Good crisis response

The sex video controversy involving a student of the University of San Jose- Recoletos (USJ-R) is indeed unfortunate. The young woman  told reporters the cellphone video was done with her consent and  was meant to be a private copy.  She said her  boyfriend at the time, who was also in the video, lost his cellphone during a drinking session with friends  after they had already ended their relationship.  So the person who probably found the cellphone may have uploaded the video, and from there it became viral on the Internet.

I am happy the student, who agreed to be interviewed by the media, did it without  showing her face  and that the media obliged and didn’t expose her features.

I am also elated with the press conference of USJ-R  administration which announced that as a Catholic institution they are  helping the student graduate under the present circumstances.

This new approach of Catholic educational institutions isn’t new to me.  When I was the emcee of one convention of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), one exclusive school for women was confronted with a student who got pregnant. Instead of  suspending or expelling her,  the school arranged for  her  to continue her studies without being exposed to jeers from schoolmates.

CEAP called that a caring university. The school was well applauded by convention participants.

What happened to the USJ-R student was unfortunate but she and her boyfriend, who was studying in another college,  did not violate any law. The video was meant for their private viewing, they were adults and the intimacy was done in  a private place.

The USJ-R’s response  was indeed that of a true Christian university acting with compassion and understanding for the difficulties  the student had undergone. The university did not mind what the public would say about their guidance and training.

I would like to congratulate Fr. Enrico Peter Sibal and the administration for their handling of the controversy. I reckon that the student regretted her acts so just like God, let us forgive her of her sins and allow her to move on.

And I hope people  now stop circulating the sex video for the studen’ts sake allow her to graduate.  A friend told me that it’s  very challenging to raise a child today because it’s not enough to provide your children all the material things in this world but to raise her to become a productive member of the community. Now that requires more physical attention and interaction with your children.

It’s  very important for  parents to interact with their  kids to know their sentiments if needed, immediately respond and react positively.

It is still important to play with your children. It is  during their unguarded moments that they  blurt out things that may need your attention.

I remember how Fr. Ramon Mores SJ of  Sacred Heart Parish would remind us of the importance of the home in rearing  children and not leaving this task to  schools. Rightly so.  I  agree with Fr. Mores. Children who interact with their parents are better adjusted than those who are lavished material gifts. Love  and attention are more importanT.

Lucky are those who have children, the best gift  God  gives to mankind so  take good care of them, love them and pay attention.

It’s  not easy to bring up  a child today with all the difficult challenges but our parents were able to do it. Parents  just need a lot of prayers.