If the weather was fine, I probably wouldn't be writing this post. I'd be on my way to Biak-na-Bato for the first year field trip. But, since it's been raining incessantly since yesterday, the trip has been called off. C'est la vie.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my classes today, since two of my sections were geared up for the field trip. I'll probably just run one of my trademark contests, replete with trivia, grammar and literature. That way, the students don't have to feel pressured, and I doubt that most of them will be in a mood for a lecture or something.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Quick Math Class
It seems strange that I came upon this in the Manila Bulletin just after acing the 8th grade math quiz. The following is taken from the story about the picketing of the MMDA office by transport groups:
"They claimed the MMDA is collecting P15 million monthly in traffic fines with 20 percent of this, or roughly P36 million (italics mine), going to the MMDA ..."
- p. 14, Manila Bulletin, October 25, 2005
Wow.
Even if one considers that there may be a typographical error, meaning a decimal point is missing, and the correct figure is supposed to be P3.6 million, there's nothing rough about 20 percent of P15 million. It's P3 million, period.
No wonder we're not only having problems in English, but in Math as well.
"They claimed the MMDA is collecting P15 million monthly in traffic fines with 20 percent of this, or roughly P36 million (italics mine), going to the MMDA ..."
- p. 14, Manila Bulletin, October 25, 2005
Wow.
Even if one considers that there may be a typographical error, meaning a decimal point is missing, and the correct figure is supposed to be P3.6 million, there's nothing rough about 20 percent of P15 million. It's P3 million, period.
No wonder we're not only having problems in English, but in Math as well.
Monday, October 24, 2005
"Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit"
Last night, B and I took G to Gateway to watch "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit".
And it was a lot of fun.
The movie was actually two-in-one, starting with a short clip about the Penguin Squad from "Madagascar". It didn't disappoint; it was hilarious from start to finish. I think that one of the reasons why I liked "Madagascar" was because of these characters.
The actual "Wallace and Gromit" movie was also very good; I'm a big fan of stop motion animation, and this one was just as good as the previous short films. Wallace, as usual, is his bumbling self, and Gromit (who is probably the more intelligent of the two) conveys so much emotion despite the fact that he doesn't speak a word.
G enjoyed both films, and was asking me and B if we could watch it again. Oh, boy.
And it was a lot of fun.
The movie was actually two-in-one, starting with a short clip about the Penguin Squad from "Madagascar". It didn't disappoint; it was hilarious from start to finish. I think that one of the reasons why I liked "Madagascar" was because of these characters.
The actual "Wallace and Gromit" movie was also very good; I'm a big fan of stop motion animation, and this one was just as good as the previous short films. Wallace, as usual, is his bumbling self, and Gromit (who is probably the more intelligent of the two) conveys so much emotion despite the fact that he doesn't speak a word.
G enjoyed both films, and was asking me and B if we could watch it again. Oh, boy.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Commonwealth Concrete Blocks
Yesterday, some person from Naga City castigated Philippine Star columnist Federico Pascual for "harping about" the U-turn concrete blocks scattered across Commonwealth Avenue, and went on to say that those who get in to accidents involving the blocks are either "drunk or reckless."
Wow. Somebody from Naga knows enough to criticize what Pascual is talking about? I wonder if that person has actually seen the concrete blocks, which, due to a daily coating of dirt and pollution, hardly display the yellow and black stripes which should warn drivers to swerve away. I think that that person should try driving down Commonwealth at night, and see whether he can navigate the blocks the first time around.
Being a regular driver along Commonwealth, I can say that I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Pascual that these blocks are a traffic hazard. Every other day, I pass by U-turn slots where the blocks are scattered here and there, causing even more problems. But does the Metro Manila Development Authority, under Bayani f-ing Fernando, care? Nope.
As Mr. Pascual said in his column, it'll probably only take the injury or death of someone connected to influential people for the MMDA to see the problem for what it is.
Wow. Somebody from Naga knows enough to criticize what Pascual is talking about? I wonder if that person has actually seen the concrete blocks, which, due to a daily coating of dirt and pollution, hardly display the yellow and black stripes which should warn drivers to swerve away. I think that that person should try driving down Commonwealth at night, and see whether he can navigate the blocks the first time around.
Being a regular driver along Commonwealth, I can say that I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Pascual that these blocks are a traffic hazard. Every other day, I pass by U-turn slots where the blocks are scattered here and there, causing even more problems. But does the Metro Manila Development Authority, under Bayani f-ing Fernando, care? Nope.
As Mr. Pascual said in his column, it'll probably only take the injury or death of someone connected to influential people for the MMDA to see the problem for what it is.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Brinksmanship
From dictionary.com :
Brinksmanship - The practice, especially in international politics, of seeking advantage by creating the impression that one is willing and able to push a highly dangerous situation to the limit rather than concede.
That is what I saw last Friday, when police and firemen fired their water cannons on what was supposed to be a prayer rally marching near Malacanang.
Both the administration and the opposition are playing the very dangerous game of brinksmanship with their antics. And the tragedy here is that neither side will be the loser when the crap hits the fan; the Filipino people will suffer, and are suffering from the political games being played.
If the opposition, led by former VP Tito Guingona, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, and running priest Fr. Robert Reyes, along with several bishops and political figures, was truly holding a prayer rally, why hold it near Malacanang? The answer is definitely not for religious reasons. It was to provoke a response from the government, for which they were successful. Apparently, some militants threw rocks and stuff at the police barricade, forcing the police to use the cannons. But, the opposition probably knew that this would happen. In fact, perhaps that's what they were praying for: a violent response from the government to give the opposition the moral high ground. For them to use religious images and personages in their rally is reprehensible; it signals that the opposition will use any means to achieve their end. What's next? More rallying, with more dispersals? Armed struggle?
But the administration is not blameless in this situation; I think that the use of water cannons, as a calibrated preemptive response (CPR), was too much. I don't think there was any need to douse a former VP, a Senator, bishops, priests and nuns to stop their rallying. With the violent dispersal, the government has merely given the opposition the credibility it craved. CPR, as a policy, is the equivalent of dousing a fire with gasoline; the rallyists will only be more determined to push for their right to assembly, and then what? What's next? Rubber bullets (assuming the government can afford them)? Real ones?
It's a political game of chicken, and neither side is willing to give way to the other.
Brinksmanship - The practice, especially in international politics, of seeking advantage by creating the impression that one is willing and able to push a highly dangerous situation to the limit rather than concede.
That is what I saw last Friday, when police and firemen fired their water cannons on what was supposed to be a prayer rally marching near Malacanang.
Both the administration and the opposition are playing the very dangerous game of brinksmanship with their antics. And the tragedy here is that neither side will be the loser when the crap hits the fan; the Filipino people will suffer, and are suffering from the political games being played.
If the opposition, led by former VP Tito Guingona, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, and running priest Fr. Robert Reyes, along with several bishops and political figures, was truly holding a prayer rally, why hold it near Malacanang? The answer is definitely not for religious reasons. It was to provoke a response from the government, for which they were successful. Apparently, some militants threw rocks and stuff at the police barricade, forcing the police to use the cannons. But, the opposition probably knew that this would happen. In fact, perhaps that's what they were praying for: a violent response from the government to give the opposition the moral high ground. For them to use religious images and personages in their rally is reprehensible; it signals that the opposition will use any means to achieve their end. What's next? More rallying, with more dispersals? Armed struggle?
But the administration is not blameless in this situation; I think that the use of water cannons, as a calibrated preemptive response (CPR), was too much. I don't think there was any need to douse a former VP, a Senator, bishops, priests and nuns to stop their rallying. With the violent dispersal, the government has merely given the opposition the credibility it craved. CPR, as a policy, is the equivalent of dousing a fire with gasoline; the rallyists will only be more determined to push for their right to assembly, and then what? What's next? Rubber bullets (assuming the government can afford them)? Real ones?
It's a political game of chicken, and neither side is willing to give way to the other.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Sky Idiocy
I don't get it.
I'm subscribed to Sky Cable, mainly because I like the channels they don't offer on Home.
So, why is it that Sky keeps on cutting into the regular programming to post advertisments calling on people to subscribe to Sky?!! It just doesn't seem right.
I'm subscribed to Sky Cable, mainly because I like the channels they don't offer on Home.
So, why is it that Sky keeps on cutting into the regular programming to post advertisments calling on people to subscribe to Sky?!! It just doesn't seem right.
Another Test After a Long While
One of my favorite computer games is "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." I know, it's an ancient one, but using strategy and tactics to become supreme ruler of China is just too tempting to pass up.
And, looking in on J's blog, apparently Koei, the makers of "Romance," have come up with a version of the game, expanding it and making use of the level of technology we have today ("Romance of the Three Kingdoms" came out in the mid 80s). Moreover, they have a quiz and their website to determine which warrior you're supposed to be. So, here I am:
Zhuge Liang, in the old game, served as adviser to one of the various masters (whom the player plays). I'm glad I turned out to be him.
And, looking in on J's blog, apparently Koei, the makers of "Romance," have come up with a version of the game, expanding it and making use of the level of technology we have today ("Romance of the Three Kingdoms" came out in the mid 80s). Moreover, they have a quiz and their website to determine which warrior you're supposed to be. So, here I am:
Zhuge Liang, in the old game, served as adviser to one of the various masters (whom the player plays). I'm glad I turned out to be him.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
More Grammar Goodness
Last week, I gave my students homework on the perfect tenses, based on their textbook. They had to write a sentence using the present perfect tense of the verb cost. These are samples of their work:
The typhoon has cost a lot of damage to the region. (Grey area. I'm not sure if this is completely wrong, or if it straddles the fence.)
I have cost a lot of trouble in class. (Wrong)
I have cost a lot of money today. (Oh, great. One of my students is into prostitution.)
Yesterday, during class, I reminded them about how English words aren't spelled the way they're pronounced.
The typhoon has cost a lot of damage to the region. (Grey area. I'm not sure if this is completely wrong, or if it straddles the fence.)
I have cost a lot of trouble in class. (Wrong)
I have cost a lot of money today. (Oh, great. One of my students is into prostitution.)
Yesterday, during class, I reminded them about how English words aren't spelled the way they're pronounced.
"Tim Burton's Corpse Bride"
I have to keep reminding myself to control my excitement whenever a good trailer of a movie comes out; oftentimes, I just get disappointed.
Such is the case with "Tim Burton's Corpse Bride".
Being a big fan of "Nightmare Before Christmas", I was looking forward to "Corpse Bride": the excellent stop-motion style of filming, the cast of voices (Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, among others), and the soundtrack (also written and composed by Danny Elfman).
I watched the movie yesterday with my brother, and, after the movie, both of us had the same feeling: the movie lacked something.
For me, the movie lacked adequate development; some of the characters are interesting, but they weren't given enough time for the audience to relate to them. I found Victor, voiced by Johnny Depp, to be too morose; it seemed like he rarely smiled, even when he had a happy thought. Emily, the Corpse Bride, voiced by Helena Bonham Carter, was a tad better; her emotions were clearly portrayed, and I felt that she was the only character with any depth.
The Land of the Dead, in particular, could've been more fully developed; the characters could've been given more time to show their stuff.
The songs, especially after "Nightmare", were disappointing. I don't know if it was the sound system, but the singing of the chorus was unintelligible. It was difficult to figure out what they were singing.
Still, it's a technological marvel, the way Tim Burton is able to display a seamless animated movie. I've always thought that stop-motion and clay animation are two of the hardest skills to master; patience and a steady hand are probable virtues.
For more on the movie, check out this link.
Previews: I'm looking forward to watching "Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit" with G. Personally, I'm looking forward to "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire".
Such is the case with "Tim Burton's Corpse Bride".
Being a big fan of "Nightmare Before Christmas", I was looking forward to "Corpse Bride": the excellent stop-motion style of filming, the cast of voices (Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, among others), and the soundtrack (also written and composed by Danny Elfman).
I watched the movie yesterday with my brother, and, after the movie, both of us had the same feeling: the movie lacked something.
For me, the movie lacked adequate development; some of the characters are interesting, but they weren't given enough time for the audience to relate to them. I found Victor, voiced by Johnny Depp, to be too morose; it seemed like he rarely smiled, even when he had a happy thought. Emily, the Corpse Bride, voiced by Helena Bonham Carter, was a tad better; her emotions were clearly portrayed, and I felt that she was the only character with any depth.
The Land of the Dead, in particular, could've been more fully developed; the characters could've been given more time to show their stuff.
The songs, especially after "Nightmare", were disappointing. I don't know if it was the sound system, but the singing of the chorus was unintelligible. It was difficult to figure out what they were singing.
Still, it's a technological marvel, the way Tim Burton is able to display a seamless animated movie. I've always thought that stop-motion and clay animation are two of the hardest skills to master; patience and a steady hand are probable virtues.
For more on the movie, check out this link.
Previews: I'm looking forward to watching "Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit" with G. Personally, I'm looking forward to "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire".
Friday, October 07, 2005
Tams Win!
Even though I'm not from FEU (H is), I'm very glad the Tamaraws won over La Salle.
It was a tight game from start to finish. La Salle even led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, but FEU came storming back to close the lead to one point.
For me, two factors on La Salle's side probably were instrumental in their loss:
One, Arana's fouling out with two minutes to go. Yeo, the veteran, was closely guarded by the Tamaraws, so he wasn't able to break loose and score. It did free up other Archers to take up the load. As a result, Arana was able to manage 20 points before he left the game. With him gone, though, the Tamaraws' job became a lot easier.
Two was Tang's missed jumper with a few seconds to go. If he made that shot, La Salle would've been leading by one, and the pressure would be on the Tamaraws. As a result of the miss, all the Tams had to do was rebound and hold on to the ball.
It was a well-fought game, with none of the nastiness that occurred in Game 1. La Salle has nothing to be ashamed of; they played very well, but, in the end, it wasn't enough. Still, speaking as an Ateneo alum, I'm happy that Yeo, whom I've never liked despite his obvious basketball skills, doesn't leave the league a winner. Maybe that'll be a bit of a humbler for him.
I am glad that Arwind Santos, who's a great player and deserving of the MVP plum, goes out a winner. He, along with Yeo and Tenorio, among others, will be highly coveted in next year's PBA draft.
Well, that's it for this year's basketball season. On to the other sports!
It was a tight game from start to finish. La Salle even led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, but FEU came storming back to close the lead to one point.
For me, two factors on La Salle's side probably were instrumental in their loss:
One, Arana's fouling out with two minutes to go. Yeo, the veteran, was closely guarded by the Tamaraws, so he wasn't able to break loose and score. It did free up other Archers to take up the load. As a result, Arana was able to manage 20 points before he left the game. With him gone, though, the Tamaraws' job became a lot easier.
Two was Tang's missed jumper with a few seconds to go. If he made that shot, La Salle would've been leading by one, and the pressure would be on the Tamaraws. As a result of the miss, all the Tams had to do was rebound and hold on to the ball.
It was a well-fought game, with none of the nastiness that occurred in Game 1. La Salle has nothing to be ashamed of; they played very well, but, in the end, it wasn't enough. Still, speaking as an Ateneo alum, I'm happy that Yeo, whom I've never liked despite his obvious basketball skills, doesn't leave the league a winner. Maybe that'll be a bit of a humbler for him.
I am glad that Arwind Santos, who's a great player and deserving of the MVP plum, goes out a winner. He, along with Yeo and Tenorio, among others, will be highly coveted in next year's PBA draft.
Well, that's it for this year's basketball season. On to the other sports!
Monday, October 03, 2005
Sportsmanship
I was reading in the Philippine Star that for Game 2 of the UAAP men's finals between La Salle and FEU, the referees have been instructed to be extra strict, particularly about taunting and trash talking.
This was because of the near-altercation that ensued after Game 1, when La Salle's assistant team manager Manny Salgado threw a cowardly backhanded punch at FEU's Arwind Santos. Salgado claimed that Santos said something to him, which caused him to lose his temper, and hit Santos. Still, it was uncalled for and an act of cowardice, and the UAAP board unanimously decided to suspend Salgado from being at any UAAP venue for life (which, if Salgado is openly sincere about reforming, might translate to about 3-5 years if he applies for reinstatement).
It's about bloody time that something's being done about these things. When one watches goons like La Salle's Yeo, Tang and Arana taunt not only the players but the opposing coaches, I cannot help but wonder what these thugs' coach, Franz Pumaren, is doing to discipline his players. Or, perhaps he doesn't see it as something wrong, but part of the game.
Say what you will about such acts being part of the game, I've always thought that such acts were displays of poor sportsmanship, as well as a lack of class.
Not that the Ateneo, my alma mater, is saintly pure about sportsmanship; Wesley Gonzales and Enrico Villanueva come to mind. But, I like to think that the Ateneo is less tolerant about such actions; in fact, Gonzales was unable to play for a year because of his hotheaded attitude.
What disturbs me is the spirit of the game has been twisted into a 'win at all costs' frame of mind, and coaches and players act accordingly. Hence, the poor displays on and off the court.
Perhaps the UAAP should take stock of such happenings, and take steps to bring the competition back to a level that is more faithful to the athlete's code: "Win with character, lose with dignity."
This was because of the near-altercation that ensued after Game 1, when La Salle's assistant team manager Manny Salgado threw a cowardly backhanded punch at FEU's Arwind Santos. Salgado claimed that Santos said something to him, which caused him to lose his temper, and hit Santos. Still, it was uncalled for and an act of cowardice, and the UAAP board unanimously decided to suspend Salgado from being at any UAAP venue for life (which, if Salgado is openly sincere about reforming, might translate to about 3-5 years if he applies for reinstatement).
It's about bloody time that something's being done about these things. When one watches goons like La Salle's Yeo, Tang and Arana taunt not only the players but the opposing coaches, I cannot help but wonder what these thugs' coach, Franz Pumaren, is doing to discipline his players. Or, perhaps he doesn't see it as something wrong, but part of the game.
Say what you will about such acts being part of the game, I've always thought that such acts were displays of poor sportsmanship, as well as a lack of class.
Not that the Ateneo, my alma mater, is saintly pure about sportsmanship; Wesley Gonzales and Enrico Villanueva come to mind. But, I like to think that the Ateneo is less tolerant about such actions; in fact, Gonzales was unable to play for a year because of his hotheaded attitude.
What disturbs me is the spirit of the game has been twisted into a 'win at all costs' frame of mind, and coaches and players act accordingly. Hence, the poor displays on and off the court.
Perhaps the UAAP should take stock of such happenings, and take steps to bring the competition back to a level that is more faithful to the athlete's code: "Win with character, lose with dignity."
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