You would definitely say “Stop SOPA,” if you are a daily internet user, if your past time mainly is surfing the internet, if you are an online seller or if you are someone whose everyday routine revolve mainly on the internet.
This is quite an alarming matter that could greatly affect how you use the internet in its entirety. It is a bill headed through the U.S. Congress called the “Stop Online Piracy Act,” or SOPA. The SOPA with its accompanying bill called the PROTECT-IP impends to dramatically change how information is carried out online. This will be done by implementing massive restrictions on contents generated by users like videos and images uploads, podcasts, or forum posts.

It will also give the U.S. government the power to censor the web using systems and methods comparable to those used by other countries like Malaysia, Iran, and China. An example of this internet censorship is China’s Great Firewall.

For example, you took a video of your cousin, niece, or daughter taking her first few steps, edited the clip, played an audio on the background and posted it on YouTube then on Facebook for your relatives abroad to see. The company behind the soundtrack you used could file a complaint without being required to notify YouTube or Facebook. These web services would be prosecuted and could be imprisoned for not preventing the video from being posted. In other words, the users of Uniform Resource Locator (URL) http://www.youtube.com or http://www.facebook.com domain in the U.S. would be redirected to a “This site under review for piracy/copyright violations” page.

Once the SOPA gets approved this would mean that YouTube or Facebook ought to completely alter their approval system for all posts, be it in text, audio, video, or image form. They will have to approve every single comment, thread; even the simple captions you type under the images or pictures you upload would be scrutinized. The effects with these giant sites would be a total devastation considering that the changes and innovation would put everyone (including users) on a long and annoying halt if the new restrictions were to be implemented.

Many site owners in the U.S have already brought across their desire to stop SOPA and oppose the PROTECT IP Act. But websites which domains are in the US are not the only ones to be greatly affected by the SOPA. Since the internet is a worldwide tool, its effect would also be worldwide, not limited to US internet users alone.

So what do you think, do you oppose and would likewise want to stop SOPA?

What is an Essay?
Before we proceed to the tips in essay writing, let us first define what an essay is.

An essay is a brief composition that informs, entertains, clarifies a certain topic, describes or analyzes something, or argues a specific issue. It is non-fiction which consists of an Introduction, Thesis Statement, Body, and Conclusion. It always has a core topic, and the subtopics elaborate, expound, and revolve around the main topic. In essay writing the 3.5 paper form or style is quite popular.

Students oftentimes encounter essay writing assignments in school. The essay could be as simple and short as a narration of a grade school student’s favorite pet, or it could be as complex and profound as a graduate student’s essay.

General Procedure and Tips in Essay Writing:

Here is a general step-by-step procedure and some tips in essay writing. It is the same as in feature writing, except that it does not put that much emphasis or importance on the thesis statement compared to essay writing. Sometimes a thesis statement is only an option in feature writing. The feature writer unintentionally writes a thesis statement.

1.    Choose a topic

2.    Decide on the Angle

3.    Brainstorm and Narrow Down Topic

4.    Write the Thesis statement

5.    Write the introduction

6.    Write the body

7.    Write the Conclusion

8.    Proofread and Revise

9.    Write Final Draft

Choose a topic for your essay

If the topic is already assigned, proceed to the next tip. Otherwise, choose a topic that would interest your target readers, something they could understand, and relate with. Choose something your intended readers will find useful, entertaining, and important.

Usually interesting topics are timely or current. Check out the news, you may find something interesting to write about. If it is not a current event, issues that happened in the past could also be catchy. It all depends on your essay writing style. The events in your life, those that do not happen everyday are good essay writing topics.

Just like in feature writing, you can write anything under the sun.

Decide on the Angle

Once you have chosen your topic, angle your essay. Angling is a critical move before the actual essay writing. This should be done with a wise sense of decision. For example, your essay writing topic is “a personal vacation.” Choose an angle or a side of the whole vacation experience. It is unwise to write about everything about what happened during that vacation, from the packing of your things before leaving to the unpacking when you arrived home. Even if you are writing a narrative essay try avoiding that style.

A good angle in essay writing could be writing about something you learned or realized when you are in vacation,  something you considered an eye opening experience while you are on your way, or something you took for granted but then loved after your escapade. If there were any untoward incidents, or any unexpected, or note-worthy happenings during your vacation, that would be a good essay writing angle.

Brainstorm and Narrow Down Topic
After you have angled your essay, brainstorm. Randomly write down anything you could think of that is related to the topic with a specific angle. Your ideas could be in words or short phrases. Then lean back and take a closer look at the paper; look at the bigger picture and narrow down your topic.

Omit some ideas that are a little off focused from the topic and its angle. Of course, all of the ideas in your brainstorming sheet are related to your topic and angle, but surely some of them may be unnecessary.

Deleting ideas is considered a skill, I call it the “Art of Omission.” This is also a critical activity before the actual essay writing because once it is done poorly or it is not done at all, you will not be successful in putting a finality in your essay or any article you write, because a raw topic which is too broad will lead you to an endless course. Your essay will only be a piece of paper with too much scattered information on it, or an essay with a hanging ending.

Write the Thesis statement

The thesis statement is a one- or two-sentence with a single idea to which all of the remaining sentences in your whole essay refer to or connect with.

It should be concise, and tightly-written statement which asserts a point, or carries an argument.

In essay writing, the thesis statement could be considered as a summary. If you could tell or relate your essay in one or two sentences, that would be the thesis statement.

Most of the time it is found at the Introduction.

Write the Introduction

Just like in journalism, the introduction in essay writing should be a “bang!” For one reason: to grab your readers’ interest. Since it is the first material your target readers will encounter it should be strong enough to urge them to continue on reading your essay. But for narrative type of essays, the introduction is not really that explosive. But it should still be catchy.

Write the Body:

The Body in essay writing is the part where you expound, stretch, or explain the thesis statement or the ideas in the Introduction. This is the longest part in essay writing. This is where you lay down examples in connection with your thesis statement.

Write the Conclusion

The Conclusion most of the time is considered equally important with the Introduction,therefore it should be as catchy, interesting, and explosive as the Introduction. But I believe it is “more important” if not the “most important” part in essay writing or in any written article. Since it is the last material your readers will encounter, its content will be the freshest in their memories. It is the Conclusion that your readers will remember the most. In fact, if you ask somebody to say something about what he just read, the tendency would be, he will refer to the what’s written in the conclusion.

This part is where you summarize your essay or restate your thesis statement.

Proofread and Revise:

Proofreading simply connotes leaving a “proof” that you have “read” your essay after writing the conclusion. That “proof” are basic corrections on spelling, punctuations, capitalization, and basic grammar. Revising on the other hand is a more careful and in-depth alteration or correction of major errors on grammar, sentence and paragraph construction or syntax, diction or the choice of words, etc. Revision could also include improvement of vocabulary.

Revising is very important. Even seasoned writers rewrite and revise their essays. No body really gets it perfectly on the first draft.

This is the best time to review and check your thesis statement. You can review, improve, and strengthen it.

Write Final Draft

After proofreading and revising your essay, finalize it. This is where final touches and polishing are done. This is where the least work is done.

Additional Tips in Essay Writing:

Remember, this is just a general procedure in essay writing. Some writers may not follow this procedure. Some may already have written a rough conclusion before they could even write the introduction, or some may be more comfortable drafting the body before anything else. Some may start with the thesis statement. One useful tip in essay writing, or in any journalistic writing: study how you write, because every writer is different, then start where you are most comfortable with.

These are just but some tips in essay writing, study harder, do more researches, ask or interview other essayists, read and study well-written essays so you can learn more tips in essay writing and be a better writer.

Improving writing skills equals to doing a lot of practice; one way to achieve that is by performing writing exercises in a regular basis. Attaining good writing skills does not come overnight, so be patient. You may not do a great job in your first few attempts so be determined also. If improving writing skills is really one of your strong desires, have your will strengthened and be persistent. Never give up if you think your articles are not good enough when you think you have done your best. Try and try. Write and write. It takes a lot of draft papers to create a good writer. Write until you have successfully honed your writing skills.

Here are some simple yet fun and effective exercises that will help you in improving writing skills.

1. Watch a movie and relate it in your own words. Our brain clearly stores information in images than with any other forms of data. It is easier to put into words something that is seen, in this case a movie.

2. Pull out a line from a poem or song and elaborate it. A poem and a song are artistically written, so this will test your skill of interpreting literature. This is also a challenge to expound such a single and short line. The skill of explanation or elaboration is important in writing.

3. Grab a picture of anything, say your graduation photo, a framed picture of your sister’s wedding day, a family photo, or a picture of nature or pets; and then write about it. Who or what are in the picture? When and why was it taken? Look for a story behind the picture and write about it. You might as well plainly describe the picture. The skill of clear and effective description is vital in improving writing skills.

4. Write in your journal. Make it a daily habit to write an entry in your journal or diary. This is a good habit in improving writing skills. If something is done correctly, and in a daily basis, the task will become easier and faster to execute. Same goes with writing.  It is important that your write everyday, even a short write-up will do. Never let days go by, worst, weeks or even months go by without writing anything. This will blunt your writing skills.

5. Write about your favorites – favorite food, fruit, sports, show, place, song, movie, cartoon character, gadget etc. Human interest is an element of writing which a good writer needs to take note of. Besides, it is easier to write about something that interests you. It is more fun as well.

6. Pick a famous personality and write about him. Popularity is an element of writing that triggers writers’ and readers’ interest. Take advantage of this in writing a good write-up and improving writing skills. You may relay how and why he is popular. If it is a rags-to-riches story, then it is more fun and interesting to write about.

7. Pick an ordinary person and write about him. Improving writing skills may also account for writing about ordinary people or things. He may be a neighbor, a person you meet on the street, a bystander, a vendor, or a complete stranger. There is something interesting about ordinary people. Write about one ordinary person in an extraordinary way.
8. Write how-to articles – how to operate a cellular phone, how to ride a bicycle, how to upload photos in facebook, etc. Possibilities are endless. This is a fun writing exercise since what you are writing about is something you are doing regularly, if not daily. If so, you are knowledgeable about the topic, and this will give you the edge in writing about such.

9. Describe a dream you could remember. When you wake up in the morning, there are some dreams you could clearly remember and some that just totally vanished from your memory recall. Write about those that still stick in your head.  This exercise will not only improve your writing skills but your memory as well. It is a huge advantage for good writers to have a good memory recall.

10. Describe yourself, from your physical appearance to your preferences, and inner thoughts. No one knows you better than yourself. Therefore no one could write any better article about you than yourself also. You know your likes and dislikes, your dreams and frustrations, your ideas and speculations. But it is a wise step to ask people who are close to you and gather additional data from them.

11. Imagine something unrealistic. You may create your own world, cartoon character, super hero, gadget, etc. Bring out the child in you and be creative, imaginative, and innovative. These are also skills a writer should possess.
Do more researches. Continue browsing our website and find out more ways in

improving writing skills

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Since college is obviously a costly endeavor for most people, many struggle to finish. That is why a college loan is an ideal option to supplement college funds or pay for the entire educational expenses. There are a number of banks and financial establishments that are willing to lend money for such decent purpose but due to recent economic crisis, some of them may think twice or even turn down your college loan proposal. So putting effort, preparation, and skills in writing your college loan proposal is a must.

What is a College Loan Proposal?

A college loan proposal is an application letter addressed to a certain bank or a financial institution written to acquire money for educational expenses.

What to do before writing your college loan proposal?

Before writing your college loan proposal, you need to target a certain bank or financial institution that would most likely to approve your application. Do not send letters to just any kind of bank or financial establishment. You could, on the other hand, write more than one college loan proposal and send it to different lenders. but your applications should not be all the same, it should be tailor fitted to each of the lender or financial establishment you are targeting. Find out which bank offers terms to which you could best adapt with. Inquire in your college financial aid office if there are certain banks that lend to other students from your school.

Ask other students who have already written a college loan proposal before and find out how their application was granted. If possible, ask for a copy of their college loan proposal and study how it was written: what are the facts stated, how are the facts relayed etc. It could also help if you ask other students who have written a college loan proposal before but were rejected. It is wise to take note of the things to avoid, or to have an idea on what not to write.

What to write in your college loan proposal?

The secret of an effective college loan proposal is to sell your self – your academic strengths and potentials. You should emphasize them in your letter. Highlight the achievements and awards you received. Write down other important facts like your academic details, course details (the course you would use the loan for), and other documents probably from the college, confirming your admission.
Write a cover letter for your college loan proposal which consists of your explanation on how you will use the loan. Write the ideal and reasonable amount you intend to borrow. Justify the amount you are intending to borrow. Make a breakdown of the things you planned on spending the money for.

How to write an effective College Loan Proposal?

Since a college loan proposal is a kind of application and therefore needs to be reviewed, scrutinized, and approved, your letter should be written at its best form. It is like writing for a contest wherein your aim is to capture the attention of the reader, connect with him, and win his ok.

A college loan proposal’s primary purpose is to convince lenders that your education is a wise investment. The worst thing that could happen to your letter is to be stacked on the loan officer’s desk, enshrouded by other loan proposals, and later be rejected. So write your loan proposal’s cover letter appealing but not fancy.

Remember that lenders are taking a risk. They will most likely reject your college loan proposal if in one way or another, they did not clearly understand your plan or if their risk will be greater if they would approve your loan. That is why you need to assure them this important thing: you are able to pay them considering you are a working student; you will have a good and stable job, or will land into a good business after you graduate.

Your letter should be short, concise, detailed, and specific.

Sample College Loan Proposal:

20 December, 2011

Sharon Johnson,
32nd XYZ Park,
Peter Street,
ABC City,
California,
USA – 41215
Phone: 044 11 23456
Email: Sharon_johnson@mail.com

To:
Mr. John Stevenson,
The Bank Manager,
The United Bank,
California,
USA – 41211

Dear Mr. Stevenson,
I am Sharon Johnson, and I wish to apply for an education loan with your bank. I just graduated from St. Therese’s School and I wish to attend at the ABC University to take up the course on Business Management, because the university is well-known for its global competitiveness in teaching the said course. I have taken and passed the admission test for the said university.

The course fee is $50,000 annually, and the duration of the course is 4 years. The fee includes tuition expenses, book allowance, dormitory expenses, and miscellaneous expenses. This course will help me fulfill my goal of being a good business man and establish my own business someday.
I have had a good academic background since grade school to high school. I was even a recipient of a work scholarship in St. Therese’s School. I have maintained good grades in my subjects and graduated second in our class. I was also given the Outstanding Student of the Year Award.
I have attached all the required documents herewith. Kindly approve my application. The last date for paying the fees is 3rd January 2012.
Thank you very much.

Sincerely,
(Signature)
Sharon Johnson

Enclosure:
1. Application form
2. Letter from St. Therese’s School
3. Academic Certificates

Remember that the process of writing your college loan proposal is the most crucial part. You may consider yourself deserving for such loan, but if you fail to convey your message, plan, and details well and clearly thru skillful writing, your college loan proposal would most probably be rejected.

Just awhile ago, I dropped by the Mercury Drugstore to buy my baby a can of powdered milk. I was surprised as I took a peek on the receipt and my mind was immediately drawn to the three capital letters printed four times on the lower part of my receipt — VAT. My eyes widened as it landed on the text which says “VAT 12% P38.01.” Fortunately, the P354.75 presented on the tag fits our budget but as an entrepreneur, who calculates even to the last cent, this amount already matters specially considering the point that I need to purchase six to seven cans of milk in a month. I would’ve gotten a monthly saving of P266.07 at the eradication of the VAT. For the average and the below average, nursing Juan dela Cruz, this instantly added to and expanded their burdens.

Tax in its plain self is already heavy at times for most Filipino consumers, then here came Value Added Tax, indeed an added weight. But it doesn’t end there, following VAT was the Expanded Value Adde d Tax. It’s like terrible taxes times two! I can not wholly comprehend why and how these taxes where legalised. Why pass the heavier and additional load to the struggling consumers when successful companies have the larger pockets and stronger shoulders? To my perception, it just makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.

Again I queried, who passed the bill anyway? When a campaign advertisement flashed on our screen saying pacifying things about helping the poor, brushing off corruption, and the like, my sister convicted “Hmp! I will not vote for him! He was the one responsible for the VAT and EVAT!” She then added that he was bluffing his way again to the senate. Believing those strong words from my sister’s sensible mouth, made me erase that politician’s name off my ballot.

As May 10 is less than a month away, it is high time for me to strain my voting list. Scrutinizing political candidates’ profile, dissecting their track records, and critically examining their platforms would certainly avoid a morbid mistake of voting for someone like the one behind the VAT and EVAT.  Lawmakers who sincerely aim for the relief of fatigued Filipinos deserve to sit within the corridors of power. So, as they say, vote wisely!

By far, this is the most sensible commercial I have seen. Actually, I didn’t have any clue that this is an advertisement even though before clicking it, I read “extraordinary commercial.”

Indeed, yet if there is such word beyond “extraordinary”, it would best describe this video clip.

The drama at the beginning really dragged my senses. The angelic face of the little Thai girl mezmirized by the smooth sway of the fiddle’s bow was certainly catchy. Also, the portrayal of her  inability to hear and speak was artistically done. The shot was really drawing sympathy as she walked on the street, head-down while a car, tailing her, frantically blew its horn.

The lines too were profoundly penned: “A duck tries to fly?”

“You’re wasting everyone’s time” is a stab straight to the heart enough to kill one’s determination. But this video inspiringly showed how the girl’s hopes of playing the violin died and resurrected through the old man’s wisdom.

The girl’s  bitter question “Why am I different from others,” was simply answered  by the violinist with a soul stirring “Why do you have to be like others.” Truly, each of us is unique.

Music lovers too, would surely fall in love with it as the old man said, “Music is a visible thing. Close your eyes. You will see.” What a beautiful statement. I’m  a music enthusiast but I never thought of it that way before.

The girl is deaf and mute, but definitely not blind to “see” music.

The climax was likewise striking as the antagonist young pianist untiringly and ragingly practiced for the classical music competition. The piano presentation ended with an exclamation point. Such scene was brilliantly intertwined with that of the commotion happening with the girl and the old man, how they were bullied and got her violin crushed.

I got goose bumps everytime I get to the part where the girl is on stage, the moment she started to play the violin.

The moment I found out it was a mere shampoo commercial was at the very end when it flashed “Pantene. You can shine.” My amazement while watching the clip was immediately diluted in awe with a pinch of chuckle. I needed to check on my senses and pause for a while. I was  stunned.

I then realized the reason behind the strong emphasis on the raging sways of the violinist’s long, shiny, black hair.

My amazement goes to the smart minds behind this brilliant advertisement which, on the surface, is not obviously selling something. I hope they also do something like this here in the Philippines.

Oct. 4, 2009

I admit, my feet, legs, and thighs went bigger than my husband’s. It swelled so badly that I can punch dimples on my feet that lasted seconds. Very amusing. But the thing which was not amusing in anyway was, all but one of my footwear seemingly rejected my plump feet.

It’s official, I walked like a waddling penguin — a very keen observation from my friend Apple who also had gone through some funny “waddlings” herself. I already expected this ugly duckling walk, anyway.

It’s affirmative, I gained 40 pounds! It’s just a good thing I didn’t go gaga over that fact; gratitude went to my not being weight-conscious.

With my extra pounds, it became more and more difficult for me to move around. I even needed my husband’s gentle push or pull when I got up from lying down or sitting. I wrapped my hands around his neck just to lift my upper body.

Sleeping, most of the time, did not serve as a resting time for me. It became more like a hard task. Sleeping on my left side, (for smooth blood and air circulation), then switching my heavy self to the right a few minutes later, then back to my left again, and so on. What made things worse was my aching pelvic bone. A slight twist triggered pain. I could just lose count on how many switching and twisting I did during bedtime.

Until I came to a point where I realized I should get used to the discomforts as they are all part of my pregnancy. There’s no smooth way out the nine months. Hence, I befriended the various pains. In this way I managed to at least lessen my physical distress by dealing with it emotionally.

The worst though was the constant visit to the bathroom. My practitioner advised me to drink at least two liters of water a day to compensate for the possible inadequacy of amniotic fluid as my growing baby used up more space inside. Two to four groggy midnight visits to the bathroom really spelled nightmare. Yet, it was not only me who accumulated huge, black, eye bags. I felt guilty at times that I needed to wake my husband up just to give me a good lift.

Sleeping surely became arduous as sweet dreams left me for a while.

One of the good and exciting things during my 3rd trimester of pregnancy though, was the stronger and more frequent fetal activity. My tummy began to wobble; sometimes quick waves, sometimes smooth ones. August 9 was when my husband and I had an early morning entertainment. It was his first time to see my tummy do some fancy waves. We were just so happy to conclude that our little one is a strong baby.

Indeed I felt her strength. Her tickling and poking (during the 2nd trimester) turned into full-strength kicks which actually hurt! When my baby’s feet found a resting place between my ribs, it really gave me some “ouches.” Most of the time they were unexpected that they made me jerk from my seat. A few kicks at the middle of my tutorial classes really gave me an abrupt pause with some “oohs” that left my students puzzled.

This one thing was also amusing. I did not know about this until I’ve read it from a pregnancy book and proved it to be true the moment I noticed a constant pulsation at my lower abdomen where my baby’s head was situated. It was hiccups! It was a cute happening which lasted for 10-20 minutes, almost everyday during the last two months.

My days seemed longer and longer after each sunset. I came to a point where I became impatient; I can’t wait for another day. I was really counting the hours. I pathetically became bored of my pregnancy. Nine months came like years. But my friend Marisol told me that she missed the kicks of her first born, and so I should enjoy my baby’s twists and turns while she’s still inside my womb.

My appetite on my last three months, on the other hand, became hearty (during the 2nd trimester) to voraciousness. I sort of pointed finger to my  baby every time I was accused of such. I felt hungry every hour. And I just didn’t eat – I feasted! I just couldn’t get enough.

My sisters, and friends were surprised to see me gobble like I was deprived of food for years. They laughed because they unusually see me eat like a hungry and greedy street dog.

At first, my husband liked the fact that I “eat a lot.” Before my pregnancy, he oftentimes coaxed me to finish my food or have a few more spoonfuls, for he knew I ate like a chicken since I was a child. But nearing my 7th month, he began to show a little anxiety as I started to take some bites off his cookie, take his extra rice, frequently ask him to buy me more, and eat five to six times a day!

Initially, he was worried our baby might gain too much, that I would end up with a ceasarian operation, which costs more than we could save up for. I defended that my practitioner regularly measured my abdomen, and in each time, she assured me that the size was within normal. To calm my husband’s distress, I asked her if my appetite might be too much for the baby. She told me that the extra fats might be absorbed by my body. And she added it was alright since I was so skinny, surely I needed some filling.

Undoubtedly, the last trimester was the most stressful (physically and emotionally) phase of my pregnancy. Ironically, it’s the most exciting as it hinted the near coming of my baby. With all the discomforts oddly mixed with excitements I knew at some point that these were just the tip of an ice berg.

I am yet to experience more.

almost 9 months

Happy World Teachers’ Day to everyone!

Amidst the turbulent waters of educational crisis,

Poverty and the trying times, we can still choose to be happy;

Paragons of righteousness and proper values we ought to be,

Yearning for a better life, and wholesome environment as one big family.

Teaching remains to be the noblest profession,

Eventhough teachers are poorly paid  but overworked;

A calling better than none from the patterns of the Master Teacher.

Called Rabbi, The Great Examplar, Jesus Christ, the Lord.

He loves us, undoubtedly, he pours upon us blessings everyday.

Even the trials and challenges are God’s blessings in disguise.

Remember to thank Him for this day and for everything else.

So let’s be happy for  God’s gifts of life and wisdom.

Doing one’s work well without equating with the pay

Assures the youth with teachers of integrity.

You and I form a family…looking forward to excellence and prosperity.

Photos courtesy of courtesy of www.tenafly.k12.nj.us, eddlay.com and www.businesscardforyou.com

My fingers were itching to write.

I know houses are for rent, cars too, gowns, and just recently, bags and accessories also, but friends? This is something new and interesting.

* courtesy of www.trendhunter.com

Yet as I research more about this “friend for rent,” I learned that it has been a trend and a huge business going on in Japan for a couple of years now! There are actually rent-a-friend companies with 30 or so agents being paid to pretend! What a wower!

But why rent a friend?

I learned that Japanese are very much concerned on social status. Brides and grooms rent friends to attend their wedding just to impress their wife or husband-to-be and the rest of their genuine guests. With $150, a best man or a maid of honor comes in handy.

Some even rent colleagues and bosses. I was surprised why they do such — it’s because of the present recession where many Japanese lose their jobs. They tug along fake bosses just to make an impression of having a nice, decent job!

It’s the fear of belittlement and embarrassment as an unemployed. It’s pretty ironic why and how they could spend extra yens at the peak of their financial struggle. It’s pathetic to conclude that they still give “social status” a better rate than practicality, specially in these days of crises.

I don’t think I have the guts to fool my friends, specially myself in doing such acting.

They likewise rent cliques on different parties and social gathering. Japanese are fond of jamming with vidoeke, and with 15,000 yens, they have an instant sanguine friend to brag about. A little extra fee is charged when the phony friend sings or does a dance or a speech!

It’s interesting how they do this kind of business. The agents or the pretenders, if I may say, need to know at least enough about their “friend” and should answer every question the true friends will throw. One wrong answer or a dead air might ruin the reputation of the agent and the company he/she is working for.

My amazement intensified as I found out that “friends” are not the only ones available on the rack. Even “aunties,” “uncles,” “brothers,” “sisters,” even “mothers” and “fathers.” Name it, the rent-a-friend companies in Japan (which was said to have grown to 10) got it, in different ages and personalities!

But I was a bit saddened upon discovering some of their reasons why they rent such boguses: some divorced women rent “fathers” for their sons being bullied at school; some rent “uncles” to attend school soccer games as a number-one fan cheering his heart out for poor teenagers whose true uncles or fathers are absent on their championship game; some even rent “husbands” or “lovers” just to find a little solace in their sort of “loveless lives.”

This made me think of how lucky we are as Filipinos having a tight family bond. I am very blessed my family and friends were present on my celebrated days — on my 18th birthday, I had family and friends present more than I could ever ask for; on my wedding day, my aunties overseas even took a vacation to be there; my parents, as we were growing up, attended our school activities to show love and support. I couldn’t ask for more.

This value we put on family ties made a low divorce rate in t he country.

It is also amazing how we could find “family compounds” in almost anywhere in the Philippines; even Americans were amazed how up-to 100 people who are relatives live together in an array of houses.

Indeed, we are a family-centered country. And nowadays, with all the elements trying to dismantle and degrade the family, we should keep the knot tight.

What a heart-melting sight!

The Greater Manila Area and some 25 more neighboring provinces were under the state of calamity as typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) flaunted its raging winds and unquenchable rainfall. Within six hours, many parts of Metro Manila, which were hit the greatest, went almost 100 per cent under murky water.

This did not happen in more than 40 years! Though a furious flash flood swiped the area in June 7, 1967, people thought it would never happen again, but unfortunately, it did, September 26, 2009. The day the whole Philippines would never forget. Yet it was not as huge as the waters of Ondoy. This was the worst so far.

*courtesy of www2.canada.com

***

This was also the worst time not to have a television at home. Our set died down two weeks ago.

It was Saturday, and I woke up hearing the wooshing wind. It seemed very unusual and unfriendly. My husband and I still took the time to go to Dagupan City to buy some things for our baby. The wind came in duet with drizzles.

Careless of anything else, I walked down the isle of colorful baby clothes and cute, little bottles. My eyes were feasting. I did not know what and where to put my hands on. I was in the midst of careful choosing, when my husband said “It’s already 12 noon.” I replied, “Please don’t put me in a hurry, I am still enjoying.” I was thinking it was my right to take my time since it was my first time to go shopping for our baby. He defended, he just heard the bell rang which implied it’s 12.

I would constantly ask my husband, laying down five pairs of booties to choose from, and ask “which is cuter?” He would answer “up to you, you know better than me with those things.” I had a couple rounds of which-is-cuter and he would say the same thing every time.

Finally, we’re ready for the cashier. We had three pairs of pink booties, some white baby caps and mittens, and three milk bottles.

We went home satisfied yet surprised on how costly 15 pieces of baby stuff cost. In the afternoon, my husband went to Binmaley to pay his relatives a visit while I attended a church activity on fitness and healthy living. Everybody enjoyed the aerobics. Even I as an spectator with my huge tummy had a blast taking pictures of mothers burning some extra calories. It lasted till 5 p.m.

At home, my husband called at 6 p.m. He said he would be on his way home in minutes. I was puzzled why, on a regular Saturday family visit, he would go home that early. He then anxiously told me that he just watched over the television about a typhoon. He was horrified on what he saw on the screen that’s why he hurried home.

With the television broken, everyone at home were unaware of the typhoon, nor of the destruction happening in Manila that time. We turned on the radio and tuned in to AM radio.

On the other hand, my mother was booked for a flight to Cebu that night for a week-long affair. After hearing the news over the radio, she made a bunch of calls confirming their travel to the airport in Manila. She was anxious of going yet saddened not being able to go to Cebu. Text messages flooded her cellphone, flash reports about typhoon Ondoy enshrouding streets and high-ways made her and her party’s plan of traveling impossible. She was finally calmed and convinced. She decided not to go.

I later realized that those times I was in a delight choosing cute booties and entertained in our church activity, many of my fellow Filipinos were on an exact contrary with my situation. They were trying to save each other’s lives from the cruel waters of Ondoy. I felt a bit guilty yet immensely grateful that we only received buzzing winds, but not destructive, and some rain showers.

***

But it was not until Monday morning that I witnessed over youtube the horrific site caused by the unforgiving Ondoy. I was greatly interested when our neighbor informed me on how even famous Filipino actors and actresses with their families were on their roofs, helpless! As my eyes glued on the LCD and my ears covered with ear phones, I saw how Magazine cover girl Cristine Reyes called GMA News Station solicited help and rescue, as she with her mother and two nieces, one aged 10 were soaked wet, hungered, shocked, and fatigued on the roof of their two-storey house for more than 24 hours! Friend and co-star Richard Gutierrez, upon hearing the news instantly went with a speed rubber boat to the rescue.

Celebrity couples Gladys Reyes and Christopher with their two children, one is an infant also witnessed the massive flood on their roofs. It was reported that Gladys fortunately made a call to her celebrity friend Judy Ann Santos. Few hours later, Judy Ann’s husband Ryan came on a rubber boat.

Showbiz reporter and celebrity, Boy Abunda was on The Buzz describing how Ryan swam the water just to at least hand in some milk for the baby and food for the rest of the family.

What really filled my heart was Abunda’s descriptions on how ordinary civilians wanting to help but unable to get to the stranded victims on their roofs, packed some food and provisions and let it float and swim towards their hungry and chilling fellow citizens, to whom some were children and babies.

With the rescuers outnumbered by the victims, rescuing eveybody and on time was quite impossible. Perhaps even life savers themselves needed to be rescued. So, every one capable of helping, even ordinary people stretched out a hand.

Abunda then followed up with profound thoughts: “This only means one thing, that everyone is a victim, whether you’re rich or poor.”

Indeed, even the two-storey mansions of celebrities were not spared.

Few weeks ago, I happen to read on a magazine a feature on TV host/actress Carmina Villaroel’s mansion. As the pictures imply, it worth millions — neat furnitures, nice and costly gadgets, fully-furnished rooms, luxurious bathrooms. But with Ondoy’s unwelcomed visit, the mansion, their refrigerators filled with food, and cabinets full of clothes and every good and expensive things in it went broken or useless. The only thing left useful to her, to her husband, and to her twins, during the typhoon was their roof.

Abunda’s co-host Kris Aquino expressed another lesson worth pondering: “We were not prepared, no body was.”

Truly, this was a lesson on preparedness. Merely knowing that ABS CBN’s special coverage on Ondoy had solicited over 9 million pledged donation in cash and over 20 million worth of food and clothing, and still counting would give one a big picture on how many people needed help, how great the number who were not prepared.

Ondoy and many other natural calamities were proof of today’s need for expecting the unexpected — a low, public warning signal number 1 was given to Metro Manila, yet the damage done was obviously intense. This tragedy served as a wake-up call for the estimated 300,000 people affected by a single typhoon and the rest of the Filipino people.

If we look on the bright side, however, one good thing happened. Impressive amount of rainfall flooded the afore mentioned areas, relief goods, clothing, and cash donations likewise overflowed. Every Filipino from government officials, private business establishments and companies, to ordinary citizens helped out. If the places left by Ondoy were soul stirring, so was the love drowning the victims.