MIX BLOGS - My Column Page: Mountain Province Exponent

IS THE SUN HERE TO STAY?

By Lesio P. Gao-ay

 

You may be aware of the new prophecy at hand saying that December 21, 2012 is the calculated time for the world to end. Much had been postulated as to when the world ends for several reasons and schedules but they all failed. The revelations at hand saying that December 21, 2012 as the end of the world has much to consider. This is a manifestation that men by nature live according to his belief on probabilities and predictions.

 

Predicting the exact time for the world to end is in itself an attempt to overpower His superiority. The efforts poured in calculating such tragic global death as maybe recorded as the third coming of Jesus Christ was never realized in those attempts. No matter what obsession is endowed to tell the accurate time for perish as inscribed in the Bible will never materialize because the mathematics and science He used in designing the universe is beyond human comprehension. The new prediction today is I believe has a hidden agenda. It would be more interesting to talk about sun which dictates the energy sources to supply life on earth. December 12, 2012, the end of the world is a taboo in its place. The question “Is the sun here to stay forever?” is more interesting other than speculating things beyond reality.

 

At present, scientists had been gratified to articulate certain theories that would account not only the observations but also the natural phenomena related to nature. One consideration herein is the inflexible study to what is the influx discovery the sun is all about and to what extent it affects life here on earth. Contemporary theories relative to researches about sun and its impact to humanity has acquired a certain status. Some scientist, have speculated whether the accredited status is as high as it should be, suggesting that the sun as main source of energy may be the primary reality the world of phenomena as substantial projection of scientific investigations. There is, however a further reason for interest in the quest for truth about sun. It is realized that many of the underlying ideas relative to sun’s characteristics and life cycles are intuitively studied using extensive resources devised by man from hidden recesses of experiences and passion for experiments. More importantly, is the sun here to stay?

 

Apart from utilitarian considerations, however, it is a matter of general interest to look more closely at the secrets of nature. Nature dictates natural laws as to the behavior of heavenly bodies are at stake the content of studies. Although this is the premise of scientific discoveries, scientists are entitled to disclose substantial researches. Specific example is the mystery behind the creation and origin of the sun whether the question “Is the sun here to stay” is a legitimate observation from nature.

 

The common view has often been too narrow, tending to confine customary belief as supported by the heliocentric theory of Claudius Ptolemy. True to actual observation and experience, there seemed to have agreement as perceived by laymen to consider the sun as the one moving in the space as evident the physical behaviors revealing different positions as observed during the day. As the concepts draw near to perfection, such continuous change in the position of the sun is the mere fact that the earth reveals two different motions; rotating on its axis while revolving around following its elliptical path. Man, with his limited physical frame, to a limited consciousness and rather narrowly restricted mental resources, a notion which is strongly at variance with the scientific approach to explain laws of nature realm is here to clarify whether the sun is really here to stay.

 

The birth of a star like that of the Sun involves various stages. This means that birth clears a point in time at which the Sun has a beginning and definitely, it has an end. Apart from the stages seen through rigid observations and studies, the Sun in itself manifest a life cycle where it involves several phases. Each phase speaks development and changes it has to undergo.

 

The stages from birth to death includes the Protostar stage, the stage at which cloud of interstellar dust and gas dense and cool enough to begin contracting gravitationally into a star in which its gravitational collapse occurs too fast. The second stage which is the Pre-main sequence stage is the phase wherein star’s particles are relatively far apart. The atoms of the gas bomb make other frequencies sufficient to create relevant pressure so that gravitational collapse decelerates. Up next is the Main Sequence Stage through which hydrogen is converted into helium. The rate at which the conversion goes depends upon the mass of the star. Stars start to create its own energy by spending hydrogen through thermo-nucleus reaction deep in the star’s innermost section. The Giant Stage is where the hydrogen fuel runs out. The core shrinks totally which is helpless in the process of nuclear reaction. The contraction raises the temperature so that energy in the outer layer expands and glows red.

 

In the Variable stage, the disparity in brilliance of a star is due to the constant change in the stars nuclear reaction that is further triggered by stream of radiation. Star varies in brightness which discloses post – giant stage.

 

From the Variable Stage comes the Terminal Stage. This is the death of the star. Thermonuclear reactions totally disappear. Star that had collapsed and had reached a point at which it has no much pressure to maintain its density dies readily. The atoms fused together into heavier atoms into a very dense state clears no nuclear reactions occurring, thus the star had completely expired and lifeless.

 

At this juncture, the Sun as one form of star reaches its main sequence stage. Like a human, it exists in its youthful age where its brilliance illuminates perfectly to supply the needed energy by life on Earth. Millions of years from now, the Sun expect to give off its energy, close its brightness, and soon to experience gravitational collapse like other stars that had undergo same process. By the time the Sun dies, the Earth is completely a lifeless planet. This would somehow define better the notion “End of the world.” Now, would you still say “Is the Sun here to stay forever?” (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my cp # at 09185452554).

“Re-rooting Christian faith and culture for service”

 

Once again, the vicariate schools of Mountain Province district trooped remarkably in Kayan, Tadian (Dec. 11-14, 2008) for the successful conduct of the third Schools of Living Tradition convention. To such, the convention had served as the cultural festival that had showcased the customs and traditions across the villages of Mountain Province.

The theme of this year’s convention “Re-rooting our faith and culture through service” is definitely an effort of nurturing once faith while doing appropriate measures to cultivate culture deemed to substantiate better life among the community folks. Re-rooting is the renewal process in itself. Thus, this course is indeed an intellectual response to intensify faith and culture.

Coming together as one family in the academe and in faith scored the difference. From west to east of the province, it was absolutely delightful to witness perfect blend of eastern and western cultures. All the way from the eastern side, Immaculate Heart High School, Natonin had unveiled their richness of their culture as the freshmen group in this said convention. This year’s affair had won the most participated convention in view of the schools attendance to wit, three elementary schools disclosed luminous support.

To sum, the six vicariate schools in the province together with two public elementary schools namely; Kayan East Elementary School and Kayan West Elementary School showed vital participation. The three-day festival I believed had inculcated challenge of faith renewal and culture enrichment among the schools and communities.

On the other hand, Christmas is already at hand. As inscribed in our tradition as Catholics, “Simbang Gabi” or popularly known as the “Misa de Gallo” would be at stake. Philippines and Spain particularly have one in common, that is to celebrate a “night mass” while waiting for the Christmas celebration.

“Simbang gabi,” the nine-day celebration before Christmas marks a tradition with deep roots of religious culture. The term comes from Catholic custom of gathering for the celebration of the Eucharist in the pre-dawn hours on each of the nine days before Christmas.

Though this tradition traced its roots from an obscure history, its aim remains strong in the call for oneness and brotherhood, that is, it serves as a sacrifice of love for it requires dedication and discipline to get out of bed so early while yet fulfilling all one’s daily duties.. This had certainly provided a strapping indication of depth Catholicism in the hearts of the Filipino people, particularly the highlanders.

Attending “Simbang gabi” is a very significant moment because it strengthens relationships among family members. This is also the instant at which our faith is deepened having Him in these moments. Further, I would like to believe that what matters significantly is not the resilience to complete the novena or not but what really matters is the value found within. The blessing is not measured quantifiably on the frequencies of mass attended, but on the temperament of the individual who received the Lord’s blessing.

My advance greetings of Christmas to one and all! (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my cp # at 09185452554).

Honesty, Still a Living Tradition

 

            Devie A. Morqued, a grade 6 pupil of Bun-ayan Elementary School is precisely an example of a living tradition for honesty and truthfulness. I, together with Sir Johnny “Juan” Fiao-ag” Sr., were supposed to heed at the Government Center for our game that day (December 4, 2008) when certain Devie, a daughter of Mr. Dionie Morqued and Mrs. Maria Teresa Morqued of Bun-ayan, Sabangan handed to us a green purse containing meal tickets, pair of earings, lip gloss, and a cash of five hundred fifty pesos (PhP 550.00). Such purse is owned by certain Apple Joy Manuel, a senior student of Mount Data National High School in Bauko.    

            What a very delightful experience to be witnessing value of honesty at hand despite the crisis seen in the global community. Devie, must be credited for her noble deed in returning without reservation the purse containing these items. To Devie, accept my precious appreciation for the heroic feat you disclosed. Indeed, my heart was filled with deepest admiration.

            The just concluded 2008 Provincial Athletic Meet is one of its kinds, an affair which had focused culture of hatred and pain in the whole athletic community. Hatred that is caused by misunderstanding in all aspects of athletic disciplines and the pain it had offered because of failures and defeat is but a manifestation of a normal routine in event like this. But behind the dark stories in its hallways lies a learning experience for innovation of character resources thus, it speaks in itself formation of values in the process.

            Sad to say that while other coaches (and athletic managers in particular) do their best to iron out values in the training workplace, some kind of dishonesty still filled spaces of both doubts and trusts. These loopholes would be a precedent of wrong values among the athletes thus it will soon crop out as a culture if corruption, collapsed characters and twisted principles.

            An example of doubtful record which happened in an international sports competition was the China’s team in gymnastics women where four among the members were allegedly found under age by certain foreign screening committee. Such claim of doubt was a reflection of the team’s public appearance where these gymnasts were recognized as below 16. Speaking through records, their ages were confirmed authentic but which was a subject of disbelief by the other members of the Olympic delegations.

            In the local scenario, among the common themes of pressure where such distrust knocks ones consideration is the issue on OVER AGE. Previously, some athletes as genuinely observed by reliable coaches and officials made use of their younger brothers and sisters’ birth certificate so to escape from what is legal and truth. At any rate, one of the athlete’s paper requirements had somehow eradicated percent of falsification which has intensified measures to at least discourage such fraudulence when values are supposed the bedrock of nurturing ethics among the athletes. Indeed, the athletes’ NSO record of their birth certificate ensures factual information of theirs which had broke down really the issue on falsification.

            I do hope that the athletes’ requirements were accomplished to utmost intention but not an avenue to develop another version corruption. (For comments, please leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in CP # at 09185452554).

INDIGENOUS CHEMICAL MAGIC

 

Two house flies namely Kiangao (boy fly) and Bugan (girl fly) made arrangement through text for a date that day. Kiangao in his text message assured to her a lunch meeting in one of the town’s garbage dump sites where there heaped various foods in all the corners. To her excitement, Bugan replied “Yes my dear I will come.”

To his surprised, Kiangao had to set a date for himself that day. Having been in the park for a while was of bit tiring. He got a taste of different menus down the sidewalks, restaurants, monuments, canals and almost everywhere. Now, he was up looking for a special time and it had matched perfectly with his leisure at the spur.

“tit tit tit,” his mobile sounded. “Where you at now?” the lines run through in his mobile. He got three more notes and was about to send his reply when he received another buzz. “My dear, what time will we meet?” the remarks read.

The two agreed to meet in a poor old man’s house that lived to utmost simplicity. Both wanted to avoid having fun in a well-to-do family mansion where there hang hundreds of fly catchers in all corners. Since time before, Kiangao had been in trauma and could not forget his experience one time when he was trapped in a glass by a baby boy. It’s good he was able to make his way out from that oblation giving him another chance to live.

And so, they flew both for a date. Other flies that happened to see them on way got envious with them. They flew to the limit squirming like a fish in the water. At a glance, they reached that old man’s house. Kiangao saw a plate of delicious food from atop served freely in the table. “Can you what I see? Kiangao said. Where is it? Bugan answered. “Oh yeah, its amazing, for all I know, this poor man doesn’t deserve a good food stuff” she continued.

“Kiangao my dear, can we have a taste of that food? It looks like it’s very delicious the way I looked at it,” she suggested. “Come on dear, let’s devour that blessing” he responded.

The flies enjoyed sipping the soup. “Hmmmm…so delicious, I like it” Kiangao commented. They sipped, and enjoyed everything. For every one small step they made in the plate corresponds to a great sip of soup and a pinch of fleshy meat they partake at once.

In less than a minute, Kiangao felt drowsy much more with Bugan who had sipped the most of it. Seconds later, both lay lifeless on the table. The date they were supposed to celebrate ended in a very traumatic experience. It was an end to their career as virus sucker.

While there are multiple versions of magic chemicals around us, one can never deny the power of chemical substances present in it. The making of a glass out from ice, a glass out from beer wine count are facts about the magic chemicals. Among the very surprising findings at present about chemical magic includes the Satan’s Bubbles, Blue Stars, living fire, pharaoh’s candles, and the rest which came into reality in the world of chemistry.

The magic substance taken by the flies is one of its kinds. In a remote part of Benguet province, a mushroom of about 10 t0 15 cm in height grows robustly in a thick pine needles dropped in the ground. It grows from a mildew growing under the pine needle leaves collected.

The growing process takes to about half to a month. Lumsek, as people named it indigenously usually comes out during the first rainy season. Due to the extreme temperature drop to about 5 to 10 0C on the month of February and the temperature rise during summer time, mildews are formed underneath the pine leaves on the ground. Like other mushrooms, lumsek grows well when showered by a first drop of rain in the month of May. June and July is the perfect season for this magic mushroom.

It is said to be magic when it’s a blessing for human at the same time a curse to flies. Old folks on this town (Buguias, Benguet) take lumsek a substitute for monosodium glutamate, a food seasoning and flavor enriching substance that comes in natural pacts. Lumsek is edible and well recommended human food because of its richness in dietary fibers including those associated with cholesterol –lowering (Chitin). While its serves best for human as source of high-quality protein, unsaturated fatty acids and fibers, vitamins and minerals, lumsek is very effective fly killer. Boiled lumsek flesh when placed in a plate and served in the table attracts many flies. While the flies perfectly sips in the soup, certain substance content of the mushroom makes the flies die in a few seconds. In an hour where there lies habitat for flies, a plate of lifeless flies would be collected apart from the numerous flies already poisoned and are on the process of dying. Using the lumsek to end bucks of flies around is at par excellent than the expensive fly catcher availed from the stores. A plate of dead flies in an hour is no match with the number of flies caught in the hanging fly catcher.

The town of Buguias is the number one supplier of vegetables in Baguio City and Benguet province. Because of the toxic chemicals which had resulted from the excessive use of chicken dung as fertilizers, thousands of flies grew fast in few days making this town a junket of flying buckets. The presence of this lumsek is a blessing in this town. It is really beyond imagination to be seeing flies around in the table during eating time when lumsek is helps control flies population.

For comments, feel free to leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or inmy CP # at 09185452554).

“Gawis nan kasin suma-a”

 

Through the Catholic Mission of Sabangan, San Alfonso High School (SAHS) for 50 years had erected a temple of amorous and infinite thought to the whole studentry, parents and community folks. Its existence brings forth castle of knowledge, ingenious and critical thinking where others radiate their candles at it. Let the hierarchy of accomplishment ascend forever.

 

As inscribe accordingly to ones fate and destiny, life is presently illustrated in any of the following conditions which includes a journey, a battle, a pilgrimage, and a race. The premise of looking into these conditions clears the concern that life is a journey that must be completed. If life is a battle, it must be finished. If life is a pilgrimage, it must be concluded to a coming home. And if life is a race, it must be won. To the alumni of San Alfonso High School, choose your own allegory and I’m quite sure that its essential point of finishing is all the same.

 

This is the reason that the 50^th Foundation Anniversary of SAHS has yet to materialize. At present, the school’s stake holders are up busy with all the kinds of preparation relative to the successful conduct of the jubilee expected to kick off October next year. Most specially, the whole family is busy preparing for the launching activity on November 30 to head start all the awaiting activities ahead.

 

The creation of the 50^th golden jubilee of the school has much to deem in struggles so challenging probably responsive of the payback that we are reaping at hand. So happy with the thought that the generations coming after will long recall what had been sewn for them.

 

Through this space, I would like to reach it out to all SAHS alumni the scheduled activities set for this affair. Launching of the SAHS golden jubilee will be on November 30 to be conducted at the school ground. Expected participants include all SAHS alumni, which include students who attended studies of at least one grading period apart from those who graduated, and the first students in years 1959 to 1965. It is well remembered that the first batch of graduates recorded was in 1966. For further information, you can visit the school website at www.sahs-edu.page.tl or the golden jubilee website at www.sahs-jubilee.page.tl. Said golden jubilee is to be celebrated with the theme “Passages of the decades…the quest for excellence continues!”

 

The essence of the line “Gawis nan kasin suma-a” is but a simple response to the call of being together. This is an avenue that caters to liberal aspect of sharing responsibilities of reminiscing the past that would somehow lead to the possession of culture of excellence. In a nut shell, this affair intends to make every stake holders not merely a person doing the right things but enjoying things that goes with the uprights of living; not merely industrious but to love industry; not merely pure but to love purity; not merely just but to hunger and thirst after ones involvement in the affair.

 

Please be informed too of the coming Golden Jubilee Calendar to be circulated next month. Up next is the grand alumni homecoming and the SAHS Golden Jubilee Sports fest to be conducted this December.

 

Make it your commitment to share your time resources so the line “Gawis nan kasin suma-a” will score a difference to make a better community of love, camaraderie, and brotherhood as the school continues its quest for excellence in the years ahead. (For comment, forward them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my cp # at 09185452554).

The Lucky Seven

Self-esteem as defined by Wikipedia refers to a person’s overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth. This exactly encompasses beliefs whether one is competent or incompetent, and emotions which denote success over failure or between pride and shame.

Definitely, self-esteem helps shape academic accomplishment of a learner in the classroom. Thus, a depleted self-esteem diminishes learner’s enthusiasm to study and the aptitude to direct his attention to his responsibilities. Furthermore, a learner with subtle self-esteem may feel unworthy of his presence or may be shy, afraid to associate himself to his classmates or teachers. True to actual observations, a learner passes up from class discussions and activities because he thinks he doesn’t have the resources and courage to come out from his own shell.

I have faith on teachers’ role to improve their students’ self-esteem through their daily encounter and interactions in the classroom. Below are 7 tips to help build students’ self-esteem according to Elsie T. Torreno, a BSE and MA in Child Study degrees from the Philippine Normal University.

1. Sincerely praise and appreciate good work.   Individually commend students for their good work.  Tell them exactly what you like about their work and immediately give incentives. Praise their positive behaviors i.e., active participation in class.  If students lag behind or are progressing slowly in academics or in assigned tasks, praise their perseverance.  Affirm them in the presence of their classmates.  Or write a note in their notebooks or diaries.

2. Showcase achievements.  Find ways to bring students’ achievements to the attention of the class. Display chosen artworks on a bulletin board and prominently write compliments on them for everybody to see. Place a big star on top of their works to show how important their accomplishments are. If students have special talents like dancing or singing, ask them to perform during class programs.  If they excel in using a particular software program in computer class, ask them to show their skill in class.  They can also help classmates with projects or homework using their skills.  Students good in math may be asked to demonstrate how to solve a challenging math problem.

3. Make students feel significant in class.  Assign shy students to be responsible for certain classroom tasks such as checking the attendance, collecting the homework of their classmates, leading the prayer before class, or delivering a note to the principal.  Assure them that you believe in their capacity to finish their assigned tasks.

4. Encourage a sense of belonging.  Find activities in which shy students can successfully interact with other students. Involve them in group activities where they can contribute their talents, be accepted by their peers, and be affirmed for completing their tasks.  Ask the more introverted students to approach their shy classmates and spend time with them during recess, playtime, or lunch.

5. Update them on their progress.  Focus on how students are progressing on certain tasks over time.  Compare their past and present achievements such as quiz scores or periodical exams. Let them listen to a recording of how they have greatly improved their diction in oral reading exercises in the speech lab. Make them aware of how they have achieved a sense of proficiency in solving certain math problems which they found to be difficult in the first quarter of the year which they now find easy to solve.  Prepare “success cards” where you can record their high scores and accomplishments in all subjects.

6. Talk about their interests.  Ask parents about your students’ favorite subjects, games, or hobbies so you can engage your shy students in conversations.  Listen to what they have to share so as to encourage a trusting relationship between you and them.

7. Share evidence of success.  Call or send a note to parents toinform them of their children’s achievements in school.  Suggest that they can help their shy children improve their self confidence by praising them in front of friends and relatives.  Tell them to treasure their children’s work by saving samples from the previous year. (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my cp # at 09185452554).

 

The Values AT-ATO-AN can give

 

Having been with the old folks in the AT-ATO-AN lately, I came to realize instinct values found in our traditional practices to which Daw-es, Begnas, Awil, Lepas, a form of culture based rituals calls for peace and loving culture lived thru times. The lallakays can be credited by their passion of cultivating good practices which maintains good human relation among the neighborhood.

 

The full cultivation of Begnas demands an expenditure of culture understanding which is rarely available to one whose preoccupation is beyond this point. The ubiquity of the gramophone and the cascade of broadcast traditional music make a measure of musical understanding almost unavoidable, but this is not the same as the practice of the dictated traditional rituals which is the aim and reward of the existing cultures at present. Most practices consume comprehension not only in their way of realizing the procedures but also in their maintenance. One of the lallakay leaders I meet once remarked that if he omitted the practice exercise for one day, his calling as leader of traditional rituals would be ruined for a great cause.

 

The case of traditional practices in the highland provinces is well known. After a lifetime devoted to customary ritual processes, there seemed to have laid formation of values one can identify in our own culture. The pleasure of this time of culture-based activity points the moral to the present discussion. Any of the arts and literatures that are in the form of BEGNAS, LEPAS, AWIL, DAW-ES and the rest are may be within the scope of the people who seeks no more than a passing appreciation of culture associated with science.

               

To such, AT-ATO-AN is a revered place where values originated from the conventional teachings of the lallakays developed from day-to-day experience. I had made several appearances in the AT-ATO-AN during the times at which certain ritual have to be realized in relation to usual procedures before planting season and harvesting term. I was gladly amazed to witness justifiable proceedings initiated by the lallakay leaders in shifting the usual and legal process of conducting the BEGNAS from the standard process to modified version which came at the spur due to the absence of the some members of the AT-ATO-AN union.

 

On that day of the ritual, the lakay leader was informed that certain member of the union together with his family members went out of the town for a very important family affair. Instead of considering standard sacrificial animals to be butchered, he then advised the members to conduct the BEGNAS celebration in a simple way. According to him he said; it is not a good practice to flow out blood from the sacrificial animal when a  member of the union were on leave on the day of the ritual proceedings as this may somehow cause trouble against him. Right then, the butchering items considered were the usual salted meat “INASIN” mixed with legumes. This is exactly the LUMLUMDANG version as observe in Bauko. 

 

It may be the gesture of having a sensitive consideration in favor of the absent member to keep him away from form of misfortune. Whether it is a version of safekeeping thru which the shift was realized but it means deeper annotation. Modifying the ritual process this way is a very legitimate action to which it spells bottomless camaraderie among neighborhood. This is a great manifestation of respect over the person involved. Just imagine the present members during the rituals modifying the usual process of the practice so to keep safe the absent member. It’s indeed a very high form of respect.

 

The concern here is that, respect largely defines superior human relations, for culture these are completely relevant. In most cases, this happens in between the villagers so to maintain favors and blessings from God.

The Fair Fear

 

It is a customary belief that during ALL SOULS DAY, family members memorialize their faithful departed by way of preparing spendthrift party or maybe restrained celebration so to accommodate the memories left by these souls believed to have united with God. Moreover, various stories relative to certain death, Halloween fevers, spirits, ghosts and the like comes perfectly in the radio, mobile text messages, television, and in the internet. Different versions of tales contribute to an experience of fear over the lifeless skeletons in the tomb.

 

What is common among us is our passion to reminisce our beloved ones during this time. It had already a tradition to weed out the surroundings of their graveyard and offer them a prayer afterwards. Lighting candles at home as well as in their tomb symbolizes both our desire and hope for them to have united with the creator. This is exactly a culture which identifies us from the other as Christian in the Far East.

The Internet’s Wikipedia says, “Western Christianity, All Souls’ Day commemorates the faithful departed. This day is observed in the Roman Catholic Church, churches of the Anglican Communion, Old Catholic Churches, and to some extent among Protestants. The Eastern Orthodox Church observes several All Souls’ Days during the year. The Roman Catholic celebration is based on the doctrine that the souls of the faithful which at death have not been cleansed from venial sins, or have not fully atoned for mortal sins, cannot attain the beatific vision in heaven yet, and that they may be helped to do so by prayer and by the sacrifice of the Mass.”

It is a strong fact that ALL SOUL’S DAY is indeed a day for commemoration. Such tribute is expressed in a way that these souls had absolutely attained beatific vision. But behind this reality is a human judgment of causing terrific onslaught to inflict fear among individuals whose personality is too weak to withstand on the issues of ghosts or Halloween fevers. The existence of phantom nightmares among others is a manifestation of human weakness.

One of the new gimmicks I saw at hand is an activity for ghost hunting. Strong people whose aura defeats the fear over bones and tombs go for such chase, play with the spirits around, dance with the vibrations of the horrible graveyard, and sing with the whispers of the ghosts. This interest is definitely an escape goat from the assumed anxieties. All the while, the safest place to hide from turmoil is in the cemetery where no one can get hold of his axe so to inflict harm over you. The fact behind the scary deal is that, you get to feel worry to be groping home alone in the dark than staying overnight in the tomb. Going home alone most specially during nightfall is really dangerous but not overtops the tomb playing cards. Feel worry and get harm by people around but not to the lifeless carcasses or the skeletons for they can do nothing to assault anyone. (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in CP number at 09185452554).

The Fair Fear

 

It is a customary belief that during ALL SOULS DAY, family members memorialize their faithful departed by way of preparing spendthrift party or maybe restrained celebration so to accommodate the memories left by these souls believed to have united with God. Moreover, various stories relative to certain death, Halloween fevers, spirits, ghosts and the like comes perfectly in the radio, mobile text messages, television, and in the internet. Different versions of tales contribute to an experience of fear over the lifeless skeletons in the tomb.

 

What is common among us is our passion to reminisce our beloved ones during this time. It had already a tradition to weed out the surroundings of their graveyard and offer them a prayer afterwards. Lighting candles at home as well as in their tomb symbolizes both our desire and hope for them to have united with the creator. This is exactly a culture which identifies us from the other as Christian in the Far East.

The Internet’s Wikipedia says, “Western Christianity, All Souls’ Day commemorates the faithful departed. This day is observed in the Roman Catholic Church, churches of the Anglican Communion, Old Catholic Churches, and to some extent among Protestants. The Eastern Orthodox Church observes several All Souls’ Days during the year. The Roman Catholic celebration is based on the doctrine that the souls of the faithful which at death have not been cleansed from venial sins, or have not fully atoned for mortal sins, cannot attain the beatific vision in heaven yet, and that they may be helped to do so by prayer and by the sacrifice of the Mass.”

It is a strong fact that ALL SOUL’S DAY is indeed a day for commemoration. Such tribute is expressed in a way that these souls had absolutely attained beatific vision. But behind this reality is a human judgment of causing terrific onslaught to inflict fear among individuals whose personality is too weak to withstand on the issues of ghosts or Halloween fevers. The existence of phantom nightmares among others is a manifestation of human weakness.

One of the new gimmicks I saw at hand is an activity for ghost hunting. Strong people whose aura defeats the fear over bones and tombs go for such chase, play with the spirits around, dance with the vibrations of the horrible graveyard, and sing with the whispers of the ghosts. This interest is definitely an escape goat from the assumed anxieties. All the while, the safest place to hide from turmoil is in the cemetery where no one can get hold of his axe so to inflict harm over you. The fact behind the scary deal is that, you get to feel worry to be groping home alone in the dark than staying overnight in the tomb. Going home alone most specially during nightfall is really dangerous but not overtops the tomb playing cards. Feel worry and get harm by people around but not to the lifeless carcasses or the skeletons for they can do nothing to assault anyone. (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in CP number at 09185452554).

WHERE MY PATIENCE CAN NO LONGER ENDURE

 

Before going on with my topic this week, let me say happy birthday to Sir Rodolfo M. Pepe Jr., my ever benevolent principal, a kindhearted friend, and an altruistic brother for all. Sir, happy, happy birthday! As they say, stop counting your age when you’re 30…

 

It was Friday morning of October 10, 2008 when I witnessed and experienced a very traumatic queue of patients waiting in the receiving counter of certain hospital’s OPD ward. What a life would be to go through worries and uncertainties whether my hospital purpose for that day would end my trouble.

 

Yes! I was served worthy as the 201^th patient that day as early as 8:00 in the morning. While waiting for my name to be called, I spent time reading the posters and ads dispatched in the walls and had some refreshments in the canteen nearby. After two and a half hours of tedious pause, I heard my name right spoken in the counter. As I drew near, I came to think that the hospital’s management is at par best to be serving hundreds or even thousands of patients at the spur.

 

I was given the slip specifically for my business and heeded optimistically at the surgery section. After having surpassed the heat of waiting the 201^th slot, I was tagged this time number 30 in the surgical ward. There was no other choice than to wait, wait and wait. The time lag made me comprehend that one of the toughest jobs for one to do is to wait.

 

In the surgery queue, I spent around one hour and a half waiting in the corridor before my name was called for consultation. I was entertained in the surgical section past 12 noon. The surgeon on duty advised me for biopsy before conducting the operation and I had no doubt for that. With this, I thought of the doctor’s sincere service to be serving thousands of patients despite the pressure, heat of tongue and hunger which were on strike while serving. The biopsy supposed to be conducted kept closed for a moment because the doctor-in-charge was out for lunch. One of the attending student nurses disclosed clear instruction for the biopsy to go on with respect to the doctor’s availability in the afternoon session. All of them said, “no ala una kayonto na lang nga agsubli.” I nodded and walked out without any hesitation.

 

Another hour went too long and I got exactly 1:00 pm time as seen in my cell phone. I have to wait for my name to be called at the corridor as instructed earlier. Hour by hour, minute by minute then it went steadily 2:00 PM yet I failed to hear from them my name. My patience cannot endure the never ending-story of waiting until 3 PM then to 3:30 PM. By this time, I realized that I was waiting for nothing. At 4 PM, still my name was not called up for the purpose. With much distress and hypertension developed in the “waiting corridor,” I gave up…I surrendered. I left the hospital with great regrets and disappointments. This was the kind of service I got from the Baguio General Hospital, Baguio City that day.

 

While on ride going to town, I had thought of consulting private surgeon. I made it through certain doctor from Santo Niño Hospital. He told me to prepare a bit thousands of pesos which I don’t have during that time. He scheduled the operation at 8:00 PM that day but I didn’t appear.

 

Finally, the long wait was over….After a week (Oct. 18, 2008); I went to Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Bauko for the same purpose. At the information counter, I was served best by the one in-charge. She referred me instantly to the Doctor at the OPD ward where I received due attention.

 

In less than an hour, the operation pushed through having the hospital’s head Dr. Edgardo I. Bolompo who served as my surgeon. I felt very relieved to be served this way with the presence of the student nurses from the University of the Cordilleras who shared their service in the four-hour operating time. With great delight and satisfaction, I would like to commend the generosity of my surgeon Dr. Edgardo Bolompo, my attending physician Dra. Dona Belle P. Borbe, nurses around (I failed to get their names), and the student nurses from UC namely; Klaudine Day-ong, Presima Ligod, Claire Ayeo, Cael Noemi, and Michelle Paplonot. Your service had brought a part of my confidence alive in my personal and teaching life.

 

For purposes of clarification, the surgical operation I had was the excision of the multiple fat deposits in my elbows and knees. (For comments, feel free to leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my CP # at 09185452554).

 

The “Law of Interaction”

 

There seemed to have different views of the “oldies” and the “newbie’s” as to how the internet is used in various daily activities. Generally, the former defines internet as something that is a disturbance, and likewise a material that would corrupt young minds with the resources found in there such the overwhelming online games and pornographic items. Furthermore, the “oldies” view internet as a waste of time and money. It costs a lot of financial damage to parents when the “newbie’s” have to spend more of time in the screen that will definitely misguide them in their studies.

 

On the other hand, internet as seen by the “newbie’s” is the answer to the long unmet desires for learning expansion. Growth in academic aspects was made possible when these wire services were made to reality. Classroom interaction was extended at home, online and distance learning programs were introduced as a new trend of education today. Communications were made easy, and almost all office and clerical works were automated and can be done in a short span of time. Everything in the world is within the rich of fingers at home, school, and office and everywhere because of this innovation.

 

But for every action, there is always opposite and equal reaction as one may find it under Newton’s third law of motion, the law of interaction. This simply calls for both advantage and disadvantage sides of every invention circulating. For there is this most powerful medicine around and the most advance hospitals everywhere in the world, that dreadful diseases which can’t be spelled, unexplainable behaviors of virus killing thousands of lives are the corresponding advances too in answer to these innovations we have in medical technology. Similarly, computers were invented for a noble purpose. But it is the man himself who linked discovery to extinction of values because of the unscrupulous resources found in the net.

 

Whatever it is, computers were designed to function according to its purpose. In this case therefore, the computer is as good and as bad the person using it. This device is dependent on inputs we want it to perform. Thus, it would become a material for another innovation and better teaching-learning outcomes when used by educators in the classroom. Other splendid purpose it will serve humanity is its power to trim down working time in all walks of works. There can be no other considerations to believe than to embrace its presence and use it with guidance and conscience.

 

One of the greatest benefits of using the internet is its advantage in classroom instructions to provide educational opportunities for students based in their abilities and interests. For example, I can teach a basic lesson on a writing strategy and allow a student who is interested in and motivated by baseball to find examples of writing strategy on a baseball-focused web site. This lesson suddenly becomes more motivating, exciting, and memorable to these students.

 

Brain research shows that individuals remember events and facts in more detail for a longer period of time if there are emotions involved in the initial learning experience. This concept of emotional memory is highly useful as we use the Internet in our classrooms. Due to the timeliness and currency of the Internet and the fact that students can find information that naturally interests them, the Internet can increase the emotional impact of lessons, and making learning interesting, fun, and meaningful to students.

But because of the identified disadvantages one can extract from using the internet, careful guidance measures should be employed by teachers in a computer laboratory. Close supervision on internet generated activity is necessary. Well planned lesson matrix may deem identify wise use of time in the activity for the students not to get strayed in the lesson. Remember, when the cat is away, the rat is free… (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my CP # at 09182452554).

Indifferent ones make difference too

 

From what is commonly observed in the classroom, the chemistry of students runs normal when there are strong and weak learners in all aspects of assessments and considerations expected from heterogeneous class. There are those who excel well in academics if not in physical activities, likewise there are those who like mathematics and language more than the other disciplines. There are the likes of Kris Aquino too who shine more in linguistic, similarly there are likes of Nick Joaquin who can write well. In like manner, there are those who prefer “terror” teachers and absentee teacher at their own pleasure and convenience. Moreover, there are students who desire for school activities like sports, journalism and JS promenade while some favor to sit down plainly in the classroom just to escape from any household chore. In short, students are classified into various aspects like visual, bodily-kinesthetic, linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, intra-interpersonal, and naturalist as accounted by Howard Gardner in his effort to explain broader learner’s potential in the corners of learning.

 

I was reminded of this theory when I brought to the mountain last week 40 male students for a special environmental assignment. The group of boys I spent with is a mixture of learners mentioned above.  I observed that those indifferent students did great work while the academicians served plainly as movie audience under the heat of the sun.  When I say indifferent students, I refer it to those who usually violate school rules and regulations who were somehow subject to disciplinary measures executed by school authorities because of their misbehaviors. These students usually by their behavior during classes disrupt the flow of classroom activities and interfere with the learning process.

 

But upon looking at them in the mountain in this tedious work, I came to understand that their being in this moment is what I partly discovered in them. I came to believe that their prowess equates the performance they are supposed to showcase in the classroom. Indeed, their strength is seen through physical exertion but not so much in paper and pencil output. At this point, I am more convinced that the indifferent ones can make a difference too.

 

Dealing with indifferent is but a hard task to do. It requires great patience to understand them, get into their interest which may be utilized in the learning work place. The greatest success for a teacher to celebrate is when least motivated learners are involved in the learning process which may be the turning point at which the learner becomes active. These kinds of students when mishandled by school authorities could be a ground for them to become worse. The success of learning is measured by teachers’ leadership to know the background of his students. Thus, the learning in school should be paired better by strong home-school collaboration or parental involvement. This is exactly one of the premises of the child friendly school projects of the UNICEF.

 

At present, one of the important needs of teachers in the classroom in order to be effective is his sensitivity to employ multiple intelligences in his lessons. This is to maximize the resources in the classroom that would accommodate interests of the all the learners.

 

A specific example I read from a sources is, if you’re teaching about the law of supply and demand in economics, you might read about it (linguistic), study mathematical formulas that express it (logical-mathematical), examine a graphic chart that illustrates the principle (spatial), observe the law in the natural world (naturalist) or in the human world of commerce (interpersonal); examine the law in terms of your own body [e.g. when you supply your body with lots of food, the hunger demand goes down; when there's very little supply, your stomach's demand for food goes way up and you get hungry] (bodily-kinesthetic and intrapersonal); and/or write a song (or find an existing song) that demonstrates the law (perhaps Dylan’s “Too Much of Nothing?”). Go fellow educators. Penetrate the challenge of teaching in all your ways. Make it a passion to serve the young. (For comments, leave them in website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my cp # at 09185452554).

Another cultural festival is underway!

 

The upcoming third School of Living Tradition Convention expected to commence by December this year at Holy Rosary High School in Tadian will score another difference. This is but a form of cultural festival that will showcase various cultural heritages among some other municipalities here in the province. Relative to this, enormous works are ahead among the stakeholders and community members of the private Catholic schools in the province who were with them carrying this mark the SCHOOLS OF LIVING TRADITION.

 

While some may be admiring the experiential learning one can get from joining in this cultural festival, others may find it both interesting and unusual having dubbed as one of the pioneers in cultural legacy to be the possessor of the indigenous materials ironed in school’s academic programs. The tradition of having identified as academic learning institution is no longer confined in this consideration when this program was actually initiated three years ago, having the Bauko Catholic School as host of the first SLT confab. Saint Vincent’s School (Bontoc) took the flagship last year to continue the same challenge, and this time, the Holy Rosary High School (Tadian) is ready to host this fast approaching 3^rd SLT confab.

 

All the way, these conferences are but a reflection of appreciating culture in the academe. National books and DepEd versioned books were pattered from others needs and experiences that may be true to some and may not be true too to the actual needs of the learners in the province. While these editions speak common understanding as to how competencies were designed to suit the learning outcome, facilitators or shall I say teachers find it difficult to be adjusting sophisticated desired learning goals confined in the textbooks and somehow have resorted modifying the competencies therein.

 

Teacher’s eclectic ability on modifying dictated competencies patterned on genuine learner’s raw materials in the learning periphery is but a laudable effort. Less are really doing such leadership to be taking the risks whether to provide quality instructional materials not really dependent on what is dictated by the national authors. This attempt is one of the rationales in realizing the Schools of Living Tradition confab that is to help teachers identify pertinent educational stuffs that would be used as tool in teaching various disciplines to fit the learner’s interest, comprehension, appreciation and passion.

 

SLT as it should be gave birth to teacher’s competitiveness notwithstanding the advantage one can dig up from advance schooling. Definitely, the program will be better understood if one recalls some of its academic goals initiated which have a universal interest for learners to appreciate culture inclusion in the discipline.  One of the major points in interfacing culture in the academe is to promote the identity and uniqueness of the Igorots in the province. This is anchored on the government’s mandate to preserve and uphold the nation’s historical and cultural legacy by encouraging and supporting the study, recognition and preservation of human cultural resources such as weavers, chanters, dancers, as well as conservation and development of such artistic, linguistic and occupational skills that are threatened to extinction.

 

Vis-à-vis to ones passion for culture, I believe that the upcoming activities for this 3^rd SLT confab would showcase dynamic and authentic traditional practices in areas such as Tadian, Bauko, Sabangan, Bontoc and Natonin. I am so glad to learn that Natonin delegation as will be bannered by Immaculate Heart High School will join in this whopping event. As they say, this year’s confab would mean a theme for one school, one heritage. Definitely, the Schools of Living tradition identified some aspect of our traditional culture that are considered important to our cultural community and should be imparted to the youth so these values and traditions can be perpetuated. (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my CP # at 09182452554).

 

When wine speaks, men become better

 

If one can remember the likes a of writer who can only write well when get drunk is the sole author of the short story the cask of Amontillado. Indeed, his masterpieces on literary had surfaced teachers interest to include his work of arts in the literature class because of the moral lessons and great writing techniques one may strongly see therein. Edgar Allan Poe, same author of the poem Annabel Lee which we happened to memorize when I was in first year high school became the subject of appreciation on literary works by most of his readers.  He was an American poet, short-story writer, editor, and literary critic and is considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Moreover, he was considered the inventor of detective-fiction genre. He was the first well-known American writer who lived through career in writing.

 

The cask of Amontillado is a short story of it depicts the personality of the writer himself. The qualities of the main characters in the story are but a reflection of Edgar’s connoisseur of wine. Relative to this, some men at hand can work better when get drunk. Specific work where men excel better when wine is at strike is in the field of writing, lay outing, singing, acting to some extent, and to our surprise even in driving.

 

It’s all but a passion, a story that starts around nightfall, one evening during the carnival season in a nameless city in Europe. Edgar in the story makes of a narrator in the person of Montresor who vows revenge against his best friend Fortunato. He never intend to mislead his reader of putting revenge in ones hand because of the other’s indignant mistake or shortcoming  but rather to judge him. Illuminating the story from Montresor’s point of view strengthens the upshot of moral shock and horror. Indeed, the piece brings great blow to anyone reading it as to whether the story is a myth or could be an offshoot of others actual experience ironed only in the story.

 

The Cask of Amontillado is an influential fiction of reprisal. Montresor, the threatening narrator of this legend banked in his heart revenge upon Fortunato for an insult. Montresor capitalized his expertise in wine. He knew his friend best, a man of drunkard and a walking stick. Montresor derived pleasure from the fact that Fortunato died slowly when the latter was completely devoured in dark. He packed immense revenge when he successfully cemented his friend (while in sober rest under intense wine intoxication) alive inside the tomb.  For half of a century no mortal has disturbed him in that absolute hush. He never knew that his last sip of the Amontillado brought him to total silence (in peace).

 

In structure, there can be no doubt, that both Montresor’s plan of revenge and Poe’s story are carefully crafted to create the desired pleasure of the story. But I’m more on the act of revenge that is quite interesting. When I was in grade 5 (elementary), there was a piece for declamation explained by my teacher in class. The story perfectly matched that of Poe’s write up on revenge. According to my teacher she said; do not put revenge in your hand. Let God do the revenge for you instead. My teacher’s first statement “do not put revenge in your hand” is I think a very Christian way of managing anger or conflict within. One can totally see how peace and loving a person is whenever he attributes to God others mistakes that had somehow caused disturbance and harm to him. This is exactly a version of the biblical phrase “If they throw you a stone, throw them bread” in return. But some at hand redefined this phrase to “If they throw you a stone, throw them a metal.” It sounds so detrimental for when a person at some point in time is weak enough to endure the heat of insult, prick of sharp tongue, punch of hard fist, and the rest. Most often, our last resort is to throw them a metal too when our tolerance can no longer accommodate space for understanding, love and care.

 

Whether it’s an insult, a word by mouth or through print, the sense is that, our potential to understand these things in a Christian way is but a test of time. It’s very thorny to stand up in employing understanding and patience always as a way of managing wounds inflicted to us by others. But I think it would be good sometimes to get angry and cause them trouble too. Remember, Jesus himself got angry when people before turned his Father’s temple a market place. (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my CP # at 08185452554).

ON DEALING WITH BOREDOM

 

Have you ever thought of quitting from your present job? Have you experienced giving up your career and have exhausted various means so to survive from the tedious routine you were into? Have you sensed a point in time in which you hesitate waking up in the morning so to enjoy the tenderness of your blankets and the chilly morning breeze?

 

All these speak only one – boredom. If you really wanted something and have resorted to forget about your career, just think of the million individuals who need the same job. Statistics show that the number of unemployed persons in the country reaches million figures. Some can’t even afford to eat three times a day and here you are thinking to give up your employment. True to experience, boredom is but inevitable. It comes at the strike of monotony in the kind of work we are doing. This is a normal process that we need to experience so to become strong and productive citizen. On the other hand, if boredom never comes, we cannot appreciate space for relaxation and that life would become a machine-loaded corner. 

 

Below are some tips on how to combat boredom in ones work lifted from the electronic reading materials. May this may help you find better pleasure in your work which may profoundly make you productive and effective.

 

Watch movie - Have a movie night: If you’re stuck at home by yourself treat yourself to a movie in the comfort of your own home! Snuggle up in a blanket, pop some popcorn, put in one of your favorite movies or rent a new release and ENJOY!

 

Pamper yourself: If you’re a female primp. Just give yourself a makeover! Try new hairstyles and makeup and paint your finger and toenails. If you really want to pamper yourself take a bubble bath. Put on some music, light some candles and just relax.

 

Exercise: Right now. Do it. It’ll be good for you. Get down right now and do twenty five sit-ups and ten pushups. If you can go to the gym or take a jog down the street, do it.

 

Call someone: Chat with a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Even better call your parents or grandparents. They’d probably love to hear from you. You never know how long they’re going to be around and you should let them know how much you care about them.

 

Discover new music: Find new music for your iPod or music library. Search itunes for new artists and download free songs. You can download that new song you heard on the radio or that cool song you heard in a movie.

 

Take pictures of yourself, play video games, learn to cook something new, alphabetize your bookshelves, write poetry, write an ehow article, the options are ENDLESS!

 

These are but few among the countless efforts to combat boredom. Diversion from daily routine refreshes ones familiarity in ones work which may somehow energize you in your job. Never attempt to quit just for boredom instead, make the best out from you during this test of times and dullness. Remember that he who seeks ways shall find it. If you do putting attention to answer sorts of weariness, it will come in your door. (For comments, feel free to leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my CP# at 09185452554).

From Fee Music to Free Music

 

Music industry in the Cordilleras had circulated in the market as early as the 70s when few Igorot singers tried their luck in this venture. There were Igorot singers who pioneered Cordillera music in which its main theme depicted the typical Igorot cultures. This was one of its kind a very noble undertaking. Certainly, singers who hail from Benguet and Mountain Province like Mario Asayco, Joel Tingbaoen, Peter Tanan, Ruben Tanan, Elmer Hall and the rest made their way to music business which was followed closely by Lourdes Fangki, Jeff Abul, Bryan Aliping, Amy Guesdan, Romy Quiñones, Arthur Mosawan (child singer), Amy Galliega, Jovy Bondad and many other composers and singers. Marked by genuine Igorot identity, these singers treaded their way to music recordings that had won public interest and patronage.

 

The most popular and authentic composition that had knocked down the heart of the people was the song LAYAD NAN LIKATAN which was produced and sang by different Igorot singers. In Benguet alone, the song ILI AY KAIGORATAN first hit the phonograph records by Mario Asayco who lived shortly in the music production.  Same song was consistently aired in the early 90s by the Mountain Province Broadcasting Corporation, the DZWT radio station in Baguio City which was sang by Lourdes Fangki. With these, Igorot music in itself worked out growth in the music entertainment accommodating themes on people’s way of life, courtship and love, fate, defiance in the government, and many more.

 

Today, music of the Igorots had soared high that was enough to surface other forms of entertainment in music. In reality, there exist solo as well as band groups whose target is to keep tracks in music recordings. Many were inclined to continue the footstep that was already founded and established by the early groups along with the presence of technologies that had affected the status of the singers and composers at present.

 

Here comes the reality. The thing that had been hurting musicians over and over underscored the possible extinction of this music because of piracy. Igorot music cannot grow or cannot rise due to treats of closure and death brought about by this unlawful business. A single release of copy of an Igorot album hits the streets in a thousand copies within a day just because of this illegal production usually done by small entrepreneurs who take advantage over it. As one can see, the produced music is shared from fee music to free music with the presence of the digital as well as the optical media tools in stealing these intellectual properties of the original proprietors.

 

If pirating process is of bit complicated and tricky in the last decades, pirating today is within the click of device. Certainly, the Php 300.00 worth produced disc music cannot compete against the free downloading method done in the internet. Usually, an album is comprised of 12 to 18 songs and the one who pirates the products considers two or even one best and good song and tend to forget the rest. What life could be imagined when music industry worldwide closes because of piracy?

 

I for one go against piracy. While piracy does hurt musicians and the recording industry in the short term, it could have been the shot in the arm that revolutionized the sales of music. The gadgets at present somehow encouraged pirating because it’s stress-free and convenient to use as one may compare it over bulky cartridge, disc man, tapes, and many more. Just imagine how far these iPods, USB, MP3s and MP4s do when it comes to restoring and recording music items. One may realize the essence of this line, why walk if you can fly? Then you should answer it by saying, if others can, why should I? It’s merely saying, if other people can do piracy at their own advantage, why should I do the same?

 

I am not saying that these MP3s and other recording devices were purely disadvantage. I think that it would have taken much longer for this media to be embraced by the public when its purpose is for file sharing that can really facilitate process of data transfer from one PC unit to the other.

 

I do hope that we can all agree that piracy is stealing and stealing is a kind of dishonesty and immoral exploit. Piracy doesn’t have any relation to the escalating prices seen today as your mere reason of saving some of your money by availing the free music in the wire services. It’s not an excuse to do such act when laws are not yet formulated to regulate this inadequacy. (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my cp # 09185452554).

“TOM and JERRY”

 

Two travelers had made their way to a pleasure trip and had enjoyed much of their time traversing the panoramic landscape when a great downpour blocked them at the spur. The nonstop heavy shower had completely devoured their moment and became feeble at stake while the day closed near to dark. As they were groping, a generous door not that far opened to their surprise. A gorgeous lady gladly welcomed them as they were into bit discomfort by the temperature drop recorded. Matched with enormous hospitality and kindness, the lady offered her house as their shelter for that night.

 

Jerry, the older of the two slept in the guest room while Tom made his way to the lady’s bed room. The night filled the house with good rest, Tom who slumbered all alone and Jerry who was with the lady that night. The following day, the two continued their journey leaving the lady alone in that roof.

 

After nine months, a letter package reached Tom’s table. Tom was into immense confusion relating the letter to that of the woman and the experience he had one time when he and his friend Jerry were strayed by the heavy rainstorm. He starred a little then sighed at the package feeling agitated. At last, his suspicion came true when the line revealed the lady’s name and address.  He felt helpless and had no choice than to open the letter which had brought him to quandary. To his astonishment, the letter intended to dig up information all about him that which was not elaborated in the notice. Feeling remorseful that he may be monitored at all times, Tom filled in the information required therein entering Jerry’s biography and sent it back to the address disclosed. In some way, he maybe thinking of his security that he wanted himself out of any fault that may crop up anytime in the future.

 

But the dishonesty he (Tom) made had put him to whopping regret as the will and testament entered by the lady brought him to surprise. Said lady had been sick and had given up everything, thus she decided to have eternal rest when she was completely incapable of regaining her health. While in the process of dying, she made her last will. Beyond Tom’s knowledge and understanding, the lady had transferred all her bank accounts, properties and all her assets to Jerry as the bearer of the name written in the letter package accomplished that was forwarded to her. Jerry then was the sudden recipient of all the assets the lady had committed in her last will and testament.

 

In the story, Tom’s move is the kind of dishonesty along with his ignorance and pleasure. Some are thinking may be like Tom at this point in time who took advantage over the weakness of others name. But in return, he reaped the precise consequence of what he did more than the blessing he had to get supposedly. He anticipated his future without considering the real motive of the lady in getting his identity. Indeed, Tom wanted to succeed but he is not willing to pay the price. In his case, he wanted pleasure but in some in way or another, he doesn’t want to face what is likely the upshot of his act.

 

Relating the story in real life identifies common intention of some who were fashioned to do things just to satisfy their obsession. A passion for power, money, and lust often mislead individual in his noble intention to live in discreet harmony. Taking advantage of the opportunities life had committed to somebody as directed by ones weaknesses is a form of evil. It is too obvious that this act overshadows the morality of living life in service to others as guided by Christian teachings.

 

Often times, hand washing which is the common and usual practice to escape from inadequacies or loopholes is seen strongly at this point in time most specially in politics. In the story, Tom who used his sixth sense placed Jerry in the suppose ring of judgment, unluckily it was him who suffered from the verdict of luck and blessing. This is exactly a form of hand washing to cover up the lapse in addition to another misstep he perpetrated when he had involved himself with the woman the fact that she is not his wife.

 

I believe that placing somebody in one’s deduced responsibility justifies immoral feat. No matter what would be the outcome of the thing we did, we should take courage to unplug this dissolution otherwise life keeps moving in subtle immorality. It’s not good to take advantage over other’s frailty. We might cause more damage in his life good if turned constructive similar to what was revealed in the story. (For comments, please leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl and in my CP # at 09182658221).

Why burn the temple of God?

 

One of the chain letters noted in my friendster recently was the bloggers’ insistent call to help a seven year old girl who was diagnosed to have lung cancer acquired from second hand smoking. No matter what the letter maybe, a myth or fact that brings others to awareness, it’s very depressing to note that the girl had developed this cancer from the hands that often hold cigarettes. A hand that grips cigarette sticks in a backhand and forehand strokes can really smash ones health and life. And often, victims who happened to be neophyte in the game becomes the loser no matter what the technique is employed to counter the powerful puffs.   

 

Even now, public places are often mistaken by smokers as puffing area. To such, children and the vulnerable ones who were exposed to these smokes acquire if not develop illness related to cancer. Smoking in itself has long been here threatening others health while slowly destroying the temple that nourishes life supposedly. In Christian point of view, the human body often referred as flesh designed by God is doomed to live in total fitness. He resides in us, thus the way we treat ourselves is somehow the most rational fashion of accommodating God in us. Despite this effort to recognize His holiness, why burn His temple?

 

The gift of life is a blessing but I cannot understand at hand the motive of others in annihilating their sacredness. This may sound graceless as one may find it out of the blue but the fact that others are disturbed and harmed, it brings to a point that smokers should choose their own zone intellectually and friendly. It has been proven by science that second hand smokers developed sarcoma at faster rate as compared to the one who directly puffs the cigarette at an intense pleasure. Undeniably, non-smokers are of no match against the potent cigarette hand grips that spins the reality to devious belief.

 

Directorate of Academic and Students Affairs of the Oxford Brookes University reported that out of every thousand and people who start smoking when they are teenagers and continue to smoke 20 sticks a day, one will be murdered, six will die in road accidents and about 250 will be killed before their time by smoking.

 

Among the reasons why people result to active smoking are countless. To some, smoking is one of those routines developed when you were much younger when it was viewed as key factor in establishing confidence in oneself. To smokers, smoking as encouraged by ads in the television gives worthy appreciation to ones personality. Some smokers believed that their manhood (for men) is escalated by way of puffing cigarette more often. With this, I would like to believe that smoking therefore is a sign of men’s weakness when their confidence is weakened by the belief that smoking is the answer to the crisis on self-worth.

 

To date, foreign governments brought in a total ban on smoking in all public places in England last year. In this same year, countries like Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales, and Northern Ireland had disclosed absolute smoke ban leaving only England to follow the example of the other countries in the United Kingdom.

 

Such government effort in safeguarding the citizens is of righteous consideration. The sensitivity of these foreign governments to end this cancerous addiction is taken at maximum level, not like the one that is aired in our television that the campaign against cigarette smoking is a campaign for Filipinos to buy boxes of cigarettes at the nearest stores.

 

Never mind the young minds being ruined by this substance but mind the money one can generate out from this business. The line, “Killing millions to get millions” is absolutely their guiding principle. No matter what the business is all about despite all these campaigns against cigarette smoking, one should be reminded that smokers never grew old – they don’t stay youthful but because they die young. (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in cp # at 09185452554).        

 

SAHS NOW INTERNET CONNECTED

SABANGAN, Mountain Province – Efforts of the San Alfonso High School faculty and administration in collaboration with the Parents – Teachers Community Association relative the school’s internet connection had materialized.

This noble consideration came to reality when parents of this school revealed thumbs up decision to increase the monthly computer fee so to finance the internet services bill and other incidental expenses and materials needed in the realization of this venture.

Mr. Rodolfo M. Pepe Jr., the school principal disclosed in an interview that this undertaking means growth and expansion in the school’s curriculum which gives each student have a full access on the internet services essential in the various school’s learning programs.

According to him, this endeavor is the missing link in connecting students and teachers in the modern fashion of teaching-learning process which at par a modern breakthrough in most schools in the international community.

Further, he said that the connection at the spur would help the school hook up its stakeholders deemed necessary for the success of the most awaited school’s golden jubilee celebration expected to outset next school year.

“I am happy to learn during the first PTCA assembly held last June that parents themselves reveal interest in the expansion of the school’s academic programs through the wire services. If truth be told, this consideration facilitates whole classroom instruction, school’s communication, online services, library growth for electronic research resources, and much other enrichment,” Mr. Pepe said.

Areas in the school where internet services were installed include the computer laboratory and the library, faculty, and the principal’s office.

In related development, the school staffs had launched at present the school website as a dialogic tool to cater to students’ services such as the online collaboration between students and teachers during weekends and vacations. To such, the school website can be accessed at www.sahs-edu.page.tl. (By Lesio Mhar P. Gao-ay)

Manerwap as defined from traditional

to scientific viewpoint

In similar cases of fire tragedy that took place in the history of Africa and Indonesia, citizens themselves had thought of employing traditional rituals to stop the fire which was slowly devouring their resources for almost a week. The technology which is supposedly the most powerful method to bring to an end the glowing fire was entirely a helpless effort.

The citizens were successful. After weeks of enduring the heat brought about by forest fires, heavy downpour occurred when people prayed for rain done in their own ritual process. The rain had terminated the fire but had caused great floods the days after. So sad to note that the story went to extremities, that was from the burning sensation of withstanding heat under pressures and commotions to the drowning rumpus over the great flood.

But in the Cordilleras, this never happened. In Mountain Province specifically, Bontoc people who are known for their Manerwap tradition had amazed the international community by their gongs and meat. Definitely, this Manerwap, the traditional way of inducing rain usually carried out during dry season had an impact to ones belief that rain would likely to pour down when this ritual is realized.

In most advance countries, the scientific technique to encourage rainfall is through cloud seeding which is an attempt to change the precipitation process. Silver iodide and dry ice are dispersed through plane in the atmosphere made usually during summer.

While cloud seeding has shown its supremacy in this concern, one should be aware that it is very expensive. Stimulating rain in a seven (7) acres land area costs around half million dollars or around 20 million pesos, a far cry to the gong beatings and meat offerings done at the FAWI, the sacred part of the mountain where Manerwap is to be conducted.   

   

There seem to have war between Manerwap and cloud seeding in this concern when it comes to the availability of resources during the times rains are essential in agricultural purposes. Cloud seeding is pure science in itself, proven to be an effective measure in encouraging, stealing, and even in preventing rain in selected places. But the fact remains while dealing on with the blessings of nature; ecological systems are in its equilibrium state – to dictate when rain should come and when rain goes away.

The Manerwap as solemnly and elaborately perform by Bontoc folk is directed to a focus that is to “ask God to open the sky and allow raindrops to water the rice terraces and the mountains.” The beating of gongs by the mere fact that is done at the mountain top could have implied scientific basis when rain would likely to drop after the ritual. Scientifically speaking, the possible raindrop is not caused by the sky opening rather it’s due to unobserved scientific process in disturbing the atmosphere through the vibration of the sound produced by the gongs. The sound as form of energy may have the ability to disturb the sky and the disturbance generated is associated to the dispersion of the water molecules in the clouds thus it rains.

Look around you. Observe carefully how nature reacts with human activities. In most occasions like family gathering, graduation exercises, wedding and others, heavy downpour strikes usually in the afternoon when gongs were used at stake. The probability of having rain in times like this surpasses the doubts of believing whether rain would occur the day after. One thing is certain however, whether this idea of associating Manerwap to science remains obscure, rain would likely to occur when this ritual is done. It costs no funds or dollars to do it – it only requires great men to endure the hunger in the mountain for couple of days with water only as main source of energy. (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my cp # at 09185452554).