(Guide) UP Physical and Medical Examination: A Freshman's Journey

4/15/14 (3:30 PM) - Tiring but exciting! I just got home from UP Diliman to accomplish the physical and medical examination which is a prerequisite in entering the said university. You are looking at my medical certificate given after completing all the processes done at the University Health Service (UHS). Small paper, large importance, isn’t it?

I have just gotten my X-ray result yesterday and our plan really is we will go to the UHS to finish the physical and medical exam next week due to the holy week. As I went home after getting my x-ray result, I posted a question at the UP Freshman Confirmation facebook group about the statement written on the physical exam instructions saying that it would take at least three days to finish the assessment (If it is true, then I guess we have to expect three long days of exhausting trips). A facebook friend answered my question a while ago. I got excited because of his answer so I told my mom that we can and should go tomorrow to UP to finish the exam before the coming holidays (The days after the holy week will be witnesses to longer lines at the UHS). It would just take us almost two hours, or shorter if we’re lucky. She agreed, fortunately. My friend’s answer, by the way, is this:

(verbatim) Kanina po ako nagpamedical sa UPD dumating ako dun ng 7:30 am and natapos ako ng mga 9:30 may dala na akong xray galing sa labas. /I took my medical examination a while ago at UPD. I got there at 7:30 am and finished at around 9:30 am. I already brought an x-ray from outside the UHS./

(verbatim) Nung tumawag po ako nung Friday sabi open daw [sila] ng Monday-Tuesday na regular office hours then sa Wednesday half day lang daw po. /When I called last Friday they told me that there will be regular office hours on Monday and Tuesday and a half day on Wednesday./

 I woke up early at 5:00 AM. After a few preparations, we rode by jeepney from Bulac (a small barangay in Sta. Maria, Bulacan where we live) to the town proper. Then, we took a tricycle from Poblacion (town proper) to the front of Waltermart, the bus terminal. After waiting for the Del Carmen bus to come, we rode off to SM North EDSA (about more than an hour trip). Then, from the jeepney terminal of SM North EDSA, we rode on a jeepney bound to UP Diliman. Estimating and calculating the overall time spent on our trip to UPD:

Bulac to Poblacion:                      30 minutes

Poblacion to Bus Terminal:           5 minutes

Bus Terminal to SM North:          70 minutes

SM North to UP Diliman:            15 minutes

                                                =120 minutes/2 hours (A light-traffic trip)

Virtually, it would take 2-3 hours from home sweet home to UP Diliman and another 2-3 hours from UP Diliman to home sweet province. An exhausting journey, indeed. A scenery of the famous sunflowers in front of the Oblation statue indicating the summer period and the cool, fresh air from the famous acacia trees refreshed us, though.

We arrived at the UHS safe, sound, and on-time (The truth is, if we arrived a little later we would have to return at 1:00 PM for Triage because of the physician’s breaktime.). That’s a big BINGO! After being a normally clueless freshman inside the UHS building, the attendant in the lobby told us to go to the conference room just across and then a left turn at the hallway. There are signs to direct you, and it’s not a big hospital anyway. I left my mom outside the conference room (Sounds like a big room? Not really.), and as I entered the room being a “normally clueless freshman” as usual, an official approached me and instructed me clearly on what to do step by step (You see, you just have to listen. They will not let you be clueless and amusing to look upon.) I approached the first person I have to pass through before going to the other processes. I submitted all the requirements (Notice of Admission, Chest X-ray result with two Xerox copy and the X-ray film [although they did not really took the film], Consent Form, UPHS Form 2 with 2x2 ID picture with white background, Adolescent Questionnaire, all to be filled out are already filled out by me)  to that first person. After that, I have been given additional forms while I keep the previous forms, all stapled into one file. I went to the table he designated for me to fill out those additional forms (Form 2C, to be specific. That would be the forms that the physicians you will pass through will be answering). The instructions are VERY CLEAR, just read carefully and do not skim. By the way, bring a ballpen, preferably black for formality purposes. They are not really strict if you have an erasure or have made a mistake. You can erase or superimpose your answer if you have written it incorrectly. Like when I was filling out the forms, I wrote March on the date instead of April. I stroke a line through my accidental input like this: March, and I wrote April in place of it. But of course, do it as neatly as you can. You do not want to see the attendant frowning at your illegibly written answers, do you?

In that same room I have gone through the (1) height and weight measurement, (2) visual acuity test [the old woman facilitating it is just like your average funny family doctor] (3) blood pressure determination. It took three digital BP takings and a classic BP taking to measure my BP precisely. Fortunately, my BP is normal. I got nervous there!

Then, the BP facilitator told me to go to the Dental clinic, just a left turn from the main hallway if you are coming from the Conference room. If you don’t know what to do there, don’t be too shy to ask those who are waiting to be called. They will tell you exactly what I did there: pass the stapled forms to the dental clinic attendant and wait for your surname to be called. Well, sometimes, an uncommon surname like mine would be pronounced incorrectly. If you have pride in your family name (lol), don’t hesitate to correct him/her in a gentle tone, of course.

As you are waiting on the seats, you may look around your surroundings and feel bored due the fact that it is a hospital, or better, you may spend time to chat with your future co-freshmen who, surely, are willing to make friends with a person like you. Talk about your course, your high school, your college, and you will get deeper and deeper by the minute. That way, you may find a friend that you should consider as a treasure to find more. Sadly, I haven’t thought of it until now. Deep regrets. Learn from my life story (lol again).

When my surname was called (by the way, the order is on a first-come, first-served basis), I have been allowed to enter the room, where you will wait again for your turn. Three persons are allowed inside. The dental examination process is longer, but not too long, compared to the previous tests.

Finally, the time has come for the most controversial part of the Medical Examination process: Triage. If you don’t know what triage means, well, triage is the assessment of your body parts for wounds or any other types of illnesses. Some people say that you will get to have your first personal experience as Oble himself: no clothing, no hospital gown, and like the original Oble, no fig leaf. But in UP Diliman, at least for me, there is no conveying of your own “Oble.” To some, it’s a disappointment; to me, it’s a relief. I’m not really comfortable having no clothing at all. I don’t know, maybe I’m still a “novice.” Big XD.

Again, do not hesitate to ask if you do not know what to do next. You will not want to wait for someone to come to you and tell you what to do next. It will be disastrous, I’m telling you, sitting at the waiting hall, waiting for your turn to come without even having a number. No, you WILL NOT want that to happen to you. It didn’t happen to me, fortunately. I went back to the lobby, took a number, and waited at the hallway just beside the lobby (not the main hallway). The doctor that will be inspecting you will be of the same sex as you are.  If it took long for you to accomplish the dental process, then accomplishing the triage process is way longer than the former, especially the waiting process. Lucky you if your contemporaries are not that many (again, it will be if you took the exam early, before May perhaps). After minutes of waiting, my turn came as the student before me called for No. 16, which is my number. I entered inside the cold room, and fortunately, the physician that handled my triage (his name is Dr. Hector Dionisio) is a fun talker. He asked about my course (and commented about my course), he asked me about what I do during vacation, and other topics. Of course he didn’t forget to check my eyes and my heartbeat, no removal of clothing required. In the “hernia” part, he just asked me if I have one. Well, no, I haven’t. And that’s it. He stamped my papers, and then I said thanks, then I came out of the room, finished at last! Well, not “finished” finished. I still have to get my medical certificate.

After going back again to the lobby to ask for final instructions, the attendant told us to go to the Public Health Unit. To get to the PHU, turn left from the main hallway, then right, then you’ll see a sign directing to the PHU room. I was asked to sit there together with the others, and then they took our forms. Again, the first to come is the first to be served. We are given survey forms regarding the attitude of the attendants, the length of the waiting time, etc. We answered those, submitted them in a box, and waited again for our surnames to be called. University of Pila, it is. When I got called, I came to the PHU attendant and his computer. He told me to check my name and my student number as he was typing those to his computer. After a quick print, I finally got my medical certificate. Yahoo! Having said bye to my future co-freshmen, we got out of the UHS and estimated the total time taken for me to accomplish the examination. It took me almost two hours to finish the test. But I know that after the holy week, it would take longer. Here is a summary of my physical and medical examination process:

1.       Went to UHS, approached the lobby attendant.

2.       Went to the Conference room, passed the requirements, answered the additional forms, took the height and weight measurement, visual acuity test, and BP determination.

3.       Went to the Dental clinic, passed my stapled forms, waited for my surname to be called, took the Dental examination.

4.       Went back to the lobby attendant, took a number for triage, went to the hallway beside the lobby, waited for my number to be called, took the triage.

5.       Went to the lobby attendant for final instructions, went to the Public Health Unit, answered the survey form, took my medical certificate.

It’s still 11:00 AM, so we took the time to take a trip around UP. We rode a Toki jeep to visit one of my institutes I’ll be studying in, the Institute of Chemistry. This map on the right helped me a lot (actually, it’s just a photo on my phone, but still very useful). I figured out myself what jeep we should be riding and what path we should be going. Credits to Kuya Prince Allan Pelayo (I don’t know if this photo belongs to you or not, but I discovered this through you, so you earned MY credit).  After a chat with “Mamang Taho” and a few pictures, we rode off by another Toki jeep and then an SM North jeep. After having lunch at Mr. Chow, we rode by the Del Carmen bus to Sta. Maria, another tricycle, and a jeepney to home sweet Bulac. Such a tiring yet wonderful experience! Your time and energy in exchange of a small but important paper, er, certificate, and enjoyment, in addition: a fair reciprocation, nonetheless.

My Valedictory Address (:

I graduated high school last March 26, 2014 at Sta. Maria Ecumenical School. Here is the valedictory speech I prepared for my valedictory address. (:

Valedictory Address

Carl Angelo Mateo Caluag

March 26, 2014

To our honorable guest speaker Rev. Dr. Elino Rivera; our most respected administrator Mr. Isagani Arceo; our beloved principal Ms. Salome Santos; members of the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, our dear parents, fellow graduates, friends, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

First, I would like to congratulate my fellow graduates for making it here. After four laborious years of continuous seat works, quizzes, those dreadful examinations and mind numbing oral recitations, we have made it this far. Here we are, dressed in our white robes and hats which we would only wear once in a blue moon, already confirmed to be graduated a while ago, and I know that shortly after this program we would all shout ecstatically a resounding “Yes!” or “Sa wakas! Graduate na tayo!”But what matters is, we have completed a part in our life that prepares us for something greater in the future.

To take just a short glimpse of who we have been, we only arrived here four short years ago, and now it's already time to depart. It’s all so fast, isn’t it? It seems like only yesterday that we were an innocent bunch of freshmen going to and fro, trying to find our purpose in life. Now we are where we are right now, the seniors who stand here ready to graduate and move forward in the world. Yet in this very decisive moment, we can't help but look back on all of those memories that will always be special to us.

As the days and weeks passed, we moved from being those naive freshmen, to becoming the confident sophomores, confident because hindi na tayo ang pinakabata, ika nga. As we were in the middle of our high school life, we learned so much about each one’s lives. We are so close and at the same time open to our own various distress calls. That is why we never tire to say we are more than a class; instead, we are a family we can laugh with, talk with, and cry with. Bound by love and amity, we arrived at our junior year, positive that we were prepared to take over for the graduating seniors. Our junior year is also the same time we started counting our days off to our graduation, much to our silliness and exaggeration. I guess if we look back on how we formed a very strong bond back then, how we endured every class activities together and still at the end of the day we still have time to mingle with our friends, how we supported each other’s back on educational and personal matters, how we wished we could stay high school forever, we will not be able to force ourselves not to shed tears.

And now here we are. Time’s up! Wala nang extend extend pa. We have formally done our responsibility and we are now ready enough to face the world. As we look at each other, I know that what we will miss more than the school itself are the friendships we made here. There’s no denying; we enjoyed it more than everything. We have our casual friends, we have our special friends, we have our barkadas and clique groups, we even made friends with our teachers and the staff of the school. We may forget everything we had here, but these people, whatever names we call them, will always have a large room in our hearts.

But before we have the chance to savor this very majestic moment, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the people behind our successes. First and foremost, we owe our Heavenly Father our knowledge, our strength, and our life itself. Being the Source and Provider of  everything in this life we hold dear, He is the reason why we praise, why we worship, why we have daily devotions, weekly cell groups, and monthly convocations. If ever we make a list of those people we give gratitude to, He will always be on top of that list. Needless to say that, without God, there is no life, no knowledge, no education, no graduation. Praise and glory be to our Most High God for being our Master Trainer.

To our beloved teachers, thank you for unselfishly sharing your knowledge and talent to us. We know it is your profession to teach students and you are being paid to teach us, but what you have shown upon us possesses a great deal of dedication. There are times we get too far from what is right, and you never missed your duty to exhort us and explain to us why it is wrong . To our very sweet and hardworking Science Teacher Ms. Ladylyn Gallardo, thank you for being a diligent teacher that when we were having a hard time understanding your intricate lessons, you still continue to tell us that  things that may seem complicated can be simplified, and vice versa.  Thank you for not giving up on us, Teacher Lyn. To our adored Math teacher, Ms. Abegail Flores, thank you for being a punctual and very persevering teacher. Rain or shine, well or sick, morning and afternoon, you pursued your passion in educating students no matter the circumstances, and for that, we highly respect you. Thank you for inspiring us that if we have a dream, as for the function that approaches infinity, the limit does not exist. To our very beautiful and forever young TLE teacher, Ms. Susiebeth Margaja, thanks for being our nanay here in SMECS. You have taught us how to make ourselves look good, outwardly and inwardly. Kanino pa ba kami magmamana ng kagwapuhan at kagandahan? Forever and always you will be our one and only Teacher Susie. To our charming beyond compare English teacher, Ms. Shirley Alberto, thank you for being an undeniably humorous and fun-to-be-with teacher. At times you may be a daunting disciplinarian to us, but in the essence, you are a very sweet and tender teacher. Those profound words may nosebleed some of us, but those are the words that will constantly endear and motivate us. From your ever-loving Spelling trainee, I would never have a coach as encouraging and as inspiring as you are. Thanks for the experiences I shared with you, Teacher She. To our amusing and sociable Computer teacher, Ms. Remalyn Nares, I would like to commend you for not having aged a single day ever since you became a teacher. We really admire how friendly and outgoing you are. Every single day you won’t run out of stories to tell. We will never forget you, Teacher Rhems.  To our hilarious MAPEH teacher, Mr. Jaymark Alejandro, thanks for spending your first year of teaching with us. Thank you for your enthusiasm, in that even if your time slot is not the best, you strived to share to us those lessons that we know you have worked hard to prepare. And lastly but ultimately not the least, to our passionate and zealous AP and ESP teachers, Ms. Rizza Occidental and Mr. Aaron De Leon, our ever-precious advisers, we would like to acclaim your loyalty and eagerness to teach us and at the same time, to process our papers. We have seen how you did not let your busyness take the place of class discussions and bondings. Thank you for the precious time you spent upon us, and we will never forget how much you have sacrificed to mold us to be the persons we are now. To the whole faculty of SMECS who have been our friends and inspirations, hinding hindi po namin kayo makakalimutan. Our memories with you in and out of the school will forever be treasured. God bless po.

            Of course we know the people who worked really hard to provide us with quality education in this very special school, and this is the most perfect time to say thank you to them. Mga minamahal naming mga magulang at tagapag-alaga, maraming marami pong salamat sa inyong hindi nagmamaliw na suporta at pagsisikap upang maitaguyod ang inyong mga anak. The fact that you are here today indicates that you are happy not just because your child have finally finished his or her high school course, but more importantly you have seen how he or she grew up to be the persons dedicated to the service of God and society. Sa aking Mommy at Daddy, salamat sa pagpapalaki sa akin na may takot sa Diyos at paggalang sa tao. You are my first teachers, and the most important lessons you taught me are to respect, to prioritize what’s more important, and under any circumstances, to be humble, at any cost. Minsan hindi ko alam na mali na pala ang nasasabi o nagagawa ko, yet you never missed one of your responsibilities of being a parent: yung pagsabihan ako na mali ako kahit sa tingin ko hindi mali yung sinabi o ginawa ko. At kapag paulit-ulit ako, you never gave up on me. You always kept saying to me that kapag bumitaw na ang lahat, hinding hindi ka bibitawan ng magulang mo. Parents, especially to those who haven’t got the time to attend the Baccalaureate program last Monday, today is not just our time; it’s also your time to be recognized and appreciated. Your unending guidance and support to us your children will never be reciprocated by the material gifts and flowery words we can give you. As the tagline of a famous milk commercial says, you, our beloved parents and guardians, you’re our number one. Mahal na mahal po namin kayo.

Fellow graduates, the truth is we are very fortunate to be a student in this exceptional school. SMECS, our deeply respected alma mater, didn’t just teach us how to know life. SMECS, unlike any other schools, didn’t just teach us how to adapt in life.  SMECS taught us also how to enjoy life, how to love life, how to contribute to the society to improve the quality of life. SMECS sees beyond our dream careers, beyond our ambitions and aspirations. SMECS taught us that the best things of this life are not the money we will make, not the business we will build, not even the profession we will strive to take, because the best things of this life are the love we receive from our Lord, our family and our friends who will be there for us and will make the world a happy place for us. Beyond all the sciences, mathematics, and literatures we learned in our classroom, this is the best lesson that we learned from our teachers here in SMECS, and they are lectured forever in our hearts. Sta. Maria Ecumenical School , ilang saglit na lang at paglabas namin ng campus na ito, iiwan na namin ang masasayang karanasan namin dito. Sana ay naging kabahagi ang aming batch sa pag-unlad ng paaralang ito. Nawa’y maipagpatuloy mo ang iyong adhikain sa paghubog sa mga estudyanteng makaDiyos, makakalikasan, makatao, at makabansa.

            Before I end this speech, and therefore, my last responsibility in this school, I would like to confer a message to my fellow graduates. Let’s face the fact; our high school graduation is not the end of the world to us. On the contrary, it’s the beginning of our real life. That’s why it’s called commencement exercises.  According to a famous quotation by Dr. Seuss, "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go." We will have our own lives in college. Perhaps some of us will be a successful professional someday. Some of us will be the future leader of a prestigious organization. Others may be a varsity scholar or maybe an official player of a well-known varsity team. Some of us will be an average collegiate who will someday achieve his or her dream career as a teacher or a lawyer or an engineer or a doctor or a government official or anything. I pray not a single one of us be led astray by any vices or bad influences whatsoever. But I urge you, my fellow graduates, and that includes me. May all of us contribute for the betterment of our country and our society at large. May we not let ourselves be a burden to our family, to our community, to the government of this republic. Instead, may we do our best efforts to make the world a better place to live, as college students and as men and women of the working force.

            That’s it, classmates, our work here is done. Mission accomplished! At these times, it is proper to say, “Farewell.” But I know much of you would prefer, “See you soon.” Perhaps someday, we’ll all meet again. I pray that, if that happens, we’ll flash to each other our gleaming smiles as all of those happy memories come flooding one after another.  After all, we are still members of the SMECS family, right? Again, congratulations graduates of 2014! Thank you, and God bless all of you.

Reflection: One Litre of Tears

 Reflection: One Litre of Tears

Carl Angelo Mateo Caluag

“As I think about the past, the tears will come out. Reality is too cruel, too brutal. I don’t even have the right to dream. As I think about the future, the tears will come out again.”  - Ikeuchi Aya

 The television series “One Litre of Tears” is an exceptionally heartwarming and eye tearing production in almost every scene that it shows. It definitely brings out the tender person in anyone watching the series. It is a perfect and impressive icon for the drama genre. Virtually, every scene in the series, whether happy or tragic, carries an aura that touches the watcher’s heart. The excellent choice of actors and actresses, the remarkable musical score, and the series’ outstanding plot makes the series an exceptional piece of inspirational record.

            “Why did this illness choose me?” are the first words the main character uttered at the beginning of the first episode. Upon watching the whole series, the watcher is introduced to fifteen-year-old Aya Ikeuchi, a simple girl who has a normal life; she has a loving and supportive family, a nice set of friends, and a high quality education at a prominent high school. Aya has lived a happy life until, out of thousands of people who could have had the rare spinocerebellar degeneration, she was chosen to carry the burden. Most of the series tells about her story as she was fighting against the disease and trying to live a normal life amidst her suffering.

The watcher is shown how Aya is not just physically tormented, but also emotionally and socially distressed. Most of the times, she was shown crying in depression, yet she continually goes on notwithstanding her neighbors and friends’ silent aversion upon her. Even though she was burdened by her disease, she never let it hinder her to help her father in the family’s tofu business, to hang out with her friends, and even to write her own diary.

The fact that the series is based on a true story made it more realistic and imaginable. The watcher would be unintentionally required to put himself in the main character’s place. The story branches out into the different aspects of Aya’s life: her family, her friends, her high school life in general, her hobbies, her relationship, and her problems. A simple high schooler would easily relate to such. These things are what makes the watchers excitingly wait for the latter episodes.

Aya’s family is a very ideal family. Although not perfect, the members are in close contact with each other. At every dinner time scene, the family is seen chatting about each one’s conditions together. Such family is bound together by unity and love that is reflected by their continuous communication. They know each one’s activities and experiences because they talk with each other openly. In effect, they would know how to handle each one’s situations.

Aya’s parents, Mizuo and Shioka, are very crucial to her development. They serve as a beautiful example to other parents. Aya’s father, although a strict one most of the times, shows how caring and protective he is to his children. He zealously supports his three daughters and one son financially and emotionally. He would sacrifice himself, even working a part-time job, to give his family a life of comfort as much as possible. Aya’s mother, on the other hand, is a typical yet majestic paradigm to every mother. Her attitude towards motherhood is excellent and laudable. Aya’s mother showed a loving, supportive, self-sacrificing, and duty-fulfilling mother a child could have. In her continuous and indubitably tiring quest in searching for a cure for her daughter’s currently incurable disease, she showed how a mother, being the most crucial significant person to her child, should never give up.

Dr. Mizuno, Aya’s doctor, is worth mentioning, as he also was influenced by Aya’s life. Being his second patient to suffer from spinocerebellar ataxia, he worked well in order to find a cure for Aya. This showed how a doctor should effort for his patient, not just treating his profession as a job but as a duty to bear fruit from his knowledge of medicine.

Aya spent most of her times in school socializing with her compassionate friends. Aya’s friends, especially her best one Mari, are the ones that taught her not to be afraid asking for help. They told Aya that friends never quit. Being served by Aya as their choir conductor before she got disabled, they served him back by sacrificing a part of their time to give her special assistance. And even though they came to a point where they confessed being exhausted in helping Aya, in the end, they realized how Aya mutually inspired them to achieve their goals in life.

One of the most prominent persons in Aya’s life is Asou Haruto, her special friend whom she’s having a mutual interest for each other. Although they didn’t enter formally into a romantic relationship because of health and family-related issues, they spent a lot of time being together, with each one helping the other in various ways. Aya helped Asou mature into a person who cares about other people’s conditions. Aya encouraged Asou to follow his dreams and make the best decisions. Conversely, Asou helped Aya by being her personal aide and emotional support. Asou made it possible for Aya to live a normal and satisfactory life despite her gruelling illness. Aya and Asou both grew into much better persons as they were being for each other for very long.

Life would be nearly perfect for Aya if it weren’t for her disastrous disease. Her illness made it difficult for her to walk, to talk, to eat, to read and write, and to do other regular activities a common person could do. Her illness is what made some of the people around her despise her. Her illness brought gloom and horror upon Aya’s life. She lost her chance to graduate with flying colors, to pursue her dreams, and to have a usual romantic relationship. Her only consolation is her ability to think. But surely it is a torment for her not to comfortably express her thoughts in the latter part of her life.

In spite of all these, Aya lived a life of optimism. She realized nothing will happen if she would continuously mourn her misfortune. In a society where disabled persons are treated differently than normal ones, she strived to keep a level eye towards everyone she meets. With a cheerful mindset, she continued forward in being a good daughter, a nice student, and a kind neighbor. She made it a habit to write down her feelings on her notebook, which she kept as a diary. Her life story written in this diary became an inspiration to millions of people around the world.

One Liter of Tears is a story about the importance of being an inspiration to others around us. It is a story that persuades us to find our purpose in life. Each one of us has someone that we can serve, in one way or another. Upon our choice, we can be a source of motivation for the person we have influenced. Aya fulfilled her dream by being an inspiration to many people despite her disease. Having a cruel disease like that of Aya is unnecessary for us to realize that life, in itself, is important. It should be our desire to use our abilities to lend a hand and encourage others when they need our optimism.

“What’s wrong with falling down? You can always stand up again. If you look up at the sky after falling down, the blue sky is also today stretching limitlessly and smiles at me… I’m alive.” – Ikeuchi Aya

Reflection: Troy

Reflection: Troy

Carl Angelo Mateo Caluag

T

he movie “Troy” is filled with many hints of ideas. It is not just a historical movie. It is a movie of love and revenge. It is more than an epic of the hero Achilles; it is also a story of wisdom contrasted with folly. There are so many philosophies to be acquired from this film, such as:

1.      Not all lovable are to be loved.

This principle is manifested by Prince Paris of Troy. When Paris took away Queen Helen of Sparta because of infatuation rather than love, the world’s greatest war was fueled and flamed. Alliances are broken and controversies arisen, all because of the foolishness Prince Paris have done by adulterating with King Menelaus’ wife.

2.      The enemy of one is enemy of all

This principle is manifested by King Menelaus. Because of his wrath upon the Trojan Prince, he asked the Mycenaean king Agamemnon to join him in his cause to make revenge.

3.      Kingdoms thirst for power

This principle is manifested by King Agamemnon. King Agamemnon’s true reason why he agreed to his brother Menelaus’ request to fight the Trojans is because he wants to extend his power to Troy so that he would be able to control the Aegean region.

4.      Warriors thirst for glory

This principle is manifested by Achilles. Achilles, the great warrior of the Myrmidons, joined the Trojan War not because he wants to help Agamemnon, but because he wants his name to be known upon all generations.

5.      Fear is as important as courage

The Greeks must move forward and attack bravely no matter how the Trojans were armed and prepared for battle, but there are times when they must turn back and run for their lives. Fear is different from cowardice. It’s good to be afraid when one knows he can’t do something. It’s not good to be cowardly when one can do something, but is ashamed of doing it.

6.      Myths are just myths

The deities of Troy didn’t really win nor lose the fight. It’s the priests and advisors’ assumptions and belief in superstitions that made Troy vulnerable. Sometimes, one must be practical in order to be successful, which did not happen when King Priam assented to his committee rather than to his wise and rational sons.

7.      Wisdom is mightier than strength

This principle is manifested by King Odysseus. The wise plan of Greece’s wisest king overcame the strong walls of the East’s strongest nation. If it wasn’t for Odysseus’ idea, Greece would have suffered loss and despondency.

8.      Values of Keeping Heirlooms

The sword of Troy is the mark of the continuity of the Trojan people’s existence. It’s a good thing Prince Paris passed it on Aeneas before attempting to fight the Greeks.

9.      Loyalty is the most important aspect of service

This principle is manifested by Eudorus, the faithful servant of Achilles. Eudorus, even though a trivial character in the story, is the most beautiful example of a loyal friend and companion. Achilles treasured this general of the Myrmidons, and before he died, he entrusted him to take authority over his people.

10. The high tide and the low tide of life

Once a friend; now the opponent. Once a kingdom; now a tribe.  Once the greatest; now the weakest. Once a body; now a dust. Life has no assurance on the perspective of the story. It easily goes from one way to another, and back again. This principle is manifested by everyone. Not one person is an exemption to the peculiarity of life.

Amidst all of the bloodshed, gore, and sexual explicitness shown by the film, the essence of these principles remains. The life story of Hector, Achilles, Paris, Helen, Menelaus, Agamemnon, Priam, Briseis, and a lot others echoes the sound of history, leaving the modern people their legacies, and showing their mistakes so that we would not repeat them. Like these people, every person can make his name memorable to all generations by emulating the noble deeds of the world’s greatest heroes. Every person should not die leaving his name on the sand, washed away by the waves of the sea. We should make our lives respectable on the sight of the people that, like the tide of life, come and go upon us. 

Sanaysay: SONA 2013

SONA 2013

Carl Angelo Mateo Caluag

          Last July 22, 2013, President Benigno Aquino III delivered his fourth state of the nation address or SONA at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. As customary, he spoke about the country’s condition in its political, economic, and social aspect. He also spoke about the government’s plan of solution and how it alleviated or solved the country’s problems. He presented some of the exemplary Filipinos who showed noble conducts and admired them for their deeds. But the most important and controversial part of his speech is the promises left by him on the ears of the Filipinos.

          PNoy’s subject of the righteous path or “matuwid na daan” is admirable. It is good that his administration claimed to have resolved the agricultural crisis in rice supply and coconut production and propagation. It is good that he claimed to have produced military weapons and equipments for the Army. It is good that he claimed to have enhanced the health benefits of public hospitals, provided housing for the informal settlers, and added books and rooms in schools for education. The plans and projects are all but laudable. But all of these are just claims. Approval is relative on different social groups. These may apply to one community, and not on another. That is why there are riots outside the area of Batasan Hall. The main reason of these abhorrent activities is because they perceive PNoy’s claims as assumptions, and in some cases, direct lies. The president must present more visible and reliable data to vividly prove his claims.

          More important than the past are the present and the future. The promises given by the president inspired expectations to the countrymen, but to many, it is interwoven with doubt. The source and benefactor of the government’s billion-peso monetary fund is indeed questionable. Why does poverty tend to enlarge if the pork barrel has been augmented and allegedly allocated to the community? Everyone should observe carefully. Does the administration carry out its rightful duty to improve the country’s food supply, to enhance the education system, to protect our territory, and to solve political arguments? Or does it enflame corruption and suppress the political and economic progression of the country that they claim they love and would die for? President Noynoy’s SONA is audibly satisfying, but may realistically need improvement.

Reflection: The Croods

Reflection: The Croods

Carl Angelo Mateo Caluag

                New things ought to be appreciated: when such things are discovered, we can look at it as if God is giving us opportunities to advance and make our lives more efficient. Apparently, the most prominent theme of the film is viewing new ways and things in a positive way. I learned after watching the film “The Croods” that newness can either be looked upon as advancement or curse. It is up to us how we will use everything that is discovered. Relating to technology, we may use what we have to be capable of doing well to others and our selves.  The film encouraged me to view new things as a light, putting away darkness while illuminating us of new aspects of good service. That is why curiosity is a good trait, because it makes us seek ways to progression.

                Another value that I learned from this film is the value of close family ties. Much like the Filipino family setting is the Croods’ extended type of family. Their cooperative way of doing things, e.g. hunting for food, is a picture of the “bayanihan” custom. Like some families, they like working together, travelling together, and even sleeping together. They are protective of one another, and in listening to stories, they enjoy family bonding. As a father, Grug loves his children, and so he trains them on life activities. Even though they are cavemen, the spirit of love exists among them.

                Yet, something is lacking in them at the beginning of the film: the spirit of understanding. Somehow, it is ironic to say that love exists where understanding doesn’t. In the case of Grug and his daughter, they find it hard to understand each other. Grug’s problem is that he doesn’t know that someday, his little baby girl would grow up into a woman who may seek independence, not from his love but from the world of childhood. Eep’s problem is that she understands very slightly that her family’s tradition is laden with safety from the outside world. Yet, what is good about Eep is her courage and curiosity: not because she disobeyed his father’s regulations, but because she followed the light which would ultimately bring them to safety. Thanks to Guy, Grug and his family were liberated from the bondage of fear and were taught to be progressive and intrepid of life challenges.

Reflection: Freedom Writers

Reflection: Freedom Writers

Carl Angelo Mateo Caluag

1.

a.

In Ms. Gruwell’s school, there is a lot of tension undergoing. There is a reign of discrimination and segregation of classes, especially among the blacks, the Asians, and the Latinos. The students form and join gangs to protect their own class and fight the others. In response to this, the school (Woodrow Wilson High School) adopted an integration program for its curriculum, which in turn lowered the academic competitiveness of the school. Ms. Gruwell’s school, in general, does not care if the students learn advanced lessons, rather, they are satisfied if a student learn basic lessons, such as literacy and discipline. They defy the usefulness of books, because they believe their students were despondent enough to learn to love reading. Even some professors say little words of discrimination without understanding the experiences of their students.

b.

In Ms. Gruwell’s class, there is always disorderliness and aversion to one another. The students cling more to the outside world instead of education. For them, the teacher’s lessons are dull, prosaic, and uninteresting. They each have their own story, which at first they were hesitant to tell. Every one of them has seen a dead person, because of riots and secret murders, and somehow they are used to seeing these. Some of them have lost a friend or more because of gang conflicts. The students think that Ms. Gruwell doesn’t really understand them, so they hate her and disrespect her. They even caused Ms. Gruwell’s white complexion to arouse dislike at her.

c.

In Eva’s community, the events are really bad and frightening. Murder has become a common sight to most people. The gangs are to be feared. If they saw an enemy class, they would run after him and hurt him. It’s not safe to go outside and roam. No one is free. The police can take a convicted person without habeas corpus. They can take anyone for granted. People have guns and they use them if they needed to.

2.

Ms. Gruwell understands her students very much, and she believes that special education must be given to them. Ms. Campbell, the department head, won’t allow Ms. Gruwell to give her students books. She thought that book lessons won’t have any effect on the students. But Ms. Gruwell knows what needs to be done for her desperate students, so she worked three jobs to buy them special notebooks for them to write their feelings on it. These notebooks served as their diary, like the one of Anne Frank. She also taught against the syllabus, having extraordinary activities for her students, like playing games with lessons to be learned at the end. She took her students on a field trip, which is not school-based, so the students can know more about the Jewish discrimination of the Nazis. The climax of all of these is when she made her students write letters for Miep Gies – the one who hid Anne Frank from the Nazis – inviting her all the way from abroad so that she can give inspiration to the students.

3.

Eva was needed to speak as a witness in the court because she was at the place when Sindy’s boyfriend was accidentally shot by his own boyfriend. She was part of a gang, so she had to express loyalty to her boyfriend which means she must lie. But she knew that she must do what is right, thanks to Miep Gies’ influence. Eva told the truth, and it was not easy for her to do it. It means wrecking her fidelity with her same-class friends. It means breaking her relationship with her boyfriend. But it also means turning back on his past and moving on the present. It liberated her long-tormented spirit.

4.

We each have different culture, traditions, and classes. Each one of us may belong to various social groups. Even the color of our skin may define who we are, culturally. But that does not mean that we should not respect one another. We are all human beings, eyes and ears alike. Everyone has a heart that produces emotion. Everyone knows how to love, how to hate, how to laugh, and how to fear. No one is an exemption. There is no such thing as a special class, nor an inferior one. In the eyes of our Creator, we are all the same. That is why we must respect one another, and humble ourselves before others. No one should have a principle of ethnocentrism or chauvinism, even if in some aspects they are more blessed than others. Social, economic, and physical backgrounds may define us, but we must understand that we are only separated by continents. We must all treat one another as brothers and sisters, for each one must come from the same ancestors.

When things get rough and culture is abused, counter-culturing is good to be done. We must all stand up for what is morally right, not just on what is culturally correct. But we must always keep in consideration the lives of others, because they might have their own life stories, stories that must be heard and understood before doing counter-culture.

All in all, respect of one another’s physical and cultural differences must be emphasized.