ROTC, more fun in the Philippines

One thing I appreciated back when I was in college is that college life is very complex and somewhat like universal. Because you meet people in college from all walks of life. There are different cultures, lifestyles and among others.

As the school year 2012 – 2013 is fast approaching especially in college, more incoming college students are now thinking, not just only about what course they will take but also what branch of NSTP they will take. And several or many 1^st year college students tend to choose CWTS or LTS which is in my opinion, it’s become one of so called “pinakamadaling kunin na subject.” But I really wonder why few students tend to choose ROTC as their preferred NTSP subject.

ROTC, involving 2 years of military training in college which was introduced by the Americans here in the Philippines in 1912. This was supposedly to prepare male citizens to defend the country if war broke (wag naman sana) or in case of emergency. Frankly speaking, for nearly a century, this military preparedness consisted mainly of Saturday or Sunday marching drills. But, there are also lectures conducted like emergency preparedness, first aid, military traditions, community development service and among others.

One of the most common components that ROTC teaches is all about effective leadership and discipline. ROTC also develops character formation, string determination, and also winning attitudes in life. Well, beside of developing cadets to be ready in case of national emergency, they also taught on how to serve the community like blood donation drives, community cleanups, among others.

Rigorous military training is very present in ROTC. Hindi rin maiiwasan talaga na gumising ka ng sobrang aga. But it’s all part of how you handle yourself and also being discipline & responsible at all times. In my own experience also, ROTC also develops personality and leadership skills, teamwork and also being a balanced person towards others and oneself.

Well, sadly for others, involving the verbal abuse of SOME “commanders”. Sadly also based on the opinion of my lawyer-friend-bus fanatic, some corrupt elements use ROTC as their bread and butter, worst case scenario, even violent hazing incidents. For those issues, my question is, how does the program run by the people itself which is also another friend of mine is also pinpointing at.

In my opinion, ROTC is really not bad at all. The thing here is that they must be serious enough to train the cadets. A friend of mine also suggests that ARESCOM must also form a ready reserve battalion and retraining for ROTC basic graduates which is also a good point. I would not recommend ROTC for everyone. Maybe some don’t have the heart for it but who knows that ROTC may bring out the best in you and may also develop being a great leader someday. If you are interested in ROTC, then you can give it a shot. You have nothing to loose but a little sleep, a few pounds and maybe (if you’re mestizo/mestiza) your complexion. :)

Youtube video coutesy of sir Julius Ilagan.

Harana, uso pa ba?

Kung may nililigawan ka na isang babae o di kaya gusto kang patawarin ng kasintahan o kasing-irog mo, usually ay dinadaan yan sa isang HARANA. Pero… Noon yon… Ngunit sa panahon ngayon, ang panliligaw ay dinadaan na lang sa patext-text at pachat-chat pagdating sa ligawan. 


Harana ang isa sa mga Pilipinong tradisyon ng panliligaw na kung saang kalimitan pang nakadungaw ang babae sa bintana habang kinakantahan ng binata nangliligaw. Ang malungkot lang dito ay medyo nasintunado na sa panahon ngayon at sa mga litrato at palabas na lang natin to napapanood. Pero alam mo ba na may mga lugar pa rin sa Pilipinas na pinapahalagaan ang kultura na to? Isa sa mga halimbawa ay sa Samar at sa Marinduque na talagang pinapahalagaan pa rin ang tradisyon na ito. Marahil eh marami ang magsasabi sa akin na gasgas na ang harana. This what makes us also truely Filipino because masarap lumabas sa gabi, kasama ang mga kaibigan mo at pinapahalaan mo rin na mahal mo ang isang babae at handa mong ibigay ang lahat para sa dilag na syang iniirog mo.


Tunay nga naman nagbago na ang panahon, pati na rin istilo ng manunuyo at panliligaw. Pero sana naman ay panatilihin pa rin natin ang mga lumang tradisyon pero ibagay rin sa makabagong panahon.