Living in Norway for over 2 years, I have often encountered questions about the languages I speak. I usually answered I speak Norwegian, English and two Filipino languages. Then, people start asking if the second Filipino language is a dialect of the other. Given my mother tongue is Cebuano, the second language referred, I abruptly debunk the misconcept that it is a mere dialect. My most common explanation is that all Filipinos speak the Filipino language, but those who only learn to speak Filipino have difficult time understanding or communicating with one speaking Cebuano. Throughout the span of my childhood, I got to grasp the political and cultural differences of Filipinos speaking Filipino language or Tagalog as referred by most, and those coming from the Southern Philippines speaking Cebuano. The language in itself has become the boundary between the two groups of people. Due to their innate differences, misunderstandings result, not because of mere language confusion, but of cu...
It has been fifteen years since I completed nursing school. I culminated my student days as a Summa Cum Laude at Father Saturnino Urios University in the Philippines. It was a rare academic feat, but I managed to excel inspite of the difficulties I had back then. As I reminisce how it has been, I would like to point out the learnings I had through the years, and this will be the focus of this blogpost. Summa Cum Laude is the highest Latin honor one could get in the university. It does not just mean being the class valedictorian with the highest grade in the batch, but it means possessing a grade considered one of the highest throughout the school's history. In the Philippines, there are very few with Summa Cum Laude honors, and it is extremely rare in Nursing. Yes, I did that. Well, it was unexpected. I was actually expecting at least Cum Laude, the third highest Latin honor. However, some rules were changed, making it less difficult to get Cum Laude such that I was lit...
According to the recent Happiness Index and Positive Experience Index (2015), Filipinos are considered one of the happiest in the world. There are many empirical evidence supporting this, including the magnitude of resilence and effectiveness of Filipinos in coping with several calamities and personal challenges. There are ofcourse scepticism on these researches, given that happiness could not even be measured objectively, and even more difficult to be compared. Happiness is indeed subjective, such that it is experienced differently among various persons with unique backgrounds and histories. Therefore, it is a challenge to make a summary or list of what makes one happy for a certain group of people, such as Filipinos. However, there are similarities among Filipinos that one could deduce effectively to answer what makes Filipinos happy. This is the focus of this blogpost. Family counts first. Family is most powerful source of motivation and happiness for Filipinos. More importantly,...
We have so much to do, so limited time, but so little things accomplished. Yet, we still feel bored. Isn't that a paradox? People get easily bored. Sometimes, even the most exciting and adventurous among us can find ourselves feeling a little bit bored. But hey, that's okay - boredom can actually be a good thing! First, let's talk about the signs that you're bored. Maybe you're scrolling through social media for the hundredth time today, or you've resorted to counting the tiles on your ceiling. Perhaps you're watching paint dry or taking extra long bathroom breaks just to pass the time. Whatever the case may be, if you're feeling uninterested, restless, or just plain blah, you might be bored. Boredom has always been a part of human life, but it seems like we're hearing more and more about it these days. With the prevalence of smartphones and social media, people are increasingly complaining about being bored. However, is modern bo...
Korean culture has amazed and attracted people to visit the country. This has since part of my travel list, since it is not far away from my home country the Philippines, so I embarked in a journey into the South Korean metropolis. There I learned a lot about Korean history and the nation who are obviously proud of their heritage and tradition, which has been threatened several times in history. Seoul is considered the world’s second largest metropolis. It is a quite amazing that this city is a reminder of the South Korean nation courage and perseverance to turn their country into one of the most richest countries in the world after being significantly destroyed during the Japanese occupation of World War 2 and the subsequent Korean civil war, which cut deeply between the North and South Korea. With regards to tourism, Seoul is among the top ten most visited city in the world and has become a role model of other Asian cities to become as progressive as Seoul is today – a l...
I am a proud Filipino but there are some aspects of the Filipino culture that needs to be improved. These improvements are impossible if everybody thinks there is no need for them, so I start with my contribution by recognizing these in this blogpost. 1. Learn to wait. No Filipino can wait. We all find ways to be ahead of the others. We are known for this. We simply can not wait as if there is no other chance to do a certain thing. As a result, chaos results, which is reflected in the systems we have either in large-scale government services or in ourselves as well. 2. Learn to think before talking. Feed a Filipino an attractive title of an article or news, he or she is able to form opinions even without knowing and understanding the story. I call this "Facebook mentality of hastiness." As a result, most non-Filipinos do not take us seriously, because we are more noisy than smart. 3. Learn to respect differences and opinions. Every Filipino thinks everyone should conf...
In a world where life seems to be a never-ending race, a moment of respite is a precious gem. Enter "Pahiluna," a beautiful Cebuano word that embodies the essence of unwinding, letting go, and savoring the art of relaxation. It's like discovering a hidden treasure chest of tranquility in the midst of life's chaotic seas. This is the focus of this blogpost. First things first, let's demystify this word. Pahiluna isn't just a word; it's an experience, a state of mind, and a lifestyle all rolled into one. It's that moment when you throw your cares to the wind, kick back, and embrace the now. Pahiluna is the ultimate antidote to the relentless pace of modern life. Let's paint some vivid examples of Pahiluna in action. Imagine yourself on a pristine Cebu beach, your toes luxuriating in the soft sand, and a freshly cracked coconut in hand. As the sun gracefully dips below the horizon, you immerse yourself in Pahiluna, serenaded by the soothin...
Who really are we? Is a good but tough question. Do we have a life based who we are, or in discretion? Is there an approach for us to understand us better? Releasing ourselves from self-restraints like fetters We have contrasting dimensions even in oneself There is definitely something beyond the public self Charactetistics both for us and others are well-known Everything about us clearly to public we have shown Besides there are things and traits we are blinded Try hearing what others say; never be close-minded Perception by others, we ourselves are unaware Society see something but we don’t, sounds unfair? Be attentive, not everything about us we are in control Even how much we try, thus there’s always a loophole Intriguigingly there is segment of us we keep hidden Traits we withhold for life like truth that is forbidden This a confirmation that every single manages a facade Presenting ourselves reasonably to be applaud In this way some people...
Moving to a new country can be both exhilarating and challenging. When I arrived in Norway, I faced the daunting task of adapting to a new culture, a foreign language, and building a life from the ground up. In those early days, the mantra "en dag om gangen," which translates to "one day at a time," became my guiding light. The Arrival: A World of Uncertainty Stepping off the plane in Norway, I was immediately struck by the unfamiliar surroundings and the realization that I was far from home. The Norwegian language, with its melodic but mystifying sounds, posed a formidable barrier. I had no work lined up, and I didn't know a soul I could trust to help me navigate this new chapter of my life. It was a daunting prospect, to say the least. Learning the Language: Babysteps to Communication One of the first and most crucial challenges was the language barrier. Learning Norwegian was essential not only for daily communication but also for securing...
In the thirtieth of December of each year, Filipinos celebrate the death anniversary of their national hero, Jose Rizal. However, from observation, aside from designating the day as a holiday, Filipinos truly no longer remember who Rizal was and his relevance to our society today. It would seem, then we only see Rizal as a mere statue in the center of nearly our city parks in the whole country. Is Rizal a mere history or to be considered essential to the Filipino society? Advocate of education Rizal acquired education both in Europe and in the Philippines. He used his knowledge to push her personal goals and aspirations for his fellowmen. Although education before was reserved only to the wealthy, Rizal made us of the opportunity to contribute for the goodness and alleviation of the suffering of the Filipino people. Not everyone does the same at the same magnitude Rizal does. Education is the great equalizer of the society. It is true, however society also makes it d...
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