Phenomenal Woman

Sharing my favorite poem
By : Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me. 

Artificial Intelligence (A School Debate)

Debate Argument: Using computers to replace humans. Are the goals of AI ethical? Who should be held responsible for the actions of an intelligent agent? 

(Negative Side Response)

"The prospect of using computers to replace humans raises ethical concerns that demand careful consideration. While advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) may seem enticing, we must critically assess the implications of such technologies on our society."

First and foremost, intelligence is a unique gift bestowed upon humanity. Introducing a world dominated by robots lessens the essence of human experience. If robots were to replace humans in every sphere, we risk a deprivation of our privileges and rights, resulting in a society where humans are left marginalized.

Consider the scenario of entrusting our well-being to a robot nurse in a hospital or undergoing surgery with a robot doctor in the operating room. The potential consequences of such a reality sound unsettling. While robots may possess embedded intelligence, they lack the subjective ability to make decisions when untoward circumstances happen, and emotional capacity inherent in human decision-making.

On the Job Training

On-the-Job Training (OJT) is a practical training experience within the authentic work environment, complete with real job descriptions, having superiors, and colleagues. The idea of this college life event appears exciting and enjoyable to me.

Reflecting back in high school, I admired student interns for they seem experts in their chosen fields. So I had this notion that taking an internship or OJT would be a transformational, happy awe-mazing experience.

As someone with advanced computer skills, I envisioned myself in an office setting, collaborating with colleagues and superiors, engaging in various computer tasks such as hardcore programming, encoding, layout design, web development, networking, troubleshooting, and more.

Today, I am officially an intern! I am privileged to undergo my OJT at a specialized IT company ...a company I long to be part of for a very long time, making a dream come true.

Nervousness covered my being during the interview, feeling as if I was under a spell. I gave in to anxiety as the boss asked me about programming. I went blank for a few minutes, but thankfully redeemed myself after, giving him the answer he needed to hear. That instant made me question myself if my three years of study is enough to be doing it for real? Despite these, excitement persists as the boss seems nice and cute.haha.

My expectations were initially high. However, excitement swiftly transformed into disappointment as I was only given a very few and basic tasks. I never got the chance to showcase my skills in hardcore coding, but rather given the task to only manage the website, promote the company, some clerical tasks, and giving tutorial for web designing using HTML, PHP and Javascript, for his elementary sibling.

Seated on a swivel chair at the back part of a four-cornered room, I find myself waiting for an opportunity to engage for real. But boredom prevails, forcing me to fight boredom by engaging in what I can say is a nonsensical activities...such as writing this blog.

My SCA Family

I miss my SCA family. It's a holiday break, and it feels oddly quiet without them. No laughter, no shared moments of chaos. It’s strange, and honestly, I’m feeling a bit lost without the crew that’s been such a huge part of my life for the past four years.

Being part of the Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCA) wasn’t just a "college thing" for me---it was family. And not in a cheesy way, but in that "we’ve seen the best and worst of each other" kind of way. We’ve been through it all. Works of Mercy, Mass Sponsorships, Catechises, Cell Meetings, Daily Prayers, and through all of it, I’ve grown in ways I never expected.

SCA is something else. We’re always there for each other. Whether it’s tackling tough assignments, offering a shoulder during rough patches, or just sharing a good laugh (or, let’s be real, a heated argument or two). We’re like siblings, minus the annoying part... okay, maybe with a little of that too, but still, they mean the world to me.

I’m incredibly grateful for what SCA has given me: spiritual guidance, personal growth, and most importantly, a sense of belonging. College has its ups and downs, but having my SCA family by my side made the whole ride so much easier. We share our burdens, lift each other up, and find strength in our faith and love for one another.

Today, I miss them so much, I could cry. I miss the meetings, the late-night study sessions that somehow turned into eating sprees, the laughter, and the quiet moments of prayer. I miss the way we come together for Mass sponsorships and Works of Mercy, reminding me that we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves. They make me feel whole.

To my SCA fam, especially Manay, thank you. You’ve been my support system, my joy, and my light. Can’t wait to see you again soon!

Tragic Incident - My Head Injury

It was in June 2009, I was 17, just months away from turning 18. I was full of energy, dreams, and positivity. Life was speeding by, especially in my 2nd year of college. I was just starting to feel like an adult, with the world at my feet. But little did I know, one random day would change everything.

It all started with what seemed like a regular visit to a doctor. But this wasn’t just any doctor... it was one of those "quack" doctors you hear about, somewhere near Bacolod's central market. My mom and I were worried I might have caught the H1N1 virus since it was everywhere. The doctor gave me a strong injection, saying it would help. We immediately headed downtown to buy some medicine. My mom and I split up, each of us standing in line at different pharmacies. That’s when it all started.

According to my mom, there was this sudden panic. People were freaking out because someone had passed out. That someone was me. I had collapsed and hit my head on the sharp edge of the cement floor. I blacked out completely. People called an ambulance, and my mom, in total shock, rushed with me to the hospital, probably praying like crazy that I’d be okay.

In the ER, things got even scarier. I lost my eyesight for a bit, threw up, and the signs weren't good. They ran a bunch of tests, including this one called an EEG to check my brain. They wanted to do a CT scan too, but honestly, I’m not sure if that ever happened. CT scans are expensive, and we didn’t have a lot of money. I can’t blame my mom for that, but part of me wishes I had gotten it done. I was on a lot of meds for the pain and memory issues. One doctor even warned me that there could be long-term effects that might not show up for years. That warning freaks me out until now, and maybe will freak me out until forever.

Life after that was different...way different. I used to be so carefree, ready for any adventure. But after the accident, I was scared. I stopped doing anything that might risk another head injury. Extreme sports? Out of the question. Even things I loved, like playing sports or dreaming about trying ice skating, became too risky. I gave up on the idea of ever bungee jumping, skydiving, or even climbing mountains. The fear of dying from something stupid took over, and it’s still with me today.

Then there was this one time at home when I bumped my head on a door frame. I passed out for a second, and my whole family freaked out. That’s when it really hit me...I’m so vulnerable now. My big dreams of adventure started to fade, replaced by the reality that I have to be careful with everything I do.

I’m not the same person now. My personality has changed, and my memory isn’t what it used to be. I used to be able to remember every little detail about WWI and WWII (Yeah, I looove history). I knew all the important phone numbers by heart and could memorize song lyrics, poems and prose in a snap. But now, that’s gone. My interests changed, too. I no longer like to program. I wanted to shift course, but I guess, I couldn't because I want to graduate on time. I easily gets irritated, and my head hurts a lot more often. Paracetamol has been my companion for more than a year now. Sometimes, I hear my family talk about things from when I was a kid, and I just can’t remember. It’s like pieces of my past are slipping away, and that really scares me. What if... urrrgghh

I have no idea what the future holds, but I really hope that future me is doing okay. I just want to live a good life, even if I have to be careful. To the future me...please don’t die before you’re at least 55, okay? Deal? Marry a good man who would take  care of you if you go "crazy" because of your head accident. (Knock on wood)

A Story: Interview With GOD

I dreamed I had an interview with God. "Come in" God said. "So, you would like to interview Me?" "If you have the time," I said. God smiled and said: "My time is eternity and is enough to do everything; What questions do you have in mind to ask me?" "What surprises you most about mankind?"
God answered:
"That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again. "That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health. "That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor the future.

God's hands took mine and we were silent for awhile and then I asked... "As a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children to learn?"

God replied with a smile: "To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives. "To learn that there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings. "To learn that money can buy everything but happiness. "To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it totally different. "To learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about them...and likes them anyway. "To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but that they have to forgive themselves."

I sat there for awhile enjoying the moment. I thanked Him for his time and for all that He has done for me and my family, and He replied,

"Anytime. I'm here 24 hours a day. All you have to do is ask for me, and I'll answer."