Beginnings Beyond Comfort (Erudite Series #4)

Kapitulo 12

"The seventh principle of economics, according to Mankiw's 2013 book, is that the government is a crucial part of the economy because they are the regulator." Said our Econ prof.

Binasa ko na ang tinuturo ng prof, nasa syllabus kasi 'yon—dapat bago mag-discuss ang prof ay nabasa na ang readings, para maunawaan ang lecture. Plus, this subject is now my favorite! Ang sarap matuto ng bagay na gusto mo.

"Remember the Invisible Hand I said a while ago?" some nodded. "Well, that concept can only work if the government does its job of regulating the economy. What do I mean by that?"

She switched the slides and showed another bundle of information. Instead of writing it all down, I just listened and opened my own notes, ready to add if ever something new was said by the prof. Habang binabasa ko kasi ang readings nitong lesson na 'to no'ng weekend, nagsusulat na rin ako ng notes.

"Economic policies are passed yearly to improve or rectify current laws affecting businesses, workers, and consumers. At the same time, the government doesn't easily intervene with the economic activity of the country because the Invisible Hand is already existing."

A student raised his hand and asked a question.

"Ma'am, if the government doesn't intervene, won't that mean the economy is... a free market?"

"That's right. However, even if, usually, the government doesn't interfere with the market, that doesn't mean it never does."

The slides changed again.

"Although the Invisible Hand is a guiding hand, it doesn't equate to a market that benefits all. So, in order to efficiently distribute goods to as many people as possible, the government must act at some point." She adds.

Apart from this lesson, our professor also told us about the adjustment of our final exam date. Apparently, nagkaroon siya ng event on the exam day, so she moved it to a later date. Meaning, more time to review!

When the lecture ended, I was starving. Mabuti na lang at canceled ang Kom class ko ngayon, kundi nagklase akong gutom.

Paglabas ko ng RH, puno ang mga upuan sa CAS tambayan, kaya napilitan akong pumasok sa lounge ng GAB para kumain ng tanghalian.

Mag-isa akong kumain sa isang la mesa ng niluto kong adobo at kanin habang ang mga nasa paligid ko'y nagdadaldalan o kumakain din. Ginamit ko ang phone ko at libreng internet para makanood ng anime. Matagal-tagal na rin no'ng huli akong nakapanood, ah.

Nang matapos ko ang ilang episode, oras na para sa susunod kong klase, kaya inihinto ko na ang panonood at tumungong classroom.

Ang klase ko naman ngayon ay isang major, at ngayon ko pa lang makikilala ang prof ko. Last week kasi—imbis na kitain kami—ay nag-send na lang siya sa email naming lahat ng greetings at documents tulad ng syllabus at schedule.

Ngayon, discussion na. Mayro'n ding quiz tungkol sa reading last week at ngayong linggo. Once a week niya lang kami kikitain, ibubuod niya sa isa't kalahating oras ang halos 50 pages worth of reading.

Habang hinihintay ang prof, nag-review na ako ng notes ko. Wala akong kilala sa mga kaklase ko. Lahat no'ng naging ka-block ko last sem, nasa ibang section. Walang Mari na kumakausap sa 'kin.

Pagpasok ng prof, kinuha niya ang attendance namin.

He was an old man, maybe in his fifties or sixties. His gray beard looked rough. The glasses he was wearing had tape on one side. Halatang sira na, ngunit pinagtiyatiyagaan pa rin. Ang kaniyang kasuotan ay simpleng-simple, akala mo'y hindi propesor; nakalumang pantalon siya na kupas na ang kulay, puting t-shirt sa loob ng pulang vest na luma.