Past, present and forward looking in June

What an unprecedented opening of classes in public schools the country faced last Monday. Despite generous contributions beforehand from civic and business groups in service, classrooms and school buildings, equipment and even financing, the same old pre-school-opening problems appeared worse than ever. Was it due to the unusually heavy turnout of enrollees due to an appreciation of the value of education, the transferees from private schools with increased tuition costs or inadequate government concern and financing? In the long run, how can these problems be foreseen and adequately prepared for? These are questions and problems we hope the concerned sectors will work to solve and overcome.

This Bystander remembers earlier years when “Schooldays, schooldays/ (were) dear old Golden Rule Days…/ (when we were) taught…/ Reading and ‘riting and ‘rithmetic (the three Rs)” and other basic subjects as well (to adopt the opening lyrics of the theme song of the spelling contest I first participated in and of my first contact with broadcast radio in Cebu.

Now, partially retired from a long career in radio broadcast, and having ventured into print with this Cebu Daily News column, I continue to host the monthly “Women’s Kapihan” on station dyLA from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. every second Saturday. Tomorrow the topic is “Women’s Role in Environmental Protection”, most timely in this Environment Month of June, during which, ironically, we are confronted with the disastrous fish kill in Batangas and in its wake, major health and financial problems.

June is also significant for a number of religious, historical and educational observances. Last Sunday, June 5th, was Ascension Sunday; this Sunday, the 12th, is Pentecost Sunday; Sunday next, the 19th, is Trinity Sunday, the 26th will be the Feast of Corpus Christi while on Wednesday, the 29th, we observe the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles.

Historically, on Sunday, the 12th, we observe our 113th Philippine Independence Day. On Friday next week, the 17th, Lapu-Lapu City across the channel celebrates its 50th anniversary; and the Sunday after that, the 19th, the 150th birth anniversary of our National Hero, Dr.Jose Rizal. We shall take this up next week, including some facts on the first or early Philippine flag.

This month, my alma mater, Cebu Normal School, now the Cebu Normal University (CNU), observes its centennial celebration with the theme, “From Good to Great, CNU Tells the World Herstory.” Events have been lined up reflecting the university’s history as it looks ahead to a new century of innovation and opportunity.

Today I have been invited to a press conference to contribute a report on my memorable years of studies and later teaching at that beloved venerable institution. More on this, too, next week.

Back to the first Sunday of the month, we elected board members for a new year at our regular monthly meeting of Curta (Cebu United Radio and TV Artists), Inc. We shall report next week on the newly elected 10 board members and the officials they will have voted for among themselves.

Besides official business taken up during the meeting, some members shared emotional experiences regarding the late Curta member, Cebuana singer and actress Ester Alferez’ last hours at a social gathering of a senior citizens’ group. During the musical program, she sang a Cebuano balitaw with fellow singer and Curta member Eking Fernandez, followed by her singing of her father Dading Alferez’ composition “Sura, Inday.” She faltered on the last notes, after which she collapsed, apparently due to a heat attack. Taken to the hospital, she lapsed into a coma from which she never recovered, and died shortly after.
After the Curta meeting, I visited her lying in state at a chapel at F. Pacaña Street in Cebu City since I shall be unable to attend the Mass tomorrow for her at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes followed by her interment. Do include in your prayers the soul of Ester Alferez, that she may rest in peace.

Until next week then, may God continue to bless us one and all.