A big women's conference on March 8

CEBU, Philippines - It's common among today's parents to want their children to stand out in school. They want Junior to be the best athlete on campus or little Mary to be the best declaimer in class and the prettiest, too. It seems most parents believe that outstanding performance in school translates to success in life.

And parents work so hard to send their children to the best schools, so the kids may have the best education possible. But if asked about what "education" means, many parents falter. The majority thinks that education simply means finishing a college course, earning a degree.

Such concept of education may be lacking. The diploma earned by a person who has satisfactorily completed the curricular requirements of an academic course does not guarantee real acquisition of corresponding skills or knowledge. It may just serve to initially call attention to the new graduate, especially when applying for a job.

Each person is unique, with his or her own rate of absorbing academic instruction and in connecting scholastic learning with actual life experience. It doesn't necessarily follow that a college graduate is an educated person. He may have only finished a college course.

In its broadest sense, education is the process of preparing the person to effectively meet the challenges of real life. It entails discovering one's potentials and talents so he may begin to develop these in himself. The educational process presents the individual with possible ways for optimizing self-awareness and self-enhancement.

One crucial skill for a student to acquire is in the area of relationships. Whether it be how to relate class lessons to his day-to-day life experience or how to relate with the other people in his life. The learning process in this particular area also trains him to take the reins of his emotions, to be able to adapt without giving himself away.

The home has a critical role to play in the education of the child. A supportive home environment helps a lot in ensuring that the child goes to school in the right emotional condition for learning. A happy child learns faster and deeper.

Parents and older siblings shall work together to whet the child's appetite to learn new things, to arouse in the little one a curiosity about his world. It is very important that the child is allowed to set his own limits and not pressured by high family expectations. Otherwise, learning will become a dreaded experience for him.

Children are easily fired up by words and gestures of encouragement, and by playful challenge, as well. But demanding the child to excel and stand out among his classmates is too much pressure for a young person who is yet in the bewildering process of knowing himself and his fast expanding world.

Education today is mostly geared towards meeting economic goals - to land a good-paying job after graduation. Many parents try to influence their kids into careers that are not within the kids' interests and skills. The underlying intention is usually either to let the kids pick up the pieces of the parents' own broken dreams or for the kids do the kind of jobs that the parents think will give the most money.

It is important for both parents and students to remember that life is not all science, technology, engineering and mathematics. While scientific and technological innovations have no doubt brought untold benefits to society in recent years, life remains to be basically about finding the core meaning of one's being. It is in his chosen life pursuits that the person finds himself.

There are limitations in the educational system. Teachers themselves know that the school can only cover so much. That learning is ultimately up to the student. That a student who does not excel in school may still succeed in life.

In the end, the true purpose of education is not even the mere acquisition of knowledge - but the application of acquired knowledge to real life. All that one learns at school is only a ticket to send him off on a journey towards wisdom.  

A grand gathering of women is scheduled at the Atlantic Hall of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on March 8, from 1-7 p.m.

Dubbed as Colour Me Ladies' Conference, the event intends to gather at least a thousand women, with the aim to encourage public appreciation for the many roles that women play in everyone's life, as well as to assert in women themselves a distinct sense of self-worth.

Top celebrity women achievers, like Maricel Laxa Pangilinan, Khristine Kairus, Karen Timbol and Dr. Ruselle Makiling, are to lead in the conference discussions and other activities.

The conference is organized with the active support of Citigym, a leading exponent of health, fitness and wellness. Being the first and only 24-hour fitness center in the metro, Citigym advocates general wellbeing, a holistic approach that covers not just the body but also the mind and spirit.

Women interested to join the Colour Me Ladies' Conference may register at Citigym in Waterfront Hotel. Registration fee is P500, inclusive of snacks and goody bags with freebies like Colour Me notepads and pens, food coupons and various cosmetic products.

Over Php100,000 worth of raffle prizes await conference attendees. Being the official fitness and wellness partner of the conference, Citigym is also giving away over P30,000 worth of Citigym products and services as raffle prizes.