𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐚 @feelineuphoric - Tumblr Blog

Gallery Reveal-Journal

There comes a time when we feel overwhelmed with what is happening that it seems as though creating a sentence to speak up becomes challenging especially when we are with the people that we love. Thus, I believe that actions are more important than words because actions speaks more than what a person can sometimes be capable of such as immense care, love, longing, and etc. Sometimes, we find it hard to tell other people how we truly feel that is why we rely on our actions and expressions that we give them in hopes that they would sense it and understand it. And sometimes, words can be so cunning that a person can deceive others through it by saying something or assuring someone, but their actions contrast to what they said. That is one of the reasons why I find it difficult to trust what someone tells me sometimes. This is why I believe that one must be consistent with what they say with the actions they show.

Above are pictures coming from the gallery of my phone where you can see different types of facial expressions that shows happiness, confusion, stress, fierce, longing, and waiting. There are also pictures that show contact with each other with smiles plastered on our faces even if the other picture consists of us wearing masks because of the pandemic.

As a person who is very clingy and touchy-feely especially when I am incredibly close with that person, I often shower them with hugs while I compliment them, tell them how much I miss them or how much I love them, etc. I love hugs and everyone who I’m close with must know by now how much I love hugs and cuddles. I often hug everyone when I see someone whom I know as a greeting. However, I only cuddle with people that I am incredibly close with such as my best friends.

These nonverbal cues help me in expressing myself because sometimes you just need to let out your feelings not by saying it, but by expressing it through your actions. There comes a time when it is near impossible to even manage to choke out a word to say how we truly feel maybe because of excessive sadness, loneliness, or joy. And even if they say that I am friendly and easy to talk to, there are also times when I’d rather not talk at all because I’m tired and my sociable meter is at 0%, this is why nonverbal cues are important to me.

Rio 2016 Women's Rhythmic Gymnastics, A Review

Rhythmic gymnastics, also known as modern gymnastics or modern rhythmic gymnastics, is a form of systematic physical exercise that uses ropes, sticks, balls, clubs, and ribbons as hand equipment. It is closely related to women's artistic gymnastics, which is a discipline involving vaulting, uneven parallel bars, balance beam, and floor exercises. Moreover, like synchronized swimming, is allied with dance. The sport dates back to the 18th century, and although some gymnasts competed in individual and group exercises at the Olympic Games from 1948 to 1956, individual competition did not become an official sporting event until the 1984 Olympics.

In this blog, I will be reviewing the court dimensions, equipment, basic skills, technical and tactical skills of each team, rules of the game, and how to officiate the game of Rio 2016 Women's Rhythmic Gymnastics.

PyeongChang 2018 | Women's Figure Skating Short Program, A Review

COURT DIMENSION

A rectangular rink which measures at least 26 x 56 meters is required.

EQUIPMENT

Ice skates with good fit

Appropriate socks

Ice skating bag

Skate guards

Absorbent cloth or Towel

Skate soakers

Appropriate clothing

Water bottle

Boot covers

BASIC SKILLS

Turns - Figure skating turns are an important part of the sport. Some turns are part of the basics and others are advanced and difficult to perform. Figure skating turns are important because they are part of the advanced figure skating moves. For example, the entrance to certain jumps includes a three turn or a mohawk.

Steps - Figure skating steps a skills that when put together form what is called a footwork sequence. Some figure skating steps are variations on or combinations of turns. Power three turns, twizzles, and running threes are examples.

Spins - Spins in figure skating are often the most fun for the skater and most appealing to the figure skating audience.

Upright spin — This is one of the easiest spins to master in the early days of your ice-skating tuition. Upright spins see the skater position their body in a straight, upwardly position with one or both of their feet remaining on the ice throughout the maneuver (Team).

Sit spin — This spin is self-explanatory really! It’s carried out when the performer skates on one leg only, whilst stretching the other limb straight out in front of them. Whilst spinning, the performer bends their skating leg as far as they can — essentially sitting down as low as possible without toppling over. In competition, judges award points based on how close to the ice a performer can bend whilst still maintaining their rhythm. It really is a case of ‘how low can you go?’

Camel spin — This popular move sees the performer position his or her body into a ‘T’ shape. The performer’s stronger leg is used for skating, whilst the other limb is stretched backwards, straight behind the skater’s head. During this spin, the performer leans their neck forward, bringing their head in line with the straightened rear leg. This maneuver may sound rather daunting, nevertheless, with practice and patience, the balance and suppleness that the camel spin requires will come to you in time.

Jumps - Jumps are spins in the air. Actually a jump is a back spin in the air. These figure skating skills have become one of the most important aspects of the sport since the creation of the international judging system. Triple and quad jumps receive so many points that they overshadow most of the other skills when competing. Some of the most elegant skaters have lost in competitions because another skater executes a series of point grabbing jumps.

Toe jumps:

Toe loops — When attempting a toe loop, the figure skater jumps in a counter-clockwise motion. He (or she) quickly glides backwards over the ice rink before using the outside edge of their back skate — and the toe-pick of their front skate — to launch into the air. The performer spins half a revolution in mid-air before landing, once more, onto the outside edge of their back skate.

Flips — When attempting a flip jump, the figure skater glides backwards across the ice rink before launching into the air by pushing on the inside edge of their back foot and the toe-pick of their front skate. The performer then spins a full revolution in mid-air before landing smoothly onto the ice and continuing to skate.

Lutzs — The lutz jump is exactly like the flip; only here the skater launches into the jump from the outside edge of their back foot rather than the inside edge. It’s very difficult to stay balanced when launching into a full, mid-air revolution from the outside edge of the skate. As a result, the lutz is a tricky move to master, requiring hours of hard work, pain, and frustration.

Edge jumps:

Salchows — The salchow jump sees the performer launch into the air by pushing on the inside edge of their strongest foot. After performing a half-revolution in mid-air, the skater then lands smoothly onto the outside edge of their weaker foot, before continuing to skate their way across the ice.

Loop jumps — When attempting a loop jump, the figure skater takes off from the outside edge of their strongest foot before spinning a full-revolution in the air. The performer then lands backwards onto the same foot and either carries on skating across the ice or prepares to launch into another spin.

Axels — The axel is a key ice-skating technique for all beginner skaters. Here, the performer gathers momentum before launching forwards into the air by springing from the outside edge of their strongest foot. The skater spins one-and-a-half revolutions in mid-air before landing onto the outside edge of their weaker foot.

Spirals - Spirals are glides with one leg way up in the air. There are many variations of these figure skating skills. The first figure skating spiral learned is usually the arabesque. Skaters will then learn a catch foot variation. Important aspects for figure skating spirals are good extension, get the free leg extended high in the air, and moving steadily across the ice. A change of edge during a spiral will receive extra points.

Moves in the field - They are in some ways a replacement for "figures". The moves tests are intended teach the skater the skills they need to excel in the sport.

TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL SKILLS

USA – BRADIE TENNELL

Since when she was introduced, they said that she was a powerful jumper making me expect that her performance be grand. She started off her routine elegantly as she glides through the ice going for a jump combination of triple jumps, but she made a mistake. However, she still stood up as the show must go on. She made a turn and jumped into a camel spin. Then, she made a spin again from a layback to a catch foot spin which looked amazing. Her footwork looked so hard especially since after performing footwork she moves on with a triple loop which at first worried me, but she pulled through. She performed a lot of turns and figures. Even through she made a mistake at first, her spins are still beautiful and elegant.

BRAZIL – ISADORA WILLIAMS

Her performance was amazing and elegant. She performed a double toe perfectly without mistakes and then moved with a loop to a camel spin, sit spin, and an upright spin. Her body moved fluidly together with the song as she jumped into a sit spin, then slowly jumping up, and ending it with a sit spin. Her footwork is also great. She performed a layback spin with a catch foot as her ending. I was amazed especially by her axels to a double toe loop to a triple loop.

UKRAINE – ANNA KHNYCHENKOVA

She started off with a double axel and as she glided and performed a triple loop. The first one was a success, but the second one was not as she made a mistake. Her moves in the field were good, also her footwork. She did a lot of spins such as a sit and upright spins. Her performance was more on the foot work. Approaching her ending, she started it off with a layback and into a catch foot.

LATVIA – DIANA NIKITINA 32 39

I love the music she picked which was Shoulder of Love by Sade. She started of with performing in figures mainly more on choreographed moves. I was amazed of her combination of a triple lutz and triple toe at the start as she performed it flawlessly. Her sit spins were so fast too. She moves freely on ice in spins and glides. It was interesting and captivating to watch her choreography. I thought of it a bit dull, but she surprised me with a double axel into a bit of foot work into an entry of camel spin to an upward spin.

KOREA – KIM HANUL

She started off with an amazing triple lutz and a triple toe. Her spins are just beautiful from sit spin to an upright one. She took some steps into a jump sit spin which was performed with no mistakes. Her foot work and turns into those turns are so beautiful. She also performed double axel. Her choreography is both cute and elegant.

SWEDEN – ANITA OESTLUND

Her picked song was Carmen Fantasie by David Garrett which happened to be my go-to stress relief music during this quarantine. Her footwork was great at the beginning. She did a jump sit into a broken leg position perfectly and danced with the ice. She did some spins and jumps here and there. She did two triple toes but the second one she almost made a mistake but pulled through. She performed a camel spin to a sit spin.

CHINA – LI XIANGNING

Her footwork from the start was great as she comes for a triple spin, but she was not able to do it. She performed a combination spin from a sit spin to an upright one. She also did a camel spin. She did a triple lutz two times into a double axel with no mistakes.

SWITZERLAND – ALEXIA PAGANINI

With the song Forbidden Love, Paganini gave an elegant score (From Romeo and Juliet). The music and her outfit are in perfect harmony, making an example. She also had decent pace and footwork, allowing her to get off to a great start with a triple toe.

KAZAKHSTAN – AIZA MAMBEKOVA

Mambekova drew the audience's attention with her hand gestures and a launch of music, incorporating music into her step series. Her height is fine, but her rotation isn't fast enough. She had an impressive finish, unlike other artists who did not sync with their final portion of the music.

FINLAND – EMMI PELTONEN

Peltonen’s pace was an advantage. She ran at a fast rate, resulting in a clumsy and large leap from the start, which was considered a high-quality jump. With her body motions and series, she also gave a wonderful boost. Her engagement was admirable, and she has a knack for transformations.

CANADA – LARKYN AUSTMAN

Austman had selected the joyful and energetic song Mein Herr (from Cabaret). In terms of interpreting her songs, she was more like dancing than skating. Her hop, on the other hand, was difficult for her, probably due to her movements. Still love her spins, nonetheless.

FRANCE – MAE BERENCE MEITE

Meite’s performance was quite similar with Austman, who focused more on dancing and figures than skating. She began with a series of exaggerated hand gestures however it was a lively performance, and with her high jumps.

RULES OF THE GAME

Badge 1

Stand unassisted for 5 seconds

Fall and stand up unassisted

Knee dip standing still unassisted

March forward 10 steps assisted

Badge 2

March forward 10 steps unassisted

Swizzles, standing still (3 repetitions)

Backward wiggle or march assisted

2-foot glide forward for distance at least length of body

Badge 3

Backward wiggle or march

5 forward swizzles covering at least 10 feet

Forward skating across the rink

Forward gliding dip covering at least length of body

Badge 4

Backward 2-foot glide covering at least length of body

2-foot jump in place1-foot snowplow stop (left or right)

Forward 1-foot glide covering at least length of body (left and right)

Badge 5

Forward stroking across the rink

5 backward swizzles covering at least 10 feet

Forward 2-foot curves left and right across the rink

2-foot turn front-to-back, on the spot

Badge 6

Gliding forward-to-backward 2-foot turn

5 consecutive forward 1-foot swizzles on circle (left and right)

Backward 1-foot glide length of body (left and right)

Forward pivot

Badge 7

Backward stroking across the rink

Gliding backward-to-forward 2-foot turn

T-Stop left or right

Forward 2-foot turn on a circle (left and right)

Badge 8

5 consecutive forward crossovers (left and right)

Forward outside edge (left and right)

5 consecutive backward 1-foot swizzles on a circle (left and right)

2-foot spin

Badge 9

Forward outside 3-turn (left and right)

Forward inside edge (left and right)

Forward lunge or shoot the duck, at any depth

Bunny hop

Badge 10

Forward inside 3-turn (left and right)

5 consecutive backward crossovers (left and right)

Hockey stop

Forward spiral 3 times length of body

Badge 11

Consecutive forward outside edges (minimum 2 on each foot)

Consecutive forward inside edges (minimum 2 on each foot)

Forward inside Mohawk (left and right)

Consecutive backward outside edges (minimum 2 on each foot)

Consecutive backward inside edges (minimum 2 on each foot)

Badge 12

Waltz jump1-foot spin (minimum of 3 revolutions)

Forward crossover, inside Mohawk, backward crossover, step forward (step sequence should be repeated clockwise and counter clockwise)

Combination of three moves chosen from badges 9 – 12

Level I = Badges 1 – 5

Level II = Badges 1 – 9

Level III = Badges 1 – 12

Level IV, V, VI = Badges 1 – 12 and Footwork and difficult jumps and spins and spirals

HOW TO OFFICIATE THE GAME

Accounts

The accountant's role begins weeks, sometimes months, before a competition. Working with the Local Organizing Committee and chief referee, accountants are responsible for preparing the paperwork that communicates the following information:

When each event of a competition will begin

Where it will be held

Which skaters will be in each event

In what order they will skate

Accountants are also responsible for providing the judges, referees, and technical panel officials with documents for recording their decisions. Finally, the accountants are responsible for ensuring that the scoring software is set up properly, the scores are entered accurately, and the results are calculated correctly.

Technical accountants are a subset of accountants who specialize in the setup and operation of the rink side computer equipment utilized for automated scoring under the International Judging System (IJS).

Announcers

Announcers are responsible for announcing competitors before they perform at a competition. Announcers might also be asked to announce scores, names of officials and other general competition information, as necessary.

As the voice of an event, announcers need to be able to work as part of a team and have the ability to communicate effectively with competition hosts, referees, and other officials.

Ice Technicians

Ice technicians are utilized at certain qualifying and international competitions to ensure the safety and quality of the ice surface. Primarily utilized at large competitions, the ice technician is the go-between for the event referee and arena personnel, and ensures each event runs safely and smoothly.

Judges

Judges are likely the most well-known type of figure skating official. Though the days of score cards are long behind us, U.S. Figure Skating still relies on judges to adjudicate competitions and interpret rules and regulations. Currently, judges work in all four skating disciplines and every competitive opportunity U.S. Figure Skating offers.

There are also two different classifications of judges:

Test Judges: who can judge test sessions and nonqualifying competitions

Competition Judges: who can judge nonqualifying and qualifying competitions

Referees

Referees are the designated leaders and spokespeople for an event. They also manage the panel of judges and, depending on the size of the competition, may serve as one of the event's judges as well. Before becoming a referee, one must be certified as a judge.

The event referee’s responsibilities include timing the programs, taking certain deductions (in IJS), deciding on all protests with respect to their event, conducting pre-event meetings (usually held at qualifying competitions) and allowing a skater/team to restart a program that has been stopped in accordance with U.S. Figure Skating rules.

Chief referees are responsible for setting up the competition schedule, assigning officials, overseeing seeding and draws for events, interpreting rules, deciding on protests and any breaches that occur without protests and determining if the condition of the ice will permit conducting the competition.

Technical Panel Officials

Technical panel officials are required for any events using the International Judging System (IJS). There are four different types of technical panel officials certified by U.S. Figure Skating:

Technical Controller

Technical Specialist

Data Operator

Video Replay Operator

REFERENCES

Figure skating equipment (10 Essentials). (2021, February 16). Retrieved from Ice Skating Passion: https://iceskatingpassion.com/figure-skating-equipment/

Figure Skating Rules. (n.d.). Retrieved from Rules of Sport: https://www.rulesofsport.com/sports/figure-skating.html

Figure Skating Sport Rules. (2016, June). Retrieved from Special Olympics: https://media.specialolympics.org/resources/sports-essentials/sport-rules/Figure-Skating-Sports-Rules.pdf

Team, R. (n.d.). Key Ice Skating Techniques. Retrieved from realbuzz.com: https://www.realbuzz.com/articles-interests/sports-activities/article/key-ice-skating-techniques/

TYPES OF OFFICIALS. (n.d.). Retrieved from US Figure Skating: https://www.usfigureskating.org/support/officiate

Rio 2016 Olympics: Artistic Swimming, A Review

Synchronized Swimming used to be known as 'water ballet'. This is because the routines are essentially a series of athletic movements choreographed to a piece of chosen music. Not unlike staged ballet, except that it is performed in the water. Synchronized Swimming is highly challenging, requiring ease of movements and the ability to stay upside down in water. it is said to be as hard to practice as it is beautiful to watch. A test even for strong swimmers, the sport requires advanced water skills, strength, flexibility, endurance, grace, precise timing, artistry, and exceptional breath control.

In this blog, I will be reviewing the court dimensions, equipment, basic skills, technical and tactical skills of each team, rules of the game, and how to officiate artistic swimming in the 2016 Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad and commonly known as Rio 2016, was an international multi-sport event held from the 5th to the 21st of August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

COURT DIMENSIONS

The pool must be at least 20m wide x 30m long, and at least 2.5m deep. One area, 12x12m or larger, must be at least 3m deep and the slope between the change in depths has to be completed over a distance of 8m or less.

The pool's water must be clear enough so that the bottom of the pool is visible from above and at least 27°C (80.6°F,) plus or minus one degree. The amount of light underwater is also very important, since goggles aren't worn in competition, so there is a required minimum brightness of 1500 lux.

EQUIPMENT

Hair gel or gelatin

Nose Clip

Underwater Speaker

Costume

BASIC SKILLS

The basic skills you will need in synchronized swimming is sculling and treading water with a kick called the "eggbeater". There are also many positions that you can learn to combine into a routine. Additionally, there is an element known as “lifts” in synchronized swimming, where swimmers create a structure of sorts with their bodies and lift themselves from the water in the same formation they created underwater.

Sculls

Sculls are hand movements used to propel the body and are essential to synchronized swimming. Some commonly used sculls are support, standard, torpedo, split-arm, barrel and paddle scull. The support scull is most often used and is made up of two repeated movements. You need to hold your upper arms against your body and your forearms at 90-degree angles. Then, you move your forearms back and forth to create enough water pressure to hold your legs above the water.

Eggbeater

This move is much like how a manual eggbeater works, with one leg rotating in a clockwise manner and rotating the other leg in an anti-clockwise manner. Synchronized swimmers use this kick because it leaves their hands free to perform strokes. Due to the opposite motion of the kick, it is a stable and efficient way for swimmers to attain the necessary height to perform moves above the water.

Positions

There are hundreds of positions that can be used to create infinite combinations. The six most common positions are illustrated below.

Crane Position - Hold your body in a vertical position with one leg held vertically above the water surface, while the other leg is held parallel under the surface in a 90-degree angle or "L" shape.

Ballet Leg Double Position - From lying flat on the water surface, draw your knees towards your chest with shins parallel to the water surface. Straighten your legs above the water surface to assume a Surface Ballet Leg Double position.

Side Fishtail Position - This is a position similar to the crane. One leg remains vertical, while the other is extended to the side parallel to the water, creating a side "Y" position.

Knight Position -The body is held vertically with your head in line with the hips and pointed to the bottom of the pool. One leg is lowered to create a vertical line perpendicular to the surface.

Flamingo Position - Similar to the ballet leg position where the bottom leg is pulled into the chest so that the shin of the bottom leg is touching the knee of the vertical leg.

Split Position - With the body vertical, one leg is stretched forward along the surface and the other leg is extended back along the surface.

Lifts

Lifts are formations that are formed underwater and as swimmers propel themselves towards the surface, they stay in formation and add more elements like acrobatics. There are three parts to a lift in synchronized swimming: The Flyer, the Base and the Pushers.

The Flyer - Flyers are agile and flexible and are usually the smallest member of the team. It is preferable that they have a gymnastics background as they need to perform complicated moves while on the top of the formation.

The Base - Base swimmers tends to be small in size, but should have good leg strength and a solid core as they make up the structure of the formation.

The Pushers - Pushers are the bigger and stronger swimmers because they need the strength to propel the formation to the water surface.

Types of Lifts

The Platform Lift - The base lays out in a back layout position underwater, where they lie on their back to form a platform of interlinked bodies. The Flyer sets in a squatting position and stands once the lift reaches the surface. The remaining teammates use the eggbeater kicks to hold the platform and the flyer out of the water.

The Stack Lift - Considered to be an updated version of the Platform, the Stack Lift begins with the base squatting while underwater, supported by the pushers. The flyer then stands on the shoulders of the base. The pushers and base gradually stretch out their limbs, elevating the flyer. A rotating descent is usually added to this lift.

TECHNICAL AND TACTICA; SKILLS OF EACH TEAM

EGYPT

Execution: 23.5000; Artistic Expression: 31.4667; Difficulty: 23.6000; Penalty: 0.0; Technical Routine: 76. 9838; Free Routine: 78.5667 Total Score: 155.5505

They were the first performer and at first I wasn’t sure whether or not I will be enjoying while watching the video but their intro stunned me. It was my first time watching synchronized swimming and I did not know they would walk in sync and dive in different times and their dive was very beautiful. They did uniquely beautiful lifts while executing various leg choreographies and positions.

AUSTRALIA

Execution: 22.6000; Artistic Expression: 20.1333; Difficulty: 22.7000; Penalty: 0.0; Technical Routine: 74.0667; Free Routine: 75.4333 Total Score: 149.50

Their synchronization and timing is very nice. Their performance was unique and it was a fun routine. I was amazed by their hand movements in their choreography because it was very fun to look at. From what I’ve seen they used a variety of sculls in order for them to perform the different kinds of positions such as the flamingo position and the split position.

ITALY

Execution: 27.5000; Artistic Expression: 37.0667; Difficulty: 27.7000; Penalty: 0.0; Technical Routine: 91.1142; Free Routine: 92.2667 Total Score: 183.3809

With their theme which was seasons of earth, I was amazed by how elegant, and sweet their performance were. It was almost like a fairytale. They were able to maintained balance, fantastic synchronization, and unique formation of lifts. Their synchronization was very intense especially during their feet formations in their choreography. I was awed by all of their fantastic formations.

BRAZIL

Execution: 26.1000; Artistic Expression: 34.8000; Difficulty: 26.3000; Penalty: 0.0; Technical Routine: 84.7985; Free Routine: 87.2000 Total Score: 171.9985

When the song started, I was kind of hesitant in watching their routine because I thought it wouldn’t be as good as the ones that have finished performing. However, I was in awe by their excitingly fun choreography which was a good epitome of carnival. Very smooth and excellent synchronization, very artistic. I love their facial expression and their formation are also very excellent accompanied by the song. I love the spins after they do the knight position during their formations. I love the hand choreography they did from 30:07- 30:36. Their handwork in practicing their choreography really paid off because they look so great underwater as they unfold the next move from another. I love how they look like they are having so much fun they don’t even look fatigued but watching them they stole my breath away by how difficult and fun their routine was. Their routine lived up to their theme of carnival. They executed all the moves well, a lot of spirit and energy, and the high-risk of balance from the lifts especially in the part of Christo! shout of the song. Very charismatic.

RUSIAN FEDERATION

Execution: 29.7000; Artistic Expression: 39.7333; Difficulty: 29.7000; Penalty: 0.0; Technical Routine: 97.0106; Free Routine: 99.1333 Total Score: 196.1439

Their theme was angels and when I heard the intro of the song it sounded so intense and when they started off with an opening lift well...it was very incredible that watching the recap, there wasn’t any mistakes and their lifts are difficult but stunning to watch. Their synchronization is perfect, energy and explosive power of moves is so incredible. The song was a bit suspenseful, and their moves perfectly accompanied it. Their formation is brilliant and unique. I love their lifts and how the girl that was lifted turned beautifully as she descends to the water at 37: 18. Even their work underneath the water is beautifully synchronized. I love their facial expressions too during their beautiful lifts. No wonder they won gold medals.

UKRAINE

Execution: 28.2000; Artistic Expression: 38.2667; Difficulty: 28.7000; Penalty: 0.0; Technical Routine: 93.4413; Free Routine: 95.1667 Total Score: 188.608

Right from the start, they immediately showed difficult routines, and when they showed their underwater movements, they were all so synchronized when they do hand movements to propel their bodies in order to execute leg positions for their routine. I love the shapes they showed. The actions they show require high risk but I love how it looked. They performed intense and risky moves and they do it fast too but they are good at it so the outcome of their movements are breath-taking.

CHINA

Execution: 29.1000; Artistic Expression: 39.0667; Difficulty: 29.2000; Penalty: 0.0; Technical Routine: 95.6174; Free Routine: 97.3667 Total Score: 192.9841

From their intro pose, they are already showcasing their flexibility as their theme is finding dragon. The power of the lift right from the start was very beautiful and high, the pushers and the base must’ve worked so hard with it in order for their flyer to be able to execute it so perfectly. They performed complicated moves afterwards which was so fascinating to see. Their synchronization is very powerful, and the way they interpreted their theme by using lifts was very great to see. They quickly change formation and then perform uniquely amazing choreographies with very beautiful twists. Their formation is just absolutely beautiful. The way they matched their legs movement with the intense music was so amazing at 54:01 onwards. No doubt they deserve the silver medals.

JAPAN

Execution: 28.5000; Artistic Expression: 38.1333; Difficulty: 28.8000; Penalty: 0.0; Technical Routine: 93.7723; Free Routine: 95.4333 Total Score: 199.2056

Right from the start they immediately performed two lifts which was very beautiful. The formation was very artistic and they performed it cleanly. They also performed a fun choreography and I was completely absorbed by their music because it sounded both cute and fun. The lifts are just beautiful especially when they end it with turns.

RULES OF THE GAME

No Touching the Bottom

One of the things which makes the lifts all the more impressive is that artistic swimmers are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool at any point during their routines.

No Bling

Presentation is a unique and important part of artistic swimming but there are certain restrictions on what swimmers can wear. For example, artistic swimmers are not permitted jewelry, theatrical make-up, or inappropriate costumes.

No Goggles

Another restriction during artistic swimming routines is goggles. However, swimmers in figures competitions are permitted to wear them.

Team Means Team

Teams normally contain eight swimmers, but the minimum number for a team is four. Teams lose marks for every swimmer they have under the full complement because it is easier to synchronize the fewer people there are in a routine.

Stick to The Schedule

Routines can be anything from two and a half minutes to five minutes long, depending on whether they are performed alone or as part of a team. However, swimmers are penalized if they take 15 seconds fewer or longer than the specified time.

HOW TO OFFICIATE THE GAME

Timekeeper

The role of a timekeeper is to check, and record, the overall times of the routines and of the deck movements. If the time limit for the deck work is exceeded or there is a deviation from the permitted routine time allowance, the timekeeper advises the referee.

Clerk of the course

The role of a clerk of the course is to organize the competitors so that they are ready for their events at the required time. During figure competitions, they ensure that the swimmers are in the correct order to perform their figures.

Scorer

The role of a synchro scorer is to record marks from the judges and make the necessary computations for each routine. There are two levels of synchro scorer – national scorer and chief recorder.

National scorers write down and manipulate all the scores that come in for figures and routines at competitions. They can officiate at any level of domestic competition including the National Age Group Championships and ASA National Championships.

Chief recorders are in charge of scoring at synchronized swimming events. They are trained to manage related computer results systems at national and regional competitions.

Judge

Synchro Judges are essential for running synchronized swimming competitions as they provide scores based on the performance of each routine. They are also responsible for marking grade level assessments. To reduce the level of subjectivity in scoring, all synchro judges must be expertly-trained. They require a full understanding of FINA and the ASA’s rules and regulations for synchronized swimming competitions.

There are three levels of Judge:

Level 1: Candidates must be 16 years old to take the level 1 judge course. They will be qualified to judge at level 1 and 2 competitions. The course includes:

Use of marking scales

Develop understanding of basic movements and positions

Able to identify Figures in current age groups (12U and 13/14/15)

Ethics

Develop knowledge and understanding of Free Routines

Knowledge of Grade 1 and 2 criteria and assessment criteria

Level 2: Candidates must have been a level 1 judge for at least a year. They will be qualified to judge at regional competitions at the National Age Group Championships. The course includes:

In-depth knowledge of Junior Figures (15-18 years)

Develop knowledge of rules and penalties

Develop knowledge of NVT, difficulty values and application to figures. Application of deductions to figures

Exposure to variety of level of figures and scores

Knowledge and awareness of Grade 3/4/5 criteria

Further analysis of Free Routines – range of level of routines, recognition of difficulty

Level 3: Candidates must have been a level 2 judge for at least a year. They will be qualified to judge at the National Championships. The course includes:

Further knowledge about rules, penalties and organization

In-depth knowledge about judging Figures and component parts

Further develop knowledge and aptitude regarding judging Free Routines

Awareness of Grade 6 criteria

In-depth knowledge of technical elements across solos, duets and team

Referee

The role of a synchro referee is to oversee the control of a synchronized swimming competition. The referee makes sure all aspects of the event are run smoothly and follow FINA rules.

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Bibliography

An Introduction to Artistic Swimming. (n.d.). Retrieved from Swim England Artistic Swimming: https://www.swimming.org/artistic-swimming/introduction-to-artistic-swimming/

Basic skills and positions in Synchronised Swimming. (n.d.). Retrieved from Active SG: https://www.myactivesg.com/Sports/Aquatics/How-To-Play/Synchronised-Swimming/Basic-skills-and-positions-in-Synchronised-Swimming#:~:text=The%20basic%20skills%20you%20will,to%20combine%20into%20a%20routine.

Lutz, R. (2016, July 22). Synchronized swimming 101: Equipment. Retrieved from Archive PyeongChang: http://archivepyc.nbcolympics.com/news/synchronized-swimming-101-equipment

Officials in synchro. (n.d.). Retrieved from Edinburgh Synchro: http://edinburghsynchro.co.uk/officials-in-synchro/

Synchronized Swimming Pool Dimensions. (n.d.). Retrieved from SwimOutlet.com Guides: https://www.swimoutlet.com/guides/synchronized-swimming-pool-dimensions#:~:text=The%20pool%20must%20be%20at%20least%2020m%20wide%20x%2030m,distance%20of%208m%20or%20less.

Monica Puig (PUR) vs Angelique Kerber (GER) - Women's Tennis Singles Final of Rio 2016

Tennis originally was known as lawn tennis, and formally still is in Britain, because it was played on grass courts by Victorian gentlemen and ladies. It is now played on a variety of surfaces. The origins of the game can be traced to a 12th–13th-century French handball game called jeu de paume (“game of the palm”), from which was derived a complex indoor racket-and-ball game: real tennis. This ancient game is still played to a limited degree and is usually called real tennis in Britain, court tennis in the United States, and royal tennis in Australia.

In this blog I will be reviewing the court dimension, equipment, basic skills, technical and tactical skills of each player, rules of the game, and how to officiate the game of Monica Puig vs Angelique Kerber in the Rio 2016 Olympics in Women's Tennis Singles the finals.

COURT DIMENSION

The court shall be a rectangle, 78 feet (23.77 m) long and, for singles matches, 27 feet (8.23 m) wide. The court shall be divided across the middle by a net suspended by a cord or metal cable which shall pass over or be attached to two net posts at a height of 3 ½ feet (1.07 m). The net shall be fully extended so that it completely fills the space between the two net posts, and it must be of sufficiently small mesh to ensure that a ball cannot pass through it. The height of the net shall be 3 feet (0.914 m) at the center, where it shall be held down tightly by a strap. A band shall cover the cord or metal cable and the top of the net. The strap and band shall be completely white.

The lines at the ends of the court are called baselines and the lines at the sides of the court are called sidelines. Two lines shall be drawn between the singles sidelines, 21 feet (6.40 m) from each side of the net, parallel with the net. These lines are called the service lines. On each side of the net, the area between the service line and the net shall be divided into two equal parts, the service courts, by the center service line.

The center service line shall be drawn parallel with the singles sidelines and half way between them. Each baseline shall be divided in half by a center mark, 4 inches (10 cm) in length, which shall be drawn inside the court and parallel with the singles sidelines.

Moreover, the permanent fixtures of the court include the backstops and sidestops, the spectators, the stands and seats for spectators, all other fixtures around and above the court, the chair umpire, line umpires, net umpire, and ball persons when in their recognized positions.

Equipment

Bandana

Towel

Water Bottle

Tennis Shoes

Tennis Elbow Brace

Tennis Hat

Tennis Ball

Tennis Racket

Tennis Dress

Basic Skills

Serve

Probably the most difficult stroke for beginners to learn, the serve is also one of the most important skills to develop for every player. First, because it is the only shot in which you have absolute control over it. Second, because having a good serve will give you an edge compared to your opponents, regardless of which level you are playing at.

The serve is the stroke that begins every single shot in a tennis match. While one player is serving, the other is receiving, and they take turns after the end of every game. Serves can take different shapes and forms, but they are generally characterized by a movement where the player swings the racket above his head, while still standing behind the baseline.

Return

Since at the start of every point in a tennis match one player is serving, that means that the other player is returning. Returns are very difficult at the advanced levels since serves are extremely fast but having good returns can benefit players at every single level. Returns are especially important when your opponent is not a great server since you can fully take advantage of that weakness.

A return is a shot where one player waits to see where the other player’s serve lands and then attempts to hit the ball back to the other side. A return can be executed in several different ways, with a forehand, backhand, slice, block, or chip. The most important aspect of a return is just getting the ball back to the other side, no matter how.

Strokes

Will help you gain points during a game. There are different kinds of strokes which are all that follows:

Forehand

Forehands are, for the vast majority of players, their strongest weapon. A player hits a forehand when he allows the ball to bounce once on his court before hitting it and hits it with his dominant side. With very few exceptions, players hit forehands using only one arm.

The reason why forehands are called forehands is because normally, the front (fore) of your hand holding the racquet will be facing your opponent.

Backhand

The backhand is another one of the main shots in a tennis game. It is the equivalent of the forehand but executed on the player’s non-dominant side. For instance, if a player is right-handed, the backhand will be executed on the left side. If a player is left-handed, the backhand will be executed on the right side.

The reason why backhands are called that is that the back of the player’s dominant hand is facing the opponent. If you look at the picture below, you will have a better understanding.

Slice

A slice is essentially a variation of the backhand shot. Instead of hitting the ball on the top, your racquet swings through the bottom of the ball. That adds underspin to the shot, so after the ball bounces on the other side, it stays low and close to the ground.

A slice can be used either on your dominant or your non-dominant side, but it is most commonly used as a backhand slice. Players usually use slices in order to change the pace of the game and add some variation.

Forehand Volley

The forehand volley is a fairly simple movement, in which you use only one arm to hit a ball by your dominant side, without letting the ball touch the ground. It requires firm hands and fast reflexes.

Volleys are not used as often as they used to be in the 1990s. As the game has become increasingly slower, players become too vulnerable when they go to the net – since their opponents have a lot more time to react.

Backhand Volley

The backhand volley looks a lot like a backhand slice, but without letting the ball touch the ground. Once again, a volley usually occurs when you are standing close to the net. A backhand volley always happens on your non-dominant side.

Backhand volleys are an important part of your net game since they will allow you to shorten the points and take time away from your opponent.

Overhead

The last basic shot you should become comfortable with is the overhead (also called smash in some countries). You must be standing close to the net and hit the ball without bouncing. You need to hit the ball over your head (similarly to a serve), and that is why this shot is named the way it is.

Overheads are usually used to finish a point, as it is considered a fairly easy shot in which you can hit it very hard. It is important to master this shot, so you make sure you win those points.

TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL SKILLS OF EACH PLAYER

PUIG

While watching the video, I was instantly drawn by how she plays. From what I have seen she has a far more stamina compared to Kerber seeing as how she has no problem in chasing the ball and smashing it on Kerber’s side of the court. The whole time I was fascinated by how well she handles the ball and the control she has overall. Though she had a little trouble in the first set, she was still able to gain control over the ball which in the end made her win. Her strategy is to smash or hit the ball where Kerber will have to run to that place to receive the ball. She always hits towards the place where she has an advantage and because she has a high stamina, she has no problem running around to perform her strategy. All in all, her gameplay is very aggressive because of her strategy of making Kerber chase the ball, and her technical and tactical skills made her earn points to win the game.

KERBER

From what I’ve seen, Kerber always finds a way to be able to stand still and not do a lot of moves such as running to another side so when she hits the ball on Puig’s side of the court, she will have to run to the ball to receive it. Then I heard that she was having a non-vital shoulder injury and required treatment on her back injury between sets which made me understand why she was having a hard time catching with the ball and why she was sometimes very stiff. However, despite having to keep up with Puig’s strategy of having to chase the ball a lot, I admired her determination to keep on running despite the injury she was going through. She was still able to show her technical and tactical skills to the crowd and I think if she weren’t suffering from any injuries, this game would be even more so intense than it already is.

Rules of the Game

To star off the game, who serves first will be settled by a simple coin toss wherein the person who wins the coin toss may elect to serve first or select a side of the court which he would like to receive his opponents serve.

When the server fails to get his first serve into the diagonally opposite service court, it is called a fault serve.

A double fault is committed if the server fails to get his second serve into the diagonally opposite service court and the receiver will then earn a point.

If the ball hits the net and falls within the service court, this is called a “net serve”, the server will be entitled to re-serve the ball into the service court.

The server should stand before the right side of the baseline and serve the ball diagonally across to the receiver’s right service court and then proceed to serve from his left side of the baseline diagonally across to the receiver’s left service court.

The server’s score is always announced first before the receiver’s throughout the game.

For a tennis player to win a game, he/she must win with at least a two-point lead.

If the score is tied at 40 to 40 (what is called as a “Deuce”), a player must earn two consecutive points (an “Advantage” point and “Point”) to win the game.

If the player who has an “Advantage” point loses the next point, the score will be “Deuce” once again.

A set is won when a player has won a minimum of six games with a two-game advantage over his opponent.

In a game of singles, the ball must be hit within both “SERVICE COURTS”, the “BACK COURT” and the “ALLEY LINE” for a point to be scored. Balls hit in the between the “SIDE LINE” and “ALLEY LINE” are considered balls hit out of court and thus earning your opponent a point.

The point system of a tennis match is as follows:

No points are scored = Love

1 point scored = 15 points

2 points scored = 30 points

3 points scored = 40 points

4 points earned = set point (set over)

HOW TO OFFICIATE THE GAME

Chair Umpire

The chair umpire is the person sitting in the highchair at the side of the court officiating over all decisions made out on court with the power to overrule any judgements made by lines persons or indeed players themselves.

Their roles are as follows:

They are the ones keeping track of the score and more recently the amount of challenges each player has left to call upon.

They vocalize the score after every point and in between games.

They complete the scorecard as the match progresses, and they maintain order throughout.

They keep the audience quiet and make sure they follow the rules of spectator etiquette.

If a player has any queries, then they are the first stop of call and often the final decision maker.

They ensure players adhere to time constraints and acceptable behavior on court.

They have the ability to award code violations to players amounting to warnings, the loss of points, games, and even matches.

Line Umpires

The line umpires are the officials who have the responsibility of calling the ball in or out during all calls and especially the close ones. They can be over ruled by the chair umpire, but this rarely happens. There can be up to nine lines umpires on a court at any one time. Three at either end of the court looking after the side lines and the center service line, one each judging the baseline and a final line umpire looking after the service line depending on who’s serving at the time. Nine is the maximum amount of line umpires on a court and in reality, can vary from anywhere between two and nine.

Net Court Umpire

Rarely seen today, there used to be an umpire sitting at the net to call any ball that hit the net during service called a “net court” or “let”. If a ball hits the net during a serve, then the server is asked to replay that shot again if the ball lands in or to play their next serve if it has landed out. If it was their second serve and the net court serve landed out, then it is deemed to be a double fault and the next point is played. Most tournaments today no longer have this umpire as new technology has placed a sensor on the top of the net to detect any ball hitting the net and thus replacing the need for this type of umpire. Either that or the chair umpire will make the decision.

Ball persons

There are usually six ball persons on a court to look after this job. There are two at the back of each side of the court and two more at the net, covering each side of it.

Their role are as follows:

Their job is to ensure that the server always has a choice of tennis balls to choose from before they start to serve.

They change the balls after every nine tennis games and ensure that the players want for nothing.

This might include new drinks, an umbrella in the sun, taking plastic covers from racquets or ensuring that they always have a towel to hand.

Tournament Referee:

Not positioned courtside, the tournament referee is the person in charge of making all decisions regarding all the matches.

Their role are as follows:

They oversee the schedule of play and is the person assigning matches to specific courts.

They make sure that all the ITF’s regulations are enforced including the conduct of all involved and must be present whenever any matches are being played.

They can overrule chair umpires and in fact their decision is final.

They are present at the draws and are responsible for allocating the seeding.

They are the person who has the say in whether play is suspended on account of rain and must be available to resolve disputes regarding to tennis rules.

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Bibliography

Basic Rules of Tennis. (n.d.). Retrieved from Active SG: https://www.myactivesg.com/Sports/Tennis/How-To-Play/Tennis-Rules/Basic-rules-of-tennis#:~:text=For%20a%20tennis%20player%20to,%E2%80%9D)%20to%20win%20the%20game.

Hadlich, G. (n.d.). The 8 Basic Tennis Shots & Skills (Explained). Retrieved from My Tennis HQ: https://mytennishq.com/the-8-basic-tennis-shots-skills-explained/

ITF Rules of Tennis. (2019). Retrieved from IFT Tennis: https://www.itftennis.com/media/1232/2019-rules-of-tennis-english.pdf

Tennis Equipment List. (n.d.). Retrieved from Rookie Road: https://www.rookieroad.com/tennis/equipment-list/

Rio 2016 Men’s Singles Table Tennis, A Review

Originally a leisure activity for the upper-class in Victorian-era England, the sport was initially called ping pong before being renamed to table tennis in 1922. In its early days, the sport was largely played and dominated by Europeans, especially the Hungarians. However, table tennis became widely popular in Asia after finding its way to the continent in the 1950s, which has since been a breeding ground for some of the best players in the world. Just eight years after hosting its first World Cup in China, table tennis featured at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and has since been a fixture at the Games.

In this blog, I will be reviewing the court dimension, equipment, basic skills, technical and tactical skills of each team, rules of the game, and how to officiate the game.

Philippines vs Thailand Badminton Men's Singles Quarter Finals SEA games 2019, A Review

In this blog, I will be reviewing the court dimensions, equipment, basic skills, technical and tactical skills of each team, rules of the game, and how to officiate the game of Philippines vs Thailand Badminton Men's Singles Quarter Finals SEA games 2019.

Badminton that can be played individually or in doubles, consists of 3 games, being a match to the best of three (who wins the first two games wins). The goal is to reach the 21 points first in the game, having to have a difference of 2 points between them to finish the game. If the game reaches 29 × 29, then whoever scores the 30 point wins first.

The Badminton we know today was developed in the mid-nineteenth century by the British, but the act of playing with a racquet and a pen has been around for hundreds of years, especially in Europe and Asia. The game begins with the referee making the coin to give the choice between field or service to the winner.

2016 Olympic Games in Rio | USA vs Serbia Basketball Men's Gold Medal Match, Review

In this blog, I will be reviewing the court dimensions, equipment, basic skills, technical and tactical skills of each team, rules of the game, and how to officiate the game of the Olympic Games Rio 2016 which is the match of USA vs Serbia on Basketball. The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad and commonly known as Rio 2016, was an international multi-sport event held from the 5th to the 21st of August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

SEA Games 2019: PHL VS VIE Volleyball Women's Opener, A Review

In this blog, I will be analyzing the game. The court dimensions, equipment, basic skills, technical and tactical skills for each team, rules of the game, and the people officiating the sport.

Southeast Asian Games also known as Sea Games is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from all the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia which are Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The games is under regulation of the Southeast Asian Games Federation with supervision by the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia.

What this blog will be focused on is the Volleyball Women’s Opener between Philippines vs Vietnam which was so intense and exciting to watch considering that both the teams have the strong will in not losing.

thezeroquotes

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

— Nelson Mandela (via thoughtkick)

100m Sprint Men Finals Usain Bolt in Berlin 2009, A Sport Video Review

Court Dimensions

For the court dimension, the court was as how it is for the recommended dimensions of the IAAF as the Standard Competition Area where field events can be equally distributed all over the arena without experiencing congestion and it satisfies the needs of the spectators. It is an oval running track which includes eight lanes and safety zones perfect for the 100m sprint that was held.

Artificial Intelligence May Not Lead to Human Extinction But Open Doors to Advanced Technology Possibilities

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. AI has always grown in a fast-paced way where a lot of people have gone nervous and scared of the possibilities that may happen in the future to the point where the possibility of human extinction has become a debatable topic. However, how can we be so sure that the advancement of Artificial Intelligence can lead to Human Extinction?

Extraordinary advances in AI are happening every single day. For instance, robots and driverless cars are becoming increasingly common. These technologies are opening doors to a new wave of economic growth and progress. Providing solutions to some of the most significant challenges in human history. It has provided vast transformations in many sectors such as in telecommunication where there is no need to write letters and wait for a long time for a reply, in transportation where you can go anywhere in a short period of time since there are various modes of transportation present in every society, health care, education, banking, agriculture, and many others. However, as these technologies advances more deeply into everyday use, it has risen concerns about possible negative impacts on jobs, personal privacy, society, economy, politics and most of all human extinction.

Nobody can predict whatever the future will bring, but AI most definitely won’t take over the world and make us go through human extinction. It will only open new doors to an array of possibilities that will make our lives easier. Plus, it is already quite obvious that interacting with AI will soon become an everyday activity.

The possibilities of AI are endless. Its future will only be created by us, and it will influence the choices we make and the actions we take. While this revolutionary technology has the potential to become the most influential human innovation in all of history, we have no way of predicting how it may behave. But, with appropriate safeguards, we can ensure that AI systems are intentional, intelligent, and adaptable without sacrificing the important qualities that define humanity. It is always up to us to take a big leap of faith or remain in how we are as of today. Everything depends on our decision. We can never have a good outcome without going through some mistakes here and there. Nevertheless, with the government and scientists constructing appropriate safeguard and policies, we can be safe. Everything is up to us.

ANNALYZING TYPES OF SPEECH

NELSON MANDELA: Freedom and Justice

The type of speech according to purpose was Informative Speech. This is because Nelson Mandela was providing information while giving thanks for the award he received. He gave a significance of the award as it paved a way for Africans to be added into illustrious leaders of the Western World. In terms of purpose in informing the audience, he was able to achieve it because he was able to gather loud cheers from the audience.

The speech was delivered by reading/speaking from a manuscript. Nelson Mandela was able to have greater control over the precise wording of the speech and was able to deliver his thoughts exactly as he wrote them. I cannot deny that he sometimes sounded muffled. If it weren’t for the English subtitles, I doubt I could be able to actually understand what he just said. It was a formal speech and thus it had to be serious but because he constantly read off of his speech where it sometimes took him 5 seconds or more before he briefly makes eye contact with the audience, I got bored a little. He did put some emphasis over words here and there; however, it felt plain and lacked a bit of emotions. Nevertheless, it was still a great speech.

EMMA WATSON: Gender Equality

The type of speech Emma Watson used in her speech was Persuasive Speech. This is because she was persuading the audience that feminism is not about being anti-men but is actually fighting for women and for the equality of rights between the two sexes. Emma Watson certainly achieved her purpose of informing while persuading the audience because of the manner of delivery she used in her delivery of her speech.

The manner of delivering the speech was extemporaneous because she still had with her a manuscript of her speech; however, she did not read off of it. Her speech conveyed a lot of emotions by giving out examples of what her friends experienced and go through because of the discrimination between sexes. It was a touching and persuasive speech because she always maintained eye contact with the audience.

DARREN TAY WEN JIE: 2016 World Champion of Public Speaking

The type of speech Darren Tay Wen Jie used according to his purpose was Entertainment. This was because he made the audience laugh and smile a lot and kept the mood light until the end of his speech whilst giving a meaningful and memorized speech. In terms of achieving his purpose of informing the audience, it was a success. He captivated the audience’s attention right from the start because he grabbed an underwear and showed it to the crowd. Not only that, but he also used it to symbolize the inner bullies. He used an object of which the audience are familiar of and used it but in a completely different humorous light by comparing it to a bully.

Lastly, the manner of delivery of the speech was memorized because he was giving a speech in a contest which is why he needed to memorize his speech. Although it was memorized, he remained calm and didn’t make any mistakes. It was a powerful memorized speech that also caught my attention about what to do with the inner bullies. Stand firm, face it, and acknowledge it instead of running away until it fades away.

Ang mga Ivatan ay itinuturing na mga taong masayahin, mabait at matapat. Ngunit sila din ay may kakayahan sa sarili, masipag, tipikal na mahiyain at mahinahon. Maliit lang ang kaalaman ng mga tao tungkol sa mga Ivatan, at itong kaliitan na kaalaman sa kanila ay ang rason kung bakit iniisip natin na: grabe, ang unique nila.

Ang tawag sa mga naninirahan sa Batanes ay Ivatan. Ang mga Ivatan at isang pangkat-etniko sa Pilipinas. Sa tatlo lamang sa sampung islang bumubuo sa Batanes sila matatagpuan: Itbayat, Batan, at Sabtang.

My Evaluation of News Anchor: Mel Tiangco

The news anchor that I picked is Mel Tiangco because my mom influenced me as she loved her for being a smart news anchor. I like how she conveys the news responsibly. She is known as the Lifetime Achiever of for Broadcasting as she has contributed a lot in keeping the integrity in the Philippine Media. According to my mom, her good qualities are that she is smart, soft-spoken, and loves Mel Tiangco’s way of conveying the news to the audience.

In my opinion, she effectively communicates what she wants to say because she stands by the truth. She is honest in carrying out the news, and she says it with cohesion. Furthermore, if a news anchor is cohesive in giving out important information, they must stand by the truth and not be biased. They must see things equally and say them honestly. And that is what I found from Mel Tiangco.

Conic Sections Found at Home Photo Project

The King’s Speech Analysis and Synopsis

At first, I thought that the video was a 30-40 minutes worth of a documentary. I was shocked when I saw that it was worth 1 hour and 58 minutes! At that time, I didn't feel productive enough to watch a whole 1 hour and 58 minutes documentary. So I opened the video and thought of skipping to parts instead of watching the entire thing. I didn't know that I would warm up to the character and cry like a proud mother in the end.

At the start of the movie, I thought it was boring because they introduced the microphone. But when the Prince nervously stood in front of the microphone slowly taking in the gazes of all the people present in the closing ceremony, I suddenly felt empathetic because I felt like I was the one in his shoes. When he wasn't able to deliver his speech, I felt so bad for him. I wanted to comfort him because I knew that the memory was going to stick with him forever. Failing at giving a speech in front of thousands of people can pretty much become a traumatic memory.

Then with the help of his wife, they were able to find the right speech therapist that could help the Prince with his stammers. The Prince met Lionel Logue, who helped him overcome his stammers in various ways, and through all their sessions together, they developed a friendship. It did have many ups and downs, though, like when the Prince doubted Lionel for a second because Lionel did not graduate as a speech therapist. He did not have any certificate or credentials, rather raw experiences from people who suffered because of the war. After explaining that to the Prince, they had an argument that ended up with Prince Albert screaming, "I have a voice!" then the coronation day has come; hence, Prince Albert became King George VI. Afterward, his first duty as a king has come, and it was to give out a wartime speech, and it was a success.

The film's issue in regards to communication was hesitation and lack of confidence, which can result because of certain events in our lives that became the reason for it to happen. The film tells us that we have a voice and that we must never be scared or be hesitant to share our ideas, feelings, and opinions. Do not be silent in the midst of chaos and clash of communication in your environment. Do not let these events become the reason for you to be scared to talk. Keep in mind that we all have a right to voice our opinions and have a right to be heard. Remember, we all have a voice.

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