An Awakening: Started to Love Bats

             Of all the different kinds of animals I have seen and presented by our outstanding  UPLB professors whom their concern, love and desires for animals are indeed fascinating, what my eyes caught the most upon which I found it attractive were the bats together on where they live on here in our motherland—the Philippines. We all know that bats are not the eye-catching type of species and in the same way they are quite not dominating (as we assume). Most of Filipinos undoubtedly feared them. Maybe, because for some factors, like the sounds that they made are naturally ‘thrilling’ and ‘irritating’. But this is unexplainable to exceptionally “into” the animals because for these people or the so-called animal-lovers, bats are regarded as ‘precious to see and wonderfully made and part of our environment. From curiosity, they started researching about the whereabouts of bats, locating where do they often stay? On what specific parts of our country?

                I wonder, as suddenly as I was listening about some facts on bats and their backgrounds, how much do we know so far? This question I took seriously. How many cave bats are there? At the back of my mind, I unconsciously questioned myself, how many people really care? Am I one of them? I am pertaining not only to bats but all the other animals that exist and yet only few knew. Nonetheless, aside from human beings caring for their personal stuffs such as shopping etc, what else do really matters to us? Are animals just a decoration in the forest, caves and surroundings? I think not.

                To BS Mathematics students like me, we might not be the know-it-all on this perspective about our animals around us but it will never change the reality that we also interact connect to them. Also, there will always be a part of us that eager us to find out more, to seek more and to search more. 

                Over 260 years of exploration of Philippine wildlife—seven publications mentioned information on cave bats. At this very moment, I just knew that there exist a museum collection—a synopsis of mammalian fauna of Philippine Islands on cave bats of Central West Coast and Southern Section of Northwest Panay. Additionally, amazingly, Geoffroy’s Rousette fruit bats are the largest known colony of the species in the world. Bats all live in a single cave—guests aren’t allowed to enter but they can peer over bamboo railings into any of five openings where the seething masses of sleeping fruit bats can be seen coating the cave walls. This, among other unusual discoveries, has led to current proprietor Norma Monfort to team up with scientific teams from all around the world to transform the 57-acre farm into a serious foundation for the preservation of the bats.

                Not only have those, bats also dwelt in Polillo Island. They serve this island as their natural habitat but currently most of the bats have made their home in Samal Island cave for unfold generations. A stunning world record! This lead us to only one conclusion—that Philippines have so much resources that most of them are benefits for everyone if we will have the sincerity in our hearts to start caring, loving and considering them as part of production, growth and a partner in order to achieve a better, happy and well-communicated environment—our dwelling place.

Lessons to Note: Q. Grandstand's Hostage

             Three years ago, on August 23, 2010, dismissed Senior Police Inspector Rolando Mendoza hostaged a tourist bus at Rizal Park carried by 25 passengers including the bus driver. It took more than 12 hours before resolved by the appointed rescuers Manila Police District's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) with the help of District Police Safety Battalion. This happening was then called, the Quirino Grandstand Hostage-taking Drama.

            Why would such incident occurred? Without any hesitation, if only there was 'justice dismissal' on Mendoza's position, this should have never happened. All he wanted was a fair hearing and opportunity to defend himself. Also, to properly and lawfully hold on the court his position. He was fighting for what he believes in and also for his right as a citizen of this country. If only they were able to act upon it, no person should have been hurt and died. No gunshot should have been heard along that road; no criticism should have been talked against the Philippines. No chaos should have been done. But unfortunately, it did.

            It is true that "theories do not always work in reality because they are based on ideal situations". As a mere internet watcher, I do agree that it is very easy to say the do's and don'ts against the rescue operators since I was not there. In fact, as we experienced nervousness by only watching, what more to the rescue team being held responsible where they can even die at that very day. Instead of talking against our co-citizen, focusing what went wrong and judging their mistakes,  onlookers like us should had given them words of encouragement. I think, that's the best we could had help, at least.

            In contrast, due to bad negotiations and miscommunications, negative feedbacks were thrown against SWAT and DPSB.  Many said that they were “bungled" and "incompetent". Even our tourism was greatly affected. The Phil. officials' poor handling of the incident as the cause of 8 hostages' deaths identified by the Hongkong government. Therefore, Hongkong has issued 'black' travel alert for the Philippines as a result of the affair.

            Furthermore, it is very noticeable that the media got the situation worse, in my opinion.Yes, it was the duty of the media to let the citizens know what was going on back then but you see, they somehow got on the way. Of course, Mendoza would surely be listening to the radio and tv while inside the bus. So it made him flared up hearing what He doesn't want to hear nor to do.Even before the bus' survivors be put in the medic and let the scenario be cleared for a moment, the crowding of the media made no progress. The role of it was supposed to lighten the hostage partake and to be the channel of message between Mendoza and SWAT. But then, its impact had a big change indeed. On the other hand, we have witnessed the unnecessary movements by the SWAT team that was inevitable not to give critique. They were not skilled enough to save all the passengers; not fully united and even shouted to each other that must have been used 'signals' instead.

            Hence, it was evident in this kind of incident that we still lack many things, we cannot still manage to protect even our co-Pinoys against an enemy. Why? Because we do not know how to discipline ourselves; we do not care how valuable cooperation is not until we mess things up. We know selfishness, corruption and fame existing but how do we respond on them? All we've got is mere talking that unfortunately leads to misunderstandings, sometimes.

            Yet, we cannot undo this incident anymore. Because, what's done is done. Nevertheless, there is so much to learn, I believe. Let's hand in hand overcome every problem that our country has to face day by day. Let's hand in hand plan for the future of the Philippines while we live today. Let the lessons of this hostage take you home. Let this drama remind you to never say never but to keep going. It's never gonna be late to change our history. As long as time goes, our history continues. Always remember: 'It begins within you!'.

Social Media: A Setback for Future Advancement

The exponential growth of the internet has been nothing short of astounding. Our society has reaped the benefits of technology for the past few decades since its discovery. Technology has developed social media and netizens have increased all over the world. Yet, as online media advance and transform our roles in the society, the rapid adoption of people on social networking attributes harmful impacts that brings problem that we should take control and be aware of.

           

            Social media is also known as online media which has the capability to build a network through connecting people from real world in the cyber world. Social networks such as facebook and twitter; blogs, wikis, podcasts, forums and microblogging are all examples of social media. It encourages participation, connectedness, conversation, openness and community. But why does its role shift from being a 'need' to being a 'danger'? Well, recent study showed that 71% think the nation would better solve its problems if the media didn't butt in (Bruning, 1995).

            Throughout the years, social networking sites have been the source most of the necessities on our day-to-day basis. Everything now is just one click away. Everything seemed so advance and overwhelming to the point that our 'hopes' are on them.

            Due to the growth of SNS's, your identity can easy be revealed. Many could claim intimate knowledge about your privacy and reputation. Hence, people tend to abuse things about you that can affect your personal life. In the same manner, cyber bullying makes anonymous harassment online a crime like peer harassment. Displaying one's entire life publicly has been recognized these days also. It seems that as our technology surpasses of levelling up, our life becomes more prone to danger, our security narrows. You could wake up in the morning receiving a threat without knowing who sent it to you because public display continues to hand without care and in difficulty. People start to isolate into narrow groups. Social media risk mental health problems due to negative online views. Worse, it despises our morality that began online sexual solicitation and predation occurrence. Moreover, it influences children's perception. In short, social media gives rise to a 'greater democracy' but 'lesser privacy' cyber world.

            Ultimately, online media has undoubtedly made its mark in our society for the worse. Its continued progress induces a setback among us despite the significance it would bring to society. Therefore, we should take an active part in producing a sound social media, but in the process, we should still be guided by our moral responsibilities not only to the people around us but also to ourselves. Only when different human races learn and practice using it properly, not abusively can we have a better world as technology offers substitutes for connecting with each other face-to-face. The challenge for you is to keep the changes positive--possessing self-awareness and controlled mind. Above all, how we've got to this place and whether we are content to be here, you and I, should take charge of it for the impact of technology on our lives will remain forever.