thoughts

EDUCATION IS A BIRTH RIGHT 

“Education is the way to success” a line that is known to each Filipino. In our context education is a step to move forward, to have a good future or lifestyle, it is a hope, key, light and as said our parents and elders “pamanang hindi na nanakaw” in our society education plays an important role “titolado” in the early times is how they call a person who finish his education in tertiary level and they are treated with high respect.

To get educated is a right as provided in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines the state enacted laws to secure and affordable, free and quality education from pre-elementary to college level it also provides subsidy grant for private school students.

To get educated is fun, to go to school is fun, for we meet our classmates and teachers, who became our friends, in school we experience so many things whether it be new or otherwise, but surely it will result to fun.

Amidst this global health emergency brought by the COVID 19 Pandemic and following the declaration of the Philippine President of public health emergency throughout the Philippines and the declaration of state of national calamity many of our routinary activities was force to be done in an alternative way, from face to face work to working remotely, and from face to face classes to online distant learning. All these are new to us, back then it was a privilege to study from home but now are no one did expect that we will experiences this.

Having our class remotely or from at home is not easy, considering that you have to study on your own although we are using flexible modality that there are times we have a synchronous classes via google meet, and in addition the environment around us, the barks of dog, selfish neighbors who play their music at loud and their chats that seems to be one in on the other side of the mountain and so the another, the noise coming from machine works and sometimes you also have to do your household chores. Furthermore, our burden becomes heavier because of the unreliable internet connection and non-stop power interruption, cause of simple light rain and light wind.

Indeed, this experience I have right now for the online distant learning will become unforgettable not just because of the burdens but also for the positivity’s, new and interesting experiences. Online distant learning, gives me the opportunity to enjoy the company of my loved ones which I think this pandemic wants us to realized, and learn to keep in mind that whatever success I had or in whatever circumstances of life I am limited but there is someone above me.

It is a job well done for me as a Political Science student, when I and Kuya Arn acting in our capacity as PSS COMELEC Chairperson and PSS President respectively filed our protest and won against the 4 (four) hours scheme, our field is now for being an activist, but I am not an activist I just know how to voice out and represent my constituents. While having our class remotely, we are also doing are steps to oppose the proposed scheme then. We did it by doing position paper and gathering evidences online and submit it to the university council and board of trustee, following the day after the submission the decision is that the College of Arts and Sciences will remain in the 2 (two) hours scheme. While it is true that not the whole period in the proposed scheme then will be use but considering the length of knowledge process it is quite not logical.

Tita ABAT!!!

College is somewhat stressful, due to the academic pressures that we have, that came from the requirements, failing grades, terror instructors, and toxic environment some may bring to us. For majority of the Filipinos believes that a college degree is a gateway to better and much more progressive life.

I am delighted, to have a circle of friends who’s a good influence and became my serenity and sanctuary in my college journey at the University of the Cordilleras as a Political Science student, they are the once who become my partners as we move to each step to fulfill our degree, to have a meal with, to cry with, to lough with, my partners in preparation to our examination, quiz and other activities and sometimes the one to whom I can give my personal rats in my life.

Dexter John N. Bambalan is among my college friends who’s close to me, quite known for “Tita ABAT”, he is my seatmate. Born on February 7, 2000 in Holy Child Hospital at Urdaneta City and he is a native of Villasis, Pangasinan. He is a consistent honor student during his elementary and high school days who loves mathematics and science subjects, a consistent quiz bee participant and award holder, he choose the GAS strand during his senior high school years in which he became top 6, his senior high school years gives him new challenges and opportunities, among those is on his twelve grade he need to be far from his parents which is quite difficult for him because it is his first time to do so.

Despite of being publicly known as a member of LGBTQ+ community there are objections within his family, yet he has indeed a wonderful family. Despite of his uncertainties he keeps his faith and facing each without fierce for himself and for his family. He believes that the best preparation for tomorrow is creating your future today and to always expect the unexpected.

Dexter plays a great role in the community; he makes the community as extension of the classroom. From being a student leader to an active member of his local community in fact, he participate community challenges during the hard lockdown brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and during the unprecedented times where the Philippines is heavily hit by the typhoons he actively do his part in disseminating reliable information for emergency and other information to help our beloved Kababayan in a form of donation drives.

As a friend quite frankly, Dexter is a good influence he does class activities and other requirements on time, his study habits make me shame of myself. Although there are times where Dexter is not a good role model especially in playing Mobile Legends during class hours.

Fairly, Dexter is exceptional, a jolly friend, not a jolly because he is quite chubby but as energetic and not taking things so serious especially in times of arguments, he maintains the sport mindset and professionalism.

I really enjoy the company of my friend Dexter, and will always have unforgettable experience with him, with words of new pronunciations and definitions. If we will just put our thoughts seriously into writing we will be able to make a dictionary of our own for example the word charotism refers to a creative expression of thoughts in the scope of rationality.

A team with Dexter will always fulfill with happiness and charotism we do make the presentation of reports without any preparation yet we use the power of our charotisim to survive our report and somehow, we always make it and call the report or recitation “well done”. 

Malversation of Public Funds, Serious Dishonesty, Administrative and Criminal cases were filed by the residents of the Municipality of Sual, Pangasinan against their Mayor and 5 other high-ranking public officials.

A 21 pages of complaint were filed before the Ombudsman through online system followed by hard copy, against Mayor Liseldo D.Q. Calugay and 5 other department heads by petitioners: Michael G. Abata, Jay C. Ravara, Rodolfo T. Corpuz Jr., Angelo Bumacod, Jehuh T. Loctonagan, Ariel V. Taboy, Mario P. Verzosa, Jr., Jose Gary S. Vaso at Walter U Sevillena, residents of Municipality of Sual. 5 among the complainants are barangay captains, questioning projects for their barangays amounting to 39.1 Million Pesos that did not manifest.

The complaints were base on the Annual Audit Report of Commission on Audit for the year 2019-2020, showing discrepancy on the disbursement of funds, including the disbursement of vouchers, purchase request and purchase orders.

Which of which?

Information at hand, with the advances of the technology it is no doubt that information can be access by the single touch of our fingers to our phones. Yahoo and Google compiles almost or majority of everything that we need to know, such as news, books, articles, journals, places, events and the like, all you need to do is click then, but now you can also command  by simply saying “hello Siri” or “hello Google” and the information that you need will pop-up.

Which of which? With the information provided by these platforms, making our research simpler rather than going to a traditional and dusty library and consuming our time to look for safely placed book or conducting observation somewhere, laziness comes inn, I admit that search engine platforms like Google provides us information that we need there are times that these information are use not only for personal references but also used as basis in making public stipulations.

There are times that information from internet are used in a classroom setting, well this is our favorite searching tool as students, hence, the information we use from the internet are sometimes causing prejudice in our part because it is quite far from the discussion we have in class. Classroom is a small public set-up where there are instructors or experts and open-minded classmates who can politely advise the one who are being out of the topic.

The Philippines the 1987 Constitution states a provision that public office is a public trust. Critical evaluation of facts is indeed necessary, it is an element, especially in making public announcements or when the one who speaks is an integral part in shaping public opinion. Public relations should possess the characteristics of integrity and modesty to uphold respect. It is the duty of the public relation that what is about to be delivered to the public are all facts and certified true, nonetheless there are no rooms for opinions or mere hearsay.

Making an official statement is not easy it comes with accountability, no matter how favorable or not the topics is, public relation should always consider the general welfare of the public, for this is the right of the citizenry to information.

Now, for the audience perspective. We should be much more careful in what information we rely on, it is our duty to become practical and conscious in what is happing around as we cannot deny that there are few who are using the advantages of technology in promoting disturbance, violence and any other unlawful including fake news in which they want to make the public believe of what is not about to or unworthy to believe of.

Life-line

Life is short. I live life to the fullest, be happy, accept, forgive and go on. You only live once so let there be no room for regrets.

On March 11, 2018 my grandfather from my mother side died, the death of my grandfather is an eyeopener to me, making me regret of many things in life especially to these matters: time and priority, a regret to the highest level. I live my life to the fullest enjoying hangouts with friends travel everywhere, I go out with friends and some strangers all was done by my means, the hardest regret then is that there are times where we pass by to my grandfather’s house without even dropping, or steeping out of the car to say the words “how are you?” knowing that he is then seven years suffering from prostate complication, I didn’t bother then, then the time comes that we never had a chance to speak to him anymore. At last realization hits.

Life truly mysterious, it is full of challenges that will make us stronger challenges that will become a stepping stone to us to achieve our very best, it is full of ups and down and these ups and down are the indication of our life that there is a chance to look forward and a tomorrow of sunrise. Challenges comes with suffering, suffering that can do two ways to make you or break you.

Don’t rush, if you are challenge take that challenge, it is an opportunity for you to grow. Keep in mind the analogy of airplane take-off and landing, as we board the plane everything is already set, the time, aircraft, gate and the seat all you have to do is wait until you board you don’t have to rush for your place is already reserved for you.

A chance to live is a blessing and or a privilege from the one who’s higher than us, we do not when will it last it is and will never be in our control.  

With the current situation brought by the COVID-19 Pandemic unprecedented challenges, and some experiences that challenge me I would like to make a reminder to all of us, to live life in happiness, a life without regrets, regrets of words left unsaid and of deeds left undone. Have time with your family show or express your love and care for them, extended it to those of have heart for you those who never forget you no matter what. Learn to give, respect, forgive, surrender and love.

We are limited, as human being and with our ability and the aid of technology it seems that miracle is no longer miracle, then the man was able to step in the moon, hence, the hard truth is despite of all human achievements we are limited, surrender our limitations to the higher being, the one to whom we should entrust the rest or are limitations keep hope and hold-on to your faith.

New Normal

Do you have a social media account? How many social media accounts do you have? Is that Facebook? Instagram? Snapchat? Twitter? YouTube? How many hours do you expend browsing such?

Social media is a new normal, since the emergence of computer era technology become advance and continuous to innovate. From hard touch and heavy components of technology, now soft touch and slimmer. From telephone to mobile phone, from keypad to touch screen, from simple text to with emoji and emoticons, from simple call to videocall and now teleconferencing. This is new normal, fast changing.

It is a good thing that social media comes into our life, communication gets easier than before. A message then took days or longer before the receiver can read it. More or less a decade ago official papers or documents are received via fox, courier or personal now we have email, some can also be sent through attachments. Real time news then, can only be heard or watch through radios and television which has the disadvantages, if you are not at home or anywhere else with radios or television you better read the newspaper tomorrow morning. But now we can access news real time by clicking a small icon in your phone as long as you have internet connection.

Now, with all the advantages of technology and the power of social media that is very strong pause and let’s take a look into yourself.

After watching NIH study tracks effects of social media on adolescent brains, I am now questioning myself “are social media really productivity killers?”

I expend almost more than 13 hours a day facing my gadgets, not actually using social media but for other purposes, however, I cannot avoid turning on my computer without opening any tab for social media. While my computer is of and earphone are in place my smartphone is also connected with the wifi, here I can say that if there’s notification on my smartphone I cannot avoid to open it. These are some of the reason why I get delayed with some of my things because of social media. I affirm to the statements on the topic presented in the video.

Majority of my friends and the rest from my generation cannot leave their houses without their phones for us “phone is life” this small gadget leads us to a bigger world, world the older ones might not understand us and so we are. But what is clear to me is that with social media everything has change, the way of life at-large. Interaction of peoples are less personal, literally and figurative.

It is also true that social media causes stress and anxiety to the majority of the younger generation, the reason maybe is that: (1) with the vast information available in the internet it is hard to regulate information which maybe harmful to some; (2) the younger generations are more emotional and less critical thinkers now adays. Personal observation that some of younger generation, younger than us are always making fun of something, line when fun and seriousness should occur are less visible now.

Since 1953 up to the present the colorful history of ABS-CBN is undeniable, the achievement that the institution was able to gain through dedication and hardship. Recognition from various national and international organization and being the biggest broadcasting and communications network or so-called media giant of the Philippines speaks for how did ABS-CBN make its way to success.

In 1972, the declaration of Martial Law, turned the light off for ABS-CBN, but then, after the People Power Revolution it goes back to the service of the Filipino, during the martial law the assertion of the people are “we lost press freedom.” “there was censorship.” and the like signifies that importance of the network. The foundation of the network is challenge and strengthen by time.

With free press comes with the search for truth. However, the guarantee of truth is being restricted if a warning and intimidation is present. For courage to survive it takes a huge risk, even the existence of different media companies sometimes the truth is not directly shown because of fear.

Breaking news! ABS-CBN shutdown, the network went off air last May 5, 2020 after the National Telecommunication Commission issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against the network following the expiration of its legislative franchise last May 4, 2020, amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic where millions of jobs is at risk because of cessation. Nothing more execrable than to announce its own farewell.  

During the legislative hearing for its franchise renewal, the network passed through the hole of the needle as the members of the house exercise legislative inquiry in aid of legislation a step on determining the fate of the network, relevant and irrelevant issues arise from inquiry. The favorable and adverse rulings of court to the issue where ABS-CBN involve, and the pronunciation of other government agencies ensuring the legislative branch that the network did not violate any law, is a direct and visible adherence of the network to rule of law, despite of this facts, emotions and political will goes beyond the acceptable.

Justice come with careful and balance decision, to serve justice facts are weight’s due respect.

Article III Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution states that: No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances. Freedom refers to the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Article XI Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution states that: Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives. The public officials are the representative of the people and the people of the Republic of the Philippines are the sovereign.

July 10, 2020 the House Committee on Legislative Franchise the resolution to deny the ABS-CBN franchise application was adopted with seventy (70) committee members voting in favor of the resolution, eleven (11) against, and with one (1) abstention and two (2) inhibitions the bill was junked, or put into lay on the table, indefinitely.  

What do we have? Rule of law or rule of man? Democracy or democrazy?  

The CORONA-Center of Attention  

When I was a child playing with my wild imagination there are times where I wish I have the supernatural power to stop the clock and make the time freeze live a moment in time in my own world, I grew older and turn to high school and now college there are times also where I pray to have a break or a free time a way to run from this busy world. Now I can say: answered prayer; but this is not what I or all of us ask for, this is too much from the break we ask.

COVID-19 Pandemic, the CORONA-center of all attention. The crown that makes the world stop. As we live in this modern world and with advance technology it is hard to imagine that a catastrophe like the COVID-19 pandemic will come and hit us and will make this busy world stop.

Quarantine is the term use by authorities globally to isolate a person who is possibly infected by the virus, this term is also use to prevent the fast transmission of the virus within community areas and from this perspective another terminology is associated it is the so called lockdown and it refers to the extreme implementation of quarantine measures within the infected area. Under the umbrella of terminologies brought by the COVID-19 pandemic the following terminology and philosophy emerge: social distancing it refers to the prescribe distance of one to another when he is in a public area; sanitization refers to the obsessive compulsive use of alcohol, sanitizers, disinfectant, and other personal protective equipment not only for those who have means moreover, it requires everyone.

This pandemic does two things first, good and second, bad. Good because during the period where lockdowns or extreme quarantine are impose we are given the opportunity to stay and have time with our families, personally it gives me the opportunity to get know my family deeper and as a consequence I find myself more attach to some and the otherwise to them we’re able to coo for each other, clean the house, make inventories and so on, also I become closer to some of my elementary and high school classmates and friends because they brought me food that I wish to eat while I cannot go out and my parents insist to go to that establishment even they privilege to do so.  Second is bad, with the negative news that I can hear from the televisions and radios and read from social media every now and the infected case of virus in the Philippines goes higher it’s terrifying, lack of mass testing, poor health care system and being out of the priority are more horrible. Many establishments are close temporarily and some comes to the resort of cessation causing unemployment including the repatriations of overseas Filipino workers.

Life is unfair but just to say it is fair. The world is divided, a division between the privilege and unprivileged, division between the challenge and relax and so on.