Tungkulin ng Wika sa mga Filipino at sa Bansang Pilipinas

Isang Wika tungo sa Pagkakaisa

Sa pagmulat ng ating mga mata sa umaga ay mababanaag natin ang sikat ng araw, mahinahong dumadaloy sa ating kabuuan at nagsisilbing tulong upang magkaroon tayo ng lakas na magpatuloy sa buhay. Sa mga Pilipinong gaya mo at gaya ko ay nakasanayan na natin ang magsambit ng isang maikling panalangin. Magwiwika tayo sa Poong Maykapal ng isang pasasalamat na alam nating makakarating sa langit. Sa pagsisimula pa lamang ng ating araw ay gumagamit na tayo ng wika, ngunit ano nga ba talaga ang wika?

Sa aking sariling pag-aanalisa, ang wika ang nagsisilbing pundasyon ng pagkakaisa ng mga taong gumagamit nito, tayong mga Pilipino. Ang wika rin ang nagbibigkis sa matibay na ugnayan ng bawat isa at malaki ang naiaambag nito sa natatanging pagkakakilanlan ng mga Pilipino. Tanging ang bansang Pilipinas lamang ang gumagamit ng mga salitang "Po" at "Opo". Ang mga nabanggit ay isang malaking patunay sa mayamang tradisyon at wika ng Pilipinas. Napakalaki ng tulong na naibibigay ng ating pambansang wika sa bawat isa sa atin. May mga tungkulin ang wika at talagang nakikita natin na nagagampanan niya ito.

     

Tulay sa iisang Diwa at Saloobin

Ang wika ay nagmimistulang tulay sa pagitan ng magkakalayong lugar, magakakalayong loob at minsan para na rin sa mga taong naghahanap ng tunay na sarili. Tulay na nag-uugnay tungo sa pagkakaisa ng diwa at saloobin.
        
Wika, maikli at napakasimpleng salita ngunit kumakatawan sa mga napakaraming salik ng isang pagiging tunay na tao at tunay na Pilipino.

Bisyo ng Isang Maliit na Babae

Noong bata pa lang ako ay mahilig na 'kong mangalikot ng kung ano-anong mga bagay. Isa sa mga madalas 'kong paglaruan noon ay yung mga libro na inaalikabok sa bodega ng bahay namin, nakakatuwaan ko silang tingnan kase namamangha ako sa mga picture na nakikita ko. Di pa ko marunong magbasa noon kaya kinukulit ko ‘yung mga tao sa bahay para basahan ako at ipaintindi sa’ken  iyong mga bagay na nasa litrato kahit na minsan di ko naman talaga maintindihan at tango lang ako ng tango, at iniiyakan ko sila kapag ayaw nila. Naalala ko pa nga ‘yung araw na inaway ko yung kaklase ko dahil pinakialaman niya ‘yung dala kong story book at dahil sa pangyayaring ‘yon ay medyo natakot sila sa’ken. Simula ng matuto akong magbasa ay wala na kong ibang ginawa kundi magbasa ng magbasa lalo na ‘pag sapit ng bakasyon.

Noong high school na ako ay di ko inakala na mas titindi pa pala ang pagkahilig ko sa libro. Tinitipid ko ‘yung baon ko at di kumakaen pag recess para sa bisyo ko, OO bisyo! Nakakatawang pakinggan pero ‘yan talaga ang tawag ng nanay ko diyan at madalas pa nga kameng mag-away dahil sa bisyo ko, pero ano magagawa ko? First Love ko ang pagbabasa. Pagsapit ng Sabado at Linggo ay di mo ako matatagpuan sa bahay, nasa mall ako pero di para mag-gala at kumaen, sinusuyod ko ang mga bookstore na nagbebenta ng second hand books at doon ako bumubile ng libro, minsan window shopping para mapag-ipunan ko 'yung susunod na libro. Ayos na sa’ken kahit second hand, di naman ganoon kaimportante 'yung cover at itsura ng libro, mas importante pa rin 'yung laman. Dahil pangalawang gamit na yung mga librong binibili ko ay kailangan ko pang bumili ng plastic cover para ibalot sa mga binili ko. Uuwi ako ng mayroong ngiti sa labi dahil marami akong naiuwing kayamanan. Kung ang nanay ko tinatawag silang bisyo, itinuturing ko naman silang KAYAMANAN ng buhay ko dahil sa pagbabagong naidulot nila sa akin at ang karunungang taglay nito.

Unti-unti ko na ring inaalis ang pagbabasa ng mga babasahin na may litrato. Gusto ko kasi magkaroon ng kapangyarihan na sinasabi ng nakararaming mambabasa, oo, kapangyarihan ang tawag nila. Ang kapangyarihan na tinutukoy ko ay ang kakayahang bumuo ng sariling mga imahe, litrato at senaryo sa isip. Sa palagay ko ay mas maganda ito dahil bukod sa lalawak ang imahinasyon mo ay pwede ka pang pumunta sa mga lugar na gusto mong bisitahin, libre pamasahe!

Kakaibang tuwa at galak ang nararamdaman ko tuwing nakikita ang mga libro sa kabinet ko, na dugo’t pawis ang puhunan, sigaw ng nanay ko, oras at effort. Tuwing makakatapos ako ng isang libro ay malaking achievement na iyon para sa akin at feeling ko ay napakataba ng utak ko. Nangangarap nga ako na balang-araw ay magkaroon ako ng mini library sa bahay ko at alam kong isa iyon sa mga pinakamasayang bahagi ng buhay ko. Maaaring sa tingin ng iba, ang pagbabasa ay corny, boring at sayang sa oras, pero doon sila nagkakamali, ang pagbabasa ay isang simpleng gawain lamang ngunit talaga namang maaaring magdulot ng napakalaking pagbabago sa buhay ng isang indibidwal. Pagbabago na maaaring magdala sa iyo at sa nakararami sa rurok ng tagumpay.

Anxiety Disorder and My Realizations

Watching movies, indie films and short clips containing some psycho matters (psychopathic or neurotic person) is not new to me, but seeing a short documentary showing the complete view of a specific disorder caught my attention. It is a documentay aiming to inform and entertain at the same time. It is entertaining because while learning some new facts about the topic it also helps you to understand some familiar words better. Like for example the term “anxiety”, before I just look at this word as a description for those people who are emotionally disturbed, but while watching it I fully understand what was the complete and exact definition of that single word. Anxiety is a state of intense apprehension, uncertainty, and fear resulting from the anticipation of a threatening event or situation, often to a degree that normal physical and psychological functioning is disrupted. It is a generalized mood condition that can often occur without an identifiable triggering stimulus. As such, it is distinguished from fear, which is an emotional response to a perceived threat. Additionally, fear is related to the specific behaviors of escape and avoidance, whereas anxiety is related to situations perceived as uncontrollable or unavoidable. Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal and pathological fear and anxiety which only came under the aegis of psychiatry.

The first example of anxiety discussed is about the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). It is a pattern of mental and physical defects that can develop in a fetus in association with high levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Alcohol crosses the placental barrier and can stunt fetal growth or weight, create distinctive facial stigmata, damage neurons and brain structures, which can result in psychological or behavioral problems, and cause other physical damage. The main effect of FAS is permanent central nervous system damage, especially to the brain. Developing brain cells and structures can be malformed or have development interrupted by prenatal alcohol exposure. This can create an array of primary cognitive and functional disabilities including poor memory, attention deficits, impulsive behavior, and poor cause-effect reasoning as well as secondary disabilities like predispositions to mental health problems and drug addiction. Signs and symptoms of this are Pre or post-natal growth deficiency, central nervous system disfunction and abnormal facial features like thin upper lip, smooth philtrum and small eye width. People having Fetal Alcohol Syndrome appears to be normal but never reach their potential. They are also clinically suspect but appears normal. Another type of anxiety disorder is the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or commonly known as OCD. This one really got my attention because I remember Emma Pillsbury of Glee, she also have OCD and currently taking up some medications. OCD is not new to me because of Glee series. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety, or by a combination of such obsessions and compulsions. Symptoms of this disorder include excessive washing or cleaning, repeated checking, extreme hoarding, preoccupation with sexual, violent or religious thoughts, aversion to particular numbers and nervous rituals, such as opening and closing a door a certain number of times before entering or leaving a room. These symptoms can be alienating and time-consuming, and often cause severe emotional and financial distress. However, OCD sufferers generally recognize their obsessions and compulsions as irrational, and may become further distressed by this realization. The last anxiety disorder discussed was the Panic Disorder. It is characterized by recurring severe panic attacks. It may also include significant behavioral change lasting at least a month and of ongoing worry about the implications or concern about having other attacks. People having this usually have a series of intense episodes of extreme anxiety during panic attacks. There is no single cause for panic disorder, however, panic disorder has been found to run in families, and suggests that inheritance plays a strong role in determining who will get it. Panic disorder is common among mid-teens to adulthood and according to what have said, women are three times more likely to have panic disorder than men. 

Being able to watch that short documentary is a good experience for me, because aside from the knowlege that it gave, it also shows me how to deal with people having anxiety disorders. I like the film because of its content even though its quite short because of the limited time that we have and I am looking forward on watching the other half of the movie. 

Wikang Filipino: Mahalagang salik sa pagpapahayag ng Karapatang Pantao

Ang panahon ng Amerikano ang nagbigay-daan upang sumilang ang mga dulang tuwiran at di-tuwirang tumutuligsa sa pamahalaan. Nariyan ang Walang Sugat ni Severino Reyes, ang Tanikalang Ginto ni Juan K. Abad at Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas ng katipunerong si Aurelio Tolentino. Bawat isa ay tumalakay sa mapagbalatkayong pakikitungo sa atin ng mga Amerikano. Sa panahon ding ito, ipinahiwatig ng mga Pilipino ang epekto ng kulturang Amerikano sa buhay ng mga Pilipino. Ang paksa ng ekonomiyang kapitalista ay tinuligsa sa Banaag at Sikat ni Lope K. Santos, ang pang-aapi ng mga panginoong maylupa ay nabasa sa Walang Panginoon ni Deogracias Rosario, at sa lahat ng ito, nakarating hanggang sa kasalukuyan ang hapdi ng pananakop sa mga titik ng tula na naging awit na Bayan Ko ni Jose Corazon De Jesus.

Sa panahong kasalukuyan, kalabisan na marahil kung uulitin pa natin ang malinaw na katotohanang walang ibang wikang ginamit ang Dalawang EDSA upang makahikayat ng libu-libong Pilipino kundi ang wikang Filipino. Mula sa Magkaisa hanggang sa Gloria Labandera ay wikang sarili ang laging nagsasalamin sa hinaing ng mga Pilipino. Pagdating ng eleksyon, wala ni isang kandidato ang nagpilit na magpa-Ingles-Ingles sa harap ng madla. Sa buong proseso ng pagpapatalsik sa dating Pangulo, di miminsang nagtalo pa ang mga senador sa kung anong uri ng varayti ng Filipino ang gagamitin. Hindi nga ba’t kahit yaong matataas ang kalibre sa pagsasalita ng Ingles at maging yaong hindi Tagalog ay nagsalita ng Filipino upang maiparating lamang ang kanilang mga pananaw sa milyun-milyong Pilipinong nanonood at sumusubaybay? At masasabi kong higit sa lahat, pagkat siyang pinakamaimpluwensya, pagmasdan at pakinggan ang wika ng mass media. Ang dati-rating mga wikang Ingles ang gamit sa pagbabalita at paglilingkod ay mabilis na nagbago patungo sa paggamit ng wikang Filipino. Maging ang mga telenobela at cartoon na kinahihiligan sa araw-araw ay kinailangang isa-Filipino upang subaybayan. At sa lahat ng ito, natutuhan na ng mga bata ang mga batayang konsepto sa matematika, agham at teknolohiya sa sarili nating wika.

        
Sa kabuuan, bagamat dalawa ang madalas na ginagamit na wika ng ating bansa, Filipino at Ingles, hindi maikakaila na kung ang nais natin ay tapat at tuwirang pagkakaunawaan, Filipino ang DAPAT UPANG MAIPAHAYAG ANG KARAPATAN NG BAWAT MAMAMAYAN! ANG WIKANG ITO AY SUBOK NA NG KASAYSAYAN! ANG WIKA RING ITO ANG MAGBUBUKLOD SA SAMBAYANAN!

Extreme Night 2011: Next in Line

The volunteers of New Life Christian Center conducted a musical play directed by Ms. Arlene Faraon entitled “Extreme Night” last September 24, 2011 at the 3rd Floor of the New Life Christian Center building at exactly 7:00 in the evening. More than 600 attended the said event and most of them came from different colleges such as Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Malayan Colleges, Letran Calamba, Perpetual Help College, De La Salle Santiago Zobel and San Beda College Alabang.

Next in Line casts

The event started with an ice breaker lead by the two hosts of the event: Bianca and Jesse by means of shouting “EXTRME” and a talent portion. The winner was given a 1000 worth of gift certificate from starbucks and/or Timezone. After warming up the spirit of the audience, a special guest was then introduced by the hosts-DJ Danny. DJ Danny is a 20 year old guy and according to him, he has been serving at New Life Christian Center since 9 years old. He shows his extreme talent which is human beat boxing. Human Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. DJ Danny’s extreme talent caught the attention of the crowd and make everybody excited on what is going to happen next. Then, the hosts introduced the 10 students sponsored by John Curtis together with their sketchpads containing their artworks. World without art is boring, so we should be thankful to God for being a great artist in our life. The main event of the night was then showed, casts appear on the stage, singing Next in Line. From that scene it changes to a scenario inside the MRT. The first to stand up is a girl telling her story about her dark past. She was molested by her stepfather, got pregnant and left by her boyfriend. Second, a straight-haired young lady complaining about her parents. She is always being compared to others on whatever she does, for this reason she was stressed thinking on how to become perfect in her parents’ eyes. Third, a confused lady appears on the stage. She is asking, how, what, when and where is her place here on earth. She tries everything to fit in the society where she belongs, she is totally confused. Last, a sporty guy looking for a perfect love from a perfect girl, but then a guy appears on the stage saying that God gave us the perfect love we are looking for in our whole life. Lights out, and the guy who always appears every after each cast’s drama was gone.

A closing remarks was given by Pastor Heidi through a simple prayer while the other volunteers are giving some leaflets to be fill up. Pastor Heidi also said that “Awareness is the first step to change.” The casts of musical play appear again on the stage singing Next in Line. Kuya Rean introduced a special guest, Kara Teñoso of Protègè (singing contest in GMA 7) together with her mentor, Ms. Claire Dela Fuente.

The event ended well and properly by the help of the New Life and Christian Center volunteers.

Myth of the Human Body Exhibit

The Educational Field Trip which was organized by the EUREKA last July 25, 2011 at Taguig City was extremely amazing and so knowledgeable. We have gone first to a mini-theater and watch a short movie on how a life was form. There’s no introduction was given to the film, nor explanation after on what was the movie is all about, maybe because they want the viewers to reflect on their own.

Our tour guide, Kuya Richard who was like a talking doll said that the bodies were donated and most of them came from China. It features real human corpses that have undergone the process of plastination. The specimens are arranged in seven halls. At the first hall, introductions are made. A video of Gunther von Hagens, who invented and patented the plastination technique is looped. We saw there the plastination process in which samples are dried, and then processed in a vacuum.

Von Hagens, wearing a black hat, is shown demonstrating the process using a horse. One is posed as a basketball player, another as an archer - but it's confusing because the archer is shooting himself in the arm.

The guide asks us to refrain from asking why the archer is shooting himself in the arm, because he says it is impossible to position the body properly.

The halls are named after Greek deities, hence the exhibit title "Myth of the Human Body." The first hall is Heracles, and the focus is on the muscular and skeletal system. Spread out beneath glass are different plastinated body parts, in various states of health, dissected to different degrees.

Here it becomes clear that the exhibit is an anatomy lesson more than anything else. The guide rattles off facts about the human body, indicating the parts on display. After a few minutes, the guide ushers the group to the next hall and bids us to take care of our muscular and skeletal system. The advice is both friendly and ominous, given that we had just spent a few minutes staring at what our insides look like, or could look like.

The rest of the tour went the same way. Groups were guided through Poseidon (the respiratory system), Dionysus (the digestive system), Hades (the circulatory system), Eros (the reproductive system), Zeus (the brain and the nervous system), and Artemis (the fetal system). Some of the plastinated bodies were positioned innocently enough, simply upright, or maybe like a wrestler, like "The Strong Man." But some positions were a bit disconcerting, like the woman "holding" her organs, or the skinless man with his skin draped over his arm. I was amazed when I saw the skinless man because I found out that his tattoo was still there, it only means that tattoo lasts forever or even after death. Others, like the "Monterey Man" - literally chopped from head to toe were really disturbing. Disturbing and fascinating at the same time. The body parts were, after all, the real thing.

Myth of the Human Body Building Facade

I must say, it’s the most sulit I have ever paid for an exhibit.

The building itself is beautiful. The huge statues of gods and goddesses outside were beyond amazing. It is like the whole structure is alive. I was not able to take a good photo though, because there were posts blocking the view. Anyway, the corpses were awesome. I’d like to take a few home, especially those with internal organs. Myth of the Human Body is definitely not for the faint of heart but for everyone who wants to gain extra knowledge.

Unang Paglalakbay sa Riles ng Buhay

Sa labing-anim na taon na ipinagkaloob sa akin ng Diyos ay noong Biyernes ko lamang nasubukan at naranasan ang pagsakay sa LRT (Light Rail Transit). Nakakatuwang isipin ngunit iyon ang katotohanang bumabalot sa musmos kong pagkatao. Ang unang naging hakbang ng aming grupo ay ang pagsakay ng bus mula Alabang Town Center hanggang Buendia, bumaba kami doon at umakyat sa hagdanan na alam kong ihahatid ako sa ibang mundo. Nakakapanibago ang lugar sapagkat bukod sa napaka-usok ay makikita mo rin doon ang iba’t-ibang uri ng tao sa lipunan. Nagkakahalaga ng Php15.00 ang pamasahe sa LRT kaya naman maraming estudyante ang sumasakay dito. Sa palagay ko ay makatarungan naman ang singil nila dahil sulit ang byahe. Naghintay ang grupo namen sa pinakunang istasyon, ang Baclaran station. Dumating ang isang tren na walang sakay kaya naman nagsigawan sila na parang may artista, at sa totoo lang ay nahiya ako ‘nun sa sarili ko kaya medyo lumayo kame ng mga taong kapareho sa nararamdaman ko. Pagsakay namin ay pagkadismaya agad ang sumalubong sa’men sapagkat walang “Berso sa Metro” ang nakapaskil sa paligid kaya kinailangan naming bumaba at hintayin ang susunod na tren. Dumating na ang hinihintay namin ngunit sobra ang tulakan kaya naman napahiwalay kaming tatlo nila wood at soap, napasama kami sa tren na puro lalake ang sakay. Habang nasa loob ng tren ay di kami tumitigil sa pagtawa dahil sa kakaibang karanasan na iyon, nakatingin ang karamihan sa amin dahil sa ingay na dulot namin. Sobra ang sikip sa tren ngunit unti-unti rin namang lumuluwag habang papalapit sa huling istasyon. Pahirapan din ang pagkuha ng litrato ng mga “Berso sa Metro” sapagkat mauga ang tren. Gaya ng nabanggit ko kanina ay matatagpuan doon ang iba’t-ibang klase ng tao, mayroong mga estudyante, simpleng manlalakbay, mga taong may mga dalang bagahe na sa palagay ko ay naglalaman ng kanilang panghanap buhay at mayroon ding mga foreigner. Bumaba kami sa pinakahuling istasyon na may baong mga ngiti sa labi sapagkat tagumpay ang misyon namin. Sa unang pagkakataon na nakasakay ako sa LRT ay masasabi ko na napakasaya nito. Masaya dahil maraming bagay na doon ko lang naranasan. Maituturing ko rin ito na isa sa mga di ko malilimutang karanasan. Mainit, mahirap makipagsiksikan at sumakay ngunit marami naman akong natutuhan.
          
Ang pagsakay sa LRT ay maihahalintulad sa buhay ng isang simpleng tao. Maraming dadaan at magiging parte ng buhay mo, may makakaalis sa kinalalagyan niya ngayon at may maiiwan. Kinakailangan ring panatilihin ang balanse habang ika’y nakasakay sa agos ng buhay nang hindi ka matumba at magkaroon ng matibay na paninidigan. Sa bandang huli ay tayo pa rin ang magpapasya kung bababa na ba tayo o mananatiling nakikipagsapalaran sa gulong ng buhay.

Peace Retreat: The Sound of Silence

         

It was Monday when I saw my classmate crying in one corner. I ask her why, and she told me the news about the retreat. She's crying because the retreat accidentally hit her birthday, which will surely ruin her party. That day also, it made me think of what is a retreat and what can it do to me? Honestly, I don't know what retreat is, I came from a public high school and we are unable to have a peace retreat. I am so thankful that God had gave me the opportunity to study in San Beda College Alabang and experienced what peace retreat really is. Before, I think peace retreat as an activity where lots of crying will happen as what my friends and peers say. I also imagine that peace retreat will be a boring activity and a waste of time, but I’m wrong. Thursday night, I’m busy preparing my clothes, toiletries and other things that will be put on my luggage. Friday, I woke up early and found myself so excited for the retreat, well, it will be my first retreat ever. I hop on the car and make a stop at the gate of Alabang Hills Village to fetch my friends. We arrived at San Beda’s chapel and listen for a short instruction given by Fr. Dunstan. Fr. Dunstan gave us the chance to have a confession, honestly, that was only my second confession since my third grade and my last confession was seven years ago.
         
For 3 days and 2 nights stay at the Monseratt Center, I know that I had a wonderful experience and achievement as well. The first activity that we had was the washing of the feet. From that activity I learned how good really God is. He humble Himself even though He know who He was and what was His purpose. The most memorable activity for me was the distribution of letters from the parents. I was really surprised for that, because I did not expect to receive any, and it made me cry when I got one. I read the letter of my father, and it hurts me when I read the line in which my Daddy is saying sorry for not being able to send me on a private school because of the family crisis that we have undergone. Many memories-good and bad slowly flooded to my mind and that time, I want to burst out my feeling and shout. I want to shout to release the anger for myself. My Dad’s message for me teared off my heart. Another memorable activity for me was the writing of letters in return for our parents, it made me cry again one more time. My letter contains the three-most important element of a love letter, Thank You, Sorry, and I Love you.

         
The peace retreat was so good that it made me realize so many things in my life. Realizations which will helped me to transform from nothing to something. I realize that as of now in our life, we should learn to prioritize our parents. They are always on our side-in bad times and good times, and most of the time we just ignore them. I felt like that a cold water was pouring into my soul. I know it's God, touching my soul and asking me to come closer to Him. I love my parents but I cannot utter it in front of them because I’m shy and afraid. Shy because I’m not into that thing and afraid because my parents might take it as a joke.
         
There are so many material things here on Earth that we think that will make us happy and satisfied, but that was our biggest mistake. Youths of today should realize how important are parents are. We should give them the love they deserve because we don’t know until when we can enjoy the day with them. We should enjoy and treasure every moments that we have with them and show them how their hardworks developed and mold us into a better person they want to see.