Socialism by: Ormon

“ In the beginning there is light, but for Philippines there is none”. We have been struggling against insurmountable odds since the mockery of our independence.

I don’t wanna be too formal but I feel the need to say this coz some things never change. Wherever we go and whatever we do, we will always be the same. I think it’s necessary to leave bad things in the closet before we decide working abroad. I don’t want you to pretend. Be yourself but for God’s sake, don’t be a pain in the ass. Don’t be a moron, naïve, unprofessional and stop whining about discrimination. We cant do anything about it. We bestowed it upon us. We caused it to happen to our race since the days of Jose Rizal. We will always be the good-for-nothing asshole in the eyes of the world unless we prove it hard that we deserve respect.

Now, how do we get respect from our students, parents and colleagues in Thailand. Let me start with colleagues. First, based on my experience, you will be loved if you carry a smile everyday. Give everyone in school your sweetest smile before signing the daily attendance logbook. It’s our trademark anyway. We always smile although there’s no reason to smile. I call it positive stupidity. Second, don’t say no to every request. Hearing “NO” breaks their heart. But if you can’t really do the task just say “ Sorry, I am busy right now but I will ask my partner to do it. Ok mai?” Third, don’t be a snub. If you have time, go out and meet people. Talk to your colleagues. Praise their clothes, perfume, and their over-all appearance. But remember this: Always look at the good side of the person. Fourth, don’t complain about the system but it will help you a lot to ask questions how the system works. Fifth, never involve yourself in gossips. Less words less mistakes. Don’t ever ever comment about sensitive issues concerning your colleagues and their working relationship. Sixth, don’t borrow money. If you got no choice but to borrow coz you need food for dinner then pay it on time as you promised. Seventh, always understand your boss. If you see her in a bad mood, don’t bother to ask why. If you see her staring at you, don’t be conscious but do your work accordingly. Eighth, always come on time. If you come ahead of time, you’ll be wasting your personal time. If you come late, you’ll be wasting schools time. Ninth, make sure you have clear accent every time you open your mouth. If you have a problem with phonetics and the sounds of English, then, devout time improving your speaking skills. Your thai colleagues will talk about your English and compare your pronunciation with farang if your English is English Carabao. Finally, never ever criticize the working habit of your partner, boss or table mate in the faculty. Be sensitive. Be reasonable in everything that you do. Be vigilant. Be professional with your comments. Be understanding. I mean, always understand everything that comes into your life. Be loving. Love your colleagues. Show concern and be responsible enough to do your part in the faculty. If you see the bin full of trash and no one seems to care about its bad smell, then, its time for you to act. Don’t ever say, “ It’s not in my contract to clean the faculty room or pick up plastic cups on the corridor.” Work hard even if your boss doesn’t care about you and the things that you do inside and outside the classroom. To sum it up, you will get the respect of your colleagues if they will feel that you belong.


Now let’s talk about the parents. Unfortunately, I don’t have that much experience about getting parents respect. But I think you will be respected if you treat their kids well. Some of my students are really troublesome. Some are really eager to learn. Put them together and you got a wonderful class. If you don’t have good classroom management skill then they’ll walk all over you. Now, even if the kids are annoying you, don’t hit them. Show them that you care by being professional in dealing with them. If you are really a teacher, you know what I am talking about.


Let’s move on to students. Do Thai students capable of respecting Filipino teachers? Yes, I think so but it all depends on the teacher. If you are systematic and always ready with your lesson plan and visual aids then you’ll get their respect. Thai students are not stupid. They will immediately know if you are a good teacher or a lousy one. Take note that students here in Thailand like “ sanook” (funny) activities. It must always be sannok or else they will open their make up kits or crawl under the table and always ready to escape your class. Getting their attention is a challenge. You need to be creative, imaginative and patient. Focus on how you re going to let them listen to you. Having them listen for 30 minutes or do the task without cheating or asking their seatmate is a great achievement. The learning style of Thai students in the is quite amusing. I am amused seeing a number of students eager to learn while some just don’t care what’s happening. When you ask those i-don’t-care learners what’s the lesson all about, the usual answer “ fang mai lue lueang” , is the excuse. Solving this problem means borrowing the powers of Bruce Almighty to let them understand the importance of learning English. I you don’t understand the lesson then ask questions or listen carefully. Tell this to your students maybe they’ll understand you. The approach in convincing your students to cooperate and participate in the learning process is “ socialism”. I mean , befriend them. Don’t be so stiff in the classroom. Talk to them. Don’t be an enemy of your students. Let them think that you are a friend. Let them feel that you like them. If you will do this, you’ll see that your noisy class is all ears every time you’re in front of them. I don’t know this approach will be effective in your set up but I assure you that if you are nice to your students then they’ll be nice with you in return. Respect is difficult to earn especially if you are working in a foreign land. Try your best and don’t give up getting that respect. Just remember this my dear Filipino teachers: Don’t loose your cool. As for me, I am still working on it. I’ve done everything I know to give my students the best education they deserve. Sometimes I get frustrated but at least I tried and will continue to do my best to let them understand that learning English is very important. Being a Filipino English Teacher in Thailand is difficult but I feel good every time I hear my students say, “Thank you teacher. I like your activity today. I learned a lot. See you again next week.”


“ In the beginning there is light, but for Philippines there is none”. Let me explain this. We know that our country is not getting better by the day. I hope our motherland will not be the next Darfur. I have read the essay of a Korean student about our country. Let me share the lines of truth with you. This is an old essay but I feel it’s worth posting it here.


MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines . Do
you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines ? I do
not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love
for the Philippines .

Let me first talk about my country, Korea . It might help you understand
my point.
After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in
the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was
destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.

Koreans used to talk about the Philippines , for Filipinos were very
rich in Asia . We envy Filipinos.
Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died
of famine.
My father & brother also died because of famine. Korean government was
very corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but
Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their
best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism.

Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood
and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.

40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea
He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible
to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economic
situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So,
President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they
could send money to Korea to build a factory.
They had to go through horrible experience.

In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money.
Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and
cried there as they saw the President Park . They asked to him,
"President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question
everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them
that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea , and the
President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to
Korea . So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea .
He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart.

Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to
help developing country because they wanted their country to be well
off. Though they received very small salary, they did their best for
Korea . They always hoped that their children would live in well off
country.

My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically
handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and
help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The
only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our
neighborhood. And, I have loved my neighborhood. Have you cried for the
Philippines ? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried
for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the
New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners
who do not have any love for their country.
They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday.

However, they do not love the Philippines . I talked to two prisoners at
the maximum-security compound, and both of them said that they would
leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison.
They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never
come back to the Philippines .

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share
our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were
distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees
could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their
children.

When I was in Korea , I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a
priest. However, when I came to the Philippines , I completely lost my
faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in
the Philippines . Street kids always make me sad, and I see them
everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia , but
there are too many poor people here.
People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation.
They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines
when they were young. They are so sorry that there are so many beggars
and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take
a boat because it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a
boat.
They said that they would not take the boat a gain because they were
sympathized the boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small
frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it.
But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.

My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very
young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we
are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action.
She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them
because all of us are same and have received a great love from God.
I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as they
love God so that the Philippines will be well off.

I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos should remember. We
cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person.
Love must start in everybody, in a s mall scale and have to grow. A lot
of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices
and look at our worries with our new eyes.

I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love,
because it makes changes possible.
Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships.
It changes the world. Please love your neighborhood and country.

Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him.
In the Philippines , there is God for people who are abused and
abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child,
teach them how to love the Philippines . Teach them why they have to
love their neighborhood and country.
You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.

That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

If the trend continues, then there will be no light waiting for us in the future. Some changed citizenship. Some hate being a Filipino. Some don’t care and only reacts if they are directly affected by the problem. Some want to get rich by being a politician. And almost everybody wants to work abroad for a greener pasture. Sad to say, I think we are on the verge of losing our identity. Let us not forget our country. No matter how bad it is. In Thailand, let us not do bad things that will affect our identity as Filipinos. Let us put in their hearts that we are good citizens by being professional in everything that we do.