Media Invasion

#8

                Living in a very much commercialized world, it is not new to us that mass media plays a significant role in our everyday life. It enables us to communicate conveniently. Media helps us understand the things around us through different mediums like television, papers, internet and many more. Now, internet being the most common form of media nowadays has greatly influenced people’s lives including me. Since middle school, I have been using internet and I can truly say that it helped me a lot. Apparently, it aids me in my research in school and my assignments as well. However, while it has advantages, we can’t deny the fact that it causes a lot of bad things too. Instead of making my works, I end up opening my social networking accounts and chat. I would eventually surf the internet. In short, internet influence makes me lazy. 

Be Healed and Die

# 7

          Hair-raising. Bloodcurdling. Chilling. Horrifying. Spine-chilling movie. The Healing, a Filipino horror suspense movie directed by Chito S. Roño, starring Vilma Santos (Seth) and Kim Chiu (Cookie).

          With Seth's father extremely ill, she decided to bring him to Manang Elsa, a faith healer, who healed him and prescribed a herbal medicine. As they were about to leave the place, a man, on the line of those who wants to be healed, fainted and was immediately sent to Manang Elsa. The next day, Seth was surprised upon seeing his father regain his strength again. The neighborhood was also surprised, knowing that Seth's father was already bed-ridden because of stroke. On the party, held in Seth's house, a group of her neighbors who have disease asked her if she could bring them to the faith healer. Her son also asked her if she Cookie, his half sister, could also go to the faith healer as she was suffering an illness called glomerulonephritis. As they reached Manang Elsa's house, they wer told by Melchor, Manang Elsa's brother, that she could not perform faith healing because she was sick. But because of the persistence of Seth, Manang Elsa accepted them. 

        The horror part then started as they went home. One by one, all of the healed neighbors died. Chona, the one who suffered from goiter, slashed her own neck with a pierced glass.Greta, the one who suffered from cyst, killed her husband by decapitating him with a sword and then committed suicide by hanging herself. Ding, a policeman who suffered from psoriasis, was forcefully shot by his co-policeman because of shooting everyone he saw.Alma, who suffered from a disease on her foot, broke into massacring her dorm mates and eventually immolates herself on fire. Cacai, the blind girl, massacred the praying monks and murdered herself by falling into a flagpole.  

       The movie was definitely one of a kind. It is not a typical Filipino horror movie that is predictable. in this movie, you will be shocked and surprised on what will happen next. If you want to scare yourself to death, you better watch THE HEALING.

Experience Iligan

     Iligan City is a highly urbanized city located in the northern part of Mindanao, north of the province of Lanao del Norte and west of Northern Mindanao, also known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls". It covers an area of no less than 813.37 square kilometers, that is composed of 44 barangays, which is home for more than 300,000 people. Due to its location Iligan offers a unique mixture of rich cultures.

     As its name suggests, Iligan City is endowed with many great, magnificent and majestic waterfalls. The most popular of these is the Maria Christina Falls. It is located 9.3 kilometers away southwest of the city proper. Its 320 feet (98 meters) high waterfall is separated by a rock at the top of the waterfall. It powers the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant which is the primary source of the city's electric power.

Maria Christina Falls
(c) http://davaocitybybattad.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html

     Another famous waterfall of Iligan city is the Tinago Falls, tinago is a Filipino term which means "hidden". It is located 13.8 kilometers away from the city proper. Going to the falls requires approximately 500 descending steps called the winding staircase. Its 240 feet (73.152 meters) high waterfall which falls graciously unto a deep and basin-like pool that appears like a blue-colored lagoon. Hidden underneath the falls is a small cave where tourists can enter and listen to the songs of the water.

Tinago Falls
(c) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tinago_falls.jpg

     Iligan City is not only blessed with magnificent water forms but also with beautiful land forms. Proving this is Mount Agad-Agad that is approximately 1,600 feet-high above sea level making it visible in the downtown of Iligan City. The name Agad-Agad suggests that any-one, even those who do not have any mountain climbing experience, can  easily climb the mountain. Climbing the mountain is divided into two difficulty level. The first level, or shall I say the easy level, is nothing but a walk on a wavy terrain. The fun and excitement begins on the second level, or the difficult level, where your knees sometimes meet your chin. At the peak, you could see the tantalizing panoramic over-looking view of the of Iligan City and the Iligan Bay. But that is not the end of the reward for your sweat. When the sun goes down and the moon shines, you will witness the grandeur panoramic over-looking view of Iligan City lights that will seem to be the refletion of the map of shiny stars above. Mount Agad-Agad may be very small compared to the Philippines highest peaks, Mount Apo, but the unique experience on the peak, which is indescribable, makes it different to others.

Over-looking view on the peak of Mt. Agad-Agad (day)
(c) http://tourista.wordpress.com/ 

Over-looking view on the peak of Mt. Agad-Agad (night)
(c) http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariejoy_anhaw/

     Visiting Iligan City is like visiting a themed park. It offers many adventures that could satisfy all our cravings. From swimming to mountain climbing, or even just sight-seeing. There are still many wonderful places in Iligan City that is not mentioned here. Places that could amaze every tiny cell in your body. So what are you waiting for? Come to Iligan City, come to the City of Majestic waterfalls, come to the City of Great Enjoyment and you could feel nothing but happiness and excitement. 

Review on Ming Ming

#5

           As our Humanities' teacher told us about a play to be held on MSU-IIT, I became very excited because I have longed to watch a play.

           On the rainy night of July 24, me and my block mates entered MSU-IIT's mini theatre. The sudden change of environment, from light to dark, blinded me for a moment. As my vision became clear again, I abruptly had a goosebumps, for I have noticed a dead body on the stage, added by the laughter of two peculiar men wearing white standing on the corner of the room. A thought then entered into my mind, a thought that MINGMING was a horror story.

            A play directed by Steven Patrick C. Fernandez, Ming Ming is a story of an eighteen-year-old girl watching the story of her life appearing before her as she was brought to the living world by the tonongs (Spirits). She then realizes why her mother, R, marries an older man to support their family’s dwindling political fortunes and then remarries a distant relative to hide the truth of her birth as she was an accident baby with her mother’s Economics Professor.

        The grandmother, I, on the other hand deluded all about Ming Ming's story to save maratabat (family honor, a shame greater than death) and her only daughter's life. When she was at the age of fourteen, she deserted her love to respect the family's impositions and married the elder brother of her secret love P to end a bloody rido. This decision angered P and turned him into a rebel.

        In the end, Mingming's death was found out to be suicidal.

       All over, the play was very good. It was for more than I expected. Even though in the start, the play was confusing, but as I understand it, I then have been moved by the play. 

The Trip for Food

 #4

 We were on my friend's house one boring day. One of us thought of an idea to go to Charmaigne(our classmate)'s house. At first, we were hesitant to go there because it is very far away, it is located on the mountainous part of our city, and we only had one peso. But because of  boredom  , all six of us agreed  to go to Charmaigne's house. We just walked in order for us to go to her house, erasing the mere thought  that it was very far away.

    In the middle of our trip, we felt hunger, but we do not have any food with us, only one peso. That is why we searched for food anywhere. When we passed by a star apple tree, our eyes were mesmerized by a single fruit. Without hesitation, we stole the star apple. The fruit, obviously did not satisfy our hunger. That's why when we passed by a store, we used our only money to buy a bubblegum. After buying, we cut it into small pieces and we shared it. The trip was so long that we stopped every time we saw a good place for us to rest. During our stop over, we always thought of many weird ideas, we even did the shadow dance, and maybe we did those crazy things because of our hunger.

    After almost two hours of walking, we arrived on Charmaigne's house. She and her cousin, who was on her house, were surprised when they saw us. They did not have any idea that we were coming. Because of hunger, two of my friends hurriedly climbed up the coconut tree to get young coconut. But when they were on the middle of the tree, they suddenly felt afraid, they then quickly slid down. That's why we asked for help to Charmaigne's uncle. While his uncle was busy climbing the tree, Charmaigne led us to her neighbor to ask for some star fruits.Generously, they permitted us to do so. After getting fruits, we then went to the store to buy milk for the coconut. When we went back to her house, we then  prepared everything; we scraped the coconut, mixed it with milk, and washed the star fruit. 

    We were busy eating, chatting, teasing and laughing that we did not notice that it was already getting dark. We just noticed it when we heard the already awakened nocturnal creatures dancing gracefully in the darkness of the night. We then directly cleaned up, thanked Charmaigne and her family, then bid them goodbye. We walked quickly because the road was so dark, that we cannot even see the both sides of the road. In the middle of our walk, a very heavy rain poured over us. It made the road very muddy and no one could ever imagine what we looked like during those chilly scenario. Dark road, no single house could be  seen, sounds of creepy animals, heavy rain, and only us walking, it seemed like we were on a horror film. That's why we ran so fast until we arrived on a waiting shed that had light. We rested there for a while and waited for the rain to stop. While resting, we were surprised when we looked on our feet, it was full of mud, as if we were wearing shoes made of mud.

    It was almost 9:00 pm when we reached the highway, we then headed to our respective houses. When I arrived home, I was expecting that I will be scolded by my mother, but luckily I wasn't. After a few minutes of rest, I then took a bath, went to bed and fell unto a very deep sleep.

  That day was really a memorable one, even though the trip was really tiresome. I did not regret for it. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never ever forget in my entire life.

HERE IS AN EDITED VIDEO OF OUR ADVENTURE:

Spirits

#3

        Our family is pretty much connected to us. They are already a part of who we are. When a person really close to us will go away, we will really miss them. The more if the person will die, you cannot help but mourn and cry.

        On the story " The Sweet Unforgettable Day", I could not really relate on it because I have not yet experienced the loss or death of a family member. But I believed that what they experienced was really the presence of their mother. I believed it because I also believed that the spirit world really exist, that there are other inhuman beings that lives in this world and that some souls' of the dead are still here on earth, watching us. When they want to be noticed, they find ways to do it. Like moving something, releasing scent associated with them, playing music, appearing on a dream or letting you see them.

        I have also some experiences with those beings, actually I have already seen a white lady. I knew a story related to the text and it was an experience of my grandmother. I have a cousin who was already dead before I was born, and he is close to my grandmother. Last 2008, on the birthday of my dead cousin, my lola told us a story that happened that day. While my lola is sleeping, she suddenly woke up because someone kissed her cheek. She really felt the lips that touched her skin and heard a smack sound, but when she opened her eyes, she saw no one. She then remembered that that day was the birthday of my dead cousin. We just assumed that my cousin just reminded us that it is his birthday, because we almost forgot it.

        The experience of my grandmother reminds us that the spirits must not be feared. They are there to remind us of something, maybe good or bad. They are not there to hurt us, just like what's implied on horror movies. They will never hurt us. They are just there to communicate, to talk or to clear things up.

        

Me

#2

            Every person in this world is different. They come from different races, families, cultures and religions. Everyone has his own story to tell. Now, I will tell you my story.

          I am Joseph Martin Perez Buray. My name "Joseph Martin" was taken from the name of the lead character of a romance pocketbook. I was born on June 12, 1995 and raised  in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental. It is where the magnificent Divine Mercy Shrine is located. I was raised and taken cared of by my mother, Rutchil Buray, with the help of my grandparents, Rodolfo and Hilda Buray. My father is still unknown, I did not have the chance to meet and know him because he left us while my mother is still pregnant with me. I promised to myself that I will look for him, but in the right time. Going back, I grew up on a place where the sea is just a few steps away. In fact, when the tide is high, the water goes inside our house. My childhood friends and those people who know me well call me Jomar. Jomar is the combination of my two names - Jo from Joseph and Mar from Martin. My childhood was really awesome because I had so many unforgettable experiences, like catching bats, getting crabs, fishing, playing different kinds of games and many more. But one of the most unforgettable experience that I had is when we swam in the sea without any garments. So that after we swim we will just wear our clothes again as if nothing happened.

          I started and finished my kindergarten, elementary and high school education at St. Joseph Academy. I was a consistent honor student and graduated with honors. I was also got a special award in computer manipulation. Since grade one up to the fourth year, I ran as a candidate of the student body officer and luckily, I only lost once. I failed to be an officer when I was in third year, because I ran as the Supreme Student Council (SSC) Vice-President and my opponent was the fourth year valedictorian. It was a close fight because I only by 30 votes only. Even with that incident, I could still say that my third year in high school was the best. It is because I enjoyed a lot on our foundation days. On my fourth year, I did not lose hope and still ran as the SSC vice-president. I won with a great difference of votes. I am also one of the Cyber Club, a computer organization's trouble shooter. And I was The Carpenters, the official publication of our school's photojournalist. My high school years were truly unforgettable, memorable and one of a kind. I met my friends or maybe true friends or my "barkada" in Filipino. Our barkada is composed of nine boys, one gay and one lesbian.

        As I graduated and left the portals of my dear Alma Mater, I then faced another chapter of my life, college. When I was in high school, my ambition was really to become a well-known chef in a prestigious ship, but I realized that the course Culinary Arts needs much money. That's why I shifted to another course. On the start of my fourth year in high school, I saw that my grades in computer was good. from then on, I decided to choose the course Computer Engineering, but I was discouraged to take up ComEng. That's why I then shifted to Electronics and Communications Engineering. I chose it because i think it is still related to computer, because computer is an electronic gadget used for communication.

        Today, I am currently studying at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, taking up BS-Electronics and Communications Engineering. Many people discouraged me to enroll in this school because they say it is really hard to graduate here, but i am not discouraged and still enrolled here. Yes what they say was right and I have already proved that, but i will hold on to a five word quote I heard on our retreat, "NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!". I will prove to them that I can, that I can be what they did not expect me to be. That I will achieve my dreams and be happy with my life. Because I believe in the saying that goes, "The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams."

I Stop to Say Thank You Mama

#1

           Our mother always gives us inspiration. In times that we are in great depression, she is there to comfort us. When we feel like giving up on life's challenges, she is always there to encourage and to cheer us up. And when we are happy, I know she is also happy for our happiness is also her happiness. Living in this world without your mother is like eating food without salt, it seems like there is something lacking.

           In my entire existence in this world, I have never ever experienced having a complete family. My father left my mother while she was still pregnant with me. I know that my father is from Bukidnon and that's the only information that I know about him. But in spite of that, my Mama had been a very good mother. She raised me up as a single parent. Being a single parent is never easy. That's why she strove hard and never gave up in order for us to live. Even if I have never known my father, I haven't really felt great emptiness in my heart, because my Mama filled up all the empty compartments in my heart with  her care and love.

           Today, I am facing a different and more challenging stage in my life. The stage where I will strive hard to reach my ambition, to fulfill my dreams and to make my Mama so proud of me. I will never loose hope, because I will prove to my father that leaving us is a very wrong decision for him. I could not deny the fact that I am angry to what he had done, but I will not take revenge. Instead, I will take it as an inspiration that in the future, I will become a good husband and a good father.

          As of  now, I would like to stop dreaming about things to say thank you to my mama who guides, molds, cares and loves me for all that I am. Thank you ma, and I will always love you.