The Importance of Homework
Homework is given by educators to promote learning in reviewing, applying, and integrating the information they've learned in class.
Having homework does a significant amount of things for me. It may appear to be an issue because pupils should be sleeping rather than addressing lessons, but it has a deeper significance. Learning anything in school gives you more knowledge. It can be highlighted even when a student is ready to attend college or work beyond the home. The problem with homework is that this information should not be limited to the classroom. It will be difficult for a student to study if he or she is simply thinking about the teachings for the sake of marks and not because they will be beneficial down the road.
Also, students sometimes cannot pick up the pace during the pressure inside the classroom.
Some are slow learners and they have a hard time keeping up with those who can easily understand the lessons. I did have moments like that, specifically, the time that I know nothing about the programming languages, and the professor just assumed we already know the basics because that's what our course was. I came from a Tourism sector in Senior High so we are nowhere near the software side of technology. Homework really allowed me to go through the internet and understand things. Although I did not keep up with everyone in that class, I was able to gain knowledge to at least pass the subject and apply it to how I practice my skills.
Homework has the potential to connect both parents and kids closer along.
I remember my mother helping me with everyday lessons for homework, as well as for the exams. And truth be told, I did finish the exam within a short amount of time and I did have high marks. Students with their parents learning at the same time not only benefits the kids but also the adults. I know many people who don't remember the basic things because I believe that knowledge, just like skills, should be consistent. Personally, I do have those times when I don't even know how to solve the area of a square or how photosynthesis works. I know that these are basics but you just have blank moments. And since kids always have that curiosity within them, it is always a good thing to give them something that will challenge them. Even if some of their classmates are not a good influence, the parents can easily control, in a positive manner, their kids why they should engage with school lessons.
Should Education be Free?
As they say, "Education is the key to success".
Education is the key to having many possibilities in life. Because the world is changing faster than anyone could have imagined, there are many issues that require careful consideration. Because not everyone has the same degree of understanding, they tend to persuade other people to do good or bad things in either a positive or negative way. The twenty-first century indicates many things to humanity. Many people can easily get work if they have formal education on how to use the internet and its contents. Most of the time, folks who spend their time in front of computers have a better financial situation than those who use their physical abilities.
Obtaining ideas and insights is the method for guaranteeing a bright future. Innovative thinking and creativity are stimulated by high-quality education offered to the public. Graduate students who receive high-quality training from reputable universities have the best chance of finding employment.
Education provides various advantages for people since it exposes a character's point of view and comprehension. It influences people's personalities, thoughts, and interactions with others, as well as prepares them for life events. To have that specific understanding about something elevates you beyond others. And in most cases, this type of personality is viewed as a disadvantage for someone since they believe that the people below them will never win. It is determined by the scenario as well as the circumstances around it.
A number of advantages to having a high education, including a solid profession, a strong social position, and self-confidence. Lacking education, people may not be capable of surviving or getting a suitable job. In the Philippines, the standards are clearly high. While there are companies that provide training regarding a specific field, those who clearly have better knowledge will most likely get the job because they require little to no training at all.
The far more knowledgeable a person is, the greater their chances are.
On the other hand, not everything can be learned in school. There are chances that the teacher will not clearly explain a topic he or she also lacks knowledge about it. I have experienced these types of professors and teachers during college and as a result, the students also have a hard time learning because they get confused as well. Not everyone has the optimism that they will learn those things if they just do more research because, in the first place, they don't even know where to begin with.
Education must also emphasize the beliefs, perspectives, and behaviors that allow learners to understand how to live in harmony in a diverse and pluralistic environment. Today's ever-increasing population is dissatisfied with their basic education and therefore seeks secondary or higher education in order to comply with the expectations of the current culture.
Elementary education is essential and provided at no cost per international human rights legislation. Financial challenges do not absolve states of their commitment to providing free elementary education. In many cases, incidental expenditures linked with schooling, including daily food or transport, discourage kids from low to moderate households from attending school.
Every other nation on the globe has individuals from various recorded positive growth. Education is a powerful tool for the masses, yet it is driven by greed in order to improve the economy. If such access is available, the society will be considered industrialized, which will lead the country in the proper way. Governments all throughout the world have recognized that child labor is unethical and that young kids do have opportunity to receive an education.
The Robinsons Galleria Scandal
The Robinsons Galleria of having a snake man once again blew up after the alleged disappearance of a 22-year-old girl named Jovelyn Galleno. She was seen in CCTV footage entering the mall but was never seen exiting on August 5, 2022. According to the news, the Galleno family received a text message from the girl asking for food for dinner and she failed to receive any salary from her work. The family, worried about the situation of her not coming home after several hours, went to the mall but it was closed when they arrived.
Since it has been weeks since Galleno was heard from her loved ones, some people assumed that she is already dead. But the question is, if she is dead, how? And if she is not, where could she possibly be?
There was an urban legend concerning a half-human and half-snake life figure roaming around the mall. Filipinos are always creative when it comes to mysterious things. However, I do make conclusions that these theories will not evolve anywhere if there is no 60% chance that they are true. But we will give the benefit of the doubt since this is the only time that someone is really missing and it involves an ongoing scare for the people who like to go to that mall.
There is a movie called Shake, Rattle and Roll XV. Shake, Rattle and Roll has been in the lives of viewers because of its collection of three different horror stories fixed into one film. During the 15th movie of the anthology, there is an episode entitled "Ahas". It stars Erich Gonzales as Sandra who is the heir to the Alegria Mall. She also plays Sarah who is the snake-life woman, living deep down in the mall. The plot of the story is actually great. It talks about the love between sisters, the love in partners as well as family issues.
Now, the movie also stars Alice Dixson. Her character is the mother of the twins. In the movie, she didn't like Sarah when she was born so the father, Alberto, played by Ariel Rivera, decided to bring her down to the mall and feed her. Sarah is considered lucky but as she grows, she starts to request bigger things as well. Until one day, one of the construction workers fell down and was eaten by Sarah.
Going back to Dixson, there is one incident involving her when she had a movie shoot in Robinsons Galleria. When she was changing in one of the rooms, "out of nowhere", according to her, "Tuklaw", which translates to (Snake) bite. She said that she was just being funny about it but it brought on the speculations about the alleged snake twin brother of Robina Gokongwei. They are the kids of John Gokongwei who was the owner of Robinsons. It is rumored that the brother was living there, in comparison to the movie.
In my calculations, since Dixson is considered a popular actress ever since then, these speculations were widespread and the people were just scared about it. The story might have added a lot of spice or taken a lot of bits, but the main idea of someone living down below is still the scary part.
The search continues for the missing Jovelyn Galleno as it was like approximately 22 days since she was seen. Some people say that Galleno might have changed outfits so investigators can't properly recognize if she did exit the mall. Some people are claiming that they had seen her somewhere in the neighborhood.
But if I were to be asked, this case shouldn't be a "long-term" thing because Robinsons is a big industry here in the Philippines. If Jovelyn isn't really missing, the owners can hire multiple people because news like this is not really a good thing for a business. Or maybe, she isn't really missing?
DCR Just Hit a 70% Spike
Among the top gainers today, August 6, 2022, was Decred (DCR). The latest price of the coin was $53 compared to the last $26. Other coins that are included in the top gainers within 24 hours were WING, BICO, UNFI, and FIL. The 24-hour change of the four are ranging from 10% to less than 25%.
Decred price is anticipated to confirm its dominant presence that might reach $75 - $78 or more by the start or mid-end of 2023.
Four days ago, on August 2, 2022, David Cox from CryptoNewsZ came up with a prediction of Decred. He stated that Decred has failed to gain momentum with traders since the marketplace is wary of its opportunity to take advantage. However, in order to maintain that level, it must maximize its potential. According to him, "Clever traders have managed to wait and see how this asset performs and works miracles on the market."
Watching the chart as of the moment, the price of DCR is going up and down within the range of 46.0 to 47.0.
DCR remains on top of the top gainers.
Adoption of Bitcoin as a Payment Method for Goods and Services
Among the key motives for the creation of cryptocurrencies has always been to allow for incognito transactions. Bitcoin processes transactions using the digital platform. Much further than fiat currency-based trading platforms, the expanding usage of digital money enables quicker, more versatile, and much more inventive payments and means of funding products and services. Cryptocurrency enables internet payments to be conducted in accordance from one entity to the other and does not necessitate a banking establishment to be involved.
The Cryptocurrency market structure is highly fragmented and opaque. The monetary sector has been affected by the technological revolution, along with the structure of currency essentially. The transaction marketplace, which serves as the cornerstone of all business growth, is the initial entry point into money. Many payment breakthroughs are based on advances in routing algorithms.
Bitcoin was launched in 2009. I attended a seminar about cryptocurrency and the speaker played a video presentation about gold in exchange for a chicken. The time was hundreds of years ago. Research says that gold was first discovered by the Mesopotamians and it was around 2600 BC. Other studies say that it was around 550 B.C., but either way, gold back then was already during the ancient times just like any other discoveries, except for the fact that it was used as money. Going back to the video, the story suggests that the gold from the man who was selling it in exchange for a chicken was like Bitcoin. Bitcoin back then was not a popular thing because people didn't notice its value and how high the value will be in the following years. Just imagine if the bitcoin back then was just $100, that would be like more or less $50 million today. That is exactly what investment has to offer. People don't see the value because they are focusing on today's price.
Cryptocurrency is a sort of virtual cash that ensures security to link together authentication methods of asset transactions, peer-to-peer connectivity, and decentralization. Apart from currency exchanges using printable banknotes or minted coins, digital currencies provide no material existence. Digital products, which are often not authorized by a state body, are not recognized as statutory cash and allow possession transfer beyond political boundaries. Electronic currency can be centralized or decentralized.
To complete a bitcoin purchase, you'll also require wallet software. Transferring bitcoin required entering a payment into your computer's command-line interface. Dozens of wallets are offered, with each having its own set of functions. Many market participants give their customers a wallet via which they may send money to other exchanging users or transfer funds using assistance programs suitable to the exchange's features. The wallet doesn't actually contain cryptocurrency; instead, it stores the private keys that let you gain entry.
The first advantage of using Bitcoin is its great payment independence. Current economic problems are caused by a loss of trust in the systems. With Bitcoin, users may transfer and receive funds from any point on the globe at any instant. The Bitcoin network lacks any type of governing authority. People do not have to be concerned about activity constraints that may occur when sending and receiving money.
Personally, the biggest advantage of using Bitcoin is that it gives users the ability to not get tracked, unless, of course, they make their addresses go public which is not really a good thing. For example, the XRP address in coins.ph is the same of other users. The only difference is the destination tag. That is why whenever there is a transaction happening in the Binance platform, it always makes the users take a look at once again the tag because that 6-number tag will make a big difference. However, even if your wallet address was publicly disclosed, a replacement wallet address is simple to establish. When contrasted to typical monetary systems, this considerable sense of security.
Also, for most people I know who are using Bitcoin for transactions, there is no tax involved. This is what most people consider the most amazing thing Bitcoin does. For example, with coins.ph, the software charge users a certain amount for every transaction the user makes. Bitcoin, on the other hand, doesn't do this one. Whatever amount you put in, you will get the same amount for the buying, trading, transferring and withdrawal you make.
There are many more considerable things Bitcoin has made through several years, yet most people seems to not notice most of it. I guess for the fact that these people is having a hard time understanding the market, just like I am for the past few days.
The Asian Cultural Appropriation
Despite having been colonized for several years by mainlanders such as Spaniards and Americans, the Philippines has its own distinctive style that may or may not have been impacted by the colonists. The diversity of lifestyles found throughout the archipelago contributes to the country's charm. Each region has its own take on food, locations, and ways of welcoming and welcome visitors.
One of the greatest things about the Philippine culture is the respect for using the "Opo" or "Po" in their sentences. When they go to other places and ask questions, they use that word as a sign of respect. When we talk to other people we don't really know, especially the kids asking things, we are, most of the time, required to use that word. I consider it one of the most unique features of being a Filipino. And since the Philippines is a very religious country, we are taught that we should always respect the elders. But I am not really a big fan of that statement or mindset. I always say to myself that respect should be earned and not given since there are many people who took advantage of their status like being an elder to the point that they think they are always in the right position.
The Philippines, similar to any other country, does have its ups and downs. Even while some individuals are very accepting whereas others are not, there are still places where people are restricted in their knowledge and do not want to welcome a new chapter. The truth of the matter is the Philippines' economy is lagging and yet having numerous supplies scattered throughout the country is a terrifying case for everyone. For instance, the Philippines is reported to still import rice despite having several areas that grow and manufacture rice.
Almost every country experiences these negative situations, but as always we need to respect the culture and the environment itself.
When I started high school, I always get the comments that I look like an Indian. I actually have no problem with that because I do believe that Indian girls are really beautiful. They have a unique facial structure and I consider that a compliment. Most of the people who say that to me always notice my nose which can be considered an Indian. And I say thank you to them. However, I don't think that even though I look Indian, I should wear an Indian outfit as a costume. I don't have any right to wear or even look at their tradition or country as a joke or something. I think that it does not respect the ethnicity and just takes it as if it's an anime outfit for cosplay.
As per the Thomas Theorem, people are more inclined to act on stereotype-based ideas when they believe them to be real, which can result in objective outcomes.
Once individuals of a privileged class imitate traditional norms from a minority group in an unethical, insulting, or stereotyped manner, this is known as cultural appropriation. The appropriation frequently serves, to continue the taken culture's subservient position, whether by purpose or accidentally.
The term "culture" describes the fundamental elements of any particular demographic of people's existence, such as their principles, behaviors, concepts, customs, rites, dialect, voice, and events. It offers significant social and economic advantages. Social conditioning is a powerful strategy for managing a group of people inside a culture. Most people's emotional outbursts to culture, whether favorable or bad, are similar to their reactions to their families.
I saw an episode of a culinary program where a woman requested Italian cuisine and when it didn't meet her expectations, she labeled it as Chinese food. Although I did not challenge her comment, it made me wonder whether they consider Chinese food to be "restaurant quality," or just put it together in such a way that it makes no sense. Although I am not Chinese, I believe the comment is demeaning to the Chinese community. The incident reminded me of a previous news story in which Americans and British people were concerned about MSG in Chinese food while eating snacks on a daily basis and these items included MSG. At some point, maybe they ordered takeaway food from an American-Chinese restaurant and that's why it became an issue. I just find it a bit weird when these people assume that food from other places that they consider not "good" will bring them harm.
Sometimes, when the American side does their own "interpretation" of Asian dishes, it takes away the real meaning of the dish. However, I want to be clear with the statement. I am okay with other people doing a dish with their own unique twist but if they are going to not include ingredients or not do the processes properly, that is where I draw the line. For example, one of the most famous Filipino dishes is Adobo. Most people don't know this but before, Adobo only has vinegar in it and is not combined with soy sauce. And the reason for the vinegar to be in there is for the food to last longer. So when I watched a video of a white person doing the Adobo with no vinegar, I was not okay with it. I don't know if the video is still up on Facebook or YouTube, but I won't forget the day I watched that. There are reasons why techniques and processes were developed. We can't just throw these away just because we want to put ourselves into it.
Also, there's this question for one beauty pageant contestant before, questioning why Filipinos use their hands while eating. The candidate answered the question gracefully by questioning back if they use other body parts to eat. But it didn't stop there because most Westerners see Asians as "unsanitary" because of that tradition. There is nothing wrong with questioning other people's traditions, however, if you don't look at the deeper knowledge, it would cause a lot of drama because you didn't open your mind to why things happen.
There are things that we need to consider before having to acknowledge other people's cultures. The first one is to make research about it. We have to know whether an outfit is right to be worn by other ethnicities or if it has to be sacred and not be touched. Having research means respecting the culture and tradition. Also, it gives us the knowledge we should know because of history and how history influences people's behavior and mindset.
To make it simple, anyone is putting themselves at risk if they intercept something from a culture lacking knowledge, consciousness, generosity, and respect.
Single-Mother Discrimination
Given their social and monetary vulnerability, single moms are more likely to experience different adverse health outcomes. Trying to balance all of their tasks and obligations in a one-person household presents challenges for single parents. Since most single mothers planned their family life with a partner, having that partner pop like a bubble in the middle of nowhere is the biggest challenge because they will have to carry the family alone. The need for companionship and support from a single parent causes the youngster to find it challenging to walk away.
Women still experience severe social and legal injustice, which hinders economic progress. When there is a circumstance that fosters animosity between the genders involved, gender inequality occurs. For instance, a gay student was denied the opportunity to go across the stage to get his diploma on graduation day in one episode of a local television program about people who had their rights taken away.
Another example is that gay men are not often allowed to join the military. Although the US Navy, according to research, is permitting other genders to join in because of the acceptance of their community to the profession, some are mocked and some don't even like the idea because of homosexual acts that may happen inside. Moreover, women also suffer from discrimination in this kind of area. I often watch true crime shows about women who were harassed and looked down on because them being a woman. Regardless of whether this sort of situation is viewed as a major issue, the gravity of the conduct is not frequently discussed. If my math is right, there are more instances of LGBT people being denied rights than there are of the harassers being imprisoned.
Moreover, the rights of women are fundamentally denied. Inequality and prejudice are issues that women must deal with. In a country like the Philippines, men who cheat seem to have been taken by other people as a "normal" thing. My father cheated and had a child with his woman and my grandmother, who is his mother, said to me that all people do that and I just to widen my understanding of the situation. My anger rose at this, and I completely lost all respect for her and her family. I struggled to comprehend how a lady could address me in this manner as if it were the most natural thing in the world. My grandmother was the type of person who believed that women should do all the work while men should be free to do whatever they want, including not providing financial or emotional support for their child or children. Because of this, I believe that she would not view my mother as a perfect mother if the roles were reversed.
Women experience exploitation and violence. They are treated unfairly at employment, at home, and in their major cities. They frequently aren't given the chance to study, make money, and leadership all at once.
Parental duties and responsibilities toward their kids cannot be divorced from their interpersonal interactions. The difficulties a single mother faces also rely on the kind of marriage she had before being divorced. When becoming a single parent is a decision, it is often well thought out and won't be a major strain. My mother was not the typical mother when she was still with my father. Ever since my little brother was born, my mother was the one providing all the things we need. My father at the time became sick and had to perform surgery but that is not the case. He said that he cannot be with us because of the "radiation" and the harm it might cause, "but he can be with another woman?". He didn't even give my mom financial help because of I-don't-know reasons, maybe he has another family out there.
Ever since then, we decided to live as if he doesn't exist.
And the thing I realized is that single parents will carry the burden of being two people at the same time. The first is being someone who works to support the family and the second is the one who nourishes and educates the children.
Despite having the chance to work and expand their knowledge in any sector of expertise, women are constrained by having a family. Women are more dramatically impacted by the marital disturbance in terms of their mental health. The flexibility of a single parent, not just a single mother, is a completely different stage in life. My mom had to endure things from providing financial things to cooking dishes. Since I can do household chores during my college days during the pandemic, my mom had to focus on work duties and I help with the household activities. However, if ever a single parent has no one to lean on and has a baby at the time of the pandemic, it would be really hard for them to at least take a rest because of personal and work responsibilities.
What Waits After Graduation?
I thought that when I step foot on the stage for my graduation to receive my diploma is the start of the best next years of my life, but I was wrong. It was the beginning of a whole completely different new chapter which was more terrifying than I thought it would be.
The college has been a big part of my life. Not only that I got to develop skills that I wanted even before Senior High School, but I met a lot of people who made some big impacts in my life. When I was just going to the city to take the exam for college, I was really nervous on the bus, thinking that I will have a new life without my family beside me. Although I am living with another grandparent from my father's side, who I don't know if I should still call a father, I felt like an outcast because I was thinking of a lot of things during that time.
I took an Information Technology course in college, totally different from the track that I took in Senior High which was Tourism. That track has nothing to do with the course. The adjustment from that alone was already a big challenge for me. I had a hard time learning everything, even the basics, and another part was that I don't know anyone in the school so I did my best to at least get along with them. I remember that I didn't really have any friends during the first semester, especially since most of my classmates are already friends back in their high school days. And since I was not catching up with everything, I had a failing mark during half of the first semester and I failed one of my classes. But since that class was not really an "academic" class, I was able to get it the following year. However, the class that I had a failing mark was a programming class which was crucial for my course.
I talked about this one before in one of my articles, but I will tell the story again. My professor back then assumed that each and every one of us already know the basics of programming, so as a result, I always do mistakes in the codes and the paper works that he make us do. What I learned though in those times was that I just really have to rely on myself and the professors are just there to guide me because you are already in college. But still, I don't like that kind of teacher. And it kind of shows because during the second semester, I heard that most of my classmates in that section took a different class because of him. And I might sound harsh but I don't think I saw all of them during graduation last July 28, 2022.
I consider that failure as one of the biggest things that really impact me throughout my journey in college. It was one of the times when I was challenged emotionally and physically to the point that I was not taking care of myself anymore.
But that happened before and I am already a graduate now so I don't want to look back at the negativity, instead, I want to continue learning.
I have to be honest, I am completely nervous and devastated because I am pressuring myself to work right now. I have that eagerness to work because I want to help my mother in terms of the financial problems we are facing, but at the same time, I am scared of the companies' qualifications for candidates. Even though I saw a lot of job advertisements where they are looking for fresh graduates because of the pandemic, my mind is divided between personal things and school life. I don't have any work training in terms of my skills because I didn't take on-the-job training during the last semester in college. There were a lot of instances where the university didn't allow many of their students to go out because of the pandemic so I had to just watch a lot of LinkedIn Learning videos to fulfill the requirements they gave us which were pieces of training and webinars. Although I do have some skills and I am really willing to learn, there is a lot of competition, not just from the people who are also looking for a job but also in the financial situation we are currently facing.
I really need some advice from the readers, especially those who are currently working. I want to know how can I develop my self-esteem and where to start because I don't know anything about the "real world".
Highlights of the State of the Nation Address of President Marcos
The first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of newly elected President Bongbong Marcos, also known as PBBM, was held yesterday, July 25, 2022, at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Several high-profile government officials attended the ceremony, including the newly elected Vice President Sara Duterte, who became one of the highlights of the ceremony as she was wearing a traditional Bagobo dress. Other wore the traditional baro't-saya of the Filipino culture.
The first highlight of the ceremony, which I think went through up until the end, was the fact that President Marcos was not reading a sort of "script" for him to deliver a speech. There were several reports claiming that he was using a teleprompter, but some, who are present in the area, debunked the statement. And maybe if he did use a teleprompter, it could have said the outline of his speech for the organization since he did make a lot of points. I was really amazed by it and I think because his father, late President Ferdinand Marcos, was known for his extemporaneous speeches, he was building that legacy once again. Extemporaneous speaking has the advantage that it allows presenters to talk in a more communicative way by allowing the sheets to serve as a reference rather than dictating every spoken word. I once tried to do an extemporaneous speech, but because of the heat of the moment and since I am very shy, it is really hard to do.
I highlighted the extemporaneous speech because it delivers an impact that the President doesn't rely on a "flow" because if something unexpected happens, he knows how to react and not just panic because the situation is going according to plan. An organized state of the union address that draws on the knowledge, has a simple structure, uses rehearsed delivery, and yet is never read out loud nor rehearsed. This technique enables the presenters to engage the crowd more through eye contact. Extemporaneous speeches are used to engage audiences using a more natural shade, pace, and approach.
In terms of the priority bills, here are some of the focal points:
Marcos worked to have legislation passed that must enhance the public services offered by his administration.
Public service is one that the state provides to those who reside inside its borders. Public services, which comprise procedures and remedies that can help specific types of people, are including public transit, garbage management, and medical services. It helps residents see the administration and frequently serves as the main physical connection between administrations and their constituents.
The fact that the city people are having a hard time commuting because of the traffic, accidents causing the traffic, and waste everywhere because a town cannot maintain the cleanliness or at least, make the people do their job as part of the community, is a whole big problem to the country. If ever the administration will focus on public services, we may achieve the twist of having a "clean" community and it will lessen the burden of the people who are having a hard time living because of an "unsanitary" livelihood. We may not achieve the kind of services other countries like Japan have but it's better to have one foot forward than no step at all.
In addition, Marcos assured the public that policymakers will support the Tax Package 3: Valuation Reform Bill and the Tax Package 4: Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA).
The House of Representatives approved real estate value reform, or Package 3 of President Duterte's Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), earlier in November 2019. Package 3 intends to expand the revenue base utilized for property-related taxes paid by the federal and municipal governments while also creating an equal and effective property ownership valuation system. The goal of Package 3 is to create a common taxes value foundation.
Complementing the recently passed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN), Package 4 or the proposed Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA) of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) makes income stream and financial intermediary taxes easier to understand, extra equitable, convenient, and local and regional marketable. The taxes of transactions, finance and insurance, and passive income will all be significantly simplified by Package 4.
The Internet Transaction Act or E-Commerce Law was also suggested by Marcos. According to Marcos, the goal of the E-Commerce Law is to create an efficient framework for regulating commercial operations conducted online or via technological communications.
According to the Republic Act No. 8792 of the Republic of the Philippines, the E-Commerce Law seeks to acknowledge the legitimacy and validity of electronic relevant documentation for such operations and to encourage the widespread use of digital means in the government and public at large.
The major goal of e-commerce activities is to lower the expenses and dangers associated with dealing with currency. It's likely that the majority of individuals, including those who are older, have already engaged in such a trade. By simplifying, securing, and lowering the cost of financial transactions with clients, vendors, and the state, online wallets may boost an investor's earnings.
There are many more plans that were stated in the first SONA but these three were the ones I look forward to the most.
What are your thoughts on the plans of President Bongbong Marcos?
Thoughts for the Next State of the Nation Address (SONA)
Known as a law-of-the-state mandate done every year, the State of the Nation Address (SONA) is delivered by the Philippine president to a bicameral legislature of the Philippine Congress. It is a legislative practice that allows the presidency to inform the general population concerning the present status of the country and make suggestions to the parliament regarding his/her program, objectives, or projected budgetary annual initiatives.
A little history about the start of the State of the Nation Address ceremony. According to the 1899 Constitution, the President of the Philippines is responsible for opening, suspending, and closing Congress. The Philippine-American War broke out the same year. President William McKinley of the United States authorized the very first Philippine Commission to study and investigate the Philippines' situation.
When I was in Grade School, we always have that homework where we have to list down the different plans of the current president. And since school ends around 4 or 5 in the afternoon and it happens during school days, I always get the end of the stick when I open up the television. I'm just glad that after that is the news so they kind of wrap it all up for us. I wasn't really sure what I wrote down back then because I don't think anything happened with the projects that are supposed to be done, based on what I saw, during late President Aquino's administration. Well, he was the one who established the K-12 System, which, when looking back now, there are no changes in the education system because employers, for the positions that have a higher salary, look for students who have a bachelor's degree. And since students have different dream jobs, they are forced to still enter college.
What I don't understand is that during former President Duterte's administration, we never had to deal with that again. Well, I know that there is animosity between some schools and the previous administration, but it shouldn't be put on the students and their knowledge. The only difference, in my opinion, compared to the administration before former President Duterte is that he did all of his plans for the country within his six years in the highest government power. I just don't understand that some people kept complaining about how expensive things are nowadays to how it was during late President Aquino's time. I am not rich so I am also affected by the sudden changes in prices, however, we cannot focus on how good an administration is just because of the prices. It doesn't start and end there. I am in support of whoever is in position but we always have to look at the journey rather than the end.
Another thing is that these "human rights" activists focused on those supposed "victims" of the "Extrajudicial Killing" by former President Duterte's administration. I am also dismayed at how brutal some things went but if you are really a human-right activist, you shouldn't focus on one event just because you are not a big fan of the administration. There are also people who were killed by other administrations and were not put seriously because people didn't care. The point is that we care for the "victims" that are alleged in connection with illegal drugs, but not the victims of the people who used the drugs and did unimaginable things. If you are for human rights, you must also protest for these people.
This kind of behavior is being reflected now in the current administration. The media says that there are a lot of people who are not in favor of President Marcos, however, it's only the media that says it.
I am expecting a lot for tomorrow. I am not really that big of a fan of President Bongbong Marcos, even though I voted for him. I voted for him because in terms of the research I made with all of the candidates, he was fit, not perfect, for the position. Because if I were to vote for a favorite, I would have voted for a different candidate. And we don't vote just because we are against the other party/ies. We vote for the people we know are going to be better leaders. All of the candidates are good leaders, but not all of them are entitled to the position. I did have mixed feelings about what President Marcos can do for the country, but just like the previous administration, I hope the negative thoughts in people's minds will bring a positive outcome.
I watched the news earlier about a group that will protest somewhere outside the hall where the first SONA of President Marcos will happen. They made like a giant sculpture of the current president who is designed to look like a "clown", or any form of comedy because he has a party hat. I find it funny that they made a lot of effort to produce that thing but anyways, they have their opinions so it's a big risk for them. The police already said that it's not allowed, however, the Mayor of Quezon City gave these people the permit to protest which I don't understand why. The police also said that they cannot burn anything because it's illegal and there is an ordinance prohibiting it. However, the protesters said that anything can happen by tomorrow so the police, on the other hand, will also plan to at least not make any "mess" for the SONA to progress properly.
Overall, the Philippines just hope for a greater future and better performance of the plans.
Book Smart vs Street Smart
Highly educated people are adaptable and flourish in a variety of environments. The most astute people can confess when they are unfamiliar with an idea. Intelligence is dependent on your ability to adjust your own actions in order to conform more successfully to your surroundings or to make a difference in your surroundings. Intelligent individuals adapt by demonstrating what is possible regardless of the complexities or constraints put on them.
Being that knowledgeable at anything offered a number of big advantages. It instills some kind of confidence in a person. On the contrary side, it might prevent you from being balanced and distort your real-world perceptions. Being clever is a characteristic that relies on a personal viewpoint of the subject matter.
I have been called smart for as long as I can remember. However, I am not really that intelligent. I can call myself smart if I have that eagerness to learn new things. I do have the eagerness but once I notice that I will not benefit anything from it, I would immediately stop. Sometimes, I just don't do anything unless it will bring something back to me. In peer connections, I don't expect anything from anyone but in situation cases, I do expect myself to learn things that will benefit my way of thinking and add new knowledge to my brain. And because of this trait of mine, I don't consider myself really smart. I may know things that other people my age don't know or don't have a clue where something was because I tend to watch a lot of movies or videos that have something to do with other areas, but if I don't think that the knowledge I have is considered as smart.
There is a big difference between a Book Smart and a Street Smart.
Book smart, obviously, depends on their knowledge and how they look at everything around them based on books. I do appreciate those who are book smarts since they have this ability to read, not just what the author wants them to understand, but also how the author thinks towards the characters, whether it is a fiction story or not. The idea of being smart in this manner is that, since an individual has read tons of books and was able to perceive how authors differ from one another just based on the first few chapters of the book, they can easily build that concept of what's to come. It's like a sponge full of water that when every time you need them, you can just squeeze and they will release the water. Compared to being smart itself, in my experience, I can able to predict what or how other people think about a situation or other people. Since I balance my reading lifestyle between fiction and non-fiction, I am able to not revolve things around fantasies but at the same time, daydream of it, but still not let that affect what is really happening.
However, the debate comes to an end with the fact that being street smart is a whole another level of confidence and ability.
Book smarts are intelligent indeed but most books don't deal with the everyday world. Most books that are being published and are very welcomed by the audience are young-adult novels that are nowhere near the reality of life. Street smarts deal with the everyday basis. And since people don't think and behave like the ones we read, they will be hard to understand. Books are like the textbooks we read in school; There is a problem, this is the solution to that problem, then problem solved. The real world is like an obstacle course and each obstacle course has a twist so people can think differently but in the heat of the moment.
Street smarts were frequently characterized as the polar opposite of mathematical ability or the prominent language of intellectual prowess. The young disproportionately valued street smartness and utilized the notion to explicitly contradict established conceptions of intelligence associated with formal schooling. Street smarts were associated with the ability to navigate life's institutions such as economic hardship, the authorities, and violence.
Although the intelligence quotient may be a good significant predictor, it is not a straightforward process in life. There is a defined framework, a timeframe, a feedback loop, explicit regulations, and fair knowledge in the educational area. There will be many a million options in the actual world, with market imperfections abound, and experience training is an important key component. There are frequently no standards or mechanisms in place. People come and go from your life.
To prosper in a setting, a person must successfully traverse an opaque reality and formulate sound judgments. Metacognitive accounts for 80% of effectiveness at business and 20% of personal growth.
The Importance of Reading Books
A book is a platform for information storage, such as words or photographs. A book is the quintessential long-form work that requires a significant expenditure of time to create. There are several sorts of publications, spanning academics, historical documents, cookbooks, children's books, graphic novels, and many more.
Among the most significant limitations of what books are really for is learning from them. The objective is that the audience will quickly comprehend the book's theme. It's almost impossible to say that we have our own favorite books because there are people that actually don't like to read. And we can't blame them because we have a different way of gaining knowledge.
Personally, I have a hard time reading a lot of things when I do programming during my free time. It is hard for me to just read because I noticed that I need the "hands-on" thing while learning. I actually got a low score before during my first year in college in one of my programming classes. Because I was not really reading a lot and if I did, the information just can't go in my head. One of the issues is that the lecturer presumably believes that virtually all of us obviously understand the fundamentals, which we do not because the track I did in Senior High was Tourism, which has nothing to do with technology. As a consequence, I was falling behind on the quantity of information I was meant to have. Furthermore, that professor is a walking advertisement for individuals who struggle with teaching. In any case, the many kinds of reading, whether by book or textbook, are quite important, especially to the reader.
Given the numerous distinct varieties of books, it appears nearly hard to have one clear definition of what books are for.
Abridged versions have discovered various techniques to make studying as simple as possible whilst providing all of the knowledge. Books are jam-packed with information. Among the most important reasons for the value of books in our lives is that they serve as our best companions. Almost any book we consume really does have the ability to transport us to a new universe full of intriguing characters. We understand the trials and difficulties of respect differently when we are reading a book. An excellent book has the ability to alter the way we think, speak, and examine things.
Sheila Kohler's "Cracks" was the most recent book I read. It was a 1999 book that is set in a South African school. I just found this book in an online library and was not really reading anything at that time so I borrowed the book to read it. The book is about a teacher in an all-girls school who became obsessed with a new student from Spain. Although not preoccupied with a romantic relationship, the student was everything the teacher aspires to be. It wasn't nearly as thrilling as I had initially expected. I was anticipating a fast-paced tale because that is what I enjoy in stories. But I'm fine with slow-paced ones provided the tale has a huge shock in the end. Nevertheless, back in the novel, the plot begins when the girls reconvene in their classroom and discuss all that has transpired in the past. The novel is slow-paced, but what I liked best about it was that, while it did not have me hooked to my seat, the author created tension in each chapter that kept me reading until the conclusion. It was kind of weird for a book to jump from one end to the other. Well, there are a lot of books like that but this one is too different. However, I was really into it because it was like building a puzzle but the pieces were the size of a Lego that hurts your feet when you step on it. Overall, I would give the book a 4.5. The book is okay and interesting if you're into stories that are in for drama and a little violent but not quite. The book also has a movie counterpart starring Eva Green, Maria Valverde, and Juno Temple, under the direction of Jordan Scott. The movie is a bit different but still follows the same path.
What is amazing about reading books is that it opens your mind to something that you haven't heard or seen before. I have never encountered a story like Cracks so it felt weird but amazing to me.
Reading exposes you to innovative ideas, new knowledge, fresh concepts, new methods to solve problems, and novel approaches to accomplish goals. The further you read, the better you comprehend things, and the easier it is to understand the true meaning.
Death Penalty as a Punishment
For pro-life advocates, the death sentence is the pinnacle of harsh, barbaric, and humiliating punitive action. Ever since the beginning of mankind on Earth, virtually all nations have utilized the death penalty to execute lawbreakers and dissidents. The populace's attitude toward the death sentence differs significantly by area and offense.
Every day, individuals are killed or condemned to death by the state as punishment for a wide range of offenses, including many that must not be stigmatized. For example, because of outrage over numerous recent violent rape cases, support for and ordering of capital penalty has grown in India in the 2010s, despite the fact that actual implementations are uncommon. The burden of the death sentence is borne disproportionately by people from less privileged socioeconomic origins or who identify with a regional, ethnic, or religious minority.
Although most governments have abolished the death penalty, more than 60% of the population is concentrated in governments in which the death penalty is still used. Iran, China, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia were the countries with the most publicized executions. As of 2022, 54 countries still use the death penalty.
Capital punishment is a contentious issue in many nations and governments, and opinions can differ within every specific political philosophy or ethnic territory.
It's still considered a debate whether life should be taken by another human being. We can look at different perspectives on how capital punishment seems to be not liked by most people, especially in this generation together with the older ones.
So the main idea or purpose of the death penalty is to give punishment to those who have committed crimes that are considered inhuman or those actions that are really unsettling and traumatizing to the victims. I have to admit that I am pro-death penalty because of the fact that suspects of a crime, offenses that are under moral turpitude, do not deserve to live another day and it would create that mindset that we should never take advantage of other people, although that is supposed to be considered as a standard. According to 1975 research, every conviction resulted in 7 - 8 fewer homicides. Comparable research in England indicated that each conviction saved four homicides. Furthermore, judges and juries have indicated that in the evidence of those accused of crimes, the accused acknowledged arranging his crime in such a sense that he may not be sentenced to death.
However, I know that this type of punishment should always be taken into serious action. We always have to take both sides of those who are involved in the crime and not just jump to conclusions. There are areas to be considered, in order to fulfill the right judgment.
I remember watching a documentary about Paco Larrañaga entitled "Give Up Tomorrow". In there, the untold story of what happened between him and the Chiong Sisters was revealed to the public. I honestly didn't know anything about this case but I was eager to know what happened. The whole documentary shows how Larrañaga is an innocent teen, together with other men involved in the case, who was dragged into a crime they didn't commit. They were supposed to be given the death penalty but because former President Arroyo abolished the punishment, their lives were saved. I didn't take his side first because I want to finish the whole video but I made my judgment in the end that he was really innocent. Tons of witnesses and documents that bring strong evidence were not noticed by the court, especially the judge because he looked like he had already taken his side before the hearing of the case even happened. But still, in the end, Larrañaga and the other men were proven guilty of the crime and were given life sentences.
There were many eyebrow-raising things that happened before, during, and after the trial.
The first one was that the body of one of the sisters was not "really" examined to know if it was one of them. Well, it was examined but it was determined to be the wrong body afterward.
The mother of the sisters was not "that" sad and was actually smiling the whole time. Each prosecution witness was given a reward. A story was made, even though there were no witnesses to actually say that a sexual assault happened.
Judge Ocampo was seen sleeping during the trial and didn't make Larrañaga's classmates to the stand because "they were too many" and their claims were "irrelevant".
I would have to say that the story was just "made" because of the fact that since Larrañaga was in Manila at the time the crime was committed and the crime happened in Cebu City which doesn't make sense because there were photos of him with his classmates in the day and friends during the night. It would be impossible for him to be in two places for a short amount of time and be at school the next day.
Finally, one of the most shocking things for me is Judge Ocampo killed himself according to an autopsy of his body and, if I'm not mistaken, there is a letter that he wrote right before he died saying that he was sorry for "something".
What I am saying is that even though I am pro-death penalty, I still want to consider many documents, pieces of evidence, witnesses, and proper process so that there will be none who will suffer a wrong judgment.
The thought of a person opting to end the life of some other human in the pursuit of justice is not to be easy as it sounds. Furthermore, the techniques involved in the death penalty are not cheap in comparison to the culprit just living his lengthy prison sentence.
Bullies Should be Banned in Schools
Bullying is a common form of aggressiveness that happens often in schools. Bullying in schools has only been a source of public concern and scholarly inquiry ever since the early 1980s.
Bullying usually occurs next to other kids, who play a vital role in bullying episodes, hence bullying may be more common in distinct classes or decades than in others. And since kids who tend to follow what they see, are becoming bullies because of the attitude that they want to possess. I have seen kids who want to be better than the others so they took advantage of their own to try to control other kids around them and when it doesn't happen, they are the ones who get angry. Worse case scenarios are parents who don't do anything and were even the ones who initiate the bullying thing. I know that parents don't want their kids to get hurt but we should not encourage our kids to strive for more assertiveness than others.
Schools have tons of problems, not just with the establishment but the people involved in it as well. However, the fact that they do more approach to girls wearing off-shoulders or boys who didn't fix their haircut according to the school conduct, makes it much even weird and disgusting. Numerous children who are bullied don't even disclose it to a schoolteacher, but those that do find that some aid, whereas others make very little difference or even worsen the bullying. I went to three schools in my life and I can guarantee that 1 or 2 of them didn't fix the bullying problem. The teachers even became the bully and were proud of it.
I have experienced bullying ever since I was a kid and it went on up until my college days. However, negative emotion was felt during sixth grade. It is somehow true that if you are raised by good parents, you will never be ready for what's to come outside. My parents never really considered saying bad things to me, well sometimes there are, but during my childhood days, there weren't too many. That is why I never imagined myself being a "not-so-fit" girl in society. I remember being bullied by another female, which was really disappointing. I had a lot of questions for myself to the point that I think people only make friends with me because of what I can give to them. Like since I am doing good at school, I can easily go into groups but that is just during class projects or activities. On the outside, there is no talk for me.
I did isolate myself after I experienced a lot of peer pressure, in a negative way. It's like I don't want people since I know that they don't like me. I am not up to their standards so it will be better for me to just be alone and to have myself seek fun by using the internet. Even though I did have strict parents, the unbelievable approach of other people, who are considered kids back then, was not positive, and it brought me so much trauma.
And maybe that is why I became an introvert.
I have dark skin, compared to the beauty standard of being white. I am a low-maintenance girl, compared to those who wear makeup. I have insecurities with my teeth. I am small, compared to what tallness gives a woman much confidence. I am fat, compared to being skinny. In short, I am the girl who everybody hates and doesn't want to be friends with.
But then again, I am thankful for those people who talk to me.
Here are my reasons why bullies should never be allowed in school and other schools unless are given therapy or something to fix their behavior:
Bullying is a felony. It can have major consequences for a victim. If a child possesses insecurities, bullying will make it worse and the intensity of mental abuse will cause severe pain. Although the fact that anxiety can occur to teenagers more than kids, the development of this problem will be a bigger problem when adulthood comes. Levels of psychological distress heightened emotions of melancholy and isolation, abnormal sleep and dietary behavior, and loss of pleasure in previously enjoyed activities.
Bullying may cause harm and injury, as well as bodily pain, mental - interpersonal issues, and perhaps even life. Harassment frequently impacts youngsters with persistent sentiments that manifest as resentment interpersonally or oneself. When they are continually slammed about their character or actions, sufferers develop a negative identity and assume everyone else to perceive them in the very same perspective.
Children who have poor self-esteem are much more prone to be bullied. Bullying may have a hugely detrimental impact on a child's or teenager's self-esteem due to various ones' strong urge to be liked by society. Sometimes a youngster who was bullied maybe once in their life might suffer long-term consequences. Several of the impacts are obvious, while others are more profound and come from the torment's numerous impacts.
There are a lot of reasons why a person behaves the way they behave. But if we are to put pressure on that person just because he or she is not up to our standards, then we are the problem and not them.
People are having a hard time looking at the journey and they tend to jump to conclusions. Like I would be a bad guy if I punch the girl who bullied me, which makes me lose my faith in humanity.
Does Technology Makes People Intelligent?
Whenever we speak about technology, we're talking about finished items. It might be a mechanical device or anything made to confine stuff. I've been introduced to the world through technology since I was a child, and I've already been exposed to a wide range of things. When my mother was still working for the government, I recall playing Super Mario on a computer and some Pokémon games. However, it was the transition from floppy disks to flash drives that piqued my interest in the realm of technology.
Technology expands opportunities for progress and enables humans to carry out tasks that they would not be able to undertake otherwise. For example, we rarely need to travel to a library to read books because practically all books can be accessed on the internet. Because cabinets and drawers were developed, our garments would not be heaped in several locations. We don't have to suffer through excessive heat since we have fans and air conditioners to keep us cool. The water we drink will no longer be as polluted. The food we buy at the market or grocery store has been thoroughly cleaned and prepared.
However, technology somehow doesn't stop there. Properties must be created, developed, and produced not only is information or method necessary for the creation of objects, but rather for subsequent usage. The volume and complexity of hardware vary. A typewriter is worthless and cumbersome unless it is used by someone who actually understands how to type, much at will comprehend.
Let's try to look at the advantages, at the same time the disadvantages of technology because these two are partners in crime:
It gives solutions to problems
Most businesses or anything related to business use emails, or electronic mails. Unlike before, even though I didn't experience writing a letter and then waiting for weeks or months before getting an answer-back, today's emails are very much faster. I can easily send a Curriculum Vitae to a business email to apply for a job that I saw on an online platform and it doesn't take me too much time to be in the company itself, as well as money to take a bus to go there. Another advantage of technology is the entertainment it gives. We can easily watch movies that are being released without going to a local cinema. For me who lives in a province that doesn't even have a mall or a theater, it is really hard to watch movies. Although I don't watch movies, unless they are from my favorite directors or an indie film, for those people in my generation, having a nearby mall will easily help them. There is so much more to the picture to talk about.
On the other hand, since it gives solutions, it also creates problems. One thing that I don't like about technology is that when it comes to devices, kids are not anymore interested to go outside and make friends, most of the time. And because of this, they are being exposed to a mature world where they are not allowed to be, up to the point that they became victims of a world that are supposed to protect them. There are many cases of online bullying, I experienced it myself. There are many cases of inappropriate child videos that are roaming around the internet. And there are many cases of child negative assaults because the innocence of these kids is being taken away. There is no control being given to people because those who consider themselves that are "higher" only care about the profit.
It provides better communication
The method individuals connect has been transformed by technology. People may communicate with one other from anywhere in the world, building ties and removing concerns coupled with prolonged conversation. The contemporary telephone is indeed not easily accessible, but it also has enhanced functions and capabilities. Mobile phones are frequently used to transmit and receive information and digital copies of images, boosting the quantity of information available on the internet. Personally, I have a pen pal from Australia that I met through an online platform and we are sending and receiving emails using Gmail. It allowed finding new friends since I am not an outside person so I don't have friends here and I don't want to be that alone sometimes so I find ways to communicate with other people. Our communication does have breakdowns but the most important thing is we keep each other updated, not only on personal matters but also on important news from each other's place.
However, my issue with this type of communication is that words are not very impressive and are not trustworthy. People can say I love you through text messages and not really mean it. The expression of feelings is not that true to the point that most people are getting "scammed" and they easily trust people. When this happens, they are like going to a Vietnam war rabbit hole out in the middle of nowhere and it might be hard to turn back faster. Because technology is rapid and immediate, it also compromises the accuracy of the message to be delivered. There might be occasions when such mood and intention of a message are misinterpreted. And as I have experienced, social isolation is very fragile so when it breaks, it can never be glued together again. As I said, I don't have friends and I don't have people to talk to regularly so I keep on thinking scenarios, fiction or not, to the point that I will just experience a mental breakdown.
There are many more things that technology does.
Actually, it's not technology's fault that these negative things happen. It's the people who use them. And we can't easily blame people if they tend to isolate themselves from reality, especially if reality is what makes them sad and depressed. And yes, depression is a real case.
What do you think about the innovation of technology?
July Global Crisis
Kicking off the month of July was the sudden death of Shinzo Abe. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was killed Friday during a speech given on a street in western Japan. Abe, 67, fell and had been evacuated to a neighboring hospital in Nara, despite the fact that he was struggling to breathe and his heart just stopped. Dr. Hidetada Fukushima verified his accidental death of injuries.
NHK broadcasted dramatic footage of Abe standing and delivering a speech at a railway station before Sunday's parliamentary election. Two bullets went out as he lifted his hand to make a point, and he dropped grasping his chest, his clothing splattered with bleeding as uniformed officers hurried toward him.
Abe was born on September 21, 1954, and served in the House Of Representatives. He got re-elected seven times. Following his dad's passing in 1991, he was appointed to Yamaguchi Prefecture's first district in 1993. Abe voiced broad support for the measures and took efforts in stabilizing the Japanese budget. He typically adopted a tough attitude toward North Korea, particularly in reference to North Korean violent incidents against Japanese people.
In the United States, tons of women are now asking, once again, for freedom in terms of their bodies and choice. The Supreme Court of the country seems ready to overturn the historic Roe v. Wade ruling, which has secured access to abortion in the United States for generations, Republican-led states have introduced a slew of restrictive abortion laws.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation outlawing numerous treatments beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy. The law makes rules only where an abortion is required to preserve the life of a woman or avoid significant damage, or when the fetus has a catastrophic defect.
Abortion is a matter of human rights that is protected by several universal human rights agreements and international conventions across the planet. For the last several decades, enormous progress has been achieved in ensuring female access to abortion, with almost 50 nations opening up their abortion laws. The legal status of abortion reflects more than simply where women and girls are actually permitted whether or not to carry a developing fetus.
In Iran, Mostafa Tajzadeh has been detained in Iran and charged with attempting to undermine the country's sovereignty. In a separate event, two Iranian filmmakers were jailed. Films by Mohammad Rasoulof have won prizes at the Cannes and Berlin film screenings. He and Mostafa Alahmad are now being jailed on incitement charges.
With the popular hashtag "*put_your_gun_down*", about 70 Iranian moviemakers and cinema employees have joined the movement. Tajzadeh is an activist who has publicly chastised the state's leading ruler and other high-ranking authorities. Strikes have erupted in Iran in recent months in response to price increases and the country's reduction of subsidies.
The total global wheat output in 2020 was 760 million tons. Scientists predict that by tapping into the crop's "untapped genetic potential," worldwide wheat production might be quadrupled. According to the worldwide team behind the new research, it would be able to develop new types of wheat using current techniques based on wheat DNA.
According to a carefully studied US official prediction, global wheat production would likely slip for the first time in four years. Since Russia's attack on Ukraine interrupted agriculture in the nation, grain dealers, food firms, and governments have been keeping a tight check on supply. Humans have grown wheat for millennia and the consequence on our society has been significant - agriculture is generally considered the first largely influenced in modern existence, as it led to settlements and established social systems.
July has just started and we all have experienced different things, ranging from positive to negative.
The Causes of Inflation Rate
The inflation rate is amongst the most well-known economic terms. It is described as the pace at which a country's currency falls and, as a result, the general impact of prices of commodities rises. It is usually a broad metric, such as that of the general price spike or the cost of living in a country.
The cost of various items and services, and also the percentage of each in the household budget, define people's level of life. Third-world countries, such as the Philippines, are fighting a continuing war against rising inflation rates. Most commodities are currently raising their cost, so customers are unsure if they should buy the product or not. I've seen a number of firms raise the prices of their items, which customers are adapting to in the heat of the moment.
Households are worse off if their demand in the economy, which they acquire in current investment, doesn't quite rise as quickly as expenses so that they can prefer to purchase less. In actuality, prices fluctuate at varying rates. Several, such as commodity prices, vary on a daily basis; others, such as contractual pay, take considerably longer to adapt.
I didn't notice any changes in the fare when I traveled to the city last month. Even though I may still utilize my student card, the ticket is the same as before earlier in the year when I was still traveling to and from the city to the countryside. However, as graduation approaches, I am able to predict the changes. I haven't graduated from university yet, however, the cost of the total package provided to students in order for them to successfully graduate and walk across the stage was rather frightening. I know that the university is just giving the best for the students, however, the chances of paying an amount higher than most of us expected are not high in terms of expectations.
A retail price index is calculated as a series of summary measurements of the proportionate change in the quantity demanded of a consistent number of goods in the market of constant quantity and features obtained, utilized, or paid for by the statistical population from period to period. Since there is no universal approach, any nation has developed its own way of generating inflation figures based on data availability and financial constraints.
The majority of economists today feel that a low, steady, and, most importantly, the anticipated price level is beneficial to the economy. Expectations are equally significant in deciding inflation. When consumers or businesses anticipate increased prices, they factor this into pay negotiations and contractual pricing modifications (such as automatic rent increases). Long-term periods of intense inflation are frequently the outcome of financial liberalization. Commodity prices can arise from either the market liquidity sector or economic growth.
Governments often find a way to keep inflation at an ideal level that fosters development while not significantly diminishing the stock's buying power. Inflation may persist in the next months, but analysts vary on how extensive it will continue. It may be controlled in a variety of ways. Governments can use a money supply and interest rates to reduce an economy's money supply. Politicians can also utilize wage and price restrictions to combat inflation, although these measures have historically performed badly. Considering the rise in disposable income is the significant determinant of inflation, analysts think that the state cannot do much to combat the problem, but they do agree that the Federal Reserve must boost borrowing costs. Governments have hardly any tools at their disposal to stabilize the economy.
Barbie is NOT a Role Model for Young Girls
Barbie is an haute couture doll introduced in March 1959 by the American toy firm Mattel, Inc. Mattel reportedly manufactured over a billion Barbie dolls, marking it the corporation's most successful and biggest product. Barbie is the face of a Mattel doll and accessory line. Barbie and her beau Ken have been hailed as the biggest and most popular dolls.
According to my research, the concept of Barbie started when a woman named Ruth Handler noticed her daughter, Barbara Handler, playing with paper dolls. In the 1950s, newborns dominated the figure or image of children's toy dolls, and Handler's daughter loved giving her dolls adult roles. History went on and I appreciate the fact that a woman came up with a new idea during that time that will help a younger audience deal with a much bigger picture.
My childhood, as a girl, was not filled with barbies and ponies. I was not that kind of kid who deals with stuff like that. I was more into computers and I was, kind of, proud with myself that I was introduced to that kind of area because it helped me deal with a lot of things up until adulthood. I had dolls before if I'm right with my thinking, but it wasn't Barbie dolls. My mother really informed me that I was more interested in the things that other guys liked, such as toy vehicles and firearms, which I honestly don't understand how I ever acquired. And because I don't particularly like weapons, they are indeed not a part of my life. When I watch action movies or television shows, they don't have a lot of appeal to me. Additionally, I detest automobiles and would never consider driving one if I ever had one. Most likely, I would just pay someone to drive one for me.
Nevertheless, I frequently observe my younger cousin—the second girl in our generation from my mother's side—playing with dolls. That's OK with me, but as you get older and see things like this and how kids play them, you start to realize a lot of things. Though most are negative, some could be favorable.
Barbie has a certain "standard". It's like an image-like standard. I mean, if you are going to build a doll that is Barbie-like, it has to follow an image. It can't be fat, it has to be slim. It can't be ugly, it has to be beautiful, whatever type of beauty you are picturing. It has to be a little bit tall, compared to being short. It is well-groomed and always wears "formal" outfits, not clothes that look like rugs. As always, it must be perfect from all angles.
The only problem with Barbie is that it creates a standard to the point that we think that if a real-life girl is not like Barbie, she is automatically downgraded.
It has historically been known that the Barbie doll has a significant impact on girls' self-awareness and problems with body image. And it probably created more problems than solving ones. As time pass by, people's knowledge when it comes to beauty is also widened to both positive and negative. Media platforms and beauty ideals are connected in some way. Since there are a lot of social media sites and a lot of people using them, there are instances that people create a majority standard. For example, Instagram is known for a wide variety of "beautifully conceptualized" photos. And whenever people on that platform post a photo, it has to be sexy or just meet the standard of a "good" photo. A good photo means a Barbie Doll photo. I also often see men in trunks who are Ken-like. But don't get me wrong, I don't have problems with these people. I have problems with people seeing those types of bodies as the "good" ones, making other people insecure and making other people judge other types of bodies.
We have all been brought up with various ideas and viewpoints on what constitutes beautiful. The perception of beauty is simply a shifting benchmark of what really signifies being beautiful and is dependent on the cultural ideas of feminine beauty that seem to be dominant. When nothing is absolutely perfect, girls are expected to embody this "image of perfection." When some boys can't be due to flaws in their physical or psychological structure, boys are expected to be tough.
We don't know what other people are going through, so stop judging them just because you created a world where everybody has to meet a standard so they can be considered as beautiful.
Is College Education Essential?
Every year, parents and students ask if it is worthwhile to engage in attending college. It's not just the students who will take the challenge of attending college but also the parents as they are the ones involved in taking care of their child in terms of finances and advice. Not all the time is that an incoming college student already knows what to do in a university. I went to my entrance exam at the university I attended with my mother and little brother as I do not know the area. I also have a hard time finalizing my papers back with just myself as I am from the province and the university is in the city. It's like a 4 to 5-hour drive from our place because of the traffic. And I haven't been in the city alone so I was really scared and nervous to be there alongside new faces.
Education is recognized as among the most significant strategies for achieving progressive economic mobility. University education is rapidly deteriorating around the world, including the significant increase of for-profit establishments, continually rising preconceptions about what support higher education institutions might need, and a belief in enhancement that requires degree holders to have even more abilities and expertise. University education is probably the most important weapon for competitive advantage in a global economy of the future. However, the rising expense of higher education has caused many individuals to doubt the usefulness of professional education.
Back in Senior High School, before we do the graduation ceremonies, we were asked by one of our teachers, a Brother from La Salle to be specific, to form groups. These groups include those who are pursuing a college degree, those who will find a job after graduation immediately, and those who are still questioning their future. Obviously, since I already passed the entrance exam at the university I want to attend, I joined the group who are getting into college. The ones who are questioned a lot are those who are still confused about the path they will take. I really can't blame these people as times are hard and it's hard to invest in a 4-year course as it takes a long time. Although I have to admit that I downgrade people back then who took away the education opportunity that was given to them by applying at work, I realized that I was completely wrong. Yes, it does give these people a lot of money and experience, or even make friends in the industry, however, there is always that pinch into them that most of the time, they don't like what they are doing. There are some who want to be a doctor but you can't be in the healthcare industry easily without proper education and license, and the experience in lets say hospitality industry is not really connected to being a doctor.
Getting a college degree is very important to those industries that require a bachelor's graduate. A college degree is critical for so many graduates to achieve success in the workforce. A bachelor's degree is a vital strategy for enhancing one's odds of finding work and earning a decent living. When I started applying for work during my third year in college, I always get rejected as I still haven't finished my degree. And as I browse through tons of work requirements, I always come across qualifications of being a fresh graduate in college.
When the rewards are considered, education is the wise decision for people who sought new professional prospects and those who want to contribute to their communities. Data entry jobs not only require skills of being fast and efficient in typing as they consider the WPM or words-per-minute count, but most of the jobs like this also require a degree in college. I also saw a lot of cashier jobs that require a degree in college, any college degree may do. The competition might have been a lot and the stakes are high considering there is a lot of data involved, not just the financial aspect.
Professions requiring only a high school certificate are getting lesser profitable as they become rare. Because individual and interpersonal advancement is typically stressed in liberal education, other arguments offer a more balanced view of higher education's goal. Long-established-established university students today confront significant socioeconomic-economic demands while applying to a higher institution.
However, take into account that choosing the correct university, specialty, and spending on education costs can all be challenging and complicated. Many firms prefer to recruit college graduates because they appreciate and encourage cognitive development. Individuals with a college diploma are seen as having a goal. Nonetheless, there are indications that a college degree is an expensive investment.
Does Religion Have A Place in the Government?
From the get-go, I honestly believe that any form of religion shouldn't have cared for the government. The government should not have any law that involves the reason why it was or should be implemented is because of a belief in a religion.
State and church are like a couple that has a difficult time living together but realizes they can't live apart. A married couple doesn't always experience rainbows and ponies. They also experience difficulties. However, even if there is a therapy that involves the process of binding them together again, it isn't always the solution. That is why there are countries that legalize divorce. It's because marriage will always have a problem wherein the two people involved will never work out and it's better for them to part ways. It is a much bigger picture between religion and the government as they follow different paths. Religion will always be based on faith and the Bible, or for other religions, it is named differently, while the government will always follow physical, mental, and sometimes even scientific protocols. For example, the government will never impose a law if someone doesn't believe in the afterlife as this belief is just a theory, but the Bible and many religions believe in it so it's wrong if someone in their organization believes otherwise.
Many centuries have witnessed the suffocating loss of liberty that occurs when the government mandates an official religion. In the Philippines, since Roman Catholicism is the bigger religion, we have to follow the "mandate" of this religion. However, if the Muslim is the bigger religion, we will follow their mandate, like the fact that they are not allowed to eat port. I respect that but if the government will impose a law to not eat pork, it is against my rights. So I don't get the laws that are not implemented because of a bigger religion. It makes me question that these laws are just not "okay" not because of some such reasons but because we are governed by the "bigger" religion.
Governments have a critical responsibility in facilitating religious freedom and promoting the role of religions in societal structure. Protection and safety are always the purposes of the government. As they are the ones responsible for a healthy community, they must always consider what makes the community happy. However, these protections must never involve hate or ignorance. As time went on, we must always make new decisions affecting the improvement of society, whether it is on technology, living status, or mental capability.
Religion and the government has different tracks but still follow the same aim or purpose which is to protect people. However, there should be no connection between the two. There are a lot of countries that recognize the separation of the state and the church, yet we still have laws that involve both of them. In the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, it was stated that "There shall be no law establishing religion enacted by Congress." This implies that the current regime cannot encourage or restrict religious activity at the municipal, state, or federal levels. Individuals are free to proclaim their religious convictions, but the government is not.
Religion that has a statement on the government laws causes more problems than it should resolve. Like the fact that in the Philippines, there is no same-sex marriage. The court dismisses cases filed by individuals legalizing gay marriage since they say that the Philippines has a Family Code wherein marriage should only be between a man and a woman. My take is that marriage should be between two lovers madly in love. They keep banning gay marriage but there are more cases of child marriage that are obviously against human rights as it involves a minor. There are also cases of forced marriages and by far, it still happens.
Juveniles as Adults in Crimes
Juvenile is the other term for young people. In most cases, it refers to people who are under the legal age of either 18 or 16, or 15, in some countries. People call them kids, which I think is the right thing but only because of their age and not because of how they think. I know some kids who are better liars than me. I also know kids who are still innocent in life, which I prefer that way even if their ages are 13 and below. Some kids take time to form that "mature" thinking and some are already introduced to that kind of world.
I've seen and watched a bunch of news about "kids" who are capable of committing crimes because they believe that having fun does not imply hurting others. As most children are "discovering" pleasures of life, they tend to do things that they learn from observing, from a television show or movies, or from real life, to the point where they might damage others.
I watched an episode of a series yesterday where 2 kids were "influenced" negatively by two older teenage girls to say nasty things about a music teacher, in which the teacher was put in jail because of false accusations. False accusation is a different topic, however, the fact that there were two minors involved in the situation and teen girls who are also considered "kids" as they were under the legal age, I might be wrong though, makes it nothing for the teacher after he was not guilty of any crime since there were no cases that will bring justice to him as the real victim.
There is also a movie, or series, I don't really remember, but the story goes that a child was killed because two other boys makes something fall from the top of a building and the result was the thing fell into the girl's head. Her mother was a judge and the hearing for the two boys only lasted for a few minutes as they were "minors". Minors are given the meaning of "people who don't know what they are doing yet". What makes me angrier in that story is that when the kids were heading out of the courtroom, they made smiled at the victim's mother.
Long-established- established principles that guide interactions and transitions between family, education, and employment are being called into question. There are a lot of older "statements" where the young are being influenced in. The fact that a man or a woman should not make love before marriage or kids should always pay respect to the elders is now being overused. There is nothing wrong with making love, however, if there is no love and just lust, that is where the problem is. There is nothing wrong with not respecting the elder ones unless those elders also give respect to the younger generation. Some people are really entitled in life to the point that they think that "living" status affects respect.
Individual hazards that confront today's youth, independent of orientation, ethnic background, or civil status. As young adults undertake numerous felonies and become hooked on drugs, including using violence against their peers, they frequently take a favorable position of unlawful chances. In the Philippines, there are laws protecting minors. There is one case that is really popular since the suspect involved in the killing of two minor suspects is a minor. Although she was given a sentence of a decade or so to be in jail, the shout for justice is not given equally. The suspect made up stories and even put some Facebook posts, crying for help. However, in the end, it was discovered that she planned the crime because of envy. And it is really unforgiving since the suspect was treated as a family since she is an orphan or was kept to be a family by the parents.
Obviously, there are tons of reasons why a child or an adult does things. And since they are just going in the same direction, I don't see any difference in why kids who commit crimes, who obviously know what they are doing, are not given proper sentences and are still treated as "kids".
"Respect the Elders"
Respect should be earned, although many people believe they are entitled to it, especially the elder ones or those who are in "higher" positions. As wealth has something to do with the economy, most people see those who earn lower than them as people who are also under them and think that they are better than them. A person's dignity, as the subject of respect, is traditionally based on an individual's ability to think and get a measure of independence. It is a core component of how humans interact with one another and, perhaps, plays an important role in the interaction between individuals of different or the same perspective.
Most of us want respect but forget how we should respect other people as well. What I see in the importance of respect is that it should be given to people at first glance and either be retained or removed when you get to know them. There are laws implementing such specific "respect" for people or organizations.
First of all, we have this saying, "Respect the elders.". This statement is what most kids have been taught ever since they start to understand things around them. However, as time passes by, I have my personal opinion regarding this statement. I have had a lot of negative experiences with "respecting" the elders. I, personally, noticed that my mother always says that we should respect, even those people who have put a burden on our shoulders. I don't really know if she is just really kind or if she might have already given her forgiveness to them, but either way, I am not respecting the people who don't respect me, or my family. On the outside, I am faking everything but on my mind, I am already burning them in hell.
My reason why I think respecting the elders must always be followed by the question, "Do they really deserve the respect?", is because most of them are using the statement for granted. I have met a lot of people, the elder ones, who are telling or faking scenarios just to gain sympathy from other people. And I think sympathy is one of the biggest jokes because it only looks at one area and not the roots of all causes. It might have a different meaning but people don't take it seriously.
One of my experiences in respecting the elders happened way back when I was still in high school. It all happened one afternoon when an older woman criticized the way I am babysitting my younger brother. She said that ever since I took over the job, my little brother lost weight. I didn't dare to say anything back because I was shocked by what happened and I just cried after that. I still didn't know why I cried, or maybe because I didn't fight back for myself. I think she might have gained power over me because she didn't see me fighting back against her. But at that time, I already have this thinking that this woman will never gain my respect in any way possible. She is helping us to the point that some people thought that she was the one who is "feeding" us and it just makes me sick. She is just helping us because of what the people will think of her positively and not because she really wanted to help. And it's actually a disrespect to my mother because she is doing everything she can just to provide for the family because my father is not worthy of living in this world. On top of that, what really makes me angry is that she's a family member.
Also, with respect to the elders, since we have different business industries, I still have respect for professions. Like I respect Quentin Tarantino for his films, which Kill Bill Volume 1 and 2 have been my favorite films, as well as his love of movies because he introduced me to other foreign films like "The Audition" which I really love right now. However, I once read an article where he actually is on the side of another filmmaker named Roman Polanski, who is a convicted sexual predator, but for some terrible reasons, he was not in jail at the moment, as he fled to another country before he was sentenced according to an article, and continues to make films. Tarantino's statement regarding the case was disgusting. Also, Johnny Depp supports this filmmaker. I mean, I can understand if there is a single reported assault towards a suspected person but if he will have five different reports with connection to a single crime, obviously, he is guilty. I am not a judge nor know anything about other countries' laws, but I know that with regards to human rights, we must at least bring justice to the victims.
As always, respect should be earned not just given by someone else because of their "current standing" in life.
The Mysterious Death of Nida Blanca
Nida Blanca, also known as Dorothy Guinto Jones, was born in 1936 and launched a brilliant career in the entertainment sector in the 1950s. She rose to prominence for her role in the Philippine television sitcom John en Marsha, which aired from 1973 until 1990.
Blanca began acting at the age of 14 after being found by another movie actress, Delia Razon. Her debut picture, Reyna Elena, was released in 1951. And because she was transitioning from comedy to drama, she is renowned for being a versatile performer. Blanca's ability was outstanding, and according to my research, she won every award she was nominated for, from Best Actress to Supporting Actress to Best Comedy Actress. She even won a Lifetime Achievement Award from Gawad Urian, the Philippines' Oscar-style honoring ceremony, as well as the Film Academy of the Philippines. She starred in almost 160 films and 14 television episodes in the duration of her 50-year career in the industry.
In November 2001, it became the most chilling and frightening day in the show-business industry as it was said in the news that the brilliant actress, Nida Blanca, was found lifeless in the trunk of her car on the 33rd floor of a parking lot.
Blanca was stabbed over ten times, according to crime scene detectives, physicians who examine dead corpses, and news reports. The National Bureau of Investigation opened a parricide investigation on Blanca's husband, Rod Strunk. There were 3 or 4 other persons who were also suspected in the crime, one of them is a guy named Mendel, as it was believed that Strunk could have hired a shooter or gunmen to kill his wife. Since Blanca was one of the most awarded and wealthy actresses, it was believed that the cause of the horrendous crime was money. Blanca and Strunk's marriage was on the edge of a cliff and in her last will, she stated that all of her properties and assets will go to her only daughter. However, if Blanca is dead before the annulment, their marriage will be terminated and Strunk will get some of the assets because of being a legal spouse under Philippine law.
Here is the full scenario of Blanca's death:
November 6, 2001, Nida Blanca was at the Atlanta Centre Building. Blanca was an active member of the Movies and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). Most Filipinos see the MTRCB as the ones who give the ratings, both for movies and television shows. This is very familiar since every start of a show or movie, there is always a precaution before to know that the next video will either be good for kids, or might need parental guidance, or is not really recommendable for kids to watch at all. At around 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon, Blanca left the building to go to a wake in Forbes Park, Makati City. However, at 10:00 in the evening, her assistant, Elena Dela Paz, got worried because she hasn't heard from her boss during that time, so she called the actress' friends but they have no idea where she is as well. Dela Paz went to the Atlanta Centre Building and was told by the guard that Blanca's car was parked but since she thought that the actress might have gone into a different vehicle, she went home and told Blanca's husband, Strunk, that she had not seen her.
November 7, at 8:00 a.m., a guard on duty was examining the 6th-floor parking space and saw blood on the floor. A trail of blood led him to a green Nissan Sentra owned by Nida Blanca. The car was secured when the security guard arrived, but the actress was discovered unconscious in the trunk.
According to the inquiry, because the actress died as a result of a stabbing, they originally checked the weapon that may have been used, thinking that the suspect might have used a separate set of knives, but it was later determined to be a single knife. There were no injuries on her face, indicating that she had been punched or fought back to rescue herself. The truck was likewise clean and neat, indicating that there was no "fight" inside. Because the security officer discovered a blood trail, the corpse might have been moved from one location to another.
A man by the name of Pedro Phillip Medel, Jr. came out to the public and admitted that he was the suspect in Nida Blanca's death. Medel released a statement and he used such "flowery" names to refer to people, excluding a man named Mike Martinez, who was the guy who called him to participate in a project called Tantoco Project. In his statement, he said that around 10:00 pm, he and another man he referred to as "Rad" parked in the parking lot of the Atlanta Centre Building next to a green car. Medel fell asleep as they were waiting and Rad went out of the car. Medel woke up around 1:00 am and saw Rad and two other women. Rad pushed a woman into the back seat of a car with the help of the other woman and as Medel saw it, he joined and began stabbing the woman.
The public made thought that Medel might have been referring to Rod Strunk as the "Rad", however, Strunk denied all allegations. Strunk was arrested for the crime in 2003. In 2007, he committed suicide by jumping off the hotel he was staying in.
My Experience with the K-12 Program
K-12 might not be one of the solutions to the ongoing rant about applying for a job in the Philippines because most companies or employers look for people to have a Bachelor's degree in a specific field. Fresh graduates are welcome to apply to most companies, even though some are in competition with those who have work experience.
I was one of the products of the K-12 program. I was one of the first batches to graduate from such a specific area. Honestly, I didn't really know anything about the program. I just knew that it has to be implemented at that time and in return we will have an access to gain the National Certification and at the same time, work in a company or industry to do hands-on in terms of the track we are enrolled in.
I actually liked the experienced I had during those times. I got to work in a respectable and reputable company called "Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar". It was a 2-week work and we are introduced to several different departments since we are entitled to different courses in the Tourism industry. At first, I was in the Events Management department but instead of actually doing paper-works or doing something for an event, I was assigned to be a waitress. It was really tiring because there were a lot of people and it was my first time waiting for people. Actually, the waiting or serving part was not the hardest part but rather when you are in the back, wiping plates because that is when you will feel the exhaustion. We were told that we are not allowed to sit down so when we are standing up and wiping with a cloth, we will feel our legs, in like a painful manner. We also had to take our lunch late since the event requires a lot of manpower. Then we have to work in the Front Office Area. It was not what I was expecting but it was a good experience though. The best part was actually presenting the map of the place to the guests. I got to somehow strengthen my knowledge when it comes to English because there were tons of foreign guests and I was able to speak to them. Although I felt the pressure because the script is originally in Tagalog but then again, in the heat of the moment, you just have to cross the bridge. The third area was the Photography area. I was not really a fan of that part but we got to somehow do photographs of the area which was a good thing. I have taken photos that I am really proud of and the chance to really touch a camera was an exciting moment. The last part was to be in the Tour Guiding industry. I didn't expect that I would like it because I am not a fan of memorizing things and at the same time, being "intelligent" in that area because questions will come and go from time to time. And there were a lot of names and places that were included so that was the hardest part of the challenge. However, it was the part where I was challenged in a way that I questioned myself on how did I do it.
Out of the four departments and tracks I took in Senior High School, as we live in a province where it is really hard to find an organization that will provide access to the National Certificates, only two were given to us. I got really excited when I was handed the certifications but at the same time, I thought that this isn't the path I really want in life. Yes, there are opportunities out there but the experience and knowledge I gained in that area were not enough for me to be able to get into a company.
I knew that I have to be in college after high school because I want to pursue a passion for technology. I know that my parents are not really a fan of what I chose but I'm glad that they didn't interfere in any form or manner.
But all in all, I would say that the K-12 Program was not really a good thing for most or possibly all students who have taken it. The people I know who went into the program, and who also decided to not continue to college, are currently not working in connection to the tracks that they had during their Senior High School days. I can say that they might have learned things from their studies and hands-on but it wasn't enough.
Companies are still looking for college graduates. Work experience is a plus or even required for some but having a college degree does say a lot about the candidate. There are employers who are willing to have candidates without prior knowledge since they can provide training, which is a good thing in most circumstances.
I just hope that people who went to the K-12 program will not get into any negativity from the ongoing news of pulling out the program.
Is Abortion Important or Not?
Abortion is also called a spontaneous miscarriage. Miscarriages happen when a pregnant woman suddenly experienced an unexpected ending of a pregnancy. Most of the time, it happens when the pregnant woman is doing something that she is not doing like carrying a heavy object or any other means.
Let's start from the beginning. So pregnancy happens when a sperm cell and an egg cell meet. These two cells came from a man and a woman. So during pregnancy, both sexes are involved in the creation of a baby. Sex and gender are, technically, discussed as different terms. Sex refers to the assignment given at birth, in particular to the reproductive organs. Gender is a social construct identity of a person. These two should never be debated and must be pure common sense anywhere in the world. Part of innovation is not just the things we use every day, but our mindsets as well.
Going back to pregnancy, not all the time, this happens because of love. Sometimes it happens because of lust. And by lust, I mean, by force. A pregnant woman can be the result of a man that doesn't like the word "No." and does know the difference between right and wrong but will do the wrong if it doesn't happen his way. A law involving forced sex must be included in the Ten Commandments. And even if it isn't in the Ten Commandments from the Catholic Church, people who consider themselves as the Children of God but do the opposite, or not, should know that even though the Bible doesn't pretty much address the issue of a sexual assault, the Hebrew Bible has a story of a woman being a victim of one, Dinah. However, the Bible is being read because it contains stories of faith. These stories should reflect the sins we do and we are about to do and the consequences we might face if we do those things.
I came across, once again, one of my favorite saints of all time, Saint Maria Goretti. Saint Goretti wasn't sexually attacked but she was supposed to be assaulted by a man named Alessandro Serenelli at the age of twelve in her home after hatred got into him because of countless refusals from the Saint. Her story has no relation at all to abortion itself but her forgiveness to her attacker rather than filling her mind with hatred was one of the most astonishing things I have ever read in my life.
Any form of attack on women, or men, can be considered violence against human rights. If Saint Maria Goretti was not killed but rather assaulted, she would carry a child because of that. Not only the child but the trauma of the incident, the mark that will haunt her for the rest of her life, and the flashbacks every day that will soon make her do things unimaginable. I am not saying that she should abort the fetus, which according to my science, does not have the capacity of feeling something. Although I heard people say that even though it's not formed yet, it will be formed a few months from now, if that is the case, we consider masturbation a form of ending lives, because if those sperms will go to an egg cell, it will also be "formed" as a baby.
Through my research about what the Catholic Church has to say about victims of such horrendous crimes, Father Vincent Serpa O.P. said that "Rape is defined by the Catechism as "the violent breach of another person's sexual intimacy," and it can harm the victim's "moral integrity." However, in this context, integrity refers to completeness."
There is a United Nations agency called World Health Organization (WHO). Most of us might have heard of it already because it's obviously the standard when it comes to helping people's lives when it comes to health. According to the critically-acclaimed organization, there are about 121 unintended pregnancies, whether they came from an assault or women who are not yet ready to have a child. According to WHO, abortion may be conducted safely and efficiently in a number of situations and by a variety of persons, including various sorts of health providers and the woman herself in early pregnancy.
I am not pro-life nor con-life but I would rather see the victim go back to being happy by doing what she thinks is best for her. I am not saying that if she doesn't want to have a child, she should undergo an abortion. What I am saying is that abortion is one of the rights that should be given to women and victims of crimes to help them from the trauma and relive the lives they should have.
In some ways, I just think that if men are the ones who gets pregnant, there will be no debate about this one.
Why Your Vote Matters?
Politicians take a gamble between money and votes. Most of the time, these things are like bread and butter. It is uncommon for people to not hear or encounter money during elections. It became a common thing that even if it is already unethical, people still do it.
There are smart, or rather wise, people who actually take advantage of the money given by people running for a government position by voting for those who they really want in the position. It actually makes sense since this so-called "money" is obviously from the people themselves since they are the ones giving money to government employees because of their taxes. It's been going on for years that I remember there is actually a local Filipino movie that talks about this one. I forgot the title but it stars the actor, Jhong Hilario, and other big stars. I watched midnight and I was kind of shocked by what I have seen and heard from that film but overall, it's an eye-opener to the generations who are not really familiar with these types of things.
For the past couple of months scrolling through social media sites, laughing at tons of people fighting each other because of different preferred candidates, and going to government websites for finding reliable sources for those running for a higher position in the government, I have broken down some important details that you might want to take a deep breathe and think for a while. It's not really a guide, but rather an analysis of how people roll their dice.
People who negatively judge other candidates will always play the victim card. It goes, either way, whether you're voting for someone and the other one is voting for another candidate, as long as you have this kind of mindset, you will always play the victim card.
People will say to never believe anything the social media platform says because they lack research and are obviously based on the opinion of one person only but will post something that will benefit their intellectual knowledge. I know many people who do this and continuously do this. It's like saying "Don't believe anything a monkey says." and this sentence came from a monkey itself.
People will only research their candidates. And once they find something that is negative about the other party, they will rely on sources that don't even have a somewhat "good" research team. For example, a person will say that presidential aspirant, Bongbong Marcos Jr., is a tax evader, without knowing what tax evasion is. Or, a person will say that presidential aspirant, Manny Pacquiao, lacks knowledge when it comes to answering questions, without knowing how hard it is for a not-so-fluent-speaker to speak a language he is not really comfortable with. The point is that we should always do research because it will help build constructive criticism instead of giving a judgment based on opinion only. Yes, opinions are okay but they must be thought through thoroughly before voicing them out.
There will always be a black sheep, either a black sheep that is not accepted in the team because of his/her background or current standing in life, or a black sheep that stands out because of how unique he/she is.
Voting requires very little maintenance, but the impact of your decision will extend far beyond a person's political tenure. Voting is as much about simply electing a candidate; it's about picking the policy recommendations and factors that affected choices that will affect our town, state, and country.
Elections are a critical chance to promote democracy and political freedom. Certain civic rights, namely the right to free speech, organization, and movement, are necessary for a democratic referendum.
Education is perhaps the most significant social and economic element influencing voter turnout. Even when other characteristics strongly connected with educational qualification, such as money and class, are controlled for, the further knowledgeable someone is, the more apt they ought to vote.
The Importance of Holy Week
It felt a bit different this time. I wouldn't say that I felt the same feeling that I'm supposed to be having despite being still in the pandemic but I still had that same wish.
Holy Week week encompasses Palm Sunday and Easter in the Christian church, and it is marked with extra pomp and circumstance as a season of commitment to Jesus Christ's Passion. In the fourth century, St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, and St. Epiphanius of Constantia coined the term Holy Week. Wednesday was established as the day the Judas intended to disobey Jesus, as well as the other days of the week, were introduced by the beginning of the following century.
On Sunday, we went to Church. During the Homily, the priest said something about Magdalene. Oftentimes, almost everybody portrays her as someone who "sells" her body. If we are to talk about that during this generation, and maybe other generations, those who "sell" their body for a living are often put down by society. They think of them as people who are very dirty in life and will "never" change despite moving into a different job. The priest said that we should stop referring to Magdalene as that kind of person, but rather she should be called the Apostle to the Apostles. We all know that she is the first person to witness the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
One thing that I noticed with the Homily is that it teaches us that we should often look at why things happen in life. Yes, Mary Magdalene has been pictured as a "not-so-good" woman and was even one of the most controversial figures in the Bible's history but there's more to it. Mary Magdalene was a Galilean lady from Magdala, a little fishing village. She is depicted as the only disciple who properly comprehends Jesus' message of peace in the Gospel of Mary, which isn't really fully recognized by the Church, putting her in direct confrontation with the apostle Peter.
Personally, I don't blame people who go into that "industry" and I am hating them. I don't see them as "dirty" or someone who is below the pyramid. I don't think people really want to be in that kind of job, however, there are circumstances in life and we should be open-minded about these things. There are people who are "forced" into that kind of business wherein some evil soul must have sold them to another evil soul or they have to pay their debts and it's their only way to have money. It's not on the same level as someone who is a thief or politicians who are corrupt. They don't steal money. They do their "service" and they get paid for it, just like everybody else. Although I don't see myself going into that business I support them, as long as they are not harming themselves and everybody else.
Another thing that is slightly controversial is the self-flagellation. Now, I am really not against it but it seems that my mother is. She said that "They are only hurting their selves.", which in my translation is she is definitely not into it. From my research, the Catholic doesn't officially sanction self-flagellation or self-mortification, however, some Popes are already in favor of it. I have seen videos in some areas where a priest completely shuts off the Church because those people involved in it are making their way inside. Of course, there was a negative reaction from the people and honestly, I am with them. I mean, even Judas who betrayed Jesus was accepted so how come these people who have "religious vows" are not?
As always, there are two sides to any story. We should always open our minds when things aren't in our favor. That, I think, is the spirit of the Holy Week.
The Importance of Lent Season
Lent came from the English word "Lengthen", which is a period of 40 days to remember the events prior to the death of Jesus Christ, including His death itself. Lent starts with Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is an important day because it teaches us how privileged people can be and how we can use this privilege to help other people through prayers.
So why do Christians celebrate Lent? What is the most important lesson that we can get by celebrating such a period?
Lent is the Christian celebration that precedes the Epiphany Season. It's a day we withheld every year to commemorate Divine love. Christians who embrace Lent often make a concerted effort to sacrifice or give up a habit or something. On Fridays, devout Lent adherents abstain from eating meat, preferring instead to consume fish. These religious practices are intended to deepen the observer's spirituality and establish stronger contact with God.
Lent is a symbol of sacrifice. In Christianity, we are taught about how Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for our own sake. When Jesus was out in the New Testament, Satan urged Him to move away from Faith and glorify him rather, but Jesus resisted, hence why individuals may give up anything to put their own consciousness to the strain. Satan used all of his strengths to convince Jesus to worship him but he failed. During that 40-day giving of temptations, Jesus never failed to think about the other way even when He was presented with so many "luxurious" things.
We often do sacrifices. It may be big or small but at the end of the day, it differs between how the impact will change our lives.
I am always fascinated by the fact that Jesus has been sacrificing everything throughout His life. I mean, during those times, He can easily pick or choose something that will benefit Him like having a habit of fishing or going out with friends, but no, He chooses what is best for everybody. Up until His last breath, He chose the sake of mankind.
I actually have a story about sacrifice but it's not that big.
One thing that I always regret is the fact that I follow what society says rather than my happiness. When I was in Senior High School, I have a lot of options on my sleeves. We took a test to see what courses can we get based on how we answered some easy questions. I have a lot of things going through my mind at that time. At some point, I wanted to take up law. However, I didn't want to bring the burden of being shy and not being able to speak up for myself so I didn't do it. Although I have a lot of dreams that I want to do when I think about becoming a lawyer, I was not as confident as I should be. So my next choice was Film Making. I do love video editing and I love making stories whenever a group project is about making a short film. But I will never forget what my mother told me when I said to her that I want to be a director. She said that I should pick something that by the end of the college year, I am sure that I will make money out of it. Maybe her perspective on directors isn't that big because, somehow, the entertainment industry directors don't make a lot of money. I felt a bit down when I heard that but at that time, I didn't let it all make me feel disappointed. Maybe now, as I am looking back, I should have been in a happier place if I followed that dream.
Yes, I do love my course, but at some point, I am not happy with it. I feel like I'm just doing these things because they should be done. I am not the same person when I entered college, hoping that someday I will get food on the table and more food for the other day. It's kind of rude on my part because one thing that I should never have a problem with is the privilege that I have to be in school. Like not everybody can go to school, I always have to be thankful for what I have been given.
Right now, even if I am already on the last leg in college, I am finding a hard time trying to figure out what is waiting for me. I am not losing hope but of course, we can't find happiness in something that we are just forced to do.
The Importance of Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is a day of acts of worship for Christians. It occurs 46 days before the scheduled Easter Sunday. It is amongst the most well-known and significant religious holidays in the Christian calendar.
Many devotees take the remainder of the day off from work and stay at home. Ashes are a liturgical emblem of atonement that becomes sacramental by the Church's benediction, and therefore encourages us to cultivate an attitude of sorrow and commitment. It is not necessary to wear the ashes for the remainder of the day, and they'll be rinsed off after Holy mass Many individuals, nevertheless, preserve the ashes as a remembrance until nightfall.
So earlier today, my mom, little brother, and I went to Church to be part of the Holy Mass for Ash Wednesday. We went a bit late so we have to stand outside because even though there are available chairs on the side of the building, we want to see the priest and properly hear the prayer. One of the things that struck me the most during the Homily was the fact that Father was able to remind us that as Catholics, we must attend at least one of the two prayer gatherings as part of the celebration. It deeply went into my mind because most of the time, we don't get to visit the church because of family obligations. And it's one of the rudest excuses someone can say but things changed since the beginning of the pandemic. We promised ourselves to attend the mass once a week but since there are certain situations where people can't gather, we didn't fulfill that promise. And I was standing outside, the message reminded me that time with self is the same time with the Lord. Although not many people in God, we all have the same thinking that we have faith within us. Maybe faith in humanity or just in the world itself but at least, we don't disrespect other people's beliefs and mindsets.
Many people probably don't get the idea of why we have to "lessen" the process of eating, or what we call fasting. Like during this season, the religious people encourage everyone to cut off dinner out of the three meals. I didn't get it at first. And since it's part of the traditions and beliefs of my religion, I didn't even question it before nor became curious to the reason why. However, earlier, during the Holy Mass, Father said that it's because that particular meal that we decided to cut will be faithfully given to those in need. We are not living under the rock to know that the world is suffering from world hunger, not because we don't have enough food, but the expenses in food are not affordable to many. We all have to make a living so most people don't have a choice but to do inhuman things to survive.
Like I always say to myself, we have different shoes. So when we meet someone new, we can't judge them based on what they say but on how they think and respond to a situation. I have met many people who think the way they want and are not open to other people's opinions. It's like saying that someone is a thief, even if that person is not convicted or jailed under the court of law, but when other people say that to you, you become completely defensive about it. We can't rely on the internet alone. So when you go to Omegle or any social media platform where you get a random user to interact with, always be open-minded about things.
Another thing that I learned about life, which affected my way of thinking, is that we all have different opinions. Maybe yours is right and mine is wrong. However, don't ever go beyond the bush when arguing with someone. There is this thing called respect. It is something that is earned and not given just because you are considered older or a "high-profile" person. Or maybe respect those who respect you. I don't understand why people make excuses just to get away with something. You can get away with it a few times but not forever. That is why all sins must be forgiven but never forgotten, they must be remembered, so every time you make something that you think you have done before, you will know the impact of the consequence.
This season is given to people to have a reconciliation with God. So take some time to breathe and be as kind as you can be.
The Contribution of Technology in Education
I think that we can all agree that education has changed ever since technology came into the picture. It somehow became part of our lives. From the moment we are born, we are already exposed to the systems made by technology, except maybe those who were able to give birth by "hand", since there are still provinces that practice the old tradition of giving birth.
My course revolves around technology and I don't think that lessons taught to us will not exist unless technology was made. Ever since I started to take my hands on the keyboard, I know that I'm in love with technology right then and on. As exaggerating as it may say, I don't think that I can survive without technology since everything that is in my home right now is made from it. These things were not all made by hand, from chairs to utensils to toiletries. It's actually hard to survive and be the best without the use of technology since most businesses and jobs are already advanced when people are doing their tasks. Even in farming, farmers use equipment to properly and, I would say, easily do the things they should do, however, I'm not saying that farming is easy since the way rice is being planted are most of the time done by hand.
New technology, according to many in the technology profession, can help schools fulfill the demands of extremely diverse demographics. Numerous institutions provide district-owned operating systems to learners and enable them to use their own from outside. Most institutions already have their own online platforms to properly distribute news and documents to students and for privacy acts. I think one of the major disadvantages of having a no-school email address is that people can easily join school meets online, especially if the teacher in charge of the class doesn't have the final list of students enrolled in that class and if the students use different names for their emails. Unlike Zoom, which requires both ID and password before joining in and letting the host confirm your attendance, Google Meet only requires the admit from the host.
Academic software and apps have become increasingly "adaptive," reliant on innovation and analytics to assess not just what student has mastered, but also how he or she learns and even how they feel. The usage of online platforms from Google-like Microsoft products is very useful. For example, because of the pandemic, institutions are not allowing students to gather in one place, so when they make a document, the use of Google Docs is extremely useful because they can all make changes in one document at once. My group usually does it for our thesis paper. And it's a great thing because unlike the use of Microsoft Word where you have to save it before sending it before your teammate can make changes to the document. This might be as basic as engaging in a tech-enabled brainstorming session or completing an interactive quiz in the lecture hall.
Rapid technological transformation and the expansion of digitized gadgets and services have accompanied social evolution in recent times. Technology has emerged as a new tool for motivating, differentiating, and allowing pupils to accomplish and flourish in methods they didn't even know existed.
However, since not all of us are not capable of owning a device for school or even know how to use these online tools, we still can't close our minds that online learning is not applicable to everyone. There are still people who are struggling and they can't be able to produce the same energy another student has if they don't have the proper equipment. It's like cooking soul food but you have a wok. I don't say that using a wok is a bad thing but I don't think that cooking soul food in a wok is a good practice. There should be consistency with everything so that the product will be worth it.
Digital learning and the correct gadgets in learners' grubby paws enable them to develop the professional and commercial capabilities they'll need to succeed in life. Students can benefit from technology since it makes learning more enjoyable and interactive. Students are taught by doing and independent thought rather than memorizing knowledge.
@stellaluna