Sino Ang Mga Reyna Sa Santacruzan

Depiksiyon ng Birheng Maria 

Ano ang Santacruzan?

Ang Santacruzan ay isang prosisyon ng mga dilag, kung tawagin sa iba ay Sagala, na ginaganap tuwing Mayo sa buong Pilipinas. Ito ay bahagi ng debosyonal na Flores De Maria o Flores De Mayo dahil ang buwan ng Mayo ay buwan na dedikado sa Birheng Maria.

Katulad ng Tibag, ang Santacruzan ay isang prosisyon ng pag-gunita sa pagkahanap ni Reyna Elena sa Banal na Krus at sa kanyang anak na si Emperador Constatino sa Jerusalem at maibalik nito sa Roma.

Ang Santacruzan, bagaman isang tradisyon na ipinakilala ng mga Kastila, ay buong pusong tinanggap ng mga Pilipino at ngayon nga ay bahagi na ng sariling atin.

Ano ang Pangalan ng Mga Reyna sa Santacruzan?

1. Reyna Abogada - ang tagapagtanggol ng mahihirap at inaapi. Nakasuot siya ng itim na graduation cap (toga) at gown at may dala siyang malaking libro.
2. Reyna Banderada - isang dilag na nakasuot ng mahabang pulang gown na may dalang dilaw na tatsulok na bandila. Kinakatawan niya ang pagdating ng Kristiyanismo.
3. Reyna De Las Propetas - Dilag na may dalang orasan
4. Reyna De Las Estrellas - Reyna ng mga bituin. Karaniwang may dalang wand na may bituin.
5. Reyna Del Cielo - Reyna ng Kalangitan. May dalang mga bulaklak at may kasamang dalwang anghel
6. Reyna De Las Flores - Reyna ng mga bulaklak
7. Reyna De Las Virgenes - Reyna ng mga birhen. May Dalang Rosario at may agapay na dalwang anghel
8. Reyna Paz - Reyna ng kapayapaan. Nagdadala ng simbulo ng kapayapaan
9. Reyna Elena (Queen Helena) - ang maalamat na tagapagtatag ng tunay na Krus, na kinakatawan ng maliit na krus na hawak niya sa kanyang mga kamay.
10. Reyna Esther - ang biblikal na Hudyo na nagligtas sa kanyang mga kababayan mula sa kamatayan at pagkawasak sa pamamagitan ng napapanahong interbensyon sa Haring Xerxes. May dala siyang isang setro.
11. Reyna Judith - kumakatawan kay Judith ng Pethulia na nagligtas sa kanyang lungsod mula sa mga Asiryano (Assyrians) maatapos niyang pugutan ng ulo ang malupit na holofern. Bitbit niya ang ulo sa isang kamay at isang tabak sa kabila.
12. Reyna Justicia - isang personipikasyon ng "salamin ng katarungan". May dala siyang timbangan at tabak.
13. Reyna Sentenciada - dilag na ang kamay ay nagagapos ng lubid. Siya ang simbolo ng mga walang kasalanan na nahatulan. Inaagapayan siya ng dalawang sundalong Romano.
14. Reyna Sheba - Ang Reyna na dumalaw kay Haring Solomon na may labis na labis na karunungan, kapangyarihan at kayamanan. May dala siyang isang kahon ng alahas
15. Si Reyna Fe - sumisimbolo sa birtud ng pananampalataya - ang una sa mga kagalingan sa teolohiko. May dala siyang krus.Reyna Caridad - sumisimbolo sa birtud ng kawanggawa - ang pangatlong kagalingan sa teolohiya. Nagdadala siya ng isang pulang puso.
16. Reyna Mora - kumakatawan sa nangingibabaw na relihiyon bago ang Kristiyanismo (nakadamit pambabae ng Moro mula sa relihiyong Muslim).Reyna Esperanza - sumisimbolo ng birtud ng pag-asa - ang pangalawang teolohikal na kagalingan. May dala siyang angkla.

Sino ang iba pang tauhan sa Santacruzan?

1. Metuselah - isang matandang may edad na nakasakay sa isang karo. May dala siyang sisidlan ng alabok bilang paalala na ang lahat ay sa alabok nanggaling at sa alabok din babalik.
2. Mga Ita/katutubo - kumakatawan sa kalagayan ng bansa bago dumating ang mga Kastila
3. Samaritana - ang babaeng nakausap ni Kristo malapit sa isang balon. May dala siyang banga sa kanyang balikat
4. Veronica - Ang babaeng nagpunas sa muka ni Hesus. May dala siyang bandana
5. Maria Magdalena - ang naghugas sa paa ni Hesus. may dala siyang bote ng pabango
6. Maria Ina ni Santiago (James) - May dala siyang bote ng langis na pamahid
7. Maria Ina ni Hesus - Birheng Maria
8. Walong Anghel - May dala silang mga tig-iisang titik na bumubuo sa salitang AVE MARIA kapag binasa.
9. Divina Pastora - may dalang tungkod pamastol
10. Rosa Mystica - May bitbit na palumpon ng mga bulaklak

Sino-sino ang mga Marian?

Ang mga Marian ang mga titulo o katawagan sa Birheng Marya.

1. AVE MARIA - walong anghel
2. Divina Pastora - Banal na Pastola
3. Reyna De Las Estrellas - Reyna ng mga Bituin
4. Rosa Mystica -
5. Reyna Paz - Reyna ng Kapayapaan
6. Reyna De Las Propetas' - Reyna ng mga Propeta
7. Reyna Del Cielo - Reyna ng Kalangitan
8. Reyna De Las Virgenes - Reyna ng mga Birhen
9. Reyna De Las Flores - Reyna ng mga Bulaklak

Lawrence Avillano 2020

Mga Salitang Hiram sa Kastila o Espanyol.

Ang Pilipinas ay napasailalim sa kamay ng mga Kastila sa loob ng higit sa 300 taon. Hindi kaginsa-ginsa na makikita, madarama, maamoy at maririnig natin ang impluwensiya ng mga kastila sa ating mga Pilipino at sa ating Kultura.

Hanggang sa ngayon, sa ating araw-araw na pamumuhay marami pa rin tayong mga ginagamit na salitang hiniram lang mula sa wikang Kastila o Espanyol (Spanish Loan Words)

Naririto ang ilan sa mga salitang  hiram lang natin sa mga kastila.

Marami sa mga salitang hiram sa kastila ang may kinalaman sa pagkain

Mga Salitang Hiram sa Kastila o Espanyol - Filipino Spanish Loan Words

1.  Abono  - Abono - Fertilizer
2. Alkansiya - Alcancia - Piggy Bank
3. Bangko - Banco - Bank
4. Baso - Vaso - Cup
5. Banyo - Ba(enye)o - Bathroom
6. Bareta - Barreta - Bar
7. Bentilador - Ventilador - Fan
8. Bintana - Ventana - Window Pane
9. Kadena - Cadena - Chain
10. Kalye - Calle - Street
11. Kanto - Canto - Corner
12. Kutsilyo - Cuchillo - Knife
13. Kuwarto - Cuarto - Room
14. Kuwarta - Cuarta - Money
15. Kristal - Cristal - Crystal
16. Kwenta  - Cuenta - Bill
17. Kandado - Candado - Padlock 
18. Kutsara - Cuchara - Spoon
19. Libro - Libro - Book
20. Luho - Lujo - Luxury
21. Miryenda - Merienda - Snack
22. Parol - Farol - Lantern
23. Pasilyo - Pasillo - aisle
24. Piko - Pico - Pick
25. Palasiyo - Palacio - Palace
26. Sarhento - Sargento - Sergeant
27. Seradura - Ceradura - Lock
28. Sinturon - Cinturon - Belt
29. Tinidor - Tenedor - Fork
30. Tuwalya - Toalla - Towell

Ang simple `di ba? Hindi mo aakalain na ang ilan sa mga salitang nabanggit ay hiniram pa pala natin mula sa ibang wika. Isa lamang iyan sa patunay ng hindi maitatangging ugnayan nating mga Pilipino sa mga Kastila.

Filipino: Wika ng Saliksik

Ang wika, ayon sa maraming pagaaral, ay isa sa may pinaka-malaking ambag sa pagunlad ng isang bansa at sa patuloy nitong pagsulong kasabay ng pandaigdigang pagbabago at kaunlaran. Ito ay dahil sa ang wika ang siyang nagbubuklod sa mga kaisipang nakapagpapasulong, nakapagpapabago, at kapaki-pakinabang na ibinabahagi ng bawat isang kasasapi ng lipunan. Kung ang isang bansa ay pakikilusin ng iisang wikang nagagamit at naiintindihan ng lahat, maggiging napakadali ng pakikipag-ugnayan at hindi madaling magahis ang isang kaisipang maaring magpasiklab ng isang rebolusyon na magdadala ng kaunlaran at ginhawa sa bawat mamamayan nito.

Ngayong Agosto 2018, ang tema ng pagdiriwang ng buwan ng wika ay "Filipino; Wika ng Saliksik". Kaugnay ng mga naunang nabanggit sa lathalaing ito, ang tema ngayong taon ay isang panawagan na gamitin ang Filipino bilang wika sa mga pananaliksik o pagaaral.

Isa itong napakagandang tema na dapat pagtuunan ng mga sangay ng pamahalaan, lalung-lalo na sa sangay pang-agham at edukasyon. Kapansin-pansin na ang mga mahahalagang pagaaral na isinasagawa at inilalathala sa mga publikasyon ay karaniwan nang nasa wikang Ingles. Sa mga  pamantasan naman, ang mga magaaral ay inaatasang isulat ang kanilan pagaaral o pananaliksik sa wikang Ingles.

Sa aking pananaw, maaring ang sinusunod na pandaigdigang hulwaran sa pagsulat at paglathala ng saliksik ay Ingles, ngunit ito naman ay maari nating magamit din kahit na ang saliksik ay nasa wikang Filipino. Sa ganoong paraan, maitataas ang kalidad ng datos na nakukuha sa mga tumugon sapagkat ang wikang ginamit sa pagtatanong ay nasa-wikang lubos nilang nauunawaan kung kaya ang sagot ay masmagiging malinaw at kapaki-pakinabang. Bilang bunga, ang mga katanungan na nais sagutin ng saliksik ay nasasagot ng malinaw, nakikita at nakukumpara ang mga datos mula sa mga gabay na katanungang nasagot ng tama at hindi intensyonal na hinulaan sapagkat hindi lubos na maunawaan ng tumugon ang tanong na nasa-wikang banyaga. Mula sa mga datos ay lilitaw ang makatotohanang impormasyon na mapagkukunan ng matatag kongklusyon at makapgbibigay ng mga makabuluhang tagubilin kung paano lulutasin ang mga suliraning inilatag at sinasagot ng pananaliksik.

Aaminin ko rin na maraming magiging limitasyon ang paggamit ng wikang Filipino bilang wika ng saliksik. Isa na diyan ang limitadong bilang ng mga  kaugnay na panitikan at pagaaral bilang tulong o katig sa pagaaral. Ito ay dahil nga sa ang mga saliksik ay nakalathala sa wikang Ingles. Magiging isang karagdagng pasanin para sa mananaliksik ang pagsasalin ng isang pagaaral mula sa Ingles patungo sa wikang Filipino. Ito ay nangangahulugan ng ilan pang-taon ng pagaaral nang mabisang pagsasaling -wika . Ngunit ang suliraning ito ay utay-utay din na matutugunan kung patuloy nating gagamitin ang Filipino sa panaliksik.

Maging ang mga soft-ware pang-estadistika ay nasawikang Ingles din. Bagaman may ginagawa ng hakbang upang tugunan ang suliraning ito, maituturing pa rin itong isang malaking balakid sa paggamit ng Filipino sa pananaliksik. Sa sitwasyong ito, malinaw na kailangang manwal na isagawa ang pagsusuri at pagtataya sa mga nakuhang datos. Isang mabigat ngunit gawaing kakayanin naman.

Sa huli, kahit pa nga nakikita ang mga suliranin sa katuparan ng panawagan ng tema sa pagdiriwang ng buwan ng wika sa taong ito ang "Filipino: Wika ng saliksik". Hindi pa rin matatawaran ang inam na maaring idulot ng paggamit ng Filipino sa pananaliksik. Ipinapanalangin ko na ang mga sangay ng pamahalaan at maging ang mga indibidwal na mananaliksik ay magbigay tugon sa temang ito para sa ikabubuti ng larangan ng pananaliksik at maipakita sa mundo na ang saliksik na nasasawikang Filipino ay hindi rin  naman naiiba sa lahat. Kapaki-pakinabang, naglilinaw, nagpapasulong.

Lawrence Avillano 2018

High Hopes for the Philippine Internet Connectivity as the Government Launches Common Tower Policy

The Department of Information and communication Technology, DICT, latter announced that it has the solution for Philippines` turtle speed internet connections at hand. It is through a program called Common Tower Policy. The government aims to put up Fifty Thousand (50,000) additional telecommunication towers all over the country.

By the name, we can say that the program is so promising. It will lessen up the tediousness of putting up telecommunication towers and facilities because Telco Companies would only have to share one tower to spread their bandwidth in an area. It means that there would be one paper and legal works for acquiring properties and right of ways on places where towers and facilities are to be built. As to construction, it would be a lot cheaper because companies would share expenses.

For the Filipinos, it means faster internet connectivity. A thing the Pinoys has been craving for since 4G network has been known. Companies are claiming that it has made LTE network available but the internet connectivity is still at 3G speed.

If the program became successful, it would greatly affect Philippine economy since the younger population of entrepreneur relies on the internet to sell their products and services. Government services would be greatly affected too since some of its services can now be accessed online. Faster internet connectivity would also encourage foreign business entities to invest in the country.

The government also asserts that it would not spend a single  Peso on the Common Tower Policy Program. It is still the Telecommunication companies who would have to pay for the acquisition of properties and construction of towers. The Government will only serve as a helping hand on the resolution of legal matters.

Recently Enacted Laws in the Philippines that are of Interest to the Public

New laws were passed in the Philippines just recently and Filipinos must be aware of these newly signed laws for it greatly affect their daily lives.  These laws cover issues on driving, dating, employment, and businesses. 

IRR of Republic Act 10909 - No Shortchanging Act of 201

 REPUBLIC ACT 10909 – NO SHORTCHANGING ACT OF 2016

An act prohibiting business establishments from giving insufficient or no change to consumers and providing penalties therefore.

This law ensures that business establishments will give the exact amount of changes to consumer without waiting for the consumer to ask for the same. The cashier or the staff clerk, or their equivalent, of business establishments shall count the change in front of the consumer and place the same in the hand of the consumer, or on the change tray, whichever is applicable. The use of price tags, issuing an official receipt or sales invoice, and posting notices that will reminds consumers of the said law is also mandated.

The law prohibits business establishments to shortchange a consumer, even if such change is a very small amount, changing in any form, other than the present currencies and ASKING THE CONSUMER FOR PERMISSION TO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT FOR ANY REASON.

Violators, on the first offense, will be fined Php. 500 or 3% of the gross sales of the business in the day of violation, Php. 5000 or 5% during the second offense, Php. 15,000 or 7% on the third offense with 3 month suspension, and Php. 25, 000 or 10% of the gross sales during the day of violation and the license to operate shall be revoked by the appropriate government agency.

REPUBLIC ACT 10906 ANTI-MAIL ORDER SPOUSE ACT

An Act Providing Stronger Measures against Unlawful Practices, Businesses, and Schemes of Matching and Offering Filipinos to Foreign Nationals for Purposes of Marriage or Common Law Partnership.

This law prohibits the act of matching Filipinos and Filipinas, for the purpose of marriage or common law partnership, to foreign nationals.

Any person found to be violating this law by engaging in any business or profitable schemes shall be penalized 15 years of imprisonment and a fine of, not lesser than Php. 500,000. Stiffer penalties are provided if found to be committed in a larger scale.

            Prohibited acts include, but not limited to, matching Filipinos to foreign nationals via mail-order basis, personal introduction, email or websites in the internet, exhibiting, printing, or distributing materials, which promote the mail-order spouse industry.

REPUBLIC ACT 10905 THE CLOSED CAPTION BROADCASTING TELEVISION PROGRAMS ACT

An act requiring all franchise holders or operators of television stations and producers of television programs to broadcast or present their programs with closed caption options.

This law is very important because it will give Filipinos with hearing impairment access to information from television through closed captioning, wherein television operators and program producers are mandated to provide subtitles that mostly appear at the bottom of the television screen.

Violators shall be fined, not more than,  Php. 50,000 but not less than Php. 100,000 or 6 months to 1 year imprisonment.

However, programs shown from 1:00 am to 6:00 am, public service announcement shorter than 10 minutes, programs that are textual in nature are exempted.  The law also provides exemptions when compliance would be economically burdensome.

The law shall be implemented through Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the National Telecommunications Commission.

REPUBLIC ACT 10913 – THE ANTI-DISTRACTED DRIVING ACT

This law prohibits drivers from using any devices for communication, computing and entertainment while driving or temporarily stopped on traffic lights, intersections, or for any other reasons. It covers all vehicles as long as it is operated by human and are driven in public highways, streets and other public thoroughfares.

The Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Office are the main implementer of the said law. Violators will be penalized with a fine of Php. 5000 for the first  offense, Php. 10,000 for the second, Php. 15,000 for the third offense and with a three-month suspension of driver`s license. Anyone found to be violating this law beyond third offense will be fined Php. 20,000 and shall be penalized with a revocation of driver`s license.

Drivers are still allowed to use traffic navigational apps provided that it is installed in an area that cant obstruct the driver`s view of the road. Drivers are also allowed to make and receive calls in case of emergencies.

References:

SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES PORTAL: Republic Act 10905 The “Closed Caption Broadcasting of Television Programs Act” http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra%2010905.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRADES AND INDUSTRIES: IRR of Republic Act 10909 “No Short Changing act of 2016”.  http://www.dti.gov.ph/media/advisories/10040-irr-of-republic-act-no-10909-no-shortchanging-act-of-2016

SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES PORTAL: Republic Act No. 10906 - Senate of the Philippines. https://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra%2010906.pdf

LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE: Republic  Act 10903 – the anti-distracted driving act.  http://www.lto.gov.ph/latest-advisory/317-republic-act-10913-or-the-anti-distracted-driving-act.html

Places Where Filipinos Can Find Jobs Online

Are you a fresh graduate, caught in the middle of graduation to employment transition, looking for a job? Are you looking for a new job near your place? Or you are simply looking for a job that offers higher salary.

Well you have to visits these websites to find jobs. These websites contains list of job openings and employers that offer jobs for Filipinos alone.

JOBTENSOR

If you have a degree in IT, Computer Science, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Mathematics and the likes, Jobtensor is the best place for you to find a job.

Jobtensor is a platform that seeks to attract employers to offer jobs truncated for the field of sciences, IT and engineering that makes job search an easy task for applicants. As a result, the job advertisements on the platform is relevant and really connected to what a job seekers on the said fields are looking for. That means you don`t have to read through a long list of job postings to find an offer that fits you.

JOBOPENINGS.PH

Is a Philippine job site that offers great benefits for job seekers and employers. Filipino job seekers can search and apply to job openings by creating an online resume. Filipino job seekers can search  jobs relevant to their skills and education. They can also search companies and mode of employment either part time or full time. It also features jobs by province, meaning you can search job openings near your location.

 WORKABROAD.PH

Is an online career resource for Filipinos who wants to work abroad. The job openings offered are legit because it passed a thorough  process and scrutiny by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), foreign employers and licensed recruitment agencies sending Filipino Workers Abroad.



TRABAHO.COM

Trabaho.com is founded in 1996 through the efforts of Web Phil Info Comm. Inc. as they sought to improve its services as one of Philippine`s premiere Internet Business Solution Provider. Since then, Trabaho.com became the Filipino Job Seekers` partner in finding legit job openings across the country. The job portal have a wide list of local employer and companies in need of capable and skilled employer as it aims to provide Filipinos with access to limitless job opportunities.


ONLINEJOBS.PH

If you would like to work at the comfort of your own home controlling 95% of your time, then OnlineJobs,Ph is the place for you to find your dream job. This job portal is created to outsource Filipino Talents. If you are looking for a legit online job then create an account with OnlineJobs.Ph. The Job Portal offers Online Job Openings for Filipino Online Job Seekers only. Positions include Virtual Assistants, Data Entry Specialist, Online Researcher, Writer, Blogger, Social Media Marketing Specialist, Lead Generation, etc, in part time, full time, freelance or project based.

So, here it is. The places where Filipinos can find legit jobs online. What are you waiting for sign up for an account now and create your resume online. Employers are waiting for  you. Get your dream job now!

Filipino Superstition Can Animals and Insects Predict Calamities?

Can Animals Predict Natural Disasters Like Earthquakes and Typhoons?

According to the Roman writer Aelian (On Observing Animals Before the Massive Earthquake that Vanished Helike 11.19): “For five days before Helike disappeared, all the mice and martens and snakes and centipedes and beetles and every other creature of that kind in the city left in a body by the road that leads to Keryneia. And the people of Helike seeing this happening were filled with amazement, but were unable to guess the reason. But after these creatures had departed, an earthquake occurred in the night; the city subsided; an immense wave flooded and Helike disappeared, while ten Spartan vessels which happened to be at anchor were lost together with the city”.

Helike was an ancient Greek city that was submerged by a tsunami in the winter of 373 BC. It was located in Achaea, northern Peloponnesos (As cited from; http://www.helike.org/sources2.html)

Cats Can Sense a Typhoon Coming

Cats can predict typhoons as asserted by the elderlies

That can be linked to the Filipino superstition asserting that animals such as rats, dogs and cats can predict calamities and natural disasters. When I was a child, I can clearly remember my grandmother telling me that “ Kapag kinutkot na ng pusa na yan  ang bubong sigurado nang babagyo” (When the cat starts scratching the roof, there would be a typhoon for sure) and a week later it happens.

During the typhoon, my Grandmother observed the cat keenly.  I heard her telling my mother  “Kapag lumundag na palabas ng bahay ang pusa sumunod ka na kung ayaw mong mabagsakan ng bahay na giba” (Once the cat skipped out of the house you have to follow suit if you don’t want the debris of your broken house to fall on you). Luckily, the cat did nothing.  It slept all night long.

A Scientific Explanation Behind the Phenomenon

There are plenty of articles and researches stating that animals react to certain environmental indicators serving as precursors to disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes. As an example, animals like dogs (and ducks too) can sense changes in humidity and temperature. When the air`s humidity and temperature change, dogs will come inside before it rains. Because of their careful observations, our ancestor may say that ducks and dogs can predict that rain is coming.

Looking at the case of that Super Pusa who can predict typhoons, cats can hear sound frequencies up to 70, 000 Hz. Cats can hear better than human. It is not impossible that it can sense vibrations that we, humans, can`t. Those vibrations can frighten or irritate them, prompting them to react and behave in such strange way that our elders perceived as predictors to natural dilemmas. In our Super Pusa`s case, that would be scratching the roof.

Dogs can sense changes in humidity

Ants Can Predict Rainy Days

Another urban legend is that, ants can predict that rainy days is coming. And yes, ants are awesome for that purpose. I had observed ants myself. Before the rainy season begin, ants go out of their nest and  eagerly gather foods as preparation for the rainy days. They also start climbing the walls evacuating to higher places. Once I had seen ants in a hurry, evacuating their entire colony from the ground. I saw them carrying small pale ants and their food to a small hole on our house`s foundation. After 5 hours, it rained, flooding the entire ground where they came from. That made me think that they can detect environmental changes, that we are not able to.

Relationship Between Oarfish Beachings and Earthquakes

On the news, is a series of beaching of Oarfish in Mindanao before and after the 6.7 magnitude earthquake that hits Surigao on February 10, 2017. It occurs as follows;

“A series of beaching of oarfishes along Butuan Bay, Agusan del Norte were reported particularly in Barangay Masao, Butuan City and in the municipality of Nasipit on January 19, the municipalities of Buenavista on February 8, Tubay on February 13, and Carmen on February 15, 2017. Published news associated these events with the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that hit Surigao City on February 10, 2017”

As quoted from “STATEMENT ON THE REPORTED BEACHING OF OARFISH IN SEVERAL COASTAL AREAS IN NORTHEASTERN MINDANAO ASSOCIATED WITH THE MAGNITUDE 6.7 EARTHQUAKE” By the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (http://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/BFARnews?id=270)

          A Japanese myth explains that the appearance of oarfish signal an earthquake. The beaching of undetermined number of oar fishes from December 2009 to March 2010 preceded the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. It is known in Japanese folklore as “Messenger from the Sea God”s Palace.

It is not impossible that Oarfishes can predict earthquakes. Oarfishes are deep sea fish living near the sea or ocean bottom, at depths of between 200 to 1,000 meters. It enables them to sense tremors on the active faults of the seabed or oceanic crust and other changes therein.

This only proves that some Filipino Superstitions have scientific basis and is a result of careful observations of the surroundings. Though we can`t directly say that animals and insects can predict the weather and disasters. It is still helpful for us to observe their behavior because animals and insects are more tuned into cues from nature such as changes in pressure, temperature, humidity, wind direction, speed and velocity and sounds of the upcoming debacle.

                

The Significance of Mathematics in the 21st Century Philippines

Lawrence Avillano 

2/19/17 6:46 Pm

              Philippines --------- one of Asia`s  fastest-growing economy of the 21^st century. With its rising GDP (Gross Domestic Product) as of 2015, its boosting import and export capability and its huge manpower capacity serving the country and overseas, it is not refutable that it owns the right to be called as such. The question now is, what must its people do to remain firm and have a strong hold of the claim in the fast-changing world of the 21^st century?  During the time of inconsistency when no one can clearly predict what would happen the next day.  Would it remain as such during the time where markets can be easily shaken by unpredictable events both political and natural dilemmas that can bring even the strongest economy down to the ground?

The answer is to equip its people with skills that will not let them lag behind the rapid changes and development. One vital skill and competence they must be equipped with is of mathematics.

Math skills and competence will aid its people on analyzing finance related data, which is the salt to the bread of every trade. With that, they can respond quickly and positively to major information from sources such as the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSEi) and other financial authorities and establishment. With the ability to analyze graphs, tables and other non-prose form of information and the knowledge of probability, they can make conclusions leading to better decisions on where to put their hard-earned money. As a result, investing will surely become a profitable endeavor.

That is the importance of mathematics on the higher level of the caste. Looking on everyday lives of the common Filipino people, knowledge of mathematics is even more significant. It will enable them to utilize financial resources wisely. One good example is the understanding of percentage, base and rate. Comprehension of those three elements will allow them to look keenly on values, compare selling price, and calculate interest, tax, discounts and of course determining if a product is being sold over price. That is just a flake from the gold bar. Mathematics can offer so much more to the 21^st century Filipinos.

Despite the fact that mathematics is of significance to the 21^st century Filipinos, sad truth has been slapping us. Surveys on numeracy, conducted by research firms both of governments and of NGOs, bear unpalatable results. Some would surely hurt our Filipino pride, stating that the numeracy skills of Filipino adults can be compared to the numeracy of grade-schoolers from other countries.

In a global survey of perceived quality of science and mathematics education which was conducted by World Economic Forum (http://www3.weforum.org/docs/gcr/2015-2016/Global_Competitiveness_Report_2015-2016.pdf), they asked business executives from each countries surveyed to rate the quality of education as they perceived. Our neighbors such as Taiwan ranked 5th, Hong Kong 11th, South Korea 12th and Singapore tops the list. Sadly, Philippines ranked 115 out of 142 countries that participated in the survey. 

Data on fourth year high school students` achievement rate in mathematics released by Dep. Ed shows a decline on achievement rate from 50.70 in 2005 to  horrifying 47.82 in 2006. The decline is consistent until it reached a pitiful 46.30% in SY 2009-2010.

Report No. 50096-PH “PHILIPPINES SKILLS REPORT (March 2010) -   Skills for the Labor Market in the Philippines by Human Development Department East Asia and Pacific Region which focus on “functional” skills that workers need to be equipped with to be employable and support firms’ competitiveness and productivity, and to the role of the education and training system in providing them, shows a considerable gap between core skills and occupations. It includes  gap in academic skills associated with subject areas such as mathematics, which is one of the skill requirements for new hires.

Standard and Poor`s  (S&P) Financial Literacy Survey Result is alarming. It shows that only 25 percent of Filipinos surveyed are financially literate. Being financially literate means that a person knows the basics of financial decision-making, including concepts such as interest compounding, inflation and risk diversification. To be able to do so one needs Mathematics.

These only show that there are existing problems on mathematics education in the country. If not mended, it will surely obstruct our country`s growth and development and of course our claim of being one of the fastest-growing economy in the region. It is because without the necessary skills, such as of Mathematics, these will surely not last in the fast-changing world of the 21^st century.

These serves as a call to arms to our general public, specially the so called Pagasa ng Bayan, the government officials and those serving the education sectors. It is the time to develop our peoples` competence and skills on Mathematics. Develop program for the common people and strengthen mathematics curriculum from elementary level up to the colleges.

It is Mathematics that will surely enable us, Filipinos, to have a strong hold on almost every fertile ground of the 21^st century.

Malalim at Makalumang Salitang tagalog

Kung minsan, sa ating pagbabasa lalung-lalo na ng mga lumang artikulo o babasahin, may mahahagip tayong mga salita na hindi pamilyar sa atin. Ang mga salitang ito ay masyadong malalim at makaluma. Kinakailangang unawain natin ang konteksto o ang paraan ng pagkagamit ng salitang ito sa pangungusap o sitwasyon upang ating maunawaan ang malalim o makalumang salita na ating nabasa o narinig. Nasa-ibaba ang ilan sa mga malalim at makalumang salitang tagalog.

Mga Malalalim at Lumang Salita

1. Alisaga - Arbitrary
2. Banyuhay - Metamorphosis
3. Sigwa - Storm
4. Talindaw - Sea faring song
5. Tawal - Incantation
6. Lunday - Boat
7. Pintakasi - Saint
8. Pagpupugay - Salutation
9. Kitil/kit`lan - Kill
10. Luwas/Lumuwas - out of town
11. Ahedres - Chess (a board game)
12. Batilaw - half-cooked
13. Halungkat - to dig thoroughly (when looking for something)
14. Tumana - a vegetable garden in the rural area
15. Ragarag - a guide for laying the net from the boat
16. Manas - Swelling
17. Malas - Unfortunate
18. Dayukdok - poorest of the poor
19. Batingaw - Bell
20. Batlag - a cart pulled by a carabao

Ano ang Tibag?

Tibag - Isang Dulang Pamapanitikan 

Ang Tibag ay isang pagtatanghal kung buwan ng Mayo na nakaugalian na sa Bulakan, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Rizal at Bicol. Ito ay tungkol sa paghahanap ni Sta. Elena sa mahal na Sta. Cruz na kinamatayan ni Kristo.

Ang dulang Tibag ay sinulat ni Fruto Cruz. Ang dulang ito ay nahahati sa dalwang bahagi:

    1. Pagtatagumpay ni Emperador Constantino sa kanyang mga kalaban at ang pagkakatuklas
              ni Sta. Elena sa krus na Kinamatayan ni Hesus.

    2. Pagtatagumpay ng mga pinunong Kristiyano laban sa mga hindi binyagan at ang pagkakasauli
            sa mahal na Santa Cruz sa bundok ng Kalbaryo.

   May bahaging itinatanghal sa entablado at may bahagi na lumalakad ang mga tauhan na humahanap sa bundok. Ito ay tatlong bundok na ginawa sa ibat-ibang bahagi ng bayan. Karaniwan itong ginagawa sa mga lugar na kung tawagin ay Hermano.

   Ang kumakatawan kay Sta. Elena at sa mga kawal,  kasama pati ang Haring Constantino ay lumilibot upang hanapin ang Krus na kinamatayan. Bago tibagin ang bundok, may mga binibigkas silang berso at mga pagpapuri. Ang krus ay matatagpuan sa ikatlong bundok. Kung matagpuan na, itoy ipo-prosisyon na magtatapos sa simbahan.

  Kaakit-akit ang kasuotan ng mga nagsisiganap. Bago ang paghahanap sa krus ay may bahaging ginaganap sa entablado na nagsasadula ng paglalaban ng mga Moro at Kristiyano. Palagi nang panalo ang mga Kristiyano sa bahaging ito.

 Matapos ang paglalaban ng mga Kristiyano (Bingyagan) at Moro (di binyagan) kung saan  magwawagi si haring Constantino, masasakop niya ang bayan at may laya na sila upang hanapin ang krus na kinamatayan.   May mga bahay na siyang namamahala sa tatlong bundok. Doon nagtutungo ang mga tauhan upang itoy tibagin. Si Sta. Elena, mga kawal at ang Hari ang maghahanap at titibag sa mga nasabing bundok. 

   

Kasaysayan ng Alpabetong (Abakada) Filipino

Bago dumating ang mga Kastila nuong ika-16 siglo ay may sarili nang sistema ng pagsulat ang ating mga ninuno. Ang sistemang ito ay tinatawag na Baybayin (hindi Alibata) na nagmula sa salitang ugat na Baybay (spell).

Ang Baybayin ay binubuo ng  labing-apat na katinig at tatlong patinig.

Noong dumating ang mga Kastila ang baybayin ay pinalitan ng Alpabetong Romano.

Noong 1930`s binuo ni G. Lope K. Santos ( ang itinuturing na ama ng balarilang Filipino) ang isang abakada na may dalwampung (20) titik na kinabibilangan ng  limang (5) patinig at labing-limang (15) katinig na ang tunog o bigkas ay hango mula sa wikang Tagalog.

"a, b , k , d , e g, h, i l, m, n , ng, o, p, r, s, t, u, w, y."

Noong Oktubre 4, 1971, pinagtibay ng Sanggunian ng Wikang Pambansa (Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino na ngayon) ang pinagyamang alpabeto na binubuo ng 31 titik.

Ito ay ang: "a, b, c ch, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, ll, m, n, ñ,ng, o, p, q, r, rr, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z"

Muli itong binago kaalinsabay ng pagbabago ng Pambansang Konstitusyon bilang tugon sa mabilis na pagbabago at pag-unlad ng wikang pambansa. Matapos ang mahabang serye ng sanguniang pulong o seminar nabuo ang Alpabetong Filipino na may 28 titik:

" a, b , c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, ñ , ng, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z."

Guro: Alagad ng Sining

Ang ating mga guro ay maituturing din na alagad ng sining. Sila rin ay mga iskultor, pintor at kompositor. Sa papaanong paraan? Nasaan ang kanilang mga likhang sining? Talakayin natin.

Sila ( ang ating mga teacher) ay maituturing na alagad ng sining sapagkat, katulad ng mga iskultor hinuhubog nilang mainam ang ating pagkatao sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo ng mga kabutihang asal. Kininis nila at binigyang hugis ang ating pagkatao kung kaya naman tayo ay hindi nanatiling katulad ng mga batong katitisuran sa daan.

Ibinabahagi nila sa atin ang kanilang mga karunungan na para bang mga pintor na gumuguhit ng makukulay at makabuluhang miyural sa mga pader na wala pang nakikilalang kulay. At dahil sa mga kaalamang kanilang inihain ng buong puso at hindi ipinagkait, humaharap tayong buong husay sa mga hamon ng buhay.

Katulad din ng mga kompositor na humahabi ng magagandang tugtugin at awitin, ihinahalayhay  nila ang mga nota sa ating isipan upang ito ay magluwal ng mga kaisipan na nanaising pakinggan ng lahat. Kaya naman ang ating mga pananalita ay may mahusay na paglirip. Alam natin ang wastong salitang bibigkasin ayon sa hinihingi ng panahon kung kaya`t hindi masasabi ng mga nakikinig na tayo ay balahura at balibi mag-isip.

Ang mga kinikilalang tao sa lipunan ang kanilang mga bantog na likha. Ang kanilang mga likhang sining na tinitingalang tulad ng mga bantayog,  hinahangaan na gaya ng mga miyural, at pinakikinggan na para bang isang napapanahong awitin.

Kaya naman marapat lang na sila`y ating igalang kahanay ng lumikha at ng ating mga magulang. Magpugay tayo sa kanila sa bawat panahon at mag-ukol ng paghanga bilang tugon sa kanilang mga sakripisyo alang-alang sa atin.

Sinulat ni: Lawrence Avillano para sa Buwan ng Mga Guro taong 2014.

Malaya ang sinuman na ito`y gamitin.

Filipino: Wika ng Pagkakaisa

   Tunay nga kayang wika ng pagkakaisa ang wikang Filipino? Paano nito pinagbubuklod ang lahing Pilipino mula sa loob ng tahanan hanggang sa pamayanan?

   Simulan nating tingnan kung paano pinag-iisa ng wikang Filipino ang pamilya bilang pangunahing yunit ng pamayanan.

    Tunay na mahalaga ang pagkakaisa para sa pamilyang Pilipino na kilala sa pagiging malapit sa isat-isa. Ngunit hindi ito makakamit kung hindi nagkakaunawaan ang bawat miyembro ng pamilya. Dahil dito, kailangan ang isang wikang gagamitin sa araw-araw na pakikipagtalastasan sa loob ng tahanan upang sila ay lubos na magkaunawaan.

   Kung iisa ang wikang ginagamit sa tahanan, magiging madali para sa mga magulang ang mag-utos at magbigay ng tagubilin at madali rin para sa mga anak ang sundin ito sapagkat sila ay lubos na nagkakaunawaan. At kung sila ay nagkakaunawaan matatawag silang buo at isang pamilya na sama-samang humaharap sa mga hamon ng buhay.

   Sa pamamagitan ng wika, naipapasa ng mga magulang sa kanilang mga anak ang kulturang minana pa nila mula sa kanilang mga ninuno. Gamit ang wika inihahanda ng mga magulang ang kanilang mga supling sa pakikisalamuha sa pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo ng mabubuting asal at kaaya-ayang gawi.

   Alam natin na hinndi lang sa tahanan natututunan ang mga mabubuting asal. Natututunan din ito sa paaralan at sa simbahan.

   Ang simbahan bilang banal na institusyon ay nagtuturo ng kabutihang asal, pagpapahalaga at kabanalan sa bawat kasapi nito. Gamit ang wikang Filipino itinuturo sa atin ng simbahan ang pagpapahalaga sa sarili at sa kapuwa bilang indibidwal na pantay-pantay sa paningin ng Diyos maging ano pa man ang katayuan natin sa lipunan. Gamit ang wikang Filipino na siyang nauunawaan ng lahat, ginagabayan nila tayo tungo sa pagkakaisa sa bawat panahon.

   Sa labas naman ng simbahan at tahanan ay ang pamayanan na binubuo ng iba`t ibang sektor na ang pangunahing layunin ay ang kaunlaran ng mga mamayan at ng bansa.

   Upang makamit ito, kailangan ng isang wikang nauunawaan ng publiko at iyon ay ang wikang Filipino. Ginagamit ang wikang Filipino sa mga midya tulad ng radyo, tele-bisyon, pahayagan, at internet. Gamit naman ang midya, hinihikayat ang lahat na makiisa sa mga programang pang kaunlaran at makialam sa mga usapin ng pamahalaan.

Minsan nang ginamit ang wikang pambansa upang udyukan ang mga mamamayang Pilipino na magkaisa sa pagpigil sa lumalalim na pag-abuso ng isang pangulo sa kanyang kapangyarihan.

   Sa makatuwid, malaki ang ginagampanan ng wikang Filipino upang makamit ang pagkakaisa sa loob ng tahanan, sa simbahan, at pamayanan. Ginagamit ito upang magkaunawaan ang bawat isa at kung lubos na nagkakaunawaan ang lahat, hindi imposible ang pagkakaisa tungo sa pagsulong sa iba`t ibang aspeto ng buhay.

  - Lawrence Avillano (buwan ng wika 2014 - Filipino: Wika ng Pagkakaisa)

Philippine History: The Code of Kalantiaw

1. Ye shall not kill, neither shall ye steal nor shall ye hurt the aged, lest ye incur the danger of death. All those who this order shall infringe shall be tied to a stone and drowned in a river or in boiling water.
2. Ye shall punctually meet your debt with your headman. He who fulfils not, for the first time shall be lashed a hundredfold, and If the obligation is great, his hand shall be dipped threefold in boiling water. On conviction, he shall be flogged to deatth.
3. Obey ye: no one shall have wives that are too young, nor shall they be more than what he can take care of, nor spend much luxury. He who fulfils not, obeys not, shall be condemned to swim three hours and, for the second time, shall be scourged with spines to death.
4. Observe and obey ye: Let not the peace of the graves be disturbed; due respect must be accorded them on passing by caves and trees where they are. He who observes not shall die by bites of ants or shall be flogged with spines till death.
5. Obey ye: Exchange in food must be carried out faithfully. He who complies not shall be lashed for an hour. He who repeats the act shall, for a day be exposed to the ants.
6. Ye shall revere respectable places, trees of known value, and other sites. He shall pay a month's work, in gold or money, whoever fails to do this; and if twice committed, he shall be declared a slave.
7. They shall die who kill trees of venerable aspect; who at night shoot with arrows the aged men and the women; he who enters the house of the headman without permission; he who kills a fish or shark or striped crocodile.
8. They shall be slaves for a given time who steal away the women of the headmen; he who possesses dogs that bite the headmen; he who burns another man's sown field
9. They shall be slaves for a given time, who sing in their night errands, kill manual birds, tear documents belonging to the headmen; who are evil-minded liars; who play with the dead.
10. It shall be the obligation of every mother to show her daughter secretly the things that are lacivious, and prepare them for womanhood; men shall not be cruel to their wives, nor should they punish them when they catch them in the act of adultery. He who disobeys shall be torn to pieces and thrown to the caymans.
11. They shall be burned, who by force or cunning have mocked at and eluded punishment, or who have killed two young boys, or shall try to steal the women of the old men (agurangs).
12. They shall be drowned, all slaves who assault their superiors or their lords and masters; all those who abuse their luxury; those who kill their anitos by breaking them or throwing them away.
13. They shall be exposed to the ants for half a day, who kill a black cat during the new moon or steal things belonging to the headmen.
14. They shall be slaves for life, who having beautiful daughters shall deny them to the sons of the headman, or shall hide them in bad faith.
15. Concerning their beliefs and superstitions: they shall be scourged, who eat bad meat of respected insects or herbs that are supposed to be good; who hurt or kill the young manual bird and the white monkey.
16. Their fingers shall be cut off, who break wooden or clay idols in their olangangs and places of oblation; he who breaks Tagalan's daggers for hog killing, or breaks drinking vases.
17. They shall be killed, who profane places where sacred objects of their diwatas or headmen are buried. He who gives way to the call of nature at such places shall be burned.
18. Those who do not cause these rules to be observed, if they are headmen, shall be stoned and crushed to death, and if they are old men, shall be placed in rivers to be eaten by sharks and crocodiles.

Mga Makaluma at Malalalim na Salitang Tagalog

Minsan sa ating pagbabasa, pakikinig at pakikipag-usap, may maririnig tayong mga salitang hindi pamilyar o di kaya naman ay talagang malalim at hindi natin alam ang kahulugan. Ito ay karaniwan na nating mararanasan sa tuwing tayo ay magbabasa ng mga lumang babasahin gaya ng kwento, nobela at tulo. Kadalasan din natin itong maririnig sa mga matatanda. Narito ang karagdagang bokabularyo ng mga salin ng makaluma at malalim na mga salitang tagalog para sayo.

Danumsigwasan - Tagalog sa Hydraulics

Mga Malalim at Makalumang Salita

1. dumatal - dumating
2. masimod - matakaw
3. kumakandili - nagmamalasakit
4. agam-agam - pangambag
5. bahagdan - porsyento
6. Balintataw -guni-guni
7. naapuhap - nahanap
8. nagkukumahog - nagmamadali
9. sapantaha - hinala
10. nabuslot- nahulog sa butas
11. batalan - lababo
12. adhika - nais o gusto
13. balintuna - laban o kabaliktaran
14. anluwage - karpintero
15. agsikapin - inhenyero
16. bahagimbilang - praksyon (fraction)
17. Sipnayan - tagalog sa mathematics
18. bathalaan - tagalog ng theology
19. batlag - kotse (car)
20. buumbilang - (whole number) lahat
21. dalubhayupan - tagalog sa zoology
22. dalubsakahan- tagalog sa agriculture
23. danumsigwasan- tagalog sa hydraulics
24. hanggaan - limitasyon
25. hatimbutod - tagalog sa Mitosis
26. hatinig - tagalog sa telephone o telepono
27. isigan - tagalog sa dynamics
28. sakwil - tagalog sa resistance
29. tumbasan - tagalog sa equation
30. palasigmuan - tagalog sa mechanism

Ilan lamang ang mga ito sa mga makaluma at malalim na salitang tagalog.

Narito pa ang karagdagang salita na may kaakibat na kahulugan

Mga malalim na tagalog at ang salin sa Ingles

May alam ka pa bang mga salita na maari nating idagdag dito?

May mga salita ka bang alam na tanging ang mga kababayan mo lang ang makakaunawa?

Tara! Pagusapan natin!

Ngiting Pinoy - Bangon Pililipinas (help Philippines, help Haiyan Victims)

        Malalakas na bagyo, hagupit ng habagat, pagbaha, mataas na presyo ng bigas, petrolyo ay iba pang bilihin, digmaan sa Mindanao, at ang isyu ng Pork Barell. Ilan lamang yan sa mga pagsubok na kasalukuyang hinaharap natin sa ngayon.

       Habang pinanunuod ko ang mga balita, talaga namang nakaramdam ako ng matinding habag para sa mga kababayan nating dumadanas ng matinding pagsubok ng panahon at hamon ng kalikasan. Kalunos-lunos ang itsura ng mga nasunugan sa Tondo, mga kababayang naipit sa kaguluhn sa Zamboanga, mga binagyo sa Aurora at Northern Luzon, mga taga Visaya na nakaranas ng hagupit ni Yolanda ( pinaka malakas na bagyo na naitala sa kasaysayan) at mga magsasakang nasira na nga ang pananim ay ginamit pa upang mahut-hot ang perang nakalaan sana para sa ikau-unlad ng industriya ng agrikultura

       Sa lahat ng mga pangyayaring ito, halos wala nang direksyon ang kasalukuyang galaw na ating bansa. Isang bansang may ekonomiyang dinaig pa ang two-step forward one-step backward na galaw ng pamosong Sinulog. Patuloy na pinupukpok pababa ang halaga ng piso kontra dolyar samantalang sumisirit pataas ang lahat ng mga bayarin. Ang mga lupang sakahan ay patuloy na tinatahuban at ginagawang subdibisyon o kung hindi naman ay nagiging parking lot ng mga Mall. Sakahang mag-aambag sana ng tonelada ng bigas na ngayon ay inaangkat na natin sa ibang bansa. Patuloy na pagtaas ng matrikula sa mga paaralan at bumababang bilang ng mga mag-aaral. Mababa ang sweldo at may malawakang kakulangan ng trabaho samantalang patuloy na lumulobo ang populasyon. Ibat-ibang isyung pampulitika at marami pang iba.

       Ngunit sadya nga yatang masayahin tayong mga pinoy. Ilan sa mga na-interview ng  mga mamamahayag ay nakangiti pa rin o kaya`y nakuha pang tumawa sa tindi ng dinaranas na pagsubok. Lubha talagang napakababaw ng kaligayahan at may positibonng pananaw sa buhay. Ano man ang mangyari babangon at babangon pa rin mula sa pagkakalugmok. Dahil habang may buhay, may pag-asa. Kaya naman masasabi ninuman na tunay at dalisay ang ngiting Pinoy. Ngiting bahagi na ng Kulturang Noypi

      Sana po ay patuloy tayong mag-abot ng tulong sa mga kababayan nating nanganga-ilangan. Ipagdasal po natin sila na kayanin at mlagpasan ang mga pagsubok sa kanilang buhay.  #helpPh #helpHaiyanVictims #donate

Wag sana nating kalimutan ang pagiging matulungin