Level of corruption in the Philippines, however, is still very high despite pride in being the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia.
Lately, our mass communications are occupied with the dynamics of applied social psychology. I am not referring to scams, Erap secret liaisons, Subic rape case but the highly immeasurable, controversial and difficult to judge morality issues. The national news included the Jamby, Joma and Luis Jalandoni and sympathizing senators back home. The social psychology I believe is more pictures taking and less peace talks. Then, observe the social psychology of old fogies Gonzales, Ensile, Malacañang drumbeaters and their own sympathizers.
There are likely psychological explanations to all these behaviors and being government officials, immediately we have insights into the way they plan for governance and their private lives can even be deduced from their behaviors.
This same social psychology is operating when Mayor Bing held Pacquiao's belt for more than 6 minutes; the way he plans for local governance, his answers to press inquiry and even his secret life can be predicted using social science parameters.
Along came sex education, sex videos and valium. Observe Dep Ed national office. Upon receipt of complaints, OIC Fe Hidalgo retrieved circulation of sex education textbooks and we do not know what the next move is. She was superb when reprimanded by the President in national TV. She is now very "Freudian" given a normal complaint; it was not a court complaint, I am sure. Opinions from local Dep Ed officials followed; here it is generally a pro sex education stand but attached with lots of anxieties and conditionality in the guise of circumspection and parental responsibility. Psychologically, this is called "projection", the ability to project modernity but prude deep inside. From here, we can almost predict the impact of these psychological dynamics in terms of quality education leadership.
As an educator, I am please to watch and read investigative reporting on local education issues. I am processing, however, the link between sex videos and Valium (generic diazepam). Valium is a tranquilizer and very awry as a sex stimulant. I wonder, not a single Psychiatrist or Internist was interviewed. A School Psychologist was interviewed but I heard her blaming media instead. Managed sexual urge is divinely mandated and not media created. The Mayor ordered Chief Merced to probe sex video performers and vowed to stop it! I suggest that the Mayor order Chief Merced to do something about drug dependency, sale of Valium is minimal and medically cannot cause rape or sexual orgy. Shabu and Ecstacy are perfect stimulants instead and can now be manufactured in home kitchens.
To Dep Ed Officials, CHED and Private Schools, given the dynamics of all these libidinal expressions, it is high time to strengthen and upgrade the guidance, counseling and health programs. It is sad that these education services are relegated as mere add-ons and meager attention arte given to these departments. The economy will be better off if education is holistic. For questions and comments, please e-mail gil_severino@yahoo.com.
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