Dear Kabataan

I do not know what this generation really is all about. 

Speaking from a generation who grew up in comparison (think: “Noong kapanahunan namin” vs. “Ang kabataan ngayon…”), I finally realized what my parents have been talking about.

Today I just realized that today’s youth cannot be reprimanded at all, may it be constructive criticism or pure, simple panlalait. 

I’m 22 years old, and I’m still young. Just like everybody else, I get pissed off when you impose too many rules on me especially when you cannot justify the existence of such rules. 

Yet rules are there for a reason. Rules supposedly establish peace and order within a group. It is a standard to which everyone must conform to.

In an academic institution, once you are admitted as a student, you are mutually expected to abide by the policies.

So when you go out on a Friday night and start drinking with your friends despite the clear policy of “no drinking in school uniform” or as long as you are a recognizable member of the community, you follow such rule to your discretion.

Discipline is the heart and soul of every Scholastican, nakauniform ka man o hindi. We implement rules for a reason so that when you go out into the real world in four or five years’ time, you will spark changes our society badly needs. 

I am not saying that you are expected to be Cory Aquino or Cecilia Munoz-Palma or any of the Hontiveros sisters or any Scholastican you see on the tarpaulins hanging around Gate 1 or near the Registrar’s Office. And we are not expecting you to live a holy life apart from drinking and smoking. Hindi tyrannical ang ating institution. You are still given the freedom to choose. 

You are simply expected to act as a Scholastican imbued in Benedictine values. 

Hindi kami nambabasag ng trip niyo on a Friday night. If you wish to drink or smoke or do anything stupid, do it without associating your “pagiging Kulasa”

With freedom comes responsibility.

You have the freedom to choose, yet be discreet about it. 

Paano ka pa makakatulong sa pagsusulong ng pagbabago sa ating bayan kung wala kang disiplina sa loob pa lang ng ating paaralan? 

It’s not wrong to have fun, but if you’re going to compromise the name of the institution that you represent, all in the name of “having fun”, just think about it. 

With much love,

Krista

P. S Krista is the Student Council President of St. Scholastica's College- Manila 2011- 2012.