Sunday, March 7, 2010

SERVICE: IT CAN BE YOUR CROWD TOO!


Learn the ways of fitting in any crowd, no matter the age bracket, time or place!

Professors, in the view of a student, are established beings meant to be placed in a high-pedestal – a very far distance away from them. The rift between student and teacher, although unspoken, is quite visible. Whether it may be due to implicated authority, the age bracket or simply just common sense social norms, the reality is this: No matter where you’re located, the same social principles apply. If you’re not cool enough, you’re out. And this social reality may be seem even more difficult on the part of the professors causing to feel the slight ounces of isolation in the very own academe they are meant to be a part of.

But of course, there is no problem that cannot be solved! If you’re feeling isolated, then why not just dive in head first in the crowd? It’s simple, it’s easy and here are a few tips on making the crowd your own:

1. Wear the “right” clothes – Because it’s not 1979 anymore. To wear the most tackiest clothes in a 2010 modern setting would be close to murder and no student would want to go anywhere near you.

2. Eat in the “right” places – It’s all about being seen. If you’re always in a particular place, students find themselves more familiar with you, therefore the chances of them thinking you’re interesting, cool and amiable are very high.

3. Do not, for the love of God, crack ‘jologs’ jokes in the middle of class – They’re not funny. And laughing to yourself in the middle of discussion is seriously a pointer for a student to call the mental asylum for you.

4. Make a Facebook account – Students love to see what their prof is up to and Facebook is the way to go! If you’re cool and in tune with the times having one will be beneficial to you if you want to reach out to your students and vice versa.

5. Do not hang with the “terror profs” – This will just make the students veer away in fear from you, instead of achieving the goal of attracting them to you.

6. Take genuine interest in your students – It’s like how a parent gives attention to a child, students like it when teachers take interest in them. In the end, they will do the same and feel comfortable to approach you whenever they feel the need to consult you.

7. BREAK SOME RULES – Do not be a prissy, uptight professor that abides by the rules word per word. Students like it when their teachers are easygoing people; lenient but with sense. It captures their attention and makes them feel as if you can relate to them.

8. Make your own crowd – If you really can’t blend in with the students, no worries! If you’ve got a bunch of other isolated colleagues amidst you, gather them and form your own crew to show off to the world! It’s not just the students who can form cliques around campus, so can you!

9. BE COOL, DO NOT DROOL – Acting like a fool will only get you laughed at. Basically, just be yourself – confident and interesting in class and out. That is the best way to capture the attention of the students because believe me, they notice everything.

It doesn’t take much to fit in. It’s all about character and confidence. It’s about being sensible and being interesting. Whatever setting you’re placed in, whatever your age may be, if you have that particular charismatic aura, you’re in or even better yet, you’re on top of the crowd. Fitting in anything doesn’t take so much effort. Don’t force it, don’t overdo it and don’t be ridiculous. Just be yourself and the students will look towards your direction. That’s a fact.

HEALTH BEAT: FIGHT CANCER WITH KNOWLEDGE.


By: Marika Callangan and Monica Villarica

In the modern world we live in, cancer chooses no particular person. Anyone is prone to cancer. Today, breast cancer is the number one cancer among women now. Yet in a country wherein access isn’t available to everyone, prevention to certain cancers that can be curable are as unattainable as well.

Remi Niola, who comes from the Degenerative Thesis Office, NCDCC, briefs us on the recent outbreak on statistics regarding breast cancer, “There are many causes to breast cancer, na hindi lang na-iinherit, hindi lang ang edad, may mga ibang factors din kelangan isipin katulad nang iyong lifestyle, ang timbang mo (ang paggiging obese), ang pag-iinom ng alcohol at paninigarilyo, at ang pag gamit nang contraceptive pill, at iba pa. Kelangan isipin ang mga ganung bagay.” Because of lack of information on early detection and prevention, cancer still ranks 5th among the top 10 leading causes of death in the Philippines, with breast and lung cancer accounting for 30% of all cancer cases, according to records from the Department of Health.

Cancer does not develop overnight. The tale of Emily Lopez depicts the terrifying permanence of a life taking disease. Emily is cancer patient, age 31, a loan processor from Philippine National Bank, Tokyo Branch. She is the typical modern woman who engages in different vices such as smoking and drinking too much alcohol. She had been abusing her body without her paying much attention to it. It all began with a little lump, wherein the Japanese doctors told her there was nothing for her to worry about. Not really knowing much about the symptoms or effects of breast cancer, she continued on with her life until things started to take a major downhill. Seeking new medical attention in the Philippines, she was then diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Emily underwent an excruciating operation and chemotherapy. It would be safe to say that she did survive this frightful ordeal – at least, until she got pregnant 3 months later. Being pregnant entailed her to completely stop her chemotherapy because of the harmful effects it could do onto the fetus and her stopping chemotherapy gave the cancer cells a chance to come back. Because of her returned sickness, the doctors were forced to do operation on her, resulting to the baby being born on the 6th month, 3 months early from its due date. The baby was born safe, its life support coming only from the incubator. Meanwhile for Emily, the chemotherapy caused a complication, resulting to her developing leukemia, a cancer of the blood. She underwent chemotherapy for that as well, but instead of getting better, she developed an infection in the brain, meningitis, which is the inflammation of the membranes of the brain, the spinal cord and the fluid it is bathed in, the cerebrospinal fluid. The aftermath of this monstrous inflammation was an operation in the brain. The brain being completely damaged, all her organs collapsed and all that awaited for her was death. Her body merely hung onto several life support machines. Most of her family members and friends held on to the hope that she would still pull through. Others believed that it was only a body that was there before them, her soul completely far away from them. Finally, Emily’s life blew out at long last, saving her family the painful decision of committing euthanasia.

While we may know many stories wherein women are survivors of cancer, those who did not must not be forsaken either. They are there to serve as lessons for us, that we must not take our lives for granted for serious consequences lay ahead, whether or not they may be breast cancer or some other illness. Living in a fast-paced world, we tend to abuse our bodies. Cancer develops under too much stress and vices. Too much of everything is never good. Perhaps, if Emily lived her lifestyle a little differently, or if she had been more knowledgeable about the cancer, perhaps things would have taken a different path.

While there are many medical solutions to detecting breast cancer such as breast cancer self examinations and screening, knowledge is still the ultimate power. If people knew more about the cancer in full detail, preventive measures can be taken towards themselves.

These facts imply an important message to women everywhere: not one is exempted from this cancer. To take little things for granted is unwise to do. That is how we can prevent ourselves from going through the same thing Emily did. We must take care of ourselves in order to save ourselves.

NEWS: BURGUNDY INSTALLS BIOMETRIC SECURITY SYSTEM


TAFT AVENUE Burgundy Transpacific Place, infamous for crime thefts, has finally thought of the best way to prevent it while assuring their tenants of their safety: the biometric security system.

With the required registration among all tenants starting October of 2009 and finally its official implementation during January 2010, this new system serves to control tenants and visitors’ entry and exit of the building.

Each tenant is required to register their details, their fingerprint and their face into the building’s security computer unit. This is done so that, when they enter or exit the building, their fingerprints are registered on the scanner for the guards to monitor whether the tenant is within their unit or not. If the tenant is not within the premises no visitor is allowed to go up. Visitors, if they frequent often to a particular unit are required to register in a separate computer init in the main security desk at the lobby. If they do not frequent often are required to register manually in the security logbook.

This new biometric system has raised some opinions from a variety of people. Most do not like the hassle of registering themselves in a computer unit.

Mashadong kumukuha nang oras kasi. Nakakatamad. Kelangan pa mag-bayad!”, says Katie, a tenant of the building.

…Parang nakakasagabal sa amin. ‘di na pwede basta-basta mag deliver. Nagtratrabaho lang naman kami eh,” says Erwin, delivery boy for Sevenstar.

Ang hassle nito eh! Paano kung nagmamadali kami? Ang hassle lang,” complains an anonymous male tenant of the building.

However, while some disagree with the implementation of the new system, positive feedback is also gained from this new technology:

It’s better now. Safer,” says Luisito, a resident of Torre Lorenzo visiting the premises.

“I feel more assured now. I always feared my laptop would suddenly disappear as soon as I get home, based on the stories I’ve heard before!”, Jessica, a resident of the building, says.

Wow ha. Hanep ang Burg na now. Umaasenso! Mas okay ang ganito,” comments Lucky, a resident of Kassel Towers visiting the premises as well.

The reason why there are seemingly many contradictions coming everywhere is because the tenants have not adjusted to this new system,” Engineer Laila Valdez, Head of the Administration Office, reasons out. The Admin hope that in due time, everyone will be able to adjust to the latest installment because it is there to serve them and assure them of security.