What You See Isn’t Always What You Get: Bontoc Culture from Mr. Io Jularbal

It’s funny yet so sad how people see things differently from the way it should really be. The Cordillerans are always the center of studies and the focus of many researches done by people locally, even nationally.

People conduct researches and studies about who the Cordillerans are, what they do, and what they could offer the world. They do write about them, but they often forget to verify the facts written, and check the way how they laid these facts into written form.

“It is sad that they do studies and write things about us that leads to misconceptions. We are not head hunters. We do not hunt heads, we take heads – we were head takers. We are not dog-eaters, we just eat dog’s meat, there’s a big difference in that.” said Mr. Io Jularbal, a native of Bontoc.

He even mentioned to us the Bahag which was now tagged as G-String. G-String is a type of underwear; those we commonly call “T-backs”. Now, Bahags are not T-Backs, these two are different things according to Mr. Jularbal.

As the interview went on, Mr. Jularbal mentioned two Bontoc practices which he thinks are still unknown to many.

PARENTING 101:

For a typical Filipino Family, children are taken cared of by their parents until they grow up. But for a Bontoc Family in the past, the parents send their children to “gender huts” where they are trained to do things which they are meant to do in their future, at an early age when they could walk alone.

In these “gender huts”, the children are separated and put inside two different huts according to their respective gender. The boys are always separated with the girls.

Now, according to Mr. Jularbal, inside the huts, both the boys and the girls are trained by the elders. The boys stay inside the huts and serve the elders until they grow up and execute all the things they learned inside the huts.

The girls on the other hand, are being trained by elder women. The girls stay there for years and learn how a woman in their community acts. They even learn their responsibilities and obligations as a woman as they grow up.

When both the boys and the girls reach a certain age when they can already execute what they’ve learned in the huts, they leave and execute what they’ve been trained for.

These huts serve as schools, that teach the children of the community be responsible enough and aware of their obligations in the community.

ONE FOR ALL, BUT NOT ALL FOR ONE:

Once a baby was born, the Bontoc parents would observe the baby. If the baby is healthy and has no defect, then the baby will be nurtured.

However, if the Bontoc baby is on the opposite condition, then the parents would make a lifetime decision.

Like what the Vikings and Spartans believe, “each individual should act for the benefit of the whole group”. But, an individual should not be the weakness of the whole group; he/she should not be the reason of the group’s failure. One for all, but not all for one.

When a Bontoc baby was born weak and incapable of doing the regular activities of the Bontoc community, the baby will be left alone in the forest and let fate decide on the baby’s future: either a rich family would pass by and adopt the baby or the baby would be eaten by the wild animals in the forest.

Other people would think that this practice and belief is going against what the Christian bible believes, “Thou shall not kill”. Others would think this as a crime. But, Bontoc is a warring group, so each individual is expected to be at its healthiest state of being.

Their strength is what they hold on as a group.

The Vikings – a warring group. (https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=hBfCN0qXYBNtpM&tbnid=_Q6UY5RzRZy5gM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeatfilms.com%2Ftv%2Ftv-review-vikings-someone-hand-these-people-a-textbook%2F&ei=q6Y2U-KHHaG4iQfNsIHICw&bvm=bv.63808443,d.aGc&psig=AFQjCNEGQuzRJvh9w5EIfc-gPfraZM9Z6Q&ust=1396176931794017)

The Spartans – another warring group. (www.athenstourgreece.com)

Natives from Bontoc. (en.wikipedia.org/http://billyjane.tumblr.com/post/807455912/a-tattooed-lady-from-the-igorot-tribe-in-bontoc-ph)

People love doing something crazy – things that go beyond ordinary.  And these include everything spooky. They say Baguio City is our country’s summer capital, but it could also be our very own “ghost capital”

Baguio City has always been the favorite place of paranormal experts and TV Shows when they do ghost hauntings. Which is why, Baguio was known worldwide as a city with many paranormal stories. Diplomat Hotel, the White House, The Mansion, Teachers’ Camp are just some of the city’s known haunted places.

But how come that Baguio became the center of ghost hauntings? Its history can explain why… Way back before our beloved country was colonized, Baguio City was inhabited by the IPs (Indigenous People). Then the Spaniards came, which were then replaced by the Americans, then came the Japanese.

The Japanese era started in Baguio when they occupied the city way back in 1941 of December. Below are some facts that you may find interesting:

•   The Japanese made some of Baguio’s famous places as their headquarters. Camp John Hay,  Baguio Country Club, Teachers’ Camp, and the White house were only some of their headquarters.
•   Baguio City was the initial bombing target of the Japanese which caused many people to die.
•   The Japanese made may places in Baguio City as garrisons and execution centers, the White House was one of them.
•   They killed a lot of prisoners, and allegedly buried them in mass graves. Some say Center Mall once served as a mass grave for prisoners.

Not only did the Japanese cause many to be killed in the city. One reason was the great earthquake which ruined the city in 1990 of July 16. The said earthquake caused many buildings to collapse and thousands of people buried alive.

Many tourists, even natives of the city claim ghost sightings in places where many people died because of the said killer earthquake and the Japanese killings.

Below are some of the famous places in the city which were said to be haunted by the restless spirits of the people who died ungracefully:

•   Diplomat Hotel

The Diplomat Hotel’s Facade

•   White House

The White House’ Facade

•   Teachers’ Camp

One of Teachers’ Camp Halls

•   Hyatt Hotel

A picture of ruined Hyatt Hotel in Baguio City (http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-501408)

Still unknown to many, Baguio still has many creepy places to offer those who love paranormal activities.

Do not drive alone, especially when you pass by Loakan Road! Aside from the famous Balete Drive, Loakan Road is also famous to Baguio locals especially to taxi drivers because of said White Lady apparitions. A part of the road is a bit wider than the usual two-lane width. Stories say that an enchanted acacia tree stood where the road was said to be wider.

Kuya Pitoy, 43, and a taxi driver told me the story about the white lady of Loakan while on our way to another haunted place in Loakan. He began talking… “Sabi nila meron. Hindi ko pa naman nasubukan. Pero ang sabi ng tatay ko noon totoo daw. May puno daw dito noon. Tapos lahat daw ng puputol namamatay sa sakit. Madami daw nadidisgrasya dahil sa puno. Tapos may White Lady nga daw na pumapara tapos sumasakay. Tapos bigla nalang daw mawawala pag umabot na sa town proper. Hindi ko pa naman nasubukan sakyan nun pero yung ibang kaibigan ko sinasabing totoo.”

I asked him if he knows something about the white lady or its origin why it’s haunting the Loakan Road. He mentioned a thing about the lady according to the stories he’ve heard from his friends. The said lady was a meztiza tortured, raped and killed by the Japanese. It was said that the White Lady roams the road to look for her murderers and have a revenge.

Loakan Road. Exact spot where the said tree was standing.

They say there are actually many ghosts that roam around the Loakan Road at night. Some say there are a total of three white ladies, and some taxi drivers claim to have seen people covered with blood waving for help. These ghosts were believed to be the restless spirits of the victims who died years ago because of a mudslide along the road.

Loakan – a place known for its long road haunted by a White Lady. But unknown to many, Loakan also has a place long forgotten by many. A place where dead bodies rest and and restless spirits roam: Loakan Cemetery. It was a cemetery for the veterans along Loakan Road. White crosses stood here long time ago, about 200 crosses stood before but only one or two remains now.

Kuya Pitoy, the taxi driver mentioned something about the cemetery before he dropped me there. “O, eto na yun. Sakay ka nalang ng jeep sa tapat pag uuwi ka. Wag mong kalimutang umikot ng tatlong beses bago ka lumabas. Para daw hindi maiwan kaluluwa mo…”

His words gave me goosebumps. As I enter the gates, the pine trees welcomed me with its eerie noise while dancing with the wind. I started to take pictures of the graves there and asked the guards on duty if they have ghost stories to tell. One of them told me: “Pag gabi, may sisitsit sakin pag iihi ako. Lilingunin ko kung sino man yung kasabay kong mag duty pero wala naman. Tapos yung isang kasama ko naman nun sabi niya may nakita daw siayng babaeng nakaupo sa isa sa mga puntod diyan. White Lady siguro e gabi na nun.”

One of the graves in Loakan Cemetery

As I leave the cemetery, my thoughts roam about who was the girl allegedly seen by one of the guards… It could be the same White Lady who likes to ride taxi and suddenly disappear into the thin air, or it could be another lady ghost who can’t forget the pain of losing someone who’s important to her… it could be, right?

As I reached the town for more ghost stories, one of my housemates, Jonina Madrigal, 17, suggested UP Breha. UP Breha is the dormitory for girls of the University of the Philippines Baguio. Jonina was a former dormer of the said dormitory. I interviewed her the night I came home. She said she never experienced something creepy inside, but she swears some of her dorm-mates did.

I never did doubt Jonina’s stories for my friends who were also former dormers of UP Breha told me some stories same with Jonina’s stories. It was said that one of the CRs at the dorm has faucets and showers that will mysteriously open during dawn as if someone is inside taking a bath, but the truth is there’s no one.

I remember I first entered the dorm when I was in my freshman year. It was formerly like an old hospital. Walls painted white, and doors in parallel with each other. Hallways like the ones found in hospitals. UP Breha was recently renovated. But, still a creepy feeling will always be felt once you entered the dorm.

I asked the guard on duty and the secretary inside if I could go upstairs and take pictures of the controversial second floor which is empty and still not available for occupancy despite its recent renovation. Jonina mentioned the second floor in her stories.

UP BREHA second floor.

According to Jonina, and other UPians who’ve heard the story, a girl locked herself in her cabinet in one of the rooms in second floor out of depression. She spent the whole summer inside until she died. It was believed that the girl’s spirit roams around the dorm especially at the second floor. The ghost was believed to be the one shaking the beds of the dormers, opening the CR faucets, and even the mysterious knocks from the inside of a cabinet in one of the rooms at the second floor.

 

The secretary and the guard on duty ( I forgot to ask their names 😦 ) said that they did not experience first hand apparitions, but they’ve seen pictures of a ghost taken at the dorm’s premises and heard lots of stories about the beds shaking and faucets opening during dawn. I asked them if they knew about the story of the girl inside the cabinet, they responded with laughs and said “Hindi yun totoo.”

I just wonder why the second floor has been empty an unavailable for dormers and if they just told me that the story isn’t true to protect the dorm’s image.

One of my personal experiences happened the day I came here for an interview and photo op. My camera was ok when I was still taking pictures outside the dorm, but when I reached the second floor, and asked the guard if I could take a picture of room 206, which Jonina mentioned in her stories, my camera mysteriously flashed error every time I take pictures of the room’s interior. The photo below was taken using my friend’s iPhone. My camera was able to take picture again after I came out the Dormitory’s gates.

A picture of Room # 206 interior.

NOTE: As the guard opened the door, the cabinet was already open as if someone was already anticipating our arrival. I just thought “It has been empty and unavailable for a year as what Jonina said. Why is the cabinet open?”

As I went home for lunch, I asked my housemates if they know a place less-known for its ghostly presence. One of them told me about another dormitory haunted by ghosts. Lovely, 19, told me that she has a friend with third-eye who can see things that our normal eyes can’t see.

Lovely mentioned “St. Francis Dormitory”. She said this dorm is located near BGH ( Baguio General Hospital ). She shared stories her friend with a third-eye told her. Her stories goes this way…

“Twing madaling araw daw, magigising yung ibang mga dormers tapos dahil sa mga sigaw na naririnig nila. Yung iba daw may naririnig na umiiyak. Yung friend ko, may third eye kasi siya, nakakita daw siya ng mga pari at madre sa labas. Tapos may madre daw na naglalakad na parang nagdadabog sa hallway. Yung iba, wala daw ulo.”

As much as I want to provide you with pictures, the guard of the dorm did not allow me to take one.

I had trouble looking for more less-known haunted places in the city, one of my groupmates, Elizah Amboy sent me a message containing a list of places where she has seen ghosts herself.

•          Convention Center
•          Teachers’ Camp Auditorium
•          Gibraltar Elementary School
•          BCNHS Auditorium
•          Zola
•          Cathedral
•          Corner to SLU Laboratory School
•          Maharlika
•          Nevada Sqaure (Where the former Nevada Hotel                  stood)

Elizah told me  “Teachers’ Camp Audi, dun sila nagtitipon pag gabi. Yung sulok papuntang SLU Lab School, may mga sumisigaw dum minsan, sa Maharlika madaming tall ghosts dun…”

Among all those stories and sightings she shared, her story about the ghost at Zola is the most strange. Elizah said the ghost at Zola is a nun, which is weird. A nun at a resto-bar?

Whether these stories they’ve shared are true or not, I for one believes that there are ghosts. It’s up to you if you believe them… If you don’t why not try ghost hunting and make your summer more fun and exciting?

Burnham Park has always been a staple tourist destination in Baguio City. It has been there ages ago and it has undergone many changes overtime. Recently, it was renovated to fit the dynamic city life. One of the developments that clearly enhanced and improved the park is the major development of the Rose Garden.

A The development of Rose Garden was based on the Burnham Park Master Development Plan donated by the University of the Cordilleras (UC) to the City of Baguio. According to the website of UC, the plan they have given to the city incorporates “Green Architectures and Sustainable and Organic approach” in its planning and design.

Rose Garden can now live up to its name as it is now surrounded with roses. The roses in different colors were dominant in the garden as it can be seen all around. Seats are also provided for those who visit the garden.

There are also spaces provided wherein groups of teenagers may practice dance steps and play some sports like badminton. During the nights, the garden is lightened up with LED lights. The garden is also equipped with speakers to add more feeling to the ambiance, so visitors can sing along with the music. Last Valentines Day students from the University of the Cordilleras planted roses at the Rose Garden. Joyce Miguel, 19, said that instead of buying roses during Valentines that will eventually die, it is more practical to plant roses that many can see and enjoy for a longer period of time.

Aside from the roses, the dancing fountain is also one of the highlights of the garden. During the day, it seems like an ordinary fountain but as it gets darker the beauty of the fountain will reveal itself as different colors appear.

The renovation of the Rose Garden was done through the Priority Development Allocation Funds (PDAF) of Baguio Representative Bernardo Vergara and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). This is in accordance to the City’s campaign to promote Baguio’s tourism.

Baguio Kicks Off Its Annual Street Dance Competition

The annual Street Dance Parade started this morning, February 22 at the Panagbenga Park, Baguio City.

Baguio City started Panagbenga 2014 with one of its highlights: the annual Street Dance Parade.

The parade started at 7:15 in the morning. The parade’s route started from the city’s Panagbenga Park and ended at the Athletic Bowl, where the main performances were held.

Elementary and High School students from different schools participated in the parade. Baguio City officials as well as representatives from Japan and Korea also joined the parade.

About 2.2 million people were out the streets of Baguio, which explains why roadsides were filled with viewers.

Tourists still crowded the overpasses despite the advisories posted by the DPWH District Engineers that an overpass can only carry a maximum of 200 people.

Paramedics were posted around Baguio in case of emergencies. BBPICA (Baguio Benguet Public Information Civic Action) reported that they only attented two people as of 10 in the morning.

There were no cases of serious injuries. The two patients attended by the BBPICA only had blood pressure monitoring.

About 600 policemen were deployed by the Baguio City Police according to a Baguio City Police Officer.

The Athletic Bowl was already full of spectators at around 11 in the morning. Organizers temporarily stopped people from entering the Athletic Bowl due to the entrance of the participants in the parade.

The organizers resumed the entrance of tourists inside the Athletic Bowl as soon as the parade was over.

The dance competition started at 12 noon. It was participated by 11 schools – 9 entries from the Elementary Division and 6 from the Open Category.

 

The Dance Competition Results (Open Category) are as follows:

Pinsao National High School won 3rd place; 2nd place bagged by Baguio City National High School Main Campus; and Camora National High School won 1st place.

Cruz’ house gains controversy

Joel Cruz’s controversial mansion at Camp John Hay, Baguio City

Joel Cruz – the famous owner of Aficionado gained both pride and controversy because of his mansion built in Baguio’s famous Camp John Hay.

A four stories high mansion owned by the famous Joel Cruz earned criticisms from everyone who has already seen it. Negative and positive comments such as “Parang mall, OA”, “Ang ganda”  et cetera came out from mouths of people who has already seen it personally or even in television.

The said mansion of Cruz was built three years ago and will take five more months to finish completely according to the security guard on duty in Joel Cruz’ house.

The mansion was built few meters away from one of Camp John Hay’s most visited spot: Mile-Hi center, a strip mall inside the camp, and near an often-visited golf course.

A view of Cruz’ mansion from Mile-Hi

In the mansion’s facade, a sign which says “White House of the Lord of Scents” generated much attention from people.

In an interview with Inquirer, Cruz said that his mansion’s facade was an idea from his architect, and that his title “The Lord of scents” came from a show entitled Celebrity Duets, where he won as champion.

“White House of the Lord of Scents” – one of the controversial parts of Cruz’s mansion.

The controversial mansion was made up of concrete and glass, which according to an article in Inquirer Lifestyle about Cruz’ mansion, is not appropriate with the view of Camp John Hay. READ MORE

Cruz explained in his interview with Inquirer, that “it was not that far from the camp’s log cabin theme”. He said that it was a design called “modern log home”.

Cruz also noted in an interview with Inquirer that “another architecture in the Camp did not strictly follow the camp’s traditional building designs. Le Monet Hotel was already built with a modern style of architecture long before Cruz’ mansion was built.” READ MORE

Joel Cruz’ mansion in side view

Environmentalists also complained. Cruz said  to Inquirer that “they replaced the trees they cut by planting new ones in his property also.” READ MORE

A taxi driver said in an interview while on the way to Cruz mansion: “Madami lang naiingit kaya sila nagagalit.”

Another taxi driver said in an interview: “Nakakapagtaka nga lang kung bakit pinayagan na ganyan. Parang ibang tao na nga ang may ari ng Camp Joh Hay e. Parang commercialized na. Madami na ngang Korean na nagnenegosyo dun. Hindi na nga Camp John Hay yan e. Pag may sumakay sakin na Korean, sasabihin: Take me to Kung Jun Hee. Iba na pala may ari ng Camp John Hay ngayon.”

Joel Cruz’ pool and elevator also attracted comments from poeple. RR Agustin, a friend  of mine said in a personal interview: “Pool at elevator sa isang bahay? Not the usual. Ano yun, mall?”

http://destinationph.com/travel-destination-philippines/baguio-city

BAGUIO CITY – Tourism arrival in the city continued to rise since the year started and is expected to increase more as summer approaches  until it ends in May.

Baguio City is believed to be one of the most visited places in the country. Tourists from nearby and even far away places crowded the city’s streets since January.

The city has been under the “cold spell” since the year started which encouraged more tourists to come and visit the city.

People from Baguio believed that the city’s weather is still its number 1 attraction, making Baguio known as the country’s Summer Capital.

Other activities such as the nationwide’s celebration of the Chinese New Year in January 31, which was declared as a non-working holiday, and the city’s grand opening for its yearly celebration of Panagbenga in February 1 caused many tourists to come and spend weekends in the city.

Chinese New Year, Baguio City

“Ang hassle sobra. Napaka traffic dahil sa dami ng taong umakyat nun dito. Yung magkasunod ang Chinese New Year at opening ng Panagbenga, nagdala ng sobrang daming tao dito sa Baguio” Aphril Manuel, a student, said in an interview.

The City Tourism Office were not yet able to show statistics of the year’s tourism arrival but said that the year’s tourism arrival is expected to be higher than the past recorded rates of tourism arrivals.

More tourists are expected to come and visit Baguio due to the city’s cold weather and its upcoming activities for its annual celebration of Panagbenga.

In a relationship?

Are you stressed and tired of thinking what to give your loved ones as a gift this Valentines? Teddy Bears? Cakes? Chocolates? Flowers? Perfumes? Pff. Scrap these.

Have a very memorable and sweeter Valentines this 2014! Make it more fun and yummier this time around for you and your girlfie, boyfie, wifey, or hubby!

Single?

Smile! Valentine’s isn’t just for those who are in a relationship. It is also for those who are single like you. Do not fret, enjoy it with the people who truly loves you – your family!

If you are sick of those typical Valentine gifts, why not try something more unique?

I, for an instance will want something far way different from the typical teddy bears, Red Ribbon cakes, and bouquet of fresh flowers.

If you want to make your Valentines way better than your past Valentines, try to make something which requires more of your effort. This will surely make your special someone appreciate your gift twice or even trice better than the past Valentine gifts he/she has ever received from you.

If you want to exert more effort and if you want to make your Valentine gift more personal, why not cook for your special someone?

Cook something which is sweet, appropriate for the season. Make something which costs less but will surely mean a lot after.

There’s one dish that most Filipinos love… a dish that only requires only 4 easy steps to make your Valentines sweeter and better than ever.

more about this on:
http://www.pinoycookingrecipes.com/turon.html

Turon is a very famous Filipino food. It is perfect for the Valentine Season because of its sweet taste that every tongue loves. It is best served with a condensed milk dip or a chocolate dip instead.

To know more about how turon is prepared, click here.

Make it more presentable by putting it in a cute box before giving it to your special someone.

a cute way to contain your gift.

So, if you really want to have a Valentines Day different from your past, make sure you’ll make turon for your special someone.

I would personally make some for my loved ones on Valentines Day. Remember that thoughtfulness and effort always count.

So, why not try and start making your love month more TURONMANTIC?

The Beauty That is Guam

Welcome to Guam! (Flickr.com)  A landmark welcoming every foot that steps into the lovely grounds of Guam.

Universal Studios in Singapore; Hong Kong Disneyland; Boracay’s white sand; and Malaysia’s Legoland – these are just some of the lovely places where many people dreams to go to.

These places have something in common: they do give joy to people, but fails to let its visitors learn about the place’s history and culture. That is why Guam was born – to offer both entertainment and knowledge to every visitor that sets foot on its grounds.

A 2-in-1 Paradise – this is Guam. It is a heaven on Earth where entertainment meets both culture and adventure. it is where different world cultures and traditions met and produced a new culture that values and protects the past where it all began.

Guam’s Loveliest: Guam’s view of the sunset by the beach. (infinitelegroom.com)

To have the best vacation in your lifetime, you must immerse yourself into the place’s culture. In that way, you can enjoy and learn at the same time.

In Guam, enjoying and learning during your vacation is given. All these, you can experience when you visit Guam’s Chamorro Village in the country’s capital: Hagatna.

Once you’ve reached the place, here are some of the things you’ll find and will surely love

1.  Latte Stone Park – it is a park featuring pillars built from limestones by the Chamorros. This will acquaint you a bit about the 4000 years of Chamorro history and culture.
2. Two Lovers Point – a park that honors the memory of two young lovers who jumped together to their deaths so that they would never be apart. It is a famous spot in Guam where lovers seal their love with the so-called “love padlocks” and affix it on fences.
3. Hilaan Beach – a secret cove and secluded beach known only to a few fisherman who may share their catch with you.
4. The Lost Pond – located near the Hilaan Beach. A small collapsed cave where a freswater pool can be found.
5. Padre Diego Luis San Vitores Shrine – found at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica in Hagatna. It was built to honor a missionary leader who built the first Catholic Church in Guam. It is a reminder of the impact imperial powers – Spanish, Japanese, and Americans – have on Guam.
6. Chief Kepuha’s Statue – a bronze statue made to honor Guam’s chief who accepted Catholicism on behalf of his subjects.
7. Pacific National Historic Park – a MUST visit in Guam. This park offers the rich culture and history that made Guam as we see and know today.

If you plan to have an out-of-the country vacation, cross out those “common” places where people spend their vacations. Choose a place where your thirst for a notable vacation will surely happen.

Brace yourself and get indulged with the satisfaction you’ll definitely have when you see the beauty that is Guam!

The Cold bothers Them Everyday

Temperature in Baguio City continues to drop as days pass by since the start of the year. People in Baguio crowds social networking sites  with posts about the city’s cold weather.

According to the state weather bureau, the cold weather in Baguio City was caused by Amihan and will continue to be colder until the end of February.

PAG-ASA said that the northeast monsoon, locally known as Amihan usually peaks during the months of January and February. Which is why people in Baguio City experiences cold weather since the start of the month and will endure it until the end of February.

The coldest weather recorded in Baguio City was 6.1 degrees Celcius way back February 1961. While a temperature of 8.1 degrees, the coolest temperature in the city so far was recorded last Sunday.

Social Networking Sites such as Facebook and Twitter were always filled with status updates and shout outs about the city’s cold weather since the year started.

Since the weather will be colder as days pass until the end of February, people in Baguio will sure;y be bothered by the cold weather of the city.

Gadgets: makers of the impossible, possible.

Do you ever wonder why gadgets are made and invented? Why technology is continuously innovated? I do, before. But now, I seem to know the answer why. Technology is something that is created or invented by humans to make our lives easier and better. Technology is what makes almost everything possible.

Among all the technologies invented by humans, the things we call gadgets are one of the most extravagant yet most useful technologies ever made. Gadgets, according to Encarta Dictionaries, are ingenious devices that aid a simple task; it is also often unnecessary or an unneeded object, which is contrary to what I believe in.

Gadgets we know today are the cellular phones, laptops, ipads, mp3 players, et cetera which in contrast to what Encarta Dictionary gave as a definition, are very useful to human beings. Aside from helping people to perform simple tasks, gadgets are the modern “media” that we can use in order to gather and disseminate essential information.

Immediate gathering and dissemination of essential information are made possible by the gadgets we have today. Smart phones for example cater different applications that may help us do the impossible. With the help of 3G and internet, these gadgets could be powerful tools that we may use to do powerful moves that may contribute to better things for the entire humanity.

Gadgets with the aid of the internet could do things that people long ago, thought as impossible. A good example is the “virtual class” we had in our Journalism 113 class. Yes, it could be impossible long ago to have a class without using a classroom and without seeing each other face to face. But, with the aid of modern technology, it was made possible. Internet plus any gadget that has internet connections made the virtual class possible and successful for us. We used our smart phones and laptops to contact each other and have class. It maybe the weirdest class we’ve ever had, but definitely the most exciting one in our entire life. It was funny yet very convenient for each of us. We no longer have to think about what to wear in class, no more traffic problems, no more waking up early… we only needed an internet connection and a gadget to make it possible. We were able to have a class and share our thoughts and ideas in ease via a conference call, VIRTUALLY. 

image from: http://www.google.com.ph/imgres?biw=1280&bih=736&tbm=isch&tbnid=OK2ppDL3U-DxHM:&imgrefurl=http://www.supertintin.com/blog/skype-recorder/try-out-skype-group-video-calling-on-your-mac&docid=6K2VwsHkpeEYaM&imgurl=http://www.liewcf.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/skype-group-calling.jpg&w=450&h=239&ei=63CuUq6nMOWRiQeK04DAAg&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:18,s:0,i:138&iact=rc&page=2&tbnh=163&tbnw=308&start=16&ndsp=17&tx=88&ty=106

Our instructor was able to give us instructions for our class activity online. We were tasked to do live tweets while observing an unfolding event at a given place like journalists working online. The class activity was a bit tiring, but definitely fun and exciting. We made use of our smart phones to do live tweets about the heavy traffic that was happening last Saturday along Session Road. We took pictures and shared information through our lives tweet. It was very convenient and immediate for both the readers and for us, the information givers.

Our class activity was a very good example that shows us how the modern technology and gadgets aid journalists in their reportage. These gadgets made it possible for the information to disseminate and reach the audience immediately. These gadgets maybe unnecessary for others, but are very important media for journalists.

So if one day comes and unfortunate things happen, gadgets are there to save not only the lives of journalists but also the lives of every person in this world. Thanks to those great minds which are able to make these technologies that makes the impossible, possible.