Tinig Makabayan

Baler, lugar ng kanyang kapanganakan

Kinilalang Ama ng Wikang Pambansa

Tinaguyod ang bayan sa kasarinlan

Manuel Luis Quezon ang kanyang pangalan.

Filipino, wikang kanyang gamit-gamit

Tatak ng ating lahing lagi n’yang bitbit

Nasa kanya ang tinig na makabayan

Tinig na gumising sa ‘ting sambayanan.

Hindi tayo Hapon o Amerikano,

Kundi’y mga Pilipinong may Filipino.

Wikang yaman natin na tulad ng ginto

Wag balewalain na parang anino.

Pinagtutulay ang buong Pilipinas.

Sari-saring tinig, magkaintindihan.

Simbolo ng pagmamahal sa ‘ting bayan

Mula noon hanggang magpakailanman.

Wag maging tila kabayong tumatahol

Na di ginagamit ang sariling ungol.

Ang tinig makabayan ay iparinig.

Maging PINOY! na Filipino ang gamit.

I Smile Coz I Have My Reasons To (poem)

GREEN TECH: In Harmony with our World ~ [didn't win. :( ]

Advancements on technology don’t have to be hindrances to our environment. This is because of the growing movement on the efficient usage of eco-friendly components and devices, much known as GREEN COMPUTING.

Green computing, or Green technology, is related to the movements on promoting reduction of environmentally hazardous materials. Shelly Casman, author of Discovering Computers 2010, says that it’s not merely about the production of energy-efficient computer peripherals and gadgets. More importantly, it’s on providing customers with easy ways on how to reuse or recycle their old computers.

The Information Communications Technology industry is responsible for 3% of our environmental concerns brought about by improper power management. With it growing to 20% annually, by research and statistics, it’s predicted that by 2030, this will cause for the damage to double up. The issue of climate change and global warming is something experienced by all, either you’re a computer user or not. Thus being a computer user who brings contribution on world crisis, you must know how to be of help on saving the planet it.

This is the essence of green computing. Its goal is to provide society’s needs in a way that would not deplete its resources.

Back in 1992, the first effort for saving the earth through our tech-devices was the launching of Energy Star. It introduced the Sleep mode on computers which saves more amount of power than simply putting it to power-saver. In year 2009, the industry of computers increased its focus on green computing. Devices were made for the benefit not only of their users, but of their environment as well.

VIA, which stands for Very Innovative Architecture, technology proved its innovation on their production of carbon-free devices. Carbon is a huge percent in what causes the blanket-like layer of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that causes heat rays to be trapped and reflected back to our planet. The production and usage of our gadgets, big and small, emits carbon that when put together becomes harmful enough. Thus what VIA started is indeed a smart and helpful way in saving our environment.

Another step for technology was the debut of Nanotechnology. It provides efficiency in service while consuming less energy.

Dell and Intel products also gave their part on the movement of green technology. Dell, founded by Michael Dell, used silicon on their components that contribute to reduced energy consumption. Intel on the other hand, introduced quality devices and peripherals that are also eco-friendly.

Through this past decade, our Philippines had been one of the top digital penetrating countries in Asia. So as citizens of our nation and as children of our sole Mother Earth, we must take part on healing the destruction we’ve made on her resources. Here are some useful tips:

• Use LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) monitors instead of CRT(Cathode Ray Tube) monitors.
• For cooling systems, use liquid powered ones. Liquid cooling systems are more eco-friendly than the conventional heat sinks and fans.
• When using laptops, it is also advisable to refrain from putting them on top of hard surfaces that can trap the heat underneath.
• Don’t switch devices on and off constantly. This would cause the current to increase at power on. It’s much better to just leave the device on, but make sure it’s in sleep mode or in power saver. With power saving, we save 10-15% energy, plus we also extend the life of our devices.
• Look for units that assure you energy saving.
• When planning on buying a PC, consider a laptop instead.
• Research on ways to recycle your computer components. Disposing of these materials would only add to eWaste, also known as Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment, which are discarded computer components that bring hazard to the environment caused by the materials in which they’re made.

Huge manufacturing companies had already started taking part in reducing the environmental crisis. It’s time for us to take action, too. We get a lot of advantage from Green technology that benefits not only ourselves. When we do smart and green computing, we just don’t save costs on our bills. We also save earth.

By this let’s practice green computing for a brighter future and a greener world. Remember, without our Mother Earth, we won’t be here using our laptops today!

Practice for PAJITA Regionals

One click can change your lives. One click can uncover highways to a new world. One click can work for different purposes. It’s just one little click, but it requires a lot of responsibility from you.

For the people of the generation today, it is quite undeniable that social networking sites, including Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Tumblr and etc., have been the most popular destinations in the internet. These sites are venues for interactions of people in cyberspace. These people are people who vary in their class. There are professionals and starters engaging in online businesses, celebrities, students, parents, and even scammers and perverts. The sites don’t choose their users. Everyone who has an e-mail account may join. Therefore, whether you like it or not, if you are not careful enough, you might just come to deal with these unruly users.

Social networking works wonders on the World Wide Web for the modern world today. But the benefits of it could only be acquired with smart social networking.

What do people get from social networking? There are countless things. Through it, long distance is just a screen glass away. Relationships are continually nurtured. The long lost are found. The separated are then reunited. Even strangers become friends. As to some people, they’d already consider the networks on the internet their world.

People tend to only see what’s on the surface. But really, these social networking sites are actually comprising an entirely different world. Thus, entering it entails much responsibility and application of right conduct. It has its share of both advantages and disadvantages which should be looked upon more intently. Christy Randall working as the department director of Spring Arbor University support services, helps manage the university's computer centers and filters that block out undesirable Internet content, such as pornography. She points out that social networking sites are like a double-edged sword. They have some real benefits, but they also have some dangers. Given are cyber bullying, sexual exploitation and identity theft as examples. Since social networking sites are popular especially on growing teens, parents would play an important role on their children’s safety on the web communities. They’re the ones having utmost rights to establish boundaries for their children and monitor them to ensure that they practice smart social networking along with their responsibilities and proper demeanor.

John Sileo, a reputable blogger, gives his ideas on the hazards caused by social networking. This article may be read on http://www.divinecaroline.com/22275/81551-seven-hazards-social-networking. He grouped them into categories. Based on experience, he listed impersonation as first of the hazards. Along with it are ownership, breach, fraud, disclosure and human error. He also wrote about tips on how to protect yourself online.

Interaction is basically in every social networking site. Here are some prerequisite guidelines when engaging in these networks:

• Don’t abuse your anonymity. In the cyber world, you are able to choose how you would want to be known. It wouldn’t mean that you can post all you want to the extent of going against the right of others or of your own.
• Practice truthfulness in the information you share. This is important especially when you are in the business industry. Clients would not want it if you lie to them. In the future, dishonesty might be the cause of your dilemmas.
• Be selective on what you share. Though encouraged to be truthful in information, those information shared should only be limited to what is needed. Personal data might be used in malevolence towards you or others. It’s preferred to be always tactful. Once you post something online, it would stay there forever. For example, even if you delete a flame comment the next day or the next hour, someone might have read it already and have caused for it to spread. Photos also are not permanently deleted in cyberspace. They might be deleted in your Facebook or Myspace accounts, but they’re still accessible through their photo URLs. Don’t allow these kind of stuffs to haunt you in the future, so be careful!
• Be decent at all times. As what is said previously, you should be selective on what you share. If for example, you start posting indecent stuff on sites, people would get the impression that you are that kind of person. Respect yourself so others would respect you as well.
• Don’t spam. Inspect whether what you’re about to post or share is worth posting or sharing. Don’t multiple-post either. Your audience is able to get what you’re trying to say with a single post. For what purpose are multiple-posts then? These would just irritate others.
• Only use sites appropriate for your age. Some sites require their users to be a certain age and up. Facebook and Myspace, top social networking sites, both have same age restrictions. You have to be at least 13 in order to join. If you’re under the required age, therefore it means that the sites’ content is yet unsuitable for you. Explore the web and you’ll find a lot more sites worth visiting.
• Never use the sites as avenues for bullying and harassing. Lately, cyber bullying had been a major cause of problem within the internet, especially on social networking sites. This creates a huge impact on those involved. Lives may even be ruined by this. A person’s self-esteem should never be the cost for improper behavior on the net.

Since social networking sites are just around the corner, you got to put in mind all these stuffs. Membership on this type of sites should not be easily taken for granted. There are other netiquettes to be followed as well.

Social networking sites aren’t merely web sites. They are communities of people too. They give you the access you need to get to the other parts of the world, connecting people of wide diversity. So treat people like how you want to be treated. Just as footsteps are made for us here on earth, mouse clicks for options are made for us on the internet.

On Divorce Bill (for mycolumn; first ish of Pink Seekers 2011-12)

Till Divorce Do Us Apart

Broken hearts, broken vows, broken homes.

Marriage was the sacrament for union of two people, given with God’s grace to live life as one ‘til death do them apart. This was until divorce was made legal among nations and tore up the sanctity of this sacrament.

We humans ourselves are the reasons why and how divorce came about. Back then – many, many years ago – divorce was first allowed in the Bible by Moses because the people were too stubborn and so hard to teach.

This continues through generations and at present, only 6 countries without divorce are left. Our Philippines is one. Yet unfortunately, Divorce Bill is here now, being processed on senate.

With this, it’s as if annulment had not been enough to us. I’ve asked several about annulment’s difference with divorce and wondered why there’s a proposal of the Divorce Bill when annulment already exists in the country.

As I researched, annulment is invalidation of marriage in law, while divorce is a complete legal disunion of the 2 married persons. Divorce has a deeper history and meaning. Still, both are sinful and against Catholic beliefs, which is what most of our country’s population practice.

\

Other religions accept divorce but aside from religious points, I know divorce is not a solution to marriage failures. In the first place, if there are problems between the couple, those are for them to resolve together, not separately. Would ending their marriage fix everything? No. it would only leave broken hearts, broken vows, and broken homes. It’s just as same as cracks on glass cannot be fixed by breaking the whole thing down; worse is that this would only leave debris and you end up hurting yourself picking up those little pieces.

No one would want a broken family. The most affected would be the couple’s own children. That’s why married couples should strive to make their relationship strong so it could withstand all circumstances. If a storm may come, never suggest ending the marriage. Work it up and hope for the sun to shine again. When we always look at the bright side of life, things get better.

I really hope those people in charge would consider things. I believe they’d not want their own homes broken when things get rough. Passing the Divorce Bill would only trigger people’s hopelessness in marriage. One big failure...they’d not work hard for patching it up since anyway, divorce would already be there. Sign this and sign that, voila! Easy as that, the marriage would be destroyed. Vows vanished. Forever, ended then and there.

I say no to divorce. I hope you do so, too.

What it takes - 2nd column for Pink Seekers

What it takes

Motivation makes people aspire more for their dreams and goals in life. When you would want something, act and live for that. To be a star is to have the glow of one, and for this school year, that glow is what the different sections of the high school department are competing for.

The Student Body Organization(SBO) officers launched the Star Class Program as their first activity for the AY 2010-2011. The said program determines which of the 29 sections from 1st to 4th year is the most disciplined and outstanding for the current grading period. There would be 5 sections chosen for the award but only one tops all the others.

So what does it take to be proclaimed the Star Class?

High grades and excellence in academics? No, these don’t prove a star class. What are these things for when one does not possess the right character? To be a star means having to be a role model for the other classes. Some may possess the intellect but not the glow of a real star. This is why general sections and lead classes have fair chances on getting the award. Many strive to be on top, but of course, that won’t be that easy.

Judging would be critical. Sections are judged by their subject teachers. This means eyes are on them for the whole day. You may not know it but they’re there, searching for the qualities of a Star Class. Judging won’t also just happen in the classrooms during class hours. Recess and lunch breaks, and even dismissals are included too. My advice: don’t be just a show off and act like a goody-goody when teachers and coordinators are around. Be real because stars give off their own light. They do not emit artificial lights.

After subject teachers judge the sections from the year levels, they would meet and the lead teacher would submit the top five sections of that year level to the SBO officers. Those sections would be further judged by the chosen judges who would be coming from the coordinators.

So as you can see, the process is like filtration. The sections that don’t qualify for the Star Class award would not make it, especially when they have offenses and violations. Major offenses would automatically disqualify a section. The sections that would top in the last judging would come out as the Star Class awardees.

Stars are not born, they are made. UIC creates individuals with character. The Star Class Program exists for our motivation, but with or without it, we should still try to be the best we can be and be like stars. Never say you can’t do it because UICians CAN do it. Don’t be contented with something good because there’s still something better. And still, don’t get satisfied with it. Aim to be the best.

So reach your goals by aiming for the sky. Dare to shine. Do you have what it takes?

Get Involved! - My First Column on Pink Seekers

Get Involved!

Let’s take a look around in the things around us. Do you see the reality in all of the things you see? The planet we’re living in is currently having a major threatening problem. It’s something all of us humans are responsible of. This issue has been talked about over and over again and it continues to be a hot issue as the planet also goes hotter these days – GLOBAL WARMING.

What has caused the rising temperatures on earth? Let’s have this situation for an example; your family has just received your monthly electricity bill and all of your energy consumption has amounted to Php 3 000.00. You say, well, where’s the problem there? Since you’re family’s wealthy, you can pay that amount even if it was more than that. You can’t see there’s more to that.

Yes, you are able to pay the electricity you’ve used, but what you can’t pay with even a billion pesos is the effect of what you’ve done to our environment. Your high consumption of energy contributes to the climate change we are experiencing today. The more energy you use, the more fossil fuels are burned. Burning of fossil fuels emits much amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. That will add to the thickening layer of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Here’s where the greenhouse effect comes in. When light from the sun enters our planet, it turns to heat. Some of the heat are reflected back to space and some are retained on earth. The greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere acts like a thickening blanket that traps more heat on earth and causes the rising of temperature.

Here’s another situation. Take a look at our planet’s forests. There’s logging here and logging there, causing deforestation. Trees take in CO2, thus helping in the decreasing of its amount on earth. With the trees slowly becoming few in number, what would be the result of it to the environment? The atmospheric carbon would continue to increase in amount.

Looking around the city highways and streets around you, what do you see? Mostly vehicles, right? What makes those vehicles run? It’s gasoline – from fossil fuels once again. Not only that; vehicles also produce carbon monoxide, another form of atmospheric carbon that’s harmful to the environment. But this does not mean we have to stop traveling by means of vehicles. All we are asked to do is to minimize it for our planet’s own sake.

The situations above are just few of the many things that contribute to global warming. These things happen daily, harming our Mother Earth. We have no one to pinpoint our fingers to but ourselves. If we ponder things up, all we’d realize is what our world is experiencing right now’s all because of us. Nature can take care of itself without any help from us humans. Here we are abusing what are given to us – the earth, our ONLY planet, making problems that we ourselves would suffer. Well, if we would not put a stop, better get ready to face the consequences. Don’t be surprise if one day, you wake up with all the land cracked, the earth’s forests on wild fire, small islands disappearing because of the rising sea levels, temperatures rising continuously, and you find it hard to breathe because of oxygen depletion.

There are things we could still do to prevent our planet’s condition from worsening. Here are some useful tips: 1. Turn off the lights when not in use, especially during daytime. 2. Use compact fluorescent light (CFL) since they use less energy. 3. Plug off appliances when not in use. 4. Make use of alternative energy sources such as solar panels. 5. Don’t overcharge your gadgets. 6. Plant more trees. 7. Reduce, reuse, recycle. 8. Just walk or ride on bikes when your destination is just near. This would also be a good exercise for you. 9. Share rides when going to school or to work with a co-employee or schoolmate to lessen the vehicles in use. This would also help lessen the traffic. 10. Lessen your unnecessary trips.

The problem on global warming needs action. Many has been said and done, and yet here we are acting as if we don’t care about anything at all. Earth is the only planet we have. If we would not be the ones to save Mother Earth, who will? Saving our environment is for our own good, too. Take a look again on what’s around you and this time, look more closely and start to ponder things. The need for action is now, not when everything’s too late already. It’s time to take part in the fight against global warming. It’s time to get involved.