Reflections : Mama Mia! A Journey into the center of the Earth???
Hello everyone! It has been a while that I haven’t posted any article about some of my thoughts. Tonight or I should say, today at 12:47 in the morning at MTS af
ter watching a movie wit h my brother, I had a sudden craving for coffee. So we went inside Blugre coffee and since we have a laptop with us, we turned it on while waiting for my Grande Durian Larcepuccino.
when my brother and I logged on to our Yahoo messenger, my sister who’s in the US and living in Atlanta, is online. She is in her Mother-in-law’s house in South Carolina, she buzzed and so we had a quick chat because they are getting ready to go out for lunch. My brother had a quick hi and hello to her. After she said good bye, I then realized that I haven’t updated my Blog in a long time. SO this time, let me share some reflections about two movies I have watched recently.
Mama Mia!
From 1 to 10, ten as the highest, I would rate it 8 because I love the Musical productions and Meryl Streep is so beautiful. I even have a realization that I would like to grow old like her, with grace and beauty. She is ageing beautifully, and taking it in so gracefully. well, going back to the movie, it got 8 from me because the story is also interesting. It is about a woman who is a single parent and raised her daughter, sophie, alone and at the same time, ran a summer Villa. and you know what? The setting is in one of the Island in Greece! It is so lovely, the pristine waters of the island is so inviting and it added beautiful effects to the scenes. Of course. Collin Firth and OMG!, Pierce Brosnan was a very good singer and carried-on well!
You’ll love the story, the setting and (another OMG!) Meryl danced so well and so cool! See the movie people!
Journey into the center of the Earth
I have seen the old version of the movie two weeks ago. It was a very good movie especially for a 3D set-up (or whatever it’s called). Brendan’s charm is really effective. It is about the legend that there is a certain place in the center of the earth. Although refuted by many experts, scientist and researchers, but Brendan believed in it because his brother was lost and died because of his search for the center of the earth.
In the Center of the earth, extinct creatures were preserved and the temperature and directioon is very interesting. I would say that 1 to 10, ten as the highest, I’ll give it 7. It’s a movie that is nice to watch with the whole family, anf in my case, with my little brother!
Mama Mia!!! A journey into the Center of the earth? !
What a weekend! A reflection of destiny, fate and chasing one’s dream. . . . ok, I am no longer in context here…have to post this now or I’ll start talking about storms, rice price and fuel price increase and….sometheing else!
Till next thoughts. . .
Film | Comment (1)A BIG Move! ! !
A Big Move!
I still cannot believe that I can say, “My home, My place, My house”. I am enjoying the illusion-like reality of having a house of my own. It is my dream shared with Prince, and we are both doing our best to keep that dream real and to hold on to the realization of the dream. It was a very big move and an important turning point in my life.
Last May 28, 2008, Wednesday, I moved to my new house in a suburb part of Davao City, in Catalunan Pequeño. I was so three weeks before I moved. The weather was not so good but my family and friends were all so good and great that they were all there to give me support and love in such a big event in my life. My father and my brothers were there to help me pack things and to organize and load it in the two vehicles that a friend allowed me to use.
Despite the, moody weather, we arrived in the house early in the morning of the 28th at 4:30AM. We all brought the furniture and beds, and cabinets inside and placed them in the right place. It was a very tiresome yet enjoyable day.
I wish to write more about how I moved in and the details, but the overwhelming feeling is still lingering in me, which I cannot focus on what to say in this blog about moving. All I can say is that, having a house makes me feel so happy and so contented because for me, it is an ultimate expression of physical independence and individuality.
New Events in my Life | Comments (2)Ubiquitous Thing
Early this morning, when my officemates and I were having our usual morning 20-minute talk about what we did on a Wednesday-new-movie day, we suddenly shifted our talk to the ongoing senate hearing on the NBN-ZTE scam. We started to talk about how graft and corruption has become a built-in mechanism in governance. It is everywhere and anywhere, it is Ubiquitous.
The Filipino people are already very tired of responding to the prevalent Graft and corruption of the government. The socio-political veracity in governance has made moral recovery a mission impossible for the national leaders. Indeed, it cannot be denied that the same bad luck and misfortune upon the people were already While it cannot be denied that same curses upon the people were already existent during the past administrations, the arroyo administration made its made them its unique trademark. That is why, disgraceful and agonizing though it may be, Philippines have been declared as the most corrupt in Asia.
Poverty and hunger, joblessness, underdeveloped educational system and consequent illiteracy. Unrest and economic instability. Poor infrastructures and deficient social services. These and many gigantic problem of the country find and linked to underlying graft and corruption of the country.
The present administration can be well likened to a sinking ship. The “Garci tapes” remain one big open political wound and the ongoing NBN-ZTE scandal is another additional slam or hole bored in the sinking arroyo administration ship. The call for national Unity and other well-announced pronouncements of the said call and the presentation of the gains and achievements of this government are all superficial. Instead, its actions and non-actions, painted a clearer representation and image of graft and corruption.
The national dilemma ultimately caused by graft and corruption is so complicated and multifaceted that it rests beyond remedy by simple endearing verbal resolves by the present administration. It will not be resolved with Solidarity or Unity walk of the arroyo administration.
My heart is in pain, while pondering on this very sad state of the country. The people are already tired and fed-up of transferring the leadership and governance from one corrupt leader to another. But it is more fed-up to fight for their right to a responsible leader. The Filipino people are tired of trying to oust Arroyo administration on the grounds of corruptions of her administration, and involvement of her family and cronies in many corrupt activities. My heart is in pain, that the Filipino people have forgotten its power to change the image of the country. Is the power of the Filipino people fading?
I would like to continue to ponder today…. Am I tired of thinking of ways to remove this ubiquitous thing?
It’s 10:32, I have to go back to my work. . . think..think….
Uncategorized | Comments (2)WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT LOVE
Note: This is one of my usual overdue entries in this blog and sometimes, it is also nice to check and re-check entries before finally posting it here. It is also nice to read some post-event thoughts. I wrote this entry on the morning of Valentine’s day, February 14, but I was not able to post it, so now, here it is!
Last night, while watching a DVD of the fourth season of Desperate housewives, I reminded my Boyfriend not to buy me flower for the Valentine’s Day. He was surprised of such request and asked me why. I simple replied, "Flowers are expensive because of the love season, it is silly, just express how you feel towards me in a very simple way!"
Today, when we came into the office, the Bosses, D’Arcy and Peter gave us chocolates and flowers and greeted us and wished us a happy Valentine’s Day. It was sweet and it made us all happy anf special. Suddenly, I thought of my Boyfriend who was trying to save some extra money to buy flowers for me. I send him an SMS and apologized for being so blunt and cold about flowers. He just laughed and said, "I will forgive you if we go out for dinner and see a movie tonight?", and the rest was history.
Flowers and chocolates, stuffed toys, expensive dinner dates, expensive jewelries and all other stuffs that people would spend on to celebrate the season of "love" are becoming things and activities popular every 14th of February, specially among Filipinos. It has become an expression of their love for someone and making them feel how special they are. When I asked a few friends why they would give flowers to the ladies (because it is seldom that Filipino women would give flowers to the men), they could say, to express their love. LOVE?
To give tribute to the season of love, I ccontacted friends here in Davao City and overseas, and some colleagues in BEAM and made an ambush interview about love. Let’s check out what they say about love. . . . . .
Verra is 22 years old, working as a program assistant in an NGO ibsed in Jakarta, and Indonesian, sindle and ready to mingle.
I would define love as butterfly in the stomach. Something that makes your heart and mind not going in the same direction. It makes you miserable and yet happy and excited until you cannot describe the feeling anymore. Something that make you feel not wanting to loose someon and always want the person around. hey, it is like riding on a roller coaster and even better!
The most valuable lesson I learned about love is that, when you have a chance to be with someone you love, use the opportunity wisely, Do not do something that you’ll regret!
The best advice I have been given about love is about God as our soulmate. Yes, it’s true that your soul is in God’s hand. But you have to go and reach His hand to get yours!
Anwar, 28 years old, single, works as a student assessment specialist of BEAM Project and a part time law student.
I would define love as a universal emotion that separates human from the rest.
love-lesson learned: You can’t love a person more than you love yourself. If you do, you’ll loose yourself.
The best advice advice I have been given about love is to share it and expect less in return.
Lennete, 33, married and residing in germany for almost 6 years now and a mother to a one year old boy.
Love means loving without IFs, BUTs or When!
I learned that love is not looking at each other’s eyes but looking in the same direction.
The best advice I got about love is to love one’s self first, because one can never give what one doesn’t have.
Chester, 28, single, and an IT specialist of BEAM Project.
I would define love as reasons over emotions.
The best lesson I have learned in love is that, it is important to spend a lifetime with someone it takes friendship to last.
I have had many advice from friends and family about love, but the most that struck me was the advice that says, "love is worth taking the risk".
Emerald, 25, in a relationship, works as an IT specialist and database manager for the BEAM Project and is based in Davao City.
I would define love as the most wonderful thing in this world. It is kind and pure.
The most valuable lesson I learned from love is to learn to lvoe yourself before you love others. Love can be selfish sometimes but as long as you learn to accept and forgive, you can be kind.
The best advice I have been given about love is understanding that love do always have a chooice. It doesn’t mean that when you love, you will not have the freedom to choose and decide. Loving someone doesn’t mean isolating yourself or give everything to the person you love without leaving something for yourself, Love yourself first.
Ernie, 26, single, works as an employee in the Davao City Council.
Love holds no boundaries.
lesson learned in love, it is better to love and be hurt than never to love at all. I’ve learned that unrequitted love is still te best emotional experience.
The best advice I received from someone about love is to manifest love in action and tell those you love how much you mean it. Show them you carewith an open arms and don’t stop loving.
Janice,27, in a relationship, works as Training Coordinator for the BEAM Project, based in Davao City.
For me, love is unconditional, selfless and full of respect. when you feel that love, it makes you a person. It can make you the happiest souls in heaven, but is can also make you miserable person in the whole galaxy.
The most valuable lesson I learned in love is taking your present relationship as your last. Don’t expect a person to love you back the same amount.
Fernan, 22, single, a graphic artist and a Freelance film maker, and based in Davao City.
Love is a lifetime feeling.
The most valuable lesson I learned about love is to learn how to express it. Let the person know how you feel, or else, you will suffer in the end.
The best advice I have been give about love is to learn to accept consequences and to knw how to sacrifice.
Virma, 27, married and a mom to the beautiful lexie, and an english teacher.
Love is deep and immense, may be blissful or hurtful.
Lesson I got from love- time heals.
The best advice ever given to me about love is that, it’s all worth the wait!
Arvin, 33, works as a communication specialist and based in Manila. Single and loves to party.
Love is a trial-and-error adventure. It’s the ability to connect to oneself to the other in the context of personal experiences and individual values, as well as the readiness to transcend differences to build common understanding and perspectives about certain things.
Lesson learned: Love is a serious commitment, Once in love, I realized that the way to sustain it goes beyond the intensity of feelings. As the extent of love varies from dat yo day, what matters more is how someone sticks to the commitment and finds every means to demonstrate this. The challenge of doing things for the partner not because you love the person that day but because you made a commitment with that person and is an ultimate measure of a lasting love.
I have been given the best advice about love, to always love yourself first, before the other person. Because in the end, when the things go wrong, you only have yourself to fall back on.
Love is defined in many ways, there are thousands of advices for people in love and people inlove, there are millions of lessons learned, but in the end, it will always start with loving one’s self.
Current Affairs | Comments (2)PART I : Its NOW or NEVER
It has been a month since Prince and I came back from our Christmas Travel, but I have not posted anything about the trip, except last December 20, when I was so pissed of because we missed our flight. My mind is in transit these days because I am turning 30 in ten days, and I have to make a reflection of my life. Then there are political thoughts that I wish to write about that has been set aside for quite a while now, then there is my unfinished article about something that I had to say to special people, and many other stuffs, so I decided that it is now or never that I will write about out Christmas Travel.
Prince picked me up from my place at 6:30 in the evening of December 13, 2007 and we went to their house in Ladislawa and had dinner with his mom. At 7:30, we kissed Prince’s mom good bye and then James and Gift (Prince’s younger brothers) drove us to the Davao City International Airport. We were so excited. Both of us have experienced travelling and being on a plane, but this time, it is different and it special for both of us. We went to the check-in Area and we were one of the earliest passengers for the 9:45 flight. After checking-in, we went to a coffee shop inside the Airport. We excitedly talked about things to do once we reach our destinations. Then at 9:15 our flight was called and so we went to the pre-departure area, still excitement continue to progress, we must have looked silly because of the smiles in our face that we could not contain. Without fuss, we found our seats inside the plane and we relaxed. We had a good talk all throughout the 1 hour and 45 minutes flight, and made special plans for our trip to BAGUIO.
Our flight landed at the Domestic Airport at 11:20. After collecting our things, we took a taxi going to Pasay Bus Terminal. Prince bought tickets for us for the bus scheduled to leave at 1:20 in the morning. We waited for a little more than an hour, and then we were on the road and within 30 minutes I dozed into a very sound sleep. I woke up with a flash of light from the camera and when Prince said in my ears “Welcome to Baguio!” I woke up and smiled with excitement and I felt that unbelievable that I was already in the City of Pines. While Prince was gathering our luggage, I stood for a brief 20 seconds, closed my eyes and breathed some fresh cool air. Prince hailed a taxi and asked the driver to drive us to Gibraltar road where Miles home is. Miles home is a transient home near God shepherd Monastery and just a block away from the Mines View Park. It is very affordable, clean and spacious, and very accessible to jeepneys and taxis. When we got into our room, without responding to something that Prince said, I slumped into the very cozy bed without changing into sleeping clothes. After 3 hours, I woke up to the smell of fried tapa and coffee. I got up and devoured the food that Prince prepared for our late breakfast and very early lunch. After breakfast, I showered and prepared for our first day in Baguio.
At 1 o’clock in the afternoon, we walked to the Mines View Park. It was a very good time to walk because the air was cool and the sun is at its highest. There were many buses lined near the park. Tourists swarmed the place because aside from the beautiful view of the old mine, there are souvenir shops at the park, and there are really cool things to do, like having your photo taken with a terrier and Labrador, and huge horses (Prince and I posed as cow boy and girl). We also checked out some silver shops because Baguio is famous for their silver.
After staying for an hour at the mines view, we took a taxi and went to the Baguio Botanical Garden. We saw some old men and women of the Ifugao Tribe at the gate of the Botanical Garden. Acting as typical tourist would do, Prince and I took turns of taking photos at the gate and the name of the garden, then suddenly, all the old men and women were forcing themselves to join us. Thinking that it was an act of claiming ownership of tribe as Indigenous Peoples of Baguio, we just did not mind them joining us. I got a bit upset after one of the photographers around called-out and said “sisingilin kayo nyan, Tig-sampu yan bawat isa, bawat pose!” (They’ll charge you 10 pesos for each person for every pose). I was flabbergasted at the idea, and so I hurriedly grabbed 3 twenty peso bill and we went inside the botanical garden. I wondered what happened to the dignity of this people. Is it poverty? Or, it is an effect of tourism development? I don’t want to discuss it right now.
Inside the botanical Garden, I felt better because it was a very huge place for a garden and it was a good place to enjoy a walk and talk on an afternoon for lovers. We met a group of freelance artists and offered to do a charcoal painting for us for free and it’s up to us how much to donate for the maintenance of their gallery. So Prince and I agreed to have ourselves painted. We thought that it will only take them 20 minutes to do it, just like they promised, but it took them an hour to complete the work. After they hand us their finished drawing, we were delighted, we decided to find a restaurant for our dinner. On our First dinner in Baguio, we went to Gerry’s grill at SM Baguio. After dinner, we bought some food and drinks at the grocery shop of SM and walked to the Burnham Park. We only lingered for 30 minutes at the Burnham Park and we went to the streets of Lower Session Road for their evening Market of Ukay-ukay (Second hand clothes and ready to wear stuffs). At 10 o’clock, we decided to go back to Miles Homes. We only stayed up for a few minutes for the 10”oclock news and then we went to bed.
On our second day, we woke up early, ate our breakfast and went to the Camp Del Pilar where the Philippines Military Academy is located. It was a very good day for us because as usual, the weather was so beautiful that day, it was cool, yet the sun was so bright. I imagined an academy that looks like one of those rough n’ rugged training camps with so many stuffs for heavy trainings and activities. I was amazed to see how clean the place was, and how huge and it has beautiful view of the mountains and valleys. It was a very good visit to PMA because that day, the Batch 2010 had their pass and review parade. It was really admirable and a very, very good presentation. There is discipline in all the cadets and it is very obvious in their actions and in the way they move around the camp. The place is so clean and beautiful. At 12 noon, we left PMA and took a taxi and headed to Camp John Hay. At camp John hay, we ate our sandwich and went to the commissary and look for something to buy. We bought some strawberry preserves and jams, and some Ube, peanut brittle and some other sweets. Then, we looked at the beautiful manor and some other beautiful houses. We also visited the butterfly sanctuary and we enjoyed taking photos with the butterflies. We then realized that we were disturbing the sanctuary, so we decided to go back to downtown area.
We roamed around the market, in SM souvenir shops and bought some caps and shawls and then we continued our walking and from time to time, we would stop and enjoy some cold drinks in some bars and coffee shops along lower session road. At 3 in the afternoon, there was a parade and I posed near the band. It was a parade of the City Government to announce the first Simbang Gabi (or evening mass) and the lighting of the country’s tallest living Christmas tree. After the parade, we continued roaming around the city and we found our way to a steakhouse, and then had dinner there. After our dinner, we went to an internet café and uploaded some photos from our camera. After our cameras were cleared, we went to the see the tallest living Christmas tree in the country and posed for the camera. After our photo session, Prince and I decided to go back to our room and prepare for our trip back to Manila. We fixed our things and after which, while enjoying the 10 o’clock news, we enjoyed our ice cream and planned our side trip to Asin the following day. At half past 12, it was already very cold, so we went to bed.
On our 3rd and final day, we packed our things, cleaned the place and paid the manager. We thanked them for their assistance and bid them good bye. We went to the Victory Liner Bus Terminal, we bought tickets and scheduled to leave at 11:50 in the evening, so we deposited our baggage, and then we went to the jeepney terminal near the City Hall bound for Asin. After almost an hour of travel, we were dropped-off to a Hot Spring Resort.
Prince and I had a very great time at Palm Grove Resort and Spa. We enjoyed swimming in a very large pool and then we had a outdoor hot bathe. After the hot bathe, we showered and had a late lunch in their cafeteria. While having lunch and enjoying Halo-halo and Mais Con Hielo, we also enjoyed the beautiful vista in front of us. We relaxed and talked, and took a jeep going back to Baguio. From there, we went to SM and spent our remaining time shopping for some small stuffs. At 10 o’clock in the evening, we went to Victory Liner Terminal and waited for our trip to be announced.
While waiting for the bus, Prince and I fixed our things and talked about how great was our experience. It was also a very good decision that we did our side trip to Palm Grove Hot Spring Resort and Spa in Asin. We can’t help but look again at some shots taken at the resort. It was one great experience. At 11:20, our bus is on the road back to Manila.
End. . . . . Next story on Now or never, is our trip to Palawan. . . . till next week folks!
Travel | Comment (1)PUERTO PRINCESSA MOOD: I’m so pissed off!!!!
I am so pissed off today!
Prince and I missed our 12:00 noon flight to Cebu City. It’s not that I don’t love Palawan, but having missed our flight feels so bad, and this is my first time and I wouldn’t want a 2nd time. Because of my sudden tantrum, Prince decided to buy a ticket for a 5:45 flight to manila, so we decided to go out of the Puerto Princessa Airport and look for a place to eat and relax.
As we take the tricycle going to Rizal Avenue, we found ourselves in the doors of Chowking. So Prince ordered a halo-halo special hoping it would ease away my bad mood. I am still very upset when we sat at the table, and prince shared with me a fortune cookie and we read what it said, “Don’t miss a good idea just because others have done it. Add a new twist to it and you will succeed”. I don’t understand how such philosophy will add to our good fortune today and make us successful in our Christmas Travel.
I realized as I start to type this emotion that I am not suppose to write any article until we reach Davao, because I wanted to come up with a Christmas travel diary. I am upset right now, but it is not reason enough to ruin our Christmas travel. This is a travel that will tell us a lot about each other and allow Prince and I to get to know more of our strengths and weaknesses. I am a bit okay now, and still hopeful that as the end of this Christmas travel, we would greet each other with a happy heart wishing each other a very happy Christmas! Will upload baguio photos tonight! Bye for now, we’ll catch our flight!
Travel | Comment (0)5:28PM in the Red Carpet. . . .Finally
It is unbelievable that it took me half a month before I shared this very special event in my life and it is unbelievable because I am actually writing this in Baguio City. I am sharing to you a simple event that is very important to my family and friends from the Cold and Beautiful Baguio City.
It was a very anxious and exciting day, that after more than a decade of wandering, searching, travelling, and pondering, I finally finished my degree in Political Science. I never thought of the day that I would one day wear the graduation Toga and would fulfill a silent wish and dream of my family.
It was a mix feeling of joy, and I thought I would not be melodramatic and emotional, but seeing my mama’s emotion on that day, both our eyes were filled with tear, tears of Joy, and mine was tears of gratitude for mama, for being so patient and for never loosing hope that one day, I will finish have a degree.
At 5:28PM, I checked my watch, my name was called by the Master of Ceremony for the ceremonial acceptance of the diploma. We walked into the red carpet and I held hand with mama, and I felt her heartbeat and it touched my heart and once again, was in tears because I have made mama and papang very happy that day.
After the Graduation rites, We had a dinner party with my family and friends and colleagues in the office where I am currently working now. There were testimonials from professor, friends and former classmates in college and high school.
At the end of the party, I felt so tired and yet so fulfilled. Finally, I have a diploma that I could be proud of to the whole world, it is better late than never!
Allow me to thank my family, especially mama and papang who never stopped believing in me and unceasingly loving me. For my friends, who has every confidence in me and trusted that time will allow that day to happen. For My Prince, who is my bestfriend, lover and my Knight, Thank you. To those whom I would not mention in this article, please know that in my heart your names are carved. Thank you to all of you!
This is all for today, from Baguio with love!. . . . Till next events!
Blurb about gender
<span style=Blurb about gender
The issue on gender has never been a confusing issue for me. Even at a very
young age I was quite confident being female (although not so feminine) though I remember knowing that it was not always considered a good thing. No one actually told me that being a girl was somehow considered being less, it was something I picked up on just being around the males in my family and friends and in school. Although not my father, but most fathers in the community where I grew up would often scold their sons for "crying like a girl". "Take it like a man", he would say. Incidentally, I’ve never been told to take anything like a woman. What would that mean, take it like a woman?
Commonly, the female gender is associated with emotion and sensitivity. These are not bad traits. They’re not necessarily good traits, they’re just traits. Yet being emotional and sensitive is most often construed as being weak and womanly. I learned at a very young age, just through observation in my community and in school, that crying revealed weakness.
When my Boss asked me to write an in-house paper on Integrating gender, 
I started to wonder how to write it and what to write about gender, particularly in the basic education. Then I started to read about statistics and other facts about situation of girls and women in the Philippines and what education could do about it. After doing some research I made a personal audit of how I see and understand gender and also on a broader sense, the issue that education have on gender. Some of the points here are present in the in-house paper I collated for BEAM Project. I thought of sharing it to all of you.
“Gender” does not refer to the biological differences between males and females; the term “sex” covers this distinction. “Gender” refers to the social roles, responsibilities, and behaviors that are believed to belong to men and women; for example, “men as income earners” and “women as child caregivers.” Gender roles are created by the society and are learned from one generation to the next. Because gender roles are socially learned, they can be changed to achieve equity and equality for women and men. For instance, we can change the gender roles of “women as child caregivers” to “women as income earners,” “men as income earners” to “men as child caregivers,” or, better yet, “men and women as income earners and child caregivers.”
Education is a powerful tool for promotion of Gender and the empowerment of women. To be able to do that, it is also important that a strategy on integrating gender perspectives, through mainstreaming, in the basic education system be developed. Ensuring gender equality for girls and boys do not only mean that they have equal opportunities to enter school, but as well as to participate in and benefit from the range of subjects or other learning experiences that are offered in classrooms and schools. Through gender-sensitive curricula, learning materials, and teaching-learning processes, girls and boys become equally equipped with the life skills and attitudes that they will need to achieve their fullest potential within and outside of the educational system regardless of their sex. To achieve such development, teachers should be given assistance in developing a gender sensitive approach in teaching and learning and creating an atmosphere and environment that is gender sensitive and integrating gender equality in all aspect of learning.
In the Integrated Survey of household conducted by NSCB in 2004, there are 717,000 women teachers and 241,000 men teachers, accounting to more than 70% Women of the total number of the teachers. By merely looking into the figures and numbers, one can never determine where disparity and gender inequality lies, because disparity is reflected in the number of men and women in the senior management level in the Schools Districts, the Division and Regional Level. Gender Parity is something that has to reflect not only in the ratios of enrolment, but in all aspects of education system including management. The management level of basic education is a critical factor that needs to be looked into in terms of gender mainstreaming because it is in this level where that affects creation of policies and its implementation. Leadership and management is an important factor in ensuring a gender sensitive environment and approach to teaching and learning process. A focus on gender mainstreaming among and within administrators of basic education will help increase learning outcomes for children.
Achieving gender equality also means that teachers and school administrators need to move away from looking at children collectively as “students” or “pupils” and to focus more on the specific situation of “girls” and “boys” within the classroom and school to ensure gender equality in learning for both.
Promoting gender equality is important in all levels of education system, through promotion of Gender equality in the administrative and senior management level. It is the means by which we can ensure not only that the basic needs of girls and boys are met, but the teachers as well. Making sure that teachers are happy and is equipped in delivering a gender-sensitive approach to teaching-learning process, increases the opportunity for students to achieve their full potential and realize their human rights.
To achieve these, a common understanding should be developed among stakeholders in education, that there is no simple solution for reducing the gender gap in many aspects and promoting gender equality in education. This is a complex problem requiring complex solutions. Leadership and commitment seem to be important. There needs to be gender equality in the administrative level of education system to support gender focused reforms in the education system. This includes a strong general policy on gender parity which is reflected in the distribution of authority and leadership between male and female administrators.
About Women and Girls | Comments (2)Giving Love a Second Chance
Since I decided to do an overhauled Blogging experience, it also means I need to transfer some of my very few blogs from my Yahoo!360. This article was posted at my Yahoo!360 days after I watched the movie. I just thought of transferring it in my friendster blog, from my thoughts.
Giving love a second chance. . . .
Romantic love is almost everyone’s goal. Today, the value and purpose of romantic love is, above all else, directed toward the fulfillment of major emotional needs and happiness.
I have been hurt and in pain because of falling inlove with the wrong men and in the wrong time, but then, I realize that despite the pains I felt in the past, I continue to rise from such painful segment in my life and continue to give love another chance. This was the same with the gist of the movie I watched with my boyfriend last week, Holiday.
The movie is about a girl named Iris, who is in love with a man who is about to marry another woman. Across the globe, Amanda realizes the man she lives with has been unfaithful. Two women who have never met and live 6000 miles apart, find themselves in the exact same place. They meet online at a home exchange website and impulsively switch homes for the holiday. Iris moves into Amanda’s L.A. house in sunny California as Amanda arrives in the snow covered English countryside. Shortly after arriving at their destinations, both women find the last thing either wants or expects: a new romance. Amanda is charmed by Iris’ handsome brother Graham and Iris, with inspiration provided by legendary screenwriter Arthur, mends her heart when she meets film composer Miles.
Sometimes love finds its way, but most of the time, people will realize that love and the chance of being loved back is just around the corner waiting for you to give it a chance to enter your life again. Personally, about a year ago, after loosing the man that I thought I wanted to be with for the rest of my life, I thought I would never fall inlove again. But then, when I met a very simple guy, who is so nice and loving and is very much willing to give too much of him just to make me happy, I realized that there is so much life after such painful experience.
How you see and enjoy your relationship and commitment with someone else will be your own definition of love. Folks, don’t get me wrong, I didn’t wait to talk so much about my relationship or experience, but I just want to say that out of 10, I’ll rate the movie 8. You’ll love it, go and watch it!
Film | Comment (1)Among the Muggles
After my 8:30-9:30 class, I walked briskly and fast than the usual because I was trying to catch the last full show of the Order of the Phoenix.
My Prince was already waiting at the end of the pathway of the UM. Though he is on his crutches and with the tractions on his left leg for 4 months now, still he is dashing and in the mood for a Harry Potter appointment. We took a taxi from the pathway of the University and headed for the NCCC Mall.
The last full show started at 10 in the evening. We reached the Mall 20 minutes before the movie started. I expected to see an evening with many people in a long line and excited for the movie, my expectation was wrong. Then suddenly, I panicked and thought of turning back and go home because maybe the last full show has already started. I hurriedly went to the ticket booth and was even surprised to see that there was no sigh in the booth that the movie is in a “standing room” state or already full or all seats taken, there was no sign that indicated that there were lots of people inside. So I asked for two tickets, paid for it, and off we went inside Cinema 3.
The movie didn’t start until a quarter past 10. Pairs and in group of Muggles kept coming in. Until before the movie started, the seats were full. I loosened up because I no longer felt that it will be one of those famous-titled-sequel-movie-but-not-so-good.
The movie started and Prince and I were so focused. The movie is about Harry’s return to Hogwarts as a fifth year student. He discovered that much lies about hi has bean spread and malicious stories to the wizard community that all that happened to Harry, the encounter and attack of the dark lord Valdemort, was a lie and that all stories from young wizards are all made-up and it tainted the integrity of Harry. Worst, the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge indirectly supported the rumor by appointing a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Miss Dolores Umbridge. Professor Umbridge insistently emphasized the “ministry-approved education at Hogwarts. She also emphasized the learning process through theory, and leave’s the student wizards vulnerable and unprepared to attacks and threats from the dark forces. At the prompting of his friends, Hermione and Ron, Harry was convinced to put the matters in his hands by giving lessons to few interested wizards students to learn how to use spells for their defense. After the first meeting, few numbers of students called themselves Dumbledore’s Army.
The movie has matured along with the main casts of the movie, Harry, Ron and Hermione, who has evolved into teenagers and have their own love interests. There was no scene for a quiditch game, but there was a very funny scene of defying rules when the Weasly twins made a huge spectacle out of Miss Umbridge when they did some tricks on fireworks during the exams.
As one of the muggles, I realized that as an audience, I have grown a little bit giddy during some scenes of Harry Potter. I was expecting more from the scene. I cold say that the movie, with the capacity of Warner brothers to come up with a good presentation, scale of 1 to 10, 10 as the highest, I would rate it 7. I would say it was 7 out of 10 because the stories of and background of some characters were highlighted, and that I particularly got so interested with Professor Snape’s history as once a young wizard student. I was surprised when there was a scene with Harry’s Dad as a bully young wizard and making fun out of Snape’s misery. Then there was the background of Nevel’s parents as a member of the secret order of the Phoenix formed by Dumbledore. Harry’s parents were members of the Order. Sirius Black, Harry’s godfather and was the main feature in the “prisoner of Azkhaban” was also a very close friend of Harry’s dad and protected Harry.
The movie focused the importance of loyalty and fighting for something good in times when almost everyone won’t stand and fight. It is about the value of friendship and loyalty to each other.
Film | Comments (2)