At past 3:00 Pm today the two people i voted for the first two highest positions in the land were proclaimed in a joint session by the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives. The choices of the Filipino people were officially made known to the world. Finally, the Philippines has its new leaders now in the persons of President-Elect Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino Cojuangco III and Vice President-Elect Jejomar Cabauatan Binay who are to be inaugurated into office on June 30, 2010.
For the first time since I had my rhinitis attack the other Friday (May 31) to the time I took my first antibiotic last Friday (June 5), It is only today (June 9) that I was thankful I ever had the attack, because I was able to watch the entire proceeding at home undisturbed by office works and walk-in clients.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
UNTITLED
When I was a child, I had this notion that wise men don’t make mistakes. This impression didn't last long though because real stories of people I know tell me that just like any other human being, they are also capable of committing blunders. Some of these miscalculations were even sensationalized because the subjects were either scholarly or just plain smart. Time hasn't reversed these realities. Until now blunders committed by high profile individuals still happen every day: in government, in society, in business, and just almost everywhere.
There are a lot of factors that contribute to how we make good decisions, one of which is our perceived ability to rationalize or to make sound judgments. Yet, this is only possible with a focused mind and a conscious awareness of a given situation, virtues that smarter persons are regarded to posses. It is when we let our emotions set-in that we begin to refuse to see reason and we opt to deny ourselves the obvious truth. Eventually, in our effort to set something according to what our preconditioned minds want it to be, we over-rationalize.
Sometimes intelligent people fail, because they always give reason to almost anything: bad decisions are justified, wrong plans are given contingencies, negative effects are reinforced, and so forth. These reasons and many more consequently put these persons in complicated circumstances especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
In relationships, over-rationalizing individuals usually start off as hopeless romantics but eventually end up being romantic fools. Some don't even have the guts to get out of the situation they're in even if worse comes to worst. Their kind of rationalization sometimes don't come within reasonable bounds, hence they fail to define their exact masochistic limitations. They are afraid to let go of the status quo and some much-preserved memories, hence they find it hard to move on. Some are just plane rational to want to shield themselves from public scrutiny, and from the self-righteous glare of the very society that dictated to us what is moral and what is not. Afraid of the stigma attached to people involve in failed relationships, they put emphasis on what is right for society to see than what is actually good for them.
Things are different now though. It’s like we all have to dance to the latest craze, sing the latest tune, walk the latest pace, and act in conformity with what the world has to offer. The world is evolving and so must we. Have we ever wondered how things around us would have been different if we haven't shifted to what are already acceptable in present times? Would there have been automation in elections, or would we still be in caves till now? Let the future be the judge.
There are a lot of factors that contribute to how we make good decisions, one of which is our perceived ability to rationalize or to make sound judgments. Yet, this is only possible with a focused mind and a conscious awareness of a given situation, virtues that smarter persons are regarded to posses. It is when we let our emotions set-in that we begin to refuse to see reason and we opt to deny ourselves the obvious truth. Eventually, in our effort to set something according to what our preconditioned minds want it to be, we over-rationalize.
Sometimes intelligent people fail, because they always give reason to almost anything: bad decisions are justified, wrong plans are given contingencies, negative effects are reinforced, and so forth. These reasons and many more consequently put these persons in complicated circumstances especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
In relationships, over-rationalizing individuals usually start off as hopeless romantics but eventually end up being romantic fools. Some don't even have the guts to get out of the situation they're in even if worse comes to worst. Their kind of rationalization sometimes don't come within reasonable bounds, hence they fail to define their exact masochistic limitations. They are afraid to let go of the status quo and some much-preserved memories, hence they find it hard to move on. Some are just plane rational to want to shield themselves from public scrutiny, and from the self-righteous glare of the very society that dictated to us what is moral and what is not. Afraid of the stigma attached to people involve in failed relationships, they put emphasis on what is right for society to see than what is actually good for them.
Things are different now though. It’s like we all have to dance to the latest craze, sing the latest tune, walk the latest pace, and act in conformity with what the world has to offer. The world is evolving and so must we. Have we ever wondered how things around us would have been different if we haven't shifted to what are already acceptable in present times? Would there have been automation in elections, or would we still be in caves till now? Let the future be the judge.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
WHO AM I
by: Maegan Zeresh Mahinay Monsanto
(This was part of the portfolio she submitted to her English teacher, who gave her 5 points each for the following criteria: mechanics, artistry, creativity and neatness. She was 12 years old at that time and was a struggling first year high school student, MG Section at Samar National Scool.)
My full name is Maegan Zeresh Mahinay Monsanto. I have been in this world 12 years since the day I first saw light in the early morning of November 07, 1995. My mother delivered me through cesarean operation after 12 hours of maternity labor because I weighed 8.0 lbs at birth. The second child in the family, I was born 8 years after my first sibling was born and 3 years before our younger sister.
The family was living in Paranas, Samar at the time of my birth. We transferred to our new house in V&G Subdivision, Barangay San Andres, Catbalogan City in 1996. Due to the separation of my parents, my mother brought me and my siblings back to Paranas, Samar in April of 2005 and we live there for some time, while my father stayed in our house. In November of the same year, we went back to Catbalogan City and rented a house in Barangay 11, Patag District.
For my preparatory education, I went to Samar Christian Academy for Nursery, and at Catbalogan I Central Elementary Scool for Kinder I and Kinder II, where I graduated first honors. I had my elementary education at Catbalogan 1 SPED Center where I was a consistent honor student from Grade I to Grade VI.
I had so much learning during my elementary years. Being in SPED Center, I was given a lot of opportunities to hone my knowledge, talents and skills through academic and non-academic activities. I also had a lot of fun during those times together with my classmates and friends. My very first friends then were Camille Yboa, Jenssen Uy, Ara Linde, Kloster Saises, Quennie Resco, Nicole Dimaculangan and a lot more. We are still friends until now.
We have a big family both from my mother's and father's side. My mother is Joy Frances Mahinay Monsanto, 45 years old. She was born on October 18, 1962 at Bagacay Mines Hospital in Hinabangan, Samar. She is from Paranas, Samar and a descendant of the Mabulay, Babalcon, Figueroa, Jabinez and Quebec clans. My father is Alberto Villalon Monsanto, 43 years old, born on November 15, 1964 in Calbayog City. He traces his roots from both Calbayog City and Oras, Eastern Samar.
I have a 21 year-old sister, born on May 22, 1987 in Catbalogan City. She is Ashley May Alison Mahinay Monsanto who is now taking up Bachelor of Laws in San Beda College. She graduated cum laude from UP Diliman, and has a Bachelor of Public Administration degree. A younger sister, Zeimon Abijah Mahinay Monsanto, also born in Catbalogan City, will be truning 10 this coming August 05, 2008. She is currently enrolled Grade III at Catbalogan I SPED Center.
The writer is my second daughter, who from a very early age has already shown potentials of a good writer. She was into diary writing in elementary, and it was during those times that i found out she has penchants for writing. She has stopped writing though when she realized that her works were not private anymore because I was reading some of them, a violation to privacy which I have regretted doing. I am encouraging her to go back into writing again. I told her that instead of cutie diary entries, she might do some light and simple literary works. I also said she may start by creating her own blog, which she already did. As to when she will begin to write in that blog and eventually publish her works, that remains to be seen.
My full name is Maegan Zeresh Mahinay Monsanto. I have been in this world 12 years since the day I first saw light in the early morning of November 07, 1995. My mother delivered me through cesarean operation after 12 hours of maternity labor because I weighed 8.0 lbs at birth. The second child in the family, I was born 8 years after my first sibling was born and 3 years before our younger sister.
The family was living in Paranas, Samar at the time of my birth. We transferred to our new house in V&G Subdivision, Barangay San Andres, Catbalogan City in 1996. Due to the separation of my parents, my mother brought me and my siblings back to Paranas, Samar in April of 2005 and we live there for some time, while my father stayed in our house. In November of the same year, we went back to Catbalogan City and rented a house in Barangay 11, Patag District.
For my preparatory education, I went to Samar Christian Academy for Nursery, and at Catbalogan I Central Elementary Scool for Kinder I and Kinder II, where I graduated first honors. I had my elementary education at Catbalogan 1 SPED Center where I was a consistent honor student from Grade I to Grade VI.
I had so much learning during my elementary years. Being in SPED Center, I was given a lot of opportunities to hone my knowledge, talents and skills through academic and non-academic activities. I also had a lot of fun during those times together with my classmates and friends. My very first friends then were Camille Yboa, Jenssen Uy, Ara Linde, Kloster Saises, Quennie Resco, Nicole Dimaculangan and a lot more. We are still friends until now.
We have a big family both from my mother's and father's side. My mother is Joy Frances Mahinay Monsanto, 45 years old. She was born on October 18, 1962 at Bagacay Mines Hospital in Hinabangan, Samar. She is from Paranas, Samar and a descendant of the Mabulay, Babalcon, Figueroa, Jabinez and Quebec clans. My father is Alberto Villalon Monsanto, 43 years old, born on November 15, 1964 in Calbayog City. He traces his roots from both Calbayog City and Oras, Eastern Samar.
I have a 21 year-old sister, born on May 22, 1987 in Catbalogan City. She is Ashley May Alison Mahinay Monsanto who is now taking up Bachelor of Laws in San Beda College. She graduated cum laude from UP Diliman, and has a Bachelor of Public Administration degree. A younger sister, Zeimon Abijah Mahinay Monsanto, also born in Catbalogan City, will be truning 10 this coming August 05, 2008. She is currently enrolled Grade III at Catbalogan I SPED Center.
The writer is my second daughter, who from a very early age has already shown potentials of a good writer. She was into diary writing in elementary, and it was during those times that i found out she has penchants for writing. She has stopped writing though when she realized that her works were not private anymore because I was reading some of them, a violation to privacy which I have regretted doing. I am encouraging her to go back into writing again. I told her that instead of cutie diary entries, she might do some light and simple literary works. I also said she may start by creating her own blog, which she already did. As to when she will begin to write in that blog and eventually publish her works, that remains to be seen.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Power Offs and Quality Bonding Trade Offs
I learned about today's scheduled brownout late last night, but I didn't expect it to happen as early as 7:30 in the morning. I am sure of the exact time because when I was aroused from sleep due to the very hot temperature, I immediately looked at the clock to ensure that it was the pre-announced power off that was causing the unbearable heat. I even remembered wishing odtherwise as I slowly panned my gaze towards the time-piece.
I admit I really felt bad not having known early of the scheduled power-failure because had it been so, a family movie date for Sunday would have been set today. A last minute schedule adjustment would have been possible had it not for an earlier appointment with the house help for a Saturday house clean-up. Honestly I was satisfied that the house grooming did push through, but not without exposing all of us to an oven-like temperature that had us all sweating and silently cursing until 5:00 in the afternoon.
As I sit down to write this piece and ponder on what transpired during the day, I realized that power-offs have positive effects on people. First, my children and I found ourselves reading some books that we haven't even had the time to scan in the past. It was because all the while, we had either been glued to our television set or engrossed with the net. Second, children from the neighborhood busied themselves with outside games at mid morning; the much older ones watched and teased them. Third, people went out to talk with their neighbors; some tried to find time bonding with family members. All these happened because it was not possible to surf the net and watch television. I also assume a lot of cellphone batteries were half empty just before the brownout, hence texting was not maximized.
It may sound absurd, but I wish unannounced power offs will be more often if only to bring back age-old traditions: long quality talks with family members, pleasant conversation with neighbors, cheerful outside games among neighborhood children, and so forth. A powerless day could be worth all the sweat and the secret curses because during that moment, we tend to set aside leisurely activities that do not promote camaraderie and tight family bonding.
I admit I really felt bad not having known early of the scheduled power-failure because had it been so, a family movie date for Sunday would have been set today. A last minute schedule adjustment would have been possible had it not for an earlier appointment with the house help for a Saturday house clean-up. Honestly I was satisfied that the house grooming did push through, but not without exposing all of us to an oven-like temperature that had us all sweating and silently cursing until 5:00 in the afternoon.
As I sit down to write this piece and ponder on what transpired during the day, I realized that power-offs have positive effects on people. First, my children and I found ourselves reading some books that we haven't even had the time to scan in the past. It was because all the while, we had either been glued to our television set or engrossed with the net. Second, children from the neighborhood busied themselves with outside games at mid morning; the much older ones watched and teased them. Third, people went out to talk with their neighbors; some tried to find time bonding with family members. All these happened because it was not possible to surf the net and watch television. I also assume a lot of cellphone batteries were half empty just before the brownout, hence texting was not maximized.
It may sound absurd, but I wish unannounced power offs will be more often if only to bring back age-old traditions: long quality talks with family members, pleasant conversation with neighbors, cheerful outside games among neighborhood children, and so forth. A powerless day could be worth all the sweat and the secret curses because during that moment, we tend to set aside leisurely activities that do not promote camaraderie and tight family bonding.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Breaking Loose..
At first i thought i could not make it, but i did. Then i thought it would take days or even weeks before i could even post my initial thoughts, but my excitement broke loose, and i did. This is just the beginning, I vow to make this a lifetime passion.
Not-So-White Lies..
"I care about the housewife who has to care for her children, I care about the farmer who has to fed the nation, I care about the student who has to graduate, I care about the padre de pamilya who has to care for his family." These are the words of Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the most hated and despised Philippine President after Marcos. She had more than 9 years to have had put these words into action, but she did not.
Ex-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada said, "I am willing to offer my services in whatever capacity should Presumptive President-elect Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III request for it". He uttered this words for all the world to hear in the midst of his pronouncements that he is not conceding to the latter, despite their almost 5 million vote difference as of the latest count and with only about 1.4 million still to be canvassed.
"I did my best but I guess my best wasn't good enough", said Speaker Prospero C. Nograles on the failure of the 14th Congress to ratify the Freedom of Information Bill. Yet, we saw on national television that he simply laughed-off a duly seconded motion invoking a house rule saying that congressmen can be arrested so that they could be physically present during plenary proceedings.
Ex-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada said, "I am willing to offer my services in whatever capacity should Presumptive President-elect Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III request for it". He uttered this words for all the world to hear in the midst of his pronouncements that he is not conceding to the latter, despite their almost 5 million vote difference as of the latest count and with only about 1.4 million still to be canvassed.
"I did my best but I guess my best wasn't good enough", said Speaker Prospero C. Nograles on the failure of the 14th Congress to ratify the Freedom of Information Bill. Yet, we saw on national television that he simply laughed-off a duly seconded motion invoking a house rule saying that congressmen can be arrested so that they could be physically present during plenary proceedings.
Hachiko
from Wikpedia, the free encyclopedia:Hachikō (ハチ公, November 10, 1923–March 8, 1935), known in Japanese as chūken Hachikō (忠犬ハチ公, "faithful dog Hachikō" ('hachi' meaning 'eight', a number referring to the position within the nest the dog came from, and 'kō' being a Japanese familiar suffix)). Hachikō was an Akita dog born on a farm near the city of Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, remembered for his loyalty to his owner, even many years after his owner's death.
In 1924, Hachikō was brought to Tokyo by his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. During his owner's life Hachikō saw him out from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend was waiting. Hachikō was loyal and every day for the next nine years he waited sitting there amongst the town's folk.
Hachikō was given away after his master's death, but he routinely escaped, showing up again and again at his old home. Eventually, Hachikō apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So he went to look for his master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, Hachikō waited for Professor Ueno to return. And each day he did not see his friend among the commuters at the station.
The permanent fixture at the train station that was Hachikō attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen Hachikō and Professor Ueno together each day. They brought Hachikō treats and food to nourish him during his wait.
This continued for nine years with Hachikō appearing precisely when the train was due at the station.
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