10 - N.V.M Gonzalez

N.V.M. Gonzalez was born Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez on September 8, 1915, on Romblon, Philippines.  He studied at the Kenyon School of English and at Stanford and Columbia universities.  He began working for English-language publications in Manila, serving as a writer for Graphic Weekly for many years and as editor of the Manila Evening News Magazine from 1946 to 1948. 

Although he never obtained a college degree, he taught widely, first at the University of Santo Tomas and Philippine Women's University, both in Manila; and for two decades at the University of the Philippines, Quezon City.  He also taught as a visiting professor at the University of Hong Kong and in the United States at Cal State Hayward, the University of Washington, and UCLA.

He was the 1997 National Artist for Literature of the Republic of the Philippines.  Among his books are: A Grammar of Dreams, Bread of Salt and Other Stories, The Winds of April, Look Stranger, on This Island Now, Mindoro and Beyond, The Novel of Justice, A Season of Grace, and the Bamboo Dancers. 

He died November 28, 1999, in Manila, after suffering a stroke on November 25.  He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Narita, four children, and five grandchildren.

Novels

The Winds of April (1941)

A Season of Grace (1956)

The Bamboo Dancers (1988)

The Land and The Rain

The Happiest Boy in the World

Short fiction

"The Tomato Game".1993

A Grammar of Dreams and Other Stories. University of the Philippines Press, 1997

The Bread of Salt and Other Stories. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1993; University of the Philippines Press, 1993

Mindoro and Beyond: Twenty-one Stories. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 1981; New Day, 1989

Selected Stories. Denver, Colorado: Alan Swallow, 1964

Look, Stranger, on this Island Now. Manila: Benipayo, 1963

Children of the Ash-Covered Loam and Other Stories. Manila: Benipayo, 1954; Bookmark Filipino Literary Classic, 1992

Seven Hills Away. Denver, Colorado: Alan Swallow, 1947

Essays

A Novel of Justice: Selected Essays 1968-1994. Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Anvil (popular edition), 1996

Work on the Mountain (Includes The Father and the Maid, Essays on Filipino Life and Letters and Kalutang: A Filipino in the World), University of the Philippines Press, 1996

REFERENCE

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._V._M._Gonzalez

http://www.palhbooks.com/Gonzalez.html

9 - Origin of Ice Cream

The Evolution of Ice Cream

Ice cream's origins are known to reach back as far as the second century B.C., although no specific date of origin nor inventor has been undisputably credited with its discovery. We know that Alexander the Great enjoyed snow and ice flavored with honey and nectar. Biblical references also show that King Solomon was fond of iced drinks during harvesting. During the Roman Empire, Nero Claudius Caesar (A.D. 54-86) frequently sent runners into the mountains for snow, which was then flavored with fruits and juices.

Over a thousand years later, Marco Polo returned to Italy from the Far East with a recipe that closely resembled what is now called sherbet. Historians estimate that this recipe evolved into ice cream sometime in the 16th century. England seems to have discovered ice cream at the same time, or perhaps even earlier than the Italians. "Cream Ice," as it was called, appeared regularly at the table of Charles I during the 17th century. France was introduced to similar frozen desserts in 1553 by the Italian Catherine de Medici when she became the wife of Henry II of France. It wasn't until 1660 that ice cream was made available to the general public. The Sicilian Procopio introduced a recipe blending milk, cream, butter and eggs at Café Procope, the first café in Paris.

The meaning of the phrase "ice cream" varies from one country to another. Phrases such as "frozen custard", "frozen yogurt", "sorbet", "gelato" and others are used to distinguish different varieties and styles. In some countries, such as the United States, the phrase "ice cream" applies only to a specific variety, and most governments regulate the commercial use of the various terms according to the relative quantities of the main ingredients. Products that do not meet the criteria to be called ice cream are labelled "frozen dairy dessert" instead. In other countries, such as Italy and Argentina, one word is used for all variants. Analogues made from dairy alternatives, such as goats or sheep's milk, or milk substitutes, are available for those who are lactose intolerant, allergic to dairy protein, or vegan.

REFERENCE:

http://www.idfa.org/news-views/media-kits/ice-cream/the-history-of-ice-cream

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_cream

8 - Anti Smoking Campaign

“Smoking is dangerous to your health.” Many people nowadays are in fond of smoking. They know that is it bad for their health but they didn’t stop using it. So let me tell you what is smoking and what the effects of it are.

Smoking is a practice in which a substance is burned and the resulting smoke breathed in to be tasted and absorbed into the bloodstream. Most commonly the substance is the dried leaves of the tobacco plant which have been rolled into a small square of rice paper to create a small, round cylinder called a "cigarette". 

Cigarettes are made of:

• Nicotine- is a substance that stimulates the brain.
• Tar- contains many chemicals.
• Carbon monoxide- affects the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

What are the effects of smoking in your health?

• Lung cancer
• Heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Asthma
• Colds
• Flu
• Chest infections
• Tuberculosis infection of the lungs
• Long-term inflammation of the nose (chronic rhinitis)
• An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• Inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis)

Many people nowadays are using e-cigarettes instead of cigarettes. E-cigarettes, including e-pens, e-pipes, e-hookah and e-cigars, are known collectively as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). According to the FDA, e-cigarettes are devices that allow users to inhale an aerosol (vapor) containing nicotine or other substances.

Second hand smokers are at risk. They may have an illness that can cause death. You have an increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease if you are exposed to other people smoking for long periods of time.

Cigarette smoking is the greatest single cause of illness. I don’t understand people why they kept on smoking. I have seen a lot of people particularly students smoking everywhere. Stopping smoking can make a big difference to your health. It is never too late to stop smoking to greatly benefit your health.

REFERENCES

http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/e-cigarettes-and-lung-health.html

http://patient.info/health/smoking-the-facts

6 - Parasyte

Parasyte is a 2014 Japanese science fiction action horror film directed by Takashi Yamazaki, starring Shota Sometani (Shinichi Izumi).

Aliens enter into human brains via ear canal and take control of their bodies. One of the aliens tries to enter into teenager Shinichi Izumi's brain, but is blocked because of his headphones. Instead, it invades his right hand. Shinichi calls it Migi, which has now an eye and a mouth. Accepting the fact that one would die if another dies, they join forces against other parasites. Migi is really powerful with the help of Shinichi. Shinichi make a goal that he will fight the aliens and he will kill them all of course with the help of Migi.

I really admire Shinichi because he is brave to kill her mom even if it hurts him because of the alien that conquer the brain of his mom. The movie is a bit scary and creepy but you will learn something that you can use in life. I really admire the personality of Shinichi.
 

The film all in all is really good. It seems so real. The movie is really good, all the cast and crews really did their best. The film is a successful one. The movie has a sequel or let’s says the movie has second part. I’m still waiting for the second part because I’m really curious what will happen next.

5 - Turn Left, Turn Right

Who believe in destiny? How about love at first sight? Do you experience love from the person you think you were destined to? Do you believe that there is a person who is destined to be your partner forever?

What is destiny? Destiny or fate is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual.

Turn left, turn right is a movie about lovers who is destined to be with each other. The story tells of two people who live in buildings right next to each other, separated only by a wall, and are always near each other but can't seem to find one another. They meet several times and exchange numbers but didn’t bother to know their names. They just knew each other by the codes. There are a lot of happenings that stops them from seeing each other but it doesn’t stop them to look for each other. At the end destiny made its way for the lovers. They met at a wrong time and wrong place but it’s one of the reasons why they see each other after so many struggles that they faced.

For me, I don’t believe in love at first sight and destiny. I don’t believe in love at first sight because you wouldn’t love a person you’ve just met. Maybe it’s just infatuation; you don’t love someone who you don’t know from the start. “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” –Winston Churchill.

You can’t say when and to whom your heart will fall. It will just surprise you. Maybe when you woke up in the morning you will realize you love someone. And maybe that someone is already right in front of you but you’re just ignoring him/her. Try to be open, be considerate and be an observer. You wouldn’t know maybe you’re lifetime partner is already right in front of you.