Out of the Box

“KABATAAN ANG PAG-ASA NG BAYAN” – Dr. Jose Rizal “KABATAANG ANG PAG-ASA NG BAYAN, KUNG GAGABAYAN NG TAMA SA KASALUKUYAN” Ni: Pablo Basa Lungsod ng Pasig, Republika Pilipinas – Isa sa pinaka tanyag na linya na binitawan ni Dr. Jose Rizal ay ang katagang “Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan” . Ito ay hango sa kanyang tulang - A la Juventud Filipina (Sa Kabataang Pipilipino- 1879) na sinulat ni Rizal sa Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas noong siya’y labingsiyam na taong gulang [1] . Umani ito ng unang gantimpala sa timpalak sa pagsulat ng tula, na itinaguyod ng Liceo Artistico Literario, samahang binubuo ng mga taong mahilig sa panitikan at sa sining noong 1879. Mga Kastila’t katutubo ang lumahook sa paligsahan nguni’t ang Lupon ng Inampalang binubuo ng mga kastila ay humanga sa tula ni Rizal at ipinagkaloob ditto ang unang gantimpala [2] . “Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan” ilang beses mo na bang narinig ito? Atin itong maririnig sa napaka-raming okasyon. Mula sating mga Guro sa elementary

RIZAL IN THE EYE OF AN ICONOCLAST (Unfinished / on process) By: Paul Cuaresma Basea I am not an iconoclast. I do not know how to write as an iconoclast. I don’t know how to become an iconoclast. I don’t like iconoclasm, it just make things more complicated. But I really hate lies. So, I will do whatever it takes to unfold this lies. I am pro-Andres Bonifacio, I love him, and I really do. But it doesn't mean I didn't love Jose Rizal. I love him too, it’s just that I love Papa-Boni so much. And please don’t expect too much! I am just a student who search a way to upgrade the beliefs of Indios! Iconoclasm - the doctrine, practice, or attitude of an iconoclast. (Merriam-Webster) Iconoclast - a person who criticizes or opposes beliefs and practices that are widely accepted. (Merriam-Webster) In the lens of an iconoclast, let us disturb Dr. Jose Rizal’s well-built foundations. Let us disturb the settled “legends of Rizal” or the Rizal’s in Filipinos heart.

SIMBANG GABI TO SIMBANG TABI (Filipino traditions and behaviors in simbang gabi nowadays) By: Paul Cuaresma Basea Pasig City, Philippines – Today is the first day of simbang gabi. For us Filipino Catholics, simbang gabi is a traditional devotion of a nine-day novena mass held from December 16 to December 24 in anticipation to Christmas and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is very sacred to us and it is the time where most of Filipino families and couples are present. But as the year’s passed by, this tradition changed into many perspectives. Since I was a child I am always excited to attend the holy mass at simbang gabi, not only to feel the Christmas spirit but to cherish every moment that my family is complete. In Mary the Queen Parish at Greenhills San Juan, the simbang gabi is very solemn and peaceful. And there’s a free breakfast to all who attended the mass. It is a tradition of that parish tho’ I still a little kid. But as I grew up, different question formed in

The Science of Forever By: Paul Cuaresma Basea San Juan City, Philippines - Does forever really exist? Many of us could say no, but some would say yes. To begin with, let me present first to you the different perspective of forever. Wikipedia give us a meaning of forever as Eternity, a limitless amount of time. A good friend of mine defined forever as something to deal with God or associated with life after death. (Salumbides 2014). Forever is something that is subjective (Atezora 2014). Freedictionary.com definition is at all times; incessantly. With this definition, forever is something associated with timeless, limitless and for an infinite period of time. But, if such forever is definable, does it mean it really exist?  And if so, where does it exist? For 21 st century generation the word forever is linked to an intimate relationship. It is when a couple is daydreaming that their relationship will last to forever. American Director Woody Allen said “I don't want to achi

by: Paul Cuaresma Basea San Juan City, Philippines – Andres Bonifacio is one of the most promising heroes in Philippine history. His hard work and dedication for independence is inimitable. He is recognized by our country for his contribution to the revolution but some scholars see him underappreciated. Proof here is the resolution passed by Manila City council thru, Manila councilor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto last 29 November 2013 urging President Benigno Aquino III and the Congress to recognize Andres Bonifacio as the first president in the Philippines. Nieto stressed in his resolution that Bonifacio founded the first national government of the Philippines and served as president from August 24, 1896 "until his tragic death on May 10, 1897." (Fernandez and Tan, 2013, PNoy, Congress urged to declare Andres Bonifacio as 1st PHL president retrieved from gmanews.com).   The resolution authored by Nieto cited original documents and had been attested by some h

As part of my final requirement in Speech Communication Skills (Speech 1) in Far Eastern University. Did you know that the Philippines was listed as number one most corrupt country in the world by the Transparency International according to Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago in her speech at the Corona-Impeachment trial last 2013? It is a big shame for public officials in our government. Their accountability in all activities on their office is not shown to the public. The transparency of their office is also diverted to fraudulent reports resulting in low performance in delivering social services to the public. They fail to account themselves and fail to document their acts to the public. Philippines is a democratic country that promotes equality and consent intends people to elect its leaders. Leaders that can control solely its resources, assets, and even create or promulgate policies and laws that will lead to general welfare of its public. But some leaders tend to abuse their pow