Christmas Vacation 2010

Christmas Vacation is coming. Let me just list the things I hope to do during this vacation:

1. Review Korean language lessons (from TTMIK) (and write my own index of their lessons)
   
2. Write Christmas news
3. Read on Operations Research
4. Write a chapter for "Technology for Teaching"
5. Create the ELCEP website.
   

I really hope to be able to do these things. These days, there are so many things that can get your attention, and your intended activities are left incomplete.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone!

Korean Trip: A Reflection

Warning: This is an opinion, subject to debate and my personal learning. Your comments will be appreciated so long as they contribute to knowledge and understanding.

Okay, a week after our return from Korea, I think I have now a bit of time to reflect (a little only, though) about our trip.

Our sponsor asked me to share my experience with that trip upon my return -- to inspire their teachers to work harder. Unfortunately, I am not really an anthropologist, so I cannot see a lot of distinction. My talk was not very effective, it turned out.

Well, now, however, I would like to express some observation, as I was told that the National Heroes' Day (I think it was celebrated before as Bonifacio Day), originally set on November 30, was moved to November 29, to extend the weekend.

That news reminded me of our trip to the King Sejong museum in Seoul. I think it was a museum in memorial of King Sejong and a certain naval warfare expert who is regarded as a legendary hero there. (If you know who that general is, please feel free to comment!)

Their heroes are regarded for their prowess, skill and immediate achievement (which, in the interest of fairness, had long-term effect) of their goals. In the samples I was shown, I have to conclude their Korean concept of heroism is on achievement, outstanding accomplishment and the effect of their action to their people. Truly commendable. I would also be proud of a general who defeated an opposing force about 10 times bigger than his own force.

On the other hand, Filipino heroes, like Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio (of course, there are more, but I will name only the two above for saving time), are renown not for their victory in their lifetime, but for their contribution to the overall effort. Tell me, is there one hero in Philippine history who is renown for winning a battle for the whole of his country? (Okay, I hope my history teachers will not scold me for not knowing such..... :D)

My point is that we do not remember any victory of a national hero, rather what we have is a set of heroes whom we regard greatly while they have contributed a small fraction to the overall goal of national independence.

I hope I will not be misunderstood saying that individual heroes of Korea achieved more than individual heroes of the Philippines. It's not the point. My point is that our regard for heroism is based on intent and to how much they are willing to give up to contribute to the overall goal.

Bonifacio died without seeing the independence of the Philippines from Spain, but he started with the Katipunan.

Rizal was executed for his progressive writings which fueled independence movements, including that of Bonifacio.

Miguel Malvar was the last general to surrender to American forces -- a defeat but a noble one, if I may say.

Gregorio Del Pilar died defending Tirad Pass so that General Aguinaldo can escape from the Americans.

These are just a few of our more renown heroes. None of them were remembered more for their victory than for their "small contribution" to Philippine Independence.

Probably, to conclude, it is saying that Philippine independence cannot be attributed to any one person, but to all Filipinos fighting for it. And it is true to this day-- nothing has changed.

If the Philippines were to transcend to a new and true development - it cannot be done by any one person alone. Not even the President.

Don't ask me why.

To Seoul in the Month of Souls

Okay, weak title. Just cannot think of anything else.

Yes, tomorrow, I'll go to Korea with the Dean and the Graduate Program Coordinator. We're going there to discuss collaboration with some universities. As I understand, we're meeting some top-level university administrators to discuss with them our program.

I studied quite a bit of Korean through TalkToMeinKorean.com, so I hope I would be able to use it. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity for me to practice it (meaning speak and get feedback), because I am not fond of seeing myself in front of the camera. Yes, I like taking pictures, and making videos, but not of myself.

It's going to be an adventure -- not just the environment but the culture.

I also hope I get to meet some of the people from TTMIK, but I doubt it. I don't even know where we will be in Korea (except that we will be in Seoul, which I think is a very big place)!

I hope this uncertainty will be a surprise and not a shock.

But I guess, I want to end this with thanking TTMIK for the lessons. I finished Level 2 and I am reviewing the lessons.

My Roles: IO2CASUPM

Obviously, it's been a while. Anyway, this is just like an audit of my roles:

Information Officer II

• Public Information and Publicizing, College of Arts and Sciences

1. Faura Online
2. CAS Blog
3. CAS Facebook
4. CAS Twitter
5. CAS website
6. CAS Event Communication Campaigns
7. GPAS website
   

• Administrative Staff, Office of the Dean

1. College Memoranda
2. Letters of the Office of the Dean to other offices and external organizations
3. Event management and/or coordination support
   

• Representative, Office of the Dean to various College Committees

1. Information Technology Committee
2. Institutional Strategic Planning Committee
3. Pandiwa Online Journal
4. Research Committee
   

• Information and Communication Technology Support, College of Arts and Sciences

1. ICT availability and function advising to various committees
2. Project communication advising
3. Information technology development and planning
   

• Other Roles - As Needed

I somehow feel that this is not complete.

Globe, ABS-CBN and "May Bukas Pa": Remember Luke 19:46?

"It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be a house of prayer'; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"

Luke 19:46, The Holy Bible (NIV)

I just have a simple point, which might actually be simplistic and inaccurate. Let me also clarify that I like "May Bukas Pa" a lot, besides the point that I am a certified Kapamilya.

I just cannot cannot help but find parallelism in the behavior of people as described in this verse and that of Globe (of course, you should also see Bear Brand and Sorbetes (I cannot remember the brand name) being promoted) in the Kapamilya primetime series.

Of course, God does not promote these brands... but in the same way that the vendors near the temple maybe misinterpreted as being allowed by its administrators (the temple Pharisees and Sadduccees in Christ's stay here on Earth), does not the Roman Catholic Church (being the primary religious organization being showcased in this teleserye) allow this commoditization of God's Presence and Being?

This is my simple concern.

I like the values the show shows through its protagonist, Santino. Nonetheless, is this contemporary, post-modern marketing approach acceptable to God? Did not Jesus set an example when He was here on earth?

While the marketing scheme being used by ABS-CBN and the brands is not blasphemy, aren't they using God's name (not the name, but the identity) for such worldly desires (profit)?

(I cannot speak on the presence of Bear Brand and Sorbetes, but still, the idea of being promoted in a series which claims uniqueness in its plot by telling the story of a child's life living on faith in contemporary times makes me remember that hardliner act by Jesus. The Globe scene that hit my nerve is that of Santino uttering marketing messages while and immediately praying.)

This is an unorganized post. I hope people will be reminded, though, that marketing techniques have to be applied properly. For me, this is not just cultural insensitivity--this is a moral fall for a nation that claims to be Christian, and its organization that claims all faith through involving itself in political affairs while being ignorant of its first duty (Remember Matthew 23:23-24?).