One Big Turn

The Chosen One

2011-08-25T09:37:00.006+08:00

It's plain and simple. Many are called but only a few are chosen. In this case a question can easily arise asking if the "chosen" ones are fit for the pedestal or not. What makes a good leader and how do you become one?

You'll never be a good leader unless you’ve had one before. It's a matter of influence most of the time. That person becomes the teacher and you get to learn so much. Comparable to the reality of an eagle’s story, Leadership 101 is actually a push of potential more than a theoretical study. That being said, it follows that the manner on how eagles push their offspring toward the edge is the learning that counts in the process.

Most of the time leadership entails risks. If you keep on hiding on the safe spot then you’re not a leader but a mere follower; a puppy with no teeth for that matter. Leading is never a stable task; it never was intended to be. Once you become a leader, something will stir your mind up every once in a while and that is something beyond your control. When that time comes, the real leader thinks out of the box, gets a solution and puts the theory to action. If the action doesn’t work, it’s time to revisit the problem and do a re-work. Who said theories in Mathematics work only for figures? This is the exact time to apply trial and error; a key factor in the success of problem-solving in real life.

Sad to say, some “leaders” tend/opt to be followers in reality. Having the mentality that they’re up there make them afraid of getting kicked in the ass and fired up. It’s a safe move – of a follower, not a leader. If placed into context, it would be safe to say that many are guilty or simply playing blind. Another sick situation is when leaders become too complacent of their capabilities that they slowly become gods of their own kind – and want to be treated as such too. Power-tripping, as many would call it, is a very fatal problem that is swarming most of the so-called “leaders.” It’s an infection with no tested immunity and one that would most likely take millions of years to find a physical cure. In this case, dissatisfaction among the employees is just an inch away. What’s next is something that nobody would want to be in – quitting.

Acquiring the skills and values of a real leader is not as easy as how it is presented to be. Becoming a leader by position doesn’t make one earn respect in a snap of a finger. There’s so much more to learn other than those published in books or manuals. As usual, growing opportunities career-wise pop-up unexpectedly like one would wait for corn to pop when cooked. Perhaps one parameter of efficiency as a leader is the quality of a finished product, something that you can be so proud about and be able to say “this is my ROI (Return on Investment).”Another is when a leader is able to clone himself, ready to move up the ladder and hand the responsibilities to a successor. Nothing beats the feeling of being looked up to, being an inspiration and being appreciated for the kind of leadership rendered.

Leadership is a passion, not a position. And most importantly, it’s a role, not a name. Such role needs a very high dose of maturity to be able to face any obstacle that may come out of the blue. There is never a perfect leader as compared to what majority demand to have; an ideal leader, maybe. It’s known to everyone that even the most powerful person/entity in this universe do not get everyone’s faith and respect. How worse can it get for real leaders?

Who said that being a leader is easy? There is truth in saying that indeed many are called but a few are chosen.

Random Thoughts

2011-07-29T08:50:00.002+08:00

Would you rather be the strongest among the weak or the weakest among the strong?

Everything Crappy is Under the SUN

2011-07-09T18:41:00.015+08:00

Customer service - I guess it all starts with that and ends with that as well. With SUN's tempting deals, one would want to switch to this seemingly "stable and organized" network. However, what majority probably don't know is that SUN Cellular has the crappiest customer service among all the providers in the country.

It was on a Monday when I have completed and forwarded all the requirements they were asking from me. All went fine and I left the shop with a smile upon knowing that the turn-around-time would be 2-3 days for the processing alone. I was fine with that, though the same process I underwent with Smart two years ago didn't take as long. On Wednesday, I asked for an update regarding the application; lo and behold, nothing!!! Three days after, they called up, asking for "clearer" payslips. I presented to visit their site and take the initiative to have them secure a screenshot of my payslips (since they are online-based) but they just told me that they would be calling back. An hour passed but no call from them came in. I was upset and decided to head to the shop and check, only to know that they had a workaround for me not to secure a "clearer" copy of my payslips. Then I was told that the last thing they needed was the "approval" from the head office. That day was supposedly my last day of waiting like they have promised but they were definitely LYING. I thought the cliché that says "promises are said to be broken" never existed in the corporate world; the sad reality proved me wrong. Saturday came and I was really optimistic that everything was ironed out. I was ready to disregard the inconvenience I have encountered from them the past days but then again, I was wrong. The status was yet unknown/uncertain/nowhere to be seen or heard. My total pay wasn't sufficient, they said. Then I started to question why it "wasn't sufficient" when in fact it even exceeded their cut-off for the plan I was applying for. The representative was explaining something that I didn't understand but I refused to argue. I just left a message that if things won't get any better on Tuesday (the following week), they should consider my application cancelled. The irony is I didn't have any trouble, at all, the time I applied for my current plan with Smart. Considering the plan I have now is PhP 1200/month, why would I have too much trouble with a plan that's PhP 201/month cheaper?

This is my second attempt at re-considering Sun as a primary line since I was a very frustrated customer 4 long years ago. I wanted to give them a chance and see how much they've improved, if ever they did. But sadly, their tainted reputation just got worse, for me at least. I wouldn't recommend Sun postpaid, prepaid or any of their products especially when you're eyeing for a higher allocation/value. Also, expect that their "Network Busy" problem is still existent especially during peak hours.

By now you should be able to get my verdict on Sun Cellular's services. But just in case you want to make sure that you're thinking what I'm thinking, do refer to what you can see below.

Random Thoughts

2011-06-27T08:24:00.005+08:00

Know that people looking down on you isn't such a bad thing after all. No matter how they let you feel as small as dust, always remember how you can get into their eyes easily.

A Painfully Funny Experience

2011-05-21T09:46:00.008+08:00

May 11, 2011 was the date I had my tonsils out. Believe me, you wouldn't want to have your tonsils out too. The days that followed seemed like a very slow-paced chapter of pain. Seconds seemed like minutes, minutes like hours and hours like days. I never expected the pain to be that much though it was relatively obvious what I was getting myself into.

Days before the "big day," I placed myself into preparation of what I was headed to. A bit of research, viewing of actual surgery via YouTube and even heading to forums to see how people who have submitted themselves for "holy" tonsillectomy had to say were few things that kept me busy. The funny thing was me getting more frustrated and terrified to undergo the said operation right after seeing how tonsillectomy is actually done. Repeatedly convincing myself that tonsillectomy was something common and "minor" was apparently of no aid as well. I knew it was a bad move for my paranoia but eventually I realized that those acts were very helpful and worth-it.

It was late last year when my doctors strongly advised me to have my tonsils removed yet surprisingly, it took me a quarter to convince myself that it was for my own good. One can't blame me for being such a scaredy-cat; my dad was afraid of needles too! By this time, assuming that I've inherited some sort of phobia of needles, getting hospitalized and the like is very safe. Over that long span of time, internal debates have been going on though I knew beforehand what the bottom-line would be. And at long last, I have finally decided to leave my fears away and go for the win-win situation.
When the day finally came, I was trying to suppress my fear amid the light atmosphere in Chong Hua Hospital's operating room. Everyone seemed happy for a reason I never knew. Thoughts were swallowing my consciousness that time and the feeling of getting executed dawned on me big time. Around 9:00 in the morning, they brought me to operating room 4 (if I'm not mistaken). Yes, I would have to admit that it was my first time to see the inside of an operating room; pretty impressive and very similar to those that you see in the movies. However, I had a heterogeneous mix of feelings that made me so uneasy inside. My blood pressure sky-rocketed and I was staring at that monitoring device the same way one would watch the movie Titanic. Looking back at myself make me laugh at times. I felt like someone whose hat was that of a dunce's. All of a sudden, something was injected through the IV and the person who did it smiled and said, "this is for you to relax." The first dose seemed to have escaped my system as my stats were not giving them the results they have expected. So they had to give me another shot and *poof* I couldn't remember anything that happened next. The following scenes would be subject for censorship, trust me.

I woke up in the recovery room, painless but felt weird. An hour passed and I was sent to my own room ton "enjoy" my stay there. It turned out that the real recovery room was my own room.

Post-operation day one was not that bad. In fact, I wasn't in as much pain as I was in the successive days. I was getting more pain as days passed by. It reached the point when I wanted to give up but knew that there wasn't really such option since my tonsils already departed my body. Tears were the best comfort I got. Even my all-time favorite, Ice cream, didn't help me from being in a "not-so-happy-camper" mood. Pain was getting on my nerves too much that even my pain relievers were the inflicter of pain through my veins. It even came to a point where swallowing my own saliva was the least thing I would have wanted to do.

Days 3-7 were the most painful days during post-operation period. I am on my 10th day as of writing and pain has significantly faded though I still experience periods of sudden pain that would make me want to stay in bed and play dead.

Tonsillectomy was never a delight at all but it was the best option for me never to experience tonsillitis again. After all that I've been through, I could say I have won over my fears.

At this point, I place all modesty aside in saying I am tonsil-free and I made it!

Of Life, Lush and Love

2011-05-18T08:45:00.005+08:00

Oftentimes people stop, think and eventually ask themselves where they are headed to. Ironically, I wasn't part of that comprehensive list. At some point I told myself, "am I really going somewhere?" It was the most mature question I have asked myself by far. 22 years and running and yet I don't see a clear path as to what I really want to be and where I want to be. My brother told me it's fine, he went through the same dilemma before. But he didn't stop there. Then I realized that I had to pick myself up from the desert-setting and put myself to a road eventually leading somewhere. Good point! The difficult question was "how?" Do I really have a plan for myself or do I rely on what may come my way? To tell you honestly I do not hold the answer to that question yet but I know I have to have a say and a firm decision.

Looking at my past tells me that I have been gearing toward the brighter side of life. But does it really have to stop there? What if I have reached that point where people would see the big difference in me, would I then be free to say I've won my race? At work, where I feel under-appreciated, I continue to do what I know is right despite the fact that nobody acknowledges or even sees it. It becomes a question on whether I work to please them or myself. With the way it goes, I could say that I would eventually end up pleasing myself for the untainted leadership that I have contained in me since day one. My only consolation is the thought that I know I'm way better than them and my résumé could spare me from the explanations that you might demand from me. Apart from that, I tell myself that I wouldn't be able to bring their "acknowledgements" with me in the event that I decide for a change in career path. But despite those said, I'm still grateful for all the learning I had and I can't deny the fact that I'm enjoying my job as of yet.

Work is a mixed bag for me. Sadly, the same is true with the way my hypothalamus is going. Emotions wasted, tears shed and efforts all vanished - that was what I thought love would be. I was wrong. While they may be apparently true, I knew they were only a part of the entire learning process and not necessarily the real gist of love itself. Life is a risk; so is love. Every move you make could be your last. Sometimes no matter how you give it your best, if you're not bound to last you perhaps never will. Moreover, it's our choices that count the most. Staying away from potential trouble is the safest at that. Like any situation, it's best to see the pros and cons of any action before it gets executed. It is not always, though, that we are given the luxury of time to think before we act. In such, it becomes a toss between what your mind and your heart deems right. All these thoughts are learning from the past that I found to be very vital in any kind of relationship. At this point of constant learning, I try to look back and see what went wrong and how I could possibly do away with them at present. Like what they say, it's better safe than sorry.

It's tough to give yourself a direction when you don't even know where to start finding yourself. It's just like striving to reach a goal without knowing what that goal exactly is. Sadly, I was pertaining to myself. I'm lost right now; not even a GPS device can find me. All I know is I don't have all the time to stay stagnant and wait for the thermal wind to come before I decide to do something.

I am not getting any younger and I know I have to make a move. Starting may be a big challenge but never impossible.

What Now?

2011-02-25T11:21:00.018+08:00

Where am I? Can somebody tell me? Who am I? What is this I'm dealing with? These are among the questions that swarm my mind at this point. You know what they say about change. That it's the only constant thing in this world and blah. I have long accepted that but never have I expected that it can come aplenty at once. Was this ever in the definition of change or was I blind enough not to see it was actually there?

Was I too comfortable with the life I had not so long ago? Was I terribly "used to" the way it has been? Is this the price I pay for not being too ready?

Did I ever entertain the fact that I'd be handling almost a new set of people at work or was I just so optimistic that change will hit me slowly? Will I be able to cope with this or will I meet Mr. Epic Fail this time? For the longest time I have been trying to be flexible with work, with the tasks I have and with the people I face almost everyday. But to bend me this much is something I'm unsure to endure.

When was the last time I told myself that I was ready to settle down with the one I love? It seemed to me as though it was just yesterday. But what is this that I'm faced with right now? Has it gone to waste now that I'm broken? Is this what they meant when they said "People come and go?" If so, must I say I wasn't completely ready yet? Am I ready to face history repeat itself? Or should I just dump the long experience they say is called " true love?" Will I be happy if ever I take the wrong path again and will I ever get any consolation at all? Should I decide now, later, soon or never?

I don't know where home is now that I'm lost. But even if I knew the way home, would I ever recognize it now that it's no longer the way it was 5 years ago? Can anyone point to me which door to enter, which room to choose and how to start as if nothing much has changed? What time should I sleep, eat and go to work? Is the time over here still the same with that of others'? Should I secure another calendar to guide me with the right date or do I rather need a map to lead me to a specific direction as compared to my obscure route now?

The answers to all these questions remain unclear, unseen and unheard of. As of this writing I don't know what to do, how to deal with all these changes at once and how I could possibly move forward without dropping the ball. I fear failure and I know it's just around the corner. All I'm certain of is I have to be strong, lead by example to my subordinates without showing the weak part of me. I have to deal with these in any way that I see beneficial.

With fingers crossed, here it goes...

Tell me, how should I start?

What now???

Ironically Ironic

2011-02-01T14:38:00.012+08:00

In my venture into the corporate world I've realized that corruption is not a term exclusively coined for government or politics for that matter. I've seen a lot of similarities between the outside world and the "formal" internal of the corporate world. Nothing's new in my opinion - crime, politics to mention a few are also real life situations in a company too. Placing into context the nation's sitting in possessing quite a number of incompetent people makes me remember how it is in work. The best thing is I'm not the only one who has noticed it. Well, it's basically the irony of life. Not everyone has the guts to spill it out and voice out.

You'd agree with me when I say that life isn't only ironic; it's unfair too. Notice how much people give a damn about hierarchy? Look at the real-life setting in this side of the world, is our faith in hierarchy working? Apparently not. We've elected a number of leaders who we want to be out of governance in the long run. Could it be because of wrong choices? I'll leave that for you to answer. If majority have indeed picked the wrong people in power, don't you think it's unfair to the people who never wanted those leaders to be in those positions?

It seems like the injustice doesn't end there. It exists in the corporate world too. Take a closer look at how we have to kiss ass just to please bigwigs. I'm sure, there will always be someone in any company better than them but despite that, we conform to their demands. Adding insult to injury, we can't even be straightforward in addressing what is bluntly going wrong. We need to be like a kitten trying to get a point across with a very little voice as much possible. Well trust me, it doesn't work all the time and it doesn't necessarily have to be like that as well. After all, what's so wrong with being straightforward in stressing out what you think and know is right?

With all those said, I come up with a simple thought - if government can get lambasted because of poor performance or even with simple lapses then why can't it be possible in the corporate world? Your first argument would most probably be that government and the corporate world are two separate sectors. I say - If government earn revenue from its people and private companies earn from its employees then what sets the big difference?

If this archipelago is covered by the so-called "democracy" then I suppose that companies cannot, in any way, hinder that to pass through their windows. We need to exercise a right we, more often than not, abandon. Because at the end of the day someone has to voice out and do the right thing even if it means being deviant.

Identity Crisis

2010-09-17T04:16:00.012+08:00

It's 4:17 dawn (PST) and I know this isn't really the usual time to write blogs but something just pushed me to do so - identity crisis. Scanning through the TV channels brought me to another dimension. For a moment, I felt like being so "different."

Over the years, this country has faced too much bitter reality - from colonization to corruption, down to poverty. Now, it is again faced with an aggravated concern - Identity crisis. It can be remembered how this country has been too influenced by the Western culture; today is no different. From the way we, its citizens, dress up to the language we strive to perfect, along with the products we prefer, and now even with music we do not understand clearly gives an indication that Juan Dela Cruz is in deep trouble. The pressing question right now is, where is Juan de la Cruz and Maria Clara when we need them most?

I find it absurd that Filipino preference has somehow changed compared to that from decades ago. Ironically, we have become too superficial to the extent of actually over-embodying globalization. Take a look at our local TV channels, aren't we more Korean than Filipino? Don't we love listening to Korean music than that of our own? Take a look at the hair style trend today, do you see a trace of nationalism? Don't we find singing songs without understanding a single word from them odd? Is it just with the melody or are we really going way beyond superficial?

Have we surrendered our nationalism for the sake of being "in?" Just recently, Pinoy KPop emerged. The good thing is, it's in Filipino. However, it doesn't sound right. But despite that, people still embraced it. You're asking why? Simple. It's because it doesn't sound "Filipino, bakya, baduy, cheap or corny." It's sad to know that the youth, our country's hope tomorrow, has become foreign to their own motherland. Will we ever have an untainted identity of our own? Or is it just a domino effect of what our past has brought us?

No matter how we pretend to be one of "them," nothing will ever change the fact that the blood that runs through our veins is Filipino. It's hard to change what has long been a trend but it's only when we embrace the right change will we be able to restore our real identity as one FILIPINO nation.

Man's Weakest Aspect - Emotion

2010-09-12T17:22:00.013+08:00

I was seated before a vast area of water - blue and calm. The scenery, the environment and the people paired with the food on top of a plastic stool did the trick - a simple example of what I'd like to call "100% Dumaguete." The Rizal Boulevard, being among the main people-magnets in the locality, is the center of most events; often giving the people of this "Gentle" city a satisfying dose of priceless and genuine fun. Despite the wonderful things said and observed, there is one drawback - beggars. Don't get me wrong, my heart bleeds by just seeing them. It's just that I don't let my emotions take dominion over my entirety.

Filipinos as we are, we cannot help but be sympathetic at times to the extent of going way beyond the limits. A lot of Filipinos find it very easy to give alms to those who apparently have nothing despite the fact that they too have their own share of struggles, or shall I say, are close to having nothing as well. Putting that aside, Filipinos don't seem to see the other side of the coin, all they see is the good that is evident whenever they tolerate giving of alms and perhaps feeding the beggars. What the majority fail to realize is the downside of it.

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." That's it, I think I just made my point. The moment you give beggars what they are begging for, you are contributing to their laziness thus making them believe that they could just easily survive and make it a habit, or more like a lifestyle. But how about the young beggars, you ask? It's of the same logic. No matter how young those beggars are, you are to remember that majority of them, if not all, have parents. Parents who keep on expanding the already big family. Parents who don't take full responsibility of their offspring. And worst of all, they are parents who treat their children as slaves and make them beg around the city to feed the entire family. Our emotion is the culprit for this outbreak. Our emotion is to blame.

Just imagine how it feels to cry at the most heartbreaking part of your favorite TV series; the same feeling you have when your favorite pet died or perhaps the feeling of extreme sadness for you being totally broke while in college. It's all a play of emotions. These emotions are innate in us but can sometimes be controllable depending on how set your mentality. Didn't you ever wonder why you see a lot of advertisements that don't really make sense or are nearly fictitious but at the end of the day you get to appreciate them because they trigger your emotions? It's a principle of advertising that diverts your attention and lets you focus merely on emotion to create a huge impact. Emotions can sometimes be dangerous and deceiving. Be wise enough to stay away from the trap before it's too late.

I have a heart for those unfortunate people out there who have less to very little in life. However, making them rely on what the others provide is adding insult to injury to their saddening situation. Until when will they remain as such? When will they ever get to stand for themselves and think of something acceptable to do that could uplift their way of living? Perhaps, people who tolerate begging in this planet are the ones who can give the best resolution to this aggravating frustration. And just in case you thought I forgot to include something, allow me to give a generous amount of blame to the government for this. Part of our taxes that disappeared into thin air could have been allotted to projects for those beggars in the light of giving them even a little spark of hope in life.

Crime - It's Everywhere

2010-09-01T22:40:00.006+08:00

I know it is a bit too late to react and comment about the dreadful crime that occurred in the country's metropolis lately but nevertheless, I shall pour my outburst on it before it flies away and dies a sudden death.

While the Quirino Grandstand hostage taking may have pushed the country into the spotlight, such happening placed the nation in bad light as well. It has reaped the attention of many, not discounting the shame and criticisms procured. So, what is it that makes this controversial topic a big deal?

Disrespect. Sometimes, sweeping generalizations can be an idiot's best friend. People who fall under such tend to point the blaming finger to an entire race instead of just doing so to the person responsible for the bloodshed. Don't get me wrong, I grieve for those lives who were swept by destiny's cruelty as well but what I simply cannot accept is the fact that along with the incident came a flood of comments lambasting us as a totality to the extent of calling our country a hotspot for prostitution and the like. Never can it be in line with the incident nor would it be an aftermath. So to those who think our country is terribly awful just because of that, just drop it and mind your own country's business. Remember that such crisis could occur in any country as well and when it does, it knows no race. The mistake of one can never be the mistake of over 90 million people as well.

Hate. Several citizens from various countries have established hate to our nation, belittling any person who resides in it. While it may be a hateable incident, such emotion isn't deserved by all of the Filipinos especially with hospitality and gentleness of the majority as a few of our primary defenses. In a set of 100 people, there will always be someone who will practice deviance for reasons beyond the acceptable. The answer to why that happens is widely known - humans by nature posses a certain degree of evil. I can only stress this enough, crime is everywhere and it doesn't choose a country. If I were to react the same way other people from other races did, I would have a long list of countries who have abused, killed and humiliated the people with the same nationality as mine.

Shame. Along with the damages done, shame with what Mendoza did surrounds the entire nation. One can feel the shame by just learning the news that the Philippines is now marked as an unsafe place to head to, not just from the standpoint of Hong Kong or surrounding countries but possibly with other countries too. Yes, it may be a fact that tourists were killed in this country but have you checked the history of your country for similar cases? There could even be worse cases reported (or not) but nevertheless, Filipinos didn't over react to the situation.

My disappointment over what happened doesn't stop here. Unless justice is served, this country will continually be faced with the same issues. Let this be a call to the Philippine government to provide justice for the victims. This serves as a challenge to the authorities as well to improve safety and security here. Enough is enough! We've been having too much issues with the efficiency of the police and similar agencies and I think it is high time to put an end to it. To people who have something ghastly to say about the Philippines, reserve your comments and check your country first before you start nitpicking. By then you'll realize that no country is perfect and that criminals are swarming this planet.

Realizations of a First-Timer

2010-08-09T13:19:00.006+08:00

There's surely nothing to hide. I'm a newbie in this industry: fresh, innocent but never the least in the list. I've long wanted to be where I'm at. I know it's considerably a bit shallow but I think it's actually a forte for me. Being in the BPO industry has taught me much that not even Silliman university could provide me with. Listed in my long list of learning is the reality that earning moola isn't that easy. Nevertheless, nothing beats the feeling of self-worth coupled with productivity. It's something that not every school can teach students and because of that, I have proven that being in a call center isn't bad for a job at all. Perhaps I have proven my point, being in a call center is decent enough and it never wasted my potential as a mass communicator. The sad reality is, nobody really earns much nowadays with just writing for community newspapers and there are not much jobs in the broadcasting industry that fit me, I think. Yes, not even radio would give me the fulfillment and stability that everybody's striving to attain.

Another thing, getting high grades in school doesn't matter as much as it did before. That's in the context of the BPO industry and other related businesses though. Maybe it would be hard for me to stress this enough but the way it is, not all people who excel in academics actually soar in real life. It can never be assurance enough nor will it be seen as an accurate parameter of intelligence in life. If you'll think about it carefully, one can reap high grades in school by simply being studious but the catch is, it's not enough to measure one's intellect. There are more factors to consider other than grades that teachers/professors may not necessarily be accurate in assessing. A number of graduates who have left school with flying colors ended up having frustratingly little in life. Even in my workplace, a good number of those who used to shine in school actually didn't even get to be noticed. So whenever I go back to school, I'm certain that the way I view it will be different then.

Almost everything, if not everything, is a cycle. I have come to realize this fact and internalize it even more the moment I took the job. They say being in a call center is boring because eventually you will "know it all." Truth is, looking around other jobs would suggest one commonality - routine, thus, a cycle. If you're a journalist, you basically do the same thing everyday. The only difference is the stories you handle from day to day. If you're a nurse, you deal with the same familiar task every time you go to your workplace. Same is true with call centers, you basically deal with the same processes, only that you encounter different people from time to time. So, there's no sense in setting too much hate on this job, making it appear to be a last resort for undergraduates who will soon kiss studying goodbye.

One reality I was made to understand is the fact that there is no abundance of jobs that require less effort than expected. There will always be circumstances that may test your patience and capability as an employee that may lead you to consider giving up. Your hardwork/effort will definitely reflect how much you will be compensated. In short, no job is totally easy and you are paid according to the service you render. So, nothing is safer than expecting the unexpected after all.

Environment. It is a jungle out there. The corporate world can either make or break you. It's diverse and sometimes complex and you don't have much control over it. One observation that may be common among call centers or in any other field is the diversity of practices, beliefs and attitudes. Nothing really separates it from the actual reality we all are faced with. Flexibility is the key in any issue in line with environment. You are ought to adjust with everything no matter how hard it may be. It is worth emphasizing that you can't expect everyone to conform according to what you expect them to be. Instead, it should be you breaking a leg in blending with the environment's rhythm.

Surely, there are a lot that I have failed to include in this very brief tally of realizations but I'm sure there will be a lengthy list in the future.

Heartfelt Gratitude

2010-06-16T21:24:00.007+08:00

It has been roughly a year and a half since "Jayvee" became a familiar name in local airwaves. Surprisingly, I was flattered when quite a number of hivers gave me the warmest welcome as a radio personality. From that point onwards, I knew my worth and purpose as a citizen of this country. I was glad to have served those who craved for the same passion that I have - music.

You may be wondering by now what's the reason behind the odd tone depicted in my words. This can be explained by my indefinite leave from Local Brew and the station as a whole starting June 20. It has been a hard decision for me to leave something I've been attached to for quite some time but I knew that it was for my personal good and that of the listeners' as well. It's no secret that I'm currently into a new career with a newcomer company in the city. Due to certain circumstances, I got a higher post, allowing me to experience conflict between my two interests. I know for a fact that one can't have it all at once; reason enough to give up one of my careers. My experience in radio was a wonderful one but I had to decide after weeks of thinking it over. The site's location including my preparation for each session and certain issues I prefer not to disclose, made the whole process of deciding considerably easier.

This is it. My expiration date in radio might have come but I am not closing my doors for a comeback in the near future in any of the numerous media outfits in the city or country as a totality. Because of this, allow me to grab the opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who believed in me and what I could offer. Same goes to those who have supported me all through out. I would also like to thank the people who served as my challenge in becoming better every time I go on air. To my Killerbee family, thanks for the camaraderie and thanks for being a part of my life in radio. To the summer jocks who have been under my leadership during summer of 2009, thanks for the opportunity to impart knowledge and learn from you guys at the same time. Without all of you, I wouldn't have reached this far.

My name is Jayvee and this has been one full chapter of my life in the world of radio. I will miss you guys. Take good care of yourselves. I wish you all the best. Adios Amigos!

Climbing Your Way Up

2010-06-12T10:06:00.008+08:00

It might be a surprise that after a long time of stagnancy and silence, I'm once again back to update this site. It was quite some time since certain circumstances have deprived me of the chance to express myself through my simple words. I'm here to gladly inform everybody that I'm currently having a new career. This has been my dream since I was still in school, busy kissing teachers' asses in the light of getting good grades. I was obviously kidding aside. This time, a lot of things have changed - including my priorities. I may have long went away with toys but I recently dropped some of my kiddie traits. Funny but it does make a lot of sense to me. I guess change is really inevitable, more so that I opted for a practical switch from being unemployed to otherwise.

I knew what changes were coming and what not but on the 31st of May, something beyond my expectations occurred. The company where I'm with opened doors for me with an opportunity that not even a good number of employees are given. With fingers crossed, I got the QA Analyst position without even a drop of my hard work's juice. For a first timer in the call center industry, I believe, this is such a blessing considering that my status is new to them. Of course, this wouldn't happen if they thought I was a piece of junk in the first place. Nobody really asked me why I got the post or how I landed to a higher department but giving out my secret as to how I got it isn't such a bad idea.

To start with, always bear in mind that first impressions last. I've been a witness as to how this myth-like cliché unfold in its truest sense. Yes, first impressions do last and I believe a better terminology for it is recall. This works in most call center companies as far as I know. During the onset of the training, product trainers or bigwigs who serve as the company filters wouldn't have time to get to know their employees one by one. So, why not give them a permanent stamp in their memories to let them remember you? Take note that not all impressions are good so the best thing to do is to give them the best and unique side of you. Do show off your skill if you have it otherwise keep it and don't attempt to show anything that you never possessed in the first place.

Equip yourself with a feet magnet. If there is one thing I'm sure of with the company I'm with, it would be the principle that attitude is paramount. Skill equipped with attitude is the perfect duo one should posses in any field of work. Remember that skill can be acquired faster than desirable attitude. Bottom line is, you should make sure that you leave any negative attitude outside work or eradicate if possible. Unfortunately, there isn't an invention such as a feet magnet just yet. So, the best thing to do is to ensure that you device your own feet magnet for you not to fly way above the limits. In short, don't be a bighead whether you have a high position or you just feel like having one.

Your body is composed of 60% water for men and 55% for women. The same is true with how work is to be dealt with. Flexibility, purity and transparency are just three of the many traits that employees (in call centers, at least) are supposed to possess. Your attachment to the company is comparable to clean water. It's up to you to maintain its cleanliness and prevent it from being tainted. Once it's dirty, the company will have to dispose of the water and have it replaced with a fresh one. Makes sense? Well, it should.

Be productive. People wouldn't help but notice your worth in any company. It is expected that you'd be an asset to the company, not a liability. In a more familiar manner, you should do your task(s) as expected. If you fall short in complying the company's standards, it would be very essential to give yourself a personal evaluation. It's easy, just learn what you're supposed to learn, do what you're ought to and pour a satisfactory amount of devotion to your job. Otherwise, you will surely mess up big time.

There's actually a long check list of what you should do and shouldn't in your way to climbing your way up. The problem is, I am yet to figure out the rest. For now, the aforementioned should do the trick. Go ahead and take the right path. In no time, you should get what you deserve. Carpe Diem!

A Letter To Mom

2010-05-09T14:34:00.007+08:00

Dear mom,

Fate led me to a rough ride called life. It wasn't really as stable as one would expect. Nevertheless, I do not blame you because I owe my life from you. It is now that I have come to see the world, how it is to live with pressures surrounding me. I may not have handled everything well, but at least I've attained certain achievements that would, at least, make you proud of a son you have. Mom, you just don't know how much ecstatic I am whenever I excel. You don't know how much I yearn for your appreciation and attention. In any of those, you gave me the right dose of what I've expected. Mom, my words wouldn't be enough to express my gratitude for always being there despite the distance, for extending a comforting hand whenever I stumble and fall, for sharing with me what I find most useful today. You've been the strongest wall I could lean on whenever I feel tired and weary.

At times I couldn't help but feel that something's missing in our family but in all those, you've exerted much to negate my longing. I might have missed the opportunity of having a father standing beside me at times I needed one but I am proud that despite the situation, you still raised and molded me to be who I am right now. Now, I can be proud to tell the world that I come from a broken family. That despite the situation, we still deviated from mediocrity and have come to live our lives as we do today.

Mom, you have a proud son right here, ready to face the world and defend you from people who may interfere. Thank you for being selfless enough to give us what we want and need despite leaving nothing for yourself at times. Thank you for making me feel that I'm special even if I think otherwise. You have made your part, I will soon.

Do you still remember that one instance I asked you 20 bucks 'coz I needed to buy something nearby? Remember how much hesitant you were in giving me what I wanted but nonetheless you still granted my plead? Remember how we both ended up crying when I gave you the card I made from it? Remember how relevant that day was with what we have today? Yes mom, it was Mother's Day back then. This time, I can no longer hand you letters with those fancy crayon drawings on it nor give you the most cuddly stuffed toy there is but let this serve as my surprise to you. I love you mom.

Happy Mother's Day! You're the best mom in the whole world!

Love lots,
Jave

Who Deserves Your Vote?

2010-05-02T14:21:00.009+08:00

We're down to our last few days before the first automated elections in the Pearl of the Orient. So, do you have a candidate in mind already? If not, maybe my principles will guide you to finally pick who's who.

First and foremost, my vote is NOT for sale. Ads including abundance of campaign materials, too much airtime and the most dangerous one - SURVEYS are among the few ways for politicians to buy your precious votes. Go ahead and vote Villar if think your vote has a price.

Secondly, my vote should NOT be put to waste. Yeah, it's easier said than realized. The determining factor whether I junked it or not is when the candidate I intend to vote for actually made SOMETHING or NOTHING for the betterment of the people. I hate to name names but in order to give you a perfect visualization of a politician who's fond of doing nothing I'd make Noynoy Aquino a perfect example. Of course, I wouldn't stop anyone from voting him. Maybe the data below could help.

Third, my vote should not be based solely on popularity. Filipinos, intelligent or otherwise tend to rely on popularity in easily choosing candidates. Well, if popularity would be basis enough, I dare the Filipinos to elect Manny Pacquiao instead. He's a tad popular than Erap, isn't he?

Fourth, my vote SHOULD go to the person who has served a number of Filipinos. One who has an outstanding track record, exceptional leadership skills and someone whose works are visible and evident even as I write. The only person who matches these critera is Senator Gordon. I'm not telling you to dump any other candidate you have in mind. What I simply want is for you to, at least, consider Gordon to lead the country. If he was able to transform Subic, it shouldn't be impossible for him to do the same or even do more great developments for our motherland.

May 10, 2010 will be among the most remarkable days of the country, I reckon. By then, the world will see how the minds of the Filipinos work. It could make or break the country's tomorrow. It's not enough to just think, you are ought to think HARD! Make a difference and stop the majority's CRAP mentality. Remember, this country went through a lot. Filipinos have voted and ousted presidents already, don't let more of those to happen. In your ballots lie the country's fate.

This time, get to know my bet...

Dirty Politics

2010-04-21T13:52:00.006+08:00

I've never been such a fan of Philippine politics since then but I'd like to think that there's a little light of hope in store for it. From the time Marcos held the presidency up to this very point in time, there's really nothing much to brag about the way governance is right here.

Corruption has been long in "power" in the political system in the country. A lot of people have tried to combat such act but no one really made a big impact. What could be wrong? Why is this country wrapped with greed and hunger for power? Is there no other way to get filthy rich in this side of the planet aside from corruption? Apparently, nobody holds the exact and satisfying answer to that. It has been said a couple of times that we only need change to right the wrong. Well, what seemed to them before as an easy task turns out to be among the hardest officials are faced with today.

The past months not only seemed to be full of crap but were actually twice that. Promises thrown everywhere. Change of heart, no to corruption, aims to development and more lies are yet to come especially that May 10, 2010 is just around the corner. So tell me, what's so new about politics in this country? I can tell that envelopes will be almost sold out a week before the electoral process. They'll be in dire need for it. In the first place, where will they place the money and the sample ballots? They won't be as blunt as giving it directly, would they? That I am yet to see.

It's just so sad that everything seems to be associated with money. Not only do people sell votes in here, even DOJ's AGRA-vated pest in power just did the same thing with his biased decision. Saying goodbye to that little flick of hope remaining for the family members of the Maguindanao massacre was just easy for Agra despite evidences and testimonies of witnesses. Talking about pathetic people!

Upon certain realizations, I no longer know whether there's still a better tomorrow for Juan de la Cruz. The upcoming elections just won't help, I reckon. With that much money they spent? Isn't it quite obvious that their ROI or Return On Investment will meet realization when these people win and eventually engage in corruption? Now, I no longer question why a lot of people aspire to stay away from this country. Life's difficult in here. Everything's cheap when money comes to play, even your lives; and yes, even your votes...

Beat the Heat!

2010-03-22T17:56:00.004+08:00

Summer is here and there’s no stopping it! Because of that, confusion on what to do is at large. Whether it is for school or just for nothing at all, it wouldn’t matter anymore. What will surely count is the thought of you having lots and lots of things to do. In line with this, we would like to be of help to make your summer a productive, fun and meaningful one. So, are you ready for summer? We bet you do!

First things first! Make sure to plan what you really want to do all summer long. It’s going to be a long one so make sure to plan well enough. After such mentally exhausting process, it is best to take it one step at a time. Also, you might be interested to consider some activities that would help hype up the season.

Sports, sports, sports! When would be the best time for them but this summer? It’s one way to burn some fats you have acquired because of pigging around the whole year round. There are a variety of water sports to let you feel that summer’s here. Beach Volley to get away from the boring Volleyball courts that you perhaps saw numerous times already. Get those sunburns on from swimming under the heat of the sizzling hot sun! Does the option to go green sound interesting? Then you might consider scuba diving in the country’s many dive sites. Or better yet, go mountain climbing. But if you feel lazy to engage in these activities, you can always plant trees and help Mother Nature revive what it has lost. This way, you can stay fit and healthy this summer. If those weren’t capture your interest, then maybe giving yourself a break will do the trick!

Go far, far and away this summer! Travel like you never did and see the world’s wonders! Traveling enables you to learn a lot of interesting facts and information. We know that traveling abroad could be very, very costly so a good alternative would be to travel within the country. That won’t be as painful to the pocket as traveling abroad, would it? However, if you still find this costly enough, your last resort would be to travel to tourist attractions nearby. This way, you will get to still have fun without spending much for a trip.

There are a lot more things to do this summer that may spell out f-u-n for you. It’s just a matter of thinking it over and doing what you really like to do this summer. So, what’s holding you from enjoying? Go on, have a great summer and make sure to share your experiences with friends and classmates when you’re back to school!

Just a Thought

2010-03-14T11:20:00.007+08:00

I never relied on astrology to tell me what's in store for me, nor have I believed in wishing on falling stars. It's my life, I make my own fate. My choices, they drive me to where I should be...

A Not So Graceful Farewell

2010-03-05T14:54:00.007+08:00

February 28 - the last day of February of this year marks another last day for one variety show in a national television network - SOP. I was browsing through several videos in Youtube when this one video of SOP's final episode caught my attention. Take a look and see for yourself what is exactly wrong with this projected "happy ending:"

I was fine watching it until the part came when the singers-turned-frustrated-rappers started singing or shall I say blabbering these infamous lines: ‘Itong ASAP tuwang-tuwa ngayon, natalo na nila ang dating hindi matalo. Ngunit bakit hindi niyo ba alam, kami’y magbabalik at hindi pa magtatapos ang laban!’ What was supposedly a graceful exit was deliberately turned into a bitter and disgusting banishment of the show. What example were they trying to set to the people aspiring to be next on cam and behind cam? With this unprofessional act that Philippine television has witnessed, I'd have to say that the aforementioned variety show has set a new world record being the first to add insult to injury amidst their attempt to an unforgettable end due to defeat in the ratings game. I wanted to just let this pass but a side of me is convinced that what happened wasn't such an appropriate thing to do especially in this semi-conservative country. Let defeat speak for itself; nothing else will help...

Not So Sweet Revenge

2010-03-05T08:46:00.009+08:00

Not so long after a catastrophic earthquake with magnitude 7.0 M_w hit Haiti that killed more than 230,000 people, another environmental disaster occurred in Chile with an even higher magnitude of 8.8 on the moment magnitude scale. The February 27 earthquake not only shook the homes and took the lives of a considerably high number of people but also caused a deep trauma to them. Right after, nearby countries were warned of possible tsunamis to hit due to the intensity of the quake. Could this imply that Mother Nature is taking a toll on humanity?

Since the advent of the new technology, man’s intellect and innovations have been causing a lot of harm to the environment through excessive use of resources added with the destructive pileup of pollution especially in the industrial field. Unfortunately though, man’s intellect is not even half of Mother Nature’s for it is her who knows what’s best for the world. But despite that, man has continued to break the natural cycle causing the earth to operate abnormally. Right now, slowly but surely, Mother Nature’s not-so-sweet revenge is heavily felt from typhoons to floods, drought to earthquakes to mention a few. Just like humans, she can only endure so much and the moment she gets so fed up, an outburst of disasters will be at large. It’s no surprise that nature can be cruel as man could be. Man should not discount the fact of falling short in giving back to the environment. Perhaps it is high time that we realize the value of protecting our habitat for it is not only the lower species that benefit from it but us also. Being given intellect to rule supreme over other creations, it is our responsibility to lookout and maintain the land that every human being steps on. Whether it is Mother Nature’s intention to allow such calamities to occur or not, they have all passed and it’s too late to utilize our pointing fingers again to assign the blame.

Perhaps the best thing to do right now is to be united as one, regardless of race, language or other differences. In the first place, it is not the people of Haiti or Chile’s fault having experienced Mother Nature’s wrath. Our help, big or small, will surely help a lot to at least ease the physical and emotional pain that the victims are into right now. If there’s one perfect time to make a difference, it is NOW.

Your Fault or Not?

2010-02-24T14:46:00.004+08:00

If you're in a situation where you can clearly hear other people's conversations, will it turn out to be an unethical act? This is something I'm currently faced with. Let's find out as we move along.

First point: Hearing other people's conversations can be a not-so-good thing to do but when you're confined in a small place with them and you couldn't help but hear what they say, that cannot be taken against you.

Second point: It is not your fault to hear people talking about confidential or non-confidential topics. More so, it is not your fault that you're situated near them and that you can hear them loud and clear. Unless, of course, if there's a defect with your ears then I'd say you're an exception.

Third point: If people talk about sensitive matters, the more appropriate place to do so is somewhere really private. That's if they find the topic too sensitive for other people to hear. Logically, if they're talking about it in public then they should have known beforehand the risks of getting heard by others. While there may be a law protecting communication per se, there is no such thing as a law against accidentally hearing other people's talks, is there?

Fourth point: For as long as you just keep what you've heard to yourself, then that shouldn't be a problem at all. But I understand that there are just instances when you feel the urge to spread the word to others. This calls for a debate within you. You should be mature enough to find out whether there's a need to tell it to others or not. Technically, I'd say you should keep it to yourself so as not to interfere with the communication that you're not even involved with but if it's something that needs to be exposed to the public then so be it.

Also, If you're wondering whether it is right to react within yourself about what you've heard or not then wonder no more. It's completely normal. Since you're given your own intellect, you would naturally have a say on what has been talked about even if you're not part of it.

I'd be very glad to hear some more tips regarding this issue if you have insights. Feel free to comment.

Enough is Enough!

2010-02-22T20:49:00.003+08:00

Written: December 2009

For: Opinion Writing Class

Delayed post: Yes! LOL

The Philippines - the second most dangerous country to practice journalism last year, has now taken Iraq's "pride" of being on top. Sure, everybody wants to be number one but, in this case, I think nobody would even desire to be supreme.

Now undoubtedly the scariest place to practice journalism, I cannot help but look down on our country, given the misfortune. Today, the freedom of the press is highly questionable to the extent of risking lives to practice the profession and feed the people with valid and accurate information.

To a lot of journalists, political killings pose as a big problem that call for the immediate attention of the government. They are already deprived of the so-called "freedom" they're supposed to be privileged with. Partly, a big amount of blame is well deserved by the Philippine government. The improper implementation of martial law in the Maguindanao area is just adding insult to injury and is apparently of no help at all.

The government is implementing martial law to cover up their failures in governance. Protection of the journalists is supposed to be a priority in this country. But no! It's seemingly not reaping any attention at all. The gruesome massacre only shows that the country is, still, in chaos. Needless to say, this only adds up to the government's already tainted reputation.

Nearly 60 lives - aren't they enough to call the government's attention? If we remain in this state of possessing powerful, heartless and hideous beasts, the country will remain in its terribly bad shape. Let respect for journalists be widely practiced for they are the country's eyes and ears. Let justice be given to the victims of the Maguindanao massacre. We've already had enough!!!

Blah Blah Blah

2010-02-15T22:16:00.005+08:00

Remember the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf?" It just reminds me how a person's first words or actions could be very fatal. The moment somebody leaves a certain impression, chances of making it last long to the majority is high. It doesn't necessarily have to be something new, sometimes an unusual response or reaction to certain circumstances can be taken against the person and there's definitely no turning back.

It's ironic though how some people play deaf and blind to what they have said in the past. Well, there's always a remedy for every problem and for this kind, I'd say confronting them about the words you've heard with your own ears is the best solution. They really need to have bits of reality slapped in their faces to fully recall the exact words they uttered whether they meant them or not.

What's worse is the thought of them, in the end, blaming you and telling you to "walk your talk." Stressing that you broke your own rules while making you accountable for all the hang-ups that may have occurred in your life. Look who's talking now? Some people think they can get away with such tactic but to people like me, I don't think they could even reach halfway. I'm not such a fan of falling into those kinds of trap or shall I say, crap. Again, if ever you come to this point in time and you know you're right, don't think twice and insist on what you know.

It's always best to be very careful especially with the words that the sometimes tactless mouth can utter. Words, more often than not, reflect the personality of a person and there's no such thing as taking back what has already been said. Not even a sorry can take the pain away from the receiver. Knowing the consequences of words about to be uttered is apparently a hard yet essential thing to do. It helps a lot in keeping a safe distance from trouble.

Yeah, they're right, life is clever and I can feel the peak of its cleverness as I compose this post. This should serve as a call for awareness in this tough environment. If you find yourself somehow guilty, just remember this - be careful what you say for it can be taken back against you at any moment.

The Sweetest Day of the Year

2010-02-15T12:00:00.006+08:00

Yesterday was probably not the best Valentines celebration for me but it's surely one of the worth-reminiscing encounters I had so far. I'm glad that things turned well despite my work and the aftermath of the Love Sux party which brought about stress. Everything was simple. No need for fancy balloons or flowers to brighten up the day. What's of paramount importance is the presence of each other during the day.

I'm leaving you for now with a thought you should seriously ponder:

You'll know when the right person has come the moment you forget your bitter past and get over it real quick. Belated Happy Hearts day everyone!

Fire!!!

2010-01-12T15:44:00.005+08:00

January 5, 2010 1:10 pm - Fire! This was something that wasn't really new for the people. The real score about what caused the fire or whether it was intentionally done or not still remains a mystery up to now. Now, it's time to wave goodbye to our old Ultra Vision Cinema.

Despite the bitter fate, I am a bit happy and at the same time hopeful that the building will be transformed into a better one. A building that can house something contrary to what it used to be - an old, jurassic and substandard cinema. There's no way I could forget my previous dates with the rats and cockroaches specially bred inside the cinema. Nor will I forget watching a horror movie with the main characters' voices transformed into those of chipmunks'. It was just oh so horrible and disappointing!

Anyway, here are a few videos I took when the incident happened. Shall I say sit back, relax and enjoy the show? Kidding aside!

Dumaguete's Pride - Noreco (?)

2010-01-11T23:28:00.007+08:00

Everything was fine, I was pretty much busy with my daily habit - surfing the net. My bandwidth speed was acceptable, the environment was better and cooler than usual and everything else were virtually perfect until darkness swallowed the entire world (as far as my sight was concerned though). Poof! NORECO strikes again with its very promising "ASSet" and trademark - frequent blackouts.

The last time I heard about Dumaguete being a city was just yesterday and as far as I can remember, cities, big or small, are supposed to be ahead in terms of economic and industrial aspects compared to those that are not. This leads me to entertaining the thought of Dumaguete being among the few cities, if not the capital, atop the list in terms of blackouts. Whether the "urban" impression and implication of being a city is widely felt or not, nothing changes the fact that Dumaguete is still Jurassic considering the Electric Cooperative that the place has.

Correct me if I'm wrong about this but isn't the local government capable of taking serious action about this century-old issue (or even older)? Can't they limit the number of announced and unannounced power service interruptions and punish NORECO whenever they fail to abide it? Take a look at other cities in the country. They don't have scheduled power service interruptions during weekends (or at least not as much) nor do they experience frequent abrupt power failures.

If there's one word to describe NORECO, it would be lousy. Needless to say, it's a given that we'll share a lot of sentiments in common. If you have noticed, they've been scheduling service interruptions for almost every week. If you're thinking that they're doing major transformations in their facilities, I'd have to advise you to stop making such high hopes. Most of the time, they just do cutting. Yes, you read that just right. They cut tree branches that are near their electric wires. If not, they might be replacing their wooden posts or probably just rewiring. Talking about innovation! Nothing's new, nothing's fresh. It's still the same old crappy NORECO that we'll have to face for the entire year and for the upcoming years.

How long should we bear with this discomfort? How long should we risk our appliances' safety? How long should businesses in the city patiently hang on to their generators in times of service interruptions? This is way too much and is hardly bearable! We need a real Electric Cooperative that is modern enough to give us the service that we deserve. I'm sick of hearing NORECO putting the blame on the former PNOC. They forgot to somehow point the blaming finger at themselves.

Silliman Might Soon be Silliman Then...

2010-01-08T11:39:00.007+08:00

It is but a cliché when I hear of the naked truth that learning isn't simply confined in the four walls of a classroom and yet it is ironic how some people, still, do not get the whole point of it. It's sad to learn that this is happening in the campus by the sea, Silliman University, with credits to its bigwigs.

Psychology, the science (and/or study) of human behavior, strongly established in me that theory added with theory per se is an experience that's half-baked. Because of this, I feel bad that Silliman University ridiculously failed in this aspect. For two years now, a moratorium on field trips existed, suspending academic field exposures outside the province. Unfortunately, that doesn't exclude any subject at all. According to the moratorium, today's economic problem in the country and in almost every country aside is the main culprit. What can be a more lame and disgusting reason for this? I can't seem to think of any. The real score is plain and simple! For decades now, the Philippines has been experiencing the "financial or economic constraint" that they were referring to FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! This is definitely not just a recent issue because the moment the world economic crisis occurred, the Philippines was in its already terrible shape - probably the reason why there's little to no effect to the majority at all.

An exposure trip, for instance, has just been denied by our "beloved" Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and her colleagues (or clerks perhaps?). The trip's aim is to expose students to the actual fields or the real world out there especially that the students will get to decide for themselves on what path to take later on. These are places that we will find nowhere in this small city of Dumaguete. Without the exposure, the students will just depend on what theory feeds them without really getting a taste of how it is really like in the real setting. It's just like learning the essentials of swimming without getting a single dip at the pool.

It's just sad that the quality of education is compromised because of the so-called "financial issues." What's more insulting is the fact that the field trip that the VPAA just denied permission was not even compulsory but instead was just highly recommended. If the parents of the students are capable of spending for the field trip, I don't see any good reason to deprive the students the privilege that the students in Manila are endowed with. Yes, it's also an issue of competitiveness that, apparently, the university falls short of when it comes to the aspect of real and quality exposure which is vital in the learning process. While it may be true that some components of the university have gained recognition for their superb and/or outstanding performance, it is equally important that other programs be enhanced for a higher chance of being among the cream of the crop as well.

Silliman University is still the same old Silliman, I believe, but I'm afraid that if this "austerity measure" continues, the quality of education might go down, even way below the acceptable level and the school will just end up looking back at what it was back then. Education is an investment not a cost.

Your School's Name - Does it matter?

2009-12-14T21:15:00.009+08:00

Certainly, there will be unending debates on this matter especially that a lot of schools and universities are involved in this. This is one matter that consumed a lot of my brain's juices and I'd have to admit, it's quite hard to make a stand and defend it all throughout. But does your school's name really help in getting yourself a job?

Bias, as they call it, is still existent in this world and wherever you'll go, there will be no escaping when it comes to this. Yes, this applies to job seeking too. It may not necessarily be a good idea to state this but when time calls for this instance, I'm better off saying that there is a so-called "racism" going on in the corporate world today. So, why do companies have to look at the name of your school and its performance? It's plain and simple, they just want to make sure that you've had sufficient training/schooling that's apt for their standards. There's no denying that any company will want to have the best from among the many. Thus leading them to a thorough screening and evaluation which fortunately/unfortunately includes a preference on certain (top or reputable) schools. This may pose to be a problem among the majority who are seemingly demotivated by the "racism." But before I go further, let me just elaborate why there's this certain bias among employers. As far as position is concerned, there's clarity in the thought that these people in charged for employment are knowledgeable enough to pick the more equipped applicants. Of course, it is a given that a (high) number of these people come from certain schools, often from "preferred" schools as well, and it's natural that they give particular attention to applicants of their school especially that they would know what they've been through in the course of knowledge-seeking in college and they would likewise be assured that there will surely be this so-called "quality." Adding to that, they're knowledgeable enough of the kind of learning environment these applicants have been to, with facilities, instruction and a lot more factors also being taken into consideration.

Preferences in schools are comparable with preferences in brand names. It won't take deep logic to verify this. Take for example "Brand A" being the better option among competition. Surely, people who aim for the best won't settle for any other brand and they won't even take risk, given that many factors such as quality and the like shouldn't be discounted at all. But wait! What about the other brands? On the brighter side, there will still be other considerations included as well. "Brand A" surely won't have them all and there will always be better products from other brands as well. But then again, there's no sense in questioning why people choose "BRAND A" on top of any other, is there? Same is true in employment. There's no stopping these companies from opting employment of graduates from top institutions especially that they're not just looking for hard-working but intellectual people as well.

While certain people believe that this scenario no longer exists, I can't help but repel especially when proof is there to settle any argument regarding this. I highly recommend setting aside any bias regarding any school. Just look around and see. By then you'll get to discover that, indeed, there is still racism in job seeking. You'll need to open your eyes and believe what reality there is.

Fortunately, it's not the crack of doom for you if you don't belong to any of the top/preferred schools. It is worth taking note that you are ought to market yourself no matter what. A better option is to excel in your field or craft for there is a higher probability that your experience will be taken into consideration more than the name of your school. Another edge that can bring you up there is when you get involved in extra-curricular activities. They will be an added edge especially when talks about inside and outside the classroom experiences are concerned. Always remember that if your school and its name won't be of help in you landing a job, then by all means, do it on your own, at your very best! As they say, it certainly won't be over until the fat lady sings. So, show them what you got!

Are you ready?

2009-12-05T22:18:00.006+08:00

Christmas is right around the corner and we're off to our final countdown for it. But wait! Amid our anticipation, it is best to ask ourselves whether we are ready for Christmas.

It is widely known that the longest Christmas is here in the country and there's no denying, a lot of us have already set up our homes with decorations fit for the season. But is it just decorations that we really need to prepare? Perhaps, we need even more than mere aesthetic enhancements. Financial stability is something we all look up for, especially in this special month of the year and we know for a fact that money can buy a lot of things - gifts included. If so, what happens if we fall short of our expectations? It's a sad reality that a number of Filipinos today no longer celebrate Christmas, not for the reason that they do not want to, but because of financial constraint. It is in this kind of instance that we should somehow be thankful that we still get to celebrate Christmas no matter how simple it may be.

To numerous Filipino families, though they celebrate Christmas, the festivity still isn't complete. A loved one working or living abroad just to sustain the family's needs is pretty common, isn't it? I feel for them as I, myself, belong to the same boat. Though technology has made this world a global village, nothing will ever beat the actual presence of a loved one on Christmas day. The internet won't be able to send real hugs and kisses to the people who matter to us most. Sad as it may be, we should remember that life is sometimes unfair and that we must move on no matter what.

Christmas will still be Christmas without us celebrating it. So, we might as well be one with the world in celebration. More often than not, diverting our attention will prevent us from dwelling in our sad realities. Buy yourself and loved ones something for the season and you will see how happy it can get. Most importantly, it is worth remembering that Christmas is not just about receiving as it is also a good time for giving. As they say, it is far better to give than receive.

We don't really need a grand celebration for Christmas. To those of you whose families are complete during Christmas day, be thankful because you are lucky to have them on that special day. To those who aren't as privileged, there are a lot more reasons to smile than frown on that extraordinary event. Let us all be happy and thankful of what we have, for the poorest of poor can even be happier than the majority of us this Christmas. Have a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year ahead!

Again?

2009-12-03T09:56:00.007+08:00

The 2010 elections - unarguably among the highly anticipated happenings in the archipelago today. We've been witnesses at how politicians started the selling of their names through television, radio or even in print media ads. So, tell me, what's so new about this?

Automated elections? You can't be kidding me! Is this what the government is bragging to its people? Well yes, in a sense, it does help a lot in the electoral process but the main question that enters my mind in an instant is "will it also help improve the quality of leadership in this country?" For so as long as we have the same dishonest officials craving for the country's premier positions, nothing will ever change in this country. This leads me to a deeper analysis of the current system of politics and its electoral process.

You can just imagine how many millions or, shall I say, billions of Pesos are spent just to gain popularity through any form of advertisement. It can be recalled that early "campaigns" existed way before the last day of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy. What's more amazing (or disgusting) is the fact that these politicians shell out even more resources than the salary they're projected to earn in a year. Does this seem fishy to you too? Of course it should! These politicians will certainly see corruption as a means of getting their "ROI/Return on Investment" the earliest possible time. Who would waste money just to get a position that doesn't even compensate half the actual amount of expenses to get there?

Still not convinced? Here's a more frustrating news: ex-convict and ousted President Estrada is now having his return in the world of politics after all things said and done. Do we need another EDSA revolt if ever? Nah! I think that's already way too much. Can't we have any other presidential candidate instead? Are we falling short of wise and honest leaders in this side of the earth or should the better question be, are we contented with these kinds of politicians?

I, myself, already lost enthusiasm in voting this upcoming elections. Nobody really caught my attention yet. But despite that, I know that my vote can make a big, big difference. Ironically, I'm thinking of voting without writing names in my ballot - which is entirely useless in the first place. Though I haven't lost hope in this country yet, I already did with its political side and as to when and how this impression will vanish, I do not really know. One thing is certain though, it's not over until the fat lady sings.

Pinoy Nga!

2009-11-24T10:16:00.006+08:00

Filipinos, a race of creative, competitive and cranky people. Sometimes, we prefer doing things the wrong way and laugh them all out. Don't we just love such feeling?

I've always been fascinated at how a lot of us Filipinos manage to spend time face to face with Adobe Photoshop and make fun of other people's faces. Take for instance the fancy photographs of the people's champ, Manny Pacquiao and his mom scattered all over the web.

I'm admitted that these are really funny photos but on the part of the people involved, these may not necessarily be fun at all. A lot of us are aware that this is sinfully hilarious at the expense of somebody else's image but then it's apparent that not even the act of sinning bothers us anymore – not even the slightest of it. So now, is it still safe to call the Philippines a Catholic/Christian country or is it just by name that we consider ourselves such? I am led to believe that Filipinos are somehow the same as before in terms of religiosity but a part of me says that people are becoming even more sinful by the generation.

I can't help but mention the growing number of teenage pregnancies in the country. Isn't it against our own faith? The past years, I've grown to embrace the fact that a lot has changed already. Yesterday's Maria Clara is already 6 feet below the ground. Crab mentality worsened even more and its end is nowhere in sight.

Frustratingly, there are even a lot more to mention but I prefer not to. It's hardly bearable especially that I somehow feel guilt in realizing that at certain instances, I am one with the majority in failing to right the wrong.

At the end of them all, we always assign the blame to something or someone else; often neglecting the possibility that we ourselves can be worth the blame too. Who's to blame might turn out to be a question that nobody might dare answer in the near future.

Loose Grip

2009-11-23T22:37:00.004+08:00

What happens to a relationship when one loses hope on the simplest of situations? That is among the many questions scattered all over my consciousness as I face one of the toughest struggles I have encountered in my 20 years of existence.

I used to think that relationships should be deeply rooted on present situations but this certain instance proved me wrong. There are a lot more to consider in order to attain a desirable journey as a pair. Among those that need to be considered in a relationship is a deep understanding of what a real couple is. I just cannot imagine how a number of people get to compete with their other half's friends, family and most frustratingly, work. I just find it real shallow especially with a mindset that there will surely be rougher seas ahead that can barely be predicted.

I just wish people will learn how to give way at certain instances especially because there is no such thing as "total ownership" when it comes to relationships. It is but selfishness that prevail among people who think about the word "I," most of the time forgetting that sometimes being alone is not a bad thing. I hate to say this but I don't think people who possess majority of the aforementioned problems will ever find someone who can last long with them; that's if they ever will find one.

Given the chance to name the ideal significant other for me, that someone should first and foremost, understand that there is somehow that little world outside the relationship that needs particular attention as well. Second, I find it essential that deeper understanding of work and its purpose be instilled especially that it's usually for a selfless reason. Third, I'd go for someone who knows how to understand situations and analyze before throwing whatever "brilliant ideas/comments" there are. If only people knew better on the aspect of understanding, then the world would have been less complicated.

There's no sense in quitting where there isn't really any point of doing so but if everything else fails, giving up can be the only resort.

And because of this, I rest my case. I find no sense in fighting for someone, who can't even fight for what used to be "us" in the first place. I'm just human, prone to vulnerability and weariness. I once again, officially, embrace the arguably lonely world of aloneness.

The Lonely Booth

2009-11-18T00:01:00.007+08:00

Lively, jolly and all hyped up are some of the common characteristics that people regard radio personalities, more popularly known as DJs. They are celebrities in their own field who dominate the airwaves and fill it with music pleasing to the listeners’ ears. But what really happens to the people behind the voices is something that is not really familiar to the majority.

Oftentimes, it is very easy for people to jump into conclusions and that, unfortunately, includes the mentality that being a radio personality only requires eloquence. In reality, the job requires more effort than what people perceive. Jessica Moldez, a radio personality of Killer Bee Dumaguete, believes that her job is, more often than not, underestimated. She thinks the reason behind this is the people’s lack of information about her career. Attending to thousands of listeners, hundreds of text messages, arranging the flow of songs, answering phone calls, preparing information tidbits as well as getting all-hyped up has become part of her system as a radio personality. But despite that, Moldez still loves what she’s in right now.

“This is an avenue where I can express myself and at the same time, entertain people with the right dose of music they love to hear.” Moldez further explained that music has become a stress-reliever for her especially that she’s usually stressed as a call canter agent. At the same time, she finds joy in pleasing her listeners, “hearing a simple admiration from listeners is a very pleasing experience that never fails to make me smile.”

They say nobody can please everybody; that applies to the job of a DJ too. Radio is a very complex medium and so is its listeners and Moldez understands that it is either a please or piss situation for anybody in the radio industry concerned. “It’s all a matter of taste. Apparently it’s mandatory for us to welcome comments or criticisms or let’s just put it this way, we just don’t have any other choice.” She is better off facing criticisms, taking them as challenges to further enhance her performance. In radio, there is really no way to control who the listeners should be—one reason why radio personalities should all the more understand that it’s a diverse community out there.

“Sometimes listeners tend to be so harsh on us but even though it hurts a lot, it must not get into us and affect our performance because the rest of them will surely notice it.” The more depressing thing is the presence of listeners who send criticisms, often without any basis, just to bring radio personalities down. Those are just some of the many problems that Moldez and people in the same field as hers are faced with.

A lot of people ask Moldez what exactly happens inside the studio off-air. Contrary to what it may seem, it’s a lonely world for her inside the DJ’s booth especially when alone. In her case, she has to face the computer and read numerous text messages that people send within her 3-hour shift. “I myself thought I’d go nuts after a few months working here [at Killer Bee] in a sense that the computer and the microphone are the ones I usually talk to on-air.” What’s more difficult for Moldez is the part where she has to do away with certain dilemmas and emotional pains just to entertain her audience. For her, it’s essential because most, if not all, listeners care less about what’s happening to the jock on board—a sad reality that radio personalities are aware of. “A lot of our listeners miss the point that we are also humans who are prone to hurting at any given time, even at work.”

For a rate of Php 25.00 an hour, Moldez is ought to do multi-tasking and worst, troubleshooting. Just like employees of other companies, she gets her fair share of reprimands whenever she commits mistakes and she always views them as constructive. Whether or not the salary is worth-it, she doesn’t really mind. What’s more important to her is the experience that she’s enjoying and the opportunity given to her that not everybody is entitled to.

Radio personalities are faced with even more problems that occur in their day to day lives. Balancing their personal, social and professional life is very important in their work. It is worth taking note that even though they’re often called celebrities, they are still human beings who have emotions and are still entitled to privacy. By nature, the job of a radio personality is very demanding as it doesn’t require just eloquence but also requires wit, dedication, patience and a greater understanding of the diverse community. Just like what Moldez said, it’s a difficult life inside the DJ’s booth where her only companions are computers, microphones and other technologies that she can’t even talk and share her emotions with. It’s all happy when the microphone turns on but it’s different when it’s turned off.

Paper Clip Prince

2009-11-17T23:40:00.008+08:00

Kyle walks along one of the streets in the city when he saw a red paper clip on the sidewalk. He stopped and pondered deeply, and without hesitation he picked it up. He knew he can do something better than throwing it away. And from that time on, every paper clip Kyle sees was never the same again.

It was one of those lazy afternoons when Kyle became hooked with a new hobby. It was a hobby he never imagined to be hooked at, or even care much about. It was a realization that came to his brainstems: that by seeing things in a creative way, he can make a difference.

Yes, Kyle Howard Demerre, a 19 year old junior student did make a difference. He made a difference from his creativity and innovation, and touched a lot of young people in looking at things in their different perspectives.

But how did this young boy make such a difference?

Transforming paper clips into robots is something that Kyle boasts the most. Every paper clip he sees in everyday is being added to the many boxes of paper clips he has stored in his room in their ancestral house located in Looc, Dumaguete City. These paperclips, through the use of his innovative mind and power of his hands, are being transformed into colorful robots and images. Some of Kyle’s creations were patterned after some famous characters like Voltes 5, Goku, and Pokemon.

Aside from cartoon characters, which Kyle idolizes as well, his masterpieces also have a touch of environmentalism. As a matter of fact, Kyle also has creations of robotic animals like scorpions, crocodiles, spiders, even dinosaurs add up to his huge number of paperclip-made collections.

Truly, it was not just a mere “creativity” this guy possesses. Amazingly, he has a lot of patience too. Imagine being able to create robots out of paper clips through the use of pliers, armed with limitless patience. And because paperclips vary in colors, it has surely made Kyle’s collection of robots and galactic characters extra stunning.

But things were not easy for Kyle. It was in high school when Kyle knew that creativity was his gift, and he knew he wants to live with it. For Kyle that time, imagination was the key toward nurturing his creativity. He was not amazed at how he made his paper clip robots, but as his friends start to appreciate all his works, he realized that indeed, there was something worth the pride in his masterpieces.

The moment Kyle entered college, he began to make the most out of the paperclips he saw around him. Every curl of the pliers, every piercing, and every robot he creates gives him a sense of pride and inspiration. There, Kyle knew that he gets all his inspiration from his artworks, and as time goes by, the flame of creativity enflames more and more.

Kyle narrates that many of his friends expressed their interests on his works and began visiting his place to learn how to make the said artworks. During free time, Kyle does nothing but think of characters and images he can pattern his work to.

“I make it because I want to make use of my time,” Kyle said. But this young guy continued that he does not make it just for the sake of art. There is something more than simply making artworks for his self-gratification. Kyle knows that there is a need to bring his creativity a notch higher, and its first step can only be taken through using his skill for others’ benefit. Besides sitting on praises from his friends and teachers, Kyle, through his amazing creativity, still wants to touch other young people’s lives. In fact, Kyle has been doing a number of workshops with his friends and classmates to share his knowledge and skills to other young people. This, Kyle believes, will somehow give the young people the idea that there is a need for recycling the things we see around us.

As of this time, this young boy continues to make use of his unique skill of making the most out of the simplest things, and most importantly, touching other teenagers’ lives in giving them the realization that creativity can be mastered, while helping the environment in little ways.

After college, Kyle still plans to continue his old ways of transforming paper clips into artworks, and still be able to reach out to others through the arts.

Reasons to celebrate this November

2009-11-15T13:49:00.013+08:00

November is seemingly among the ordinary months of the year for me. This may be because it's back to school for me and the majority of young people out there. But I think there are even more reasons why I feel this way; reasons I am yet to find out.

As I roamed around the city, the wind's direction seemingly changed. Things changed - a lot! The festive mood is finally on and everybody around the city can, perhaps, feel it too. So, what are the reasons behind the festive mood anyway?

Pacquiao's fight against Cotto is set today and as I write (or encode) this, the fight is already on. Though the fight just started, I can already smell victory from where I'm at. Or is it just because of the perfume I'm wearing? LOL. But seriously, win or lose, it is still our pride that someone gets to represent our country in the international arena. But wait, there are even more reasons to rejoice. It's now time to move the spotlight to the local scene.

On November 23, Dumaguete's first full-service mall will open its doors for its first batch of mall rats. From that day on, the new and preferred commercial center will be the Dumaguete Business park. At long last, people will stay kilometers away from stalls, grocery and convenience stores that close at noon time; not to mention their early closing time. Boohoo! Isn't this reason enough to be ecstatic? No more MISfortune marts and the like! LOL

November 24 marks the vesperas of the city of gentle people's charter day celebration. Not only that, the 24th is another holiday for students, employees or perhaps employers too and that means no classes and no work! Thank God for holidays! LOL. But even before the aforementioned day, the city's inhabitants (and non-inhabitants) will get to gaze the showcase of a rich culture that will give the people a glimpse of the past.

November 25 is Dumaguete's big day and I know food will be on top of the majority's priorities but aside from that, this is one opportunity for camaraderie among friends, relatives and people from a distance as well. I remember those days when we used to hop from one house to another in our quest for food (or maybe something else. LOL). That was surely fun and I look forward to experiencing it once again this year.

The festive mood doesn't necessarily have to end there, at least for me it doesn't. The last day of November is the most significant day of the year for me - my birthday. It's supposedly one of the happy days of my life. This year, my boinkday will surely be a good one. (Don't ask why. ROFL) In a matter of days, I will give the age of 20 my final adios. Because of this, I find a countdown to 21 necessary:

Drowning From Within

2009-11-07T12:59:00.012+08:00

As we enter into a more diverse community in college, we encounter people from nearly all walks of life. It is a difficult transition from high school in a sense that we meet different classmates in a matter of an hour or two. Because of that, we come across different persocnalities; from friendly individuals to loners, from studious students to lazy heads, from introverts to extroverts and from sensible to shallow people. The world is full of shallow people and I don’t know if that is reason enough to write about them but I will, anyway.

Generally, shallow people see almost everything in a superficial manner. Ironically, a lot of them are not even aware that they are already drowning in their own shallowness. They are, most of the time, suffering from boredom and unhappy with their state of life—which actually explains why they end up picking and prodding at another person to feel good.

So, how do we really know if a person is shallow? Listed below are a few characteristics that compose a shallow person based on personal and other people’s experiences. These include intolerance, insecurity, being judgmental, hypocrisy, tactlessness, materialism and flashiness.

A shallow person desires to get rid of all unattractive people in the world—something clearly futile and nearly impossible to accomplish. They are intolerant of how other people dress or even look like, with a mindset that they are far superior. Who would one stand next to for him to feel less unattractive himself in the first place? Pardon me for the shallow joke but it somehow makes sense, doesn’t it?

Shallow people ridiculously take too long before they decide to introduce their boyfriends/girlfriends to peers for the reason that they’re afraid to have them “stolen.” I can’t help but think that this is due to the insecurities they possess. Unfortunately, this happens frequently in real life.

“It takes one to know one” as they say; shallow people think otherwise. Being judgmental is apparently innate in them. They easily jump into conclusions thinking that they know everything. It’s a pain that they seem to know us more than we do. Adding insult to injury, these narrow-minded people mostly insist on what they believe is true; often not paying attention to what other people say.

Hypocrisy is another addition to the parameters of shallowness. If it’s not you, don’t act it! Showing people something contrary to the real you doesn’t help but add to the long list of vices you can have. There may be instances that may be so pressing that one may see hypocrisy as a last resort. But even then, it should not be considered a choice.

Words are extremely powerful that a word or two could either please or hurt a person. When people start using the wrong words, it may follow that he/she is tactless, insensitive or just don’t have a life. A tactless person can be identified as someone shallow. It is worth remembering that there are some matters better left unsaid to avoid making someone miffed; a tactless person can be very weak at this.

Shallow people give importance to material possessions more than well-being or anything else. Materialistic as they are, shallow people attend to a seemingly unending crave for a variety of things at the expense of intellectual or even spiritual values. There is more to life than mere materialistic happiness.

Those who show-off a lot are more likely to be shallow people. They are attention-seekers who think they are successful in entering the limelight through flaunting their possessions. Oftentimes these people have high self-esteem and most, if not all, of the time too arrogant.

Now is the perfect time to evaluate yourself whether you belong to the growing number of frivolous people or not. So, if you’re one of them, you shouldn’t wonder why a lot of people dislike or do not even bother to notice your existence. It’s not yet too late to make a full-360 though, so make that change and make it now.

Vulnerable

2009-10-22T13:00:00.005+08:00

Just when I thought I was already at the peak, I realized that it was the other way around. I've never been this vulnerable, disappointed and depressed. I thought I've reached my utmost 360 only to realize that it wasn't my biggest turn yet. I thought life could be happier now. I was made to believe that happiness could last for a lifetime but no, this ain't the happy ending everyone's looking up to. Could it be that the problem's with me alone?

I promised myself to make it best the next time around. At first, everything went fine and I expected a lot but it was only until then. Things were all messed up right after. The worst happened and it came to an end yesterday.

While writing this, I got an SMS, read it and cried. No, it's not over yet and hopefully it won't be. It's time to move on to another chapter of my life. I can still be happy, I know...

Snatshit

2009-10-16T13:16:00.010+08:00

Sam, just like any other Korean student, is here in the Philippines to learn the English language. He is new to the place and is still at the state of culture shock. Oftentimes, foreigners like him study in the country because of the belief that a lot of us Filipinos speak good, if not excellent English.

It is a challenge to him and many other Koreans to learn English at its very basic because the language is not commonly used in their homeland. Therefore, it is understandable that they have their own way of pronouncing words and they often are heard interchanging one letter to another. It doesn't necessarily mean that they're dumb or incapable; it only means there is more to work on especially with the use of the language. Perhaps, the majority will agree if one says that soon enough, they could master the English language or even be better than many people.

One cannot help but question why of all countries, the Philippines is the country of choice for many Koreans and other non-English speaking nationalities. "Education in Korea is very expensive and here it is very affordable," said Sam. Being a third-world country could be one of the many factors why education is cheaper here than in many countries but it does not necessarily affect the quality of instruction that we have here most especially in private institutions or universities that are among the top.

Though education is a high priority of the Philippine government, it is so unfortunate that a lot of public schools and universities in the country remain substandard. "Quality Education," as seen mostly on the roofing of these schools give a sarcastic impact to numerous people who see the real situation. Quality education is never related to overpopulated schools and universities, nor is it related to the lack of classrooms, qualified teachers and facilities. But yes, maybe the term quality education has already been tainted for the majority, or it might be that people are getting used to it over the years.

A sad reality is that a number of Koreans actually enroll in these institutions, thinking that they could learn a lot at a lesser cost. What fears me is the possibility that their purpose of being here might be defeated. They might not benefit from their schooling here and end up wasting their own resources. The question remains: will they ever learn the English language or perhaps the better question to throw is will they ever learn anything at all?

I believe there is a lot to work on especially in the field of education in the Philippines. If only corruption could meet its death, the possibility of betterment is high. But I'm afraid that scene is nowhere to be seen yet and that the country's officials must undergo a different kind of change before we can see it coming.

A lot of Koreans resort to hiring tutors to aid them in exploring the English language. I personally find nothing wrong with that. But what happens if the tutor himself/herself doesn't know much bout the language? This is another unfortunate situation that I usually witness. It's sad but there isn't much to do about it.

Meet the new tutor: Jayvee

Sam was actually my first tutee. I could remember our first session when I hardly understood a word from him that time. Weeks after, I finally got used to it and found strategies that worked best for him. It was a difficult job for me then but I felt that my effort could help educate a person eager enough to learn.

He had the urge to learn the language and allotted particular time for his twice-a-day tutorial. He was able to read very basic English that time but there was a great need to polish it. Finding mistakes in his grammar and pronunciation was my task back then. It's funny because if I were to assess him, only 50% of what he said could be understood by the majority; but I eventually got used to it. I remember him frequently saying "snatshit...snatshit" during the first week of tutorial. It came to me in a surprise a week after when he bragged about him being the only Korean in their class to pronounce the word snatched very well. He felt thankful to me that time and I felt happy to have, somehow, imparted my humble knowledge on the English language.

I knew that it wasn't just teaching that was required of me back then; patience and devotion were an addition to my bulk as well. I guess it goes to anybody who's on the same boat as I am.

Empty Blahs

2009-10-10T23:34:00.006+08:00

For the longest time, I kept my faith in promises thinking that they're never meant to be broken. I cannot understand why a lot of people find it real easy to forget promises and care less about them. I don't understand why these people tend not to bother being true to their words. If they only know how hard it feels to keep on waiting only to end up with nothing, they might reconsider and be true to their words.

The way I see it most of the time, letting somebody expect something is already a burden, how much more if it doesn't even meet its realization? I feel so bad when I'm given false assurances because I am the type of person who believes that there's more to promises than just forgetting about them. It is a sad reality that a lot of people hardly recall their own promises thinking that it's no biggie. I'm not sure if these people have short term memory loss or some sort of amnesia but if they really do, I'd say they need to consult a professional who can address such problem.

Even the simplest of promises matter. For so as long as it is a promise, there should be no reason to break it. If you are not certain about a promise you're about to make then DON'T BOTHER SAYING IT! Think about it, you don't want to wait for nothing, do you? I think nobody sane enough is willing to wait until forever for that.

I don't get the point why I'm usually a victim of broken promises. Is it just me expecting too much about promises or is it the people who redefine what a promise is themselves? I'd say they need to come up with their own dictionary for crying out loud. I had enough of empty promises. I don't know if I can still bear some more.

If you can't keep simple promises especially in a relationship, how will you ever learn to keep the person from leaving soon because of disappointment over your empty blahs? A lot of people do not notice it but they are prone to encountering problems by simply burying promises 6 feet below the ground. Trust issues and more could easily arise because of this. Let this be a call for people who don't take promises seriously.

To whom it may concern, don't even attempt to promise anything that you won't take seriously in the long run. It's such a shame to do so. What's more shameful is the thought that you're a person with no word of honor. Boohoo!

Don't Stop Dreaming and Believing

2009-09-30T12:42:00.021+08:00

Since I was a child, the thought of being in the limelight never failed to catch my fancy. Performers, television hosts, radio personalities and even actors were just some of the people I looked up to back then.

There is no denying that I grew up as a very ambitious child and I feel no shame in saying so. Since I don’t pay taxes for my dreams, it’s better to dream big. After all, there’s nothing to lose when all else fails. In fact, scanning my high school year book can already be enough proof to describe how ambitious I can be at times. “I want to be a famous actor” answers the question about my ambition based on my yearbook. Ironic describes my reaction right after reading it, four years past the birth of my yearbook. I was huge back then, which probably was the reason behind why it was ironic for me. However, the irony didn’t seem to stop me from dreaming and I knew nothing else could hinder me from aiming further but myself.

High school didn’t really turn out to be the perfect avenue for me to prove that I can have my own fair share of achievements I could contribute and share with my family. The four years spent was more of like fun on top of knowledge-seeking. I was the ordinary school boy/brat who goes to school, talks a lot in class, hangs out with peers, and worst, the mediocre student whose life was not pointed at any particular direction. In short, I was a total nobody back then, no achievements, nothing to brag and be proud of. But along the way, I experienced a major realization and that was the thought that life doesn’t end there. For as long as I exist, it’s not yet too late to make a 360-degree turn and make the most out of what is given to me.

My first few years in college seemed to me as a no-brainer. Nothing as significant and extravagant as expected arose that much or maybe it was just mere mediocrity that prompted me to say so. Still, direction was nowhere to be seen in the situation and I was already losing grip on the high hope of experiencing something life-changing. Though the mindset that I was a person with no achievements was at its peak that time, I continued to dream. It came to me in a shock when somebody sat down with me and talked about me, my attitude and my life. I felt the urge for honesty that time and decided to call myself a non-achiever in front of that person. It took me more than an hour to let his words sink into my consciousness especially those that said “it’s not that you’re not an achiever, it’s just that you don’t notice that you have some.” That instance was exactly what I was waiting for years already. It somehow felt like a slap of reality to me and if there is one thing I learned about it, the thought that we need to be slapped on the face occasionally to be able to wake up would be it. From that time on, I started to dream more. Weeks after, I decided to list down a checklist of goals before I leave the portals of Silliman University. The checklist includes: to become a regular Radio Personality of Killer Bee 95.1, be part of the Luce Auditorium Corpse of Ushers and Usherettes, join the Debate Society, become a Campus Ambassador and the most ambitious of all, host Miss Silliman.

Months after, the name Jayvee became familiar to a lot of listeners of Killer Bee. I then started a life of a radio personality. It was the first time I treated an achievement as it is because I then knew that not everybody can be given the opportunity to be a radio personality. Then I said to myself “one down, four more to go.” Five months later another opportunity came, an opportunity that didn’t even give me an option to say no. It was to be the news editor of the Weekly Sillimanian. Though it wasn’t part of my personal checklist, I accepted the challenge. Thereafter, I became oblivious for a moment that it was actually another achievement for me.

The rain of good things didn’t stop as UTV, the only television talk show in the Visayas produced and directed by students, opened its doors for me. Being the floor emcee of the said talk show made me realize one thing: good things come to those who wait.

Not so long after, I was requested to host Miss Silliman. It felt like being on cloud nine the time I grabbed the offer. For a lot of people, it may not be so much of a big deal but for me, it is. Years before, I used to be among the audience cheering for a certain candidate. But during that day, I was seen holding the microphone and hosting the oldest campus-based beauty pageant. The 25^th of August will always remind me that I once achieved a dream that I thought would remain as such.

Today, I no longer see myself as the old lousy, mediocre non-achiever. Everybody is actually an achiever if people just look deeper into the real essence of life. One doesn’t need to cross bridges and oceans to attain achievements for even the simplest success stories can spur into attaining the biggest achievements.

All it takes is just patience coupled with determination. My existence and yours per se is already an achievement. For a lot of students, getting good grades, excelling in co-curricular activities already mean achievements. Look around and see that you yourself are an achiever. Once you start dreaming, make sure to make it grand and do not ever question its probability for nobody is a master of the future but the creator Himself.

Never stop dreaming and believing because dreams do come true.

Don't Fake It!

2009-09-22T17:47:00.006+08:00

I know it's a bit too late for this but you know how it goes. "Better late than later" Whooops! Make that Better late than never. LOL

The Campus by the sea, considered as one of the most prestigious universities in the country, recently underwent an instant make-over thanks to the PAASCU accreditation. The campus is clearly a landmark in the city but then the already beautiful spot turned much better in a snap of a finger. Because of this, many people have resorted to queries such as "why and why now?" Those are only few questions that still seek answers up to date.

It's a surprise to see the elevator of the Arts and Sciences Building operational after such a long time of "rest," I really thought it was eternal already. It wasn't really used for any other occasion but for the accreditation per se. What's worst is the fact that only accreditors were able to use it. That's if they were indeed able to use the facility. Frankly, most of the buildings were repainted and landscapes can be seen around the campus. Not only that, the presence of signage became a trend that time and is still evident at the moment. I hate to say this but Silliman University gave its plastic smile to the accreditors. Weeks before the scheduled date of accreditation, a lot of aesthetic enhancements were rushed for completion just to meet the so-called "deadline."

I find it really pathetic the fact that students weren't able to dress freely during the whole duration of the accreditation. NO SLIPPERS ALLOWED; WEAR YOUR IDs; MEMORIZE THE MISSION, VISION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY; and the most pathetic among all is the sudden presence of the SEAT PLAN were among the numerous policies that the teachers, or shall I say the University, strictly imposed. All these and more occurred ONLY during the accreditation period. Talking about being scripted!

I believe that the university killed its culture that time and even though my perception of it being the second best school in the country is intact, I couldn't help but be appalled. It is worth taking note that the instruction should be the topmost priority during the accreditation, not anything else. Teachers who don't deserve such title and position are still roaming around the vicinity, accepting what the parents of students pay the institution.

I just hope all those stunts will work for the accreditors because if it won't, it could be a slap on the face for the whole Silliman community and likewise a pain in the ass for the people responsible for the abrupt changes.

Recycled?!

2009-09-17T20:49:00.012+08:00

The Philippines, with its rich culture, imaginative and talented citizens, is now experiencing a shortage or more appropriately called a recycling of ideas and it is very evident in local television. Recycling stuff is a good thing and everybody knows that but it doesn't necessarily have to reach the shores of our local television networks. For one, it makes a lot of people think that we are currently experiencing a shortage of creativity and skill. Not only that, it gives others an impression that we settle for the familiar rather than explore other good stuff and be proud that we have a rich collection of our own.

At this point you might be wondering what I am exactly referring to. I suppose it's not hard to scan your television channels during night time and see what's hot or what's not. Darna, for example, is a story that has become widely known to a lot of Filipinos and I believe it has been seen for millions (pardon the exaggeration) of times on silver screens or TV sets and for a lot of Filipinos, it may be considered hot but I personally think otherwise. Having said that, you might be led to think that I dislike the aforementioned novel. Don't get me wrong. I admire the novel but what I am not happy about is the fact that it can be recalled by many that Darna was aired years back; actually in just less than a decade. There's no denying that Angel Locsin's image as Darna can still be recalled by the majority. Probably the worst thing about this is that the story was previously shown in the same television network only with a different set of cast this time around. I have nothing against the new face of Darna or her new costume but the big deal for me here is the failure to explore and feature more Filipino stories that deserve airtime spots as well. Why does it have to be Darna again? Can't any other fictional character be featured instead or does this indicate a degradation of the Philippine television's quality and creativity? I do not wish to think that our local TV networks' think tanks are getting lazier year after year but it is apparently what I see. The gap from the previous Darna to the present one can be counted using one hand only and I'm convinced that there should be something done to avoid cases like this. Though I saw a high probability of Darna being visible again to Filipinos through television or other forms of media, I didn't expect it to come sooner than expected. What I find funny is the undying support and patronage of Filipinos for stories despite having repeatedly featured/aired on television. It really makes me think that we either don't have any other choice but to watch what's fed to us over television, we don't get bored with the common or we just watch it because that "beautiful" lady's face can be seen again—this time as the new Darna.

Unfortunately, it's not just Darna that is faced with the same fate. Our local television networks also started the remakes of foreign TV series that once captured Juan de la Cruz's attention. I didn't even know that copying story ideas from foreign countries could even be taken into consideration also. I hate to say this but the way I see it, we just don't give a damn about what these local networks are airing. For as long as we're entertained, we don't bother whether the ones we are watching are copied, recycled or doesn't make sense at all.

Honestly, I don't know whether I should feel happy with the present TV shows given the remakes and "recycling" as I'd rather call them. This particularly gives me the urge to get the remote control and either change channel or turn off the television set.

Because I Should

2009-09-10T10:45:00.004+08:00

Ego and pride sometimes drive us crazy to the extent that we get blinded and we find it hard to accept that we did something wrong. It's sometimes hard to sink in and convince ourselves that it is us who just did the mistake. In my case, I feel probably twice that and it might be because of my pride. Sometimes it's easier to pass the blame to other people when in fact it is not their fault. It is an instance I find hard to explain and further discuss for a reason I do not really know. But despite me not wanting to be in the hot seat, I sometimes feel apologetic especially to the one I love.

"Sorry seems to be the hardest word" as a line of a song goes and I find a lot of sense in it. The easiest culprit to pinpoint and blame why some of us are faced with it is extreme pride. As far as my opinion is concerned, a moderate level of pride is normal since the lack of it means something different, something more of a bad thing to me as it seems. But how do we really get about eradicating too much pride? The answer: I don't really know. Maybe it really varies from one person to another and maybe it's rightful that we find out for ourselves how we can learn to spot and accept our mistakes and eventually apologize. Pride can be very dangerous. Too much of it can cause undesirable situations that could possibly lead to hurting other people's feelings or even hurting ourselves in the process.

For me, what works best is to remember that I am a human being, prone to failures and mistakes and I do not discount the fact that I have failed a lot of times or even more than I currently know. I have learned to say sorry despite the hurting ego and the uncomfortable situation. It feels good sometimes to acknowledge a fault and it is understandable at a certain extent.

So the next time you're caught in an undesirable situation of saying sorry or not, think deep whether it is really your fault or not. Do not fool yourself because it won't help solve any dilemma there is. Just be frank and accept that you're likewise human; you commit mistakes and most of all, you are never perfect. Try it, it might work for you.

Love or Lust?

2009-09-07T22:16:00.003+08:00

Oftentimes people get to use words which may not be appropriate or those of totally different meaning. Frustratingly, among those commonly misused words is love.

By definition, love means to feel tender affection for somebody. If that is so, what then separates love from lust? The word lust per se doesn’t really involve deep feelings; it is mere physical attraction rather than emotional attraction in short.

What’s strange about love is its complexity. Even the bible has its own definition, or more of like a checklist, of what love is: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves...” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-1. It doesn’t just stop there as it gets more complicated with the many types of love. But who really cares about complications? A lot of us love complications anyway. It just proves that we don’t settle for less most of the time. The irony now comes in as a lot of people are fine with just lusting.

Perhaps one reason why people choose lust over love is fear. When you love, you risk a lot of things and there’s even more to that. Love is a very demanding word. It asks a lot or shall I say, demands a lot. The fear of hurting to most, if not all of us, is one barrier or reason for us to keep ourselves from loving. But come to think of it, there’s just this thin line between love and hurting. As they say, it is impossible to love without hurting. Why do we tend to seek the dark side when we have an option to see the lighter side in the first place?

For a couple of months now, I opted to stay away from complications, from commitment, from love. This is not because I am afraid of hurting but because I no longer want to hurt somebody else. Sometimes, it’s better to stay away from something good because that good mean the exact opposite to somebody. It doesn’t necessarily have to end there. If there’s a problem within you that calls for a change then, by all means, do so. After all, there’s no harm in trying and I believe there’s nothing wrong to choose to be better.

When somebody comes and knocks at your door, don’t settle for lust, instead, take the extra mile, risk, and use your right to love. If you find happiness in it, there should be no hesitation at all. You can never tell how long that person who makes you happy can stay. If the person doesn’t stay for long then don’t force it! There must be a reason for him/her not to make it in the next chapters of your life. If it didn’t work, at least you tried. That doesn’t make you lesser a person anyway.

Life is merely about choices. In each chapter of your life you will encounter choices which are tantamount to your life’s direction and it’s just up to you on what path to take. Go for something that makes life worthwhile. Life is too short to just play around with and it’s worth noting, most of all, that you are entitled to one lifetime only. We may not have everything it takes to enjoy life but we’re given this life to enjoy everything as much as we could. Opt for the best and don’t settle for something below your capability. Take the risk and exercise your privilege to love. Live life to its fullest and soon enough, you’ll see how good it can get.

A Dream Turned Reality

2009-09-07T16:27:00.008+08:00

The past few days went great and I never felt any happier in my entire life. What marks the smile on my face at the moment is the memories worth reminiscing; those that either strengthen my emotional or intellectual capability or even both. I am happy to have established something far better than the best of the failed relationships I had before.

The mere thought that the relationship doesn't just involve mere love is something that is not common in every relationship. The way I see it, the relationship gives the two of us the opportunity to grow emotionally, intellectually and even spiritually. Arguments normally arise in every relationship and I do not discount the fact that we have our own fair share at times but what makes ours different is the fact that we argue to make each other better persons. I feel thankful that we haven't and hopefully will not reach the point of hurting each other enough yet and I believe it has something to do with our relationship's security.

The sense of security lessens the chances of jealousy and conflicts about third parties and I am happy to have met a person whom I can trust so much. The assurance that the our love will remain as radiant as the morning sun every time we wake up is a first in my case. The constant awakening to reality is sometimes painfully done but I acknowledge the fact that it is thrown at each other constructively; something I find ironically romantic.

Romance became another word the moment I met my new love. The word became more significant and it's impact to me became a tad higher. Every kiss, hug and moment spent together seemed as if we were isolated somewhere far from the world's complicated side. It is funny and considerably corny to say that it feels like being in cloud nine. Being certain that more happy moments are yet to come, I no longer worry much about keeping the fire in our relationship burning. It is something that makes me undeniably proud.

I've never been so proud of my significant other as much as I do now. Perhaps it may not sound humble to say this but the thought that we belong to the same boat with the same cup of tea gives me the feeling that we have the right to be proud of achievements we have attained. I have never said this before and you shouldn't be surprised why. Years back, I was "nobody" in the society but, even though I may still be in that state, this time I am assured that I have a lot of things that common people are not gifted with. I recently realized that life shouldn't stop the moment you have fulfilled your dreams because as long as we exist, we are OUGHT to keep dreaming. But it is not just enough to dream, I suppose, because we do not dream just for the sake of it. I believe it is there for a purpose and that sole purpose is to motivate us to make that dream a realization.

I once dreamed of being in a relationship that I can surely be proud of but never did I expect it to come. Now, without any hesitation, I am glad to say that I

have finally fulfilled that dream.

Dissecting O.B.T.

2009-09-05T16:09:00.013+08:00

What motivated me to start this blog was the need for an avenue for self-expression. Since then, writing has become one of the many ways to vent out my feelings and emotions. One Big Turn can be interpreted in many ways but it's primarily an assessment of my life's major turning points that aim to illustrate the changes I encounter in my day to day life. It doesn't just stop there, O.B.T. is an adventurous ride I'm engaged with; a ride that may bring about numerous life-changing scenarios that can either take me to a bright or dark path. O.B.T. shall be my online journal of just about anything that comes in mind.

The thrill of not knowing what's next in my journey is something that reflects this site's personality—unpredictability. Oftentimes I love being mysterious

and I feel delight especially when people get to think real hard just to come up with satisfactory conclusions about me. O.B.T. is no different, I see a great possibility of mystery in the hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of posts that lie ahead.

Life's a long, complicated trip. If you know how to ride, come with me and join me as I explore the complex world we're in. Let's then see what happens next...

Incomplete

2009-09-05T15:09:00.003+08:00

I sat near my window taking a glance at the pale moon light

Staring ’till I forgot about the flight

I ended up seeing myself teary-eyed

Reminiscing the times when you were by my side

I never thought things would go this way

Our destiny sets both of us away

As I counted the remaining days

I ended up out of pace

I don’t know whom to blame

But i guess it’s all the same

Soon a part of me will be missing

And i’ll just end up reminiscing

Soon my life will no longer be the same again

I’ll no longer have a reason to smile by then

I know it will soon be goodbye

And all I can do is sigh

I’ll soon be obsolete

Because without you I’m incomplete

My Simple Fairy Tale

2009-09-04T18:07:00.004+08:00

After years of hoping, wishing and waiting comes this moment I’m finally certain with. A chapter that will, finally, serve as an avenue for me to prove my worth and prove that I’m no longer taking the wrong path again. I do not expect to be the best of who I can be in a snap of a finger but what I can say at this point is I’m on my way there. I’m betting so much on this; so much that I’d do everything to keep this running smooth, unlike what I had in my past. It’s the first time for me to feel this good. Perhaps, also the first time for me to feel so secured and at the same time assured that the right person has come. I remember telling myself not to search for love and just let it knock on my door whenever the right time comes. I did, kept my patience and yes, my entire waiting paid off. It came to me in a shock that the two of us share a lot in common, from skills to interest, from personality to maturity and more that we are yet to decipher.

Realizing things about me that I’ve never noticed before was fun. I like the part when I was told that I talk a lot, because it never came into me before or maybe I was just so passive about it. Our past days spent together only meant a thing: that we meet at a common point. This relationship, I believe, is unlike any of my past relationships. We usually talk about matters that I later found as sensible ones, find joy in each other’s arms, and get contented with who we are in general. Trusting each other this much also added an assurance that we’re building a foundation strong enough to survive even the worst earthquake that the world may not have encountered yet.

If my past encounters didn’t turn out well, I’ll see to it that it will be the exact opposite this time. Now, I can safely say I’m in love; so safe that I’m not even bothered about a single thing yet. This doesn’t mean that ours is a perfect relationship because there isn’t anything like it at all, but we’d like to settle with the fact that this is far more ideal than our past encounters and because of that, we are so grateful to have found each other.

I may have lost a lot of material possessions but something greater than any of those possessions suddenly came into the scene and took center stage. I may have opted to turn down some of the very tempting opportunities but this time I cannot afford to turn down the rare opportunity to feel the happiness and the genuineness that I have long been deprived of. I just found a crying shoulder, constant supporter and a romantic lover; someone part of the minority who possess such qualities and somebody I’d be really proud of. I do not mind the constant slap of reality on my face because I know it’s exactly the field I’m often feeble in.

Because I have it now, I won’t let a day pass unhappy, unsettled and uncounted. I’ll love the best way I can, the way I know and the way I feel inside.