It is more fun in the Philippines and yes, the people in the Philippines can make your stay funnier and worthwhile. Filipinos are said to be the easiest people in Asia to get along with and that despite all adversities and negative feedback due to the country’s status, there are definitely so many things to be proud of most especially our humanity. Filipinos are described as highly relational people may it be emotionally and socially in terms of interacting with people. Filipinos possess values and traits that even tourists or people from other nations acknowledge and appreciate. Traits such as adaptability, resourcefulness, faithfulness, thriftiness, Bravery, Jolliness, strong family ties, and many more. These traits molded the identity of the Filipinos. The identity that engraved Filipinos to other nationals as a person and approach.      

   Yet the most popular traits from those of that of the Filipinos are their hospitality and respect towards people. Filipinos are usually friendly and are very welcoming. They extend warm and take time to know their guest to serve quality and sincere atmosphere by food, entertainment, and even delicacies or pasalubongs after gatherings with relatives or not. Presentations and decorations are at its best in times of gatherings or visitation even in their poverty-stricken home, such only shows the generosity and sincerity of the Filipinos.  The best dish, best utensils, and best dress just to accommodate and make visitors and guests have a wonderful and special stay oozing the sense of belongingness. This approach also showcases respect Filipinos. May it be a relative or not and are not just observed by younger people but also from older ones. Filipinos are known to use the words “po” and “opo” to show respect to older people and the gesture of bringing the back of the hand of an elder to one’s forehead also called as the “mano po” gesture is observed.  They exhibit many forms of approach to people to acknowledge one’s presence. Pet names, titles, and even self-made tags. Moreover, Filipino workers will always address their customers with “Ma’am” “Sir” showing humility and the willingness to serve them.  Overseas Filipino workers are well appreciated due to their style of getting well with other employees and their respect and determination to keep good ties and bond with the people around them.

   Filipinos are rich in good morals, traits, and habits. Though some of these qualities are fading and becoming rare, there must be something done to preserve and protect it. To be well known, developed and influential may it be not in economic status but as a race, a nation, and a model.

AMILANTO, ALAINA THERESE

LIWAG, AVA VICTORIA

The citizens of the Philippines, or also called the Filipinos, are known for many things, and two of those many things are being religious and hardworking.

The first meme is inspired by the Filipinos’ culture of praying to the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, Mother Mary, the angels and saints. Filipinos have the practice of always praying, anytime and anywhere, with any reason. Filipinos do such practice to pay respect to the Holy ones, and they also pray when they ask thanks for the blessings, ask for help in the times of need, ask for the forgiveness of sins, and everything else. They are known for being religious and spiritual, and this practice is taught from one generation to another.

Aside from being religious, Filipinos are also hardworking, which inspired this meme. Many of the Filipino people are very hardworking where they reach to the extent of being a risk taker in order to finish the task that are yet to be done. With that being said, at times where things lack, they are able to figure out ways on how to finish the task, even though sometimes it already becomes risky.

References of photos:

Mlady, Lauren. Prayer, the last refuge of a scoundrel. YouTube. Published on 13, July 2015. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9StRlBBJyk

_____ (photograph). Unsafe Work Practice. SAFETYCARE. Published on 5^th of May 2011. Retrieved from http://www.safetycareblog.com/2011/05/unsafe-work-practice.html

MEMBERS:

Apid, Jannah Grace

Caparino, Shanine Trishia

Yumang, Sebastienne

    Do you remember how many years it has been since you started voting? Do you still recall the promises made by those candidates who were begging for your votes? For many years we, Filipinos, have been used to the chaotic and misleading platforms of these aspiring government officials. We became used to electing the same person to lead us which blinds us the reality. But, today is the time for us to change our actions and act for our future and the future of the next generations, our children, grandchildren and our loved ones. We Filipinos need to stand and fight not only for our rights but also for our children, the younger generation. We don’t want them to live in a society governed by greedy officials. We have the power to change the future. We can help each other by exercising our right to vote wisely and ethically for deserving public officials.

   We all share the same sentiment regarding this matter because I, you, us, the citizens of the Philippines want what’s best for this country and for our children to live in a place where there are harmony and peace. I have observed and experienced myself the things you wanted to voice out. All together, we will lead a government where the whispers of the marginalized and less privileged sectors of the society will be heard and the advocacies of the government will benefit both the economy and its people. A country that allows personal growth and improvement of its people towards a more empowered establishment that would bring great changes in our economy, society, and nature. The choice originates from the moment we shade our ballots. We can’t keep repeating the same mistake as yesterday. We are vigilant and educated citizens. We have the power if we will, and I know we can.

By: Rasgo

Sante

Potato

by: Arianne H. Pagador and Hazel Mae J. Pagal

        Hindi matatapos ang problema, kung walang magsisimulang itama at ayusin ito.

         Alam kong sa dinami dami ng mga isyu at problemang nagaganap sa ating bansa ngayon ay hindi na masyadong inaasahan na magiging maganda pa ang ating bawat umaga. Hindi man positibong pananaw ito, pero paano tayo makakita ng solusyon sa mga problema kung patuloy parin nating binabalewala ang negatibong epekto nito sa atin? Kailangan nating sabihin na hindi tayo okay, tanggapin na hindi na maganda ang kondisyon ng lipunan, na hindi na tama at maayos ang pamamalakad, na nagiging malabo at hindi na natatanaw ang magandang kinabukasan dahil sa mga nagaganap.

        Hindi ba’t tayo’y mga magulang, at magiging mga magulang sa hinaharap? Bilang isang magulang na gagabay at magbibigay ng magandang buhay sa kanyang pamilya, naisip ba natin kung saan tayo dapat nagsisimula? Sa panahon na nabubuhay tayo, hindi pa ba natin nalaman kung ano’t sino ang may kagagawan ng mga ito? Lahat tayo naapektuhan, lalong- lalo na ang mga kababayan nating walang kakayahan na ipagtanggol ang kanilang sarili sa lahat ng banta sa seguridad, hustisya, at pang-aabuso. Lahat tayo may takot, pero natatakot tayo dahil tayo’y may alam; na may mali, at ang mali ay ginawa ng may kapangyarihan. At hanggang saan pa ba tayo magpapadala sa takot?

         Ang kailangan lang natin at magkaisa. Nandito po ako ngayon hindi lamang bilang isang kandidato para sa paparating na eleksyon, kundi bilang isang kapwa Pilipino na handang magbigay boses at katawan ninyo upang iparating ang nais nating maging kinabukasan ng isang bansang para sa mamamayan.

          Hindi biro ang pagiging walang kalaban-laban, walang maniniwala sayo kahit ikaw pa ang nasa tama. Hindi ka pakikinggan, hindi ka paniniwalaan, at lalo ka pang ididiin sa hindi mo kasalanan. Sa mga dinanas ko noon, at sa mga nakikita ko ngayong pang-aabuso, at kayo kapwa ko Pilipino, kayo ang naging inspirasyon ko para tumayo, umahon, at pilit na nilalabanan ang takot, dahil alam ko kung gaano kahalaga na magkaroon ng boses na mapapakinggan hangad ko rin na ako’y makatulong sa mga nangangailangan. At alam ko pong hindi magiging buo at malakas ang boses na to pag mag- isa lang ako, kaya kailangan ko po ang tulong ninyo, kailangan ko po ang boses ng mga mamamayang Pilipino. Sa muli, andito ako ngayon dahil sa inyo, at sa kinabukasang hinahangad nating mga Pilipino!

By: Rizaldo Ian Tambong and Ferlyn Gaven Legarde

Imagine a day without food, no bread, no sugar nor a grain of rice. Some may say it would be okay, but now imagine what if it was a year? A year without any supply of food primarily because agricultural industry is no longer available in the country. That is why ang agriculture ay hindi “agriculture lang” kundi ang agriculture ay ang industriyang aahon sa atin sa kahirapan. It’s been years that we have been experiencing certain issues regarding our agricultural industry and I would be willing to serve you and address this issues.

My dear agriculture student, as a BS Fisheries graduate I myself know the struggles of studying a course that is being looked down by many. Some would say “Fisheries lang yan mangigisda. Agriculture lang yan, magsasaka” not having the idea that we, this industry, brings forth the future of this nation. With three million students enrolled in higher education only 2.8% are enrolled in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries degree programs. One of the reasons for the decline in enrollment in agriculture is the negative perception of agriculture as a profession and this is because of the lack of attention given by the local governments in addressing problems on certain areas. Students, I say to you if I will be elected as your mayor I assure you of a brighter future in this industry. As a member of this sector I am very aware of the current situation and the possible solutions for his issues, the only thing needed is for it to be done into action.

My dear students I could not do this by myself alone, but needs a community effort and I see each and every one of you plays a big role for this. Together let us show the people that agriculture ay hindi basta-basta agriculture lang but rather an industry that could boost our economy.

They say that the future is in the hands of the youth and that everything should be in proper cases to completely mold them into better leaders that our world needs. Bombarded with lessons, books, life teachings and many more but are the youth just good with it?

Our place is subjected to many factors, factors that can withstand and factors that shouldn’t be. We all have the voice to address these problems yet our hands are bound when action arises. This coming election, promises, and extravagant favors are given and dropped here and there. Promises that our young and youth look up to and depend for guidance and for the needed implementation.  We are all tired of this enclosed and carried by the wind sweet words of action, change, and betterment, supposedly.

This coming election, the youth will have their own voice, an identity, no more bounds and no more discrimination. The youth will hold what they possess and I, an advocate of child’s security and youth’s capabilities will stand by their side and seek for better and legal plots of change.  We will continue to uplift and focus on what we share and eradicate the barriers that divide us as a nation. We should be honest to fix the wrong things and must not tolerate the aftermath of the past illegal ways and their cunning spree practices. The change we pray shouldn’t be like the inked pages enclosed in covers that can only be appreciated by the privileged. Change should be introduced to everyone no matter what race, gender, age, status, or where you come from. Change is what we need, and I believe that the youth has a say on this and that they shouldn’t be covered or pampered because the youth are warriors of our hope. They are our thinking warriors.

All of us have the upper hand who to vote and who will be the next board for the upcoming years. No one should be set aside because everyone belongs to the population of next voters. The time where our power is put into test and flames and the power of who we voted for. We can make progress, but for us to do so, I need your vote. Stand with me, and together we will build a land where youths can express, see prosperity, and see no threat.

Amilanto, Alaina Therese

Liwag, Ava Victoria

“We’re a blessed nation because we can grow our own food and, therefore, we’re secure. A nation that can feed its people is a nation more secure.”

     This quote from the late president of the United States, George Bush, is an irony that perfectly describes the situation of our country today. The Philippines is primarily an agricultural country with 30 million hectares wide of land area, 47% of which is agricultural land. Ideally, this must translate that we are capable of producing our own food and thus, likewise be able to provide security to our own people. However, in the current paradigm existing in society, why is the Philippines struggling to provide food for its own people?

     The agricultural sector, in fact, still faces numerous concerns in the way of its progress; over the past six decades, both internal and external bottlenecks constrained its performance and growth. Only recently, the lifting of the ban on imported rice and the implementation of the rice tariff has been set in motion. This just means that the private sector can now freely import rice from a foreign business without any concern for limitations. This exigence leads us to a dilemma between the benefit of the private sector, and the pressure exerted on the agricultural industry, specifically municipal self-sustenance farmers.

     Tayong mga pinoy ay natural na matipid. Bakit pa tayo bibili ng mahal kung meron namang mura? Sapagkat, ‘wag nating pakakalimutan ang mga kapatid natin na sa pagsasaka na lamang kumakapit. Kung may paraan man, ito ay dapat kung saan tayong lahat ang makikinabang.

     Inclusivity. I believe that our growth as a nation is also measured by how much we help those in the hems of society. Although we should not deny the average man of the opportunity to avail cheaper commodity, we must also recognize that our local farmers will suffer due to people picking the cheaper product. In the middle of all this, it seems that both sides must find a common ground to compromise, not just for the benefit of one sector, but of both parties.

     There are battles in the sidelines that are as equally important, if not more. Battles that don’t get as much coverage or media attention but the outcome of these battles decide whether we, the human race, survive or perish. It’s time we wake up and recognize that the daily battles of the oppressed and the marginalized are our roaring battles, too.

     To answer the question, “why choose an agriculture-related platform?”, here is my answer: to become a doctor of the sea, a lawyer for the fisherfolk, a champion of the future. This is the battle that I choose to sign-up for, this is the cause that I wish to champion, this is how I will change our lives.

     Ito ang magiging paraan ko upang mabago itong mapait nating kasalukuyan; magiging paraan natin.

by Francis Gideon Tagnong & Divine Angela Serag

               Do you remember how many years it has been since you started voting? Do you still recall the promises made by those candidates who were begging for your votes? For many years we, Filipinos, have been used to the chaotic and misleading platforms of these aspiring government officials. We became used to electing the same person to lead us which blinds us the reality. But, today is the time for us to change our actions and act for our future and the future of the next generations, our children, grandchildren and our loved ones. We Filipinos need to stand and fight not only for our rights, but also for our children, the younger generation. We don’t want them to live in a society governed by greedy officials. We have the power to change the future. We can help each other by exercising our right to vote wisely for deserving public officials.  

We all share the same sentiment regarding this matter because I, you, us, the citizens of the Philippines want what’s best for this country and for our children to live in place where there is harmony and peace. I have observed and experienced myself the things you wanted to voice out. All together, we will lead a government where the whispers of the marginalized and less privileged sectors of the society will be heard and the advocacies of the government will benefit both the economy and its people. A country that allows personal growth and improvement of its people towards a more empowered establishment that would bring great changes in our economy, society and nature. The choice originates from the moment we shade our ballots. We can’t keep repeating the same mistake as yesterday. We are vigilant and educated citizens. We have the power if we will, and I know we can.

-Potato
-Sante
-Rasgo