Mga Sagabal sa Pagkamit ng Pambansang Industrialisasyon

Final Farewell (Script Writing)

Mga Tauhan:

Mateo Roxas – sundalong AFP

Abdul Alim – kasapi ng MILF

Heneral Basillo – pinuno ng pangkat ni Mateo

Act 1 Scene 1

Eksena: Isang gabi sa isang liblib na lugar sa Zamboanga, naghahanda ang pangkat ng mga sundalong AFP sa pagsabak sa giyera laban sa MILF.

Heneral Basillo: Perpare yourselves for our battle at moon. Don't show mercy! Protect yourselves but most of all today we are here to protect our country from these no good terrorists! Remember this and make it your motivation! Right men, now let's start planning!

 (Gumagawa ng plano ang mga kasapi sa pagpupulong)

Heneral Basillo: Gutierrez, Cruz, Reyes, you will take your posts by the river, you will be our lookouts. Make sure you alert us when they have arrived and have started to attack.

Mga sundalo: Sir, yes, sir!

Heneral Basillo: You there! Santiago, Quezon, Madrigal, Roxas and Dimasilungan, you will be our frontmen! Prepare to attack on signal.

(Patuloy na nagtatalaga ng mga posisyon si Heneral Basillo)

Heneral Basillo: Don't forget your positions! This discussion is over. Do what you have to do to prepare for our battle.

Mga sundalo: Understood, Sir General Sir!

Act 1 Scene 2

Eksena: Ang digmaan ay nagsisimula na. Pumunta na ang mga sundalo sa posisyong nakaatas sa kanila.

(Mga pagpuputok ng baril, tunog ng giyera)

Roxas: (Nag-iisip) (One bullet and all will be lost. I can not disgrace my motherland, we have to end this war so there'll be less bloodshed. our families are waiting for us in our homes. I love my country and will do all I can, for the good of my people and for the good of my country..)

(Nagpatuloy ang barilan sa giyera)

Act 1 Scene 3

(Matapos ang labanan, may nakita si Roxas na tumatakbong kalaban. Hinabol niya ito.)

Roxas: (hinahabol ang kalaban) Hey! Come back here!

(Nahuli na ni Roxas ang kalaban ngunit ito ay pumapalag)

Roxas: (tinutok ang baril sa sentido ng kalaban) Stop resisting or I'll put a bullet through your head.

(Tinanggal ni Roxas ang takip sa mukha ng kalaban)

Roxas: A-ab-abdul, is that you?

Abdul: Don't kill me! I did this for my fellowmen. For the rights of my people!

Roxas: If that's what youre fighting for, why must you kill? Why must you have started a war when you know it isn't right?

Abdul: Aren't we all just living on the same land? But how come the government doesnt show equality between Christians and Muslims?!

Roxas: I'm sorry. I wasn't open minded with what's been happening.

Abdul: Even I was blinded by my goals on our equality.

Roxas: I hope that there'd be a better way to go about our religion

Dimasilungan: There! I see the Muslim that escaped!

Madrigal: Shoot the bastard!

(putok ng baril, niligtas ni Roxas si Abdul mula sa bala)

Roxas: (dahan-dahang bumagsak sa lupa)

Abdul: (kinuha ang baril ni Roxas at tumakas)

Act 1 Scene 4

Eksena: Nakatakas si Abdul mula sa mga sundalong AFP. Nagtago siya sa ilalim ng puno ng balete

Abdul: (hawak ang baril ni Roxas) This is the last reminder from my dear friend. I'll never be able to see him again. Why was it that the moment we finally reunited was our final farewell?

(Nililinis niya ang baril ng kaibigan nang bigla niyang nakalabit ang gatilyo nito. Ito pala’y nakatutok sa kaliwang bahagi ng kanyang dibdib.)

Abdul: Damn it!

FIN XD

Tragedy (Script Writing)

Scene 1

At the bar, girl is waiting for guy.

Tyler: Guess who?

Alice: Is it you, Tyler?

Tyler: (Hugs her) I missed you.

Alice: I miss you too. But hey, there’s something I want to tell you. Let me just go to the toilet first.

Tyler: Sure babe

Scene 2

In the toilet, girl is puking.

Alice: (in front of the mirror making puking sounds) I need to tell him but he looks so happy. I don’t want him to worry. Will he still love me when he finds out? No, I can’t. I can’t tell him.

Tyler: (knocks on the door) Hey babe, you okay? What’s taking you so long?

Alice: I’m fine. Don’t wait up. I’ll be there soon.

Tyler: Okay. I’ll be at the bar.

Scene 3

Tyler: Hey babe, this guy gave me so many drinks. We had a game (drunken shit)

Alice: Hey you okay? I think you’re a little too drunk right now. Let’s go home.

Tyler: but how about that thing you wanted to tell me?

Alice: I can wait.

Tyler: Alright. I’ll send you home.

Scene 4

Guy sends girl home

Tyler: Bye babe.

Alice: Bye. I’ll call you later.

Tyler: Sure. (Hugs girl)

Scene 5

In the car:

(Cellphone ringing)

Tyler: (answers phone) Oh, hey babe. How are you doing?

Alice: Hey, there’s something I want to talk about. But promise me you’ll still love me when you hear it.

Tyler: (worried) why? What happened?

Alice: Tyler, I’m (screeeeeeeeech, boom) Tyler? Tyler? Hello? What happened? HEY TYLER! (Sounds coming from phone: oh my gosh! That guy’s dead)

Alice: (nabitawan yung phone) dead? (Breaks down) But we’re having a child! (Caresses belly) no. no! I refuse to believe this! Tyler! (Faints from shock)

Scene 6

At Tyler’s mom’s house

Tyler’s mom: Tyler, what really happened? You killed a person?

Tyler: It was an accident okay? I was drunk!

Tyler’s nom: Well, what do you plan on doing now?

Tyler: I don’t want Alice to know. She’s too important to me. I can’t bear to see her face if she finds out I killed a freaking person! What if she leaves me? What if she doesn’t love me anymore? I can’t take that, mom! Call me selfish but I’d rather die than see her hate me! (Sudden realization) What if I really did die? I’ll put myself in disguise and pretend I really am dead. Mom, you’ve got to help me! Help me disguise myself! Please! I need your help!

Mom: Wait, Tyler. Are you sure with this? Put some more thought to it! What do you think will hapopen to poor Alice once she finds out your dead?!

Tyler: But mom, this is for the best. I can’t think of any other way. Alice can move on, forget about me and find someone she actually deserves.

Mom: (sighs) okay Tyler. If that’s what you think is the best for the both of you, then, I’ll help you.

Scene 7

At the hospital:

Alice: (wakes up) Where’s Tyler? How is he?

Dad ni Alice: Calm down. You just fainted. We’re at the hospital right now.

Alice: Did something happen to the baby?

Dad: The baby’s fine. There’s nothing to worry about.

Alice: Thank goodness!

(Tyler’s mom came)

Alice: Auntie! Where’s Tyler? Is he okay? What happened?

Mom: The thing is, Tyler’s… He’s… Tyler’s dead.

Alice: (shocked) what? (Cries)

Mom: He got into a car accident. They tried to get him to the hospital but he was dead on arrival.

Alice: (cries harder) but, we’re going to have a child.

Mom: What? (Cries too)

Scene 8

Several months later, Alice had a miscarriage and became depressed.

Girl: (visits the grave) Tyler, it’s been months sing you’ve left me. These past months have been the hardest. The only thing you left me was our child. But now he’s gone. I had a miscarriage. He left me too. I’m all alone in the world. Can I join you up there? I want to end this suffering. I don’t want to live in a world where everywhere I turn, I think of you.

Tyler: We had a child?

Alice: Tyler? What? Have I finally gone crazy?

Tyler: No, I’m the one who’s crazy. I left alone. I’m so selfish.

Alice: What do you mean? What are you talking about? I thought you were dead.

Tyler: I’m sorry.

Alice: Oh my gosh. I really have gone crazy. (takbo palayo, sagasaan)

(hinabol ni tyler, nakitang patay na si girl)

Tyler: I never should have left her. I’m so dumb. She is my world. Without her, I can’t live anymore.

Nagpakamatay si guy.

Truth Behind the False

People who have lived longer are said to have a lot of experiences that is too many that we can’t count. Many believe that what most people say or what elderlies say is the secret on how to live life perfectly. Others believe that the words and wisdom flowing from the elderlies’ lips speak the truth but they cannot deny the fact that they totally disagree to most of their beliefs. Some may reprimand us for what we am saying right now but we cannot let these false data penetrate into the minds of the youth, and this is what we’ve got to say:

Don’t you feel like you are obligated to do something that people say would bring you good fortune or bad ones? For example, jumping as the arms of the clock reaches 12:00 am in every New Year and believing that it may gather luck to help you with your growth, wishing to a shooting star when it appears and hoping that your prayer would be granted, burying a book below your pillow and sleeping on it overnight and expecting to be smarter next day, and a lot of beliefs that greatly lack scientific proof. These examples are one of the common beliefs that one of us may be doing but we’ve been thinking lately that people may be fooled in such practices that doesn’t have any appropriate nor reliable proof that whatever they are expecting to happen will occur.

Jumping on New Year’s Eve doesn’t affect your health. It won’t improve nor worsen your current state. Since it won’t change anything in your body, you shouldn’t expect that your growth will speed up.

 Growing taller requires proper and enough nutrients that is why some people, who are practical, intake growth improving medicines rather than believing on not reliable practices since it is recommended by experts. It also depends whether you have a trait of being tall or not.

Wishing your desires when a comet appears above you will leave you hoping for nothing. There is no scientific theory or explanation saying that if an individual prays before a shooting star, that wish will come true. Those are common happenings on fairy tales which is impossible to happen in real life. If ever that a wish came true after asking for it, it’s either someone did it for you on purpose or it is pure coincidence.

Putting a book below your pillow will not make you smarter the next day. For example, if you are studying for an exam and you really need to rest, you will put that book you are using below your pillow and sleep over it. It will not make you smarter nor make you remember it more. Maybe if you did remember the terms needed to be memorized, it is because maybe you have already mastered it. Resting on it does not affect your intelligence and experience.

These are only few examples of beliefs that elderlies taught their children and we think that young people should think deeply before believing on what they hear. It doesn’t mean that if the information sounds real, it is reliable. There is a big possibility that the beliefs they formulated are done because of the repeating coincidence when they started experimenting on such activity and it gives the same outcomes twice or more.

Also, there are a lot of things that we know but we’re not yet sure if they’re proven. Is what you know real or not real? Most of the “facts” you read in the internet are not real. Except if they came from a reliable site that shows evidence. We can’t avoid people with colorful imaginations.

Most myths are regarded as historical. But there are people who discover that there are untrue stories. Myths are intended as a belief. They are found in the television, the cinema and even in video games. Those forms of stories tend to explain nature and gives out facts.

Let’s start with myths about the brain since it’s on top. Our brain is really amazing and complex but our knowledge about it might be a bluff. Movies led us to believe that we only use 10% of our brain. Remember Lucy? According to modern brain scanning technology, we use 100% of it all the time but not all at once. There’s no part of the brain that doesn’t do anything.

Are you right brained? Nope. Maybe you’re left brained. Nope, guess again. Nobody is either left or right brained. Different sides of the brain are used for specific functions. For example, language is in the left hemisphere while the right hemisphere helps us to read emotion. There is no evidence about the left or right dominance in individuals. That means we use both side equally.

Who says alcohol kills brain cells? Actually, alcohol contains 13 minerals that sustain human life. It is good news for people who have drinking problems. But it causes damaging that creates problems conveying messages between neurons. Also, drugs don’t create holes in our brains. Some can permanently change our brain’s functionality and structure. The only thing that can put a hole in our brain is physical trauma.

We learn a lot of myths either from Google or from other people. Like the statement that the Great Wall of China is visible from space. Is it? The answer is no. You can only see the air pollution. Now stop saying that trivia in Social Studies class.

Another “Myth Conception” about nature is that we only have 5 senses. Do you agree with that? We really have approximately 20 senses, like pain, movement, hunger and many more.

According to the internet—well we found a reliable site so don’t point out that everything written here are false. So as I was saying, we know Satan as the ruler of Hell—or is he? The internet states that this myth is nowhere to be found in the Bible. Well, maybe Hades is the ruler.

And this might be a random myth buster but what did you really know about Einstein? Aside from being brainy, we know him as the guy who failed math before being a genius. And here’s the part where I’ll say that it’s not true. He just failed and entrance exam for a school. Still, he excelled in math. What do you expect?

This is the paragraph where we were mind blown because we only knew this trivia right now. “One dog year does not equal seven human years” and we went nuts. As dog lovers, we believed that they age like that and we know it’s not a big deal, but still.

Animal scientists already knew that but the myth still continues on spreading. They say that dog life spans average anywhere between 8 and 16 human years, with smaller breeds outliving large ones.

It’s not wrong to believe on what you think is true but it is better to know the truth that sayings or beliefs, without proper source, is not reliable therefore it is giving false information. It is wrong to spread wrong ideas and giving the youth wrong mind sets. They have the right to know the truth behind every false story.

Ghostly Encounters (A Short Story)

 From the small upstairs balcony, I had a perfect view of the stars. It was a cold night. A heavy wind coming up from the rivers was icy on the face. In this old Visayan town, the streets are narrow and dirty and strewn with coral shells. Under the moonlight the leaves shone like bronze. The night’s darkness brought out the faint glow of lights on the distant region at the edge of town. I was scarcely aware of the April heat; the pattern of music fell around me and dissolved swiftly.

It was one of those rare times of celebration where the townsfolk initiate a small social event for entertainment. Father was called out by his friends to drink while the young people went out to dance at the social event and told me to look after the house while he was gone.

I could have remained there all evening, unmoving, watching the celebration from afar when out of the blue; I was jostled by incessant tapping on the window.

“Pssst. Mariano, over here” said the familiar voice.

I looked down and saw that it was Marcela, a close friend of mine. Her angular face was heavily accentuated by the moonlight. Her getup was quite different than usual. Instead of wearing those old battered skirts she wears in the fields, she was dressed in a white, laced, floral skirt up to her knees. I presume she is going to the celebration.

“What are you still doing there? Let’s go to the celebration! I’ve come to fetch you.” she shouted.

“I can’t” I replied. “Father wishes me to look after the house while he’s gone”

“Oh, come on. It’s only for one night. What could possibly happen to the house while you’re gone?” she responded.

I pondered over the thought and saw no harm in heading over there for just a few hours. The town celebration was a rare event. And I think I ought to have a few hours of fun after working hard on the field these past couple of months.

After this, everything that was said and done and that night seemed like an anti-climax, and later, as we walked outside, I felt excited over the few hours that was about to come. It had been a long time since I went to an event like this.

As you walk into the room, you get the feeling that lots of enjoyment will come to pass. A long, antique, dark wood table filled with delicious food is facing the wall. Dozens of young men and women are dancing in their most proper attire. The whole lot of the barrio’s youth was here, dancing and laughing to their heart’s content.

The hours had gone by and I was losing track of time. Before I knew it, it was already past midnight and the crowd people were slowly departing.

The barrio is quite creepy during the night. The stories of my father were slowly flooding my mind, stories about monsters, ghosts and evil spirits.

I was walking home with Marcela with only the eerie shadow of the moonlight guiding us through the dirty, narrow streets.

As the wind swished through the grasses and trees, the air around us grew cold until my whole body shook with chills. I turned to look at Marcela and saw that she too was feeling the same way. Somebody was following us. We walked faster.

Out of the silvery moon-sparkle there came a figure that walked towards us. I gasped, my throat tight with fear. I called for Marcela and we ran. We were screaming and running for our lives when the ghost said something unexpectedly.

“Ughh, Mar-Mariano? Ugghh” It said. The voice sounded familiar. “Hahahaha”

“Father?” I asked it. “Are you drunk?”

“What are doing outside of the house boy? Aren’t you supposed to be looking after it?” he said.

Las Islas Filipinas (Script Writing_

Mga Tauhan:

Mateo Roxas – sundalong AFP

Abdul Alim – kasapi ng MILF

Heneral Basillo – pinuno ng pangkat ni Mateo

Act 1 Scene 1

Eksena: Isang gabi sa isang liblib na lugar sa Zamboanga, naghahanda ang pangkat ng mga sundalong AFP sa pagsabak sa giyera laban sa MILF.

Heneral Basillo: Ihanda niyo ang sarili niyo sa magaganap na laban mamayang madaling araw.                              ‘Wag na wag kayong magpapakita ng awa. Protektahan niyo ang inyong mga                                  sarili. Nandito tayo para protektahan ang ating bansa laban sa banta ng mga                                   terorista! Laging niyong tandaan yan at gawin niyo itong motibasyon! Ngayon                                        ay gagawa tayo ng plano!

(Gumagawa ng plano ang mga kasapi sa pagpupulong)

Heneral Basillo: Gutierrez, Cruz, Reyes, doon kayo sa may batis. Kayo ang magiging bantay.                                Siguraduhin ninyong maaalarma tayo kaagad sa oras na sila ay magsimulang                                  umatake.

Mga sundalo: Sir, yes, sir!

Heneral Basillo: Kayo naman, Santiago, Quezon, Madrigal, Roxas at Dimasilungan, kayo ang                                 unang aatake!

(Patuloy na nagtatalaga ng mga posisyon si Heneral Basillo)

Heneral Basillo: ‘Wag niyong kalilimutan ang inyong mga posisyon! Tapos na ang pagpupulong.                  Gawin niyo na ang dapat niyong gawin sa paghahanda.

Mga sundalo: Masusunod po, Heneral.

Act 1 Scene 2

Eksena: Ang digmaan ay nagsisimula na. Pumunta na ang mga sundalo sa posisyong nakaatas sa kanila.

(Mga pagpuputok ng baril, tunog ng giyera)

Roxas: (Nag-iisip) (Isang bala lamang, mauuwi sa kabiguan ang lahat. Hindi ko bibiguin ang                     aking bayan, kinakailang matapos ang giyera na ito nang kakaunti ang mga sawi. Ang   aming mga pamilya ay nag-aantay sa aming mga sari-sariling tahanan. Mahal ko ang    bayan ko at ito ay gagawin ko para sa kanila, para sa ikabubuti ng nakararami.)

(Nagpatuloy ang barilan sa giyera)

Act 1 Scene 3

(Matapos ang labanan, may nakita si Roxas na tumatakbong kalaban. Hinabol niya ito.)

Roxas: (hinahabol ang kalaban) Hoy! Bumalik ka dito!

(Nahuli na ni Roxas ang kalaban ngunit ito ay pumapalag)

Roxas: (tinutok ang baril sa sentido ng kalaban) Wag ka ng pumalag kundi babarilin kita.

(Tinanggal ni Roxas ang takip sa mukha ng kalaban)

Roxas: A-ab-abdul, ikaw ba ‘yan?

Abdul: Wag mo kong patayin! Ginagawa ko lang ito para sa karapatan naming mga muslim!                           Roxas: Kung pinaglalaban niyo lamang ang inyong karapatan, bakit niyo pa kailangang          

            pumatay? Bakit mo kailangang manindigan sa mga bagay na alam mong hindi naman          

            tama?

Abdul: Hindi ba’t nasa iisang bayan lang tayo? Bakit hindi napapkita ang pagkakapantay-pantay

           nating mga kristiyano’t muslim?

(napagtanto ng dalawa ang kani-kanilang opinion)

Roxas: Pasensiya na, hindi naging bukas ang aking isipan sa mga nangyayari.

Abdul: Maging ako’y nabulag sa kagustuhan kong makamit ang pagkakapantay-pantay

Roxas: Sana’y manumbalik ang magandang pakikitungo sa pagitan ng ating mga relihiyon tulad

            ng pagkakaibigan natin.

Dimasilungan: Naroon ang nakatakas na muslim!

Madrigal: Barilin ang lapastangan!

(putok ng baril, niligtas ni Roxas si Abdul mula sa bala)

Roxas: (dahan-dahang bumagsak sa lupa)

Abdul: (kinuha ang baril ni Roxas at tumakas)

Act 1 Scene 4

Eksena: Nakatakas si Abdul mula sa mga sundalong AFP. Nagtago siya sa ilalim ng puno ng balete

Abdul: (hawak ang baril ni Roxas) Ito nalang ang tangi kong ala-ala mula sa aking matalik na    

            kaibigan. Hindi ko na siya muling makikita. Bakit kung kalian muli kaming nagkita ay

            saka siya nawala? (tumungo)

(Nililinis niya ang baril ng kaibigan nang bigla niyang nakalabit ang gatilyo nito. Ito pala’y nakatutok sa kaliwang bahagi ng kanyang dibdib.)

Abdul: Ay, leche!

Science and Health Topics

Science and Health

1.      Vast majority of teens are sleep-deprived

-          Insufficient sleep impairs learning, impulse control, and judgment. It appears to even predispose people to disease. Indeed, one motivation for the survey was to probe kids’ behaviors and the extent to which these might help explain four leading causes of death among 10- to 24-year olds: motor-vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide

2.      What happens to your body when you overeat

3.      Bermuda Triangle hypothesis?

-          Earlier this year the discovery of mysterious craters in Siberia, began a debate of how the "Bermuda Triangle" claims its unfortunate victims. Experts are now discussing the idea that large explosions of trapped methane could be responsible for taking down ships in the North Atlantic Ocean with little or no warning.

4.      The Creepy Scientific Explanation Behind Ghost Sightings

5.      This Hand Dryer Study Will Have You Saying 'Ewww'

-          The study shows that as they remove moisture from users' hands, the dryers spew bacteria into the air and onto people.

6.      Ebola Virus

7.      Climate Change

8.      Send your name to Mars/ One way trip to Mars

9.      Can soft drinks speed aging?

-          Drinking 8 ounces of sweetened soda daily inflicts 1.9 extra years of aging on your cells, a new study concludes

10.  IQ is in the genes

-          How parents raise us has no impact on how smart we become, a new study finds

11.  When Cupid’s arrow strikes

-          When cupid first strikes, the body responds by releasing a cocktail of chemicals, including dopamine and adrenaline. These chemical surges may leave one love struck and incapable of rational thought for a short period of time.

12.  Sleepyheads prefer junk food

-          Pulling an all-nighter does a number on the brain, a new study finds. People who lost a night of sleep also lost much of their willpower to eat right. This connection could help explain why people who don’t regularly get a good night’s sleep are more likely to be obese.

13.  Full moon shortchanges sleep

-          Werewolves aren’t the only creatures thrown off by the moon’s cycles. A full moon subtly disrupts people’s sleep, reports a Swiss team of scientists. Even people dozing in a lab without windows experienced a small shortfall in zzz’s.

14.  A mind for math

-          The anatomy of your brain may be linked with how easily you learn math, a new study finds. Deep inside each side of the brain lies a region called the hippocampus (plural hippocampi). It’s shaped like a seahorse (hippo campus means “sea monster” in Greek) and helps make memories. The size of this brain region and how it’s wired to others may play important roles in how children learn math, reports a study published in April.

15.  Fooling the mind’s eye

-          Neuroscientists and psychologists study how the mind works and how emotions can affect our responses. These scientists have begun teaming up with magicians to study how tricks can manipulate critical attention and awareness.

16.  Early school starts can turn teens into ‘zombies’

-          Doctors' orders: Start school later to make teens happier — and healthier

The Fault in our Traditions (Script Writing)

Characters:

Mang Pedro – witch doctor

Bebang – mother of Mariano

Mariano – Bebang’s son, farmer

Act 1 Scene 1

Time: Late afternoon

Scene: In a province in Northern Isabela, there is a small nipa hut. There is an abundance of trees surrounding the area.

Bebang enters the scene holding a plate of bread. She is in her late forties, dressed in a daster. She puts the plate of bread on the table and calls her son, Mariano.

Bebang: (calls from inside) Mariano! Come here, we’re going to eat merienda! Help me set the table.

Mariano: (immediately enters) yes, nay (sits beside Bebang)

Bebang: How was your day? Did you have a bountiful harvest?

Mariano: The crops were plagued by pests. We didn’t have anything to harvest. Even our only carabao died.

Bebang: (drops the bread in shock) Dios mio! Sus mariosep! How could you be so stupid! (hits Mariano in the head) You let our only carabao die! What do you think will happen to us now?

Mariano: Nay! The bread! That’s the last piece of bread we have!

Bebang: Don’t be so silly! Wala pang five seconds! (picks up the bread and stuffs into mouth)

Mariano: Oh. So that’s how it works.

Bebang: Take your share of the bread with you and go to Aling Celing’s house. Ask for some eggs. Tell her we’ll pay her when your problem with the farm is resolved.

Mariano: Okay nay. (Mariano exits)

Act 1, Scene 2

Along a rice field, Mariano is walking with bread in his hands.

Mariano: Why is it when something bad happens, I am always the one being blamed. It’s not even my fault that the carabao died! I’m the one who’s always doing the hard work! (ruffles hes hair out of frustration and drops the bread) Ay kalabaw!

Mariano sees the bread in the puddle

Mariano: Wala pa namang five seconds (eats the bread)

Mariano is walking home from Aling Celing’s house.

Mariano: Nay’s going to kill me. Aling Celing didn’t have any chicken eggs (cries out from sudden pain in his stomach)

Mariano: Ah! What’s happening to me? Baka na nuno ako! I should go to Mang Pedro Immediately! He knows what to do!

Act 1, Scene 3

Mariano is walking to a small nipa hut at the isolated part of the barrio where there is an abundance of trees.

Mariano: Mang Pedro! I need your help!

Mang Pedro: What is it, hijo?

Mariano: My stomach is aching! I think I might be possessed by an evil being that cannot be seen! Help me Mang Pedro!

Mang Pedro: I see. That is really bad. (nods continuously while stroking his beard) Let me think of some some methods to banish the evil elements dwelling inside your body. (chants)

Mariano: (amazed by the chanting) Mang Pedro! Do everything you can.

Mang Pedro: I got it! Here’s what you should do, hijo. First, offer a white chicken behind my nipa hut and put it inside the cage. Next, bathe yourself in coconut oil. After that, cover your abdomen with boiled sambong leaves.

Mariano: Thank you so much Mang Pedro! I will surely follow your methods.

Act 1, Scene 4

Mariano is seen doing all of the things Mang Pedro told him to do. He placed a white chicken in a cage behind Mang Pedro’s nipa hut. After that, he applied coconut oil on hus body and placed sambong leaves on his abdomen. Still, his stomachache did not go away. He went to his mother as a last resort.

Bebang: Mariano, where have you been? Where are the eggs I asked you to get from aling Celing?

Mariano: Aling Celing doesn’t have any more eggs, nay.

Bebang: Then, what took you so long?

Mariano: Om my way back, I had a stomachache and I thought I was possessed by evil elements so I went to see Mang Pedro.

Bebang: (hits Mariano in the head) you stupid child! Why did you go to Mang Pedro just because of a measly stomachache! You should have gone straight home and asked for my opinion. For all I know, you might have just eaten something foul. Go and relieve yourself in the bathroom.

Mariano: Are you sure, nay?

Bebang: Of course, I am sure, stupid child!

END

Sofia's Medal - Las Piñas City Division - Essay Writing Contest

Department of Education

Las Piñas City Division

Essay Writing Contest

Grade 10

September 4, 2015

Sofia's Medal - Regional Contest - Science and Health

Regional Contest

National Capital Region

 Mandaluyong Elementary School

Mandaluyong City

Category:

Science and Health
December 5, 2015

Participants:

200+ High School Students

Topic:

"Haze in Indonesia"

Las Piñas Science High School

Las Piñas City

Sofia Urielle C. Riñon

6th Placer

The Wavering Scourge (HIV-AIDS)

When cases of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) were first reported more than 3 decades ago, they sent the world into hysteria, with people fearing just about any contact with those who had been found positive with the disease. Spreading rapidly, and with no known cure for it, HIV/AIDS was a dreaded condition. And now taking a theatrical turn on its unending saga, protesters claim that the epidemic has reached its tipping point.

According to avert.org, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, shortened AIDS, is caused by HIV. Some people may refer to AIDS as advanced HIV infection. HIV is a virus that gradually attacks immune system cells. As HIV progressively damages these cells, the body becomes more vulnerable to infections, which it will have difficulty in fighting off. It is at the point of very advanced HIV infection that a person is said to have AIDS. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when they have developed an AIDS related condition or symptom, called an opportunistic infection, or an AIDS related cancer which takes advantage of the weakened immune system. Moreover, AIDS can be diagnosed when the number of immune system cells in the blood of an HIV positive person drops below a certain level.

Worryingly, there is still no cure for HIV. Even so, the infection can be prevented, and those living with HIV can take antiretroviral drugs to prevent or delay the onset of AIDS. However, in many countries across the world access to prevention and treatment services is limited. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV prevention and care, so that millions of deaths can be averted.

How, exactly?

Last December 1, 2014, HIV/AIDS awareness and service organizations around the world met for commemoration of the World AIDS Day, a global movement to unite those in the fight against the disease, support those living with HIV/AIDS and remember those the disease took too soon. The event was marked in with educational seminars, public talks and campaigns most revolving around the stigma and discrimination of people having the disease.

 “On this World AIDS Day, I call on world leaders to unite in our common cause. We have started to turn the tide. We have set a bold target. Let us end AIDS together by 2030,” said UNAIDS secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.

But the Philippines, a country still shackled in the grip of the Catholic hang-ups about sex, cannot even discuss condom use and other broad issues concerning sexual and reproductive health without having denunciations from the Church and other conservative private sectors. We can’t accept the mere fact that the country is facing the risk of a full-blown epidemic with the rapid and unabated rise of the infection. Although there is still a low prevalence of HIV in the Philippines, with just under 24,000 cases reported in 2012, transmission is now growing rapidly with the average ballooned into 15 cases per day as of 2014.

There’s no way to put it: The Philippines is winning the gold medal in Asia for the fastest rising epidemic in those populations. Moreover, the country is nowhere along the finish line as for this distant dream of the United Nations. Doubtless, a whip of greater shame and stigma is along the way.

The implications are clear. Unprotected sex, whether done by straight or gay persons, is the deadliest form of transmission. Discrimination and stigma are still barriers to spreading the word about testing and new treatments among gay and bisexual men. These facts should therefore ideally receive the most attention in terms of public education and awareness. Furthermore, Filipinos, belonging in the vulnerable groups should be open with their sexuality and be transparent as getting them to be tested and to be truthful about their selves is a very important way to combat the spread of HIV.

Certainly, it is only through the concerted efforts of government and citizens, young and old, infected and uninfected, that we will be able to stop HIV/AIDS in its tracks, and bequeath to our children and their children a future beyond the shadow of this terrible illness-nay, a wavering scourge.

It is a well-known fact that humans are naturally curious. Human beings just seem to have a natural desire to learn more, to figure out things we don't understand.

Well guess what?

The human desire to discover the unknown has taken curiosity to a whole new level. Much like the way gamers often perform repetitive tasks to improve their character’s skill set, or grinding as they call it, people have now taken the term upgrade literally, as they try to gain some of those same superskills seen in games and movies, in real life by hacking their bodies.

Body hacking is one of those buzzy blanket terms used to describe a whole spectrum of ways that people modify or improve their bodies, from fairly tame experiments to more intense modifications like growing extra ears out of their arms.

The upgrade or body hacking can seem like a reckless and narcissistic pursuit. After all, treating your body like a home science kit can have serious consequences. Yet, even with possible consequences, today’s transhumanists take it further. They seek to extend the senses and co-mingle them, allowing themselves to do things like detect Wi-Fi, hear colors, sense magnetic north, and see in the dark. Technology is driving the trend. Check out these 6 crazy body hacks that give you a set of superhuman upgrades.

1.    Touch Electromagnetic Fields

Touching electromagnetic fields may seem impossible, but not for today’s grinders. Magnets are easy to install and this is among the first hacks grinders try. Become a walking magnet by implanting a barrel-shaped neodymium variety, the size of a grain of rice, beneath the skin of a finger. These magnets are coated with bio-proof materials such as titanium nitride (used to coat replacement hips), silicone, and Teflon to avoid injury and infection. When a person with this body hack encounters an electromagnetic field, it vibrates against the nerves, enabling the user to feel things from large power transformers to tiny paperclips.

2.     Install a Sonar

Want to sense distances like a dolphin? You’re in luck because hacker collective Grindhouse Wetware Bottlenose creates a sonar perception much like a dolphin. Its dolphin-like range finder locates an object in a dark room using an ultrasonic distance sensor, then sends electromagnetic pulses to a magnet in the user’s finger, providing a sense of things like an object’s size and distance. As a user moves closer to the object, the sensations grow stronger. Bottlenose can also detect radiation or the presence of ethanol, and it can pick up Bluetooth signals. A thermal infrared sensor spots warm objects—such as a stove or a clothes dryer—from up to several feet away. There are also add-on sensors for detecting things like ultraviolet light and for sensing compass headings. For people without magnet implants, a wearable magnet works just as well, delivering the same sensory vibrations outside the skin, as long as the magnet is worn within the range of the Bottlenose device.

3.    Hear Wi-Fi

Imagine walking down the street, and instead of looking for that little Wi-Fi sticker on the doors of coffee shops, you could hear a hotspot’s presence. London journalist Frank Swain is partially deaf. He wears hearing aids that link via Bluetooth to his smartphone. Last year, a sound-engineer friend hacked his phone’s software, so now it sends melodies and Geiger-counter-like clicks to his hearing aids when it detects Wi-Fi zones. “I pick up a lot more data than you might think,” Swain says. “Routers give away a lot through the pitch of their digital signals, including the brand, the type of router, the Inter­net Service Provider, whether high security or low security. I can even home in on their location using stereo.”

4.    Get Superhuman Night Vision

A chlorophyll derivative in eyes of the deepsea dragonfish, found in oceans of the Southern Hemisphere helps it see in the dark—or rather in a red light cast by a bioluminescent organ. In March 2015, California biohackers Gabriel Licina and Jeffrey Tibbetts wanted to try a similar derivative, Chlorin e6. They bought 100 milligrams from a medical supplier. A heavy dose would have burned the eyes, so they diluted half in insulin and saline, adding the organic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide. Tibbetts pinned Licina’s eyelids with specula and dosed the eyes. After two hours, Licina was able to identify people 50 feet away in a darkened area 100 percent of the time, while four control subjects had a 33 percent success rate. So far, there have been no bad side effects.

5.    Implant Headphones

Rich Lee, a salesman and grinder wanted true wireless headphones. So he implanted a magnet in the small prominence (known as the tragus) in front of each ear. He then hacked his smartphone to send audio into a signal amplifier that relays it to a wired “antenna” necklace around his neck. The necklace creates an electromagnetic field around Lee’s head. And the field induces vibrations in the ear magnets that Lee hears as music.

6.    Hear Colors

Colorblind artist and musician Neil Harbisson saw the world in monochrome most of his life. However, in 2013, in a Barcelona clinic, a surgeon  drilled four holes into the occipital bone at the base of his skull and anchored a camera. Its flexible lens arcs over Harbisson’s head to just above his brow, where it captures the color of any object he is looking at; a chip inside his skull transposes the color into a frequency; and then turns each frequency into a vibration picked up by Harbisson’s inner ear. A yellow sock sounds like the G note above middle C; the blue of the ocean (who he once met) sounds like B. Volume relies on color saturation. Fused to his body, the camera stalk feels like a long tooth, Harbisson says. Every few months, he has to charge a small battery to power the processor, camera, actuator, and wireless systems.