A Labor Day post

Today is May 1, Labor Day! and I want to make a post to serve as a tribute to the laborers.

The corruption in the government is not new, and so is the Labor system, which is tainted with injustice and oppression among the laborers. Here you can see a scenario where the employers keep on earning their profits while the employees are in the losing end.

I am not an employee nor have been an employee. I must say that my job exposure has been limited to my on-job-training during college in a softdrinks company as well as the management of our business. Despite the absence of the experience as a laborer, I must say that I am quite aware of what's going on in a company, more particularly the way the people on top manage their laborers. I have constantly been an advocate of laborers. I know that the labor force of our country is the primary resource that would create a massive improvement in the country.

The proposed bill, which would increase the minimum wage of laborers by P125, which should have been a law by now, was opposed by a few congressmen who initiated a motion for reconsideration after three readings in the house. I think there's a tinge of absurdity in some politicians and some executive officers in the government who say that without the corporations or investors, there would be no jobs that would be available in the country. Therefore, the P125 increase of the minimum wage would be a burden that would cause loss to the companies. Having incurred losses, the companies have no other choice but to discontinue operations. This, according to these silly and illogical government officials would cause the unemployment rate to rise. I don't think so! A clear manifestation that these officials, who are supposed to uphold the interests of the populace are making an upfront just to give way for the desires of the current administration as well as to their own selfish interests. These government officials who as you know own a lot of businesses and as owners they would of course prioritize the effect of any bill proposed in the congress to their interests.

It is sad to know that a lot of skilled workers, doctors, engineers and others are migrating in foreign lands who could give them the opportunities they need not only to earn a living but for further expansion of their knowledge and skills. If the government of the Philippines could only provide for these then well and good, we don't have a problem, nothing to criticize about. But this isn't the scenario right now. Statistics show that a few years more, and we would have a shortage in some skilled laborers, like Doctors, Engineers, Accountants, and even linemen of Electric Companies like MERALCO!

The call-center industry has boomed two or three years ago. And a lot of fresh graduates are employed as call center agents right now. Money is easy in call centers. I don't mean to offend employees of call centers, but as I see it, the four years spent by these graduates in college are somehow put to waste because of the tempting easy money in call centers. I am worried on the effect of the call center industry emerging as one of the top industries in the country. I am worried that because people would tend to get practical, they would simply go on a call-center training and earn money, with a substantial education being left-behind. Being in whatever field is a choice, if you want to be in a call center I respect your choice. But if your choice is unconsciously or subconsciously dictated by the economic status of your family which is the effect of the economy of the Philippines in general, then, with all due respect, I just wish you good luck! and I hope landing in the job you chose is just your stepping stone towards achieving the career you really want.

I must say I am fortunate enough that I don't have to work my ass off just to finance my education, moreso a post-graduate course. But still, I know for a fact that eventually when I graduate and hopefully pass the Bar, I know I'd start out as an employee, and I don't even know where exactly I would land my first job. And in the future when I'll be included in the labor force of the country, I'd be more exposed to the labor system. And I hope by that time, a lot of developments should have been made.

As what late Ramon Magsaysay has said: "those who have less in life should have more in law", I believe the labor force is a unit in the society that our laws should give more privileges and rights. A revisit of the Labor Code and Laws should have been made by our lawmakers. Enactments of laws that would cater a lot of opportunities to laborers should be made. Laws which are truly enacted to benefit the laborers and do not directly or indirectly satisfy the selfish interests of the capitalists.

THE BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT I RECEIVED EVER

Hay.. I aged a year older today, April 30. Actually I planned my birthday to be a meaningful one this year as I turn 24. As i've said in one of my post I want to make a difference. And I did. It was really an overwhelming feeling when the outreach program I've sponsored and led was a successful one. I actually intended to hold the outreach program without informing the foundation (Openheart Foundation Worldwide-Binan Laguna) that I was doing it to celebrate my birthday with the kids. But one of my friends, Jeni decided to mentioned surreptiously to one of the volunteers of the foundation that the event was really aimed at celebrating my birthday with the kids, which is also geared towards sharing something to the kids through the lectures that we have conducted, the games and other activities.

Jen, as emcee started the program (after the opening remarks by Ate Emma from the foundation) by getting to know the kids. Jen let the kids describe themselves by thinking of a thing that they could associate themselves with. There were kids who are shy at first and cannot think of a thing, but still it was good to hear the kids describing themselves, although some had a very funny associations, or disassociation? hehe! Anyway, after that we had a game the so-called "Bahay, Tao, Bagyo" where the kids had to form into groups of three and then have to transfer from one group to the other when a specific code was mentioned among "Bahay", "Tao" and "Bagyo". Lemuel did his assigned task well by facilitating the game. After that we had a breather! Jen instructed the kids to "inhale" and "EEEEXHAALLE".. Afterwhich, we headed towards the lecture area for our main activity.

Madj, the one I assigned for the program had a meeting a week before the event to brainstorm and settle the theme and other important things for the event. We have decided that since it is still April, and during the month of April we celebrate the Earth Month, it was settled that the theme would be Environment Protection. I've researched the internet of necessary information for the theme. I worked on my visuals as well that would clearly depict the theme. Along with the lecture I have presented a story of a boy "Cocoy" who, is affected by the pollution in their community. He couldn't play. He is not allowed by his parents to go outside because he could get some disease caused by the pollution in the area. We had an activity were I have grouped the kids into four and then I instructed them to draw what they think is necessary to help Cocoy. I was impressed by some kids who could really draw well and those who have potentials of becoming great leaders. After the time I allotted for the kids, I let them choose one representative to explain in front what they have done. And I can say that they have grasp pretty well and are aware of the things that they should do in order to help the environment. I summed up the whole topic of discussion and then had snack. After the snack we distributed our gifts to the kids and since there are excess gifts we decided to conduct a talent portion, where the winner gets the prize! I saw that some kids also had the potentials and it was fun seeing them sing and dance.

The outreach program was indeed a success. I just can't put into words anymore the feeling that I had when the event was held. Moreso, when the kids started to sing the 'Happy Birthday Song' to me!, I can't explain what I felt that time, it was ecstatic! Seeing smiles on the kids is truly a priceless gift that I had and I could say the most important gift I had during the last 24 years of my existence.

It was also a wonderful feeling when, I think two or three kids approached me towards the end of the program and express their gratitude and greeted me again 'happy birthday'.

The second purpose of the event which I also talked about in my recent post, was a get-together with my closest college friends, my so-called Kanlungan Family. Unfortunately more than half werent able to come. But its okay with me, I did not expect, aside from the fact that it usually happens when we set a gathering only few are able to come; I've learned to accept things as they are and as I always do I tend to justify things, I just keep in mind that if I were in their shoes or the situation they are in at the very moment that I 'need' their company, then I would most possibly understand. So, it wasn't really a problem with some of us who were present during the outreach program since the kids are attentive and cooperative. The volunteers of the foundation were also there and very much participative and helpful.

I'm happy and proud that I've accomplished something like this. And this for sure is not the last time. .Helping people is not a choice, it's a responsibility, as for me.. And I'm glad I have stood to that responsibility..

The BIG R

Responsibility.

That's the BIG R I am talking about. Being the beadle of our class (in law school) is quite a big task for me. I've been a leader all throughout my college years and I know the big responsibility attached to it. Being a leader requires a lot of sacrifices, up to the point when your academics become your "extra-curricular" activity. I have been active all throughout my college years and not that I am blaming the organizations I have participated in, but being a leader really affected my studies. But yet, I don't have regrets since both ways I know, I could gain something. I really had a hard time being a leader, because as a leader you also should be a good example. But the hardest part of being a leader is organizing an activity and trying to get the attention of everyone. I do get irritated sometimes when some target participants express their unwillingness to attend the activities. Their reason?, they won't get any incentive from doing so. It's somehow acceptable for college students to be unwilling when it comes to attending organized activities, but in Law School where people are expected to be mature enough and more than willing (of course without the presence of a fortuitious event), I think it's no excuse not to attend an activity because you'll not get any incentive. Yes practicality wise, we should be compensated for whatever "DEED" or "FAVOR" we give to anyone but my point is that, is it always necessary that when we do things for other people we should expect something in return? I may sound a hypocrite but I don't think it's not always the case, whatever deed or favor we are asked to, should be willingly and generously given.

When I entered Law School, and even before that I have promised to myself to concentrate more on my studies and as much as possible constrain myself with extra-curricular activities or engaging myself in any kind of activity which entails great responsibility. Well the funny things is, the very first day of the class I was just LUCKILY assigned by one of our professors to be responsible for the photocopying of his book for the entire class. He assigned me as the 'beadle' of the class. Eventually, in other classes professors would normally ask who is the president or the leader of the class whom they could rely to, usually when they would give out assignments etc. Well, the class did nominate me in the position, basically rooted on the appointment of one of my professors, as mentioned above. I conceded to the decision of the class. I accepted the position, I accepted the responsibility with a thought on my mind that the task is not that difficult unlike what I was engaged to during my college years. I must admit I did not take the task seriously. What was on my mind was that it was just an informal thing. It's like, I was just assigned to be a representative of the class for the time being. I am not used with appointments maybe that's the reason. I want everything to follow a process, and I thought it never happened.

I became the "messenger" of the class, usually when there is an announcement from the dean's office. A "semi-production assistant", when some continually ask for information on assignments they never didn't bother to take note. Well it is okay for me to do those things, and I think I'm getting used to it. And with the type of personality I have, who's always ready to help everyone, as long as I can, I could tolerate those things. (Exception: not when I am soundly asleep! hehe!)..

The block I belong to was very much rigged by a lot of controversies. But I never take sides. I still continue what I am supposed to do. Before the second semester began last year, I decided to relinquish my position to another, but the people I have cunningly given motives to of transferring the position have explicitly disregarded the offer. So I continued holding the torch. Well, as second semester continues to bring hell with everyone, I have managed to slowly overcome the difficult responsibility. The responsibility slowly sinks in with me. Of course I could not do this without the help of some blockmates who have the initiative to do their responsibilities as well for the block. The bond that I have forged with other blockmates gave me also the confidence in me to continually give out my very best in serving the block. I just hope these people continually support, not me, but the block.

Killing Time Online ( A must read for certified addicts!)

Killing Time Online Why are online games so addictive? Science is providing answers.

Mars W. Mosqueda Jr. > Reader's Digest October 2006

Classes had just begun at the Mapua Institute of Technology in Makati City, Philippines, on a beautiful Tuesday morning in July 2003. While Stanley Vincent Dimaya's classmates were busy writing answers for a surprise test, the 18-year-old computer science student was having trouble concentrating. He tried to focus on the questions, but he couldn't stop thinking about warriors doing battle. Vivid scenes of fire-breathing monsters and cursed ghosts killing humans played repeatedly in his head. Within minutes Dimaya was consumed by an intense desire to play Ragnarok – an online role-playing adventure game based on Norse mythology. His eyes darted between his paper and the door. Abruptly he pushed his chair aside, grabbed his bag, and told his professor that he had a stomachache and needed to leave. Dimaya was soon rushing out the school gate. By the time he reached the unkempt Internet café he frequented near his school, he had forgotten about exams or classes. Finding a vacant computer station, Dimaya clicked on the Ragnarok icon and in a few quick keystrokes began his journey into the fictional empire. Knowing that he'd lose track of time, Dimaya checked his wallet for cash and realised that the 500 pesos (US$10) his parents had given him to buy a computer textbook would allow him to play for more than ten hours. Dimaya eased back into his chair with a grin – it was going to be a long day. Dimaya's experience is alarmingly common in Asia.

According to research firm DFC Intelligence, Asia is the leading region for online games. In all, 114 million people worldwide play online games such as EverQuest, StarCraft, and World of Warcraft. The sheer number of Internet cafés – the Philippines alone has an estimated 1500 – that are easily accessible day and night, has created a fertile environment where online gaming has flourished. More worryingly, it has also led to people becoming addicted to online games. South Korea, where 17 million people play online games, has seen the tragic consequences of this addiction – in August 2005, a 28-year-old man collapsed and died after reportedly playing StarCraft at an Internet café in the city of Taegu for 50 hours straight.
Easy accessibility aside, leading addiction researchers say the real problem is that online games can be habit-forming. The captivating games lure and hold people in their grip by playing off powerful psychological processes. For Dimaya, the day he ran out on his computer science test wasn't the first time warring monsters had beckoned him; he played Ragnarok almost every day.

''Many people feel powerless in society, but in online games they're in control of armies, of cities, of other people,'' says Goh Chee Leong, dean of the Department of Psychology at Kuala Lumpur's HELP University College. ''This power is exhilarating and provides the mental challenge their brain seeks.''

The rapid gratification of winning not only help a players forget their problems but also becomes a powerful trigger, creating an urge to play in the first place.
Psychologists describe this trigger-response mechanism as ''classical conditioning,'' a concept developed by pioneering behavioural psychologist Ivan Pavlov. In Dimaya's case, his mind created an association between the pleasant feeling of winning and Ragnarok's graphic images. When he wasn't playing online and experienced negative feelings, such as the stress of an unexpected class test , his mind would seek pleasant thoughts and recall the feeling of victory he enjoyed while playing Ragnarok. The association was so powerful that battle scenes between monsters and warriors would switch on in his mind.

Chemical Reaction. Dr Muni Winslow, director and senior consultant psychiatrist of the Community Addictions Management Program at Singapore's Institute of Mental Health, says some people may have a greater vulnerability to online games addiction. As a result of their genetic makeup, they suffer disturbances in naturally occurring brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

These chemicals influence impulsive feelings and behaviours. The main neurotransmitter involved in all addictions is dopamine, says Winslow. People with low levels of dopamine are more prone to anxiety and cravings. Advancing to the next stage of an online game gives them a buzz that causes an increase in dopamine and makes them feel better and more motivated. This winning feeling is so rewarding that its memory takes on a great intensity and becomes more desirable every time it is recalled. For Dimaya, the pleasure he got from playing online games became all he could think about.

Low dopamine combined with low serotonin, another brain chemical that normally causes calm and controlled behaviour, can give irrational urges even greater free rein. ''An imbalance of serotonin neurotransmitters has been implicated in aggressive and impulsive behaviour,'' says Malaysian biopsychologist Chitra Karthigeyan. This explains how Dimaya could cut class to play an online game without regard for future consequences.

If this chemical chain reaction in the brain makes people vulnerable to the lure of online games, what compels them to plug in at the expense of other important activities? The psychology of game design may hold the secret. ''Psychology provides game developers with powerful tools to understand the people they create games for,'' says Katherine Isbister, director of the Games Research Laboratory at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, and author of Better Games Characters by Design. ''Classical behavioural psychology, which discusses reward schedules, is of value to game designers who want to ensure a person keeps playing a game.''

>>> Kaya Guys Hinay-hinay lang tayo sa paglalaro ng fave online games natin! I bet kahit papano your usual activities were affected when you are hooked on playing.. It's ok to get "addicted" with something, but don't let it ruin your life! Lahat ng sobra masama! Life has something more in store for you, madami pang mauusong mga games in the future hindi lang yang kinababaliwan mo ngayong Ragnarok, Ran Online, Freestyle, Star Craft, etc.. pero the time you've spent or wasted, eh di mo na maibabalik.. Peace out Gamers!

UNJUST ENRICHMENT

'UNJUST ENRICHMENT' is a principle in the Law on Obligations and Contracts which presupposes that NO ONE SHALL BE UNJUSTLY ENRICHED OR BENEFITED AT THE EXPENSE OF ANOTHER.

Sa totoo lang, nakakapag-init naman diba ng ulo 'pag may mga taong 'take advantage'. Yun bang tipong alam nila na may sasalo sa mga maling ginagawa nila kaya sila komportable sa kanilang mga pre-occupations. I grew up battling for injustice. I just want fair play in everything. Kaya nga ako nag-Law e, I want to uphold justice. Pero nakakapag-init lang talaga ng ulo pag within the premises na you are expecting where justice should prevail e hindi mo man lang maramdaman. Kahit sino naman siguro ayaw ng nalalamangan. Patas kung patas. Pero wala e nakakapikon na!, lalo na pag you ignore na those people and accept whatever 'injustice' they're doing, tapos in one way or another eh ginagamit ka na din nila for their own advantage. Kakaawa naman yung mga taong talagang nagsusumikap. Yun bang walang bahid ng dumi ang mga na-aachieve nila. Yung di nanggagamit ng tao para lang makuha yung gusto nila. Oo iba ako, iba ka din! Pero lumaban ka sana ng patas! Kung anu man yung mga desisyon mo sa buhay, take the risk and suffer the consequences of your actions! Hindi yung mang-aabala ka ng iba para lang pagtakpan yung mga maling desisyon mo! Wag na sana nating ipangalandakan sa iba ang pagiging 'immature' natin, nakakasuka lang eh! Sana lang matuto na din tayo na tumayo sa sarili nating mga paa, pano na lang kung wala na mga kaibigan natin? Kawawa naman tayo! Show some effort naman on your part! Don't be too lazy waiting for the guava to fall on the tree!

Title Intentionally left blank.

"No Man is an island" Truly a cliche' but then let's face it, you can never survive Law School on your own. You really have to mingle with others if you want to stay. Of course being bonded together doesn't happen overnight. It takes time for each and everyone in the group to express themselves freely. Being in a group where you can freely share your thoughts, your eccentricities, the drama in your life and your foolishness is quite relaxing. It absorbs the stress in an ordinary law school day. Cheers!

Hence, the title.

"In my existence, I realized that HAPPINESS is a very subjective factor in one's life. Being happy doesn't depend on achieving what you want, but rather making the best out of what is given. Life isn't fair, it never was. The only thing that can make you completely happy is CONTENTMENT. Be content on what you have, but be sure to aim high and never stop believing you can do better everytime. But if all else fails, don't forget that an ordinary you has an extraordinary God to back you up."- Very inspiring!

CAUGHT IN BETWEEN

It's hard to be caught-in-between.. People may see you neutral.. People may see you two-faced.. I hope things would go in the right place, it may not be soon but I know it will..