MY ADVOCACIES

The activities that I have participated and organized that are in line with my advocacies...

TRAININGS I'VE ATTENDED

The trainings, summits, conferences and other activities that I have attended...;

MY ADVENTURES

The places that I have been to, foods that I have tasted and things that I have discovered ...

MEETING PEOPLE

Very important people that I have met in conferences, summits, and other activities that I have joined in ...

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Written by oyyvernie in


Japanese Roads

Konichiwa Nihon!

It's my second time in Japan. And i've noticed more things than I have during my last year's sojourn in the land of the rising sun. I'll be blogging my observations from time to time.

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Silent, clean, organized--these words describe the roads in Japan.
Blowing of horns are seldom heard; free of pollution; very clean (i haven't seen even a small candy wrapper in the streets); there's NO TRAFFIC; and their road signs are amazing (see photos).


They have bicycle lanes and speed limit signs. (and i guess the lowest circle means "no stopping", im not that sure, I haven't confirmed it yet)

That sign probably means "no jaywalking" (not sure HEHE). We also have that in the Philippines but some of us don't bother following it, except when there's a CITOM officer around who's going to ask fees from those people who are not following traffice rules.
They can park their bicycles in a certain place. Do we have this at home? Probably not because majority of us ride jeepney in going to our places of destination.

In almost every corner of the streets, there are mirrors so that the driver who's going to pass the intersection will know if there's a car approaching.


They have smoking spots. Many of us smoke everywhere (except in Davao where smoking is prohibited). XD

I don't know if they're repairing the road or what. I just find it amazing to see Japanese people working (with machines making their work easier)



That's it for now. More observations will be posted soon. :)

Written by oyyvernie in


Blogging 101: Introduction & Opportunities

Written by oyyvernie in


Philippine National Academy Cadet Admission Test

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          About twenty-one thousand aspiring policemen took the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Cadet Examination Test (CAT) yesterday, October 30, 2011 at the different testing centers all over the country.

            I was one of those who took the exam. We were required to be at the Apas National High School, the testing center for Cebu Province, at 7AM. On my way to the testing center, I have met another girl who’s also going to take the exam. When she said she brought all the requirements, I was a little worried. The applicants were to bring 2X2 picture, a black ballpen, a Mongol 2 pencil, a self-stamped window envelope and any proof of identification. I only knew about the requirements the night before the exam on facebook. I became a member of the PNPA facebook group page just the day before the exam.  It was not posted on the PNPA website, but the requirements were stated in the Notice of Examination. I have not received any NOE. What’s posted on the PNPA website is if we can see our names in the master list and we haven’t received any NOE, we should go to the testing center at 7AM on the examination day. So, I only brought the requirements that I can secure (2x2 picture, ballpen and pencil). 

When we arrived at the testing center, I found out that there were a lot of applicants who have no self-stamped envelope. After my NOE was given, my newly-found friend and I looked for a store that sells window envelopes and we found one. I bought five window envelopes (without stamps, they are only bought at the post office) and gave the extra four to those who have not bought. 

            Before an aspiring cadet can take the exam, PNPA cadets would measure his or her height. Sadly, those aspirants who have not reached the standard height [5’2” for females and 5’4” for males] were not allowed to enter the examination rooms. I was one of them, damn. We were instructed to wait for the Chief proctor. We waited for like an hour before they allowed us to enter. Pity.

The examination lasted for 3 hours; we started at 9:15AM and ended at 12:15PM. The exam tested our communication skills, logical and reasoning ability, knowledge in Math and Sciences, and in general information and current events, and our values and aptitude for the service. 

After the exam, I went directly to McDo to eat lunch. There, I took a little time to reflect.  Yes, they let me took the exam. But if I passed, I still have to undergo the medical examination where my height will be measured again. And I think I’m just 5’1”, so, apparently, I won’t be admitted to the academy.

I had a conversation with some of the exam takers in the afternoon. I had a chance to chat with a PNPA cadet who hid his identity on facebook [but I know his real name] as Anne Known because he wanted himself to be unknown to the members of the PNPA facebook page. 

his name speaks daw for the unknown



future underclass daw sabi nya..
aantayin mo 'ko sir? baka hindi tayo magkita. underheight ako eh. hahaha




my tagalog speaking skills unleashed!! hahaahah

 He said he was one of the proctors and that in their testing center, the papers of those who are underheight were marked DQ or disqualified. Harsh. Why did they let them take the exam when in the first place, they’re already disqualified? They’re just giving false hopes.

sakit!
In the exam, we were asked about our primary reason of entering into the academy, and my answer was TO MAKE MY FAMILY PROUD. Well, I took the exam to sate my brothers’ wants. I actually never planned to take it. 

Serving others has always been a passion, but I know I can serve my fellowmen in other ways; not solely by becoming a police officer. I’ve seen myself working in an NGO and initiating or participating programs for the betterment of the masses. Also, I’ve seen myself working in a law firm assisting a lawyer/s in defending the oppressed. I’m a girl with a noble character and a soft heart, they say. HAHAHA

sooo me :D

The examination results will be posted on the PNPA Website two or three months from now. Perchance, December or January. Whatever the result is, I will be happy. 

Written by oyyvernie in


personal blog post: unexpectedly unexpected

1:30AM Here I am again, unintentionally waking up at dawn...

Yesterday, many unexpected things have happened.


ECON

We checked our papers for the midterm exams in class. I really felt ashamed because I knew that I will get a very low score. I studied the theories, not the formulas, and most of the items needs to be solved! It’s a 40-item test and I expected my score to be 10 since there were only more or less 10 theories. 

Miss Abellana called me and handed me my test paper. POOOOF! When I saw my score, I was like “is this my test paper????? O.O” I got 31/40. Unbelievable, isn’t it? I wasn’t sure of my answers jud. waaaaaaa. Thank you, Lord.


POL SCI

Because I got the highest score last premidterm exams, everyone’s calling me “topnotcher”. I’m not used to it. HAHAHA.  And, I don’t want to be called that way because I don’t want others to expect highly of me. Our teacher calls us names perhaps because he still can’t memorize all our family names. Before, I was called “Powerpuff Girl”. AWWWW.

At the start of the class, Sir Rejene said, “Naraja, Patrocenio, Domasis and Uy, see me after class.” I asked, “unsa naman pud among nabuhat sir?” 

After the class. BANG. We were assigned to facilitate the activities for Wednesday and Friday since Sir Rejene will be absent. He will be taking his exams for his masters on Wednesday and Thursday. WAA. O.o It’s weird that he assigned the tasks to LGM MAJORS when it is a POLSCI subject. He should’ve assigned those to the POLSCI majors, ayt? HMMMM.

ABAKADA

After my Pol Sci class, I headed directly to UP high to watch the much awaited opening of the Lingo ng Wika. To witness the ABAKADA of Chatch’s batch was the main reason why I went there. I love their batch. They were first years when I was in fourth year. =D

The two senior sections BOCOBO and GONZALEZ will be competing for the awards: best production, best direction, best in props, best actresses and actors.

I really liked the concept of Gonza. They started with a scene wherein Shanelle, who played the role of a young modern Filipina girl, was dreaming that there was a big book of History (the book was made of back drafts made creatively). She opened the book, and everything that happened in our history came to life: the Spanish, Japanese and American colonization and the time when these colonizers have not set foot in our archipelago!

Bocobo’s concept, on the other hand, started with Malakas and Maganda coming out of a Bamboo. They lived as Katutubos until the colonizers came, changed their religion, took away their freedom and abused them. Though they were harsher than Gonza’s actors, their ending was a good one: the Katutubos revenged and got their freedom. It was more or less the same as ours back in high school. =D

During the announcement of winners, Aljohn and I seated with the seniors. Of course, I wanted to know what the results are because I want to celebrate with them! (oooyyy, nakikisawsaw) Although Aljon insisted that we go to the Guidance room to eat, I forced him to stay. FORCED, really.

Best production, Best Direction, and Best in Props: these awards UNEXPECTEDLY went to Bocobo. All of us were thinking that Gonzales would win! I even told one student from Gonza after they performed “Daog namo.” BUT I WAS WROOOONG!

However, Best in Actress (Shaera Rosales), Best Supporting Actress (Shiprah Belonguel), Best Actor (Cadao), and Best Supporting Actor(Loiue) went to Gonzales.

KUDOS SENIORS! 

Here are some of my photos during "OUR" ABAKADA:

sakit bai! it hurts!

kalupitan ng mga español


pananakop ng amerikano


pang best actress ou!

KALAYAAAAAAN!!!

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Waaa! A day full of unexpected happenings.

Written by oyyvernie in


Pnoy’s SONA: A Testimony of Promises? or a Testimony of Hope?

Our Political Science teacher required us to write about our comments regarding President Noynoy Aquino's second State of the Nation Address (SONA). The points that he missed and my opinions regarding some important things are as follows:


PNoy started off with the decrease in the self-rated hunger of the Filipinos from 20.5% to 15.1%--- that’s 5.4% for this year alone. If that will continue, by 2014 the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) which is to “eradicate poverty and hunger” will be realized. If not, we only have 3 years and a few months to achieve it.

He pointed out the need to improve education but failed to mention about the increasing tuition fees in state colleges and universities [which resulted to rallies of different student organizations across the country].

He mentioned the Certificate of Entitlement to Lot Allocation for the military and the policemen. Has he thought about housing plans for the poor especially those living in congested places like Manila? If he has not, should they all rely on Gawad Kalinga then?

According to PNoy, security enhances our national pride. But he did not talk about the security of the journalists who, because of the nature of their jobs, are very prone to abuses, kidnappings, etc. How is the government going to protect them?

Also, he did not present the ways on how he would negotiate with the 6 countries who are claiming that the Spratly group of islands is theirs. I believe they are doing whatever they can regarding this dispute but for the sake of transparency, the president should have mentioned it.

Furthermore, he failed to mention about the CARP, a reform present even when his mom was still in office.  

He also failed to discuss about the growing unemployment rate of the country and the widespread labor outsourcing of some companies. And, he emphasized more about attracting foreign investors when it is also important to attract the local ones.

He mentioned the irregular spending on calamity funds but failed to present his ways of going after those who are responsible. Would he let them indemnify for the damages that they have caused? 

Regarding his plans of compensating the informal settlers for taking care of the plants that were planted in the mountains, has he thought of giving them a formal settlement?

Inventions made by Filipino scientists were also mentioned but i guess he failed to realize that most of our scientists (even our teachers and other well-trained professionals) are going abroad. Foreigners are the ones who benefit from most of their inventions, not us. He must have thought of ways on how to encourage our great talents to stay and serve the country who needs them most.

Before he ended his SONA, he said that he wants us to put an end to our crab mentality. Isn’t it so hard to change a culture that has been there since Rizal’s time?

Our president is but human. He has lapses, of course. But he should bear in mind that there are a lot of counter elite in our political system who are watching his every move. It’s a challenge for our president to put his plans to actions, do what he says and practice whatever his advocacies are. I presume that you have read the SONA. With the criticisms presented above, the question now is: is the SONA just a testimony of promises or a testimony of hope? You be the judge.

Written by oyyvernie in


Dayon 2011: Hello Carolinians!

CAROLINIANS!
Have you heard about DAYON 2011? It’s a week long activity organized by the USC Supreme Student Council that welcomes Carolinians back to the University of San Carlos.

The USC SSC is inviting you to join the following events:

Opening Mass on June 13, 2011 at the Chapel- Main Campus
Battle of Wits on June 15, 2011 at the Engineering Lobby – Talamban Campus
Variety Show on June 16, 2011 - Talamban Campus
HELLO FLAIRE @ THE TENT, HELLO CONCERT and HELLO PARTY AT THE TENT on June 17, 2011 – Talamban Campus

There will be different booths at the Engineering Lobby in Talamban Campus and Wrocklage Yard in the Main Campus.


About Hello Flaire @ the Tent:

Hello Flaire @ the Tent would be on Friday, June 17, 2011 at the USC Talamban Campus Covered Courts from 1-5pm. Dance Revolution, Basketball and more in store for you at the tent!


 About Hello Concert:

The Hello Concert is for FREE. It will happen in the Talamban Campus Soccer Field on Friday, June 17, 2011 at 5:30pm featuring our very own Carolinian Acoustic Bands. "EXPERIENCE OUR VERY OWN CAROLINIAN TALENTS. THE BEST WAY TO START THE YEAR..."


Hello Concert is for FREEEEEE!


About Hello Party @ the tent:

The HELLO PARTY @ THE TENT will be held at the USC Talamban Campus Covered Court on Friday, June 17, 2011 at 5pm-11pm. Gift packs from the International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. or IPI will be given away. Mr. and Ms. IPI will also be chosen during the event. And since IPI is one of the sponsors, Paul Jake Castillo is attending! Tickets are already available at PHP140.00 for the first 400 "CAROLINIAN PARTY PEOPLE" until June 15, 2011, 11AM. The 2nd batch of ticket would be at PHP220 each. It’s the first ever tent party in the University and in Cebu that includes games, raffles, freebies and more! Grab your tickets now! You may contact Mariejo Sevilla at 09333129125 more details.


Hello Party @ the tent tickets now available at P140.00

PRE-SHOW BANDS:

  • COUNTERPOISE MINORA
  • DROP DECAY
  • GESTALT
  • MIND FOOL
  • PURPLE KUSH
  • SHEPHERD'S PLAID
  • SHUT UP! MARIA
  • VENICE
  • DYMPHNA
MAIN BANDS:

  • POWERSPOONZ!! :)
  • DANCE WITH ME KRIS
  • ATAS ft. IAN TAYAO of QUESO
  • SHUFFLED
  • THE LINE DIVIDES

SEE YOU THERE, CAROLINIANS!