If people complain about how government handles the Post-Yolanda situation, LET THEM.

A friend of mine from abroad requested to repost this on my wall and on this blog to just air his/her sentiments regarding what is regarded by others as blaming/complaining. here it goes...

Right at this moment, I am in the comfort of my home, very far from my country, the Philippines. I think I am a very spiritual and prayerful person. I don't usually post my opinions on Facebook. My family in Cebu, although they experienced the tragedies, didn't suffer the consequences of it (scampering for food and water, lying beside their dead, not knowing what the future lies for them....almost apocalyptic situation and mindset). 

Like others who call our government into action (well, interpreted by others as complaining, blaming) I am almost sure that majority who "complain" have done a lot with regards prayers, donation, convincing others to donate and helping locate people who have been missing. I hope some people will stop saying, "KEEP SILENT, just pray and do your share". What you may see on their posts or reposts as complaints/rants are just a fraction of what they are actually doing to help. I just think that most people who complain about the latest events have done a lot of action already and are still right at it (from a distance or right at ground zero), that is why they feel they have the right to complain.

When I eat and drink, I think of those people I saw on the TV coverage, scooping filthy water from dirty water pipes. When I sleep on the comfort of my bed, I think of those who have to sleep on the rubbles, amongst their dead. When I call my family back home, I think of all those who lost their loved ones and have no one to call family anymore. When you allow yourself to be in the middle of all these, you would think all the help coming in is too slow or inefficient. Imagine yourself being in their situation. I'm not saying you don't feel the same way. You can choose to be silent (still very noble) or you can choose to complain and BE THEIR VOICE.

In the middle of that Pork Barrel Scandal, I had a lot of opinion about it but I kept it to myself, not posting/ranting. I chose not to judge the people who do because they have their concerns about it on a personal level. People already knew and experienced the effect of this, way before the scandal came out....they just chose to KEEP SILENT. Now, if people do complain about how the higher government handles this situation on the tragedies....let them.

The events that are about to unfold, as a result of this tragedy, are predictable. Everyone will be equally affected. There will be more poverty, sickness and crime...maybe not now, but it could happen. When that time comes, my family back home will be DIRECTLY affected. I don't want to wait for that to happen.

Like there is a formula for repacking relief goods, here's a formula for doing your share: PRAY + DONATE + CAMPAIGN FOR OTHERS TO DONATE + HELP SPREAD INFO ABOUT LOST FAMILY MEMBERS.......if you have done at least one or most of these and you don't see progress....you have the right to "COMPLAIN".
At this time, particularly for this event in our country, what will this "trying to keep people silent" on social media achieve as compared to what the people who complain wants to get achieved?

If you really choose to be silent, stick to your word. Refrain from making a "shout out" telling people who complain not to complain. You don't exactly know what they're going through. If you are sick of their posts, delete them from your list of friends. Easy.

Medifund: Possible help for Medical students

We have heard of online fundraising sites to help fund medical expenses but during the second Startup Weekend Cebu, there is a potential fundraising startup that was formed to help medical students who have problems keeping up with  high tuition fees.

The startup which hopes to launch soon a site to raise funds thru crowdsourcing is known as Medifund and it is made up of a team composed of a Nigerian medical student studying in Cebu City, a Japanese and six Filipinos.

The idea for Medifund came up out of the desire of Nigerian founder Jossy Onwude to help a good friend who is struggling to pay for the medical school tuition fee. He combined forces with their current team members and Medifund was born.

The idea is that through crowdsourcing, benefactors, supporters or generous donors will be able to chip in until the financial goal is met much like other online fundraising sites except this is geared specifically toward medical students needing financial backing. In exchange, donors will enjoy rewards including possibly free consultation and the medical student finishes medicine in the process and potentially saving more lives.

Get to know more about their team and Medifund in this slideshare slide.

The first student they are helping out is Kristine Bless of MHAM-Southwestern University and here is her campaign page.

I am hoping that Medifund will indeed be formed fully and (hopefully also) succeeds in the future in achieving their goals so that many lives would be saved potentially by the future doctors that they will help.

Medifund fundraising site will soon rise here.

8 Things You Might Not Know about Senatorial candidate Teddy Casino

The Philippine Senatorial Elections 2013 is just weeks away and I am sure students during this summer vacation are researching on the different candidates as they try to get to know the possible future senators of the country.

When word came out of Congressman Teddy Casino's visit to Cebu, I also grabbed the chance to get to know him more.

Seeing him in person, he looks to be a simple man. He was wearing a blue polo shirt and was pleasant to talk with.

When he was asked by a reporter about projects planned for Cebu, he somewhat reminded the audience that in the Senate, it's more about legislation than projects (and he is right). People tend to forget that the Senator's job is to make legislation and only because of the pork barrel that these projects arose.

He thinks legislation regarding industrialization will benefit Cebu best since Cebu is known to be a manufacturing city in the 70's according to him.

On some people telling him he does not have the political pedigree, money and resources: "...This candidacy is not about me. It's about you and the kind of representation you want in the Senate. It's about what we are willing to do to bring that new voice in the Upper House."

Here are 8 Things you might not know about him:

3. His parents were devout Catholics. Casino was once an altar boy and he once wanted to be a priest or a La Salle brother. His oldest brother was the one who ended up in the seminary.

4. His political awakening so to speak came during his high school days at La Salle Green Hills when he volunteerd for NAMFREL in the 1986 snap elections.

5. He also has a love affair with writing and journalism. He had a brief stint as reporter for ABS-CBN's Hoy Gising and the Correspondents. He wrote columns for People's Bagong taliba, Frontpage, Pinoy Gazette and online newsmagazine bulatlat.com.

6. He was awarded one of the Ten Outstanding Congressmen for 2012 by the Publisher's Association of the Philippines, Inc.

7. He declined a scholarship in De La Salle University to study at UPLB where he became a student leader. Despite his extracurricular activities as student leader, he consistently made it to the honor roll.

8. He entered the UP College of Law in 1996 only to leave it for three days as it interfered with his work in the labor sector. According to Casino, "I said to myself, why spend another four years in law school when there are so many things that need to be done right now."

9. Changes sought if given the chance in the Senate: Lower prices of good and services, good governance, people empowerment, agrarian reform, national industrialization, respect for human rights in all aspects, truly independent foreign policy and comprehensive political settlement of the Muslim and Communist rebellions.

10. He is the principal author of the Rent Control Act of 2009 (RA 9653), Public Attorney's Act of 2007 (RA 9406), Tax Relief Act of 2009 (RA 9504) and Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (RA 9745). He is the principal author of the Whistleblowers' Protection and Rewards Bill, Freedom of Information Bill and House version of the Anti-Epal Bill.

Pre-algebra help needed? Eduboard to the rescue

This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions are 100% mine.

One should not ignore early life education. What we learn during our childhood could prove very useful later in our careers or profession, even in medicine or allied health science careers. One such subject that is very useful but is quite challenging in our early days of schooling is Math, specifically Algebra. And in order to understand Algebra, one needs to have a good background in Pre-Algebra.

Pre-algebra concepts include concepts such as:

• integers
• fractions
• factorization of natural numbers
• decimals
• absolute value
• square roots
• inequalities
• ratio, rates and proportions
• slopes
• basics of equations
• and many more

Remember encountering difficulties then? Well, I do remember some. It took practice and some help from those older than me. But the problem sometimes is, these people I asked for help do not remember already much of the basics since they are not professional tutors or teachers. These times, a reliable tutor may prove useful. 

Your child may encounter math difficulties also. Being part of the Net Generation proficient in computers and the internet, it is but natural that they seek help online. Why not guide them to the right website where qualified and reliable tutors can help with pre-algebra difficulties? Why not lead them to http://eduboard.com/math/pre-algebra/ for a complete study help from their online tutors?

With eduboard, they provide among many other nice offerings:

• 24/7 tutoring services
• assistance with preparing for quizzes and tests
• a comfortable online classroom environment so that learning is fun
• a choice of your favorite online tutor

Still having doubts? Pay them a visit and check them out at http://eduboard.com/math/pre-algebra/. Oh, by the way. Their online tutors also provide assistance for other subjects from elementary to university subjects.

Remember, early life education plays a role in your child's future.