Now That's What I Call Interdependence!

Or as they say in French, interdependance. ;)

Blog article for January 19 and 23, 2012: Group Work

I always think that democracy is a very important value in this country. Which is why I agree with Sir Contreras' way of making us select our group mates for this very important reporting. However, when the some people didn't seem to like what they got (from our bunutan experience), there was a sudden mix up of the papers and most numbered papers were thrown to our group for some reason so we ended up being separated into two groups. Even so, I still was able to be with the most awesome group mates I can ever ask for.

For this group activity, each group will be assigned a specific topic and is expected to come up with a creative output/report to be presented in class. Each group is given one whole session for reporting and should be able to, within that limited amount of time, present their topics cohesively but still full of information.

Karen Torres, Mariel Quiroz and Cyril Ebarvia were with me.
We were assigned with the French Cultural Studies.

I was so excited to do our presentation! Perhaps I got a little too excited as I came up with this: (A copy-paste of my message for them in Facebook)

Hi mates! I have a general idea na for our video based on what I've read for our topic . Suggestion lang 'to. Pwede naman contrahin haha.

1. The reading can be divided into 6 parts
2. We'll be having 1 part each then yung last 2, bahala na tayo. Haha. I can take another one.
3. Each of us will discuss the theories and record it in video. Depende sa gusto niyong style. Pero we all have one theme.

OUR THEME: GEEK 

Costume: GEEK-Y LOOK HAHA. Pwede yung parang school girl/school boy uniform = white polo, black skirt/pants, high socks and the highligh is geek glasses!
Presentation: Do it in your own style!

Example 1: I will be reading a book about French culture studies aloud kunyari pero syempre yung babasahin is key points lang. So the recorded parts will be a person summarizing a book aloud.

Example 2: I write key words in a whole bond paper, naka focus yung video, then magfo-focus sa person then the person will explain what that key word means.

Example 3: Singing :))))))

Example 4: Writing/Making a chart in the blackboard? Or the white board? 

Example 5: Discussing the theory in front of other geeks/friends

Example 6: In a medyo dark room, nababaliw na pero reading some key points aloud :))))))

KAYO BAHALA SA STYLE NIYO! The crazier, the better! Walang normal normal lang, bawal ang normal lang kay sir ! Hahaha.

4. Edit the video, kakabit-kabitin lang haha.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE BRING COSTUME TOMORROW!!! WE NEED AS MUCH PROPS AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU CAN BRING THICK BOOKS AND THE LIKE, PLEASE DO. GEEKY IN A NICE WAY NGA PALA, LIKE BLAZERS AND VESTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

MORE IMPORTANT: IF YOU HAVE OTHER SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE MESSAGE ASAP!!!! ITS FINE BASTA MAY ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTION KAYO :)

Thankfully enough, my group mates were up for the challenge as well! Karen has a nice camera, which had a video recording feature, which we used to record everything. She also, by the way, has a Macbook which has a very nice video editing application so she was the one who edited the videos and actually produced the final output. Mariel and Cyril were able to make artistic suggestions as we shot the videos. And finally, I can say that I worked as the general director as I recorded the scenes and directed the actors/actresses.

Aside from the actual video we made, we also produced hand outs for the summarized version of our reports to make it easier for the class to understand our topic. We wanted the video and the hand outs to be synced - as they watch the video, they check the hand outs at the same time to keep track of the terms and most important words.

Our group definitely had positive interdependence from planning to execution, even up to the reporting itself! I was so proud when sir Contreras said, "I'm impressed!" after the video and that we didn't need to present the Powerpoint we prepared as well, anymore. I felt like all our efforts were rewarded and I felt more inspired to do better next time!

The actual video will be posted soon! Stay tuned ;)

♥ Reese Corpuz

O.E.S.O in Real Life

Blog article for January 12, 2012 session:
Pair activity about your Self and your Other

In one of our classes, we discussed how your self and your other can be put into a hierarchical context. It was really interesting for me to realize only now that in our everyday lives, there are actually forms of domination and marginalization, even up to the simplest relationships.

In pairs, we discussed how we ourselves are Objectified, Exploited, Subordinated and Oppressed by our others and vice versa as well. Me and my partner, Mariel, really discussed the topics one by one and actually found out things about ourselves which we were not aware of before. It was a surprise!

OBJECTIFICATION

How I was objectified: My Parents over Me

What better example in this category can we provide? Yep, I thought so. There's nothing else. Without our consent, (Well technically because as babies we are still physically incapable of personal opinions and the like) our parents automatically implied on us that we have to respect and obey them simply because they are our parents. 

How I objectified: Me as the Owner over my Cat, Harry Potter

Like me when I was a baby, my cat, Harry Potter, does not have the physical capability to communicate with me and argue which is right and wrong. I automatically objectified him as mine, as my pet. His feeding time, the quantity of the food he eats, where he sleeps, where he poops and many other else are all for me to decide while he, as the subject of his own life was suddenly objectified.

EXPLOITATION

How I was exploited: A Free-loader group mate

In exploitation, a subject is used to advance others' interests. This personal experience can be quite a common experience to us colleagues. Free-loaders are very common simply because ultra-leaders slash control freaks such as me exist. I do not regret not having him/her handle responsibilities which I know he/she cannot handle whenever the projects turn out well but I am often haunted with the thought of having someone pass by so easily, without even feeling guilty or sorry. It's really sad, actually.

How I exploited: Me picking a flower

For several instances already, I have put a flower, living its own life, not doing anything to harm me, in danger. For me, picking a flower is an act of exploitation.

SUBORDINATION

How I was subordinated: The church priest over my confessions
The church priest, having Catholic authority and nothing else, hear all my sins, all my confession. I am placed below this other, no questions asked, because he is an authority of the church.

How I subordinated: Me as the Company Manager of our dance company over our members

As they join the company, they start from below. I , as the Company Manager commands the members as to what time trainings and rehearsals were, what costumes to wear, what production-related tasks to finish within the day, which designs to make and so on and so forth. Without questions asked, they were subordinated by myself because of my authority granted by our organization.

OPPRESSION

How I was oppressed: My Parents over Me (Again)

As a kid, my parents used physical force to discipline me whenever I did wrong and bad things. I understand that this is a simple form of oppression however I also am not complaining. This is because I learned the hard way and this made me learn very intensely as well. For me, a little pain, would really hurt.

How I oppressed: (Honestly, I don't think I have ever oppressed or persecuted anyone. I'm such an angel!)

As we finish this activity, I definitely became more aware with my relationship with the others around me. Thus, this lesson will definitely make me more observant and careful.

♥ Reese Corpuz

Oh hello, Self! ♥

Blog article for January 9, 2012 Classroom Discussion: The Self

As one of our requirements for our elective class, CULPOLI (Culture and Politics), we are expected to write a blog and keep track of our personal thoughts and realizations after our classes. After my thorough explanation of the blog's title Sense and Sensibility, I now welcome you more formally to my blog and therefore also, my personal thoughts and views about Culture and Politics.

Keep Calm and read my blog lol

So you may ask, who am I? In one of our sessions in class, we talked about our self and out other. In this post, I am here to talk about my SELF.

My whole name is Therese Christianne V. Corpuz. I was born and raised in Makati City as the only-daughter of a family of 5, in between my brother who is now 26 and my little brother, 16. As a daughter, I can say that I am very respectful. I see respect as one of the most significant things any man can offer others. I get very busy with chores althroughout the week; I look over our cat most often, clean every now and then, wash the dishes, cook our meals, do the laundry and sometimes even iron the clothes. With that, I can say that I am definitely a hard-worker at home. That is just how my parents raised me. Even if there is help around, we still had to do chores. I am thankful of this because somehow it made me independent and strong.

Ever since my younger years, I have been very interested in performing arts already. I joined competitions and pageants and I always looked forward to the talent showcase part. In school, I am a very enthusiastic student-artist. I am very energetic, I talk a lot, I laugh a lot. Even to a point that some people might think of me as boisterous and all over the place. That's just how expressive I think I am. I join different organizations because simply studying everyday academic lessons is just too boring for me. Aside from being part of the Pilot section and an incumbent classroom officer, I was also part of the school choir, the school theater and dance club, the school paper and even the student council. I was also an active girl scout and troop leader. I was also very active in our church. I loved serving as the lector or commentator for our mass celebrations. I garnered heaps of awards and medals when I was in Grade School and made my parents proud so many times. Grade School was definitely my field of success.

In highscool, my vision definitely widened and deepened. Having the opportunity to become a scholar in the Philippine High School for the Arts, I was exposed to authentic Philippine culture and arts - got to read authentic books, meet national artists, watch shows, exhibits and programs showcasing Philippine culture and the arts. Popular art didn't seem to have as strong as an impact on me anymore because I got obsessed with the traditional. Because I was a Folk Dance Major, traditional dance became an integral part of my life. After everything I've learned and I've been through in High School, I definitely became more passionate, more focused to my future, more determined. I became more confident and straight to the point. Finally, I also became more creative and artistic.

Currently, I am still who I am from who I was twenty years ago. However, of course, there had been some significant improvements and developments are still in progress.

The most important aspect in my self now which I can proudly brag about is that I am more liberal and opinionated - in terms of my personal or political beliefs and everything in between.

Upon generally knowing who my self is, the only question now is can you say that we have the same selves or my complete other?

Keep visiting to know thy author more and further understand how close Culture is to her heart, and how she grows fonder of Politics and Political Science :)


♥ Reese Corpuz

My Personal Politics

Blog article for January 9, 2012 classroom session: Personal Political Views

Because of a certain class discussion about our personal political stands, I was inspired to further analyze my own views and opinions regarding several political issues and concerns and to find out where I stand in the debate of the republicans and the democrats (Even if these two opposing political parties are not particularly observed in the Philippines).

I found this quiz generating site and in it I found a short "Personal Politics" quiz. Its questions were "politically significant", as the author labelled it, and the choices provide possible answers of different people with different political stands. If you want to know your place, visit this! For now, I'd love to share to you parts of the quiz (not all the questions, some important ones only) as well as my result and analysis.


On my views about my country (Philippines) and the world:


Disagree 1. I'd always support my country, whether it was right or wrong.
Agree 2. Our race has many superior qualities, compared with other races.
Disagree 3. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Strongly Agree 4. There is a worrying fusion of information and entertainment.


On how I perceive the economy:

Strongly Agree 1. It's a sad reflection on our society that something as basic as drinking water is now a bottled, branded consumer product.
Agree 2. Land shouldn't be a commodity to be bought or sold.
Strongly Agree 3. It is regrettable that many personal fortunes are made by people who simply manipulate money and contribute nothing to their society.
Strongly Agree 4. Governments should penalize businesses that mislead the public.


On my personal social views: 

Agree 1. All authority should be questioned.
Agree 2. Good parents sometimes have to spank their children
Strongly Agree 3. It's natural for children to keep some secrets from their parents.
Strongly Agree 4. There are no savage and civilized peoples; there are only different cultures.
Disagree 5. What's good for the most successful corporations is always, ultimately good for all of us.


On the society:

Strongly Agree 1. Although the electronic age makes official surveillance easier, only wrongdoers need to be worried.
Strongly Agree 2. The death penalty should be an option for the most serious crimes.
Strongly Disagree 3. Abstract art that doesn't represent anything shouldn't be considered art at all.
Strongly Disagree 4. Mothers may have careers, but their first duty is to be homemakers.


On religion:

Strongly Disagree 1. You cannot be moral without being religious.
Disagree 2. It is important that my child's school instills religious values.


On sex:

Strongly Agree 1. A same sex couple in a stable, loving relationship, should not be excluded from the possibility of child adoption.
Strongly Agree 2. What goes on  in a private bedroom between adults is no business of the state.
Strongly Disagree 3. These days openness about sex has gone too far.

THE RESULT:

This quiz will definitely make me more conscious now on how I react on issues. From now on, every time I react, I will assess whether this quiz is more truthful than not. It is nice to come from a defined starting point. This way, I will personally understand where I will be coming from.

So how about you? Where will your red dot land in this color-coded graph?

♥ Reese Corpuz