Mix

In our contemporary arena, incoming freshies ride the bandwagon of high-profile courses. Some parents think that their children would not fair well in this world unless they are “nursified.” It isn’t bad to ride, really, especially when you really need to. But I have some thoughts in mind. I am not being holier-than-thou, but I really think that you owe it to your country to serve your people even just for a while. It’s sad to identify many riders who just can’t wait till they get their hands on that enticing visa.

I had a productive weekend. I finally started my actual driving lessons. If you may, allow me to tell you my driving know-how.

Okay, I have none. I was first asked to identify BLOWFATCH. No, it isn’t a part of a car. No, it isn’t blowing a fatch. What is a fatch anyway? Anyhow, it is an acronym for brake, battery, lights, oil, water, fuel, fluids, accessories, tire, cleanliness, and horn. According to Kuya KC, these are the things you should check before you drive. uhuh! uhuh!

To sum it all up, I was not a bad driver. I really sucked at slowly lifting the clutch to its working level, handling the steering wheel, and parking. My brain and foot cells are exhausted to the max. Driving is really easy, it’s just nerve-racking. It’s my first time. Here’s my driving school: http://a-1driving.com/

Tomorrow’s the AI Finale. There is a big chance for David Archuleta to win since Cook's going to have a better career anyway and America won't stand to see the kid not winning and and the tweenies are like going to vote like totally ever!

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Dungis

This is the edited version of a very controversial poem that almost ruined a friendship. (PM me for the uncut version. JOks!) Write a comment and share your thoughts:

Damit mo’y nadungisan ng tinta
Umiyak ka, ang entablado’y may awa
Ihayag ang gilas, ika’y kumanta
Ipadama ang puso, ang awit, ang diwa

Damit mo’y nadungisan ng putik
Dinuraan ang rosas, niyurak, pinikpik
At nang makawala’y ika’y tumahimik
Mistulang naging putikang biik

Damit mo ma’y nadungisan at hinubaran
At ika’y nakahimlay sa gitna ng karimlan
Bumangon ka’t ika’y hahahagkan
Maging ano pa man, maging sino ka man

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Bamako

"Bamako" does not give the solution to the problems in Africa. The film’s agenda is more on depicting the real situation being debated for years. Africa’s main characteristic is not poverty. Africa is the victim of its own wealth. And globalization somewhat exploits them.

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Globalization in the film speaks most of the seemingly high interest loans of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and how they pressure the African governments for their own benefit.

Mali and other African nations were cut from essential social services at the same time as huge debts are refunded to other countries.

What hit me most in the story was what the lady witness said about poverty, that everything instantly became sellable that even life is at stake. It’s either you pay or die. And this imposed idea that everything is sellable was inexistent in Africa until the beginning of Western colonization.

People in different settings showed the same sentiments with the witnesses defending their pride heard in the radio. A satire was shown in the film and it was the television show entitled “Death in Timbuktu.” Simple watching of shows like “Death in Timbuktu” was already a reality check of what really happens in Africa.

The film managed to merge the passion of the sentiments and the simple activities around. A singer struggles to save his marriage to an unemployed man. A cameraman discusses pictures of wedding and murder sites. A witness who screamed his heart out that even without a subtitle (which was intentionally done by the film makers), his cry was deeply felt.

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Debt Of Gratitude

One thing that initiates corruption in our county is our political culture called debt of gratitude. Nang lumipat si Angel Locsin sa ABS-CBN, sabi nila walang utang na loob. Nang paalisin ni Gloria si JDV sa kanyang puwesto, sabi ni JDV wala siyang utang na loob. A mentor is right. When someone does something good to you, he/she shouldn't expect anything other than one thank you from you. ONE THANK YOU. Let us practice not to give in too much to debt of gratitude. This is one way to start the change in our society, the change which most pressure groups want and rant.

Anne is sexy!

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Progris Riports

“Flowers For Algernon” is beautiful. Charlie signifies every person’s need otherwise desire to be smart, to fit-in, and to love. Who would never be touched by his “progris riports” which elucidates every person’s helplessness and vulnerability?

What’s more moving in the story was what Miss Kinnian realized after she read Charlie’s progress reports. She thought that for a person who God gave so little to, Charlie has done so much more than a lot of people with brains they never even used.

And who could ever forget the charming little mouse Algernon. If you think that Charlie was helpless, then what more was Algernon and the thousands of white mice and guinea pigs subjugated in scientific experiments?

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Charlie was chosen to be used in an experiment as a human subject for the mere fact that he is the most determined among a bunch of inept people. Personally, what kind of demon could withstand seeing a person in bliss for being used?

Dr. Strauss and the vain Dr. Nemur did not consider the opinion of Charlie for the risk of the impending operation. I don’t even think that they explained to him what the risks and benefits the experiment may give.

In testing new vaccines, scientists exploit the poverty and ignorance of the villages of third-world countries. This has no disparity in the cases of Charlie and Algernon, both of whom were tested because of their limitations. Even if you argue that the story is fiction, ethical issues in human and animal subjects undeniably happens in real life.

A human subject going through an experiment should be capable of making decision. They took advantage of Charlie’s desire to be smart. His incompetence due to his mental inadequacy clarifies that he is not in proper form to give his/her consent. He should have been notified of any possible results of the experiment even though he may not have wanted to know anything about it. They got his consent because he was unaware of everything that is actually going on.

With Charlie’s increase in brainpower, his affairs with people around him drastically changed because of certain realizations. It made him think if it's worth it. Charlie suffered downhill mentally, physically, and emotionally just after the height of his intelligence.

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What I learned from this story is that eventually, you should choose your real happiness and decide if being an intellect is in the end worth a little of eternal value for you.

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