I Change

“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” 

I cannot be the same. Like the seasons, I change.

Change is in the very nature of being. It is inevitable. Every day is different from the previous one. Tides come and go. Sometimes a whole river changes its course.

Taking responsibility for your actions is important in becoming a change in the world. In order to make a change, you have to want it. If one of your friends dared you to go help an elder cross the street, you need to want to do it, not do it because your friend dared you. Be responsible if you decided to make a change in the world. Responsibility comes from within. Another good example of being the change in the world is picking up trash in parks, on the road, on sidewalk and even in sporting event places. To be responsible means to be a  cause. 

The people who are in favor of bringing changes in their life argue that change is very important to break the monotony of life. They further argue that an order to swiftly excel in your career and financial status and etc. All the advancements in technology have been achieved through bringing a change. From the marketing point of view, in order to boost the sale of a product, the best way is to bring the changes in the shape and specifications. So change, such as in your company or professional status, brings the diversity, flexibility and financial growth in the life on an individual.

A lot of people want the world to be an improved place, and in order to accomplish that goal, they need to believe they can do it. To be the change you want to see in the world means to be responsible for your actions. So let’s make a change today, even if we do it one by one, we can all make a different because life’s short, so let’s make it better by living in it and trying to change it. You don’t have to be some famous leader to make a change. Just take one step at a time. Try making a change every day, even if it’s not a huge one. The small deeds will build up to something immense over time.

Some are excerpts 

Ilocos Sur's Revival: KANNAWIDAN

It's always a great salutation for Bigueños in the new years especially because of pulsating festivities marking the start of the year! Ilocos Sur is labeled as the Heart of Ilocandia depicting richness in culture and heritage. As highlight to commemorate the jubilee of Ilocos Sur, the province has to showcase all she has through Kannawidan.

The Kannawidan festival is also an occasion to strengthen the Ilocano culture, recognize Ilocos Sur’s sons and daughters who brought honor to their province, celebrate abundant harvest or to celebrate the Ilocano spirit that continues to drive locals to boost their home province. 

To carve young talents in the field of arts, an array of talent competitions gathered the youth from choral, marching bands, traditional street dancing, traditional music ensemble, dance drama, traditional folk dancing, painting, design making and photo exhibits.

Through this event, we are able to preserve and sustain our old traditions and practices as we are also promoting our tourism industry. The traditions, customs and cultures are revived to provide more fun and in line with today's fad. This can also help in enhancing the demand of our products and livelihood. More opportunities can be also crafted for the people.

Some of the activities were  tribal performance of the cultural communities of Ilocos Sur which was very fascinating. Displaying their talents as well as their indigenous costumes are a must to be witnessed! Partuat ken Patanor Trade Fair showcased the products of the province such as longganisa, empanada, bagnet, garlic,  tinubong and many other mouthwatering cuisines including handicrafts. Sarsuela, Komedya Ilocana and Choir Competition were also organized. Not only that, a battle of beauty and brains was also witnessed in the Saniata ti Ylocos pageant. It was really a fun-filled celebration of Kannawidan.

This gala is just a proof of the hardships of our fellow Ilocanos. Of how creative we are and of how we treasure the remnants of the past. Agbiyag ti Ilocos! Vaya con Cios!

A Fictional Ride on the Go

“The great miraculous bell of translucent ice is suspended in mid-air. It rings to announce endings and beginnings. And it rings because there is fresh promise and wonder in the skies. Its clear tones resound in the placid silence of the winter day, and echo long into the silver-blue serenity of night. The bell can only be seen at the turning of the year, when the days wind down into nothing, and get ready to march out again. When you hear the bell, you feel a tug at your heart. It is your immortal inspiration.” 

The bell is ringing and I suppose it suggests a beginning. A beginning where I can get a whiff of another twist in my plot. Where I can get my pen again and start writing the affairs of my utopian yet dystopian journey through the years ahead.

I am the lone fictional character of my novel entitled '2014.' I even starred in the realistic drama Reply 2013 where  I considered it as a memoir of myself- to the seventh heaven to wretchedness. I had been there. And I always will.

Majority of us are in the trend for the New Year, New Me stuff. And I'm not a part of that. I mean, who would want to have a 'new me' in a 'new year'? Maybe others do but not me. I don't want to be new. To give emphasis on that, I want to stay being who I am. The silhouette who accompanied me through my sixteen years of existence. I want to stay being the person who have escaped the trials of the past with scars and bruises at the present. I don't want to change. What I want is to be mended and fixed for the betterment of  all and sundry. In a perverse way, I was glad for the stitches, glad it would show, that there would be scars. What was the point in just being hurt on the inside? It should bloody well show. Janet Fitch's words just keep on creeping me out.

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!” 

Well, well, I guess it's time to officially sing farewell for 2013. It's time to open the book, to write in the blank canvas and wish for 1982 strokes of luck this 2014!

Rumination Trio

1...2...3...4... 

     The 3rd quarter has finally exited the curtains of ICT IV! And it's really a refreshment about HTML tagging! Although I had been to a lot of extra-curricular activities, it is certain that 3rd quarter widened the breadth of my knowledge. And I'm feeling hippie-excited-hyper for the last quarter especially it's about Photoshop! ☺

     I had been to 986268 streaks of luck these days. Moreover, we had this really nice project. We were grouped randomly and we got to research more on the Economics and Commerce of Vigan City. And unfortunately/fortunately, 2 words weighing the same though, they chose me as the leader. Pressure, it is. But after 1440 minutes, we became close enough to go on to a venture of getting to know more on the social economic status of Vigan. To make our project more off the edge and unique at some point, we decided to interview some of the Bigueño vendors proving that hard work and endurance s really within them. After getting to know more about them, we took pictures and documented them in order. It was a nice experience!

     This quarter had just 101 highlights, not like the others. We were engaged with a mountain of activities. I attended the DSPC, Pre-RSPC, YLEAD and RSPC. These made me meet awesome friends and seriously helped me with whatever endeavor I will take in the near future.

     Time really flies so fast. I really had to say this even though it's SO cliche. 4th quarter is in the air. I'm excited for whatever it is!

“The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,

And all the sweet serenity of books” 

                          That being said, I shall grab a book and read... welcome last quarter!

(Shatter Me-inspired)

Get Used to Climate Change

     "Reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."

          —Physicist Richard Feynman in the final report on the Challenger Disaster

     Life has had to deal with environmental change, especially climate change, since the beginning of its existence on Earth. Species adjust or go extinct, and both have happened. For life-forms with our kinds of cells—eukaryotic, the kind with distinct organelles—the average existence of a species is about 1 million years, and, on average, one species goes extinct a year, at least of the species we have named and know, including those we know only from fossil records.

     Early man was part of this dance between life and environment. Homo erectus, the first of our kind who left Africa, would likely have migrated as a matter of course. They may not have thought of it as migration in our modern sense; they were going where the environment, including sources of food and water, was better. Environmental change and moving along with it were only natural.

With the beginning of civilization and the construction of buildings that could last a long time, and with investments of time and effort in agricultural fields, as well as the discovery of specific sources of minerals and the building of mines to get them, people's lives changed in ways that led to a desire for constancy. Establishment of property rights and national boundaries (beginning with tribe-established land boundaries) augmented the need and desire for constancy of place and of environment. One can argue that it is our species that most needs and most desires constancy and has therefore formed worldviews that not only require environmental constancy but have turned it into a fundamental belief, a folkway, a series of myths.

     The more technologically and legally advanced a civilization, the greater the need and desire for environmental stability, for a balance of nature. Hence, our modern dilemma vis-à-vis climate change. Rather than claim the world is constant except for our sinful interference with it, we need to acknowledge and work out ways to live with environmental change. This can include doing our best to stop or slow that change, as we do in the short term with agricultural irrigation, stabilizing the "precipitation," so to speak. But the harder we work to force environmental constancy onto our surroundings, the more fragile that constancy becomes and the greater the effort and energy it takes. The use of groundwater for crop irrigation illustrates that fragility. Large aquifers that took many thousands of years to develop are being depleted for crop irrigation over comparatively short times—decades or centuries.

Excerpt from The Moon in the Nautilus Shell: Discordant Harmonies Reconsidered, by Daniel B. Botkin. 

The Magic of Christmas

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” 
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

“Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special! How touching to have the meaning of Christmas brought to us by cola, fast food, and beer.... Who'd have ever guessed that product consumption, popular entertainment, and spirituality would mix so harmoniously? ” 

― Bill Watterson, The Essential Calvin and Hobbes

“And when we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans--and all that lives and move upon them. He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused--and to save us from our foolishness, from all our sins, He came down to earth and gave us Himself.” 

― Sigrid Undset

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. 

― Charles Dickens

Every day is like Christmas for us because Jesus is so good to us every day, but this time is extra special because He pours out His love in extra measure. We feel His love from loved ones, acquaintances, and even strangers. There's just something about Jesus' birthday that turns people's hearts and minds to peace and love and goodwill. It brings out the best in everyone because it brings Jesus out, and He's the best!

— David Brandt Berg 

What is the real essence of Christmas?

     We always say that LOVE is the real essence of Christmas. Yes, but with whom? In the Philippines, it's already a tradition to celebrate Christmas as the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We welcome it with festivity and grandeur. But why do we celebrate such? Is it for getting-along-on-the-go? Like selfie purposes? Or get together parties? Such reasons are not sufficient to uproot the importance of Christmas. It is a season of love-- love of God and love of each and every one of us.

            Last Sunday, when we were in Tagaytay, we visited Little Souls Sisters Convent and had mass. In the homily, the priest shared something that really made me smile for long. It is when he visited a three year old girl who has severe and communicable illness. At first he wavered. He even wore gloves because he was afraid he might get infected. When he saw the girl, he was surprised because in every move that she makes, she keeps on whining and whining. But he was really scared. (And so do I, if I’m in his place). He went again on the other day. But this time, he’s really determined to see her and heal her. Because on his way going there, he saw Jesus. Jesus who is ideal and perfect. He saw Him healing the weak with no hesitations. Jesus, the only one we say perfect, cured the sick because of his powerful love. This incident should serve as a lesson for us. A lesson that will mold us to be better persons.

            This Christmas, we should all indulge its real essence. Share peace and love to everyone.  And if you want to keep Christ in your hearts this Christmas, “feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.” 

            Have a merry and productive Yuletide and a prosperous New Year! May the odds be ever in your favor! 

Equality: Shaping the Connection

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."

     We are bounded with diverse denotations of equality. All around, it is a notion, an abstract, with a magical touch that has inspired millions to revolt in the past. Philosophers and revolutionaries have used this concept liberally to win over the hearts of the common citizenry. Thus, democracy in government and standard of living can be appropriately implemented only when there is equality in social, cultural, political and in general society. 

   As a teen born in the mid 1990's, I have already witness the significance of equality and unity in our social order. And I personally believe that the genuine victory that we all long for can be achieved through one voice- democracy. That Philippines will rise in breaking barriers when all of us will be given EQUAL opportunities. 

   Such noble persons also come to my mind when heard the word racial discrimination.One is Martin Luther King, Jr. I even got my introduction from him. It was stated in his well famed speech, "I Have A Dream", the Emancipation Proclamation decree that served as a beacon light to millions of Negros who were slaves in the flames of withering injustice.

It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. 

    In that sentence, right after  declaring the main idea, Dr. King continues to broaden the appeal of the speech to include all people, not only the blacks. With this single sentence, he shares his dream throughout the world and hopes that one day, every thing, every person, all and sundry will be integrated for a great tomorrow.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

     What awaits us in the future? Will there be peace? Prosperity? Love? And equality? Just like the ending of his speech, can we attain the freedom ring? Could we utter the words, "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" The sequel relies on us.

Going Global Through English Language

 
     The roots of success had initially come from universal minds. Believe it or not, a country attains coup because of its mind-power. A country goes large-scale through language. Most conveniently, the universal medium of success- English.

     Each country has its own language. Divided into regions, provinces, cities and towns; every place heads down to its own native language. In our country, we may have Iloco, Visaya or Tagalog but whatever language we have we'll still be knitted into a single cloth of unity leading us to progress.

     How is this possible? There's this reason why the English language is considered the fastest and unwavering vehicle in the field of linguistics and communication. It is basically to communicate with other regions around the world without difficulties. For instance, in line of business and commerce, English has become the dominant spoken language and it plays a big role in entering global workforce and engaging in cross-border industries. Its usage is also necessary in global markets. Another is our favorite companions. Books! Movies/films! Music! A massive quantity of entertainment are produced and published in English. Therefore by learning and understanding the language, we will have a well-founded access to a great wealth of knowledge and amusement. And most especially, in which I personally believe everyone of us can relate is the application of the Internet. Most of the information being shared and continuously manipulated on the Internet is in English. And it is undeniable that the growth of internet users is mounting in every second we make. It is important to use one language for us to have harmony in different interactions we build across the nation.

    With Internet becoming acquainted in education, the English language is bound to grow. Thus, its importance as a language is emphasized.

     English has been a friend of us since 'who-knows' and will still be a great pal to our road to the top.

Rumination 2.0

      Hooray for another quarter done! 2 more to go!
     It took me 2 hands, 2 eyes, 2 ears to be acquainted with HTML tags. Honestly, since Grade 4, I've been really fascinated to it already. I wanted to be more creative by changing the color of my text and I wanted to add hyperlinks in the net. So I explored and explored until I've learned about HTML tagging.

     It's actually awesome how this 2nd quarter taught me more about it although I'm slightly accustomed to it. It's circulated about web design! And it's super cool! I really like the way it raised my awareness regarding it. For 1 month, we've been dealing about it and undeniably just for a short time we had learned a lot than expected. Of course, we wouldn't be without the help of our teacher. ☺

     I've been using Notepad for a long time but recently I had not 'interacted' with it well. So thanks for this quarter that it helped me be close with a friend of mine again! This experience will be stamped on my memory.

     Well, I guess time really flies so fast. 2nd quarter has ended; 3rd quarter is nearing. What do I expect? 

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”- Benjamin Franklin

     Being involved with something that makes you learn great things will surely be remarkable. This is not yet the end. Shall be seeing 1589 strokes of luck ahead of me!

(Shatter Me has taught me how to write like this.)

My Teacher, My Hero

 
     Teaching is a nonpareil art that wakes our minds and souls with knowledge and fondness. It is a gem stone, so precious, that entices us with beauty and goodness. Without this we wouldn't learn further realization of our existence, thus, we can dig deeper a newfangled outlook of life. We see auxiliary angles, we straighten every wrinkled piece of an entity, we catch a glimpse of light. Light that will serve as our guide in diminishing uncertainties. But these will never be acquired without them- our heroes, our teachers.

     I always knew that superheroes don't always wear their superhuman outfits. Most of them are in just in uniforms and in normal attire as simple like us. I often find them at school. And there I found noble teachers worthy enough to be called heroes.

     Teachers have always played an imperative role in each and everyone's lives. They teach us nothing but rich range of morals. They serve as boulders of assistance. They let us cry onto their shoulders and for a second they'll just sweep our tears away. Whenever we stumble, they encourage us to stand again and they keep on reminding us that all the trials that we've been facing are just challenges that will mold the better within us. They remain nearby and help us to reach for our dreams and tell us to never utter the words of defeat. Along the long and broad way of life, they have proven to us that they are really the foundation of our community. They make the fruits of our development. Above all, they teach us how to be better individuals as a student, a son, a brother and as a citizen of our country.

    But most of us see them as the evil, wicked and disgusting mentors. If we would just examine profoundly what's within their hearts, we could see how fragile yet beautiful they are. They will always understand us.

     "They are here not only to teach us, but to care and love us. Because without their love and care, no one in this world would bother to teach us and no one among us will know how to develop healthily. No one in this world would know how to read, to read others feelings towards us, how to write, to write the things we could not say and compute, to multiply the good things we did. Without them, we are nothing. Without them, we know nothing. Without them we will never be someone we aim to be. Because without them, our way to victory is dark and empty."

"They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even when you don't know it." - Nicholas Sparks

Let US be the CHANGE

     The world is a Venus flytrap.
     And we are the plant swilling down the remains of its destruction.

     Rewind life...
     The world was utopian. Unspoiled, isolated. The islands were rooted in Old World charm. The sun lounging against a backdrop propping up its rays, the wind creasing itself for embrace, the birds fluttering and humming in tranquility. Everything was melodic, everything was in harmony.

     Play the reality...
     Dead land, naked trees and scattered compounds stretching to miles: these are what I see. The destruction of environment (and humanity) is stirring. And a new competitor enters the game of life- science. Composed of different aspects (marine, agriculture, medicine, sanitation), science becomes beneficial to ordinary living when properly applied. When misused, it could be a harmful android making land be poisoned by toxic chemicals, air be polluted by greenhouse gases, water be contaminated by trashes and man could mobilize science to his own destruction.

     Anticipate the future...
     Our way of life is dependent on it and its consequences surround us in all angles. All we need is to work as one towards the betterment of all and sundry. From morning to midnight, we  are being served constantly by science. Science is a good servant but man must remain a good master.

     With this year's theme "Unravel the Causes, Build the Solutions; Empower Science Clubbers into Action", I would make my words more of reality than fiction. To wrap this up, I will share a simple citation of what I've became aware of. We are all science clubbers. We, all of us, can impart a great footstep of progress in the field of Science and Technology. If we could just hold on together and work together as one, with one goal, one objective, one commitment and with one voice, then all the environmental problems that the world is facing today would be totally eradicated. So what are we waiting for? 

LET US BE THE CHANGE.

The Protagonists

     “In a room where
      people unanimously maintain
      a conspiracy of silence,
      one word of truth
      sounds like a pistol shot.” 

     I can fly. I can walk through water. I can run with just a flick of a finger. I can teleport wherever. I hereby assert the ''truth'' that all of these I can do because of them. Because of my parents.

     In Greek mythology, a hero is a warrior, a protector and often a demigod who is a supernatural being or a deity who has done great enough to attain a divine prominence. But in my own perspective, a hero is someone who has sacrificed a lot of things just for the good of all. And I believe that within our own abode I can find principled people who has taught me to become the person I am now. Salutations for my parents!

     Through thick and thin, my parents are always there for me more than the job of a 'super'hero. They feed me, nurture me, provide a safe and sound shelter bounded with affection and trust. They love me wholeheartedly. That's why I consider myself fortunate.

     Having superheroes in life doesn't mean you have people that you idolize and look up to them as superiors or power-handed beings. It is about having two persons who brought you in and introduced you to life. And with this essence, I'd like to say that they are the protagonists of my life.

"A hero is a man who does what he can."

Language, the Loam of Existence

     A robust tree with a web of branches covered with green leaves can never be acknowledged for the times it remained hard-wearing; whether different seasons had to pluck off its leaves or poured down sunlight and rain for refinement. But there’s always an ingredient that makes it substantial, its foundation –the soil.

     A nation without one language is like a tree without fruits and blossoms. Language signifies nurturing of individuality. It entails developing the seed of an individual’s character, nature and life into societal communication. By cultivation, a being is schooled in the linguistic beliefs and practical attitudes of a particular group of people. It is an endless cycle of enhancing a harmony of verbal and semantic diversities.

     The dialectal morals and ideals of a community impart a distinctiveness of its own. As different people have diverse languages, they have their own ways of recognizing the world and their lives. As for my country, I believe that there’s that sole thing that separates us from the rest of the world- our vibrant idiom and culture that makes us distinctly Filipinos. This includes traditions, beliefs, language and arts within the citizenry. It will always be noticed that Filipinos still wear their joyful smiles and manage to celebrate even with a political misapprehension, ill-furnished economy and intensifying poverty in the country, indicating a positive way of dealing with problems. Most importantly, it teaches me to prevail comradeship. These are our systems of communication and these make us ONE.

    "History is a living and lively account of what we were and are; it could and should be as real to each of us as stories about family or about recent and past events. If all of that makes us understand humanity better, so does history make us understand ourselves, and our country infinitely better, in the context of our culture and our society."

     Though there are limitless reasons to be proud of our country, this one caught my attention,

"Pilipino ako, sapat nang dahilan 'yon para mahalin ko ang Pilipinas."

     Ito ay sinulat ni Bob Ong sa kanyang akdang, “Bakit Baligtad Magbasa ng Libro ang mga Pilipino?”. Maraming mga Pilipino ang nagsasabing minamahal nila ang kanilang bayan dahil sa mga magagandang tanawin, mga pambihirang pagkain, magandang klima at dahil nakatira ang kanilang mga iniidolo dito. Oo, ito’y totoo. Ngunit bakit sa mga ganitong kadahilanan? Hindi ba dapat dahil nais mong ipagbunyi at ipagmalaki na ika’y mula sa diwang Kayumanggi? Dahil batid mo ang mga tungkuling nararapat mong gampanan bilang isang mamamayang Pilipino? Dahil dito mo lamang masasanay ang iyong mga karapatan bilang Pilipino? Dahil mayroon kang mga magigiting na bayani na buong pusong nakipaglaban para sa kasarinlan? Dahil ika’y isang Pilipino at dapat lang na mahalin mo ang iyong bayan? Unti-unting nag-iiba ang ating mga pananaw sa buhay, unti-unti tayong nagbabago. Ngunitang pagbabagong ito ay hindi kanais-nais sa paghubog ng ating pagkaPilipino.

     Once people recognize the value of oneness, a common bond will broaden their minds thus they will promote fondness and amity in their hearts. It will illuminate the trail filled with delightful aspects and if we choose to stride in this path, our lives will become more consequential. 

     And as a youth, I can be an agriculturalist of cultivating one language. To sprinkle waters of contributions towards upward mobility to trees –the society- and to the soil –the culture, its core foundation. I’d like to watch them grow, grow and grow.

Yesterday: A Rumination

     

     Every part of an individual has been to an interminable process of learning. This process allows us to acquire fresh knowledge and heightened skills. And through this we bring to life a newfangled horizon which may take us to another dimension we never even knew has existed. 

      Today, I never thought I'd be in the state of contemplating thoughts about the long-winded first grading period that had just finished. But here I am, mashing the keyboard as I try to recall the juncture that opened my sentience once again. And the minute I stepped towards the foreword of the subject, an invigorating electricity streamed within my veins. Yes, I was excited. In fact, I was very excited. In the past years, I was hooked up into Computer subjects since I had known a bit of it way back in my grade school years. It's not really about being able to do all the exercises the teacher has given you that people might sort it as mind-numbing. But it's about discovering. Unearthing. Exploring things within the computer. It's about enriching your knowledge and enhancing your creativity and innovation out of it. It's about enjoying. And these are what I've learned. Not to mull over the design, installation, development and implementation of computer information schemes and networks. I indeed learned more about the subject- establishing an imaginary thread between us. With this, I’d like to express an endless thanks to my teacher, Mrs. Vera Cruz.

          Taking the next step, I will strive harder not only to attain higher grades but also to make my love towards blogging grow more and more. Concluding this, I’d like to leave my belief that I could make it through.

Undiluted Path, tracking..

                

              

           "Ako po si Noynoy Aquino; ipinagmamalaki ko sa buong mundo: Pilipino ako. Napakasarap maging Pilipino sa panahong ito."

                Last July 22, 2013, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City.

                SONA has always been a part of our lives. It is mandated by the 1987 Constitution, and must be delivered every fourth Monday of July annually. The President pins down his amendments, expresses his desires for the country's upward mobility, asserts his achievements, and furthermore, he convinces and motivates every Filipino to be a part of his yearning for progress. This year, it was another fruitful and valuable approach to the citizenry to be more knowledgeable about the country's current status. 

                On his speech, I cannot merely classify the pivotal point of his address. He tackled so many things which caused him to reach almost two hours of conveyance. But there are things that I want to commend him with. One is, most people already feel secured even when they have to go home late. They feel much safer. It would be worth wondering but this is because many places already have closed-circuit televisions or CCTVs. At this point of time, cases of crimes and misdemeanors are now lessened thus our country is more peaceful and safer than before. Another, our economy is really healthier and better. In the first quarter, the exchange rate of peso to dollar is Php 40.00= $1.00. And now, it is Php 43.00= $1.00. Our country is seeing new drivers of growth such as casinos while continuously enjoying the strong performance of the services sector, particularly the business process outsourcing firms. Moreover, with the strong consumption contributing bulk of the economic growth, and with the country's large current account surplus, the Philippines may prove to be resilient against external factors such as a downturn in the US or in the euro zone. It is also common that every SONA, the President will make promises. Some action items to track for the months and years ahead are: the classroom shortage by the Department of Education, improvement of rice self-sufficiency and coconut inter-cropping to boost agricultural growth, completeness of geo-hazard mapping of Metro Manila and the completion of repairs for the NAIA Terminal 3.

                It was arduous reading a lengthy speech of PNOY but there’s somewhere in a part of me that whispers that I should be concerned not only as a student but as a citizen of this country. But then, I learned many things. Yes, a lot. And what I really like the most is how he pinpointed that we, Filipinos should not just complain to the government and to the social media rather, we should start making a way towards a solution.  It also appealed to me that there are so many things to do than to hiss and whine about the faults of the political authority. We don’t have a perfect president but at least we have a good one. We should support him. We should help him. We should move. We should work. We should go for efficiency and productivity. We have so many options in life but we only have to end up with one choice. And that one choice will determine us- for the better or worse.

                To end my brief appraisal for PNOY’s fourth SONA, I like everything written in his words to be much more of reality and not fantasy. I won’t say our future depends on him because he is just our guide towards Daang Matuwid. With these I like to leave a self-citation for a perception of my own..

                Today, we live in a country of liberty. Tomorrow, where shall we live? It is our choice.

Hunger and Malnutrition: On the Route of Wiping Out

     What can you perceive from the picture? Does it whisper you something? Something that can make you say your piece on your concerns about an individual's lifestyle?
     We can see skinny, frail and power-hungry bodies. But what do they imply?
     MALNUTRITION. It is the excessive, insufficient or imbalanced consumption of nutrients. However, health experts say that a person may appear outwardly normal and fit but is actually malnourished.
    Malnutrition has long been recognized as a consequence of poverty. It is the upshot of marginal nutritional consumption ramified by infection. These are often caused by lack of clean water, food insecurity, lack of awareness on proper sanitation and lack of alternative sources of income.  It is also compounded by inadequate care, poor health services, and deficient environment. This phenomenon occurs because a lot of people especially those who belong to the marginalized sectors of society are not able to eat the right kind of food. Higher rates of malnutrition are found in areas with chronic widespread of poverty.
     While income is not the sum or total of people's lives, health status reflects the people's lifestyle. 
     Having a good health condition is an important prerequisite for escaping poverty. To combat these bad images of a person's lifestyle, a balanced diet that composes of many vegetables must be served to children especially in their growing years. I  believe that food, axis to the subsistence of every person on earth, holds the key to a real peace of prosperity. What healthier way to convey that understanding than by informing people the worth of spiritual equality and the gallant sharing of pure food? 

"It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it." -Nelson Mandela

    

Corr..up..tion..where is the end?

Jaziree Mia De Castro

Ilocos Sur National High School

June 26, 2013

Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III

President of the Republic of the Philippines

Malacañang Palace

Dear Mr. President, 

     Greetings of peace and love!

     "Kayo ang boss ko."

     That line where you sworn under gray skies but in blistering heat, in front of a hundred million Filipinos, is still very vibrant to me. And with this, I'd like to say that you, sir, are a person with imposing integrity with great persona and rectitude.

     We all know that our country is the fastest growing Asian country in terms of economy. I believe that we can not merely focus on one thing or two since there are more urgent trials for our country to deal with. Compulsory, it is.

     My primary concern is the graft and corruption WITHIN the government. People are charged with taxes but we end up having inefficient development of road and traffic rules, especially "road constructions." It is always evident that even if we have an effective president, intricacy always arises- the rest of local politicians would choose not to support a program if it has nothing in it for them.

     I would also like to point out those people living in the squatter areas or slums. Government at national and local levels seem powerless against them. Or more precisely, they are not eager to get the ire of squatters by relocating them. And the reason? Squatters are voters. Some of the officials are the very same people who brought in squatters to vote for them. I also agree to the warning of Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II to remove squatters from danger zones. Indeed, this is the best time to eject them because the elections are now over, so there's nothing to fear if there would be a backlash, or none. 

     These problems are passed from generation to generation, more so taking into account the fact that the strongest politicians form dynasties. The problems within the government, together, is the chief reason for the rest of our problems. 

     As a Filipino, it is my intention to rub out awful impressions of others to our country. In this case, I hope I can be a little help in reviving our country especially in the field of political authority.

     Mr. President, the future of our countrymen lies in you. I hope my insights and concerns will be of great help in eliminating deficiencies of our country. Thank you and more power to you, and your good office.