US Demand For Nurses To Remain High In Next Decade

Category: Nursing

MANILA, Philippines -- The demand for nurses in the United States will remain high for the next 10 years, according to an official of the US National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

An initial group of examinees took the National Council Licensure Examination at the first NCLEX testing center in the country on Thursday.

"The nursing shortage is still significant and research still indicates that there is a future anticipated shortfall of more than a million nurses in the US," Casey Marks, NCSBN associate executive director, told reporters in an interview.The shortage is worldwide, according to Marks. In the US -- a preferred destination of many Filipino nurses -- "there is certainly a significant demand for a long period of time," he said.With opportunities looming ahead, Marks said he would encourage more Filipinos to take up nursing as a profession.

"That's one of the reasons we are here," added Robert Whelan, president of Pearson Vue, which owns and operates NCLEX testing centers in various parts of the world, including the first center in the Philippines, located at the Trident Towers on Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City.Ninety "candidates" took the NCLEX, among them 43-year-old Benjie Almonte, a mechanical engineer by profession.

Almonte, a father of five, arrived at the testing center at 7 a.m., two hours ahead of the scheduled start of the exam.He told a local television that he reviewed hard for the exams because he wanted to work in the US as a nurse.

High security were being implemented at the testing center, following measures that established the identity of the examinee and ensure that there would be no distractions during the exam, Marks said.

"The licensure practice is a matter of public safety. We want to make sure that that person is who they say they are. In fact, a number of US states require background checks," he added.

The opening of the NCLEX testing center signified the NCSBN's confidence in the Philippines, despite the leakage in the 2006 nursing licensure board exam that nearly dashed that batch of Filipino nurses' dream of working in the US."While the exam leakage was a matter of concern while we evaluated Manila as a testing location, we had our stipulated criteria from the very beginning, issues of national security, exam security, intellectual property concern, the issue of the number of candidates who will take the exam to make it financially worthwhile," Marks said.

"The exam leakage was just a pause in the process, it never really truly impacted on the evaluation and the criteria (to make Manila a testing center)," he said.Marks said that in any testing center, even in the US, problems could arise that may even lead to its closure.

"There always are individual candidates who do incredible things and sometimes they work with coaching schools in the wrong way," he said.

Both Marks and Whelan stressed the importance of having a "good partner on the ground," the local agency that would be able to address such problems.

The NCSBN and Pearson Vue have partnered with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) for the administration of the NCLEX in the Philippines.

The NCLEX testing center in Manila is Pearson's biggest, with 45 seats, according to Whelan.The NCLEX is one of the major requirements for a foreign nurse to be able to get a license to work in the US.

"Once you have the license to practice, it certainly improves the odds of getting a visa to work in the US. The idea of bringing the exam to local constituents (like in Manila) will help facilitate that process to identify for US authorities people who have high probability of gaining employment as nurses," Marks said.

Whelan said 90 examinees were set to take the NCLEX daily, and around 4,000 have been scheduled to take the exam.

Foreigners can also take the NCLEX at the Makati City testing center, he added.

Source:

By Nikko Dizon Source: Inquirer Last updated 08:37pm (Mla time) 08/23/2007

Update: Results Of The June 2007 Nursing Board/Licensure Exam

Category: Nursing

According to Pinoy BSN, results of the June 2007 Nursing Board/Licensure Exam will be released end of August as also reported previously:“The release of the June 2007 nursing licensure examination results will be out by August 15 or 17 up to 31 at the Professional Regulation Commission office in Manila”.

Oathtaking is scheduled on October 2, 2007.

Source:
http://salaswildthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/07/release-of-june-2007-nursing-board-exam.html

I Miss Going To School...

Category: Random Ramblings

I must say that I miss going to school...
I miss those sleepless nights munching nuts and gulping coffee while reading a tantamount worload of psychology and nursing textbooks...

Now, I am about to plan my future and I am at a lost..
I thought it was easy to decide when you have already two diplomas but I guess being at the fork of the road is the hardest time in my life given all the trials that came my way this year...

I am also overwhelmed my the endless possibilities and opportunities waiting for me..
I wish I could have someone by my side to give me a sound advice such as my beloved mother...
However, she is an angel now...

and in tough times like this I have no one to depend on but myself...
I know that with God's grace I can surpass all of these trials...

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: June 25, 2007

My Mother --- God's Gift To Our Family

Category: Random Ramblings

( a story I wrote when my mother was still alive)

My mom was always there by my side. She was always there for me whenever I needed her. She helps me finish my homework, take care of me when I’m sick, feed me when I’m hungry and put me to bed. She sees to it that I study my lessons well. She also prays with me before I sleep at night. Mom was the best gift God had ever given our family.

But life wasn’t always a bed of roses. Time came when she needed me and my family too. I was twelve years old then and my younger sister was eight. We were too young to be tasked with a very huge responsibility during those times but we had no choice. Our mom was pregnant with our supposed to be third sibling but she was unhealthy and her blood pressure soared up. I don’t really know what happened that very day but my mom was in a coma for five weeks before she became conscious. She was unconscious during those five weeks. I don’t know how I could help her so I just held her hands and prayed with my sister and my dad.It was those times when God had tested our faith. Our mom had a 50-50 chance of survival. Our sister died in her womb after 3 weeks.

Mom was a very strong woman. She gathered up her strength and faith to survive. We were in despair but our faith was strengthened. We held on.Our mom awoke one day. She recognized us and called us to come beside her. She embraced us and enveloped us with her love for us. There were tears in her eyes. Those were tears of love and joy. God was really amazing. He gave her back to us because we still needed our mom.

Right now, mom has fully recovered. Our bonds became stronger than ever after that nightmare eight years ago. I love my mom very much and she loves me too. I can see her working hard just to send me to a good school. She always prays with me and she sets me a good Christian example. Mom was my best friend and my model. I always look up to her. She’s truly God’s gift to us. I just hope and pray to God that I will also be like her when I’m already a mom myself.

Is Alcoholism a Disease?

Category: Psychology

Yes, I think that alcoholism is a disease. It is something called a Substance Related Disorder. The craving of the alcohol is so strong that an alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious family, health, or legal problems. The person will eventually experience tolerance and withdrawal reactions ( Davison, 2001). His drinking becomes out of control. He has difficulty to stop the habit. His addictions becomes so strong that his whole life would be affected. In other words, he becomes disabled in some important area of his life. Alcoholism causes poor work performance, quarrels with family and friends, violence, aggressiveness and accidents while driving. According to Uihealthcare, alcoholism, like many other diseases, is chronic, meaning that it lasts a person's lifetime; it usually follows a predictable course; and it has symptoms. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a person's genes and by his or her lifestyle. The following is an article from Uihealthcare which gave reasons as to why alcoholism has been labeled a disease.

ALCOHOLISM: A DISEASE

In 1956, the American Medical Association decided that alcoholism is a disease, however more than 30 years later this is still debated in certain circles. Besides the medical opinion, there are many others (e.g., legal, sociological, religious) which derive from any number of social pressures. For example, the Supreme Court recently decided that the Veteran's Administration could consider alcoholism an individual choice rather than a disease. This decision, in many peoples' opinion, was made because of the financial implication related to "Service-connected Disability" payments rather than the merits, or lack thereof, of alcoholism as a disease. This in only one example of the many biased opinions (including the medical one) on whether or not alcoholism is a disease.

What does support the concept of alcoholism as a disease?

There is an abundance of information. Alcoholism is often compared to diabetes. Most people are able to eat carbohydrates and metabolize them without difficulty, however this is not the case with people who have diabetes mellitus. Many years ago, we had no idea why people with diabetes got into metabolic difficulty but now we know that it is because of an intrinsic lack of insulin and that this is genetically determined. There is a list of progressive symptoms related to diabetes: polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, blurred vision, and nausea and vomiting are seen acutely. If the disease goes on untreated, then there is end organ failure disease goes on untreated, then there is end organ failure and patients with diabetes develop failure of their vision and kidneys as well as significant cardiovascular disease with heart attack and stroke. How does one treat this problem? The patient needs insulin and a very controlled lifestyle diet, exercise and very special attention to one's habits. This will at least slow down the progression of the disease.

The same concepts of "disease" apply to alcoholism, and the progression of the disease was defined by Jellinek and is shown on the attached was defined by Jellinek and is shown on the attached Jellinek chart. Alcoholism is a progressive and terminal disease if no intervention occurs. It is clear that alcoholism fits the definition of a disease, and there is additional supportive evidence of this concept based on recent research and literature.

References:
www.gmu.edu/facstaff/facultyfacts/1-1/alcohsm.html
www.uihealthcare.com/topics/alcoholproblems/ alco4133.html
Davison, G.C. and Neale, J.M. (2001). Abnormal Psychology. 8th edition. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Hypnotism: The Power Of Mind Over Matter

Category: Psychology

“You are feeling sleepy – very sleepy,” the surgeon said as he inserted the needle into the patient’s flesh. The patient was not anesthetized but instead, he was hypnotized and he felt nothing. How did that happen?

Questions started to whirl in my head as I continued reading the Reader’s Digest magazine in my hand. I stumbled upon several true to life stories and news reports about hypnotism, which caused me to develop a keen interest about it. So, it was because of this that I decided to do a research about hypnotism in our Communication 2 class. I started to visit websites, magazines and spent hours in the library to have a background information since I have a very little idea about hypnotism.

I found out that hypnosis is a method of alternative healing. It is a simple, natural state of focused concentration that can allow us to use our own tapped resources to overcome our bad habits and feed ourselves positive images that can have a profound impact on our everyday lives. We can do hypnosis with a therapist or we can do it ourselves, a technique called self-hypnosis.No one knows why, but hypnosis does seem to work for certain conditions. Scientists speculate that they clearly occur because of the connections between the mind and the body. Suggestions have the capacity to affect all the systems and organs of the body in a variety of ways.

Scientists also believe that most illnesses are rooted from the subconscious problems of the mind rather than from actual infections or injuries. According to Dr. Dabney Ewin, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Louisiana State University, “ In almost every medical problem people have, there is a significant overlay of anxiety and tension”. This is why hypnotism was found very effective in boosting athletic performance, like in the case of Mary Lou Retton. Time Magazine reported that Mary Lou Retton, an Olympic gymnast, do visualization before her events to achieve top performance, which is a form of self-hypnotism. Mary Lou always perfectly imagined in her mind her gymnastic routines and developed a positive attitude that she would win the game. The results, of course, were great performances accompanied by gold medals, prestige and wealth. When she was asked what could she advise the all the other athletes and aspiring athletes, she just smiled and said, “It is all down to the power of thought”.

Hypnotism was also effective in losing weight, developing positive outlook in life, stopping smoking and use of drugs, reducing pain, preparing people for anesthesia and enhancing memory and mind power. It can also be used for overcoming fears and phobias, eliminating emotional problem and depressions, overcoming insomnia, overcoming inferiority, and anxiety and other character disorders. It was also very helpful in treating psychosomatic diseases such as asthma, high blood pressure, impotence and migraine.

How does it work? Hypnotism works by the power of suggestion. While in a hypnotic trance, the client accepts everything the therapist suggests. The positive ideas and images in turn will be stored in his mind. So by the power of his mind and by thinking positively, the body is likely to follow. For example, the therapist might suggest a person with insomnia that he will be able to sleep peacefully through the night etc.

Hypnotism, if used properly, can therefore be helpful in healing psychosomatic illnesses that might affect us. Although very useful, it should go hand in hand with proper medical attention, a positive outlook in life and a strong faith in God, our creator.

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: 2002

What are the possible family influences on Schizophrenia?

Category: Psychology News

The idea that families cause disturbed experiences, or more specifically that parents are responsible if their children have psychotic experiences, was popular in the 1960s. A term 'schizophrenogenic (schizophrenia-causing) mother' was even developed. These mothers were characterized as rejecting overprotective, self-sacrificing,, impervious to the feelings of others, rigid and moralistic about sex and fearful of intimacy (Davison et.al., 2001)

According to Davison (2001), aside from the influence given above, some findings also suggests that the faulty communication of parents may play a key role in the development of schizophrenia in their siblings. In connection with this, several groups of adolescents were studied with their families and consequently, the results showed that the hypothesis was significant.

Aside from the faulty communication of parents, another influence on the development of schizophrenia might be the high levels of conflict that exists within the family of the individual. In addition, the mistreatment of the family and lack of expression of emotion might also contribute to the disorder.

Recent research has suggested that, as with other problems, difficult family relationships in childhood and adolescence may be an important contributing factor for some people, but not all. It is unlikely that we will ever be able to say with any certainty exactly which combination of factors, in what proportions, has caused any one individual to develop psychotic experiences at a particular time.

However, research has revealed an important role the family can play in helping in the recovery of a person with psychotic experiences. In particular, attitudes of friends and relatives towards the person, and how they understand and react to the person's experiences are very important. They can also influence the extent to which the person is able to recover.

References:
Davison, G.C. & Neale, J.M (2001). Abnormal psychology. (8th ed.). New York: John Wiley
and Sons, Inc.
British Psychological Society web site. Available URL: mentalhealthcare.org.uk/schizophrenia/ causes/familyrelationships

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: 2004

My Role As A Nurse At A Global Perspective

Category: Random Ramblings

A nurse is a health care professional, who is engaged in the practice of nursing. Nurses are men and women who are responsible (with others) for the safety and recovery of acutely ill or injured people, health maintenance of the healthy, and treatment of life-threatening emergencies in a wide range of health care settings.

I plan to be a culturally competent person who provides holistic nursing care to a variety of individuals, families, & communities. As a future nurse of the land, I plan to render my services for a few years in our country first before going abroad to help other people in their health care.

To be able to do this is a challenge because I am just a student now without an extensive knowledge or experience in the field. As such, to be able to be a nurse at a global perspective requires competency. To acquire competency, I should know how to integrate the cultural beliefs, values, & practices of individual, families & communities not only of Filipinos but of all the clients of different nationalities into relevant nursing therapeutics with increasing self-direction. Moreover, I should learn how to incorporate the culturally-tied health beliefs & practices to facilitate the client or the patient's abilities to maximize their own health potential.

And as what our professors have told us, nursing is becoming transcultural, meaning that the nursing practice will extend through human cultures. When we graduate, we should render efficient nursing care to all individuals irregardless of race, creed or nationality…That is my role as a nurse at a global perspective.

Three Things I Wish I Have Right Now

Category: Random Ramblings

Three Things I Wish I Have Right Now:

1) A Singing talent

I have dreamed to be a diva since I was a kid. I imagined that I was Celine Dion or Britney Spears singing their hearts out and being applauded by a great number of fans. I have thought about this idea all the time. I really longed for the their talent and their charisma every time they are on stage. It seems they have the magic of drawing their fans into them. Of course, that seems impossible so right now I have narrowed down my wish from being a diva to being just a person who knows how to sing. "Kahit na ano basta marunong lang kumanta puwede na yun", I told myself. You might be wondering why I am writing this down since I am supposed to write down a personality trait but I can't help but include this because I have been yearning this talent since I was a kid. I am a good dancer but singing is one of the things that I cannot do. It is one of my frustrations in life. But then again, nobody is perfect right? However, if I am given the chance to take up singing lessons again..I will. I want to join the singing searches someday. And better yet, I want to establish my own choir or singing group in a church and touch the hearts of the people by our wonderful melodies. That is one reason why I want this talent… I do not know if I can still acquire this since I am already an adult but I hope that someday I can help build a congregation. If not a singer, I'll be a pianist since I know how to play the piano.

2) A Sense of Humor

Humor is the mental faculty of discovering, expressing or appreciating ludicrous or absurdly incongruous elements in ideas or situations. It is something that we enjoy, and we derive amusement from it.

I wish I had more sense of humor. My mother always tells me to loosen up because I am very serious at times but I can't help it because I really have a serious personality. I told her I cannot change that easily. I try to joke sometimes but it doesn't always work. Only a few people laugh at my jokes which means I am not effective. However, my mother told me that taking serious things lightly can often give us a better sense of perspective. Laughing also releases pent-up emotional energy because it even relieves our stress and cure our illnesses. I told her I'll try to do so. Nevertheless, I sometimes envy other people who cracks jokes and laugh so easily. It looks as if they only take things nonchalantly. Also, according to my mother, it prevents headaches and forehead wrinkles from forming. Her advice?

• Read or listen to humorous stories or books- I like reading Pugad Baboy and jokes in the Reader's Digest.
• Try to remember a few jokes that you like and try telling them to your friends. - I am not very effective at this because I forget most of the jokes that I have heard. I am not good in remembering their jokes.
• Avoid jokes that can hurt or offend other people. A lot of jokers tell jokes about facial abnormalities, sex jokes/green jokes and other jokes that make other people feel bad. However, I sometimes ask why do we laugh at other people's absurdities or mistakes. Why do other people's blunder amuses us? That, I do not know.
• Learn to laugh at your own mistakes and blunders. Learn to laugh with others, enjoy and appreciate the things around you.
• Take things lightly.

Whenever you have a problem or something is bothering you, do not sulk in your room and fret. Just pray and laugh and you will realize that the solution is just there around you.
And so, I promised my mother that I'll try to have a good sense of humor in the future.

3) Patience

It is the ability to: Sit back and wait for an expected outcome without experiencing anxiety, tension, or frustration. It is also a feeling of peace, contentment, and satisfaction that you are on the path to recovery and personal growth.

I must confess that I am an impatient person. I do not want to wait for a long time. When I am made to wait for a long duration, I feel tense and edgy. I even feel angry. This is one of the reasons why I dropped all my job applications two months ago. Well, I thought that I graduated from a good school with a good course so why am I being made to wait. When I graduated, I applied for jobs. After two months without phone calls of acceptance from my target companies, I got impatient, stopped applying for jobs and enrolled in Nursing. When I enrolled, phone calls just kept coming. This is my tremendous lesson of patience but I have no regrets whatsoever. I learned that by being impatient I:

• Run the risk of always being dissatisfied, upset, and angry at myself for my slow pace of growth and change.
• Become a member of the "throw away'' generation, discarding relationships, people, jobs, and school whenever things are not working out as quickly as I want them to.
• Be in such a hurry that I neglect to count my blessings and see how far I have come.
  But how do I acquire or develop this positive virtue? Perhaps I should modify my spiritual perspective to include God as a guide on this journey. I should be ready and willing to face my challenges as my strive for personal growth. I should also live my life one day at a time and live my life to the fullest.

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: 2005

Movie: Pay It Forward

Category: Movies

I remember the time when I was in college a few years ago when my professor in Personality Psychology mentioned his favorite movie while discussing our topic of the day: altruism. Altruism is a term that refers to doing good deeds and service work for others out of the goodness of one's own heart and without expecting anything in return. He recommended the class to watch the movie "Pay it Forward" and see if it will also touch our lives as it touched his. I can say that it is a movie from the heart that connects with the heart.

The film revolves around Trevor and all the people around him. The climax started when their class was assigned to think of an idea to change the world and put it into action. For me, Trevor's idea was absolutely brilliant for it is better to put the good deed forward to three other people and try to make a difference in their lives than returning it back to the person who gave it to you. Now, two years later, watching it again brings back old memories, fresh tears and somehow makes me wonder for a second time if I can also change the world like what Trevor did in the movie. I have also doubted its possibility many times for I have speculated deep in my mind that it is not in our human nature to be truly altruistic. Such a person only exists in a perfect world…in a realm which we call Utopia. However, try as I might, I now realize that nothing is impossible with God and it is now up to us if we can make it possible. I must admit that it is undoubtedly challenging to think of something I can do to others…something that I can do to really help them.

After hours of pondering, I decided that the help should not really be something that people cannot accomplish on their own like what Trevor did. Maybe, I can be able to make a difference in my own little way even though it is not something very very immense. ..First, I can be able to render my help to anyone without counting how many I've helped. Second, I can share the Gospel with other people. When I was in college, my classmate gave me one to one sessions about certain topics about the Bible and about the Christian life. After the lessons, I was expected to do the same way so I decided to choose my mother as my student… It's is also up to me if I want to share it with more people..The idea was great but I was not able to finish the lessons with my mother. I cannot just sit back, relax and let the idea atrophy.

The movie somehow woke me up from my deep slumber because I have been dealing with only the earthly things that I do day after day these past few months. I can sense that something is missing in my life right now. My plan at the moment is to continue what I stopped doing which I have mentioned above. And as what Trevor said, we should not just give up because when we do, everybody kind of loses. I think I can in one way or another help others and change the world by doing that.

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: October 2006

Heart to Heart Talk With My Little Sister

Category: Random Ramblings

It is normal to get confused and wonder about who we really are as individuals. All of us encounter the stage wherein we experience our own search of identity and roles. Sometimes we ask ourselves who we are and what we want to do with our lives. Sometimes we feel so torn because we are not so sure about ourselves anymore………

I set up an interview with my younger sister the other day. She was way too busy but she couldn't say no to me either. So in other words, I just squeezed the interview into her schedule. And because of this, she was not in a very good mood and she kept saying "bilisan mo, dito na lang kasi". I didn't want to rush her so I just told her to finish what she was doing and left. It was an hour after she went to my room and settled on my bed.

Before the interview, I didn’t feel comfortable. First, I was already sleepy and I can tell that she has still a lot of things to do. Second, my sister is very reactive when it comes to interviews. I guess she is not used to being interviewed because she feels being interrogated so she kept saying "ano na naman ba yan?". Third, I didn't feel that she would cooperate because she's not really serious when I talk with her. When we talk, she would just joke around and blabber most of the time.

Even though that was the case, I chose her because there was a compelling force that made me choose her. I was supposed to interview my friend and if not, my dad but it did not push through so I chose my sister instead. I'm not sad about what happened and I'm not regarding my sister as a great substitute, don't misinterpret me here. I just felt that I wanted to be closer with my sister and know her more especially when it comes to the family issues that she wanted to talk about.

We talked about her weaknesses and strengths, expectations of our parents and what she felt about those expectations. First, she told me she was not close with our father since he was always out of the country during the first 12 years of her life ( she's 15 years old now). Because of this, there was always this line between them. She couldn't voice out everything on her mind when dad is around. Her exact words were:

Pag nandyan si daddy sinasala ko yung sinasabi ko. Kung kayo lang ni mommy, okay lang na language bading yung gamitin ko. Pero pag nandyan si daddy, dapat ayusin ko yung sinasabi ko dahil baka pagalitan ako kung ganon ako magsalita. ( Krizia/ 8-19)

Second, she told me that she was confused with her role. In school, she is superior among her classmates but in the family she feel inferior. When I asked her why she just shrugged and said that she was always being compared to me….as in always. Since she could not surpass me in terms of academics, she felt that she was seen as inferior. She stressed that we are different and we are both intelligent in different areas of interest.

The third issue that she raised was about the value of worth. When she talked about it, her tears just kept falling. She was always emotional when it comes to this topic. According to her:

Minsan..kunwari (cries) kasi sa school mataas ako. Dito sa bahay mababa ako. Halimbawa pag naguuwi ako ng medal ng alas-kuwatro hanggang alas-sinko lang yan. Pagdating ng 6 wala na nakalimutan na. Gusto ata nila kung meron lang mas mataas sa top 1 yung ang gusto nilang abutin ko. Gusto nilang lahat abutin ko pero dito wala…..parang wala bang mas iaangat yan. Cream of the crop na nga ako sa school eh tapos ganon pa rin. Hindi lang naman ako nagkakaroon ng medal para ma-appreciate nila. At least naaapreciate ako ng iba. Hindi ako open dito kasi hindi naman ako napapansin….

I have come to the realization that my sister was right. My parents, especially my dad, would pressure my sister to reach for the top and always compare her with me. When she shows her certificates our dad just smiles and says " Wow, ang galing" in comparison with my " Wow, ang talino nagmana yan sa akin" and brags about it the whole evening. I felt crying with my sister. I see someone who is searching for identity, who is striving harder and who is just being to herself and letting her heart out. I think she should not be compared with a person who is entirely different from her.

I just urged her to talk what was on her mind and let her air her angst. She told me all her weaknesses and strengths. I asked her how could she turn her weaknesses into strengths. She worked it out by talking to herself and recording it in the cassette. She also directed some of her messages to mom and dad.

I'll never be Ate Lala…at sana naman maging consistent kayo mommy….

What we did was a heart to heart talk. I am quite domineering at times but that day was different. I gave her total acceptance as my sister, affirming her worth and very being. I did not judge her and intimidate her like I would normally do ( sometimes) . I myself have very high expectations on my sister. I wanted her to be like this and that. I want her to aim high and reach for the top and read all her books. I guess I have a part to play too.

In the end I advised her to do what she want and enjoy doing. In other words, just be herself. I told her that our parents do not really want to put her down. Sometimes, maybe they are also being unfair but perhaps they have high expectations on her because they can see that she can do it. I think my sister should not just keep silent. When she feels something is not right, she should be transparent enough with the family and point it out. We hugged each other in the end. It was a really a very nice conversation with my sister because I learned what she felt. I also told her the purpose of the interview and explained to her unconditional positive regard in layman's terms. She was very inquisitive. In fact, she wanted to take BS Psych in the future. …

Message to my sister:

I love you sis. You don't know how much you mean to me.

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: August 20, 2003

I Trained Pigeons..would you imagine?

Category: New Discoveries

I would never forget that time when our professor in Learning Psychology tasked us to learn something extraordinarily new for that semester. I don't know what sinked into me but I decided that I would train two pigeons in the Skinner box.

(A Skinner Box is a often small chamber that is used to conduct operant conditioning research with animals. Within the chamber, there is usually a lever (for rats) or a key (for pigeons) that an individual animal can operate to obtain a food or water within the chamber as a reinforcer. The chamber is connected to electronic equipment that records the animal's lever pressing or key pecking, thus allowing for the precise quantification of behavior.)

The pigeon was supposed to be a supplemental learning activity for me. What happened was, it became my one and only project besides the optional paper about training. Hence, I paired up with my friends – Henry, Sab and Toni. I was very blessed to have responsible and motivated group mates like them. We thought that the topic was very exciting and sometimes referred to it as cool and astig.

Our first task was to buy 2 pigeons. We had a lot of adventures and misadventures on the way. It was Sab who was able to get hold of Maximus (pigeon 1) and I was the one who bought Dao (pigeon 2) from the pet shop last December. Dao was already a peculiar bird from the very start. According to the attendant, Dao was an imported pigeon. Maybe he was raised in the wild because I have observed that he was not used to the presence of humans. Whenever I would feed him (I don’t know if it’s a he or a she), he would raise his head and heave his wings as if he was going to a battle. He would always peck my hand ferociously. That was the best term for his behavior. I started to acquire a “fear of pigeon pecks” but I was able to uncondition it when Dao died. Dao would not also eat whenever someone was watching him. But whenever one would leave or hide, makikiramdam muna siya then he would eat his food hungrily.

Dao was also very fat. He has almost twice the body size of Maximus. Come January, when we started training them, starvation has to take place. We have to deprive them of food and water so our reinforcer will be more effective. I don’t know whether we were right in starving them at the same rate. We treated them equally even though they had different body sizes. Unfortunately, Dao was not able make it. I saw him the day before he died and he was just sitting there, very serene and peaceful. I had no idea that he would die the next day. His feces were already sickly green. Although he was not able to learn the target behavior, at least he was able to peck under the light source. He only went that far. That behavior took us 4 sessions for Dao unlike Maximus who was able to learn the behavior immediately after the first session.

Maximus, on the other hand, was a local pigeon. Compared with Dao, he was used to the presence of humans and he was cooperative right from the very start of the training. I have also observed that his reflexes were active when I was trying to place my finger or use whatever stimulus there was, Maximus would always follow the object or he would always move his head in the direction of the stimulus. And so, we were not startled when Maximus was able to perform the expected behavior after the first session of the formal training. As what we have said before, it was not really about teaching them how to peck but conditioning them to peck. There was a food aperture that was presented immediately as a reinforcer for the performance that was to be conditioned, which was, pecking the illuminated key. Nevertheless, it was still extraordinary because we were able to witness how animals learn. I would never have imagined that creatures such as pigeons would learn that fast. Moreover, when presented with the stimulus 1 or 2 days after the first session, the pigeon would still have the memory of what behavior to perform.

The first thing we have to know was how to operate the machine. Given the complex connections, we were only able to know the first set of wirings (the timer and reinforcement). I am not an expert when it comes to electronics so I was only able to memorize the connections. I was not able to understand the flow of the electrical current since we were pressed for time. The next step was the exposure of the pigeon to the unfamiliar surroundings. Maximus and Dao were fed in the Skinner box for 2 days so they would get used to the surroundings until it can no longer generate disruptive behaviors. Then, successive approximation was applied to condition the pigeon to peck the illuminated disk. At first, the performance that approximates the goal behavior was reinforced. After the pigeon was able to do it, the criterion was lifted, for example, to a higher level of head raising or when the pigeon looks directly at the illuminated window. This process continued until the pigeon’s behavior was shaped into a new form.

Maximus was able to perform the desired behavior during the first session of “fixed-ratio”. He was able to peck from five and even up to thirty times. However, the “fixed-interval” was not that successful. I think that the pigeon was not able to discriminate the kind of light and the timing. He was quite confused and distracted when we changed the light to yellow to red and back again. He would look out of the window, go around the box or peck at the unlit keys. The last behavior we taught Maximus was a 360 degrees counter clockwise turn / walking in a circle. Maximus was really an intelligent subject. Even Kuya Milo was amazed. The next time around, I want to learn how to train pigeons to be messengers. The effort really pays off.

To end this chronicle, all I can say is that learning happens all the time, wherever we are and in whatever we do. It is in fact a continuous process. Through all these activities, we have appreciated the concept even more. We have witnessed how it occurs in a more scientific level not only in humans but also in animals such as pigeons as well. I am also thankful that I was given the chance to use the Skinner Box even once in my life. I would only encounter the equipment in Psychology books before and now I am proud to say that I have already operated it. Some of my friends who are also Psychology students from other schools became green with envy whenever I would brag about our project. I firmly believe that studying should not only be “concept” bound but it should have practical applications as well. What an experience! Moreover, our class in learning was satisfying in a way because we were left to discover things on our own.

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: 2004

Namaste!

Category: New Discoveries

When we met our professor for the first time last week, I learned an Indian gesture or term that I could or rather the class could never forget. Up to now, when we see each other in the corridors and hallways or feel stressed due to our schoolwork and hospital duty, we greet each other "namaste my friend". According to our professor, the gesture of namaste is a simple act made by bringing together both palms of the hands before the heart, and lightly bowing the head. In the simplest of terms it is accepted as a humble greeting straight from the heart and reciprocated accordingly.

When I did my research, I found out that Namaste is a composite of the two Sanskrit words, nama, and te. Te means you, and nama has the following connotations:to bend, to bow, to sink, to incline or to stoop.All these suggestions point to a sense of submitting oneself to another, with complete humility.

Simply put, namaste intimates the following: "The God in me greets the God in youThe Spirit in me meets the same Spirit in you'. In other words, it recognizes the equality of all, and pays honor to the sacredness of all since we are all God's creation and we are created in His own image and likeness.

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: February 2006

Parang Isang Lapis Lamang...

Category: Random Ramblings (ver: Tagalog)

Ang buhay pala natin ay tila isang lapis….Sa umpisa mahaba pero darating ang panahon na tulad ng isang lapis, tayo ay mauupod din. May mga panahong masaya ngunit may mga panahong tayo ay natatasa. Kung minsan tayo ay nagkakamali ngunit maaari naman itong mabura at mabago. At sa bawat hakbang tungo sa dulo ng bawat pahinang ating sinusulatan, tayo ay nag-iiwan ng marka.

Noong ako'y musmos pa lamang…napakarami ko nang tanong sa aking ama. Minsan pa nga napapansin kong nakukulitan na siya sa akin. Sa edad na tatlong taon..umaakyat ako sa bakuran ng aming bahay at magbibilang ng 1 hanggang 100…minsan ang mga titik sa alpabeto pa nga. Wala akong sawang magtanong.. bakit asul ang langit, bakit minsan may araw minsan naman ay madilim, sino si Jesus at nang ang kapatid ko ay ipinanganak sa ospital lumapit ako sa kanya at tinanong kung paano nagkakababy…Mapasensya naman ang aking ama. Hindi ko alam kung gusto lang niya akong tumigil o matiyaga talaga siyang magturo sa isang batang katulad ko. Hindi ko lubos maisip ang misteryo na bumabalot sa ating mundo noong ako'y musmos pa lamang……

Noong ako ay tumuntong ng mababang paaralan, pinag buti ko ang aking pag-aaral. Lagi nga wala noon ang aking ama dahil siya ay isang geologist sa ibang bansa. Hindi na kami masyadong nagkikita pero sabi ko kaya ko naman mag-aral at sagutin ang mga tanong na naglalaro sa aking isipan. Hindi ako mahilig sa mga laruan o makipaglaro sa mga kapitbahay. Naalala ko na hindi ako masyadong binibilhan ng maynika o kung ano lang na mga laruan. Dapat daw educational sabi ng aking ama…lego, computer, building blocks at clay daw ang bilhin para daw mapagbuti ang imahinasyon ng mga bata. Hindi man lang ako nakaranas ng mga patintero masyado o tumbang preso o tagu-taguan dahil tago ako ng tago sa bahay…nakabaon sa aking mga libro. Ayos naman ang aking mga grado noon. Lahat sinasalihan ko na rin. Ang sabi ko nga sa aking sarili..minsan lang tayo mabuhay kaya naman gawin na natin ang lahat. Pinagbuti ko ang pagtugtog ng piano, pagtutula, pagsusulat ng mga kuwento, pagsasayaw at kung anu-ano pang puwedeng salihan sa paaralan. Nappatuloy ang ganito hanggang maabot ko ang mataas na paaralan at mapapunta sa unibersidad.

Naaalala ko ang mga panahon na ako ay naninirahan sa loob ng UP Campus. Isa itong paaralang ubod ng laki…parang higanteng lalamunin ang mga langgam na estudyanteng kumakaripas ng lakad para mag-aral. Walang ginawa kundi mag-aral…..sila ay papunta sa kani-kanilang mga silid aralan..kantina..silid aklatan o ang iba kahit sa may sunken garden, hagdan o kahit sa ilalim ng puno ayos na basta makapag-basa lang. Ako naman..nilalabas ko ang upuan ko mula sa kuwarto ng dormitoryo at maghahanap ng aking sariling puwesto kung saan ako ay makakapagmuni-muni…kahit saan basta malapit sa mga halaman. Sabi nila…mas maganda daw kapag ika'y mag-aral malapit sa mga halaman…madali mo daw maintindihan ang mga inaaral mo….di ko na alintana ang gutom o uhaw basta makapag-aral.

Pressured talaga ako noon. Bukod sa inaasahan ako ng aking mga magulang, kamag anak, kaklase at mga kaibigan na magtapos ng may titulo.. .ang mga kaklase ko ay mula sa mga science high schools. Napakagaling nilang sumagot sa klase at minamani lang ang mga exams. Kabado talaga ako noon kaya naman pag-aaral ko lamang ang aking pinagtuunan ng pansin. Bukod pa dito..napakalaki ng unibersidad.. nakakalito…nakakahilo….iba-iba ang mga tao…...personalidad, pananamit, pinanggalingan..mithiin…kurso. Tila ganito ang realidad…iba't iba talaga..ang daming puwedeng gawin..bahala ka na kung ano ang gusto mong gawin sa iyong buhay… bahala ka na talaga.

Ganon ang aking buhay noong 1st year college. Panay punta sa school, library tapos uwi sa dormitory…paulit ulit lang…may hinahabol kasi akong mga grado. Nakakasakit ng ulo at nakakapuyat pero kailangan…may dapat akong panindigan sa aking pamilya. Isa pa, mahirap magkamali…ayoko..di ako iyon. Sabi ko sa aking sarili dapat maging perpekto lahat ng aking gagawin. Walang panahon para magkamali subalit wala nang pagkakataon na maulit pa ang nangyari na…at isa pa..walang panahon para sa pag-ibig..wrong timing ito..isa lang ang gagawin tungo sa pangarap at iyon ay maging disiplinado sa pag-aaral…self control kung baga. Ang pinakamahalaga ay ang pinag-aralan at dito masusukat ang maarating ng tao sa kaniyang buhay. Education bring success daw….sabi nila.

Paulit-ulit…..parang isang tape recorder…ngunit ako ay masaya naman…hanggang sa dumating ang panahon na hindi namin inaasahan. Sinugod na naman namin ang aming ina sa ospital…halos kulay asul na naman siya…cyanotic daw…hirap' talaga huminga. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit gusto ko maging duktor. Bata pa lang ako sabi ko gusto ko mag medisina kasi gusto ko siyang magamot. Sa aking tanang buhay…parang pangalawang bahay ko na ang ospital. Sana'y na akong sinusugod siya sa ospital kung hirap na naman siyang huminga. Nasaulo ko na ang hitsura at amoy nito..Parang pinagahalong amoy ng swimming pool, alcohol at agua oxinada… Kahit nakapikit pa…Naririndi na din ako sa beep beep ng respirator o kaya ng call light. Minsan pa nga dito ko ginanap ang aking kaarawan…ika 13th na kaarawan ko iyon…at puro nakaputi ang aking mga bisita…sabi ng iba malas daw kapag 13 pero hindi ako naniniwala….

Noong sinugod siya sa ospital akala ko sandali lang kami noon ngunit nagkamali ako…Halos kalahating taon kami doon dahil pabalik balik ang kanyang sakit. Ang hirap talagang makita ang iyong mahal sa buhay na nagdurusa pero wala ka namang magawa…Pati bank account namin unti-unti na ring nagdurusa…Bakit pa kasi may nagkakasakit…? Bakit kailangan magdusa ang nanay? Hindi ko talaga mawari kung bakit..Simula nang ako ay ipinanganak hindi na mawala wala ang kanyang sakit. Ang tagal tagal namin sa ospital. Nakaka-stress talaga subalit habang nagbabantay ka nag-aaral ka…Minsan bigla na lang tutunog ang respirator o bigla na lang di ko makausap ng matino…parang gusto mo na mapaghinaan ng loob pero hindi puwede kasi kailangan ninyo ang isa't isa. Kailangan palaging nakangiti kapag nakaharap kay nanay…

Ganoon lamang ang buhay ko noon. Kapag okay naman ang kalusugan ng aming ina, palagi akong nasa dormitoryo at isang beses lamang sa isang linggo kung umuuwi. Kung may mangyari sa bahay…umuuwi agad ako. Matapos ang apat na taon, laking tuwa ko ng makuha ko ang aking hinahangad. Nandoon ang aking ama at kapatid noon para makasaksi ng isa sa mga napaka-espesyal na araw sa aking buhay. Hindi man nakapunta ang nanay, parang nandoon na rin naman siyang nakangiti sa aking tabi.

Ngayon, buhay pa rin ang nanay…Sabi nga ng aking ama daig pa daw niya ang pusa dahil ika-sampung buhay na niya yata ito…Hindi pa daw siya kinukuha ng Diyos kasi may misyon pa daw siya kailangang gampanan. Nakakatuwa naman kung ganon. Ang lakas kasi ng kanyang fighting spirit. Ganoon siguro talaga ang buhay…simple nga lang…ginagawa lamang kumplikado ng iba sa atin. Sa isip isip ko lang… kapag ikaw pala ay naghirap at nagdusa o masasabi mong narating mo na ang bingit ng kamatayan…doon mo matatanto kung ano lang talaga ang mahalaga sa iyong buhay. Noong mga panahong iyon…Diyos lamang ang aming gabay..siya lamang ang aming pinagkukunan ng lakas. Kahit na anong mangyari nandyan din ang aming pamilya…kahit na apat lang kami..matibay naman at matatag. Wala nang importante noon kundi iyon lang…ang Diyos at pamilya.

Ang buhay pala natin ay tila isang lapis….Sa umpisa mahaba pero darating ang panahon na tulad ng isang lapis, tayo ay mauupod din. Pero ayos lang naman kahit maupod basta naisulat ang kailangang isulat…...nagawa ang misyon sa buhay.

May mga panahong tuloy tuloy lang ang pagsulat ngunit may mga panahong tayo ay humihinto at natatasa. Kahit na masakit, tayo naman ay nagiging mas matalas..mas maalam kung kaya't mas maganda ang sulat. Ngunit hindi lamang panukat ang talas nito….tulad sa buhay..hindi lamang ang edukasyon ang batayan ng ating mararating. Ang ganda ng sulat ay produkto ng kaalaman, karanasan, prinsipyo at paninindigan ng isang tao. Ang nasa loob niya ang mahalaga....tulad ng isang lapis.

Kung minsan tayo ay nagkakamali ngunit maaari naman itong mabura at mabago. At ang panghuli, sa bawat hakbang tungo sa dulo ng bawat pahinang ating sinusulatan, tayo ay nag-iiwan ng marka…..markang sariling atin. Kung tayo lamang ay papayag na ang ating lapis ay hawakan ng Diyos, tiyak ang ating sulat ay gaganda…maupod man…ang buhay naman ay naging makabuluhan.

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: 2005

A visit to C.R.I.B.S. (An Act of Volunteerism)

Category: Arts, Places and Events

(photo: from Left, the author with her PWU friends)

C.R.I.B.S., as what we have discovered after our short briefing in Philippine Women's University (PWU), is an abbreviation for Creating Responsive Infants By Sharing. The center is made up of a compassionate, professional and responsive group of staff and volunteers committed to do the healing, recovery and development of abandoned, surrendered, neglected and sexually abused children and their families. And according to the information that I have read in their posters and displays, it is licensed by the DSWD as a child welfare agency. C.R.I.B.S. has a receiving home program that provides an alternative home environment for abandoned, surrendered and neglected children aged one day to 4 years old. It is maintained by a staff of professional caregivers and is able to support a maximum of 25 babies at any given time.

During the briefing, we were asked one by one about the reasons why we want to volunteer in that facility. Different thoughts encompassed my mind until I finally muttered that I want to volunteer myself because I want to apply what I have learned in theory as a nursing student and to be able to give myself to other people. I know that that phrase is already a cliché' but volunteering really gives me a good feeling that I am able to give some of my time and care for other people. It somehow gives me a sense of purpose and meaning.

After the briefing and changing of shirts and socks, we were assigned to the crawlers (less than 1 year old) and the toddlers ( 1 to 3 years old). It was Rica, Maa'm Tere and me who were assigned to the crawlers while Jack, Anna and Ate Linda marched to the second room to meet the toddlers. When we entered the room and saw the crawlers doing their own businesses, I began to ask myself "Why did their parents neglected them…?". They were like cute little angels. At first, I was kind of apprehensive to touch them because of the numerous rules that was mentioned to us a while ago for fear that I'll commit a mistake. One more thing also is that they are very small and fragile so I just observed them at first. I have noticed that the seven crawlers each had their own personalities. Leah was the first one that I carried and she really craves for attention. She knows how to move with the music and clap her hands. Rodel was also like Leah in the sense that they are very friendly toward their caregivers. They perform certain tricks and emanate certain smiles to catch your attention. Rico and Vincent, who were the smallest in the group, were the most behaved. Give them a book or a toy to read and they already transported to their own worlds. Ryan, who was a half Caucasian was also behaved at first but had tantrums after a while. The most difficult to handle was Alfred who I first saw in the slide shouting and crying for no reason at all. I was able to quiet him down when I put him beside the window but his tantrums began again when the story books were distributed among the crawlers. And lastly, I'm not sure if Nikki was the one who has cerebral palsy but she was the most quiet of the lot due to her condition. How time flies when you are really enjoying what you do because the 2 hours that we have spent with the kids were like only 30 minutes. After playing with them, looking after them and feeding them..we all said our goodbyes. I really love children so the time that we spent with them was a lot of fun and a memorable experience for us all.

Looking back, I learned that volunteerism is a virtue that we all have to acquire. It is through it that we are able to truly show the essence of altruism which is to help others and be of service to other people without expecting anything in return. The act of sharing was also emphasized. Second, I also realized how lucky I am to have responsible and loving parents who took care and watched over me and my sister over the years. The innocent children in C.R.I.B.S. were intentionally neglected and abandoned by people who call themselves parents. Those children should not suffer more and should be placed in the hands of qualified foster parents to allow them to experience the warmth of parental care and family life. And lastly, we were able to enjoy each others company and made new friends through this activity…old friends like Rica and new ones like Maam Tere, Ate Linda, Anna and Jack who also made my day worthwhile. I hope that Peer Facilitators Society of PWU would schedule more activities like this in the future because it is an activity which is very educational and meaningful. And I also hope that we visit C.R.I.B.S again. …

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: May 1, 2006

U.P. Oblation - One Of My Favorite Works of Arts In Campus

Category: Arts, Places and Events

It was Wednesday, the first day of Christmas vacation when I cruised around the campus to observe the different works of art. I’m not really concerned about it in the first place when our professor told us about it. Of course I am well aware of the more famous ones like the oblation by Guillermo Tolentino, the representation in front of the Business Administration and the Faculty Center Building. I was quite in awe when I discovered that there are a lot of arts inside the campus which were crafted by some of the famous painters and sculptors in our country. Well, I'm just going to ponder a upon my favorite artwork for now.

UP is very famous for its U.P. Oblation. It has become a major remnant in every UP campus. It has also become a symbolic link for the hundreds of thousands of the alumni and the Alma Mater. As far as I know, the nude figure of a man is a symbolic gesture of sacrificial offering of service to the country and humanity. It was a masterpiece of Filipino sculptor Guillermo Tolentino. It has also been said that Guillermo modeled the oblation after the late Fernando Poe Sr. The oblation, being the mascot or symbol of the whole UP system became a major rallying point point for all kinds of disagreements, protest actions, and social reproach, as well as expressions of public service, national loyalty, and patriotism. It also became the representative of the U.P. student’s unity, mission and vision.

I have also done quite a reading and research as to what the different parts of the statue represent. And I was very amazed to learn that the oblation wasn’t only about the gesture of offering. Instead, the nude man with outstretched arms and open hands, with tilted head, closed eyes and parted lips murmuring a prayer, with breast forward in the act of offering himself, is Guillermo’s own interpretation. The statue stands on a rustic base, a stylized rugged shape of the Philippine archipelago, lined with big and small hard rocks, each and everyone of which represents an island. At the foot of the figure he also put a cluster of he katakataka plant, symbolizing the deep-rooted patriotism in the heart of our heroes. The 3.5 meter height of the statue is representative of the 350 years of Spanish rule in the Philippines.

Indeed, I’m become very proud whenever I see the statue of the oblation. I don’t know why. One reason might be having the feeling that I’m a UP student and a part of the system or another is that seeing the gesture makes me feel patriotic myself. But I have a question though. Why did they added a leaf in the nude figure? Why did they leave it as that? If it is really a must to have a leaf in that part, then why did the oblation runners doesn’t have a leaf to cover their sexual organs? My..my it’s a wonderful thing to think about isn’t it? Maybe someone suggested to put a leaf for art’s sake and the runners doesn’t want to put the leaf because the run won’t be as thrilling and the view won’t be as breathtaking than what it was. Anyway, the oblation is the best work of art in the campus for me. :-)

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: January 2002

The Bonifacio Monument

Category: Arts, Places and Events

It was very early in the morning while we are on our way home to Paranaque from Ilocos Norte when we passed by Caloocan City. I just woke up around 8 a.m. just to realize that we are already near the Bonifacio Monument. It was because of this reason that I rubbed my sleep deprived my eyes and wondered where in the world is it located amidst all the traffic and the people bustling in the streets.

I haven’t step foot in Caloocan before so I haven’t seen Guillermo Tolentino’s sculpture either. I have been told earlier that you can’t come near the monument because it is located in the center of a busy intersection. You can only stare at it from the side streets afar or another option is to ride a car and watch it while passing through.

The monument was a creation of Guillermo Tolentino, the very same man who built the Oblation of our very own University. It has been said that Tolentino’s portrait busts burst the confining bonds of historic masterpieces to produce likeness revealing his deep insight into human character. His commemorative sculpture, often monumental, had a scale and grandeur matched by no other sculpture of his time.

The Bonifacio monument, one of his best know works in Caloocan was completed in 1933 ( and put on the ten centavo stamp of 1946). The monument, a kilometer west of the actual site, marked the apex of Tolentino's career. It had an Olympian spirit, graceful, grandiose and dramatic in scale and feeling, made up of 70 larger-than-life-size figures, with a 45-foot pylon topped by the winged figure of Victory that was bronze-cast in Rome. At the base, on a platform-like structure, figures are in a series of pyramidal variations, with opposing diagonals providing tension and dynamism.

The sight gave me a sense of national loyalty even though I only viewed the monument for a short time. Given all the restraints ( we don’t have much time to stare at it and the location was not very conducive either), I was able to stare at it enough to form an impression of it.

The monument was a towering site. I was awed not just by the height of the post but also by the emotions evident in the faces of the figures as well. There was a man holding a sword, another in squat position ready to pounce and another man holding his wife and his child, mouth open, shouting words of justice. As I’ve said before, the characters in the monument were well sculpted and their faces expressed the desire of justice and freedom from bondage. They were the revolutionaries who fought for our country. The bitterness and anger was well etched in their faces. Guillermo Tolentino was really a master sculptor and he should be remembered in our minds for his impressive works.

Unfortunately though, there have been news circulating that the monument will be transferred to an isolated site since the monument is near the MRT and the shakes and rigors caused by the transit might damage the statue. The bad thing is, it will be trans-located to a place that might be neglected and ignored by people since it’s a location I’ve never heard of before. I think they should be very careful in transferring the monument and relocate it to a place wherein it would be more valued and treated of importance. Artworks like this is a living reminder that Filipinos are patriotic and nationalistic. They are freedom loving people who always cry for justice and sovereignty. Thanks to Guillermo Tolentino for his artistry and excellence in the art of sculpting.

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: February 2003

The Splendor Of The North -- Paoay Church

Category: Arts, Places and Events

It was late in the afternoon in December 2002 when our family and relatives in Ilocos Norte decided to pay a visit to the very famous Paoay church or formally called St. Augustine Church in Ilocos Norte. The place was very serene and quiet with only a few tourists and visitors and some vendors lining the right side of the church. The sky was downcast and the church was quite stark and empty during that time, except for a few teenagers cleaning and decorating inside because there will be a wedding the other day. Unfortunately we were not allowed to go inside because visiting hours, according to the teenagers, were already over. But we were very persistent since I have to make a documentary and a term paper of the church. Finally, they agreed and allowed us to go inside but only for a short period of time.

Once again, I was stricken by the majestic façade of the church as well as the simplicity and strength showed by the big buttresses flanking both sides of the church. I already went there several times but I don’t get wearied and bored by the sight of it. In fact, I enjoy going there every time because it exhibits an enigma and an exotic church architecture. I chose this church of all the churches that I knew because of this reason. Moreover, it’s unique architecture is a combination of Mexican, Oriental, Gothic, Baroque and Buddhist styles. It is Gothic due to the presence of Pinnacles; Baroque because of the graceful curving and flowing scrolled buttresses supporting the lateral walls; Oriental because of the designs in the walls of the church an some other Chinese elements; and Buddhist as evidenced by the massive stone facings heaped on the façade resembling the design of Buddhist temples ( Manosa, 2003). It’s as if I’m looking at a Cambodian or a Borobodur temple. Although this church has a combination of various styles, it cannot be denied that the architecture of this church as a whole is uniquely Filipino. And of course who would not be proud of this masterpiece none other than Filipinos right?

It was quite sad to think that the church only enjoys a myriad of church goers during Sundays. According to my uncles and aunts, on weekdays the church enjoys busloads of Taiwanese and Koreans. This church has been suffering from lack of patronage. Paoay church should not also be ignored by town officials. It was apparent that there were some damages inside the church especially the flooring which has huge cracks due to earthquakes. The town officials together with the people of Paoay should act to refurbish and beautify one of the tourist spots in the country. As a matter of fact, Paoay church is included in one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites due to its architectural and historical value ( Villalon, 2003).

We Filipinos should be proud of Paoay church because imbedded among those layers and layers of bricks were the artistry and creativity of the Filipino people. We should be proud of it!

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: March 2003

Citations:

Manosa, Francisco. “Architectural Wonders of the World: Paoay Church.” Online. Internet. January 2003. Available URL: http://www.architech online.8m.com/architect.htm

Villalon, Augusto. “16th to 19th Century Church Architecture in the Philippines – Church of San Augustine.” Online. Internet. January 2003. Available URL: http://www.ncca.gov.ph/phil._culture/cultural_heritage/monuments/monument_century.htm.

Wow Intramuros!

Category: Arts, Places and Events

Intramuros is also one of the places that I love besides Vigan because of it’s historical setting and it’s ambience. They call it a city within a city because it was the capital of the city of Manila in the past . I always visit it with my family and friends and sometimes we have picnic in Fort Santiago or visit the well-known churches like Manila Cathedral and San Augustin or just have our own adventures around the establishment. Even though we have been there several times, it seems as though we always enjoy our visit every time.

Intramuros, a walled Spanish settlement is very big and encompasses 64 hectares. It was the political and commercial center under the Spanish regime (1571 to 1898). The walls, extending 4.5 kilometers in length, enclose a community of churches, schools, government offices, and buildings in Castilian architecture. We can really observe that this capital was really well planned. The location of the establishments was commendable.

Among the main sites in Intramuros are the Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral, Casa Manila, Puerto Real Park and San Juan de Letran College. Recent improvements led to the opening of a museum, a park, art galleries, an open-air theatre, fine restaurants, craft shops and souvenir stalls.

Fort Santiago used to be the seat of the colonial powers of both Spain and the U.S. It was also a dreaded prison under the Spanish regime and the scene of countless military police atrocities during the Japanese occupation. Here, too, Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last hours before his execution on Bagumbayan. (now Rizal Park).

Inside Fort Santiago is Rizal Shrine Museum, where we can find Rizal’s manuscripts and collections. It’s the place in Fort Santiago that we don’t miss visiting because it make us feel that we are again in the Spanish era. The museum looks like a Spanish house and the one’s we see in Historical movies. There are a lot of displays inside. There is even a room where the poem of Rizal was written and you can hear a recorded voice reading the poem in the background. There were also booths inside selling souvenirs and stuffs. I remember last time when we went there in the museum, we exited in the back door and ran like winged creatures above the large bricks until we reached the landing. We also went inside the dungeons and my sister and cousins pretended that we were prisoners moaning and asking for help. A view on the north side of the fort was wonderful because you can see the Pasig river and the canyons used during the Spanish era. The foundations wee made of bricks and expressed strength and antiquity.

The next stop, the San Augustin Church was built in 1571. A fine museum is attached to the church and is well worth a visit. Then, the visitor has the choice to walk on the walls of Intramuros on the way to Casa Manila museum, which puts in display the possessions and furniture of a wealthy Spanish family in the 19th Century. The Manila Cathedral is the second church that we can fin in intramuros and is the fifth stone church of Manila. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. From the air, it appears as a giant cross.

Intramuros is really one of the places in our country that we should be proud of. We should remember that the memories of the glorious past of our nation is imbedded within those layers of bricks and gates that made up intramuros.

Written by: Lani Diana Santo
Date: March 17, 2003

Viva Vigan

Category: Arts, Places and Events

Vigan is the town in our Ilocos Sur that I love most because of its serenity and milieu. Whenever my family and I visit it, I feel that we were transported back in the Spanish regime. My father is originally from Laoag, Ilocos Norte so whenever we have a Christmas vacation, we see to it that we stop by Vigan and enjoy the sights.

I was very curious about Vigan’s architecture so I researched about it and consequently decided to make a reaction paper about the beautiful town. I learned that it was founded in the 16th century and according to the Vigan’s official website, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia.

The people describe Vigan as a "place like no other". Its uniqueness lies in the townscape which is a blend of various influences of Asian, European and Latin American. Being the only surviving colonial town in the country, Vigan has more strung along the narrow streets of the old Mestizo District, popularly known in the olden days as Kasanglayan (Chinese Quarters).

Vigan, according to UNESCO, was earlier known as " Ciudad Fernandina" from 1758 to late 19th century, is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in the country. It has auspiciously escaped the bombs of World War II unlike its sister cities, Manila and Cebu.
How and why it has survived the wrath of war is a fascinating story on its own. The photograph on the left is a well know street in the town called “ Calle Crisologo”. Vehicles are not allowed to pass by certain streets such as this. The reason they banned the vehicles from passing was mainly to preserve the ambience of the streets and to safeguard the road from being damaged since it was made up of tiles.

Vigan brings images of old-fashioned houses, cobbled narrow streets, calesas and friendly faces peering out of large windows; a place where "time stood still". Yet, despite all the romantic images this place provokes, much is still unfamiliar about Vigan. Two years ago, we rented a calesa and had a tour around Vigan. It was really enjoyable because our family and relatives had the chance to witness the old houses and the old churches. Majority of the houses had windows made from Capiz. The tour was like being in a movie “Rizal” or “Noli Me Tangere”. I felt that I was one of the characters there riding the calesa in streets that reminded me of the past. Moreover, we had the chance to buy different antique furniture’s from the shops and bought big jars from the burnayan which you can see in the photograph below.

Vigan came from the Ilocano word "kabiga-an" pertaining to the plant "biga" abounds. Biga is a tuberous plant (alocadia indica) that once grew along the banks of its rivers.

Vigan was once a thriving center for trade and commerce among the people of Ilocandia and the Cordilleras. It is situated at the delta of the Abra River (now the Mestizo and Govantes Rivers) going to the South China Sea. This position at the mouth of the river most probably afforded its existence as it was a fluvial harbor connected to the China Sea, making trade possible with other islands and with China.

Today, Vigan was recently included in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List in December 1999 and converted into a component city last January 21, 2001. In partnership with the government of Spain, the Vigan Master Plan is in the process for the revitalization of the historic Vigan.

Written By: Lani Diana Santos

Date: March 17, 2003