Messages

1

Lounge / Re: Hill Roberts: My own quotable (?) quotes

« on: March 29, 2010, 10:57:18 PM »

Hello Hill ! I'm glad you are back to having high spirits. I love your jokes. Just to let you know that I was so worried when I read about your "sad family memories". Hope to read more posts from you here.Catch you later...

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Use and Misuse / Re: The Plight of the JPEPA Nurses and Caregivers in Japan

« on: March 03, 2010, 07:43:01 AM »

Hello! How are you, friends at Sir Joe's Forum?
If you are not so busy and would want some socio-civic "involvement", join this discussion (on the topic above) posted at this Japan-based blog-Debito.org. The owner, Debito Aroudou (his pen name) is one of the well-known human rights foreign journalists in Japan. He keeps a weekly column at Japan Times. Yesterday, he posted the comments/article/reactions we wrote on current conditions of the JPEPA health workers at his blog. I am just so busy this week to continue giving answers and supporting details to their queries (hosting a seminar again this weekend  )...but if anyone has something to say in defense of the nurses and the writer  , and wish to advocate on the protection of our people from exploitation abroad, please share your valued ideas. I think I'd need the whole week to organize one good answer to some questions...but I also have work to do...(sigh).

There's one seemingly unsupportive poster there implying that "nurses stop complaining and comparing". The article does not talk much about discrimination thing, actually, but criticizes the poor design of the program. It seeks to rouse attention of the planners to remedy the ailing condition of the JPEPA workers. I have a feeling that such person represents an entity which has some connection to the JPEPA program...but I could be wrong. Anyway,....enjoy reading. See the article with comments from some readers here:

http://www.debito.org/?p=6056

madgirl/Emily

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You Asked Me This Question / Re: [sic] question

« on: February 27, 2010, 01:07:21 PM »

Sic is a Latin word which means "as such" or "said as such"...one of the Latin symbols or abbreviations used in footnotes or in referencing. Other Latin symbols under this category is Ibidem (Ibid.) meaning "same as above", or "same reference", opere citato (op. cit), and Loco Citato (loco citato), meaning "and here and there"...

There are also new "backronyms for "sic", making it stand for "said incorrectly", or "said in context".

In journalistic writing, when quoting speakers directly, authors put this "sic" symbol indicating "strange constructions".  For me, this could be offending. .

To the journalists in this forum:
Why do some writers stick to the original text or speech (thus using "sic"), when it is more polite to present the corrected form especially in public broadsheets?

madgirl

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Use and Misuse / Re: The Plight of the JPEPA Nurses and Caregivers in Japan

« on: February 15, 2010, 02:37:30 PM »

Thanks for that info. Max. Let's go to Australia! I've been to just Cairns and Brisbane. How's life in other parts of Australia?

How's everyone? Busy watching Vancouver Winter Olympic games? Visit Vancouver now, the world's most livable city, according to Economics Magazine (?). Four Australian cities also ranked in the top ten of the best cities in the world. Max, for you, what's the best Australian city?

Good that the English skills requirements to work and live in Australia has been lowered to level 6 average (in all skills). I think, Queensland has become one of the targets of the nurses;NZ cities too.

-----

Big thanks to Sir Joe and Renz for helping me with my letter-to-editor draft  . The long article was too long to be put at LTE page, but the three different versions were sent to many agencies and organizations in charge of evaluating the matter. I've seen a few developments, especially on hospital administrative levels discussions. I am waiting for other publications to post some parts of the article before I sent other copies to one concerned Ministry.

Luckily, the summary version made it to the Japan Times Opinion page under letters-to-editor. But the editor changed the title putting "caregiver" instead of "healthworkers" (grrr), and adding a couple of words and punctuations. The nurses were not so satisfied with this capsulized letter as lots of the details are missing, but I think the important gist is there. I was worried they'd ignore the whole message altgether, so I made it that short. I hope other magazines contacted by my foreign friends here post any of the longer versions as a feature article soon. See this short letter at Japan Times:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/rc20100211a5.html

Because of this advocacy, I am now invited by an association of educators to give a presentation in March next year on the new education and new language learning of our nurses and caregivers. Thanks to all who shared support.

madgirl

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Use and Misuse / Re: The Plight of the JPEPA Nurses and Caregivers in Japan

« on: January 27, 2010, 08:04:56 AM »

Many of the nurses are going home soon. They are really thinking of going to Australia, UK, or Canada instead while USA still observes a retrogression in some work visas. Which agency do you think could help them process their application? Thinking of establishing an employment agency soon?  The nurses pay a lot to get to good countries  . Thanks, Max.

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Badly Written, Badly Spoken / Re: McDonald’s new ad in UK skewered for inaccurate English usage

« on: January 26, 2010, 12:13:49 PM »

If the "bob" is less in value, then the expression " Great value for around a pound" in the ad is correct. "Around" doesn't mean exactly the said amount. "Around a  pound" also has a rhyme, which is a good nmemonic line. The English always change the way they say "money". No one uses pound or pounds so much in everyday life anymore. Go to the market and you hear "20 p", "50 p"....when the coin is just a one-syllable word, still they are lazy  to produce the complete sound. 

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Use and Misuse / The Plight of the JPEPA Nurses and Caregivers in Japan

« on: January 26, 2010, 07:23:17 AM »

Hello Friends. I am writing an article or Letter to the Editor to be sent soon to our leading English newspaper here in Japan. Have you heard about the JPEPA workers finally coming to Japan? The issue was debated extensively in the past 2 years in the Philippines, until the group finally arrived in Japan in May, 2009. Now that they are here facing numerous problems, they are helpless and frustrated. There are so many issues to be tackled in the body including unfair labor policies, non-professionalism, insufficient language study, salary below poverty line, absence of a labor attache to represent them, etc. I need the expertise of some of you here, especially on the art of reasoning and social issues (renz and maxims... ) and suggest ways to simplify, make it formal and worth reading (Sir Joe, please). I wish others share their thoughts and expert advice too, especially on the labor issues. I have sent my draft to my email group with international readership, and some suggested that I send it to various papers worldwide to gain sympathy too. For now, I can't post the letter here, but would surely do once it's finally posted in our daily paper here. I'm afraid too, that the great amount of emotion in it would make my letter very informal....so please, suggest expressions to use. I can send privately a copy to anyone who can help improve it.  Thank you, thank you! Doumo! 

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Time Out From English Grammar / Re: Did Mona Lisa have high cholesterol, and is Newton’s apple story authentic?

« on: January 23, 2010, 11:55:26 AM »

I have heard of many other stories attempting to explain the many strange features in Mona Lisa's portrait. Bells palsy  :-[and other muscle ailments could be the cuplrit. Da Vinci is also known to distort or remodel other people's features, and Mona Lisa could be non-existent but a mere reinvention of his mother. If you alter a picture and forget improving other features, inconsistencies like these happen. Nobody is perfect. It was hard to find a good model...actually, imperfections are great characteristics for masterpieces to last centuries  No? Who can paint me ?

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Lounge / Re: A harsh, eye-opening retrospective about the Philippines 22 years ago

« on: January 21, 2010, 10:15:13 PM »

Oh my....can we move on to another focus and direction? Let's shift from arguing to suggesting ways to speed up progress in sectors that need attention.

For me, not all changes translate to "improvement". I think, we all have our own definitions of progress, improvement and changes. Our status, role and nature of work also affect the way we see life and society.

Everyone, can we just share or list TEN best ways to help a developing nation (like the Philippines) attain true progress for all its citizens? For you, what should be changed or considered. There's no need to explain each point (or contradict other people's views).

Here's what I can say:
1. Policy makers must review current needs of the country first before initiating changes.
2. The country must focus on protecting, improving and utilizing its own resources.
3. Education and continuing education with results must also be a priority.
4. The citizens must stop thinking "politics" and considering it as the only solution to have power.
5. Develop indigenous inventions and products and promote patronage of such products.
6. Encourage bright citizens to stay in the country to effect changes (stop brain drain.)
7. Learn from other nations' mistakes and copy good examples.
8. Eradicate corruption and corrupt leaders.
9. The society must stop condoning leaders' bad practices.
10. Improve law and order as well as the judicial system.

Lots of things more, but here are the top 10 concerns... Hmmn. I think some are overlapping.
madgirlgettingconfused

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Lounge / Re: A harsh, eye-opening retrospective about the Philippines 22 years ago

« on: January 20, 2010, 12:05:01 PM »

For James Fallow to present an overview of the Philippine situation at that time, he could have lived in the Philippines for a long long time. But actually, even those who never set foot in the Philippines, because of popularity of the Philippines in human rights violations during the Marcos Regime would have a near exact description of the anomalies in the government. Thanks to foreign media. Without the foreign watchdogs constantly criticizing the government, it could have been worse.

Renz, thanks for your listing of topics. We could talk about EACH if you want. Talking about SSS and Pag-ibig, about how many of the entire population is benefited by these? I was a fulltime worker that time so I had SSS. Other workers had it too, but the janitors, farmers, and other lowly wokers were never assisted. The rest of the people working in our community never had a chance to apply due to the nature of their work and inability to pay the monthly dues. I could see in our town website links to a speedy application of this and that service like Pag-ibig, as well as processing of taxes and other tariffs. What is very amusing is their very organized and efficient way of collecting taxes, but disappointing implementation of community programs. Again, only a few in this level-4 municipality could afford to be a member of such services. When would the day come for everyone to receive due benefits? Most of the improvement you mentioned are just for the middle and the struggling classes of the society. The ultimate poor are neglected and misguided.

madgirl...still

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Your Thoughts Exactly / Re: Remembrances of Christmases past

« on: December 25, 2009, 10:41:23 AM »

Christmas trees are supposed to be the usual conifer or cypress that would look like the ones we see on Christmas cards when the West cuts its tree tops close to Christmas Eve. Where I grew up, it had a different view of what Christmas is like.

Fresh from those toddler days in Manila where all I knew about Christmas was receiving gifts from uncles and aunties, candy canes, dolls in various sizes, and breaking your old piggy bank to be replaced by a new one, in the province I began to see the deeper meaning of this season. There were no parades like the ones organized by Mayor Bagatsing; it was an occasion where my grandfather was a big figure in the neighborhood, telling others to do this, prepare this and that. But, he never let anyone else do the Christmas tree trimmings but him. His unique choice of Christmas tree, the one glittering with Sampaloc fruits that had ripened in their boughs to look silvery...was the most gorgeous of the yuletide trees in the barrio. There were some other fresh ornaments I could see, but they were naturally grown from his farm and made beautiful with the marvelously tied knots of brown hay and Ipil-ipil garlands. I was just staring at the whole giant tree with awe, and began to think of wonders only my mind could dream. At last, he got down from the stool he was standing in, and smiled at me to say something...

I said, "Who will put the star on top?". He made a great sigh, and told me to just wait for my father. I replied that it would be a long wait, for father always came home only on the eve of a special occasion. He would bring home presents and other souvenirs to the province, everything modern and city-made, even the candy canes from his American master. Then, I would have another bag of brightly colored girl's wear, all lovely gifts even my parents could not buy with their meager monthly wages.

"Then we wait", he said. He motioned to me to put the paper garlands we made at our art subject. I have drawn various images on the broad spaces and rings, and was proud to show off my masterpieces of art. He was glad to see the brightness on my face, as he assisted me in trimming the rest of the spaces. "Would you tell your classmates?", he asked.

My mood changed in an instant. I even trembled hearing the word "classmates". Moving from Manila to the province at six years old and unable to speak the local dialect Ilocano, my daily social life was limited to just chatting with neighbors and cousins. Classmates always teased me as a "manila girl" or "tagala". And I never played with them at recess time. I was always tired chasing the boys with paper balls I prepared especially to hit them when they teased me, and retorting back at them saying "goats". Some girls were always envious as I always had nice clothes, and they would show faces of scorn when our teachers tap my shoulders. I always had to be surrounded by cousins as we walked home, to safeguard me from others' scorn.

It's almost five o"clock, and we were ready to burn the small candles we saved from the can of home-made floor wax, to check their effect on the Christmas tree. My grandpa told me that he could hear some whispers near the bushes, and giggles near our fence. He said, that some had been there for hours watching us, and now the faint sounds of giggles was getting louder. My attention was now of lighting the candles standing on the big branches of our wonder tree.

The dusk signalled it's time to start the rehearsal, we had to see how beautiful our work of art was. There, as I lit each little candle on each branch, and the images on the background grew brighter; glows and glitters mixed with smiling faces, and the sight of angelic images holding some flowers, coming towards us to hang trimmings on our tree. My classmates! I tried to hold back tears, wished to run, but my legs were motionless. It's too late. Some girls had held my hand and led me to our other classmates. They too had some other ornaments to hang. Instantly, the boys who used to tease me turned like real angels. We moved slowly together closer to the tree, as we threw shy smiles at each other. We sang songs our teachers taught us in school. This time, we were singing all in a language we could understand. We sang our favorite hymns: O Come all Ye Haithful. Joy to the World the Lord has Come!

madgirl-turning-angel

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My Media English Watch / Re: Concern over alarmist TV reporting about Mayon’s eruption

« on: December 23, 2009, 12:57:01 PM »

Thank you for this very informative talk on Pacific's ring of fire.  If Mayon is the leader of them all, and it's time to release heat from below (to protest on our slow solutions to global warming), we are in great danger. Japan is worried that another great earthquake is coming soon. And since tectonic plates (?) causing massive earthquakes in Philippines are directly connected to Japan, our volcanologists here are always on alert each time Mayon "creates a show".

One question about one word you used, Sir Joe. You said " extinct volcano". Shouldn't it be "dormant volcano"? Would extinct mean non-existent? inactive? Could you give us some more examples of extinction? 

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My Media English Watch / Re: Concern over alarmist TV reporting about Mayon’s eruption

« on: December 23, 2009, 12:57:37 AM »

Oh Bicolanos....I remember, when my grandfather learned that I was already 19 years old when we were visiting him, he wept a lot  . He asked how and why on Earth did I turn 19 and still single....waaaah! So that's it. He said that I had to practice for the dance to attract more men....waaaah  .

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My Media English Watch / Re: Concern over alarmist TV reporting about Mayon’s eruption

« on: December 23, 2009, 12:46:26 AM »

OMG! I was supposed to ring my other side of the clan...They're in Camarines Sur too! Small world, Sir Joe! My father is from Cam. Sur, Pili actually. I learned that my great grandparents used to live in Albay but moved to Camarines Sur to escape from the wrath of Mt. Mayon. And if this Bicol region blue alert would now cause panic on us all...it must be Mayon turning "upside down" . Haha, the newscaster must be another "me" when I first came to Camarines Sur and was so happy to see a big mountain I thought was Mayon. What's that mountain again Sir Joe? Anyways, I was not so sad when I didn't see any glimpse of Mayon from where we were, gathering and cracking pili nuts. The whole weekend, we were just rehearshing for the nightly "baile" at the town hall  , that I forgot everything about my plan to draw the most perfect cone  . Please tell me more about Cam. Sur. That was my first and last visit there.

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Badly Written, Badly Spoken / Caution: Celebrate Christmas without firecrackers!

« on: December 21, 2009, 06:15:51 PM »

Hello Hill, Feliz Navidad! Meri Kurismasu Minnasan! Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon sa Inyong Lahat! Naimbag a Pascua Yo Amin! Merry Christmas to all friends and mentors here at Joe's Forum!