Friday, February 24, 2017
DOST-SEI's The Filipino Patriot Scholar Project | Day 1
I feel like I've woken up in a very beautiful dream and it's still so vivid to me even if it just happened a weekend ago. These two-day workshop that the DOST-SEI had prepared for the scholars of MSU-IIT was a very huge success and had harvested 200 patriots.
It's been roughly three months since the day of DOST-JLSS Examination results came out, the day that my name has been part of that list who luckily passed. And just days ago was the contract signing and became a DOST Scholar officially. I want this scholarship so bad since I don't to be leeching off my parents anymore for my weekly outings and extravagant needs.. for short, it just boils down to MONEY. But it never occurred to me how heavy my responsibility was until I joined this Formation Program.
I was really excited to be a DOST Scholar and it is of my will that I wanted to be part of this program, to at least give back or to express how thankful I am to pass the exam. Only 200 scholars were invited to be a part of it-- at first, the list wasn't even filled up because most scholars aren't interested, thinking that it's just a program full of boring lectures. AND to think the program has no registration fee! And free snacks and lunch and dinner and breakfast! And we get to enter PRISM (a 200-M worth research institute building) for the first time! Plus the experience! How can I say no to that! This was the first time DOST-SEI had conducted this formation program. It would be such a great privilege to be part of it!!!
I was really excited.. but I was still late for first day, kinda. Well, I just really barely arrived on time, seconds before the program started. Teehee
DAY 1
First, we had the Human Bingo Card which was really fun with my fellow scholars. This was my first time to be with them, to know some of their faces. The first four scholars who get to complete the card will receive a journal signed by Dr. Biyo! Gorgeousss. But I haven't won because I was too busy signing other people's cards (Harry Potter fan; person that has nail polish on toenails; youngest in the family, etc.) than letting others sign mine. I don't mind because I really had fun!! Next activity we had was Humanizing the Scholar. We were given letters (which spell out Patriot), a paper human and a current issue, where we received "Depletion of Natural Resources". The letters will be the first letters of the body parts, and attach it to the paper human. Then we'll explain how we can lessen the problem by using the body parts we've attached.
After that we had the Kapihan!! It was really entertaning!! I did not expect this part of the program. Hahaha. Well, this part was just like in a talk show. One host, which is Prof. Confesor, who acted like Boy Abunda, and then three DOST former scholars were invited to be interviewed as guests. 'Boy Abunda' did a great job, infairness. And the guests, their stories were really inspiring. ♥
After that there was a talk prepared by Sir Geraldo Petilla about the core values of being a patriot scholar. (I really wonder if he's related to our former Secretary of Department of Energy Jericho Petilla, because they look alike). So there are three core values that scholars need to uphold:
- SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - to always remember that we need to give back to our community and to help other people succeed; to promote nation building
- SERVANT LEADERSHIP - to influence and be a good example for others to follow; to pass on something worth keeping, like values and skills, to survive in this world; allowing and teaching your members to stand up on their own
- PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE - to do your best at all times to also give best results; not just to achieve a profession but to also excel on it
We were given the chance to have a role playing or a sitcom in front of the audience in the Mannequin Challenge part, about the core values. Each group was assigned with a core value and we must portray it the best way we can to the audience. It was quite unnerving since the judges were the important people of DOST-SEI. It was really fun having to bond with my co-scholars, exchanging sensible opinions with each other. Other groups were very entertaining too!!
Never thought that day could get any better! Ms. Imelda Sario aka Ma'am Dada's icebreakers really the bomb!!! They're really unique and funny and we always look forward to it. A number of icebreakers she had shared to us, and I'll surely share it to future workshops/camps soon.♥
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| credits to DocuTeam of the Patriot Program. (that's me, the one holding a phone, so busy capturing memories hihi) |
We had short film showing in the afternoon. They let us watch a documentary of the current issues in the Philippines and wanted us to come up an action plan on how we can solve or lessen a problem that's around our community.
I think this activity was really informative, not only because we can open our minds and realize the problems that are prevalent in our community, but we can also know what other groups had come up and realized. We had come up with an action plan too, meaning as scholars, we can do something about them. And we must start doing them.
That day was really draining maybe because of the wave of information I got from all the lectures that day, and yet, I went home with a happy heart. ♥
Next post will be the second day! It was the more memorable part of the program because we were given a chance to witness the people who needed us Patriots to help them. Wait for it!
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Last Book Syndrome: 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Everytime I feel like I am wasting my time and life away through slacking off or when I feel like my mind is already rusting from all the absurd and nonsense information I've been getting through social media nowadays, or when I feel like just want to.. chill out and feel something, the most sensible thing I should do is to get a book and read.
And I've not been a bit disappointed.
(SPOILER ALERT. Of course, all my book reviews are going to be spoilers. If you don't want to read any spoils, jump to tl;dr part.)
Credits to Bookbed.org where I've got the idea of this blog series. I've made the four parts: In A Nutshell (quick summary), Up In The Clouds (reactions and positive remarks), On The Contrary (downsides of the book) and tl;dr (recommendations and other comments).
Baker's Dozen: The Autobiography of Hannah Baker
After more than a year of being wrapped in a plastic and stored in my cabinet (the temporary home of my books), I finally unwrapped Thirteen Reasons Why for two reasons. One, it has been announced just lately that the book will be made into a Netflix TV series, so I just have to know the story first before it will be put on screen! (I don't want to watch the on-screen versions if I haven't read the books.) Two, I've been soul-searching and missing the feeling of being into an adventure through books, so I grabbed this since I've heard great reviews about it.And I've not been a bit disappointed.
(SPOILER ALERT. Of course, all my book reviews are going to be spoilers. If you don't want to read any spoils, jump to tl;dr part.)
In A Nutshell
Clay Jensen was surprised when a shoebox-sized package has been delivered and addressed to him. Inside the shoebox were tapes.. Seven audiotapes with marks on each side except the last tape, only one side is marked. Thirteen marks. He was bummed at first because no one's listening to tapes anymore. Surprised even more that it came from Hannah Baker, the girl he noticed and loved, the girl who took her life away weeks ago.
It turned out that the tapes were Hannah Baker's last messages to the world she left. Messages specifically sent to people who made her life miserable and whom some way responsible for her death. Thirteen marks. Thirteen people. And Clay, confused and baffled, was one of them. He borrowed, rather stole, his friend Tony's Walkman so that he can listen to the tapes whenever he want to. He gripped to Hannah's words and connected the people she mentioned, going to the places Hannah marked on the map she provided as supplement for the tapes.
After all the horrible things happened to Hannah, Clay was the exception on the tapes. He was part of the story not because he did horrible, but because Hannah want to ask for forgiveness that she'd given up on what was happening with both of them. The rest of the tapes also include Hannah's confessions of the faults she'd also done, and even admits that she's guilty.
From then on, Clay's life has changed forever.
Up in The Clouds
Two words: LIFE CHANGING. I really ran out of words to say after I've read the book! HUHU I've read the book from cover to cover, even the questions part and the extras, because I can't gather my thoughts well when I finished it. I can't get enough of it. I had lots of thoughts I can't seem to organize. I was put in a meditation mode and pondered all I've read-- of how some parts in the book, I am also guilty, in a way that I've done the same things people Hannah mentioned. Like Courtney Crimsen. I can imagine myself sometimes with her character that's why I cry now and then whenever there are parts I am reminded of how horrible the person I am to others. (You can judge me now. Just like Hannah, I don't want to be an angel in your eyes. It is simply the truth.)
This book is really an eye opener and by the time you've finished reading it, I PROMISE YOU, you won't look the world the same as it was before. You will start treating others better and start to consider their feelings. You will learn to be careful as all we do create repercussions. "Everything affects everything." You will be aware of how great the impact you are giving to the people around you.
I loved the book's setup. The audiotapes. The Walkman. The map and the places. I love how Jay Asher writes as I can clearly imagine Clay Jensen's journey and how vivid the details are. The words were not that hard to understand too, unlike some books that try hard to use deep words but didn't have much sense.
It has occurred to me that we all have that Hannah Baker in our lives. I honestly am always reminded of my friend everytime Hannah Baker poured out her thoughts. All I can think of is that, "Is this what she's feeling all the time?" "Have I offended her?" "Is that why she lost her trust on me?" and I just cry and regret. But that's where Clay comes in to balance it out. We must be Clay Jensens who will try our best to reach out no matter what, to never give up on that person. We must try to represent the hope they're looking for.
On The Contrary
I don't have much dislikes on the book except that sometimes I get distracted by Clay's side comments on Hannah's tapes. Like when Hannah is still talking and the message gets interrupted by Clay's thoughts. I was quite annoyed by that format sometimes because I was so into Hannah's speech just to be interrupted by Clay's thoughts telling another story. It was confusing but I got used to it after a while.
Also, I was quite shocked that Clay wasn't blamed. Well, I was really expecting that he gets to be blamed at for not reaching out sooner, I was quite mad at him at first. (But also relieved that he wasn't blamed at haha idk). I've forgiven him though on the later part. Part of me even wants to have a Clay Jensen.
tl;dr
Overall impact: ★★★★★
6/5 even! The suspense, the thrill, the lessons!! IT REALLY IS A MUST READ. Especially for teenagers in these (my) generations, they need a whole lot of new perspective. Many of us needs to be enlightened, encouraged, changed. It has a different feels compared to All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Though, kind of the same theme, but different concept. ATBP can give you a meltdown but 13RW will make you understand and see clearly. It's like being blind for a while but now I've been given sight.
I am more than willing to share this book to my friends, I will even allow them to write their thoughts on the last blank pages of my copy because I want to read their thoughts the moment they've finished reading. I recommend it with all my heart!! ♥
Credits to Bookbed.org where I've got the idea of this blog series. I've made the four parts: In A Nutshell (quick summary), Up In The Clouds (reactions and positive remarks), On The Contrary (downsides of the book) and tl;dr (recommendations and other comments).
Do you know other books that have changed your life, too? Tell me so that I can read it too!
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