Speaking Minds

Having read a number of articles written by the student writers of three online university publications in the Metro, in which they shared their points of view regarding different issues or topics that are of interest and relevance to the public is motivationally inspiring for me as a student aspiring to be a writer.

Back then, articles are only read in printed newspapers and magazines but at present, a vast change as regards the publication milieu has apparently took place. Articles can be read in just a click and this only proves that people are getting techier than ever. Even the leading news-providers have been delivering us the news through online. Inquirer.net, abs-cbnnews.com, GMANews.TV and the likes had upgraded, being dictated by the technology-dependent society. Moreover, a number of universities have also set up their domains over the internet. Students publishing their well-opinionated articles on their school's respective website have not just reached their colleagues and contemporaries but also people from other universities and even people from all walks of life so to speak.

Students' perspectives have now expanded its breadth. Their opinions, viewpoints, and insights concerning a university-wide issue and even a national issue have now a wider scope and a larger audience as compared to the traditional printed school publication wherein not all students get to have a copy of, or even if they do, the majority would not bother to read even a single article or so.

Altering the old way of school publications is really something to look forward to. Students will be given more chances to get himself involved on school and out-of-school issues. Comments and suggestions are readily sent via email or posted straight to the website. Accessibility to the internet is now as easy as ABC. Internet providers and computer shops have been mushrooming continuously, proving that technology have already dominated whether we like it or not.

As a college student, it is very empowering for me to have read articles written by fellow students but sounding like professional writers. We might still be categorized as juvenile members of the society, but the words and views we could share are equitable to that of voiced by the older and more experienced individuals and authorities.

As an American folk singer Joan Baez once said, “I've never had a humble opinion. If you've got an opinion, why be humble about it?” Truly, it is great that students like me are given precious opportunities to air our stand and speak out our minds.

The Added AdEPT

Our whole section was surprised to the sudden appearance of the English department head on our Campus Journalism class thinking that she was there for a class observation. Little did we know that she was there to break the news that has eventually caused a physical, mental, and emotional unrest not just to me but every single person inside the classroom. Different concerns were raised because a 6-hr course a week to be added to our regular load( is definitely a no joke. Time, energy, and financial constraints were the unanimous thoughts that came to our minds which made us skeptical to take the said course. AdEPT, which stands for Advance English Proficiency Training, was described as a training which aims to enhance the oral and communication skills of the students as regards English as a second language. This project was in collaboration of the BPOP which is in line with the ever fast-growing Business Process Outsourcing industry here in the country. It was made to train students in preparation for the real battlefield outside the campus which is fishing for a decent and well-compensating job, not just being as call center agents but in other fields as well by making the students globally competitive through the mastery and fluency in using English as a language. Had the training been ironed out and designed with our heavy loads being considered, it would have not caused this kind of commotion on our part. I know that this sort of a training would be of big help to us, especially being a student of my chosen course...

..In and Out..

Defecating is part of my daily routine and just like most people, I cannot stand a day skipping it. Abit gross as it may sound but it's true. I dunno but it feels great when you let out things that makes you feel burdensome. It's therapeutic and makes you feel a little more in pink of health just like a clean empty vessel that's ready to be filled up.

Shedding teardrops every now and then is never that bad. It is some sort of relief and a nice outlet for all the worries and anxieties regardless if those were real or just imaginary. It has been proven that crying never fails to make someone feel way better.

Breathing does not just need an inhale but it also needs an exhale. We also have to discharge the air from within in order for us to take another. Scientifically speaking, the respiratory system is the one responsible for this. Actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place inside our body when we breathe. Thus, no exhale, there'll be no inhale and vice versa.

An open door should also be shut in order for it to be reopened once a person knocks or presses the doorbell. It will be more secure and it also gives the person the chance to be polite and also a more formal entry. Apparently, we cannot open something which is already open and we cannot turn a thing into something which it already was.

Here is the catch, some things, routinal or not, must be done or must take place in order for something to happen. Things are significantly relative. Some things are designed to be out and some things are wired to be taken in. We just have to make deliberate choices on which to be taken and which to be eliminated. PRIORITIZE. Nothing more. Nothing less.

image courtesy of www.forparentsbyparents.com

Bye Guns be Bye guns

The Philippine elections have already been synonymous to dirty tactics and physical violence. The campaign period has not formally began but the whole world was shocked with the atrocious massacre in Maguindanao which killed 57 people and the reason behind it has something to do with the majorly anticipated national elections. More than 18,000 positions are up for grabs this coming May 2010 including the president, vice president, senators, congressional representatives, governors, and mayors and poll-related violence are sure yet to come.

A nationwide gun ban took effect recently in the country. This is as part of efforts to reduce violence ahead of general elections in May. Under the ban, only state law enforcers and authorized private protection agents are allowed to carry firearms. Exemptions will be given to people who are under threats but subject to a strict and stringent process.

More than 3,000 checkpoints all over the Philippines have been set up to enforce the gun ban and excuses will not be entertained once the ban was violated by anyone and will be certainly punished.

This move is said to reduce the expected violence all throughout the campaign season. Sincere politicians who play clean and run only for true service are nearly extinct at the moment. Candidates nowadays are more driven and willing to do everything just to get their desired office even at the expense of others. Anyone who gets in their way will be erased in a snap. I just hope that this coming election will be successfully and fairly conducted. Many lives have already been sacrificed taking care of the ballots, certificates, and other election paraphernalia and a single number should neither be added to the casualties. This gun ban may be able to reclaim and prove to everyone that the election here in our country is a non-violent one. It is possible.

This is the perfect time to let "bye guns" be "bye guns".

Past is Past

Sometimes the past is something we just can't let go of. No matter how hard we try, even after all our efforts have already been exerted, flashbacks and memories that are beyond our control persistently haunt us like ghosts that we are all afraid of.

And sometimes the past is something we'll do anything to forget. We wish that life is like a pencil with eraser on top so that we will be able to remove all the undesirable ruins from our memories and live like we have never experienced those.

But sometimes we learn something new about the past that changes everything we know about the present. Lessons that save us from being mischievous jerks and transform us to more mature and wiser individuals.

Photo courtesy of hypnosishealthinfo.com

No Special Treatment

The Gokongwei-led carrier Cebu Pacific has made it to the headlines after one of its purser and cabin crew refused the entry on board of a special child. The said arrogant crew was recently identified as John Castañeda who pressured Ms. Marites Alcantara, and his son, John Arvin to get off the plane bound to Manila from Hong Kong due to the mental condition of the child and in stringent observance of the company rules saying that mentally ill passengers are not allowed to board on the said airline. The child was diagnosed with Global Development Delay, a condition that delays a child's ability to acquire motor skills as fast as normal kids ,thus, making him a special child and way far from being a mentally ill one. Alcantara said she was deeply insulted when the crew kept on calling her son "mentally ill" as they forced them to step out of the plane and superlatively humiliating on the part of her son.

The crew behaved unprofessionally for he was not even certain about the rules of the company he was working for and at the same time inhumanly having humiliated both the parent and the child. He could have at least done the deed in a more diplomatic manner. Since Alcantara refused to leave the plane, Cebu Pacific's crew had no choice but to proceed with the flight. She urged the budget airline to take a second look at its policies and admit that these are discriminatory.The airline has sent their apology through the text-line which is indeed very inappropriate. What they have experienced is definitely a no joke and warrants a more formal apology.

The family is said to file a lawsuit against CebuPacific even after they have already received the company's apology which is just proper. This move will be a constant reminder that everyone , not just children for this matter, is all entitled of human rights that should be perpetually respected and protected. Human rights education training should also be imposed to all employees to avoid faux pas as such.

May this be an eye-opening lesson to one and all. One thing I am sure of is that this incident will awaken the human rights advocates. Let us wait and see if what the turnout of this incident would be. "Will Cebu Pacific remain true to its tagline 'It's time for everyone flies'?," remains to be a question as yet.

Above Image - courtesy of Wikipedia