Saturday, 20 June 2009

Impossible Radio Show

A few minutes ago, I was having breakfast, and as usual, my kitchen radio was tuned into this station called DZDD. A guest was on air, let's call him Mr. X. They were talking about population control and population boom.

I am mad, seething mad, at the amount of rubbish that fellow was allowed to say on-air. I know for a fact that a lot of people listen to this radio station, and that a lot of them will believe the most ridiculous things I have ever heard on radio in my life.

Claim #1
There is NO population boom.

According to the website Ibiblio, the current world population is 6.9 billion people. Compare those stats with 5 years ago, 10 years ago, and 20 years ago, and it's painfully obvious that there is a population boom.

Claim #2
The entire world can fit in Texas.

This is quite a howler. The former senator Mr. X claims that with a population density of 8000 persons per square kilometer, the world can fit within Texas (thus begging the question of is overpopulation then, really is a problem?). To help understand how foolish the claims of this former senator was, let's do some simple mathematics. Texas has a land area of 696,000 square kilometers. The world has 6.9 billion people. Assuming that 100% of Texas is habitable land, we would come up with a population density of 9913 persons per square kilometer. He claims that this is possible because "8000 persons per square kilometer is half of the population density of Manila". Of course, it's certainly probable, but really, (and I can attest to this), the quality of life was disregarded by Mr. X aka the fact-machine. He fails to regard that people just cannot use every available land on this planet to live on; the land must be habitable, offer a certain quality of life, and of course, convenient for survival. The Sahara desert is a lot of land, but you don't imagine seeing a Saharan metropolis do you?

Claim #3

The first-world countries are selfish.

He claims that the "millions of dollars spent by first-world countries to treat their AIDS sufferers" should be "sent to third-world countries instead, like the Philippines, to help feed people". He also claims that those people will not get AIDS if they "were God-fearing in the first place".

Mr. X, sexual intercourse is not the only way to get AIDS. Quite frankly, why in hell should first-world countries help feed the poor of third-world countries by not taking care of their own citizens first? This is the real world, not some philanthropic dream of yours. Mr. X has also failed to consider that the third-world countries that are suffering are not tackling domestic corruption problems, which bleed the aid money given by first-world countries in the billions of dollars.

Claim #4
God is not dumb.

I agree with this one completely BUT the way Mr. X gave an example was utter foolishness. He claims that studies on overpopulation are done by "Western atheists" who do not believe in God, and assumes God is so dumb as to "create a world that can be overpopulated". This is even beyond stupidity. God may have created the world, but people choose to procreate, people choose to have children irresponsibly, and people choose to pack themselves in dense urban areas. I hate it when a guy shoots his own foot; he accuses others of being non-believers when he lives in a country (my motherland, the Philippines) where AIDS is at an all-time high, teenage pregnancy is a common occurrence, drug abuse is everywhere, an experienced sex industry, and crime levels that are just appalling. You hypocrite. The pot has certainly called the kettle black in this case.

Moral of the story: Do not always believe what you hear in radio (and we should never do) and when in doubt, the Internet has tons of reliable and accurate resources to inform ourselves of what really is happening in the world. Knowledge is more than power; it gives our lives substance.

So go out there, and read up on something, and learn! :)


Jay~

Wednesday, 17 June 2009

Pressure

Never felt so pressured in my life. :(

I don't know what's wrong with me. I wasn't tossing as high, and I wasn't lifting as consistently. My stamina is at an all-time high, but I just feel like I'm losing focus. I really need to get back on track.

I apologize for my poor performance, squad.
I owe it to you guys and our beloved school to perform much better next practice.

Over and out. Need sleep.


Jay~

Sunday, 14 June 2009

Slumdog Millionaire


Aside from being absolutely awesome, I like so many more things about this movie than all the other movies I've seen this year.

The casting was perfect. Relatively unknown actors who portray the relatively unknown facts and situations in India's slums. Great. :)

I love how this movie opens up the eyes of the people who watch it (like myself) and raise awareness that yes, these things do happen, and they exist. The story of how the sheer will to survive and to pursue a love is really touching, and at times, really heart-breaking (like when Jamal gets tossed out of the hotel by his brother). His courage and intelligence is quite beyond understanding, and I believe he embodies everything great about the human spirit: courageous under duress, resilient under opposition, and able to love when all hope seems lost.

The victory of humanity shines perfectly in this movie. :) My only regret was not seeing this any earlier.

One of those movies that have to be in the 'greatest movies' list. Watch it however you can; no regrets whatsoever, I promise. :) Love, drama, action, suspense, horror, adventure, and some epic Bollywood dancing (really, what Bollywood movie is ever complete without the group dance?), Slumdog Millionaire has it all.

10/10


Jay~

Night at the Museum 2


I really enjoyed this one. :) The cast was absolutely perfect, and Ben Stiller, as always, great.

I'll admit I didn't find it 'funny', but the silliness was pretty good, and didn't look stupid, as with many silly movies. I thought the singing angels were epic, and the Titanic theme song part was funny. The way the characters interacted - supposedly spanning a great number of centuries - was also great to watch, and the special effects were impeccable. Abe Lincoln's part, I found hilarious, especially at the poke at Stiller's height. :P

Gotta love the little bobble-head Einsteins. Epic. :D Watch out for Al Capone and his gray-scale look. That's some cool special effects, I thought.

Definitely worth a watch.

8/10


Jay~

Saturday, 13 June 2009

Baguio Day 3

The long-overdue post on our third day In Baguio City.

| Camp John Hay |

Probably one of the most popular tourist destinations in the City of Pines. Camp John Hay is also where the more expensive residences are, and the place reminded me very much of a classier Piasau Boat Club of Miri.





| Butterfly Sanctuary |

All those who know my 'dislike' (an understatement) on butterflies would be very proud of me. (Simone, I hope you see this, LOL).













And then, it was time to go home.. :(


Had a wonderful trip and birthday in Baguio. Definitely will visit the place again. :)


Jay~

Back..

Hello readers.

Haven't had a working Internet connection for 11 days, but I'm back now. The tech support crew of Smart Communications (my ISP) came over and fixed the problem. Turned out my wireless antenna (after 2 years of being exposed to the elements on my rooftop) has finally given up its ghost. LOL.

Will update as much as possible today.


Jay~

Wednesday, 3 June 2009

DLSU H1N1 Case

It's official.

The much dreaded H1N1 swine flu has reached Manila.
The sad part is that my university, De La Salle University Manila, recorded the case earlier today.

The school will not be open until June 15.
Pray for the students, faculty, and staff of my university as we try to overcome this very difficult and scary time.


Jay~