Nature's Splendors

CAISAM YVEZ NOPUETO

The Isotopes

Feature Writing

September 24, 2008

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Nature's Splendors

I have been breathing for 15 years now. But I think this is the very first time I ever inhaled the true 'fresh air'.

The Philippines is full of wonders. She has many expectacular sceneries. Her Apo, Chocolate Hills, El Nido, and many more others. Nature's gifts. But I live in Rizal. And Davao, Bohol and Palawan is too far. Luckily, Laguna has Mount Makiling. 

I've got allergic rhinitis. In each day, I start it with an absurd series of sneezes. It's because dust irritates my nose. But when I slept at Makiling on a camp, it's as if allergens were no-no's. Pollution is never present in Makiling's premises. No annoying smoke belchers. Just fresh air.

In my hometown, my mother warned me not to bathe in the rain, for I might get sick. I remember when I was younger, my mother applies baby oil on my back when I wanted to play with my friends in the rain. This is to prevent getting sick. But when I was in Makiling, I violated everything. I bathe in the rain. I didn't wear a shirt, nor did I apply oil. But I unexpectedly didn't get sick. No colds. No cough. No flu.

Cleanliness. That is Makiling. The air you can breathe is most refreshing above all. No smoke. No pollution. It's the masterpiece of trees. Trees consecrate the very atmosphere of Makiling.

Since I was studying, I never had an opportunity to truly relax. But Makiling introduced unwinding to me. Her superb forests are so beautiful, it frees my restlessness. It wipes away all my worries and insecurities, as if I don't have any problems. Relaxing is the sound of toads' croaking and cicadas. Their symphony is like a classic lullaby, rocking my cradle and lulling me to rest.

Peace. That's Makiling's middle name. When I got there, everything I have in mind perished. No politics, no corruption. No homeworks, no projects, no hanging requirements. Just rest. Just peace. Just harmony. 

Words aren't enough to describe Makiling. All I can say is that she showed me the true meaning of Nature.

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TRAVELOGUE. travelogue is also my waterloo, just like Henry-chan. :D When I wrote this article, I'm certainly not in the mood, my stomach is rumbling, and I suffered heartburn. That is why I'm not even satisfied by my own work. But anyhow, I have to post it for evaluation purposes. :D:D

Dying Uncle Sam

CAISAM YVEZ NOPUETO
The Isotopes
Editorial Writing
September 23, 2008

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Dying Uncle Sam

United States of America economy falls off a fissure pit as its foundation, Wall Street crumbles. It seems as if no more pillars are left to prop up US’ dollars when meltdown pulverized Wall St.

Like a broken system, Wall Street hales nothing but labored breathing. Cash, its blood, no longer circulated. Infusions by central banks, like pulses that are suppose to keep it alive, no longer had an effect.

Linked to a financial crisis 13 months ago, the federal government seems to be the largest hedge fund on the planet. It’s because $200 billion was spent on two biggest mortgage companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, thus boosting the limit on the national debt by $800 billion to $10.6 trillion. The US government continues to sink in a sea of zeroes in debts, and the nationalization of the largest US in insurer American International Group, last Sept 14, adds up to the problem.

The next day is yet most shocking and disturbing. Sept 15 marks the most memorable day of Lehman Brothers, fourth largest investment bank, when it filed bankruptcy. Rather than face the same fate, John Thain was forced the century-old Merrill Lynch & Co., Lehman’s arch rival, to Bank of America Corporation.

Sept 17 panicked investors as equities investors withdrew massive amounts of investments and put them into traditional safe havens. Their money would rather be secure on others’ hands. Because of the loss of investors, funds and mortgages, the whole Wall Street inevitably crashed the next day.

US President George W. Bush plans to use $700 billion to rescue the failing country. This rescue plan is the largest since 1928’s Great Depression, and would give Washington broad powers to purchase bad mortgage-related assets from US financial institutions for the next two years.

The US government should speed up, because if there’s no action, the consequences will grow, grow far worse than we can imagine. It will grow further, far enough that aids and bailout plans won’t be able to reach it. And it will corrupt the country more, just enough to destroy the whole country.

A broken Washington. These financial troubles could really ripple throughout the economy and affect average citizens. People are beginning to doubt US system, and people are losing confidence. These are the most possible consequences of the meltdown.

Wake up. Stand firm and sturdy. Be impenetrable against more upcoming problems. And most of all, obtain speed. Fast enough to save the dying Uncle Sam.

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this is my editorial article about US' financial crisis, and the meltdown of Wall Street. It's quite long. I'm really proud of myself, because I've came up with my title. This is also an article for our cliniquing session for the upcoming Division Secondary School's Press Conference.

The Ill Giant

CAISAM YVEZ NOPUETO
The Isotopes
Feature Article
September 24, 2008

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The Ill Giant

Dusk. Not dawn. Twilight. Not morning. Darkness, not light.

An eclipse seems to shade China. The sky seems black, not blue. An infernal ambience fills the country as babies shriek their lungs out, because of tremendous pain. Defenseless, they are killed.

Melamine, tainted in most of Chinese Dairy Products, forced a silent assault against Chinese babies. Unaware, parents feed their young with contaminate milk. Like a cloaked assassin, the poison quietly sneaked through its victim, and cursed a deadly disease – kidney stones. Without being able to fight back, the poignant babies can’t do anything but cry.

Melamine is indeed a crafty rogue. It can conceal itself, because of rich nitrogen content. And this nitrogen masks the truth that lies behind milk products, because it can disguise milk’s protein deficiency. It can flawlessly attack, and envenom with much flexibility.

Darkness. Yes, darkness. It seems as if we witness a reenactment of Ancient Egypt’s plague, when God mustered His wrath and strike. Four dead and almost 13,000 poisoned. It’s like divine intervention upon those who are sinful. Divine intervention upon those who are blinded by money, and upon those who never thought of common welfare. Those who exercise self-aggrandizement.

A country shrouded in mist. A giant inhaling fatal smog. China that’s exiled in a vacuous and dark dimension.

Whose matchstick will be able to light the chasm from whence China fell?

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well, this is a feature article about China's tainted milk scandal. It's also a hard topic, because I don't know what kind of feature article would I write. I've decided to make a descriptive article, and i tried to instill fear to readers. And i do hope that i've succeeded. This article is short, because i wrote it exactly one hour.

Quit Playing Games

CAISAM YVEZ NOPUETO

The Isotopes

Editorial Writing

September 23, 2008

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Quit Playing Games

A hike, then a rollback. Another hike then another rollback. Honestly, the oil consumers are certainly not playing games.

The whole transportation industry was disturbed when fares reached a minimum of P8.50 as oil prices increased. That fare hike promoted a mortal combat between commuters and jeepney drivers. Curses and verbal quarrels heat up because there is so much confusion of the fares. Also, the discount rates are vague. Because of this crisis, transport strikes emerged from different parts of the Philippines thus contributing to more disturbance.

Even kerosene reached more or less P700. This price index is a very heavy burden for the common people, middle class and upper class, as well. Parents got so much trouble in coming up with a budget matrix, because of the absurd fuel costs. To think that even rice, fruits, vegetables and other food expenses are increased. Filipinos hardly have square meals. Poverty is directly proportional to the increase of item appraisal rates.

Last Friday, Philippines' three biggest oil firms, Chevron, Shell and Petron cut off their oil pump marks by P4 per liter. It's a relief to most drivers, because all oil products are affected. This is due respect to the price drop of $86 a barrel as Asian investors feared the United States credit crisis that bankrupt brokerage giant, Lehman Brothers will drag on global economic growth and restrain demand for crude. Meanwhile, Sea Oil and Eastern Petroleum will slash P0.50 per liter on Wednesday. At least, consumers can breathe freely. But of course, leading to more astonishment. 

Increase, decrease. Going upstairs, now going downstairs. People don't know who's fooling who. If the marketing directors of oil firms, transport groups/agencies and all other institutions concerned will just be certain of their decisions, it would be better. One big increase, and one big decrease. The people would like it more. Chaos is evaded, and we flee from confusions. Be certain and have good decisions.

The inconsistency of oil prices is like a psychic beam that intensely confuse the oil consumers. Yet, certainty is the most effective solution to all problems.

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Ms. Virna told us to write an editorial about the oil prices. As you can see, my article is not that strong. I, myself is not satisfied of my work. I really don't know what to write if this is the topic. It's too hard for me. whew..

Asia's Filthy Giant

CAISAM YVEZ NOPUETO

The Isotopes

Editorial Writing

September 22, 2008

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Asia's Filthy Giant

A face once radiant, a face once glowing. Now a face full of dirt. The face of the so-called Sleeping Giant.

Torment, turmoil and terror filled the hearts of Chinese parents as they hear the painful screams of their babies, after drinking milk tainted with melamine.

Darkness seem to cover China when 21 more dairy companies are found out to be contaminated with an industrial chemical - melamine. It is a hazardous substance, nitrogen-rich, used in production of plastic products. Because of abundant nitrogen, it can boost apparent protein presence, thus helping mask dilution of milk product's protein deficiency. Worst is, it can cause kidney stones. This crisis envenomed  a least amount of 6, 244 babies, and  even killed three. 

Parents are very troubled. They don't know what's left to feed their young. Melamine intoxicated almost all milk products all over China. Mothers can't suffice the hungry mouths of their children with their own milk, and fresh milk isn't appropriate.

Even the Philippines inhaled the poisonous dust. Currently, dairy products from China are pulled out from stores, and random samplings have been performed. If RP is affected, maybe other countries faced the same fate, since China is famous of its peaking trade industry.

Yet dairy intoxication is not the only scandal of China.

White Rabbit. A candy famous in the tongues of young and old people, even years ago. Stores retail the said delight and markets vend wholesale. The White Rabbit,  a Chinese product, is found out to have formalin. Formalin is  an agent in preservation, primarily used in embalming. It's so hard to admit the long before, we have been preserving our own corpse without much awareness.

Only a year ago, headlines contain one feature - toys with poisonous lead content, imported from Asia's giant. This lead content is harmful when inhaled. Silently, it kills defenseless children who innocently play toys, kids who only wanted to enjoy.

DVD's, VCD's and appliances. Chinese characters label many products we see in sidewalk stores. It just conclude one thing: China leads piracy. Movie copies with Chinese brands are evidently thriving in markets.

Poisons and imitations. Yes, trading is China's forte, but it may also be the country's downfall. It is all because of lack of discipline. Lack or respect. Lack of nationalism and patriotism. Because of not thinking before leaping. 

If the merchants would just realize that the products the export reflect and affects the name of the country, these scandals won't rise. These issues won't humiliate the very name of China. Doubt. Disgust. Now we can't erase these impressions. China's name is dirty of the stains made by her clumsy people.

Behold the awakening of the sleeping giant. Behold the coming of a new creation - Asia's filthy giant.

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whew. this is my editorial article last september 22 on our cliniquing session. Ms. Virna Paz said we write something about China's melamine scandal. But I can't get a hold of my feelings, and i wrote something about China's scandals, relating toys, white rabbit and some other piracy. But I think I've gone so much far, and I think my article's quite offensive. But it's just my opinion towards the issue. I just want to raise the spirits of my readers. Hope I don't get sued of this editorial! :D

It's Simply Simple

CAISAM YVEZ NOPUETO

The Isotopes

Feature Writing

September 22, 2008

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It's Simply Simple

The truth is, I don't know what to write. I've tried to use staccato, and to clip some quotes. But I've failed. They just won't fit.

For the past 30 minutes, mu draft is full of non-sense doodles, erasures, scribbles and sketches. I don't know why. I want to express my feelings with figurative speech, but nothing makes sense.

One thing is for sure. Where I am right now. The wind that touches my face. The ambience I can feel. The sounds that I'm hearing. All of them welcomes me home.

I can't brag about modernization. I can't brag about towering skyscrapers. I can't even brag about social developments and urbanization. All i can be proud of is simplicity. Humility.

My home is not a mansion. It's cozy yet massive. It's big enough to shelter my family. Our backyard is full of crops and trees. and even ornaments. We don't need air conditioners, for the wind is cool enough, boosted by the leaves of our plants. We have fish ponds, housing sea creatures of different kinds, enough to help us to gain profit.

Parts of our lot area is leveled higher than others, as if they were mountains. Mountains with peaceful forests, and with terrestrial animals living harmoniously. The symphony of birds' chirping seems to lay me down to rest, after a hard days' work. 

It's indeed a relief when i go home. My family greets me with radiant smiles, leaving my body free of stress. Yet  behind those innocent smiles rests a competitive soul, that excels in various fields. Behind that smile is a writer, an artist, a dancer or even a musician. Talented, but really innocent.

Humble. Simple. That's what we can brag. That's what we can be proud of. You see, highfaluting adjectives are too much.

Not rich. Ain't high-tech. Not even a celebrity. Just Binangonan. Simplicity at its best.

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This is my feature entry for our cliniquing session last Sept 22. Ma'am Virna, our Campus Paper Adviser trained us for the upcoming DSSPC, and she told me to write something about my home town, Binangonan.

What's written is true. Especially the first two paragraphs. Seriously, I've consumed 30 minutes thinking over some figurative speech, quotes, Bible verses while scribbling and sketching. My draft was full of erasures, but I can't really come up with a good article. So because i felt like writing what is really happening, I've written in my introduction that seriously, I didn't know what to write.

Ang Huling El Bimbo

CAISAM YVEZ NOPUETO

The Isotopes

Feature Writing

August 8, 2008

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Ang Huling El Bimbo:

Music Redefined

Music dancing all over my head. Notes grooving waltz of harmonious symphonies. And lyrics filling the gaps of my heart.



My words hardly produce any sense. My ideas are not fit for my paper. Neither can I describe how great is the music of the legendary Eraserheads.



Shouts of awe hatched from boos and disgusts in their early years. The band never thought nor mind the humiliation on their early years. Instead, they are motivated by persecutions and downfalls. But look at them now. Their fineness is printed in everyone's hearts. Their music branded on our souls.



Compositions that enticed the hearts of many. Ely Buendia's vocals mesmerizing the listeners. Marcus Adoro's strum and Buddy Zabala's bass plucks synthesizing rhythms that lift our spirits. Raimund Marasigan's beats that provoke our joints to dance with the band's symphonies.



Years passed and their band's pedestal peaked high enough. But time breached their valent bonds, thus separating the members. And though the musicians part ways, ech of them led their own bands. Marcus fronted Marcus Highway, Buddy played bass in The Dawn, Marasigan sand for Sandwhich, and Ely Buendia led Pupil.



Although the members separated, their fame is preserved as the album Ultra Electromagnetic Jam topped record bars. The said album is a revival of Eraserheads' hits rebirthed by renowned Filipino bands, such as South Border, 6CycleMind, Cueshe and many others. It just proves that Eheads os really in the hearts of Pinoys.



Sadly, Ely Buendia isn't immune against diseases. Lately, the frontman passed out in the middle of a reunion concert last August 30. The fans rushed their concerns adn thoughtfulness. This phenomenon is just saying that fans loved their idols so much.



Their fame is the prodct of their music. It overdrived us beyond clouds, adorned our faces with a smile, andtaught us how to love trully.



Maybe they are not bonded now. Maybe Ely cannot sing fully anymore. But one thing's for sure. This ain't their Last El Bimbo.



Words aren't enough to describe their glory. So just join me as I dance to the tune of the legendary Eraserheads.

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So this is my entry for our cliniquing session in preparation for the upcoming Division Secondray School's Press Conference last August 8. Our topic is about reviving Eraserheads. Sir Berlin Flores is our keynote speaker for this category.


I'm just overwhelmed by his judgments about my article. He said that I have a great intro, my 4th paragraph is nicely done, he loved the eighth paragraph and i did a good development of the topic. To think that Feature Writing(and Editorial Writing) is my waterloo since elementary to third year. I, myself is surprised of my development as a feature writer.