DISTRICT MEET 2019: VOLLEYBALL

DISTRICT MEET 2019:
VOLLEYBALL

Ryan Edillor from ACT Knights spikes, regardless of the block by Jaclupan Titans.

ACT Knights Volleyball Girls (Right) handshakes with the Manipis Volleyball Girls (Left) before the game commenced.

Juicylette Ubas spikes as the ball was set by the setter.

ACT Knight Volleyball Boys setter Errol Joe Agot II manage to save the drop ball by the Bulacao National High School using his foot.

Jake Lastimosa spikes and scores against the Bulacao National High School's block

Pictures and Caption by Tasha Quiachon

In the dictionary, Happiness is the state of being happy and contented. Everyone has their own definition of happiness. I also have my own understanding and definition about it. For me, happiness is when I do what I want to do, when I fulfil my dreams, and when I cross out the negativity in my life. It is the feeling that comes over me if I know that my life is in good state.

In the poem Desiderata by Max Ehrman, it is all about reminding people to treat others kindly, to accept who they are, and who you are, lastly is be gentle to ourselves. In this poem, I need to learn the part wherein being gentle to oneself is important. I was too harsh to myself, I always think of others first before me without minding all the pain that it made me go through. I am a type of person who understands a lot, who keeps on making my pride low as possible and because of that, I want to learn on making myself as my top priority. I have been too understanding and forgiving to people, but I can’t understand myself and forgive myself for all the wrong doings I did. Aside from that is, I also need to learn how to let go of the toxic people in my life. I am having a hard time in doing this, for the reason that this people was once a positive human beings, and I believe in the thing called second chance. I need to learn how to choose people who is deserving and who is not.

The poem did help me, it may not help me in resolving my problems fully but it did make me realize and it made enlightenment within myself. It made me realize about that I need to think about myself too and to not always think about what others will feel.

Some says that success is the key to happiness, but I believe the other way around. Happiness is the key to success. If you’re happy, contented, and gentle to yourself there is a big possibility that you’ll succeed in life. For you already know who you really are, what you are capable of and what are your weaknesses. There are a lot of things that can help you know yourself more, and that can help you enlighten up yourself. And one of it is poems. Desiderata is one of the things that helped me out, and I will forever keep the meaning of this poem.

- By Tasha Quiachon

Reflection: Pakistan Earthquake Preparedness Plan

 

The world is divided into seismic zones based on the tectonic plates. Earthquakes are the evident shaking of the surface of the Earth. If we look into a map of the world’s earthquakes, it shows that most of them lie in narrow zones, often around the edges of the continents, or in the middle of the oceans. A good example of this is Pakistan or officially known as Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a populous multiethnic country in South Asia. It is geologically located in the Indus-Tsangpo Suture Zone, which is roughly 200 km north of the Himalaya Front and is defined by an exposed ophiolite chain along its southern margin. Pakistan’s most remembered earthquake they’ve experienced is the Kashmir Earthquake that happened last October 8, 2005 that has claimed over 730,000 lives, affected over 2.5 million people and damaging over millions of infrastructures. It is imperative that buildings in Pakistan should withstand the seismic hazard to which they are exposed. However, most of the building structures of Pakistan are brick masonry with 62.38% of the people uses this kind of structure which is not earthquake resistant. In line with that, they created a Building Codes of Pakistan (BCP) to further improve the resistance of the structures in Pakistan.

Aside from the BCP, they implemented National Disaster Risks Authority. This organization collaborated with several organizations such as UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR). One of the programs they have launched is the Earthquake Risk Reduction and Recovery Preparedness Programme to conduct Earthquake Risk Assessment to raise awareness and part of their action plan is to organize awareness in media, workshops/seminars, to apply the disaster curricula in school education to give information to formal and non-formal education system.

Block Masonry in Pakistan 

Damage brought by the Kashmir Earthquake

Based on what we have researched, they weren’t able to strictly maintain the ordinance and importance of their Building Codes of Pakistan since the most of Pakistanis use structures that aren’t earthquake resistant. Although the materials used for those structures are accessible which is beneficial to the people, it isn’t right not to follow the rules. But the good thing of the emergency plan of the Pakistan is that they ensure the safety of their people by educating them of what could happen during an earthquake.

Preparedness for this major natural disaster is a necessity since this is something beyond our control and what we could do is to lessen the casualties and/or the negative consequences it brings. There are action plans that should be strictly implemented most especially the seminars and drills since these are the basics to know what the people of Pakistan must do when earthquakes happen or what they must prepare before this natural disaster strike.

Just like Pakistan, Philippines also have its own organization that gives information about earthquakes, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for Philippines and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for Pakistan. These organizations give out seminars and lessons on what their citizens must do whenever there is an earthquake. The difference is that the Philippines has more detailed emergency plan because in their emergency, it was stated on what equipment they should prepare before the earthquake happens and the ‘duck, cover and hold.’ Another difference between them is their building structure. As mentioned earlier, most people in Pakistan uses the brick masonry, where this kind of structure is not stable and lacks the ductility that buildings should have in order to withstand earthquakes or in simple terms, they cannot flex without breaking. Most of the building structures in Philippines uses RC building, this type of building consists of a frame or skeleton of concrete.  Horizontal members of this frame are called beams, and vertical members are called columns. Of these, the column is the most important, as it is the primary load-carrying element of the building. If you damage a beam or slab in a building, this will affect only one floor, but damage to a column could bring down the entire building.

Pakistan’s emergency plan is much more centered around providing aid and risk assessment, this is due to their country not being an archipelago unlike the Philippines. The Philippines Emergency Plan and Earthquake Preparedness is much more centered around the damage reduction and reducing the loss of life in affected in areas. Philippines geology and being an archipelago makes it difficult to provide relief and help thus affected areas have to rely on the local government not on the national government.

Due to Pakistan’s location, it is very prone to earthquakes and it’s no doubt that their government has prepared precautions and emergency plans to prevent themselves from being crushed from nature’s wrath. Overall, Pakistan is not totally ready for earthquakes. With their poor building structure and lack of emergency plan, although it is an advantage for them that they are not an archipelago not unlike the Philippines. Pakistan is likely to suffer great effects when there is an earthquake. However, this is not guaranteed to actually happen since it depends on the magnitude and the intensity of the earthquake that is to happen. Improvement and further development of the country’s safety is never too late. It is still early to make changes. Lack of preparation and knowledge can cause chaos than to be ignorant, it is rather better to be prepared and safe than to be not because a person who is not ready at all times or are ignorant to what is happening to the country is more likely to experience negative effect.

Reference

Narula, D. (2016, March 26). Top 10 Countries that are most prone to Earthquakes. Retrieved fromhttps://listsurge.com/top-10-countries-prone-earthquakes/

Skymet Weather Team (2018, January 30). 10 Earthquake Prone Countrues in the World. Retrieved July 30, 2019, from https://www.skymetweather.com/content/earth-and-nature-prone-countries-in-the-world/

Wikipedia (n.d.) Pakistan. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan

Mishra, G. (2019). Performance of Various Types of Buildings during Earthquake . Retrieved fromhttps://theconstructor.org/earthquake/performance-buildings-types-earthquake/2224/

Concrete Show (2017, March 20). Reinforced concrete structures are much safer in earthquake zones. Retrieved from httos://www.concreteshowindia.com/blog/reinforced-concrete-structures-are-much-safer-in-earthquake-zones/

Earthquake Rusk Reduction And Preparedness Programme (n.d.) Earthquake Risk Management Action Plan fo Muzaffarabad Programme.

Khan, F. A. (2006, July). The Response to the Earthquake in Pakistan. Retrieved fromhttps://odihpn.org/magazine/the-response-to-the-earthquake-in-pakistan/

Molnar, P. (n.d.) Major Mountain Belts of the World. Retrieved fromhttps://www.britannica.com/science/mountain-landform/Major-mountain-belts-of-the-world

Underatand Building Construction (n.d.) Concrete Frame Structures. Retrieved fromwww.understandcinstruction.com/concrete-frame-stryctures.html

Engr. Francisco Jr., R. (n.d.) Overview of Earthquake Preparedness.

ROMEO AND JULIET SOUNDTRACK

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays.

I. Forbidden Love - Abel Korzeniowski

Act 1, Scene 5: This is a classical music that can describe the situation where Romeo and Juliet met and fall in love. This can also be a good classical music that can describe their situation. Slow to fast beat type of classical.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq0wJikQmN8&t=35s

II. They Don't Know About Us - One Direction

Act 2: The song "They Don't Know About Us" will actually describe the memories or the sweet moments of Romeo and Juliet that the people didn't know. Their families are rivals therefore, they will not assume that there is something between the both of them. From the title itself, they don't know how deep Romeo and Juliet's love for each other. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjuftKz5ebU

III. Til' Death Do Us Part - Kait Weston

Act 5, Scene 3: This is where Romeo killed himself because without Juliet, his life is worthless. This will be a perfect fit for the scene. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8YgiyLs_h4

IV. Almost Is Never Enough - Ariana Grande ft. Nathan Sykes

No specific act and scene. This will refer to the whole play or the love story of Romeo and Juliet. Lots of almost, they never end up with each others arms where they will live together. For the both of them almost will never be enough. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b87dBaL4qI0

V. The Heart Wants What It Wants - Selena Gomez

I choose this song for it describes their love. The heart know what it wants, Romeo and Juliet's love story is somewhat like a love at first sight. Their hearts already knew that they want each other. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxV_paz84Mw

VI. Sad Beautiful Tragic - Taylor Swift

This song will describe everything about the play. The story is a sad beautiful tragic, this will make you cry and will feel something heavy inside your chest. Their love is a sad but magical love, people will always remember how tragic, beautiful, and magical their love story is. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptGLtVPy3LY&t=0s&index=7&list=PL4eDb_GIp6Tnb-YgQvcef8o1TRAjlqLcn

"ACT FAMILY DAY 2019"

January 27, 2019 was the day where we celebrated the ACT Family Day. I was there together with my sister (Nina Faith Quiachon) a Grade 7 student, my mom, and my stepfather. They are actually late (My mom and stepfather) but they still made it that made me happy. What is family day if my fam is not there? I actually want my father to be there but still I appreciated my step-father's effort in making our family day work out and super extra. 

I enjoyed my 3rd family day in ACT because of my friends also that I do consider as my family. Especially to my VDAC Family who danced during the activity. I may not dance with them but my heart do dance with them. I don't have that much pictures with my friends but that means I did enjoyed my day because I don't have time to take a photograph. I will rather live the moment to be with them than to face my phone always. 

This Family Day was extra for me but it will be more extra if my dad will be here with me, but unfortunately he's not here since he work overseas. I did a lot of documentation also for him since he wants to be updated about the stuff I did during the day. 

Family is always there for you so do treasure them at all cost and I will do the same. 

#FAMILYISLOVE

War on drugs should be stopped.

WAR ON DRUGS SHOULD BE STOPPED

                                                  People who are arrested during the Oplan Tokhang raids.
                                                                       (Photo courtesy: Joel Liporada)

             Drugs is often heard in the news. People who use and sell drugs have become notorious. Nowadays, teenagers are using drugs; We can't deny the fact that the minors are already influenced by it. "War on drugs" should be stopped, the campaign "Oplan Tokhang" killed a lot of people. It already affects our country. Our President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte should wake up and be enlightened of what is happening. Be worry of the power given to the police. Some police officers abused the power to the extent that they think high of themselves. I agreed about the campaign at first but to think that this is getting out of hand is not good anymore. President Duterte help a lot but killing and not listening to the people, it's useless. 

                                                         People did a rally for Kian Delos Santos
                                                                           (Photo Courtesy:Kathy Yamzon

             People are scared already because of this "War on drugs" campaign. They are scared that someone might frame them up because of the grudges that the person holds. There's a possibility that they can encounter a situation where drugs is involve. A 17-year old student was killed by the police during Tokhang-related incident in Caloocan (Mong Palatino, The Diplomat 2017). As seen on the CCTV he was being dragged by the police which convinced people that the Tokhang Operation killed another innocent person. This can cause netizens and people being angry and scared for their lives. Duterte must not give too much power to the police men.

                                                          Project Tokhang From July 1-13 2016
                                                                   (Photo courtesy: Philippine National Police)
                        

             Oplan Tokhang involves extreme killing and the killing of minors. 54 children have been killed already since 2016. The Catholic Church issued a strong statement against drug-related killing. Police also intensified the Tokhang Operation and produced a record of killing. Infact they killed 32 drug suspects in Bulacan Province and 26 in Manila (Mong Palatino, The Diplomat 2017). Our President even praised the Operation by saying "Thirty two were killed in a massive raid. If we could kill 32 everyday, then we could reduce what ails this country" The National Police estimated that more than 6,000 were killed since July 1, 2016. They said that they shoot people for 'self-defense' You can shoot elsewhere not by killing them. He recently boasted of killing suspects by himself.

                                       President Duterte during his speech on April 29 at ASEAN Summit
                                                                        (Photo Courtesy: investvine.com)

          

             Duterte is destroying our image internationally. People who speaks up their negative opinion about his campaign was threaten. President Roa Duterte threatened to kill human right activists because they criticize his campaign. At a press conference he responded to one question by saying "Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination" (Robert Muggah, The Guardian 2017). Who wouldn't be discouraged? He threatened someone's life. A lot of people who lives abroad must think negatively about the Philippines now. Duterte also threatened to withdraw from the UN in response to criticism of his rug war. The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings cancelled a visit to the country after the apply unprecedented conditions on her visit. 

                                                       STOP THE KILLING. Protesters in Manila
                                                                               (Photo courtesy: Rappler)

             Bolder action is already needed. From the reasons stated above, this can be a proper excuse to stop "War on drugs". This is getting out of hand, everything is getting worst. The President should be enlightened and review his doings because not all of the accused are drug users and dealers. Oplan Tokhang itself is the problem, War on drugs need to stop for it harmed people severely. 

MAGTANIM AY DI BIRO

MAGTANIM AY DI BIRO

Planting is putting a seed on the ground so that it will grow. Having a garden and planting on your own makes you develop forbearance. The other benefits of planting is that you yourself will be the one to harvest it. You would be assured that the plants you have harvest are newly picked since you planted and harvested it yourself.     

          Asian College of Technology is finally celebrating the Nutrition Month for this school year with the theme "Ugaliing Magtanim, Sapat na Nutrisyon Aanihin". One of the activities that the Faculty members, SSG Officers, and the Principal prepared is the Planting of Vegetables that is mandated by the Department of Education (DepEd). This activity is actually a competition between all the sections where they will be planting and designing their garden. Making the plants grow is actually very hard since we already experience the hardship in planting. In the end we, can finally say "Magtanim ay di biro."

#AsianisTANIM

#PlantTASHA

#SweatForTheGold

#ACTGoddessofGulayan

#ACTStressed

#ACTWaterToGrow

#ACTDigTheLandForThePlant

#ACTCleanTheMess

#ACTHarrowItAll

#ACTDigItBeforeYouPlantIt

#ACTWorkToGain