Readers’ comments on religion and math

Joaquin Buenaflor writes:  In your review of Michael Asis’ book (Dec. 24 and 31), you hit on an issue that too few bring up.  I’ve been critical of the Catholic Church not because I have hatred for it but because I know the good it can do.

Much of the mistrust the youth have toward the Catholic Church [arises from its failure to address] “real-time” concerns … Issues [like] relationships, materialism, greed exist and may be partially addressed through wisdom and spirituality.  We’ve not been sufficiently [equipped] with the two and [most] of the blame lies squarely on the Church.

Christian ministries, evangelists, charismatic movements, mega churches, Buddhism and other alternative religions … tell us in a personal, interactive [way] how to navigate through … life.  Spirituality, after all, attempts to address one’s personal being, reason for living and to give meaning to it all.

In this age of “r u l8?” lexicon, the Church’s dogmatic approach is fast losing its appeal.  Vatican II 50 years ago tried to address this issue but much of its gains are being set aside … the Church has its hard-core followers—those who find its dogmatic, ritualistic approach appealing—but there’s the danger it will just be [among] 1 percent of us [Catholics].

What can be done?  The Catholic Church being more dynamic (it’s telling that the former Pope opened his first Twitter account six years after its creation), being open to the possibility of the more compassionate half of us (read: women) becoming priests and having younger Popes that most of the world’s Catholics can identify with (read: nonwhite old men) could be a start.

[H]aving a growing population, helped by the Church’s insistence on having more Filipinos, means that an overstretched Church will lose disinterested members to other beliefs.

Mathematics

Jolan Lumawig writes:  I read the third part of your article on math and I would like to ask if you can e-mail the complete three-part article (Jan. 22 and 29, Feb. 5) … I would like to share the columns with my relatives who seem to have an aversion to this subject in school.

Reply:  Go to www.inquirer.net and scroll down the page till you reach the Learning section.  My columns should all be there.

Jess Valix writes:  Your columns on math are a good exercise in the right direction. Learning from peers’ experience could be invaluable … In my own experience, math is like sport. The one who practices well and trains more usually wins … Training is not done only once. It has to be repetitious. The more and the harder the games … the better. Similarly, to excel in math, one has to practice, do exercises and problems as much and as often as possible. Practice makes perfect.

Sofronio Lapitan writes:  I read “Math Tech Improves Student Performance”

(Jan. 28).  I have a granddaughter in Grade 1 and I’d like to expose her to this math courseware.  Since she also loves animation shows, I think it would help her enjoy, master and retain math lessons.. and also prepare her for Grade 2 … May I know where we can access or buy this Grade 1 math courseware?

Reply: Lilia Lauron, chief science research specialist of the Science Education Institute, says the Grade 1 math courseware will be available in their courseware website by June and will run on both Android and Windows.  Maintained by Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science  and Technology, the

website’s address is: courseware.dost.gov.ph.  Access should be free.  For details, contact Lauron at [email protected].

By the way, my apologies to NISMED.  In the article, the word “Development” was omitted from the title of NISMED, which stands for National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development.

Permission

Rosa Anna Suva writes:  I am taking up clinical psychology at Polytechnic University of the Philippines Graduate School.  I am currently working on my thesis … focusing on bullying… I came across your article (“Dealing with Bullying in School,” Oct. 22, 2012) and I would like to ask your permission to use [it].

Ivy Hope Jabagat writes:  I am an education student of Western Visayas College of Science and Technology in Iloilo City. I read your column, “Outstanding Science and Math Teachers” (Sept. 9, 2012). I would like to ask … if I can include [it] in my project for the teaching profession subject.

Reply:  You can use the columns, as long as you properly reference the source (title, author, newspaper section, page, date).

Summer workshops

Museo Pambata offers various art classes for children and teens for summer. In basic visual arts, facilitated by children’s book illustrator Hubert Fucio, 4- to 6-year-olds learn drawing, crafts, painting and sculpture. In the advanced visual arts class of Marc Vincent Cosio of Philippine High School for the Arts, 7- to 12-year-olds learn painting, mixed media and other visual arts through museum and gallery visits.  Both workshops cost P4,500 for six sessions and will start on April 16.

In creative theater, taught by Sipat Lawin Ensemble stage actors, 8- to 12-year-olds express themselves in song and dance.  Fee is P4,500 for 10 sessions, which will start on April 10.  In creative writing, taught by children’s book author and Palanca awardee Genaro Gojo Cruz, 12- to 18-year-olds learn how to write and publish their stories. Fee is P3,500 for four sessions, which will start on April 12.

Visit www.museopambata.org for registration details.  E-mail [email protected] or call 5231797/98, 5360595.

E-mail the author at [email protected].