THE VIRTUE OF PRUDENCE (WORKSHEET)

1. Prudence is a cardinal virtue that enables us to carefully look at a concrete situation, and now what ought to be done. It is the art of taking moral principles and applying them to these situations, which in turn, expresses what should be done, in what manner, etc.

2. a) Prudence acts like a way of knowing – based on the moral principles we come to know of, we apply it to know what the right action to do is based on a concrete situation.

b) Prudence can also be looked at as a philosophy, or a mindset, which makes it similar to a Basis of Justification. It shapes our way of thinking on how to approach different situations, which serve as a possible guide.

c) Through prudence, to know the truth about what to do in a particular situation is through evidence as facilitated by Authority (moral principles as written in the bible).

3. Prudence utilizes evidence as facilitated by authority, and does not become illogical through being a relativist, and and an absolutist.

CLE IB – Reflection Question 6/26

Reflection is one of the most essential habit every person must be used to throughout their life. Especially if given the time for, reflecting enables us to see different perspective of different situations, which gives us new insights, opinions, and beliefs about such situations. Perhaps it is through this that we can slow down our fast-paced lives, as we cannot even spare a minute because of our hectic schedules. It is through this that we can pause and think about anything and everything, and even share these thoughts to others, knowing that they may have different thoughts about the matter.

As I pause and let my thoughts flow smoothly in reflection, there are times that in a certain situation, my mind is divided when it comes to what to believe in on that situation/concept. And one of the things I consider as a very interesting topic to reflect about is the morality behind lying. Ever since when I was young, I would always think about if lying can ever be morally acceptable through certain circumstances, such as if the lie has a good purpose behind it, can it still be a sin? However, no matter what the purpose may be, lying is basically hiding the truth from someone, and damaging their liberty to know the truth about things that concern them, so are lies always considered as bad moral deeds? My mind is very undecided when it comes to what to believe, especially when the time comes and I have to choose whether to lie or not to the person to shield him from the possible pain the truth may bring. Though, thinking about all these, I would decide to always avoid lying as a way to hide the truth, because I would not want to violate anyone’s right to discover and learn truths and realities by telling them either false hopes, or just plain lies. Anyway, a lie is still a lie no matter how you put it.

It’s difficult having a baffled head when it comes to these slight controversial and debatable topics, since there can be many points to argue in each side. Knowing that people naturally think differently than others no matter how much time they have been together, or how similar they may seemingly be, there will always be that person who would have opposing views than yours. With this reality considered, I would not change my decision or perspective on the matter because, firstly, no matter what side I pick, statistically speaking, there will always be people opposing against me, secondly, changing sides about something just because majority or other people chose to choose that side is not effective because we will not be given the chance to think for ourselves then. We just have to deal with the fact that we all have to agree to disagree some point.

Thinking about it, one mistake I would often commit is not sharing my thoughts and perspective on different situations when I reflect. I always stop at the stage where I reflect, as I do not even share my thoughts to others most of the time. This is one thing I should change if ever I get the experience again of deeply reflecting on a debatable topic, because there is still that value that comes in sharing your thoughts with others, and being open-minded about other’s thoughts, as well. This is basically what occurs in Learning Circles in our CLE class – we initiate a conversation to spread our thoughts to others about the topic, so that we can learn new insights and brand new perspectives, not only coming from yourself, but, of course, from others. Perhaps, this is one of the best ways to reflect and gain thoughts on a particular concept/topic/situation in order to agree on a uniform decision- to collaborate with others.

 

 

H2 SOP Saturday #3 – January 25, 2014

As we arrived in the campus, in front of the Boys’ Home building, it seemed like something was wrong in the atmosphere around, since there were less cheering and less excitement than the previous Saturday we were here. I wasn’t sure about my other mentoring groupmates, but I knew something was wrong. Just as about we were about to enter, Sir Frankie, one of the people who run this home, ran to Ms. Casanova and whispered to her that she had something to important to tell her. Maybe, this “something” was what I was looking for.

We went up the stairs, and the gate that lead to the second floor, where the children reside, had this lock that wasn’t there in the previous weeks. As we went in, we saw Sir Frankie standing with the children about to make an announcement. He, then, mentions how the children, earlier that morning, stole a big amount of money from Sir Frankie, and therefore, were not allowed to go outside as a punishment. Maybe that explained the relatively gloomy atmosphere. But, much deeper than such, this situation made me think about my initial perception of these children before I even met them in the first encounter. Did the children I really meet truly delinquents? If not, then why do these children have the capability of doing such cruel action to their very own closest father in the building? This really made me ponder about the reason behind their stealing throughout the day. What’s for sure is that, maybe, this was part of God’s Will among these people.

Nevertheless, the program goes on, but because of their punishment, we had to use the indoor activities we prepared in class to, at least, continue the outreach. We focused on hygiene of the children, and prepared group games themed about the matter. Firstly, we played a little of Pinoy Henyo about actions relating to hygiene, such as brushing of one’s teeth, taking a bath, etc. The children were divided into 4 groups to compete with each other to try and guess the correct answer the fastest. The children were obviously not as happy and energetic as before, as only more or less half of them were participating and enjoying the game. Perhaps, they just bored as they were trapped inside, or possibly were guilty and gloomy about the incident, if they truly are. I can’t help but feel awkward as I watch my partners, Aljohn and Alvin, constantly stare at me from time to time to just smile at me out of boredom. This made me, yet again, contemplate on their wrongdoing and their capability of doing such. What is God planning as He works in each and everyone of these children?

As we were about to join our newly-formed groups for lunch, though they weren’t a part of my group, Alvin and Aljohn insisted to come to my group and join me for lunch. This told me how they were already comfortable with me just after 2 Sundays, which was, of course, a very great thing. So, throughout lunch, we just enjoyed our company, and made me doubt if they were truly capable of the actions they were possibly responsible for.

After lunch, we continued with the indoor group games until we left for the day. This time, maintaining the same theme as the previous, the game was similar to Pinoy Henyo, but this time, there was acting. The same reactions filled the atmosphere, but with slightly more enthusiasm with it.

As the games come to a close, it was that time of the SOP wherein we had to go and say goodbye to these children. Though it was a very subtle meeting, the impact was still there as always. I left the building still pondering on the incident, but it didn’t change my perception of them after all. I have the assurance that it was all His plan.

H2 SOP Saturday #2 – January 18, 2014

As the second Saturday of our SOP with Boys Town arrived, it was already in my initiative to prepare different activities with them, along with different food and biscuits to bring as a I’ve grown attached to them in only a few hours in the past week. I brought 3 badminton rackets with a shuttlecock as I noticed the children there loved the sport, as well as, some left over biscuits in my room that would be much more beneficial to my partners. And finally, I left my house excited for the day.

When we arrived in the campus and went down from our cars in front of the building, all of the children rushed to the window and excitedly cheered on our arrival as if we were some celebrity in their eyes. With no further ado, we went in the building with our gifts, and met our partners. As I went up the flight of stairs leading to their floor, my partners ran to me and gave me a hug despite their seemingly haggard exterior.

With this day being our second day together, of course, this session isn’t about icebreakers and getting-to-know each other activities anymore; it was more on deepening this formed relationship. For our first activity, I played Badminton with Aljohn and Alvin. Even if they sometimes failed to hit the shuttlecock back to me, I could tell they were having a fun time, which made me realize how important companionship is to these children, since it is all they have to cherish. With this in mind, I really tried to prioritize spending time with them, since a few hours goes by fast to these children, and even to me. I felt like they were seeing Jesus in me, playing with them, serving them, especially in these efforts, which I hope they genuinely do.

After playing Badmintion, it was amazing how their energy seemingly doesn’t run out. In my tired state, they asked me to come with them to walk around the campus as we did the first time. While we walked, my partners kept mentioning how they wanted to get out of this campus back into their homes to meet their parents again. Though, I want to know the full story behind it, I’m sure that they also aren’t aware of the situation. And as I thought about it, it was sad how these children take in more problems than I can as a 16-year old. In a normal day, I would get stressed on a couple of long homeworks, sad on a B mark, and depressed when some things don’t go right. However, my partner isn’t even given the chance to meet his own parents, and has a feeling of being stuck in this campus. I was happy, though, that he was comfortable to talk about these sensitive things even in his childhood with me. It’s a good feeling to know you’re being trusted, and that these children see hope in you. Wow, how lucky, how lucky am I.

As these emotional conversations come to a close, so did the whole 3 hours of the SOP pass. As we were heading back to the building before us, Xaverians, leave till next session, they kept thanking me for my efforts, and kept asking me if I’ll come back. Of course, I will, not because of it as a requirement, because it is something I am willing to do. I thank the Lord for this second day of SOP.

H2 SOP Saturday #1 – January 11, 2014

It’s not everyday that a typical student would visit an institute for young abandoned children, I thought to myself as we were on our way to Manila Boystown, Boy’s Home, a home for young children without parents to take care of them. As any person would, I felt anxious and nervous for what this day has in store as it was far from being a normal day. I envisioned the unfortunate young innocent kids who just want to get somewhere in life, but need deep assistance. As I though of this, I vowed to use these 4 Saturdays to lift the spirits of these young boys.

As we entered the perimeter of the institution, we stopped by an old building where these children live, and where the interaction will be. As we were about to go up a flight of stairs that leads to the children whom we were going to have the interaction with, we were warned that the children may be outrageous and unstable at times, and were known to have history of unpleasant acts such as breaking property and even escaping the institute. With this being processed in our heads, my group initially refused to go up the stairs, and were actually terrified of children much younger than we are. In all honesty, with this warning alone, I still feel sorry for judging, but my immediate perception of this place was that of a juvenile. 

As we finally went up the stairs to the second floor, we saw a group of very young children who were waiting for our arrival. Most of them were normal, enthusiastic, and “malikot” children, but there were some special children, as well. We were randomly assigned to 2 of these children. A few moments later, I was assigned to 2 children, and as they were approaching me shyly, as cliché it may sound, I just felt grateful for the blessings and graces I received. 

After the assignment, we sat down and gave each of our introductions, and I discovered that their names were Alvin and Aljon. We immediately enjoyed our companies, and they immediately began to be open to me as I asked them how they feel to be in their current situation. They shared to me on how they would wake up, eat together, watch simple TV as a group, do some chores, and the likes. This really deepened my realisation on how fortunate I am with all the blessings I receive, which these kids do not, such as my humble abode, more than sufficient food and clothing, a loving family, and the essential education of a child. This made me wonder why God worked like this specifically, or the reason why God allowed inequality between children in society even if they weren’t directly responsible for their misfortune, and weren’t even given the choice. The poor also deserve the blessings we, Xaverians, receive in our fortunate lives.

As the morning went on, we continued to bond through eating lunch together, exploring the majority of the campus while in an adventure. This is where their adventurous sense came in, which laughingly terrified me. We explored a secret passage to this old gymnasium of which they looked for bugs they loved to keep. This really excited me to be with these children, but I kept thinking that these children deserve more. These kids aren’t getting enough means to fulfill their rights as children. 

As the time came when we have to leave, I said my goodbyes to them. I vowed to myself that in the next 3 encounters with them, I will do my part in giving them the means to fulfill these rights that I was so fortunate to have done so. I seek to give them the joy they deserve.

H1 4thQ Computer Assessments

1. Design Cycle Assessment:

For the Design Cycle Assessment, I chose to make a Wix Blog. This blog contains information, my previous scripts, videos, etc.

Please view it here: http://tjcsimeon16.wix.com/a-students-cycle

 

2. E-Magazine Assessment:

In behalf of my partner for this assessment, Edrick, here is our work for the E-Magazine.

Below is the link to view our E-Magazine in .pdf format.

Freshman E-Magazine

Entry #10 – Ang mga importanteng tao sa buhay ko

Siyempre, marami ang mga taong mahalaga sa akin. Lagi sila nandito kapag ako’y nangangailangan para ako ay magabay sa aking buhay.  Hinding-hindi nila akong iniwan sa tabi ko kahit sa anong oras.

Isa sa mga importanteng tao sa buhay ko ay ang aking nanay.  Sino ba naman ang hindi masasabi na importante ang kanyang nanay sa kanya. Kapag ako ay may problema sa buhay kahit sa aking murang edad, nandito pa rin siya kahit siya pa ay may sarili niyang problema. Kaming magkakapatid ang kanyang inuuna; una sa kanyang mga inaasikaso. Siyempre, siya ang nagpapakain sa amin, siya ang nagtatrabaho para lang kami’y mabuhay. Wala ako ngayon ‘pag siya rin ay nawala.

Siyempre kagaya ng nanay ko, importante rin sa akin ang tatay ko. Kahit na bihira ko lang siyang makita ngayon, hindi niya iyon ginagawang dahilan para hindi kami magkasama. Kapag wala akong makausap, isang tawag lang at nandito na siya. Hindi lang siya isang tatay, parang kaibigan ko na rin siya ‘pag mayroon akong problema. Para lang makita niya kaming magkakapatid, iniiwan niya ang kanyang trabaho para ipasyal niya kami sa iba’t ibang lugar. Siya rin ay nagtatrabaho para lang kami ay makakain at makapag-aral.

Hindi lang ang mga magulang ko ang importante sa akin, importante rin sa akin ang mga kapatid ko na lagi kong kasama araw-araw. Sila ang aking kasama kapag wala ang aking mga magulang. Kapatid, kaibigan, magulang, kahit ano pa, sila na lahat iyon para sa akin. Ito’y dahil hindi lang sila tumutulong sa akin kahit sa anong paraan man, kalaro ko na rin sila. Sila ang aking naging kasama ko saanman at kahit kailan. Talagang hindi kami mag-iiwanan.

Ang mga malapit na kaibigan ko’y sobrang importante sa akin. Sila ang naging kasama ko sa eskwalahan. Sila ang naging kausap ko’t kalaro kahit nasa loob o nasa labas man ng eskwelahan. Nandito sila ‘pag may problema’t nandoon din ako ‘pag sila naman ang may sirili nilang problema. Hinding-hindi nila ako iniwan.

Hindi ako magiging ako ngayon kung hindi sa mga tao nito sa buhay ko. Sila’y sobrang importante sa buhay ko na ‘pag wala na sila sa buhay ko, parang wala na rin ako sa mundong ito.

Entry #9 – Paano gumawa ng isang Stink Bomb (Mabahong bomba)

Madali lang ang paggawa ng isang Stink Bomb o sa ingles, mabahong bomba. Kahit sinuman ay makakagawa ng isang bombang ganito. Sandali lang ang paggawa nito’t mura lang ang mga kakailanganin. Masaya pa itong gawin!

Sa paggawa ng isang bombang ganito, kakailanganin mo ng isang lalagyan na hindi mo na kailangan gamitin muli. Dahil ang bomba ay gagawin sa loob ng lalagyan, hindi na ito maaaring magamit ulit. Siyempre, kailangan mo rin ng isang piraso ng itlog. Ito ang magiging pampabaho sa bomba sa pagtapon at pagsabog.  Kakailanganin mo rin ng suka bilang isang pagpadagdag pa sa baho ng bomba. Murang-mura lang talaga ang mga kailangan sa paggawa nito!

Hindi lang mura ang mga materyal, madali rin ang paggawa ng bombang ito! Kunin ang lalagyan para sa lagayan ng bomba. Muli, hindi ito puwedeng magamit muli kaya kumuha ng isang lalagyan na hindi mahalaga sa inyo. Maaari itong maging lata, o lalagyan ng gatas, bote, o kahit ano. Pagkatpos makahanap ng isang lalagyan, ilagay na ang itlog sa loob ng lalagyan. Hindi problema ang pagsira ng itlog sa paglagay nito sa loob ng lalagyan. Pareho lang naman ang magiging resulta ng bomba kung sira man o hindi, pero maiiba lamang ang dami ng suka na kailangan ilagay. Lagyan ng suka ang lalagyan na may itlog hanggang lumubog ang buong itlog kapag ito’y hindi nasira. ‘Pag nasira naman ang itlog, lagyan ng suka hanggang mapuno ang kalahati o sangkapat ng lalagyan. Hintayin na bumaho ang laman ng niloloob ng lalagyan. Siyempre, magiging mas mabaho ang bomba kapag matagal itong hinayaan. Isang linggo, isang buwan, depende sa ‘yo kung gaano mo gusto kabaho ang bomba. O, ‘yan! Nakagawa ka ng isang mabahong bomba!

Kahit na simple lang ang paggawa nito, siguradong magiging epektibo ang bombang ito. Puwede kang gumawa ng maraming bomba dahil sa mura at kadalian ng paggawa nito. Puwede itong maggamit sa maraming okasyon kagaya ng Halloween! O, ano pa ba ang hinihintay niyo, itapon niyo na ‘yan sa kaaway ninyo!

 

Ang impormasyon na ito ay galing sa: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Assortment-of-Stink-Bombs

Entry #8 – American Adobo ni Travis Kraft

Welcome sa kusina ko. Ngayon magluluto tayo ng Adobong Manok.

Kailangan natin ng apat na piraso ng manok, bawang at sibuyas, dahon ng Laurel, mantika, suka at toyo, at paminta.

Una, Painitin ang kawali. Tapos, hiwain nang maliliit ang bawang. Ngayon, hiwain nang maliliit ang sibuyas. Lagyang ng kaunting manitka. Ilagay ang bawang hanggang maging golden brown. Ihalo ang sibuyas. Tapos, Ilagay ang manok. Sangkutsyahin. Ilagay ang dahon ng Laurel. Ilagay ang suka at toyo. Haluin at takpan. Hayaan kumulo ng 10-15 minutes hanggang maabsorb ng manok ang sangkap. Patayin ang kalan. Lagyan ng kaunting paminta. Ayan! Handa na ang Adobong Manok. Kaninin na! Ang sarap sarap!

Panoorin ang video dito: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_UxyQ7cb3I

Entry #7 – Tula

Malayang Taludturan – Ang kanyang kayamanan

–

Kabayanihan, kabayanihan nasaan ka na

Parang nawala na ang lahat ng mga makabayan

Para ring namatay na ang kabayanihan

Sana’t bumalik at bumalik ka na sa amin

–

Makabayan ang isang tao

Kung mahal niya ang kanyang bansa

Sa kanyang bansa siya’y ipinanganak

Doon din siya’y tuluyang lumaki

–

Ipinagmamalaki at minamahal

Ang kanyang mga tradisyon at wika

Wala siyang tinatago at kinahihiyaan

Sapagkat ito ang kanyang sariling kayamanan

–

Ganito ang mga taong makabayan

Hindi madali and magiging isang taong ganito

Kailangan lang ng sipag at tiyaga

Para maging tunay na makabayan

–

 Tradisyunal na tula – “Po” at “opo”

–

Parang isang langgam nalang sa dami ang mga

May magagandang asal dito sa mundong ito

Dumating ka na papunta sa amin, sige na

Maraming mga taong kailangan ng tulong mo

–

Talagang importante ang  magagandang asal

Sinuman, matanda man o  isang mag-aaral

Bata, binatilyo man, pati si papa’t mama

Ay dapat parating mayroong ugaling tama

–

Ang batang may magagandang asal ay magalang

Dapat mag-iingat lagi sa mga salita

Magsabi  ng “po” at “opo” kay mama at papa

At kahit magmano-mano sa magulang lamang

–

Kahit hindi madali gawin ang mga ito

Alalahanin na hinding-hindi ka susuko

Kailangan matuto ang lahat ng mga tao

Para matahimik tayo at ang anting mundo