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SHURMAN BLOG N°3

Activity 1 AT first I was in disbelief that I got INFJ-T because the last several times that I took the test I always got INTJ. Looking at it now, it is quite understandable (at least for me) that I got a change in personality type, before I was the one who was really constantly thinking and analyzing things. Now I do see that I take good care of my friends and I do go out of my way to help them and do the things that are right. Based on the infographics, I do see myself in advocate work. I would see myself helping others in understanding themselves or certain advocacies that truly help everybody. I think that knowing your personality type is key to being a good business leader because you get to capitalize on your strengths and you get a chance to improve on your weaknesses. And through these, you get to execute whatever t is that you ave to do as a business leader. Activity 2 I think that the definitions in the R-I-A-S-E-C is somewhat consistent with what I know about myself; I mean, I consider myself artistic since most of my skillset leans towards music, drawing, etc. I tend to be practical with my decision making in order for them to be close to being realistic. When something intrigues me, be it in a song, certain concepts, etc. I tend to really read about it and learn as much as I can from the thing. Nowadays, I’ve built enough confidence in order for me to face other people, this helps me in developing my social skills because it’s a big push from my old shy self. I think I’ll have a fulfilling career if I consider the results of the test because I’d probably be doing what I love and it doesn’t feel like I’m working. I’m making money out of what I love doing rather than doing something for the money, I agree with my introversion/extroversion profile because even though I’m more social, I still would like to be with myself. This means that I get to work at my full potential if I’m given the chance to work things out myself. I’m not saying that I prefer to work alone, but rather I have full control of what I can offer if I’m given a chance to be with myself to truly concentrate on what I can offer. Activity 3 I learned that joining my orgs (a student volunteer for the SDFO and a sketch artist for Ang Pahayagang Plaridel) helped me improve in terms of my relations with my friends and org mates as well as my performance in my work/tasks. I certainly agree that my greatest strength is my Learning Orientation this is probably because I learn fast in my certain section and I want to learn about what the other sections do as well. My weakness would probably be my Positive Attitude. Maybe this is because I give my all in my work, and if someone says that it’s not good enough, I get demotivated easily. But, I am working on this and trying to shift my perspective into thinking that I’m receiving constructive criticism. I’m surprised about what my raters had rated me. I would only care about being able to do my work properly or not, but seeing how they see me has given me much joy that what I’m doing make a positive impact in my orgs and org mates. I think that a 360° assessment is important because it entails a holistic approach to getting feedback and for employees, should they be willing to accept feedback, it offers a opportunity to work on what they have to improve on and continuing or developing the things that they are good at.

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SHURMAN BLOG N°2

The first issue that I immediately thought of is that millennials are often looked down on. This means that people, especially the older generations, would not expect millennials to amount to something great. They would often think that this generation is lazy and narcissistic among other negative traits they see in us. They don’t give chances in order for this generation to sow everyone what they have to offer. Second is that millennials are seen as a negative turnout to employee turnovers. This simply means that if ever there is a millennial in the staff; managers would immediately think that that particular employee would stay for two to three years tops. Although a lot of millennials do that, it is because they find no satisfaction in the job that they have or had. And the third issue is that there are very limited opportunities in the workplace for millennials to thrive in and develop their own unique set of skills which companies may find useful in today’s world.

The first takeaway that I got is that millennial should opt to develop skills that they lack instead on focusing only on the ones that they’re already good at. This would mean a wholesome and all around development that would be beneficial for each employee and for the company as well. The second takeaway that I got is that people should recognize that each generation is different. Each generation has their good traits and bad traits and everyone should look at the good traits and start off from there in order to fully utilize each generation’s skills to a company’s advantage. The third one is that there should be more opportunities for millennials to develop their own unique skill set. This would mean that there would be less employee turnover because employees would feel like they are learning something that they want to learn.    

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SHURMAN BLOG N°1

It's very important for a business leader to have a Code of Ethics to adhere to because it helps them make decisions that are in line with accepted morals and ethics. This prevents the emergence of business leaders who are extremely capitalist who just wants to make profits at the expense of other people. The code of ethics would be the quasi-Ten Commandments for all the people working in a firm are expecred to uphold in all of their tasks and decisions. This lets everybody be considerate of the other stakehokders and nonstakeholders. Business leaders need to constantly reflect on their purpose for them to keep in touch with the reason/s why they became a business leader in the first place (optimally it should be because they want to be a good and morally upright business leader). Although the word "business" comes before the word "leader", they must remember that they are still leaders and that they have a responsibility to their subordinates, not only to the business. Yes, the future of the firm is important, but I think developing their subordinates' is a reward on all its own. It is important for business leaders to guide their the direction their organization is taking because, obviously, that is their role. If they only monitor the progress of their subordinates, in respect to completing tasks, they might as well be called "supervisors". They became leaders because they are expected to be able to take the business to greater heights, maybe to heights the business might have not acheved in the past. They should be able to know if the business is going downhill and they must be able to identify the reason why the business is going downhill. And if the business is doing good, they shoukd not be complacent and they must find a way to be better. It is important for business leaders to have integrity in their dealings with others because they are (for the most part) responsible for the integrity and the image of the business. Whatever the business leader is, the business will become. For example, if the leader is a push over, the business will become one big push over and this might result in it being absorbed by other businesses. And if the business holds its ground, the business will hold its ground also and, in a way, it will not become a "sellout".

[the-seven-foot-dwarf-blog]

Maynila

Ever since my early days in high school I am in this place. And ever since, I have come to love this place. A place once considered to be the most beautiful in Asia. A worthy rival when compared to places like Paris, Amsterdam, New York, and such. This place once was bravura of the classical and contemporary in the eyes of not only the Filipinos, but also the foreign blood. But recently what it was before is now undermined, forgotten, overlooked.  People often ask: “What happened to this place?” But you know what, that is not the right question to ask. The question should be: “What happened to the people?” This is not going to be about the people, but what is flouted by them. Pardon me, what place am I referring to? Manila.

           Describe Manila nowadays please. Answers would be mostly negative, of which include problems about heavy traffic congestions, the crowd at the LRT stations, a lot of beggars roaming the streets along with the thieves and the misfits. And I will be honest, it is true. Manila now can be considered a hollow shell of its old self. However, these are statements of the uncultured ones who do not appreciate this place. I am not born here, but I feel like my heart belongs here, to be honest. But even if I can be considered a dayo, I appreciate Manila for what it is. You see there are a lot of clandestine in Manila. And they only reveal themselves to those who have the effort to stop and look hard.  This is going to be short, don’t worry.

           When the wizard waves his wand and grants us the magical a day or two of no school and homework, me and the folks would often go to places in Manila. Consider it a fieldtrip to the places where they used to go when they were roughly around my age. Well, to be honest they mostly were places where you could grab a drink or two. Like Era’s near Robinson’s Manila, or Naked Ears near UST, or even the chain of bars in Malate. Besides that, my dad would tell me of how some places were like in the before times. For example, Malate used to be the place where anybody could be anything they want. So the place was where musicians, painters, artists and the like would hang and do their own thing; a piping hot bowl of creativity if you will. But by the looks of Malate now, it seems like those days are far gone. But no, you just have to look, and I am not going to tell which places still uphold the old Malate vibe. I will let you explore that place for yourself so you can have firsthand experience of that place. But that’s not the only place where the nightlife is always at it every night, again explore.

           Now let’s talk about history, and Manila has a lot of that. Manila has seen almost every dread and triumph of the Filipino people. Once crawling with Spaniards who have shaped the Manila landscapes with the heritage houses still present and the old structures of Fort Santiago and Intramuros, and the really old schools that even Rizal went to like San Juan de Letran and The University of Santo Tomas, Manila almost seems like huge museum. But then again, Manila wasn’t only molded by the Spaniards, we also have the Chinese (who were already in Manila before the Spanish) and the Americans. Let’s start with the Chinese, ever went to Binondo? If you have, need I say more? If you haven’t you should really go! One prominent place is Chinatown. “What’s so special about this one, marami naman sa iabng bansa n’yan ah!?” Well first off, it’s the oldest, second it’s the best, and lastly, obviously you haven’t appreciated it since you are asking that question. In Binondo, there are a lot of establishments that sell food, furniture, clothes, and lucky charms! The place mostly houses the Chinese community in Manila kaya nga nandun yung Chinatown diba? And you can see it with the names of the stores, food places, and even the streets. What I like about being in Binondo is parking at Lucky Chinatown (but not to shop there) or at Sta. Cruz church and walking all the way to Quiapo church and attend the morning mass, then going to Divisoria and buy whatever I can buy and stop outside 168 to buy Bicho-bicho for about 20 to 30 pesos, five pieces of siomai, or sharksfin, or whatever for only 20 pesos and some softdrinks for about 30 pesos also, then go inside 168 mall and go to the food court and eat the things we have bought along with some fried siomai that can be bought along the way from Quiapo church to 168 mall and eat them all in secret because the mal has a policy about bringing food from the outside. See, sightseeing and gastronomic adventures just from going to Quiapo and Divisoria just by walking. Also, if you buy stuff along hey way, by the time you have reached 168, you just spent about 200 pesos for a ton of food, and 300 pesos for some stuff like clothes, slippers, those coloring books for grown-ups (I don’t want to say “for adults” because in Manila, there are a lot of “for adult stuff” and you might be confused between the two). I want to say that just by that walk you can see a lot about Filipinos. Our being religious can be found in Quiapo church, our old school beliefs found in the variety of agimat, gayuma, and medicine (like pampapurga) at Plaza Miranda, and our ties with the Chinese in Chinatown. Also, when I was a wee little lad, we used to eat at a restaurant, located just below a bridge, I forgot the name but  we referred to the owner as “Lola Intsik” because you know, she’s Chinese, pero it’s just a nickname, we don’t really use it for derogatory reasons whatsoever. But setting that aside, they have buttered chicken to die for.

           And like New York, there are a lot of misfits around Manila too. Some may just shy away from them if ever they cross paths with one, because it may make them feel uneasy or something. But if, you are a regular in Manila, once you have made sure that they are not hurting anybody, you can see what’s up. Like Once I saw a guy sitting on a motorcycle and he seems to be ranting about something. Upon listening he was saying something about getting revenge on the people who stole his family’s wealth which made him end up in the streets. And when he gets back up on his feet again, he’s coming back for those baddies. And he even has a somewhat maniacal laugh at the end. And just last Friday when I walked past Rizal Stadium who was storytelling. I didn’t quite get what it was about but he was saying something like “…it’s really like this here…” and of course it’s translated to English because this is for an English class.

Also, ever wondered why there are a lot of foreigners in Manila (or let’s not look away, just look here in DLSU! Andaming foreigners! Lalo na yung mga taga west)?  Or places in Manila where locals would just stay away from because it’s too magulo and madumi like Malate or something. Well I bet that they are searching for something different. Different from all those luxurious stuff found in other places, a different feel, a different vibe. And they couldn’t get those from other places other than Manila—our Manila. Filipinos nowadays are trying to be sosyal too much; maybe we can say that some are hardcore social climbers, that’s why they don’t like Manila. Kelangan sosya, kelangan maipakita ang yaman sa bawat mamamayan ng Pilipinas. Wala namang pera pero pa-sosyal pa, kaya gusto sa mga high-end places tapos ang arte-arte naman kapag nilagay mo sa Manila.

           So my point is, Manila is not an old stinky forgotten place, no. Manila is like a treasure island where all the fun is reserved for those who look really hard. And I think before people go to the sosyal places in other countries, you guys really should explore Manila. Because I bet that if you did just that and you went to other places, you will find yourself comparing those places to Manila and maybe find a sense of appreciation for our country’s capital. And to end this last media log a quote from Lonely Planet (n.d.), “Manila’s moniker, the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, couldn’t be more apt – its cantankerous shell reveals its jewel only to those resolute enough to pry. No stranger to hardship, the city has endured every disaster both human and nature could throw at it, and yet today the chaotic metropolis thrives as a true Asian megacity. Skyscrapers pierce the hazy sky, mushrooming from the grinding poverty of expansive shantytowns, while gleaming malls foreshadow Manila’s brave new air-conditioned world. The congested roads snarl with traffic, but, like the overworked arteries of a sweating giant, they are what keep this modern metropolis alive.”

Sources:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/philippines/manila

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/philippines/manila/introduction

[the-seven-foot-dwarf-blog]

Hi babe!

               So here’s the thing. I was just looking through my Facebook feed doing what I always do –absolutely nothing. I deserve to rest you know, don’t judge! So going back, I was browsing and I saw this picture of what looks like another breakup post. Being the perky teenage boy I am, I took a peek at it. And to my surprise it was about that basketball thing on FB Messenger. To be honest I have not played that since my FB Messenger is a tad outdated (I can’t update it because my phone’s memory is low). But I have seen, through others, how fun and addicting it is. But to add to the previously stated surprise of mine, the girl broke up with the guy because of it! Not to mention that she even dragged DoTA into this! I mean really? So what went down is that the girl broke up with the guy because apparently the guy was not replying to her due to too much B-ball, you dig? basketball. Classic case of “let’s break up ‘cause you’re not giving me the much attention I need!” type of breakup.

                 So why am I writing about this? Well, besides the fact that this is a requirement and that two of my classmates have already posted theirs, I want to do this media log so that I can enjoy the rest of my Holy Week assignment-free. I hope that that reason does not affect how you guys would grade this media log. And the other, more academically and socially relevant reason is that this is a reflection of today’s couple—the social media couple. Nowadays the kids love to post just about anything in their social media applications (or as they call it nowadays: apps), and the drama of their relationship is not safe from being shared with the world. And they love it more if some of their friends comment with stuff like: “oh you guys are so sweet”, “kainggit naman”, “#couplegoals”, or even saying that they are the perfect couple. I myself have not been in a relationship since ever so I don’t have an idea on why they get so hyped about that stuff. Not being bitter here, but I think there is a way wherein we could tone down the Public Display of Affection (PDA) down from 10 to 5. Because it is really annoying sometimes, not because I’m a lonely bloke who can’t get a girlfriend, no, it is because it is becoming more of a nuisance than an inspiration.

               Breakups also receive the same attention. I can say that this is true is because even I had the time to stop, look, and analyze the sample media I am using in this media log. People seem to put all of their efforts reacting to these kinds of posts. You will see a variety of reactions with saying how funny it is, how sad the method was, or giving wisdom on the situation being prominent. Now why am I REALLY writing about this? The things I have written earlier was just a rant, but also a reflection on today’s couples. I believe that these posts show that relationships nowadays are really short term and sometimes built on being superficial. “Jimbo, why are you saying that, are you bitter?” Well, not really, however I am concerned about the people of today’s society, especially on how they go into relationships. You see, I believe a relationship should be strong as titanium. And like a well-built building, its foundation is deep and sturdy. Do you ever wonder why a building built with no foundation easily crumbles down to the ground when a little tremor hits it? Likewise in a relationship built in a lousy foundation. What are these foundations you ask? Good foundations would be reasons like: “we bring out the best of each other”, “we support each other no matter what”, even “he/she makes me feel that I’m a better person”. Those reasons will keep a relationship go on for a long time. Bad foundations would be: “he/she is hot”, or even “he/she let me in his/her pants, so maybe that’s a sign”. These relationships will easily dissolve into bubbles of regret.

               The mere fact that the girl decided to breakup with the guy shows that she may be in the relationship just to fuel her ego. “I have a boyfriend and it makes me feel important, and since I have him, I have him under my control.” Girl, just because he isn’t replying doesn’t mean he won’t reply to you forever. Do you reply to him when you’re chatting with your other friends? He waits for you to reply, but when he does something you want him to reply this very second. Do you see the selfishness in that? Shocking, isn’t it? And you Mr. MVP (the guy), she is already breaking up with you and you do nothing? Sure, some girls want to see guys beg for forgiveness just for the heck of it and ignore them just so he continues to do so and that might seem fun for her. And you, you may think that that is what she is doing, and I understand, but your relationship is at its breaking point and you do nothing. It shows that you have no care for her whatsoever!  In fact, since both of them are at fault, I sense that they’re together just to say that they are in a relationship. No that is shocking, not only that, but also sad.

               I see this every day, especially in social media. And to be frank you rarely see breakups at public places, like malls, anymore. Breakups done in chat or text messages just show that one party has no care for the other and is not willing to discuss it in a mature and understanding matter. Breakup in chat and that’s the end of it. I may not have been in any relationship, but even I can say that that is a heartless method. But I do not forget that there is light in this darkness of superficial relationships. There are a few who still care for each other and bless their hearts for doing so.

               This media log may be, in retrospect, a rant in nature. But I do believe that it is also a kind of wakeup call. Bad foundations can also be made strong if someone is willing to do so.

SOURCE

https://www.facebook.com/MYX.Philippines/photos/a.147620652112.109797.145388032112/10153466117337113/?type=3&theater

[the-seven-foot-dwarf-blog]

Is it that awkward?

I was just browsing Facebook one day doing whatever it is kids my age do when using it. And when I just finished watching a video of how to make a no-bake cheesecake, I stumbled upon a news article saying that Imelda Marcos attended a mass for Martial Law victims. Of course being me, I laughed at the article without really reading it. And just like any person browsing Facebook, I did what I had to do: move on and hopefully not see a picture of the girl who broke my heart. Okay, the last part isn’t true (at least for that particular day), but I really did scroll past the article and continued browsing Facebook mindlessly. However, I had to read the article some days after so that I can make this media log.

           The header of the article (as shown in the screenshot) says “Imelda attends mass for martial law victims”. Basically, that will give you an idea of what went down. And I’m supposed to summarize or to tell what happened. If you don’t want to read this part, you may skip it, but then again you really can’t because you won’t be able to fathom my words in the succeeding paragraphs. So going back, everybody knows that every Wednesday is Baclaran day, right? I’m just checking if you know. The article says that Imelda happens to be a patron of the Our lady of Perpetual Help and that she is frequently seen in Baclaran Church or The Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual help in Paranaque every Wednesday, but by mere coincidence, the mass she attended on this particular Wednesday was before the celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution and it was dedicated to the victims of the martial law and there was going to be an exhibit right after the mass. It did say that Imelda didn’t seem to be angry, but she did leave after communion. Also the other churchgoers didn’t do any badmouthing whatsoever.  That’s basically it.

           Have you ever went in a classroom and heard that some people were talking about you right before they stopped because they saw you? Awkward isn’t it? And you guys have to sit next to each other throughout the class. Maybe this is what Imelda and the other churchgoers felt. And let me intensify the hypothetical awkward silence by stating the fact that they were talking about what you did some 30 years ago. If I were to be a passerby, I’d probably cringe at the situation and probably make a little humor about it. But seriously those are the ingredients for a big ruckus on a Wednesday morning. But everyone present are rational, civil, well-mannered, and refined, the whole situation seemed to roll off everyone’s shoulders. And how is this even political you may ask? If the word “martial law” rings a bell to you and you payed attention during Sibika class, then my good Sir and/or Madame, it is absolutely, without a hint of doubt political. I just wanted to make that clear.  

           You know what? I’d like to think that what had happened was “purely coincidental”, but I’m not that kind of person who just eats up whatever is shown in front of me. I think she knows what that mass on that particular day in that particular time was for. Come on, she’s a congresswoman; she has eyes and ears almost everywhere. Don’t you think that it was, excuse the term, a gimmick? The elections are coming up people! That time of year where the potholes on the roads that went unfixed for several months magically becomes a patch of remedial concrete. Or the splendid time where politicians suddenly become prompted to go to local markets and mingle with the townsfolk. Or when they are seen managing traffic in the rain. Who knew they were capable of that?

            What am I ranting on about? I’m saying is that it’s election season and it’s a move for them to make the name Marcos stick to everyone’s mind again. Bongbong is running for vice president for Pete’s sake! That’s a huge position to run for. So why not make a way to make people remember him or anything or anyone related to him to reverberate in the back of their heads. It is like a very subtle campaign advertisement. And a brilliant one if you ask me, because anything subtle is a factor for decision-making situations. One way or another you have experienced this, but maybe in a non-election-related situation. For example, a guy likes a girl, and this particular guy didn’t like this particular girl before, but several days before his friends or bros said that they liked this girl and unfortunately he was present when these words travelled the air. And then one day he felt a big juicy slap land right across his face leaving a big red inflamed mark saying “YOU LIKE THIS GIRL WITH ALL YOUR HEART”, and yes in all caps. And he genuinely believes he does like her, but he doesn’t know why! If I may say more things, this is the reason why some people use wingmen or wing women, to plant in the mind of a person that “this particular person is the best person you will meet or ever meet in the whole duration of your life”.

           This is the best time to show that you are the best human there was and will be. Make them forget the bad stuff and remember the good ones! Imelda’s churchgoing mishap happened just before the day of the celebration of a big day in our history; people will remember whatever it is that they will remember. Bad memories will hopefully be erased because Imelda seemed to show compassion for the victims because she still stuck around for the mass, even if it’s just a sign of respect for the mass, that notion will still push through somehow So what I’m saying is that this event is a mind-planting scheme made to be effective on the day of the elections. But then again, these are only my thoughts. Of course, I don’t know everything that have happened or why they happened. My intention is just to present another perspective on a particular incident, and I hope upon reading the article and this media log of mine stimulate some thinking in everyone’s noggin.

Reference:

Macairan, E. (2016, February 26). Imelda attends mass for martial law victims. The Philippine star. Retrieved from www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/02/25/1556602/imelda-attends-mass-martial-law-victims