Elcano & Magellan: Distorting The Past of Filipinos

It has been three hundred and thirty-three years since the Spaniards colonized our beloved country. We have just read stories of oppression which leads to several acts of a bloody revolution until the time we have gotten our freedom on June 12, 1898.

Image posted by satvrncat on Twitter (https://twitter.com/satvrncat/status/1191923769595457536)

Until I have read some news that there was an animated movie produced by Dibulitoon Studio and Elkano DibulitoonAIE about Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano's circumnavigation. Many netizens, especially Filipinos, reacted on Twitter about the movie. Showing in Philippine theaters in January 2020.

Here's the trailer from the movie Elcano & Magellan:

Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHpt-8ad5kQ

Dibulitoon Studio and Elkano Dibulitoon AIE made these two conquestadors as heroes and Lapu-Lapu as the main antagonist. Elcano & Magellan the movie are attempting to poison the well of all their audiences to make Elcano and Magellan as heroes – and Lapu-Lapu as the loser. A comment coming from a Filipino netizen said the Elcano & Magellan the movie retitled as “The Colonisation of the Philippines and the Start of Three Hundred Years of Suffering”.

This animated movie romanticizes the adventure of these two conquestadors like they patterned the storyline to Strawhat Luffy (Mugiwara) as good navigators who are in favor of good and justice.

The movie is trying to distort our history and they did not know what happened at that time when the Spaniards colonized us – filled with terror and tyranny. These producers are trying to make money and gave the bad side of the story accounted to Lapu-Lapu. They are glorifying Magellan’s Expedition but please do not mess the history – we Filipinos will never forget how the Spaniards maltreated us in the past.

I know some people will say: “Past is past…we shall move on. Let the movie be shown here in the Philippines.” Ask yourself, are you really reading Philippine History? Is it the storyline of that movie tells you the truth? Is it worth watching the movie insulting the history of Lapu-Lapu?

Let your voices be heard by leaving your comments below.

A Letter From A Hemodialysis Patient

To whom it may concern,

Good Day!

This was the first time that I am writing to all of you. I don’t know where should I start or should I say… I am too shy to say something. If you are asking me if I am OK, then “Yes! I am quite OK! – for now…”

I remember when I rushed to the hospital and my doctor said that I will need to undergone dialysis. I was fully devastated and I was thinking that was beginning of my end. I don’t know how to talk to God… I was shaking while I was in the Emergency Room. You don’t know what I am thinking? I do not know as well because I am feeling insane as my creatinine serum went up to 1,000+. I was in between life and death until I noticed I was in the Surgery Room waiting for my turn. Imagine, six-inched venous access sucked into my neck. I don’t feel any pain because of anesthesia but it kills my tenacity as time passes by.

There some syllogism that if you will undergo dialysis, you will meet your end as soonest as possible but we have God that knows all. By the time I was in the hemodialysis machine, I felt that I was drained. My edema limits my mobility.

A month later, when another fistula surgery initiated in a private hospital. I did not feel the pain but I was also praying to our Lord God to guide me and take care of me.

After a month or two, my IJ catheter was removed from my neck and my fistula is ready. The pain isn’t over my friend… Every hemodialysis session, two catheters were sucked into my veins. And every session, an average of 3 to 4 liters of water drained into my body. After my session, I feel so weak and dumb, like you care. But thanks to my Mom… she’s always on my side taking care of me.

No words can express the pain that we experience like we cannot able to sleep well because of shortening of breath or we are chilling at night. The struggle is real my friend… and I do not want you to feel the same because I care for you.

The physical pain does not end there. Why? Because we are also suffering financial pain. Every time that we have undergone dialysis, we will need to pay for the services rendered by the hemodialysis center as well as the professional fee for the nephrologist. We also need to pay for our dialyzer, IV Iron and Epoetin (when needed). But thanks to PCSO, I can get my guaranteed letter to acquire 8 injections of Epoetin Alfa.

Aside from that, we need to buy our maintenance medicine like Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Renvela, etc. I am not putting myself down my friend, we still believe in God that this kind of sickness will come to pass.

We are not pleading for money, we are pleading for your prayers to guide us and heal us. My friend… please pray for us that we can overcome the pain that we have gone through by the name of our savior Jesus Christ.

To my fellow CKD warriors, please stay positive and every time we do, ask God for guidance. We can overcome this disease and stay strong and be positive. #LabanLang #CKDWarriors

Keep The Faith,

One of the CKD Warriors

Good Traits That VA Should Never Ignore

In the world of Freelancing industry, there are lots of struggles and competition that we may face from time to time. In this article, we will be discussing the good traits that Virtual Assistants should never ignore. Let’s check this out!

Hard work

Number one on the list is hard work. Being a hardworking person is the most important trait of a Virtual Assistant. VA should work intelligently and energetically at a given task to complete it with maximum efficiency. People work hard for one reason… to support his or her family and satisfy the needs and wants of you and your family – as much as possible, you will need more effort to do the task given to you.

Dedication

Being dedicated to work is also a must. VA should have this kind of trait for better work engagement. By helping your company meet more goals and enhance your skills, you will surely get the appreciation or praise from your boss or client.

Commitment

[1]A person who represents this unique quality by processing patriotism, willingness to place service above self, ability to set goals and achieve them, friendliness and helpfulness, diverse interests, strong work ethic, confidence and leadership, and a strong sense of humor – called commitment.

Commitment to work means the emotional attachment and involvement in the company you employed in. Being committed to your work means you will know that you obliged to give your very best every time that you will be given some sort of task.

Integrity

Some employers are looking for employees that have the job integrity – a person who possesses or demonstrates good moral and ethical principles at work. Integrity builds the relationship, trust and interpersonal relationship with co-workers and the management as well.

These are just the top traits or qualities that VA’s should have in mind.

If you have questions or comments, you can leave a message below.

Happy Working!

Sources:

[1] https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Commitment-is-My-Greatest-Quality-P3JG8RUSVJ

Reasons Why Some People Choose To Be Single

I remember the day during my sister’s wedding and my grandpa told me this: “Kailan ka mag-aasawa?” (“When you will get married?”). I didn’t answer anything or should I say: “No one likes me…” or “Because I am so shy to court a girl.”

Being single is a choice and not a destiny. But some of the people said that it is their destiny as single because no one likes them but they refused to court someone.

So I write this article according to my observation why some people choose to be single. Let’s find out!

Physical Insecurities

Some people are very insecure about their physical attributes. Like for example, boys are more attractive with six-pack abs or with handsome face while girls are more attractive if they have long, shiny hair and curves as well as their beautiful face. In that kind of social norms, people categorized as ugly and beautiful/handsome – which is not the basis of choosing a partner in your life. But the world is so judgmental so we can’t blame it but do not let anyone put you down. Love the person you wanted to and share the happiness with him/her.

Bad Experiences

Some people wanted to be single for a long time because of their biggest heartbreak with their ex. So they try to forget to love again and stay single until they find the worthy one.

Love vs. Career

Most of the people are up to earn money but they set aside their love life – and most of the time… some of them parted ways. People tend to choose love over career.

Freedom

Most people tend to choose to be single because they want freedom. They don’t want to get into a relationship and commitment to their partner. Most people want to enjoy life without a partner, they don’t want to put themselves in the boiling water or such struggles.

This is what I observed from my friends and me as well why they choose to be single – and it is not too bad to be single because we are only assuring ourselves until we find our partner that will accept your imperfections.

What Are The Values That Fiveman Imposed To 90’s Kids?

I remember when I was a child watching Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman, a Tokusatsu television series under TOEI Company. Fiveman was the fourteenth installment of the Super Sentai metaseries. It aired on TV Asahi from March 2, 1990, to February 8, 1991, with a total of 48 episodes.

Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikyu_Sentai_Fiveman

Fiveman made me cry, laugh and filled my soul with excitement during their clash against the Vulgyre Empire led by Captain Garoa.

This television program/sentai series thought that these five teacher siblings some of the values that we should not be forgotten. Here are some of them:

1.  Family Bond

The Hoshikawa Family (Fiveman) was raised by Arthur G6 after the devastation of Planet Sedon. Arthur made a promise to Gaku, Ken, Fumiya, Kazumi and Remi’s parents to take care of them. The bond of these five siblings was strengthen when the Vulgyre Empire brought terror to Planet Earth. They never gave up and they motivate themselves to protect the Earth from those monsters.

2. Determination

When the Galactic Super Beast Vulgyre attacked the Magma Base, Fiveman were all determined to finish off the monster on their last battle. The monster is so powerful but they never give up until their parents told them to get the Sidon Flower for them to be able to kill the monster or the Vulgyre Empire’s ship.

3. Love and Respect

Arthur G6 raised the Hoshikawa siblings with love and respect to others and to nature just like what they imposed on their students. Gaku, Ken, Fumiya, Kazumi and Remi gave their love and to their students and help them during the Vulgye invasion.

4. Trust

Fiveman trusted themselves that they can finish off the Vulgyre empire using the Five Robo and they don’t want it to happen again just like in the Planet Sedon. Hoshikawa Family did not give up and motivate themselves to strengthen their bond as brothers and sisters to trust each other in times of trouble.

This is how Fiveman thought us 90’s kids and I do hope that these values that they showed to us shall be imposed on another generation.

Are You Ready For Your Death?

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

- Psalms 23:4

Are you ready for your death? Most of the people will say “A Big No.” Nobody wants death but that’s the cycle of life. As for me, I personally changed my perception as I get old. If you are going to ask me… then I said “Yes.”

My perception changed when I got hospitalized last June 2019 for almost a week. My doctor told me that I have Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 or Renal Failure End Stage. My creatinine unbelievably went up as well as my blood pressure. I am also having a hard time urinating, meaning there is something wrong with my kidney.

My doctor told me to undergo dialysis to lessen the creatinine serum in my body that may kill me within 24 hours. On May 30, 2019 at 6 PM, a catheter placed on my neck. The needle is quite thick with a length of 6 inches.

At that time, I was thinking and justifying things about what-ifs but I don’t want to leave my family, especially my mom who took care of me in the hospital.

Our Almighty God is the one who only knows when and where He will take our life. But I know by the power of prayers of my family and friends gave me the strength to move on. I am very much blessed to have those prayer warriors trusting God’s power of healing.

Death shall come upon us but if you have believed in the power of prayer, you entrusted your life to the Lord. Lord’s promises are unbreakable but sometimes, we cannot tell the time that the end is near.

The moment you surrender yourself to God, without a doubt, He is with you like He did to Joshua, Moses, and Abraham until their time has come to pass.

Glory to God!

What Does It Take To Become Stronger?

I almost done watching the 70+ episodes of Hajime no Ippo, known as “Knockout” here in the Philippines. I felt the way the protagonist’s (Ippo Makunouchi) way of powering up his strength and stamina while fighting in the ring. Even though he’s groggy and getting weaker due to opponents' jabs and punches, he manages to get himself up and prove himself to others that he is physically and mentally stronger.

That’s how Jyoji Morikawa, the writer of Hajime no Ippo manga, impressed their readers and viewers of this anime. There are no dull moments, all the characters are just imposing pride and power that they can take down their opponents.

It takes a man to be stronger to get his goal – the will of fire to win. The power in the hand of a boxer lies in their motivation to subdue their opponents in the ring. They don’t want to let their spirit down but to fight until their last breath. This is how I compare my life with Ippo – I’d rather fighting with my fear than to run away.

Ippo teaches me to be a stronger person mentally and physically. Even though in the toughest times, I managed to get myself out of the darkest moment of my life. I fight for my life against depression because I know there is a little light in the midst of darkness.

Life is like a boxing arena. Don’t let the punches and jabs in your life be your weakness to stand because being stronger makes you tougher as your life goes on.

What does it take to be a stronger person? Like Ippo, he has the mindset to get his Japan Champion Belt. As for me, I have my family as my strength to move on as my mindset to reach my goal and prosperity in my everyday life.

People may mock you but don’t let yourself be weak, let yourself stand still and let God be your inspiration to move on.

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. – Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)”