Darwin and Emma

Gemini 2011

Upon introduction of another zodiac sign, there have been a lot of changes with our grown-up astrological chart. Well, even before, am really confused with mine. I was born on 21^st of June and literature, at least most, suggests that I am under the guiding Twins. However, there are some stating I belong to the 4^th sign, Cancer. Well, my personality fits the former, haha.

I once again stumbled across a note on a calendar about the Gemini. Here it goes:

“ Geminis  are fascinated by variety, changes of situations, events and movement. Quick retorts and clever tongue are basic Gemini equipment. Geminis have the ability to land on their feet in any type of situation, and to learn from it. You need a great deal of fresh air, outdoor recreation and changes of face. “

Guiding Star: Mercury

Lucky Gem: Pearl of Purity

Lucky Day: Wednesday

Birth Flower: Rose for Devotion

Whatever our zodiac signs suggest, they should not hinder any of our plans. We are still the masters of our fate. It should be a fascinating fact if it indeed fits who we are and suggest nothing against if  it does not. Well horoscopes which may serve as guidance for some should serve the same purpose; just a mere entertaining fact. C;

Bananas... Yummy!

After 4 or 5 long months of waiting, the bananas Tatang and I raised in our backyard finally started ripening. We cut the main twig of 10 bunches. Well, the locals call it Tarnate, one that’s atleast similar to Tordan. The type is not usually sold in the market with its thin skin. It can easily rot or at least wane  its sweetness. I was surprised when Tatang cut the whole tree after. He said it won’t bear fruits anymore. I didn’t have anything to reprimand him and besides he already cut the whole plant (haha).

Sneaking Snake!

I was watching Winnie Monsod’s Bawal ang Pasaway when I suddenly heard mo screaming. She was terrified by a snake which was fast approaching my feet. It was approximately 20 cm. long with its head held up high as it struggles to cross the living room. Maybe out of terror (laughs), the snake panicked and moved a lot faster and hid behind the wires of our desktop. I immediately sought for a flashlight and a long tube to take it out by hook or by crook (though the intention of slaying it dominated). I aimed for the head and poof! I got it. It was not that difficult anyway. It was more of a relief to my mom though the thought of killing the creature was far more terrible of course. I didn’t know the species. It has rounded head and a slender greenish to reddish body.

Sorry for the resolution:

Discovery Channel’s The Real Eve: An Inquiry to the Eerie Trail of Our Ancestors

Have you ever wondered who the first human beings (scientific perspective) were? And who were the first group of people to conquer the drastic environments of the old world?

This is not the usual paleoanthropological inquiry into the origin of our species but more of an inquest on how they have survived and took the first steps across continents and eventually establishing what we now refer as modern human beings.

The Real Eve traces the evolutionary path of the fully-evolved human beings (which seemed to be fairly the same as the modern ones). It’s a journey to the past taking into consideration not only the physical changes of the body but also the advancements in the way of thinking manifested in their actions.

Mitochondrial Genes

Mitochondria, known as the powerhouse of the cell, also contain DNA of its own independent of those in the nucleus. It therefore carries genes which may somehow have distinct functions for development. During fertilization, the mitochondria of the sperm located only in the tail (to initiate movement) are left outside the ovum. Only the head of the male gamete can penetrate the egg and hence its mt genes can’t partake in the genetic contents of their soon-to-be offspring. Therefore, only the mother can contribute mitochondrial DNA and genes to their offsprings hence we have Mitochondrial Eve. Scientists have been mapping out our matrilineal lineage from a single female ancestor who, research shows, came from Africa.

Evolutionary Events and Advancements

Evolution works along multiple paths but for now, let me consider some points raised in the film.

1. Complexity of Human Brain

2. Bipedalism

Bipedalism is the capability to roam around with two legs as the primary form of locomotion. Walking upright on two feet served to be the defining characteristics of the first humans as opposed to moving on all four limbs as in those of lower primates. Accompanied by this is the development of opposable thumbs which allowed early humans to grasp earthly objects and utilize them as tools eventually.

3. Base Camping/ Groups-formation

Early humans showed potentials of forming small interactive societies as the settle in one place and stop wandering at some point. When there’s an abundant vegetation or place to hunt, they dwell as a group with male as hunters and the women taking good care of the children. Division of labor among primary units was evidently shown in paleoanthropological researches.

4. Language , Art and Mysticism

First signs of cooperation and communication skills were observed in lower groups of animals but were more evidently exhibited by early humans. They used different sounds and arbitrary names they had agreed among themselves. Language played a very significant role in the development of what we now refer to as culture.

The evolution of our behaviours could actually be attributed on the complexity of the brain’s processes. Early humans thousands of years ago, utilized wall of caves to express probably the real scenarios of their daily subsistence. Hunting and some sort of rituals were discernibly drawn with texture on stones and walls. Scientists said that some figures were not animals of their time at all; it could have been part of the mysticism that has prevailed in groups in time. There could be the dawn of religiously-inclined rituals.

5. Sexual Evolution and Mutual Dependency

Through time, monogamous type of relationship has emerged. Bonding between partners as they strive to live amidst harsh environment remained strong. In the film, one could see affection and concern among members of a group when someone died (which of course, our sociobiologists have ascertained to be true). On mutual dependency, children have established long-term dependence on their parents and so did all other members of the society to their kind.

Indeed, a lot advancements have occurred in the course of time. In our case, our ancestors unknowingly did and performed a wide array of actions that lead us to what we enjoy today. Of course, there are far more sufficient and convincing inquiries to this concern other than those I have mentioned above. One may include today’s parental care and other cultural behaviours we can actually relate to that of our ancestor’s.

On Survival

The first humans derived their sources of nutrition mainly from surrounding plants and animal resources (eggs, insects and creeping animals) within reach. With the production of stone tools, early humans learned hunting of much bigger animals. Bones from butchered animals were eventually used for hunting also. The change in human diet distinguished us to some extent to our close relatives. Also, intellectual capabilities made its way in the course of time. Gathering into groups and sharing of foods among members even suggested how we deviate from other primates.

However, our ancestors were not just confined with hunting of land animals. They have already explored interior bodies of water in search for fishes and the like. Beach combing as shown in the film was fairly done when seas were way below the coastal.

When available resources depleted, the mysteries of our species even grew bigger as early human beings ventured on what we refer today as agriculture. Cultivation of fertile lands led to the propagation of today’s staple crops and vegetables. They have also learned which among the plants are edible or dangerous for humanity. Domestication of important animals followed fairly after (or probably at the same time).

Prior to some of these, they took risks of exploring places beyond their imagination. They have conquered different regions of the old world from Africa to the Middle East, through the mountains and the seas not known to them the dangers of wilderness. Soaring into the great unknown, they waited thousands of years to take the next moves. They have surmounted the Indian subcontinents, Malay Peninsula and freezing environment of early China. They have seized the ocean waters to ancient Australia and the beasts it concealed. From the striking heat and deserted areas in Africa to the hills and caves, temperate and tropical regions of early Europe, Asia and Australia, they all have established first diversification of the modern humans.

Relative Points

• “Our survival is at the mercy of the CLIMATE”- sounds familiar? Yes, of course. The finely tuned Earth’s atmosphere is now upset. Theories on the natural ability of Earth to destruct itself and the like may explain this but in the advent of our destructive activities, what seemed to be plausibly applicable to our ancestors’ time (where there’s inconceivable harsh environment) is now evident as in today. We may not have anything to do to stop the natural phenomena, but we can do things that won’t aggravate matters.

• Human Impacts- As early humans conquered pristine regions of Earth, they have inadvertently affected other life forms. Some even caught in genetic ends. Extinction and threats to species’ survival increased as humans struggle to survive as well. You see, as early as their time, our undertakings caused tremendously worse effects to the planet.

• Apartheid and other kinds of Discrimination – Africa is the cradle of human origin and subsistence. The Real Eve , the mother of today’s modern humans, was actually an African woman. What we deem today as lesser people because of their color and stature actually came from the lineage which gave us a reason to survive and persist. If we only realize how related we are to each other, regardless of color, physique, economic status and other Earthly concerns, we can definitely make this world the best place to live in.

• The Real Eve- Does the Real Eve coincide with the Biblical Eve? Whatever the answer may be, this empowers our women to strive for their rights in all aspects of the society we know.

• Cherish Life!!! - You see, it took thousands of years for our ancestors to develop a series of advancements in their physical beings and intellectual capabilities not known to them the rewarding benefit they can provide for today’s people. So live our lives to the fullest as we strive to extend the years of our planet.

*got a chance to join Madam's Philo Class (for the first time). http://potpourri-jmtorres.blogspot.com/2011/03/last-friday-i-attended-madams-philo.html

John Mark Katindig Torres

My First Philo Class in ADF

Last Friday, I attended Madam’s Philo Class. When I visited her a day before, she asked me if I could attend the said class and with no hesitations I immediately said “YES” in reply. I always thought of joining the group even when I was still in college but there were spatial and temporal constraints. I was really longing for small forums that will deal with matters we don’t usually encounter in school. Well, I love hearing different points of view and new perspectives from other people may it be of my age group or not. It would really be a great deal to engage ourselves into such deep analysis for an instance on a certain issue. For a student who’s been sick and tired of the usual school routines, the said class may serve as a way to relax and at the same time, feed the mind (with not the usual mind-contorting inquiries). The night was dedicated to some sort of human evolution from Discovery Channel. We watched a very informative video and had an indeed amazing discussion filled with awe about related matters (while consuming delicious spaghetti prepared by none other than Madam c;). The topic was made relevant as we compare it with the naturally-occurring phenomena in the world today (with shared curiosity on some stuff). Here’s my blog http://johnmarkkatindigtorres.blogspot.com/2011/03/discovery-channels-real-eve-inquiry-to.html on the points raised in both the film and my co-scholars as well.

Sunday

It’s a typical Sunday. We decided to attend a mass in Virgen delas Flores Quasi in our place since we got off the bed early enough to catch the first mass. We usually attend mass at St. Peter Parish in San Jose, a nearby town, every Sunday at 9 am. Anyway, so we arrived at least 10 minutes before the ceremony started. We were looking for available seats in pews until Sister ___ (couldn’t remember her name, haha) approached me. We usually address the usherettes as Sister(s) but they’re actually not nuns.  Most of the time, I am always asked to bring the communion articles during opening rites. Well, it feels like as if I am redeeming myself (hopefully) for any sins I’ve committed during the week. This time around, she inquired if I can read a reading and I replied Yes of course. Memories came back as I thought of the times when I used to be the Bible reader behind the mass lectern during Friday Masses in my high school and sometimes in our foundation. It wouldn’t be a new experience to me. So I hurried to the opening line of the knights of the altar, lays and presiding priest. There it goes, I read the Second Reading and it felt like heavens got closer to me (I swear). It meant a lot for me. It also brought back the good old days of high school.