Sitsirya

Napansin ko lang habang nasa isang convenience store ako maraming iba't ibang klase ng sitsirya na nakadisplay, palatandaan na mga ganitong kakanin ang pinakamabili sa ganitong tindahan.

Pero mahilig ba ang mga tao sa sitsirya o kumakain lang sila nito para pampalipas oras lamang?

Ang sitsirya ay hindi maituturing na seryosong pagkain dahil karaniwan ay panay carbohydrates lang ito na galing sa halamang ugat gaya ng patatas o cereal gaya ng mais at arina.

Pero larong isip lang, ano kaya ang susunod na magiging sikat na sitsirya?

Trains for Rapid Transport

Our country, especially Metro Manila seems to be stuck in a permanent transportation crisis where heavy traffic and gridlock have become the norm.

I believe the solution to this problem is a rapid rail based mass transport system which can move large numbers of people quickly and efficiently.

Our country was supposed to be among the first country in our  region to have trains but I wonder how it happened that we have neglected to develop this mode of transport.

It is a mark of a sovereign people to be able to achieve that which is needed for their prosperity and development. Hopefully, we too can eventually acquire a modern and efficient train based transport system.

This is a people's enterprise and we must all be involved in its pursuit.

The drum kiln charcoal maker

 At the Forestry Products Research and Development Office of the Department of Science and Technology, there is a prototype of a drum kiln charcoal maker. I am interested in this item because I feel that we have a lot of biomass which can be used as fuel even just for home use. In particular, I think if we can utilize the discarded shell of  young fresh coconuts after their meat and juice have been extracted, then we can greatly reduce our energy bill spent for cooking.

(a demo on how to turn biomass into charcoal)

The problem with charcoal making is that it produces a lot of smoke and so one requirement to make it is that it should be in a far away area where there are not too many people. Another thing I learned from my interview with the DOST scientist responsible for developing the charcoal maker is that biomass charcoal should still be processed into compact briquest in order to maximize their heating value.

Fidelisms - the constant task,,,,

The constant task of individuals is personal productivity. The constant task of society is wealth creation. And the goal should be equitable and fair sharing.

Bottled light

The bottled light is touted as an energy saving device that lights up homes of people for free because it uses deflected sunlight.

Many believe that this is a great and important idea. For me though, I don't find it significant or impressive at all. It is just slightly above the level of a solar powered flashlight that can be used only when the sun is out. But what for?

The poor are supposed to be the main beneficiary of this cheap -literally and figuratively- invention. However the solar bottles are not really entirely free as there are material costs in order to make them.

There are inventions that help people fight poverty. This one only makes people adjust to their poverty. That is one reason I don't like them.

An environmental crime

wip

Certificate on demand

It is customary that in most training seminars or workshops, a certificate is given to participants at the end of the course. Some people may find certificates important but others like myself do not really have much use for them.

Given the need to conserve resources nowadays, I believe that certificates should not be automatically given to everyone at the end of every training. What can be done is to issue certificates on demand for those who might want to ask for them. For me, it is enough that I go home well satisfied and truly edified by the training.

If it is not possible to do away with certificates, at least those who give them should take care to use correct grammar because not doing so reflects badly on the institution that gives them out.

Science and Religion

Believing in science or in a  religion are both acts of faith.

Science however is faith in process while religion is faith in miracles and magic.

Good Friday what ifs....

The Catholic religion was a colonial imposition and legacy of the Spaniards. Today the great majority of Filipinos profess to be Catholics and are proud and happy to be so.

What I wonder however is if we were not forced by the Spaniards to embrace Catholicism as a religion, would our ancestors have willingly accepted it or would they have gone for something else? If we have not been waylaid in our journey into nationhood by the Spaniards, what would be the majority religion in our country now?

Religious holidays are occasions for people to demonstrate their faith. But how deeply do the people know their religion beyond participating in its rituals? With our freedom to worship now,  in matters of faith where do we draw the line between religiosity and superstition or spirituality and stupidity?

Edible landscape

For practical reasons, I have a preference for income or at least savings generating hobbies. I take pride in being able to consume or earn from a plant that I grow myself. Although I would like to raise fish or birds such as catfish or quail, it would be to either eat or sell them eventually.


I am glad I am not alone with this kind of thinking. When I was in UP Los Banos one time, I learned about the Edible Landscape Project being piloted there. Unfortunately when I visited the place, it was closed and I was only able to take a picture from outside the fence.

I hope the idea of edible landscaping spread beyond this pilot stage. This is the kind of hobby I go for and would like to share with others as well.