Author Topic: Lessons I Learned from Prof. Gloria Arroyo  (Read 1737 times)

benelynne

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Lessons I Learned from Prof. Gloria Arroyo
« on: September 21, 2007, 12:53:31 PM »
I took my classes in Economics 102 (Macroeconomics) as a first-year college student at the Ateneo under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Even in the country's premier school for the elite, where students are, or pretend to be, nonchalant to their fellow nobility, Gloria's hyphenated surname stringing two of the most illustrious families in this country lent her otherwise diminutive physical stature a grand presence. (Being on scholarship courtesy of the Jesuits, I did not really belong to the clique and my only privilege was my different point of view.)

Gloria impressed me as being always ready for class--what with a lecture outline, logical development of her points, neat mathematical examples and intolerance for diversion. When she stands in front of the class, you just have to take what she tells you. When you ask, you better be sure it's not a silly question. "I am the professor, you learn from me," was the invisible tag on her lapel.

My only glimpse of her human side was when I had a stomach trouble and was absent from class. By coincidence, another female student whose name I didn't even know was also absent. A week later, both the lady and I, for reasons I don't even remember and certainly were mutually clueless about, were absent together again. When we showed up for the next class, Gloria asked us, "How was your date?"

Funny, but that was my best memory of Gloria. For more than a year, I moved through Ateneo's corridors like a ghost. But that day, she focused everyone's attention on a poor probinsyano from Bohol--if only for a good-natured laugh that the class never ever had.

I am sure she doesn't remember me anymore. Honestly, if she didn't become president, I can't claim to have learned anything from her, either. Nothing personal, really. But I am sure you will all agree that the theories we learn in school seldom have bearing on real life's rough and tumble.

But now, there are things I would like to teach her back--especially that I am no longer at the mercy of her grades (BTW, she gave me an A). And they're not about economics, but about family life and life in general.

Foremost, we always have to strive for open and honest communication with our spouse. Unless you declare separation (like Loren Legarda) or annulment, husbands and wives are responsible for each other's conduct. And it's not only because what God has joined man cannot sunder. We need not even invoke the Bible to hold ourselves responsible for what our better half does, simply because marriage binds us to that person inside and out. It is said that politicians can sleep in the same bed but have different dreams. But husbands and wives should share dreams, hopes, fears and struggles together.

I am not trying to preempt the Senate or our judicial system in deciding Mike's culpability or innocence. I've read about the Canadian who was hit by lightning twice and the US congressman who won the lotto twice... If there is anything that her economics class has vaguely impressed upon me, it is my belief in probabilities, in shades of values between 0  and 1, in latitude of the mind, in giving people the benefit of the doubt. But I believe that there are just too many issues that stick to Mike and too many different people raising them to just dismiss them as mere politicking.

I picked up the tab for some of my wife's business failures in the past. I didn't argue against her creditors, "You were talking to my wife." Likewise, my wife reminds me that my commendation is also hers, and my dishonor hurts her as well. So we try to be responsible for each other. From our mistakes, we have declared that transparency in each of our personal dealings is tantamount to marital fidelity.

Being in public office, more is required of Gloria and Mike. Many of the values we bring to public life reflect those that we nurture and practice within our homes.

How about you? What can you teach our professorial leader?


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Re: Lessons I Learned from Prof. Gloria Arroyo
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2007, 06:28:42 PM »

I am sure she doesn't remember me anymore. Honestly, if she didn't become president, I can't claim to have learned anything from her, either. Nothing personal, really. But I am sure you will all agree that the theories we learn in school seldom have bearing on real life's rough and tumble.


What I remember most about my professors are the friendships I made with them. It feels good, when after many years, your professor can still call you by your real complete name.

Yes, Ben, there are many things that our schools are forcing us to study but these things have no bearing on our lives outside the classroom.

I always hated the fact that Trigonometry was included in our course syllabus, which, for me, was an absurd school requirement, since I was taking up mass communication in Silliman. Until now I haven't encountered a situation in my life and in my career as journalist in which I have to use a Trigo formula or any of this subject's principles.

I was on the road to graduating magna cum laude since I had a consistent high GPAs during my first three years in college. But that Trigo, which I hated so much, shattered all my dreams of graduating with a laude in my name. One day my abhorrence toward the subject culminated in my not taking the final exam. I didn't want to study or read anything that won't benefit myself and my neighbors and my world - being a masscom practitioner.

I will add more comments to this thread...

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C2H4

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Re: Lessons I Learned from Prof. Gloria Arroyo
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2007, 05:28:05 AM »
Mr Admin, not having a laude with your degree, does not make you any less intelligent.

Although a laude certainly lends you tremendous bragging rights (and notoriety), what matters is how effective you are outside the classroom.

A cousin of mine graduated summa cum laude from the Ateneo, and was 1st place in the national board exams, but now finds himself unemployed. Sadly, he couldn't be as effective in his career as he was in the classroom.

And also I know a Bol-anon who was a 2nd-yr high school dropout who now has several laudes working for him, sa iyang kumpanya.

As to what I could teach Gloria, maybe I could teach her this:

When your husband is unfaithful and cheats on you regularly, kick his a** out. You won't be the first separada in the world, and you won't be the last. You'll run the country better without a deadbeat husband weighing you down.

Of course, this is not to say Mike Arroyo is a deadbeat. I am speaking purely from a rhetorical perspective.

*C2H4 is covering her tracks, kay dili sya gusto ma salvage*

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