Davaoeños in the Hands of Tragedy

Image Source: Roland Jumawan Photos

So much has happened in Davao City recently, specifically in the Matina areas. A bloody vehicular accident occurred in Matina Shrine Hills yesterday when a dump truck rammed a public utility multicab, a taxi and a bus. Two were reported dead including a three-year old baby. His mother and eleven others got injured. I saw the remnants of the incident, and it felt so awful seeing those gory details. It was hair-raising, and I even found myself staring blankly at one corner just thinking about why it all turned out that way. Splattered blood and broken automobile parts were still all over the vicinity an hour after it happened.

Everybody was staggered about that news. However, what we all didn’t know was that something more terrible is yet to take place. At nine in the evening last night, the rain poured the hardest and the thunder rumbled as if someone was so mad at the world. What I thought was that it was God’s way of washing off the blood stains on the area of accident. DXAB’s news about the flashflood woke me up this morning. I didn’t know this could happen in just one night. My sister received an SMS from her best friend saying that the water rose as high as their window. Nothing left for them except their important documents. They live in Matina Crossing which was greatly affected by the flood as well as the Bangkal and Talomo areas.

I don’t have concrete numbers, but many dead bodies were retrieved by the search and rescue team. This time of misery and disaster has made me realize a lot of things. First, life is truly uncertain. We never know what’s going to happen next, as the cliché says. We can never tell when that hooked man is going to come right in front of our door step. Second, water can be very dangerous.  It’s the humanity’s most precious natural resource, and we are in dire need of it all the time. But if we abuse nature and it has gone through enough suffering because of our destructive interventions, the water can be our biggest enemy.  Remember, the water covers about 74% of the earth’s surface. If we do not do our part in maintaining the balance in our ecosystem, the water will definitely take its vengeance and might as well flush us all out.

Those were more than just sad news we cannot bear to hear. Let us pray for all the victims of the catastrophe so that they may have the strength to believe in the power of hope. Everyone’s prayer is our most powerful weapon in times like these. God bless everyone!

BREAKING NEWS: DAVAO FLASH FLOOD DEATH TOLL RISES TO 27. Here is the list of flash flood casualties. Davao City Council Declared 5 Barangays under state of calamity.

1.Talomo (Bangkal Area)
2. Matina Crossing
3. Matina Pangi
4. Matina Aplaya
5. Ma-a

Authorized the realease of P51.5MN Calamity Fund. Data courtesy of TV Patrol Southern Mindanao.

Sanctuary in a Troubling World

Image courtesy of: Zabadani Cafe

I've been craving to partake Middle-Eastern cuisines lately, and I know only one way to satisfy it -- and that is to head to my ultimate and best loved cafe even without a camera to document my chow adventure. I had my fourth visit at Zabadani Cafe this week. I was with my new food buddies Janice and Jesse. This food haven certainly spells creativity, and I get to experience it every time I dine there. The place just keeps getting better. It always has something new to offer. It never fails to surprise and delight my sight and taste. They've added new accents to the place, new items on the menu, and they also have a custom-made tailoring business now. They're displaying the finished products. Cool, eh? Maximization is indeed key.

I see to it that I get to try different things whenever I have my gastronomical affairs. I want assortment. When the menu was headed to us by Mr. Wadi, I immediately ran my eye on the Beef Kebab portion since I haven't given it a shot just yet. I've already tried Chicken Kabsa, Dajaj Kebab and Syrian Grilled Breast. I don't want to eat the same meal again and again, so I ordered Zab's new dish -- the spicy Kefta (or Kofta) Kebab. It's a minced beef meatballs with herbs. I love it that it made my troubles go away for a few minutes. It was really that good. At first I thought it tasted like an ordinary meatballs, but after the second bite, I've realized the difference. It has that distinct flavor I couldn't put into words. Too bad I don't know those terms chefs use in food tasting. By the way, Janice ordered the Syrian Grilled Breast and Jesse had the Beef Squares... again.

I was supposed to order another rice meal after that, but I was convinced by my alter ego to have a beverage instead. The three of us had their famous Layered Mochaccino. We had it served hot rather than blend, despite the scorching heat. Don't get me wrong, Zabadani has good ventilation. I was referring to the weather. Anyway, their Mochaccino tasted more like a chocolate drink to me, probably because I added a lot sugar. It's delicious although I got a bit disappointed because I tossed it off in just a matter of seconds only. My fault! I haven't even savored its goodness entirely. Maybe next time, I should drink it one sip at a time so I can indulge in my Mochaccino moment.

Thanks for making me happy, Zabadani! You will forever be my number one favorite restaurant. Did I just sound like a super fan? I really don't mind. LOL!

What food craving did you satisfy lately?

Mystique Shutterbug: Random Places

University of the Philippines Mindanao

The Oblation figure which will be transferred to the School of Management.

The Abreeza Ayala Mall branch of Nothing But H2O.

A view from the third floor of the newest mall sensation in town -- Abreeza.

A view of Marco Polo Davao from Sutherland.

La Toscana Italian Bar and Restaurant.

Cafe Mediterranean Flavors of the Sun

Zabadani Cafe. My favorite food spot.

The Wing A of Coco's South Bistro Torres Branch.

A restaurant just outside Limket Kai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City.

The images in this post are properties of Mystique Shutterbug and Mystic Nymph. 

Daisy

A cop. A criminal. A flower.

Daisy is a 2006 co-production film of Hong Kong and South Korea directed by Andrew Lau and set in the Netherlands which top bills  Jeon Ji Hyun (My Sassy Girl), Jung Woo Sung (A Moment to Remember) and Lee Sung Jae (Public Enemy). Hye Young (Ji Hyun) is a painter who works for her grandfather's antique shop. She also sidelines as a sketch artist for tourists. She fell in love with Jeong Woo (Sung Jae), who is an Interpol agent specializing in Asian crimes, after mistakenly thinking of him as the guy who sends her daisies everyday at exactly 4:15pm. Jeong Woo couldn't admit that he's actually not her daisy guy or even lie to her, so he chose to be silent instead. Park Yi (Woo Sung) is a professional hitman who has had a secret love towards Hye Young ever since he first saw her painting daisies in the countryside. He was the real daisy guy, and not Jeong Woo. According to this film, daisies mean "secret love". Sweet!

This is another great romantic Korean film I've watched, despite some reviews saying that this flick has some flaws. I'm not that much of a hater, unless it's really that bad. I'm also not a good movie critic so I don't have the right to find fault for this well-made movie. I don't know what's with Korean films that make me cry and stuff. Maybe it's because of their melodramatic and sentimental story line that is way different from others. I especially love the music and the setting of Daisies. I love the part when Park Yi (hitman) told himself that loving Hye Young makes him feel like he has a pure soul. He's a soulful lover despite his wicked profession. He always stands by her from afar and unnoticed. He has also learned to like art and classical music because of her. One may think he's a stalker, but I think he's just too sweet to be called as such. How I wish a man like him would exist in reality. I don't know what to feel if I were in Hye Young's shoes.

I strongly believe that Guns and Roses got their concept from Daisies. They have similarity on some details. Park Yi receives black tulips when he has another assignment, while Abel (Robin Padilla) receives black dove. Jeong Woo and Aguilar (Diether Ocampo) are both detectives on a hunt for the hired killer. Hye Young and Rain (Bea Alonzo) are painters. Abel also has a secret love for Rain. I also think that Guns and Roses got the color effects of their show on this movie. I don't want to think that this is another rip-off. It's just that I can't help but notice it. Watch this film and you will see the evidence. You will love Daisies for sure.

The image used in this post is not intended for copyright infringement.

Davao Jeepneys: Invaders of Privacy

The public Utility Jeepneys or PUJs have become the automotive trademark of the Philippines and is also an ultimate public transportation vehicle in Davao City. Through this form of public transport, we can go to many different places . Those destinations that are away from home becomes just within our reach, in the cheapest way possible.

Here in Davao, jeepneys crowd the streets more than private vehicles do. Because of this, one doesn't have to make much effort to catch a ride. On the contrary, it is also claimed by some politicians here that jeepney build-ups cause headaches and stress to most Davaoenos. Even though we hate the constant traffic congestion they cause, we still submit to their affordable offer to us.

Davaoenos are tightfisted individuals, in general. They will not spend money on something too costly, unless it's that important. It's not that we're too thrifty, we just think of what's more practical. For an instance, only a few choose to ride a taxi even though it's more comfortable to sit privately in it.

Speaking of privacy. that's exactly what jeepneys do not have that all of the Davaoenos scream for. Riding the jeep is more like paying for your personal space to be violated. Nobody wants that to happen, but the passengers do not have any control over it. All they have to do is sit and pay for the ride.

It's quite depressing that we can't fight for our right as paying commuters. The passage, "The customer is always right" seems to be so vague in Davao's public transport. It's inevitable that we feel helpless the moment we get in the jeep.

We sure have the privilege to choose for the jeep we want to ride on. But the dispatchers or the so-called kunduktor never seem to have the slightest sense of respect. They gang up on every probable commuter, and force them to ride on their respective jeepneys. And worst, they howl or shout on your face with their bad breath. It's harassing and irritating. They even have the nerve to touch and hold you, which is totally uncalled for especially when you don't know each other.

They also unhesitatingly carry passenger's baggage so that he/she has no choice but to get inside their jeepneys. Another thing, the dispatchers tend to compress twelve passengers into a ten-passenger jeepney size seat. Oftentimes, we ride in a noticeably full jeep but still the kunduktor (dispatcher) always says "Kulang pa! Sibugi lang diha" (Some more! Give space!) (Poor translation, I know) and constantly taps the jeep which tends to annoy the commuters.

Most drivers and dispatchers are never satisfied unless their jeepneys are fully -- make that overly loaded. No drivers hit the road with their jeepneys empty. Well, there are a few ones who are not so thirsty for passengers but that's just a rare case. I guess that's what you call business. If a passenger gets inside a jeepney with few passengers inn it, he or she has to wait until the jeepney is full. Passengers cannot just demand the driver to move on, because they're afraid it might only cause arguments.

"Kung nagdali ka, pag-taxi na lang!" (If you're in a hurry, ride a taxi instead!) That is the statement we often hear from the drivers and dispatchers whenever we ask them to roll. We can never stay away from these circumstances no matter what we do. The own the jeepney. Their rules on how to run it depend on their strategy, and not to us.

Another thing is that some jeepney owners get creative with their designs by pimping it with colorful stickers and accessories. In fact, there are also rides that have mirrors on their jeepney ceilings. Rumors have it that this is a strategy to peep on a lady passenger's cleavage, without being noticed. I hope it's not true though because that will definitely freak women out. The only way to stay away from this possible harassment is to dress accordingly.

What's most annoying is the loud music the driver's play. People have different preferences when it comes to music. Not everyone likes the same kind. Music is indeed personal. Some even hate music. For others, one song can be a source of headache especially if it's too deafening and boisterous. In this case, tthe passenger's privacy is also violated.

Some Davaoenos nowadays are used to being violated with their personal space. However, one should take a strong part in defending their rights not just as commuters but also as citizens. You must be fair to yourself if one is taking advantage of being unfair to you. Jeepneys are a part of Davao's culture. If one has to embrace it, one has to learn how to survive with it.

The images used in this post are not intended for copyright infringement.

Girl's Talk: Class Picture

Click the image to join the talk.

It's again high time for me to chitchat with my girls through this fun blog series spearheaded by BeautyQueenGene. I was not able to join last week because of some academic burdens I had. But now I promise to make it up to you full blast. I won't be posting just one class picture, but TEN! Yes, you've read it right. I'm just so excited on showing you me and my classmates innocent faces before. It's just so fun reminiscing those memories through old photos, eh? I guess it won't be difficult for you to identify me, because my face is anywhere to be found in my blog. So without further fuss, here's what you're waiting for. Voilà!

DIAMOND Section. This was taken when we were in fourth year highschool.

JUPITER Section. This was taken when we were in third year high school.

GURLIS ng KARIKTAN. My Filipino groupmates back in 3rd year high school.

BA Comm Arts Bloc A freshies. This was taken at Yanti's KTV for our Christmas Party.

MANGGA Section. This was taken when we were in second year high school.

AH 5 Class. Taken at Katibawasan Falls, Camiguin for Arts & Society Field Trip.

Speech Class (AH 3). Taken last year with our pretty teacher.

Business and Corporate Communications Class. We gave our teacher a farewell surprise. 

The Media Arts and some Speech Comm class of BACA during our Comm Arts Week.

This was taken when we were in second year college when we had our 2nd course shirt.

I miss my high school and college friends so bad! Now I'm all alone here at school. I don't have anyone to be with for lunch. It's such a struggle not being with those people who give you ease and comfort. At first I thought I can handle this situation, but it seems like I can't. I'm officially a loner for this semester. Hopefully. I can adjust in no time. How I wish they get to visit me here sometime. I can't wait to see you all again soon, dear buddies!

Mystique Shutterbug: All Me

I hope it's not too obvious in these photos that I was struggling. It's just hard to be alone when you want someone to take a picture of you so bad. I wish I have a tripod. Darn! Enough of all that ranting, Kat. Friends, here are some of my recent pictures:

I don't know why, but I hate it when my blog posts don't have a lot of words. Too bad, I can't think of something better to blog today. So, let me grab this opportunity of re-posting some of my latest tweets from @KatrinaAngela, just like what I always do in Katrina's Thought Bubbles. Here goes:

• My sisters are already getting busy for school stuffs. They're studying, and I'm not. Why am I so lax? Wish I could be as diligent as them.

• These four new kittens we have totally made my day! I find them so cute when they chase each other. They make me smile. I love them so much!

• My next shoe target is Figlia. Last time I checked their collection, I was totally smitten. It's just that, they were a little pricey. Save!

• Why am I so wasteful on money? I need to learn how to spend my money wisely. My effort on budgeting just becomes worthless all the time! :-(

• I really wanna watch those death-defying acrobatic stunts of Cirque de Soleil. I wish I can see just even one live performance before I die.

• I wanna join events with the Davao Bloggers, but I still can't. Hopefully after this semester, I will be able to meet those cool bloggers.

• "If you can't laugh on the same joke again and again, then why do you keep crying on the same thing over and over again?" - This is so true!

• Good thing there's Twitter and Blogspot to help me cope w/ difficult moments. They're my emotional outlet. How do you get rid of bad vibes?

• An advice for myself: Worry one thing at a time, or else your mind will explode. I'm thinking too much, and it's slowly killing me. Help me!

• What would you do if every step you make is being doubted by people around you? I hope they realize that they're not making everything easy.

Follow me on Twitter, if you like! Anyway, what was your favorite shot of me? :-D

Weekend Food Trip

Not the actual photos.

It seemed like my stomach became a food dump site this weekend. I devoured a lot of delicious temptations. I hope it could help me gain pounds. My Body Mass Index (BMI) has been telling me that I'm underweight for the longest time, and I'm more than willing to change that. Thanks to Papa for bringing home lots of goodies from Cagayan de Oro, and to my mother for treating us out again. As much as I'd like to show you photos of my food trip, I didn't bother taking shots anymore. Let me just enumerate them if you don't mind.

Sler's Chicharon (Cracklings)

Missy BonBon Buns

Missy BonBon Banana Cake

Vjandep's Pastel (Yema-filled Bun)

7 Cheese Pizza (Greenwich)

Big Time Meal D (Greenwich)

 Sandwich w/ my new fave choco spread, Nutella

These yummy stuffs travelled mercilessly from their point of origin to my mouth. Food, by all means, makes me melt! I love good food especially, and I eat by heart. I find solace through it. With just a taste of my favorite meal, all the traces of bad vibes die out instantly. My weekend foodtrip gave me a pleasant perk enough to tame down my constantly craving appetite until my next chow adventure. For now, I'll have to let my palate rest. I spoiled it big time the past week. It's high time to step out of my comfort zone again by indulging myself with scholastic burdens, er I mean, duties.

How did you spend your weekend, folks? 

The Philippine National Hero at 150

This image is not intended for copyright infringement.

Why Should We Study Jose Rizal’s Life and Works?

Why not? That’s my counter question to the query. The life and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal is a big part of our history here in the Philippines. He has a great contribution to our country’s literature, and most especially to our freedom. He opened our fellowmen’s heart and mind against the evil deeds of the wicked colonizers. He was one of the patriots who didn’t show fear in denouncing Spanish rule. His love for our homeland is just one-of-a-kind. I guess no other man would ever be like him.

For me, Jose Rizal truly deserves to be our national hero because he’s very different from all other heroes we have. He was strong-willed but, at the same time, passive. He’s not like Andres Bonifacio who was too aggressive in revolting. Rizal, on the other hand, acts in a more organized and rational manner. He fought for our country’s equal rights without thinking of gaining sole power in return. With that, I salute him with all my heart. No one else comes close to his excellent efforts in dignifying our entire nation!

Happy 150^th birthday, Dr. Jose Rizal!

Should Sexism Matter?

Allow me to share you this video we watched in class before. It's a project on the portrayal of masculinity offered in Disney films.

The battle of the sexes is one of the most controversial issues since time God knows when. Debates on why God created woman from a man's rib has been a source of greater disputes. Some say Eve should be the one to blame for the subordinating treatment for women, in general. This story from the Bible is commonly distinguished as sexist.

Theorists, mostly feminists, say that words should not have more than one meaning. According to them, both sexes should be classified with distinct grammatical terms. They insist on not using nouns and pronouns such as "man" and "he" on both genders. They don't want the language to accord dominion for the mean. But come to think of it, should we devote any chance we live by arguing on who should dominate?

Men and women have their own equal abilities. There are some things that men find hard to do, but are easy and meant for women and vice versa. Each member of the two sexes must learn to appreciate one another. They should not get insecure with what they can't do and bring each other down in the process.

For an instance, the statement "You carry this cause you're a man!" is not really intended to degrade the men. Since women normally seek for help from the men when it comes to laborious activities, the men should at least reach out and should not think that they are condescendingly treated.

On the other hand, the statement "Don't be boisterous, cause you're a woman!" shows what culture a woman must have. Behaving properly is what women must do. No matter how vulgar a girl is, there will always be an instance when her modesty and decorum is tested. That may offend women, but we can't deny the fact that we must pay attention and be cautious of what we say and do.

Grammatical genders should not be reflected for emphasizing prominence over one gender. This is really a lame contention. I don't think we have to mull over what each one says, and criticize them if they say something we think is degrading to either of the genders. This practice will eventually make the world more confused and disorderly.

Our reputation is a valuable possession that we must not take for granted. If it remains undervalued, we run the risk of losing it and eventually letting others mock or make fun of us. Women, as well as the men must be mindful of what they do, because this may result to general perception or impression of what the opposite sex might think about them.

The Disney documentary tells us that even from childhood, we have been watching sexist cartoon movies. I don't think that it was made for children not to watch cartoons anymore. It is for everyone to understand that the world cannot exist without the opposites. From the book Sophie's World, it says that without the constant interplay of opposites, the world would cease to exist.

Think about this: if men weren't dominant, who would protect the women? Who would have the strength to do things that are way too risky? Sociologists claim that men are more level-headed than women, which is why in most decision makings, men have the greater say. They make decisions at the right time when emotions are balanced.

There are also instances when women are dominant. Without women, men may lose track of their emotional aspect of something. Without women, men may have chaotic lives. It's undeniable that women really are the ones who make good boys out of bad boys just like what our mothers do. It may sound cheesy, but it's true and proven. men are somehow afraid of being seen as troublesome by the opposite sex.

Men cannot live without women, and that's a vice versa. Sexism should not be argued upon all the time. No matter how hard we find faults on each members of the opposite sex, we still unquestionably give in to the gender wants. It's nonsense taking time looking for grammatical terms just to avoid sexism.

Both genders are dominant in their own different ways. If we take away the authority of each party, the world would definitely be imbalanced. A woman can take control over one thing, and so as the men. They may not have the same degree of reason, but there will always be one kind of reason that is certain to bind the two.

Do you think sexism should matter?

The video and photos used in this post are not intended for copyright infringement.

Child's Play: Ready for School

Knitted Top: Arrow
Vest: Vintage
Jeans: Levi's
Flats: Chelsea
Earrings: Mom's Gift
Necklace: Fashion Jewelry (from England)
Basket Bag: no brand (from England)
Bangle: Thrift Shop (Cagayan de Oro)

I'm now a 5th year BA Communication Arts student, and here's how I normally dress up in school -- simplicity with style. I don't like wearing shirts, cause I'm more of a blouse person. I'm in love with chic tops that have ribbons, ruffles and the like. I love wearing those that doesn't need ironing like Chiffon, Georgette and Knit tops. That vest is actually my Mom's. I just borrowed it from her. I know that she knows very well I want to have it for myself. LOL! That bag is one of my favorites even though it hurts my arms whenever I carry it because of its rough texture. That pair of flats is my Mom's birthday gift for me. She bought it on sale -- from 499php to 450php. It's just as affordable as that of SM's Parisian shoes. Perfect for budgetarians like me! Chelsea's shoe line is not expensive, but the quality is there -- from the looks to comfort. It doesn't break easily as well. It can last for up to a year if taken care properly.

PS: I'm thinking of blogging about my fashion evolution from my freshman year to senior year. Check it out only here on Child's Play.

Gastronomy: Grub and De Boerderij

I had a food coma yesterday with Ciovic and Tessa. I spent the money my parents gave me for food and food alone. I've planning to do it since my Gastronomy food blog series has been hibernating for such a long time already. I went downtown right after my three-hour class to meet my boyfriend at Gaisano South. My travel was from southwest (UP Min) all the way north. I puked a lot of times on the way. It was a crazy ride that I'm still not very used to even up to now.

My boyfriend and I decided to eat at Grub Resto Cafe first. We didn't order their humongous meals since we still have a food trip with Tessa in store later that day. I ate their famous Home Run Pie, while Ciovic had their Mexicalli Pork which tastes like Caldereta. I love the pie so much. It's refrigerated, so it's hard. It has nuts, cream and chocolate crust. The taste reminds me with that of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I will surely be back to try more of their sumptuous dishes.

The price of their menu items are pocket friendly. You can have a rice meal and dessert with a budget of 200php.

Grub Resto Cafe is located at Duterte St., beside Hairs &Nails and in front of Shakeys, Davao, Philippines

We went straight to De Boerderij Burger Cafe and Music Bistro after that. De Boerderij is a Dutch phrase which means The Farm. That explains the country ambiance of the place. They have plants and farming materials as decorations. The walls, tables and chairs are also made of wood. Here are the photos I took from this cozy food spot:

De Boerderij is located at #106 DBC Building-H, Mac Arthur Highway, Davao City, Philippines.

I was not very satisfied with the service. The waitress wasn't accommodating, especially to me. It was my first time there so I asked her what's their best-selling burger, but she acted as if I'm a low-life person who doesn't know a thing. I was even smiling and all that to her. I was just asking her because I was confused with what to order. Two thumbs down to her for treating a paying customer that way!

1.) My Pizza - their one and only pizza

2.) Meat Balls (Ciovic's)

3.) Pork Ribs (Tessa's)

4.) Boerderij Burger - I ordered it for the Gouda Cheese

We waited for almost an hour for the food. We really experienced what their signpost says: "If your order hasn't been served in 15 minutes, wait longer!" I couldn't help but think it was a little rude, but it was just okay since it gave me and Tessa more time to talk and get to know each other more.

They served the food altogether and not one after another, so no worries! They also played music videos to entertain their customers while waiting and dining. My order didn't look appetizing, but it's tasty. It made me so full, that I could only manage to eat two slices of pizza after it. I just wish they included some greens in my burger.

By the way, the prices of their meals are also quite affordable for an international cuisine. You can have great food with a budget of 300php per person. I suggest you visit their site for their menu first, so you can save time on choosing what you'd like to eat when you're already there. They have a lot of food choices in their menu that will surely daze you, just like what happened to us. I'm crossing my fingers that you won't meet that waitress with bad customer service.

I can say that despite the awful service I got, our experience became memorable because of the fun conversation we had. Thank you for the great time, Tessa!

'Til my next episode of Gastronomy.

Child's Play: Lace and Crochet

I won't be posting an outfit for this episode of Child's Play. Allow me to give way to your thoughts, instead. I need your suggestions on how I can possibly incorporate these vintage looking laces and hand-crocheted tops and vests into my wardrobe. I'm asking for your fashion forward tips because I'm in two minds on how to wear them, and I don't want to just ditch these lovely pieces from my closet. Help me look classy and posh with these layering staples. Blogger friends, a penny for your thoughts please.

UP: 1- No Brand; 2- Nice Claup; 3- No Brand
Down: 1- No Brand; 2- Next; 3- Next

10 Life Lessons I've Learned

This entry is a part of the 30 Day List Challenge I've been promoting. It took me so long to finally begin the blog challenge I personally made because of some mental and other kinds of constraints. Give me a resounding booyah for that! The first task, as what the title says, is to give a list of ten important lessons about life that I've learned so far. Here they are without further ado:

"You have to care much about yourself on the way down, as you did on the way up."

No one will ever love you more in this world other than yourself. Don't depend much on others, or you'll just disappoint yourself. We should take care of ourselves first, before we give our heart to others.

"Nature so works it that everybody gets a turn at getting what they deserve in one way or another."

We shouldn't mull over what we don't have yet. It won't help us get what we want anyway. We all get our shot at something, but we just have to learn how to be patient in waiting.

"Don't let people just shit all over you. Don't ever become some man's personal toilet."

We shouldn't just let others bring us down. By that I mean we should make others feel that we are strong inside out. I've learned to do that ever since I've been involved in a big controversy w/ a Frat Sor in school.

"Disagreements don't alter a mother's love for her daughter."

My mother and I have differences, that we end up arguing most of the time. I hate it when we fight, because it feels like the world is also against me. But what I'm sure of is that my mother loves me no matter what.

"If you want your prayers answered, get up off your knees and do something about them."

There's nothing wrong about asking God what we want or what we need. What's wrong is when we only ask, but we don't work on it. Talk is cheap, so we have to take some actions as well.

"People don't fall neatly into the categories you put them in."

Nothing's perfect, as they cliche says. Even our judgments on others aren't perfect. We may say we know what kind of person someone is just by talking to them, but that's not enough to say who they really are.

"Don't allow yourself to rant about romantic problems."

It's not good for someone to just think about love problems constantly. There are other things that are more important than romance; and there are a lot more matters that are worthy of our stress and/or solutions.

"Don't dwell on what you lack."

We shouldn't make ourselves feel bad just by thinking about what we don't have or what we're not. Instead, we should comfort ourselves by nurturing our interests, and developing our strengths.

"Dress how you want to be treated."

Our outfit reveals our personality; and our outfit also provides information on how we want others to see ourselves. Whatever we choose to wear has to dignify us. We can't afford being disrespected, right?

"If you want to be ultra successful, put 10 000 hours on one thing."

We should know what we love to do and where we excel. Forgetting about our weakness will be our stepping stone towards success. Knowing and developing our gift will help us focus on our goals.

I have a lot more life lessons in  mind, but the challenge only requires ten. I don't want to bend my own rule for now. Some of those things that I shared are from books and inspirational TV shows. Credits to those inspiring people who taught me exceptional principles as well. Hit Mitch Albom and Paolo Coelho books, you will pick up a good number of great morals from the characters' experiences.

What important life lessons would you like to share, folks?

GT: Favorite Subject

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It's back to school for me, and hopefully I won't flunk another subject so that this semester will be my last. I don't want to stay too long in UP Min. I'm getting fed up with that place. I'm happy to report to you though, that I survived another first week of school blues without my BA Communication Arts batch mates. I miss them a great deal! Okay, let me wipe my tears now. 

This week's Girl's Talk assignment is to blog about our favorite subject in school. I have a lot of subjects in mind like Asia and The World, Ethics, Philosophy, Intercultural Communication, Public Relations & Marketing, and many more. I already posted about Arts and Society which is also my favorite subject, so now I'll be choosing another one, and that would be MST 6.

MST 6 (Math Society and Technology 6) or simply Biodiversity, was taught to us by one of my favorite professors in UP Mindanao -- Dr. Antonio R. Obsioma. Let me give you a little background about him. He is the head of the Solid Waste Management Program which covers selected barangays in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, Panabo City, Samal and Davao City. That makes him credible and suitable enough to handle the subject.

Sir Obsioma imparted many things to us. He never stopped to show us some videos and Powerpoint presentations about biodiversity until we find ourselves fully appreciating our environment. I've loved MST 6 more when we went on a field trip in Philippine Eagle Center and of course, in the Island Garden City of Samal. We had an island-hopping adventure. I really had fun learning from him! Education and entertainment combined.

Here are some of the important things I've learned from our MST 6 class last semester. I hope that through this post, you will also learn even a little from him:

• Theory of Catastrophe: every time a major calamity happens, new set of animals will emerge.

• People have genetic potentials to become something, but there are times that these potentials are not exposed by the environment.

• If nutrients are bound on you, you deprive others to live because no recycling can occur.

• Filipino native animals may look inferior when it comes to economic value, but they can withstand extreme conditions.

• With increasing human pressure on biological resources, rates of extinction can only be accepted to accelerate.

• Some species are not really extinct, they may just be undocumented.

• If the consumer is a specialist, it may drive itself and the food source to extinction.

• The presence or absence of a particular organism in an ecosystem would reflect the actual condition of an environment.

• Cyanide is used for live fish trade; while dynamite is used for targeting school of fish.

• For so long now, fish are caught much faster than their ability to naturally replenish.

• All of the loss is caused by human activities, mostly through habitat destruction and over hunting.

• Biodiversity is a necessity, not a luxury; it is important to the economy; it is essential for food security; it safeguards human health; and most especially, it affords us life support system.

MST 6 will forever be a part of my list of favorite subjects, because it made me realize the importance of biodiversity in our ecosystem. Thank you Sir Obsioma for broadening our knowledge on biodiversity!