Of Debts and Loans

It was in my assignment at a public school that I heard this inside joke among teachers: "Lon diri, lon didto. Porlon na lang ang kulang." Loan here, loan there. All that's lacking is [por-loan] a hearse."
In all the schools I've been to--first, as a student, and later, as a teacher-- I have become familiar of this word: Loan. It seems to me that this has become part of a teacher's life. Although in private schools, (at least those that I went to), this does not seem very prevalent. Or maybe it was just hush hush because the Sisters preach "Live a simple life" principle. In the public school, this is more openly used. Teachers would get excited when they hear that some entity would offer loan. Even a calamity loan would cause frenzy. It's not that we enjoy calamities. NO NO madam. That would be sick. But it's the loan that gets the buzz. NOT the calamity.
It's not just loan, though. Utang, --debt-- of Avon, Personal Collection, Tupperware, and some Vietnamese goods like shoes, folding beds, bags seem to be always present.
Why this penchant for loans? A lot of reasons, apparently.

1. Teachers' salary. It is undeniable that teachers have one of the lower-paying jobs in the country. It used to be one of the lowest-paying, (or is it still?) but with the increase, well... it increased. But apparently, to many, the increase came lacking. 
2. Poor school facilities. The Dep Ed would claim that they have made new classrooms, provided school facilities, teaching and learning materials. Teachers know and experience worse. Even schools in the city lack chairs and classrooms, let alone books for the students. Many times, teachers would take from their salary the expenses to improve facilities and teaching materials. Sure, not all teachers do this but many do. And this is especially true in the lower grade levels. Try putting grade school pupils in a bare classroom, and good luck to you, teacher. You are going to need more than you normally do.Teachers have to be creative. And that creativity would sometimes cost some. Okay... a lot. 
3. Poor students. When I was a teacher in this public school, I had students who could not go to school because they could not have breakfast, and no baon for lunch. Some do not have anything to wear to school. Yeah. I know. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't witnessed it myself. I used to visit my students at their homes. (Yes, I was a bit conscientious one.) When a teacher sees her/his student in class, so pale and about to faint, what would s/he do? Wait for some miracle? or the school's food ration? No. S/He wouldn't wait that long! She or he would feed the child. Or take the student to a doctor. Or give medicine. Or something. I'm okay. Not panicking here. Of course, one has to tap into stored knowledge about first aid before doing anything drastic in times like this. But you get the idea. Anyway, great if the school could and would refund or shoulder the expenses. Otherwise, it's another one charged to experience. Lista sa tubig. [Write it down on the water.]
4. Nature/nurture. When you are in a system where debts and loans are parts of the culture, then you wouldn't find anything wrong with it. Or maybe you  would, but you'd be the odd one out. So even if you don't need the money, or the bag, or the shoes, or whatever is available for lending, you tend to go with the flow. 
5. Vanity. Teachers are not perfect individuals. Sometimes, just like the rest of humanity, they also tend to get envious of their neighbors, and sometimes give in to the temptation of showing off. So that when Mr. A got a new 21 inch tv, Mr. B also had to buy an even bigger of the latest model of the tv even if tv is not in the budget.
6. Lack of information. Some teachers would tell some green ones: You need to get a loan at the co-op (teachers' cooperative) so that you can receive dividends. Or you need to get a loan from your GSIS, or else some other people might do it in your name and you will be the one to pay for it. These are good incentives. If you don't know better. 

With all these bombarding a teacher at work and at home, how could loan not be an essential part of a teacher's life? 

One word: Financial Literacy. Oh, wait... that's two words -- one phrase. But that is a whole new post later.