I am glad to hear the English language is again being given a higher priority in schools. I remember when I was living there in Cavite City in the mid 1960's, everyone spoke english well. The schools were very strict when it came to english. If a student was cought speaking Tagalog on campus, they were fined 10 centavos, a fair amount of money in those days. You could buy a coke for that amount.

I was again there from 87-93 and found the government very hostile toward english. Most young people refused to speak english unless they had to. I had a major problem with my present wife's oldest son who was in his teens at the time. I informed everyone that only english would be spoken in the house. He would go for weeks when I was home without speaking just to show me he would not speak english. Of course in those days there was much hate being spread about Americans over the base agreements.

I have not been back since I left in 93, but glad to see things have reversed direction and now again see english as an asset.