The Military training our youth
*Members of the faculty, members of the Graduating Class, ladies and gentlemen, my friends.*
I greet every one of you, and I greet each and every MPC soldier in the field.
This world is certainly rolling very fast, and those who fail to keep pace with the times and be able to fill up every minute with a 60-second run will surely be a pace behind.
Ten years ago, we started the military training of our youth, not for war but to promote peace, prosperity, and happiness for our people and to denote national respect for our race. Consequently, schools for officers and enlisted men were established all over the Philippines to facilitate their instruction and thus make them capable professional soldiers. The training continued according to plan, and was stopped in December of 1941 when the war broke out.
However, in the summer of 1942, although we were not spiritually defeated, we were physically beaten – hence the surrender.
Finally, in the summer of 1945, with the help of the American Forces of liberation, we drove the enemy off our shores, and victory was attained.
Those were the brief events that occurred in our country from the time we started the preparation of our national defense to the time of our liberation.
But, my friends, what surprises me this morning is the speed with which the MPC performs its vital functions in order to make its members professionally efficient. It is indeed that, despite the lack of facilities, despite the fact that right here in Central Luzon there is banditry and disorder which the MPC is called upon to suppress, it is able to put up schools for officers and men within a short period of time. It is gratifying, indeed, to see these young officers and men undergo military training in order to make themselves fit for the job, and to prepare themselves for higher positions which may be assigned to them in the defense of this country in case another ambitious nation tries to overrun us again in the days to come.
I am here, then, not only to extend to you my heartiest congratulations for having satisfactorily completed the course and to share with you the pride and satisfaction that we all feel over your success, but also to remind you of those lessons of war and the tremendous task and responsibility that lie ahead of you as Peace Officers.
As members of the Army assigned to MPC, you share in the responsibility of accomplishing two peace-time missions of the Army. First, to maintain peace and order; second, to train and organize a citizen army that forms the bulwark of our national defense. In whatever activities you may be engaged, you should not lose sight of the fact that you are professional soldiers indoctrinated in the principles of democracy and dedicated to the service of this country.
Evidently, you’re training in leadership, locomotive, and signal communications, which you have just completed, is an asset to your profession, and will be of great value to the MPC. Yet, I believe that the phases of training which you have satisfactorily completed are but auxiliaries to the main objectives and do not, as a whole, cover all the requirements of the task which you are required to perform as peace officers. The functions and duties of yesterday Your Commanding General is an old and tough soldier of the PC. He knows that the functions of peace officers do not necessarily require every soldier to be proficient in the tactics and techniques of the infantry. In the field, it is enough that he knows how to obey orders from his superior officer; that he knows how to take care of himself and his weapon; that he knows how to use his legs; that he knows how to shoot well; that he has knowledge of criminal law; and that he knows the terrain and the psychology and ideology of the people with whom he is dealing.
Here in central Luzon, there is unrest and lawlessness. A peace officer must know the cause and perpetration of a crime and the reason therefore. In the field, he must be resourceful. He must know how to solve every problem he faces, whether it's with people or with things.
The people of Central Luzon today may be divided into two classes as far as ideology is concerned. To the first class belong those people who believe and practice the ideology which we acquire from American schools and Christian religion. We acquire from American schools and Christian religion and absorb the democratic way of life. This class believes that the government belongs to the people. The other class belongs to the government. So, we have two conflicting ideologies among the people of central Luzon at present. Democracy vs. Dictatorship In dealing with those exponents of dictatorship, I wish to remind you of those ignorant people who are misled by the few ambitious leaders who desire to shake up our government to its very foundation and to plant here a dictatorial form of government, the laws and ideals of which are contrary to our laws, ideals, tradition, religion, and way of life. These ignorant people should be treated with firmness tempered with justice, tact, and diplomacy. In dealing with their leaders, who are responsible for the destruction of many lives and properties of our own people, I want you, as representatives of this Great Republic, to avail yourselves to the fullest extent of the power granted you by the law and back up such power with every bit of force at your command against them. Under no circumstances will you tolerate lawlessness on their part, much less defy the armed forces of the Republic.
It is beyond doubt that one of the most fundamental requirements of an orderly and honest government is peace and order. But I wonder how many of our people understand the importance of your work, especially during this period of rehabilitation. I wonder how many of you realize the significance of the contribution you have made to our country. But I am certain that the government is fully aware of your sacrifices, and it believes that as long as we have men like you in the service, this great republic will live forever.
I do not know what the future has in store for you, but I do know that whatever your fate may be, it will always be your glory to be among the first professional soldiers of this newly born republic. For all the professions, that of the soldier is the noblest.
Graduating Class of the 7th Class of the Military Police School
*Members of the Faculty and Member of the Various Graduating Class of the 7th Class of the Military Police School:*
I consider it a rare distinction and a special privilege to be able to say to you a few words on the solemn occasion of your graduation, which is the culmination of diligent and untiring efforts you have exerted during the period of your instruction preparatory to your qualification for and assumption of various assignments awaiting you in the field.
I rejoice in the thought that the opportunity thus afforded me has given me an equal opportunity to remind you of the tremendous responsibilities that lie ahead of you as members of the Philippine Army assigned to the Military Police Command.
As members of the Philippine Army, you share in the responsibility of accomplishing the two main missions of the Armed Forces in peacetime: the maintenance of peace and order and the training and organization of the citizen army, which form the bulwark of our national defense. No matter what you are doing, you shouldn't forget that you are officers and soldiers whose jobs are to make sure that these missions are done right.
You are at present assigned to the Military Police Command, which is a division of the Philippine army entrusted with the keeping of peace and order. The Officers’ Class has been trained in leadership and in various subjects, leading to the efficient discharge of their duties as Commanding Officers of the various units in the Military Police Command. The Automotive Maintenance Class has been trained in technical duties related to the maintenance and servicing of motor vehicles and equipment, which are very essential in the maintaining of motor vehicles and equipment, which are very essential in maintaining the mobility of troops and the transportation of supplies and equipment. The Signal Communications Class has been trained in the operation and maintenance of signal communication in order to maintain constant communication between various units or the command, which is of fundamental necessity in an armed organization. All of this training has been done so that you can do your job of keeping peace and order more effectively.
In the discharge of your duties, there are important things that I want you to remember. First, that you have to contend with the lawless elements of your own people. No more force than what is necessary will be applied in all oases in order to prevent unnecessary damage to life, property, and the comfort of our own people. Because of the apparent need for a vigorous effort to suppress lawlessness at present, you have to discharge your duties with great firmness tempered with justice, tact, and diplomacy. Knowing that you have to contend with the common masses, you must exercise sympathy and consideration. A few missions can be accomplished without bloodshed and by the mere education of the masses. You should be patient peace ministers, offering your advice to the masses with whom you come into contact. But your mission must be accomplished and nothing should hinder its accomplishment, even at the cost of a sacrifice.
Because of the nature of your work, you will be stationed all over the country, and some of you may be assigned to the far corners of the Philippines. Wherever you are, you will represent the Army and the government. In your actions, you must not cast discredit on the organization to which you belong.
I am aware of the sacrifices that all of us will have to make in order that the country as a whole may survive. We belong to the Army of a young and poor nation, and we cannot expect the high pay and numerous privileges that the Army of the United States can afford to give its officers and men. However, if we do our duty well and do our work in the sense of service required of citizens, our efforts will be repaid in the satisfaction of work well done and duties well performed.
The Army is not the place for anybody to make money by honorable means. But there are also temptations in the Army, where a man without honor can easily enrich himself by appropriating funds and equipment entrusted to his care for his own benefit. Such temptations are only overcome by real officers and soldiers who would rather live in want than commit acts that are dishonorable. I want to emphasize to you the fact that the profession of the army is a profession of honor. It behooves every officer and soldier to control their actions according to the noble tradition of the Army. It behooves everybody in uniform not to allow anybody else to violate the noble heritage of a soldier.
A soldier who does not live up to the noble tradition of the Army will not last long in the service. And whoever gets away with wrongdoing in his first years of service will pay for it by having a bad reputation in his later years of service. His records will hurt his chances of getting promoted and bring shame to his name, even if he has a lot of money that he got by doing something wrong.
In this period of reorganization, we want officers and men who have the interest of the Army at heart, not merely because the Army furnishes them with a means of livelihood but because they believe in the things we stand for. We want officers and men who will sacrifice comfort for the love of service to the country and who will uphold the noble traditions of the Army at any cost. By your demonstrated actions during the last crisis, you have shown that you are invaluable elements of the Army. You have shown that you are willing to sacrifice for the good of the whole nation. You have shown that you have the indomitable spirit to win over difficulties. You must decide to continue on the proper path you have taken and live in the sun. It is the bound duty of every citizen to do his part in the national organization in whatever capacity, and the work in the Army, specifically in the maintenance of peace and order where you have been assigned at present, calls for officers and soldiers of sterling quality.
May God help us all and give us the energy to carry out our assigned part in the great national undertaking of building a nation!
I want to thank you.
silent death of our beloved brothers
FRIENDS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
We stand in awe and admiration before the silent death of our beloved brothers, who were victims of hellish tortures of the sharpest pains, metal terrifying ordeals, and horrible death, the worst punishments ever recorded in the history of human suffering.
I am not going to speak about my personal life story or the individual brilliant records of each and every one of them, for it needs volumes to record the accounts of their glorious achievements. I'll just say that they deserve this unique national tribute in honor of their memory and as a sign of respect for their heroic actions and great sacrifices.
Those unsung heroes, forgotten patriots and unknown martyrs of the Filipino race, were murdered for daring to defy the brutal tyrants in their bloody wholesale massacre of innocent Filipino civilians.
They were assassinated in cold blood. Their only guild was their unwavering devotion to democratic principles; their only flaw was their religious willingness to suffer and die rather than reveal the identity of their underground resistance movement comrades; and their only crime was their unwavering belief in the ultimate and total victory of our people over the soulless invaders.
The undaunted guerilla chieftains, Col. Manuel Enriquez, Col. Manuel Atanacio, Capt. Antonio J. Montalvan, Capt. Nestor Reinoso, Lt. Vicente Gepte, and Lt. Rodolfo Yap, whose demises are among those we consecrate today, had not died in vain, for the worthy cause for which they had fought so well unto death, has finally triumphed with the unconditional surrender of Japan and the redemption of our freedom.
Juan Elizalde, Rafael Roces, Jr., and Tom Myers had worked hard with all the resources they had at their disposal to crucify Japan into the cross of eternal defeat.
Jose, Ozamiz, Cirilo Perez, and Luis Pulido had fought tirelessly against the Japanese propaganda machine in their all-out psychological warfare offensive.
And before their arrests, Thomas Acop, Emilio Grupe, Dever Alejandro, Leandro, and Jose Ma. Alvarez, along with Henry de Lara, Banales, Francisco de Leon, Virgilio Lobeyat, Vicente L. Reyes, Gregorio Magat, Enrique Pirootomo, and Gregorio Orita Soriano, led a life of misery, suffering, and privations, hounded like the worst criminal
History and posterity will undoubtedly regard them as great patriots, true heroes, and real martyrs not only of the Philippines but of Democracy, because great patriots are those who can maintain their loyalty with honor against the excruciating martyrdom; true heroes are those who can steadfastly hold their conviction over their fear of dying; and real martyrs, none of the untold tortures, unbearable sufferings, bitter and lethal thoughts mattered to them. All these sterling qualities, they do possess.
They are patriots because they believe that life is worthless unless it is consecrated to a great ideal.
They are heroes because they welcomed and considered death sweet, for the sake of the country they love and adore.
They are martyrs because they believed that men ought to die for duty and principles.
These honored dead epitomized the cruelties and heinous brutalities of the Japanese vandals as well as symbolized the sufferings and sacrifices of our countrymen.
They are the antithesis of the detested bunch of yellow-livered craven and opportunity helots, the pliant minions of the avowed enemies of our country, the courage of mankind and devils in flesh, the Japanese.
The courageous manner in which they met their premature death has given a new meaning of patriotism and has also glorified in the world’s annals Filipino heroism.
On this solemn occasion, we witness an emotional ceremony: the burying of our revered martyrs and heroes.
However, the great significance of their martyrdom will not be interred with their deaths, nor will their heroic deeds or sacrificial patriotism be buried in their tombs.
Their lofty ideals, adamantine will, and unswerving loyalty to the great principles for which the last war was fought and won did not succumb to them, but they will live forever in our affection, love, and fervent adoration.
Their passionate love of democracy has been their inspiration throughout the tedious, long, and endless nights of suffering, the cruelest tortures in their dungeons.
It was patriotism that gave them the stamina to endure and to resist. It is their patriotism, heroism, and martyrdom that will glorify them from generation to generation.
Their memory lives in the consciences of all liberty-loving people for whom they lived and died.
I congratulate the organizers of this fitting homage in honor of the memory of these deserving patriots because I am sure, at least I can feel that when their last breath was about to stop, they were probably thinking of Rizal’s immortal thoughts which run thus:
"I die without seeing the dawn brighten over my native land." You have it to see, so welcome it and don't forget those who died in the night."
And just after these thoughts, it seems as if they felt in their bosom a sense of victory, for they knew that they "go where there are no slaves, hangmen, or tyrants, where faith kills not, and where He who reigns is God."
But let us pause for a while, and in silence let us pray to our Almighty Lord for the eternal repose of their souls. (2 minutes of meditation)
In concluding, let us all bear in mind that heroes die to live again, and patriots and martyrs never die. My friends, all these hallowed names whose memory we consecrate today are heroes, patriots, and martyrs for they found joy in suffering, life in martyrdom, and glory in death; so, therefore, let us enshrine them in the world’s Hall of Fame for they have the right to be there.
I want to thank you.
Speech: peace and order and national security
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Convention:
I welcome the opportunity to be able to speak to you this afternoon on certain fundamental questions that concern us all: peace and order and national security. These abstract ideas about good government are so connected that I can talk about them together.
However, before touching the subjects, I would like to give you a picture of the Philippines and her people immediately after the liberation. As we travelled throughout the Philippines, we saw almost complete devastation of our civilization and the destruction of mankind. We met people from different walks of life. Generally, they were physically weak and hungry but with grim faces to show their invincible spirit; some were putting up their small houses; some were building their houses; some were engaged in business; some had gone back to their farms and other industries; some were going from place to place in search of their brothers and sisters who had disappeared from their homes during those dark days of the enemy occupation; some were putting up white crosses over the graves of their fallen brothers and comrades-in-arms; and some were dedicating to make a living. In general, the morale fiber of our people was very low.
Then they turn our minds to contemplating the peace for which thousands of our brothers gave up their lives. What a joyous blessing, indeed, was peace. They turned their hearts to our creator and thanked him for such a joyous blessing.
Here and there and everywhere, they breathed the air of freedom, which was vitalized by the nourishing sustenance of democracy. The land was there again for everyone to till and enjoy the fruits thereof. The seas were there again, and the thousands of species of fish with which Divine Providence had so abundantly supplied them. The intellect was there again to learn and enjoy our new-found freedom. The spirit expanded unrestrained by chains of fear and ignorance. The heart rejoiced in equality; the equality of meaning before a just law and a country of equal opportunity for all.
Such was the picture of the Philippines and our people after the smoke of guns had disappeared and the dust and mud had settled down. There was then peace, which everybody enjoyed.
And yet, Gentlemen of the Convention, you have heard the speech of His Excellency, the President, at the opening of this convention. He brought to our attention the present unpeaceful conditions in Central Luzon. He informed us that these dissident elements are fighting the forces of law and order. He informed us that the government has done its best and has exhausted all means by which peace and order could be established again. He brought to our attention the government’s program for social amelioration, and the execution of this program is going on. He informed us that he had given amnesty to all dissident elements for the sake of peace and order.
But there was no peace. The dissident elements reorganized themselves and reformed to renew their hostilities towards the government. You hear now and then of people, rich and poor, being kidnapped, murdered, and robbed of their belongings, and now and then you hear of clashes between the dissidents and the forces of law and peace.
What made the dissident elements refuse to take advantage of the amnesty? We discovered in documents that the organization headed by Taruc is a communist organization, and Taruc so declared himself openly a communist. This group has already set up its own communist government, and its goal is to get rid of our democratic government.
You have heard the speech of Speaker Perez. He described to you what communism is, and he told you the effects of communism on our present civilization, religion, and system of government. His warning is surely food for thought.
While peace and order are the concern of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, yet, when disorder is spread and committed on a large scale, my Department will be called upon to cope with the situation. At present, we are not using the Armed Forces of the Republic yet, but when the security and integrity of this country are threatened and His Excellency, the President, proclaims the existence of a state of emergency, the Armed Forces of the Republic will be thrown into the field.
Self-defense is the first law of a nation as well as of an individual. Based on this basic law, the wise people who wrote our constitution thought that the most important job of the government was to protect the country.
Article 2, Section 2, of our constitution provides that the defense of a state is the prime duty of the government, and in the fulfilment of this duty, all citizens may be required by law to render personal, military, or civil service. To implement this portion of the constitution, the National Assembly enacted a law known as the National Defense Act. The law states that the preservation of the state is the obligation of every citizen. The security of the Philippines and freedom and perpetual neutrality shall be guaranteed by the employment of all citizens without distinction of age, sex, or resources.
Gentlemen of the Convention, your duty in the defense of our country consists of the recruitment and mobilization of manpower. I need not put more emphasis on the importance of your duty for obvious reasons. If you fail to notify on time and see that those reserves residing in your respective provinces report at the point required by orders, you fail on your duty, and such failure may cause our defeat.
You are all aware of the fact that world peace is at stake, that the world is again threatened by war, this time by the very destruction of humanity and civilization. Look around us in China, Burman, India, and the East Indies, Korea. All of them are neighbors and we find them all seething with unrest, engaged in fratricidal strife due to the existence of opposing ideologies which are engaged in a bitter fight for the supremacy of their philosophies.
Then cast your eyes to Europe and you will find that the situation in Berlin is almost at the breaking point; Palestine and Greece are also in the same condition.
Under the present condition, it is the program of this government to first eradicate evil from within before it gains time.
It is surely a pleasure to mention here that the provincial governors of the troubled areas were soldiers who fought during the war and continued the fight during the resistance movement. These are: Governor Chioco of Nueva Ecija, Governor Lopez of Tarlac, and Governor Lingad of Pampanga. These governors fought during the war for what? for peace, freedom, and democracy. And it would be a cruel irony if these governors did not fight again for the same principle for which thousands upon thousands of our comrades gave their lives. I treasure the memory of this moment, and I will surely cherish it even more when this august body achieves the two watchwords of His Excellency, the President of the Philippines: maintaining peace and order in their respective provinces and restoring people's trust in the government.
Speech from Col. Lizardo, Members of the Faculty
*Col. Lizardo, Members of the Faculty, Members of the Graduating Class, My Friends:*
I greet every one of you this morning, and I greet every soldier of the Armed Forces everywhere. The training of our youth is the fulfillment of the requirements of the National Defense Act. We started this fulfillment twelve years ago, not to wage war but to preserve the peace, prosperity and national integrity of our people. Consequently, schools for officers and enlisted men were established all over the Philippines to facilitate instruction so as to make them capable professional soldiers. The training continued until December, 1941, when the war broke out.
The trained reservists were called to the colors and subsequently mustered into the Army to defend this beautiful land. The splendid display of discipline and training displayed by the Filipino soldiers during the war was magnificent evidence that the months of hard training behind them were fruitful, for it is now written down in history that one of the most heroic stands against aggression was fought here in our country.
Consequently, in the summer of 1942, although we were not spiritually defeated, we were physically beaten; hence, the inevitable. But the effect of military training inculcated in every Filipino soldier did not end with that surrender. Months later, the flame of freedom began again to flicker, and for a short time, the entire archipelago, from one end to the other, was lighted with its glow. Its main purpose was to maintain the morale of the people, to keep the enemy off-balance, and to secure information about the enemy while America was preparing for a gigantic push in the Pacific in which the Philippines lay in its path. The Japanese mainland was her ultimate goal.
In the summer of 1945, with the help of those who helped continue the fight, America liberated our country. The liberation was a victory, a decided victory, which clearly proves to you the importance of military training for all those who have attained success in the resistance movement and have had military training. Immediately after liberation, we began to reconstruct our army out of mixed elements. The reconstruction was based on a poor and weak foundation, and so a reorganization was necessary. In the plan for reorganization, it was conceived that the training of our officers and enlisted men must go side by side with the reorganization in order to set up a firm foundation and to revitalize the Armed Forces so that they may be able to perform their duties. This is the first graduating class of the ORC for the last three years since liberation. It is indeed encouraging to see these young men undergo military training in order to make themselves fit for the job and to prepare themselves for high positions which may be assigned to them in the defense of this country. It is also gratifying that in spite of our handicap of lack of funds, accommodations, and facilities, this graduating class is an eloquent testimony of the eagerness and cooperation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to carry out our training program. It is an achievement, and the Republic of the Philippines is surely proud of it.
As a result, I am here not only to express my heartfelt congratulations on successfully completing the prescribed course of training and to share with you the pride and satisfaction that we all feel over your accomplishment, but also to remind you of the tasks and responsibilities that await you as officers of the Armed Forces. Global War No. II is over, but other looms on the horizon. It will be a war between two conflicting ideologies, or a war between democracy and dictatorship. This war may break out anywhere at any time. I hope that Divine Providence will save us from this war. But if war breaks out, we will undoubtedly be involved because of our relations with America, democracy, and many other things we share with America and her allies. And what is more, we have already cast our lot with America.
The plan for the defense of this country does not exclude the defense against aggression coming from within. After winning the war for freedom and democracy, we still have to deal with the fact that our next enemy could come from within if it grows to a certain point and gains momentum among our people.
As you all know, the Philippine Constabulary is charged with the maintenance of peace and order, but if and when worse comes to worst, the officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be thrown into the field to support the Constabulary. When that day comes, you will be fighting against some of our own people who believe in the ideology of communism, that is, that the people belong to the state. You must be resourceful when dealing with people of this class in the field. You must know how to find a solution for every human and material problem that confronts you.
Right here in Central Luzon, there are people who believe in the ideology that the people belong to the state, contrary to our Christian and democratic concept that the state belongs to the people. These people are working day and night to uproot the very foundation of our democratic government and way of life and to establish here a communistic government.
You must be tactful in dealing with our enemies from within. You must treat them with firmness tempered with justice. You must never hesitate to use all the available force at your command, if need be, against those who are responsible for the destruction of thousands of lives and property of their own people and who are conspiring to destroy more.
Loyalty must be eliminated from all ranks. Loyalty exists only when there are two parties. It doesn’t begin from the private to the corporal or from the enlisted man to the officer. It begins with both. It starts from both and grows in both at the same time with the same intensity. So, if an officer expects loyalty from a subordinate, that officer must be as loyal to the subordinate as he is to him.
As I said moments ago, our array has been reformed out of mixed elements. Those elements have been in the field ever since the start of the last war without interruption due to peace and order conditions now existing. Consequently, discipline is below par. In enforcing discipline on officers and enlisted men, you must be fair and just. Then there are other classes of people who are disillusioned. Too many of us are drifting without purpose, and too many of us are losing faith after having suffered during the Japanese occupation, and certainly, our country is none too healthy at present. Consequently, the moral fiber of our people has gone low, too low beyond our expectations. These are the factors that cause discontent and disturbances of peace and order, and these are the problems that confront the Republic of the Philippines these days.
To remedy these problems, there should be sufficient capital invested to develop our natural resources and to give work to these people. There should be enough food production to lower the high cost of living, and there should be a strong army to keep this Republic together.
The present Administration is doing its best to solve these problems, and if the program of the Administration is thoroughly followed, the solution to these problems will be a success.
Gentlemen of the graduating class, I do not know what the future has in store for you, but I do know that whatever your fate may be, it will be the glory of being the first graduates of the MPC and of having chosen the career of a soldier, the noblest of all careers.
In memory of that great Filipino leader and statesman, our Commander-in-Chief, President Manuel L. Roxas, who died of coronary thrombosis at Clerk Field on the night of April 15th, I would like to invite each and every one of you to stand and pause for a moment to honor his memory.
Members of the Graduating Classes
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I feel it is a privilege to be with you in our graduation exercise. As you receive your certificates of graduation, which symbolize the completion of a course designed to make you better fitted to assume active roles in the vanguard of your country’s defense, I share your sense of oblivion in this hour of your well-deserved triumph, and I share your sense of destiny, earnestness of purpose, and devotion to duty. Viewed against a background of national mourning occasioned by the untimely death of our Commander-in-Chief, whose wise and aggressive leadership we have learned to follow; of strained international relations and growing distrust among the major powers of the world, your graduation today takes on an added meaning and significance very much unlike that of an ordinary graduation. As simple as the ceremony is, it is portentous and, in contrast, the responsibilities it entails are great.
Let us not fool ourselves. Our country, in her own humble way, along with her mighty allies, has helped win the war, but peace is far from gained. The mighty and evil forces once more stalk the world. Again, within our lifetime, the dark clouds of war hang dangerously low. And if and when this threat of war, which has now divided this world into two armed camps, breaks, it is foolish to believe that our country will escape its fury.
The refresher that you have just successfully hurdled is a salient feature of an overall plan initiated and put into effect to meet this eventual contingency. In its entirety, this course has been carefully studied and planned to include the study of all the most modern and battle-tested theories and all the tactics of total warfare. As you can see, the course is designed to provide each student with physical fitness and mental alertness, as well as to familiarize him with all of the most modern weapons of war, including their care, capabilities, and limitations, and to provide him with actual field experience. As much as possible and under stimulated battle conditions of command and staff functions and of all possible types of operations which, in all probability, he may be called upon to plan and execute. And to implement this course, we have provided a staff of battle-tested instructors whose records of service in peace and in war and whose standing in the military profession are the equal of any in the world and of a kind one can be proud of. I am proud indeed, gentlemen, to inform you that no effort has been spared to make your courses the best that can be devised within our means and with what is available. The reason is not difficult to find. We resolved that the sacrifice of Bataan, a symbol of unpreparedness and a gruesome reminder of hasty defensive measures, would never be repeated on the youth of our country. I can show true faith in the hallowed memory of our fallen comrades only by keeping fit and trained to defend our native land and avert the calamity of another armed conflict on our shores.
I feel it unnecessary to point out to you that in the noble profession of arms, there is no substitute for training. You must have appreciated this fully by now, after completing the courses you have just been put through. Allow this fundamental military principle to be deeply ingrained in your consciousness and remembered in every waking hour, because to ignore it even for a moment spells defeat. which is now your lot as part and parcel of our citizen armed forces upon which rests the preservation of our inviolable rights as a nation, always decides in favor of the trained. Untrained levies, no matter how numerous and patriotic, are but so much common-fodder in the face of trained armies. Training, therefore, cannot be overemphasized. Training our armed forces well, coupled with our native valor, and training them more fully still, supplemented with our innate patriotism and love of country, is the only citadel of defense of our freedom, the only deterrent which possible aggressors will respect and the only guarantee of the eternal preservation of our liberties and national integrity.
As Reserve Officers, it is not the fortune of many to have been accorded the opportunities of the intensive training that the selected group to which you belong just received. This should be a source of justifiable pride for you, and you should remember its significance at all times.
Your graduation is by no means the attainment of an end. It is the beginning of greater responsibilities and more difficult duties for you. Upon your strong shoulders now falls the honored task of keeping alive the martial traditions of our race. Already within this camp, the measured trends of many men and the preparations that signal the start of a vast and comprehensive military defense program for our country that will encompass the lives of thousands more of the land's youth for years to come can be heard. I refer to the program of ROTC and trainee instruction which will soon commence. In this undertaking of national magnitude, there is no doubt that you will be called upon to play a major role by virtue of this training, which now fully qualifies you for the task. I am confident that you will accomplish your duties thoroughly and well. Go forth from here, therefore, with a firm resolve to fulfill the high expectations and the hopes that go with you in the national effort to train our 20-year-old in the ways of modern war.
The eyes and hopes of the nation are upon you today. If you falter, with the lives of thousands of your countrymen and the freedom of your country at stake, if you falter, you cannot fail. May God bless you all and may the continued freedom of your beloved land be your own reward.
Speech for the Philippine Region during the Provincial Convention
*Speech delivered by Secretary Ruperto K. Kangleon before the Leyte Chapter of the Philippine Region during a Provincial Convention on August 1st, 1947.*
Mr. Chairman, Fellow Veterans of the Leyte Chapter of the Philippine Region
It gives me extreme pride and honor to be invited to address this congregation of veterans who, by their practical deeds and accomplishments on the battlefield, have deserved the highest destination as a group, having honorably defended the ideals on which our way of life has been founded. The veterans represent that distinguished group which can always be depended upon in a time of emergency. Their past record of service has made them a caste distinct from the slackers and "fence-sitters" who, during the enemy occupation, made full use of opportunities that gave them personal and material benefits at the expense of the country. I am extremely proud of being classified among you, and I feel that every veteran in this congregation rightfully feels the same honor in becoming a member of this chapter.
For it is highly fitting and proper that men with the same aspirations and problems, and who have suffered side by side in the past for a common cause, should associate together for mutual consultation and friendly discussion of their common problems, so that these can be easily solved by their united effort for the interest of the group as a whole rather than the divided interests of the individuals. We have learned in the past to work as members of a big team and to subordinate our personal interests and feelings so that the mission of the organization may be satisfactorily accomplished. We should continue to work as a team for efficiency, teamwork, and the strength that results from united action.
The veteran’s problem does not only consist of attaining security for veterans and other direct benefits to veterans alone. This is, of course, our immediate concern because we feel that we are entitled to our claims. But apart from this, there are problems of greater severity that merit the attention of the entire group. We fought for the principles of our government and our country in the last bloody conflict. A large number of our comrades paid with their blood and their lives for the victory which we are now enjoying. Their widows and orphans have been left destitute of the care which they need and would be receiving had their deceased husbands and fathers been fortunate enough to live through the night and to see the light of victory we now enjoy. We cannot dodge the responsibility we owe to our dead comrades, to help the orphans and the widows whom they have left behind. This, indeed, I consider a more important matter for consideration than the problem of backpay immediately confronting us.
But what I consider the most important problem for the Veterans' Legion in the Philippines is the proper development of our country. We fought and our comrades died on the battlefield so that this nation might continue to be the best spot-on earth to live in, not only for the present generation but for the generations to come. We cannot suffer to see the deterioration of the basic ideals for which we fought. We have to see that the whole country progresses in the pursuit of these ideals, and it is our bounden duty as veterans to see that the affairs of our government are entrusted to those who have the same attitude and aspiration as we do have in the principles of government that we have dedicated our lives to defending. We cannot entrust the management of our government affairs to those who, in the past, have shown selfish motives because of the danger that they may again use their influence for self-aggrandizement at the expense of the present generation and the future.
The vets have a right to lay claim to the leadership of the country they have helped to save. No other group of individuals has undergone so much sacrifice for this country. There are those who worked for and helped the enemy so that they themselves might acquire wealth during the enemy's occupation. These have no claim to the same right to leadership as the men who actually risked so much to help attain final victory. Some of our people have enjoyed comfort and prestige with the enemy while our soldiers were on the battlefield and in the mountains continuing the fight against the enemy. Is it right that they now be given better consideration than veterans? If we have had the strength of conviction and the sense of patriotism to continue the fight against the enemy in spite of the sufferings in the field during the war, we should have the same strength and the same sense of patriotism to save this country from the influence of individuals who, we believe, should no longer deserve the confidence of our people.
The Veteran’s Legion is not a political organization and should abstain from partisan politics. Divergence of political affiliation should not hamper the attainment of the objectives of the legion, which are by far our greatest obligation to our country and people.
The Veterans' Legion was a glorious beacon, lighting the way for all freedom-loving citizens in the night of oppression. The ideals and lefty aspirations of an unconquered people were irradiated from that solitary light to keep good men great then.It summoned the best in every man to cling with fierce tenacity to the principles of freedom and democracy. The laurel of victory was but a fitting recompense for the valor and loyalty so fittingly displayed in our own province; Leyte, our own Leyte, has become a symbol of victory, just as Bataan is a symbol of courage in the face of enormous odds.
It is not, therefore, presumptuous to assure you that that same renown in times of war, in times of peace, can and will still command the same admiration not only from our fellow countrymen, but from all the world as well.
In that same spirit of determination, therefore, our country lays its problems at your feet, imploring each and every loyal son of hers to uphold the principles of democracy as staunchly today as you have done in the past. Your conscience is clear because you have fought against everything that stood for disloyalty, pusillanimity, and tyrannical oppression. Let us fight back against these degrading influences. Let it never be said that in this, our own glorious territory, the powers that upheld the enemy have taken root like poisonous parasites in a celestial paradise.
Let us therefore devote our best efforts to the worthy cause of utilizing the Philippine veteran's legion for the noble goal of developing this country.Let's make a promise to keep fighting for the ideals and principles of government for which we fought and for which so many of our friends gave their lives.
This welcomed privilege of addressing you tonight has been afforded to me through the invitation of the chairman of the Philippine Veterans Board, General Macario Peralta, Jr. It is my earnest desire to keep all the veterans informed of the steps being taken by our government and that of the United States in the furtherance of the interests of Filipino veterans in the last world war and of any benefits accruing to them in recognition of their sacrifices in the interest of both governments. For this very reason, I was greatly prompted to accept the invitation of General Peralta to speak over the radio tonight.
I shall first attempt to tell you what our government has done to take care of the Filipino veterans. Republic Act No. 65, known as the Philippine Veterans Bill of Rights, which was passed by the Congress of the Philippines, has given rise to the existence of the Philippine Veterans Board, a government entity which is specifically charged with the veteran’s problems. This board is now functioning under the supervision of the Department of National Defense. During its brief existence, it has already disposed of thousands of claims of war widows for pensions and benefits; of claims of veterans for physical disability pension; of claims of veterans for educational benefits; of acting as an employment agency for veterans; and of claims of veterans for rehabilitation and agricultural loan benefits. Although handicapped by limited personnel, facilities, and budgetary support, it has already accomplished the most that can be expected within the capabilities of our government to finance this organization. Both the president of the Philippines and myself have the interests of the Filipino veterans at heart, and the request or recommendations of the board for increased personnel, facilities, and funds have been approved within the financial limitations of our government. In cabinet meetings, I have always stressed the appeal to give preference to veterans in the matter of employment, and this appeal has always been given sympathetic consideration by the other members of the cabinet. The Department of Public Works and Communications readily responded by issuing a circular to their subordinate officers to give priority to veterans in giving employment in their respective offices. My appeal has also found support in the Department of Health and Public Welfare, as evidenced by the free hospitalization of sick veterans all over the country. In connection with the hospitalization of Filipino veterans, I would like to call attention to the fact that in the Victoriano Luna General Hospital of the Philippine Army, there are approximately 3,000 veterans receiving medical treatment free of charge. There are also about the same number of veteran patients in other army hospitals throughout the Philippines. While it is not the normal function of the Army to take care of disabled veterans, this function ordinarily being the duty of the Veterans Administration, yet, for the time being that the Veterans Administration has not been well established in this country, the Army is assuming the greater part of the responsibility of taking care of the disabled veterans who have already been discharged from active service.
Speech for the Comrades
***Lead Image Source from Unsplash.***
My dear comrades,
Being with you this morning is one of the greatest thrills of my life, and being able to address you in a gathering like this is indeed a very rare opportunity and a great pleasure. It thrills me because I am a part of you and we have undergone the same experiences and I feel what you feel. It is a pleasure because we are now gathered together in much better conditions than we were during those hard times. We can now work out our problems without the Kempetai looking over our shoulders, because we live in a democracy with free speech.
This occasion would not be appropriately celebrated without recalling what our sacrifices have been in the past, in the same way that it would fail to be fruitful unless we plan for the future. The heroism which all of you have displayed amidst the enemy’s torture and sadist thirst deserves and merits special admiration, for they are deeds which cannot be forgotten. Through your strong love of the country, fellow citizens, and the cause of humanity, you freely and courageously set aside selfish considerations and accepted the challenge of the times.
The war has just been added, and the blessings of freedom and peace once more reign with us. But we must face the fact that peace must be built not only on power but on good will and good deeds. While it does not pay very much to be sentimental, in our case, it pays many dividends to confirm that we have done for the motherland with our efforts and sincere desire for her salvation. I only need to say that your determination to fight the enemy during those dark days when it seemed impossible for men without courage to do so is enough to give you all the medals that any government could give to its loyal soldiers. You fought hard, and many of those under you died so that the cause might live, and for that alone, every man, woman, and child you defended should be grateful to all of you. I can see in your faces the marks of that courage, the imprint of those unsufferable hardships, and as I speak to you now, I recall the heroic efforts you have exerted for the good and welfare of our beloved country. You abandoned your homes, your beloved ones, friends and relatives and went to the mountains and the battlefields during those critical days so that the spirit of freedom might live. Life was nothing to you back then, as it was to many of those who died, because all you wanted to do was serve and be loyal to the country of your birth.You did not hesitate, nor did you have any doubt as to the final outcome. Your spirit of confidence and loyalty to the cause were unsurpassed. You had only one thought, and it was one of complete victory and triumph, the triumph of justice and righteousness. You have survived the crisis, and you are once again free men, no longer bound by fear, intimidation, and want.
For the future of our children, this is no time for sentimentalism. The steps taken by those among you to consolidate all the veteran’s associations of the Philippines are very plausible, and it is my ardent hope and prayer that as we did unite in the past, so should we group together now to work for our common welfare and the good of all. We should not give way to petty jealousies, but, on the contrary, we should unite at all times to meet whatever contingencies might come in our path. The successful organization of the Confederation of Philippine Veterans, which includes all veterans of the last war to protect and look after the interests of all the veterans of the Philippines, is precisely the right step that you have taken, and I congratulate the person or persons who have initiated this plan. At the same time, I warn them to stay true to the idea and spirit that led to the creation of this unified body and to avoid all personal motives and lies so that the goals of this group can be met.
The living Filipino veterans of the last war form a great part of our civilian population at present, and they could, one way or the other, influence the policy of the government or many vital issues of the day. For the preservation of peace and order, we still need men and women of the same courage and fibers that you displayed during those hectic days; we still need people of good-will who can rise above selfish interests and work for the common good; we still need many willing hands to help our people maintain their dignity and security. I believe we have these kinds of men in you who have displayed valor and patriotism in the fields of battle and resistance. If we have, therefore, to be true to the ideals for which we have fought and for which many of our comrades have died, then we and all of you should not pause for even a moment in our efforts to contribute what we can, all that we can, to the peace and rehabilitation of our country. We can't just rest on what we've done in the past. Now that we have freedom, we have to work hard to keep it, and the only way to do that is to give our best time and effort to keeping peace and order in our country and speeding up its full recovery. We have many difficult tasks ahead of us, and much is to be expected from you in this direction. We are a part of the great machinery to do this job for the government alone, and we cannot achieve these goals without our sincere support and cooperation. "Your influence over your followers is certainly very tremendous, and I hope that you will exert every ounce of your energy to help the government with this tremendous job of peace and order and to rehabilitate our country."
The government, for its part, has done and continues to do everything possible to assist you with your personal problems. Laws have been passed to help and rehabilitate every veteran in this country, and we are still looking forward to other measures to ameliorate your conditions. In other words, the government hasn't forgotten about you or the work you've done for our people or the cause for which many of our friends have suffered and died.
As I conclude this brief speech, I envision many good things coming out of this confederation for the benefit of veterans, and with your strong organization, I see many great things that you can do not only for yourselves as members of this consideration but also for all of our people. Godspeed and good luck to you all, dear comrades.
I thank you.
*Speech delivered by Secretary Ruperto K. Kangleon before the Leyte Chapter of the Philippine Region during a Provincial Convention on August 1st, 1947.*
Speech for the Soldiers of the Republic of the Philippines
***Lead Image from Unsplash.***
***SPEECH***
Soldiers of the Republic of the Philippines:
I have watched you pass by this grandstand in the measured cadence of veteran troops. I see you now in mass formations, which fills me with pride and exaltation, because this moment reminds me of the days when it was my greatest honor to serve our country alongside officers and men like you in the same uniform that you now wear. The uniform is still an emblem of the highest degree of honor, loyalty, and service to the country.
The splendid parade and review which I have just witnessed reminds me of a glorious Manila Bay. Four years ago today, the irresistible drive of the American Forces of Liberation under the personal command of General Douglas MacArthur, spearheaded by the famed First Cavalry Division, crashed through the Japanese defenses and entered Manila on February 3, 1945, symbolizing the end of Japanese tyranny in the Philippines. This is a great day for the Santo Tomas internees; a great day for the 19,000,000 people of the Philippines; and a glorious day for the First Cavalry Division in particular, and for all officers and men of the Sixth and the Eight Armies in general who participated in the final liberation of our country and made possible the realization of our fondest dream of a free and independent nation. With reverence and profound gratitude today, I salute General MacArthur and his liberation forces.
The life of a soldier is a sacred dedication to the service of his country. In times of peace, the soldier can hardly expect adequate security for his old age. In times of war, he faces only the certainty of death. It is a life, indeed, reserved only for true Filipinos who place the welfare of their country over and above all else, whose patriotism admits no compromises and whose loyalty knows no guile. The Armed Forces of the Philippines have no place for idlers, fence-sitters, or for those who seek nothing but material ease and comfort.
The military establishment is the insight of free nations. To enjoy the priceless boons of liberty and to secure it for themselves and for their descendants by force of arms, if necessary, is the privilege of free men and women. To be free and yet trust our freedom to the uncertain fortune of chance in the vein hope that other nations of unknown intention will not molest our state of disarmament is entirely contrary to our concept of a true and strong democracy. Since our ancestors risked their lives and fortunes for hundreds of years to give us freedom, we are morally incompetent if we don't take care of its safety now.
No nation can survive and uphold its authority, laws, and prestige among other nations without force behind it.
The Armed Forces are the living symbol of a country’s freedom and the desire of our people to maintain that freedom at any cost. Any individual who advocates the abolition of the armed forces betrays the primary mandate of the nation and dishonors the prime aspiration of our people. The more I think of it, the more it is moral disloyalty, if not downright treason.
The administration's pledge is to maintain the Armed Forces and to keep and train them to the highest level of combat efficiency possible. It is our commitment to equip them with the most modern weapons available within our means. This is, in a way, the nation's answer to those who want to mess with our internal affairs and put our security in the hands of potential attackers.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines belong to the people. It is encouraging to note that the country has shown a growing awareness of their welfare. The legislation of Congress seeking to remedy several conditions that tend to undermine the morale of the personnel of the Armed Forces is a positive indication that the nation is not unmindful of your sacrifices and true worth. It is safe to presume that a sympathetic Congress will continue to enact laws to further ameliorate the backward conditions of the armed forces.
It is not for me to recite here your epic deeds of service to the country, nor to praise your greatness. The silent white crosses of Capas, the unmarked graves throughout the country, and the unforgettable history of the resistance movement are greater tributes to your courage, deathless loyalty, and devotion to God and country. They are far more eloquent testaments to your greatness than any words I or any other mortal can utter.
By your deeds of incomparable daring and sacrifice, you established a tradition of valor, patriotism, and a code of honor that is the equal of any other code in the world. Such a tradition cannot be measured in terms of gold because it is, in itself, the very essence of liberty—the very soul of our country.
I deeply hope, therefore, that you will always remain true to the tradition that you stand ready at present to meet any challenge to the security of our Philippines and prove to the world that the Filipinos are worthy of their freedom and independence.
Collection of Speeches By: Ruperto K. Kangleon
COLLECTION OF SPEECHES BY RUPERTO K. KANGLEON AS SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 1946- 1950
**HONORABLE RUPERTO K. KANGLEON**
by: Capt. Vicente Yngente
*(taken from Philippine Aray Bulletin March 1947)*
One of the most outstanding, if not the foremost, leaders of our contemporary Philippine history is the Hon. Ruperto K. Kangleon. He is not known to most of us because of his distaste for publicity. He is unassuming, modest, and humble by nature; these are his few distinguishing characteristics. Even though he doesn't care about publicity, I'm going to tell you about this national figure in a very short biography.
Ruperto K. Kangleon was born in San Roque, Macrohon, Southern Leyte, on March 27, 1890. After finishing the elementary school here, he went to Cebu to finish and complete his high school education. He distinguished himself as an athlete here, and he was named to the Philippine Olympic Teams in 1912 and 1913.After graduation from high school, he enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of the Philippines, Manila. The lure of military service, however, was so great that he entered the Philippines Constabulary Academy, from which he graduated in 1916. His first assignment after securing his commission was to fight "Oto", the notorious Panay Bandit, whom he subdued in no time. He participated in the famous Pulahan and Inchencherado campaigns in Negros. Thereafter, his military assignments took him to many different parts of the islands. In 1938, he was assigned as District Commander of the 3rd Military District. Later, he was the Commander of the 9th Military District up to 1941.
When World War II broke out, he was Commanding Officer of the 81st Infantry, which was immediately dispatched by Gen. MacArthur to meet an expected landing of the Japanese on the island of Samar. From there, he and his unit were transferred to Davao. He engaged the enemy on the fields of Mindanao, the most outstanding of which was the fight on the Davao-Agusan National Highway. When orders for surrender came, he disarmed his men, and together with his Division Commander, he obeyed the order to surrender. While in the Agusan Concentration Camp, he laid the groundwork for his guerilla warfare, establishing contacts with already existing resistance forces, from which he furnished essential intelligence reports.
In December 1942, Col. Kangleon managed to escape from the Japs' Concentration Camp. He went to Leyte and effected there the hazardous task of unifying the numerous guerilla units of Leyte and Samar. In the early part of January 1943, he was able to put up a radio station that enabled him to establish contact with Gen. MacArthur in Australia. He was designated Area Commander and was authorized to organize the 92nd Infantry Division. In November, 1943, he received his first shipment of arms and supplies, which was the beginning of a continuous flow until his units were fully equipped and supplied.
Thereafter and during the liberation, his forces continuously harassed the enemy all over Leyte and its neighboring islands, annihilating whole garrisons and denying them the use of airfields and many strategic areas. At the same time, he developed an efficient island-wide radio-intelligence network which permitted the rapid transmission of vital enemy information to the Southwest Pacific Area Headquarters. These reports were very helpful in planning and carrying out the operations that were meant to free the Philippines.
He established the civil government in Free Leyte on July 1, 1943. Prior to the landing of the Americans in October 1944, Sec. Kangleon’s 92nd Division, Leyte Area Command had killed about 3,800 Japanese in 304 engagements. Aside from this, one regiment directly under his command cleared the southern part of Leyte of over 2,000 enemy troops.
On October 20, 1944, an American destroyer picked him up at Barrio Bulak, Abuyog Leyte, and brought him to the WASSAT, command ship of General Kreuger, who commanded the United States Sixth Army. On the same day, after seeing General Kreuger, he conferred with Gen. MacArthur in his command ship, the Nashville. He went ashore with the first assault wave off Leyte. Shortly after the landing of the Americans, Gen. MacArthur paid tribute to the Filipino guerillas: "Seldom," he said, "has a military commander penetrated enemy-occupied shores with a greater potential for interior support than that which I today rely upon from the people of the Philippines."
On October 23, 1944, he was appointed Military Governor of Leyte and continued as Civil Governor upon the reestablishment of the Commonwealth Government. On July 31, 1945, he gave up his position as Governor and went back to work for the Philippine Army.
Upon the assumption of the office of President Manuel Roxas on May 28, 1946, he was appointed Secretary of National Defense. For his outstanding work during those hectic days, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Star, the Distinguish Service Medal, and the Military Merit Medal, aside from many other campaign ribbons.
As paradoxical as it may seem, he is better known in the United States than in his own country. He is the guerilla leader who has been written about and talked about the most in American politics and literature.
He is married to Valentina Tagle, with whom he has ten children.
So ends Secretary Ruperto K. Kangleon's biography as a soldier, leader, and patriot.
Capt. Yngente
I missed the moment that I still have time to open my read cash, and can still be able to write an article. I am super busy. By the way, hello there? How are you guys?
Our Friendship
Lead Image from Google. https://images.app.goo.gl/QfPXCeyVVqL9CsuM8
*Image from* *Google**.* https://images.app.goo.gl/bAv8L7rsrtjXP9gf8
I met you as a stranger, then took you as my friend.
Our friendship is something that will never end.
When I was in darkness that needed some light,
You came to me and hugged me tight.
*Image from* *Google**.* https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmetro.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F05%2FSEI_77001876.jpg%3Fquality%3D90%26strip%3Dall%26zoom%3D1%26resize%3D480%252C320&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmetro.co.uk%2F2021%2F05%2F01%2Fcovid-hugging-friends-and-family-allowed-from-may-17-14503913%2F&tbnid=mfPC9dB-74Rl_M&vet=1&docid=b5b_94d_yD7eIM&w=480&h=320&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim
You took my hands and dried my tears.
You woke me up to end my fears.
You took my hand and made me see
That God has a special plan for me.
*Image from* *Google**.* https://images.app.goo.gl/Y8yC65jRAarjPDnM7
You helped me laugh
When I was sad.
You made me tough
When I felt bad.
*Image from* *Google**.* https://images.app.goo.gl/BLQwWUWGAsrrLrHv7
Our friendship made me see the light.
Our friendship showed to me what was right.
I hope our friendship will never bend.
I hope our friendship will never end.
Orion's Belt
Lead Image source.
Orion, the Hunter, is one of the most well-known constellations in the sky. The "belt," which consists of three bright stars in a line and can be seen without a telescope, is one of Orion's most well-known features.
Delta Orionis is the official name for the westernmost star in Orion's belt. (Because it has been observed for centuries by sky-watchers all over the world, it is also known by many other names in various cultures, such as "Mintaka.") Modern astronomers know that Delta Orionis is a complex multiple star system, rather than a single star.
Delta Orionis is a small stellar group consisting of three components and five stars in total: Delta Ori A, Delta Ori B, and Delta Ori C. Delta Ori B and Delta Ori C are single stars that may emit X-rays. Delta Ori A, on the other hand, has been discovered as a strong X-ray source and is a triple star system, as depicted in the artist's illustration.
Two closely spaced stars orbit each other every 5.7 days in Delta Ori A, while a third star orbits this pair with a period of over 400 years. The more massive, or primary, star in the closely separated stellar pair weighs approximately 25 times the mass of the Sun, while the less massive, or secondary star, weighs approximately ten times the mass of the Sun.
From Earth's perspective, the chance alignment of these two stars causes one to pass in front of the other during each orbit. This type of star system is known as a "eclipsing binary," and it allows astronomers to measure the mass and size of the stars directly.
Massive stars, despite their rarity, can have profound effects on the galaxies they inhabit. The radiation from these massive stars is so powerful that it blows powerful winds of stellar material away, affecting the chemical and physical properties of the gas in their host galaxies. These stellar winds also influence the fate of the stars, which will eventually explode as supernovas, leaving behind a neutron star or black hole.
A team of researchers gleaned important information about massive stars and how their winds play a role in their evolution and affect their surroundings by observing this eclipsing binary component of Delta Orionis A (dubbed Delta Ori Aa) with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory for the equivalent of nearly six days. The Chandra image is seen in the inset box in context with an optical view of the Orion constellation obtained from a ground-based telescope.
Because Delta Ori Aa is the nearest massive eclipsing binary, it can be used as a decoder key to better understand the relationship between stellar properties derived from optical observations and wind properties revealed by X-ray emission.
Delta Ori Aa's lower-mass companion star has a very weak wind and is very faint in X-rays. Astronomers can use Chandra to observe how the companion star blocks different parts of the more massive star's wind. This enables scientists to better understand what happens to the X-ray emitting gas surrounding the primary star, assisting in answering the long-standing question of where the X-ray emitting gas is formed in the stellar wind. The data show that the majority of the X-ray emission comes from the giant star's wind and is most likely caused by shocks caused by collisions between rapidly moving clumps of gas embedded within the wind. The researchers also discovered that the X-ray emission from specific atoms in Delta Ori Aa's wind changes as the stars in the binary move around. This could be caused by collisions between the winds of the two stars, or by a collision of the primary star's wind with the surface of the secondary star. As a result of this interaction, some of the wind from the brighter star is obstructed.
Parallel optical data from the Canadian Space Agency's Microvariability and Oscillation of Stars Telescope (MOST) revealed evidence for primary star oscillations caused by tidal interactions between the primary and companion stars as the stars traveled in their orbits. The parameters of the two stars were refined using measurements of changes in brightness in optical light as well as detailed analysis of optical and ultraviolet spectra. The researchers were also able to resolve some previously reported discrepancies between stellar parameters and models of how stars are expected to evolve over time.
These findings were recently published in The Astrophysical Journal in four coordinated papers led by Michael Corcoran (NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center & Universities Space Research Association), Joy Nichols (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics), Herbert Pablo (University of Montreal), and Tomer Shenar (University of Potsdam). The Chandra program is managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Chandra's science and flight operations are overseen by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Heal
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Heal!
It was the night that had healing touch
Morning had the touch of warmth
Sky, the touch of love
Earth, the touch of care
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It was always the night that
Healed in its silent presence
Healing is a power
Not bestowed on all.
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You got to be at your lowest first
To understand why and what,
You need healing from.
Night gives you that.
It gives you time for introspection.
Sometimes it's not
About what your words convey
But what your silence potrays,
Not what your light does,
But what your dark doesn't
A Descending Star; A Falling Star
Lead Image Source. https://images.app.goo.gl/eoJqxJdTC415hs5p7
It saw amongst a bed of stars
That twinkled in the sky
A falling star like one of ours
That fell from way up high
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Gifts from heaven; that’s what they are
That God is sharing here
If I could catch a falling star
I’d know my Lord was near
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I bow my head; hope and pray
For one to go astray
In hopes a star would ricochet
And one would fall my way
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In the eyes of a beholder
The thought is so divine
My long life is getting older
Hoping; this catch be mine
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Lone wolf
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A night in the forest is quite lonely
Not unless it is occupied by you and me.
I'm like a lone wolf in the night
Howling to the moon with all my might
And you are my moon
That I wanna meet so soon.
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Machu Picchu
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Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca site in Peru that is situated on a ridge between the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains. It is located on the eastern slope of the Andes, 7,970 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level, and overlooks the Urubamba River hundreds of feet below.
Machu Picchu is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world today due to its excellent preservation, the quality of its architecture, and the breathtaking mountain vista it occupies. The site spans 80,000 acres (32,500 hectares). Terraced fields on the site's outskirts were once used to grow crops, most likely maize and potatoes.
Hiram Bingham III, a Yale University professor, visited the site in 1911 and published the site's existence for the first time. He discovered it to be overgrown with vegetation, much of which has since been removed. The buildings were constructed without mortar (as was typical of Inca architecture), with granite stones that were quarried and precisely cut.
When Bingham discovered the site, he was looking for Vilcabamba, the Inca's final capital before their defeat at the hands of the Spanish in 1572.
"An emperor's residence." Machu Picchu is thought to have been built in the mid-1400s by Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, the Inca's ninth ruler. Pachacuti, an empire builder, began a series of conquests that would eventually see the Inca grow into a South American realm stretching from Ecuador to Chile. Many archaeologists believe Machu Picchu was built as a royal estate of sorts, with the presence of elite residences in the site's northeast sector supporting that theory. The emperor and his family would have used it as a temporary respite, with the site supporting a small number of year-round caretakers. In Peru, there are other examples of Inca royal estates. Surprisingly, the emperor's residence appears to be in the southwest corner of the site, away from the other elite residences. It is next to a structure known today as the "Temple of the Sun." A staircase running alongside the royal compound leads to a plaza below, and the emperor was given a garden, a private bath, and even the only private toilet area on the property. Although Machu Picchu has a wall, a modest gateway, and a dry moat (likely used to collect rainwater), it does not appear to have been built for military purposes, and there is no evidence of any battles being fought there.
"Sun Temple." There are a number of structures at Machu Picchu that would have added to the spiritual significance of the site. One of them, the "Temple of the Sun," or Torreón, is elliptical in shape, similar to a sun temple found in Cuzco, the Inca capital. It's close to where the Inca emperor is said to have lived at Machu Picchu. An altar could have been made out of a rock inside the temple. The rising sun shines directly into one of the temple's windows during the June solstice, indicating an alignment between the window, rock, and solstice sun. There is a naturally formed cave beneath the temple that the explorer Bingham referred to as a "royal mausoleum," though there is little evidence that it was used as such. Near the cave entrance is a boulder carved into a stairway, and the underground chamber most likely served a religious function of some kind.
"The Principal Temple and Intihuatana." A series of religious structures border the plaza to the northwest of the site. A carved stone altar can be found in one of the buildings, dubbed the "Principal Temple." When Bingham excavated it, he discovered a layer of white sand, similar to that found in temples in Cuzco, the Incan capital. The "Temple of the Three Windows," which is located next to the "Principal Temple," contains a large amount of broken pottery, which appears to have been ritually smashed. The biggest mystery at Machu Picchu, however, is a massive rock named "the Intihuatana" by Bingham after other carved stones discovered in the Incan empire. At Machu Picchu, the stone is located on a raised platform that towers above the plaza. Its function is unknown, with recent research disproving the idea that it served as a sundial. It could have been used for some kind of astronomical observation. It is also possible that it is linked to the mountains that surround Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu has been abandoned. Machu Picchu did not survive the Inca Empire's demise. The Spanish arrived in South America in the 16th century, bringing with them plagues that afflicted the Incas, as well as military campaigns led by conquistadors. With the fall of the last Incan capital in 1572, their line of rulers came to an end. Machu Picchu, once a royal estate visited by great emperors, has fallen into ruin. The site is now on the list of World Heritage sites maintained by the United Nations.
Some facts about Machu Picchu:
• Each stone was precisely cut to fit together so tightly that no mortar was needed to keep the walls standing
• Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 metres above sea level
• Machu Picchu is a Wonder of the World and a World Heritage-listed site
• The Inca empire was one of the largest in pre-Columbian America covering Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador
• In the Quechua language, Machu Picchu translates to ‘Old Mountain’ or ‘Old Peak’
• A certain artist called Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa (1503-1506) during the height of the Inca empire
• The natural setting of Machu Picchu is as impressive as the site itself
• Machu Picchu was used as an astronomical observatory
• It is not exactly known why the Incas abandoned Machu Picchu
Angkor Wat
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Built around the year A.D. Angkor Wat, built between 1113 and 1150 on an area of about 500 acres (200 hectares), is one of the largest religious monuments ever built. Its name translates as "temple city."
Originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, it was converted into a Buddhist temple in the 14th century, and Buddha statues were added to the temple's already extensive artwork. It was later converted into a military fortification. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that scientists are working hard to preserve.
Its 213-foot-tall (65-meter) central tower is surrounded by four smaller towers and a series of enclosure walls, resembling Mount Meru, a legendary place in Hindu mythology said to lie beyond the Himalayas and be the home of the gods.
Angkor, the city where the temple was built, is located in modern-day Cambodia and was the capital of the Khmer Empire at one time. Hundreds of temples can be found in this city. The population could have topped one million people. Until the Industrial Revolution, it was easily the world's largest city. According to airborne laser scanning (lidar) research, Angkor had an urban core that could easily hold 500,000 people and a vast hinterland with many more inhabitants. Researchers have also discovered a "lost" city called Mahendraparvata, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat is surrounded by a 650-foot-wide (200-meter) moat that extends for more than 3 miles (5 km). This 13-foot-deep (4-meter-deep) moat would have helped stabilize the temple's foundation by preventing groundwater from rising too high or falling too low.
The main entrance to Angkor Wat was to the west (a direction associated with Vishnu), across a stone causeway guarded by lions. Archaeologists recently discovered the remains of eight sandstone and laterite towers near the western gateway. These towers could be the remains of shrines that existed before Angkor Wat was completed. A second, more modest entrance could be found to the east of the temple.
The central tower was the temple's heart, accessible via a steep staircase with a Vishnu statue at the top. According to researcher Eleanor Mannikka in her book "Angkor: Celestial Temples of the Khmer Empire," this tower "was at once the symbolic center of the nation and the actual center where secular and sacred power joined forces" (Abbeville Press, 2002). "Vishnu and the king ruled over the Khmer people from that unparalleled space."
The central tower's hidden paintings have been discovered. A scene in one chamber of the tower depicts a traditional Khmer ensemble of musical instruments known as the pinpeat, which is composed of various gongs, xylophones, wind instruments, and other percussion instruments. In the same room, there's an intricate scene with people riding horses between two structures that could be temples. Since 2010, 200 paintings have been discovered in Angkor Wat, including these two.
Archaeologists using lidar discovered a mile-long sand structure with a variety of spiral designs near Angkor Wat. It would have existed for only a short time in the mid-to-late 12th century. Archaeologists are unsure what it was used for, and the structure may have never been completed.
During lidar research, the remains of homes and ponds used by workers who lived near Angkor Wat and serviced the temple were also discovered.
Suryavarman II, a usurper who rose to power in his adolescence by assassinating his great uncle, Dharanindravarman I, while riding an elephant, was the architect of Angkor Wat. According to an inscription, Suryavarman killed the man "as Garuda [a mythical bird] on a mountain ledgewouldkillaserpent."
Suryavarman's bloodlust would last throughout his reign, as he launched attacks into Vietnam in an attempt to gain control of the territory. He also made diplomatic advances in a peaceful manner, reopening relations with China.
He worshiped the god Vishnu, who is frequently depicted as a protector, and erected a statue of him in the central tower of Angkor Wat. This devotion can also be seen in one of the most remarkable reliefs at Angkor Wat, which is located in the temple's southeast corner. The relief depicts a scene from the Hindu creation story known as the "churning of the sea of milk."
According to archaeologist Michael Coe, the relief "describes how the devas (gods) and asuras (demons) churned the ocean under Vishnu's aegis to produce the divine elixir of immortality" ("Angkor and the Khmer Civilization," Thames & Hudson, 2003). Scholars consider this relief to be one of the most beautiful works of art at Angkor Wat.
Suryavarman's devotion to Vishnu is also reflected in his posthumous name, "Paramavishnuloka," which means "he who is in the supreme abode of Vishnu," according to researcher Hélène Legendre-De Koninck ("Angkor Wat: A Royal Temple," VDG, 2001).
The construction of Angkor Wat was a massive undertaking that required quarrying, careful artistic work, and a lot of digging. The moat around the temple required the movement of 1.5 million cubic meters (53 million cubic feet) of sand and silt, a task that would have required thousands of people working at once.
The structures at Angkor Wat presented their own set of difficulties. To support them, a tough material known as laterite was used, which was then encased in softer sandstone, which was used to carve the reliefs. These sandstone blocks were mined in the Kulen Hills, about 18 miles (30 kilometers) to the north. According to research, the blocks were transported to Angkor Wat via a network of canals.
A shaft beneath the central tower leads to a chamber where archaeologists discovered "two pieces of crystal and two gold leaves far beneath where the Vishnu statue must have been" in 1934, according to Coe, who adds that deposits like these "spiritually 'energized' a temple, much as a battery will provide power to a portable electronic device."
Although Angkor Wat is dedicated to Vishnu, the temple's true purpose is unknown. One question is whether Suryavarman II's ashes were interred in the monument, possibly in the same chamber where the deposits were discovered. If this is the case, the temple will have a funerary significance. Eleanor Mannikka discovered that Angkor Wat is located at 13.41 degrees north latitude and that the central tower's chamber's north-south axis is 13.43 cubits long. This, according to Mannikka, is not an accident. "In the central sanctuary, Vishnu is not only placed at the latitude of Angkor Wat, but he is also placed along the axis of the earth," she writes, emphasizing that the Khmer were aware that the Earth was round. Furthermore, Mannikka mentions a dozen lunar alignments with Angkor Wat's towers in her writing, implying that it played an important astronomical role. "During the long and clear Cambodian nights, when the stars filled every inch of the black sky, the astronomer-priests stood on the long western causeway... and recorded the moon's movements against the towers in the temple's top two galleries."
The Moon, the Stars and the Night
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I wrote this poem during the night where I am starring at the night sky. I can't sleep that night, and I didn't know what to do but I just get my phone and type there a poem. A poem where it is all about what I observed outside during night time, what I see and I what I feel. I also connect the poem in my self, the calmly night pushed me to write a poem, just a short poem. So, this is my poem , just read it below.
The dark sky that the day beholds
With everything the stars mold,
To every person feeling low
The stars and the moon shines and glow
The stars cover the dark sky
And every happiness they multiply
With every constellations the stars make
We realize the shape and the people who are fake
The brightest star you see
You feel the presence of a person in a dearest memory
The moon that is so beautiful
Makes me live and cheerful
To every sensation I feel
The beauty of the moon and stars heal
So, that was my poem, a very short poem but it is meaningful for me, I don't know if you feel my emotion while reading that poem. I just thanking the beautiful night because that made me realize also that in every darkness there is also beauty on it.
Thank you.
Why research is important?
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Doing research is important because it helps us gain new knowledge with concrete facts. Research expands your base knowledge. The most obvious reason to do research is that you’ll learn more. There is always more to learn about a topic, even if you are already well-versed in it. If you aren’t, research allows you to build on any personal experience you have with the subject.
The process of research opens up new opportunities for learning and growth. Research also gives you the latest information. Research encourages you to find the most recent information available. In certain fields especially scientific ones, there’s always new information and discoveries being made. Staying updated prevents you from falling behind and giving info that’s inaccurate or doesn’t paint the whole picture.
With the latest info, you’ll be equipped to talk about a subject and build on ideas. Research teaches you better discernment. Doing a lot of research helps you sift through low-quality and high-quality information. Research also encourages curiosity. Having curiosity and a love of learning take you far in life. Research opens you up to different opinions and new ideas. It also builds discerning and analytical skills. The life people enjoy now or the things that we do in minutes which earlier looked impossible are all because of research. Some of them are medicines for cancer through research on medicine; people getting helped because there was research done to find out if people are okay and many more.
All these things like cellphones, medicines, theories, new elements are possible through research.
a. for this type of research, ethical issues that should be considered are potential for harm and informed consent. There should be a consent from the parents and teachers to allow them to carry on this research. Also, since dealing with mice and phthalates, there could be harmful expects to mice to the researchers.
b. If they have the consent to test using mice well, it is okay, no violations at all. They should also record everything via recorder or notepad or camera. But if they just tested without consent, well that’s an issue.
c. If I were part of the team, I would make sure that the data is properly recorded, we have consents from teachers, parents and principal and we would exercise caution especially that we cannot force group members if they don’t want to hold the mice.
d. Obtain a consent from the students, teachers, parents, Department of Education and the mayor or barangay captain of the certain area. Since the chosen study is in another place outside the campus then it also means the parents and teachers know where they are headed and they would proceed extreme caution and care. Need consent from the mayor/barangay captain and DepEd because you are entering another area and they have to be aware that you are conducting research.
e. This should be discussed on the stage and the parents/guardians should be informed and decide to talk it out with the police. Records and evidences must be concrete so that the police would take it seriously.
f. Potential for harm, results communication, voluntary participation and informed consent and approval from the heads.
As a student, it would enhance my knowledge, enables my learning to be efficient and develop better skills for reading and analyzing. This research would also exercise my mind. It would let my mind frequently absorb logic and creativity, allowing my head to become more active. It creates a healthy curiosity that fuels my brain and makes it seek new answers. It keeps me updated on recent information and community issues.
And lastly, it prepares me for the future.
Spanish Colonization
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Under these conditions, the Spaniards ruled the Philippines for 300 years, constantly harassed by Chinese pirates, Moros (Mohammedans from Mindanao and Sulu), Dutch and English who wanted to take possession of the Islands, and finally by native revolts. When European traders stumbled into the Philippine archipelago in 1521 in search of a new route to the Spice Islands, they discovered a people living in a relatively high state of civilization. The natives lived in houses made of bamboo and palm leaves and were always well-dressed. They grew rice, which was their staple food, fished the vast waters around them, and brewed a variety of drinks, which they enjoyed. Women held a high social status; tribal laws and customs recognized her equality with men in many ways. In general, people practiced monogamy. Their actions were governed by legal codes.
Punishments of varying severity were meted out to perpetrators whose offenses were tried in public courts presided over by the chiefs. Several languages were spoken back then, as they are now, but there was one common alphabet called babaying, which resembled the ancient Indian alphabet. In their writings about the early Filipinos, Spanish historians asserted that there was hardly a man or woman who could not read and write. There was both written and oral literature.
Such was the state of Filipino culture when Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines in 1521 as the leader of a Spanish expedition searching for the Spice Islands. Magellan never finished the journey; he was killed in a clash with natives after claiming the Philippines for Spain. The actual work of colonization began in 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi signed friendship treaties with the native chiefs. Then he went on to establish a Spanish town on Cebu Island in order to convert the locals to Roman Catholicism.
The primary goal of Spain in the Philippines was to spread their religion. Thousands of Catholic missionaries from various orders came to the Philippines for this purpose. The contribution of this mission work to the advancement of education, culture, and architecture in general was enormous, though the friars came to be regarded as opponents of popular enlightenment in later years. It was also at this time that Spanish missionaries attempted to eradicate the Filipinos' ancient written literature. However, the most significant legacy of Spain to the Philippines is Roman Catholicism, which the people readily accepted from the start. The missionary zeal to make the country a Catholic outpost despite the fact that the Philippines was a financial liability as a colony (even with unrelenting exploitation). Whether this is true or not, historians appear to agree that the cross, not the sword, was used to conquer the Filipinos. With the growing influence of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, a power struggle between religious and civil authorities erupted, which harmed Filipinos. Each side accused the other side of oppressing the people. During the conflict, the nation's progress was slowed because the Spaniards spent so much time and energy fighting among themselves rather than governing. The encomienda system, which was a major source of abuse, was not abolished until the end of the 18th century.
The Spanish king granted the colonizers pieces of territory, complete with inhabitants and resources, as a reward for services to the Crown under this system. The encomenderos ruled like feudal lords of Medieval Europe, exploiting their territories to the fullest extent possible. They mistreated, overtaxed, cheated, and effectively enslaved the Filipinos. The few priests who attempted to defend the people were rendered powerless, and the elaborate laws enacted to protect the subjects were openly flouted. Even after the encomienda system was abolished, corrupt Spanish officials continued to exploit the people, who were still forced to work and pay high tribute. The feudal economy persisted, with land concentrated in the hands of a few people and the Church itself. Attempts at reform by sympathetic Spanish officials were quickly thwarted by powerful figures with their own interests to protect.
Poverty was widespread among the masses as the country's population grew; mendicancy, which had been unknown prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, was common. The beggar at the church gate or on a busy street corner, as well as the blind mendicant begging from house to house, became common sights. Under these conditions, the Spaniards ruled the Philippines for 300 years, constantly harassed by Chinese pirates, Moros (Mohammedans from Mindanao and Sulu), Dutch and English who wanted to take possession of the Islands, and finally by native revolts.
For 333 years, the Spaniards ruled the Philippines. There is no unity, no proper government, and tribes are divided. These are some of the reasons why the Spanish conquered our land so easily. As a result, we adapted their culture, traditions, and even their languages, which we still use today. The Spanish took advantage of the Philippines' already divided people and easily dominated them. When a Filipino tribe planned a revolution, the Spanish would send another group of Filipino tribes to conquer their fellow Filipinos, creating even more division. We would not have our religion, Christianity, today if the Spaniards had not colonized our country.
We all know that they were the ones who presented our current religion, even if they had to force it on the Filipinos at first, but we adapted and remained devoted with our strong faith. Because of their power, the Spaniards became abusive to the Indios, against whom they discriminated in their own country.
As a result, the Filipinos stage a revolution. The Spanish demonstrated their technological prowess and ability to handle a war. My perspective on Spanish colonization has far-reaching implications for all of us. It left an imprint on our minds of their mistreatment as well as their significant contribution to us. I believe that if we Filipinos have the wisdom to see what is in our beautiful land of promise, our country will not be colonized. The abundance of natural resources that we have, particularly the unique beauty of our country.
Sometimes I wondered, "What if we had this awareness and knowledge before?" Is this how we are? Are we enslaved in our own land? Slave is a difficult word to say, but it's the truth for me. As far as I can tell, our generation is still enslaved in our own country. Slave is a difficult word to say, but it's the truth for me. As far as I can tell, our generation is still enslaved in our own country. Other nationalities pretended to be our superiors. No one should be the boss, but we Filipinos should be the bosses of our own land. When the Spaniards arrived, they were the first to reap the benefits of our natural resources.
Many of our ancestors' cultures and traditions have been destroyed as a result of the influences they have exerted. But perhaps there are some things for which we should be grateful. These aspects of life were jeopardized, and Filipinos began to retaliate. Spaniards saw Filipinos as slaves or peasants, not as siblings whom they should love and respect.
They altered our system of government, and they became rulers who manhandled, abused, and attacked Filipinos, particularly women and children. I can categorize the rebellions that occurred during Spanish expansionism into three types: individual, political, and religious rebellions. Because man is endowed with body and soul, insight and will, reason and volition, he or she cannot be bound and persecuted in the exercise of his or her natural right and nobility as a man. The right to life, the right to religious freedom, and the right to participate in politics.
Customs of Tagalogs
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One of the most important primary sources of Philippine history is Fray Juan de Plasencia's Customs of the Tagalog. It discusses the daily lives of the ancient Filipinos, their government system, social statuses, and customs, traditions, and beliefs. This document is crucial in determining how the Spaniards will govern the Filipinos during the Spanish period. Although it has less value in the modern world, it is still important for us to trace our roots back to the past.
Based on their language, early Filipinos and Malays were very similar. Even before they arrived in the Philippines, they were ruled by a Dato, who was akin to a king. Datos was highly respected, and they had to obey whatever it said. Even the Dato's wife and children were not exempt from punishment if they disobeyed him. A Dato only governs small groups of people, usually no more than 100 houses. A Dato's territory is known as a "barangay," which is derived from the word "balangay" (a boat they ride for transportation). Datos do not allow other Datos to conquer their territory, and they only treat other Datos as family, friends, allies, or enemies. There was a caste system in place in every barangay at the time. The highest social status was that of a maharlika, followed by that of a commoner, and finally that of a slave.
The Maharlika or nobleman, also known as free-born people, do not pay taxes, but they are expected to accompany the Datu in everything he does. Being a commoner, also known as Aliping namamahay, comes next. They are slaves who work for their masters but have their own homes and the ability to own property. The Aliping saguiguilid is the lowest class. They are those who were staying inside their masters' homes and are being sold to other people. Debts were the primary reason for a nobleman becoming a slave at the time. Slaves were sometimes obtained from war captives. A slave must pay a minimum amount of gold to their masters in order to be set free. Because of their parents' social standing, dividing a property is a pain during those times. The person with the highest social status receives the majority of the property, while children of maharlikas from slaves receive the smallest portion of the property.
There are times when the Datos acts as a judge for the two opposing parties in order for the decision to be fair and just. When two Datos don't get along, they ask another Dato to act as a mediator to avoid a war. Punishments at the time were as heinous as being hanged or immersed in boiling water. Plasencia also observed Tagalog beliefs about gods, devils, witches, burials, and afterlife beliefs in his document. Despite the fact that Plasencia only observed these customs and traditions, he was able to paint a picture of how early Filipinos thought and lived by their customs and traditions. All of these traditions were practiced by the Tagalogs, or early Filipinos, long before the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines. With this information, it is possible to conclude that the early Filipinos had their own way of governing their people and having a fair judicial system.
As I read through Juan de Plasencia's work, I was reminded of my high school days, when our teacher in Araling Panlipunan taught us about this topic. This type of system, like the caste system, still exists in our country. Despite the fact that we have laws protecting human rights, we cannot deny that those with a higher social status have almost all of the privileges of having a good life, whereas those with a lower social status always try their hardest to get out of where they are right now. People who are wealthy and wealthy are given the highest seats, while those who are poor and have nothing are given the lowest seats. Another thing I like about the early Filipino justice system is that it incorporates fairness for each party, which is led by the Datu or other veterans of this. I examined Plasencia's document and researched its context. Plasencia was tasked with documenting the customs and traditions of early Filipinos, I learned. But he made a mistake in that he only observed the early Filipinos and did not even ask the natives if what he had concluded from his observations was correct or just a misconception. There is a section of the document where I disagree with what he wrote about early Filipino beliefs. Southeast Asians are known for their animistic religion. They worship nature and worship various idols. Plasencia's writing style is somewhat biased because he believes Christianity is far superior to the beliefs of early Filipinos. It only demonstrates how the Spaniards regarded early Filipinos as a low-class people.
The last thing I wanted to say is how Plasencia refers to other natives as "Priests of the Devil." For me, it sounded like propaganda designed to persuade those reading the document that natives with supernatural abilities were devils. They are actually normal people, but because of their beliefs and customs, they appear to be devils. They're just doing their part for the community, but I can see how Plasencia misinterpreted it because of his different religious beliefs. Overall, we don't know if Plasencia's work is biased or not (because he is a Spaniard), but it has made a significant contribution to understanding who we are as Filipinos in the past and where we came from. These documents gave us our own identity, and we Filipinos had our own customs and traditions even before the Spanish arrived, which we are still incorporating into the modern world. Furthermore, this document depicts not only the early Filipinos, but also how the Spaniards view our ancient customs and traditions in a negative and inferior light.
This account of Juan de Plasencia supports the claim that Filipinos had their own set of traditions, customs, practices, beliefs, and government in place before the Spaniards colonized the Philippines. He provided information that will help today's generation understand our history and discover practices that are no longer practiced. Even today, some 16th-century practices are still practiced by some ethnic groups in the Philippines, such as the Bagobo system, which requires the bride-to-father is to make a return present equal to one-half of whatever is agreed upon as dowry, and there are still people, particularly the elders, who believe in the existence of tikbalang and tiyanak. Even the concept of a Barangay can be found in today's generation. Our customs and practices have undeniably changed over time, but there are still remnants of our past that remain and will continue to remind us of our origin.
It is an honor to learn about our history and discover how rich the Philippines was in terms of customs, beliefs, and practices.
Advantages of technology
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"Technology has brought us many advantages"
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However, abuse is what technology a worse thing human can have. Our lives have changed a lot thanks to the computer and cell phone. They make it easier to share information and work at home more easily, as well as having fun.
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We can get everything at the touch of a finger, but it could hurt our health (Ghosh,2019). First thing, which is more common to us all is the smartphones. Gosh (2019) said that an alarm clock on a smartphone is a great way to make sure our day runs smoothly, whether we’re holding meetings over the phone or getting up when the phone rings.
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But a study says that more people are using smartphones, which can make them feel and sleep less well. Which is actually true. In my own experience, I sleep past midnight due to mobile legends. But that was before, I have changed now. The description of my mom children would not go out their rooms playing is actually referring to me because that was my doings. I suffer mild heart disease, heartburns, among others. This is the reason why I refrain from using gadget too much. There is a built-in feature of our smartphones to monitor and control our daily usage of phones. I am using this for self-discipline.
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However, as a student, Facebook, Youtube and other social media platforms are of great help to me. To get sources, to get new information, among others. It may come with a greater risk, but we must adapt to the 21st century. Even though as what Ghosh (2019) says that with our smartphone, laptop or tablet, we can keep our eyes open late at night. This can hurt them and make it hard for us to fall asleep. When gadgets emit radiation, it stops our body from making an important sleep hormone called melatonin. A study has shown that teenagers who use electronic media at night have trouble sleeping. However, I must sacrifice as a student.
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So, why are so many people interested in social media? Because as what the MHEducation (2021) says, it lets people customize how they use the Web. Previously, tools like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were mostly used to take a break from schoolwork. Today, social media is increasingly being used as a study tool, especially by students who are more tech-savvy than in the past.
There are a lot of benefits to mention but let us focus with my reflection. People might misunderstand to concept of technology but it is really helpful in today’s generation. Yes, if we compare to the old, the old is the best however time changes, people change, and concepts, ways, and perspective also changes. We might want to go back to the past but believe me the past is more peaceful but more hassle.
Today, chaotic but convenient. We might also want to cultivate the past knowledge to this recent time but believe me, it will no longer work. We must be adaptive. So therefore I can say that no generation is better that the other generation nor no generation is worst than the other generation.
We live in our own ways based on the ways our generations will generate.
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The Impact of Globalization in the Philippines
Below are few examples of our own culture as a Filipino. Does globalization make a way for betterment to culture and communication aspects? How?
I can’t really tell if Globalization has significantly made a positive or negative impact. Neither negative nor positive. However, I found out something interesting, the article “The Impact of Globalization in the Philippines” noted that one effect of globalization to the Philippines is the lack of Filipino traditions and values that younger Filipino don’t appreciate and they don’t even practice it in their daily life. They become more familiar with Western mentality than being a pure Filipino. Which is a negative impact.
Additionally, on the same article, they listed the other negative impact of globalization. When it comes to technology and media, it has also a big side effect in the Philippines when it comes to cybercrimes and the increase of sex videos. Because of globalization, some of the things that happen to all Filipino people can be bad for their health, like the spread of AIDS, which mostly comes from outside the country.
Filipinos who have sex with a foreigner sometimes get this kind of disease. It can spread quickly to other people without them even knowing about it. In terms of Filipinos who work abroad, there are many Filipino workers who have had a lot of problems and are stuck in a foreign country far from the help of the Philippine government. This is also true.
Additionally, as they said in their article, globalization hurts the standard of living for Filipinos. In the same way, some of the moral values that most Filipinos have, were forgotten. Some young people in the Philippines are now free to live the way they want to, just like people in other places. There are a lot of them, especially the people who have been married for a long time. Last but not the least, as far as exporting rice products goes, globalization isn't always a good thing, either. Because we all know that Filipino farmers can make a lot of rice if the government helps them get modern technology that can make or make a lot of rice grain in every quarter of the year. So, still a negative impact.
However, there is also a bright side of Globalization as I have discovered. Globalization is the term used to describe how we all connect with each other all over the world. This interconnection between countries leads to more social, cultural, economic, and political activities around the world, and people gain more than just exported goods and ideas. They also gain knowledge, experiences, and friendships. People can trade, communicate, and share their cultures more freely because of globalization. This includes things like growth and health (Labyrinthine, 2021).
Anyways, the advantage of globalization is indeed helpful for the betterment to culture and communication aspects. To elaborate, Globalization has more chances to get more people to work. People in the Philippines can get more jobs because many foreign businesses are setting up shop in the country and there are a lot of job opportunities for Filipinos.
People from all over the world work for multinational companies that open businesses in the Philippines and hire a lot of Filipinos to work for them. It also makes it easier for jobs to be found in other countries. There are a lot of Filipinos who work abroad and can be very successful in another country, like in another country where they live. Every person can work in another country and live there, and be a citizen of the country they live in thanks to the World Trade Organization. A lot of foreign companies have started to set up shop in the Philippines.
Many Filipinos now work for foreign companies there. A lot of people think that globalization has a good effect on people and on their country's economy, but that's not true. Globalization can also help the Philippines' education to get better, which is good for the country. People in the Philippines do better when it comes to education. They get more education and become better at what they do.
Education in the Philippines is now seen as good by people outside of the country. Many people from other countries come to the Philippines to study because the quality of education is better and the cost is lower. This means that all foreigners who want to study in the Philippines can do so. Besides that, one reason is that it costs less to live in this place while you're going to school. People in the Philippines are smart and can communicate well with other people from outside the country, like tourists.
People in the Philippines speak English because it is one of the subjects at all schools. As of right now, a lot of foreign companies outsource their work to the Philippines, especially in the city of Metro Manila. When I say has a big impact to our culture, I mean by using technologies to promote our own. We can utilize social media and continue doing our practices.
That is all. Thank you.
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The poem of Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo entitled "Les Trois Oiseaux or The Three Birds."
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The word is arranged in free verse structure, there is no rhyming scheme, the closest meter is iambic and the closest stanza type is tercets.
In this poem, I noticed three grammatical sentences, and these sentences reflect the interplay of the three conventional elements of humanness: the body, the mind, and the spirit, all of which are present in this poem. The iron bird, the bird of steel, The corporeal bird, the feathered bird, and the disembodied one.
It ponders the nature of reality and how we come to construct it. In it, I see it suggests examining our place in the natural world and in society, and these sentences discuss our preoccupations with death and eternity, among other things.
The first picture is showing us the literal image of a bird that is indicated in the poem. It lacerates through the clouds and wanting to splash the sun – that is what the human brain is, our minds would always want to cut everything down so therefore we can understand the meaning behind it. In order for us to understand the wholeness of a thing, we tend to cut it, to lacerate it so we could trace back how a whole thing is made from pieces to pieces.
The second picture is showing us the bird that escaped the cage. Well, in the poem it was a tunnel. Just like the human body, we tend to always wanting to achieve what we desire. We use our force to escape and to execute. Human mind is just a thought or conceptualization, the body is what executes it.
The third picture, we see a bird spreading its wings – that is the human soul or spirit, who wanted to be free and what desire could it be. At the very end of our story, our efforts, hard works and achievements, it will all come to pass. We will always be destined to death; our soul would spread and fly out to the sky until it grants us eternal peace.
Iron birds, the birds of steel – this metaphor is referring to one of the three facets of humanness, the mind.
The corporeal bird, the feathered bird – this metaphor is referring to one of the three facets of humanness, the body.
the disembodied one—he who ravishes the custodian of the skull with a stammering song – this metaphor is referring to one of the three facets of humanness, the spirit.
The poem clearly envelope the society; the natural world; identity; death & dying; spirituality theme.
Story of Michèle Rakotoson entitled "Lalana"
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After reading the short story, I was like in the feeling of being escorted around the place. I mean the events, the happenings, the experiences in the settings of the story especially in Antananarivo.
I believe, the only reason why she received such commendable comments from readers is on the way she organized her thought in this story. Throughout her career, Michèle does this a great deal, particularly with Lalana. Many Malagasy terms are incorporated into the game, but they are all explained as you progress through the levels.
Another reason she is such a fantastic writer is that she has the ability to teach about Malagasy vocabulary and culture through her writing without having it sound like some sort of boring history lesson, and without taking you out of the plot. It's all just braided in as you go along, which is nice.
I researched the author’s background and the location’s background present in the story, and yes, I found that Michèle Rakotoson was born in 1948 in Antananarivo.
Additionally, a portion of it can be attributed to the topic matter. Madagascar, like many other countries, notably the United States, experienced a severe AIDS epidemic in the 1990s. However, she was essentially the first artist in Madagascar to address the AIDS problem in a frank manner. This was a stunning revelation because it was something that everyone was aware of but that no one wanted to bring up in a public setting. Already, that is something that has taken people by surprise, that she would come out so plainly against such heinous matters.
Due to the fact that she was not currently residing in the country, she was able to complete this task. Also remarkable is the quality of her prose and the way she is able to communicate the story in a straightforward and compelling manner. She is an outstanding master at narrating a narrative in the Malagasy tradition. They have a very old oral storytelling heritage, and they have developed quite specific techniques of telling stories in this manner.
Obviously, oral stories are very different from written stories, but she manages to make a written story in French feel like an oral story that is being told in Madagascar in some way.
As a result, all of her Malagasy readers were completely captivated by it. For a Western reader who is unfamiliar with the sounds of a Malagasy oral story, [the book] has a very distinct cadence that is both addictive and enthralling to read. The other portion of the story is concerned with the conflict that exists between traditional Malagasy beliefs and contemporary culture, which is one of the novel's topics.
Almost all authors working in Madagascar today have attempted to address the question of "How can we reconcile our traditional values with the colonial society that was imposed on us, and then with the modern, global society that is imposed on us?" at some point in their careers. They have been compelled to evolve and progress at a breakneck pace, as have many other formerly colonized countries. There's a great deal of tension in the situation. Thus, the way in which the author is able to reconcile those two aspects of her own identity, as well as to assist her country in doing so, is quite remarkable.
The famine that the story described was actually true in the history of this location – Antananarivo. In the introduction on the story, it says “You cannot walk fast in Antananarivo. There’s a weight in the air, a heat that makes everything slow and viscous. There’s a constant smell of noxious gas, an acid odor that gets into your lungs infests your muscles. There’s the red dust, blackened by exhaust fumes, and the perpetual suffocation of the city, so precariously perched, so dry.”
According to Michel Garenne, this occurred in the mid-1980s, during the Antananarivo famine. It was a period in which economic policies in Africa were abruptly altered for the worse. apparently in reaction to decades of mismanagement and failed economic experiments. The economic research clearly shows the Antananarivo famine processes. With no effective governmental measures to buffer the effects of deregulation, quick deregulation of rice pricing and markets caused a rapid rise in the price of rice, the staple food of a huge majority of the people. Both the price and mortality increases lasted nearly two years, from July 1985 to June 1987.
During this time period, the city's poorest residents couldn't afford to eat, and many perished of hunger. Mortality returned to pre-crisis levels as soon as prices stabilized. This famine happened owing to a combination of market and institutional failures, and widespread poverty. The famine seems to have been caused by bad economic policies and widespread poverty.
Additionally, AIDS epidemic also spread in Antananarivo – it happened in the history as well. According to my research, A significant concentration of the country's high-risk population is responsible for the country's AIDS epidemic: 15 percent of men who have sex with men (MSM), 7 percent of injectable drug users, and a lesser extent, sex workers (1.3 percent in 2012) are HIV positive.
Young individuals, some of whom belong to more than one of these groups, are at the greatest risk of being victims of exploitation. Furthermore, there are studies on the seroprevalences of HIV and syphilis were carried out in six sites across Madagascar between mid-1995 and the beginning of 1996 with the purpose of estimating the number of people infected with HIV throughout the country.
The research was carried out at Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa, Antsiranana, Toamasina, Toliary, and Mahajanga, among other places. The study included 3135 pregnant women seeking prenatal care, as well as 3047 clients of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics and 2227 prostitutes who were not registered with STD services but were recruited in bars, hotels, and on the street.
According to the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in Madagascar in 2008/09, more than half of the young men and women between the ages of 15 and 24 had their first sexual contact before reaching the age of 18. Only 8.8 percent of young males used a condom in the past year, despite the fact that nearly one in every five had more than one sexual partner in the previous year. The percentage of men and women who used condoms was considerably lower in the adult population: 7.4 percent for males and 7.6 percent for women.
Michèle, as far as I'm concerned, is an outstanding novelist. Their ancestral beliefs, as well as their present culture, are all intertwined with religious beliefs. Michèle was able to reconcile those two aspects of her personal identity through her writings, and in the process, she was able to assist her country in doing so as well.
Yes, I was astonished as well with her. I was really having trouble looking for what tension is there that is present in the story, and I don’t know exactly if my realization is correct – it is all related to AIDS which means, the particular culture emphasized in the story is Religion. Their religion belief.
I can tell that this is the particular culture emphasized here by this line – “They were shut away high up on the hill, shut away by ethnicity or region. They got used to the hill of ghosts, they survived there, adapting any way they could, especially the ways that were least morally tolerated.” Additionally, on the preceding paragraph Michèle told us that they valued their girls there and they wouldn’t let them catch anything, no matter what. This line here is actually referring to how sex is just becoming a part of play to everyone in this country. They engage sex like it’s part of life and it does not deal any consequence – which in turns Aids spread throughout the country. In Madagascar, religion is very important and they value their belief much – which has become their culture – and I am certain that sex is sacred.
Malagasy words in the short story of Rakotoson
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Reading Lalana is like being escorted through the history of the place, which is visible throughout the storyline. At first, the Malagasy words that had been blended into them caused me some worry. What I didn't know was how to interpret it or what specific Malagasy words were contained inside it. The meaning and significance of those terms were revealed to me after searching the internet and using Google Translate—and they do play a key role in the portrayal of the story, as I discovered.
At first glance, I assumed that the story had been written entirely in English. I understand that the content is merely a translation, but I had no idea that any Malagasy terms would be included in the text. I had a difficult time decoding the meaning and importance of such terms, which had an impact on my understanding of the story.
However, I must admit that it is realistic to put some of these words into the story because they are attempting to draw the reader's attention and empathize with Rivo-friend of Naivo who is dying of AIDS in some way. This is a collection of tunes that bring back memories of his pal. Yes, it does serve as a reminder to him that he can wind up like his friend, defecting in bed and unable to move due to love.
So, what exactly is the definition of love?
In the story, these Malagasy words acted as a transition between the incidents that were interwoven into the events of the story—like it's a background music that was accentuated in order to draw the readers' attention to the story. If it's a movie, this is what adds extra depth and suspense to the specific incident that took place within the story.
Also known as "introductions," these words are intended to introduce themes and connect with the audience. If it were to appear in a movie, it would most likely be heard in the background of a scene, however it may also play a key role in an action sequence at times. Its primary function is to guide the audience through the scene and to elicit emotional responses from them.
In this poetry, I observe imagery, followed by metaphor and personification, all of which are actively employed.
Yes, it does have an impact on the overall understanding of the poetry. Unless we read the poem in its literal form, without delving into its deeper meaning, we can only identify birds as the subjects of this poem. They act and behave in the same manner as any other bird in their environment.
The content of the poem, as well as its message, can be discerned by delving deeper and understanding the figurative language that has been interwoven into its composition. As we progress from the usual birds informing us that the birds are simply doing what they typically do, we come to the three sides of humanness with a message that includes society as well as the natural environment, individual identity, death and dying, and spirituality.
If you want to convey a complicated meaning, colorful writing, clarity, or an evocative comparison, you should utilize figurative language. Figurative language is the use of words in a way that differs from the standard order and meaning. It refers to something without directly mentioning it by using a common phrase structure.
As a result, words and idioms are utilized in poetry and writings to convey numerous meanings and interpretations of the literal meaning, which is referred to as Figurative Language.
Figurative language is used by writers and poets to engage their audiences, allowing them to express themselves in a more imaginative manner that encourages thought and, at times, laughter. If you use metaphorical figurative language instead of literal language to relate to claims of fact, it makes a literary composition more fascinating and dramatic. The use of figurative language by writers and poets helps them to create imagery and give their words greater impact.
If you want to add more figurative language to your writing, you can do it by employing similes, metaphors, and a variety of other non-literal techniques of expression to help make unfamiliar subjects familiar and understandable.
Story of Nan Xiang entitled “Sandalwood Incense Holder”
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Among all the stories I've read, this one is the most intense. This story made me contemplate whether or not there was a crime. The author's word choice added tension to the plot. The structure and planning of the story, as well as the manner in which the story unfolds, are more unique than ever. However, the most prevalent point of view in the books I've read recently is third person, as is the case with this narrative.
Then, unlike the other stories I've read, this one simply mentions a few individuals and events. I'm not sure why, but the conflict gave me the chills. Perhaps it was the vocabulary usage? To be honest, it's perplexing, and I'm not sure whether the conflict this story posed to the protagonist was an assumption or a reality – it's quite tense, to put it mildly – and the resolution, well, I'm not sure if the protagonist's assumption was resolved – it gave me the experience of a hanging ending. I'm looking for the new series.
Pauline Rowson on why the crime genre is so popular noted that “Crime fiction though can give us a resolution. It can also give us an insight into what makes people tick. One of the reasons I believe crime fiction is popular is because people are fascinated by human behaviour.
Sometimes we are warmed by the actions of others and at other times horrified and apalled by it … Crime fiction covers so many facets of human nature. The same goes for true crime. It’s a kind of voyeurism, the ghoul factor that causes people to stand and gawp at an accident or incident.”
When comparing crime fiction to other genres, there is a unique twist in that the protagonist of a crime novel frequently does not show signs of transformation.
The protagonist in almost every story gain knowledge and experiences growth on a personal level, emerging as a different person at the conclusion of the narrative. That cannot be stated of the vast majority of detectives in crime fiction, though.
All in all, The Free Dictionary defined Crime Story as “a story built around criminal activity where the identity of the criminal is known or unimportant.” Additionally, Crime fiction, detective story, murder mystery, mystery novel, and police novel are terms used to describe narratives that centre on criminal acts and especially on the investigation, either by an amateur or a professional detective, of a serious crime, generally a murder.
[1] It is usually distinguished from mainstream fiction and other genres such as historical fiction or science fiction, but the boundaries are indistinct. Crime fiction has multiple subgenres,
[2] including detective fiction (such as the whodunit), courtroom drama, hard-boiled fiction, and legal thrillers. Most crime drama focuses on crime investigation and does not feature the courtroom. Suspense and mystery are key elements that are nearly ubiquitous to the genre.
Madagascar's culture
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Madagascar's culture reflects the Malagasy people's roots in Southeast Asia and East Africa. Arabs, Indians, British, French, and Chinese immigrants left their mark. The valiha, Madagascar's most famous instrument, is a bamboo tube zither similar to those found in Indonesia and the Philippines today. Traditional buildings in Madagascar are rectangular in shape, with a peaked roof and a central support pillar, like those in southern Borneo. Tombs are made of more durable material, usually stone, and have more lavish adornment than residences of the living, reflecting universal respect of the ancestors. Silk manufacturing and weaving date back to the island's early inhabitants, and the woven lamba, Madagascar's national clothing, has grown into a perfected craft. Every meal includes rice, usually complemented by one of a number of tasty vegetable or meat dishes.
The sacredness of zebu cattle and their representation of riches are both African customs. As herders in the southwest defend their animals with traditional spears against increasingly armed professional rustlers, cattle rustling has turned into a hazardous and often lethal criminal industry. Or simple word, Madagascar's culture is an amalgamation of the many civilizations of its multi-ethnic people, which has resulted in a unique integration. Several features of Madagascar's culture are strikingly similar to those of Southeast Asians and East Africans, reflecting the country's origins and sharing a common heritage with both groups.
The culture of the nation has also been impacted by the cultures of the Arab, Indian, French, English, and Chinese people who have settled in the country throughout the centuries.
This section of the short story has influenced me ---
On the hill, they stayed silent, no one said any more about it. What could they say? What could they do? The girls were shut up more tightly. They valued their girls there, wouldn’t let them catch anything, no matter what. It was said that AIDS was transmitted through sex, but also blood, and that’s what women are, sex and blood, and how do you put on a condom, wrap it up, when making love to a woman you love, a woman you’d like to marry and have kids with? You have to wrap them up, shelter them from any desire to look elsewhere, they have to be protected, you have to protect yourself. Speaking of, where do they throw out their period pads? Sometimes, he sees rag squares hanging to dry . . .
This stanza in the poem has influenced me –--
The corporeal bird, the feathered bird,
who forces a tunnel through the wind
to get to the moon he’s seen in a dream
among the branches
falls with the night
into a labyrinth of leaves.
In the poem part, this is somewhat an awareness to me. As I venture through life, there are a lot of temptations roaming around, temptations that are difficult to resist. This section reminds me not because of Aids alone as a consequence of having frequent sex with anyone – anyone, acquainted or not without protection, but with how sacred the body and sex are. Our body is the temple, and we are always obliged to clean our body, even, if possible, never leave a scratch on it. This section influences me much because way back in high school – well, friends and vices, those two are attached. We were having our signature hang out be like or whatsoever, and we called it “Lady Boiz Friday Night.” Yes, it happens every Friday night, but the difference is that this night is compared to the other nights of party – they decided to, you know, touch each other until we reach the pleasure. The group leader, well, we called him our leader because he is always initiating a party at their house on the third floor or some time on the rooftop. He has a history of sex addiction, the same thing with the other members of the group. Among the members, only 3 of us never experienced being kissed nor touched because, since birth, we have never gotten the chance to have a partner. The three of us decided not to participate, never – we were lectors, we served the church – we cannot sin just like that. From then on, I started to distance myself from them until now – no more communication with them.
Now that I have read this story, once again, I will never break the virtue of my partner and me not until marriage, and besides, I do not want to be a father yet. Early parenthood would cause additional problems to my family and me, especially to my study and my kids' future. Yes, I will keep it sacred until marriage. That is how I respected my woman.
This line somewhat reminds me of my dream – to be one of the honors students in our school so that my crush will notice me – he was a Chinese girl, he is cute, I admit it, and above all, he is intelligent. I am no match for him – and I once believed that the only way he would notice me is to be with her on the top list. It is through the dream and willingness that made me who I am today. I once used my body – or the earth in me, using myself I wanted to reach the moon – even I am from the deep – too deep to be noticed and too dark to be seen, but with hard work, I achieved it. This line reminds me that there is no impossible thing in this world only if you believe and be determined to act for what you believe and dream of. Yes, I cheated once; I regret it because the one who suffered for such foolishness is me alone. However, now that I have reached the moon or my dream, I withstand by it, and I did it. I am no longer the man that I am once was.
Learning Insight: It's all about China
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There is a plethora of information contained within the given documents. However, I will just describe the knowledge that I have gathered regarding China in this article.
Let us begin with the civilization of the East, which was shaped by the man they called the Sage, Confucius. He was a tremendous guy in his time; conflicts rage and turmoil reigns everywhere, but his ideas and philosophy have brought peace to the globe and have had an impact on its development.
It was Confucius who was responsible for restoring political order in China. Confucius' teachings have had a profound impact on the lives of people not only in China, but also in Japan, Vietnam, and Korea, all of whom feel a strong connection to his teachings as well. A compilation of his sayings and philosophies is collectively known as Confucianism, and they serve as the foundation for a world-famous collection of writings referred to as the Analects of Confucius.
Confucianism was established on an ancient religious basis in order to establish the social norms, institutions, and transcendent aspirations that have characterized traditional Chinese society for thousands of years.
Moving on to the great wall, the Ming constructed this structure to keep the attackers at bay.
The wall acted as a line of defense for China against its adversaries, including the Soviet Union. It was the Great Wall that became the most widely recognized symbol of China in Western culture, serving as both a physical manifestation of Chinese strength and a psychological representation of the barrier maintained by China's government to repel foreign influences and exert control over its citizens for centuries.
The wall in Jin Chandling spans seemingly insurmountable peaks, and every hundred feet there are massive stone constructions on the ground, which demonstrate exquisite engineering.
Furthermore, the wall is more than simply a simple structure; it is a sophisticated military system.
After that, we'll talk about how China became wealthy. In a nutshell, China is the world's largest industrial economy and exporter of manufactured goods. It is also the world's fastest-growing consumer market and the world's second-largest importer of products, according to the World Bank.
China is a net importer of services-related goods and services. It is the world's largest commercial nation and a major player in the world's international trade, according to the United Nations. China's rapid productivity development, which was encouraged by market-oriented reforms implemented in 1978, is the primary reason for the country's extraordinary economic performance.
The findings serve as a fantastic starting point for further research into the potential functions of productivity indicators in other developing countries.
Since 1600 BCE, ancient China has been making significant contributions to the modern world. Their most significant contribution was the inventions that they had developed, some of which had been made by accident. There were several inventions developed by the ancient Chinese, many of which made their way to Europe and had a significant impact on the rest of the world.
Paper, the printing press, silk, the compass, and the water clock were just a few of the most significant inventions to come out of ancient China. Furthermore, Chinese culture was influenced by a number of conflicting philosophical viewpoints. A tremendous impact on ancient China was exerted by each of these philosophical systems, which guided both the way people lived their lives and how their government was managed.
Aside from that, the philosophies have had an impact on contemporary China and also to the rest of the world. Some people in ancient China held a strong belief in only one philosophy, while others incorporated elements of several different philosophical perspectives into their particular beliefs. In fact, even we people studied and adapt to their philosophies.
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