Tutoring UPCAT applicants

It was the summer of 2009. I was jobless, penniless and a UP graduate. I felt I need to give something back to UP (my alma mater) and my community before I attempt getting a job or a few pesos in my pockets. (Sometimes, I believe all my dreams are rooted in penury, anyway.)

I decided I was going to give tutorials or review sessions for public high school kids. I decided to talk to a local town councilor about this and he introduced me to the principal of the San Mateo National High School. At first, I could sense that the principal wasn't keen on the idea and simply told me to come back on the first week of June. Even though it would have been ideal had the review session started on April or May, he says, it just wasn't possible to get the kids to school during the school break.

I was able to conduct tutorials earlier that summer to a bunch of incoming 4th year students from Ropdiguez(Montalban)---alas, that's another story--- and that proved useful for the tutorials I was to conduct for the San Mateo public high school.

I went on the first week of June. I was introduced to the high school head teacher who told me that I could not begin that week because they had to get the permission from the kids' parents first. Since the tutorials would be conducted by my lonesome, I suggested to keep the class size lean. It will be limited only to the top ten students of the graduating class.

On the first day of the tutorials, the head teacher asked me categorically: "what's in it for me? Why am I doing this tutorial?" Apparently, the principal wants to know if I was going to charge the kids or the school with anything.

I said it wouldn't cost them a thing. In fact, I had to print review materials and had to xerox the same so the cost was really to my person and not to them. I was doing this as part of my service to the community. (I didn't say it was for free because---contrary to anyone's idealistic perceptions---somebody like me could get something from it, I was regrettably taught: whether experience, goodwill or dharma. As my sociology professor, ever doubtful of altruistic intentions, say: "there's no such thing as a free lunch".)

Having hurdled that part, I was led to the Language Training Room on the third floor. Upon entering, the students greeted me with "Welcome to San Mateo National High School, Mr. Arnel Abeleda. MABUHAY!" or something to that effect. I knew they said a lot more but my head went giddy upon hearing "mabuhay!". It was just an expression I hear on TV and read in books and this was the first time I heard it bestowed on me. At that time, their tuition for the review session was already half-paid.

What can I say? I'm a sucker for compliments.

Next, I'll talk about the review sessions and some impressions on public high school libraries.