Just Like a Prostitute

I have received this little poem about being in the field of Information Technology being compared to a prostitute. Upon reading the poem, I was really smiling and even laughing because of the similarities on an I.T people and a prostitute. No offense for all I.T people. Comments are highly accepted.

The truth about working in the IT industry:

1. We work weird (night) shifts...
Just like prostitutes.

2. They pay you to make the client happy...
Just like a prostitute.

3. The client pays a lot of money, but your employer
keeps almost every penny...
Just like a prostitute.

4. You are rewarded for fulfilling the client's dreams...
Just like a prostitute.

5. Your friends fall apart and you end up hanging out
with people in the same profession as you...
Just like a prostitute.

6. When you have to meet the client you always have to
be perfectly groomed...
Just like a prostitute.

7. But when you go back home it seems like you are
coming back from hell...
Just like a prostitute.

8. The client always wants to pay less but expects
incredible things from you...
Just like a prostitute.

9. When people ask you about your job, you have
difficulties to explain it...
Just like a prostitute.

10. Everyday when you wake up, you say: "I'm not going
to spend the rest of my life doing this."
Just like a prostitute ........

My Short Essay About the Philippines

I received this essay from one of my yahoo groups. According to that e-mail that I received last February 23,2009, this essay was originally composed by a Korean named Jaeyoun Kim. The sender of that e-mail wants us to pass this essay to all filpinos for us to realize something about the current scenario of our country Philippines. This goes for all Filipinos all around the world. Don't hesitate to leave your comments after you read the essay.

MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in
the Philippines . Do you really think that corruption is the big problem in
the Philippines ? I don't think so. I strongly believe that the problem is
the lack of love for the Philippines .
Let me first talk about my country, Korea . It might help you understand my
point.
After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest country in the
world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was
destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no
natural resources.

Koreans used to talk about the Philippines , for
Filipinos were very rich in Asia . We envy Filipinos.
Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of
famine. My father & brother also died because of famine.

Korean government was very corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your
imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans
really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with
patriotism.

Koreans did not work just for themselves but also
for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the
spirit of patriotism.

40 years ago, President Park took over the
government to reform Korea . He tried to borrow money from other countries,
but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investor because
the economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had
only three factories. So, President Park sent many
mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to
build a factory. They had to go through horrible experience.

In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow
money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and
cried there as they saw the President Park . They asked to him, 'President,
when can we be well off?' That was the only question everyone asked to him.
President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well
off if everyone works hard for Korea , and the President
of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea . So,
President Park was able to build many factories in Korea . He always asked
Koreans to love their country from their heart.

Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA
came back to Korea to help developing country
because they wanted their country to be well off.
Though they received very small salary, they did their
best for Korea . They always hoped that their children would live in well
off country.

My parents always brought me to the places where
poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand
their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in
the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that
we have to love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my neighborhood.
Have you cried for the
Philippines ? I have cried for my country several
times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so
many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid
prison. What made me sad in the prison were the
prisoners who do not have any love for their country.
They go to mass and work for Church. They pray
everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines . I talked to two
prisoners at the maximum-security
compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right
after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a
new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines .

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our
wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were
distributed their
profit to their employees fairly so that employees
could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their
children.

When I was in Korea , I had a very strong faith and
wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines , I
completely lost my faith.
I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable
situations in the Philippines . Street kids always make me sad, and I see
them everyday. The Philippines is the only
Catholic country in Asia , but there are too many poor people here. People
go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has
been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and
saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present
Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there are so
many beggars and street kids. When we went to
Pagsanjan Falls, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun.
However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would
not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boatmen, for the
boatmen were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a
boat and enjoyed it.
But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love
for them. My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was

very young told me that if we just go to
mass without changing ourselves, we are not
Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action.
She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good
things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love
from God. I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as
they love God, so that the Philippines will be well off.

I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos
should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should
start from person. Love must start in everybody,
in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to
love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new
eyes.

I discover that every person is worthy to be
loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes
possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and
relationships. It changes the world. Please love your
neighborhood and country.

Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do unto Him. In the
Philippines , there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is
God who is crying for love.
If you have a child, teach them how to love the
Philippines . Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and
country.
You already know that God also will be very happy if
you love others.

That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

What's Next in Technology?

We are living in the 21st century. Four centuries has passed since human being first learned to developed and used what we commonly knew today as technology. The transition of the past to the present had produced tremendous yet productive, helpful but sometimes destructive technologies that became part of human life. Technology had a huge influence on how people made their living today, their lifestyle, how they behave and also how they deal their work. Clearly, human being depends on technology to survive. Believe it or not, technology will continue to grow and change through time and will still affect the lives of every human being.


Everything in this world is created to undergo a process what we called change and technology also goes the same. But technological change was totally different in a sense that it occurs in a fast pace. So fast that even the person who were involved in development didn’t anticipated its effects to the society. For the past 4 centuries, technologies that were developed were so many that maybe one day is not enough to count all of them. So many that in every field of industrialization you belong, there are always technologies that accompany you from all tasks. Technology has become a reliable side kick of every human in facing their daily tasks.


Navigating our history, we can see how our technology evolved from their ancestors in the past up to this generation. Of course past technologies served as the background or the framework on what technologies should look like. These technologies from the past seemed to be the most difficult since there was no guide for them on how they model their work. Another is that due to limited resources and also how they will convince people to believe in their work. But despite all odds, these technologies emerged victorious. Technologies from the past has served human needs and caused human lives changed dramatically. Throughout the history, technologies were never perfected in whatever means; functionality, safety and many more. This imperfection has resulted technology to grow and allow people to explore more on capabilities of technologies, how far will these technologies aid people in their daily tasks. The major flaw of past technologies is that it bulky and is not portable. Computers in the early stages of its development were such a huge dumb machine. One simple computer that processes basic operations was such as large as a one room. That’s how huge technologies before. But size is not a problem anymore in the present. The transition from the 18th century to the 21st century proved to be a long but fruitful transition as technologies becoming faster and smaller though time, improving the quality of life for those who patronize it. Though technologies undergo changes but still it wasn’t perfected because human needs don’t stop changing and also human being will never be contented on what they are doing or what they have accomplished in life. These human traits however made technology continue to grow and improve.


The capabilities of technologies have extended human imagination. Technologies in the present era can perform what we think impossible to do by these machines. Technologies in the 21st century have already conquered human imagination. We are living in a century where human almost becoming useless in terms on manpower. Everything human being can do could be done by machines faster and more accurate. A century where technological change reached its peak when it comes to improving the quality of life of people using it. But come to think of it, what will these look like in the future? Take note that it is not yet the end of the world and technology will surely be changing once again. What’s next when it comes to technology? For the past, we have been shocked by the effects of technological development. In the future, how are we going to prepare for the good and bad effects of these changes? Since these technological changes are inevitable force in which human should face that’s why preparedness play an important role on this events for human.


What’s new in technology? Prominent sites over the internet have named several new inventions that are very promising and very futuristic in terms of the features these new technologies possess. Here are some of the remarkable inventions that has reached the market for the past 5 years.




Medicine




This field is one of the most concentrated fields of technological development. Curing diseases has been the priority of everybody that’s why developing technologies that will be very helpful in medical treatment were developed. Among of the latest trend in medicine is what we called nano medicine. This new trend in medical treatment is using nanotechnology to diagnose and cure different diseases. With the use of nanotechnology, microchips can now be implanted inside the human body to keep track of the conditions of our different body organs, our blood circulation and cell conditions. Nanotechnology in medicine could replace bulky machines used in operations and even doctors in the future. This trend has not yet turn into perfections by the developers but in the near future, this nanotechnology in the field of medicine will be perfected and will be very precise, accurate and inexpensive. Nano medicine could be of great help in medical treatment.


There is also a small device that can kill cancer cells in the human body. We know that cancer is one of the most deadly diseases in which no direct medications has already invented.


Another trend in medicine aside from the nanotechnology is the laser surgery, or using laser in surgery. This laser technology is the best replacement to the current needle and thread that surgeons are using.


Transportation


With the ongoing problems regarding the high price of gasoline and other petroleum products, I can see in the future that the trend will going to be developing new models of automobiles that will be using alternatives to fuel like renewable energy and those energy that are coming from other natural sources like bio fuels, windmill, electricity and other fuel sources. Among of the latest developments in automobiles is Hydrogen Powered Vehicle by the Filipino inventor Engr. Daniel Dingle. He invented a new model of automobile that is using water as fuel. This new technologies has been used by car companies like Honda and Chevrolet.
There are also vehicles that are using electricity in countries like United States (Miles ZX40S Electric Car). As of this moment, there are a lot of electric car models introduced in the market.


Not only cars have been converted to electricity fueled but also other means of transportation like trains.


With the world engaged in the serious fight against climate change, this automobiles powered by this renewable energies will surely hit the market.


Energy Sources


Environmentalists and the United Nation has identified the excessive use of fossil fuel is the primary cause of global warming and climate change. Several technologies are dependent with fossil fuels to power them like automobiles and in factories. With the world in a serious fight against climate change and global warming, world leaders and expert groups have been promoting alternatives to fossil fuels.


Among of the renewable energies endorsed by world leaders are the solar power, windmills, bio diesel, hydrogen and ethanol. These energies may not be as powerful as the petroleum, but these are far more environment friendly and economical.


Computing


Computers seemed to be the best invention of all. Computers served human a lot of purposes, from calculations to socialization. Computers has been the best tool on every field; medicine, mathematics, science and even in military. As we go along, computers are becoming smaller and faster. Current computers can actually process billions of instructions per second. With the invention of the internet and the World Wide Web, computers have become superior among all of the technologies existed.


May 26, 2008 marked another milestone in the field of computerization as the fastest computer of all finally introduced in the market. This supercomputer nicknamed “Road Runner” has the capability to process 1 quadrillion calculations per second. This technology was primarily developed to simulate the effects of aging on nuclear weapons.


One of the major disadvantage of continuous domination of computers and other electronic gadgets is that they are also the primary reasons of climate change and global warming. Because of these facts, Experts are now proposing what they called “Green Computing”. This advocacy has the primary goal of promoting measures that will limit the emission of greenhouse gases of these devices and also promotes on using energy star electronic gadgets.


Computerization in the future will be thinking of the environment first before the pleasure human can get from using technologies specially computers.


Astronomy


With the discovery that there is a possibility of human survival in Mars, astronomers developed robots that have the capability to navigate Mars and record some samples from the planet. More and more sophisticated space shuttles were developed to conquer the space and the universe.


Space shuttles in the future allows astronomers to inch closer to the sun to know its characteristics and can navigate away from the solar system to study if there are lives other than human being in the universe to prove the existence of aliens.


Artificial Intelligence


Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most controversial fields of technology. Making computers as intelligent as humans is the primary goal of Artificial Intelligence. There have been a lot of machines particularly robots that are invented that think and act like human. Among of the remarkable inventions was the “Deep Blue” by IBM that defeated chess master Gary Kasparov in a chess game. In the present, there have been numerous Intelligent Machines, some of them have the capability to do tasks what are very difficult by humans, can also do light tasks such as cleaning kitchen. If we have reached this far in developing such intelligent machines, then is it possible that robots can outplay human in the future?


The future of Artificial Intelligence for me is something to fear about. There has been some researches about robots will be developed to have emotions and also has the capability to mingle with humans just like humans do. We can foresee in the future that these Artificial Intelligent machines will dominate the world and maybe make human lazy and useless.




If we try to look at the future based on the current trends of technological development, the future will be a place where man and machines compete for survival. Even me I can’t imagine what will be the future looks like in terms of technological development. What are their features and how accurate they will work to serve human. Present technologies are small and fast but future technologies will be very small and very fast. Human has already learned their lessons on the bad sides of technologies. Human already witnessed how destructive technologies are if put into exploitation. I’m expecting environment friendly technologies in the future. Technologies that are pro nature. For sure, human will not allow machines to totally dominate them. We know our limitations and we also know what the limitations of these technologies are. Theirs no need to worry about human eradication because we are the one who made them. We know how to terminate them.


I am very excited on what will be the future looks like. I can’t wait to see and use these technologies and experience another milestone on human hard work. I am lucky enough to witness such marvelous innovations in technology. No one have ever imagine that from the simple industrial revolution in the 18th century, it turned to a complex and sophisticated moment in our history, not even those who worked hard and contribute ideas in the past. We must be very thankful to this remarkable transition in our history. Without this marvelous creation of technologies in the past, what we have right now and in the future will be all part of our imagination.

references:

http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/nanotechAndMedicine.html
http://www.infoniac.com/science/sympathetic-virtual-humans-could-be-part-of-daily-life.html
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/22088/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_XS500
http://inventors.about.com/od/timelines/tp/2008.htm
http://inventors.about.com/od/famousinventions/tp/topteninvention.htm
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1852747_1854195_1854150,00.html
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/current.shtml
http://www.oilgae.com/energy/nn/b/2007/05/greener-computing-environment-friendly.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/artificial_intelligence/

Your Universe

by: Rico Blanco

Tell me something
When the rain falls on your face
How do you quickly replace
It with
A golden summer smile?

Tell me something
When I'm feelin' tired and afraid
How do you know just what to say
To make
Everything alright?

Chorus:
I don't think that you even realize
The joy you make me feel when I'm inside
Your universe
You hold me like I'm the one who's precious
I hate to break it to you but it's just
The other way around
You can thank your stars all you want but
I'll always be the lucky one

Tell me something
When I'm 'bout to lose control
How do you patiently hold
My hand
And gently calm me down?

Tell me something
When you sing and when you laugh
Why do I always photograph
My heart
Flyin way above the clouds?


Lyrics by Lyricsmode.com

Random Drug Testing for Students in the Philippines

The Department of Education has announced that they will be conducting a mandatory random drug testing to all high schools and colleges in the Philippines. This is in response to the call of the President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to combat the worsening cases of drug related incidents in the Philippines. The Philippines has been facing huge problem when it comes to drug prevention and that includes drug addiction, drug using and drug trafficking. Most recent scandal was the "Alabang Boys"(Richard Brodett, Joseph Tecson and Jorge Joseph) scandal that includes 3 men from prominent families in Alabang that was caught by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last September in a buy bust operation. This case was later on turn into a big controversy as the birbery issue of the families into the DOJ prosecutors were later revealed by PDEA. As of this moment, this controversy is still under trial by the independent panel created by the president. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo later appointed herself as the National Anti-Drug Prevention czar to lead the country to fight drug and one of the solution is to conduct random drug testing to high school and college students in the country. The drug testing has already started in Metro Manila and later will be implemented also in Cebu City and Davao City in Mindanao. According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), majority of the drug addict here in the Philippines were on the age bracket of 15-18 years old so conducting random drug testing in schools will somehow lessen and maybe eradicate drug addiction among youths.

This proposal has been subject to criticism by human rights group in the country. They pointed out that submitting students into drug violates the right to privacy of the students. Add on to that, drug testing should not be compulsory but voluntary. This action of the government has also receive a lot of both positive and negative comments from the students who will be greatly affected by this actions of the government. According to some who were interviewed by T.V stations," conducting random drug testing in schools will results in positive effects like reducing the number of drug addicts in the country specially the students". But some of them don't favor this program of the government."Conducting random drug testing for students will not solve the worsening problem of drug addiction in the country. If the government wan't to completely eradicate drugs in this country, they (the government) must go after those wealthy drug lords and drug syndicates that are freely moving in the country. They must prosecute those who will be caught.

Being a college student, I am also affected by this current issues in our society. For me, submitting myself for drug test is not a big deal for me because first, I am 100% sure that I am a not a drug user. This goes also for all the students in the Philippines, if they are not addict, then why fear? Issues of privacy could be solved by keeping private the records of the students who will be positive to any forms of drugs. School administration should be held liable if this information will be exposed to the outside world. Also this will help parents know if their child is using drugs. They could later decide to send their child to a rehabilitation center.

But still this program of CHED and the government still has a lot of holes to be fixed and still not the best solution to completely eradicate drug addiction in the country. Students are only victims here. They are the victims of this powerful and very influential drug lords and drug syndicate that are still free and doing the damage in our society. The government must think of long term solutions to completely erase drugs in the Philippines. They must prosecute those who were caught. There are a lot of drug laboratories found by the police but there is no single individual who were caught. The government should implement the law. But this battle is not only for the government alone but also for everybody. Everyone of us should take part on solving drug problems. We are fully aware that drugs will kill our future so why use them? For sure we can completely defeat drugs if everyone of us will take its part and be vigilant.

Politicians turned commercial models?

As early as 2008, there are a lot of politicians appearing in televisions, some of them endorsing products like detergent powder, others showing their heroic acts by helping those who are in need while some are still criticizing the government. Their faces seems to be on the television almost after a commercial break of every program that I am watching. As far as I know, there is still almost 2 years before the 2010 Presidential elections but these politicians slowly doing their strategies to be recalled by every Filipino. Here are some of the politicians who turned commercial models.

1. Manny Villar's Itik commercial



This video was all about how Sen. Manny Villar helped a "mag-iitik" to become successful in his poultry business. The highlight of this commercial is when Senator Manny Villar got mud on his hand and wiped it on his orange polo shirt. Do you think he will do it in a real situation? I think its an exageratted acting. Manny Villar has been using his Sipag at Tiyaga appeal since he first ran for senate in 2001. The commercial ended with the catchy line "Pag Laki sa Hirap, Todo Tulong sa Mahirap". Will this be enough to convince voters to support him in his ambitions in the future?

2. Manny Villar OFW Rescue:





This was the first advertisement by Sen. Manny Villar about saving OFW's who were badly abused by their employer. The intention of Sen. Manny Villar is good in the first place so there's nothing against it. But for politicians, do they need to air on t.v every heroic things they did? Although the purpose of saving our fellow Filipinos were ruined because of politics. The endpoint on this is that he is using the OFW para "magpabango". The timing also of airing is not good.

It's up for the Filipino viewers to judge if Sen. Villar is sincere with his actions in this commercial.

3. Mar Roxas Murang Gamot

This commercial was all about the problem of high price of medicine in the country. He is telling to the public that he is fighting on the senate to pass cheap medicine bill. But until now the Philippines was among the top countries with the most expensive medicine in Asia. What he is saying is still cannot be felt by the poor filipinos. He was known to be a critics of the current administration."Kulitin pa natin ang Gobyerno". He is a government official, a senator so he is part of the organization he is criticising. Dapat siya din ay kulitin. Si Mr. Palengke Mr. Botika na rin.

The reality will tell Sen. Mar Roxas about the cost of medicine.

4. Mar Roxas Tide Commercial:




A politician turned into a product endorser. This has been the trademark of Sen. Mar Roxas because he was then called "Mr. Palengke" as he was a former Trade and Industry Secretary. Actually there was no big deal for this commercial but since it is election time, this commercial was subject to criticism to filipino viewers.


Actually, there's nothing wrong for these politicians to appear on T.V since they have their right to do so and it is not against the law for politicians to endorse product or appear in T.V comercials. But almost all of this advertisement are pertaining what are the good things they have done. So they want people to remember them with this actions they shown in their advertisements. These commercials has been appearing almost all the time in Television. Somehow this could give them an edge over their opponents.

This coming 2010 elections, we must know every candidate running for positions. We should be vigilant enough on what are the things they can do for our country and not just with their promises.

5 years in College Education, Is it Acceptable?

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is planning to extend the current 4 year curriculum of the Nursing and Education program into 5 years and if it is successful, all courses offered in the Philippines whether board and non-board courses will also be extended to 5 years in 2010. But this plan is still under review by the panel created and will still undergo consutations from both students and their parents which are the number 1 that will be affected if this program will push through. According to CHED chairman Edgar Angeles, this extension of curriculum will be "more economical" for students because review sessions will be integrated in this new 5 year curriculum, there is no need for students to pay for review centers after they finish up the 5 year course. "If this proposal be allowed, only those in their freshmen year will take the 5 year curriculum and those who are in their 2nd to 4th year will still take the current 4 year curriculum" Angeles added. Also, there are also revisions in the current subjects that the curriculum offer. According to some sources, the first 2 years will be all minor subjects and 3rd year to 5th year will be all major subjects and practicum. The release of this plan in the press has resulted to a lot of criticism, both positive and negative from the students in different part of the country.


Some students, specially those who don't have enough money to support another year said that it only adds to their burden. If this happen, they will be forced to stop their schooling. In an interview with one of the student of the University of Philippines Diliman which I unfortunately forgot the name, she said that "adding another year to the curriculum doesn't provide a quality educition for students here in the country". "If the government want to improve the quality of education, CHED should revise the current curriculum because it doesn't meet what the industry needs". For sure this plan will still undergo a lot of debates and criticism before it is implemented.

For me, adding another year in college not only in Nursing but in all courses in the future will not solve the current problems our education system are facing as what this UP student said. We are facing in a global financial crisis, tuition fee increases dramatically yearly, adding 1 year will only result to dropped in number of enrolled students. I think 4 years is enough for students to learn what the industry needs. Revision of the current curriculum should also be done. I think the curriculum that schools are using is still in the 90's and it don't match the current needs in the industry. Also, try to limit the minor subjects offered, instead of offering bunch of social sciences and literature, why not limit it to only those what the course needs and change it to a major subject? Practicum in every schools should also be increased from 240 hours to 1 semester I think to allow students learn what they need to learn. These are all alternatives in the increase of the no. of years in college. The government should weigh the advantages and disadvantages well for them to come up with the best for every filipino.