My reaction to the movie: "ODYSSEY"

It is a great movie and I'm glad that King Odysseus still managed to come back in his home where his wife and only son is waiting. I can say that King Odysseus is a great man that even though there are lots of hardship that came in his life, he is still able to face all of it and be determined to go back in his hometown. This movie is written by Homer. I think that it was really interesting. It such a great thing that we can watch some scene in history of the Greeks. For me who really like knowing about Greeks god and goddesses was happy about the movie. I see that the Greek epic was indeed rich in culture. In this movie i can have an idea of what happens before. Its a good thing that there's a movie like this . It really help us students because i think that we can much more understand the odyssey if were actually watching it than listening to the story. It seems that the students not only enjoying watching it but the same time learning. Moreover, I can say that The Odyssey is an enjoyable story following King Odysseus' adventures during the ten years he spent returning from the Trojan War to Ithaca, Greece. Though, I understand that it is not totally true to Homer's Odyssey but that it is close enough to present an entertaining version of the story. Unfortunately sometimes i had a problem in understanding what they are saying due to the fact that there's no subtitle and they have some accent in speaking that makes it more hard. Finally, i can said that the movie is filled with adventure, romance and humor and that it should please anyone who loves mythology. 

"P-Noy's SONA 2012"

Even though I started to watch the SONA at 4:30 pm, I am still able to jot down the highlights of the SONA and I made some research for all of his promises for our country. For me his SONA was different from Aquino's SONA because he used Filipino language, he memorized his speech and he delivered it very well. So here's the information I gathered for this article:


President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III delivered his State of Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa on July 23, 2012. 

President Aquino started to deliver his report to the nation at 4:04 PM.

Highlights Of The SONA:

• President Aquino mentioned perks for GOCCs, PAGCOR ‘coffee scam’, and secondhand helicopters sold to PNP as brand-new.

• Aquino cited economic achievements, including the $1 billion loan the Philippines granted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

• Free education - 4.57 million students who could not go to school before due to poverty are now able to study.

• 85% of Filipinos are now Philhealth members.

• Government expanding health services; PhilHealth extends coverage to cancer and leukemia patients.

• More than 30,000 nurses deployed to over 36,000 barangays.

• DOST Secretary Mario Montejo and DOH Secretary Enrique Ona lauded for the success of mosquito traps in bringing down the number of dengue cases in the country.

• Congress urged to to pass sin tax reform bill to raise taxes on cigarettes and liquor.

• Backlog of over 2 million chairs to be addressed by 2012; backlog of over 66,000 classrooms to be addressed by 2013.

• The president received applause, standing ovation upon mention of responsible parenthood bill (or RH Bill).

• State universities and colleges will get a 43.61% budget increase in 2013.

• TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva commended for reforms and effective implementation of technical education scholarships and other vital programs.

• Inherited 8% unemployment rate has reduced to 6.9%.

• During Aquino’s term, 3.1 million jobs were created.

• Construction of Bohol airport in Panglao, Legaspi airport in Daraga, and Laguindingan airport in Misamis Oriental in 2016 mentioned.

• LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project has started in June 2012.

• NAIA-3 structural defects to be addressed.

• SLEX-NLEX connector to be completed by 2015.

• Better implementation of bidding process at DPWH cited; infrastructure being improved without raising taxes.

• Target of 4.6 million tourists for 2012 set.

• DOT’s “It’s More Fun In The Philippines” tourism campaign lauded.

• Pres. Aquino hopes that country can export rice in 2013.

• Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program cited.

• 1,520 sitios have been provided with electricity within 90 days.

• When he assumed office, 45% of policemen had no guns; 74,600 new guns to be added for the police force.

• On the AFP modernization: Hi-tech and better quality patrol and war ships; new helicopters, radio and communication equipment, frigates, light aircraft will be acquired.

• VTRs of housing and Conditional Cash Tranfer (CCT) beneficiaries shown during the SONA.

• No more cash advances allowed in government agencies.

• Voters list cleaned up; no more ghosts voters; officer-in-charge Governor Mujiv Hataman commended for reforms in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

• DOST/PAGASA’s Project NOAH cited, disaster preparedness in the country has improved.

• By 2013, 600 rain gauges and 422 water level sensors will be installed at 18 main river basins.

• 1.5 million hectares of trees to be planted by 2016.

• Executive Order on mining cited.

• Illegal loggers warned: “Kayong mga isinusugal ang buhay ng kapwa Pilipino: maghanda na kayo. Tapos na ang maliligayang araw ninyo.”

• Pres. Aquino assures government workers of provision of benefits; unveils ‘performance based incentives’ for state workers.

• Bonus of goverment workers this year will be based on achieved targets.

• Old-age and disability pensioners will receive at least P5,000 per month.

• Progress will continue with fairness, consistency in governance.

• Territorial dispute with China particularly in the West Philippine Sea mentioned.

• Aquino said Philippines will protect and uphold its national sovereignty and territorial authority.

• “Forgive and forget ang lahat ng atraso ng mga naglubog sa atin sa bulok na estado? Ang magpatawad, maaari; ang makalimot, hindi.

• PNoy also mentioned the filing of plunder charges against former-president Gloria Arroyo, the impeachment of Renato Corona as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the search for the latter’s replacement.
• Pres. Aquino likewise lauded Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales for fighting graft.
• PNoy called on Congress to pass amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).
• President Aquino tackled electoral reforms for the 2013 polls.
• Aquino: Filipinos made change possible; change comes from the citizenry.

The SONA and joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives ended at 5:30 pm.

"Christmas"

We all know that Christmas is the day were all Filipinos are celebrating it. It is called Christmas because it is the day were Christ Jesus was born. It is one of the best day that we should give others Christmas presents and gifts for your love ones.

I celebrate my Christmas this year with my family. On Christmas Eve we went to church and ate foods like Pizza, Palabok, Rice, Fried Chicken, Lumpiang Shanghai, and many more. We ate those food with a big smile in our face. On that night our Christmas Tree and Christmas Light are all shining. When it is December 25 we went in different places. First, we went in the house of my Mother's cousins. Second, we went in my aunt's place. Third, we spend our night in Quezon City Circle. That was one of my best Christmas with my family and with my cousins.

Let's always celebrate Christmas with Joy and Love. Happy Holidays!

"Peace and Democracy: make your voice heard!"

September 21, 2011, marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace. As we begin today a 100-day countdown to the observance, we pay tribute to the many civil society activists who lent the strength of their imagination to the institution of this Day. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1981 that the Day shall be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

It invited all Member States, the United Nations system, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, peoples and individuals to commemorate the Day in different ways, especially through all means of education, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the observance of that day. Education, and the fruits of education, have been central to this observance. Young women and men everywhere are demonstrating the power of connection by reaching out to each other, and rallying together, in the common cause of the dignity and human rights to which their peoples aspire. It is in tribute to them, and the spirit they represent, that we have chosen this year, under the overall idea of Peace and Democracy, the theme of “Make your voice heard.”

The United Nations stands ready to work with the peoples in whose name the International Day of Peace was established to secure a world ready for, and worthy of, the peace that is essential to all creative human endeavor.

The Preamble to the United Nations Charter states that the Organization was founded to prevent and resolve international conflicts and help build a culture of peace in the world.

Peace and democracy are inextricably linked. Together, they form a partnership that promotes the well-being of all. Embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, democracy supports an environment for a host of political rights and civil liberties.

In line with the Day’s theme, something profoundly remarkable was happening in the world. Young women and men everywhere are demonstrating the power of solidarity by reaching out and rallying together for the common goal of dignity and human rights. This powerful force brings with it the potential to create a peaceful and democratic future. It’s not too late to add your voice.

"Batang Kalabaw"

This is about children who is going in the forest to get some wood and they will sell it to get some money to help their parents.

Carlo Tubay who is a 5th grader, Randy who is only 6 years old and the youngest in their group, and Cherilyn as the oldest and 14 years old. They walk for 4 hours but they get an income of 1.50 pesos in one day and 8-10 pesos is their income in every ordered wood. They carry 2 per 2 to eight feet and 50-20 kilo wood. They only get 3 pesos in one day in their service.

After working, Cherilyn Villaseran is doing house work. She is working for 7 years. Her father is in the jail because of murder while her mother is insane because of the death of his older brother. Cherilyn is one of the children who is not going to school. Her mother named Nenita Villaseran is living in her aunt. She gets an income of 6 pesos everyday and the biggest income was 12 pesos.

Jay Taruc was the documentarist, Lea Llamoso was the reporter, Jayson Cruz as the camera man and Howie Severino was the host of the show.

We should be more responsible in our country because we don't know that many Filipinos are suffering from the faults of our government agencies. We should remember that they are humans who need help and care of others and most of all they have goals and dreams in their life so don't forget to help others with all your heart.

"Batang Mansisibak"

This documentary is made by Cesar Apolinario. It is about children who swim in Manila Bay to get some garbage that can be sell in the junk shop. This children are those who are unfortunate but despite of this happenings they still trying their best to get some food to eat. There are 7 children who is taking garbage in Manila Bay known as "Mansisibak".

Jubelyn Garcia have a husband who is a garbage collector. Her husband only income 100 peso a day. 2 in their 4 children are taking garbage in the bay. Arnold who is 10 years old of age and 9 years old boy named Buboy. They called the trash as "Sibak"

Arnold is taking garbage since he is 5 years old and 6 years from now. Arnold is only grade 3 and he wants to be a doctor someday while Buboy stop in schooling because he said that it is happier to get garbage in the bay than going to school. Another mansisibak named Antonio Gonzales is not going to school because of poverty. Buboy knew that he have diabetes in his early age and because of this disease, his kidney is slowly destroyed while Arnold has a heart disorder.

The government of the Philippines should help those children to go in school because it is more important to become an educated human so that you can have a good future someday. At their early age they are working for their food instead of going to school. The only solution is to make our economy grow and help those people who is poor.

"The Collaboration with the Americans"

The Filipino learned to fight among themselves when they exiled in HongKong. Isabelo Artacho, the Secretary of the Interior of the Supreme Council, wanted the 400,000 paid by Spain to be divided equally among them but General Emilio Aguinaldo refused. Aguinaldo wanted to bought some equipments and he wanted to used those money to buy weapons. On April 23, 1898 Aguinaldo and Howard Bray sailed to Singapore And they were able to talk with each other. Believing that the Americans could help win the Philippine Independence, Aguinaldo voiced his desire to return to the Philippines and lead the armed revolution against the Spain. Pratt immediately sent a cable to Commodore George Dewey, head of the United States Navy Asiatic Squadron, in Hongkong.

The money was separated in two instances:

>50,000 pesos and 67,000 pesos for the purchase of weapons needed in the revolution.

But sadly the first amount was used but the second amount didn't arrived, nor it was returned to the Filipinos.

On May 4,1898, the Filipino members of the Hongkong Junta assembled together to discuss the events taking place in the Philippines. Junta is a Spanish term for GATHERING. Felipe Agoncillo headed the Junta in Hongkong.

The members were:

>President - Felipe Agoncillo
>Members - Doroteo Lopez, Teodoro Sandico, Anastacio Francisco, Mariano Llanera, Miguel Malvar, Andres Garchitorena, Maximo Kabigting, Antonio Montenegro, Faustino Lichauco, and Severino Buenaventura.

They agreed that Aguinaldo must come back to the Philippines to lead an uprising against the Spaniards.