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http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100523-271552/eOw-poOohhzz-cut-out-the-jejemon-says-DepEd

‘eOw poOohhzz,’ cut out the jejemon, says DepEd

By Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:36:00 05/23/2010

NO MORE “J3J3J3,” “INGATZZ!!” AND THE mind-boggling “eOw poOohhzz.”

The “jejemons” must be stopped, the Department of Education (DepEd) has decreed.

Text messaging shortcuts are quicker and the fancy spelling read cute, but if “u” replaces “you” and “4” takes over for “for” in formal theme writing, then public school teachers must take action.

In a statement Saturday, Education Secretary Mona Valisno ordered public school teachers to discourage their students from using fancy spellings when sending text messages.

“Now that schools are about to open, we want our students to write properly. [But] how can we improve our English writing and speaking skills when we make shortcuts composing text messages?” she said.

Birth of ‘jejemons’

Fancy text messaging gave birth to a new group of texters called “jejemons.” The name is a play on how these texters type “hehehe” or the sound of laughter. They punch “jejeje” or “j3j3j3.”

They greet people not with a “hello” but with an “eOw poOohhzz.”

What’s alarming is these misspelled words have found their way into academic requirements like essays, according to DepEd spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.

“We got reports from teachers that even high school students use these spellings in their compositions,” he said.

This has resulted in students getting failing marks in reading, writing and comprehension skills, the DepEd said.

‘Get some sunlight’

Valisno recognizes that shortcuts in spelling help texters save time and phone load. But the secretary said SMS, or short messaging service, “is intended for delivering concise messages and not full conversation.”

“Instead of composing long conversational messages, why don’t you meet up? Get some sunlight. Enjoy the outdoors,” she suggested.

Valisno also called on parents to help in correcting the bad spelling habits of their children.

She said: “Practice makes perfect. If they do it right always, they will become better at it.”