MINDFUL WORKS

AN ORDINARY FARM BOY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

Life in the countryside. That’s what I yearn to have again. Simple. Straigthforward. Beautiful. Abundant. Most of the delightful memories of my childhood stayed intense and pulsating. More than three decades now but I could still smell our farm. I could still hear the rustling leaves while trees are dancing as the wind blows their natural serenades. The mooing cows and carabaos, and chickens dashing around the backyard. I could not ignore the birds chirping their happiness. And as the sun slowly fades from the heavens, the serenity of life becomes apparent on every living organism, except for diverse and eerie-sounding insects, that weave the nights with bits of unruffled creepiness.

I was a ‘farm boy’ at a very young age of five. I was like my Tatay’s (dad’s) buddy at the farm. I regularly went with him to a piece of land that we looked after, some kilometers away from our home. Everyday, around four in the morning, my Tatay never failed to wake me up, made me a hot drink ( usually a home made coffee with condensed milk plus a dish of locally made sweet square biscuit). And as he sand his machete, I would gather small rounded stones from the front yard, put them in my net bag, and set on the slingshot round my neck before we kicked off to the farm.

Side by side, we would walk silently into the biting cold of daybreak, me, occasionally singing along novelty songs ( you should not wonder why Max Surban and Yoyoy Villame were so popular to me) from the radio he held on one hand and holding me with the other. After less than an hour and with few other farmers we greeted along the way, the treasured farm would welcome us with wide embrace and warm gratitude. The chickens anxiously waited for their morning grains and as my dad gave them their food, I would go and get the goats from their pen and freed them at the nearby grassland, then the cows, and the ‘carabao’. Afterward, my dad and I were already on foot at the rice paddies. It’s a seasonal cycle at the farm, we grew and harvested golden grains twice a year, a hundred sacks, sometimes more when the harvest was generous. We used to harvest coconuts too.

It was an enjoyable sight during planting season, the farm was like a massive empty lake of mud and as people put the rice seedlings into the earth, it would slowly transform the land to a green territory of life and health, into an unbelievable map of rice field. You could get overwhelmed by the glorious-looking plots of food and abundance and in the next five months, my life at the farm journeyed blissfully with it.

photo courtesy: dipity.com

Then came the harvest time, where people were more busy and alive. Children ran around the paddies, catching dragonflies, shouting at the thrill of finding some bird’s nest, laughing, and playing self-made kites. As the sound of the ‘rice harvest machine’ we called ‘TRACER ripped all other noises around, the once golden rice field became desolate and unwanted. However, one could glimpse that the barren-looking rice field promised another season of life in the following weeks to come. One season came and went.

Life was wonderful in the countryside. Simple. Laid back. Uncomplicated. We grew our own vegetables, we have our own animals, we have our own fruit plants. Everything was available except electricity. I grew up with conventional oil burner to light the night. We used clay oven to cook our food. My brothers and I used to gather fire woods after school and collected dead coconut leaves to make torch. No electricity. No television, only battery operated transistor radio to hear our late night radio drama, and few radio quiz shows, and of course the old familiar songs on Saturdays and Sundays from our crank-vintage phonograph or turntable. My mum was a passionate Nora Aunor and Imelda Papin fanatic, so she had collections of their songs in long play vinyl disc. She played them once in awhile.

I started my grade school with no available electricity. The nearest town to get the recent connection from a local power station was a distant 20 kilometers which nowhere near at all. My siblings and I studied our lessons with an ‘oil lamp’ at the center while we silently read books and answered homework. No electricity, no television, only the presence of our own selves as we shared jokes at night before we went to sleep.

I surely love to experience that simplicity again. Where nature knows my emotion and everything around is a consoling piece of blessing. I surely love my children to experience with me the beautiful childhood in the farm. So they would know how the trees are breathing and to understand that there is larger life in the humble countryside.

White Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:59:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

Definitely it is not going away, just not yet….I mean the winter weather of Britain, as it continues to spill sub-zero temperature across the country. The ‘White Easter’ as they call it, will stay around for few more weeks and the forecast warns of a more unpleasantly cold days. Indeed awful!!

Spring is actually just around the corner as the daffodils and tulips have started to show, but it seems like it has not gained enough momentum to push the winter away. Shower of white bits and flakes suggest an entirely different picture of Easter, rather too extreme from the Holy Week in the Philippines which I always imagine at this time of the year, where the weather is not only warm and sunny but hot, burning and dehydrated.

It is but a natural escape to see people crowding massive malls or finding rescue in some gorgeous garden resorts, lifting selves to higher grounds for a cooler ambiance, or even sunbathing into many stunning and relaxing beaches. But that’s in my home country, hundred of miles away..

Contrary to the common comments, the English weather is so predictable to me – that is, it is so UNPREDICTABLE all year round! There is no consistent pattern to begin with. We sometimes have shorter winter which is too brilliant if it happens often. We have a spring time now that feels and emerges like the beginning of winter minus the autumn leaves. And never mind the summer, it is an overstatement to call it summertime anyway..not a proper one to be exact. That is not intricate to predict; is it? The behavior of the cold front offers no promise to get a better sunshine this year, however I suppose though, am still hoping for the best.

Whilst the two kids are so excited to go back playing at the park, it is just not yet the right time..or should I convince them to wait a little longer…how long? Am not sure!

In fact it is Easter break, the plans have been laid out ages ago. Whether or not the weather is friendly enough, it is honestly time to grab some breather, away from the workloads and pressure of anything that could turn one ballistic. ButsStill, enjoy the Easter everyone.

POVERTY & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 21:14:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

The Philippines’ consolidated RH Bill (HB No. 4244 & SB No. 2378) called “An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Policy on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health, and Population Development and for other Purposes”; is a challenging subject of debate not only between the legislators but also amongst ordinary Filipino citizens. Observers and writers consider it as a ‘culture war’. The bill intends to guarantee a convenient access to modern methods and information on birth control, maternal and child health.

To mention some of its important provisions, the RH Bill mandates the government to promote, without bias, all effective methods of family planning both natural and artificial; those that are medically harmless and lawful. It calls for the inclusion of reproductive health and sexuality education in the national curriculum from Grade 5 (11 years old) to Senior high school (16-17 years old). And under the bill, it will authorize a multi-dimensional approach to integrate family planning and responsible parenthood into all government anti-poverty programs.

Role of the Church

The Philippines, being a predominantly Christian nation has always been a tough opposition to artificial family planning even in the early 1960’s. On the other hand, it is one of the poorest and most populated countries in the world. Throughout the country’s political history, the Catholic Church has a voice that is as important as the constitution and its influence to public life and opinion has rooted ever since Christianity conquered this archipelago.
To the many political issues and episodes in the past, the church played an active role as an advocate, or participant, or supporter, or adversary to these reforms and changes. The bloodless EDSA Revolution in 1986 that overthrew the Marcos dictatorship, was a remarkable triumph in which the Catholic Church and other religious groups braved to achieve.

But political matters should not always be interfered by the church. The government has its own authority to decide what it deemed best for its people through proper, humane, and fair legislation, and implementation. In the long term, the RH Bill aims to uplift quality of life. Whilst it is very difficult to separate the church from the matters concerning the state, it is but gracious for the church leaders to respect the freedom of choice of these 82% Filipino Catholics. They can always express their thoughts and opposition against the government, but at the end of the day, it is these concerned families that see what they need and decide according to their conscience.

I Am No Bible Scholar

I am a Catholic and my faith has always been an integral part of my life and the way I build relationships with others. I do not find it strange if the Church leaders, as legitimate representations of God’s teachings, express their opinion of what they believed as righteous and moral. But there is a border to how they should influence believers to follow them. The church leaders should not coerce or intimidate Christians to follow their personal views and understanding of a political issue.
Direct attack to persons and organizations during the Homily is abysmal since the Eucharist is a celebration of Christ’s life. What they are supposed to do is to continue being good examples of God’s works and words so that Christians would learn through their wisdom and character and decide according to the truth about God’s law that glimmers through the examples of church leaders.

Does that make me a lesser Catholic because I favour the RH Bill? I am no bible scholar so I could not interpret the words of the scripture intelligently with regard to this. I do read the bible and I try to understand it by the heart and so far, I have not come across verses that speak about the sin of planning a family, be it natural or artificial. What I know is God’s blessing of procreation and I understand too that this command was given when there was not enough population on Earth and that the old civilization was not afflicted with so much poverty.
I do not think God would be pleased to see his people suffering from a cause that could have been prevented. Poverty is one of these causes. To my humble understanding, family planning as an approach to responsible parenthood helps each unit of the society to feel dignified and protected. God wants his people to be treated with dignity and affection. Every one deserves quality of life. With so much poverty plus a jumbo size family, there is a very little chance to attend the need of every child, impossible to give everyone a fair attention and decent care. An institution that is responsible to look after the welfare of its citizens could not just address enough because the root cause is not treated upon. So then, does my understanding of the scripture cut my line to heaven?

Poverty is Not the Only Malady

Poverty is both social and economic condition; which is repairable. To start healing this disease, a collective endeavour must be carried out. Planning a family is a long, healthy, and morally upright decision responsive to that curing process. As to the kind of method to use, it is an individual’s good judgment to make. The RH Bill does not enforce a single method, but it does promote alternatives for the family to choose. When information becomes accessible; and proper education to young people forms part of the system, the discernment to conscientiousness follows naturally.

Whilst it is true that the poor are just victims of poverty, we could not set aside the fact that most big families belong to the poorest sector of the society. These are the ones who could not provide healthy food for their children; who have no capacity to send them to higher education; and who remain uninformed about responsible parenthood. If the couple think that it is wrong to use artificial contraception, the RH Bill allows them to use what they believe does not crack the sensitivity of their faith and belief.

But poverty alone is not too bad the government could resolve. There are more serious culprit inimical to providing quality services to people. The gross negligence to countryside development, disgraceful corruption, misappropriation of funds, the bad mathematics of centralized government, inability of the national policies to provide useful training and employment, are just few to mention. Poor people have practically no access to higher education. How could an out-of-school citizen get a decent-paying job in a discriminatingly prejudicial Manila?

It is Not Over Population

Population explosion is not the main issue. I support the RH Bill but I absolutely disagree when its supporters insist that overpopulation is a primary reason. Whilst it is true that Manila and most cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) are so densely populated, this area is geographically less than a quarter of the combined land area of the whole archipelago. Travel around the country and its countryside, one would definitely realize that there is more than enough land to scatter the 90 million Filipinos; which are mostly crowding in the highly urbanized metropolis.

The country is endowed with substantial fertile land that grows anything. The potential to become an agricultural tiger should be a priority for government reforms. These lands if used productively and development is evenly distributed across the country, the higher percentage of Pinoys have something to do to improve life rather than stay at home, drink local wine, and wait for the night to come.

The inequity of budget distribution throughout, left most areas horribly underdeveloped. The pork barrel of the senators who are mostly from Luzon is a futile government spending. This budget could have more meaning for rural development and agricultural advancement. People are misguided to the notion that there is better life in the city, so families who are not trained and encouraged to embrace rural life would leave and follow the miserable fate in urban centres. The problem lies in the government’s failure to provide basic infrastructures like travelable ‘farm-to-market’ roads (not the muddy, bulldozer-finished ones) and technologically-advanced farming equipment.

Walking What You Talk

For the Catholic leaders of CBCP (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines), which seem truly upright to condemn RH Bill, I challenge them to share life in the squatters or to live in the most impoverish shanties in the slums of Manila. I challenge them to go out and eat what the poorest Filipinos eat so they will realize how despicable life has been to these people. Or perhaps adopt all the abandoned and inadequately supported children including those street gangs risking their lives on the streets. Probably, they could build free colleges to provide education to unfortunate children and make for them a better future.

They have been preaching justice and love but have not even understood what injustice and abandonment means. These religious leaders could not understand deeply poverty because they live a pampered life in the church. If they insist to be so righteous in this regard then they must give up first their convenience and solve poverty by themselves instead of barking mad against a hopeful start. “Consistency!How much we need. To walk a measured pace, To live a life of which we speak. Until we see Christ’s face - Anonymous”.

Family planning does not need much research and cross-country analysis to prove that it works. Common sense is enough that every family needs to limit the number of children that they should have, enough so they are fed well, they could get good education, they could live a better shelter. Since most poor couples are naïve on how to control the family size, educating the uninformed is the most righteous and moral thing to do.

ROBREDO’s SUBLIME LEGACY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:52:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo ( May 27, 1958 – August 18, 2012)

Photo: yahoo.com/file photo of DILG Jesse Robredo

Here is a man who provides us a paradigm of sublime public service. Honest. Dedicated. Empowered. A rare asset to a democratic government. A servant who never learned to abuse his political influence. Humble, Hard-working, and remained steadfast to his commitment to the country until the end.

Jesse Robredo’s tragic death is a massive loss to the Aquino’s administration. His competence is a wasted glory of a country which is always scarce of truthful politicians. He definitely left a vacuum at the Department of Interior and Local Government, and certainly enough, his demise has an enormous blow to the encouraging image that the DILG has established during his leadership, however short. He is an immense loss to the Filipino people.

In my own prayers for his safety and the rest of the plane crew, I asked God why do people like him has to be taken too soon? Why not the Arroyo’s? Why not the Ampatuans? Why not the corrupt and unscrupulous? Why doesn’t the country deserve good leaders like him? Isn’t it too paradoxical?

Photo courtesy: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Yet again, God has his own divine wisdom and He should know best. He allowed Mr. Robredo to show that there are still decent public servants around this country to afford many Filipinos a glimpse of hope in our leaders, the opportunity to see progressive change through straightforward leadership, and that his example is one to level up political will and commitment.

We are so auspicious, in my opinion, about how the Aquino administration encourages us to believe again in democracy, a system that has gone too ghastly for us and for our country. Whilst we should not expect an overnight makeover of a broken land, we begin to feel the buoyancy that this present administration has slowly offered its citizens.

It is so affecting to say goodbye to one excellent public servant, but may his example infuses other politicians to serve according to selfless interests, to serve the country and its people above self.

It is honestly painful to accept his death but we deeply thank his family for giving Jesse Robredo to this government to exemplify sincere public service and demonstrate how to achieve good governance. A truly respectable and dignified Filipino politician. We only hope that many others will follow his sublime legacy.

THE SECRETS OF WHITBY ABBEY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:03:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

Spending our short summer holiday in a very beautiful seaside venue of Scarborough is indeed worth every second of it. On top of the magnificent location of Blue Dolphin Caravan Site in North Yorkshire, I was completely mesmerized by the gaunt shell of Whitby Abbey, considered as one of the most remarkable landmarks of Scarborough.

The ruins left a trace of a profoundly rich historical significance way back ninth century after the Vikings destroyed much of its splendor and serenity. During the 20th century, this famous Benedictine monastery was handed over to the care of the Ministry of Works and eventually transferred to the English Heritage in the middle of 1980's. The very impressive example of English Gothic architecture of the Whitby Abbey will certainly leave you in unending wander.

But I don't think Dracula could have installed his sanctuary here although there is somehow an eerie recall of his great movies to associate primarily this wonderful place. Surely, he was not there whilst the sun shone at its brightest and the people around were as friendly as the weather could be. Memorable visit after all..and still looking forward to come back and be mesmerized again..

SPRATLYS CONFLICT: CHINA’S BULLYING & EXPLOITS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 20:06:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

The Spratly Group of Islands
(photo from economicroadmap.com)

How lawful is the Philippines’ claim to the Spratly Islands that it should continue to fight what it believed rightfully belongs to the archipelago? With the mighty China on the opposite platform, how could a small nation evenly confront one of the biggest military-based countries in the world? Just two important questions before I begin my own viewpoints on the Spratlys conflict. The first query requires factual bases from the two neighbouring nations, the Philippines and China, to prove their legitimate sovereignty over this group of more than 750 reefs, islets, cays, and islands located in South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. The second question rather weighs up how asymmetrical the fight is between a tiny nation against a powerful republic that could aggressively harass and bully its adversary.

The Long-Term Dispute
What legal rights do the Philippines have over the Spratlys? The first official representation of the Philippines in the disputed islands of Spratly was in 1933, when a Filipino senator protested France, as the European colonizer asserted its 1887 ownership of the coral reef-rich areas of Paracels and Spratlys. This protest went into parliamentary discussions but the U.S. government did not pay serious interest to the claim. The Philippines being a colony of America at that time was unable to put forward documentation of events, nevertheless the action provided historical basis of an earliest declaration of ownership. This fact was overlooked by both Vietnam and China who made claims of the same group of islands immediately after that time (Chen,1979)
It can be noted that numerous European sailors including Richard Spratly ( to which the name is obviously taken from) surveyed and occupied Spratlys and the rest of the closer islands around. But their interests did not last long. It was however being re-claimed in 1933 on behalf of the French colony Vietnam but was confronted with protest from the Philippines. So, it was not only after the Second World War that the Philippines declared interest of the Spratlys as suggested by China.
At the onset of World War II, Japan occupied these areas and made it its military base but surrendered back the islands when the Japanese were defeated during that war in 1945. The defeated imperial government of Japan relinquished its rights over the Spratlys by virtue of the Peace Treaty in San Francisco that thus expressed, “Japan renounces all right, title, and claim to the Spratly Islands, Pratas, and to the Paracel Islands”.

The Philippines through the newly formed government of President Elpidio Quirino claimed again the territories in 1946. And in 1947, the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs declared that the Spratly group of Islands, then called ‘ New Southern Islands’, were part of the Philippine territory. Although the Republic of China took control of the biggest and the only habitable island called Itu Aba after the WW II, it eventually abandoned their claim in 1949 after the end of China’s Civil war that gave birth to People’s Republic of China. The Republic of China re-claimed Itu Aba Island (Taiping Dao according China) in 1956 and allegedly established base at the island only after Tomas Cloma announced and issued ‘proclamation to the world’.

Philippine President
Elpidio Quirino

Whilst there was a higher possibility that the Spratly group of islands had been visited by numerous Chinese fishermen and explorers in the ancient times as what it claimed; it was likely that it would not give any interest to these areas during that period because aside from it being far from the mainland China, it had not showed any economic potential. It could be recalled that most Chinese at that time were merchants and traders rather than colonizers. The non-logical claim of China could spell a different view of all discoveries in the ancient world – if that was the case then the whole of America should be under the sovereignty of Spain since it was first sighted by Columbus, all the islands having been visited by Magellan should also be claimed by Portugal, so on and so forth. But that is not what the international rules provide. Even common sense would not subscribe to that superficiality.
As China’s claim resurfaced, it included in its arguments the myths and maps of the old Chinese civilization, which accordingly considered these groups of islands within their national boundaries. China’s claim therefore is not substantial but merely relied on historical and mythical grounds, which are as ambiguous as the Chinese legends. It suggested in 1951 that Spratlys and Paracels must be considered to be outposts of Chinese National territory because of some ancient Chinese pottery and coins found therein, and in 1958 the People’s Republic of China issued a declaration defining its territorial boundaries which included the Spratlys. But their territorial claim was refuted in 1990 saying that the discoveries of Chinese ceramics and ancient coins were not valid basis to the ownership of the islands, but would probably indicate that there were trade relations in the past between China and Southeast Asia.

What Grounds Do We Have?

Philippine President
Ferdinand E. Marcos

The Philippines is indeed rightful to claim and should be recognised as the owner of Spratlys based on history, geography and oceanography, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). On historical/political grounds, the Philippine government was first to express its claim in 1933 by denouncing France’s annexation of the islands. Declaration was strongly put forward in 1946 by the Philippine President and was further asserted in 1951 and 1952 when Japan relinquished its rights and ownership of the Spratlys and Paracels.
On the basis of geography and history, Ferdinand Marcos in 1978 issued a presidential decree declaring the entire Spratlys as part of the Philippine territory by virtue of its proximity and archipelagic baselines; and that; “they do not belong to any state or nation, but by reason of history; indispensable need, and effective occupation and control established in accordance with international law”. Furthermore, the claim is reiterated by President Fidel Ramos during his term stating in toto: “ I would like to clarify that the Philippines does not only claim eight islands in the Spratlys but owns all islands and waters in the Spratlys as defined in the presidential decree issued by former President Marcos”.

Philippine President:
Fidel V. Ramos

The UNCLOS resolved and supported the geographical grounds by the Philippines to claim the Spratlys. It stated that, “ A coastal state could claim two hundred nautical miles of jurisdiction beyond its land boundaries”. These oceanographic grounds could not be invoked by China; as it is not an archipelagic state. Other nations claiming these islands could also not use this argument because their land boundaries are not close to the 200nm limit as provided in UNCLOS. The Philippines is the nearest to Spratlys amongst the other claimants.

Bullying and Harassment by China
So China thought this is the best way to scare away weaker nations. Whilst China is presently considered a massive military power, it continues to increase and modernize its military force by developing more technologically advanced and powerful weaponry. Is China deliberately using a more bullying and intimidating strategy? The double digit incremental in China’s military spending this year at 12.7 percent is a suspicious attempt to strengthen their national defence, which definitely emphasized safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests. Is invading the Spratlys amongst these development interests and sovereignty issues?
Although China has expressed peaceful solution and negotiations to settle the Spratly dispute, their recent actions provide a different colour. The current tension they initiated within these islands could be classified as harassment and exploitation against other claimants including the Philippines and Vietnam, which honestly do not have the military capability to defend their respective installations if China would indeed resort to a forceful exploit.

Why is Spratlys so important to China now? There are obviously two logical motives. Firstly, the People’s Republic of China discovered in 1968 that huge reserves of oil and natural gas could be extracted from these islands and the massive product of commercial fishing. Secondly, Spratlys is an ideal location for China to put up its surveillance installations to observe naval vessels travelling through the expanse of West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). These interests are very significant to China’s monster economy and military power. These are the same reasons why it has deliberately use intimidation and threats to other countries pursuing sovereignty and economic interests in Spratlys.
Since the early part of 1970’s, China had been using force against smaller countries that maintained interest over the Spratlys and Paracels. In 1974, the People’s Republic of China forcibly took over the Paracels from Vietnam. Sometime in 1988, Chinese navy fired and sank Vietnamese transport boats. In 1995, the Philippines protested against Chinese attempt to occupy the Mischief Reef, an island very close to Palawan. How many hundreds of Filipino fishermen were being arrested and jailed by China because of illegal fishing. Due to these conflicts, the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) came to an agreement to inform each member country any military activities in the Spratlys and Paracels, and construction of any structure was banned. This accord was immediately violated by China as it silently continued annexing parts of the islands.
Conflicts have at least calmed down a bit in the past few years but in the recent weeks China spurred a new round of trouble when couple of Chinese naval ships stalked Philippine ships around the islands of Spratly. Not only that, the Philippine Air Force planes monitoring the area have been threatened by Chinese fighting jets. This led the Philippines to bring the matter to the United Nations attention. Last month, Chinese naval vessels opened fire at four Vietnamese fishing boats operating within the region of Spratlys and Paracels. These actions by China constituted gross bullying and harassment, which obviously impair agreements on peaceful resolve to which China vowed to cooperate. The Tripartite agreement signed by three nations namely China, Vietnam and The Philippines which was also aimed at developing cooperation between these nations towards development, stability, and peaceful undertaking in the Spratlys, was in many occasions violated by China.
It is with deep uncertainty that international intervention could help appease the situation, but the Filipino people sincerely believe that peaceful means to settle the dispute is still the best option on the table. As long as it can, the Philippines has to continue to stand and fight what legally belongs to it and the Filipinos must support what it deemed right for the country. As the entire world calls for the pleasant resolution of the Spratly conflict, China must stop its harassment and bullying towards weaker nations and become earnest if they truly desire to a peaceful settlement.

References:
1. Wikipedia
2. King C. Chen, China’s War with Vietnam, 1979 pp.4344
3. Historical Evidence to Support China’s Sovereignty Over Nansha Islands.
4. Hurwitt, Mara C. “U.S Strategy in Southeast Asia: The Spratly Island Dispute”.
5. Kathrina Alvarez @ Sunnex
6. Abelgas Val G. “ Spratlys; Where Does Aquino Stands”.
7. http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Spratly_Islands
8. http://www.spacewar.com/reports/China_will_pursue_powerful_military_wen_999.html
9. http://www.chinamilitary.net
10. http://www.spratlys.org/collection/claims/vietnam/vietnam2a.htm
11. Palatino, Mong; “The Spratlys and the Philippine Claim”
through http://www.upiasia.com/politics/2008/03/26/the_spratlys_and_the_philippine_claim/2587

ON BEING "NAKAKAHIYA" for Speaking in CEBUANO...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 28 May 2012 22:59:00 +0000

Let me share this short piece by Ma. Pilar Chanda Gado Antoque, who is now living and working as a College Teacher in New Zealand. She is like a sister, a confidant and an adviser; she is honestly more than a friend to me. We went to the same school back in the Philippines and we taught in the same University, shared the same vision in education and inspired by similar ambitions in life. We used to be strange enemies at the University, she was a student leader and I was a student publication staff. We criticized them and they criticized us in return, but those were avenues why we became friends and that friendship continues to flourish up to now.

Just recently I read her ‘short story’ in facebook and asked her if I could share this piece to the blogosphere, although I know she would never say ‘NO’, but her ‘YES” seals the valid approval to get it published. Read along…

''My mind is still troubled about an incident at church yesterday. The week before, I was asked to translate and read one segment of the prayers of the faithful for the Pentecost Sunday celebration. I told the Cathedral secretary that I was never good at translating texts into Filipino, the national language of the

Philippines

. I promised to find her... someone who could do the job. She said I did not have to do that as I could actually say the prayer in my native tongue. She promised to e-mail me the texts that were to be translated. I wasn't able to read her e-mail as my inbox had been littered with hundreds of notification of my moodle discussions with my counselling mates and professors at the Waikato University. Came Sunday, Andrea asked me if I received her e-mail and I gasped and said "no".

She handed me a copy of the prayer that I would have to recite infront of the congregation and asked if I could translate it right there and then. With the help of another Cebuano mate, I took the challenge. Along with other Catholics from other countries, I participated in the symbolic "speaking in tongues".I said the prayer in Cebuano but the ones reflected on the gigantic screen were the texts in English. It went well and afterwards the African beside me whispered that she just loved every sound of it.

After the mass, A disgruntled Filipina came to me and asked me arrogantly if I could refresh her memory of Philippine History. I was taken aback and was dumbfounded for a second or two when she blurted out. "NAKAKAHIYA, Walang nakakaintindi sa pinagsasabi mo". Calmly I asked her "Bakit nakakahiya Te? Hindi dapat ikinahihiya ang prayer." I realised that she was referring to the prayer that was said in Cebuano instead of Filipino. She was still on her "nakakahiya monolugue" when I explained to her what transpired between me and Andrea. I appreciate that she listened to my explanation and somehow calmed down. I said my goodbye politely and respectfully.
It was only after I left the Church and after having spoken to other Cebuanos who witnessed the incident and overheard her that I realised that she might have the best intention in mind but her words damaged the sensibilities of Cebuanos like me. If I were to deconstruct the word "nakakahiya" and associate it with my native tongue, strange but I just could not grasp what it truly meant in such a context. Maybe someone who does not speak Cebuano can figure it out for me. One thing I have realized though, that in this vast sea of different coloured and sounding people, there is nothing more hurtful than being discriminated by one's own.
If you are one of those who accuse me of being "nakakahiya", I don't need your apology. I just want you to ask yourselves these: Was it "nakakahiya" for others who stood up there and faced the congregation and uttered their prayers in their own native tongue like Afrikaan, Indonesian, Dutch, Polish and etc? Or was it just ME, because I said my prayer in the most intimate language I could think of, Cebuano? Before you open your mouth and say something, let me tell you what I have in mind. How could you ever face your God tonight without taking to heart how you positioned yourself over others? And to think we were at the Church. God bless you.''

ALWAYS THE BEST MOM

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 11 May 2012 23:48:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman
In the UK, Mothering Sunday is celebrated every fourth Sunday of Lent. Traditionally, it is a time when children pay respect to their mothers by giving them gifts, cards, or flowers. Mothering Sunday is actually Mother’s Day in other countries. Although not celebrated at the same time around the world, Mother's day remembers the great courage and extraordinary love of all the mothers, from the moment they conceived a child to the painful experience of labour, their love never changed.

This year, here in England, this special day falls on April 3. The celebration is also known ‘Refreshment Sunday’ or Pudding Pie Sunday. To the devoted Christians, whilst the observance of fasting is religiously followed, Mothering Sunday provides a bit of a pause from the rule in respect to the ‘Feeding of the Five Thousand’, a familiar biblical account. To me, Mother’s Day is more than an ordinary celebration. It is remembering and expressing gratitude to all the moms in the world. It is through them, through their care, through their own life and soul, through their unconditional love, that we too are able to celebrate life.

We do have different mothers. We were brought up in diverse ways and experience their love as they share it to us in their own uniqueness. They are our genuine heroes that for nine long months, they become our shield and our home, our spirit and soul. There is indeed more than a million reasons to say thank you and celebrate Mother’s Day.

To our 'Nanay' who has been so wonderful throughout the years, words may not be enough to tell you how much we appreciate everything but God knows how grateful and thankful we are for giving us a mum like you.

To my wife, my inspiration and my life, thank you for sharing your heart and soul and for giving me two precious children. Happy Mother's Day.

Let me share this poem which I wrote when my eldest son Matthew was still in her mother’s womb. My wife being a very wonderful mother too to our two children, equally deserves the sweetest gratitude for mothers around the world.

YOUR MAMA’S LOVE

It’s funny to ask you my little one

These questions I grope in mind

But allow me to know it though

And pardon me if I’m a baby too

When your Mama takes her vitamins?

How does it reach to you?

Or when she guzzles a lot of rice

Do you find it nice?

When Mama drinks her morning milk?

Does that provide you a fine clench?

Or when she tries to sip soda

Are you bothered about the cola?

The chocolates that she likes to bite

Do they deliver you a strike?

Or probably you like them much

Since you don’t give a complaining spank

I suppose you love the bread, the butter, and yogurts

Fish and chips too, or some chicken and pork,

Most likely ice cream, crisps, and bits of nuts

Just like your mother, no exemptions or buts

Do you like strawberries, the cherries, and apples?

Your Mama chomps them fresh and pure

Yet yellow banana is what she likes more

The nutrient’s whole but potassium makes it full

How about the music that she loves to listen

Does it offer you a harmony to swing?

How about the songs that she never sings

Could you ever tell me how you adore them

These my little one are the queries in my mind

And you might not answer them with expectant smile

One thing I am certain with you inside

Your Mama loves you so much, no ifs and no buts

BULLYING and HOW TO COPE WITH IT

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:14:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

Are you certain your child is not a victim of bullying in school? Take a second look and observe your son or daughter and how he/she relates to you about her school experiences. Most often than not, children who experienced bullying are afraid to tell they are victims of it. They are scared that their parents would go and rush to their school and create an unbecoming scene or probably confront the perpetrators. As much as possible, they hide the experience and try to contain the embarrassment and torture to themselves. Some may get over the trauma and terror after some time, but many decide to stop and avoid going to school. The latter is a consequence that is most worrying, because parents might think their children have began to indulge in misdemeanours. Look again and find out.

My children are still young. In fact, my eldest is just nearly three years and I don’t think there is bullying in the nursery amongst his friends at his age. But I have been working in school for almost fifteen years and in this span of time, I have a first hand experience and knowledge to the issues of bullying inside the campus. Bullying is everywhere. You can have it even in colleges and universities. More concerning though is bullying in secondary schools where students are vulnerable and less confident to report matters immediately to authorities. As a college instructor for eleven years, I was privileged to meet students who shared their experience of some sort of harassment and what they did to stop culprits from doing it over again. There were some though who resorted the easy way by moving to other schools and did not bother to give offenders a lesson. That might be an immediate and less complicated solution, but the absconding attitude does not help to get rid of the root problem.
Working in one of the most diverse school communities in England where a higher percentage of students are Asians and other European ancestry, I have observed senior students who have the bent to bully younger pupils. What is brilliant in our school is that the policy on Anti-bullying is very serious; it includes essential guidelines about how and where to report it in the campus. The policy even covers bullying over the cyber world. Yet, not all students are interested to take this matter into proper attention. Even in the most secure school, bullying still find ground to beat up helpless victims.
So how do you know that someone or your child is bullied in school? But before anything else, take time to read issues about bullying and the corresponding resolutions to known cases. It is better to equip one self about the ‘ins and outs’ of the matter in order to explain it credibly to your child.
Common sense would tell parents to look for signs that your sons or daughters suffered bullying. Like what I mentioned, many children would not complain that they are bullied in school, but perhaps you would notice that their desire to go to school or join activities and campus clubs has changed and deteriorating. You should start to wonder why they become strangely aloof. Take your child’s distress earnestly and do not wait the issue to blow out of proportion. The earlier you will find it, the better because the need to prevent further damage is very important.
You may start to assess the situation if you sense it has gone so disquieting. Talk to your child calmly and find out if the bullying has gone physical, and if he is threatened with physical harm, you need to report it to the school authorities for an appropriate attention. Some school staffs are not too willing to entertain complains over the phone, so if you can visit he school and insist to them that your child needs the necessary protection, they would surely be alarmed about the gravity of the issue. If possible, you make your notification in ‘black and white’ and keep a record for yourself.

If your child complained about less serious bullying, you don’ have to be so complacent about it too. Violence starts from simple, unresolved difference. Talk to your child about how to cope with minimal harassment, brainstorm ways to deal with it and help your child make a plan to work it out. Advance the self-esteem of your child by giving him enough space and respect to manage affairs that you know he is capable at. You have to emphasize that bullying comes from a bully’s very poor self-esteem and such anti-social behaviour is a meaningful escape of such struggle. To further boost the confidence of your child, you also have to stress that bullies are generally cowards and they only hunt upon easy preys.
Aside from the more psychosomatic strategies, it may also work if you would enrol your son/daughter in martial arts classes or sports to develop the science of self defence. By saying that, it does not mean you have to encourage your child to fight back or challenge bullies to a brawl, it is just to assure that when bullying becomes physical, your child could protect himself before someone arrives to intervene.

A CONSCIOUS GRATITUDE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:39:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman
To me, gratitude is a feeling and a virtue of being grateful to others whose influence into your life creates a lasting remembrance and profound difference. To say you are grateful means you appreciate genuinely the kindness and goodwill extended to you by someone who might be a family member, a relative, a friend, or perhaps a complete stranger. Therefore, conscious gratitude is an expression from your heart flowing out naturally, expands within, and makes you an inspiring reflection of that same compassion bequeathed unto you by others. You become what their kindness has sown into your own being.
I grew up in a big family. My father was a very humble farmer and my mother a plain homemaker, who looked after seven children. I knew then that as a farmer, my father could not provide us everything that we wanted, but I did not reckon we were deprived of our happiness as young kids because what I could reminisce today were the happy memories of a countryside life. The bursting laughter with my younger brothers and friends as we climbed trees like monkeys, the thrill on riding carabaos (water buffalo which is so called farmer’s beast), the enjoyment of flying kites, the real excitement running on hills and valleys and a whole lot more.

Philippine carabao or water buffalo

I could not forget the slingshot that my father made for me which I was supposed to use to scare away tiny birds (which we locally call ‘maya’ bird) feasting in our rice field. But I used it sometimes to hunt for birds like owls, trogon, wild ducks, black bittern, white-collared kingfisher (tikarol or tingkarol), crows, and others. I was not aware that my hunting contributed to the extinct of some tropical bird species. There were loads of birds in the farm before, of various colours – black, stripy, grayish, brown, and mixed; of varied sizes - small ones, big ones, crazy ones, fierce ones; differently shaped beaks – curve, long, sharp, dull, anything. I remembered being attacked by a very angry female owl because I was moving close to where her offspring (owlets) were. It was truly frightening but to remember it now, was so much fascinating and exciting.

Philippine Maya

Not only that, there were also nasty creatures on the ground (or so I thought). I knew I killed more than twenty different snakes, along the roads, or in rice paddies, or under coconut trees, or some in swampy areas. They were not dangerous snakes, (or should I say they were just a bit venomous). What I was honestly afraid of was the local cobra, which fights back if your attack is not as accurate. Since snakes became a daily encounter, I always made it sure to carry that flexible guava stick in my hand if I went to the farm. There were many times too that I have to run for my life. Pythons were not very friendly when you disturbed them, you see. Plus the fact that one of our neighbours died due to snake bites. It wasn’t a joke certainly.
Generally, it was a simple life, a laid back existence, and exciting countryside survival, something that I wish my children could experience too, of course without the snakes this time.
Like everybody else, our parents have a dream for us. They wanted all of us to finish our education. My Nanay (it’s how we addressed our mother), used to tell us that we could have a much better life if we get a degree and she told us that we have to do our best, study hard and believe that in prayers and hard work God will provide. These are the words of inspiration that propelled us to endeavour and conquered better lives. My high school principal is a God’s blessing, an answer to my hardest prayers, he was truly instrumental for my university scholarship and I am perpetually thankful about it. Tatay Oren and Nanay Domen (who passed away few a years ago), my father’s bother and sister in law respectively, have been so kind to offer me financial help during my university years. In fact their family were so generous to us that they trusted my father to look after their farm and eventually give it to us in the early 2000’s. The Brothers of the Sacred Heart that gave my younger brother a full secondary scholarship and the many other friends and relatives who helped us realized our dreams. These were just few to mention about the wonders of God’s provision.

Yet it was not a smooth journey. It was filled with all sort of frustrations and possibilities, challenges, disappointments and uncertainties. However, these were the best experiences, which humbled us all along. And in these events, that the blessing of good people, abounds. People whom my parents and my siblings feel very grateful and thankful then and now. They were gifts who came, supported us, and continue to be gifts today and inspire us to extend that kindness to others. I know how difficult it is to need something beyond your grip and I must know how amazing it is to find people who lead you the way to get it.
If I were to list down people who I should thank for, for all the things that I have and for everything that I am now, I know it would take a whole lot of counting and I might not be able to remember every single individual who in their own little way supported me unconditionally. It is truly a blessing in ones life and existence to know people and to have families and relatives willing to help without asking something in return. I am so fortunate I have them in my life.
I would always be proud to tell others about our family, our journey, my journey and my sibling’s respective journeys. Definitely, I would be proud to tell my kids that in this life, there are so many kind-hearted people and we are so blessed we are able to know them so well.

HAPPINESS FOR SALE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:06:00 +0000

Can you buy happiness? This question brings me back to the theology class I attended when I was a university student in the Philippines, nearly two decades ago. The topic has cropped up through a group discussion about Morality and Commercialism; and how young people should recognize the significance of Faith and Prayers to preserve one’s moral standard and values. Even in meticulous catholic universities, the issue of deteriorating ethics and moral principles of its students is a portrait of reality. The influence of education (even at that time) as far as morality is concerned was slowly showing signs of waning and silent disregard.
From the same group discussion, many social issues were inevitably brought upon, including drug addiction, corruption, abortion, premarital sex, amongst others. Back then, these were forefront indicators (at least in that particular location of the earth) to recognize the level of morality a society has. With wide-ranging arguments flying around the classroom, on the impact of these to our individual lives, our respective purpose to this world, and the subtle defiant against Christian teachings; our enduring theology teacher called our attention and asked us to define a fulfilled and happy life based on the philosophy that we individually clung to. Then as we seriously figured out the best answer we could write, one funny classmate stood up and enquired; ‘Is it the commercial happiness?’.

When asked what he meant by it and if he was serious, he was confident and began to enumerate many (indeed) fonts of commercial happiness that could fulfil a hungry and ambitious young mind. He mentioned about the happiness travelling around the world if he had lots of money, and the fulfilment that went along if one could have anything he wanted every minute of his life. That whether we like it or not, most people’s happiness is reliant upon material things; and that a person who has less in life finds happiness so elusive. If you have money, you could buy happiness anywhere at anytime. If life is short, then at least you enjoy every bit of it. In other words, your financial standing is a gauge to a happy life.
So then, if money is the measure of happiness; the poorest amongst the poor does not have any chance to be happy. I begged to disagree in peace, because I knew there are lots of people who remained happy in spite of their poverty and on the contrary, many wealthy people have miserable lives. Frank McKinney Hubbard was right to say, “ It is pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness. Poverty and wealth have both failed”.
And what about the other kind of happiness, which is not commercial? Well, he said it is a state of mind; an attitude that goes beyond material things. There are few who are so blessed to find it within the simplicity of their hearts and their compassion for others. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama said; “The greatest degree of inner tranquillity comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being.

And yes! My university pal was right. Happiness has many perspectives. Looking at our own lives now, happiness is readily associated with money. Why do we work so hard everyday and even on weekends? An outright answer to that is to earn big and to earn more. We need to get more money so we could buy good things for our family, education for our children, and savings for the golden age. You could not be happy to find no food on your table and realize that your sons and daughters are sleeping with empty tummies; could you?. Aside from providing the basic needs of your children, it is also a source of happiness to see them excited and cheerful because of the new phone you gave them as a birthday gift, or a promise to take them to a holiday. But according to Margaret Young, “Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is a reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.” In my differing view to this, is it spending that comes first rather than saving? Obviously too, you could not run a car without a fuel.
It would be hypocrisy to say that we do not need money to be happy because it has become an indispensable material to our everyday living. But I would agree that our attitude helps us recognize the extent that money becomes fundamental. Our character decides whether we are happy or not, the good thing is we could change our character. But it is wrong to say that happiness is for sale. We use money because at some circumstances, that is the only way we can share our happiness to others.

MY SONS at SNOW on SUNDAY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:15:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

My two sons: Matthew Earl & Thomas Miguel

I thought I could sleep a little longer because it’s Sunday, yet my son remembered so clearly what I promised him the night before that I would take them to the park today to play snow. It was snowing whole afternoon yesterday and my son gets used to playing in the white fields when it is possible and because I bought him a sledge in preparation of the big freeze then I didn’t have any reason to say NO.
He whispered to me and said: ‘We are going to the park Tatay’, and then went to his younger brother and woke him up. We slowly went downstairs and told them to wait patiently whilst I prepared our breakfast. Then by the time the meal was ready, their mom followed down and we ate together.

My wife unfortunately was going to work so she could not join our Sunday snow trek. Few minutes later, we were already surrounded by white freezing fields and my two young boys were more than ready to play.

Here are some shots taken at the park.

DEATHS AND GOODBYES

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:56:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

Mark, may you rest in Peace

There is no truth in this world so absolute than death. I used to include a trifling discussion about this in my Physics class when I taught the Theory of Relativity some years back. I would eventually convince my students that death is an absolute fact and there is no way to fake it even the mightiest of science. Death is science itself. While everything else has colour of uncertainty, we are so prompted that we will all die, sooner or later. At what point death conquers the physical body? Obviously, it is when all the vital organs stop to function, and the supply of oxygen is no longer adequate to sustain the basic human cell? The complexity of death is one thing that even the most powerful technology of these times would fail to prevent.

Putting aside the aspect of science, there is no tougher than the feeling of loss and bereavement when a member of your family departs from this world especially when you know that there is more to live for. But I guess we all live to die in the end and sometimes dying comes at the most hasty and unexpected circumstances. While some deaths come naturally with age and disease, others are awful and deeply hurting like what happened to my brother-in-law Mark.
My family is in deep sorrow as one member of our family passed away some weeks ago. So sudden. So unanticipated. So painful. Mark suffered cardiac arrest, his first and his last, and the news of his death was so terrible that it took me a while to believe that it happened. The long distance call that I immediately made to my sister in Hongkong confirmed everything and we just sobbed as we were both out of words for a conversation. This was one of those times that I wished I was only in the middle of a dreadful dream. How could it happen so suddenly. I could not scrabble the best words to console my sister for she was totally devastated and thousands of miles away. Mark was gone and she could not accept it, just not yet. I made calls to the Philippines to inform my younger brother about the terrible news and I knew everyone was in complete disbelief.
Mark was a very humble and thoughtful brother and his life was more than a blessing to us, to his family, and to his friends. He was a very loving and caring husband to my sister. He was both wit and humour and his presence is life to each person. And everyone who knows him has all the nicest things to say in the world. His life has touched many lives and now that he’s in God’s care, his memories continue to live on in the lives of those who he becomes special. We surely could not bring his life back but we can always bring the difference he made to our lives.
Mark’s death might be painful to us who are left behind but God reassures through his promise that there is life without end in his kingdom and we just have to believe that He welcomes him already in heaven. We look upon life as a gift from God and we do nothing to earn it. It is given with unconditional love. As well, we shall look death as a gift of renewal to live an everlasting life.
Thank you very much Mark for the life you shared and the gift of a brilliant person that you will always be to all of us. We know that you will continue to look after your wife and family. May you rest peacefully in heaven.

ARTHRITIS and ATTITUDE GONE BAD

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:08:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

Gout attack on the big toe. (Photo by yahoo images)

For a long time, I suffered attacks of arthritis – matter-of-fact severe ones because it is gouty arthritis, the most painful of all the rheumatic diseases. You might ask my age now and well, I am only 37 years and that would surely surprise you. You would be more worried to note that I had it when I was 34 years. It had really gone bad that my typical routine, my work, and usual life were so much affected. During the first attack in 2007, I realized it could render me useless. As my big toe was swelling red, I could not lead myself to stand because of the excruciating pain at the joints connecting my toe and feet. It would normally take five to seven days to subside, and I lived in silent agony for that same span, I should say.

Desperate About Gout

More so, it happened frequently. Many mornings I woke up and found out that the gout has explored to other parts of my body, pain here and there, mostly in joints – fingers, knees, shoulders. Joints in my arms and feet started to build lumps and the inconvenience was completely frustrating. I have to buy new pair of shoes because my feet have literally enlarged due to the bulges at the joints. And for the longest time, I was desperate and uncertain. I was on for surgery, for more consultations, and all.

It was primarily because I was a massive stubborn at the start! My wife was like pleading me to take the right medicines but I was simply denying it. I had the prescribed drugs but I only put them aside. I tried to be my own ignorant doctor – an attitude gone bad as well. I even bothered my brother in the

Philippines

to send me some herbal tablets that claimed effective and easy healing to my condition, but even with loads of those

China

made capsules, remedy was to no avail. When attitude has gone bad, my condition has gone worse.

My Wife is Right

So finally, with my wife almost at the verge to give up prodding, I took the doctor’s advice and went regularly for my check-up. The blood test revealed that my urate level was very high, the main reason of the frequent attacks. I was referred to Dr. Smith , an excellent rheumatologist at Rochdale Infirmary and he gave me a higher dosage of the medication, reminding me to take it as advised. He is brilliant to explain everything about gout and the risks that go with it. It would take a little longer to see the lumps subsiding and eventually the urate to come back to a normal level.

I am particularly happy now. No more severe attacks and the lumps building up in my joints are almost unnoticeable. My wife was in fact right from the very beginning. I was only in denial. Once you have gout, it would stay forever, but the attacks could be prevented by proper medication and correct diet. It is a responsibility now. I am still stubborn but I do take my medication religiously and I know it is for good.

The Medical Perspective

What causes gout? At the onset of my gouty arthritis, many people told me to avoid alcohol or eating beans and food that are rich in protein because they are the primary causes of gout attacks. They might be correct at some point, but medicine has a very detailed explanation why.

Gout is most frequent in men and it can affect to any age. Whilst it is true that if you stuff yourself too much with alcohol or food, attacks of gout are more likely to occur, but that is not the entire story. People will suffer gout because there is rather unusual in the chemical processes, which take place within the body. A substance which is called ‘URATE’ can build up as crystals in joints. When these crystals are deposited in a joint, they cause inflammation – the joint becomes red, hot, swollen, and extremely painful. Urate can also collect under the skin, most particularly on ears forming small but firm bulge called ‘TOPHI’.

So where does urate come from? It forms as a final product of various chemical processes within the body. All of the cells in the human body, and many of the foods we eat, contain substances known as ‘PURINES’. As old cells are broken down or as food are digested these purines are converted to uric acid, which is carried in the blood as a salt called Urate. It is actually healthy to have some urate in the bloodstream. Its presence does not itself lead to gout, and even people with higher than normal levels of urate may not go on to develop gout. When the amount of urate in the blood rises, the body normally rids itself of the excess through the kidney into the urine. If this does not happen, the urate continues to increase until it reaches a level at which urate crystals can start to form. Urate crystals are fine needle-shaped crystals that may collect in the joints or under the skin.

What are the reasons why urate is not effectively washed out of the body? Gout is also genetic and therefore may run in the family. There is an inherited tendency where your kidneys retain more urate than average. But this does not mean you have a kidney disease. Well, if you have, it may mean that your kidneys are not able to process urate effectively as they should. If you have blood disorders where the body produces too much blood cells, as these cells are broken down they may release urate into the bloodstream more quickly than the kidneys can cope with. Drugs such as diuretics, which drain water from the body may increase urate to a level which the kidneys can not handle efficiently.

Are there long-term risks of gout? Few attacks of gout will not cause permanent damage to the joints and a complete recovery can be expected. However, when joints are repeatedly attacked by gout, the crystals can damage the cartilage and bone of the joint. This is not exactly the end of your happy days because the availability of modern medical treatments plus a serious look out of your diet can repair the damage eventually. Just be very careful that when you already have attacks of gout, it is more likely associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and hyperlipidaemia or too much fat in the blood. It is always good to check this aspects of your health.

What Treatments are available? There are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs available through doctor’s prescription. These are basically drugs that relieve pain and help reduce inflammation (such as Naproxen, diclofenac, and indometacin), they do not prevent the occurrence of gout attacks. There are also urate-lowering tablets (like Allopurinol) and the purpose of these drugs is to reduce urate levels in the blood. This will eventually drain the deposits of urate in the joints and other parts affected by gout. Some drugs to wash out excess urate are also available through medication.

Reference

Gout: An Information Booklet

ARC: Committed to Curing Arthritis

www.arc.org.uk

February 2008

A SECOND LOOK at OUR CLASSROOM

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:18:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

An ailing education!Is there a bright future
to look forward to?

I feel obliged to share my viewpoints about the current state of education in my home country – the Philippines; and the effect that the new system known as ‘K+12’ would suggest to improve the quality of education and quality of graduates. This is purely my opinion and I wish to get across my message as objective as possible to the issues about the radical changes that would take effect very soon. To provide you a general idea, K+12 is introduced to improve the ailing state of basic education and rectify the inadequacy of secondary graduates with essential aptitude for a university study. The new system adds two more years to the typical four years of secondary education creating a two-year senior high school.

I was an educator and I remain to be by heart. Teaching was my first vocation and I am always proud of it. I got my education in the Philippines and practically I have an overview of the old system from primary until college. I taught for nearly 12 years and that experience taught me the best opportunities to enhance my own inadequacies. I truly enjoyed the teaching profession and would constantly cherish the fulfillment it afforded me knowing that as a teacher I was able to touch lives and make a difference to my students’ well-being. In the process I am humbled, that these students have made a difference to my life as well.
I still hope I could go back to teach in my home country. Whilst working in school here in England, it is with full conviction that I have even acquired more compelling experience to share in terms of methods, paradigm, classroom dynamics, and school management. It is indeed a blessing and an eye opener to get this job. A blessing because it is an answered prayer of a decent work and an eye opener because I am able to realize how distant are we left behind in education in terms of vision, paradigm, pedagogy, and curriculum. However, I am very proud to say that Filipino teachers are still amongst the most dedicated servants of education even though the paycheck is miserably low.

Why Support K+12?
The Philippines is one of the few countries with the shortest compulsory formal education, 12 years to be exact - 2 years kindergarten, 6 years primary/elementary, and 4 years secondary. Most high school graduates are then expected to take up college or university courses of their choice whether or not their skill, personality, and capacity fit the chosen field they want to do.
In comparison, England and most countries in the world have 16 years or more of compulsory education – 3 years foundation, 6 years primary, 5 years secondary, and 2 years college. College education is entirely different from university study. Before anyone could take a university degree, he/she has to study in college to find out what career he/she is capable of doing at the university level. It thus serves a rational ground for university candidates to see where their potential could be more useful in the society.

Political Right versus Success
Whilst education is a constitutional right and what course to take up should be a personal choice, the practical reality is that - not everyone is called to become a lawyer, a doctor, an engineer, a teacher, a nurse, computer programmer, amongst others. It is therefore imperative that the model of high school curriculum would be able to recognize skills and aptitude in which students are encouraged and groomed in the field that their capabilities fit them best. The additional two years in the K+12 should underline the importance of career advice and the provision to seriously prepare them for college or university life. Students’ achievement in school is not an option; it requires truthful assessment and proper guidance and therefore educational reforms should also focus on how to make individuals employable and more useful when they graduate.

The Department of Education is against all odds
to implement the K+12 system in the SY 2012-2013

I understand that the addition of two more years of formal education is an utter pain to both the government and the parents. But if our education system is to catch up the effect of globalization, then the present administration is correct to say that the long term benefits of K+12 would, improve literacy rate, strengthen secondary standard, fortify competitiveness, and consequently advance economic growth.

What Curriculum?
In educational philosophy, the core curriculum is the backbone of learning. Being such, it should be designed carefully to meet the needs of students and society. It follows then that if the backbone is poorly made and weak, then the yield would equally inherit the same old flaws. I don’t need to shatter it up about the over-crowded classrooms and dilapidated school buildings. In crude analysis, if the curriculum is no longer efficient, then it has to be reformed and restructured. The current curriculum that majority of the secondary school in the Philippines is using might be good enough during the 60’s or 70’s but I believed it is no longer supporting the needs of students in this generation in terms of acquiring the essential knowledge to prepare them for a supposedly tougher college or university study. At this junction I would say that this curriculum failed badly in its role to develop the full potential of every student and it failed equally in achieving all that the student is capable of.
On the other hand however, there are also private schools in the country that maintain a high standard of secondary education by reforming their respective curriculum. In the same way relevant curricula are used in all science high schools which remarkably produce students who excel in college or university. Sadly, this is a very small number which does not represent the general condition of the secondary curriculum and the overall quality of secondary graduates.
For instance, I feel so humbled to realize that secondary students here in England are already knowledgeable about research methods. They can identify and speak confidently about dependent and independent variables, analyze data from a particular practical which make them ready for proper research work. There is a very wide disparity in the volume of content for science and mathematics subjects and as to how much do we need to catch up is a question so difficult to gauge considering how massive the gap appears to be at the meantime.
The problem is not that Filipino students are not capable to understand, it is rather a failure of the present curriculum to deliver these lessons to them. I always believe in the brainpower of our youths and they have the aptitude to become better but it is a shame that our own curriculum causes its palpable collapse and our educational backbone deprives them to obtain the critical knowledge.
Here in England, biology, chemistry, and physics are taught since year 7 (first year high school) until year 11 (senior high school). The extensive lessons in these basic sciences underline the gap between the knowledge obtained by Filipino students in the same subjects against their English counterparts. First year students have already a superior foundation in science and are continuously strengthened throughout the secondary years. The Philippine curriculum would fail badly in Mathematics as well. For the entire four years in high school, we only have six (6) Maths subjects including electives running against twelve (12) Maths subjects for English students. Naturally, if these two groups are compared and assessed – one has more information whilst the other has less.

This thorough preparation is further evaluated and enhanced during their two year college and their performance would speak about their suitability to a particular university degree. On the other hand, our high school graduates are not categorized according to suitability and are not guided properly for their future career. Mostly, they could enroll to any college/university course either as a personal interest or as a parental prescription.

Paradigm of Teaching
Methodology and teaching strategy should not be a matter of wealth and poverty. Whilst developed countries are able to acquire the best resources to support methods of instruction, developing countries like the Philippines could still deliver the subject matter by sheer ingenuity and resourcefulness. This might be a very tall order for the poorest communities which need a complete second look, but for most public secondary schools there are available means to effectively assemble knowledge. Experiential learning is what this generation appreciates. Introduce more practical works in the classroom instead of writing too many things to memorize. This is one area of teaching and learning where we fare very poorly. Rote memorization does not develop critical thinking. Effective planning for simple but relevant experiments provides a wider avenue for the students to understand and learn efficiently.

Secondary students in the Philippines
(Photo from yahoo images)

At the end of the day, whether a country is rich or poor, the prevailing theories and principles of Science and Maths are the same. This means that we are all reading and studying similar concepts, hence the central goal is not only to understand them but to make use of the concepts to advance life and the society. You don’t need a high-end apparatus to demonstrate Newton’s Laws nor the latest technology to demonstrate an activity for chemical reactions. It is not vital to own an iPAD or laptop to understand algebra or calculus or trigonometry. Teachers have convenient access to the internet and there are thousands of practical examples across the web to learn from. Mathematics is fun if there is an appealing activity in which a particular topic could be communicated and again the internet is the best buddy to obtain it.
Teachers have to remind themselves over and again that the character of the present generation of students is visual and interactive. Their attention span is very short and for a one-hour class teachers should employ activities which are worthwhile and interesting. Active learning strategy is working brilliantly in the developed nations and this approach should be completely understood and applied thoroughly to our students. A country does not have to be wealthy to do this.

Quality of Students
On a positive note, Filipino students are amongst the brightest in the world. Evidently, even with inadequate training and resources in public schools, our students are still able to compete internationally. Aside from that, most of the Filipino students are hardworking, exploratory, resourceful, respectful, and polite. Their drive to succeed is overwhelming and regardless of the hardships and challenges they encounter day by day, their desire to get education is immeasurable. That is one thing that makes me very proud about our students. The fervor and passion to graduate is so critical in the learning process too.
Look, students in England are so privileged in almost all aspects in their primary and secondary studies – free of the essential materials in schools, books, notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, papers, amongst others and even meals for poor children. Almost everything is served on a silver platter. But based on my observation most of them do not have the determination and dedication to compete and excel, except for the gifted and highly motivated. The reasons maybe diverse but one that I could suggest is the fact that they don’t need to exert their best to pass the subject since the system does not fail them anyway.
In general comparison; given the same resources, reforms, responsive curriculum and time frame, there is no doubt to say that our secondary graduates could be amongst the best in the world. Having said that, I find the K+12 a very intelligent reform to put forward the standard of our secondary education and level-up the quality of our young people.

GET OVER MISTAKES

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:48:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

We all commit mistakes because nobody is perfect. Every time we do wrong to others, or have done things incorrectly, we normally feel guilty, embarrassed, and sorry and would even feel regretful. Yet think about it, what’s done is done, and you could not turn back time to do it differently or not do it at all. It was meant to happen and you no longer have any piece of control over it. You do not have to live with it for the rest of your life, do you?
Worrying too much for a shortcoming is pointless because it does not amend the situation whatsoever. You are only drenching yourself with useless anxiety and stress. Since the damage or inconvenience has been done, the viable things you can do really is to calm down, fix what could possibly be made to it, and if it concerns emotional distress to someone, admit and apologise before the situation gets awful.
Read along these simple tips to get over guilt and burden when you commit mistakes. This is helpful to me; this might be helpful to you too. Tell me if it worked to you before, am sure it will still work to you now.

1. Avoid excessive reaction to mistakes. Crying or shouting over embarrassment or guilt feelings might be a good relief but not for long. You can’t cry or shout forever. You may share your guilt feelings to your friends or family members but consider they also have their own list of things to do and problems to deal with, thus telling them about how sorry you are and how regretful you are about your woes, many times in a day, is absolutely too much. Do not be too melodramatic because people feel tired to listen every single bit of your uneasiness and they will eventually become disinterested about all your stories.

2. Do not keep yourself awake all night thinking about your shortcomings. Surely, you need better sleep to prepare for the next sunrise. In order to begin your day correctly, set aside the worry and do not let it bugged you overnight. You could not undone it, yet you can mend it through.

3. Believe that people understand. I suppose we are all gifted with a soft heart that melts easily to repenting souls. People will bear in mind that they are not perfect too and that forgiveness comes readily to you. So, when others have shortcomings, be the first one to understand and believe that they equally need that assurance.

4. Do not make the same mistakes again. If you were guilty because you gossip falsehood against someone and that someone discovered you were the culprit, be humble and be sincere to admit your dull judgment; and do not do the same mistake over again. If you do, you break up others trust and you will certainly not earn it once more. If you destroyed an item because of recklessness, make sure to take extra care when doing the same thing over. Repeated mistakes are annoying and would lead people to construe you are not worthy of their time.

5. Learn to accept mistakes and then apologise. It is very difficult for people to ask apology, particularly intelligent people. Brilliant minds thought their personality has no room for mistakes and so the admission of shortcoming is the last thing to come out from them. It only takes a minute to compose yourself to ask apology but it should take forever to show that you are truly sorry about what you have done. The challenge therefore is not on how to ask forgiveness but how to live up to it.

6. Don’t be too harsh on yourself. You can blame yourself once for doing something wrong or hurting others; but spare a part of your ego and realise that if others have been into that same circumstance, they must have done exactly the same thing, right? So there is indeed no use to hold yourself a notch above the paradigm because mistakes are there to happen; and you are not alone to carry out such incidental response. Do not punish yourself; do not be ashamed about a shortcoming because no one else will remember it after sometime.

7. Don’t live the nightmares of guilt feeling. Yes, you could have done things a different way or have been more tactful with your remarks. You could have been more careful dealing with someone or something. But winding it back over and over again in your head will only cause more guilt and distress. Get over that futile replay thinking.

8. Be optimistic. Positive thinking guides us to do things correctly. If you maintain an affirmative disposition even in the most uncertain situations, your instinct helps you choose the best available option and when you are at fault, being positive that things can be patched up soon will make it easier for you to get over the guilt and grief.

9. Prayers make a difference. God is the ultimate judge and saviour of all our shortcomings. If it is not easy for people to forgive what we have done wrong, God is always willing to listen and is never tired to provide us comfort. Prayer is very powerful to help us get over any feeling of inconvenience and surely God will give us a tap on our shoulders and will say; “It’s alright, you will be ok”.

WENLOCK AND MANDEVILLE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:09:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

Wenlock to represent the Olympics
and Mandeville for Paralympics
(photo from Yahoo images)

Do you wonder who they are? They are just the official mascots of the London 2012 Olympiad and Paralympics, and soon they will conquer the hearts of every spectator in the world’s greatest sporting spectacle. Yet, what’s in the name?

When the two mascots were unveiled two years ago, they received various reactions from the public and critics. Some said that the design was the least being expected to be chosen since there were certainly numerous designs that could be readily associated with the host city London, like Big Ben mascot or perhaps George the Lion mascot. But, the Olympics organizers were too convinced to defend that Wenlock and Mandeville are not just ordinary mascots of the Olympics. They have rich historical significance to both the Olympics and Paralympics and the design was especially created to inspire children. Sebastian Coe, the chairman of the London organizing committee said that the design could easily connect to young people with sport and could proudly tell the story of

England

’s Olympic and Paralympic history.

WHO IS WENLOCK?

Mascot Wenlock carries the inspiration of the so called origin of the Modern Olympics. Wenlock is a small town in Shropshire, England, and it was in this place where the concept of modern Olympics was born. This beautiful place is known for the Wenlock Olympian Games organized by Dr. Penny Brookes in the 1850. Dr Brookes was instrumental in setting up both the Shropshire Games and the National Olympics Games. Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the grandfather of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was personally invited and visited Shropshire in 1890 and was interested by the success of the Annual Games held in the town and eventually extended that inspiration to the Ancient Greece and the world. One of the famous hotels of Shropshire called ‘The Raven Hotel’, is able to keep the memorabilia of the important artifacts and correspondence between Dr. Brookes and de Coubertin. Notable historic attractions in Wenlock are the Priory and the Guild Hall.

WHO IS MANDEVILLE?

Mascot Mandeville gets its name from Stoke Mandeville, a village in the county of Buckinghamshire,

England

. Particularly, Mandeville Hospital, the largest and famous Spinal Injuries ward, and is the National Center for Disability Sport in the

United Kingdom

inspired the Paralympics movement and the Paralympics Games in 1960. the historical significance of Mandeville traces back in 1948 when the first Stoke Mandeville Games was held and are now known as the World Wheelchair and Amputee Games. When the 1948 London Games officially started, Sir Ludwig Guttman held his own version of sport competition in Stoke Mandeville but the players were World War II soldiers with spinal injuries.

LAKE DISTRICT: SERENITY and PARADISE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:59:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

I am candidly captivated by the tranquility of England’s Lake District. Considered as the country’s National Park, it prides its gorgeous lakes including the magnificent Windemere, the amazing Coniston waters, the healthy Ambleside, and the scenic lakeland of Derwentwater, amongst others. Century old castles stand like kings on mountain summits and proclaim the rich history and cultural richness of Lake District. I could only wish for more opportunities of future courtship in these breathtaking landscapes and natural paradise, laying perfectly under a truly fantastic summer sunshine.

We have a great time last Saturday, spending every single affection, exploring, and falling in love again of the beauty and serenity of Lake District. The rich hills, green valleys, and neatly chiseled mountains that surround the splendid lakes persuade one to regard it as a seventh heaven on earth.

Millions of visitors from around the world frequent this place being a truly popular holiday destination and also a home to one famous English poet during the 19^th century, William Wordsworth. In fact his well-known work called ‘Daffodils’ were writings witnessing his profound love affair with the Lakeland. The shade of life and the friendly character of both its people and place naturally flourish in this most beautiful panorama I have ever been in my life and I would always remember this experience.

I would like to share to you some of the photos which I am certain, you would be in love with as much as we did. My next article about Lake District narrates the complete fondness and the fun that me and my family, shared with our good friends who were having a brilliant weekend-holiday in one of the camping sites around Lakeland, plus the honestly awkward experience destined to happen on our way home. See you again here.

POURING ROCK SALT ON WINTER

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:55:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

Photo by Earlie D

Winter is here once again and the blast of chilling wind plus the freezing temperature outside gradually conquer the strange warmth and residual sunshine of November autumn. Although the weather in England is generally unpredictable, the onset of winter is the time of the year when everybody knows exactly that anytime soon the snow would be speeding its way down to the awaiting grounds.

I don’t hate the idea of winter. When I first came here in 2007, I was looking forward to see and feel the winter character. Since then, I loved to see the glittering white fields of snow around parks and how the snowflakes transform the lonely skeleton of trees into a spectacular framework of white crystals clinging naturally to their healthy branches, and coating faultlessly around shrubs, pines, and mountains. I cherished the sights of people throwing snowballs and crafting snowman.

Unfortunately, snow could be terrible too. It is annoying to everyday travelers. Road accidents are higher on icy days and more often than not, people find no option than stay at home and endure every bit of monotony. But if you work and drive on a daily basis like myself, snowfall unquestionably becomes a nuisance.

Every winter,

would spend millions of pounds to protect the safety of travelers and drivers by dispensing rock salt along major city streets and de-icing motorways. One would surely experience rock salt down the sidewalks and roads to melt the ice and snow and keep it from refreezing. Having your own bags of rock salt at home would definitely provide convenience aside from owning a spade and metal scoop. It is always better being ready to clear away pathways and doorsteps from snow.

But what does rock salt do during winter season? Generally salt or sodium chloride helps by lowering the melting or freezing point of water. In actual figures, sodium chloride could melt ice or snow to about (-9 )degrees celcius. This means that by scattering rock salts on roads and sidewalks, ice or snow would liquefy and prevent it from freezing again. Although salt is not necessarily the best choice for de-icing, it is cheaper and a less environmentally hazardous alternative.

Generally salt does not melt the ice, it does lower the freezing point of water. Ice is characteristically layered with a thin film of water which is enough to allow the salt particles get through the ice. Eventually this makes a salt-water solution that freezes at a comparably lower temperature and prevent re-freezing. The salt-water solution is naturally carried down the drain and cleaning off surfaces of road and sidewalks from ice or snow. Therefore, it is truly necessary to have a stock of rock salt during winter so that when snowfall comes you are ready with rock salt to pour around.

REMINDERS OF AUTUMN

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:24:00 +0000

By Earlie Doriman

When the leaves change colour and start to fall while the cold winds begin to shake harder the tree branches, that's when I feel that summer is gone and the autumn time terminates the wonderful warm of sunshine. More so, I just could not help myself but absorb the melancholy of the season blunt, lifeless, and long. This is the time of the year when I feel that the leaves whisper the sound of the past as they slowly descend from the joyful days brushing with the gentle air. And for few more months, the branches and twigs that they bid goodbye are hopeful to welcome the new spring of life to turn the world around them alive again.

Just like the poem by Robert Frost that goes:

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold,
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

All photos here were taken on October 25, 2011 at the Ironbridge.

HABAL-HABAL: JUST SOME FUNNY THOUGHTS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:09:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

Imagine this with passengers on....

I felt like I have my own version of resurrection. For the longest time that I seem to brush off from the blogosphere, now at last I am able to get my pen back to writing a new post for my precious blog.

The past weeks had been very hectic. When the school’s autumn term opened early this September, I was totally restless with so many things, thoughts, and plans both at home and at work. My two growing boys, now two and three years respectively have learned to demand more quality play time with me and so I could not enjoy free space for my cyber love affair with blogging.

The impulse to write though is constantly nagging me and my mind is full of new topics to share, yet not been able to reconcile playing with the little kids and writing at the same time. I tried it many times but ended with many sort of troubles.

I already have many draft articles in my file but most of them are halfway to complete so I still have to sort them again, that in my useful times I could find better ending. But just recently while I was watching 24 Oras (24 Hours) with my wife, one headline helped me realize that the ‘Habal-Habal’ has conquered the streets of Manila and it is called exactly that. I wondered if the people of Manila have any inkling about the meaning of the name ‘Habal-Habal’. Growing number of motorcycle for hire are lining up small streets waiting for passengers to transport. The metropolitan has adapted the mode of transportation of the hinterlands and whatever reasons there maybe, Manilenos could at least have a feel of it and enjoy the ride of their lives.

This is what you'll get!!
Habal-Habal, a single motorcyle for hire

I am no stranger to passenger motorcycle because there is a massive number of this mode of transport in my peaceful and beautiful hometown Mabini, Compostela Valley. I used to take the ‘Habal-Habal’ immediately right where I got off from the ‘Bachelor Liner’, and where drivers followed the queue responsibly. In a matter of two minutes or so, as the driver speeds up his machine, I would be at the front doorstep of our house in Pangibiran – safe and sound.

Habal-Habal are motocycles for hire and it is so common in the countryside and rural communities especially at interior hinterlands of Southerm Mindanao. It eventually invades routes in the remote areas of Cebu, Bohol, and other neighboring islands of the Visayas, where ordinary jeepneys are unavailable or roads inaccessible.

So what seems to be bumpy about Habal-Habal? What does Habal-habal mean? While it is obviously a Cebuano or Bisaya term, it has also a meaning that would surely sound uncomfortable to conservative ears.

As I rewind the news, I could not help but put a smile on my face as the funny thought creeps in and imagining that the news reporter has no single idea whatsoever about the term ‘Habal-Habal’, there appeared to be some sort of worthy joke . To simplify it, the term comes from the root word ‘Habal’. In Cebuano or Visayan dialect it means a sexual position or a sexual intercourse doggy-style. The term should have been exclusively used to mean animal breeding. For example, if a pig raiser wants his ‘ANAY’ or sow impregnated by a ‘BUTAKAL’ or hog, he would take the sow to the hog for ‘PAHABAL’ or breeding. Habal-Habal as a passenger motorcycle coins its name from it because the position the driver and the passenger takes on the motorcycle is similar to ‘Habal’ or a doglike sexual position.

For most people in Visayas and Mindanao, Habal-Habal has evolved to get on the fence of acceptance. Since this mode of transportation already forms part of everyday living, people use the term without malice or offense. But I would not be surprised if Manilenos would react if they realize the unsophisticated translation of Habal-Habal.

However, I find no wrong if we just put aside the derogatory translation of the word and just consider it a new term that could stand on its own. In anyway, this would not stop me from smiling when I remember the newscaster saying many times the ‘Habal-Habal’ over the nationwide television.

HOMEWARD BOUND:LOST and FOUND

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:35:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

One of the campsites at Lake District. We joined the excitement
and fun with our friends who spent a four-day holiday here.

As I mentioned in my last post, an awkward experience on our way back from the Lake District gave me both laugh and fright to recount. It was not heartbreaking though, but to me and my wife who brought our two very young children, the episode was something I wished did not happen at all.
To start off the day, my youngest son who is nearly two years old woke up around 5:00 in the morning and without any possible option, I have to oblige myself to open my eyes and defy the laziness, then take him downstairs to simply stop him from crying and cause my other son to get up too. Anyway I thought, we were going to pick up my wife who worked night shift as a nurse so at least I have ample time to prepare. At exactly half past seven, we were on our way to Fairfield Hospital which is 15 minutes drive from our home, there we waited for few more minutes then my eldest son saw his mommy walked towards where our car was parked.

The captivating beauty and majesty of Lake District

From the hospital, we went back home to get few things as we decided to go to the Lakeland ( Lake District) where many of our family friends were already enjoying the second day of their holiday camp out. We should have been with the group the day before if it was not of the night shift my wife was unable to dispose. Using the motorway where you can speed up to an average of 80mph, Lake District was about two hours drive from our place in Rochdale, Manchester. It was my first time to drive to Lake District but since we were guided by a SATNAV, the steer was convenient and we easily found the campsite to join our friends who only spoke about the wonderful time they had and the endless admiration about the imposing beauty of Lake District.

TIPI (read as teepee): a traditional conical tent
with a modern touch and ambiance

Personally, I could not find any speck to disagree because from the moment we got the view of the place I was already awed with soaring amazement. Everything was like put in proper order and the colours of green around the lovely waters were simply spectacular. Yes, the campsite was a class with different camping shelter to choose from. Most beautiful is the TIPI (read as ‘teepee’), a conical tent which I could easily associate to the primitive dwellings of Native Americans ( I hope I get this right), but unlike the traditional tipi which is normally covered with animal skin, the campsite tipi is covered with durable canvas. It has its own heater and gas regulated stove, well insulated but I guess it contained an adjustable opening at top and a smoke flap to allow the occupants to cook inside.

Our friends in their colourful american
indian-inspired headdress

Many campers assembled their respective tents and at random green fields, tents blossom like life of celebration. Under the shade of emerald forests are brilliant cottages of various sizes and shapes. The campers were such a bunch of happy faces wearing a sincere smile and one could obviously see the satisfaction in every heart.
Walking a mile or so, we found ourselves mesmerized by the grandeur of the a lake that opens a more stunning scenery of mountains and hills from a distance dotted with gorgeous white buildings that adds the exquisiteness of Lake District. The boats and yachts floating steadily on the massive Windermere were pure attractions that spell extraordinary luxury. Everything there is God’s perfect creation and I did not mind carried away by the spellbinding stillness that it abounds.

My two sons having a cool break at an
Ambleside cafe.

We went back to the campsite and enjoyed a very hearty dinner, whilst the kids were so happy running around and exploring the science and life at a nearby stream, we filled the space laughing, barbecuing, and more.. more…more..eating.

My youngest son Thomas Miguel

But for us, time flew very fast as we were not staying overnight. My eldest son begged to stay but with an awful lot of explaining, he was persuaded to go home. We were tempted to and our friends have insisted us to stay but we were really there just for a day and we needed to get back home as I was to read at the morning Sunday mass the following day. We bid goodbye to them as we slowly savoured a very memorable day at Lake District. From the campsite, we went to Ambleside Pier and continued to enjoy the rich countryside and panorama, sat down in an open café, ordered fish and chips, and after an hour we headed back to the car park and prepared ourselves for a two hour drive back home. We abandoned the idea to get a glimpse of the Coniston waters as it was quarter to seven in the evening.

I checked again the SATNAV as it was an indispensable lifeline on the road. Destination checked and it displayed the graphics of the route towards home – I believed it was in perfect condition.. I made myself ready and listened to the instructions then off we went. It said ‘turn right in 100 yards’, then many more instructions came after another. After around 30 minutes, the SATNAV seemed unconcern and it stopped giving me directions to which road I should race. So I asked my wife to press the speaker button to double check if it was accidentally muted but it was not the problem. She tried to fix it but to no avail as the SATNAV indicated it was unable to locate GPRS signal. We don’t have a map in our hands, and we could not ask anyone. We were simply bugged down, nevertheless the speed has to pick up.
I was already on the motorway following my instinct of the signs and familiar names that I noticed in the morning. My wife and I were quite confident then that we were on the right track. The SATNAV was of no help anymore, it was still silent. We were expecting to arrive home at quarter to nine in the evening. My eldest son was busy remembering and talking about what he did on the day whilst my other son was fast asleep. More than an hour on the motorway, I felt uncomfortable and keep suggesting to my wife that we might have gone the wrong way. My wife felt the same way and we just kept looking at road signs and names to confirm our suspicion. It was an unfriendly night, heavy rain met us and the visibility was really bad. Until we saw a very big sign which said ‘ SCOTLAND’.
In simultaneous jump of our reaction time, my wife and I exclaimed, SCOTLAND!!!

We were indeed and in fact on the wrong motorway. It was officially confirmed, And the first dictate of my impulse was to get off at the next exit which I did eventually. I hoped that the exit would lead us to a town so we could pull over and check the SATNAV. In uncertain circumstances like that, I reminded myself to remain cool, calm and collected and just focus on road signs that might provide us hope homeward. After five miles, I needed to pull over, the hope to finding our way home became dimmer as we only saw expanse of lonely farms..farms…farms.. and the night nearly took over the daylight. Honestly, I was afraid at that time. I thought we were the only moving creatures around and my mind was slowly crowding with terrifying movie scenes..of people lost in the wilderness….of vampires looking from a distance…or some sort of serial killers along the road. I steered back and stepped the accelerator quickly to take us back to the motorway. My eldest son sensed that something was not right when he asked; ‘What happened Dad? Are we on the wrong way? Are we not going home yet? Deep inside I was deeply sorry for our two kids. But At least there were cars along the expressway and we felt consoled about the thought that there were people moving too.
The next plan was to stop at the nearest service station to ask for assistance. After three miles, I was able to breathe naturally as we saw a sign for a COSTA service not far ahead. With a feeling of joy and relief, I turned the car to the service entrance and found ourselves with a faithful smile…but only for a very short moment because I realized we were into a lorry quarter. At that time, finding our way back was more that mattered to me so I was not bothered anymore. I refueled at the gas station and at the till I politely asked directions from the cashier who by the way had a Scottish accent when he said; ‘Oh sorry I dunno’.

Matthew and Gaeia

But God was indeed traveling with us, the kind lady at the next till was more than willing to help us out of the unwanted adventure. I told her that we should be going to Manchester but got the wrong way and we were obviously close to Scotland. I remembered an adage by William Hazlitt which said ‘A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles’. She smiled at me but was so thoughtful about us and told me that we should be on the M6 southbound. I smiled back in regret and asked her how we could go back to the right track. At that moment, I understood that God offered me the kindest person I have ever met in my life and I could not possibly thank her enough when she allowed us to use their exclusive road towards the other side of the service station and led our way to M6 southbound. The next thing I knew, we were heading back to Manchester and my wife was genuinely relieved and thankful. My two sons were already asleep when the SATNAV found a new signal of hope and started to give me a fresh wisdom of direction.
God is with us all this time and he sometimes has his strange ways to remind us that his miracles are boundless and thus they work always. I am grateful that he was there to protect us in our most uncertain predicament and continues to show that nothing is impossible in prayers. David Wilkerson said; ‘How quickly we forget God's great deliverances in our lives. How easily we take for granted the miracles he performed in our past’.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:43:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman
Although the movie in 2003 by the same title which starred Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson did not deeply engage in the challenges of language barrier and issues concerning two cultures, it certainly depicted the reality that every country, wealthy or poor; big or small, is distinctively characterized by its own language and set of idiom – an element to cultural history, attitude, and identity. Strangely enough, language creates division amongst nations and yet it also helps bridge this division and converge diverse people together to value each other and appreciate their presence. There are many people who are deeply passionate exploring and become skillful at different languages which indicate that these tongues are not impossible to learn after all.

I am always fascinated and amused to watch foreign movies with English translations at the bottom and I thought a translation service is responsible for bringing sensible life to many non English movies. With quality translations, French or Chinese movies for example, are brought closer to respective homes and this apparently provides a different sense of entertainment. I love to listen to different languages although I don’t have the skill to learn them easily, I find joy by plainly absorbing the strange accent and words of a particular language. I learned few Polish words and I find it amazing to use them in short sentences. I also learned common Japanese terms and I enjoyed using them in some informal conversations.. Urdu is another one that interests me. Chinese or Mandarin was the most difficult challenge that now I could not remember any of the words that I used to memorize.

The birth of internet provides a global library where everyone has an invaluable opportunity to learn many languages from any imaginable corners of the world. Translating one language to another has become more accessible and convenient as there are various websites that offer translation services. The onset of globalisation and its influence to almost every aspect of living including business, socio-politics, and medicine, is a given condition that language and the necessity to be understood are indispensable. It is equally essential that quality translation of language becomes a paramount concern. Translation services are widespread and most of them are simply ‘a click away’.
The world wide web is unsurprisingly an important source of translation companies and translation agencies that offer translation services. Agreeably, professional translation comes from quality and reliable translation company or translation agency. To say that Hollywood movies do not need translation services is an overstatement because the fact indicates that there is less than 20 percent of the global population that could speak English. When movie producers aim to reach a wider audience across the globe, it is essential to acknowledge the expertise of a translation agency to take charge of the different languages the movie requires.

THE WILDS AT CHESTER ZOO

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:34:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

One irresistible attraction at Chester Zoo,
the life-size and life-like Animatronic
Dinosaurs

My eldest son Matthew could not simply contain his excitement, when I woke him up around 7:00 in the morning last Tuesday his first question was “Are we going to the zoo today?” Understanding my gesture, he quickly jumped off his bed and grabbed his jeans and shirt which I prepared the other night and started to ask series of questions about what he could possibly see. He was talking about rhinos, dinosaurs, lions, and elephants, and he asked if he could bring his water gun to shoot the monstrous dinosaur which he became quite familiar at the Jurassic Park movie that we watched time and again. His mom and I just answered all his queries with ‘Yes’ while engaging ourselves to get all the stuffs that we needed sorted. His younger brother Thomas was already ready for the day; he woke up earlier and was right downstairs watching his favourite Cbeebies show.

Matthew ( 2 years & 10 months)
and Thomas ( 1 year & 9 months)

A month ago, we promised Matthew for a Chester Zoo trip and we were only waiting for a good weather to book our visit. Fortunately, a very inspiring sunshine opened the morning and the forecast ascertained a sunny day so we headed for Chester, home to the UK’s largest and most successful zoo.

Chester Zoo is huge zoological garden housing a large collection of both diverse and endangered animal and plant species. It is the first zoo in the UK to breed Asian elephants in captivity. I was in fact amazed to see many Southeast Asian species of birds and animals and a wild fruit called Durian which grows best in Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Its breeding facilities to many endangered animals is considered one of the best in the world and the animals are well taken cared of, confined in suitable fences, provided with healthy food and balance diet – the very reason why visitors are strictly prohibited to give food to any wildlife around the zoo.

To complete a tour around the 110 acres of rich wildlife experience, a monorail transportation system is available as well as water bus that operates on a canal network within the zoo. Restaurants and cafes are also accessible and you don’t need to worry about running out of cash inside, cash machines are just several steps away from the main entrance.

One means of transportation around the Zoo
is this waterbus that floats on canal network
within the Zoo

It was certainly an incredible trip and Matthew had obviously lengthy memories to take home. Going back was seemingly loaded with information from him. He imagined everything he saw and made up little stories about those beautiful animals. He became silent for a while and a satisfied snore took over few minutes later. I was sure he continued talking about the wilds of Chester Zoo in the world of his dreams.

The Author with two sons Matthew & Thomas

My wife Leah and son Matthew

The Animatronics, a new attraction at Chester Zoo,
settling on the lawns around the Islands
in Danger

The fierce eyes of a female lion, wondering
and most probably annoyed by the crowd taking photos

Water Buffalos taking their time to relax under
the inviting warmth of a good sunshine

The Fruit Bats Forest provide a pretend
cave of hundreds of fruit bats where they
feel at home to a beautifully simulated moonlight and
astonishing image of dawn

As the Rhino hides away, Matthew was awed by its
massive size and monstrous physique

They are called the 'GEMSBOK'

Amongst the species that come from
Southeast Asia, I am truly happy
that these Philippine Spotted Deer
find their safe abode here

Chilean Flamingos

The exotic king of fruits DURIAN, is another tropical fruit tree
that resides in the care of Chester Zoo

Matthew was honestly scared of the moving
Dinosaurs, and it was very difficult to take
a photo of him near anyone of them

Cooler, taking a break from the day-long adventure

The Monorail, another means of transportation
around Chester Zoo

SUMMER FAMILY DAY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:14:00 +0000

by Earlie Doriman

Children who enjoyed so much
of the face painting session with Anna Richings

What a day to keep in mind. Bursting with fun, games, prizes, food, fellowship, and memories. The Rochdale Filipino Anglo Community’s (RFAC) summer family day provided a significant experience and fun-filled activities at St Patrick’s School. Filipino families in Rochdale, England as well as many invited friends enjoyed a get together to commence the school holidays with a summer fiesta and indoor games. Together with their respective parents, the kids took delight by playing various Filipino games and enjoyed the company of other kids after a long school term that ended late last month.

Spearheaded by the hardworking officers of RFAC, the main objective of the event was to continue uniting Filipino families and allow their children to appreciate Filipino culture and values through sports and friendly games. It was a huge success and everybody went home with a grateful smile and content heart, and hoping that activities like this could continuously inspire Filipino families to feel at home in spite of the distance from the home country. Our sincere thanks to the officers who shared their time and resources to make the event a memorable one.

Filipino children having so much fun and excitement
executing the mechanics of Statue Dance

Wendy, Cheska, and Jienne, apparently discussing
their strategy during the Children's Tug-of-War Event

To everyone's amusement and anticipation, the energy
that the Sack Race required means a lot to these kids
hopping and jumping with a sack on

Showing off their painted faces, the children
have enjoyed a lot wearing their favourite design

Planting Rice is never fun but when the kids simulate
it in a game, it becomes a different source of joy.

Guess what? I think they were just overwhelmed
as they claimed the prizes for the respective game they won

Anna Richings (seated), the face painting expert and one of her
models Daryll
Ooppss....Vicky Pidiswyji wanted to try face painting too...

Let the cameraman decides the right angle...
and everybody wanted to find that right spot..

Active members of the the Rochdale Filipino
Anglo Community (RFAC) during the posterity photo

The children who were simply having the
best time at the Family Day

Face painting models. Front ( Matthew, Christian, and Gaea)
Back ( Wendy and Julian)