Gusto ko nang bumitaw

"Gusto ko nang bumita" is the current popular Original Pilipino Music (OPM). It seems the song is cuasing a Last Song Syndrome (LSS) to many emotional music lovers of the Philippines. "Gusto ko nang bumitaw" can translate to "I want to give-up now" or "I am on the verge of giving up"

Ayuda

Ayuda is a Filipino word that means aid. It is a very popular word in the Philippines during these days. The Philippine government has announced that cash aid amounting to billions to trillions of pesos have been given to citizens. Seemingly, the government borrowed funds elsewhere in order to have something to distribute to citizens who have entrusted their future to the government. Sadly, every working Filipino citizen who has never received even a centavo from the said funds are obligated to participate in the repayment of the loan :( Is it fair? Why did they not give the cash as loans to the citizens in need os that the citizen who received the amount will work to eventually repay the amount? Every citizen should be trained to plan and be ready for their future. They need the cash these days, that is given. People who have been ensuring that they will be able to survive the hardships need the cash as well. Of course, some people need help but they should be given the much needed help as they are held responsible.

Civil Service Employment Irony in the Philippines

In the Philippines, for one to be accepted as an employee in a government controlled office, one has to pass a quite challenging eligibility exam under the control of a government agency that is called the Civil Service Commission. Every government office employee is assigned a rank that is the basis for the employee's compensation as specified in a law. Getting a job that has the lowest rank that is usually mapped a minimum wage that is barely enough to support the simplest lifestyle of one individual requires passing the civil service eligibility exam. What seems absurd is that the committee in a municipal government office who subjects job applicants to stringent screening process is composed of elected officials who are not civili service eligibility exam passers. In fact, some municipal mayors (or even the president of the Republic!) who figuratively heads the committee is not a passer of the eligibility exam. Some municipal mayors and other elected officials are not even college or university degree holders. It is also a fact these elected offcials are receiving salaries that is more than 5 times higher than what the lowest rank government employee receives. Is it fair? Only in the Philippines?

I can go to school when I am home but I cannot go to school when I am in school campus - a reality in today's school setup

Sometimes, you can only be able to join your class in classroom if you are at home rather than if you are physically present in the school campus. Due to power interruption or the lack of internet signal within a school campus, it becomes impossible to attend a class that is being facilitated in an online platform. Back at home, because of the availability of power and internet service, you can join the class. Talk about "I am now in the school campus but I need to go home from school so that I can be in class"

Paoay, Atok, Benguet

Km 51 Halsema Highway View Point Capture

When it was difficult to climb the mountains

Session Road, Baguio City on a Sunday

A part of Baguio City that used to be a side of a mountain.

man-mano

man-mano is a Kankanaey word that is borrowed from the Ilokano language which means "rare" or "one of a kind".