Mangga I

The Philippine national fruit, mangga (Mangifera indica), belongs to the Anacardiaceae plant family along with poison ivy. That explains why some people's mouths start to itch after partaking of the fruit.

"Ganahan kag mangga?," I would get offers from my high school classmates during study periods. Recess is still two hours away and the thought of eating a five-peso green mango made me salivate all the more.

"Save me a piece of mangga later." "Sure. Unsa mang klase imo?" We have different varieties of mangga to choose from. Pili lang what variety: Algeb, Trig, Histo, Chem, Geom, Pili(pino). Rare variety ang Special Test.

I have stumbled upon a mangga cartel operating right along the sacred halls of learning.

Mangga is a code name for "manggawas," loosely translated from Bisaya as "to come out" or simply "leakage."

Let us examine why mangga has recently become the national issue, the allegations that leakage of the Nursing board exam has been obtained for a certain amount. Now everyone involved want to clear their name and even propose a retake of the exam. C'mon, let us be realistic and practical these days. Who, in their right senses, would want to take the board exam again, much less spend for it? The sooner the nurses find their respective jobs (maybe not in UK ?), the more income the Philippines receives. In any other way, someone is still bound to make money out of retaking of the exams using the students as pawns.

Why do you think review centers pay for leakage? Prestige and Economics. The more students pass and top the board exam after reviewing with them, the more income is generated for the center plus a year's worth of bragging rights. Only a privileged few get the coveted tip sheets like a thief in the night. No one knows where they come from, if the tips are really leakage or just dirt strewn from the nearby sewage. Chance favors those who are prepared to receive.

My colleague topped the board exam and was asked how much he paid for it. Instead of being insulted, he was flattered because these days, being a top (s)notcher means you can really afford to be on top.

A leakage is an insurance and assurance for selected examinees. I have come across students who act as agents offering examination insurance. Have you ever wondered why people buy insurance and hope that they do not get to use it immediately? Leakage is useful if you are not interested in the subject and prefer to spend that time studying other areas of life. It helps you breeze through those times in your life when nothing makes sense anymore. It is up to you to use the leakage as long as you're aware that you're only cheating yourself.

I would be a hypocrite if I say I haven't cheated in my life. The point is not about cheating but failing. Failure is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of, only if you practice. I used to take exams without preparing for them or bringing mangga but end up not "using" it. I know I may not get a perfect score but I learned how to fail gracefully.

It is not the end of the world if you fail an exam. Give yourself a good laugh!

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