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5 Steps For Choosing The Right Course

College enrollment is fast-approaching and choosing what course to take may be a daunting task. It is where your future depends on so to help you decide which course might be the best one for you, below are few tips you can follow.

Dinner is ready, the family is complete, you sit on the vacant chair and try your best not to make any noise so the topic wouldn't be you, but before you know it, you're the star of the night. They ask you what course you are going to take, you feel the pressure, for the first time in your life, you don't know how to answer them because even you have no idea which course to take.

There are people who seem confident they already know what they want to be—an accountant, a dentist, or an engineer. Some people, however, are still unsure and that’s completely okay. Pushing yourself too hard will only result in a bigger problem.

1. Ask yourself

The most important consideration when choosing your course is asking yourself: What subjects do I love? What am I passionate about?

Steve Jobs once said, “the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Having a genuine interest in something is the surest way to succeed. Don’t ever think of choosing one just because it has a more secure career path. List the fields of study that interest you, and come up with a list of courses you would consider studying based on these interests.

2. Research

Research about the course that you have decided. Everything that’s around you is your source of information, may it be the internet, newspaper, or television. You can also talk to someone who has already finished the course to get an insight from a student’s perspective.

3. Ask for suggestions

You shouldn’t let anyone—even your parents choose what course you must study. But if you’re the kind of person who can’t decide for herself alone then talk to people who truly know things about you that you aren’t even aware of. Tell them what you have considered and they will give you suggestions for a particular course or field.

4. List down related courses

List all of them down because just like any other relationships, first may not always be the right one. Let’s say you would like to take Architecture. Research about the courses related to it. Don’t give up just because your first choice didn’t work out well. Explore and who knows maybe your third choice is really the one for you.

5. Determine which university offers the best course outline

For your course-hunting, don’t forget to also determine what kind of university you prefer to place yourself in—it’s not always about choosing somewhere that’s close to your house so you don’t have to go through the traffic every day. What other students fail to realize is that college is sometimes about sacrificing. Make sure to review and compare course outlines between universities to avoid any mistake. It’s going to be your second home for the next 4-5 years so think of somewhere you feel comfortable with.

Your chosen course will serve as your ticket for better tomorrow. Don’t rush the process and let your mind and heart be ready to decide.

Photo grabbed from eduadvisor.my

Tips I Learned From The Guy Who Writes Email For A Living

As we become a web-centric world, more online opportunities arise and freelancing is becoming one of the most sought careers, especially for the Generation Y. With its flexibility and benefits, even the jobholders are making the switch from full-time to freelancing.

Take John Pagulayan as an example. Before he achieved everything he has, he was once a clown who makes people laugh, and later on became a call center agent who answers people’s call. That’s who he was – the guy who doesn’t sleep for a living. It took years before he gave up his job and decided to start freelancing. At first, he had no idea what email marketing or copywriting is, but he’s confident enough to follow his instincts and take the risks. From being the guy who doesn’t sleep just to make a living, he’s now the founder of The Freelance Movement and currently known as “The Guy Who Writes Email For A Living”. He can sleep anytime he wants or work everywhere he wants.

I can say that I am lucky enough to meet him and heard the story of his journey. Thanks to Obra Digital for coming up with an event called Obra Sessions: Creatives Night. Other than inspiring creatives with true career stories, the event also aims to gather creative freelancers to maximize their value and potential in the digital world. It was held at the Caferista in Kapitolyo, Pasig last April 19. The event was participated by the industry's young creative freelancers, John Pagulayan, the speaker, and was successfully hosted by the Obra Digital team.

I must admit that I am not a fan of attending an event that needs socializing. However, after attending this event, I am now looking forward to attending more events in the future. Organizers were very accommodating, food and drinks were just so good, and everything was intimate.

What made the whole event incredible was the learnings that it left us. The speaker, John Pagulayan truly made sure that we learned something from him before the night ends.

And here are the tips I learned from him that you can also study if you’re planning to go freelance:

1. The Strategy of Preeminence is at the heart of everything you do.

2. You are not selling your time, your efforts, and your work. You are selling the value of the result you deliver.

3. Never let a client do anything that isn't in their best interests.

4. Choosing a market allows you to position your services better.

5. Understand exactly how your service affects your client's business.

Above all these, the most important thing I learned is that freelancing is not an easy path to navigate if you don’t put an effort in it and if you don’t take it seriously.

#ObraSessions #DigitalMedia #ObraDigital

Analyzing and Understading President Duterte

https://youtu.be/ZyroWTNh0Tw

about me

Hi! I am Princess Marjorie Marzo, my high school friends call me Marj and my college friends call me Cess but I’ll go with Marj because I am more comfortable with it.

I am an introvert person but I am now trying to be more sociable. I believe that success is about recognizing your weaknesses and accepting support from people who genuinely want to help you. I am also weird and I like that about myself. I am more than lucky to be surrounded by people who always brings out the best in me.

I am a third-year journalism student at the University of the East-Manila and I feel very happy about it. I am looking forward to seeing a better future ahead of me and I’ll make sure to use my degree as a ticket for a better tomorrow.

The Online Journalism Landscape in Southeast Asia

Photo grabbed from http://www.cfi.fr/en/news/issues-and-challenges-online-media-south-east-asia

Access to the internet is no longer a challenge for many. People use it for almost everything, and for some, it would be impossible to imagine life without it. In line with this global trend, internet penetration in Southeast Asia has boomed in recent years. According to reports, Southeast Asia is now the world’s third-largest region for internet users — with more people online than the entire U.S. population.

More than half of Southeast Asia’s population today rely on the internet more and more for their information needs. According to Alan Soon, Managing Editor of Yahoo! Southeast Asia, “Speed is very important. We are all living in the new generation. Everybody wants news now.” Citing the Mumbai attacks happened in 2008, he pointed out that online media surpassed traditional media in effectively coping with the rapid pace of information to be communicated to the affected public. Online media sites, thus, not only served as a trustworthy medium of information during terrorist attacks but also an effective means of exercising our rights. Irish Gonzales, a Filipino blogger, and journalist stated that “the more information you have, the more democratic that you can get.” However, there is still more information that journalists cannot put online because they are under government control. In the Philippines, authorities have threatened a news online site Rappler and even banned a journalist from the said company from entering Malacañang Palace. As a result, media professionals stage protests to defend colleagues and their profession as a whole. Netizens, on the other hand, use the online platform to defend their rights.

Moreover, as stated in the documentary Online Journalism in Southeast Asia, “Natives will always look for information online because they are always online.” The impact of online news on the society is extremely strong. For that, people must be aware that not everything we see online is accurate. Fake news is everywhere, it can trick 7 out of 10 people, including the innocent ones.

Duterte’s War on Press Freedom

Photo grabbed from https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/194064-black-friday-rally-january-19-press-freedom

In a 29-page decision issued on its online page on January 11, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which controls financial dealings in the Philippines has revoked Rappler’s corporate registration for allegedly violating a constitutional rule that restricts ownership of media entities to Filipinos. The commission also declared that the online publication had used a legal loophole to accept investment from certain foreign parties, an allegation that Rappler promptly denied in a statement and vowed to challenge the ruling in court.

Rappler acknowledged that it has two foreign investors, namely the North Base Media, a collective led by former journalists and Omidyar Network, an investment firm set up by Pierre Omidyar but said that the investors hold no stock in the media company and has no influence over their editorial content.

Given these circumstances, various media and rights groups from across the country have expressed their support for Rappler. Even netizens took their stand about the issue and criticized the Duterte administration over its consistent way of silencing all groups that are critical of the government, and, at the same time, empower its supporters, regardless if they are the real sources of the growing fake news.

"We will continue bringing you the news, holding the powerful to account for their actions and decisions, calling attention to government lapses that further disempower the disadvantaged," Rappler wrote in its editorial statement.

Duterte has repeatedly slammed other media agencies for their critical reportage of his administration and I personally believe that this kind of tactics show hints of dictatorship and resemble how Philippine press has suffered under Marcos regime.

Decades have been passed since Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law but many Filipinos still remember how the late dictator ordered the shutdown of all newspapers and broadcast stations that were critical of his regime. Hundreds of journalists were jailed, threatened, and murdered and they were only three daily newspapers and a limited number of TV stations.

Furthermore, Duterte is no doubt a solid supporter of Marcos and he is using his power to silence every media group who criticize him similar to what the dictator did but with a different strategy.

In 2017, the president released statements against the leading newspaper Philippine Daily Inquirer that leads to the announcement of the owners that they would sell their shares to the businessman and the good friend of Duterte, Ramon Ang. The president also threatened the broadcast network ABS-CBN that he would sue its owners for failing to air campaign ads that he had already paid for.

Rappler, on the other hand, released several pieces critical of the President – the reason why Duterte never got along with them. Recently, when he spoke about the article published on the site against his special aide Bong Go, he told Rappler’s Pia Ranada that her “inquisitive mind goes beyond its normal proportion” and referred to Rappler as a “fake news outlet”, a claim that his online supporters echoed. The incident happened a day after SEC released its decision to revoke Rappler.

Rappler was investigated because it allegedly violated the prohibition of foreign media ownership. But as a matter of fact, the online publication is composed of the most respected and awarded names in the field of journalism, investigative or otherwise and those people would never consider the idea of being control by a foreign entity. Also, other companies, including two influential broadcast networks have similar arrangements with foreign investors but only Rappler’s registration has been investigated.

These legal issues were obviously the result of their commentaries against the Duterte administration and its bloody campaigns. If Duterte will continue to silence all media groups he does not like, then he is clearly attacking the freedom of the press. The role of the press is not only to disseminate news and information. Making every government officials accountable for their unlawful actions and fighting for the truth are also part of their many obligations to the people and the country.

The influence of media on society has never been weaker. The information that journalists give – important or not, has never been ignored. It has become a culture for Filipinos that whenever there is a politician that has an issue, they would give react to it. People will always be hungry for news and uncensored information. However, what the country is experiencing at the moment is contradictory to what real media needs to be. The Philippines needs a press which is not under control of those in power. And a leader who cannot accept criticism is not the right leader for a country that wants to develop.

References

Coronel, S. S. (2018, January 17). A 'Fraught Time' For Press Freedom In The Philippines. Retrieved February 05, 2018, from https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/01/17/578610243/a-fraught-time-for-press-freedom-in-the-philippines

Dharel, P. (2018, January 16). Duterte slams Rappler anew, says it peddles fake news. Retrieved February 05, 2018, from http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/16/18/duterte-slams-rappler-anew-says-it-peddles-fake-news

Ranada, P. (2018, January 16). Duterte calls Rappler 'fake news outlet'. Retrieved February 05, 2018, from https://www.rappler.com/nation/193806-duterte-fake-news-outlet

Tomacruz, S. (2018, January 29). TIMELINE: The case of Rappler's SEC registration. Retrieved February 05, 2018, from https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/194702-sec-registration-case-timeline-press-freedo

Get off the TRAIN

It has been two weeks since we received “the administration’s biggest Christmas gift”. However, many are still confused whether this new tax reform law is really a good gift and will fulfill the needs of every Filipino or it is another curse in the making.

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law contains provisions which aim to put an end to the country’s outdated tax system and mainly to generate revenue to fund the government’s ambitious infrastructure program. One of the most salient features under this is the exemption of those who earn less than P250, 000 from income tax. This is coupled with an increase in excise tax, or taxes on products that use sugar, salt, oil, and coal.

Moreover, while there are millions of Filipinos that will benefit from TRAIN, poorer sectors, including transport operators and commuters will suffer as a result of higher prices of fuel and other basic commodities. Everyone will hurt from price increases, but the impact on the poorest will be more than twice the impact on the richest.

According to think tank IBON foundation, the government has exaggerated how income taxes will benefit Filipinos and understated how the Philippines’ poorest will shoulder the burden of additional taxes.

“TRAIN is a scourge, not a gift, to the people,” IBON executive director Sonny Africa said. “Though Filipino families certainly deserve income tax cuts to cope with rising costs of living, it is misleading to claim ‘6.8 million’ benefiting from TRAIN because this figure includes millions of minimum wage earners already exempted by law,” said Africa.

Critics of the administration also believe that part of the money gathered from excise tax will not reach the Filipino people in the way they should. Instead, it will go to Duterte’s war on drugs and to the possible resurgence of martial law. These projects and economic policies of Duterte administration are in no way for the development of the country if its main objective is to take lives and torture the poor.

How can TRAIN be named the “best gift to Filipino people” when it does not look like a promising means for making life easier for the less privileged? If the development of the country is the government’s main concern, they should consider collecting more from the wealthiest and reducing the additional taxes that the poorest have to bear.

photo grabbed from: ibon.org

JUANS ON TRAIN LAW

The Tax Reform for Inclusion and Acceleration (TRAIN) has been the talk of the town ever since President Rodrigo Duterte signed it into law and named it “the administration’s best Christmas gift to Filipino people”. It has also been explained by different media platforms repeatedly. However, there are still some people who have no idea what it is and how it can affect their everyday living.

5 out of 10 workers that were asked regarding the TRAIN have not yet fully informed about it.

“Hindi ko alam yan, naririnig ko lang…maganda siguro kasi kay Duterte.” According to one of the staffs from a University in Manila.

However, when asked about her thoughts, Belle, 23, was clueless about the topic.

“Ano yun?” She asked back.

The other 5, on the other hand, are informed and have shared their own thoughts about the new tax reform package.

Ivan Lina, a 35-year-old high school teacher would benefit as his take-home pay will increase but still against it and strongly believe that TRAIN is anti-poor.

“It has benefits for employees like us in the education sector due to the significant increase. But on the contrary, it will be disadvantageous for those who are below minimum wages type.”

As explained by the government, TRAIN is not all about the reduction of income tax. Because in order to make it work, Filipinos will have to face an increase in excise tax or taxes on products that use sugar, salt, oil, and coal.

“As the cliché goes... ang mahirap ay lalong hihirap,” he added.

Mercy Sanorjo, who earns 20,000 monthly, will save around P 4,000 a month because of the new tax rates.

“Maganda naman, makakatulong yan… pero kaylangan nga lang na mas maging ma-ingat sa pang-araw-araw na budget,” she said.

She also added that she advised her 13-year-old daughter not to waste money on unnecessary things so they could save more for everyday transportation.

Department of Energy (DoE) said in a statement that starting mid-January, Filipinos are expected to feel the impact of higher fuel excise tax rates.

On the contrary, Marilisa Tolentino Lopez, a 43-year-old high school teacher wants to see more of its benefits.

“It’s just fair. Prices of goods and services really increase every year, but there is no salary increase. Train really has positive and negative (impact). Let us see more of its benefits to many,” said Lopez.

TRAIN will definitely affect every Filipino in many ways but for now, it is not yet clear whether this law is for everyone’s development or only for a particular social class.

TRAIN – NOT FOR ALL

Photo grabbed from: https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/192873-train-tax-reform-law-what-does-it-change-explainer

Amid mixed reactions from various organizations, the RA 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) is now officially a law after having been signed by the President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, December 19, 2017.

The TRAIN is the first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) which aims “to correct a longstanding inequity of the tax system,” according to Malacañang.

One of the biggest advantages of the amended tax law is how it entirely removes income taxes for Filipinos with an annual salary of not more than P250, 000.

However, not all Filipinos will benefit from this since it was reported by the Bureau of Internal Revenue in 2016 that only 30% of the total population are registered taxpayers. Most people under the country’s labor force are subject to minimum income wages.

In addition, it can be considered that the Philippine’s poorest of the poor would be the biggest losers under the TRAIN. Majority of families that would not gain anything from the tax reform would shoulder the burden of additional taxes. Every Filipino – taxpayers or non-taxpayers will need to pay higher prices on basic goods and services, including electricity, transportation, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and sugar-sweetened beverages to make up for the loss of revenue due to reduced income tax.

As can be seen, TRAIN is not all good news regardless of all its benefits as there will also be significant changes that some people – especially the underprivileged, would have to endure in order to make the system work.

Year In Review: 2017 Top 10 Newsmakers

As this year draws to close, let’s take a quick detour which people, events or, issues dominated the news headlines – the newsmakers of 2017.

10. KEEP GOING;

Depression – according to Worlds Health Organization “will be the most common single cause of disability in both developed and developing countries by 2020.”

Last October 10, public figures have circulated a picture of a semicolon which symbolizes efforts to prevent suicide with a hashtag, #KeepGoing. It was originally posted by singer-actress Nadine Lustre to use her celebrity influence to raise mental health awareness as her younger brother died due to it.

Photo grabbed from: metrochronicles.com

9. ISABELLE AT 17

Not every debutante gets to have a grand photoshoot at the Malacañang but Isabelle is not your typical girl. President’s first granddaughter, Isabelle Duterte took a team of in-demand stylists and make-up artists to the country’s seat of power for her pre-debut shoot. The photo shoot sparked outrage among netizens who criticized it as inappropriate and against the law.

Photo grabbed from: rappler.com

8. MARLOU ARIZALA’S ‘DEATH’

“Every death is a horror” but Marlou’s death is different that it could even pass as the most celebrated local personality death of all time, knowing the person “dying” was happy for his own death. Marlou’s transformation into Xander Ford shocks netizens and sparks discussions on social media bullying, bashing, and self-acceptance.

Photo grabbed from: abs-cbn.com

7. NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST

Both critics and supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte gathered in Manila to express their sentiments on various issues on “National Day of Protest” last September 21.

The event also coincided with the 45th anniversary of the proclamation of Martial Law by the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

Photo grabbed from: telesurtv.net

6. RESORTS WORLD MANILA ATTACK

At around twelve midnight on June 2, the Resorts World Manila was attacked by a foreign-looking man who reportedly stole millions worth of casino chips. The gunman eventually committed suicide while at least 36 people died due to suffocation.

Photo grabbed from: rappler.com

5. SEN. LEILA DE LIMA

“Unexpected, unimaginable, and extraordinary” – are the words of how Senator Leila de Lima described 2017.

It was on February 24 when De Lima surrendered to the Philippine National Police over drug charges filed against her by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Photo grabbed from: inquirer.net

4. 31st ASEAN SUMMIT

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held its 31st Summit in Manila, Philippines on November 13 to 14. The country welcomed a total of 21 global leaders, including heads of states from ASEAN Dialogue partners such as the US, Canada, Russia, Australia, India, Republic of Korea, Japan, Timor-Leste, New Zealand, and the UN. These meetings gave way and opportunity for worlds leaders to talk about the problems confronting them.

Photo grabbed from: philstar.com

3. MARAWI CRISIS

The battle of Marawi was the Philippine military’s bloodiest battle since World War II. Conflicts between military and local terrorist groups exploded on May 23 prompting thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. This event led to the declaration of Martial Law in all of Mindanao.

After 5 months of battling, Duterte declared the city “liberated from the terrorist’s influence”.

Photo grabbed from: gmanetwork.com

2. KIAN AT 17

The Philippines recently made it to the headline of various international media outlets regarding the alarming number of extrajudicial killings related to the anti-drug campaign. Kian Loyd Delos Santos, a 17-year-old senior high school student who got killed during a “one-time-big-time” operation on August 16 has caught the attention of many international human rights agencies. Netizens cried for justice and many have criticized the current administration.

Photo grabbed from: rappler.com

1. THE GROWING TIDE OF FAKE NEWS

But perhaps the leading newsmaker of all isn’t the events or the people; it’s the growing tide of fake news. Fake news has been named the word of the year by Collins dictionary due to its widespread use around the world.

Photo grabbed from: factcheck.org

Sources:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/fake-news-word-of-the-year-2017-collins-dictionary-donald-trump-kellyanne-conway-antifa-corbynmania-a8032751.html

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/186075-marawi-series-rappler-timeline

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/171728-resorts-world-manila-attack-timeline

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/08/24/timeline-kian-delos-santos-death.html

Double-edged sword

For years, researchers used the internet to communicate and share data with one another. Today, we use it for almost everything, and for many people, it would be impossible to imagine life without it. It enhances the overall knowledge of human capabilities, the relationship between people and satisfies people‘s communication and understanding needs. As stated in the video The Virtual Revolution, the initial thought of the founders of the web was to create an independent “virtual place” where people were able to connect and share their information with others and also to protect the most powerful nation of modern times. According to Vint Cerf, co-inventor of the Internet. “The Internet is the most democratic platform in history.” However, the freedom of use to the internet at any time and by anyone also brings many risks in ways we could never imagine, therefore everyone who uses the Internet should be more mindful and critical.

“I think the internet empowers anyone who can use it, and it empowers the people who can use it most effectively even more. It can empower a government to repress an insurrection, it can empower the insurrection itself, it’s a double-edged sword.” According to Lee Siegel the author of Against the Machine. The Internet is like a double-edged sword which can be used for both positive and negative purposes. It is indeed an empowering tool, particularly for those who know how to use the given capabilities. The web is a great opportunity to get to know diverse opinions and perspectives in the world. “We change our tools, and then our tools change us.” According to Jeff Bezoz, the founder and largest shareholder of Amazon, the world's biggest online retailer. In my understanding, the invention of the web brings great advantages but still, the users need to pay attention not to get addicted to it so easily and still to have open eyes and ears for other kinds of communication and interaction. We must use the internet in a positive way and it will become our best mentor.

'A good option' for PH

Despite various oppositions from advocates and environmentalists, the Department of Energy (DoE) is still considering the possibility of bringing the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant into operation to meet the country’s increasing power needs. “Based on my knowledge, based on what I’ve seen, based on what I studied, based on the experience of other countries that we have heard, it is a good option for our country. It is safe to use,” said DoE Secretary Alfonso Cusi in a statement. The 620-megawatt plant was built under Marcos and has been a subject of controversy for decades. Concerns that the plant was built too close to fault lines and an active volcano as well as the Japan’s Fukushima nuclear meltdown following the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that left about 16,000 people dead with thousands still missing firmed up the government’s decision not to operate the BNPP

In a country prone to earthquakes and other natural calamities, fears of a Fukushima repeat should not be ignored. Until the safety of nuclear power plants in an earthquake belt can be guaranteed, considering nuclear power is a reckless public endangerment. Other than the fact that nuclear energy is costly, dealing with radioactive waste produced by nuclear reactors is another challenge. The Philippines, as everyone knows, has natural fuel resources. Renewables, not nuclear, is the good option for the country.

Sources: Delina, L. (n.d.). Nuclear Philippines is a future full of costly risks. Retrieved October 03, 2017, from http://opinion.inquirer.net/97258/nuclear-philippines-future-full-costly-risks

Quismundo, T. (n.d.). Nuclear power 'a good option' for PH-Cusi. Retrieved October 03, 2017, from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/811351/nuclear-power-a-good-option-for-ph-cusi

Palace urges public not to spread unverified information

On Saturday, August 19, palace urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information on bird flu.

"We ask our people to remain calm yet vigilant and to refrain from spreading unverified information that may cause undue alarm and panic." President Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

One week after the government declared an avian influenza or bird flu outbreak in Pampanga, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol confirmed on Friday a similar outbreak that may hit the towns of Jaen and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija.

Abella said the government is closely monitoring the situation following the confirmation of bird flu outbreak.

"They have likewise estimated advance command posts in San Nicolas, Pampanga and San Isidro, Nueva Ecija with capacity to respond 24/7."

"As of this time again, there has been no report of bird-to-human contamination in the Philippines." Abella added.

He assured the public, however, that "properly cooked chicken meat and eggs remain safe to eat" as the virus can only be transmitted through respiratory routes.

How common is Dissociative Identity Disorder

Many people with Dissociative Identity Disorder ask the questions: Where can I meet more people like me? Or am I all alone in this?

Photo retrieved: http://pre00.deviantart.net/2cdd/th/pre/i/2013/223/2/2/dissociative_identity_disorder_by_x_sinister_chaos_x-d5uegwj.jpg

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) previously known as multiple personality disorder has always been believed to be extremely rare. Approximately 1% of the general population has been diagnosed with the disorder.

DID is a complex psychological condition in which a particular individual displays two or more distinct identities knows as alters, each with its own characteristics—including name, age, gender and vocabulary.

It is one of the most misinterpreted diagnoses in the recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and is also the center of much discussion among experts.

Moreover, understanding its development is tough, even for highly skilled specialists. Numerous experts cite that it may be an outcome of chronic and severe trauma children suffer during their developing years (around 6 years old), including the loss of loved ones, physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

Harmful behavior is common among people with DID and above 70 percent have attempted suicide.

Well-known people who suffered from DID include former American football star, Hershel Walker, who even published a book about his struggles, along with his suicide attempts.

“My life was out of control. I was not happy, I was very sad, I was very angry and I didn’t understand why.” He mentioned in the book.

Although there are no medications that specifically treat this disorder, a long-term treatment can be helpful, if the patient stays committed.

Stroke–why we need to know more about this disease

Technology has made things so convenient that people prefer to take the elevator instead of using stairs. A habit like this, combined with dangerous diets, put not just the hearts, but the brains at risk.

The Cerebrovascular Disease commonly known as stroke is one of the most traumatic medical conditions a person may ever face. Neurologist and stroke specialist Dr. Alejandro Diaz explained in an interview that strokes are brain attacks and not heart attacks as people used to think. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. In 2010, it killed more than 59,000 Filipinos making it to be the second leading cause of death in the Philippines after heart disease.

Most cases occur in people aged over 65 years. However, it can strike both the elderly and younger person. Dr. Diaz said that the mental and physical impairments caused by a stroke depend on which areas of the brain suffer damage. The stroke may affect any of the specialized areas for movements, language, and sensation, affecting the person’s ability to walk and perform day-to-day tasks.

According to a study done by the Philippine Neurological Association and the Department of Health, the risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, age, obesity, and smoking.

Diaz suggested engaging in NEAT: non-exercise activity thermogenesis, like using the stairs, “Just by doing that you’re building up the heat in your body and that already exercises your heart.

Photo retrieved: https://www.cardiosmart.org/~/media/Slides/ConditionBackgrounds/stroke-hp.ashx?h=318&la=en&w=460

Stop the climate change, run for a better change 🏃

Youth Climate Movement July 26, 2017 [email protected] 09567440231

The Youth Climate Movement (YCM) will hold its annual 2017 “A Run for Change”. The aim is to raise awareness and hype up the conversation about taking action on climate change issues. To be held on August 25, 2017, at the Quirino Grandstand. The run is open to all running enthusiasts and will have the 8-kilometer, 4k, and 2k.

Climate change is one of the most serious challenges facing the world today, but few people are unaware of how it can affect them. Philippines‒earlier reported to be among the world’s top 10 countries most affected by extreme weather events in terms of deaths and economic losses.

According to the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Unit in 2015, to mitigate this scenario, the institution said: “cities need to become part of the climate change solution.”

“We are excited to launch this year’s fun run because there are many people out there who are looking forward to this event.” Said the YCM founding chairman, Radleigh Riego.

As a result, proceeds from the “A Run for Change” fun run by corporate sponsors and individual run participants will be designated for ‘The Climate Change Reality Project’ which works to end the crisis. Additionally, run participants are encouraged to join YCM, a campaign, and advocacy organization committed to inspire young people to take positive action on climate change.

Registration is now ongoing for the different race categories.

Notes to Editor: For more event information and to register for the event, please visit ycm.com.ph

Contact Details: Princess Marzo Youth Climate Movement Mobile: 09567440231 Email: [email protected]

#RunForChange #YouthClimateMovement

Aloe vera lowers cholesterol level of rabbits 🐰

A total of 20 male rabbits with average body weight of 1.5kg were selected and divided into 4 groups with 5 rabbits in each group. They were given an oral aloe vera extract at the dose of 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg. On 21 days of treatment, it has been found that aloe vera extract significantly lowers cholesterol level of rabbits.

Moreover, the research has also proved that decrease in cholesterol is due to lower production of lower endogenous cholesterol transporter. It may due to the mannans that inhibit cholesterol absorption or active involvement of lives tissues in fatty acid oxidation and formation of lipoproteins.

Aloe vera is a well-known plant that has been grown in houses as first aid in many countries. It is a succulent plant that is mainly composed of an inner liquid portion and outer greenish covering that has small spines.

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