Who am I in the Eyes of Ms. Louj?

It’s easy describing yourself in your own view. But when you’re describing yourself in others’ view without any idea on what they think about you, that’s a different case. Just like now, I’m having difficult time thinking on how I will describe myself in Ms. Louj’s eyes. But I have to do this one, so I’ll just hope that my description will be accurate. :)

I think Ms. Louj sees me as an ordinary girl and student only. I am not that pretty, but there’s always a smile on my face. I participate on the discussion sometimes, and I take down notes. Just like what I said when I introduced myself in class, I don’t have enough confidence to speak in front of many people, especially when I don’t know them. When I’m speaking my voice gets shaky, and I pause for a while thinking of “appropriate” words to use.

About my personality, well, I think Ms. Louj doesn’t have any clear idea yet since we haven’t been together except in class. I think she’s not the type of person who judges a person based on first impressions (and I hope she really is because most people say that their first impression on me is that I’m snobbish and unfriendly). But, if Ms. Louj would let me, I want to show to her who I really am, and I want to know more about her too.

- Vigel Ramirez ♥

Placard: Signs of the Times

July 7, 2011

"Feeling good about government is like looking on the bright side of any catastrophe. When you quit looking on the bright side, the catastrophe is still there. "

~P. J. O'Rourke

We went to the Vargas Museum to check on the placard exhibit. We're Freshies, and this was our first time seeing an art exhibit in UP. Even though we encountered a little rain, our time was not wasted at all. We haven't seen the whole of the exhibit (we thought all the placards are those on the Vargas Museum Grounds only), but it was amazing to see some of the works of artists expressing their views on the current issues the Philippines is facing. What we have seen already gave a strong impression of what the artists want to impart to the people.

This display is not the conventional type because it composes of placards, an innovative and direct way of conveying the artists' perspective on the political concerns of our nation.

  

They can't fool us all the time. This placard shows how our government, represented by our President Aquino, is being "secretly" monopolized by other countries. We are not completely in control of our country.

This promotes that indigenous people should be given their own say about the matters related to them. They should not be held down by politicians who take advantage over them. 

We are aware of the extrajudicial killings that are happening in the Philippines. The people responsible for these cover up the dirty policies that the advocates are fighting against.

Children are deprived of the right to be educated. Education is not any more a privilege, but a consumer right.

We are deprived of the peace we are asking for. It's like we're talking to other nations' asses. They won't listen even if we plead.

WITH THESE PROBLEMS AT HAND, WILL WE EVER BE LIFTED FROM THE CATACLYSMS WE FACE?

Truly, this exhibit has been an eye opener for us. The signs of the times have been  powerful media to spread the word about the disheartening situation of our country, the government we are subjected to. Through this, people's voices would be heard, their views would be seen. It is up to us to listen, to comprehend. They fight not for themselves, but for us. These artists are our present-day Jose Rizals. We should look up to them and to what they fight for.