Fight TB for Free

©tessa

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Fight TB for Free

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If one of your members in the family is at risk of tuberculosis, how can you help fight the disease?

Tuberculosis, better known as TB, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In the Philippibes, 75 Filipinos die of TB every day. TB is a contagious disease caused by a slow-growing bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although the bacteria can attack other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys, bones, and spine, these bacteria usually attack the lungs.

Tuberculosis has two types—TB infection and active TB. A person with TB infection isn’t able to spread the disease despite the bacteria are present. The bacteria don’t make the person sick. And the disease isn’t contagious. On the other hand, a person with active TB may be able to spread the disease. The bacteria present on the person’s body cause the symptoms.

Globally, there is a high incidence of tuberculosis. One-third of the world’s population has tuberculosis. A person with active TB, if left untreated, can infect 10−15 people on the average every year. Moreover, those individuals infected with TB bacilli wouldn’t inevitably get sick because the immune system could aid fight the disease. But if the individual’s immune system becomes weak, there is a greater risk of having the disease.

Did you know that every second someone is newly infected with TB?

 

Know the Symptoms of Tuberculosis

The symptoms of tuberculosis depend on where the bacteria in the body are growing. These are the common symptoms of tuberculosis in the lungs.

  • Bad cough for three weeks or more
  • Cough with blood (hemoptysis) or sputum
  • Chest pain
  • Weight loss
  • Appetite loss
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Fever and chills
  • Sweating at night

 

How TB Can Be Passed

Tuberculosis is like a common cold. It can be passed from one person to another. It spreads through the air. If a person infected with TB talks, coughs, sneezes, or spits, they spread the bacteria into the air.

Did you know that you only need to inhale a small number of these bacteria to get infected with TB? People who have TB in their lungs are infectious.

 

When Should You Get Tested for TB

There are reasons why you should get tested for tuberculosis:

  • if you spent time with a person with TB or suspected for TB;
  • if you are infected with HIV or have other conditions which can be a risk for developing TB;
  • if you experience the symptoms of TB;
  • if you live in a place where TB is very common; or
  • if you inject illegal drugs.

If you think you may have been through these situations, it’s better to consult your doctor at once.

 

How to Treat a Family Member with TB

Is tuberculosis curable?

Yes, indeed! Tuberculosis is curable. It can be treated by having proper medications, adequate nutrition and rest, and clean environment.

How can you help a family member with TB?

According to a pulmonary doctor, support and commitment are the keystones to treat tuberculosis in one’s family.

Everyone in the family should show his or her support to a family member with TB. Each family member should supervise or encourage the patient to eat proper diet and take his or her medications every day for six months. Supervising or encouraging the patient to take his or her medications properly is a modified DOTS (directly observed treatment short-course).

 

What DOTS Is

Directly observed treatment short-course, also known as DOTS, is the most successful and cost-   effective treatment strategy for TB. DOTS has the following objectives:

  • To decrease the risk of infection
  • To reduce morbidity
  • To decrease the transmission of infection
  • To prevent death

In DOTS, the medication intake of patients with TB is directly observed for six to eight months to ensure that the medication is taken in the proper dosage and right combination to prevent the development of multidrug resistant TB.

The strategy of DOTS is focused on the following: to detect approximately 70% of new smear-positive TB cases and to cure approximately 85% of these cases. Through DOTS, approximately 80% TB-related deaths would be prevented. The DOTS program complies with the World Health Organization standards.

DOTS has five components:

  • Political or management commitment
  • TB diagnosis through sputum microscopy; X-ray is only a secondary diagnostic tool
  • Availability of complete and quality anti-TB medications
  • Supervised treatment (if the patient takes the anti-TB medications every day)
  • Recording and reporting of cases and outcomes

How a patient with TB can avail DOTS?

In the country, DOTS is available in the rural and city health units, city health centers, and government hospitals. There are also private facilities that offer DOTS to their patients. Aside from social and medical welfare services that DOTS offer, it also offers free TB medication.

In the country also, DOTS has been partnered with the following institutions:

  • Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)
  • Philippine Tuberculosis Initiatives for the Private Sector
  • Philippine Department of Health and the municipal and rural health units
  • Kasilak Foundation
  • Mahintana Foundation, Inc.

 

What other things should each family member do for the patient?

A family member with TB shouldn’t be ostracized. He or she should be given equal treatment. Don’t make him or her feel that he or she is being deprived of attention and care, just because the disease is contagious.

Could the other family members share eating utensils with the patient?

It’s a big NO that you share eating utensils with the patient. The patient has to have a personal set of eating utensils—through out the course of treatment—to avoid spread of the disease.

 

How to Evaluate a Person If He or She Has TB

The tests for TB include the following:

  • Physical examination – This provides helpful information about the overall condition of the patient.
  • Mantoux tuberculin skin test or the special TB blood test – This is used to test a patient for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.  
  • Chest X-ray – This is used to detect chest abnormalities. These chest abnormalities may suggest the presence of TB, but this cannot be used to diagnose TB perfectly. This test, however, can help rule out the possibility of having a pulmonary TB.
  • AFB (acid-fast-bacilli) smears and cultures – This test is used to know the presence of TB if acid-fast-bacilli are present on a sputum smear.

You can seek advice from physicians or medical experts for other TB tests.

 

The Facts and Myths about TB

Let’s debunk the classic myths about TB.

Is TB hereditary?

Well, it’s not. TB is not hereditary. As mentioned previously, it’s a disease transmitted from one person to another through the air while the person with TB coughs, talks, sneezes, or spits.

Can I get infected with TB immediately if someone with TB coughs?

Is TB infection the same as TB disease?

TB infection is different from TB disease. As mentioned earlier, there are two types of tuberculosis, namely, TB infection and TB disease or active TB. Go back to the first part of this article to see their differences.

Does TB infection always develop into active TB?

NO. Those people who have weak immune systems, such as the very young ones and the very old ones, and people with HIV infection and cancer are prone to develop active TB once they get infected.

  

Long-term Goal to Treat TB

Proper patient education on the disease is very important in the treatment of TB. This includes educating the patient on proper nutrition and medication. Moreover, family support and commitment are exceptionally important in helping a family member with TB.

www.ejournals.ph

 

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Our Battle against Diabetes

©tessa

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Our Battle against Diabetes

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Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness and amputation, especially in the elderly. This disease requires an adequate treatment and prevention to avoid complications, which may even lead to death.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), better known as diabetes, is a syndrome that deals with disorder of metabolism which is often caused by hereditary and environmental factors, resulting in hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level).  

Insulin, which is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas, controls the blood glucose levels. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes, also known as the Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, is caused by diminished production of insulin. Type 2 diabetes, also known as the Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, is caused by diminished response of the body to insulin. These two types of diabetes both lead to hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia causes the acute signs and symptoms of diabetes. The symptoms of diabetes may occur rapidly within weeks or months in type 1 diabetes. While the symptoms of type 2 diabetes may occur more slowly or completely absent.   

  

The Triad of Diabetes Mellitus: Its Acute Signs and Symptoms

  • Polyuria (frequency in urination)
  • Polyphagia (increased food intake)
  • Polydypsia (increased in fluid intake)

The following are the other signs and symptoms of diabetes:

  • Blurred vision     
  • Weight loss
  • Lethargy
  • Changes in energy metabolism

The Complications of Diabetes

Did you know that diabetes can cause many complications? Diabetes has acute and chronic complications. These complications may occur if the disease is not properly treated or controlled.

These are the acute complications of diabetes:

  • Hypoglycemia
  • Ketoacidosis

These are the chronic complications of diabetes:

  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Retinal damage (leading to blindness)
  • Neuropathy
  • Microvascular damage (leading to impotence and poor wound healing)
  • Foot ulceration (leading to gangrene and amputation)

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia

Due to Excessive Secretion of Epinephrine

Due to Central Nervous System Dysfunction

  • Sweating 
  • Tremor 
  • Tachycardia 
  • Anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Clouding of vision
  • Blunted mental acuity
  • Loss of fine motor skill
  • Confusion
  • Abnormal behavior
  • Convulsions
  • Loss of consciousness

 

Risk Factors for Foot Ulceration

  • Abnormal protective sensation
  • Dry, cracked skin
  • Vascular disease
  • Abnormal gait
  • Poor vision or blindness
  • Poor education
  • Previous ulcers and amputation
  • Poor hygiene
  • Inappropriate footwear
  • Elevated activity profile
  • Foot deformities (claw toes, hammer toes, hallux valgus)

How to Care for Diabetic Patients

Since insulin became medically available, all types of diabetes have been treatable. But there is no widely available cure for any types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is treated through insulin injection and diet and lifestyle control. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes can be treated by both diet and tablets and insulin supplementation.

Among the complications of diabetes, foot ulceration should be frequently monitored to avoid amputation. Here are some tips that a diabetic patient should consider in taking care of his or her feet.

Foot Care Instructions

  • Wash your feet daily and dry them thoroughly.
  • Inspect your feet daily.
  • Do not use sharp objects in cleaning the dirt from your toenails.
  • Cut your nails straight across.
  • Always wear socks.
  • Apply lotion to your feet daily.
  • Never walk barefoot.
  • Protect your feet with warm cotton during cold weather.
  • Rest and elevate your feet. Change shoes every 5 hours.
  • Do not wear elastic socks or garters.
  • Visit your physician to examine your feet.  

Proper treatment of diabetes such as monitoring the glucose level, controlling the blood pressure, and having a healthy lifestyle—having a proper diet and exercise, maintaining an ideal body weight, and avoiding smoking—can prevent the complications of diabetes. Moreover, patient education about the disease and family support are exceptionally important to prevent diabetes.

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Sip from One’s Cup of Wisdom

  • “THERE’S ALWAYS A TIME AND CHANCE FOR SOMEONE TO CHANGE, FOR THAT SOMEONE TO BE BETTER PERSON. THE ONLY THING WE CAN GIVE TO HELP IS TO GIVE THAT SOMEONE THE TIME AND THE CHANCE.” EMBROY
  • “WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG, IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO DECIDE WHO’S GOING TO FIX IT THAN WHO’S GOING TO BLAME.” ANONYMOUS
  • “THE GREATEST ABILITY IS DEPENDABILITY.” BOB JONES
  • “IN ADULTS, DEPENDABILITY IS THE FRUIT OF MATURITY; IN A CHILD, IT IS THE SEED.” LINDA AND RICHARD EYRE
  • “TRULY GREAT FRIENDS ARE HARD TO FIND, DIFFICULT TO LEAVE, IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET.” G. RANDOLF
  • “IF YOU GIVE WHAT YOU DO NOT NEED, IT ISN’T GIVING.” MOTHER TERESA
  • “FAILURE IS ONLY THE OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN AGAIN MORE INTELLIGENTLY.” HENRY FORD
  • “EVERY MAN SHOULD KEEP A FAIR-SIZED CEMETERY IN WHICH TO BURY THE FAULTS OF HIS FRIENDS.” HENRY WARD BEECHER
  • “THEY MAY FORGET WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.” CARL W. BUECHNER
  • “THERE ARE TIMES WHEN FORGETTING CAN BE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS REMEMBERING–AND EVEN MORE DIFFICULT.” HARRY AND JOAN MIER
  • “FRIENDSHIP IS THE HARDEST THING IN THE WORLD TO EXPLAIN. IT’S NOT SOMETHING YOU LEARN IN SCHOOL. BUT IF YOU HAVEN’T LEARNED THE MEANING OF FRIENDSHIP, YOU REALLY HAVEN’T LEARNED ANYTHING.” MUHAMMAD ALI
  • “YOUR FUTURE HAPPINESS DEPENDS ON THE CHOICES YOU MAKE.” STEVE ARRINGTON
  • “GIVING OF YOURSELF, LEARING TO BE TOLERANT, GIVING RECOGNITION AND APPROVAL TO OTHERS, REMAINING FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO MATURE AND LEARN–YIELDS HAPPINESS, HARMONY, CONTENTMENT, AND PRODUCTIVITY. THESE ARE THE QUALITIES OF A RICH LIFE, THE BOUNTEOUS HARVEST OF GETTING ALONG WITH PEOPLE.” JACK C. YEWELL
  • “THE ONLY MAN WHO NEVER MAKES A MISTAKE IS THE MAN WHO NEVER DOES ANYTHING.” THEODORE ROOSEVELT
  • “TO GROW OLD IS TO PASS FROM PASSION TO COMPASSION.” ALBERT CAMUS
  • “PATIENCE WITH OTHERS IS LOVE.” ADEL BESTAVROS
  • “YOU’RE NEVER A LOSER UNTIL YOU QUIT TRYING.” MIKE DITKA
  • “I HAVE NOT FAILED. I HAVE FOUND 10,000 WAYS THAT WON’T WORK.” THOMAS ALVA EDISON
  • “IF YOU ARE PATIENT IN ONE MOMENT OF ANGER, YOU WILL AVOID ONE HUNDRED DAYS OF SORROW.” CHINESE PROVERB
  • “BUILD A LASTING MEMORY TODAY. SOMEDAY, IT MAY BE ALL THAT YOU WILL HAVE LEFT.” ANITA S. MEILY
  • “KIND WORDS CAN BE SHORT AND EASY TO SPEAK, BUT THEIR ECHOES ARE TRULY ENDLESS.” MOTHER TERESA
  • “HAPPINESS, AT ITS BEST, IS BASED UPON RELATIONSHIPS AND NOT UPON POSSESSIONS.” HAROLD C. BONELL
  • “TRUE FRIENDS STAB YOU IN THE FRONT.” OSCARR WILDE
  • “TWO PERSONS CANNOT LONG BE FRIENDS IF THEY CANNOT FORGIVE EACH OTHER’S LITTLE FAILINGS.” JEANDE LA BRUYERE
  • “IT IS BETTER TO BE HATED FOR WHAT YOU ARE THAN LOVED FOR WHAT YOU ARE NOT.” ANDRE GIDE
  • “FORGIVENESS IS SURRENDERING MY RIGHT TO HURT YOU FOR HURTING ME.” ARCHIBALD HART
  • “‘STAY’ IS A CHARMING WORD IN A FRIEND’S VOCABULARY.” AMOS BRONSON ALCOTT
  • “DON’T FIND A FAULT, FIND A REMEDY.” HENRY FORD
  • “IF YOU SEEK FRIENDS WHO CAN BE TRUSTED, GO TO THE CEMETERY.” RUSSIAN PROVERB
  • “IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING THAN TO GET THERE QUICKLY.” MABEL NEWCOMBER

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  • “IT TAKES A YEAR TO MAKE A FRIEND, BUT YOU CAN LOSE ONE IN AN HOUR.” CHINESE PROVERB
  • “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.” WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
  • “THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE IMPOSSIBLE AND THE POSSIBLE LIES IN A PERSON’S DETERMINATION.” TOMMY LASORDA
  • “OFTEN THE SAME THING THAT MAKES ONE PERSON BITTER MAKES ANOTHER BETTER.” ANONYMOUS
  • “THERE MAY BE A WRONG WAY TO DO THE RIGHT THING, BUT NEVER A RIGHT WAY TO DO THE WRONG THING.” SELECTED
  • “DIFFICULTIES STRENGTHEN THE MIND, AS LABOR DOES THE BODY.” SENECA
  • “ACTION MAY NOT ALWAYS BRING HAPINESS, BUT THERE IS NO HAPPINESS WITHOUT ACTION.” BENJAMIN DISRAELI
  • “YOU CAN DISCOVER MORE ABOUT A PERSON IN AN HOUR OF PLAY THAN IN A YEAR OF CONVERSATION.” PLATO
  • “NEVER DO A WRONG THING TO MAKE A FRIEND OR TO KEEP ONE.” ROBERT E. LEE
  • “THE BEST WAY TO KEEP GOOD ACTS IN MEMORY IS TO REFRESH THEM WITH NEW ONES.” GRIT
  • “TWENTY YEARS FROM NOW YOU WILL BE MORE DISAPPOINTED BY THE THINGS THAT YOU DIDN’T DO THAN BY THE ONES YOU DID DO.” MARK TWAIN
  • “COUNT YOUR AGE WITH FRIENDS BUT NOT WITH YEARS.” ANONYMOUS
  • “WHATEVER IS BEGUN IN ANGER ENDS IN SHAME.” BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
  • “THE DEEPEST PRINCIPLE IN HUMAN NATURE IS THE CRAVING TO BE APPRECIATED.” WILLIAM JAMES
  • “IT TAKES PEOPLE SOME TIME TO APPRECIATE THAT THEIR GREATER RESOURCES ARE OFTEN THE PEOPLE THEY KNOW.” LAURIE BETH JONES

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  • “KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO TRY TO BELITTLE YOUR AMBITIONS. SMALL PEOPLE ALWAYS DO THAT, BUT REAL GREAT PEOPLE MAKE YOU FEEL THAT YOU, TOO, CAN BECOME GREAT.” MARK TWAIN
  • “IT AMAZES ME TO FIND AN INTELLIGENT PERSON WHO FIGHTS AGAINST SOMETHING (IDEA OF GOD) WHICH HE DOES NOT AT ALL BELIEVE EXISTS.” MAHATMA GANDHI
  • “THE BEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS IN THE WORLD CANNOT BE SEEN OR EVEN TOUCHED, BUT JUST FELT IN THE HEART.” HELEN KELLER
  • “MOST PEOPLE HAVE A DESIRE TO LOOK AT THE EXCEPTION INSTEAD OF THE DESIRE TO BECOME EXCEPTIONAL.” JOHN MAXWELL
  • “IT IS ONLY WITH THE HEART THAT ONCE CAN SEE RIGHTLY; WHAT IS ESSENTIAL IS INVISIBLE TO THE EYE.” ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPERY
  • “IN ANY PROJECT, THE IMPORTANT FACTOR IS YOUR BELIEF. WITHOUT BELIEF THERE CAN BE NO SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME.” WILLIAM JAMES
  • “TO BELIEVE MEANS TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE MUST WAIT UNTIL THE VEIL SHALL BE REMOVED. UNBELIEF PREMATURELY UNVEILS ITSELF.” ROSENSTOCK-HUSSEY
  • “THINGS TURN OUT BEST FOR PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE BEST OF THE WAY THINGS TURN OUT.” TY BOYD
  • “GOOD BREEDING CONSISTS IN CONCEALING HOW MUCH WE THINK OF OURSELVES AND HOW LITTLE WE THINK OF OTHER PERSONS.” MARK TWAIN
  • “EVEN IF YOU CAN’T PREVENT ANOTHER’S SORROW, CARING WILL LESSEN IT.” FRANK A. CLARK
  • “YOU DON’T HAVE TO ACT AS IF YOU CARE; YOU JUST HAVE TO CARE ENOUGH TO ACT.” RICHARD DREYFUSS
  • “TOO OFTEN WE UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A TOUCH, A SMILE, A LISTENING EAR, AN HONEST COMPLIMENT, OR THE SMALLEST ACT OF CARING, ALL OF WHICH HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO TURN A LIFE AROUND.” LEO BUSCAGLIA
  • “TRUTH NEVER DAMAGES A CAUSE THAT IS JUST.” MOHANDAS K. GANDHI
  • “WHAT WE TEND TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MOST IN OTHER PEOPLE ARE THOSE THINGS WE DON’T LIKE ABOUT OURSELVES.” WILLIAM WHARTON
  • “DEATH IS NOT THE GREATEST LOSS IN LIFE. THE GREATEST LOSS IS WHAT DIES INSIDE US WHILE WE LIVE.” NORMAN COUSINS
  • “NEXT TO ACQUIRING GOOD FRIENDS, THE BEST ACQUISITION IS THAT OF GOOD BOOKS.” COLTON

Also, next to acquiring good books, the best acquisition is that of good journals in the Philippine E-Journals platform.

www.ejournals.ph

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The RH Factor

family planning

The RH factor

A lot of issues have been raised about the RH (reproductive health) factor. Until now, some of these issues weren’t resolved yet. People have different views on the RH factor. Reproductive health talks about having a responsible, satisfying, and safer coitus life. Practically, people have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to physically and rhythmically unite the masculine and feminine genitalia.

The human factor greatly affects the RH factor. This human factor deals with the physical, mental, and social attributes of men and women. Men and women have the right to have an access to safe, effective, and affordable methods of fertility regulation of their choice. In this case, gender equity relates to family planning. However, there have been debates as to whom family planning is greatly attributed–men or women. Some studies focuses on the role of women in family planning, while other studies concentrates on the role of men.

A fact on conception says that it is advised to wait until 18 years old in having a child due to maternal and child health reasons. If the couple wants to have another child, it is better to wait at least 2 years, but not more than 5 years, after the previous birth. Then if a miscarriage occurs, it is better to wait at least 6 months before having another conception. 

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One of the journal articles of DLSU’s Asia-Pacific Social Science Review tackles about the role of men in family planning. Get to know more about this journal article. Visit the Web at http://ejournals.ph/index.php/dlsu-apssr/article/view/14/8 or http://ejournals.ph/index.php/dlsu-apssr.

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Arts and Culture: On Indie Music and Films (The Smiths and 500 Days of Summer)

Indie

A good combo for music and film

Some people have common goals, values, beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and practices. This is what makes a group of people unique from another group of people. All these human phenomena are related to culture.

Since then, arts has been a part of people’s culture. People have excellence of taste in fine arts and humanities, specifically for music and films. Different genre of music and films have evolved from one generation to another–from classical music to contemporary music, and from classical films to contemporary films.

But this is just half of the story. Music and films do also have the mainstream and independent (better known as “indie”) categories. Nowadays, people don’t just watch mainstream films, or even listen to mainstream sounds. Some people do like to watch indie films and listen to indie sounds.

This year, a good combo meal for indie music and film was launched–(500) Days of Summer. It’s from the filmmaker, Marc Webb. One of the soundtrack of this film is also one of the remarkable songs of The Smiths, namely, “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.” Try to listen to this song, it’s a good one.

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If you would like to know more about cultural studies, take a peek at DLSU Dialogue: An Interdisciplinary Journal for Cultural Studies at http://ejournals.ph/index.php/DIALOGUE.

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Surrealism: An Artistic Movement and Philosophy

surrealism 

A visual artwork on surrealism.

Surrealism is an artistic or cultural movement and philosophy that began in the early 1920s. The surrealists are best known for their writings and visual artworks. Surrealism was a reaction to the philosophy of rationalism.

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The Philippine E-Journals houses the Philosophia, an international journal of philosophy. Philosophia is published bi-anually by the Philippine National Philosophical Research Society (PNPRS).

Would you like to know more about Philosophia?

Pay a visit to this site: http://ejournals.ph/index.php/PIJP.

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A Prayer by Paulo Coelho

A prayer is a powerful tool in one’s life. It’s a way of living a good life.

On the summer of 2008, this prayer was given to me. The prayer talks about life, doubts, decisions, actions, dreams, enthusiasm, and love.

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Lord, protect our doubts, bacause Doubt is a way of praying.

It is Doubt that makes us grow because it forces us to look fearlessly at the many answers that exist to one question.

And in order for  this to be possible . . .

Lord, protect our decisions, because making Decisions is a way of praying.

Give us the courage, after our doubts, to be able to choose between one road and another.

May our YES always be a YES, and our NO always be a NO.

Once we have chosen our road, may we never look back nor allow our soul to be eaten away by remorse.

And in order for this to be possible . . .

Lord, protect our actions, because Action is a way of praying.

May our daily bread be the result of the very best that we carry within us.

May, we through work and Action, share a little of the love we receive.

And in order for this to be possible . . .

Lord, protect our dreams, because to Dream is a way of praying.

Make sure that, regardless of our age or our circumstances, we are capable of keeping alight in our heart the sacred flame of hope and perseverance.

And in order for this to be possible . . .

Lord, give us enthusiasm, because Enthusiasm is a way of praying.

It is what binds us to the Heaven and to Earth, to grown-ups and to children; it is what tells us that our desires are important and deserve our best efforts.

It is Enthusiasm that reaffirms to us that everything is possible, as long as we are totally committed to what we are doing.

And in order for this to be possible . . .

Lord, protect us, because Life is the only way we have of making manifest Your miracle.

May the earth continue to transform seeds into wheat, may we continue to transmute wheat into bread.

And this is only possible if we have Love ; therefore, do not leave us in solitude.

Always give us Your company, and the company of men and women who have doubts, who act and dream and feel enthusiasm, and who live each day as if it were totally dedicated to your glory.

Amen.

 

Paolo Coelho   

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The Philippine E-Journals would like to share to you its journal on compassion and society, institutional development, and institutional engagement – The Paulinian Compass.

You can visit the The Paulinian Compass at http://ejournals.ph/index.php/TPC.

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What Lies Beneath

What lies beneath the numbers?

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Their One True Thing

 

The telephone rings.

Shine picks up the phone and says, “Hello!” 

Sean answers, “Oh, hi there! Ready for the trip?”

Shine says, “Yes, but I am afraid that I may get lost. You know me pretty well. I’m not that good in memorizing directions, and even remembering large numbers. I find it hard to stretch and activate my neurons when it comes to numbers. You see, I’m a literature professor.” Shine laughs.

“Do you want me to come over there tonight?” Sean replies.

“I’m sure you’re going to explain and discuss math concepts again,” Shine laughs for the second time.

Sean arrives at Shine’s house.

Shine says, “So what’s the new technique that you’re going to teach me?”

“Well, it’s about the scientific notation. It’s an easy way of writing large and small numbers,” Sean says.

“You know how to help people remember numbers easily—just like remembering you,” Shine says while she smiles.

Sean smiles back.

“Well, I guess we should start,” Sean says and smiles again.

“In scientific notation, you write numbers using powers of ten in the form of a times 10 raised to the b power (a × 10^b). What do I mean by this? The symbol b is an exponent. This represents the number of times you move the decimal point to the left or to the right of a number—and this number I’m referring to is the symbol a, also known as a coefficient, which is a real number. Take this example—if Baguio is 250 km from Manila, expressing this in scientific notation, we have 2 point 5 times 10 to the second power (2.5 × 10^2). You just simply move the decimal point 2 places to the left. Always remember that in a whole number the decimal point should be located after the ones place, and all zeros should be dropped.

250 = 2.5 × 10^2

On the other hand, if you want to make 2.5 × 10^2 a large number, you simply move the decimal point to the right as many times as indicated by the exponent, and add zeros up to the number of decimal places needed. In standard notation, 2.5 × 10^2 will be 250.

2.5 × 10^2 = 250

That’s the end of it,” Sean explains.

“What a brilliant way of remembering large numbers easily!” Shine exclaims.

“So now tell me, do you still find it hard to memorize large numbers?” Sean asks.

“Not anymore! I just have to remember this scientific notation by heart. Like reading literary pieces, you have to understand them not just using your mind but also using your heart,” Shine explains.

Sean and Shine smile at each other.

See how the language of MATH brought them together. It’s their one true thing.

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Numbers are engineers’ bread and butter.

The Philippine E-Journals has a good collection of engineering journals. One of these engineering journals is the DLSU Engineering Journal, which is concerned in all aspects of engineering and the use of technology in the academe and industry.

Hook onto http://ejournals.ph/index.php/EJ to know more about this journal.

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Unleashing My Creative Juice

RH factor

Rh factor

Window Soul
Window
Landscape
Landscape
Surrealism
Surrealism
Impressionism
Impressionism
Roses and Purple Bricks
Roses and Purple Bricks
Mushrooms
Mushrooms
Space 
Space

 

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Arts and Poetry: In the Beholder’s Eyes

impressionism

Can you compare ARTS to BEAUTY?

How do you express yourself through arts and letters?

Some people do paint and write poems, fictions, and nonfictions  to express theirselves.  The De La Salle’s IDEYA: Journal of Humanities has a good collection of poems and other creative works, such as drama, fiction, and nonfiction. Get to know more about IDEYA, pay a visit at this site: http://www.ejournals.ph/index.php/ideya.

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