12 - "All the great speakers were bad speakers at first" - Ralph Emerson

According to research, public speaking is one of the top 5 common fears. It is really scary to speak in front of many people. It feels like that they are waiting for you to say something wrong and laugh at your mistakes. The feeling that someone is looking at you is already uncomfortable what more if a lot of people are looking at you.

An inter highschool competition was held at APC auditorium yesterday, 27 November 2015. It was amazing for me watching those highschool students. I wonder where do they get such courage to speak in front of many people. They don't even have a script nor guide to depend on. In such a young age they already have a lot of confidence which I don't have when I was that young. I always talk but not in front of a lot of people. Maybe because since I was young, English is my most hated subject. But people do need to adapt and so I did.

The winner is really good actually. She almost cried because of what she shared with us. Most of them used their own experiences but they didn't met what the theme is all about.

Confidence is really important in public speaking. Yes you have a good content and can think fast about things but if you don't have the confidence to relay your ideas to the audience through public speaking then it is useless. No one is already great at their first time, being great requires a lot of practice. I am not wishing to be a great speaker but I would like to become a good one someday.  Practice is also one of the key to be a great speaker. As my professor always say, 99% preparation and 1% execution.

10 - "This is the animal that hides in your heart"

Chinese astrology deals with divining sciences of wuxing or the five elements, Yin and Yang, Chi, and the cycles of time. The five elements of earth are earth, fire, water, metal and wood. They said that there has been a relationship between human and the 12 zodiacal animals like the western astrology does. It is believed that the years represented by the animals affect the characteristics with the person born on a specific year.

Chinese zodiac signs are also fixed in order according to the yin and yang of the animals. Theyin and yang of the animals are based on the odd or even number of their claws.

There are twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac signs and each has symbolic meanings and characteristics that should be harmonized. Below are the personalities of each animal.

Where there are human beings, there are rats. Rat is a kind of animal with strong adaptability to environments. It usually eats what people eat, so it can survive everywhere that people is about. People born in the Year of Rat are often with acute observation, positive attitude, and flexible mind. Above all, they can accommodate themselves to different circumstances quickly and get clear about the surroundings.

 Most people with Chinese zodiac Ox sign are conservative and traditionalistic. They impress people with an image of endurance, honesty and diligence. They seldom fear for any hardships or difficulties. They are persistent but stubborn, cautious but hesitant, moody and quick-tempered. Hitler and Napoleon were typical in many ways but with certain very noticeable failings with the sign of the Ox.

Tigers are accustomed inhabiting vast lands; consequently they have acute senses and sharp eyesight. The tiger is the symbol of power. People born in the Chinese zodiacal Tiger sign are quite cautious and energetic. They are also determined and persistent which help them strengthen their leadership.

 Rabbit is a tame and tender animal, and swift in love. People in the Chinese zodiac Rabbit sign usually have soft and tender personality traits. They keep a modest attitude and maintain a pleasant relationship to people around. They will not be irritated easily, and they also avoid quarrels as much as possible.

  Among the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, only the Dragon is mythical. It is an imaginary creature that combines the features of some other animals. There are many legends about this animal, and it is also regarded as the most auspicious sign. Chinese people believe they are the descendants of the Dragon. People born in the Year of the Dragon usually have mysterious, imaginative and noble personality traits.

Snake is usually regarded as a dark, insidious, sly and ruthless being. Both in western countries and China, there are many legend stories about the animal. And most of the time, it is labeled with a dark image. Actually, the animal is also the symbol of wisdom. People born in the Year of the Snake according to Chinese zodiac are usually well-educated, decent, smart and humorous. They can be brilliant artists, political leaders, as well as great thinkers.

The Wu Xing (The Five Elements) of the Horse is Fire (Huo), so the Horse stands for zeal and passion. People born in the Years of Horse are always having personality traits like being warm-hearted, enthusiastic, and positive. As they are lively and active, running in broad areas, so it is also the symbol of independence and freedom. 

Sheep is a kind of meek animal. They are usually very quiet and gentle, holding themselves aloof from the world. In a herd, all the sheep tend to listen to their leaders and show esteem to them. Because of the obedient character, sheep are among the most popular animals beloved by mankind. The fates curve of people born in the Year of Sheep / Goat / Ram exhibits an overall slightly ascending trend, which implies they will finally achieve success late in life. However, if they can come across brilliant leaders or people who appreciate their talents, they will distinguish themselves when young. 

The Wu Xing (Five Elements) sign of the Monkey is Metal (Jin), so the animal stands for brilliance and perseverance. According to Chinese zodiac analysis, people born in a Year of the Monkey always have smart, agile and active characteristics. They are endowed with highly adaptable abilities because of their complicated living environment.

 According to traditional Chinese zodiac analysis, Rooster is the representative of confidence and intelligence. People who born in the Years of the Rooster usually share lots of common personality traits such as being responsive, distinctive, smart and earnest. Being strict with themselves is their strongest characteristic.

The Dog is the symbol of honesty, frankness and extremely loyalty in all groups. People having the Chinese zodiac Dog sign always have industrious, genuine and righteous characteristics. In addition, most of them have a good sense of humor. Their smooth-talking and resourceful personality traits win high popularity among surrounding people. 

People with this zodiac sign are considerate, responsible, independent and optimistic. They always show generousness and mercy to endure other people’s mistakes, which help them gain harmonious interpersonal relationship. However, sometimes they would behave lazy and lack actions. In addition, pure hearts would let them be cheated easily in daily life.

11 - Media Literacy

Last Wednesday, 28 November 2015, we attended a seminar about media literacy. The seminar was somehow basic for me. 

The first speaker taught us how to make a good new report. I learned that the most important yet not observed question in making news is "So what?". Yes, everybody can make news nowadays. But the question is, so what? Why do we need to care? Does the news worth our attention? Sad to say that some news nowadays are not importan

t to us. Why do they air news about Ms. Pastillas and AlDub? Because it is what the people WANT to hear but we DON'T NEED to know about.

I liked the second speaker. She awaken me. From the people of Syria to the Lumad killings. ( I think that the military were not the who did those killings. If ever they committed it, probably it was for self defense. A lot of civilians can wear military uniform nowadays, and NPAs use those uniform. Military conduct proper protocol. I wish civilians would know who are the true men in uniform. It doesn't mean that when someone uses a military uniform he/she is a member of the AFP.) The problem of Syria were happening for a long time now but we don't even bother to tweet or post anything about them. But when the Paris was attacked, some of us even changed our profile pictures with the colors of their flag and sympathize with them. Did we do this for the Syrians? NO.

We must not make a status that will may use against us. We have indeed freedom of expression, but do we really need to let out our feelings through social medias? Do other people care? NO. You're just humiliating yourself. For me, it is a habit that IMMATURE people do. 

9 - Cirilio Bautista

Cirilio Bautista is a poet, essayist, and a critic. He was recognized for his works and received numerous and exceptional achievements and had significant contributions to the development of the country's literary art. 

Bautista took AB Literature and graduated as Magna Cum Laude in University of Santo Tomas. He continued his masters in  literature in St. Louis University in Baguio which again he graduated as Magna Cum Laude then Doctors of Arts in Language and Literature in De La Salle University.

Through out his career, he has established a strong reputation for fine and profound artistry. His works influences the generations of young writers. Bautista have been holding funded and unfunded workshops for the young writers.

For Bautista, classroom is an important training ground for writers. After graduating, he entered the field of teaching that made him a professor. 

His poem "Oh how to find Silence in the World"got my attention. He used code switching that I think other Filipino poet doesn't do. This of poem of Bautista focuses on racial prejudice and used Negros and White Americans as an example. 

Bautista continues to contribute to the development of Philippine Literature in many ways; as a teacher, through his discovery and encouragement of young writers: as a writer, through his works and a critic that provide insights to the misconceptions about art.

8 - SOM Week

There is a lot of activities that SoM students joined. These activities also made our classes cancelled for a week which made us worry because midterm week is fast approaching.

The SoM week was started with a parade around Magallanes Village and back to APC. School of Management was introduced to the students. School of Management was School of Accountancy and Business before and we don’t know the reason why they changed it. SoAB is better than SoM for me.

Men’s basketball tournament is the event that I attended completely. Well maybe because it is the only event that you don’t need to sign up. But unfortunately, AC’s didn’t won on the championship game versus the BM’s.

When the teachers already announced that we don’t have class, my friends and I will go straight to the SAO to play monopoly and sometimes scrabble. But if the SAO is full and we don’t have any place to stay inside the room we just go to the seminars or in the library.

SoM night is not good. For me it is worse than the frosh night. Less people attended which made the place a little colder than the frosh night. SoM students are not the only ones who attended the party even the students from SoE and SoCIT. I went home early that night because I am really bored. I think I am really getting older. HAHAHAH!

The most awaited Mr. & Ms. SoM was scheduled at last day of the week. Two of my blockmates participated on the event. I didn’t finish the pageant because my father is already waiting for me and I don’t want to go home late because it is hard to ride a jeepney at night. I heard that Latrell Sombillon, my blockmate, won second place and he is also got the people’s choice award. The judges thought so, because some of my blockmate did some gimmicks and we really shouted for them. We don’t care if we are the noisiest.

All in all, I kinda enjoyed the SoM week, especially the Dairy Queen. J I hope next SoM week I could participate with the other events.

7 - "Cigarettes are a classy way to commit suicide" - Kurt Vonnegut

Anti-smoking campaign was already started years ago but until now smoking is rampant. A lot of teenagers are into smoking and it is worrisome. I don’t know why these teenagers enter this kind of vice. Is it because of peer pressure, family problems, or they just want to try it? Maybe they thought that smoking makes them cool. But they were wrong. We are wrong. I did smoke when I was younger but it didn’t become my vice. I can’t understand those who are telling me that they can’t stop smoking.

Anti-smoking campaigns are ignored until now even though a lot of people are suffering from lung cancer. Some campaigns invite speakers who survived lung cancer but they have a hole in their throat that makes them unable to speak without a machine. Government should also help the non-government organizations who are in anti-smoking campaign.

Smoking could be stop slowly. I know it is hard. It will take a lot of time. But it could be done. Discipline is the key. The government should also implement a law that states a person may only smoke in a smoking area only. Mayor Duterte of Davao had been implementing it. Davao is almost smoke free. People can get lung cancer even though they are not smoking. They got it by being the second hand smoker. They got it because of the people who smoke in public.

Government should also increase the tax of the cigarette companies. If cigarettes are more expensive, people are more likely not to buy cigarettes unless they are really addicted to it.

Again, discipline is the key to everything. They said that common sense is not common, as well as discipline too. We are lacked of discipline. Improvement should start in oneself. It is not only for us, but also for the next generations.