The Unbroken Reverie

Alright, I have managed to start a new blog entry. Well, alright… the Mr. United Nations pageant in our school was held yesterday. Of course, I would not write about it if it did not get my attention. I will make this short and to the point.

The Social Studies and Communication Arts Education areas of the high school department really worked hard and did their best for this project. I am just a bit disappointed because someone who is very gifted and qualified was not favored by the judges to be included in the top 7, but they made someone who did not show any talent or wit but an awful attitude be in the top 7.

Here are some of the seven questions I remember from the judges during the Q&A portion, the candidates’ answers, bonus my simple annotations and own answers:

If you had the privilege to talk to the newly elected president of the United States, Barrack Obama, what would you tell him, and why?

The candidate said that he would ask Barrack Obama how is it like to be in a non-democratic country, because someday if he, too, becomes a president like President Obama, he will have an idea of what is it like. – Is the U.S. of A. a non-democratic country? And I am not sure if knowing what it is like will help me when I become a president. If I am asked the same question, this will be my answer:

The United Nations, International Monetary Funds, and World Bank have begun such population control programs as conditions for the assists that they give. Barrack Obama, being one of the most influential and powerful persons in the world, I think he has the voice to these world-governing organizations. I will ask him to impede the passing of inhuman laws being commenced as coercion in trade of their helps.

What is the best thing about being a Filipino that you can truly be proud of?

The answer of the candidate, who is a friend, was that if he has something to be proud of as a Filipino, it is his family values, because it makes a foundation for making good decisions later on in our lives. – The Filipino family values are truly something that we can be proud of as Filipinos. I think he was just not able to elaborate his answer well. By the way, I chose to have a different answer:

The realities that are happening in our country right now really bite. Philippines is a country with too much problems; dirty, poor, corrupt, and whatnot. But, in the face of all these apparent problems, they still make every effort to see its bright side. Filipinos are optimistic that they never lose hope that one day it will rise from the ashes like a phoenix. Filipinos trust in God that they do not give up on the problems they encounter. FAITH. Faith connects us with God, gives us hope, and makes us persistent… something that lasts and is enough to sustain all of us. We have strong faith, and that is something that we, Filipinos, can truly be proud of.

You are aware of the loss (or decline) of the nationalism of the Filipinos. What should you do to counteract this and reinstate nationalism in our people?

The candidate’s answer was: “I would help in improving our environment.” – Say what? I think he got really nervous when the judge told him that it was a difficult question, that’s why he wasn’t able to think of a good answer.

Every Don Bosco school in the Philippines is known for its mission in forming tomorrow’s servant-leaders. Don Bosco is a school where students have the chance to exercise and develop their ability to lead by spearheading organizations and programs they want. Maybe, as a student, I can take advantage of this opportunity by organizing activities which may awaken my fellow students’ nationalism once more. Who knows, to greater extent, maybe I could summon a greater activity that would involve other different schools or even the whole nation.

If you could be in somebody else’s shoes for one day, who would it be and why?

The candidate said he would like to be Mahatma Gandhi, because he was a great man who contributed a lot to the freedom of his country and did many great things for its people. – I really like his answer. But I wasn’t thinking the same. As for me:

I am happy and grateful with what God has made of me and just by walking in my own shoes. I believe, that if in a way or another I could make a difference, I would find that way myself. But if I really had to, I would choose to live somebody’s life who has more difficulties and pains than I have. It would be a very great learning experience for me.

I think all the candidates were beyond doubt qualified in the said competition. They all got the looks, the talent, and the wit. I believe they all had a great time. Congratulations to all the Mr. U.N. and to our S.S. and C.A.E. areas for an indeed spectacular event.