US
Media
Part of The Philippine Educator
- Title
- US
- Language
- English
- Year
- 1947
- Rights
-
- Fulltext
- ·,_,_;_-- .. r ~ ' r:; . :: :.:.} us 1 '. . ~l -·:· The wonder of it all is that so ·many - thousand teachers all over the Philip~ pines, ,~ith hardly any ties except profes,. sional kinship and common ideals (and ~ perhaps. common misfortunes and aspi~- rations to better life)-that so many ~ thousands should band together under fJ the banner of the E'PSTA. This associa~ tion is frightful in its possibilities, for [: th.e feelings of those who get in touch -with the _ main office and the PHILIPPINE EDUCATOR are highly charged. l'·. ' .... , )?, I;'; ,. We receive letters suppressed with rage, letters almost inaudible with timid suggestions for helping the starving teacher, letters with· shouts of defiance against the powers that be, letters in praise, letters in disparagement, but always letters of hope that the PPSTA may be th~ real beginning of a truly national organization ·of teachers. There is no doubt that teachers are now banding together. We need perhaps better techniques of organization. Perhaps we should not confine our leadership within the ranks of teachers. Perhaps we should not hesitate to enlist the help of those who have had experience in promotion, in publicity, in business organization, in fund campaigns, in mass movements. We might even get ideas from the way labor movements have been organized and how leaders can make an amorphous mass of unlettered men respond vibra,ntly to the needs of the hour. Perhaps we need less timidity in leadership. Perhaps we could use more divine rashness of truly inspired leadership. Perhaps we need not confine our efforts within the decencies of stable tactics and dignified moves. Perhaps we need more the blare of bugles and the beat of drums. All so we can be heard and heard· and HEARD! .( If only we had for Executive Secre~ry-Tr~asurer a Bautista whose i<.leali~tic, unselfish, truly pro-little-man spirit makes him decide nearly-always for the little man. If only we could assur~ him ' that in th~ PPSTA and its heartaches and possibilities, a man may . dedicate 49 his ·me and cctnsider himself God's chosen 1eader. - If only we had an Abada, experienced administrator, who could be made to see ~ye-to-eye more with the humblest of barrio teachers 'and .see in '· them the makings of kings and presidents even if they . starve. · ' If only we had a Gallego, well-connected public man with a sound business mind, who could use his talent for· finance and business jn the interest of the downtrodden, and if only he could feel more strongly and sincerely for the humblest peasant even if he is landed ·gentry and for the humblest teacher eve.n if he is Big Boss No. 1. If only we had a Putong whose intellectual brilliance and deep scholarly propensities could be harnessed to -do active promotion and persistent fighting_ for S()cial justice ... If only w~ had a Langcauon whose winning ways and extensive administrative experience could be coupled with surer conviction and greater self-reliance ~gainst all official pressure ••• If only we had a N:artin whose pen and studiousness could be coupled with more humanity and sympathy that could win the littlest among us to the colors .. , If only we had a Trinidad whose goodfellowship and experience in teacher training could be harnessed to advantage in teacher's welfare work. If only we had a Lardizabal whose Batangas temper and determination (Continued on page 17)