A Day with Pepe

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, just another typical day for me. My mother and I went to the Baclaran Parish Church to attend mass. It has been a customary for the two of us to go there on a Sunday before her birthday.  We went to a restaurant for our midday meal. My stomach was unconscious that time that's why I wasn't able to enjoy eating my food.  I asked my mother if I could go to the restroom, and she agreed. Unfortunately, there were lots of people in line waiting for their turn to use. 

 

"What a crappy day!", I said. I was already in annoyance. I went outside to find any restroom when I found myself in the middle of nowhere. Battalions of people were walking, talking, selling something and shouting. I already don't know where I am. Suddenly, I found myself standing in front of a bronze-and-granite man holding a book with some men sitting on his back. 

I looked at my watch; it was already 12:30 in the afternoon. Until I felt a hand tapped me on my shoulder. I looked at my back immediately. There was a man, as tall as I and he's wearing the same as that of the bronze-and-granite man in front of me. "Good Afternoon, fair lady.", the man greeted me. Ah, now I know who he is. He is Rizal, yes, Dr. Jose Rizal. I was terrified when I realized who he was but I still greeted him back.  "Good Afternoon, Sir." He smiled at me and I smiled back. He invited me to drink coffee in a café nearby.

I was amazed and flabbergast because I was now in front of our National Hero. Lots of questions came into my mind. I want to ask him everything, like what really happened before. I was surprised when he gets a tobacco out of his coat and lighted it. He crossed his legs and he continued smoking. 

"How are you now, Sir?", I asked Rizal

"I'm fine.", he answered.

"Are you really the one who wrote all those masterpieces like Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

"Yes." he nodded as he continued smoking his tobacco.

"What really happened to you and Ms. Josephine Bracken?"

"I no longer want to talk about it.", his face became sad after I asked him.

"What do you think made you the National Hero of the Philippines?"

"The truth is, I don’t even know. I was just an ordinary person writing what's on my mind against the Spanish Government. I am just like you. You could even do what I did before.", he said and he smiled at me.

"Really", I asked.

"Yes. Well, I think it's time for me to go. Be good! J" 

I looked at my watch. The hours changed so fast. It was already 4:00 in the afternoon. Rizal was no longer there when I rose my head. There's so much more I would like to ask him. It was only by that time when I realized that it was December 31, 2012.

Journey to Punitory

     Students nowadays are no longer like those before. They are now undisciplined, lazy, disobedient and the worst. Imagine if there is a punishment given for every mistake or laws you break at school, would you still go there?

    The Latecomers. The gate, the first thing that we see when we arrive at school. Yes, it is always open for all the students. During the orientation in first year, we were told that we should arrive at school on or before 6:45 from Tuesdays to Fridays and before 6:30 on Mondays, but why are there still some students who came in late? Yes, sad to say but they are undisciplined. We'll for you to bear in mind that you need to be on time, you will have to stand in front of the flag pole all day. No sitting, stretching or any unnecessary movements. Just tiger face, no emotions and you cannot talk to anyone. If you'll not fix in your mind that you need to go to school as early as needed, you'll be punished and punished.

    The Lazy. Most of the students are lazy. They put aside things that they can do today. To be honest, I am also lazy. You can't sometimes help it from being lazy because there are just some things that are not interesting to do or you are not capable of doing them. But being lazy in doing assignments and projects is not good because it is a requirement and it is your responsibility as a student. I you didn't do any assignment or project, you will have to clean the whole school for the day.

     The Cheaters. Cheating is not good, for you are being dishonest. As what Ma'am de Vera said, honesty i the best policy. Once you're caught cheating, you'll go back to first year.

     The Liars. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. We'll, if you're caught lying, you'll be sent to the Guidance Office and write a 10000-page note saying "I will no longer tell a lie." Very elementary, but you'll learn from it.

      The Bully. Bullying is not okay, period. Bullying may break down a person's hopes and dreams. Once you did it, you'll be slapped on your butt 24/7. So don't you dare do that.

     The Vandals. Yes, it is nice to write and draw, but be sure that not on walls or any school properties because you are messing the school's dignity. If you're caught doing it, you'll have to erase all your vandalism through your skin.

     The Dishonest. As what was mentioned before, HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY! You should be honest all the time. Even though some people doesn't believe in you, as long as you know that you are true to yourself, God will help you're name be clean. But if you were caught being dishonest, you'll be hanged upside down.

     Enough for those. Not that much brutal but it will make you realize your mistakes. Just look how easy it is to be in school because there are no punishments as such. Students are really lucky.