XIV - Finale

This blog entry will be my final one, and it will be something that is addressed to our PhilLit and EEP professor, Ms. Eliz Reyes.

One of the writing activities we did in our Expository Writing subject was a character sketch. The persons we should be writing about were only limited to our classmates and our professors, and the first person who came to my mind was Ms. Eliz. The essay is written below.

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As I started all-English term at Asia Pacific College, I braced myself for any professor who will give me a hard time. There was one but she wasn't that interesting as my Philippine Literature teacher, Ms. Eliz. She was the first professor to welcome us to this new semester. Ms Eliz is like no other; she has a unique appearance, a pleasing personality, and an intellectual mind.

Ms.  Eliz having a unique appearance caught my attention. Dressed in black from head to toes, Ms. Eliz went inside the room with a heartwarming smile. I have always loved the color black and liked people who always dress in all black. My friends even thought that she looks like a professor from Hogwarts. Her eye-catching appearance could really tell a lot about her personality.

Ms. Eliz has a personality that pleases us all.  At first, I thought she would be like those grumpy, old teachers that I had last term. But I was wrong. We don't have much to do during her classes, so we had some time to talk to her about a lot of things. When we do activities, like origami or drawing, she always compliments our work because she can see the effort we exerted. She isn't strict about deadlines and whenever we make mistakes, she doesn't get mad but rather help us correct what we did wrong. With her nice and decent personality, she is deemed respectable of her work.

One of the things I like about her the most is her intellectual mind. When I read her blog, I learned that she has over a thousand books at home. She can finish a novel in one or two days. Because of this, she has a vast knowledge about literature and poetry. There was even a time where she entered our room and suddenly began speaking Spanish. We were really surprised and were left in awe although we didn't understand a word she said. Her perception about a lot of things made her a very likeable and interesting person.

Ms. Eliz's unique appearance, pleasing personality, and intellectual mind made her someone who is like no other. I had a lot of first impressions about her but when I finally knew of her striking characteristics, she is now my favorite professor for this term. I never forget those people I really like. Ms. Eliz will indeed leave an impact on my life. 

XVIII - The End of the all-English Term

The most awaited day was on December 22, 2015. It was on this day the Ignite Speech and Speech Choir competition was held (also it was the last day of classes before the holidays) and everyone was excited. At 8:00 am, every one of us in our section were rushing and cramming just to prepare for our presentation. It was very funny yet stressful at the same time.

The two competitions were performed alternately, starting with our speech choir then an ignite speech was delivered by a representative. I think it was kind off hard for the ignite speech speakers, since they memorized a piece and a speech that would be presented at the same day.

AC151, our block, was the first section to present so it was really pressuring for us. I really had no confidence with our presentation since we started practicing a week before the competition. Since it was rushed, our presentation seemed to lack and some of our movements weren't in sync when we finally presented. But would you believe that we were the second runner up? Me neither.

Nicole Timbol was our representative of our section for the ignite speech competition. For me, her content was really meaningful since she talked about agape, the highest form of love and a mother's love. She talked about the unconditional love of a mother. It was wonderful because you can feel the emotions in her speech. Although she talked very fast and I felt that I was also running out of breath. But I was really glad she became the 2nd runner up.

I felt really proud of our section because we won in all three competitions for this term. 2nd runner up in the Speech Choir competition, also 2nd runner up in the Ignite Speech competition (Nicole Timbol), and finally champion in the Inter-class Public Speaking Competion (Gracielle Sitjar).

All of these activites were really overwhelming for me, and it helped shape our skills in very way. This term was kind of fun too, despite all the deadlines to accomplish and anxieties to conquer.

XVII - The Inter-class Public Speaking Competition

"The cult of celebrities and fantasies... a Filipino obsession?" A question that served as the main theme of the inter-class public speaking competition that took place at the Asia Pacific College Auditorium on December 21, 2015. This was the first day of the culminating activity of our English term. Inter-class public speaking competitions are held at the end of every English term. Six students from each SOM block will compete and represent their section; three from all the participants will have the chance to win a medal and a certificate.

An elimination round was conducted first since there were at least 30 students competing. The students were divided and were put in different classrooms for the round. While they were away, some students who weren't included in the competition were left in the auditorium. To kill the time, the host together with APC Speaks conducted different activities and games. There were really a lot, but I could say they were rather entertaining.

As the participants entered the auditorium one by one after an hour, each section asked their representatives on how the competition went and if they were selected. Then the finalists were announced and it was finally time for the finals. From six representatives, our representatives narrowed down to three: Gracielle Sitjar, Bianca Gonzales, and Adonicole Palma. I was disappointed that some of our representatives didn't made it when I really liked the content of some of their speeches. 

The winners were announce the following day at the awarding portion of the second day of our culminating day.

The second runner up place went to Jan Michael Mil from TM. 

The first runner up place went to Eno Mejico from MA. Her delivery of her speech was really good that I remembered how she related her love life to the telenovelas and dramas on TV. 

Hats off to the inter-class public speaking competition champion, from our block, Gracielle Sitjar! The way she delivered her speech was very emotional. She related her painful experiences of being a child in a dysfunctional family. Honestly, I never really thought that she will win. She said that her speech was rushed and she still haven't memorized the entirety of it on the morning of the competition.

Kudos to all of the competitors for conquering their fear of public speaking and defying the odds. All of their speeches took a lot of effort and preparing, and they were wonderful for it. Now, I guess all of us in the AC151 will surely have a high grade for the incentives.

XVI - The Fear Onstage

I remember seeing an article about the list of things people fear the most. You may think that the first one is death, right? Well, you're wrong. Death is only at the second place. Public speaking is the number one fear of humans.

Standing on a stage, facing a large audience with cold hands and a prepared speech on mind that might be forgotten later—I may just rather melt on that spot. Or maybe just die rather than humiliate myself in front of people who will judge my every word. It takes a huge effort and bravery to give a speech to a large crowd.

But on November 27, 2015, the Asia Pacific College Speaks held Speak Sense 2, a public speaking competition with high school students from within Metro Manila as the participants in the contest. The theme was “Whether it’s the best of times or worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got” and it was guaranteed that those students have lots of ideas to say.

It was my first time attending a competition like this, and I would be lying if I said I was not nervous for the contestant. I was a little afraid for them if they messed up or had a mental block. I couldn't imagine myself as a speaker on that stage and I was having a lot of questions on my mind on what would happen throughout the entire time.

The contestants' speeches were all wonderful, although there were some that left me bored. Some were entertaining, like that one boy who gave a speech on how hotdogs and sandwiches injured him and that one boy who had a rather attractive voice. But there were two presentations that caught my attention. The champion of the contest, Phoebe Stacey Almario from Las Piñas East National High School, talked about her experience of living in a broken family, with nothing but thoughts of suicide and a deranged mother. It was very emotional for me and also for the audience. There was one line in her speech that I really liked: "Life is a beautiful nightmare."

Phoebe Stacy Almario

The first-runner up (I forgot his name, forgive me) shared his story of his relationship with his best friend. He said that he asked her to prom, and she said yes. Eventually, their relationship bloomed into something more than best friends. But after some time. she broke up with him. Most of the audience can relate to his experience. I cannot really relate that much to his speech but I found it cute and kind of hilarious when the judges were asking him about his feelings afterwards.

First-runner up

Each and everyone of the contestants did well and they all inspired me to face my fears when it comes to public speaking, even though I really struggle with doing speeches in our public speaking classes. This event helped not just the speakers, but the audience with conquering our fear onstage. It also proved that public speaking can be the very instrument to express ourselves and make our voice be heard.

XV - No Homo, Bro

You've heard of zombies and gays, but putting them together in a movie? Kinda confusing, right? What could be more outrageous than a film about gay zombies? Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington is an indie suspense comedy film starring Martin Escudero. The movie revolves around the life of Remington, who,when he was young, mocked an old gay man. The gay man cursed him to be a gay on his 21st birthday, leaving him at shock.

Remington seemed to grew up in a community where a lot of gay people live, yet they are still mocked and hated by most of the society. That is what makes the movie subversive. The movie somehow depicted the feminism slant. Remington's mother was a police officer so is her gay friend, while Remington's dad just managed their business. Hannah, Remington's girlfriend, became the dominant one in their relationship, with her making her own decisions for their relationship.

The title is funny enough, but if you'll take the time of watching the entire movie, you'll be dying from too much laughter. There were a lot of ridiculous things in the story that made the movie so funny. When Mrs. Montano roller skating inside her house and when the gay characters used gay lingo and matched it with excessive body language were just too much for me.

Martin Escudero played the role of Remington very well, even though I think it isn't easy for a straight actor to play a gay character, let alone doing a make-out scene with another guy (Remington's bestfriend played by Kerbie Zamora). It seems that he really exerted a lot of effort on understanding the character of Remington. Lauren Young's role as a strong-headed and cheerful girl gave the story more color.

Just as other films, Zombadings portrayed the gay community as people who can withstand the insults, even though sometimes they are below the belt. Making fun of the gender roles in the movie was entertaining, but at the same time it shows that they are ridiculous and everyone with different genders can do things they want to do. Maybe the film's message is to not discriminate gays, or else you could turn gay by a gay witch. There are too many gays it's gives me a headache.

But in all seriousness, I really liked this movie even though it's kind of weird. It's entertaining and a must-watch for everyone who's looking for a daily dose of laughter.

XIV - Stolen Words

Most of us may have committed crimes without knowing it. Illegally downloading pirated movies and songs is one of those, but the worst and heinous is plagiarism. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defined plagiarism as "the act of using another person's words or ideas without giving credit to that person." Yet, people see this act as the same as "borrowing" or "copying" someone's ideas. They fail to see that this is also an act of stealing.

Plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional, but it is still considered the same. Intentional plagiarism occurs when writers or researchers know full well they are passing off someone else's words or ideas as their own, while unintentional plagiarism occurs when writers and researchers use the words or ideas of others but fail to quote or give credit, perhaps because they don't know how. Some students may fail to understand how to quote accurately or paraphrase effectively. It is possible for students to plagiarism without realizing they are doing so. Under the regulations for examinations, intentional or reckless plagiarism is a disciplinary offence.

 

As a student, I admit that at some times I found myself "copy-pasting" some work from the internet and turning it as my own work, for the sake of immediately finishing the assigned task. I thought that it was impossible that the original author won't press any chargers against me, and I also I'm still underage to be arrested. The act of plagiarism is still forbidden by the law. Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property of Code of the Philippines protect patents, trademarks, and other forms of intellectual property. The expression of original ideas is considered intellectual property and is protected by copyright laws, just like original inventions. Although plagiarism can be avoided by citing your sources and references. Also, simply acknowledging that certain material has been borrowed and providing your audience with the information necessary to find that source is usually enough to prevent plagiarism.

There are many ways of avoiding plagiarism. Using our minds and morals is the most effective and preventive way of evading this offensive crime. We should understand the whole concept of plagiarism so that we will not be ignorant regarding this issue. We must take responsibility of our actions and determine if what we are doing is whether wrong or right.

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Sources and references:

http://www.plagiarism.org/plagiarism-101/what-is-plagiarism/

http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Plagiarism

http://www.northwestern.edu/provost/policies/academic-integrity/how-to-avoid-plagiarism.html

XIII - An Artist of Poetry

We consider poems as an art. Poems are where we can express ourselves in words. Through poems, authors leave their messages, thoughts or ideas to the readers, in hopes of them remembering a piece of their personality. One person achieved this—which is none other than Gémino H. Abad.

The poet and literary critic Gémino H. Abad was born on February 5, 1939 in Sta. Ana, Manila. His family moved to Manila when his father, Antonio Abad, was offered professorships at Far Eastern University and the University of the Philippines. His parents are the noted novelist, playwright and essayist in Sugbuanon and Spanish, Antonio M. Abad, who was at one time Chair of the Department of Spanish in UP, and Jesusa H. Abad, professor of Spanish in UP. He is married to Mercedes A. Rivera, with whom he has five children.

Abad co-founded the Philippine Literary Arts Council (PLAC) which published Caracoa, a poetry journal in English. His famous works include Fugitive Emphasis (poems, 1973); In Another Light (poems and critical essays, 1976); A Formal Approach to Lyric Poetry (critical theory, 1978); The Space Between (poems and critical essays, 1985); Poems and Parables (1988); Index to Filipino Poetry in English, 1905-1950 (with Edna Zapanta Manlapaz, 1988) and State of Play (letter-essays and parables, 1990). He edited landmark anthologies of Filipino poetry in English, among them Man of Earth (1989), A Native Clearing (1993) and A Habit of Shores: Filipino Poetry and Verse from English, ‘60s to the ‘90s (1999).

He was also a columnist in The Manila Chronicle, a weekly column called Exchange, with NVM Gonzales, Sylvia Ventura and Luning Bonifacio Ira; The Evening Paper, a weekly column Coming Through, with NVM Gonzales and Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo; Musa: The Philippine Literature Magazine, a monthly column called Vates: Our Poets Speak, and; Flip, a monthly column Poet’s Clearing.

He received numerous awards, local and international:

• University Professorship, University of the Philippines
• Carlos P. Romulo Professorial Chair, University of the Philippines
• Henry Lee Irwin Professorial Chair in Creative Writing, Ateneo de Manila University
• Rockefeller Fellowship, University of Chicago
• Visiting Professor, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Visiting Professor, Saint Norbert College, Wisconsin
• Visiting Professor, Singapore Management University
• International Writing Program Fellowship, University of Iowa
• British Council Fellowship at Trinity College, Cambridge and at Corpus Christi College, Oxford
• U.P. Outstanding Faculty Award
• U.P. Distinguished Alumnus in Literature
• Ellen F. Fajardo Foundation Grant for Excellence in Teaching
• U.P. Gawad Chancellor Best Literary Work
• Palanca Awards for Poetry
• Philippines Free Press Awards at the Wayback Machine (archived August 31, 2004) for Literature
• Cultural Center of the Philippines Award for Poetry
• National Book Awards from the Manila Critics' Circle
• Asian Catholic Publishers Inc. Catholic Authors Award
• Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas from Unyon ng mga Manunulat ng Pilipinas (UMPIL)
• Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan in Literature from the City of Manila
• Premio Feronia, Foreign Author, 2009

He earned his B.A. English from the University of the Philippines in 1964 and Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Chicago in 1970. He served the University of the Philippines in various capacities: as Secretary of the University, Secretary of the Board of Regents, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of the U.P. Institute of Creative Writing. For many years, he also taught English, comparative literature and creative writing at U.P. Diliman.

The University of the Philippines has elevated Abad to the rank of University Professor, the highest academic rank awarded by the university to an exemplary faculty member. He currently sits on the Board of Advisers of the U.P. Institute of Creative Writing and teaches creative writing as Emeritus University Professor at the College of Arts and Letters, U.P. Diliman.

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Sources and references:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%A9mino_Abad

http://www.panitikan.com.ph/content/g%C3%A9mino-h-abad