Voice of the Youth

These Are All the Many Changes in My Life

2008-07-08T04:08:00.000-07:00

Changes occur when you let yourself know the real you or let’s just say find the real you. That had happened to me during my late high school life. I am happy to meet friends and people who had changed me to who I am now. It was just yesterday when I was so tactless, very frank and perfectionist enough. But now, I have learned to think of others and adjust to my fellow students as well as the other people around me. It has been two years ago when I seldom accept the opinions and suggestions of others and let their voices sound like nothing to me.

However, I am not really that bad at all. Those negative attitudes of mine only appear or show during group activities and group works. On the other hand, during individual performances I encounter no back fights and that was the main reason why I like to work alone; to avoid hearing negative comments about me that would absolutely hurt my ego. But as time passes by, I met friends and people who changed and helped me develop my personality. They made me realize that others do not appreciate my negative side. Since then, I have learned to adjust and cope up with my shortcomings. I thank those people who taught me to be a simple me in a way others would not hate me.

As what my teacher had said, “Do not be afraid to commit mistakes because you will learn from It.”, very well said! I’ve just proven that previously. After it, I learned that no man is an island and therefore I am not alone.

Michelle Y. Castidad

Mind or Heart

2008-07-07T21:07:00.000-07:00

It has been a common question that we usually hear or say. Whether it is in beauty contests or in various debates. Maybe today or who knows, tomorrow? Someone will ask you, what does truly matter? mind or the heart?

What is in the Mind? The common question that I can define. It is the source of all the facts but not the truth. Something that we can rely on in formulating wars but not truce. In this factory, everything is made, Answers in tests, quizzes and even charades. Indeed, the mind helps us in reaching the answers to logical trades.

On the other hand, what can the heart do? It translates answers to something that’s true. True to the mind and true for everyone, for through our hearts, We can be successful. The heart contains secrets that will be kept. It never is loud and it never dictates it’s always there and silently waits.

Indeed, If I were to choose between these two, I’d choose the heart over the mind…For I believe that whoever we are or wherever we are today, It’s because we followed our heart’s beating and not our mind’s dictating.

The Music Within

2008-07-07T21:03:00.000-07:00

Music is a form of entertainment, a self-expression and even an influence. Through music, we can be able to relate ourselves or the circumstances we are in by simply listening to any genre of music that is appropriate to what we are feeling in a particular moment. Rock music and mellow music are the types of music we usually listen to, mostly be teenagers.

Rock music, as we all know, exhibits loudness and sometimes earsplitting sounds which demand a physical response. What more is that it also projects one's own dreams and desires, either physically, emotionally or mentally. The rhythm of rock music triggers listeners to go with the flow of the music and release inhibitions causing negative physical activities. Why does this cause negative physical activities? It is because people who were compelled by the beat or patterns of rock music tend to be unruly and wild since they want to convey real emotions through their actions. A very good example of this is the band itself. Nowadays, rock music is indeed popular and almost all teenagers are well-acquainted with it.

On the other hand, mellow music is a soft-listening type of music unlike rock music which is very blatant in its way of sound. Mellow music can calmly evoke emotions and memories. It can also be a therapy since it can relax our senses. Mellow music helps ease stress and tensions, thus, a lot of people also prefer the essence of mellow music playing in their heads.

In conclusion, music is not just something that we listen to. It is what we use to express our feelings, mend a broken heart or just something we need for us to be able to focus on our daily activities. Music is a common language that bonds people together despite of the different languages spoken by various people around the globe. There are lots of genre in music; it's just up to us to choose the genre wherein we can be able to expose ourselves in a proper manner, free from conflicts with the moral values. Remember what Plato said, " Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue.

Same Sex Marriage Already Approved in California

2008-06-18T03:54:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the newly weds!
Oooops!... shall I say Congratulations to the "gays" and "lesbians" who were already married to their same sex partners!

Yes, you heard it loud and clear!

Same sex marriage was already legal in California. When homosexual couples heard about this news, they hurriedly flock in California to be officialy married. The said event happened on June 17, 2008 at the San Francisco City Hall where hundreds of same sex couples happily, dramatically and tearfully exchanged vows with each other. Many couples waited years before they got to be married. As what the interviewed couples said, "We were married five years ago in our church in Grass Valley, now California's allowing us to do it this way," Brafford said through tears. "We're not second-class citizens anymore. Love really is, and it doesn't hurt a soul."

John Paul and Chip Carman of Nevada City were married in the chapel at the recorder's office with a dozen friends and family members sharing in their day.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, county recorder-clerk Greg Diaz, who officiated, told them "You may now seal your vows with a kiss."

The couple, who have been together for 15 years, plan a larger ceremony in the fall but wanted to marry last Tuesday because of the historical significance.

Paul said the first discussions they had about the marriage revolved around legal rights, though they'd already been registered as domestic partners, but it came to be about much more than that.
"What it really addresses is marriage is not about sex and it's not about money," Carman said. "(There's a) spiritual side and a civil side, (but it's) really about love between two people."
Paul said he was surprised by the emotional response he had.

"This is really profound," he said. "What marriage does, it cements that commitment.
"I hope this is a beginning because it allows a portion of society to not feel marginalized."
Many reacted with this issue, especailly those who were anti of this particular topic.

Well, homosexual couples were just happy to be married with their loved one and never really cared at all to what other people say about them, what they know is that they love each other and that matters most for them.

Michelle Y. Castidad

Make Way For The New Seven Wonders Of The World!

2008-06-17T05:11:00.000-07:00

The New 7 Wonders of the World were announced during the Official Declaration ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday, July 7, 2007 and history was made! This inaugural worldwide vote also produced the first-ever Global Memory and a set of 7 Human Virtues.

MEXICO
Chichén Itzá, the most famous Mayan temple city, served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. Its various structures - the pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, and the Playing Field of the Prisoners – can still be seen today and are demonstrative of an extraordinary commitment to architectural space and composition. The pyramid itself was the last, and arguably the greatest, of all Mayan temples.

BRAZIL
This statue of Jesus stands some 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, it is one of the world’s best-known monuments. The statue took five years to construct and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. It has become a symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.

ITALY
This great amphitheater in the centre of Rome was built to give favors to successful legionnaires and to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire. Its design concept still stands to this very day, and virtually every modern sports stadium some 2,000 years later still bears the irresistible imprint of the Colosseum’s original design. Today, through films and history books, we are even more aware of the cruel fights and games that took place in this arena, all for the joy of the spectators.

CHINA
The Great Wall of China was built to link existing fortifications into a united defense system and better keep invading Mongol tribes out of China. It is the largest man-made monument ever to have been built and it is disputed that it is the only one visible from space. Many thousands of people must have given their lives to build this colossal construction.

PERU
In the 15th century, the Incan Emperor Pachacútec built a city in the clouds on the mountain known as Machu Picchu (“old mountain”). This extraordinary settlement lies halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. It was probably abandoned by the Incas because of a smallpox outbreak and, after the Spanish defeated the Incan Empire, the city remained ‘lost’ for over three centuries. It was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

Petra (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), Jordan
JORDAN
On the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Masters of water technology, the Nabataeans provided their city with great tunnel constructions and water chambers. A theater, modelled on Greek-Roman prototypes, had space for an audience of 4,000. Today, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, are impressive examples of Middle Eastern culture.

The Taj Mahal (1630 A.D.) Agra, India
INDIA
This immense mausoleum was built on the orders of Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, to honor the memory of his beloved late wife. Built out of white marble and standing in formally laid-out walled gardens, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the most perfect jewel of Muslim art in India. The emperor was consequently jailed and, it is said, could then only see the Taj Mahal out of his small cell window.

Michelle Y. Castidad

Judy Ann...Is she on MERALCO's side?

2008-06-17T02:12:00.000-07:00

Just Last,June 3, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), made a call asking the public to boycott all of Judy Ann's films and television series in response to her latest infomercial favoring Meralco.

Leading the call was VACC Chairman Dante Jimenez and 28 non-government organizations. Jimenez branded Judy Ann's statement in the said commercial as a "lie" and an elaborate attempt by the Lopezes to save face.

In the said TV ad, Juday is shown defending Meralco's action of passing on its system's loss to the consumers, arguing that the said practice is valid. CAUSE OF CONCERN. Alarmed by the negative reaction generated by the infomercial, Judy Ann's manager Alfie Lorenzo had an interview with dzBB's Mike Enriquez yesterday, June 3.

"Hindi ko alam iyan. Hindi ako kinausap. Kasi paalis na sila Juday noon nung nag-text na lang yung secretary niyang si Jane. Sabi niya, may humabol pong komersyal. Pabaon daw sa Europe," revealed Alfie to Mike.

Anyway whatever Happened, I believe that when the Actress is ready and has the time to do an interview, She surely will clear things out...In my own perspective, What she did was purely professional...Of course, as a sought-after endorser it is her decision to accept offers not just because of the amount offered but also because of the kind of endorsement she will make. In the end, Let's just take it the positive way, That she did that commercial for the sake of public awareness and to lessen the trouble that this energy issue has caused us.

Vita Jule

Every Now and Then...

2008-06-17T01:41:00.000-07:00

I once visited Panacan Public Market here in Davao City, Philippines. What I saw made me tremble...

Many Davaoenos both young and old, able and those disabled clinged on to their priority numbers and fell in the longest line I've ever seen, as if holding on to a life line. This, I've realized is a common truth that both you and I will encounter everyday of our Lives. It's as if, It was just yesterday that our 100 pesos could still afford 5 kilos of rice wether it be commercial or NFA rice.

I believe so, that you have realized it yourselves...What is Happening?

Is it our fault or the government's fault? Should I say, Time will come It will be just the same or It will never be the same...Filipinos especially to the youth, WAKE UP! Don't let this crisis drown us in a never-ending nightmare! Don't ask me what to do..ask yourselves WHAT CAN I DO? For only you can tie your own shoe lace the way want it to be. I'm not the type of person who'll conduct seminars and lectures on how to survivie in this gobal dilemma...Instead, I'm the one who'll confirm every single thought that's in your mind. For I firmly believe, that you already have thought of what you should do...It just needs confirmation wether it's right or it's wrong.

Indeed, Every Now and Then people change, Every Now and then we encounter a new face...

And I hope, That Every and Now Then, A new Philippines will rise...

Vita Jule

THE SLEEPING GIANT AWAKENS

2008-06-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

Why is China called the Sleeping Giant and the Topsy-Turvy Land? It is because China has been inactive in the past that's why it was called the Sleeping Giant. But now, the Sleeping Giant has awaken and it's returning to its past power and wealth. China is topsy-turvy since it is changing, turning into something much better that we are used to but still their customs are opposite the west.

The Sleeping Giant of the 21st Century is China. Virtually all of Asia is within its political sphere of influence. While still a second-rate conventional military force, China is one of a small group of nations with a nuclear arsenal capable of turning a large chunk of this globe into a radioactive wasteland.

With more than a billion people, China has the potential to become Asia's economic engine in the new millennium. "Eventually, progress will override backwardness, science will win over ignorance and justice over evil," Chinese President Jiang Zemin said of his country's future in a New Year's Eve address.

We have been systematically impressed by the way the Chinese government and the Chinese people have learned from the experience of other countries which have attempted similar transitions. Last year, China's economy grew at the robust rate of more than 9 percent, the fastest in seven years and "a milestone in the history of China," according to Li Deshui, head of the National Bureau of Statistics.

Consider these indicators of China's economic performance

* Tax revenues increased by 20 percent last year;
* Profits soared by 40 percent;
* Manufacturing activity is rising at an annual rate of more than 10 percent;
* China is now the most popular place on earth for foreign investors to put their money, with investors from America, Taiwan, and Hong Kong leading the parade;
* China added over $400 billion to its foreign exchange reserves in 2003

And sometime in the next two decades or so -- projections vary -- China is expected to overtake the United States as the world's largest economy. China is definitely on an upward trajectory. There's a new player on the scene and it is going to be out there in ways we've never seen before.

So where is this rising power headed? Is China, as some suggest, set to become the next superpower? Certainly China already has several badges of superpowerdom stitched to its jersey.

2008-06-14T04:54:00.000-07:00

Is this the future of our country?

Children cry because they're hungry?

Will we wait for everyone to be thirsty?

Thirsty for food and are not Happy?

Youth of the Philippines Now is the time, Open

your eyes and awaken your minds... to the unspeakable truth you'll ever find.

Hope of our Nation will they live or will die?

Vita jule

Another seeks for truth, another is abducted for truth (an overview of ces drilon's abduction in sulu)

2008-06-14T04:19:00.000-07:00

Last Week's news shocked ABS-CBN and other broadasting bodies to the core....Ces Orena Drilon, a reputable Journalist from ABS-CBN was yet again another victim of the fearless Abu-Sayaff. The biggest question we could all think about is, WILL SHE BE FOUND DEAD OR ALIVE?

Sad though it may seem, but things really went out of hand for Drilon's group. Many of us might feel compassion and pity towards the unfortunate group. But, Is this the first time a Journalist was Abducted? Sad to note, No...It isn't.

The Philippines is one with the many countries around the globe who have great Journalists but also a great number of them who are either harrased, abducted or worse, killed. And Ces is one of them, Many of us remember her as the brave 'Correspondent' and a prize worth keeping for,not only for ABS-CBN but for the c0untry itself. She is indeed a complete Replica of the brave and adventurous Women of the Philippines, therefore, making our stand as productive Citizens of our country, PLAUSIBLE. I feel relieved that the President exhausted every possible means for Ces' Crew to be found and be released safe and sound. And I am privileged to be able to share it with you...

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Tuesday said it was praying for the safety of the group of broadcast journalist Cecilia Victoria "Ces" Oreña-Drilon and professor Octavio Dinampo who have been reported missing in Sulu province.Two cameramen - Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama - were with the group."We hope for her (Drilon) safety and that of her crew. Likewise, we appeal for caution and restraint in media reportage so as not to unduly hamper efforts to rescue them," said outgoing Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye.In a statement sent earlier in the day, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. confirmed that Drilon and her two cameramen were missing in Sulu."All efforts are underway to find them and bring them home. Until we learn more details, ABS-CBN News requests other media to report on this matter with utmost consideration for the safety of our news team," the statement said.The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, on the other hand, condemned the abduction of the three journalists in Sulu on Sunday."We are deeply concerned for the safety of these three journalists," Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator, said."It is great cause for concern that this volatile southern region of the Philippines remains insecure for the press, and we call on local authorities to work diligently to secure their safe and swift release," he added.

Whatever may happen, I pray that this time around we'll lift up our prayers for the safety of Ces and her companions, And for the success of every possible transaction that will be made. Let us extend 0ur hands to heaven and wish that there will be no more lives to be spared for such a worthless motive, to merely abduct and ask randsom in return without even thinking of the families they've inflicted pain to and the lives they might waste.

Vita Jule