l(aleaffalls)oneliness

l(a

le
af
fa
ll

s)
one
l

iness

-e.e. cummings-

Many of us people fall into the trap of loneliness sometimes. We get to feel lonely because we loose the company of someone. The most common is loosing the company of friends. Friends are one of the most precious gifts that one can have. If you loose them, it is just like loosing a part of your life. For some people, loneliness is not just caused by friends, but is caused by the society. They become lonely because the society has already abandoned them. If we look into this kind of loneliness, what would a man feel? Well, the poem of ee cummings will tell us what.

The poem above was written by ee cummings. If we try to look at its structure, we can see that this poem is not the usual poem we get to see in the books. If I were to interpret this poem it would somehow be like this:

First, what is the poem all about? The poem is all about being lonely. Why would I say that? Well, if we omit all the spaces in the poem, we get to see a linear poem like the one in the title. In the title, one can already determine what the poem is all about. What does the poem imply about loneliness? The poem implies the effects of being lonely. It somehow tells us that there is a similarity between a falling leaf and being lonely. I said it earlier that I will use the loneliness experienced by a man who is abandoned by a society. So, what is the similarity? It is like this. Put yourself in a situation wherein you are an abandoned man. Aside from being angry with the society, if you are to feel this way, what other feelings would you feel? Of course, you would feel lonely, very lonely. Now, imagine a tree with lots of leaves. If a leaf dries up, what would the tree do with that dried leaf? Of course, since it is of no use anymore, the tree would let go of that leaf. The dried leaf is somehow abandoned by the tree. If we are to put on the similarities, the dried leaf is the abandoned man, while the tree with fresh leaves is the society. If the leaf has feelings, what would it feel? It will feel lonely, very lonely.

Another implication of this poem is its structure. This time, disregard the content and put your attention on how the poem was made. Have you ever wondered on why the poem was made like this? Why does it have a weird structure? It is like this:

I do not know if this is correct, but if we are to trace the poem’s last letters from start to bottom, we somehow get an arrow shape, an arrow shape that is points to the bottom. What does this imply? It implies the motion of the falling leaf. If a leaf falls, it will go down and not go up. Since we have already established a similarity on the leaf and the abandoned man, we can now tell that the direction of the arrow implies the kind of feeling that the man feels. The downward arrow tells us that an abandoned man feels very down, sad and depressed.

So therefore, the content of the poem tells us the similarity of a falling leaf and an abandoned man. Its structure also implies the motion of the falling leaf, which in turn describes the feeling of a lonely and abandoned man.

Love: An Act of Will Not of the Heart

It is just normal for us people to fall in love with the people whom we are close with. We get attracted to them not just because of their appearance, but also because of their unique characteristics. Since it is then normal for us to fall in love, this question can now be asked. Is falling in love an act of one’s will and not of one’s heart? To answer this question, let me share to you some common things that happen in a relationship.

We have seen a lot of people who let go of their love ones in order for them to be happy. One of these examples is the situation wherein a love triangle is present. As we all know, a man or a woman cannot love two persons at the same time. He or she must choose. Now, how does will and heart have to do with this? It is like this. Sometimes, a person that is involved in this kind of situation tends to let go or give up the girl or the man just to settle all the things. An example of this is when two men fall in love with the same girl. These two men are all after the girl’s “yes”. Although the girl only loves one of the two men, the girl does not want to give an answer because she is afraid that the other one might get hurt. Considering that you are the man who is destined to be hurt in this situation, would you still pursue the girl that makes you happy every time you see her? Or would you just let go so as to make her completely happy? If your answer to this question is a yes or a no, and you can support it, then love is an act of will and not of the heart. As you answer this, you are now making a decision. Decision-making is an example of a mental work and must therefore involve thinking and will-using. To make a decision, one must have the will to support his or her decision and must be ready to face the consequences it bears. If you do not have the will, then you cannot make the decision. In this case, the decision to be made is whether you should continue loving her even though she will not love you in return. I, personally, have an answer on this. My answer to this is no. No, I will not continue loving her. I will just let her go and give her up so that she can be with the one she really loves. If you will ask why, I can support it with my experience, which I think is a lot worse.

My partner and I have been enjoying each other’s company for more than a year. For all the years we have gone through and for all the trials that we have faced and survived, it was only this year that the most awful thing happened. I found out that she was somehow cheating on me with her friend that she considers very close to her. When I knew of this, I then confronted her and said to her in a nicest manner all the things that are needed to be said. First, she told me that she was very sorry because she hurt me. When she said this, I then told her not to bother because all I want to do is to make her happy. If she is not happy with me anymore, then she has all the reasons to leave me. I told her that I can sacrifice my love just to make her happy. What the decision is-is not our concern. Ours is the way the decision was made. In my case, I used my will to decide that I should go and stop loving her so as to assure that she continues to be happy despite my hurts and cries, even though my heart tells me not to. If I were to use my heart in this situation, I will not give her up. But then, not giving her up would bring more trouble to her and to all the people surrounding her. So that is why I would rather use my will than my heart.

With these reasons, love is therefore an act of will and not of the heart because it requires a lot of logical thinking and a lot of rational decisions.

Dramafest 2007

Every year, the Seniors of the University of the Philippines High School in Cebu hold one of the biggest events in the school year, the Dramafest. The word Dramafest is coined from the words drama, which means a serious play written for performance on stage, television, or radio and fest, which is a short for festival. This event is characterized by a showcase of stage talents by the two sections, Tan and Gonzalez. A Dramafest only happens if a batch decides to apply their knowledge in production-making rather than taking it to a test. A Dramafest is therefore a periodical test for the Seniors.

In a Dramafest, a production made up of a whole section must be organized. The whole section must be divided into groups namely, lights, sounds, stage management and cast. The cast is the main essence of a production. It is with them that the result of the other groups’ work is shown. I, myself, am a member of Gonzalez’s cast. Oh, and by the way, the name of Gonzalez’ production is Quevedo Productions and the title of its play is, “Sa Ngalan ng Ama”.

Being a member of a cast is not easy. A lot of work needs to be done. One must be dedicated to his or her work. As for me, I was tasked to memorize my lines in the script. But this was not easy to do because the lines were just too long. I then asked our production manager on why are the lines longer than the usual. He said that the reason behind this is that the type of play that we were going to present was the “talking type”. Meaning, it concentrated mainly on speech delivery and speech intonation. The moment I heard this, I began to feel more pressured because I am not just to memorize the lines, but I also have to deliver those in an excellent manner. Goosebumps were starting to build up on me because I was more or less the main character of the story. My role is a general named Emmanuel Villasante, which is characterized as a bad father to his children. So what is the big deal? The big here is that I get more exposures than any other actor does, which I think is very nerve-wrecking. But then again, I cannot fail my classmates. I then accepted the role given unto me and practiced my lines very well. After nights of non-stop practices, I then mastered my lines. It was hard and exhausting, but it was possible. I still practiced more on my lines but this time with proper intonation. When I began to put intonations on my lines, I again felt another feeling of fear because it was harder than I thought. But then again, constant correct practice makes perfect. So, there it was, lines memorized, mastered and with intonations, ready for the big night.

The big night was, for me, covered by an eerie feeling. I felt nervous and tensed because I am not used to acting in front of the public. But what has been started has to be finished. I then appeared to the public bringing with me the tension in my nerves. Luckily, thank God, it did not affect my acting. It went on well. My batch mates were pleased with what they saw because they did not expect me to act that well. I was somehow flattered with their reaction. I then thank God for what he has given me. All is well that ends well. Even though our production did not win, I was still satisfied with the result because I did my best as a member of a cast.

Cellular Phones: Advantage or Disadvantage?

We all know that we are now living in a period in which information spreads faster than physical contact. This period is what we people dub as the Information Age. Along with this Information Age comes the improvement in gadgets and most especially in communication. In the past years, the use of landline telephones was rampant because it made people feel the closeness of their love ones even when they are away. But today, man has yet made another breakthrough in communication and it is far better than the ordinary telephone, the cellular phone. Cellular phones were developed in the Information Age and because of this it can be considered as one of the Information Age’s biggest effects.

It was not long that cellular phones became rampant. It was in the early 90’s that cellular phones began spreading throughout the world. I can still remember the very first model of cellular phones. It was the analog type, which means that it can call other people anytime and anywhere as long as there is a signal. Well anyway, it is not our concern here because what we are talking is about n. Are cellular phones more of an advantage or a disadvantage?

We all know that cellular phones are very portable. Since they are very portable, they can be used and carried anytime and anywhere. If they can be carried anytime and anywhere, then there is a possibility that it can save one’s life. Imagine yourself walking in a street with less jitneys passing. Then suddenly, weird looking people start to follow you where ever you go. There is no one else around to help you get rid of those people following you. The question is, how can you get rid of those people following you, considering that you live in a time when cellular phones are not yet made? Well, you might say that you will get a piece of wood and slap them all. Well, that might work, but what if there are a dozen of them? Well, take a dozen pieces of wood. Yeah right, like you can carry a dozen pieces of wood at the same time. What I am trying to imply is that cellular phones do make a difference. In the stated situation, if the person has a cellular phone with him or her, he or she can contact someone and report that he or she is being followed and needs some help. If the person can already contact someone and say where he or she is, there is already a big possibility that he or she will be saved compared to the situation wherein he or she does not have a cellular phone. We can say that having a cellular phone increases the chances of being saved from harm because one can easily be located and saved. Not to mention the fact that the criminals can also be traced faster because the location of the crime is known. If this is not convincing, try looking at reality. According to the maid of my cousin, her friend’s daughter was saved by her cellular phone. According to her, it was afternoon when the daughter called up her mother. Because of the report, her daughter was then saved by the barangay tanods of their place. Imagine if her daughter did not have a cellular phone, how would the mother know where to find her daughter if something bad happens to her?

By looking at this statement, it is therefore conclusive to say that having a cellular phone increases the rate of being saved from harm. To answer the question, yes, cellular phones are much of an advantage rather than a disadvantage, whether to the one that is harmed or to the one that is causing the harm.

If I were Given a Chance to Become a Part of a House, What Would that be and why?

Sometimes, we people are being asked with this kind of question during impromptu speaking sessions. Well, guess what, it is from an impromptu speaking session. This was the question that got from the vault. I decided to include this in the blog because it is a question about one’s views and opinions. So here it goes…

As a person, I have my personal views in life. Sometimes, I view life on a thing that has a very large impact. A large impact in way that it is very equitable and very relevant compared to the real thing. So, if I were given a chance to become a part of a house, I would be the post of the house. Why? Well, I have some reasons to support my answer.

The first reason is that a post is made to be strong. Every person living in this world is all aiming to be strong. We people should be strong at all times because if we are not, we will be easily be defeated by the challenges and trials of life. Even though there are many trials that are bound to hit us, we should always stand firm and face these. Just like the post itself. Nature has been testing the posts of our houses for at least the same number of years as your age, but as you can see, it has not gone down. It still stands in order for you and your family to be protected. In real life, would it not be nice if we are as strong as our posts in our home, facing the trials and tests of life but still standing up?

Another related reason is that a post is the foundation of a house. Being a foundation does not only hold strength as main requirement, but also stability. Being strong does not mean that you are stable. In order to be stable, one must be organized and supported. If you look into your posts, it is not only a piece of strong wood or metal. It also has cement at its base. What is the purpose of the base? It is the one that supports the wood or the metal in order for it to become stable. Therefore, wood plus cement is what makes up a post, an organized and stable foundation. If we relate it to our lives, people who are foundations have an organized and supported life. A very good example is the leader-member relationship. A leader is nothing if he or she does not have organization and support from his or her members. Being a foundation therefore is not an easy task. One must have organization and support, just like the posts in our houses.

Some things in this world can be equated by just a simple thing, like a post. Although it is small and simple, it still holds true. So for me, if I were to become a part of a house, I would be a post that is strong and stable.

Where Should The Biggest Allocation of The National Budget Go?

Nowadays, the government is currently having problems with the national budget. The value of the percentage allocation per sector is gradually decreasing. According to them, the reason why percentage allocation is decreasing is because of the low amount of money in the national budget itself. But that is not our concern here. Even though how small the national budget is, there will still be a sector that will get the highest or the biggest allocation.

For the past years, the government has been saying that education is the sector in which the biggest allocation of the national budget has gone to. But is education really getting the most of it? If the answer is yes, then why are there still many schools that do not have classrooms? From the looks of it, I think that the government is doing the job they do best, lying.

According to the law imposed on the proper usage of the national budget, the educational sector should get the biggest allocation of the national budget no matter how small the amount is. This is due to the philosophy and fact that education is the answer in solving undying problem of poverty. With these reasons, it can no longer be denied that education should have the biggest allocation in the national budget. But this is not what is happening. In reality, education’s share in the national budget is gradually decreasing because the shares are being transferred to another current problem in the country today, debt servicing.

In debt servicing, a certain percentage of the national budget are given to the World Bank and to the International Monetary Fund so that the country will be free from its debts. Much as we know, the government is now prioritizing the efficiency of debt payments. In order to get efficient results, the government must, of course, increase the amount of their payments. How? Well, the best way is to increase the percentage allocation of the debt servicing sector. By increasing, the other sectors will get affected, more specifically; the other sectors’ percentage allocation will be decreased, thereby making the debt servicing sector get the biggest share. If this is true, then it violates the law and negates the statement that education is the answer to poverty. If education is the way to escape from poverty, then the statement should be followed. Besides, how can we escape from poverty if its exit is blocked?

Many parents in the society are working hard just to send their children to school. Majority of these parents want to send their kids to school because they want their kids to experience a better life compared to theirs. According to some parents, they want to send their children to school because for them, their children are the only hope in order to escape from poverty. Since they are in poverty, spending so much on something is very bad because it will affect the family’s current budget. So how are they going to escape from poverty if poverty itself is keeping them from escaping?

This is now the right time when the government has to interfere with the current situation. The government must then be able to provide the family with the things they need, especially when it comes to education.

Education is not a privilege, but it is a right and must therefore be given to people whether rich or poor.

How I want to be remembered after I Graduate in High School

As a graduating student, I am now destined to receive my high school diploma. After four years of trials and hardships, I will now harvest the fruits of my field. I will now leave my alma mater happy and proud. Being a student, I want to be remembered by my fellow high school students as a special man, the kind of man that is not the usual type and the kind of man that has firm principles in life.

In my stay here in high school, I have been the president of the NETizens.org for three years. As far as I can remember, aside from being included in the honors list, this has been my best achievement here in high school. Therefore, I want to be remembered by my fellow high school students as a very good president. Why a very good president? Well, not being boastful, but I was the one that changed and improved the performance and efficiency of the club. Since I was in the first year and second year, the name of the club was still not NETizens.org. It was USERS Club, a short term for Computer Users Club. When I first heard this name, I was surprised because it sounded more like of Drug Users Club. Not only that the name was bad, its performance as a club was also bad. We had meetings that were not very productive. These unproductive meetings led to a very bad accomplishment report that only contains one accomplishment, the beautification of the computer laboratory. It was bad because that was not considered a major activity. Anyway, it was my turn the next year. I was now to handle my favorite club. In my term, I was able to conduct a tutorial on web designing. It was not the best, but at least I was able to put something good in the accomplishment report. The nest year, I was re-elected by my members to be the president of this club once again. Being a two-timer in this rank, I now knew what needs to be improved and changed in this club. First, the name of the club has to be changed. We filed a letter of request, which was then granted by the principal and the dean, to change the name of the club from USERS Club to NETizens.org. I do not know why, but the moment we change the club name, unbelievable things started to happen. The funds of the club were starting to bloom, its performance was more efficient, majority of the activities for the whole year were covered, including our community service which was planned for more than two years. It was in this year that the NETizens.org received an award for helping a community learn about information technology and for conducting some tutorials for Microsoft Office. When we were recognized because of this, I was very happy and ecstatic because I think this is first time that this club received an award. I was very happy because of all the presidents that passed on this club; I was the one who gave fame and glory to the club.

So that is it. This is the way that I want to be remembered after I leave high school. I want to be remembered as a president that changed everything, a president who values his members very well and knows how to handle problems, a president who never quits his job and duties to the people and a president who knows how to perform and accomplish his assigned duty and task.