Meeting Titanic's Younger Sibling!

Titanic has not been new to you because it was a world renowned sinkable boat believing to be an unsinkable one. It was in 1912 that Titanic was made and it was one of the ships that made a record in history. Here comes its younger sibling Duolos, that was constructed in 1914. Just two years was there gap, not knowing to be one of the surviving ships nowadays.

I only learned and knew these interesting facts when my classmates and I went personally to visit this amazing and magnificent ship. I really can’t believe that MV Duolos was still in its existence. Ninety-three years of exploring the seas and oceans of Mother Earth was its route. It was still in its existence because it was constructed under God and only God can ruin and sink the ship.

MV Duolos was constructed for a reason and that reason is to fulfill an act started by Jesus which is to do good. It had its visit to Cebu this year once again with an aim of bringing knowledge to Cebuanos by bringing books which can be the source of more wisdom and experience as well.

When we went there, different races of people welcomed us with their big and warm smiles. This ship also symbolizes that races are not a hindrance to do good and that everyone of us even not of the same race can still count on each other because we are all created by one, God. God created us for a purpose, just like the MV Duolos which is to serve the people.

We went to the MV Duolos together with the Third years last February 15. We arrived there at about 1:30 pm. We were welcomed by the different races of people and an orientation was made, narrating the purpose of Duolos’ visit. We enjoyed their presentation to us and after the orientation; we proceed immediately to their bookstore where different kinds of books were sold. Even though the books were expensive, it has still significance to the readers. Some of these books cannot be found here in the bookstores of Cebu for it comes from outside of the Philippines. There books are all meaty and has lessons.

I didn’t bought anything because my money was just enough for my needs in school. What I did was just to scan the books and after, to gaze at the sea of Cebu which I find to be great and refreshing. It was my second time to experience being on a ship.

We explored the ship and I found out that it was great to stay there because it is like a home. After touring the place, farewell was our answer to them because everything has to end but we will not forget the experience we had in our stay in this great ship.

This was a once in a lifetime experience because the ship had its visit all around the world to bring service to people all over the continent. This people serving in the ship are only volunteers and are paid by their own efforts through selling things which can also benefit them and to their buyers as well.

This ship is an epitome of volunteerism. There is a spirit of volunteerism in MV Doulos because people serving here only lives and earns in their own effort by helping one another not just to supply their needs but also to serve others as well.

MV Duolos is a ship guided by GOD and that’s why it is still existing until today!

Why Do We Celebrate Valentines Day?

This was my topic during the impromptu speaking we had during our English time with Sir Em-Em. We had this activity December, I think? Well during that time I don’t have a clearer view on Valentines Day because I was thinking more on Christmas.

Since it’s the month of February, or shall we say the month of the hearts, I would like to tell you what Valentines for me is.

During Valentines , we can notice that the air is filled with love. Not made just by lovers but also for people who treasure their loved ones as well. This month gives importance and let us realizes that we need to thank those people who loved us and we love us also. It is the love that keeps the world go round aside from money which is not that important in this world.

Chocolates, flowers and heart-shaped things are all around because these things symbolize love and the Day of the hearts. Yes, this is true because we really need to thank these people who loved us because without them we will not learn how to love and be loved. It is a nice feeling that someone loves and treasures us.

During the Valentines Day, we had no classes because there was a unitwide seminar for the teachers of UP High. What I am busy doing is our CyberFair. I had to take pictures of our assigned venue which is the Abellana Sports Complex. Together with me when I went there was Czarina. When we went there, we noticed that the Abellana High School had lots of vendors that sells flowers, chocolates and heart-shaped things. They have no formal classes and some of them were in the grandstands of the oval while others were outside of their rooms bringing flowers. I think those flowers were for their loved ones or lovers. The school had big speakers that played love songs. The whole venue was really perfect for lovers although it was for sports and recreation. I have the time to explore and find out what Valentines really means for people nowadays. They go out with their girlfriends or boyfriends during this special day. That is what Valentines means to them.

For me, it is not only the time for their girlfriends or boyfriends but for those people who treated them special. Love makes us all special and that’s why I like to love. It is one of our natural rights second to the right to live, the right to love.

Love cannot ruin someone compared to money although it can cause pain when we are being heartbroken or hurt by our loved ones. I really don’t envy lovers during Valentines Day because I have lots of admirers and lovers who loved me for being who I am. The people I’m referring to are my parents, friends and those people who love me.

During this event, I am happy that people love each other. There will be no trouble if everyone loves each other. But we should not limit this day to our lovers because the real meaning of this special day is our love for each other; that we are given such feeling for us to make each other special and to make us more inspired to strive hard to fulfill our dreams.

Valentines isn’t just loving someone but making others special through our love. Love cannot be explained by words because only action does it.

" A Study on the Effects of Rice Hulls on the Leaf Intake of Golden Apple Snails"

This is the title of our research study which we are very busy doing with because of the incoming Sci-Tech Week. The Sci-Tech Week will be this February 19. Based on our data we gathered, we have concluded, that rice hulls are really good for snail management. I will be going to tell you why rice hulls are effective in golden apple snail management.

Golden Apple Snails (GAS), scientifically known as Pomacea canaliculata or Golden “kuhol” in the Philippines is a freshwater gastropod native to South America that was introduced to the Philippines in the 1980’s. The escargot industry, which used GAS as a staple food and as a source of income for the farmers, did not develop much. Because of this, the snails were released and escaped and accidentally went to ricefields.

The GAS imposed harm to farmers because they cause crop destruction to rice and taro crops. They cannot be managed that easily because they reproduce very fast and that they are very voracious eaters. They are considered as the “100 World’s Worst Invaders”.

Overall, there are existing control methods in managing GAS. However, these measures can either hustle the farmers or can even impose danger to the environment like the chemicals for example.

GAS are very sensitive to harsh conditions. When they are exposed to harsh conditions, they secrete mucus- like substance which is their mode of defense. When they excrete mucus, there is a mode of an action of a molluscicide. When they excrete mucus, they become weak because of dehydration and will eventually result to the desiccation of the snail.

One of the things that snails are very sensitive to are materials having rough and abrasive property. That’s why the study focused on the rice hulls as an agent to control these apple snails.

We used rice hulls because of two reasons: 1.) Rice hulls have an abrasive property that results to the excretion of mucus-like substance by the snails and 2.) Rice hulls are waste and contribute to a great garbage problem here in the Philippines. This has caused a big problem to rice millers who end up dumping and burning these wastes.

This study entails the use of rice hulls as an irritant to golden apple snails to discourage them from eating too much of the rice and taro which has been so important to us people.

This study tries to find out effects of rice hulls on the leaf intake of golden apple snails.

Based on the data gathered and the findings, the conclusions were 1.) Rice hulls are effective in lessening the leaf intake of Golden Apple Snails.; 2.) The application of more amount of rice hulls effectively lessen the leaf intake of GAS because rice hull has its abrasive property that discourages the snails from eating too much and; 3.) The rough surface of the rice hull irritated the snail that enables them from secreting mucus which is their defense mechanism from the abrasiveness of the rice hull that eventually weakens them because of dehydration.

The study was successful in identifying rice hull as an agent to control and manage GAS. This research study is very beneficial to rice millers and some farmers throughout the regions. The results of the study may provide the rice millers a better way of disposing these rice hulls. For the farmers, on the other hand, these hulls will serve as a method of managing golden apple snails.

This study recommends that to further lessen the crop destruction caused by the golden apple snails, the farmers are recommended to apply rice hulls to farmlands instead of using chemicals. To make use of rice hulls, the rice millers are recommended to turn these over to farmers. To expand and improve the study, the future researchers are recommended to tackle other variables such as agricultural wastes or even the procedure. This study will provide much needed information in creating such studies.

Chika Galore on Our JS Prom!

Last February 9, that was Friday, we had our JS Promenade. The assembly time was 4:00 pm and I arrived there at exactly 4:00 pm. When I arrived there, I met the students of Science High School who also held their JS Prom in the same venue which is the Waterfront Hotel. My mom was the one who was very busy preparing for my coat and tie. When I arrived at the Arctic Hall in Waterfront, I saw my classmates and schoolmates in their very elegant gowns and coats. That affair was very formal for me because during that event we were not treated as students but rather we are treated as adult people. My mom was there to escort me to Waterfront and I can see her very big smile because of gladness. She told me that she was happy because she can see that I already grown big and I’m now ready to enter the world of being an adult, a responsible adult. I also saw our teachers also in their fabulous attires.

The affair was started by the presentation of the ladies with their escorts. My partner was Carla and Jessica of III-Bocobo, i think? We had our walk on the aisle and a post in front of the presidential table with our teachers there staring at us and to other students as well with a very big smile. After the presentation, an Invocation was made led by China followed by the Welcome Remarks of Patrick Pata. After the Welcome Remarks, dinner was served. The buffet table was full of very delicious and mouth-watering foods. Personally, I like all the foods and I was bloated after I ate 2 plates of different kinds of food. We had to go to the Rest Room back and forth because of the food and the cold place as well. The men offered their coats to their girl partners because they were wearing gowns.

A tribute was offered to the Seniors by the Juniors after the dinner. Different songs of the present time and the classical times as well were sung. We really enjoyed their presentation to us. After the tribute, a Prophecy was presented still by the Juniors to the Seniors. The Prophecy tells about or narrates the lives of the Seniors after 10 years. The production was very nice and we were all touched by their effort to make us happy because this will be our last stay here in UP High School.

It’s time for the Seniors to have their Legacy. Legacy is the part wherein the Seniors who have their own legacies or characteristic bequeath their titles to the next batch which is the Juniors. The bequeathing of responsibilities is considered to be the highlight of the affair. This is a very significant part because the Juniors who have no idea of their titles will be given the chance to be known based on the characteristic, talent or skill in which they excel.

After the bequeathing of the legacies, a bigger responsibility was given to the Chairpersons of the two sections of the Third years. A key, which is a symbolic icon, is a proof that they accept will all their heart the big responsibility that the people expect them to do.

Picture taking of the class and batch was made after the bequeathing of responsibilities and after it the informal part of the program was followed.

The Search for Junior Prince and Princess, Senior Prince and Princess and Prom King and Queen started the informal part. Gayle Lorraine Tallo and Mark Quimbo was the nights’ Prom Queen and King. They started the Royal Dance and then followed by all of the “students” inside the place. After the Royal Dance, the Disco, which is most liked by the people, was followed. The people all grew wild but became serious when the last song for the last dance was played.

After the disco, all of us sang the Fellowship Song which is the “Ill be There For You” by the Moffats. The affair was ended by the singing of the university hymn, the “UP Naming Mahal”.

For me, the JS Prom was very enjoyable and memorable too. This will be our last Prom in UP High School and we will not forget all those memories we had.

A Time to Pass Responsibilities!

What I am going to take up now in this section of my blog is the Junior-Senior Promenade. JS Prom is not what we think of finding love. It is an event wherein the Seniors, or let us just say the older ones, finally pass their responsibilities to the next generation because the higher ones who took the responsibility will leave the campus.

In reality, there are really times that we need to pass these responsibilities because we want them to learn how to manage or lead members and to be responsible enough because we are now adults and our role in the society is to make a significant difference. We let them experience what responsibilities we’ve taken because time will come that these next generation will soon replace us and our country and society needs such responsible people.

A lot of people are afraid of responsibilities and I think that only children should not be given responsibilities because they have more things to learn. These people who are coward of responsibilities surely will not progress because he/she is not trusted of things because he/she is not that responsible enough.

Nowadays, responsible people are very few. A lot of people are very carefree and does think of their personal needs. They think of the present rather than the future which is more important because the present is the foundation of what will happen next. It should be assured that we should have a good and strong foundation in life for us to succeed in our life and our career as well.

JS Prom is the time when these young people we think before are now ready to take the path of an adult and ready to face their challenges by themselves without the help of their parents anymore. They will act like ladies and gentlemen because soon they will become parents who will also mold a future leader.

JS Prom also teaches us how to be aware of the society; that we should be conscious enough because we are already molded because of the stages of challenges that we’ve been through. It realizes us that we are no longer the little children of our parents; that we are already old enough to accept responsibilities and we don’t need the help of our parents or other people to solve our problems because we are already supplied with knowledge that enables us to think of correct and wise decision. In addition, it also realizes us that we are the next batch of generation to take the lead, take care, and protect our next generation who will soon replace us in the future. All of us have turns when it comes to responsibility and it exempts no one for it is a must to accept this deed. Without it, our life would be meaningless for we are created to be responsible enough to serve others. We were born for a cause and that cause is not to serve ourselves but to serve others.

JS Prom is not merely for finding a loved one but rather find someone who will accept the responsibility because we love them and we won’t let the next generation to suffer just because the older generation is not that responsible enough.

All of us have responsibilities we need to fulfill and do. Passing responsibility that teaches our young ones is the real essence of JS Prom.

Am I Ready For College Life in UP?

When I was talking to Jessa about our research project, she told me that the results for the UPCAT were already been posted in the internet. When I heard that news, I told my mom that the results were already posted. My mom during that very moment was the one who was very excited to look for the results. During that time, I was not expecting that I will be included in the list because during the test, I skipped a lot of questions. I was worried about the one-fourth deduction for wrong answers, so to play safe, I only answered those questions that I have a sure answer. I told my mom that she better not to expect me to be included in the list. I opened our computer, connected the internet and logged on to the site of the UPCAT results. When I clicked on the link, the site had an error. I thought that maybe it was because our internet connection was slow so my mom sent me to a café and still there was error. So, I decided to go home and open again my computer and thank God, when I searched my name, it appeared. My mom was so happy and so do I. I passed my first choice-course which is BA Psychology.

Because of that results and because I will be studying in UP, I had some questions to myself that; can I really adapt to the environment of UP College where the people here are liberated and intelligent as well? Can I survive UP College? Is BA Psychology the best course for me in UP? These are the things that come into my mind. Because of the confusion that comes on my mind, I asked my mom, why she likes UP to be my school for college. She told me that UP offers quality education and low tuition fee compared to other schools in Cebu. She also told me that this school is the breeding ground for respected and famous persons of the country. Because of those things that my mom had told me, I agreed to her that UP will make me a better person and will help me succeed in the future. It is my great honor to study in this school where people are free to express their opinions and share their knowledge.

What I don’t like in UP College is their dilapidated and haunted buildings. Well, I can’t argue on that because I’m not the owner of the land.

I am happy that when I go to college, I can still visit my UP High School where I spent my whole high school life together with my classmates and schoolmates who have become my friends. I also hope that when I will enter the realms of UP College, some of my high school classmates are still there so that I will not be lonely when I started studying there.

I am really thankful to God, to my parents, to my teachers and friends and to all who believed in my capabilities. On this next stage of my life, I hope that my college years will be as memorable as my high school years.

Reflections on Being Taught By Students

Last January 25-26 2007, the University of the Philippines had an activity known as the Know Your School Day (KYSD). The activity only lasted for two days due lack of time because the Finals for the school year has started and there are still lots of activities that are needed to be done. In preparation for the activity, the students who wanted to apply for positions like teacher, principal and other school personnel filled in forms that are approved by the teachers they are going to take place during the two-day activity. Before approval, the student teachers underwent an interview with the teacher and if permitted shall teach the students on the day he/she is assigned to teach. During the opening ceremony, these student teachers were introduced to the students and were given the right to take charge of the school.

During the KYSD, I didn’t apply for any position because of the jobs I need to finish that week. Personally, I like to apply for positions because teaching has always been one of my dreams in life. Specifically, I’m not that interested in education much but I’m really fond of sharing knowledge to the public. During this event, the spirit of volunteerism is present because the students are willing to contribute their knowledge to their fellow students without any in return.

During the two-day event, student teachers were present during our different subjects in our class. What I noticed on the student teachers was that they really love to conduct tests on students. It is also a very good experience for me to be taught by students. I feel comfortable when a student teacher teaches us because I know that they are that approachable. Well, it is also comfortable when our real teachers teach us.

Sometimes, I can compare them to our real teachers. I prefer teachers to teach rather than student teachers because teachers already have the experience and how to apply their lessons in our daily lives while those student teachers depend on their belief in explaining things. Teachers already have mastery in their subject matters that has been one of the skills of a teacher for his/her students to understand the lesson well. Teachers are more preferable because I can really understand them better than student teachers. Sometimes it is disadvantageous to have a student teacher because students tend not to respect them because they know that they are all equal in knowledge and capabilities.

This has been a very nice opportunity that at least students who taught during the KYSD experienced the importance of teachers. For me, what I’ve learned in the KYSD is that we should respect and love our teachers for they contribute to our knowledge and serves as our second family.

After the giving of tokens to the teachers during the closing ceremony, I realized the importance of teachers in my life such as working hard on their lesson plans just to teach their students. Teaching has not been an easy job for it offers one self to another. It has a sense of dedication, a commitment. I really appreciate teachers because they are not only earning big but they also contribute to society. Teachers are one of the foundations of the society.

Because of the KYSD, even though I did not apply for any position and stayed in front of the whole class, I can really feel the hardships of a teacher; that being a teacher is not an easy work. I salute the teachers and the student teachers as well for they have patience for us despite the noise and the chaos in the classroom during their classes. As a student being taught by students and also by teachers, this is what I’ve learned from them, a reflection of which I am always experiencing in school.

Course Dilemma!

Dilemma! What is dilemma? It is a situation in which somebody must choose one of two or more alternatives. If you are in a situation like this you are confused and the decision depends on you. That is what I’m experiencing right now, I am in a state of dilemma. What kind of dilemma? Well, in a “Course Dilemma”?

This year, I will be graduating from high school and will be going to the College level. Fortunately, with the help of God and prayers of the people who care for me, I passed the UPCAT examination. I am one of the students who will be given the chance to study in this prestigious and known school.

I will study in UP with the course of BA Psychology. I made it on my first choice. I was able to make it to the quota. Before I took the UPCAT, there was a form given to the applicants that asked for possible two courses in the same school. What I filled in was in UP College in Cebu with BA Psychology as my first choice and BA ComSci as the next. Actually, I am not that sure what will be my best course until today. The two courses really conflict me because I love them both.

I like Psychology because I want to understand myself and the behavior of other persons. On the other hand, I like Computer Science because since I was small, I am really fond of experimenting computers. That was what I thought when I was still not taking the UPCAT. It is not only what I like but what jobs are available for me when I already graduated in College. My mom asked me if I really want them both because personally she likes me to take up nursing. The reason why I’m not in interested in taking up nursing is that the nurses’ nowadays are so many. I am not sure if I will pass the exam in nursing if there are a lot of us competing for jobs abroad or in the Philippines. Also, the reason why I don’t like nursing is that I am not that immune in medical procedures or even blood. Nursing has become monotonous in our country and I don’t want to add on this monotony. I want a course that can both help me and also can earn money for the future of my family. That’s why I chose these two courses. Computer has been widely used nowadays while psychology can help me to understand behaviors of people and warn me on possible dangers.

A lot of people really influenced me to take up Psychology including Madam Maglasang. Madam Maglasang helped me to choose this course. She said that if I will take up BA Psychology which is industrial, I can work in banks, schools and even in companies. Working in a company and later managing a company has been my dream. I want to be an entrepreneur someday. I want to be a Chief Executive Officer of a company. I also want to guide people who lost their ways through counseling but I would appreciate it if it is in school just like what Madam Maglasang has been doing. Not only Madam Maglasang but also my cousin, who has been a Psychology graduate, who influenced me. He can understand and explain the behaviors of people around him but not all the time. He let me read books on Psychology which I found to be interesting. That made me chose BA Psychology as my first choice.

Even if I already passed the BA Psychology, I still think of BA ComSci as a course.

People say that first year in college has been an experiment stage of students who will be practicing their future jobs. We can still change our courses because it is our future that is at stake here. We must chose the things that we think is right for us. According to the saying, “Huwag kang magsalita ng tapos”, that our decisions in life are not final because only one is constant in this world and it is CHANGE! Change depends on us!

Our "Gasa Sa Gugma" Experience!

“Gasa Sa Gugma” is a charity for the destitute elders. It is where elders who were abandoned by their family and relatives are placed. It is where elders are taken care of people who have not been part of their bloodline but dedicated their lives to them. I really appreciate these people who took care of these elders. Even if they received low salary, they still offer their services to the elders with no return.

Last February 2, 2007, the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), a Fourth Year subject, had their charity work to this foundation. 64 Fourth Year students, together with their teachers: Ms. Rodel, Mdm. Nuñeza and Mdm. Maglasang, had their service to these people who need much of our attention and care.

I was one of the 64 students who went to the charity. We brought food and prepared some entertaining performances for them. We went there about 2:00 pm and we rode in a bus where some of us felt excitement while others felt don't. We had in our minds that we will be going to deal with these people and these people will not be that interested with us. But when we went there, it was a touching moment that the elders gave us a warm welcome. There were so many elders in the foundation. These were all cases of abandonment.

There was a mass which started 3:00 pm. We brought and guided the elders to the chapel to attend the mass.

During the mass, a lot of students were outside the chapel. They had the time to talk with the elders left outside the chapel. Some students cried and became emotional because of the experiences and stories of the elders. Physically, I didn’t cried, but deep inside I also felt what they had in their hearts.

When I saw the elders, I suddenly remembered my grandmother and I was so thankful that my grandmother was still with me. I was really touched when I went there especially when I met Lola Natalia. At first, Lyndel and I approached her and she had her smile on us thinking that we were her friends. That’s why we had interesttalking to her.

Lola Natalia was so friendly to us even if she cannot hear that much. We interviewed her and she was so talkative despite the ear problem she is experiencing. We found out that her real name was Natalia Alcover. She had one daughter named Dina and one granddaughter that she didn’t remember anymore. She was from Bolinawan, Cebu. When we ask her about her family, she just said that they were in the foundation. She likes to hum and sing. When we ask her about some of the songs she knew, “Matud Nila”, “Waray-Waray” and “Inday” were her favorites. We had a great time bonding with her.

After the singing, Lola Natalia narrated her story. She suddenly cried when she remembered the things about her past and Yolike was touched by her story causing her to cry also. I really got angry with the family of Lola Natalia that very moment because they left her.

Lola Natalia is still active but she cannot walk that much and just prefer sitting because her feet is so weak. She just sings everyday while sitting on a bench.

The mass ended almost 4:00 pm that stopped our conversation with her. We had no more time to have our gathering with the elders. So, we decided to just leave our foods to them as a sign of our love and care for them.

There was a heartbreak experience when we left them. What we thought of fun was an experience and realization for us. We suddenly remembered our grandparents and we had a very good time with them.

I am thankful that I have given the chance to meet and help them even for just a short time. I hope that I can come back soon to the place called, “Gasa Sa Gugma”.