The topic of my article is about the ceasefire in Capiz between the AFP headed by the 9th infantry division of the Army and NPA rebels. It was said that there will be a temporary peace proceedings between the opposing soldiers and gun men this coming Christmas so that they may spend the yuletide seasons with their family and continue non traditional military services of the AFP like blood-letting and community services.
The question I had come up with my topic is: Will this rebellion still push through? This question is problematic, because we know that the government cannot give in to the request of these NPA rebels. Otherwise, if the government does, not all the conditions will be favorable for both parties. Now we can only wonder when will these senseless taking of lives and blood bath will end. This question is really the upper hand of everything, because even though the government knows the root cause of this rebellion, they will never give in to the biases of the rebels. Thus, civilians will also be affected with this problem. Therefore this question must be pursued, because if not, more lives will be taken away and untimely deaths will increase. Peace talks must be resumed immediately, while both parties are in a calm mood.
We as civilians must trust on the military tactics of the AFP. I personally believe that being part of the military requires good leadership and unconditional love for the own family and for the whole country. But what we do not understand is the thinking of these rebels on why they must pursue their goals of domination.
I just hope that they come to their senses, and realize that our country needs more help than their ridicule beliefs in what they do through armed rebellion.
Martes, Marso 22, 2011
The noble and the brave: Essay on corruption
The noble and the brave: Essay on corruption
As an educated person, you would not dare steal blatantly, shop lift from a grocery store, or take anything not intended for your own sake. Political or economic corruption in my own understanding is when public leaders and officials steal a partial amount of money from an allotted budget for certain Economic, and poverty alleviation projects. This moreover changes the situation from ‘worse’ to ‘worst’. When they commit such crime, I just can not seem to process in my mind of how selfish, shameless and cruel are these people. Corruption shows us that million’s of Filipino suffering in poverty results to the satisfaction of one person standing proud. This is while he/she drowns in his/her dirty money, and overflow with ill wealth inside his/her wallet.
According to the poll by Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd., The most corrupted country of Asia is the Philippines [1], and so as the United Nations Development program also claimed that the country manages to corrupt an amount reaching up to $ 2 billion Dollars or roughly 13 % of the annual budget.[2] This researches only show of what kind of disgrace is these officials are giving for our country. It is quite an irony that they promise during elections to eliminate poverty, and yet this polls and studies present of how are we so engulfed into such controversies. And what we need now is people that are willing to uplift the pride of the country by fixing its system.
There are a lot of corruptions going on the country nowadays and the most popular today is the AFP corruption. This issue has been squealed by the COA whistle blower Heidi Mendoza. She exposed the alleged anomalies happening within the armed forces, and because of this, she consistently receives death threats. The action she took was very brave for her part for the reason that she meddles with powerful authorities and personalities of the government. Due to this she was bestowed as the Women of Courage Recognition by women's group Gabriela.[3]
Lt. Col. George Rabusa the former AFP budget officer just like Mendoza, is a whistle blower of the alleged corruption going on in the AFP. He exposed the anomalies of the so called tradition of the AFP wherein a general receives an amount of 50 million pesos as a send off gift aside from the 5 million pesos they got from service every month. The first person to taste defeat was the former chief of staff Angelo Reyes. That in spite of shaming the whole AFP, he decided to take his own life in front of his mother’s grave.
The country has faced a lot of challenges, and there are only a few of Filipinos brave and noble enough to face the cancers of this society. Personally, I hope that more Filipinos will be like Rabusa and Heidi, so that someday without corruption there will be no poverty, like the claim of President P-NOY.
1 Philippines More Corrupt Than Indonesia, Poll Says (Update1), 2007, By Katherine Espina, Bloomberg [online] Available at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aS1mjWEgmEvw&refer=asia [Accessed 06 March 2011]
2 Ranking of Corruption in Asian Countries, 2007, Asianoffbeat [online] Available at: http://www.asianoffbeat.com/default.asp?Display=844 [Accessed 6 March 2011]
3 COA whistleblower Heidi Mendoza named Woman of Courage, 2011, By Atom Araullo, ABS-CBN news [online] Available at: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/02/23/11/coa-whistleblower-heidi-mendoza-named-woman-courage, [Accessed 6 March 2011]
As an educated person, you would not dare steal blatantly, shop lift from a grocery store, or take anything not intended for your own sake. Political or economic corruption in my own understanding is when public leaders and officials steal a partial amount of money from an allotted budget for certain Economic, and poverty alleviation projects. This moreover changes the situation from ‘worse’ to ‘worst’. When they commit such crime, I just can not seem to process in my mind of how selfish, shameless and cruel are these people. Corruption shows us that million’s of Filipino suffering in poverty results to the satisfaction of one person standing proud. This is while he/she drowns in his/her dirty money, and overflow with ill wealth inside his/her wallet.
According to the poll by Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd., The most corrupted country of Asia is the Philippines [1], and so as the United Nations Development program also claimed that the country manages to corrupt an amount reaching up to $ 2 billion Dollars or roughly 13 % of the annual budget.[2] This researches only show of what kind of disgrace is these officials are giving for our country. It is quite an irony that they promise during elections to eliminate poverty, and yet this polls and studies present of how are we so engulfed into such controversies. And what we need now is people that are willing to uplift the pride of the country by fixing its system.
There are a lot of corruptions going on the country nowadays and the most popular today is the AFP corruption. This issue has been squealed by the COA whistle blower Heidi Mendoza. She exposed the alleged anomalies happening within the armed forces, and because of this, she consistently receives death threats. The action she took was very brave for her part for the reason that she meddles with powerful authorities and personalities of the government. Due to this she was bestowed as the Women of Courage Recognition by women's group Gabriela.[3]
Lt. Col. George Rabusa the former AFP budget officer just like Mendoza, is a whistle blower of the alleged corruption going on in the AFP. He exposed the anomalies of the so called tradition of the AFP wherein a general receives an amount of 50 million pesos as a send off gift aside from the 5 million pesos they got from service every month. The first person to taste defeat was the former chief of staff Angelo Reyes. That in spite of shaming the whole AFP, he decided to take his own life in front of his mother’s grave.
The country has faced a lot of challenges, and there are only a few of Filipinos brave and noble enough to face the cancers of this society. Personally, I hope that more Filipinos will be like Rabusa and Heidi, so that someday without corruption there will be no poverty, like the claim of President P-NOY.
1 Philippines More Corrupt Than Indonesia, Poll Says (Update1), 2007, By Katherine Espina, Bloomberg [online] Available at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aS1mjWEgmEvw&refer=asia [Accessed 06 March 2011]
2 Ranking of Corruption in Asian Countries, 2007, Asianoffbeat [online] Available at: http://www.asianoffbeat.com/default.asp?Display=844 [Accessed 6 March 2011]
3 COA whistleblower Heidi Mendoza named Woman of Courage, 2011, By Atom Araullo, ABS-CBN news [online] Available at: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/02/23/11/coa-whistleblower-heidi-mendoza-named-woman-courage, [Accessed 6 March 2011]
We write to improve
Ever since the ancient civilization the earliest form of writing whether it is cuneiform or hieroglyphics only has three purposes. One is to promote literacy, second is to record history and events, and lastly to share their ideas to other people. We write to record the information and ideas we have, and when I said “we” I meant “I”. Meaning it should always be original, and not plagiarized, or at least give credit to your resources. When we write, it is not only the wanting to share the ideas we have, it is also because we have the objective to be known for our own work and own words.
The fear of losing memory or remembrance of our past thoughts is also something we would not want. Probably these thoughts someday are thoughts that can make big changes in how other people think especially to the readers of your own article. For me the pleasure of putting my ideas into paper is something I should be happy about. And sometimes I wish that maybe someday if I get good enough I can get paid for it.
Ever since I was a kid, it has been my hobby to write. Although I must admit that I was not that good in coming up with short stories. I love reacting on certain subjects, complaining in writing, and being a critic of others work or perhaps even my own work. I am also aware of the mistakes I and other commits in writing. After all no one is perfect, so I try becoming open minded and accept of what people might correct in my writing. By writing we interact and storm our thoughts together. We help each other in improving ideas. Thus, for me these are the reasons why we write.
The fear of losing memory or remembrance of our past thoughts is also something we would not want. Probably these thoughts someday are thoughts that can make big changes in how other people think especially to the readers of your own article. For me the pleasure of putting my ideas into paper is something I should be happy about. And sometimes I wish that maybe someday if I get good enough I can get paid for it.
Ever since I was a kid, it has been my hobby to write. Although I must admit that I was not that good in coming up with short stories. I love reacting on certain subjects, complaining in writing, and being a critic of others work or perhaps even my own work. I am also aware of the mistakes I and other commits in writing. After all no one is perfect, so I try becoming open minded and accept of what people might correct in my writing. By writing we interact and storm our thoughts together. We help each other in improving ideas. Thus, for me these are the reasons why we write.
Sabado, Marso 19, 2011
Too much Filipino pride becomes too embarrassing- Surprise Reversal essay
Suppose we see a fan page in Facebook, or a survey site in the internet that compares the best things in the world we support in life. The survey site or the fan page asks the people to vote which they like the best. Of course people from around the globe will give an opinion regarding that matter only referring to at least the two given choices. And with this, there is something we can deduce and notice from reading comments on these web pages, and it is the Filipino involvement on every page. I can observe the redundancy of the out of the blue topics like Pacquiao, Charice, Jabawockeez and even Adobo being blurted out on unrelated topics and formal forums. Even as a Filipino I sometimes tend to become embarrassed in witnessing the over reaction of Filipinos on a single world achievement, that causes Philippines in general to be in bad terms world wide, eventually resulting to the creation of anti Filipino internet websites and forums. With this I say, too much Filipino pride has sent our country to shame rather than to fame.
When these annoying comments and world spreading of news happens in a split second, people over the world gets pissed off because of the too much pride Filipino has. Consequently, people all over the world start to hate the certain subject we love. And when they do, Filipino sees this as racial discrimination.
According to the website antipinoy.com whenever someone like Manny pacquiao succeeds abroad, Filipinos will once again brag about false and underserved Filipino pride basking in the glory, talent and strengths of which they never had. All these achievements are individually done, such as, you can only say such expressions as “Filipino pride” when an achievement is meant for everyone collectively. The reaction of this kind of people like the author of the article on the said site states that we should not make it an excuse of having a countryman with such talent by saying “Filipino pride”.
Actually when we go to websites like Facebook or Youtube that has other nations making a world wide impact you can never find someone saying “Chinese pride” or “French pride” as if it seems that we are the only one saying such expression. A nation’s pride should come from the progression of the country with our own joint efforts.
There is nothing wrong about being a proud Filipino. In fact, everyone should be proud, as other nations are with their own country. Otherwise, nations would see us ridiculous to adapt so much western culture and succumb to it. However being proud should not be integrated by saying “Filipino pride”, or “Filipino talent” to unrelated subjects like boxing or modernized singing and dance. People just see this annoying and pure arrogance. The world does not care if Manny, Pineda, or Charice are Filipinos, what they care about is the history they make on the world they choose to live on.
When these annoying comments and world spreading of news happens in a split second, people over the world gets pissed off because of the too much pride Filipino has. Consequently, people all over the world start to hate the certain subject we love. And when they do, Filipino sees this as racial discrimination.
According to the website antipinoy.com whenever someone like Manny pacquiao succeeds abroad, Filipinos will once again brag about false and underserved Filipino pride basking in the glory, talent and strengths of which they never had. All these achievements are individually done, such as, you can only say such expressions as “Filipino pride” when an achievement is meant for everyone collectively. The reaction of this kind of people like the author of the article on the said site states that we should not make it an excuse of having a countryman with such talent by saying “Filipino pride”.
Actually when we go to websites like Facebook or Youtube that has other nations making a world wide impact you can never find someone saying “Chinese pride” or “French pride” as if it seems that we are the only one saying such expression. A nation’s pride should come from the progression of the country with our own joint efforts.
There is nothing wrong about being a proud Filipino. In fact, everyone should be proud, as other nations are with their own country. Otherwise, nations would see us ridiculous to adapt so much western culture and succumb to it. However being proud should not be integrated by saying “Filipino pride”, or “Filipino talent” to unrelated subjects like boxing or modernized singing and dance. People just see this annoying and pure arrogance. The world does not care if Manny, Pineda, or Charice are Filipinos, what they care about is the history they make on the world they choose to live on.
Philippine media- an endangered species – Taking a stand essay
In the light of several reported cases of media kidnapping and killing, it is no laughing matter that the Philippine media is becoming a dangerous profession for those who are in the field, and even for those aspirants who dream to be part of the new breed of media men specifically us the students. In the midst of these bloody murders and dreadful acts of terrorists the media men can not do anything but to arm their selves for self defense and protection, for the purpose, that they may continue their democratic role in news delivery. Arming the media men means that they may perform their roles in the society with lesser barriers.
In the biggest scandalous media related violence of 2009 was the Maguindanao massacre, as ABS-CBN news journalist, Ira Pedrasa, reported that “the massacre of 57 civilians in Maguindanao shocked the whole world – news that further catapulted the Philippines high in the impunity index…” also according to the article of Aquiles Zonio of inquirer Mindanao, Mangudatu who felt very helpless from seeing the men of the Ampatuan’s around, believed that they would not be harmed if they have the company of the Media. In this case, Mangudatu was able to invite 37 media men. And all 37 of them were killed on that dreadful event as they were included in the convoy. This became an eye opener for lawmakers, making them believe that arming reasonable media men will be able to perform their roles courageously, however these media related violence would not be stopped by arming the media men alone, it is the Government that should start making a superior action regarding this matter.
The fourth estate plays one of the significant roles in our society. If the media men are not armed sooner, criminals will continue to cause harm and violence. Media men will have limits to what they can report on due to the threat on their safety. Arming the media men may not be the solution to this problem nevertheless it can still bring this issue one step closer to justice. The Government should not wait for more media men to be killed in the field before they take serious action.
In the biggest scandalous media related violence of 2009 was the Maguindanao massacre, as ABS-CBN news journalist, Ira Pedrasa, reported that “the massacre of 57 civilians in Maguindanao shocked the whole world – news that further catapulted the Philippines high in the impunity index…” also according to the article of Aquiles Zonio of inquirer Mindanao, Mangudatu who felt very helpless from seeing the men of the Ampatuan’s around, believed that they would not be harmed if they have the company of the Media. In this case, Mangudatu was able to invite 37 media men. And all 37 of them were killed on that dreadful event as they were included in the convoy. This became an eye opener for lawmakers, making them believe that arming reasonable media men will be able to perform their roles courageously, however these media related violence would not be stopped by arming the media men alone, it is the Government that should start making a superior action regarding this matter.
The fourth estate plays one of the significant roles in our society. If the media men are not armed sooner, criminals will continue to cause harm and violence. Media men will have limits to what they can report on due to the threat on their safety. Arming the media men may not be the solution to this problem nevertheless it can still bring this issue one step closer to justice. The Government should not wait for more media men to be killed in the field before they take serious action.
Linggo, Marso 13, 2011
“You fail with one zero! - the performance based grading system” - solution proposal essay
Adamson University has always been on the move when it comes to improving the school’s academic performance. Hence, the school administration has done all the possible improvements that they think would withstand the society’s rising standard today by training students the best way possible, and giving them the best service there is. With this they resolve, teacher-student relationship through the TBI evaluation; they also tend to improve the school facilities by raising the miscellaneous fees which the students are already taking advantage off; and they also gave special attention to foreign students, that they may be able to cope up with class discussions. However, there was an improvement that made students raise their voices up to the administration at first. This took the school by storm as this issue is still being talked about now. And this is the issue of the 0 base grading system of the school.
The new grading system of Adamson University has already surpassed UP standards[1] the home of the country’s scholars when the passing mark was raised to 70%. The students felt helpless with this kind of system as everyone was used to the 50% standard. And since it is 0 based, it practically meant that a single zero from any quizzes, projects, seat works, assignments, or term tests can lead to your big-time down fall, and more bad news for lazy students came when it was said that the ‘4’ or incomplete grade has also been removed out from a student’s option. A lot of students was furious about this and lead to numerous protests. Either would it have been loud through shouting outside along San Marcelino, or it may have been the silent protests wherein students and professors wore black t-shirts on washday. Yes, even some professors were not happy about this. If we would notice there are middle aged and old professors among the faculty members, and they were used in following their old grading system, as this was the system they used ever since they started teaching in Adamson. And more importantly, the professors had to use Lap Taps and computers that have software that automatically computes student grades, but usually and more often; this comes to an error, thus ending up giving the wrong grade to students. Because of this, the students had to re compute their grades manually in order to gain the grade which they truly deserved. The teachers tried to file a TRO against the grading system, but unfortunately they have failed.
Perhaps a good solution for this is that, the administration should hold a forum, wherein they would not be biased with their sides like what happened before in the past forum. If they really plan to continue pursuing this zero based system they must give the teachers especially the old professors the benefit of the doubt, by giving them basic computer literacy training. And in the side of the students, perhaps it is about time that we get off our lazy behinds, and start training ourselves for the real world. After all, Adamson did not coerce us to join and study in Adamson, we choose to be part of the institution, and therefore we must respect and follow. In my educated opinion, it really now depends on the professor how will they pass their students. Because from experience this Academic year, the professors are making ways on how to pass their students, so now the decision lies within the student if they plan to grab the opportunity or not. That is why this grading system is also known as “Performance Based”.
1 University of the Philippines Grading System, 2010, Joanna Macris Armendez, THE TOUGH COOKIE [online] Available at: http://joannamacris.wordpress.com/2010/07/11/university-of-the-philippines-grading-system/ [14 March 2010]
The new grading system of Adamson University has already surpassed UP standards[1] the home of the country’s scholars when the passing mark was raised to 70%. The students felt helpless with this kind of system as everyone was used to the 50% standard. And since it is 0 based, it practically meant that a single zero from any quizzes, projects, seat works, assignments, or term tests can lead to your big-time down fall, and more bad news for lazy students came when it was said that the ‘4’ or incomplete grade has also been removed out from a student’s option. A lot of students was furious about this and lead to numerous protests. Either would it have been loud through shouting outside along San Marcelino, or it may have been the silent protests wherein students and professors wore black t-shirts on washday. Yes, even some professors were not happy about this. If we would notice there are middle aged and old professors among the faculty members, and they were used in following their old grading system, as this was the system they used ever since they started teaching in Adamson. And more importantly, the professors had to use Lap Taps and computers that have software that automatically computes student grades, but usually and more often; this comes to an error, thus ending up giving the wrong grade to students. Because of this, the students had to re compute their grades manually in order to gain the grade which they truly deserved. The teachers tried to file a TRO against the grading system, but unfortunately they have failed.
Perhaps a good solution for this is that, the administration should hold a forum, wherein they would not be biased with their sides like what happened before in the past forum. If they really plan to continue pursuing this zero based system they must give the teachers especially the old professors the benefit of the doubt, by giving them basic computer literacy training. And in the side of the students, perhaps it is about time that we get off our lazy behinds, and start training ourselves for the real world. After all, Adamson did not coerce us to join and study in Adamson, we choose to be part of the institution, and therefore we must respect and follow. In my educated opinion, it really now depends on the professor how will they pass their students. Because from experience this Academic year, the professors are making ways on how to pass their students, so now the decision lies within the student if they plan to grab the opportunity or not. That is why this grading system is also known as “Performance Based”.
1 University of the Philippines Grading System, 2010, Joanna Macris Armendez, THE TOUGH COOKIE [online] Available at: http://joannamacris.wordpress.com/2010/07/11/university-of-the-philippines-grading-system/ [14 March 2010]
“An initiative for the better” - compare and contrast essay
After the controversial term of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President Benigno Aquino III was next to take the seat of power. And for every term people expects what miracle can the president do in 100 days. Probably after the economic crisis on GMA’s term, President PNOY will have to do a lot of adjusting, considerably a lot of miracles. With a country engulfed in corruption, I think it is about time that the new administration focuses on something that will fortify this nation’s creed, as Jose Rizal quoted: “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”. With this I would like to compare on the standing of education on both terms, and contrast to whom may which had given a better project proposal in terms of youth’s cognitive perception and basic education.
Ex- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo inherited a state that belonged to a corrupt and gambling lord president. She was the second woman president, and just like as Cory Aquino was, she replaced an impeached leader, and this was back on 2001. After finishing Estrada’s term, she ran and had an alleged victory. And for that, she officially became the 14th president of the Philippines on 2004
On the first 100 days of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, she pursued the project she implemented even back when she was a senator in 1997, and this is the project known as the Net 21. It aims to prepare the Filipino youth for the 21st century. And by doing so, the mission of the Net 21 project is to make the youth globally aware, promote skill relevance and basic education, and finally build the values and community the youth is involved. She also initiates in Educational reforms that concerns various issues regarding our educational system today. [1][2] This includes the problems to be solved which are the following: the teacher benefits, lack of school facilities, and low quality books in the public schools. This reform also emphasizes the return of English as a medium of instruction[3] , which caught the advocate’s attention.[4]
Today, the most controversial issue happening right now is the plan of the implementation of the k-12 basic education system. Wherein the basic education system will have additional years and these are the: Grade 7 and 5th year. It is believed by PNOY that the curriculum of today is unable to reach world standards since it is being all stuffed on the 10 years of education, and this is not enough to cover everything. This is a project that President PNOY wants to pursue. However, compared to the first 100 days initiative of the Arroyo government, this was not warmly welcomed by the Filipinos, as PNOY was not able to substantiate he’s reason for this proposal.[5]
For my educated opinion, compared to President Aquino, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is more substantial with her plans on her first 100 days as president. She instead thinks of improving the welfare of teachers and students first rather than being pessimistic of the Filipino education standards in terms of global competitiveness. On the other hand, PNOY rashly decides to add up 2 more years in basic education without proving substantial facts of why the Basic education shall be extended. The society needs the youth more than they were needed before. If we do not change for the better, what will the youth be of the next generations? This is why our leaders must make a stand, a stand that will rise up our nation for the better of everyone.
1 PHILIPPINE president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (n.d.), Anon, NET 21 - Preparing the Filipino Youth for the 21st Century [online] Available at: http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_presidents/President_arroyo/initiatives.html[Accessed 10 March 2011]
2 Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, (n.d.), Anon, NET 21 - Preparing the Filipino Youth for the 21st Century [online] Available at: http://www.macapagal.com/gma/initiatives/net21.php [Accessed 10 March 2011]
3 PHILIPPINE president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (n.d.), Anon, NET 21 - Preparing the Filipino Youth for the 21st Century [online] Available at: http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_presidents/President_arroyo/initiatives.html[Accessed 10 March 2011]
4 A Response to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo directing the Department of Education to “Return English as Primary Medium of Instruction”, (n.d.), Anon, University of the Philippines [online] Available at: http://www.up.edu.ph/oldsystem/proenglish.htm [Accessed 10 March 2011]
5 Noynoy 100 Days Report: Aquino tongue-tied, jumpy logic on K-12, 2010, Anon, League of Filipino Students [online] Available at: http://www.lfs.ph/2010/10/08/noynoy-100-days-report-aquino-tongue-tied-jumpy-logic-on-k-12/ [Accessed 10 March 2011]
Ex- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo inherited a state that belonged to a corrupt and gambling lord president. She was the second woman president, and just like as Cory Aquino was, she replaced an impeached leader, and this was back on 2001. After finishing Estrada’s term, she ran and had an alleged victory. And for that, she officially became the 14th president of the Philippines on 2004
On the first 100 days of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, she pursued the project she implemented even back when she was a senator in 1997, and this is the project known as the Net 21. It aims to prepare the Filipino youth for the 21st century. And by doing so, the mission of the Net 21 project is to make the youth globally aware, promote skill relevance and basic education, and finally build the values and community the youth is involved. She also initiates in Educational reforms that concerns various issues regarding our educational system today. [1][2] This includes the problems to be solved which are the following: the teacher benefits, lack of school facilities, and low quality books in the public schools. This reform also emphasizes the return of English as a medium of instruction[3] , which caught the advocate’s attention.[4]
Today, the most controversial issue happening right now is the plan of the implementation of the k-12 basic education system. Wherein the basic education system will have additional years and these are the: Grade 7 and 5th year. It is believed by PNOY that the curriculum of today is unable to reach world standards since it is being all stuffed on the 10 years of education, and this is not enough to cover everything. This is a project that President PNOY wants to pursue. However, compared to the first 100 days initiative of the Arroyo government, this was not warmly welcomed by the Filipinos, as PNOY was not able to substantiate he’s reason for this proposal.[5]
For my educated opinion, compared to President Aquino, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is more substantial with her plans on her first 100 days as president. She instead thinks of improving the welfare of teachers and students first rather than being pessimistic of the Filipino education standards in terms of global competitiveness. On the other hand, PNOY rashly decides to add up 2 more years in basic education without proving substantial facts of why the Basic education shall be extended. The society needs the youth more than they were needed before. If we do not change for the better, what will the youth be of the next generations? This is why our leaders must make a stand, a stand that will rise up our nation for the better of everyone.
1 PHILIPPINE president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (n.d.), Anon, NET 21 - Preparing the Filipino Youth for the 21st Century [online] Available at: http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_presidents/President_arroyo/initiatives.html[Accessed 10 March 2011]
2 Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, (n.d.), Anon, NET 21 - Preparing the Filipino Youth for the 21st Century [online] Available at: http://www.macapagal.com/gma/initiatives/net21.php [Accessed 10 March 2011]
3 PHILIPPINE president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (n.d.), Anon, NET 21 - Preparing the Filipino Youth for the 21st Century [online] Available at: http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_presidents/President_arroyo/initiatives.html[Accessed 10 March 2011]
4 A Response to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo directing the Department of Education to “Return English as Primary Medium of Instruction”, (n.d.), Anon, University of the Philippines [online] Available at: http://www.up.edu.ph/oldsystem/proenglish.htm [Accessed 10 March 2011]
5 Noynoy 100 Days Report: Aquino tongue-tied, jumpy logic on K-12, 2010, Anon, League of Filipino Students [online] Available at: http://www.lfs.ph/2010/10/08/noynoy-100-days-report-aquino-tongue-tied-jumpy-logic-on-k-12/ [Accessed 10 March 2011]
“It is easy and delicious” - process essay
A cake is a pastry prepared during joyous events wherein we celebrate something for a purpose. It could be done on: Christmas parties, New Years Eve, Wedding, a Valentines gift for your love, a celebration of success, and most especially on birthdays. A cake must always be present on such occasions, but now if we come to crave for such pastry just simply because we want to eat some cake and even at a low budget, then definitely it is now possible. Having a mouth-watering cake on the table can now be done without having to finish a baking course abroad, not having all the expensive ingredients needed, or perhaps having a professional do it for you by buying it off on a bake shop. All that is needed is the ingredients and tools required in baking a simple cake.
Before starting to bake a cake, we have to prepare the materials needed first and these are:[1]
4 (1 oz.) squares unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1-1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
The procedures involved in baking the cake is not as tedious as we think we simply just have to follow these simple steps, and these are as follows: [2]
1. Melt 4 blocks of chocolate with 1/2 butter on a sauce pan filled with hot water. As it has boiled, remove it from heat and add up three main ingredients. The sugar, flour and salt. When the three ingredients are added, make sure that it is well mixed.
2. After mixing it well, the next step will be stirring up the buttermilk, baking soda, eggs and vanilla. Beat it until it is smooth enough. When it is done, pour the pastry mixture on a 13x19” pan while it is baked on an oven, with a heat of at exactly 350 degrees Celsius for 25-30 minutes. According to Catherine Laurenzi-Bridges the baking process is done when with the touch of a finger tip, the top layer of the cake springs back.
When baking a cake, I can say from experience that it is strictly followed that the cake is baked in an oven heated at 350 degrees, otherwise the cake could result in to failure as it either could be half cooked inside or outside, burned, or not even on the brink of being in a cake shape. Your sense of taste should depend on how much chocolate, sugar would you like to add. But the one indicated here, is the most recommendable as so it would not be too sweet or would it lack in taste. A good cake according to the instructions above is indicated when you press the above layer of the cake and it fluffs back. It is easy and delicious.
Baking a cake is not that hard. We simply need the basic materials that can be found on our local grocery stores. Baking our own cake gives us the advantage of having more in a low price.
___________________________________
1 Basic Cake Recipes Baking from Scratch, 2007, Catherine Laurenzi-Bridges, suite101.com [online] Available at: http://www.suite101.com/content/basic-cake-recipes-a24458 [Accessed 13 March 2011]
2 Basic Cake Recipes Baking from Scratch, 2007, Catherine Laurenzi-Bridges, suite101.com [online] Available at: http://www.suite101.com/content/basic-cake-recipes-a24458 [Accessed 13 March 2011]
Before starting to bake a cake, we have to prepare the materials needed first and these are:[1]
4 (1 oz.) squares unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1-1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
The procedures involved in baking the cake is not as tedious as we think we simply just have to follow these simple steps, and these are as follows: [2]
1. Melt 4 blocks of chocolate with 1/2 butter on a sauce pan filled with hot water. As it has boiled, remove it from heat and add up three main ingredients. The sugar, flour and salt. When the three ingredients are added, make sure that it is well mixed.
2. After mixing it well, the next step will be stirring up the buttermilk, baking soda, eggs and vanilla. Beat it until it is smooth enough. When it is done, pour the pastry mixture on a 13x19” pan while it is baked on an oven, with a heat of at exactly 350 degrees Celsius for 25-30 minutes. According to Catherine Laurenzi-Bridges the baking process is done when with the touch of a finger tip, the top layer of the cake springs back.
When baking a cake, I can say from experience that it is strictly followed that the cake is baked in an oven heated at 350 degrees, otherwise the cake could result in to failure as it either could be half cooked inside or outside, burned, or not even on the brink of being in a cake shape. Your sense of taste should depend on how much chocolate, sugar would you like to add. But the one indicated here, is the most recommendable as so it would not be too sweet or would it lack in taste. A good cake according to the instructions above is indicated when you press the above layer of the cake and it fluffs back. It is easy and delicious.
Baking a cake is not that hard. We simply need the basic materials that can be found on our local grocery stores. Baking our own cake gives us the advantage of having more in a low price.
___________________________________
1 Basic Cake Recipes Baking from Scratch, 2007, Catherine Laurenzi-Bridges, suite101.com [online] Available at: http://www.suite101.com/content/basic-cake-recipes-a24458 [Accessed 13 March 2011]
2 Basic Cake Recipes Baking from Scratch, 2007, Catherine Laurenzi-Bridges, suite101.com [online] Available at: http://www.suite101.com/content/basic-cake-recipes-a24458 [Accessed 13 March 2011]
Martes, Marso 8, 2011
“Potato is the new rice” - stipulative essay
In the light of food shortage and malnutrition, a potato a day will keep the doctor away. Potato is cheap and nutritious. There is just something about potato that makes everyone want it. It just goes with anything on your plate. Today, the prices of bread and rice are rising and this seems unstoppable, and a probable full-filling substitute for this is this vegetable.
In this country of rice eaters, a lot of attention is being given to potatoes. Knowing that food crisis becomes an issue when production of food is not enough for the poor families and prices of rice, wheat, and corn gets higher. As this world phenomenon continues to up rise, the United Nations played an important role by declaring the “year of the potato” back on 2008.[1]The purpose of this declaration is to recognize the virtues the potato contributes to mankind.
Despite of its low price, the potato is easy to cultivate compared to any crops, and the nutritious content of it is unbelievable that actually people can live long enough with eating potato alone as this was considered as a complete food in itself. In fact a Denmark food Scientist, Professor Hinhede has already proven that potatoes can be enough in living through the days without depreciation of body fat, as he survived 3 whole years by eating raw and cooked potatoes alone.[2]The Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) stated that “A potato crop produces more edible energy and protein per hectare and per unit of time than practically any other crop”. It is also seen that 90 percent of potatoes are produced in the high lands of Northern Luzon. [3]
Perhaps now, we should change our eating habits and have a lifestyle healthier than before, for malnutrition and sickness due to hunger can be avoided if we will be wise enough in choosing our meals. Poverty should not be an excuse to see your love ones die in hunger since a cheap and nutritious solution is already available, all we have to do is to grab it.
[1] Philippines: Potato can be a good supplement to rice, 2008, Yzza Ibrahim, Fresh Plaza [online] Available at: http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=25741 [Accessed 09 March 2010]
[2] Potato, (n.d.), [online] Available at: http://www.health-care-clinic.org/vegetables/potato.html [Accessed 09 March 2010]
[3] A second look on the lowly potato, (n.d.), [online] Available at: http://www.agribusinessweek.com/a-second-look-at-the-lowly-potato/ [Accessed 09 March 2010 ]
Linggo, Marso 6, 2011
25 years of success is like 25 years of failure - evaluative essay
Freedom, equal human rights, poverty alleviation, and Fight against corruption, these were some of the things that was promised by the Edsa revolution to its citizens. But 25 score years later, The Filipino people still suffers in Poverty; more Crocodiles are getting in to the high positions of the Government; people abusing their freedom; and the rich just keeps on getting richer, while the poor is more likely to get depressed. As someone part of the generation not born from the era of the Edsa Revolution, I understand that I would not be able to fully realize the feeling of those times; however, I am very ambivalent that we are feeling the success and promises attained during those times as told by our elders and politicians. Because of this I come to a question if this present situation that our country prospers today is the same as the time of Marcos? Probably it does, however not as Gargantuan as today. People Power should have brought change and bring forth a constitution that will be in favor of everybody. But this is our situation now 25 years after.
After 25 years, we now reflect on how the country is doing today. The desire for freedom of the revolution was the drive that kept the people fighting during those struggles from the Marcos regime, and the unfair treatment of Filipino employees when a widespread of jobless Filipinos were observed amidst the success of Government friends and family and Foreign associates.[1] Apparently our country has not improved from situations of unemployment as people still goes abroad to look for a decent life, and leaders still abuse their privileges through corruption. Nevertheless, despite of this poor performance and hopes of being a country like Singapore like Bong Bong Marcos said. We still should be thankful because if it was not for those times, we could have ended up like Libya with their blood thirsty revolution as President P-Noy indicated;[2]
In 25 years, the president stated that nothing has changed in the country since Edsa I. According to him, the government still was not able to provide enough for the people because of the corruption that was rampant.[3] But if there is anything that we have achieved, it is the Democracy of the country, especially the freedom of press. [4] The News Media back on Marcos time was very limited but powerful. The people of the Philippines would believe anything the media says, but all the media can do is say what the government tells them. Now, with the same extent the fourth estate celebrates the 25 years of Edsa with great pride claiming the success and achievement of the democracy they felt in light of the success of that revolution.
EDSA I have taught us so many lessons. It did not only open the eyes of the Filipino, but sent a remarkable message all through out the world. That when the People unite, there is nothing that we can not achieve. But it is sad enough to say, that our country engulfed in poverty still suffers the injustices that the EDSA revolution promised to remove. The life according to the stories back then, could have been much better than it is right now, but the thing for sure that we enjoy today is the gift of Democracy. And right now, we are still anticipating what the yellow ribbon of that significant event wants to represent, Equality, Freedom, and a better life.
Our President Benigno Aquino III quoted in one of his speeches a saying that we Filipinos could learn from: “As Senator Ted Kennedy said: ‘The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die” [5] the quotation explains itself and when it is related to the revolution, It would simply mean that though our situation today seems worse than before, we should not give up aspiring for our dreams and never letting anything hinder our hopes for the future.
[1] EDSA and the economy: 25 years after, 24 February 2011, Sonny Africa, IBON Features [online] Available at: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/insights/02/24/11/edsa-and-economy-25-years-after [Accessed 1 March 2011]
[2] P-Noy to Bongbong: We might be the same as Libya, 26 February 2011, Earl Cebedo, ALL VOICES [online] Available at: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8308747-pnoy-to-bongbong-we-might-be-the-same-as-libya [Accessed 1 March 2011]
[3] Philippines marks 25 years of 'people power revolt', 23 February 2011, Dona Pazzibugan, Norman Bordadora, Philippine Daily Inquirer [online] Available at: http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/news.php?id=17564&sec=1 [Accessed 1 March 2011]
[4] PINASISM6,2011, PRES. NOYNOY AQUINO VS. SEN. BONGBONG MARCOS: PHILIPPINES COULD HAVE BEEN SINGAPORE NOW? [Video Online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xATQ1JLOmM [Accessed 1 March 2011]
[5] Aquino vows to fulfill Edsa promise, 2011, http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110226-322377/Aquino-vows-to-fulfill-Edsa-promise
Martes, Marso 1, 2011
“Producing new breed of leaders by bringing back the old glory” - numerical essay
The Republic act 9163 indicates that every tertiary level student is required to comply with the NSTP program as implied on the school curricula. This law declares that every citizen has the responsibility to defend the state, and this can be done by rendering personal, civil or military service. Because of this, RA 9163 or more known as the National Training Service Program provides three basic line up that offers an elective choice for the students, and these are the following: ROTC/CMT (Reserve Officers Training Course/Civil Military Training), CWTS (Civic Welfare Training service), and the LTS (Literacy Training Service).[1] These three courses are offered in Adamson University, and a great deal of difference to the number of enrollees can be observed from this. It has a lot of said reasons for their choice that it explains why the number of enrollees for the three courses is lopsided.
On the first semester of the Academic Year 2010-2011 a huge amount of freshmen students including the late takers of the NSTP program, enrolled in any of the three courses. There were 2,025 enrollees for CWTS, 870 Enrollees for LTS, and 746 enrollees for ROTC.[2] From their number of enrollees it is clearly evident that the most popular choice for the NSTP program is CWTS, while the most unpopular is ROTC. As an ROTC officer since 2008, I personally observed that this has already made a great deal of improvement for the ROTC program reaching 746 enrollees for that semester, because for the last two academic years (2008-2009; 2009-2010), the ROTC program only manages to reach to an estimate of 300 cadets including the exempted varsity players, Band members, Pep Squad, and Adamson drummers, declining its number to as low as 250 cadets and cadettes, while CWTS and LTS are having a hard time trying to accommodate an estimate of 4000 enrollees combined.
In the past, ROTC was charged with allegations that have been proved, and therefore caused the abolition of the mandatory ROTC. There were factors that negatively talks about ROTC, and because of this stereotypes, no matter how the cadet officers, training staff and school administration specifically the OSA tries to promote ROTC, it will always end up in a strong and though decision that ROTC is exhausting, tiring, scary, something that extorts and a world of hazer’s. They can not be blamed for the News Media plays a role in this subject, and as we remember, it is usually the negative side that is shown. Like the death of a Thomasian student from the hands of ROTC officers, and the existence of the base of Student Intelligence Network (SIN).[3]
However, there are still yet to be proven. Only a few becomes optimistic and choose not to believe this allegations, and only that with high hopes of being in the military decides to join ROTC. What these students refuse to know is that ROTC is now improving and changing its bad habits, as we adhere to the anti-hazing law; have an inclusive attendance system; Offer different units like Medics and comprehensive that is exclusive for classroom instructions only, and the choice of unit lies within the cadets/cadettes; and for the avoidance of false accusations of extortion we render the payments for ROTC expenses to the Adamson offices.
Aside from the reasons for this numbers, it is seen that we were right when we proved that the change in our training day from Sunday to Saturday has lifted the number of enrollees. Yet, this is still not enough to make the number of enrollees reach to its peak. Lately the second semester of the Academic year 2010-2011 the enrollees had a mass declination of numbers in the part of all the three courses. The CWTS went down to 1772 enrollees; LTS have 691 enrollees, while ROTC still at the bottom with 405 enrollees. This now involves the general enrollees of students in Adamson and general reasons. Due to the new grading system, students flee to another schools; also the Conflict of students with schedules were observable; the newly irregular first year students had some adjusting to do, and the shifting of NSTP courses was rampant.
Consequently, it is believed that the Government becomes incapable of producing capable reservists, whereas recently a new proposal was made by Rep. Erico Aumentado in bringing back the mandatory ROTC back to colleges and universities for the reason that it is said that the policy of the state requires citizens to render civil, military, and personal services. And compared to regular citizens, reservists is the most organized and prepared when it comes to rendering immediate services at any time in any place.[4]
In my own educated opinion, the mandatory of ROTC should be brought back to the system, as this will result to a better outcome for Adamsonians, that instead of training students to be employees, we train them as a new breed of leaders that would help this country be lifted from the ground.
GRAPH:
[1] REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163, January 23, 2002, Chan Robles, Virtual Law Library [online] Available at: http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9163.html [Accessed 25 February 2011]
[2] Adamson University, Registrar, 2011, Data Base [Accessed 23 February 2011]
[3] Patriotism is Dead? Senator blames it on lack of ROTC reservists, Written by Zofia Leal, Bulatlat on 2006 [Online] Available at: [Accessed on: 25 February 2010] http://www.bulatlat.com/news/6-43/6-43-rotc.htm
[4] Rico files ROTC, transpo bills, Written by admin on 13 February 2011 [Online] Available at: http://www.boholtimesonline.com/2011-rico-files-rotc-transpo-bills.html [Accessed 25 February 2011]
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