Afghanistan After The 9/11 Attack

“I am not someone who believes

We should build a fence around our country

But I do believe there ought to be some fairness

With respect to the rules of this globalization.”
-Byron Dorgan

Afghanistan was considered to be the country with the most progressive constitution in their region after the 9/11 attack. The country was able to come up with aligned foreign policies with the promises of Globalization and was able to establish connections with every country in the region and beyond for cooperation based on the commercial exchange of goods and services and persuade other countries to lay out money in their country. “A Globalized World will consist of united regions that have geographical, cultural and economic commonalities”, Hamid Karzai said. Are we sure as shooting that this is certain to occur? Is Globalization only after the sharing of common attributes among the regions in the world or a world of uniformity, a place where diversity and variations is missing? The Democratically Elected Leader and Parliament were said to have prepared the country for becoming a subject of positive globalization. When we say positive, it would involve benefit, advantage or good. Has Afghanistan really been a subject of positive globalization after the 9/11 attack?

Globalization, internalized as awlaama in Middle East, refers to the spread of ideas, customs, institutions and attitudes throughout the globe which is usually Western in origin. As a result, it has often been perceived as largely equivalent to westernization. People in Middle East usually see Globalization as an external threat rather than opportunity. Globalization in Middle East is marked by intrusive hegemony of the United States of America, Renewed Economic Dependency and Continuing Insecurity. Because of United States of America’s imposition of structural adjustment, unpopular and inequitable peace treaties and campaigns against terrorism, it led to a state of turbulent change and instability. It uses courses of action that are proved to be highly disruptive and a cause of new conflicts, hostile meetings of opposing military forces and exclusions throughout the world. It often acted as an obstruction rather than a force that would drive them to democratization.

My object of study in this paper is the globalization itself, its effects on the society, the governing authority and local culture of the colonized state. Discussion of the aftermath of the resistance and acceptance of Afghanistan to Globalization will be included in the paper. Furthermore, a discursive formation of how the military occupation of the United States as one of the dimensions of Globalization in Afghanistan will be considered in detail and subjected to analysis.

Globalization: Mother of Worldwide Terrorism

Globalization was supposed to contribute to the growth of democracy however it only led to an intensification of local and global conflicts just like in the case of Afghanistan. It became a haven for international terrorism. The 9/11 attack was considered to be the first war of the 21^st Century and the first major war in the age of globalization. It is an example of a newly globalized jihad by Osama Bin Laden and the multinational AlQaeda, a terrorist network intensely opposed to the United States that dispenses money and logistical support and training to a wide variety of radical Islamic terrorist groups. At the present, it has cells in 50 different countries spread throughout the globe. Osama Bin Laden and his Arab Afghan followers were partly US creations. They are against the United States of America not just because of the religious and cultural differences but also because of its continuous presence in Saudi Arabia, control over Arab Oil, siege of Iraq and other activities in Middle East. The origin of this problem can be traced back in the 1979 wherein armed Islamic groups, the mujahedin, who were trained by the United States of America and were formed to fight the 100,000 Soviet Troops and the Communist government they had installed. Afghans did not want these fighters to stay after the Soviet Troops left. The problem is that right after United States of America’s support of containing the communism in Afghanistan; they left the place with no functioning central government. If only they were able to put up an institution for governance, they could have forced the terrorists to move out of the place just like what they are still doing at the present.

Globalization: Tool for the Enhancement of Material Interests

Globalization seems like to be a new word for Imperialistic Colonization. We can see it in the dominance or leadership of the United States of America over Afghanistan and other Middle East Countries. It has further extended its rule over foreign countries in the form of aggressive extension of authority. If countries could not be coerced or persuaded by economic promises and the Utopian projection of America that it is an ideally perfect state especially in its social and political and moral aspects, they are being invaded. They use their military might.

In 1998, the United States of America wanted a new government in Afghanistan. It is for a reason that an internationally recognized Afghanistan Government should first be placed before the construction of oil pipeline would be allowed and they have no other choice because Afghanistan is the only possible route for the desired pipeline. This plan could not have happened if America had not used their military power to replace the government in Afghanistan and it started in 1998. According to Mr. Niaz Naik, former Pakistani Foreign Secretary, said that the wider objective of United States of America is to topple the Taliban Regime and install a transitional government to moderate Afghans in its place. Possibly, if a transitional government would be placed, Zahir Shah who was the former king would lead the government.

After this terrorist attack in September 11, 2001, the United States of America led a military invasion in Afghanistan to deprive the Taliban of strength and efficiency and make them no longer a threat to International Security. The invasion actually started even before the 9/11 attack. Because of this day in 2001 when Arab suicide bombers hijacked United States airliners and used them as bombs, the United States of America took it as a right time to secure public supports to continue its invasion in Afghanistan. The stated intention of the invasion was to locate Osama bin Laden and other high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and put them on trial, to obliterate the whole organization of Al-Qaeda, and to take out the Taliban regime which supported and gave safe harbor to Al-Qaeda. Behind this invasion of the United States of America is an economic motive which can be seen in the substantial links of the president during that time, George W. Bush, with the oil industry. These substantial links can be seen in 2000 elections when gas and other energy interests donated more that $90 million to Bush Presidential Campaign.

The United States America was successful in their military invasion in Afghanistan. They were able to put up a US controlled interim government under the leadership of the former Oil Company Adviser, Hamid Karzai who played as a key collaborator in the conspiracy to construct the major gas and oil pipe line in the region which was the hidden agenda of the US led invasion. Mr. Hamid Karzai really had a strong American backing, support and approval from the American Government. He was clearly trained for leadership. As what has been said by those who support Globalization, it was supposed to contribute to the growth of democracy. However, for those who are against it, they say that it is not democracy. It is like a rubber stamp because everything has already been decided by the powerful ones.

Globalization: Grounds for Social Inequality and Exclusion

Evidence of Class Exclusion and Westernization abound in the Capital of Afghanistan which is Kabul. The economy inside Kabul flourishes with warlords building $100 million ski resorts. These developments are only present in Kabul. For those who are outside Kabul, they are experiencing a different thing. The other provinces in the south like Helmand, Kandahar and Zabul are submitting to, and welcoming the returning tyranny of the Taliban in exchange for food, jobs and security.

In 2004, Nangahar province in Afghanistan reduced Opium Poppy Cultivation by 96% due to the promises of the government that they would give out seeds for new cash crops, financial support and improved infrastructure in the place. However, just like any other promises, it was broken. The promises were not given because the money which was supposed to be allocated for the cash crops and infrastructure was lost in the state’s inducement by improper means, mismanagement and misallocation of the budget. As a result, the economy of the country went down by 60%.

As a result, Poppy production was back in the year 2005. People earn faster and bigger amounts through this activity. They are earning around 6000$ per hectare and this amount is ten times bigger than the money that they would get from other cash crops. This served as a survival strategy for th peasantry because it does not only supply income to buy food and other necessities but also an employment. As a result, ties between the Ordinary People who became Drug Traffickers and the Taliban in Drug Operations in Afghanistan were established. This secret agreement between these two parties is beneficial for the both of them. The Taliban gets the drug money from this Multimillion Dollar Opium Crop which served as their economic engine to finance their insurgency. At an instant, they were able to form a group which was like a Global guerilla which served as their mutual defense front against the eradication of their Poppy crops.

Discrimination cannot only be seen between the people from Kabul and from those who are outside the country’s capital. It can also be seen within the structure Opium traders. The Government of the United States of America has been alleged of backing Narcotic-state in Afghanistan. The United States is picking and choosing winners in the Global Opium trade by eliminating Taliban connected traders and replacing them with those Opium traders with political power in the Afghan Government. Another issue that would support this allegation is the case of General Abdul Rashid Dostum in 2001 wherein he together with his men massacred thousands of prisoners. They stuffed them into metal containers, suffocating most of them and then shooting at close range those who survived. General Dostum was not touched for the crime because he is working for the CIA during that time, an independent agency of the United States government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest. There was an accusation that a cover up was made with the help of the US government.

Globalization: Instrument for the Creation of New Cultural Identity

According to Peter Berger, “The Negative Side of Globalization is that it wipes out entire economic systems and in doing so wipes out the accompanying culture.” People in the Middle East give great importance to their cultural identity especially the Arab and Muslim Intellectuals. They are deeply concerned about maintaining their cultural identity and independence in the face of globalization most especially as it has been seen as a social process of assimilation of American Culture. One of the three groups of Arab Intelligentsia, group of educated and intellectual elites in Middle East, sees Globalization as the highest stage of Cultural Invasion. The United States exerts hegemonic influence in promoting its values and habits through popular culture and the news media and they call it Americanization. They do want a standardization of world culture to happen, a cultural phenomenon which is the emergence of a World Culture. They do want to see the local and traditional forms be cleared out in one’s country to make for American Television, music, food, clothes, films. They fear that one day Afghans would take that as the heart of globalization.

Because of the great value of Cultural Identity in Middle East, negative and defensive responses are seen against globalization such as the discouragement of the supporting elements of globalization like democracy, free enterprise, civil and human rights. Like what Roger Scruton wrote in his book, by imposing itself and its values on the entire world through the Globalization process, the West is creating conditions for conflict to occur between other cultures.

If Middle East has AlQaeda Jihad which imposes radical Islam on the world and destroying Western Infidel Culture, United States of America has its own apparatus for cultural penetration. This is the McWorld. It imposes its jihad on the local culture and traditions of Middle East. It is good to know that at the present, we cannot find any McDonalds store in Afghanistan. However, if this thing happens, McDonalds can destroy local values, the traditional eating habits and cuisines shared by the Afghanistan Society like the flat bread which is often dipped in a light meat stock cooked on an iron plate in the fire or on the inner wall of a clay oven which is really a part of their everyday food. Yogurt and other dairy products are also an important element of an Afghan’s diet, as are onions, peas and beans, dried fruits, and nuts. Scrambled eggs prepared with tomatoes and onions are common meal. For the drinks, tea is drunk all day. Sugar is used in the first cup of the day, and then sweets are eaten and kept in the mouth while sipping tea. Other common beverages would also include water and buttermilk. It would really not be surprising if one day you would see the people in the Afghanistan eating McDonalds Burger and Fries and sipping Coke Sundae. This could be possible results of United States of Americas exertion of their culture and values to the Afghanistan Society.

Afghans are also lovers of social life with abundance of music and festivals. They are considered to be musical people. However, during the Taliban Regime, their passion for music was placed in limits because listening to music or playing any instrument either in public or private was prohibited by the regime. However, at the present, the restrictions were gradually relaxed and at the same time, American music influencing the music of Afghanistan. One example of this is the concerts, recording and filming in Kabul, Afghanistan by the American Voices entitled Jazz Bridges Afghanistan. This is a collaborative performance of American and Afghan artists and musicians. This very first performance of Americans in Afghanistan was a success. The concert goers praised vociferously the jazz rendition of their traditional music. Jazz is a genre of popular music that originated in New Orleans in Louisiana, United States of America around 1900 and developed through increasingly complex styles. This is just another picture of American winning the approval and support of the Afghans. They were able to accomplish their intended purpose which may include the incorporating American culture into the Afghanistan Community.

America was also to affect the media and clothing culture at the same time. Cultural War is visible in the television and again, America has been a contributing factor to this conflict. Afghanistan has its own premier pop music even in the country which is the Afghan Star. This Television program of the Tolo Television Network is the counterpart of the American Idol.For some, the network perhaps is just doing this for business ventures and at the same time, reflecting what the people want. However, for some like the Afghanistan Guardians of Islamic Values, the Ulema Council, protests that it is not part of the Afghan Culture and it can even be a cause of threat to a person’s security. Like for example, the death threats that a female finalist on Afghan Star received after the show when she her head scarf fell into her shoulders. For the Afghans, this is a forbidden thing in their culture. Because of the event, the owner of the network settled the dispute and made a decision of releasing a new show which would better reflect the Afghan Culture.

Globalization: Modern World’s Pandora’s Box

Globalization is like a modern World’s Pandora’s Box. When one state opens itself to Globalization, it unlocks millions of possibilities. It makes itself available for countless opportunities. These opportunities may be chances for one country to advance. It could improve one’s economy; ameliorate the state’s transport, communication and technology, media, education and health. Free Trade and the Investments of Developed Nations in Developing Nations now flow easily. Paul Samuelson once said that Globalization presumes sustained economic growth. Otherwise, the process loses its economic benefits and political support.

The decision of one country to open up to international traffic and capital flows are reversible. It could also be making itself susceptible to other countries’ attacks. It is making one state vulnerable also to the threats of globalization. A state may have the perception that the presence of a Western State is a menace thus they will go on with fighting with the foe. It would the result to greater chances of states to violent in attempt to preserve their cultural heritage. Moreover, international bodies would also infringe on national and individual sovereignty. Just like what happened to Pandora when she opened the large bar given by Zeus, all of the evils, ills, diseases, and burdensome labor that mankind had not known previously, escaped from the jar.

Did you miss me?

Uh-oh. I surely miss doing this, honestly. I miss posting daily entries in this site about my personal experiences and hobbies. Good thing we do have this three-week break. I am going to get the most out of this period of time. I am not going to spend this thoughtlessly. With my laptop fully charged and very recent activities fresh in my mind, I am back to blogging again. Here I am fellas, signing in.

October 27 - Got bored of my routine, I decided to go to Koronadal City. Actually, I was asked by my father to go to the grocery store to buy stuffs for the week. I got so excited. Geez. My parents were even surprised by my reaction. They are just not used with my response because usually when they ask me to do something, I look angry or sullen and of course, wrinkle my forehead to make them notice my disapproval. But when they asked me to go to the grocery store, I said YES right away. I really took time by the foreclock. Maybe you’re wondering too what made me come up with such decision. I have to admit this because if I will accept the offer of my father, I will be able to get the moolahs and pocket the change. Aside from that, it would be another first time experience for me. Unfortunately, my father changed his mind when I told him my condition. I will be the one to do the grocery thing but not in our place. He should let me travel for 30 minutes, move to the other city and do the grocery. ‘Sobra ka naman. Para grocery lang…’ He found it not practical. I was not allowed to go to the grocery store and lost the chance for a first time experience. But you know what, I was still happy. Yeah dude, happy. They still gave me the moolahs and allowed me to go to Koronadal City. Perhaps, they saw that big thought bubble above my head saying ‘I am effing Ho-hum. BORED.’

When I got there, I first went to CAP-Koronodal to do what my mother asked me to do. I think I submitted some of my papers needed for the insurance. Sorry. I am not sure. I did not open the folder to see it. But I am sure it is not a bomb. After that, I went straight to to KCC Mall of Marbel and roam around like a gypsy roaming the woods without any destination. I was like Mister Vagabond. That’s what I’ve learned from my past life. I was living in a pirate ship which was a vagabond of the sea, you know. Haha. Suddenly, I heard the rallying cry of the thingabobs in my stomach. So I decided to have my lunch. And now that I that I have a full stomach, I moved to Book Sale to look for good books to read this break. I purchased two books, America Now and Will They Ever Trust US Again by Michael Moore. Apparently, these books talks about America. My fascination for American Politics started when I took up Political Science. It got my attention so fixated as though by a spell. Evidences are my research papers for the past 2 years. Political Impacts of Social Movements of America’s Democracy was my research topic in Communication II. Just last semester, I chose US Invasion in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attack as my topic for the problems of Globalization. I guess that would be enough to make you believe that really I am hooked by the States.

By hook or by crook, I told myself that I really have to see at least one movie per day. And so, I decided to enter the movie house and watch I love you, Beth Cooper. I chose it because I thought it was a sexy-comedy type of movie. At first, I was really hesitant to watch the film. It is not that I am afraid of the dark. It is not also because I remembered what happened in the movie ‘Serbis.’ Haha. Honestly, I haven’t watched the movie yet. I was hesitating because I do not want to watch the movie alone. I do not want to look like weirdo laughing my ass out loud inside the cinema. So, I called some of my friends from the place to go with me.Thank you very much to Renan and Kezia. Thank you for accompanying me.

After watching a movie, I entered a computer store to look for an external hard drive and canvass for the prices of laptops. Then, I felt I was starting to lose energy. So, I just went to the terminal and take a bus back to our city. But before reaching home, I passed by Jollibee first dahil dito Bida Ang Saya. Haha. I bought snacks for the family. Isn’t that sweet? I do not know what happened to me. I being in an affectionate or loving manner just happen once in a blue moon. This rarely happens. It recurs in long interval. I guess the next time this would occur again will be next break. Haha. Maybe, this is what happens when you are just too far away from your family and you are dying to see them everyday without letting them know your agony. Oh Boy. I have no plans of ending this with a very emotional remark. But it’s true. I missed my family. I missed blogging. I hope you missed me too.

SIBLING RIVALRY

Before, it was like I was in the center of the universe... But that ended when a new baby was welcome to our home.

Dad, He is in my room again.
Mon, he won't stop annoying me.
Me first... Me first, daddy.

Sounds familiar? If you have brothers and sisters, the answer is probably YES because these are the sounds of Sibling Rivalry.

Sibling Rivalry is a social issue and just like any other thing that needs to be resolved, it has also indications and preventions. Let us begin with this question, What is Sibling Rivalry?

Sibling Rivalry is a type of competition or animosity among brothers and sisters, may it be blood related or not. This feeling of ill will arousing active hostility may happen to different kinds of people no matter what are their state of connectedness. Let me cite some examples of Sibling Rivalry among brothers and sisters from the bible. Do you know the story of Cain and Abel? This story tells one brother's jealousy when God appeared to favor his sibling. Another story is the Story of Jacob wherein he tricked his brother Esau out of his inheritance. Sibling Rivalry could also happen in love just like for the case of Leah and Rachel wherein they competed for the love of Jacob. Even Joseph, the foster father of Christ have experienced Sibling Rivalry. Because of his brothers' jealousy, he was effectively sold into slavery.

We often have this idea in mind that Sibling Rivalry only happens between brothers and sisters. However, the truth is that Sibling Rivalry could also happen even to those who are not blood related most especially to families who have only one child. As a result, their child spends more time with other children in the community. They create social and emotional ties with these people. Then, Sibling Rivalry comes into existence. It seems like Sibling Rivalry has existed ever since the dawn of humanity and no one is totally outside its range.

Now that we know what Sibling Rivalry is and some of its popular cases, let me now tell you the signs of this type of condition. Sibling Rivalry often occurs after bringing about the second child in the family and it dramatically changes over the years.

Here are the sings of Sibling Rivalry at the age of 2-3 years old. The older child becomes more aggresive or the older child may act more like a baby. Desperate to win back his or her parents' attention, he or she may react by misbehaving or regressing like jumping on the sofa when the mother tries to breastfeed, sit on the baby's seat or refusing to use the potty after months of doing so. He or she may even try to punish his or her younger sibling with few not too subtle pinches or prods.

Sibling Rivalry during adolescence has different indicators. Adolescents fight for the same reasons younger children fight however they are just now better equipped physically and intellectually to hurt and be hurt by each other. One study found that the age group 10 to 15 reported the highest level of competition between siblings.

How about Sibling Rivalry during adulthood? Events such as parents illness may bring sibling closer to each other however events like marriage may drive them apart, particularly if the in law relationship is strained. Rivalry often lessens over time and at least 80% of siblings over age 60 enjoy close ties. There are various evidences to prove the existence of Sibling Rivalry which depends upon the time of life. Moreover, the intensities also of the conflict differ for every age group.

Now that we already know the signs of Sibling Rivalry, it is about time to know the things which served as the generative force and origin of Sibling Rivalry. First, let us examine Sibling Rivalry using the Psychoanalytic View. If we are to ask Sigmund Freud about Sibling Rivalry, he would tell us that Sibling Rivalry is just an extension of the Oedipus Complex, where brothers are in competition for their mother's attention and sisters for their fathers.

Aside from this view, we should also consider other factors. Position in the family for example, the oldest child may be burdened with more responsibilities for his or her younger siblings. On the other hand, the younger sibling may be spending his life trying to catch up with an older sibling. Sex, for instance, a son may hate his sister because he sees that his father is gentler with her. A sister may hate his brother because he cannot go out fishing or hunting with his fathers just like what her brother does. Another factor would be the age. A five and eight year old may enjoying playing games together however when they reach the age ten and thirteen, they can be totally poles apart.

The most important factor is the parental attitude. Parents must be impartial or else their children might feel that they are getting unequal amount of their parents' attention. However, this can be extremely difficult. It is inevitable that parents will feel differently about children with different personalities with differing needs in the family.

Just like any other problem, Sibling Rivalry can also be kept back from happening. One thing that you can do is to avoid making comparisons. Make yourself feel that you are unique. Set goals and level of expectations that would only relate to you. If you are the oldest child in the family like me, love your younger brothers and sisters. Involve yourself in things like looking after the baby. In return, younger children children must also love back their older brothers and sisters. Lastly, take the lead in settling your differences with your brothers and sisters. Do not keep grudges in your heart because it would make you ugly.

For another time, Sibling Rivalry is a type of antagonism or acrimony among brothers and sisters. It may be blood related however it could also be not. Just like other things that gives us difficulty, it has perceptible indications to notify us from the risks and dangers that it could bring. and It has also variety of causal agents. The good thing is that we can stop it. It is stoppable. It is abatable.

So that's it ladies and gentlemen. I hope you have not commited into your mind but learned by your hear everything. I expect you now know what to do when you face the one you hope to defeat. Who knows? Your world's number one rival is just around the corner. Who knows? It could just be me.

B for Bastard-Oh

To Mr. Bastard, you know who you are. But I guess you do not have a multiply or blogspot account because friendster is all you know. Yikes. Oh. I heard you also do have a Facebook Account now but I am not sure because we are not friends. Maybe you would want to add me up. (Sarcastically) So you could write on my walls more often. Anyway, I hope your friends here would tell you my special message. Oh boy. I am sorry. I almost forgot that you are a primitive mammal belonging to a stage where there are no technical developments yet. Do you have a cellular phone? Maybe yes but I guess it is an old model. Would you like me to buy you a new one? Just tell me. :) That is a mocking smile, dude.

I think you really are happy with what you have done to me. I can even see that mark in your face. I know you are glad for not only damaging the university’s property but also for affecting me on a personal level. Of course, doing your passion would make you feel pleased and proud. It has been a part of your life as a barbarian. I guess your plan is just to remain uncivilized for the rest of your life. Am I right, malefactor? Yes you really are for committing crime against property and people. I am not even surprised that you can do that because you really look like one, the typical Drug addict / Ex-convict Black Man. What you have done really reflects who you are, Bastard Faggot with a Big Asshole. Evil laugh.

But let me also thank you for what you have done. May it be good or bad, it was still a form of publicity. I was even sad when I knew that one of your graffiti on the doors was wiped off. I was not the one who did that. Maybe he is someone who cares for me like you do. Thanks for making me famous. Literally, thank you for making Justin Ryan Morilla a Big Name in the campus.

PS. I pray for your safety, my dear friend. Be heedful. Karma travels so fast, very fast.

Immanuel Kant's Categorical Imperatives

One of the toughest decisions perhaps that you have to make in your life is choosing the moral path you have to take. For sure, every one of us has troubles in identifying what is right and what is wrong. It is good that we do have these Categorical Imperatives by Immanuel Kant which we can consider as one of his greatest contributions in the field of morality.

Because of these Categorical Imperatives, we now have a model or standard to follow if we wanted to judge something as moral or not. We ask ourselves these three questions developed by Kant before we engage in a certain action. First is that we should act according to maxim. I do agree with this because I usually do this before I carry out a particular thing. I try to think how it would also impact other individuals around me. I consider whether it would also correspond to the universal rule and not just a rule to me. For example, I ask myself if killing someone you hate would be a good thing to do. I would then begin to reflect on this. If it is normal to kill anyone you hate then probably everyone could be dead by now. If the answer to that question will be no then I can say that it cannot be deemed to be moral.

Next is that we should treat humanity not just as a mean but also as an end. Same with Kant, I am also against dealing with human beings as just as mean just like in slavery. I oppose to situations wherein an individual is being under the control of another person. Slaveholding must be put into an end.

Third and the last imperative is to Act as a Law making member of a Kingdom of Laws that would benefit all mankind. What he means by this is that we would only make laws that of course would benefit all mankind and not just yourself. These laws must be ethical laws. Who would pass laws making murder or stealing a legitimate act? Likely, no one will do that.

Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative is not that complicated. You do not have to earn the highest academic degree conferred by a university to get his idea. It is because it is more derived from our intuition. You just need to have this instinctive knowing to understand his Categorical Imperatives.

ENJOYMENT: It Makes All The Difference

During the Foundation Week of the University of the Philippines in Iloilo, I really had a very busy schedule. It is because I took part in one of the main events during that week. I would not tell in which activity I engaged myself. I would let you do the guesswork. Do you want me to provide you with a hint? It made me realize that walking in narrow pathway high in the air was really never that easy. Striking a pose for a photographer is a lot easier than assuming posture for artistic purposes in front of the whole student body. Now, you know what I mean.

The Foundation Week ended but still I was not able to do away completely with the juggling of academic works and other responsibilities. I was still crowded by very many activities such as truckloads of assignments, quizzes and brain cracking examinations. Addition to that were the numerous meetings and assemblies called by the heads of different organizations in the university.

Thus, I really had difficulties of spending pleasure time with myself. It even made me think that the things that I was experiencing during those times brought me to a condition almost beyond my ability to deal with and required me great effort for me to overcome it. I was in a state of grappling with my very hectic schedule. However, I just did my best to be optimistic in order for me to have a positive disposition of things. That is just the way cookies crumble. I aflame myself with enthusiasm because I believe this has been the driving power that made worth doing things possible.

Right after a series of activities that drained my energy and effectiveness, I think it is just right if I will spare some of my time with myself. I consider being alone and isolated from my friends once in a while as a way for me to spend time with myself. I would walk alone and during this time, I would bring back into my memory the things that happened within the day. Then, I would begin to reflect deeply whether I did things right or if I have caused troubles or pain to other individuals. I would also ponder if the things that made me happy during that day had left also a positive impact to others. This self-reflection activity that I have been doing is one thing that I have learned from Aristotle in his book, Nicomachean Ethics. I see to it whether my Happiness is self-sufficient. I check if I have turned out to be an egoist or if my happiness has also affected other people in a positive way.

Aside from this self-reflection activity, I also spend pleasure time with myself through worldly goods. These would include the scrumptious food that I eat and other commodities that I purchase which makes me glad. But nonetheless, I also meet the needs of my spiritual being. It could be through listening to Bible studies conducted in the dormitory, attending the church services and communicating with my God before I go to sleep.

Music is soothing to the soul. It frees me from fears and anxiety. I listen to my playlists before I catch some Z’s. Eventually, these pleasing and harmonious sounds like that of the wind chimes would make me fall asleep.

I do not have plans to have a dull and irksome life. I really want to get rid of deadening routine tasks. I wanted to be a part of the lively period in history and feel the whole lively world. Fortunately, our God has provided us with ways on how to spend pleasure time with ourselves despite the big number of stumbling blocks along the way. For my part, I am just using it in the right way, in the right time and in the right place. I take into account that Life is not just all about having fun. It is absolutely all right to take a break and have fun once in a while but we should never dismiss from our minds the purpose why we received this gift of life. It is really good to have enjoyment over what you do because surely, enjoyment makes the difference.

Nicomachean Ethics

I am in a point in my existence where I have to begin making up my mind in which path to take in my life and probably, that would be the greatest decision that I would be facing. Upon reading this book by ancient Athenian Philosopher Aristotle, in some manner it has made me free from ambiguity and confusion. It has helped me find out what I wanted and how to live a good life.

An initial way for us to attain a good life is being fully aware of your functions as an individual. We must distinguish what are the ends that we could produce as an outcome of our crafts, decision, actions and investigations. This may not be that easy. For some, it may take a very long time for them to mark their purpose. What is important is that we have discerned our normal or customary activity here in this world

Right after identifying the ends that we could produce, that is the time we start to engage ourselves with these ends for us to be able to reach the supreme good which is happiness. Along the way of attaining the supreme good, of course we would be facing a number of trials and difficulties that would make us question ourselves which is the right thing to do. If we are in situations like this, our moral and intellectual virtues would serve as assistance to us. Being a virtuous person is a necessary precondition for living a good life. Every one of us is capable of having intellectual virtues through instruction and moral virtues through habit and constant practice. On the process of acquiring these virtues, there is no guarantee that we would really end up getting the positive virtues. There is also a chance that instead of having virtues, continence and superhuman virtue, we would land up gaining vices, incontinence and brutishness. However, there are ways for us to be able to get away with it. For me the process really requires great physical and mental effort for us to be able to endure. Obliterating a disposition to do vice acts is hard for a reason that it is something natural or acquired habit or characteristic tendency of a person which has developed from a very young age. I consider vices as the worst source of our wrongdoings. For incontinence, it is not a question of moral badness. It deals more with self-control which is also unmanageable because it is like an instinctive motive. Lastly, to eliminate brutishness, it is not just like taking time by the fore clock because having capacity for rational thought cannot be learned in just a click.

Intellectual and Moral virtues help us see what the world is like and it makes possible the rational contemplation. If we go through a very long and thoughtful observation being guided by intellect and reason, we would be able to know what is right and what is wrong. A person who has all the right moral virtues knows what ends to pursue.

Aristotle was also able to tackle the philosophical importance of friendship in attaining a good life. The reasons behind how a friendship is formed and the way you treat your friends also contribute to your happiness. As what has been said, a supreme good is self-sufficient. It should not be solitary. It must also involve other persons including your friends. Furthermore, friendship serves as a way for the citizens to cooperate with the community and share their lives and goals with one another instead of using coercive power. This kind of discussion is more relevant during Aristotle’s time when there is no distinction between public and private life and everyone shares the same virtues and goals compared to our present condition where we are giving more importance to individual and to the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence.

Every one of us aims to pursue a good and draws a bead for what we call happiness. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics was able to present us a line which leads to a good life. However, all these things may not be totally conform to fact or reality because it so much depends on the circumstances that you are in. The decision is still in our hands whether we would let Aristotle’s philosophy maneuver us to a life we wanted.

Interstate Sixty

Interstate 60 is a fantasy movie yet I can say that it was not totally unrestricted by reality. Despite all the art that invoke supernatural powers, it was still able to show the state of the world as it really is. It was not totally a deviation from reality rather it is a great diversion from reality.

As an enrolled student in Political Science, my favorite part in the film was the journey of Neal to a town where all the citizens are litigious lawyers. It made me think of myself as someone who is authorized to practice the law and compete with other attorneys. That would be totally challenging. The proceeding at the court even made the story more exciting. It was great to see a person like Cody who for all his life confronted lies of all varieties. He is a virtuous man for he is marked by truth and most of all, he does what he says. He is a man with one word.

It was shown in the movie how significant it is to determine what you wanted in your life. Just like for Neal, he wants to be a painter but his father wants him to enter a law school. He was so unsure of which path to take in his life. He was so dependent on other people like he sees them as persons who foretell his personal future. We should be sure of our functions as individuals. We must be able to know the goods that we could produce as an outcome of our crafts and decisions. However, we should also be heedful of these goods for the consequences it could bring.

Moreover, happiness was also depicted in Interstate 60. In the first parts of the film, Neal was doing the things that would make his dad felicitous like letting his father decide for his career and even in choosing the girl who would be his sexual partner for the rest of his life. However, in the latter part, he realized that he should make up his mind and quest for the things that he thinks would make him happy. For you to be considered as a completely happy individual, you should be happy with every thing that you are doing. Furthermore, you should also bear in mind that this happiness should not be solitary. It must be something that would also involve other individuals like your parents and fellow earthlings. We must learn to pursue a life choice worthy.

To Mister Bob Gale, you deserve a pat on your back. Interstate 60 is a good film for those who cannot stand alone and are under the power of another. I am certain right after watching the movie, you will begin to ponder and be cognizant that you should learn to free yourselves from external control and constraint. Kudos to Interstate 60.

ESPANYOL 101

Tsinoy speaks Spanish but not very well.

When he tries to speak Spanish, you really can’t tell

What language he’s speaking or trying to speak.

The first time they heard him, they thought it was Greek.

Ooh? Sounds like nursery rhyme. Nice piece of poetry. Haha. I was just sitting at the patio, reminiscing the past all afternoon. I just remembered my first days in my Spanish class. I was asked by our professor to introduce myself to my classmates in Spanish.

Buenos Dias Damas y Caballeros y Senor Piccio.

Soy Justin Ryan Morilla y Duque.

Tengo diece ciete anos.

Soy de la provincia de Sultan Kudarat.

Soy de la ciudad de Tacurong City.

The fifth sentence was wrong. May ciudad na nga, may city pa. Haha. What a turkey doing something thoughtless. I became a figure of fun at an instant. Everyone was like saying, ‘Guys, let us all laugh. He told a very funny joke.’ Well, go on laughing foes because I actually do not care. I really love doing ludicrous things, honestly. So, do your silly giggles.

In one of our class in Spanish, I was asked by my professor to translate English sentences into Spanish sentences. One of the sentences was ‘Tengo Calor.’ I answered my professor with all my confidence, ‘I am HOT, senora.’ My voice boomed through the room. Haha. I thought I was really right in saying that. But I was wrong. The correct translation should be ‘I feel hot.’ But one mistake never brought shame to me. I never even felt that I was in a state of dishonour. I was even glad with my reply; at least it was that close to the correct answer.

Anyway, I just wanted to share these things. I just want everyone to know that I really had fun learning the Spanish Language. I did it for the fun of it. Most of all, Thank you very much to my very enduring professors. Haha.

We Kissed Again

When was the light time you kissed someone?

Well, if you are going to ask me the same question, my answer would be a while ago. Ooppss. That is so much to prove that I am a kiss and tell kind of guy. I just do this, I mean, betraying confidence by unveiling very top secret information like kissing when I do it with this very famous star.

She was the first star that I saw for this day. The next was my superstar mother. LOL. I was lying on my bed when suddenly I felt her presence and my cheeks started to turn rosy. Maybe it was because of embarrassment and shame. I suddenly put my shirt on because I only wore boxers that time. Oh boy. But I know I should be proud. She has seen one thing that measures my self-worth. Laugh. What happened next? Let it be a mystery and baffle your understanding.

What are the good things about her kiss? It gives my skin a healthy glow and helps make it smooth and pliable. It elevates my mood and gives a good sense of high spirits. It is like I have reached the level of nirvana. Good Heavens. It treats my acute and chronic depressions. Dude, I know you do this too. You try to catch any possible source of warmth during cold and depressingly dark months. Do not deny it. You don’t want to be sexually unresponsive, do you? Aside from those things, it enhances my immune system, alleviates pain from swollen arthritic joints and lowers my blood cholesterol level.

I would also share the rules of thumb that I follow for healthy kiss with this star. I put sunglasses when she kisses me. I understand my tolerance to her beauty. Hee-haw. I also wear protective clothing for safety. You know what I mean. Then, I also condition myself if we will have an outdoor trip. I prepare myself by giving it progressive exposure in the days beforehand. And last, I open up our house to her every morning because she perks up my health and boosts my spirits.

So, what now? Let her touch your lips too. Let her press her lips on your body. Let her be the mediator of your life. It can be healing or destructive. It could be the kiss of life or the kiss of death. Be kissed by the star. Be kissed by the sun.

Credits to: Aileen Ludington of Loma Linda University in California

THE RING

I can hear the earsplitting honking of automobile horns, the rumbling of cargo trucks, and the screeching of the brakes of jeepneys. If I could still keep in mind, the sounds of the city wake me up early in the morning. I rush off to school. I eat a hurried breakfast and run around collecting my books at the very last minute. I am always frightened of being late to school. Well, that is life in the city.

One day, we had no class for the reason that our teacher was sick. Like a normal learner, I was in high spirits. My classmates and I had enjoyment. On our way home, a dazzling object on the street captured my sight. I swiftly get a hold of it and it was a ring. My classmate wanted to own the ring but I never gave it to him.

That hour of darkness, I went out of my room and brought the ring with me to the patio. The moon was bright and I could hear the sound of the bats. I stared at the ring and I observed that something is written at the back of it. I could not understand it because it is written in a different language. No matter what it means, I do not want to know it. I began thinking and I whispered to my self, “I’m in no doubt that this ring is nice to put on during the opening day of our classes.”

Time passed and that day came. It was the first day of our classes. I used the ring that time and anyone who sees the ring says, “How nice.” I will just smile and will not say anything.

All of those are what went before. Good memories that I look back and value a lot. I do not know what magic the ring has but it brought countless blessings to my life. I graduated in elementary with the top honors, my dad had a stable job, and I had an ideal family. I was never selfish of the luck that the ring gave me. I shared it to folks who are in need.

My grandfather? When he saw the ring, tears fall down from his eyes. He embraced me so tight and said, “I will contentedly depart this life for I know you will have a bright future. My son, you are fortunate for that ring.” I do not have the chance to ask him what he wanted to say and what the ring really means. However, it is not that important. Perhaps, that is the hidden mystery of the ring.

This luck will not last any longer. The countless blessings I have received is too much. I wanted to share these blessings to others. I went back to the place where I got the ring. I placed it there. Like what my grandfather did…

I have no regrets if others will have possession of this ring. It’s alright… It is their turn.

HIRED PREVARICATOR

I just saw this paper last night when I was glancing the certificates that I have received in College. I encountered this yellow paper which contains the speech that I rendered during the coronation of the lady who won the pageant in New Lucena, Iloilo. Christian Sorongon who is the SK chairman of the place invited me to do this thing called ‘DAYAW.’ As political science students, we sometimes act as a person who backs a politician or a team. Laugh.So, I accepted the offer. I did it for my friend.

Delivering speeches, addresses, remarks and etcetera is not a new thing for me. Nothing odd. Nothing weird. So, I thought this task would be an easy job. But after my friend explained to me the whole thing that will happen in that day, I realized it was not as easy as I expected. It was somehow difficult because it really needs physical and mental effort. The speech will be sounded out in Hiligaynon. Heck. I am not in well-being when I speak Hiligaynon words. I am not having peace of mind. Good Grief. I was studying in Iloilo for almost six months already that time but I still do not use the dialect that much. I still prefer to use Tagalog.

But I still have to do what I promised. I cannot back out from an earlier commitment. So, I just read it perpetually without interruption. LOL. I do not want to look like Merry Andrew in that day. I should not be a vulgar fool. This is a formal spoken communication justin and not a tongue twister. Okay? These are the f*ing crocks of shit that I said that day.

Maayong hapon sa tanan nga ari diri, sa mga pumuluyo, mga soltera kag dalaga. Sa aton nga napili nga bisita nga ari dire, dako gid ang akon pagpasalamat nga ako amu ang masuwerte nga napili nga magadayaw sa aton reyna sa kadamuon sang pagpilian.

Kanami gid sang panyempo sa karon, daw kapareho sang kaanyag sang dagway sang aton nga reyna. Ang iya mga mata nagasiling sang madamo nga tinaga. Daw mga bituon sa langit nga naga-igpat igpat sa tagsa pag-abot sang kagab-ihon, daw mga brilyantes nga gasaot-saot sa kalangitan. Daw di mapatihan pero ako gid naganahan. Ang iya ilong nga daw kinimpit kag hinulma sa perpekto nga korte, ini makaanaod sang paminsaron pakadto sa manami nga kabukiran kung sa diin damo pispis. Ang iya yuhom nga makatunaw sang matig-a nga tagipuso-on kag makapukaw sang naga katulog nga balatyagon. Ang iya tingog nga daw yelo sa kalamig daw isa ka lalantunon nga gapaabot sang isa ka daku nga paghigugma. Ang iya mga ngisi makalupad isip, hindi ko gid mapunggan ang akon panitsit. Ang malabaniya nga buhok, mahamot – manami, malaba – makaakit, parhas sang iya nga milok nga gaalon-alon daw balud ay abaw makalunod. Ang iya nga kilay nga daw ginkudlit sang pinakasikat nga pintor sa bilog kalibutan. Ang iya nga daw porselana nga pamaniton magaagda sang madamo nga nagapangaluyag. Ang iya makurba nga lawas nga daw obra maestra ni Michael Angelo sa pagkaperpekto sa pagkalilok.

Pero indi lang ang iya maamyon nga nawong ang pagalagson sang mga guwapuhon nga prinsipe sa iya pagdaku kundi pati ang iya maputi nga tagipusuon. Ang iya mapanaibuson nga kabubut-on magahatag sang kalinong kag katawhay sa tanan. Ang iya nga mga kamot nga sa tanan nga tinion handa sa pagdaho sang himpit nga bulig. Daku gid ang akon pagpasalamat sa iya mga mapinalanggaon nga ginikanan sa pagpadaku sa iya nga puno sang pagpalangga kag may kahadlok sa Ginoo, sa pag-ubay sa sakto nga alagyan padulong sa iya masanag nga buas damlag.

Sa liwat akon ginapaabot ang hantup sa kabubut-on nga pagpasalamat sa pag-agda sa akon sa sini nga tinion sa pagdayaw sa aton huwaran nga pamatan-on, kag simbolo sang mabaskug, mainuswagon kag modelo nga henerasyon. Maayong adlaw sa tanan.

I cannot imagine how I look like that time when I was articulating this words to the people. I am not even sure if I was able to enunciate the words in the approved manner. Sincerely, I do not even know and comprehend most of the words that I have said. What I only know is that I crowned with glory and sang with praises the little girl who won the pageant. Of course, her parents are so happy. Naniwala naman kayo! Haha. Anyway, it was a fun experience, fun at another’s expense, going to a barrio and tell lies to a little girl. I am Mister Hired Prevaricator. Evil Laugh.