Three Articles That Are A Must For Reading Among Parents, Language Lovers, Smokers

Jan. 29,2010
Three Articles That Are A Must For Reading Among Parents, Language Lovers And Smokers
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Reading is one of the many things that should be included in day-to-day activities of every able man in every place where newspapers, magazines or books are avialable.However; there are people who said that they don’t have time to read simply because they are busy with their jobs. But if they really want to read in the first place, we know that they can also do it, if they have the interest to get some knowledge, information and good ideas which they can apply in their lives. In fact there are many things we did not get to know and learn in school that we can gathered from reading various materials.
When I was an ICS journalism student I was instructed by my far-flung London-based instructor to set aside daily an hour or two for my home study course. One of the requirements is to read also an hour or two everyday and have a good handy dictionary for reference for unfamiliar words I’ve met in my daily reading.
I was a self-supporting student then at that time when I was working and living in Metro Manila during the past several years. I went to Manila for the sake of adventure to see the palpable physical appearance of the place which I could only see in Tagalog films in the province.
With my daily schedule of serving my employer and attending to my daily lessons, with a rest only on Sundays, I’ve always get the point to read at least one or two hours daily. At the same time referring the unfamiliar words I’ve met in my daily reading to my handy dictionary and tried to understand its different meanings. Also to recognize its part of speech and to memorize it until it will be absorbed in my mind. I was also advised to familiarize the unfamiliar words I have come to know in my reading and use it in my writing.
You see, there’s always time to read if we really want to. Time management is the only way to get to read if a person is really interest in developing the habit. If indeed you are too busy with your daily activities, the time to read is when you set back to relax. The spare time you use in your relaxation can still be utilized for reading like 2 news stories,2 opinion/editorial articles, sports news and two feature stories that drive your interest of the day. If we really find a way, whatever kind of works we have, should not serve as hindrance in acquiring important informations, applicable knowledge and getting good ideas by reading. We should not also overlook the importance of reading our very own respective languages. The reason why I cannot read is when I have a headache, not feeling well or that I happen to have a fever or a schedule for a day that “reading insertion” of any kind seems to have a no way.
The only reason why people could not have a reading activity on a daily basis is when he/she has defective eyes. Blurriness is one of the many defects of the eyes. The other is called “watery eyes”(my own term) which is the result after an individual’s reading of an article his/her eyes would produce some tears.Nevertheless, this defect can be corrected with the wearing of double vision glasses as prescribed by an ophthalmologist/optomitrist.The other defect is that when one’s eyes would get hurt and worsens its condition upon reading..
Nonetheless, for those who are gifted with good visions there’s no reason why they don’t read
as part of self-education. Those who are wearing graded-eye glasses should continue to read because learning is an endless process, unless the reading activity would still hurt his/her eyes and worsen its condition. Reading would keep us abreast with what is happening in different parts of the world. Like for instance, the discovery of new drugs or the concoction of various herbal plants as food supplement that could cure different types of illnesses including cancer, the emergence of new inventions that provide comfort to humans, a new kind of 4-wheeled spaceship that could land on wheels in other planet thru gradual descent, how the new first black President Barack Obama wriggles his way and expertise by the help of his advisers in finding solutions to some of America’s economic turmoil and other inherited problems from his predecessor.
Some people would also say: “We only watch TV and listen to various broadcasts of events throughout the world. We no longer read newspapers or magazines because we are busy.” Others would say: “We don’t buy the newspapers anymore. WE view the internet at home because we have an access to it”Well, this is not bad. However, what you get from listening to radio and viewing the TV broadcast are only sketchy reports. Some of its important details were cut off due to time constraint pose by the radio management and scheduled TV programs. While the long hours of viewing the internet where the readers eyes are exposed to bright light must be controlled by the users;/viewers themselves to protect their eyes from hurting. It would be good for computer-internet users to wear computer-fit eyeglasses or ultraviolet rays-proof graded eyeglasses for protection.
In the course of my reading, I have read several important articles including some essays, commentaries and feature stories in a newspaper or magazine. From my reading, though I’m behind from my other classmates’ reading habit of reading different kinds of books since our high school days, I would like to share with the readers 3 good articles that I have read recently. The first is about how to properly and correctly discipline the kids by their parents who should provide the lead and guidance for their growing children. The title of the article is “Ang Wastong Pagmamahal Sa Anak”written by Alberto P. Gonzales (PASUGO, November 2008, pages 23-25).Yes, an English translation for the writer’s article is necessary for other peoples of the world to understand it. This monthly religious magazine can be found in the New Era University Library, Quezon City, National Library in Manila and possibly in some big libraries in Metropolitan cities of the country.
The article is designed and intended for all the parents to read and to apply. the instruction and exhortation on what to do with their children while still in their formative years. The writer’s dissertation is based on quoted scriptural passages always emphasizing the Lord’s Words and Commandments and the indispensable need for the rod(whip)as accompanying remedial measure in disciplining the kids whose nature of stubbornness must be corrected and contained. This is the stage when parents have to start disciplining their kids, who mostly always want their own ways. Unknowing on the consequences of their unreasonable demands, which in the long run would be damaging to their character, if remain unchecked by their respective parents. A kid will always be a kid who most of them would demand something that is bad for him/her. The parents who know what is good or bad for them must not give in to the stubbornness of a child. They must explain the reason for the prohibition, which is good for him/her. Teaching them what is good and what is bad. Teaching them (the kids) what is wrong and what is right. Teaching them good Christian moral values. Always correcting and guiding their kids the right ways as they grow up in order to inculcate and embedded in their minds the wisdom that will enlighten them in every way of their lives and be a good and productive citizens.
The second is about respect and equality in the treatment of different languages in the country. It’s an essay.
One of the best essays so far concerning the treatment of languages from my years of reading. Although I’m not a consistently regular reader as compared to some of the journalists I’ve known including a classmate who is now a news editor in one of the popular Manila broadsheets. It is aptly titled “Language Respect and Equality” written by a certain Akoyako, obviously a pen name. This particular essay was sent to Sir Manuel Faelnar, Director of Defenders of Indigenous Languages in the Archipelago (DILA) and posted on Jan. 17, 2009 at past 4 p.m. at www.bisaya_readers.yahoogrouops.co.uk and have links to other sites like www.bisayabloggers.yahoogroups.com; www.Butuanon.yahoogroups.com and Banwa_mo.yahoogroups.com.Or you can ask for a copy of his essay thru his email address:akoyako@gmail.com. One of the ways to respect and equally dealt with one’s language is to use it
regularly in speaking and writing. Translation of Bisaya/Cebuano works into Tagalog must be provided. Likewise, translations of Tagalog works into Bisaya/Cebuano should also be done. Similar policy would also be applied with other languages and dialects in the country to have an understanding of their respective languages and dialects’ works. The translators who most of them are educators and linguists are advised to use the groups of peoples’ respective mother tongues the foremost, and also in Tagalog or English in their translations. The translations of works/articles must obviously be in accord with the prevailing communicative suitability of the local tongue.
There’s also an admonition to let the Tagalogs who have migrated or assigned in Mindanao or Visayas to learn the language of the locals. This should be the way in order for the Tagalog migrants to communicate understandably with the people in the areas. The Bisaya-Cebuano and other groups of people who have distinct languages of their own are likewise to do the same thing of learning the Tagalog language if they also decide to work or migrate in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon. As a sign of respect and to cherish,sustain,nurture and patronize each nation’s distinct languages, or each group of people’s language in the Philippines, are obliged to use their respective native tongues in speaking and in writing with his/her fellow Bisaya-Cebuano,Ilonggo,Waray-waray,Bicolano,Ilocano,Zambali,Kapangpangan,Tausog,Ibanag,Chabakano,Maranaw, others. To shift also automatically to one’s second adopted language in a place where he/she has chosen to work and live permanently if talk to by his/her “second home” inhabitants.
In this respect, Binisaya/Cebuano songs should be played side by side with English and Tagalog songs during daytime just like what the FM/Am disc jockeys have been doing for several years now.Binisaya/Cebuano songs should not be relegated to be played only as opening program at dawn or during midnight when majority of the listeners are already sleeping. This apparent discrimination done by among the majority of disc jockeys in the Visayas and Mindanao of consigning our very own songs to the sideline must be stopped now. Why should most of our disc jockeys, whom I believe are most of them are Bisaya/Cebuano -speaking who also speak fluent English as one of FM’s/AM’s requirements, are only promoting and patronizing English and Tagalog songs? This is the main reason why majority of our young generations of music lovers in our places have failed to recognize and appreciate their very own songs, whether in classics, ballads, love songs, folksongs, etc.Except for the new yagayaga(humorous or antics )songs composed by some of the current bisrock bands that are being played from time to time in most of the FM stations particularly in Cebu.Why not also include some of our good original songs sung by our yesteryears popular Bisaya/Cebuano singers? Their songs are irreplaceable and timeless and are still relevant in today’s musical genre even for the younger generations of music lovers. There should be a variety of songs for the pleasure of entertainment among the radio listeners of all walks of life. This is one remedial measures that will overcome and reciprocate what is lacking to the present generations of music lovers- the point of regaining the interest of learning to embrace our local song compositions and know how to sing it with gusto and much familiarity equal to the interest that they have shown in singing many of English and Tagalog songs.
The third article is also an essay written by Mary Tyrene L. Delgado entitled “The Devil’s Breath”(Philippines Daily Inquirer’s Opinion/Youngblood section, Jan. 24,2009 issue).This is about a very serious problem, but taken lightly by generations of smokers and government leaders involving and affecting millions and millions of people throughout the world. This is the perennial and inveterate habit of smoking cigarettes done by millions of young, adult, and old people alike. This is the kind of habit which turns into an addiction hard for others to eradicate or cut off in their system. However, if a smoker really wants to cut off the habit of smoking he/she can do it. Many inveterate and chain smokers have tried it already and they were successful.
The three abovementioned articles are worthy of clear Xerox copying in much bigger letters for framing and hanging in conspicuous spaces in all private and public offices, in all schools, colleges and universities, and in all homes and residential buildings. These are for daily reading as constant guides and reminders not only among parents, language lovers or smokers but also to all kinds of peoples of the world.
Why? Simply because disciplining is not only for Filipino kids or children but also to all kids/children of the whole world regardless of their nationality or race. This is in order for them to grow up to be cooperative, respectful to elders and the rights of others, obedient to parents, law-abiding, good and productive citizens of each country. On the same vein, to form the habit of becoming language lovers is not only good and imperative for every Filipinos, but also for other groups of peoples of the world.Likewise, to quit smoking is not only good for Filipinos’ health but also for the other peoples’ health and to the health of all passive receivers of fumes
worldwide and their immediate environment, if the rest of the world’s inhabitants in the entire planet earth will also quit smoking cigarettes.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)