Life Of A Victor: Dos Policy In The Time of the Pandemic by Christian James R. Tiamzon

“There is no progress without compromise. No victory without sacrifice.”

 ― President Alma Coin, The Hunger Games: The Mockingjay

Field of Accountancy in Polytechnic University of the Philippines is the real life Hunger Games for most of its students. The University has been known as one of the prestigious universities in the country, in fact, it topped in various licensure exams; bagged a lot of awards; and was known as the top school of choice of many companies in the country way back 2016 as to JobStreet Philippines. But these recognitions would not be possible if the University had not enforced policies to maintain its good standing. It actually has a “Dos Policy” in the field of Accountancy that requires students to have a maintaining grade of 2.00 or higher in major subjects but failure to comply with this, students are to be subjected to take a Special Qualifying Exam – which serves as the second and last chance of students to stay in their chosen course. 

The policy has indeed proved its worth no matter how hard it is for the students to keep their position. But in the time of pandemic when the new system of education has begun, can we say that it is ethical to keep and follow the rule? If you would be given a chance to be Katniss Everdeen for a day, would you go against the odds; would you demand for equity; or would you still be a piece of the game?

Undeniably, students also benefit from this policy. Some students believe that this policy gives them the drive, inspiration and motivation in their studies and performance. It enhances their competence and increases their competitiveness in their chosen course which brings out the best in them! They also treat it as an opportunity to evaluate their skill and as a sweet reward of their hard work if they were able to comply with it. The ability to study with this policy provides the students a sense of security, positive outlook and eagerness to learn more and do better on their following studies. It eliminates the mediocrity that lies within themselves and aims for the best. And most of all, it distinguishes deserving and undeserving students and grants them the consequences they have to face to know more about themselves and guide them to their life’s redirection.

But a coin is never one sided, it has disadvantages too. Due to its demand, it gives students pressure, stress and anxiety that drains them mentally and physically. This policy requires plenty of time and so much focus that it prevents students from spending time to associate with other people. Aside from that, this policy oversees and does not address the issues that actually arise in the course. It is too occupied to measure the performance of the students that it forgets to check the quality of education that they are providing as there are some professors that do not teach with competence and excellence. Speaking in truth, there are professors who have questionable grading methods that result in the passing of undeserving students and failing those who truly deserve to pass. Therefore, the judgement of the policy is sometimes applied to the wrong people.

What Pres. Alma Coin said is true; there is indeed  no progress without compromise and no victory without sacrifice, but the question is, haven’t we compromised and sacrificed enough during this time of pandemic? How many students out there have sacrificed their life just to be able to put food over their table? These students are so desperate to competently finish their studies because it’s their only ray of hope but do they have a choice? They had to be the tribute of their family to feed their hunger and they took that responsibility. How many students out there had compromised their studies? Unbeknownst to us, there are students who currently suffer from abuses and no one’s ready to talk about that. There are households that are too toxic and no one witnesses that but those students alone. How many students have you heard crying because they cannot spend their left pennies for the internet; because they do not have a suitable learning space; because they do not have enough resources to study? You know nothing about how it truly feels, because you are not them. They have sacrificed and compromised more than enough. 

The truth is we are not on the same page. All of us are adjusting but not all are adjusting well. Both professors and students are sacrificing and compromising right now which results in mediocre teaching and learning. The policy has really proven its excellence, but like what the others say; there is a time and place for everything. Maybe we can consider setting it aside or implementing it less strictly. Or maybe we should just remind everyone to be more emphatic to each other because everyone is struggling. But no matter what happens, rest assured, we are victors, soldiers. 

Image source: Coin's_death.png (608×252) (nocookie.net)

We Are NOT on the same boat: Online Class is NOT for All

I thought they were just ranting and excuses until I saw my friends, one by one, struggled.

This pandemic has ruined everything. It made everything stop in just a glimpse of time. It turned down businesses and everything that has been operating before this happened. It made the jobs of thousands of people stop and live without anything but hope. But life should not stop, life must continue and so will the education which was found as an opportunity for some and a struggle for the most of us.

At first, I thought that online schooling was easy. I thought it was just about the prepaid load that we have to buy for us to join the classes but I was wrong. It is MORE than just buying a load. It REQUIRES financial stability for most of the families who do not have an access to the internet and at the same time, they do not have any job opportunities to fulfill their needs. Nakakakungkot. Maybe for some of you, it's very affordable to buy prepaid load or avail Wi-Fi connection but for some, hindi madaling ibili ng load ang perang pwedeng ikain nalang ng pamilya. And take note, online class does not only require internet connection but also books, mga bagay na hindi lahat ng tao ay maaaring makabili sa panahon ngayon.

Online class requires EVERY student focus which I find very ironic as we are currently covered by fear of being sick, fear of losing someone we love and fear of having nothing due to all the factors we have right now. It's hard to be on focus, it's hard to be on track and it's really really hard to be driven. One thing I realized, it's hard to be a student and a family member at the same time and in the same place. It's hard to stay on focus while having all the noises around you. Maybe you would see some students na nag-eexcel sa klase which is very amazing but we cannot use those students as a reason to invalidate other students' struggles. Yes, we all have 24 hours in one day but we do NOT spend those hours the same way. Some would spend 8 hours for work, some would spend 8 hours for leisure. What am I trying to say? Online class is not for all.

Witnessing some students who will do everything for money just to satisfy their needs as a student is remarkable but witnessing students who are not able and capable of providing their needs for their studies is heart-breaking. When I saw posts/rants in any social media platforms, I thought they were just nonsense rants and excuses until I saw my friends, one by one, struggled.

What do I want by writing this blog? Actually, I do not exactly know. But I think I want to spread awareness that the struggles of the students are REAL and VALID, idagdag mo pa ang mental health ng bawat isa na unti-unting nasisira. What I have read yesterday was true, "We are NOT all in the same boat, we are in the SAME STORM, some have yachts, some have canoes and some are DROWNING. Just be kind and HELP when you CAN."

I just want to congratulate literally everyone for surviving everything in life, for choosing to survive literally EVERY DAY. I do not know how hard it is for you but believe me, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. What you're sacrificing now will eventually reward you later in life. Have hope in God, that's the best thing we can do. I also want to congratulate those who help, those who have a lot and those who haven't but still help. You guys are doing great things and you guys are role models!

Please, whenever you see products/services being sold by your friends to sustain their needs, please support them. Help them make their business known. If you cannot buy, then share their posts, it requires JUST A LITTLE effort yet it is a very big help! Sino pa ba ang magtutulungan? Kundi'y tayo-tayo rin!

Thank you SO MUCH for entrusting me your time by reading this blog, I hope it resonated to your mind and heart. I would just like to ask you a favor by subscribing on this small blogger, help me reach and inspire people, I cannot really do that alone, have a nice day! ❤

Christian James Tiamzon,

(Credits to the the owner of the photo used. ❤)

Christmas is not About You: The Reason of the Season Blog

Merry Christmas! 🌲❄

How are you? How was your 2018? 

In the past few weeks, I've been hearing the words, "Hindi ko na ramdam ang pasko." and posts/tweets na nagsasabing tila normal day na lang ang pasko natin this year.

But today, I wanna remind you that Christmas is Jesus. 

Be joyful because there was somebody who was born to  save and love us despite of the fact that we are SINNERS and unworthy of his love. 

I want you to know that you still have a choice to look at the real essense of christmas, hindi sa mga material things that you wish to have this christmas. Do not require yourself and your family to have an extravagant christmas celebration but encourage yourself and everyone to have a joyful and a grateful heart for we were save by this great man.

It is not about you. It is about him. Kung titignan mo lang yung totoong rason why we celebrate christmas then you will not feel lonely. Let us don't dwell on what's missing dahil it will cause us nothing but misery. 

Look how blessed we are. Siya yung may birthday pero tayo ang rinegaluhan through his grace! Kaya tonight, let us use our time to thank God for giving us his one and only son to love us! 

Let us all spread love, God bless! |

I really hope that this blog spoke to you. If it did, why don't you share it? The world would be happy to know the reason of the season! |

Live life to the Fullest

Live life to the Fullest

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the 'present'.”

Life is not an easy journey. There will always be mountains na hahadlang at sisira sa’yo. The enemy will also be there to destroy you and tell you na you will fail and you will never succeed.

It is not an accident na binabasa mo yung blog na ‘to. There’s a reason. There will always be a reason.

I want you to remember na life won’t be easy. Life will not flow according to your plans. Life won’t give you everything. You will lack of something na idedesire mo ng sobra. But I want you to notice  and value the things you have. Focusing on the things you do not have will not make you a better person. It will just make you hate yourself for not having those things. Instead, use those things as an inspiration to work hard so when time comes, you will be able to obtain those.

Good life is worth-waiting. Kung makukuha mo ng mabilisan at madalian ang mga bagay, magkakaroon kaya ng halaga? Maa-appreciate mo ba sila kung hindi mo naman pinagpaguran? No. You will never be happy sa mga bagay na mapupunta sa’yo na hindi mo deserve at ‘di mo pagsisikapang makuha.

In this life, there will always be choices, opportunities and chances. Make sure you won’t waste each of them cause all of them are once in a lifetime. Not everyone can have a second chance. Not all can have choices. So, when an opportunity comes, don’t hesitate to grab it. Binigay sa’yo yun kasi para sa’yo talaga yun, don’t miss it and do not have any regrets.

Today is a gift and what you do today matters. ‘wag mo hayaang mangyari sa’yo yung mga bagay na ayaw mong mangyari in the future. Let us all live life to the fullest, just a friendly reminder, have a nice day, and thank you for reading!

SELF-LOVE: HINDI KA PANGET, JUDGEMENTAL LANG SILA

"Laki ng eyebags ko!"

"Shocks, kung kailan naman ako may lakad syaka pa dumami lalo pimples ko!"

"Panget ko, kainis."

"Bakit ganito itsura ko?!"

"Ang taba kooo!"

"Para akong buto't balat!"

"Dami kong stretch marks."

"Bakit yung iba maganda tapos ako mukhang ewan."

"Sana ganito ako. Sana ganyan."

LOVE YOURSELF FIRST AND MAKE YOUR FLAWS AS YOUR ASSETS

     Sabi nga sa kanta ni Justin Bieber, love yourself! Always remember, na walang unang dapat magmahal sa'yo bukod sa iba kundi ang sarili mo. If you want to be loved by others as who and what you are then, you should love yourself first. You should appreciate your flaws and make it as your assets. Stop complaining about the things you do not have instead, be thankful for the things na mayroon ka. Tulad na lang ng nunal. Dito sa atin, napaka-big deal niya and tinitignan halos ng lahat in a negative way, "Gloria" nga ang alyas kapag may ganyan ka, di'ba? But let us be like those people in other countries who made their mole as their asset and made it as a symbol of beauty. And also, we should remember and appreciate kung ano ang totoong purpose ng mga bagay na mayroon tayo. For example, instead of complaining about your eyebags, maging thankful ka nalang kasi may eyes ka in the first place! Makes sense? Yes, it does! Be thankful. Yung ibang tao may mata pero hindi nakakakita, blessed ka! 

REMEMBER THE REAL PURPOSE

     Nakakalungkot dahil minsan nakakalimutan na natin kung ano ba talaga yung purpose ng mga bagay na mayroon tayo. Lahat tayo gusto ng maganda, magandang mukha, skin at iba pa pero maging sensitive tayo sa mga inilalagay natin sa utak natin gaya ng mga nabasa mong lines sa simula at syempre pag-isipan maiigi ang mga bagay na ginugusto natin sa buhay. Hindi tama yung sobrang panlalait, pamumuna at sobrang paghahangad ng mga bagay na hindi mo maaaring afford sa sitwasyon mo ngayon. Alamin natin maigi kung ano yung mga bagay na tunay na kailangan at alin ang mga hindi. 

JUST BE YOU

     Love yourself. Always remember, you do not have to change yourself in order for you to be accepted by the society. Humahanga tayo sa ibang tao like celebrities dahil sa talents, skills and especially sa itsura nila. Nakakahanga yung kinis, tangos at ganda ng itsura nila PERO, never ever forget na hindi mo kailangan ng magandang mukha para mahalin ka. You deserve to be loved no matter how you look and style. Know your worth! Kumbaga, mahalin nila tayo hindi dahil sa itsura natin. Mahalin nila tayo kasi mahal nila tayo, that is what we deserve!

IT IS ALL ABOUT YOU THAT MATTERS

     Let us be proud of what and who we are! Let us love our broken parts and believe that there are people who will still love us as what we are. I'm telling you this, huwag mo ng isipin yung sasabihin sa'yo ng ibang tao sa kung ano yung kilos, itsura o mga talento mo! Why? Kasi ang totoo, kahit ano namang itsura mo o ano pang gawin mong mabuti sa buhay, may masasabi at masasabi pa rin sila tungkol sa'yo! Sabi nga diba, kahit gumawa ka ng napakaraming bagay na tama, makikita pa rin nila yung isa mong pagkakamali. Stop thinking about others. It is all about you that matters. Be proud, this is us!

BE CAREFUL AND SENSITIVE

     Huwag nating hayaang dumating pa sa point na maging dahilan ng depression yung mga mga bagay na wala tayo. Alisin na natin yung insecurities natin dahil wala naman silang matutulong sa atin na maganda instead magiging factor lang sila para maging negative tayong tao. Maging kuntento tayo sa mga bagay na mayroon tayo. Believe me, you are a masterpiece! You are fearfully and wonderfully made! We are created by God's image and we are very good! Hindi ka panget, judgemental lang sila!

YOU ARE DIFFERENT AND GOOD IN YOUR OWN WAY

     'Wag na nating icompare yung sarili natin sa iba. Dahil in the first place, iba tayo sa kanila! We are good in our own way. Iwasan na nating tumingin sa itsura ng iba lalo na kung puro insecurities lang ang dulot nito sa'tin! Maganda ka. Pogi ka. Pango, matangos, maitim, maputi, iisa lang sinasabi niyan, maganda at pogi ka! 

YOU ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE

     Never mo ring hayaan na negativity ang laging sasalubong sa'yo kada umaga. Remember this, lagi kang may choices kada araw. And your choice matters. And here are the choices: 

First choice- maging positive throughout the day, look at the positive side and ignore the things that will make your day bad. 

Second choice- choose to see and let the negative side drive and control your day. 

     And I suggest na always choose the first choice! Do not let the evil ruin your day. Ikaw ang dapat magdedecide kung ano ang gusto mong maging takbo ng araw mo. Always look at the brighter side!

CHEER YOURSELF UP!

     Hindi masamang purihin ang sarili! Puro negative na nga ang mundo di'ba? Sa balita pa lang puro patayan at drugs na ang kinakalat. Magiging nega ka pa ba? 'Wag na! Try mo minsan 'to and it really works. Harap ka sa salamin and appreciate your appearance. Sabihin mo na ang ganda, pogi o cute mo! Build your confidence! Pakapalan na 'to, char hahaha! It really works, trust me. Praise yourselves cause you really deserve it. BUT BUT BUT, 'wag mo gawin yan kapag may kasama ka. Mamaya ano pang sabihin sayo, kasalanan ko pa. Hahaha!

DO EVERYTHING THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY AND CONFIDENT

     In this blog, hindi ko naman sinasabi na maging kuntento ka nalang sa mga bagay na mayroon ka na magiging dahilan ng mediocrity. Hindi ko rin pinaparating na 'wag ka na mangarap para sa sarili mo at gawing rason nalang ang pagiging kuntento para hindi magsikap na mas maging better person. We must always have a room for improvements. When right time comes, kapag mayroon ka ng enough resources, it is okay to enhance and improve yourself. Mag-gym ka, make-up, magpa-derma or magpa-retoke. But not to the point na naaadik ka na sa pagbabago ng itsura mo na magiging dahilan ng pagbabago ng behavior mo and also discontentment sa mga bagay na mayroon ka tulad na lang ng mga nafi-feature sa #KMJS. 

     All in all, isa lang naman ang gusto kong iparating sa'yo. You are beautiful and a masterpiece. You deserve to be loved as what and who you are and you should love yourself first before anyone else dahil mas kamahal-mahal at kahanga-hanga yung mga taong minamahal yung sarili nila! 

     

     And kapag dumating na yung panahong na-practice mo na yung steps na nakalagay dito, isang malaking CONGRATULATIONS!, dahil may self-love ka na! I'm sure na sa panahong yon, masaya ka na sa buhay na mayroon ka and isa ka na sa mga magpapakalat ng happiness and love. And also, for sure, there will be a possibility na isa ka na sa mga mag-iinspire sa mga tao to love themselves no matter what!

     I hope na nakatulong ako sa'yo. And thank you for reading! Please share naman po sa mga friends mo lalo na sa mga taong sa tingin mo kulang sa self-love. Hehe. Spread love! ❤

     (Credits to the owners of photos I used.)

-Christian James Tiamzon

BAKIT PUP

"Pila Ulit Pila"

"Madumi jan!"

"Mga aktibista!"

"Mga gutom tao jan, mahihirap."

"Marami pa po bang sluts sa PUP?"

"Paano po pag mainit, anong gagawin?"

     Kung junior  or senior high ka na nagcoconsider ng PUP as one of the Universities na gusto at magandang pasukin, well, para sa'yo 'tong blog na 'to!

     So to start this blog, gusto ko munang ipakilala sa'yo ang PUP in a negative way BUT I'm assuring you na at the end this blog, may matututunan ka at masasagot yung mga tanong mo. 

#1 MALAYO ANG PUP 

     'Di ko alam kung kailangan pa ba iexplain para malaman niyong malayo siya. Pero malayo talaga  lalo na kung hindi ka taga Manila. At dahil malayo siya, surely may mga adjustments na mangyayari sa lifestyle mo. For example, kung walking distance lang school mo noon, pwes, hindi na ngayon lol, kung 30 mins lang ang byahe mo nung junior ka, pwede siyang maging 2-4 hrs lalo na kung saang lupalop ka pa manggagaling. Second, kung hindi ka willing bumyahe ng ilang oras para magparticipate sa mga thesis or group activities, sinasabi ko sa'yo, jan ka na magsenior at magcollege sa city niyo! Kasi based on my experiences, may mga time na hindi lang sa PUP ang venue ng groupings. There was a time na kinailangan namin pumunta sa mga available na bahay ng classmate namin para magawa ng maayos ang task namin especially thesis. So yes, nakarating ako ng iba't-ibang siyudad like Malabon, Pasig, Manila, QC at iba pa (yung iba mas malayo pa narating). Malaki-laki din pamasahe, kung 'di kaya ng budget, I suggest na 'wag ka na lumayo ng university.

#2 HINDI GANOON KARAMI AT KAGANDA ANG FACILITIES NG PUP

     I hope na walang maoffend but this is the truth. Ang room namin ay half lang ng room namin noong JHS. Here in PUP, 2 electric fans lang ang meron and may isang outlet lang and nakakalungkot kasi yung ibang room wala pa. Madalas din magkulang ang mga upuan namin. Kaya nakakastress lalo na kapag exam, yung tipong late ka na tapos wala ka pang upuan. And sa west wing naman (kung nasaan room ko), isa rin sa mga pinoproblema namin is yung amoy ng ilog pasig, yes may ilog and mabaho siya lalo na kapag umuulan. Sa CR naman, I think okay naman siya since may tubig, faucets, cubicles with doors and yung iba may flush  pero mabaho siya which is kasalanan naman na ng mga students kasi sabi ko nga may tubig naman (kaso minsan walang timba at tabo lol). Kapag sobrang lakas naman ng ulan, bumabaha kahit nasa taas ka. So kung maarte kang tao, ayaw ng mainit, mabaho at binabaha, hindi ka po para dito.

#3 HINDI LAHAT NG PROF PUMAPASOK AND NAGTUTURO

     Sana lang walang prof na bumasa, char! HAHA. Actually, narinig ko lang 'to sa principal namin nung orientation. Pero naexperience namin 'to sa isang subject due to her sickness kaya mejo okay lang sa'min kasi may reason naman siya. Pero ang common talaga na problema sa section namin is ang tagal magkaroon ng Prof. Sinasabi rin ng ibang college na may mga Profs daw na sa first day at exam day lang nagpapakita. So wala na kong ibang sasabihin masyado about sa kanila kasi I think na I do not have a right since hindi naman lahat ng Prof sa PUP ay naencounter ko na pero ang alam ko lang is mahirap sila magpaexam. Naranasan namin na hinati yung class namin into 2 tapos magkaibang oras kami nag-exam para walang cheating (25 persons muna then after nila, yung other 25 naman and sobrang layo ng isang tao sa katabi niya.) 

     Ngayong alam mo na yung mga bagay na negative about sa PUP, siguro may mga tanong na nabuo sa isip mo like, "Kung gan'on ka-worse ang PUP, bakit pinili pa rin nila na doon mag-aral?" Pero, don't worry dahil sasagutin natin yan ngayon!

#1 MALAYO ANG PUP

     Yes, malayo ang PUP! Pero pinili pa rin namin siya kasi nakikita namin na dito kami mag-gogrow bilang isang tao at estudyante. Dahil sa location niya, natuto kaming mag-adjust ng oras para sa pag-aaral. Napractice namin ang pagiging maagap at pagmamanage ng oras. Pag dito ka, hindi na pwede yung mga "mamaya nalang" or "maaga pa naman" dahil dito mo talaga masasabi na Time is Gold, mabibigyang halaga mo na talaga dito yung 15 or 30 minutes na dating wala lang sa'yo. Personally, dito ko rin nakita kung gaano ako ka-blessed bilang isang tao dahil macocompare mo yung sarili mo sa iba. Sa PUP matututo kang makisama sa iba't-ibang tao, may mga taga-maynila at meron ding mga taga-province and sobrang daming klase ng tao yung makakasama mo dito. And kung malandi at maharot ka, chance mo na 'to. Char 😂. Dahil malayo siya, ma-eencounter mo yung mga magaganda at gwapo sa paningin mo from different universities such as FEU, UE, CEU at iba pa. Minsan makakasabay mo nalang sila bigla sa jeep, bus, PNR o kaya naman sa LRT o MRT. About groupings, dahil layo-layo kayo ng bahay, maeexperience mong pumunta sa iba't-ibang lugar. Perfect sa mga mahilig sa roadtrip and adventure. Madami kang maratating! Plus, level-up na rin ang baon kapag dito ka nag-aral. PERO huwag kang mag-aral dahil sa baon, 'wag mang-gulang sa parents, bad yon.

#2 HINDI GAN'ON KARAMI AT KAGANDA ANG FACILITIES SA PUP

     Yesss! Hindi gan'on karami at kaganda PERO dahil dito, natuto kaming alisin yung mga kaartehan namin sa buhay. Natuto kaming makisama at makibagay. Dahil sa mga gan'ong situations, nakabuo kami ng isang pangarap na, "Ay! Kapag ako nakatapos at nagkaroon ng magandang trabaho, ipapa-airconditon ko pati banyo namin sa bahay!" HAHA! Pero totoo yan, 'wag kayo jan. Kahit na mabaho, mainit o madumi man, natuto kaming tumingin sa mga magagandang bagay kahit hindi gan'on kaganda ang karanasan sa buhay or in other words natuto kaming tumingin at piliin ang positive side kaysa maging nega.

     Dahil yun naman ang importante, di'ba? Ang matuto at isantabi ang mga bagay at kaisipan na hindi naman importante though it affects you as a student. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE, may pool and malaking gym at courts dito! Hindi niyo na kailangan pumunta sa sports complex para lang sa PE Class hindi gaya ng ibang school.

#3 HINDI LAHAT NG PROF NAGTUTURO AT PUMAPASOK

     YES ! YES! YES! Hindi ko nilalahat pero minsan totoo siya. BUT BUT BUT, dito kami nasubok at naging better bilang isang estudyante. Sabi nga ng isa naming prof, "Instructor niyo lang kami, ibibigay lang namin yung mga dapat niyong gawin. Kayo pa rin ang mag-aaral para matuto through self-study". At dahil hindi naman lahat ng Prof ay pumapasok, naeencourage kami na mag-aral ng sarili lang namin. Oo, mahirap pero nakakaproud kasi natuto ka by your own effort. Masaya yung makasagot sa recitations at exams lalo na kapag nag-eeffort kang matuto. About sa exam naman, yung layo-layo and by batch, mahigpit ang dating pero malaki ang tulong sa mga estudyante. Bakit? Kasi natuto kaming maging independent! Dahil sa gan'ong sitwasyon, natuto kaming mag-aral at magreview ng matino before the exam at natuto kaming hindi dumepende sa mga kaibigan namin na nagiging ugat ng katamaran. Mukha lang mahirap pero madali lang siya lalo na kapag confident ka kasi nag-aral ka. Masaya mag-exam kapag prepared! Kaya dapat mag-aral ng maayos kasi sinasabi ko sayo, marereward ka sa pag-gawa ng tama someday at nakakaproud magpasaya ng magulang dahil masasabi mo na hindi sayang yung pagpapagod nila, mapag-aral ka lang! 

#4 QUALITY EDUCATION

     Huwag niyo mamaliitin ang mga propesor dito! Kasi kapag nagturo na yan, boom! Ma-aamaze ka! Ang gagaling nila! Plus hindi ka lang matututo sa mga sinasabi nila kundi, matututo ka rin sa mga karanasan mo sa PUP like Discipline at Manners. Masaya dito! Daming activities!

#5 MURA BILIHIN

     Yup! MURA!!! Akalain mo sa 20 pesos may kanin at ulam ka na?! Plus, masarap mga pagkain dito and ang daming stores! Ang daming pagpipilian! May mga tables din na pwede mong pag-kainan. Mababait din mga vendors dito, nagkaroon nga kami ng instant tatay e HAHA! And kung sosyal ka, do not worry kasi may mga milktea shops dito and the likes! I ❤ Milktea!!! 😍 Ehem! Namention kita, baka naman! Char 😂 "Lagoon" yung tawag namin doon sa pinagbibilihan namin ng foods kasi may lagoon siya (wow makes sense HAHA). Para siyang malaking sports complex or oval (may wall), then almost all sides are occupied ng mga stores, yung center is filled by benches and trees.

#6 MARAMING ORRANIZATIONS AND CLUBS

     Masaya dito kasi maraming clubs and orgs na mag-aalaga sayo! Dahil naiba na yung sched and routines mo, for sure may mga commitments ka dati na hindi mo na pwedeng magawa like church ministries and minsan hindi ka na rin makakaattend sa mga church activities or fellowships niyo na tumutulong para mag-grow yung faith mo. PERO do not worry dahil maraming makakatulong sayo dito para mag-grow yung faith mo kay God! And hindi lang yun! May mga orgs din dito na tumutulong sa mga students sa mga subjects na nahihirapan sila. Isa sa mga napakagandang Orgs na dapat mong pasukan dito is PUP YROCK! Nako! Sinasabi ko sayo, ang laki ng natulong nila sa'min bilang mga estudyante. But but but, be careful sa mga orgs na papasukin niyo. 'Wag basta-basta and 'wag go with the flow! 😊

     So ayun, maraming dahilan kung bakit hindi mo siya dapat piliin pero napakarami rin namang dahilan bakit mo siya dapat piliin kung titignan mo lang! Kung hindi ka open-minded for sure walang effect sa'yo 'to and dapat una pa lang 'di mo na binasa. Char! 😂

     Nasa iyo pa rin naman yan kung paniniwalaan mo yung mga nakalagay dito. It is still your choice kung icoconsider mo ang PUP as one of the universities na gusto mong pasukan. I just did my part as its student na ipakilala ang napakagandang university na pinapasukan ko. 

     Polytechnic University of the Philippines is not a perfect university. Pero nagpoproduce lang naman siya ng mga magagaling na mga estudyante. Mas tinatanggap lang naman ng mga Companies ang graduates dito. (Opx, hindi ko sinasabing hindi tinatanggap ng mga companies ang mga students from other universities, bawal 3guard) Kung mag-aral ka man dito or hindi, just do your best as a student. Believe me, nasa iyo pa rin yan kung paano ka magiging successful in the future!

     I hope na natulungan kita at nasagot yung mga tanong mo about PUP. If it did, please share naman para sa iba! You can subscribe and comment na rin, salamat! ❤

(Credits to the owners of the photos I used. I got them from Facebook, Twitter and Google).

-Christian James Tiamzon

GOALS

     Goal. Noon ito yung palaging tinatanong sa atin nung mga bata pa tayo. Minsan sinagot mo na rin na gusto mong maging doctor, nurse, teacher, police at iba pang mga common jobs na alam ng mga bata. Pero ano nga ba ang Goal? Ano ang mga dapat mong gawin to reach it? 

     Goal is something that you are trying to achive ayon kay Merriam. Pero in this blog, I want you to know deeper about goal. Gusto ko ishare at ipaalam na goal affects your life and it requires you to work harder in order for you to achieve it. 

     Pero before we discuss on how to achieve it, gustong kong pag-isipan mo maiigi bakit ka dapat magkaroon ng goal and para kanino?

     May goal tayong mga Pilipino unang-una para sa pamilya. Malamang gusto nating mabigyang ng magandang buhay si Mama, Papa o Mommy, Daddy. Second, siguro gusto rin nating magkaroon ng nice and bright future for ourselves, yung tila money is not an issue anymore plus yung kaya na rin nating bumili at magkaroon ng sariling bahay, kotse atbp. Im sure na there are so many reasons bakit natin kailangang magkaroon ng "goal". I want to inform you na importanteng malaman mo yung mga rason bakit ka nangangarap. YES, IMPORTANT SIYA. 

     Let's talk about achieving goal. Gaya ng sinabi ko, goal affects your life. If you want to achieve it, baka kailangan mong mag-effort para dito. You have to make sacrifices for you to achieve it. Alisin mo na sa sarili mo yung mga bagay na hindi naman maganda at hindi naman makakatulong sa iyo sa pag-abot ng mga pangarap mo tulad ng redundant bad vices, pagiging tamad at circle of friends na hindi naman makakatulong sayo. Kung puro kalokohan lang naman yung squad mo, iwan mo na kaya? Do not forget na pwede kang mahawa o maimpluwensyahan ng mga ganyang klase ng tao lalo na kung kasama mo sila lagi. Kaya be careful, friend. 

     Goal requires us to work harder. Level up! Grow up! Kung pokemon ka, mag evolve ka naman! Baka it is time for you to change for the better. Improve yourself cause I know that you can do better. Magsipag ka sa pag-aaral mo or sa trabaho mo (kung worker ka na). Iwasan mo na magpuyat para sa fb, twitter, ig atbp. This time try mo namang magpuyat para sa mga paperwork and schoolwork mo. Pero I think 'di ka naman siguro aabot sa pagpupuyat kung kaya mo imanage ng maayos time mo. Ting! Manage your time, friend! :)

     Pero in this blog, gusto ko rin malaman mo na hindi lahat ng goal sa buhay ay naaachieve. :) Pero do not be discouraged and do not lose hope. Minsan may mga bagay na mangyayari para hindi mo maachieve yung goals mo. Pero i want you to know that there is what we call "God's plan". Our heart is full of plans but God's plan will always prevail. And his plans are better than ours. So cheer up! Always ask his will sa bawat plano mo sa buhay. Always ask for his guidance for you to achieve it. 

     And when time comes na pinanghihinaan ka na, yung tipong nagtatanong ka na kung tutuloy ka pa ba sa pag-aaral kasi pagod na pagod ka na, kung lalaban ka pa ba, isipin mo yung rason bakit ka nagsisipag, nagtitiyaga at lumalaban. Think of your family, think of yourself. Hindi ka aabot sa ganyang level kung walang saysay at silbi yung goals mo. That is why it is important na alamin mo yung mga dahilan bakit ka may goal. Kasi they will serve as your inspiration to move forward and to reach your goals. Tignan mo nalang mga artista! Halos lahat yan nakaranas ng rejection, pero nasaan sila ngayon? Tinatamasa na nila yung pangarap nila. You know why? Kasi hindi sila sumuko. Ganun ka rin sana. Okay lang mapagod, pero wag mong balakin at wag na wag mong gagawing sumuko. Never give up on your dreams and goals!

     And most importantly, have faith in God. We do not know what is in store for us but God is there, trust him. Wala naman siyang anak na pinabayaan di'ba? :) Lagi mo lang iconsult sa kanya yung goals mo para more chances of winning. Always remember na hindi mo lang 'to laban. Laban niyo ni God 'to. Always ask him for help and syempre tulungan mo rin sarili mo, tulungan kayo, ganun. :) And i believe na you will be rewarded for doing what you love, pero always be humble ha! 

     I hope that this blog helped you. If it did, please do share naman para mainspire yung iba! Have a nice day! Thank you for reading!

-Christian James Tiamzon

Reflection Paper: Global Woman

"No love in this world is greater than a Mother's love."

     I saw a picture also known as "meme" on my facebook's newsfeed that melted my heart. The meme depicts a mother in a hospital's bed, who has a dextrose pierced on her hand,  covering her cold son with a blanket which was purposely placed for a patient like her. But her love for her son is greater than her love for herself so she intentionally and willingly covered her son with a blanket without thinking about how would she be. 

     Women are strong and brave persons. They are willing to do things that would hurt them just to give their love ones a better life while giving theirselves to others. But that does not mean that they want it. Women especially mothers who want to give their family a luxurious life have no other choice but to take the risk and deal with the danger that may come in their journey of achieving that dream. They are willing to take the sadness just to give their children happiness, but, are their children really happy?

     I am a son of an OFW. I sometimes think that this world is unfair. And yes, the world is unfair! I always envy those kids who are with their parents eating and playing together. Others can live well with their family completely, but how about my family? My father has to go abroad just to make a living for our family unwillingly exchanging our special moments together. What makes me mad is that the idea of not living together in order for our family to live well and also about the government which tolerates this kind of thing - immigration. 

     FILIPINOS ARE FOR THE PHILIPPINES. Filipinos should work on his country and not to others. The government should do something to fix its country, to fix the root of all the rising crisis which is poverty. The government should not let its people feel like it is an honor and pleasure to work in other countries. It should not abuse the desire of every Filipino men and women of giving their family a better life instead, the government should help and take the responsibility of giving the nation's people the best life. 

     It is also ironic how rich countries depend on poorer ones. It is funny that they have what they want, money and power yet they do not have the precious emotional and sexual resources such as love, care and even sex! Maybe the world is being fair in this matter? But no, it is still unfair. They, too, should suffer from the consequences of their actions but they do not. They may be lacking of sexual resources but they can have it in an instant through money. They are using poor countries to satisfy their needs as a person.

     Statistics in these poor countries should work better than before. They should also study the numbers of illegal migrants because they are also one of the authorities who would help those illegal migrants that are suffering under human trafficking. They should collaborate with the government in preventing crimes such as prostitution and enslavement. 

     How lucky and blessed those children in rich countries are. They can have mothers as many as they want by paying money in return! They could have love and they are really loved by the women who are longing for the love of their children. In reverse, I pity those who were left out. They receive money but they are losing precious and treasurable moments with their love ones. 

     The text also reveals one of the factors why women on poorer countries migrate to rich ones. It is about one of the family problems worldwide. It is about men who left their wives without supporting them in raising their own child. As the text stated, it is sad that they use immigration as divorce. Women who were left by their husbands seems like they were forced by the situation to leave their family in their country and work abroad to earn enough money to support their children.

     In conclusion, women are victims of poverty, lack of responsibility of men (who left them without any help) and the sick system of every countries' government. Filipino undergraduates should have a nice work and enough salary here in their own country to support their family's needs and even wants. So that they will have no thought of leaving their country for them to earn much more money. The government should also make a policy about the separation of couples that states their responsibility so that men and women will have an equal contribution, rights and benefits for their children. And above all else, the government with its people should defeat poverty that is root of every crime and evil.

Poverty at Work: Office Employment and the Crack Alternative (Reflection)

     Kung tatanungin ako kung bakit ako ay nag-aaral, malamang ay isasagot ko na ako ay nag-aaral upang magkaroon ng magandang trabaho, buhay at upang makakuha ang respeto mula sa sarili pati na rin sa ibang tao. Maisasagot ko ito marahil nakatanim na sa isipan ng bawat tao na ang edukasyon ang susi sa pagkakaroon ng magandang buhay at sa pagkakaroon din ng respeto na magmumula sa ibang tao. Marahil siguro ito ang dahilan kung bakit maraming tao na hindi nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang nahihiya at natatakot na aminin o sabihin ang mga katagang, "Elementary Graduate lang ako", "Hindi ko natapos ang highschool e" at "Hindi ako nakatapagtapos ng kolehiyo" dahil alam nila mismo na ang kawalan ng edukasyon ay kawalan na rin ng pagkakaroon ng marangal at legal na trabaho, kawalan ng dignidad at kawalan ng respetong maibibigay lamang sayo ng mga tao kapag natapos mo na ang iyong pag-aaral. 

     Nais kong sabihin sa mga taong hindi nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral na, "Okey lang yan! Hindi edukasyon ang bubuo sa pagkatao mo. Na hindi kailangan ang edukasyon upang makakuha ng respeto. Na kailangan lang natin ng sipag at tiyaga para magkaroon ng magandang trabaho" pero, sino ako? Anong karapatan kong magsalita kung hindi ko naman alam at hindi ko naramdaman ang mga dinaranas nila sa napakadayang mundo. Sa madaling salita, huwag akong bida-bida. Dahil kung magsasalita ako tungkol sa kanila, hindi kaya magkaroon ng hindi patas na paghusga?

     Halo-halong emosyon ang naramdaman ko habang at matapos basahin ang tekstong ibinigay sa amin na pinamagatang, "Poverty at Work: Office Employment and the Crack Alternative" na isinulat ni Ginoong Philippe Bourgois na naglalaman ng mga karanasan at hindi pantay na pagtrato sa mga taong hindi nakatapos ng pag-aaral. Pinagsamang galit at lungkot ang naramdaman ko matapos madiskubre ang mga pinagdaanan ng iba't-ibang tauhan sa teksto tulad ng hindi pagkakaroon ng magandang trabaho, at kung magkaroon man ay hindi nakakatanggap ng maayos na pagtrato. 

     Masayang isipin na maraming tao -nakatapos man o hindi- ang naghahangad ng marangal at maayos na trabaho upang magbigay ng sapat na suporta para sa kanilang pamilya. Ngunit nakalulungkot na tila edukasyon at kulay ng balat ang humahadlang sa iba't-ibang tao upang magkaroon ng maayos at disenteng buhay. Masakit na para bang edukasyon at anyo ang bumubuo at nagiging basehan ng mga tao kung ikaw ay dapat bang igalang o irespeto bilang tao. Kung sa tutuusin, hindi naman nakapagpaiba, nakapagpaangat, at naging basehan ang pagkakaroon ng makinis, mala-perlas na kutis at  magandang mukha upang manghusga, yumurak at umalipusta sa mga taong nagtataglay ng kakaibang anyo na tila malaking kaibahan para sa ibang tao. 

     Nakakainis na isipin na tila hindi tinatanggap at walang balak tanggapin ng mga publiko, pribadong opisina, gobyerno at maging ang lipunang ginagalawan ng mga taong hindi nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral at nagtataglay ng ibang anyo. Hindi ba dapat na gobyerno ang unang tumanggap, magmahal at umunawa sa mga taong ito? Ngunit bakit tila wala silang ginagawang paraan upang mabigyan at maibigay ang nararapat sa kanilang marangal at disenteng trabaho? Hindi dapat nila hinahayaang magsimula ang galit sa puso ng mga taong ito. Dahil ang galit na ito ay magdudulot ng malaking pinsala sa lipunan tulad ng naramdaman at naranasan ng isa sa mga tauhan sa teksto. 

     Gaya ng sinabi ng aming pastor noong ako ay dumalo sa isang summer camp, "Money is the root of all evil especially when you lack of it and when you have too much of it". Marahil iyan ang rason bakit kinailangan ng mga tauhan sa teksto na kumapit sa isang bagay na tila yumayakap at handa silang tanggapin ano man ang estado nila sa buhay - ang pagkapit sa patalim, pagbebenta ng droga. 

     Siguro ay nasasagot na ang nagingibabaw na tanong sa isipan ng bawat tao na, bakit kaya may mga taong "tatamad-tamad" na nagtatrabaho sa mga ilegal na gawain? Baka kasi hindi sila tanggap sa mga ligal na trabaho? O baka naman hindi sila tinatrato bilang isang tao sa bawat legal na trabaho na kanilang napapasukan? Isa lang ang sinasabi dito. May dahilan kung bakit pumapasok ang ibang tao sa ganitong klaseng trabaho.

     Do not judge a book by its cover. Huwag tayong basta-bastang huhusga sa mga desisyon ng ibang tao. Una, dahil wala tayo sa posisyon at hindi natin alam ang dinanas ng mga taong ito. Pangalawa, hindi sapat na gamitin natin ang katotohanang nasa ilegal silang trabaho upang sabihin at husgahan silang masamang tao dahil ang totoo ay minsan din silang nangarap na magkaroon ng maayos at disenteng buhay at trabaho. Ikatlo, sila ay biktima rin lamang ng bulok na sistema ng mundo. 

     Kaya kung tayo ay may malawak na pang-unawa, nakatapos man o hindi, huwag na tayong dumagdag pa sa mga taong ang alam lamang ay ang paghusga nang hindi inaalam ang mga dahilan, karanasan at pinanggagalingan ng mga taong kakaiba para sa atin. Sama-sama nating buuin ang ideyang hindi natin kailangang gamitin ang edukasyon bilang panukat ng pagkatao. Dahil wala naman tayong dapat gamiting batayan bago rumespeto. Hindi natin kailangang baguhin ang sariling anyo para mahalin at irespeto tayo ng mga tao dahil nararapat iyon sa atin ano man ang estado natin sa buhay. Kaya alisin na natin ang takot na baka hindi tayo gustuhin, mahalin at igalang ng mga tao sa kung ano ang mga katangian natin dahil ika nga nila "We are born to be real and not to be perfect" at "Just be yourself".

Death Without Weeping Reflection

"A Mother is the one who is still there when everyone else has deserted you"

-Author Anonymous

     As a child of a Mother who was raised up properly with love and care generally believed that all mothers in the world is the same - that all of them would do their best just to give their children a better life and also a life. I thought that all of them would believe in their own children, who they carried for nine months, that they are worth having, worth living and are deserving to live their lives. I thought that all mothers would treasure their children as they are sent by God. But, I was wrong. I am wrong because I did not consider the other mothers' culture, government, churches and state of life. 

     It is sad to know that mothers indifferent infant deaths as others do. But what could they do? It seems like they were just victims of an unhealthy government and churches which did nothing but abuse the people's lack of education and knowledge. 

     It was a lost opportunity for those mothers who did not love their children as they were blinded by the idea that infants are whether  survivors or not which I think wrong because mothers should love their children no matter how strong, weak , white, black, their children are. All children deserve to be love as what the movie "Every Child is Special" tells that we should love every child no matter how normal he or she is. 

     It is sad that the church did not do its responsibilities to think that churches are the one who are easy to approach as they are known as people's hope. From the text I have read, I can say that churches nowadays should have learned their lessons and they should do what they did not do in the past. The priests should not made any beliefs that lead the Mothers face deaths without showing any emotions as they were thinking of beliefs that were not true at all. 

     And to the Government and Offices, they must not indifferent infants deaths because they were given power for them to use it for their nation's people. They should be strict and value each child when it comes to life and death. To make is simple, the Government MUST prevent and solve the major crisis than just resolving the floating interest or effects of that major crisis as what the mayor did. He was just giving vouchers for free coffins instead of preventing infant deaths. 

     And to the Doctors, they should have told the patient's mother what the real situation was. And they should give the proper treatment to the children they checked. They should not abused the lack of knowledge and education of those mothers because they were educated in order for them to inform and educate the educated and uneducated mothers when it comes to health concerns. 

     All mothers are the same but they are all in a different situations. All of them will be affected in what changes may occur in their lives. All of us should be careful of what we do as we affect each other's companies. 

     Mothers are mothers. We should not take their motherhood from them. Let them love their children no matter what state of life they are currently in. Let us not fill their minds beliefs that is not true but the idea of believing that their child is worth it, worth having and worth living. 

     BUT, let us not forget our missions and responsibilities to all the mothers out there because mothers also deserve to be loved and cared. It is not easy for mothers to carry a child for nine months and deliver so let us pay back to their sacrifices with gratitude because if they did not exist, there will never be an "us".

Reflection Paper: Taraka's Ghost

"A true intention of belief does not need to be spoken. It is revealed through one's action."

-Owm'r

     What we have in mind, heart and soul manifests in our lives. It reflects in our actions that tell others what we are as a person. If we have anger in our hearts, our actions would be the outcome of it, same as other emotions that we may have. Just like of mentioned emotions, what we believe in life guides us always whether we are facing hardships or not. And that we are made by our beliefs. These words were established on my mind after reading the text given to our class entitled "Taraka's Ghost" by Stanley A. Freed and Ruth S. Freed. 

     In the beginning of the text, one thing was answered, and it is that possession occurs not by chance but by the current state, stressors and emotion of a person that triggers ghosts to enter a weak body. Possession is not a simple problem that can be cured by the doings of exorcists. And it is also not easy for those people who we think who have a special ability to cure this kind of thing. 

     The text also tells different beliefs of people in the past including the Gods. But what caught my attention was when the word "karma" was mentioned in the text which I, as a Christian, do not believe. For me, things happen because of our actions in the past. It is just a consequences or it is just an outcome of what we did. Nothing happens by chance, every action has a reaction and we also reap what we have sown. 

     What I realized is that things we believe in life reduces the occurences of stress. Like what happened to Sita, her anxiety was reduced as she was given amulets and believed in it. People today are just like her. We believe in the bible, cross, rosary and any other things as our protection from harm such as evil spirits.

     But the crucial message the text is trying to tell us is that we should not be blinded by our beliefs or religion, to be specific. We should also consider scientific facts and methods including medical concerns. Just like Sita who thought of her medical condition. We should be curious and have the attitude of knowing different things to gain knowledge because what we believe has an impact and effect in our life.