Flames of Faith

Before going to bed it never occurred to me that major events can happen while I sleep. It was 3am in the morning when our housemaid rushed to my room yelling “Sunog! Sunog!” It was on that moment that I have realized that the building we were living in was on fire.

Our unit is located at the third floor while the fire started on the second floor. My sisters and I immediately changed our clothes, and packed the things we value the most. My older sister quickly placed her accessories, make up, and wallet in her bag, while my younger sister packed her jewelry collection, and carried her school bag. After seeing everybody tensed, the only thing I was able to bring was a bottle of lotion, a 10g ointment, and my wallet. We left our house with great worry of what might happen to us after the incident. My father was the last person to exit our house and locked the door knob. We stayed at our car and watched the firemen put out the fire. That sight was painful for all of us knowing that after the water from the firemen’s hose stops flowing, we would not have our things, and house back.

We were informed that the fire reached the rooftop damaging all units, a news that crushed our hearts. Then the unit owners were given an instruction to check their units. All units were damaged, burnt, except for one. My dad opened our door, and to his surprise the candles placed on our altar were lit, and none of our things were damaged. This significant event changed my perspective about religion. It was on that time I have truly accepted and understood what my Christian Living Education class has taught me. God really does exist.

Should Prostitution Be Legalized?

Legalizing prostitution can reduce poverty in our country. I was in my expository writing class when my classmate blamed the spread of HIV-AIDS to prostitutes which was totally one sided for my opinion because having sexual intercourse with prostitutes is not the only source of HIV-AIDS, it can also be in a form of a dirty needle, unsafe intercourse, or your partner (not a prostitute) already has the said illness. So without hesitation I gave him my opinion and said “Instead of seeing prostitution as a problem, why not see it as a solution to our problems. Let us legalize prostitution.”

Prostitution started in the country long before I was born, it would be too late to put an end to it now. Therefore legalizing prostitution is the only solution I can think of that can benefit both the prostitute, and their clients. Initially Filipinos would disagree to this idea probably because we are a Catholic country and it is against our moral values. But if we give much thought to this idea, this could lead to a better Philippines. Countries such as Thailand, and Canada legalized prostitution and it is evident that it helped their country economically, and culturally.

Legalizing prostitution would mean that every club is required to have a permit to ensure the cleanliness of the venue, and safety of the workers and clients. Every employee/prostitute would be asked to undergo certain health examinations eliminating the prostitutes that are capable of transferring diseases. Every employee would be required to pay tax. Every employee would be put through an interview removing minor aged prostitutes, and so on. Prostitutes should not be solely seen as a disease carrier or a social dilemma. They are entertainers just doing their job, and make a living. Who knows? He/She might be doing it for the sake of his/her diseased parents, undergraduate sibling, and so on. We should not judge them base on what we hear. We should not generalize their profession.

As you can see legalizing prostitution has its perks. So the next time we hear the word prostitution, let us not be narrow minded to only think that prostitutes are a menace to the country but we should try to see that they can be the solution to our never ending poverty.

How Do I Court Thee?

I conducted a research through google.com on “Ways on how to court a girl.” To my surprise, before I was even done typing, the said issue was second in the most searched, next to “Ways on how to conserve energy.” “Will you be my girlfriend/boyfriend?” A question I have been asked before and it made me anxious, excited, and confused. But how do guys/girls make sure that the response they get is a sweet, big “Yes!”?

I am utterly curious, and clueless about courtship. Born in a traditional country, girls rarely experience courting guys. Thus, to stop my curiousness, I have conducted a research, and asked my male classmates and friends, ways on how to court a girl. Initially, they were hesitant to answer but later on they answered my question honestly, and it was somewhat similar to the results I have obtained upon researching. As complex as I thought courtship was, they were able to sum it to four steps.

Step One: During the time of courtship, it is best to try to find out more information about the girl. Try to get to know her better. Not by stalking her but by listening to her, and asking. Pay attention to what she has to share. When asking, you should always know your limits, and whenever she asks you questions, answer honestly and do not answer her boastfully.

Step Two: Let the girl see, and feel that you like her and you are very interested. It would not hurt to flirt a little. Serenade her, compliment her, and make her feel special. But later on try to tease her, and make her feel unwanted. In this way, the girl would feel confused. The shift of emotions you will inflict will cause her to think whether she likes you or not. She will start to think of you every now and then.

Step Three: Make her think that she has power over you but not to the extent that you might appear desperate. If she wants you to accompany her, accompany her. But if she lets you wait for more than three hours, show uneasiness or try to refuse politely. This is also the part where in you show humor and wit. This will charm her, and make her like you more.

Step Four: Lastly, when you feel that her attraction for you is heightened. Show her your best qualities yet not in a cocky way. In this manner, she will give off her sweet “Yes!” easily. You can also try to pull an extravagant stunt, and propose if the girl has high expectations or standards.

Though the steps above do not guarantee you a girlfriend/boyfriend right away, most of the people I asked practiced the four steps and succeeded.

Courtship, for me, is complex and complicated. Yet its essence is understood by many, the reason they keep on practicing it until the present time. Love, is not something you can get and give easily. It is not something you can get by just following certain procedures. Love, for me, is mysterious and magical. It should be felt without the need for words, and showing off. And it should remain that way.

Eat. Pray. Love.

Sharing a similar predicament with the main character, I was inspired how she was able to get through a tough heartbreak from her past relationship. Now if you ask me where I want to eat, pray, and love, you must read on.
Pizzas, pastas, and gelatos, are my most favorite food in the world. Food that is perfect for any occasion, or any mood I am in, perfect for my stomach’s desires. Eating them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even midnight snack would not trouble me at all. Therefore, I choose to eat at Italy. After pampering, and stuffing myself from the luscious food I have eaten in Italy. It is time for me to do some soul searching, time for me to reflect, rejuvenate, and pray in Thailand. It has been almost three years since I last went to Thailand. Bangkok would be a very noisy and busy place for me to pray so I would rent a van, and drive to Ayuthaya. Many temples are located in Ayuthaya giving it a peaceful feel. Their ruins are also calming, and the people are quite friendly, making it the perfect place for me to pray.

Now it is time for me to move on, and what better place would be more perfect to search for love than the city of love, Paris, France. A tour at the park, a visit to the museum, and with any luck at the end of the day, be invited by a gentleman to a café, be familiar with one another, and go to the Eifel Tower together, a cliché yet perfect way to end my voyage, and a great beginning of my new love story.

My Ongoing Transformation

When asked to write about the changes I underwent for the last few years, one saying popped to my head “The only constant thing is this world is Change.” Change is innate in all of us. Things change, places change, and we change.

In my nineteen years of existence I have noticed numerous changes in me. I became taller, my arms and legs grew longer, etcetera, these physical changes are just some examples of the minor changes I have observed, and the other change is my philosophy in life. When I was young I got used to just only see matters for what they are, and not to try looking deeper. Yet when I grew older I realized that thinking deeper is wiser. As I enter college I perceive things differently, react to situations more maturely, and so on. I have been around with the same people since kindergarten until fourth year high school. In terms of values, and culture, not much has changed, and developed when I was at my previous school. Then I entered college, meeting different people, learning from them, and hearing their stories, experiences, and philosophy in life, my point of view in life broaden. I have learned different lessons from them which made me change. Each stage of my life changes my way of thinking, and seeing different matters in life. Since then I found problem solving, and decision making easier.

Change is a thing we all should learn to embrace, and accept. This can bring us to the right path, and bright future. On the other hand this can ruin one’s life. Yet we can prevent this from happening as long as we all strive to change for our well being. We must change to become a better version of ourselves.

The Great English Language Shift: The feast of (English) languages

“English language dominance is evident everywhere. What is the language of the Olympics, and the World Cup, may I ask? Of the Pacquiao boxing matches? Of Facebook, YouTube, blockbuster movies, cable television? In what language does Justin Bieber sing?” Leslie Lofranco-Berbano fusses.

Without a doubt, English is the universal language. It is used by Asians, Europeans, Africans, and so on. Other countries tend to master the English language better than their own native language, which lead the writer to ask. “Who owns the English language?” Some say when you can speak English without any pauses, and grammatical errors, you own it. Others say you own it once you are from America, England, you own it as well. But to whom does English language truly belong?

Being able to speak the English language has been a huge advantage when going outside the country. Let us face it, not everyone can understand our language, or the Filipino language. Three years ago, my family and I went to Thailand. The only Thai words I was able to remember were “Sawat Dee” and “Kop Khun” Other than that, I have nothing. Hence, the advantage of the English language, my family and I were able to tour Thailand happily with the help of the English language. Even the doormen, security guards, speak English, making communicating, and asking a whole lot easier.

On the other hand, being aware that English is the universal language, people choose to be more familiar with this language rather than their native languages. Yes, mastering the English language can bring us more opportunities to travel, work abroad, and so on. Mastering the language can even make us successful. But does this mean we must see English language as our primary language?

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism, we often hear this word spoken by our professors. When asked to do term papers, reaction papers, etcetera. Our professors strictly instruct us to avoid plagiarism, for it is a capital sin. But what does this word really mean?
I have conducted a little research about plagiarism, and found different definitions. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defined plagiarism to be the “usage of words or ideas of another as if these words or ideas were your own.” And Grolier New Webster’s Dictionary defined plagiarism “the use and pass off of someone else’s ideas, inventions, writings, etcetera as one’s own.” Though the said definitions came from two different sources their point is exactly the same. Plagiarism is the stealing of ideas, inventions, and writings of other people, proclaiming that the crook came up with those ideas, inventions, and writings, using other’s work without giving credit to their efforts, or even mentioning the name of the person who originally came up with the idea. At least this is what I’ve understood from the definitions I have quoted above. The reason we were given access to other people’s writings, inventions, and concepts is to inspire us or inform us. They spread their work to give help to others, and to be appreciated for their hard work. Thus, when we quote their words or create inventions due to their inspiring discoveries, it is quite ethical to acknowledge, thank, or even just simply state their name for recognition. It must have been a delightful feeling for the inventors, and writers to have their work be appreciated by other people. Come to think of it, it is sort of a give and take relationship.
Plagiarism is not different from stealing. Once you plagiarize, you are a thief. Now tell me, are you a criminal?