DepEd chief: Mabini case does not reflect youth's ignorance

MANILA, Philippines - The unfamiliarity of some students with Apolinario Mabini does not necessarily reflect the entire youth's knowledge of Filipino heroes, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said.

According to Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., Luistro made the statement after his recent talk with President Aquino who earlier expressed disappointment over some college students' apparent ignorance of Mabini's life.

Luistro said not all young Filipinos are like the said students that asked actor Epy Quizon, who played Mabini's role in the film "Heneral Luna," why his character never stood up in the movie.

"I believe the comments Mr. (Epy) Quizon received from three students are not reflective of the students' level of awareness of our heroes," Luistro said in a text message read by Coloma during a press briefing on Thursday.

During the Apolinario Mabini Awards on Monday, Aquino cited the students' question to Quizon. He said he could only shake his head when informed about this, which reflected the youth's poor grasp of history.

Aquino asked Luistro to address the issue. In response, Luistro said the K to 12 curriculum will not leave out Philippine history.

"Essentially, I assured the president that Philippine history, including local and national heroes is taught in Grades IV, V and VI in the new K to 12 curriculum. We also have extra curricular activities that touch on the lives of prominent Filipinos," Luistro said.

The education chief also said that he will discuss the matter with curriculum supervisors.

"In any case, I committed to discuss this concern with the curriculum supervisors and validate if majority of the students have similar deficiencies and ensure we just do not simply dismiss the issue without fair assessment of the real situation," Luistro said.