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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Take a break

Take a break

Published Mar 7, 2026 12:05 am  |  Updated Mar 6, 2026 05:51 pm
MEDIUM RARE
The president of a high-tech company dealing in satellite communications read the latest accomplishment report that had the directors sitting around her clapping, congratulating her and her team of “more engineers than lawyers.”
In another part of town, a businessman celebrated his birthday with the heartfelt wish for “peace on earth.” It could have been a double celebration, as his wife had just sold most of her paintings in a group show at an art gallery until tomorrow, Sunday.
Life is a daily celebration. True, clouds hover over the Middle East as we speak. Thousands of Filipino expats are worried, homesick – stay or call it quits? At home, there’s much to thank the Lord for; for example, those cloudy “amihan” skies in the morning that are warning us, get ready for summer’s high and higher temperatures.
Every day I thank God that my work allows me to give myself a midweek break, every Wednesday as we speak. It’s my favorite day of the week – two days after the first two working days, two days before the weekend.
In some countries in the West, Wednesday is almost a sacred day, representing a holiday in the middle of the week, therefore no classes for pupils and their teachers. I wonder if our teachers, especially those in public schools who are burdened with nonteaching chores even on teaching days, would welcome a break on Wednesday instead of having to wait for Saturday.
Having been a teacher myself – whose parents were teachers – I think it’s a good idea. Teachers are only human. They get tired, they get achy, they need a break to refresh their minds, bodies, and spirits in the middle of the muddle, no matter how brilliant or popular they may be.
When I was young and teaching a course called newspaper practice, the dean was horrified to learn that I had 70 students in one class! Forthwith, he transferred the class to another building – older but prettier, with trees and grass surrounding the classroom – and paid me an extra peso for every hour, ehem! Plus, I was given a microphone to save my voice, not necessarily my soul.
The world needs deans and principals who feel for their teachers also – give them a break!
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