Ora et Labora

“Ora et Labora,” or prayer and hard work – this is what made me decide that Karylle should be enrolled in San Beda College – Rizal. I thought that these virtues engrained in the character of my daughter would be enough to guide her through life’s intricate journey. This educational institution run by the Benedictine Order has not changed their core values since its founder established its monasteries in the 15th century in the serrated mountain range of Spain.

Karylle, who just turned six last March 2009, passed the exam and interview for Grade 1 students although she’s supposed to take first the preparatory stage as a transferee from Valley View Academy. I thank her previous school, Creative Learning Center of Mandaluyong City for setting a great foundation of nursery education. Aside from the fact we have saved a year’s tuition fee and a year of doing what she already knew doing.

Today, June 15, 2009 is a very special day. It’s Karylle’s first day in San Beda College. We rose from bed very early in the morning as the school bus will fetch Karylle at 6:05 am. Earlier, Mommy Happy has been more than excited to prepare everything Karylle needs – from uniform, bag, books, supplies, ID, etc. I can’t imagine myself doing everything as she did. As this is the first day, we wanted to meet personally the persons to whom we will be entrusting Karylle.

First is Mang Nanding, the driver of the school bus. A kind-hearted man in his 50’s, I think of him on first glance as a very trusted man. He is being helped out by Jon-jon, his assistant whose primary duty is to secure the children and their belongings inside and outside the service vehicle. Secondly and most important of all, is Ms. Arlene S. J. Manuel, Karylle’s teacher and class adviser. Teacher Arlene exudes that aura of concern and love for children. We felt comfortable seeing her brightly lit face as she welcomes both parents and students in her class labeled as Grade 1 – 12. She has thirty little children in her care, seven of whom are girls.

Everywhere I looked, I saw parents and children in the customary and usual last minute instruction stage. I call this the “assurance phase,” all trying to get past this stage which school administrators purposely limited for just the first three days, after which, parents are regarded as guests and visitors who will not be allowed to enter the classrooms and study halls except on particular cases. On my observation, I see one common denominator in all the faces of the parents. I see happiness. We feel the same way, for we know that our child, having been accepted to this institution, will soon receive and reap what no one can take away from them – education.

Karylle will get it – through prayer and hard work – “ora et labora.”