bebensordollano-blog

[bebensordollano-blog]

Hi i ope people are safe during this pandemic.

[bebensordollano-blog]

Philosophy

1.       Can you cite a specific example on how the Golden Rule, “Do not do unto others what you would not like yourself” applies in real life? Recall an experience in your life in which you reaped what you have sawn and explain.

I believe in the law of the universe. I believe that in every action that I made, there’s an equal and opposite reaction, it is the law of karma, that’s what they said. A karma can be good and bad, and it is based on what you have done as a person. What you have sawn is what you will reap and based on the Golden Rule made by Confucius, “Do not do unto others what you would not like yourself.”

Honestly, I don’t know what are the things that are relevant to this question related to mine because yes, I believe in this statement but I think it more appropriate to relate my story in the statement of “Do to others what you would like others do to you.” These statements may sound similar but for me, it is not and it is hard to cite an example related to that, this is a lot negative for me.

“Do to others what you would like others do to you.” My mother always said to me, “Gawin mo ang tama at nararapat,” and this statement means that I need to act with honesty and act relevant to my situation without harming others. Until now, I can say that I’m applying these things in my life. I’m being honest and frank with the people around me because I even want myself to receive honest statements even it might hurt me because I need to know the truth and I hate lies and secrets. For example, I am open to my parents, everything that happens to me I always tell them, even these are small things like waking up early, getting late in school, our meals in dorms and even my problems like having a nightmare or getting mad about my classmate. I doing these things because I want to open the communication within our family. I want them to be open too even their stories were nonsense. I’m being honest to them so that they will be honest to me. I’m not pointing that my parents were liars but I just want our home to be filled with virtues so that we will be able to apply these outside our home.

2.       As a student, do you think that Mencius’ philosophy of Following your Heart has relevant implications in choosing a career path?

I believe Mencius philosophy has something to do with choosing our career path but what if your heart has many choices and making it more difficult for you to choose the right one? Based on our former principal, in our Career Guidance Program when we were in Grade 10, we must choose only one path even though it is hard, we must choose one, and this is what I did in choosing my career path. My heart tells me to be Civil Engineer, Architect, Agriculturist, Biotechnologist, Graphic Artist, Chef, and Fashion Designer and these are the reason why I am not giving up in going to school. And yet, I have chosen right now is to be an Electrical Engineer which is a course that just popped out in my mind this grade 12. This may sound weird but right now there’s a larger portion of myself that I needed to be an Electrical Engineer, I don’t know how and why my heart tells me choose this but I know this will lead me to success. Now, im thinking of it and I will take it as mine not just for my self but also for my town. But still, I’m hoping to get my dream university and where I will take my engineering course. My plan right now is to graduate in my university where my heart tells me to do and get a job and have enough income to build a firm or business and take other chances where I will fulfill my unreached dreams.

3.       Give you understanding of the Tao.

Based on our lesson Tao is related to Taoism in which Lao-Tzu’s teaching has being followed. It is a philosophy and a belief that regards the universe as a manifestation of God in which it is also an intuitive knowing of life. Honestly, I am more curious about the Tao because I may know it in technical words but I still can’t give enough understanding about the real function of the Tao. It is hard to guess but maybe it has something to do with our perception and view about our world and how the world works and what is our action towards the universe. I can’t share things about the Toa because I don’t want to guess and act like I know its true purpose not unless I made to be part of this culture, which I am willing to be part of it and if someone will help me guide to it.

[bebensordollano-blog]

Witch and Wizard by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet: Explication de texte

Witch and Wizard was a novel by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet having 312 pages and classified as fictional novel. This mysterious and adventurous novel was slightly similar to the novel of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling because of the use and presence of witches and wizard. This was a fictional novel due to the use and existence of magic, supernatural powers and the occurrence of alternate dimension— the shadowland, which in real life, it is not visible and felt by human. The setting of the story was in U.S. The time period of the story was 21st century but the ambiance, looks, and aura was 17th century that accounts to dystopian future caused by new totalitarian government— in which a ruler is an absolute dictator. The places were like black and white and lifeless because of the absence of visual arts and music in its environment yet in this period, it has modern technology like having social media.

This book was mysterious, full of adventure, magical, and slightly violent and scary because of the antagonist’s role. The main characters, Whitford “Whit” and Wisteria “Wisty” Allgood, started their journey when they were accused as witch and wizard and arrested by the new political party, called the New Order because of Byron Swain’s accusation. During the arrest, their parents, Benjamin and Eliza Allgood, gave them one item of worthless book and a drumstick before them being vanished like a bubble. They later discovered that Whit was a wizard and Wisty was a witch and same as their parents. The leader of the New Order, The One Who Is The One also appeared during the arrest which revealed that he somehow knows their parents. The siblings are then taken to prison in a psychiatric hospital and they found out that it was being occupied with children like them, and are grilled by Byron, The One Who Judges—Judge Ezekiel Unger, his sister—the Matron, and the Visitor.  They, at the moment, are put on a trial and are sentenced to execution when they turned eighteen.

Wisty and Whit fully discovered the capability of their magic and super powers when they were being caged in the hospital. They were freed by Whit’s girlfriend named Celia who had mysteriously disappeared, then returned, notifying the siblings that she was a Half-light spirit that live in Shadowland because she was killed by the New Order. Feffer, a hellhound from the psychiatric hospital joined the siblings. Celia told them how to enter and exit in the Shadowland and introduces them to Sasha, a sixteen-year-old boy, who helped them to exit and go to Freeland— a store called Garfunkel’s which a place for persecuted children which was ruled by Janine. The first plan of the siblings was to find their parents and they need to find them and rescue them in case they were imprisoned too.  The search for their parents turned in rescuing children from the New Order Reformatory. Their mission became successful with the help of the assemblage. The Resistance, together with Whit and Wisty, they visited the City of Progress, where they quickly discovered that magic is inhospitably mistreated. Upon searching for their parents, they discovered the power of their magical abilities and are being told that they were the Liberators spoken of in a prophecy about the end of the New Order. Thus, they planned to dismantle the regime and Byron, who was turned Wisty into weasel, insisted that he wanted to go with them since he has changed and felt sorry for his wrong doings, Wisty was not convinced, but Whit allowed him to come along with them.

When they were starting on their next mission, they passed across their demolished house and with some magic words they cracked they saw their missing parents in a holographic image. They transformed Whit’s book into spell book and Wisty’s drumstick into magic wand. Eliza turned Byron into human again and instructed him to look after them. Their mission in finding their parents were successful even though they did not know where they were but at least they knew they’re safe.

­­­­­­­­­­­­Witch and wizard demonstrates and focus on sociological, structuralist, Marxist, psychological, archetypal, moralist, and feminist fictional topics.

In sociological context, the setting of the story was in the US in the 21st century but the era and mood of the environment was 17th century. It happened because the totalitarian government called New Order— which is so absurd that it was posted in the walls and streets as N.O., banned the use of art and music in the environment which appears to be black and white. This government also banned many literary pieces like books and scriptures making people to be uninformed about the reality that’s why people with books hide these and save the existing books they have. There was also no music and it happened that there was an underground club, which was illegal, for the people to gather around and listen to their favorite music, bands and musicians. The use of magic was also prohibited that’s why people with super power abilities tend to hide it and blend with the normal people. People who discovered that they have magic were being violated and even vaporized by The One Who Is The One. Children and teens were also not exempted with these doings. Once the government found out that they have magic, they will be prosecuted and discarded in a maximum prison wherein they can’t use their powers there until they rich legal age to be prosecuted and later vaporized. Because of this instance, children who have the chance to escape turned out to be rebel against the society called the Resistance. They are the one who save children who are like them in the Freeland. As we can analyze, it clearly defines the dystopian culture of its society.

This literary piece depicts, structurally, the reality of the happenings in the society. People who seek powers try to suppress the weak ones based on their freedom and capacity of living like The One Who Is The One did in the government, he wanted to be the most powerful by wiping out all the threats that blocks his way—killing people who are like him, witch and wizard. On the other hand, like in the real world, there were also individuals who fight for what’s right even the real justice was falling, the keep on fighting back until they get the justice they want. People help each other up and they even motivate people not to give up on problems. Also, it will not be lost the importance of family in the society similar to the Allgood’s search for their parents but this time, it ends up finding new family for them.

Even though it is not written directly on the texts, this literary piece shows that capitalism will be ultimately taken place by the collectivism in a classless society. This is where people with magic and people without magic should live with peace and harmony. That the government should not punish and eradicate witches and wizards. Government shouldn’t own the literary pieces around the vicinity and burn the copies of the citizens. That people will be free from who they wanted to be and what they wanted to do like listening and doing music and making arts and literary pieces.

Witch and Wizard also expresses psychological situations in the story. For a children or teens like Wisty and Whit, it is hard to see people who were being tortured and punished by the government itself. It is quite traumatizing. Also, the government created facilities, where collected children who have magical powers are being kept in mental hospital— the New Order Reformatory, where they were being tortured physically and emotionally and are being suppressed to use their powers. Whit experienced interacting to a Half-light which was his late girlfriend when the time that he was confused and problematized because they were being caged in the reformatory. Also, Whit and Wisty became motivated in fighting The One Who Is The One when they discovered that they were in the prophecy to takedown the New Order regime.

Archetypal, Whit and Wisty’s surname were Allgood which significantly highlights that they were the protagonists in the story. The New Order regime which is so absurd that its acronym was N.O. which represents that this government opposes the goodness in the society, that this government will be a nightmare for those who are oblique to their objectives. Freeland was a place where bombing and chaos occurs in the story. This is where the N.O. soldiers were ordered to fight for those Freelanders—the Resistance, who oppose the regime. Resistance was a group of children who survived in chaotic experience brought by the N.O. which represents those people who disapprove the actions of the government. Drumstick and book which were given to the siblings by their parents represents the art, literature, and music that we have that later these can be used as powers to fight and save yourself—like these tools turned into magic wand and spell book.

In moralist’s point of view, this literary piece displays violence and hate based on the happenings like the situations that occurred in the suspected people who have magical powers and also the government itself that shows its greed to powers. Technically, you can read in the book some profane words like crap, butt, hell, sucks, dang, and WTH which are somehow inappropriate for the kids to read this book and also the violence that are happening like children being tortured, occurrence of frightening Lost souls, vaporizing of human beings by The One Who Is The One. On the positive side, there are values that can be reaped in the story like being independent, fighting for what’s right, saving lives, and loving and caring for families.

In feministic point of view, even female children and teens were not safe from the governments punishment. There were also being punished same as what men are treated. For example, Wisty were being punched on the stomach by Byron after being grilled by him. She was also tortured physically and emotionally when she was in the reformatory. Also, they were being brainwashed by the reformatory. On the other hand, there were also positive things that happened with the female characters in the story. Jamila, a shaman in Garfunkel’s gave ways for the witches and wizards to discover their true selves and powers. Celia, even she was killed by the New order, she made herself to be faithful of Whit even she’s fighting for herself from being Half-light. Janine, she showed that even she’s a girl, she can handle the Resistance as the leader of it.

The reader's last reflection about Witch and Wizard, it is catchy and captivating due to the type of story it had. It is easy to understand and it is relatable between the characters and the reader because they were both teenagers. He can understand the character's inner thoughts. Technically, it is not hard to understand the book because the use of words was not complex and you can understand the thought of each main characters because there were two voices in the book which were Whit’s and Wisty’s side. The events in the story were properly arranged. The weak part of it was each chapter were too short to elaborate the happenings of the story and you can’t easily remember the scenes because it just flew away, no focus because it prepares it flow with the other significant event coming in each chapter. The end of the story was slightly suspenseful and it seems there will be another book. The message of the book tells the importance of having a complete family, finding and exploring your inner self, helping others, being independent, believing on yourself, and fighting for what is right no matter what might happen. It is like you are a hero and you need to save the world. The reader wanted to recommend this book, especially to the teenagers because this book tells something about learning yourself and embracing yourself as a teenager. It is like a guide to your inner self by reading this exciting, full of adventure, and fascinating novel.

[bebensordollano-blog]

BEDAZZLED WINGS

I always like fantasy or fictional stories. I love the idea of applying life to a concept of someone’s' imagination. it brings life to our dormant creativity. Dreams are good and exciting but there are bad dreams called nightmares too.

We all have fantasies, wishes, and dreams and we keep on believing that these things will later happen. But I hate the fact that sometimes, it can be answerable by no, because it’s too unrealistic, I hate. Dreams can be transformed into goals or basis in our lives. Sometimes, dreams portray hidden messages about ourselves and all we need is to break the enigma that lies within us.

All of my dreams were wild, sometimes it signifies that I needed to be happy, independent, or positive. The sad part for me, once in a blue moon that I will dream happy moments about my life.

I once dreamed about my parents in a negative way like there was a time that I was jailed for 40 years because I killed someone and then I was released but then it was followed by my mother being caught because of debts. Part of it was true, we have lots of debts from other people and banks until now. Then, I dreamed that my father was dragged by the grim reaper because I said the name of my 69-year old father yet I’m not aware by it. There was a zombie apocalypse of monster dogs and my family were trapped in our house then suddenly my younger sister was bitten by these zombies. Because of my concern, that we will be contaminated, I killed her without any emotions on my face.

These dreams are just part of my many nightmares in my life. It is scary because in real life, it is hard to lose your family. I love them. I don’t want someone from us to be imprisoned because we weren’t able to pay for our financial obligations. I don’t want to blame my parents because were financially challenge, I know and I can feel that they were trying their best just to raise us and give proper life and education. Also, my father was an aged man. We’re his second family. It is hard to lose him because he’s the main reason why we were able to survive in one day because of driving tricycle. It is hard because once he will be gone, we can lose anything, our house, tricycle, and things in our house and even our education. Because we’re his second family, there was a chance that they will get our house and tricycle since they were his legal family. Its scary for we don’t know where we will be find after that.

Additionally, there are also nightmares/dreams about myself. Crushes, romance, action, horror, thriller, suspense, and mysteries are one of the themes in my dream. There were parts about me being gay and parts of being straight. There were also parts when I’m just watching a scene but I can feel its emotions. Lately, I dreamed a lot. I dreamed fighting Muslim soldiers then shifted with a programmed man trying to kill a woman who fell in love with him. I dreamed being an action man trying to save lives of people from death. I dreamed about my crush and we were having good times. Dreamed two girls fighting who will be dragged in hell. There were many times of losing my teeth. There were times seeing many people wearing masks, many deaths, followed by monsters, having child, being beaten, stopped schooling, floods and many negative yet lively dreams.

Based on my dreams, I felt sad for myself because I realized that even they were frightening, scary, traumatizing, romantic, mysterious, and horrific, it can’t be compared to my boring and lifeless situation. I realized lively my dreams are and the ironic thing is my life is just a cycle of another cycle. Happenings In my real life are like required events to be done in myself and even others, its boring. It’s like a ritual and routines that are needed just to survive in the realities of life. I want something more but I can’t and I don’t know how. All I want is to be free from anything like rules, deadlines, limits, biases, and things that quietly strangle me to death.

For me I’m can serve myself when I know that my family and I are stable when we will not think for our next days, we are healthy and strong, when we are chill and relax because I am managing my own business, we’re financially stable and I already fought for our rights in our house and also managed to renovate our house, as well as owning real estate.  

I will be self- actualized if I can feel that I am free from routines and free from the cage that I made for myself. I am free and happy when I’m not dreaming about those nightmares and my life will be livelier than my dreams, that I am confident with my self without any confusions about me. I am free from anything and therefore I can see my wings clearly and I can now spread my wings and soar high against the odds of my life, when I can be who I am and who I want to be.