of angels and devils

A Medical Madoff: Anesthesiologist Faked Data in 21 Studies

2009-03-22T23:48:00.001+08:00

A Medical Madoff: Anesthesiologist Faked Data in 21 Studies

*si no conose cun Madoff, dyalo lang...just read the article...it might scare you...please pass!

Now this is scary!

"Over the past 12 years, anesthesiologist Scott Reuben revolutionized the way physicians provide pain relief to patients undergoing orthopedic surgery for everything from torn ligaments to worn-out hips. Now, the profession is in shambles after an investigation revealed that at least 21 of Reuben's papers were pure fiction, and that the pain drugs he touted in them may have slowed postoperative healing.

"We are talking about millions of patients worldwide, where postoperative pain management has been affected by the research findings of Dr. Reuben," says Steven Shafer, editor in chief of the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia, which published 10 of Reuben's fraudulent papers.

Paul White, another editor at the journal, estimates that Reuben's studies led to the sale of billions of dollars worth of the potentially dangerous drugs known as COX2 inhibitors, Pfizer's Celebrex (celecoxib) and Merck's Vioxx (rofecoxib), for applications whose therapeutic benefits are now in question. Reuben was a member of Pfizer's speaker's bureau and received five independent research grants from the company. The editors do not believe patients were significantly harmed by the short-term use of these COX2 inhibitors for pain management but they say it's possible the therapy may have prolonged recovery periods."

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=a-medical-madoff-anesthestesiologist-faked-data

--
Money can't buy love but it can improve your bargaining position
- Thomas Marlowe

There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.
-Lord Amiah

Foreign-Educated Nurses, vital to US Health Workforce

2007-10-04T15:47:00.001+08:00

The National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) just released a new policy brief regarding Foreign-Educated Nurses. The study looks into the vital role of foreign educated nurses in United State healthcare.

Among other findings, the NFAP concludes:

- The leading country where foreign nurses employed in the U.S. received their initial education is the Philippines, followed by India, Canada and South Korea.

- Many foreign-educated nurses attend nursing school intending to work abroad and help their families. Given the important role of remittances, the Philippines and India encourage their nationals to work abroad.

- Fears that foreign nurses would overwhelm the U.S. labor market and dissuade hospitals from active recruitment of U.S. nurses are unfounded. Foreign nurses represent only 3.7 percent of the U.S. registered nurse workforce, well below New Zealand (23 percent), the United Kingdom (8 percent), Ireland (8 percent) and Canada (6 percent).

See the complete brief here.

--

There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.
-Lord Amiah

I just had to blog

2007-09-16T15:07:00.001+08:00

September 15, 2007

Today was a good day! It started out with an outreach program John Lim and I volunteered. It was supposed to help students in the Ateneo community draw knowledge and perspective from the different sectors and fora of our society. Angie, unfortunately stood us up in the name of academics.

We were assigned to the "A day with the Congresswoman". It was a healthy dose of politics. We had some clue on what are the main agendas of the lady legislator. Her priorities as well as her plans for her constituents. Issues were also tackled a little. It was a big tiresome which was compounded by the lack of organization on our part. We were not prepared. And it caused such tremendous irate on my part. I may not be obsessive on form and show but I certainly maintain a certain level of organization and control. To give you a glimpse of my predicament earlier, no introduction for the congresswoman was made. To say the least no background investigation on the team's part was done. Que Horror! Makahuya lang!

Its a good thing, Mike Saavedra, Chief of Staff, had some templates ready! Must have been Godsent or something. In any case, that was a lucky strike!

The short program ended with a good cheer and without and commotion or problems. Thank God!

As the afternoon was approaching, Henry called. He "offered" (term is used loosely) me a chance to debate. Well, after a long while, that offer did not sound too bad at all! I missed debating. Checked my previous post here.

In any case, it was a total blunder for me! Eww! I can't recall any moment (to the best of my knowledge) that I had an undertime. It was a mock debate for crying out loud. I frackin' screwed it up! My goodness! Debate skills (ahem!) are out of the window. It was then I was praying for a chance of redemption. Luckily, there was another round. God must be answering my prayers today, I thought.

The second round was a good round. It was a better round compared to the first one. I was not undertimed but I was overtimed. I gave myself some credit. It came to my attention that my partner was a new debater, fresh from the seminar yesterday. I had so many things to say and so little time to juggle as a tutor and a debater. Oh well, second place for that round was not that bad.

Evening came. Badminton session with the barkada. By this time, I was totally fatigued. Mental fatigue is by far worse than the physical one. I was like a mindless zombie (zombies are mindless, Ellery. You idiot!). I kept on missing shots. I must have missed more than 5 times. Crappy performance. So demoralizing.

The 2 and half hour session made me hungry. I had no further budget. I was flat broke. Emmy must have been sensing that (Bless her big heart!) and offered to pay for our snacks. Thanks Mimie, it was much appreciated! I love you very much!

--

There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.
-Lord Amiah

Update on the Sentosa 27

2007-09-14T13:14:00.001+08:00

by: Lord Amiah

The employment discrimination cases that have been filed against Sentosa, a New York-based recruitment agency by 27 Filipino health professionals, 26 nurses and 1 physical therapist, was dismissed by the United States Department of Justice (US DOJ) last August 31, 2007.

In a letter dated August 31, Katherine Baldwin, special deputy counsel of the US DOJ Civil Rights Division, said: "Based on its investigation, this office has determined that there is insufficient evidence of reasonable cause to believe the injured parties were discriminated against as prohibited by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b."

The title 8 law deems any form of employment discrimination based on national origin and citizenship status as an unfair immigration-related employment practice.

The case started last April 6, 2006 when the nurses filed discrimination charges against the Sentosa Care LLC of New York as well as against Bent Philipson, Sentosa's legal counsel in the Philippines, and Francis Luyun, Director of International Recruitment for Sentosa. The 27 Filipino health care professionals also accused Sentosa of breach of contract, as they were assigned to work outside the scope specified in the contract.

For more information you may read these articles:

http://www.pnanewyork.org/articles/sentosa.html

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=86770

http://www.balita.com/xshell.php?id=1858

--

There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.
-Lord Amiah

Scope of the Nursing Licensure Examination June 2007

2007-05-16T14:46:00.001+08:00

Scope of the Nursing Licensure Examination

PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION – BOARD OF NURSING

NURSING PRACTICE 1

Test Description:

Theories concepts, principles and process basic to the practice of nursing with emphasis on health promotion and health maintenance. It includes basic nursing skills in the care of clients across age groups in any setting.

Moreover, it compasses the varied roles, functions and responsibilities of the professional nurse in varied health care settings.

Test Scope:

I. Personal and Professional Growth and Development

a. Historical perspective in nursing
b. Nursing as a profession
c. Theoretical foundation of nursing applied in health care situations
d. Continuing professional education
e. Professional organizations in nursing
f. The nurse in health care

1. Eleven key areas of responsibilities
2. Fields of nursing
3. Roles and functions

II. Safe and Quality Care

a. The nursing process
b. Basic nursing skills

1. Admission and discharge
2. Vital signs
3. Physical examination and health assessment
4. Administration of medications
5. Asepsis and infection control
6. First aid measures
7. Wound care
8. Peri-operative care
9. Post-mortem care

c. Measures to meet physiological needs

i. Oxygenation
ii. Nutrition
iii. Activity, rest and sleep
iv. Fluid and electrolyte balance
v. Urinary elimination
vi. Bowel elimination
vii. Safety, comfort and hygiene
viii.Mobility and immobility

III. Health education

a. Teaching and learning principles in the care of clients
b. Health education in all levels of care
c. Discharge planning

IV. Ethico-Moral Responsibility

a. Bioethical principles

i. Beneficence
ii. Non-malefescence
iii. Justice
iv. Autonomy
v. Stewardship
vi. Truth telling
vii. Confidentiality
viii.Privacy
ix. Informed consent

b. Patient's bill of rights
c. Code of ethics in nursing

V. Legal Responsibility

a. Legal aspects in the practice of nursing
b. The Philippine Nursing Law of 2002 (R.A. 9173)
c. Related laws affecting the practice of nursing

VI. Management of Environment and Resources

a. Theories and principles and management
b. Nursing administration and management
c. Theories, principles and styles of leadership
d. Concepts and principles of organization
e. Patient care classification
f. Nursing care systems
g. Delegation and accountability

VII. Records Management

a. Anecdotal report
b. Incident report
c. Memorandum
d. Hospital manual
e. Documentation
f. Endorsement and end-shift report
g. Referral

VIII. Quality Improvement

a. Standards of nursing practice
b. Nursing audit
c. Accreditation/certification in nursing practice
d. Quality assurance

IX. Research

a. Problem identification
b. Ethics and science of research
c. The scientific approach
d. Research process
e. Research designs and methodology
i. Qualitative
ii. Quantitative

X. Communication

a. Dynamics of communication
b. Nurse-client relationship
c. Professional-professional relationship
d. Therapeutic use of self
e. Use of information technology

XI. Collaboration and teamwork

a. Networking
b. Inter-agency partnership
c. Teamwork strategies
d. Nursing and partnership with other professions and agencies

NURSING PRACTICE II

Test descriptions:

Theories, principles and processes in the care of individuals, families, groups and communities to promote health and illness and alleviate pain and discomfort, utilizing the nursing process as framework. This include care of high risk and at-risk mothers, children and families during the various stages of the life cycle.

Test Scope:

PART I: CHN

I. Safe and Quality Care, Health Education and Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork

a. Principles and standards of CHN
b. Levels of care
c. Type is clientele
d. Health care delivery system
e. PHC as a strategy
f. Family-based nursing services/community health nursing process
g. Population group-based nursing services
h. Community organizing
i. Public health programs

II. Research ad Quality Improvement

a. Research in the community
b. National health situation
c. Vital statistics
d. Epidemiology
e. Demography

III. Management Of Resources And Environment And Records Management

a. Field health services and information system
b. Target-setting
c. Environmental sanitation

IV. Ethico-Moral Legal Responsibility

a. Socio-cultural values, beliefs and practices of individuals, families, groups and communities
b. Code of ethics for government workers
c. WHO, DOH, LGU policies on health
d. Local government code
e. Issues

IV. Personal and Professional Development

a. Self-assessment of CHN competencies, importance, methods and tools
b. Strategies and methods of updating one's self, enhancing competence in community health nursing and related areas

PART II: MCN

I. Safe and Quality Care, Health Education and Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork

a. Principles and theories of growth and development
b. Nursing care in the different stages of growth and development including

i. Nutrition
ii. Safety
iii. Language development
iv. Discipline
v. Play
vi. Immunization
vii. Anticipatory guidance
viii. Values formation

c. Human sexuality and reproduction including family planning
d. Nursing care of women during normal labor, delivery and postpartum
e. Nursing care of the newborn

i. APGAR scoring
ii. Newborn screening
iii. Maintenance of body processes (oxygenation, temperature, etc.)

f. Nursing care of women with complications of pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum period (high-risk conditions)
g. Nursing care of high-risk newborn

i. Prematurity
ii. Congenital defects
iii. Infections
h. Nursing care of women with disturbances in reproduction and gynecology

II. Research and Quality Improvement

a. Fertility statistics
b. Infant morbidity and mortality
c. Maternal mortality
d. Standards of maternal and child nursing practice

III. Ethico-Moral-Legal Responsibility

a. Socio-cultural values, beliefs and practices of individuals, families related to MCN
b. WHO, DOH, LGU policies on health women and children
c. Family code
d. Child and youth welfare code
e. Issues related to MCN

IV. Personal and Professional Development

a. Self-assessment of MCN competencies, importance, methods and tools
b. Strategies and methods of updating one's self, enhancing competencies in MCN and related areas

NURSING PRACTICE III, IV, V

Test Description:

Theories, concepts, principles and processes in the care of clients with altered health patterns, utilizing the nursing process and integrating the key areas of nursing competencies.

Test Scope:

I. Safe and Quality Care, Health Education, Management of Environment and Resources and Quality Improvement

TEST III

a. Client in pain
b. Perioperative care
c. Alterations in human functioning
1. Disturbances in oxygenation
2. Disturbances in metabolic and endocrine functioning
3. Disturbances in elimination

TEST IV

a. Alterations in human functioning

1. Disturbance in fluids and electrolytes
2. Inflammatory and infectious disturbances
3. Disturbances in immunologic functioning
4. Disturbances in cellular functioning

b. Client in biologic crisis
c. Emergency and disaster nursing

TEST V

a. Disturbances in perception and coordination

i. Neurologic disorders
ii. Sensory disorders
iii. Musculo-skeletal disorders
iv. Degenerative disorders

b. Maladaptive patterns of behavior

i. Anxiety response and anxiety related disorders
ii. Psychophysiologic responses, somatoform and sleep disorders
iii. Abuse and violence
iv. Emotional responses and mood disorders
v. Schizophrenia and other psychotic and mood disorders
vi. Social responses and personality disorders
vii. Substance related disorders
viii. Eating disorders
ix. Sexual disorders
x. Emotional disorders of infants, children and adolescents

II. Personal and Professional Development

a. Nurse-client relationship
b. Continuing education

III. Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork

a. Team approach
b. Referral
c. Network/linkage
d. Therapeutic communication

IV. Ethico-Moral-Legal Responsibility

a. Confidentiality
b. Client's rights

1. Informed consent
2. Refusal to take medications, treatment and admission procedures

c. Nursing accountability
d. Documentation/charting
e. Culture sensitivity

--
hope this helps!

National Confab on Tausug History and Culture

2007-02-13T14:13:00.000+08:00

The Ateneo de Zamboanga University will host a National Conference on Tausug History and Culture. This conference will be held on February 21 and 22, 2007 at the Carlos Dominguez Conference Hall, Learning Resource Center (LRC) Building.

    The event is part of a series of conferences aimed at promoting awareness, understanding and appreciation of the ethnolinguistic groups in Western Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. The conference series is one of Ateneo's contributions towards the promotion of the integration of local history and culture into the regular instruction curriculum in Western Mindanao schools, colleges, and universities. This long-term work is, in turn, part of the greater efforts to promote peace through better inter-cultural understanding and appreciation.

    In the past, Ateneo de Zamboanga University has hosted well-attended conferences on Western Mindanao in 1899 (May 10-11, 1999), on Chabacano Language (Nov. 11-12, 1999), on the Culture and History of Bajau (Feb. 26-27, 2001), on Subanon Culture and History (Feb. 18-19, 2002), and on Yakan Culture and History (Feb. 23-24, 2004). More than a hundred participants are expected to attend this year's Tausug Conference, composed mainly of educators, media personnel, church, government, and NGOs, students, researchers, and cultural promoters.

    The Conference's main offering is a series of paper presentations by historians, anthropologists, folklore researchers, and Tausug resource persons. To be discussed are topics on Tausug: History (by Dr. Asiri J. Abubakar of UP-Diliman), Art (by Dr. Abraham P. Sakili of UP-Diliman), Language and Literature (by Dr. Calbi Asain of MSU-Jolo), Food (by Dr. Norama A. Abdulla of Jolo, Sulu), Customs and Beliefs (by Atty. Mehol Sadain), Gender and Kinship (by Dr. Carmen A. Abubakar of UP-Diliman), Politics and Governance (by Prof. Julkipli Wadi of UP-Diliman), Conflict (by Dr. Jamail A. Kamlian of MSU-IIT), Pangalay (by Ms. Ligaya Amilbangsa), Peace and Development (by Dr. Santanina T. Rasul), and Preservation of Intangible Heritage (by Dr. Jesus T. Peralta of the NCCA).   The papers will be published in the Culture and Peace Studies, the Ateneo de Zamboanga University journal on peace and culture. The conference will also feature some special cultural presentations by local Tausug groups. In addition, some Tausug artifacts, attire, food, music, and dance are to be showcased and appreciated.

    Taking the lead in organizing this conference is the Ateneo's Institute of Cultural Studies for Western Mindanao (ICSWM). Also, part of the organizing team are personnel from the Ateneo Peace Institute (API), Center for Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA), Scholarship's Office, President's Office, Project's Office, Campus Ministry, College of Liberal Arts, and some Ateneo friends.

    For more information about the conference and pre-registration, please contact Mr. Ellery Ivan E. Apolinario at the ICSWM Office, ADZU, telephone number (062) 991-0871 local 4200 (email: icswm@central.adzu.edu.ph). For those who wish to provide financial assistance and/or donate printed materials and cultural artifacts, please contact Ms. Tricia Mae D. Manulong at (062) 991-0871 local 4201 (email: drapizatrir@central.adzu.edu.ph)

--

este el real origin del Valentines

2007-02-12T12:54:00.000+08:00

As early as the fourth century B.C., the
Romans engaged in an annual young man's rite of passage to the god Lupercus.

The names of teenage women were placed
in a box and drawn at random by adolescent men.

Thus, a man was assigned a woman companion, for their mutual entertainment and pleasure (often sexual), for the duration of a year, after which another lottery was staged.

Determined to put an end to this 800-year-old practice,
the early Catholic Church fathers sought a "lovers" saint to help turn away from the deity Lupercus. They found a likely
candidate in Valentine, a bishop who had been martyred some 200 years earlier.

Traditionally, mid-February was a time for Romans to meet and court prospective mates. Young men offered women they admired and wished to court handwritten greetings of affection on February 14. The cards acquired St. Valentine's name.

As Christianity spread, so did the Valentine's Day card.

The earliest one was sent in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was a prisoner in the Tower
of London. It is now in the British Museum.

The first American publisher of Valentines was printer and artist Esther Howland. Her elaborate
lace cards of the 1870s cost from five to ten dollars, with some selling for as much as thirty-five dollars.
Since that time, the Valentine card business has flourished.

Except for Christmas, Catholics exchange more cards on Valentine's Day than at any other time of the year.

--

I feel much better now.

December 2006 Nursing Licensure Examination

2007-01-15T09:19:00.000+08:00

You may download the complete list of the December 2006 passers of the December NLE.

http://filecargo.com/dw.php?id=1168823382&/20070114_NURSE1206passers.pdf

--

There are no stupid questions only stupid answers.

Jobs for Pinoys, with scholarships

2006-10-27T19:27:00.000+08:00

Job seekers who have fallen short of the requirements set by business process outsourcing companies and other critical industries are now encouraged to apply for the PGMA Training for Work Scholarship program.

Qualified to avail of the program are the 'near hires' or job seekers who were not able to fully meet the skills requirements of the BPO sector and other industries experiencing skills shortage, says Engr. Samuel Jordan of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) .

Qualified job seekers will then be given a scholarship certificate and endorsed to a TESDA - registered training institution where they will undergo a finishing course for free. The scholarship certificates are valued at P5,000 each for call center and medical/legal transcription and P10,000 each for software development and animation.

The scholarship program is available to job applicants who wish to work in the following industries: business process outsourcing, aviation, agriculture, medical tourism, health and medical services, hotel and restaurant, metals and services.

The BPO industry covers call center, medical and legal transcription, animation and software development.

The said industries have been identified as priority sectors/subsectors experiencing a critical shortage of skills after the National Manpower Summit revealed that structural unemployment exists in the Philippines where available jobs could not be filled-up by existing manpower.

"Scholarship beneficiaries are 100% assured of employment upon completion of the finishing courses as long as they achieve a rating level of 3.5 to 4," says Beth Tubog, TESDA administrative officer here.

So far, TESDA is eyeing Teletech as the training provider for call center applicants and ACSAT for medical/legal transcriptionist although the latter's registration with TESDA is still under negotiation.

Other education and training institutions here are welcome to apply as one of the training providers under the program, adds Jordan. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit TESDA or Teletech for more details. - PIA Information Service

Online Application Here

"A lightbulb moment"

2006-09-16T00:45:00.000+08:00

Setting: In a party, the conversation between friends turns to a more serious one. They started talking about cheerleaders: the stigma, the joys and sacrifices.

Eliesylneth ( one of the hot babes in school ): I find it commendable that some cheer squads are featuring chubby and overweight women in their team lineups.

Psethie ( a bit overweight, she often tells people that she is chubby for political correctness sake ): What the hell is wrong with you?

Ambrosia (a cheerleader): Huh?! Where did that come from?

Eliesylneth: Don't you understand that the team is showing a clear message. The message, my friend, is slender is not the root of all beauty.

Psethie quickly changes the topic.

--

Sadly, more and more women think that being thin is beautiful.

*The characters here are fictitious and any similarity is purely coincidental. The above account is a product of my creative juice.

I should remember this day...

2006-09-03T23:10:00.000+08:00

Sentimental moments for me are quite rare for me. Maybe because I'm such blockhead when it comes to feelings. But tonight, I won't let my superficiality to lull the moment.

For days, I have been cravin' spaghetti. Lo, and behold, my girlfriend made one for me. She surprised me! I've been bugging her to cook for me. I never thought that she would give in. She is always busy with her work. I've never complained. The gesture she made is such a sweet surprise. Bless her sweet little heart.

I never felt so loved by her before.

I feel so lucky!

--
One day, if I will read this post again, this will bring me such a great joy.

By the way, I love pasta!

Alliterations are fun

2006-09-01T15:40:00.000+08:00

Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.

- V, V for Vendetta

--

There are no stupid questions only stupid answers.

Amiah has relocated here

2006-08-27T00:01:00.000+08:00

I want to start a new blog. Like a flower that buds every spring, it's time to move on and be another persona. Farewell to the rebel days. Farewell to the student days. Farewell to debating days. Farewell to allowances. Farewell to all of you.

It's time to be an asshole all over again

Visit my thoughts at Amiah's Search for the Moonlight.

This is still under construction as of press time. Link exchange is welcomed though I limit them.

--
This is not a suicide note.

There are no stupid questions only stupid answers.

Lack of Sleep Linked to Hypertension

2006-04-04T16:11:00.000+08:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Apr 03 - Short sleep durations over a prolonged period appears to be an important and potentially modifiable risk factor for hypertension, according to a report in the May issue of Hypertension.

"People who sleep for only short durations raise their average 24-hour blood pressure and heart rate," lead author Dr. James E. Gangwisch, from Columbia University in New York, said in a statement. "This may set up the cardiovascular system to operate at an elevated pressure."

Previous reports have linked sleep disorders with cardiovascular disease, but it was unclear if sleep deprivation, in subjects who did not have a sleep disorder, affected the risk of hypertension.

The findings are based on an analysis of data for 4810 subjects, between 32 and 86 years old, who participated in the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Hypertension was diagnosed in 647 subjects during the follow-up period from 1982 to 1992.

Among the subjects between 32 and 59 years of age, sleeping less than 6 hours per night raised the risk of hypertension by 2.10-fold, the report indicates. Moreover, this association remained significant after adjusting for obesity and diabetes, which were both hypothesized to be partial mediators of the relationship.

Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms linking sleep deprivation with high blood pressure, the authors note. "If short sleep duration functions to increase blood pressure, then interventions that increase the amount and quality of sleep could potentially serve as treatments and as primary preventative measures for hypertension."

Hypertension 2006;47.

My suggestion: sleep at least 7-8 hours in a day!

13th MPDC Pictures

2006-03-12T17:32:00.000+08:00

The 13th Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Championships

13th Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Championsips Motions

2006-02-22T15:12:00.000+08:00

13th Mindanao Debate Championships held in Ateneo de Davao university, Davao city.

Asian's Format

ADZU A - Segovia, Henry
Jardin, Alain
Apolinario, Ellery Ivan

Round 1:

Theme: Religion

Motions:

THBT the church should reform it's official teaching on contraceptive in the face of the AIDS crisis.
THBT capitalism is the friend of religious fundamentalism.
THW compel priests to testify regarding the content of confession.

USEP A vs. ADZU A

Round 2:

Motions:

THBT editorial cartoons should have immunity from political correctness.
THW regulate online gaming.
THB in the polital ad ban for the philippines.

ADZU A vs XU A

Round 3:

Motions:

THBT US Military bases around the world are a form of imperialism.
THBT the coalition of the willing should set a definite date for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
THBT now is the time to sanction Iran.

AdDU C vs ADZU A

Round 4:

Motions:

THW make pornography accessible in university libraries.
THW make welfare states pay for the cosmetic surgery of people with serious body-image-related disorders.
THBT laws banning sado-masochism are not in the interest of feminist movement.

AdZU A vs AdDU D

Quarterfinals:

Motions:

THBT 3rd world countries are right in joining the war on drugs at the expense of their own farmers.
THBT the European union is justified in re-imposing textile quotas on China.
THW trade minerals with conflict-ridden African countries on the open market.

ADZU A vs XU A

Semis:

Motions:

TH celebrates the rise of exclusively gay neighborhoods in the US
THW admit as evidence in court the sexual histories of alleged rape victims
THBT brokeback mountain is a step back for the gay movement.

Finals:

Motions

THW abolish congressional investigation in aid of legislation.
TH regrets the feminazation of OFWs.
THW resist local anti-music piracy initiatives.

ADZU A vs. AdDU A

signing out for a moment

2006-02-15T15:44:00.000+08:00

Life is hell these days

Damn it! Sorry for the almost a month of hiatus. I blame it to my extracurricular and academic life. I never thought that it would be hell for my penultimate year in college.

Wish me luck! And if you do pray, add me and my fellow candidates for graduation in your prayers...

signing out for a moment....

Pacman

2006-01-22T17:16:00.000+08:00

Great job pacman!

Resolutions

2006-01-02T11:09:00.000+08:00

During the holidays, I was in reflecting mode. This was probably because of the tranquility of the surroundings and magnified by my creeping insecurities. Oh well...

This year I plan to do the following:

1. Read more.

Whether it is nursing-related or not. The theme of this year is vocabulary development and broadening of insights.

2. Exhaust opportunities.

Well, to say the least, I'm not maximizing my opportunies. Well, 2006, bring me some and I might entertain you...

3. Wake up early.

Do I need to say more.

4. Assert more.

Sometimes all I need is a little pinch of courage and a bucketful of assertion.

5. Increase influx of cash flow.

In other words, I need more money and I got to be remedy that ASAP. I'm thinking of entrepreneurship.

Earn Money and Learn

2005-12-25T21:50:00.000+08:00

Earn Money and Learn! I think this is a great combination. Sounds freaky and a scam, right? Well, in most instances yes. But I tried it myself and boy is it fun for me. Well, I earn on the side but don't expect much. But hey, it's still money and I got to start somewhere.

Try it. Learn to be rich.

If you enjoy writing and reviewing websites, I think this is the one for you...

Try it. Setup Websites.

Just click the links you won't lose any money just your bandwidth.

Share the joy

2005-12-24T23:31:00.000+08:00

So sorry, been busy this past few days, my hands were tied up with parties, revelries and fun. LOL. Just spreading the cheer. I will update soon.

Happy holidays. And remember God loves us all.

guidelines to have a good day

2005-12-11T22:23:00.000+08:00

This was shared to me. It has a great message.

1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK:

If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind...

I will not respond in a like manner.

2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY":

If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will
quietly ask God to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy"
could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker,
or a stranger.

3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:

I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.

4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:

I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.

5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:

I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL NOT DO IT SECRETLY:

I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.

7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE
TREATED:

I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.

8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE I
DISCOURAGED:

My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling life.

9. TODAY I WILL NUTURE MY BODY:

I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods.

I will thank God for my body.

10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY:

I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin reading
something spiritual or inspirational today;

I will find a quiet place (at some point during the day) and listen to God's voice!

free logo

2005-12-07T12:24:00.000+08:00

ey, guys check this out a free blog logo. You may visit this site and give it a try. He has some cool examples to show you. And did I mention that its FREE.

thanks franco!

Do you like it?
I certainly do!

something red

2005-12-01T19:59:00.000+08:00

Wear something red today!

firefox 1.5 released

2005-11-30T14:01:00.000+08:00

A new firefox version was released a couple of minutes ago. Dubbed as Mozilla firefox 1.5, "With dozens of enhancements, Firefox 1.5 will draw many new users to the improved Web experience it affords," said Mitchell Baker, CEO of Mozilla Corporation. "Firefox is proof of our passion for promoting choice and innovation on the Web and making the Internet accessible and productive. Firefox 1.5 is the easiest browser to install, use, customize, and keep up-to-date and secure."

Firefox 1.5 has been enhanced in several areas. User experience is improved, with a new "drag and drop" feature for tabbed browsing, an improved pop-up blocker, improved Live Bookmarks feature, and improved Options interface for easier to adjust browser settings. Firefox now supports SVG, CSS 2 and CSS 3, and JavaScript 1.6. This is good news indeed.

We will see what happens but from what I read, it sound promising. Keep your fingers crossed!

For more information: Mozilla Firefox 1.5 Homepage

I need a break

2005-11-28T23:59:00.000+08:00

I need a break!

Ateneo fiestas before were welcomed events. Nowadays, all I feel is utter horror. Oh, the responsiblities involved of organizing fiesta debate competition. I am not a major player/organizer just your average regular minion. Yes, I'm under the strict supervision of my master.

Gone are the days of celebration and just killing time. I wanna play table tennis. huhuhu!

Well, back to work! Hopefully, I could post pictures of the debate stint.

2005-11-25T21:02:00.000+08:00

ATENEO FIESTA FEVER

Yes, its almost here. Several hours to go. The fiesta will begin. Its kinda wierd though, the parade usually is the opening activity. This time around, the parade will be at 5 PM. The mass today was snubbed by the very ateneans. Probably, they were so busy with the preparations. Oh, well....

Let me just predict (I feel like I am a seer tonight) that nursing (again) will be the most hated / contested college in the ateneo fiesta. Oh well...

Basta, dapat champion el Nursing ara....(wait a minute, we were often champions last year....hahaha!)

I got tagged: 20 things

2005-11-21T19:39:00.000+08:00

I've just been tagged by the empress much to my delight, well here it goes. You are supposed to detect false statements. These are random statements, some are true while others are not. You are to post comments on which are false. The highest get to be credited and pass on this "tradition". If you get perfect and your female, you most definitely get a kiss. LOL. And if you are a guy, well, a hug will do. :) Good luck my friends.

I will post the correct answer a week later (November 27, 2005).

1. I smoke cigarrettes once after every meal.
2. I love veggies but I'm not a vegetarian.
3. I am a nursing student.
4. I want to be a doctor someday.
5. I enjoy philosophy.
6. I went to the seminary for a year.
7. I hate spaghetti.
8. I am still a virgin.
9. I read the bible occassionally.
10. I am a bisexual.
11. I can speak french fluently.
12. I have insecurities.
13. I wrote an essay that won in a national competition.
14. I enjoy playing table tennis.
15. I am the youngest in the family.
16. I head an organization.
17. I debate.
18. I can sing.
19. I can dance like there is no tomorrow.
20. All the 19 other facts are not true.

There are a total of nine false statements. (Think lucky nine). Some statements are so broad ( I know), they are there to help you out. The first three who get the most correct answers will get tagged.

Hoping for better blogging days

2005-11-12T12:13:00.000+08:00

Ah, yes, I'm pretty sure most of bloggers these day have to learn much of CSS and HTML coding. If only I had enough time (this is not a defense mechanism), I would but for the lack of time and patience, I would like to thanks all those bloggers who create templates...(you make me and others look cool!)

On that note, I have 5 tasks to complete before the NOV. 19 comes ....

1. Finish the design of my blog. Add all the necessary details.
2. Pass my RLE Project on Tuesday (November 15, 2005)
3. Prepare for a seminar workshop for High School Teachers.
4. Evaluation for the organization that I head.
5. Make the tag (thank you Empress).

and oh, got to study...

I know, I'm a person who thinks he can accomplish anything...damn it! Oh, I miss the days of bumming. Those were the days (read: childhood).

2005-11-08T12:10:00.000+08:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

bye-bye frames, hello again headaches

2005-11-06T15:36:00.000+08:00

I was able to find a template at blogger-templates, I would definitely recommend you to visit this site. Thank you for the tips everyone.

One a "problematic" note, the freaking comment link is after the title and silly old computer freak me can't handle the situation. With too many codes, I all I get is nausea.

Help me!!!

Dumaguete Excursion

2005-10-30T03:04:00.000+08:00

First, I call it excursion because it was like a field trip slash vacation. No worries. Absolute fun. And yeah, we were participating another debate competition. It was the Nationals. Touted to be a gathering of the best and brightest debaters in the country. The good thing about this tag line is that it "glorifies" me. HAHAHA! Gimme a chance to boost my ego as it is often battered by stress and indiscriminate verbal assaults.

The dumaguete visit was a reminiscing of the past. When I was a high school graduate a long, long time ago, Silliman University was one of my school choices. They do have a good program and was definitely a home away from home, a second home if you will. Much to my dismay and frustration, I was not allowed to study there for reasons I wont divulge. Ateneo de Zamboanga is not totally off-tangent with the programs it has, it has nurtured me...more like brainwash me with magis and cura personalis.

How did we fare in the competition? Well, we did well! Too well than expected. Haaahhh! The joys of fulfilled expectations and of course, the unexpected ones. They say the best moments in your life is when one stands up after stumbling or after a fall, I have to agree. After making a complete embarassing Point of Information, the feeling of redeeming oneself is uplifting. Freaky. Liberating. Fulfilling. And yeah, I felt that was the best speech I delivered. I don't know about the others but I am happy about.

To more trials and sacrifices, to more victories and failures. Its nice to be molded by experience doesn't it?

I need your help and some crap I saw over a blog

2005-10-13T13:55:00.000+08:00

This is a matter of urgency, I need your help. I need you comments for this blog. How to improve it would be pretty much the issue. Constructive criticism would be appreciated. No euphemisms please. Good day.

I suggest to click for a better view.

On a lighter note, I saw this photo when I was rummaging through blog explosion...hmmp its a funny photo but the feminist would be angry. Today, however I am at a loss what the feminist movement is all about. For me, women are already empowered with choices. Housewives are celebrated and their relevance to the family is priceless.

Where would you be without your beloved momsie?

Is it a step forward?

2005-10-12T20:29:00.000+08:00

Check the news, my friend, the Catholic Church is finally taking the stand. Or at least the necessary first steps. Soon, Vatican might just have some position on the matter. It does have a position but an outright declaration has not been established, to the best of knowledge of course.

Just some of the contents found in the link I provided earlier. Check it out.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT

UNTRUE

Genesis ii, 21-22

So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man

Genesis iii, 16

God said to the woman [after she was beguiled by the serpent]: ?I will greatly multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.?

Matthew xxvii, 25

The words of the crowd: ?His blood be on us and on our children.?

Revelation xix,20

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone.?

TRUE

Exodus iii, 14

God reveals himself to Moses as: ?I am who I am.?

Leviticus xxvi,12

?I will be your God, and you shall be my people.?

Exodus xx,1-17

The Ten Commandments

Matthew v,7

The Sermon on the Mount

Mark viii,29

Peter declares Jesus to be the Christ

Luke i

The Virgin Birth

John xx,28

Proof of bodily resurrection

Design Problems 2!

2005-10-11T14:40:00.000+08:00

I can't seem to understand the layout of this blog. I can't think of any. I can't contribute on more relevant blogs. And this freakin' heat is so annoying. I wonder if this is the effect of too much carbon emission circling aroung the globe.

Cervical Cancer could be a thing of the past

2005-10-08T14:13:00.000+08:00

Amazing how science work these days, no wonder religion is losing day by day its luster. As Dan Brown illustrated in Angels and Demons, science is the new religion. The search for answers can be fulfilled in science.

Enough of that.

We still cannot discount the fact that science day by day improve our lives. Man on the other hand has many abuses to perform. Pollution. Unsustainable development. Corruption. Greed. Senseless killings. What a world.

But the good news is we are trying to improve our world. At least some of us.

Vaccination for cervical cancer could be a savior for most women of southeast asia. The new vaccine, called Gardasil, gives protection against two strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV) which cause 70% of cervical cancer. But most women who are sexually active become infected with HPV at some time, so girls as young as 10 to 13 will be the target population.

Full story here.

Amazing isn't it.

Wishful thinking

2005-10-07T08:53:00.000+08:00

Why does man have unlimited wants?

Because its fun and gives us a break from the rigors of society.

Because life could be better for that person.

Because man is insecure and is forever cursed to want some more.

If you wish to contribute you are most welcomed through comments.

Nagging and aching pains

2005-09-29T18:32:00.000+08:00

I never felt physical pain as awful as this, the damn pain radiates or maybe extends from the right #32 teeth (wisdom tooth) up to the my right ear. AHHHHH! The pain is physically draining and utterly annoying. To shed some light on the matter...ahem...I had my right #32 tooth extracted for one reason - it causes pain. The dentist explain that it was an impacted tooth. The bad news was that I had not one but two impacted tooth. All 3rd molars. How I wish I could keep them. Unfortunately, I don't have enough space for them.

It has been a week since one of the impacted tooth was extracted but the damn pain doesn't go away. The tooth might call it vengeance. My hunch is that I'm experiencing "phantom tooth". The bad thing about this is I can't talk comfortably. The feeling of heaviness on my right face. Swellings! Inflammation! But that's a good thing. The downside is the pains which are chronic and even nags when I sleep.

Leave me along PAIN! I don't want to abuse painkillers! No way to dependence.

Why do I debate?

2005-09-26T20:30:00.000+08:00

My mom asked me, "How come a nursing student debates? It absolutely does not help you in your pursuit of a career."

Sounds logical. As I was preparing for my assignment in Nursing Care Management 105: Leadership and Management, to create a resume and an application letter, I realized, HOW the HELL am I going to justify my debate career with nursing?! To reconcile argumentation and Nursing Care Management seems implausible. I wish I could.

Does a hospital care if I am eloquent? Does a hospital care if I could argue for the patient?

Highly unlikely!

Then what I'm I supposed to do?

2005-09-24T16:04:00.000+08:00

You are 80% Capricorn

How much do you match your zodiac sign?

I wonder where my 20% went? Are we really bound by the stars and that we are predestined? I don't think so!

Things to do

2005-09-22T17:13:00.000+08:00

Hah! I got so many things to do and I got so little time. Let me count them, hmmm..

1. Study

I absolutely need to study my freakin' subjects. I need to have a decent score. uhuhuh. Woe is me!!! Ahh, no sense in crying right? I got so many requirements to do. More importantly, learn from my teachers, damnit!

2. Debate

I got to practice my debatin' skills. I feel so rusty. I hate it when people don't come for practices. Either they think that they are THAT good or they are just assholes! Everybody has reasons and excuses. Reminds me of a maxim, "an irresponsible person has many excuses!".

3. Update this blog. (Well, at least I'm not wasting time in this department.)

Time is so limited these days that I feel I'm not giving much attention on overhauling this blog. Well, I promise to do such after I get to solve, problems 1 and 2.

Anyway, I got to end this torment and start working. The first step is the start of a hundred mile walk ( or is a thousand mile). Ahh, who care El, get the job done!

Photo overload

2005-09-17T16:25:00.000+08:00

The following are just some of the mischiefs the debaters and adjudicators of Ateneo Debate Union in Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro city last September 9 - 12, 2005.

Online quizes anyone?

2005-08-30T20:24:00.000+08:00

Online quizzes these days are attractive to me. Probably I'm in a get-to-know-thyself mood, well I think its healthy. Why not try it? Hmmm, maybe next time I will take one of those IQ tests!

You scored as Romanticist. Romanticism encourages society to look backwards to find our solutions. Your rationale is that things were much better a few hundred years ago so we should thus look back to those times and replace them in our modern society. You believe in a simple life and that the complexities of the modern world have turned it upside down.

Existentialist

50%

Romanticist

50%

Cultural Creative

44%

Postmodernist

44%

Idealist

44%

Modernist

38%

Fundamentalist

31%

Materialist

13%

created with QuizFarm.com

The Philippine DemoCrazy

2005-08-28T21:31:00.000+08:00

Recants and mea culpa speeches are common political maneuvers here in the Philippines. Day by day the political situation deteriorates to the point that monkeys could better run the country. Shishh! What a sorry sad state. We have been rocked by at least 3 people power (read mob rule), yes I know your reactions would be something to this effect, "But it is for the people...". For the people my ass...more like "I did it to beautify my ass" so that I will be a hero. (That reminds me of Munchausen syndrome)

Oh well, could I just be comforted by the fact that all countries have political problems and some are in totally dire straits? Could you name some?

Devoid of purpose and meaning

2005-08-27T01:24:00.000+08:00

Arrrgg... I feel utterly useless. Imbecile. To spend time with me is an absolute waste of time. F*ck! What is wrong with me? (I'm not in some sort of identity crisis, hell no!). (Sigh) Why can't I improve, I feel so miserable...someone help me.

Picture me as a shadow trapped beneath an abyss where the chasms only echo my voice faintly.

Do you feel the same way?

A heartwarming story

2005-08-25T21:15:00.000+08:00

There are times when I utterly hate chain mails, don't you? However, there are those even though their authenticity is questionable, I find them appealing at times heartwarming. I wish to share one with you...

This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way

through until the end! (After the story, there are some

very interesting facts!):
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology.

The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.

Her last project of the term was called "Smile."

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, youngest son, myhusband and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.

I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.

As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.

He said, "Good day, Ma'am! " as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.

I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.

He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.

I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you."

I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope."

We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that onlybecause of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not church goers, but we are believers.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it.

Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.

She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings

and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who mayread this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

If you think this story has touched you in any way, please send this

to everyone you know.

There is an Angel sent to watch over you.

In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you want watched over.

Keep this going

Queer Logic

2005-08-11T20:25:00.000+08:00

"Salary Theorem" states that "Engineers and
Scientists can never earn as much as Business
Executives and Sales People."

This theorem can now be supported by a
mathematical equation based on the following two
postulates:

1. Knowledge is Power.
2. Time is Money.

As every engineer knows:
Power = Work / Time

Since:
Knowledge = Power
Time = Money

It follows that:
Knowledge = Work/Money.

Solving for Money, we get:
Money = Work / Knowledge.

Thus, as Knowledge approaches zero, Money
approaches infinity, regardless of the amount of
work done.

Conclusion:
The less you know, the more you make.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ever wondered why you failed in a test even though
you studied your lessons?

Well, we've found out that Study=Fail.

Let us take that:
Study = No Fail
No Study = Fail

Study+No Study = No Fail + Fail
Study(No + 1) = Fail(No + 1);
Cancel out the (No + 1) as equation is balanced.

Therefore, Study = Fail.
So why study?

Is there such a thing as "image psychology"?

2005-08-08T21:03:00.000+08:00

courtesy of http://mommyofangels.blogspot.com

Your Hidden Talent

You have the natural talent of rocking the boat, thwarting the system.
And while this may not seem big, it can be.
It's people like you who serve as the catalysts to major cultural changes.
You're just a bit behind the scenes, so no one really notices.

Interesting!!! It kinda hits right on the bullseye!

Y A H O O ! ! !

2005-08-08T20:06:00.000+08:00

AT last the design problem ceased to exist!!! Time to blog! Haha!

help!!!

2005-08-07T20:50:00.000+08:00

The title keeps on repeating and I don't know what to do!!! Oh, woe is me!

Design Problems

2005-08-04T20:58:00.000+08:00

Arrg...I can't believe this, I'm starting to make this my rant page instead of a place of enlightenment, hahah! In any case, I would like to say that the blog is experiencing design problems because of curious little Amiah! In any case, he would try to remedy the problem in the soonest possible time.

I live you with a verse on the bible (Oh, how I love that book!)

Son, learn what I teach you and never forget what I tell you to do. Listen to what is wise and try to understand it. Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight. Look for it as hard as you would for silver or some hidden treasure. ( prov. 2: 1 - 4, NAB)

I love this passage!

Sometimes you just want to kick someone's ass

2005-08-01T19:24:00.000+08:00

Hoc tempore obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit - In these days friends are won through flattery, the truth gives birth to hate. (Terence)

I just had a headache! Damn, asshole...who the hell do you think you are? The alpha-male?! MotherF*******! You life is screwed up with no particular direction. Without purpose. You are like the water that spirals down the funnel, inevitably you would go down under!

All I can say is you are an egotist! Practice what you say my friend! Arrrggg! I don't know probably he is in his own wonderland and that the world revolves around him. I wish I could kick his ass. I wish I could. Damn society. Damn conscience. Damn friendship. Damn you asshole!

Leadership rant

2005-07-29T22:04:00.000+08:00

What is a leader?

According to dictionary.com, leadership is

The position or office of a leader: ascended to the leadership of the party.
Capacity or ability to lead: showed strong leadership during her first term in office.
A group of leaders: met with the leadership of the nation's top unions.
Guidance; direction: The business prospered under the leadership of the new president.

The failure to lead haunts me...why don't I delegate tasks...I have no idea...the failure to trust probably...in my leadership and management class (yes, my friend, we have that in nursing) delagation saves time and effort but in my organization middle-management does not exist! A fantasy for me and my subordinates...well.... (but not all of them). Gosh, respect nowadays is hell!

Well, back to the drawing board.

Arroyo's State of the Nation Address

2005-07-27T20:45:00.000+08:00

The following is the transcript of the State of the Nation Address of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo delivered on July 25, 2005 to the Congress and the Filipino people:

Every year, we meet on this day in this great hall to celebrate democracy and take stock of the nation: the country and its condition; the government and its performance; the people and their well-being.

Ours is a country divided; the story of our nation is a tale of two Philippines; Almost, as it were, two countries under the same name.

One is the Philippines whose economy, after long years of cumulative national endeavor, is now poised for take off. The other is the Philippines whose political system, after equally long years of degeneration, has become a hindrance to progress.

As a country on the verge of take-off, our storyline would surprise many at home and abroad. The story includes an economy that grew more than 6 percent last year and that has continued to work in the teeth of the biggest oil price hikes in history, while generating four million jobs in the last four years.

The story includes marked improvements in tax collections, infrastructure housing construction, shelter, security for the urban poor and indigenous peoples, and rice productivity.

The story includes 69 million beneficiaries of health care insurance, including 30 million indigents, whose re-enrollment started early this year and is still ongoing.

That same story, over four years, saw the drug menace cut in half, the rash of kidnappings become a thing of the past, and insurgency in the South abated.

This story should work itself out as one about an economy as resilient and full of potential as its people are patient and hardworking, guided by a government--with the executive and the legislative hand-in-hand--that is able to pass a no-nonsense budget and make the tough decisions to put our fiscal house in order.

I specially refer to our recent titanic struggle to enact the three laws that comprised the biggest fiscal package in our history, the biggest revenue increase in a generation that will break the vicious cycle of financing development by borrowing and having to borrow again just to service those loans. This is the one reform that will snap the chain that has bound our future to a profligate past and the debt-burdened present. The Filipino's strong sense of family has given Congress a stronger resolve not to pass on today's debt, and bankrupt our children and grandchildren tomorrow. That struggle has done the House and the Senate great honor. Congratulations.

Abroad, the story continues. We¹ve worked long and hard to restore our country to the prominent place it once held as co-founder of the United Nations and the Free World's first line of defense in the East. We won a seat in the UN Security Council, where we presided over the landmark resolution calling for democracy in Iraq. The Philippines chaired the historic conference on interfaith cooperation for peace at the UN, the fruit of a bold and creative initiative by your Speaker of the House.

We head the APEC anti-terrorism task force. Our victories in the war on terror have been acknowledged by no less than president bush before the US National Defense University. The Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf can only pick up the pieces of its broken backbone in Mindanao.

We¹ve worked with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to forge peace with our Muslim brothers. Eighty percent of our peace talks with them have been completed. Permanent peace in Mindanao is within reach.

Indeed, our story as a country on the verge of take off is real. Analysts need only to look at our stock market, and even the peso-dollar exchange rate, to sense the strong anticipation of significant improvements, if only we would overcome the tendency to be our own worst enemy.

Thus, with investors both here and abroad in mind, i invite you all to join me in sending them a strong message from this great hall: We will not waver in our commitment to economic reform and fiscal discipline, whatever the political cost.

The other message to send is that we will address the burden that the other Philippine story imposes on our anticipated take-off. I refer to the story of how our political system has now become a hindrance to our national progress.

Over the years, our political system has degenerated to the extent that it is difficult for anyone to make any headway yet keep his hands clean. To be sure, the system is still capable of achieving great reforms. But, by and large, our political system has betrayed its promise to each new generation of Filipinos, not a few of whom are voting with their feet, going abroad and leaving that system behind.

Perhaps we politicians have done our best; But maybe our best is not enough, given the present system. Perhaps we have strained the present political system to its final limit.

It is time to turn to the people, bring them into government -- and change the way that government is done.

The people want government that works for them at every level. They want good government that begins at their doorstep in the barangay [village-ed], and does not end before the closed door of a bureaucrat in Metro Manila.

The system clearly needs fundamental change, and the sooner the better. It's time to start the great debate on charter change.

We must address such questions as how much more government is needed for the greater safety and economic security of our people, and how much less government is more conducive to free enterprise and economic progress.

The mode of Charter change is the exclusive prerogative of Congress. But a constituent assembly may well give our people the quickest reforms.

I shall work with Congress, civil society groups and local government executives who are convinced that Charter changes are needed to enable the country to surmount the unprecedented challenges of the 21st century.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the local government executives who have brought about an LGU power revolution through transformative leadership.

The economic progress and social stability of the provinces, along with the increasing self-reliance and efficiency of political developments and public services there, make a compelling case for federalism.

Perhaps it's time to take the power from the center to the countryside that feeds it.

I recognize that our form of government will be the decision of the body constituted to undertake Charter change. But we should consider that legislation could be quickened and laws made more responsive to the people under a parliamentary system, similar to that of our progressive neighbors in the region.

But even as we make a serious start in Charter change, i hope we can still work together on other initiatives to the lasting benefit of our people.

In the area of education, we've spent our increased resources on better trained teachers in more classrooms, teaching students in more effective ways. We¹ve laid a strong foundation by building almost 30,000 classrooms in the past four years, providing computer access to more than 3,000 high schools, and beginning a "healthy start" breakfast program for our young school children.

I ask Congress to pass the Pre-Need Code to rehabilitate, reform and regulate the pre-need educational programs that worked so well in the past as a major vehicle for youth education entitlement.

College education is the great Filipino dream. But in a world of rapid technological change, getting a job or keeping it depends as much on how well one reasons as how well one uses his hands. I have issued E.O. 358 so that hours spent in vocational training can be credited towards a college degree. That will combine job readiness with the dream of a college education while increasing the competitiveness of our nation.

But our competitiveness is greatly endangered today by the global oil crisis. I call on Congress to pass legislation encouraging renewable and indigenous energy.

In the area of national security, I urge the swift passage of an anti-terrorism law that will protect rather than subvert, enhance rather than weaken, the rights and liberties that terrorism precisely threatens with extinction.

These examples serve to highlight that there is much work to be done.

Now is not the time for divisiveness, and while there's no avoiding partisan politics, there can be a determined effort by all sides to limit the collateral damage on a country poised for take-off.

Let¹s call on the Lord. Let us ask Him for the grace to make us worthy of His healing our land.

Alam kong tayong lahat ay naghahangad ng isang makabuluhang pagbabago para sa ating bayan. Tayong lahat ay nagsisikap para matamo ang kapayapaan at kaunlaran. Kung kaya't ako'y nakikiusap na tulungan ninyo ako, para sa kapakanan ng taong bayan.

We may disagree among ourselves but let us never lose sight of that greater battle for one people, one country, one Philippines.

Not the country of this or that president but the Philippines of our shared and passionate affections.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.

A reading during my retreat!

2005-07-25T08:45:00.000+08:00

In Samaria he came to a town name Sychar, which was not far from the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink of water." (His disciples had gone into town to buy food.)

The woman answered, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan - so how can you ask me for a drink?" (Jews will not use the same cups and bowls that Samaritan use.)

Jesus answered, "If you only knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you life-givng water."

"Sir," the woman said, "you don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. Where would you get that life-givng water? It was our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well; he and his sons and his flocks all drank from it. You don't claim to be greater than Jacob, do you?"

Jesus answered, "Whoever drinks this water will get thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring which will provide him life-giving water and give him eternal life."

"Sir," the woman said, "give me that water! Then I will never be thirsty again, nor will I have to come here to draw water."

"Go and call your husband," Jesus told her, "and come back."

"I don't have a husband," she answered.

Jesus replied, "You are right when you say you don't have have a husband. You have been married to five men, and the man you live with now is not really your husband. You have told me the truth.

"I see you are a prophet, sir." the woman said. "My Samaritan ancestors worshipped God on this mountain, but you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where we should worship God.

"Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the time will come when people will not worship the Father either on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritan do not really know whom you worship; but we Jews know whom we worship, because it is from the Jews salvation come. But the time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God's spirit people will worhsip the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants. God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really is."

The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah will come, and when he comes, he will tell us everything."

Jesus answered, "I am he, I who am talking with you."

At that moment Jesus' disciples returned, and they were greatly surprised to find him talking with a woman. But none of them said to her, "What do you want?" or asked him, "Why are you talking with her?"

Then the woman left her water jar, went back to the town, and said to the people there, "Come and see the manwho told me everything I have ever done. Could he be the Messiah?" So they left the town and went to Jesus.

In the meantime the disciples were begging Jesus, "Teacher, have something to eat!"

But he answered, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."

So the disciples started asking among themselves, "Could somebody have brought him food?"

"My food," Jesus said to them, "is to obey the will of the one who sent me and to finish the work he gave me to do. You have a saying, 'four months and then the harvest.' But I tell you, take a good look at the fields; the crops are now ripe and ready to be harvested! The man who reaps the harvest is being paid and gathers the crops for eternal life; so the man who plants and the man who reaps will be glad together. For the saying is true, 'One man plants, another man reaps.' I have sent you to reap a harvest in a field where you did not work; others worked there, and you profit from their work.

Many if the Samaritans in that town believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I have ever done." So when the Samaritans came to him, they begged him to stay with them, and Jesus stayed there two days.

Many more believed because of his message, and they told the woman, "We believe because of his message, and they told the woman, "We believe now, not because of what you said, but because we ourselves have heard him, and we know that he really is the Savior of the world.

(John 4: 4 - 41, NAB)

The verses that struck me have a font-weight that is bold.

huh?! what the...

2005-07-03T02:41:00.000+08:00

hmm, if you read the previous article and you are a Catholic, you are probably thinking...WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? Spain, one of the stauch defenders of Catholic Faith...(well, at least they were!) It might be a victory for human rights as they say...i just don't know...I wonder what Papam would say the "Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of God, say....
The lay needs the steadfast of your office...

Spain Legalizes Same-Sex Marriages

2005-07-03T02:25:00.000+08:00

By MAR ROMAN, Associated Press Writer

Parliament legalized gay marriage Thursday, defying conservatives and
clergy who opposed making traditionally Roman Catholic Spain the third
country to allow same-sex unions nationwide. Jubilant gay activists
blew kisses to lawmakers after the vote.

The measure passed the 350-seat Congress of Deputies by a vote of 187
to 147. The bill, part of the ruling Socialists' aggressive agenda for
social reform, also lets gay couples adopt children and inherit each
others' property.

The bill is now law. The Senate, where conservatives hold the largest
number of seats, rejected the bill last week. But it is an advisory
body and final say on legislation rests with the Congress of Deputies.

After the final tally was announced, gay and lesbian activists
watching from the spectator section of the ornate chamber cried,
cheered, hugged, waved to lawmakers and blew them kisses.

Several members of the conservative opposition Popular Party, which
was vehemently opposed to the bill, shouted: "This is a disgrace."

Gloria could just go to hell...

2005-06-30T02:30:00.000+08:00

yup, Gloria, you make me puke...if not for the shrewdness of the your damn speech, i would have.....

anyway, let me commend on the person who created your speech. Its the bomb my friend! you never did set the record straight! Mother****** you said you were sorry for having a commited a blunder, whataminute...being stupid doesn't necessarily mean that you have to apologize. Whatthe****, you occupy the highest office in the land. Don't get me wrong, it is quite alright to make a phone call to Garci as long as it is official. hmmm, kinda makes you wonder, what transpired in the conversation and where the hell is Garci....

Probably, dead in some dumpster...and by the way, Gloria, your in deep shit because the circus that you have created will definitely backfire...

...a speech that doesn't set the record straight

2005-06-30T02:02:00.000+08:00

Transcript of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's statement on the issue of the tape recordings

Mga Minamahal kong Kababayan,

For the last several weeks, the issue of the tape recordings has spun out of control. Tonight, I want to set the record straight. You deserve an explanation; from me, because you are the people I was elected to serve.

As you recall, the election canvassing process was unnecessarily slow even after the election results were already in and the votes had been counted.

I was anxious to protect my votes and during that time had conversations with many people, including a Comelec official. My intent was not to influence the outcome of the election, and it did not. As I mentioned, the election had already been decided and the votes counted. And as you remember, the outcome had been predicted by every major public opinion poll, and adjudged free, fair and decisive by international election observers, and our own Namfrel.

That said, let me tell you how I personally feel, I recognize that making any such call was a lapse in judgment. I'm sorry. I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter. I take full responsibility for my actions and to you and to all those good citizens who may have had their faith shaken by these events. I want to assure you that I have redoubled my efforts to serve the nation and earn your trust.

Nagagambala ako. Maliwanag na may kakulangan sa wastong pagpapasya ang nangyaring pagtawag sa telepono.//pinagsisisihan ko ito ng lubos.// Pinana'gutan ko nang lubusan ang aking mga ginawa at humuhingi ako ng tawad sa inyo, sa lahat ng mga butihing mamamayan na nabawasan ng tiwala dahil sa mga pangyayaring ito. Ibig kong tiyakin sa inyo na lalo pa akong magsisikap upang maglingkod sa bayan at matamo ang inyong tiwala.

I took office with a mandate to carry out a plan for the nation. Since that time, I have focused on making the tough but necessary decisions to make up for years of economic neglect. We passed a comprehensive fiscally responsible national budget; raised new and necessary revenues to reinvest in the people; and implemented new anti-corruption measures that have led to the highest collection of taxes in history.

Nothing should stand in the way of this work, or the next phase of my reform agenda, which includes new investments in education and social services with our new revenues; and an expansion of our successful anti-corruption and lifestyle checks.

That is why I want to close this chapter and move on with the business of governing.

I ask each and every one of you to join hands with me in a show of unity, to help forge One Philippines, where everyone is equal under the law, and where everyone has the opportunity to use their God-given talents to make a better life.

Our nation is strong and getting stronger. The progress is steady and I ask you to walk with me on this journey to rebuild our great nation. I remain your humble servant and promise you that I will fulfill my constitutional oath of office to serve the people to the best of my ability.

God Bless the Philippines.

(Taken from the Office of the Press Secretary website, June 27, 2005)

....rummaging through my hard drive

2005-06-28T09:00:00.000+08:00

i found one of my reflection paper i've created when i was in a freshman. imagine my surprise, such archives, such childish nonsense...such bullshit! well, have a look-see....

Ignatian values are universal values. They are universal because their essence is for the greater good. First and foremost, the most known Ignatian value is genorosity. Generosity is defined the quality of being kind. It is the willingness to share what one has for someone in need. â€œMagisâ€� or more demands one to excel in his endeavor. â€œCura Personalisâ€� or personal care is directed towards the care of self. The spirit of service, because we can do more, we can serve more. We can change the world and make it better place to live in. Each of us can live his or her place to serve his fellow men.

Iâ€™ve learned that Ignatian values denies oneâ€™s self and carry his cross. He goes out to the world and serve his fellow man because in doing so he becomes closer to God and exemplies the Ignatian values. All of the Ignatian values are toward the greater good and therefore whatever religion you belong does not alter or contradict your faith. No religion teaches us to be evil and Ignatian values exemplies goodness so therefore they can be interrelated.

The effect of the Ignatian values is that I should practice it. I have realized that I have to integrate the Ignatian values in my daily activities. In doing this, I would become a better person. A person that is not selfish but is directed toward others. In learning the Ignatian values, my eyes were awakened to the reality of things. The reality that we all have short-comings and we should therefore strive to rise above our imperfections. And what better way to do this than to follow the Ignatian values.

...effective leadership

2005-06-24T06:15:00.000+08:00

incompetence:

The condition wherein the leaders are devoid of those qualities requisite for effective conduct or action.

I hate incompetence! The fundamental downfall of all organizations is the incompetence of the high echelons. To sound at the least pragmatic, leaders are supposed to make sure that a particular project pushes through especially when the peons (if you will) work hard on it.

I hate incompetence! It is the fundamental responsibility to make sure that a project pushes through with at least a resounding success in the minds of the organizers. Nevermind, if there are grunts and rants along the way. A leader is suppose to be a visionary!

I hate incompetence! If a particular event is not going your way, you are suppose to manage it effectively and not abandon your ship. You don't just decide to postpone it. What the hell!!! Where did you get that idea? ...from the utter recesses of your cerebrum?

Well, i just hope I won't have such experience, as they say charge it to experience! Assholes!

FDA Public Health Advisory

2005-05-26T13:19:00.000+08:00

FDA Announces Important Changes and Additional Warnings for COX-2 Selective

and Non-Selective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it has asked Pfizer, Inc. to voluntarily withdraw Bextra (valdecoxib) from the market. Pfizer has agreed to suspend sales and marketing of Bextra in the U.S., pending further discussions with the agency. FDA is also asking manufacturers of all marketed prescription NSAIDs, including Celebrex (celecoxib), a COX-2 selective NSAID, to revise the labeling (package insert) for their products to include a boxed warning and a Medication Guide. The boxed warning will highlight the potential for increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events with these drugs and the well-described, serious, and potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding associated with their use. The Medication Guide will accompany every prescription NSAID at the time it is dispensed to better inform patients about the CV and GI risks. Finally, FDA is asking manufacturers of non-prescription (OTC) NSAIDs to revise their labeling to include more specific information about the potential GI and CV risks, and information to assist consumers in the safe use of the drug. This announcement does not apply to aspirin as it has clearly been shown to reduce the risk of serious adverse CV events in certain patient populations.

In reaching these decisions, FDA has carefully considered the available data on all of the NSAIDs. The Agency has also considered presentations, discussions, and votes from the joint public meeting of the FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee held on February 16, 17, and 18, 2005 to discuss the CV safety concerns for these drugs along with their overall risk-benefit.

Specifically, FDA is requesting the actions listed below and will work closely with the manufacturers to ensure their timely implementation.

BEXTRA (valdecoxib tablets)

FDA has concluded that the overall risk versus benefit profile is unfavorable and has requested that Pfizer, the manufacturer of Bextra, voluntarily withdraw Bextra from the market. This request is based on:

* The lack of adequate data on the cardiovascular safety of long-term use of Bextra, along with the increased risk of adverse CV events in short-term coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) trials that FDA believes may be relevant to chronic use.
* Reports of serious and potentially life-threatening skin reactions, including deaths, in patients using Bextra. The risk of these reactions in individual patients is unpredictable, occurring in patients with and without a prior history of sulfa allergy, and after both short- and long-term use.
* Lack of any demonstrated advantages for Bextra compared with other NSAIDs.

Pfizer has agreed to suspend sales and marketing of Bextra in the U.S., pending further discussions with the agency.

Patients currently taking Bextra should contact their physicians to consider alternative treatments.

CELEBREX (celecoxib tablets)

FDA has concluded that the benefits of Celebrex outweigh the potential risks in properly selected and informed patients. Accordingly, FDA will allow Celebrex to remain on the market and has asked Pfizer to take the actions listed below.

* Revise the Celebrex label to:
o Include a boxed warning containing the class NSAID warnings and contraindication (see below) about CV and GI risk, plus specific information on the controlled clinical trial data that demonstrate an increased risk of adverse CV events for celecoxib.
o Encourage prescribers to discuss with patients the potential benefits and risks of Celebrex and other treatment options before a decision is made to use Celebrex.

* Encourage practitioners to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.
* Include a Medication Guide as part of the labeling. It will be required to be given at the time the drug is dispensed to inform patients of the potential for CV and GI risk associated with NSAIDS, in general, and Celebrex specifically. The Medication Guide will inform patients of the need to discuss with their doctor the risks and benefits of using NSAIDs and the importance of using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible.
* Commit to conduct a long-term study to address the safety of Celebrex compared to naproxen and other appropriate drugs. FDA will work with Pfizer to design this long-term study and ensure its timely initiation and completion.

Patients who are taking CELEBREX should discuss questions or concerns about this new information with their physician.

For more info, follow this link: ('FDA Release Notes');

Help us, O God our saviour,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.
Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"
Let it be known among the nations
in our sight
that you avenge the shedding of
your servants' blood. (Ps. 79: 9 - 10, NAB)

Make Your Momma Proud!

2005-05-08T21:19:00.000+08:00

To the woman he said:
"I will intensify the pangs of your childbearing;
in pain shall you bring forth children..." (Gen. 3: 19, NAB)

Children obey your parents, for that is what is expected of your.
"Honor your father and mother" is the first commandmen to carry a promise with it -
"that it may go well with you, and that you may have long life on the earth. (Eph. 6: 1 - 2, NAB)

Just a thought for you guys out there! Make your mama proud! It was not an easy labor bringing you here. If you were a baby delivered through Ceasarian section, well I just it was not easy for the pocket. Greet her on this special day! A thought shared is always priceless.

my misunderstanding of love

2005-04-28T07:33:00.000+08:00

We can find many definitions of love. Here is but two of them: a deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness; a feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and romance.

Wherever we are love is on the air especially when its Valentines day. But still until now there is not distinct and uniform definition of love. We can only describe it. The most easy of all is â€“ love is love. But what is love for me? Can it transgress death? Does everyone experience it? Can I reject it? Is there a need for it? These are just some of the questions that come to our minds when we think deeply of love.

Love has its misconceptions as discussed in our lessons. We can equate love to sex and romance or even love as a means to possession. This is not the nature of love. It is about giving oneâ€™s self and finding that self with another. Once I heard my teacher in another subject say that love is a competition. It is a way to show your partner how best you can give yourself to him/her.

Some may say that love is physical. That love is only a response to another whom the agent feels physically attracted to. Accordingly, the action of loving encompasses a broad range of behaviour including caring, listening, attending to, preferring to others, and so on. This is what the behaviourist say in psychology. Those who consider love to be an aesthetic response would hold that love is knowable through the emotional and conscious feeling it provokes yet which cannot perhaps be captured in rational or descriptive language: it is instead to be captured, as far as that is possible, by metaphor or by music. That is why some people say that they are in love with their craft of trade.

But what about love that is considered taboo. Is it possible? Is it ethical?

When it comes to this, we always ask the question should we do it or not. Is it the appropriate action. In times where our society is constantly bombarded with new ideasâ€¦we can only grasp little understanding of it. For me, any relationship is a viable one as long as love is in the airâ€¦as long as it is a meaningful relationship. If society reprimands you then fight it... it is your life and not allowing you to exercise what you feel destroys human freedom which is in us all.

Reflections from within

2005-04-26T23:17:00.000+08:00

Have you ever had a moment when you thought all things simply fall into place? Or, even the notion that divine intervention is at play with the dealings of your life. Have you ever had an insurmountable problem that any solution would be a plausible affirmative action?

Dilemmas are common in this world. (By utilizing "this" and not "the" I may be implying that there must be another world but that is another matter) Let me tell you a synopsis of my life.

As a boy, the sciences especially the field of medicine greatly appealed to me. I was never the musically-inclined child that my mom hoped me to be. Neither was I an artistic child in the family. What I was interested in were the trivialities of the world, history especially the wars the havoc humanity, and of course the answers of the perverbial questions of what and why.

As I was a teenager, I already decided what career path would I take. I wanted to be in the medical field. Finances for my college was assured by my parents yet deep in my heart I knew something was amissed. I still partied. I enjoyed the trivialities of life. I still fool around. The young Ivan was not yet ready to make decisions which would have a domino effect on the future, on my future.

I wanted to take the course of Physical Therapy. In my opinion at that time, while Nursing was a good fall back it was not appealing to me. Medical Technology on the other hand was appealing for me, but knowing myself as a person who easily gets bored with microscopes and the laboratory in the end it would be detrimental on my learning process. I wanted interaction. Biology was another option. The perk of this course was that most subjects discussed here will be utilized for the NMATS. Hmmp, but the course does not appeal to me.

Physical Therapy was my choice. It was appealing to me and that would guarantee interest on the subjects, in turn that would be greatly profitable especially on my learning curve. It has patient interaction which I greatly desired. I was happy then.

All was not well though. As high school graduation neared the option of studying away from my hometown was closely nearing oblivion. The big problem was that I was young in the eyes of my family (young = irresponsible) and finances were not stable.

Because of this scenario, I was forced to compromise. I was to study here but still took up Physical Therapy. Although a bit disappointed with situation and desiring to have more. It was in my opinion that if I stayed here I would be compromising my future as well. I kept this feeling to myself.

Several months later, while I was studying Physical Therapy, I was experiencing culture shock. I was in a new school with new friends. They were not bad but they simply did not share my likings. To make things worse, I was also missing my barkada especially the mischiefs we shared and then, there was also the "mental lethargy" that I was experiencing. Not that I had low grades, it was surprinsingly high. I wanted interaction. I wanted extracurricular activities.

I finally decided to return to my alma mater. Not because of any reason whatsoever other than the desire to have extracurricular activities and be with my barkada. Nursing was my choice because the options were limited (Biology would definitely bore me). It was hard then. I was what we call an "irregular" student. I did not belong to any block of section so that means I'm all alone. No friends. All alone. But I endured it all knowing that this is only an empheral stage.

While I was in Ateneo, my father experienced a Myocardial Infarction. It was a disaster for us, emotionally and financially. Luckily, he recovered by God's grace but was forcibly resigned from his work because of his age and the stress involved.

At that moment, I knew why I had to stay. I was to take care of them. It is not that I have no plans at all at doing so. I was simply an eye-opener that I had to take care of them NOW. And even if financially we are not stable. I know I can make it through.

***********************************
Put not your trust in princes,
in man, in whom there is no salvation
When his spirit departs he returns
to his earth;
on that day his plans perish. (ps 146: 3 - 4, NAB)

Brain Drain

2004-11-30T14:59:00.000+08:00

Debate is a part of my life. One of my extracurricular activities. NO, Im not a nerd, jackass...unlike you i just want to see things on different perspectives.

Competition is tough. And right now, im demoralized!!! My performance is shitty...hell... not the regular debatin' me!!!

Oh, hell blame it to poor matter... and lack of sleep... (is this rationalization or what?! )

So, I'm here matter loading 'til I experience information overload....hahaha

I just hope that all I read would be relevant...

Wish me luck!