"TAO PO AKO, HINDI PO AKO IGOROT" Reaction

"TAO PO AKO, HINDI PO AKO IGOROT..." Whoa! a very descriminating sentence indeed (by Candy PAngilinan),she should've think twice before saying it. What is wrong with those kinds of people? we Igorots have existed for a very loooong time and we've been battling all kinds of descrimination for so long a time that it breaks my heart to read or hear people degrading us with their IGNORANCE of what an Igorot is, all because they haven't really SEEN ONE?

Some folks who have lived here for quite sometime (those who are from the lowlands) came to actually love the highlands and the people in it all because they had the understanding of who Igorots are, and through time RESPECT was formed.But with some people they just seem to think that Igorots are of a different race (I mean c'mon, do you actually believe that we Igorots have tails?).

I hope you learned your Lesson Candy, next time you make a punch line, make sure it's funny.

-Ofelia Empian

Vacation, anyone?

Okay so, my vacation would be so uber F-U-N...

...or so I hope.

Well first off, I am going to join the District Youth Camp of our church next week(that's on April 28-May 1) in Nueva Ecija coupled with a church visit in Kalinga(YIpeee!). BUt I am yet to confirm my attendance with my boss this week(hmmph! aja!aja!).

The remaining days, after I come back from the trip, would be spent in convincing people to buy clothes for themselves or for their loved ones. In short, I would be a sales person in my cousin's shop(tianggehan), sales talking costumers for them to purchase something. I see F-U-N in doing this thing because I'd be making money out of it and atleast I'm doing something rather than just plain sitting around the house with remote in my right hand and a bowl of cookies in my left, infront of the TV(ahh...the Life)---oh no wait this isn't what I have in mind---I mean it's better to be doing something this vacation time rather than sitting at home doing nothing than just depositing fat(hehehe, no offense mate!) this summer.

This is all I could think of regarding my itinerary this summer(for now), because I do think there will be more upcoming activities that I'll engage myself in,while having F-U-N, I suppose.

I'm a lawyer...

"OUT of 6,364 examinees, 1,310 passed the 2008 bar examinations."
-(Sun Star Cebu)

The result of the Bar examinations was eagerly awaited by bar examiners, both professional and non-professionals, together with their families , friends , and colleagues. As the result came out, mixed emotions were seen around the Supreme Court as the onlookers saw the results. Some rejoiced while many cried---tears of joy for those who passed and tears of sadness for those who failed.

Those who took the exams are mostly professionals in their own field. They've taken Law courses during the night and are working during the day. It is really exhausting to be working and studying at the same time but this people really worked hard and put their dedication in their chosen career.

Is it worth all the sleepless nights of reviewing and the pressures that all the examiners has to carry? Carrying his alma matter, surname and the hope of their family could make it more heavier for them to carry. So, when the results was out people couldn't help but to feel anxious if they passed or failed the hardest exam in the philippines according to ABS-CBN TV Patrol.

For all those who passed, congratulations to you and may you be responsible in practicing your field(yehey your a Lawyer!) . For all those who weren't able to pass , don't lose hope, who knows you might pass the next bar exams.

+ 1 year in College

STARTING school year 2009-2010 engineering, architecture, nursing, and accounting will be five-year college courses, the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) said on Tuesday.

Ched chairman Dr. Emmanuel Angeles said the program is part of the overall effort under the "New Philippine Education Highway" to transform the country's educational system into one that conforms to global standards. (AH/Sunnex; SunStar.com January 27, 2009)

It truly come of as a shock when students heard this news about the additional one year in college for the purpose of up scaling the state of education here in our country. This move by CHED chairman Dr. Emmanuel Angeles was immediately met with opposition by many students. Well what do we expect? the whole world is on a deep crisis and all the prices of commodities have gone up and basically all the demands of everyday life have zoomed up!Then here comes the proposal for an additional year in college. Oh Okay. But before we got so antagonistic about it why don't we try to understand the whole of it. Of course the propositon was made with us (students) in mind. Our future depends on what we make of our life now. Connection? in the context of our studies, the more time we have to study the more chances we get to have a more stable job. That's what I've grasp out of reading the news about CHED's proposal. To quote Presidential Adviser for Education Dr. Mona Valisno regarding the reason of the additional year he said:

"Despite the competent and hardworking abilities of Filipino professionals, many are not able to land good jobs or the jobs their degree requires because their credentials are based on a 10-year basic education program, which is not recognized globally,"(AH/Sunnex;Sunstar.com)

It is disturbing to know that though there many graduates being produced by the different universities in the Philippines every year, many of them still end up being jobless or better yet doing a job that doesn't apply to their courses(what a shame really, especialy those who end up as being a househelp in other countries). But I do hope that not only students should be upscaled like this, the teachers should also be trained and screened well before they teach and handle students especially now that the plus 1 year will be implemented. Well let's just see if this proposal works...

Uplifting Local Organic Farmers

"HEALTH FOOD Joke"

2000 B.C. - Here, eat this root

1000 A.D. - That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.

1850 A.D. - That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.

1940 A.D. - That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.

1985 A.D. - That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.

2000 A.D. - That antibiotic doesn't work anymore.Here, eat this root"

This is a joke published in the internet not so long ago and it suddenly popped into my mind while I was squeezing my brain for some introductions for this topic. With the passing of years, the world is slowly going back to basics. From cooking in solar- powered stoves to using herbal medicines , it is evident that the world finally realizes that technology can never replace the manual ways. One of the trends that the world is embracing is organic farming. In the Philippines, organic farming has already found its way. Although organic agriculture in the Philippines is still in its emergent or incipient phase, the discourse of organic agriculture is fast gaining ground in the country. Organic agricultural production is limited though steadily growing, reportedly between 10-20 percent annually (FAS/USDA, 2000). Organic products served as an alternative for individuals who want to have a healthy lifestyle while saving the planet.

Here in La Trinidad, several farmers are now getting themselves into organic farming. Though some still cannot leave the conventional way of farming(i.e., using pesticides), these "converts" of organic farming are determined to push through organic farming whatever the cost. But the pricing of organic products pose a great challenge to these farmers; organic products are a bit pricey when compared with the farm products out of conventional farming.


One of the pioneers of organic farming in La Trinidad is Mr. Pat Acosta.

When asked about why he chose organic farming over conventional farming , he replied:

"Nagsawa na ako sa kakakain ng lason eh. Why, do you want to eat poison? The conventional vegetables are cheap but if you sum up the cost of it to the effects on your body, mas yari ka."

Mr. Acosta is one of the pioneering farmers of Organic farming in La Trinidad. He owns and manages one of the largest organic farms, the Master's Garden which is located in Pinalyok, Puguis , La Trinidad, Benguet. He is also a pioneering member of La TOP, the organic practitioner's cooperative in which members can sell their products. At first, LaTOP -MPC(La Trinidad Organic Practitioner's Multipurpose Cooperative) caters for La Trinidad members only, but as it expanded(with members coming from different municipalities of La Trinidad and members coming from as far as Rosario, La Union), the cooperative decided to drop the acronym's meaning and instead, carried LaTOP only as their identity. "La" means "The" in Spanish, and "Top" in English as the "highest point or degree", therefore LaTOP would mean "The Top".


LaTOP continues to help uplift the lives of its members and continues to be the marketing arm of these organic farmers. LaTOP not only makes its way to be known as an organic product but also helps in promoting the local farmers of the Cordilleras and its neighboring provinces.

Miscellaneous hike!

My goodness! the miscellaneous hike is as bad as tuition fee increase itself. The world is on the brink of hysteria( actually it already is) because of this crisis thing going on; the prices of commodities are going up and all and now this---the miscellaneous of the school (UC-BCF) is going up next school year. Whoa! at least its not the tuition fee that increased right? At least We are still left with that consolation. But still one can't help but feel so bad, especially those who work to get themselves to school or to the parent's who work oh-so hard to get their kids to college. The thing is, education here in the Philippines is no longer a right; it's already becoming a privilege so to speak...(sigh)...