An Obstacle, A Total Disaster (Reflection)

    I don't possess a high quality voice but I wanna sing this just to ease the disappointments, failures and burdens of mine. RAINBOW by SOUTH BORDER.
"Oohhh... Can't you see? No matter what happens, life goes on and on. So baby, just SMILE. Even if there is rain now, everything will be alright. For as long as the world spins there will be nights and days. THERE'S A RAINBOW ALWAYS AFTER THE RAIN."
     I should have reached my goals. I should have fulfilled what I had promised to myself. I should had remove myself from the prison of disgusting expectations.
    Third grading period was undeniably having the most hectic schedule among the three gradings we had. It was fully loaded with activities especially those which are held outside the campus. But you know what? I still love ICT IV most importantly our topic about Microsoft Front Page. That was such a cool application! It is my first time to try and see how it works. One word to describe it? AMAZING. The passion of mine about computers, information and communications, web designs really drive me to take up BSIT in the near future.
     So far, no problem had occurred yet except a misunderstanding about the Web Page Design Making with some friends. But PAST IS PAST. I don't want to talk about it anymore because it will just hurt me. Regarding to our other subjects? I think the major obstacle to my success is the Thesis. This third grading, I know I will fail because of this. I lose the all the concentration thinking of our titles. and everything about my other subjects. I am not satisfied with my ICT score same through with all my other subjects. I should have got higher if not because of that thesis! Why life is so hard like this?
     I really don't have anything to address those problems. Third grading is over. I'll just hope for the best. We can't bring back time. What I can do now is just to pray and lift up my hands to God for he'll show me the way. Everything is a mess, a total disaster, and I can't do anything otherwise. I'll just accept that my goal will remain unreachable. *sad face*
     Moving on, I want more positive outlooks in life. Back off bad vibes! I will be more than happy if ever I can make it this third grading but if not, maybe fourth grading may do. Maybe my best wasn't enough for now. But until the last time, the last quarter, I'll fight for the thing I am fighting for since second year. GO CLAIRE! I trust myself.

                   

#IamSTRONG#IcanMakeIt#NeverGiveUp#Believe

New Year, New Me

     I keep on having a flashback about my 2012 memories. The way I laugh, I deal to life's challenges, I hang out with my friends, the blessings I received, the conversation I had with the important persons in my life and so on... I can't help to miss all those stuffs. Whenever good memories pop up in my mind, I smile. And when the bad ones hit me, I just frown and try not to look back.
     *SIGH* Another year was again concluded. What I am being thankful to is the end of the world which hadn't took place. Now, I had the chance to live my dreams still and make my plans bit into reality. This is a new year. A year to replenish and correct the mistakes of yesterday.


     As part of the new wave, of course, the number one in the list would be all about NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS. Every person has his own list of it and has his own strategy on accomplishing it. But some don't mind because they say, "It's just a waste of time. This is me and I can't change anything about it. Besides, even though I make so many long lists, I might not do it." Me? Everything's just fine and simple. This year, I am going to be a good daughter and sister. I'll surrender my phone to my mother and I'll minimize to log on to my Social Networking Sites. I'll try to be a better classmate. I knew some are irritated with my attitude. My friends are always telling me, "Don't be too serious in life, give yourself a break. Enjoy being in the last day of our lives." So I'll follow their suggestions.
     Behind all these things, all I want is a CHANGE. I've been so careless about myself especially about my studies for the pass few months. I am so lazy. It's like I have no energy in everything I do. I regret it for possessing some bad habits and attitudes.
     So far, I am doing good this first month. I wish this will continue. But I don't know how will I make things right regarding with all our Math-related subject. Even though how hard I try, I can't.
     The best thing that ever happened this start of the year? Well, I had a dream. A very wonderful thing that may happen to me in the real world. I dreamed of God with an angel and me. The three of us were in heaven. Aye! But there's only a blurred image of God I can see. What is clear is that He is talking to me. But I just remembered a phrase out of the many sentences He uttered. I forgot about the story, how was I got there. The only thing I had in my mind is the phrase... "MAKE A DREAM AND BELIEVE." That was a crystal clear statement from God.
     What does that mean? Is something good gonna happen this 2013 to me? I HOPE SO.
      Welcome 2013! Don't just be good to me! Shower more blessings and lifetime success! :)

What Christmas means to ME

“Let’s sing Merry Christmas and happy holidays. This season may we never forget the love we had for Jesus? Let him be the one who guide us as another new year starts. And may the spirit of Christmas will always be in our hearts.” – Christmas in our Hearts.

 Just the cold breeze of the crisp December air, and the noisiness of our environment, we could already feel it’s Christmas. Christmas trees are being decorated with colorful paraphernalia, lanterns are being hanged, gifts are already wrapped, and the surrounding is brightened up with the Christmas lights. Belen and Santa Claus miniatures are also out and displayed at some corners of the house.

After 11 months and 24 days, here we are again to celebrate the day when they proclaimed Jesus was born. There are a lot of preparations to be done. And of course, we have to brace ourselves for the forthcoming day of our savior. I, myself, was excited, too, for that celebration. How I wish it’s now Noche Buena. I can’t wait for it!

One thing I just can’t forget is my first Misa de Gallo wherein I am aiming to complete the 9 days of novena. Supposed to be I’ll only attend the mass on the 24^th night of December but because my cousin forced me to accompany her, I agreed to be with her. The message of the priest was emblazoned in my mind and heart: "End of the world is getting near. No one knows what the exact date of judgment is. But let us ask ourselves. Have we done something worth our living here on earth? Did we do good things during the period of our existence? Yearly, we're celebrating Christmas and now, we will again prepare for it. There are two kinds of this celebration - CHRISTmas and Xmas. CHRISTmas is celebrated with the ones full of love in their hearts; Jesus is with them. On the other hand, Xmas - celebration for people who are only unto material things and hate the world. Did we spend a MEANINGFUL Christmas even once? Love. Share. Forgive. That's the true essence of Christmas. Do what you have not done before it’s too late. Who knows, maybe it’s your last Misa de Gallo you'll ever had? And in the end, we can say... "I did this all for you Jesus." Until now, the words are still reverberating on my head.

This message is so true. Christmas is far different from all other occasions we celebrate. We are not to have just a party instead a holy and solemn celebration. We are not on the gifts; we are on the hearts' content. The true essence of Christmas is about sharing what we had without thinking what we'll lose or gain. It's all about expressing your love to everyone especially to the needy. It's all about getting your family together and strengthening your bonds. It's all about forgiving and asking forgiveness to those who hurt you and those you've hurt. Your state in life doesn't matter. As long as you had an open heart and you are happy with the things around you, I can assure you'll have a perfect Christmas Eve.

Let's celebrate a MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS. Let its true essence prevail not only during December months but also the following days that come along. Happy Holidays :">

Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities

Having equal rights and equal opportunities is being mirrored in Mathematics. In our daily life as student, we always deal with Mathematical expressions. For the solution to be correct and for the problem to be solved, EQUALITY must exist – where both sides of the given are being BALANCED to each other.

If we have equal rights, we must also have equal opportunities. Since birth, we all have obtained the rights we must have. A "RIGHT" portrays what is JUST, LAWFUL, and PROPER. 

                                                    The General Assembly

proclaims
This Universal Declaration of Human Rights

as a common standard of achievement for all people and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the people of Member States themselves and among the people of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11

(1) Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offense on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offense, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offense was committed.

Article 12

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 14

(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15

(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17

(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21

(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23

(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out-of-wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27

(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29

(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein. CREDITS TO: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/list-of-human-rights.html

While in the other hand, there must also be "OPPORTUNITIES". It pertains to the time or occasion that is right for doing something good . In short, GOOD CHANCES. Good chances rarely comes and if it dwells upon you, you grab it immediately. As they say, "Grab opportunities as they offer it to you, because maybe in the end, you'll regret for letting it go." Therefore, if people tend to be equal in this world, and no discrimination at all, doors for opportunities will be opened up.

FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS. GRAB OPPORTUNITIES. Equality between rights and opportunities must dominate in this century until the future generations to come. 

                

The Answer Lies In Our Hands

     Nothing is permanent in this world. The crystal clear water now turned into black liquid. The air we breathe now became less purified compared before. The land is abused and polluted. People change. Even the climate we have is gradually changing.
     Have you feel the warmth of the sun striking directly into your tan skin? I have observed that even though it is still not that late in the morning, we could already feel the burning sensation after exposing a few minutes under the heat of the sun.
     Did you ever wonder why there is less rainy season this year? Are you not aware? Or you're just pretending you are blind of what is happening to Mother Earth? We are currently facing now the greatest threat to our environment - the CLIMATE CHANGE.
     Climate Change are changes in the earth's weather, including changes in temperature, wind patterns and rainfall, especially the increase in the temperature of the earth's atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gases, especially carbon dioxide.(Oxford Dictionary)
     There are a number of natural factors responsible for climate change. Some of the more prominent ones are continental drift, volcanoes, ocean currents, the earth's tilt, and comets and meteorites. Let's look at them in a little detail.

 Continental drift
You may have noticed something peculiar about South America and Africa on a map of the world - don't they seem to fit into each other like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle?
About 200 million years ago they were joined together! Scientists believe that back then, the earth was not as we see it today, but the continents were all part of one large landmass. Proof of this comes from the similarity between plant and animal fossils and broad belts of rocks found on the eastern coastline of South America and western coastline of Africa, which are now widely separated by the Atlantic Ocean. The discovery of fossils of tropical plants (in the form of coal deposits) in Antarctica has led to the conclusion that this frozen land at some time in the past, must have been situated closer to the equator, where the climate was tropical, with swamps and plenty of lush vegetation.

The continents that we are familiar with today were formed when the landmass began gradually drifting apart, millions of years back. This drift also had an impact on the climate because it changed the physical features of the landmass, their position and the position of water bodies. The separation of the landmasses changed the flow of ocean currents and winds, which affected the climate. This drift of the continents continues even today; the Himalayan range is rising by about 1 mm (millimeter) every year because the Indian land mass is moving towards the Asian land mass, slowly but steadily.

 Volcanoes 
When a volcano erupts it throws out large volumes of sulphur dioxide (SO₂), water vapour, dust, and ash into the atmosphere. Although the volcanic activity may last only a few days, yet the large volumes of gases and ash can influence climatic patterns for years. Millions of tonnes of sulphur dioxide gas can reach the upper levels of the atmosphere (called the stratosphere) from a major eruption. The gases and dust particles partially block the incoming rays of the sun, leading to cooling. Sulphur dioxide combines with water to form tiny droplets of sulphuric acid. These droplets are so small that many of them can stay aloft for several years. They are efficient reflectors of sunlight, and screen the ground from some of the energy that it would ordinarily receive from the sun. Winds in the upper levels of the atmopshere, called the stratosphere, carry the aerosols rapidly around the globe in either an easterly or westerly direction. Movement of aerosols north and south is always much slower. This should give you some idea of the ways by which cooling can be brought about for a few years after a major volcanic eruption.

Mount Pinatoba, in the Philippine islands erupted in April 1991 emitting thousands of tonnes of gases into the atmosphere. Volcanic eruptions of this magnitude can reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, lowering temperatures in the lower levels of the atmosphere (called the troposphere), and changing atmospheric circulation patterns. The extent to which this occurs is an ongoing debate.

Another striking example was in the year 1816, often referred to as "the year without a summer." Significant weather-related disruptions occurred in New England and in Western Europe with killing summer frosts in the United States and Canada. These strange phenomena were attributed to a major eruption of the Tambora volcano in Indonesia, in 1815.

The earth's tilt
The earth makes one full orbit around the sun each year. It is tilted at an angle of 23.5° to the perpendicular plane of its orbital path. For one half of the year when it is summer, the northern hemisphere tilts towards the sun. In the other half when it is winter, the earth is tilted away from the sun. If there was no tilt we would not have experienced seasons. Changes in the tilt of the earth can affect the severity of the seasons - more tilt means warmer summers and colder winters; less tilt means cooler summers and milder winters.

The Earth's orbit is somewhat elliptical, which means that the distance between the earth and the Sun varies over the course of a year. We usually think of the earth's axis as being fixed, after all, it always seems to point toward Polaris (also known as the Pole Star and the North Star). Actually, it is not quite constant: the axis does move, at the rate of a little more than a half-degree each century. So Polaris has not always been, and will not always be, the star pointing to the North. When the pyramids were built, around 2500 BC, the pole was near the star Thuban (Alpha Draconis). This gradual change in the direction of the earth's axis, called precession is responsible for changes in the climate.

Ocean currents 
The oceans are a major component of the climate system. They cover about 71% of the Earth and absorb about twice as much of the sun's radiation as the atmosphere or the land surface. Ocean currents move vast amounts of heat across the planet - roughly the same amount as the atmosphere does. But the oceans are surrounded by land masses, so heat transport through the water is through channels.

Winds push horizontally against the sea surface and drive ocean current patterns.
Certain parts of the world are influenced by ocean currents more than others. The coast of Peru and other adjoining regions are directly influenced by the Humboldt current that flows along the coastline of Peru. The El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean can affect climatic conditions all over the world.

Another region that is strongly influenced by ocean currents is the North Atlantic. If we compare places at the same latitude in Europe and North America the effect is immediately obvious. Take a closer look at this example - some parts of coastal Norway have an average temperature of -2°C in January and 14°C in July; while places at the same latitude on the Pacific coast of Alaska are far colder: -15°C in January and only 10°C in July. The warm current along the Norewgian coast keeps much of the Greenland-Norwegian Sea free of ice even in winter. The rest of the Arctic Ocean, even though it is much further south, remains frozen.

Ocean currents have been known to change direction or slow down. Much of the heat that escapes from the oceans is in the form of water vapour, the most abundant greenhouse gas on Earth. Yet, water vapor also contributes to the formation of clouds, which shade the surface and have a net cooling effect.
Any or all of these phenomena can have an impact on the climate, as is believed to have happened at the end of the last Ice Age, about 14,000 years ago. 

Greenhouse gases and their sources
Carbon dioxide is undoubtedly, the most important greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Changes in land use pattern, deforestation, land clearing, agriculture, and other activities have all led to a rise in the emission of carbon dioxide.

Methane is another important greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. About ¼ of all methane emissions are said to come from domesticated animals such as dairy cows, goats, pigs, buffaloes, camels, horses, and sheep. These animals produce methane during the cud-chewing process. Methane is also released from rice or paddy fields that are flooded during the sowing and maturing periods. When soil is covered with water it becomes anaerobic or lacking in oxygen. Under such conditions, methane-producing bacteria and other organisms decompose organic matter in the soil to form methane. Nearly 90% of the paddy-growing area in the world is found in Asia, as rice is the staple food there. China and India, between them, have 80-90% of the world's rice-growing areas.

Methane is also emitted from landfills and other waste dumps. If the waste is put into anincinerator or burnt in the open, carbon dioxide is emitted. Methane is also emitted during the process of oil drilling, coal mining and also from leaking gas pipelines (due to accidents and poor maintenance of sites).
A large amount of nitrous oxide emission has been attributed to fertilizer application. This in turn depends on the type of fertilizer that is used, how and when it is used and the methods of tilling that are followed. Contributions are also made by leguminous plants, such as beans and pulses that add nitrogen to the soil. 

CREDITS TO: http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/climate/causes.htm

     Are you happy with what the future generation will suffer? Are you satisfied to look upon their difficulties? Would you not be ashamed of what you've done to cause their sufferings? Let us ask ourselves. Let's inspect our conscience. 
     Remember, Mother Earth is crying. She is so helpless and maybe in time, she will surrender. I am pretty sure one reason will be this Climate Change. Would you still wait that our beloved habitat will vanish before we act? Think wise. The answer lies in our hands; hands of each people who are willing to restore the wellness of the surroundings for the betterment of the Climate.

How I wish ...

     What's happening to me? What am I doing? Where shall I stand in the end of the race I've started? How I wish everything would just be fine after all.
     Days went on rapidly and next week will be our periodical test. It seems I haven't done anything for the betterment of my grades. I think, I just taken things lightly to the point that what I've work for in the start will all turn to dust. If ever God would punish me for my carelessness, I'll accept. But please dear Lord, don't let me be in the moment I'm afraid of.
     Regarding on my ICT Class, its just okay. I can follow with the exercises on HTML, I can manage to take up my quizzes so far, and I can post my blog on time too! As I have said before, writing is my favorite pastime, you know. Thats why there's no way to miss my favorite spot, my BLOGSPOT! :) I have learned a lot especially on the tag attributes, html formatting, html codes and the such. I'm pretty sure I could use all the knowledge I gaining specifically when I'll pursue to take up my course -- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT).
     Based on my evaluation with the things I have done, I think, I made the wrong moves. That's a big problem for me. I'm not that active as before. I mean, I didn't focus on my studies as what I'm doing in the first grading. I don't know. It seems there's something missing in my everyday life. Though my friends see me so serious outside the room, I just cannot help to ba silent inside. And that's what I regret. I am creating too much effort as what others see yet I can't be in the position I wish to have.
      I am still trying the hardest I could. I'll still work out to get for what I aim. I'll cope up. I'll do every single way out the maze where I'm cage into. I know, God will always be there by my side.
     Moving on, I will make everything right. I will exert more effort. I promise I'll excel. How I wish I can bring back every second of the past so that I can make every crooked straight. How I wish... Just how I wish...

Upholding English Proficiency for Communicative Competence

    In every competition, we must understand each others ideas. To be able to understand things, we must communicate well. To be able to communicate precisely, there's a need for a proficiency in language.

     English is the "lingua franca"  all over the world. That's why it was set as the universal language around this globe where we stand. So it is a must that all of us must know how to speak English. It is a weapon for us to empower a friendly communication with other countries.

   English can be defined as a contact language used between speakers who do not share the same mother tongue(s) or cultural backgrounds. It is a global phenomenon,

with a much wider range of people using English now as an additional language than native

speakers. Indeed, over 80% of interactions in English worldwide are now estimated to be between non-native speakers (see Graddol 2006). In this respect, native speaker competence may no longer be relevant as a model to imitate or a «golden standard»   to      reach (see Seidlhoer 2004).Indeed, when ELF is usedfor education, the focustends to be on effective communication rather

than «correctness» (see Mauranen et al 2010).

[http://www.academia.edu/459366/English_as_a_lingua_franca_in_education_-_Internationalisation_speaks_English]

     Well, people will now have to think twice before mocking Pinoys' use of the English language.

The Philippines was named the world’s best country in business English proficiency, even beating the United States, according to a recent study by GlobalEnglish Corporation.

GlobalEnglish has released early this month the results of its annual Business English Index (BEI), the only index that measures business English proficiency in the workplace.

For 2012, results showed that from 76 represented countries worldwide, only the Philippines attained a score above 7.0, "a BEI level within range of a high proficiency that indicates an ability to take an active role in business discussions and perform relatively complex tasks."

“This is particularly interesting because the Philippines, a country with one-tenth of the population of India, recently overtook India as a hub for call centers. Over 400,000 Filipinos are now employed in call centers, roughly 50,000 more than in India,” the study said.

The Philippines, which scored 7.11 and the lone country in the intermediate level, were joined by Norway (6.54), Estonia (6.45), Serbia (6.38) and Slovenia (6.19) in the top five.

GlobalEnglish noted that a country’s business English capability is an indicator of its economic growth and business success.

[http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ph--world-s-best-country-in-business-english.html]

This only portrays that even though it is not an English speaking country, it has a capability to have high proficiency in English language.

          Now, Filipinos are no longer underestimated by foreign countries. We can go abroad and to any international place we want because we have the capability of speaking English fluently. We can communicate with other people out there. From there, competition is more prone. We can only survive if we have high percentage of being an English proficient. Of course, how can we live there if we are not suited even with their language only? With the use of English language, we have the power to stand and talk with self-esteem.

     Throughout the globe, English is highly accepted. Being proficient of it boost more confidence and it feels like we belong. Having a well-rounded communication, through English languag, results to a healthy competition. Upholding English proficiency for communicative competence!