Rizal's Retraction: Case Unclosed

This world needs a few lies too......

You there?

Hey!! r u busy….

I kept on buzzing and buzzing but there was no reply, so I closed the yahoo window. Fifteen minutes later, suddenly, a window popped up with words…” I’m eating”…yeaaa….she said.

I smiled. It happens after every two three days. Whenever she doesn’t want to talk to me she is either busy or eating or doing something very -very important. I was not amazed cuz I was used to it, it wasn’t a BIG lie, but still a lie is a lie. I thought what if she had said KP ryte now I don’t want to talk to you. It would have sounded rude. So it was just a practical way of saying that I don’t wanna talk to you at the moment.

Even I lie…sometimes ;). We all lie. A person who has not lied, even once, in his or her entire life will be a unique Human. Still to be discovered. Truth and lie, both are equally important. Without lie truth will have no value. And without truth there is no lie. Then why to fuss around. Man can’t live only with truth. He needs lies. He lives through lies. You can go on saying that we all want truth. But the fact is that no one wants truth. And our so-called truths are nothing but lies. Beautiful lies. Try to see the reality. Naked reality.

And what a lie is?? It’s just another form of illusion. And we love and live in deep illusions—illusions of hope, of future, of tomorrow. Nietzsche says somewhere that man cannot live with the true: he needs dreams, he needs illusions, he needs lies to exist. And Nietzsche is true.

Osho said something very interesting about Lies.

Maybe you lied once to somebody, maybe you deceived somebody. So what? This whole life is a drama and we are all actors. And a little bit of cheating is perfectly okay -- it makes life a little juicy, it gives life a little spice! Otherwise everybody telling just the truth....

Just think: if even for twenty-four hours everybody on the earth decides to tell the exact truth, there will be no world -- finished! Just think in your mind: twenty-four hours... everybody telling the exact truth and nothing else... nobody will be a friend to you; you will not find two friends in the whole world. Every couple will be divorced. Children will leave their parents, parents will leave their children. All will be finished! No customers will come to any shop. The world will come to a stop immediately -- nirvana(final emancipation) for the whole world in a single blow!
This world needs a few lies too. It makes life smooth, it helps. Lies are like lubricants.
So... keep eating until you feel stodgy. Cya later. So long…

ANG ELEKSYON AT (kita ng) MEDIA

Bagama’t hindi nako aktibo sa sirkulasyon ng pang-estudyanteng publikasyon, hindi ko naman ipinipikit ang aking mga mata at mga sensitibong bahagi ng aking pandamdam sa ating lipunan sa kabila ng mga ugong ugong na balitang destabilisasyon at mga pakana na lumpigin ang kasulukuyang rehimen.

Oo’t malapit na ang naturang eleksyon, mga sampung buwan na lamang kung tutuusin. Ang MEDIA ay tutok din sa mga usaping pampulitika at tila baga nasa radar na ang mga pinipisil na kandidato sa pagkapangulo. Nakakairita kung tutuusin lalo pa’t kung pinapag-usapan ang “makinarya”- hindi ba ninyo pansin na parang bugok na itlog ang mga taga-mainstream MEDIA ukol sa paglalagay ng tunay na balita at pagpapasahimpapawid ng mga “isyu” na kung sana ay magsisilbing gabay sa bawat mamamayan sa pagtimbang ng katwiran at pagtuklas sa katotohanan.

Tila baga, mas mahalaga na ang “pagpasok ng salapi mula sa mga kita ng advertising” at nabahiran na ng nakakakuliting mantsa ang totoong paninindigan ng bawat MEDIA entity na kotohan ang mga taong nasa hapag ng mga anunsyong ito. Oo’t may kanya kanyang pakulo na “special coverage” ukol sa paparating na eleksyon at sa mga posibilidad na mga maaring maging pangulo ng bansa. Ngunit, ang mga kritikal na analysis ng mga “pangyayari” ay tila ba nakapako sa mga usaping napagsawaan na ng mga senador pagka’t pasong paso na ang balita para maiangat pa ang kanilang mga ratings sa national surveys. Kawawang mamamayan na pinaikut-ikot lamang para tutukan ang live coverage ng mga harapang pambabalahura sa ating dignidad bilang Pilipino at manipulasyon upang igawad ang sisi sa mga tao, listahan ng mga tauhan hanggang mauwi na naman sa wala ang hustisyang hinihingi at kasagutan para sa katotohanan. Hindi ba’t ganito rin ang tila circus na usapin ukol sa mga Marcoses?

Nakakainip, nakakabitin at nakakabinging katahimikan na may anas parin mula sa tangkang pagsasabago ng ating Saligang Batas Naroroon parin ang mga agam-agam ng madla… pagkat sa katatapos lamang na SONA ay hindi “tinuldukan”, ang noon sana ay pagkakataong sagutin ang nakakabahalang katanungan. At bakit ngaba tutuldukan ni PGMA kung ito ang magpaparaos sa kanyang motibo at uhaw sa matinding kapangyarihan? Kung meron sanang dapat idiin sa mga walang kabuhay buhay na leksyon sa klasrum ay ang pagpapaliwanag sa mga isyung totoo- ang katotohanan na ang bansang Pilipinas ay nasa Asya, na ang Pilipinas ay hindi lamang Kristianong bansa, na ang Pilipinas ay inaangkin ng mga makapangyarihang gumawa ng mga kasulatan at dokumento sa kabila ng diklarasyon ng kalayaan at pagdanak ng dugo ng mga itinuring na bayani at mga sinauna na naniniwala sa “batas ng kalikasan”…

All the Way... More than a decade but Eons

All the Way... a Decade of Song is a celebration of Celine's decade of journey in terms of her career, life, so on. I noticed her sincerity from her message in the cover leaf of the album and it led me to tears when she thanked one again, Rene for all the good times they shared together as partner, couple, friend. This album is not only about Celine but this is a nice package to be given as gift to friends, special someone, parents who are celebrating their anniversaries.

Let me have a rundown and give you an impression of each song in the album:

The Power of Love. is Celine's version that I think more powerful as she exercises her vocal prowess. I heard two versions from Elaine Page and the Air Supply but certainly this is the best one in terms of rhythm, beat and style.

Beauty and the Beast is a magical duet with Peabo Bryson which immortalizes the Walt Disney Movie in my thoughts. I love the blending as they sing the chorus and this pop version is certainly one of the most popular Disney Songs that I include in my play list.

Because you Loved Me is a song written by Diane Warren. Among many songs written by one of my favorite song writers, this has one of the best lyrics to be dedicated to anyone. It begins with a relaxing tone and ends brilliantly with that line, "Because you love".

It's All Coming Back to me Now. has a long and short version, the one included in the album is the shortened version that has more electric instruments and too digital to listen. I love the long version though it takes about 5 minutes listening. Sounds like forever.

Immortality. is a collaboration with the Bee Gees, it really captures your mind from the seventies era and let's you time-travel to this space. Like what I've said in my other review, the group seemed to be more as a back-up vocals.

To Love You more. I love the violin introduction and the orchestral arrangements with this one. I would certainly love this song to be sung by Andre Bocelli with Vanessa Mae doing the violin... Imaginative!

My Heart Will Go On. is still immortal in this album, it kept me wondering why but the touch of the heart of the ocean is still here and to follow it with another song "Be the Man", is a relief from that tiring ending which sounded like an ambulance siren.

I'm your Angel is a fantastic duet with the RnB sensation R. Kelly but thought to be this ironic since the man didn't end up like one yet I like the blending and the natural fade of the song from that competing bridge.

That's the Way it is. is more like the beat of A new Day has come but it never ceases to amaze me on what level can we sing through it?

If the Walls could Talk and The first Time I ever saw your face. are two exceptionally collaborated interpretations that are somewhat related. The latter however is a revival that is given a gloomy interpretation.

Lastly, the four songs: All the Way, Then You Look at Me, I want you to need Me, and Live are the important pieces that you need to pay attention to. It provides a cinematic experience and the instrumentation are so vivid that you wished you're in an opera house.

All the way... a decade of Song is rare but the songs put together are just as appropriate for Celine's choice because this is I believe to be personal and I guess she deserves a standing ovation for such interpretations.

AS YET ANOTHER B’DAY PASSED BY

Thanks for the wonderful b’day wish (though you were late by a fortnight :D). It was a real nice song. Your voice is a treat to ears. I too, wish you well. Happenings and events of our life begin with birth and end with death but "Life" has a continuity which can't be broken down or divided into years or decades. We measure time and as we grow old, we look back from every year to see what all happened in our lives in the past. We even compare the passing year with the other years of our life and try to calculate how important the passing year was, how different it was... We arrange and put events according to our historical perspective. I don’t know if people take resolutions on their b’days but many people make resolutions for new year and at the end of each year, they boast of how much they succeeded in standing by their resolutions and cycle goes on. Ahhh!! How can people have such a systematic and planned life through resolutions, diaries and notebooks? How can they? For me, I can't...

When I feel alone and need support and mental power I read books ( Though I am a bibliomaniac but I think I haven’t read any book in my selection till its last page…..:D). Anyways. Once I came across a line in a Hindi book it was like this- HE WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHERE HE IS GOING, WILL GO THE FARTHEST. Interesting? Naah, how true? And I went thinking- Those who have set goals for themselves will reach till there only but those who have not and are just drifting with time and tide- as if fishing in infinity, nothingness- they will surely reach to a place which neither they had thought nor the world has ever thought. When we get immersed in nothingness and live along with infinite possibilities anything is possible for us. I say those who are running will never reach the place they want to. You can say I am crazy but believe me- "To be able to reach somewhere, you don't have to run or walk briskly or even stroll". Many people don't run to reach anywhere. They run to have the feel of being in the run and maybe, this also keeps them healthy.

As I said, "you don't need to run or walk continuously to reach somewhere"- More or less it is a mental state. Much before the starting of this neo-Liberal age of hustle-bustle and running amuck, like a headless chicken.

"A story was written in our Puranas (These are religious scriptures of Hindus, full of stories and anecdotes ). Once Lord Shiva and his wife, Parvati were sitting on mount Kailash (their abode). They called their sons Kartikeya (the elder of the two) and Ganesh. They asked them if they could go around Earth and come back. Whosoever comes first, will be blessed by them. Kartikeya was a young and energetic boy, peacock was his vehicle ( in Hindu mythology every important deity has been identified with a creature, latter being their vehicle...it has other practical meanings also.). On the other hand, Ganesh- though he was young, was short, stout and had a pot belly with mouse has his vehicle. Among Hindu's of north India, Ganesh is a very important god. He has a strange figure, skull and face of an elephant and has a trunk also...Amusing for you naaa…

Ganesh is the deity of knowledge, loves eating Laddu's- a especial kind of round shaped sweet. So for Ganesh to go round Earth was harder then Kartikeya. Kartikeya immediately set off for the journey. Ganesh was in a fix. He decided something else. He bowed in front of his parents and mount Kailash, offered prayers went round them and sat at his place eating Laddu's. His parents also didn't objected to this.

After sometime, Kartikeya returned with a winner's attitude, bowed in front of his parents and stood aside smiling because Ganesh was not even in the race. On seeing Kartikeya standing, Ganesh also came and stood there beside his brother with a proud face. Ganesh said that parents are bigger and important than any other thing in this entire universe, so going around them once means going around Earth 1000 times. Hence he is the winner. So, what you think or say, who is the winner?? You know about what Ganesh did, and yes Kartikeya did went around earth did put in all his effort and who knows that when his peacock might have puffed he would have ran on his foot. After so much labor and hard work, isn't he the winner? NO. The story say's that Lord Shiv and Parvati declared Ganesh as winner and blessed him.

One of my friend once remarked that Ganesh used the buttering tactics to flatter his parents so he was declared winner. The honest and laborious Kartikeya got nothing. So where parents don't treat their children equally but are biased towards one who flatterers... Can honesty, truth and labor be valued in such a society? What you say? One is free to draw his or her conclusions.

I said nothing to my friend. What could have I? I have been taught from childhood to use intelligence and knowledge. Ganesh is the god of intelligence and knowledge. He didn't waste time and energy in literally going around Earth. Instead he used his intelligence. Isn't it true that none is more important for us than our parents? So, intelligence is the biggest sword. Anyways one thing is clear from this story that it is merely a question of how you take something and give meaning to it. Reaching somewhere or achieving some big goal can't only be decided by objective standards of valuation. It is also decided by what you think about it. And your decisive power should be such that the whole world falls in line with you.

Don't think that I am ignoring the basic rules of this world or that I am escapist by nature. One should do whatever he feels is good for him or her but if you are not in the race, then you should not be jealous of anyone. If others' lives don't kindle in you the desire to live then you should not feel left out and then, why calculate gains and loses? People might have covered milestones and I am where I was- so be it. Well, to lag behind and get rotten is more psychological then physical. So it is up to you whether you feel happy with what you have or not. Those people who live by the values of and standards of others don't have their own values and standards. They are living their life at the mercy of this world. Can god, world or society ever help or do anything for anyone? No, I don't think so. We will always be what we want to be- will reach where we want to reach. None but we can decide this for ourselves.

It will be philosophical to say that don't run behind success but I take that chance because success is given by this world. So just try to be meaningful because we are meaningful or not can only be judged by us. No one can know you from outside whether you are what you wanted to be. Real pleasure of life is in being what you want to be and to live the way you want to live. They say not many people know what it means to be "to be" and those who know become too much practical. Some say it's a vicious circle. Thinking ourselves to be the centre of universe is the pastime of philosophers of individualism. What you say are we made by this world and its time?

Now they are saying that you will be whatever market wants you to be. From where does this market has got this god- like power? Till yesterday there was religion, there was state, there was Science, there was thought. Today there is "market" because those who have capital want market and those who have market they want to make it god because man easily surrenders before god. These supporters of market are themselves non-believers but they want to make market in the name of god. Capital is their real god and profits their salvation. In my country, there is an old saying that "Maya" i.e. wealth is deceptive. Market is the shine of this wealth. So if we know the real character of Maya then we will not be deceived and if we let ourselves to be deceived then it’s done knowingly. All is meant to say that no one can make us but only we can make ourselves. So why to be afraid of market? If I went past market and I am not its customer then why should I be afraid of it? It can't harm me. Majority of the people of my country are outside the reach of market about whom it says it can make their life. It will take decades for these people to become the part of market and I think by then, market would be a thing of past. As communism went past in many countries without touching the lives of majority of people, as socialism went past in my country.

Aaah!! what am I writing? You just wished me Happy B’day, I must stop my bla bla…. In a country where average age is 64 yrs I have almost completed half. In a way life has not yet started for me. So many stars to catch, so many skies to reach. Have to search for answers- WHO AM I and why I am here? And yes, have to meet ISHU with a beautiful Red Rose. So in a way passing of yet another b’day is just a matter like changing of calendar. Time is infinite. Life is continuous.

Thanks my friend. All the best!!!

GMANews.TV - Arroyo's State of the Nation Address 2009 - Video - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

GMANews.TV - Arroyo's State of the Nation Address 2009 - Video - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

Shared via AddThis


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

SANA statement of Sen. Francis Escudero

Doctors Day India

Just want to share to you this email sent to me by a friend, Kushal Pratap Singh from India. (July 1, 2009).

_________

Buna friends! Here I go again. It's July 1 and Doctors Day India. Well in US and other western countries it's celebrated on March 30, the day when Dr. Crawford W. Long first used ether anaesthesia in surgery. We celebrate it on July 1, as a mark of respect for the great physician, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.

So it’s time for us to show appreciation and say thanks to the doctors who care for us (???).

Lets talk about Dr. George Tiller. He was from US. Dr. Tiller, who was one of very few doctors in US who publicly provided late term abortions to women, was dedicated and passionate about saving women’s lives. He was known for wearing a button that said “Trust Women.” So naturally he was on the hit list of CHRISTIAN TALIBAN’S and OSAMA’S. Death threats, harassment, vandalism, rabid picketers, baseless lawsuits were a part of Tiller’s daily life. In 1986 his clinic was bombed. In 1991, his clinic was under total siege by the anti-abortionists for 47 days in what they called the “Summer of Mercy.” In 1993, he was shot in both arms by Shelly Shannon who identified with the extreme Christian Fascist group called the Army of God. Dr. Tiller neva backed down. But on a fateful Sunday (May 31), this year, he was murdered by an anti-abortion assassin.

Now lets talk about a great Indian Doctor of our times, Dr. Binayak Sen. A pediatric doctor by profession — a gold medalist, from the prestigious Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore. A mesmeric character — intense, articulate, idealistic, a man of privilege who seeks nothing for himself, his two years of detention by the state of Chhattisgarh on shameful frivolous charges of sedition, criminal conspiracy, making war against the nation, and knowingly using the proceeds of terrorism (sic), is a scandal that should shame any civilized society. Binayak Sen has worked for more than 30 years with the tribal poor in Chhattisgarh, battling malnutrition, tuberculosis, and the lethal falciparum malaria strain rampant in the area. He ran his famous Tuesday clinic in the forests’ around Bagrumala and Sahelberia in district Dhamtari, peopled by Kamars and other tribals, the most neglected of the Indian human chain, destituted further by the Gangrail dam on the Mahanadi river. No schools. No drinking water. No electricity. No access to public health. And increasingly, no access to traditional forest resources.

In 2004, CMC honoured Binayak with its prestigious Paul Harrison Award. In a moving citation, it said, “Dr Binayak Sen has carried his dedication to truth and service to the very frontline of the battle. He has broken the mould, redefined the possible role of the doctor in a broken and unjust society, holding the cause much more precious than personal safety. CMC is proud to be associated with Binayak Sen.” I think that speaks volumes for the man. For more about him plzz Google his name.

And now lets return to our real world. My city, Bareilly, I think it has more Doctors than the vendors and grocers. You will find them at every nook and corner of the city. But these are incidents of Government hospitals. June 24. A small town Ramnagar. A woman gave birth to a child. But where? -At the gates of the hospital, under the burning sun. Why?- She was denied entry cuz the PHC (Primary Health Centre) was closed n its opening time was uncertain.

Next, June 26, women hospital, Bareilly. A pregnant lady was turned back by hospital staff with the advice that the baby is dead and she should go to a private hospital for operation. On her way to a private hospital she gave birth to TWINS. (Yeaaa alive twins, one on the cycle rickshaw itself and the other in the house of gentleman.) Inquiries have been ordered and hopefully they will go on and on and on. As always, "Poor People, Hungry People, Indian People". Anyways, "our wishes to Tiller’s and Sen’s and to those who really care for us..."

KP

Case Unclosed: Sino ang Pumatay Kay Ninoy?

Tuition Fee Hike

Nakakainis hindi ba? The CHED does cha-cha over their stand on schools who are requesting some tuition fee hike amidst the economic slowdown that the Philippines is on (Economic slowdown, not recession according to Winnie Monsod). Ang masaklap pa nito, maraming mga paaralan sa bansa ang abuso sa kanilang deregulated status na kesyo hindi na sila sakop ng CHED moratoriums eh halabira na silang gawin ang gusto nila at the expense of the "kawawang" parents (na nagkakanda-kuba na sa tuyot na sakahan na pagmamay-ari ng iba). Marami ding hanep ang sakripisyo, tigil-aral kasi hindi na kayang tustusan. Pero hindi kailangan masadlak nalang sa ganitong sitwasyon. Kung talagang magaling ka, puwede kang magbanat ng buto at labanan ang sistemang dulot ng kawalanghiyaan ng mga ilang paaralan, ang kakitiran ng mga utak ng mga nasa sangay ng pagbalangkas ng mga polisiya sa Edukasyon at iba pang awtoridad. Utak niyo amag!

Worse, karamihan ng mga estudyante ay feeling! Wala lang sa kanila ang mga aspetong ito bagkus mas inintindi pa ang pagliit ng kanilang kupit mula sa kanilang ibabayad sanang tuition fee sa kanilang paaralan para matustusan lamang ang kanilang luho: bisyong alak, babae, drugs, yosi, textmates, computer games, atbpa. (Huwag ka, totoo ito... nakatira ako sa community na maraming nagpapaboarding kaya alam ko ang huwisyo ng maraaming estudyante.). Imbes na mag-aral ng mabuti para kapag naka-top eh makadiscount or ma-exempt sa exam ng maging proud naman ang parents, hayun naroon sila sa kanto kanto ng Mormon's Church patext-text at pabaske-basketball... Hay buhay! Mabuti na lamang ay walang tuition fee hike sa LC. Pero hanggang kailan? Ano naman ang mga masasakripisyong services? Hindi naman ito magic magic para ignorin ang needs ng school para sa isang de-kalidad na Edukasyon at para sa mga empleyado nito. Pero saludo ako sa LC, katulad din ng ilang schools sa Dagupan sapagkat kasama nila ang parents na tumitiklop sa panahon ng krisis pang-ekonomiya na nararanasan ngayon. Matatandaan na hindi lamang sa taong ito nagkaroon ng "No tuition Fee Hike" sa LC kundi nagkaroon din ng ilang payment scheme sa naturang paaralan kagaya ng O down payment, enrol now pay later, etc.

Kaya mga estudyang pulpol... Huwag na kayong mag-aral kung hindi niyo kayang ayusin ang buhay niyo. Kung mahal niyo ang pamilya niyo; Makisama kayo sa pagtitipid. Nag-imbestiga na ba kayo kung nagmemeryenda ang nanay o kaya tatay niyo, may maiabot lang na datung na siyang kakaltasan niyo lang sa bandang huli? Kaya pala walang naglalakas-loob sa inyo para salungatin at ipaglaban ang karapatan sa school kasi karamihan mismong mga estudyante lalu na ang mga lider lideran, mga nagsisimula sa mababang uri ng corruption... ang "pagkupit" sa tuition fee. At ano ang susunod na mangyayari? "Infection", na magdudulot ng "chronic" na sakit na matindi pa sa TB na tatama sa inyong buong pagkatao at magpapahirap sa buong bansang Pilipinas. At pagkatapos, maninisi kayo ng iba? What a lame excuse!

Hay buhay... gising gising! Makibahagi sa pagtiklop, hindi lang school ang dapat gumawa ng paraan. Kayo din. Nakita niyo naba ang mga estudyyante ng DMMMSU? Maraming naglalakad hindi ba? I-divert ang ilang energy para makatipid. Gamitin ang utak hindi ang utak sa ibaba... turn off the TV when the freak shows are there, watch programs that matters. Hindi yung mga programang nagpro-promote ng hindi matalino at realistikong pakikipagrelasyon, "marami na pong tao sa Pilipinas buhay ng mga artista parin ang pinoproblema..."

For Pinoys or For Few?

5 Ways to Survive College

First of all, gusto ko lang mag-apologize kay Jenny for the late reply of her email. Gusto ko man sagutin lahat ng emails mula sa mga students ng Lorma Colleges, hindi ko naman kaya ang multitasking. Right now, I am bound to fly in Dhaka, Bangladesh to check on this University in which I intend to pursue a crash course in business.

The email question is, "How to survive College?". Since, Jenny (not her real name) mentioned that she is pursuing a BS Nursing. I was relieved that somehow I can relate
my experiences when I was still a student.

Nursing is not an easy course and it is in fact one of the expensive courses in the country today. Some may totally disagree but majority of the programs may even have the same financial quotations as if you're studying Medicine in a private institution. I would not mention any schools in that instance since this article is not about the cost of such course. Yet, I presume Jenny 's parents have really planned for her education since the choice was mutually decided by her and her parents. Meaning, as she wrote, "Umupo kaming tatlo ni mama at papa sa dining table para pag-usapan ang gastos after researching which College in La Union will be the best for me.". Since her Dad is an OFW, majority of the remittances ay napupunta sa kanyang College Education basically her mom sticked to the planned budget. That's pretty impressive because not all parents stick to any budgeting and Jenny stressed that it was effective since she would pay her tuition fee on required time.

The problem appeared when the dollar went down and worse, nagkaroon ng problem ang Dad niya sa work. So she continued her email on what are the possible/ available options that she could survive in College, should stopping for one semester a good option?

I took a deep breath and I went to visit Lorma's website to check on any good news because I was also moved by some news that most schools are also increasing the tuition fees due to the global economic crisis.

I am relieved that Lorma will not have a tuition fee increase and this is a good news for Jenny and the rest of the students. Or else, some would have transfer to another cheaper nursing schools in La Union and may have to undergo another form of adjustment/s.

Adjustments in taking the same course and with the environment may have different impacts to a College student. Kung tutuusin, kapag na-kick out ka, expected na may impact yan sa self esteem mo. Lalo kapag ang peers mo ay naroon, pursuing the course and you felt being left behind. On another point, if you are transfering because of financial problems, halos ganoon din ang impact sa isang student and certainly getting back on track is a crucial stage.

So to help Jenny ease her problems, dahil nga hindi pa siya decided if she will transfer or not; here are some of the survival tips.

1. Scholarships and discounts. Maraming hindi ito napapansin pero andaming scholarship option sa LC. Visit, lorma.edu.ph to know more about this or simply, visit Mrs. Melba C. Ano, Dean of Student Affairs to find out if you are qualified for any of the scholarships. If you are good with academics, meron ding discounts depending on your grades, meron ding discounts if you have relatives working in the company (Lorma schools, hospital), meron ding discounts if you have siblings (I'm not sure if this is still followed but ask the business office about it) at higit sa lahat, be an active member of an accredited school organization in Lorma because they have discounts sa tuition fees upon approval of the org's adviser and the College Director. Some of the most notable orgs are: the Lorma Highlights, SML, Lorma Dance Troupe...

2. Volunteer and be a working student.- There are postings for volunteers usually for some offices in the College. If maluwag naman ang schedule mo, you can make arrangements with it. Usually top sa list na nagpapa-volunteer/intern for a clerical work ang Library, Guidance Office, Registrar. Yet, kung gusto mo naman ng iba pa, I would suggest you to express your intention in writing sa Lorma Foundation, MIS or even in the hospital. This way, you can make arrangements for certain fees and you will be entitled for a work experience also while rendering volunteer work.

There are some establishments in San Fernando area that hires students like food chains, burger stands, and other services. I would suggest you to secure some necessary papers (NBI, barangay clearance and other stuff, it's also a good experience since you'll be doing the same processes after College and mahahasa pa ang interpersonal skills mo.). I also suggest to choose a work that is "decent" (hindi naman yung pang-club thing, siguro naman gets...) and something that you will learn for future application of your chosen field.

Is network marketing a good option?

I have mixed opinions to this because one of our professors in College was "makapal ang mukha" in introducing his networking business while we were having and after our class. It is unethical to do it in class because student-teacher may have to deal with conflicts of interests in the academic environment. It is not bad to be a network marketer. I am also engaged to this but you have to research first before joining and assess if you are capable with the terms of the networking system. Baka naman maabala ang schedule mo, you'll get exhausted and mabaon kapa sa utang. Keep your options open and be nice in declining if you wish not to when solicited by your professor.

3. Shared expenses.- I have been an advocate of this while in College. Gustong gusto ko ang group work kaya kung may projects sa mga subjects, Always suggest for group works. Yun nga lang may ups and downs din ito because you cannot expect everyone to really work on their assigned task dahil iba iba naman ang group dynamics. On the other hand, kung kelangan ng photo documentations, kelangan yung may mga kaklaseng may efficient na camera ang gamitin (good thing if everyone has a good camera phone), for paper works- siguro you have to do away from the Malls kasi mas mahal po ang school supplies nila doon (may mga mura option but same good quality along supermarkets), computer rentals is a no no (make a written request sa Internet room duly endorsed by your professor and Dean to make special arrangements kung hindi kayo makasingit), printing naman sa school is cheap but edit your work thoroughly before printing. If there are excesses in your supplies, assign a classmate to be the custodian (piliin naman yung nasa malapit ang boarding house) just in case kailangan niyo ulit gamitin ang pentel pens, bond papers for future projects.

If it's a big project like case studies, kelangan may listahan, keep all receipts para hindi akusahan na ibinulsa ang excess.

Another thing that can be shared in terms of expenses ay food, pamasahe (mostly sa DMMMSU area eh nakikita ko, naglalakad nalang ang students papuntang bayan, mainit but it's also an exercise.), boarding house (if there is a boarding house that has a lower rent but it has good amenities and safe, why not?). These are among the things I could say na puwedeng "shared". Ang problema lang minsan sa food ay kung mas matakaw ang isang contributor at nagdadala pa siya ng sabit like "syota" or barkada, sira ang budget so be specific to this when you decide with your peers.

4. Plan for the summer and semesters to come. -I had a good experience when I approached Prof. Pacita Apilado when she assessed my transcript of records. So, find a mentor to deal with your academic issues. If you feel like you want to take a subject in advanced, look for some of your classmates who wanted to "open" it, seek the advice or endorsement of the Dean for the Registrar to act on your problem. Do not leave pre-requisites and minor subjects behind. Lastly, when you're given a project, avoid cramming...

5. Sacrifices. - Of course, you are in College to Study and expected to finish the course with flying colors and with dignity. Kaya, huwag ng kupitan ang parents or tell lies about what you have to be needing na hindi naman. Wag na bumulakbol at magbisyo. I'm talking about some extra money to buy luxuries like clothing also (usually branded at mamahalin pa yung iba). I remember one classmate who is not ashamed that he "arbored" a uniform from a previous roommate because the latter is graduating. Some of my classmates also were good at "arboring" books, extra school supplies, notes from their roommates. I would not say you would do it na sobrang "OA" but there are some practicalities out there. Be assertive. If you can't buy brand new books, seek for used ones, if you can't buy fashionable clothing for now, work for it or find a better option at the "wagwagan". I tell you, there's nothing wrong about being "jologs" to that effect. Sir Ever even boasted he joined a fad and he was surprised to buy a designer pouch at wagwagan. Going back to books and manuals, you can advocate your classmates not to spend much on these if there is a viable reason. Be united, be a leader. My batch did not have a yearbook because majority of my section then were united and they fought for their rights at that time. Ikaw ba naman ang lapitan ng isang classmate saying, "Madi kam pay nakalako ti irik my friend. Tal-talaga." Anya ngay ti ubraem nu sika ti LEADER?

To end this 5-point Survival for College. (Which will be followed by more...) I hope Jenny would be enlightened and will have a good decision in staying and finishing her course in LC.

Blue is Hope: Doraemon

I was high school when anime regained another craze in Philippine television. Almost all television stations have their own anime programming schedules that is targeting the younger audience and the young at heart. Most of these cartoon series are re-runs that were aired way-back in the 80's which also culminated an important era of our Philippine History.There were commentaries by journalists that the popular Voltes V was banned for quite sometime in the Martial Law era due to its plot that could somehow influence the people to fight against the dictator government at that time. Ironically, history run its course; the Philippines had a refresh of its own version of Democracy and the world witnessed a Bloodless Revolution that has become a living inspiration of many other countries to date.However, the outcome spurted a wide debate of whether the Filipinos then really made a good decision. It has varying points of views. The reality? The country is still in bondage and the people are struggling to make ends meet. To survive as a nation is an ongoing battle, like most anime plots that this generation is watching, it is somehow in my opinion, a reflection of certain truths to our own alienation and undirected future.

I find anime plots fascinating because of some elements that are futuristic and yet, the human value is still somehow in tact in so many levels. One of these examples is Doraemon, a derivative from Doraneko which means stray cat that has made its way back in time from the 22nd century (created in September 3, 2112) with a mission to save Nobita. This cat-type robot caught my attention as I was studying because each episodes brought out a great deal of relationship to my experiences with friends. When one is a teenager, the peer pressure is strong and it is inevitable to escape a lot of situations when you are confronted with it. The surrounding characters in Doraemon series are like the people around school, home and the community. Each of these characters could be anyone: you, your friends, enemies, foe. In addition, Doraemon is a character that symbolizes a friend who is there to act as a hero and a dangerous enemy. He travels back in time with Nobita's great-great grandchild, Sewashi to fulfill that mission and as the process went on, he acted as protector, a best friend. Each of us has a best friend like Doreimon or we ourselves are him in fragments.

Alvin Toffler has many theories about the future on his book, Future Shock and certainly, some of the outskirts of the plot in Doraemon series are related to it. It transcends beyond human focal points and it involves technology. Doraemon introduced us to technology from the future through his 4D (Fourth Dimensional Pocket") or yojigen pocket on his tummy. The situation suggests that each gadget from that pocket could resolve even the simplest problems of a 4th grader in the person of Nobita. Yet, the episodes always emphasizes that technology itself has its own limitations and such limitations could be destructive to the one using it or may post danger to others. Doraemon however, is not always pictured as the technology introducer, he possesses the gadgets but he always have stern warning against its improper usage. However, Doraemon, despite his shrewdness, could also be outwitted due to his over-protectiveness in certain situations. He is also vulnerable to man's controlling nature because human desire itself is indestructible especially when it is focused and greatly motivated to certain degrees of achievement, even how simple the goal is... could mean disregarding other people's welfare, and even human relations such as friendship. We could see a lot of examples through other characters in the series like Gian (also called Damulag in Philippine TV) and Suneo. Yet, what most viewers don't usually realize is Nobita's "zero" attitude which is so interesting. Nobita, the missing link of Doraemon's journey into the past is the key character of the hero's existence and purpose... Whether Nobita shall change his ways, could greatly affect Sewashi's future.Doraemon is my favorite super hero because he is not the typically example of human-like figures with super powers. He is a robot with AI in it programmed to do tasks that results to an entertaining and worth-analyzing cartoon series. No wonder he is TIME Asia's Cuddliest Hero and one of 22 Asian Heroes in 2002. Yet for me, he is the all-time cuddliest anime friend who stirs tons of dorayaki, tools of imagination and a funny yet BLUE truth mirror about human choices.

Political Creativity

Career Activism: Good or Bad?

Certain testing methods are developed and readily available to determine if one can be diagnosed as a career activist. Career activism is often not encouraged in other work environments specifically for most corporate capitalists who would think that collective bargaining or sitting down with employers to meet at the midpoint is a waste of time and connotes big losses on investments. Most companies resort to outsourcing abroad because they are just too afraid to take the risk on the kind of employers that is taking the path to career activism. So, they innovate (if that is the correct way to say it) by exploring cheaper labor abroad while this may post risk or compromise their production. Fortunately, most of them succeeded because some countries have bankable manpower- as long as the company keep their books and adhere to their manuals strictly; the "lazy or less fortunate man becomes a modern product of corporate evolution". To determine if this is good or bad for the economy can be tested and analyzed through the current financial turmoil that is happening globally. There are plenty of determinants to a company's survival. Production for example cannot be increased when the demand is undetermined. Some CEO's would lament that "In the absence of wants, advertising should do the trick to convert it as need, so create it somewhere else."

Being a career activist has two significant effects in a basic feedback mechanism. One for the person involved and second, to the company in general.

So if one is a manager, he should know who the career activists among his subordinate are in order to drive along with a strategy to make a feasible work environment running and productive.

The picture of happiness

A career activist routinely asks himself if he is happy, involved or is learning in the organization. When he feels unhappy with work, he tries to do something about it. The solution may not come solely from him until it becomes contagious to his co-workers about the need to make changes in the work environment. People think of him as passionate and engaged in his work so co-workers might be convinced to consciously or subconsciously participate unto his proposition. On the other hand, if he can't push further and continues to be unhappy or not learning at work, he seeks out alternative opportunities from different sources.

Decision-making skills

Every work entails a lot of decision-making process. The quality of decision-making process is dependent on a series of different strategic solutions. For a career activist, he is aware of what sacrifice is and makes it basing from a thoughtful analysis of the pros and cons of such decision. However, a career activist knows how to apply standards and knows how to deal with performance appraisal

Self-awareness of skills, strengths and weaknesses

Since he is thoroughly aware of his skills, strengths and weaknesses; the career activist knows how to leverage his skills to get better assignments. He is defined by his skills not by job description so he works well on most contemporary management styles. His awareness of personal strengths allows himself to work effectively on environments adaptive to such skills. He is prepared to be seen as pushy if it's the last resort to get his work needs recognized. Whether he is a manager or a subordinate, a career activist must be a good communicator to achieve maximum potentials.

The learning direction

The career activist is not stagnant water. He has a directional career path and a time-plan. Some keeps records of what he has learned for the past six months and what he is about to learn in the near six months.

Attitude towards the monster (boss)

He may be treated as the monster's greatest villain but a career activist makes the organization dynamic because he works according to his interest. It is essential to take note of his skills before deciding if you'll need to give him the project or not. This type of person should let his dignity be compromised because he is fully aware with the standards, most specifically with professional standards; that means he can sacrifice by being prepared to lose clients, prepared to turn down lucrative assignments when it is personally painful. Yet, he is prepared to do work that he does not like if it increases a longer-term options.

Interaction beyond…

Since the business world moves along with etiquettes, a career activist usually takes note about meetings canceled thrice and is ready to deal with compromise especially when his personal commitments are held in conflict. However, he is not going to sacrifice for himself or make sacrifices that he can't justify. After all, he likes being stretched at work; he is hungry for life-work balance (so a company should have this protocol) and lastly, he has selected a network of mentors and friends who can provide him with professional and emotional support. So, if you are his manager, be in this circle so that you can easily be in-tuned with a career activist to outwit him to get on track with work, motivate him to achieve corporate goals.

Multitasking: Working beyond your Limits

The medical director of the popular TV series Grey's Anatomy encouraged the head resident to "learn to delegate" when the medical resident has done a lot of multitasking in the facility. The latter did the delegation apparently but ended up doing the job herself basically because she did not have a sense of trust with the other co-worker. The medical director continued, "Go home to your family or you'll end-up going home to no one…"

Some doctors in the field tend to overlap into their job description due to various reasons. Sometimes they felt that they could do it all most especially when their personality is a competitive one. The know-it- alls , do- it- alls principle does apply to many individuals who are confronted with many issues within work which is becoming unhealthy for them as they continue such multitasking in the organization. In some health facilities, under-staffing provokes employees to fill in the task of the absent person. In the long run, they would have to do their work while eating, abuse or push the methods of modern technology to its maximum; create conflicts with other co-workers (because of overlapping responsibilities) and putting their own health at risk. The same is through to other work environments- nurses in the health care facility, financial analysts, call center agents, etc. Almost all work environments today have multitaskers and their kind is greatly preferred and encouraged.

Today's knowledge-based economy, multitaskers are the most in-demand type of people. Yet, their value to the company can only be measured through organized processes. Multitaskers must learn the principle of "work-life balance" in order to achieve the so-called company objectives. Bosses love these people undeniably because it is the trend of today's modern lifestyle in the advent of modern technology. Just because there is technology, does not always have to push humans to adapt with technology. Isn't it that technology should be used to aide humans with their work and that humans must not be the ones fitting himself into existing technology? Ironically, humans are the ones adapting with the advent of modern living hence the word "upgrade" does not always apply with technology but to humans as well. He or she undergoes professional enhancement or worse, work outside of his or her qualifications thus re-creating a figure of him as the living robot of the century. The more he does multitasking, the more he compromises his quality of work because it is a fact that the human brain literally shuts down when it can't handle all the processes that it needs to act upon. John Arden, a psychologist and Dr. Glenn Wilson, commissioned by HP in 2005 have correlated findings regarding multitasking and memory. In their separate findings, Wilson showed that an average worker's functioning IQ drops to 10 points which may lead to sluggishness posting greater health risk in chronicity while Arden stated that "Multitasking decreases memory ability" which will allow a demonstration of "divided attention', another similar concept that will cause "shifting from one activity to another".

Reasons for Multitasking

1. Out of Desperation

Time is an element in which an individual has no control of. He cannot prolong time, stop it nor turn it back so that could do more tasks in an hour or a minute. The inclusion of "time management and planning or realistic schedules" is an efficient way to avoid "cramming". When a task is given ahead of deadlines, one should plan to finish it ahead of schedule to avoid going through desperation. One thing more, one should not accept additional assignments when a certain project has not yet materialized or it requires total attention. Prioritization is a keyword and "quality" should always come first when results are being talked about.

2. Impulsively

Most people are easily interrupted by ringing phones, text message alerts, fax machines while meeting or discussing a certain issue with a co-worker or a boss. An ability to control "technology" to answer the demands of a current problem requiring human interaction is a plus in order to put multitasking to a proper basket. Impulsively, interrupts communication and becomes a moving obstacle in gaining effective feedbacks from sender and receptor, vice-versa. When you have experienced stating, "Where were we?" after taking too much call, one is on a verge of multitasking impulsively.

3. Pride

David Mayer, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan stressed that "Many people delusionaly believe that they are good at this." He explains that the brain is only equipped to do heavy-duty multitasking. Although people are asked to do multiple things, they would need a superhuman ability which is only true when one performs two activities that require the use of the same part of the brain. So does it apply to one reading a financial report while making love to his spouse? This would be futile.

As the three experts suggests, multitasking could result to serious health risks. Further it affects one's level of concentration or focus. You can just imagine how many of these people who gets a car accident while answering their mobile phones. Scientifically speaking, stress hormones play an integral part in straining the human body. Drugs (like sleeping pills, vitamins and supplements) mistakenly taken to boost the body's defenses could result to even more serious problems like dependency and addiction. Occupational safety and Health researchers confirmed that with this biologic changes, it would contribute to headaches, sleep problems, stomach problems when in acute phase but for long term effects, could lead to heart diseases, depression and back pain to name a few.

Time magazine in an article about "Inflammatory responses" also affirms that chemicals produced in response to the body's stress leads to many debilitating diseases of the century like diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases.

Aside from this, multitasking is a significant factor to brain cell permanent damage which would latter make a person have difficulty doing one thing at a time.

Work-Life Balance Promise

Work-Life balance is concept that has been gaining buzz in most contemporary organizations. Little emphasis on work-life balance creates influence to employers' attitudes, behavior and values in the workplace. This concept could be an answer to addressing multitasking problems; wherein an employer or employee, who has not been able to balance these two core concept: work and life, tend to resort to multitasking. Balancing to avoid multitasking can be achieved by engaging in a formal work-life planning process in a structured disciplined manner. The measures could be allowing alternative working arrangements like flexi-time work arrangements. It is a promising solution which would decrease tension between superior and subordinates, creates more responsibility and empathy in the workplace.

The benefit of work-life balance is owed to policies developed that includes family or simply goes with the principle of family-friendly policies. This would result to a wide array of solutions from reducing employee absences, better staff retention, easier recruitment or filling of positions, improvements in morale, commitment and productivity of the employees.

As a conclusion, truly an answer to this multitasking problem is to stay organized and avoiding putting work on hold for tomorrow. Thus, tasks are done during the course of the day and decreases piling of work loads. When you are working on a project, control technology like ignoring your cell phone when it rings, your IM when it pings, and focus. Take a break: have a brief walk, take a nap, browse the net for fun in less than ten minutes, and sip tea to calm your nerves as the experts say. Focus on one task at a time. Don't be pressured and resist the urge to do multitasking.

Out-knowing the Monster?

He is the boss and you're the slave, so? Does that mean that the slave does not need a sense of liberation from the boss's invisible remote control? There are diverse types of leaders and managers in the world of WORK. Sometimes we stumble to the one that really heats our butts because we are not used to with the kind of needle that he or she is exposing us in our work environments. Yet, we cannot be silent or act like a buzzing bee when we failed to assert ourselves as co-workers. We want to make things work or else the company which is undeniably the source of our bread and butter; suffers because of our undirected egos. So before you resort to "resignation" (which I suggest to be a last option for your dilemma); you might want to read some thoughts which might help you realize that you can actually outwit that guy up there and who knows, you might grab his or her seat one day and experience a different kind of hell that you might want to re-create.

First of all, the monster is not a god and certainly he is like Goliath that has a weakness. He or she shouts, throws things, rewards the wrong person and annoys but you must have to look at a perspective that he or she is hiding a "secret closet", that once you unlock it, he or she is going to be your own proto-type asimo. So take note of your strengths and observe that without it, your boss is screwed. There's got to be that thing in you that he or she does not have. Use it when the right time comes. In short, know the things that the monster does not know. Have an extra ear and of course, always listen with your two ears and your eyes. If you have that sixth sense, then add that up!

Working with numbers and other data

The TV series Numbers for example suggests that problems in crimes can be statistically analyzed using collated data. Though it has a varying degree as to how efficient statistical analysis resolve even the toughest organized crimes like terrorism, it gives us an idea that when you are capable of analyzing these and your boss definitely depends on you on such information; this could translate to you being the asset of the organization. When you are able to translate figures to valuable information in resolving the toughest organizational problems, you can maximize your own potentialities.

In the field of medical science, laboratory analysis are derived from "numbers" which is a fact, an important tool in the treatment and management of diseases. Nurses and doctors depend on this information in making critical decisions in health care. If you are the nurse, when you know how to deal with numbers and data, you won't feel that you are a mechanical puppet when the doctors just happen to make his "orders"; actually you can make pertinent suggestions by which you believe, best for your patient. Gone are the days that a nurse is treated as that mechanical assistant who operates on "push-buttoned" responsibilities.

In the field of business however, when every data is equal to "money", when you are good at working with numbers and other data, you can help the company to minimize losses in the stock market. When your boss misses that single detail which you provided a door of opportunity may open for you…

Getting caught with your bluff

The boss is the boss. You are not yet. Remember that it is not wise to be overconfident about your value to the organization. Yet, you should always anticipate that he or she might ask for you to double check on something. On the other-hand, do not push that all answers provided by you and everything else is complete. When at the back of your mind, you missed something and you just had that flickered while having the presentation, do not get caught and have your confidence melt down. Admit it when it is too obvious. Say that, "I do not have the answer for the moment or the information at the moment", and then offer to find out. Yet when you do, do not make a promise; just do it. This works well for medical interns or personnel making a stiff monitoring. Do not make an alibi that there are so much things to do especially when you are dealing with lives. If you are keen with monitoring machines, then check immediately if there is stored information which you have missed. Most health managers want to see changes that make a patient recover, achieve his or her optimum level of functioning; that is why the health care provider is supposed to be the "generalist" in a certain situation.

The test-retest Method

The WORK world works with logic and from logic, we extract the thing known as common sense, so when you learned to anticipate the monster's questions, be ready to advance the questions that starts with the word, "why". In a presentation, you must be able to monologue for that question and answer portion. Visualize the results as you present the solutions to the problems. The basic principle is "cause and effect" but the "why" thing weights the solution that you are presenting. The keyword for this principle is, "Initiative". Before the monster manages to find out for him self, have the initiative to look further.

Your back-up support system

Einstein, one of the great thinkers of the century, said that never reveal your sources which is one best principle while you are still developing a strategic idea on your next career move. It is not wise to depend solely on your knowledge and skills; you must have a back-up of support systems in the field where you can extract ideas and where you can depend on when you are confronted by your waterloo. Admit it, you are not a superhuman. You can be a walking Almanac or a concise Encyclopedia but you are not a compendium of all knowledge so you must know who are in that "support gear" that you must be wearing. He may be another manager you met from a convention you had coffee with a couple of hours ago, a reliable expert, a corporate geek or an explorer. The point is you are clever enough to out know the monster so as to advance yourself in that organizational ladder. The idea is simple, when you have access to such information that the monster don't, you can synchronize with the boss's strategies easily, propose outstanding solutions, or innovate on existing standards. Whichever the step, you are building your value with your career and to the employer.

The Post Graduate

The Graduate is a classic example of college seduction in which a question of morality is put into test from the mature ones- who should uphold the highest standards of human wisdom;yet it pictures that age is not correlated with morality but "character" is a product of time-tested experience- that can be molded into an unbelievably ugly phenomenon set to be loved by an ailing society.

Mrs. Robinson is a victim turned to victimizer while Ben is a picture of a dead man walking seeking for another chance. While personally I would say that the plot is a reflection of the reality that we are living in, there are certain spots in the plot that I can say, contrary to human nature. This conflict is alluded in the sound-tract but to wave away from the predecessors of the movie, I would beg to disagree on Elaine's responses to the conflict. She is typically no different from Mrs. Robinson, a corruption of womanhood and a figure of weaker vessel in the movie and Ben, the typical chauvinist nature fashioned by a lovable face that is in the guise of a carnal man who never really changed his real skin. I love how the movie portrayed the conflicts. Dustin Hoffman was superb in any angle- his nervousness comes in almost normal to fine acts. I like how the addiction was presented (though some may disagree that it is plainly temptation).

The fornication may not be an issue today but the scene, was bold enough to expose how a man could go further to the extremes of his desires and yet, when confronted with his conscience, the act of transformation to betterment is not just enough to fill in my viewer's taste. If I would have to base that movie to current western culture, I would get murdered, yet the idea there is to explore human emotions which is not vastly portrayed.

Elaine's screaming were not enough, she should have undergone some series of alienation and depression and Ben is the culprit behind- the master opportunist on the situation. We don't sympathize on that kind of person but the movie is wise enough to inject that he was indeed the victim yet he was a maturing adult who is nothing but a blind and selfish person.

I also pity Mrs. Robinson for grabbing into her sense of controlling nature in which she has failed in her character. The succeeding characters were typical parents who are "detached" from their children. I can see injustice for using the house of God as a place for that climax. Yet, the crucifix may symbolize "salvation" in anyway for Ben and Elaine to start a new life together. What if they don't take that bus?

A Borrowed Chance

Mr. Pedro Donoso's downfall was Ysabel Arroyo, his second wife at is ailing health and old age. It was a quick marriage at first in the guise of betrayal shared by the latter with Andres Corona, Pedro's most trusted servant. Days past as the newly wed couple started their new life together, the ambitious Ysabel has recently had a friction with Donoso's only daughter who was witness to her infidelity. Naturally, the old man- so in love with Ysabel would side with his new wife until his death prompted Cayetanna- a fortune teller and occultist to warn of the future. Donoso died in the hands of the woman he loves. Yet, fate decided to help a wandering Pedro's soul to take over a farmer's body owned by Salvador Serinza for his forthcoming revenge...

So much for the prelude but this unique Mexican telenovela is not like the typical rags to riches story of a woman fairy tale that ends up into a happy ending but the plot speaks of a spiritual journey of a man who is given a chance to seek the truth beyond the lies and betrayals of his beloved and gradually resolves unfinished business and conflicts with his neglected family members due to his ill-fated decisions. The funniest aspect of the story roots from his awakening from a body that supposed to be buried which prompted the grieving community folks to suspect that he has risen from death and can perform miracles because of remarkable changes in his behavior and newly-found intelligence. Donoso found himself in the body of a man whom he assumed to take as he returns to avenge his own death only to realize that as he unfolds the truth, he is still in love with Ysabel's cousin yet has to make a swallow-hard decision to stick with Ysabel up to the end of his journey. His revelations led to a collective hysteria which began with Simon, Andres Corona (who became mentally ill), Walter and Ysabel's aunt's death. The plot talks about obsession, rise to power, greed, passion, compassion, resolution, revenge, love, etc. The climax is exquisitely unexpected as both Ysabel and Donoso crashed through a car chase once authorities unlocked the mysteries of the black-widow's (Ysabel Arroyo) crimes.

What is touching is Ysabel's admission of his sins but failure to be forgiving for her cousin and the rest of Donoso's family. She was trapped by her own curse and offered death as her repentance for all the crimes she did in the name of love. I surely miss the drama, I love Cayetanna and her company, Serinza's family and his funny wife, Father Jacobo's immaturity in his religious belief's and Walter's sarcasm. This drama is a new taste and a new fold of plot yet to be re-explored as we begin to untangle the mystery of death and rebirth.

Not Sweet Enough: A Sweet November Breeze

What would you do if you lose control on what would you want your life would be? All of us wants to take over, we would sing to the very idea of self-determination only to realize that this life is all bout suffering and with the idea of impermanence no matter how perfect we want our life to be, impermanence stays and it is just one sweet element.

Nelson is a portrayal of a man who would want to tap that very direction of calculated living and when he thought he gets all the grip of how life should be lived, he realized that one fine contact with a stranger's eye is the beginning of a life-changing moment; his own interpretation of romance and his quest for happiness.

I like this movie for two personal reasons: One it is another re-interpretation of "love" and second, it is set in a controlling manner that will keep you glued to watch the whole movie or else you'll be sorry.

While it is intriguing to understand why would a woman opens her door to a verbal contract with a guy, a thought-provoking concept that would often have a thumbs down for most feminists and conservatives; we would unveil the motive that she resorts to it in response to her defense mechanisms because she has that inner conflict within herself while she is holding on to her own battle with a disease. If this is promoting a mind-over-matter thing that is leaving us with a big question mark in the end; this conflict is clouded by romance as the scenes progressed to the cinematic portrayal of what a couple should be. Aww! I hate to say that this is a tragic comedy but I am more keen to the symbolisms that the movie is showing.

California is a mix of the old country as well as the new and I guess this movie is conveying a message that it is not just a remake to do justice from the first but a revelation that the concept of "love" and the confrontation of the conflicts present in the movie knows no time. So I guess this is in sync with the soundtrack as well.

I love how the colors blended and how realistic the place was. Who knows we might bump at a real-life Nelson or Sara in our own California streets but what is truly moving is not just its simplicity. The movie is about a critical audience who could distinguish the relationships of each elements in the plot, the set and the characters...

I did not like how the characters tend to be cold-hearted as Nelson chased Sara effortlessly. It was like, Keanu Reeves was thinking more than setting his real emotions.

Sara is a selfish individual who finds comfort in a man's down side. Nelson has been submissive for the very first time yet he was even more trapped when he finds that he is going to lose what he had worked for but he was a risk -taker.

However, Sara rediscovered her humanity as she let-go of Nelson for it was not her plan to go on with him because something is holding her back and she has to face it beyond November. Whether both are truly in love, pride tore them apart because of one has to be in-control.

And yes, Sara won over making her decisions despite Nelson's willingness to give out more. Until, a too "familiar" goodbye sets the denouement to an ending scene. The classic sun rays and smooth breeze is a classic symbolism of "hope" and this is what I hate about open-ended stories in movies... it is not a reality show where the audience could just make a text vote or call to have their own desired endings. This is not a reality show but it aims to portray reality in dream.

To GREEN now or?

How do we go Green when all we think is to get the latest in the market.?We want to throw or just take away some things that we believe we no longer need, the green revolution's calling is simply not our creed... it indeed easily said than done.

My mother has been very influential in the family when it comes to going green. She has been working in the Environment Bureau for almost thirty years and with her expertise, she has been consulted by many organizations, including our City government with regards to solid waste management. Within our city, each household is obliged to segregate garbage and yeah, we pay for garbage fee too. We have also our option by selling our own trash (the non-biodegradable ones like scrap metals, computer hardware, plastics to junk shops of our choice) or just segregate it and allow the city garbage collector to take it and from there, they manage your trash...

Solid waste is not just the visible garbage that we get rid from our households. It also includes the other establishments in a certain place. The municipal hall is an abiding model where it boasts its earning for the past years and it mobilized the funds in taking care some of the expenses of the city like medicines and other services. It was not a highly profitable one but yes an evidence that, "there is indeed money in the garbage".

The other proponents of going green could not even deny that to live with it, you have to spend money to really achieve that full potential but for ordinary people like me, change does not come with a snap of a finger. Money is not always available to change your lamp bulbs, your TV screens, some house finishings, your cleaning gadgets, your car, etc. It denotes time to really figure out and to make your decision. Most especially, when you are not living on your own. How could you advocate others in your household to change just because it is the calling? We simply need some right timing, right information and of course, the right "choices" in which we could make a "compromise."

We have to be honest to ourselves that there are some things that we could not just let go simply because the "cost" is not feasible. We can't let go of this refrigerator because there's no budget to get a new one nor let go of that non-environment friendly washing machine and detergent when the supposed to be friendly stuff is not yet commercially available.

Yet, still the best place to assess how "green" we can contribute to the environment is to start from our homes, we can determine "wastes" from all areas beginning from our own closets to our garage. According to a popular show, when you don't use your clothes for more than 6 months, then it is a candidate for either giving it to charity, for your garage sale or trash (trashing also follows the words: recycle, re-use, repair/recondition, re-sale, etc). So many solutions available and yet "the choice is in your hands. "

My parting words, when you decide to go and live green, are you ready to change your lifestyle by considering going back to the basics? Using stuff you haven't tried, spending in an environment-friendly technology? How about your government initiatives? The big corporations?

Reliving the Cast Away Conflicts

Whenever I see a volleyball, I would always be reminded by Tom Hanks' unforgettable best-friend, "Wilson" in his Cast Away Movie. Yes, we will surely agree that "No man is an Island" but his Character managed to survive in that island, thanks to his sanity and grip of personal human self-preservation. At first, I was preempting that this is no less than a "easy-made" movie commercialized by the famous FedEx campaign but as the scenes progressed to an expanded possibilities in which several situations arise, it touches more human interest and depth in acting supremacy that crosses from serious hopelessness and life's natural comedy.
I would like to stress on the following conflicts:

1. Survival- The island reminds me of the "reality show" series when human subjects are placed in an environmental and situation-controlled simulations. Worse case that a man could experience is conflict within himself as to the idea of answering the question, "Will I survive?". So Hanks' character was challenged in using his resourcefulness in order to gather food for himself, cook and be filled in the absence of certain luxuries in life. There was a point when he needed to deal with opening the packages to see if there's something he could use for that cause. Yet, his detachment to human civilization did not impede him to become human by carefully deciding which package is worth salvaging and not...

2. Anger- Who would be so happy in that island if all you got is a non-responding volleyball ,you fashioned to keep track of your human senses? In here, we would see Hanks' character resort to displacement and series of defense mechanisms like self-talk" put to its critical limits. There was anger against the island itself, anger at the typhoon and anger against fate or God who put him into that kind of situation. At first he was determined to utilize all his strength to get off that island, he failed, got injured... Next day, he determined to kill himself, the next thought was "Never say never."... Yet he did, he rebuilt his hope and he succeeded.

3. The Challenge to get off that Island no matter what...-is always a climax to his solitude. He was physically exhausted yet, powerful enough to inspire the audience to exhaust all his human capacities to get out of his "hell" and take back his life.

4. The Resurrection- Now, we pity Hanks' character as he battled against "time" and unresolved issues of his past. In this case, he never thought that his engineering skills has its own limits and he can't take back the past. It was quite a short phasing of the Cast Away movie but it needed no further dramatization because it clearly speaks of the idea of "impermanence" and what's important is, He was able to look ahead into the future.

Was that salvaged FedEx package sync to culminate his future? That was the beauty of how the story unfolded- open-ended, simple, and brilliant.