Regalong Pang-New Year

      Wishing something for yourself does not come with a tag price. Since it is free, our minds enjoy the liberty to think of something that we want for ourselves. I asked my friends, colleagues, followers of this blog, and former students as to what they want for themselves for the coming new year. I emphasized though, that it has to be something material or tangible. As such, it must be something that will delight our senses. Forget about world peace for a while, unless you are a mericlone of Ms. Shamcey Supsup. “Hope and peace” said a respondent. I immediately texted her “hindi ka naman sasali sa Miss Universe.”

        Majority of my respondents texted me back immediately. It only shows that they are really eyeing something and are dead set on getting it. For the others, it took them some while to respond to my query. Maybe they really thought hard about it. Or maybe they cannot decide immediately since they have a mile-long list of what they want for themselves. “Dami ko kasi gusto e,” a respondent said. As we dwell on things that we want for the coming year, let us not forget to include in our intentions all the families displaced by a recent typhoon, that they will be able to rebuild their lives soon. Happy New Year!

"Ang material na bagay na gusto ko this new year ay novels ni Sydney Sheldon or ni Robin Cook. Puwede din kay Paulo Coelho. Why? Kasi nakakarelax magbasa ng mga ganun."

-Ana Rebecca Ensomo, BS MedTech

Kaya pala madaling araw ka na magtext. Mornyt! - JTFS

Funny Pick-Up Lines (original)

Sana gabi na…….

Kasi you already made my day.

(lupet! hilahin mo nga ang buwan.)

Ayoko na mag-aral…….

Kasi, aanhin ko pa ang karunungan, kung ikaw naman na ang laman
ng utak ko.

(B.S. Pagmamahal, cum laude)

Oscar Michael G. Tetangco: 2011 Board 8th Placer

        World Citi Colleges (Quezon City) congratulates Mr. Oscar Michael G. Tetangco for not only passing the Radiologic Technology Licensure exam last November, but also for placing a magnificent eigth over-all. We are proud of you Oscar! Congratulations also to Maraya Arriane N. Sabariza and Mark Lawrence A. Tabogadir for passing the board too. This accounts for a one hundred percent passing rate for WCC, as always.

        Here is one trivia. Oscar and company nearly missed the deadline for filing their application to take the board exam at PRC due to some problems with their transcript. But God is good, since my office was able to fix those, just in the nick of time.

  

Here are eight questions for an eighth placer:

1. On why he chose Radtech.......

When I was in my senior year in high school my Mom asked me what course do I want to take. Of course I wanted to be a director and the closest to it is to take mutimedia arts and sciences, but it’s not as easy as it looks like, with all those sleepless nights of conceptualizing, etc. It made me realize that maybe it’s not for me, so this time I sought my mother’s advice and she told me to choose among nursing, medtech and radtech. I then found out that radtech has similarities with photography so I took it out of curiosity and not thinking what will I become after haha!

Do You Believe in GHOSTS?

Anvil Publishing Inc., 2011

        Do you believe in spiritual beings (ghosts)? If this question will be thrown back at me, then my answer will be a resounding YES. This is not to say though, that I have had encounters with “them”. I don’t want to in the first place! I personally believe that we share this world with spiritual beings, most especially those that are still earth bound, or are still attached to the physical plane (am I sounding like a psychic here?).

        Last December 12, on the occasion of my Dad’s first death anniversary, I bought a book at National Bookstore entitled Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Ghosts (but were afraid to ask) penned by the leading paranormal authority in our country, Mr. Jaime T. Licauco. Coincidence? I really don’t know. I simply chanced upon this book at the aforesaid book store and thought of buying it. I am in fact a fan of Mr. Licauco because he talks about paranormal phenomena with immense knowledge and eloquence. What further fuels this is that I marvel at stories about the supernatural.

        I am done with the book and so I want to share with you some very interesting facts about ghosts that I learned from Mr. Licauco’s book, which I am sure you people out there are also inclined to know. Here they are, in my own words (majority):

For KC and Rhian : MOVE ON

KC Concepcion and Rhian Ramos

        
        Moving on…….is another sentimental subject matter, just like the many others that I have poured my thoughts on. Easier said than done you might argue. Yes that is true, but do we have a choice? We usually say this to ourselves and to others after a heart wrenching break-up with a significant other. Or should I say insignificant? What do you do after this most feared stage in a relationship? Your guess is as good as mine:

A L O N E.......

         Last weekend, the guest priest in our parish mentioned during his sermon something that awakened my hibernating philosophical cells – BEING ALONE IS A MARK OF HUMAN EXISTENCE. I was intrigued by this, which kept me wide-eyed and awake the entire mass. Sadly though, the priest was not really able to elaborate on his intriguing statement, for his sermon made many side trips that even included the road to KC-Piolo saga. Well I think there is a connection, since both KC and Piolo are “alone” now. On a positive note, the aforesaid statement gave me something to write about. Hence, this second blog entry for December.

Pleasure, According to Bianca Gonzalez and Mikael Daez

         

"PLEASURE IS THE OBJECT, DUTY & THE GOAL OF ALL RATIONAL CREATURES." - Voltaire

   

      
What gives you pleasure?

        Every sentient being, which includes man of course, has the capacity to feel pleasure and pain. Between the two, it cannot be argued that the former is more preferable. Yes, we are pleasure seekers, and who isn’t?  Sadly though, our senses are not selective, in a way that it is beyond our capacity to choose which kind of sensation to feel. In other words, our ability to feel does not exempt us from experiencing pain.  As sentient beings, we should experience all kinds of sensations, and unfortunately, that includes pain.

Bianca Gonzalez

        

        Not many people have an intimation that pleasure is actually a moral norm, and this idea dates back to the time of the early Greeks. As a moral norm, any action that gives pleasure, therefore, is good (Hedonism). But what I find pleasurable does not necessarily mean that it is the same for others. Hence, this makes the concept of pleasure a highly subjective one. So you find pleasure in puffing a cigarette? Well, not my cup of tea.  I asked model and host Bianca Gonzales as to what gives her pleasure: 

“What gives me pleasure is knowing at the end of the day that I made the most out of it, that at work I got to use my talents/knowledge fully, but then I make sure I also make time for family and friends. There has to be a balance. Traveling gives me great pleasure too. So do Mcdo float and fries.”

     


        Bianca’s answer gives us a variety of insights on what pleasure is. First, it could mean fulfillment-got to use my talents/knowledge fully. Second, it could mean passion for something-traveling. And lastly, it could simply mean something that delights our taste buds-Mcdo float and fries. I also asked model and actor Mikael Daez the same question:

“In terms of pleasure being any stimulus that feels gratifying or gives me "good vibes," then my natural high would probably come from driving. As I grew up, my fascination for cars steadily intensified. Eventually, when I finally learned how to drive, I am sure that it is something I would continually enjoy. The sense of speed, excitement and the rush of adrenaline are always pleasurable for me. Another activity that I find pleasure in doing is playing ball. Basketball is my first love and I will forever hold it to that title. Like driving, the rush that I get from being on the court, playing with different people and developing my game is, for me, pleasurable.”

Mikael Daez

        The pleasure that Mikael derives from his passions-driving and basketball, could also be construed as a form of fulfillment. Hence, from the brands of pleasure of these two celebrities, we can surmise that pleasure transcends the senses, for it could also be defined as a form of fulfillment. Pleasure is not merely physical satisfaction. If there is pleasure, could pain be far behind? Mikael’s answer, if you will read in between the lines, seems to incorporate an amount of “pain.” I am sure that he has experienced a few mishaps in driving and playing basketball. But I am more than certain that his passion for them did not waiver despite those (mishaps). The element of pain, I believe, further intensifies pleasure. As the saying goes, no pain, no gain. 

         Every individual has his or her own brand of pleasure. There are even those who derive pleasure from pain like getting a tattoo for example. Pleasure is either tangible, like getting a massage or eating one’s favorite food (yes, like Bianca’s Mcdo goodies), or intangible, like the fulfillment we get from indulging in our endeavors or favorite activities (yes, like the highs that Mikael obtains from driving). Pleasure could also be long-term, such as being proud of our achievements in life, or short-term or fleeting, like the immediate gratification we derive from finishing a meal, for you will be hungry again after a few hours, right?



        Life is too short, and we only have one life to live. So go ahead, do what gives you pleasure. As what the philosopher Voltaire said, pleasure is the object, duty and the goal of all rational creatures.

Postcript:

Thank you Bianca and Mikael! It was a pleasure to have worked with you both in creating this blog entry. God bless.                                                                                     - JTFS

On Getting Old.......

        When I was younger, I used to shun the idea of getting old. I simply thought that it will be far from happening, since time moves slowly. But after more than three decades of existence, I realized that time has flown past me, without me knowing it as I have been very busy all these years. Oh how time flies! I am not that young anymore. I would tell my students though, that age is just a number. Am I just trying to shield myself from the unforgiving thought that I am on my way there, to getting old?

What Manny Pacquiao Can Learn from Steffi Graf.......

Manny Pacquiao and Steffi Graf

Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya

        I am quite of a boxing a fanatic, but only if it’s Manny Pacquiao inside the ring. Other than him, boxing is alien to me. Thus, I give the credit to him, for making me fully aware of the aforementioned sport. I am drawn to his boxing matches, specifically because he is a fellow Filipino representing not just himself, but the entire Philippinedom. I have “watched” almost all of his boxing matches, most especially the famous ones where he defeated Oscar dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and just very recently, Juan Manuel Marquez. I am also drawn to all the drama and hype that surround the Pambansang Kamao pertaining to his wife and mother (the queen and princess of the House of Hermes), showbiz goings-on, and political career.

Pacquiao vs. Marquez

        Last Sunday, November 13, the world stood still for us Filipinos, as we await who between our very own Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico will emerge victorious in Las Vegas. As always, Manny came into view as the winner after twelve grueling rounds, but some of our kababayans were utterly dismayed with his performance. What the hell did they want? Two boxing experts made pronouncements immediately after the match that it was a lackluster performance by Manny, and that Marquez deserved the title more than the former. I also heard that some of those who watched the match at public venues were disappointed, to the extent of having to leave the venue during the later the stages of the match when Manny was perceived to be “losing” it to the Mexican. How dare you abandon Manny! A genuine fan is one who is fastened to his or her idol, come hell or high water. Correct?

Congressman Pacquiao

        Lackluster performance or otherwise, I think the most important thing is that he won, period. It may not be the kind of victory that most of us wanted, but nonetheless, it was still a victory. A common observation is that it was a close fight. Yes, I could not agree with that more. Finally, Pacquiao has met his match in the person of Marquez, and that Marquez reads him like a book according to what one boxing expert mentioned. The question still is why are some Filipinos disappointed? Is it because Manny did not go for the kill? Well how primitive can you be? Is it because the match lasted for twelve rounds? Is Manny Superman? He is not, may I remind you. What I admire most about our Pacquiao is his capability to win a fight, despite all the distractions, if they could be called as such, along his fringes. His plate is full of things to do: his political career as Congressman, showbiz activities, product endorsements, and domestic issues to boot. His win over Marquez, therefore, is no mean feat considering the many things that he has to attend to, inside and outside the ring. And lastly, can we not just respect the decision of the judges? They know better than us, and had a better view of the fight. Let us not judge Manny's career solely in terms of  his recent bout with Marquez. Where is our sense of history? Have we deleted from our memory his past victories? It is very disheartening to digest the fact that we Filipinos are the first ones to criticize Manny, who is our co-Filipino.

Ali is afflicted with Parkinson's disease

        But some good things never last. I personally and honestly believe that Manny should leave the sport while he is still on top, quit while he is still ahead of the race. Forget about Mayweather since there are too many obstacles to forge a match between them. It’s like asking for the moon, unless money comes into play. Manny has already achieved so much in terms of fame and fortune, and has already brought honor and glory to our country a number of times. So enough, Manny. You have nothing else to prove. All the injuries and blows that you had will hopefully, not took their toll on you later. We all know what happened to the great Muhammad Ali.  

S T E F F I   G R A F : Fraulein Forehand

        Talking of retiring from a sport reminds me very much of my favorite tennis player, Steffi Graf of Germany. She is hailed as the greatest female tennis player of all time, having won the holy grails of tennis at least four times: four Australian Opens (hard court), six French Opens (clay), seven Wimbledons (grass), and five US Opens (Deco Turf). She also excelled in the Olympics, having won the gold in 1988 (Seoul) and silver in 1994 (Barcelona). In terms of ranking, she was number one in the world for a record of 377 weeks, which remains unchallenged up to this day whether by any male or female tennis player. She retired in 1999, after winning the French Open and reaching the final at Wimbledon. She quit while still on top, as the world number three. What is most special about Graf's retirement is that she did it in her own terms. Just read in between the lines, and you will know what Manny Pacquiao can learn from my dear Steffi, on how she bid the tennis courts goodbye, and hung up her racket for good.

S T E F F I   G R AF : famous backhand slice and serve

        So, should Manny retire from boxing and call it a day?

"I think most Filipinos and myself always want to remember him as a champion, who did not lose a match to anybody. After his fight today, I think he should retire."
- Omid Irankhah (WCC RadTech student, businessman, jet setter)

"In my opinion, Pacquiao should continue his boxing career not because of his winning streak, but I believe God has blessed him with incredible talent which can influence and inspire other people."
 - Oscar Tetangco (WCC graduate, registered Radiologic Technologist, 
8th Placer - 2011 November RT Licensure Exam) 

"No, I don't think he should retire until he fight Mayweather, or it will be a big question mark in boxing history. If he retires, only maybe after Floyd so that Mayweather won't have any excuse ever on why they never fought." 

- Kyle Castillo (WCC Nursing student, skateboarding-dance-boxing-food-movies enthusiast)

"I think so. Fifty plus fights for any fighter is too much impact and stress for the brain and body. With all that weight cutting and gaining, and blows received from opponents. But I would still love to see a Pacman-Mayweather match. Though we all know it probably won't happen. But still......." 

- Hermann Weber (WCC Nursing graduate, registered nurse, model) 

with ROB GIER of PHL Azkals

"Yes, I think he should retire because he doesn't have to prove anything. He has nothing to lose and nothing to gain anymore. If he will engage in another fight, what will he gain from it? He already has fame and fortune." 
- Irish Planes (member, UP Pep Squad/Cheerdance, Speech Communication major)



       

with MANNY PACQUIAO

"I think Pacman should retire now. First, for health reasons. Second, he has nothing else to prove. Third, he should retire while still on top. Fourth, he already has millions." 
- Archie Zapanta (WCC Nursing graduate, registered nurse, former DJ - Pinoy Radio DM 95.5, radio anchor - Radyo Singko 92.3 news FM)

Abby for Ms. CCW Environment Philippines!

        Abby is one of my children at the College of Arts and Sciences, along with Rica, Yeye, Eura, and Fatima, when I used to head the department. I also served as their academic adviser for several semesters, since their freshmen year at WCC.

Do you believe in SOULMATE ?

           

      The subject matter of soulmate is awfully captivating, most especially for sentimental folks out there. Even the great Greek Philosopher Plato was not spared from the appeal of this topic. Does it exist? Is there such a phenomenon? I have heard quite a number of individuals who have spoken about it with immense fascination. I myself raised this issue at a certain point in my life. Is there really a soulmate? What is a soulmate to begin with?

Some Rhymes

Si Andy

Jess: Sir Tristan, paano processing natin ng ID?
Tristan: Tanongin po natin si Ma'am Precie. Ma'am Prec!
Prec: Yes po!
Tristan: Paano processing natin ng ID?
Prec: Si coach Andy? Athletics Coordinator natin siya. 
           M-W-F siya andito.
Tristan: Ha? ID ang tinatanong ko!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Si Janilyn

Prec: Kain tayo sa Danny-Licious! Masarap barbecue dun!
           Tara Ma'am Hidalgo kain tayo dun.
Tristan: Saan ba 'yan?
Prec: Diyan lang sa Project 4.
Tristan: Ano ba meron dun sa Danny-Licious?
Prec: Ang sarap ng barbecue dun!
Del: Janilyn Shoes? Bakit may barbecue na ba dun?
Tristan: Danny-Licious Ma'am!