 WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
The Philippines reiterated its call for respect and adherence to international  COVID VACCINE
law regarding the West Philippine Sea at a virtual bilateral meeting with
China on Friday, May 21. The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA) said in a press statement on Saturday, May 22, that the call was
made at the 6th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea
(BCM), a forum established by President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese
President Xi Jinping in 2016.The West Philippine Sea is the part of the
South China Sea that belongs to the Philippines but China is claiming it as
its own.  infected. I completely understand and respect the concerns and fears of
Obviously, I want us to claim the islands and control the resources beneath
them. But let’s be realistic. We can’t, not with our current military capabilities
through which we can send a message to China that we too have our
claims. You call China a brute, understand that Beijing wants to control the
entire sea not because of imperialistic ambitions, but because she wants to
protect her economy and the people. If she just allowed the Americans to
freely exercise her will there, that only invites future trouble for China. In the
event of a conflict between America and China, especially because of
Taiwan, the first order of the day will be to form a blockade off China’s
eastern coast, which essentially strangles her trade-dependent economy.
So, if you think you can convince China not to claim the South China Sea,
you’re dead wrong. But I won’t sympathize with that because to me, it's the
Philippines first. Despite my Sinophilia, in this issue, it’s clear where my
loyalty is to.  If you ask me, I would want us to bolster our military
capabilities and build structures on the disputed islands. China is doing it.
Vietnam is doing it. The only reason why we aren’t is that we lack the
resources and the military muscle to enforce our will and send a signal to
Beijing that we’re not to be reckoned with as well. And I don’t think Beijing
will declare war on us if we occupy those structures. It is too big a risk for
her to sully her reputation as a “peaceful giant” and will likely alienate any
and all support she has mustered from her neighbors through her diplomatic
overtures in the region. What would I suggest then? I want us to be neutral,
being able to leverage on whatever benefits we can get from both China and
America. I’m no geopolitical analyst and what I suggest may not be feasible,
but we can use our strategic geographical position to demand concessions
from Washington. It seems that America does value our alliance, given how
Washington now wants to renegotiate the terms of the VFA, so they should,
among others, stop intervening in our affairs with the promise of not pivoting
to China. In the same vein, I don’t want us to become a Chinese puppet in
this aspect. And I will never consent to the building of American or Chinese
military bases within our territory no matter what we may derive from them
because that just means we’re surrendering a part of our sovereignty to
either country. I’ve made it very clear in many of my answers that I neither
want America nor China to make us a pawn for their interests. The
Philippines is no one’s stooge and never shall we be.
I feel relieved and optimistic and hold the scientific minds of this world in
absolute high esteem. I see a way out of this pandemic. With each of us that
takes the vaccine, it will certainly help to move us forward along the road to
herd immunity, which would only be difficult to achieve, if a sufficient
proportion of the population do not take the vaccine. One thing that is still
unclear, is how long will immunity last, after being vaccinated. The same
question of immunity applies to those who produced antibodies after being
others. It is perfectly normal to have concerns about possible side effects,
since it is not uncommon that some people have suffered side effects - mild
and adverse, after taking other vaccines in the past. Two cases of adverse
reactions in the form of anaphylactic shock have been reported after taking
the Pfizer/BioNTech covid-19 vaccine. The patients were allergy sufferers
who received immediate treatment, and have since recovered. Personally, I
have faith and trust in the world's scientists. The studies were methodical,
robust and extensive, and governments globally, invested millions to bring
these vaccines to fruition. The pros of the vaccine far outweigh the cons,
based on the efficacy and safety elements. I would rather endure some side
effects and remain alive, instead of risk catching covid-19 and end up with
life changing issues such as permanent organ damage, neurological and
cognitive issues, stroke and paralysis or worse yet - death. For me, it is an
absolute no brainer. We trust the pilots that fly us across the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans, at altitudes of 38,000 feet, for 12 & 24 hours in the air, and
against the harsh elements. We trust the captain that sails us across the
vast oceans at nights on a holiday cruise, while we're awake or asleep on
the seas. I thought to myself, why then should I not trust these intellectually
sound scientific minds that have worked tirelessly and engaged in intensive
studies about this virus. My decision was also based on a lot of information
about the studies that were undertaken, including former scientific studies
about coronaviruses, that go back to The SARS outbreak. Most of us have
taken other vaccines over the years, some of us take an annual flu injection,
antibiotics and other medications which scientists and the pharmaceutical
giants have developed. Personally, I have trust in our world's scientists and I
won't be questioning their intellectual integrity.
 PANDEMIC
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of
the new coronavirus, COVID-19, a worldwide pandemic. Since January
2020, MSF teams around the world have been responding to the COVID-19
pandemic, in both countries where we've previously worked, and those we
haven't had to work in before. Meanwhile, we have also ensured people still
continue to have access to healthcare. 
 The coronavirus pandemic has hit us - and it’s hit us hard. Some businesses
are struggling to stay afloat while others are on the verge of throwing in the
towel and calling it quits. The very act of travelling defines us as human
beings, addressing our deepest needs for exploration and connection. We
are not a species that can remain content with staying in one place, toiling
through the drudgery of daily life without training our eyes every now and
then towards the distant horizon, wondering, “What’s next?”  The plague has
drawn, from the shadows to the forefront of our consciousness, the social
inequalities that lurk in society. We can no longer turn our faces away from
the social issues that have, for the longest time, been most conveniently
swept under a collective carpet which we have all had a hand in weaving in
order not to have to face our own failings and shortcomings. The people
who work in our sanitation services, our education, security and healthcare
systems, our postal and delivery networks - those who work day and night to
ensure that modern society runs without a hiccup. It has given us this
opportunity to not just be grateful for the tens of thousands of lives working
at the frontline everyday but to also find ways in which we can contribute,
however small, to taking care of others whose circumstances may not be as
fortunate as ours, or to those who may need a bit of a lift, or a boost
perhaps, to make it through these trying times. It is in these times when we
may have the opportunity to call upon ourselves as responsible business
owners to find ways to make a difference, however great or small, not just in
the ways we run our business, but to be more inclusive in the ways we
lookout for one another.  because she has millions of audience and her blogs divide people. Duterte's
 ONLINE CLASS
My online learning experience as a student is not so good. I only like how I
don’t have to wake up at 6 every day. What I don’t like about it is that for me
it’s confusing when a teacher gives us work mostly since it’s easier for me to
do work with instructions that the teacher gives. Being in a physical
classroom makes me only focus on my work, but online learning makes it
harder to focus because I have to also focus on household stuff, and it
throws me off. I would not want to do online learning in the future because it
is hard for me to concentrate on my work only.
Recently traditional forms of learning have been developed using
new technologies.  Consequently, more and more people are choosing to
improve their skills using online learning. Majority of people say it is
beneficial whereas others argue that online education has disadvantages as
well.   People are in search of many new ways of learning. One of the most
popular methods is online learning. Unfortunately, this manner has not only
advantages but also disadvantages. Online methods of education are
advantageous for many reasons. First of all, it is very convenient.  A human
can use a computer access and Internet connection anywhere, for example,
at home, outdoors or even on a bus.  This benefit is especially important for
people who live in remote rural areas and cannot relocate or commute to
school. However, it is also useful for parents who want to study young
children at home or any student who prefers to work in the comfort of their
own home or coffee. Moreover, online learning is cheaper than traditional
classroom academic or trade courses. These courses are unpaid. Students
can save money. For example, they do not have to pay for courses.  On the
other hand, online learning has negative aspects. To begin with, limited
social interaction prevents to study how much time an individual wants.
Always online programs give people a possibility of limited to use their
programme.  Later students will have to pay money if they want to continue
a course further. Furthermore, the only method of communication of online
learning is through email, chat room or discussion groups. People cannot
interact with others to face to face. It is an unnatural way of communication.
Humans do not see and feel relationships with classmates and feedback.
In conclusion, an online manner of education has both pros and cons. In my
mind, online learning is necessary for humans because it relieves and
accelerates a method to deepen their skills.
 DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION
I support him, but I am not a blind fanatic. Change scamming indeed. I have
never liked Duterte since the 2016 election, because of fake blogs - the
hype was uncontrollable and sadly, he won it. His war on drugs, favoritism
on his military, incompetent people he put in the gov't. For one, Mocha
Uson, she runs a blog that posts dangerous contents. It's dangerous
followers were forced to believe that such a Red/Yellow war existed. His war
on drugs killed thousands of people on the lower class but protects
suppliers, the higher-ups. Worst of all, it killed innocent young children.
Duterte is afraid of powerful women so he would come at them and find
ways to put them down or worse in jail. His words are inconsistent and
would always say such ignorant phrases he thinks are funny. His
spokesperson Panelo, is an ignorant man and his bestfriend Bong Go, was
elected as a senate but is always with him doing photo ops and sipping
coffee at Mcdonalds at 2 am. Most of the elected senators right now are
incompetent. His favorite, Bato once stated after he was elected that he's
still going to study on creating law but not on UP cause they bully him. The
senate president right now is a homophobe, a misogynist, he insulted single
moms as 'na-ano' (just got knocked up). Revilla, who stole millions of money
in Ph was re-elected and Marcos in a senate again. During the time when
the Chinese vessel hits the Filipino fishermen boat, he was quick to make
amends with China before giving 25k loan assistance for the latter and the
boat given are not even good. During this NCOV, the gov't was so slow on
making the travel ban - there are just so many bad things he did. But I think
what upset me the most, is how he divides people, with all his PR's fake
news. How greedy Filipinos can be publishing contents that they know are
dangerous but continue to do so for money. How people feed on their fake
 news, without fact-checking. Years from now, even if he's no longer in the
position - all these things he's doing now will forever be ingrained on people,
they will lack judgement and continue supporting such corrupt and greedy
politicians and blindly following them.
 DEATH OF NINOY AQUINO
FORMER President Benigno S. Aquino III, more fondly known as PNoy or
Noynoy, died early Thursday morning (June 24), shortly after being rushed
to Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City. His family said his death
certificate listed the cause of death as renal or kidney disease secondary to
diabetes. They said he “died peacefully in his sleep” and was declared dead
at 6:30 a.m. President Benigno Aquino III left the country a mixed, surely
imperfect, but overall good legacy. We saw that he tried his best, was not
driven by ambition and self-interest, and had nothing but the best of
intentions for the country in mind. He prioritized the fight against corruption
and enshrined transparency and accountability in government procedures.
(Unfortunately, not all within his official family could claim consistency with
those principles.)His stewardship of the economy was excellent. But while
he made sure that the poor were prioritized in social welfare and anti-
poverty programs like the conditional cash transfer program, his
administration did not address the social inequality which pervades
our country and which, in the pandemic, has been exacerbated.Aquino,
known popularly as Noynoy and PNoy, led the Philippines from 2010 to
2016. As president, he was praised for reviving the economy, and for his
staunch defence of the country’s territory. In 2013, he took Beijing to court to
challenge its claims in the South China Sea - a case the Philippines won in
2016.Aquino was an imperfect leader but he planted the seeds of our
country's economic recovery and showed us what the Philippines could do
with steadfast leadership.In power, his government achieved a breakthrough
when, after years of negotiations, it signed a peace accord with the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front, a major insurgent group. Aquino also succeeded in
pushing through a reproductive health bill that had faced strong opposition
in the majority-Catholic country, promising universal access to sex
education and contraception. However, Aquino was widely criticised over his
response to the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, which many considered too slow.
More than 6,000 people were killed in the disaster. His image was also
tainted by scandals over the lawmakers’ misuse of public funds that same
year. Aquino’s administration faced a further crisis in 2015, when 44
commandos were killed in a botched operation to capture a wanted
Malaysian militant. He was succeeded by the populist Rodrigo Duterte, who
assumed office in 2016.
 COMMUNICATION
Communication is one of the important tools that aid us to connect with people.
Either you are a student or a working professional, good communication is something
that will connect you far ahead. Proper communication can help you to solve a number
of issues and resolve problems. This is the reason that one must know how to
communicate well. The skills of communication essential to be developed so that you are
able to interact with people. And able to share your thoughts and reach out to them. All
this needs the correct guidance and self-analysis as well. The word communication is
basically a process of interaction with the people and their environment. Through such
type of interactions, two or more individuals influence the ideas, beliefs, and attitudes of
each other. Communication is the greatest importance. It is important to sharing out
one’s thoughts and feelings to live a fuller and happier life. The more we communicate
the less we suffer and the better we feel about everything around. However, it is all the
more necessary to learn the art of effective communication to put across ones point
well. As a matter of fact, punctuation plays a great role in contemporary society,
Punctuation allows us to avoid misunderstanding and render this or that meaning,
express our attitude to the facts, opinions mentioned. Punctuation marks are like
signs, like indicators what should be underlined and what can be enumerated without
special emphasis. Punctuation is very powerful, if it is used in the right way, but if it is
applied to indignantly, it may cause serious problems, inconveniences and make the
sentence with wrong punctuation mark or its absence become even humorous for an
attentive listener. That is why one should be careful with using punctuation marks
and take precautions in order not to get into an inconvenient situation or even
into trouble.
Listening breaks down the barriers between individuals by paving the way for mutual
understanding and cooperation. Good listening prevents communication gap and
facilitates a fair grasp of the objectives and priorities of individuals and institutions.
Attentive listening prevents the need for repetitions and thus save precious time.
Normally, people listen to improve their knowledge, to obtain information, to follow
directions, to be able to solve problems, to share experiences and feelings of joy and
sorrow, to express opinions, to give judgments, and finally to learn new things.
The four types of listening are appreciative, empathic, comprehensive, and critical.
Familiarize yourself with these different types of listening so you can strengthen and
improve your ability to critically think and evaluate what you have heard.