TELEVISION HAS CHANGED MANY THINGS (X-PERIENCE)

Berchmawan News Edition of April 2008 (An English Magazine Published by The Students of St.John Berchmans Todabelu-Mataloko-Ngada-NTT)
Theme: Television
By: Mario Fransesco/XI Social Program
Editor: Ryan Ora/XI social Program

When I was in the first year of elementary school, our family didn't have any television. I used to watch at my friends home or my neighbours' home. I felt television wasn't important. I only watch TV if there were many children's films. I didn't know that television was very important. I didn't need a television. When I was in the second year of elementary school, my father bought a set of television for our family. I was very happy because I could watch many children's films, but I also felt sad when my father forbade me to watch other programs. My father said that I must watch news programs. Why? Because news is very important for us to know much information. After that I followed my father's suggestion. From that moment I love to watch TV especially the news program. It's true; I could get much information from it. For example, when there was news on the weather, our family got enough information, so we could prepare everything to overcome it. Since that time, I believe that television really helps me, and it has really changed many things in our lives.

You must trust me: don't worry to watch TV. It helps you. Only you must not forget to study. Use television well. Remember, there are many good programs on TV. It depends on you to choose which programs help you and which ones destroy your life

MY OLD FASHIONED TV

Berchmawan News Edition of April 2008 (An English Magazine Published by The Students of St.John Berchmans Todabelu-Mataloko-Ngada-NTT)

Theme: Television

By: Yanto Ona and Alfin Toda/XI Social Program

Editor: Ryan Ora/XI social Program

When I was 12 years old, I chose to continue my study in an old seminary, located in a foggy town that used to freeze my bone. I was not smart and it made me not so famous among my friends. But, it's me. In every weakness, there's strength. I always tried to study and maintain my vocation in seminary because it's all my life.

But, an unexpected thing happened. My parents died when I was 17 years old -when I was in the last grade of Senior High School-. I would face The National Examination. But, this bad fact made me weak to live my life. I went back to my house. My parents just inherited me a small Television. I understood what they meant. "A priest must not live in wealth", I felt my parents whispered at me. I continued my study and then became a priest. I was assigned in Ethiopia to spread Good News. There, I found many fantastic experiences. A small gang of bandits attacked me when I was on my journey to a small parish. I promised to the Catholic community there to bring television because they never watched it. I felt happy because I was safe. The bandits went away because they knew I had only a small, old fashioned Television. It saved me. There was one more experience where I was saved by my television. When I was riding a horse fast, I fell off my horse and hit a large stone. But, my head was not injured because of my television. But, the strange thing was the television was not damaged. There, I watched television with all God's sons and daughters in Ethiopia. They could know the recent news in this world. It was my best experience there. It touched me.  

Now, I'm in Indonesia. I'm 50 years old. I moved back here because my health was getting worse. In my room, I place my ancient television. My best friends told me to replace with a new one. But, I have no power to replace it. There are so many remarkable experiences with my television. It's my parent's gift. It's a heirloom.