Jump to content

MentalQ

[04] MEMBER II
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    107

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by MentalQ

    South China/West Philippine Sea

    in Politics, Economy & Current Events

    Posted

    So historically speaking, China really has a right to it but under today's laws under the UNCLOS and geographically speaking, the Philippines has a right to it. China's claiming of the Spratlys is akin to Iraq's claiming of Kuwait since historically Kuwait was a part of Iraq which precipitated Gulf War I.

    But then, some parts of what is now Southeast Asia (Vietnam, at least as I recall offhand) have been tribute states of China at one time. So the "historical" right may not hold in this case.

     

    But what I observed over the years: Chinese and Vietnamese are ready and had actually put in a lot more (like a few company-size skirmishes) than what Filipinos would actually be willing to do.

     

    The Chinese are extremely sensitive about territorial issues (I think there is also an ongoing dispute with Japan), but also very sensitive about being labeled an aggressor. At one point, I thought that the sensitivity has more to do with the Tibet issue (which technically they annexed/occupied in the 1950s), but later on I felt that it might be more than that. It seems its part of their social consciousness (parts of China were "controlled" by western powers and later Japan).

     

    But clearly, this is a case of bullying and the Philippines does not have the wherewithal to put up a fight. And for which the Philippines would need a clear policy and extreme diplomatic savvy. Sadly, I can't figure out which is in shorter supply: the military resources or clear policy and diplomatic savvy!

    Which Is/was Better: Dorm, Room For Rent Or Apt?

    in Academics, Schools, Universities

    Posted

    For me, dorm life beats everything else. I studied at UPLB and I lived in a dorm which actually taught me so much about improving myself.

     

    One example: Seeing a group of boys, half-naked and quaffing beer or gin at night is something you kind of expect in a dorm. But if you make an effort to join them, among the sidebar conversations would be about gene segregation, the mechanism of RNA transferase (I hope I got that right) and (late 70s pa ako nag college) why Edwards and Steptoe (Nobel Prize winners yata ito)deserve the Nobel Prize. Of course, all that heady stuff are interspersed with talk about the legs of a girl classmate, PBA scores and asaran.

     

    I have lived in a few countries, done graduate school, etc. But nothing came close to the kind of life I enjoyed in the dorm.

    What would make students study harder?

    in Academics, Schools, Universities

    Posted

    Firstly, having students study harder may not be a desirable goal. We want them to perform better, not necessarily study harder. When I was teaching in the university, I was always on the lookout for the guy or girl who is often absent, or frequently comes late or is usually quiet in class. (I taught journalism, BTW) But if they happen to submit exemplary work at the right time, I waive the rules about absenteeism or tardiness; somehow nobody lodged a serious complaint, but I had always emphasized that these students have a great career ahead of them as writers.

     

    Secondly, the usual challenge is how to make the course more interesting. There are as many ways to teach and learn a concept (teaching and learning are two different things), and the challenge to the teacher is to find the right mix.

     

    Thirdly, we can also go the assessment track, and make sure that their exams or tests, or whatever means we employ to assess learning is equally challenging and interesting.

     

    Fourthly, the students generally take in as much as we (the teachers) give. You will have to figure this one out by yourself. And

     

    Finally, having a sense of humour and adventure always helps. Sometimes its necessary not to take things too seriously.

    Let's Talk About China

    in Hotels and Destinations

    Posted

    Lived in Beijing for several years, still go back there for some business at least once a year.

     

    China is so vast, with so many different sites to see and interesting things to do. Of course, iba rin kung may Chinese heritage, because the places would take on an even deeper meaning (I am not ethnic Chinese). By now, Cina is more tourist/traveler friendly, but getting a lot more expensive.

    I Love Skyflakes! Whats Your Fave Cracker?

    in Food & Beverages (Not to be confused with Restos and Bar)

    Posted

    Ngyon ko lang napag-isipan, parang istorya ng buhay ko ang combinations ko sa Skyflakes:

     

    Skyflakes w/ peanut butter, jam or honey

    Skyflakes w/ quesong puti

    Skyflakes w/ Nissin's Ramen & egg

    Skyflakes w/ Pate/liverwurst

    Skyflakes w/ Camembert or Brie & Beaujolais

    Skyflakes w/ chopped Itlog na Maalat, onion & tomato

    Skyflakes w/ Tan Tan Mien or Cold Noodles

    Skyflakes w/ Yoghurt & chopped veggies

    Skyflakes w/ Bam-i Nam or Kuai Tiaew Nam

    Skyflakes w/ Shredded Tinapa chili & tomato

    Worst School In The Philippines

    in Academics, Schools, Universities

    Posted

    34 na nga lang examinees, hindi pa pumasa lahat?? what the?!

     

    my question is, how many does UP allow to enroll in this program as entrants? how many does it weed out each year level? ganun naman yun e. para mataas passing rate, konti lang papa-graduate para makapag exam. if UP had 200+ examinees like mapua, could UP still get the 91% passing rate? i have huge doubts.

     

    those kids already had the brains for it even before they entered UP. mas impressive yung bumagsak sa UPCAT kaya nag-enrol na lang sa mapua, tapos pumasa sa ECE board exam. it may mean, mapua did a good job. conversely... :rolleyes:

     

    Passing percentages in a licensure examination is not a reliable indicator of quality of instruction, especially since we are looking at very small numbers. The 3 who did not pass might be the only ones who did not take review classes or whatever preparations others made (I heard these review classes ar now de rigeur!). It might be difficult to assess a university or even a programme based on very limited numbers.

    Masteral - Any Plans?

    in Academics, Schools, Universities

    Posted

    I see nothing wrong with graduate studies, and I suppose every additional lesson would help a person. But I run a project on a network of model schools around Southeast Asia, and I noticed that, among all the schools in the network, only those in the Philippines are headed by principals with doctorates; almost half of the teaching force have their masters or are taking graduate courses. At the same time, people generally think the Philippines performs poorly in the area of education (I am inclined to agree). So what would that imply about having principals and teachers with advanced degrees?

×
×
  • Create New...