Wednesday, May 29, 2013

CORPORATE | Oman Employment Visa Application Series : International Diagnostic Center, Inc.

Oman Employment Visa Application Series : International Diagnostic Center, Inc.

This continues the saga of the medical test for Oman Visa. This entry will provide a guide on how to find GAMCA Office and the accredited clinic.

CORPORATE | Oman Employment Visa Application Series : GAMCA

Oman Employment Visa Application Series : GAMCA

Updated as of June 9, 2016

While it is true that DOH has abolished the GAMCA referrals, direct hiring is still a possible route for overseas employment medical testing.

Oman Employment Visa Application Series : Search for the GAMCA

Another chapter in my life is yet to unfold. This time it's going to be Oman. I have very little knowledge of the country aside from the fact that it is in the Middle East. I previously worked in Saudi Arabia so I am expecting to have similar working environment. Anyhow, it looks like fate has already sealed this path. I originally intended to pursue higher studies but certain factors like personal investment and family expenses are always part of the bigger picture. This is the reason I decided to put my personal goal aside and focus on more pressing things.

BOOK | Unacceptable English

Unacceptable English

Here's a rundown of some unacceptable English,

Activation-Synthesis Model of Dreaming

Here's an article I found at the back of my psychology notebook. Back in UP Diliman, I was so fond of staying in the General Reference Section of the library (on the first floor) to study for some exam, but most of the time I find myself jotting down some trivial information on things that capture my attention. That time I chanced upon this book on dreams and started reading.

Freedom of Expression : An Analysis of Its Veracity

We go through our lives not noticing the ambiguities of social realities. For instance, demonstrators who rally and picket in every corner of our university would argue that it is their right to exercise freedom of expression, moreso of speech. But if we think about it, the freedom of expression that people exercise is not out and out. Our constitution holds that like other rights, the freedom of expression is not absolute. It should be exercised within the bounds of laws enacted for the promotion of social interests. Certain types of expression are penalized because they impede social interest. The question now is this: In interpersonal level of communication, is there really such a thing as the concept of "freedom of expression?" Do humans really have that freedom to express what they want?

Ferdinand Edralin Marcos : Triumph and Fall

This was a piece I made for my political science subject. I basically discussed how Marcos plundered the country and left the Philippines in pieces. But when I think of how Marcos wanted so much to give Philippines a sense of sovereignty by changing the name "Philippines" into "Maharlika" (in order to free ourselves from the shadows of Spanish colonial rule), by fervently advocating a Parliamentary type of government (as Filipinos were never ready for a Democratic type), etc. I cannot help but think that Marcos could have realized some important truths that most Filipinos especially the ones at the top, would instantly block. Just because changes will shuffle the existing status quo that we are currently locked in.

BOOK | Qualitative Research : Advantage of this Paradigm

Qualitative Research : Advantage of this Paradigm

Qualitative research emphasizes study and observation of phenomena using techniques like case study, personal experience, introspection, etc. which facilitates in-depth probing of research data. In other words, qualitative captures the human-ness of the informants. The researcher is able to gather details like perceptions, thoughts, etc. without reducing them to mere numerical variables. Qualitative studies' subjects such as people and places are taken holistically. More than anything else, qualitative perspective enables researchers to know what is behind human behaviour and why such is happening.

Boethius and Buddhist Philosophy on Desire and Suffering

Buddhists believe that man suffers because of tanha (desire). Man desires wealth, power, fame, honor and bodily pleasure. These causes man to suffer as Boethius identified the reasons why in the process of desiring, man becomes miserable. Boethius pointed out that man's desire for wealth will strip him off from security; desire for fame and honor will strip him off from privacy; desire for bodily pleasure will strip him off from health. Analyzing carefully, we see that Boethius' and Buddhist's framework constitutes the same principles. First, Buddhists believe that for dukkha (suffering) to be overcome, he should let desires go. Boethius tells us that for man to be free from suffering, he should seek the highest good which is God. Both philosophies adheres to lift suffering from man by letting desires go.

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From old file, Philosophy 10, July 28, 2004

BOOK | Nyaya Epistemological Framework

Nyaya Epistemological Framework

Nyaya Epistemological Framework is the synthesis of both Western and Eastern theories of truth. It is similar to Western theories of truth in a way that it believes that to be able to verify the validity of truth, coherence and correspondence should both be used. Nyaya also posits the truth similar to the rationalist and empiricist view because it relies on facts and logic. It is distinct from Western theories of truth however because it was mixed with Eastern traditions that focuses more on the spiritual aspects of truth.

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From old files, Philosophy 10, July 28, 2004

BOOK | Indian Philosophy

Indian Philosophy

The Indian Philosophy focuses on the spiritual way of living and salvation of mankind. There are seven major beliefs in this philosophy which include: (1) Concentration on the spiritual; (2) Introspective attitude and introspective approach to reality; (3) Intimate relationship of religion and philosophy; (4) Monastic idealism; (5) Using reason but intuition as the only accepted method through which ultimate truth can be known; (6) Acceptance of authority to preserve tradition; and (7) Overall synthetic tradition/approach to reason and experience.

Propaganda : Isang Maikling Kasaysayan

Ang kilusang Propaganda ay samahan ng mga ilustradong Pilipino na nagsipag-aral sa ibang bansa. Palibahasa'y marurunong, batid nila ang mga kalabisan na ginagawa ng mga Kastila sa Filipinas. Bilang may kaya sa lipunan, naisipan nilang itayo ang Propaganda upang maipabatid sa Espanya ang mga repormang sa tingin nila ay dapat ipatupad sa bansang Filipinas.

Muslim sa Mindanao sa Pananakop ng mga Kastila

Ang mga taga-Mindanao sa pananakop ng mga Kastila ay naging matigas sa mga pagtatangkang pagsakop ng mga dayuhan. Hindi sila sumang-ayon na makipag-isa sa mga Kastila lalo't higit magpa-alipin sa mga ito. Mas naging mabagsik ang mga taga-Mindanao sa mga Kastila dahil pinipilit ng mga dayuhan na gawin silang mga binyagan samantalang matatag na ang Mohamedismo sa Mindanao ng mga panahong yaon.

Filipino Affection

Of the three interpersonal needs of an individual (e.g. inclusion, control, and affection) affection occupies the Filipino mindset. This might be the reason why Filipinos are very personal and family oriented because they long to have someone to show them care and interest. Affection may easily be translated into "longing for love." Everything about love whether platonic, familial or romantic love, Filipinos love the feeling of having someone by their side and thinking that they will never be alone because there will always be someone to rely on. That is why once Filipinos make friends even if meeting those friends is just a matter of hours, they strive to win the acquaintance's approval. This is the impact Filipinos create in their society. In this regard, affection and the hope of winning as much love and attention , Filipinos have become polite, courteous and hospitable. These are the traits that foreigners easily recognize. This also sets Filipinos a stand out among other Asian nations.

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From my old files, Qualitative Research 100, January 30, 2006

LIFESTYLE | Signs That You Are Pinoy

Signs That You Are Pinoy

For my foreign friends and fellow Filipinos as well, here is a run down of the things that define what Filipinos are from an insider's perspective,

Rituals

Rituals are traditions and periodical practices. Filipino centrality of rituals confirm Filipino Communicative Behaviour. This is because Filipinos have so many values that reinforces rituals. One of these values is the concept of pakikisama (camaraderie). This value is so strong that a Filipino is expected to go with the flow (e.g. Christmas and New Year preparations of food, decorations, gifts, etc.) Another concept Filipinos uniquely possess is hiya (shame). It is so entrenched in Filipinos that one is compelled to bite the bullet just to show that they follow rituals. Otherwise a Filipino may suffer from ostracism from his community and may lose face which is highly valued by Filipinos.

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From my old files, Qualitative Research 100, January 30, 2006

LIFESTYLE | Communication Theories

Communication Theories

Communication Process As Espoused by Laswell

Harold Laswell, proponent of the linear equation (e.g. the process has no feedback) stated his infamous process: who - says what - thru what channel - to whom - and with what effect. This process of communication aims to determine the significance of the source or sender, the message, the channel, the receiver and the effect that the message has as a whole.

Crossing the Line : When Advertising Gets Insidious

Insidious advertising or stealth marketing is an unethical issue in the media industry but has become so prevalent mediamen have learned to swallow it. In print media's news and advertising sections, ethics has become a clashing issue. The interest of the other simply cannot jive with the other one. Both compete for space in the newspaper with a normal distribution of 55:45 in favor of advertising.

BOOK | Internationalization of the Bangsamoro Struggle : Book Critique

Internationalization of the Bangsamoro Struggle : Book Critique

The Internationalization of the Bangsamoro Struggle is important to the study of Philippine politics and government in a way that it shows the disparity between Philippine government and the Muslims in the South, especially those who are involved with the armed group (which I refuse to call rebels). These armed people esp. the MNLF has this ideology which Christians do not understand.

JOURNAL | Kulturang Popular : Resistance at Evasion

Kulturang Popular : Resistance at Evasion

Isang magandang pagkakataon ang matalakay sa papel na ito kung ano ba para sa akin ang mas matimbang hinggil sa isyung inilatag ni Stuart Hall- evasion o resistance? Ayon kasi kay Hall, ang popular culture ay ang patuloy na tunggalian ng mga dominante/elitista at ng masa. Kaugnay nito, ang kulturang popular ay maituturing rin na kultura ng mga subordinates na hindi tumatanggap sa kanilang subordination.

Spelling Booboos...

I must admit that spelling was rather a challenge for me back in high school. I was looking through my old high school test papers and I found some rather funny spelling I made during a short quiz.

Dante's Peak: Reasoning as God's Gift

"The capacity to know and understand things for reasoning is a gift from God."

Sometimes when people are cornered in the middle of urgency, they have to stand and know where they should be. This is the reason why God gifted us with the intellect and be higher than any form of animal.

The Mummy Returns : Historical Context

Rick O'Connel with his wife Evelyn once again went to Egypt to gather some artifacts. They have found a bracelet called "Bracelet of Anubis" which had been worn by Alex (the son of Rick and Evelyn).

Zarsuela

Ang zarsuela ay isang pagtatanghal na ginagamitan ng iba't ibang awitin bilang pangunahing paraan ng pag-uusap. Ito ay nagsisilbing instrumento para sa mga naunang Pilipino upang makapaghayag ng mga saloobin at kuro-kuro. Karaniwan nang pinapaksa ng mga zarsuela noong una ang mga tungkol sa pag-ibig subalit maaari rin naman itong tumalakay sa kasalukuyang panahon at pumuna sa mga bagay-bagay na di kanais-nais.

Ang zarsuela ay ipinakilala ng mga Kastila sa Pilipinas, subalit noon lamang 1914s sumikat ng husto. Gayunpaman ay hindi din ito nagtagal at sa paglaon ay napalitan ng bodabil o vaudeville. Ilan sa mga zarsuelang naitanghal sa ating bansa ay "Pag-ibig Sa Tinubuang Lupa" at "Dalagang Bukid."

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Hango mula sa aking mga lumang tala, August 2, 2001

Monday, May 20, 2013

JOURNAL | Almost Losing It

Almost Losing It

There's a thing called limit, and by limit I mean that point where the brain cannot process any logical function. I am in that state right now but what makes this really worse is that my Internet connection is nothing faster than a lazy turtle/slug. Damn, I am at the edge of my patience. Just at the brink of losing it. A little more and I will hurdling this laptop on the nearest wall. !@#$ this Internet speed. It's just driving me crazy.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

JOURNAL | Rain Is Here

Rain Is Here

It's now raining in my hometown. It's only the middle of May and yet the heaven has decided to pour it out. I am not a fan of Summer either and between the heat of Summer against the inconvenience of rain, I'll prefer the rain. Summer for some reason irritates me, literally. I get all rashes in my body I feel like I am sick with some infectious disease. And it's really cumbersome.

Well at least the rain only makes the sky dark but also makes the air cooler. An opportunity for me to breathe.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

CORPORATE | The Risk Taker

The Risk Taker

I am embarking on another journey, oblivious of what is waiting at the end of the tunnel. Nothing is clear except for the fact that I am walking through something I have not walked before. It's sort of scary to think of the "uncertainty" but not knowing what lies ahead makes the journey even more exciting.

I am 27. Still at my prime, I venture into things that do not really make sense at all. But such is my personality- risk taker.

Monday, May 6, 2013

TRAVEL | Start Planning

Start Planning

I'm already in the first week of May and I have no concrete plans for my summer vacation yet. For the past week, my plans have been contingent upon others' schedules and I am really worried that if I prolong these plans then nothing will happen.

ARTICLE | Medical Health Care… or the Absence of It

Medical Health Care… or the Absence of It

In the Philippines, access to medical health care is synonymous to rain in Africa. For an individual to exert an effort to see a doctor means that the condition is in terminal case. Otherwise, the common Pinoy will opt to stay at home and ignore the symptoms of his unknown disease until too late.

Queer Vibes Mag