Going Clean and GreenJune 26, First Field Photography Day with Professor Abe Rotor
Lovers' Lane, University of Sto. Tomas
Lovers' Lane, University of Sto. Tomas
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Photograph: On Signs
Look. And Listen.Seek for signs around.
June 26, First Field Photography Day with Professor Abe Rotor
Main Drive, University of Sto. Tomas
Main Drive, University of Sto. Tomas
Monday, June 29, 2009
First for Photography
Ako ay isang TomasinoJune 26, First Field Photography Day with Professor Abe Rotor
Lovers' Lane, University of Sto. Tomas
On the photo: Blockmate Mary Joyce Valentos
Lovers' Lane, University of Sto. Tomas
On the photo: Blockmate Mary Joyce Valentos
Saturday, June 27, 2009
From Practice to Theory: An Account of my 200-hour Internship Experience At Aksyon Radyo
Manila Broadcasting Company’s human resource manager read my resume after I handed it over. “Saan mo ba gusto, TV or radio?” Sir James asked. “Any medium… preferably the line of work would be Broadcast Journalism,” I straightforwardly answered. I did not know whether I sounded very demanding for my practicum in their company; what I knew was I had only responded with utmost honesty as to what I have been asked about. “Ah gusto mo hands-on talaga? Sige Mag-Aksyon Radyo ka.”
On the 20th of April, I went back to MBC with a mixture of excitement and nervousness for the beginning of my internship in Aksyon Radyo. Down to the ground floor of the building, I was guided to the small booth of the news bureau where I met my internship mentors: Niño “Bonito” Padilla, Atty. Rhina “Pañera” Seco and Patty Tolentino. They were the Aksyon Radyo news anchors.
I was a Communication Arts major with a heart-engraved passion for journalism. I have developed an interest for production and events; nonetheless, I knew in my heart that what I really wanted was to write, speak and think – more akin to the craft of journalists than to producers’ or directors’. Hence, given this opportunity to expose ourselves in the industry as mandated by our academe, I had really hoped for an on-the-job-training that would introduce me to the world of broadcast journalism. And meeting these people in this kind of internship set-up was indeed an answered prayer. More than what I have asked for.
I did not read journalism books. I was not obliged to painstakingly watch news to learn the correct way of speaking and breathing in front of a microphone. I was not forced to read law books to have a fair and comprehensive preview of the Philippine Law. During my 200 hour-internship period, I was simply conversing with experienced broadcast journalists who had known very well the vacillating pathways and tunnels in Philippine journalism.
Meeting this experienced broadcast journalists entailed me to be more vigilant in the events that were unfolding during those times. The job in the station entailed me to be equipped with the most current events everyday. But that very requirement was tantamount to my interest for public and social awareness which made it relatively easier for me to adapt to the demands of the work.
On-the-Job Training Activities
Aksyon Radyo interns do four basic things: read, write, speak, and think. Read matters on current events. Write three news everyday. Broadcast your news to be included in the report of other reporters from the different provinces. And think with common sense. Some interns are also taught how to use their Cool Edit software for productions and plugs. Interns also join special coverages during events and special occasions.
On my first day, I only observed the goings-on in the small news booth: how Karen, the outgoing intern, wrote and broadcasted her news; how she recorded the news of reporters from the different provinces through the phone-patched-computer; how Ate Patty quickly operated the Raduga software during broadcast recordings. Attorney Rhina oriented me on the things that I was expected to do, as well as the nature of the work in the station.
The very first chore that I was assigned was to transcribe Sir Niño’s interview with Senator Nene Pimentel regarding Manny Villar’s C-5 road project fund scam. Not having been able to write news for years since my high school campus journalism experiences, I was very nervous for this task of not only transcribing, but also writing news about it. Thank God I was able to successfully do it. It was my first, and of course I did not want to fail.
On my third day, I anchored the Network Afternoon News with Ate Patty. Still being new in the craft, nervousness again crept in. Nonetheless, with Ate Patty’s kindness and understanding, she made me feel at ease while doing my first broadcast. After the newscast, she had given me points for improvement which I now always carry every time I dub and speak through any medium: have more energy and power, and speak from the diaphragm. Speaking from the diaphragm was also what Sir Niño had pointed out to me in my afternoon newscast session with him later that day. From that day on, I started to be conscious with my breathing, my voice, and the way I speak.
As the day went by, I enjoyed my internship at the station. Lunch with my internship supervisors were also added times for learning as they tell tales of experiences in their years of stay in this field of work. During my first week, in one of our lunch out, Sir Niño talked about the fundamentals of news writing, summarized in his equation of the “Mathematics of News”. “Positive times positive equals positive: it does not make a good news story. There must be a negative factor in order for it to be called newsworthy,” he vividly explained.
Aksyon Radyo had a special coverage of the Aliwan Festival which exposed us to live anchoring and news reporting. DZRH 70th anniversary plug project entailed me to know more about the various senators, congressmen and politicians as I researched about their profile to be included in the everyday-countdown script. Bisalog, Attorney Rhina’s and Sir Niño’s Sunday news commentary program, challenged me to think about possible topics which could be tackled in their commentary portion, as well as come up with radio productions for that program.
Among the most significant experiences that I had during this internship was when Sir Niño and Attorney asked me out to guest in their Bisalog program last May 10. In the guise of a Thomasian, I was given the chance to air out my opinion and viewpoint on national radio regarding the then-talked-about Nievera’s version of the Lupang Hinirang. It was a wish fulfilled to be with known personalities in radio influencing people’s perception with regard to a certain issue. Months ago, I was only reading articles on media’s power to shape the beliefs of society. Now, I had been given the privilege to be among these respected radio commentarists acting out to enlighten the people’s - grassroots and eminent alike – minds about societal issues and concerns.
The Relationship with Comrades in the Workplace
With equal importance to the technical and real-life lessons that I learned from my internship, I also appreciated the healthy and worthy-to-be-treasured relationship that I had formed with my fellow interns as well as with my internship mentors (I am very thankful indeed) .
During my first day, who I saw was a seemingly-overly strict and snobbish man with thick eyeglasses sitting in front of the computer. A problematic lady walked to and fro the booth exclaiming about her aching stomach. A lady who also seemed to be unfriendly talked to me at our first meeting. A fellow student who seemed to not mind a new intern’s presence concentrated herself with what she was doing in front of the desktop.
Nonetheless, first impressions dissipated as conversations developed. The snobbish man, I now call my tatay; the problematic lady turned out to be a cheerful and intelligent woman; the I-thought-of-snobbish attorney was truly a kind-hearted and generous woman; and the fellow student was a gentle colleague indeed. Before I left, another student came at the station who replaced my position as the Aksyon Radyo intern. We also became good fellows and taught each other lessons distinct from our own experiences.
The first hour for my 200-hour internship requirement began in the morning April 20 and ended in the afternoon of May 19. In the morning of April 20, I was nervous and excited: I did not want to start. In the afternoon of May 19, I did not want to end. But every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.
I have now begun the last year of my academic life with real-life lessons derived from this internship program. These, I could apply in the theories that I would learn in the upcoming communication classes. Once, the flow of knowledge was from theory to practice. Now, it would be from practice to theory: with the experiences at hand serving as pieces of evidence to the theories that I would analyze in my academics reports and researches.
On the 20th of April, I went back to MBC with a mixture of excitement and nervousness for the beginning of my internship in Aksyon Radyo. Down to the ground floor of the building, I was guided to the small booth of the news bureau where I met my internship mentors: Niño “Bonito” Padilla, Atty. Rhina “Pañera” Seco and Patty Tolentino. They were the Aksyon Radyo news anchors.
I was a Communication Arts major with a heart-engraved passion for journalism. I have developed an interest for production and events; nonetheless, I knew in my heart that what I really wanted was to write, speak and think – more akin to the craft of journalists than to producers’ or directors’. Hence, given this opportunity to expose ourselves in the industry as mandated by our academe, I had really hoped for an on-the-job-training that would introduce me to the world of broadcast journalism. And meeting these people in this kind of internship set-up was indeed an answered prayer. More than what I have asked for.
I did not read journalism books. I was not obliged to painstakingly watch news to learn the correct way of speaking and breathing in front of a microphone. I was not forced to read law books to have a fair and comprehensive preview of the Philippine Law. During my 200 hour-internship period, I was simply conversing with experienced broadcast journalists who had known very well the vacillating pathways and tunnels in Philippine journalism.
Meeting this experienced broadcast journalists entailed me to be more vigilant in the events that were unfolding during those times. The job in the station entailed me to be equipped with the most current events everyday. But that very requirement was tantamount to my interest for public and social awareness which made it relatively easier for me to adapt to the demands of the work.
On-the-Job Training Activities
Aksyon Radyo interns do four basic things: read, write, speak, and think. Read matters on current events. Write three news everyday. Broadcast your news to be included in the report of other reporters from the different provinces. And think with common sense. Some interns are also taught how to use their Cool Edit software for productions and plugs. Interns also join special coverages during events and special occasions.
On my first day, I only observed the goings-on in the small news booth: how Karen, the outgoing intern, wrote and broadcasted her news; how she recorded the news of reporters from the different provinces through the phone-patched-computer; how Ate Patty quickly operated the Raduga software during broadcast recordings. Attorney Rhina oriented me on the things that I was expected to do, as well as the nature of the work in the station.
The very first chore that I was assigned was to transcribe Sir Niño’s interview with Senator Nene Pimentel regarding Manny Villar’s C-5 road project fund scam. Not having been able to write news for years since my high school campus journalism experiences, I was very nervous for this task of not only transcribing, but also writing news about it. Thank God I was able to successfully do it. It was my first, and of course I did not want to fail.
On my third day, I anchored the Network Afternoon News with Ate Patty. Still being new in the craft, nervousness again crept in. Nonetheless, with Ate Patty’s kindness and understanding, she made me feel at ease while doing my first broadcast. After the newscast, she had given me points for improvement which I now always carry every time I dub and speak through any medium: have more energy and power, and speak from the diaphragm. Speaking from the diaphragm was also what Sir Niño had pointed out to me in my afternoon newscast session with him later that day. From that day on, I started to be conscious with my breathing, my voice, and the way I speak.
As the day went by, I enjoyed my internship at the station. Lunch with my internship supervisors were also added times for learning as they tell tales of experiences in their years of stay in this field of work. During my first week, in one of our lunch out, Sir Niño talked about the fundamentals of news writing, summarized in his equation of the “Mathematics of News”. “Positive times positive equals positive: it does not make a good news story. There must be a negative factor in order for it to be called newsworthy,” he vividly explained.
Aksyon Radyo had a special coverage of the Aliwan Festival which exposed us to live anchoring and news reporting. DZRH 70th anniversary plug project entailed me to know more about the various senators, congressmen and politicians as I researched about their profile to be included in the everyday-countdown script. Bisalog, Attorney Rhina’s and Sir Niño’s Sunday news commentary program, challenged me to think about possible topics which could be tackled in their commentary portion, as well as come up with radio productions for that program.
Among the most significant experiences that I had during this internship was when Sir Niño and Attorney asked me out to guest in their Bisalog program last May 10. In the guise of a Thomasian, I was given the chance to air out my opinion and viewpoint on national radio regarding the then-talked-about Nievera’s version of the Lupang Hinirang. It was a wish fulfilled to be with known personalities in radio influencing people’s perception with regard to a certain issue. Months ago, I was only reading articles on media’s power to shape the beliefs of society. Now, I had been given the privilege to be among these respected radio commentarists acting out to enlighten the people’s - grassroots and eminent alike – minds about societal issues and concerns.
The Relationship with Comrades in the Workplace
With equal importance to the technical and real-life lessons that I learned from my internship, I also appreciated the healthy and worthy-to-be-treasured relationship that I had formed with my fellow interns as well as with my internship mentors (I am very thankful indeed) .
During my first day, who I saw was a seemingly-overly strict and snobbish man with thick eyeglasses sitting in front of the computer. A problematic lady walked to and fro the booth exclaiming about her aching stomach. A lady who also seemed to be unfriendly talked to me at our first meeting. A fellow student who seemed to not mind a new intern’s presence concentrated herself with what she was doing in front of the desktop.
Nonetheless, first impressions dissipated as conversations developed. The snobbish man, I now call my tatay; the problematic lady turned out to be a cheerful and intelligent woman; the I-thought-of-snobbish attorney was truly a kind-hearted and generous woman; and the fellow student was a gentle colleague indeed. Before I left, another student came at the station who replaced my position as the Aksyon Radyo intern. We also became good fellows and taught each other lessons distinct from our own experiences.
The first hour for my 200-hour internship requirement began in the morning April 20 and ended in the afternoon of May 19. In the morning of April 20, I was nervous and excited: I did not want to start. In the afternoon of May 19, I did not want to end. But every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.
I have now begun the last year of my academic life with real-life lessons derived from this internship program. These, I could apply in the theories that I would learn in the upcoming communication classes. Once, the flow of knowledge was from theory to practice. Now, it would be from practice to theory: with the experiences at hand serving as pieces of evidence to the theories that I would analyze in my academics reports and researches.
(Submitted on the 27th of June, in partial fulfillment of my requirements in the Practicum course for the 1st semester of A.Y. 2009-2010)
Friday, June 26, 2009
This House believes that....
... I will debate again :)
When I finish my term in TOMCAT in October, I would want to debate again in my last semester as a CA and an AB debater.
If my batchmates will be joining AB Debate Series, I will, too, for CA. If not, I'll target Dialectics in February - with Jau as my teammate.
I have relegated Rhetoric guild-heading to a fellow Rhetorician who is also capable of spearheading projects for Rhetoric and CA as a whole. But that does not mean that I'm not a Rhetorician anymore. All the more I am excited to train again with them, and with the AB Debate Team as well.
I admit, I am not that good anymore. Kalawang to the highest level. But I guess my Love for this craft will reignite the glamor that I have lost in setting up and delivering speech as a first speaker.
As what Kuya JC has said, "Go back to your roots. You are a debater." :)
When I finish my term in TOMCAT in October, I would want to debate again in my last semester as a CA and an AB debater.
If my batchmates will be joining AB Debate Series, I will, too, for CA. If not, I'll target Dialectics in February - with Jau as my teammate.
I have relegated Rhetoric guild-heading to a fellow Rhetorician who is also capable of spearheading projects for Rhetoric and CA as a whole. But that does not mean that I'm not a Rhetorician anymore. All the more I am excited to train again with them, and with the AB Debate Team as well.
I admit, I am not that good anymore. Kalawang to the highest level. But I guess my Love for this craft will reignite the glamor that I have lost in setting up and delivering speech as a first speaker.
As what Kuya JC has said, "Go back to your roots. You are a debater." :)
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Fathers' Day!
A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again.
~Enid Bagnold
When I was two, I was Papa's baby.
At five, I was his little girl.
When I became eight, I transformed into his little lady.
At five, I was his little girl.
When I became eight, I transformed into his little lady.
At 12, I was Papa's little woman.
At 18, I was his grown lady.
When I stepped 15, I became his growing girl.
At 18, I was his grown lady.
At 20, I am Papa's grown daughter
- and will always be.
A proud daughter for 20 years
for a father who has never failed in 20 years.
for a father who has never failed in 20 years.
Happy Fathers' Day, Papa! We Love You! :o
Monday, June 15, 2009
Prepared but not because of Bureaucracy
"Does it apply everywhere?" I asked Engineer Weng. "Generally, yes. The owner of the company always has the last say."
With the needed letters and papers in which the day's agenda were enlisted, I headed off to school at 6.30 in the morning. Given an hour to go before our call time, I opted to ride a jeepney since I was not really in a hurry. Calmly, I walked towards P. Burgos St. where I could hitch a Dapitan-UST or a Quiapo-Blumetritt ride. But before ascending to the metal floors of the one one where I have cruised, I bought a broadsheet to update myself on the latest news in the country.
45 minutes to one hour was my travel time from home to school. Upon arriving, I saw Judy at the Trinity busily typing at the laptop. I uttered, "Ang aga natin ah." We were around 10 minutes ahead our calltime; such a sweet miracle. I put down my bag and took out my folder and to-do list for the day: I knew I was prepared; we were all prepared for what we thought would happen.
Nonetheless, what you knew do not always spell out reality.
Mam Faye called and asked whether Mam Ninia was already around, telling that we would be airing for WebRadio. Yes, we would be airing for WebRadio (an experimental radio broadcast); but when I asked about tomorrow's TV airing in which we all have poured our efforts on - the day's agenda in my papers - she answered, "Pare-pareho tayong wala sa school nang isang linggo. Walang nakakaalam. I-confirm mo kay Mam Ninia. Malapit na ako."
I was left with one thought in my mind: Uncertainty.
With Mam Faye not having been confirmed by Mam Ninia (which she, our dear directress, promised the last time we talked) as to whether we would air or not, our preparations were on the brink of being placed to the trash bin - FOR THE SECOND TIME AROUND OR SO. We certainly prepared, but uncertainly sure of our fate. A sigh was all I can give out, faking smiles to my comrades while they were cracking jokes and telling tales of humor.
The Misa and Diskurso de Apertura
During the Misa de Apertura, I was pressured to get facts regarding the mass for our annotation. I thought that a program would be provided to us for our annotation, but it came out that we would be the ones to look for it. Hence, I asked the journ students to proceed to the Santissimo Rosario Parish to gather the needed data for the annotation. These all happening IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MASS, I felt it would already be impossible for them to talk to people of authority to acquire the needed pieces of information. But who knew, in production all things must be made possible. I hoped against hope.
Ivan and I texted all the way with the issue of not-being-able-to-get-in-and-we-could-not-talk-with-the-authority-because-they-were-in-the-middle-of-the-mass looming our cellphone screens. Looking for alternatives, Mam Faye got the memo from the Office of the Secretary General. Good thing vital information was included therein; thus, it was where Kat based her spiel. Prior to this, Mam Faye asked me to do the annotation upon knowing that Deedah could not make it; but I declined because I already felt not good because of the uncontrollable flush of events: our preparations for tomorrow's TV airing all headed to nothingness.
I just want to clarify (because we are all uncertain)
At lunch, I went to Mam Ninia to ask whether we would be continuing the TV airing or not. I asked, "Clarify ko lang po Mam kung mag-radio na lang po kami or tuloy yung TV." While politely staring at her, I could sense the confusion as well as the uncertainty with regard to her response to my query. She answered, "Di kasi natuloy yung meeting namin nung June 11, so 'wag muna kasi wala pang approval ni Mam Carillo."
In the afternoon, I told this to Mam Faye and she said, "O, akala ko ba meron?" Then I shared with her Mam Ninia's words to me.
I just wanted to clarify, because despite the efforts that we had exerted, still the day went by in uncertainty.
The owner of the company has the last say
The day ended nicely though, despite its chaotic start (upon my arrival at school). The WebRadio experimental airing went smoothly - but still with some technical lapses. TOMCAT members who were around did the day's advisories and time checks. Closing the station in its first day, I broadcasted, "This is UST Tiger Radio, signing off".
In the day's end, we were able to talk to Sir Weng about the proposals and shows that were censored by the higher authorities with no particular and STANDARD-BASED reasons. I asked him, "Does it apply everywhere?". "Generally, yes," he responded. "The owner of the company always has the last say."
Because of this, we felt unprepared because of ask-him-first-but-ask-the-higher-her-first, clogging the system of our organization. Not only once, but MANY TIMES - may it be in small activities or big events.
If this would continue, I don't think I could handle it with grace and ease.
Better push myself further in academics and target higher grades for honors, than work hardly and be a visionary for my loved organization. In the former, there's a bigger chance of succeeding, because bureaucracy is not present. In the latter, we would all die coming up with comprehensive proposals without achieving a good end - ALL because of the present system. I just remembered, WE ARE STUDENTS NOT WORKERS. We are passionate for our craft, not for pleasing any assumed god or pretended authority.
I love TOMCAT. I will always do. But if he higher people won't be considerate enough, I'll be able to do something that I could possibly regret - or not.
I pray that tomorrow, our newscast will be successful. Papa God, send forth your Holy Spirit to each of us.
St. Michael, my Archangel, Pray for us.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Thankful at 20
At 7.15 in the evening, I stared at the sky and saw stars - diffused and scintillating. The wide distance in between each enabled them to illumine the various parts of the land. That night, the moon only flashed a crescent. Thus, the minute sparks coming from each star served to brighten the sky's dark blanket.
At this same time 20 years ago, I was born. I wondered whether the same set of stars also served to brighten the night of my birth. If these same stars were the ones visible in the thousand evenings that passed- for two centuries - that formed the years of my life. If these same stars were the ones I had talked to when I was lying down with friends at the field of our school.
If these were, I would like to speak with them and ask how I have been in my 20 years of existence. Good or stubborn? Obedient or foolish? Focused or disintegrated? Sometimes invisible, yet these stars have never left the heavens. It has been witnesses of what we have been, and what we would become. It must have known me since birth.
In the middle of my wonder, I thought of the stars who have been with me ever since - the star who have conceived me as well as the star who have worked hard for me to be properly nurtured. The star who have made me smile, and other stars who have taught me lessons in life. I thought, "Stars cannot only be found in heavens; there are stars on earth."
I realized it was never really important whether or not these stars were the same as the ones which have illuminated the night of my birth. Because stars have always been around - old and new alike - in the heaven of this earth. In the 20 years of my life.
VERY THANKFUL AT 20
Goes beyond Going Out
Over the phone, my friend Terry asked, "Saan ka pupunta ngayon? Lumabas ka to celebrate your birthday." I answered, "I would like to do a favor to myself that goes beyond going out."
Something that goes beyond going out. This was it.
I decorated the wall of my room with a butterfly - a creature I have always admired and loved. Embedded on the wings were my favorite quotations from Robin Sharma's The Monk who Sold his Ferrari (the last book that I have read), plans for the year and a few photos. On the outer portion were my class schedule and my dear Sir Niño's message to me on the last day of my OJT - for me to be always reminded to rise and chase my dreams.
It has been my practice to decorate my wall and post jamelle-ish stuffs on it. And doing this on my birthday would be the greatest gift to give myself - my part of self-discovery. With my plans on it, it would serve as a starting point for another year of graces, blessings and challenges.
On the 11th of June, a Happy Birthday to me. Thank you, Papa God :)
At this same time 20 years ago, I was born. I wondered whether the same set of stars also served to brighten the night of my birth. If these same stars were the ones visible in the thousand evenings that passed- for two centuries - that formed the years of my life. If these same stars were the ones I had talked to when I was lying down with friends at the field of our school.
If these were, I would like to speak with them and ask how I have been in my 20 years of existence. Good or stubborn? Obedient or foolish? Focused or disintegrated? Sometimes invisible, yet these stars have never left the heavens. It has been witnesses of what we have been, and what we would become. It must have known me since birth.
In the middle of my wonder, I thought of the stars who have been with me ever since - the star who have conceived me as well as the star who have worked hard for me to be properly nurtured. The star who have made me smile, and other stars who have taught me lessons in life. I thought, "Stars cannot only be found in heavens; there are stars on earth."
I realized it was never really important whether or not these stars were the same as the ones which have illuminated the night of my birth. Because stars have always been around - old and new alike - in the heaven of this earth. In the 20 years of my life.
VERY THANKFUL AT 20Goes beyond Going Out
Over the phone, my friend Terry asked, "Saan ka pupunta ngayon? Lumabas ka to celebrate your birthday." I answered, "I would like to do a favor to myself that goes beyond going out."
Something that goes beyond going out. This was it.
It has been my practice to decorate my wall and post jamelle-ish stuffs on it. And doing this on my birthday would be the greatest gift to give myself - my part of self-discovery. With my plans on it, it would serve as a starting point for another year of graces, blessings and challenges.
On the 11th of June, a Happy Birthday to me. Thank you, Papa God :)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Last Night, Today and Tomorrow
Last night, I watched Kalye with Sol Aragones' report on the lives of families whose homes float on water. They're living in literally damp houses as water overflowing from the sea bust in their places, causing their floors to be always underwater. Seawater has abnormally risen in the years that passed, hurdling over the dike that is supposed to prevent it from entering the people's houses.
Adding up to the mishap - or rather highlighting the distress of the families - are the inconceivable yet real struggles that their youth(our youth) undergo every school day. The sea hides the bridge that connects their place from the island where their school is situated, urging them to ride a boat in which laps of water from the sea they get. When it rains, with the absence of any protective covering at the boat, they surely get wet.
Struggle, truly it is. For the youth in the place, sacrifice and suffering are what it take to attain the education that the society demands in its varied fields of survival of the fittest. One girl, when asked what her dream is, answered with teary-eyes and cracking voice, "Teacher po".
Whereas many students in Manila are constantly blabbering about what they "lack", here come children pursuing their dreams despite what they "lack".
It leads me to realize that we must learn how to count our blessings. Look at what we have, not look for what we do not have. We are all blessed in various - sometimes hidden - ways.
-----
Today, I wake up realizing that there are important things that I need to pay attention to. More importantly, I must learn how to prioritize well so that I may be able to accomplish these with grace and ease. With the goals that I have in mind, I myself must be effective enough for my battle plan to ensue. Hence, I must inculcate values in each day that pass by, and practice the virtues that I possess. This way, I can form good habits, consequently causing me to do deeds - from smallest to the biggest possible that I can - naturally and effortlessly with the greatest intentions and sweetest act, whether under incredible or spectacular circumstances. As Robin Sharma puts it, "You must do little things everyday to build your character".
With this, I can climb the ladder of growth in a slow yet sure manner.
-----
Tomorrow, I carry the realizations that I have in the night that passed and in the day that shall again pass . With the things that are bound to happen today, another realization shall come into mind again.
Adding up to the mishap - or rather highlighting the distress of the families - are the inconceivable yet real struggles that their youth(our youth) undergo every school day. The sea hides the bridge that connects their place from the island where their school is situated, urging them to ride a boat in which laps of water from the sea they get. When it rains, with the absence of any protective covering at the boat, they surely get wet.
Struggle, truly it is. For the youth in the place, sacrifice and suffering are what it take to attain the education that the society demands in its varied fields of survival of the fittest. One girl, when asked what her dream is, answered with teary-eyes and cracking voice, "Teacher po".
Whereas many students in Manila are constantly blabbering about what they "lack", here come children pursuing their dreams despite what they "lack".
It leads me to realize that we must learn how to count our blessings. Look at what we have, not look for what we do not have. We are all blessed in various - sometimes hidden - ways.
Today, I wake up realizing that there are important things that I need to pay attention to. More importantly, I must learn how to prioritize well so that I may be able to accomplish these with grace and ease. With the goals that I have in mind, I myself must be effective enough for my battle plan to ensue. Hence, I must inculcate values in each day that pass by, and practice the virtues that I possess. This way, I can form good habits, consequently causing me to do deeds - from smallest to the biggest possible that I can - naturally and effortlessly with the greatest intentions and sweetest act, whether under incredible or spectacular circumstances. As Robin Sharma puts it, "You must do little things everyday to build your character".
With this, I can climb the ladder of growth in a slow yet sure manner.
Tomorrow, I carry the realizations that I have in the night that passed and in the day that shall again pass . With the things that are bound to happen today, another realization shall come into mind again.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
A gem of unsurpassed beauty and elegance
I got the pair of pearls that was peacefully lying on the inside couch of the jewelry box. White, round and lustrous, I handed the pieces of these precious stones with great care. I gazed at it with awe and pride: such a spectacular work of nature that defined art in its simplest yet most complicated manner. Whichever way man has been able to duplicate it, still, precious pearls produced underwater can never ever be matched by cultured ones. Rare and fine: truly, these stones were exquisite and valuable.
Various literature spoke of the origin of naturally produced pearls. Greek legends indicated pearls as joyful tears of Aphrodite upon being born from the sea. Oriental poets, on the other hand, spoke of the creation of the first pearl as a water drop coming from heavens which fell on the vast oceans. Poet Sadi's "Bostau" narrated it this way:A drop of water fell one day from a cloud into the sea. Ashamed and confused at finding itself in such an immensity of water, it exclaimed, 'What am I in comparison of this vast ocean? My existence is less than nothing in this boundless abyss!' While it thus discoursed of itself, a pearl-shell received it in its bosom, and fortune so favoured it that it became a magnificent and precious pearl, worthy of adorning the diadem of kings. Thus was its humility the cause of its elevation, and by annihilating itself, it merited exaltation.
Stepping out of the scientific realm as regard to the creation of pearls and pondering on these legends, it was such a spectacle that a simple tear from the goddess of Love had formed a stone that had captured the hearts of impassioned women. Moreover, an ordinary drop of water from heaven had brought about a gem that caught the eyes of livelihood-oriented men.
From water came a gem; from water sprung forth passion and wealth. Doubtless that Romans and Greeks alike associated it with things of unique value, as women of modern times treated it like a favorite child and men considered it a cherished possession.
Thus was its humility the cause of its elevation, and by annihilating itself, it merited exaltation. Rare and fine: truly, these precious stones were exquisite and valuable - may it be in legends or in real life. Pearl: a gem of unsurpassed beauty and elegance.
Pearl: the Birthstone of June.
Happy Birthday, June fellows! :)
June 7: Julie Ungay
June 8: Uncle John Caranto
June 18: Ate Abi Aldaba, Ate Didith Dauz
June 5: Zosimo Membrebe
June 5: Karen Victoriano and June 23: Kristianne Carada
June 6: Sir Niño "Bonito" Padilla
June 8: Catherine Recio
June 9: Tita Azel Salantes
June 10: Atty. Rhina "Pañera" Seco
June 11: Kuya Rennie Abinales
June 12: Auntie Zaa Bonto
June 22: Wado Siman
June 27: Worthy AcostaFor us June babies:
Rare and fine: truly exquisite and valuable. A gem of unsurpassed beauty and elegance.
Let's bear in mind where we have come from: Thus was its humility the cause of its elevation, and by annihilating itself, it merited exaltation.
Let's bear in mind where we have come from: Thus was its humility the cause of its elevation, and by annihilating itself, it merited exaltation.
God bless us all! :)
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:White_pearl_necklace.jpg
http://www.about-birthstones.com/junebirthstone.html
http://www.jjkent.com/articles/legends-origins-pearls.htm
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:White_pearl_necklace.jpg
http://www.about-birthstones.com/junebirthstone.html
http://www.jjkent.com/articles/legends-origins-pearls.htm
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
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