That’s cheap justice right there.
Tag Archives: Philippines
Saturday afternoon buko juices
Newest job trend, perhaps?
Call center agents have headsets and handsets. These guys need only a bolo.
I don’t know what the proper term for ‘manenggete or mananggete’ is (and I’m too lazy to Google it), but with the trending of the coco water in the US, it seems that being a ‘manenggete’ is also on its way.
In a way, this might lead to deforestation. Again. Especially in Central Luzon, where there are vast coconut plantations.
I can still remember the scent of ‘copra’ while on the bus en route to Bicol, where I have relatives from my mother’s side. I’m not sure if it is in Quezon province or somewhere near that but I know we passed by that area when the smell of copra overrides the cool breeze and finds it way to my nostrils. I find it mildly therapeutic. Like smelling green tea or aloe vera while listening to Jason Mraz.
When I was younger, I used to watch my uncle climb coconut trees for our midday snacks. He had the agility of a monkey yet he would sometimes slip because he had sweaty feet. Sometimes, he would act like some coconut beetle entered his cargo shorts. Then he would shout for me to catch him because he will jump.
Yes, and because I’m in a state of panic, I would shout with him and run near the coconut tree with my arms outstretched. As if a 12-year old can prevent a 35-year old from breaking his spine.
Then, because I was his favorite, he would give me the first coconut after he had emptied the juice into a pitcher. Ah, coco-bliss. Take that, US. Kidding.
Oh well, Americans can drink buko juice in cups or packs, but those can never replace the thrill of drinking it straight from the fruit. And I haven’t even started talking about lambanog. :)
President Aquino mentioned that most buko juice go to waste. Perhaps, this is only applicable in the metro, because in the rural areas, buko juice become snacks and thirst-quenchers.
Visit GT and Me in Facebook! :)
Years of expertise has earned GT Cosmetics not only a continuous flow of loyal customers but also a name equated with quality in the beauty industry.
Since 1992, this local cosmetics company (yes! They’re based here in Cebu!) has consistently tried to improve its products for its loyal and incoming customers. Most popular are their GT Soaps (Papaya, Carrot and Bleaching). They also have toners, night creams and day creams.
Not only that, GT has also began releasing products for men in the market. Beauty, they say, is not limited to one gender after all.
Engr. Leonora Salvane is proud to have built a company that has not only contributed to the growth of the Philippine economy as a whole, but also did its part in the grassroots level. Proof of this is the decrease in the number of unemployed workers in their town, Liloan.
With the help of PR Works Inc, their event partner, GT Cosmetics has gone mainstream. Starting with Cebu, GT has gone nationwide in terms of product distribution.
To know more about GT and to get a chance to win some of its products for free, visit
Mobile teaching program “Text2Teach” to expand in Visayas and Mindanao
Innovative mobile teaching program Text2Teach is set to go nationwide as it targets 850 new public elementary schools in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao for English, Math, and Science lessons beginning this year.
The plan was announced during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for Phase 4 of the program. Signatories are Department of Education Undersecretary Yolanda Quijano, Ayala Foundation Co-Vice Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Nokia Director for Community Involvement Gregory Elphinston, and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.
The fourth phase, to be implemented starting July, will finally make the program available not only in Luzon but across the country as the proponents work to bring Text2Teach to Visayas and Mindanao and to upgrade the 205 satellite schools from the earlier phases. By the end of Phase 3 in August, the total number of Text2Teach-enabled schools will have reached 555, benefiting about 40,000 pupils, and almost 1,800 school heads, teachers and DepEd officials.
Text2Teach Phase 4 also marks the beginning of a stronger partnership with the local government units. DepEd regional offices will play a vital role in teachers training while LGUs will provide bigger counterpart funding for the program. Phase 4 also sees Pearson Foundation returning to the program as a key component in developing new downloadable educational materials for English, Science and Mathematics.
Since its Philippine launch in 2004, Text2Teach has been aiding in improving the performance of students all over the country, particularly in the three basic subjects through downloadable educational videos using Nokia mobile phones and Globe internet connection.
Using the power of mobile technology, Grades 5 and 6 students can watch any of the almost 400 educational audio and video materials loaded in the Nokia N86 8MP phones and equipped with the Nokia Education Delivery (NED) application. NED allows teachers to download and easily access educational audios and videos on Math, Science and English specifically designed for the project, providing a highly effective visual aid for teachers. It also creates an interactive, student-focused learning environment in the classroom which makes the students eager to go to school.
Aside from the Nokia N86 8MP phone and educational videos, Text2Teach recipient schools also get a Globe SIM card provided with P150 worth of free pre-paid load monthly for one year, a 29-inch colored TV, 3-day teacher training and teachers guides.
Alma Abalos Fernandez, a teacher at Carael Elementary School in Dagupan City, pointed out that the effectiveness of the program is evident in helping students appreciate a complex subject like science.
“Before we had Text2Teach, I had to rely on my imagination. I gave a lot of examples and used a lot of visual aids to make sure they understand the subject. But with Text2Teach, there is a better appreciation of what is being discussed. You can also see that the students learn faster. Just show them the video and you capture their attention. The students also retain the lessons better because they can see actual images on the video. And we don’t have to spend much on visual aids anymore,” Fernandez related in the vernacular.
Aside from improved performance, Text2Teach also helps minimize student absenteeism since they are now excited to go to class and watch the videos.
PHOTO CAPTION: Signing the Memorandum of Agreement for Phase 4 of the Text2Teach program are (from L-R): Nokia Corporation Directorfor Community Involvement Gregory Ephinston, Ayala Foundation Co-Vice Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, DepEd Undersecretary Yolanda Quijano, and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.
###
For more information, pls. contact:
Ms. Yoly C. Crisanto
Head, Corporate Communications
Globe Telecom
Tel. No. 7302627
Fax No. 7393075
Email address: globe.corpcomm@gmail.com
Going Undercover: A lecture-forum on Quality Journalism
(This was one of the articles which my laziness forbade me to posts. XD)
Just hours ago, I and my classmates attended a lecture-forum entitled “Going Undercover: Making a Commitment to Quality Journalism”. The speaker was Dr. Gary Swanson, a multi-awarded and distinguished journalist from the University of Northwestern Colorado.
He was a great speaker: full of great insights, great experiences and of great ideas. He enlightened us about good and bad journalism, journalistic responsibility, electronic journalism and the importance of citing sources. He also touched on digital enhancement and photo manipulation, making some of us a bit uneasy—needless to say guilty (but we don’t publish ours, just for the sake of private humor, hehehe).
Funny because I am not a frequent visitor of YouTube, but when I close my eyes while the forum is progressing, it’s like listening to a YouTube video, only the speaker is closer and much more..alive.
He inspired us, not only because our field (Communication and Media Studies) is one which is directly affected by his lecture, but also because he is right. “One of the best things about being alive is watching the world change”. And we, as future media practitioners, are the ones most privilege to see and/or make that change.
He lamented about how the great information overflow is challenging the thinking capabilities of humans. “In a world where information is available, how can we even think?” Indeed, he is true. Instead of our brains, our fingers have done the thinking job for us.
I, however, disagree with his ethnocentric self. He told us a story about how his Chinese wife fancied a squirrel because it was her first time seeing one when she migrated with him to the United States. Then, for rapport, he asked us: Do you know what a squirrel is? Do you know how it looks like?
DUH. (No need to elaborate here, I think.)
This was after he told us that “The people in the United States know very little, or nothing at all, about the Philippines”. We understand this bit. We are not a country which is known for being an economic entity or for nuclear weapons. But to ask us a question so contradictory of his earlier statement about information overflow is simply dumb. “How can he even think?” Nah, just kidding. But seriously, I could have stuffed the squirrel up to his ***. We have Internet and schools here, hello? One of them is shading your Caucasian head now while you lecture.
But except for that part, I guess its safe to say that we have learned a lot from him. That’s what’s more important anyway. “If you can walk away from here with just one thought, then I’ve done my job”.
Ethnocentricity aside, thanks a lot still, Dr. Swanson!
An All-out War Declaration Against Snotty Jeepney Drivers and Konduktors
photo taken from Google
1. Jeepney drivers and konduktors are badassing Filipino passengers but they are very nice to foreigners.
2. All tall passengers experience ‘ARAGUYSHITNAKABUNGGOULOKO’ once in their lives. I remember seeing a girl looking angrily at the jeepney’s upholstered ceiling when her head hit it while she was clambering up to get seated. When this happens to me, I laugh at myself for being too tall. Sometimes, this is a compliment, I guess.
3. Jeepney drivers who smoke do not put “No Smoking” signs in their jeepneys.
4. Jeepney drivers and konduktors who did not tie/secure their passengers’ bags properly were made to pay fines as high as P 1500. And when you are few of the lucky ones who get to ride in the same jeepney after the incident and you are carrying bags (never mind the sizes), they are going to ask you to pay exorbitant fees just so they could get back what they lost.
5. Konduktors and drivers delight at the sight of a sardine can-ish jeepney. Five minutes later when stopped by an LTO Officer, they grimace as they hand over their licenses.
6. Poor men. You pay in full but are made to give up your seats for people you do not even know.
7. If you have long legs, I would suggest sitting in front. Or suffer leg cramps because your legs are abnormally sticking out in the aisle. But if you are wearing shorts, be careful when sitting in front. Some drivers “accidentally” brush them.
8. Jeepney drivers shout at passengers who do not “haybol”. Regardless of age or state of health.
9. Jeepney drivers dish out nasty side comments to passengers who are wearing shorts but paid student fees. They never thought that UP exists.
10. When not told otherwise, jeepney drivers develop the habit of carelessly tossing bags/luggage on top of their jeepneys.
11. Some jeepney drivers and konduktors do not take passengers who fall short of going places indicated in front of their windshields. Sometimes they do, but then it rains complaints.
12. No matter how snotty drivers and konduktors are, they are in the opposite mode when there is a camera present. Or LTO Officers.
13. Jeepney drivers and konduktors turn into episodic versions of Charo Santos when they feel that they are being ‘abused’ (kulang bayad mo or gareklamo ka).
14. Almost always, they would nudge you to sit tighter together even when there is no more space to fart.
15. Jeepney drivers are guilty of blaring speakers. And they complain when they do not hear a passenger calling out for them to brake up.
16. When it rains, all your pores get 5-minute showers before the driver decides to put plastic covers.
The good thing is:
The mortal enemies of snotty jeepney drivers: properly briefed mothers.
Cartoon Network
Mr.Bean, I love.
While we were in the middle of excitedly jumping from profile to profile on Facebook, browsing through familiar cartoon character faces, Bemjo and I hit on the same thought:
We are busy changing our profile without realizing that cartoon shows contain most of the violence that most children are exposed to.
In one of our classes last year, we talked about violence and the media. Most children, regardless of age and gender, have television as their primary source of information and entertainment when their parents are not at home. There was even a report about a kid “harassing” a nanny and reasoned out that he was just copying his favorite cartoon character’s signature moves.
However, when we think of cartoons, the first thing that comes to mind is childhood. Whoever we are, whatever we do, we all longed for those days when we thought of nothing but food and television. Putting aside all the nasty content of a cartoon show, we are left with all the good things which made up half of our lives. In fact, we grew loving cartoons even when it has much of the violence we never needed.
I love my childhood. I loved being a child. I love being childish. So, I changed my profile picture. :)
utang na loob
Of all the kinds of utangs, this is the kind in which a lot of strings are attached. Yarn, ball thread, hilo baynte…just kidding. Unlike monetary debt or material debt, utang na loob is the most dangerous. It will test a person’s morals, dignity, loyalty and freedom of choice. Though it does not involve money at the very least, it is much harder a burden to bear compared to the two other.
The funny and sunny side is, utang na loob is easier received yet harder reciprocated.
A friend of mine was applying for an office job. She has it all: brains, patience, good sense of leadership, ability and a great sense of commitment. In a nutshell, she need not apply; she could be assured of being hired on the spot. What she did not know was that a fellow jobseeker has his eyes on the same place. Since the manager has an utang na loob on the guy’s parents, he was the one accepted for the position—even when my friend’s resumé made his look like yesterday’s newspaper.
Pha! Bureaucratic crap. (But who knows, I told my friend, you and that guy might meet again. He could be your happy ending. She conked me on the head.)
The same is happening within a school which my pesky, 12-year-old neighbour is now enrolled. Since the parents of his classmate was more generous in giving monetary donations to the principal, most of the outside-the-school-contest invites were delivered directly to him before any of his other classmates. My poor neighbour could only whine at home.
Another conk told me I should not be giving my “bright-side-of-the-story” stories anymore.
Utang Na Loob is a proudly Filipino virtue. No matter where we go, it will always be present. If you are not ready to sacrifice quality for quantity, I suggest thinking a hundred times before reciprocating that utang na loob.
Don’t whine if you are on the negative receiving end. It is not true that life is unfair. It just happened that his “share of fair” arrived first before yours. Some utang na loob works for us and some just doesn’t. Deal with it and burn his house down. XD
lights off
On.
Off.
On.
Off.
Aside from my dog’s behaviour before her meal, the blackout rotation is becoming predictable. Every day, I make it a point to check whether my phone’s battery is on the verge of death or not. Our cooled water containers become sweaty when the power suddenly goes out. And the most annoying yet endearing part of all, all our dogs troop to one place—and usually, it is where we are also trooped.
Funny how blackout brings down the wall that technology builds when there is electricity. I would be propped in front of my laptop. My brother is ogling on the TV set. My sister is singing to the songs in her MP3. When the lights go out, we would all let out a loud groan or an occasional cuss word.
Then we would huddle outside of the house under the light of the moon.
When I am in my sentimental mood, I would wish for blackouts to happen—so we can find ourselves huddled together once more.
the way it was
Whether reconciliation between friends, lovers, family members or classmates, making up and going back to the way things were is never easy. In a word, it is awkward.
Recently, the Philippines was rocked by another storm: Juan (Megi). When Juan left, the scene was exactly like how it goes when a teacher leaves the room in complete disarray. Even when only a part of Luzon is affected, the damage is significantly disheartening.
President Aquino was quoted saying something like: “Preparations for rehabilitation are underway”. Though this is good news in its simplest sense, starting from scratch is not much a consolation. Especially for those people from Isabela whose homes were half-soaked in murky waters.
For some reasons, starting all over again emits a slow and painful groan. It was like being told to wash the grim off somebody’s feet. Icky. It requires tremendous effort and a lot of willingness. It is like being in government offices, where red tape is as prevalent as corrupt policemen on a Sunday street.
However, some people have already gotten used to this. If rehabilitation or overhaul is a part of their culture or everyday experience, then there is not much effort required. But for those who are not used to this way of living, it takes a lot of self-convincing.
Break-ups? Cherish the pain and move on.
Hate mails? Read. Delete. Forget.
Newly-manicured toenail stepped on? Ow! Punch the bastard. LOL.
Because if the situation calls for an overhaul, there’s nobody to start it right and better except you. You and you alone.
