Jonah Brenda

   Are you looking for a Star Wars themed café? Somewhere to feel the presence of Yoda, Darth Vader, and all the characters of this classic film. Then, the search is over. A cafe located at the ground floor of Ma. Cristina Arcade, Maria Cristina Extension, Kamputhaw, Cebu City (at the back of Vacation Hotel) namely Amidala Cafe is here to satisfy you.

  A unique-themed cafe that started with a pen and a notebook. It was 2013 when the owner started to come up with ideas. Instead of working, he decided to open a business. The concept of the cafe originated from the owner. Originally, the name of the cafe was supposed to be Yoda’s Cafe. Unfortunately, George Lucas, the author of Star Wars, disapproved the idea of the owner to name his cafe after Yoda. Still, he named the cafe after one of character of the film, Queen Padmé Amidala of Naboo.

   The place has actually a limited space that could only accommodate 3 group of customers. Considering the amount of costumers they have it would be nice to think about an expansion. On the contrary, they have a cozy place that would make you feel like you are light years away. The cafe is decorated with Star Wars memorabilia and the wall painted black and white gave justice to its theme.

   The cafe’s force is strong with serving from chillers down to hot drinks. They are also famous for their freak-shakes named after Star Wars characters and elements. According to Ms. Darlene Love, before they were only serving regular frappes, it was out of plan to have these overloaded shakes. It only started when the owner bought a Mason jar mug and started to fill their ordinary shakes with sweets, took a picture and posted it in the cafe’s Facebook page. Surprisingly, a number of customers came the next day. Until then, they decided to put freak-shakes on the menu.

   Being able to try their best-seller Force Choke Milkshake and Wookies Milkshake was the highlight. The drinks were a bit pricey. They offer drinks that ranges from ₱ 99 - ₱ 250 but it was worth the price. The presentation of these overloaded shakes could make you feel hesitant to take a sip and could make you feel the need to lick every part of the glass at the same time. Amidala Cafe’s force is indeed strong.

   Despite the busy hour, the staff was able to give satisfaction to their customers. It was amazing how friendly and welcoming they were. The limited space of the cafe did not limit their ability to accommodate their customers because of the fast service they have.

   Every adolescent would reach the stage of wanting to love and wanting to feel loved. That is why they get more curious and find it interesting to enter a relationship. But, will it bring inspiration or will it only be a distraction to studies?

   With all the pressure and stress gained because of studies, students would be longing for something like happiness and love. They ought to find someone special who would give that kind of feeling to them. A research conducted by Campbell & Oliver (1994) found benefits in having a romantic relationship such as “companionship, feeling of happiness or elation, exclusivity, feeling loved or loving another, intimacy, self-growth and self-understanding, and more positive self-esteem”. These said benefits are the cause of motivation of students to do better in school and improve in their academic performance.

   Romantic relationships may have its ups and downs. Arguments and problems may arise later on. Which may cause the student’s loss of focus and concentration in their studies.

  Spending more time with their partner and paying less attention on school works may lead to distraction. Time management must be taken into consideration to keep the balance of being in a relationship and focusing on studies. Balancing the two is indeed a challenge for a student. According to an article, “Committed Relationships and Schools”, boundaries are to be set to be able to maintain a successful social life while managing school requirements. 

  “Rape is the only crime in which the victim becomes the accused.” - Freda Adler.”

    Rape is an unwanted sexual intercourse. It is an act of someone’s involvement in sexual contact without the other person’s consent. A never-ending debate seemed to arise, questioning who is to be blamed? Who is held responsible for this heinous act? Is the victim at fault, too?

   Currently, we are living in a rape culture. A culture, according to the feminists of United States in the 1970′s, wherein society considers the victim at fault for being sexually abused. The world is so stupid for tolerating this kind of rape culture. Funny how, they blame the victim and quote “boys will be boys” and consider girls asking for it because of the way she dressed or behaved. No one would dare walk down the street and wish to be attacked and be sexually assaulted by someone. 

   Any girl in the world, no matter how old or young, is under the threat of rape. Whether that girl is outdoors or at home, any time of the day or night, a stranger or even someone she knows may come up and rape her. Rape is not only about sex, it is more of the thought of having power over someone.

   Massive bombings, murder, kidnappings and violence. These are only some words that can be related to the fourth-generation warfare which is terrorism. Terrorism poses threat all over the world, having people live in extreme fear and horror that terror attacks may occur any time of the day. But what are the causes of all these terror activities? Are there any solutions to this kind of problem the world is currently facing?

   According to The Religion of Peace (TROP), as of this period of time there were 1,274 Islamic terror attacks in 50 countries, in which 11,774 people were killed and 14,303 injured. Behind all these violence it is obvious that the terrorists’ main goal is not to bring fear to people. There must be some force that may cause their actions. As what US Department of Defense use to define terrorism, “it is the unlawful use of, or threatened use of force or violence against individuals or property to coerce and intimidate government or societies, often to achieve political, religious or ideological objectives.” Terrorists believe that violence is the only effective way to pave the way for change.

   Most terrorists are illiterate, lacking education and knowledge. The reason why most of them are brainwashed and encouraged to engage into rebellion or terrorism. That is why one of the primary solution to end terrorism is education. Educate the people different cultures, religion and beliefs. Education is not enough though. We notice all the actions the government in every country are trying to put through to end terrorism. Unfortunately, none of them has succeeded. Government should eliminate the roots of terrorism, find the black money that may be the main support of all terrorists.

   Technology is what brings people closer to each other. It is a bridge between gaps among individuals. But, why does it seem to bring us further from each other? Are we living in a world where we are alone together?

   Everyday of our lives, we encounter different sets of strangers in the crowd. But, somehow fail to interact with those strangers around us. It is ironic how easier it is for us to communicate with strangers via Facebook, Twitter or whatever social network it may be. And we seem to find difficulties in interacting with people face-to-face.

   Thanks to social networking sites and text messaging, the world has been more connected than ever. But, they are also the reason why people are disconnected outside the online world. “Social networking is eroding our ability to live comfortably offline”, says Massachusetts Institute of Technology social psychologist Sherry Turkle, PhD. 

   People are now fixated with their own gadgets. They are too busy hiding behind their smartphones and creating a virtual world. They do not seem to mind creating a real conversation with the people around them anymore. We are getting used to the illusion of companionship with the absence of intimacy.

   “Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping pain.” It happens when a person can no longer take the pain and feels like the only choice left is to end his life. Yes, suicide is never the answer to any problem. Unfortunately, to some people their only escape is taking away their own life. 

    Suicide continues to be a serious problem around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the 3rd leading cause of death in the world, from ages 15-44, is suicide. What is really the reason a person commits suicide?

    There is no exact answer to this kind of question. There can be a long list of reasons why people commit suicide. No, there is nothing wrong with them, it is just that the brain, just like any organs in the body, get sick too. And when the brain gets too sick for a long period of time, this may lead to suicidal thoughts.

    Well, the most common reason why people attempt suicide is because of depression. But this depression, according to Fredric Nauman M.D., must be accompanied by a sense of hopelessness in order to lead to suicide. A suicidal person tends to exaggerate everything, especially their problems, leading to the thought of giving up and ending their lives. Sometimes, a person feels like his life is not worth living for anymore and the problem he is facing seems to be unsolvable. They commit suicide because they feel like ending their lives equates to ending the pain and struggle.

      An individual does not commit suicide for sympathy. It is more of a call for help. It is another way of saying that there is something wrong. They just want someone to be there for them and notice their agony and pain.

One Friday morning, naghihintay ako ng jeep. May nagstop sa tapat ko at sabi ni manong driver, "Iha, isa pa. Isa pa. Kasya pa yan." At syempre dahil late na ako, sumakay na ako. At nung "nakaupo" na ako, shet na malagket hindi nag-one forth yung pwet ko sa upuan. Paasa ka manong! Titiisin ko nalang kasi akala ko may bababa, pero leche di ko na talaga kaya. Mangiyak-ngiyak na ako nun. Sumasakit na rin yung paa ko. At timing, may jeep na nasa may likod ng jeep na sinasakyan ko, maliit lang yung pasahero. Tingin ako nang tingin kasi gusto ko na talaga bumaba. Kay nung nagstop yung jeep dahil sa red light, bumaba na ako with no second thoughts. Ayun, sumakay ako sa jeep na maluwag ang space.

Lesson learned? Parang love din yun eh. Kung hindi mo na kaya, bakit mo pa ipagsisiksikan ang sarili mo kung may dadating naman na mas magiging komportable ka. Dahil sa jeep, may natutunan ako.