II-Narra's Thoughts...

on P-Noy's Speech

I smiled as he said, "Kayo ang boss ko." I really felt happy when he said that. I guess that he's saying he'll listen to the voice of the people and consider what they really want for the success of our country.
~Ahra Christine Nodalo


I think P-Noy's speech was great. He made a lot of promises, but the one that struck me the most is his promise to raise the knowledge of Filipino children. That means so much to me because if the children become more knowledgeable, our country will become more successful.
~Princess Deanne Luchavez


I felt liberated with all those promises that the president said - promises we really hope to be kept and not to be forgotten. The line that struck me the most was "There is no reconciliation without justice." It meant a lot to me since in the past regime, justice was not equal for all. Man deserves reconciliation after being brought to justice. As quoted, "The truth shall set you free." This should be a constant principle to all men on Earth, especially the Filipinos.
~Aaron Alarcon


P-Noy's speech is filled with promises to bring the guilty to the court and make reforms in the bureaucracy in the government - to track down those who waste the people's money to useless projects. "Ang mga kalaban ko ay papatawarin ko, pero ang mga kalaban ng bayan ay wala akong karapatan magpatawad." He must not let the public enemies get away with it.
~John Bryan Sorreda


The line "Hindi pwede and pwede na" really struck me because, to me, he would want to finish every project according to its plan, not just leave it undone. For me, "pwede na" is never the right thing to say.
~Ma. Jada Soreda


His speech was outstanding. Even though it was simple, it was direct to the point. When he said "Lahat ng nangsira sa akin, pinapatawad ko na kayo," I was bestowed with the faith on our republic changing for a better one. It means a lot because the most important thing to me is that having a new president means meeting new challenges and the change that can and will occur for a better future.
~Christian de los Reyes

II-Narra's Thoughts...

and feelings on the Inauguration of the 15th President of the Philippine Republic

As a Filipino, I felt relieved by his ascent to power. I feared that former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would announce Martial Law at the last minute. As this new chapter begins, the Filipinos' chests swelled with pride, savoring every moment of this historic event. 
~John Bryan Sorreda


After the inauguration, I and my family felt liberated from the grasps of corruption. We felt happy that the reign of corruption would end, and that our new leader would lead us to a prosperous nation.
~Kristian Zantua


As a Filipino, I felt that there is hope. I was overwhelmed about what happened. Even though he (President Aquino) has not started his work yet, I'm hoping that he will be a good leader. I am hoping that he will fulfill his promises. What happened yesterday symbolizes a new beginning and the unity of the Filipino people.
~ Norielle Dejucos

I felt President Aquino's will and determination to change the government. He wants prosperity in our country and wants to change the wrong leadership of the Arroyo Administration. Everyone was very hopeful; it's like putting new batteries in a flashlight.
~Kristelle Irish Mae Azurin


As a Filipino, I felt so proud that the June 30 inauguration was done successfully, with peace and unity. I even had goosebumps when I saw how the Filipinos at the Quirino Grandstand supported the new president of the Philippines. I saw in their eyes their hopes that P-noy will be the one to raise the country from the mud of poverty.
~Mary Grace Llovit


I felt the rush of hope and faith in democracy when I saw hundreds of devoted supporters of our new president. The sight was one to behold for not so many Filipinos have gathered like that since the last People Power. From that moment on, I truly believed he is the symbol our nation has long yearned for, because he can make a divided nation unite as one kingdom.
~Hae-rim Mae-lin Bolanos


As a Filipino, I felt like this is going to be a good start for our country - a new beginning that will change the life of the Filipinos. It is the end of the corrupt Arroyo administration that made the people wade in the mud of poverty. I am hoping that my high expectations won't end up as expectations within his six years of governing the Philippines.
~Ahra Christine Nodalo


I felt happiness in my heart as a Filipino since it's a new era, a new hope, an imminent change and development for the Filipinos. The ceremony gave birth to a new government that made the population dream again after all those years of challenges and mistakes. It made the people hope to rise again and start a new life as a Filipino.
~Aaron Alarcon

Quiz #2: Antonyms

Choose the correct antonym for the term given.

1. afflict            (comfort, torment)

2. aggrieve        (rejoice, worry)

3. aggravate      (alleviate, magnify)

4. agree            (grant, differ)

5. allocate         (distribute, withhold)

6. alienate         (unite, estrange)

7. detest            (abhor, adore)

8. detached        (interested, aloof)

9. destitution      (opulence, indigence)

10. decadence   (decline, flourish)

(from the Longman Vocabulary Website)

Writing Exercise: Synonyms and Antonyms

The Pessimist and the Optimist

by Norielle Dejucos, II-Narra

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears that this is true." ~James Branch Cabell


We know that a pessimist and an optimist are different from each other. The pessimist always takes the worst of things. He always thinks negatively. On the other hand, the optimist thinks that everything will be for the best. In other words, an optimist is a person with a positive mind.


Even if they have different mindsets, they also have similarities. For me, both of them want to be on the brighter side, both want the best for themselves. Nobody wants to be on the dark side, right? Deep inside the heart of a pessimist, he wants what's good for them but something hinders them. He sees a lot of problems along the way. Maybe he lacks self-confidence, faith and trust in himself.


Another similarity that optimists share with pessimists is their capability to make decisions, whether it is good or bad. They are both involved in decision making, but the thing is, they have opposite opinions.


For me, it is better to be an optimist because I believe that the condition of your mind and the choices that you make affect your personality. So who are you among the two? The pessimist or the optimist?


Original output by Norielle. Please do not copy.

Writing Exercise: Synonyms and Antonyms

When I was a Kid

by Kristian Zantua, II-Narra

When I was a kid, I used to be free to do what I want without embarrassment. Now I am imprisoned in this shell of seclusion. But I will release myself from this shell and be free once again.  When I was a kid, I was always remembered, but now I am almost forgotten.


Original output by Kristian. Please do not copy.

SY 2010-2011 Quiz #1: Context Clues

Choose the corresponding letter of the correct answer.

1.  The girls languidly put on their jackets as if they had no energy at all. Using the comparison clue, the word languidly in this sentence means   energetically   quickly   energy-less   actively

2.  The mother was determined to prove her son's innocence; the father was resolute as well. Using the comparison clue, the word resolute in this sentence means   wavering   determined   not determined   unsure

3.  Some people feel perplexed by brain teasers, while others figure them out quickly. Using the comparison clue, the word perplexed in this sentence means   troubled or confused   at ease   calm   relaxed

4.  The omnipotent superhero always won his battles, unlike his weak opponents. Using the contrast clue, the word omnipotent in this sentence means   almighty or all powerful   weak   powerless

5.  After being ill and unable to eat for three days, Beverly had a voracious appetite. Using the contrast clue, the word voracious in this sentence means   satisfied   quenched   small   big

6.  We were all pretty apathetic in the movie about animals, but we became interested when it started showing all the tricks dogs could do. Using the contrast clue, the word apathetic in this sentence means   gracious   angry   uninterested   sleepy

7.  Katie appeared infallible in math class because she had never gotten a problem wrong. Using the explanation clue, the word infallible in this sentence means   never wrong   mistaken   wrong   incorrect

8.  The tornado annihilated the whole town to the point that nothing was left standing. Using the explanation clue, the word annihilated in this sentence means   destroyed   saved   created   constructed

9.  We could tell by the rotten smell, that something putrid was in our trash can. Using the explanation clue, the word putrid in this sentence means   ample   alive   rotten  appealing

10.	An evanescent ring surrounded the moon as it rose. It was there for a moment, and then it disappeared. Using the explanation clue, the word evanescent in this sentence means   full   ongoing   brief   bright

from http://edhelper.com/language/Context_Clues.htm

Writing Exercise: Synonyms and Antonyms

Books We Read

by Dion Marie Comia, II-Molave

The Harry Potter Series and The Twilight Saga are two of the most famous book series turned into blockbuster movies of all time.

The Twilight Saga is an intrepid love story that runs between three main characters - Jacob Black, a werewolf; Bella Swan, a human; and Edward Cullen, a vampire. Bella and Edward fell in love with each other before Jacob falls in love with Bella. Jacob tries to save Bella from the blood-thirsty clan of Edward. "Who will Bella choose?' is the question that will make us cling till the end of this thrilling love story.

On the other side, The Harry Potter Series is about the fearless adventures of the famous Henry James Potter who contends with his parents' killer, Lord Voldemort.

In this epic tale, Harry does everything it takes to defeat the best dark wizard of all; though in every book in this series has different encounters with the Dark Lord, the seventh installment, The Deathly Hollows, will end this breathtaking book series.

Though both series are spine-tingling, the love story story of the Twilight Saga makes our heart beats faster, while the heroic tale of the Harry Potter series takes our breath away.


*Original output by Dion. Do not copy.

Writing Exercise: Synonyms and Antonyms

Climate Change and Global Warming

by Mary Philline Descalzo, II-Molave

Many people ask "Is climate change similar to global warming?" or "Is there any difference between climate change and global warming?"

The truth is, these are two different ideas, but one is the cause and the other is the effect.

Global warming is the increase of temperature in the different parts of the world wherein warm places become warmer and arid while cold places turn into spots with temperature lower than freezing point. This is caused by several natural and artificial factors. Volcanic eruption is an example of a natural occurrence that contributes to this, whereas launching of nuclear and atomic bombs are man-made ones.

Climate change is the result of global warming. The climate changes and becomes different from the usual. Temperatures, whether warm or cold, become more extreme every year and result to phenomena such as the rise of the level of sea water as caused by the melting of ice in permafrost countries like Russia. With this, elevated areas may soon submerge underwater and low-lying areas may totally or completely be lost in our geographical maps.

*Original output by Philline. Do not copy.

We are the change we wish to see in the world.

Scribblebox Year 4