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.

Image used fr http://www.shafferfineart.com/The_Art_of_Walfrido.htm

Making a Case for History in Basic Education: A Policy Paper on the Social Studies Curriculum and Textbook

Note: This is a,well some sort of reaction on Dr. Maria Serena I. Diokno's Making a Case for History in Basic Education: A Policy Paper on the Social Studies Curriculum and Textbook and I included my insights as well about her talk.

Unless one has mastered the basics that the he could also engage into more advance techniques (in terms of higher levels of thinking)- one great note, which is worth keeping, I think. No one has ever reached the top worthily, disregarding those who by perseverance did, unless he knew for himself each and every fundamental nature of his field. For an instance, a child who had his first encounter with the school setting may felt overwhelmed by what he sees, what he hears and what he experiences, for he may not be that equipped with necessary skills, competitive knowledge, and any other tools especially those dealing with cognitive aspects, social awareness, and wider perspectives. The forum as I may say raised three significant points to which, I believe are made evident by researches and efforts by institutions behind the development of the sector of education.

First, glad to have this point, it can be noted that Dr. Diokno dealt stringently on the significance of textbooks in the academe. It is very apparent that we human beings are visual creatures, that is, our mind is greatly stimulated via imagery, texts and the like. In the field of education, one of the tools made important as its units to mediate instructions, established as fundamental sources of knowledge aside from that coming from the facilitators, are books. In behalf of her colleagues, she dealt with constructively criticizing the books being used by grade and high school students, those of which, as far as I am concern, I have also used. Regarding her field, she distinguished the very difference between the common comprehension and historical one, paying much of her thoughts to the incorporation of the author’s intention with the latter works. Though I already knew that in understanding historical texts, whether it is to be assessed or not, it has been a requisite to situate ourselves in the actual period of the event concerned, she further established that far being compared with the methods of presentation in Science, Mathematics and English, one should also consider the connotations of words and the arguments laid out in the texts. History is like an agreed upon collection of oftentimes related stories of time, some may appear factual but actually are not. Concerning, it was pointed out in the talk, the very spirit of utilizing the primary and secondary sources to come up with a substantial work alongside considerations of other factors. With this, the second issue was raised. She drew her thoughts with inappropriateness of applying historical competencies. Chronological thinking must always be imparted and developed to and among students reading the textbooks. This surely appears as a dilemma for some may believe that this would be sophisticated case for the children. To argue with this, the speaker pointed out that while children may appear in general with only emergent thoughts and ways of thinking, they can actually relate sequences of stories. Related to this, a history book writer when utilizing his resources must employ the skills in contextualizing stories and facts. He must be able to weigh things concerned like culture, period, the whole society and the defined event as well. Issues must always be analyzed before establishing them as true. Last big idea I found really significant, are the various ways which a mentor of history class may use. All encompassing, he who facilitates the class to this matter must take into account the existing diversity among the receivers of the insights, facts and opinions. Based on the speaker’s example, the authors of the books are unintentionally including their own concepts as shaped by colonial framework of thinking. Gender biases, ethnic and ethical dilemmas and stereotyping are just some of the excruciating yet not that easily noticeably by some, issues cited.

Mind set, generally, the issues raised are difficult to initiate an argument while some appear very lofty. While the diffusion of these kinds of thinking, methods of instructions and various concerns bother our historians, we readers of the texts must employ and practice critical thing to evaluate the relative concerns of the book, its contents and the authors themselves.

Image used fr http://traveleronfoot.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/books-1.jpg?w=470&h=352

Nocturnal Peeps: Communal Feature of Students

The question baffling my mind when I was preparing for this paper was actually not about ‘consciousness’ but rather things like how could I deal with some other requirements with my other subjects, and that it’s already getting late at night; how could I find samples for my analysis in parasitology class; or that how will I find time to attend a career orientation to guide another phase of my life. My mind has been preoccupied by lots of things to accomplish and commitments to attend. Though, I have realized that those were really awesome things I need to comply with, I had this tendency to lie back and ponder on why do I have to do these things or why should I conform with things I do not actually like to do. I do love the things I am asked to do though they may sometimes appear not interesting at all, mainly because I always try to find a very good rationale of doing the tasks. However, of course, like any other person, this does not apply true always in the long run. Admit or not, there will always come a time that we find ourselves caught in a situation of boredom, that the things we do are very regular course of work, not that challenging, something that we are already used to, and the like. Reflecting over these scenarios, I came about thinking, this is surely not true to my case alone. If I am as a student, is experiencing this argument so do my colleagues and some others with this kind of role to play (to study).

I guess, to find a lot of time for both academics and social concerns, the latter including that of establishing good relationships, intimate or not, would really matter for a student. Shaped by various cultures, we tend to prioritize things we know for a fact that would identify our needs and make us feel gratified. But if we thoroughly analyze a particular factor common to all of us student, specifically referring to those who are persevering of accomplishing goals, that is, what are the things do we utilize to achieve our intentions in a broader sense, I have identified the very role of our being conscious. With this idea however, though it may seem to be shared by most of us, our ways to maintain this state varies still. For an instance, we alter this so-called state of consciousness to arrive with a condition wherein we find ourselves responsive to the needs that our body may actually do not require. For students who do have lots of commitments, to stay awake even late at night, in everyday of their school life, is casual thing. A case in point, to keep myself alert or somehow attentive, I drink coffee. With its established stimulating effect and availability in the counter, I used to consume a cup or two especially in times wherein I have to stay awake the whole night during examinations week. Though this may turn up effective to me, it may not be good for some people. The doctor actually advised my mother to stop drinking coffee since it causes her to palpitate (actually I don’t know the potential mechanism). Anyway, it just shows that why we enjoy the benefits of these “drugs” for a psychoactive state, we should also pay attention with the potential risks they may pose. While we students and I know, even the professionals and some other peeps use coffee as our source of mind-stimulating compounds, we should bear in mind the possible consequences from which we may suffer if we keep on indulging ourselves to these drugs. While in effect it makes us nocturnal creatures for some time, if we take for granted the aftermaths it can also offer.

Image used fr http://issues.co.nz/EnlightenUp/Consciousness

“We don’t just memorize, we analyze...”

Whenever someone ask me what course am I taking and I say in return, BS Biology, they tend to wonder then how do we students of the said degree do all the memorization portions of the course. Well, it has not been an offbeat for me to meet this kind of awe since the field of science has always been regarded as somewhat mere systematic search for knowledge when in fact it is more than that. It is actually a thorough analysis of what we, in general, find of great significance for the existence of all concerned.

Since we were born, at least from the point our brain became capable of storing all of our inputs, we have developed an active system which processes, consciously or not, most of the information we regard significant or that those which our senses perceive. I myself practice some techniques especially when dealing with the terminologies in my field. For an instance, doing the scientific inquiry in our endeavours has lots of things to consider. There lies the need to truly “commit to our memories” the concepts and the principles that are for keeps. Of course, as for all areas, not all the tidings we encounter will be remembered. If we resolve to choose among those, there arises the need then to develop a method or a system of storing that information. A case in point, I make use of mnemonics or keys as my memory aids to facilitate long-term storage of information. For example, the macronutrients in biological systems are always encountered in any physiology or biochemistry courses and in order for me to remember such, I have developed this cue, Mag Pa CaFe K Muna CHONS (In bold letters are the actual symbols for the elements; Mg, P, Ca, Fe, Mn, C,H,O,N, and S.). Another one, for long, since grade 4, I had this key working very well for me- AQueLORQuiMGaMMAREA. It stands for the correct order of the Philippine Presidents from way back to the most recent. There are just lots of things that are indeed made significant by our capabilities to store most of the events in our lives, all of which we may sometimes regard with great importance or are just held on in our memory unknowingly without any concerns. Those things are sometimes automatically encoded and stored in our minds. Unnoticeably, it seems like we truly care for some things that we tend to remember them though we really don’t intend to. For an instance, I didn’t aim to remember my cousin’s birth date but it just happened that whenever I’m asked about it, I can really tell the exact date. Probably, alongside this way of storing information, broad and even fine points are associated with some sort of feelings or emotions that facilitated the storage of such detail. If we are caught in a situation that includes strong emotions, we tend to remember to some extent very clearly, events linked to such mood or atmosphere.

Some mechanisms can truly help us recall the things we want to recall but there would really be times that unintentionally, we forget even the necessary things we are not supposed to forget. I, myself, experience this somewhat an encoding failure. Attending to my major subjects in Microbiology, there are really lots of new information I and my co-majors didn’t encounter during our first two years in the course. With new perspectives and field being introduced to us, some details are really not encoded and stored the moment we hear them through lectures. What I do to comply with this problem is the usual way we students are suppose to do, to study it by ourselves after the class. In that way, I can easily understand and recall our lessons. Anyway, I believe, the best way to remember things very well is to first exert efforts in understanding the information, analyzing it for eventually, it will stick in your mind.

Image used fr http://www.cksinfo.com/toys/index.html

Comparative Analysis of Spoliarium and Mallarium: Significant artworks delved and shaped by the transitions in time

              An art, mediated by its own language and symbols, signifies and conveys ideas, feelings and concepts deeply within the work more than one can easily perceive. Shaped by the artists’ particular and unique approaches, a work of art may exhibit various definitions and interpretations. Dictated by an artist’s time, a work of art may wave and raise certain issues in society which may either be easily manifested or deeply concealed within the masterpiece.

              Critically, acclaimed Spoliarium, one of the Philippines’ finest and most prominent work of art, undeniably disclosed lots of issues and somehow raised awareness among Filipinos of his and today’s time. Some were not that directly shown and thus, a thorough understanding and analysis of Juan Luna’s time are highly recommended. Though, Spoliarium is not that obscure like other artworks of his time, the theme of its “moving story” depicts a relatively significant idea. To firmly grasp the idea Luna incorporated in his work, the elements involved in his masterpiece should be well understood.

              We, Filipinos tend to give meanings to our fellows’ works in the context of nationalism and attainment of freedom from submissiveness. This might be because we have been under many superpowers in the course of our development and progression as an independent nation. Evident in the Spoliarium what had therefore inspired Luna. Conceptualized and completed during Spanish colonial times, Spoliarium appeared to be a nearly apparent metaphor for the condition of the Philippines that time. The principal image is that of the Roman soldiers dragging the dead and dying gladiators across the ground towards a heap of bloody carnage. Symbolically, the latter mentioned character represents Filipinos under Spanish powers. Filipino gladiators were those insignificant Filipinos serving the Spaniards as slaves. The man wearing white robe is a Spaniard despoiling or stripping of the belongings and valuables of the dead and dying gladiators. This represents greedy Spaniards taking advantage of weak and dependent Filipinos. In the painting, the man is collecting gold bracelets likewise in the reality controlling Filipinos and their properties as well.

              Surrounding the principal image are characters exhibiting different emotions and effects on the painting’s theme. Next to the Spaniards pulling the gladiators are two old men who appeared as if they can no longer wait to get some “blood” from the prizefighters supported by their belief of its rejuvenating power. In our context, this portion represents the colonizers’ patience of waiting for their strong subjects’ death before an action of selfish purpose is initiated. At the rightmost portion are two old women desperately looking for the bodies of their loved ones, hoping that they can still find them. This shows how hard it really was during their time when victims’ bodies declared to be dead were no longer recovered. We, Filipinos, have developed this strong faith and hope that after all these inhumane events, there will be a light that will brighten up our outlooks and perceptions in life. That seed of firm hope strengthened our fellows during their time. The spectators represent the Spaniards who did nothing but to cheer for their bets, for their selfish and acquisitive desires to see and watch Filipinos suffer and die. A noticeable woman in green is also present with her back turned grieving over a loved one. She gives then the touch of Luna’s mother nation, Philippines.

              Going back to Luna’s time, it appeared that works should fit the taste of the superiors and should be in line with the standards of classical arts. In an aim not get disqualified, Luna made used of white (complexion) men in his masterpiece and cited a very prominent scenario in Spain and some parts of Europe.

              In brilliant but controlled coloration, a collaborative work Mallarium stirred up striking comparison with Luna’s Spoliarium as the latter’s digital transposition. It made use of Luna’s concept of figurative and compositional elements. It appeared then that this modern artwork served as means showing transformation of media from that of Luna’s to this age of digital technology.

              Both artworks exhibit the wonders the elements of art can offer. Diagonal lines which are dominant appeared to be associated with Luna’s objective of pointing out the direction of the principal image towards the carnage. Comparatively, the color of Spoliarium is relatively dark giving it a cold impression and appearance of heaviness. Bright colors used in Mallarium convey activeness and advancement (as in technology, as well).

              With regards to the texture, Spoliarium is somewhat rough in line with the classical antiquity in most of the paintings during that time. Mallarium, on the other hand, is fine and smooth as any inkjet products are. In terms of dimensionality, the original exhibits 3-dimensional appearance. Forms and figures were shaded and the contours of the subjects seemed to have been darkened. The Mallarium with its very vibrant designed objects appeared to be flat and 2-dimensional.

              Time, periods and state of affairs have something to do with the artists’ development. Transitions in time dictate and shape the ideas and concepts of an artist. Luna’s Spoliarium started and completed in the context of the reform movements lead by Filipino expatriates serve as a direct representation of the condition of the Philippines under the Spanish colonizing power. Mallarium on the other hand, obviously was influenced by the present mallgoing culture and frame of mind as suggested by its name. Gladiators are the main or principal images in Spoliarium as those also used to be the main means of entertainment during that time. The emotions incorporated can be felt intensively as heavy and full of fear. The whole holds a darkly mood where you have to search each of the objects in the painting to understand it. Figures and objects are not that apparent and conspicuous giving Luna’s work of timelessness.

              Contours in Mallarium’s figures and objects were based on those in Spoliarium. Following the context that persuaded it, subjects used were in line with the modern means of entertainment in the Philippines, something that has become a pop culture of the time. Modern era offers a lot more entertainment of varying emotions presented in this transposition. To mention some, Superman and disco party can be seen in the work. It is very clear that digital adjustments added more flavour and enhancement to this transposition.

              Generally, both works of art visualize their specific social commentaries using the elements of arts and design effectively. Both are trying to convey and arouse interest and involvement of the people to act upon an issue. For Luna’s time, it would be hard to act for what it is right due to a very complicated situation in the country but for our generation when no one is manipulating us, the righteous and ideal society should be imposed. As for any artwork, they deserve moments of discussions, debates and expositions so as to develop within us Filipinos critical thinking and the values and principles that had shaped and will shape our country.

John Mark Katindig Torres

Prospect for Serpents during the Year 2010

Magna Gold Commercial gave us a 2010 Calendar just last week of 2009. It was fully illustrated with the 12 Chinese symbols with the corresponding birth years. I am for a fact a SERPENT... hiss...hiss... haha... I was enthralled by the description of those born under the year of serpent: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001. It says:

Attractive and romantic. The serpent is equipped with exceptional judgement and is conscientious. He is always well-groomed.

I believe every statement applies... attractive, huh?! Laughs... hiss... hiss...

What I love about the calendar is the prospect of the year. It says

Chances and opportunities are your friends and they are everywhere. You will lose them all only if you light them up. Make the right blow and heavy hit, you have a good chance of success.

With these, am looking forward to what I can do this year. Perhaps that depends after I successfully finished college. I am graduating this year anyway. Hope these chances refer to job opportunities or much better if it’s for medical school admission matters... am very enthusiastic to have a work and save money to send myself into medical field eventually. This year’s gonna be the best year ever (With high hopes c; )...



John Mark Katindig Torres

Welcome 2010!!!

Happy New Year!!! Growl... (laughs)