Saturday, February 24, 2007
Editorials: Pacquiao’s Ateneo dream
THE decision of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao to go to college after the Department of Education (DepED) issued to him a certificate equivalent to a high school diploma for successfully passing the Accreditation and Equivalency Test is admirable.
Forget about his quip about going to Ateneo; he was smiling when he said that and he was still in the clouds with the certificate in his hand.
Other fights
But consider that the DepEd announcement was made while Pacquiao was in the midst of preparation for two big fights---one scheduled in the ring at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and the other in the voting precincts of South Cotabato.
If Pacquiao wins both fights, one has to wonder how the plan to go to college, which is in itself also a major fight, can be inserted into the busy schedule of a full-time boxer and congressman.
That does not even reckon with the other extra-curricular activities the boxer is known for, like playing billiards overnight and spending time in cockfights and casinos
But there are two ways that can be done: by balancing well his schedule, which is near impossible, or getting special treatment, which is probable.
Doubts
Even now, there are people wondering whether the certificate was issued because Pacquiao did pass the aptitude test or because DepEd officials were lenient to the boxer, who is an ally of President Arroyo and is running under the administration party.
That is unfair to Pacquiao and DepEd officials, of course, but the doubt is there and it has affected full appreciation by the people of the boxer’s achievement and is threatening to tarnish DepEd’s image, especially its Alternative Learning System.
The hope then is that the insinuation is false because if it is true, it will not do justice to Pacquiao, who will be fooled into believing he already has what it takes to pass college subjects even in such institutions as the Ateneo.
More than that, it will be damaging to DepEd, which will be perceived as muddling the education process and sacrificing its integrity for popular or political considerations.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 24, 2007 issue)
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