#exit essay

[eternityines-blog]

Twerking and Shouting: Performing at its Best

Art is the backbone of society; the entertainment and escape that people crave after a long, hard day. Ever since the Elizabethan era, entertainers have been greatly pursued to give a show not only to the nobles, but the peasants as well. The performing arts scene in the Philippines does not lack talent. Skills vary, whether in comedy, drama, dance or song. The Filipino’s prowess extends to many heights. They join international competitions in the fields of HipHop, Cheerleading, Choral singing, and Pop singing. However, most of the performances are lackluster, lacking the true essence of a performance. Some are done for publicity of ratings only, without really appealing and touching the aesthetic nature of the modern Filipino.

             Filipinos are very able, performance wise. There exist a wide number of talents that have made it internationally, carrying the country’s name. However, with these performers making their name overseas, not much is left for the local stage. Non-singers who pass by with looks and auto tune are more popularized today, spreading the message that you experience music with eyes and not ears. Same with dancers, it has been such a shame to glorify “performers” whose only dance moves consists of twerking and showing off their sexy bodies. Performers are trained to perform, to make what is difficult look effortlessly easy on stage. Singers and dancers go through rigorous training before achieving the proper form and technique in reaching notes or carrying out complex choreographies. This cultural appropriation comes as a big disappointment because art nowadays are taken at face value, its ability to make money. In fact, the usual stereotypes for artists are the broke and poor ones. It is not that all artists are like this but because they perform for the sake of the performance itself, because performing gives them a high, because it is their passion. It is their raw talent that makes them a great performer, a mover of hearts. And not just money making machines.  What is really ironic is the fact that these non-performers are actually recognized by the actual performers and are being criticized for it. These performers who have gone through years of training, utilizing the proper technique and rehearsal ethic, are sadly, being overshadowed by auto tuned and over-Photoshopped “mediocrity”. Artists do not become as famous as these people because they care more about making the actual music before the money. That being said, people must come to learn to appreciate all types of performers, even if dance and music is subjective.

             Art has always been about passion. Moving people’s emotions is the best thing that art can do and the best thing that artists can achieve. It is not about looks, but more on the style of performing. Performing is a lifestyle. Habits are formed and molded after rehearsal dates and performances. Singers and dancers work hard to be able to further develop their skills in performing. They give out their hearts every time with their best performance. Only by understanding and acknowledging the sweat beneath the choreography and the breath before the high note do we really learn to nurture the love and appreciation for the real art that they have willingly given and perform for people to enjoy.

[danaaelise]

Not a Costume

                                In modern day society, new fashion trends are always just around the corner. The members of this generation, in particular, are constantly eager to keep up with the ever-changing trends in fashion. People can’t wait to have their hands on the latest issue of their favorite fashion magazines in order to indulge their curiosities as to what the hottest celebrities have been wearing lately. In addition, past fashion statements from the early 1990s have also made their comebacks, such as tattoo chokers, leather jackets, denim skirts, and Doc Martens boots. However, these are not the only fashion statements that are finding their way into the closets of many.

                                Coachella is an annual arts and music festival in the United States. For its attendees, Coachella might as well be a festival showcasing fashion. Every year, thousands of people travel to the Colorado dessert to enjoy the music and the environment. Aside from its dedication to art and music, it is an unspoken tradition for the people to dress up for the mentioned festival. People forego their usual clothes and partake in the glorification of indie chic fashion. Headdresses, Indian nose rings, and bindis galore – These are articles of clothing that are incessantly worn as accessories by those who go to Coachella.

                                The use of the aforementioned clothing has caused a nationwide controversy, particularly because it is an example of cultural appropriation. According to an article by Jessica Metcalfe (2012), “cultural appropriation is a sociological concept which views the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture as a largely negative phenomenon.”  In simpler terms, cultural appropriation is when one culture takes customs and practices from another culture without carefully understanding them or using them properly.

                                While the people who partake in the act of cultural appropriation excuse it as cultural appreciation, it should be know that there is fine line between appropriating a culture and appreciating a culture. In the case of those who went to Coachella, traditional clothing from various cultures has been appropriated. The Indian headdresses, for example, are only permitted to be worn by Native American Indians who have earned a great amount of respect from their tribe. In April 2013, Hindu leader Rajan Zed demanded an apology from American singer Selena Gomez for donning a bindi during her musical performance, citing that the bindi has religious significance and that it should be not used as an accessory.                                 Before one decides to borrow a custom or practice from a different culture, one must first know its true purpose and use it for its intended purpose only. Otherwise, it is disrespectful towards the people whose culture it was borrowed from. It is incredibly disrespectful and offensive to reduce elements of one culture to a mere trend. These elements were strongly built on hundreds of years of culture, and it is such a travesty to degrade something with such cultural and religious significance to a fashion statement. People do a lot of ridiculous things in the name of fashion, but that does not mean that society should sink low enough to make a trend out of something with cultural significance. One’s culture is not a fashion statement, a trend, or a costume. Treating it as such is a gross act of disrespect and human indecency.

Sources

Cultural appropriation. (2007). Retrieved November 20, 2015 from http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095652789

Avila, T. (2015, July 20). Here Are 5 Cultural Appropriating Outfits It’s Time to Retire for Good. Retrieved November 27, 2015, from http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/07/cultural-appropriating-outfits/

Sieczkowski, C. (2013, April 17). Selena Gomez Bindi: Hindu Leaders Demand Apology For MTV Movie Awards Costume. The Huffington Post.

[planetaftertheearth-blog]

Unheard Voices

           Lumad is a term used to indicate the indigenous people of Southern Philippines. The original term is Katawhang Lumad which translates to indigenous peoples. There are 18 groups of Lumad: Atta, Bagobo, Banwaon, B’laan, Bukidnon, Dibabawon, Higaonon, Mamanwa, Mandaya, Manguwangan, Manobo, Mansaka, Subanen, Tagakaolo, Tasaday, Tboli, Teduray, and Ubo.

          One of the controversial social issues in the Philippines right now is the Lumad Killings. The most recent killing is the murder of Emerito Samarca, Dionel Campos, and Jovillo Sinzo. Samarca was the executive director of Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV), a lumad school, he was found dead on September 1, 2015 inside a classroom of ALCADEV. He was brutally murdered, reports said that he was found hog-tied, his body received stab wounds and gunshots, and his throat was slit from ear to ear. While Campos, chairman of an organization of lumad community called Preserving Struggle for the Next Generation (MAPASU, Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod), and Sinzo, tribal leader of Sitio Kiwagan, were shot dead in front of the lumad community near ALCADEV. Reports said that 23 lumad leaders were murdered from October 2014 to June 2015. On August 18, 2015, a family of six was massacred; five were killed and one family member was able to escape. Lumads are saying that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were the one behind these crimes, but the AFP denied their accusation and said that it was the New People’s Army (NPA). NPA also denied the accusation to them. The one responsible of these killings are still uncertain. There are speculations that the paramilitary, a group of civilians organized like the military, are behind these killings. Legarda (2015) said that, “This could be paramilitary forces, vigilante groups who were created by executive order in the previous administration who ran out of control and are now like a bandit group or perhaps are being used by some public or private interests and they're armed."

           About 2,000 residents fled their homes because of the harassment being done to them. More than 700 lumads are currently staying in Davao City after being expelled from their ancestral lands. Government forces and paramilitary forces allegedly took over their schools and several villages. The lumads were forcefully expelled from their home; afraid on what might happen to them if they stayed there. There are assumptions that these paramilitary forces are working and hired by powerful companies who want to enter the lumads’ ancestral lands for mining and for logging operations. The lumads are being targeted because they strongly oppose to these projects that will happen on their land. The ancestral lands of the lumads are rich with gold and natural resources. In fact, some lumads are being taken and brainwashed for them to resettle to other places. Knowledgeable lumads and tribe leaders are being killed to keep them from opposing these mining companies to take over their land. Lumads’ ancestral lands are far from the city; education is limited. Due to lack of education, a lot of them are gullible and can be easily persuaded. Knowledgeable lumads are teaching their community the reason on why they should oppose these mining operations that private companies want to do in their land.

           On October 26, 2015, the lumads started their month-long march from Mindanao to Manila to protest and call the attention of the authorities to investigate and to seek justice for these lumad killings. Around 700 lumads joined this march. During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila on November 19, 2015, the lumad protesters and the Philippine National Police (PNP) clashed in front of Baclaran Church. Lumad protesters wanted to catch the attention of the APEC leaders who attended this summit but the PNP stopped them.

           The lumads wanted to seek justice for their murdered kinsmen and to protect their ancestral land. They wanted to let the society know on what is really happening in their home. The lumads felt that they are being ignored by the government and the media so they resulted to this protest. As a result of this protest, the citizens noticed them and learned that this is what happening in Mindanao. But in the end, being aware of what is happening and acting about it are two different things. It is still up to the society and the government if they will listen and act upon these unheard voices.

References:

Cruz, T. (2015). #StopLumadKillings: What you need to know. Retrieved from: http://tonyocruz.com/?p=4805

Gonzales, Y. (2015). Plice, lumad protesters clash at Baclaran church. Retrieved from: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/740875/police-lumad-protesters-clash-at-baclaran-church

Manlupig, K. (2015). Duterte: ‘Stop lumad killings’. Retrieved from: http://www.rappler.com/nation/106132-duterte-stop-lumad-killings

Manlupig, K. (2015). Timeline: Attacks on the lumad of Mindanao. Retrieved from: http://www.rappler.com/nation/105847-timeline-attacks-lumad-mindanao

Mateo, J. (2015). Lumads demand end to violence. Retrieved from: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/10/27/1515276/lumads-demand-end-violence

[c34erika]

Knives

Women resemble knives.

Women resemble knives in the way that society is the chef that chooses the best knife for cooking. And maybe some knives appear dull, appear dusty, appear useless, but all it needs is a good sharpening, a good cleaning, and a chance. Society needs to stop judging women on how they seem to be, especially if they really are more than meets the eye. They need to stop looking down on women's weaknesses, and instead turn these weaknesses into strengths. Today a woman can be free to pursue what she loves, but still there are people stopping her merely because she is a woman. A chef is responsible for the care of his utensils, the same way society us responsible for the growth of women. You cannot always blame th knife if something wrong happens.

Women resemble knives in the way that society is the mother telling her children to keep away. Knives are dangerous, but they are useful. For a significant part of their lives, the children will be led to believe that knives are only useful for making them bleed, in the way that some parts of society believe that a woman is there for destruction: a homewrecker, a bringer of temptation, a cause of sin. They fail to see how useful the knives are. Knives cut things into more manageable pieces, in the way women can help solve society's problems. Knives can be used to open things, in the way that women bring good opportunities, and make use of them. The women today are not the cheating wives, the flirting girls, the lovesick and conscious characters you see in media. Women are not those who carry themes of destruction and ruin with only that purpose.

Women resemble knives because they are sharp, they are shiny, and are both dangerous and useful. Women are sharp; they have wit that needs to be refined with good education like knives need to be sharpened with a whetstone. Women are shiny; they are the fresh, shining face, they bring a fresh start, a new future, and they will keep on shining if you value and take care of them like a chef should wash and clean his knife spotless. Women, like knives, are both dangerous and useful. Slicing vegetables one second, cutting off heads the next. The danger of knives are put to good use. The danger women possess can make changes. But today, some women are still denied education, some women are still degraded and unvalued, some women are still seen as nothing but bad luck. These knives, prepared for use have been mistreated, have been left to dull and rust.

I promote feminism because society keeps on seeing women as lesser than men. I promote feminism because women have been only told to be "pretty" and not "pretty smart". I promote feminism, because a woman is stereotyped to be a horrible person who might make bad decisions just because of her period. I promote feminism, because even if women are like knives, society still does not believe them to be so.

I promote feminism because I seek for women to be treated equally with men. Men are said to be the knives with their strength and power; it is time society realizes that women are knives, too.

(About: This exit essay tackled the same issue as the entry essay, which is feminism. Coincidentally, it is also just as messy.)

[englchii]

Reality VS Fiction

The influence of Filipino teleseryes among students is not a major social issue among us Filipinos. There is a small chance that children are to emulate the actions of the actors on screen. The influence of TV shows would be the more appropriate statement to this issue, several people blame media for the misbehaviour of children as children do nothing  but watch TV, as most say.

 In a sense, there is a possibility that children may be influenced the media as all we see in media nowadays depict violent matters, like in the news for example. There have already been instance where violence is depicted in television shows, although not explicit, they are present I  the sense that it is not meant to be harmful but funny.

An example of this would be the classic Bugs Bunny cartoon or better known as Looney Tunes. One section from the multi-story cartoon is The Road Runner Show, the Wile E. Cayote’s goals is to capture the road runner in hopes of eating it. His methods often end in failure turning on him causing him to take the pain rather than the road runner, and his methods often use giant boulders and dynamite. Another segment would be the regular Bugs Bunny with hunter Elmer Fud, Elmer is any other hunter that wants to shoot animals for amusement, and he always wields a gun shooting at Bugs or Daffy duck. The methods of how to achieve their goals may suggest a violent behavior but these things are depicted to the audience in a funny comical sense and not a bad influence on others.

An example for girls would be Disney’s Frozen character, Elsa, who is now considered a part of the Disney Princess franchise. In earlier Disney Princes films, the lead character would immediately fall in love with a man they have just recently met, but in Elsa’s case, she does not have a love interest as well as Merida from Brave. In Elsa’s words from the movie “You can’t marry a man you’ve just met”, for others this is a wakeup call that fairytales are just fairytales.  This isn’t necessarily related to violence but nonetheless related to the concept of reality vs. fiction in television shows, movies and the like.

 The concept of reality vs. fiction is very clear to our society as of today but in some others, fiction is overused in some cases that it may have a side-effect of something unwanted by people. There must be a distinction between the two, In reality, we see that not everything is all glitz and glamour, there comes a point in time when we must accept our responsibilities of being an adult, we cannot lurk in our childhoods for long. This is not meant to scare or intimidate anyone, but the facts are straight, in many cases the solution for this negative disposition is be happy. Think positive, all hard work will pay off eventually, get a job that one would enjoy and he or she will never have to work for a day, reality and fiction may be mixed up, but let us not forget the boundaries that are set and done.

(A/N: This is based on opinion and is not meant to harm anyone or anything. This is schoolwork done in the classroom, none of the things stated in the essay do not mean any harm)

[haymitch-abernathy]

Someday

        What does it mean to be suffering from poverty? Perhaps for most of us, living in poverty means, being poor, and being poor means that one lives in a situation wherein they are not financially stable. Living in a country where poverty is widespread, we see different situations of different people, yet they all have the same problem. Most of these people don’t have stable income that is enough for them to keep their families live comfortably. They suffer from poverty because they have very low-earning jobs or no jobs at all. One main factor why a large percent of our nation are jobless is because of the poor progress of employment in our country. There are very little jobs that could be given to these people who are in need and most of them require certain things that cannot be reached by these people. One main reason is because these people did not receive basic education. Education is an essential for every person and through this, they are able to acquire knowledge and skills that they would need in order to cope with society. It would give one person a hard time to acquire a job that earns a high salary if they did not attain a certain level of schooling, otherwise, they are forced to take a job that pays less yet does not require them much. Thus, more and more people have to endure the fact that they will have to live by what is just there.

        For us Filipinos, it is no surprise to us seeing children in the streets, knocking on car windows and asking for loose change from those who pass by. Some are women who carry their babies and beg for money as well. We even see some disabled people who walk in the middle of the highways and ask for alms. These are the people who are suffering greatly because of poor governance. Although we cannot really say that poor people are poor because they are not given much attention, it is one of the main reasons why they are that way. Majority of these people also suffer from hunger and do not get to eat proper meals every day. They are the ones who acquire illnesses from not eating healthy or not eating at all. All these are caused simply because of the fact that they are poor, they do not have enough money to keep themselves stable and healthy. In the end, it is all because of money. In this world, we can consider money now as a means of sustenance and survival. Without it, one will have a hard time coping with society and life in general.

         We see this problem every day, everywhere around us, and yet we do not see any improvement regarding this situation, why? Some blame the government for being corrupt and not giving the people the help they are entitled to from the officials. For some, they blame these poor people for being lazy and passive about fixing their lives. But really, who is to blame? Why can’t we fix this situation majority of our country has been facing? We see that there are some sectors, both government and non-government, doing efforts to try and alleviate this problem. These groups are the ones making ways on how to help the people get through their problems and improve their ways of living. But whatever progress they are achieving, it is very minimal since it is still very evident that there is no change still.

         Many of the elected government officials promise the masses that they are going to make the public’s lives easier, that they will do everything in their power to make their lives better, but most of these are empty promises. They promise, they get elected and then nothing happens. The same cycle happens every time, giving these hopeful people something to hold on to yet they are still left being stuck in the same situation all the time. When will this people find their way out of misery? Perhaps, in time, someone would really do something and make a drastic, positive change that could turn the lives of these people around. Hopefully, someday, the time will come where no one has to suffer from being hungry, having no job, not being healthy and many more. Maybe in the near future, and hopefully, there will come a time that our nation is no longer considered a poor nation and that everyone will be living a good life. Just hoping that someday, poverty will be erased and everyone will be happy.

[c39a-genobatendeschanel-blog]

Double number coding system: The solution to traffic congestion

Double number coding system: The solution to traffic congestion

       MMDA aims to ease the traffic congestion not only in Manila but for the whole of the national capital region. This new coding system not only reduces traffic congestion, but also improves on other forms of well being for the people. For one thing, it can lessen the traffic more compared to the current, ailing coding system, is less of a burden to implement financially and encourages commuting as a means of getting to their destinations.

       The double number coding system that is currently being thought over by the MMDA, is the fastest possible way to lessen the traffic. Firstly, we all know that traffic congestion has been a constant, never-ending problem in our national capital region. There are over 2.3 million vehicles passing through Metro Manila. But with this system, we can lessen this difficulty by 40% on any given day.

       Second, unlike the option of widening roads or constructing new ones, which effectively drains funds, takes up so much time to finish because of poor planning and management and creates an inconvenience on the road for months, the double number coding system gives us less of a burden to implement financially. A short stretch of road costs more or less, twenty million pesos to build. We can widen roads or construct new ones, but who would say that these changes would be effective in the long term by the time these 2.3 million cars multiply by the time the roads are finished? The double number coding system will still be an option, and may even be effective by then.

       Third, the new coding system encourages commuting as means of transportation to be utilized amongst the people. Private cars will be banned from entering main roads twice a week. Though it’s an adjustment, a little sacrifice can go a long way. Besides, there is no shortage of available public vehicles that people can utilize with. Buses can carry up to 70 people, comparing to a private car that might only be carrying a driver and it’s less than 6 passengers, while train carriages can carry twice as many people than a bus can carry. Congestion wastes money spent on gas and even contributes to Metro Manila’s air pollution. With this system, people can learn to commute and save money that could’ve been spent wisely on other matters.

       Also, with fewer cars on the road, police can effectively discipline, maintain order and monitor violators of traffic laws and promote justice efficiently. Because of this, drivers too can learn to discipline themselves on the road. We all know how the authorities can be these days, but if we don’t believe in their efficiency and that they are all fraudulent, how can we expect change and progress to happen? There are laws and technicalities that prevent these authorities from abusing their power and we need to believe in these laws that are implemented for our good, we just need to utilize this right by voicing out their irregular behaviors.

       There will be adjustments that will disrupt commuter’s and driver’s daily lives, but ultimately, this double number coding system is the most convenient way to reduce the traffic congestion that people have been belligerent over for the past years and, it is ultimately for the benefit of the people who endure congestion that wastes valuable time, money and even risks our health.

       People need direction and control to get to where they need to be, even if we’re talking about life, or of multifaceted problems like traffic. There have been many attempts to lessen traffic but these ideas have been ineffective because of our desire to always be first or because of our ‘Filipino time’ mentality that we blame on, that hinders us from having any progress with improving traffic. This system can have the chance to change that if we exercise discipline. Our concern is to give the best option for the benefit of everyone. I believe that this is the best solution that will promote discipline, the use of public transport and minimizes the impact of the problem as well as the other effects entailed to it.

  Sources:

    Robles, A.C. (2012). The agony of Metro Manila commuters. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/254898/news/specialreports/the-agony-of-metro-manila-commuters. [Last Accessed December 2, 2013].

    Masinag, C. (2013). MMDA mulls new number-coding scheme to keep your car off streets not once, but twice. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/66032/mmda-mulls-new-number-coding-scheme-to-keep-your-car-off-streets-not-once-but-twice. [Last Accessed December 2, 2013].

    (2013). MMDA eyeing to ban your car twice a week to ease traffic. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/mmda-wants-to-ban-your-car-twice-a-week-to-ease-traffic.html. [Last Accessed December 2, 2013].

[a59b-chua-megan]

Exit Essay: VOICE OF A NOTE

      With me on his side, a mute can speak. I can be found in every part of the world where people reside. You can not touch me but I can touch your heart and mind. What am I? I am music. I am the powerful instrument that gives voice to silent thoughts, transcends boundaries made by man, and orchestrates a transformation from within.

      A musician with his instrument can convey his message and emotions just as well as a writer with his pen can. The French poet Victor Hugo once said, “Music express that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” Music is a medium that needs no words, and is not bound by language. Any man or woman with an instrument can say their piece to the entire world without knowing a single language. The language of notes translate the heart and soul of every composer and musician to be able to convey their message to whomever hears their masterpiece. The fortes and crescendos of a piece portray the strong and hard emotions, while the pianos and decrescendos of a piece convey the gentle and soft emotions of both creator and the expresser of music. The author Hans Christian Anderson said the words, “When words fail, music speaks.”

     Music connects people who are worlds apart because it can be found in all parts of the world and in the hearts of any person from any nationality. It is a form of expression that transcends space and time. From the 1700s in Germany to worldwide in the present age, the classical musics of Beethoven and Mozart are immortalized in the hearts and minds of whomever bears witness to its greatness. From the savannas of Africa to the jungles of South America, music is present in every culture of mankind. The words of the musician Billy Joel are, “It's [Music] an expression of humanity … no matter what culture we're from, everybody loves music.” Music helps dissolve the boundaries of differences in every race by connecting the people by a common love. Racism and discrimination can be solved when the similarities of each and every human being is brought to light. The multi-instrumental Edgar Winter said, “Music is very spiritual, it has the power to bring people together.”

      It has been popular belief that exposing children, even those in the womb, to classical music will result in an increase in intellectual quotient. Not trying to prove or disprove the notion, rather I would like to point out that the mere fact that people think that music can affect children means that music is affecting people. The English playwright and poet William Congrave said, “Music has charms to sooth a savage beast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” I personally have experienced a change in emotional state as I listened to music. Whenever melancholic songs are played, my emotions mimic the mood and I become saddened. Whenever jolly songs are played, I noticed that my mood becomes brighter and livelier. Besides providing entertainment and leisure, music can change the way we feel, the way we think, and even the way of act. The lyrics of songs affect a listener as well as a speech of an inspirational speaker can. The Irish singer Bono was quoted with the words, “ Music can change the world because it can change people.”

      Although music is medium without words, so much can be plucked from a string of notes and keys conducted by a musician. Music does not care about the color of skin you have, or the wealth that you possess, or the country you live in. It can be found in every culture, and every heart. The walls of racism and discrimination mean nothing to the reverberating sounds of music. It is something that has been bequeathed to the entire human race, and should never be paused. Music can calm an angry man, and depress a jolly woman. The tones and themes that shape songs also morph the feelings of its listeners. Music affects both the heart and mind of each and everyone of us. It can start a revolution with an inspiring dramatical chorus and give peace to a war with a soothing morose elegy. Music is indeed a powerful instrument that must be used wisely.