Rules are not meant to be broken...

I was at the commencement rites of the UST Faculty of Engineering a couple of weeks ago and was struck by the lack of decorum and total breakdown of discipline among a majority of the parents/family members of the graduates.

First, very few came properly dressed for the occasion. Forgive me for being "consevative" but your son, daughter or sibling is marking a significant milestone; the least you can do is dress appropriately. I espied not a few guests in jeans and T-shirts (the collarless type with commercial logos emblazoned across them). I remember a time, not so long ago, when one attended such events in business attire (at the least)! I know it was scorching hot but make the effort; these are once-in-a-lifetime events, man!

But more than the non-adherence to the dress code, it was the complete disregard of the rules of proper conduct that really bugged me. Weeks before, it was made clear that photography will not be allowed; save for the officially sanctioned photography team. In fact, even without the university's admonishment, the "no photography rule" is a standard "house rule" at the PICC where the event took place.

True to the "Pinoy way", rules are there to be disobeyed. And disobey they did to the annoyance of those whom they blocked. Some even had the audacity to go down to the floor, which was off limits to all but the students and university officials, march to where their sons or daughters were and take their photos to the dismay of the marshals who were helpless against this mob.

This chaotic scenario is a microcosm of our society. We have rules but no pays attention. Or, at least, there are those who make a habit of breaking them because, they would argue, "they could."

"I will cross the road, flag a cab or a bus, or park wherever I damn please," you could almost hear them boasting, "because I can."

This bravado, usually borne out of a certainty of not being taken to task or the probability of getting out of punishment, by bribing or name-dropping, if caught, is proudly worn on our sleeves. This is the Pinoy macho. Ang tunay na lalaki! Actually, this is the Pinoy bobo!

This behavior merely highlights our lack of education as a nation. Disobeying rules because "we can" rather than obey them because "we must" only shows our disregard for others. And I am only talking about petty rules here.

Before we can grow as a nation, we have to grow as individuals. We cannot do that if we do not take the higher road. As long as we keep breaking rules because we can, or because everyone else does, we will never progress.

We celebrated our centennial as a free nation ten years ago, let's free ourselves of these old habits, why don't we.