On why we have to study 'Life and Works of Jose Rizal'

It's not the first time that I heard it; actually, most of the college students complain about taking history and Rizal courses. They question the use of these subjects on the career that they will be pursuing after graduation, how their money is wasted on those units, and how their time is consumed just to earn good grades for the subjects. 

Truth be told, I felt just the same when I was in high school. We were made to report or dramatize Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo per chapter, and every five chapters, there would be an exam covering names, places and dates from those sections. Their importance were not explained deeply, and they were forgotten when exams were over. 

But college came and I took a different perspective because of one thing: my Rizal professor told us that they teach those courses because it's a law. The Republic Act No. 1425, An Act to Include in the Curricula of All Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities Courses On the Life, Works and Writings of Jose Rizal, Particularly His Novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Authorizing the Printing and Distribution Thereof, and for Other Purposes, commonly known as the Rizal Law, mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines to offer courses about Jose Rizal. 

But he didn't stop there. He told us how stupid we are not to want to know history, and it's evident on the way we respond to the what is happening in the Philippines. If we are learned in history, we will not still be in the society that Rizal drew in Noli and El Fili, but alas, most of their chapters are reflections of the present Philippines still. From the falsehood of the Filipino Catholic church as 'church for the poor', to usurping of lands from the indios, to mockery of too-Filipino-looking people (pango, kayumanggi, maliit). 

Padre Salvi and Sisa's family story is parallel to Bishop Teodoro Bacani and his sex scandals, Tandang Selo's family story is parallel to Hacienda Luisita's farmers' never-ending battle (I hope not) with the Aquino-Cojuangco clan, and powdered Dona Victorina is parallel to every out-of-stock condition of whitening products in the Philippine market. 

If only these were taught to every Filipino since high school, no one would dare ask again of its relevance.

In the end, nothing's changed because we don't know the value and meaning of the things that are required for us to learn. 

Click to Save: Arena Island Promo

I've never been to Palawan, the contender of Boracay in terms of most talked about tourist destinaton in the Philippines. That's why when my friend Rej Avena tagged me in FB to share this promo, I grabbed it immediately. It's the Arena Island's Click to Save Promo.

Joining is simple:

from Arena Island's FB page

Arena Island, also known as Isla Arena Turtle Sanctuary, is located at Narra, Palawan. It is a 1.5 hour travel from the Puerto Princesa International Airport. Its advocacy is to protect pawikans and help preserve nature's blessings.

The promo is extended until May 31, 2012. To join, click here. For more information on the island, visit http://www.arenaisland.com/.

6 Little Ways to Lessen The Things That They (we?) Hate in the Philippines

I watched the video '20 Reasons I Dislike _____. (the Philippines) which featured an American named Jimmy Sieczka. He has been in Cebu for three years and he enumerated reasons on why the country sucks.  And I  was all agreeing, and thinking of my own encounters.

Yes, I hate all men shaking their urine all over the country. Cockroaches in every city I went to also disgust me. And I already have a traumatic experience with a beggar (punched and pinched me when I didn't give him money). What he enumerated are almost all the things I want out of my beloved land.

The man has all the points in the world; there's no reason to hate him. What we Filipinos do is try to lessen the things that can make anyone hate our country. Here's my list of what I'm doing and  going to do:

1. Refuse plastic bags. Whenever I have my bag with me when I'm buying something, I refuse the plastic bag that the bagger is offering. It will be redundant if I put the plastic with goods inside the bag, will it not?

2. Candy wrappers. Put them in your pockets. When trash cans aren't around (We really lack them here in the Phils.), I put my trash in my pocket or inside my bag if it's big for my pocket. Why? Because no matter how small the trash is, trash is trash and is unpleasant to look at, especially on the streets. Also, they will eventually go to our waters or they will clog our drainage systems.

3. Love thy color. I honestly am using some whitening products like papaya soap, but I am not gaga over being white (I like its smell, plus it's Pinoy made,so.). I like my color and I'm working on loving the whole of me. And it should not be about just the color, it should be about loving every part of your body. The thing about loving yourself is that it is cheaper. Ordinary lotion is cheaper than whitening lotion. Ordinary snacks are cheaper than diet snacks. Surgery-less face is free. And unique. You get my point.

4. Spit on sinks. Phlegm on sidewalks is always an eyesore. If you have a cough and sinks are nowhere to find, bring tissue to spit on. I would love it if we would adopt Singapore's law on spitting.

5. Read. We would see our situation with better eyes if we see other countries' progress. TV won't suffice, especially our networks. And we also need to think critically. And where can we get it better than in reading?

6. Accept criticisms. I read the comments section on the youtube version of the video and the Filipinos there are ranting on making Mr. Jimmy go somewhere else, cursing him and trolling each other around. What kind of reactions are those? Honestly. Mr. Jimmy may not be the best critic ever (his cursing is not helping the Filipino temper), but still he has points that we can use for the Philippines to be more fun to be in. They, criticisms, are quite painful to take, yes, but they can make us grow. So. We should have the strength to hear them and do something on how to improve ourselves.


Our country is faced with piles of problems, so let's do our part. Everything counts no matter how small it is. Let's try our best to not be a part of the problem. :)

1000 Cranes

Last year, May 19 was our 100th day as a couple, and I made 1000 cranes for this occasion.

He and I love green, and I didn't want the cranes to be rainbow-colored so I picked different hues of green papers for the project. I chose to work on 4cm x 4cm papers so that it would be a hassle to find box to put them to. I really measured them because working on a supposedly square origami paper but failed to be one is such a hassle. The initial plan was to write notes on every crane but I could not finish it on time if I do that so the notes are limited.

 I took pictures after I finished the 1000th, but I was so busy for the past months that I only have time to edit the shots now. XD

The Flames Crane

The Color of Love Crane

1000 cranes!

I had so much fun doing it, and I learned that if I choose to be OC, I can be OC too.

HOW?

I chose to lead my own life.
But am I ready for it?
My priority and discipline skills screamed no.
I want to improve myself.
How?