Summary of Love is a Fallacy

He was just a cool, logical, keen, calculating, perspicacious, acute, and astute student of their university. At the age of eighteen, his brain was as powerful as a dynamo, as precise as a chemist's scales, as penetrating as a scalpel.

He had a roommate named Petey at the university and he was the emotional type, unstable and impressionable kind of person.
One afternoon, he saw Petey lying on his bed. He thought that he was suffering from appendicitis. When he approached him, he told me and mumbled thickly that he wanted a raccoon coat. He wondered why he wanted a raccoon coat. After mumbling so many words, he told him the reason why he wanted a raccoon coat. His reason was that, all the "Big men" in their campus are wearing them. Meaning, his friend Petey, is somehow jealous of these men wearing raccoon coats. After giving his reason, he told him and gave his own opinion regarding this matter. He told him that raccoon coats are unsanitary, they smell awful and that they weigh too much. While he was still talking, he made some interruptions. He can say that he really wants a raccoon coat. He badly "wants" it. He would even do anything just for a raccoon coat.

In the middle of their conversation, he remembered that his father had a raccoon coat during his undergraduate years. It now lay in a trunk in the attic back home. It also happened that Petey had something he "wanted". He was referring to the girl named, Polly. Polly was not really the girlfriend of Petey but Petey had the first rights on her. Meaning, they are friends, very close friends. He was thinking that he could make Polly mine. She was a fine girl, had an erectness of carriage, an ease of bearing and a poise clearly indicating the best pf breeding. What bothers him is that she was not that intelligent. However, he know that through his learning, he can make her his perfect wife.

After thinking of all these stuffs, he asked Petey if he and Polly are going on a date or do, they often see each other. He told him that yes, they do but, right now, they have their own dates. He also asked him if he loves Polly. He answered him in a confused or doubtful reply.

He returned to the campus the next Monday morning bringing the raccoon coat of his father. Petey was so happy to see the raccoon coat. He told him that he would only give him the raccoon coat if he allows Polly and he to go on a date. Few minutes later, he told him that it was a deal. He agreed on what would happen if he accepts the coat.

The following evening, he had my first date with Polly. They had a dinner, watched a movie and brought her back home. During those times, he thought that Polly really would be a big challenge for him. The girl had a lack of information.

On their next date, they had a talked about logic. They had a talk or maybe, we can call it a lesson on different fallacies like Dicto Simpliciter, which means an argument, based on an unqualified generalization, fallacy called Hasty Generalization, Post Hoc., and Contradictory Premises. She wanted him to talk more of these logic stuffs but as he check my watch, it was already late in the evening. Because of this, they had to stop the conversation and he had to bring her back to the girl’s dormitory. Then she went to my room. He saw Petey lying on the bed with the raccoon coat. It’s as if he was hugging or cuddling a beast on his arms.

On the next day of their date, they talked about Ad Misericordiam, False Analogy, and Hypothesis Contrary to Fact and Poisoning the Well. In the last fallacy they discussed, he was so amazed of Polly. He can see that she was attentive during our discussions. She was able to answer his question correctly. They even reviewed our past “lessons” again. At first, he had a hard time but then, it went on smoothly. They had this type of talk for about five nights. He told himself that he have made a logician out of Polly and now, she is fit to be his wife.

This time, they had to change their relationship form academic to something romantic. On the last day of their date, he told her everything. He told her that in the span of five nights, he fell in love with her but surprisingly, Polly told him that it was just a Hasty Generalization, a false analogy, Ad Misericordiam and all those fallacies we were able to discuss. He told her that he truly love her. He asked her if she would go steady with me or not. She then answered him, “I will not”. He asked her why. She told him that on that same day, she would go steady with Petey. He was so shocked because it’s as if Petey forgot all the things they had and about their deal. He shouted because of anger and disappointment. He once again asked her why she chose Petey over him. He asked for a logical reason. She then told him that it is all because Petey had a raccoon coat.

Love is a Fallacy Reaction

Everywhere we turn, some one is trying to persuade us- to buy their product,to vote for their candidate, to adopt their policy, to agree with their opinions. An attempt to do this on an organized or large scale, aiming at large numbers of people, is called propaganda. When we see the harmful effects of propaganda, we become fearful of it, but it is not always harmful.Advertising is one form of propaganda; writing our opinions to newspapers is another. Propaganda is harmful when unscrupulous persuaders try to take advantage of people who are not equipped to "see through" the techniques being used, who are not being careful to distinguish factual evidence from opinion,or to question the source and reliability of the facts.

We have already examined the ways facts can be selected and slanted, even when the writer is being careful no to lie or invent facts. Unfortunately,unscrupulous propagandists do lie and invent facts. We have already seen the importance of word choice in reflecting a writer's attitude and his wish to influence the attitude of the reader. Now we will try to become more aware of the ways we are being appealed to, the ways LOGICAL FALLACIES(that is, faults in logic) are used by those who wish to cloud our logical thinking processes. To be ware of these commonly used techniques is to be armed against them.

This is the best short story I've read in a long time. In "Love Is a Fallacy," Max Shulman demonstrates a wit and clarity of language that I find lacking in most modern writing (mine woefully included). The thesis of this story is that a good lawyer's wife must be "beautiful, gracious, and intelligent," and as a first year law student, the narrator sets out to make such a wife. Seeing as how it is "easier to make a beautiful dumb girl smart than to make an ugly smart girl beautiful," the author bargains for his roommates girl, who possesses the first two necessary traits, and tries to instill the third. His lessons in logic go terribly awry.

The Teaching Profession

No matter how much my older brothers told me, I could never have been completely prepared for high school. No book of advice or voice of wisdom can prepare another for the situations and feelings encountered in high school. I can hardly narrow down the three most important lessons that I learned in possibly the four most difficult, unbelievable, and thrilling years of my life (so far!); but, I'll try. As a senior in high school, the three most important lessons that I can impart on an incoming freshman would be put your entire effort into everything you do, take risks, and most importantly, be loyal to your true self.

As a mentor to a younger student, I would tell him or her to put all effort possible into everything they do in high school. Never settle for mediocre. In my experience, I have found that as long as I put my entire being and soul into trying something, I end up feeling better about myself, no matter what the outcome is. Sophomore year of high school, I spent my summer training for soccer tryouts. I planned on being part of the varsity squad that fall. I put more effort into this than anything else before. I never made the team. After getting over the initial shock, I looked back on my failure as one of the best learning experiences of my life. I knew that I tried my hardest. I never walked off the field saying to myself "you could have run harder" because I knew that I did my absolute best. After all was said and done, I did not feel regret or sadness. I had overcome my failure by knowing that I did everything I could have done. In high school, coping with failure comes easiest when you know that you put your all into doing something. In high school, everyone fails and succeeds at one point or another. Only in trying your absolute hardest can you be aware of everything that you are capable of doing. Only in trying your hardest do you stretch your limits and learn your boundaries.

Risk taking is another essential part of "the high school experience". Throughout early childhood, the biggest risk you have to take is coloring books. Before entering high school, any big decision that needed to by made was made by parents or guardians. High school is the place where you can take your own big risks, but still be able to pick up the pieces if things fall apart. Trying new things and challenging yourself to explore previously uncharted territory will help you figure out who you really are. After my disappointing soccer experience, I had to either try something else or quit sports altogether. I finally decided to try running cross country. I was extremely apprehensive. I had never run competitively before and I had no idea whether or not I could deal with the pressure. I tried it anyway. On the cross-country team, I discovered my passion for running. Throughout high school, I have also challenged myself academically. In middle school, I was always in the high classes. But, high school offered much more demanding and rigorous courses. I could have taken the easier way out and opted for less demanding classes; but I didn't. I felt confidence in myself that I would be up to the challenge. Taking this risk showed my of how much I was capable. Any incoming freshman would benefit from knowing that it is ok to take risks. If you happen to fail, there is usually a way out. But, only in taking risks do you discover parts of yourself you never knew existed.

The most important lesson that I could impart on any incoming freshman would be to be yourself. Avoid following the crowd. One of the hardest lessons I had to learn in high school was how to be myself. Only as a senior can I look back on my high school experience and say this was the hardest lesson. As freshmen, we travel in packs to bathroom, play the sports that all of our friends play, and take the classes that all of out friends take. The more we progress through high school, the followers keep doing all the exact same things that their friends do, not because themselves enjoy doing so. But more so because they are petrified of straying from the crowd. The lesson I can give to younger students would be stray from the crowd. In my own personal experience, not being a follower and being true to myself has shown me who my real friends are. Your friends are not the people who want you to imitate them. Your friends are the people who respect and admire everything about you that is different, and love you for it. They do not judge you because you did not go out and get "hammered" last weekend, like "everyone else". Your real friends will be your friends no matter what you do.

Putting effort into all that you do, taking risks, and being loyal to yourself are the most important things that any incoming freshman will learn in high school. Although, four years of experiences can, in no way, be grouped together in these three separate categories. From each individual experience in high school, many lessons may be learned. The words of wisdom I can leave a freshman with would be good luck, and you will get through it. No matter how many times I thought to myself "this week, this month, this year will never end!", it always did. No matter how bad you think you "screwed up", time will fix everything that was meant to be fixed. I would also tell the freshmen to make the best of the time you have here. As I am sadly and joyously learning now (with 46 days and counting to go!), high school will be over before you know it. Make sure your high school experience is one that you will look back and remember, whether your experience is good or bad. High school is the place where you will reinvent the kid you were in middle school. And if you think you did not do so great reinventing yourself this time? Then there's always college.

The Economic Stand

Our country is in a financial crisis. The possibility of a good resiliency is limited due to the need of limiting government funds or cost cutting. This possibly creates a great threat to the financial stability of the country in attaining greater heights due to the fact that the country has a trench of debt reaching from all the countries and banks the country could borrow from.

The Philippines has a great debt from other countries including the World Bank. A problem is so great that it has reached to the point wherein a suggestion was raised stating that every rich Filipino citizen must donate at least one million peso, just to help uplift the country from its debts. How did this problem get this far? A question burns in our minds, where did it all begin?

It has been recently stated that about 280 billion pesos got wasted every year, due to corruption. That would have been three million pesos per Filipino citizen. A poor family would have lived a lifetime without ever getting hungry. Poverty and lack of Filipino professionals would have been erased from the equation, and the Philippines would have been different from what it is today. The government has created debts even reaching into the lives of the unborn children, those poor and innocent children will soon suffer the carelessness and selfishness the government created. There are really crimes which are so hard to conquer, like bribery and theft which is deeply rooted to corruption. The crime that kills the hopes of people to live a life of comfort and stability, where people would enjoy their standard of living meeting up with the current market trends. A life which every people desires, which every people look forward for. Its all because of power and selfishness that created corruption, politicians which are not contented with what they have, more than serving the people. The very same reason why they are in office to help them; not to steal from them.

Corruption is the root of all national crises. It is the main source of all national breaking news. How do selfish leaders get their offices in Malacañang or in any hall? Do they really deserve their government posts? We should not wait for tomorrow to stop corruption. The call is now of only we understand that every second counts, adding up to the country's past year's demise.

Our country is not supposed to be poor. It has all the natural resources to economically stand up on its own. Resources that greatly helps the economy by using them to facilitate demand with what the people needs, with what the people desires. This is the quest for the truth, a quest every Filipino prays for, to have a prosperous country. One that would proudly face itself to the world as a renowned country which is honest, true and balance. All it needs is an honest, truthful lawmaker. Still, a question of uncertainty flies freely in the air, "what would the Philippines be like in the future?"

Man's Blanket

Man and the Ozone Ozone is perhaps one of the singularly most important molecules there is. No, not because man came from ozone, but because it forms a protective layer above the earth in it’s stratosphere which allowed for the growth of life upon land. Before we had an ozone layer, the rays of the sun struck the earth unimpeded, barraging it with the deadly ultraviolet radiation which prohibited any chance of life on earth. However, there was life in the oceans, plant life in particular. This plant life may seem unimportant, especially since it is algae that is being given the spotlight. The algae in the ocean produces oxygen gas (O2), which would rise through the water and up into the “air”, there it would be struck by the ultraviolet radiation, which changed the O2 into O3, which is ozone. This ozone gas has the unique ability to block out the vast majority of sunlight’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. This afforded for the growth of life on the earth’s surface. Despite the ozone layer, which helps block UV light and its radiation, some still gets through and can affect us. First it causes a nice looking tan, or a painful sunburn, however, deeper than that, it is wreaking havoc upon the skin cells, though this damage is cumulative, and is not visible for along time, it does great harm. In fact, ultraviolet radiation is the number one cause of skin cancer, and its occurrence is still rising. This rise in cases of skin cancer could be linked to a dramatic change in the atmosphere - the loss of ozone. Over the past decades, scientists have begun to study the atmosphere and the ozone layer. They have noticed a marked reduction in the amount of ozone that is protecting the earth from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Before, the amount of ozone in the atmosphere was kept in check by methane gas released from the most mundane of things (like termites). This methane gas would break down small amounts of ozone to keep it from getting to thick, and blocking too much of the suns light, or from causing damage to the animals on land. However, as the scientists’ work has shown, this delicate balance has been disrupted by the pollution produced by man. There are many factors that contribute to the pollution that is destroying the atmosphere, like the byproducts from major industries and manufacturing, of which millions of tons are released into the atmosphere yearly. But the most dangerous pollutant comes form smaller, yet more numerous items: air conditioning units, freezers, refrigerators, aerosol spray cans, and styrofoam products. The one thing which all of theses items have in common is Chloro-Fluorocarbons or CFC’c. CFC’s are used in all of those products because they are very stable, and non-reactive. That is, they are not flammable, and they will not react with other chemicals. Because they are so stable, CFC’s are not very biodegradable, and thus have a long time to get into the atmosphere and destroy ozone molecules. Once CFC’s reach the atmosphere, they come in contact with ultraviolet radiation that breaks them down and converts them into Chlorine atoms, which in turn react with the ozone molecules. It is estimated that each Chlorine atom is responsible for the destruction of 100,000 molecules of ozone. That is 300,000 oxygen atoms for each atom of Chlorine. This destruction of ozone is most obvious in the north and south poles of the earth, where there has been an estimated 30-40% decrease in ozone levels, and a 100% increase in Chlorine levels. Part of this is due to the unique winter-vortex that is caused by polar winds in the winter, which effectively keep polar air from being recirculated. This air is later released, and goes over Australia and New Zealand, which then experience their highest annual levels of UV radiation. So why should we be worried about this trend? Well, it is estimated that for every 1% drop in ozone levels there is 10,000 more cases of skin cancer developed in the U.S. alone. This is truly a very costly effect, not only monetarily, but also on peoples emotions and quality of life. So what is being done to remedy this situation? For one thing, there was a international summit in 1987 which the major world leaders promised to cut CFC production 50% by 1990. Use of CFC’s has doubled instead. More recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has passed several accords which serve to limit the number of CFC’s allowed to be produced by various industries annually. If they go over this limit, then they are subject to various penalties and fines. In addition, there have been several vehicle emissions rulings passed which demand lower emissions rating for all newer vehicles. Although these restrictions are a good idea, it still won’t necessarily cut back on the amount of CFC’s in the atmosphere. The underlying problem is the massive amount of cars being used, and that number is increasing daily. Even with the emission guidelines, the sheer volume of cars in use overpowers all the safe operating levels. The only way to limit the number of vehicles in use is to promote a inexpensive mass transit alternative. I would propose that local governments set regulations based on state or national guidelines, that would force commuters to use the mass transit system a certain number of times yearly or seasonally. An example of this plan would be as follows: the city of San Antonio passes an ordinance which states that all working citizens which commute to work, must use the mass transit system X number of days per year. Each working citizen is then issued an electronic ID card that will notify a central computer as to when the commuter uses the mass transit system. To enforce the use, there could be set penalties for failure to comply, or even “rewards” for taking an active part in the pollution control. For a punishment, there could be a fine of 500 dollars (or more depending on required transit use). As a reward however, there could be a minor tax refund, or free mass transit pass (for fares) given to those which use the transit system more than the amount of times required by the city ordinance. In conclusion, ozone is a very necessary and beneficial component of our atmosphere, which servers to block the harmful UV radiation generated by the sun. This shield, however, is being destroyed at an accelerated rate by pollutants released as a result of man. Mankind needs to limit the amount of pollutants, CFC’s in particular, which it produces in order to protect that which has been protecting us for all of our history.

Abortion

What do you think about abortion? Most people try not to think about it. They wish to avoid the overwhelming horrible reality. Abortion is an intentional violent act that kills an unborn baby. Without any anesthesia, the baby is dismembered, torn apart, and vacuumed out of the mother. In the case of a near-term or partial-birth abortion, the baby is turned around and pulled partially out with its head still inside the mother. The abortionist then plunges a sharp object into the back of its neck and vacuums out the brain. This is not a pleasant subject. It hurts to just imagine the horror. However, we must think about it in order to gather the courage needed to end it.

What motivates an abortionist? What must they think as they slash and tear a baby apart or plunge a knife into its neck? Somehow, abortionists have become callused to the reality of their actions. Like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, they have blood on their hands, and it cannot be washed off. They are like gas chamber operators during Hitler’s holocaust. They are like slave traders who traded in human flesh during slavery.

Many people have become apathetic about abortion. Since they have already been born, abortion is no threat to them personally. Why should they care about someone else’s baby? If there is any lesson to be learned from September 11, 2001, it is that we should value and protect innocent human life even if it is not our own. This lack of value was the direct cause of the terrorist acts. Think about it. The terrorists and those who directed them had no value for the lives of the flight attendants whose throats were slashed or the innocent secretaries who frantically tried to leave those buildings.

This same lack of value for innocent human life is the direct cause of legalized abortion. You see, perhaps most who are pro-choice are not pro-choice for themselves. They would not even consider abortion for those they love. They are pro-choice for others. Choice is a convenient way to eliminate those "other" people. This deep dark truth is never discussed. These people advocate abortion in order to decrease the excess population. Of course, they themselves are not the excess population. It is always some other group like the poor or the innocent unborn babies.

If you are still unconvinced about the horror of legalized abortion, at the next opportunity pick up a little baby, hold it in your arms, gaze into its eyes and you will know the truth. All the pro-choice pro-abortion rhetoric that you have ever heard will melt away. Another truth is that it just is not natural for a mother to have an abortion. Instead, it is natural for a mother to love and care for her baby. This motherly instinct for nurturing and bonding should be encouraged. It is basic to our human society and it benefits us all. It should not be broken down by giving women an immoral choice of abortion.

I know that you will ask - What about those mothers who for some reason cannot love and care for their babies? Well, the choice should not be to keep or abort the baby. The choice should be to keep or give the baby away. Abortion clinics should be changed to adoption clinics. Surely most people would agree that a well-organized adoption system would be much better than our current abortion system.

Abortion is a tragedy not only for the unborn who will never experience life but for the mother also. The choice given to the mother is an immoral one. Rather than give a woman control over her body, choice creates the opportunity for exploitation. There is an older lady in my church who feels deep guilt even after 30 years because she stood by as her husband sent their daughter away to New York to have an abortion. This was in the days before Roe v. Wade and abortion was illegal in Texas. The lady says her daughter has suffered much since that event and has never found peace and happiness. So did the choice of abortion give the daughter control over her body or did her father use it to escape embarrassment? This is a real life example of the tragedy of abortion. Variations of this tragedy have been frequently repeated over the years. Millions of young and frightened mothers have been pressured to choose abortion to help men escape responsibility and embarrassment.

If we were able to stop legalized abortion tomorrow, most of the babies saved from abortion would be loved and cared for by their biological mother. Those mothers would end up being grateful for their child and glad that they did not have an abortion. Most of the rest of the children would be adopted by their extended family or by noble strangers. Indeed some would probably fall through the cracks and end up in foster homes or in orphanages. However, this is no reason to kill them. There is no doubt that in twenty or so years from now a vast majority of babies saved from abortion will be glad to be alive.

What do you think about abortion? I hope this paper will inspire you to stand up and speak out on the side of life. It is also important to register to vote and vote only for pro-life candidates. We who care hold the future of legalized abortion in our hands. There are some encouraging signs that the public is becoming more pro-life. For the first time, we have a pro-life President and pro-life Majority Leaders in both Houses of Congress. Finally, if you know a young woman who is currently facing an abortion decision, be her friend. Encourage her to explore the abortion alternatives listed below.

Hope of Tomorrow

They say that the children are the future of our nation, but, how come will this happen if the children of today are not performing their duties as they should? Will it be the end of everything? How can we solve this problem?

Children have short attention span especially with the things we have right now that greatly interferes with their study. This disturbs not only their grades but also with the way they interact with other kids. It also slows down their confidence letting them confide with their own selves which is bad for growing children for this greatly affects their attitude towards work when they grow up and if without proper guidance with their parents or guardians, this may lead to violence where children would do the things they see to other people. Some children do spend most of their time watching TV and what gives them entertainment is through cartoons. This provides them comfort and fun but some cartoons go to the extent where they hurt each other which is terribly bad for children for they would think that this is right and later on, they would apply this actions towards others. What parents and guardians should do is to make their children understand that what they are watching, they shouldn't apply to real life. Parents should separate fiction from reality so that children will have a sound growth full of knowledge, truth, respect and understanding with one another. This also provides them with a bright future ahead of them.

Most of our children today are not achieving well in school and this creates dilemma in producing the right quality of student a child must be. Do you know why? Maybe this is partly caused by spending too much time in watching cartoons rather than studying their lessons. Children nowadays use most of their time at home watching cartoons instead of reading and studying. I think parents are also to be blamed because these children lack the guidance of their parents. As a result, they have low grades, they fail to do their assignments, they indulge in daydreaming and they learn to do some violent actions which they experiment on other children.


Parents must not let this happen to their children if they do not want to ruin their lives. They should limit their children from watching television, and if they do, parental guidance must be provided. This is necessary especially when there are some violent and unpleasant scenes so that they will not be influenced on what will they see. Most important of all, parents must avoid watching the television during the study time of their children so as not to disturb them. Instead, they must be at their side to encourage and help them make their homeworks so they will be inspired to study.


Watching cartoons is not really a problem but just do not let it stop you from performing well in school and learn to manage your time very well. Remember that you are the only hope of this nation. We trust in your abilities!

Filipino Women: Before and After

Change. The world's only permanent thing and yet one of the most battered words. In this era of advanced technology, it is hard to think of something not going through the process called change. According to one philosophy teacher, even change itself changes.


Today's women battle with social protocol as they struggle to break from society's conservative standards. From their fashion to their attitudes, women are being criticized. They are constantly frowned upon. Most people who are not open to women's new ways of thinking raise their eyebrows and continue to argue on the proper behavior of women.


How long ago was it when we used to see girls inside the comfort of their homes when the bell struck at six o' clock? When they held on to their skirts that were usually below knee level? When they kept their mouth shut on current issues for they were not encouraged to have a say on such matters? Or when they stayed in a nook and prayed to at least be allowed to vote on a national election? Probably those are now distant memories.


If before, women were usually home earlier than when we are dismissed from our classes, now they can have their social functions and night-outs and go on until the early hours of the next day. They have explored the vastness of their creativity through their sense of style exuded by their various fashion statements. The usual long skirts and conservative polo-type blouses are hardly seen now. Somehow, women can manage to show some skin now. They can dress themselves up in any way they want. Even the names of the Filipino women have also change in presentation. Seldom do we hear Apolinaria, Procopia and Concordia. Most of them are mocked now. They have been replaced with names like Apple or Polly, Percy, and Coline. From Maria's they have now become the modern Marie's. Just a subtle indication of how liberated our women have become today.


Currently, women have earned their respective places in the society. Their voices are being aired and heard. Their ideas are accepted and followed. Their actions are being looked up to and admired. They have acquired an air of confidence and an aura of sureness of their capabilities. They have refined their own independence and broken free from the chains of stereotyping and ignorance. Women have known much more about their worth. Now, they can do more than vote. We have our very own women leaders that never forget to balance power and heart. Women can now take part in every vital turn in the political arena:the election.


A woman's influence has penetrated the walls in the stock markets and entrepreneurship. They can now spell and smell career under their noses. They have made and marked their names in more ways than one. Even in the military and police force, the navy and marines, the jobs where the dirty work was usually done by men, these are not anymore male's sole control.


As the cliche goes, what men can do, a woman will strive hard to do better. We have to be resigned to the fact that nothing will ever stay the same.

Behind The Shadows

Darkness falls across the land, the midnight hour is close at hand....If you were an '80s kid you'd probably remember this line from Michael Jackson's Thriller. For gen-Xers, they would most likely relate more the Mummy, Urban Legend or I know what you did last summer. Soon it will be Halloween again, and suddenly, you will imagine things like the presence of an evil power around you or shadows which lurk on a dark, moonless night.


Whatever it is that brings a chill down our spines-spooked houses, eerie cries in the night, a "tikbalang" sitting on top of a tree, the oh-so-famous "white lady" floating across Balete Drive, a "manananggal" swooping above your head-the question is, should we really consider as true these strange, inexplicable haunts? Do superstitions truly merit to be believed?



I have my share of eerie experiences in the past, and I must say that I cannot not disclaim the fact that incomprehensible things do happen. One such incident was when the Couples for Christ where our parents belong and their children went to Baguio. As we all know the summer capital of the Philippines had a tragic experience because of an earthquake which they can never forget. Many lives were lost in that incident and some of the dead bodies were not yet found until now. A few years later, they built hotels and rest houses under the ruins, where many people were buried alive because the rescuers couldn't find their lost bodies anymore. That is why there were many restless souls in some of the buildings in Baguio who are in need of our prayers and help. When we arrived at the rest house we saw a white cat and a white dog but we didn't mind it because we thought that somebody might owned those pets. But we know in ourselves that it is not an any ordinary animal. When evening came, our parents went to a prayer meeting and left us alone with our yaya. I woke up in the middle of the night because I thought my parent had arrived but what I saw was the door and cabinet opening and closing by itself, I thought I was hallucinating so I slept again. When I woke up in the morning, I told them what I saw that night and I thought that it was not true. But our yaya sleeping next to me told me she also saw the same incident too. I was terrified of what I heard. I could feel the menacing presence of something powerful, but nevertheless, I knew deep in my heart that God's power is much greater than what was there.


Prayer which declares trust in God alone, an unshakable confidence that I'm His child , redeemed by Jesus' death and resurrection.


So, is your life "haunted"? Ask God to pour out His love upon you and your family. Maintain a dynamic relationship with Him and live out the faith you have found.


The process may be long and difficult, but today is the always best time to start.

Success And Its Enemies

Do you know how to dance? Are you familiar with the dance "tango"? Have you ever tried dancing the same? Well, unlike modern and off-beat dances like you know, this dance is usually performed by a male dance partner, who manipulates and controls the steps, and a female dance partner who sways and dances with grace under her partner's manipulation. In total, one cannot dance tango alone. As the saying goes, "it takes two to tango".


The mechanics of tango, by analogy, somewhat apply in real life situation. In life, there exist manipulation and manipulated individuals. Whether at home, in school, and in the bigger community that we live in, we witness growth-stunting and success-defying relationships manifested by one who controls and another who allows himself or herself to be controlled by the other. In this "manipulator-manipulated relationship", the manipulator imposes and dictates what the other must do or omit to do using or applying maneuvering strategies like anger, fear and guilt either verbally or physically. These mechanisms are the enemies of success.


Let me illustrate how the manipulator is able to control and manage the acts of another using his maneuvering techniques that are stumbling blocks to success.


The imposition of "fear" one another is one of the effective maneuvering tools used by manipulators. The manipulated allows himself or herself to be controlled by letting the manipulator impose fear of becoming an outcast, among others, compel the manipulated to submit to the control of the manipulator.


In some instances, the manipulated individuals'"fear" kept them asserting themselves. Their acts of submitting to the dictates of the manipulator were manifestations of weakness, therefore, success-defeating.


Another maneuvering technique used by the manipulators is "anger".


Silent treatment may also be used to incite another to anger. Once the manipulator is able to stir up the other and make him or her angry, he would turn the table against the latter and blame him or her for losing his or her control.


Like in fear, the acts of the manipulated or controlled individuals in some instances are success-evading.


Lastly, a manipulator may also use "guilt" as a tool to control another.


Guilt as an emotion may be useful or noxious emotions. They are normal and natural human emotions which are part of our lives. The fear of defying the laws of God and of man, the guilt brought injustice to one's life are healthy indications and manifestations of one's ethical values. Fear, anger and guilt become crippling though when we allow others to use them in order to control us. Ergo, no one could be able to control if no one would allow him or her to.


If one wants to succeed in life, he or she should be able to identify the maneuvering techniques and strategies discussed above and should not allow the same to be used by another to control his or her actions. One should not let fear, guilt and anger rule his or her life. No one would dare try to manipulate another if the latter would repel and challenge the same.


"A complete Book of Success" wrote:"In any success-defying relationship it takes one who controls by manipulation and one who permits himself to be controlled..." "Without a partner, however, the controller can never play his game. It is as simple as that. Once you realized this basic truth, all you have to do is stop playing the game..." "...letting others to control us is a sure fire way toward failure".


The concept of success is relative. Although everyone wants to succeed in life, each has his or her own standards and measure of success. The translation of dreams into reality, the achievement of goals, and the fulfillment of wishes and aspirations are but normal and typical cravings of every rational individual.


The road to success, however, is not always a smooth sailing path. There are bents and bumps in the form of challenges, trials and failures along its way. The correct and desirable attitude, however, would be turn to these stumbling blocks on your favor by considering them as learning mechanisms.


Fear, anger and guilt are but ordinary spices of life. Although these emotions are considered "enemies" of success when used by one to manipulate another, the same can be turned into a friendly ally through discovering the proper way of dealing with dame to avert failure. Learning to control your emotions, your feelings, your thoughts yourself instead of allowing others to do it for you would be one big step toward success.


Conquer your fears, maintain a firm but reasonable disposition, set your goals and work hard to achieve them. Play your own game and win it!

Book Of Faith

We do admit that most of us grew up absorbing a lot of information about who is God in our lives except for those who are non Catholics. These would have come from parents, neighbors, friends and church ministers. But it is a fact that only few Catholics, most especially the youth have forgotten the main role of the written word of God-the Bible in their lives. They are always too busy of their friends, studies and vices that they even forget to go to church every Sunday. Just not like the older generation because they are more aware of Christianity because during the past, there are still no malls, Internet games and cellphones. And this might be because it is only attributed to the traditional point of view or thinking that the Bible is only for the clergy or for those who studied it in depth or as we call nerdy type of people. But what is really a bible? What is its role in our lives? Is it just any ordinary books found everywhere?


Our bible is not a book of History nor a book of Science that gives us some historical and scientific facts. Therefore, it is a book of faith wherein we should be reading it according to its perspectives and contents. We should be able to know what is the message of every chapters and verses we read. What it intended to do was to express the different communities' faith in God in the Old Testament and the different communities' faith in Jesus in the New Testament and especially to strengthen our faith in God. For it shows how God's people experienced the miracles he made as each day passes by. Though faith is shared with us individually during baptism, it is nurtured and strengthened to us by sharing it with the community where this same faith is shared by other people. The bible is just one of the many different ways for us to come back to God despite of the sins we have done because no matter what happens He still loves us. In our Christian community, we have the Bible, traditions, and the living of our faith in God.


But we should not forget that our goal is to submit ourselves to the light of the Holy Spirit in order for us to know what is His message for us. We should be devoted to God to be able for us to know him deeply because He already knows us by flesh and blood for He is the one who made us in the first place. To tell you, if you will be able to know him better, I am pretty sure that you will love him because He is the only one whom you can cry your heart out and tell your problems. He is a friend, but take note, a special kind of friend. Combining the serious study and prayerful reflection, God will surely speak to us personally and communally through the words of the Bible.

Nature

Nature is the world around us, except for human-made phenomena. As humans are the only animal species that consciously, powerfully manipulates the environment, we think ourselves as exalted, as special. We acknowledge that in an objective view we are merely one of many organisms, and that we are not able to survive outside of our natural world of air, earth, water and life. But we end to be poor leaders in the "hierarchy" of animal life. Despite our greatness, too often we waste, we fight, we breed heedlessly, and are too self-centered and short-sighted. I take note of the increasing awareness of ecology, at least Western culture, and am heartened. We may still change our weapons of war into tools of peace, and our habits of despoliation into nurturing.


Earth is so large, that even if humans destroy ourselves, plus most other life forms, there will still be nature. The soil, oceans, atmosphere and weather would still interact with solar power to allow some life to exist. Earth cannot be a barren place like the moon. Humans can, then, reduce our planetary paradise into a hell of sorts, but cannot, I believe, destroy the planet itself.


This thought, sober and gloomy, is a modern one; in early ages it is unlikely hat people contemplated ourselves wiping-out most life on earth. I don't know why I brought it to the forefront of my nature essay. It does offer a perspective.


Nature's life forces, as well as its winds, eruptions, quakes, avalanches, freezes, etc., is immensely powerful. Even in this age of high-technology, where many people who live in cities and work full-time with computers see but little nature intimately-at least we all are still aware of the weather and the seasons. We all know that a short, rainy winter day is less pleasant or striking memories we associate with each season.


My awareness of nature was at this normal level until high school. I recall as a second year student, the nature was wholly unappealing to me. I like sports, music, sleeping and whatnot. Tress were trees, grass was grass, flowers were flowers and weeds were weeds. But by this time, I had been affected profoundly by nature awareness. I went from a normal world view to one wherein the value of being aware of and appreciative of nature was a centerpiece. In retrospect, this was he pivotal transformation of my life.



I began meditating under trees, listening to birds, tasting wild berries, and finding joy and excitement, meaning and inspiration. My self-confidence boomed, my sense of being as an individual blossomed. I began designing a custom meal from the menu of life.


The awareness of natural beauty was like a revelation. I looked at, and experienced, all manner of organisms, and light. Rainfall and windstorms became celebratory. The principles of life, previously mere broad abstractions to me, became plainly clear. I saw firsthand how environment and genetics, together affect life. I saw nature's pace-before I'd only considered humanity's.


From nature study, then, I developed my critical faculties, I gained practical information, derived inspiration and joy, and welded my personal world view. This is not an unmitigated plus. When one has an odd perspective, and so sees things n rare way, communicating with others of more traditional or conventional outlook can be difficult. For example, if I believed the soil is sacred, and yet the prevailing assumption is that it is dirt-we are worlds apart from compromise.


I would prefer that people based their philosophies more on nature study and reflection, rather than nearly wholly on what their parents or influential peers tell them. But he weight of tradition is on the side of relatively uncritical acceptance of whatever one's mainstream believes in.


I would go so far as to say humans have an instinctive need for nature, since we evolved under its influences. So to live, say, in a cave, with only artificial light, and only human-made objects, would be a sever strain. Along this line, the sterility of hospital rooms is frightful-I am glad about the emergence of "horticultural therapy" and the like.


One of my motives i sharing what I've learned from nature study is to help empower others. Even if a person doesn't find nature effective for inspiration or education, it is good to "strike it off the list of possibilities and go on to sample something else, such as religion, art, work, etc. Find your love and pursue it passionately.

He Is Still Alive In My Heart

Death?!? Everybody is afraid of death because they are scared to leave behind their loved ones. Every time I hear the word death, it gives me this weird feeling of anger. Maybe because it always takes away from me the most important persons whom I treasure in my life. One of which is my beloved grandfather. As far as I know, he was 75 then when he died because of organ failures due to his Diabetes. It was really a shocking news for our family and especially for me, for the fact that I am a Lolo's girl.


On the eve of September 24, 2005, our family was having a small gathering because some of our relatives from Bohol visited us here in Cebu. As for me, I excused myself because I have to go to the Internet cafe to do some researches for my assignment. When I left, everybody was still laughing and they were having a good time. But when I came home, you know what I saw? I saw them in an opposite mood. It is as if someone died because there faces are so sad and their eyes are teary. I know something wrong happened when I was gone. My mother approached me and hugged me so tightly. She told me that they received a call from Bohol and said that my Lolo had just passed away a few hours ago. I told her that It was not a good joke. But I saw the seriousness in her eyes. I look at everybody especially my father who was my Lolo's son. He looks so down. I just leaned at the wall and I felt that I want to cry my heart out and then suddenly my tears just ell from my eyes. At that moment I just want to ride on a ship to Bohol and hugged the cold dead body of my grandfather. I was not even given a chance to say how thankful and how I lucky am to have a very loving and caring grandfather in the whole wide world. And now all I want to say is, "I love you Lolo". Early the next morning, my father and my brothers rode on a ship to Bohol to manage the needed papers for my grandfather's death. Unfortunately, I was not able to come with them because it was still our school days. I felt so sad and disappointed. But I told my mother that perhaps I could have be absent on the Friday. Even though we were going to have a test that day I told her that it is much more important to attend the wake of my Lolo because it is the last time that I will be able to show him how much I respect and love him. My mother and I went there Friday evening. We arrived on the port of Talibon, Bohol at 4 a.m. in the morning. As we were approaching the house of my grandparents, all I can see are bright lights coming from the wake. We went inside and saw the coffin of my grandfather. I felt a little bit scared because I was afraid of coffins and dead people. But I know I should not be afraid because my teacher said that we should not be afraid of the dead but of the those who are still living in this world. And perhaps he is my most beloved Lolo. Why should I be afraid? He looks like he was just sleeping and happy for where he is right now.


Somehow I moved on already because I know he is with God and happily living with angels. And I realized that it was what he wanted and I don't want him to suffer from his disease. Someday I know and I am hoping that we will be all together in paradise.

Not Yet The Right Time

I hate this feeling I'm having right now! It is as if I'm in an island, lost and stranded. I think everybody is familiar with this feeling. I mean this strange feeling. Can this be love? Have you ever tried to love somebody with all your heart? I think no one is a beginner when it comes to love. They said that love is a special feeling felt for a special person. I thought when I am in love I would be contented and happy for what I have but my experiences of love made me realized that love could only make your heart ache a lot without being noticed. And it is not any ordinary pain that you feel but a deep wound that leaves a scar and will always be remembered every time you see that person who hurt you so much.


Love is never fair. You have to fight for your love with all your might even though you know that your losing the game. But why is it when you are serious enough to fight for it, it is also when the person you love treats your relationship as a game for kids. It really hurts. I've tried to be in a relationship but it was never what I expected to be because there were so many conflicts between the two of us. Many people say that relationships have to undergo that stage so that their relationship could be more stronger as each day passes by. But we were not able to surpass that. I suddenly remembered what one of my teachers said. She said that if you have a relationship you should make it an inspiration but not a destruction in your studies. So I have to let go of it because this relationship will have no direction anymore and it starts to ruin my studies. I wouldn't be able to know when I am going to be in love again. It is just happens in a wink of an eye. Currently for now, it is just up to crushes because maybe my mother was right that it is not yet the right time to have a relationship. I know having a relationship at this age is part of growing up and being a teenager. But mostly of the teenagers especially the girls are not allowed by their parents to have a relationship unless they already graduated in college and they already have a good occupation. But didn't they pass that kind of stage in life? Maybe because it is also for the own good of their children. They want to protect them so as not to destroy their lives. Just like me, when they knew that I had a boyfriend, they got so mad and I was grounded for one month. I have nothing to do but to cry. Now I realized that they just want to protect me and to finish my studies first. Maybe also because I was the only girl in the family. Now I am giving all my love and attention to my studies, family, God, friends and to my puppy love.


Me? I am nothing. I am just an ordinary person who knows how to feel, care, miss and especially love. But having my loved ones make my damn life special and extraordinary

What A UP Student Is NOT?!

High school...It is a place conducive for learning, wherein you will be able to know your academic subjects and learn how to deal about life and love. This has become a very big part of our adolescent stage. Here, we will meet our friends, starting a new clique that will face victories and become the persons we aimed to be. Of course there are times we really got busy in making school works, assignments and not to mention,hitting the deadlines of certain projects. But this is part of fun in high school. Well, this very positive word becomes the problem of many students. Why? Because nowadays the school has become a jungle wherein the very key rule of play is "Survival of the Fittest".


Being a normal grade six student of Canduman Elementary School, it really doesn't matter where I am gonna spend my high school years, actually anywhere is just okay...joke! But seriously, I want to study in a school where there is good education, a wonderful training-ground for your talents and the feeling that your on a one big happy family. I found that here in the University of the Philippines High School in Cebu.


Studying in UP is the greatest dream I have ever achieved. I did not expect to be the on of the top ranking students who took the entrance exam just to make all the way to UP. I have heard many negative comments about UP. Not considering the academic excellence but the radical values and behavior which is the most common in the college level. But they got a wrong notion, particularly the high school level which has more disciplined students. It is only applicable to the college level students.



As we all know, UP produces high quality, caliber professionals who we usually see in the senate or in some big companies. But on the contrary, UP High, not only focuses on the academic side but also focuses on the extracurricular activities of the students.To which a student can play a guitar and a flute and join different campus clubs on the choice of their own. We usually do not give a silent treatment when there is a problem in the campus, but we speak out. One good example of it is the Student Council which air outs the students' problems to the teachers. We are not snobbish, in fact we are friendly, jamming, and treat our schoolmates as our brothers and sisters. In every exams, we do not pressure ourselves because we didn't look at this exams a tough load but instead we enjoyed every moment of it and accept the grades we are capable of making.



Thus, UP students don't have just the brains but also the beauty and talents as well.

What Is Lent To Me As A Youth?

How does the youth of my age partake in the celebration of the Lenten season? Does this event have any place in our summertime in itinerary?


Summer is fast approaching. Another school year is about to end. Am pretty sure that at this point, we are already anticipating the calm and leisure that will come our way this wonderful vacation time. Finally, the fun and excitement, the relaxation, the breather especially from the pressures of academic life!


Summertime is usually centered on vacation and leisure. However, we must not forget though that summertime is not all relaxation. Many events come to pass during this so-called "season of leisure". More often than not, we are not totally exempt from participating in events such as fiestas, birthdays, the birth of a new member of the family, visits of family relatives and friends, and the commemoration of Lent, among others. And remember that as a youth, we have certain responsibilities too that we should always take into consideration-at home, in our community and the church as well. However big or small your role is in each episode, nonetheless, you have to do your best to responsibly perform.


Again, does Lent have any place in our plans of activities for summer? My mind was bombarded me with a lot of questions about what role I have to perform and obligations, if any, I have to comply with during Lent. I was so confused as to whether traditions being practiced by old folks in the community are relevant to me. Last year, I joined the Visita Iglesia which seemed to me "alay-lakad" activity then. I precluded myself from eating meat because of my old folks' prohibitions. I had to take a bath before noon during Good Friday, because according to them, it is unholy to do so after the Seven Last Words have begun. I blindly complied with all this age-old practices without really comprehending the reasons behind them.


I realized that the traditions I am blindly comforming with are not so much in consonance with the true spirit of the season. I soon realized that there were a lot of other ways where I can significantly partake in the celebration of Lent. The most important of which is my act of sincere penitence, prayers, sharing of love and care to others, for and in the Glory of God.


And this coming Lenten season, I will fast and abstain and still do little sacrifices not just for the heck of it but to show Christ my deep penitence.


The Season of Lent is on of the most important events that we Catholics observe. It reminds us of the sufferings of Christ when He waived His perfection and opted not just to share in our pain, but to totally deliver us from it and liberate us from sin. And the least we could do to show God our love is to enliven the mysteries of Jesus' passion and be mindful of His death and resurrection.

Friendships

Most of us, if not all, believe that no one can survive without others. We all need someone who cares for us, help us, sees our needs and do all these things to others. We need others in our lives for emotional closeness, intellectual simulation, and personal and social connectedness. Or else we may never reach our fullness as human beings. We need friends.


Friendship is a very familiar word. Even a young kid can relate with it. In defining friendship, Aristotle cited three ways why people make friends: for pleasure, for usefulness, and for good. In the first, we say, we find some quality in the person like wit which give some pleasure; in the second, the other person will somehow benefit from me; in the third, it is good in the other person and therefore the other person himself or herself, which I love.


Plato on the other hand, stated the principle of friendship as a principle in congeniality and reciprocity of goods. To explain it in a simple way, he believed that friendship is based on the good in friends. No person can be good in everything but only in some things. Persons need the good of others that are different form their own and hence congenial to them. Good persons admire, rather than envy, the good in others just as they cultivate the good in themselves for the benefit of others. This mutual admiration and valuation of personal goods, and of one another is called friendship.


For me, a friend can be trusted, honest, respectful, committed, safe, supportive, generous, loyal, mutual, constant, understanding, and he or she can accept you just the way you are.


From these qualities, we can just pick two that will clearly show the goods which we admire, value and seek in friendship.


The first quality is trust. A friend is someone who will consistently accept my faults, weaknesses, and surprises. Someone who can be patient, sustain me, and never judge and condemn me for my failures. He or she is someone to whom I can bare my thoughts and soul; someone with whom I can confide my deepest secrets. Likewise, trust is something men and women must learn to become friends. Trust is the basic foundation of friendship; friendship is nominal without it.


Another quality is security especially from emotional dangers, self-doubt, shame, fear, and anxiety. We live in a very competitive world in which we must forever follow established standards and demands. We need a friend with whom we do not have to measure up, with whom we can be ourselves. We need a trusted someone, a friend, to bring out the better if not the best in us.


But to keep the friendship alive, friends must work increasingly together for it will not sustain itself. They must grow with it. Friendships are not heaven made, we need to work for it and not simply let it happen. We give time for friendships to grow. In some instances, long-standing, trusted and secure friendships blossom into love.

Motherhood... what a glorious career!

"For mothers, out of their wisdom and love, really do know what's the best for their children"

We should pay tribute to our mothers. Why? Because from the time a child is conceived, it is she who provides sustenance until the child is fully grown. A mother will beg, borrow, or steal just to be able to satisfy the needs of her offspring, out of a pure and unselfish love. And who can fault her for doing so? But what really makes a good mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt-all at the same time? Or is it heart?

Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 a.m., to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

Is it the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a street shooting, a fire, a car accident, a baby dying?

One of the very first words a child learns to utter is "mama". It is rarely ever "papa". Perhaps, this is instinctive, considering the fact that the mother carries her child in her womb for nine months-a unique form of bonding that no two other people can never experience.

My mother was only 28 years of age when she married my father. She learned how to cope up with her in-laws, learning all there was to being a wife and mother. Perhaps I was the only girl in the family, mom was even more attentive to me. I recall how, when she dip a piece of face towel in a hot water and place this over my forehead to give me relief from my high fever. She hardly ever slept a wink whenever I was bedridden. At the mere sight of the injection, she comforted me, reassuring me that the prick would last only a few seconds and that it would be over just as quickly. She was always there to accompany not only me, but even my two older brothers and my youngest brother when we needed to undergo tooth extraction. Such loving care mother extended to all of us, her children-young or old. Mama also helped me in my home works.

I truly feel grateful now when I look back. I feel lucky to have a mother who instilled such positive values early in my childhood in order to prepare me for the daily battles I was to face while growing up.

After all, my mother was just not a parent. She was also my best friend and confidante.

I love my mother and I am proud of her

My Journey Goes On....

They say the best thing God could ever give you is your life. Thus, my parents were so glad that I received the gift of life on the afternoon of October 3, 1992. And I could simply say that I was made out of love because I grew up experiencing the love and affection given to me by my parents and family members as well as my other siblings. I have three loving brothers, namely Ivan, Michael, and Jason. According to my mom, as I was growing up, I started to become curious with the things around me. I keep on asking questions like how?, what?, what's this?, and gosh! I'm so glad my mom was patient enough to explain to me those things. I got to learn more about myself when I started to go to school. Aside from the lessons and knowledge I acquired from school, it also taught me independence, camaraderie, and puppy love. I spent my preschool years in Manila and my elementary years here in Cebu. I just realized that I have left a lot of people together with those fond memories behind without even saying goodbye. Maybe because it all happened in just a blink of an eye. It as if I woke up from a weird dream and then everything around me suddenly changed. Moving on, it was really a culture shock going to school. Primarily, I don't know how to speak Cebuano and secondly, I am in a public school! Far from where I used to go. Fortunately, I was able to overcome all those adjustments and live a normal life again.

When I am in high school, I'm so blessed to be in Philippines' premiere school which is the University of the Philippines High School in Cebu. I am still halfway of the staggering, tiresome, and sleepless assignments, projects, and examinations! Everyday at high school is a new experience and we get to laugh at anything. We are that close due to the fact that our batch is only sixty-eight. Now that I'm on my second year, the more I should double my effort studying because it gets to be demanding as each semester passes by. High school taught me patience and time management and most of all, it showed me the reality of conserving money and how hard money is earned.

As I live my life, I ponder how great my experiences were and how I learned out of these experiences. I know these will keep on coming for life is a long and winding road. And I know, this is just the beginning of my everlasting challenges which I should be ready to face. This is my journey, my life