Merry Christmas!

Season greetings from the Philippines!

looks like the text ain't that visible, laughs... Anyways, Merry Christmas peeps!

John Mark Katindig Torres

NMAT Result

Yeah baby! I have already viewed my NMAT result online and thanks God, everything went according to plan and prayers… I immediately informed my mom to go back home because I would like to show the fruit of faith, support and efforts. Admit it or not, the percentile rank would determine the applicant’s status in the schools we applied for. Part of the rules of every medical school in the Philippines in general is for the applicant to reach their preferred NMAT score. Luckily, I got qualified for all schools in terms of NMAT [because they will also assess GWA], anyway, am more than happy to receive such a wonderful Christmas gift from God. I made not only myself happy but also my family, Madam and Father Kelly [my sponsors] and some concerned friends. Am more than excited to receive the official result via snail mail this January 2011 and have it submitted to my preferred schools. Yippee yippee!

NMAT

I took the National Medical Admissions Test (NMAT) at De La Salle University, Manila yesterday. My family accompanied me right from Bulacan to Manila. We started the trip at pass 4 [we woke up like 3 a.m.] and I felt like really dizzy. We arrived at 5:30 and parked near the University Mall. We haven’t eaten our breakfast and we found no foodchain opened that time. I just ate 2 sandwich buns with patties [afraid that bowel movement and stomach wars will interrupt me during the exam, haha c:]. I went right towards the main entrance and saw a number of students in queue. The guard waved and told us to enter [even at that early] to accommodate perhaps a multitude of students later. Mom, Dad and Vin [my bro] went back to the car and drove to Quiapo as part of the family’s tradition every time Dad’s goes back for a vacation. Alice, my batchmate, came rushing towards me with her mother. Well, while waiting for the next instructions, we had a nice chat about our plans and what’s new in UPLB [I haven’t been to LB for a month or two]. We saw Clarice, Josiah, and many other schoolmates hurdling to get a seat while in queue until we were all allowed to find our respective rooms. I was assigned at the 5^th Floor of Yuchengco Hall [just imagine how many took the exam that day]. NMAT was simultaneously administered in other test centers like in Baguio City, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City and Zamboanga City. I was really in great awe as I watch other aspirants rushing to their rooms thinking that with these number of takers, it would really be an achievement to get 90^th percentile rank in the result [that is, scores will be relative to that of the norm group’s performance]. A big WOW for that [and am positive to hear such word for me in a month’s time]! And as I enter my room, I noticed that we were like 6 Torres’ who will indirectly compete with the scores of each other. I just prayed to God that may I be able to recall what I’ve reviewed and prepared and that I surrender the day to Him.

The Test Proper:

The test consists of Part I (three-hour test) & Part II (two-hour-30-minute test). Part I is a 200-item test with 4 subtests:

1. Verbal (Word Analogy and Reading Comprehension),

2. Inductive Reasoning,

3. Quantitative (Algebra, Geom, Trigo and Stat) and

4. Perceptual Acuity Skills.

Part II deals in special areas of Basic Sciences such as

1. Biology,

2. Physics (College Physics),

3. Social Sciences (Socio, Anthro and Psych) and

4. Chemistry (Gen., Org, Inorg, Analytical and Biochem).

For non-science majors, they should focus mainly on theories and formulas in physical sciences. A good browse of introductory courses in behavioural ciences would also be of big help. Some questions were concept-specific also. For computations, the most commonly used formulas should be held in mind always. Some of my classmates opt to enroll in review centers [there are many institutions with such offers anyway].

I for an instance did not take any review center primarily because it would just cost me a lot [and I don’t wanna ask my parents to spend money again coz the applications to the schools were already expensive] aside from the efforts of travelling from Bulacan. I thought to myself that I can have a far more comprehensive review myself without paying someone else to the job I could actually do myself and besides, the scope covered all areas I took when in college [except anatomy and physio]. I just bought an MSA NMAT reviewer which is actually far harder than NMAT, I swear. I browsed high school notes in Math and Science and borrowed a Introductory Psych book from my cousin. Set priorities in areas you think you need to pay more attention. My technique was to list down first the major topics per subject and understand basic concepts, terminologies and formulas. Practice, practice, practice! You may not need to remember each and every detail of your concern because during the exam, all we have to do is to recognize which among the choices fit the answer. With time constraints, there’s no need to recall everything per subject but rather one should learn how to recognize the relevant ideas alone. Stay calm and always have a good sleep. Zzz…

I don’t know why I was able to write these tips I deem helpful [well I hope for my case, laughs]. Am with high hopes to get a pretty fair rank as results will be released 10 days from now, woooah! So help me God. [Everything depends on my NMAT]…

By the way, the very first step in taking NMAT is to register and pay for the corresponding fee. Follow this link peeps: http://www.cem-inc.org.ph/nmat/

A blend of love, service and offering...

As far as I could remember, it was during the 4th quarter of 2001, when a green van with a tall, amiable white man fetched I believe 10 of us students from Minuyan Elementary School for some sort of examination. Not known to us, that day marks the very chance of a lifetime. I just took the tests the usual way I do in school, with no worries of whether meeting the requirements to pass or not. The principal made it clear to us, though after, that the foundation will be selecting deserving students from Sapang Palay to receive scholarship for High school. However, I am from Bigte, Norzagaray and to be part of it will contravene the rule. I finished my elementary education as the batch Valedictorian with a very good news to both my mom and dad, that I got accepted as a scholar under Financial Assistance Program (FAP). Indeed, when it rains, it pours...

I am a farm boy. My dad’s a driver while my mom’s taking good care of us. We raise pigs for quarterly earnings. I’ve been through a usual farm life with cows and goats, ricefields and veggies, hays and pads. But never did I stop dreaming that someday, I know, we can be more than what we were before. My interests in school were further reinforced by Assumption Development Foundation with our annually-held Summer Enhancement Program. With the scholarship in hand, I managed to finish and obtain a quality secondary education in a private school, Sto. Rosario Sapang Palay College. I always do my best in bringing recognition to the foundation in every way I can and as a student, to make both my parents and the foundation grateful of having me, I always strive to get high grades. With continuous support, I graduated BS Biology Major in Microbiology at the UP Los Baños. Shifting gears, what made ADF very indisputably distinct, is that it establishes not the typical benefactor-scholar relationship but rather a long term bond of love, service and offering. Monthly meetings are highly regarded to serve a long-term goal of guiding us all for a lifetime. What I have learned from this foundation are things we can’t acquire in schools and in other institutions we might belong. The values, stories and life’s examples Madam and Father shared with us helped us establish our personalities. Furthermore, they taught us the need to be aware of the things happening around us, the true essence of service and offering for the Filipinos and for the Philippines in general.

I believe that the sense of responsibility is one of the best characters I have developed in the course of my stay in the center. In everything that I do, I always reckon what would be the effects and consequences of my actions. In this world we live, every decision we make and every path we take have substantial effects to other people. For the world and human well-being are inextricably linked, it underpins that we are not living our lives for ourselves but for the welfare of others. Realizations, concerns and incorporation of humane values are the ingredients why we ADF scholars stand where we are now. I know that I would not be who I am now because of this foundation. How I wish it can accommodate more youth for them to experience and understand that life is not just living for ourselves but living for others as well. And as I strive to be the paragon in the years to come, I am looking forward to be its lifetime constituent to continue its noble works for the ideal Philippines.

Though not all dreams can be achieved as we confront the reality, we should still keep holding on our dreams for dreaming itself is part of God’s plan. If we let it go, then we’re starting not to believe. God moves in mysterious ways...Move out of the box and explore...or else, we’ll never know what’s in store for us...

Starting the book of our lives, where stories of altruism, achievements and hopes shared together...


John Mark Katindig Torres
the dreamer outside Sapang Palay

Image used fr

http://ittakessolittle.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=6

Plants in Milestones of Life Experience fervent passion. Unravel the gist of floral gems. Behold the Language of Flowers.

I graduated last April 24 of this year. However, I decided to go back to school and take extra courses to comply with the required units in med schools. I took comparative anatomy, practical botany and human physiology. The following piece is from practical botany; a GE course in natural science. We prepared a video for the said matter.


Long time ago, plants have been associated with human activities may it be as foods, medicine, clothing or part of some sort of rituals and beliefs. Overtime, meanings of their uses have developed great sense and different sentiments during various milestones of life. In an aim to deal with the plants used in milestones of life, we presented how flowers become a way of communicating feelings shared throughout one’s life.
First of all, the question that bothered our group was ‘do flowers have a specific meaning?’. We ended up thinking like it might have all started because they have wonderful colors and because people use them as gestures and symbols for communicating with their loved ones. Whenever there is a special event, to express sympathy, to show how much love you have for someone, or simply by just telling that you are there; all these acts and emotions can be well represented by these beautiful and enchanting colorful bracts and plant organs. In the course of time, traditional meanings may be provided for each and every flower that we have in the world but to know the real message the person likes to convey will always vary. After all, what matters most is the effort and compassion wrapped together with the flowers. Words will still play its role in communication.
We focused on birthday, graduation, courtship, marriage, anniversary, and period of senescence; those which are usual events in once life. We depicted a typical story of an old man reminiscing his times during youth and with his family as he approaches the near death. For every event we portrayed, we used specific flowers and identified their relative significance for that event.
Generally, regarding the main topic of the activity, our class have successfully integrated the important points in the lecture as we explore different plants and their associated uses and meanings may it be in terms of sociology and just mere daily significance in life. We have learned the various plants we associate with religion, superstitious beliefs and the like. Of most, I enjoyed our part. That “Talent Galore” was indeed a great idea for the recit class.
Giving flowers is a powerful way to share our sentiments on those very important events in the lives of our friends and family. While meanings may vary and change, forgotten and taken for granted, the idea itself of giving flowers will always be worth remembering. So, why not send someone you care about some flowers today!

John Mark Katindig Torres

Life's Trainee

I still consider myself a student, with no other aspects concerned or vague and deep interpretations included, at least for this semester even if had already received my college diploma last April, ‘cause I am still indeed a student. I think there exists a driving force in me motivating me to study further, to learn more things life has to offer, exploring any possible stuff I haven’t yet encountered. I feel so eager to improve myself in many ways; all of which I always remind myself to pay attention to, to become a holistic individual. Right now and in the next six years of my life, I’ll be investing a lot for the fulfilment of my greatest dream; one thing I could barely imagine would be possible. To pursue a medical career has always been a dream of mine but things would not be that easy to get. Reality most of the time suggests that sometimes we should be satisfied with what we have or to the extent of what we can acquire but I do not in particular stick to it. I firmly believe that in one way or another we can still have what we dream of and be what we aspire to be, just in time we didn’t expect it to happen, even when odds do not permit it and sternly persisting against our plans.

Four years had gone so fast and it took me a while to face the fact that my status as a student now faces its end. It made me then wonder how did it happen and to whom do I owe the inspirations I had in pursuing the last four years of my student life. April 24 marks the last commencement exercise I will be attending but it does not signify that I should stop striving for my improvement as a person. The idea that I will soon be graduating even welcomes me to a new phase of my life, a stage far different from what I used to have in the past 20 years of my life. I could still remember, when I was in second year high school, I was wishing of being a working man, earning for the family with no other concerns, but now, it seems like I’m craving for more years as a student, afraid of losing dependence from the older ones. But this is life, the changes occurring are irresistible. Only by complying with these changes that we will find ourselves caught in another set of opportunities and challenges life offers for further growth and development. I always keep in mind what Stephen Covey said about our capabilities; that it needs kaizen or continuous improvement. For me, my life is like a recipe. The main ingredients of my character have already been identified yet the seasonings that will add up more taste and twist to me as a holistic individual are not yet discovered. Well, I believe that I am not fully equipped to deal with the challenges that I may encounter but the inspirations and perseverance to achieve those residing in my soul serve the source of my strength to pursue things. A never-ending road awaits for us to take.

John Mark Katindig Torres

Realization On My 21st Birthday

Oh oh oh, it is my birthday and the date suggests my age as well. Starting the day right, I woke up before 5 am, did some washings, broke down the corridor of the apartment, passed the indoor pond and the garage and entered the canteen. As usual, rice as our staple food made the course with hotdog. It’s my day yet, I was alone taking my breakfast when I should be still at home in Bulacan with my family since in the university we usually have no classes on Mondays. I remembered a week before, we had plans of rescheduling our anatomy class on a Monday, and it will be made effective today. Anyway, I didn’t have the guts to wake up my roommate and join me with my meal given that he doesn’t have classes today and I’ll just be spoiling his deep sleep. Part of my everyday routine is to start taking a bath an hour or two before my appointment and for today, this was when my mom and some of my HS classmates started expressing wishes and greetings to me thru text messages. I wore my green polo shirt my mom gave me and walked to school. I felt so happy thinking that finally, my TTH class will be officially be rescheduled on a Monday because if this will be the case, I’ll be having more time for any part time job available. However, it turned out the other way and so I went back home very disappointed of my early return in Laguna on a Sunday. It was just pass 7 in the morning and I found myself caught in boredom. I started reading my syllabus in anatomy in preparation for next session. Then lunch came with my roommate; a time for some chit chats. After filling my gut, I started reading my third John Grisham’s book, A Painted House. Lying on my bed, I finished the first four chapters of the book and eventually fell asleep. Got woke up by a body clock at pass 4 in the afternoon and started responding to the greetings I’ve received via text messages. I then asked Princess, a good college friend of mine to join me for a dinner when I remembered that she has her sister with her. She asked me if she could bring Kim, her sister with her and of course, I found it nice to be with the two. Time passed so quickly and suddenly I had my outdoor attire worn, ready for the dinner. I decided to have our meal at Mommy Ludy’s (‘coz I was craving that time for cordon bleu which whenever we do grocery in Fairview is always part of our list). They made their own orders and I had mine done as well. Cess, as many of our friends used to call her, is a batchmate of mine in Microbiology and is currently taking her Masters in the said field. We had lots of stories shared as if we haven’t seen each other for years. Well, most of our accounts were our experiences for the past three weeks of June back in the university as students again. It always felt good exchanging discourses with her and moments with her just reminded me of my HS classmate who thinks very out-of-this-world. It’s my day and so with no words uttered, I’m the one who’s in-charge of the bill (a once in a blue moon thing, LOL). While I’m on the process of this blog, some sort of my bitter past crossed my mind but I think, it would be better to leave it unsaid. Anyway, I accompanied them back home and went to my place on my own afterwards. Oh by the way, on my way to LB Square (where most of the gimmick nights in Los Banos is held), Gela, college blocmate, called me through phone to say her thoughtful greetings. Upon meeting Cess, she handed me over a present, a set of nice papr clips and a stress ball, and of the two, I like the latter. It would be my second because my bestfriend and I exchanged one each before we left for Bulacan last April.

No one in my place knew that I was actually celebrating my birthday. I didn’t tell them and they didn’t ask ‘bout it when we all first met. It was I think pass 9 when I arrived home though I should be in our place much earlier. I always walk unhurried unless there are time constraints and the like. I was wondering that time with my feelings and a lot of things until I reached the front gate. I sat on a corridor bench, gazed at the stars quickly fading every now then above the clouds, thinking what’s with me all through these teenage years that I haven’t yet entered nor made moves to end up with, you know, a usual relationship. Am I still attached to the events of the past that it holds me back when I can actually and should move on? I really don’t think getting into a relationship would help things out. At some point that night, I realized that my status’ actually discomfits and causes me uneasiness and worries but what can I do, I can’t find the one who can replace YOU...

This pic was taken last May 2; an advance celebration while my dad's with us still coz he's working abroad.

Endeavours For a Worthwhile Sacrifice: Unveil the Significance of the Course

I enrolled myself in Literacy Training Service 2 on my last semester in 3rd year (2008-2009). It was in response to the required National Service Training Program units before I finish college. That experience made me realize the importance of including the said course in our curriculum. I got this archive from my folders when I was arranging my files. Hope you’ll end with some realizations or awareness of the true situation of the primary education in the Philippines.

                    My first encounter with the Sta. Isabel Elementary School revolved around three points: the room where the class is being held and will be held unfortunately throughout the semester, my students of different backgrounds and characters, and the teacher who appeared to be so idle (that’s I guess the way I can describe her). First to deal with, though I am used to see old rooms and facilities in institutions like that, I was still surprised by the condition of the room. I used to wonder then how will our voices be heard well in the said room with outworn walls which are incapable of confining sounds. Luckily, I was still able to find some facilities like fans working well and the comfort room which is I believe an important portion too. With regards to the students, I may appear prejudicial but I do believe that they are truly friendly and approachable. Most of them as I have observed form groups and I think it might be because they really knew one another and that it is really the nature of kids. Boys form their own groups as well as the girls. Concerning my encounter with the teacher, meeting her, honestly, made me feel secured from the fact that the students are definitely dealing with a very good mentor during the course. The manner in which she delivered her ideas, experiences and perceptions was really convincing (at least that moment I asked her about the conditions of the students). The gestures she made contributed big points as she imparted every little thing she knew making her in the end (of our short conversation) very efficient in conveying her insights on the characters and performances of her students (academically and on behavioural aspect).

                    The students like any other kids of their age are very playful. Every time we facilitators allow them to take a break, they always proceed to the school yard and play vigorous games. Luksong baka I think was the game the boys used to play and which scared the hell out of me. During their recess, we facilitators still used to guide and watch them play and find their activity not safe for them. I have never been like that when I was still a kid, but no regrets because I chose not to. Anyway, I used to watch the girls too. It appeared that they tend to compete with the boys’ energy and activeness by playing similar games within their group. They were indeed very energetic. It’s as if that will be the last game of their lives. Oftentimes, they shout at each other, say bad words I didn’t expect those kids can utter. I wasn’t surprised yet knowing that those students have different backgrounds.

                    At first I appeared in front of the students as if I was just forced to do some “outreach” works in turn to pass the course but I realized then how important it is to attend to the needs of those students. Hard as it may seem and benefits from our works might be vague, the internal satisfaction of helping children understand things (academic matters) better is what I had learned to develop along the way. I also realized that it a part of returning what the Lord had given me, something that I can give in return to the kindness and the blessings our Lord showed, gave and made me feel.

                    I remember then the times where I used to wake up early in the morning to prepare for their class, to plan how the activity will be interesting and how can I make their day fruitful and worthwhile. That was indeed a worthwhile sacrifice. Honestly, it wasn’t easy to travel for about an hour to stay and teach the students, students I don’t even know after all, students I’m not familiar with. It had been a sacrifice both for our time and the money we spent for the trips’ fare, a sacrifice I realized that was very sensible.

                    I now understand the essence of life and the significance and purpose of my existence better than the way I have used to perceive it. I learned that I am not living in this world, that I am not here to be served but to serve my fellows. I realized that our country badly needs volunteers to conduct free services in teaching, livelihood and outreach programs and the like. We, who are able to acquire and enjoy lots of privileges, should give back in return the blessings, the luck and good opportunities we received and continuously receiving.

                    We can’t live alone and that’s a fact we should live with. Many of us want an ideal community but how can we reach that dream if we, who are capable of making changes in the society will not take the first step, show some initiatives that we are concern with such. Dreams will remain dreams for as long as we are not doing anything, for as long as we depend with one another’s presence, nothing good will happen. Our country can’t wait and it badly needs kind-hearted Filipinos who do not only recognize the country’s needs but also take response and actions for it.

                    In the course of our lives, there will come a time when we are to deal with people of different culture, outlooks and perceptions of life. The bottom line of these things is that there are many things we need to explore and understand in this world and that our lives should not revolve only in our chosen fields for life’s lessons (as I have experienced during the literary service) are best learned through socialization, acquaintances, experiences and offerings. I offered my time, a commitment I will never forget, a bond with people I didn’t even know in the first place, to the Grade 3 students of Sta. Isabel whom I learned to love, everything was worth it.

                    I am 20 years old and I know my country depends on me. I promise to do then my responsibilities as its citizen. Many of us then tend to lag behind the ideas of life and sacrifice and so I will promise myself not to be like those people who after had reached and touched their goals in life will not look back anymore to where they had been before. I will not let my country down and so will I for my fellow Filipinos. To understand what our country underwent through in time would be the very first thing we should develop. What follows then would be our response to the needs it has silently proclaiming for years.

                    The nature of human beings goes like this; one will not do something innovative, something that will induce changes unless someone who is prominent will take initiative. We barely depend on orders and laws that we believe can respond to the needs of our country but how long will it take for a proposal to be accepted, for an idea to be relatively put into an effective action? We need to resign ourselves and get submitted to the needs of Filipinos. After all, who can help our fellows but only we who have been taught of what can sacrifice and offerings do.

                    The magnitude of offering does not dwell only in physical manifestations. It can be thoroughly observed in the changes we can induce to the people we used to mingle and helped go along with their lives. The idea that we can lend a hand for them gives them hope and faith in their capabilities, to what an ordinary individual can do for the betterment of his surroundings, of himself. We are in this world to co-create with God by extending, by spreading His love for us. Life spent for any other purpose is meaningless. We must abandon a thought system based on fears that we are to do for our fellows will not do anything good to us for the joy it brings definitely boundless, implying the magnitude of its power that is on the hearts and minds of the people we can help. It is a way of leaving a good mark in this world full of doubts, fears and hopelessness. Let us bring hope, love and care by offering ourselves to the Filipinos, to the Philippines who badly need our assistance, who definitely after our sacrifices, who really need our attention, to build a strong sense of being a unified country that by all means will help one another achieve the goals of a wonderful and meaningful life. Let us take the first step towards the success of non-evanescent outcomes of our sacrifices and unveil the world with love for one another. Our life will be meaningless unless we take part of and touch the lives of other people. By affirming that we love our fellow Filipinos in every situation, we actualize then the power of sacrifice and offering. Let us make people feel love in their lives even though the world has become a rather loveless place.

John Mark Katindig Torres

Ethical vs. Practical: The Case of Biotechnology

                  Safety must come first. Ironically, the biotechnology industry has done and is doing an excellent job in this respect, yet the thought of manipulating the very hereditary substance of plants and animals - our food - is hard to be accepted by traditionalists. While scientists deem genetically modified food safe, the public, particularly in Europe, will not eat it. Many consumer advocates and environmentalists are convinced that this wide production of GMO should be stopped.

                  There are supporters and opposers of this developing field of science. Ethical and practical concerns therefore should be considered. Caught by our grown up traditions and as dictated by the society, many of us tend to lag behind the progressing ideas of life and science.

                  Biotechnology as an application of biological knowledge can help improve industrial processes and food production. As a subset of genetic engineering it employs isolation of desirable genes from other organisms. These genes are then manipulated and incorporated to target products. Basically, genetically modified organisms (GMO) are organisms whose genetic material has been altered to come up with relatively more beneficial products. This is in response to increasing demands of people in time that should be satisfied.

                  Advocates of genetic engineering believe that advances being made with regards to GM foods offer a way to quickly improve crop characteristics such as yield, pest resistance, or herbicide tolerance often to a degree not possible to traditional methods. In turn, it can increase food security for growing populations and in poor countries which rely on crops as main staple of their diet.

                  A lot of worries on this concern also arise pertaining to fears that it is ethically unacceptable to interfere with nature and that it is against the very essence of humanity. Opposers also believe that there are potential negative impacts in biotechnology when in fact nothing has been proven.

                  Come to think of it. People tend to look and find faults whenever something new is discovered. Biotechnology has a lot to offer in medicine, agricultural and food industries. Isn’t time for us to move out of our bins and support biotechnology?

                  From the works of it, it does seem that the potential for biotechnology is boundless, thereby implying magnitude of power that’s in the hands of its advocates and practitioners. This is why it is faced with a range of controversies about its possible negative effects but scientists working in Biotechnology are not blind to these apprehensions.

                  Genetic engineering requires great precision. A large part of science involves learning how to make things better. Do we stop all scientific research because learning how to make things better also teaches us what makes them worse? God gave us intellect and it depends on us on how to use it. Biotechnology stands to give us better and brighter future. There’s nothing wrong in availing and accepting its wonderful products. Risks notwithstanding, biotechnology has more benefits to offer to humankind and it is time to support this field of science.

John Mark Katindig Torres

Reproductive Health Bill

                    Science and technology never exist in a vacuum. Inexplicably rational, they together even unfold in a definite context. However, envisioning all-encompassing factors, issues and proposals relatively raised by studies of science and technology are oftentimes are led off track. Because of this, we find ourselves caught in a nonetheless our own unsubstantial view of things. While we remain holding onto our beliefs, those we have grown up with, we tend to neglect the potential noteworthy positive effects of our discoveries regarded as those that can alleviate the society’s condition in general.

                    I’m here before you neither to encourage you nor to influence you the other way around regarding the concern of our group. Anyway, after all, at the end of the day, it depends on each one of us, among the factors raised, which one would sufficiently comply with our needs.

                    Generally, to weigh things in equity, here are the concerns of the RH Bill:

(1) Information and access to natural and modern family planning

(2) Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition

(3) Promotion of breast feeding

(4) Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications

(5) Adolescent and youth health

(6) Prevention and management of Reproductive tract infections, HIV/AIDS and STDs

(7) Elimination of violence against women

(8) Counseling on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health

(9) Treatment of breast and Reproductive tract cancers

(10) Male involvement and participation in RH;

(11) Prevention and treatment of infertility and

(12) RH education for the youth.

                    Disregarding any selfish concerns that might be prevailing among the proponents of the bill, as rational beings, we all know that this would not arise if we sufficiently are equipped with necessary tools to progress as a society. Population is not a burden and it will never be as long as (in a conditioned premise) the society can undergo sustainable development concerning the environment, maintain resources and preserve the instilled culture and tradition the society is born with. There’s actually no need to interfere with the natural process of reproduction, but as it remains inevitably a great concern for the whole society’s capability of pronouncing its needs, there arises the need to partake the very essence of humanistic method of abreast of the setbacks related to it.

                    While this kind of bill is proposed, a number of different social issues and concerns also merit a careful consideration. For an instance, one may inquire up to what extent will the domination of researches and developments impede or promote the civilian concerns and to the whole humanity at stake. How should the proposals be funded and organized and be maintained sustainably for the citizenry? And lastly, how can the society sit assured of the benefits they will enjoy while preserving their innate ideational, societal, personality and material perspectives as a whole? While these three questions may appear perplexing, it only suggests that to comply with causes and consequences of our schemes, it is a requisite to always mull over the potential constructive effects and underlying ethical conflicts it may pose.

John Mark Katindig Torres

Sustainable Development: Our Motives, Our Decisions, Our Actions

                    Originally, men and women lived in small, self-sufficient communities, dependent on things they found in their environment. If food, fuel, or materials ran out, they would simply move on. One of the first significant social and technological developments was the transition from this nomadic way of life to agricultural cultivation in settled communities, from which began societies as we know them today. However, as nations pursue their goals of achieving economic development, promote more intensive and advanced economic activity (through such means as education, improved tools and techniques), more available financing, better transportation facilities, and creation of new businesses, environmental impacts are oftentimes overlooked.

                    Environmentalists argue broadly in favor of sustainable development. By this they mean a pattern of living that favors the preservation of habitat, the conservation of non-renewable resources, and the increased use of renewable energy sources so that Earth’s ecosystems are not harmed beyond repair.

                    This guide of resource use that aims to satisfy human demands while preserving the environment in general for future concerns seems to be a challenge for both developing and developed countries. The idea is, while a nation searches to meet the needs of the present time, there should be no compromises for the ability of the future generations to meet the needs per se. The big point here is, while we in the contemporary times find our ways for survival, we should also take into consideration the security of our descendant’s subsistence. We, in search for the development and improvement of the pre-existing technical systems, should come about prolonged beneficial effects of our activities concerning the whole environment to which we and other entities belong. Along with other creations, we dwell and continue our endurance in this world interacting with each other, thus, we should continuously add more life to the Earth while enjoying the fruits it bears.

                    Sustainable development actually points out an economy in equilibrium with fundamental support systems, that is, by all means, economic activities concerned for national and international progress should comply with environmental concerns. Humanity indeed faces social and economic challenges; yet, it would not suffice to reason our negligence in our environmental-destructive activities. To present an alternative way of addressing a steady state economy should be one that addresses environmental concerns as well.

                    The field of sustainable development can be conceptually broken into three constituent parts: environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and socio-political sustainability.This contributed to the understanding that sustainable development encompasses a number of areas and highlights sustainability as the idea of environmental, economic and social progress and equity, all within the limits of the world’s natural resources are concerned. In the Philippine context, the great question would be, “How can we materialize this idea of sustainable development and bring it up into the mainstream?”

                    The problem seems to be that there is still no widely shared vision of what sustainable development might mean in real practice, despite many conferences and seminars held addressing this challenge. In many countries — rich and poor — this is often because of a perception that sustainability is expensive to implement and ultimately a brake on development. Poor countries for their part usually lack the physical infrastructure, ideas and human capacity to integrate sustainability into their development planning. Besides, they are often quite skeptical about rich countries’ real commitment to sustainable development and demand a more equitable sharing of environmental costs and responsibilities. Many people also believe that environmental problems can wait until developing countries are richer. With this kind of self-centered principles, we will always find ourselves caught in the very situation of disastrous fate as we proceed with our selfish motives against the whole world per se.

                    Whether we see the idea of ecological footprints in the course of our search for development or not, both sides would cause great impacts to ourselves, to our successors and to the whole world systems as a general rule. This is because everyone depends on nature and to everything it offers to provide us conditions for life security; however, our actions made unprecedented vicissitudes to the ecosystem and have weakened in time the nature’s ability to deliver more beneficiary provisions that can sustainably support the existence of all other life and non-life forms.

                    The above highlights the need to consider multiple angles and perspectives in the Philippine context. In pursuance of sustainable development, questions characterizing the worries of policy makers include who may participate, who may be affected, and who may benefit.

The Political Challenge

                    This issue revolves very evidently as a political framework in the Philippines. The involvement of local communities in environmental management was a prerequisite for sustainable development. The government actually plays a big role in policy making, giving the people the rights over the natural resources subjecting and drawing the Earth near its end. There could have been no problems with our utilization, however, for an instance, we burn gasoline, coals and other fossil fuels inefficiently for energy; we cut down trees for paper industries without even replacing it; we utilize meats incompetently; we intervened natural processes of our ecosystems; all actions invading, all destructive. We keep on exploiting the environment as if we don’t know what the outcomes will be. With this, better protection of natural assets will require coordinated efforts across all sections of governments, businesses, and international institutions. The productivity of ecosystems depends on policy choices on investment, trade, subsidy, taxation, and regulation, among others.

The Social Challenge

                    We are all in this together. While we refuse to learn the most basic lesson of attaining development alongside environmental preservation, we are actually obliterating the very idea of our role as rational beings. The changes that this world needs depend on us, in our willingness to manage and conserve the environment’s persistence. In the Philippines, all measures concerned to conserve natural resources are more likely to succeed if we as part of the local communities have our initiatives to start a change. It all starts from each one of us.

The Economic Challenge

                    Even in the advent of technological applications in industries and economic zones, three main sources of capital still play an evident role: the human-capital, knowledge-capital and resource-capital. The restoration and maintenance of the last factor seems to be the challenge for the economic sectors. Concerning this, policies dealing with the enhancement of the environment's carrying capacity to support the country's sustained economic growth, alleviating poverty in the process, need to be implemented. The great enterprise the economy may get from natural resources is a promising source of wealth; however, invariable conflicts may arise such as incompetent utilization of supplies and exploitation of the environment in general.

                    Sustainable development explicitly recognizes the interconnections and relationships between economy, society and the environment. In this world that seems to grow smaller, many issues must be considered at a global level. Environmental laws appeared to be undermined in time by self-centered individuals, groups and institutions. The best way to finance development is not something apparent to all of us, the idea of sustainable development. The mere fact that environmental conservation appears to be the main constrain for our development in all aspects should not be neglected. While we aim for economic efficiency, social status stability and future permanence and constancy, the Earth itself needs strengthened and rationalized movements for its continued persistence. The future is not somewhere we are going. While the humankind has the ability to obliterate, we can also act to sustain and preserve our planet in general.

References:

Adams, W.M. (2006). "The Future of Sustainability: Re-thinking Environment and Development in the Twenty-first Century." Report of the IUCN Renowned Thinkers Meeting, 29–31 January, 2006.

Living Beyond Our Means: Natural Assets and Human Well-being, An interpretation of the key messages to emerge from the assessment, from the Board of Directors governing the MA process, March 2005

Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Roads to the Summit: LEAD International and Panos London. August 2002

Smith, Charles; Rees, Gareth (1998). Economic Development, 2nd edition. Basingstoke: Macmillan. ISBN 0333722280.

United Nations. 1987."Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development." General Assembly Resolution 42/187, 11 December 1987.

Warren Flint, R. 2009. Five E’s Unlimited: A System’s Approach to Sustainable Development. Seattle, WA 98108

John Mark Katindig Torres

On Technonolgical Advancement Disparities

       When I took STS 1 (Science, Technology and Society) subject during my last semester in college, I've recognized a lot of factors on why our country, in the field of science and technology, is incompetent as I may say so, with that of the first world ones. This is of course a big issue to deal with and there would definitely be underlying aspects to consider. Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, maybe, just maybe, everything roots to the following reality bites on technological disparities.

- Myriad Complex of Issues (multitude of factors, e.g. government funding, availability of resources, manpower, technical-know-hows, etc.)

- Strong Will in Pursuance of Technological Advancements (individual and organizational wills)

- Stringent Operational Implementation from Comprehensive Researches (laws and orders from the research agencies, institutes, academes, etc.)

         Countries who can afford to conduct and perform researches for further advancements bear the label of having supreme qualities for both products and services. They who have established their names in the global market as leading nations in the field of science can be attributed to the support from the government they receive and enjoy in time.

          Well, with great hopes, the Philippines will in time enjoy highly-defined technological advancements...

John Mark Katindig Torres

Hero

Inspired by Efren Penaflorida's good works, I made this piece on a new perspective about a hero.

Hero. Is he a brave man, a conqueror, an idol for few, or an individual of great deeds? What makes a hero? What must one do to be regarded as a hero? Just few questions that bothered me that for long, I have been enjoying this freedom of speech, expression of one’s thoughts and opinions and a lot more privileges of a freeman, but never did it come to my mind, who were those individuals who might had offered their lives in pursuing such freedom. An attribute as I may say, “hero” is such a one word with scores of definition; of which one base on my perspectives is as follows.

Pondering on aforementioned questions, I ended up realizing that there might be no existing set of rules or criteria in identifying who among the historical figures will bear the label of being a hero. To some extent however, all of our fellowmen regarded as heroes possess some sterling qualities of which patriotism predominates all. They who had their contributions in the process of nation building and the induction of mind awakening events made people realize of the significance of liberty in any possible perspective we can think of. It has been an established idea to all of us that heroes are those who live in the very sense of nationalism, whose aspirations dwell mainly on struggling for freedom. If we are to contemplate on what a hero really means, there arise thus the need to mull over the idea that heroes are not just those who carry with them noble qualities. For me, people whom we encounter everyday can also be considered as heroes. They may not be distinguished for any courageous act or abilities nor admired for heroic deeds, but they who have been doing their jobs to the very best they can, without harming but rather offering best services to other people can also be regarded as a hero. To my concern, there are those people who stay in shadows, out of spotlights, and overlooked everyday but whose existence links the lives of other significant people.

For me, a hero is someone who makes impact to the lives of the people around him. Teachers, policemen, fire fighters, maintenance staffs, electricians, domestic workers and the like are, for me, my heroes. They can teach you to read or write, they can save you in various ways and indeed, they can really make a huge difference in your life. I adore them who fulfil every inch of their profession, every response to the need of the contemporary society. True heroes are the people that do not think about being a hero; they just do what is instinctive to them and then do not delight in the glory of their actions. They are all before our eyes; unappreciated and insignificant yet they play noteworthy roles to improve and extend our lives.



John Mark Katindig Torres

The Psychology of Lifespan Development

Like any other concept, life is not just as simple and shallow of being a quality, characteristic state or mode of living nor will it be as superficial as vitality and as a period of continuous activity. Well, I guess it would depend on how we put a certain concept or issue in context that arrive with a rather far new perspective and a view point that is inevitably repeated with its established and well-used premises. Starting with this portion of the Psych topics, it becomes evident that there are many roles playing part in each of respective concerns, dealing with various aspects regarding notions about life. And considering the many circumstances and elements to which one’s life revolves around, life can be regarded as an account of the series of events making up a person’s, that is, what made us ourselves today is a result of a continuous processing of shaping, molding, experiencing, and assimilating what we honour to contribute to our development in general. Life is not just a mere one-word referring to a state of being a live, it is rather a very complicated ‘idea’ to which concerns must dwell on the relative contribution of several influences surrounding us in the actual course of growth and stages of our lives.



While the meaning of life stays wonderful and very complicated, so do I find the relative factors contributing to its very essence. As it comes in various packages, different perspectives and discourses, to unravel each and particular issue surrounding it as a concept would mean an analysis of the step-by-step stages of development. To our concern, it is in here where the Psychologists like Freud, Erickson and others dealt with and came about with lots of interpretations of life’s stages to resemble the whole itself. To devise something like their theories would require a thorough analysis, standing substantial for a moment and may exist as a tool for interpretation for years yet stay as theories still. I won’t try o mull over those things they had proposed about the ideas behind our existence and the stages of our development for I find myself incapable of course to do such. What I found great about these concepts is that amidst their various understanding and explanations, all sides I guess about our lives, have been subjected to a lot of interpretations which adds twists and colours to each and every phase of our being. If I will be using that of Freud’s interpretations regarding the socioemotional aspect of my life, being topsy-turvy would mean that I failed to a certain point in my childhood life to overcome the crisis in the anal stage. I’m not that disorganized and I have each and every plan for my daily activities, it always happened though, that my things are not properly fixed or placed in particular order. My mom actually told me that my toilet training did not come that hard, I mean; I easily learned to control my bowel even before reaching the age of three, that age which Freud was referring to be the end of the second stage. Quite unsure about it but anyway this remains as a theory of course and I still find myself incapable of inquiring more about it. For this matter, I will admit that as far as to what I have observed, these theories may appear as conjectures only, precisely because we can’t actually see for ourselves the very activity of the phenomenon. But while these theories remain in hand, I guess, they are far great systems of judgements one could ever propose so far about our existence and throughout the lifespan development. Whether we failed to overcome the crisis of a particular stage or remained fixated, and incapable of resolving issues, we can still make another set of ideals for our life now that we are more conscious about it. Besides, we are the masters of our own fate.

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Julian Makabayan: The Filipinos Search For Social Justice

“History repeats itself”-a one-line reality to describe the film, Ang Alamat ni Julian Makabayan, as suggested by Mr. Nick Ocampo. It appears then that as the society, at least in the Philippine context, aims for a development in any aspects possible, one must always take a look and consider with what composes its populace, the events that had occurred and the whole condition of the country. It is while the past seems to reside in the textbooks, it also struggles to keep itself relevant, and may it still be of the same or a far different case and situation. Far from the usual themes we’ve been used to watch and enjoy, this film conscientiously affirmed a very serious topic that it may have touched most of its watchers who underwent cruelty during the 1930’s.

Committed to pronounce an issue of nationalism and prevailing oppression and marginalization among less-privileged (peasants), several issues including freedom of assembly, compelled servitude or slavery, gender biases, social stratification and roles of religion in direct exercising of political control in the practice of feudalism throughout the period were discussed as other impelling tendencies appeared to be more or less discernible.

First and foremost, the time period of the film seemed to be during the Spanish-era based on the political power held by the local priest however, Charo Santos’ role defied it the seemingly introduction of technology such as cars and new costume, signifying the American preoccupation of the Philippines, probably in the 1910’s to 1930’s. Whatever the period was what appeared to be of great significance here is a very apparent interminable cycle of poverty and oppression.

To practice the freedom of assembly was evidently deemed by the local government and the church unlawful. With the prevailing fear that the oppressed peasants will cause an act of rebellion against them, the leaders of the society not only in Nueva Ecija (the film’s setting) stringently disclaim any activities or gatherings by their subjects. This thus shows the beginning of the afflictions created by the dominating class, the government and the church alongside several other concerns. This act considered contrary to conventions established by the leaders became very evident when the town priest warned Julian Sr. from joining peasant group (kapisanan) and when he was actually arrested allegedly for joining the rebellion.

Another issue raised following the repression of expressing their wills, was the involuntary servitude most especially among women peasants. Due to an unpaid debt, Maria will serve Don Hilario, a local landlord, representing the dominating group of the society in those times. This event further established women as commodity for exchange and trade. One good thing here was when Julian Jr. went to and asked the local priest (Eddie Garcia) to absolve the family of the debt; that is, for a favor from a father and not just as a priest. Related to this, is an issue of gender bias wherein women were not allowed to exercise their right to vote, even when they can actually read or write.

While education and new political systems are together promoted by the Americans, the scene from an elite gathering introduced in the film the social classes, those reckoned as ruling and dominating ones; all cloaked with a goal to alleviate the problems of the society but were not actually making any move. The church represented by the local priest, Fr. Matias, the capitalist who held control of markets and supplies, the government lead by the captain, and the traitors of our society. Behind this beautiful occasion was the unprepossessing group of peasants, deprived from their own rights, repressed and subjugated. Unequipped with necessary power, they can’t pursue their rights and repel the dehumanizing acts by the upper class. Consequently, the social stratification established through time became much worse.

To my concern, the church also played big part in molding awareness among the people. Using religion and the concept of faith and blessed life, they took control over the peasants’ rights and their whole life in turn. Not only did these minorities abide with the government laws, they also followed what the church was preaching. In order to have his husband freed, the wife went to the priest who commanded an order to her favor but for something in exchange, one that will favor the obsessed priests.

All encompassing, after the Spanish colonization, the Philippines became a real estate for grabs. In the midst of a protracted war of national liberation against the Spanish, the Filipinos initially accepted the intervention of the U.S. military, not realizing that they have discovered a far worse colonial master in hand. Their overwhelming plans for the Philippines and alluring policies for development including that of trade, free education and political rights deceived the populace in general. While they stood great in their promises, the Filipinos pledged with the elimination of disparities between the elite and the peasants eventually lost their faith with the current system. While the farmlands were increasingly concentrated in the hands of powerful owners, hacienderos, most of the peasants became sharecroppers and farmers not for their own good. Landholding hierarchy prevailed more intensely, listening not to the needs of their workers but do their self-acclaimed interests.

With all of these suppressing events in their status, the farmers eventually became aware for an act to repel these forces, one that by rebellion, they believed they can succeed. The birth of Julian Makabayan resides in their hearts as they engage into this real life battle for rights and freedom. Even if the characters died, the insurgency among those remaining and the future groups will continue pursuing their goals for the benefit of the group. While others are scorned, some are still fighting for what they believed is legally right.

Unfortunately, the history repeats itself. Even though the story depicted the situations way back 1930’s, the story still reflects the continuously existing conditions most of us are experiencing. While the character of Julian remains a legend, may his ideals inspire us to strive for a brighter and better future for the country in general. It is unless we realize the need to resist the power of the dominating class, that we can only experience social justice and freedom.

This film so far is a great one to tackle a very grievous condition of the country, may it have been produced in 1979 or today, it will always apply effectively raising issues need to be addressed.

Image used fr http://123nonstop.com/pictures/Ang_Alamat_ni_Julian_Makabayan

A Matter of Driving Force

First and foremost, as our Psych class’ topics become indeed interesting, I have observed the increasing vitality, enthusiasm among my classmates towards the growth of our ‘involvement’ in the subject matter. Honestly, with our first few meetings, I had some worries with what’s going to happen with our class discussions, with the prevailing ‘mind-numbing’ setting, non-responsive participants (to which I belong, of course). Gladly, it was as if this New Year brought us the spirit of being active, that somehow, at least most of us, became such. Probably, as our mentor’s very evident move to shift to a new teaching method suggests too, there could have been something like an ‘impelling-cause’ that drove us to accomplish a particular goal (that is, as far as I perceived it, to have an interactive and enjoyable class discussion) and acquire a need (which could have been some sort of imparting knowledge in a thought-provoking way). For an instance, I was actually thinking if there was really an extrinsic factor which might have compelled us to change our attitude, our way of viewing the subject.

Life, encompassing all of its aspects, is the very evidence of a not so concrete force that drives one to exist and keep on persisting among all others. Inherent to all of us is a vital source of motivation allowing us to continue strive for and live our lives through the best way we can. To my knowledge, what actually motivates us to do the things we want or our body demands, for satisfaction and the like, varies from the extent to which it can create the eagerness in us up to that moment of recognizing and experiencing the feeling of being gratified. Hence, I believe and already understand why some people have relatively different type of motivation to keep them going, a degree which does not really pose any trend or pattern. For an instance, if I am to take the teacher’s part or that of a government social worker’s, to work for money would definitely matter but what may prevail to most of these individuals would be their passion to teach or help most especially the children in need, a passion as an element of their motive to do their job. Anyway, it depends on how people develop their motives in doing their activities and portraying their roles in life in particular. I personally, being a futuristic person, what drives me, at least in most of my activities, are the sense of accomplishment, success and comfort, thinking that if I will be able to conduct my endeavours at least close to the way I am expecting them to be, all efforts will be so rewarding. Evaluating myself, actually, I found out that most of the time, what motivates me essentially are various dreams and plans I have confirmed throughout my college life, those which I can’t pronounce in this paper for now, things I arrived at only after realizing that life is a continuous process and that entering college life signifies only another phase in my life. I’m speaking in behalf of my ideal side, one that I rarely make use of. While my motivations remain immaterial, the manifestations of it reside in the enthusiasm I express in every activity and task I am entitled to do.

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