15 Questions Filipino High School Students Have For American High School Students

    We're all in this together!

    Cheska Pangilinan
    by Cheska Pangilinan

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. Is it a good thing or a bad thing not to have uniforms?

    Paramount Pictures

    Statistics show that only 12% of U.S. public schools require students to wear uniforms.

    2. Do you usually start the week with a general assembly?

    Reality Entertainment

    In the Philippines, students start the week with a general assembly. They sing

    "Lupang Hinirang" (national anthem) and recite the Panatang Makabayan (patriotic oath). The school hymn would usually follow along with the long list of announcements.

    3. Why do you need to move to different classrooms?

    Paramount Pictures

    4. Don't you want to be in just one section that's probably named after a random trait?

    Twitter: @sleepnowcherry

    If you went to a Filipino Catholic school, your sections would most likely be named after a Catholic value, a saint or another title for Mother Mary.

    5. Do you guys have color-coded notebooks?

    Twitter: @mlvryrs

    One subject, one notebook. Imagine carrying 10 notebooks for 10 subjects.

    6. Why are your lockers so complicated?

    knowyourmeme.com

    Combination locks look too dang tricky! Isn't a padlock and key enough?

    7. In group projects, do you put an asterisk next to a classmate's name when they didn't contribute anything?

    Twitter: @nellahsuxx

    Teachers need to know the truth! Usually, a group representative lists all the names on a sheet of paper then puts an asterisk on the freeloader's name so that the person gets a deduction. What? It's all about fairness.

    8. Do you have that guitar-playing classmate who turns a class into a gig?

    Twitter: @rullie_LH

    You never know who the next Ed Sheeran might be.

    9. Can detention really be this cool?

    Universal Pictures

    In a Filipino school, detention doesn't really exist, so The Breakfast Club fantasies are never fulfilled. And besides, in every section, there are elected classroom officers who enforce discipline like listing down students who are noisy and standing during class hours. They hand the list to the teacher who will decide on the rightful punishment (clean the classroom, deduction on grades, etc.) Maaaan.

    10. Can you really skip class?

    Paramount Pictures

    Different factors affect student attendance. In U.S. schools, classroom engagement is a major example. Skipping class also sends a stronger message with the recent National School Walkout protests where students gather to support the fight against gun violence.

    11. What kind of school plays do you have to participate in?

    Twitter: @AnneWinchele

    Filipino high school students are often required to run plays of literary classics such as Ibong Adarna, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

    12. Do you guys really campaign for prom queen and king just like in the movies?

    Miramax Films

    Just curious!

    13. Were you required to be part of a field demo?

    Twitter: @lillboykyut

    Rehearsals were no joke especially for non-dancers!

    14. Are there assigned cleaners after each class?

    RKO Radio Pictures

    In a Filipino classroom, there are different sets of cleaners everyday. Sometimes, the best cleaning group gets a prize.

    15. What time does school end? Are you excited for dismissal?

    Disney-ABC

    In both Filipino and American high school classrooms, a regular class day lasts for eight to ten hours. Some students attend to their extra-curricular activities after.