2019: Pilipinas ano na?

Lilipas na naman ang isang buong taon habang sumasalubong tayo sa panibago. Sa taong namamaalam, maraming naganap, Mabuti at masama, masaya at malungkot, mga kwento ng tagumpay at mga kwento ng kabiguan.

Gusto ko mang isipin at dalhin lamang ang mga masasaya at mabubuting ala-ala, hindi ko maikakaila na malungkot sa naganap sa aking bayan.

Meron man tayong nakikitang sanhi ng ating kalagayan sa kasalukuyan, sa bandang huli, tayo lamang mamamayan na sama samang kumikilos tungo sa isang layunin ang magpapasya ng ating kapalaran.

Ang ating tungkulin ay hindi manisi kundi magmulat at baguhin ang ating sarili.

Umaasa tayo ng pagbabago. Pero ang pagbabago ay hindi manggagaling sa labas kundi sa ating sarili. Sana maganap ito sa bagong taon na darating para sa pagwawakas ng taong ito, kasama na ang lahat ng masama at pabigat sa atin na ibabaon na lang din sa ala ala.

Mental malnutrition is a real and serious problem

Although we have free education in our country, we do not care much about its quality. We are content to see students go through the motion of an education even though they learn very little and end up not being able to be functionally literate and numerate.

resistance and slow muscle exercise for maximum benefit

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A solvent solution to pimples?

Just a thought to add to list of body care products...

If a pimple is supposed to be caused by clogged pores and subsequent infection of bacteria under the skin, then would it not be a possible solution to unclog the pore with some kind of safe or harmless (used with care and moderation) solvent such as alcohol, virgin coconut oil, acetone or hydrogen peroxide?

Something to experiment on and tinker with.

Bonifacio's Revolution

It is good that despite our times, we still honor Andres Bonifacio as our hero father of the Philippine Revolution.

However, his revolution was stolen from him and he even lost his life in the process. Our hero, killed not by a foreign enemy, but by our own countrymen.

Nobody can tell anymore what and how our country now would have been had Bonifacio continued with his revolution. But the ones who stole it from him represented not the Filipino interest but only the elitist interest of the privileged few, keeping intact the master-servant vertical relations in our society. And that was no revolution.

Today, our people still labor under an unjust and inequitable social order where the wealth, resources and opportunities in our country are concentrated in the hands of only a few. And we have to end this situation.

But we do not need to wage a new revolution. What we have to do if we truly want to honor Andres Bonifacio is to continue and finish his revolution.

The difference between a leader and a politician

A politician is a person who competes with others for the right to control and  spend public resources and funds.

A leader on the other hand is a person who tries to make people productive and make sure that they benefit from the fruit of their labor.

Business is serving people

When people think of going into business, they think of a product or service that they think people will buy or gladly pay for.

But a way of looking at business is to think of it as a service they render to people for which getting paid is the outcome.

If potential entrepreneurs will think this way, their mindset will be to look for ways that they can help people or make their life better instead of just focusing on the money they might make.

Business has always been about serving others. The idea of making something and selling them borders on charity or vanity.

What nationalism should be

For many people, nationalism is equated with national pride which they then equate to patriotism. But I beg to differ.

For me, nationalism should not be about pride but rather about a sense of responsibility for each other who live in our country. It should not be about individual achievements that we hijack and  vicariously take pride in. Rather it is holding on to a vision of what we can be as a people and willingly striving that opportunities are shared as equally as possible with everyone for our full potential to blossom.

So thanks but no thanks to those who profess to dedicate their achievements for the country but then throw their lot with those who are on the wrong side of history and whose actions have hurt our people.

Getting rid of mosquitoes with bubbles

What happens when mosquitoes fly into a soap bubble? Will its wings get wet causing them to drop? If that is so, then it will be possible to thwart or even to just minimize mosquito attacks especially outdoors using a bubble maker. Usually, these bubble makers are sold as children's toys but it would be a good idea if they can be given a better use and repurposed as another item to fight mosquitoes.

The bubbles too can be scented with citronella and eucalyptus oil which mosquitoes are said to avoid.

I wonder if this idea will work.

The importance of having a hobby or hobbies

There are many things that can be said about the benefits of having a hobby. The important thing is not to settle on just any hobby but to find what hobbies we can be truly passionate about.

Hobbies that we pursue with passion give us purpose and pushes us to excel.

Not only are hobbies great stress relievers and a constant source of joy but they can also encourage us to be healthy in mind and body. Finally they can also turn out to be profitable.

An advice I got through the internet even encourage people to have three hobbies: one to keep healthy, one for profit and one that challenges us to be creative.

Rocks rock.

People do not usually pay attention to rocks. Their ubiquitous presence almost every where had made them invisible to people.

But actually rocks can be interesting - from the rarest and most precious gems to the most common stones. Rocks have a science that we can all study and learn which in turn can give us a better understanding of our world. But aside from that, rocks can also be treated as materials for creating art and tools for amusement to challenge our creative imagination.

Truly rocks rock!

A life hack

Something I just picked up from the internet:

'Do not waste time chasing people. Just do your thing, work hard and the right people will come along.'

How I agree. Sometimes chasing people is just a form of procrastination and a distraction from what is essential to do. Or it is a form of laziness.

So what is important is to focus on the thing that must be done.

Saving Traditional Rice Varieties through potted rice growing

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Hoya imperialis

Just happy to wake up to a pleasant surprise. The H. imperialis plant in our backyard bloomed for the first time after I got it as a young plant a few years ago. Even with just three flowers, it was a joy to behold.

Return to source

With the growing acceptance of cremation as a final way to go, there is the question of where to keep the ashes and how to keep the memory of the departed.

The obvious and current solution to this matter is the crematorium where the living can store the ashes of their loved ones.

This may be good and the most accepted practice at the moment. However, for reasons of maybe greater practicality, it might be worth it to consider the idea of an aerial or sea release for a deceased's ashes.

With today's technology, a drone or a balloon can take the ashes up in the air and release it for the wind to carry them back to Mother Nature.

Experimenting with rocket stoves as a foil to high cost of cooking gas

Rocket stove with stand copied from a DIY in Youtube

I just learned about the rocket stove in You tube and thanks to it, I now have one of my own. And so far, I am very happy with it.

A rocket stove is really just a stove improved by science. But it is not rocket science. It is just a contraption where the three elements of fire can most efficiently combine for maximum heating. If done right it burns fuel thoroughly and  cleanly, generating intense heat without smoke.

My next experiment with this stove is to find out if it can be fueled by market waste such as coconut husk, corn cobs and maybe even peanut shells.

Heroism in a time of an ascendant dictatorship

It was Heroes Day yesterday and I just feel sad that  our brave heroes of the past can not now defend us, our freedom and our imperiled way of life.

For this is a time for heroes but there seems to be a sorry lack of them.

We need to be united and we need someone to lead us in defending our freedom and even our very lives. But most of us seem content with airing our gripes in social media when the frontline is in the streets and in public places where people struggle to make a living and live real lives.

And we pretend that our country has not been taken over and we insist on believing that our constitution is still functioning when it has been totally gutted and our major democratic institutions coopted. We can not properly honor our heroes if we cowardly close our eyes to the truth and pretend that things are still normal, and that our democratic and constitutional processes are still functioning reliably.

Despite our current situation, I believe it is just right to have a day remembering and honoring our past heroes whose example may give us ideas on how we can be heroes of our time.

Setting the Filipino Mindset and Barangay Tutorial Centers

Although education is supposed to be "free" in the Philippines, its quality leaves much to be desired. It is horrifying to realize that in many public schools, students graduate without really acquiring basic education skills depriving them of a chance to make a better future for themselves.

Obviously there is a need for thorough education reforms and maybe even a complete overhaul of our education system. But to do this will take a lot of time while millions of Filipinos go through to the motion of getting an education without substantially learning anything or learning what is important.

In order to address this problem, I wonder if it is possible to distill basic concepts and principles in the various fields of knowledge so that at least, Filipinos will have a unified mindset for at least basic ideas and notions. Every Filipino should at last have and share these knowledge with their countrymen.

For example, in history, we should at least have a common knowledge of several important events that shaped and brought us into our present. Then in science, we can also know basic principles and laws critical to our survival and progress. Other fields that can be covered are Mathematics, then Religion, Sprituality and Morality (RSM).

This project can be carried out through schools but it can also be carried out as a barangay project conducted by volunteers in a yet to be created Barangay Tutorial Centers.

The Patero Barn Lamps

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Hats off to Marikina and its 'Bayani'

Just a regular and  ordinary street in Marikina

Every time I go to Marikina which is not really very often, I am always impressed by how clean and orderly it is.

I believe this transformation of Marikina began during the time of Bayani Fernando. But even he had finished his full term, the local residents continued with what he has started. And for that I take my hat off to residents and the former Mayor of Marikina.

I believe our country can still benefit much from the leadership of Mr. Fernando even if it is only in his capacity as an ordinary citizen. He should put in writing his vision and idea and style of leadership. It will be a book worth reading.

If the government and people of Marikina can do this, I wonder why other places in the country can't follow.

The beginning of Patero Barn

It started  just with tinkering and up-cycling palette wood into chairs, tables and benches. Then the idea of converting traditional gas lamps into led light lamps came along.

With pretty results of the first projects, the challenge for making other upcycled items from otherwise discarded materials became more appealing.

From this lowly beginning Patero Barn was born.

Personal victories and national pride

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Nothing to worry about, really?

Debemhams is the latest store to open and close within a few months in this mall.



I have observed that in one of the malls I frequently go to, many stores have closed even just within months of opening.

Is this merely an indication of changing consumer preference or contrary to what government tells us that our economy is doing fine and that there is nothing to worry about, we should really be worried. Very very worried.

May nanalo na!

Hindi man maiuuwi ng mga Hapon ang World Cup sa Football, napahanga naman nila ang maraming tao sa kanilang ipinakitang sportsmanship at dignidad sa harap ng pagkatalo.

Kahit na talunan, nakuha pa nilang linisin ang kanilang locker room matapos ang laro at mag-iwan ng mensahe ng pasasalamat na may kasama pang origami. Ganoon din ang mga taga suportang Hapon mula sa kanilang pinapanoorang lugar na nagligpit ng kanilang kalat bago umalis.

Para sa akin, ito ang marka ng tunay na kampeon.


The Japanese football team locker room all cleaned up with thank you note/photo from internet

We have to start somewhere

Our town's community garden. Hopefully this is just a start.

When public open space had become so scarce and almost inexistent in a town that is rapidly being overtaken by concrete houses and buildings, we can only be thankful that there is still that spirit to fight for and create a "public garden" no matter how small it may be.

I appreciate what this barangay in our community has done and I hope they succeed in enlarging their "community garden."

When reporters become news

In the news recently are cases of sexual harassment of female tv reporters being harassed while covering the World Cup in Russia.

But for sure, it is not only in this occasion that physical sexual harassment of female journalists have happened.

Instead of just ignoring the harassers who only become more brazen and physical by getting no resistance, these reporters should fight back. Learning the basic self defense will be a good way to do so and it will also make for great news viewing.

It is always nice to see instant justice and it might serve as a warning to those with similar thinking as well.

Idea for a deodorizing cleanser

90% commercial bleach solution
10% dishwashing detergent

for testing

The National Museum of Natural History

If anyone is looking for good news in the midst of the daily overdose of bad news happening in the country, consider the opening of the National Museum of Natural History.

Finally we have a worthy showcase for the wealth of flora and fauna found in our country. This museum is a first class teaching instrument about nature, environment and our country.

At the time I visited which was soon after its public opening was announced, I was a little disappointed that several galleries are still in the process of being completed. But I realized that it was okay since a museum is a never ending work in progress anyway. And that is a good reason to return some other day.

We should all support this and our other museums.

In life, always be prepared to make the best of whatever comes

Nobody owns the future and so we can not really expect for things to happen the way we want them to happen all of the time.

What is important is that with whatever comes, we should always be prepared to make the most and the best of it.

Golden shower

Philippine summers can be very very hot and truly punishing. But as a kind of consolation by Mother Nature, it is also the time when most trees mount spectacular floral displays.

What a waste if we fail to appreciate this gift of nature and not be able to tap it to create greater wonders and beauty. If instead of just one tree, we can find ways to plant dozens even hundreds of them in one place...

It is really up to us to dream so and do so. What we need however is a vision for beauty.

Democracy is a misunderstood concept

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Post religion use of churches

When the primary purpose of religions has been forgotten and religion has degenerated into a mere money making entertprise, then people one day wake up to that fact, I wonder what will happen to the churches they have built?

In some countries, some churches have been turned into homes and even restaurants. But they imagine is the limit of their many other potential uses.

Some repurposing ideas for the church:
- as a community center to serve as evacuation center and cultural venue
- as a library
- as community hostel and hospitality center
- as a green public space
- as meditation center
- as senior care centers
- as multi story parking lot

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The importance of feeding the mind

Feeding the body is important. But equally important is feeding the mind as well.

All living creatures need to feed their bodies. But only humans have a need to feed their minds as well.

And the food that minds need are values, science based knowledge and culture.

Values which are based on truth separate us from animals. Science based knowledge allow us to develop and explore the limits of our human potential and culture is the heritage of our achievements.

pagkuha ng bango sa halaman

Ang pagkuha ng bango ng mga bulaklak at ibang mga halaman ay matagal ng gawain ng mga tao sa iba't ibang parte ng mundo.

Naisip ko lang, kung nagagawa ito noon kahit walang mga makabagong kasangkapan, siguro naman ay hindi gaanong kumplikado ang proseso para dito.

Dahil may nakuhanan ako ng mga natuyong bulaklak na ginamit sa simbahan, sinubukan kong kunin ang nalalabing bango ng mga ito at natuwa naman ako sa naging resulta nito.

Maraming posibleng pakinabang ang maaring ibunga ng experiment na ito. Ngunit kailangan pa ng patuloy na experimento. Halimbawa ay ang paggawa ng natural na pabango na walang halong artipisyal na bango. Maaari din siguro kunin ang katas ng halaman na nakatataboy ng insekto at maaari din magbenta ng solusyon upang ang mga tao na mismo ang gumawa ng sarili nilang pabango sa mga halaman na alam nila.

Pero saka na ang pangarap. Sa ngayon ay madami pang eksperimento na dapat gawin.

The only news that matters

There are good news and there are bad news and the task of media is to just deliver these news as objectively to the public as much as possible.

Nowadays however, I find the news to be mostly depressing and bad that I have almost dropped my habit of avidly reading newspapers. The situation is made worse by the obvious bias of many media members who seemed to have thrown away all notion of objectivity and fairness.

But I do not blame the media for the bad news or their depressing biased reports. At most they can only be biased or even out rightly fake. Still, it is the people who make the news and write history.

My point is that we can not really expect good news from a bad, even criminal government and if we want good news, we will have to write it and it will be about how we fight back and defend our rights and freedoms until we get back our government.

Cleaning up the Pasig

I appreciate the many and great efforts done to clean up the Pasig River. However, I am aware that much work still has to be done to bring it back closer to its once pristine and life (and livelihood) giving state.

In the past, people were said to be able to drink its water or use it for household cleaning purposes. But to do that now is tantamount to suicide.

While those who are involved in cleaning up the Pasig River deserve to be commended, I believe that this task should also involve the communities and people that the river passes through.

A way to encourage people involvement in cleaning up the river is by giving them a stake in its rehabilitation and this can be done by encouraging barangays to identify possible income generating projects that can be done along the river's banks.

Some ideas:
- open air Sunday market
- putting up a barangay kapihan for promenaders
- growing aquarium plants and some high value horticultural plants
- organize history/tourist trip by the river
- raising colorful aquarium fishes
- create a park with mechanical water features to serve as venue for functions

These are just some ideas, but there could be more ideas people living by the river can think of.

How about Linis-Lakad or Alay Linis for a change

It's that time of year again when thousands of people trek to pilgrimage sites as part of the Lenten tradition.

Seeing literally thousands of people demonstrating their faith by walking long distances to their pilgrim destination is a sight to behold. It makes me wonder what if this energy of the people can be channeled to a more productive endeavor? I am sure that the result can even be more awesome and inspiring.

The problem however with this yearly trek is the immense litter the pilgrims leave in their wake. Many of these pilgrims have no qualms littering and throwing away their trash while on the road and even at the site of their final destination.

I wonder if it is possible to tweak this tradition a little by making the people conscious of cleaning up the streets where they walk also as part of their show of faith. If not, maybe a day can be set aside just for this purpose.

I wonder how people will take to Alay Linis or Linis Lakad.

Cleanliness and faith are not mutually exclusive. They should go together.

Cannonball fruit

 

 



Changing minds

To win an argument, is better not to tell people they are wrong but to understand why they hold on to such a position. Then offer an alternative, a way out from their position without making them lose face.

If their belief is based on a benefit they derive from it, they should as much as possible be offered an alternative.

Justice trumps peace

Peace is an ideal that we should always strive for. However, in its pursuit, we should not sacrifice justice.

Peace without justice is merely a delusion.
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Democracy thought

Democracy dies not because a tyrant is born but because people just give up on it.

Learning from ants

when disaster strike ants, what do they do?

All fake

 

 

Fake flowers. Fake green. Fake fire.

 

For me, one word comes to mind: Cheap.

 

It is nice to be near nature. But faking it does not work for me.

 

 

 

 



Social media can not substitute for the concrete actions we must do for our country

Social media is a very convenient outlet for people to express their frustrations and anger with government. However, if people want things to change, they should do more than type away their thoughts for posting on facebook or twitter.

They should get out of cyberspace and get into the street to manifest their protest and reach out to real people.

Benham Rice

Crispy fried shrimp and fish with lato salad at Dap-ayan Restaurant, La Trinidad, Benguet



An afternoon at the Falls - Hinulugang Taktak



Hinulugang Taktak is a natural attraction located in the City of Antipolo. There was a time when it was a popular leisure destination for many people but due to rapid urbanization and wanton development, it became very polluted and dirty that it was closed to the public.

Happy to know that the City Government of Antipolo made an effort to rehabilitate it and made it accessible to the public once again.

I have been to the falls before when I was still a child . But that was so long ago that when I recently visited it , it was like seeing the place for the first time. I can not say that it is spectacular compared to other falls I have seen elsewhere but at least it was still a refreshing and a relaxing sight - an oasis of green in the city that is fast becoming an urban jungle.

The government, both local and national through the DENR has done a commendable job cleaning the place. But for sure, this work is far from over and keeping it clean will always be a work in progress. For this to happen, the local residents and the people of Antipolo should also be involved and do their part in keeping this place and their city clean.

A reminder of how much work on cleaning up the place still has to be done is the  pile of litter that has accumulated just at the lower portion of the stream not far from the falls.

Part of the down stream that was not rehabilitated

Group Crafting to combat idleness, loneliness and social isolation

In its simplest definition craft is defined as "an activity involving skill in making things by hand". 

For me however, crafting is not simply an "activity". It has many benefits. and it can play a vital role in promoting personal and social well being.

Crafting engages people in a productive enterprise. It can be a source of livelihood but it can also help fight depression. It makes the hand busy at the same time that it challenges the mind to explore the limits of creative possibilities.

Crafting can be done alone but better if done collectively. It is after all a social activity and is a good way to bring people together.

At a time when urban living has made loneliness and social isolation prevalent, crafting can be a valuable instrument to address this problem.

2018 - May we get our values back

Kois and coins - kois symbolize strength to face the challenge of the year ahead and coins to symbolize prosperity. But what can be a good symbol for values?

New Year is the time people trade good wishes for each other. The standard wishes are for good health, prosperity and happiness and I still wish for it for everyone, me included.

But I also wish that we as a people get our values back - to realize the primordial importance of truth from which all values are based and  to reject lies and falsehoods by totally defeating and punishing their bearers.