Taking Care of UP’s Trees and Birds

[Third article for J109 — Science article about a UP scientist]

Despite being in the middle of a sprawling metropolis, one of the most remarkable characteristics of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman campus is the abundance of trees in the area—from the vast green spaces on both sides of the University Avenue to the lush canopies around the Academic Oval. However, the diversity and abundance of birds indicates that rapid urbanization is crawling its way to and within the campus.

Birds are an integral part of our ecosystem. They are vital to the growth of trees and forests which then provides us with medicine, food, and other raw materials. Birds also help in mitigating the effects of pests in agriculture and domestic ecosystems. Bird predators, which are up in the food chain, also depend on the avian fauna for food. Disruptions in this process will ultimately affect humans, who are evidently further up the chain.

Moreover, birds also give us pleasure and inspiration just by simply listening or seeing them flying about. Aside from the implicit roles of birds, they are also instrumental in helping man understand the world he lives in. Disappearance of birds could mean destruction of habitats, pollution, dominance of predators, or inefficiency of existing policies about the environment, particularly in urban ones such as Metro Manila where UP is located.

To know more about the avian fauna in the university, Dr. Benjamin Vallejo Jr., together with other scientists from UP Diliman, conducted a study in 2005. An Associate Professor from the Institute of Environmental Science of the UP College of Science, Dr. Vallejo’s expertise lies in marine biology, aquatic resources, and urban habitats and biogeography.

The 2005 study identified the species of birds in the university, which was divided into four areas. These are the College of Science (where some buildings for academic use are constructed), the Academic Oval (noted for being surrounded with trees), the open field along the University Avenue (with a number trees and vast green spaces), and the residential site (where settlements and other commercial structures are). The birds in these areas were carefully counted and identified through scientific methods, taking note of bird movements across the route.

As a model for Metro Manila’s urbanization, UP’s tropical urban landscape “still harbors a viable complex ecosystem for bird communities.” However, the populations of these birds show that the species which cannot adapt to the urban environment with increased structures and homogenized landscapes cannot compete with birds that live commensally with humans. This homogeneity is evident in the residential areas where identical low-rise buildings are located.

Indeed, the dominance of urban-exploiting species indicates the vulnerability of the endemic bird population even to “slight habitat disturbance or modifications.” These endemic birds, which are existent only in the country, include pink-bellied imperial pigeon, Philippine hanging-parrot or “kulasisi,” Philippine coucal or “kukok,” and Philippine woodpecker sometimes known as “ta-ta-li-lik” or “karpintero-maliit.” Dr. Vallejo remarked that since the study in 2005, “the abundance of these birds including the common maya and yellow vented bulbul (‘luklak/malipago’) has gone down.”

(more…)

<mantra> I will pull this sem off and write regularly. </mantra>

For my J109 class, I’m reviving this blog after almost half a year of not using it, mainly because I’m too lazy to undergo the process of creating a new one, which includes thinking of a new address, opening verification mails, fixing the lay-out, etc. It’s inherent, this laziness.

However, I think this is a wake-up call because I really hadn’t been writing since the last semester ended. I have all these thoughts that have receded into the back of my mind, unexpressed. Aside from the lack of motivation, I guess I rarely had the free time to ponder (and rant). I was recently employed for a part-time job that I do four times a week, five hours a day. And then, last semester I applied in an organization, and this semester would be the start of being a full-pledged member. These are aside from the fact that I am 18-unit student, yes. XD

Some two to three years ago, I blog regularly on multiply, and my posts were read only by friends who would know what I mean with “kyaa” and “hazukashii,” who also know Ueno Juri, Ikuta Toma, and L’Arc~en~Ciel among others, or who rant as profusely as I do.a

This time, I’d strive to become the journalist I am being tortured trained to be.

School starts again tomorrow

And I’m doing a paper required for my feature writing class only tonight.

Twelve hours to go.

My mind refuses to accept the fact, LOL. And so did the minds of the plurkers.

The syllabus says "Introduction to Broadcast Communication"

Last Thursday, I had my last day of the sem. It was our finals for m BC100 class where we played Jeopardy! as the exam, and afterwards we had a party we prepared for not without much stress.

Our group, Kaye, Carl and me, were like the minority in the class—the last ones expected to speak and interact in class. The prof said he thinks we’ll be the last placers and that if we beat the other teams, “it’s like NU beating UP.” His frequent snide remarks were really nothing to me; he was interesting and intelligent enough. But this one I took to heart, and I’ll have to admit I was a bit hurt. Haha. I couldn’t blame him much though. The three of us—always seated at the back—weren’t really keen on “displaying our competence” in class.

However, the three of us were really overwhelmed and happy that we emerged as the second placers. We were able to beat the other four teams our professor thought so highly of. Too much of the negativity, though. The overall atmosphere was really fun and exciting. I even made the first mistake ––on the first question!—as I forgot to state my answer in question form, which is how the game is played.

The whole event—including the mini film showing we had after the quiz show (where we saw the actual video of how JFK’s head was blasted away), the food Kaye and I helped take care of, the hilarious mistakes the teams made, and of course, our prof’s one-of-a-kind personality*—was enjoyable. It would top my list of the most unforgettable final exams I had in the university.

Even more so, I made such good friends in this class—Kaye and Carl. It was really the three of us who were together in this class since the start of the sem. Our hard work studying for this Jeopardy! really paid off. Yeah, cheesy, but I’m glad to have met them. Fufu~

 
* Sir’s personality is really hard to describe: he is intelligent, conceited (he said so himself!), nationalistic, funny (awesomely so), and random. Those adjectives are vague, though, compared to the “colorful” character that he has in person. It is amazing to have him as a prof for even just a sem. Despite the routinely nerve-wracking moments in class, despite all those ridiculous school-bashings he did, and despite all the complaints I made about the subject, I don’t think I would regret having him teach me and hear his tales firsthand (about Philippine history, foreign culture, his predictions of the future, and a lot, lot more). And years later, when his statue (that looks at and scrutinize everyone who passes by) had been erected in the university (as he so often said it would be), I’ll prolly be proud to say, “Hey I tokok his BC100 class. How very unfortunate you couldn’t.” Haha!

** He is a lawyer who would often show up at public hearings with his friend, Barok, also a lawyer. If asked who they represent at the court they would say, “Public interest, your honor.” They would also often sue wrongdoers, and mind you, they get results. He said, “Kapag walang ganyang mapapakialamanan kami ni Barok, nanghihina kami.” Haha. ♥ He said that it is his way of giving back to the university and people that educated him. He also said that when we graduate, we shouldn’t expect to live as if in a rosy picture painted especially for us, and that we must never be ashamed of starting small—even as small as serving coffee to others. With the training we had, coupled with hard work and competence, we would be able to make it well.

 
Awesome, right? I just wish I had written all of the trivia and advices and bits of wisdom he shared in class. If I could name one reason why I am proud to be from UP, it would be because it was able to produce someone like  him.

Time goes so fast, Heaven is lost

Prof: O, bakit ganyan ang buhok mo?
Classmate: I was sleeping a while ago, sir.
Prof: Is it that time of the sem already?
Classmate: Sir?
Prof: Is is that time of the sem already—when you don’t get sleep?
Classmate: Yes, Sir, I think.
Prof: Ah, I don’t think it is yet. It is that time of the sem already when you have to content yourself with just eating instant cup noodles, and you don’t take a bath anymore.

[Whew. Darating din tayo diyan, sir. XD]

Prof: Ikaw, may bagsak ka na?
Classmate1: None yet, sir.
Prof: Talaga?
Classmate1: Yes, sir.
Prof: Dapat meron kang bagsak para masabing regular na UP student ka. Ikaw, may bagsak ka na?
Classmate2: Uhmm. Isa sir.
Prof: Ano?
Classmate: Math17 sir.
Prof: Dapat talaga may bagsak ka para masabing regular UP student ka… Kung wala kang bagsak… eh di hindi ka regular UP student.

[Haha, nasabaw ako dun.]

 ——-

Another two weeks to go and the semester’s going to end. Somehow, I want it not to, just yet. Or I want the time to stop altogether, because of two reasons.

Firstly, I have tons to do. I haven’t dealt with my regional literature paper seriously at this juncture. It’s the one about aswang, and although there are quite a number of books discussing it, my Prof’s preferences are driving me out of my wits. She wants me to do things about this stupid paper, which I don’t want to do. And I’m thinking, “Hello. I’m the one doing the research. Do your own if you really want that.” XD

Another paper is also due in less than 3 weeks’ time. This time, it’s for my J100 [History of the Press] class. And I haven’t thought of a clear topic yet, which should be about an issue of the Philippine media. Well, I have an idea or two, but I still would want to talk to my prof about them. Silly, really. Since she said at the beginning of the course that we should start doing the paper around August, because she noted that most (if not all) of her students only work on the paper when it’s due in about a month. My (our) case is probably worse. ((:

And then, I still have to make that scrapbook about my life for my Psych101. It would be a work-intensive project, I know. But I’m sort of looking forward to doing it. [I want to engage myself again in some sort of a creative project, which I haven’t done since high school, maybe.] That is, after I’m done with the first two papers.

Which brings me to the second reason why I don’t want this sem to end yet. I’m enjoying my Psych101 class tremendously. The topics are very interesting. During high school, I even thought of taking up Psychology, but let it go. It was a fleeting thought and I dismissed it because my tita was already pursuing her degree in the field, and probably one in the family is enough. XD But yeah, I really liked my General Psychology class. It’s one I class I feel so comfortable in, and I really looked forward to it every Wednesday and Friday. Well, psychology has sparked a new (or renewed) interest in me. I’m seriously considering taking it as my minor—3 more psych courses, and then maybe when I graduate, I could claim, “I’m a Journalism major, minor in Psychology.” XD

Sigh. Who doesn’t want good long days of rest? I certainly want to get through all these heaps of papers and exams, and stress. But for now, I wish this sem would get longer and time would slow down, since I couldn’t keep up with it in its normal pace, more so now since the colds finally hit me. [I really thought I wouldn’t get colds this year, even if I get wet frequently because of the unpredictable weather.] Now, I coulnd’t funtion well.

My workload’s screaming at me to get them done, and I want to scream back, 

“Dude, I need a Guido… I mean, a pit stop, too!” 

Ess pissed XD

My younger sister seems to be the firsthand victim of my irate disposition these past few weeks. I easily get mad and impatient. Perhaps, I was not really born a patient and calm person to begin with, but lately, it appears even to myself that I get angry irrationally.

It’s probably because I don’t have somebody or something to breathe out to these frustrations about university life. Everything—from exams to papers to reviews and deadlines—that I had to do, I had to do well, and quick. I keep assigning the tasks to do on particular days on my battered planner but somehow, I can’t get most of them done. And that causes me to panic and get tensed. I would then feel guilty because of the time I “wasted” or because I wasn’t able to give the task my best shot. Everything seems to be a blur, and so fast I doubt I could keep up. I would even end up surprised, during rare free moments I had, that I wasn’t able even just to get a haircut or trim my fingernails. Capping everything off are some of the professors demanding too much or are just plain irrational. Geez. I do wonder, whatever made me think I could ever emerge victorious from UP? XD

The lack of sleep and even lack of time for myself are making me so easily irritated that I sometimes vent it on my younger brother or sister. Yeah, it’s very wrong but I couldn’t help it—I would just flare up and dismiss them whenever I think they’re disturbing “the busy” me. This is probably striking since when I’m not in good mood, either gloomy or seethingly mad, I usually just keep quiet. I won’t talk until I get a good night’s sleep or cried it out silently. But maybe now’s different since, I dunno, the weight isn’t just emotional: it was more physical. Haha.

 Meh. I just hope to get through all these hurdles at the end of this sem. I think I deserve at least a week of break without having to worry about waking up early to finish a paper or something…

My Goals and Motivations, and Everything in Between

This is actually a sort of refelction paper for my General Psychology class, but I wanted to post it here as well.
It’s not very coherent, haha. I was cramming, darn it.

           Just as the book said, having such a fuzzy and nonspecific goal as “being successful” wouldn’t be too much of a help. I’m actually one of those who would simply aspire to be “successful” with no particular goal in mind. In fact, I honestly didn’t know what to do, and what I would want to do in the future, until this year started. For one thing, I don’t know what I’m good at, that is if I’m good at anything at all. Eventually, I decided to take writing seriously and shifted to Journalism, since it’s the sole thing I’ve enjoyed doing when I was in high school.

            Now, it has become apparent to me that being a competent and respected media practitioner would be my long-term goal. (That is, if we set aside my goals of getting very rich, touring the whole world, and having my own fairy tale, for the purpose of a more sensible discussion.) Everybody wanted to excel in an endeavor and be the best that they could possibly be. However, this doesn’t seem to be my case. Of course, I wanted to succeed for my own self-actualization. But since I’m not too properly individualistic, I’m probably thinking of pleasing first the people around me who, since I made it into the University, believed in my capabilities.  Now that I’ve learned that intrinsic motivation would be able to give a person more satisfaction as he achieves a goal, perhaps I could try focusing on my own self-determination when aspiring for and doing certain things.

            Just recently I thought of working my way up to be a writer for internationally-acclaimed publications, i.e. newspapers or magazines. But on second thinking, maybe it’s still too far off, and only having this goal in my mind wouldn’t make me accomplish the steps I have to take to get there. So, to achieve this, I’ve been always attempting to set realistic objectives, and my foremost goal for now is to do well and excel in my academics and deepen my understanding of the field. Even if I always find trouble setting priorities, I know I have to. Just like setting the annual New Year’s resolution, I decided to study first, before doing anything else. I also tried listing down the things I had to do for the week. Sometimes, I get them done, but more often, I still don’t. That is why I have to discipline myself more. My friends and I are almost always complaining about the heaviness of our school works. And probably, what keeps me from finishing what I have to do is time mismanagement. I always get tempted to do other things like watching an anime or reading manga, or going out occasionally with friends even if I have an exam or report the next day (or for short, peer pressure). And then there’s the Internet that keeps me “technostresssed.”

            For now, I wanted to get pleasing grades this semester, and get accustomed to my new college—new environment, new policies and way of doing things, new people. So far, I think the grades I’ve been getting are acceptable (I just have to settle the requirements, like papers, as the semester nears its end). My main concern now is actually more psychological in nature. I wanted to be able to remove, or at least lessen my shyness and feelings of inferiority because the college I’m in is the place where prolific and confident communicators are. Somehow, I don’t feel like I could satisfactorily be like them. I don’t know if I could call it paranoia, but this feeling of inferiority and total lack of confidence actually keeps me from being at-ease even with myself and the surroundings I work at.

            I once read somewhere that “Excellent things are as difficult as they are rare.” To help me realize these short-term and long-term goals, I know I have to work hard, stay focused, and sacrifice the things I would have enjoyed doing (or not doing). Together with my reliable planner, and consistent self-reminders, I may be able to prioritize what should be prioritized. Also, perhaps, I could condition myself to be more assured of my own abilities. An attempt to socialize and gain confidence from it would also probably be beneficial to building my self-esteem.. More importantly, the “expectations” my family and friends have for me could serve me better as motivation rather than as pressures and constant reminders of what they wanted me to be.

:)

Kolektibismo dapat, diba? :D

 August 20.

I always have free Thursdays, but his semester I actually wanted to attend an Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE). For one, it’s been more than a year since I last attended an ACLE, And also, one of my professors said, “You should come. During our time, we fought for that.” Another one said, “As a journalism student, you should attend. You need it, and it’s actually a privilege.”

I was about to ask people for suggestions, but one of my friends’ post containing “Ramon Bautista” made me automatically promise to come to his org, UP Praxis’s ACLE called “Ako Mismo o Kolektibismo.”

As of this writing, I never had the interest even just to visit Ako Mismo’s site. In fact, aside from catching my attention the first time I saw the commercial on TV, I had become indifferent and suspicious of the campaign’s motives. So to learn more about the rhyme and reason behind Ako Mismo’s popularity, I decided to attend the symposium.

I’m not a fan of those dog tags a lot of people are now sporting. However, Sir Ramon Bautista explained that those tags are supposedly given/sold only to those who gave pledges and promised to remain true to them. He said that its main aim was to conquer social apathy especially that which is prevailing in the Filipino youth. Naturally, the campaign has its critics. To present the other side of the story, Rolando Tolentino (CMC’S Dean! O_O) showed the different aspects of the campaign approach to the youth, including the campaign’s timing (nearing elections), celebrities involved, the target market, language used and so on.

It was really an enlightening experience. I was able to see both sides. I was able to learn more about the issues in the society, about the attempts to get the youth involved and active in addressing these issues.

I’m still not enthusiastic about it all. Because of more than two years of listening to the various talks and discussions about social issues conducted by different student groups, I did realize that to make a significant change in the society, we should have a  collective effort. Certainly, Ako Mismo’s ideology of individualism would not be of any significance, would it?

Sir Ramon cleverly answered this question. It was actually one of the things that stuck in my mind. He said that, as we all know, the Philippines is suffering from a cancer of the society (since Rizal’s time, actually). He said that Ako Mismo’s role then is to act like a vitamin supplement, a small dose taken everyday. It doesn’t provide a drastic remedy, but still it does good to the body. He said that the goal wasn’t really to bring a huge and dramatic change in the society–it just wanted the Filipinos, particularly the neocolonialized, technology-savvy youth to have the initiative and desire for improvement and for them to participate in social issues. The student reactor in the panel (I forgot his name) then pitched in on the analogy saying that this cancer can possibly be cured by chemotherapy–a radical, painful, and costly process.

Indeed, it takes more than a dog tag, a pledge (eg. “Ako Mismo ay hindi na mang-aaway ng kapatid.“/”I myself will not fight with my sister/brother.”) and rock concerts to advance social change this country badly needs. It would take a collective effort, compromising, Divine guidance, effective and honest leaders, a lot, lot more. And just like a chemotherapy procedure, the patient is bound to lose cells and be on the brink of death. But this option is probably better than to rot helplessly in this sick state.

PS: I think Sir Ramon Bautista is really cool and funny. Haha. Astig.
“People thought Ako Mismo will be used for the political motives of three people–Edu Manzano, Manny Pangilinan, and…. me.” (:

Haha I’m such a Brewster. XD

So why did I end up being here? XD

While on a ride home, I had two high school teachers as co-passengers. They were tired, and they were exchanging stories about their respective classes. Listening–erm, eavesdropping more like, made me remember my first dream profession when I was a kid. It was to become a teacher. It was during the time when you realized there are a lot of  other people out there, and that going to school each day seemed like a new adventure–new friends, nursery rhymes, new school things, and teachers to look up to. 

 And then, when I was growing up, I saw how hard it could be being a teacher with those bratty students, meetings, books, and all the bothersome things which go with formal teaching. And so I changed my dream profession. I suddenly wanted to be an accountant. Why? I don’t know. Except for the fact that my aunt is one, I didn’t know anything about it. =))

Then, Sophie Neveu came along. If you don’t know her, I’m not telling, it’s quite pathetic. XD Because of her, I wanted to learn French, and go to France. For what purpose, who knows? I just wanted to be like her. Yikes. XD

Some time later, after I’ve read a novel about  a brilliant  female doctor, I felt the urge to be a medical practitioner. Haha. Dr. Paige Taylor was a beautiful, kind, strong, intelligent, and compassionate physician, with a charming love story, and quite an eventful practice during her first few years as a doctor in the midst of male chauvinism. Tsk. 

But after I discovered the pleasure of reading, I found writing as the best way to be me. I could keep silent for all I care, I didn’t need to talk much, since I’m not really very sociable (even with friends I’m close to). The pen and paper suddenly became my companions. I started writing notes, pathetic poems and other life-is-so-boring-I’m-no-good whatnots. Fortunately, our school paper accepted me as a writer, and I found something I enjoyed doing. I had friends with me who joined as well, but it was something I could call my own. And despite the presure, I was happy. :]

However, I didn’t think I would be doing such for a career in the future. In fact, I don’t know what to do in college after those years in high school. My first two years in the university were such confusing and troubled times. I really didn’t know where to go. They said, “Just do what it is that you want.” But, wth, I’m not good at anything, where am I suppposed to be?! I don’t have all the time and the resources in the world to dilly dally as I wanted. I was really desperate, I was looking for signs. Well, either I’m too dumb to “see” them, or they didn’t come, I was confused until the last minute.

But I believe, God came to my aid then. I came to think, “Hey, it wouldn’t be so bad to take Journ, since you loved it, right?” Yeah, well, I had to make myself believe it, or else I’ll be doomed. So I took the test, and for some two or three weeks, I waited for the results with bated breath. It was really make or break. And, well, I got accepted. HE’s just so wonderful, and I’m thanking Him ever since. ;]

Now, it’s been almost two months since I left my old home (my former college) for this new one. I’ll have to admit, I definitely miss CAL, especially the couple of good friends I’m fortunate to have there. (Oh, and I miss the library!) I still feel very out-of-place, it seems like everybody knew each other. And they all look so confident. Gah. Or maybe I just have a bad case of inferiority complex. 

 Either way, I’ll have to do my best now. I can’t fail again.