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Saturday, April 21, 2012

Dear Tsaynis



Photo of the Day!


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

K+12 Program

“We are the LAST country in Asia and one of only three countries in the world with a 10-year pre-university program.” (Source: SEAMEO Innotech 2011)
This was a statement in one of the K to 12 (K-12) slide handouts distributed by Department of Education (DepEd)  Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro at a media press conference and open forum last December 12, 2011.

This came as a shock as we still hold with pride the fact that we are an English-speaking nation and that other Asian countries used to send their children to our country in the 60s and 70s to study since the Philippines was a premier educational destination. What has happened to us since then? How did we get from being the country of educational choice to last place? Why are our students now ranked among the lowest in Asia when it comes to key subjects like Math and Science?
Here’s another thing. Why can’t our high school graduates now land any decent jobs? When I was growing up, it was always a wonder to me how Americans could get summer jobs or opt not to pursue a college education and yet qualify for work. And here we are requiring a college degree or equivalent for even the most clerical of tasks.
DepEd is trying to correct the situation and bring our educational standards up to par with global standards through the K-12 program which will be implemented in phases beginning with the school year (SY) 2012-13.
K-12 is a catch-up attempt to put the Philippines at par with the rest of the world.
The K-12 system  aims to be a catch-up for the Philippines, seeing that most other countries already have 12 years of pre-university education. We cannot continue to insist on our current 10-year program if some of our graduates are looking to working or taking further studies abroad.
According to DepEd, “A 12-year program is found to be the adequate period for learning under basic education and is a requirement for recognition of professionals abroad (i.e., Bologna and Washington Accords)”.
K-6-4-2_Model
Countries like Singapore have 11 years of compulsory education but depending on the track that one takes, total pre-university education can be from 12 to 14 years.
The public schools will feel the change more than most private schools which, as of now, already offer at least 12 years of basic education: 1-2 years of kindergarten, 6-7 years of elementary, and 4 years of high school.
K-12 will better equip students with skills for future employment
We have always ranked in the bottom when it comes to Math and Science. Even our so-called English advantage is slowly being eroded. We see an influx of Korean youth studying English in our country. China is now encouraging its citizens to learn English. And I heard from a relative returning from a trip to Cambodia that many street people he encountered could engage tourists in English as well as other languages.
Our curriculum has been criticized as being fraught with rote memorization. K-12 is expected to change all that.
Critical thinking is going to be key in the K to 12 program  according to Secretary Luistro. The acquisition, and mastery, of lifelong skills will become the focus of teaching compared to the present congested curriculum which compresses 12 years of education into 10.
For those aiming for technical-vocational courses, TESDA plans to download some of its basic technical competencies while CHED will transfer general education subjects to basic education. Students who finish the 12 years of education then are better equipped vocationally or technically to apply for employment even without pursuing higher education.
Special schools such as science high schools and trade schools and high schools for the arts will have enriched curriculum but focus on their specializations will continue.
Implementation of K to 12 will be done in phases.
Beginning with SY 2012-13, K to 12 will be introduced slowly . Initially, the new curriculum  will be introduced only in Grade 1 and Grade 7 (High School Year 1). Every school year thereafter, another level would introduce the new curriculum. So by SY 2017-18, all levels would already be teaching the new curriculum.

The law mandating Kindergarten is still pending in Congress but once passed, it will become a requirement for Grade 1. DepEd, however, has began offering Universal Kindergarten beginning with SY 2011-12. Parents with 5-year old children are being encouraged to enroll them already so that they can develop skills they’ll need for Grade 1.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Miss Universe Top 10 Unforgettable Moments

Bb Pilipinas Universe 2012 - Janine Tugonon -


Here are some fast facts about Tugonon:
  • Tugonon is 22 years old and hails from Balanga, Bataan.
  • During the pageant’s question and answer portion, judge Jose Manuel Romualdez asked Tugonon the question: “Many women nowadays forego a happy family life for a successful career. How do you feel about this?” Tugonon replied: “I believe that women have the right to choose between what they want. But for me, you’ll have to go for what God has called you to do, whatever it is, between the two. You must do what your purpose is in this world. Just have a child-like faith and mature obedience, and everything will go smooth.”
  • Tugonon is no stranger to the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. She placed first runner-up in last year’s competition, which was won by Supsup. Below is a video of Tugonon during the question and answer portion of Binibining Pilipinas 2011 which was posted on YouTube.
  • Tugonon admitted that her family had mixed views on her decision to join the Binibining Pilipinas pageant for the second time. “Sobrang saya ko kasi joining again really is a big discussion in our family. Maraming may ayaw, pero meron ding may gusto. Talagang dito napatunayan ko na when God really plans something for you, it really happens,” she told ABS-CBN News. “Sobrang saya at the same time nervous din kasi Shamcey and Venus made it sa Miss Universe.”
  • Tugonon is a pharmacy graduate of the University of Santo Tomas. She won in beauty pageants held in UST, such as Miss Thomasian Personality in 2010 and Miss Pharmacy in 2009.
  • According to her Facebook fan page, Tugonon graduated cum laude from UST. It added that the beauty queen was a consistent honor student and is into ballet.
  • Hours after the pageant, Tugonon attributed her victory to God. “My Savior fought and won the battle for me,” she said on Twitter . The beauty queen also turned to the microblogging site to thank her friends, fans and supporters.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/04/16/12/fast-facts-about-bb-pilipinas-2012-janine-tugonon

Picture of the DAY!

MY MOM AND HER EYE...(PLS DON'T CRY)

I HATED HER!... she was such an embarrassment..
my mom ran a small shop at a flea market.
she collected little weeds and such to sell...
anything for the money we needed
she was such an embarressment.
there was this one day during elementary school..
it was field day, and my mom came.
i was so embarressed. how could she do this to
me? i threw her a hateful look and ran out.

the next day at school...
"your mom only has one eye?!?!" ..and they
taunted me.
i wished that my mom would just dissappear from
this world
so i said to my mom,
"mom.. why dont you have the other eye?!
if you're only gonna make me a laughingstock,
why dont you just die?!!!"
my mom did not respond..
i guess i felt a little bad, but at the same time, it
felt good to think that i had said what i'd wanted to
say all this time..
maybe it was because my mom hadnt punished
me,
but i didnt think that i had hurt her feelings very
badly.

that night...
i woke up, and went to the kitchen to get a glass
of water.
my mom was crying there, so quietly, as if she
was afraid that she might wake me.
i took a look at her, then turned away.
because of the thing i had said to her earlier, there
was something pinching at me in the corner of my
heart.
even so, i hated my mother who was crying out of
her one eye. so i told myself that i would grow up
and become successful.
cause i hated my one-eyed mom and our
desperate poverty..

then i studied real hard.
i left my mother and came to Seoul and studied,
and got accepted in the Seoul University with all
the confidence i had.

then, i got married.
i bought a house of my own.
then i had kids, too..
now i'm living happily as a successful man.
i like it here because it's a place that doesnt
remind me of my mom.

this happiness was getting bigger and bigger,
when..

what?!
who's this?!
...it was my mother...
..still with her one eye.
it felt as if the whole sky was falling apart on me.
my little girl ran away, scared of my mom's eye.
and i asked her,

"who are you?!"
"i dont know you!!!" as if trying to make that real. i
screamed at her," how dare you come to my
house and scare my daughter!"


"GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!"

and to this, my mother quietly answered,
"oh, i'm so sorry. i may have gotten the wrong
address,"
and she dissappeared out of sight.


thank good ness... she doesnt recognize me..
i was quite relieved.

i told myself that i wasnt going to care, or think
about this for the rest of my life.
then a wave of relief came upon me...

one day, a letter regarding a school reunion came
to my house. so, lying to my wife that i was going
on a business trip, i went.
after the reunion, i went down to the old shack,
that i used to call a house...just out of curiosity

there, i found my mother fallen on the cold ground.
but i did not shed a single tear.
she had a piece of paper in her hand.... it was a
letter to me.

my son...
i think my life has been long enough now..

and... i wont visit Seoul anymore...
but would it be too much to ask if i wanted you to
come visit me once in a while?
i miss you so much.. and i was so glad when i
heard you were coming for the reunion.
but i decided not to go to the school.
...for you...
and i'm sorry that i only have one eye, and i was
an embarressment for you.

you see, when you were very little, you got into
an
accident, and lost your eye. as a mom, i couldnt
stand watching you having to grow up with only
one eye... so i gave you mine...
i was so proud of my son that was seeing a
whole
new world for me, in my place, with that eye. i
was
never upset at you for anything you did.. the
couple times that you were angry with me,.. i
thought to myself, 'it's because he loves me..'

my son... oh, my son...
i dont want you to cry for me, because of my
death.

please dont cry....
my son, i love you so much

Sunday, April 15, 2012

You Can Be Everything!

Picture of the DAY!

The Power of FACEBOOK!

Pray!


Pinoy summer, da best! Indeed, summer here in the Philippines is one hell of a ride with all the festivities each island has to offer you. Colorful, fun, and noisy, those are the characteristics that these celebrations have hence no doubt that the people who experience those will definitely have a blissful summer.

The smile is indeed an indelible mark that people always possess while and after the festivity. There would be no reason for us not to smile and ignore the infecting happiness that the golden sound gives; The food is a constant cause of joy to the visitors as it possesses the ingredients that we all should be proud of; and the people will be the one to force you in wearing a smile.

The tourism department is indeed correct with its slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” The festivals alone would give the people an infinite reason to draw a curve on their faces hence we all have to celebrate for it!

On a more technical aspect. ABS-CBN is undoubtedly the best producers and makers of Station ID. Through the years, they have proven their worth to the industry. With all the innovations that they have, the station never ran out of flamboyant ideas in showcasing what the Philippines has to offer to the world! Good thing that their talents always uplifts the mood and the flow of the music video with their suave dance moves. And of course, the composed music will be another hit to every Filipino as it shall be the national anthem for this summer.

Now, let the world see how fun it is in our country through the help these Summer Station ID. Let them move with the stars of ABS-CBN along with its enticing music. Let the music do the thing. And of course, let them smile as they witness a celebration that they wouldn’t see in any country except ours. This shall we take pride on! We are a country of the bests and thank God for blessing us with unending graces. - http://mrengine.tumblr.com/



Chocolate Cake!

280 calories in one slice of chocolate cake. 

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Roses are red violets are blue...


  • Roses are red violets are blue, Sugar is sweet and so are you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, You've made all my dreams come true!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, You know I've got my eyes on you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue I feel so lost without you...
  • Roses are red and so are my lips, just wait til you see me wiggle my hips!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I just wanna hook up with you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, These lips can't wait to be kissing you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I'd do anything to be with you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I love chocolate more than you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I've never met anyone as hot as you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I never knew love until I found you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, there's only one way to say this, I love you.
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I'm going to bed would you like to come too?
  • Roses are red violets are blue, Bet you can't guess what I want to do?
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I'd rather be spending my time with you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, May I have this dance with you?
  • Roses are red violets are blue, Have I mentioned I'm in love with you?
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I don't want no-one if I can't have you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I want to spend my life making love to you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, If I had a condom I'd sleep with you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I'm the one who'll make all your dreams come true!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, Love never crossed my mind until the day I met you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, Love me so much, like I love you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I found someone else better than you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, Chilli is hot and so are you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, Ain't never gonna love no-one more than you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I just wanted to say thank you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, My love keeps me tied to you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I don't want to spend a day without you!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, My love will always be so true!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, My heart is broken without you.
  • Roses are red violets are blue, Thanks for everything we've been through.
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I love you for everything you do!
  • Roses are red violets are blue, I don't really care but I love you!
  • Roses are red Shammrock's are green - You've got the cutest butt I've ever seen!




Picture of the DAY!

Cloud Poem

How I love to watch
The clouds? : - Peacefully –
Peacefully drifted by, 
Silently upon the breeze –
They easily across the clear blue sky.

How the clouds build
And tumble! 
Just like angels out to play –
Dancing with the fairies
Heeling their heads along the way.

Each new shape is quite
Amusing: 
Puffs to great majestic towers
Building for their loving
Gift
To bless the earth with vital showers.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Be Yourself!

TITANIC


RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on 15 April 1912 after colliding with an iceberg during her maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. The sinking of Titanic caused the deaths of 1,514 people in one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history. She was the largest ship afloat at the time of her maiden voyage. One of three Olympic class ocean liners operated by the White Star Line, she was built between 1909–11 by the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. She carried 2,224 people. Her passengers included some of the wealthiest people in the world, as well as over a thousand emigrants from Great Britain and Ireland, Scandinavia and elsewhere seeking a new life in North America. 

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Best Answer!

This speech was delivered by a La Sallian engineer in one of the graduation ceremonies at the UP College of Engineering.

Ngayong araw na ito, sa ating pagtatapos, mayroon akong dalang Transcript of Record. Ang estudyanteng may-ari ng transcript na ito ay nag-aral sa De La Salle University. Sa unibersidad na ito, kapag ikaw ay isang undergraduate, may ID number na nagsisimula sa “94” at pataas, kung lumipas ang isang buong schoolyear at umabot ka sa 15 units na bagsak, masisipa ka sa paaralan. 

Ang transcript na hawak ko ay mayroong 27 units ng bagsak. 12 sa mga ito ay tinamo ng estudyante sa iisang schoolyear lang. Ang isang subject ay kadalasang may bigat na 3 units. Kung iisiping mabuti, isang subject na bagsak na lang ay pwede na masipa ang estudyanteng may-ari ng transcript na ito. 

Ang speech na ito ay hindi ko ginawa para i-acknowledge ang paghihirap ng ating magulang sa pagpapaaral natin. Hindi ko din ito ginawa para maghayag ng political statement, o kumbinsihin kayo na huwag umalis sa bansa at tulungan itong maka-ahon. Ang speech na ito ay para sa mga normal na estudyante na kagaya ng may may-ari ng transcript na hawak ko, dahil madalas, wala talagang paki-alam ang unibersidad sa mga achievements nila. May mga awards na gaya ng “Summa Cum Laude”, “Best Thesis Award” at “Leadership Award.” Pero ni minsan, hindi pa ako nakakakita ng unibersidad na nagbigay ng “Hung on and managed to graduate despite nearly getting kicked-out during his academic stay” award. 

Maaaring isang malaking kagaguhan ang konseptong ito para sa karamihan. Bakit mo pararangalan ang isang estudyanteng bulakbol, bobo, tamad o iresponsable? Hindi ba dapat isuka ito ng unibersidad? Ito yung mga tipo ng estudyanteng walang ia-asenso sa buhay, hindi ba? 

Ayun. Natumbok niyo.Iyun na nga ang dahilan. 

Madalas, pag ang isang estudyante ay may pangit na marka sa paaralan, lalong-lalo na sa kolehiyo, nakakapanghina ito ng loob. Nandiyan yung tatamarin ka mag-aral, nandyan yung iisipin mo “Ano pa kayang trabaho ang makukuha ko? Call center na naman o clerical? Ba’t kasi ang bobo ko. Kung matalino lang ako, sana, sa Proctor and Gamble ako, o kung saang sikat na kumpanya.” 

Mas mahirap ang dinadaanan ng mga estudyanteng bumabagsak. Kahit na sabihin mong kasalanan nilang bumabagsak sila, hindi ninyo alam kung ano ang pakiramdam ng ganun. Madaling sabihin na “Kaya mo yan, mag-aral ka lang,” pero alam ba natin talaga ang sinasabi natin? 

Kapag ang isang estudyante ay bumabagsak sa unibersidad, nandiyan yung tatawanan niya lang yan. O di kaya naman, ipagmamalaki niya pang “TAKE 5 NA KO!!!” o “Pare, magpi-PhD na ako sa Anmath3/Calculus/etc.” Pero hindi alam ng mga isang Summa Cum Laude kung ano ang nasa isip ng isang normal na estudyante sa tuwing matutulog ito at alam niyang pag-gising niya, kailangan niya na naming ulitin ang isang subject na nakuha niya na sa susunod na term. 

Kahit kalian, hindi naging problema sa “Star Student” na sabihing “Nay, bagsak ako.” at hindi kailanman sumagi sa isip nila na “Paano kaya kung sa walang-pangalang kumpanya lang ako makapagtrabaho?” Dahil sigurado sila sa kinabukasan nila. 

Huwag na tayong maglokohan. Grades are everything. Kahit bali-baligtarin mo iyan, hindi magiging patas ang mga kumpanyang kumukuha ng fresh graduates para magtrabaho sa kanila. Minsan din naman, nadadaan sa palakasan, pero ganun pa din. Kung hindi ka academically good, wala kang patutunguhan. Kung hindi man yun, mas mahirap yung dadaanan mo para lang makaa-abot sa prestihiyosong posisyon. 

Kaya ngayong graduation, ang speech na ito ay inaaalay ko para sa mga estudyanteng lumpagpak, muntik-muntikanan nang masipa o yung lahat ng paraang pwede, ginawa na para lang makatapos. Gagawin kong patas ang mundo para sa inyo kahit isang araw lang. Kahit ano pa ang sabihin ng ibang tao, kesyo kasalanan mo man na pangit ang marka mo o muntik ka nang makick-out, saludo ako sa hindi mo pagtigil sa pag-aaral. Saludo ako na may lakas ka ng loob na harapin pa rin ang mundo kahit alam mong hindi ito magiging patas sa iyo. Saludo ako na kahit pangit ang transcript mo, taas-noo ka pa rin ngayong graduation at proud na proud sa sarili mo.

Ano ngayon ang mangyayari sa mga graduates pagkatapos nitong graduation? Ayoko nang puntahan yung pwedeng mangyayari sa mga Cum Laude. Baduy. Alam mo namang me patutunguhan ang buhay nila e. Pero dun sa mga lumagpak, ano ang meron? 

Maaring makakuha kayo ng mediocre na trabaho lang. Pwede ka rin swertehin, baka makapagtrabaho ka sa magandang kumpanya. Madami pang pwedeng mangyari. Huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Kung nung college, nagtiyaga kayo e ba’t titigilan niyo yung pagti-tiyaga ngayon? 

Pwede ring ganito: Mag-aral ka ulit. Ipakita mo sa kanila na kung sipagin ka lang, malayo ang mararating mo. Subukan mong patunayan sa kanila na kapag pinilit mo, kaya mo ring abutin yung naabot nila. Na hindi ka bobo, kundi tinamad ka lang. 

Baka sabihin ninyo, drowing lang ako. 

I’ve been on both sides. Naranasan ko na ring lumagpak, at muntikan na din akong masipa. Naranasan ko na na umulit ng 4 na beses sa iisang subject. Naranasan ko na na masumbatan ng magulang, kapatid at kung sino-sino pang propesor na walang pakialam sa pakiramdam ng estuyante. Naranasan ko nang hindi makatulog ng maraming gabi sa pagiisip kung paano ko na naman sasabihin sa magulang ko na may bagsak na naman ako. Kaya alam ko ang pakiramdam ninyo. 

Akin ang transcript na ito. 

Pagkagraduate ko ng college, ano ang ginawa ko? Eto. Nagtrabaho muna ng konti, tapos aral ulit. Kuha ng Masteral sa kurso ko. Hindi para sa trabaho o kung ano man. Kundi para patunayan sa sarili ko na noong mga panahong bumabagsak ako, tinatamad lang ako. 

This is a rebellion. I raise my middle finger to every professor, over-achiever, naysayer and detractor that told me that I can’t make it. I raise my middle finger to every valedictory or graduation speech that only gratifies the university, those who were achievers in school or those who gratify the country when it’s supposed to be the graduate’s moment of glory. You are supposed to acknowledge EVERYONE. Even those who failed many times. 
Kaya sa inyong mga graduates na medyo hindi maganda ang marka, para sa inyo ito. Kung kinaya ko ito, kaya niyo rin to. Imposibleng hindi.

Verses that affect our daily lives:

On work – “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” (Proverbs 10:4, NIV); “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (Provebs 6:6, NIV)
On handling money & integrity – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (Luke 16:10, NIV)
On debt – “Owe nothing to anyone – except for your obligations to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.” (Romans 13:8, NLT)
On lifestyle – “Some who are poor pretend to be rich; Others who are rich pretend to be poor.” (Proverbs 13:7, NLT)
On productivity – “Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another – or maybe both.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6, NLT)
On investing – “But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.”  (Ecclesiastes 11:2, NLT).
On generosity – “Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:24-25, NLT)”

Source: Randell Tiongson

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