I cannot concentrate on studying my lessons when everything around me is untidy and disordered. I don’t see this as a reason for procrastination, but instead I consider it as one of the values I got from my mother – values concerning cleanliness. There are two aspects in my memory in which mother applied the values of cleanliness.
At the age of five, mama provided me my own bath set – complete with baby soap, a bottle of baby shampoo, a pumice stone, and a face towel. They were all put in a small transparent kiddy bag, creatively printed with colorful flowers, which caught my baby eyes. I didn’t easily recognize what it was, and I had no idea what it was for. As she set out the contents of the little bag, she introduced the cleaning paraphernalia one by one. She was like an instant promo girl as she demonstrated and explained to me how and when to use those things. Thus I learned that I ought to keep my body clean.
During my childhood days, my mother used to be the one to clean my body parts with cotton balls and baby oil. For her, “libag” or skin dirt usually caused by sweat, should always be removed from the body, mainly because it is very disgusting to look at. She taught me how to do it myself – how to rub the cotton forcefully through my skin to remove the dirt. Although I became aware of her purpose of teaching me this, I didn’t really exert much effort to include it in my daily routine. The thing is I liked it when she did the cleaning for me on weekends.
When I was in my sixth grade, I had a teacher who included checking the ears and the nails as part of the pupil’s grade. He would deduct grades of pupils who had dirty ears and nails, and he would give plus points for students who had dirt-free ears and nails. My teacher justified this rule by stating that he gets distracted every time he sees children who have grimy ears and nails. I blushed as I realize how embarrassing it feels when you get caught by other people having dirty ears and nails. I remembered why mama wanted me to learn how to clean myself. Maybe she knew that other people build their impression of who you are based on your grooming, your appearance – how you take care of yourself. It also complemented our teacher’s claim that cleanliness affects a person’s character in some ways, for it becomes other people’s basis of whether you are likable or not, whether you are neat or filthy, and even whether you are decent or not at all. From then on, I made sure that I always cleaned my body parts thoroughly.
The other aspect that my mother also applied values on cleanliness is the home. For the first ten years of my existence, I grew up having a housekeeper living with us. I lived like a señorita for a long time – I didn’t do the dishes, I didn’t sweep the floor, I didn’t iron my school uniforms, I didn’t wash my own clothes, and I didn’t even care to arrange my things. I didn’t like doing any type of household chores. It’s not that I couldn’t perform cleaning at all; I was just intuitively lazy at that time. And my mother sensed what was going on as she was always monitoring my attitude towards cleanliness.
When I was in grade five, Lola Seling, our housekeeper for almost five years, decided to quit her job. During those times when she was only planning to give it up, I begged her not to leave us, for I was afraid that mama might not get another housekeeper. I definitely figured out that if it happens, I’ll be the one who would do most the housework she will leave behind, especially the house cleaning, which I didn’t like very much. I also anticipated the possibility of being an alternative yaya to my 4-year-old sister because I am the eldest.
Unfortunately, as I had predicted, mama did not hire a new housekeeper when Lola Seling left. I tried to convince her to look for a new one, but she refused, telling me she wanted us to learn how to do household chores. She even insisted that we must learn not to depend on other people when it comes to matters regarding cleanliness. I was totally not in favor of what mama wanted because I yearned to enjoy the remaining days of my elementary years. Her decision seemed unfair to me for it felt like she had taken part of my childhood that I was supposed to fill up with fun.
When mama and papa divided the housework among the five of us, it added to my disappointment that my tasks were heavier than my brother, who is a year younger than me. Even though I hated doing household chores, our situation left me no room for excuses not to perform them. Both of my parents have full-time jobs. As the eldest among the three, I forced myself to function well in the house.
Little by little, I adjusted to our new lifestyle. I learned how to cook rice and other easy-to-cook viands. I followed mama’s procedure of doing the dishes – to rinse all the kitchen utensils all together in a basin to save water. I learned how to iron clothes – what part of the fabric to iron first and how to place it properly in a hanger so it won’t get crumpled.
With mama’s patience and guidance, I was able to overcome the house cleaning with less difficulty. Eventually, I realized that mama did not take part of my childhood; instead she had given me memories that help me understand my responsibility as a person. It was a gratifying experience that my mother is the reason I became aware of things I usually care less about before.
At present, I view cleanliness as an important factor that has to be utilized by an individual. I have realized that both the values on cleanliness in the body and the home help me develop my sense of responsibility. In the aspect of self, even though mama stressed the importance of cleanliness based on other people’s impression of me, I discovered that it’s not just other people’s impression that matters; it’s also about how I see myself and how I give importance to it. In the aspect of home, even if she stressed the importance of cleanliness by learning to do household chores, I have discovered that the importance of cleanliness also instills a sense of duty in every member of the family.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
DISNEY: A MAKER OF SEXIST MOVIES
The video clip exemplifies how Disney movies portray gender stereotypes on both sexes. The image of masculinity and femininity in Disney movies highlights 3 major issues: sexism, strength and dominance. Some stereotype examples found in the clip are the following: women are inferior to men; a wife’s role is to serve her husband; a man can never be a man if he doesn’t fight his enemy; a typical hero and a heroine romantic relationship; competition of two guys for a woman’s love; man’s ideal physical appearance; and a lot more. According to the narrator, these stereotypes provoke the viewers to have fixed basis on how man and woman should be.
Obviously, most viewers of Disney movies are children. These movies are attractive and informative by nature that even adults’ views are also affected by how it portrays gender. But sexism in Disney movies has greater impact on children since these young individuals are still on the process of constructing their own set of beliefs.
Communication theorist Deborah Tannen believed that male and female conversation is cross-cultural communication. In addition, Tannen’s Genderlect Styles supports the idea that men and women have different cultures, but that does not mean that men’s culture is better than the women’s or the other way around. The representation of women being inferior to men is I think the oldest form of sexism. According to Griffin, both cultures have differences but it has a lot of similarities. There may be some instances that men are superior to women and there are also some instances that women are superior to men. There are things men can do that women are incapable of, and things women can do that men cannot.
I’ve noticed that Disney movies uses sexism in language as a tool to attain humor. The part of the clip where Mulan’s co-warrior mentioned these lyrics “…A girl worth fighting for. I want her paler than the moon, with eyes that shines like stars. My girl will marvel at my strength, adore my battle scars. I couldn’t care on what she wears or what she looks like…It all depends on what she cooks like…” is one of its examples. These lyrics actually reflects what my ex-boyfriend once told me, that one of his qualifications of his soon-to-be wife is being capable of preparing him delicious meals. This kind of stereotype is unfair to women because as an individual, we have a choice whether ‘to get used to’ or ‘not’ to the habit of cooking for Christ sake.
The earlier part of the clip where a man touches the cleavage of seven ladies and gave comments on them is considered an assault to the female gender. Although the aim there is putting humor by means of verbal and non-verbal acts, it turns out to be a form of degradation to women. I think movie producers have the power to include or exclude those scenes. But as harsh as it sounds, I must admit that this kind of humor adds aesthetic impact to the movies.
The very thing that shocked me is the scene where an ugly and weak-looking man serves as the punching bag of the powerful man, Gaston, and even Hercules and other Disney heroes are also stereotypes of male gender. This scene affects how little kids think of an ideal man who has chiseled body and physical prowess. It also stresses strength and dominance as a license to being a man. It builds an assumption that when a man does not meet these characteristics, he is inferior to other men or is not considered manly enough.
The Mulan part of the clip also exhibits an example of sexist language for men. “He must be swift as a coursing river. Be a man! With all the force of a great typhoon. Be a man! With all the strength of a raging a fire! Mysterious as the dark side of the moon.” This description illustrates a very obvious stereotype for men. Being a weakling physically or having a macho body is not a basis of manliness. Whether these are intentional or unintentional, still it is sexism.
Based on the clip, the typical romantic relationship that involves a hero and a heroine in Disney movies is also a form of sexism. It shows a stereotype of men on how they act towards women, while women here are portrayed as objects of pleasure. I think this part about sexism is overrated. However, this could explain why lots of teenagers nowadays are aggressive. Because even when they are still young, they already saw actions that mold their idea of how a relationship should be – the “what do lovers do”. Children’s understanding is sometimes shallow that’s why adults must guide them. Since most children will directly label Little Mermaid and his prince as the good ones, what these characters do means for them being good too.
Sexism in Disney movies is highly controversial since it greatly affects both of the genders’ culture. Considering its popularity, the worldwide misconception brought by these movies matters to a lot, for the role of each gender affects their culture too. Although there are still countries that are dominated by patriarchal society, the message is clearly intended for both sexes.
Sexism exists even before these movies were made. Some of the old writers are sexist, but the term sexism was not present during their time. Even old writings in the Bible show women’s lesser power over men. I somehow wonder if these movies are just mere reflection of real sexism in our society or it has a great influence on how real sexism is form.
Obviously, most viewers of Disney movies are children. These movies are attractive and informative by nature that even adults’ views are also affected by how it portrays gender. But sexism in Disney movies has greater impact on children since these young individuals are still on the process of constructing their own set of beliefs.
Communication theorist Deborah Tannen believed that male and female conversation is cross-cultural communication. In addition, Tannen’s Genderlect Styles supports the idea that men and women have different cultures, but that does not mean that men’s culture is better than the women’s or the other way around. The representation of women being inferior to men is I think the oldest form of sexism. According to Griffin, both cultures have differences but it has a lot of similarities. There may be some instances that men are superior to women and there are also some instances that women are superior to men. There are things men can do that women are incapable of, and things women can do that men cannot.
I’ve noticed that Disney movies uses sexism in language as a tool to attain humor. The part of the clip where Mulan’s co-warrior mentioned these lyrics “…A girl worth fighting for. I want her paler than the moon, with eyes that shines like stars. My girl will marvel at my strength, adore my battle scars. I couldn’t care on what she wears or what she looks like…It all depends on what she cooks like…” is one of its examples. These lyrics actually reflects what my ex-boyfriend once told me, that one of his qualifications of his soon-to-be wife is being capable of preparing him delicious meals. This kind of stereotype is unfair to women because as an individual, we have a choice whether ‘to get used to’ or ‘not’ to the habit of cooking for Christ sake.
The earlier part of the clip where a man touches the cleavage of seven ladies and gave comments on them is considered an assault to the female gender. Although the aim there is putting humor by means of verbal and non-verbal acts, it turns out to be a form of degradation to women. I think movie producers have the power to include or exclude those scenes. But as harsh as it sounds, I must admit that this kind of humor adds aesthetic impact to the movies.
The very thing that shocked me is the scene where an ugly and weak-looking man serves as the punching bag of the powerful man, Gaston, and even Hercules and other Disney heroes are also stereotypes of male gender. This scene affects how little kids think of an ideal man who has chiseled body and physical prowess. It also stresses strength and dominance as a license to being a man. It builds an assumption that when a man does not meet these characteristics, he is inferior to other men or is not considered manly enough.
The Mulan part of the clip also exhibits an example of sexist language for men. “He must be swift as a coursing river. Be a man! With all the force of a great typhoon. Be a man! With all the strength of a raging a fire! Mysterious as the dark side of the moon.” This description illustrates a very obvious stereotype for men. Being a weakling physically or having a macho body is not a basis of manliness. Whether these are intentional or unintentional, still it is sexism.
Based on the clip, the typical romantic relationship that involves a hero and a heroine in Disney movies is also a form of sexism. It shows a stereotype of men on how they act towards women, while women here are portrayed as objects of pleasure. I think this part about sexism is overrated. However, this could explain why lots of teenagers nowadays are aggressive. Because even when they are still young, they already saw actions that mold their idea of how a relationship should be – the “what do lovers do”. Children’s understanding is sometimes shallow that’s why adults must guide them. Since most children will directly label Little Mermaid and his prince as the good ones, what these characters do means for them being good too.
Sexism in Disney movies is highly controversial since it greatly affects both of the genders’ culture. Considering its popularity, the worldwide misconception brought by these movies matters to a lot, for the role of each gender affects their culture too. Although there are still countries that are dominated by patriarchal society, the message is clearly intended for both sexes.
Sexism exists even before these movies were made. Some of the old writers are sexist, but the term sexism was not present during their time. Even old writings in the Bible show women’s lesser power over men. I somehow wonder if these movies are just mere reflection of real sexism in our society or it has a great influence on how real sexism is form.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
ENGAGING WITH THE NATIVES
My first official day of my college life wasn’t as exciting as it should be. It is because I joined the Summer Bridge Program, so I’m quite familiar with some stuff about UP Mindanao. Let me just talk first about my boring adventures during the Summer Bridge Program. Presumably, it is considered my first day of class. Well, I didn’t even feel euphoria when we had our first day of class. Instead, I was so nervous because I know and I am expecting that some of classmates came from a more standard/high level schools in different places in Davao. I mean, I am very aware that I am nothing compare to them – the way I dressed up, the way I talk, the way I write, everything...and that thought really sucks, inferiority complex I guess. Eventually, I realized I wasn’t the only one struggling to adapt that brand new life.
When we finally had our formal lectures, quizzes and exams, I must admit I really felt the kind of feeling that you are ‘soooooo pressured’ that I can’t almost handle it. I can’t use the correct grammar properly. I had a hard time reading short stories. My mind tells me it is supposed to be short but it’s not. I can’t perform mathematical equations, word problems etc. I told myself, this is the worst thing happened to me during my entire academic life. It’s not really graded but I still felt it that way. I feel like escaping this thing and just peacefully leave UP Mindanao and never ever talk about UP anymore. But I was thinking that becoming part of UP will be a challenging, different and for sure very complicated way of life. I kinda liked it that way. I was really hoping I could survive. Seriously, it’s not that easy.
I guess I wasn’t as curious as my other classmates in SBP in learning the cultures of UP Min, because I was more interested in making friends and having talks about their/my high school life. However, during the first week of my first semester, I found myself engaging with the natives. I had some close friends in the upper-class men. Some of them are perverts, asshole, sociable, drunkards, etc., but there’s one thing common in them, they all have brains. I am a former anti-smoking individual. My definition of what is immoral is limited, and I always stereotype when I talk about things. And these natives help me widen my understanding with the culture I am into.
WHAT I AM NOW, FOR SURE SOME OF IT ARE FROM THEM.
When we finally had our formal lectures, quizzes and exams, I must admit I really felt the kind of feeling that you are ‘soooooo pressured’ that I can’t almost handle it. I can’t use the correct grammar properly. I had a hard time reading short stories. My mind tells me it is supposed to be short but it’s not. I can’t perform mathematical equations, word problems etc. I told myself, this is the worst thing happened to me during my entire academic life. It’s not really graded but I still felt it that way. I feel like escaping this thing and just peacefully leave UP Mindanao and never ever talk about UP anymore. But I was thinking that becoming part of UP will be a challenging, different and for sure very complicated way of life. I kinda liked it that way. I was really hoping I could survive. Seriously, it’s not that easy.
I guess I wasn’t as curious as my other classmates in SBP in learning the cultures of UP Min, because I was more interested in making friends and having talks about their/my high school life. However, during the first week of my first semester, I found myself engaging with the natives. I had some close friends in the upper-class men. Some of them are perverts, asshole, sociable, drunkards, etc., but there’s one thing common in them, they all have brains. I am a former anti-smoking individual. My definition of what is immoral is limited, and I always stereotype when I talk about things. And these natives help me widen my understanding with the culture I am into.
WHAT I AM NOW, FOR SURE SOME OF IT ARE FROM THEM.
Friday, July 3, 2009
WHAT WOULD PENIS DO? (Reflection Paper)
Lev’s comparison of the heart, mind and penis seems to be true. Each definition is exactly what it is. My boyfriend even laughed at it when he saw the clip. He claimed it is true most of the time. However, in a girl’s perspective or should I say, in my girly culture, I used to label just two, only the mind and heart. I’m not saying that I didn’t recognize the penis or the vagina. But of course among the three, the heart and brain are the highlight.
As a girl, I used to think that an individual becomes stupid when s/he follows her/his heart or s/he becomes unhappy because s/he sticks to what the brain is saying. It is also possible that because of our culture, we are restrained to include the penis in the picture. One thing is for sure, for men, the penis is the third governing function, while for women – it is the vagina.
Whichever of the two, I have to focus on the penis. After seeing the clip, my mind tells me that, it is because of the penis that men are labeled “polygamous”. Or maybe it just really implies that “men are polygamous” that’s why Lev made that clip/drawing/story, whatever that is. I guess it’s his way for them to be understood. The clip somewhat tells us that the penis’s interruption to what the heart and brain is pursuing pushes a man’s actions, the Shakespearian “to do” or “not to do”. Technically, the penis has no brain, and the brain, heart, and penis are just interconnected organs. It’s an individual’s thoughts that make it work together.
It is also mention that “penis just wanna be love and he thinks the key to being love is just being penisly…” My AH 4 teacher told us that men have a very different culture from women. Men have some sort of initiation within themselves before they could consider themselves as man. I think one of it was mention by Lev in that clip, about their sex discussion in locker rooms.
I still believe men are not all the same even if they have that shared culture among themselves. EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF CHANGING. What Lev is talking about is part of that culture, but it’s still a matter of choice. THEY HAVE HEART AND BRAIN TO WIN OVER THEIR PENIS.
As a girl, I used to think that an individual becomes stupid when s/he follows her/his heart or s/he becomes unhappy because s/he sticks to what the brain is saying. It is also possible that because of our culture, we are restrained to include the penis in the picture. One thing is for sure, for men, the penis is the third governing function, while for women – it is the vagina.
Whichever of the two, I have to focus on the penis. After seeing the clip, my mind tells me that, it is because of the penis that men are labeled “polygamous”. Or maybe it just really implies that “men are polygamous” that’s why Lev made that clip/drawing/story, whatever that is. I guess it’s his way for them to be understood. The clip somewhat tells us that the penis’s interruption to what the heart and brain is pursuing pushes a man’s actions, the Shakespearian “to do” or “not to do”. Technically, the penis has no brain, and the brain, heart, and penis are just interconnected organs. It’s an individual’s thoughts that make it work together.
It is also mention that “penis just wanna be love and he thinks the key to being love is just being penisly…” My AH 4 teacher told us that men have a very different culture from women. Men have some sort of initiation within themselves before they could consider themselves as man. I think one of it was mention by Lev in that clip, about their sex discussion in locker rooms.
I still believe men are not all the same even if they have that shared culture among themselves. EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF CHANGING. What Lev is talking about is part of that culture, but it’s still a matter of choice. THEY HAVE HEART AND BRAIN TO WIN OVER THEIR PENIS.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
APPLICATION OF MASS COMM THEORIES IN PHILLIPINE SETTING (MEDA 101)
Example # 1:
I remember my friend, Joy, told me once about the things she is scared of. One of those is about those scary “killer-look-alike” co-passengers staring at her on jeepneys. “Basta naay lalake na nawong og kriminal sa jeep na akong masakyan, magpalayo jud ko ayy...Feeling nako anytime kay pwede ko niya dunggabon pareha gud anang makita nimu sa TV”, she said. For her, the typical killer is a male who have rugged face and beard. She based that assumption unto what she has seen on TV, teleseryes for example. She actually feels guilty towards her judgments, but she couldn’t help it. She really feels like she’s in trouble when she sees “killer-look-alike” guys on jeepneys.
Even I, myself is worried when I encounter a guy or a group of guys on street at night. I’ve also seen it on TV that when a girl is walking in a dark corner of the street, there’s this group of guys who follows her and then rape her, sometimes even kill her. That’s why at times, when I walk myself home alone late at night, I picked up stones, big enough to crack his head off, and hide it on my bag, just in case somebody will threw his self to me and rape me. As much as possible, I keep myself away from strangers (on streets) because I’m afraid they might hurt me or something. It’s better to think of the precautions first.
Explanation:
The two occurrences mentioned earlier can be explained by George Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory. “Gerbner claims that heavy television users develop an exaggerated belief in a mean and scary world.” (Griffin, 2006) Cultivation theory suggests that over exposure to television "cultivates" viewers' perceptions of reality. According to Gerbner and Gross, television is a medium of the socialization of most people into standardized roles and behaviors. He believes that television has become the main source of storytelling in today's society. It gives a “coherent picture of what exists, what is important, what is related to what and what is right.” (Griffin, 2006)
Cultivation theory suggests that over exposure to television "cultivates" viewers' perceptions of reality. It is hypothesized that heavy viewers are exposed to more violence and therefore affected by the Mean World Syndrome, an idea that the world is worse than it actually is. According to Gerbner, the overuse of television is creating a homogeneous and fearful populace idea to the minds of the viewers. However, TV violence does have an impact even on light TV viewers because the impact on heavy viewers creates an impact on the entire culture.
Gerbener defined violence as “the simplest and cheapest dramatic means to demonstrate who wins in the game of life and the rules of by which the game is played.” (Griffin, 2006) And he regards tv violence as the means of convincing the people that there is ‘a jungle out there.’
There are four indicated attitudes caused by television overexposure. There are: 1) chances of involvement with violence, 2) fear of walking alone at night, 3) perceived activity of police and 4) general mistrust of people. The two occurrences mentioned earlier fall on the category 4. I and Joy are simply exaggerating things because of what we’ve seen on television. We became very suspicious with strangers, even to ordinary people, because of the idea that “they might do something unwanted to us just like what we’ve seen on TV.”
Example # 2:
I spent some of my childhood years in my grandma’s place. It was a barrio of Malita called Palaypay. There’s no electricity and our neighbors are distant. Only radio, run by a battery, is our means of entertainment at that time. Once, the news about the cult, Satanic, was aired on the AM news. It says that the Satanic’s aim is to kidnap children, kill them and offer them to their master. They were scattered in Davao del Sur and other areas of Mindanao for their mission. They also reported how those Satanics performed their ritual. My lola went furious and said that they must bring me to Poblacion the next day to keep me safe. The barangay captain gave everybody a warning to be vigilant always. Days, weeks and months passed, we never heard of a real incident about Satanics.
Explanation:
The Hypodermic Model or Magic Bullet Theory can best describe the example # 2. This model holds that mass media had a direct, immediate and powerful effect on their audiences. It directly penetrates the human system. The idea of shooting or injecting a message to group of people for a desired reaction is what best describe this model. Here, the audiences became passive because of what they’ve seen or heard. In the example, the news is from the radio. I made my grandma panicked. Of course, who would not fear that news. Your son and daughter, or your niece and nephews, or your grandson and grand daughter can be a victim. With that news, one can never be able to think whether it’s true or not. Your first move will be how can we avoid those Satanics.
REFERENCES:
Griffin, Em. (2006). A First Look at Communication Theory. (6th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
WEB SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultivation_theory
http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/6486/Cultivation-Theory-and-Media-Effects.html - Cultivation Analysis2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypodermic_needle_model
http://www.cw.utwente.nl/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Mass%20Media/Hypod ermic_Needle_Theory.doc/
I remember my friend, Joy, told me once about the things she is scared of. One of those is about those scary “killer-look-alike” co-passengers staring at her on jeepneys. “Basta naay lalake na nawong og kriminal sa jeep na akong masakyan, magpalayo jud ko ayy...Feeling nako anytime kay pwede ko niya dunggabon pareha gud anang makita nimu sa TV”, she said. For her, the typical killer is a male who have rugged face and beard. She based that assumption unto what she has seen on TV, teleseryes for example. She actually feels guilty towards her judgments, but she couldn’t help it. She really feels like she’s in trouble when she sees “killer-look-alike” guys on jeepneys.
Even I, myself is worried when I encounter a guy or a group of guys on street at night. I’ve also seen it on TV that when a girl is walking in a dark corner of the street, there’s this group of guys who follows her and then rape her, sometimes even kill her. That’s why at times, when I walk myself home alone late at night, I picked up stones, big enough to crack his head off, and hide it on my bag, just in case somebody will threw his self to me and rape me. As much as possible, I keep myself away from strangers (on streets) because I’m afraid they might hurt me or something. It’s better to think of the precautions first.
Explanation:
The two occurrences mentioned earlier can be explained by George Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory. “Gerbner claims that heavy television users develop an exaggerated belief in a mean and scary world.” (Griffin, 2006) Cultivation theory suggests that over exposure to television "cultivates" viewers' perceptions of reality. According to Gerbner and Gross, television is a medium of the socialization of most people into standardized roles and behaviors. He believes that television has become the main source of storytelling in today's society. It gives a “coherent picture of what exists, what is important, what is related to what and what is right.” (Griffin, 2006)
Cultivation theory suggests that over exposure to television "cultivates" viewers' perceptions of reality. It is hypothesized that heavy viewers are exposed to more violence and therefore affected by the Mean World Syndrome, an idea that the world is worse than it actually is. According to Gerbner, the overuse of television is creating a homogeneous and fearful populace idea to the minds of the viewers. However, TV violence does have an impact even on light TV viewers because the impact on heavy viewers creates an impact on the entire culture.
Gerbener defined violence as “the simplest and cheapest dramatic means to demonstrate who wins in the game of life and the rules of by which the game is played.” (Griffin, 2006) And he regards tv violence as the means of convincing the people that there is ‘a jungle out there.’
There are four indicated attitudes caused by television overexposure. There are: 1) chances of involvement with violence, 2) fear of walking alone at night, 3) perceived activity of police and 4) general mistrust of people. The two occurrences mentioned earlier fall on the category 4. I and Joy are simply exaggerating things because of what we’ve seen on television. We became very suspicious with strangers, even to ordinary people, because of the idea that “they might do something unwanted to us just like what we’ve seen on TV.”
Example # 2:
I spent some of my childhood years in my grandma’s place. It was a barrio of Malita called Palaypay. There’s no electricity and our neighbors are distant. Only radio, run by a battery, is our means of entertainment at that time. Once, the news about the cult, Satanic, was aired on the AM news. It says that the Satanic’s aim is to kidnap children, kill them and offer them to their master. They were scattered in Davao del Sur and other areas of Mindanao for their mission. They also reported how those Satanics performed their ritual. My lola went furious and said that they must bring me to Poblacion the next day to keep me safe. The barangay captain gave everybody a warning to be vigilant always. Days, weeks and months passed, we never heard of a real incident about Satanics.
Explanation:
The Hypodermic Model or Magic Bullet Theory can best describe the example # 2. This model holds that mass media had a direct, immediate and powerful effect on their audiences. It directly penetrates the human system. The idea of shooting or injecting a message to group of people for a desired reaction is what best describe this model. Here, the audiences became passive because of what they’ve seen or heard. In the example, the news is from the radio. I made my grandma panicked. Of course, who would not fear that news. Your son and daughter, or your niece and nephews, or your grandson and grand daughter can be a victim. With that news, one can never be able to think whether it’s true or not. Your first move will be how can we avoid those Satanics.
REFERENCES:
Griffin, Em. (2006). A First Look at Communication Theory. (6th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
WEB SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultivation_theory
http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/6486/Cultivation-Theory-and-Media-Effects.html - Cultivation Analysis2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypodermic_needle_model
http://www.cw.utwente.nl/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Mass%20Media/Hypod ermic_Needle_Theory.doc/
SPCM 104 Term Paper
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MINDANAO
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
BURKE’S DRAMATISM
On Mar Roxas’s Speech at the 7th Global Sourcing
Conference and Exhibition of E-Services Philippines
(A SPEECH ANALYSIS)
Subimtted to:
Prof. Karen Joyce Cayamanda
SPCM 104 Instuctor
Submitted by:
Charina Jane L. Amor
2007-24276
II - BA Communication Arts
I. INTRODUCTION
Rhetorical criticism, often called as rhetorical analysis, is an attempt to understand what a symbolic artifact is all about. Symbolic artifacts include words, phrases, images, gestures, performances, texts, films, and "discourse" in general. Rhetorical criticism aims to discover the purpose of these symbolic artifacts. It perpetuates to discover how well they work in front of their audience: whether they instruct, inform, entertain, move, arouse, perform, convince and, in general, persuade their audience, including whether and how they might improve their appeal to the audience.
Rhetorical criticism is finding a way to interpret every symbolic artifact that affects the audience, how it works, why it is effective and how it becomes appealing to the audience. It is basically an attempt to explain the meaning behind any specific symbolic artifact.
II. BURKE’S DRAMATISM
In obtaining a rhetorical analysis of Mar Roxas’s Speech at the 7th Global Sourcing Conference and Exhibition of E-Services Philippines, we will use the Burkean approach. Language is a strategic human response to a specific situation. Burke believed that the critic’s job is to figure out why a writer or speaker selected the words that were choreographed into the message. (Griffin, 2006) According to Griffin, the term “dramatism” was Burke’s favorite word to describe what he saw going on when people open their mouths to communicate. For Burke, life is not like a drama, indeed life is drama. In the context of dramatism, language is viewed as a mode of symbolic action rather than a mode of knowledge.
Burke’s dramatism is a key element in understanding human motivation. Dramatism’s intent is to offer a logical method for understanding human motives, or why people do what they do. Dramatism consists of Identification, Dramatistic Pentad and Guilt-Redemption Cycle.
Identification
According to Griffin, it is the common grounds that exists between the speaker
and audience.
Burke used the word “substance” as an umbrella term to describe an individual’s physical characteristics, talents, occupation, background, personality, beliefs and values. The more overlap there is between the substance of the speaker and the listener, the greater the identification is.
Homopholy is the word used by behavioral scientist to describe the perceived similarity between the speaker and listener, while “consubstantiation” is the term used by Burke. It is equated to the solidarity a man can offer to his relative. “Without identification, there’s no persuasion.” (Griffin, 2006)
Dramatistic Pentad
It is a tool to analyze how the speaker tries to persuade his audience to accept
his/her view of reality. (Griffin, 2006) There are five crucial elements of a human drama: act, scene, agent, agency and purpose.
A critic’s label for the act pictures what was done. A speech that features dramatic verbs demonstrates a commitment to realism. The description of the scene gives a context for where and when the act was performed. Public speaking that emphasizes setting and circumstance downplays free will and reflects an attitude of situational determinism. The agent is the person or people who performed the act. Some messages are filled with references to self, mind, spirit and personal responsibility. This focuses on character and the agent as instigator and is consistent with philosophical idealism. Agency is the means the agent used to do the deed. A long description of methods or techniques reflects a “get-the-job-done” approach that springs from the speaker’s mindset of pragmatism. The speaker’s purpose is the stated or implied goal of the address. An extended discussion of purpose within the message shows a strong desire on the part of the speaker for unity or ultimate meaning of life, common concerns mysticism.
Guilt-Redemption Cycle
Burke was convinced that the ultimate motivation of all public speaking is to
purge ourselves of an ever-present, all-inclusive sense of guilt. (Griffin, 2006) The term guilt covers tension, anxiety, shame, disgust, embarrassment, and other similar feelings. Guilt comes when we are estranged from the natural world or estranged from others in our world. It serves as a motivating factor that drives the human drama. (Miller, 2005)
According to Burke, there are two ways to purge guilt among his/her audience. One is through mortification or self-blame and the other is victimage. It is blaming problems on someone else, lashing out at whatever or whomever should fear, designating an external enemy, a scapegoat. “Perfect guilt requires a perfect victim.” (Griffin, 2006)
One is not restrained to do whatever it takes to be an effective speaker. However, there are things to be considered, the impact of the message to the audience for example. As a critic, I will try to analyze Senator Mar Roxas’s speech with the help of these concepts. I will try to figure out how it affects and influences the audience.
III. ANALYSIS
Trying to solve the puzzle and filling up the holes would not be possible without using any basis or concepts. By using the Burkean approach as a guide in analyzing Mar Roxas speech, I will identify the members of the dramatistic pentad.
First is the Act. The act answers the questions “What was done? What happened? What is the action? What is going on?” In this case, the act is already labeled as the speech.
The speech was delivered in one of the e-Services Philippines 2007 conference and exhibition. E-services’ annual meeting provides organizations an outsourcing relationship, investors, and ancillary industries the opportunity to meet, network, and build relationships with the Philippines premier ITES providers in one venue. Their discussion here pertains to business and industrial world. The e-Services Philippines Global Conference 2007 had showcase the breakthrough achievements of pioneering companies and how outsourcing partners are helping each other to make those breakthroughs possible.
Second is the Scene. The scene is associated with the setting of an act or the situation. It answers the questions “Where is the act happening? What is the background of the situation?”
The speech was delivered in e-Services Philippines 2007 conference and exhibition last February 15-16, 2007, at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City. A number of paragraphs actually describe the Scene. It is found on the first up to sixth paragraph. He mentioned those people who were really the men behind E-services, both Filipinos and foreign investors. Let me extract some of these.
“You know, just as I was handing out those little plaques of appreciation to the panel, all of whom were so distinguished and the luminaries of your industry, it occurred to me that everyone is in a suit and tie; all very dapper and formal in their wear, and I was in a barong...”(1st paragraph)
This statement addresses that there are foreigners present in this conference. It somewhat pertained to the difference between Philippines and other countries. However, on the next paragraphs, he established a link between their (Philippines and other involved countries) cooperation and partnership. The connection is more obvious on the seventh paragraph.
The seventh, tenth and twelfth paragraph shows that they are talking about business. The speaker mentioned the background of the e-services in the Philippines, how its services are equal to or better than the US. The speaker also mentioned how each members of the industry becomes one of the world’s key players in a large and growing global Business Process Outsource services market.
The statistics he mentioned on twelfth to fourteenth paragraph assures that the industry is indeed in progress. All facts that is impart to the audience has to be a basis. And Mar Roxas in this area did show certainty with his statements.
In the political world, today, at this time, about 3:30, it's called "hora de peligro" or the dangerous hour. People are full from lunch, or thinking about the end of the day, or otherwise distracted. So I'll try and make my remarks as relevant as possible, so that your attention stays in the room as opposed to floating off to some other part of the metropolis. (8th paragraph)
The paragraph above mentioned by Mar Roxas also describes the situation.
Third is the Agent. The agent here is the speaker. As mention earlier, it was Mar Roxas who delivered the speech. Mar Roxas, also known as Mr. Palengke, is the son of the illustrious Senator Gerry Roxas, and the grandson of the venerable President Manuel Roxas whose public service careers have greatly benefited the country. He studied at Ateneo de Manila University for his elemenatary and secondary years, and got his degree in economics at Wharton School of Economics in the University of Pennsylvania on 1979. Before entering public service, Mar worked as an investment banker.
Mar's public service life began in the House of Representatives in 1993. After his congressional stint, he was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; and then in 2004, he was elected to the Senate with an overwhelming 20 million votes, the largest ever obtained by a candidate in any Philippine election.
Owing to his record of accomplishments as a public servant and political leader, the international community described him as "one of the young leaders in politics and business who will bring Asia and the Pacific to the forefront of world affairs." At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, MAR was named as "one of the Global Leaders of Tomorrow who is expected to shape the future."
The speaker introduced himself as a politician. But he emphasized that even before, when he is not yet in Senate, he was in the field of industry already.
I have been a partner of this young and vigorous industry for the past 7 years, first as the Trade and Industry Secretary of two administrations, and now as the Senator of the Republic; and I hope to remain as your steadfast partner into the future. (9th paragraph)
It is a form of being defensive, stating that long before he was in this field. And it somewhat implies that being a politician would not affect or harm his performance in e-services. His last words sound like there is much more than being a senator for you to look forward to. There are articles on the internet however that points out Mar Roxas as the next president of the Philippines. Therefore, he has plans for presidency. Rumors would not be as hot as it is if it’s not true.
His words are very “pro-Filipino.” In the sixteenth paragraph, although he tries to hold back the statement that Philippines have a great participation in e-Services. The impact dramatically emphasizes the Philippines role in e-Services. Here, he doesn’t sound too bragging with his fellow countrymen. It has a positive impact that makes it sound artistically delivered.
The statement “…It is this that drives me [in] doing what I can to ensure your success” in the fiftieth paragraph exemplifies that he is re-affirming the audience that he’ll do his duty well. Note that he didn’t use the words “the best that I can” because he knows very well that corruption is ever-present not only in politics, but also in any organization. It’s just that, they named other terms for that. No matter how good a person is, he will be and he is capable of doing wrong.
However, I like the way he re-affirmed himself. It’s candid yet you have to read between the lines before you realize it.
Fourth is the Agency. It pertains to rhetorical strategies a speaker use for the act; it implies the pragmatic point of view. The Agency answers the questions “how does the agent act? By what means does s/he act?”
The audiences are mostly businessmen and so the speaker deliberately uses formal language in delivering the speech. However, there are two identified significant words he used, the “hora de peligro” or the dangerous hour and the “nakakalula.” He used “hora de peligro” on the beginning part of his speech. I assume that he used that word to catch the attention of the audience. Notice that “nakakalula” appears in the twenty-eighth paragraph, consequently at the middle part of his speech. It could be a way of checking the audience if they’re still paying attention to him.
The speech delivery is also conversational. You can notice it the way he introduced somebody from the audience. The speaker is popular to the public because of his alias “Mr. Palengke.” But I think he is more popular in the world of business and industry because of his achievements. His credibility to speak for that event is highly potential.
He also used statistics in justifying his assumptions. In this way, he builds up certainty with his statements. It is more convincing when you present data to your audience. Statistics already embark a kind of credibility that sets intellects’ mind to think and believe what you say.
The speaker is informing and persuading at the same time throughout his speech. He sounds like a lecturer in some instances. As much as I am concern, it’s a conference so I guess it should be that way.
And the last one is the Purpose. It is the implied goal of the address. It answers the question “why does the agent act?”
Basically, the speaker purpose here is to inform and persuade. Informing and persuading works together. The laying of information assures the audience that the industry is indeed going forward. On the other hand, the persuasion there is convincing the audience that they are doing well and that they can do much better. One of the examples is found on the seventeenth to twenty-second paragraphs.
Here’s an example of persuasion extracted from Mar Roxas’s speech:
There is really no reason why the Philippines' e-services industry cannot double or triple revenues and employment in the near-term. We have many capable and hungry players leading the industry. We have a track record of solving difficult problems creatively. We have a global market that offers vast opportunities for growth. As the developed world ages and the cost connectivity declines, any service that can be provided over the phone or computer can be provided remotely by skilled and trainable people. And why not by the young people of the Philippines? And why not, as well, by the Philippines' e-services industry?
The speaker’s goal here is make the audience realize how important their role is in the success of business and industry. He is encouraging the listeners that there’s always a creative way to develop the industry. It’s like saying, if there’s a will, there’s a way.
An example of Identification is found on the twenty-third paragraph.
These five lessons-performance as promised, organization as an industry, partnership with the government, big ambition combined with the attention to detail, and building on success-created the conditions for the industry's success at present.
With the statement above, their common goals are basically all about gaining benefits. The government needs more jobs and taxes for the people, while e-Services as a whole, has to produce more money. Thus, the common ground between them despite of their differences is gaining benefits from each other. There also goals the idea of helping each parties in achieving their goals.
IV. CONCLUSION
In doing rhetorical criticism, there is a little confusion if you’re strayed with the approach you used. Drama is ever-present. Every act, every word used by human contains drama. There is indeed a drama behind every act. And even speech delivery is not an exception to this.
Burke’s dramatism is an effective approach in rhetorical criticism since it is more of the suitable for public address. Identifying the elements of the dramatistic pentad reveals the strategy of the speaker in delivering his speech, which definitely is effective.
The speaker is also successful in persuading the audience to view his insights dramatically. He was able to pin point and strike their common grounds – gaining benefits from each others. It’s quite intriguing to analyze the words that the speaker used because political agenda can never be separated with how they talk to people.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Web Sources:
http://www.angelfire.com/md/mdmorrison/nt/rhetorical.htm
http://www.cla.purdue.edu/dblakesley/burke/clark.html
http://www.rhetorica.net/burke.htm - pentad1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatistic_Pentad
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatism
http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/Dramatistic_Pentad
Books:
Blakesley, David. (2002). The Elements of Dramatism. Pearson Education, Inc.
Griffin, Em. (2006). A First Look at Communication Theory. (6th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
BURKE’S DRAMATISM
On Mar Roxas’s Speech at the 7th Global Sourcing
Conference and Exhibition of E-Services Philippines
(A SPEECH ANALYSIS)
Subimtted to:
Prof. Karen Joyce Cayamanda
SPCM 104 Instuctor
Submitted by:
Charina Jane L. Amor
2007-24276
II - BA Communication Arts
I. INTRODUCTION
Rhetorical criticism, often called as rhetorical analysis, is an attempt to understand what a symbolic artifact is all about. Symbolic artifacts include words, phrases, images, gestures, performances, texts, films, and "discourse" in general. Rhetorical criticism aims to discover the purpose of these symbolic artifacts. It perpetuates to discover how well they work in front of their audience: whether they instruct, inform, entertain, move, arouse, perform, convince and, in general, persuade their audience, including whether and how they might improve their appeal to the audience.
Rhetorical criticism is finding a way to interpret every symbolic artifact that affects the audience, how it works, why it is effective and how it becomes appealing to the audience. It is basically an attempt to explain the meaning behind any specific symbolic artifact.
II. BURKE’S DRAMATISM
In obtaining a rhetorical analysis of Mar Roxas’s Speech at the 7th Global Sourcing Conference and Exhibition of E-Services Philippines, we will use the Burkean approach. Language is a strategic human response to a specific situation. Burke believed that the critic’s job is to figure out why a writer or speaker selected the words that were choreographed into the message. (Griffin, 2006) According to Griffin, the term “dramatism” was Burke’s favorite word to describe what he saw going on when people open their mouths to communicate. For Burke, life is not like a drama, indeed life is drama. In the context of dramatism, language is viewed as a mode of symbolic action rather than a mode of knowledge.
Burke’s dramatism is a key element in understanding human motivation. Dramatism’s intent is to offer a logical method for understanding human motives, or why people do what they do. Dramatism consists of Identification, Dramatistic Pentad and Guilt-Redemption Cycle.
Identification
According to Griffin, it is the common grounds that exists between the speaker
and audience.
Burke used the word “substance” as an umbrella term to describe an individual’s physical characteristics, talents, occupation, background, personality, beliefs and values. The more overlap there is between the substance of the speaker and the listener, the greater the identification is.
Homopholy is the word used by behavioral scientist to describe the perceived similarity between the speaker and listener, while “consubstantiation” is the term used by Burke. It is equated to the solidarity a man can offer to his relative. “Without identification, there’s no persuasion.” (Griffin, 2006)
Dramatistic Pentad
It is a tool to analyze how the speaker tries to persuade his audience to accept
his/her view of reality. (Griffin, 2006) There are five crucial elements of a human drama: act, scene, agent, agency and purpose.
A critic’s label for the act pictures what was done. A speech that features dramatic verbs demonstrates a commitment to realism. The description of the scene gives a context for where and when the act was performed. Public speaking that emphasizes setting and circumstance downplays free will and reflects an attitude of situational determinism. The agent is the person or people who performed the act. Some messages are filled with references to self, mind, spirit and personal responsibility. This focuses on character and the agent as instigator and is consistent with philosophical idealism. Agency is the means the agent used to do the deed. A long description of methods or techniques reflects a “get-the-job-done” approach that springs from the speaker’s mindset of pragmatism. The speaker’s purpose is the stated or implied goal of the address. An extended discussion of purpose within the message shows a strong desire on the part of the speaker for unity or ultimate meaning of life, common concerns mysticism.
Guilt-Redemption Cycle
Burke was convinced that the ultimate motivation of all public speaking is to
purge ourselves of an ever-present, all-inclusive sense of guilt. (Griffin, 2006) The term guilt covers tension, anxiety, shame, disgust, embarrassment, and other similar feelings. Guilt comes when we are estranged from the natural world or estranged from others in our world. It serves as a motivating factor that drives the human drama. (Miller, 2005)
According to Burke, there are two ways to purge guilt among his/her audience. One is through mortification or self-blame and the other is victimage. It is blaming problems on someone else, lashing out at whatever or whomever should fear, designating an external enemy, a scapegoat. “Perfect guilt requires a perfect victim.” (Griffin, 2006)
One is not restrained to do whatever it takes to be an effective speaker. However, there are things to be considered, the impact of the message to the audience for example. As a critic, I will try to analyze Senator Mar Roxas’s speech with the help of these concepts. I will try to figure out how it affects and influences the audience.
III. ANALYSIS
Trying to solve the puzzle and filling up the holes would not be possible without using any basis or concepts. By using the Burkean approach as a guide in analyzing Mar Roxas speech, I will identify the members of the dramatistic pentad.
First is the Act. The act answers the questions “What was done? What happened? What is the action? What is going on?” In this case, the act is already labeled as the speech.
The speech was delivered in one of the e-Services Philippines 2007 conference and exhibition. E-services’ annual meeting provides organizations an outsourcing relationship, investors, and ancillary industries the opportunity to meet, network, and build relationships with the Philippines premier ITES providers in one venue. Their discussion here pertains to business and industrial world. The e-Services Philippines Global Conference 2007 had showcase the breakthrough achievements of pioneering companies and how outsourcing partners are helping each other to make those breakthroughs possible.
Second is the Scene. The scene is associated with the setting of an act or the situation. It answers the questions “Where is the act happening? What is the background of the situation?”
The speech was delivered in e-Services Philippines 2007 conference and exhibition last February 15-16, 2007, at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City. A number of paragraphs actually describe the Scene. It is found on the first up to sixth paragraph. He mentioned those people who were really the men behind E-services, both Filipinos and foreign investors. Let me extract some of these.
“You know, just as I was handing out those little plaques of appreciation to the panel, all of whom were so distinguished and the luminaries of your industry, it occurred to me that everyone is in a suit and tie; all very dapper and formal in their wear, and I was in a barong...”(1st paragraph)
This statement addresses that there are foreigners present in this conference. It somewhat pertained to the difference between Philippines and other countries. However, on the next paragraphs, he established a link between their (Philippines and other involved countries) cooperation and partnership. The connection is more obvious on the seventh paragraph.
The seventh, tenth and twelfth paragraph shows that they are talking about business. The speaker mentioned the background of the e-services in the Philippines, how its services are equal to or better than the US. The speaker also mentioned how each members of the industry becomes one of the world’s key players in a large and growing global Business Process Outsource services market.
The statistics he mentioned on twelfth to fourteenth paragraph assures that the industry is indeed in progress. All facts that is impart to the audience has to be a basis. And Mar Roxas in this area did show certainty with his statements.
In the political world, today, at this time, about 3:30, it's called "hora de peligro" or the dangerous hour. People are full from lunch, or thinking about the end of the day, or otherwise distracted. So I'll try and make my remarks as relevant as possible, so that your attention stays in the room as opposed to floating off to some other part of the metropolis. (8th paragraph)
The paragraph above mentioned by Mar Roxas also describes the situation.
Third is the Agent. The agent here is the speaker. As mention earlier, it was Mar Roxas who delivered the speech. Mar Roxas, also known as Mr. Palengke, is the son of the illustrious Senator Gerry Roxas, and the grandson of the venerable President Manuel Roxas whose public service careers have greatly benefited the country. He studied at Ateneo de Manila University for his elemenatary and secondary years, and got his degree in economics at Wharton School of Economics in the University of Pennsylvania on 1979. Before entering public service, Mar worked as an investment banker.
Mar's public service life began in the House of Representatives in 1993. After his congressional stint, he was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; and then in 2004, he was elected to the Senate with an overwhelming 20 million votes, the largest ever obtained by a candidate in any Philippine election.
Owing to his record of accomplishments as a public servant and political leader, the international community described him as "one of the young leaders in politics and business who will bring Asia and the Pacific to the forefront of world affairs." At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, MAR was named as "one of the Global Leaders of Tomorrow who is expected to shape the future."
The speaker introduced himself as a politician. But he emphasized that even before, when he is not yet in Senate, he was in the field of industry already.
I have been a partner of this young and vigorous industry for the past 7 years, first as the Trade and Industry Secretary of two administrations, and now as the Senator of the Republic; and I hope to remain as your steadfast partner into the future. (9th paragraph)
It is a form of being defensive, stating that long before he was in this field. And it somewhat implies that being a politician would not affect or harm his performance in e-services. His last words sound like there is much more than being a senator for you to look forward to. There are articles on the internet however that points out Mar Roxas as the next president of the Philippines. Therefore, he has plans for presidency. Rumors would not be as hot as it is if it’s not true.
His words are very “pro-Filipino.” In the sixteenth paragraph, although he tries to hold back the statement that Philippines have a great participation in e-Services. The impact dramatically emphasizes the Philippines role in e-Services. Here, he doesn’t sound too bragging with his fellow countrymen. It has a positive impact that makes it sound artistically delivered.
The statement “…It is this that drives me [in] doing what I can to ensure your success” in the fiftieth paragraph exemplifies that he is re-affirming the audience that he’ll do his duty well. Note that he didn’t use the words “the best that I can” because he knows very well that corruption is ever-present not only in politics, but also in any organization. It’s just that, they named other terms for that. No matter how good a person is, he will be and he is capable of doing wrong.
However, I like the way he re-affirmed himself. It’s candid yet you have to read between the lines before you realize it.
Fourth is the Agency. It pertains to rhetorical strategies a speaker use for the act; it implies the pragmatic point of view. The Agency answers the questions “how does the agent act? By what means does s/he act?”
The audiences are mostly businessmen and so the speaker deliberately uses formal language in delivering the speech. However, there are two identified significant words he used, the “hora de peligro” or the dangerous hour and the “nakakalula.” He used “hora de peligro” on the beginning part of his speech. I assume that he used that word to catch the attention of the audience. Notice that “nakakalula” appears in the twenty-eighth paragraph, consequently at the middle part of his speech. It could be a way of checking the audience if they’re still paying attention to him.
The speech delivery is also conversational. You can notice it the way he introduced somebody from the audience. The speaker is popular to the public because of his alias “Mr. Palengke.” But I think he is more popular in the world of business and industry because of his achievements. His credibility to speak for that event is highly potential.
He also used statistics in justifying his assumptions. In this way, he builds up certainty with his statements. It is more convincing when you present data to your audience. Statistics already embark a kind of credibility that sets intellects’ mind to think and believe what you say.
The speaker is informing and persuading at the same time throughout his speech. He sounds like a lecturer in some instances. As much as I am concern, it’s a conference so I guess it should be that way.
And the last one is the Purpose. It is the implied goal of the address. It answers the question “why does the agent act?”
Basically, the speaker purpose here is to inform and persuade. Informing and persuading works together. The laying of information assures the audience that the industry is indeed going forward. On the other hand, the persuasion there is convincing the audience that they are doing well and that they can do much better. One of the examples is found on the seventeenth to twenty-second paragraphs.
Here’s an example of persuasion extracted from Mar Roxas’s speech:
There is really no reason why the Philippines' e-services industry cannot double or triple revenues and employment in the near-term. We have many capable and hungry players leading the industry. We have a track record of solving difficult problems creatively. We have a global market that offers vast opportunities for growth. As the developed world ages and the cost connectivity declines, any service that can be provided over the phone or computer can be provided remotely by skilled and trainable people. And why not by the young people of the Philippines? And why not, as well, by the Philippines' e-services industry?
The speaker’s goal here is make the audience realize how important their role is in the success of business and industry. He is encouraging the listeners that there’s always a creative way to develop the industry. It’s like saying, if there’s a will, there’s a way.
An example of Identification is found on the twenty-third paragraph.
These five lessons-performance as promised, organization as an industry, partnership with the government, big ambition combined with the attention to detail, and building on success-created the conditions for the industry's success at present.
With the statement above, their common goals are basically all about gaining benefits. The government needs more jobs and taxes for the people, while e-Services as a whole, has to produce more money. Thus, the common ground between them despite of their differences is gaining benefits from each other. There also goals the idea of helping each parties in achieving their goals.
IV. CONCLUSION
In doing rhetorical criticism, there is a little confusion if you’re strayed with the approach you used. Drama is ever-present. Every act, every word used by human contains drama. There is indeed a drama behind every act. And even speech delivery is not an exception to this.
Burke’s dramatism is an effective approach in rhetorical criticism since it is more of the suitable for public address. Identifying the elements of the dramatistic pentad reveals the strategy of the speaker in delivering his speech, which definitely is effective.
The speaker is also successful in persuading the audience to view his insights dramatically. He was able to pin point and strike their common grounds – gaining benefits from each others. It’s quite intriguing to analyze the words that the speaker used because political agenda can never be separated with how they talk to people.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Web Sources:
http://www.angelfire.com/md/mdmorrison/nt/rhetorical.htm
http://www.cla.purdue.edu/dblakesley/burke/clark.html
http://www.rhetorica.net/burke.htm - pentad1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatistic_Pentad
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatism
http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/Dramatistic_Pentad
Books:
Blakesley, David. (2002). The Elements of Dramatism. Pearson Education, Inc.
Griffin, Em. (2006). A First Look at Communication Theory. (6th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
ANNIVERSARY SPEECH
How is it feel to be a part of UP? As Isko and Iska, did anyone of us think of our responsibilities in this country? Did those questions ever come into our mind even for once? Frankly speaking, I enrolled in this university without having any idea what really UP is. My mom said, “Nak, kuyaw nah nga skwelahan ang UP.” That statement inspires me to join the Summer Bridge Program last 2007, those were the times that I really had difficulties adjusting my academic performance. I really want to give up. But then I was able to stand for my decision to enroll in this university. My stay here allows myself to answer some of those questions that confuses and bothers me a lot, certain facts for example. The longer I stay in UP Min, the more I understand our role in Mindanao. It’s been already UP MIN’s 12th year of molding students like me.
Looking back, there were lots of struggles before they finally put up UP Mindanao. Believe it or not, the plan, process and amendments of establishing a UP in Mindanao took more than two decades. UP was established on February 20, 1995 through Republic Act 7889, signed into law by former president Fidel V. Ramos. UP was sixth unit in the UP system. Its first campus was actually located in Ladislawa and later moved to Bago Oshiro, Mintal.
For 12 years, UP Mindanao has been empowering Mindanao. It is successful in developing and imparting the UP education to all sectors particularly the poor, isolated and those inadequately prepared for higher education with all its tradition of excellence, liberalism, total human development, social relevance and leadership will impact on the economic, socio-cultural, political and sustainable development in Mindanao.
Our campus may not be that nice compare to other school campuses in the downtown area. It is distant from the city. One thing you can notice is the green green grasses around you. But you will eventually get use to it. As you can observe, UP Min has its gradual but better transformation now. Obviously, the road to UP Mindanao is partially concrete, at least. The CHSS building doesn’t look like a cement factory anymore. More jeepneys are going inside and out of our campus. The betterment of UP Mindanao is also proved by the students, the Isko and Iska. Excellency in Leadership, Education, Nationalism, Cultural sensitivity, and Environmental nurturance can be attained through awareness, name different awareness as much as you like.
Fellow students, being an iskolar ng bayan is a much greater responsibility than anyone of us imagine. For that last 12 years, UP Mindanao have prove to the nation that we exist. UP is the maker of the intellectuals. What makes UP the best is not its name, not its history but what it had attained. Sulong iskolar ng Bayan!
Looking back, there were lots of struggles before they finally put up UP Mindanao. Believe it or not, the plan, process and amendments of establishing a UP in Mindanao took more than two decades. UP was established on February 20, 1995 through Republic Act 7889, signed into law by former president Fidel V. Ramos. UP was sixth unit in the UP system. Its first campus was actually located in Ladislawa and later moved to Bago Oshiro, Mintal.
For 12 years, UP Mindanao has been empowering Mindanao. It is successful in developing and imparting the UP education to all sectors particularly the poor, isolated and those inadequately prepared for higher education with all its tradition of excellence, liberalism, total human development, social relevance and leadership will impact on the economic, socio-cultural, political and sustainable development in Mindanao.
Our campus may not be that nice compare to other school campuses in the downtown area. It is distant from the city. One thing you can notice is the green green grasses around you. But you will eventually get use to it. As you can observe, UP Min has its gradual but better transformation now. Obviously, the road to UP Mindanao is partially concrete, at least. The CHSS building doesn’t look like a cement factory anymore. More jeepneys are going inside and out of our campus. The betterment of UP Mindanao is also proved by the students, the Isko and Iska. Excellency in Leadership, Education, Nationalism, Cultural sensitivity, and Environmental nurturance can be attained through awareness, name different awareness as much as you like.
Fellow students, being an iskolar ng bayan is a much greater responsibility than anyone of us imagine. For that last 12 years, UP Mindanao have prove to the nation that we exist. UP is the maker of the intellectuals. What makes UP the best is not its name, not its history but what it had attained. Sulong iskolar ng Bayan!
COMMENCEMENT SPEECH
To you members of the class of 2008: today is your day. You are the subject. One period of your life is ending and another one beginning, and today we have gathered to witness this event, this ritual. Your commencement Day – a day of farewell to your college life and a hello to a new life you are about to face.
Perhaps, as an undergraduate, I don’t have much to say to you. I may not have that credibility of a potential speaker for this event. I haven’t ventured many places and I haven’t attained any awards. I haven’t even finished any degree in college. I’m not even close to that for now. But I believe that I fully understand the role of an Iskolar na Bayan.
Let me give you my warmest congratulations first. I know that UP life is tough. Some teachers are hard to deal with, brain-whacking exams is ever present and for sure you are used even to nosebleed research papers. And the never-forgotten accidents in habal-habal will always embark you the kind of memories that will make you laugh and scare you at the same time until your last heart beat falls. This day you are officially free of those college tough days, but watch out for more tough moments in your lives outside this university. There are more arenas of challenges and greater opportunities in the outside world. Whether you will pursue another course or you will work in your chosen field, bear in your minds the values you’ve learned in UP.
Stand for that sense of belongingness, Mindanao is for Mindanaons. Fight for the nationalism you believe to be supposedly rooted in every Filipino. Serve the country; serve the Filipino people, for in the taxpayer’s debt you were able to gain what you have right now. Be the pride of this country. You, the newly graduates, is entitled to be the hope of the nation. Do as much as you can to help the Philippines. It is now one of your responsibilities. Give back to the people what they ought to have—the advantages of gaining the result of their great investment.
In a long run, we always stumble and fall. But we should stand up. Disappointments are there to become our stepping stones. So watch out for more. From the moment you were born, you started the journey and at this point you must start to plan for your mission. You, as the Iskolar ng Bayan are bound to be prolific individuals of this country. You are well-armed. It is your mission to show to your fellow men how a Filipino should be.
Class 2008, be our inspiration so we can reach our goals and accomplish our mission too. Be a good example to the undergraduates of UP Mindanao. Always remember to be grateful for the fights that have been given to you from above and refrain from focusing on what you do not have for you will never have enough. I am so proud of you.
We are all aware that UP Mindanao is the least supported and recognized institution among the other UP campuses in the Philippines. For the last 11 years UP Mindanao had proved that its existence is worthwhile. To the newest product of UP Mindanao, you all deserve to be called Isko and Iska. Help UP Mindanao show to the many that it can produce individuals who excel in leadership, nationalism, cultural sensitivity and environmental nurturance.
Let me leave you a quote I got from the mother of Douglas McArthur. “You must believe in yourself, or no one else will believe in you. Be self confident, self reliant, and even if you do not make it, you will know you have done your best.”
Once again, my heartiest congratulations to each you, to your families and to our teachers. God bless us all.
Perhaps, as an undergraduate, I don’t have much to say to you. I may not have that credibility of a potential speaker for this event. I haven’t ventured many places and I haven’t attained any awards. I haven’t even finished any degree in college. I’m not even close to that for now. But I believe that I fully understand the role of an Iskolar na Bayan.
Let me give you my warmest congratulations first. I know that UP life is tough. Some teachers are hard to deal with, brain-whacking exams is ever present and for sure you are used even to nosebleed research papers. And the never-forgotten accidents in habal-habal will always embark you the kind of memories that will make you laugh and scare you at the same time until your last heart beat falls. This day you are officially free of those college tough days, but watch out for more tough moments in your lives outside this university. There are more arenas of challenges and greater opportunities in the outside world. Whether you will pursue another course or you will work in your chosen field, bear in your minds the values you’ve learned in UP.
Stand for that sense of belongingness, Mindanao is for Mindanaons. Fight for the nationalism you believe to be supposedly rooted in every Filipino. Serve the country; serve the Filipino people, for in the taxpayer’s debt you were able to gain what you have right now. Be the pride of this country. You, the newly graduates, is entitled to be the hope of the nation. Do as much as you can to help the Philippines. It is now one of your responsibilities. Give back to the people what they ought to have—the advantages of gaining the result of their great investment.
In a long run, we always stumble and fall. But we should stand up. Disappointments are there to become our stepping stones. So watch out for more. From the moment you were born, you started the journey and at this point you must start to plan for your mission. You, as the Iskolar ng Bayan are bound to be prolific individuals of this country. You are well-armed. It is your mission to show to your fellow men how a Filipino should be.
Class 2008, be our inspiration so we can reach our goals and accomplish our mission too. Be a good example to the undergraduates of UP Mindanao. Always remember to be grateful for the fights that have been given to you from above and refrain from focusing on what you do not have for you will never have enough. I am so proud of you.
We are all aware that UP Mindanao is the least supported and recognized institution among the other UP campuses in the Philippines. For the last 11 years UP Mindanao had proved that its existence is worthwhile. To the newest product of UP Mindanao, you all deserve to be called Isko and Iska. Help UP Mindanao show to the many that it can produce individuals who excel in leadership, nationalism, cultural sensitivity and environmental nurturance.
Let me leave you a quote I got from the mother of Douglas McArthur. “You must believe in yourself, or no one else will believe in you. Be self confident, self reliant, and even if you do not make it, you will know you have done your best.”
Once again, my heartiest congratulations to each you, to your families and to our teachers. God bless us all.
EULOGY SPEECH
It’s hard to make things easy for us when Uncle Dodong died. He is a brave man. He fought his cancer well. He did not let us see him suffering for he knows we might have lost hope seeing him agonizing the pain. He flew to Manila three months ago. And I never thought he will come back home not breathing anymore. All they said was he’s just into herbal medications. They never inform us he’s dying of cancer. I didn’t even have time to say thank you to him. I’m glad Auntie Inday was strong enough to face Uncle Dodong’s death. Te, we’re here for you. You know that.
My uncle is a successful business man. He was loving husband. I could feel how much he love Auntie Inday so much. He was a good father to his sons, a bit considerate sometimes. He never hesitates to help us in terms of financial matters and he’s always a good money lender. He was always our major sponsor whenever we have our family reunion too. I’m gonna miss those family dinners we had together and those visits we usually do during holidays to our grandparents’ place.
I must admit that I am frightened with his clamorous voice when he speaks, but it’s just really his natural voice. Behind his terror mock when he’s angry is a boisterous laugh when he’s in good mood. He’s a good joker when it’s time for fun but his other side is also a serious man.
He is lucky with his business career and family. I remember what he told me before I enter college. We were heading to Malita at that time, he reminds me to prioritize my studies first. And when time comes I’ll have both job and family, I should learn to balance my time with them. According to him, it’s a big problem when you unbalance the two. You can’t just set aside your family behind or your career as well. The two is always in conflict, but you should learn to master its technique well to keep both their fires burning. Uncle, thank you for that advice, I’ll always remember it.
Generosity is what really represents his personality. He’s one of those people who planted in our hearts the value of family – of sharing…of helping…of loving one another. Friends and relatives who have come here, thank you so much for your sympathy.
My uncle is a successful business man. He was loving husband. I could feel how much he love Auntie Inday so much. He was a good father to his sons, a bit considerate sometimes. He never hesitates to help us in terms of financial matters and he’s always a good money lender. He was always our major sponsor whenever we have our family reunion too. I’m gonna miss those family dinners we had together and those visits we usually do during holidays to our grandparents’ place.
I must admit that I am frightened with his clamorous voice when he speaks, but it’s just really his natural voice. Behind his terror mock when he’s angry is a boisterous laugh when he’s in good mood. He’s a good joker when it’s time for fun but his other side is also a serious man.
He is lucky with his business career and family. I remember what he told me before I enter college. We were heading to Malita at that time, he reminds me to prioritize my studies first. And when time comes I’ll have both job and family, I should learn to balance my time with them. According to him, it’s a big problem when you unbalance the two. You can’t just set aside your family behind or your career as well. The two is always in conflict, but you should learn to master its technique well to keep both their fires burning. Uncle, thank you for that advice, I’ll always remember it.
Generosity is what really represents his personality. He’s one of those people who planted in our hearts the value of family – of sharing…of helping…of loving one another. Friends and relatives who have come here, thank you so much for your sympathy.
INAUGURATION SPEECH
P.M. Sisters, faculties and staff, fellow students and friends: On this day, I stand here in front of you, to confer honor, glory and success. I am thankful for the trust you gave me, for believing that my capabilities and skills will do good in this institution. I am proud to serve each of you. Being a Student Executive Council president is a hard task to take responsibility of. Some of you might think that it’s one of the coolest things a student may experience since you will be able to control even your chances to gain extra curriculars for example. Or maybe all the benefits a SEC president can have are running in your mind right now.
Accepting this kind of duty is like exposing every inch of yourself in the public, giving them the best part of who you are. You did try to stand for that role, to give the best of what you can. But at times, when our flaws governs, it’s frustrating to think that when your plans fail, every consequence will be earned like an award and soon they’ll throw it up to you as if you deserve the worst blame in town. Even simple mistake will crush you down. I have a friend. She’s one of our former SEC presidents. And it did happen to her. She said all of them lack cooperation at that time.
Cooperation -- very human. An action practiced even by those tiny ants for their colony. An act that is more likely very possible for human beings. Remember that famous line “No man is an island.” A leader cannot stand alone if no one will follow, if no one is there to support and if no one is willing to assist. A leader will no longer be a leader if s/he’ll lose his members. Cooperation is not just bound for SEC officers; it’s for each and every one of us. It’s not a burden to cooperate with us. We will not implement any rules that will cause harm to this institution.
As president, I only represent the student council. And the student council represents the students. We don’t make all the decisions all the time. Every step we make is carefully planned and agreed by the majority. We are here to serve you with integrity and dignity. We are the voice of the students.
To my fellow SEC officers, commitment is the greatest virtue a leader should have to perform his duties well. It is as simple as liking what you’re doing. Courage is our best weapon for survival. No one will follow you if you won’t show to the people you can lead them. Leadership is what you should develop. Leadership is a very complicated word to deal with. How many students we would have to lead? How many personalities? How complicated right? But together we’ll going to make it happen. We’ll do what we can for this institution.
As the new SEC president, allow me to do my duty and responsibilities to you and in this constitution. Allow my fellow officers to their jobs too. Allow us to serve you. We’ll together aim high.
May God bless us all.
Accepting this kind of duty is like exposing every inch of yourself in the public, giving them the best part of who you are. You did try to stand for that role, to give the best of what you can. But at times, when our flaws governs, it’s frustrating to think that when your plans fail, every consequence will be earned like an award and soon they’ll throw it up to you as if you deserve the worst blame in town. Even simple mistake will crush you down. I have a friend. She’s one of our former SEC presidents. And it did happen to her. She said all of them lack cooperation at that time.
Cooperation -- very human. An action practiced even by those tiny ants for their colony. An act that is more likely very possible for human beings. Remember that famous line “No man is an island.” A leader cannot stand alone if no one will follow, if no one is there to support and if no one is willing to assist. A leader will no longer be a leader if s/he’ll lose his members. Cooperation is not just bound for SEC officers; it’s for each and every one of us. It’s not a burden to cooperate with us. We will not implement any rules that will cause harm to this institution.
As president, I only represent the student council. And the student council represents the students. We don’t make all the decisions all the time. Every step we make is carefully planned and agreed by the majority. We are here to serve you with integrity and dignity. We are the voice of the students.
To my fellow SEC officers, commitment is the greatest virtue a leader should have to perform his duties well. It is as simple as liking what you’re doing. Courage is our best weapon for survival. No one will follow you if you won’t show to the people you can lead them. Leadership is what you should develop. Leadership is a very complicated word to deal with. How many students we would have to lead? How many personalities? How complicated right? But together we’ll going to make it happen. We’ll do what we can for this institution.
As the new SEC president, allow me to do my duty and responsibilities to you and in this constitution. Allow my fellow officers to their jobs too. Allow us to serve you. We’ll together aim high.
May God bless us all.
Dedication Speech
This remarkable day has finally arrived. As we celebrate the grand opening of Malita’s new municipal building, I would also like to announce that we dedicate this newly constructed park and its attention-catcher landscapes to the people of Malita. I suppose these are considered a successful package deal. These are one of the tributes to us, the people of Malita. It symbolizes one little step of Malita’s progress…only one and there’s more.
I would like to acknowledge the presence of our vice mayor, Honorable Allan Colina, our mayor, Honorable Benjamin Bautista, Jr. and our congressman, Honorable Franklin Bautista. I would also like to acknowledge the presence of our barangay captains, our municipal employees and most especially the people of Malita who are here to join us.
The new building and landscape would not be possible if not of the brilliant ideas of Engr. Rodrigo Casiano, Engr. Gerbie Lagat, Engr. John Cornell Amor, Architect Miles Joseph and Architect Anjerika Laganzua, and the great efforts of our construction workers. Your combined skills are highly appreciated.
We obviously know that we lack municipal offices. And I believe that our government officials did their very best to pursue this project. I would like to thank you so much for your effort. I hope this building would inspire each of the municipal employees to do their duty even without the watch of their head. I hope the sitting pretty issue would never rise again. Work not just because you get paid, but because you have responsibilities in this community.
I assume almost all of us have seen, have been to the old municipal building, and we cannot deny the fact that it is indeed too old and almost inaccessible due to some structural damages. Aside from that, we also need concrete, bigger and effective building to keep our records safe and well-organized. The new one can provide us a better flow of transactions and feasible facilities to transact business. In contrast, the old one is almost entirely made up of wood and is very prone to fire. Its smaller space also provokes disorderliness and therefore affects its accessibility and service to the people. Let’s admit it; at some point its inefficiency became a burden to us.
The new location of the municipal building is now easy to distinguish since its mansion-like appearance is facing the main highway of Poblacion, alluring every eye of the people who passed by to notice it. The ala-people’s park landscape around the new municipal building is a very fascinating project. It revived the old park of Malita, but now it’s just more attractive and beautiful. It is a memorable place for most teenagers like me since it is where we spent most of our playful childhood years; it is also a romantic place for lovers who swore their promises to each other; and a remarkable place for parents who brought here their children every weekends too. This revived park has also revived some those memories from the past. Now that it becomes a park again, it will be again a witness of the many memories shared by the people of Malita.
Though the financial problem is an issue in constructing these projects, it is still worth of Malita’s pride. We people should be proud of it. This perfect location allows every residents of Malita to see every now and then that we are on progress. It will always remind us that we are never left behind, we are never taken for granted and that our government officials are doing very best to give Malita what it deserves.
I would like to acknowledge the presence of our vice mayor, Honorable Allan Colina, our mayor, Honorable Benjamin Bautista, Jr. and our congressman, Honorable Franklin Bautista. I would also like to acknowledge the presence of our barangay captains, our municipal employees and most especially the people of Malita who are here to join us.
The new building and landscape would not be possible if not of the brilliant ideas of Engr. Rodrigo Casiano, Engr. Gerbie Lagat, Engr. John Cornell Amor, Architect Miles Joseph and Architect Anjerika Laganzua, and the great efforts of our construction workers. Your combined skills are highly appreciated.
We obviously know that we lack municipal offices. And I believe that our government officials did their very best to pursue this project. I would like to thank you so much for your effort. I hope this building would inspire each of the municipal employees to do their duty even without the watch of their head. I hope the sitting pretty issue would never rise again. Work not just because you get paid, but because you have responsibilities in this community.
I assume almost all of us have seen, have been to the old municipal building, and we cannot deny the fact that it is indeed too old and almost inaccessible due to some structural damages. Aside from that, we also need concrete, bigger and effective building to keep our records safe and well-organized. The new one can provide us a better flow of transactions and feasible facilities to transact business. In contrast, the old one is almost entirely made up of wood and is very prone to fire. Its smaller space also provokes disorderliness and therefore affects its accessibility and service to the people. Let’s admit it; at some point its inefficiency became a burden to us.
The new location of the municipal building is now easy to distinguish since its mansion-like appearance is facing the main highway of Poblacion, alluring every eye of the people who passed by to notice it. The ala-people’s park landscape around the new municipal building is a very fascinating project. It revived the old park of Malita, but now it’s just more attractive and beautiful. It is a memorable place for most teenagers like me since it is where we spent most of our playful childhood years; it is also a romantic place for lovers who swore their promises to each other; and a remarkable place for parents who brought here their children every weekends too. This revived park has also revived some those memories from the past. Now that it becomes a park again, it will be again a witness of the many memories shared by the people of Malita.
Though the financial problem is an issue in constructing these projects, it is still worth of Malita’s pride. We people should be proud of it. This perfect location allows every residents of Malita to see every now and then that we are on progress. It will always remind us that we are never left behind, we are never taken for granted and that our government officials are doing very best to give Malita what it deserves.
NOMINATION SPEECH
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, it is a great privilege and honor to inform the public why I chose to support Senator Shimea Joy Lanticse as a nominee for the position of Senate president.
I believe that being one of her closest friends or being associates of the MUBA peace and order movement is not the main reason why I stand here to raise her name. It’s not just because of the companionship we have that I owe him a price of doing favors like this. Yes…indeed she is my dear great friend, but what made me stand here in front of you are the good traits I’ve seen in her for the past years.
As a daughter, she fulfilled his duties and obligations. As a mother and wife, she fulfilled her role very well despite of the fact that she also serves her country. She knows exactly that you can’t serve your country well if you could not even serve your family. As a former judge, she fully acknowledges justice as the greatest value not just inside a court room but everywhere. Her commitment, patience, perseverance and kindness will allow the senate to work well. She knows justice as much as she knows how to cook cheesy caldereta.
All of us in this room are aware of the wide spread corruptions in our government, not to mention those considered as “little thing” corruptions to the biggest one like the NBN-ZTE deal last year. And I believe Senator Shimea, as the chief of the senate would be a great help in this problem. Her leadership among each of the senators is highly effective and worth a trust. Her reputation is strongly moralized by her principles, notwithstanding the basis of her ethics.
In her expertise as MUBA associate, she exemplifies the need of peace and orderliness in the senate. She believes that everyone will conspire for the same good things as long as they both find peace in their way. That is how she approaches the human nature of every man. The result of that particular peace will eventually lead to harmony and cooperation. Thus leading the senate into a much better and useful institution of the country.
Some Filipinos presume that the senate is a sheer waste of taxpayer’s money. With Senator Shimea Joy Lanticse as the chief of the senate, we can absolutely show them that this institution is worthy of the tax they paid. We will gain back trust and confidence of the people. We will maintain our independence from Malacañang. We will not allow them to control us. We are the umbrella of this government and together let us provide a senate president worthy of our trust and obedience.
We’ll fight for this institution.
We’ll fight for the characters of free people.
We’ll fight for justice.
May God bless us all.
I believe that being one of her closest friends or being associates of the MUBA peace and order movement is not the main reason why I stand here to raise her name. It’s not just because of the companionship we have that I owe him a price of doing favors like this. Yes…indeed she is my dear great friend, but what made me stand here in front of you are the good traits I’ve seen in her for the past years.
As a daughter, she fulfilled his duties and obligations. As a mother and wife, she fulfilled her role very well despite of the fact that she also serves her country. She knows exactly that you can’t serve your country well if you could not even serve your family. As a former judge, she fully acknowledges justice as the greatest value not just inside a court room but everywhere. Her commitment, patience, perseverance and kindness will allow the senate to work well. She knows justice as much as she knows how to cook cheesy caldereta.
All of us in this room are aware of the wide spread corruptions in our government, not to mention those considered as “little thing” corruptions to the biggest one like the NBN-ZTE deal last year. And I believe Senator Shimea, as the chief of the senate would be a great help in this problem. Her leadership among each of the senators is highly effective and worth a trust. Her reputation is strongly moralized by her principles, notwithstanding the basis of her ethics.
In her expertise as MUBA associate, she exemplifies the need of peace and orderliness in the senate. She believes that everyone will conspire for the same good things as long as they both find peace in their way. That is how she approaches the human nature of every man. The result of that particular peace will eventually lead to harmony and cooperation. Thus leading the senate into a much better and useful institution of the country.
Some Filipinos presume that the senate is a sheer waste of taxpayer’s money. With Senator Shimea Joy Lanticse as the chief of the senate, we can absolutely show them that this institution is worthy of the tax they paid. We will gain back trust and confidence of the people. We will maintain our independence from Malacañang. We will not allow them to control us. We are the umbrella of this government and together let us provide a senate president worthy of our trust and obedience.
We’ll fight for this institution.
We’ll fight for the characters of free people.
We’ll fight for justice.
May God bless us all.
SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE
What you sow is what you reap. Many years ago, I went through excruciating trainings and difficulties before mastering my techniques in wrestling. Wrestling requires strength and endurance. And being a woman is not a hindrance to receive this kind of award. I envisioned presenting a strong woman of today. It’s a pleasure to accept this award. This signifies to me that perhaps I have achieved some of these goals I set so long also, and I sincerely thank you for this great recognition.
To the spectators, yes…It was a close fight. But I made it all the way to the throne of great heroes. To Terrie Wilson, my trainor, I would like to thank you for all the pieces of advice and the techniques you share to me. To Joanie Laurer, also known as Chyna, who inspire me a lot, you’re still my idol. To Stephany McNight, my manager, it is an honor to present you this award. To my sponsors, thank you so much for the confidence you gave me. It is through you and through your great efforts that I was able to transform myself into an outstanding wrestler. To my family, my inspiration, I share with you today my glory. To my fans, thank you so much for believing that I can make it. To my co-wrestlers, no success has come without a good fight. I would like to share you this award for it is of your great honor too. We have prove to the world that we women are worthy of fame and honor in the world of wrestling.
Part of my reward will be given to the Bantay Bata Foundation and the Tackighan Foundation. These are my favorite institutions who are truly dedicated with their service. And I believe sharing some of what you have is fair enough.
Once again, I thank you for recognizing my significance.
To the spectators, yes…It was a close fight. But I made it all the way to the throne of great heroes. To Terrie Wilson, my trainor, I would like to thank you for all the pieces of advice and the techniques you share to me. To Joanie Laurer, also known as Chyna, who inspire me a lot, you’re still my idol. To Stephany McNight, my manager, it is an honor to present you this award. To my sponsors, thank you so much for the confidence you gave me. It is through you and through your great efforts that I was able to transform myself into an outstanding wrestler. To my family, my inspiration, I share with you today my glory. To my fans, thank you so much for believing that I can make it. To my co-wrestlers, no success has come without a good fight. I would like to share you this award for it is of your great honor too. We have prove to the world that we women are worthy of fame and honor in the world of wrestling.
Part of my reward will be given to the Bantay Bata Foundation and the Tackighan Foundation. These are my favorite institutions who are truly dedicated with their service. And I believe sharing some of what you have is fair enough.
Once again, I thank you for recognizing my significance.
SPEECH OF FAREWELL
Good day to all of you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to bid my goodbyes to the company and to my co-workers. Richard Bach says, "Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends." It’s been 25 years since I entered Globe Telecom as a creative director. I’ve been here during the struggles of the company. I’ve been in the company through its process of settling its compensations with the shareholders 2 years ago. I’ve witness the 25 years of ups and downs of this company. Yet, we were able to sustain the company.
My husband will be assigned in Frankfurt, Germany. Knowing he’ll be far from our family, we both decided to move there with our kids. My family matters a lot to me. Though it’s hard for me to leave this company, I couldn’t afford to be left by my husband here again. I need him and I know he needs me. TD1 in Germany Telecom had also offered me a position in Creative Department. I would admit that the position they offer is quite lower than my position here but the good thing is I can speak Deutsch at least. But I’m still not sure if I’ll be able to work there too. My kids will surely need my assistance at home. Maybe it’s time for me to become a house wife then.
To Maam Sophia, I owe you my expertise. You are my inspiration in pursuing my career for the last 20 years. To my team, remember we’re the best so please continue our mission. You can email me anytime whenever you have problems, except financial matters of course. To Andrea, I’ll never forget you kindness to me. You make me realize how important my family is. To Mr. cruz, don’t forget to smile so you won’t frightened you’re employees. To my secretary, don’t worry. You still have a job. I already ask the one who’ll replace my position to get you as her secretary. My early retirement will not be the end of our companionship guys. You’re all cherished and our experiences together will always be remembered.
I know this company will stand still. We’ll see each other soon. Wish me and my family the best of luck with the life we’ll have in Germany.
My husband will be assigned in Frankfurt, Germany. Knowing he’ll be far from our family, we both decided to move there with our kids. My family matters a lot to me. Though it’s hard for me to leave this company, I couldn’t afford to be left by my husband here again. I need him and I know he needs me. TD1 in Germany Telecom had also offered me a position in Creative Department. I would admit that the position they offer is quite lower than my position here but the good thing is I can speak Deutsch at least. But I’m still not sure if I’ll be able to work there too. My kids will surely need my assistance at home. Maybe it’s time for me to become a house wife then.
To Maam Sophia, I owe you my expertise. You are my inspiration in pursuing my career for the last 20 years. To my team, remember we’re the best so please continue our mission. You can email me anytime whenever you have problems, except financial matters of course. To Andrea, I’ll never forget you kindness to me. You make me realize how important my family is. To Mr. cruz, don’t forget to smile so you won’t frightened you’re employees. To my secretary, don’t worry. You still have a job. I already ask the one who’ll replace my position to get you as her secretary. My early retirement will not be the end of our companionship guys. You’re all cherished and our experiences together will always be remembered.
I know this company will stand still. We’ll see each other soon. Wish me and my family the best of luck with the life we’ll have in Germany.
SPEECH OF INTRODUCTION
Today, as we celebrate the Youth for Christ’s 1st anniversary in UP Mindanao, we, as officers of YFC, would like to inspire each of the members to strengthen and work with their faith in Jesus Christ. With the help of the testimony of a liable guest speaker today, let us together face the trials in our life’s journey.
A lot of students in UP Mindanao today are lost and bewildered with God. Some of us assume that most of our faculty members, especially those in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences don’t have faith in God. I myself is surprised after seeing one of my teachers attending an Ash Wednesday mass last year. But believe it or not, today, our guest speaker is from the Social Sciences Department.
Fortunately, he is a graduate of UP Mindanao. He finished Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences Major in Behavioural Studies on 2003. He took up his masterals in University of Sussex in UK. He is currently an assistant-professor in Social Sciences Department of UP Mindanao. He is also a co-director of summer fieldwork of the BA Anhtropology programme. Students who already took up his SSPs are surely fascinated with his British accent. But mind you, he can also speak Spanish as well. Aside from teaching in UP Mindanao, he is also a member of a non-government organization. His projects involves Poverty Reduction, Agrarian Reform, Peace and Rural Development, and Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights Advocacy.
This may surprise or eventually fascinate us. Mr. Guest Speaker can surely share to us some of his experiences and opinions about having faith in God because he is a former seminarian too. He entered the Congregation of Marist in 1989. He stayed in the seminary for one year, and left because of financial matters. But he admits that until now, he still has a very strong faith in God. He likes the last paragraph in Desiderata that says “…be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.” Being a former seminarian and a graduate of UP Mindanao makes him a very potential guest speaker for today’s activity.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Valeriano Clamonte. A round of applause please!
A lot of students in UP Mindanao today are lost and bewildered with God. Some of us assume that most of our faculty members, especially those in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences don’t have faith in God. I myself is surprised after seeing one of my teachers attending an Ash Wednesday mass last year. But believe it or not, today, our guest speaker is from the Social Sciences Department.
Fortunately, he is a graduate of UP Mindanao. He finished Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences Major in Behavioural Studies on 2003. He took up his masterals in University of Sussex in UK. He is currently an assistant-professor in Social Sciences Department of UP Mindanao. He is also a co-director of summer fieldwork of the BA Anhtropology programme. Students who already took up his SSPs are surely fascinated with his British accent. But mind you, he can also speak Spanish as well. Aside from teaching in UP Mindanao, he is also a member of a non-government organization. His projects involves Poverty Reduction, Agrarian Reform, Peace and Rural Development, and Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights Advocacy.
This may surprise or eventually fascinate us. Mr. Guest Speaker can surely share to us some of his experiences and opinions about having faith in God because he is a former seminarian too. He entered the Congregation of Marist in 1989. He stayed in the seminary for one year, and left because of financial matters. But he admits that until now, he still has a very strong faith in God. He likes the last paragraph in Desiderata that says “…be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.” Being a former seminarian and a graduate of UP Mindanao makes him a very potential guest speaker for today’s activity.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Valeriano Clamonte. A round of applause please!
SPEECH OF WELCOME
Welcome to the 10th annual gathering of Tackighan Foundation. It is great to see many visitors here celebrating with us the success of this institution. Drug addictions and alcoholism is a perennial problem of some teenagers. For ten years, the Tackighan Foundation has been saving lives of many youth in Davao City. We have been taking care of this young people’s welfare until they are ready to face a better world outside. We give them chance to renew their selves by guiding them to a right path. Inside the tall gates of this haven, we offer them tutorials. In that way they can restore the knowledge they set aside before. We allow them to play outdoor games every afternoon so they can develop their expertise in their favorite sports. Each of them is given an assigned area in the garden to cultivate and maintain. I believe these activities will interest and convince them that there is still a better life out there. Every now and then, these young people are monitored by our friendly counselors.
We could have not attained this success in helping these young people if not with the help of the donations and support from our sponsors. Their support is really a big help to sustain this institution. I would like to give our warm welcome to our guest speaker Mr. Crisostomo Balaca, and to the representatives of Kamill Group of Companies especially Chief Executive Officer Isabella Mamayapa who cancelled her meeting to join us here. The Kamill Group of Companies supports us with this mission for almost eight years already. Their financial assistance had save many downfalls of Tackighan. I add my warm welcome to the Alpha-Sikma-Kugmo-Uga Sorority for voluntarily assisting us in preparing the program, and to the parents who continue to be strong and hopeful despite of their struggles. Your effort and kindness are greatly appreciated. Indeed, you are all a blessing to these youth. Thank you so much for spending us some of your time.
May all of us enjoy the presentations and performances we prepared for this celebration. Once again, a warm welcome to all of you.
We could have not attained this success in helping these young people if not with the help of the donations and support from our sponsors. Their support is really a big help to sustain this institution. I would like to give our warm welcome to our guest speaker Mr. Crisostomo Balaca, and to the representatives of Kamill Group of Companies especially Chief Executive Officer Isabella Mamayapa who cancelled her meeting to join us here. The Kamill Group of Companies supports us with this mission for almost eight years already. Their financial assistance had save many downfalls of Tackighan. I add my warm welcome to the Alpha-Sikma-Kugmo-Uga Sorority for voluntarily assisting us in preparing the program, and to the parents who continue to be strong and hopeful despite of their struggles. Your effort and kindness are greatly appreciated. Indeed, you are all a blessing to these youth. Thank you so much for spending us some of your time.
May all of us enjoy the presentations and performances we prepared for this celebration. Once again, a warm welcome to all of you.
Pygmalion
Professor Higgins transformed Eliza into a lady by switching Eliza’s terrible accent into a sophisticated one. He offered her clothes, food, house and comfortable living. He taught her the proper articulation of words. He even taught her how a lady should bring herself. He also used harsh words and punishments to mold Eliza into a real lady. As a result, Eliza did her best to perfect each exercise. Until finally, in the much-anticipated royal ball, Eliza had perfectly deceived everybody. They really thought she was a princess. Maybe not just because of how she talks, but also her lovely appearance convinced them.
Those harsh comments thrown by Prof. Higgins to Eliza are one of the formulas that shaped her. Of course, it would not be as effective as that if not because of Prof. Higgins’s expertise.
If I could fix three things about the way I speak English, it would be my articulation, choice of words and accent.
I need more improvement in articulating words because there are times that my tongue slips off the moment I talk and pronounce the p instead of f and vice versa, stuffs like that. It is very embarrassing. However, as I have said I must learn to forgive myself. I know I have a problem with how I utter words, but at least it is not that worst.
As an effective speaker, I have to choose the right words to use when speaking to different people, e.g. to a child, to a friend or to a teacher. At times, I forgot to be careful when talking to others. I must learn to speak up the right words because it would affect on how I communicate with them. I admit I cannot express myself well in English. Maybe because I have a hard time shifting Bisaya-Filipino-English language most of the time.
It is necessary to speak intelligibly as a communication arts major. It is nice to hear applaud and compliments from the learned community. It is flattering to see when people get fascinated with the way you speak your English. Somehow, it is as if you belong to the higher class of people.
I am aiming for other individual’s positive impressions to me when they could hear me speaking English more competently after improving my skills. However, the more valid reason for this is to communicate effectively. It is through language that good communication establishes positive impacts in our relationship with the people around us.
Those harsh comments thrown by Prof. Higgins to Eliza are one of the formulas that shaped her. Of course, it would not be as effective as that if not because of Prof. Higgins’s expertise.
If I could fix three things about the way I speak English, it would be my articulation, choice of words and accent.
I need more improvement in articulating words because there are times that my tongue slips off the moment I talk and pronounce the p instead of f and vice versa, stuffs like that. It is very embarrassing. However, as I have said I must learn to forgive myself. I know I have a problem with how I utter words, but at least it is not that worst.
As an effective speaker, I have to choose the right words to use when speaking to different people, e.g. to a child, to a friend or to a teacher. At times, I forgot to be careful when talking to others. I must learn to speak up the right words because it would affect on how I communicate with them. I admit I cannot express myself well in English. Maybe because I have a hard time shifting Bisaya-Filipino-English language most of the time.
It is necessary to speak intelligibly as a communication arts major. It is nice to hear applaud and compliments from the learned community. It is flattering to see when people get fascinated with the way you speak your English. Somehow, it is as if you belong to the higher class of people.
I am aiming for other individual’s positive impressions to me when they could hear me speaking English more competently after improving my skills. However, the more valid reason for this is to communicate effectively. It is through language that good communication establishes positive impacts in our relationship with the people around us.
MY PAPA’S WALTZ
The poem My Papa’s Waltz has a typical structure. It has four stanzas, and every stanza has four lines. By observing the last word in each line, I noticed first that it has rhymes. Its rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH, and it has an iambic trimeter rhythm. It is in the form of a narration. It uses a first person speaker, the son.
Waltz, a word pertaining to a dance when heard. Yet in the poem of Theodore Roethke My Papa’s Waltz, it connotes another meaning and significance. Waltz is an extended simile for beating or a graceful term for torture rather. Like dance, beating is an art – it has intricate movements portrayed by a vigorous character.
In the first stanza, the speaker started to describe the smell of the whiskey on his father’s mouth. Looking back on our childhood days, we can easily distinguish the smelly breath of our fathers when they are drunk. As a child, we actually think of running away from that whiffy odor. Normally as kid, we don’t want to smell that odorous liquors our fathers drink. The sentence “But I hung on like death” is an exaggeration that indicates the awkwardness the speaker felt at that time. Waltzing here conveys a meaning of beating.
In the second stanza, the speaker exaggeratedly describes how he was beat by his drunken father. Notice that the speaker uses “…could not unfrown itself” in describing his mother’s reaction. I bet the last two lines in this paragraph suggest that the speaker’s mother wants to keep his son away from his drunken husband, but she could not do anything.
Looking at the third stanza, we can see that the words used denote brutality and violence. The speaker is somewhat saying there is a rumble inside their house. But it was actually him that was beaten by his father. His mother tried to help him, but she was also beat up too.
On the last stanza, the father hit his son on the head, smacked him hard. The speaker’s way of describing the father’s hand appears to be heavy. This could be his way of explicitly saying he was tortured that much. …Then waltzed me off to bed. Still clinging to your shirt. This implies that even though his father had caused him violence, still, his father will always be his father.
Theodore Roethke’s poem entitled My Papa’s Waltz depicts a story of a little boy who experienced being beaten by his drunken father. The speaker in this poem could be 7 to 10 years of age. Probably, at these age range, a typical kid knows how to recognize the smell of whiskey on his father’s mouth. And the words used in describing the beating part of the father sounds like the speaker is not an infant anymore, or he should not be the one speaking in this poem if he’s still an infant when this incident happened.
I find analyzing this poem a bit tricky. I really thought it was a blissful memories of his childhood days because waltz is somewhat concerning with joy. At first, it’s difficult to figure out what is that waltz on My Papa’s Waltz. But after reading and analyzing the poem stanza by stanza, after counting on the words that the speaker used, I slowly got the point.
The speaker in that poem is trying to present us how his drunken father mistreated him. It’s obviously a clear picture of violence. But it doesn’t seem to have a strong impact on the reader if one’s analysis will just count on its title.
The poem is a nostalgic narration of his childhood days. But Theodore used tricky terms to avoid issues like child abuse and violence, not to make it cliché. Brutality in this poem is not evidently seen on the first two stanzas, but the transition can be observed on the third paragraph. The speaker chose to use the word “waltz” instead of beating so that the poem wouldn’t appear horrifying to the reader.
Waltz, a word pertaining to a dance when heard. Yet in the poem of Theodore Roethke My Papa’s Waltz, it connotes another meaning and significance. Waltz is an extended simile for beating or a graceful term for torture rather. Like dance, beating is an art – it has intricate movements portrayed by a vigorous character.
In the first stanza, the speaker started to describe the smell of the whiskey on his father’s mouth. Looking back on our childhood days, we can easily distinguish the smelly breath of our fathers when they are drunk. As a child, we actually think of running away from that whiffy odor. Normally as kid, we don’t want to smell that odorous liquors our fathers drink. The sentence “But I hung on like death” is an exaggeration that indicates the awkwardness the speaker felt at that time. Waltzing here conveys a meaning of beating.
In the second stanza, the speaker exaggeratedly describes how he was beat by his drunken father. Notice that the speaker uses “…could not unfrown itself” in describing his mother’s reaction. I bet the last two lines in this paragraph suggest that the speaker’s mother wants to keep his son away from his drunken husband, but she could not do anything.
Looking at the third stanza, we can see that the words used denote brutality and violence. The speaker is somewhat saying there is a rumble inside their house. But it was actually him that was beaten by his father. His mother tried to help him, but she was also beat up too.
On the last stanza, the father hit his son on the head, smacked him hard. The speaker’s way of describing the father’s hand appears to be heavy. This could be his way of explicitly saying he was tortured that much. …Then waltzed me off to bed. Still clinging to your shirt. This implies that even though his father had caused him violence, still, his father will always be his father.
Theodore Roethke’s poem entitled My Papa’s Waltz depicts a story of a little boy who experienced being beaten by his drunken father. The speaker in this poem could be 7 to 10 years of age. Probably, at these age range, a typical kid knows how to recognize the smell of whiskey on his father’s mouth. And the words used in describing the beating part of the father sounds like the speaker is not an infant anymore, or he should not be the one speaking in this poem if he’s still an infant when this incident happened.
I find analyzing this poem a bit tricky. I really thought it was a blissful memories of his childhood days because waltz is somewhat concerning with joy. At first, it’s difficult to figure out what is that waltz on My Papa’s Waltz. But after reading and analyzing the poem stanza by stanza, after counting on the words that the speaker used, I slowly got the point.
The speaker in that poem is trying to present us how his drunken father mistreated him. It’s obviously a clear picture of violence. But it doesn’t seem to have a strong impact on the reader if one’s analysis will just count on its title.
The poem is a nostalgic narration of his childhood days. But Theodore used tricky terms to avoid issues like child abuse and violence, not to make it cliché. Brutality in this poem is not evidently seen on the first two stanzas, but the transition can be observed on the third paragraph. The speaker chose to use the word “waltz” instead of beating so that the poem wouldn’t appear horrifying to the reader.
Friday, November 28, 2008
MALITA
Oct. 29. 2008
gi-featured jud ang Malita sa Trip na Trip.
sayang wala ko kaadto tong Gaginaway Festival sa amua.
waaah...nagmahay ko!
dapat ni-tuo ko kay arkhey na mag-uli!
sila lang ang naka-witness.
feel na feel kaayo sa akong auntie ang interview sa iya about sa Dugong.
well...well...yes, auntie jud nako siya...Mrs. Ruth Lucero, na-exposed imung beauty teh.
gi-featured jud ang Malita sa Trip na Trip.
sayang wala ko kaadto tong Gaginaway Festival sa amua.
waaah...nagmahay ko!
dapat ni-tuo ko kay arkhey na mag-uli!
sila lang ang naka-witness.
feel na feel kaayo sa akong auntie ang interview sa iya about sa Dugong.
well...well...yes, auntie jud nako siya...Mrs. Ruth Lucero, na-exposed imung beauty teh.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)