Garapon (Jar) of Life

10 Lessons From Einstein

noreply@blogger.com (Maryanang Garapones) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:02:00 -0700

1. Follow Your Curiosity “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

2. Perseverance is Priceless “It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

3. Focus on the Present “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”

4. The Imagination is Powerful “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

5. Make Mistakes “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

6. Live in the Moment “I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.”

7. Create Value “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

8. Don’t be repetitive “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

9. Knowledge Comes From Experience “Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”

10. Learn the Rules and Then Play Better “You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”

Source: Paulo Coelho Blog

A great people: The Philippine Advantage

noreply@blogger.com (Maryanang Garapones) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:50:00 -0700

A great people: The Philippine Advantage

by: Peter Wallace

I have often wondered why the Philippines is so poorly regarded
internationally (the lowest levels of foreign investment and smallest
number of tourists confirm this).

There's so much that is attractive about the Philippines-but it's not
known. The image of the Philippines is of bungling cops unable to
break down a bus door so eight tourists die. The image of New Zealand
is of a country that rescues, nurtures and sends a penguin back home
to Antarctica. A country that cares is not careless.

You have an image of a country from minor events, not from in-depth
knowledge. Well, the Philippines is not a land of bungling cops
(Incidentally, I'd almost guarantee that the promised properly,
professionally equipped, intensively trained rescue team has not been
created. If it is, I'd like to see a demonstration), but of talented
people who perform as well as, or better, in many cases, than anyone
else.

The situation is so bad that at many events the Philippines is not
compared poorly to elsewhere, it isn't compared at all. It's not on
the list.. I really have no simple answer to why this is so, despite
I've thought and thought about it over the years. Here is a country
with a warmth, hospitality and friendship you won't find anywhere
else.

Multinational corporations tell me that their operations here are
ranked up at the top on performance, efficiency, profitability amongst
their subsidiaries around the world. That's reality. I can tell you
loyalty of staff is incredible. My team thinks nothing of working way
beyond eight hours if the client or project needs it. Of working years
for us in a belief in what we do. That's a loyalty replicated in
numerous companies Texas Instruments doubled its investment here
because after a typhoon that devastated Baguio and many of TI's
employees' houses, the employees were all back at work the next day.

I wrote a booklet some years ago to help foreigners new to, or
thinking about investing and living, here understand what they're
getting into. I listed the country's best features based on various
surveys, as: 1) English language proficiency; 2) Labor availability,
quality and reliability; 3) Adaptability to Western culture and
practices; 4) Market potential and size; 5) Educational attainment; 6)
Low cost environment; 7) Positive Filipino attitude; 8) Quality and
quantity of middle management and technical people; 9) Comfortable
local lifestyle; 10) Strategic location; and 11) Good telecoms
infrastructure.

Note how much of it is people: it's the Filipino. Close to 9 million
of them around the world tell you that, too. The global shipping
industry experienced a great slump during the recent world economic
meltdown, yet Filipino seamen didn't lose their jobs. Other
nationalities did.

But note too how two of the most important features (English
capability and education) are being thrown away. My wife was taught in
English, her home spoke English, English was the language of choice..
Tagalog was placed alongside it. Today, misplaced nationalism seems to
think Tagalog must be spoken as it's the language of home so it's
easier for kids to learn in it. Yes, the language of home is the
easiest language to use to impart knowledge, but 40 years ago, that
language was English.

The other argument is that Tagalog identifies the nation. Well I speak
English, not Aboriginal; Americans speak English, not some red Indian
language. Language doesn't define a nation, language is for one
purpose, and one purpose only: Communication.

The world speaks English. More than 300,000 Filipinos have jobs in
call centers because they speak English. Another 200,000 are employed
in other business process outsourcing sub-sectors like transcription &
digital content/game development where English is also the primary
language used. Most of the nearly 9 million Filipinos around the world
have jobs because they speak English. None is there because he or she
speaks a Filipino dialect The inter connectivity of the world, the
explosion (the only word) of globalization makes English essential if
we are to be a leader in the IT industry where we've done so well
already. So it must be taught equally with Tagalog, not as a second
language.

It also means education is ever more essential, yet we've just lost
all our universities out of the world's Top 300. Some 35 percent of
kids never finish primary school, another 27 percent drop out from
secondary. Of 100 primary school entrants, only 14 earn a college
degree. The deterioration of the educational system is heart breaking
and is becoming a major deterrent to new investment. There are still
enough Filipinos to meet industry needs, but it won't continue. The
BPO industry, where the Philippines is a world leader, can find enough
people now, but soon it won't be able to. Not having enough money to
fund education is not an excuse. There is enough money-if corruption
is stopped as the President wants; if schools are built, not
monumental government offices (go see the opulent monstrosity in
Calamba to satisfy someone's ego); if tax effort (taxes as a share of
GDP) is brought up to the 17-18 percent as elsewhere in Asia; if tax
changes are pushed through (sin tax amendments and fiscal incentive
reforms could add about P95 billion that could be put into education
and health). The money is there. Lack of money is not an excuse.

The other human factors that make the Philippines so attractive remain
strong, so how do we get the world to know about them? Spend money,
that's how. Market the Philippines aggressively. Create the image
(based on what is the reality). It's a job that Tourism Secretary Mon
Jimenez and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo must be tasked to do. And
that, Congress should agree, should be liberally funded-the returns
will be multiples of what is spent.

We can't sit around and wait for the world to discover the real
Philippines, we have to tell the world. But forget the stereotyped,
unimaginative ways: Rescue a penguin. Get the world to stand up and
take notice.

When you market something, you sell its best feature, you identify the
product with a unique feature. Well the unique feature of the
Philippines is the Filipino. I'd sell the Filipino, concentrate on
getting the message across that the reason to invest or visit is
because the people are great.

No one wants to see a church, they want to see a temple. Beautiful
beaches abound around the world, but people that make for a wonderful
experience don't. Workers that go beyond what is expected elsewhere in
the world are as scarce as hen's teeth (I presume hens have no teeth,
I've never looked).

What must go hand-in-hand with this, though, is a change in the
leadership of the country. Over the past 40 years, China has leaped
past the Philippine, as I explained last week, for only one reason:
better, more focused, more idealistic, nationalistic leadership.
Nothing else was different, it can be the only logical conclusion.
Three of the country's past four leaders have been accused of
corruption, of putting themselves before the nation. And many of the
people below them have replicated that attitude. So the Philippines
sank off the map.

Can it be made to surface again? Can we get a truly patriotic
leadership? This is the challenge for President Noynoy Aquino. It's a
challenge he seems to have accepted, but can he bring the other
leaders along with him?

That's his real challenge. Can he change the wang-wang culture at all levels?

Can Filipinos truly care for their country, not themselves. After 333
years in a monastery and 45 years in Hollywood – close to 400 years of
foreign domination – who wouldn't want to think only of themselves and
protect their families? But 113 years of independence is surely enough
for Filipinos to realize it's their country now and they must care for
it, genuinely care for it – in action, not words.

Sell the Filipino to the world, it's the Philippine advantage.

Ninoy's Letter to Daughter Ballsy (1973)

noreply@blogger.com (Maryanang Garapones) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:58:00 -0700

August 18, 1973

FortBonifacio

Makati, Rizal

Ms. Maria Elena C. Aquino

25 Times St. Quezon City

My dearest Ballsy,

I write you this letter with tears in my eyes and as if steel fingers are crushing my heart because I wanted so much to be with you as you celebrate your legal emancipation. Now that you have come of age, my love, a voice tells me that I am no longer young and suddenly, I feel old.

An old poet gave this advice very long ago “when you are sad, remember the roses will bloom in December.” I want to send you bouquet of roses, big red roses from my dreamland garden. Unfortunately for the present, my roses are not in bloom, in fact they have dropped all their petals and only the thorns are left to keep me company. I do think it is fitting to send you a thicket of thorns on this memorable day!

I am very proud of you because you have inherited all the best traits of your mother. You are sensible, responsible, even-tempered and sincere with the least pretenses and affection which vehemently detest in a woman. I am sure like your mother, you will possess that rare brand of silent courage and that combination of fidelity and fortitude that will be the life vest of your man in the tragic moments of his life.

During my lonely hours of solitary confinement in Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija last March and April with nothing else to do but pray and daydream, with only my fond memories to keep me company, I planned a weekend barrio fiesta for you in Tarlac for your 18th birthday. I fooled myself into believing that my ordeal would end with the fiscal year. I planned to invite all your classmates and friends and their families for the weekends.

The schedule called for an early departure by bus from Manila and the first stop will be Concepcion, where lunch will be served by the pool. And after lunch, you were to visit the SantaRitaElementary School to distribute cookies and ice cream to the children of that public school where you were first enrolled.

I guess sheer nostalgia prompted me to include Santa Rita. We were only three then: Mommie, you and I. Those were the days of happy memories little responsibilities, tremendous freedom, a great future ahead and capped by a fulfillment of love. You are the first fruit of our union, the first proof of our love and the first seal of our affections.

From Concepcion we were to proceed to Luisita for the

barrio fiesta. I intended to invite a friend who could roast an entire cow succulently. Swimming, pelota, dancing and eating would have been the order of the day.

Sunday morning was reserved for a trip around the Hacienda and the mill and maybe golf for some of the parents and later a picnic-lunch on Uncle Tony’s Island. Return to Manila after lunch. I am afraid this will have to remain as one of the many dreams I had in Laur.

Our future has suddenly become uncertain and our fate unknown. I am even now beginning to doubt whether I’ll ever be able to return to you and the family. Hence, I would like to ask you these special favors.

Love your mother, whose love for you, you will never be able to match. She is not the greatest mother in the world, she is your sincerest friend.

Take care of your younger sisters and brother and lavish them with the love and care I would like to continue giving them but am unable to do so.

Help Noy-noy along and pray hard that he will grow to be a real, responsible man who in later years will protect you all.

You are the model for your three younger sisters. Your responsibility is therefore great. Please endeavor to live up to our highest expectations. Be more tolerant to Pinky, more accessible to Viel, our little genius-princess, and more charitable to Krissy, our baby doll, and make up for my neglect.

Finally, forgive me, my love, for not having been an ideal, good and thoughtful father to you all as I pursued public office. I had hopes and high resolve of making up, but I am afraid my destiny will not oblige.

I seal this letter with a drop of tear and a prayer in my heart, that somehow, somewhere we shall meet again and I will finally be able to make up for all my lapses, in the kingdom where justice reigns supreme and love is eternal.

I love you,

dad

Four Wives

noreply@blogger.com (Maryanang Garapones) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:24:00 -0700

Author: Unknown

There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the
most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her and always wanted to show her off to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men. He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and infact is the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times. Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of thehousehold. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. The answer cut like a sharp knife right into themerchant's heart.

The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is so good over here! I'mgoing to remarry when you die!" The merchant's heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I always turned to you for help and you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die,will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.

Then a voice called out : "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you nomatter where you go." The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition.Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care of you while I could have!"

Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives. The 4th wife is our body.No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good,it'll leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife? Our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others. The 2nd wife is our familyand friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we're alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. The 1stwife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material wealth and sensual pleasure. Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to cultivateand strengthen it now rather than to wait until we're on our death bed to lament.