True Essence of Christmas

     The wind blows coldly, the snows start to fall, houses are decorated with colorful things, some stayed glowing, and some are blinking. This would only mean one thing, it is already Christmas, but what does Christmas mean to us? Does it mean that Christmas is only the season of gift giving? What do you think is the  true essence of Christmas?
     Christmas is a festival that is celebrated with the same or equal level of fun and some sorth of seriousness. The fun element of Christmas is reflected in it's merry-making. People celebrate it by feasting, exchanging cards and gifts, decorating houses, having a christmas dinner, and singing christmas songs. The serious part of the festival confines to the rituals and traditions followed since ages.
     When december comes, we look forward to celebrate christmas with our family and friends. For almost all of us, we tend to shut down all works and rest or travel. Forsome, it is a time to visit people and have fun with them, because we haven't seen them in a long time. And for others, it is the time to cook their wonderful dishes they never had time for and may be try out new recipes. All of these are great and they really make a colorful season.
     When I consider all these, I guess this is what Christmas are all about. But certainly, there is more than these the true Essence of Christmas? Jesus Christ, our savior is the complete essence of Christmas. Every 25th of December, it is the day wherein our savior was born, it is the time for us to reejoice, mostly honored by Christians.
     There is so many good things about Christmas, there is love, peace, etc., but above all this, our savior was born. God had loved us that much that he send his son to die for us and be reconciled again. So we must rejoice and thank God.

Equal Rights Equal Opportunities

  Equal opportunity is a stipulation that all people should be treated similarly, unhampered by artificial barriers or prejudices or preferences, except when particular “distinctions can be explicitly justified.” Are you aware in what they call DISCRIMINATION? In the unequal rights that we are experiencing now?


  IN order to build a great democratic, just, fair and humane society, it is of utmost importance to arouse the broad masses of our people to join the struggle that will ensure "equal rights, equal opportunities and progress for all".Genuine equality between women and men, girls and boys can only be realised in the process of a just, fair and humane transformation of our society as a whole.There's need for us to unite and enable women to take their rightful place in production and political activity to improve their economic and political status.There is need to educate ourselves and others to take a more correct view of women and to actively redress the injustices done to women in all our institutions - the Church, state and family.Women must not be treated as mere passive participants in national development. But they must enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms befitting all human beings, both in domestic and public life. Women need to be treated justly in families, workplaces, public life and the Church.Women are a backbone of our families and play major roles in our economy, especially in rural areas. The life and health of women are of central importance to the future development of our nation.This being the case, the calls for the true empowering of women to enable them to participate in decision making in our society need to be heeded.Women bring special gifts to the progress of our country. If they are not listened to and are discriminated against, then we simply will not have sustainable and equitable progress.And men should be more involved in promoting women's rights. Advancement will not go very far unless women and girls are enabled to enjoy the same rights and opportunities as men and boys.Women must be represented at decision-making levels in both economics and politics, to sustainably achieve development goals.True empowering of women enables them to participate in decision-making processes in society. One effective strategy towards empowering women is to promote equal opportunity for women's representation in decision-making positions.Women also have the right and duty to take part in the political and administrative work of our nation. Women possess full equality and dignity and have a significant role to play in the affairs of our country.


  The question that arises is why after so many years of struggle, so many years of commemorations, the women's situation still remains what it is? Some people are even today asking if women can be equal partners with men in development.This discrimination and marginalisation of women doesn't make sense even biblically because we are told: "There is not male and female; for you are all one in Jesus Christ" (Gal 3:28).There are many opportunities for progress and development in countries around the world where women have the same rights as men. We take pride listen and give them the rights that they must have.

Responding to Climate Change

Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions, or in the distribution of weather around the average conditions. Climate change is caused by factors that include oceanic processes, variations in solar radiation received by Earth, plate tectonics and volcanic eruptions, and human-induced alterations of the natural world; these latter effects are currently causing global warming, and "climate change" is often used to describe human-specific impacts. Factors that can shape climate are called climate forcing or "forcing mechanisms". These include processes such as variations insolar radiation, variations in the Earth's orbit, mountain-building and continental drift and changes in greenhouse gas concentrations. There are a variety of climate change feedbacks that can either amplify or diminish the initial forcing. Some parts of the climate system, such as the oceans and ice caps, respond slowly in reaction to climate forcing, while others respond more quickly.

The Earth's climate is getting warmer, and the signs are everywhere. Rain patterns are changing, sea level is rising, and snow and ice are melting sooner in the spring. As global temperatures continue to rise, we'll see more changes in our climate and our environment. These changes will affect people, animals, and ecosystems in many ways. Less rain can mean less water for some places, while too much rain can cause terrible flooding. More hot days can dry up crops and make people and animals sick. In some places, people will struggle to cope with a changing environment. In other places, people may be able to successfully prepare for these changes. The negative impacts of global climate change will be less severe overall if people reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we're putting into the atmosphere and worse if we continue producing these gases at current or faster rates.

The Earth is getting warmer because people are adding heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere, mainly by burning fossil fuels. These gases are called greenhouse gases. Warmer temperatures are causing other changes around the world, such as melting glaciers and stronger storms. These changes are happening because the Earth's air, water, and land are all linked to the climate. The Earth's climate has changed before, but this time is different. People are causing these changes, which are bigger and happening faster than any climate changes that modern society has ever seen before.

We now know that man-made climate change is real and that it poses a great threat to the planet and its inhabitants. Current data suggest that we need to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in developed countries by at least 80% by 2050 in order to have a chance of staying below an average temperature rise of over 2ºC.

Factory farming is a major contributor to the climate change challenge, releasing vast volumes of greenhouse gases. Factory farming produces greenhouse gases throughout the 'supply chain'; for example, forest clearance to grow the crops and rear the animals reduces vital carbon 'sinks' and releases gases previously stored in the soil and vegetation. Factory farming also requires large amounts of energy in order to function. This isn't just to rear the animals, but also to grow the vast amounts of feed they need. The rest is needed for factors such as heating, lighting and ventilation. It's not just carbon dioxide that's the problem - gases including methane and nitrous oxide are also produced in significant quantities, released through various sources including animal waste and fertiliser use. Climate change is already harming food production and these impacts are projected to increase over time, with potentially devastating effects. Higher temperatures, for example, could place further stress on water-scarce regions and make it harder to rear animals and grow food crops. According to the Convention on Biological Diversity climate change may affect plant growth and production by promoting the spread of pests and diseases, increasing exposure to heat stress and encouraging soil erosion due to stronger winds. Added heat stress, shifting monsoons, and drier soils may reduce yields by as much as a third in the tropics and subtropics, where crops are already near their maximum heat tolerance.

 So as early as now, we the people of this world should wake up and face the reality between the Earth’s destruction before it’s too late. We should work hand in hand to save mother earth. We must know the basic things which is planting trees as soon as possible. So that in the upcoming generations there would still be trees to climb, mountains to hike, oceans to swim, and a green environment to live.

Reflection

Second Grading Period

My second grading period was focused on extra curricular activities. I think it was actually more than a month that i didn’t attend my classes due to some activities i needed to attend. I participated in the retirement program of our former Schools Division Superintendent, danced during the Solidarity Week Celebration and many more.

Bonding, bonding, bonding, this was my second grading was all about. I worked with different kinds of people, some bacame my friends although some of them are already friend of mine because we used to be classmates during elementary years. One thing i can’t forget, was the happy moments we shared and the history we made in Ilocos Sue National High School, of being the first Champion in the Provincial Speech Choir Competition sponsored by the College of Teacher Education, University of Northern Philippines. There are also times that we cannot understand each other, some get iritated, some got angry but in the end of the day we still end happy and united.

What i need in the next grading is focus and improvement in my subjects so that i can cope up with the things i loss during this grading. I am very happy this grading and i am looking forward to experience such experienced in the future.

Scientricity: Energizing Science Clubbers for Sustainable Energy.

Future through Science

                Sustainable energy is the sustainable procision that meets of the need of the present without compromising the ability of the upcoming generations to meet their needs. Technology that promote attainable and sustainable energy include renewable energy, wind energy, wave power, geothermal energy, and tidal power, and technology are designed to improve energy efficiency.

                We are know on modern world, in the world of technology. So we always believed that the fruit would still be gathered because there are still the youth which holds the power, the power to expand the frontiers. We must continue to search, because we are looking forward for a change, to revolutionize and find ways. These are affections of innovations and novelty must be ignited in young minds. So come! Let us sustain and conserve energy.

My Teacher My Hero

Hero?They are the ordinary humans with extraordinary abilities like flying, can run fast, and dressed up with cool costumes. Anyone can be a hero, even the smallest man in the world can be a hero, because hero simply means good things. A true hero is a simple person with a kind heart.

          Teachers? They are just humans right? They don’t have those cool superpowers and costumes, what they only have is the chalk and eraser. They enter every room with a gentle smile, even if they have personal problems, they left outside the campus and fulfil their duties as our second parents. Teachers have many hidden talents. Teachers do good deeds. Doctors? Lawyers? Nurses? They are products of teachers, because teachers transform an ordinary stone to a precious gem. Sometimes they get mad, but we come to think of it, teachers don’t get mad with no reason, they get mad because we are pasaways.

          If they are in the room, they are our teachers  but when they are outside, they are our friends, our barkada. They help us in our problems too, not only in subject manners, but in emotional and even financial too.

          All the good things, fruitful thoughts, and wide ideas, they have given us, are the things that helped, helps, and will help us to pursue or fulfil our dreams and be a successful man someday.

Thank You Super Teachers!!!

Modern Day Hero

            Power Rangers, Kung Fu Kids, Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Goku, all this personas are my heroes when I was a child. I was amazed in their respective super powers, cool gadgets, extreme abilities, and marvellous super hero suits. But the thing is, do this personas really exist?

            A hero doesn’t need to fly or to have super strength or to wear the nicest and extravagant costumes. But what really a hero is the new or good things they’ve done which is therefore greatly admired by a lot of people.

            There are many heroes around us, starting from our own house beginning with our everyday heroes, our mothers who take care of us, our fathers who are always there for us, our friends and educators who served us, as our second parents.

            There was once an experience that I will never forget. One time, when I was a second year high school student, I met a teacher who’d changed the whole part of me. She was then our adviser, she was very strict and very angrious. There was one time, it was only me who was scolded, I was scolded for I left my ID, then my Haircut, etc. It took one week of scolding between my adviser and me. What I felt that time was annoyment, yet I couldn’t do a single thing. But there comes a time that there was something bad happened to me, she talked to me about my problem and things I must do in order to solve it. I was very thankful that time.

            As the days passed, the time, the days of second year was ended. Then I suddenly learned my lesson. I understood fully, why I was scolded for one week. She just molded me to a better person. The Michael before is very different from Michael now. I am more stronger, much responsible. She became as one of my afflatus in life.

            Super powers or gadgets are not important or the things that a hero has, it is basically the bravery he/she has. Someone can be a hero, no matter how small or big you are. The thing is, is the willingness to make changes in the life of others and in your own life.

“I CAN BE A HERO, YOU CAN BE A HERO, EVERYBODY CAN BE AHERO!!!”

Unity and Strength Through Language

     Oneness is a symbol of strength. One language is symbol of unity. Speaking, listening, and sharing ideas with a uniform language is the most basic step towards an orderly and united country.
     The most basic thing of understanding is through a common language. Philippines is rich in many different languages and ethical dialects, but at the back of this, there is universal language of the Filipinos, the Filipino Language. No doubt, Manuel L. Quezon pursued and endorsed the used of the filipino language and even made a proclamation about it. the oneness of filipinos made possible through the filipino language.
     Nowadays, filipinos are migrating to different places in the globe. When they meet wherever they are, they can easily understand each other, because of the our own language. Filipinos migrate also inside the country, from Luzon to Visayas, Luzon to Mindanao,etc. if they speak filipino in Batanes, it can surely understand filipino language up to Tawi-tawi.
     Philippines is diverse in many different cultures, traditions, and places. We can promote our tourism and industry also, through our  language. Sometimes, what we speak is what we get.
     The strength of our FILIPINO language is the strength of the Filipinos. As long as we have our own language, we are United.

         I'm proud to be a Filipino!

Something I've Learned

 Just like when I went in another chapter of my life, it's merely as called the high school life. Along with the falling of the leaves I reached the last years of High School. Two months had already passed and first grading has come to it's end. As expected, I experienced a little discomfort.

       

My knowledge is expanded because of the teachings of our teachers. At first, I was very nervous and scared because I know that the lessons we are now are very hard. But i never give up, I  still gave all my best. I was very happy then. I've learned that my youtube account can be use also as my BLOG account so the first thing i did was not to create an account but to arrange my blog. Then days had past, i became familiar with Blog. Blog serves as our online diary. The good part here is that people can leave their comments, and share their opinions too.

Outside the ICT world, my knowledge has expand also. Starting with deriving formulas, knowing the different periods, ways on how to improve our good moral character, etc. As expected, i also ecperienced a little discomfort. Sometimes i cannot follow with the discussions because they were going too fast, i once got a low score of my quiz because i have  no notes about a certain topic. And sometimes when my teacher calls me to recite i cannot even answer. So, this has served as my inspiration to improve, i study my lessons every  in order for me to cope up with my subjects.

In the next grading i hope, my study habits are better than the last one. So that I can show the better side of me. I will study my lessons more oftenly in order for me to get high grades and i will be more active in dividing my time and to use it wisely

Insights

        The beloved President of the Republic of the Philippines delivered his third State of the Nation Address last July 23,2012 at exactly 4:00 pm at the Session Hall of the House of the Representative, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City.

        President Aquino is been our president in the past two years. There are those who admire and even thank him for they are very happy with the move he is doing, despite this there are also those who cannot see or should we say cannot feel the changes in his administration.

        In his 90-minute speech he made mention his future plans/projects such as 1.5 million hectares of trees are to be planted on 2016, State Universities and Colleges will ghet an increase on their budget by 2013, and he also made mention about the things he already done such as 85% of Filipinos are now Philhealth members.

        With the things he said his SONA, I am convinced or contented, because it is clearly stated what are the things he already done for the Filipinos and what has to be done for the Philippines. He has a lot of future projects, what can we do know is to wait and see if he can walk his talk.

Malnutrition; How can we deal with this?

     Malnutrition simply means bad nutrition. Someone  who has bad nutrition usually does not have nutrients that a healthy body has. The percentage of undernourished around the world is very high. The problem is that How can we prevent or even control the rising percentage of undernourished?

     Nowadays,most of us are oftenly eating junk foods yet we are not thinking the effect or effects that we can get from it. It is merely true that junk foods are delicious but it is not nutritious. Junkfood contains high level of fat,calories, sodium,etc. Commonly, junkfoods include salted snack foods, gum, candy, sweet desserts, fried fast food, and carbonated beverages. Junk food consumption alters brain activity in a manner similar to addictive drugs like cocaine or heroin. If we avoid eating such food and eat vegetables we can be healthy indeed. Vegetables are reach in different minerals and vitamins too. Vegetables are typically low in calories, low in fat, high in protein per calorie, high in dietary fiber, high in iron and calcium, and very high in phytochemicals such as vitamin C, carotenoids, lutein, folate, magnesium as well as vitamin K. If we take a good food balance we can avoid from being an undernourished.

     Junkfoods has no good effects on us unlike vegetables, they gave things that our body needs. So let us practice eating vegetables, because vegetables are essential to life. Vegetables also are the key to a healthy nation.

Michael Abraham Pugal

Dear Mr President,

             

Greetings!

          

            I am very glad that you won as our president. First and for most sir I would like to express my sincerest congratulations!  Our school is very in need of educational materials such as enough books, laboratories and apparatuses, and well ventilated classrooms.  Well in this case sir, we are hoping that you would provide those things as early as possible.

             

            Thank you sir! God Bless!

Sincerely yours,

Michael Abraham