Augustinians, coping up with the changes

Change is around every corner of this school. New director. New administration. New regulations. New policies. New Vision. A wide range of changes happened and were implemented at SAAP as the new director starts the School Year 2008-2009. Some teachers and staffs are in favor, some are not. Some parents are against it and some embrace it with open arms. But the main concern here is the students. How did they deal with these changes?

From the different thoughts and ideas of the staff combined together, this new vision: “Saint Augustine Academy of Pampanga, a Catholic Archdiocesan Educational Institution envisions itself as an evangelized-evangelizing community witnessing the core values of faith, service and excellence” was constructed and was presented by the Admin to the SAAP body. This new vision of SAAP is very ideal. To be able to witness faith, service and excellence will raise and mold a student into a genuine Christian.

Nevertheless, this new vision comes with new regulations such as –no gift giving to teachers and staff, no parents allowed inside the campus, prohibiting promissory notes and paying monthly fees on designated time because if not, your name won’t appear in your test paper thus forging you to pay another 20 pesos per subject for your special examination.

Those mentioned above are some of the latest policies implemented in our school and the students are trying their best to adjust with their new atmosphere. However, change is a long time process of absorbing and swallowing. It is a transformation from what it is or from what it would be if left alone and it is inevitable, eternal, perpetual, and immortal. As they say, it is not the strongest that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. We, the students are open of these changes—well we don’t have the choice. It’s either to accept it or to accept it. We don’t have the right to go against it for we are just mere students following the laws. What we wanted to voice out is a step by step procedure or to take it just one at a time. It’s like today here is the new rule then tomorrow comes another one and then after a while another one. We would like the Admin to consider the fact that we are still trying to manage and adopt in our new environment. We do hope for consideration and understanding not only our needs and wants but also our position and stand as students in this community. Let us bear in mind that change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress implacably requires change. Education is essential to change, for education creates both new wants and the ability to satisfy them. It is not all growth, as all movement is not forward but with the help and unity and harmonious relationship between the admin, staff and students…SAAP will continue to go along its way onward to progress.

words are very powerful

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“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind” –Rudyard Kipling

Words are efficacious and potent drugs. Literally, drugs are used for treatment and prevention. Nevertheless; there are two types of drugs. We have the (1) good drugs -are beneficial or give advantages to us which is prescribed. And the (2) bad drugs- gives disadvantages, damage or harm. Thus, words can cure and words can destroy. It can be a powerful weapon to make wounds.A tool to injure someone or somebody. Destructive verbal comments, damaging and harmful messages, negative opinions, and assaults or insults are just some of what words can do. Because every word that comes out from our mouth reveals of who you are.Whether you are sympathetic or a pretender. The difficult thing is that there’s no going back. Once you’ve said it you have to mean it. So be careful with your words for they are very dangerous.

On the other hand, the most significant thing the word can do is that it can heal and change someone’s life. Is that possible? Yes, of course it is. Isn’t it psychologists use words to mend the scars of emotional abuse? As Prometheus says “Words are the physicians of a mind diseased”. The question is, how? And that is through conversation/communication and in writings.

Words can inspire.Through good books, during mass (homilies through priests/preacher) or during retreats or recollections. It can also encourage, cheer, give comfort and lifts up a person, such as punch lines, comic stories and jokes which are very humorous to read. Another example are the stand up comedians or clowns who entertains us and helps us forget our problems for the mean time.

Reconciliation is also healing. Through words you can apologize or express regret for your mistakes and also forgive those who have sinned you.

It also expresses love. Despite the fact that actions speaks louder than words, sometimes you have to say it so that your partner will appreciate it more. And remember that communication is one of the best key to a relationship.

A word reflects one’s personality, feelings, emotions rendering decisions and opinions. In that way, you can gain friends, companions, and even the man or the woman you’ll spend with the rest of your life.

Words are genuinely powerful.And should be counted among the remedies or drugs man ever invented. And if you are going to ask our group of what words are the most powerful one? It’s the three popular words. The words we love to see, adore to hear and to say-

“I love you”. If we would just believe in the power of these 3 words, all of us will be healed and we can make gigantic changes and transformations in the world making it a better place to live in.