go to bed without having Convergence, the very irst in the Philippines, last the slightest chance to eat a decent meal; and who January.
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When agonized, remind me that I’ve experienced and now am able to recognize joy because I overcame – and still am overcoming – pain. That despair is just a phase I’m passing through while healing and recovering where I meet people I have the chance to inspire through my bruises, wounds and scars. Remind me to be strong amidst sufferings. When confronted with tasks and realizations, remind me that I need to do things to actually get them done instead of just sitting around, dreaming about doing them. That I cannot dream for the rest of my life because they’re made real by actions, dedication and effort. Remind me to give my best to make them so. When uncertain, remind me that worry is a product of distrust. That I did not work hard for proving that people can trust me only to doubt myself. Remind me to be reliable. When feeling superior, remind me that I have to fear to be human. That I have to fear hurting or losing others. That being fearless does not signify
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strength, but rather proves how weak my understanding is that I cannot even put other people’s feelings into consideration. Remind me to fear being fearless. When being stupid and doing things ridiculously, remind me that I’m supposed to mend and maintain, not make them worst. That I can only dare to ix and enhance, not intentionally break and destroy. When being careless, remind me that it’ll take me nowhere but destruction. That I need to be mindful and careful for there still are people that need and want me around. We all are writers of our own stories. When writing, remind me to use the permanence of ink responsibly and with value in mind. That whatever words I put together should mean to inspire, motivate or simply make the reader smile. To feel that I’m extending my presence long after everything’s written that even my temporary absence cannot erase.
For all the things I forgot to write, I offer no excuse good enough to qualify as an actual excuse other than negligence (for ignorance implies some sort of effort to forget something exists). I cannot always remember all sorts of things, and my mood and feelings can sometimes get the best of me and alter my temperament, but I know I have YOU to always remind me of the things my memory fails to point out to me. And maybe in turn I can remind you of yours.
Through the heat of burning coal There’s something about the heat of burning coal that got me that day. We may not be totally aware, but somehow we are making differences even with the littlest of acts we commit. And as I’m writing this piece, there’s this part of me that is eagerly hoping that what you’re reading will somehow trigger a change in your thinking. But then again, there’s also this part of me that is living in reality, knowing that you may just be reading out of intrigue or interest, but not out of compassion - unwelcoming the idea of the power you have to think and act for the better, stopping and moving on to the next material that you’re likely to find. It was a Saturday, October 20th, together with the FEU Tamaraw Volunteers and some students from the Institute of Nursing, I’ve brought my sister with me and joined Project PEARLS’ Saturday Feeding Program with probably one of the most prominent thoughts I have when attending volunteering events such as this - I’ll be able to help make yet again some sort of difference. It may not be colossal so as to tip the cosmic scale or as profound as to change the lives of these children forever, but still a difference - a much needed, worthy difference. But now I’ve realized I thought wrong… Yes, there’s a difference that was made, but not by me or through me, but within me by these very children I primarily thought I was helping. The visit got me re-evaluating myself as if I was touched by the burning coal of realization at the tip of my fingers. I was beginning my interview with the kids. I’ve brought a pencil and a notebook with me that I barely got to use. As it turned out, I really didn’t need them. Well, that was after they were excitedly taken away from me by little hands from the faces of little angels trying to get my attention so that they could show me, while practically beaming with pride and joy, how they are now able to write their names. I know I was smiling as these children take turns giving me their autographs, but at the back of my mind I was saddened by the fact that they’re boasting about something as basic and simple as just writing their names. And then I thought, while many people my age are trying to mock the education system, these children hang on to it for their lives and future depends on it - their one way ticket out of the dark, smoky place that is the slums of Ulingan. The actual feeding came as a rush. It ended just as soon as it started. No wonder about that, for we have been told that the kids were already there as early as 6 in the morning. Though still hyper as they were, they’re pretty much waiting for the food. Some kids were spotted asking for plastic bags where they’d place, probably not their leftovers but, what they thought to be their family’s share of the meal. The brain booster activity was to make Halloween masks for their little party the next Saturday. So we made masks, cut eyes, nose and mouths out of disposable plates. The sheer joy and excitement out of those children were amazing as we’ve helped in coloring and decorating their masks. So imagine my surprise when I checked and saw that my sister’s been stressing (or more like panicking) about the mask she’s helping with. The girl she’s helping wanted to add too much detail to their craft. Then I decided to try and help them for I’ve realized even kids from an impoverished place such as Ulingan have their visions, and as much as possible they’d want to attain them. And the metaphor of life just continued to add on. One kid was crying, telling me somebody took her mask (well technically we’ve taken their masks to choose best design). She told me she wanted to keep it placed in her face. And you’d have to wonder why she wanted that, but then again, maybe she wanted a different identity. A face that could be anywhere but there or maybe, just a hypothetical over imaginative maybe, she wants to protect her little fragile self from what she has yet to comprehend and hide behind the exterior of an ever smiling, happy face. Before the program ended, it was like the songs Gangnam Style and Call Me Maybe were in the loop, continuously playing while the children and some of the volunteers danced to them, all smiling and ever so energized. But a closer look would tell you a different story, these children who wear boots (some were barefooted) to get here, were still hyper up to the point of dancing to the nth time maybe because of the food, but then, maybe not. They were so used to working to make coals despite their young age that dancing could be thought of as a privilege to them – an escape from what their delicate bodies are used to doing. When we were leaving, some kids cling on to my sister, asking if they could go with her. Hearing such is heartbreaking in a way for by then you’d know these children would probably do anything to leave the place. Nobody wants to stay there, but then again, it’s not like they were given choices on the matter. With just one visit, I knew a lot more than I thought I already did. The lesson took the shape and form of the volunteers and children of Project PEARLS. They may not be totally aware, but they ve created a significant difference within me. Coal is an important resource of heat. And now, by sharing the experience, I am somehow hoping there’d be something as beautiful as a budding heat of compassion and difference in you too. Make it bloom; kindle it with your actions. There’s something about the heat of burning coal that day… it melt my heart into compassion.
Isang Milagro ng Pasko ng Pagbabahagi It’s nothing short of a wonder that the simplest of things we do are seen as miracles for many. And the most incredible thing about it is that they silently unfold right next to us, and they’re done in an instant before we even realize they did. Such is the story of Aling Milagro on the fortunate day of December 11 during FEU’s Pasko ng Pagbabahagi Project in Brgy. Calawis, Antipolo, Rizal.
Aling Mialgro, a 71 year-old grandmother of 2 and widow of 18 years, lives alone. She trudged down the muddy and slippery road from her house in Sitio Paglitao to Calawis Elementary School despite the early morning darkness and the ill-treatment of weather. Great expectations “upang mamasko” as she said was her motivation. As an elderly woman, her face is etched with wrinkles – life’s way of marking her with age, worry, and all her other experiences combined. Her eyes were struggling to shine, her arms trembling and voice sounding something close to a whisper. She appears somewhat weak despite her smiling façade. I first got a chance to speak to her after she approached me, asking for a small plastic bag.
Giving her the requested item, I observed as she put the boiled egg and bread P6 volunteers had distributed for breakfast. For her granddaughters, although she had not even had a single bite since 5 a.m. that morning, she told me. And for an old woman who lives alone, it is obvious that she cares deeply for her grandchildren, even though they live with their parents separated from her.
While a lot of fun was being had around us, we sat down for the most part of two hours like this – me listening to her, and her sharing whatever thoughts came into mind. And share she did. She told me how she was part of last year’s (2010) Pasko ng Pagbabahagi, and how she opened her house to people, welcoming volunteers into her home for a few days during a storm. I can hear the soft pride in her tone as she spoke on how she was able to volunteer her help for the volunteers themselves. She was smiling, a little bit laughing too, maybe at the irony of her story.
When asked for her plans for Christmas and Noche Buena, her laugh cracked, smile fell and shoulders just shrugged before she plainly tole me “wala.” Nothing special planned. Just like her every single day.
Aling Milagro did not bother to avail of the free medical and dental attention P6 would’ve been happy to provide for her. She was there so that she can participate at the Christmas activity FEU has prepared for her community. “Mamamasko” goes her simple answer to my question. And that’s when she told me that her sense of hearing is beginning to fail. I offered to take her to one of the volunteer doctors to at least get her checked up, but she refused to, saying that she wanted to be around for the program and the gift-giving; to hear the Likha scholars sing or simply the merriment and commotion going on around us.
And so we sat. Minutes of silence hung between us while noise wrapped itself around us. Moments later, as if by some sort of a miracle, I feel her beamed up with excitement. And that’s when I realized that her ticket number was called. She won a spaghetti package – an answer to her dilemma earlier dubbed as ‘Noche Buena.’ It was as if she was bouncing with gratefulness as she returned with her prize in hand. She was happy. A hundred-watt smile was gracing her lips and she told me that it was lucky that she won. “Meron na kaming pang-noche Buena,” she added. She had something special to share with her family this Christmas.
Aling Milagro called it luck, but I prefer to call it a miracle; something close to her name. For it was indeed a miracle, and I was beyond pleased to have witnessed it: Isang Milagro ng Pasko ng Pagbabahagi. And that’s when I proved my first statement true – that out of our efforts to help and bring smiles to the Dumagats, grow miracles.
-Francesca Lim
Where have all the Good Manners gone? The problems of modern life demand certain changes in the form of living (as written in the introduction of Emily Post’ Etiquette, 1922,p. 4). Where have all the good manners gone? Courtesy, politeness, etiquette, civility, respect, common sense...good manners - look around you. Can you see them, feel them, or perhaps sense their presence somewhere? Or are you simply confronted by the devastating truth that the society has already turned cold and dropped these words from its vocabulary? Good people. It is possible that they still exists, but they’ve became very rare, extinct up to the point that you have to dig deep to find them. What used to be etiquette or social grace is
sadly fast disappearing. We have rude receptionists, front office staff, strangers, colleagues, friends, students and children.(Ling, 2010)
Has it ever came to your attention that we are facing such a huge dilemma when it comes to the youth - our children - who are undergoing a major breakdown in manners and courtesy because of even more complicated challenges than previous generations. And then we tend to ask ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they can’t distinguish the right from wrong, and why it never seems to bother them to act rude and hurt others. According to pop culture expert Dr. Mike Brody, our society is now faced with the per-
fect storm -- a lack of civility promoted by all media and an entitled celebrity culture. The psychiatrist believes a culture that highlights reality TV with its rejection and humiliation, promotes incivility(Richard, 2009). In his Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1960), John Locke asserted that the human mind is under the state of tabula rasa at birth, meaning a blank slate... no knowledge, no ideas. It
is only upon birth that we begin to acquire knowledge, and from that time forward, our mind develops, passively obtaining ideas and images, and then processes links between those principles to develop knowledge. (Rodgers, 2005, Uzgalis, 2007). And that’s what we should hold ourselves responsible for. We are held accountable to fill these empty slates with the best that we can offer.
Patsy Rowe, an etiquette coach and author once expressed her absolute horror by the lack
of manners shown by some children and points the blame to parents – It’s like having body odor
she said when no one wants to tell you, but everyone avoids you. (Critchley, 2010). Maybe she is right. It’s either parents don’t know, don’t care or they just don’t have any idea how to correct it. In a world where we seemed to have been overwhelmed by stupidity, invaded by ridicule, and where it seems that there’s just no escape, we have to look at ourselves in the mirror and hate what we see because we know that deep down inside of us there’s something wrong. We need to set ourselves as examples. We shouldn’t just talk and order our kids to do this or that; we can’t control them any way we want. And rather than trying to do so, we should ask ourselves can our children learn any good manners without seeing any? What happened to our well-ordered society where people recognized the difference between polite behavior and sheer
rudeness? Perhaps traditional courtesies are disappearing because we live in an increasingly frenetic and complex world. If we’re not dashing for that train then we’re stressed out at work; if we re not fighting our way round the supermarket, then we re late to collect the kids (Bryant, 2008)
Growing up, children do as we do. We need to raise polite children despite these impolite times. Despite all those tragic scenes that they could have been seeing within the screens of our television and despite of being surrounded by people who have gone mad, turned flat out rude,
and seems to have lost their sense of sanity. We need to help our children understand varieties of situations, how these circumstances affect others, and teach them the respectful and considerate thing to do. The expression Where are your manners? is such a cliché, but it still makes sense. When
we fail to make a better person out of ourselves, we also fail to raise well-mannered individuals. We should be ashamed of calling ourselves human beings and yet act like not. Yes, it is a father’s responsibility to make a gentleman out of his son, a mother s to raise a refined lady, but it is our
sole responsibility to educate ourselves how we should act towards and under every circumstance, without letting anybody get punished for our own mistakes. During the past 30 years, we have witnessed a profound shift in public attitudes, says
former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett. He refers to polls showing that we Ameri-
cans now place less value on what we owe others as a matter of moral obligation; less value on
sacrifice as a moral good, on social conformity, respectability, and observing the rules; less value
on correctness and restraint in matters of physical pleasure and sexuality—and correlatively
greater value on things like self-expression, individualism, self-realization, and personal choice (as quoted by Robert Bork in Slouching Towards Gomorrah, 1996, p. 65).
People nowadays became more elusive than ever with their ‘mind your own business’ mode, but we have to let them know that such manners will not be tolerated. That we cannot simply isolate ourselves in our very own me first attitudes, for we have as great a responsibility into honing and shaping the future generation into a civilized world. Where people respect one another and treat others fairly with proper manners and better judgment. We want to raise well-mannered children, but for many teens, manners are to be disdained. They believe that good manners are not genuine. Many of the same teenagers also feel that manners require a level of effort they simply would rather not expend (Wolf, 2009). Libby Tweeddale, a mother, started teaching her children good manners as soon as they began to learn speaking. She believes that it is never too early to start teaching proper manners for, the kids that don’t have nice manners are those who push and bully in the playground. And no one like them (Stewart, 2010). Courtesy, politeness, etiquette, civility, respect, common sense...good manners - look around you. They’re still around; we just got to keep on digging – looking within ourselves, so that when we look at ourselves in the mirror, perhaps we’ll be able to look at the face revealed with respect. Respect that we have done – and still are doing – something exemplary to affect change, maybe not for the world, but for the society that will live in it for the future. The world has obviously evolved, therefore, we cannot apply the same standards that the previous generation used as basis to compare what we have – and also perhaps what we don’t – but if we just stop brawling and start treating people in decent ways, and if we conscientiously practice and set ourselves as examples for our children, then the most probable scenario would be that good manners would be present everywhere... living and affecting lives. Good people. They still exist, and it is possible that they’re not extinct, but they’re endangered... and it’s up to us whether we’ll destroy or save their species. Bibliography: Post, Emily, “Etiquette: The Blue Book of Social Usage,” 1922, p. 4 Bork, Robert, “Slouching Towards Gomorrah,” 1996, p.65 Critchley, Cheryl. “Rude kids taught a pleasing lesson.” News. Herald Sun [Australia]. 17 February 2010; page 19 Bryant, Jo. “How did we get so rude?”News. The Express. 20 September 2008; page 34 Wolf, Anthony. “Manners aren’t just for phonies; Be persistent in teaching your teen that a little politeness goes a long way in this world. Just do it politley.” Globe Mail [Canada]. 19 July 2009. Globe Life Column. “Uncivil Liberties: No Please, No Thank You” L3 Richard, Joanne, “WTF: Egotist entitlement behind the rash of rudeness.” Lifestyle. The Toronto Sun. 20 September 2009; page 40 Ling, Koh Soo, “Where are our social graces?” News Straits Times [Malaysia]. 14 March 2010; page 32 Stewart, Frances. “Children never too young to learn manners” News. The Advertisers [Australia], 1 February 2010; page 9 Parker, Wayne, Mind your Manners, <http://fatherhood.about.com/cs/discipline/a/mind_manners.htm> Hatch, F.W., & Maietta, L. (1991). The role of kinesthesia in pre- and perinatal bonding. Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health