The Woman of Air

**image credit to deviantart.com/tbond5289/art/Wind-Element-320408081

She is a fantastic conversationalist, 

a great communicator.

She soaks knowledge

 from everywhere she can 

as a result of her curious behavior.

She is deeply intrigued by people 

who can keep up with her

rapid mouth.

Her relationship can be

strained by her desire 

to win all arguments.

She is so deeply connected to her mind.

Prone to overthink, 

or dip into negative 

or paranoid vibes.

She is naturally analytical

and can pick apart 

a concept, project, or person

without too much effort.

She is witty, charming,  and thoughtful. 

She is flexible and carefree

but remains independent.

Her carefree attitude 

can sway over 

into the negative side of life

though soon becomes

 flaky, unreliable, 

inconsistent, and even selfish.

She has a high standard 

of principles and

does not tolerate injustice.

She abandons traditions

without a second thought.

She doesn't like to follow trends

and likes to discover 

and do things with her own sense 

of intuition and relevance.

The Woman of Water

**image credit to brandrificus.deviantart.com

The Woman of Water element...

she has a lot of depth in her,

probably much more 

than one has to let on. 

\She likes to remain hidden, 

enigmatic, and anonymous...

She is a smooth talker 

who can diverge 

from the topic of discussion 

with ease. 

Articulate, clever, and introspective, 

self-contained and self-sufficient

that's who she is...

She prefers peace and little conflict

but has no issue standing her ground

when she is wronged. 

She can sometimes lack self-confidence

and yet come across as assertive.

She loves to tease and insult 

She can use extremely mean words 

when angry.

She has deep emotional currents, 

some can't even be explained, 

many might be intuitive. 

Despite her strong empathy, 

she cannot judge people so quickly.

She is penetrating, critical, and scrutinizing,

seeking knowledge and understanding. 

She needs to learn

 that it is okay to say no. 

Her avoidance of problems 

leaves her in more trouble

 than when she deals with them. 

That aside, 

she is seen to be full of love 

and has wonderful energy. 

She can help people relax 

and bring them back 

to a healthy state 

from a toxic one.

The Earth Woman

**image credit: deviantart.com/fahrifortyone/art/EARTH-ELEMENT-169776615

She is of the Earth element...

hardworking, genuine, 

and determined.

She knows what needs to get done.

She knows how to get a good life,

and she needs to earn it...

She is practical and logical 
and she stands firm 

in her convictions...

She is not interested

 in unrealistic dreams 
but in setting achievable goals 

attained through hard work...

She learns from experience, 
which is never difficult
 for a curious person like herself...

She has a powerful heart 
and an appreciation 
for the smaller things...

She is an artist 
and loves to create...

She could stand to be a bit less rigid 
and take a breath once in a while...

If she keeps pushing forward without a rest, 
She'll come off as intimidating to others.

She is always friendly
 yet she does not let people 
into the inner circle easily...
However... once she does
 she is loyal to a fault...

That aside, 
She is sturdy and self-efficient
 and make a reliable ally...

She is what she is
..Earth...

The Injustice of Medusa

**image credit from Canva

 In Greek mythology, there is no canon law that one can say which version is the correct one. You can see many different versions for some smaller details. 

You might have heard of this famous character, Medusa. What is behind her terrifying face and gaze?

Her name means sovereign female wisdom. She was once a beautiful maiden, and her chief glory was her hair, and with that, she was adored by countless men from all walks of life. She was one of Athena's priestesses. Medusa was borne out of the love of Phorcys and Ceto, her parents. Their other children were Graiae and Ladon and her other two sisters, Stheno and Euryale. They were the monsters with brass hands, sharp fangs, and the hair of living venomous snakes. The two are the real Gorgons and they are immortal.

What happened on that night before Medusa became like her sisters was when Poseidon, the god of the sea, disrespected and ravished Medusa, and her femininity was destroyed. It happened in Athena’s temple, probably to annoy Athena since the two of them are not on good terms with each other, Athena discovered what happened and changed her form to match that of her sister, the Gorgons as punishment.  According to some versions, Athena was just trying to protect her, and she made her face hideous and snake-haired, so she can defend herself from men. Though Poseidon and Athena were not on good terms, Athena cannot punish Poseidon since they are equal. So, Athena deprived Medusa of her charms and changed her beautiful ringlets into hissing repugnant serpents.

Now there was a king who wanted his stepson to be out of his sight, King Polydectes of Seriphos. He sent the son of her wife, Perseus to behead Medusa in her sleep. A duty said to require Perseus of maximum heroic-male courage and skill. Athena and Hermes guided him, he was even bestowed a magnificent curved sword by Hermes;  a bright shield by Athena; winged shoes, the helmet of invisibility, and the magic wallet given to him by the Nymphs. With all these, Perseus was able to go near her with Athena’s bright shield, decapitate her with the curved sword, and put her head into the magic wallet. Her sisters chased after Perseus, but they cannot get their hands on him because he was wearing the helmet of invisibility. When her head was cut off, there sprang from her trunk, giving birth to Pegasus (the winged horse) and her bleeding neck sprang Chrysaor (the bladed giant). The fruits of her unraveling life.

Medusa even after her death upheld her Gorgon powers to protect herself from enemies…

When Perseus arrived in Seriphos, he used Medusa’s head to turn his enemies into stone. The rest of Medusa’s blood – a vial containing two drops – one was a cure-all, and the other a deadly poison. Medusa’s hair lock could still cast terror into any enemy unfortunate enough to even accidentally behold it.

Until now, Medusa is still depicted as someone to be afraid of. Yet, her story is an example of our present social situation… the injustice as she was the one being punished instead of the culprit. In most Asian countries this is still happening, and there are still those people with that victim-blaming syndrome. If someone’s body is disrespected, some people tend to blame the victim for wearing this or that kind of dress, for going out with men. In the first place, a dirty mind can do all that even if a victim is all dressed up or covered. What can you say about a baby, a man, or a grandma being disrespected? Does it have something to do with the way they dress? Does it have something to do with their going out with men?

Though the story is just a myth, definitely it is one of the most famous characters in Greek mythology. As we can see what she had was a form of injustice and unequal treatment by the gods and the goddess. Like in our present situation, the powerful, those with connections or those in government positions, and those who have a lot of money can revert back the story in favor of them. Even in the end, Medusa did not find the justice she deserved, nor was she given a chance to prove what was done to her. Sounds familiar isn’t it?... much like today, there are still unsolved cases of rape and murder, and injustice has been found. Whatever happens to the case of the Vizconde massacre? The people involved in the case?- find it out; and the case of a missing girl in Robinson's Palawan? then again, the people involved in the case. The mysterious killing of suspected drug pushers/users until now just reminds us that there are people behind it as some of these cases involve policemen who acted in the line of their duty, take the case of Kian Lloyd delos Santos (17), Carl Arnaiz (19), and Reynaldo de Guzman (14). 

In other countries, there are numerous cases of rape and missing persons as well. Sometimes a lax in investigation of the police causes it to prolong the justice to be served. Pieces of evidence are being cleaned up or tampered with, due to not following the SOP, and there also goes a cover-up among the police, family, and higher people involved in the case. 

 

The 4th of July

image credits to Christopher Ramos/GMA Network online

The 4th of July also popularly known as ID4, for the Americans, was the day they become independent. Independence day is celebrated every 4th of July, the day the United States of America has been established. The independence was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on 1776 of July 4. The Second Continental Congress was a meeting of 13 colonies that united the American Revolutionary War. This is actually a separation from the British government which happened on July 2, 1776, and is believed to be the real Independence day.

The 4th of July is being celebrated by the Americans as it marks the day the United States has become its own nation. Americans celebrated it with parades, fireworks, and festivals. Watch the highlights of the celebration in New York and Washington DC.

image credits to Wall Street Journal youtube

Coincidentally, it was the day the Philippines has been recognized as an independent and sovereign country by the American government. It was July 4, 1946, as the Philippines were under its rule for 48 years after the 333 years of Spanish colonization. July 4 back then is being celebrated as Republic Day  It was a national non-working holiday until the late former president Ferdinand Marcos, changed it to Philippine-American Friendship Day, and became a working holiday. Then the former president Cory Aquino abolished it as a national holiday. 

I still believe that July 4 is the correct Independence Day for the Philippines and not June 12, 1898. Yet the islands were free from Spanish colonization but they had just passed it on to the United States of America. It becomes totally independent as a nation on July 4, 1946.

The Lady in Pink

image credits to People Asia

     The lady who scoured places most candidates had never been, made a radical change on volunteerism. On October 7, 2021, when she signed up for her presidential bid, she wore a blue blouse with a pink ribbon. Though she had not planned on the campaign pink color, according to her, it is the color of volunteerism, protest, and battle... thus Pink Phenomenon was born...nay for those times when candidates were the ones who gave foods and gifts, she seems like the rockstar whose supporters are like fans. People were so delightful, gave her gifts, shared talents, and dole-out foods to fellow 'kakampinks'... the outgoing Vice President of the Philippines and the number 2, in Presidential elections according to COMELEC swift count. 

        For most people, businessmen, entrepreneurs, artists, talents, farmers, vendors, laborers, and students... she is number 1 as she had conquered the toughest hurdles in this year's presidential elections. Served as Vice President of the Philippines yet contributed to a radical change in the history of Philippine elections. Poems, songs, dance movements, paintings, and murals are dedicated to her candidacy and the people who supported her. Dubbed as the pink light at the end of the tunnel by People Asia Magazine. She is also awarded the Honorary Outstanding Woman Award of the Year (2016) by the Thailand government.

     As Vice President, Leni Robredo's office has these flagship programs that catapulted her into somewhat like an icon, a rockstar being given gifts during the campaign period. 

• Ahon Laylayan Koalisyon - for working with grassroots organizations to form multi-sectoral coalitions that develop their concerns into a common agenda and work with the private and public sectors in fighting poverty through Angat Buhay.
• Angat Buhay - bringing together the public and private sectors to address the needs of families and communities in the farthest and the poorest areas in the country.
• Istorya ng Pag-asa - showcasing extraordinary stories of ordinary people who remind us of the Filipino's strength, compassion, and resiliency for rising above the challenges of the times.
• BISErbisyong Level Up - building the Office of the Vice President into a model agency that went from performing largely ceremonial functions to leading advocacies for the laylayan.

     The Office of the Vice President has also been granted ISO Certification and still maintains it today. The OVP successfully emerged from the audit certification, assessing the office implementation of its quality management system under ISO 90011:2015, which the OVP first obtained in 2017. 

     VP Leni is Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo, a mother of 3 and a widow by his late husband Jesse Robredo.  The latter died from a plane crash and at that time the Secretary of  Interior and Local Government under the leadership of then President Benigno Aquino III. Being a single Mom, VP Leni as she is popularly known, managed to send her daughters to prestigious universities with their intelligence and demeanor and with the help of scholarships abroad. Her eldest daughter, Jessica Marie Robredo also known as Aika is a graduate of B.S Management Engineering at Ateneo de Manila University. She has had her master's degree in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School, USA. According to her Linked profile, she is currently the Executive director of Restart Micro-Enterprise Inc. (ReStartMe), a wholesale micro-finance NGO that assists micro-entrepreneurs to recover from disasters in the form of financing and business development grants through its member micro-finance institutions. Aika is also the chairman, along with Doc Tricia,  of the Jesse Robredo Foundation. VP Lenis's second daughter, a doctor by profession is Janine Patricia Robredo, also known as Doc Tricia. She is a graduate of B.S in Health Sciences at Ateneo de Manila University. Doc Tricia earned her Doctor of Medicine degree also in Ateneo with another degree of Masters in Business Administration. Doc Tricia also served as one of the volunteer doctors for the Office of the Vice President's initiative of  BEK (Bayanihan E-Konsulta). After the May 2022 election, VP Leni along with her three daughters went to the US for the graduation rites of her youngest daughter, Jillian Therese Robredo. Jillian is a scholar of New York University with a double major degree in Economics and Math.

     VP Leni has been known as a strong advocate of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) and a supporter of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. If you have been visiting the OVP website, one can observe that FOI is noticeable and inherent in the office itself. Transparency at its finest. Leni Robredo had served the country before being hailed as the 14th Vice President of the Philippines.    

     As her term ends this 30th of June, her supporters are waiting for a Non-Government Organization that stems from her campaign slogan, "Angat Buhay Lahat".

Educational Background: 

1997 - Philippine Bar Passer

1992 - Juris Doctor, University of Nueva Caceres

1986 - Bachelor of Arts in Economics, University of the Philippines

Occupational Background before politics:

2008-2010 > President of Naga City Council for Women

1998-2011 > Branch Coordinator and Lawyer of SALIGAN (Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligan)

1997-1999 > Lawyer, Public Attorney's Office

1987-1997 > Economics Professor, Universidad de Sta. Isabel

1986-1987 > Researcher and Economist, Bicol River Basin Development Program Office

1992 > Founded Lakas ng Kababaihan in Naga

Political Background: 

2016-2022 > 14th Vice President of the Philippines

2013-2016 >  Representative, 3rd District of Camarines Sur

            Vice-Chairman on Good Governance and Public Accountability

            Vice-Chairman, Committee on Revision of Laws

            Member, Committee of Appropriations

            Member, Bicol Recovery and  Economic Development

            Member, Climate Change

            Member, Human Rights

            Member, Land Use

            Member,  Local Government

            Member, People's Participation

            Member, Rural Development

            Member, Suffrage and Electoral Reforms

            Member, Welfare of Children

            Member, Women and Gender Equality

from OVP website

The Time to Quit

https://www.ajc.com/blog/get-schooled/challenge-isn-getting-teachers-into-classroom-keeping-them/

Quitting is not always giving up. Quitting is also changing everything. Quitting is pivoting to a new role. They say quitter never wins. What is the best thing to do when you quit a certain job or career, from a person in your life,  because of stress, anxiety, and abuse? What are you quitting at?

Four years ago I made a decision to quit someone. Being a single Mom and a teacher is stressful enough but don't get me wrong, these roles give me fulfillment in my being. Quitting on someone to do his obligations and responsibilities gave me relief. I don't have to ask or beg to care for his children if he is that responsible. You won't expect, you won't ask, you won't talk. Quit on him as a father of your kids, yet within yourself, he would puff out because there are connections. But at least taunting him to do his responsibilities is an absent thing, you won't have to always ask for anything. If you are an independent woman, think about these things.. does it make a difference if he helps or not? If you say no, then quit talking to him else let him know more about you and the kids.

Quitting on a job or career that is your bread and butter, one that you are equipped with needs a lot of thinking. It somehow affected my decisions. In quitting a job, you need to examine factors, especially if you have kids depending on you. It has been years since I wanted to quit as a teacher, but a turn of events made me finally decide on this. Last year was the tough decisive decision I have ever had. Too much stress from work, health factors, and peace of mind are the factors against the uncertainty of finding a new job or venturing into business. And I made it. I quit a job that I had stayed on for years. My bread and butter. Yes..12 long years and finally decided on it. 

Teaching tied you up for long hours, not the teaching per se but the preparation for it. The thin line between having your personal time mixed with your work and other extra things to do. The good thing that happens to me? I was able to find earning opportunities, and I was able to rest after work. Unmindful of the things that I needed to do after my working hours, I can sleep soundly and eat properly. I can do things that I have planned before, the renovation of my house. Quitting on my part is pivoting to a new role that would give me peace of mind, and a less stressful environment which is my home.

To sum it up, there are questions you need to answer before you quit on something. 

• What are the pros and cons of the decision to make?
• What is the value or the importance of these pros and cons?
• Is the decision urgent? - does it affect your physical and mental health?
• Is it feasible for you to quit now? - alternatives for pivoting to a new challenge.