The Trojan War

 
     A war does not always involve two kingdoms having a conflict. It is not always like the Trojan War. A war can consist of a person and his rival, a mind and a heart or a person and his self. Although, what it's about doesn't matter but what comes out of it does. I've read quite a lot of books and heard stories of other people that prompted me to believe that difficult experiences earn you a lesson. A war is one of those difficult experiences that a person can have and something that can test, teach and possibly change them. For me, some of the things you can learn from a war is the importance of having courage during fearful times and to know what is right and what must be done.

     According to my research, the Trojan War may have really happened since some people have been to Troy and say that the site matches the description in the story both geologically and architecturally. Many pieces of evidence were found and one is the catalog of the Greek cities in the Iliad that sent ships of men to the war. Some of the cities in the catalog were unknown to later recorded history and lost even at the time of Homer but archaeological evidence has been found that indicates they existed in the Heroic period of the Late Bronze Age when the Trojan War was fought. Although many evidences were found that helped prove that the war really did happen, I put into consideration that the characters mentioned in the story were Greek gods & goddesses which are part of the Greek Mythology which means they never existed. Because of this, I came up with a theory that the story of the Trojan war was slightly changed and the characters became the gods and goddesses from the Greek mythology.

          It hasn't helped me yet but I believe that it will since because of it, I have known the effects of a war. Although a war teaches us, it is still netter to avoid it. It has encouraged me to lengthen my patience and understand the things, the people around me and myself more to avoid war. It taught me that a war may begin with a few involved but later, it may affect many others.

     Whether the Trojan war happened or not, what matters is the story has been shared to the world. This story has taught many different things to many different people and I'm one.

     

Desiderata : My Reflection

     Happiness can have different meanings to different people and it's usually because of their different experiences. Like a human being I am, I also have my own point of view on happiness. Which is something I didn't have until it was asked. Then, I have realized that to me, happiness is a powerful feeling that many and probably all of us wish to have. One's happiness can inspire, teach, heal, fix and many more for others. Happiness makes a person actually live, instead of, just to exist.

        The poem taught and made me realize many things. It gave a me a lot of lessons but there is one that I feel like I need to learn the most. It is to stop comparing myself to other people. "If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself." I, honestly have perceived this already. Comparing yourself to others doesn't have to be demoralizing. It's all up to how we react to it. We can compare ourselves to people who are successful and good. And, we can choose to take this as a challenge, motivation or inspiration. Unfortunately, that's not how I'm taking it. Because of this, I have been bitter and it has done me no good at all. Whenever I compare myself to someone else, I get discouraged which also leads me to being undetermined and pessimistic. When I feel this way, it's like I'm throwing all my hopes and dreams away.

         The poem has helped me with some of my personal struggles by bringing me to realization. I realized that I must only focus on the things that actually matter and will help me grow up to my greatest potential. I must learn to accept that all of us will excel in different things, become greater than somebody in this and lesser in that. Looking at or choosing to be in the bright, optimistic side of life is a root of happiness. Negativity makes our dreams seem impossible. And I know that most of us experience happiness through achieving them. Now, I know, I should focus on learning and becoming a better individual.

            In life, many things are inevitable. A gloomy side of it is one. It is best to put our attention on the bright side because if we don't do so, we will never be happy. All of us will have our ups and downs, bright and dark days. But at least, we have choices and it is either to stay in the dark or go through all hardships and continue living life positively and choose to be happy.  

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Turkey's Earthquake Preparedness Plan

Turkey's Earthquake Preparedness Plan

Turkey is the 9^th country that is prone to earthquakes. Turkey falls within the seismic zone between Arabian, Eurasian and African plates. It’s very geographic location implies that an earthquake can hit the country at any point of time. Turkey is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, especially earthquakes. More than 80% of the population lives in areas prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods and landslides.
Turkey has taken this as a challenge they were willing to face. Earthquakes are associated with damage and loss wherever they may occur, the destructive effects of those in Turkey are exacerbated by the large volume of code incompliant buildings constructed with poor materials and workmanship. For years, they have been working on that and had a law in preparation for that. It has been there for years and it just got updated in 2018. That is the "Turkish Building Code" and it focuses on the engineering structure of the buildings to lessen the damages and the chances of collapsing. 
The materials being used in most of the residential structures in Turkey is made out of cement and masonry. Those materials being mixed with steel can certainly be an earthquake safe structure but that definitely depends on how you work with what you have. How often you get your building assessed and etc. 

"Turkey" photo by Rueters

    In preparation and because it’s vulnerability to many natural disasters  like earthquake, Turkey has advanced disaster risk management (DRM) through initiating reforms to better-manage and reduce disaster risk and strengthens institutions for more proactive DRM. The country’s government has established agencies to respond to these disasters and to overcome institutional fragmentation. They established the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) in 2009. In 2015, the government adopted the Turkey National Disaster Response Plan to guide all disaster and emergency response. 

"Turkey: National Disaster Response Plan" 

Turkey didn't have the best record from the previous earthquakes they had. Destruction was there and all but over the years they have improved. This video shows a little bit of the history about the countries earthquakes.

Based on the information  the earthquakes that make Turkey such a vulnerable place,  the country is a dangerous area to be in especially during earthquakes on our point of view to this study. Because the country contains two large plates that are grinding against each other. This type of boundary is called Transform Boundary and this could make more faults. This makes Turkey very dangerous. Turkey being very prone to earthquakes alerted them. Prepared for upcoming quakes. I never knew that there are awards that show appreciation for how prepared you are for earthquakes. Turkey got a few. Turkey was awarded for the following awards:

• City Resilience Program: Program Development and Advisory Services Support 
• Strategies and Options for Scaling Up Disaster Risk Management in ECA Countries 
• Developing the South East European Multi-Hazard Early Warning Advisory System -                 Phase II
•  Support to Building Resilience and Mainstreaming DRM into Education Infrastructure in          Turkey
•   Improving Resilience and Resilience Impact of National Land and Geospatial Systems 
•   Building Resilience in Education Infrastructure for Public Schools 
•  City Resilience Program: Phase 1 
• Building Resilience in Turkey

As you can see, Turkey has quite a reputation when it comes to how prepared they are for any calamity that comes in their way and it’s quite overwhelming. 

Philippines and Turkey are both prone to earthquakes. Philippines being the 5^th country that is prone to earthquakes also had them very prepared. They had quite similar plans for evacuation. Philippines lies on the edge of the Pacific plate, which is traditionally a seismic hot zone that encircles the state. The danger posed by earthquakes to Manila is threefold. It is, of course, snug with the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it especially susceptible not only to quakes, but also to volcanic eruptions. The threat to Manila is worsened due to its soft soil, which presents the risk of ground liquefaction. With that situation and those threats, it made Philippines open their eyes and made them realize that they have to play their A game on when there are calamities. For the main priority of every country is the safety of the people.

Philippines' preparedness activities are organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF). The country undergoes plenty of drills to let people be aware of what to do during and after an earthquake. Same as Turkey, they also have an agency for disaster risk reduction and management which is Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). Both preparation are quite similar. 

The preparation of these countries may change or improve in the next following years and though they may have not reached their highest potential in preparing, it is significant that both countries are giving attention and importance in responding for natural disasters.

All in all, we mostly think that Turkey is very prepared towards Earthquakes. Their situation already alarmed them and to think that they are part of the Top 10 countries that are prone to Earthquakes, this has clearly been shown to them that they have to take matters into their own hands.

Their buildings are strong enough that it could withstand an earthquake but that depends on how strong the earthquake in. I mean, if you think of it, it only takes a matter of time until a building collapses. Turkey was given recognition for having a very resilient. ‘City Resilience Program: Program Development and Advisory Services Support’ that is one of their awards for being very prepared and to be a country recognized for that, I would be very proud. 

After all the, research and article reading, we can conclude that Turkey is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to earthquakes. And because of it's geographical location, people of Turkey will continue to experience major quakes over the next following years. Possibly, after all the experiences, the country's way of being ready and responding to earthquakes may improve. Without the Risk Reduction Projects in the country, results will become worse and recovery will surely take long years. Therefore, preparation is crucial in risk and danger reduction. Whether the country you're living in is prone to natural disasters or not, it is always important to be prepared. natural disasters are unpredictable and inevitable and being unprepared will only make everything worse. Preparedness is the only way we can combat a natural disaster.

References

ListSurge  (2016). Top 10 Countries that are Most Prone to Earthquakes

BBC News (2010). Why Turkey suffers earthquake misery?

ScienceDirect (2015). Turkey's grand challenge: Disaster-proof building inventory within 20 years

Taylor and Francis Online (2015). Disasters and earthquake preparedness of children and schools in Istanbul, Turkey

Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (2019). Turkey

Wikipedia (2019).  List of Earthquakes in Turkey

Google Image

Youtube Videos

Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack

1.) Love Story by Taylor Swift
     ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOKOiZo5zAQ )

     This song matches very well with Romeo and Juliet because the song itself talks about a story of         two lovers who are like Romeo and Juliet. It talks about how they are forbidden to see each other       and how they still find a way to spend time and show there love for one another.

2.) Hey there delilah by Plain White T's

     ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoaT6WXUV_M )

     This song talks about two people who are very much in love yet they can't be together. So it was          like how Romeo and Juliet were also not allowed to be with one another.

3.) Right There by Ariana Grande ft. Big Sean

     ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A38oIeuMpnA )

     Personally, I feel like this song could be Juliet's message for Romeo talking about her staying             with  him despite the fact that they shouldn't be together as long as he will stay the same and love       her still.

4.) Two is better than one by Boys like Girls ft. Taylor Swift

      ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mE3ETiMXrE )

     Based on my understanding, this song talks about how one is so in love and how he or she cannot       live without his or her loved one. It reminded me of that scene of the story where they killed               themselves in the end.

5.) They don't know about us by One Direction

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

     This song talks about how other people don't understand the love that two lovers have which is 

      just like in the story since nobody approved of Romeo and Juliet's relationship.

6.) Thinking of You by Katy Perry

      ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqDl0uZMsiw )

      For me, this song could be a message of Juliet to Romeo when she was forced to marry Paris              since this song talks about a lady who is not happy with her current relationship with someone            for she hasn't forgotten and still loves her previous lover. 

7.) Ours by Taylor Swift

      ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl0VI7QGM5s )

      I feel like this song could be Romeo and Juliet's message for one another since it talks about how        two lovers shouldn't worry and change because of other people's disapproval of their love. 

8.) Tonight by FM Static

      ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT-CcHE1MNY )

      This song talks about a guy who longs to be with his lover that he terribly misses and I think this         is a  song that Romeo may be able to relate to when he was taken away then knew (or thought)           that Juliet died.

by Kristel Avelino

Family Day 2019

Family Day 2019

Last January 27, 2019, a celebration took place in our school and that was our Family Day.  So this how it went with me and my family.

The event started off with a mass but before that, just when my mom and my younger sibling arrived, we took a picture together. Me and two of my other siblings arrived earlier than our mom which is why we had to wait for her. That day, my dad wasn't around because he wasn't feeling so well so he had to stay at home to rest. He's absence on that day was very understood because he really needed some rest since he just arrived in Cebu the day before. I can tell that nothing's better than starting the day with a mass and also taking a picture for remembrance.

This was probably an hour after my arrival. These are my friends, my second family and the people I also spent the day with. On a regular day at school, they are my family or my sisters (chareng) which is like celebrating family day everyday. I was with them the whole day since we were also all in the same grade level which places each one of us under the same tent. I would say, the day is not complete without them.

Dinner time! For us, it's never a day without food. With this, I think a lot of people can relate. I can still remember how most of us were very excited for dinner. In this picture, I'm with my sister, Kylie. I was supposed to take a picture not only with her but also with my mom and my other siblings. I wasn't able to do that since at that time, I couldn't find my mom. I thought that maybe she went home early. Turns out, she was just in my brother's section's tent. Kylie is family so I thought I might just take a picture with her. We didn't really eat together at the same time since she and her batch also have their own food. I was having dinner with my 2nd family, my friends. She just came to sit with me while I was eating. So, even when we had separate dinners, we were still able to bond. 

This was a few moments after dinner. It's quite obvious that I still wasn't able to find my mom and my other siblings since they're aren't in the picture. Now that I think about it, they must've stayed in the tent because of all the performances. They really must have enjoyed watching as much as I and others did. Parents and children or students from different levels performed and showed their family talent. Some of them sang with their moms while some were dancing with their siblings. Performances were great. Performers were just excellent. It was definitely a fun and enjoyable way to end the event. What made that night even better was finding out that my mom together with my younger siblings, were still around and found us themselves.

FAMILY IS LOVE - ASIAN COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY 

WAR ON DRUGS: Chance for a change

WAR ON DRUGS: Chance for a change

                    Drugs is dangerous. Once you decide to try and use this, you will be addicted and using this will become a habit. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. According to author, Nicole Lee, drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to.Substance abuse comes in many different forms and can happen for many different reasons. Whatever the reason they have, I think that they must be given a chance and not be killed immediately.

          They should be given a chance because they might actually change, they just need help with it. As I've mentioned earlier, quitting drugs can be difficult. It would be better if the users would be brought to the rehabilitation center for medication and to help them and their body adjust in living without the use of drugs.

1,100 patients at Manila's Bicutan Rehabilitation Center

          Some of these drug addicts or users still have families that care and love them even when they have bad habits. According to Sara Bellum (2012), one of the most common reasons, among teenagers and young adults, why they use drugs is peer pressure or wanting to fit in. In a lot of cases, They do not understand the severity of using drugs which is why most of them don't listen to their families.

Nanette Castillo grieves next to the dead body of her son Aldrin, an alleged drug user killed by unidentified assailants in Manila on Oct. 3, 2017.

          If we bring them to the rehab centers, they will find an oppurtunity to make themselves and their lives better, if they are willing to. Based on my research regarding drug addiction, there are people who want to change and quit drugs but are having a difficult time, but if we help them, they might actually change for the better. 

Alleged drug addicts and pushers wait to undergo drug tests following their surrender to authorities at Camp Karingal police station in Manila on June 22, 2016.

          Therefore, we must give them a chance, not all of them wants to continue their habits. Some of them are just having a difficulty changing. That's why we must help and give them a chance for a change. 

Cats are better house pets than dogs

                                   Cats are better house pets than dogs (negative)                      

                             Cats are better house pets than dogs or are they? Yes, for others they might be but dogs are also good house pets because they are great companions and are fun to be with. They are good guardians and definitely a man's best friend. 

                             First of all, dogs are great companions. If you want a constant companion, dogs are your animal. They'll walk with you everywhere you go and trot by your side as you explore new surroundings. Cat people may tell you that dogs are too noisy but you can train them to bark, to be quiet, to sit, to come and other things. According to my research, most dogs enjoy training. It seems to give them a sense of purpose. It's a job, and most dogs love to work. Plus, many dogs are highly motivated by food and attention. They'll gladly sit, stay shake, lie down and roll over in exchange for an edible reward. Dogs seem to display a sense of pride when they've done a good job. In fact, dogs often "act out" because they're bored. They need more exercise and mental stimulation. Training helps provide he latter. 

                            Second of all, dogs are great guardians. When they're with you, they dont only walk and play with you but they are also watching after you. Not only you but also your home, if ever you're not around, they will guard your house. Let's say you had to leave the house because you needed to go somewhere. If ever an intruder comes, it will frighten and bark him or her off. They would also bite someone they're not familiar with who goes into your home but it doesn't mean they are not good pets. They would only bite the person whom it thinks is possibly gonna harm and will do no good to your home.  But they are very sweet and respectful to good people around them.



                           Lastly, dogs are also great stress reliever, as I've seen videos and facts online, if your tired and stressed, dogs will be there to accompany you, they will cheer you up and cuddle with you. Also, less stress for you because you'll no longer have to worry what to feed them because (according to my research as well) they eat whatever you put in front of them.



                           Cats aren't always the better pets, dogs are great pets because they play with you, guide and protect you and will cheer you up just like your best friend.