My First Semester In College

Having just about wrapped up my first semester at college, I can honestly say these last few months have been a blur. I’ve made many new friends, had a taste of freedom, and have learned the consequences of procrastination. I’ve adapted to the college boarding house life, staying up too late far so many nights and learning to rely on no one, only yourself. Now it all sinks in to me, that college is my new home yet I couldn’t find it any more cozy. I would just like to share some important lessons I've learned this far. First, time management is essential. What amazes me about time is that we each have the exact same amount. Of course, there are always 24 hours each day. What we choose to do with our time differs greatly. Some spend most of their day socializing. Others spend the bulk of their time “pretending ” to do work. Some spend their day thinking, while others spend time doing. Learning to effectively balance work, family, and friends is of great importance. Despite it’s significance, many are terrible at managing their time. Instead of taking action that yields long terms results many fill their days with lifeless activities that won’t matter the next day. I know I’ve struggled with this a great deal. Yet regardless of my struggles, I’ve seen significant improvement in being able to effectively mangage my time. Managing your time isn’t always easy. There is always an abundance of distractions to keep you off track, but learning to use your time wisely pays off down the road. One of the secrets to effectively mangage time is to focus in whatever you do. When you work, work. When you play, play. Don’t waste a moment going back and fourth between activities, but instead dive in and fully immerse yourself into what ever it is you’re doing. Granted, this isn’t always the easiest thing to do but it will profoundly help you in taking control of your day. Second thing I have learned is that freedom is a bliss and a great responsibility. One of the greatest perks of being at college is the amount of freedom you have. No one tells you what you can or can’t do. If you don’t want to go to class you don’t have to. If you want to spend your day partaking in harmful activities that is your right. If you want to just go through the motions you have the ability to do so. But with freedom comes consequences both good and bad, and when you make a decision you must accept the result. Lastly, Your reality is a result of what you choose to do or not do. Everyday you have a choice. Believe it or not, you are in complete control of your actions and thoughts. When you accept the power that comes with freedom you empower yourself to create a better world. At first the freedom of being at college was a bit overwhelming but I quickly came to grips with it. In a matter of months I matured significantly. Although I still have a ways to go, having a taste of freedom has accelerated my growth tremendously. College is a time of learning and a time of making mistakes, and in my case a lot of them. I’ve said things I shouldn’t have. I’ve done things that I know aren’t congruent with my values and I have had my days of where I just want to punch the world. I think what's best is to know that it is perfectly okay to make mistakes but of course, these mistakes are not meant to be repeated. We need to grab it as an opportunity for improvement. We are free to choose our own decisions but not its consequences.

Season of GIVING

"It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." Holiday gift buying can feel a little empty, when all of those endless lists, long lines at the mall and money spent lead to a 5-minute frenzy of flying wrapping paper and ribbon... But it doesn't have to be that way. The most important thing in the exchanging of gifts is it shows that you really know the person well, and you really care about them. That generally means tailoring the gift to the recipient. For example, people who want to buy meaningful gifts don't buy the same gift for two of their friends, even if those friends don't know each other, would never compare the gifts and would both enjoy the same item. It's also important to consider practicality. A 2014 study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that gift givers focus too much on the desirability of potential gifts and not enough on how the recipient might use those gifts. In one study, gift-giving participants tended to choose gifts that were desirable but impractical like a gift certificate for an expensive but faraway restaurant rather than those that were more practical but less desirable like a gift certificate for a closer but cheaper restaurant. Surprisingly, the participants who were receiving the gifts actually preferred the more practical option. In other words, gift givers shouldn't choose presents based on what they would like to give but rather on what the recipient would really want to receive. Gift giving is an expression of truly seeing the other person and knowing what they want. Well of course there is always an alternative. Another way to have a memorable and less hassle gift-giving is by giving experiences rather than items. People who receive experiential gifts, such as concert tickets or a zoo membership, feel more connected to the giver than people who received material items. The giver and the recipient don't have to share the experiential gifts in order to get this connectivity boon. People fail to realize that experiential gifts are a better choice than something tied with a bow. Part of the problem, is that people hesitate to give experiential gifts to people they aren't very close to. Getting people an experiential gift is actually a safe bet. According to a research, a person who expects a material gift but gets an experiential one instead report being satisfied anyway. In contrast, those who expect an experiential gift but get an item instead are very disappointed. If gifts are about expressing and forging love, one of the best ways to do that is with your own time. That will always be a really powerful gift.

My Wonderful Family

"The love of a family is life's greatest blessing." I feel the manifestation of this saying everyday as I spend my life with my awesome family. Just as happy as we look on the picture, we usually are this blissful when it comes to our home. Well not always, of course. We also have our dark moments in our family but what makes it our strength is that we make sure to work things out even during hard times. We don't have that much but we make sure to make the most out of our resources. For you to further understand my family, I thinks its best to introduce them one by one... On the left most of the picture is my older sister. Most people say that I look older than her but I choose to take that as a compliment because I'm taller than her (haha lol). She used to be my "partner-in-crime" when we were little but as we grow older she had always been secretive about so many things and I have always been more talkative than her. Well I think it is already a stereotype in older sisters. Beside her is my father, the most wonderful man in the whole world (in my world). He had always been supportive to us, not just financially but in all aspects too. What makes him the best dad is that he always tries to make us laugh by cracking jokes (most of the times corny but I love it when he does that) when the family gets too serious already. Sitting at the middle is my mom. The most beautiful woman I have seen and I will ever see in my whole life. She is the one who keeps our family together and without her, I think that our family would just simply fall apart. She is the best role model for me and I know that someday I could also be a good mother like her even if I was just half as good as she is. I love her so much and I basically get my strength from her. Lastly, sitting beside me is my brother. They say that I look like him but I always disagree (ew). He is now very near on getting his title as a medical doctor but despite of his achievements, I can say that nothing has changed with him. He is still the same older brother I play and fight with since we were little. They are the people who complete me and the people I couldn't live without. We may not have it all together but together we have it all. 

Final Essay: Superheroes As A Reflection of Society

Our favorite superheroes were traditionally linked with perfection because they have always been perceived as role models in their own ways. But as time goes by, we somehow require our superheroes to adapt with our present situations. No longer do we simply embrace Superman or Captain America because they are innately “good.” We want our heroes to be flawed and conflicted, just like we are. I repeat, just like we are. We want to see them struggle and sometimes even fail before they do the right thing. Maybe because its the human way of discovering the right step or the next decision in life, and as humans we want to witness that even the superheroes we look up to are just like us and they posses imperfections similar to what we have. These mythical men and women first try to reject, then battle and finally accept their shadows. It is their shadows that propel them forward to their quests. Just like us, it’s our life’s work to wrestle with our demons, to move through that battle to the other side with acceptance, and finally, to integrate this shadow, moving from shame to light, from powerlessness to action. On our human heroic quest, we are learning to take what we formerly denied, to make actionable what used to terrify, petrify and immobilize us, and to harness it for a higher purpose. To be human is to be real in all its complexity and to be real is part of what make us truly heroic. Today these same qualities are not only forgiven, but in a way embraced. We don’t want our superheroes to be perfect, because we aren’t perfect. We want to watch them struggle and make mistakes because, as ironical as it seems, it somehow gives us hope.

Simbang Gabi Starter Pack

It's that time of the year again, when the air is a little colder, when Christmas songs begin to take on a little meaning, and when thoughts turn to the meaning behind the season, mostly via Simbang Gabi. Waking up at 3am to catch the 5am mass for nine days straight is not an easy task. But with a little preparation, getting up for Simbang Gabi could be easier. Simbang Gabi, or midnight mass, starts on Dec 16 and ends on the 24th, the last mass being called Misa de Gallo. It is a nine day novena that, for many Filipinos, mean not just waking up early to hear the Word of God, but also things associated with the Christmas season such as meeting friends and eating freshly cooked bibingka and puto bumbong for breakfast after. First thing you need to do is get enough sleep. You wouldn't believe how tempting it is to stay up the whole night and go straight to mass instead of getting a little shut-eye but (I'm warning you) do not do this! Not only will the likelihood of you falling asleep at mass be greater but over time, the lack of sleep will take its toll. Second, eat or drink something! Yes, breakfast after mass is part of the Simbang Gabi experience. But what's the point of going to mass if you're going to be easily distracted by the random food smells during the homily? Make sure you have something in your stomach, be it a pan de sal or a hot drink, before heading out to curb your hunger pangs before it's time to partake of the bibingka. Third, be punctual! By arriving early, you get first pick, and are able to settle down, reflect, and get comfortable before the mass begin. Lastly, enjoy! The season is all about the birth of Christ, after all, and what's a birthday celebration without a party? Pass not only the puto bumbong and bibingka, but also the joy that Christmas season never fails to bring!

Required Entry #10: Watchmen

Watchmen depicts an alternate history where superheroes emerged in the 1940's and 1960's, helping the United States to win the Vietnam War. In 1985, the country is edging toward nuclear war with the Soviet Union, freelance costumed vigilantes have been outlawed and most former superheroes are in retirement or working for the government. The story focuses on the personal development and moral struggles of the protagonists as an investigation into the murder of a government sponsored superhero pulls them out of retirement. Among the six superheroes in the novel, in my own perspective, Rorschach is the real one or the one who stood out the most. In the beginning of the story, he is introduced as the only remaining active masked vigilante not employed by the government. A ruthless crime-fighter, his beliefs in moral absolutism, good and evil, have driven him to seek to punish evil at all costs. He always seek for what is right. Though he possesses no obvious "superpowers", he merely has his strong will, peak-human physical strength, and finely-honed sense of timing and precision. Rorschach is very resourceful, adapting ordinary household objects into tools or weapons, such as pepper to blind a police officer and the use of a can of aerosol spray in combination with a match to set fire to another police officer, during a confrontation at Moloch's house. I think what differentiates Rorschach with our traditional superheroes like Superman, Spiderman, etc. is that they all possess superpowers that they could easily use when "opponents" attack. Unlike with Rorschach who possesses somehow "real" skills which he uses to fight against evil. Rorschach is well versed in street combat, gymnastics, boxing and even in lock picking. This reflects that having power is not everything. Sometimes, simply being tactically brilliant and skillful make the best superhero. 

10 Qualities To Look For In A Presidential Candidate

The citizens of the Philippines have the duty and responsibility to choose the best presidential candidate in 2016. Superficial qualities such as personality and celebrity should be shunned. A new yardstick based on morals and principles should be the new norm in voting.

1. Integrity or Honesty – Dishonest leaders had been voted into office before with great costs to the citizenry. Money stolen by a mendacious official is money earmarked for public infrastructures and services the citizens will never receive.

2. Ability to delegate – The president has the duty to pick and appoint upstanding people to the Executive Office of the President and the Cabinet. The President needs the ability to delegate, as he cannot do all the tasks needed to run a country by himself.

3. Confidence or Security – A confident and secure leader has no problem believing and engaging others. He/she does not have the need for arrogance or feeling of superiority in order to convey his presence. As they say in the Southern US, “ If you have to tell someone you are a lady, chances are you’re not.”

4. Communication Skills – Communication is done not only by speaking but also by listening. A good leader speaks in clear and concise manner and listens attentively. A good president will need communication skills to keep the citizens up-to date with the government’s performance, successes and failures as well as to find out what his constituents want or need from the government.

5. Sense of Humor or Positive Attitude – Is he/she able to diffuse a difficult situation by looking at its lighter side? A good-natured leader will often make better decisions, as he/she is not afraid to show his/her humanity in public.

6. Commitment or Passion – Committed and passionate people make highly effective leaders, as they are tenacious and persistent. They will see to it that a goal is met and a vision is realized. Their focus and perseverance often pays off so betting on a committed and passionate candidate will likely yield positive results.

7. Ability to Inspire – The ability to inspire is an important quality, as people look up at the president as a role model. “Do what I say but don’t do what I do” will breed societal resistance and sanctimony.

8. Competence – A competent president does not need to be an expert in all theories and practices of public administration but he/she needs to be self-motivated and a fast learner.

9. Courage – A courageous person is not fearless. He/she just has the ability to face fear, danger, pain, uncertainty, intimidation and other difficulties without warping or caving in. Calm self-assurance raises the level of confidence in one’s decisions.

10. Servanthood or Selflessness – The president is still a public servant who is tasked to look after the well-being of the populace. He/she works for the citizenry and not the other way around.

Required Entry #9: Love Poems

Oneness is the desire of all lovers, the finding of a soulmate. Shakespeare starts out by explaining that love does not change when it finds a change in circumstances. He goes on to say that when love encounters sufferings, it bears the suffering and comes out alive, it will always survive it. What makes it so beautiful is that it describes love as something everlasting. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 truly is a pure joy to read. It makes one wonder that love can definitely makes one blind. Given the circumstances, one knows for a fact that he may be in love with the wrong person, yet his love towards his beloved is as strong as stone and is immeasurable. When one is in love, no matter how difficult and unhealthy the relationship is becoming, one will be forever kind and patient to his partner with his every effort to rebuild the relationship; A relationship that is built with a strong foundation of true love. Just as the Bible states, “Love is kind. Love is patient. Love never ends.”

This poem could be interpreted as the persona's undying love for her beloved who begins to count the ways in which she loves him. By counting the number of ways, the persona is trying to show that the love in her heart for her soul mate is present in all her walks of life. It is a way of expressing the beautiful fact that everything in and around her leads her to that love. But as I can see it, there is something spiritual going on that is the heart of the poem. It is expressing love for God. Browning concludes the sonnet with “if God choose, / I shall but love thee better after death.” I sense a deep longing in this line, a longing to become united with God. It is one of my favorite love poems because for me, being united with the Divine is the most perfect moment which anyone could aspire.

Facts About An Extrovert

Being an extrovert, I would just like to share some facts about us that everyone should know, especially with all these stereotypes about extroverts, which seem to be extremely popular now a days. A lot of introverts often complain that they feel misunderstood by their extrovert friends, yet the reverse is also true, since a lot of people think that extroverts are really shallow, that they are awful listeners or that all they think of is partying. Well, this couldn’t be more false because while introverts like to embrace solitude, extroverts like to go out and meet new people, we like to mingle at all the parties we are invited to because we get our energy from being around others. 

First, extroverts are not shallow. A lot of people think that extroverts are shallow but this is just not true, we just process information in a very different way. Even though we like to meet new people and we talk a lot, that doesn’t mean that we are not interested in deeper topics of conversation or that we don’t care about important issues. Actually, by listening and talking to more people, we will have more information on a certain topic and we will be able to have a better idea about it. Second, extroverts are not naturally happier than introverts. Even though there is evidence that extroversion is associated with a more upbeat, exuberant, high-energy affect, it doesn’t mean that extroverts are happier than introverts because most introverts are happy in a different way. For example, introverts may enjoy staying alone on a Friday night and reading a good book. Introverts get easily over-stimulated, so they feel the need to recharge more often. That doesn’t make them sad or less happy than extroverts, they are simply happy in different ways. Lastly, not all extroverts enjoy public speaking. Even though we talk a lot and we like to meet new people, it doesn’t mean that we enjoy public speaking because talking in front of a room filled with people you don’t know can be pretty scary, even for an extrovert like me. Even though we have a faster pace and cadence in our voice and even if we can express ourselves more easily in a social situation, we still need to do a lot of work in order to become amazing public speakers.

There are a lot of differences among people since we all are extremely complex individuals, and just like Susan Cain said, “Your introversion or extroversion will interact with your other personality traits, personal history and the culture you grew up in.”