RETORIKA SA PULITIKA: ISANG TABAK NA MAY DALAWANG TALIM

 Sanaysay ni Jan Emmy C. Julve

Ang retorika, ang sining ng mapanghikayat na komunikasyon, ay may malalim na epekto sa mundo ng pulitika. Ito ay nagsisilbing isang makapangyarihang kasangkapan na maaaring makaimpluwensya sa opinyon ng publiko, humubog ng mga patakaran, at mag-udyok ng pagkilos. Gayunpaman, tulad ng anumang kasangkapan, ang retorika ay nagtataglay ng dalawahang katangian - may kakayahang magamit para sa kapwa mabuti at masama. Sinasaliksik ng sanaysay na ito ang positibo at negatibong aspeto ng retorika sa pulitika, na itinatampok ang potensyal nito para sa pagpapaunlad ng matalinong mga desisyon at demokratikong diskurso, habang kinikilala din ang potensyal nito para sa pagmamanipula at panlilinlang.

Ang mahusay na pagkakasulat na retorika ay maaaring hatiin ang mahihirap na patakaran sa impormasyon na madaling maunawaan, upang ang mga botante ay makakagawa ng matalinong mga pagpili sa mga halalan. Ang mabisang pananalita ay makatutulong sa mga tao mula sa iba't ibang pinagmulan na maunawaan ang isa't isa at magtulungan. Ang mga pulitiko na mahusay sa kanilang ginagawa ay maaaring gumamit ng retorika upang makipag-usap sa isang malawak na hanay ng mga grupo, na makakatulong sa pagsasama-sama ng mga tao.

Ang pinaka nakakabagabag na bagay tungkol sa retorika sa pulitika ay kung paano ito magagamit upang linlangin at kontrolin ang mga tao. Upang mabago ang isip ng mga tao at makakuha ng suporta para sa mga kaduda-dudang plano, maaaring paglaruan ng mga pulitiko ang damdamin ng mga tao sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng mapanlinlang na pananalita at pag-aangkin. Kadalasan, ang retorika ay nakatuon sa mga panandaliang tagumpay at agarang kasiyahan sa pangmatagalan, pangmatagalang mga sagot. Magagawa nitong tumutok ang mga tao sa pagkapanalo sa halalan sa halip na ayusin ang mga problema sa ugat ng sistema.

Ang retorika sa pulitika ay dapat na nakabatay sa pagiging bukas at makatotohanan. Dapat subukan ng mga pinuno at mambabatas na maging tapat sa kanilang mga talumpati at lumayo sa mga panlilinlang na nanlilinlang sa mga tao. Dapat matutunan ng mga tao kung paano gamitin ang media upang maunawaan at suriin ang retorika at sabihin ang pagkakaiba sa pagitan ng totoong impormasyon at retorika na nilalayong manghimok. Makakatulong ito sa mga botante na maging mas matalino at mas may kaalaman.

Sa pulitika, ang retorika ay parang isang tabak na may dalawang talim, maaari itong magdulot ng magandang pagbabago at maiwasan ang masasamang bagay na mangyari. Mahalagang malaman na ang pananalita ay maaaring gamitin sa mabuti at masama upang makagawa ng pulitika kung saan makakatulong ito sa mga tao na gumawa ng mabubuting desisyon, makilahok sa demokrasya, at mapasulong ang lipunan, habang binabawasan din ang kakayahan nitong manipulahin, hatiin, at sirain ang ang tiwala. Ang pinakamahusay na paraan upang matiyak na ang wika ay nakakatulong sa lipunan at demokrasya sa kabuuan ay para sa mga tao na maging maingat sa kung paano nila ito ginagamit at maging responsable dito.

Running After the Superficial Highs

 A Reflection on Footnote to Youth by Jan Emmy Julve

    “He walked faster, prodded by the thought of his virility. A small angled stone bled his foot, but he dismissed it cursorily. He lifted his leg and looked at the hurt toe and then went on walking. In the cool sundown he thought wild dreams of himself and Teang.”

I like to imagine life as a long, winding road, with each person walking at their own pace. Along this road, there are destinations that can only be reached at specific times and distances. These distant places seem enticing, almost magical, and when we hear about them, we feel a rush of excitement and curiosity. We start running towards these destinations, even if it might not be the right time or phase in our lives. During this run, we might stumble, fall, and chase after fleeting highs. But when we finally arrive at these places, they often don't live up to our expectations. That they only seem so captivating from a distance, but can sometimes leave us feeling underwhelmed when we finally experience them. This is how I see marriage and adulthood.

When we think about adulthood, we often imagine freedom-- freedom from the constraints and limitations of teenage life. We envision a time when we can do things without the constant nagging of those around us. We might see adults smoking and think it looks cool, but we're told from a young age that it's bad for our health. So, we tell ourselves, "I'll do that when I'm an adult." But this curiosity and desire for freedom can sometimes lead us to rush into things, running as fast as we can to experience what we've been waiting for. We chase after the smoke, watching it slowly dissipate into the air, wanting to feel the things we've longed for. But often, these experiences leave us disappointed, filled with regret and haunted by thoughts of "I shouldn't have done that."

Footnote to Youth is a remarkable piece of literature that serves as a poignant reminder for young people to cherish every moment of childhood before it slips away from our frail fingers. It urges us to enjoy our youth before we rush into adulthood, chasing after fleeting and superficial highs. The story is rich with metaphors and foreshadowing, such as the scene I added above which inspired this whole reflection, where Dodong runs with Teang in his head, leading to his injury, a symbolic representation of his impulsive decision to marry young.

The author skillfully weaves a narrative that cycles through generations, showing that the mistakes of youth are often repeated by future generations again and again and again. Footnote to Youth serves as a gentle reminder, much like the footnotes in books and movies, advising the youth not to rush too quickly towards the transient pleasures and highs of life.

THE SCARLET LETTER A Review by Jan Emmy C. Julve

I firmly believe that the human heart possesses the inherent potential for both immoral behavior and virtuous deeds.

The literary work titled "The Scarlet Letter" was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and was first published in the year 1850. The genres of the novel are historical fiction, romance, and allegory. The story takes place during the 17th century within the place of Puritan New England. It centers on Hester Prynne, a youthful female protagonist who undergoes public humiliation and is marked with a scarlet letter "A" (representing adultery) because of her affair.

The primary protagonists in the literary work were Hester Prynne, a female individual who was found guilty of engaging in an affair, therefore compelled to wear the scarlet letter as a visual representation of her dishonor. Arthur Dimmesdale, a respected minister within the local society, emerged as Hester's clandestine lover, a revelation that unfolded in end chapters of the novel. Pearl, the daughter of Hester, serves as a symbol of her mother's sin, happiness, and suffering. Roger Chillingworth, the estranged spouse of Hester, learns of Dimmesdale's role in Hester's affair and becomes enraged, seeking revenge.

I could say that the film/book perfectly depict the stiff and merciless societal structure that was prevalent in 17th-century New England. The people loved to preach out, following religion teachings and moral rules. But on the other hand, this display of religious devotion conceals the underlying hypocrisy evident in their treatment of Hester Prynne, whereby she was compelled to bear the scarlet letter as a means of public humiliation.

I believe that this piece serves as an important example of allegory in literature. Hester’s transgression of adultery is symbolically shown with the scarlet letter "A" at her chest. Initially, the situation was deemed disgraceful as there was an instance where she was compelled to remain on top of a raised platform for hours (I personally felt really bad while watching this), while people look at her. Also, she was required to walk around while wearing the emblematic letter A affixed to her chest. However, as the story unfolds, the symbol A undergoes a transformation, the letter then represented the Hester’s ability to endure and confront her sins, thereby embodying her resilience and fortitude. I also like how Hester defied the norms of what is expected of a woman through her stubbornness and determination.

One of my favorite events in the film and book is that, the other characters also seek redemption and attempt to atone for their sins. Even though Dimmesdale tried to hide his mistake, his guilt breaks him, and he admits to adultery in public before dying in Hester's arms. They finally learn that trying to make things right and facing their guilt leads to growth and healing, showing that people can change.

Without a doubt, I believe that The Scarlet Letter is a canonical work of literature as it persists in engaging readers, stimulating contemplation, and catalyzing societal transformation. Despite being written many centuries ago, the novel has a remarkable level of progressiveness for its time period, since it tackles enduring issues that continue to hold significant relevance in contemporary society.

References

Full Movie

C. C. C. (2022, December 14). The Scarlet Letter (1934) Drama, History, Romance | Full Length Movie. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4WoHogJi-o

Articles:

McDonald, R. (2023, August 11). The Scarlet Letter | Summary, Analysis, Characters, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Scarlet-Letter-novel-by-Hawthorne

The Scarlet Letter: Full Book Summary | SparkNotes. (n.d.). SparkNotes. https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/scarlet/summary/

The Pervasive Influence of Media on Cultural Dynamics

 In our interconnected world, the media wields immense power, capable of shaping and transforming cultural landscapes. Its impact is profound, touching every facet of society and influencing how people think, feel, and behave. This article explores the multifaceted ways in which the media exerts its influence on culture, focusing on representation, information dissemination, trendsetting, and the reflection of cultural values.

1.    Representation The media holds the brush that paints portraits of societal groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The way these groups are depicted can significantly shape cultural attitudes. Repeated negative portrayals or stereotypes can reinforce biases, contributing to unfavorable cultural perspectives. Conversely, media representation has the power to challenge and transform societal norms, fostering inclusivity and understanding.

"Doc McStuffins" is an animated series on Disney Junior that has received widespread recognition for its commendable portrayal of Black women, especially in children's television. The television series, which debuted in 2012, shows the journey of a young African-American girl named Dottie "Doc" McStuffins who harbors aspirations of becoming a doctor. 

Directed by Jon M. Chu, this romantic comedy film is renowned for its exclusively Asian cast. "Crazy Rich Asians" offers a novel perspective on the romantic comedy genre and confronts prevailing prejudices about Asians in popculture by featuring a wide range of characters with unique personalities and backgrounds.

2.    Sharing Information and Ideas Media is a powerful gatekeeper of information and ideas, influencing cultural discourse by selecting topics and determining how they are presented. The media's role in disseminating information is pivotal, shaping public opinion and contributing to the formation of cultural narratives. By choosing what to cover and how to present it, the media becomes a key player in steering cultural conversations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the media were very important for spreading knowledge about the virus, ways to avoid getting it, and vaccination programs. News outlets, health groups, and social media sites spread important information that changed the way people talked about how to respond to the pandemic, get vaccinated, and take other public health steps.

3.    Setting Trends Beyond information, the media plays a central role in trendsetting. Whether showcasing particular products, fashion trends, or social behaviors, the media has the ability to influence and shape cultural trends. Through subtle cues and explicit endorsements, it introduces and normalizes new cultural elements, impacting how individuals express themselves within their society.

The rise of eco-friendly and sustainable fashion choices.

4.    Reflecting Cultural Values The stories and topics covered by the media serve as a mirror reflecting a society's cultural values and beliefs. A media outlet that consistently features articles on social justice and equality, for example, not only shapes public discourse but also mirrors the values of its audience. This symbiotic relationship between media content and cultural values reinforces and perpetuates certain perspectives within a society.

The media, being ever-present, possesses the influential ability to mold, mirror, and sustain cultural standards. To traverse the relationship between media and culture more consciously, we can get insight by comprehending its impact through representation, distribution of information, trendsetting, and reflection of cultural values. Amidst a time of constant information exchange, it is crucial to recognize and analyze the media's influence in order to cultivate a society that welcomes variety, questions preconceived notions, and advocates for constructive societal progress. 

Key Terms and Word Classes

Morpheme: A morpheme is the smallest grammatical and meaningful unit of a language. It can be a word or a part of a word (such as a prefix, suffix, or root) that carries a specific meaning.

Lexeme: A lexeme is an abstract unit of meaning that represents a set of words with similar meanings or forms. It is the base form of a word, excluding inflections and variations.

Word: A word is a unit of language that carries meaning and can stand alone or be combined with other words to form sentences. Words typically consist of one or more morphemes.

Difference between Lexeme and Word: A lexeme represents the abstract meaning or concept of a word, while a word is a specific instance or realization of that lexeme in a particular form (e.g., inflections, conjugations, etc.).

Phrase: A phrase is a group of words that work together to convey a particular meaning, but it does not include both a subject and a predicate as a sentence does.

Clause: A clause is a group of words within a sentence that contains a subject and a predicate, functioning as a complete idea or thought.

Sentence: A sentence is a grammatically complete set of words that expresses a statement, question, command, or exclamation.

Grammar: Grammar refers to the set of rules and structures in a language that govern how words are combined to form meaningful expressions, including syntax, morphology, and semantics.

Syntax: Syntax is the branch of grammar that deals with the structure, formation, and arrangement of sentences and phrases, including the order of words, phrases, and clauses to convey meaning.

Difference between Grammar and Syntax: Grammar encompasses the entire system of a language, including syntax, morphology, phonology, and semantics, while syntax specifically focuses on the structure and arrangement of words, phrases, and clauses to form sentences and convey meaning. Syntax is a subset of grammar.

NOUNS

1. Morphological Features:
• Nouns typically have morphemes indicating number (singular/plural) and possession (possessive forms).
2. Syntactic Criteria:
• Nouns often function as the subject or object in a sentence.
• They can be preceded by determiners (e.g., "the," "my," "many"

Sub-classes of Nouns:

• Common nouns (e.g., "dog")
• Proper nouns (e.g., "John")
• Pronouns (e.g., "he," "she," "it")

VERBS

1. Morphological Features:
• Verbs can undergo inflection to indicate tense, aspect, mood, and person.
2. Syntactic Criteria:
• Verbs typically serve as the main predicate in a clause or sentence.

Sub-classes of Verbs:

• Auxiliary verbs (e.g., "have," "be," "do")
• Modal verbs (e.g., "can," "will," "should")

ADJECTIVES

• Adjectives modify nouns by providing additional information about their attributes or qualities (e.g., "beautiful" in "a beautiful flower").

ADVERBS

• Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to provide details about manner, time, place, etc. (e.g., "quickly" in "ran quickly").

DETERMINERS

• Determiners introduce and modify nouns to specify or clarify them (e.g., "the," "a," "my," "some").

PREPOSITIONS

• Prepositions show a relationship between a noun/pronoun and other elements in the sentence (e.g., "in," "on," "under").

CONJUNCTIONS

• Coordinators join words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance (e.g., "and," "but").
• Subordinators introduce dependent clauses and show a subordinating relationship (e.g., "although," "because").

Entrepreneurship for a Successful Nation

High unemployment has always been one of the biggest dilemmas in the country, and people must be aware that this is happening, even if they are not affected by this. What are the causes of this issue? Fewer businesses, few job offers. 

The inadequacy of the economy increases poverty as well, and the fact that the Philippines are exporting their workers, not employing them. The Philippines is a labor exporting country. We send Professionals, skilled workers, and domestic workers abroad. They usually refuse to work in the country because the Philippines have fewer opportunities in manufacturing or even agriculture. So this makes them prefer to work abroad where employment rates are high, and when a pandemic occurs or a tragedy, this results in them going back to the country, which adds up to the already-high unemployment rate. This also causes the scarcity of having competitions against big companies which results in fewer workers. Fewer job offers in the country, fewer people can work. 

Business competition is really necessary because it offers more work for Filipinos. A single company cannot dominate everything. If more people made businesses then a few Filipinos choose to go abroad. And if the government took good care of these Filipino citizens, proper taxes, no corruption, then they would prefer to work for the country and help it grow like the neighbors of the Philippines

 

Terraforming Mars: Dyson Sphere

 By Jan Emmy Julve

Mars is very cold despite its red color. Its surface is also Radioactive, making the  ground very poisonous. Its atmosphere is also made up of CO2. It has low gravity and  magnetic field. I've read a lot of books and researched about this (because I love learning  about Space), they said, it truly is possible, and it is called terraforming, however, it  would take years! First, we have to build a Dyson sphere (is a megastructure that fully surrounds a star and captures a large percentage of its power output.) This would serve  our semi-permanent energy output to colonize mars because we couldn't just go directly  into the surface with our limited energy. Next, we build our processor to process the Dyson sphere in Mercury. Since it is the closest to the Sun. There, we would manufacture the Dyson sphere. It would take a very long time because our current  technology and materials cannot afford it. But again, it is possible, it would just take us  years. So using the energy from the Dyson sphere it would make terraforming much easier and more efficient. So imagine, we have a Dyson sphere, which gives us unlimited energy (from the Sun) . It would be much easier for us to send humans and materials from Earth to the red planet. And this reminds me of the saying, We are the  middle children of history. Born too late to explore Earth, born too early to explore  space.