Before 2012 comes

I don't care much if it's really the end of the world. If the Long Count Calendar of the Ancient Mayans ends on Dec 21 2012 is true. With or without evidence, my apprehensions will not change.    There is no assurance or even insurance with this thing. LOL. I can do nothing about it. But with my life? I can do so many things. 

I will write as many articles as I could.

I will read more as Sir Gabby told me. 

I will eat a lot of pasta, cinnamon breads and apple juice!

I will hug my parents together at the same time! For the first time!

I will sleep less, study more!

I will make up times that I've missed not being with my friends!

I will cry my sadness and laugh of my happiness! 

I will smile to death! 
These are just some but here is the last: 

Lastly, I'm going to party like it's the end of the world with this song: 

About a Fist’s Size

    As the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3:1-15 puts it, there is a time for everything, a time for very affair under the heavens, a time to be born and a time to die, a time to dance and a time to mourn, a time to laugh and a time to weep, a time to love and a time to hate, a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to be silent, and a time to speak. Ladies and gentlemen, now is the time to speak about a treasure, a temple, an earthen vessel, the human body. 

          We will be testing human perspective, how we perceive our bodies through answering this very question: What is the most important body part? 

          Through the years we took guesses and thought of varying answers as true and correct. We never figure out what the answer was. 

          When we were younger, we thought sound was very important to us as humans, so we said: the ears for without this our world will be of silence and nothing more but silence. How could we possibly enjoy the sound of life without ears? Then we soon found out that there are many deaf people so it was wrong. We continued to think. 

          Several years passed before we asked again. Since making our first attempt, we had contemplated the correct answer. So this time we told to ourselves: Hey! It is the sight for it is important to everybody, so it must be our eyes. There are many things in life that our eyes would catch. Yet how could we possibly see the beauty of life without eyes? Indeed, we are learning fast, but the answer is incorrect because there are many people who are blind. 

          Some say it’s the feet. We claim these to be important for without these nothing will bring us to where we want to go- to a destination we longed to be or even to the summit of our dreams. Let us admit it; we often pay attention to our feet thus it is the most neglected part. More so, it is visible that some people don't walk normally, some are on wheel chairs, and some don't even have feet at all. So, how can we say that it is the feet if not all of us can walk along a pavement or a garden? Again, the answer is no. 

          What about the genitals? Didn't God say, "Go forth and multiply."? Isn't it because of the genitals, how humanity came to be? But aren't our genitals the reason why we were banished by God from the Garden of Eden? Isn't it one of the reasons why one of the seven deadly sins, which is Lust, was born? Again, humankind was erroneous.

          Look at this. This is a hand, a multi-fingered extremity located at the end of our arms, a chief organ for physically manipulating the environment, used for grasping a large object and as fine as picking up a small pebble. Unfortunately, some people have deformities with theirs and some, for the worst, born handless. Consider these people. Could they touch the tangible feature of life? Together with us?  No. 

          Stumped again, we continued our quest for knowledge. Over the years, we continued to interrogate ourselves a couple more times and always answer: No, but at least, we are getting smarter as time passes by. 

          Ladies and gentlemen, let’s try to look on our shoulders? Why? Is it important because it can hold our own head? Or because it does the same for a friend or a loved one when they cry? Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life. This part is not a selfish one. It is sympathetic to the pain of others. A close one, but again, this was not what we were searching for.

          What about the mouth? The mouth that we use to eat our favorite mouth-watering foods, tastes our milks and sodas? Talk to the people we love to chat with, face to face, over the phone? But then again, there are mute people. So again, humanity made a mistake.

          Covered by the skull, we have our brains, an important body part controlling the functions of our bodies, including the involuntary functions, like the way we breathe. It stores information. Of importance to geniuses, but what about those who are not gifted with such intelligence? Again, there's no equity, we cannot all walk to the road of the wise. Once again, it is a no.

          After all these years, it was the heart, the heart, which governs all of our body parts. Our ears, when we want to listen, or not to listen. Our eyes when we want to see something, anything, or not to see at all. Our mouth, when we want to say something nice, or scream out profanities. Our feet when we want to go somewhere, or just laze about. Our hands when we want to hold someone, to not let them go, or when we point fingers and push someone away. Our shoulders when we let someone lean on it, or shrug it to ignore someone. Our mind, when we use it for the benefit of someone or oneself, or to harm someone or ourselves. 

          The heart hears what the other heart says. It can see what is invisible to the eyes. Heart can say what the mouth can't utter. A heart leads us to where feet can't cross. Our heart touches what hands can't. Our hearts can understand freely more than the mind can. Above all, our heart feels emotions what can other parts can't- love. 

On Student Council Election

On March 11, the Colegio shall be having the Student Council Election 2011. The current officers will be stepping down from their positions after 10 months of showing the kind of governing skills they have - diplomacy, honesty, and passion for leadership. The Letranites will decide again whom to choose to lead for the next school year. 

Every year, Letranites elect its new set of officers for the Letran Student Council to represent the student body. Their main objective is student governance. Furthermore, it acts as the umbrella organization covering all of the Recognized Student Organizations (RSO’s).

But what does an election concern about? Two things. 

First, an election must be clean and just, which is a duty of every Letranite to conduct such as we are ardent lovers of truth. Though we study in a modernized school and have had election automation, it didn’t actually lead to clean election. A systematic, fair, and honest election must be observed since this affair will affect our college life as we vote for the candidates that we know can govern us well. 

Just like in reality, Letranites were either coerced to vote for certain candidates or scared away and their ballots used. 

So securing our student numbers is of importance for this serves as our voting IDs. We must not let anyone use them; otherwise our votes will be null and void. Campaigning period was scheduled March 7, giving an ample time for us to decide who's who, and for us to get to know the candidates aiming to be elected in the Student Council. Letranites must disregard those who, while in the voting period, campaigns for their respective candidates. Voting period is the time we decide whom to choose based on the qualities we’ve seen from them.

Second, the candidates: we must look forward for two or more parties voluntarily submitting their selves for candidacy and without being strained by anyone in authority. 

Truly, we have seen qualifications posted all over the campus but if we think further, we will see that these words are incomparable with actions. Some Letranites have the guts, determination, passion, and the effective leadership skills but with the qualification set before hand, it becomes hindrances for them to serve. Letran Student Council’s primary aim is to voice out what Letranites says and because of this fact, we don’t give them a chance to prove so. Skills and knowledge in leadership are of course, the primary criteria for a student-leader to govern the organization well, but these qualities aren't all we need. All we need are students who are sensitive enough to the needs of the studentry. We actually don't need promises because as mature beings in the process of achieving our goals in life, we must be wise enough to be not easily persuaded by unrealistic and impossible promises.

Are we looking now for someone who became a president of one of the RSO’s and didn’t actually manage it properly? To the extent that its members disseminated and the organization, almost dissolved? We must choose leaders who will strive for the betterment of its organization, more so, the student council.

The freedom given to us to vote for the new student-leaders that will represent us in the Student Council has its limits, thus not absolute. Electing the next leaders and choosing the best may be hard. Let's depend on the concrete platforms a candidate proposes and the qualities he/she possess not on mere instincts and falsehoods. We must use this opportunity to voice out what we think is best for ourselves and for the Letranites as a whole.

We will not vote for the sake of ourselves alone but for the whole studentry and institution as well so we must take into considerations the necessary qualities a student-leader must possess. As educated citizens of the country and a truth-loving Letranite, we must strive to elect our next leaders in a clean and peaceful way this March 11.

-end-

Next Stop: Human Zombies!

I was about to open my yahoo mail when I saw this article. I was really exaggerately shouting "Oh my Goshh!!". I told Pinky to look at it. He has no reaction but I suddenly wondered... so what's next? Human Zombies?

 

LiveScience.com livescience.com – Thu Mar 3, 5:45 pm ET

photo taken from: www.guiradian.co.uk

The world just got a little weirder: Scientists have identified four new species of brain-controlling fungi that turn ants into zombies that do the parasite's bidding before it kills them.
Identified from samples collected at two sites in Brazil's tropical rain forest, each of the four species specializes in controlling a different species of carpenter ant.

The original zombie-ant fungus, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, was first identified in 1865, and it seems to exist around the world. [Mind-Controlling Parasites Date Back Millions of Years]
"So we knew, right off the bat, there was a range of other species within that," said study researcher David Hughes, an entomologist at Pennsylvania State University. "I think it will turn out to be in the hundreds."
Once it infects an ant, the fungus uses as-yet-unidentified chemicals to control the ant's behavior, Hughes told LiveScience. It directs the ant to leave its colony (a very un-ant-like thing to do) and bite down on the underside of a leaf — the ant's soon-to-be resting place. Once it is killed by the fungus, the ant remains anchored in place, thanks to its death grip on the leaf.

Ultimately, the fungus produces a long stalk that protrudes from the ant's head, shooting spores out in the hopes of infecting other ants. Two of the four newly discovered species also sprouted smaller stalks elsewhere, including from the victim's feet and lower leg joints – the equivalent of knees.
The spores of the four species also had distinct features and germination processes.

Hughes is concerned that one of the four fungus species, O. camponoti-novogranadensis, may not be around for much longer. During their visits to Brazil, Hughes and his colleagues saw that the high-elevation site where the species was found had become markedly drier and hotter. Hughes attributed the change in conditions at the Parque Estadual de Itacolomi, which is near the World Heritage Site Ouro Preto, to global warming.

The ants can survive this shift in the local climate, but "the fungus can't," he said. "What we think we will see is the extinction event of the fungus we just managed to describe." (Hughes said fungi are essential aquatic organisms living in terrestrial environments, making them extra-sensitive to a drying climate.)

Isn't weird how some people foresee human becoming zombies? And now, soon it will be. Not being exaggerated, but in few years time, these parasites will grow and be stronger enough to control humans. Humans will now see what those featured in horror movies. LOL.

Isn't amazing that scientists unravel this phenomena in our ecosystem? Thank to them.
Keep on reading. Updates are always on the go. :))

Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom! Wake up! It's already February 28! It's your birthday! How old are you? Oh common, say it to me. You don't look that old. Since, today is your birthday I want you to hear this song to you...

Did you like it? My voice won't fit the song, I can't sing it! So I will just give you a tight HUG and a sweet KISS and a loud I LOVE YOU MOM! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I prepared something for you. For you know, I love you, and I love you Mom!

I want you to have this cake. I ordered from especially made for you Mom. I love you. Happy Birthday! Taste it! Isn't sweet? Oh! Get the cherry! Mom! Don't put icing on my face! LOL.

Close your eyes. Touch this. What can you say? I also bought you a gift. I know you have been wishing for what's inside this box. It's a gift of love especially for you Mom! Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! It could have been happier if we're together! 

College Life through Perception

The places that I used to see were just my playgrounds. Every song was a lullaby. The smell was only of milk, colognes and the fragrance of a child under maturity. Seen on my face were purely smiles and laughter caused by the only feeling that I knew, happiness, but that was then…

Everything has changed ever since I stepped to college. The life that I have been percepting became complicated. Complications in money matter and studying shattered my head and tightly gripped to my body, amazingly, in the end, it made a man out of me. College was the reason.

I knew how to handle grace under pressure; seeing that nothing will be accomplished when tarantated or even with tears and getting mad. I experienced it once. Do that! Do this! Right now! I was shouting to all of my members back then. It was our planned seminar and was about to start, however, everything were not yet ready. Grr! The seminar was ruined; started late, received a lot of negative comments, and we didn’t get an exemption. I panicked, got mad to them and them to me, and the worst, I cried. Once yet I learned it well. It didn’t happen again.

Time’s running so why not manage it. I learned how to balance my time, what to prioritize, and when to do leisure things. College taught me how to organize my life. It gave me a clue that I should have a dope book, a calendar on my table, and an alarm clock. College brought up the word ‘priority’ to me, which was the time when something popped out on my mind and suddenly my hands told me to look for its meaning in the dictionary and that! Amidst the busy schedule, I also set time for leisure activities.

I became seriously studious. I read a lot and called myself a ‘ book lover’. I write even more and told myself I’m ‘writer’. With both, my academic performances are good. Still, there’s a case that I got as low as 79. My eyes looked at it as not a red mark but rather an implication that not all time, not all subjects, I’m good. Though I didn’t have any chance to top my class, I still strive harder for college told me that I’ll lose if I stop doing so.

My emotions went stable. I’d become irresponsive when it comes to what they call ‘love’. Having someone to be admired of is as rare as the blue moon for me. I thought that it will be a waste to problem problems for I know what the end will be, a ruined career. Just like what happened to me, we were bankrupt for five months and didn’t know what to do so I stopped going to school. I was so down. Thank God, some people helped me out. That’s a lesson to keep. And also not a care for audacious people; my ears weren’t meant for them so why do I have to listen to what they say? College helped me to figure out when to use specific emotions in an appropriate

Knowing the real meaning of endless camaraderie was also part of the list. I met and tamed new friends. They became my family in the institution, my reason to hang on and do better. With them, I learned the essence of using my mouth in sharing feelings and stuff. They truly define the meaning of having someone to lean on.

In college, not everyone will like you. I proved this right. When I entered college, I never knew that my personality was that good as I see it. I thought I was entertaining. Unfortunately, some found me boring for don’t speak that much, exaggerated for I laugh as hard as I could, and annoying for their own reasons. Stepping into college let me understand that you cannot really please everyone.

Independent, self-reliant, time-conscious, emotionally stable, steady, stout and strong- these are what college released from me, a man of these very words, who was just the opposite of before, percepting life as it is.

"Now, every place is a battlefield and everything is a jewel to win. Every song is now an inspiration. Each second counts as precious as happiness. With the life and its realization given by college, I’ll know more than this, I’ll keep moving forward, I’ll aim high till I reach the paramount of my dreams until I can define again what the gist behind college through my senses."

-end-

Checking English Trivias

Because I love the English language, but not as much for our own language, Filipino, I keep on reading trivia about it. I have memorized some. They are fun to read and very interesting. they will also widen up your vocabulary. Through reading books and surfing the net,I found these: 

• Of all the words in the English language, the word ‘set’ has the most definitions!
• What is called a “French kiss” in the English speaking world is known as an “English kiss” in France.
• “Almost” is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order.
• “Rhythm” is the longest English word without a vowel.
• The word “queue” is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed.
• Uncopyrightable is the longest word with no repeated letters.
• The word checkmate comes from the Persian phrase “Shah Mat”, which means “the king is dead”.
• No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, and purple.
• “Ough” can be pronounced in eight different ways. The following sentence contains them all: “A rough-coated, dough-faced ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough, coughing and hiccoughing thoughtfully.
• The “O” when used as a prefix in Irish surnames means “descendant of.”
• The ZIP in Zip-code stands for “Zoning Improvement Plan.”
• The term “devil’s advocate” comes from the Roman Catholic Church. When deciding if someone should be sainted, a devil’s advocate is always appointed to give an alternative view.
• The word “robot” was created by Karel Capek. It came from Czech/Slovak “robotovat,” which means to work very hard.
• The term “the whole 9 yards” came from W.W.II fighter pilots in the South Pacific. When arming their airplanes on the ground, the .50 caliber machine gun ammo belts measured exactly 27 feet, before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilots fired all their ammo at a target, it got “the whole 9 yards.”
• Switching letters is called spoonerism. For example, saying jag of Flapan, instead of flag of Japan.
• “Underground” is the only word in the English language that begins and ends with the letters “und.”
• “Freelance” comes from a knight whose lance was free for hire, i.e. not pledged to one master.
• “Speak of the Devil” is short for “Speak of the Devil and he shall come”. It was believed that if you spoke about the Devil it would attract his attention. That’s why when your talking about someone and they show up people say “Speak of the Devil”.
• The plastic things non the end of shoelaces are called aglets. 
• ALMOST is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order.
• TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.
• Go is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.
• The shortest English word that contains the letters A, B, C, D, E, and F is feedback.
• The dot over the letter ‘i’ is called a tittle.
• The word checkmate in chess comes from the Persian phrase “Shah Mat,” which means “the king is dead”.
• A sentence that contains all 26 letters of the alphabet is called a pangram, and the most famous is the one typists use to test their keyboards: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog”.
• White trail that a jet plane leaves behind in the sky is called contrail.

source: 

http://onemansblog.com

http://www.knowledgehub.co.in

-end-

An Out of School Youth

Before, I feel sad to those who's in the same age as me for they don't go to school like I do but few weeks later, I feel bad too for myself. We have been scammed led to bankruptcy so I had to stopped studying. It came to the point our electricity and water had been cut-off, we ran out of money to sustain food, and the worst, we all worked for our needs. 


I was absent for 10 days. I heard people were questioning my reason for not going to school. Some were worried that something might had happened to me. Some gave side comments that it was my lost in MMLP. For everyone, these were what happened to me. 


Since the start of the second semester, I felt that my family's financial status was already shaking. It was February this year, that it gone worst. 6th of the month, foresee that I will not be able to go to school on Monday. We had no money even budget for food. Monday came, I woke up early but didn't prepared for school, I was waiting for them to give me my allowance but they didn't. I said OKAY.


I was really hopeful for the next day. One day of absent meant a lot for me: absences on classes, missed quizzes, seat works, and bonding with CAs. Usually, when I wake up early, my breakfast was already set. That's a sign, I don't a breakfast thus I wasn't able to go.


Hopeless, I woke up. It was dark. There were no foods. I was not going to school anymore. I lost faith. and decided for myself that I will work for my living. Since no one's to support I have to do it in Mikee's way. I texted everyone on my phone book for helping me getting a job. I learned stand on my own. 


Then I worked as a waiter in a bar along Magsaysay Drive. For four days, I was a slave of a Chinese Businessman who's rude, cruel, and selfish. I can't seemed to like him but because I have to, I set aside my irritation. A night, I get Php80.00 which was kind of small  for 10 hours of duty. I was only well compensated when there's are T.I.Ps from customers. Some give as low as 20 and some up to a 100. Then I realized, it was hard for people who didn't finish their studies or didn't study at all to land a good job. 


Whatever we have, we give at least 40% as share of each for our home food budget. The only money I had gone through cut-offs so whatever the amount left, I saved. I learned how to work harder, spend less. With just three Php300.00 I went to Cavite, to my aunt. 


On my way, on the bus, I was crying. Thank God there were no more than 10 passengers. I thought of the hard days I've been through. I learned so many things in life. In Cavite, everything seems fine. I had no problem, there was no complications. 


I thought, it was the end of my career in Letran, I was hopeful, I prayed harder. Now I'm back and I'm gonna make the most out of this opportunity! I know I've misses a but I'll catch up. 




*I wish to revise this for clarity. 


-end-

Chaos created Beauty

In the hundred cities of the Philippines Archipelago, one was once called the "Sin City"- Olongapo.

Get dressed. Pack up your things. Bring a map because we will go to Olongapo City. Fasten your seat belts. Start your engine. Are you ready? Go.

There are three ways to get to Olongapo: by air, water and/or land. Olongapo has a modern international airport--Subic Bay International Airport. There are several budget airlines that operate flights to Olongapo City. If you choose to travel by sea; you make take a ferry boat, ship ride or RORO boats that will lead you to the Subic Freeport. If you are not apprehensive by long land journey you may take domestic buses or taxis that are bound to Olongapo City via Subic-Clark-Tarlec Expressway SCTEX or passing through the Layac intersection. Either ways, you'll reach the city.

As you pause for a while, sitting back in your car or just stepped down from a bus, standing, you will feel the ambience that only Olongapo can bring to you. Smell the breeze. You will see what history brought to the city; the phenomenon, places, and people.

Myths says Olongapo before was just a fishing village. It's Leader was known as Apo, well-dedicated in loving his place and a model for citizenry. The name of the city originated from him, Ulo ng Apo!

Changes happened when Americans started to depart. They built bases, they mingled with Olongapenos, and some even stayed for living. Situated in the heart of World War II.

An innocent village became urbanized. Modernization took place but it took sins with it. Romantic places such as restaurants, hotels, motels, beach resorts emerged but along with this was a high rate of prostitution. Casinos rampaged,  gambling became a habit. Crimes including rape, drug addiction, and murder were king, lurking the place into the darkness.

This was the time "Sin City of the Philippines" nicknamed Olongapo. This was history, marked in city, and remembered by the whole citezens of Olongapo. An issue of the past but left hanging questions to some Olongapenos.

It didn't end up here. Olongapenos knew it was wrong so they made a move, and traveled to the right path. They initiated theirselves and created an atmosphere of volunteerism in the city.  The place underwent alterations. Though history remains, the people have changed.

Second asset of the city are the people. Olongapo is being inhabited by hundred thousands of people of different ethnicities and races, different levels of urbanization, and statuses in life. Whether born or not in the city, they consider them selves as Olongapenos.

Whenever youn walk the streets, even if they don't know you, Olongapenos will smile. Saying that you're very much welcome here. Please enjoy your stay. If there's one product of Olongapenos to promote, it's their smile. Amidst everything that happened or still happening, they still manage to smile. In fact, it is more natural than anything else.

Feel them as you get to know Olongapo better. Try to ask them if where you could go. They will say, anywhere the wind blows. LOL. Every corner of the city has attractions to see. With or without money, you could go on, up to the four directions and the nearby Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority(SBMA).

Off to your car. Try riding the color coated jeepnies and tricycle and experience the Manila-like pavements without traffic. Every color corresponds to the place where it will go. Like the blue jeepney, its destination is a place near the blue waters like Barrio Barretto wherein beach resorts are commonly found.

If you want to eat and really in a hurry, there are fast food chains like Jollibee, Mc Donalds, Mang Inasal. Fine Dining? Try Kong's Restaurant, Max's, and a lot more located along Magsaysay and Rizal Drive, the business center of the city.. Or if you want to buy ingredients? Go to wet and dry markets in Pag-asa, Bajac-Bajac, and the Lumang Palengke.

Olongapo will also serve you the finest and latest clothes in shopping malls, divisoria type stores, and the night market open all year long. Night market serves as a theme park for it provides enjoyment through rides, bingo sessions. For physical activities, the city has Track field, bowling center, and gyms. For relaxations? Go to spas, salons, and parks like Marikit. There is also a grotto of Our Lady of Pardon located near the side of Kalaklan Bridge in Barangay Mabayuan, Catholic devoteed, pray and pay homage to the Lord of Pardon at this Sacred Place. See? you have a lot of things to do. 

Got bored? Tired? And hurt by hurt by the sun? Wait till night falls. Olongapo is awake at night! This is what everyone says. When night begins, party music starts to rock the streets, spotlights are seen in the sky, party lights light the night. Party goes on and on everyone night speacially when its Friday and Saturday. Music Lounge, bars, and disco are available. C'mon! Dance the night out.

-end-

Reasons Why is it Cool to be in School

As we wake up each morning, take a bath, eat our breakfasts, pack up things, and prepare ourselves for school, we always bear in mind reasons for doing so. Our reasons why it is cool to be in school.

Allowance! Admit it to ourselves we are after this. Because we are only students, we cannot compensate ourselves, we depend on our parents for money. So what do we do with money? We save it. We spend it for many things. Our allowances make a reason why it's cool to be in school.

We go to school to share what we have in our homes: extreme experiences, new gadgets, new trends, etc. When we do so people say we are cool but some says, we're mayabang. 

Going to school kills time. We make schooling just for leisure. We easily get bored. But in the end we find ourselves enjoying the time, the place, the learnings. Time being in school introduce us to new challenges and that what makes life interesting. 

It is cool to be in school for it offers you a variety of people. In school, we get chances of meeting new friends and taming them to be our best friends. Those teachers who treat us like their won children, we pay them back by doing things that they could be happy. School makes us socialized. 

After four years, isn't cool to call yourself a graduate? Wearing your toga and holding your diploma, we will realize, we go to school for one reason, to be educated. That's all that matters.