Complex and Intagible

The human soul is complex. Human beings, even with their immense capacity for understanding had failed to really quantify and identify what a human soul is. Does it manifest itself in the shallowness of our habits and prejudices? Or is it as deep as our character?

However, one thing is for certain, the human soul is as beautiful as it is intangible.

                People always say I was blessed. It is as if some divine hand is always working for my behalf to save me whenever I get trouble. For the most part, I believed them. I believed them not because I agree that God delays the teacher whenever I am late. I believed them because a divine will had given me an opportunity to appreciate the strength and beauty of the human spirit in the most unlikely of places.

                The strength of the human spirit I learned from a 1 year old boy who was fighting for his life. I can see it in his rapid breathing and his dull eyes, the weeping of his parents, I was sure he wouldn’t last a fortnight. I wanted to stop then, because I fear that my care would make no difference, that no matter what I do, he is doomed to his inevitable end. I went home tired and exhausted that day, disturbed by the fact that that child will leave this earth not remembering how his last hours went by because nobody made it significant. I was sure that all of my efforts were in vain; he wouldn’t live long enough to appreciate it. Two days went by and I heard a miracle, the boy I took care of survived, and maybe, just maybe, what I did mattered, that I gave him some strength to fight for his life and that no matter what happens, I shouldn’t give up, because he never did.

                Optimism I heard from a man with a terminal illness who managed to make a group of exhausted and anxious nursing students laugh because he thought we are “too serious and uptight.” I was beyond touched, here was a man who was uncertain if he would live long enough to even see the passing of a month or a week, making an effort to make somebody laugh, not wallowing in self pity and depression when had every right to do so.

True happiness I learned during a revelation. We were once asked by a lecturer to rate our happiness with the career we chose with a 1-10 scale, 1 being the lowest, and 10 the highest. That made me do a double take, because I realized that I never gave myself the opportunity to ask the question of how happy I am with the career I chose. However, after a minute of introspection, I raised my hand for a 10. I was the only one who did, and when asked why, I was so surprised because all I could think about was, “because a patient had said thank you.”

                I knew I was blessed. We all are. Everyday, we are given the unique opportunity to see the beauty of the human spirit. All it takes is a heart full of appreciation, free of prejudices. Amidst the daily problems and crisis that we face, amidst the insensitivity and apathy we experience from other people, let us be reminded that the human spirit is beautiful; there is goodness that exists in every individual.

                The human spirit may be complex and intangible, but it will never cease to be beautiful.  

E-Nursing Strategy for Canada 2006: A Peek at Nursing Informatics in the past

E-Nursing for Canada (2006)

                In 2004, the Canadian Nurses Association (CAN) received funding to develop an encompassing, comprehensive and collaborative strategy of providing a single portal or gateway for nurses to access resources via the internet. This is to address the absence of one single strategy that could unite all forms of information and communication technology (ICT) for integration in nursing, now called the e-nursing strategy.

                It aims to consider all domains of nursing practice and needs to benefit nurses and their clients on a nationwide scale. The term e-nursing embodies integration of ICT to Nursing.

                At the start of the implementation of the project, two groups were established to facilitate implementation of e-nursing. The first team, the working group, focused on identifying present health care and electronic environments and used seven key results that are expected to occur once the strategy is implemented. They identified actions needed for the next five (5) years and modeled the portal based on these needs. The education group on the other hand, is mobilized to provide nurses access to educational resources and offerings and to facilitate exchange of ideas. This is in focus to e-learning, a part of the e-nursing strategy whose aim is to provide opportunities for nurses to enhance professional growth.

                In 2005, the Can circulated a consultation document among stakeholders and respondents which include nurses, the government and educators to draw in ideas for the strategy. The document was divided into two (2) with part one (1) focusing on E-nursing as a strategy and e-learning as part of the portal.

                In general, the strategy received positive feedback and was supported. Nurses who acted as respondents approved the idea and emphasized the importance of having timely and accessible information that can benefit the entire health care system. They also recommended five (5) key areas for the CAN to act upon including: marketing, advocating for access, ensuring sustainability, developing partnerships and implementing the project. Most of the recommendations also centered on the integration of ICT into nursing which includes: development of competencies for nursing informatics and advocating for involvement of nurses in decision making about information systems. Furthermore, educators recommend the formation of a curriculum and nursing regulatory bodies to push for improvement of competencies related to ICT.

                For E-learning, respondents believed that the ease of access to the portal is its best asset. This is because it will provide nurses with current evidence-based information and research including its guidelines and instructions. It will bridge all domains of nursing and all nurses from all geographical areas to provide information whenever they need it and with user friendly navigation tools. It will also provide an opportunity for nurses to have access to specific and general education as well as further studies related to professional practice.

                The tools that should be offered online were also identified in the paper and includes: up-to-date education programs, institutions and conferences, online resources, tutorials for computer skills, online courses, current news and a 24-hour helpline.

                However, the strategy also drew in concerns from nurses. They identified that the two main barriers they see in incorporating ICT in their work were their lack of comfort and knowledge about computers and the internet and the lack of computers and internet at work and at home. The access problems that may be identified as the strategy gets implemented may be connected to the lack of hardware, software and internet access among others.

                For more information about e-nursing strategy for Canada, the paper can be accessed on https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/e-nursing-strategy-for-canada.pdf?la=en

K + 12: Is it a no or a go?

 

Man is an enigma, a mystery. He is created with the capability to understand his surroundings Yet man never understood himself. He is the perfect epitome of irony, for the more he learned, the more he discover his own ignorance. But man is a survivor, not a quitter. Thus, he discovered the lifelong process of understanding himself. He began what was the very foundation of our society today, EDUCATION.

A nation’s path towards progress and stability is not only defined by its wealth but also by its very foundation, its working force. In the Philippines’ persistent effort to rise from its position as a third world country, our government had focused on strengthening our working force by starting on its roots, the education of the people. Thus, K + 12 is born. K + 12 is an educational program tha focuses on strengthening the technical and vocational capabilities of the students. But with this present situation and looming nightmare of global crisis, is it a no or a go?

With 33% of Filipinos living on less than 45 pesos a day and the unemployed rates hit an increase of 6.7%, we are scampering for jobs to support families. Thus, we join in the search for the proverbial “greener pastures” abroad. With the increasing need for technical and vocational workers all around the globe, perhaps K to 12 is the answer to our prayers. Is it?

Looking through another angle however, we might find this program more as a hindrance than a solution. The mechanics is simple, we increase our technical vocational skills then work for others. The country never to benefit from their efforts. With this brain drain trend continuing, what will happen to us? But with poverty everywhere, do we leave them with much choice? No. This would result to nothing but an educated working force with half of the world enjoying its benefits, does it sound right?

With an increasing rate of poverty and unemployed Filipinos, sending our children to school becomes a bigger responsibility. How much more if the years of education are prolonged? With 9.5% increase of drop-outs and only 62% of students educated in Sulu, what more evidence do we need to support the fact that our fellow Filipinos could barely send their children to school?

With the facts clear that our nation is losing more than it is gaining in this program, what motivates our leaders to pursue it? Perhaps the never ending need to change the educational system? Or the glimmer of hope it brings to a poverty stricken country? If we take our chances now, we might be forever haunted by one fatal mistake that was staring at us right under our noses. If we want to improve education, why not start from improving classrooms, facilities, wages and turning teachers into more globally-competent educators? One mistake could be fatal to our future. One question, K + 12: is it a no or a go?

TECH-VOC: Nation's STEPping stones towards Progress

Through the years, the government had spent millions in strengthening the educational status of the country. Broadening its vision, it began to focus on programs that develop the student’s skills aside from the learnings in the four walls of the classroom. As the need for vocational and technical workmen arise, the government and the Department of Education began the establishment of Technical Vocational curriculum in schools. In present, this program had provided millions with opportunities. But what is could this program bring this country?

As the technical vocational program flourishes, it also develops the students in areas of home economics, industrial arts and agriculture. This program put significant emphasis on providing students with practical experience and technical know-how which are competency based. This goal focuses on providing students a training and environment that is significantly based in real life jobs that would allow them to be developed as globally-competitive workers through on-job-trainings and industrial immersions with NGOs. As a country with high regard to moral values, the technical-vocational curriculum also places importance in the development of student’s wholesome character and strengthening national competitiveness and productivity. Also, one of the primary goals of this curriculum is its preparation of the students who cannot pursue higher education to create job employment and contribute in nation building. Through this, the students can use their skills and create products as a source of income even without diplomas, and as the demand of technical or vocational worker increase abroad, the students will be able to provide themselves better oppurtunities.

The technical vocational program brings the country globally competitive and self-sufficient workers that are vital in the development and nation-building. The rise of the pearl of the orient from its position as a third world country is lying in the hands of its people, and a globally competitive Filipino means a globally competitive country. The technical vocational curriculum and its students is the nations STEPping stones towards progress.

Public Enemy No. 1: MALNUTRITION

Malnutrition. A 12-letter word, something you can find in an ordinary dictionary. It may hold no meaning to others, but to some who had seen it, it may be a looming nightmare, ready to strike. Malnutrition may not be simple at all. As we continue to fight malnutrition, we are confronted by one Question, what causes this menace?

In every food that we eat, our body takes it in and processes it to be converted into energy and other useful materials. Proper eating is not all about quantity, its just a matter of eating the correct and complete food, something that has quality. These things are vital for the body to become healthy and carry out tasks with vigor and enthusiasm. Quality in what we eat is what we call proper nutrition.

Sadly, in the era where everyone is affected by the plague of global crisis, how can one provide proper nutrition? How can one attain quality of food when they are living under the poverty line? Earning something as little as 1.36 dollars a day. Malnutrition is indeed the very problem we continue to battle each day as our fellow filipinos feasted on a can of sardines and salt for a family of twelve.

One of alternative practice to end malnutrition is breastfeeding among mothers. It ensures the child’s mental and physical health that is brought about by the health benefits from the mother’s milk that is not available in any other substitutes. It had proven to be effective. Sadly, today, mothers themselves become breadwinners and career-oriented people, thus, they use substitutes to avoid the hassle of breastfeeding. The solution to malnutrition has added to the problem.

Not only does the problem end in lack of breastfeeding. Among children and teens, eating of junk foods had been a common practice. According to research and study in nutritive values, these food does not etiher contain useful minerals and nutrients or they are too loaded with minerals that it becomes harmful to the body. Thus, malnutrition arise from too much consumption of junk foods. ?

As we continue to face these problems in the campaign for proper nutrition, the government and the people should act as one to eliminate poverty, encourage breastfeeding and campaign for proper nutrition among children and teens. Proper nutrition may be simple, but it is not easy to achieve, one needs the drive, the willingness and the resources to lead a healthy life. Problems against malnutrition can be eliminated and can remove the hindrance that is blocking our way towards a country that has stability, peace, development, and healthy people. Malnutrition is public enemy number one, but nothing is not solved by unity with action. Nothing more, nothing less.

I am a Filipino

I am a Filipino-inheritor of the glorious past, hostage to the uncertain future. As such, I must prove equal to a two fold task- the task of meeting my responsibility to the past and the task of performing my obligation to the future.

I am sprung from a hardy race- child of many generations removed of ancient Malayan pioneers. Across the centuries, the memory comes rushing back to me: of brown-skinned men putting out to sea in ships that were as frail as their hearts were stout. Over the sea I see them come, borne upon the billowing wave and whistling wind, carried upon the mighty swell of hope-hope in free abundance of the new land that was to be their home and their children’s forever.

This excerpt was taken from Carlos P. Romulo’s I am a Filipino, an essay that showed not only his ever flowing patriotism for his beloved country, the Philippines but his brilliant mind and the gift of words. This article encases the words we need to make our heart swell with pride. As what Ninoy and Cory Aquino had once said, “The Filipinos, regardless of their flaws, are worth dying and living for.” These people are few of those who had let their life be taken for the sake of the country they loved the most, the one of a kind pearl of the orient.

Many heroes have died for our country, but looking at it now, I can’t believe we have executed things that will lead us to nothing but destruction. I can’t believe we had the same blood in that pulsated in our veins as that of Jose Rizal and of our heroes. We are not worthy of the freedom we have now. And we are not worthy of the lives wasted in order to bring this country standing still. The reasons why we are worthless? They are simple, because we are shameless and are blinded by money and power.

Take the Maguindanao Massacre as the most vivid example. The world stood still for the most brutal murder that had happened in history. Innocent people were buried alive in the rich soil of Maguindanao w/o being given the chance to fight for their lives. And who had committed this heinous crime? Who committed these brutal acts against our co-Filipinos? He is just a powerful man who belonged to the same race as these victims do. And what had pushed him to do that? Money, Power and nothing more. Yes, the suspect may have been placed behind the bars and persecuted for what he had done, yet the brutal action he had done will always linger in the air. The fact that a Filipino was more than willing to kill and execute a brutal murder against innocent persons who belonged to the same race as his just because of a thing as simple as money and power would always remain in our hearts and would always leave a red mark in history. And not only that, there are more actions that will make us feel humiliated in front our heroes. Graft, corruption, abuse of power, stealing, murder, the list is too long to be ignored. Who would oppose these acts if not us? When would these acts be opposed if not now?

Till We Meet Again

“Dad, Do I really need to get to school?” I asked, my voice slightly blended with laughter. We were sitting in the kitchen table, reminiscing the day my Mom did a terrible search of her missing eyeglasses only to find herself remembering that she was wearing it after all when I suddenly piped in together with a topic concerning the boring four walls of the classroom and the high pitched voices of the teachers that can be summed up in one word, the school.

“Of course, how can you buy me a car when you don’t want to go to school?” he answered, his voice in deep baritone. I smiled at his answer, of course, how can I buy my Dad, the world’s legendary Dad a car when I don’t want to go to school. I stared at him, he was gently sipping is coffee, causing the aroma to scatter in the room. Then he turned at me and said, “Listen, young lady, the only thing a robber can’t take is your knowledge, he can take everything you had but not knowledge.” That was it, a man of few words; he had summed up everything that will awaken my enthusiasm for education in a one single sentence. I advanced towards him and hugged him. Then suddenly, I was pulled back to the present. I gently opened my closed eyes. There beside me was my mom, crying like a child who had badly scraped her knees. I searched my memory for answers to questions. What was happening? Then suddenly, it all came back to me.


I stared at him with teary eyes. He was just there, not moving at all, his face devoid with any expression. The smile that I once thought was engraved in his face was suddenly gone. I could feel my tears sliding down silently in my pinkish cheeks silently shouting the pain I was keeping in my heart. I gently closed my eyes, I could feel my heart’s reluctance to admit what was happening at that moment yet deep inside, and I cannot deny everything for every cell in my body knew it was true. The happiness that I once thought secured by a barrier that cannot be penetrated was silently slipping away while I continued fulfilling my whims and caprices, unaware of anything. What was happening now seemed to be impossible to comprehend; these things only happen in books that I read, how could this be happening to me? What mistake did I do to deserve this punishment? But what really is happening? Then, like a flash, the realization struck me, as loud as thunder, as hard as stone, no matter how much effort I exert to deny everything, the conclusion is inescapable, my Dad is leaving, and I hate him for causing these pain to us, how could he?

Hate. Maybe the word was an understatement. What I feel was more than hate. No matter how I love my Daddy, I still couldn’t accept it. How could he leave us? He had no right! I stared at him, unable to move, momentarily paralyzed. His eyes were closed; there were neither tears nor any sign of pain. How selfish of him, he left us for someone who would give him everlasting happiness, while us, are left mending our hearts that could never be mended, longing for someone who left and would never come back.

“When a person was born, he cried and the world rejoiced, when he dies, we cry and he rejoices,” the woman was saying. Then another realization struck me, along with it was a tearful smile. My Daddy loved us, no matter what, it’s just that, we are given life in a form of debt, and we must pay it back. No matter how painful, I must let him go, no matter how much I love him, I must set him free. No matter how much I miss him, I must say goodbye. Cause maybe, somehow, deep, deep down, I know he wouldn’t leave us walking alone in the path of life, no matter how far he is. I concentrated my sight to his face as I gently caress the glass of his coffin, at last, my Daddy would be free from pain. And I love him that much to let him go. My Daddy left us for someone, yes he left us, he left us for God.

Death is a part of life, but death doesn't mean the end of it, but rather the beggining of an everlasting happiness. Death also brings countless lessons, some can only be understood by the heart. As what St. Francis had written in the Prayer of St. Francis:

it is in giving that we reciceve

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned

and it is dying that we are born to eternal life