The richness of Cebu

I went to Cebu last April because I want to experience the city's rich culture. The flight was just more than an hour and I arrived at the Cebu Airport. I stayed at the Orchard hotel and it was a really good place to stay in. It is near SM Cebu and the Ayala Center.

I was able to see Magellan's Cross, Santo Nino Basilica, Taoist Temple and Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. I really fell in love with the place. It was such a place with a very rich heritage. Too bad I only stayed there for 3 days but I will surely go back for more.

The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is very beautiful specially at night. There are lots of lights and the design of this infrastructure is a baroque style.The Taoist Temple is also a wonderful sight. It's rich Chinese heritage makes it even more appealing. Silence is always observed here and when you enter the temple, you have to pray and you can ask yes/no questions and you will be answered by the kidney stones. First you have to pray to ask approval from Buddha if you can ask a question and then you'll throw the kidney stone for the answer. If yes, you can go ahead and ask as many questions as you like but if no, you will be asked to try again later. I was fortunate enough to be allowed by Buddha to ask questions. As to what my questions were, it will remain a secret.

The Magellan's Cross - as they say, it symbolizes the beginning of Christianity here in the Philippines. When you go there, you will be approached by candle sellers and they will ask you to buy candles and pray for your loved ones. They will even do the prayer dance.

These are just some of the places I've seen and pictures that I took which I will forever treasure. I will really recommend Cebu to those who wants to travel to a place where you can be assured of pure fun and contentment.

Love

As the song goes "we often fool ourselves and say that it's love only 'coz when it's done we end up being lonely." Yes, love and pain goes hand in hand. For me, we can never really know what love is without experiencing pain. So, why do we still love when we know we'd be left alone in the end? That's the magic of love. We just give without expecting anything in return. We are happy when we see the one we love happy, even if it means hurting us. No one can really understand why we let ourselves drown in the depths of love even when it may make us cry.

I love you goodbye. A very brave yet painful phrase. Yet, it just means that we wish the one we love happiness. I really don't know if I should be happy or sad, one thing is for sure, loneliness is not a curse. It just means that we loved too much that we chose to be lonely that let the one we love miserable with us.

Film Making

A new breed of courses is now being offered to incoming college students. Students are now not limited to taking the usual profession of their parents such as becoming doctors, lawyers, engineers and the likes. There are now lots of courses being offered that also promotes self-expression and creativity. One of these new popular courses is Film Making.

In the Philippines, Film making as a course was first introduced at the University of the Philippines, Diliman in 1984 as a Bachelor in Arts degree program called Film and Audio-Visual Communication. And now, 26 years after, this course is being offered nationwide. Some of the film schools that have emerged in the Philippines aside from the UP Film Institute are Asian Pacific Film Institute and The International Academy of Film and Television. Top universities such as The Ateneo University, Miriam College and College of St. Benilde now also offer film making under their Multi-Media Arts course.

This course is becoming popular because of its great money making potential and because it gives the film maker an outlet to express oneself. Big film companies such as Star Cinema earn as much as half a billion per year from the movies it produces. While smaller independent film companies also earn through international recognition and awards. Also in a world that shouts individualism and self-expression, filmmakers are able to convey messages through their story and visual imagery in films.

Film making in the strictest sense is capturing images through a film stock. A film stock is celluloid which is sensitive to light and is able to captures images. A moving film usually needs 24 images per second to produce a smooth moving action. Film makers now can also use digital video cameras to produce films. Digital film making is more budget friendly especially to budding film makers.

There are different genres in making a film. This means that a film maker can tell his or her story in different treatments. Narrative story telling is the most common way of storytelling in mainstream movies. This is where the fictional characters deal with a conflict and a resolution is given in the end of the story. Documentary storytelling however is reality based. The film maker shoots the events in the life of a certain subject, wherein he has no control of the story. After compiling all his materials, it is only then that the film maker can write his or her script depending on the materials that he has gathered. Experimental film making, on the other hand, has no rules unlike narrative and documentary film making. No structure in story telling is needed. Shooting in video a burning tree and attaching scary music in it in editing can already be called an experimental film.

Those who want to be film makers should keep in mind that film making is an art and a venue for self-expression more than a means to earn big money. Once a film maker puts heart in his or her film, the success of the film will surely follow.

Cats

Adorable, sweet and playful. Cats have long been domestic companions of humans. Four thousand years ago, during the Ancient Egyptian period, these feline creatures were treated as gods and goddesses, worshipped up to the point of being mummified before being buried. Killing a cat was then equivalent to the death penalty for the perpetrator. This is how important cats were during that time. And in the 18th century cats were introduced as household pets worldwide.

Having a cat as a pet is a rewarding experience. These creatures are entertaining, loyal and affectionate companions. They are more independent and do not need as much attention as dogs do. And because they live indoors, they are not required to be taken out for walks which make them ideal pets for city dwellers. They are also neat animals who frequently clean themselves and have an instinct to cover their feces. They are also fed relatively smaller amounts than dogs which is ideal for pet owners on a budget.

In choosing a cat, one must asses the pros and cons of owning either a male or female cat. Female cats are more obedient, affectionate and playful than male cats. However, they can reproduce fast if you let your female cat go outside of the house. Male cats, on the other hand are larger, assertive and more territorial. Because of his territorial instinct, a male cat would probably spray its urine in his master’s furniture to mark its territory, which would smell. And if your male cat is not neutered, it will usually stray outside the house.

Also choosing a kitten over an old cat to bring home has its advantages and disadvantages. A kitten would need more attention including medical vaccines to ensure that it is healthy. However, it is easier to train than an old cat that already has its own ways.

Taking care of a pet cat is a major responsibility that its owner has to perform all through out the cat’s lifetime. A cat owner should have the discipline to feed, play and groom their cat regularly. In feeding a cat, the owner should establish a specific feeding time each day. Kittens should be fed 4-6 times daily, while older cats should be fed only once or twice a day. By establishing a specific feeding time, the cat will be able to establish a routine which is beneficial to both the owner and the cat. The owner should also teach their cats litter training to avoid unwanted odor inside the house. One should make sure to line the litter box with newspaper before filling the litter. Proper grooming of a cat is also essential to the cat’s health. One should learn how to clean its eyes and ears and cut its nails regularly. A cat also loves to be brushed with a comb and there are times that it also needs to be bathed.

Having a cat is not a walk in the park. But being able to have a loyal and sweet companion to play with is worth all the attention and care that an owner gives to it. It can bring a lifetime of comfort and joy to its owner.

The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner, based on the book of Khaled Hosseini, was considered the first English novel that has been written by an Afghan writer. The film has successfully pictured a story of relationships: family relationship and friendship tainted with feelings of guilt, hatred and forgiveness. The twist of the story has been formed through the manifestation of the impacts of the transformation both in the social and political environment of the casts (“The Kite Runner Study Guide”).
The plot or story line of the story has created a unique & beautiful twist that has produced a magnificent climax. The settings: occupation located in Soviet, Fremont (an Afghan community), California and in Afghanistan, have conveyed and put the viewers’ heart in making them feels the sense of realism or genuineness and goes through the emotions that the casts wanted to convey. The script has seemed to be a product of observation from the existing situations in the country from its experiences, transformations and was written from the heart. It has lift the idea on international relations and many other lessons that would be always remembered through the ages. The casts have done and played a vital part of the movie. They have successfully portrayed their character. The director, and the rest of the team has put extraordinary effort in making an outstanding movie that will always be remembered because of its’ universal and unique quality that has been achieved even without special effects or fantasies.
This movie with themes of “identity, loyalty, courage and deception” (“The Kite Runner Study Guide”), has revolved in the life of the main protagonist, Amir who has been raised in Kabul Afghanistan and the only child of a merchant who has high status in the society. Truly, that the film has leaved numerous lessons learned: on intrapersonal and interpersonal relations, political and social environment, and international relations. But the writer has focused on how the film has depicted international relations. Based from observations, establishing international relations among countries is not easy and has required complex and legal processes. In the film, it has pictured two faces of international relations: positive and negative. Negative international relationship happens when two countries could not meet and settle between the common good. These would result to wars and misunderstandings. This is manifested with the relationship between Russia and Afghanistan. ON the other hand positive international relationship has been manifested with the scene the Amir has to go to United States to get a college degree. But, in a holistic approach, it could be concluded that the impact of international relations has direct and indirect impacts to the people and the country.
Intrapersonal relations were manifested in the battle of Amir towards its relationship on its self with these stressful situation and experiences in his childhood days. His struggles with its personal self were products of its childhood experiences and the adjustments of his new life brought up with the changes and conflicts of his political and social environment. However, it has been clearly manifested in the movie that the title of the movie would mean that no matter how successful a person could fly high and reach his dreams, he or she could never be departed with its origins or history. Interpersonal relationship has been manifested with his relationship with his childhood friend whom he betrayed, his relationship with his father and to the society was he lived in.
Therefore, the movie has clearly shown that a man could not be separated with his environment, origin and experiences in life. Changes in the political and social environment brought by international relations have direct and indirect impact to the lives of the people. The impact could have been traced on the personal well – being, personality, attitudes and behavior of the people.

Movie Analysis of Slumdog Millionaire

The film is a picture of life, a story that embodies almost all the aspect of reality, which can be happening or had happened or will happen to different walks of life. It has successfully expressed the value of love, hatred, risk, brotherhood, struggle, success, survival, poverty, possibilities, and many more. Thus, it has combined both brighter and darker side of life that leaved wonderful lessons and nurtures the viewer’s understanding of their existence. The polarity of the movie adds up the excitement that stimulates the thoughts and feelings of the viewers.
The story line or plot of the story created a beautiful & unique twist producing a magnificent climax. The setting has conveyed and put the viewers’ heart in sympathy and empathy, making them feels the sense of realism and goes through the emotions that the casts wanted to convey. The script seemed to be a product of observation from the existing situations in the country and was written from the heart. It made India known to the whole world because of the distinctive way of presenting the Indian culture. The casts have done and played a vital part of the movie. They have successfully portrayed their character. The director, and the rest of the team has put extraordinary effort in making an outstanding movie that will always be remembered because of its’ universal and unique quality that has been achieved even without special effects or fantasies. This can be the reason why it won prestigious awards.
This touching, encouraging, exciting and meaningful movie has proved that every individual has the capacity to ascend from their existing conditions. Just like Jamal Makil, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who has experienced the biggest day of his life winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India's "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" (qtd. in IMDb). From rags to riches, he was able to rise and survive the complexities and difficulties of life through an incredible intelligence he earned from the painful experiences he had. He has been accused of fraud or cheating because they wouldn’t believe that someone like him who was uneducated was able to answer all the questions that have been asked.
Fascinating component of the film has let viewers realize the importance of experience, love, brotherhood and survival/ perseverance. Jamal and Salim Makil are brothers who have been together and partners in life. They both have experienced being a beggar, maltreated, starvation and many more. They both have seen things and circumstances that should not be seen and experience by children at their age. From being irreconcilable at times, they learned to help each other since orphaned. Unfortunately they parted ways because Salim has been blinded by money. He thought that money would be his everything and escape rote against starvation and poverty but in the end he realizes that money can’t place his brother. Just like the old ways, he saved again his brother’s life by saving the only women whom his brother loved even in exchange of his life. In real life, most often people are being blinded by money. Their desire for wealth oftentimes destroys their family or friend relationship unconsciously.
For many people, game shows and other lottery games with excellent prices has been their hope of good fortune. But for Jamal, a chaiwala (assistant), joining the game isn’t for winning millions. His very intention of joining the game was the hope that Latika would be watching and win the loved of his life. It is very surprising how Jamal has loved Latika unconditionally. He has never give up for his love and through it he became an instant millionaire.
Slumdog Millionaire, an award winning movie, has captivated the heart of many viewers because of its meaning and lessons. It has shown the value of love, experiences, survival, and many more. It has inspired people to never give up and be strong to whatever situations in life.

Is Poverty included in human rights?

Human rights by definition would mean giving virtue or value of human life trough its existence. The rights include all the basic necessities of life. Poverty on the other hand refers to the insufficiency of enough income and resources that would help a person live within the community standards. With this, it could be claimed that Poverty is included in human rights since both concerns the value of life and existence. To further support this argument, in-depth discussion on the components of human rights and impacts of poverty in connection with the human rights.
Individuals globally without discrimination equally inherit Human Rights regardless of nationality and any status in life. These rights have been considered interdependent, interrelated and indivisible under the provisions of the International Human Rights Law. Interdependent and indivisible rights would signify that both the political and civil rights of all humans such as the right to life are mutually dependent, inseparable and are interconnected (“United Nations Human Rights”, 2010). This signifies that every individual of any race, culture and demographic profile is equally entitled with inherited human rights.
But the question lies on how could equality of human rights be achieved in a world that way back the previous decades and history has worst state of inequalities in power and resources between states? The inequality of distribution of wealth and resources among states and individuals was one of the major causes of poverty (Thomas, 2004).
Thomas Pogge (2005) in a symposium has identified primary challenges that could bridge between the equality of human rights and the issues of poverty . These include the following: actual history, fictional history and present global institutional arrangements. The first challenge argued that the post-colonial era or period has something to do with the inequalities of the resources between states leaving a global poor inadequate of resources. The second challenge would argue that the inequalities between states were products of bets or gambles. The third challenge argued that the arrangements and institutional rules were the caused of inequalities. Given this challenges, it signifies that it is when all these causal factors of the past, future and present problem that causes inequality of distribution of resources among resources would equality be achieved.
What does this signify? This would show that the inequality of distribution of resources among states marks the differences between rich and poor or powerful and less powerful states. This is the reality among states. Inequalities became hindrances of achieving equal human rights. Poor countries being left out that made their condition worst. This would lead to the answer of the main thesis of the paper: Is poverty should be included in Human Rights?
Based from readings, I would personally say yes. Poverty should be included in Human rights. Taking into consideration the impacts of poverty in a nation or state would clearly define its reasons that would include itself as part of the promotion of human rights. Poor people suffer greatly from the insufficiency of their needs. These needs pertain to food, medical care, shelter and other basic needs. Poor people are oftentimes psychologically disturbed since they have been stricken by physical, mental, emotional and financial problems. They also experience less of political, economic and social influence that could limit their ability to produce goods and earn income for a living (Thomas, 2004). These are only some of the impacts that affect the quality of life of the poor people. This picture would clearly show the inequality between the quality of life between the poor and the rich. Thus, it is very important that in the discussion of equality and achievement of human rights among all the people across countries, it is very important to include the poverty