like and dislike about being filipino

WHAT I LIKE AND DISLIKE ABOUT BEING A FILIPINO (Point of View of a 100% Pinoy)

Two videos just recently got viral featuring Americans stating what they like and dislike about the Philippines. And as a Filipino, I already knew more than half of what they said. It’s just interesting to watch tourists declare their opinion about our country. Part of it helps, some parts suck.

Now, I’m not trying to be smart for writing this. I just want to be part of the conversation and share my opinion. I have lived my entire life in the Philippines and who better say what one likes and dislikes about a country? It’s people. Though half of the time, I feel we’re not heard.

Question I wanna ask people is, do we really just care about something by the time that it actually becomes a problem, a controversy? Did we even give a damn about what these tourists showed about our country even before they made the video? Maybe more than half of us would say no. Because, firstly, Filipinos are known and it has been part of our culture to say ‘Bahala na’ (Let it be). We’re just used to all this. It’s us.

I think that’s one of the major things I hate about us Pinoys. I think we should always always think about this, reflect on our everyday actions and constantly aim for progress. ‘Coz otherwise, we get stuck. Well, we had been for some time now, hadn’t we?

I honestly don’t know where to start. As a Filipino, there are lots of things I like and dislike about our country.

Well, let’s start it with our politics. It’s messy. Just a lot of mess. ‘Course there are those few good people who know how to do it right but just the majority of the people in the government knowingly do it wrong. Elections start all the ramble. They post pictures of whoever-they-are everywhere, mostly are sons of daughters of Congressmen, granddaughters of sons of Senators, former sexy stars, celebrities, nobodies. All wanting to get a position somewhere. I honestly don’t even know what’s good about being a politician, unless of course you have the best intentions of being a leader of progress somewhere in the country. Most of them we only see on elections and disappear like bubbles after being elected, some get paid without even having to go to work, some just sit there at their desk, sign papers and get their who-knows-how-much salary. And most of the times, we’re used to it. At some parts of history, we did express our dislike and made large public protests, hence the EDSA revolutions, which did kick out a few people out of their grandeur seats but every time we elect another leader, the tension of that revolution happening again never goes away. It’s like we either don’t get satisfied with whoever leads us or we always elect the wrong folks. Or some other distorted reasons. It’s just messy. Repeats itself over and over.

I also don’t like our justice system. I’ve experienced it myself.  My dad got convicted for a case (which I don’t wanna discuss in detail) and got imprisoned right after his capture. It took them 5 long years to even conduct a hearing. There were million processes apparently. Which is the same to be said for all other government transactions. (Name it. Securing an NBI Clearance, applying for an SSS ID, getting a cedula, etc.) After the long wait, they finally got a verdict and sentenced him for 3 years imprisonment. You read that right. That means my dad served time in prison longer than his sentence. He was freed right after. And that’s only a minor case. I can only imagine what others are going through. Bless them.

And that’s me talking about a convicted person. My words wouldn’t be enough for the victims who’d been harmed not only by their attackers but by the justice system. I think we are milestones away from having that part of our country fixed. Everyone’s used to it already. But nobody fucking likes it.  But who can do something about it? Apparently, with the hundreds we elected, a whopping NONE.

Now, let me talk about our entertainment. It’s just the same over and over again. Our movie industry’s dying. TV’s getting boring and full of nonsense drama we don’t need. The news is also getting polluted with not-news-worthy stuff. I honestly honestly believe and am proud to say we are very talented people. Most of us can sing, we have a ton of great singers. There are, well, some good actors and actresses yes. Directors who know how to do their job.  Fantastic dancers, from folk to hiphop to all kinds of dance.  Very funny comedians, talented hosts and reputable newscasters. But why oh why when we finally put it all together, there’s always something wrong, mediocre or even below average about it?

 A movie won’t be commercialized without a famous actor and/or actress on it. And I see that that’s because it seems that majority of us Pinoys and the government actually want that. Come on. This girl paired to this guy then makes another movie with a different girl then makes another movie with a new guy and most just don’t make sense. Some are even paired badly. A 20-year old to a 40-year old, a bad actor paired with a bad actress. Most do not fit the worth of a P200 ticket. That’s why we’re going down. Because we’re ALREADY USED TO IT. We hide our creativity and talent in a box and think about just getting the money. And the people absorb that attitude. But the Filipino audience is starting to wake up. And that’s why we’re going down even more. Because the industry still continues to feed us with the same stuff when clearly, Hollywood’s getting a large large profit from us already. We need something new. Something more interesting, worth to watch and more creative. NOW. That’s not mentioning yet the country-wide, exposed issue of piracy. Where’s our Bayanihan spirit? Also going down?

Traffic is terrible in the Philippines. Cleanliness is not maintained everywhere. Education’s not supervised orderly, not to mention it’s getting more and more expensive, unaffordable. Prostitution’s here and there. Economy they say is going up but so are the gas prices, transportation fares, grocery supplies, everything. The value of peso seems to have gotten stuck where it was a few years ago, maybe a decade I can’t recall and didn’t feel any change. The Philippines seem to have gotten stuck in a not-so-good place and we can’t afford that.

But there are tons of great things about our country. We are happy people. No matter how bad it gets, we always know how to smile at how good it’s going to be and how blessed we all are. We welcome and accept change. We’re not like other large countries out there with people who panic when they don’t know how to turn on their tv or to send a text message. We figure it out ourselves. We may have been colonized by other countries way back but we are starting to make our own identity. It may not be so good right now, but we all are positive people who know how to value every little thing we have and make use of the tiniest resources available. We don’t terrorize other countries just to prove our stand. We terrorize our own bad stuff and we always try harder every day. We have had the worst of worst and we’re prepared to get better and better. I know it takes a lot to get everything in order but we’re not alone. We do this with the whole world.

I’m very proud to be Pinoy and I can’t imagine and don’t want living anywhere else. 

by:darwintaylo

source:http://darwintaylo.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/what-i-like-and-dislike-about-being-a-filipino-point-of-view-of-a-100-pinoy/

10 Tips for Preventing Acne

I know how you love your face.. :)

10 Tips for Preventing Acne

1. Keep your face clean. Whether or not you have acne, it's important to wash your face daily to remove impurities, dead skin cells, and excess oil from the skin surface. Use warm, not hot, water and a mild facial cleanser. Using a harsh soap (like deodorant body soap) can injure the already inflamed skin and cause more irritation.
Avoid scrubbing your skin harshly with a washcloth, exfoliating glove, or loofah (a coarse-textured sponge). Gently wash it with your clean hands or a very soft cloth. Always rinse well, and then dry your face with a clean towel. (Toss the towel in the laundry hamper, as dirty towels spread bacteria.)
2. Moisturize. Many topical acne products contain ingredients that dry the skin, so always use a moisturizer that minimizes dryness and skin peeling. A gel-based moisturizer usually works well for oily skin. If you have dry skin, try a moisturizing cream or lotion. Combination skin may need two products (cream or lotion for the dry section; a gel for the oily part). Always hydrate your skin with water before you moisturize it.
3. Try an over-the-counter acne product. Topical (those applied to the skin) acne products may contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, an antibacterial agent with a drying effect, or salicylic acid, an agent that sloughs off skin and gets rid of bacteria. Start with a small amount at first. Then increase or decrease the amount and how often you apply it, depending on how much peeling or drying you have. Use these ointments with caution if you have sensitive skin. Benzoyl peroxide can cause redness and scaling of the skin. It can also bleach your clothes, towel, and hair.
4. Use makeup sparingly. During a breakout, try to avoid wearing foundation, powder, or blush. If you do wear makeup, wash it off at the end of the day. If possible, select oil-free cosmetics without added dyes and chemicals. Water-based cosmetics are available. Read the ingredients list on the product label before buying.
5. Watch what you put on your hair. Avoid using fragrances, oils, and harsh chemicals on your hair. These ingredients can drip on the face, blocking the skin pores and irritating the skin. Stick to a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Oily hair can add to the oil on your face, so wash hair often, especially during a pimple outbreak. If your hair is long, keep it pulled off your face.
6. Keep your hands off your face. Avoid touching your face or propping your cheek or chin on your hands. Not only can you spread bacteria, you can also irritate the already inflamed facial skin. Never pick or pop pimples with your fingers, as it can result in infection and scarring.
7. Stay out of the sun. The sun's ultraviolet rays can increase inflammation and redness. Further, some oral and topical acne medications may increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. Whether you have pimples or not, always apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Look for a non-acnegenic sunscreen to decrease the chance of new pimples. Again, always read the ingredients on the product label to know what you're putting on your skin.
8. Feed your skin. Most experts agree that certain foods, like chocolate and chips, do not trigger pimple outbreaks. Still, it makes sense to avoid greasy food and junk food and add more fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains to your diet. Some studies show that eating foods high in vitamin A and beta-carotene may boost your immunity and skin health. Carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, apricots, kale, and spinach are all high in beta-carotene, the type of vitamin A produced by plants.
9. Exercise daily. Regular exercise is good for your mind and your body, including your skin -- the body's largest organ. Working out reduces anxiety and boosts blood flow throughout the body. When you exercise, avoid wearing clothing or using exercise equipment that rubs on the skin and may cause irritation. Also, avoid wearing hats, goggles, or helmets that cause you to sweat excessively, as this can irritate the skin and increase bacteria. Always shower or bathe right after exercise.
10. Chill! Experts believe that our emotional state is related to all aspects of health, including skin function. Some studies link stress with the severity of pimples or acne. Take time to understand your stress reactions. Also, try to figure out what's causing you to feel stressed. Find effective ways to deal with stress before it builds up and causes a breakout.
While pimples are normal during your teen years, it is important to learn some daily self-care steps to manage skin problems before they get more serious. If in doubt, check with your health care provider to see if further treatment is necessary for preventing or stopping pimples.

Modern technology is changing the way our brains work

Modern technology is changing the way our brains work

Human identity, the idea that defines each and every one of us, could be facing an unprecedented crisis.

It is a crisis that would threaten long-held notions of who we are, what we do and how we behave.

It goes right to the heart - or the head - of us all. This crisis could reshape how we interact with each other, alter what makes us happy, and modify our capacity for reaching our full potential as individuals.

And it's caused by one simple fact: the human brain, that most sensitive of organs, is under threat from the modern world.

Unless we wake up to the damage that the gadget-filled, pharmaceutically-enhanced 21st century is doing to our brains, we could be sleepwalking towards a future in which neuro-chip technology blurs the line between living and non-living machines, and between our bodies and the outside world.

It would be a world where such devices could enhance our muscle power, or our senses, beyond the norm, and where we all take a daily cocktail of drugs to control our moods and performance.

Already, an electronic chip is being developed that could allow a paralysed patient to move a robotic limb just by thinking about it. As for drug manipulated moods, they're already with us - although so far only to a medically prescribed extent.

Increasing numbers of people already take Prozac for depression, Paxil as an antidote for shyness, and give Ritalin to children to improve their concentration. But what if there were still more pills to enhance or "correct" a range of other specific mental functions?

What would such aspirations to be "perfect" or "better" do to our notions of identity, and what would it do to those who could not get their hands on the pills? Would some finally have become more equal than others, as George Orwell always feared?

Of course, there are benefits from technical progress - but there are great dangers as well, and I believe that we are seeing some of those today.

I'm a neuroscientist and my day-to-day research at Oxford University strives for an ever greater understanding - and therefore maybe, one day, a cure - for Alzheimer's disease.

But one vital fact I have learnt is that the brain is not the unchanging organ that we might imagine. It not only goes on developing, changing and, in some tragic cases, eventually deteriorating with age, it is also substantially shaped by what we do to it and by the experience of daily life. When I say "shaped", I'm not talking figuratively or metaphorically; I'm talking literally. At a microcellular level, the infinitely complex network of nerve cells that make up the constituent parts of the brain actually change in response to certain experiences and stimuli.

The brain, in other words, is malleable - not just in early childhood but right up to early adulthood, and, in certain instances, beyond. The surrounding environment has a huge impact both on the way our brains develop and how that brain is transformed into a unique human mind.

Of course, there's nothing new about that: human brains have been changing, adapting and developing in response to outside stimuli for centuries.

What prompted me to write my book is that the pace of change in the outside environment and in the development of new technologies has increased dramatically. This will affect our brains over the next 100 years in ways we might never have imagined.

Our brains are under the influence of an ever- expanding world of new technology: multichannel television, video games, MP3 players, the internet, wireless networks, Bluetooth links - the list goes on and on

source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-565207/Modern-technology-changing-way-brains-work-says-neuroscientist.html

Hunger and World Poverty

About 25,000 people die every day of hunger or hunger-related causes, according to the United Nations. This is one person every three and a half seconds, as you can see on this display. Unfortunately, it is children who die most often.
Yet there is plenty of food in the world for everyone. The problem is that hungry people are trapped in severe poverty. They lack the money to buy enough food to nourish themselves. Being constantly malnourished, they become weaker and often sick. This makes them increasingly less able to work, which then makes them even poorer and hungrier. This downward spiral often continues until death for them and their families.
There are effective programs to break this spiral. For adults, there are “food for work” programs where the adults are paid with food to build schools, dig wells, make roads, and so on. This both nourishes them and builds infrastructure to end the poverty. For children, there are “food for education” programs where the children are provided with food when they attend school. Their education will help them to escape from hunger and global poverty.

source: www.poverty.com/

ADMIRATION

Admiration

If you have the need for admiration, you may have fallen in love with your spouse partly because of his or her compliments to you. Some people just love to be told that they are appreciated. Your spouse may also have been careful not to criticize you because criticism may hurt you deeply if you have this need.
Many of us have a deep desire to be respected, valued and appreciated by our spouse. We need to be affirmed clearly and often. There's nothing wrong with feeling that

Learn to meet the need of Admiration

way. Even God wants us to appreciate Him.
Admiration is one of the easiest needs to meet. Just a word of appreciation, and presto, you've made someone's day. On the other hand, it's also easy to be critical. A trivial word of rebuke can set some people on their heels, ruining their day and withdrawing love units at an alarming rate.
Your spouse may have the power to build up or deplete his or her account in your Love Bank with just a few words of admiration or criticism. If you are affected that easily, be sure to add admiration to your list of important emotional needs.

source: http://www.marriagebuilders.com/graphic/mbi3350_ad.html

How to identify bad friends.

There are the types of friends that are messy. They like to engage in gossip and bring your name into the conversation without your authorization. This might be because they want to make you look bad or to cover themselves.


Steps:

1

Assets. They will also use you because you have assets like a car, your own apartment/home, make lots of money, have vacation property, to get close to your boyfriend or brother. They will eat up your house and home and even use your beauty products. But when you confront them, they become angry. They disrespect you and your belongings. You may also notice borrowing become an issue. They borrow money and never pay you back. Borrow your clothes, property, and never give it. Return it damaged. Let other people use/wear your belongings. They may also ask for a favor but can never return a favor.

2

"It's all about me" type of friends. They always talk about themselves. Also, they could care a less about you... your day, how you're feeling, etc. You may also notice that they brag a lot. Whether it be about themselves, materialistic possessions, boyfriend, getting married, or a vacation, they always find something to make them sound better than you. Seems to always have an opinion about everything. An opinion is a person's ideas and thoughts towards something. It is an assessment, judgment or evaluation of something. An egocentric person has no theory of mind, cannot "put himself in other people's shoes," and believes everyone sees what he sees (or that what he sees in some way exceeds what others see. It appears that this is shown mostly in younger children. They are unable to separate their own beliefs, thoughts and ideas from others.

3

Poor me. Always come to you when they have problems for advice, but when you need to vent or advice they're very short with you. So not fair when you don't mind spending two hours plus to cool them down; instead for you it's like five minutes. You're not a therapist. They may also stay mad at you when you two are in a fight. This is because they can only see their point of view.

4

Clingy. Can't share you with other people. When they do see you with other people, they're jealous because they want you all to themselves. Can't include you to see a movie with their boyfriend/girlfriend. Spends lots of time with them, and when their other half is busy they want you all the time. They will ditch you for them if they come around.

5

Fake. Smiles in your face, but when around other people, make you feel small by continuously putting you down verbally. They may also do things such as drugs and deny it. They might promise to call you back, but never do. Always keeps you waiting. Always make excuses as to why they didn't call you.

6

Never acknowledges your ethnicity/culture. Considers you something else, and think it's alright to insult you heritage by using derogatory slang words around you knowing it offends you. Doesn't accept you for you for all that you are.

7

Spies. These people are not your true friends. They are like assets and they maybe working for someone else to find about you. They may do this because they are jealous, if they want to teach you a lesson or if they want to get close to your boyfriend or brother. They are not really interested in you. You might notice that these people always need to know everything. For example, you may be talking to another friend about a secret and she/he wants to know what you're talking about. They often try to overhear conversations between you and other people. They often lie. They may lie their name, age etc from you. Be careful from them. They may soon blackmail or bully you. They may eat up your things. If they bully you never be shy to tell an elder. So try to dump this friend as soon as you find out that they are poisonous.

8

Ignores You. When you are hanging out with them and other friends of yours, they are always talking to you and start socializing with your friends. However, when you are hanging out with them and their friends, they absolutely ignore you and forget to introduce you to their friends. Every time you try to spark up a conversation he/she ignores you and continues to talk to their friend.

Tips

Don't set too many expectations and rules. That's just trapping others in your dimension.

Allowing your friendship to evolve and change naturally is really best - it allows your friend to be as unique and individual as you are, and for both of you to enjoy one another in that light.

If someone is in any difficulty and he/she's behave very hurtful to you, then don't be angry and try to understand their problems.

Warnings

Be prepared to have the strength to walk away from the friendship, if fair agreements cannot be met. A friend that bullies is not a friend. A true friend is willing to acknowledge the issue, and carry their weight in repairing the issue.

Hope you realize if someone is being rude or mean to you, you should first try to ignore them. If something more serious is happening like she's telling secrets about you that's when you should tell an adult.

source: http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Bad-Friends

Are your FRIENDS really FRIEND???

Are your friends really your friends? Are they supporting and enhancing your life or are they teaching you to think and behave in darker ways that you never thought you would? The company you keep is so important. They will change you in more ways than you know.
I have been wanting to write about this topic for a long time as it is something that affects each and every one of us. And, it is something that becomes more obvious the older I get. I really hope all of you reading this will leave a comment and tell me your thoughts on this matter as I would love to know what you think.

Why your friends are important

We all know that friends are important in our lives. They keep you company when you are bored and they love you when you are sick or sad. But this isn’t what I am talking about. I am talking about the fact that your friends are (other than your parents) the most influential people in your life. You spend hours upon hours with these people and after a while you start to mimic their behavior. Your friends change you.
Take a look at the quote at the start of this article. It is a very important quote to understand. If you go off to a mountain retreat and live with monks and yogis you will find that your behavior and outlook will naturally start to become very peaceful. If you go to Wall Street and hang out with cocaine sniffing wealthy executives you will find that you naturally become more greedy and competitive. The people you hang out with change who you are. Because, as humans, we take in information from the world around us and, more importantly, we try to fit in to that world around us.
Your friends are important. They play a big role in how you see and interact with the world. Your future is largely dependent on their influence. So, are your friends really friends?

Signs your friends aren’t really friends

Now I want to go over a few signs that might indicate that your friends aren’t really your friends. I hope you will read over them and let me know if you can think of any others.
1. You have to be someone else around them
If you feel like you have to be someone other than your normal self around your friends then chances are they aren’t your real friends. We all know this feeling. You go out with these people but you feel like you need to dress or talk differently in order to fit in.
These people aren’t your friends. These people are tools you are using to try and be more popular. And this type of pursuit won’t get you anywhere at all. Next time you meet up with a “friend” take a look at your own mind and behavior and see if you are falling into this trap.
2. You gossip more
Gossip is a terrible thing. It hurts other people and it makes you feel bad about yourself in the long run. One sure sign that your friends aren’t really your friends is when you find that you gossip more around them.
In the new movie Doubt with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep there is a wonderful scene where the local Priest (played by Hoffman) gives a stirring sermon about gossip. The wonderful acting by Hoffman made this an extremely moving section of the movie – so powerful that I wanted to share it with you. Here is the transcript:

A woman was gossiping with a friend about a man she hardly knew – I know none of you have ever done this – that night she had a dream. A great hand appeared over her and pointed down at her. She was immediately seized with an overwhelming sense of guilt. The next day she went to confession. She got the old parish priest, Father O’Rourke, and she told him the whole thing.
‘Is gossiping a sin?’ she asked the old man. ‘Was that the hand of God Almighty pointing a finger at me? Should I be asking your absolution? Father, tell me, have I done something wrong?’
‘Yes!’ Father O’Rourke answered her. ‘Yes, you ignorant, badly broughtup female! You have borne false witness against your neighbor, you have played fast and loose with his reputation, and you should be heartily ashamed!’
So the woman said she was sorry and asked for forgiveness.
‘Not so fast!’ says O’Rourke. ‘I want you to go home, take a pillow up on your roof, cut it open with a knife, and return here to me!’
So the woman went home, took a pillow off her bed, a knife from the drawer, went up the fire escape to the roof, and stabbed the pillow. Then she went back to the old parish priest as instructed.
‘Did you gut the pillow with the knife?’ he says.
‘Yes, Father.’
‘And what was the result?’
‘Feathers,’ she said.
‘Feathers?’ he repeated.
‘Feathers everywhere, Father!’
‘Now I want you to go back and gather up every last feather that flew out on the wind!’
‘Well,’ she said, ‘it can’t be done. I don’t know where they went. The wind took them all over.’
‘And that,’ said Father O’Rourke, ‘is GOSSIP!’
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen.

Gossip is, unfortunately, the product of many bad friendships. Often times we meet with people and, after running out of things to talk about, we start talking about the mistakes that other people have made. If you’re friends are making you gossip more it might be time to switch company.
3. You’re moving further away from your goals
Everyone has goals that they want to achieve. Some people want to buy a nice big house, other people want to travel and some of us want a good career. Whatever your goal in life is it should be supported by your friends. They should help you get closer and closer to this goal.
I went to school with some really motivated people. They knew what they wanted to do in life (doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc.) and they knew how they were going to do it. But around senior year a lot of these friends met with bad company that lead them astray. They started drinking a lot, taking drugs and skipping school. By the time exams came around they were so far behind that there was no chance they were going to get into the college degree of their choice.
This is a really sad example of how bad friends can change your future. The very act of hanging around with the wrong people can cause you to lose track and lose your way. If your friends are taking you further away from your goals then you really need to take a look in the mirror and ask yourself if they are the best thing for you.
4. You don’t notice any positive qualities growing
One thing that you will find happens quite naturally when you hang out with good friends is that your positive qualities will grow and flourish. If you find that no new positive qualities are developing and, in fact, you are developing some negative traits then it is time to be worried.

As an example I have an old yogi friend who has spent many years in meditation retreats. Whenever I hang out with this guy I find myself becoming more loving and patient and relaxed. On the other hand, I have some friends who leave me feeling more anxious, agitated and angry at the world. There is a big difference.
Friends should bring out the best in you. They should help you to reach new heights, not bring you down to their problems. Take a look at how you feel during and after meeting your acquaintances and see what is going on with you.

But I can’t just give up on my friends!

With all this talk about leaving bad friends and finding better company you are probably having the natural reaction of not wanting to give up on your friends. Good. That is normal. It shows you have a heart. The task is to discover inside your own mind whether or not this is the best solution. And it is something that only you can ascertain.
For example, if you can stay friends with a bad influence because you feel like their example doesn’t rub off on you and, in fact, you are benefiting the person by being their friend then by all means you should stay their friend. But, on the other hand, if you are finding that this person is bringing you down and you really aren’t getting anything from the relationship then you might need to make the tough decision to see them less often.
Only you can decide what is the best thing to do. You know your own mind and behavior better than anyone else so if you can see changes going on for the worse you need to take action. Nobody else can take it for you.

Conclusion

The company you keep is important. They influence you for both the better and the worse. Take a look at your five closest friends and see if they are good for you. Because those five people are your biggest influences. You will surely begin to emulate them in one way or another.