EMONG'S JOURNALS

So you think you know your Philippine history? After the screening of what may be the best historical period movie ever made in the country, the "Heneral Luna" biopic - some comments surfacing over the social media networks prove the most uncomfortable truth about most young Filipinos nowadays. That they don't know their history right. In his social media account, actor Epy Quizon -- who played the role of the paralytic Apolinario Mabini -- was wondering what kind of history class the present-day schools are teaching the young students of today. He was referring to a question thrown at him by some college students on why Mabini was always sitting all throughout the movie. He returned the question to them, saying "Don't you know Mabini?" Apolinario Mabini was struck by polio in 1895, and the disease gradually incapacitated him until January 1896, when he finally lost the use of both his lower limbs. Mabini was an educator and a lawyer, who s...

The top three universities in the Philippines - University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) and De La Salle University (DSLU) - are ranked lower in 2015 compared to their positions last year, according to the annual Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings. UP, which used to be in the 367th place, slipped to 401 - 410 while AdMU dropped from 461-470 in 2014 to 501-550 this year. DLSU fell from 701+ from last year's 651-700. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States is still the world's top university, says the QS rankings. In Asia, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University remain to be the region's top universities, listed at 12th place and 13th place respectively. "These latest results reveal more diversity than ever in the distribution of world-class universities at the highest levels. We're providing prospective students with the richest picture yet,...

Calling on all certified book enthusiasts! The country's most anticipated book event - the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) - will happen on September 16-20, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. MIBF is the country's biggest and longest-running book fair, showcasing the largest and most varied collection of literature for leisure and academic reading - from fiction bestsellers, to textbooks, to graphic novels, and even educational materials. The event will also highlight this year’s most awaited book launches and signings, dialogues with readers, contests, and other literary events. Already on its 36th year, the MIBF has become a gathering of sorts for bookworms of all ages and walks of life to celebrate the joys of reading and the knowledge each book brings about. It has also been providing a venue for the exchange of ideas among players in the publishing and academic industry. For more details, visit...

A history buff yourself? "Heneral Luna" movie is offering a 50% discount on all students who'd want to see the life story of the most controversial Filipino general to ever join the revolution. SYNOPSIS: Set during the Philippine-American war, a short-tempered Filipino general faces an enemy more formidable than the American army: his own treacherous countrymen. In 1898, General Antonio Luna ( John Arcilla ), commander of the revolutionary army, is spoiling for a fight. The Philippines, after three hundred years as a Spanish colony, has unwillingly come under American rule. General Luna wants to fight for freedom but members of the elite would rather strike a deal with the United States. The infighting is fierce in the new cabinet but General Luna and his loyal men forge ahead even as his military decisions are met with resistance from soldiers who are loyal only to President Aguinaldo ( Mon Confiado ). Ultimately, it is the general’s legendary temper and pride th...

THE Anti-Hazing Law, or Republic Act 8049 gets to sink its teeth on real flesh for the first time, after the Supreme Court's conviction of two Alpha Phi Omega (APO) members for the hazing of University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) student Marlon Vilanueva in 2006. This is the first conviction since the Anti-Hazing Law was passed on 1995, in the light of the death of Leni Villa, a law student from Ateneo de Manila who similarly died from hazing. According to Inquirer.net , the high court's 39-page decision through Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza affirmed the penalty of reclusion perpetua (20 years and 1 day to 40 years imprisonment) imposed by the Calamba Laguna Regional Trial Court Branch 36 against Dandy L. Dungo and Gregorio A. Sibal Jr. The Laguna RTC ruled that the prosecution has “undeniably proved” that the victim was seen with Dungo and Sibal entering a resort where the initiation rites were conducted and that the same two brought the victim to JP...

HERE'S some good news to public school students. In an news article from ABS-CBN News , the Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014 will kick off its first year of implementation where top ten graduates of public schools shall be exempted from taking college entrance examinations in state universities and colleges (SUCs), including the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT). Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, author of the Iskolar ng Bayan Act 2014, said in a statement that more than 80,000 graduates from 8,000 public high schools are expected to benefit from the new law. "The scholars do not have to take the competitive entrance tests of state universities, including [...] UPCAT. All that they have to do is apply for admission, and they will be allowed in, as long as they choose the campus in their home region, and provided that the school’s quota for the Iskolar ng Bayan is still not full," Romulo said. ABS-CBN News also said that a transitory provision of the new law exempts ...

J ust so you won't be confused. The annual celebration of the EDSA People Power revolution set on February 25 will have classes on all levels suspended, but regular office employees have to go to work. Proclamation 831 issued on July 2014 says that February 25 will be a regular working day for all workers in the country but a holiday for all students from all levels. President Benigno Aquino will lead the 29th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power revolt on Feb. 25, as major events would be held in Malacañang and the EDSA Shrine in Quezon City. The EDSA People Power revolution ousted the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and installed into power Corazon Aquino (mother of President Benigno Aquino). ANY COMMENT? Feel free to share your reactions and comments down below.