INFORMAL THEM 6, BLOG 6

Poinsettia

            In every year, it signifies the start and end of the Christmas season. It blushes as red as a red rose can be. A flower which might also signifies the true personality of a person – the poinsettia.

            The poinsettia’s leaves changes its color into red during the start of the Christmas season as a person’s mood and attitude change as well. It is the time of the year in which people became busier, more problematic and spendthrifts. Despite of these, some still wears their smiles no matter what happens. Smiles that encourages others to wear theirs as well. In due turn, everybody will leave their mischief’s behind and replace it with fortune as the poinsettia leaves its green pigment and replace it with a cheerful red.

            People usually became problematic during the Christmas season mainly because of the intense budget they need. For the Noche Buena, godsons, gifts and other expenses they need to comply with. But for the others, the season is an opportunity to help people and thank the Lord. Thanking our dear Lord in such a way by just complying with the night mass and praying daily. Others would spend their vacation as a time to share their fortune for the year to others especially to the charities and foundations.

            Some says that during the season, it is better to give than to receive just like the poinsettia, it gives us happiness as it turns red without any in return. But then, why do some people hide during the Christmas day? It is not proper to turn our backs from our godsons during Christmas. We may face them with our smiles and give even a little amount to them just to make them happy.

            In the season, it is better to share to others; because sharing is essential to our life. If someone shares, someone receives. Sharing purifies our hearts, it makes us feel good and blessed. Let us remember that Christmas is the time of the year to be happy, to appreciate and to love others. We should not be expecting something from others yet we should share things to them. 

INFORMAL THEME 5, BLOG 5

WONDERS OF NATURE: A MISSION TO FULFILL

                One of the remarkable wonders of the world are the big cats that roars through Asia. The big cats which outshines the stunning peaks of the Mt. Everest, and the brightest stars from above. Their eyes sparkle like diamonds, their coats was detailed with a distinct pattern as if it was made by a traditional Japanese painter while their roars seem like the hum of a songbird. These wonders are none other than the Bengal tigers and the snow leopards. Wonders which might vanish as fast as we blink.

                Legend says, snow leopards once roam the mountains of Asia. These leopards are grayish white in color, with black spots as their fellow leopards and eyes with a blue crystalline color. These cats are the most beautiful of their kind. They were one of a kind – they’re like the face of heaven which descended to land. But then, sad to say their number descended from abundance to near extinction. It was due to excessive hunting for their wonderful fur.

               

                Despite of their other extinct relatives – Caspian, Java and Bali Tigers – Bengal tigers still roams the mountains of Asia. These tigers come in two variations – Typically colored and the white colored. These variations that in no time without proper caring might as well vanish from the wild. Like the snow leopards, these tigers are also endangered. With the same reasons as the leopards plus the deterioration of the forest, Bengal tigers population fell from 10 000 to 3 000 in captivity.

                We have our own mission in the world. Like us these cats have their own mission – to balance the ecosystem and to make us happy. But without them in the wild, who will fulfill their mission? We humans? We don’t have the ability to do so, each of us have a chance that was given to us by God; Is it right to be selfish enough and take that opportunity from these cats? So, as early as we can let us save these wonders for their safety, our benefit and the futures wonder.

INFORMAL THEME 4, BLOG 4

IMPACT OF THE DIVINE COMEDY

                

               The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri was stunningly wonderful. Despite of the scary circles of hell, the confessional terraces of purgatory and the heavenly spheres of paradise, the Divine Comedy was indeed a masterpiece. As a student, indulging to this kind of literature is a pleasure. It is because this kind of piece makes you realize who you really are, what you are and what you’ll be.

                The first part of the Divine Comedy is the Inferno. Inferno is the journey of Dante himself and Virgil through hell. Here I fore saw the different sins and its corresponding punishments.  And I also found out that I almost belong to the Circle 4 – The Hoarders and Spendthrifts. From then on, I realized that buying excessive things especially those which aren’t needed might put you in a place wqhich you wouldn’t dreamt of.

                The following part is the land of forgiveness – The Purgatorio.  In the Purgatorio souls may attain forgiveness. In here you may gain hope of going to heaven. Despite of the forgiveness, souls which are trapped in here still have their punishments but less than that of hell. Souls which are forgiven go straight to heaven.

                The last part of the Divine Comedy is the Paradiso. The place wherein God is present. Everyone would like to go here including me. To be in the presence of God is my greatest wish. When you think of the place, you’ll feel the like you’re sins were all cleared; that your heart was touched by God with his grace.

                In an over all view, I was really touched by the Divine Comedy. For me the Divine Comedy serves as a guide for me. A guide for me to be a better person. It also serves as a warning for I was now curious with what I’m doing. After reading and taking in mind the story and message of the Divine Comedy, I myself changed my routine and attitude; I then followed the guide – The Divine Comedy – to be a better person, because there is nothing bad in trying for something.

               

INFORMAL THEME 2, BLOG 2

SEMESTRAL BREAK: A BREAK FOR RELIEF NOT FOR WORK

As all of us know, semestral break is the time within October and November in which we are free to bond together with our family – living or not. It is also the time wherein we commemorate with the dead by visiting their graves and offering prayers. Students usually likes this time for it is a week in which they can maximize their time to relax from the long work they have done after months. Each of us has our own ways to maximize a week or two of semestral break. Ways to be in glee not only for ourselves and everybody.

                Being a student, I myself induced in a week of semestral break. It was quite short for there are lots of assignments to be accomplished. But then it is a job well done! I started the week by doing my assignments which lasted for about four days. Included with the tasks that I need to accomplish was reading the first part of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, the Inferno. The book was excellent in which it narrates the travel of Dante and Virgil through hell.

                Since the semestral break was in between October and November, All Souls day and All Saints day is in the scope. Yearly, our family prepares food on the day of November first. It was like a small feast which was also considered as a family reunion. We also took time in buying candles and flowers which will be offered to the graves of our dead loved ones. We usually don’t stay up very long in the cemetery for our grandmother doesn’t like to. After the day of the Souls, All Saints Day was an important day for me, for it was my mother Birthday! Sadly, we haven’t enjoyed the day for there are classes. But then I greeted my mother just before I went to school.

                I need to maximize my time not only for myself but also for my family. If I have enough time, I can do more things for my family than I usually do. Having a break is not bad hence it can relief your stress and be relaxed. But, too much break will not be good for anybody. It is because anything which is excess is bad, everything should only be in the right time and the right amount.

INFORMAL THEME 3, BLOG 3

Scouting: a bridge to self development

Do a good turn daily, the indulging motto of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP). Meaning, we should do things at its fullest at this time not later or tomorrow. Having this in my mind, I together with my friends joined the Rover’s Vigil at Cavite National Science High School (CNSHS). Together with the theme “Rover Scouts: Creating Peace and Development” we became more delightful to join the said activity. Lots of things spread throughout our minds before the program started; that it will be a night full of thrill and excitement.

            There had been lots of activities. But at first, we had the lecture. The lecture was headed by lots of scout masters one was Scouter Ronaldo Mendoza, a former teacher in CNSHS. Some of the topics were about the characteristics of a scout, scout oath, scout law and the symbols that signify the patches. The lecture lasts for about 7 hours. 7 hours without sleep, just listening and understanding.

            After the very long lecture, at last! Activities! In our first activity we need to blind fold ourselves using a scarf. We are then guided by group and were brought to different parts of the schools one by one. After I removed my blindfold with the signal I was surprised because I was in front of the speech lab! One of the spookiest areas of the school. But then I saw a company nearby then I went there. We then filled up the paper given to us in which we need to write our good and bad traits.

            After it, we burned the paper with our bad traits and kept the paper with our good traits. It was then followed by a spiritual message that helps us realize the importance of our parents. After it we are honored as Rover Scouts. It was very happy because at last we were honored to wear our rover uniforms.

            Once a scout, always a scout a quote in which we carry after the event. In which we seeded in our minds forever.

            

INFORMAL THEME 1, BLOG 1

THE STORY BEHIND THE SCHOOL

            Our school was noted not only for its excellence but also for the stories behind it. Cavite National Science High School (CNSHS) started to acquire glory when it was built in 1981. But before it opened, since it’s in Maragondon which is one of the centers of fight in the late Spanish era, many people had died in the said city. And now, CNSHS was surrounded with mysteries and stories which reflects the past of the school and Maragondon.

            The first was the story in 3 – Nitrogen’s room. It was an ordinary day when they saw it. It was our Filipino class, a typical class in which there is the participation of the students to the class, seat works and quizzes; but that day was different. While we were having our seatwork my two classmates were unconscious; they aren’t comfortable with the surroundings. As students we often turn our backs too look when our adviser where there, I don’t know but it is within us to look if there’s someone at the teachers table. At my classmates surprise there’s a man at the back beside the steel cabinet at the teacher’s table! She was then shocked not knowing what to do. The man looks dull and from the old times. But then she just keep it within her. After the class she immediately told our teacher about it she was surprised when another classmate of mine saw him too! They were advised by our teacher to forget about it telling them that maybe he just wants to tell something.

            Another story was the lady in the Freshmen Building. She often shows up to my classmates, fearing them. This is one story of her…

            One afternoon after our classes, my classmates often wait for her boyfriend to fetch her in one of the stair case near the new 2 – Oxygen room. It was already late but her boyfriend hasn’t fetched her yet but still she waits for him until she fell asleep. When she woke up it was dark already. Being alone, she looks around if someone is there with her, but she was shocked when she saw a lady floating in front of the old 2 – Oxygen room! She doesn’t know what to do at that time but then she decided to go away from that place. There are rumors saying that a former student died in the lady’s restroom in that building in the reason that before she had a quarrel with her best friend and was never resolved causing her not to eat and resulting to her death. And now, some still see her and may her soul be with the glory of God.

            There are still lots of stories that surround the school, the walking priest in the stairs, the man in the speech lab and many more. But let us remember not to meddle with them because they have the world of their own. But why are they still here? It is because some souls are seeking for something or haven’t done something that they want to do when their still alive. We as the living needs to understand their objective, objective to fulfill their mission and not to scare the people.

            

INFORMAL THEME 8, BLOG 8

NEWS BRIEF:

NCCA hosts IP Month

          In order to recognize the invaluable contribution of traditional artists and cultural masters to traditional knowledge preservation and dissemination, the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) organized the celebration of the Indigenous People’s (IP) month, Clamp Shell I, Intramuros, Manila, Oct.

INFORMAL THEME 7, BLOG 7

Scientists unveils 200 new species of Flora and Fauna

            “There really are spectacular species still out there and there really is a potential for things to survive”, Steve Richards, lead researcher, concluded after unveiling 200 new species in Papua New Guinea at Sydney, Australia, Oct. 6.

            Among the 200 newly discovered species are a white – tailed mouse and a tiny, long snouted frog which was discovered 1 500 m above sea level. These are some of the highlights of the expedition.

            The said species was discovered by Richards and his team in the Rapid Assessment Program Biodiversity Survey held at Nakanai Mountains, Papua New Guinea, April 2009.

            “Papua New Guinea’s jungles are one of just three wild rainforest area, along with the Amazon and the Congo Basin left in the world with a vast “storehouse” of biodiversity, with scores of new species found by his Conservation International team.

            In addition, sample animals were taken out of a number of species including the mouse, and genetic testing had confirmed that it was not related to any known creature.

INFORMAL THEME 6, BLOG 6

 The Essence of a Nanny

                As most parents work hard for their families, they leave their children sheltered upon their nannies. These nannies take care of them until they grow up. They are there in their alaga’s successes and failures. In most cases, nannies serves as the children’s mother and the true mother serve as an income provider only. As a result, children love and trust their nannies more than their parents.

                Nannies are ladies who are paid for to look after children while their parents are at work. They know more than the parents of the children it is because they spend more time with the kids while as for the parents, they spend more time with their work. As parents, they should manage their time to be close with their children. It is not bad to get a nanny but make sure that your kids will not get away from you.

                Thank You dear nannies. Yes, you took care of kids and guide them, but you give the gap between them and their parents. The gap that can separate them forever. Nannies aren’t really necessary for a family, but sometimes we need them in our life, they need to guide us, but not to be our mothers. It is because no one can out compare our true mothers.

INFORMAL THEME 5, BLOG 5

My Dearest Mentors,

                In my first years of learning, you’ve guided me to the path of fulfillment. It may be a long way through, but you’re still there for me. For all the things that you have given me; especially the knowledge and experience, I thank you very much! Hope to be with you again.

                                                                                                                                                               -Stephen Abella

INFORMAL THEME 4, BLOG 4

“My Teacher, My Hero”

Crawling towards your knees

I learned the alphabet – A, B, C

And numbers I count by ones, twos or threes

I thank you my teacher as wide as the sea can be

Playing, talking and story telling

I enjoy thy times when I see

My teacher smile at me thy looking

I thank you my teacher as wide as the sea can be

Standing in front of you

As I recite thy poem in glee

Smiles surmount your face of blue

I thank you my teacher as wide as the sea can be

As I walk along the Ile

My dear hero I perceive

In pure delight and confidence she cry

Now I smile with honor I receive

A mentor is not only a mentor

But also a hero life

You can ask her for favor

As they work hard in strife

INFORMAL THEME 3, BLOG 3

Sonnet 42

‘My future will not copy fair my past’—
I wrote that once; and thinking at my side
My ministering life-angel justified
The word by his appealing look upcast
To the white throne of God, I turned at last,
And there, instead, saw thee, not unallied
To angels in thy soul! Then I, long tried
By natural ills, received the comfort fast,
While budding, at thy sight, my pilgrim’s staff
Gave out green leaves with morning dews impearled.
I seek no copy now of life’s first half:
Leave here the pages with long musing curled,
And write me new my future’s epigraph,
New angel mine, unhoped for in the world! 

  The sonnet 42 of Robert Browning was indeed romantic yet sad. As a reader, I can feel what the writer felt when he wrote the sonnet. In my own perception, Robert Browning misses Elizabeth. He said that the memories and his life when Elizabeth is still alive are incomparable with anything; thus it greatly affects his life after her death. That it was not the same when she is still alive with him. This means that their love for each other is endless as what is also expressed in Elizabeth Browning Sonnet 43.

INFORMAL THEME 2, BLOG 2

    Behind the Truth

Being Filipinos, we should exhibit our own mainly in our land but also around the world. But with regards to our language, nothings worth to be proud of. Why? It is because even if were stepping on the grounds of our home land we are foreign in our minds. Just by speaking in English we breached a campaign and followed a policy; breached the “Tangkilikin ang Sariling Atin” and followed the English Speaking Policy.

                The English Speaking Policy was said to enhance the skills of students in English. Enhancement in skills in English which leads to the deterioration in our skills in Filipino – which is our indigenous language.

                Yes, being able to speak in English is a benefit and most relatively important. It helps you to communicate to anyone and get a nice job.

                At this moment, as a student, we are obliged to speak in English in our school. It may be of help in English but not in Filipino. Let us admit it; we knew more words in English than in Filipino. English words that we seldom use daily than Filipino words which we should know. It is a result in speaking in English, that we further explore foreign vocabulary than our own.

INFORMAL THEME 1, BLOG 1

   Changes: A Voyage through Someone’s Personality

                Have you ever wondered why the moon has different phases or why there is variation in currency rates? It is all because it CHANGES. All things in the world are momentary; nothing or no one is enduring. So in a certain time, everything will change, and everything will vanish.

                Music, Fashion, Architecture and Technology, they all changes. Changes which might be of help or changes which might cause burden. Lots of things in the world change. But if they do, no matter what happen it will still end up with its fundamental form.

                First, music. From Frank Sinatra’s, Under My Skin and John Lennon’s, Imagine to Justin Bieber’s, Baby and  Lady Gaga’s, Telephone, we can say that time really altered it all. Music is a fleeting thing like us. So we should not be shocked when one time, Justin Bieber will have the revision of the Nobody of the Wonder Girls.

                Second, fashion. In our grand parents’ regime, clothes are so formal. Women wore long skirts while men with long sleeves. But now, an enormous adjustment for fashion occurred. Women nowadays wear miniskirts from long skirts and men with sando to nothing at all. What can we predict?

                Third, technology. It is a commodity which is essential for our daily living. It helps to make our lives easier. But due to the advancement in technology, teenagers who are so industrious before are as lazy as sloths hanging on the branches of Oak trees. Washing Machines, Microwaves and computers justifies the act.

                Lastly and the most important one, our personality. Don’t you remember the times when you’re saying “please”, “May I” and “Thank you” to elders for always? Now, how seldom are you saying those? For always? Sometimes? Or never? If you’ll say that it’s for always I might say “CONGRATULATIONS!”, because you are still you. But if never, I pity you, because you’ve changed for the worst and not for the best.

                You’re personality reflects you as a person. So changing it will change your name to others and may affect your dignity. Moreover, factors such as music, fashion and technology greatly affect as well.

                All things in the world have their end. But before they do, they’ll change. They will change for the best or for the worst.