The Anti-Epal Movement.

Okay, first of all, it doesn't sound so 'legit' or something. But when I got to know all about its cause, and about what it's trying to communicate to these 'epal' politicians. So, what is the Anti Epal movement?

According to their Facebook page, their description states:

"Government officials (elected and non-elected), also known as PUBLIC SERVANTS, should not be allowed to use public money to display their name or image in public places in furtherance of their careers. This page is a venue for the public to share photos of this (mal)practice, that will eventually lead to the public shaming of officials to the end that this practice will stop.

When posting pictures, please indicate date and place.

It's time we the people reclaimed our cities back from the clutches of abusive public servants."

And here is their definition of Epal, also taken from the same page:

"WHAT EXACTLY IS EPAL?

Some of us have tried to define it, because while there are some very clear examples of “epal”, there are also some gray areas too. This is our attempt at defining it.

Definition: EPAL, adj:

Describing any public official who has his/her name/image on any public signage, public space, and/or public property, especially if it was paid for with public money; or one who has signage claiming credit for a particular project or program that was paid for by taxpayers; or anything that relates to such behavior. However, it is acceptable, though still highly discouraged, for the public servant responsible for the project or program to indicate (in lettering that is modest and much smaller that the announced project or program) his/her name and contact information for accountability purposes; provided that such name shall not be permanently printed, attached, engraved, or embossed on said project/program. But in no case shall the public servant’s image, likeness, caricature or picture be tolerated.

Epal activities include pre-campaigning. Pre-campaiging is when a reasonable and prudent person may construe or perceive an advertisement (print, radio, television, internet), public service announcement, sign, giveaway, promotional material or other marketing or public relations device as enticing the casual observer to consider the person appearing in such, for an elective position, or where the secondary purpose of the appearance is to promote an upcoming candidacy for political office. If such a person does in fact file a certificate of candidacy within reasonable time of the perceived pre-campaigning activity, then said candidate will be considered as having engaged in pre-campaigning."


Soooo there you go. Basics on what the Anti Epal Movement is about.

Why do I support it? Well, everything about what they are against is so true. I dont get these politicians. Why do they need to show their face or name in EVERY SINGLE DAMN PROJECT they make. Well, it may be your project or something, but you don't need to display your name with it just because you headed it. We're wasting precious money here into adding your useless name on wherever you're posting or printing it. One example is here near our place, along Kalayaan Avenue. Along the road islands are tiles embedded in them with the initials HB (Herbert Bautista). I mean, what the hell do you need to put that for. You don't  own the city to put your initials or your name everywhere. They should've just put QC for Quezon City. That is the name of our city, you know. Not HB. -.-

Instead of spending money in a much reasonable cause, they'd rather spend it on making tarpaulins with unimportant greetings like merry christmas or whatever. with their faces and names printed with it. LIKE WE CARE. -.- It pisses me off. They do that so that people would keep on seeing their faces, make people remember them so that they would be voted in the elections. -.- Just for that, their wasting precious money? Oh, no. No no no no. That shouldn't be.

It's better if they shouldnt do that, you know. Money would be saved, more projects might have been implemented using money saved, and people wouldn't be hassled with all the tarpaulins and whatevers that are actually becoming a burden and a cause for possible drainage problems when these are blown away by the wind, they sometimes are a problem when they are placed near electrical wires. They're also not a good sight, too.

Well, there you go. I think that's for now and all the anti-epalness. LOL. I think I should go epal-hunting some time. Hmmmm.

Ang Batang Pulubi: Isang maikling kwento

Ang Batang Pulubi
ni Margarita Andrea Mahor

Malakas ang pagihip ng hangin. Halos matangay na nito ang mga punong pilit na kumakapit sa lupa. Maraming mga natangay na mga sanga ng puno. Kahit mga tarpolin at mga basura, nakakalat sa mga daan. Baha na din ang mga daan dahil sa sobrang daming nakabara sa mga kanal. Unti unting nang lumiliwanag dahil sa pagsikat ng araw, ngunit hindi ito natatanaw dahil sa dami ng ulap na tumatakip dito.
Gumising ang isang bata na natutulog sa tabi ng kalsada. Inayos nya ang kanyang pinaghigaan na gawa lamang sa karton ng mga “tetrapack juice”. Tuyo naman ito kahit papano dahil namalagi sya sa ilalim ng isang “waiting shed”. Tiniklop niya ito, at inilagay sa isang supot na tinago nya sa ilalim ng kanyang higaang karton. Kulang na lang ang kanyang plastik na baso na ginagamit niya sa paghingi ng mga barya sa mga taong naglalakad, ngunit hindi nya ito mahanap. Sa sobrang lakas siguro ng ulan ay natangay na ito. Kailangan maghanap ulit ng bagong baso.
Nagsimula na syang maglakad habang hindi pa umuulan.  Nakakita sya ng isang tambak ng basura sa isang tabi. Malapit pa ito sa isang kainan. Baka sakaling meron itong mga tinapon na plastik na baso. Nagsimula syang maghanap. Nang sya’y nakahanap na, kinuha na nya ito at nagbakasakaling may pagkain na ding mahahanap sa basurang nasa harap nya. May nakita syang isang “take-out” na lalagyan. Binuksan nya ito. Nakakita ito ng mga buto ng manok. Walang natirang laman. Naghanap pa sya. Bumabaho ng bumabaho ang amoy habang hinahalukay pa nya ang malaking supot ng basura. Amoy bulok, amoy tae, amoy ihi, amoy patay, lahat na ng amoy na hindi maganda. Ngunit tila parang wala lang sa bata. Parang sanay na itong makaamoy ng basura. Pagkatapos ng pagbukas ng ilan pang mga lalagyan, nakakita sya ng isang may tira pang kalahating spageti. Napangiti ang bata at tila natuwa at nakakita na sya ng kanyang almusal. Kinuha na nya ang lalagyan at lumayo sa basurahan. Umupo sya sa tabi ng isang poste at dun na pinagsaluhan ang kanyang nakuhang pagkain. Nang sya’y matapos, ibinalik na nya ang lalagyan sa supot ng basurang pinagkuhanan nya nito. Kahit na hindi man ito nakakabusog, masaya na din syang may nakain sya.
Hindi pa din bumubuti ang panahon. Makulimlim pa din at wala pa din sa kalangitan ang araw. Malakas pa din ang hangin at paambon-ambon. Nagsimula nang maglakad ang bata. Nakita nya ang isang estasyon ng tren. Naisip nyang maraming tao dun, baka maraming maawa sa kanya at bigyan sya ng kahit kaunting barya. Naghanap sya ng magandang pwesto na dinadaanan ng mga tao. Umupo sya at nilabas na ang plastik na baso. Pumosisyon na sya at nagsimulang maghintay at humingi ng barya sa mga dumadaan sa harapan nya.
  Nakalipas ang apat na oras at gumising ang bata. Di nya napansin na nakatulog pala sya. Nang tinignan nya ang kanyang baso, isang 5 piso ang laman, at dalawang 1 piso. Natuwa sya sa kaunting barya na kanyang nakuha. Makakabili na ito ng pagkaing mura lang. Nanatili sya sa kanyang pwesto, umaasang baka mayroon pa syang makuhang dagdag na barya. Tinitignan nya ang mga dumadaan. May mga babaeng nakamake-up pa, maganda ang buhok, damit, at sapatos. Mababango din ang amoy nila. Nakita din nya ang isang pamilyang naglalakad. Ang ama, ina at ang kanilang anak na hawak-hawak nila sa parehong kamay. Nainggit ang bata. Kung hindi sana sya namatayan ng ama at ina, baka wala sya sa kinalalagyan nya ngayon. Baka nasa loob sya ng isang bahay na mayroong mainit na tsokolateng inihanda para sa kanya ng kanyang ina, at tinuturuan naman sya ng kanyang ama sa mga gawain sa eskwelahan. Ngunit hindi naman ganon ang nangyare. Ang ama nya ay nasangkot sa isang away sa inuman at nasaksak nang hindi oras. Ang ina nya ay lalong naghirap dahil wala na silang pangbayad sa ospital para sa kanyang sakit sa baga. Mahilig kasi manigarilyo ang kanyang ina. At nang lumala pa lalo ang sakit nito, hindi na nakayanan ng ina ang kanyang kalagayan at bumigay na din. Ang bahay naman nila ay nabaha at nasira. Lahat ng kagamitan nila ay natangay ng baha o di kaya’y nanakaw na.
Sa tagal ng paglilipad ng isip ng bata ay di nya napansin na dumidilim na pala. Tinignan nito ulit ang kanyang baso at apat na 1 piso lamang ang nadagdag. Nagpasya na syang maghanap ng kanyang panghapunan bago dumating ang ulan. Habang sya’y naglalakad, nakaamoy sya ng isang mabangong amoy. Amoy ito ng paborito nyang ulam na adobo. Hinanap nya ang pinanggagalingan ng amoy na ito at napadpad sya sa isang karinderia. Tinanong nya kung magkano ang adobo. “Ate, magkano ‘ho yung adobo?” tanong ng bata. “Trenta yan. Wala pang kanin yon,” sagot ng aleng nagtitinda, habang pinapakain ang mga alaga nitong aso sa tabi ng karinderia. Kulang ang pera ng bata. Ngunit gusto nya talagang kumain nito. Sinubukan nyang humingi na lang kahit kaunti lamang. “Ate, baka pwede naman pong humingi na lang ng adobo. Gutom na ‘ho kasi ako, at wala po akong pera.” “Kung wala kang pangbayad, hindi ka namin papakainin ng adobong pata.” “Sige na pahingi na, eto naman oh.” “Ano ba yan, tahol ng tahol na nga yung aso, pati tao nakikigulo din! Alis nga kayo dito lahat! Alis! Mga istorbo!” Sumuko na ang bata at umalis na lamang. Nang sya’y papalakad palayo, may narinig syang tumatawag sa kanya. “Bata, bata!” Lumingon ang bata at nakita nya ang isang babaeng may hawak na dalawang supot. “Eto bata o, busog na kasi ako at di ko maubos ung inorder ko. Kaya pinasupot ko na lang. Sayo na to. Wala namang kakanin nito sa bahay namin.” “Wow! Sigurado ho kayo? Salamat po!” Inabot ng babae ang supot ng pagkain at umalis na. Natuwa ang bata na may mga taong may magandang kalooban pa pala dito sa mundo.

Naghanap sya ng magandang pwesto na may silong dahil nagsisimula nang pumatak ang ulan. Nakakita sya ng isang “waiting shed” at doon na namalagi. Inilatag nya ang kanyang higaang karton. Itinabi din nya ang plastik na baso sa tabi nya, sakaling may magbigay pa sa kanya ng barya. Binuksan na nya ang supot at nakitang adobo ang laman ng binigay sa kanya ng babae. Sinimulan na nyang kainin hangga’t sa naubos na nya ito. Inisip nya na sana’y ganito sya lagi kaswerte para di na sya mamroblema sa paghingi ng pagkain.
Pagkatapos kumain itinapon na nya ang supot na pinagkainan nya sa basurahan malapit sa kanyang tabi. Madilim na at bumuhos na ang ulan. Dumoble ang lamig ng hangin at nagdasal ang bata na sana hindi sya abutan ng baha dahil katabi lang nya ang kanal sa may kalsada. Kinuha na nya ang kanyang basong may laman na barya. Nilagay nya ito sa kanyang supot at itinali sa kanyang kamay para hindi na liparin. Sa pagod ng bata, naghanda na itong matulog dahil maaga pa sya bukas sa paghingi ng barya. Pumosisyon na sya at niyakap ang plastik na baso na laman ay ang baryang nakuha nya noong araw na iyon. Unti unti pumikit ang mata nito at tuluyan nang nakatulog.

How times change.

Got this from a post from Tumblr.

I was shooting a scene in my new film, No Strings Attached, in which I say to Natalie Portman,
“If you miss me, you can’t text, you can’t email, you can’t post it on my Facebook wall. If you really miss me, you come and see me.”

I began to think of all of the billions screens, bouncing between satellites and servers. With all this texting, emailing, and social networking, I started wondering, are we all becoming so in touch with one another that we are in danger of losing touch?

It used to be that boy met girl and they exchanged ponship before a call ever happened. The phone rang. Hearts pounded. “Hello?” Followed by a conversation that lasted two hours, but felt like two minutes and would be examined with friends for two weeks. If all went well, a date was arranged. That was then.

Now we exchange numbers, but text instead of call because it mitigates the risks of early failure and eliminates those deafening moments of silence. Now anticipation builds. Bdoop. “It was NICE meeting u.” Both sides overanalyze every word. We talk to a friend, an impromptu Cyrano: “He wrote nice in all caps.

What does that mean? What do I write back?” Then we write a response and delete it 10 times before sending a message that will appear to care, but not too much. If all goes well, a date will be arranged.
Whether you like it or not, the digital age has produced a new format for modern romance, and natural selection may be favoring the quick-thumbed quip peddler over the confident, ice-breaking alpha male. Or maybe we are hiding behind the cloak of digital text and spell-check to present superior versions of ourselves while using these less intimate forms of communication to accelerate the courting process. So what’s it really good for?

There is some argument about who actually invented text messaging, but I think it’s safe to say it was a man. Multiple studies have shown that the average man uses about half as many words per day as women, thus text messaging. It eliminates hellos and goodbyes anot male behavior, I don’t know what is. It’s also great for passing notes. There is something fun about sharing secrets with your date while in the company of others. Think of texting as a modern whisper in your lover’s car.

Sending sweet nothings on Twitter or Facebook is also fun. In some ways, it’s no different than sending flowers to the office: you are declaring your love for everyone to see. Who doesn’t like to be publicly adored? Just remember that what you post is out there and there’s some stuff you can’t un-see. But the reality is that we communicate with every part of our being, and there are times when we must use it all. When someone needs us, he or she needs all of us. There’s no text that can replace a loving touch when someone we love is hurting.

We haven’t lost romance in the digital age, but we may be neglecting it. In doing so, antiquated art forms are taking on new importance. The power of a hand-written letter is greater than ever. It’s personal, deliberate, and means more than an email or text ever will. It has a unique scent. It requires deciphering. But, most importantly, it’s flawed. There are errors in handwriting, punctuation, grammar, and spelling that show our vulnerability. And vulnerability is the essence of romance. It’s the art of being uncalculated, the willingness to look foolish, the courage to say,

“This is me, and I’m interested in you enough to show you my flaws with the hope that you may embrace me for all that I am but, more importantly, all that I am not.”

— Ashton Kutcher

I. Love. GeoSoc.

The moment I got into college, I never really expected myself to be in an organization. Or actually, I have no idea whatsoever that there were such things. I was too clueless. And then, two of my first friends from the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) told me about this organization, UP Geological Society (UP GeoSoc). They said that it would help me in my studies, and gain friends. Stuff like that. So I thought I should join this org. And so I did.

Well, there were actually 5 organizations, 3 in which I was qualified in. GeoSoc had the biggest "tambayan" in the room and there were a lot of people hanging out there. I thought that it was so fun having so much people in the "tambayan" so I was more convinced in joining, apart from the fact that the two people I knew that were from this org were friendly and really nice. Since I don't have friends yet, I was hanging out with the org, even though I wasn't a member yet. I stayed in their booth during the Freshmen Organization Fair in the College of Science, in which I signed in their org application as well, and it was also fun having new friends that weren't the same year as mine. 

One of my first experiences with the org was the block handling. I was appointed Block head for a reason I cannot remember. It was the first time I bonded with my blockmates and, of course, with the organization. They conducted activities, like I was in a team-building thing. I had so much fun, and that was when I started liking my course and this organization even more.

Anyway, let's move forward to the application process. Well, technically I can't really tell much about it, but I can definitely share to you what I've learned from it. 

1. Creativity. I've learned how to be creative. Well, I'm already creative to start with, but I was able to use and develop my creativity. I exercised my imagination in the activities as well. 

2. Resourcefulness. In times of dire need, you just have to do something about it when all else fails. Using alternatives and recycling materials into something I can use is one of the things that made me through my application. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Environmentally friendly! ;)

3. Efficiency. It's a good way to develop your efficiency especially if there's a deadline or a time limit. Always doing what is best and being able to maximize everything into producing and expressing the best that you can offer - now that's efficient. I've learned that you should always give and do your best in everything that you do so you wouldn't regret anything.

4. Understanding. Whoever your batch mates are, or whoever you're working with, or friends with, you should always accept them as who they are. Understand  them. Be considerate. They're humans, too. And remember that not everything goes the way you want them to. 

5. Confidence. Before I was in college, I was so shy in expressing or sharing my talents, or offering my leadership, because some of the people don't like me because I'm bossy, or I thought that they may think of me as a show off or something. But that all changed. I was able to do whatever I needed to do, be it as embarrassing as dancing in front of a crowd while singing the music I'm dancing to, or whatever. I learned how to remove my shyness, or most of it, and being confident with myself and with what I can do. 

6. Sharing my talents. I'm happy with myself whenever I share my talents with other people. And I'm glad that this org has supported me and have believed in myself and with my talents. It made me more proud of myself and it made me want to share it to even more people. :)

7. Respect. It's an important thing, and I'm glad that they were able to implement this in our application, because, first of all, you are a friend to your orgmates, but, like a family, you should be able to respect the members as well just like the elder people in your family.

8. Trust. Learning how to trust your fellow orgmates and batchmates is a great way into knowing them better as a person. Trusting your buddy into helping you in your application process is one thing that one should develop in order to achieve the goal of becoming a member. I learned how to trust my batchmates that they would continue the application with me, and would not give up on me or on our batch. I also learned that the organization would never leave me and would never want to harm me in any way. The org only wants what's best for me and the organization itself, including the members. I trusted the org, and I still trust it, into letting it mold me into a better individual.

9. Fitness. I know that this course would mean a lot of hiking, and climbing mountains and doing fieldworks. I was able to exercise or train myself for these things, even in the simplest ways possible, and not requiring climbing any mountains or what. Training or exercise for such things are very useful, especially in the field of geology. I've learned that I need to develop my cardiovascular skills so I won't have a hard time catching up with other people when it comes to fieldwork.

10. Courage. I developed the courage to stand up for myself and for the organization. I had the courage to say what is right, or the courage to stand up for what I truly believe in. Even though people would tell you bad things, you should know how to fight for yourself and for your rights as a person.

11. Open-mindedness. There might be some things that are hard to understand at first, or are hard to accept, but once you opened up your mind to these things, you widen your horizons and be more critical about things. I learned that everything happens for a reason, and we should be able to absorb this reason, in order to understand why we are doing stuff that we do. 

12. Initiative. I've learned that I should have the initiative to do something instead of waiting others to tell me to do it. We don't always have to wait for someone to tell us what to do. Having the initiative means that you truly care about something, and you would do something about it to make it better. It's also a good way in helping other people when they need the extra hand. It's less hassle for them to tell you what you need to do, and it makes you productive at the same time.

13. Voice out your thoughts. These thoughts of yours are nothing when they are not shared with others. If it is for the good of something that you're doing or you would simply want to contribute to something, then it wouldn't harm you if you would share your thoughts about it. The org is always open for new and fresh ideas, and it would maximize and exercise your productivity and creativity at the same time.

There are also more things that I've learned after being a member.

14. Leadership. I was the Logistics Committee Head last AY 2010-2011. I was able to exercise my bossy leadership skills and also learned how to handle my committee properly. I've learned that being bossy and hot-headed wouldn't bring me anywhere. Instead of being angry at the people who are not contributing as much as they were supposed to do, I learned that I should encourage them instead, and be able to develop a community or a committee that is happy and welcome for their helping hands. I also learned that it is hard being a leader, but being able to accomplish something together with the organization is irreplaceable. It feels good to be successful in the projects that we were doing. 

15. Working while having fun. I've learned that in order for me not to lose interest with what I do, I should learn how to find the fun in doing it. Or at least, have fun with the people I'm doing it with. It helps in developing a stronger bond with them as well. 

16. Family. This org has become my second family, or my family away from home. Like parents to their child, they taught me and guided me into becoming a better and well-rounded person. A person that is equipped with skills and qualities that are not taught in a normal classroom, but are taught with experience and with proper guidance. 

17. Love. I have learned that the members of the organization are not doing these projects or activities just for nothing. They are not conducting anniversary dinners, or anniversary exhibits, review classes or contests or whatever just for the heck of it. They are doing it because of their love for the organization. I, myself, would want the organization to be able to as productive and be able to continue spreading our excellence in the field of geology to other people. 

GeoSoc was one of the greatest things that happened in my life. It improved my skills, taught me different qualities, and made me a better and versatile person. It provided me with a second family that I can't find anywhere else, but here. And this is one way of expressing my gratitude - by sharing my experiences and the lessons I've learned from them. 

I just hope that through the years, our future members would stay as awesome as the organization is. And that they would always keep the fire burning in the years to come. :)

Happy 55th Anniversary, UP GeoSoc! Tsup tsup! Mwah mwah! Slurp slurp! :)

*I know I've  missed a lot of things here. But as of now, this is all I can think of. Forgive me, if I would have grammatical or typographical errors. If ever you would think that this list of life lessons is incomplete, or you would want to share your own experiences and thoughts about this, do not hesitate into sending a comment on this post. :) Yai! 

Whoever you are, whatever you do, 

UP GeoSoc brings out the best in you!

Project: Existence.

Okay, so I made this other bloooog. But that doesn't mean I'll be abandoning this. I'm not yet really sure of what it's going to be exactly. The theme of the blog isn't concrete yet, and I'm having a hard time thinking of what I'm supposed to be putting there. Considering its title "Project: Existence", I think its more of a blog with... posts about how I live my life and making it as meaningful as possible. Or maybe about what I'm doing currently, or what I'm thinking. I think its about how I make myself human. How I unconsciously leave my "print" in place that I've been, how I make myself "known" in the simplest of ways. Its about how I stand out, how I stand alone, and how I stand with the crowd. It's about making myself exist, with as much witnesses I can possibly gather. I think it's not complete if I let myself exist with only my presence or my actions. My thoughts exist as well. My mind has a lot to say, and it helps me in all of my decisions in life.

Just like this blog, I want to keep it plain and simple. Although one of the differences is that there isn't any huge pandas on the background. LOL. Even though I want to have one. ;)) Hihihi.

In comparison with this blog, I believe that Project: Existence will be much more personal than this one. This one's about opinions on certain topics or whatnot. More of rants and facts and shiz.

Wait! I think I have an idea of a post for Project: Existence (PE). Need to type it now! Ciao.

http://www.projectexistence.blogspot.com