A Night To Remember

The Junior and Senior Promenade is one of my most awaited events in my entire life. What I was so excited of is how I look when that night will come. "What will be the best color of the gown that will fit me?" and "How do I fix my hair?” Questions flashed in my mind every time we talk about the preparation of the JS Prom. I know that this event is expensive and that I should be ready to spend a big amount of money. But this will not matter for I was longing and expecting for this event to happen. And at last, it was granted on the night of February 17, 2006 held in Waterfront Hotel, L:ahug, Cebu City.

The preparation for the Js Prom was quite expensive especially that it was held in a five-star hotel. But I was expecting it. I paid P 650 for the food, token, and the venue. I also bought a pair of sandals which was worth P 350 and my bag which was worth P 250. I only rented a gown and it cost P 500. And don't forget my total appearance, my hair and make-up, which cost P 410 in Juvel's Salon. Wow! I spent P 2160 just to attend this event!

But the affair was worth the effort, time and money. The venue was perfect for the occasion. We all looked like princes and princesses with our dashing outfits. Boys turned into gentlemen and girls turned into ladies. We were all elegant and fabulous that night which fit the magical atmosphere.

The food was palatable especially the chocolate cake. Actually, all food that was served was all appetizing. After eating, we, juniors, presented our tribute to the Seniors. It was a great privilege for us to present our mark of respect to them.

Time came that both parties will present their prophecy and legacy. And I’m proud to say that the prophecy and legacy clearly showed its meaning. That was really enthralling! Hail both to the Juniors and the Seniors!

The theme, "Tying Threads of Friendship", fit the second to the last part of the programme which was the Disco. The Juniors and Seniors danced both in fast beat and slow beat. We danced together as though we all forgot our fights and hatred with each other. After all, that affair was created to bring back our friendship.

Everyone was enjoying that night. We hardly noticed that it was almost time to end the programme. We sang the fellowship song and it reminded us that this is the last part of the event.

Indeed, one can really treasure this meaningful and memorable night. We should make Junior and Senior Promenade part of our lives. We are only high school once.

For the coming Juniors, just enjoy the night and make it meaningful for us all. I know that preparing for this is a difficult task to do but I assure you that your effort will worth it.
Good luck and God bless us all.

Improving Filipino Lives Through Science and Technology

Every year, the University of the Philippines High School in Cebu celebrates Science and Technology Week. It is a school event wherein all activities relating to science are applied here. These activities are investigatory projects for first years and second years, titration of vinegar for third years and Science Fair for fourth years. These were all exhibited the whole week of the event. Other related activities were also held such as Science Olympics, Research Defense, Poster-making Contests, Essay-Writing Contests and Radio Quiz.

This year's theme is "Improving Filipino lives Through Science and Technology". It is easy to comprehend what the theme tries to tell us so. The theme was explained further by the activities relating to it such as poster-making contest, essay-writing contest and Research Defense. As what I have observed, this year's research projects were all relevant for solving world's major problems.

I'm proud of my group's project which is Extraction of Ethanol from Potato, Sweet Potato and Taro. The ethanol extracted from them is one of the components of biodiesel to be used as gasoline for vehicles. This research project of ours helps lessen the occurrence of Global Warming. By using biodiesel as an alternative for petroleum, there will be less emission of harmful gases that triggers the expansion of the hole in the ozone layer. Our project is only one of the preventive measures in making our world a better place to live.

I am one of the contestants for poster-making contest. I drew a picture that clearly presented the theme. The essay-writing contest also contributed much in conveying the message of the theme. It clearly explained the problem that our world is experiencing today. And with that, we were awaken by the essays that the contestants had written.

Activities mentioned above are indirectly helping us to cope up with the problems our world facing today. The message hidden on them helps a lot in awakening people to reality. They also contribute much by having a list of solutions, such as Research Projects on different problems that we face today. Indirectly, the activities involved in the Science and Technology Week greatly contribute in the betterment of our world.

It is such a great fulfillment for us, student in UP High School that we are a great help in making this world a better place by means of different activities relating to Science.The last day in our Science and Technology Week was allotted to the Science Olympics, Radio Quiz and the Awarding Ceremony. The games in Science Olympics were supported with Physics Concepts, so we have to really think for the best angle or the best way just to win the game. The Radio Quiz had fed us additional knowledge and we enjoyed it much. The last activity for this event was the awarding ceremony. Our group won the first place in Cyberfair, a contest for the best website here in school. The GUI group won the first place both in Science Fair and Research Defense. We are so proud of them. And I am proud of the whole event. I can say that we really are a great help in improving the Filipino Lives Through Science and Technology

How Precious Are They?

Visiting institutions such as Home for the Aged and Home for the Dying Destitute seems heart pounding. You may wonder what the difference between these two institutions is, but I'll answer you anyway. Home for the Aged and Home for the Dying Destitutes are similar since they provide services, love and care for the oldies. But the difference between them is the level or age of the elders to be taken care upon. The Home for the Dying Destitute, obviously, takes care for those dying patients, particularly the aged people while Home for the Aged takes care for those elderly people only.

When we, CWTS, went to visit Gasa sa Gugma: Home for the Dying Destitute on February 2, 2007, I had an unexplainable feeling towards the environment. The place seems so quiet and holy that I only heard the whispers and murmurs of my fellow classmates. This deafening sound continued until Ms. Rodel instructed us to lead the patients to the chapel for them to attend mass. We followed the instruction and went inside the wards to fetch the patients. Upon nearing to the patients, I can see that my classmates started to feel. I, myself, started to feel the same way too. I can't go near to the patients not because I am “arte” but because I am afraid that they may not like me approaching to them after all. I only stood in an area watching the caretakers fetching the patients by a wheel chair. I saw some of my classmates shedding tears while they were struggling in getting up from their bed.

Minutes has passed until I bravely talked to one of the patients. I asked an old man about his life here in Gasa sa Gugma. And without hesitant, he shared his story to me. He revealed his experiences before he came to that place. I was so overwhelmed when he shared some breathtaking experiences that he encountered before he was brought up to that place. And that really fascinates me.

After that talk, I came near to an old man who spoke plainly English. He was so fluent in speaking English. I enjoyed talking to him because he always flatters me by saying I'm beautiful. I started believing in him. Laugh out loud!

I also went to two other men who had a slight problem with their memory. They kept on talking things that in the end they can't remember what they said a while ago. But they are fun to talk with. They were so jamming and they love talking some stuff to us. They even shared their love lives to us. I felt joy and belongingness to that place. It seemed that I am enjoying the moment.
Time has come to bid them goodbye. It is hard for me saying goodbye to them. All I did was to lead them in their respective seats to eat their dinner. By the way, they eat dinner at 4:00 in the afternoon. That moment, I came to know how they are so precious to me. They made me realized the value of taking care of those who are older than me especially my parents.

The Kiss of One's Eyes

How can we feel that we are loved? When we hear the word, “I love you”? When someone puts his or her lips on us? Or when somebody makes love to us? Is there really love from the choices above? Or are we so blind that we believe that love exists through the actions above.

Love is beautiful, astounding yet simple, and beautiful in a sense that both opposite eyes find happiness in it. Love makes us feel special, and with that, we do things which are good to the other’s sight, and that constitutes to our well-being. Love is also astounding. It is great. Every person finds love and gets love. Fool is a person who does not love for he or she will never find happiness in his or her life. We should value the greatness of love to make us feel happy and special in a way. Love is also simple. Simple is a sense that love could be expressed in just simple ways. You can see and find love through simple smiles, simple words, and a simple look.

Do you remember the time when you first admired a person? Was it his or her smile that made your head turn? Was it not his or her eyes staring at you that bothered you all day long? Was it not the reason why you wanted to know him or her better? Was it not those smiles and looks in his or her eyes that reflect his or her inner beauty? That is the simplicity of love. That was what Sarah Teasdale wanted to convey in her poem, The Look. With just a simple look of the eyes of Colin, Strephon’s kiss faded away. Colin looked at the persona with passion and love. The persona felt that love with that look. It even haunts her day and night.

See how powerful a simple look is? It won over Strephon’s passionate kiss. With simplicity, you find, love, you feel special in it.

We find love with only a look from a person. Maybe that is the power of such humility and gentleness inside that person. We may not notice the deep message hiding in those eyes when we do not care at all. It is nice to find a person who secretly loves you because we are sure that the love he or she had felt for us is deep and unselfish unlike a person that is so liberated and is so vulgar to tell his or her feelings towards another. A person who is so confident to tell his or her feelings to another person seems like not a trustworthy person. He or she could be confident enough to tell that feeling to the other person. What I am trying to say is that we should tell our feelings right there and then especially when that feeling is an unsure one. It is only my opinion based on my experiences and observations.

We could never conclude right away that what we feel now for that person is really the right one. We must know first if what we feel is really love, or is it just infatuation. That is what love really is, if it is selfless, sincere, sure and slow in developing. Infatuation is the opposite of what love really is. It is selfish, insincere, unsure and so quick to develop which is also very quick to fade. Love also begins in simple ways just like simple looks and stares. Love does not develop in kissing right away that person. That act could be a sign that the person is insecure to himself or herself that is why he or she kisses that person right away. That is not love after all. That is infatuation right?

The Beauty of a Poem

The Beauty of a Poem

How tranquil is the life
Of him, who, shunning the vain world’s uproar
May follow, free from strife,
The hidden path of yore
Chosen by the few who conned true wisdom’s lore!

-The Life Removed
-Luis de Leon

How did he write such wonderful poem? A poem with perfect selection of words and has a unique style.

How stunning is the life of the poet for he had written a poem of delicate style. I admire him for that. He really gave color to what we call, “poems”.

Poems is the oldest form of art and most flexible of all literary types. One can really appreciate poems for its diverse forms.

It has elements that bestow its beauty. First, it has a theme that conveys us the main point or idea. It also explores the real intention of the poet. Another element is the use of sound. Sound plays an important role in poetry. One can extract the theme of the poem by just studying the sound of the poem. Poems also have figurative speeches that provide the very foundation of poetry. It gives color and life to the poem. One can really enjoy reading poems full of figurative languages. There are also other elements that give exquisiteness to the poem. These are its form, voice, language, image and allusion that help us discover the main point or theme of the poem. All of these contribute much to the magnificence of the poem.

Long before, I never get interested with poems. I look at them as merely an ordinary field of literature. I did not see its importance until I knew that songs are one kind of a poem.

I thought that a poem is a merely literary art that only comprises lines and stanzas full of unfamiliar words and have no sense at all! Also, I thought that only world-known writers and authors can write a poem and poems are their means of communication or merely their language! I even thought that poems are merely puzzles that if you can decipher it, it will lead you to a key for a wanted treasure. What a shameful description from me.

I now know that a poem is a one kind of literature where themes are conveyed through keen selection of words that best fit for the message that the poet wants to express.

I also now realized that anyone can write a poem. We must not limit ourselves by mainly reading poems of other person. We must also try writing poems that would clearly express our inner thoughts and feelings. Writing poems can make us feel free and liberated. It can soothe us in a way that we can express boldly our hurts, fears, anger and bliss. One can really be proud and pleased of him/herself if his or her emotions and outlooks are conveyed through a poem with perfect selection of words.

Each poem has its own elegance, grace and beauty. We may not directly extract the theme of the poem, but by paraphrasing, we can now get the idea of it. Readers can surely appreciate the beauty of one’s poem.

What matters is, all of us can write poems. And all of us can appreciate the elegance of what we call, “poems”.

That Enchanted Prom

"Could you tell me what's the style and color of your gown?" This question was asked by my classmates a week before the prom. And almost everyone, except me, had an answer to it. I was not prepared for that prom. Honestly, I didn't feel joining it. Instead it gave me excitement, it seemed like a burden to me. P750 or more would be a great help for our Research and my other needs. But I have to join this event because this is a school activity.

Sunday before the Prom, my mother called me to go for this place to rent a gown for the upcoming Prom. I felt overwhelmed because my mother finally showed enthusiasm or the coming event but at the same time, I felt cold because I don't feel leaving the church just to choose a gown to be used for Prom. But I went to the boutique anyways. I chose the simplest gown there with no beads and no intricate style on it. I look so simple and yet elegant, my mother said. The rental for gowns in that boutique was do cheap. It is only P500 per gown. So I took it without hesitant. My mother told me that I should buy a pair of sandals that would fit for my gown. I said no. I would prefer to borrow sandals than buying them. Thank God, Gabby let me borrowed her gold-glittered sandals. It really fits my gown since the color of my gown is also gold. I just bought a golden bag for only P100. For my hair and make-up, Gabby influenced me to prefer Janjan's Salon and it costs P550. But I chose it anyways. Gabby let me borrowed accessories such as earrings and necklace that would fit my gown.

And now, for the Prom proper, everything was so perfect: the place, the program and the people. I enjoyed the prophecy. The third years did very well just to please us. Their tribute was so heart-pounding that I found myself singing with them. The legacy holders in the fourth year students presented a dramatic legacy with a music background of Gregorian chant. The food was so palatable that I kept on eating all throughout the program.

Now it's time for the crowning of the Prom Princes and Prom Princesses and the Prom King and Prom Queen. I was nominated and I didn't expect or that. But then my name was called for the Senior Prom Princess. I couldn't believe it! God allowed me to experience such unexplainable joy and gratitude. And it happened that the Prom Prince is Nico Martin Eñego, my closest friend. I am really thankful to God for the blessings that I received that day.

This program would never be exciting without the Disc part. This is where the real we will emerge. It is hard to be formal than being informal. And the only informal part of the program is the Disco part. So, all of us showed our greatest moves and grooves in the dance floor. That was the most enjoyable part of the program. One could really see the blazing trails of friendship.

But the time has finally come for us to leave that place. We sang our fellowship song with joyous voice. And off we go.

That Prom was an enchanting one for me, not because I became the Senior Prom Princess but because trails of friendship were everywhere that night. I really felt so special that night and I know that almost all the people there felt that too. My past mentality of the Prom was changed. This event was worth the money, the time and the effort. This event was really an astonishing one!

How I Want to be Remembered After I Leave High School

The scent of the trees, the chirping of the birds, the cracks of the buildings, the brownish grasses in the soccer field and the noise of the students- these are the usual scenario of the University of the Philippines High School in Cebu.

It’s hard to leave this school if you are used in coming in and out of it. I have been in this school for four consecutive years and it will be hard for me facing the reality that it’s going to be the end. Time will come that I have to leave this school. And that time would be on April 18, 2007, our Graduation Day.

What I want now is to treasure memories from this school and at the same time leave some footprints in this school. What I mean with footprints is all the memories from me that I want to be remembered after I leave High School.

It’s been hard for me staying in this school for four years. It is because you have to reach the standard of what a UP student would be. For this place is not just a middle-of-the-road, standard, second-rate school. It has no place for mediocrity; it only provides a high quality education. And with that, you have to muddle through with it.

I can say that I survived the challenges the school had set. Even though I struggled so much to have good grades, I manage to stay humble and thankful to my accomplishments. I would never graduate if I am not serious with my studies.

If I were given a legacy, that would be Legacy of Diligence. I’m proud enough to say that I have been so diligent with my studies that I almost put half of my life to it. Being assiduous, vigilant, attentive, and devoted student is the major qualities of a first-class student. This is somehow difficult to achieve but with perseverance and high-regard to ourselves, we can be what we deserve to be.

That’s what I want to be remembered, my perseverance that lead me to a first-class student. I have been so serious with my studies that God awarded me such uplifting gifts, my awards and accomplishments. I’m proud to say that I’ve been an honor student since I started schooling. Everyone can achieve that through perseverance and belief in one’s self.

Serious as what I am, I still manage to give a smile to other people. That’s what really I am: an affable, pleasant, jovial, easygoing and a jolly friend. I never tired smiling, giggling and laughing to other person’s jokes. I even laugh at the corniest jokes. I want to be remembered this way, a person who always wears a smile in her face.

But above all, I want to be remembered the entirely me. The “I” who share her talents to her classmates. The “I” who always dance with grace just to entertain God and other people. The “I” who never get tire of listening to other’s problems. The “I” who always wear a smile on her face. And lastly, the “I” who value her studies and the school itself.

God vs. Studies

“Mariel join ta fellowship this 3 pm ha?”, “Mag-unsa ka karong hapon?” Join ta fellowship ha!”, “Be here at 3 pm ha. Fellowship bya ron.”

This is usually happens in our church, the Bradford United Church of Christ, Inc. Young people tend to invite other people to join the activities and events held in the church. It seems to be an invitation of a lifetime.

But how sad the reality is, when almost all the young people in our church today are turning this down for a reason. “Naa man gud ko buhaton, magstudy.”

Hmm… That’s good! But is it really the studies that keep us avoiding such invitation? Or is it just a default in our mind that comes out when someone invites us to join activities?

Many young people today could not attend services or mass every Sunday and other church activities because they thought they’re busy in school. “They” always make their studies an excuse. What’s worst is “they” even sometimes deliberately make it a hindrance for their own spiritual growth.

Why am I saying this? Who am I anyway? Well, honestly, I was once of those “they”. Many times I had been invited but I always make my studies a reason for not coming though it was really for another reason. And that is I don’t feel comfortable mingling with other young people. Besides, studying as an excuse seems just and reasonable.

I was like those “they” who hesitated before coming to church because of the assignments undone. I was even one of those “they” whose heart and mind were not really in the church but in the school.

What’s really the core of this argument? Is there really such a point of choosing between God and Studies?

These questions were answered by Ate Leah, one of the Sunday school teachers, who was invited by the youth to be the speaker of the topic, God vs. Studies.

First, Ate Leah corrected the topic that afternoon. For her, there is no such thing as equating God with just an aspect of our lives and then contradict it. God, in the first place, should always be our first and highest regard; besides, God isn’t just a part of our lives but the life of our lives. Placing God and studies in opposite ends of the equilibrium is just like comparing a million-dollar-worth gem with a dust in a cupboard!

That was really striking! It was really a day full of realizations! In fact, those words are still playing in my mind.

I know now that the conflict isn’t really between God and our studies, but on how we manage our time. It is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “Everything on earth has its own time and season.” So let us not wait for the deadliest deadline of our school requirements. Accomplish it now!

As Christian, it is true that we also have to excel on our individual fields. I believe that Christian never fails. But if we come to the point of so much engrossment with our studies that we fail to acknowledge God, maybe it’s time for us to think, “Am I really doing it for God or myself only?” Or if we feel like our endurance and hard work in our studies are in vain, why won’t we ask ourselves again, “Is God really with me or am I too fast that I left Him behind?”

Matthew 6:33 states, “Seek ye fist the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all this things shall be added unto you.”

So now, stop that dilemma in our minds for we don’t have to make a choice. For us Christians, God is and always be our choice.

God vs. Studies.. Studies vs. God..not anymore! But God with studies and studies with God!

Humans: God's Assistants in Controlling Weather

The search for the mastery of the elements began in the late 1800s. It was Nikola Tesla who mastered almost all the elements and came up with the transmission of electrical energy through space. And this has become a reality.

Today, the two powerful countries have the ability to control weather around the world: the United States and Russia. Other countries are working feverishly to catch up. Weather can be used as a doomsday weapon.

In 1969, the US Patent Office granted a patent for a method in increasing the number of precipitation by the artificial introduction of sea water vapor into the atmosphere.

In 1971, a patent was issued to the Westinghouse Electric Corporation for as system of irradiation of planet surface areas. And in the same year, a patent was issued to the National Science Foundation for a weather modification method.

In the early 1970s, the United States Congressional Committee on Oceans and Internal Environment held hearings on our military research into weather and climate modification. They had found out that the defense department had plans for creating tidal waves through the coordinate use of nuclear weapons.

There was a great danger in the confrontation between the United States and Russia. In 1977, a United Nation’s treaty against weather modification for hostile purposes was signed by the US and Russia.

But this treaty did not signify the end of weather experimentation. In fact, the United States launched an experiment that created a downpour of rain over six countries in Northern Winconsin. The storm generated winds of 175 miles per hour that caused $50M damages. Russia, on the other hand, was selling weather control equipment tailored to specific needs. They used the slogan “Weather Made to Order”.

As the experiments in both countries continued, weather patterns began to change. Drastic changes in our environment are visible nowadays.

As we all know, weather is the most powerful force. It could disrupt world economies with perpetual rainstorms and tornadoes; wipe out crops in a drought, cause earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis, close airports and cause devastation on enemy battlefields. It could even destroy our economic activities. There are many other things that are disrupted when there is an occurrence of rainstorms, earthquakes, tornadoes and tsunamis.

Who could have thought such idea of controlling weather? They may have lost their minds or they just want to be all knowing just like God. Most scientists do not believe in God that’s why they have to prove to other people that all things is possible without God. They just want to overtake the place of God, as the maker and the destroyer.

Well, they got into a big mistake. Look at what they’ve done. They worsened the scenario of the world. They destroyed our properties and mostly, our environment.

We should not allow this to happen. Only God should be given the authority to control the weather. He’s the all knowing God, the only creator and the destroyer. And no one can take His place.

Loneliness: A Falling Leaf

Interpreting and understanding poems are one of the hardest things I encountered n Reading and Literature. I find it hard to read poems. That is why it takes 2 to 3 turns for me just to understand what the poem really tells us. My difficulty in reading poems must be an outcome of my utter disobedience to read books, short stories, poems and epics. I only know a few authors and sometimes, I forget about the stories they wrote. My attitude towards literature is really negative. I just enjoy fairy tale books because they have big font size and the background is colorful. The only novels that I have read were “A Series of Unfortunate Events”, “Charlotte’s Web”, and “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” The book “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is really made for children same as Charlotte’s Web. The “Are You Afraid of the Dark”, however, is an investigative form of novel written by Sidney Sheldon. It is hard for me to read books like these since they contain many pages. I am not really interested in exploring the world of literature. And that is a big problem for me.

l(a

le
af
fa
ll

s)
one
l

iness

Being instructed to interpret a poem that only contains 22 characters is such a difficult task for me. I know that each character is important and also, their locations.

L(a leaf falls)oneliness is the poem itself. Hard, right? But if I were to analyze this poem, I see an arrow pointing to a word, “iness”. Iness here is a word referring to “I”, being all alone.

After all, this poem is all about loneliness.

Loneliness is being unfrequented by others, deserted, desolate, solitary and sad from lack of companionship or sympathy. For me, this talks about loneliness.

As what I have imagined, there is a tree. The L in the first line symbolizes a tree. The season is a fall for leaves are falling. One by one, they started to fall. And now, only one leaf left in the tree. It kept on hanging on the tree, clinging to its bough. Loneliness filled the air but still the leaf was determined to stay.

That is how we deal with problems. We may be the only one solving it but we should always be determined in winning over it. We have to hold on, never giving up. Sometimes we would lose hope, but we should hold on to it.

Loneliness was created by God to make us strong and independent. It is not a burden, nor a punishment. It is a special gift from God. That’s what I believed.

Strong willpower and confidence with ourselves give us high self esteem even though we are the only ones depending on our lives. Each of us has some difficult problems. Big or small, whatever the size it is, we should fight for that. When everyone seems helpless, when everyone leaves us and when everyone rejects us, let us be strong. Stand tall and believe that we can do it by ourselves. Just say to yourself, “I have a companion, and that is God”.

Absolute Divorce..in Philippines

Upon moving to the next question in our test in Practical Law, I was alarmed by what I have read. The essay question read like this, ‘Lisa Masa has filed a bill of absolute divorce in the Congress. The question is, “Are you in favor of it? Give me three good reasons why or why not you are in favor of it.’

Of course, my answer is no!

Marriage is a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with the law for the establishment of a conjugal and family life. This is in Article 1 of the Family Code.

We all know that Philippines is a Catholic country. It doesn’t allow absolute divorce to be imposed in the country. This bill will only bring liberation to the people. Just look at the United States today. Most of the people out there entered into marriage and after several years, months, or even days, they will go into divorce.

Marriage is not just an ordinary relationship like a “boyfriend and a girlfriend” thing. Marriage is the only permanent contract that will only perish when either of the party will die.

It’s hard to go into marriage. You have to be physically, psychologically, emotionally and financially fit. You have to consider all the factors when you go into marriage.

I’m also wondering why some people want absolute divorce when this country allows annulment and legal separation. Aren’t they enough?

In the first place, annulment and legal separation is somehow the same with absolute divorce. Both parties should discuss this matter seriously and should think hard in deciding it.

The couple is not the only one affected when they go into divorce. The children are also affected with it. In fact, they are the ones who really suffer when the couple decides to break apart. They will be affected emotionally with that. And it is hard finding those emotions. Let us be sensitive to other people. Let us not only think for ourselves but also for our loved ones.

Knowingly, marriage is a sacred act. It is holy for God made it holy. But what did we do with it? We made it unholy by making it easy for the people to acquire it selfishly and reject it easily.

God married His wife (the Church). But then we are not satisfied with His love so we reject Him. Yet, He remained faithful to us.

That’s the real beauty of marriage, loving a person eternally. We do it by not doing things disagreeable to our partner. We should lengthen our patience. We should observe mutual love, respect and fidelity. And lastly, we should render help and support to keep us bounded with our partner.

With that, both parties will really enjoy marriage. And no more people will be hurt.

So let us not think of selfish ideas such as absolute divorce. Let us not hurt our children.

Absolute divorce will never happen in a Christian country like the Philippines.

Love: An Act of Will, Not An Act of Heart

Each one of us has a different definition or interpretation of love. Love can be defined as a deep devotion of affection for another person. It can be a strong sexual passion for another person or a sexual passion in general or even, the gratification of it. Love could also be blind, patient or kind, depending on the person feeling it. Or maybe, like is like a river that flows forever. The definition of love is really up to the person feeling it.

We all want to love and be loved. That is the sweetest thing that happens to a person. But it is hard to achieve. People are so proud that they do not want to express for the person may not love them in return. It is hard to achieve love because as you go deeper in the true meaning of love, you may realize that it is not love you are feeling at after all. Love is selfless, sure and sincere. In true love, you cannot find the words selfish, unsure, insincere and insecure. Once you love a person you do everything for him or her to be happy. You love not to satisfy your desires, but to satisfy the desires of the other person. It is not all about “I” anymore like before. You have to love the “you”. And that is how the phrase I Love You came to be.

But is love an act of will and not of heart? I have read on the Reader’s Digest that love lasts for 12 to 18 months and after that, you choose to love continually the person, or you choose to leave. It stated that it is really in the brain that controls your desire for that person and after 12 to 18 months, tat desire may fade away and it is already up to you if you will love that person continually. I do not know if I have to believe this but it showed that love is an act of ill as what I have agreed.

Science has not yet discovered the center or the organ which our feelings emanate from. We believe that the organ that contains it is the heart. Some say the brain. Native Africans believe that it is the liver that controls our feelings while others say our limbic system. Wherever the feelings come from, it is an act of will and not the organ containing it. Our willingness to do it or express it is the one that really matters. It is not only the brain, live, heart or the limbic system that is affected by these feelings. Our min, body and soul are also affected. We love because we want to love. No one or nothing forces us to do such act. It is our own choice that we will do everything for it. It does not matter that the brain cells of the brain give up in loving someone. It is our own choice. If we love the person continually, our whole person operates in doing that. It is only up to us if we love or not. But to tell you, I think that there is no single person that does not love after all. If there is, he or she may be a victim of a short span of life.

It is nice to choose to love everyday, every minute and every second. Love God, love yourself and love your family. Love your friends and love your pets. Love everything!

English: Medium of Instruction

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has instructed the Department of Education (DepEd) to restore the use of English as the medium of instruction in the Philippines schools. This was taken from Gloria E. Melercio’s article of Arab News.

The president was said to be alarmed with the continued decline of English proficiency since the constitution was amended in 1989 in using Filipino as a medium of instruction.

Now why do we really need to use English as a medium of instruction? What are the advantages and the disadvantages?

The advantages of using English as a medium of instruction, is really beneficial for us Filipinos. This is because, we would be able to communicate well with people outside our country, with this, we could be a world-class civilization. Through this we could also be updated with what is going on in the world. We can also do well especially in foreign trade.

But I have much more to say regarding the disadvantages of using English as medium. Ten leading institutions and organizations, including the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and other schools, showed dismay regarding president Arroyo’s decision in replacing the former medium of instruction, Filipino. The president has misread what Article 14, Section 6 of the constitution trying to convey. She did not consider the fact that students would be able to learn more by using their native tongue. The Iloilo experiment in 1960 proved that Filipino youths will learn faster using their native language. Test results showed that the highest scores were obtained by those who studied science in their own language, just like the Japanese and the Korean youths.

And did you know that countries which use their own language as medium of instruction ranks on the tops during science and math exams? These countries are Singapore, South Korea, Czech Republic, Japan, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, and Belgium.

The TIMMS (Third International Math and Science Survey) advised the president that using English as primary medium of instruction is not a solution in making us an intellectual person. They are absolutely not directly proportional. It is also not the answer to our country’s poor economy.

I envy Malaysia for having a prosperous economy even though they only use their native tongue, Bahasu Melayu, in the classroom. But look at us, we rank third in the English speaking countries but what a shame that we are on the top rank as the most corrupt country in Asia.

We know to ourselves that most of the time, we have great ideas in our minds but we cannot express them since we have to speak English. That is the outcome of the students who have been taught of a language unfamiliar to them.

I am not saying that we will disregard the English language. We can learn English even though it is not our medium of instruction. We have to master our own language before we learn other languages. My point is, we should love our country. We have raise to it from regress by being intellectual people. We could express well our ideas and aspirations by using Filipino as medium of instruction. And we could be more effective people by learning the second language, English.

World: A Harmful Place To Live At

Oh, how cruel is the world! It keeps on destroying our homes and properties by continually sending its storms. Our environment is suffering from the severe heat coming from that crazy sun! Can’t you feel the heat biting? Isn’t it painful? Are we really that numb that we do not feel the anger of the world?

I just heard from the news and read some articles that the four seasons: spring summer, winter, and fall had moved to from their usual months of occurrence. These days, predicting the occurrence of the seasons is hard. You might wonder why leaves are still falling even though it’s already December.

Even here in the Philippines, there are certain climatic changes that are happening. There is a dramatic change in our weather. We feel the extreme heat of the sun during the dry season. And this feeling is not usual because the heat really penetrates to your skin only within a short span of time. I also noticed a fluctuating pattern in the weather of our country. I get amazed by the very sunny morning that will eventually turn into strong and rainy evenings.

Truly, when nature strikes, it strikes hard.

But is nature the one who is cruel, or is it the other way around? We, citizens of the world; are the ones who are destroying our earth Anything we do, big or small, can contribute to the world’s destruction. We are the ones who are destroying our own place. We have triggered the occurrence of global warming.

Global warming is the direct result of the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is the warming of the earth’s atmosphere, which is the effect of atmospheric gases on the balance of terrestrial and solar radiation. Solar radiation is short wavelength infrared waves, which is stronger than terrestrial radiation, a long wavelength infrared. If there is too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it will inhibit terrestrial radiation. This keeps our world a cozy place to live at. However, too much of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases will also inhibit the long waves, which are, supposed to be expelled in space. These waves come back to earth causing a grave change in temperature.

This phenomenon would not happen if we do not abuse our environment. If we are just give concern to what is happening in our world today, then we could still be raised from this turmoil. We, humans, comprise of the biggest part in destroying our place. We do it by using petroleum as gasoline for our vehicles, per se, and all other activities that emit greenhouse gases. We all know that petroleum comes from fossil fuels which compost mostly of carbon. By burning these products, exhaust gases are exposed to the atmosphere and eventually trap terrestrial radiation as well. Inefficient use of electricity or energy is also a factor.

All these things cause the global warming of the globe or what we call global warming. I see no curative way in bringing back the old beautiful world that we once lived. But I see sure preventive ways towards the continuous destruction of the world. The ways are as follows: using biodiesel than petroleum since it does not emit too much carbon dioxide, not burning plastics and rubbers and avoid too much consumption of energy.

These are just few ways in preventing continuous destruction of the globe. These could save our next generations from a polluted earth because of us. Let us be sensitive with what is happening to our world. Start loving the world.