Deserving of the Title

           As an international studies student, we are required to familiarize ourselves with the economy and politics of other countries and the turning points that happened in world history. When we were still taking our INTGLOS class, we are asked to watch a movie about the World War II in Japan’s point of view. This became really memorable and relevant to me, because it was a very different experience given that in almost all history books, Japan has always been given the perception of being the antagonist and the America being the hero.

            In the movie, I have seen how devastated Japan was after the World War II.  They experienced a lot of death in their population, ruined infrastructures and sudden scarcity of resources. It is why this project made me very interested about learning how Japan stood from that failure.

           Upon researching, I have seen that it is not only me who thought that it must have been almost impossible for Japan to rise from that situation. I have read a lot of articles about how other countries perceived and called Japan’s rise as a miracle.

            It is really fascinating how Japan became the second largest economy in the world in the middle of 20^th century given of what happened to them in the Second World War. However, in the research, I was also informed about the conditions of their lost in the World War became a blessing in disguise for the fact that they did not have to spend on their defense for quite some time because the United States ordered them to stop any military engagement for international safety and that it will be the United States who will provide them if in case they will need one.

            What made Japan very successful are their export industry and their world class technological innovations. However, the global economic crisis really affected their economy which eventually led to recession because the demand for their exports decreased. Aside from that,  Japan also experienced a problem with their labor force because of the lack of their working population.

            But the cycle did go on. Japan experienced a downfall then it will rise, will fall, and will rise again. This was experienced with another challenge in Japan’s economy in the form of the disastrous earthquake they have experienced in 2011. This made the whole world see how Japan intelligently handled their problem and how civilized and cooperative its people were.

            Generally, Japan experienced failure for many times but its rigor and eagerness to stood and excel never left them. The Japanese Miracle has always been there –inspiring other people and allowing other countries to look up to them. This is the reason why they have always been deserving of the title “THE RISING SUN.”

We Are Never Too Young To Be A Good Citizen

Election is now coming and everybody’s eyes are now set on the politicians; whether they did well in their previous terms or did well as a citizen if they have never been in a position, and if they will do better if they were elected. Being a politician is hard in such a way that they are given the responsibility to decide for the people in national and international issues, it is their job to budget the government’s money effectively and efficiently for their people’s benefit and many more. But what made it harder are the expectations that are given to them by the people and if they are not met, controversies and complaints will arise. It is correct to evaluate the politicians’ services regularly but as we evaluate them, is it not necessary for us to evaluate ourselves too? To see if we are doing what is best for our country and for other people and not being corrupt and selfish in our own ways as well.

            Being a citizen gives us rights that can protect us from any harm and can give us privileges that should be used to encourage us to be good citizens and to be used for greediness. Since we are in a democratic country, the weight of being a good citizen is very heavy because given the freedom; we are expected to be accountable for our own actions and decisions. Since the demand for us to be good citizens is high, what can we do and what competencies do we need to have in order to satisfy this demand?

            A good citizen has to have these to live out good citizenship: love for country, concern for others and productivity as an individual.

            Firstly, as one is a member of a state, his country takes care of him, shelters him, provides laws for him, and many more. A citizen is loved by his mother country as a son; and as a son, it is just right to give love for his mother country in return. In order to express one’s love for his country, he should be nationalistic at heart. He, as much as possible, should patronize his own countrymen’s products for this is not only good for a race’s pride but is also good for the country’s economy. He must minimize his colonial mentality in as much that he should be proud of himself, his race and his country. He should not think of other races to be superior to his own race because this will only increase one’s inferiority complex.

            Secondly, one has to love other people as he loves himself. Not only it is right because it is written in the Bible, it also eradicates apathy and indifference in people’s hearts. It is our responsibility as good citizens to be concern for others. We should help other people because the betterment of everyone’s lives will be reflected in our lives as well --improved welfare will minimize crimes such as robbery and snatching. In addition to that, we should also participate in programs that promote advocacies that aim for anything good for humanity and environment. However, we should be careful in helping –we should make sure that it will be for a long-term betterment and not to make them dependent on other people’s help. Instead, what we should do is to help them to stand and provide for their own.

            Thirdly, being a productive professional is neither only our responsibility to ourselves nor for our family, but also for our country. Productivity enables us to pay taxes thus, contributing to our country’s budget. Not only that, being able to earn money also gives us the capability to help other people. Concisely, having a regular income makes us adept to do the other requirements of being a good citizen. Not that it is all about the money because there really are certain things that can be done to make us good citizens without any expense such as being well mannered and care for environment, it is just that we are more capable of sharing if we have something to share to begin with.

            Sometimes we think that we are still young enough to be careless and apathetic. Some may also think that we are too young to help. But I believe it is only right to say that it is never too late nor too early to be a good citizen. The fact that we are learning how to become a good citizen is good citizenship in itself. Aside from that, as a student, we are now skilled and intelligent enough to do things that are good and beneficial to the society such as respect, care and desire to help. Being a good citizen can start anytime as long as one commits himself to be one.

            

Filipino Nationalism and Cultural Identity

     I would like to begin by defining first the term nationalism. Many have mistakenly thought that nationalism and patriotism are one and the same. However, it is very essential to know that patriotism is the love for one's country-- literally the love for the land --whereas nationalism is the love for one's nation. Now, many will question the relevance of knowing the difference between the two. I've mentioned the difference because as for today's issue with the the Spratlys and Sabah, people may think that fighting for those lands can be called and considered nationalism when in fact, if it doesn't concern the sake of the Filipinos as a whole, it is not. 

     Now, given the definition of nationalism, let us then try to figure out how to consider a body of people asa nation. As we all know, the people in this archipelago started its political system individually. One barangay can be friends with other barangays, but not necessarily dependent and under one barangay's command. Each barangay have their own culture, that though similar at some point, still different to some extent. An example would be the tattoos given to the men. For some barangays, it is given only to those who have killed several men in wars while in others, it is just an accessory of some sort-- given just for the sake of beauty. It is safe then to conclude that since we have no cultural identity as a whole yet, the Filipinos back then cannot be considered a nation; for a nation is formed only when the people start to feel that they are all one: one's hurt can be the whole body's hurt and one's victory can be all the others' victory. This feeling and concept is driven by a group of people's unifying factor: for which can be religion, language, land, and as for the Philippines case, common experiences. 

     

     The eyes of the Filipinos were opened to this concept and feeling when hey have witnessed the Cavite mutiny and the execution of Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora. By then, the people started to feel that whether they are Ilocanos, Visayans, Pangasinenses and etc., it will not matter. They will all be abused by the Spaniards as they did when they executed the three priests who actually came from different minority groups themselves. They started to tell themselves, "Pare-pareho lang tayong api dito, iisa lang ang kaaway natin kaya tayo-tayo rin ang dapat na magkakakampi." From then on, people fought the Spaniards not anymore because of their own motives like Tapar, Tamblot, Dagohoy and Rajas and Datus did, but because  of the nation's oppression like Rizal, Del Pilar, Luna and Ponce's reason for fighting. It is from their hearts we base our standard of nationalism. We regard their heroism as nationalistic. 

    Therefore, there is a relationship between nationalism and cultural identiy; for it is not possible to develop a feeling of nationalism if there is no nation-- which is only formed through the possession of cultural identity-- to begin with.

Asia's Rising Powers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiK5-oAaeUs

Our colonial mentality is very evident now more than ever. Everybody seems to look up on the western culture: wanting to imitate and to emulate. Everything western seems to be luxurious and most of the time, legit western products are only for the elites and those with high social status. In fact, all the mimicry is even enough for the Americans to call the Filipinos as their “little brown brothers.”

                While I am a proud Filipino, I cannot deny that there are some points when colonial mentality strikes me --those days when I crave for an Iphone, when I am more comfortable in listening to foreign music than OPM just because I think foreign music is “cooler” than ours, and many more.

                This video of Hans Rosling shows that not too long from now, this point of view will be altered. It is not anymore a world controlled by the western powers but a world with weight of powers balanced on east and west.

                As said in the video, the Asian power is not new to the world. Asian countries have once been the superpowers especially before the colonization period. There is no reason why would not Asian countries be powerful countries because they have the richest land in terms of resources. Look for oil, raw materials, hard wood, fruits, variety of edible sea creatures, spices; name it, and you will find it in Asia. In fact, it is not the first time for me to hear predictions that Asia will be, one day, greater than America and Europe. However, what made me afraid about that happening are the wars that would probably come out because of countries’ selfishness and desire for power. Given these predictions, America and Britain are probably watching Asian countries’ every move: looking for possible threats and fouls. As feared by the speaker, it is a big question now if India and China are ready for wars against the countries that have been the superpowers and been used to the mightiness and glory for years.

                Nevertheless, this prediction showed by Hans Rosling not only motivated India and China to strive harder but also shed light to other Asian countries and indirectly told them that it is possible for them to have their economies grown like merciless tigers. It shows that as India and China make their ways to power, they are also giving other countries, like the Philippines, hope to aim high as well.

                As for the video itself and Rosling’s way of delivery, it is very informative and entertaining at the same time. His unconventional way of graphing made it more comprehensible for laymen viewers like us. The separation of “bubbles” also gave accurate information and more weight on what he is emphasizing. In general, the video is advisable to watch esp. to those students doing research on the world’s economy. 

Good Citizenship

Election is now coming and everybody’s eyes are now set on the politicians; whether they did well in their previous terms or did well as a citizen if they have never been in a position, and if they will do better if they were elected. Being a politician is hard in such a way that they are given the responsibility to decide for the people in national and international issues, it is their job to budget the government’s money effectively and efficiently for their people’s benefit and many more. But what made it harder are the expectations that are given to them by the people and if they are not met, controversies and complaints will arise. It is correct to evaluate the politicians’ services regularly but as we evaluate them, is it not necessary for us to evaluate ourselves too? To see if we are doing what is best for our country and for other people and not being corrupt and selfish in our own ways as well.

            Being a citizen gives us rights that can protect us from any harm and can give us privileges that should be used to encourage us to be good citizens and to be used for greediness. Since we are in a democratic country, the weight of being a good citizen is very heavy because given the freedom; we are expected to be accountable for our own actions and decisions. Since the demand for us to be good citizens is high, what can we do and what competencies do we need to have in order to satisfy this demand?

            A good citizen has to have these to live out good citizenship: love for country, concern for others and productivity as an individual.

            Firstly, as one is a member of a state, his country takes care of him, shelters him, provides laws for him, and many more. A citizen is loved by his mother country as a son; and as a son, it is just right to give love for his mother country in return. In order to express one’s love for his country, he should be nationalistic at heart. He, as much as possible, should patronize his own countrymen’s products for this is not only good for a race’s pride but is also good for the country’s economy. He must minimize his colonial mentality in as much that he should be proud of himself, his race and his country. He should not think of other races to be superior to his own race because this will only increase one’s inferiority complex.

            Secondly, one has to love other people as he loves himself. Not only it is right because it is written in the Bible, it also eradicates apathy and indifference in people’s hearts. It is our responsibility as good citizens to be concern for others. We should help other people because the betterment of everyone’s lives will be reflected in our lives as well --improved welfare will minimize crimes such as robbery and snatching. In addition to that, we should also participate in programs that promote advocacies that aim for anything good for humanity and environment. However, we should be careful in helping –we should make sure that it will be for a long-term betterment and not to make them dependent on other people’s help. Instead, what we should do is to help them to stand and provide for their own.

            Thirdly, being a productive professional is neither only our responsibility to ourselves nor for our family, but also for our country. Productivity enables us to pay taxes thus, contributing to our country’s budget. Not only that, being able to earn money also gives us the capability to help other people. Concisely, having a regular income makes us adept to do the other requirements of being a good citizen. Not that it is all about the money because there really are certain things that can be done to make us good citizens without any expense such as being well mannered and care for environment, it is just that we are more capable of sharing if we have something to share to begin with.

            Sometimes we think that we are still young enough to be careless and apathetic. Some may also think that we are too young to help. But I believe it is only right to say that it is never too late nor too early to be a good citizen. The fact that we are learning how to become a good citizen is good citizenship in itself. Aside from that, as a student, we are now skilled and intelligent enough to do things that are good and beneficial to the society such as respect, care and desire to help. Being a good citizen can start anytime as long as one commits himself to be one.

            

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