No More Discrimination, please!

"Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for all," this is the theme for this year's International Women's Day Celebration.  This emphasizes that having equal rights and opportunities for everybody is the only way to success.

The most known human rights violation is the gender-based discrimination or simply the discrimination towards women.  This became a huge issue for women around the world because it is an enormous problem.  It became the hindrance for women to achieve their dreams like having a successful career and living a comfortable life.  That's why, it's not a shock for me whenever I hear that women are being condemned, being brutalized and being trash-talked.

I have noticed that mostly men are in higher ranks in businesses as well as in politics.  Until now, men are believed as the only ones that can make a progress or can make a successful career for himself.  I am not offending any man here because I am just stating the obvious--which is belittling women.  I am not saying that it is man's fault but for me it is entirely the wrong beliefs that we are following.

As Japan's Vice President, Mr. Moyo said, "Equal opportunities and equal rights are purely power relationships and power is not simply given away."  It may be hard to change the things that we got used to but we can try to have new beliefs. So, all the women should fight for their rights!!

Changing Earth!!

       What does climate change actually mean?  As the name goes, it is the dramatic change of the earth's atmosphere.  Some may think that it is only due to natural causes but we shouldn't think that way.  Human activities play a huge part in worsening the earth's health.

Continental drift and volcanic eruptions are only a few example of natural causes. Honestly, we are also the ones at fault but not totally, maybe only a little.  I'll mention some human activities that causes climate change.  By continuous burning of fossil fuels, gases such as carbon dioxide is being released in the atmosphere.  Another one is because of our population.  It is a fact that our planet is over populated.  Since there are more humans who release carbon dioxide, our atmosphere is getting ruined little by little.  Even though plants need carbon dioxide to have the photosynthesis process, it can still harm the plants and mostly humans and animals.  Cars and other motor vehicles also release harmful gases.

If we won't put a halt in this problem, we, humans will also be the one to suffer in the future.  We should think of our health first before doing things that can cause harm in our planet.

Sleepless Nights...

       So, where do I actually start?  Hmm, first of all, I became more knowledgeable than ever.  I got to know more about the HTML files in ICT.  Making it makes me excited because it is something new to me.  I found out that there is a huge difference in making the HTML file and Microsoft files.  In Physics, I discovered interesting things.  Since I am not a sporty person, I get bored easily while having our class in Physical Education.  But then, I slowly realized that it is fun and agitating. And of course, o won't forget our mathematics subjects which is Calculus and Analytic Geometry.  In these subjects, I became more knowledgeable since our teachers are really patient in teaching.

      For this grading period, I had a lot of sleepless nights because of the impossible-to-do projects.  Firstly, our project in Analytic Geometry was map-making so we had an Educational Hike Out at Radar Satellite Station in Taleb, Bantay, Ilocos Sur.  For me, it was a DEATHLY hike!  It is one of the most unforgettable projects that I had.  Another one is the projects in ICT and AP where heated arguments among group members were made.  Still, we were able to finish the said projects.  Our role playing in English is also one of our problems right now since we haven't practice.  It is kind of impossible to finish because we don't have enough time to have our practice.  That's not the end of my problems for this grading period.  The last and the hardest one is our project in Research.  We have to finish all the write-ups required because we will have our title defense on October 22.

        Even though I had sleepless nights, I still enjoyed doing such things because I learned a lot.  I faced these problems by staying positive all the time--thinking that every problem has a solution.  I always think that if others can do it, I also can.

      Moving on, I will be more studious so that I can attain higher grades in the future so that I won't disappoint my parents.  There may be problems and probably will have in the future, I will always trust myself and I will always stay positive. 

We Must!!

     Undeniably, the English language is known as the universal language.  Wherever we go, this language is always used as a form of communication.  It is mostly used as the main language as means of international communication.

      The month of October is already here, so the English Olympics is about to start.  The theme for this year's celebration is “Upholding English Proficiency for Communicative Competence”.  It means that we should be proficient in the English language.  This event helps us to be more confident in using the universal language like how confident we are in using our own native language.  It doesn't only help us in being confident but it also helps us in enhancing our skills in writing, speaking and reading the said language.  Since this language is universal, it is a must for each of us to be fluent or just know and understand English. 

      Lately, the Philippines topped the survey and is the only country that attained a score above 7.0 in the annual Business English Index {BEI) proving that Filipino workers are proficient in English and are a big help in increasing the economic growth and business success of our country.  It is a great honor that us, Filipinos, are recognized as fluent English speakers.  This is the outcome of learning the language diligently in school.  It is actually one of the major subjects in every school here in the Philippines.  So, let's start enhancing our English skills.

Let's Start Saving, okay??

     Lack of electricity is known as one of the most serious problems here in our country, the Philippines, especially in Luzon.  Everyday news about this matter is really disappointing.

     Nowadays, it is a fact that everyone is trying to fit in.  When I say "fit in", they try to go with the trend because they don't want to get left behind.  Since we are in the modern days, new technologies are the trend.  Technologies such as high tech gadgets are really popular.  It is undeniable that such gadgets use a lot of energy to function.  Since it is the trend, a lot of people are using it and it causes serious problems.  And as I have mentioned above, we are experiencing lack of electricity because of overusing it.

     So, this month, we are celebrating the National Science Month with the theme, "Scientricity: Energizing Science Clubbers for Sustainable Energy."  For me, the theme means that we should conserve energy so that there will still be a supply for the next generation.  This celebration not only challenges the science clubbers but also each one of us in saving energy.  It helps us realize the importance of energy in our daily life.  In addition, it helps  us to be aware in conserving electricity.  Our school celebrates this by conducting different contests like slogan making and of course the main highlights which are the Science Quiz and Binibini at Ginoong Kalikasan.  For high school students like me, we prefer watching the said pageant because it gives us a different kind of happiness by just witnessing it.

     We can't deny the fact that it is hard to live without electricity.  So, with the presence of this celebration, we get aware of its importance and starting today we should conserve energy more.

A Teacher is a Hero!!

       I know someone that is a walking dictionary, a lot faster than a scientific calculator and a perfect mother.  Want to know who I am talking about?

      Well, it's none other than my adviser, Mrs. Elizabeth Quitoriano — a disciplinarian as she has said when we first met.  Seriously, she is quite the teacher.  She has been teaching for a long time now in Ilocos Sur National High School.  Before, rumors said that she was a complete terror that's we were afraid to meet her.  After sometime, we were able to meet her and I was surprised.  We didn't expect that she was kind.  Really!  The first few days were a little hard getting used to.  It was kind of strange because we weren't expecting it.  Being with her in almost four months, I realized that what I took for her “strictness” was actually concern for our well-being.  Honestly, she is kind of strict but I have learned that she really cares about all of us in class.  Deep in my heart, I know that she is trying her best to prepare us for college.

      Enough with the introduction.  Now, I want to tell you why I consider her as my hero-teacher.  First of all, never once have I seen her get mad, lose patience or make anyone feel bad no matter how nosy and unruly we are.  She really is a supportive mother, a caring sister and a thoughtful friend.  Every time there are competitions that we participate in she always cheers for us.  When we feel sad, she tries her best to make us laugh by cracking jokes.  Yes!  She is funny when it is the right time to be but she gets serious and strict when she knows that it is needed. 

      My teacher is definitely a hero for she always do her best in molding us to become a better person.  So, this month, we are celebrating the World's Teacher Month as a tribute for their hard-work.

I Salute You!

My Father, My Hero!!

     The world’s notion of a hero has changed for the past years.  Before, a hero was beamed as someone who sacrifices his life for his family or for the mankind.  Now, teachers, firemen, policemen, etc. are also beamed as heroes.

     I haven’t seen my father for a year or two.  We call each other and use social networking sites to communicate.  Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.  My father decided to leave us and find a job in another country, Saudi Arabia, in order for him to give us a more comfortable life.  He sacrificed his happiness for our happiness and our welfare.  I feel sad thinking that my father is in a foreign country—living alone, eating alone, watching alone and sleeping alone.  How bitter would it be?  It is indeed hard to picture such scenario because it breaks my heart.

     Even though he feels sad, he always shows us his jolly side.  He talks to us in a cheerful and high-pitched tone that we can’t even determine if he is faking it or not.  It’s not just that, he also helps his family, especially his mother and his siblings.  What I like about my father is that he thinks of others first before he thinks of himself.  That’s why I chose my father as my modern hero.  He is truly a provider, a responsible father, a loving husband, a respectful son and a caring brother.

     We can say that the notion of a hero might change and it possibly will.  If it ever happens, we shouldn’t forget the heroes of our past.  They are the ones who fought for the mankind that’s why we are still alive right now.  Let us not forget the heroes of our past, the present and the heroes of our future.

Tatag ng Wikang Filipino, Lakas ng Pagka-Pilipino!

     On December 30, 1937, former president Manuel L. Quezon established Tagalog as the basis of the national language.  The hardships encountered before it became as the national language was not a joke.  For almost a century, the said language has undergone changes.  It was then called as the Filipino language.

      Each country has their own wealth which differs in culture but language is never forgotten for it is used for communication.  It is a way in expressing ideas and feelings.  As cited a while ago, language is never forgotten.  For example, if a Filipino goes to a different country, he will feel sad because he doesn't know anyone there.  It is a fact that a person feels relieved and comfortable when he is with someone he knows.  There is a feeling of warmness — the warmness given by a family member like love.  No one can deny that if there is good communication, there is a stronger bond between the citizens, strengthening the unity of Filipinos.  The question is that why are there still Filipinos who are not using or worse not even knowing the Filipino language?  Are they ashamed?  It is sad knowing that some still don't understand the word “unity”.  Almost a century have passed when we were freed from the hands of invaders but still no one learned.  How can we say that the Philippines is a unified country if they can't even use our own language?

     Filipino language is a part of our daily life.  If we, Filipinos, are ashamed of our own language, it means that Philippines isn't strong.  A language is being devoured by a foreign language is not stable.  The Philippines can never be called a strong country if the citizens don't do their duty and responsibility in using the national language.  The usage of Filipino language is the real strength of the Filipinos.

  

"Two months over, eight more to go!"

I will be like this!!

        Senior year is said to be the most agitating year in high school life.  Time really flutters so fast.  With two months over for this school year, I already learned and discovered new things.  First of all, I ascertained that making a research work in mathematics is really burdensome.  When I say burdensome, it means you can die without even starting because you need to generate or procure your own predicament to be solved.  I also learned how the internet arouse and who were the Software Pioneers, the Internet Architects and the Philippine Pioneers of internet.  Another thing is that I contrived that writing and making a blog is fun and frankly I find it really tantalizing.

      In two months, I had also faced problems like defiance in CAT (Citizenship Advancement Training), especially in the temporary designations given.  The main ultimatum is that the numerous projects that needs to be done.  Some of my teachers gave our projects a week or two before the exam and I find it annoying since it is hard to review and to make projects at the same time.  Most of our projects now are really bothersome to make since we really need to give our best shot to do it and we are not given enough time to acquit all of it.

        With this kind of defiance, I did my best to overcome all of it.  I abode it as a defiance that will make my life superior.  I always reckon of it positively to bypass stress.  Since I know that reckoning of problems as a problem will make me stressed and depressed so I decided to just go on with the flow of life.

        Moving on, I will do my very best to attain high grades and to make my parents and family proud of me.  Even if there will be defiance, I will always be positive about life and I will trust myself more.

Insight: Third SONA of Aquino

      
       A total of one hundred and nineteen round of applause were given to President Benigno "Noynoy" C. Aquino III last Monday, July 23, 2012 during his one and a half hour speech in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) held at the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

        In the president's speech, he cited the economic gains achieved during his  administration.  The list of the government infrastructures projects, the increase in the budget allotted for the education sector, the modernization of the Philippine military, the increase in tourist arrivals and the success of the energy department in its implementation of the government's rural electrification program were also mentioned.  He also cited the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), promising the distribution of lands to all farmers by 2016. The president lashed out the former president and the mistakes committed by the previous administration and about the impeachment trial.

        During his two years of presidency, I hardly noticed most of his achievements.  Now, after hearing his SONA, I realized that he has done numerous accomplishment for the betterment of our country.  I think that most of us didn't notice these achievements because we are waiting for him to do the things that we want to be done and want to be improved only. Almost all Filipinos are happy and satisfied with the president's leadership and work.

        Honestly, in the beginning I didn't like the president but now, I have seen how good, how persistent and how capable he is in making our country a better one. I have known that he is doing all he can to make progress in the Philippines.

Nutrition Month! :D

        
        Nutrition is what everyone needs since we need to be healthy to live longer.  It's a fact to all of us that every July, we celebrate Nutrition Month.  With this celebration, we get aware of our own health since it helps us to know which food is good for our body and which is not.

        "Pagkain ng Gulay ating Ugaliin. Araw-araw itong Ihain," this is the theme for this year's Nutrition Month celebration.  As mentioned in the theme, we need to eat vegetables everyday.  We, Filipinos eat it almost everyday since there are lots of vegetables here in our country.

        Some, especially young ones hate to eat vegetables since it tastes bad, as they said.  As a solution with the problem that I mentioned, there are lots of way to make others eat vegetables.  For me, the best way is to make it as sweet treats because we know that everyone can't resist sweets.  Vegetables can be made as sweets like candies, cakes, ice creams and smoothies since these foods are eaten most of the time by everyone.

        It's not new for Filipinos to eat vegetables everyday.  By being healthy our body will be stronger. With the help of vegetables, our life will be longer.

Letter to PNoy!

President Benigno "Noynoy" C. Aquino III

Vacunero, Sto. Domingo

Ilocos Sur

July 2, 2012

Dear Mr. President,

        Greetings to you sir!

               I am a fourth year high school student at Ilocos Sur National High School.  I always aspired to write to you.  Now that I am bestowed to do so, I would like to utter some things to you.


        As a student, I really appreciate your exploits.  The exploit that I prefer the most is the K-12 Curriculum which was just implemented lately.  Actually, I thought of advantages and disadvantages of the exploit of yours.  The good thing is that this is a huge remedy to the students.  This is a great advantage for students to have a superior job in the future since they will be more knowledgeable.  It also shows that we can commensurate with other countries.  The disadvantage is that it will add to the expenditures of the parents, especially those who doesn't have stable jobs.

        What I said was my opinion before.  Now, I thought about the exploit deeper.  Although this is useful for our country to progress, it feels like we're just going on with the trend.  I think that the exploit was implemented just to level up with other larger countries.  Another problem is that I heard that the teachers are complaining that they weren't given enough time to train and that they are not yet ready.  For me, if the teachers are not yet ready, I think that this exploit will be a big failure.  It will just add to the problems of our country if ever it will fail.

        Mr. President I know that you are doing your best for our country to progress.  In my opinion, I suggest that the teachers need more time to train for them to be ready.  I hope that before you implemented the said exploit, you should have made sure that everything is perfect.  I honestly think that your plans to improve our country is still ambiguous.  I think that you are not yet ready to do things that will make our country a better one.

        I wish you good health sir and more power.  I am expecting a lot from you Mr. President.  I highly respect you sir.

Respectfully yours,

Maria Johanna Rivera