Lalaban Para Sa Tatlong Letra

CHAPTER 4

Clathea's Point of View

"Rizal's image is only inscribed in the peso coin rather than other high value bills, is that mean it has low value? What can you say Mr. Paeng?"

Nilamon ng katahimikan ang buong klase hindi dahil sa interesting ang tanong ni Sir at nakapagtataka kundi abala ang lahat sa panay sulat ng mga takdang aralin sa iba't ibang majors subject namin.

I know, it's an insult. It's so disrespectful. We are suppose to pay attention.

Inabot pa ng mahabang segundo bago nakasagot agad ang natawag na estudyante.

"It doesn't mean it holds low value, it still holds high value because the society has it on hand most of the time. You can't make it to a million without a single peso," he answered.

Mr. Guilaran is a senior teacher here. May katandaan na ang gurong 'to, makikita sa postura niya ang kahinaan at maririnig sa boses niya na hindi na niya kaya pang sumigaw ng malakas.

Apparently, he still wants to teach because that's his passion and boredom might kill him if he will only stays at home, doing nothing.

He's close to 60 and according to the Republic Act 8291 (GSIS of 1997), you must have rendered at least 15 years of service and must be at least 60 years old upon retirement.

Aside from that, students are also not really paying attention because let's all admit it, it's one of the minor subjects. But not all students ganito ang mindset, mayro'n at mayro'n pa rin talagang nagsusunog ng kilay kahit minor pa 'yan.

Naririnig ko rin ang argumentong bakit may asignaturang rizal pa sa kolehiyo? Makakatulong ba 'yan sa atin? Kailangan ba talaga 'yan sa kurso natin?

Although I know it's a form of appreciation for him. It's a mandated law and it's the Republic Act No. 1425, an act to include in the curricula of all public and private schools, colleges and universities courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels "Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo", authorizing the printing and distribution thereof, and for other purposes.

Sa ayaw at gusto natin, hindi tayo makakagraduate nang hindi dumadaan sa asignaturang 'yan.

For me, studying Rizal's life and works are definitely a good idea. Not only just Rizal but also other national heroes. Yes, it sounds very makabayan but I'm just expressing my side.

Maybe because I enjoy reading and writing books like our national hero, I also love to talk about novels, even if we're not, let's just do it for appreciation for their sacrifices.

Beside, even if Rizal's image inscribed or not, there will be no issue for Rizal if he is still alive today. The reason for that are his sincerity and genuine love for this country. Think of those hardship and sacrifices, I don't think he did that entirely for recognition. Our heroes will be very happy if we treasure and appreciate the freedom they really work hard to attain more than putting their faces to our bills or history parks.

Yes, we have done that several times but are we appreciating our freedom and patronizing our own identity or are we still being controlled unknowingly? Because we have this kind of idea called modern colonization or modern slavery.

Nang matapos ang morning classes namin ay nagkita ulit kaming mga ladybugs para maglunch. Again, Ara's schedule is not the same sa amin ni Shane. This time, imbes na accounting ang paksang pinag-usapan, isang grupo ng mga estudyante ang umagaw sa atensyon namin.

"Hindi kayang manapak ng tingin, Shane," biro kong pagpuna.

Kanina pa masama ang tingin niya sa Kean na 'yon na ngayo'y kumukuha ng order niya na halos umaabot na sa tainga ang ngiti niya kasama ang tatlo pa niyang kasama habang kami nagsisimula nang kumain.