bits and pieces

Student Leaders and other members of AUF were invited to serve as audience during the Proclamation Rally of the Team Unity held at the Pampanga Convention in San Fernando last Tuesday.

Ma’am Virgie, head of the Mass Communication Department, also our teacher in most of our major subjects took advantage of the opportunity. We needed a venue for our stand-up reporting which should have been done last Valentines but we were not permitted because we were having our midterm exams. And so even if we weren’t student leaders, our class was excused from all of our subjects that day and headed to venue right after lunch.

It wasn’t a so smooth ride thanks to the warm weather, but more thanks to the air-conditioning unit of the AUF bus. I think it deserves a freon check-up. To worsen up things, we were instructed to go back to the school the moment we got there. One of the heads of the University said that the Convention cannot accommodate us anymore. Well, we can squeeze our butts in but of course, the school is after the students’ safety.

Fortunately or unfortunately, our class was exempted from the instruction. It’s not everyday that we get that kind of opportunity, as Mass Communication people, we had to grab the opportunity. In short, we stayed even if we knew that we wouldn’t get the chance to interview the senatorial candidates anymore. We just served as audience instead, but it was still interesting.

We got there two speakers late. But that wasn’t really bad. I even admire how we got ourselves in imagining the crowd of people pushing, shouting, sweating just to get in the small entrance door. The smell, the scene and everything else was disgusting before you get in. But what can I say, that’s reality! It’s really hard to get even a little cooperation from the people in times like this.

Talking about cooperation, the administration party was really united. It seemed like they had one goal to make bola the Kapampangans and our dear President who also happens to be a Kapampangan. I thought they’d be using all these boring speeches of promises in improving our country. But I was wrong. It was very easy. All they had to say was that they have relatives in Pampanga, mention positive traits of the Kapampangans, promise that they will prioritize Pampanga, and so on just to win the hearts and votes of people in Pampanga.

It makes me wonder. Would they use the same lines, same adjectives, same adverbs but just different Nouns when they solicit votes from the other provinces and cities of the country? Or they just used this strategy in Pampanga because they think Kapampangans are narrow-minded?

Sunday, February 25, 2007

WHOSE FAULT IS IT ANYWAY?

Of all courses, mass communication students like I are most expected to be updated with current events. But I sometimes hesitate to watch the news and read newspapers because I can’t help but be anxious knowing how terrible the reputation our country is holding these days. As they say, “what you don’t know won’t hurt you”

Being passive is not and will never be a solution with injustice, violence, riots, and other turmoil surrounding our society left and right but I hate to be judgmental for I am not in the government’s shoes. I haven’t even experienced how it is to govern a small district, what more to rule a country? Of course, I have opinions of my own but I don’t want to persuade my readers into something I am not so certain about.

It is so obvious that our country is in a total mess. So I can’t blame if some people overreacts on issues regarding our country, most specifically, our government. As citizens, we have our freedom of speech, but conducting mass rallies every so often won’t help a bit. Students are the only people I know who rejoice when broadcasters announce that there would be no classes due to strikes and unavailability of transportations almost every time there is a price hike and almost as often as the president speaks a word. You see, these people may not even know much. Worse, some are just being paid to protest and are not even aware which side they should belong to and what exactly are they appealing for. I remember a supporter of the opposition being interviewed by a reporter and turns out to be on the administration’s side.

How materialistic. These people would forgo their own beliefs for an ample amount of money. We are living in a democratic country where we are given the right to decide what kind of government we would want and the right to elect the leaders who would rule our country. In this case, we have no one else to blame but ourselves for it was the majority’s decision, to which we have all agreed with.

I think we Filipinos have eaten too much sweet that we become hyperactive. We elect a president and then demand for an impeachment. A replacement comes, and we again protest for another impeachment. Let us set aside our impulsive attitude when dealing with these issues. Can’t we just pause for awhile, take a deep breathe, think, and then make a judgment?

A democratic government, a democratic country, the Philippines is. So it all lies into our hands. To make a decision is like crossing a railroad. We have to stop, look, and listen, and then we decide.

GOVERNMENT: FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE

What is a good government? Encarta defines a government as a political organization comprising the individuals and institutions authorized to formulate public policies and conduct affairs of state.

Governments are classified in many ways. Republic in which people elect representatives to exercise power for them and Monarchic often in European countries wherein a person has the heredity right to rule as head of state during his or her lifetime. Such rulers include kings and queens, emperors and empresses. Another classification embraces a dictatorial government whereby a leader rules a country with absolute power and usually by force and a democratic government where every citizen has the free and equal right to participate in decision-making processes.

Democracy comes from the two Greek words demos, meaning the people and kratein, meaning to rule. It is a government ruled by the people. But it doesn’t actually imply that everybody gets to be a leader. It is often practiced by the right to elect political leaders based on the majority.

A good government secures the common good of its members. Its citizens are entitled to certain rights which guarantee them to freedom, justice and equality. Under these rights falls the freedom of speech, of the press, to choose a religion, to due process of law, and so forth. To maintain peace and order, it enforces laws that impose penalties on violators. These regulations must ensure justice and protection to every citizen at all times, regardless of their race, religion, sex or other characteristics unrelated to the worth of an individual.

The government establishes and regulates a relationship between its people which comprises the social dealings within their community, their region, their country and other nations for it intends its country to become globally competitive.

A government of the people, for the people, and by the people, that basically is how a good government ought to be.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

22 SECRETS BEAUTIFUL WOMEN KNOW

BEAUTY is one of the most powerful words in the dictionary today. Every girl, lady or woman in this universe is so into it. We get tips from magazines, idolize celebrities, watch beauty pageants, spend for beauty products and trips to salons and dermatologists and get hooked into whatever it takes just to be called beautiful. We all have our own interpretations as to what the word means. In literature, many masterpieces have been composed by poets with beauty as its subject. But what does beauty actually imply? Has mass media completely misled us to a false understanding on what beauty truly is? Let’s see.

1. Beauty is wearing a big smile, one that is merry and bright. Do you know that a smile may bring happiness to anyone even if they don’t know or like you? A smile projects a “yes, I want to be your friend” image. Why do we smile when we take pictures? Simply because we look good on it. So come on, we don’t have to project and dress like professional ramp models to struck attention. A vivid smile is all it takes to shine your brightest.

2. Beauty is discipline. Do you know the difference between eating healthy and starving yourself? Do you drink too much and party all night long? Your body is a gift. Respect it and set your limitations. Can’t stop craving for junk foods? Have you considered storing it far enough from your sight. Or think of other ways to stay away from it. Alternatives are always present, and discipline is always a key to looking and feeling good.

3. Beauty is saying “no”. The Philippines is a democratic country, so why should anyone dictate you? Friends can be influential but the choice between good and evil is still yours to make, and for whatever path you take, you have no one else to blame but yourself.

4. Beauty is accepting complements so as criticisms. People have different standards in judging what is pleasing or not. This explains why you could never please everyone. Even top models are not free from offensive comments. You just have to learn to deal with them. Truth hurts but would you rather choose to hear someone say you look stunning when deep within he/she knows that your dress does not fit the occasion or choose a friend who honestly tells you your weaknesses to help you improve yourself?

5. Beauty is an “I can do it” attitude. Always think positive. If she can do it, why can’t you. If you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won’t get it, but if you believe in yourself, you probably sooner or later will get it. “The greatest pleasure in life is doing what others say you can’t do”.

6. Beauty is intelligence. Nobody’s exempted from aging. Physical appearance fades but the knowledge you have gained will forever stay. Well, except if you get amnesia. But even if you do, the wisdom you have acquired would not be wasted if you have passed it on to other people. Beautiful women always share opinions through big or small talks.

7. Beauty is a kind heart. “Life is an echo; it gives back what we gave”. But it doesn’t mean that you should give and expect something in return. Give wholeheartedly. Have you ever thought of how it is to be in someone else’ shoe? If not, then ponder, exert a little more selflessness and start using the pronouns they, them, their, instead of me, myself and I.

8. Beauty is dreaming big and setting your priorities. Life is brought by choice and not by fate. Set your goals in life and a deadline on when you aim to achieve them. Setting a goal without a deadline would not make pretty much sense. Make a list of your ambitions and priorities in life and read it as often as possible for you not to forget.

9. Beauty is being courteous. Paying people for their service doesn’t mean that they do not deserve even a simple “thank you”. The best way to gain respect is to pay respect.

10. Beauty is leading. Being a leader doesn’t mean that you have to be the President of the Philippines or a politician. You could start at home, simply by setting good examples to your younger siblings. Or by encouraging your peers to become better persons. Simple acts of leadership can create another leader.

11. Beauty is in a friend who cares. Best memories kept are those shared with friends. Be a friend and have a friend who does not just listen but understands; someone you could laugh, weep and pray with; above all, appreciates you for who you truly are.

12. Beauty is having the courage. “Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it is the presence of fear and yet the will to move on”.

13. Beauty is being real. Is it the real you that they see beautiful? Are you what you are in front and behind people? If you are faking, why is this so? Are you scared of not being accepted for who you truly are? Dare to be yourself and notice a constructive difference.

14. Beauty is being comfortable with your own skin. Always wanted to possess the color, height or built of a cover girl? Loving yourself perfectly is easier than aiming to be perfect. Having insecurities would only pull you down. So ditch those ASAP.

15. Beauty is originality. Who would want to be ordinary? Having the courage to be distinct from others makes you stand out from the crowd. There is nothing wrong with getting hooked into what is in or trendy, just make sure that it suits you and it would not make you a replica of someone else. Be imaginative. If everybody goes for white then get noticed by wearing black.

16. Beauty is leaving a room for self-improvement. Life is a circle of experiences both good and bad. And with every experience are lessons learned which leads us to becoming better persons. What counts most is not how many times we tripped over and fall but how many times we managed to stand up and go on with the journey of life.

17. Beauty is practicality. Splurging money on expensive stuff is not wise. Learn to be thrifty and to recycle. It would benefit the environment too.

18. Beauty is to live and let live. We are living in a community so this phrase doesn’t practically mean that we should not care about other people. Beautiful people respect the right to privacy of others so as for others to respect theirs.

19. Beauty is independence. Sure, good souls would always be there to lend a hand. But isn’t success more fulfilling when people appreciate what you have accomplished yourself?

20. Beauty is looking on the bright side. Remember the song Ironic? “It’s like rain, on your wedding day, it’s free ride when you’re already paid, it’s a good advice that you just didn’t take”. If you think you have experienced the most tragic misfortune there is, then you’re not alone. Everybody does. And we think we could not get over it. Just think there is someone out there experiencing ten times or even more of what you are going through. It’s clichéd but it’s true: “When God closes a door, he opens a window.” When He thinks it’s not for you, he always has something better to give.

21. Beauty is confidence. Beauty comes from within. It is not all about physical appearance. It is how you carry yourself that makes you beautiful. How you see yourself is how other people would see you. Learn by heart: the top secret to looking beautiful is feeling beautiful.

22. Beauty is to love unconditionally. There is no greater gift than to love and be loved. This gift is what makes us beautiful in the eyes of God.

POEM: Alone

THOUGHTS OF A BROKEN SOUL

Here she was
Seated by the window
Locked up with sorrow
No one to talk to; no one to turn to

Takes a shower
And off she goes
To mingle with people
She doesn’t truly know

What she bared
Was a merry individual
And beyond our expectations
Was a broken soul

Agony was never
For her to reveal;
Yet bedtime prayers
Were hers to keep

Sympathy was what
She hated the most
And so she breathed in a world
Where she was oh…so alone

Friday, February 23, 2007

ONE VOICE: ARE PROFESSIONALS BEING UNDERVALUED?

Someone once told me that there are only three ways to get rich here in the Philippines. First is to be born rich with silver spoon on your mouth. Well, golden spoon would be better in my opinion. Second is to be a politician. And third is to be an artist.

Injustice is present in every direction you look within the boundaries of this country. The gap between the poor and the powerful widens more and more as time pass by. In the right, you’ll see the percentage of unemployed graduates growing every year. We have this so called Palakasan System in our country. Competition is tough for job-seekers, but not for those with backers. In the left, you’ll see teachers and other professionals working their butts off only to receive a certain amount just enough to support their needs or even less, while other undergraduates, such as artists are paid huge sums of money. With this trend, we can’t blame why graduates choose to depart our country and work abroad.

If I were asked what the greatest challenge there is facing the Filipino people today, I would have to say graft and corruption of politicians which leads to poverty. Yes, their dishonesty is against their sworn duty to the public. Such act is immoral, but who are we to judge them if they get tempted, with the ample amount of compensation, not only these politicians but also all the other government and non-government employees receive?

I don’t understand why artists get paid huge amounts of money. I am aware that entertaining people and being on-call twenty-four-seven is a tough job but they in return, get famous and perk out of it. So aren’t that and an adequate amount of compensation enough? Why should celebrities be one of those with high-paying jobs if they don’t even have to spend much because they have sponsors to provide most of the tangible things they’ll need?

As a youth, I would like to be a model to my generation and make a promise to make a difference in this prejudice system of ours by voicing out my opinion and hopefully be able to initiate a change someday. Let us not take for granted the help that these underprivileged workers offer us and our society. Who would maintain peace and order without police and military men? And if not for our teachers, how would we be able to count our earnings and spell out success?

Learn by heart: every individual in this world of ours is significant