Why am I Even-

So the new topic for our blog was something I didn't expect at all, but I wasn't surprised BUT I wasn't ready.

It was about the reason why I continue to study here.

Well, actually that was a pretty good question. Why do I even bother to continue studying in a school with too much requirements and projects and all these fancy rules about haircuts and makeup? Not that I really cared about my hair nor make-up (I'm actually pretty scared of make-up) but STILL. I could just, I don't know find another school here and there who don't even have classes on Friday. And here we are dumped in a sack full of assignments that you have to pass at the end of the day. I could just escape this school which brings more problems everyday, as if research study is not enough. Like seriously, why?

I can imagine it, the glory and beauty of freedom and happiness. I could just sign some papers and off I go to Wonderland, where I can be Valedictorian and have scholarship without doing research and a bunch of stuff I doubt we'll be using in our future jobs.

Why?

Maybe my subconscious screams that: You started it, you END it. Makes sense right? I chose this way of life, I must stand my ground, right? NO. I actually didn't know this school had research and Spanish and well a bunch of stuff I'm not gonna mention EXISTS in this school and maybe I like, decided fifty times before going here. Well, I'm half-way there (sort of) and let's face it: transferring is too complicated a process and those precious time could be spent by playing Skyrim instead. And maybe I'm just lazy to do it.

Second reason might be.... IT WOULD BRING SHAME AND DISHONOR. I'm pretty much the black sheep of the family and doing this, well might add fuel to the fire. Like heck my haters (which also happens to be most of my family) would gossip and blame me for everything and whatever they can make a connection to the topic: the pussy transfers school. And they would say: "You used to be like this.. blah blah" idk I don't even listen to what they're saying is anymore. I'm just continue studying here because of my family.

Third reason? Friends? If they even are one. Maybe the only thing good about school is your friends. Wait, it actually is! Maybe we spent so many time together that they actually make up my day and for a second, they make me forget all the problems and requirements in the world. So I'm not going to leave a territory where you know people and people know you and you don't fight each other whatsoever.

Fourth and final reason: this is the nearest school that could actually make my future good for once. No offense to other schools but the rest are pretty much full of... well, freedom. Too much freedom is bad trust me I've seen enough pregnant teenagers, kids wearing make-up and skimpy dresses, fraternity kids, teens who do drugs and smoke and say "sh**" every second. Don't judge the book by its cover: sometimes other books DON'T EVEN HAVE COVERS TO JUDGE FROM.

So let's move on tot he other question: Does this institution really help shape my personality?

I can't really express myself, but it does make my patience long. For example, I'm seething with annoyance and I'm forced to hide it and smile and project and talk nicely because if I don't, well goodbye high school for me. And it does make me more of a diligent person and does add to my persevering skills. That's it I guess. I'm as stubborn as a rock, no a diamond, and I often find myself not following orders or rules or agreements when I really really really don't like to do it. Nobody ever won a stubborn contest with me, no risks included. And maybe it makes me wiser. The school gives me problems every hour every weekday and all these problems along with other ones that is, makes me tougher and wiser. I learn from my mistakes and I learn what to do in this kind of situation that would do me best. Well, that's just a maybe.

But maybe it does.

Maybe it does change me. We never fully know do we?

Tribute for the Fallen 44

A man once said that people have to die for things to change.

And it did.

With the sacrifice of 44 men. Men who fought with bravery, with courage, with endeavor and determination we had never seen before. Our Brothers, our People who fought for Justice when none was given and who sought Peace when there was Chaos. Men who risked their lives when none dared, men who took the Last Stand when their legs ached, when their blood ran from wounds and bruises until their last bullet fell, themselves with it. They are the men who gave up their lives, who left home with a heavy heart, knowing that they may never step on the same ground again.

And they couldn't.

Not anymore.

Some may say that the death of the Fallen 44 was absurd, why do we need to sacrifice 100 people just to ensure the death of one? Some may say that that the death of one person, no matter who he is, cannot be justified.

I say not.

The man they assassinated was a man that can make a person destroy his own life to ensure the deaths of innocent men, women and children. A man powerful enough, resourceful enough, to destroy cities, destroy families and destroy minds and hearts of those who survived. A man who showed no quarter, no mercy for people who were not their kind. A man who destroyed enough for the whole world to decide that it is essential for him to die. A man who sheds the blood of countless innocents and calls it "Heroism" and "Ideals".

If he had not been stopped, how many more will die and perish? How many more people will suffer? How many more families will shed tears and grieve for those lives that he and his men stole? How many more sufferings and strife will pass?

They say no more.

The deaths of the Fallen 44 and the sacrifice of the rest were not in vain. With what they had achieved, they had saved countless people, they gave them a new hope, a better future, a dream for peace and liberty. Change.

Let them become the spark that would light up the embers of our hearts, hearts burning of the desire for change and peace.

Let their names be etched not only in the stones or on paper, but in our minds for the next generations to remember.

Let them become the beacons who will guide us - to save us from the darkness that is ignorance and cowardice.

We are one. As we share the glory of our victories, so too should we share the pain of our defeat. In this way we grow closer. We grow stronger.

A Students's Guide to Hell's Punishment (School Version)

If Hell for Students did exist (and if their life is not hell yet), it would be like this:

-Vestibule: The Probation
Those who get considerably low grades and are at risk of getting kicked out are here.
They got to have harder assignments and a thousand projects and surprise quizzes every other minute with no rest and no recess.

ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE

-First Circle: The Uniform Inventors
The students who wear clothes not allowed by the school and those who do not follow the uniform guidelines would be in here.
They would be forced to wear ugly and baggy clothes for the rest of the school year.
-Second Circle: The Noise Makers
Students who talk too loud or do any kind of noise while the teachers are discussing or in an important event that needs silence after three warnings would be placed here.
They would be forced to spend their time in isolation and total silence for three days.
-Third Circle: The Love Makers
Students who show Public Display of Affection in a way that many people get uncomfortable or annoyed by them are in here.
These students punishment depends on the level they had done, and would include sermons and would be separated from any other student in school, at least for a week.
-Fourth Circle: The Stubborn
Students who do not follow simple rules such as no skateboarding, no gadgets, not attending important ceremonies or school events or no using bubble gum or any other rules that does not include pain or distress in emotional or physical means are placed here.
Their things would be confiscated and they would be forced to stay in school for the whole week without getting any comfort or entertainment whatsoever, they would not be allowed to go home and are only allowed to eat food that sucks from the cafeteria.
-Fifth Circle: The Bad Mouthers
Round 1: Cursers
Those students who speak bad words, swears and curses are in here.
They are forced to listen to bad music and noise for a week, without stopping since they speak bad words and words with evil meaning.
Round 2: Silencers
Those students who tell malicious things behind a person's back or those who give bad information about a person without them knowing are placed here.
They would be forced to live in silence and are not allowed to talk since they choose to give a person a bad reputation behind their backs.
Round 3: The Trash Talkers
Those students who bully a person using words or technological means in front of them or being the person being bullied aware are in here. Those people who also use black mail are in here.
They would be forced to tell their deepest, darkest secrets to everyone at school and would live in shame for the rest of their lives.
-Sixth Circle: The Thieves
When a student steals other students or the school's property would be in here.
They would be forced to give away their favorite things (gadgets, internet, clothes, etc) or get grounded depending on the object or how many did he or she stole.
-Seventh Circle: The Destroyers
When a student does any harm to other people or the school's property or facility intentionally, he or she would be placed here.
Their punishment is for them to build whatever they had destroyed and anything else in the school or the person's property that is not in good condition, whether they caused its destruction or not. The level of their punishment depends on the level of destruction they had caused. If the students indeed caused great destruction, then his or her gadgets would be taken away from them.
-Eighth Circle: The Cheaters
Bolgia 1: Eavesdroppers
Students who listen to other people exchanging answers, but not directly interacting with them are placed here.
Since they eavesdrop on the real cheaters and let temptation control their conscience, they are forced to listen to never ending sermons of teachers, the whole of their lifetime. Including their mother and father.
Bolgia 2: Treaty Makers
Students who share their answers to each other are here.
Since they decide to team up to cheat, their grades are given to other students until the cheater is left with none. He or she would also be given a sermon by their parents and teachers.
Bolgia 3: Copiers
Students who copy the answers of their classmates are in here.
Since they prefer to copy the answers of their seatmates instead of reviewing and studying for themselves, they are forced to write a hundred essays of the same thing all over again, no carbon paper whatsoever. And no erasures too.
Bolgia 4: Coders
Students who use anything that contains the answer (written on their hand or pieces of paper, open books below their desks, answers on their cellphones or tablets).
Since they choose not to review and do cheating by using those above, they are forced to copy assigned websites with long articles in legible handwriting for every student in their school without erasures.
-Ninth Circle: The Violent
Round 1: Accidentally
Those Students who accidentally hurt their classmates against their own will would be here.
Since they did not manage to control themselves, they would be separated from everyone if the students is an extrovert. He or she would not be allowed to go near someone or talk to anyone. If he or she is an introvert, then he or she would be forced to spend time with everyone at school and make friends and attend social activities with no time for himself or herself alone.
Round 2: Intentionally
Those students who intentionally hurt their classmates would be placed here.
Since they decide to use power and hurt people physically then they would receive spanking and physical punishment from their parents. They would be forced to look at pictures which hurts the eyes, smell objects that doesn't smell good, hear very loud music, and taste the most gross food in the cafeteria, The degree of pain they will receive would be based on the degree of pain they caused.

When the Pope Goes into Town

I'm not exactly a Catholic nor a very religious person. I'm just an ordinary kid doing ordinary things when there's no classes. Unfortunately, my what-to-do-when-classes-are-suspended list doesn't include watching television or listening to a radio whatsoever, especially not listening for Pope news. Not that I'm being racist or a very ignorant child, I'm just not into that kind of thing since I don't understand how the Catholic Church works and yes I'm a Christian, but what we Born Agains (or Protestants) have a very different bible that's significantly different to what the Catholic Church teaches. And maybe I just prefer entertainment than listening to some good Pope doing good things in our country which teaches doctrine that we don't just well... accept.
Well, yes, we do worship God and Jesus but still, we don't have many uh.. beliefs that Catholic has. But, I did hear some good quotes while I was eating lunch and the television was open that we Born Agains do approve. Like the part when he said that don't look at him as the one who helped them, but look at God instead. Because I don't exactly watch any television except The Walking Dead, I can't tell anything that happened without involving people who were telling stories or posting on Facebook. Which is a big problem when you have this school project of writing in your blog what you personally think about when the Pope came into town, no opinion of other people whatsoever.
Well, what I am hearing people getting interviewed right now since our television is open and apparently, the Pope had caused a huge change in Filipino lifestyle this couple of days.

First of all, you normally hear news about murders or crimes or corruption everyday in the news. Yes, just a normal day in the Philippines but then BAM! The Pope is coming to our unpopular country, and he chose to come here instead of other Asian countries! Seriously, I think we are the only Catholic country in the whole of Asia.. okay maybe there are like two or four more but still!

See? Even those countries at the top are mostly communists and don't believe in any God! Now this is the answer why the Pope chose us to visit instead of mainstream and popular countries because we are technically the only Catholic (and maybe Christian!) country in Asia! Of course, the Pope is a really kind person and he remembered our country which is I admit, a bit nice since we didn't got hogged and forgotten again. That was really kind since our country is um.. a bit dangerous and all after the typhoons and storms and well.. maybe stampedes and rogue gangs and stuff. So far the news is all about the Papal visit and there's almost no other news in the newspaper or television except the Pope. It is a huge thing, I'll give you that, I mean, its not everyday you see a very famous person and a very important one visiting your country!

Second, is that many people were inspired and really got into a very hopeful mood since the Pope came. On what I'm hearing on the television, many people, like THOUSANDS or maybe MILLIONS of Filipinos are literally expressing their gratitude and thanks to the Papal Visit, the Pope himself, the Pope's mass, whatever the Pope gave to our country (if its money, no offense, it would probably go into government pocket anyway like what happened to the 80% of the donations for Yolanda Victims). It was good seeing your people having hope and stuff since most of them were poor and them being inspired and hoping for a change is kind of inspiring too. Its too bad since most of the people just don't do anything (like take jobs) to raise their status in life. There are people that spend their Sundays every time in mass but after the mass, they talk about bad things to people. And I just wish they followed the Pope's teachings, especially that they thank God since He is the star and protagonist here and not him. Some Filipinos praise Pope Francis and not God which is kind of sad.

Anyway, the people feel blessed and thankful and optimistic since the Pope came. They felt joy and all those good and positive emotions. Maybe some of them managed to forget their problems and hatred and all those negative ones when the Pope came. At the Papal Visit, the Philippines were practically on steroids and can't stop talking about the Pope. I wish they got closer to God too and remembered to thank Him for the opportunity that Pope Francis managed to visit our country and thanks His word and His blessings.

The Philippines are still on high hopes and excitement today. (1/19/15) I just hope that they remember to worship and praise God everyday and not just on Papal Visit days.

Hero for a Hero

Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs are considered as great heroes of this generation for they choose to leave their homes to serve their families. They choose to care for other people instead of their own child, a huge sacrifice a mother or a father would make. Yet, their heroic hearts are met with fists and sharp words from the same people they work for. Their rights are muddied and dirtied and yet they still continue to give hope for their families and their country.

OFWs are one of the main reasons why the Philippine economy is still in shape; the foreign money they earn for their families contribute as a huge channel. By remitting their money through Philippine's bank or giving it to a personal courier and delivering it door to door, the Gross-International Reserves (GIR) goes higher and the country's currency becomes stronger. Higher GIR means stronger foreign investments, exchanges, gold, special drawing rights and debt servicing for the country.

Yet, many Filipinos are against sending OFWs because of several poor treatment and harassment reports. They believe that the OFWs should be sent back home and given proper jobs in their own country.

Without OFWs, the country's economy will fall from a great height. There would be a huge decrease in GIR and a huge decrease in the value of our country's currency, taking the whole country lower and lower and lower. The Philippines cannot afford to lose such huge chance or they will yet be given none.

The Philippines also cannot hold more workers, and more people would lose their jobs to give slots for them. This would not help in the economy at all and will even cause more problems in the future if the unemployed decided to rally or commit crimes just to give their families something to fill their stomach.

The Philippine Labor Migration Policy encourages emigration and grants Filipino passports to allow them to enter foreign countries to work. It also institutes policies to establish higher protection and promotion of their welfare. This shows that the country is not oblivious to the cries of their own people.

Instead of decreasing the number of OFWs to work abroad, the country should instead improve their policies, acts, and monitoring to give them more assurance and protection. The country should make more moves to see to it that its people are given respect and treatment that they deserve.

The OFWs sacrifices should not be put to vain yet sending them back would not help much at all. The Filipinos must take action in order to protect those who protects them.

It is the OFWs that saves the Philippines. But who will save the OFWs? No other than the people it serves for: Filipinos themselves.

Romeo and Juliet: INSANITY

So our teacher asked us to make our own ending of Romeo and Juliet, and I thought of this after watching The Evil Within video and played some Assassin's Creed so it's totally insane!

Romeo goes to Juliet’s tomb sees Paris mourning for Juliet. Paris tells him to leave but Romeo asks him nicely to get out of his way. Paris gets angry and draws his sword. Romeo and Paris fight.

Meanwhile, Juliet wakes up. The potion Friar Lawrence gave her, the one who can stop Juliet’s heart from beating for 2 days, made complications in her brain because of the lack of oxygen. It caused her to lose all her memories and made her insane.

Just in time, Juliet sees Romeo killing Paris with a sword. She turns hysterical and grabs for Paris’ fallen sword. Romeo was paralyzed, staring at his feverish lover. Juliet stabs Romeo, then howls insanely. Romeo falls, he could not believe what was happening. He dies of shock and loss of blood.

Friar Lawrence and the watchmen came hurrying for the loud noise coming from Juliet’s howls and hisses. They see Romeo and Paris bleeding on the ground and Juliet wild. The watchmen grabbed the sword from Juliet’s hand and tried to restraint her.

Juliet was put into a cell, with the horror of the Montagues and Capulets, thinking Juliet had come back from the dead and killed Romeo and Paris. Her mind cannot be cured. Juliet managed to escape her cell and started killing people in Verona. Prince Escalus ordered the townspeople to hunt her down, and the Montagues are happy to oblige to avenge their son’s death. The Capulets, feeling sorry for their daughter and a bit ashamed, did not participate. Capulet pleaded Prince Escalus to spare his daughter’s life. The prince agreed if only Juliet would be locked in the deepest dungeons.

Juliet was caught trying to kill Rosaline but Benvolio appeared and shoved Juliet away, making a deep cut in Juliet’s stomach. Benvolio carries Rosaline to safety while Juliet lay in the ground, writhing with pain. Prince Escalus, the rest of the Montague and the townsfolk captured Juliet and locked her in the castle’s darkest and heavily-guarded cell. No doctor dared to heal Juliet’s wound, even after the Capulets’ pleadings.

Soon, Juliet died because of her wound. The Capulets grieved for the deaths, and the townspeople joined them. Even the Montague paid their respects out of pity. Rosaline fell for Benvolio. The Montagues and Capulets ended in a peaceable treaty, neither of them hated each other no more than they once did. The rest of Verona’s days were filled with peace and tranquility. 

The Light In the Darkness, A Voice in the Silence

If I was given a chance to meet a person from the past, I would love to have a conversation with the bravest people I had ever heard of (read of actually): Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Most of you would have known them, but for those who aren't, Helen Keller is a blind and deaf person. Imagine yourself. What if you were blind and deaf ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Imagine yourself not being able to read, to listen to music, to play video games, and worst of all: to be stuck in eternal darkness and silence? Now, imagine yourself being Anne Sullivan, a teacher who had a very very very bad childhood and past (and had an experience for handicaps too) and was trusted to teach a blind and deaf, not to mention spoiled and bratty, kid some good education and manners?

This, my friend, is a mere act of bravery and courage. What if you were them, would you give up to the harsh cold ways of Fate or would you find the warmth and hearth in an eternal abyss?

<<Since we have to make some sort of conversation script and this is homework, and homework MUST be done and since we have to USE conditional sentences well, yeah.>>

So if I ever had that miraculous chance, our conversation would have been kind of weird since Helen is DEAF so I have to use some kind of Braille-system or write letters on her hand. Just saying.

Me: What if you didn't get sick and lived not handicapped?
Helen: If I was not blind and deaf, I would have been a different person. I cannot tell if I will become a better individual, but this handicap made me stronger and I learned a lot of things about life and dealing with problems that makes you want to give up.
Anne: If Helen was not handicapped, I would not have met her. Helen thought me a lot about patience and love, and she is one of the best students I ever taught.
Me: Do you have any regrets?
Helen: No, I cannot control my fate to be blind and deaf. But maybe just as simple as I should have NOT hurt my baby sister. But maybe if I didn't made these mistakes, I would have been in a different path somewhat or maybe it is just destiny.
Anne: I forgive everyone that caused my family pain and suffering from the past, and I don't regret teaching Helen. In fact, I am proud of her.
Me: What if you haven't met?
Helen: If Anne wasn't my teacher, and there is no other teacher like her in the world, I would still be some spoiled brat who doesn't know etiquette and simple speaking and writing.
Anne: As I had said earlier, Helen had made me a better person, and if I hadn't med her, I would never be speaking to you right now.
Me: What if you gave up on your life?
Helen: Maybe I will never become a better person. If I gave up, I would still be a useless lady with no manners. And I would never had seen the world as it is right now. Not giving up, even if all seems lost is the most important will in your life. It is what makes us human I believe.
Anne: Same as Helen, If I give up, I would have failed and never become a successful and proud teacher as of now. I would never had the chance to change my Fate,a nd would live as pathetic as I had before all of this ever happened.


So MAYBE that's how we'll have a conversation. This idea is pretty much made fast so please don't judge.