When Sin Is More Enjoyable Than God

When someone is asked to name an enjoyable place, most people would probably say malls, bars, gardens, resorts, and etc. Very rare are those people who would say church, or anywhere with God. It is very innate for us to search for enjoyment. But is it really something to be asked where, or is it something that is supposed to be asked with whom? Being a person who once looked for enjoyment, I want to let others know how I found enjoyment in God by defining true enjoyment and comparing and contrasting the enjoyment given by Godly actions with the earthly ones.

They say, "How can God be enjoyable? He just provides us with a bunch of rules."

Why is there a congress and a senate in a state? To provide laws isn't it? Why do they make laws? Is it not because they are tasked to make the country peaceful and orderly? Does the existence of laws make this country a less enjoyable place? A state without a law will simply be a mess. I think this is the same with  God's purpose of providing us laws. It is for His people to have peace and order among themselves. Those laws can never be for God's sake; God does not need anything anymore. It is us who need those laws -wouldn't a place with harmony be enjoyable?  He just prevents us from making decisions that we will regret later in our lives, but still makes us free enough to choose whether we will follow what He wants.

I have always said and felt that true enjoyment cannot be descirbed.
                                                                        -Jean-Jacques Rousseau

I believe that the same with happiness, love, joy and peace, enjoyment is one of the words that can never be described by words itself. However, in this essay, we will try to define enjoyment even in a very general way.
A place of enjoyment is somewhere we take pleasure in; somewhere we are confident, at peace, happy and carefree.

True enough, people find enjoyment in many different places and in many different ways. However, just like any mood or feelings, enjoyment is not something that is likely to be permanent --esp. in this world where change is constant. Now, the critical question is, what's next after that enjoyment? This world can surely provide enjoyment. Happiness in fame and money; the carefree feeling of being drunk and high, the pleasure of adrenaline when we do something rush; and many more. Enjoyment of these things when abused may cause us situations that we may regret in the future. It can be an enjoyment for a short period of time, but can cost a lifetime of consequences; a lifetime of suffering. But we cannot deny that emptiness will always be present in our hearts no matter how we drown ourselves with the pleasures of this world. We are not forever young nor forever healthy to enjoy the things this world offers. As we grow old, we will come to a point when the things in this world won't matter anymore. We will search for that thing that will fill our empty hearts. We will be surprised to know that no matter how gratified we are with with the recreations and luxuries in this world, we will never feel complete because, yes, we are satisfied physically and emotionally, but our being have spiritual needs too. These spiritual pleasures, compared to other delectation we usually desire, gives lifelong enjoyment. Free from the feeling of guilt; free from pain; free from any regret. It is the only pleasure that promises to be eternal. It is an enjoyment that can last forever. How can I say so? Because it is an enjoyment that is beyond this imperfect earth; that can go more than the boundaries of this constantly changing world. It can surpass death and it can be carried after our journey in this life.

I may sound as a world hater, but the truth is, the world is a wonderful place. The only known planet that contains life. What I hate are the sins and the fire that engulfed such a wonderful place.

Will we choose to settle for the short term-enjoyment which will probably give us remorse in the future, it will we aim for the long-term enjoyment which will give us eternal happiness?

Calling for a Strict Implementation of Bag Inspection

                September of last year, a shooting in SM Pampanga happened. It was a murder committed by a 13-year old boy to his ex-lover –a 16-year old boy. The murder was followed immediately by a suicide of the murderer. Based on investigation, everything done was planned by the 13-year old boy. If only the SM management implemented a strict bag inspection, the plan of the boy should not have been successful. Being a consumer and goer in SM malls and other closed establishments, it is bothering to know that people carrying deadly weapons can actually enter a building and stand near innocent people. Not only SM malls but also all the non-residential buildings should strictly implement bag inspection because it will ensure the safety of the people inside an establishment, avoid successful attacks by terrorists, and train people to follow rules.

            People do not want strict bag inspection because they say that it is an invasion of their privacy. I think, although searching a person’s bag is a breach of privacy, if there is a decent reason like possible possession of illegal drugs or things that may threaten the security of the people, it is perfectly fine. Moreover, I think it is not too much for us to sacrifice a small portion of our privacy for the sake of public safety. Besides, if there is nothing one has to hide in his bag, why would it matter if someone checks his belongings?

            Another strong reason why people do not want strict bag inspection is because it will create long lines in the door or gates of the establishments. Yes, it is really a problem, but I think we can do something to make the inspection faster. We can organize our things; pack all items in neat layers, put all the papers in a folder, put the wires in a ziplock or any transparent bag so it does not need to be opened anymore, and etc. By doing those things, we are not only helping the guards to identify our belongings, we are also being more clean and orderly about the things in our bags. Another benefit we can get from the long lines is the willingness and endeavor of the people to arrive early. They will desire to avoid the hassle and tardiness due to the long lines, so they will have a tendency to go to their work or school earlier.

            Bag inspection should be strictly implemented to ensure the safety of the people inside an establishment. Safety is one of the basic needs of a person according to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It is next to food, shelter, clothing and family, so I believe it is one of the things that should be given priority. Through bag inspections, deadly weapons will surely be out of the building, therefore giving more confidence to the people. Alcohol and drugs will also be out of the building so it will prevent unconscious actions of people. It will prevent riots, brawling and etc.

            Strict implementation of bag inspection will also avoid successful attacks by terrorists. Explosive devices often used by the terrorists for mall bombing will not be inside the premises of the establishment because it will be seen immediately even before entering the mall. Whatever attacks they have in mind will not be accomplished because their weapons and paraphernalia will not be inside the establishment. As a result, this will give a good image of the government.

            As they say, if you can be trusted with simple things, you can be also trusted with complicated or big things. Strict implementation of simple rules like this will train the people to follow rules. If they can follow this rule, then most likely, they can follow more complicated rules. People will not bring things that are not supposed to be brought because they know they will only be prohibited to enter the building. It is the same as; people will not do what is wrong according to the law because they know they will only suffer in the end.

            What happened in SM Pampanga is not the first shooting that happened in SM malls. There is a shooting happened on Sept 14, 2011 committed by Shella Macapugay to her husband in SM North EDSA. Another is a shootout happened July 29, 2011 in SM Delgado Mall in Iloilo City which killed a security guard. If not given attention, more incidents like this will probably come about. Less unpleasant incidents will happen if we implement strict bag inspection because weapons will be detected even before it enters the establishment. Moreover, fewer risks will make the people more confident about their country and will encourage more tourists to visit. It will make the Philippines a desirable tourist destination and a pleasant place to stay in. 

References:

www.consumertraveler.com/columns/pack-your-bags-to-avoid-security-hand-inspection-loss/

http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

http://www.theprophecyblog.com/?p=9262

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/61961/another-shooting-incident-in-sm-mall-branch-reported

Pagninilay-nilay tungkol sa Pagsubok ng Personalidad

Marami-rami na rin akong nasagutan na personality tests sa buhay ko at isa na itong gods and goddesses sa mga iyon. Sa mga nasagutan kong tests katulad nito, although natutuwa naman akong magsagot, kadalasan parepareho lang ang mga sinasagot ko at parepareho lang din ang nagiging resulta ng mga test. Hindi dahil tamad ako magsagot, kundi dahil yun lang yung pagkakakilala ko sa sarili ko. Kung ano yung mataas yung score, ‘yun ako. Iyan ang kadalasang sagot ng mga personality tests. Pero iba ang gods and goddesses test lalo na noong nalaman ko ang mga ibig sabihin ng mga resulta tungkol sa mga persona at shadows. Hindi lang pala kung ano ‘yong mataas ang score, yun ako. Pati pala yung mga mabababa may ibig sabihin rin pala sa buhay ko. Sa test na ito, nalaman kong shadow ko si Poseidon. Ako yung taong mahilig magtimpi, tapos maiipon at maiipon lang yung galit hanggang sa sasabog nalang ako bigla. Ako din yung iiyak nalang. Hindi ko itinuturing na kahinaan yung pag-iyak lalo na kung wala naman nakakakita. Kapag masama ang loob ko, iyak lang. Naniniwala kasi ako na sa ganitong paraan, nailalabas ko yung sakit o yung galit nang hindi ako nakakasakit ng tao. Dito sa test na ito ko nalaman yung reason kung bakit napakaiyakin kong tao. Kahit nga masasayang sitwasyon iniiyakan ko eh. Iiyak ako kapaag nalulunod ako sa emosyon, kahit anong emosyon pa ‘yan, saya, lungkot, galit at kung anu-ano pa. Kaya pala ganun kasi yun pala yung nangyayari kapag shadow ko si Poseidon. Hindi ko alam kung tama din ito eh. Pero nagiging maganda yung epekto ng luha sa pakiramdam ko. Nakakabawas sa apaw-apaw na emosyon sa puso ko.

Ayon sa test, shadow ko rin si Ares at narealize ko din naman na tama ito. Ako kasi yung taong hindi komportable sa katawan, puno ng insecurities at laging naghahangad na sana kasing ganda ko si ganito, kasing payat ko si ganyan… ‘Yong laging nagtatanong ng, “Ano bang maganda sakin?” Lagi akong naiinggit at naiinsecure sa magagandang tao. Ang ginagawa ko nalang, sinisikap kong maging maganda yung ugali ko kasi naniniwala ako na kung hindi ako maganda sa panlabas, magiging maganda pa rin ako para sa panigin ng iba kung maganda yung ugali ko. Itong insecurities na ito ang shadow na pinakaalam kong nandito sa puso ko, pero pinakatatago ko naman sa iba. Sobrang hindi ko ‘to sinasabi sa iba kasi nahihiya ako. Feeling ko sasabihin nila na ang babaw ko.

Shadow ko din si Hestia. Nung una nagtataka ako kung bakit kasi gusting gusto ko naman sa bahay, Ang saya ko naman kapag nasa bahay ako. Pero nung nagreflect ako, nalaman ko na figuratively, kaya pala ganun yung result ko kasi ako yung taong ayaw na makukuling lang sa iisang gawi sa buhay. Gusto ko lalabas ako, mag-aadventure at i-eexperience ang mga kung anu-anong bagay. Tapos, at the end of the day, uuwi ako ulit sa bahay na dala yung mga bago kong experiences at doon magpapahinga. Kaya pala masaya ako sa bahay, hindi dahil homemaker ako, kundi dahil sa bahay ako nakakahanap ng kapahingahan matapos ang lahat ng adventures ko sa labas.

Shadow ko din si Hera at dito nagsilabasan yung mga ugali ko sa mga relasyon ko sa mga tao sa buhay ko. Ako yung taong sobrang clingy physically pero nananakit emotionally. Kaya din siguro nahirapan yung past boyfriend ko sakin kasi ang hilig ko maglambing kapag magkasama kami tapos mamaya-maya, yung magtalo lang sa maliit na bagay mabubungangaan ko na siya. Yung salita ko pa naman akala mo kutsilyo. Namana ko ‘yun sa nanay ko. Ilang beses ko ipinangako sa sarili ko na hindi ako magiging katulad ng nanay ko, pero in the end,  ‘yun din pala ang ugaling pinapakita ko. Since nabanggit ko na din yung nanay, shadow ko din si artemis. Hindi ako masyadong mother’s protector. Kapag mag-kaaway nga sila ng tatay ko, kampi ako lagi sa tatay ko. Siguro kasi mas close kami. Kaya persona ko si Athena eh. Pero wag na natin masyado pag-usapan yung persona, focus tayo sa shadow.

Huli kong shadow si Persephone. Hindi ko mareflect hanggang ngayon kung bakit shadow ko siya. Isa naman akong taong sarap na sarap at daling-dali makareceive ng pagmamahal ng iba. Ako ‘yung taong gawan mo lang ng konting nakakatouch na bagay, teary eyed na sa tuwa. Sa kabila ng hindi ko pagkakatanto sa  ibig sabihin ng shadow na ito sa buhay ko, hindi pa rin naman ako sumusuko. Umaasa ako na balang araw makikita ko pa rin ang shadow ni Persephone sa buhay ko.

Habang dinidiscuss ni sir yung mga ibig sabihin ng mga gods and goddesses sa test na ‘yun, lalo ko nakilala ‘yong sarili ko. Lalo ko nalaman kung bakit ganito ‘yung ugali ko at nalaman ko ang mga ugaling maging sa sarili ko ay tago. Kung ano mang problema sa ugali ang natuklasan ko, sisikapin ko itong mabawasan manlang. Masaya ako sa pagsubok na ipinagawa sa amin dahil isang kaligayang maituturing ang makilala at malaman nang lubusan ang kagustuhan ng sarili.

letter to the editor (supposedly for my englcom)

     I am writing with regards to the restriction of operation of bars and clubs near colleges and universities. I agree to the law that has been passed to restrict the activities of such establishments near schools, but I would like to ask for your notice about its implementation. It seems that both the bar and club owners and the government forget the said law. A lot of bars and clubs are now having its operation not far enough the colleges and universities.

     Bars and clubs near a place of matriculation affect the students because such establishments tempt the students to cut classes and do irresponsible deeds. This temptation will drive the students' focus away from their studies which is actually the main purpose of their parents for sending them to school. It is not that we are depriving people from having fun and celebration in bars; we are just trying to tow them away from temptations. Furthermore, this is also to discipline students and help them to balance their studies and carousal. 

     This issue needs to be given attention because it concerns the attitude of the youth which, we all know, is the future of this country. The government should do everything it takes to ensure the productivity of the next generation. Moreover, bars and clubs may provide an environment which give the students an improper condition of mind and body for learning. 

     Hence, the government should be stricter in implementing the said law. It should provide more authorities to look after places around universities and colleges. They should also raise the fine and punishment for the business owners who will violate the passed law. However, they can be allowed to operate as long as they have given enough distance form the colleges. This way, the students will be given the chance to celebrate and have fun in clubs, but not cloe enough to tempt them to relinquish their studies as the worst case scenario.

Ano Ang Kulturang Popular?

Kung noon ay radyo, dyaryo, telebisyon at magasin lang ang ating media para malaman kung anong uso, anong sikat at ano ang popular, sa panahon ngayon, napakamoderno na ng teknolohiya at napakadali na para sa mga tao na makiuso at magpauso sa pamamagitan ng lahat ng uri ng media --lahat ng nabanggit kanina at idinagdag pa ang internet. Bakit ba napakaimportante sa mga tao makasabay sa uso? Ano nga ba talaga ang kulturang popular? Ating alamin kung ano ba talaga ang ibig sabihin ng uso o mas pormal na kilala bilang kulturang popular.

Ang kulturang popular ay masasabi nating isang paraan ng mga tao para maramdaman ang pagtanggap sakanila ng nakararami. Ang pag-ayon sa kulturang popular, ang nagpapadama sa mga tao na tanggap sila sa modernismo dahil ang kulturang popular ay kadalasang nagmumula sa mga modernong produkto ng mga kumpanya at modernong mga bansa. Ang kulturang popular ang kadalasang nagbibigay ng depinisyon kung ano ang maganda at kung ano ang katanggap-tanggap. Ang kulturang popular ay maaaring teknolohiya, pagkain, kasuotan, musika at iba pa. Ito ay ang mga pinagsasama-samang kultura na itinatakda ng makakapangyarihang tao, kumpanya at bansa. Ginagamit ito ng mga ordinaryong tao para maipahayag ang kanilang pagsang-ayon sa isang kultura, pati na rin maipakilala ang kanilang sarili. 

Ngunit bakit nga ba may kulturang popular? San ba ito galing?

May sinasabing anim na dahilan at pinagmumulan ng kulturang popular at ito ang mga:

1. Pangangailangan na itinatakda ng mga negosyante

Ang mga negosyante ay nagbibigay o nagpapakita sa mga tao ng isang pangangailangan. Maaaring ito ay pangangailangan maging maputi, maging diretso ang buhok, magkaroon ng kolorete sa mukha at iba pa para matawag na maganda. Maaari rin namang gamitin ito ng mga negosyante sa mga teknolohiya; natatanim sa utak ng tao na hindi na sila mabubuhay ng wala silang magagandang cellphone, camera, at iba pa. Dahil dito, napipilitan bumili ang mga tao ng mga produktong ginagawa ng mga negosyante para lang matugunan ang pangangailangan na ito. Ang produktong ito ay siya namang nagiging sikat at napapasama sa kulturang popular kinalaunan.

2. Latak

Sinasabi rin naman na ang kulturang popular ay isang latak. Panghalili sa mahal at sa orihinal. Sinasabing nangyayari ito dahil ang masa ay hindi makabili ng mga kustal at kasuotan na mamahalin kaya sila ay nagkakasya na lamang sa pagbili ng mga damit at bag na mura hanggang sa ito na ang maging uso at gamit na ng lahat.

3. Pangmasa o komersyal na kultura

Kaugnay ng sinasabi natin kanina tungkol sa mamahaling mga gamit, ang mga mumurahing gamit ay kadalasang sumasailalim sa maramihang produksyon o mass production. Ang kulturang popular ngayon ay ang mga pagkakaparepareho ng mga kagamitan na nabili ng mga tao sa murang halaga.

4. Ginagawa ng tao

Ito naman ang nagsasabing ang kulturang popular ay ginagawa ng tao --maaaring ng isang sikat na personalidad na nais tularan ng marami. Sa pag-gaya dito ng mga tao, unti-unti itong napupunta sa mainstream. Ito ang tinatawag na pagpapauso. Ito ay maaaring ginagawang pang hanapbuhay, pampasikat o tikis na pang-libangan lamang.

5. Larangan ng gahum

Sinasabi rin naman na ang kulturang popular ay isang ebidensya ng mataas na tingin natin sa isang gahum na bansa. Kung ano ang mga gamit, damit, bag o kung ano man na ginagamit sa kanilang bansa ay ating tinatangkilik dahil ito ang maganda, nakahihigit at nakatataas para sa ating paningin. Sinasabing nakakasama ito para sa ating sariling bansa dahil unti-unti nitong nakikitil ang ating  sariling industriya dahil walang tumatangkilik sa ating sariling mga produkto. Dahil dito, sinasabing mas napapahalagahan natin ang kalinangan at kabihasnan ng iba kaysa sa sarili nating kultura.

6. Pagkalusaw ng mga hangganan

Sa tumitingding globalisasyon at pagkakaugnay-ugnay ng mga kultura at sibilisasyon sa buong mundo, hindi na nagiging hadlang ang distansya ng mga bansa para magkaroon ng iisang kulturang popular. Nawawalan na ng distinksyon ang mataas at mababang kultura, ang sariling kultura, comersyal at popular na kultura. Lahat ng kultura ay nagkakasabay-sabay na ginagamit at nagiging isa.

Ang kulturang popular ay isang kulturang maaaring sabayan at sakyan ng tao. Sa kabilang banda, maaari rin namang tayo rin ang magpa-uso at gumawa ng kulturang ito. Ngunit dapat natin isaisip na  ang kulturang popular ay hindi maiiwasang magbago kaya marapat lang na panatilihin pa rin natin at wag kalimutan ang kulturang "unique" at sariling atin. Hindi dapat natin ito hayaang matabunan ng kulturang popular --kulturang nagbibigay depenisyon sa kasalukuyang panahon.

Globalization's Effect on Culture

     Culture is one of the ways a nation makes itself unique or different from other nations. It gives a society an identity and dictates one's membership in an imagined community. It unites people of the same interest, beliefs, traditions, language, food, and etc. Meanwhile, in the growing bond and interdependence among countries, these cultures are being adapted and localized from a country to another. The establishment of international trade and investments plus the growing communication through internet influences a country's culture. Moreover, given the modern technologies and more patronizers of movies, cultures of different countries are now being explicitly displayed all over the world. It is no longer enshrouded in a country's boundaries.  Given this situation, can we say that globalization steals the cultural identity away from a nation, like what happened when the Americans stayed in Japan as shown in the movie Memoirs of Geisha, or are we just giving them the chance to let the whole world see and admire their beautiful culture?

     Globalization influences one's culture. It introduces new habits, technologies, fashion, language and etc. to one's culture.  On the other hand, it gives an idea of what a country's culture is. It also lets the other nation get a glimpse of one another's identity. It is only up to the members of the society on how they are going to let globalization affect them. Given the movies like memoirs of geisha, we are given a chance to understand one's culture --Japanese culture in particular. However,  it is also shown in the movie that culture can really be devalued and taken away from a nation. Some people renounce their culture and virtue for survival, some may also forsake it just to be with the hip. It is not always about us being influenced by their culture; it can just be an admiration and an attempt to appreciate the way they live before or even until today. On the whole, globalization can destroy one's identity or can just give more chance for a nation's uniqueness to grow and correct misconceptions. It just all depends on how they are going to let it in their system. 

Citizens’ Participation and Governance

       When we hear Phillipine politics and governance, I’m pretty sure that most people have the words corruption, bias, injustice and the like on top of their heads. Only little realizes that they are also what they describe. Most Filipinos are complaining for every mistake they hear or see in the government. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong in complaining as long as they do not contribute to the cause of the problem. But if you look at the citizens of this county, you will see that people contribute to the problem little by little. They disobey simple laws like “no jaywalking”, “no smoking”, “do not use mobile phones while driving” and etc. They practice corruption in their houses --for example, taking money from their siblings’ or parents’ wallets without permission. They are injustice and bias when they explain their mistake but editing the story for their favor. I believe what they do inside their house is what they carry when they go out.

         My concern is the Filipinos’ character, including both the citizens and the officials. How can they expect a progressive country if they do not participate in that progress? How can they expect that the president can solve all the problems in the country in just one snap if they do not follow the laws? Laws are made to maintain order in a country. It must be followed. A country will not progress if laws are just treated as suggestions. Citizens’ participation is important in governance because relationship is needed in it. Processes done in the government should also involve the decisions of the citizens because they are the ones that will be affected in whatever project the government will come up to. There are many ways a citizen can participate in the government. First, it could be through joining public interest groups or non-governmental organizations. In this manner, the citizens could participate in democratic debates and public discourse to address issues of public concern. Second is through joining private associations in which people can associate with other like-minded people to pursue a particular conception of common good. Third is through building or being a working professional in corporations and markets. This will make the people productive both for them and for the country. This will make them more financially stable and will enable them to pay right amount of taxes.

            Mahatma Ghandi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” If we want this country to rise again as it did decades ago, we should not put all the responsibilities to the president himself because this country is also our responsibility. We are a democratic country meaning our government is of the people, for the people and by the people. But nowadays, we see democracy as a government “for” the people only. We forget that we should also take part in the government. If we will be more responsible with ourselves, then we might deserve a better government.  As citizens we should study hard, work hard, be disciplined and follow laws in order for this country to have 90 million productive people. A single effort would not make much change but the effort of more than 90 million people will do much than what is expected. 

Killing us Softly Documentary Analization

As a college student, being the next generation to mold the world, we are responsible for the outcome of the environment our future children will be in. We certainly don't want them in a world surrounded by unpleasant influences, pictures of wrong representations displayed in front of their faces, and videos of unwanted values and wrong concepts invading their innocent minds. A few more years to go, we will be able to make bigger changes --more effective than what we can do as students. Because by then, we will build our own companies, develop our own products and make advertisements for them. As a college student and a growing lady deeply moved by this documentary, I will recognize the credibility and authority of the author, identify its main argument, and determine the rhetorical strategies used to support it and the reason why the author made such choices.

 The speaker in the documentary is Jean Kilbourne. She is a feminist author and has already made a lot of lectures and documentaries about advertising and women, addiction, tobacco, alcohols and violence. She was named by the New York Times magazine as one of the three most popular speakers on college campuses. She was said to be intellectually honest by Thomas Gardener, a communication professor in Westfield State College. (c) http://www.jeankilbourne.com Given the fact that she is a known speaker on college campuses, I think her target audience are usually college students. People, like what I said earlier, who will mold the future. 

Being a feminist author, it is not hard to believe that her main argument in her documentary is: advertisements create and define the image of women. According to her, advertisements say that what’s most important to women are their looks. She says that advertisements make the women desire to have the same features or bodies that they see on commercials, billboards, posters and magazines. That they will do whatever it takes to have the beauty defined by the advertisements and if they don't they fail. Moreover, women's bodies are shown in the advertisements as objects or things and no longer human. This, according to her, causes more violence to women.  She also stated that advertisements emphasize the inequality between men and women. That women are silenced and treated as animals; that boys should be the active ones and the girls should be the passive ones.

 For a more clear and effective argument, the author used a number of rhetorical patterns. One of which is definition. She delineated advertising as the foundation and primary purpose of mass media. She defined advertisement as something that sells not only products but also sells values, images and concepts of love, sexuality, success and normalcy. This giving of definition makes the audience realize the deeper significance of the subject. "The first thing the advertisers do is surround us with images of the ideal beauty." This is one example that the author used the cause as a rhetorical pattern. She used this to make the audience see that the reason why people desire the ideal beauty is because it is what they see; what is presented to them --the meaning of beauty assigned by the advertisements --that a woman is beautiful if she is thin, flawless, has long legs, has white complexion and has big breasts. Another rhetorical pattern used is the effects. The author mentioned the effects the advertisements do in the people no matter how much they deny them, such as eating disorders and teenage pregnancy. She pointed out that the number of people involved in these issues is increasing because of the values and the concepts they see in the advertisements. Breaking in to parts is also used by the author. She analyzed the parts of the woman being always used or being removed in the advertisements. She noticed that breasts and buttocks are the parts of the women often focused on commercials; that women’s bodies are being dismembered to sell a product; that women are shown to be just that part of her and nothing else which is the most dehumanizing thing somebody can do to a person. Conversely, parts are also omitted in a female's body, such as her mouth which is made to show that women are to be silenced. Comparison and contrast is also used by the author to compare the situation of the women to men. It is shown when contrary to what was said that, "Women's bodies are often dismembered in advertising...", men's bodies, on the other hand, are rarely dismembered; stereotypes to men are less intimate and less related to their body. This rhetorical pattern is used to emphasize that what they are doing to women are not done to men. Lastly, and probably the most obvious rhetorical pattern used is the examples. I noticed the examples used through the pictures and videos. The author used pictures and videos as example to let the audience see that what she is talking about really exist. That advertisements dismembering and objectifying women are really abundant and not only a product of her over-consciousness about advertisements.  

 Summing up, the documentary is telling us that we should not overlook and underestimate the power of advertisement over us. Advertisement through any media influences us and may define who we are if we are not being careful. We should establish control and literacy over all the images that are been embedded in our minds. We should not let these advertisements make us feel that we are ugly, define our norms in our society, and manipulate our concepts of femininity, love, and beauty. The author is asking us to change the attitudes and the mores being displayed by the advertisements and to stop them from defining the ethics and the principles in our society.

5 tasks in 1 day (Wednesday 10:24PM)

     Today, we are asked to encourage people to be active in this activity, appreciate a man-made creation, expand our knowledge in it through different media, express thanks to those who contributed to my success, and lastly, we are asked to identify the possible causes of failure in our activities in the past.


     I accomplished the first task by informing my classmate who knows about this study that there are still tasks asked through our email. She said she is not getting any mail nor any text that's why she was not able to participate in the past two days. The second task was not that difficult for me to accomplish. I scanned Camille Co's blog, which I do almost every time I go online, and admired her fashion. Third, I expanded my knowledge about the topic by looking for more fashion blogs not only by Camille Co, but also of Kryz Uy. For the fourth task, I was not so which success are the facilitators talking about, I assumed it is about any of the successes I had in my life. Nevertheless, I messaged my high school friend and thanked him for everything he contributed for my success in high school. He was very confused because he didn't expect me to be so cheesy then. XD Lastly, I think the things or attitudes that caused my failures were my lack of determination and self- esteem. I'm trying to improve it by telling myself that I can do anything through Christ strengthening me.

     Accomplishing tonight's task seemed to be easier now than the nights before. I don't know, maybe because some of the tasks are repeated already and also because I'm getting used to it. One difficulty though is my time. I have a pretty heavy tasks tonight and this is the first one I did when I got home.

I am Sam (thought paper)

            It was the first time that I have watched this movie. Even at the beginning, the movie already captured a pinch in my heart. It showed that the character is very passionate and enthusiastic in his work. He makes everyone’s morning happier. His smile and his greeting add a little more sunshine in every customer’s mood.  The next scene shocked me. I didn't expect the woman will leave her at such a short period of time. However, I think I know what the woman felt. She thinks that her life will just be more ruined if she stays with Sam and their daughter. Despite the understanding I have for the woman, the pity I felt for Sam is just greater. He is just so clueless in raising a child. With the help of his neighbor, Annie, he was able to raise the child in her first seven years smoothly. Being a daddy’s girl, I was easily touched by the plot even I was only presented with the first part yet. It made me cry during the swing scene; when the child is beginning to know the world; starting to be curious. It reminded me so much of myself and my time with my father. I was a lot like that before, and even until now. I have lots of questions, and those question and answer portions seemed to be my bonding time with my dad. I developed an admiration and amazement towards my father that time. I was amazed because he seemed to know so much about the world. I was astounded because he can answer all of my questions! I cried in that particular part of the film because it made me remember the days that I am still so innocent. I was happy that my father was one of my first teachers. Like Sam, my dad is very loving and ever understanding. He listens to me with so much attention most of the time and constantly shares about his experiences too. That part of the film made me miss my father so much. It is just sad to know that Lucy couldn't barely experience the same because soon enough --sooner than I had, she will need to learn more than what her father could teach her. 

            Lucy was a very understanding and a very bright child. I thought her father’s condition was very clear to her and that she accepts it very well. I expected that her intelligence and early maturity will not cause her to be ashamed of her father, but I was wrong. It made me realize that no matter how we love our father, there will always be a time that we will be ashamed of them, esp. in front of our friends. Regardless if it is because of his mental incapability, or in our case, his over protection,  his taste of clothing, his ignorance in modern technology, and etc. Another reality that this movie showed was, no matter how we dump our father, at the end of the day, we will regret it and think that we shouldn't have forsaken them in anyway.

          I relate my character with Lucy so much. Maybe because we are both close to our fathers and we both are very inquisitive and curious about the world. There was also a time when I was ashamed of my dad because he was being humiliated by my mother. But as I grew up, I realized that the character of my dad is just so good that he will out-stand every unpleasant word thrown to him. Not that I don't love my mother --I love my mother of course, it is just that there are times that my mother can't guard her mouth and was able to say things that are not very pleasant for a daughter to hear. Same as Lucy, there was also a time that I was mad at my father for leaving the house for months. I was mad at him because I thought he didn't even think of us when he left. He tried to fill the times we are apart by secretly fetching us from school and treat us to movies and have our hair cut from expensive salons. I have worried with my father's money because he is not earning that much. My father and I text at night and talk about our lives. After a few months, my dad won my trust and rapport again. I asked him to promise me he'll go back at home and make amendments with my mom at Christmas. I was happy that he did as he promised; he is very trustworthy.

           Most importantly, I think the movie displayed, through the comparison of Rita's relationship with her son and Sam's relationship to her daughter,  values that only an excellent parent can teach his child; that a mentally retarded person can unwittingly teach but a normal person can hardly recognize and manifest in himself/herself --the value of honesty, the capacity to love and empathy to all kinds of people. Not that only mentally disabled people are the only ones capable of doing those things, but sometimes normal people are just so preoccupied with many matters in this world that they forget to go back to the fundamentals of life.

Judgement (Tuesday 8:57 PM)

     Today I was asked to write about my judgement. First, I was addressed to examine my own judgement, if it's biased to my personal preferences. Second, I was asked to listen to a music and or watch a film and evaluate how it touched me aesthetically. Third, we were asked to look for a friend who shares the same interest and inquire how he increases his expertise in that area. Fourth, we were required to notice the times we say thanks and judge if we mean it every time. Lastly, we are asked to let a friend see our judgement on the last three tasks and assess it.

     I accomplished the task by looking at my past judgement about anything I can remember then evaluate on how I make judgement. I realized that I try as hard as I could to judge fairly and base it on principles, but no matter how I try, it is understandable that humans have inevitable prejudice tendencies about everything. Second, I watched the movie I am Sam. The simplicity of the production made us focus more on the beauty of the plot of the movie. The beauty of the plot really touched me because I am a daddy's girl and it made me relate to the movie so much. I asked a friend who has watched the same movie as recently as I do and she said appreciated the plot as well. She said that she increases her expertise in by watching more movies of the same kind and reading articles about it. I often say thanks to the people that do good things to me --even to those who do annoying things to me. I say thanks sarcastically to the people who suggests nonsense things intentionally. The last statement makes my thanksgiving less sincere. Lastly, I asked a blockmate to see my judgement and he said that my judgement is somehow opinionated but acceptable. 

    I had a difficult time doing the task because I feel very sick tonight. I can't focus in everything I do because my head is really aching and I feel like vomiting. I think that's the biggest challenge for me in accomplishing tonight's task. 

natural beauty (Monday 7:44 PM)

    I had so many tasks done and yet to be done for today. But for this day, I have accomplished all the task given in my e-mail except for the first one. I was not able to encourage people to participate because I am shy to interrupt them from whatever they are doing.  I accomplished the rest of the tasks by looking back from the time I've waken up this morning, up to this time of the day. I was happy because I had the chance to reflect on my day; count my blessings and my troubles for this day. I am happy to realize that my blessings outnumber my troubles.

     It is my habit to appreciate beauty of every kind; whether it is the beauty of one's face, the kindness of one's heart, the beauty of the clouds, the symphony the vehicle horns make especially in the morning, and etc. And this is what I did next. I looked for a natural beauty that I have exceptionally appreciated this day and it was the horizon. I remembered this morning when I woke up and looked at the window as I prayed, I was stunned by the beauty of the horizon during the dawn. Upon searching the internet for more descriptions of horizon, I was amazed by how pilots use the horizon to control an aircraft.

     After thinking about those things, I have started doing my log and this is its product. I had very indescribable feelings while reflecting about my day. There are things that I have regretted doing, but on the bright side, at least I've learned not to do it again anymore.

     I've had a hard time finishing the task because I've had a very loaded day and it was hard to remember all the things that happened to me today. Furthermore, I felt very absentminded on most parts of the day because I didn't have enough sleep last night. However, this day is not very boring and dull so I was able to extract some memories from my mind.

Stand Fast

     Nowadays, we are in a generation when knowledge and information are available in just a single click. We are currently experiencing a frenetic flow of data and information now more than ever. Information are now being delivered through different media; data which are unfiltered and unregulated. Most likely containing violence, worldly intentions, earthly values, and etc. We are pressured to devote ourselves in materialistic and fleshly desires just to be in with our environment. People can influence our decisions and embed beliefs in our mind; beliefs that are sometimes false or hoax. Our task now is to learn filtering the information we get from people and things around us, and remain in truth. No matter how much pressure is being pressed against us through teasing, tempting, bribing and etc,. we should remain loyal to the truth, and not let ourselves be fooled with the lies of the world. 

   "The entire water in the ocean can never sink a ship unless it gets inside. 

      All the pressures in the world can never affect you unless you let it in."

                                                                                      -Anonymous

     God never said that walking with Him would be easy. In our walk with Him, we will surely experience many distractions, confusions and discouragement around us. There are things that would make us wanna quit walking with God. Things that brings delight in our physical body but beats the Holiness inside our hearts. We will be tempted to try new recreational activities and will slowly become our vices; we will be allured to accept and practice unholy principles. In that case, we need to be strong and get a grip in God's hand. In times that we are distracted, we should hold on tighter to the truth. We are weak against the blandishments the devil can throw to us. But as long as we hold on to God, we will be strong. He will give us strength. 

     "Though my life is hard and I face tough issues, my God will never abandon me."

                                                                                                               -Anonymous

     Life in this world runs so fast. As people will notice, most of us are now getting what we want in an instant --instant noodles, canned rice, 3in1 coffee, one-click communication, faster cars, trains, and etc. Living works so fast that we are are already forgetting to pause, meditate and talk to the real life giver. We are likely obliterating the real purpose of our life. We focus on work, stress ourselves in our studies, immerse ourselves in the thought of our future in this world... yada yada yada... Sometimes we need to be still, free ourselves from the burdens of life and listen to our true master --not to our professor and to our boss, but to God. We need to stay put and pause until everything is calm and safe again. 

     Lastly, we need to look forward to his promises. We need to be excited in our true destination; our home; our heaven. This will make us more loyal to God because we can constantly remind ourself that God has many more happiness and pleasures to offer than this temporary world can. Happiness that will last for eternity; pleasures that knows no end. 

      In facing the world and resisting its temptations, God will always be with us. Yes it is hard, but we can assure ourselves that we will not be alone in our journey. Sometimes we walk too fast and were unable to notice that we are already in the wrong track. In that instance, what we need to do is slow down and  look again for the only way to reach the desired destination; look again for Jesus. After finding it again, we should start walking  once more and look forward to heaven with excitement. 

Not a Star I Couldn’t Reach

          A famous line of traditional Filipino courting is, “Aabutin ko ang mga tala at ibibigay sa’yo.” Isang pangungusap na purong talinhaga lang. In real life, it doesn’t work that way. We can never ask someone to get the stars –I mean stars as dreams and successes in life –and give it to us. The only way to get it is through our own effort.

            We can say that all people have dreams or even once have dreamt of achieving something they really desire, and that includes me. I am a girl of many dreams, and once I want something, I really envision myself attaining that goal. Even at first it seemed to be impossible, but it will not keep me from striving. Alam naman natin na hindi lahat ng pangarap madali makuha. Sa totoo nga mas madami pa nga yung mahirap makuha kaysa madali eh. But I can see the point of it. I really think that dreaming of things, even if we know that it is hard to accomplish is good, because it makes us exert endeavour in everything we do. Come to think of it, if all we dreamt about are things that we know we can carry out at such little efforts, then we would be confident, idle and will not work hard anymore. Iniisip ko nga, magpapakahirap ka ba abutin pa ang isang bagay kung nasa harap mo naman na din lang? At kung di ka naghirap akala mo maganda yon? Kung hindi ka naghirap wala kang matututunan. Minsan pa nga, mas mahalaga pa yung paraan kung paano mo nakuha yung isang bagay kaysa sa bagay na iyon mismo. Katulad ng isang giraffe, kung hindi prutas yung gusto niyang kainin hahaba ba yung leeg niya ng ganoon para lang maabot yung gusto niya? Kung hindi siya lumaki at tumangkad ng ganoon, ano ang giraffe? Isa nanamang hayop na makakalituhan natin at hindi malalaman ang pinagkaiba sa kabayo? Ang ating mga paghihirap at mga pinagdadaaanan ang naghuhulma sa atin para maging unique; para maging iba ;para magkaroon ng identity.

            There are times that people will stop us from reaching the stars. They will discourage us, gossip about us, tell us that we are too ambitious, and etc.  But I think they could not prevent us from being successful if we don’t let them. They have no hold against us, this is our life and they can’t do anything about it. I believe they are just too hopeless about theirs and they want you to feel the same way so nobody gets above them. Instead of letting ourselves be discouraged by their repression, I think it is better for us to use their despondency as our motivation to reach harder. We don’t want them to have success in putting us down don’t we?

            On the other hand, meron naman mga tao na pinipilit kang durugin, apakan at tirisin hindi dahil ayaw nilang maging successful ka, kundi dahil tinuturuan ka lang nilang maging matigas at matatag. Ngayon ko lang narealize na yon yung ginawa sakin ng nanay ko simula ng bata pa ako. Kahit ano pa man maabot ko sa buhay ay sinasabi niya, “Bat ganto lang, bat ganyan lang?” She makes me feel that I am worthless; that I am not able; that I can’t do anything good. Pero alam mo kung ano nangyare? Habang lalo niya kong dinudurog, lalo kong natututunan na maging matatag; lalo kong natutunan maging malakas; lalo kong ginusto na mabigo siya sa pagdurug sakin. At sa huli, nung nagtagumpay akong hindi niya madurog, nakita ko siyang masaya. At dun ko natutunan na kasiyahan niyang maging malakas ako at kahit kalian ay hindi niya naging intension na matiris ako. Ginawa niya lang yun dahil yun ang alam niya iturong paraan para maging matatag ako. Kahit hindi niya sinabi, nalaman ko dahil sa simpleng mga ngiti sa labi niya nung araw na natapos ko yung pagsubok niya.

            I believe that life is more of a challenge than a competition. More importantly, we should strive to challenge ourselves to improve rather than peeking over other’s strengths and weaknesses to see if we are better than them. Life also taught me that no matter how high we get, as long as we know that we have stepped on other people on our way, we will never get the feeling of fulfilment, and our hearts would just be full of guilt and regrets. But if we reached high and were able to keep our feet on the ground, we will feel very proud of ourselves and thankful of the people who have been with us through our hard times. Natuto akong maging matangkad at abutin ang mga bituin habang ang mga paa ko ay nakalapat pa rin sa lupa. Natuto ako na abutin ang mga tala ng hindi umaapak sa ibang tao bilang tungtungan. Natutunan kong gamitin ang ibang tao para umangat hindi bilang isang platform na aapakan kundi isang source ng experiences na masakit man o masaya ay unti unti mong kakainin para lumaki at tumangkad. Na imbis na ikaw ang magpalamon sa sakit at sarap ng buhay, kabaliktaran ang mangyayari para ikaw ang makinabang.

            Alam din naman natin na hindi lahat ng gusto makukuha. In life, there are things that are really just not meant for us. But in times when I experience those failures, I just keep in mind that maybe that thing is not the best for me. That God has something better in store for me; something that is in his plan and not mine. Moreover, we can use that failure to tell ourselves that we have not gotten the best yet, so we should still wait and work harder.

            I have been happy with all the things that happened in my life. For all the failures I had and for all the stars I have been able to reach. They all gave me a better attitude in life. I learned to work hard and prove to myself that I am able. Also, it taught me to strengthen my faith –be faithful, even in times hardships make me doubt His existence, to what I believe in and be thankful for Him keeping me strong and able.