Tag: January 31, 2014

DESPITE all the stern warnings not to use fireworks and guns in the New Year celebration, many still ended up welcoming 2014 in the hospitals.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), there were 1,018 revelry-related injuries by Jan. 6, consisting of 997 who were injured directly by fireworks, two by ingesting fireworks, and 19 from stray bullets although the Philippine National Police (PNP) counted as many as 29. It was 87 cases higher than last year’s count of 931 victims.

ONE OF the ironies here in the Philippines is that we seek for change, but when it comes, we refuse it.

So when government tries to reform the basic education system, so-called technocrats argued that K to 12 would be detrimental to higher education.

But what is needed is to give K to 12 a chance.

Critics, particularly those militant groups, were quick to make noise and voice their opposition against K to 12 when it was first proposed albeit their lack of understanding. As far as they are concerned, more years = more burden. Well, there is no use arguing with that logic.

But now, K to 12 is good to go.

Meanwhile, when the news about the planned revision of the University’s academic calendar broke out, many were aghast.

IF TALENT, creativity, and resources were the only elements of a progressive nation, the Philippines may already be one of the richest countries in Asia or perhaps even the world. But reality bites.

My professor once said that the traffic condition of a country’s metropolitan reflects that country’s state. If that is the case, poor Philippines.

According to a local documentary I had watched, our country loses millions of pesos every year because of the lack of productivity due to traffic congestion.

Though some people are diligent enough to wake up very early in the morning to be able to arrive on their destination on time, they will at some point still experience being caught in traffic jams, which in turn, decrease productivity.

IN THE poem, “‘Di Na Tayo Umiibig Tulad Noon” by National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, the speaker laments the dying art of wholehearted love, saying that we do not love as we have before because our hearts have become mechanical, unloving, and insincere.

The poem comes to mind because of the sad reality it brings about the prospect of love in the modern era. Technology has become the ruin of something as divine as love. In the poem, the speaker is seemingly disgusted by the fact that love has been limited—promises are made on paper, letters always have carbon copies, kisses are planted little by little as investments, and endearing words are now only whispered behind the dingy facades of motels.

PARIS-BASED International News Safety Institute (INSI) recently ranked the Philippines tied with India for second place in the list of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists in 2013.

The finding is not anymore a surprise, especially in this country marred with the culture of impunity owing to its incurably corrupt political system.

Who could forget the Maguindanao Massacre, considered the single deadliest event for journalists in history?

WITH ALMOST all obstacles cleared, Asia’s oldest University is set to open its first satellite campus soon in Mindanao.

Located at General Santos (GenSan) City and encompassing two barangays (Ligaya and Katangawan), the satellite UST campus will offer programs not available in the main campus, such as marine sciences and agriculture courses, Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. bared.

“Those programs will really help the area,” he told the Varsitarian in an interview.

THE CONVICTION of former Chief Justice Renato Corona by the Senate impeachment court in 2012 may not be illegal, but it was tainted with “vested interests,” according to a law professor.

President Aquino now faces criticism over his alleged interference with the impeachment process of the ousted chief magistrate.

Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said in his privilege speech last year that the executive branch gave out an additional P50 million to the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) or pork barrel to each senator who voted to convict Corona.

SHOULD marijuana use for medical purposes be allowed in the Philippines?

In April 2010, a report released by “Harvard Mental Health Letter” said chemical compounds found in marijuana—also known as Cannabis sativa—named delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol stimulate the brain, triggering psychological and physical effects. These compounds were found to have chemical interactions with each other which results in the reduction of anxiety, irritability, and stress.

“Part of the reason marijuana works to relieve pain and quell nausea is that, in some people, it reduces anxiety, improves mood, and acts as a sedative,” the report stated.

THE right mix of journalism and public relations gave this award-winning Thomasian an edge over the veterans of the industry.

Having established his own PR company at the age of 21, Chris Cahilig still had other plans for his future. He wanted to try his hand at news reporting, but his friends told him otherwise.

“All throughout my college life, people would tell me, ‘Chris alam mo, pang-PR ka. ‘Yung personality mo, ‘yung demeanor and everything you view speaks so much about PR,’” the former Varsitarian managing editor said.

Chris made many attempts to crawl his way into the PR industry, but was rejected by his peers. They even made a joke that his name would only be recognized as an associate if he was to join their agency.

EXAM GRADE does not make one a better or worse teacher, according to this Education major.

Dale Aldrinn Pradel, a fresh graduate of the College of Education, topped the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) for secondary level last September 2013. He also received the Rector’s Award for the College of Education last year.

“While on my way home to Olongapo, I brought out my tablet to check if the results really were out,” he said. “I was so obliviously happy upon seeing the list that I wanted to hug my seat mate in the bus who probably didn’t know who I was and didn’t care about what just happened to me.”