Entries from October 2009 ↓

All I can say is that if you've never "used" Calculus in your daily life, you are not making full use of the knowledge you have been introduced to. Beyond the figures or the nauseating equations, the study of Mathematics is a study of "possibilities", of "origins" and of "derivations".

It is, as aptly put by many of those who understand its significance, essential to critical thinking. Mathematics urges us to "think" and build on ideas through a sequence of procedures so as to arrive at a certain "solution". It creates order out of chaos -- in a sea of random ideas and figures. It is no different to real-life situations. That's the very reason why in Math, we are introduced to "Word Problems".

I do not understand why there are people who until now seem to think that what we learn in Calculus doesn't apply to real life when in fact, it is "real life" situations that prompted the critical thinkers and mathematicians of old to formulate the theories and equations we currently live by.

I wouldn't go as far as to conclude that those who elude Math are dumb -- I think it's too harsh a statement, but I can say that it is a terribly wrong assumption, most likely caused by inadequate critical thinking -- a direct effect of Math-aversion.

Quoting from the Anti Pinoy blog:

Here’s Chiz asking us to allow the retrogression of our youth – to lessen their ability to “formulate, critically analyze, and solve a variety of problems”. Seriously, do you really want this? Do you really want more dumb Filipinos? Then by all means, vote for Chiz Escudero.HusengBatute, The Anti Pinoy :), Oct 2009

Chiz Escudero is entitled to his own opinion, in the same way each and every one of us are. But it's one opinion I prefer that he keeps to himself. To go as far as appeal to "Mr. Speaker" that higher Mathematics be prescribed as an "elective" in high school is nothing but a poor attempt at pleasing his "crowd" of young voters. Someone missed the whole point of solving equations.

Our children deserve the best education that the times can provide. Sure, it may be back-breaking, nerve-racking or totally mind-boggling, but let's face it, they don't have a choice. In the fast lane of the internet age, you either "evolve or become extinct".

Tough love, it is, but love all the same. And when the time comes that they'd need to do some "critical thinking", I'm sure they'd thank us for it.

So, "Mr. Speaker", by all means, bombard us with more Math. Let my children live in a future where politicians "think more than they blab".

Related articles:

• Undermining Math Education in our State (cliffmass.blogspot.com)

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Photo by Max (Tj)'Tis the season of surprises.

As the 2010 elections draws near, the turn of events have been pretty surprising.

Roxas withdraws from presidential bid, Aquino announces his, Roxas slides to veep. The so-called dark horse Teodoro gets chosen by the admin party as standard bearer(well, almost officially, that is), much to the frustration of Fernando who's been salivating for the presidency for God knows how long. Pangilinan withdraws from VP bid, Binay withdraws presidential bid, Escudero and Legarda postpone announcement of intentions to run, Erap announces his, Binay runs VP alongside Erap, Gordon remains mum, De Castro gets bad press and becomes invisible -- as if he isn't already (and will probably return to broadcasting instead) ,Villar, like the Energizer bunny just keeps going and going and going. Legarda gets courted by own party NPC, the admin party and Villar's  Nacionalista. Legarda turns down admin party Lakas-Kampi-CMD and limits choice between the other two.

And now, DILG Sec. Puno announces his withdrawal too. So much for those wasted infomercials about how the DILG has increased the number of policemen and has successfully installed women's desk in all of the police stations in the country.

DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno withdraws 2010 VP bid. Genuine love of country? Or a classic ploy for upping his image? You be the judge. (Photo: www.dilg.gov.ph)

His reason, albeit a little too noble for a public official of his stature, resonated of authenticity -- or at least, that's what it looked like, if we are to believe what he says in this Inquirer article, and I quote "I would like to announce, today, that I am withdrawing my bid to be the vice president of the Republic of the Philippines to remain with the people that I’ve worked with for the decades past; in order to remain with the people in the public service who have shown me, by their example, what it means to be a public servant; who have made my life more meaningful and I know will continue to give my life meaning in the months ahead..”

Secretary, if you're for real, and I hope and pray you are, then I'd be damned and this entire country will be as well -- for immensely ironic as it may seem,  by the time we realize who deserves our vote, we have been deprived of the chance to vote for them.

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There is no greater honor for a blogger like me than be dedicated an entire post as response to one article I've written, specially if it's from no less than one of those bloggers I have great respect for. It doesn't even matter if that blogger disagrees with me or not.

True to his blog's tagline, @cocoy is indeed "conservative in what he says, liberal in what he accepts". If you are a reader who disagrees with most of what I write, please do yourself a favor by reading his response -- he will give you a crash course in  "Disagreeing with Grace 101" and "The Art of Subtle Yet Effective Persuasion". Very nice article, @cocoy. I enjoyed reading it.

And now, to return the favor... :)

I actually wanted to leave a comment there but it turned out longer than his post so in the interest of unwritten net propriety I had to do it here. I apologize in advance for this lengthy post. I do not have the time to edit and make it shorter.

The question, I think is not whether Noynoy is too good to be true but rather more on whether he can deliver results as he promises. It is not whether his character is "without reproach" but more on whether his character is strong enough to weather the storms (political and natural) that is sure to continually hit us. It is not whether he is experienced or not. The question is whether experience will "make him" or "break him".

@Cocoy writes:

Perhaps, more than the assertion that Noynoy Aquino is inexperienced, this is something he must overcome. RJ has a point. And she isn't alone. It isn't merely, Noynoy Aquino but more than twenty years of failure by our leaders to lift our people out of poverty. It is like a woman breaking your heart, over and over again. How then do you trust?

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I am a firm believer of the power of education in transforming lives unlike any other service that the government can provide.  We need not look elsewhere for answers to eradicate poverty and corruption. Education transforms not only the economy but also the prevailing mindset of a nation -- the answer to the biggest problem in the Philippines.

The survivors of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng need our help. Their children -- vessels of our hope for the future of this country depend on our support. Let us not fail them. Please donate whatever you can. The following texts were taken from a video response I got on my YouTube "Rebuilding After the Storm".

Help our Public Schools recover from Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma) by donating School supplies or Cash.

Classes resumed already and there are still damaged schools and students with no school supplies to use.

You may donate the following: Continue reading →

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The Problem With Noynoy becoming Philippine president in 2010

The drawbacks of a Noynoy Aquino presidential win in 2010 are being downplayed right now. Amidst the festive mood of a "people's campaign", let's pause for a moment and think things through.

And so it is that the weary people have finally stopped drifting on this piece of log called "Philippine politics". And so it is that the apathetic are suddenly waking up, coming out and "organizing" this and that. And so it is that the elites are seemingly coming together this time. And so it is that the vote-rich "masa" are finally catching up on that so-called "yellow fever". And so it is that "volunteerism" and "hope" has become this year's catch-phrases. Continue reading →

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The Question: Just how ready are we for elections automation in 2010?

*****

The Date      : September 24, 2009
The Venue : Assembly Hall, National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG), University of the Philippines -- Diliman
The Event   : Election 2010: Handa Na Ba Sa Automation?

In photo (L-R): COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, Amb. Henrietta De Villa of PPCRV and Mr. Miguel Eugenio Avila, Demonstrations and Presentations Coordinator of Smartmatic International Corporation - Total Information Management, Inc.

For more photos of this event, click here.

I have been fortunate to  witness first-hand how the automated elections in 2010 will be run, through a  demonstration done by Miguel Eugenio Avila of Smartmatic International Corporation - Total Information Management, Inc.

Continue reading →

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