True Essence of Christmas

Christmas’s True Essence

A few days from now, we will be celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. The whole of Christendom awaits the event with joy. But do we know the meaning of Christmas? What is the true essence of Christmas?

To me, Christmas is gift giving. It is the time to share the blessings that God has given us. Christmas means forgiveness. It is the most appropriate time to understand that man is born to commit mistakes, that to err is Human, to forgive is Divine. It is therefore a season of peace and we can only attain real peace if we forgive our enemies.

Christmas is love. God gave us His only Son to save us from eternal perdition. It is only by fitting that we should give help to the less fortunate, to the needy people in the spirit of Christ. Yes, let us gift others and in doing so, we can say that Christ being given to us by the Father shall not be in Vain.

Let us then keep and celebrate Christmas everyday in our life. 

Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities

Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities

Equally, God created Man. In His eyes, there is no rich, no poor, no matter who, what and where we are; all of us were treated fairly. It is understood then that we should also treat fairly the people around us. But why there is still some who treat others unequally, unfairly?

In my 15 years of living, I’ve already encountered situations where I think there is violation of my right. One of them was when I am still an elementary pupil specifically, Grade-VI pupil. It was by the month of September and probably the Science Month Celebration, my teacher told me that I will be one of the three Science Investigatory Project contestants who will represent our school in the District Level. But during that time I was then setting my mind that I will do Science Quiz. I have told my teacher about it but she insists, I have no choice but to accept it. In that encounter, I think my right to choose was violated. Maybe others think that it was just a small thing but for me it is a big one.

 It is a must to fight for our rights but let’s do also consider the every limitation of the every right, as I quoted, “Every Rule Has It’s Exemption, Every Right Has Limitation.” Equal Rights! This must be observe in our country not just for today but until the next generations and in doing so, every Filipino will surely have Equal Opportunities in life.

Responding to Climate Change

Stopping Climate Change: A Must!

            Climate change is a rising issue of importance in our day and age, and one that is threatening our globe society on many levels. Its existence can be no longer denied. It is one of the most important scientific and economic threats facing to the earth. But does climate change can still be stopped? Do humans have a big role in solving this problem?

 

            YES! Climate change can still be stopped and we will do the job! Here are nine simple everyday things each of us can do to help stop climate change. First, Change A Light. Replacing a regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent one saves 150 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. Second, Drive Less. Walk, bike, carpool, take mass transit, and or trip chain. All of these things can help reduce gas consumption and one pound of carbon dioxide for each mile you do not drive. Third, Recycle More And Buy Recycled. Save up to 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide each year just by recycling half of your household waste. By recycling and buying products with recycled content you also save energy, resources and landfill space. Fourth, Check Your Tires. Properly inflated tires mean good gas mileage. For each gallon of gas saved, 20 pounds of carbon dioxide are never also produced. Fifth, Use Less Hot Water. It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Reducing the amount used means big savings in not only your energy bills, but also in carbon dioxide emissions. Sixth, Avoid Products With A Lot Of Packaging. Preventing waste from being created in the first place means that there is less energy wasted and fewer resources consumed. When you purchased products with the least amount of packaging, not only do you save money, but you also help the environment. Reducing your garbage by 10% reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 1,200 pounds. Seventh, Adjust Your Thermostat. Keeping our thermostat at 68 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer not only helps with your energy bills, but it can reduce carbon dioxide emission as well. No matter where you set your dial, two degrees cooler in the winter or warmer in the summer can mean a reduction of 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Eighth, Plant A Tree. A single tree can absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Lastly, Turn Off Electronic Devices When Not In Use. Simply turning off your TV, VCR, computer and other electronic devices can save each household thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

 

            Every little effort helps and adds up to a whole lot of good. Together, we can and do Every Day Earth Day!

                      

Reflection (2nd Grading Period)

My Second Grading’s Encounters

 

       Time truly past fast that I didn’t even notice that 2^nd Periodic Exam is here now again. It seems like last week is the 1^st Periodic test. This is the time then to flashback on my experiences during the 2^nd quarter.

           

            I can say that my 2^nd grading is a busy and very memorable grading…The different clubs in the school held many activities that make us Rizalians to be very busy. In spite of that, I did my best to cope up in our class and past my missed assignments and projects. One thing that truly marks in my mind in this grading is when I’ve went to San Fernando City, La Uňion, together with Sir Edgar L. Pescador – my coach, to represent Ilocos Sur for the Regional Consumer’s Quiz Bee but unfortunately, I’ve lost. During those times I was very ashamed of myself because I’ve disappointed the people who are expecting me to win and I thank Sir Pescador, because of his comforts I’ve overcome the frustration. He didn’t just became a good coach to me but a good father also. Moving on, I am looking forward for the next gradings. I will continue striving hard to achieve what I am dreaming for.

           

Before I end, may I share a good quotation which reflects my 2^nd quarter and it goes like this, “GOOD things come to those who WAIT. BETTER things come to those who DON’T GIVE UP. And the BEST things come to those who BELIEVE…”  

 

      

 

 

Scientricity: Energizing Science Clubbers for Sustainable Energy

Scientricity: Energizing Science Clubbers for Sustainable Energy

          Cooking a dinner, lighting a street, keeping a hospital open, running a factory- all these require energy. Energy is thus at the heart of everybody’s quality of life and crucial factor for economic competitiveness and employment.

            There are some ways to conserve energy, first, replace old light bulbs with energy saving fluorescent bulbs. They may cost more, but will save you much more in the long run. Second, turn off all electronic devices that are not in use. Not only turn them off but try to remember to unplug them. Third, air dry your dishes. When washing in a dish washer, the heat generated during the wash cycle is more than enough to dry your dishes. Fourth, close vents and doors in unused rooms. No need to cool or warm areas that people are not in. Fifth, repair or replace leaky faucets. A leaky faucet waste upwards of 300,000 gallons of water a year. Sixth, wash clothes in the morning or evening when its cooler. Sounds silly but the heat generated by the dryer will warm the house and in the summer months your air conditioner will use more energy to cool your house. Lastly, when shopping for new appliances invest in Energy Star. Energy Star appliances are not by any means cheap but the upfront cost will pay for itself tenfold in the amount of energy you will be saving overtime.  

            It is important for all people to realize the need for conserving energy. It is impossible for all the natural resources to keep up with our forever advancing civilization, and supply us with the energy that we need.

My Teacher, My Hero

My Teacher, My Forever Hero

What else can we think of when teachers are mentioned? Their understanding, hardships, advices and care for us students. And of course, lectures, new lessons, quizzes and assignments! Those memories when they came about to tell stories and jokes with us students. Their “sermons” to  us when we were disobedient or lazy to pass our assignments. It’s their continuous patience and hard works for us that make them our hero.

What could be in a school without our teachers? There would be no students as well that in fact, students will not be able to go to school and learn what they are supposed to learn. There will be ignorance. Having our teachers we were able to learn and understand things easier and quicker. Because of their teachings a lot of people have reached and accomplished their goals in life.

Teachers don’t only teach theories to us but they are also sources of moral teachings. Inside and outside the campus, our teachers are our models. Teachers are treasures in our society; let us help them be at their best so that they too can help bring out the best in their students.

Our second parents, our teachers have helped a lot in the contribution of our success. They will forever be a treasure. This teacher’s month celebration is a good way of expressing gratitude to our beloved teachers whom are the reason why we have accomplished most of what we have accomplished until the present. However, we should not only express our warmest thanks to our teachers during the said celebration but it should be done always. Thank you teachers! We love you!

Modern Heroes

Modern Filipino Heroes, We Salute You!

Heroes are often associated with battle and conflict. In recent history, heroes of war are the men who displayed bravery ‘above and beyond the call of duty’, having selflessly risked their own lives in an effort to save the lives of others.  But in present, heroes in the traditional sense may be uncommon today.

            November 2009 is a month to mark in the history of the Philippines as two Filipino heroes are recognized not only in the local scene but internationally. No one would ever think that anything can equal Manny Pacquiao's achievement this month when he beat Miguel Cotto and convinced the whole world that the greatest boxer of the world in this modern times, hails from the Philippines. A few days later, we are astonished as Efren Penaflorida is named The 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.

            Both Filipinos may have earned their recognition in different ways but their achievement cannot be said to be lesser than the other. Both achievements equal Filipino pride, hope and inspiration. It is a statement that no matter how small our archipelago is, its people can be among the best in the world if they really want to be. Let us also keep in our mind that, it’s not what you do in your everyday job that makes you a hero, it’s what you do ’above and beyond’ your normally duties in times of struggle or pressure that marks the distinction.