My Own Kind of Monyeka Collection

I used to collect Stitch stuffed toys and other merchandise of the cartoon series “Lilo and Stitch” when I was a kid. I really find Stitch as a cute creature and a friend whenever I am scared to sleep alone in my bedroom. My collection started when I got my hand on the first Stitch towel which I won in a game on my friend’s birthday party. Since then, I got my eye on any Stitch material. I remember saving money in order to buy just one stuffed toy. While other Stitch toys are gifts from my parents and close friend.

I cannot really say that I have stop collecting this cute character’s merchandise. Right now, I am still interested in buying more to add on my collection. I just don’t do efforts on searching and stalling around malls and stores that are selling Stitch merchandise. But whenever I found one accidentally, I buy it when I have spare money.

The House on Zapote Street
Reportage
Talipao Massacre (2014)

                                                           Photo by: Abegail Bozar

This photograph shows our group reporting about the Talipao Massacre in Mindanao year 2014. But before this, our group had a hard time deciding which case should be reported due to conflict on the year of the murder case that we had researched on. There are cases that we really find gruesome and interesting but it did not happen in the year that was given. Also, we had a misunderstanding on who will be the reporter and all of us was pointing at each other. But after some time and talk, we figured what case would be presented and who will be reporting. We chose Talipao Massacre because all of us think that it really is gruesome and we can research more data about it because it happened in the year 2014. And at the end of the day, we proved that cooperation and understanding is the key to have a successful reportage.

Ka Bel

By: Bienvenido Lumbera

                                                            Photo by: rolandotolentino

Philippine is a democratic country where the voice of the people heard through rallies and other activities that calls the attention of the government. During the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Ka Beltran was an active leader who speak up and stand for change of the wrong doings of the administration. His courage led him behind bars. A good poem was produced out of this story, titled "Ka Bel" written by Bienvenido Lumbera. The poem only proves that even if a leader of an organization is in jail, it does not mean that the members will lose hope on what they are fighting for. Even if you are powerful, you can never imprison a mind that wants freedom and change.

My Own Gulayan Klasrum

Our family has been growing different kinds of plants since I was a kid. I clearly remember how we used to harvest ampalaya and papaya in our own backyard and cook it for our lunch. I used to have my own plant which I took really good care of. I watched it grow from a sidling into a tree. I used to water it every day, and I even talked to it believing that it helps the tree grow and can hear what I was saying. Sadly, we had to cut our beloved trees when we renovated and expanded the house. So growing a plant in our backyard is not a new thing for me.

I choose to plant petchay because I have already planted and took care of this kind of plant when I was in grade 11 for our Science project. Also, petchay plants are easy to grow. Also, it has many vitamins and minerals. According to Healthy Eating, in a serving of pechay, you consume 32 milligrams of calcium, 21 milligrams of phosphorus, 95 milligrams of potassium and 287 international units of vitamin A. One serving also contains trace amount of iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, thiamin, vitamin B-6 and folate.

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/nutrients-pechay-1538.html

“Not Your Cliché Love Story”

Critique Paper

Puppy Love by Francisco Sionil Jose

Photo by: Kids love images and wallpaper WUPFUN.BIZ

            A good story does not always have to end with the usual boy gets girl and they lived happily ever after. Some of the best stories have unexpected ending and comes with the greatest plot twist. An example of this is the story written by Francisco Sionil Jose, “Puppy Love”. The author started the story by introducing the main character, Jacobo Salcedo, the background of the character, and what the character has been through. Sionil Jose used the flashback method in writing this story. This kind of technique helps readers know the characters more, and helps understand how the characters behave in the story. He also used the first-person point of view which is Jacobo, the main character’s point of view, to narrate the story. This makes the story thrilling for the reader because it does not reveal too much about the other characters and what the other characters really feel and think. This is a good technique to engage readers to read the story actively to know what is really happening in the story. Another element that I loved about this story is that Sionil Jose took the time to describe the scenes and the settings in the story. This help readers picture out and imagine the scenes in the story. The author also describes the image of the character which helps readers imagine how the character look like and the attitude that their looks project in the story.

As flashbacks continue, the author introduces other characters that plays a good role in Jacobo’s life and also in the story. The childhood memory of Jacobo introduced Gina, a childhood sweetheart of Jacobo, in the story. This is a good way of introducing a character because it started when the characters are young which helps supports the succeeding flow of the story. What I like about this story is that it does not have the cliché plot of a love story. Readers might think that they really will end up being together and the story might end soon with a happy ending because Jacobo and Gina meet again in a club.

“So there we were that evening at the bayside. The manager whom I personally knew - in the Philippines, personal acquaintances are attributes in almost every undertaking - led us to the hostess booth. The Bayside girls were known to be well trained in the art of conversation and entertaining. My guests and I examined the luscious array of pulchritude. And, right in the middle, in a green dress, was Gina. How could I make a mistake with that face, those eyes that sparkled!” (6)

But when the author put the twist where Jacobo had to leave for a business trip and he cannot meet Gina at the restaurant, that is where the reader can say that the story is not over yet. Tragic it is that Jacobo and Gina did not end up being together. But that is just how things may end up if we do not grab our chances in life. The story leaves a good wake up call for people that are dependent on second chances and how destiny work. And Sionil Jose’s Puppy Love is a good story that anyone may read and relate to because all of us had that puppy love. And it is within us if we will end up like Jacobo or we will make the difference. The story Puppy Love does not only reminds us that we should not forget about our childhood infatuation that may be our true love, it also leaves the lesson that chances are not always infinite and there is no such thing as right time because it is we who make the time right. 

The Night Sky (Tanaga)

Staring at the stars for so long Even after a long song.. No one knows somewhere may lay the little prince far away.. -ebd(95)

Riddle.. Riddle..

You need me in order to fill your life's percent, without me, you'll be forever dead
-charger