The Three Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams. The first tree wanted to a treasure chest where he could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems and he could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see his beauty. Then the second tree wished that he would be a mighty ship where he will take kings and queens across the large bodies of water. Finally the third tree wanted to grow as tall and straight as he could be so people can see him on top of the hill and look up to his branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them he is reaching. He wanted to be the greatest tree of all time.

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree, he new that the tree was strong and profitable enough to be sold to the carpenter and he began to cut it down. The first tree was very much delighted for he knew that his dreams of being a treasure chest is about to come true.

One of the woodsman noticed the second tree’s strength and thought of selling it to the shipyard. The second tree was happy when the woodsman began cutting him down for he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said that he didn't need anything special from the tree but still he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

When things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

Dapitan City's Rizal Shrine

Within the heart of the majestic shrine city, Dapitan City, a famous historical structure stood - the Rizal Shrine. This place is where Dr. Jose Rizal, our famous national hero, was exiled due to the patriotic deeds he had done. Indeed, this deserves a priceless description.

Located 10-15 minutes away from Sunset Boulevard where the Gloria Fantasyland and the long beach of Dapitan is situated, Rizal Shrine is now one of the most interesting places to both Filipinos and Foreigners. Entrance is free while parking is at a very minimum price. There is no restaurant and only one store that sells junk foods and drinks is available nearby. A souvenir shop that sells shirts, necklaces, bracelets, rosaries and other products is available inside Rizaliana building. A monument of Rizal, which stood at the right side of the building, was erected on March 8, 1987 by the Order of the Knights of Rizal.

Through the efforts of the government of Dapitan, railings were established, surrounding the Rizal Shrine so one can have a variety of views on the landscapes.

The Rizal shrine is one of the most historic places in our country because this place is where the bones of our national hero are buried. Dapitan is not an ordinary city. It is incomparable in terms of beauty, historical, significance and most of all far more distinct from the rest of the modern cities in the Philippines. The shrine reflects the diligent lifestyle led by Rizal through the rebuilt structures of his nipa hut residence, hospital, dormitory, dam and waterworks.

This historical structure affirms the hero’s patriotism through his prolific industry and selfless service to his fellowmen. It is also the nicest spot that we can see here in our place. It has fascinating sceneries and nice view. This place is being preserved to remind us of how and what Rizal sacrificed for us.

Deforestation in the Philippines

Deforestation is the process of clearing the forest or trees. This is one of Philippines’ major problem. Primary forests in the Philippines are being destroyed due to both logging and agricultural expansion, significantly decreasing the Philippine's natural resources. This type of deforestation is leading to a variety of global changes, as well as numerous local changes. In the Philippines, two particular species of animals, the Tamaraw (the wild buffalo), and the Philippines eagle are almost extinct due to the massive deforestation. The government under Ferdinand Marcos had close ties to the major logging companies and had allowed the massive deforestation of the forests to stimulate the Philippine economy though exports.

Deforestation in the Philippines is attributed to two things: increasing agriculture and illegal logging. Deforestation in this case is a two step process: conversion of primary to secondary forests by logging, and then removal of secondary forests by the expansion of agriculture, mainly small subsistence cultivation. Interestingly enough, population growth is not a driving force behind deforestation in the Philippines. As of 1990, the country’s population was 62.4 million, with a 2.6 percent growth rate. There are close to 7 million farmers populating the uplands who need to make a living at the expense of the forests. Rural population growth has an affect on agricultural expansion, thus having an indirect affect on deforestation. So, large-scale logging followed by agriculture in the 1970-1990 period was the major process by which deforestation occurred in the Philippines.

The result of deforestation are: erosion, loss of topsoil, landslides, silted streams, vulnerability to severe weather fronts, changing climate, extinct wildlife, extinct plant life, and the loss of natural timber resources. Other impacts of deforestation is a slight increase in agricultural subsistence farming, which also indirectly leads to an increase in population.

My Hero

We may have a lot of heroes in our lives. We also have different meaning of a hero. Some of us defines hero as a person noted or admired for nobility, courage, outstanding achievement, etc. and for others, hero is defined as a life saver or a person who had fought a mystical beast and won just like Hercules. Also, a hero can be defined as a dead person who had left something in this world that had changed history or had caused a country to be independent. For me, a hero is someone who had risked her life just to keep me alive, healthy all the time and loved me with all her heart. This someone is no other than my mother. Since the day that she found out that I was in her tummy, I knew she already loved me because if she hadn’t, I would not be writing this blog. She knew the risks that I would bring but still, she kept me and loved me with all her life. If she didn’t love me, I’m sure I would find myself now in the cemetery with all those bunch of poor unborn babies. I knew she had kept herself safe and healthy so I would also be safe and healthy. When the day that she had been waiting for came, my birth, I know she had been pushing with all her might for me to see the world and to be with her outside. When I got sick, she was the one who could not sleep and took care for me until I was alright again. Cared for me like no one else could.

She gives me inspiration to overcome all of my daily tasks and obstacles in life. Without her, I wouldn’t be here also. Through all of my mistakes, faults and disasters that I‘ve caused, she still stayed by my side and guided me to the right way.

ROCT

One morning my alarm rang at an unusual time: 4 o‘clock in the morning. I was shocked and confused. I forgot why I set my alarm in this hour then, I heard a familiar loud and hard foot steps - combat boots. The sound of combat boots hitting the floor as a cadet jogs to exit his haven and to face his weekly battle reminded me why I set my little ringing device to wake me up early - it was Sunday and because it is Sunday, then it is also my most dreaded day which is ROTC day.

I wasn’t used to waking up early but I really need to. I already had two consecutive absences and if I wont show up this time, they will surely drop me on this subject. I had no choice but to stand up straight and courageous enough to face the wrath of the cold water. After two hours of fighting the urge to go back to bed and sleep like a baby, I was finally ready to face my real battle for the day.

When I arrived at the place where we, students who took ROTC, are sentenced, I was scared. The ground is covered with water and I am sure that they will let us get soaked in water and I was right. It was a very dreadful experience that I wished that I didn’t come instead or I should have came in late. It was unfair because the late comers didn’t had the chance to soak their feet in the dirty and smell water.