YPS

As published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Opinion section, 2 December 2011

When Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings released its 2011 results, it indicated that the University of the Philippines and several other leading Philippine universities such as the Ateneo De Manila University, De La Salle University and the University of Sto. Tomas fell from previous rankings. Given this drop in ratings of both private and publicly funded higher education institutions, the question on funding and quality becomes a critical issue.

As published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, 8 January 2011
MICHELLE RHEE, former chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools and one of Time Magazine’s 11 Education Activists for 2011, said that “teachers all think that they have a right to be in the classroom, to get paid even if they do wrong, to be secure in their jobs because of the role they play in society. But teachers have to be accountable too. It is a privilege to educate children.”

STATISTICS SHOW HOW INADEQUATE OUR education system is in providing the quality and level of standards needed by Filipino students to learn, develop and acquire skills. From low enrollment rates, high illiteracy rates, low achievement rates to a mismatch between acquired skills and industry requirements, not to mention poor teacher quality and morale, the Philippine education system has shown little improvement through the years. Changes in leadership and poor governance are only some of the factors contributing to the decline.

Our Constitution, the fundamental law of the land, can be changed in three ways. One is through a Constitutional Convention where delegates are elected by the people. This is how our 1987 constitution was drafted. Second is through an initiative where twelve percent (12%) of the total registered voters can sign a petition for charter change.

As published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, 26 July 2008, Opinion section

"The Filipino today is facing an everlasting crisis. Never in history has he suffered from greater political and economic wants. It is time for every Filipino to help in the quest for that elusive national unity which is imperative for the nation's survival." - Ninoy Aquino, 23 June 1983

As published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Opinion Section, 5 April 2008

We began as an organization dedicated to promoting Good Governance and Democratic Citizenship among the youth. We not only aim to encourage and promote awareness among the youth but to provide relevant information and a venue for collaboration and change by addressing current issues, socio development and political agendas to further involve the youth in nation building.

I had a conversation at one time with a group of married women and a topic of the conversation was their some new, some old marriages. The newly-wed women had hopeful gleams in their eyes while the old-timers (and some not even married for more than five years) say that things aren't what the fairytale notion of a marriage is. So, what is it all about? The generation of our parents, grandparents truly take the "till death do us part, in sickness and in health" statement to their hearts (although sometimes taking in infidelity and abuse as well).

When I see the headlines or watch the news, sometimes I don't know whether to believe it or not - - well, the answer may seem obvious to some but the play on the thoughts of people as well as the disguises made on the truth gets more and more disturbing as each day passes.

The Filipino Youth plays a critical role in the causes of social justice and political reform in the country. With 41 percent of the population falling under the Youth sector (with 19% coming from in-school/out of school youth and 22% from the young professionals) the numbers indicate the powerful political force that the youth represents. Since the approval of RA 8044 in 1995 or the "Youth in Nation Building Act" and the creation of the National Youth Commission much more focus has been given on the need for the development and protection of the youth.