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Editor: Reynan Dale Esquillo
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Stop blaming the teachers for erroneous modules
After pandemic, still ‘no time’ for PH history?
The erroneous modules reveal how teachers are ‘overworked’ and are ‘forced’ to carry additional burdens outside teaching duties, said group.
Advocates from the HSPHM, in a press conference on May 22, expressed concerns on the future landscape of education.
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Group eyes streamlining PH history teaching by adding localized, marginalized sectors’ narratives WORDS BY VINCE BALAGA
ASIDE FROM CALLS to bring back Philippine History subject in high
school, an advocacy group plans to further enrich history education by introducing specialized topics in senior high school. Local history, Moro history, Indigenous People history, West Philippine Sea history, and gender history are among the proposed special history topics by the High School Philippine History Movement (HSPHM). “May iba’t ibang bahagi ng ating kasaysayan na hindi nako-cover ng normal contemporary Philippine history o ng elementary Philippine history, at ito yung mga tutugunan natin,” said Jamaico Ignacio, HSPHM president
Local stories of local heroes
Localized narratives in history, according to Ignacio, are important to be discussed thematically to find out how these contribute to the national Filipino identity. “[Kung kayo ay] sa Cebu, talk about the involvement of Cebu with the Katipuneros during [the revolution]. In addition to that, Moro history. Mahalagang i-integrate ang ating mga kapatid na Moro,” explained Ignacio. To better understand the issue on the West Philippine Sea, Ignacio insisted on including in class discussions the history of the country’s diplomatic claims,
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May iba’t ibang bahagi ng ating kasaysayan na hindi nakocover ng normal contemporary Philippine history o ng elementary Philippine history, at ito yung mga tutugunan natin.
international laws and treaties, and the history of neighboring countries who also have claims over the disputed territories.
On selfdetermination
Furthermore, the movement president highlighted the need to study the Indigenous
Peoples history like the Cordilleran narrative for the people to understand their struggles. “Bakit nung mga ilang dekadang nakaraan, laganap ang kanilang paglaban sa national government? Kasi they felt marginalized. Tignan natin ang kasaysayan kung paano sila na-marginalize,” added Ignacio. The group also aims to include gender history, especially female history, to make students aware of the struggles experienced by women in the Philippines throughout history.
NEWS FEATURES
Far from ‘Maginhawa’: Maginhawa business owners struggle to keep their business afloat amid pandemic WORDS BY REYNAN DALE ESQUILLO
THE MAGINHAWA STREET in
Quezon City was recently placed under the spotlight as it catalyzed a rippling effect of community pantries throughout the Philippines. Maginhawa became a beacon of hope, inspiring several communities to work hand in hand. Despite the portrayal of Maginhawa in the eyes of many, the community still experiences the same reality that all other communities face. Behind the curtains of noble
causes and embellished hopes, the Maginhawa community is beleaguered by difficulties caused by the pandemic. Different businesses, including their owners and employees, have faced a common dilemma. In the face of losses and bankruptcies, the businesses ask themselves, do we close or not close? “We never closed for 2020 except last April 2021 when the entire family caught the virus,” said the owner of Urban Chick BBQ Resto and Food Services. Jerecel Catherine Socorro
+ INCLUSIVE HISTORY Jamaico Ignacio, president of the High School Philippine History Movement and Joey Dela Cruz, directpr for government engagement discuss their plans on adding special classes in Philippine History. As part of ther legal steps, HSPHM have reached some legislators in the congress about the proposal of these additional topics. Photo screenshot from the online forum.
Guiang, the owner of the said establishment narrated how Urban Chick survived despite the heavy blow the pandemic had landed on their family. Their resilience was attributed to their capability to adapt to their circumstance by resorting to partnership with delivery applications and by opening some diners from their outdoor space on their roof deck. Moreover, Mrs. Guiang expressed how frightening their experience was since a wrong move would mean not only bankruptcy to their business but also a fatal threat to their health. But despite all of this, she plans to move on with a positive mindset, looking forward to what’s best for her business and her family. “We have to stop looking back on what could have been. We have to move on to the new future ahead of us which starts tomorrow. Here and now,” she said. Other businesses such as Chicken Wings owned by Bambie
Gonzales and MP33 Carwash by Peter Dator have also shared their own techniques as to how they were able to thrive despite shortcomings and difficulties. “Kaming dalawa [lang] mag asawa ang nagpapatakbo kahit minsan mahina [ang kita], laban lang para may panggastos sa pang araw[araw]” said Bambi Gonzales, owner of a chicken wings business. “Nagbawas kami ng tao kasi yung iba gusto na rin nilang bumalik sa probinsya. Binawasan din namin yun operation hours,” said Peter Dator, owner of MP33 Carwash. Maginhawa is a Filipino term for comfort but currently, the pandemic has pushed the community’s businesses out of their comfort zones and towards overwhelming uncertainties. However, despite all of this, Maginhawa showed that it is not comfort per se that keeps them going, but it is the people, the necessity and the will that keeps their businesses alive.
