Christinchen's Soapbox

If the evening of May 17 scared me, I could not imagine that it would be worse for others in nearby streets, towns and other places.

It took me three days after to see the damage left by the typhoon. As most residents exclaim, it was the worst typhoon ever. Worse than typhoon Gading in 1997. Nothing can truly compare to the damage now.

Once again I could hardly believe it's already May and the summer would soon end to give way to the opening of classes in June. As early as we can manage, we will once again queue up for enrolment at San Jacinto National High School on Monday. This school year there will be 3 of my children in high school. The eldest on his 4th year, the other two will be on their 1st and 2nd year.

And just like most parents I get jittery about the cost of school supplies and other stuff. To think our country is experiencing an economic crisis and cost of commodities are skyrocketing. That is why I no longer let my hopes up and enroll my kids in a private school, because that would end in surmounting bills. So my children will be enrolled again in a public school at the neighboring town to save. Maybe for the three of them I'd be spending 1000 pesos for the PTCA fee and Miscellaneous fee. That's only for a start.

I would still think of buying polo uniforms and black nylon slacks, I would buy that from the local tiangge. Masakit na rin ang 90 sa polo at 220 sa pair of slacks, ha. Kasi my mind will think of the other things as well... the notebooks! Oh yes, the notebooks for 4 children which would cost 11 apiece ( with plastic cover na) and they each would need 12 or so. And the pens... and the paper... and the allowance... and the school projects think positively about it now, no matter what. As I said before, it's time to work out my faith.

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I happen to find a letter addressed to Inquirer way back in 1996 with the heading: "Government abets tuition increases" by Ms. Aleli De Guzman

I quote a part from this parent's letter: "...But what about ordinary working mothers like me? I cannot even dream that my sons will be able to enter the portals of higher learning institutions. My son is Grade 1, enrolled in a private school. The cost of his schooling shocked me again at enrollment time:

Tuition..............P8,047 Sharpener..............3

DECS textbooks...1,840; Paste....................1.50

10 notebooks ........70; Scissors..................9

5 pad papers..........25; Watercolors............35

spelling booklet ...... 10; 2 plastic covers........18

plastic envelope..... .11; lunchbox & juicer.....180

brown envelope........3; raincoat................90

ruler.....................3; baon......(15 a day) 3000

3 pencils...............15; shoes..................300

crayons.. .............15; pairs of socks........100

schoolbag............150; PE shirts...............188

PTCA fee..............80; PE shorts.............180

School ID..............45

And that was way back in 1996. Those are just some of the items we are about to need and I hope to be able to afford most of these, the others - honestly, we have to postpone buying.

Worried? not at all. The Lord will provide. And we are still alive working to support our children's tuition: (advertisement muna)

Donyarific Auctions

My so-called microscopic business

http://paperworksgalore.sulit.com.ph/

And of course....