The Worth of Fashion

A lot of critics nowadays firmly claim that the price of fashion stuff is just unreasonably priced and only a few could afford to live with it, which is no longer appropriate. Some would argue that this is fair because fashion plays a significant role in daily life.

This essay will objectively discuss both of the given ideas as well as some other objective views about the issue of the cost of fashion.

Fashion is now becoming exorbitantly expensive, which makes it hard for everyone to achieve a fashionable look. The primary reason for this is the high quality of the materials used to create an elegant appearance, such as fibers extracted from plants and animals, which are also expensive, like cotton, wool, linen, silk, leather, and snakeskin. In addition, popularity becomes another factor contributing to the high cost of fashion. A certain brand will surely not be well-known if it does not bring any good fashion styles to individuals. To achieve a good level of popularity, brands will have to invest in their staff and the equipment used to make their desired fashion a reality. Some highly respected luxurious brands are Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes.

On the other hand, people also defended the worth of fashion as equal to what it deserved. Some people believe that our identity is molded by fashion, which includes social class, race, and ethnicity. Moreover, social trends have a significant impact on the way we create social standards, affecting our personal preferences in life. For instance, a dress can make a good or bad impression on others.

Therefore, having great-quality fashion material that is also popular is very important for maintaining beauty and, at the same time, the durability of the garment. To embody fashion, it takes a great deal of money. The worth of it brings everyone closer to the beauty of life as either a group or an individual.

Personally, fashion is just an idea of expression. Anyone can achieve a fashionable look in any way they think is good for them, whether it is through spending a lot or making use of what they have. At the end of the day, we celebrate differences and freedom of expression, especially in fashion. 

Stop the War

The American Civil War, the Soviet War in Afghanistan, the Vietnam War, the Thirty Years' War, the Napoleonic Wars, the Russian Civil War, the Empire of Japan's conquests, World War I, Mongol conquests, World War II, and, most recently, the Russia-Ukraine war.

These are just some of the world's most controversial wars in history. Since the start of history, there has been a distinctive rage and rapidity in our race to establish one's dominance over the other. We all know how authority was ascertained in the old roman days by the size of the troops and their determination to win wars. However, has this significantly changed? We are now in 2022, and we are supposed to measure a country's greatness by its GDP, or gross domestic product, as well as its unemployment rate. Instead of invading another country to show up strong to others, rulers could perhaps focus on enabling economic benefit. However, it seems like there are still people who are living in the past and still want to display their immorality and selfishness to the world. Do you remember when, after World War II, Albert Einstein was asked in an interview?

"Sir, what type of machinery and weapons do you think will be used in World War III?" He then replied, with a smile, "I don't know about World War III, but if there is a World War IV, it will undoubtedly be fought with sticks and stones."

You see? We, humans, appear to be trapped in an endless war between ourselves, whereas the stakeholders, officials, heads, and chiefs have never performed and may never perform any of the dirty-risky work and simply govern everything from behind the scenes, especially since most people go to fight to win, not to lose. It is possible that we will lose a lot of fighters and just depend on sticks and stones for our safety. However, despite the fact that these wars were fought in multiple regions by distinct groups around the world at different times in history, the victims were always the same innocent and unarmed people. The countless innocent civilians who were killed cannot be replaced. War has never fostered good virtues such as prosperity, peace, or compassion. Those who survive are not fully secure either. We must reject the widely held belief that war can solve anything; taking countless children and destroying homes, relationships, people's dreams, and aspirations is never honorable.

If you think that war will strengthen the lives of countless individuals, you are immoral and trash in this world. Stop justifying wars as though they will make you a national hero. Implementing unnecessary wars to challenge power is just an immature, stupid, and inhumane act. Instead of having wars, why not just lift each other up? It is time to alter the law so that those who launch an attack, particularly an illegal war, face appropriate repercussions. Countries should pursue alternatives to war, such as agreements. We should all understand that human lives are far too valuable to be assessed by political ambitions. It is time to put an end to double standards and demand that our leaders obtain peaceful means of resolving conflicts. The proper solution is not war, but war appears to be the easiest way. There are more effective and long-term alternatives to war for resolving disputes. Making sacrifices and compromises, as well as discussing our distinctions without casting aspersions on innocent blood, are among the good alternatives. Let us make each other great by working together to protect our environment and endangered animals, and provide a safe environment for our children. I am calling on the world’s leaders to be united as one and plan how to make our homeland, Earth, worthy of living because, at the end of the day, we are all going to die, so while we are alive, let us create a safe and healthy world for the next generations.

Filipino Inventor and their Invention

Most Traveled Filipino Hero

    Dr. Jose Rozal was known as the "Most Traveled Filipino Hero" during his lifetime. Between 1882 and 1887, Rizal visited 13 nations, including the Philippines. However, his journey abroad was exhausting and challenging, yet meaningful and insightful. His adventure of living abroad was significant for his education and ultimately for his intention to help Filipinos suffering from slavery by Spaniards. It was exhausting because he didn't know what the future ahead of him was. He just took the risk of keeping on traveling, gaining more wisdom, practicing his skills, studying the culture, and befriending people. It was not all sunshine and rainbows. As a matter of fact, it was challenging for him to do all the work while saving and starving himself to survive and while thinking about his family in the Philippines.

    Rizal sacrificed a lot to put up a safe place for his family and his people in the Philippines. He even lost his lover and the time to be with his family. If I were to be in the shoes of Rizal, I couldn't find any courage to stress myself that much for the country, but for my family, maybe I could have had a little hope to do the same. Throughout the journey of Rizal, he was full of hope, dedication, patience, and wisdom. I could not blame all those women he met who were attracted to him because who wouldn't? He's a man who knows what he wants, he strives hard to excel in any field of his interest, and he doesn't stick with only a plan; he accomplishes it.

    His travels and accomplishments symbolize his willingness to save the Philippines in silence. He received death threats along the way, but he continued to fight in a way that he knew. With just a word of wisdom, the Spaniards were threatened and alarmed, which really made him a legend. He is the proof and a model for our young generation to go out of their comfort zone, seek opportunities, and gain more knowledge to help our nation be better. As he said, youth is the hope of the youth.

Consummatum est

"Consummatum est"

    Those were the last words heard from Dr. Jose Rizal before he was shot in the back on December 30, 1896, in Bagumbayan Field in Manila. In English, it means "It is finished." He was talking about his journey fighting the Spaniards. He served his countrymen and sacrificed his love and time for himself and his family. It is finished. His war with the Spanish colony is done, his trip is finally over, and he can now go to a place where there was no tyranny and slavery. A place where there is freedom and peace.

    I am not going to lie nor deny that I was a crying baby while reading the last days and execution of Dr. Jose Rizal. In fact, my eyes are now swollen because of crying so much that I even screamed in silence since everyone is now sleeping and I can’t make any noise. How much more if we played this in school? I would definitely pass out from heartache. It was indeed a tragedy for Filipinos. He is indeed our national hero. I can’t imagine putting my life in his shoes. I don’t think I can make all the sacrifices just for the country. He could have chosen a different path for his life, his lover, and his family, yet he chose to help the Filipinos and fight in the best way that he could. He chose the most difficult and unselfish destiny. He was so brave to risk his life with little hope of survival considering the power held by the Spaniards' officials. I don’t blame those women who were attracted to him. I mean, who wouldn’t be? He is a man with honor; he stands for his rights; he knows what he wants and how to get it. He deserves praise and a day for Filipinos to remember him. Actually, every year, the Philippines observes 18 national holidays. Four of these 18 national holidays are designated as "special non-working" days, including Rizal Day on December 30th. Honestly, I didn’t appreciate much of his day until now. I promise to give him the honor and respect that he deserves, especially on his day. A big thanks to this course for allowing me to better understand the life of Rizal, from the day he started to help the nation to the day he decided to give his life to our dear Philippines.

    I hope our younger generation will never forget what he did to achieve the freedom that we all share now. His sacrifice is a great message for every Filipino to seek opportunities to help the nation be better and be a united Filipino, lifting up each other for tranquillity, peace, safety, security, and the overall well-being of our nation. May we all be grateful for an independent land and value our worth and identity as true Filipinos, not just by blood but by heart. May our hero serve as the hope that we can do anything for the sake of love and compassion for everybody. And, for the younger generation, may we all be the hope of our land, as Dr. Jose Rizal said.

Who really is a Filipino?

    After watching the documentary about Eddie Romero’s 1976 film "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon," I also asked myself the same question, but at the back of my mind is the Philippine Constitution Article VII, stating that those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of the said Constitution; those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines; those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and those who are naturalized in accordance with the law are considered Filipino. However, citizenship doesn't fully mean you're a true Filipino, though it makes you identify as one by the constitution.

    The film is the key to answering the question of who really is a Filipino. Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon, captured the personalities, the culture, the environment, and the social and political entities of the Philippines during the regime of the Spaniards. Before, we fought for peace in silence. Our grandparents fought to live under the slavery of Spanish officials. They live to please the Spaniards who don't have the authority to be in our country in the first place. Some of them were imprisoned without committing any sin and were never given any privilege to speak up for their rights as Filipinos owning the Philippines. On the other hand, we embrace the practice of the church, making the Philippines the only Christian-dominated nation in Asia at present times.

    It's with this film that I realize how important it is to restore our identity as Filipinos, not just by blood but also by heart. Filipinos are among those people fighting for peace and humanity. Those people who are brave enough to speak up for their rights without hurting anyone. Those people stand up for the development and overall well-being of the Philippines. Those people who respect our nation's history and culture. Those people who don't slave anyone just to feel superior. Those who are not selfish and help those who are in need. Those who are smart in finding solutions to the nation's issues and problems. Those who serve the country and its people. Those who are willing to educate and motivate everyone in order to prevent them from getting fooled. Filipinos are those who don't forget the past and pay respect to our heroes and leaders who gave us all the freedom that we all needed. It is because of them that we have become one united Filipino community. So now, ask yourself, are you one of us? 

Icon of Democracy

" I am not an icon of democracy. You are all, collectively, the icon of democracy." -Corazon Aquino 

    Have you ever asked your parents what happened during the Marcos regime, especially when Martial law was implemented? Well, I did. 

    My mother once told me that during Martial law, the Philippines was indeed clean because people were prohibited to go out of their homes late at night. The military was in control of everything but was the Philippines a safer place to live at those times? Not for my mother since she felt like a prisoner even on her land. She was afraid to go out as a woman seeing those military people holding guns, and looking like a villain. 

    Added to that, the voices of Filipinos were unvalued. If you happen to speak up for your rights, you will either find yourself in the prison or cemetery. All of this happened under the late dictator's brutal regime, and thanks to Former Pres. Cory Aquino that she was able to end it with her presence. Former Pres. Cory Aquino was a recognized figure in national politics for more than a decade; subsequent leaders will find it difficult to fill her significance as an advocate of democracy and ethical exemplar. Democracy is her most significant legacy for the Filipino people and the country. She came into power in the Philippine government, along with the Filipino people overthrew Pres. Ferdinand Marcos through the famous “People Power” of the Philippines. So yes, she indeed deserves the hype but we must not forget that she won't be able to make it without the undying support and unity of Filipino. It was our parents and grandparents who brought us to Freedom. They were the real brave heroes committed to dying for the nation. 

"Filipino as one empowered group is the real icon of democracy which includes those leaders who fought for it."

A living light

The world is becoming wild and cruel as time passes by. So for this year, it is possible that life will be in so much danger brought by the epidemic, war, calamity and disaster, and even personal struggles.

Over the last two years, we heard more mournings than laughter and witnessed condolences than celebrations. The pandemic has gotten so many lives that affect not just the physical health of the people but also our mental health. For the record, Covid still exists, and there is still no medicine discovered to cure those infected by it. Pandemic has also contributed to the number of suicide attempts caused by depression. Added to that, natural calamities greatly affect our source of living. With all the things going on in the world; inflation keeps going high, leaders are becoming aggressive, and people are no longer following health protocol- for sure life will be much more difficult to deal with and survive with. However, I am still hoping that one day, everything will go back to normal and all our sacrifices will lead to something better. We may live in a world with people who either motivate us or put us down, but we still continue to live and cherish the moments we have in this world. 

    Every element applied significantly plays a big role in capturing the context of this art. The function of this art is to inspire people to continue living even if the world is against it. Living light is us. Let us all face and fight the battles of life, and be grateful for the privilege to live.