MIDNIGHT REFLECTION PAPER

by Jerome Benedict

In fairness to Ms. Sy, she just spoke out what is stipulated in the DepEd order regarding suspension of classes, which clearly states that “when signal no. 2 is raised by PAGASA, classes at the preschool, elementary and secondary levels shall be automatically suspended….(D.O. No. 28,s. 2005)” The said DepEd policy does not encompass other levels of study such as the tertiary, graduate and post graduate programs, for as per CHED M.O. No. 19 s. 2005, “In case PAGASA raises Typhoon Signal No. 1 or No. 2 only in a particular locality within our PAR, classes (in the tertiary and higher levels) … shall not be suspended as a matter of policy.”

It was the Governor who first invoked the said DepEd guidelines and what was asked by Ms. Sy was just a validation of his reference for what has been announced is not in accord with what has been written. That is nothing different in asking a store keeper why does he/she sells Ariel detergent for 9 pesos even if the packaging label and advertisements implies that it is just 7.50Php. Or it is like picking a certain passage from the constitution or sacred scriptures, infusing your personal sentiments into it, and then vastly proclaiming it like it is still the same content without prior notice that you have injected your own ideas into it. In research studies, researchers are always warned to make sure that you do not alter nor twist the real thought or idea of the person/s that you are quoting in your research or else he/she might have turned in his/her grave (in case he/she is already resting in peace) for they did not really mean what you are now presenting yet you are still attributing it to them.

In the latter response, the governor has said that he makes no distinction across different levels of studies when it comes to their safety and security, which I personally think, that what the governor personally thought (no distinction) is something that is very venerable as far as his concern to his “constituents” is involved but at the same time conflicting at first, for it is not only that the government itself have set different institutions (DepEd and CHED) in order to address these distinctions, but also the reference (DepEd guidelines) pointed out confused those who are really aware with it especially with the ethics of referencing.

In this light, I therefore conclude that:

1) the comment of Ms. Sy is indeed a good starting point to raise awareness when it comes to such rules but she was heavily bashed and “burned” by the netizens probably due to the tone of her comment that seemed arrogant and sarcastic at times. Indeed, negative thoughts and acts attract negative feedback in return.

2) I do not contest the governor’s decision when it comes to class suspensions, knowing most especially that these decisions are results of his pure compassion to the Cavitenos supported by the different governing policies, weather forecast/data provided by different agencies and consultations with the municipal governments who are definitely not disregarded for they are the ones who are really experiencing the status of the vicinity. But I think the governor must not have pointed the said guideline anymore or at least have emphasized in advance that this is not his pure reference for the reason which I have already presented above. And lastly

3) ASKING QUESTIONS, RAISING INQUIRIES, RECITATION or SPEAKING OUT YOUR MIND is the beginning of learning. I should know for I am an educator and the said acts manifest the kind of learners who are eager to learn. That is why we, teachers, are very appreciative to learners who participates and interacts with the discussion regardless of the substance for we know that it is a spark plug already for deeper intellection. But if we suppress, make fun and humiliate those who stand up, those who let their voices be heard, those who expresses what is in their mind, most especially if it is an out of the box idea or is unorthodox to your stand. This society is bound to be doomed, for Charles Bukowski’s fear would come into full actualization: the intelligent people would be filled with doubt while the stupid ones will have their confidence oozing. I should know for I always shut my mouth off believing that less talk, less mistake, less harm, but later on I got challenged by Einstein’s premonition that “the world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.”

With this post I might be suppressed, made fun of, humiliated and most probably be ignored due to its length (LOL) but hopefully not assassinated (LOL again). But as I end, “come at me with your garbage, I will retaliate with my recycle bin and together let’s save mother earth.” 

After Heneral Luna, Goyong's Story Is Next

photo from geoffreview.com

After the success of the historical biopic film "Heneral Luna", a film that tells the life of one of the greatest general of the 1st Philippine Republic Antonio Luna, a sequel is set to be filmed for the next couple of months that will showcase the heroism a the youngest general in the country. 

Yes, its true, according to Heneral Luna's Offical Facebook page "Bago niyo pa marinig sa iba: ‪#‎GOYONG‬, tuloy na tuloy na. ‪#‎HeneralLuna‬" that was posted on October 30 at 1:07am. 

Beforehand, the persons behind the said film already asked the people to support Heneral Luna to reach the breakeven box office sales of 200M in order to have resources to produce the next film.

According to them, Heneral Luna is the first part of a plot trilogy that will tell the story of how the revolution continued after the Americans took over the power over Spain. The sequel as I already mentioned, is about the life of Gregorio del Pilar and the third film will focus on the life of former President Manuel L Quezon.

Bago niyo pa marinig sa iba: #GOYONG, tuloy na tuloy na. #HeneralLuna
Posted by HENERAL LUNA on Thursday, October 29, 2015

Reasons Why Teachers (in the Philippines) Demands For Higher Salary: Non-DepEd Teachers

photo by Patrick Familara

Many people ask why do teachers are asking for a higher salary. A lot of them think that teaching is an easy job that is meant to be paid less than those who work in the field of business, medicine, and judiciary. But, they are wrong. To teach is not as easy as peeling a banana. The future relies on the people who teach. Teachers are what we called them. They are the one who trains the mind, the heart and the skills of each individual in our society. Our future is on their hand.

Salary of the teachers here in the country is very low. Many Non-DepEd schools pay the basic salary of 6,500 a month for newly hired teachers. How far thus 6,500 pesos can go? This makes the purchasing power of them low. Many can’t afford to buy new sets of dresses and even to live in a decent house for those teachers came from another province.

 Having low salary doesn’t pay the hardship and dedication of the teachers who extend their work at home.

Teachers don't have an overtime pay. So every time you see teachers staying in school late, always think that they stay for their students. Because they care for them.

I think that it is the time to increase the salary of a teacher and to give them an overtime pay not just for the public school teachers but as well as to the teachers of the private schools. Teachers are not different from others. They have bills to pay, family to feed and a health to take care of.

Grateful

Written by Dharyll Udtujan

We traced the pattern of our dream’s design

Teach me the rhythm by which you make

Geography of leaves and sand

Destiny of tongue, unnamable word

Took me to the school

A place that I will never forget

Hide beneath his appearance

Touch the shape of its edge

Hear the sound of its tune

Make yourself truly worthy

Learn what you don’t know,

Teach what you know,

Cause’ life is but an empty dream!

To see what the future holds.

In mind and in heart

The hemispheres of reason and imagination

A stage that we can express the hidden soul,

A comforting one that is wrapped up neatly,

Inside a world he could control.

Someone Who Left

Written by Larryze Acuña

In this generation, the things that you usually have are the things you are comfortable with. Losing something or someone that became a part of your life is a big deal. As what others say, it’s hard to forget and move on. What will you do if you lost someone who became a part of our life? Will that affect you?

New school year and new faculty members, a lot of teachers left even before the past school year ended. What can you do to get them back? Nothing. It’s their own choice. Not ours, just be happy for them because they chose what they want, even if it means to leave.

For someone who left, there will always be someone who will come.

Welcome to the new set of faculty members. There are some who are strict. There are also kinds of teachers who know how to deal with fun while learning and teaching. Different teachers with only one goal.

No matter how they get annoyed with some students, they are still here. Willing to teach and eager to finish what they already started. That’s how much they love their job. In life, nothing is permanent. If you lose something, there will always be a replacement.

TIPS SA PAGLALARO NG BASKETBALL

 1. Bago ka maglaro ng basketball, kelngan ihanda ang sarili, mag-stretching mula ulo hanggangb paa, kasi kailangan isip muna bago puso, dapat isipin mo sa papaaukin mo e handa kang masaktan ano man ang kalabasan.

 2. Siguraduhing may bola na gagamitin sa paglalaro nito, kasi kung wala magjogging ka na lang. Mahirap kasi umaasa, lalo na't handang handa ka na, tapos wala naman pala.

 3. Sa paglalaro nito, kelangan alam mo ang ibat ibang skills nito, kasi kung di mo alam magmumukha kangbtanga sa harapan nila. Nageeffort ka nga pero ayun mukha ka lang tanga sa harap nya.

 4. Habang naglalaro, pilitin mo na maagaw ang bola, dahil ang tunay na pagibig hindi hinihintay, inaagaw yan. Paghirapan mo, kahit madaming nakapalibot sa kanya, wag mo syang bitawan. Ipaglaban mo sya. Wag na wag mong papaagaw pag nasa sayo na.

 5. Pinakahuili sa lahat, tanggapin kung talo ka, piliting lampasan ang sakit kung hindi ikaw pinili nya. At wag ng makipagaway sa napili nya. Ganyan talo, minaan panalo minsan talo, pereo pinakamaaakit sa lahat, nasa harap mo na pinakawalan mo pa.

‪#‎JacyBanatero‬ 

MGA DAPAT TANDAAN PAG DUMATING ANG THE BIG ONE (LINDOL)

ni #JacyBanatero

1. Pag naramdaman mo na gumagalaw na ang paligid mo, umiwas sa matataas na lugar. Pumunta sa may malawak na espasyo kung saan pede mong ilabas ang nararamdaman mo. Tandaan mo, hindi lahat ng nahuhulog e para sayo, yung iba para sa kanila kaya wag kang tanga, kuha? 

2. Laging iisipin ang sarili, pag nasa ligtas na lugar alamin sa paligid kung may kaswalidad na maari mong tulungan. Tandaan wag ibuhos ang lahat ng meron ka, kelngan mong magtira para sa sarili. Kasi lahat ng sobra nasasayang. 

3. Huwag hayaang walang nakakaalam kung nasaan ka. Ipramdam mo na nanjan ka at hindi ka tanga para malaman mong meron na syang iba. Yung tipo nanjan nga pero puso't isip nya iba ang nakikita. Bobo tawag sayo pag ganon, bobo! 

4. Kung sakaling ligtas ka na sa kapahamakan, ipagbigay alam agad sa kapamilya, umuwi sa bahay at ikwneto lahat ng nangyari. Sabhin mo lahat para maresbakan lalaki nya, putangina talaga. Ganon fre! Haha 

5. At ang huli, iwasan ang kausapin ang sarili, kasi bandang huli meron ka ng tulili. Daming babae/lalaki sa mundo noh. May taong nakalaan sayo. Sa tamang panahon! Punyeta! Kuha mo?

MGA DAPAT TANDAAN PAG DUMATING ANG THE BIG ONE (LINDOL)1. Pag naramdaman mo na gumagalaw na ang paligid mo, umiwas sa...
Posted by Jacy Banatero on Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Divergent

Written by Ann Ruth Austria

A beaming sound that never stops,

A great energy as their heart pounds.

Molding a peak of sound,

Roaming the place with pride.

Declares all mind’s thoughts 

And acts with no choice of thought.

Blinded by what they see is perfect;

Unknown and passed by trouble.

A hidden world away from pack, 

Clothed in silence; no noise nor little crack.

Chosen to be alone

Than to be disturbed by the noise

Thought building packs yield no sense

A shuttered mouth presents the loudest minds.

A silent one, eyes through the darkness

Rely that society teaches limitation.

SERVING AND WITNESSING WITH THE FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS IN DIASPORA

Pastoral Letter of the Obispo Maximo on the Occasion of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente's 113th Proclamation Anniversary

"Jesus came to Samaria in a town called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was aboutnoon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "will you give me a drink?" The Samaritan woman said to him, "you are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" Jesus answered her, "if you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." (John 4:5-10)

The Philippines, for the last 50 years, is a leading nation in sending its own people as migrant workers overseas. Joblessness, or the lack of adequate employment, in the country has triggered the diaspora of millions of Filipinos to many parts of the world.

This diaspora now counts to 15 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) or about 10% of the country’s population and approximately a third of the country's labor force. They are employed as domestic workers, medical assistants, construction workers, maritime workers, information technology experts, among other kinds of jobs, in Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, Australia and North America.

Data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) state that under President Benigno Simeon Aquino, the number of OFWs leaving the country has increased. From the 2,500 Filipinos leaving the country everyday in 2009, deployment abroad jumped to 6,092 daily in early 2015.

For the last three decades, more women are leaving the country. They are mostly employed as household workers, where they are vulnerable to exploitative working conditions. This reflects a gender shift in the nature of labor migration compared to the 1970s, where mostly male Filipinos left the country to work in construction firms.

Another recent development is the increase in number of Filipino sea-based overseas workers. The Philippines is now the biggest provider of seafarers to international shipping companies. Seafarers compose a special sector of OFWs sailing the global waters on foreign ships and primarily working as deck hands, cabin cleaners, engine room machinist and oilers, and cooks aboard tankers, cargo ships and luxury cruises.

Estimated at around 400,000, the Filipino seafarers is a major sector of OFWs that contribute to Philippine economy and to global trade. In 2014 alone, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said seafarers' remittance reached $5.6 billion. However, Filipino seafarers are hired for contractual and temporary employment, receive low wages and suffer from poor labor and safety standards aboard foreign ships. They suffer from unfair labor practices and exploitation and left with almost no protection at all from the Philippine government.

Instead of addressing the roots of labor migration, the government institutionalized exporting its own people and is now a major economic policy of the state.

OFW remittance greatly contributes to the growth of the Philippine economy. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas noted the growth of 6.2 percent increase in OFW remittance in 2014 at the all-time high of $26.93 billion, breaking the previous record of of $25.35 billion posted in 2013.

For this, OFWs were hailed as “modern-day heroes” for keeping the country’s economy afloat at the expense of leaving their families behind to work overseas. But despite their contributions, the state provided inadequate support to OFWs. Migrante International, a global alliance of migrant Filipinos, has long complained of "government’s neglect and incompetence."

Migrante International said "series of executions of OFWs on death row, the biggest number so far under one regime, are glaring examples of just how insincere, insensitive and inept the Aquino government is in upholding and securing the protection and welfare of our workers overseas, while ironically also showcasing a more blatant and unapologetic labor export policy that exploits our OFWs’ cheap labor and influx of remittances but sadly offers them nothing in return, especially in times of need."

Migrante International documented 123 OFWs on death row and at least 7,000 in jail, many of whom were arrested, detained and go through court proceedings without an embassy-retained lawyer or no lawyer at all. OFWs, as a result, are deprived of due process and go straight to jail without any legal assistance from the Philippine government.

Stories and narratives of Filipinos in diaspora all point to the same end -- the government has repeatedly failed to show any genuine concern and response to the plight of OFWs in distress, and abandoning them in times of crisis and emergency.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente, as a Church witnessing with migrants, is concerned with the plight of Filipinos in diaspora and their families left behind. We commend the sacrifices of migrant workers in behalf of their families and their contribution to the Philippine society. We share their pain living in a land far away from their loved ones and working under harsh conditions. We feel their anguish as they fall victims to various forms of exploitation, discrimination and rights violations.

Looking at their situation with a perspective of social justice, development, and human rights, we strongly believe that OFWs plight will worsen and their rights disregarded as long as the government intensify its labor export policy. The protection of OFWs' rights and welfare should manifest in the creation of jobs and just wages in the country, regulated control of the prices of basic commodities in the domestic market, and the provision of adequate social services to the poor, which will put a stop to forced migration.

We strongly believe that domestic poverty is the principal factor behind forced migration. We take our stand that the only way to resolve forced migration - and the complex web of social and economic conflicts in the country - is to address the root causes of poverty in the country through genuine land reform and national industrialization.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente, therefore, in this regard, opens its doors for a continuing dialogue with OFWs to become a sacrament of the aspirations of the Filipinos in diaspora for a Philippine society where families need not be separated by poverty and social inequality, where labor and persons need not be commodified in the altar of a globalized capitalist economy and market as millions of fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, seek a brighter future for their loved ones.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente selflessly offers herself as "Church in service and witness" for and with all the Filipino migrants throughout the world, and journeys in special solidarity with them towards the promotion of justice, development and dignity in response to the phenomenon of forced migration. With this commitment, we will seek the cooperation of Churches in different parts of the world in serving the Filipinos in diaspora and in witnessing with them, in the spirit of solidarity and hospitality in the affirmation of human dignity and the universality of human rights.

The Samaritan woman drawing water from Jacob's well at noon time icons the millions of mothers and daughters and sisters among Filipino migrant workers who have left their homes to draw water for their families from a well far from home. It was the need for water that drives them outside the shelter of their homes, to carry the heavy potted jar over their heads, walking the distance under the heat of the scorching noon-time sun.

But the Samaritan woman finds Jesus sitting next to the well. Jesus asks her for a drink and told her he can make her drink living water. She is expecting for water but she is offered the living water. This images the dialectic encounter between our mostly women OFWs with their host country whom they make to drink from their potted jar, and from whom they draw water for their living.

But Jesus by the well represents the encounter between the Churches overseas and the Filipino migrants. The image gives expression to Churches welcoming migrants and offering pastoral and spiritual care to migrants. The challenge of Christ appearing and revealing himself to the Samaritan woman by the well serves as the foundation for the mission of the Churches in addressing the structural phenomenon of global labor migration and in offering solidarity and hospitality to migrant workers.

Let us, therefore, celebrate the 113th proclamation anniversary of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in service to and in witness together with the Filipino migrant workers in diaspora all over the global world.

In Christ,

The Most Revd Ephraim S. Fajutagana
Obispo Maximo

SERVING AND WITNESSING WITH THE FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS IN DIASPORAPastoral Letter of the Obispo Maximo on the...
Posted by Alberto Ramento on Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Ano ang Pink sa Filipino?

I-like ang WIKApedia Facebook page para sa mga aralin sa Filipino. Maaari ding mag-post ng inyong mga katanungan sa...

Posted by WIKApedia on Sunday, July 26, 2015

Ang Heograpiyang Pantao at Kultural ng Daigdig

Ang Ebolusyong Biolohikal at Kultural ng mga Hominid

REVIEW: Korean War

It is almost fifty years ago when the war between the two Koreas began. It rooted from the collapsed of the last Korean empire the Daehan-jeguk dated on 1909 when it was conquered by Japan.  The Korean territory was under by the military power of Japan for almost Thirty-five years.  By the year 1945, the Empire of Japan surrendered to the Allies. According to the conditions of Potsdam Declaration, Korea becomes independent. After the capitulate of Japan, the Korean peninsula is divided between Soviet and American occupation forces at the 38th parallel. In the year 1948, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established, Syngman Rhee as President in the South and Kim Il-sung as Premier in the North. June 25, 1950, North Korean troops open fire and cross the 38th parallel and Seoul was captured within three days. The Korean War begins. Many talks were made to settle it up, still no formal agreement was formed to have peace on the two Koreas. Until now, Korea is technically at war.

Last  November 23, 2010 North Korea attacked the island of Yeonpyeong  near to their disputed territorial boarder killing two soldiers and leaved at least 14 injured civilians. The government of The United States robustly condemns this attack and calls on North Korea to stop its aggressive deed,” the White House said. (BLOOMBERG NEWS by Jonathan Tirone - Nov 23, 2010 11:38 PM GMT+08.).   

Days after the attack, countless joint military exercises were held by the US and South Korean Army to show that they were not threatened by the bombing. The government ordered the youth to undergo military training to prepare whether the tension get hot.  Months later many attempt of having a formal peace agreement was made between the two Koreas, none of it succeed.  

Why did the two Korean countries cannot be reunite and live as one like before? They’re both Koreans anyway, they have the same Nationality, same History, and same Blood. Why do they allow many people suffer in  passion of war that they created? Is it because of power? A power that many people dreamed of, to lead and control people through their hands?  Is it enough to sacrifice one’s life to get the power that you’ve wanted? Now, think again. 

Witty Ways of Announcing Class Suspension : Only in Cavite

For the past years, social media become an information hub for announcements that is being made by the government and many private sectors, both local and national. This new way of disseminating information helps people get in touch for the latest announcements especially times of bad weather.

Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter is being used for this. Announcement like suspension of classes  is done using the two social media site.

The Governor of Cavite, Jonvic Remulla , uses both Facebook and Twitter for this. 

Announcements done by the Governor is usually written in formal form.

I've been monitoring the weather updates from all sources. Classes suspended in all levels. Take all precautions for heavy rains and floods.

— Jonvic Remulla (@jonvicremulla) July 5, 2015

Weather reports have a strong possibility of heavy rains in the afternoon. Classes are suspended as of 11am today. Stay safe everyone.

— Jonvic Remulla (@jonvicremulla) July 8, 2015

Weather reports have a strong possibility of heavy rains in the afternoon. Classes are suspended as of 11am today, July 8. Stay safe!

— Jonvic Remulla (@jonvicremulla) July 8, 2015

But, not all the times. In some cases the governor makes it humorous to clear-up the bad atmosphere brought by the weather. In his recent post, students from Cavite lauded the governor for his witty and humorous way of announcing the suspension of classes in response to their prior comments.

I'm very sorry to everyone. Unfortunately tomorrow will be a day of studying....AT HOME!!! Classes for all levels... http://t.co/5ET5AGRXQy

— Jonvic Remulla (@jonvicremulla) July 8, 2015

Should I announce the suspension of classes in all levels for July 10 now? Or do I wait til all of you get your "baon" and take a bath?

— Jonvic Remulla (@jonvicremulla) July 9, 2015

Yes...classes are suspended in all levels. Please take a bath everyone!

— Jonvic Remulla (@jonvicremulla) July 9, 2015

It's About "The Best of Youngblood"

“The Best of Youngblood” by Jorge Aruta, Ceres Doyo and Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc is a compilation of 77 essays from the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Some of it is “The Myth of Generation X and “Anak ng Katulong”.

“Anak ng Katulong” is what I liked most. It was based on a true story of its writer Joven de la Tierra. It tells us about the life of a child whose mother is house helper. They live in his mother’s master’s house. I can relate to this story because of my Aunt in the province that becomes a maid in Manila. It tells us what is the true status of the person such as the difference between rich and poor that was always seen where ever we are. It also tells even we work, and salary the not enough for the daily needs of the family.

The Myth of Generation X that was written by Frank Cimatu that tells us on how to live without religion and without God. Nowadays some people don’t believe in God anymore and sometimes they don’t respect it. According to the essay The Myth of Generation X “Judging from the number of my age mates joining Christian groups (in 1980, there were 288 Christian fundamentalist sects in the Philippines and Fil-Am community, but by 1987, there were more than 1,137), it is still safe to say Christ died for us.” I think this part of the article shows that they don’t believe that God save us from our sins and Christ died for us.

I notice that our lives differ from each other. We have different stories and experiences to share. We must live in life with faith in God and faith in our family.

This book shows many essay or stories that based in reality. This is good to read by the corrupt politician's even ordinary people so they could learn what is the life of those who live in poverty.

"Jesus is Not God, but a Prophet Higher than Mohammed "

There was a video I found on Facebook that tells about Jesus and how He is being viewed by our Muslim brothers and sisters. In some point, I got curious about it, and so I googled an online Qur'an, and I found the story of Mary's conception to Jesus as Angel Gabriel denote it as the forthcoming of the messiah, in Surat 'Ali 'Imran 3:41-45. I compared it to the bible we Christians use and I found  differences on the story. 

We, believe and worship to a one and only God, the only difference on it is that we Christians believe that God came to earth in form of Jesus to cleanse us from our original sin. I may not be in the position to lecture about religion but as what the song of Jamie Rivera tells about "We are all God's children, We are all the same, He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame, And learn what life is really for, It's to know and love and serve the Lord"

We worship God in different forms, we should just respect everyone's faith and live in harmony and peace.

(Background: Jews Christianity and Islam came from one family, the Abrahamic religion. )

Surat 'Āli `Imrān (Family of Imran) - سورة آل عمران

3:41-45

He said, "My Lord, make for me a sign." He Said, "Your sign is that you will not [be able to] speak to the people for three days except by gesture. And remember your Lord much and exalt [Him with praise] in the evening and the morning."

And [mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.

O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer]."

That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, [O Muhammad]. And you were not with them when they cast their pens as to which of them should be responsible for Mary. Nor were you with them when they disputed.

[And mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah ].

SOURCE: http://quran.com/

Luke 1:26-38

Six months after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee. The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary.

When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.”

She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant.

The angel told her,“Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor[a] with God.You will become pregnant, give birth to a son,and name him Jesus.He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High.The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever,and his kingdom will never end.” Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’m a virgin.”

The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God.

“Elizabeth, your relative, is six months pregnant with a son in her old age. People said she couldn’t have a child. But nothing is impossible for God.”

Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”

Then the angel left her.

SOURCE:  https://www.biblegateway.com

Narrow Streets of the Metros

Have you ever wonder why most of the streets in cities are narrow? So narrow that we find it out very difficult managing our way when we drive, plus the ambulant vendors and the piles of trash adding to our burden.

We often blame our local government and other government agencies about this issue.  But, is it the real problem? Are they the one who’s responsible for it? Well, somehow.

Before we jump to conclusions, let’s try to visit our past, our history.

It was 1569 when the Viceroyalty of the New Spain successfully annexed its power and jurisdiction to the archipelago that lies east of Indochina. They called it “Las Islas Filipinas”. The Western Kings, as well as the Friars, controlled its inhabitants (Indios) for 320 years.

So what’s the catch? Well, for 3 centuries, they’ve controlled everything in the archipelago especially the economy. They monopolized our products that hinder economic growth. They built roads and bridges in the cities and other urban municipalities, not for cars to pass but for the Carruajes and Calesa/ Caritela. Our streets were not designed for cars.

Why didn't Spain brought cars here? Simple reason, they don’t want the colony’s economy to grow. For them to continuously worshiped and looked up by the Indios. They just want us poor.
We were engaged for hundreds of years by the Westerners, and now we’re free. Free do things for the betterment of our country. We now have a Sovereign Government that’s here to help us to make that happen.

Narrow roads? Don’t blame the government.

Leave science to the scientists

When I was browsing my news feed on Facebook, I found an article about 2016 Republican presidential candidate (in US) Rick Santorum reacting about the encyclical letter on the environment that (will be) released on June 15 by the Pope. It is about the Catholic Church’s strongest statement to date on the moral issues associated with climate change. Many environmentalist got excited except for one, I think.

In one of its talk he says to the Pope "leave science to the scientists", in thinking that the church has gotten it wrong, in some cases, on science. Santorum told radio host Dom Giordano. “We probably are better off leaving science to the scientists, and focusing on what we’re really good at, which is theology and morality.” -ThinkProgress, 2015

The the memes went out and gone viral about this topic noting that the Pope is a scientist with a Master Degree in Chemistry. But this claim is not true.

He may not be a Master's Degree holder in Chemistry, he still graduated with a título (similar to diploma) in chemistry when he was 19... Pope Francis certainly respects the scientific method, and careful measurement ranks high in his list of values.
So don't ever under estimate the people who works and serve in church when they talk about science... because they might be credible than we are...

New system; is this the key to a quality education?

by Samantxa Cedro and Patrick Familara

Many students were alarmed when the said K-to-12 curriculum is going to be implemented for the sake of near future and nation’s development of quality education. This may make sense and this may be our turning-point; the key to the success we aim, but unfortunately, there are still questions left unanswered. These questions run through our minds and mouth – “Aren’t they just making it harder?” Majority of those who are affected by the implementation speak that question, even some parents disagree with this. Though, like most things- there are the pros and cons, advantages, disadvantages and of course, the Yin-Yang Principle; “There is a good in every bad and bad in every good.”

The 2010 discussion paper of Department of Education (Deped) states that they aspire each students to achieve mastery of core competencies and academic skills – claiming that the new curriculum is not only about placing additional 2 years but it is also about the two folds that has begun to be the main focus of this program: 1. Curriculum Enhancement 2. Transition Management. Now, it is well-proven that this program is being put in place due to the desire of imitating the foreign-standard-education from other countries. Alack, leaving us the questions: Is Philippines k-12 ready? Can they handle the first graduates of this curriculum well? Or will they screw up? Not only that - Most parents ran about the additional expenses that will be spent on it, adding that they have such little knowledge about the unfamiliar cycle of twelve.

Speaking of the unfamiliar cycle, Private and public management began to re-new their assessment framework while some had issues with it and some did not. These assessments are made to keep track of the progress and improvement of the child, to see if they have learned anything. How was it like, back then – anyway? Grades used to be based on the scores an individual get from the periodical exams, pre-tests, and quizzes, but now everything has changed. KPUP found its way to the program and made a drastic impact to the youth’s academic- education. Knowledge, Process, Understanding, Performance? Things were much simpler yet easier when it was all depended off the examinations (25%) but some things need to change. This kind of change might be a benefit of the others while the opposite goes for the rest.

KPUP, No More!

Just like John F. Kennedy (JFK) says, “Change is a law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

Everybody were shocked especially the teachers who were just learning to love the newly implemented grading system for the K-12 curriculum, the KPUP (Knowledge, Process/Skills, Understanding, Product / Performance) when the Department of Education (DepEd) released an order last April 1, 2015 known as DepEd Order No. 8 series of 2015.

DO No. 8 s2015 – brings back the numerical rating scale to grade the students and the new grading system in all DepEd and Non-DepEd schools in the country (Philippines).  According to the DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro, the K to 12 Basic Education Program uses a “standards-and competency-based grading system” which are “indicated in the curriculum guides.” He added, all grades “will be based on weighted raw scores of the learners’ summative assessments” which will focus on three components including Written Work (WW), Performance Task (PT), and Quarterly Assessment (QA).

Starting this School Year 2015-2016, all schools in the country must use the new WW,PT,QA system as the basis for grading with “the average of the Quarterly Grades (QG) produces the final grade”.
Below is an example of the grading system  and the computation of grades / formula that was released by the DepEd.

Read more about the Classroom Assessment at deped.gov.ph/orders/do-8-s-2015