in10s GROUP PROJECT

Research Objective

            The group aims to investigate the waste management and segregation policy of different units of the University.  Furthermore, the group intends to execute comprehensive investigation on the waste management and segregation policy to grasp comparative analysis on the content and procedure of management and policy of different University units.  Lastly, the group seeks to provide awareness to the people in UP about the current waste management scheme through publishing adequate information on the facts about the issue.

Significance of the Study

            The malfunction of waste management and segregation policy commences the upheaval of campus disturbance that might establish direct correlation to affect students’ health, campus units’ reputation, and also the University as a whole.  As a University that upholds honor and excellence, the importance of proper management and policy execution on waste and segregation has to be observed by both students and the administration.

            In line with this, the major contribution of this particular research study is (1) the assessment of the feasibility of both students and administration on waste management and segregation policy, and (2) the publication of current and factual situation on the waste management scheme of different U.P.D. units.

Overall Research Design and Methodology

            In order to measure the indicators of assessing the variables of the research study, the group highlighted two major research methods, the case study, and expert interview.

            On case study, observation and investigation of group members on different units of the University had been performed.  Three major indicators were measured: one is the inflow of waste and segregation schemes, second is the observance and compliance, and third is the outflow of wastes and waste management.  The units of observation covered fifteen areas, which were selected based on the crowding and frequency of people.

            On expert interview, interviewees include Instructor Ma. Brida Lea Diola of ICE, and Ms. Rosie D. Dones of the UPD Task Force Solid Management.

Research Findings

            After investigation and observation, the group found out that the management and policy of waste and segregation of the corresponding University units in the campus trailed different schemes and feasibility on managing and regulating waste and segregation processes. 

            On the following units, there are no segregation: (1) Vanguard, (2) National Center for Transportation Studies, (3) Virata School of Business, (4) Main Library, and (5) Faculty Center (Bulwagang Rizal).  On the other hand, on the following units, there are schemes of biodegradable, recyclables, and residuals: (6) College of Science Library, (7)Institute of Biology, (8) College of Home Economics (9)Palma Hall (AS Building) and (10) National Institute of Physics.  Furthermore, categories of non-biodegradable were specified which enclosed as “plastic, bottle, cans” and also biodegradable: (11) Palma Hall Annex, and (12) College of Education.  Meanwhile, (13) Palma Hall, (14) Kalayaan Residence Hall and (15) Institute of Chemistry have biodegradable and non-biodegradable schemes.  Lastly, (16) College of Engineering Library II has the scheme of wet wastes and dry wastes and (17) College of Home Economics has the eco-bin; both are special segregation scheme.

            According to Instructor Diola of ICE, there is already an on going waste management and segregation research program namely “Solid and Hazardous Waste Management of UPD.”  The objective of this program is to come up with a uniform waste segregation management all over the UPD campus. The said program will be finalized by September this year.

            On survey responses of the said program, mostly agreed that they were aware of the waste segregation scheme.  On the other hand, respondents diverged to agree upon the adequacy of the scheme.  For instance, dormers mostly agreed the adequacy of schemes.  Lastly, they mostly denied on their participation on the schemes in different units of the campus.

            In terms of volume, the most collected wastes were paper (non-biodegradable) in academic buildings, and paper and food (biodegradable) in dorms.

            The program is expected to end on the 14^th of September 2014.

            On an interview with Ms. Rosie D. Dones of Task Force Solid Management UPD, the MRF Material Recovery Facility is by the virtue of RA 9003.  The kinds of waste covered are (1) solid waste which is hazardous, (2) biodegradable, specifically yard waste, falling leaves, coconut, and whatnot, and (3) non-biodegradable which is mostly plastic.

On the treatment of the biodegradable and its process, the facility has shredding machine as an equipment to easily gather all biodegradable wastes.  These processed wastes will be added amount of enzymes to be easily decomposed.  These will become fertilizers.  The excess will be sold for 25 pesos for 2 kg.  But still problems emerged as there is no equipment to process coconut wastes to make it more refined to easily decompose. 

On the plastics and other non-biodegradable wastes, the proposed is that these wastes should be collected in by the DPWMD in order to become materials for creating bricks but the problem is that there is no machinery for processing.  It is indeed an administrative problem.  Though collections are in regular basis, lack of machinery remains the basic and major problem of the facility.

The facility also conducts educational discussions on segregation and waste management.

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SOURCES/ REFERENCES:

Diola, M.B.L. (2014). Interviewed by Meryl Mae Tan, STS THY, 14 March.

Dones, R. (2014). Interviewed by Meryl Mae Tan & Anna Veronica Cortes, STS THY, 17 March.

Environmental Management Bureau- DENR. (2014). Managing our Solid Waste: An Overview of the              Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, brochure, The Environmental Education and
       Information Division, Environmental Management Bureau- DENR.

PHOTO CREDITS:

Image of Oblation from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI4W2p904fKVJXM0peSrUYLwDWTQ6A8GPXo2y00hGAMvJ-pRKBeI51eVF3NBPCp58jJqkRwQ1Fh0ndYUZMr5u4Owt1yOt0FgxcHUZr15Kn_vJkzUMDqI47UrTYLLeJjD8OgPjbYVO/s1600/UP+Diliman+Quezon+City+%25281%2529.jpg

Image of UPD Map from: http://unibersidadngpilipinas.tumblr.com/post/452295072/markeee-up-diliman-map-kalayaan-residence

APPLICATION USED FOR INFOGRAPHIC: piktochart.com/

                  

Frankly

2013-14820
Reaction Paper (The Bride of Frankenstein)

          The film and novel show how high the regard for science was that morality was out of the question. They stressed this enough with the creation of a monstrosity that would have caused so much deaths in their community. Another thing is the way they defied the laws of nature and the respect for human life by trying to create life from a corpse. In a way this is somewhat the main dilemma science is facing; is it better to undermine morality for the advancement of science? The film and novel show how the lowest of scientists, in terms of morality, can actually create some thing that is a scientific breakthrough at the same time cause a downfall in humanity. In our day and age morality is still of top priority, the film and novel just depicts the possible outcomes if it were the other way around to provide us with insights and entertainment.

          The idea of making the monster dumb in the film was to show the incompleteness of the experiment. That life cannot be perfectly recreated by man. This also shows the feral nature of creatures suggesting that Frankenstein's monster is not completely a human being, but a humanoid creature made from reanimated flesh. It also emphasizes the hysterical nature of the movie and gives it color. This tactic actually worked as we actually find the film comedic and with regards with the depiction of an incomplete human being we could easily see that the Frankenstein's monster is far from being human.

Hit all the High Notes

2013-14820

Reaction Paper (Science of Music)

          No one would have ever expected that music can come hand-in-hand with science. Although it is naturally wired in us that art and science are co-existing in our brains, the right hemisphere being the creative half and the left hemisphere being the logical one, people always see contrasts of things as opposing instead of being complimentary with one another. Through years, music and science evolved and flourished together. Still people did not see the connection that the two aspects can make. 

          It was not until the rise of two musicians William Herschel and Gustav Holt that science was expressed through music. The mostly used concept and inspiration for their works were the heavenly bodies. The vastness and endless beauty of the unknown universe provided the perfect subject for their expression of science in music. They paved the way for other scientists to express their love for their work through music as well. Nowadays, science has shown up in all of the different genres of music we know.

         Science in art in our generation now has taken big steps and has been incorporated in different kinds of media. From television series to video games to paintings, science now can be seen almost everywhere. Nonetheless, the example Herschel and Holt displayed was the perfect show of the harmonious union of the two contrasts.

The Dawn of Dusk

2013-14820
Reaction Paper (Isaac Asimov's Nightfall)

          Science fiction has always been one of the broadest genres of novels. To me, it is a genre that spouts limitless creativity as well as plausible ideas and concepts in science and technology. It gives readers an possible future that we may or may not really undergo in our lifetime. The thing about sci-fi that attracts so much attention is how they, more often than not, use a constant that is human nature. The only thing they alter are the laws of science surrounding man-kind. Such is the case for the radio play adaptation of Isaac Asimov's Nightfall

          The story focuses on the onset of an eclipse, one that rarely happens in a world of continuous illumination (every 2000 years or so), that the scientists predict the chaos that would ensue once it actually happens. This explains why the scientists made a conclusion that civilization collapses every 2000 years, because of the eclipse that induces mania, insanity, and a fear of the unknown in the masses. At the end of the story it implies that what the scientists fear for has come upon fruition, darkness falls down upon the planet and the people burning society down literally in a fear induced riot.

          The story displays all the aspects of human nature that we ourselves would display when we are put into their situation. This together with the sci-fi aspect of a planet with six suns and the occurrence of an eclipse, something unknown to them at that time, that causes the chaos of society makes for an excellent sci-fi story. It pulls us in as we can relate to what is happening due to the emotions and reactions the people in the story display as well as the creative and completely new point of view of a new world with new laws of physics and technology promises.

24/7

2013-14820
Reaction Paper (All the Time in the World)

          The episode shows the ambivalence of having all the time and wants you have in a solitary world. During the start of the episode we can see the protagonist not having enough time for himself, rather he get's interrupted every time he tries to make time for his books. Much like how us scholars fantasize of having enough time to do everything, this episode gives us a view on what it would look like if someone had all the time in the world.

          Yes, the idea might sound like it's the best thing that could happen to someone, especially in this day and age of having a very busy and stressful lifestyle, but it does carry certain consequences that most people cannot face. The episode shows that the protagonist is the only person left in a world of desolation but in this world he had everything he ever wanted, all the books that he always wanted to read. In this situation the protagonist first displays a positive attitude that screams "Hey, I can finally have all the time in the world to do what I want" but not soon after he changes his mind. Upon breaking his glasses and knowing that help is nowhere to be found, the helpless protagonist lays down in desperation to accept his inevitable faith without the comfort of neither time nor pleasure.

          It makes us think on how we should assess our current situation with the extremes that we look for in our lives. It teaches us to not take everything for granted and just deal with our problems with whatever little time we have left. It is actually impossible for a normal human being to be able to survive psychologically the state of isolation. According to Aristotle "Man by nature is a social animal" meaning that social contact with others is just as important to us humans as having food or shelter. Again, I stress how the ambivalence of the episode showing the two extremes that a human can undergo will always end up in a paradox in which one will just be stuck in the middle without any idea as to what to do.

Eureka! Scientopia!

2013-04986

Reaction Paper

Isaac Asimov's Nightfall

If someone becomes deeply immersed in reading written works of fantasy and adventure and also fond of the future and advancement of technology, most probably he/she would also like going to the library to check out fictional novels and short stories about science. Lying around next to books, tracing each words and visualizing it in the head may make someone a geek. But with these whole different societies with each unique character playing different roles, it helps us escape, even for just a moment, reality and look forward to a world we technically own.

One of these works is the Nightfall by Isaac Asimov. In this story, Lagash, a planet on a different stellar system becomes exposed to something they never been confronted, darkness bringing forth chaos and destruction through fire. This popular work of fiction does not only tell a story of a civilization instead it also opens questions and applying the possibilities of what Science can achieve through time. That science fiction is not just a book that is sold in stores but a statement that brings forth discussions.

Some people may not treat this seemingly impossible written work seriously but no one should forget that science fiction triggers the readers to think, "Is such thing really possible?" That may be through these works we can actually make a stubborn man pick up a science textbook to search for the truth. And through this fictional worlds of science, we can achieve Eureka.

When Rhythm meets Science

2013-72538

Music like any other aspects of entertainment, had gone through a lot of ages and changes. People even in earlier times enjoyed music so much enough for it to evolve and be passed from generation to generation. Maybe the style and genre are very different comapred to what we have nowadays but still, music is still music. Its influence into our lives is so great that even the vast world of science was also conquered. Yes, music conquered science.

Through the years, music not only affect people's lives and emotions but also science and technology. It started when Frederick William Herschel expressed his passion for science using music. Another remarkable person was Gustav Holt. Because of his love for astrology, he was able to create “The Planets”. These two were only few of the many people who incorporated music and science that led to the versatile music industry we have right now.

In the present times, music-and-science tandem is still evident. Probably the most appropriate example of this is the soundtrack of the series “The Big Bang Theory”. There evolution and other scientific concepts were incorporated as seen during the start of the show. This became very popular because of the series' very intellectual sense of humor.

Maybe if we look at it individually, science and music are two different aspects of life. But thanks to those people, they made a connection to these two that seems a bit impossible to think. We always think that science is purely academic, but with music, we can see that science is a world exploring for after all.

“Bride of Frankenstein” Reaction Paper

2013-72538

Whenever I hear the word “Frankenstein”, I always have that image of the creepy creature with a metal object attached to the head. But upon watching the movie “Bride of Frankenstein”, I obtained a different perspective of that all-time Halloween creature and the story behind its creation. And later on, it was not the creepy monster that I paid attention to. It was science. The science of before and its huge to difference to the science we have now.

“Bride of Frankenstein” is a horror film based on the novel of Mary Shelly “Frankenstein”. In the novel, “Frankenstein” was the scientist and not the monster itself. Somehow, the movie depicted the concept of science and its capabilities during that time. It showed how people especially scientists perceive science as something that can bring back life after death. Also technology present during that time can be also seen in the movie. Machineries used to create the “mate” of Frankenstein in the movie portrayed the advancement of technology during the 1930’s. Also, it was also shown in the movie what people of the past thought would be the source of electricity and how can it be obtained. 

These and other many evidences only show what science was before and how it was different compared to the science that we have right now.

Maybe science had gone a long way after all those years. But one thing is constant about science. It would continue to update itself and it would never stop innovating and discovering its capacities.

Imelda Marcos: The Woman Behind

2013-72538

Every Filipino knows her. She's not just the typical first lady the country had. She did things beyond the people's expectations. She was not just Mrs. Marcos. She was once the "Mother of the Philippines".

In the documentary "Imelda", Imelda's life story was revealed to the public. From her childhood years to shining puberty years up to the time where she became Former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos' wife, her experiences were told by the people who had been part of her life. These experiences and struggles she encountered in her life made her the woman we know today.

As a first lady, Imelda did a lot of projects that focused on cultural enrichment of the Philippines. One of these was the building of Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) that however became very controversial during its construction for many workers died and were buried there when the building collapsed. Also, cultural dances were highlighted and nationalistic attitude was encouraged. Healthcare was also an important factor for her. Concrete evidences of this advocacy were the establishment of Lung Center of the Philippines and the improvement of the reproductive health by especially in the barrios.

Despite the fact she indeed work for the country, Imelda is well-known for her extravagance and lavish lifestyle. She was once a fashion icon. During the reign of her husband, she owned a thousand pair of shoes, expensive wardrobe, and luxurious jewels. Items were believed purchased using the public’s money or from corruption. From this, the word “Imeldiffic” emerged that has a negative connotation associated to “vanity” and “lavishness”.

She seemed to be the woman that had it all and grabbed it all while her husband was in power. But no matter how negative her general image is, we can’t deny that she had done a lot for this country and proved to the masses that she can make a difference for the nation to progress.

An Imeldific Documentary

2013-14820
Reaction Paper (Imelda)

          This documentary caught my attention from the start of the video up till the end. Mainly due to the fact that this specific documentary proved some of my insights towards Imelda Marcos right as well as debunk the other insights I had. First let's discuss the summary or overview of the documentary. The documentary was about the life of Imelda Marcos a little bit before and after the reign of the Marcos regime.

          It was an excellent documentary as it wasn't bias to anyone. They took the views of people who loved and people who loathed the Marcos which to me was a sign that the documentary crew really did their research. From the endless pairs of shoes Imelda had to the beliefs and teachings Imelda was propagating, the documentary had it all. I guess the real link of the documentary to our field of science and technology is the workmanship and detail that media can give to change people's views and apprehensions towards people whom we thought we knew everything about. I must honestly say that I did not know that Imelda was almost assassinated, I did not know that Imelda was teaching nonsense to people, and I did not know that she was the one who instituted the Cultural Center of the Philippine and the Metro Manila Film Festival. They turned the documentary into somewhat a thorough biography that makes Imelda's life kind of transparent to the people and this I believe is what the science and technology in media is all about.

Celine Carmen D. Yabut                                                                                             March 9, 2014

2013-53216

Individual Project

Dr. Alfredo F. Galvez

            Dr. Alfredo F. Galvez is a Filipino scientist who is currently the Director of Research at the Missouri Plant Science center, Center Scientist (Collaborator) at UC Davis, and the Lead Scientific Advisor at Soy Labs LLC. He used to study at the University of the Philippines Los Baños for both a bachelor’s degree in Plant Physiology and Genetics and master’s degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of California, Davis for a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics and University of California, Berkeley for postdoctoral research in Nutrition, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

            Dr. Galvez had a lot of projects and some of them were the Chemopreventive property of lunasin soy peptide, effect of lunasin on PhIP-induced carcinogenesis, effect of lunasin on prostate cancer formation, determination of lunasin as the active component in soy protein responsible for lowering LDL cholesterol, bioavailability of lunasin-enriched soy extract and lunasin-enriched soy powder, development of formulated lunasin-enriched soy extract and soy preparations, and the development of bioactivity assay for lunasin soy peptide.

            He also received some honors and awards for his projects. These honors and awards he received are the University of the Philippines Research Fellowship from the year 1982 to 1987, Pioneer International Graduate Scholarship from the year 1987 to 1991, Jastro-Shields Graduate Scholarship on 1992, UNDP Awardee, Transfer of Knowledge through Expatriate Nationals on 1999, American Association for Cancer Research Minority Research Awardee on 2001, Philippine Development Foundation Awardee in Science on 2010, and Innovative Minds in Prostate Cancer Today (DOD) on 2011.

            Dr. Galvez was and is part of a lot of organizations. These organizations are the Philippine-American Association of Scientists and Engineers (PAASE), Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev), American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association for Cancer Research, American Heart Association, Prostate Cancer Research Group, UC Davis Cancer Center, Global Healthshare Initiative (GHSI), UC Davis, Center of Excellence for Nutritional Genomics, UC Davis, and Chemo-Dietary Prevention (CDP) Study Section, NIH/CSR.

            He invented and discovered a lot of things. These inventions and discoveries are the following: use of lunasin peptide as a transcriptional activator to prevent cancer and related methods for treatment, monitoring and prognosis, products and methods using soy peptides to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels in mammals, methods for using soy peptides to inhibit H3 acetylation, reduce expression of HMG CoA reductase and increase LDL receptor and SP1 expression in mammals, soybean Protein Nutraceuticals, and lunasin peptides.

            In my opinion, Dr. Alfredo Galvez is a good scientist. I think he makes me, as a Filipino, proud. He has helped a lot of people with his research and inventions. He has done, what I think, is really good for not only the country and the Filipinos but also the whole world. Dr. Galvez was and is doing our world a favor with his research and inventions. We are really lucky to have him here as a Filipino Scientist who can help with many important things like his recent work.

References:

“Alfredo Galvez” Linkedin. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/alfredo-galvez/3b/638/b31 Web. 8 March 2014.

Cecilio Gabriel F. Magsino

2013-14820

Individual Project

NeuroSky: When Mind Meets Machine

In 2004 at Silicon Valley, California, fiction was turned to fact when NeuroSky was founded.  Basically, NeuroSky creates Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technologies using concepts such as Electroencephalography (EEG) and Electromyography (EMG) which are methods of quantifying electrical activity along the scalp and along skeletal muscles respectively. The thing that separates NeuroSky from other biotechnology companies is how they integrated the use of EEGs and low-cost dry sensors, older EEG devices use gel for better conduction of electrons from the brain to the sensors thus is not dry, in their BCI technologies. (Eller, 2007)

Mainly being an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), NeuroSky releases it’s products not directly to consumers but rather through their partner developers, and researchers. In 2011 however they decided to produce the MindWave, an EEG sensing biosensor headset. The MindWave serves as an open source software/hardware product that is the perfect platform for development and innovation by the masses by giving them the flexibility and freedom to alter the software/hardware of the product to cater to their different ideas and projects.(Monica, 2008) At 80$ a headset, NeuroSky leads the market with cheap yet high-quality and flexible EEG headsets.(NeuroSky, 2014)

Now let’s talk about the science behind NeuroSky’s EEG Biosensors. Brainwaves, or more precisely the electrical discharges from when neurons in your brain interact with one another, can be measured using the method known as EEG. The variances in these neural interactions produce different brain states with corresponding different frequencies. There are two distinct brain states in general, Beta Waves at 12-30 Hz are associated with concentration while Alpha Waves at 8-12 Hz are associated with relaxation.(NeuroSky, 2014) An example of how this is utilized by the biosensor is that you could attach receptors on light switches, by tweaking the software a bit you could easily set the lights on or off by aiming your attention and concentrating on the light switch therefore sending signals to the receptors. There are also minute muscle contraction patterns associated with each brain state and NeuroSky uses EMG to detect these isolated patterns to complement the EEG readings. Although being very precise and accurate, using EEG has its own speed bumps. Environmental noise from electronic devices around the device can greatly affect the efficacy of the sensors. Which is why NeuroSky developed complex algorithms that circumvents the noise without the use of a conductive solution by integrating dry electrodes that are able to measure EEG waves millimeters away from the scalp , therefore developing the only dry and non contact EEG sensors known to man.(NeuroSky, 2014)

Showing a lot of promise and potential, there were already a lot of applications that the Biosensors were applied to. Though mostly used for commercial purposes such as researches, video games, and other media, most of the consumers use it in more and more creative ways. NeuroSky has provided mankind with technology that would bring us closer to achieving ideas of fiction such as telekinesis, mind control, and The Force. All we have to do is wait and see how far it could take us.

References:

Eller, Evan,  2007. GDC 2010: Hands-Off With NeuroSky\'s Brain-Computer Interface Tech. vgchartz.com. http://www.vgchartz.com/article/7479/gdc-2010-hands-off-with-neuroskys-brain-computer-interface-tech/. March 9, 2014.

Monica, Sierra,  2008. NeuroSky to Present Project Millenia. techpin.com.  http://www.techpin.com/neurosky-to-present-project-millennia/. March 9, 2014.

NeuroSky Inc.,  2014. Brainwaves. Not thoughts. neurosky.com. http://neurosky.com/products-markets/eeg-biosensors/algorithms/. March 9, 2014.

F-U-N Science

2013-04986
Reaction Paper
Science and Music

When we plug in our earphones, rarely can we hear a song playing about evolution, the fossils, underwater ecosystem or the big bang theory from our iPods, mp4 or other gadgets that can have audio as an output. But only a very few knows that there exists music about this science phenomenas, theories, and concepts.

Maybe the fascination to music of guys in science can be said to be popularized by Frederick William Herschel who was both an astronomer and a musical composer. He has written hundreds of musical composition of symphonies, sonatas, concertos and other pieces.

Later on, scientists began to describe scientific objects like fossils, corals, fishes, water and many more things that are associated with science, through mimicking the sound they imagine it creates. So the next time we sit down on our relaxation chair, this music may be a good choice. especially when you're fond of the matter around us.

Probably the latest development in the mixture of science and music are the science songs. This songs do not just mimic the sound with instruments instead it also have lyrics that teaches science. In this way, science becomes remarkable and not just a physical concept but also an emotional one.

With this, science may be presented in a way that we don't expect it to be. That science is truly fun and it depends on us on how we treat and showcase the knowledge we acquire from science by applying it to every medium we could think of.

Reaction Paper on Imelda Marcos
2013-53216

The documentary is about the former first lady Imelda Marcos. It includes her personal life, life as a first lady, political relations and more. The documentary also shows the side of Imelda Marcos that very few knew about.

It was implied in the documentary that Imelda was an extravagant person. She had a lot of material things which includes her collection of over 1000 pairs of shoes. She was pretty and proud of it and everybody knew it. Some people didn't like how proud she was but her beauty is something she should be proud of.

During her time as first lady she didn't lay low and she showed that she cared about the political side of her life and her country. She had a lot of different projects and programs for the people in need in the country. She cared and it was good of her to.

Imelda Marcos is a good person and although a lot of people think she was bad for this country I think she has shown enough for the people to see that she is truly a good person.

Reaction Paper: Documentary about Imelda Marcos

Imelda Marcos: The Iron Butterfly of the Philippines

The former First Lady, Imelda Marcos, featured interestingly in a high profile documentary that had given wide information from her early life to her being the first lady. She is a woman of charm, grand and beauty.

The documentary revealed the extravagant life Imelda is living while the country is experiencing the opposite, poverty. She has her own dressmaker who made her several beautiful creations. Also, she owns more than 1000 pair of shoes. In fact, there is a museum in Marikina that filled with her shoes alone.

The Iron Butterfly of the Philippines has an unbelievable charm. Irving Berlin, a songwriter wrote “Heaven Help Philippines” for Imelda. Because of her charm, she was able to open doors for the Philippines in international negotiations.

In the film, it was also pointed that Imelda Marcos considers herself great and a brilliant lady that’s why she is clueless on why some people accused her of crimes.

The documentary really showed who Imelda Marcos is. She is really a unique and a complex woman.

2013-49566/Eva Piquerro Cuizon

Beauty Can Take You Far

Danielle Elisha F. Ching

2013-68141

[Reaction Paper on Imelda]

Aside from being part of the politically-influential Romualdez family, Imelda rose to fame because of her stunning BEAUTY. She knows she’s pretty, and she used that to her advantage. Others may find her vain and self-absorbed, but for me, there’s nothing wrong with that. People have different assets and it just so happens that Imelda’s is her beauty.

Imelda even got more influential when she became Ferdinand Marcos’ wife, and eventually, the First Lady. People may have expected her to lay-low and be simpler in terms of aesthetics since she entered politics, but I’m glad she didn’t. She stayed true to herself; therefore, there exists an Imelda Marcos we now know today. Being true to oneself may be one of the things people in politics could learn from Imelda. Since a lot of politicians camouflage and program themselves to assume the image of a political figure, the people only get to witness a monotonous government with “factory-manufactured” leaders. In the case of Imelda, instead of trying to fix her image to adhere to the political standards, she focused on what she can offer the country. She was able to successfully accomplish a lot of programs and projects like the construction of the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) and institution of the MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival), which were great factors in unifying the nation’s diverse cultural identity. These institutions may be simple, but Imelda placed her efforts in making these as grand and as possible. She also shared herself to the country by simply being an icon of beauty, sophistication, and fashion. For Meldy, beauty is not a luxury; it is a way of life. Her life story proved that Filipinos should not be afraid of beauty, and instead embrace it.

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THE SLAVE OF MNEMOS

Danielle Elisha F. Ching

2013-68141

[Individual Project- Science Fiction About Memories Transmitted Down To Human Generations]

What if memories can be transmitted down to generations through human genome? What could the future human society be like?

It’s already mid-day, and Regan barely had rest since last night. She is still cleaning the machines in the distillery. Well, her everyday life had already been like this ever since she was two; Regan is now 15 years old, and she’s still a state slave. She has yet to gain her ancestral memory. In case she never acquires it before her 16^th birthday, her whole life will forever be spent in that distillery as a help slave.

In the nation of Mnemos, a person’s ancestral memory is the sole decisive factor of a person’s life. Ever since the government researchers found out about the ability of human genome to carry memories down to generations, the feudalistic government used “ancestral memory” to categorize its citizens in the social ladder. This is because the government believes that a Mnemonian’s skill is affected by ancestral genes, and the familial memory is the key to trace back a person’s history.  When Regan was still a baby, she was deposited in the government’s baby bank, where she was subjected to the memory scanner machine. Her initial record held no signs of any ancestral memory; therefore, she was placed under the slave category like all other babies who didn’t have initial familial memory. Regan’s only hope to change her destiny would be the annual Memory Test for under-aged Mnemonians.

However, there’s only one year left before Regan comes of legal age, and she’s slowly becoming pissed off and impatient. She often argues with her friends:

“Regan, you should be careful towards befriending our steward, Haxen. He might have other intentions towards you.”

“Lavilia, don’t worry. You know why I’ve been befriending him, right? The Memory Test is coming up in a few days and I can’t risk my chances anymore. I want to get out of this stupid life.”

“Oh, so you’re calling us stupid now? And what do you call yourself, master?”

“Baymond, that’s not what I meant okay? You know what, just let me be.  I don’t interfere with your personal matters, so don’t interfere with mine. Did I ever criticize you for stealing extra food during dinner? And Lavinia, you, you were always talking about how handsome Geron is, yet I never complained about it.”

“Yes, we know that. But we’re only concerned about what Haxen may do to you. And how could you be so sure that he can help you out? He’s only a steward.”

“Lavinia’s right, Regan. We’ve heard stories about him doing inhumane stuff to other slaves.”

“He’s not like that, I know him. He’s the only person who could help me register twice for this year’s Memory Test. Then, I’ll have double chances.”

“But Regan, having double chances won’t change anything. You can’t just force your ancestral memories to come out. Having your head placed in the same memory scanner twice will only produce the same result. ”

“Oh please, can’t you just be happy for me? Just because the two of you are already past 16 and are still slaves, doesn’t mean I don’t stand a chance. I won’t be like you, okay? I won’t be a slave forever! I’m sure my ancestors were more than just slaves.”

“Okay, that’s it. Lavinia, come on. Regan says she doesn’t want to be friends with slaves anymore. She doesn’t need us. She needs her dear friend, Haxen.”

Regan never wanted to fight with her friends. The pressure’s just too much, and she’s willing to try out anything just so she could achieve her lifelong dream—to be with Julirio. Julirio’s the heir to being the lord of the lords in Mnemos. He’s the most eligible bachelor of the land, but only those belonging to the first class could be his bride. Regan never wanted to love someone as unreachable as Julirio, but she couldn’t help it. When Julirio once visited their distillery for an inspection, Regan’s heart fell for the young lad. Aside from being gorgeously handsome, he’s also gentle and kind towards all Mnemonians of any class. And until this day, Regan never gave up on her hopes of being one of the elite so she could be someone of worth for Julirio.

“If this Memory Test is my last hope, then I’m willing to give up anything just to succeed.”

After three days, that day came. Regan is ready, and she’s positive she’ll gain her ancestral memories. Besides, if she fails this Memory Test, she’ll have another chance since she was able to register twice with Haxen’s help.

“Ms. Regan of Rowlitch’s Distillery, 15”

She is called out and she bravely goes up to the testing room. As she is walking up the stairs, she trips and is about to fall, when… someone catches her from behind. She looks up and saw Haxen winking at her. She immediately gets up.

“Thank you, steward Haxen.”

“Good luck Regan.”

Regan enters the room, and a lady grabs her wrist. The lady brings her to a metallic chair, with a metallic headpiece attached to the transmitter, which is then connected to the scanner. Then there’s the wide screen which interprets the memory being scanned in video form. Regan’s already been here in this room for 15 years of her life, but every time she sits on that chair, she feels different. And this time is not an exception.

“You know the drill, Ms. Regan.”

“Yes, Master.”

Regan gulps as she puts on the headpiece. This is it. Then, she closes her eyes and hopes for the best. For the first few minutes, nothing came up. Then, after 30 minutes, a vision pops up. But this vision, is not an ancestral memory but a mere fraction of her childhood. Several minutes passed, and the hour was up. Regan’s never been devastated her whole life.

“Ms. Regan, I’m sorry but you seem not to have any ancestral memory. This year marks your last year before you turn 16, so starting next year, you can’t come here anymore.”

“Okay, Master.”

Regan doesn’t want anyone to know about what happened to her, especially her friends and co-slaves. So, she smiles as she goes out of the room. When everyone asks her about what happened, she does not answer. Even her friends whom she had a fight with just a few days earlier were concerned about what occurred to her, but Regan shuts her mouth tight. Instead, she goes straight to Haxen.

“You will keep your promise right? You registered me twice? Please, you’re my only hope.”

“Of course. The next run of Memory Test would be two days after. By then, meet me at the distillery’s storehouse, room number 2, same time.”

“Okay, thanks so much Haxen.”

Knowing she has a second chance, Regan regains all her lost hope. For the few nights of waiting, she’s restless. After two days, she goes to the testing site first before she goes to the store house. She just wants to feel the new hope surrounding her, keeping in mind that a few hours later, she’ll be in that room again. As she is being crammed in by the crowd of excited testers, she overhears two girls talking and chuckling:

“Oh my gosh! Lord Julirio is coming today!”

“Really? He’s going to our distillery? I’m so excited to see his goddess face and stature!”

 It’s as if this day is Regan’s day. She feels happy and excited, yet she’s also scared of what might happen, especially of rejection and failure. Her heart just starts beating fast. But since the meet-up time she and Haxen talked about is not far from a few minutes, she rushes to the storehouse.

“Haxeeeeeen! Haxen! I’m here, Regan is here.”

No answer. So, she sat first on one of the barrels, thinking about Lord Julirio. Several minutes passed, and Haxen’s still nowhere to be seen around. So Regan decides to take a nap. Suddenly, the large metallic entrance door to the distillery’s storehouse closes. Regan opens her eyes, and sees a large masculine figure coming towards her, as if it’s going to devour her. It’s Haxen. He abruptly holds on to Regan’s wrists, and pins them down to the floor. Then, he lies on top of her. Regan is struggling, but she can’t do anything. Haxen’s too strong for her. Haxen started kissing her neck, and then her chin. She is so disgusted and terrified.

“Help! Heeeeeelp! Help!”

Regan is literally crying, but since the store house is sound proof, no one can hear her. She suddenly feels weak and hopeless. She’s alone and afraid. Suddenly, flashes of light pops through her vision. Then, it becomes fractions of memories in her mind. She is seeing a lot of segmented memories in her vision:

A guy being shot by a hundred soldiers, A woman holding out a baby girl, A friend betraying his friend, Someone calling out the president, People cheering for the first family, A whole nation set out in a political war…

The distillery’s storehouse door opens, four guards come in, and take Haxen off of Regan. Then behind the guards comes in another figure, which is Lord Julirio. There is fighting between Haxen and the guards. Several people rush in the storehouse. It’s a commotion. Lord Julirio goes directly to the poor slave girl on the floor.

“Are you okay, miss?”

But Regan could not answer. Even though her lifelong love is in front of her, she doesn’t react to anything. Everything’s blurry to her vision. She just stares blankly into nowhere. However, the visions just keep coming in through her mind. They are all she can see and care about at the moment.

Then, Regan shuts her eyes as if she’s reorganizing her thoughts, as if she’s about to come up with the greatest idea in centuries. She closes her eyes for a few moments. And when she re-opens her eyes, her two blue eyes scream enlightenment…

#

REFERENCE:

(The main concept in the fiction story is INSPIRED by the new scientific discovery written in the journal article cited below)

Dias, Brian & Ressler, Kerry. 2013. Parental olfactory experience influences behavior and neural structure in subsequent generations. Nature.com. Nature Neuroscience. 17, 89-96. http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v17/n1/full/nn.3594.html. March 5, 2014.

Science for the Sake of Beauty

             
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Reaction Paper
Imelda

                Everything has been tainted by the handiwork of politics. Even the simplest decisions of our lives are affected by the set authority of the people around us and science is not an exception.

               Left and right, public and private institutions commission science fairs, researches, patents and infrastructures. In this respect, Imelda may be labeled the most infamous for having built lots of medical research institutions in the country. Although the good of advancing our medical technology, this buildings for science is just seen by many as a product of the Marcos' edifice complex. It is a popular opinion that all of it are just facade to cover their negligence and to silence their opposition. But nobody can change the fact that without the Kidney Institute of the Philippines, Lung Center of the Philippines and the Philippine Heart Center, an ordinary citizen cannot afford to experience the advancement science have made. It could be true that Imelda made it just to beautify their name but advancement in science and technology is not to be left out in the issues of the past.

               Science is made to move forward. So the next person to commission fairs, researches, patents and infrastructures of science should be seen not of its political value but its benefit to the development of our society.

Evolution of Hard Drives: From 1956 to the Present

Evolution of Hard Drives: From 1956 to Today

Everybody needs an UNLIMITED storage capacity drives! Well, that’s for me.

Individuals behind the development of devices are really amazing. Turning a room-sized device that costs half of your life to pay into coin-sized that most people can afford now is one of the achievements of these persons. One of these devices is the hard drive also called as the hard drive disk. This one is not just a stacked of disks that contains tracks or songs but it permanently stores all data on the computer. Since the day it was introduced to the people, inventors never stop developing it until today resulting to changes in physical size, storage space, and prize.

The so-called computer's main storage media device was first introduced in the 1956. It was the IBM 305 RAMAC (Random Access Method of Accounting and Control) that could store 5 megabytes of data with five-year lifespan. The more-than-a-ton IBM 305 system, obviously a huge device, costs $10,000 per megabyte.

Although smaller-sized things are easy to carry, some of the developed hard drives after IBM 305 RAMAC, which stores less than a gigabyte of data, were based to the concept "bigger is better" but in the year 1980, smaller hard disk compared to IBM 305, was produced. It was the IBM 3380 that weighed 249 kg (refrigerator-sized) and has price tag, depending on the features, ranging from $97,000 to & $140,000. It was the world's first gigabyte-capacity disk drive (2.52 GB).

Years passed by and the physical sized and cost of hard drives dramatically dropped. As the IBM continuing the development of refrigerator-sized drives, Seagate popped onto the scene introducing the first ever 2.5 inch drive that can be put on the personal computers. It could store 5 MB of data permanently on your brand new PC. The system only costs about $1,500.

The IBM did not end its development after being surpassed by Seagate technology. In the year 1999, IBM introduced the 170MB Microdrive featuring platters that were just 1 inch in diameter. Many manufacturers acquired the same factors and interface of IBM Microdrive like Seagate Technology. In the year 2003, Seagate Barracuda Serial ATA V was released. The said drive only cost $170 and featured up to two 60 GB platters to deliver an astounding 120GB of storage.
Fast forward to the present,  the 0.85 hard drives with 4 GB storage space is now available. New developed hard disk drives can store up to 3 TB of data and these are a lot cheaper and smaller than the first ever hard drive, the RAMAC 305.
Of the storage-hungry universe we have now, everyone dreams of that drive that could store all of the data we want. Well, I think it is not impossible that after few year or a decade, hard drives will get smaller and could store up to 20 TB (or even higher) of data. Perhaps after 30 years, the hard drive that will be produce is something we thought impossible. It will be amazing, astounding, astonishing, surprising, and jaw-dropping one.

#

References:

Farrance, R. (2013, September 13). Timeline: 50 Years of Hard Drives. Retrieved February 21, 2014, http://www.pcworld.com/article/127105/article.html

Mearian L. (2010, December 31). The evolution of hard drives. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://www.macworld.com/article/1156758/harddriveevolution.html

Fisher, T. (n.d.). Hard Disk Drive. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://pcsupport.about.com /od/componentprofiles/p/p_hdd.htm

Cocilova, A. (2013). The astounding evolution of hard drive. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048232/the-astounding-evolution-of-the-hard-drive.html

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Oh No! Half Human, Half Fly

“The Fly?”

I have no idea what we will be watching that 5th day of December. Then, I figured it out that it is one of the science-fiction movies back then, specifically during 1950’s.

The film was indeed an entertaining and interesting one though at first I got bored for the reason that the picture’s dull and it shows not-that-good quality unlike today’s movie. However, as the movie is more or less at the middle part and getting to its climax, I began to focus for it somewhat made me curious especially when the scientist/inventor did use the cat, which magically disappeared, as his experiment in his “transport device”. In addition to that, the transformation of the scientist/inventor into a fly, literally an insect, made me shocked and frightened because he looks horrible.

The film’s commentary on scientists and conduct of science is that our scientist before are very inquisitive on how far science could go even in their time. The film is trying to convey the audience or the viewers that scientists are really eager to create new inventions—that our society would really think it is impossible to be create or done. The film is a play of morality. It involves the usage of innocent living creatures as part of the experiment and putting life in danger just for the sake of a non-reasonable practice.

The film is reflecting the view on science and technology during the 1950’s as remarkable one even though it is not advanced as of the technology we have in the present.

PS: Don’t kill a fly. It might be the one that will end your life. :D

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