The Role of Media in Politics Today

Street smart. It means that the most important lessons in life are cannot be studied or found in books rather in the actual world or in reality. I have learned this word to Mr. Angelo “Sonny” Lopez on our senior colloquium last August 25, 2005. He also said that what is outside in the real world is much more important than what we get inside the school.

I absolutely agree with him. But that does not mean that we shouldn’t be studying hard anymore. I think we should take studying inside the school as a preparation for the outside world. We may have spent a lot of time just to learn the subjects like Algebra, Biology and the likes that we know it won’t be much of help in the future. Nevertheless, at least we are prepared when asked about it in the future. We won’t be ignorant on it because it’s familiar to us.

The media is the most sensitive obligation. Since it is the watchdog of the society, it is very difficult for the media people to cope up on what the government is doing and the ever changing of politics.

Reality in the professional world. “Whom you trust today may be a demon later,” said Sonny Lopez. There are many “manloloko”, infidelity and untrustworthy people not only in media and in politics but also to laymen.

Killer phrase. It means speaking only half of the truth. The politicians use, abuse, misuse the truth which makes it hard for the people in media to do their function. And that is to get and deliver the truth.

Silent media. According to Lopez, “Silence murders the truth.” He also added that media people who remains silent rather than deliver the truth to the society earns more than the media people who strives and even risks their life just to present the truth.

“Philippine media contributes disorder,” said Lopez. It because whenever there is camera in front of them they tend to impress than express what they are really there for.

Lopez concluded his speech by saying that we should know what we want first before we fight and present all sides of the truth.

Role of Women in the Military

The Senior Colloquium last August 16, 2005 held at PS 207 was about the Role of Women in the military. The guest they have invited is a female military officer, Captain Ma. Rita Fabian.

What I know about her is, she got a degree in Nursing even before she entered the military. Amazing right? I wonder were she got the patience to study again. What made her changed her mind? She followed what her heart desired.

Not only is Mrs. Rita smart but she’s also courageous. Why? Because she is one of the not so many women in the Philippines who can and has license to fly air crafts. Cool huh?! She is one certified “astig” woman.

You might be wondering why I praise her so much. (It’s not because I’m a feminist, pero kasama na yun don. Hehehe!!) Seriously, I am just simply amazed by her. Whoever would not be impressed to a woman who is responsible for dropping a bomb to Abu Sayyafs, who is considered as the state enemy of our country. Obviously, that is a very big responsibility. And just imagine, it was given to a woman!

Other than being part of the military, Mrs. Fabian has also managed to balance her time with her family. I remember asking her what about her time with her family and how she goes along with her husband since her work is obviously, manly. Her answer obviously appalled us. We didn’t know that her husband also works in the military and also has a high position there just like her.

Regarding her time with her family, I cannot say anything more but she’s a wonder woman. Now that’s a good example of an “ulirang ina.”
She also said that if ever her children want to be like her, she’ll let them what they want to be.

As the discussion goes along, I have realized that stereotyping and discrimination is no longer alive in the Philippine military. The women have contributed as much as the men did and sometimes even more.

Still, the men have never forgotten to respect them as women.

She also said that it is more of an advantage that there are women in the military than a disadvantage. It had made the military more homey, comfortable and approachable.

Mrs. Fabian’s advice to us was to never let the men intimidate us. We women must know and learn how to fight but fairly. But that does not mean we should down the men. We could always work together to live a much better and peaceful lives.


The seminar was organized by my classmates namely Aileen Maniti, Catherine Cabayao and Nolalyn Lopez.

"What Does it Take to be a Fashionista?"

The first seminar titled: “What Does it Take to be a Fashionista?” done last August 9, 2005 (Tuesday) was conducted by my classmates namely: Caroline Tiqui, Katrina Nuqui, and Abigail Sarmiento.

Ms. Christine Santiago. The speaker they invited to deliver the speech. She was our former classmate -when we were in first year- and Angeles University Foundation’s Ms. University 2003.

The organizers’ reason for inviting her to be their speaker must be because of her being a model since she was 16 years old and a beauty queen as well was enough to qualify her to give a talk about fashion.

The first thing that came on my mind was, wasn’t the organizer’s angle on fashion lack in force or effectiveness? I know that fashion is one of the categories given by our Electronic Newsroom instructor, Ma’am Virgie Bautista, but there are a lot more about fashion that they could have tackled. They could have angled to a much deeper topic.

Furthermore, in my opinion, I find it offensive when the speaker described three of my classmates’ way of dressing. She called on Apple Mallari, Marissa Diwa and Earl Santini Lagman as “models.” I understand that the speaker was only suggesting her opinions on the models on what they should wear. However, if I were to be on their shoes, I would feel embarrassed. Who would want to be criticized on how you dress in front of the whole class? So it means that you dress ugly? It’s insulting. Let’s just take Marissa for example (picture on the left), I noticed that my classmates were laughing when they suggested her to be one of the models.

The speaker said something about fat people that they should wear dark clothes to make them look thinner. But it contradicts when she suggested clothing for Apple, (picture on the right) whose body built, is large in size. She suggested her to wear pastel colored clothes.

I also remembered the speaker saying that we should never wear plain black or red instead, it should have prints. She also said something about Earl wearing red shaded tops and she didn’t like it to see him wear it again. What is up with that? Does that mean when she liked what you are wearing you’re already a fashionista and if she did not you’re not?

On the other hand, the speaker is right when she said that we should be wearing clothes we’re comfortable in and that colors of the clothes can help.

Who knows better on what fashion is than the person herself? People have their own interpretation on what fashion is so we cannot judge people when it comes to fashion. Remember, we have the freedom of expression and it also applies in our clothing.