Computer Vs. Studies: Big Deal?

by: Bryco B. Nanol

Have you ever heard of the words DOTA, Counterstrike, FLYFF, ROHAN, Cabal and Grand Chase? These are some of the lots of computer games which most of the students even I; girls and boys alike are addicted.
Computer is a modern type of technology which hastens people’s workloads and creates a form of recreation to most juveniles in this current generation. As what I observed in an internet café setting, most are teenagers playing online games with their peers. It creates camaraderie and a strong bond of friendship as per experience also. Some may even spend more money paying computer rental fees than buying something to suppress their aching stomachs.
Usually, first time users eventually get addicted to it. It creates a hooking effect which lasts for quite a period of time. Once tasted, always wanted. It only justifies man’s unlimited wants.
Nowadays, learning institutions offer computer services to students for internet access so as to help them in their studies. Internet surfing and browsing is not a so-so time-consuming activity compared to scanning or skimming certain information from thousands of obsolete books in the library. So tiresome, isn’t it? Questions may arise like, “Are computers destructive to our studies?” As for me, it depends upon the student himself. If students use computers in making researches, complying requirements, then computer helps. But contrast to the preceding statement, computers would create a different behavior among students wherein they tend to explore solely their satisfaction in computers (online computer games) and will eventually serve as a destructive tool in their studies as well. The antidote would be time organization and management; creating equilibrium to everything. I honestly consider myself as a geek to online computer games. Its already part of my daily routine but I’m proud to say I still have enough time for my studies.
Let me ask you these questions: If you were a “computer addict” (as commonly termed) how does it affect your studies? How were you able to manage this kind of situation? Is it really a big deal? The verdict is yours…

Indictment: Quality Education Deflates Below Zero Datum

by: Mary Grace S. Cagay

On typical campus days you can see corpses attending their classes, taking hold of whatever their professors stuff in their not-so-empty brains. Grrr.. Here I am again, a zombie roaming around the premises, wandering looking for another victim to scare.
Tic-tac, tic-tac… The clock strikes 11:30 am. There I am sitting still; applying the epitome of espionage, ready to eviscerate beings with my esoteric verbiage; dauntlessly climbing up to the zenith.
Let’s start with this flaring issue on the so-called “Quality Education” this learning institution has in store for these creeping carcasses to fill-in the spaces of their brains. Ugghh! What a seamy phase of matter.
“Mag-meet si Ma’am?” Dili man siguro. “Dili nalang ta mosulod klase.” Uy, onde ka anda? Man-meet daw si ma’am ara. “’di ya lang io entra, nonsense lang man syempre ta-abla si ma’am, huga ya lang io DOTA.” When i happen to chitchat with student regarding how they are taught by their profesors, he said with a flick of disappointment on his face, “Wala na ko’y gana mosulod klase, mas maayu pa man amu high school teachers sa ilaha (referring to the college instructors). Simple English grammar dili gane kabalu. Mali2x pa ang uban lessons. They are no longer efficient and effective teachers.” These and other looming tête-à-têtes make up the campus setting. Do these corpses I mean students still experiencing the “quality education” they are after? An article of this publication clearly stated this line, “We (referring to ZSCMST) don’t accept the best and the brightest, we make them.”There are lots of synonymous words to the word MAKE: to wit some; create craft, orchestrate, construct, mold. The ultimate question is, “Is this realized?” Not so, I believe.
What’s so ironic is that professors with less knowledge, fewer wits tend to show-off apparently not minding and leaving behind erudite ones. Why is this so? How about the corpses? Are they still part of the individuals to be nurtured to become all that they are capable of being? ZSCMST population increased with a higher percentage this year compared last year. The torrent of corpses seeks for AFFORDABLE, QUALITY EDUCATION. But then again, only AFFORDABLE EDUCATION is carried out.
In this fast paced and complicated world of intellectuals involvement is a must. To whom this may concern; carcasses need your substantial ideas not your so-so magnetic flux of non-sense yet alluring notions.
Why settle for mediocrity if excellence is possible? So much with eulogies, let’s face reality. The hourglass has long been dripping; the next thing would be the awakening of everybody from deep slumber. Achieving Primus Inter Pares (first among equals); let it be done.
Oh, I almost forgot. I’d better be heading for my scheduled activity; an espresso with me, myself and I; just to eliminate cutthroat thoughts in my psyche. Hhhm. My belly aches; I need something to devour to suppress my cravings. Tsk..tsk..

Students Chum: Are They?

by: bryco B. Nanol

We, students are fond of making friends to anyone; friends from various places with diverse personalities. But in school, we have our buddies who help us in educational matters-our teachers.
Teachers are lifelines of any academic institution with different packages. They are usually categorized according to the type of teachings to the students; first, “Ghost/Absentee teacher”. Most of us love them because we rarely see them in school. They are always either late or absent from their classes. But miraculously, majority of their students pass. These teachers are not fond of giving quizzes but the disadvantage is we have the lesser chance to redeem ourselves to the entire semester. My advice is, if you have this kind of teacher, better do a self-study! Always prepare for his surprise. They will scare you like ghost in her midterm and final examinations because of the items which have never been discussed in the class. That’s because they’re gone half the entire semester. Second is, “The Cool Teacher”. These are fresh graduate teachers with the same line of thinking with their students. They become our buddies outside the school but it has also his limitations inside the classroom. Leave the jokes outside. Third we have “The Dartboard Teacher”. These are teachers who are fond of giving quizzes and recitations. They have been absent and always on time in the class. When it comes to recitation, no matter how hard you’ve studied for it, you’ll go crazy! Now, here comes the release of grades. You become dumbfounded because your grades seem just “dartboard” because you don’t know how it was computed. Beware of Dartboard Teachers! Fourth, “Inspirational Teacher”. If you have this kind of teacher, dude you’re lucky! Not everyone can meet this kind of teachers who are experts in their field and institutionalized. They spout wisdom when they speak. You’ll surely love this kind of teacher. How would you identify an inspirational teacher? They usually have a good reputation among other batches and you know one when you meet one. They become more than just a teacher. After the semester, they will become your mentor and friend for the rest of your life. Fifth, “The Terror Teacher”. This kind of teacher is everyone’s nightmare! They are super strict with the attendance and proper use of school uniforms. Yes, unfortunately we still have this kind of teacher in our college. They are the type of teacher who will make you turn around and run opposite direction. But don’t be suck up! Of all things, terror teachers hates student pet. Just do your job as student and you will have a pleasant teacher-student relationship. At least, it will not be forever. Secretly, everyone loves and thanks terror teacher by the time we graduate because he instills in us discipline we badly needed to survive college. And lastly,” The Bookworm Teacher”. From the label itself, this teacher is known to have memorized the book that he has been using for a decade since they started teaching. So, if you encounter this kind of teacher, you can lead notes or old test papers from the passé batches. (hehehe…)Surely the examination questions are just being recycled. But if you want to maximize your learning experience with this teacher, do some extra reading. It’s better to have other references in this progressing world of ours.

Will Noynoy Fathom Parents' Legacy

by: Mary Grace S. Cagay

Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III finally declared running for presidency in the 2010 Elections to (according to him) continue the fight of his parents and unite the country against an unpopular but well-entrenched administration. But the question is, “Is crossing the Rubicon the best move to untie the Gordian knot?”
Viewed as a reluctant candidate, Aquino faces the challenge of proving he is worthy of, or beter than his parents’ legacy. Most people believe that the legacy of Nonoy’s parents makes him stand out from the rest of the presidentiables. Aren’t we asking ourselves, “Will the legacy of the late Aquinos be the goal of Noynoy?”
Benito Lim, a political analyst and a professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, identified the Aquino legacy as the dispute at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac, the alleged graft and corruption during Cory Aquino’s term, the numerous coup d’ etats and brownouts during those times. These and other looming obstacles are just around the corner. Aquino is left with the challenge of laying down platforms that would be appealing to the electorate. What will be those?
Riding on the present state of affairs is the scenario of Noynoy’s declaration of candidacy. The “kasikatan” or popularity of his parents persuaded him to vie for the highest position even changing the course of the presidential race. How I wish my parents are popular these days!
What has Noynoy to offer to the Filipino people besides being the anointed one of the elite, civil society, bishops and nuns? We have never heard of any significant piece of legislation he authored in all his years as a Congressman and Senator. What more if he becomes the president of the Republic of the Philippines? Doesn’t he know that the race is wilder than white water rafting?
Suppose Cory Aquino is still alive, do you think Noynoy would still run for presidency? Definitely no! He will never win if he dares! As for this flash, the euphoria over the yellow fever is still on fire. Who knows, tomorrow it might fade?
The very emotion that struck me in this issue is the 6-letter word APATHY. Would I care? If we only just try to be vigilant to the smorgasbord of issues concerning the entire Philippine populace, only then could we realize our vital roles as part of the electorate. The political fray clutches the flesh of our very own Philippines which demands a violent rooting out. Let’s be responsible enough.

The Dilemma of Anxiety

by: Dave A. Ornado, Ed. D.

Anxiety is very recognizable to everyone; it is a problem of epidemic proportions. Yet as prevalent as it is, anxiety or worry is one of the most counterproductive things we can do. Worry is like a rocking chair that gives you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere. How should the God-believing person move towards the problem of worry? What can we do about it? Perhaps by first is understanding the problem. Anxiety exists when somebody encounters distress about future uncertainties. It is characterized by mental agitation and uneasiness which may be mild or severe. It primarily has to do with what may happen in the future, either near or distant. Anxiety is caused by real or imagined threats to our well-being. We feel vulnerable and inadequately protected against threats such as social rejection, physical injury or disease, poverty, death, and a wide range of other threats.

Anxiety has three main elements namely: a) Insecurity- something bad is going to happen; b) Helplessness: there is nothing I can do; c. Isolation: there is no one to help me. These causes may operate individually or in various combinations. Emotionally, they cause just as much anxiety if they are imagined as if they were real. Anxiety is a form of fear, and must be recognized as such. With an understanding of the problem, we are closer to overcome it. The best remedy is to deal with the problem's causes, not just its symptoms. What is the truth about insecurity, helplessness, and isolation with regard to the Christians? While the Christian may lack confidence, the reality is that he is very confident as promised in Hebrews 4:16 which states that “ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” While the Christian may feel helpless, the reality is that he has great help according to Psalms 27:5 “ For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.” The remedy for anxiety is complete trust and confidence in God's ability to deal with anything that threatens us. The more we learn about God, the more we know His infinite power and His concern for us. God has promised peace of mind to those who are willing to commit their anxieties to Him. Learn to live one day at a time. Proper use of today diminishes anxiety about tomorrow. Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its worries and sorrows; it only empties today of its strengths. Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it falls due.
Many, if not most, of our fears will turn out to be unfounded. Anxiety and idleness often go hand-in-hand. Despair is a form of laziness. Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime, and too sleepy to worry at night Much good can be accomplished, even in adverse circumstances, if we will quit concentrating on what cannot be done and do what can be done. According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, don’t waste time in doubts and fears; spend yourself in the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it. Our great business in life is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand. There is no tranquilizer as effective as the knowledge that we have done our best and there is no pillow as soft as a good conscience.

Significant Flourishing Failures

by: Dave A. Ornado, Ed. D.

“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.”
All human creatures, men and women, fall in three categories, in relationship to being successful. Those who are successful, those who aren’t successful and those who are on their way to being successful. If we were to subdivide them even further we could mention those who are on their way to success and those who were successful at one time. I don’t care who you are, we all wish to be part of the successful bunch. We all want to be somebody. We all want to make it to the top of the heap.
For a very logical reason we tend to identify with the successful ones. We like to hear the success stories. We like the stories with a happy ending. We like fairy tales because, at the end, they get married and live happily ever-after. There is something about prosperity and in a life of success that appeals to our most inner self.
Society hammers into our brains the idea that success is to be measured with goods. The media claims that he who dies with the most toys wins. And we all want not only the best but the latest toys. We all want to win.
Speaking personally, my father wouldn’t allow his children to go to a secular school. All he wanted for us was to enter a seminary and serve God. Thus, three of my brothers have finished theology. I was only 17 when my life was a topsy-turvy leaping from one school to another because of no direction in life. Then, I went to enroll in a prominent university and started to work to earn my own way. But through faith in God and sensing his purpose for my life, hard work, and determination I not only graduated from college but also from graduate school. True, I started late, but I made it. You can too. And I’ve realized that not only people who have studied in a seminary can be God’s ministers but as long as one has the heart of sharing His words to others can be His chosen one.
Let me tell you some of notable personalities who have undergone failures but flourished at the end.
Perhaps, you have read about “Einstein was four years old before he could speak and seven before he could read. Beethoven’s music teacher once said of him, ‘As a composer he is hopeless.’ Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school. When a boy, Thomas Edison’s teachers told him he was too stupid to learn anything. F.W. Woolworth got a job in a dry goods store when he was 21, but his employers wouldn’t let him wait on a customer because he ‘didn’t have enough sense.’ A newspaper editor fired Walt Disney because he had ‘no good ideas.’ Enrico Caruso’s music teacher told him, ‘You can’t sing. You have no voice at all.’ And the director of the Imperial Opera in Vienna told Madame Schumann-Heink that she would never be a singer and advised her to buy a sewing machine.
Admiral Richard E. Byrd had been retired from the Navy as ‘unfit for service’ until he flew over both Poles. Louis Pasteur was rated as ‘mediocre’ in chemistry when he attended the Royal College. Abraham Lincoln entered the Black Hawk War as a captain and came out as a private. Louisa May Alcott was told by an editor that she could never write anything that had popular appeal. Winston Churchill failed the sixth grade.”
Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame had his chicken recipe rejected 1,009 times before a restaurant accepted it.
Zane Grey became a dentist and hated it. He wrote several novels. They failed. He wrote a western novel, The Last of the Plainsmen. It too was rejected. He was told he had no future as a writer and to give it up. He persisted and was 40 before his first book sold. He had 65 books published while he was alive—24 after he died. His books sold more than 50 million copies. Forty-nine of his novels were made into movies. One million of his books still sell every year.2
Decca Recording Company turned down the Beatles in 1962. They said, “We don’t like their sound. Groups of guitarists are on the way out.” (Yeah right!)
Van Gogh sold only one painting in his entire lifetime and that one was of his own brother.
Richard Hooker spent 17 years writing a humorous war story which was rejected by 21 publishers before William Morrow bought it. The title of the book? MASH! (And we all know the rest of that story.)3
Wilbur and Orville Wright’s father believed that his sons’ desire to fly was heresy. Walt Disney went broke seven times and had a nervous breakdown before becoming successful. And Thomas Edison failed more than 6,000 times before making an electric light bulb that worked.
My advice to one and all is this: Don’t allow your past to determine your future. Discover God’s purpose for your life and, with his help, give it all you’ve got.
Remember, failure is an event—not a person. When you stumble and fall (and you will from time to time), don’t stay down. Get up, learn from your mistakes, and go on! Every day for the rest of your life commit and trust your life and way to God and he will be with you every step of the way.
Take my advice: Don’t allow your past to determine your future. Discover God’s purpose for your life and, with his help, give it all you’ve got.

Peril of the Ship or Peril of the Sea

by: CM Nestor F. Doyungan, MST

The M/V Super Ferry 9, a 7,268 gross tonnage roll on-roll off passenger vessel owned and operated by Aboitiz Transport System Corp that sank last September 6, 2009 off the south-west coast of Zamboanga Peninsula with a total of 971 passengers and crew aboard has drawn a lot of questions.

Super Ferry vessels are known to have been classed with a standard classification society, managed by shipping experts and noted to have complied with the ISPS and ISM requirements for its smooth operation.

According to reports, Super Ferry 9 had encountered several mishaps prior to its sinking. In April 2006, the ship experienced repeated engine problems that caused passengers to be delayed a day and a half at sea while on trip from Bacolod City to Manila’s South Harbor.
Again, in February 2007, engine problems caused her to be stranded at Daog Point on Negros Island while en route to Iligan City from Bacolod City. She was towed back to port because of this failure. Maritime Industry Authority ordered the ship’s owner, Aboitiz to have it dry docked and conduct appropriate repairs.
On May 4, 2009, about four months before incident, again the ship suffered engine trouble that caused some 900 passengers stranded off Camiguin Is.

On September 5, 2009 at 8:45 a.m. Super Ferry 9 left General Santos City bound for Iloilo City.
Between 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning on September 6, 2009, the Ship Master sent a distress signal that the ship is listing heavily to the starboard side. An hour later, he ordered to abandon ship after it was found out that the ship is on her dangerous state of capsizing.

At 5:20 a.m. the MV Myriad, a cargo ship also owned by Aboitiz arrived at the scene and render assistance. Some passengers had already boarded the life rafts and were rescued and brought to Zamboanga City by the same ship. Rescue operations from different government agencies were carried out and begun to pluck survivors from the ferry and the sea.

At around 9:00 a.m. on the same day, five hours after a distress signal was sent, Super Ferry 9 totally vanished.

What caused the sinking? Was it Peril of the Ship or Peril of the Sea?
This is one of the questions asked. First let us classify the two perils.

“Peril of the Ship” (also called as acts of man) any damage or loss of the ship and its cargoes and properties at sea due to negligence, incompetent officers and crew in running the ship, pride, as well as human error like failure to execute proper judgment in saving the ship. Another example to this peril is the lost of cargo onboard due to pilferage which is an act of man. While it is true that the Master has the overriding authority onboard but his wrong decision in directing his ship into safety during storms and other natural phenomenon constitutes ship peril.

“Peril of the Sea” (Acts of God) refers to any damage or loss of the ship and its cargoes and properties at sea due to “force majeure” or natural phenomenon such as; typhoons, storms, lightning, vessel caught in ice and other mishaps which are justified to be caused by the “Acts of God” that despite with the exercise of due care and diligence done by the crew, an evitable experience happen. But ramming the ship into a storm due to pride is not classified under this peril.



One crew of the Star Cinema who survived the tragedy recounted his ordeal when interviewed in the television; when we boarded at Gen. Santos City, the ship was already listing but we did not put attention to it believing that it will be corrected later while underway. After several hours of sailing, then list was not corrected until the reached in the vicinity of Zamboanga City.

Another passenger told reporters when interviewed that she heard a loud heavy crashing noises and suggested cargo containers might had moved in the hold towards the starboard side. There were even suspicion that lashing of containers were not done properly.

A Special Board of Marine Inquiry composed of maritime experts such as; seasoned Master Mariners, Chief Engineers, Navy, Coast Guard and other personnel was created by DOTC and tasked to conduct investigation of the sinking. On their initial investigation, the Master testified that the vessel was experiencing winds with an estimated force of 10 knots that caused the vessel to list to her starboard side and eventually capsized. One member, a Chief Engineer asked the Chief Officer whether the vessel was having a heel or a list? The Chief Officer replied “it’s a list”.

What is a heel? A heel is ship tilted to either side due to the external forces such as; winds, currents and waves. A vessel which has good stability and properly trimmed will always return to her upright position even when exposed to winds of 10 knots or more. She has a good righting moment and she will always right herself up.

While a list is a ship inclination caused by her internal force such as; improper stowage of cargo, uneven distribution of weights and others. Super Ferry 9 might have lost its righting moment and it is suspected that the Center of Gravity and her metacenter almost coincide each other making her close in a neutral equilibrium. A vessel having this kind of state may or may not return to her upright position. Likewise, ballasting while underway is impracticable because such action was supposed to be done while the ship is in still water. The list can be corrected by the Master and officers onboard. If indeed it was a list that resulted to the sinking, we have second thought that it was caused by a human error.

The question remains; was the sinking was caused by the Peril of Ship or Peril of the Sea? You hava a correct answer same as mine.

Wise Why's

by: Rufa L. Mendez

Smells mud and here comes really the slime-coated sling of mud as Salvo for the coming elections. Bits of slimy hailstones start falling as it signals the great bang. On the other side, gallons of perfumes are poured to scent personalities. Not to be off from the limelight, here comes Santa no longer sneaking through chimneys but in daylight delivery telling the world his identity. Beggars doubled and many bumped with the crowd just to be called less privileged and be seen as “goody-goods” for Santa to bring presents. Seeing Santa’s benevolence and readiness to help, the “still good enough” end up tagged as no longer usable just because of it being a strategic propaganda. So much economy might as well start asking why?
Since then, I have been deep questioning why it is when elections come, it seemed so obvious that it doesn’t need a genuine to discern its coming? Scents of mud fill the air and slime starts to taint. To the counter, sweetest smell of Calvin Klein no longer in mLs but in liters as “Da Who” works his fame. Scenting him more are his visits, acquaintances and appearances. Aficionados teeming the streets to have the scent but no sooner does the taint smells casts it all off. Then suddenly Santa arrives in his gleaming red shirt with bulks of presents to give no longer from the sleigh but from his shimmering Pajero. No longer lurking to keep his identity but is into a daylight escapade to tell who he is. Funny to even notice, that in the village of the proud where many claimed to be wise and affluence floods from the crowd of the less fortunate doubling the actual number of Santa’s respondents. Why?
To sling a mud requires effort, energy I say. To sling the slot calls for weighty reasons of why. To sling mud’s coated with slime speaks of motives to reflect the gravity of act. So exhausting to bath oneself with liters of CK, Eau or any perfume to scent up and stay in the light, costly I may say. For Santa to come for such a time as this although his is “ber month” already, that’s so much generosity. To not come in sleigh but appeal as if he is Santa, such a strategy. For the proud to bow, the affluent to need that entailed better resource at stake, far better than what is at hand, but why?
Why choose to exhaust one self to slime someone else’s face? Why choose to open the pocket and spend extravagantly? Why mask so much generosity for strategy? Could it be that they say it worth investing? Could it be that politics now paralleled to governance is no longer a public trust? Could it be that the very intent of winning your heart is winning their pockets? Better start asking your personal whys?