http://Katea.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/458349
For children who are made prostitutes by their own parents, or relatives, there's no forgiveness. It's the responsibility of the parents to provide a good life for their children. If they cannot, they should not be allowed to have children in the first place (this may sound a violation of human rights, especially freedom of choice but really, what rights do they have to sell their children?!) Even if the parents are poor, they should be the one to make every legal means possible to at least feed their children, or clothed them or give them shelter. I know a lot of poor families and the parents do their best, work almost 24/7 just to make sure that their children eat 3x/day, or that they have blankets to keep them warm. But of course, we are responsible for them as well. For allowing it to happen. For making them poorer, more envious. For allowing child prostitution businesses to prosper. For keeping our mouth shut when we know that the kid next door is being molested and made prositute by his or her parents.


For some people, prostitution is an opportunity to live, or to survive rather. For those who are 18 and above, it's become a personal choice, not that they have other choices. I'm sure, if there's a better job out there and if they have the skill, prostitution would not have been included in their choice of work. Like, the other night, I was watching on a local network the "local bills" that our councilors passed. One of them was talking about prostituttions. He said that "it is very alarming that when the sun sets, prostitutes are on queue" on this particular avenue, and "these prostitutes are very young like 14-16 years old." He added, "these young women are not native of this town, they've come from other poor provinces. We therefore think that we should set a raid, and take all the prostitutes." One chauvinist councilor in a malicious tone said, "I'll go with you", and all other chauvinist councilors, as if in unison, reiterated, "me, too", and they all laughed. Bastards! They wanted to go there not because they want to save these young women but because they want to see a spectacle, being surrounded by half-naked women, would have been a taste of ectasy. If they trully want to be of help, they would have a ready-made alternative for these young women. They would have planned it really well, like send them to school after the Department of Social Welfare and Development officers have counselled them. But no, they just wanted to "catch" these young women as if they were the criminals. Like most raids, these women would be put to jail, subject to more molestations and sexual abuses by God-knows-who. And what about those people who made profits out of these poor young women? Nothing. They just enjoy their profit, relocate and look for another opportunity to lure poor young women to their bait. Our local government, obviously is oblivious of women's rights, of gender sensitivity. They make local bills that are trully nonsensical. They don't even read, I'm sure, that's why they are so dense. Again, it's our fault for voting these people. Well, I didn't vote for them but the rest of local city populace did. ]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:59:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/458349 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/454913
When I first read "The Island of the Day Before", I was like, "Omigod! That's exactly how I imagined things when I was a young HS student, creating my own theories about getting old or younger the moment one crosses the latitudes" But of course, his was more intellectual in a sense. It was like reading what I had in mind.

Anyway, my latest addiction is his Foucault's Pendulum. I read it before and reading it again after 3 years of keeping from the shelf. Now, I understand it more clearly. I really believe that his works are the work of not just a creative writer but a genius, somebody who can infuse history, myth, science, religion and creative writing in one. I mean, there are other writers who write beautifully but not with intellectual magnitude like him. Eco does not only entertain but informs very well. I have to read the "Name of the Rose" soon. I have some of his books in my library and this month til next month, he will be my "author of the month". I wish I could see him in person! Maybe that chance meeting will spark some inspiration in my own writing. Maybe.

Funny, I've been directed to the Middle Ages era in all the books I've recently bought, especially the ones connected to the Templars. Maybe, it's the kind of topic that's been read many many times and it's no longer a hot topic. I really don't mind having that kind of information: myth, stories, legends of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. I just enjoy reading. ]]> Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:44:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/454913 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/453713
Anyway, I recently visited a bookstore and bought 5 Spanish grammar books. From beginner's to intermediate, from conversational to basic form, and of course, a writing worksheet! Everyday, I try to read 1-5pages a day just to familiarize with terms and construction. I am preparing myself so that when I study the language formally, I won't start from scratch. I feel, I'm destined to go back to Spain (or I dream of going back to Spain, anyway) so I have to learn their language better.

Next time, when I'm good with Spanish, I will have to go back to my French school and relearn the language. Yes, I did study French for the simple reason: to be able to pronounce French food especially pastries properly. Hahaha. I just love French pastries and cakes. Yummy!

Next will be Italian. I like their accent, almost like singing; very romantic.

Next next will be German.

Then the classical languages (Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, Eyptian...) I'll just stop on my death bed, well, maybe not. Who knows, I might be chanting a Tibetan prayer to hasten my "transformation".]]> Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:32:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/453713 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/409699
The training is in a beautiful villa called Villa Boccella which is 45 minutes away from the town of Lucca. Our villa is at the foot of the mountain and we are surrounded by trees, flowers, herbs and vineyards. Everytime the sun rises, it shines through my window and it is just so lovely. Our food is strictly vegetarian but once in awhile we go out of the villa and eat at the nearby restaurants. The food is just so good, you woudn't even ask for fish or chicken or meat. The water tastes so good since Tuscan water is fresh.

The training is composed of of 24 particapants across the globe, alot of them are Americans, Irish, British and Australians (age17-35). And due to economic circumstance and language barrier, there are only 4 from Asia (Me, 2 Vietnamese, and 1 Nepalese) and 1 from Africa. We are divided into 4
teams, and all of us have a chance to be the "leader". On the first day, even without knowing each other that much we have learned to trust each other, especially within the team. Each task requires different leadership style and the more you participate the more you know which style fits you. We manage to resolve conflicts, use our own voice, and use dialogues to get to the bottom of things. nothing in the course is not known to us. However, the training reminds us of what we value, what we love and the kind of philosophy we embrace in relation to giving service to other people and the community. Questions like, how do we become aware of our surrounding if we are not even aware of our self? How do we maintain trust and partnership, when competition is the name of the game?

We are also lucky to visit Siena and learn how this city was built by visionaries of that timeand how this town became prosperous and pro-people. The lecturer is also a volunteer and is so passionate in sharing her knowledge with us. She is not even an Italian but through her self-discovery and self-study, she's been invited to lecture in different conferences and trainings in Europe. So I believe that in order to become an effective leader, it is not only limited to doing something outside but also one must work within. As leaders, we have to make ourselves a good "educator" to also inspire others.

In the training we also have "moments of silence" or others call it "meditation" and just listen to what the Universe is telling us, so to speak. It gives us a sense of stillness which makes us see, hear and
understand more.

Each of us also have personal mentor from the Lucca Trainers/Coaches to guide us in our current or future projects. All of the trainers are volunteers too, who of course, have been under the Lucca trainings. A lot of the trainers are Educators, Businessmen and Lawyers who are also traveling alot to reach the places and people who are often neglected. They also use their "miles" to sponsor trainees in the training, which a friend told me about. I'm sure, in the nearest future, when I'm able to sponsor others, one of the training grounds will be Lucca Leadership.

Anyway, here is the link to the organization: www.luccaleadership.org I will try to make a video presentation of our training to post on our yfci or abc4all web. But it may take a little more time.]]> Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:35:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/409699 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/409631
Note: Directly adapted from the website: www.justicemakers.net

Important Dates:
August 14th: Application Window Closes
August 21st: Semi-Finalists Announced
Setptember 8th: Public Rating Judging Begins
September 24th: Public Rating Judging Ends
October 12th: Winners Announced

2008 Competition RegistrationJusticeMakers is hosting a global competition for innovations that end torture, abuse, and arbitrary detainment. The competition will award $5,000 to the eight best proposals for concrete, achievable action.

Participation is free, and open to anyone with an idea and a familiarity with his or her country's criminal justice system. Don't miss out!

For registration, please go to their website and inquire.]]> Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:11:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/409631 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/373255
WRITING RETREAT July 10 – 14, 200

International Women’s Partnership for Peace and Justice (IWP) announces a 5 day writing retreat for aspiring and seasoned writers. The retreat will provide a quiet, peaceful and supportive environment to create the time and space needed for contemplative and creative writing or journaling.

The retreat will be largely self-facilitated, and the majority of each day will be time for writing. Meals, optional daily meditation and yoga, and group check-ins will be communal. Participants may decide on creating more group time; the schedule will be flexible and emergent.



The retreat will be housed at the training and retreat center of IWP in a village in northern Thailand. Participants will be housed in double/triple accommodation in our earthen guesthouse. Participation is limited to 15 people.

There are no formal course fees given the self facilitated nature of the retreat. Fees for food, accommodation, and venue are on a sliding scale of 650-900 baht per day; thus for the 5 day retreat, the scale is 3250 baht – 4500 baht, based on your ability to pay.

Please contact Ginger at ginger@womenforpeaceandjustice.org for more information or to register for retreat.

(directly adapted from the web at www.womenforpeaceandjustice.org)]]> Sun, 18 May 2008 10:22:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/373255 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/372073 IMPORTANCE OF SLEEPING AND WAKING UP EARLY


Reasons for sleeping and waking up early : Evening at 9 - 11pm: is the
time for eliminating unnecessary/ toxic chemicals (detoxification)
from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be
spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a
housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or
monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative
impact on health. Evening at 11pm - 1am: is the detoxification process
in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state. Early
morning 1 - 3am: detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done
in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5am: detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there
will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time.
Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract,
there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with
toxin removal process.

Morning 5 - 7am: detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9am: absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you
should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier,
before 6:30am, for those who are sick.

Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay
fit . Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their
habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10am
rather than no meal at all.

Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of
removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4:00 am
is the time when the bone marrow produces blood. Therefore, have a
good sleep and don't sleep late.

The top five cancer-causing foods are:

1. Hot dogs - Because they are high in nitrates.

The Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than
12 hot dogs a month.

If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium
nitrate. 2. Processed meats and bacon

Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and
other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease.

The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer. 3. Doughnuts
Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with
white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high
temperatures.

Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to
raise your risk of cancer. 4. French fries Like dough nuts, French
fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high
temperatures.

They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the
frying process.

They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .

5. Chips, crackers, and cookies All are usually made with white flour
and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats
generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS 1. No Breakfast People who do not take breakfast
are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an
insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain
degeneration. 2. Overeating It causes hardening of the brain arteries,
leading to a decrease in mental power. 3. Smoking It causes multiple
brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease. 4. High Sugar
consumption Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins
and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain
development. 5. Air Pollution The brain is the largest oxygen consumer
in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to
the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency. 6. Sleep
Deprivation Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from
sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping Sleeping with the head covered
increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease
concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects. 8.
Working your brain during illness Working hard or studying with
sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well
as damage the brain. 9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts Thinking is
the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts
may cause brain shrinkage. 10. Talking Rarely Intellectual
conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain.

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- --------- -------

The main causes of liver damage are: 1. Sleeping too late and waking
up too late.

2. Not urinating in the morning.

3. Too much eating.

4. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and
artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking
oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like
olive oil.

Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.

8. Consuming overly done foods also add to the burden of liver.
Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should
be finished in one sitting, do not store. We should prevent this
without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily
lifestyle and eating habits.

Maintaining good eating habits according to schedule / time and
condition are very important for our bodies to absorb the proper
nutrients and get rid of unnecessary chemicals.

*a message sent to my email which I think is worth sharing with everyone.]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 23:31:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/372073 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/370683 I hardly get scared of horror films or shows but this one was different, or this particular episode. I forgot the exact location of the abandoned building. All I can remember is that it was built for severe cases of tuberculosis and was used in 1910 or something. Anyway, people who went there and tested their braveness and audacity were interviewed as part of the documentary. I can remember the faces of the interviewees. Anyway, a group of psychics, the ghost hunters, went inside the building and investigated the area. They were explaining the kind of energies the building has, the gadgets that they brought and so on. Their gadgets went on and off, and the psychics also at some point got scared. All the time that I was watching it, I could feel my body shiver and my hair stood on its end. It was surely giving me a creeps. But one thing that really made me scared, was the time when the psychic stopped at this particular room, not the 502 where a nurse hanged herself, but the room where the lead psychic was trying to explain the kind of energy. The camera man was directly opposite the door, while the lead psychic was talking I saw, a man behind him passed by. Actually, I just saw the arm, there was no head, only a shirtless torso. I wasnt sure if the psychics saw him because there were no reactions, only the lead psychic was saying that the area was pretty cold and someone seemed to mess up with him. I saw the headless torso, the left arm particularly, passed by twice coming from the same direction and going to the same direction. That scene totally freaked me out. It wasn't part of the dramatization, that I'm so sure.

I think the best way to heal the place is to send love and positive energies to that area. The patients there were abandoned, discriminated, and maltreated and they felt not just self-pity but hatred, and hatred is such a powerful energy that can manifest havoc or danger.]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 09:08:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/370683 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/368465
Learning from experience



I. Call for Proposals of Case Studies



Are you confronting religious fundamentalisms or regressive political-religious movements in your daily life and work? Are you witnessing important links between different types of fundamentalisms (economic, national, social, cultural and religious) and seeing similarities in how these work across religions and regions? Have you or your organization been involved in actions to resist and challenge religious fundamentalisms that you would like to share more widely with women’s rights advocates from around the world?



As women’s movements and organizations from different regions, we can learn from each other and create new ways to cooperate and strengthen our collective efforts. We need to share strategic information on how regressive politico-religious groups and movements work and grow and affect women’s rights, and how we can launch successful strategies to resist, challenge and present viable alternatives in return.



As part of it’s initiative on “Resisting and Challenging Religious Fundamentalisms” AWID is gathering insights into the contemporary workings of religious fundamentalist movements and previously undocumented strategies employed by women’s rights activists to successfully challenge them. We intend to share the selected case studies with AWID members and other women’s rights activists and advocates around the world.



This is a call to acknowledge the diversity and wealth of information within women’s organizations and movements and to share our experience and knowledge of the actions and strategies at our disposal. We are seeking proposals for case studies from a variety of contexts and regions of the world. Selected proposals will receive an honorarium of $3000 USD upon completion of the full case study in order to assist in and offset costs of documentation (expected length of the full case study will be 15 to 20 pages long). Selected contributions will also be highlighted at the 11th International AWID Forum on “The Power of Movements” which will be held on 14th-17th November, 2008, in Cape Town, South Africa. The authors of the selected case studies will be invited to present their experiences in a session at the AWID Forum and the case studies will also subsequently be published by AWID.



Acknowledging that safety may be a concern for some submitters, please note that elements of the final case studies may be made confidential and anonymous for dissemination (e.g., individual or organization names, localities, etc.). Whether or not anonymity is required, and to what degree it is necessary, will be up to the submitter to determine.








II. Submission Guidelines for Case Study Proposals



Proposal submissions may be made in English, Spanish, French or Arabic. They must be no longer than 1000 words (approximately two and a half pages).



All submissions must contain the information outlined in this section.



Contact person:

Country:

Organization name (if any):

Position in the organization (if relevant):

Contact information (e-mail and telephone):



Please briefly address all of the following points within 1000 words:



1. What is your understanding of “religious fundamentalisms”?

2. Briefly describe the local context in which you/your organization work, outline the issue/problem that was being presented by religious fundamentalisms in that context, and summarize how it is/was affecting women’s human rights.

3. Briefly describe the religious fundamentalists involved, including the name of individual party/organization/group, their local presence and strength, and any international links.

4. Briefly describe the strategy that you or your organization employed (or is currently employing) to resist or challenge religious fundamentalisms. Why did you act? What was the provocation (if any)? How was your resistance carried out? What allies did you have? What other social movements or actors are challenging religious fundamentalisms in your context? What were the intended or unintended consequences of your strategy?

5. Include in your conclusion responses to the following: What links (if any) do you see between the different types of fundamentalisms and the way they work across regions and religions? What are the root causes, motivators and appeal, as you see them, of religious fundamentalisms in your context? What can women’s rights activists and women’s movements learn from your strategy?





III. Submission Contact Information and Deadline



Proposals for case studies should be submitted to CF@awid.org by 13th June, 2008 at the latest. Any inquiries can also be directed to this address.



For more information on AWID’s “Resisting and Challenging Religious Fundamentalisms” initiative, please visit www.awid.org/go.php?pg=challenge_fundamentalisms.



We look forward to receiving your contributions!

**directly adapted from the source at www.awid.org]]> Thu, 08 May 2008 21:59:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/368465 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/362225
event which will be participated in by renowned academics, entrepreneurs, researchers,

educators, college students, government officials, volunteers of non-government institutions,

and members of advocacy groups in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. This is the

2008 Southeast Asian Geographers Association International Conference. The SEAGA 2008

will be held in the SEAMEO Innotech on June 3-6, 2008. It is being organized by the Philippine

Geographical Society, together with the Department of Geography of the University of the

Philippines-Diliman and the Southeast Asian Geography Association (SEAGA).



SEAGA 2008 is paving the way for an international gathering of Southeast Asian scholars and

practitioners from the field. The SEAGA 2008 International Conference will bring together

scholars, businessmen and women, social science researchers, college professors, high school

teachers, students from various universities, and representatives from government and non-

government institutions, advocacy groups, and other organizations of diverse political and

cultural backgrounds in Southeast Asia. The SEAGA members believe in the importance of

exchanging and sharing of knowledge and experiences among scholars and field practitioners.

This is crucial in addressing the many pressing issues that are brought about by the political

events, economic concerns, environmental problems and other social issues that simultaneously

affect the diverse population groups of Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos,

Cambodia, Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Past SEAGA conferences were

held in the following venues:Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam (1990)



University of Jogjakarta, Indonesia (1992)
University of Malaya, Malaysia (1994)
Chiang Mai University, Thailand (1996)
National Institute of Education/NUS, Singapore (1998)
Universiti Bangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia (2001)
Khon Kaen University, Thailand (2004)
National Institute of Education, Singapore (2006)


The Philippines is finally hosting this distinguished event in June 2008. We are expecting the

participation of over 200 individuals from different countries across the globe. We recognize that

your institution maintains a tradition of supporting events that allow spaces for discussions of

pressing problems that affect local population groups in the Philippines and in other countries as

well. We share the goal of arriving at workable solutions to effect changes that may lead to the

improvement of life conditions of many population groups not only in our country but in other

places in Southeast Asia. In connection with this, we are delighted to invite you to participate

in this four-day conference. Your presence will greatly helping in the facilitation of exchanges of

experiences among scholars and other stakeholders to address similar environmental, economic,

political, and socio-cultural concerns that affect the nations of the Southeast Asian Region.



Should you have other inquiries regarding the event, you may contact Ms. Yany Lopez at

(02)-9818500 local 2125/2377 or 09284128396, or email her at yanylopez@gmail.com. You can

also visit the website: http//seaga2008.googlepages.com. Thank you very much for recognizing

the importance of this international event. We look forward to your positive response.



Respectfully yours,



Professor Doracie B. Zoleta-Nantes, PhD (Signed)

Asia Research Fellow

and

President, the Philippine Geographical Society
]]> Sat, 26 Apr 2008 09:54:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/362225 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361723
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

There are over 25,000 free books in the Project Gutenberg Online Book Catalog.

A grand total of over 100,000 titles are available at Project Gutenberg Partners, Affiliates and Resources.

If you don't live in the United States, please check the copyright laws of your country before downloading or redistributing a book.
]]> Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:51:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361723 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361693

Hello,

My name is Oliver O'Callaghan, I am Publications Manager at Peacechild
International, a charity for youth education about development, human rights
and the environment. Our latest project is to convert the United Nations
Human Development Report into a format accessible to young people. This is
especially crucial because this year's theme is climate change, the greatest
challenge to our generation.

You can become involved!

We are looking for contributions to the publication from young people all
over the world. These can range from articles and stories to poems and
pictures.

If you want to become a member of the Project Task Force email me at-
publications@peacechild.org

Here is a link to the project page-
http://www.peacechild.org/www/pci/index.php?id=134

and here are links to the full call out letter in

English-
http://www.peacechild.org/climate/pdfs/pci_climate_call_en.pdf

French-
http://www.peacechild.org/climate/pdfs/pci_climate_call_fr.pdf

Spanish-
http://www.peacechild.org/climate/pdfs/pci_climate_call_es.pdf

Please read it and pass it on to as many of your friends as possible. The
more submissions we get the better.

Here is a link to the publication we produced last year that which gives an
idea of the type of contribution we find most useful-

http://hdr.undp.org/external/hdr2006/water/

Thank you and good luck!

--
Oliver O'Callaghan

Publications Manager, Peace Child International.

publications@peacechild.org
]]> Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:01:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361693 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361651
Greenpeace Water Patrol investigates polluting garbage dump in Laguna Lake
Calls for strict enforcement of waste laws to protect water sources

Manila, PHILIPPINES — Greenpeace Water Patrol activists today investigated a dump site in Angono, Rizal which has taken over the banks of Laguna Lake, and called on the government for the strict enforcement of waste laws to protect the country’s threatened freshwater sources.

As part of the investigation, the activists procured water samples in the vicinity, and placed a signpost with the words "Our trash. Our water. Protect our water sources!" to also remind the public, in time for Earth Day tomorrow, that waste dumped on land eventually ends up in the water that we use. The theme for this year’s Earth Day in the Philippines is water protection.

"Illegal, open dump sites have remapped the banks of Laguna Lake, creating reclaimed areas built on the filthy refuse of towns and cities, and slowly killing one of the major freshwater bodies in our country. How have we come to this? Clearly there is a serious shortcoming in the government's enforcement of its own environmental laws," said Greenpeace Toxics Campaigner Beau Baconguis.

"But Greenpeace would also like to highlight this Earth Day that this should be a call to action for all Filipinos to adopt a more responsible attitude toward the waste they generate and dispose. Through the simple practice of responsible waste management at home, such as segregation and composting of organic waste, we can be part of the solution to the problem of garbage and water pollution."

The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) disclosed last December that dumpsites in four municipalities—Paete and Biñan, Laguna, and Angono and Taytay, Rizal—are located close to Laguna Lake’s shores. Meanwhile fourteen dumpsites various other nearby towns compound the lake's water pollution problem. Although the LLDA has asked the concerned local government units to implement the Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003) the dumps continue to pollute the lake. oxic leachate from the said garbage dumps are expected to ooze into the lake for years to come, even after the dumps are successfully closed.

The dumps in Angono and Taytay, in particular, occupy the lake's waters in blatant violation of the Clean Water Act of 2004 (RA 9275), and RA 9003. The Angono dumpsite was supposedly declared closed by Mayor Aurora Villamayor last January 2008, but Greenpeace Water Patrol investigations encountered garbage trucks delivering fresh garbage to the site just a week ago. The Taytay dumpsite, on the other hand, is still fully operational.

Laguna Lake, also known as Laguna de Bay, is the country's largest lake, and the 2nd largest freshwater basin in Southeast Asia. It is being eyed as a potential source of potable water for Metro Manila. However, according to the LLDA, the lake is in danger of dying in five years if no steps are taken to improve its fast deteriorating water quality.

"Starting with the Angono dumpsite, Greenpeace is taking samples of water within the lake as part of our larger campaign, Project Clean Water, launched last October 2007. The project aims to bring people together toward a common goal of safeguarding our water sources. We intend to examine and expose the pollution levels of various freshwater sources around the country. Through this, we hope to catalyze much-needed action to reverse the continuing decline of our water resources," said Baconguis. Greenpeace expects to release the partial results of its investigations later this year.

]]> Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:57:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361651 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361353 http://www.theihs.org/ContentDetails.aspx?id=198


Movie, Film, TV, Animation, and Video Game Production Internships


Apply now for our fall internships! The deadling to apply is July 1.

Want to fly to LA and work on a feature film? Dig into a freedom-oriented, social issue documentary? Write side-by-side with a working Hollywood screenwriter or assist in the production of an upcoming television comedy? Maybe you’re more into CGI, animation or video game writing and development?

The Institute for Humane Studies Production Internship Program places interns in all these areas at industry majors and new, cutting-edge companies. Participants in our program typically receive:

$2000 stipend for a ten week internship
Housing and travel allowance
Tuition and travel assistance for our career development workshop
Free novels and academic works on economics, history, and philosophy
Mentoring with working industry professionals
Networking opportunities in major media centers: NYC, LA, and DC
The Production Internship Program runs year-round with three semester deadlines: Spring, Summer, and Fall. We offer positions as short as five weeks and up to twenty weeks at host firms. If you are currently in school, you can be considered for a part-time internship that would work around your courseload.

Opportunities in the film industry often arise irrespective of the university calendar, so to increase your options for placement; the best policy is to apply as soon as you know your availability.

Our online application makes applying quick and easy. After completing the short registration process, you can post your answers to our short essay questions and upload the required supporting materials.

Internships are available in major media centers across the United States. We accept interns of all ages and experience levels and international applicants are eligible. For an idea of what we look for in a successful applicant or where you might be placed, check out our Production Intern Bios and our Past Host Firms. For more of an idea of what you’ll do at an IHS internship, visit our Typical Day.
]]> Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:24:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361353 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361349
Broadcast TV Journalism Internships
Apply now for our fall internships. The deadline to apply is July 1.

CNN in Atlanta
ABC 20/20 in Manhattan
Fox News in LA
Hedrick Smith Productions in Washington, DC

Do you want a career in broadcast journalism? A hands-on internship with an experienced producer at a major media network or news production house is one of the best ways to break into the industry. Get started by applying for the Institute for Humane Studies Broadcast Journalism Internship Program.

Last year, we funded interns at all three of the above networks, and this February, we will add NBC to that list. In our program, an intern typically receives:

$2000 stipend for a ten-week internship
Housing and travel allowance
Tuition and travel assistance to our weeklong workshop, Journalism and the Free Society
Free books, including academic works on economics, history, and philosophy
Mentoring with working industry professionals
Networking opportunities in major media centers: NYC, LA, and DC
The IHS Broadcast Journalism Internship Program runs year round with three semester deadlines: Spring, Summer, and Fall. We offer positions as short as five weeks and up to twenty weeks at host firms. Current students can be considered for a part time internship that works around course loads. International students are also eligible for placement.

Our online application makes applying quick and easy. After completing the short registration process, you can post your answers to our short essay questions and upload the required supporting materials.

For an idea of what we look for in a successful applicant or where you might be placed, check out our Production Intern Bios and our Past Host Firms. Please check out our new typical day to find out what you will do as an IHS Intern.
]]> Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:16:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361349 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361345
Since I am still part of the youth and yet also belong to the world of the scholars, I can see clearly the walls that divide these two generations. The older generation except the younger ones to listen, and the latter want to be heard as well. ]]> Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:44:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/361345 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/360821
I wanted to react though that of the thousand faces of a hero, there are 6 major archetypal heroes: innocent, orphan, martyr, wanderer, warrior, and magician. At the current state of Filipino change-makers/ actors, most of them belong to the warrior mode. This means that a lot of the actors sacrifice part of themselves in order to achieve their goals for the community. However, a warrior's energy or power is that of a Tiger (in martial arts) which is very sensitive, it reacts and responds quickly. As for Filipinos, the "EDSA 1, EDSA2 and all other major rallies and protests", which is not necessarily wrong. It actually worked during the the Martial Law. However, Filipinos' archetypal hero (actors) needs to be transformed into a magician. Magician's power is that of a dragon, which does not only react or respond but it acts, therefore there is an initiative to do something new and external factors are not needed to do something but its (dragon/magician) sensibility. This also means that actions are always guided by wisdom (in Oriental myth, the dragon is the epitome of wisdom since it realeases fire, which is a powerful element for change, as in the case of alchemy).

Another point which I wanted to make if I had the time to do so was that, I do not agree with what Bro. Armin said that "all of us are actors and since we have no prior script, we have to act on based on our judgement." On the contrary, the socio-political and socio-economic crisis that our country is facing right now had happened before, therefore the patterns (script) are the same. What we really need is discernment. How do we change the ending of this theatrical act or the grand narrative of the Filipino Nation? Or shall I say, how do we act to change our dramatic (as in Aristotleian Drama) ending like what happens in the "theatre of the oppressed"? One of the mistakes for the actors (the Filipinos themselves) is that they always look for some kind of a deus ex machina or let the Gods fix it for us. Or the Filipino attitude, "Bahala Na" (come what may) And who are these gods that people turn to but the Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and yes, the Supreme Court Justices? Filipinos point to them and ask these gods to lead them and deliver them from evil. But when it fails, who are they going to turn to but themselves, is it not? As in the case of the Church's stand on ZTE NBN/ GMA issue.

]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:03:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/360821 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/360365
I buy second hand books, especially if the books are already out of print. Say, most of Joseph Campbell's books. Or books like Lives of a Cell and others. And of course, Mircea Eliade, my newest favorite. I will start collecting (and reading) his books this month. Good thing, I have a friend who's willing to buy books for me from NZ and US. Books make me ecstatic...uhuh...not all books though, only from my favorite writers which are usually classical and modern classical writers. I like Philosophy,Physics and Chemistry, Psychology, Religion, Spirituality, Literature, Auto and Biographies. I just dont like pop romance novels as they tend to be formulaic. I like writers who will keep me in awe until the last page. But right now, I have to concentrate on Mythology, anything about it from stories to scholarly and philosophical readings of it.

If I live in the US, my problem would be the place to keep my books. I'm sure, I'd be ordering books every week as I did when I was studying (buying four books a week cost me a lot) and I do have problems on where to place my books. Well, I do not have as many books as my BF(s)F or "best friends forever" but I still have time to buy and read (good thing). I'm the kind of person who can stay at home for one week and just read. When I have a book to read, I feel fine and good.

Sometimes it's better to read than listen to other people who have nothing good to say. hahaha. Anyway, time to list down the books I need to start my newest collection. If there's a guardian angel for books, I wish she'd visit me. Hehehe]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:31:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/360365 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/360363
NB: Directly Adopted from the Source-- www.iflry.org

SUBJECT: Human Rights: Tools of Trade

WHEN:June 2-8, 2008

WHERE: Budva, Montenegro

LANGUAGE: English will be the working language for this seminar.

FORMAT: This event is a Non-Formal Educational seminar, where participants are engaged in a learning process. Please note that participants are expected to contribute in teams, present to plenary, engage in dialogue, and work in groups to develop future progress on the topic.

TOPIC: Should trade be used as a tool to influence human rights? Should boycotts or embargos be usedto influence human rights situations in particular countries? How effective are they?
What should we as young liberals do with such a dilemma?

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 30

DEADLINE OF APPLICATION: MAY 1, 2008

WITH TRAVEL FUND: YES (please check their website for details.)]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:19:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/360363 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/359947

Applications close: June 30, 2008

World Nomads National Geographic Channel are giving one exceptional student the chance to go on assignment with renowned wildlife photographer Jason Edwards!

As part of this assignment, you will work alongside and receive mentorship from Jason Edwards, gaining valuable hands-on experience in everything from shot set up, technique and composition through to insights into his many years of diverse experience as an award winning photographer.


To help you take professional photos, the scholarship recipient will receive an Olympus E3 digital camera with 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 Standard Wide Zoom Lens plus a new Lenovo Ideapad Y-510 laptop computer to store your photos and keep your journal.

The scholarship recipient's top photos will be published on the National Geographic Channel's website where they will be viewed by thousands of travellers world wide and offer you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get your foot in the door of one of the most revered exploration organisations in the world!

The Scholarship also includes airfares from your nearest international airport, accommodation, travel insurance, visa costs and per diems.

Highly regarded for his wildlife and remote landscape photography, Jason Edwards is represented by National Geographic Image Collection.

for more info please visit their website at: http://journals.worldnomads.com/scholarships/post/16743.aspx]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:48:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/359947 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/359943
As part of this assignment, you will receive mentorship from Sydney Morning Herald journalist and travel writer Keith Austin, who will provide assistance via telephone/internet with story development, scripting and final editing.

You will be staying in Kosgoda with a local family for two weeks, immersing yourself in the local culture. To help you create your own unique story, the scholarship recipient will receive a new Lenovo Ideapad Y-510 laptop computer.

Once you have returned home, you'll write, edit and a create a feature article based on your experience in Sri Lanka which will be reviewed and considered for publication by the Sydney Morning Herald, Australia's pre-eminent newspaper, both printed and on-line - giving you the chance to have your story read by thousands of travellers world wide!

The Scholarship also includes airfares from your nearest international airport, i-to-i program costs, travel vaccinations, visa costs and per diems.


for more info please go to their website at: http://journals.worldnomads.com/scholarships/post/15629.aspx]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:43:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/359943 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/354647 http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/liveranking/

appreciate,protect and preserve what's left!]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:19:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/354647 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/351483 The price of rice is continuously rising. How come? I have my theories:


1) There is really no crisis except that some businessmen are hoarding the stocks of rice and are waiting for an opportunity to increase the price.
2) The fertilizer scam that until now, the government, the justice system and the lawmakers have not looked into.
3) Importing rice will produce kickbacks to some people.
4) Some farmers are now planting flowers instead of rice (or vegetables) because flower business is a more lucrative job.
]]> Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:50:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/351483 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/345929

Show support for Tibetans protesting inside Tibet

Contact your local government officials; call for UN intervention in Tibet and demand the International Olympic Committee withdraw Tibet from China's Torch relay.


While the international public and media have been appropriately horrified by China's clampdown, it is imperative that our national governments speak out in support for Tibet and condemn China's actions. Please call and write to your Elected Representatives and urge them to push their governments to strongly condemn China's crackdown in Tibet. For a sample letter, click here.

Click here to send a message to your U.S. Congressional Representative.
Click here for contact information for Canadian Members of Parliament.
Click here for contact information for British Members of Parliament.
Click here to urge the International Olympic Committee to remove Tibet from China's official Torch relay route now and to speak up publicly about the situation in Tibet.

For updates on the situation inside Tibet, please visit the SFT blog: http://blog.studentsforafreetibet.org
To see the latest photos from Lhasa protests,click here.
For a media roundup of the global protests, click here.

]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:37:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/345929 http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/345927 With tension rising in Tibet following a series of anti-China protests, the BBC spoke to an eyewitness who saw police on Wednesday beating monks at one of three monasteries which have been sealed. He wishes to be identified only as John.

We knew something was happening because there were more road checks as we got into Lhasa.

Cars were being stopped and police were writing the licence plates down. We tried to stop at a shrine outside Lhasa but were told to keep moving.

Then we heard around Wednesday lunchtime that Drepung monastery was closed. We didn't know why.

That afternoon we went to Sera monastery to see the debating. It's famous - the monks debate points of philosophy and people come to see it.

Just when it was about to start, around three o'clock, we started to hear rounds of applause coming out of a courtyard in the heart of the temple.


They were grabbing monks, kicking and beating them


We thought the debate was starting but then suddenly the clapping reached a crescendo - kind of a hooting.

Then the gate of the debating compound opened and this stream of maroon humanity poured out, several hundred monks. It was impossible to count but I think there were at least 300.

We thought it was part of the tradition but when you looked at the expression on their faces, it was a very serious business. They were pumping their hands in the air as they ran out of the temple.

Plain-clothes police

The minute that happened we saw the police - two or three who were inside the compound - suddenly speaking into their radios.

They started going after the monks, and plain-clothes police - I don't know this for sure but that's what I think they were - started to emerged from nowhere.

There were four or five in uniform but another 10 or 15 in regular clothing. They were grabbing monks, kicking and beating them.


If we had gone to Sera monastery an hour earlier or an hour later, no-one would have known what these monks had done


One monk was kicked in the stomach right in front of us and then beaten on the ground.

The monks were not attacking the soldiers, there was no melee. They were heading out in a stream, it was a very clear path, and the police were attacking them at the sides. It was gratuitous violence.

The Tibetan lay-people started rushing to get out of the temple. Tibetan grandmothers were grabbing young kids and getting them out.

We were left behind when the monks left the temple. About 20 minutes later we felt as if we could leave.

Riot police

Outside the monastery the road curved to the left and to the right. We were directed left - but when we looked to the right there was a line of riot police with batons and helmets blocking off the street.

The monks were sitting in neat rows on the ground, surrounded by a phalanx of police. It was a very clear show of force - there were maybe as many as 300 riot police and regular police there.

It could have been civil disobedience, but it looked like the monks had been put there. They weren't moving.

As we turned left, we saw troop carriers with camouflaged army regulars arriving - those green trucks with soldiers in the back on benches. We saw guns, large guns that looked like automatic weapons.

There were two or three of those trucks as well as others - several units of public order personnel swarming the situation.

As we left, all the roads around the monastery were blocked by police. There was no access.

At the time, all the phones were dead - we were trying to call the hotel but none of the cell phones were working. But within an hour the phone service was back on.

It seemed as if within half an hour the thing had been totally brought under control.

Back in Lhasa, it was eerily normal. There were police around but not really a muscular presence. It seemed to have been a massive localised show of force.

We realised that if we had gone to Sera monastery an hour earlier or an hour later, no-one would have known what these monks had done.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7296134.stm

Published: 2008/03/14 12:15:32 GMT



---Because we have to know what's going on around the world. Let's speak up and be not silent on issues that trouble our world and threaten our human rights and security--hekatea]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:33:00 EDT http://Katea.tigblog.org/post/345927