On Cultural Capital

New Kids on the Block... Welcome to the life of hardships. ^_^

Ridiculous slippers which amount to three pairs of shoes. Bag expensive enough to buy a wardrobe. Confident attitude. What else? Ah, yes. The phone. The designer clothes. The talk of grand condominium units and schools.

“Wow! Rich kid ka nga talaga…”

As I heard these words, I was torn between annoyance and amusement with the way the boy actually expressed them. I was sorely tempted to say (with an arched eyebrow, if I might add): Ahm, yeah. She is a rich kid. Anyone who's not born yesterday can see that.

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At around two o’clock today, I found myself joining the queue of people waiting for their ‘medical clearance’ in the UP-PGH health service. Much to my annoyance, my efforts in securing my medical report last semester ended up in vain.

See, I hate LONG LINES. Why else did I pay for my pediatrician’s signature (even though I can have it for free in PGH) if all along, I will still end up being inconvenienced? Heck. Anyway, I don’t have much choice. Better to just get on with it.

As if that’s not enough stress, I had to endure the suspicious glances thrown at me by the FBCs (Freshmen Block Coordinator). They thought I was a member of a sorority. I was, of course, curious as to what prompted these unfounded ideas of theirs. Like, really. The student that I’m talking to is a GUY. Why should I let him in a SORORITY? Besides, I always find the notion of recruiting a freshman student stupid. The risks are just too costly. Not worth the effort if you’ll ask me since one can never decipher if a freshman student is an asset or not. Not to mention the fact that they are the most vulnerable and most likely to end up shifting. But then, I’m not a member of any sorority (nor do I have any plans to join one).

Anyway, as I was saying earlier, I met a bunch of prosperous-looking students along the queue. It did not occur to me at first but after hearing their conversations (I know it’s extremely rude to eavesdrop but considering the confines of the place, I really don’t much choice, do I?) my mind went into motion. Since I was bored and had nothing to do but THINK I’ve come up with this notion.

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Based from the incredulity that I heard in the kid's voice, I can only deduce two things. Either he can’t believe that the girl is REALLY rich (although she looks like it) or the fact that the girl intends to study in UP despite her obvious station in life. In my humble assessment, I believe it’s the latter.

Well what can I say? There are still people naïve enough to believe that UP is inhabited by financially challenged students. If you are studying in UP, you will have no doubt that this entire idea is a LIE. At least, for the most part it is. Okay. So there are still some who are indeed financially unstable in the said university but those are REMOTE cases. They don’t even add up to ten percent of the population (especially in UPM where the costly medical courses are being offered).

I can’t help but see that the current trend of education in the University of the Philippines reflects the nation’s system regarding education. In a country where education is given much value (the fact that we are ready to go through hunger and poverty as long as we are educated is a proof of this), it pains me to know that RICH kids get the BEST education even in PUBLIC schools.

Now, I’m not saying that it is their fault they passed the UPCAT with flying colors. It’s to their credit after all. They studied well, did well and did not pass the test by merely putting their annual income on their answer sheets. They are honestly qualified for the standards of the said institution.

Which brings me to another matter. See, there’s this thing called CULTURAL CAPITAL. This is what the rich kids have as advantage. They can afford means to increase their potentials. They have unlimited access to internet, encyclopedias and books. They can hire tutors for themselves. They can attend symposiums and see the frontiers of science and technology. They have far greater CAPITAL in terms of exposure compared to students from other stations of life.

I know this, because I had the chance to study in both public and exclusive private school. I saw the difference. And even when I was studying in public school, I did notice that more often than not, it is the well-off student who excel. Again, cultural capital is a factor.

All I’m saying is that, by convention, those who have access to the resources (by this I mean the rich) get higher scores because they are most likely to go to better schools, get the best reviewers, get access to more resources and ends up getting MORE. BETTER. So indirectly, their wealth lands them better opportunities in life.

LIFE IS UNFAIR.

I know. But one shall not have to despair. After much deliberation about this unfairness, I’ve come to the conclusion that we have the gift of choice. You either do something about the problem or not do anything. Cynicism and pessimism, in this case, is not an option because they will only bring you to more defeats than victories.

Rich or not, it’s still the one’s attitude that counts. By the end of the day, we still see that we just have to do our best to get the most out of what we have, make do of what we have and find ways to augment things which are lacking. This may not be easy but it is also NOT IMPOSSIBLE because we have a God who provides, a God who wants us all to be victorious. After all, RESOURCES can get one to success. But it is still ATTITUDE that KEEPS him/her there.

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Well, after finishing my musings, I glanced at the clock, surprised that it has been an hour already. Now, where in the world is that consultant? Half an hour later, I found out that I waited in vain and could’ve gone home much much earlier. The meeting with the consultant was not necessary. The nurse just OVERLOOKED the fact that my pediatrician already signed ‘FIT TO ENROL’ in my assessment sheet. The bureaucracy of the Philippines, indeed. But then again, had I not wait, I wouldn’t have pondered on these thoughts. Then, you would not have this blog to read.

Again, my motto: NO REGRETS. JUST LESSON LEARNED.