Jeepney rants
I went home unusually later than usual today from my school. As I do my routine in going home-- catching a jeepney going to my condo, five girls in high school uniform, presumably grade 7 or grade 8 girls were with me in the ride (and one old, but not too old, man). They started talking about random things, just pitching in ideas they have thought of that moment. Before I go on with this, I just want to clarify that I am not eavesdropping; it so just happened that the jeepney was quite the short one, and well, they have incredibly loud voices while talking.So, going back to my story, we passed by the College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) and one of the girls excitedly pointed out to her friends, "uy yan yung school ni Maine (Maine Mendoza)!!!" (that is Maine Mendoza's school!!!) and they started gushing about her-- from her natural beauty to her shoots. They talked about how beautiful she is, especially with her hair straight down and that just-woke-up photo of hers with no make up on because she looks like an American girl there, while also agreeing with each other that Maine with a curly hair does not quite suit the girl. Moving on, their subject has shifted to DLS-CSB, the institution itself. One of the girls suddenly said, "bagsakan daw yan ng La Salle" (that is the home of the failures from La Salle) and that, "basta may pera" (as long as there is money). They continued blabbing about CSB for several minutes more on mainstream hearsays they know of while probably being oblivious to three facts: that they are in an area where there are Lasallians almost everywhere, that they are not the only ones in the ride and well, that the girl beside them is a Lasallian herself-- yup, me. I think they failed to notice my I.D. since it was hidden behind my bag.
Going back to my point, I was quite enraged of how CSB was described by these girls. I will not be hypocrite and say that I did not think of this before I entered college, but I just thought how judgmental people could get, only basing their ideas on gossips. For everyone's info, this story is in fact a mainstream hearsay and has been going on for I don't know how many years now. It really feels bad that CSB is labeled that way when in fact, CSB has a different standard than my school, DLSU, since they have a very wide variety of degree programs. I just thought they could have been a little more sensitive about the issue. I know they are young and well, careless, but that doesn't give them an excuse to be immature. This is one of the reasons why CSB continue to appear in a bad image to other people, because of this type of hearsay. A lot fail to see the quality education and the extensive opportunities they could offer their students and the world by all means. Another thing that I thought was that, haven't they realized that the girl they were gushing about, Maine Mendoza, is from CSB? That she actually finished her HRIM degree from the school they were picking at, not because she failed in DLSU and paid for it (even if she is from a rich family), but because she chose that degree program CSB happens to have and because she worked hard for it? I was entirely enraged the whole time I was listening and even tried to look away, but I could still hear everything. I was holding myself back even if they were being unfair. Probably, I am irritated (and kind of mad) for two reasons: 1) I know the truth about the exceptional quality of education in CSB, and 2) I am a fan of Maine myself. Tip: Be critical with the things that you hear. They may be what everyone is talking about, but that does not make them true. Mind you, CSB offers one of the best and exceptional programs and is internationally recognized. Although, I will not lie-- "paying to graduate or to pass" happens at certain desperate occasions of students, especially if they come from elite families. However, you think this only happens in CSB? I think not, definitely not.
If you think that was all it, you got it wrong because the girls just tackled another mainstream lie in this society. For those who live around the area, you probably know that CSB is located in front of St. Scholastica's College-Manila (St. Scho). As they looked to their left, another girl pointed out that it is St. Scho, an all-girls school (kudos girl because not a lot knows about it even if it is entirely more than a century old). They began discussing about college life. One girl said that what's hard about college is that you always have to dress up nicely, that one has to have a great set of wardrobe because "college is all about pormahan" (or dressing up). They also noted how this is very true, especially in America where girls go to school in "shorts", while still being proud of this "fact" they just blurted out. These girls had too much movies... I almost burned her alive for this another mainstream misinterpretation. Girl, college is about surviving sleepless nights and days just to graduate and be able to find decent and great jobs. I hate how they all agreed with her, as if also implying that being in college simply meant going to school to do fashion shows and modeling. They did not realize that I may be a college student, but is just wearing simple jeans and top at that moment. It is really alarming and disappointing how they view such important stage in life as just that. I mean, by now, they should have at least already understood that going to college is meant to prepare us for the work force, and the future, and not for pictorials. Somehow, I pity the girls for such understanding. I hope their families (or concerned friends or citizens) correct this notion. Reminder to future college students: you can repeat clothes, YES, YOU CAN. Just wear decent clothes and you will be fine.
Apparently, I never thought that more than the intense traffic in Leon Guinto and Vito Cruz, my jeepney ride could be moooooore exhausting than usual. Their conversation only stopped when people began filling up the empty seats and I was like, finally.
And all I can say is, "girls, kayo ang tunay na pabebe" in a not-so-good way.
0 comments: