FOR MY ENG011 STUDENTS

Here is a link to the UMC LIBRARY WEBSITE where you can access an explanation on how to do an annotated bibliography following the APA format of citation. A sample annotated bibliography is also included there. http://library.umcrookston.edu/annotate.htm

God bless.

FOR MY VALUES EDUCATION STUDENTS

Hello! As promised, here is the checklist I showed to you during our class. You may copy this in a sheet of paper or copy and paste it in MS Word, print it out, and check the appropriate skill that you believe you already have. God bless!!!

It's fun to have a blog and it's really very easy. You can google "how to start a blog" and there will be a number of sites that will appear on your screen and you can chose which you prefer more. You can also create a blog in Friendster, or you can go to http://www.blogger.com/start to create a blog with Blogger. The steps to create a blog are really very simple. Anyway, that's all for now. See yah next meeting.

Name:____________________________________ Date:________________________
Degree program:_________________________________

Making the Transition from High School to College

A college student must have an array of skills to help meet the many academic, social, and emotional demands of campus life. To assess your readiness for college (or that of someone close to you), check each skill that you believe you have.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…
____ analyze course demands and plan your study time accordingly?
____ take accurate and clear notes on a lecture in your own words?
____ read actively so that you remember what you read?
____ study on your own for at least 15-20 hours per week?
____ express yourself clearly on paper?
____ take a multiple-choice test successfully?
____ think critically about a topic and express your opinions in writing?
IF SO, YOU’RE READY FOR THE ACADEMIC DEMANDS OF COLLEGE.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…
____ get yourself out of bed and to class on your own?
____ balance study time with socializing and time alone?
____ stay calm and focused during an exam?
____ cope effectively when you’re anxious or depressed?
____ stay motivated when you are frustrated or have failed?
____ find ways to relax when you’re stressed?
IF SO, YOU‘RE READY TO MANAGE YOURSELF IN COLLEGE.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…
____ keep your own biases in check so that you can interact with
someone who is different than you in race, gender, age, religion, culture, or
sexual orientation?
____ stay open to and respectful of someone who has different values or ideas or
lifestyle than yours?
____ acknowledge your biases and prejudices and work to reduce them?
IF SO, YOU‘RE READY FOR THE MULTICULTURAL EXPERIENCE OF COLLEGE.

WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…
____ ask questions when you don’t know or understand something?
____ introduce yourself to someone and initiate a conversation?
____ disagree with someone and negotiate a compromise?
____ say no when you don’t want to do something? (e.g., drugs)
____ get close to someone without becoming too dependent or losing yourself?
IF SO, YOU’RE READY FOR THE INTERPERSONAL DEMANDS OF COLLEGE.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…
____ identify your own reasons for attending college?
____ list things that you like and things that you’re good at?
____ recognize what is important to you in life?
IF SO, YOU’RE READY TO SET GOALS IN COLLEGE AND CHOOSE A MAJOR.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…
____ recognize when you have a problem?
____ ask for help?
____ make mistakes without losing confidence in yourself?
____ identify resources where you can get assistance?
IF SO, YOU’RE READY TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS OF COLLEGE.


If you identify areas where your skills are not as highly developed, consider using the services of Center for Student Development. This office will help you manage the transition to college.

Plunging headlong

It feels comforting that at least some of my fellow teachers, who have years of experience to their names, are feeling a little anxious to start our jobs and fall short of the expectations thrown at us... Yes. I have started with my job as a teacher and it's been almost two weeks since I started. I still get bouts of anxiety every now and then since this is entirely new to me and I am afraid to fall down splat to my face... I want to think though that I can do this and that our Lord thinks the same way for He won 't be giving me this job if I wouldn't be able to handle it, right? Of course. Yeah, that's the spirit. Ajah! One of my stressors for now is being one of the emcees for the freshman orientation. I mean I've stayed out of the spotlight for so long that I am not sure how I'll adjust now. I used to do a lot of extemporaneous and impromptu speaking when I was in highschool and some radio and TV performance back in college but I've aways kept a low profile ever since. I didn't want others to think like I'm flaunting my talents. You can imagine what I feel now. I mean I applied for this teaching job and made myself think that this is really what I want because I feel like I wasn't really cultivating the capabilities God has given me when I was still with Pagcor. I know it won't be easy and I'm sure I'll be facing problems and committing mistakes along the way. I'm just praying that I'll be able to go through all of that, scathed but at least without my head between my toes.

Oh God, You know how I am feeling riight now. I hope I don't fail You or my students or myself... And I am raising my hands in praise to You for all the blessings You have bestowed upon us. Thank you so much Lord. I surrender everything to You.

*****************
Nobody said it would be easy
Nobody said it won't break you
All you gotta do is have faith
Faith is all that matters
You gotta have some faith child

*****************
When things fall apart
When the center no longer holds
When the maze seems to lead you to doors
without exits
When the web you've created
feels like a hand pressing too gently and then
too hard around your neck
When tears stream down your face like
water gushing out of broken pipelines
When the air from your lungs struggles to
break free but fails
When the words you utter start to dry your
already parched lips
When the thousand sobs that you're holding
back suddenly shake your body like crazy
When there's no single tear left to shed
When there's no single pain left in your head
When life has escaped your convulsing body
That's when
I'll be there.

Developments

There have been changes since my last post here. First, I haven't actually started on my job. Until now, I don't know if it'll push through or when it will. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed, my options open, and my palms together in prayer. I could consider that a bad news although they did apologize for the postponement of dates and that they will be informing us this coming week when the contract signing will push through. However, its more of a blessing in disguise since a lot of blessings did come from the postponement of that employment. I was able to get a student's permit and take up driving lessons. Yipee!!! I still have two hours of training left which I shall take this Sunday. Although that has already resulted with palpitations, arguments and a minor scratch in my sister's car (for which I'm sure I'll get a word or two, but we'll work on polishing off that scratch this week;)). I have also secured the required papers for my wedding. I was able to accompany my bebi angel to the hospital where he had a minor operation on his left knee for miniscus tear. We just got out of the hospital today. It had to be done in Batangas because the doctor and the equipment is there aside from being the accredited hospital of his health card. And since I think I still have next week to get a jumpstart on my thesis, I will be going to DLSU tomorrow to have my request for permission to conduct research on different libraries signed. That way, come tuesday, I can proceed to UP and Ateneo to do research and at the same time meet my friend who lives in Antipolo with her two sons. Then I shall go to UST the next day, again to do more research, and to the National Library, and then drop by my previous office, check some pending documents and meet some officemates. I'll also be working on the other requirements for our PAG-Ibig loan next week. I'll also be looking at a possible venue for our wedding and consult with possible caterer or wedding planner who can work on a limited budget;) So I guess it is indeed a blessing that I haven't started yet on my "job". I was also interviewed recently by Benilde for a possible part-time teaching position. They just advised me to come back when I have grown tired of a full-time teaching job since I confessed to them that I am already waiting for the schedule of our contract signing. I'll stop here for now to get a beauty rest. Nytnyt!;) God Bless!

Staying alive

I haven't actually been paying much attention on you lately... Haven't been quite up to talking about the latest developments in my life... Well, I have been blessed to have been given a chance to work as a teacher in Malayan College. I'll start training this April 16. I hope I don't disappoint them and myself... That's the major breakthrough of my life as of now... Quitting my job for five years and venturing into the unknown. My thesis has to take a backseat for now... I have to concentrate first on reading stuff and getting ready for this "extra challenge" of my life.

I'm quite tired actually and my mind is crowded with other thoughts like our house loan, wedding preparations ( actually, we haven't really started on this...), taking driving lessons??? ( if I don't freak out), and the fact that I haven't read and studied enough to actually teach literature and I'm trying to do all of these at the same time that it's like I don't actually get anything done... I am afraid to fail... I know it's when I let my faith waver that all these fears and stress set in. I just hope I'll be able to pull this off. Make that a we. Because I, alone, can't pull this off. I really need Him and my loved ones to help me through this. We can all do this together...

**************

Anxiety

Light from the lone, yellow bulb
Twinkling darkness from the busted lamps on the street
Radiance from a terminal of data
Shadows from the moon of tomorrow

Fingers pressing on the letters
Feet threading murky roads
Not getting quite there
Not quite seeing past here

Stepping out of the bedsheet
Descending down the stairs
Unlocking the frontdoor
Flinging open the gate

Placing one foot into the cold pavement
Retracting from the sudden heat
Putting it back again
The hiss of passion and surrender

With hope in her eyes
And fear in her pocket

MODULE ON THE ESSENTIAL PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT BASED ON THE TOULMIN MODEL

This module serves as a supplement in developing the skill in reading and writing argumentative essays by starting with the most basic parts of an argument.

WHY STUDY ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING?

One of the interesting forms of speech and writing is argument. All of us are assumed to have engaged in an argument at some point in our lives, either with our selves when making a decision or with other people over a topic or an issue. Arguments can be found in newspaper editorials or opinion articles, in the homily of priests, in television talk shows, and virtually in any oral or written communication that asserts a claim or a stand. It is therefore important for anybody to be aware of how an argument works or how it takes shape to be conscious of how we should formulate our own. As fourth year high school students, you should be already exposed to the basic principles on argumentation like its parts to be able to develop a level of critical thinking, logic, and coherence, elements which should frame formal speech and writing.

The Toulmin model will be the framework used for this module. Said model is a very natural and practical model because it follows normal human thought processes. It has six parts; the claim, support or data, warrant, rebuttal, backing, and qualifier. The first three parts are considered essential while the last three are optional. Although rebuttal, backing, and qualifier are also vital in a sound argument, this module will be limited to the first three parts. The rest will be discussed in a separate module.

After completing the activities here, you are expected to be able to write an argumentative essay with the three essential parts present; the claim, the support, and the warrant.

Tip 1:
Argument is defined as a statement or group of statements that offer support for a claim. (Rottenberg, 1985) It is a process of reasoning and advancing proof. They do not necessarily have to take the form of a dialogue but may be implied dialogues as the speaker or writer always takes his audience into consideration when composing arguments.


ACTIVITY ONE

q This activity will help you develop a keen eye in discerning the issue surrounding a claim. Arguments start off from an issue.

Directions: Choose the issue from the box below that corresponds to the claim stated.

Political appointees Poverty
Catholic Faith Drug trafficking
Terrorism Election Tactics
Environment Morality
Racism Education



___________________ 1. The advocacy of the Catholic Bishops conference of the
Philippines for transparency, accountability, and going to the roots of the problem underlying the sex scandal issue faced by clergymen is laudable.
___________________ 2. We should all work together in increasing the budget for
education and allocate more funds for classroom creation, purchase of new equipment, and teacher training to boost the Philippine economy.
___________________ 3. The president should not let her influence determine who
gets appointed in the government especially the Supreme Sourt.
___________________ 4. Macapagal is running for presidency and this is her motive
for appointing Bonifacio to the San Miguel Board of Directors.
___________________ 5. The government should intensify its efforts to gather
evidences against the drug barons in order to place these people behind bars.
___________________ 6. People are not born with racist attitudes, they have to be
taught them.
___________________ 7. Professional squatting should be considered a criminal
offense, decriminalization of squatting should be lifted.
___________________ 8. The Philippine military must capture the armed rebels now
and not wait for foreign help to come.
___________________ 9. The environment is the single most serious problem the
world faces today.
___________________ 10. Legalizing abortion will kill not just thousands of infants
but also thousands of soul.


ACTIVITY TWO

q This activity zeroes in on the different kinds of claims. It is important to be able to identify the kind of claim one makes or reads to be able to determine the terrain of argument that the author or speaker develops.

Tip 2:
Claim organizes the entire argument and everything else related to it. It answers the question “What is the author/ speaker trying to prove?” (Wood, 1998)

TYPES OF CLAIMS (Wood, 1998)

Claim of fact - What happened? Is it true? Does it exist? Is it a fact?
Claim of cause - What caused it? Where did it come from? Why did it
happen? What are the effects? What probably will be the results on a short-term and long-term basis?
Claim of
Definition- What is it? What is it like? How should it be classified?
How does its usual meaning change in a particular context?
Claim of value- Is it good or bad? How good? How bad? Of what worth is it? Is it moral or immoral? Who thinks so? What do those people value?
Claim of policy- What should we do? How should we act? What should future policy be? How can we solve this problem? What course of action should we pursue?

Directions: Identify the type of claim. There are five kinds of claims; fact, value, policy, cause, and definition.


___________________ 1. The government must be prepared to combat with the
armed rebels anytime.
___________________ 2. Television content promotes violence.
___________________ 3. Two people joined by God in marriage must never be
separated by man.
___________________ 4. The decline in good teachers is a result of bad education.
___________________ 5. We need to define what constitutes a family before we
discuss family values.
___________________ 6. Men in general die young.
___________________ 7. Euthanasia may be wrong but it certainly relieves a person
from too much suffering.
___________________ 8. The government should place top priority in modernizing
military weaponry to increase efficiency of the Philippine soldiers.
___________________ 9. A lot of infrastructure improvements are going on because
the elections are coming up.
___________________ 10. Love does not mean breaking your back to feed a man fit to
carry a cow.

ACTIVITY THREE

q This activity aims to draw logical connection between the data given and the claim.

Tip 4
Support comprises all the explicitly stated explanations, information, facts, opinions, personal narratives, and examples that authors use to make their claims and subclaims convincing and believable. It may be true (facts, real examples) or probable (opinions, made-up stories).

Directions: Choose from the box below the appropriate support/ data for the given claims. Add one more support for each claim following the required data indicated.


§ As of last month, only 565,375 of an estimated 5.623 million new voters had registered and validated their registration
§ Current budget appropriation in education is not enough to cover the needs of the students
§ FPJ did not finish his studies
§ The police and their anti-crime units usually show up at the crime scene after establishments have been robbed or after victims have already been shot
§ The present English literature curriculum for college includes more works from regional Filipino writers than before.


1. The Philippine National Police is not performing its functions well.

Supports: A:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B(Cite an example) _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

2. FPJ should not run for presidency
Supports:
A:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B. (Cite an experience in Philippine government history)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Migration of students from private to public schools poses a problem to the public education system.
Supports:
A:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B: (Statistics/ Facts)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. The teaching of English literature in the Philippines has ceased to be Western-centered.
Supports:
A:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B: (Compare and contrast by citing specifics)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Few Filipinos are eager to participate in the coming elections because of the Presidential candidates.
Supports:
A:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B: (Cite names of presidential candidates and briefly describe each of them)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



ACTIVITY FOUR
q This activity aims to enhance your ability to read an argumentative essay critically by identifying the claim and support(s) given in the passage.

Tip 5:
“To locate the claim, what should you look for? The claim may be explicitly stated at the beginning of an argument, at the end, or even somewhere in the middle. Or it may be stated anywhere. It may sometimes be implied, in which case you will be expected to infer it.” (Wood 1998)

“Locating and identifying the claim as soon as possible helps you focus on what the argument is all about.” (Wood 1998)

“Discover the support in an argument by asking, What additional information does the author supply to convince me of this claim?” (Wood 1998)

“To locate support, what should you look for? One bit of good news: support is always explicitly stated, so you will not have to infer it as you sometimes have to infer a claim. Among the common types of support are facts, opinions, and examples (real or made-up).” (Wood 1998)

Directions: Identify the claim and support(s) in the given passage. Please also indicate the kind of claim given.

Passage One
(Letter to the Editor: PDI, Dec. 03, 2003)
Traffic rules notobeyed nor enforced
LAST Oct. 30 at around 7:30 in the evening, I had to brave the strong rains to get to the airport to fetch my wife. As I stopped at the intersection near the Airport Road, a PNP Traffic Management Patrol Car No. 055 also stopped beside me and we waited for the red light to change. The driver of the car on my other side decided that he couldn't wait, so he drove off to beat the red light. The patrol car did not do anything. Then the motorcycle beside me decided to do the same. Still, the police car just stayed there doing nothing. Then an airport van from across the street crossed the intersection, beating the red light on his side and still, the patrol car did nothing.

A few vehicles from our side decided they too couldn't wait, so about three vehicles crossed the intersection on a red light. Still, Patrol Car No. 055 didn't budge. The government spends millions to provide our traffic enforcers the equipment to do their job effectively. Unfortunately, many of our traffic enforcers are deaf and blind on the streets. If this is what we get from the PNP Traffic Management force, then the country would be better off if they sell all these expensive cars and spend the money to build more public school classrooms. With non-discipline such as in the above incident, is it a wonder that we are where we are? --NOEL CARPIO, 1 Molave St., Ramax Subdivision, Diliman, Quezon City
CLAIM: (Kind of Claim) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

SUPPORT(S):
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Passage Two
http://www.inq7.net/opi/2003/dec/04/letter_3-1.htm
Guns as insurance policies
WITH THE RECENT killings because of more kidnappings and robbery in the metropolis, it may be safe to say that Juan dela Cruz can no longer count on anybody else for protection, except for his own self. The police and their other anti-crime units usually show up at the crime scene after establishments have been robbed or after victims have already been shot. But at the very moment that danger looms, no law enforcement personnel is around to serve one's need or protect one's life. It is with this unfortunate reality in mind that I appeal to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to lift the ban on the issuance of permits to carry firearms outside the residence for responsible and law-abiding gun owners. The gun ban has in no way prevented criminals and outlaws from doing their business. It has only added to their confidence that the danger to themselves is lessened since their would-be victims are helpless and unarmed.
Guns do not kill people; it is the person who pulls the trigger who does. I suggest that stiffer disciplinary action be meted out to violators of the gun ownership law, and that stricter screening measures be administered to gun owners and bearers. This stand may call for rebuttal from the other side, but one thing is very clear--guns are like insurance policies. You may not need a gun, but it is far better to have one when the need arises. --EGAY F. CARRASCO, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija (PDI, December 4, 2003)
CLAIM: (Kind of Claim) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

SUPPORT(S):
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY FIVE

q This activity will help you draw the connection between a warrant and a claim.

Tip 6:

“Warrants are the assumptions, general principles, the conventions of specific disciplines, widely held values, commonly accepted beliefs, and appeals to human motives that are an important part of any argument.” (Wood 1998)

Here’s an example (Wood 1998):

Claim : The president of the United States is doing a poor job.
Support : The unemployment rate is the highest it has been in ten years.
Unstated
Warrants : The president is responsible for creating jobs; when
unemployment is high, it is a sign that the president is doing a
poor job; or, even though the president may be doing well in
other areas, creating jobs is the main index to how well he is
doing.

Here’s another one (Wood 1998):
Claim : Business profits are adversely affected by environmental
protection laws.
Support : Obeying environmental protection laws that call for clean air,
for example, costs industry money that could otherwise be
realized as profit.
Warrant : Profit is more important than clean air.
Businesses make profit to survive.
Environmental protection laws are threatening the capitalistic
system.


Directions: From the box below, choose the letter corresponding to the appropriate warrant for the given statements.


a. The Supreme Court is expected to be composed of lawyers of high
Integrity.
b. A politician running for presidency will try to forge as many political
allies as possible.
c. Celibacy is a virtue.
d. Science and technology are important for the progress of a country.
e. The Catholic Church is not easily daunted.
f. The Erap administration is a failure.


______________ 1. The Catholic Church will remain steadfast despite the human failings of
clergymen.
______________ 2. PGMA is running for presidency and this is her motive for appointing
Bonifacio to the San Miguel Board.
______________ 3. FPJ should not run for presidency because the Philippines’ experience
under Erap will be repeated.
______________ 4. What the SC needs is a justice who is not prone to influence and
coercion.
______________ 5. We should provide more funds for the development of science and
technology if we want this country to go somewhere.


ACTVITY SIX

q This activity will help you infer the warrant from the claim and support provided.

Tip Seven:
“To help you discover warrants, ask questions like the following:
What is left out here?
Where is this author coming from?
What is causing this author to say these things?
Where am I coming from?
Do I believe that this evidence supports this claim. Why or why not?” (Wood1998)

Directions: Identify the warrant based on the given claim and support.

1. Claim : We no longer value human life.
Support : Because we have legalized abortion.
Warrant : _____________________________________________________

2. Claim : Laws should be passed to limit immigration.
Support : Because we have our own unskilled laborers who need those jobs.
Warrant : _____________________________________________________

3. Claim : Importation should be curbed.
Support : Because the local industries are suffering from unmitigated
importation.
Warrant : _____________________________________________________

4. Claim : A person should not marry at a young age.
Support : Because separation usually happens with couples who marry young.
Warrant : _____________________________________________________

5. Claim : Death penalty should be re-instituted.
Support : Because people are no longer afraid to commit crimes.
Warrant : _____________________________________________________


Activity Seven:

q This activity will integrate all three parts discussed.

Directions: Identify the claim, support, and warrant in the print advertisement below. Identify the kind of claim and whether the support is a fact or an opinion. Please also indicate whether you agree or disagree with the warrant.


Claim (Kind of Claim) :_____________________________________________________
Support (Fact or Opinion):___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Warrant(Agree or Disagree):__________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Congratulations!!! You have just completed our first module. We shall be discussing your answers when we get back to school. In the meantime, have fun!!!J

BLOGS: PAGBUBUO NG IDENTIDAD AT KOMUNIDAD

Ang papel na ito ay karugtong ng pag-aaral na isinagawa ko tungkol sa Massively Multiple Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGS) particular na ang Philippine Ragnarok Online (pRO). Sa nabanggit na pag-aaral, sinubok kong suriin kung paano magagamit ang Ragnarok sa pagbuo ng isang nasyon. Lumabas sa aking pag-aaral na walang ibang epektibong simulan ng pagbubuo ng isang nasyon kundi ang indibidwal, ang paghihinang sa kasanayan nito at ang pagpapatibay ng pakikipag-ugnayan nito sa ibang tao. Ang malaking katanungan ko noon ay kung paano malalaman na ang ipinapakitang kagitingan, pagkamalikhain, at pagkamatulungin ng mga manlalaro, ng mga avatars sa mundo ng Midgard ay hindi nagtatapos sa virtual na mundo kundi sumasangay sa “tunay” na mundo. Dito pumasok ang “weblogs” o ang itinuturing na “on-line journals”. Sa wakas, makikilala ko na ang ilang mga mukha sa likod ng mga “avatars”.

Hindi ko ginamit sa nakaraang pag-aaral ang salitang “empowerment”. Ngunit naniniwala ako na dito nag-uugat ang lahat. Ang pagakakaroon ng isang inidibidwal ng konsepto na “empowered” siya ang makapagpapakilos sa kanya o makapagbibigay sa kanya ng motibasyon para maging bahagi sa pagbuo ng kanyang nasyon. Sinabi ni Tim Jordan sa kanyang librong Cyberpower (199) na “Cyberspace is the land of empowerment of individuals, of reinventing identities out of thought.” Hindi ako lubos na sang-ayon sa sinabi ni Tim Jordan. Naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ng internet na i-empower ang isang indibidwal sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa kanya ng isang medium para mailabas ang kanyang mga hinaing, maibahagi sa iba ang kanyang mga nalalaman at pinaniniwalaan, ang makapagpabago. Naniniwala din ako na hindi iisa o buo ang identidad ng isang tao. Maaari lamang pumili siya ng ilang bahagi ng kanyang pagkatao na gusto niyang ipakita sa iba. Ngunit ang pagbuo ng identidad na ito na ipinapakita mo sa “cyberspace” ay hindi nabuo “out of thought.” Produkto ito ng ating “subject positions”. Produkto ito ng maraming taong pagkakahulma o dikdik sa sari-saring institusyonal na aparato ng estado. Ang identidad ding ito ay sang-ayon sa medium na ginagamit (internet, computer), sa lingwahe, at sa kung anong klaseng mga tao ang babasa sa iyo o sa kung anong klaseng tao ang gusto mong bumasa sa iyo. Ang kagandahan ng “blogging” ay ang kakayahan nitong baliktarin ang mga sitwasyon. Maaaring kailanganing makibagay ng isang “blogista” sa medium o program na kanyang pinili para makalikha ng kanyang sariling blog ngunti di tulad ng “chat rooms” kung saan papasok ka sa isang komunidad bilang isang “unknown entity”, sa blogs, magsisimula ka muna sa pagbuo ng iyong sariling identidad bago ka gumawa ng link sa ibang mga blog sites o komunidad para ikaw ay makilala. Masasabi nating mas buo ang identidad ng isang blogista pagpasok niya sa blog communities kaysa mga “chatters”. Bagama’t magbabago pa rin ang pagkakakilanlan sa blogista sa pagdaan ng mga araw sa kanyang on-line journal, na-establish na niya kung anong identidad ang gusto niyang makita ng ibang tao sa kanya. Mas may pagkakataon din ang isang blogista na bumuo ng sarili niyang komunidad. Sa ganitong paraan, bawat “blogista” ay may kakayahang maging tagabuo at parte ng isang binubuong komunidad. Dito nagsisimula ang empowerment.

Naimbento ang Internet ng Pentagon noong 1969 bilang isang proyekto ng US Militar para sa Cold War. Tinawag itong ARPAnet dahil kontrolado ito ng Advanced Research Projects Administration. Ang pangunahing gamit nito ay ang magsilbing daan para sa komunikasyon ng military kung sakaling magkaroon ng nuclear war. (Hebrona in Teng, 1997). Sa kabilang banda, ang blogs as nagsimula lamang sa pagitan ng mga taong 1994 at 1997. Noong 1997, ginamit ni Jorn Barger ang terminong weblog upang tumukoy sa kanyang online journal na “Robot Wisdom” at marami nang sumunod dito. Kalimitan sa mga gumagawa ng blogs noon ay mga “web designers”, “software designers” and “computer scientists” at kinakailangang may kaalaman ka sa hypertext markup language (HTML) at Java. Subalit dahil sa paglabas ng mga blogs-for-the-idiots (gaya ko) gaya ng Blogger, naging madali na para sa kahit sinong may access sa internet at interesadong magbahagi ng kanyang identidad o mga kwento sa ibang tao ang lumikha ng kanyang sariling blog. (Gurak et. Al in WWW) Sa ating bansa, ayon sa Pinoyblog, ang pinakamatandang blog ng Pilipino na alam ng sumulat ng “blog entry” ay nalikha noong huling bahagi ng taong 1999. Hindi pa kumpleto ang ginagawang pagbubuo ng kasaysayan ng blog sa Pilipinas kaya hindi pa sigurado ang dato na ito. Gayunpaman, makikita nating hindi bumilang ng maraming taon bago tayo naabot ng blogs. Sa kasalukuyan, base sa NITLE Blog Census, mahigit dalawang milyon na ang sa tingin nila’y weblogs at mahigit kalahati nito ay nasa salitang Ingles. Ang Pinoyblog noong aking huling bisitahin (March 18, 2005) ay mayroon nang 5,529 entries at 1,173 members gayong wala pang tatlong taon itong nabubuo.

Anu-ano ba ang karakteristiks ng blogs? Karamihan sa mga sinangguni sa internet nagsasabing ang blogs ay binubuo ng mga repleksyon, muni-muni, alaala, kaalaman, sanaysay, litrato, problema sa mundo, haka-haka, iba pang mga likha at higit sa lahat ng mga “links”. Itong mga links na ito ang pinagkaiba ng blogs sa “diaries”. Maaaring links ito sa ibang mga blogs, internet communities, sites na interesante para sa blogista, atbp. Nagsisimula din ang blogs sa pinakabagong entry pababa ngunit hindi hanggang sa pinakaluma sapagkat matatagpuan na ang mga lumang entries sa archives section ng blog. Maaari ding gumawa ng maraming categories o sections ang blogista para sa pag-oorganize ng mga data sa kanyang blog. Maaaring hindi lamang iisa ang blogista ng isang blog, mayroong blog na maraming blogista katulad ng Pinoyblog, Philippine Gaming Community, atbp. Ang pinagkaiba ng blog sa website ay ang pag-a-update sa entries dito. Mayroon ding bahagi ang bawat blogs kung saan pwedeng magbigay ng komento ang mga mambabasa.

Madali lamang gumawa ng blogs dahil sa loob ng labinglimang minuto ay nakagawa na ako ng sarili kong blog kahit iisang entry pa lamang ang nailalagay ko dito at wala pang links. Ang aking blogsite ay http://cloudychugs.blogspot.com/. Kailangan mo lamang sundin ang mga alituntunin ng isang blog portal gaya ng Blogger at ang pangarap mong makapag-publish ng iyong mga likha ay magagawa mo na sa isang iglap.

Sinabi ni Sherry Turkle sa kanyang “Lives on the Screen” na ang pagsusuot ng iba’t ibang identidad sa internet ay pinaka-obvious sa “role-playing” virtual communities o “online games” sapagkat sa mga role-playing games (RPGs) gaya ng Ragnarok, ang manlalaro ay pumipili ng kanyang “avatar” (online character/ personality) na maaaring naiiba sa kanyang pagkatao “physically” ngunit sa katunayan ay sumasalamin din sa kanyang mga saloobin, hangarin, nakaugaliang asal. Kaiba naman ang blogs dito dahil ang identitidad ng avatar ay hindi na lamang “inferred” mula sa karakter ng isang laro kundi “explicitly shared” kahit pa man piling identidad lamang ito o iba sa identidad sa totoong buhay. Sa isang blog, ang mismong blogista na ang nagsasabi na ganito ako, o ganito ako dahil kayo ang nagbabasa sa akin, o ganito ako dahil ito ang gusto kong ipakita sa inyo o dahil basta ganito ako. Ang nagbunsad sa akin na suriin ang mga blogs ay ang libro ni Rolando B. Tolentino “ National/ Transnational: Subject Formation and Media in and on the Philippines.” Sinabi ng aklat na:

“Subject formation is a negotiated and working identity. Hegemonic power remains unevenly porous, thus evenly penetrating and penetrable. Subjectivity remains always in a process of coming into being, never complete… Subjectivity remains enmeshed in both discourses of the national and transnational… By interfacing the national and transnational, the disjunctures are made pronounced, providing instances in which subjectivity both subverts and is dominated by hegemonic power.” (2001)

Bagamat hindi national at transnational ang mga salitang aking gagamitin kundi personal/indibidwal at komunal/komunidad, ang dichotomy na ito ay maaaring matagpuan sa blog/blogista. Sapagkat sa pagbuo ng isang blog, bukod sa kagustuhan ng blogista na marinig o mabasa siya sa kung anong personalidad ang gusto niyang ipakita o ikuwento, sa oras na gumawa siya ng isang blog, ang nasa isip agad niya ay ang kanyang mambabasa. Maaaring magpailalaim ang blogista sa komunidad na gusto niyang kabilangan o kaya’y magsimula siya ng sarili niyang komunidad o baguhin ang komunidad na pinasukan niya o pumasok sa kanya. Hindi kinakailangang gawin niya ito ng magkakahiwalay sapagkat hindi unidirectional ang blogs, sangay sangay ang mga ito. Kaya’t sa pagbuo ng isang blogista ng kanyang identidad sa internet, nabubuo din ang isang komunidad.

Maraming limitasyon ang aking pag-aaral. Una dahil “purposive” ang naging pagpili ko ng mga blogs na pinag-aralan. Ang unang karakteristiks na aking hinanap sa pagpili ay ang pagkahilig ng bawat blogista sa online games, karamihan sa kanila ay naglaro o naglalaro ng Ragnarok o ibang RPGs. Makikita ang hilig na ito sa profile nila, sa links, at maging sa blog entries mismo. Para makapili ng blogista na naglalaro ng RPGs, nag-search lang ako sa Yahoo engine at nang may makuha na akong ilan, tiningnan ko din ang mga links nito para silipin kung “hooked” din sa RPGs ang mga “kaibigan” ng blogista. Binisita ko din ang mga blogs sa Pinoy Blog Awards at nakakuha ng marami sa sample mula dito. Ang Pinoy Blog Awards ay naglalayong kilalanin ang mga blogista at mga blogs ng mga Pinoy na kakikitaan ng pagkamalikhain o kahusayan. Ilan sa mga rekognisyong binibigay ang Philippine Blog Website of the Year, Filipino Blogger of the Year, at Most Informative Blog Site. Ang blog directory nito ay nagli-link sa 99 na blog sites ng babae at 82 blog sites ng lalaki. Nilimita ko ang bilang ng blogs na tatalakayin dito sa sampu, limang babae at limang lalaki, ayon sa sex na idineklara nila sa kanilang mga blogs. Ang huling naging pagbisita ko sa mga napiling blogs ay noong Marso 31, 2005.

Sa pagsuri sa mga blogs ay gumamit ako ng iba’t ibang kategorya gaya ng blog adres, titulo, pangalan/ pagkakakilanlan (handle), porma/disenyo, nilalaman (Expresiv/ Informativ), hayag o di-hayag na layunin/ motibo, at digri ng rebelasyon sa tunay na identidad (makikilala, di-makikilala, kilala, inimbento).


Makikita natin sa dalawang table na halos hindi maaaring paghiwalayin ang expresiv sa informative na kontent o nilalaman. Nagkakaiba lamang sa kung alin ang lumalabas na mas nakakahigit kaysa isa. Kinlasify bilang personal ang mga blogs na karamihan sa entries ay tungkol sa sarili at sa mga pangyayari sa sariling buhay. Expresiv naman kapag tungkol ito sa mga nararamdaman o komento sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng buhay. Informativ naman ang blogs na nagbibigay ng balita o impormasyon na maaaring maging interesante para sa mambabasa o makatulong dito. Kinlasipika ko na rin na informative ang mga advertisements.

Dalawa sa mga blogs ng babae ang kinlasipika bilang Personal/ Expresiv, dalawa din ang Expresiv/Informative, at isang blog ang kinlasipikang Personal, Expresiv, at Informativ. Sa mga blogs naman ng lalaki, dalawa ang kinlasipikang Expresiv/ Informativ, dalawa ang Informativ/ Expresiv at isang Informativ. Nauuna sa banghay ang mas matimbang. Base ang mga ito sa mga pinakabagong entries ng blogs at sa mga links nito. Gayunpaman, bagamat mayroong mga kinlasipika bilang expresiv lamang o informative lamang, kung iku-konsidera natin na ang mga links sa ibang bloggers bilang maaaring pagmulan ng karagdagang impormasyon o ibang expresyon ng sarili/ identidad at mga paniniwala, hindi natin maaaring sabihin na natatapos sa pagiging informative o expresiv ang isang blog. Sa kadahilanan ngang kaiba ang medium na ito sa balita, chat room, o maging sa RPGs. Ang identidad ng isang tao ang nakataya dito, bagamat maaaring identidad na kaiba sa identidad sa tunay na mundo. Kung sino mang babasa sa blog mo ay maaaring mag-iwan ng komento; nagustuhan ba niya ang iyong sinabi? Mayroon ba siyang karagdagang sasabihin? Nire-recognize ba niya ang credibilidad mo o ang mga pananaw mo? Bawat salitang tinatayp natin sa ating keyboard at pino-post natin sa ating blog ay nagbibigay ng impormasyon sa mga “surfers” at “bloggers” sa kung sino ba tayo o kung ano ba ang ating nalalaman. Maaring hindi intensyon ng isang blogista ang mag-lecture o magbahagi ng kaalaman o mga katotohanan. Ngunit hindi niya maaaring pigilin ang Google, Yahoo o Yehey Search na palitawin ang kanyang blog sa mga saliksik kung saan nakapagbitiw siya ng isang pahayag na konektado dito. Samakatuwid, anuman ang iyong isinulat ay maaaring maging mahalagang impormasyon para sa iba. Hindi rin naman pwedeng maging pulos informative ang isang blog dahil lumalabas pa rin dito ang sariling estilo at pananaw. Maaaring makipag-interact online din ang blogista sa kanyang mga mambabasa sa pamamagitan ng pagsagot o pag-react sa mga komento nito. Hindi maiiwasan na dito ay lumabas ang mga personal na pananaw o pahayag. Hindi ko pa nadalaw ang blog ni George W. Bush kaya gagawin ko na lamang halimbawa si Gabby Dizon na siyang tinitingala ng mga Pinoy game developers dahil sa pagkakabuo nito ng pinakaunang Pinoy RPG na Anito: defend a Land Enraged. Kung noon ay kilala lamang natin siya sa pamamagitan ng interviews niya at sa mga manaka-nakang guesting sa mga Computer Digital shows, ngayon mas nakita na natin ang porma ng kanyang mukha. Nabasa natin kung ano ang mga nasa isip niya na gusto niyang ibahagi sa atin. Sa mga blogs, nagkakaroon ng mas buo bagama’t patuloy pa ring binubuong personalidad ang mga tanyag na tao. Sa pamamagitan din ng blogs, hindi mo kinakailangang maging isang Conrado De Quiros upang mabasa, o maging isang Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo upang marinig sa buong mundo. Hindi mo rin kinakailangang lumabas ng iyong bahay o mangibangbayan para maibahagi ang iyong mga pananaw, upang makilala ka sa kung sino ka o sa kung anong klaseng pagkatao ang gustong mong makilala. Sa pagkakaroon lamang ng access sa computer at internet, maaaring mong buuin ang iyong virtual na pagkatao at maging tagabuo ng isang komunidad.

Makikita rin sa mga ligwaheng ginamit sa pagsulat sa blog kung paano isinaalang-alang ng isang blogista ang kanyang mga mambabasa. Tatlo sa mga blogs ng babae ang nasusulat sa Ingles at dalawa naman ang sa magkahalong Filipino at Ingles. Sa mga lalaking blogista naman, apat ang nagsusulat sa Ingles at iisa ang sa magkahalong Filipino at Ingles. Marahil mas marami sa mga lalaking blogista ang nagsusulat sa Ingles dahil marami sa kanila ay teknikal na mga terminolohiya ang pinag-uusapan. Katulad ng sa blog ni Gabby Dizon na nasusulat sa Ingles kung saan bumibisita ang maraming game developers dahil sa mga impormasyong nakukuha dito bukod sa pagiging kilala niya. Maaari din naming pinili ng mga itong magsulat sa wikang Ingles dahil mas gamay nila ang lingwaheng ito. Sa kaso naman ni Ferdinand De Cena, makikita sa istilo ng pagsusulat niya kung paanong piling-pili ang mga salitang ginagamit at siya mismo ay umamin sa self-censorship na ginagawa niya sa kadahilanang ayaw niyang ikompromiso ang ilang mga taong kilala niya. Maging ang istilo ni Mayan ng Lady Lazarus Blog ay makikitang nakasulat sa “written English” at hindi “conversational.” Dahil personal kong kilala si Mayan, alam ko na writer siya at lumalabas ito sa kanyang blog. Sa kanyang estilo ay maaari mong sabihin na isa siyang “proficient/professional writer”. Maaari nating sabihin na ito ang limitasyon ng blog, na hindi tulad ng diary na ang inibidwal na manunulat lamang ang babasa at hindi kailangang sumunod sa ilang kumbensyon. Subalit ang limitasyong ito, ang dayalektik na ito sa pagitan ng personal at komunal ay hindi hadlang para lumago ang isang blogista sa kanyang “subject position.” Sapagkat sa blogs posible ang “reversal of roles”. Maaari kang makibagay at maaari karing pakibagayan.

Malaki ang potensyal ng blogs at nakita na ang potensyal na ito ng marami. Ang potensyal na impluwensiyahan ang ibang tao para baguhin ang kanilang pamamalakad, ang potensyal na makapagbigay ng magandang trabaho, ang potensyal na makapagpabagao. Bukod sa mga blogs na binanggit ko sa pag-aaral na ito, marami rin akong binisita. Ang iba ay entertaining lamang, ang iba naman informative talaga at enlightening pa. Katulad ng blog entry ni Migs Paraz sa kanyang blog na Migs Paraz: Random Takes kung saan nag-interview sila ng isang parking attendant para sa kanilang school project. Sa pagtatapos ng interview ay naantig ang kanilang mga puso dahil sa kwento ng buhay ni Mang “Jun”. Walang pagdadalawang isip na inabutan nila ito ng pera na umabot sa mahigit anim na daan. Tuwang tuwa si Mang Jun at sinabing ibibigay niya ito sa kanyang asawa para makapagsimula ng isang maliit na negosyo ng banana cue. Pagkatapos ng interview ay nagkaroon ng maraming katanungan ang tatlo sa kung dapat ba ay pinahiram na lamang nila ang pera para siguradong iingatan ito at susubukang palaguin. Nang huli ay nakapag-isip sila ng ischema kung paano matutulungan si Mang Jun na umanagat sa kanyang buhay. Maganda ang ischemang kanilang naisip subali’t hindi nila nakonsider ang mga buwayang mahilig mangikil sa mga tindera.

Hindi malaki ang pinagkaiba ng virtual na mundo sa tunay na mundo sapagkat gaya ng aking sinabi sa nauna kong pag-aaral, ang virtual na mundo ay tunay na mundo sa pagkat parte ito ng mundong ginagalawan natin. Ang mga gahum na matatagpuan sa mundo sa labas ng internet ay matatagpuan rin dito. Mayroon ding computer elites, mayroon ding middle class, at mayroon ding pulubi. Matatawag na pulubi iyong nakikiamot lamang ng impormasyon at hindi nakikita ang potensyal ng internet na makapagpa-aksyon. Middle class naman yaong mulat sa potensyal ng internet ngunit kuntento na sa komportableng estadong kinalalagyan nito. Elites naman yaong may malalawak na kaalaman sa computer programming at mayroong kasangkapan upang kontrolin ang pagdaloy ng impormasyon. Mayroon din naming umuusbong na revolutionary class. Ito yaong mga ‘avatars’ na bumubuo ng sarili nilang identidad at tumutulong para bumuo ng isang malakas na komunidad kung saan hindi lamang ang boses ng iisang tao ang naghahari. Kung san maaaring magpailalim o makibagay ang isang lider sa kanyang mga kakomunidad.

Maraming mga negatibong nasabi na tungkol sa mga taong mahilig maglaro ng RPGs. Ang paglalaro daw nila ay ginagamit nila upang tumakas at hindi makisangkot sa mga pulitikal na usapin ng kanilang bayan. Nakukuntento na lamang daw ang mga ito na pumatay sa mga monsters na kalaban niya sa virtual na mundo. Atin nang tiningan ang ilang mga blogs ng mga sinasabi nating “apathetic youth”. Makikita natin na nangingibabaw pa rin dito ang panggitnang uri, ang sarili bago ang iba. Gayunpaman, mayroon ding mga ilang gusto ring magdulot ng pagbabago bagama’t hindi ito nagsisimula sa pulitikal na aspeto kundi teknolohikal. Ang pagiging available ng sari-saring kaalaman sa teknolohiya, ang patuloy na pagbabahaginan ng kaalamang ito ang inaasahang magdudulot ng pagbabago sa ating bansa. Bagama’t ang pag-angat pa rin sa sarili ang binibigyan ng prioridad ng marami sa blogista, ang pagkakaroon ng links sa bawat blogs ay daan upang mabuksan ang pinto patungo sa ibang uri ng mga “avatars” o “komunidad” na sa huli’y maaaring makapagdulot ng pagkamulat at pag-aksyon.. Ang mahalaga, sa blogs matatagpuan ang isang indibidwal na bumubuo ng kanyang sariling identidad sa gitna ng mga limitasyon ng medium na kanyang kinapapalooban, kasabay ng pagbubuo niya ng isang komunidad kung saan hindi lamang siya ang reyna o hari o ang makapangyarihan.


References:

Jordan, Tim. Cyber Power: The Culture and Politics of Cyberspace and the Internet. New
York: Routledge, 1999.

Teng, Lester M. & Pekka Vainio. “The Image of Filipino Women as promoted by
Filipino and non-Filipino sites in the Internet.” Th. DLSU Manila, 1997.

Tolentino, Rolando B. National/ Transnational. Subject Formation and Media in and on
the Philippines. Manila: Ateneo Univ P, 2001.

Turkle, Sherry. “Whither Psychoanalysis in a Computer Culture?”
http://www/kurzweilai.net/meme/frame.html?main=/articles/art0529.html. March
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Ferdinand De Cena. Ironwulf. http://ironwulf.net/about/

Gabby Dizon. Fuel Factor: 3rd World Game Developer. http://www.fuelfactor.net/3wgd/

Gurak, Laura, et al. Into the Blogosphere: Rhetoric, Community and Culture of
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JPF maligalig. JPFM: Writers log. http://www.jpfmwritersblog.blogspot.com/

It’s a Happy Orange Day. http://www.tabulas.com/~chocoby

Mayan. Blogisa: The Diary of a blue stocking. http://ladylazarus.blogdrive.com

Nald’s Blog. http://www.xanga .com/home.aspx?user=rsuello

NITLE Blog Census. http://www.onfocus.com/2003/07/3243. March 30, 2005

Nomad Programming.http://developer.nomadph.com/

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Pinoyblog.Com: The Philippines According to Blogs. www.pinoyblog.com. March 17, 2005

Yaonne. I will Bloom like a Flower. http://www.tabulas.com/~yaone

Xiu Xie. Game Master. http://www.laibcoms.com/Laibeus/GameMaster