The Leave No Trace Seven Principles, which among is not usually observed

Since 1994, The Seven Leave No Trace Principles has clearly made an impact, it has helped people to improved their outdoors ethics and be considerate to the environment, wildlife, and to the other visitors as well. Despite all the best efforts of these principles can offer, people still do violate them. The point is, no matter what principles or laws being implemented, there is always a point where it is not obeyed or neglected, the same is true for the Seven Leave No Trace Principles. Throwing or Discarding trash is I the most neglected principle, despite all the posters hung everywhere that clearly says “throw your trash properly”, people still do discard it everywhere. One big proof of this is beaches, beaches has suffered being the “Trashcans” of visitors, lots of trash are pilled up in the coasts or being carried by the tides. In particular, the pollution Boracay Beach has suffered is tremendous, lots of trash are everywhere, at some point the beach water has turned green due to over pollution. It resulted into the aid of the President Rodrigo Duterte who obliged to help clean the beach, it was closed for over six months. This further solidifies my point that the principle “Throwing trashes properly” is the most neglected principle in the Philippines.

Dystopia

The Tale “Virtual Center” by Raissa Claire Rivera is based on the far future, particularly in the Metro Manila. It is all about robots took over humankind and that is because of many technological advancements that people made. Nick also spoke that there is a division between the rich and poor. This issue is present in the reality of the Philippines. Powerful people can use the poor in order to do their task and that the poor ones’ are dependent of the rich ones’. The poor ones’ lives are centered to taking care of the rich so that their money will take care of the poor.  It also highlighted that we must be careful and mindful when using technologies, it is not that technologies are bad, it can be harmful when used in the wrong way.

Basically the whole point of the story is that poor people would do anything just to make their lives a bit better. The poor people will willingly sell their own dignity, worth, and humanity just to continue living under the hands of the fortunate people. There is always a division of groups in a society because of power. 

Martinez

The short story “Martines” by Anna Felicia Sanchez starts with an anecdote of Richard Servacio’s Father who is sharing the myth of granting eternal life. Both Richard and Totoy wandered deep in the forest and Totoy telling him that the birds are the Martinez snipping off the tongue and the anecdote stopped, Totoy struck him with steel when Richard was about to run away, knocking him unconscious, leaving him behind. Then, with his arms and feet tied, he gets up in the night. He pleaded to Totoy for light, and he then saw the remnants of the lizard eaten by the Martinez, and there is Tata Onsing, moaning with distress, welcoming his death.

For some reason, I felt uneasy after reading the story, because it just feels lacking and incomplete. If I were to make an alternate ending of the story, Richard would still be able to save himself since he woke up and still have a short amount of time enough for him to unbound himself, or even if he is still bound with his feet and arms, he can still be able to flee the situation by looking around for sharp objects to free himself from the materials which that binds him. Then after unbinding himself, he would flee from the forest while carefully observing his surroundings. Another lesson telling that, no matter if there is a key to eternal life, it is not worth it since living life is not about living forever, it is all about living your life to the fullest and be happy of your story.

The story just signifies that without the knowledge of one’s culture can be deadly, because you don’t know what to expect and what would be the actions to do. This just further explains why we should not forget cultures because it is what runs our lives. Every action we do is always influenced by certain cultures learned by experiences or since birth. Forgetting or not knowing cultures can lead to racial wars and the loss of values embedded by the ancient people that shaped our world.

FlickerFadeGone

The boy reminds me of a friend of mine who plays games all the time but has changed because he has fell in love with someone. The boy is very similar to my friend of the short story, he was very devoted to video games and is very focused on the game, when he fell in love, his gaming time gradually decreases, his skills was not like before, and his time is spent most to the person he loves. Even after the devotion he shows to the girl, the love was one sided which my friend was the only one loving not the girl. After the experience, he became a new man, a better version of himself, he still plays but love has made him better but in a truly sad experience.  That is the way of life, it is what makes people live because of love, people would die because of love. It really pushes you to become better and better. After that hurtful experience that my friend experiences, the way for him to escape it is to play games. Games are the way to go when it comes to escaping reality because it offers different aspects of escapism that stimulates your mind and body, but no matter how easy it is to escape, reality cannot be avoided.

               If I were to create a video game, it would most likely be and RPG (role playing game) were in you are the one who creates the character and progress into a world where in you are also the one to build and progress with the resources found in the world. You can also do certain missions in order to gain many resources and unlock different talents and skills your character has. This game can either be offline, where in you can only collect resources and build your city and do offline missions, in the online world, you would challenge other characters or lead an invasion against another city. My game is basically like Clash of Clans but with an offline capability, ability to customize characters, and much realistic approach to simulation.  

Blog Entry 10

The story “Waiting” by Ron Darvin, talks about a mother wanting to work to another country to support her Family needs. She would work for hours and hours in order for her entire Family to be there with her. This highlighted that Migration is a consideration looked upon the Filipinos in order to sustain and possibly achieve a much comfortable way of living. It is not always the case when living in an another country, some stories of Overseas Filipino Workers are not good due to their employer being a sadist or abusive to them, but some do succeed and enjoy their lives to the fullest. Migration is the product of corruption; which Philippines has faced. Corruption has always been the reason why most Filipinos do not like to live in the Philippines, because the economy cannot meet the expectations and needs of the Filipinos, so that is why most people prefer to work abroad for greater wages and hopefully a better way of living. The story also said that her son and daughter feel homesick due to the fact that they have moved to Canada and that they missed their hometown with all their friends, culture, and overall Filipino life. Up until now, Filipinos still pursue this way of living, despite all the hardships they will face, it just goes to show that Filipinos are very resilient and persistent, even if their employer is abusive, they cannot refuse to the offer since they can gain pretty much a huge bonus and it is impossible to find substitute jobs for it.

Blog Entry 9

As I was reading the story “Turban Legends” by R Zamora Linmark, I was really disappointed in the Philippines but I also realized the reasons and also made me appreciate their doings. The anecdote was all about the hardships and experiences of being an overseas Filipino worker, and how they miss their families and friends. This anecdote then emphasizes that sending “balikbayan” boxes shows their love for their families and friends, these boxes are filled with stuffs either from foreign countries like souvenirs and other things that cannot be bought in the Philippines. The sheer amount of OFWs in the world sending these boxes results to an airport terminal transforming into a warehouse for “balikbayan” boxes, Overseas Filipino Workers are very essential to the Philippines nonetheless.

Philippines is a poor country, no doubt about it, this is why most Filipinos plan to work abroad for more job opportunities and possibly more income. Over six million Filipinos in total have reported to be working abroad, they are scattered over the world. Although working abroad was their choice, they have served a huge part in the Philippines’ Gross Domestic Product, over an average of $2.3bn a month over the past Five years.

Although it is really difficult working abroad, they have never give up and will always pursue success, that is the Filipino way. Going back to the main topic, the anecdote highlights the love of OFW to their Families and the undying tradition of sending them presents. It clearly shows that Filipinos love differently from others, as it can grow limitlessly and undyingly.

Reality

White does not mean pure and clean,

Villians hide and cannot be merely seen.

Black does not mean bad and dirty,

Heroes stand, even in the darkest proximity.

Of course, I might be mistaken,

but judge me for what I have done.

Crime is to arise,

with different color and language.

are we free?

or are we pretending to be?

Paghanduraw

Aduna bay usa na kinabuhi na ikaw kay ako?

Sayup ba ang oras, suwayan daw namon ang paghatag og paghigugma bisan gamay.

Ikaw, ay usa ka maayong damgo.

Gubot and mga mata patungo sa lain,

ayaw nalang, dili ka gyud akoa.

Diyot diyot ang akong lantaw sa imo.

Ikaw, ay usa ka maayong damgo.

Gigugol nako ang tibuok kinabuhi nga paghulat nga wala’y pulos aron mabalik ra ang paagi nga kaniadto.

Ikaw, ay usa ka maayong damgo.

Prince Leonell and Ava the Bandit - Chapter 5

Chapter V

The Final Battle

      Guards of Minsitthar then took Ava and held her, Leonell then grips the sword tightly and slashes it side to side emitting a harsh golden light blinding Minsittar. Leonell then runs towards him and strikes with a huge blow, but Minsitthar held his spear up high blocking Leonell’s attack. Minsitthar is really proficient with the Mythical Spear, he can throw it and the spear would just go back to his hand and can be thrown again. Leonell is at a disadvantage since it is his first time using the sword. Minsitthar then dashes towards him with his spear pointing to Leonell, Leonell then dodges it making Minsitthar’s spear stuck on the wall, Leonell then kicked Minsitthar down to his knees, bash his sword on Minsitthar’s armor. Minsitthar manages to escape and landed a lash to Leonell’s cheeks. Leonell is then bleeding a lot, but he continued to fight Minsitthar for the sake of freedom. He then charges towards him and anticipate a dodge from Minsitthar, Leonell’s plan worked, after Minsitthar had dodged the attack, Leonell punched the unarmored muscle in the arm of Minsitthar weakening Minsitthar’s grip and strength. Minsitthar then rushes uncontrollably, he lashes his spear again and again as Leonell continuously dodges his inaccurate attacks. Leonell knew that Minsitthar is so fatigue of the attack, so Leonell took the opportunity to strike a devastating blow to Minsitthar’s arm cutting it in the process and was defeated. Minsitthar kneeled down, with one arm dismembered, the Faceless Spirit Rah manifested in front and devoured Minsitthar. Ava was set free and was given the Mythical Spear that Minsitthar was wielding. As the Tyrant Ruler was defeated, Leonell was the new King of the Kingdom restoring what was lost for almost two decades. Ava, the Master thief was then given the title Paladin of Moniyan. Leonell then continued to spread peace and order.

Prince Leonell and Ava the Bandit - Chapter 4

Chapter IV

The Faceless Spirit Rah

      Ava and Leonell were finally ready for the retrieval of the Mythical Sword, Ava would just be a distraction if their cover is blown and then Leonell would just enter the Dungeon nonetheless. Ava and Leonell fought two guards and remained unnoticeable, they took off the guards’ armor and use it as a disguise for them to enter the Castle. Ava and Leonell had made it inside, Ava pointed to the right and whispered to Leonell to go down the stairs and find the Dungeon room. Ava and Leonell had split up, Leonell went down stairs, it is about 3,000 steps to reach the Dungeon room, as Leonell continuously went down, he can feel the presence of Faceless Spirit Rah. After reaching the Dungeon room, Leonell remained calm and emotionless as he unlocks the door and went inside. He was standing inside the Dungeon room, it was mysteriously lit, he continued walking until a cloud of mist passed in front of him, it manifested into the Faceless Spirit Rah, it was a big spider with a head of a human that has no face. Leonell continued to show no emotion as he knows the consequence for it. Leonell looks around and navigate through the lit Dungeon, Rah said that to find the sword, he must follow his heart. Leonell then believed Rah, he followed his heart with each step correctly leading to the way of the sword. As he went deeper in the Dungeon, he noticed a gilded door, it was the chamber where the Mythical Sword rests, he had no hesitation in going towards it. He then entered the room and begun to drain his life energy unto the sword, as this is required in order to wield the Mythical Sword. He then lifted it up and bash it to the ground leaving a huge crack, he almost forgot to keep a straight face, Rah almost would have killed him. Rah guided him back and Leonell ask to Rah if Minsitthar also drained his life energy for the Mythical Spear, Rah then nodded and said, “if one of the of you loss grip of the sword in the midst of battle, then I will devour who will lose”. Leonell made it out and finds Ava held captive by Almighty Minsitthar. Minsitthar would kill Ava if Leonell does not give him the Sword, Leonell then challenges Minsitthar for a battle for their lives.

Prince Leonell and Ava the Bandit - Chapter 3

Chapter III

The Plan

    After Ava had chased down Leonell, she told him that there is something that they could do to bring back order and peace to this tyranny that has caused the loss of countless lives and abuse of power. Ava, the Master Thief, told Leonell that there is a sacred weapon that only the righteous heart can wield it. Chills go down through Leonell’s spine after hearing that the Mythical Dawnbreaker is actually real, it rests in the depths of the Moniyan Castle. The sword was said to bring order and peace to those who wields it, it’s sheer power is capable of shattering the strongest of materials that exists, and it emits a strong golden glow around the edge of the sword. Ava said that this sword was once used by the Founder of the Moniyan Empire that has mysteriously vanished and left his sword under the Castle’s Dungeon. They planned to invade at night stealthily make their way down to the Castle’s Dungeon. Leonell’s challenge is to make it out alive with the sword or else he would be trap in the river of lost souls. The Dungeon is said to be hunted by the Faceless Spirit Rah, Rah would rip Leonell’s Face if he dare to show any emotion, Rah would constantly follow Leonell as he make his way down to the Dungeon Rooms and find the Mythical Dawnbreaker. If he is successful in retrieving the sword, he can then fight the Almighty Minsitthar that wield the Mythical Sunscorch Spear.

Prince Leonell and Ava the Bandit - Chapter 2

Chapter II

The Truth

      18 years later, Prince Leonell had grown up and is very skilled in combat and a very wise strategist like his Father. He may have grown but he did not know the truth about the history of the fallen kingdom, only Ava knows the truth. Ava is scared to tell him the truth about why he is called prince even though he is not the son of the current ruler. Leonell constantly ponders about his existence, about his true identity, and about Ava’s true identity. As Ava brought them food, Leonell would constantly ask Ava questions about the history, Ava would always evade the questions by just telling unrelated things about the conversation. Leonell could not take it anymore and said if he does not deserve truth then he will leave Ava then continue as a nomad. Ava had no choice but to spill the truth, she revealed that she was not his sister but just a mere bandit, she revealed that he is the Son of the King that once ruled the Kingdom, and she revealed the fall of Moniyan and who led the attacks. Leonell got angry and fled off, Ava knew that this would happen, she chased Leonell and had the craziest idea to fight back what was fallen.

Prince Leonell and Ava the Bandit - Chapter 1

Chapter I

The Fall of Moniyan

 Long ago, there was a newborn in the Moniyan Empire. He was to be proclaimed prince of the Empire, his name was Leonell. However, during his proclamation, invaders from other regions started attacking them. Spears flying in the air, swords yield up high, and battle cries, loud as a storm. The Royal Family did their best protecting their new born but at the cost of their own lives. The child managed to stay well hidden from the attackers, but then, a persistent thief on the Empire made herself in the Castle. She had white silky skin, a dark blue oceanic eyes, golden cascading hair, and such beauty emanate. She was also hiding from the invaders and also have a secondary purpose to steal treasure in the Castle. Her name was Ava, Ava the little bandit of Moniyan Empire. Ava eventually found Leonell sleeping in a hidden cradle, little Ava can’t help but look after Leonell in the cradle since he is not yet capable of fighting. Ava took the opportunity to steal all the things she needs and then hides it in Leonell’s Cradle. She took Leonell to her hideout since it is way safer for them. Ava have no one to protect her so she had developed skills in protecting her own, she was still young yet dangerous at the same time. She is now responsible for the life and safety of Prince Leonell. After the invaders had gathered all the resources from Moniyan, they reformed and changed everything, the invaders were under the power of the Almighty Minsitthar.

Are We Safe?

               Hey it is Ites Lobanoc, back at it again with another blog for you. This time is all about the story in which Sandra Nicole Roldan wrote entitled “The Safe House”. Now let me give you a brief summarization, basically, it is all about the life of a young girl who was five years old at that time who lived during the period of President Ferdinand Marcos, as the perfect life she knew decayed. At first, I did not expect to have such a very unpredictable plot twist, as I thought from the title “The Safe House” was actually a safe house for danger like storms, typhoons, and other disasters. Little did I know, it was referring that the safe house was actually a hideout for the revolutionist that the young girl’s father took part of it, they constantly discuss about plans, dead bodies, and strategies.

               It really pains me that the father will just keep on telling lies to her daughter not knowing that it will completely change her life in the future. The father said that the visitors are her uncles and relatives, but in actuality, they are her father’s co-revolutionist who were hiding from the cops hence the title “The Safe House”. The part when the young girl’s mother left and kisses her children goodbye really got me, growing up without a mother and having a father who does not care about his daughter is really tough, I may not know that feeling but I know it is really painful. At the end, her father was arrested right in front of the house then she was sent to her grandparent’s house where it is more safe, but she doubts it and never could ever build trust again, not even the safest thing that exists. Late one night, an old man was knocking on the door, it reminded her of danger and will not know whom to trust. If I was the one in the story, I would also feel the same and understand the young girl, she was so innocent and believed everything that her father tells her. Being lied to something really big and life changing is hard to accept, I know that her father is just protecting her from danger and is trying to save her innocence, but at the end, it backfired, leaving a traumatic memory for the young girl.

So would I sympathize with her decision? Yes, I would, I cannot fathom why hiding something so big would be a great idea. Like the young girl in the story, I would also be having issues trusting something or someone ever again, it will leave a scar, it will stay there and often remind you of the past. I am afraid to trust again knowing that I had trusted someone before and eventually backstabbing me. The young girl did not know, and if I were the young girl, I would not know too, so it is a natural reaction for her to do so.

bête noire

He is powerful, Extravagant and ambitious. Lost, I’m in an endless spiral of suffering, Pleading for remedy.   Mind and Body, exhausted. Everywhereness as he is, he is always watching.

Undying Starlight

Hey it is me again, back at it again with another blog post for y’all. Ever read “Padre Faura Witnesses the Execution of Rizal” by Danton Remoto? Not yet? Well, let me tell you that it is a very good poem, a very symbolic interpretation of the execution of Jose Rizal and merely explain his Philosophy. After reading Danton Remoto’s work, I felt like Rizal knows what is about to come for his future. He really knows the consequences and the effects for his actions, that is why Rizal is such a very brilliant person. Nonetheless, unexpected things can occur, even Rizal accepted facing death, that was his consequence, but I can not even fathom how Rizal greatly contributed because of his heroism. 

Though Rizal did not actively participate in conducting and planning of the Philippine revolution, by the time his writings broke out. It eventually led to the independence of the Philippines making him guilty for a rebellious act against the Spanish Colonial Government. 

When Danton Remoto said “Salt stings my eyes”, I felt that too, Rizal was a brilliant writer and a hero we look upon  to. He was the star, the brightest star that shines upon the universe, even until his death, his starlight is ceaseless, it will be an undying starlight that will forever shine.

Essence of Reading

Hey it is me again, Ites Lobanoc and I am back at it again of posting blogs to just inform y’all of some important things about reading. First of all, reading is a very important skill to be skillful at, reading is simple, it is just a form of decoding text and deciphering meaning from it. As simple as that can lead to some great changes. If you are a Filipino, you may know that the national Hero of the Philippines is Jose Rizal, he took part of the revolution by writing the famous Novels, Noli Me Tángere and its sequel, El filibusterismo. But why does this have to do with reading? Well let me tell you that if the people back then weren’t able to read, then the Filipinos would not gain freedom against the Spanish Government at the time because the Novels were representations of the whats happening in the Philippines in that time frame. So basically my point is that we should nurture our ability to be able to derive  meaning from symbols and understand what the writer’s depiction or what the writer’s want to tell the readers. I bet that without the basic skill of being able to read, we wouldn’t progress this far as humans. This has been Ites Lobanoc and I will catch you in my next blog post people, remember to appreciate your ability to read, it has helped you a lot.