death of my friend's brother: bone cancer
tuesday last week, a brother of my closest friend in my hometown passed away in a disease: bone cancer... for one year, he was under medical observation and treatment in Philippine General Hospital... just last june this year, his father (the barangay captain of our barrio) told us that his son will be returning on the first week of june because he was already well... to our surprise, we were again told that he's already dying! it was such a depressing moment for all of us who knew him personally... he has not yet reached the age of 30 when he died... an electrical engineer, he used to work in an electric cooperative... a consistent first honor student from grade I to grade VI and graduated salutatorian in high school.. even in his college days, he made a lot of accomplishments... my friend was crying when he was informed that his brother died... i felt the guiltiness that i wasn't able to visit his brother in the hospital... i just hope that i was there physically to encourage him.. jonas has been my best buddy when i was still in the province.. he always listens when i have problems.. my whole family grieved for what had happened.. they were close family friends of ours.. my friend asked me in a text message if it was the right time for his brother to die... because he believed it's not yet time... God has a purpose for everything that is happening in each person's life.. we may not understand it right away, but He will make it understand for us.. it's hard to lose a loved one... my prayer is that jonas' whole family will be able to cope up with the death of their loved one and go on with their lives as they take the journey of life...
"Much of life can never be explained but only witnessed." - Rachel Naomi Remen, MD
NAIROBI (AFP) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise, in an animal facility in the port city of Mom bassa , officials said. The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.
"It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a 'mother'," ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP.
"After it was swept and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. Fortunately, it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond. They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added. "The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it follows its mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added.
"The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years," he explained.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter much when we need the comfort of another. We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures of God, Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together.
Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate!What Most of Us Don't Know
I received these pictures in an email sent to me by a friend. I was touched so I think that it would be a good idea to upload these pictures here in my website. My purpose is that anyone who will visit my site and see these things will have their minds open to these realities. Ultimately, make some steps for the betterment of the oppressed, the disadvantage, and the marginalized.
Collegiate Record
COURSE NUMBER/ DESCRIPTIVE TITLE OF THE COURSE/ CREDITS
First Semester, A.Y. 2002-2003
First Semester, A.Y. 2002-2003
- Comm I------Communication Skills I---------------------------------3
- Math I--------Mathematics for General Education------------------3
- Nat Sci I-----Foundations of Natural Science I----------------------3
- History I-----Philippine History---------------------------------------3
- Soc Sci I-----Foundations of Behavioral Sciences------------------3
- PE 1----------Foundations of Physical Fitness----------------------(2)
- Comm II-----Coomunication Skills II---------------------------------3
- Nat Sci II----Foundations of Natural Science II---------------------3
- History II----Asia and the World-------------------------------------3
- Math 11-----College Algebra-----------------------------------------3
- Pol Sci 11---Introduction to Political Science---------------------3
- PE 2---------Ballroom Dancing---------------------------------------(2)
- NSTP--------National Service Training Program-------------------(3)
- NSTP-------National Service Training Program--------------------(3)
- BA 99.1---------------Fundamental Accounting Theory and Practice I----------------3
- Math 101-------------Elementary Statistics-----------------------------------------------3
- Econ 11---------------Introductory Economics-------------------------------------------3
- Comm III-------------Speech Communication--------------------------------------------3
- Philo 1---------------Philosophical Analysis----------------------------------------------3
- Humanities I---------Literature, Man and Society---------------------------------------3
- PE 2------------------Volleyball------------------------------------------------------------(2)
- BA 99.2------------Fundamental Accounting Theory and Practice II-------------------3
- Humanities II------Art, Man and Society--------------------------------------------------3
- Math 14------------Plane Trigonometry---------------------------------------------------3
- Pol Sci 14----------Philippine Government and Politics--------------------------------3
- English 11---------Technical Writing for Business---------------------------------------3
- Soc Sci II----------Social, Economic and Political Thought----------------------------3
- PE 2---------------Baseball-----------------------------------------------------------------(2)
- English 10--------Writing of Scientific Papers-------------------------------------------3
- Psych 11----------Principles of Psychology-----------------------------------------------3
- Pol Sci 150-------Philippine National and Local Administration------------------------3
- Pol Sci 160-------Society, Politics and Government-------------------------------------3
- Pol Sci 101-------Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics------ ------3
- Psych 101--------General Psychology------------------------------------------------------3
- Socio 160--------Society and Population------------------------------------------------- 3
- CA 107-----------Law on the Media--------------------------------------------------------3
- Econ 171--------Economics of Agriculture------------------------------------------------3
- Pol Sci 163------Political Behavior: Processes and Movements------------------------3
- Pol Sci 170------Comparative Western Politics------------------------------------------3
- Psych 180-------Social Psychology---------------------------------------------------------3
- Socio 11---------Introductory Sociology--------------------------------------------------3
- BA 101-----------Introduction to Management--------------------------------------------3
- PI 100------------Life and Works of Jose Rizal-------------------------------------------3
- Pol Sci 192------Ancient and Medieval Theory-------------------------------------------3
- Pol Sci 177------Government and Politics of Asia I--------------------------------------3
- Pol Sci 182------International Politics-----------------------------------------------------3
- STS--------------Science, Technology and Society---------------------------------------3
- Lit 125b---------Philippine Literature-----------------------------------------------------3
- Econ 101-------Macroeconomic Theory and Policy--------------------------------------3
- Mgt 121--------Human Resource Management--------------------------------------------3
- Pol Sci 178----Government and Politics of Asia II (Southeast Asia)-------------------3
- Pol Sci 199----Research in Political Science---------------------------------------------3
- Pol Sci 180----Philippine Foreign Policy--------------------------------------------------3
- Socio 102-----Social Organization---------------------------------------------------------3
30th Graduation Speech (Elementary)
*Delivered by Marlon B. Raquel during the annual graduation exercises of Jabong Elementary School, Tabontabon, Leyte on the 28th day of March 2007.
*The guest speaker is a Fellow of the University of the Philippines Population Institute in UP Diliman, Quezon City taking up Master of Arts in Demography with the funding support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. He graduated valedictorian in Jabong Elementary School in the year 1998.
Thank you, Jonas for your kind introduction. Our honorable mayor, Priscilla R. Justimbaste, our energetic supervisor, Bienvenido P. Canete, our barangay captain, Hon. Alfredo Garcela, Sr., principal of Jabong Elementary School
It is my honor to speak before you today with a message of hope and encouragement for every one of us here. When I was informed that I will be the one to share the graduation message this year, I did not hesitate to accept the invitation for two reasons: First, as a graduate of this school, it is both my desire and honor to impart what I have learned in this life. I am so proud of this institution. My acceptance is one way of showing my gratitude. Secondly, I want to encourage our young graduate today to pursue their dreams and ambitions in life.
The theme for this year’s graduation exercises “Student Empowerment towards Greater Productivity” (Lakas ng Kabataan Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan) is very timely because there is an increasing number of students enrolling today in schools yet most of them were not productive as we should expect. Why? It is because our knowledge about student empowerment is limited and is not effectively applied. Student empowerment means enabling the students to pursue social and achievement goals.
Poverty has been the major reason why many students today could not finish their schooling. You have always heard the saying “Poverty is not a hindrance to success” from different people. However, it is my opinion that the opposite is what the reality is: poverty is indeed a hindrance to success. In my 21 years of existence in this world, I have realized that poverty will cripple you until you have nothing to left in yourself. This is not discourage you, our dear graduates and parents, but I just want to emphasize here the reality of life. When we truly begin to understand that poverty, like other things and circumstances, such as physical disabilities, hinder our progress, we will overcome these obstacles. Remember that an empty stomach will not empower students. I can tell you this because I have experienced it. Let me give you a personal experience so that you will see a clearer of what I’m trying to say. When I was in college, there were several times that I missed my classes simply because of these two reasons: I didn’t have money for tricycle fare from my boarding house to UP and I was too hungry to bother attending my classes. Where is empowerment in this setting? None! I’ve gone through a lot of difficulties in college, but I never give up. I borrowed money from my friends and classmates. So parents, wag niyong gugutumin ang mga anak niyo if you want them to graduate. To our graduates of Class 2007, do not loose hope. Never give up! Do not be intimidated by the poverty of life. Develop positive characteristics within yourself for these will be your swords to combat any obstacles that will come on your way. Be empowered.
With regard to the future, this is what I say to you: dream big. Dreams help you to do great things in life. Dreams will help you make the impossible things possible, to set direction in your lives, and to make changes for the better; even better, change the world and make it better. To dream big allows great inventions and discoveries to be made. To dream big puts energy and spark into each day. To dream big makes you continue to seek for excellence in everything you do. You have seen and experienced excellence time and time again these past six years so I hope that the desire be embedded deeply within your hearts.
Continue to learn. A school is not the only place where learning occurs nor is academic learning the only kind. Always be curious, be open to the ideas of others whose interests differ from what you believe. Learn something new each day. By doing so, you will develop new passions and you will be an interesting person. I don’t want you to be dull.
Take responsibility for your successes and your failures. Enjoy the former, and learn more from the latter. If other people helped you to be successful, acknowledge and thank them; if others were involved in disappointment, encourage them to work with you to be successful next time.
Foster good relationships. They will help you with those big dreams. They will help you to keep real. They will help you to maintain perspective in good and difficult times. Stay connected with people as you go through to high school, college, work, and beyond. Your lives will be richer and more enjoyable as a result. Test me in this. Be involved in your community in some way.
To the parents and teachers, help your children and students develop their potentials. They need you. They are in the stage of growing up. Help them realize their goals just as you helped me when I was still your student. I am indebted to all of you for inculcating in my mind the importance of education.
And lastly, don’t forget to pray and seek God. Make Him the center of your life.
Thank you so much!
***END***
Kaming mga Dukha
ng madla
kaming mga dukha ay
may karapatan din kaming
mamuhay ng
may dangal at malaya.
--The King's Rebel--
Medicinal Plants
In these modern days of sophisticated medicine and the new way of producing so many kinds of medicine, very few people especially those from the cities do not believe in the value and effectiveness of herbal plants that abound in this country, as substitute to modern packaged or bottled pharmaceuticals.These herbal plants that are used as herbal tea drinks, as body applications and for washing sores and wounds, are medicinal for asthma, dysentery, skin diseases, cancer, wounds, boils, stomach troubles, colds and other pulmonary diseases. There are fruits that are good to contain sickness as diabetes, high blood, respiratory ailments, chest, and blood hemorrhage. There are leaves that are used as medicinal application for wounds, broken bones and others.These medicine from herbal plants, trees and flowers can be immediately used for emergency cases, especially when far from the town and modern medicine is not available locally.The early people of older days stated that early people used for medicine for their sickness leaves and plants with herbal medicine, cures. From medicinal plants pharmacy develop medicine in bottles and in package, Here in the Philippines, our herbal doctor use medicinal plants. The use of herbal medicine, and the demand for herbalist doctors locally, and the successful cures demand that modern doctors use these medicinal plants also. You'll find in this book the common plants that are now in use in the provinces. We have hundreds of herbal plants but only those that are already tested and use (are found in this book. Our doctors, our pharmacists, and our scientists as well as those re searchers are beginning to make use of our plants and trees that have medicinal proper ties.The poor people who cannot afford the high costs of modern medicine from drug stores are resorting to the use of herbs which can be found around the house yards of man) homes and can be obtained without costs.This welcome news is reportedly by the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research and Development (PCARRD) after a latest discovery and survey to revive herbal medicine in the country.Inflammation and ArthritisThe main feature of arthritis is inflammation, which is a reaction of the joint tissues to some form of injury or damage. The consequences of this kind of reaction were known even in ancient times. Celsius, a Roman physician of the first century AD, listed four major signs of inflammation: heat, pain, redness and swelling (the Latin names being color, dolor, rubor and tumor). A fifth sign, loss of function (function laesa), is sometimes added. Although the description refers to inflammation in general, it still holds true to joint inflammation and reflects, remarkably accurately, the symptoms experienced by those afflicted with arthritis. In addition, there may be a slight rise in body temperature, headache, loss of appetite and general feeling of ill-health.We now know that the changes in the body responsible for these symptoms are fairly complex. In simple terms, they consist of a widening of the blood vessels in the sensorial membrane with an increase of blood sent by the body to the affected joint. The blood vessel walls then leak proteins and fluids, which make up part of the blood, into the surrounding tissues. Another characteristic change is the white blood cells (leucocytes) traveling through these blood vessels. This swelling of the blood vessels and accumulation of fluid in the inflamed tissues explains the redness, warmth and swelling first observed by Celsius. Pain comes from the irritation of the specialized nerve endings within the joint, though how this happens is not really known. Much research has been undertaken in arthritis to find out what really triggers off inflammation. This has revealed that a large number of chemical substances, naturally present in the human body, take part.If the injury or damage to the joint is temporary or not too severe, the acute inflammation (or sinusitis) subsides and repairing by the body begins. Blood vessels return to their original size, normal blood flow is established, the white blood cells either die or re enter the blood vessels, tissue fluid is absorbed into the circulation and injured cells are replaced. If, on the other hand, the reasons for the inflammation carry on, the arthritis becomes lasting, or chronic. The symptoms and signs described above are less dramatic, but they are disabling nonetheless. Healing is only partial, occurring side by side with `grumbling' inflammation. The main feature of this chronic inflammation is the infiltration of the membrane lining the joint by various types of cells - scavenger and repair cells, large and small. The body fails to eliminate the foreign invader and becomes a little confused, some of these cells being responsible for the inflammation remaining.Recent research has thrown light on. The way in which some of these cells are involved in damage to the joint. Normally, the body can tell what is `self and what is `foreign': this is called the body's `immune' system. In certain situations, this system becomes defective and the body's defense cells produce antibodies (substances which the human body makes to destroy disease making `invaders') against itself, so much so that they cause tissue injury. A vicious circle is set up, with inflammation producing damage, which makes the body produce antibodies which produce yet more inflammation and mischief!Rheumatoid ArthritisThis is a chronic arthritis that typically affects the same joints on the two sides of the body, such as the hands and feet, with the symptoms coming and going at different times.According to surveys carried out in different parts of the world, rheumatoid arthritis is one of the more common types of arthritis and occurs in approximately two to three per cent of people, although it seems uncommon in primitive communities. For unknown reasons, women are affected three times more often than men. Individuals of all ages may develop the disease, from infants to the elderly, though it is most common between the ages of 25 and 55 years. Arthritis - Arthritis affects body joints, as those in the fingers, wrist, knee, etc.There is yet no cure for arthritis, but it can be made less painful by resting, and placing hot compress on the affected joints.Or you can use Lagundi leaves to relieve the pain. Simply heat enough fresh leaves (including stems and petioles) over a fire, then pound, and apply on the affected joints while still warm. Apply bandage to keep the leaves in place. Change the dressing every four; hours, as needed.If it didn't work, you may take 2 aspirin tablets (if you're not allergic to it and if you don't have peptic ulcer) four to six times a day. Should you feel symptoms of overdose, like ringing in the ears or abdominal pain, reduce dosage to 1 tablet four to six times a day. When arthritis is accompanied by fever, sore throat, or sandy urine, and when the joints are red, warm, and tender, you have to consult a physician.
The turbulence of life frightens us
When problems strike us,
most of us are caught unaware
of the right thing to do, confused, and helpless.
We couldn't think of the best possible solutions.
In short, we're not ready to face waves of problems.
The turbulence frightens us.
JUST A THOUGHT
Should I have the power to decide what kind of life I would have, I would choose a perfect life. I want to enjoy life free from condemnation and ridicules of other people-Christians and non-Christians alike; a life full of material blessings man could ever imagine; a problem-free life that I don't have to seek solutions nor select from alternatives because there's no problem in the first place. But all these things seem impossible.
How I wish I had grown up in a well-to-do family, where its members do not worry about what to eat and wear; where a sickly brother could immediately be treated with medicines; where all the children will be able to go to school and reach their ambitions such that they will receive their college diplomas; where parents but anything they want and their children want - be it a simple thing or a luxurious one.
Many times in my life I've been dreaming for a family whose love, peace, and unity reign in every heart. How wonderful it is to see a father and a mother loving each other, being faithful to one another in spite of difficult circumstances they are facing. How good it is to see parents taking good care of their children, loving them with equality, and teaching them the moral values and attitudes they need for them to become good and productive citizens.
Is it not praiseworthy for the children to love and obey their parents? To care for them in times of sickness? To encourage them when they are in hopelessness and troubles? How about the relationship among the children? Should they love each other as they love their parents? Is there a need for them to help each other in times of problems and difficulties? To advice and rebuke the other when he surpasses his limitation? And praise him, on one hand, when he has done something good?
No one is perfect, and nothing is perfect.
August 17, 2005 11:00 AM
Boarding House, Jones Extension, Tacloban City
An Ibingan ug An Piso
'Hanoy na ngadi yana dayon!'
Huyang, kulob, tagilid dughan gintitigib.
Nag-ino-ino, naghinumdum antes sundon.
Binmugkot han kalumay
Nanlalalamiga pa an laway
Sinmangpot ha Calanipawan
Atras-abante katiilan.
Daw ibingan nga lumangbid
Ha piso nga nangurog.
Gintubungan hin wati binmag-id,
Nagdukot kalangitan dumalugdog.
At the LRC, UP Visayas Tacloban College
August 11, 2005 5: 45 PM Thursday
