Altruism of Gratitude

Under Act No.1870, the Governor General authorized that “[w]ithin the powers and limitations herein specified, to establish in the City of Manila, or at the point he may deem most convenient, a University which shall be known by the designation of University of the Philippines, the same being organized as a corporation under that name.” When our academia was instituted during the early decades of the American regime, the intent was to train a core of Filipino professionals for colonial bureaucracy. At the moment, it is something else. The name UP has been compromised for personal gains, not for an altruistic toil in our administrative system.

The institution has today flourished into a university system with seven constituent universities located in twelve campuses around the country. Last April 29, 2008, it had been proclaimed as the national university. From this purpose in Act No. 1870, “to provide advanced instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences, the arts, and to give professional and technical training,” it now shines under the 2007 UP Charter limelight with purposes of “the search for truth and knowledge as well as the development of future leaders.”

The university has undoubtedly accomplished its mission regarding the advanced inventiveness of its educational qualification instructions in literature, philosophy, sciences, and arts, and the provision of professional and technical training to its students. But the rationale of the search for truth and knowledge and development of future leaders is another matter of consideration. It did not take long to realize that the increasing UP alumni had less and less preference to public service as their career destinations. Some private companies like Unilever and Procter and Gamble have been aliased UP Republic. With their continuing symposia, leadership trainings, and most importantly job openings for our students, it not unlikely that after conducting classes in rooms sponsored by these companies, we go directly to their offices and acquire relatively good cash after graduation. On the other hand, momentary BPO employments considered stepping stone jobs, are eating up a great number of potentials who could have reversed the political scenario of the Philippines. There are a good number of alumni who have made it to high-ranking seats in the Congress or Malacañang or Supreme Court; however, a good number has as well been allegedly involved in grand-scale corruptions and other crimes. Hence, it is on our shoulders that the elders had planted the hope of seeing efficient and honest and decent leaders in the years to come by.

They have told us to give back. They have told us to give back to the community, to the university, and to the country that have nurtured us. They have told us to give back without holding back. As scholars of the nation, we have an additional responsibility of strengthening the hallmark of gratitude to the government and the people who religiously pay their levies.

According to the National Expenditure Program for 2009 in President Arroyo’s speech to the House of Representatives, the allocated budget for the education sector this year is 189.1B Php. The budget for 112 state universities and colleges (SUCs) is only P22.57 billion ($482.06 million). Almost one-third of this will go to the University of the Philippines (UP) system. Its population of more than 50, 000 will get P6.7 billion ($143.1 million), the biggest budget among SUCs. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), the largest university in terms of student population will only receive P663.64 million ($14.17 million). It has six campuses, two branches and ten extension campuses serving more than 52,000 students. The Philippine Normal University (PNU), the country’s center for teacher education with its four campuses, will only get P282.32 million ($6.03 million).

That the government is subsidizing a great part of our education, we cannot deny. And to pay them back through public service is a customary imbursement. But any Filipino who is sacrificing a portion of his salary can lay the same claim to us. With or without the tuition hike and all, he continues to do so to help put us through school. His taxes and million others’ taxes have invested in us and enabled us to gain the label of an iskolar ng bayan.

Nobody said that the only way to give back to the nation is to work in government offices and produce communal service. We can be in the academe and infuse what knowledge we have acquired, to aid in the development of a specialization. Research and scientific investigations are the end-destinations of the theses and dissertations we were required to make in college.

But we can be someone else as well. One who could see the flaws of the general public while enjoying fruits of a hard labor. We can be a chemist in a gargantuan pharmacy and discover a new drug. We can be a big-time host of a business process outsourcing firm and spearhead technological advances for third-world countries. We can be filthy rich and a CEO and attract foreign investors to the Philippines. In any case, we can work in any private company and still think about our society.

The Philippine Diaspora has paralyzed our circumstances. Indisputably, we cannot be blamed if we refuse measly pesos when we could be paid the more-than-enough value of our worth overseas. Going to the other side of the fence for greener pastures is not an antonym of giving back. As long as we add to the labor force which drives the economy of this country, we are not less of a nationalist. The problem is not the type of job we opt after graduation but the substantial amount of productivity we render to the country with whatever salary we are earning. Having a job is good. But keeping it is better. Mediocre performance is not just a mar to the premiere university who nested us for years but a slap on the faces of whoever financed our education until we put on our sablays and receive our diplomas.

Multi-tasking – that is what they teach us and what they teach us well in this university. In whatever job we have, we live up to the expectations and ideals of our alma mater. We ought to give our 110% best effort. But we must remain critical and perceptive of the issues around us. Whether we will be richer or poorer after graduation; helping out slum dogs in Manila or picking fruits in Milan, the University of the Philippines expects no less from us. Wherever we are and no matter what we do, in our simplest means, give back.

WHAT ABOUT THEM

Information Technology has made possible trade without barriers and tremendous economic expansions. But isn’t globalization also the main reason why rich countries have become richer and poor countries gone poorer?

You can check your Facebook account even in the wee hours of the morning. But what about those who have not even seen a computer? You can submit a three-page report on World War II in less than an hour with Wikipedia. But what about those whose only sources of information are tattered pages of a book found in the only shelf of their undersized library? You can hear news of Microsoft resolving the problem of how to dispose all those heaps of cash. But what about those homeless children who do not even wear decent clothes on their backs? You can enjoy the benefits of globalization. But what about them?

Take your country for example. Multinational companies use third world countries like the Philippines for their upstream operations. Production sites in Laguna or Davao or Tarlac manufacture their products because labor here is a hundredfold cheaper. Then the finished products are shipped to another company and then to another and another until you see them in retail stores with price tags unimaginable to those factory workers in the Philippines who worked their behinds off for them. You can see AyalaLand stretched out outside UP or Convergys billboards advertising for easy money or IBM hiring another set of IT team. But you can’t see how the rest of the country is clueless of the wonders of the web and left behind not only in terms of real disposable incomes but also in new developments and paradigm shifts. Yes we are struggling to cope with the rising tigers of Asia, where once we were even on top of them. We are seeking for the best investors that could see potential in our resources – to be able to show the world that we could be as industrialized as anyone of them. But can we really do it by leaving behind those who are not apt to learn new technologies and join the flow of innovation?

A nation is most progressive not because of a million computers, but because of a million citizens literate to use them.

business is not life

They say anything can happen in business. With the new trends in IT that pop up like mushrooms ubiquitously, it is, as they say, impossible to think impossible. When we started discussing how business projects could be evaluated, it seems as simple as inputting whatever necessary data you have to have, press some buttons, and then voila! Now you can easily see where the problem lies and more importantly, how to solve it. Whether you use a very, very, very small level of significance to minimize statistical error or you repackage the whole production and service, it makes you fall on your back and quite loosen up because there is an guarantee that at the end of the day, whatever program you use will improve your system somehow.
Why is there is no such thing as a project evaluation for real life scenarios? That it is feasible to get to the bottom of a mistake because there is a ready program to solve it.
Why is there no such thing as a life evaluation to always keep you on track and make you avoid irregularities? That it is determinable when to continue or pause or eventually stop. I don’t believe that life is business. Neither the other way around. Only in one can you use six sigma or TQM or other evaluation measures. In real life, you won’t know if your messing up already until everything crumbles in front of your very eyes.

An Arena of Pinocchios: Assessing Electoral Ads and Media Influence

“Philosophy is the science of wonder”- A.N. Whitehead. True indeed, because in philosophy we are made to think, to question our thought, and to be critical.

It is without doubt that at present, the most pressing issue that we Filipinos should be concerned about is the upcoming election, as it would be one of the most defining in our country’s history. With 10 aspirants vying for the presidency alone, the voters are truly in for a mind-boggling process. Objective reasoning must be employed in choosing a candidate to meet the purpose of the election- which is to select the right person for the job. Of course, many factors should be considered, i.e. political background, morality, wealth, etc. These factors are combined in a single package; a carefully designed description of the politician, which is normally channeled by means of advertisements.

            When we refer to the truth, usually our first notion is that it is something that cannot be contested; an absolute, generally accepted statement. But what if we are presented with the idea that truth is not definite? That it varies from every culture, from every person? That it can be created, altered, and still made to appear to be true? Thus, we will begin to understand that truth is not infallible and certain. What may be true to us is false to another. And the capability to fabricate truth is directly proportional to wealth and power.

This is what  ost of our radical professors point out. How politicians use truth to lie. Honestly, it is quite confusing; a sentence that contradicts the individual meaning of its parts. However, when he gave examples, it started to make sense. According to him, the political ads presented us with 3 things that they want us to perceive as the truth. First, the poor are noble. Second, those who help the poor are noble as well. And third, we can end poverty. Clearly, poverty is the common denominator. It is not wrong that they deliver these messages. What is unacceptable is that they presented only these. As what the quote, “a little knowledge is dangerous” says, these may bring false belief and hope to the people; considering that a majority of our population tend to easily accept a  proposition without first contemplating. Most of us have not even noticed the failure of their ads to show the more important things. If the poor are noble, then why is it that no one said the truth that our country is in poverty? Why is it that the cause of this poverty not mentioned? And why is it that no one has a clear, tangible plan to end this poverty? It is because all of them know that in some way but in varying degrees, each of them is responsible. Poverty has many causes. But in our country, the main culprit is corruption; and they are afraid to be grilled on such subject because no one would be able to deny. Think, on the senatorial level for example. Why would they run for the senate and spend millions of pesos, if not a billion, for a meager salary of 35,000 pesos a month, when a bank manager earns more than that? What they are doing, instead of informing, they push ignorance. We are being impressed with the polished truth, of which, the raw material should have been way substantial.

A detailed look at their advertisements would further support the fact of their cunningness; how they reveal just the tip of the iceberg. First, there is Erap portraying the image pang-masa and that he is same as the poor. Many were actually being fooled by this; not thinking that all his life he hasn’t even had a minute of deprivation. Second, Villar, who brags about his rags to riches story. Yes, I don’t question his epic rise from poverty. But to say that he is where he is now without being unfair to anyone, or has not committed any unethical acts? Shame on him, and to those who believe his words. Third, Dick Gordon, who claims that he, is always there after catastrophes. Shouldn’t we ask him instead, what did he do to prevent those from happening? Fourth is Noynoy, who promises that he would not steal. Let us assume that he would truly keep his word. But then what is the use of him being honest, if he does not have the will to convict those who are not? He should realize that the president is not just the one with unlimited access to the national treasury. Then, there is Bayani Fernando and Binay. Both of them commit to their goal of doing to the whole country, what they did in Metro Manila and Makati respectively. The plan is good, seeing the improvement of these places under their administration. The problem, however, is how will they do it? Metro Manila, especially in Makati, is where the big businesses are. Meaning large taxes are paid to the local government, and thus more money for infrastructures and benefits. While, in a number of provinces, the only source of income is in agriculture. Lastly, there is Gibo Teodoro, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva. The former emphasizing his being a pilot and said that we will fly with him; to where, I have no idea. Then the latter, proclaiming that he is change. Again, no details, as to how it would be done.

It should be what we see is what we get. But with their propaganda? It is what we don’t see is what we get. It seems as if the goal of advertisement now is to modify the truth. It is infuriating to think how they intentionally blur the facts. We are paraded lots of so called truth during campaign. Then these truths vanish after election, the creators of which are expecting that we would forget.  It just shows what these politicians think of the Filipino voters: foolish and unaware.  We should ask ourselves then, are we really what they think we are? Are we idiots? Or are we simply apathetic?

            They say that the responsibility for democracy to work lies on its constituents. Thus, we shouldn’t just be oblivious to what is happening. Nothing will happen if we, the voters, wouldn’t demand for the truth and stand by it. During one forum about 2010 elections that I had attended, a student asked that given all the facts that both the candidates and Comelec has lost their credibility to engage in a clean election, then what will happen to the country. What the moderator answered struck me. He said, “The election process is not the ultimate method for change. If we only depend on it, then nothing would happen”. What we should do instead, amidst all the lies that cloud our judgment, is find our own truth and assert it.

WHAT HAPPENED TO FACEBOOK?

When Mark Zuckerberg invented Facebook, I don't think he ever had pillows on his mind while typing in the codes of the site. I have nothing against it. Now, I have to think twice to agree on that. Whenever I sign in, all I see is a freaking page flooded with leopard pillows or love pillows or pancake pillows or tootsie pillows (whatever they are!). I just don't see the self-fulfillment that these people are experiencing whenever they get to throw back pillows at each other -- virtually. Come on, it's a  waste of time and space for your profile page. Thinking of it, pillow throwing isn't just the one thing annoying at facebook. People go crazy on games about animals and farms and cooking and waiting tables and joining a sorority or whatever. I have a friend who, during the typhoon days in Manila, was worrying about the plants that she would not be able to harvest because the internet connection was out. I have this other friend who constantly talks about ninja saga all day long and how far he has gotten on the game. And another one who even broke up with her boyfriend because somebody else has bought him as a pet in Friends for Sale.
I created my account during the summer of 2008 when my cousin went home from the States. Basically, I just signed up for it because she asked me to and it took me quite some time to get around facebook because none of my friends are using it (the Friendster frenzy was still on that time). Then when almost everybody started talking about it, I also began checking it regularly. Before, it was just a simple exchange of posts on each other's wall. No ridiculous invites from Mafias. No requests to send a heart back. No appeals to deliver a package to someone whose name I haven't even heard of. Now, the goal to keep in touch with friends is defeated. More often than not, people open their facebook pages to: first, check if somebody sent a friend request; second, play and level up; third, stalk someone; the rest, play again and level up.
I don't call this "hard feelings" or "being KJ." I call this "my god, kung anu-ano na lang meron sa facebook." I don't ask you to share my sentiments because aside from the awful games and applications, everything else in facebook I enjoy. Now tell me, don't I deserve the right to ask "What happened to Facebook?" =)

 

i reward my most heartfelt gratitude to my very first follower ever since this blog has started.

many thanks inigo!!

i hate you santa!

hey old fat guy,

if you're reading this, better read between the lines.
last year, you didn't leave me any good. the year before last year, no nice gift either. and the year before last last year, i still hated my present.
hmmmmmpppffffffffff......this year's your last chance!

or else....


you don't even wanna know...


yancie

On That Diamond Mound

I’m not a very athletic person. I rarely watch sports games. I rarely watch games, to be exact. But one day in my life I happened to watch a baseball game. Yes, I’ve seen basketball games, badminton and tennis tournaments, et cetera, but this one’s a bit different. Though it simply was a normal baseball game, something stuck into my head. The principles of playing the game could be applied in real life.
I sat alone on the grass field, a few meters away from the entire baseball diamond. I was actually sitting on a higher ground, where spectators are really supposed to sit on for them to see the action fully. It wasn’t a big game at all. There were only few people watching, mostly children. The players were just two teams of young boys in the neighborhood, finding baseball as a way to get out of being idle. Nobody cheers for them. The children are only there to watch the game and see the action. I was there just to let time pass by.
Then I put myself into the shoes of the player. There I was, seeing the diamond mound in the player’s view. I was overwhelmed by what I am seeing. From this view I noticed how large it is. It must be really glorious to make a homerun. Someone patted on my shoulder. "What’s wrong?" another player asked me. "Uh. Nothing. It’s just that it looked a lot bigger here." I said, in a full voice of a boy. "Yes it is. But it doesn’t matter. We can make homeruns in every diamond, whatever their size is." He replied. I was struck. He spoke like no other carefree boy who usually run around and play with all their might. But I don’t know. He is maybe just too enthusiastic about the game. Maybe this is the game of his life. Maybe this is the game of their lives, of our lives, of my life.
Several players have batted before my turn. I observed them well. First, you have to prepare, or probably make a good stretch and do the right pose to be direct with the ball that is to be thrown. If you strike it too far, a homerun is possible. All you need for that is not luck, but strength, since the bat is amazingly heavy. You have to carry the bat well. Actually, it seems like you have to be one with the bat. It’s what they call coordination. I say it’s collecting you altogether.
When it’s a good strike, seize the day. Take the opportunity to run through the bases. When you’re caught, there’s always another chance. Being caught twice is a now-or-never situation. To be safe and successful, you can only be caught once. Nevertheless, you have to run and complete the diamond before the time runs out, that is the time used by the other team to retrieve the ball. If you reached the goal once, you can actually reach it again and again. We can achieve our dreams again and again until we cease to dream. The strategy here is to create a good strike and seize the opportunity.
I was then again back into where I sat. It was a good game after all. They lay on their backs laughing happily. And I was happy too, because in that moment, I learned something. Just looking at children play on the diamond mound gave me a lesson.

Losing Thoughts

If there ever was a reason why there are good writers, that reason could be attributed to their nonstop supply of thoughts. I am currently blank. I don’t know what to post about. Maybe it is because I’m too tired or something. But I just can’t think of anything significant. There’s just simply nothing I can tackle about – except my idleness. I am typing offline, so that I could post a big blast of entries when I’m online. Besides, that cuts down the cost of blogging. But by this time, all I need is to think. I need to have thoughts on my mind. And I hope I could catch any.

Jaded Princess

Time goes by so fast, fast enough for me not to notice that I am supposed to be celebrating my birthday by early next month. I don’t feel it. The sensation which happens whenever my big birthday approaches is lacking. This is going to be my first time to spend my birthday without my family around me. Having my family around gives me an assurance that everything’s going to be fine. It’s not that it’s not going to be fine this time. I just feel different. I just don’t feel it approaching.
Maybe it’s because in a home where hundreds of strangers dwell, only very few of them, very very few, will only be the ones to remind me of my upcoming birthday. Not all of my friends and acquaintances knew of my birthday, and I doubt if they even cared at all. For sure they’ll be wishing for blowouts and bonding times but for sure, I’ll be wishing to spend that day with my family, who never asked for blowouts and stuff, since they’re the ones responsible for it. It’s my day. I’m going to do whatever I wanted to and I’m going to ask for everything I wanted to receive.
Less than a week, probably, I’ll be celebrating this supposed-to-be-big birthday of mine. By that day, I’d be a princess in the eyes of my friends. I would be a princess of my own, in a worn-out t-shirt and probably overused jogging pants. I would be a princess with no enough money to make up even a small party. I would be a princess, with only my royal friends around to celebrate with me on my birthday. Perhaps I’d also be expecting a call from my family then. I’ll make sure that there’d be no tears. It might be uncontrollably saddening but I just want this different celebration still as happy as it was before.
Nevertheless, my life would never pause at any moment, and I, a princess of my own, shall live it with whatever that’s going to occur, with my head up and both feet on the ground, wearing my magnificent crown.

Homebound

It is finally October and in just a few days, I’ll be making my way back home. It’s been months, and finally I’ll be with my family again, even for just a few weeks. I missed home. I miss that feeling of assurance that envelops me whenever I’m at home. I feel secured. I feel loved. I feel that whenever I’m at home, I will never fall. I love the feeling.
However, the semestral break is too short for me, although it is weeks. Perhaps that period would not be enough to satisfy my longing for my family. Time runs by so fast and in another day I’d be leaving them again, bound to school. But yes, time runs by so fast. In a week or another, I’d be going home again and spend vacations. It just happens. It is what life is.

Downpour

I woke up this morning and looked up at the sky through the window. It was cloudy; grayish clouds dominate the sky, giving out a gloomy atmosphere all over the place. It was cloudy; yet, the sun’s extreme rays never failed to pierce its heat down my skin. But this time it just felt a bit comfortable. Maybe it’s because of the blockage of the clouds.
I was expecting for the rain to come. Everybody else was expecting that to happen too. My instinct never failed me. It rained just after noon. It was not the usual heavy rain, even though the latest typhoon storms on the news programs and on time-to-time weather forecasts. It never rained hard. It was just like a drizzle, only that raindrops were falling from all over. The rainclouds were generously pouring, but they probably took their time slowly pouring it down, just like the overrated saying, "slowly but surely."
When the rain occurs, typical things happen. People quickly open their umbrellas, whether it’s a Fibrella or just some other brand bought at the shopping center. Stray children, those usually collecting bottles - and, yes, they collect your food too, even if you haven’t eaten it yet- start to run and play, carefree despite of what illness the rain could provide them. The jeepneys would be fully filled by then, in an instant. The Toki jeepneys would then be very scarce, or probably endangered, by then.
The rain brings a sort of chaos and gloom. It would be much of a poise-less effort while the rain pours. It would require effort opening and closing an umbrella, making sure no one will be wet because of that umbrella. Even entering a jeepney in the rain requires effort too, because, of course, you will eventually finish an obstacle of wet upside-down umbrellas from both sides and ending up in the extremities, the seat behind the driver’s where you’ll be responsible for passing bills and coins, to and fro. For most people, the rain is an agony: it will do everything to ensure that you end up wet, no matter how large the circumference of your umbrella is and no matter how covered you are. For other people, usually the sensitive ones, the rain makes them sad. Probably because of the cold weather, the rain gives some people a time of their own, like a time to reflect or ponder, but only of negativities and other gloomy stuff.
However, like for kids, the rain brings joy. As I watched the children play, letting the rain make them wet, I pondered on my last time of doing the same thing. Honestly, I cannot remember it anymore but in doing so, the rain could be festive in a child’s perspective. It signifies freedom for the children, since most mothers would make sure that their children are with them at home and dry, and not "wasting time" and "doing foolishness" out in the downpour. In some places, or in farmlands in particular, the rain is much celebrated because after a hot unproductive drought, it then marks the season of productivity and wealth. The rain, in this perspective, is a blessing usually attributed from God. Then it is no wonder that most agricultural towns celebrate a big feast, whether it is a feast day of a saint or a feast of productivity, just after the rainy season started. Moreover, flowers usually bloom after the rainpour, which probably gives the sensation of happiness.
By this I went to the assumption of the new trend among Filipinos, from being optimistic to being pessimistic. We were being praised for our hospitality and generosity and happy manners, but indeed it was only applicable to the "then" times. In the "now" times, the usual Filipino would be seen without a smile worn on the face, probably burdened by the increasing cost of living and financial insufficiency. Filipinos by this time become too pragmatic and materialistic and merely practical. Surprisingly, it all started when Filipinos were educated and thought to be this liberal, thoughts opened to the possibility of failures. Indeed, no one’s to blame for this. We don’t have to blame. Blaming is only for losers. All we need to do is to change our ways.
I wish every one of us could have read books about being happy and stuff, like Andrew Matthew’s book and the Chicken Soup for The Soul series for example. By then we would find a brighter side to every flaw. By then the possibility of failures would dramatically decrease and all of us would be like children playing in the rain, without any care to whatever bad thing that may occur.
Then I lie still awake at night, listening to the sound of dripping and the faint drizzle outside my room. By this time I don’t want to have any care about whatever bad could happen. I wanna live a positive life, by starting to think positive. As what it was said to be, life is easy and carefree.

Blackout

Blackout, in medicine, is defined to be a temporary loss of consciousness, sight, or memory. Are blackouts already disturbing to our health? I don’t know. I haven’t come across with any article concerned on answering this question yet. But perhaps, it could be something to be alarmed of. Just this day, the blackout occurred to me twice. The first one happened after I suddenly stood up from lying on the bed this morning. I woke up and stood up immediately. Then I was dizzy. Droplets of cold sweat started to form on the surface of my skin. My sight was temporarily lost. I could only see a black background with little colorful dots clustering together like tiny peculiar galaxies. I hurried to have a seat. As I did, the sensation finally left me, leaving only the cold sweat and adding a headache. The second one occurred when I was simply sitting down. I suddenly stood up, and the same thing happened. I don’t know why things like this have to happen but perhaps they are due to sudden movements. I don’t know. Nevertheless, I have to be safer than ever.

Death

A while ago I was thinking about death. I haven’t seen someone die yet. And rarely had I seen dead people, mostly on television. I wonder how I will die. Just like anyone else, I wanted to die peacefully. If I wouldn’t die in sleep, I want to at least die in a memorable way. But I wish not to know how. Besides, it is mere nonsense to wish for a memorable death. People can say that they will never forget you after you die or so but there are really those forgetful people who wouldn’t even care. What I’m trying to say is that the world would not stop however dramatic a death of someone is. Yes, each one of us is special. But this peculiar equality never brought us above any other else. The world will keep on moving until its death. Nobody can move mountains. Nobody can make the world stop. It is just that people in reality simply die. Time will still pass by then. Everything is going to pass by then. So as long as I still am able to breathe and live, I’d take the opportunity before the opportunity takes me away.

Me, Myself and I

At some point in my life, I almost believed that experience was the worst teacher. They have to give the test first before the lesson.

I am really an outgoing person. Every place that I had been to, has taught me a thing or two on how to deal with my life. Especially during my high school years, the school sends student participants in a myriad of leadership trainings, competitions, and various symposia on different topics. This has allowed me to grow as an independent individual who can take good care of herself better than some wasted grown-ups out there. Hard situations had been able to get the most out of my critical thinking.

I live a simple life. For me, it is all getting your priorities done. Maybe, that is why I can finish all my school works, and still manage to enjoy some extra-curricular activities. It is just simple. Know which things are important and which things are urgent. The only thing we haven’t run out of is time. Having plenty of it, I have learned to manage it so I would not find it hard to fit everything in a small area.

My leadership potentials have been also inculcated in my mind and acted upon through the various events that we were holding way back in high school. But I learned as well the value of temperance and self-discipline. Hence, I never work a one-man team. I am a people person and everyone’s suggestion is always worth to be presented to make the outcome better.

Moreover, I am well versed on how to deal with my own interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. Yes I am a woman but I am a vision-maker as well. I follow my dreams wherever they may take me. Sometimes, the world seems to be a labyrinth where I fear of stepping in because I am afraid of not getting out. In circumstances like this, it is better to stick to your instincts and experience indeed will help you be stronger, in heart and in mind. Nobody said that it would be easy. They all said it was worth it.

However, I am not optimistic on ALL things. To the smallest possibility there is, the paradox of life still holds true in some unavoidable situations. Right on, everybody wants to live a long life, but nobody wants to get old; everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die; and nobody seems to realize that in our life’s journey, no one has ever reached the finish line alive. These instances conversely are not considered waving the white flag, but rather as a way of looking at the picture from another angle. There is always another prospective if I think outside the box.

Me, myself, and I. My strengths and weaknesses enabled me to be the person I am now. Anything I perceive and I choose to believe defines my individuality – a persona different from all other. All the people behind me, ready to catch me whenever I fall; those beside me, who takes in the risks as much as I can; and those in front of me, leading the way and exemplifying the role, are as well definitions of whom am I. The knowledge I have, and will be acquiring in school or at the workplace some years from now, are my sole weapons that experience has provided me in order to live life to the fullest and create my own destiny. Now, who would not believe that experience is the best teacher?

Life's Tactics

David Letterman said in one of his shows, “There is no other business like show business; but there is another business called accounting.”

When I was six or seven, I used to tell everyone who asked that I wanted to be a doctor someday. During the class Tell-and-Show, there were about ten of us who fancied for a paediatrics career (though all we knew then was that pedias take care of children like us). It was rather stereotype for every schoolgirl or schoolboy to dream of being a doctor or teacher or fireman or pilot once in his or her young and innocent stage of life.

After ten stressful years was a different story. When I was in my last year in grade school, I withdrew my slot in one of the high schools that I took entrance exam in and passed. They had this contract where you would agree to take up just the science-related courses in college. So the next day after I enrolled in them, my mom and dad enrolled me in a different high school.

I visualized that particular crossroad in my life as somehow a progress in maturity and self-knowledge. I had no idea whatsoever of the course that I was planning to take up four years after, but I’m definitely sure it wasn’t going to be a science course. I like science. I like it but there’s nothing for me beyond my liking it. I know I was set for a different path.

As I grew older, I grew up as well. And that was what opened my eyes to the reality that we are struggling for. In this juncture, I was certain I am not taking care of little kids’ illnesses some years gone. I won’t be but of course, somebody else will. By this time, I have developed a certain inclination in math that I want to nourish more and more each day. I thought maybe this special penchant in numbers would help me decide on which profession do I see myself someday. But that was never an easy decision to make. During high school when I was filling out my application forms for various universities, my life was like a bowl of spaghetti where I did not know where it started and where would I end up. Every datum was filled out and organized except for absolutely one thing – my course!

Now, let’s talk business. So, why would thousands of UPCAters and shifters from other colleges and campuses vie for those limited slots in BAA? Is it letter A-it is hitting two birds with a single stone (double major)? Is it letter B-it is the perfect way to challenge your aptitude in taking entrance tests (it is a triple quota course)? Is it letter C-it is by nature spontaneous to you to be good in marketing and accounting (oohh!)? Or is it letter D-all of the above (hey presto!)? Honestly, I never knew any of these until I got here and everybody was talking about it. And as one of those few people to grab this slot, I was indeed overwhelmed by these things. And as an initial reaction, there was a certain pride in myself that I was able to mix a little bit of those A, B, and C.

I took the chance and got the opportunity. But this is more than just for me. As soon as possible, I want to help in the family’s finances in the midst of this tight scenario in the Philippine economy. More so, I want to be a component of that persuasive change in the perception of our market and how money circulates in our country today. I want to advertise and be heard. I want to show my dexterity and be seen as an expert in something. I want to help other people in the matters suitable for my job. I want to be that somebody and that is why I am here.

One of the leading innovators in the business industry, Henry Ford, once quoted, “Someday the ethics of business will be universally recognized, and in that day business will be seen to be the oldest and most useful of all professions.” Hear hear, I strongly agree. The University of the Philippines is indeed motivated to produce individuals who set trends and not just follow them and the College of Business Administration is undeniably ardent to fabricate that zeal.

The Procrastinator's Creed

What I smartly believe that “smart” people do not. Read and lo! More than half of them is true. You’ll see. *wink*

The Procrastinator’s Creed

1. I believe that if anything is worth doing, it would have been done already.
2. I shall never move quickly, except to avoid more work or find excuses.
3. I will never rush into a job without a lifetime of consideration.
4. I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.
5. I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my obligations.
6. I truly believe that all deadlines are unreasonable regardless of the amount of time given.
7. I shall never forget that the probability of a miracle, though infinitesimally small, is not exactly zero.
8. If at first I don’t succeed, there is always next year.
9. I shall always decide not to decide, unless of course I decide to change my mind.
10. I shall always begin, start, initiate, take the first step, and/or write the first word, when I get around to it.
11. I obey the law of inverse excuses which demands that the greater the task to be done, the more insignificant the work that must be done prior to beginning the greater task.
12. I know that the work cycle is not plan/start/finish, but is wait/wait/plan.
13. I will never put off until tomorrow, what I can forget about forever.
14. I will become a member of the Ancient Order of Two-Headed Turtles (the Procrastinator’s Society) if they ever get it organized.

Love is NOT Equal to Math

In a linear regression model where the system of this world is the regressand and each one of us is a regressor, sometimes I find the coefficient of my existence indeterminate and my standard of errors infinite. I guess somewhere in this multivariate complex model, I still haven’t found that one single regressor I’m perfectly collinear with. And if time comes that I detect him and we both get transformed, then we’d finally found out that together, our joint existence is in fact highly significant and our joint standard error is substantially small.

Sometimes it just feels like everything’s going into places and everything’s going to be all right with your regressor, but in reality – that is never the case. Mathematical truths they claim transcend all kinds of time. But they situated a simple wrong case that is when they started associating it with love. Because the truth is, in this multivariate complex world, no errorless perfect regressor exists.

I’m not writing this because I’m hurt. I’m writing this because I learned the truth.

The Back Behind My Truth

No one has any idea how much you hate making mistakes, even a tiny one. You camouflage your moods so well behind a sunny face that hardly anyone knows when you’re down. But really, you’re nowhere near as passive as you sometimes seem.

This is what the magazine talks about my zodiac sign. And I don’t see anything wrong on thinking on it over. Well? At least it works for some hippie Libras like mwah. Lols! Somehow it’s true, but most of the part is a total no-no to me. Apparently, I encourage myself to laugh at my mistakes (literally!) because it lightens up public humiliation and of course, eases the pain. In fact, I’m the type whom you usually see TOO happy when I’m down. I would never ever want anyone to notice that I’m up with something. It makes me weak when other people notice me differently and eventually think that something (or someone) is bothering me.

If ever I asked you to listen to me while I blurt out what the heck am I feeling inside, that’s basically it. I cry or look weird and all but you’re job for me is to listen. JUST listen. I’m not heeding for any advice. Maybe I just need to let out all these emotions and hard feelings. But thank you you’ve devoted that thirty minutes of your life paying attention to this passive Libra who talks about her problems in the world.

Now, can you see me camouflage my moods or do I need you to listen to me first? That’s how you’ll know me.

xoxoXOxoxo

defining good education

he school has always been the most important means of transferring the wealth of tradition from one generation to the next. This applies today in an even higher degree...for...the family as bearer of tradition and education has become weakened.

Such words form Albert Einstein imposes a great vigor to the worth of an infamous institution. The circumstance at present utters the need for a reliable surrogate that would mold a child into an intellectual icon that the society is running after. A spot in the heart of every Filipino youth dreams a setting of what most people refer to as the home of the crème de le crème. Today, a hundredfold universities lounge all over the country to give birth to the opportunities for the gifted. The program course, facilities, prospects, and the curriculum most especially, bracket together to form a stable foundation that college graduates aspire upon their professional life. They make you grow and get big.

Nevertheless, to whom much is given, much is also expected. There is a colossal challenge that apparently views itself prior to admission in these schools. Accepting the title as a student of a premiere national university compliments the acceptance of a will to make the Alma Mater proud; to adhere to its long-term traditions; to stand its banner and leave lasting marks engraved on its stone of feats and successes. It not easy to comply with these grave demands but it is worth the risk.

The point is to create a childlike desire for recognition and a childlike inclination for an initiative. These schools do not only set a battle ground for the saga of the brains but a purposive pathway for the development of the spirits. Truly intellectual people do not read books but absorb them. They do not simply write solutions but prove formulas. And most importantly, they know that God is a mathematician of the highest order and he used advanced mathematics to crate this universe.

As the adage says, if you're not big enough to lose, you're not big enough to win. So make a wise decision and stay at an avenue where you can learn big.

a TEENy problem

At sixteen I was stupid, confused, insecure, and indecisive. At twenty-five I was wise, self-confident, prepossessing, and assertive. At forty-five I am stupid, confused, insecure, and indecisive. Who would have supposed that maturity is only a short break in adolescence?

The above quotation reveals Jules Feiffer’s insight on the most critical stage in one’s life – adolescence. Experiencing the various pressures loftily hinders the growth of an inside character: anxiety from acquaintances, longing for a family, lack of sense of belonging, confusion, and most prominently, rushed judgments.

The heavy demands of the situation dictate a pace that would later create a painful regret. Plain conversations often lead to complicated arguments. The sudden sprint of emotions is judging an ideal world from an existential ambience. The older we get, the more we yearn for competence. Should we admit it or not, we seldom enforce contingency plans before taking risks on something. When the going gets tough, we simply give up and wait for another opportunity to come pass by. Well, it couldn’t be avoided most of the times because some circumstances need quick responses. But the mere fact that we handle time in the palm of our hands would abolish all reservations and inhibitions when it comes to a sound judgment.

Rushed judgments would not have been a problem if we learn to dance under the rain instead of just waiting for the storm to pass. It is all about experience, our collection of mistakes. We are our own authors and we each possess a book wherein we write our own page everyday. But our pen won’t work every time. So before we write what we think … think! No matter what our age in life is, choices can always be rational. A moral judgment could be decided on other similar situations and the logical consistency might as well manifest.

Choice is the root of any original action. A right decision would result into a variety of possibilities that must be readily recognized to better ourselves. Scuttled verdicts are the worst type of judgments. God placed our brains above our hearts to thoroughly review our dash feelings. If we practice it now, then it would not be a dilemma anymore in the near future. Just like what Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scout movement said, “Be Prepared.” Prepare yourself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that you are never taken by surprise and consequently, you know exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens.

unwritten

Well, welcome to college! This is it. There's no turning back now. The life-determining stage whom everyone loves and fears both. Yet of course i miss my high school life. So allow me to take a last glimpse on the dream I have built on the last four years that have passed by.

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It’s been ten long years now. The last time I saw them was our high school graduation. After throwing our graduation hats up high in the air, we haven’t even heard much from one another. Until today…

I woke up to the hassling noise of my digital alarm clock but was too bothered to get up. Half-awake and half-asleep, I still managed to put on my slippers and started tracking the way to my bathroom. I thought it was a usual day because it started off pretty normal but what I didn’t know – the fun was yet pending. I grabbed the remote control, struggled on the buttons to catch a good channel, and seconds later, my jaw just dropped. Who would have thought that our dearest Dennes is now an endorser of a famous briefline? Oh my God! The timid little boy has grown up to be the next metro sexual hunk. I almost dropped the glass I was holding that time. And if it wasn’t shocking enough, guess who created the design for the said clothing line? The brand is none other than “BUDAHHHHH,” created by the world-celebrated designer and fashion stylist Daryll. He also a fashion icon when it comes to couture, swimwear, day dresses, and avant-garde looks.

They indeed have accomplished much but it weren’t only them. Browsing on the other channels, some of us have gone international. Some even conquered Hollywood; Balans is now the power forward of Phoenix Suns, Keno is now the head choreographer of Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown while Eden is the head make-up artist of the daughters of Brad Pitt and Angie Jolie. And going into health and lifestyle, Jarvey is now the fitness guru of Hulk Hogan, John Cena, and The Rock. Whoew! Well, in the local buzz, Jory captured the hearts of the whole country as he stars in the biggest movie hit of the year – My BIG Love Part 4. By the way, Mitchelle produced that film under Newton Films. I thought the cable has gone wild but this is really newsflash!

Because of the diversity in his voice and the ability to change it into various personae, Jove is now the dabber of the hundreds of pocket monsters in the Pinoy version of Pokemon, sound director of Pinoy version Princess Hours, and translator of scripts in Hana Kimi. The ever emolicious Emman also has soared in his career upon winning the Outstanding VJ for 2018. He hosts MTV on Mondays and Wednesdays; Channel V on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays; and MYX on Tuesdays and Fridays. Woohooh! Another click on the remote and I saw a familiar face. It took a couple of minutes before realizing that it was Mau and Maiah, the new anchors of CNN. They are announcing the winners of the recently held Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Universe– Joyce, Leigh, and Reysa respectively. Great work everyone.

I was so overwhelmed (in a good way of course!) by all these superb accomplishments of my friends way back in high school. I decided to turn off the TV and proceed to the restaurant of the hotel to grab something to eat. The Capelli d’ Angelo ala Carbonara was mouth-watering so I anticipated to meet the head chef. Would you believe that it was our own Aron? From him, I’ve also learned that Daniel was the restaurateur and owner of that hotel I’m staying at and if that’s not enough yet, his good friend Jesusa, now a famous interior designer, organized his place. Another wow! When I get to the Audio-Visual room, I asked the butler who would be performing. To my astonishment, two of the country’s soul performers will be rendering high-profile music on their latest albums: Florencio is now the most popular balladeer and GJ of course is the head vocalist of his own band which got the Most Viewed award in Youtube for 730 consecutive days. Before I went of the building, I spotted another familiar face leading a group in the conference room near the lobby. Oh yes, how I could forget! The shy Anamae is now the president of GABRIELA. You go girl!

I headed to the airport for my flight and I met an acquaintance before boarding the plane. I’ve learned that my former classmates Carl and MJ were the head architect and engineer of the largest airfield port in the country. And next month, they will again team up to create the tallest academic building in Asia which is to be built in Taiwan. Big-time huh?! Lols. Inside the plane, the flight attendant was making her usual walk along the aisle then she stopped in front of my seat. Oh my God, I almost shouted inside the plane when I realized that it was Analyn. From her, I learned that Glen (now also a pilot of one of the Thunderbirds in the U.S. Air Force) was driving the plane and on the other lane, Keh is the pilot for the newest and largest airbus in the world which Marlu had designed. She then offered me the snack and then I nearly choked when she said that Ate Jane has put up a multinational company manufacturing the best cheese sticks in the world. This time, it already has different flavors to choose from: pimiento, nacho, cheddar, camembert, Roquefort, mozzarella, and havarti. Cool, eh? (That’s why it tastes familiar, lols.)

Talking about profession, the heck of them dived into the noblest jobs in the world! Samae is now the directress of an international school where Czarina is the speech teacher. According to Apil, their school is actually sending the youngest delegate for an international oratorical contest and she is the head coach of the young genius - the only daughter of a world-renowned author of winning novels and a head animator for Pixar and Warner Bros. Clueless? Oh c’mon. Give up now? Well, it’s Evangel and Lee. Yes, they’re now happily married for three years. (Sshhh…because of the heartbreak and deep frustration, Fatima entered the monastery and became the youngest nun. Poor Imang! But then she realized the world isn’t over without Banjel so she got out of the sisterhood and put up her own boutique. It was an astonishing anime store that sells various costumes inspired by anime characters themselves. Awesome! lols) By the way, the school also hosts a symposium on Children Rights and Issues and Atty. Micah is the keynote speaker. According to Samae, they got her because she never lost a case and of course because of her astounding performance in the defense arena.

As I was strolling along the busy avenue, my eyes were nailed at this humongous billboard which features the new whitening product of Unilever. Okay. Oh wait, here’s the catch. Robert was the resident chemist of the company who invented the formula for this wonder instant whitening lotion. Nice one Bert! I was about to continue walking when something really bothered me. What was that in that picture that I couldn’t take my eyes off. Darn it, I finally got it! I had about twenty “Oh my God’s” thinking that our dearest Ace endorses this whitening product. With him is of course the ever flawless Julie now endorsing a tanning lotion also created by Bert. For once I thought the world has gone so crazy but I think this is just the start of the changes. I may not be used to it before but this is the real situation now and I have to deal with it.

I was waiting for my ride at this newsstand and then I just found myself suddenly grabbing this copy of Time magazine where Patty was the cover girl. She is now a philanthropist, offering scholarships and job opportunities to thousands of Filipinos inside and out of the country. The shot was taken by Chano and who would have that this smarty pants before is a world-renowned photographer now. Moreover, I have browsed the pages and learned that he was about to market his new documentary featuring none other than his schoolmates! He made a film out of the pictures he took from his batch mates way back in 2008. Nice one dude. And not only that, the Global section of the manuscript featured the Most Outstanding Ambassador of the Philippines who have chosen to work on a very faraway place which is almost impossible to track on the globe. She has helped many “kababayans” there who are also sacrificing to generate income for families in the Philippines. Another hint? Oh yes, it’s Faye and Faye it is!

Finally, my ride came to pick me up. It was a quite long ride to the beach so the chauffer offered some entertainment by providing a Mac Notebook. I guess my wonders are done but I am so darn wrong. The ever technical committee Gani is now working for Macintosh and is soon-to-be the executive vice-president of this techie company. Browsing on the Internet, I found out that Alyanna is now a title holder in the Guinness Book for most number of hot chilies eaten. The hot babe is now the new “Sili Queen” of the region and of the world. (Take note: her record is thrice as much as the previous title holder and nobody comes even close among her competitors!) What is more is the first astronaut to circle the orbit of Neptune. A woman. A Filipina. A BriScian. It is Maquel ladies and gents. Also, the introverted but mostly bashful Hylene has won a year supply of WOW Magic Sing after being chosen as the next model for the tourism ads in the television and radios. But it’s not only Hy who was offered such a great deal in the music industry, Bmae is now the head conductor of a marching band in a famous university and is also inspired by her many compositions. Her lyre rendition at the Staples Center was the musical accompaniment in the singing of “Lupang Hinirang” during the final match of Pacman.

I was even more shocked that many of my friends have entered politics. Mitch is the first woman PMAer from the country to be offered a scholarship at WestPoint, the site of the U.S. Military Academy. No later was she hired as the chief security officer of the newly elected President of America – Eljohn! Meanwhile in the country, Kentai is appointed as new Defense secretary after seven years in the Department of Budget and Management. (Newsflash! His wife is taking over the office in the Finance Department as its new secretary as well. Money-wise, the couple has survived a lot of issues and scandals that try to ruined the standing of our economy in the global market.) And oh by the way, Eljohn is meeting with the RP president for an Economic Conference in Kuwait. Ruiza is established to be such a superb leader after proving to the Filipinos that we are really worth dying for. She initiated boosting up our condition and now, Philippines is a first-world country. Thank you madam president!

Alright, we finally arrived at this magical resort. The place, owned by none other than Che was named the Eighth wonder of the world. Meeting her after almost a decade, we exchanged our hugs and kisses and she treated me to a full-body massage in the resort spa. I got more news from her though while we were chatting! Aubrey according to her is now a very famous comedienne in her own laugh line comedy bar. She indeed enjoys entertaining people with her cranky jokes and smooth punch lines. Zierra is now the chief stenographer of Supreme Federal Tribunal, the Supreme Court of Brazil. Her writing and copying skills impressed most of the American and European countries that she is also available for hiring by other judiciary systems of the world. Sarah Jane is now employed in Area 51, the US site for alien hunting and other paranormal activities. She became expert in foreseeing the future and talking to dead people that forgot to impose their last wills to their families. (Pretty creepy but cool!) Alexa now owns the largest man-made safaris in the world and she opened branches in Africa, Bolivia, and Canada. However, she still advocates protection for endangered species and refuse to kill any of them good work gal!

In the field of sports, Tetma just won 6 gold medals, 8 silvers, and 2 bronzes in the recently held Australian Olympics for equestrian. She and her favorite horse Marimar has won lots of international competitions locally and internationally. Marimar by the way is well taken cared of by its official veterinarian – Paul. And Misha, his wife now is a busy socialite conducting annual dog shows that features the most talented K9’s of theb world. Of course, her hubby is always the judge. Lols! Tin-Tin became a gymnast who also grabbed medals and awards in the Beijing Olympics. Fammy organized the first All-women national basketball team of the country and is the head coach and manager of it.

At the beach, a surfing competition is currently transpiring and a sexy hot lady arrived as the winner. Oh my God, would you believe that it was none other than Sheena. She never fears waves and catches on with them. Now, she is Surfing Babe 2018. Along the beach shore on the other hand, another competition was being held and I saw another familiar challenger who just grabbed the top spot and won the best made sand sculpture in the world – it was Alvie! In addition, Che said that she had recently won other awards in Botswana for creating the best ice sculpture; in New Zealand for creating the best clay sculpture; and in Northern Uganda for the best chalkdust sculpture. Superb!

The cruising ship arrived and there was a big banquet at the deck. The captain of the vessel “Las Olivaria” would be throwing a big party after announcing her engagement. Meeting him surprised every nerve in me because it was Kim. Keep up the good work dude. We’ve talked over some classmates who had rented some of his yachts and according to him, Iwal and Sloth were some of the genuine customers. Lani now owns the widest rice field in the country. She shares her blessings to malnourished children by providing free sacks of rice every week to families of these poor broods. Big heart there, huh? She also is the major supplier of rice porridge, rice cakes, and rice ice cream for the Pope. (Shocks men, they’re tight.) And oh, have you heard of the new international cult “Clandestine?” Matet was the founder of it and now, she is being worshipped by Clandies from USSR, Iceland, Japan, and Antartica. It was even approved by the United Nations because of its super beneficial activities and religious performances that still support Christianity.

The next morning I arrived at my new destination. Yesterday was a very long day and everything I’ve learned about them was learned on that day merely. I remembered those ups and downs with each one of them, the laughter and the tears I had shared with them, and the memories we had woven together through my four fruitful years in high school. And oh by the way, if you ask about me? My life now is my dream. I meet CEOs, sign checks, and travel around the globe. And as much as I am happy for my success now, I am so in high spirits as well for all of them because seeing all of us reach our dreams is the very essence of having friends. Not simply because they offer loan at a much better rate than the bank but they are then ones who made the story of my life, turning every limitations into beautiful privileges. They will always be my oasis, encouraging me to go on. And this relationship will not stop after ten years, not even after twenty or thirty years but will enable me to continue walking serene and happy for the rest of my life.

My phone suddenly rang. It was Mitch actually. “Yah? Hello?” “Mads, our batch will hold its first get-together in December. We’re already planning for it. Everyone’s gonna be there. I’m looking forward to see you soon.” “That’s great; of course I’ll be there. See you in a couple of months?” “Okay, bye for now” “Bye.” And I hang up.

After high school, we never stopped writing the pages of a new chapter. Our books are our own lives. And God gave us the gift of being its authors. Each time a door closes, ten will soon open. Never doubt in what you think you can achieve. Let every opportunity challenge you. And write every experience you take. Create certainty on every page, on every leaf, on every chapter, on every book. And most importantly, never ever forget those people with their little acts that helped inspired to make your dreams big.

No one else can do this for you. Only you can let it in…Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten.