Once upon a time, the Spaniards came to the Philippines to invade us. They succeeded and made the Philippines their colony for 300 long years. And, why were they able to colonize us for that long? The answer is quite simple. They ensured that the Filipinos remain ignorant so they can easily manipulate us. They made sure that we remain indios so that we cannot revolt, so that we cannot be free.

Fast forward to the present..

Once upon a time, St. Scholastica's College - Manila held a noise barrage condemning the burial of Former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB). Students from grade school to college participated, together with the professors, administrators and sisters. I was inside the school that time. I witnessed and heard the cries of the crowd saying that Marcos is no hero. Trust me, he is not. However, this post is not about the reasons why Marcos is not a hero. I will give the responsibility to you to research why. This blog post, then, is about the sudden backlash St. Scho received after the noise barrage. Such backlash stems from a post made by MOCHA USON BLOG stating that the children were required to attend the noise barrage. It even contained a so-called parents' permit and her conversation thread with a so-called parent of a Scholastican student. If you want to see it, just go online. Just prepare to get red hot mad. Anyway, as the story unfolds, a lot of Scholasticans and Mocha Uson supporters went against each other's throats. It event went far as to saying that St. Scho is abusing and harassing the students as they were TOO young to understand. They even said that St. Scho is brainwashing the students!

But, what I want to ask is what is too young? What is the right age for parents and teachers to teach students about the social condition of the country and the world? Is it correct to keep the children in the dark? This is what irritates me. The comments stating that these children should be kept innocent and young. For what? So that they can be shocked when they see the world is also filled with monsters and brainless dummies? In my opinion, I believe children should be taught early on about the realities of the world. They must learn how to be socially aware so that they cannot be easily swayed to believing things. They should know what is true and false; and right and wrong. If you are to say that St. Scho is abusing kids because they are letting them attend rallies and noise barrages, I pity you. I pity you because you do not understand how important the roles of these children. They are our future and if we do not give them the right tools and knowledge, how can they become our future? And take my word that students of St. Scho from grade school to college knows what they are fighting for. This is so because St. Scho ensured that we are knowledgeable and aware of the world outside the four walls of our 110 year old school. 

Keep in mind that children are not just children. 

Little girls are not just girls. 

Little boys are not just little boys.  

They are also Filipinos. 

That being said, I would like to thank St. Scho for making us socially responsible. I would like to thank you for being true to your vision and mission to not only produce academically excellent students, but also socially aware Scholasticans. I salute you and congratulate you for your 110 years of service to the country and the world. And as students, we promise to live up to the school's vision and mission. 

Scholasticans cannot be silenced. 

Never have and never will. 

That in all things, God may be glorified!