MC amidst A(H1N1)

FINALLY. This is one of the comments you will hear last July 1, 2009 early Wednesday morning when the line in the entrance hall of the Miriam College Building jammed. Everyone seemed to be very snooping about what’s happening around the campus. Good and bad critics were hovering in the air while Nurse Pat and two other nurses take turns in checking the temperature of each student.

Miriam College has finally adhere to the protocol of the Department of Health (DOH) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) regarding the widespread of A(H1N1), or most commonly known as swine flu. Aside from the preventive measures made by the Infection Control Team of the Higher Education of Miriam College of 10 days self quarantine for those who are infected and might have been infected, ICTHE-MC now also take part of using thermal scanners to tighten the security and safety of the students for the said virus. However, for some students and professors, this action might be very effective if done sooner, not as late as a month after the first day of opening of classes.

ICTHE-MC is still committed in educating the students of Miriam College to prevent A(H1N1) with the growing number of confirmed cases in the country today. Dr. Patricia Licuanan, President of Miriam College made an assurance that the institution is not jeopardizing the health and safety of their students. They will continue to strictly implement the policies and procedures on A(H1N1) preventions based on the guidelines provided by the Department of Health. Moreover, Dr. Licuanan also ask for the cooperation of the students and their parents for acting in accordance to the policies and preventive measures and practices. Thus, she believe that with this, Miriam College can surpass this trial.

As of June 22, 2009, five (5) students have been confirmed to have acquired the virus in the College level and four (4) new cases in High School and (2) students from the Grade School .

BEACH,YOU and ME

"Every girls dream is to walk down that aisle..."

...for me, is to walk down that sweet fresh scent of the sand. It's just an overwhelming feeling of having your feet swim in the smoothness of the sand. The scenery is not yet included which if you combine them all, it will leave you with all the goodness in this world. Twenty three years of my life I was ignorant of how Mother Nature can amaze me. And it took 23 years for me to witness a sunset on my very feet, on my very eye, on my very skin. And on that day, I would want to make this avowal that will change my entire life, the way it did the first time I stepped on this gentle sand. This photo is just exactly how I want it to be. Just me, my forever and the beach... What more can I ask for?

Hello Baby - Cynthia Alexander

A CUP OF HOT CHOCO

It's been awhile since I have posted some photographs here in my site. I've been quite busy with a lot of things lately but that doesn't mean I stop from taking photographs. Well, I guess, that ain't gonna happen. (ugh, i'm a little tamad lang lately).

So I decided to post everyday pics of my everyday encounter with little things that captures not only my eyes but also my heart. I want to showcase little things that we take for granted but actually bring little memories in our busy head.

So here's mine. My new buddies this time around. A cup of hot choco (brought to you by Bo's Coffee Katipunan) and my Gaby (the lafytopy).

My hubby thought the cup of hot choco is nice with its little white tree. It gives you the feeling of calmness despite the loads of work.

What makes this photo special? Simple. It just depicts how busy my life gets everyday but despite everything, I still have my hot choco with a little something in it. Just like my life, though occupied, i still have YOU in my heart.

Mass Media for me; is it evil?

Will I be a part of this Mass Media?

Mass Media for me is like a furniture in a house, without it, no matter how humongous a house is, it is still empty, dull, boring. Mass Media brings life to the society in a way that it excites our senses about possibilities. It brings to different emotions, points of view and criticisms. That’s why in my opinion, freedom is given to those who would like to contribute to the continuous development of Mass Media. However, this freedom is sometimes neglected.

Many years I have been a very keen observer of what is being shown and heard. I can say I am disappointed on how nonchalant our brilliant minds are getting in to. Everyday, as I walk the sidewalks of Aurora Boulevard, never did I fail not to look at a news stand showcasing the headlines of everyday. That is okay, I thought to myself, but what is not acceptable is the full view of these tabloids that exhibits nude women, in full view of whoever wanted to see it, including the innocent minds of the children. They have too children of their own, I don’t understand why produce such material. Is it really the adjudication of the makers or the sellers? I really don’t understand. Same thing with what is happening in the television today. Whether a program or a commercial, violence and immorality is widely exposed. The General Patronage, in my opinion, now uncovers violence, which 10 years ago, this kind of show is still guided by a guardian. Maybe I am just conventional, and kids nowadays are open to it. But my point here is that, is violence really necessary for them to witness? Let’s sight an example in video games. Video games sell like hotcakes if the concept is more of warlike and blood shedding fighting scenes. Is this what we want our children to visualize? That the resolution for peace and order is declare war. Where is our value to life? Is fun now synonymous to blood bursting?

Money has the biggest factor why the developing of mass media has come this far. And sadly though, money has also the pivotal role in making decisions whether a certain act is to be displayed. Money, they say now, makes the world go round. No. its money that makes Mass media go round. Money decides now, whether values and moral are neglected. Values no longer sell. Only sex and violence.

Wide screen exhibits bring chills to my spine. How coarse if not obscene is what they sell nowadays in the theatres. Though, I must admit that I am a fan of horror-suspense-gross movies, it is still not right to open this kind to young people even if they are accompanied by their parents. Why? It’s not killing their momentum of watching such films but to protect them from offensive, sexual, uncultured scene they might see on the big screen. Plus, trailers before the main movie does not undergo screening before it is being shown. I was shock to see before a trailer of “Scorpio Nights” in a Walt Disney movie. Can you imagine how many children were there?

It disgusted me as soon as I see the cover page of the “Playhouse” magazine. I know in my age I should be open about this sensitive issue about sex. However, this one, in my opinion is, ‘unforgivable’. I am very much fond of reading any kind of magazine, whether its for kids, moms, young adult, for her or for him but this one, it insulted my femininity. How can a publisher endure this kind of bestial material in full view of any audience? I find this very irresponsible and lewd. I believe that the mall authorities where I found this unsophisticated material should do some actions about it. Mall is a place where family bonds together. And I sense that parents doesn’t want their toddlers see this and create a notion of curiosity on their minds.

My one week keen observation of mass media around me got me thinking a lot of possibilities and advantages of its development. Though mass media is a bit harsh these days, I still believe that its audience still has the responsibility to chose what is right or wrong for them. Remember, we still have the choice. Yes, it is entertaining; they keep us in to our senses, but are your values still intact? Would you want this things break your own beliefs?

Values and morality are being gambled today. People know exactly what is right and wrong, but the question now is what would keep them earning millions. It’s like if they would showcase acts that show morality, less audience, less profit. This is the business nowadays. The more violent and sexual it is, expect it to hit big time. I don’t know what happen to the society’s judgment and kind of thinking but I sense that mass media has the biggest factor why people change that fast.

Mass media in my life, nevertheless, a big factor to my values and beliefs. Aside from what I have learned from my parents, media presentation gave me knowledge about things that I cannot learn just by listening to my parents at home. They have opened my eyes to the reality that life is indeed a battleground that I should always look at my back. They keep me watching my own everyday life that I should take good care of it. In the other hand, mass media also puts color to my life, like cosmetics to one’s face. It entertains my idle time. It brings memories back and brings true to life emotions. I consider Mass media as a tool reflecting what is really happening to the society. They mirror what they see, though sometimes exaggerated, but nevertheless, they disseminate information that the public should know.

Right now, the only factor I could think of why people from the media violate rules and correct principles is that because of money. I can’t blame them if they wanted to be filthy rich because of their wrong doings. But what I am concern is the slowly deteriorating morality of its audience. In my opinion, mass media should not have all the blame of the unsophisticated morality of our society. After all, we still have the choice. We still have the choice what to see, hear and read. We should still be responsible of our actions. And lastly, it is still our will and self-management on how we handle materials that are delicate and taboo in our society.

As a student and a future practitioner of this field, with the help of my strong belief in my morality, I know I will prioritize what is right and should consider the effects of what is being shown. I am once a kid and I don’t want to be scared of the gross movies that were shown before. As a kid, I wanted to live life free from curiosity about sexual things because as a kid, I just wanted to play, not our little minds to be played on. Soon, I’ll be a mother and I don’t want my children see life like violence is just normal. I want values still live among them. And lastly, as I grow old, I want children of the next generation still value the word RESPECT. I want them to value life and their selves. Because not so long, I would impart my skills to this field and I don’t want to contribute to this turmoil of losing one’s morality. Temptations will be around, but I believe that my family and Miriam College is helping me build a strong will and belief.

And this is why my dad call him "The Legend"

I was never really close to my lolo. I grew up not seeing him often. Though, there is this touch lingering in my heart whenever I see him, of course he is the father of my dad, but there is this feeling that I love him so much. Maybe because he is malambing and very fatherly.

He's a big man, with a big deep voice. He stands with conviction but talks very sweetly. He's very charming and funny at times. I don't have a handful of memories with my lolo but, with each memory I build with him, it's unforgettable.

When the news broke that he had colon cancer, it disheartens me. I haven't seen lolo for some years, then this happened.

The photo above was the last time I saw lolo. He was happy playing with my niece, Princess. I can recall how he kept on repeating how we were alike when I was small. Sweet, he still remembers those times when I was small and makulit. Also, he always tells me to take care of myself, and my heart. I know he loves us, so much.

My lolo may not spend much time with us, but I am proud of him. Not only because he a great golfer (he had won several competitions during his time before) but also, he is a sweet grandfather to all of us.

I never thought that will be the last time I will see my lolo talking to me. I felt that I was only starting to regain my relationship as a grand daughter to him. I miss him. I miss having a lolo. Time is really a trator. Time only gave me a glimpse of what might have been.

Though I know right now, he is happy and at peace with our Creator, I still feel that we could have spend so much time together. I could have been a daughter to him as well. Unfortunately, time is cruel. I can only see him after my time here on earth. Like what I told him during my lolo's wake, it's never goodbye, it's just see you soon.

To my lolo, we love you so much and we will miss you.

Does morality still exists?

I have been having a hard time when people ask me what Morality is to me. With all the turmoil going on in our society today, what is considered to be moral? What is considered to be immoral? Don’t you think it is about time for us to redefine this, as time evolved our way of thinking?

Morality as define is the right conduct, conformity to law and of conforming to the ideals or principles of human conduct. So from what I have understood, it is merely an idea made also by human. But what drives people to create such a notion of morality? And if that’s so, is there such a thing as Universal Morality?

Ms. Nera, our Theology Professor exlpains to us how can we obtain being moral in the eyes of God, or should I say, in the eyes of those who runs the church? She is saying that our morality depends on what the church is teaching. And how to live life morally, you have to follow Jesus, as a perfect example of living one’s life morally.

Maybe, you will agree and won’t be confused with what I’m trying to convey in this paper. However, I have a few questions to raise regarding this issue.

I was once listening to another Theoloogy professor back then. She was actually a good one. She was able to explain to us the role of the church to the society, and from that I didn’t question it. However, one day, in one of her lessons, she was able to discuss the Bible, and how it was made. I clearly remember she said that Bible is a collection of books made by men, interpreted by men. And that Bible should not be taken literally. Then how come you will tell us that morality is actually an “idea” that comes from the Divine One? How come the church created this notion of morality without bending its possibility to apply to the moderns days we are experiencing right now?

As a I was observing and contemplating on the idea of this so called morality, how come the church had created something like “Morality in Christian”? Does this mean that we have different morality than the others? How about for non believers? This is very confusing. How can we be able to understand morality in our end if this actually shows how close minded the Roman Catholics are. Very confusing.

It made realized then, now I know why people in our society today don’t know how to reconciliate again with other people of different faith and belief, for we are able to create this notion of different idea of morality. Then what’s moral now? What’s right and what’s wrong? Or should I say, which is right or wrong?

Maybe you are actually wondering where did I get these ideas that’s currently hovering my head. I used to be morality right if we are talking about being a Catholic. I used to follow them. However, in one period of my time, I was questioning the existence of my religion. Let me come clean with this, I believe in God, but I just don’t believe in the ways of the church. Will I be considered immoral? How can you blame me? After researching and soul searching, how can you force me to believe after reading the entire history of the church I used to belong with? How can they do that? How can they torture and even kill all those innocent souls just to reign in the world? I know. You will tell me, it’s all been done, it’s all been buried and forgiven. However, don’t you think this is actually a perfect example of being immoral? Come to think of it, the church did even teach us not to commit anything wrong just to reign? How about the idea of murder? Of injustice? How can the church claim that what they teach is moral for in the first place what they did to get us is pure depraved.

I know. My point of view is clearly, absurd. But how can you blame me. After knowing the things I think I’m not supposed to know, what do you think should I react? Good thing my friends was able to accept that. They fully accept how crazy I can be sometimes. And how bizarre my ideas can be. Though to be honest, I only have a few good, real friends in my life. And I value them so much. My friends, in my opinion are like the pieces of me. For you to be able to undertsnad who I am and how I am to others, try to know my friends. They are a part of me. And my family as well. They are whom I value the most.

I know. I am beginning to sound a little strange. But I am standing firmly in my position in life. I value my dignity. I value my being true to myself. And most of all, I value what I believe in and what faith is doing in me. People may not understand why I sound like a non-believer, but I do. I believe in God. And I will believe only to Him.

Rewind.

Morality, as define in what I belive, is the universal right conduct. And what is universal? I don’t know. I am still searching for it hoping without the shadow of how hyprocrite the church can be.

Are these driving you nuts?

Lately, I’ve been having a hard time concentrating on my studies. I thought I’m just some other lazy lady who prefers to sit down and relax. But what’s funny is, I’m not studying that much yet I’m always sleep deprived. Weird isn’t?

Who doesn’t know the existence of Friendster (oh well, some tag is as for “jologs” only), Multiply, Plurk, Twitter, Myspace, Zorpia and the infamous Facebook. Damn, this social networking drives me nuts. No matter how much I would want to avoid it, its mere existence lingers staright to my mind. Who ever invented these stuff, God bless you. (laugh laugh laugh)

I really don’t know who actually influences me to engage myself in this social networking. All I can remember is, it started in 2004 when I register myself in Friendster (well, that time Friendster is the IN-thing). My only purpose of doing this is to keep in touch with my high school friends. And I believe I was successful in doing so because as of now, I have 700 (and more) friends in my account.

Fast Forward.

Right now, I still have my friendster account, 2 multiply site (one personal and the other for my photo gallery shared to photo hobbyist like me), a blogger site (like this one) and a Facebook account that I am so currently addicted. I don’t know how I actually keep each sites updates all at the same time. Maybe this is one of the reasons why these networking sites drives me insane. How come I let myself so into these sites wherein fact I only need one, don’t you think? I know each caters to different functions but as it evollves through time, each becomes identical to the other.

So how can I help myself from divulging from these silly stuff? To be honest, I really don’t know. Just like me, these has become a routine to those who are addicted to internet stuffs.

I guess, it’s just mere time management. Yes I know, I’m guilty of not having a proper one, but I think it’s the answer. It’s like eating for me, it has become an appetizer to know silly stuffs from your friends from time to time. Uploading recent pictures, answering surveys, posting blogs and almost anything they would want the public to know. So tell me how to stop, before these actually consumes every time that I have.

I am not saying that these social networking are bad or wrong. Actually, it helps people to interact, to show who really they are without pretentions. But the downside, it kills your precious time when you are supposed to do something else and the term they call, cyber stalking. Cyber stalking, well, I’m not going to expound it but it has been an issue for a long time and I guess I’ve been a long victim of it, just like anybody else who are active in these sites.

Suspect, Facebook and I’m its current victim. How can I save myself from being abduct by this site? Let me see, let me ask help from my Facebook buddies.Ciao!