'Medyo-crity'

In my alma mater, there are some instructors who have stayed in the college circles, working as staff, serving the college for several years and still stagnant. I mean, no promotions at all.

Somebody asks the academic council about his currect status, "I've been here in the city college for a couple of years, but why am I not promoted?"

When I heard that statement (from a friend), I also questioned why. I believe he has been their in the institution since his no-wrinkle years. But why wasn't he promoted?

Pondering over the issue, I knew, there are many employees round the country who asks that, too. But later, I remembered what Mr. Francis Kong said in a seminar on "Life's Winning Points". The same why-am-i-not-promoted? question was asked to the boss, Mr. Kong told us. The boss eloquently answered, "Why? What have you done?"

A slap on the face of the employee.

The thing is, he was jammed in the so-called "medyo-crity" in his line of work (as what Rex Resureccion wrote in his book 'Called to Excel'). Yes, he was there for almost half his life but has he done anything excellent for the college? Has he been a model - of change, of leadership, of concern, of responsibility and of sacrifice? Not at all, I guess. (I once worked with him when I was still part of the student government.)


While living in a great nation of pinoys, considering those Filipinos on international bright lights, mediocrity is still prevalent. It's everywhere. Even in our own areas, our friends, our barangays, our cities. I bet all of us have heard people saying "puede na yan", "okey na yan", "medyo ok na rin". We're contented being mediocre and this is a prelude on how mediocre we will be as professionals and that will later determine a mediocre country.

Let us not make ourselves "medyo-ogres" of the next tomorrows. I believe, mediocrity as anti-excellence concept, is a villain of winners. And as we strive to be winners for our own families and friends, we need not to indulge in "puede na" but into "pulidong pulido". Let's do everything accurately and let our ideas and thoughts produce positive results for the netizens and citizens of our nation.

Thanks to Rex Resureccion along the many Pinoys who advocate for excellence in the country. You deserve ovation.

So, employee, "What have you done?"