Modernization of Jeepneys
In the present time, the world currently houses around 7.7 billion people. Predominantly, human beings use automobiles to go around places on their desired destination. Hence, as we all know, the greater the number of vehicles that are present down the road located in one area, the heavier traffic it means. As a matter of fact, Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is also known for having the worst traffic in all of Asia. Furthermore, in the Philippine context, some Filipinos rely on their own respective vehicles to get from point A to B, however, the main transportation which most people use is the public transportation which is also known as the “Jeepneys”. With this, I for one, stand firm on DOTr's Jeepney Modernization Program on the grounds that it will encourage people to use public transportation. Also, this program has many advantages in our country such as having a less co2 emissions because of its euro 5 engines, as well as comfortable riding experience, can contribute to less traffic, and thus having an opportunity for a reliable public transport.
To further discuss this topic, Jeepney Modernization Program is defined as an implementation of the government to eliminate jeepneys which had primarily been used for 15 years and above that are already obsolete and poorly maintained. More so, the phased out vehicles will be replaced with modernized jeepneys which are brand new and much safer for all passengers or commuters. Likewise, these modernized jeepneys are equipped with features such as Jeepney monitoring systems like CCTVs, GPS, as well as Air Conditioner System that will aid to all the passengers satisfaction and comfort. It also features a right side facing entrance for the safety of passengers, an easier payment system that uses prepaid cards, an eco-friendly engine, has more seating capacity, and of course, a Wi-Fi access. Thus, these innovations will surely encourage people to use public transport with the thought of having a safer ride. In addition, not only the passengers are going to enjoy the benefits from the aforementioned program but the drivers as well of the said vehicle, for the reason that the government will give subsidy to those who will purchase the modernized jeepney on the grounds that the bank will help them finance it with low interest rate and longer amortization. Consequently, the drivers will pay 30,000 a month or 1,000 a day. What’s good is that the payment for the vehicle is just the same price as the drivers expense with their respective boundaries. As such, they will have a fixed salary so they will not hastily drive anymore to get more passengers as well as their problems concerning mechanical difficulty will be long gone, all because of the new modernized jeepneys.
To put an end, through this program, transportation will be an easy way to get to somewhere we want to go. Let us also put into mind that these modernize jeeps are much safer than those old ones. It is as well beneficial to us on all walks of life and perhaps, will make our country more developed and experience less traffic. One thing's for sure, this program will not undermine anyone but it is a step for a brighter future of our country.
How I saved money for my significant other
This school year, I have broken my personal record on an expensive purchase. Php.14,000.00 to be exact, which is a lot for a high school student with no source of income at all. The thing is, the reason why I saved such a great amount of money wasn’t for myself but rather for someone else. His 18th birthday was fast approaching, and I want to give him something that will endure for a lifetime. Things that will live long enough to get my money’s worth and things that will set up that standards of his when receiving a gift from an another possible significant other, other than me in the future. (Can’t blame myself for this, I’m just thinking of all the possibilities and I’m one competitive young lady hehe).
Maybe you’re thinking, how the heck did I earn it? Considering that I’m still a high school student with no job and did not come from an upper class bracket at all. Did I steal someone’s money? Nah, too risky. Did I apply as a working student? Nah, too lazy. Did I cry and beg for God to suddenly shower me with money? Maybe. Did I calculate the amount of money I accumulate in a whole school year and budget it by bringing packed lunch and not going out after school days to reach my quota each month? Definitely.
I did not know it was possible, but I did it. I guess, the saying, “Kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw maraming dahilan” were applied and justified on the outcome of my actions. Reminiscing the struggles I’ve experienced, it truly wasn’t easy. There are times I get tempted to spend money on things that aren’t necessary. There were times that even when I was starving as hell, I couldn’t buy food using my money because I have a certain quota to pursue each month to buy what needs to be bought. I stuck to a tight budget and gave up things like fun hangouts while I was saving. Luckily, I endured all of it.
One reason is I have set steps. Months before his birthday, I made a list of what I want to get for him and compared prices at different stores to see who has the least expensive price for each item. I then calculated an estimated cost and started working to earn the money needed to pay for the gifts. My plan was to buy each gift one by one as you earn the money. Planning ahead allows you to be organized and not scramble at the last minute looking for the money or lowest prices.
I also practiced visualization, which is all about imagining yourself once you get to your goals. The key to visualization is detail. You must get specific. I always asked myself, What will I be doing exactly? What will happen when I reach that goal? and I think that’s what makes me keep going and stay motivated. One thing’s for sure, there’s nothing wrong if you shower your significant other with lavish gifts here and there but at the end of the day, it doesn't need to cost a lot to be meaningful. The best gift he ever gave me was his heart. Didn't cost much, but meant everything and that’s what’s important.
Kindness
*“Kindness is the type of thing which the blind could see and the deaf could hear.”*
First off, what is kindness? When we look into the dictionary, kindness can be pertained as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. This is how the dictionary defined it. But let me ask, is this the only definition we truly know about kindness? Or is there something more than that? We do all have our own definition of kindness and on how we perceive and show it to others and upon watching the series "The Kindness Diaries", one particular person said some words that indeed struck my mind making me ponder it thoroughly, because that person said that "When showing kindness to other people. Why is it like a phenomenal thing? Can't it be just a norm for us to help other people in need? It shows that kindness is just not abundant in our society”. Sad as it may seem, but what that person entailed was brutally true. This perhaps can be of great example: “No problem, you take my food” “Here, let me help you with that.” All this generous and kind verbatim were too generic if we were to go back 5 years ago or so. However, in today’s time, how frequent do we get help or favors from others? And how much are we willing to do the same favor to someone else? This leads me to a certain question, Is it just me or is kindness really fading away making our society slowly a remote place? In fact, according to a research, 2 out of 10 people only come front and do the needful for others. Why is that so? Coming to a point, it is all because of a lack of kindness for a reason that in our society today we only help people who we want to help. Kindness takes a backseat to self-seeking and expendable human interactions. Every person has the desire to be recognized or become wealthy, believing that it clasp the answer to their happiness. But the fact is that our world does not need more victorious people. But it does seriously requires more peacemakers, healers, restorers, leaders and lovers of every kind. It requires people to live in bliss in their places. It requires people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world a better place. And these qualities have little to do with success as we defined it. Instead, why not help people without discriminating them based on their religion, ethnicity, and looks? Kindness is not just helping them it is also accepting them for who they are without any hesitation. Everyone is a family no matter where they came from around the world and that is beautiful.
Champagne: A Short Story
It was a beautiful late afternoon and the sun gave the lustre of midday to the things beneath it. The city of New York was filled with joy and laughter for the spirit of Christmas is filling the air. Not far away from the busy streets of the city, a man in his late 30’s was seated on a couch in his humble home contemplating on how he’ll start his lovely day.
“Ahh, these are the type of days that I should savour, but how? What should I do?” He asked himself softly, revelling in the way the quiet house almost felt like it was holding its breath, a hushed whisper of excitement for the day ahead.
He was lost in his own thoughts. A few moments later, an idea came across his mind. He then sprang from his couch, away from his humble abode and flew like a flash, off he went to the nearest store with a thought in mind to buy himself supplies as well as his all-time favourite drink, champagne.
As soon as he arrived, the hustle of shoppers filled his ears as he made his way through the store. There he immediately bought groceries and of course, an expensive champagne with its luxury taste, freshness and elegance that can be already seen and tasted just by glancing through its bottle.
“That would be $57.00 sir.” Delancey, the cashier, said with a smile painted on her face.
“Alright here you go.” said the old man while giving her the money that he took from the side pockets of his tattered jeans.
After a while, when all was said and done, the old man went out of the store with some few bags that hung off his arms and were swinging around his hips while he made his way towards his house.
Upon reaching home, he began to adorn his ceiling with ornaments that glistened like a canopy of small crushed diamonds. Indeed, the crystal ornaments were hung beneath the interior with meticulousness. The best part, however, was the glowing lights wrapped around the evergreen wreaths which illuminated everything around it. Minutes passed as he took in the beauty and made sure that all was done to his liking, he proceeded to change his clothes and dressed himself with the best dashing tux he could find which, as a matter of fact, was already displayed on the door of his closet not long ago. He looked at himself in the mirror whilst adjusting his tie to make sure that he’s well-groomed more than ever.
At last, he went to open his beloved champagne that was laid out perfectly on his mahogany table along with a wine glass, candlelight and an old stereo.
“Finally! I'm going to have some rounds of wine!” He delightedly thought so to himself.
Unfortunately, things went downward spiral afterwards.
Just as he was in the middle of popping the bottle, he was caught off guard when the cork suddenly burst upward rushing with a great speed towards the ceiling leaving him agape. “Well, there’s no way I can get that.” He grumbled to himself not knowing what to do about it. Eventually, he just brushed it off and continued with his business by pouring himself some champagne that is probably more almond-like than any champagne had a right to be, but it was the way he loved it all the same. It made him think of warm summer days and sunflower fields. He gently sat down on his mahogany chair and intended to enjoy his drink when unexpectedly, the cork fell down right in his glass, taking him aback.
Poor old man, long gone is his supposed to be plans for some relaxing sips of champagne for the day.
Do I make my own destiny?
For a second, I was ready to agree with this one but somehow, it seems that I, myself find it questionable. Well our choices do sometimes make our destiny but it may not be necessarily ours. Yes, we create a certain "set up" or "mission" we wish to achieve. However, suddenly life throws a problem at you without being prepared. Destiny is out of our control, what we can control is our decisions and actions. We don't make anything. Fate flows its course. Our responsibility is to what is necessary, and the rest is a dice game.
What if HE's not real?
There's an argument that many people make: that the natural world, and humanity's existence in the universe, point towards a divine creator that brought forth all of this into existence. And if by chance that science proves He doesn't exist, there's nothing we can do but perhaps accept it. Devoted people shouldn't go hysterics. It's not very important in what you believe, but how this influences your behavior. Who you are towards society, your psychological balance, the love you can give and receive.
"You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"
In today's time, it dawned on me that I always put faith in my prayers and not in the goodness of God because my heart's desire is a million times more likely to materialize if I pray steadfastly for it. Well, it occurred to me that focusing on the objects of your prayer can, ironically, be a distraction from focusing on God, the tremendous lover. I realized this just recently. For this reason, I want to capture my fears, surrendering them to Jesus. And as fear rises, I will ignore it focusing instead on the face of Him who can rebuke the wind and the waves so that all is completely calm. I will train myself to remain tranquil through my storms. For my savior is in the same boat as I am.
The Color Blue
A blind man once asked me how can I describe the color blue to him. Well, blue is the color of the sky on a clear day that you like to be your home. It is the color of the sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. Beautiful as it may seem, it also represents sadness. Think of the cold stinging sensation of ice. A brief breeze during summer that you wish it could have gone the whole day. The felling that engulfs you when you are sad as well as the crack of lightning during a storm.
Who Am I?
A wanderer, who sees all things with amazement. A kid who will always seek for her mother in a loving embrace. A friend, who will be there in times of despair, and a lover who gives her all to make someone feel her genuine care. My name shall not be mentioned but I'm a young lady who has brown eyes, black hair, and skinny with an average height. A plain Jane. A typical teenager who loves to surf the internet, who spends her free time reading some old fan fiction while sipping some hot coffee on a couch. A young lady who in time, will be serving passengers on air with a smile plastered upon her face. Indeed, an aspiring flight attendant that will travel around the world looking for fun and excitement whilst promoting education as her advocacy by raising awareness to the young people that will provide them the skills to make healthy decisions in life that is far more effective than anything else. As many Filipino citizens, a teenager like her sees the Philippine politics where graft and corruption has always been a big problem. Witnessing how life is with corrupt leaders, she wishes to see a new light, and hope that there really could be a bright er future ahead for all of them. After all, she believes that God would not let people put into harm, be it a Christian, a Muslim, an Atheist, or whichever. She as well believes that the term "religion" encompasses so many ideas, concepts, and beliefs that cannot be grouped together and make statements that apply to all, so to speak. However, all people are created by only one creator, the creator that lets them live in this world to appreciate the gift of life and that's what matters the most.
@BenevolentLad
