albievillamor-blog

[albievillamor-blog]

August 26, 2017

An afternoon at the CCJE building

The raindrops hit the rooftop of the classroom housing the aura of our tired souls. Each of the strike evoked emotions that came rushing in fast pace like a river that’s freed from a decade of strong restrain. We both like the rain. I know it.

But you do not like the rain today as if you are absorbed in the pull of the moment. You stared into the space as if I, we do not exist. The boisterous noise of the students did not even flinch your dramatic gestures as you watched the rain wash away the dirt of the human mess. You looked as if we, your friends, are the pure wind and you are the trees we’re trying to hit and disturb. But we’re not, dear.

The looks in your eyes screamed the sadness and the pain you have never entertained for months now. Wait, is it her again? Is it the love you lost along with the hands of time? Is it the family you want to be complete? Is it the misfortunes you have incurred despite your unrelenting persistence? Or is it the ghost of the past that haunts you nonstop, which you want to cast away for good? I have no way to find out.

Fact is, you are a man of walking contradiction. And while it does not surprise me that you always make a time for yourself by isolating yourself from the crowd of relentless people, your attitude in treating each passing day still strikes a chord in me. How can you be such a loner while at the same exude a personal air? How do you manage to wear a smile when greeted by a stranger and go back sulking after exchanging a set of lively pleasantries?

Today, I should have talked to you and asked the things that disturb you in an attempt to appease all your worries within my knowledge and experience. But as I made my first move down the rails, I was suddenly clobbered by a sense of prevention --- to stay. I am afraid.

I am afraid that if I come knocking on your doors and asking you to open it, would mean I am after a prize most of the eyes that ogle your wonders want. I am afraid that for every good gesture, every move of untarnished intention, would be interpreted by the classmates as a way for me to make you befell under my command.I am afraid that if I ask you some personal questions, you’d retort back with extreme irritation that I am not in any way connected to your life and that I am a nobody and is just a friend.

But the moment I saw you struggle with your arched eyebrows is the moment I wish I could crush down my wall and run into you and ask every single inch of your struggle to direct its wings and make it fly away in a jiffy. This became my attitude. I did not know why.

I could have smirked. I could have done a fake frolicking. I could have winked my eyes, stuck my tongue out, and done the two all at the same time if only to make you laugh. I could have cracked a joke you have never heard of in an attempt to make you forget your misfortunes. I want to be your comedy. I just want to. I can be not myself if only to suit your liking. How pathetic I can be! But I am prepared to pay the price.

I could have said, “Hey, you look as if you are in a perpetual wondering of the nature of life.” Or “Geez, you are so dramatic you should get your ass off the chair and engage in conversation.” Or “There you are again, trying to unlock the mysteries of human enterprise.”

I could have given you a cup of coffee and enmeshed you in the intricate web of conversation. But I never did. I was waiting for you to give me some cues.

Afternoon passed. Our classmates bid their goodbyes and ran down the stairs to go home as if they were like the children in early 2000’s who were extremely excited to come home to watch “Flame of Recca” or “ Ghost Fighter” even though the grounds were wet. But we both were stuck in the same building. I caught you staring at me. Not once but thrice. Your eyes were screaming in enigmatic provocation. I wondered what your stare meant.

I held my breath in puzzlement. What were you trying to indicate? Is that a form of invitation into your world full of dark secrets waiting to be unleashed? Of course, there is no other way to find out than to saunter my way into you.

As I was making my way was the moment that the time made its tracks so fast. A group of our classmates suddenly grabbed away your attention, goaded you into deciding to come home because the road is perilous, told stories about the rape victim, and left me on the railings watching the moment as it flashed by my eyes. It’s like watching an aim become a blur in the spur of the moment. It was painful yet surreal.

I watched you got on your feet, looked at your first progress, smiled at the invitation of our classmates, and floated from my vision.

You went home.

I stared at the raindrops again in defiance of pain as it crumbled down the trees and evoked human emotions in slumber. Those I refuse to recognize and shout out into the open. But then, I was left still in stupor of what you wanted to tell me.

I am overthinking again, I once told myself. But I am sure now. I want to know what you have to say.

I am but a speck in the world of people of brilliant minds and acerbic listening skill, but tell me your story with a sense of honesty! I will love to hear them. Ask me when and where and I will come. I will surmount all forms of struggle and euphemisms. Maybe I can be of help?

The problem with the mystery of human interaction is being left to find the answer out for yourself, which will leave you sleepless at night. And while many find it easy to do so, some people of whom I am one still find it gut-wrenching and to some extent a form of abdicating the value of legitimate clarification. The interaction is left hanging in the wind groping for an answer.

I hate to break these words to you: please, do not leave me hanging! Be honest! Your words will mean to me more than the way I love the raindrops hitting the rooftop of the CCJE building.

[albievillamor-blog]

January 1, 2018. Love Letter.

September 12, 2017 1:50 PM

Such beautiful words deserve to be home to where they should be. Not in your old box of unsent letters. Not in the trash can. Not in any flash drive. But in Mr. A’s heart.

I remember it all too well.

I think there will always come a point in the lives of everyone where they will chance upon people who even if they don’t know them pretty well will surely create such a space in their hearts. These people, no matter how much you try to set them aside from your consciousness, will always affect you in one way or another. And you are one of them, Victor!

I remember the first time I saw you, you were walking alone at the CEAT building with headphones on listening to some kind of music you were so drawn to. I did not bother to talk to my friends then, only looking at you.

It was an afternoon of noise coming from the students who passed by. Laughter filled the air. Some students were talking about how their algebra professor turned out to be so torturous. Some were so jumpy about the curves and design they will put on their plates. But you seemed adrift and were in the world created by your music – a scenery of utmost perfection like the movies I don’t get tired of watching.

But what caught my attention was the aura of kindness you exuded. Your personality, I thought, was very welcoming. You got me staring at the way you moved. It was an observation devoid of any negative emotions. I was 16 years old then.

Days passed. I did mind you. Why would I? I was so focused on studying to maintain my scholarship. And besides, I did not absolutely know what your name is. I had no one to know your identity from.

At one time, months later, I saw you again at the PSU Gym. You were so silent during a Physical Education activity but were sometimes talking to your classmates. No. I think you were just observant and keen not to miss any information.

I was having a class then. I was supposed to listen to my professor’s discussion about why Physical Education is such a prerequisite for students to graduate, which I already knew since it was already discussed comprehensively the previous class. But the sight of you became a distraction.

I asked a guy friend of mine beside me if he knew you. He did. “Oo,” he said. I wanted to scream then, but had to restrain myself as I would have become a person of attention. I stared at you, but careful not to be seen doing so. Later on, to cut the story short, I was told your name is VA.

That night, after writing an essay for my English class, you suddenly crossed my mind like a lightning bolt idea. I looked for your name on Facebook, found it, and sent you a friend request. I waited for weeks. But you did not accept it. Okay lang.

Months later, I learned that you are an UPCAT passer! Congrats! You must be smart, I told myself. Most of the time, it is believed that an UPCAT passer possesses an intelligence of high standing. My emotions grew steadily amazed by your personality. But recently, I also learned you failed an engineering subject. It is okay. Cheer up!

Fashionista King and Queen. I was told you’re set to join the pageant. The moment I knew it I became pumped out like a heart on the brink of death but was revived in the nick of time. I did not know how to respond, or react for that matter. Only that I was so excited to see you, and to look at you for more than 10 minutes without much interruption.

I told my friends about the said pageant. They were all stupefied and said I should attend. I did. But I did not see you on the stage all throughout the show. I became like a damsel in distress and was on the point of crying. I sulked with my mouth twitching in disgust, and thought I wasted my money in buying the tickets for the said show. All I saw were men exuding the personalities of cockroaches. I went home that night and told myself that maybe universe conspires for me not to see you. So I thought.

Days later, I saw again but with your group of friends on a Sunday morning with your friends wearing a CWTS shirt. I became convinced that you were heading for a CWTS class. I looked at you again without making it obvious to my friends because I know they will just make fun of me with words like, “You are trying to tie up your hopes for someone you will never reach.”

Believe me when I say that I have tried to forget your existence in the campus. But then it would be foolish of me to forget the fact that PSU is not as big as I want to be, that one will meet the same faces over and over again. No matter how much I distance myself from your universe, the stars will still find ways to light the way for our roads to cross, and I just have to take this fact for granted.

One time, I was walking along San Pedro road from Robinsons malls on my way to San Pedro Central School to visit a friend. I was watching the cars and tricycle passed by because I was careful of my security. But then, I saw that you … with your friends at that 2016.

It was my junior year when I was asked by a friend to cover the game of CEAT against its opponents at the Football field. I was hesitant at first because Football was not the game I was knowledgeable of, and I was afraid I might report the wrong information. But I took the guts to do so. I told my editor, “Ay, okay. Pero first time ko ‘to gagawin. Pa-assist na lang po."

When I stood beside the Football field, I forced myself to look at each of the players’ faces. It was hard for me at first, because the sun’s heat was too intense it affected my vision. But when I suddenly saw your physique at the field, it lost my focus thereby all the time I was just looking at the way you played. It was so surreal.

I think I am in love with you.

I realized that through the years, my love for you has been growing stronger each passing day with no restrain. At night before I sleep, I’d think of how your day has been, and whether you are satisfied with the kind of life you have, or you are just like the many people who are still searching for the purpose of life.

My words sound so cheesy in every sense, but then they are the expression of my feelings that I have long kept in restrain. It is as if every day is not enough to know you by the stories I ask to the people who know you. You are like a puzzle I cannot easily answer--- a height of enigmatic wonderment.

Sometimes, I ask myself if the time I spend thinking of you is worth it, or whether I stand a chance when you are being surrounded by all the girls in the campus who are smarter and richer than me, and I am still driving home the conclusion that, “Yes. It’s all worth it.”

But then there still comes a point of pain whenever I think that you do not know me, or maybe you do, only by my face.

“Would he talk to me?”  “Would he like my personality when I act just like a wallflower?” “Would he treat me just like the way he treats anybody else?” Would he be open to let me into his world?”

These are the questions I often ask myself whose answers are left unknown.

            One time, as I was thinking of you, my sister told me that I had my eyes glistening --- but with pain. My sister who is usually on the corner just observing the happenings around went out of her way to say the words that had hit me on the spine, which is the truth that I don’t usually bring out in the open. 

“I am in love.” I told her.

“How sure are you? And assuming that you are, will that be returned?” she responded.

“But I am not expecting.” I retorted back.

“Of course, you are. Love is always co-shared.” she said with confidence.

Believe me that I like you selfishly. I do not ask for anything in return because knowing your existence is already a sign of extreme euphoria. After all, I am nothing.

[albievillamor-blog]

Youth Activism in the context of Social Media, March 10, 2017

Almost all people in the world have social media accounts. And you, my reader is pretty aware of that. From knowing the kind of trendy outfits for the day up to checking in on our friends on Facebook and Twitter even if they are miles away, we hold our hands out for its help. We are now in an area where communication is within arms’ reach, enabling us to know everything.

Social Media gave us a new way to explore the world, transcend its cultural barriers, and create a smooth flow of communication from all walks of life. For a country like the Philippines known as the social media capital of the world, it is just imperative that youth use its wonders in the best possible ways.

Social Media already became an aid in the pursuit of age and let our voices be heard. Through one push or click, we already propagate what we think and feel about the issues that confront our country to educate our audience to be able to forward our sentiments not just for raising awareness but also for tapping those concerned to get their acts together to perform their tasks to ease our country’s the dire situation.

Facebook, the most-widely used social networking sites, has lately become a fireball as a great upsurge of the youth taps its access with which they can put forth change. Youth think, encode, and fearlessly post their train of thoughts that spur debates leading to people’s enlightenment of the issues that press our nation. Though some people post views irrelevant to discussions, it is nevertheless important that we each recognize this phenomenon, foiling the thoughts of seating-back and keeping our mouth shut. This became more evident during the nationwide election we had last May.

In fact, social networking sites were used by some politicians to have further their popularity among the netizens. Former Miriam Defensor-Santiago proved this so. With her three million Facebook followers, she used social media for her campaign, less focusing on traditional media like radio, newspapers, and television. Furthermore, the Duterte supporters have admittedly tapped its power to raise Digong’s popularity after he announced his presidential bid. It is reported that a Facebook group was created with millions of followers to embolden netizens to back his presidential bid, just like what Santiago did.And see, he won the presidency!

Not only was it used for campaign, but also for igniting the people to converge and fight the injustices we all face. In 2012, a post from twitter about the constitutionality of Priority Development Assistant Fund (Pork Barrel) went viral starting a nationwide protest held in Luneta where thousands of people particularly youth from all over the Philippines converged and carried banners expressing their dissent and grievances against it. It was during this protest where the youngsters expressed their concern over the corruption committed by some politicians who used the Pork Barrel for their own purpose by coursing it through the bogus NGO’s managed by Janet Napoles, the known Pork Barrel queen.

When our government turns up inefficient with its objectives and plans, we react on Facebook and show our righteous indignation, lambasting politicians who are inept and frivolous with their position. When it showers on success we basked in the joy in social media, clearly making it a platform to let others know our elation. With all this, it is just honest of me to say that if you do not know the advantages brought by the social media, then you are living under a large rock.

So why don’t we make a full use in its usage anyway?

Social Media is a free market of liberalized communication where engagements are easily committed, no one killing the flow of the ideas in the cyberspace. In this conduit of free expression, this enables the timid to speak up, the oppressed to be heard, and activism to take rightful levitation. This enables us to see the real situation of people who we don’t know but need our help due to repression.

For instance, netizens were able to raise the awareness of the plight of Lumad, the people of Mindanao, whose rights are exploited and education is killed. People of the internet also created consciousness regarding the state of our IPI’s and knocked the doors of government to help them, creating noises too loud to be drowned out by government itself.

With these amenities, youth should take these advantages that social media has put into the table with serious frame of mind.

I believe that social media should be a platform for intellectual discourses and not for vanities which only promote wanton lifestyle toleration that erodes our function of changing the society for the sake of the present and next generation. In this way, we work hard to create a future society far different from what we have now --- a clear indication of our sense of nationalism.

We should strongly utilize our social media accounts not only to get in touch with those we’re concerned with, but also to tell the tales of the voiceless and marginalized to educate our family, friends, and acquaintances. So, instead of sitting and browsing through our Facebook and Twitter feeds the whole day, why not set a time to scour through sites delineating the pity state of the masses?; it will surely encourage others to do something to lessen their awful conditions in any way.

Imagine if each of us cares and does causes to attenuate our countries dire condition with proper use of social media, this would be a much safer and ideal place to live in. People will be more informed, more aware of trolls spreading wrong information, and can be vigilant of the national concerns.

We have to act mature now. Lately, it has been proven that the youth is a powerbase of change as they attempt to grillunproductive governments, criticize imbecile discourses, and forward strong spirit for collective change. As millennials, we can’t dwell in our comfort zones so we have to go out, engage, and use social media the right way.

Let us, youth be activists in social media. Who knows? This might lead to our country’s firmer change.

[albievillamor-blog]

March 10, 2017, Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor,

We are in a battle to win the truth.

As campus journalists, you’re playing a role not different from those of other professions. You think, act, and propagate information for nation-building and campus education. You don’t exist to serve as intellectual ornaments. You are armed with a purpose. You are, in the proper sense of the words, of use.

Campus journalism is a power to reckon with. It is in this realm where the future agents of truth start realizing the indispensable power of pen and paper in creating our national character. You, at the sunrise days of your career, brace your young minds to be critical to serve no one, but the students.

In any event, campus journalists are required to be critical of the campus setup, which entails you to be observant of its affairs shrouded in secrecy. You should excuse no one from holding accountability including those in the high positions of the academic hierarchy. When you think that academic officials are at fault and do not discharge their function efficiently, and your senses support your cause, write! You should be honest and restless when in the face of injustice. Who is it that can calibrate your thoughts and passion anyways?

To be honest with you, I did not realize these lessons during my stint as the Miguelian Chronicles Editor. I held the post knowing nothing of the ethics I should pay heed to. I did not understand its relevance to the society.

Just like some of you, I did not open my eyes to the realities facing the SMNHS campus because I was naïve then, relying on others for my actions and thoughts. I did what I was told to do. I hid, observed not, and only read other people’s work without analysis. I chose to be passive. I chose to listen to the awful drums of majority. I am muzzled.

As a college student now, I dared to look back on what I did then and challenge you to not commit the misconceptions that I did. If you do so, you will regret it after your stint is done, after graduation because you make less of yourself. I say that bluntly.

To write for publication is already to choose. You choose to write. You choose not to be coerced into silence. You want to live within the bounds of the truth and be the unshakable harbingers of change. You live by principle of veracity, which as you should be. You serve the people and nix the hostile world of rampant impunity. You force yourself to be at the cusp of development, serving your fellow students not expecting anything in return. And I commend you for that.

Campus Journalists, I know that writing is not to be taken lightly. Who says that writing is easy, that this task is equated to sitting and writing for an uncertain aim, that this is a hobby for the dimwit and the halfwit?

Writing behoves you to write the best that will hook your readers’ attention so that your fellow students will not throw your newspapers after it is released, that your words will be kept, embraced, and relished. It is not enough that you’re good in grammatical technicalities, but also in challenging your intellectual capacity for constructive innovation.

As for me, fight for your principles even if others back down out of spurt of fear and firm oppression. Be unstoppable and spread your wings to reach the heavens even if it looks beyond your grasp. The cynics might say that it could not be done, but I assure you that it can be. It can be yours, it exists, is possible, and for the taking.

You, the shapers of public opinion, are part of building the hallmarks of good governance. You tap the power of words to express your takes on the bad, obsolete, and ineffective.

Write for the truth, fearless, and unbiased.

Mabuhay kayo, guys!

Patuloy tayong magsulat para sa pagbabago!

[albievillamor-blog]

The Lyrics That Prove Taylor Swift Is a freaking Genius

1. “My mind forgets to remind me that you’re a bad idea.” - “Sparks Fly”

2. “You searched the world for something else to make you feel like what we had.” - “Wonderland”

3. “You call me up again just to break me like a promise, so casually cruel in the name of being honest.” - “All Too Well”

4. “I can’t say hello to you and risk another goodbye.” - “I Almost Do.”

5. “The flowers that we’d grown together died of thirst.” - “Clean”

6. “Time won’t fly, it’s like I’m paralyzed by it.” - “All Too Well”

7. “When I was drowning, that’s when I could finally breathe.” - “Clean”

8. “People are people and sometimes we change our minds.” - “Breathe”

9. “I don’t know how to be something you miss.” - “Last Kiss”

10. “All we are is skin and bone, trained to get along.” - “Treacherous”

11. “You’re still all over me like a wine-stained dress I can’t wear anymore.” - “Clean”

12. “What a rainy ending given to a perfect day.” - “Cold As You”

13. “Words, how little they mean, when you’re a little too late.” - “Sad Beautiful Tragic”

14. “Today is never too late to be brand new.” - “Innocent”

15. “You wear your best apology, but I was there to watch you leave.” - “The Last Time”

16. “Faster than the wind, passionate as sin.” - “Red”

17. “You come away with a great little story, of a mess of a dreamer with the nerve to adore you.” - “Cold As You”

18. “When you’re young, you just run, but you come back to what you need.” - “This Love”

19. “I can’t decide if it’s a choice, getting swept away.” - “Treacherous”

20. “We learn to live with the pain, mosaic broken hearts.” - “State of Grace’

21. "It turns out freedom ain’t nothing but missing you.” - “Back To December”

22. “The way you move is like a full-on rainstorm.” - “Sparks Fly”

23. “I’ll watch your life in pictures like I used to watch you sleep.” - “Last Kiss”

24. “Maybe this thing was a masterpiece until you tore it all up.” - “All Too Well”

25. “We were built to fall apart and fall back together.” - “Out of the Woods”

26. “My thoughts will echo your name until I see you again.” - “Enchanted”

27. “You made a rebel of a careless man’s careful daughter” - “Mine”

28. “We need love but all we want is danger.” - “New Romantics”

29. “You’ve got your demons and darling they all look like me.” - “Sad Beautiful Tragic”

30. “Your eyes looked like coming home.” - “Everything Has Changed”

31. “The story’s got dust on every page.” - “Holy Ground”

32. “Someday when you leave me, I bet these memories follow you around.” - “Wildest Dreams”

33. “We’re happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time.” - “22”

34. “I lived in your chess game but you changed the rules every day.” - “Dear John”

35. “He’s the only one who’s got enough of me to break my heart.” - “Teardrops on my Guitar”

36. “Don’t you dream impossible things?” - “Starlight”

37. “Doesn’t he know that I’ve had him memorized for so long?” - “I’d Lie”

38. “We fall in love ‘til it hurts or bleeds or fades in time.” - “State of Grace”

39. “People like me are gone forever when you say goodbye.” - “All You Had To Do Was Stay”

40. “Lantern burning flickered in my mind for only you.” - “This Love”

41. “Nothing safe is worth the drive.” - “Treacherous”

42. “This is the golden age of something good and right and real.” - “State of Grace”

43. "Don't you worry your pretty little mind people throw rocks at things that shine" - "Ours

44. "I got your matches before your fire could catch me" - "Dear John"

45. "Wondering if I dodged a bullet or just lost the love of my life" - "I Don't Wanna Live Forever"

46. "I had the time of my life-fighting dragons with you" - "Long Live"

47. "I’m shining like fireworks over your sad empty town" - "Dear John"

48. "The best people in life are free" - "New Romantics"

49. " The bravest thing I ever did was run" -"Better Man"

50. "You push my love away like it's some kind of loaded gun" -"Better Man"

51. "Boy, you never thought I'd run" -"Better Man"

52. "We go fast with the game we play" "-This is what you came for"

53. "Who knows why it's gotta be this way" "-This is what you came for"

54. “I've been looking sad in all the nicest places” - "I Don't Wanna Live Forever"

55. “ I see you around in all these empty faces” - "I Don't Wanna Live Forever"

56. "I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me. I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams."

- Look What You Made Me Do

[albievillamor-blog]

Overview:

Palawan State University is a premier state university in the Southeast Asia aiming to educate their constituencies of the requisite skills and knowledge needed by the job market to enable them to be competitive in the jungle of jobs that they will face after they graduate. That is why in order to do this, the school is mandated to build facilities that will be conducive to learning.

For the past years, PSU has been building different buildings, renovating classrooms, and providing human services to fulfill its vision and mission. One can see these innovations inside the campus. But the question is, are our students really satisfied with all PSU’s effort in bringing the Best, Productive, and Student-Friendly attitude in the university’s premises?

To answer this question, I have conducted a simple survey from among the chosen students of College of Business and Accountancy. The survey contained questionnaires pertaining to the efficiency of the services of PSU and their satisfaction of it. It only took me a week to know the students pulse.

After reading each of their answers and comments, it dawned on me that students are dissatisfied with the services and pointed some flaws, which absolutely can be read in the survey papers clearly.

I hope that the survey would give you the overview of the wants of the students and ultimately propel you to think of solutions to these flaws. This will alleviate their discontentment to appreciate what the university has to offer to the students themselves.

Goals

The objectives of this Public Relations Plan are to place on the table the problems being felt by the CBA students which the university is bound to solve to prove that it is one of the universities that deliver incomparable quality education. By knowing the students opinion of the school, we can analyze our problems to know its roots even better.

Strategies

Two of the key ways in addressing the concerns of our students are hearing what they have to say and immediately focusing on their demands. This way, the researcher gathers enough knowledge to devise a plan fit for students’ needs. This step is very important.

After the talking, a consensus among the board is needed in order to discuss matters concerning the issue at hand. Along the process, they exchange ideas leading to everyone’s enlightenment for fulfillment of students’ need. No matter how tedious the meeting would, it has to be held. Nothing is more important in planning than this.

 Target Audience

The target audience is of course the PSU community which is the very reason why the school was instituted in the first place. No outsider first, as our issues do not concern them at all. The students in particular play a big act on this. We have to hear their clamor. This study analysis/public relation project also aims to get rid our image free of reprobating impressions. We want a school that has a squeaky-clean reputation.

Key Target Media

Since Palawan State University already has school publications funded and run by the PSU heads/community, there is not a need to tap other news agencies like The Palawan Times or Palawan News. The school can proliferate their information on its own.

Spreading the developments for example should be in paramount position. This will keep our constituencies on tracks of the development. Any improvement should be printed. In this way, we gain their trust that we deliver their needs with deliberate speed and effort. They no longer will form doubt on our capacity as an institution.

Recommendations

The researchers should first start renovating the classrooms facilities such as electric fans. As we all know, they are very significant in keeping the classroom conducive to learning. More so now that the temperature keeps rising which will make the students lose their focus especially when the beads of sweat start forming on their forehead. It will really make the students uncomfortable.

We also have to fix our comfort rooms in the College of Business and Accountancy as some have pointed out. Though this recommendation isn’t supported by reason, the school still has to take a look at them. Who knows? Maybe the comfort rooms now reek of bad smells which distracts students from their studies.

The guards themselves have to ensure that fair rules are implemented with no palakasan system. The school itself has been bombarded by issues of unfairness. If the rules are carefully implemented, the students will follow them well. The guards have to be friendly with students with seated authority. You cannot force students to follow your students if you disrespect them. This is vital.

Most of all, the school administration now has to start thinking of putting Online Enrollment System into its present agenda for innovation. For the past years, students have clamored the PSU Administration to solve the brunt of the process of enrollment they encounter at the beginning of every semester. Once implemented, it will lessen the number of cashiers and expedite the enrollment process itself. We will be at par with other universities in Manila like University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University. So it is important that we give this recommendation from our students a shot.

 Conclusion

These prospects will not be palpable or felt if not implemented. Having said this, we have to start fulfilling each one now. We cannot wait tomorrow. We have to think that we are in an ICU situation. We need these prospects/suggestions implemented now, not tomorrow. After all, these are not bad suggestions at all. They are for the betterment of our institution not only in terms of the standards of education but also because of the students need these as soon as possible. Should we ignore them? No. 

[albievillamor-blog]

Fight for distorted rainbow

Once upon a time there was a little boy who at a young age wondered why he liked the boy his age. He would happily twirl in the sun with his make-up on and strapped his body in curtains that resemble a gown --- a pretension of joining Miss Universe pageant. Once found out, he would be chided by his father and his head would be sunk in a big basin of water to convince him he’s a guy and should act according to his gender. Wala siyang buntot. Hindi siya serena. Hindi siya bakla.

Philippines is a Christian country and yet it is not exempted from its share of homosexuality. One browse on the internet and would stumble upon an endless threads of names of lesbians and gays. They are already a staple in the society like mushroom. But people – especially those who are conservative- treat them as a disease sans cure, which is a sign of fractured understanding.

Families who have their share of homosexual children still do not accept them because homosexual members are, if not a curse, a disgrace to the family. The families who are supposed to understand the situation of their lesbian and gay families shut their eyes to their sufferings. Instead of becoming the support system, families become the whip on their gay and lesbian children.

The Philippines has taken strides in the attainment of gender equality for the past years. Seminars and symposiums in different schools and communities were held to raise awareness on the LGBT community. Of these, old beliefs on the cause of homosexualitywere sacked. However, there are still units of society that remain blighted andare still practicing the art of tongue-lashing against the LGBT members, a sign of ignorance.

Recently the Pride March in Manila was attended by LGBT community members from all around the country to stress their support for gender equalities extermination in the fibers of society. Christians also attended the event to apologize for how they treat the LGBT Community. This became evident on social media and gained traction because the issue is relevant.

The religious people though not all are so easy to judge the LGBT Community like they know how it is to be one. The verbal abuse and the snide remarks they throw at them pierce through the layers of personality, which downgrades the self-esteem especially if you are a guy or lesbian at a young age. Mind you, it is not easy to live a life of deviancy --- a source of fun for others at LGBT Community’s expense.  

Palawan State University (PSU) has fortunately just started raising its fists in the fight for gender equality with the inception of Bahaghari, the official LGBT organization in the campus, which apparently took me by storm. It has a little more than 50 members. To be frank, never did I expect I would live to see PSU embrace pluralism until graduation. PSU is so a conservative academic institution, I once told myself. Kudos, PSU!

While the LGBTQ Community now rides in the momentum of societal recognition for what they are, they are not without gestures of contempt from people. Religious people still despise them. Some members of the LGBTQ Community are so liberated they perform sexual act in public.

Just by walking in Rizal Avenue at night, one will probably hear a bunch of guys sitting on the pavement call gays with lascivious remarks, which are a sign of sexual instigation. But what’s hurtful is how gays give in to the sexual instigation like it’s a holy grail you want to touch, as Love Me Like You Do song by Ellie Goulding goes. As long as the LGBT Community members do not undergo attitudinal evolution, the respect they ask for will be elusive.

Touching the balls of someone in public is inappropriate. Forcing sexual intercourse with someone you do not know is problematic when sexual transmitted diseases are rampant for the getting. Sex is biological and pleasurable but should not be treated as trivialized. This should be a slap to those who are guilty. Our LGBTQ fellows should be aware of pleasure coated in danger. This is a hurdle for LGBT members to overcome.

Once upon a time, there was a closeted boy who at a young age was abused by his dad’s friend. He was made to strip all his clothes off in exchange of toys. He made the acts with wonder in his eyes. He knew not know what to do, but still did anyways. His dad’s friend’s smile was contagious; he smiled back. The intercourse happened many times.

Now he’s a 19 year old lad in the university and fights for the LGBT Community. He is jeered by his patriarchal friends, butstill fights along with his gay friends. He knows it will be spirit-crushing and taxing, but also knows acceptance cannot be achieved by silence and apathy.

LGBT fight is hard but will never be a losing battle.

[albievillamor-blog]

Information is power. While the quotation sounds cliché, it still holds true today. We need information to be alive and informed- a tool for survival.

The advent of Information and Technology (IT) shocked the people from all walks of life when it broke the ceilings back in the time where information is only limited to those who have money for access. People no longer just live under a very large rock. Stupidity and ignorance are not an excuse. Information is free for the taking – a sign of globalization.

Due to globalization, the world sees how significant information is. Efforts to streamline the flowof information are put in place. Technology has been making sure to achieve this purpose.

Communication has also become easier shattering the borders of space. Social media are a product of exhaustive experimentation of the IT enthusiasts. Just a click and you can now engage in a communication with people in different sides of the globe.

There is now a growing demand for IT graduates, which propelled universities all around the globe to offer courses in Information and Technology to educate students who are interested in such a degree. Graduates of IT are expected to have good compensation because the job demands a lot of courage and taxes on one’s intelligence. It is a job demanded abroad.

Palawan State University (PSU) is one of the universities that offer a course in information and technology as part of its objective of making the students globally competitive and literate. The course is welcomed by PSUans with arms wide open. It already has more than 100 enrollees.

While everyone is cognizant of IT as a course in PSU, a lot still have a vague understanding of what this course is all about. Mostly students of other courses will say it is just about designing a web page or just about repairing dysfunctional computers.

This blog will focus on 5 topics regarding the IT course in PSU.

) A day in the life of an IT student

) The course’s significance.

) An interview how IT students assess the facilities and equipment of PSU.

) How IT Professors prepare for their classes and their standards for their students to pass

) How does IT differ from computer science?

[albievillamor-blog]

Political Fanaticism- An Appraisal

To speak up the mind against a political personality in the face of confusion and crisis should be practiced and the abandonment of such is like abdicating our freedom of expression and thus creating a system of muffled voices accepting the unjust and unfair.

The past months made me realize that many people choose to rather talk about topics regarding their political belief  than see other side of the political fence because we’re just simply apathetic and just fall into the trap of political fanaticism.

The practice of political fanaticism prevents many people from forming their criticisms against the political personality who gains the support of the majority notwithstanding the political personality’s incompetence and stupidity in analyzing and solving the problems of our nation. This becomes evident when fanatics go nuts on their political bets without scratching beneath the surface and fall in deaf ears to the opposition’s voice.

The fanatics send threats and shame messages which made the opposition to refuse to open their mouth to voice out sentiments. The opposition then become afraid to step out the doors of their houses because of the fear of death and bullying, which made them just accept the actions of a political personality with dead critical analysis.

The politicians who are supposed to be open-minded to hear what his/her constituents have to say became a party to the oppressors when they as leaders should be the first ones to encourage all Filipinos to exercise forming constructive criticisms to access whether they are able to satisfy the Filipinos’ needs in healthcare, education, and governance to shape up if they fail to deliver what is expected of them. But what’s happening is the other way around.

Our current leaders are already showing reluctance in hearing the constructive criticism hurled against them because politicians think that the words of criticism are only to character assassinate the names that they have fought hard to establish.

Political fanaticism becomes more daunting when it penetrates our regular house setting where the parents chide their children who seem to oppose their political belief. A friend of mine refuses to talk against the political figure whom her parents support because she’d be scolded with statements like she doesn’t know a thing or two. Many are vulnerable and can easily be swayed by the views of others especially if the views come from parents themselves without deepening their analysis. This incidence made me think that critical thinking now slowly being disregarded and the political fanaticism has actually gone to great extent.

Political fanaticism pollutes the minds in believing that the solutions to all our problems depend on one leader alone. To criticize is to deviate. To deviate is to be the enemies of change.

Political fanaticism is the nemesis of free choice and really kills the essence of our democratic politics and doesn’t spur sustainable and inclusive participation among the populace because it does not give them the free hand to intellectually pick and choose especially when debates are no longer about their works but about personality.

Social media became a playground of political fanaticism since the advent of internet. Trolls have infested the web and people are ready to risk their names in wanting for their political candidate to win the hearts of many. Trolls and real accounts have largely played a role in this suppression of freedom against the opposition. This is already an oppressive scenario where the critiques are held by their necks.

Political fanaticism does not help us at all because it further polarizes the people instead of being united to take all the leaders accountable for their actions without fear or favor. It also doesn’t alleviate anyone’s suffering, improve our dire system of government infested by corruption, palakasan system, and salvage our dwindling form of life to attain growth for our nation. (Case in point: Dilaw vs. Pula)

I believe political fanaticism will slowly ingrain in our culture which will affect the generations to come. It is not impossible their future leaders and voters would be worse than us with the dirty politics we’re doing at the present. The future politics might be more fractured with differing political opinions gathered from baseless observations which will erode the reasons on why we have elections in the first place. Therefore the present generation is tasked to go out of their shell to flush this out from our system. We all should be one here.

I understand where the fanatics come from and what they believe in by reading their tweets, blogs, and Facebook posts. In fact, I admire their passion for spreading propaganda in favour of a certain politician to convince others to do the same. But as for me, they have to check whether their support is based on critical analysis and ask themselves if their support is based on influence or on their decision alone. If they find that their decision is of the former, they should do the opposite and speak their mind up. They should be the critical in the midst of apathy and passiveness.

People now should examine and correct themselves if they think they’re into such and undress the cloak of partiality to voice out what they think is right without fear or favour to toss around patronage politics. Our nation beckons for the strong, decisive, critical, and uncrushable spirits to be watchful of those in power. After all, we elected them into office to lead our nation forward, not to make us as their slaves who will bow down to their whims.

[albievillamor-blog]

Daming alam

Sa talas ng dila mo parang alam mo na lahat. Parang mula ulo hanggang paa, kilalang-kilala mo’ko. Tumutusok ang bawat tingin. Mapangutyang ngiti. Iyan ka eh.

Kilala mo na siguro ako simula pa lang noong matuto akong umiyak at gumapang. Napaisip tuloy ako na baka kasabay ka nina ama’t ina sa pagpapalaki sa akin. Binihisan ako’t binigyan ng kung ano mang klaseng buhay mayroon ako ngayon.

Natutuwa ako dahil pinag-aasksayahan mo pa ng oras na kilatisin ako. Nagtatanong-tanong ka pa para balatan ang pisikal kong anyo at silipin ang aking karakter. Baka alamin mo na rin pati ang kinain ko kanina.

Wala naman akong pake kung anong iniisip mo tungkol sa akin. Wala ka namang ugnayan sa buhay ko. Wala ka sa mga panahong tumalon ako dahil sa tuwa, at yumuko dahil sa matindiing kalungkutan. Wala ka noong halos masunog ang lahat ng kilay ko sa pagbabasa ng aralin. Wala noong nagsimula akong kiligin at maglandi. Hindi kita nakita noong tinuli ako sa Opistal ng Palawan.

Mulatin mo muna ang sarili mo sa reyalidad ng buhay sa halip na galingan mo ang pag-iiembestiga sa buhay ng ibang tao. Hindi ito isang panglalait sa’yo dahil gusto kong mabago ang iyong pananaw. Hindi pa huli ang lahat.  Magbasa ka ng mga bagay para sa pag-unlad ng iyong pagkatao. Bigyan mo ng halaga ang utak at sarili mo.

Hindi magandang makialam sa bawa’t isa lalo na kung hindi kita close. Sino ka nga uli’t?

[albievillamor-blog]

The perks of deviancy

I chose to be alone very recently and I have not known myself more until then. I identified the things that will leave and stay. I am not really afraid to lose everything since I am already accustomed to the idea that nothing lasts forever, and in one way or another people will leave and the things we have will crash into dust – even the best.

I was stuck inside the office as I heard my colleagues laughing and talking with each other about topics that I don’t know of or maybe I do, but I just forgot it all already. I need to catch up, I told myself. But then when I try to catch up, I realize I am just succumbing to the idea of fitting in.

Fitting in is an idea I don’t entertain at all. Not that I wasn’t built to be adjusting to my environment, but I just do the things that most people don’t usually do. My interests vary from the rest. I’d rather learn about the current issues hounding the country or be interested in learning difficult concepts and discuss difficult ideas and listen to the stories of people than be part and mingle with the majority of people. I find it somehow awkward to trash around and carelessly laugh aloud, which is only what most people do.

I think that these are also the reason why up until now I still don’t have a boyfriend because I don’t mingle with everyone as I am expected to. I find the crowd very overwhelming and when I meet my friends along the way I will smile but can’t look them straightly into the eyes. I think they find me awkward that they will no longer look at me the next time we see each other.

Many of my friends say I am smart and I am not boring to be with. Well, that sends to me some degree of elation. But the more they say these compliments, the more I find it hurtful because I think I am the other way around. If I were what they claim me to be, I would fit in all the time. I would not be stuck on the corner left on my own.

All these make me challenge myself to be always involved in the crowd because no man is an island. I have tried, only to stop in the end because I just can’t. Every step I make even more makes me think I should not have tried in the first place. I think the bullying I experienced back in high school is a factor on this behavior.

My high school life became a defining moment of my life because not only is it a transition but a place where I met new friends and teachers. While many find it interesting and unforgettable, I find it a hell of a place where I did not have friends to be always with. I was not invited to parties and accompanied by people all the time. I was also ashamed by my Math Teacher and also heard gossips from the other teachers who I don’t even have a personal relationships with in the first place. This made me doubt myself if I can still give myself a try.

The bullying created a black hole in my heart and deprived me of the social skills I should have. It’s very easy to say for those who were not bullied to advise the bullied to move on. No it’s not. Every now and then you’ll be reminded of its horrors, which makes me afraid of the people.

I might be the person you might meet along the way looking at the ground in my attempt to avoid the stares of the crowd. But know I am also a person who’ll love to hear your stories.

[albievillamor-blog]

Biting the bullet

Silence is no call of the day. People should not mum. The tectonics of politics are now shifting under their feet. It is so fast that its movements can deliberately swallow all of them in a blink of an eye if they remain passive --- a sign of impunity.

The authoritarian just walked into the highest of powers in our government. He now holds tremendous authority within his hands to dictate the course our political progression with a snap of a hand. With one word, he can change everything. He can get in, or fire anyone.  From the executive to judiciary, he has them by the neck that with only one stroke of a hand, leaders can fade from the congress into the night like batman.

Pips should have change of thought, a reversal of belief as long as politics is concerned.

Are we still living in a democracy where people can subscribe to free choice and move within their will? Can we advance our own cause without the fear of having our lives taken in broad daylight while we, as a citizen of our land, are defenseless and clueless on the charges lodged against us?

No.

I’d like to show three disturbing events to prove my claim.

The government crackdown on drugs already saw a little more than 7,000 drug users and peddlers killed. Many have said that it is done on the pretext of eradicating the criminalities and drug use, and that we just have to accept it as the way it is, but the way it is carried out is flawed. The victims no longer have the right to due process. It doesn’t paint the national peace and order it seeks to establishment.

The President, who himself should be the first to freedom to life, is the one taking it away from people. I am at first satisfied with his agenda, only to turn against it later on. One’s life can be taken away in any time of the day without due process. Our country is pampering someone disrespecting human rights.. Life is precious; it is valued by someone who gave it, and the people who nurtured it. D30’s clearly not respecting that.

The actions of our president towards our sovereignty are also problematic. He doesn’t fight with China’s claim on West Philippines Sea despite the UN Tribunal ruling it in favor of the Philippines. We didn’t hear his cussing over the issue. He just shrugged it off, saying we can’t fight with China. But will we?

First and foremost, we do not want to fight China in an all-out-war. We cannot afford to lose lives as if we will revert back to the spirit-crashing incidents of the world war. We don’t want that, as it is the peace that we seek for. But it doesn’t mean we should shut up, and ultimately let the adversary do its plan even if it is purely illegal. Haven’t we learned enough?

The point is he has to make a stand, an unrelenting stature of a leader who will stand against anyone who attempts to steal what’s legally ours --- to prove his independence of thinking. China will keep on bullying us, unless we muster the power of words to send verbale that we strongly stand on principles and respect each other’s sovereignty. For in this case, it is already a matter of respect.

The media industry also had shares of Duterte’s ire. He believes that journalists are bribed to write stories critical of his government. While some do, he should not generalize. Journalists are not what he thinks they are.

For the past months, media can’t go scot-free. Here and there accusations are hurled at them like a ball to hit an aim. ABS-CBN, Rappler, and Philippine Daily Inquirers were mainly the targets of his tirades. These media institutions get an unfair shake and a slap for doing what they are supposed to do, which is to tell stories. The truth and pure.

The Duterte administration is not just satisfied in censuring the national media, but also campus publications in State Universities. Recently, campus journalists from the Bicol region were sought after by the purported NPA. This came after it published articles lambasting his government. Campus journalists were threatened because of making a stand adversarial to his government. Indeed, this is not a festive season.

Campus journalists, who at a young age, took on the perils of fearless journalism and were only siding with the oppressed and the wrong, were once again subject to this form of oppression. This move is condemnable as it violates campus freedom. This is unmindful that campus journalists will not be party to anyone except the masses.

With these, the media, which serves as the Fourth Estate aiming to fiscalize the three branches of government, is choked. Journalists are the shapers of public opinion and keep on checking the people in power lest they fall in abuse of power. And why is the president against that? This is all the more reason why media should not stop serving the interest of the people and continue to uphold the banner of fearless journalism for marginalized, unheard, and tormented.

Our country is unreflective of the democracy we hold dear. It is no longer a citadel of freedom we all should so enjoy. The fact that our President abhors the words of dissent, is questionable.

As a youth, I believe that the president is wrong and should take a different route. He should guard human rights. Violence can never be an answer to another violence. It will just make matters at hand worse. Right? This should serve as another reason for people to voice their sentiments out.

I know that many might say upon reading this that I am a “dilawan,” a term they will probably coin to anyone who’ll oppose the president; but I will stand my ground. It is my point. His governance will sow more fear on the people. This will make the future leaders to either emulate or worsen the kind of leadership he now sets. This is daunting and very challenging.

As I see it, it is now the high time that the people further engage in matters like this. They should read the news. They should not succumb to apathy. They must move – not weak, but unflinching.  Their idealism can make a big impact in the society. They are the pillars of hope. They build their character and intelligence. They should not tremble, but fight with every ounce of energy. They have the capacity to make up a point and stand up for what they believe in. They are now empowered more than ever to serve as a catalyst for constructive innovation.

I don’t know about you, but if you think that something is wrong, and many people refuse to recognize it; it is your job to make a difference. Encourage yourself to engage despite the threats. The spirit of Rizal in us should be awaken for better or for worse.

Nothing can prevent us. The high and mighty is just like us. When we’re faced with criticism, just go on. Just forward your opinions and bite the bullet no matter what it takes.

[albievillamor-blog]

A challenge for the current USC and CLC officers

Recently I have attended the first Student Leaders Assembly for the current academic year. It was organized by the University Student Council with the help of College Lower Council and was attended by student-leaders from different units of the university. I was there to cover the event for this publication.

It was an opportunity to witness our leaders on fire to ensure that the students are better served. Headed by the incumbent USC president Aurora Balbutan, the USC presented to the participants the issues and the reforms it wants to solve and implement. The participants welcomed the issues and expressed their sentiments - a sure sign of their participation as leaders.

Environmental fee is one of the issues they deliberated on. Based on what I have heard, some colleges have not spent their environmental fee collection for a project or two, and yet they collected another sets of environmental fees the previous semesters. For instance, the College of Business and Accountancy alone has in its coffers roughly P 500,000 that remains unspent.

While it seems to be purposeful in every sense of the words, it does not serve the purpose for which it was created. Some leaders use it for other matters than for the beautification of their colleges.And yet the continuance of the collection was okayed.

I was disturbed by this revelation as if I unearthed a secret hidden for a long time.It has to be brought into the fray, I told myself. So here I am now informing you, my readers.

I think that if it were not discovered, the CLC’s will probably collect the same fee this semester to the detriment of the students.

To be fair the collection of the environmental fee is constitutional because ofSenate Act No. 12, Article 1, Section 2, series of 2016.It is not as an org-imposed obligation that USC creates and ultimately requires all students to comply on without basing the requirement on law.

Some may ask, “Anongpinaglalabanmo?”

It’s the approval of our previous students-leaders for the continuance of the said fee even if they know nothing was made out of it. Therefore, it taints the credibility of our student-leaders in in discharging their functions with sense of responsibility.

If the student- leaders of the past semesters already had full knowledge of the state of the environmental fee,why did they not speak up, or write the president about it to momentarily halt it until all the money is spent? What were they so afraid of? What could be the reasons behind? What is more painful here is the way they treated the issue like it doesn’t affect the studentry. Is this action pro-studentry? Hmmm.

During the time of voting whether the collection of the environmental fee would still be allowed for 1st semester this academic year,one newly-elected governor was asked by Balbutan if he/she knows anything about the environmental feewhile he/she was still holding a lower student government position, she said “no.”

But why? Did not he/she along with her colleagues hold caucus or meeting to discuss this very important matter?  Clearly, the lower council had its share of irresponsibility because some of its student-leaders were not informed about it. Now, what do we make of this?

In any perspective, the continuance of the collection of the environmental fee should not have happened if the leaders only had spoken about this. But unfortunately, they did not. Come on, why did not they?

To be honest I can only imagine the hardships that students underwent to pay for it, only to find out it is not translated to tangible services.

Why is it only now that the collection has been stopped? What does this say of our previous student-leaders?

This is a challenge for the present administration to take a different route and carry their agenda regarding fees in like this that became controversial.

The present University Student Council headed by Balbutan and her VP John Mark Pilapilis stunning with all their agenda for the current school year sans much “koda” (talks). They are bent to effect another change for the betterment, I have to say. But despite my support, I will still hold them for their actions. We are to watch each other for transparency.

Since my freshman year in college, USC has always been bombarded with blunders and misdeeds.Some about running for positions for the sake of fame, while some have been bombarded with issues regarding money, and etc. With these, student-leaders from both USC and CLC have to shape up, change their perspectives, check their actions, or else …

[albievillamor-blog]

Paragon’s foreword

Much has been done to bend your academic success, but you firmly stood on your dreams and persisted until your fingers touch the very texture of the hard-earned diploma which was once a faraway dream to you, a glimpse on impossibility.

It is never easy to traverse college and brace oneself to the discipline that each course demands. It sure requires pain and unrelenting defiance of temptations and the pursuit of intellectual stamina to measure up to the academic standards. But then, you challenged yourself to zoom past problems to reach the point of graduation.  

As you embark on the new road, don’t forget the struggles you braved; the tears of hard work you wiped off as they strolled down your face; the countless times you studied under the hardships of final exams; and most of all, the sacrifices of the people who believed in you. They are your possibilities in a world of constant frustration over the impossible.

As a tribute to you, Pioneer gives you The Paragon containing a compilation of literary pieces about your student life. The words were drawn to tell your hardships as well as your happiness during your stay in Palawan State University. The writers attempted to herald the exact, head-jerking literary pieces to usher your stories in print. They invested their time and energy, and played with words that sometimes slip and became atrocious to tame, to create a literary craft to touch your college journey.

Flip every page. Reflect on the world created by the words herein. And remember that everything doesn’t end in PSU. There’s a great universe ahead – the enigmatic. It might make you tremble and doubt the Good, Best and Beautiful. But as long as you pull off the work and don’t settle, you’ll survive the challenges of the unknown.  

Dahil ginalingan niyo, congratulations!

[albievillamor-blog]

Shake it off, Darling !

To see how you’re blown away and spiritually tortured. But what’s more painful is to see yourself pounded down and trampled on the ground so defenseless, crying, and imploring mercy that everyone deprives you of.

You scream but no one hears. Oh maybe they do, but just refuse to recognize your pain. Or maybe, someone stymies them, whose execrable aims are to destroy you and make you less of a person you’re supposed to be.

Don’t mind, you are told by pips. Be yourself, you must do. Confront your fears with your chin up and chest out,do it or you might be ostracized. Do what they say, if you want to belong.

‘Nah, why can’t I just be myself?’ question you have in mind that you left unanswered born out of confusion and fear of exclusion. After all, sheer loneliness and geeky life you’re told to lead is not your cup of tea. More so is being left behind, just staring at people basking in happiness while you’re on your own, wishing there’s someone behind you to understand and make you joyous the way you want to be.

Why is it hard to be in?

This question became the source of your pain. Every night while doing your attempts for sleep, you are reminded of day long’s events that caused you hate for yourself for being different and not wanting to do what everybody else does.

While others talk and laugh, you enviously look at them, wishing you are like them.You blame yourself as to why, only ending up with a constant answer that everyone’s taking roads contrary to yours.

‘Hahaha’, you ironically laugh while crying at your weakness- weakness to be in- that weakness that stems every ounce of happiness and trust you have for the world.

Despite the world’s wonders, what you mostly see is its dark coat covering its stark promises which foils your chance ofrelishingin them with your eyes wide open -- a form of unfairness you try to disregard, only to come back and slap you with an inevitable truth of this terra firma.

This is an ironic world promoting happiness and at the same time sadness, you told yourself as the clouds of pain envelop your whole being. You see injustices committed in broad daylight, people chase after people, and love so difficult to experience that you don’t think of it as one.

Accepting this difference is a belief beyond your capacity. But then you realized it is inescapable so you now just take it instead at its face value no matter how complicated it may seem, because this is the world you’re destined by the Creator to live in.

This, you slowly became to accept.

You remember that at 3, you were so innocent then. The world was beautiful and people were all good. All day, you twirled under the sun and played with friends. Despite bruises, you still rode a bicycle and roamed the neighborhood. Simplicity is life. All is well.

Your mother, who was fond of you, caressed the top of your head while you, under the spell of her embrace, hugged her back after playing whole day in the sun. While telling her that you love her, she told you that you’re the brightest star in the sky blaring the spark so different from others, which creates diversity in the sky. Surprised, you looked up and saw in her eyes the purest form of adoration and affection.

Since then, it was instilled in your head that you’re loved for who you are. You were confident of yourself until middle school came. At that, you were ignored because you loved to things in deviation. You were ignored, pummeled into self-depression and immediately made to lose self-worth.

One night came, a raging weather is above your head. Such a perfect time to release all your feelings out because no one will hear, you told yourself.

Wah! You breathed.Wew!

As raindrops began pelting the room of the rooftop, you heaved and cried the whole time. The day’s been mean. You got low scores in Statistics in school, causing your prof to yell at you in front of the class. Your friends went with new ones for a night’s out, giving you no invitation AT ALL.

The memories flooding your memories like a ton of bricks- the painful ones causing you to scream.

As coldness wiped the tears strolling your face, you got up (though red-eyed) and faced the mirror, told yourself to stop comparing yourself with others, and asked forgiveness for all the insecurities you injected within yourself ---- a move you thought would do good but just killed all the hope within you. Besides, their words do not define the anatomy of your soul and physical body no matter how heavy their words may have been.

They can say all they want, but you will not be affected.

A moment later, you realized that something’s been pulling you all this time to embrace life with full hands, and that’s the execrable negativity.If you entertain negativity, then what will it cause you?

Destruction. All your hopes and dreams will fade alongside your self-respect. Everytime you’d go out the house, you’ll fear the crowd, sulk, and downgrade the beautiful in you. You’ll think you’re inferior and don’t ooze the goodness everyone in the world has. It will destroy your sense of character and affect your performance in school, relationship, work, and home.

All the excellent you built will crumble into dust.                                                                                                              

After the surge of realization, youthen fell on your knees, prayed for divine providence and accepted your humor, intelligence, and standing- no matter how lame you think these are.Why should you care?

You have read stories of successful people facing crises like you have. They have been mocked, picked into the extreme but rose up to be confident again.

After all, that’s you --- a beautiful darling dancing in the edge of awesomeness and joy and devoid of insecurity.

Just remember that you’re unique, unstoppable. And no one can change that … even your fears.

Shake it off, darling!

[albievillamor-blog]

Lumad people deserve no less

You, my reader want to see the hands of equality touch the fabric of our society with no exceptions. I am sure of that. All people regardless of creed, colors of the skin, or the type of tongue, should feel at no cost this right as enshrined in our constitution.

The land of Lumad is teemed with untapped natural resources on which they depend their survival. There, they will grow crops while on some occasions, will sell them in exchange for money --- a simple form of living.

The children with stark innocence will obviously play in the sun worriless of their security and land entitlement. After all, this has been theirs since their progenitor’s time.

But this is no longer the case at point in Lumad people in Mindanao.

Lately, news of Lumad people went viral online as their community was militarized under the belief that it is for their protection against prospects of terrorism.

As innocent and welcoming as they are, some of them trusted the armed men around and put their lives on their hands. Reminiscent of their adulation and gratefulness, they treated these men with pride and respect. In fact, armed men were regarded like angels sent from above.

But as the days went by, the execrable skin of the military began to show up.

Some of them began to abuse the Lumad’s kindness and threatened their lives. Armed men hit the Lumad with physical assaults causing some of them to shake with fear.

With the presence of military, hopes subsided and adulation was replaced by tribulation. Military men will slay their hope by shaking their peaceful living.

As I was reading some news online pertaining sufferings that Lumad people go through, I was surprised to some abuses they braved. A news saying their opinion is silenced is a hit to the soul. I cannot swallow their suffering while letting these armed men impose viciousness on. That is a no-no.

Why would they then be stymied in voicing out their feelings anyway? What could be the reason?

As I further researched on their situation, I found out that these military men were under the influence of big companies, the oligarchs aiming to use or convert their lands for their selfish ends. Their land, as we all know, is rich in materials for export business purposes. And gluttonous companies are all set to abuse Lumads because of the prospects of money to be earned. That’s 100 % nakakairita.

How come that Lumads were not able to fight aside from fear for their lives?

They are not educated.

While we’re all in the university, Lumads do not get a dose of formal education. Yes, they have knowledge but only limited to practical things like planting and raising a poultry.Their knowledge of Science and Human Rights are on ground zero. Because of this, they are taken advantage of.

But an attempt to solve illiteracy was realized, only to be was immediately washed away by the water of greed and corruption.

Years ago, a school was constructed in the community of Lumad which was borne out of community participation in the spirit of volunteerism.

A teacher was hired to teach how to read and write for the purpose of empowering them to fight forms of injustice.

The students regularly attended the classes and the parents were all participative and all smiles because their children will no longer experience ignorance that deprives them of good life. But, a shock and oppression hit them months later.

While having classes, armed men barged in the room and killed the teacher and students --- an attempt to prevent their education.

Reports have it the entities behind the killing are the business entities. They hired assassins for this execrable ends.

We can now expect that the next generation of Lumad will also be gullible due to lack of education resulting to them sell portion of their land in exchange for Sardinas to enjoy.

In an effort to let the nation know their hardships, Lumad people held a protest in the streets of Manila holding banners expressing dissents on government’s neglect on their condition. They were housed in University of the Philippines in Diliman.

As a youth, this should set an alarm.

As the new present administration ascended into office, cacophonies of ideologies were heard coupled with promises we all expect they will fulfill. However, I wonder if these are part of their wishful thinking based on the past administrations I was able to be observant of.They promise but actions are left undone.

As a youth, I dare say that the aside from the hard crackdown on drugs, government itself should oversee the problems behind the curtains of national consciousness such as the story of Lumad in Mindanao in their struggle for their rights. Though part of the minority, they should not be left behind. They are part of our country and need attention.

Lumads in general are a victim of the bad political fortunes that we have for today--- a happenstance so devilish to ignore and laugh at. We are one nation and should at the very least pursuing agenda to help them pacify their suffering but we’re unfortunately doing the otherwise.

We have to do things to alleviate their struggles. How?

Educate. We have to hikethe appropriated budget for indigenous groups and send personnel who will initiate infrastructure development focusing on fast-tracking their education to build coping mechanisms against oppression. Because of this, they will know how to vote for deserving leaders during national polls. In this, we’re sure they are not trampled at their expense.

They should also be trained on how to protect their rights by knowing how to appeal to government at the onset of land-grabbing and killing. This way has been proven to be a warning that Lumad will fight no matter how big or powerful the companies may have been.

 They lastly should be taught to make handicrafts for their productivity as citizens.

Lastly, this is an urgent call for our government to be responsive in this need because their actions will be reflective of their efficiency and initiative to drive out all forms of injuctice without sacrificing our people’s productivity and security.

As the Lumads struggle to avail equality, we each should join them in whatever way we can.

Lumad is another story of oppression and we do not want that to continue.

Do you?

[albievillamor-blog]

The war to free education is not over just yet

I have always believed in the power of education to change in lives.  It is from which we draw the courage to keep learning under the belief that it can catapult us into greater heights.

We have read countless stories depicting how it can empower the marginalized, the oppressed, and the uneducated.

It is taught to us that if we want to emerge from the mud of poverty and extreme difficulties, then we need to take our studies seriously. This is the key to progress.

Our rights to education is stapled in the constitution. By this, everyone has the rights to go to school regardless of which strata of the society in which he/she belongs --- a guarantee that we should always bear in mind.

Ever since I was a child, my parents would always repeat to me how education is important to heal myself of the wounds of ignorance. They, with seriousness in the face, will tell me: "Anak, paghusayanmoangpag-aaral. Wala kamingkayamanannamaipapamananahigit pa riyan."

I take this to heart up until now.

I remember that my father always recounts how hard it is to earn money when you are not a diploma holder. He says that it takes you blood, sweat, and hard work to earn. Though he does his job pretty well, there is still a tinge of regret every time he says: "Kung nakapagtaposlangsanaako, baka ..." and the story goes on. ---  a reminder for me to finish my studies no matter what happens.

My parents indeed toil hard to send me to school. My father, who is a tricycle driver; and my mother, who is a kindergarten teacher; would always wake up early in the morning. They will prepare breakfast to prepare for the day, a day of long hard work to earn money enough to send us, their children to school.

Indeed, education is my parents’ cup of tea for our future.

But this, among other things, seems to have become elusive as days go by.

As a college student, I have to admit that my school expenses hike up every day. From the photocopy of lessons to researching the required readings demanded by the course, my parents now face difficulty in making ends meet.

Apart from my tuition, they have to shoulder school requirements that a scrimpy P 100 is no longer enough.

I fear that difficulty to be honest with you. But then what shall I do?

There’s a last hope.

News last year of free tuition fees among State Universities and Colleges (SUC's) became a ring in the ears. The moment I heard it, I can't contain the elation as it means less expense and more opportunities for youth like me to finish tertiary education- an assurance that I will land in good job after I graduate.

The tears suddenly began clouding my eyes upon hearing this.

After it consumed the media like a wildfire, this became a talk the town. I have to say that this gave people in all sectors a sudden hug of joy – an answer to the long clamor of youth for a mass-oriented, scientific, and competitive education for all.

But then, its full implementation is still a long way to go.

According to news reports, the P 8.3 allocation for SUCs will be a hard climb as its divisions have to be carefully studied and planned.

Patricia Licuanan, the Commission on Higher Education chair, even questioned the formula for its distribution. She seemed confused on where and how it should be distributed among the USC’s- a call for prudence and careful analyses.

However, Licuanan said in media reports that most of the beneficiaries of the said proposal will not be poor on the reasoning that they are not in schools.

This reaction from a chair we all expect to be pro-poor blew our dream in just a statement- a slap on our faces.

What will she do now?

I believe that it is the duty of the ChEd to help the poor be educated in whatever shapes or forms. Kalampaginangmgadapatkalampaginwhen you feel something’s wrong. But her latest actuation made me question her actuations. And I can’t just shut my mouth upon hearing this.

Is someone’s will imposed upon Cunanan?

I do not know for sure. But I agree with ChEd commissioner Prospero de Vera that Licuanan's remarks are 'elitist' and 'insensitive.' Her remark after all deserves raising of the brow.As for me, she should not have said it in public, forfeiting her image of being anti-equality and pro-rich public servant.

Regardless of her reason, the 8.3 B willreally help poor but deserving students in the country. And I am sure that.It is a fight that the youth needs to win over.

I call on the youth participation to engage in a word war as this is a type of oppression on the good quality of our education. After all, its impacts will greatly pinch our youth’s future.Having said this, the tides of oppression in the academic institutions should not be welcomed with arms wide open.

Though a proposal to free education has already been threshed out in the congress, it is not enough. The congress and the senate all are bound to craft bills into law so that everybody can avail its wonders regardless of distinction and party inclusion.

Yes. The majority of Filipinos all clamor for free education that’s why it is just a high time that we make noise and spur drastic actions to slam authorities inflicting us its deprivation. In this way, we show that youth are participative and sacking their flaws and misgivings and not merely stuck on feeding the superficial ideologies in gadgets andsocial media.

The devils never sleep, this is what you should realize; Loopholes are still there; lustful looks to embezzle the monetary appropriations still threaten; and prospects of biased debates still hang in the air, and some unscrupulous officials are already salivating at the thought of its implementation. So, where do we stand there?

As intelligent as we’ll are, we should stand on platforms for benefits of the masses because the marginalized, suppressed, and deprived should be the youth’s catalysts to fight the educational injustices top-down.

We, youth should not simper at inequality and injustices if we are to prove to the world that our actions count and can make a difference. We need to use our physical rigor to stand on an unoppressive platform for educational liberation where the oligarchs or elites don’t get any benefits at our expense.

Everyone has to experience what education has in store for our development to be responsible citizen of this country believed to be at the cusp of massive developments and becoming an economic superstar.

Successful nations already argued that investment in education is a worthwhile for it will create productive citizens that can man the nation to its track towards progress. All we need is an investment.

Education is a right, and is not a privilege.

The youth should be vigilant because the war on free education is not over just yet.