"No one has ever become poor by giving."

[mrreuben]

Sustainability amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic

Today, humanity is faced with a global crisis. Perhaps our generation’s greatest crisis. The government’s decisions and actions over the next few weeks will undoubtedly shape the world. They will influence not only our health care system but also our economy, culture and politics. It is indeed an immense challenge every nation must face. The creativity of each government’s response must match the unique nature of the crisis and the magnitude of the response must match its scale.

As the world is grappling with an invisible deadly enemy that left us all unguarded, Vietnam is silently doing a great job in combatting this new coronavirus strain. Despite being a densely populated neighbour of China, the country has only recorded 270 virus cases and zero deaths according to official tallies. But how were they able to surpass the neighbouring countries that are much wealthier than them such as Singapore, Japan and South Korea?

Vietnam was one of the first nations to suspend flights to and from mainland China and in early February when it had only a few cases. Residents that are close to the nation’s capital were immediately placed under quarantine. Unlike other rich countries that have the means to provide mass testing, the only advantage that Vietnam has over the rest now is because it is a Surveillance State. According to Lemieux (2018), Surveillance State is defined as a state that aims to engage in pervasive surveillance of large numbers of its citizen and visitors. As a single-party state known for its broad and well-organized military and security forces, Vietnam was able to take swift decisions and promptly implement them. There is also a strong custom of surveillance, which people are expected to report on their neighbours if they suspect any misconduct. Anyone found spreading fake news or misinformation about coronavirus could be a subject for police investigation, and around 800 people have been fined so far. Security officials or Communist Party spies are deployed on every street and in every neighbourhood and village. The military is also deploying soldiers and materiel in the fight against coronavirus. This close surveillance largely keeps anyone from slipping through the net or evading regulations. Also, Vietnam is applying a kind of persuasive fight against the outbreak. The premier stated that “every business, every citizen, every residential area must be a fortress to prevent the epidemic”. This has hit a nerve with many Vietnamese, who are proud of their ability to stand together in a crisis and endure hardships. The projected economic costs, which will hit Vietnam hard despite the low case numbers, have also been widely accepted by the population. According to government figures, 3,000 businesses have closed in the first two months of 2020. Big conglomerates like the Vin Group have shuttered dozens of hotels and resorts due to the drop in tourism, costing employees their jobs. Its citizens accepted that everyone is undergoing difficulty at this time of pandemic. "We follow the guidance from our government that 'fighting the pandemic is like fighting our enemy'." Likewise, people from the private sector were asked to donate to which they quickly respond without any doubts and hesitations.

It is not the type of approach that would be accepted in more open societies like in our country wherein people can easily voice out their dismay towards the government. Discipline and solidarity are very much needed in the Philippines at the time of pandemic, something that Filipinos seem to lack or take for granted. Our unity, our common sense and our shared responsibility are being put to test, which we all hope will soon pass.

References:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/covid-19-vietnam-relax-restrictions-case-drop-12670028

Lemieux P. (2018). Why The Surveillance State is Dangerous. https://www.econlib.org/archives/2018/06/why_the_surveil.html

[mrreuben]

The release of prisoners to fight COVID-19

The Release of Certain Prisoners. Gov. DeWine said on April 2, 2020, that the state are considering the release of some inmates who are in minimal security facilities, and eligible to be released on or before July 13, 2020 in order to slow the spread of coronavirus inside the overcrowded prisons. As of April 15, 105 inmates have been released.  

Below are the observed stakeholders of the said action:

·       Employees – The message may give the employees an idea of what to expect if the proposal for the early release of prisoners are passed.

·       Government and Regulators – The government and regulators are responsible for checking the facts and deliberation if governor DeWine’s proposal should be considered.

·       Global Citizen – Citizens around the world will look at this proposal as an example on how their countries are supposed to address their crowded correctional system amidst this pandemic

·       Community – Citizens of Ohio, the inmate itself and his/her family are the ones who will be greatly affected with this proposal. If the proposal is considered, the inmate and their family would most certainly be filled with joy, while the citizens of their community may garner mixed reactions.

 Using FAIR

By using FAIR as a framework, I have given an analysis regarding the said conference:

 FACTS: Did the speaker present information that allows each stakeholder group to make informed decisions that are in its best interests?  Explain.

Yes. Governor DeWine has emphasized the need to decongest the overcrowded prisons of the state in order to create an environment of social distancing. He has also emphasized that these candidates for early release are already due to be let go in the next 90 days, therefore the adjustment of the release dates are negligible.

ACCESS: Did the speaker disclose information that the different stakeholder groups need?  Explain.  If not, which information did he or she not disclose?  What do you think is the reason for the non-disclosure?

Yes. He mentioned in his speech the necessary steps, not only regarding the stakeholders of the early released prisoners, but also the whole citizens of the state of Ohio regarding the fight against COVID-19.

 IMPACT: Are the recommendations that the speaker made in the best interests of the stakeholder groups?  (Enumerate each stakeholder group and the impact on that group.)

·       Employees – By decreasing the number of prisoners in the Minimum Security Prison (Open Bays), the employees of this facility will have fewer inmates that they need to keep an eye on. The employees will be able to monitor the health and behavior of each remaining prisoners in the said facility.

·       Government and Regulators – Fewer inmates equates to fewer costs. Instead of using funds for food, security, clothing and sanitation, and other facilities, the government will be able to save some money by reducing the number of prisoners in that prison and allocate those funds for the fight for COVID-19.

·       Global Citizen – As part of the global citizen, this may raise questions regarding the effectivity and consequence of the said action like; how effective is this action in the fight against COVID-19? Does releasing prisoners reduce the chance of spreading the virus in the whole community? Are the inmates inside the prison safer against COVID-19 if prisoner’s who are positive and potential carriers are isolated, or not? Should we also promote this act in other states and countries in order to fight COVID-19 more effectively?

·       Community – Stakeholders from the Community in Ohio can be further specified in 3 groups:

 o   Inmates – Generally, inmates has always been waiting for the day of their release, and an early release for even a day can give them immeasurable joy. But one can also argue that the inmates, with regards to the fight against COVID-19, are safer inside the walls of the prison. Prisons are built to be a very isolated quarantine area which gives them a lower chance of being infected with the virus compared with the people who are free outside. If the prisoners are kept within those walls, inmates who are positive and potential to be infected with the virus are isolated, and  with minimum interaction with the outside world, the chance of transmission can be close to zero.

 o   Family of Inmates – The governor has mentioned that those who would be released has no history of any domestic violence, and we can safely assume that the early release of these candidates would also give his/her family tremendous happiness as they would be able to join their love one in their homes while in the fight for this pandemic.

 o   Citizens of Ohio – For most people, this act of mercy would also give them a sense of joy, but for some conservatives, this act may give them annoyance, saying that these prisoners needs to earn all the days that the court has bestowed upon them as punishment. But some concerned people, may also point out, with regards to COVID-19, the prisoners and the community will be much safer if the prisoners would be isolated from the rest of the state during this pandemic. Isolation and reduction of people outside will decrease the chances of transmission significantly.                        

RESPECT: Did you (a neutral observer) find the communication respectful?  Explain.

Yes. The speaker was very eloquent and considerate. I can feel from his communication that he only wants what’s best for his community. But in my opinion, the prisoner’s would still be safer from COVID-19 inside the prison, given that the ones who tested positive and the potential carriers are isolated quickly.

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgTu7RpztOU&t=117s

[mrreuben]

Labor Day. May 1, 2020

Friday, May 1, 2020, Labor Day in the Philippines and President Rodrigo Duterte marked Labor Day by reaffirming the government’s commitment to protect the rights of all workers through “humanization of laws and the equalization of social forces.” Saying;

"Today, we celebrate the Filipino worker whose hard work serves as the very foundation of our nation's prosperity and growth," he said.

But who are we really prioritizing? Why do we let other nationals resume work while the rest of the Filipinos are desperate to earn a living during this hard times?

The government has allowed the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) to resume partial operations amid the enforcement of community quarantine against novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said POGOs have been allowed to partially reopen, subject to stringent conditions. PAGCOR said that prior to the resumption of operations, POGOs and their service providers are ordered to strictly adhere to the following pre-requisites: The PAGCOR also assured they will impose safety protocols on POGOs to ensure that its employees will be protected from infections and the spread of the virus in their communities will be avoided.

In a statement, Andrea Domingo, Pagcor chair and chief executive, said the easing of the government’s restrictions on the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) would soften coronavirus disease’s (COVID-19’s) recessionary impact on the country. Domingo explained that allowing the partial re-opening of legitimate POGO businesses would unleash thousands of jobs for Filipinos and revenues for the government. As the country’s unemployment rate is expected to reach 8 percent this year, Domingo said job creation initiatives are imperative to cushion the economic crisis triggered by COVID-19.

Likewise, partial opening of POGOs will create ripples in economic activity, such as the real estate industry which has earned approximately P25 billion on leaseholds and rentals alone, as industry occupies 1,000,000 square-meter of office space. Under partial operations, she said POGOs are only allowed 30 percent workforce per shift in operating sites and should adhere to work health and safety standards of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

According to DOF, the BIR and BOC, the two agencies ahead of Pagcor in terms of revenue contributions to state coffers, collected only P40.47 billion from April 1 to 15, down 81.5 percent from P219.88 billion in the same period last year.

Last January, DOF said total taxes generated by POGOs reached P6.42 billion in 2019 from P2.38 billion a year earlier due to better tax compliance of PAGCOR-accredited offshore gaming companies.

Meanwhile, the Accredited Service Providers Association of Pagcor (ASPAP) assured they will comply with strict guidelines issued by Malacañang, IATF, and the gaming regulator as preconditions for allowing them to resume partial operations.

These include deep cleaning and disinfection of facilities, testing of Filipino and foreign workers for COVID-19 prior to deployment, payment of workers’ salaries and taxes, remittance of the P350-million minimum guaranteed fee, proper social distancing, and other measures.

ASPAP also said its members welcomed their classification as business process outsourcing (BPO) companies. After all, the group said its members are typical BPOs that provide POGO with BPO services like call center operations, telemarketing, systems and hardware support, as well as “live dealer” video streaming and other online games.

“To stress a point – POGOs are offshore gaming operators, while POGO service providers are typical Philippine-based BPO companies that are purely paid service fees,” ASPAP said.

While its members are awaiting Pagcor’s official communication before operating at 30 percent capacity, ASPAP said its priority is to start cleaning and disinfecting all workplaces. In response to detractors’ claims that POGO service providers expose people to high risks of infection, the group stressed that due to strict precautionary measures adopted by ASPAP members during the pandemic’s early stages, none of its workers have tested positive for COVID-19.

It is disappointing to see that our government has let the resumption of POGO while the rest of the Filipino suffers. But we will rise from this adversity. The night is dark just before the dawn, and let us not forget that this is our mother land. Today is Labor Day and  today we celebrate the dignity of labor. Our nation has been built, is built, will be built by the sweat and blood of those who tirelessly toil. Mabuhay ang mga manggagawa!

[mrreuben]

Pregnancy rates during Philippine Lockdown

In my experience, the Filipino population has a very short attention span. During the coronavirus outbreak, we have been ordered to stay at home during the lockdown implementation of our dear government. But as we can see in the news and social media, people can’t stop themselves from going out and trying to entertain themselves in order to relieve them of the boredom that the lockdown has forced upon them. Filipinos are also stubborn. Drinking during this liquor ban, not obeying social distancing measures, and strolling around the city to go to their friends or girlfriend/boyfriend, or just to boast in social media the places that they’ve been to during this calamity.

Filipinos is also very ignorant in terms of family planning and reproductive health. We have one of the highest teenage pregnancy rate, child per family count (especially in low-income families), and population density in the metro compared to other countries. We even surpassed the concrete jungle, New York City. Even I am not proud of that endeavor. Now amidst our lockdown, the threat of unprecedented rise in pregnancy rates are on hand. We may see in the upcoming months if this lockdown has bestowed upon us record number of pregnancies and giving births, especially in low income families and young teenagers who aren’t educated in reproductive education.

Noting the historical trend that unplanned pregnancies spike during natural calamities, the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) has urged couples to practice family planning and responsible parenthood even while the enhanced community quarantine is in effect across Luzon due to COVID-19. According to POPCOM, accidental pregnancies should no longer add to the heavy load of health workers who are already grappling to treat patients in this time of COVID-19 pandemic. “We are uncertain as to when the health emergency caused by COVID-19 will abate. As such, we do not want to add on to the current situation with another possible crisis caused by unplanned pregnancies, as they could bear added weight to our already strained medical institutions,” POPCOM Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III said in a statement on March 24.

According to Perez, the number of unplanned pregnancies historically increases during natural calamities “when couples and individuals cohabitate for longer periods.” He also noted that the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, which compels over 50 million people to stay inside their homes and shuts malls and other establishments for entertainment purposes, poses challenges to couples because of interrupted access to family planning supplies and services.

“Being a health agency, it is our duty and commitment to the Filipino people to remind them that family planning—especially during situations when persons are asked to stay indoors—should always be accessed and practiced,” said the POPCOM chief. Thus, Perez said POPCOM will continue to advocate for the provision of basic family services in local communities as part of the essential services needed by couples to avert the longer impact of unintended pregnancies.

He then encouraged local government units to tap barangay population volunteers, initially in Metro Manila, to help educate communities on COVID-19 and provide family planning supplies for “continuing users” of pills and condoms that will last for three months. Amid the implementation of the quarantine, POPCOM said its family wellness clinic at its central office in Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City will remain open to serve couples and individuals with immediate family planning needs.

Those who have inquiries on family planning may also reach out to POPCOM’s Usap Tayo sa Family Planning Facebook account to talk to family planning officers, who are on duty from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. POPCOM added it is also working with the Department of Health in sharing information about the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, in its social media accounts and website.

[mrreuben]

Home is a sanctuary in this quarantine; and it is hell for some.

Like the old saying goes, there’s no place like home. For me, I’ve always loved going home since I was a kid. The smell of food that my mom and our yaya is cooking, the annoying little sister who I play video games with, our lovely dogs, the amazing neighbors whom I play street games with and later on, became my drinking buddies after long nights from school and work. But more inside the house, it is a place of comfort, and escape from the chaotic world which we face daily. Home is a place of rest where after a whole day of struggles, we can be at peace. It is where one finds love and cherish the company of the people you are in home with. But unfortunately, for many women and child around the globe, this is not the case. It is sad that this lockdown has gave us a grave reality that many of women and child faces when brought restrictions about going out of their homes.

 The Commission on Human Rights called for measures to address the escalation of domestic violence incidents linked to the lockdowns imposed by the government to stem the spread of the new coronavirus in the country. In a statement Monday, the CHR said quarantine measures make it harder for victims of gender-based violence to go out of their homes and seek help. “Women and children who experience abuse are trapped inside their homes with their abusers and have nowhere to go. Most of these women are not able to seek help because they fear being overheard by their abusive partners or are stopped from leaving home,” lawyer Jacqueline De Guia, CHR spokesperson, said.

The main island of Luzon entered its fourth week under the enhanced community quarantine. The lockdown that has restricted the movement of millions and shuttered schools and businesses is likely to be extended but no final decision has been reached yet.

Uncertainty about the situation, restricted movement and financial constraints often lead to psychological and mental exhaustion within the household. CHR said these embolden perpetrators to assert coercive control over their partners and children, which could lead to physical, psychological and sexual abuse.

The commission urged the government to undertake measures combating domestic violence and providing protection for the rights of women and children. It also called on the government to ensure that victims of abuses have access to legal aid such as restraining orders even during crisis, to provide shelters and financial aid for those who want to leave their houses and to give medical and psychological care through helpline services. “Domestic abuse is an abhorrent crime. And under the coronavirus regime, leaving violent relations is far more difficult and dangerous. The disease already poses a particularly grave challenge and women and children do not deserve to suffer further, not especially in their homes,” De Guia said.

In some countries, the number of women calling support services has doubled, healthcare providers and police are overwhelmed and understaffed, and local support groups are "paralysed" or short of funds, the UN chief said. He called on governments worldwide to make sure the prosecution of abusers continues, to set up emergency warning systems in pharmacies and groceries, and declare women's shelters essential services.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of a "horrifying global surge" in domestic violence during the coronavirus crisis and urged governments to step up efforts to prevent violence against women. "We know lockdowns and quarantines are essential to suppressing COVID-19. But they can trap women with abusive partners," Guterres said in a video message posted on Twitter on Sunday. "For many women and girls, the threat looms largest where they should be safest - in their own homes."

Guterres pressed for safe ways "for women to seek support, without alerting their abusers". "Together, we can and must prevent violence everywhere, from war zones to people's homes, as we work to beat COVID-19," he said, as he called "for peace at home - and in homes - around the world."

"I urge all governments to make the prevention and redress of violence against women a key part of their national response plans for COVID-19." Countries, including Germany, have warned that movement restrictions placed on the public in a bid to prevent the coronavirus from spreading threaten to exacerbate domestic violence. This is one of the saddest reality that many people around the world faces. I pray that God may deliver them from this evil and that goodness shall prevail.

[mrreuben]

The consequence of low oil prices

As someone who uses my parent’s car, it is safe to assume that I am familiar with the effect of oil prices in terms of my personal finances. It is always good news for someone like me to read in the news that prices of diesel or gasoline rolled back. Every driver know that 1 peso of roll or price hike is a world of difference. A roll back will save you a lot of money for other things, and the opposite goes for the price hikes when it increase, it gives you a very annoying feeling that your money could have gone somewhere rather than in your fuel consumption. Low oil prices in our context is also very beneficial, for higher oil prices in our eyes gives a lot of negative consequences. High prices of oil makes everything else expensive because our civilization relies on transportation in order to allocate and distribute goods and services. With high oil prices, we can see higher prices in food, water, electricity, furniture, and almost every product known to us. So with this in mind, it is easy to suggest that we must all strive to lower the price of this precious commodity in order for the whole economy to benefit from its decline. But as history shows, that is not such the case.

Consistent drop in oil price if continued will result in some new dynamic of global economy. Ever since the industrial revolution barring some short patches of time there has been no uncertainity on the oil demand and the economy was more or less driven by the extrapolation. This has been kind of auto pilot scenario as most of the journey has been without major hiccups. But now with the added scenarios of shale oil supply and the largest importer of oil -USA cease to be so anymore, another largst consumer China in slowdown mode, add to the fact that Iran, one of the top oil producer that was out of market due to embargo is all set to become active exporter soon, the global economy is badly nudged to spring out some new mode of economic vibration. Its just a matter of time. Only worry is that it should be complementing the existing economic set up and is not paradigm shift in any adverse manner. The oil price fall in March 2020 has pushed oil to its lowest prices for many years. The above graph shows nominal prices and not adjusted for inflation.

Usually, a fall in oil prices would be greeted by consumers and firms due to the lower prices and costs. However, this fall is due to expectations of a sharp drop in travel and economic recession from the coronavirus. Therefore, there is little expectation that the lower oil prices will have any positive economic effect. If people cut back on travel, cheaper petrol doesn’t make much difference. If people see a fall in income because they are out of work, cheaper oil prices are only a small compensation.

For oil exporters, a fall in oil price is damaging to the economy. Many oil-exporting countries rely on tax revenue from oil production to fund government spending. For example, Russia gains 70% of all tax revenues from oil and gas. Falling oil prices will lead to a government budget deficit, and will require either higher taxes or government spending cuts. Other oil exporters like Venezuela have relied in the past on oil revenues to fund generous social spending. A fall in oil prices could lead to a significant budget deficit and social problems.

Other oil exporters, such as Saudi Arabia and UAE have built up substantial foreign currency reserves; they can afford temporary falls in oil prices because they have substantial reserves. Reduced profitability for alternative energy sources. In recent years, there has been an incentive to invest in renewable energy and electric cars. A prolonged fall in oil prices will reduce this incentive and encourage firms and consumers to stick with oil. Falling oil prices could delay investment into alternative ‘greener’ forms of energy, such as electric cars, and this could have negative consequences. Long-term falling oil prices could reverse the recent decline in-car use, leading to a steady increase in traffic congestion and environmental costs of petrol use.

[mrreuben]

Reflection on the historical oil price decline

I was able to enjoy the privilege of a blessed and plentiful life when I was young up until now because of the sacrifices of my dad. He was the sole provider until he retired while my mother is the one who takes care of me and my sister, twenty four hours a day, 7 days a week. Our family was able to afford things like travelling abroad and having quality education from one of the country’s best university, and having lots of savings because of my dad’s earnings from working abroad. My dad was a petroleum engineer from different multinational corporations. He worked for John Wood Group, Chevron, Flour Daniel to name a few. All part of the Fortune 500 and are known to give substantial salaries and career opportunities some just dreamt of. And that is why it is also my dream, after some time working for public service, to work and look to my dad as an inspiration to also enter the Oil and Gas Industry and work as a Petroleum Engineer. This has always been my long term, fixed goal, and now, everything might be sinking down the drain.

US crude oil futures collapsed below $0 on April 20 for the first time in history, amid a coronavirus-induced supply glut, ending the day at a stunning minus $37.63 a barrel as desperate traders paid to get rid of oil. Brent crude, the international benchmark, also slumped, but that contract was nowhere near as weak because more storage is available worldwide. While US oil prices are trading in negative territory for the first time ever, it is unclear whether that will trickle down to consumers, who typically see lower oil prices translate into cheaper gasoline at the pump. As billions of people around the globe stay home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, physical demand for crude has dried up, creating a global supply glut. Traders fled from the expiring May US oil futures contract in a frenzy on Monday with no place to put the crude, but the June WTI contract settled at a much higher level of $20.43 a barrel. The May US WTI contract fell $55.90, or 306 percent, to settle at a discount of $37.63 a barrel after touching an all-time low of -$40.32 a barrel. Brent was down $2.51, or 9 percent, to settle at $25.57 a barrel.

Refiners are processing much less crude than normal, so hundreds of millions of barrels have gushed into storage facilities worldwide. Traders have hired vessels just to anchor them and fill them with the excess oil. A record 160 million barrels is sitting in tankers around the world. US crude stockpiles at Cushing rose 9 percent in the week to April 17, totaling around 61 million barrels, market analysts said, citing a Monday report from Bloomberg. The spread between May and June at one point widened to $60.76, the widest in history for the two nearest monthly contracts. Investors bailed out of the May contract ahead of expiry later on Monday because of lack of demand for the actual oil. When a futures contract expires, traders must decide whether to take delivery of the oil or roll their positions into another futures contract for a later month.

Prices have been pressured for weeks with the coronavirus outbreak hammering demand while Saudi Arabia and Russia fought a price war and pumped more. The two sides agreed more than a week ago to cut supply by 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd), but that will not quickly reduce the global glut. Saudi Arabia is considering applying oil cuts as soon as possible, rather than starting from May, a Wall Street Journal reporter said on Twitter, citing sources. Brent oil prices have collapsed around 60 percent since the start of the year, while US crude futures have fallen around 130 percent to levels well below break-even costs necessary for many shale drillers. This has led to drilling halts and drastic spending cuts.

It is only through a miraculous bounce back of the economy that I might be able to be welcomed in the Oil and Gas industry in the future. But for now, as the whole world is in total lock down, and the demand for oil is in its all-time low, it might take some time for that opportunity to be utilized by me in the future. Now, I must reflect on alternatives of what should I do now that my long term fixed goal has its industry crippled. May God provide wisdom, and may he help me in this endeavor.

[mrreuben]

San Juan hostage crisis: a glimpse of the country’s harsh labor practices

A tense hostage situation involving a former security guard at Greenhills Virra Mall named Alchie Paray gripped the whole nation yesterday. Around 30 people were held hostage inside the shopping mall in San Juan, Metro Manila, in an ordeal that lasted almost 10 hours. After a standoff causing one person to be injured, the hostage negotiation itself resulted in the resignation of six mall security officials amid allegations of internal corruption. Paray eventually released all hostages and was given the chance to air his side. Before he was tackled and arrested by authorities, Paray asked the public, “Pagkatapos nito, saan ang punta ko: sa kulungan o sa sementeryo?” (“After this, where will I land: in jail or in the cemetery?”)

Paray’s fate is now up to the criminal justice system, where he will be charged and made accountable for committing clearly unlawful acts in taking a group of civilians hostage and injuring one individual. However, the uncertainty right at the heart of Paray’s question is the very same precarity surrounding wage work in the Philippines today. Beyond one man’s act of violence loom larger systemic hardships felt by ordinary Filipino laborers.

Paray accused two security managers of the agency of bribery and unfairness when a tenant was not allowed by Mr. Paras (when he was still employed) in the Vmall, San Juan City. He told the press that after he did not let the tenant inside the mall, the tenant was able to enter through a different entrance, and afterwards, started taunting Mr. Paray. The tenant then paid 2 security managers, 2,500 pesos each, for the termination of Mr. Paras. Hence his demand of making those 2 security managers eat and chew 2,500 pesos live while he was conducting the hostage crisis.  

Working in the Philippines as a government official, I’ve seen my share of the company’s culture of bribery, nepotism, unfairness, “palakasan”, and biasness in the department. It is sad that this is the culture that our work place culture, not only in the government but also in the private sector. We are a long way from what other countries has achieved in terms of employee’s rights and privileges. It is not uncommon to see in the Philippine news how private business owners push their employees to the edge, especially those at the bottom of the hierarchy, From the worker at a grocery store who went to jail because he stole a 30 pesos worth canned meat because of starvation, the security guard who we’ve seen eating using a plastic as his plate at the back of a warehouse, and the cry of workers of a famous mall, who only accepts contractual workers who are forced to stand 8 hours a day with almost no break. This is the workplace culture that we have in our country.

Last meeting, we discussed two kinds of companies, the SAS company in the US, Sillicion Valley, California, and the Foxxcon technology company in Shenzen, China. While SAS was providing unbelievable workplace perks for employees, Foxxcon is overworking their employees to the point of suicide. As SAS business model is being taught in business school such as Stanford university, and has been called the “best company to work for” annually since 1997, Foxconn has installed suicide nets in their office and has designed a prison like security in the premises.

The Philippines still has a long way to go, and personally I believe that there is always hope. As MBA students of the De La Salle University, and as future business leaders, we have the ability to spearhead the change of labor practices in the future. May we learn how to treat each employee fairly, with justice, and with respect, not only those who are in the top of the chain of command, but also those who are in the bottom of the hierarchy.

[mrreuben]

Adam Smith vs Karl Marx

Adam Smith and Karl Marx both wrote about capitalism, or an economic system in which industry is controlled largely by private companies meant to generate profits. However, they came to very different conclusions about how the economy and society function.

Adam Smith was born in Scotland in the early 1720s, and is considered the father of modern economics. He attended University in Glasgow, Scotland, and developed the theories that continue to inform modern economic thought. He died in 1790. Karl Marx was in born in 1818, to a wealthy and educated family in Germany. He attended University to study law but quickly turned his attention to philosophy. Karl Marx is considered one of the most important social and economic thinkers of all time, and his work is still used to critique modern capitalist systems. Marx posited that the two classes in a society – the bourgeoisie and the proletariat – will forever remain stuck in their respective classes because of the very nature of capitalism. The wealthy capital-owning bourgeoisie not only owns the factories but dominates the media, universities, government, bureaucracy, and, hence, their grip on an elevated social status is unchangeable. In contrast, the poor, working class, or the proletariat, lacks any effective means of having just recompense for their hard labor. The remedy for this trouble, in Karl Marx’s view, was for the proletariat to revolt and create a new social order where there would be no distinction between segments of society; there would be no classes as such. Collective ownership of all capital for production would ensure, Marx suggested, an equitable distribution of wealth.

While Adam Smith contended that the most ideal economic system is capitalism, Karl Marx thought otherwise. Adam Smith also opposed the idea of revolution to restore justice for the masses because he valued order and stability over relief from oppression. Marx strongly adhered to the idea that capitalism leads to greed and inequality. Inherent to the idea of competition is greed, opined Karl Marx, which would cause inherent instability and injustice in a society. Communism offered the best model – both political and economic – with its collectivist ownership, production and central planning features intended to distribute wealth equitably and eliminate the distinctions between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat altogether, according to Marx. Smith did not put the spotlight on the land holdings or the riches of the aristocracy like Marx. Smith elaborated on how a person could reap economic benefits commensurate to his effort and thus add to an economy’s aggregate wealth. He believed that in a free market economy, an individual would be able to earn and spend in a market freely, and it would allow a worker to act as a consumer as well. When a worker would purchase goods and services, it would then lead to profits for some other economic agent – a producer or a consumer of economic goods or services – and further boost economic activity. According to Smith, the benefits to an individual economic agent would be enjoyed by many other members of society through a “trickle effect” as the original worker would spend money, which would be earned by some other producer of goods or services, which would allow the second economic agent to earn and then spend money, and the cycle would continue which would help the economy multiple times more than what it may appear at first sight.

In contrast, Karl Marx theorized that capitalism is intrinsically linked to an inequitable society where the segmentation of society according to “class” would be permanent and rigid. Somebody born in the proletariat class would forever be stuck in this class, and somebody born in the bourgeoisie would always enjoy the benefits of the aristocracy at the expense of the proletariat. He thought that the proletariat would be looking to maximize their own profits, and, in turn, keep the wages of the working class as low as possible, thus trapping the working class members in a vicious cycle of abject poverty or destitution that they can never escape from.

One of the faults with capitalism that Karl Marx discovered was the tendency for each economic agent to maximize his profits. He contended that the value added by a worker is more than the wages he earns; the difference being the profits enjoyed by the capitalist. By eliminating the capitalists altogether, his ideal economic system would be more equitable, just, and fair than unhindered capitalism without government intervention, private ownership of property, competition, and so on.

In conclusion, while both Adam Smith and Karl Marx agreed on a few core ideas, they differed on the method of production of goods and services and distribution of resources. Whereas Karl Marx went so far as suggesting revolution by the proletariat against the bourgeoisie for a more just, equitable society, Adam Smith preferred stability and peace over revolution. While Adam Smith’s envisioned ideal society would not distribute resources equitably or eliminate gaping wealth levels between the different classes in a society, Marx’s ideal economy would produce, according to the directives from a central authority, and distribute resources according to the needs of the public. In his ideal economy, Marx envisioned the elimination of class distinctions and an appropriate valuation of a worker’s effort, which is not possible in a capitalistic society in the presence of profit-seeking capitalists who deprive workers of their full share of earnings, according to Marx.

 References:

http://econintersect.com/pages/contributors/contributor.php?post=201807210141

https://prezi.com/4w4-tb8lteul/karl-marx-vs-adam-smith/

[mrreuben]

To weed or not to weed

A case of interest is Brian's Franchise. On other decentralized organizations such as Burger King he modeled his franchise chain. Nevertheless his products are not burgers, but marijuana. Brian is an expert in indoor breeding and marijuana rearing. In 1989 he dropped out of school to focus on developing new marijuana breeds and new technology for indoor farming. He personally bred Potomac Indica, which became well known as a marijuana variety. Eventually, he decided to sell his marijuana breeding expertise to others indoors. He supplied the plants and equipment for them, and in exchange he receives a percentage of the profits from each harvest. This is how Brian's franchise began which at an early age made him well-to-do. However, the U.S. government launched "Green Merchant" in October 1989, which aimed to eradicate marijuana gardens indoors. The government allocated higher budgets for anti-marijuana programs and imposed heavier sentences on farmers from 5 to 10 years. Which led Brian to sell off his company and move to Amsterdam where there is no regulation of marijuana law. Brian further developed his expertise in indoor breeding through computerization in Amsterdam. The indoor garden units can be operated from a distance, using computers and the internet. Also, the computers were set up to send signals that will initiate garden destruction and all computer data if someone breaks into the garden.

 Brian is truly an expert in his field and is continuing to innovate to expand its business. But is it ethical for him to continue his franchise dealing with marijuana? What options Brian has to offer?

 The reporters of our class last meeting they gave a very interesting arguments and alternative actions regarding these questions mentioned above. They mentioned that since 1995, marijuana became the largest crop in the USA, yielding $32 billion of profits a year, even though they are illegal. Also it cost the US government $1.7 billion in spending to eradicate the industry. I decreased unemployment by 22% to 9% in California, and in the modern era, before the prohibition of marijuana was passed, local government discouraged efforts to restrict marijuana growers by rejecting funds for its eradication and anti-marijuana operations.

They gave 3 alternative options for Brian’s franchise; ACA 1 is a status quo where Brian won’t do anything, ACA 2 regulates the use and production of Marijuana, and ACA 3 discussed to strengthen the campaign against marijuana by the US government. The group said that they stand with the Alternative action number 2, regulate use and production of Marijuana, for its advantage greatly outweighs its disadvantages. Its advantage are namely; power to monitor access, generating jobs, reducing the effects of black market trading, its availability for medical purposes, reduction of expenditure cost in anti-marijuana campaigns by the USDA, police departments also can focus on other more serious and violent crimes, the marijuana industry could also help the economy by its tax income contribution, and many other investment opportunities. In comparison to its disadvantage; increase in risk of addiction and drug abuse, no guarantees on compliance in regulations, and discouragement of the free market system that might result to possible injustices.

 The dilemma of legalizing marijuana and its possible consequences has been discussed for decades since it started as a racism campaign in the 50s, and now that the end of its prohibition in the Philippines is looking more and more possible due to it being passed in the congress, we might see in a year the legalization of marijuana in our country and the benefits and consequences that comes with it. Personally, I’ve always believe that drug users are not a criminal problem but a medical problem. The use of drugs has always been associated with crime because of the violence it incorporates in terms of its underground black market, the competition of gangs and organized crime in taking authority regarding its sale, and the violence and brutality of the drug campaign by the police. But if we asses clearly the drug users themselves, they are still human being, who just got addicted to something. No difference in us who gets addicted in food, alcohol, computer games, careers, and other earthly things. Sometimes we just need to look deep enough to see the real issue of the problem.

[mrreuben]

The worth of a person’s life

Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles. Ford is the second-largest U.S.-based automaker (behind General Motors) and the fifth-largest in the world (behind Toyota, VW, Hyundai-Kia and General Motors) based on 2015 vehicle production. At the end of 2010, Ford was the fifth largest automaker in Europe.

 In May of 1968, the Ford Motor Company, based upon a recommendation by then vice-president Lee Iacocca, decided to introduce a subcompact car, the Ford Pinto and produce it domestically. The Pinto was meant as a car which was not to exceed $2,000 in cost and 2,000 pounds in weight. In an effort to gain a large market share, the automobile was designed and developed on an accelerated schedule. The controversy surrounding the Ford Pinto concerned the placement of the automobiles fuel tank. It was located behind the rear axle, instead of above it. This was initially done in an effort to create more trunk space. The problem with this design, which later became evident, was that it made the Pinto more vulnerable to a rear-end collision. The fuel filler pipe design resulted in a higher probability that it would disconnect from the tank in the event of an accident than usual, causing gas spillage that could lead to dangerous fires.

 While this flaw was discovered during testing, the short time frame of the Pinto’s development meant that final tooling had already begun. Ford did not deem the fuel leakage as a major design flaw, because they did not undertake any retooling efforts. Harley Copp, a lead Ford test engineer, was a whistle blower during the Pinto testing phase. In the later trials, he claimed the Pinto was grossly inadequate and the weakest I’ve seen in cars for the last 10 to 12 years。

 Approximately 117 lawsuits were brought against Ford in connection with rear-end accidents in the Pinto in connection with rear-end accidents in the Pinto.

 In 1973, Ford‘s Environmental and Safety Engineering division developed a cost-benefit analysis entitled “Fatalities Associated with Crash Induced Fuel Leakage and Fires” for submission to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in support of Ford’s objection to proposed stronger fuel system regulation. This was also used by Ford in determining whether or not to make the production change. Ford contended that by strictly following the typical approach to risk/benefit analysis, they were justified in not making the production change to the Pinto model. Assuming the numbers employed in their analysis were correct, Ford seemed to be justified. The estimated cost for the production change was $11 per vehicle. This $11 per unit cost applied to 12.5 million vehicles results in an overall cost of $137 million.

 At the time the decision was made by Ford executives, the apparent benefit to the organization is that the company would save $88 million in cost if it opts not to perform a recall of the units already sold as well as to continue with the current design for subsequent production. Further, although the additional cost of $11 per unit may be deemed nominal, this is large in context of the $2,000 budget restriction. The decision not to announce a recall enabled the company to achieve its vision for the car.

 Though Ford could have proceeded with the formal recall hearing, fearing additional damage to the company's public reputation the company agreed to a "voluntary recall" program. On June 9, 1978, days before the NHTSA was to issue Ford a formal recall order, Ford recalled 1.5 million Ford Pintos and Mercury Bobcats, the largest recall in automotive history at the time Ford disagreed with the NHTSA finding of defect, and said the recall was to "end public concern that has resulted from criticism of the fuel systems in these vehicles”. The Ford recall placed a polyethylene shield between the tank and likely causes of puncture, lengthened the filler tube, and improved the tank filler seal in the event of collision.

 The case of Ford Pinto has been widely discussed in the field of business ethics. It begs the question, is the human life worth some amount of money? If yes, how much? How can we quantify a person’s life? How can we measure the worth of a person’s ideas, emotional impact to those who knows him, the potential contribution he may give to the community?

 I personally believe that there is no methodology to measure someone else’s life, and thankfully for Ford, they have come to realize the moral implication of their decision of not recalling the Ford Pinto cars that were already given to the consumers. Only God has the right to take someone else’s life. For in him, all things were created in accordance to his will.

 ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ 

Job 1:21

[mrreuben]

The Lasallian Reflection Framework

As a former student of the great Dr. Teehankee, he never fails to emphasize the Lasallian Reflection Framework. In order to become an effective Lasallian Business Leader, you must know this cycle by heart by assessing the situations in your life by reflecting through this framework.

There are a lot of other frameworks available all over the world. Different institutions like universities, hospitals, government offices, and departments, among others, have different processes of reflection embedded in their organizations. But as a future Lasallian Alumni, I must commit to this framework and apply it to my everyday life so I can truly become a true Lasallian Business Leader.

The first step that we are going to discuss is “See-Experience”. As a mammal, we are naturally born with instincts which saved us from many threats to our species in the past thousand to millions of years. Like a pack of wolves who hunts a buffalo in order to feed the whole family, we prioritized our survival in almost our whole history so that we may survive, but even though we are in the same category as a mammal, we are still human beings. We are capable of critical and ethical thinking. We are blessed with the ability to know which is right and which is wrong. As the history of civilization progresses, also does the ability of the human brain to create a more just and humane society. People from the past, even though the culture is based on their own survival of each individual, has learned that people who stand and stick together, rather than compete for survivability, they started creating laws that favored equality, fairness, ethics, and morality. Before creating those laws, people first experienced the step “See-Experience”, they saw the chaos and violence that has governed our survival instinct for thousand of years, and with this experience, they’ve realized that something needs to be done.

 After the first step, the people from our history “Analaysis-Refllection”. As I’ve said before, we are capable of critical thinking and analysis, these people who saw the condition of our society, started to analyze what can they do to improve the lives of the civilization. They thought of ways to make life easier for people, and also to increase the chance of survivability of the population。

 After realizing actions that need to be done, people did the third step, they took “Commitment-Action”. They implemented the laws that they’ve thought of and analyzed it further if it is effective in making the community more engaging, just, and humane. The first and second step is irrelevant if we won’t act on it, for, in the end, the most critical part of the process is taking action in your realizations and observations. If we don’t act on it, it will still amount to nothing.

 During the American Slave Trade, a lot of people, even white people, for hundreds of years, shared compassion and pity for the African American slaves that were being brought from continental Africa, but no one act on pursuing their rights, liberty, and freedom until Abraham Lincoln during the American civil war, proposed law in banning slavery in The United States of America.

 After the “Commitment-Action”, we go back to the first step again. We “See-Experience” the implementation that we did, and asses if what better things and processes could be done in order to make it more efficient and effective.

 This Lasallian Reflection Framework helps we recall the most obvious thing that people need in order to make a better society, which is CARE. I hope that I may apply this every day of my life so that I may learn what I should prioritize and how I must observe and act in fighting injustice, and giving my community more optimism.

[mrreuben]

Work-Leisure-Integration

What is your end goal?

How do you want to be remembered?

This is the activity that we shared with my fellow groupmates :

The first column refers to your work, the second to you Leisure, and the third refers to your Integration.

The table above explains the levels of maturity each may have in terms of their different aspects in life. Job, Career, and Vocation are different levels of perspective in terms of Work. Job = Getting. If you are new to your professional career, most probably, this is the level where you are currently seated at. You work to get paid. Normally when you’re new to your career, the salary is quite small and modest. You are not able to save much and can only invest a little amount. As you get promoted and rise to the pecking order, you start to focus more on your Career=Taking. As you now prioritize the career and reputation more than you prioritize monetary values. And lastly, those who are mature enough has set their eyes upon the aspect of Vocation=Giving in to their work, where you see your job as more of a calling, a gift for the world. It is where you contribute your life’s work to society for the better good.

Contemplation, Utility, and Amusement refers to your perspective on your Leisure. If you are still young, you might be inclined to seek for an Amusement=Escape. You take break or rest in order to escape the stress and haleness of your work place or career. You take a vacation to escape the orders from your bosses and other colleagues. While you mature, you start to look at leisure as a Utility=Using. You use your leisure as a gateway to help others. Engage in community service and outdoor activities, teach your family your talent and skills, and be more useful to the community. And as you age like a fine wine, you will see the leisure as a Contemplation=Receiving. At your leisure and free time, you try to see and reflect on your life and all the decisions that brought you where you are today. The Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs states that the top of the pyramid is actually our self-actualization. The desire to be more than you can be by reflecting in your life’s path.

 Lastly, Integrity, Gratification, and Achievement, translates to the aspect of life in terms of Integration. The first level, Gratification= Having, is the lowest part for it translates to the shallowest level of satisfaction. The pleasure that you get from receiving what you want. The second level is Achievement=Doing. From satisfaction, you become more mature and actually look for more than pleasure, which is satisfaction. The satisfaction of the effort and work that was needed to be done in order to get the reward. It’s like saying, it’s not about the reward, but it’s more of the journey in getting that reward. And lastly, Integrity= Being. The nobility and honor that you feel from exerting your effort and reflecting on your life’s work.

Honestly speaking, I am still in the lower portion of this matrix in all three aspects of Work, Leisure and Integrity. I view my work as a job. It is something that I just enjoy making money and a productive way of using my time. In Leisure, I mostly travel and just find a way to escape the workplace, just a time for relaxing and not really think about anything. I also want to travel the world and explore new things and places. Maybe in the near future I would start using Leisure as a Utility. And lastly, I’m more inclined to the concept of Gratification. I look at my job as something that rewards my every 15 days for working there. But I feel in my heart that I am more and more being drawn to Achievement, the realization of the phrase “it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.”

[mrreuben]

Life Plan

Reflection

I was a very arrogant student. I refuse to pay attention in any academic related matters, I never studied any lesson from any subject, refused to practice analytical and problem solving activities, ignored and copied assignments that I was responsible for, and submitted low quality, subpar projects just to “get by” through my requirements in High School. I foolishly believed that I was naturally smart, and solely relying on my stock knowledge and intellectual ability is enough to get me through high school and college, which it miraculously did for the former.

Outside School, from the beginning of my second year in my secondary school, I started to get curious and entered all the vices my parents was telling me never to even attempt on trying. I began to start smoking, drinking, even using recreational drugs with my classmates. We also play competitive computer games excessively which resulted in learning how to gamble my allowances through games and record high numbers of absenteeism in school.

During these times, from 2nd year up to the year that I graduated from high school (fortunately I graduated in time), I thought I was living the life. I believed that this was how cool people were supposed to spend their time, by only thinking about yourself and what makes you happy, regardless of the consequence. I thought that I could continue living this degenerate life of arrogance through college, but God has a way of teaching his children a lesson.

Humbled

With God grace, I was admitted to the University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Engineering and enrolled in B.S. Civil Engineering. My confidence and arrogance, as usual, was up the roof, and like in high school, the way of life that I’ve been accustomed with was being incorporated since the very beginning of my college life. I immediately started looking for friends or classmates that shares with me the same degenerate lifestyle of drinking and partying. I also did not put any effort in studying my subjects. Given the challenge that mathematics and physics poses, my arrogance and hard-headed attitude of self-confidence has been rooted so deep in my character that I was certain that I do not need to change my ways.

All in all, I had 18 units of failures in the faculty until the day that would wake me up and humbled me down came. I, again, failed some subjects, but this time, it amounted to 9 units, which is the maximum number of failures for one semester in the Faculty of Engineering. In order to be able to enroll for the next term, I need to sign an ultimatum that I cannot fail another subject in the faculty again, lest I’ll be kicked out of the program. Also, I would need to bring my parents to the faculty so they can be made aware of the agreement, and they too would also be required to sign the papers for my conditional status.

When my parents found out the status of my academics, they became furious, but rather than putting a chain around my neck and controlling my lifestyle and routines, they told me that I was free to do whatever I want, whenever I want, but he reminded me that we can only control our choices, but not our consequences. He told me that making mistakes is part of life, but we must be responsible enough to face the consequence of our actions. He also affirmed me that in the end, I am the one who will be most affected with my choices, that every choice that I make will have an impact in my future, both near and far.

The Redemption

After the epiphany, I have decided that I will get up and turn my life around. Even though the partying lifestyle continued, I made sure that I am able to execute my responsibilities and commitments in my academics, which in turn, first gave me an acceptable passing grade, into having one of the highest average in our major subjects and winning the Best Researcher of the Year for our thesis in the faculty of engineering. Now, I am a licensed Civil Engineer, a former engineer of the prestigious EEI Corporation, the largest construction firm in the country, and a current Engineer and Public Servant at the Department of Public Works and Highways – Head Office, which are known to accept only a dozen of engineers from thousands of applicants annually.

I remember how I pitched myself through my interview with the Undersecretary of DPWH, she asked me what I can say about my subjects that came up short in the passing marks, I told her that I went into a self-destructive pattern, but I was able to redeem myself through hard work and determination. Afterwards, she took me as an employee and told me, intelligence is great, but it comes and goes, persistence and the ability to redeem yourself on the other hand, is more extraordinary, and she was right.

Personal Vision Statement

In a few years, I will be known as a loving and compassionate persons who loves to help the less fortunate.

 Personal Mission Statement

I will live to help and inspire the next generation to aim for the stars. Don’t listen to those who says you can’t do it, because you know you can.

 Priority A: Family

As a young professional who’ve just started his journey into the ladder of career development, my main priority right now is to weigh in my priorities and learn to see and appreciate what really is important. Family should always come first, no matter how busy or demanding the career is. In our last days, we won’t tell ourselves that “I should’ve spent more time in the office” or “I should’ve aimed for this promotion”. I believe that what matters most are the bond that we share with our family. A bond that can be built only by spending time and prioritizing each other.

 Milestones and Timeframe

Right now, I am maintaining a work and life balance that I feel is in the right track with spending quality time with my parents. I worked in a company before that has required me to live far from our home for almost 2 years and a company so busy that I can’t even retreat to our home on weekends. I’ve learned from those times that with this set up, I believe that I am wasting my youth. No time for family, friends, and others. Working in the construction would require you to work for almost 24 hours a day. I’ve decided to resign my position, even if it’s a prestigious company, and transferred to company who offers a more flexible schedule compared to the latter.

In five years’ time, I hope that I have found the right woman for me. The woman that I can spend the rest of my life with. I do not fancy myself in needing to buy a house, a car, saving significant amounts in order to marry someone. As long as we are happy and compatible, I believe that we can handle starting our own life from scratch.

In 10 years’ time, I hope that me and my wife has given this world two or maybe three wonderful children who are well mannered, well educated, God fearing, and someone who sees the good in this dark world of ours.

In 20 years’ time, hopefully I have taught my children well, especially with essential values on how to treat people with respect and diligence. I hope I have given my wife all the love and respect that she deserve. I pray that I would have a wonderful family that is full with joy, even amidst struggles and challenges, I hope that we would be able to stay together, and fight these adversaries in strong unity.

  Priority B: Attitude

I’ve always been an optimistic. I always think of life as something that you should spend to make each day count. I rarely miss the opportunity to have fun with friends and family, but sometimes, too much fun is also unhealthy both physically and emotionally.

I always believed in living in a “happy go lucky” lifestyle also when I was younger. I still hold unto the YOLO life, but I’ve realized that there are things bigger than me that I might be able to contribute even a small amount of my talent and skills for the better good.

Milestones and Timeframe

Today, I meditate and enforce myself that I must think bigger. There are many things that I want to contribute to my community, especially to the younger generation. I fix my eyes upon the need of my society and how I can help now that I am earning a significant amount.

In 10-20 years, I hope that my attitude in life will be more relaxed. Instead of being aggressive, I hope that I will fix and focus my priorities, especially prioritizing the family first.

In 20+ years, I hope that I can share my journey, and how my thinking and character has changed from my youth. I plan to share my mistakes and realizations to my children, to teach them the way things are, so that they might minimize their regrets in their life.

Priority C: Financial

See annex A*

Milestones and Timeframe

See annex A*

 Priority D: Social

I’ve always been extrovert. I love people, I love talking and interacting with people. I am most happy when there are people around me, especially if I am able to engage in conversations with them regarding the things that interests me, namely, history, physics, philosophy, art, music, sports, and food.

I also have a passion in helping people, especially the needy. I also love bringing people who feels entitled, and doesn’t appreciate the things that they have in charity events. These events that I have engaged in, and brought some of my unfamiliar friends with the reality of the financially and emotionally struggling population, has given me and them some perspective and appreciation for the things we have now.

Milestones and Timeframe

I plan to be more active in the community in the next 5-10 years. Join and be active in community development groups and worker’s union memberships.

In 10-20 years time, I plan to strengthen my networks of colleagues, friends, and fellow entrepreneur in order to build a more engaging and positive society

 Priority E: Career

I have a lot of goals. I see myself as a successful engineer and business owner in the future. I plan to maximize my skills and potential through every opportunity that may come about. I also believe that I am a risk taker. I am willing to step away from my comfort zone in order to learn new things that will improve my career path.

 Milestones and Timeframe

In 5 years time after I am finished with my Public Service, I can see myself as an engineer in a fortune 500 company, and earning a significant amount to support my future plans for my family and my current and future family’s finances.

In 10-15 years time, I see myself as an engineer respected in my current field. A professional who has credibility and stature. I plan to make my parents proud and confident regarding my future and the future of my new family, I also plan to train the younger professionals so as I grow older, I am slowly passing the responsibilities to my apprentice and I can spend more time with my family.

In 30-40 years, I see myself near retirement and living a more relaxed attitude in terms of my career. I would want to focus more on charity and engaging community service, and most importantly, enjoying my family, and possibly my grandchildren that my children has given me. I plan to oversee the development of my kids through their careers and attitudes toward life in order for them to grow in the right values for the better of the common good.

  Priority F: Public Service

During my first job as an engineer, I worked in a private company who builds government infrastructure, specifically the Skyway and MRT7. I did my duties with great honor, knowing that these platform that I am currently standing, will be a monumental stepping stone for the progress and convenience of my fellow countrymen.

Today, I am currently working for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and as a literal public servant and engineer of the Philippine Government, it is with great honor to be part of the Build Build Build program of our current administration. Our office, the Planning Department of DPWH, spearheads the project proposal for the Philippine Infrastructure Masterplan for the next 50 years. It is with great pride that I am able to be in service of the public for more than a year now.

 Milestones and Timeframe

I am currently an employee of the Philippine Government, and I plan to stay here for the next 3-5 years. Public Service has always been part of my plan and passion, and I want contribute to DPWH the best of my abilities in engineering and other fields that might help the department to be more efficient and effective in helping the Filipino people.

In 10 years time, if I decided to end my public service, I plan to continuously engage my society through community service. I plan to volunteer on helping the poor, cleaning the streets, and to operations that will help the country to be a cleaner, safer, just, and humane nation

In 15-20 years time, I plan to share my nationalism attitude to my children. I will bring them to my community service and outreaches so they will learn the essence of patriotism and national pride.

 Priority G: Education

Initially, I love to learn, but I hate going to school. As I have written in my life reflection, I have failed numerous subjects in my college days. I always skip classes, never study upcoming quizzes and exams, and when the class starts at the morning, I usually attend it while I am in a state of hangover. So it is ironic today that you can find me pursuing a post graduate degree in the prestigious De La Salle University.

2 years after I graduated and worked as an engineer, I’ve realized that I miss school, and I want to learn more about the corporate world. I also want to meet new people and expand my network in different fields, for almost all of my friends are all engineers. That is why I have decided to just go and take a chance in enrolling in one of the top management schools in the Philippines, the DLSU.

 Milestones and Timeframe

I will finish my Post Graduate Diploma in Management this April 2020, and I plan to proceed in taking up Masters in Business Administration in De La Salle University after a semestral break.

In 20-25 years time, I plan to finally teach my passion in any school that will give me an opportunity. I plan to teach history and philosophy to the younger generation. I hope I can make them appreciate the subject as it has appreciate me.

 Priority H: Physical

Our family is blessed with good health. Elders from both sides averages a life span of 80-90 years old, no cancers, no complicated diseases or infection. My father is in his mid-60s and my mother is in her late 50s, and both of them are working in their optimum. No maintenance medication, and no history of illness. But even with this fact, we still have to take care of our body, and be careful to not abuse it.

As I have said, I have the tendency to indulge myself in partying and drinking excessively, especially while I am young, single, and very early in my career. That is why I have started to prioritize in disciplining myself on what food to eat, and to control my drinking and partying culture.

Milestones and Timeframe

I plan to lessen my vices and continue regular exercise. I also plan to lessen my meat intake and eat more vegetables. I will invite my family to join me in living a healthy life style.

In 5-10 years time, If I will have enough finances, I will start buying organic foods to have healthier food options, and to also help the environment and to support the advocacy for animal rights.  

 Priority I: Pleasure

 As I’ve mentioned in my story, I am a person who indulges himself to pleasures. I admit that I love to travel, party, drink alcohol, and eat. I also love the thrill of life. I get excited in things that omits danger. I love heights, speed, zero or larger gravity. I delight myself in living the best life that I can by travelling and exploring the unknown.

  Milestones and Timeframe

In 5 years time, I see myself as a more mature and disciplined adult. I limit my alcohol intake and other vices. I would go to parties at a frequency of less than 4 times a year.

Also, during those times, I believe that I have found substitutes for my constant urge to seek thrills. I hope I had found a hobby who doesn’t have the same amount of risk for probably by that time I already have a family.

 Priority J: Artistic

I have been inclined to music all my life. Since I was 9 years old, I was already playing guitar, and worked my way in being skillful also in percussions, drums, keyboard, bass, and even singing.

I also have a tremendous fondness in philosophy, science, and history. I believe that these things also translates to arts. The art of human reasoning, critique, and thinking processes. The art of the physical and scientific laws that governs our daily lives, namely, gravity, physics, astronomy, thermodynamics, relativity, etc. And the art of history, not specifically the art itself, but the progress and advancement of the life and human population. The process of evolution, the rise and fall of different civilizations all across the continents, and the religions that shaped our world today. I love reading and learning the catalysts that forced the chain of events that has shaped our current history.

Milestones and Timeframe

In 5 to 10 years’ time, I plan to share my talent and skills to my wife and children. Hopefully, they will share the same interest and enthusiasm in music, art, science, philosophy and history like me. I believe that art is one of the keys that help develops not only our capabilities, but also our personalities and character. The things mentioned above helped me to question everything, to be curious in life and in knowledge. To seek the truth and adhere to it. It also taught me patient and persistence. It made me realize, especially the musical skills that it doesn’t come over night. You need to be motivated to practice diligently with no compromise. This is what I want to pass on to my wife, children, and the children after them. I believe that education starts from home, and this might help my family in attaining a beautiful perspective in life.

[mrreuben]

The promise of tomorrow

Last week in our CSR class, we talked about the Nature of Human Values. We discussed within our group activity, from the Terminal and Instrumental Values listed in the presentation, we must choose 5 from each of the categories, what values do you desire to be incorporated in your life as you mature with age until the day of your retirement. The group had similar choice in some values at the terminal category, namely, comfortable life, sense of accomplishment, family security, happiness, and freedom. With regards to the instrumental values, the group has the same choice in choosing the loving, intellectual, independent, cheerful, and loving. The group also has some difference in some perspective, some values that was chosen by the members are more controlled, discipline, and comfortable in some aspects, and the others, seeks desire for a more explorative and adventurous life. It is beautiful to imagine a life where you have achieved and accomplish the goal to reach the values that you aspire while sharing those principles with your family, friends, and love ones, growing together in beauty and joy,

Just this week, the world was shocked with the death of NBA legend, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant. The 41 year old basketball player was survived by his wife and 3 daughters whom was left behind. Kobe had everything, a beautiful wife and 4 beautiful and young daughters, more than $500 million in earnings, a number of business ventures, and a legacy that will be remembered by generations to come. But with just a blink of an eye, everything was taken away from him, his life was cut short be a helicopter crash which he had no control whatsoever.

Just like us, Kobe Bryant, as a normal human and a family man, has desired terminal and instrumental values that he wants to share with his family and the world. It was obvious from his philanthropy that he had the desire of giving and reaching out the poor. He was determined to share to the youth his wisdom on how to perceiver and work hard in life. He also showed how he wants to grow old and pass his legacy to his four daughters. He desired to live a long happy life, grow old with his family, and die a peaceful and happy man who was known to be a loving father and husband. Unfortunately, the journey to attaining those values was cut short by things beyond our control.

This made me realize that, Tomorrow is promised to no one. One day you were just living your life, and the next, your life may be taken away from you in just a blink of an eye. It gives the question, where should we spend more of our days, and less of our worries? With whom should we spend face-to-face and heart-to-heart time? What relationships have us wrongly allowed to claim and drain us- mentally and emotionally? Who are we holding hostage by our forgiveness and pain? What should we spend more time doing, and less time wasting? What have we been putting off that really matters to you? Life is so uncertain that these questions made me reevaluate my priorities and goals in life.

 #ripblackmamba #24 #8

[mrreuben]

Who are my own: A reflection on the life of St. John Baptiste De La Salle

The life of the 17th century French Priest named Jean-Baptiste de La Salle was portrayed in a historic biographical film titled “Who are my own.” It was filmed in the 1960s and ran an hour and a half that summarizes the personal life and legacy of Father De La Salle. The movie starts with the Saint being made a canon of the cathedral of Rheims. Outside, he is besieged by many beggars who while begging, express their scorn at the clergy. Amongst them is a petty thief named Adrian Nyel. One day, Adrian steals Father De La Salle’s cross. The chase leads Father De La Salle to the undesirable areas of Rheims and where he stares at miserable poverty in the face. He decides to help in the way he sees best and that is through education. And from this point begins the saga of the ups and downs of forming the congregation, dealing with family, poverty, betrayal and envy. Father De La Salle has a deep sympathy and genuine concern for the poor and their children’s education. Giving up his personal resources, using his inheritance for establishment of schools for the underprivileged and the poor, is a great risk to his life since almost everyone always consider their own personal future. Sometimes, a family also takes sacrifices when dealing with such risk. It seems that his uncle and sister can be so sad when they know that their brother is ready for the work and yet they are all given equal sharing of the family’s wealth.

I wouldn’t be surprise if movies and other literatures that tackles sympathy for the poor and penetrating the status quo of social classes can trace its roots from the biography and life’s work of Father De La Salle. As it look like it came out straight from a textbook film about charity and objection of the ruling classes, Father De La Salle completely ignored the objections of his wealthy relatives regarding his “live for free” concept that caters the poor and the needy in to welcoming them into his own home to be taught theology and philosophy. As our national hero once said, “children are the key to our future”, Father De La Salle has already implemented outreaches well before the years of our dear Dr. Jose Rizal. Both of them have realized that investing in the future generation is the most important thing if you keep the civilization going forward.

“Who are my own” is a gift to all who aspires being an educator, teacher and mentor. And being a graduate student, and future business leader, by sacrificing his life to serve the others, against all odds, Father De La Salle wanted us, students, to be humble and to serve with heart as a leader.

#leader #inspire #DeLasalle #DLSU