An Analysis of the poem “The Forsaken”

Original draft date: June 2, 2011

The poem “The Forsaken” tells the sad life story of a Chippewa woman (Chippewa is one of the aboriginal peoples in Canada). When she was still young a mother, she was already abandoned by her husband. It can be implied by her own struggle to find food for her baby which is supposed to be done by the male spouse. But since she was the one doing his obligation, he definitely forsook her and their baby.
Alone, she had to protect her child and survive in the severe storm (“Once in the winter…a Chippewa woman /With her sick baby/Crouched in the last hours/Of a great storm”). To worsen the situation, her baby is sick with nothing to eat. She even has to fish in a frozen lake. When she had no luck in catching a single fish, she bravely cut her own flesh and used it as bait. Only then she was able to amass a heap of them (“She took her own flesh/Baited the fish hook/Drew in a gray-trout/Drew in his fellows/Heaped them beside her”). But as a young woman, her difficulties aren’t over yet. She still has to take a multi-day trek through wolf country to get herself and her baby to the safety (“She faced the long distance/Wolf-haunted and lonely”). Then, on the third day, she saw the chimney smoke of the fort hanging in the trees and heard the sled dogs. Only at this point she can give in to her exhaustion. (“On the third morning/Saw the strong bulk/Of the Fort by the river…Heard the keen yelp of ravenous huskies…then she had rest”).

On the second part of the poem, the young Chippewa woman had already become old. In fact, “very” old because her son was already an old manwith his own children (“Years and years after/When she was old and withered/When her son was an old man/And his children filled with vigour”). Once again in her life, she was abandoned. She is already useless and will only be a burden to his son’s family who are traveling by canoes as a method of gathering food (Instead of traditional hunting methods, they have adopted the mink-traps of the European hunters). After camping one night in an island, she was left behind in the morning without even a goodbye from her family (“They came in their northern tour on the verge of winter/To an island on a lonely lake/There one night they camped, and on the morrow/Gathered their kettles and birch-bark/Their rabbit-skin robes and their mink-traps/Launched their canoes and slunk away through the islands/Left her alone forever/Without a word of farewell”). And again, on the third day, she finally had her “true rest” (“Then there was born a silence deeper than silence/Then she had rest”).

Although the story of the Chippewa woman had indeed been very sad, I cannot help but admire her. With all the troubles she faced, she didn’t even show a sign of fear. In the two great misfortunes that she had, she confronted them all bravely as if they were a mouse and she was a lion. When she cannot catch a fish to feed to her son, she unhesitatingly cut her flesh and used it as bait (“In the deeps of the cedars/Valiant, unshaken/She took of her own flesh/ Baited the fishhook”). When she was about to travel the wolf-haunted country, she was “valiant and unshaken”. And finally, when she was about to be left alone in the desolated island, she didn’t even feel sorry for herself nor begged her son to take her with them. She bravely waited for her death. Maybe it was because elder abandonment was an accepted practice during those times by the Chippewa people, but still, for me, it was such a brave thing to do. After all, who would want to die all by herself?

In conclusion, this poem is not generally composed to make readers cry. For me, the poet purposely constructed it to serve as an inspiration: that no matter what trouble we face in our lives, we’ll just have to think of the Chippewa woman, and our misfortune will surely be not as worse as we thought.

Self-employed Versus Employee – the Better Choice

Original draft date: October 11, 2010

The question of whether to be a self-employed individual or work as an employee is a question which every person inevitably faces in the world of business. Although both are great ways to earn money, there are also distinctions that make each one worthy than the other.

When it comes to availability of time, being a self-employed individual is a great advantage. He has the freedom to decide when to rest from his work and do what he pleased. No one can dictate him when and not to work. He has the total control of his time. On the other hand, a hired employee will typically be compelled to finish his work, for it is his job that determines when he should stop. He can’t have a holiday when he wants to, without worrying that he might be fired from his work.

However, when work benefits are in the picture, it is an employee’s turn to be elated. He is entitled to various benefits such as salary loans, 13th month pay, and retirement benefit to name a few. These are given to him by his employer in addition to his salaries.
Conversely, a self-employed individual has no employer, and so no one is to give him these benefits. He is left to supply himself with them on his own.

Another distinction would be the nature of income that both parties receive. Being a self-employed individual means having a varying income. He can either receive a very high or very low income depending on the situation of the business. That’s why, an individual who is self-employed tend to become more dedicated to his work to boost his gains to the max. On the contrary, an employee receives a fixed compensation. It won’t increase nor decrease unless his position is changed. The status of the business has almost nothing to do with his salaries. As a result, his dedication to his job varies. There’ll be time when he is highly dedicated and another when he is just interested, depending on his motives.

An employee and a self-employed individual may both claim that their position is favorable than the other. But, although their distinctions really make each one of them worthy to be chosen, still they are both great ways to earn money in the business world.

Successful Businessman

Original draft date: October 11, 2010

The most common reason why we regard a businessman as successful is because he is rich. However, money is not the determinant of success in the world of business. No matter how much riches he had amassed, a businessman will never reach success until he became proud, contented, and optimistic of his life.

When a businessman is already proud of what he had become, then success is in his hands. He walks tall and erect like a lion walking in the jungle leaving no traces of any weakness in him. When he stood, he was as if the tallest tree in the forest looking down on all those beneath him.

Once he developed that sense of pride, he became contented of his life. He lives as peaceful as a hermit in his little cottage that could ask nothing more from this world. He doesn’t care of those he has not, but only of those he had. His contentment is like that of an undisturbed cat lying on a soft cottony cushion on a lazy afternoon.

Finally, knowing that he was proud and contented of his life, he began to take things positively. He’s as optimistic as a child opening his birthday present and a pious man waiting for an answer to his prayer. He faces his misfortunes without fear like a soldier unafraid to go into battle, for he’s sure as the rising sun that he will lose nothing in the end. His optimism leads him to believe that life is more of a classroom where students learn great lessons, than a prison cell where convicts strive for survival.

We may regard him to be successful, but a businessman, himself, knows that as long as he doesn’t feel that sense of pride, utter contentment, and positive outlook in his life, he’ll always stretch his arms with deep longing for that thing called success.

First Impressions

Original draft date: October 11, 2010

It’s quite sad to think how other people judge us the moment they had laid their eyes upon us. How their first impressions speak falsely about us, bring about total disappointment. But, how can we blame them when all their judgments fitted us and their impressions held our true colors? Can we deny the fact that there are really times when one had to trust his or her first impressions and judge through it?

The incident that made me accept that fact occurred on hot, humid May morning in 2008. I was in-charge of our small hamburger outlet for the whole summer. The disturbance was over in a few minutes, but the memory of it is imprinted forever in my mind.

The outlet was open for quite a few hours away and still there was no customer in sight. I was getting bored and irritated being glued to my seat, watching people hurried past. So you can imagine the gladness I felt when a middle-aged woman made her way towards me. She asked for a hamburger and a soft drink.

I don’t know why, but I had the first thought to refuse her. Maybe it’s because there was something strange about her and out of the ordinary that I had noticed. Nevertheless,
I figured that only a dummy would do that. After all, she was my buena mano and I don’t want to be bad lucked simply because of my silly first impression. Aside from that, you shouldn’t judge someone the moment you had seen them.

So, I cooked and served her order, only to regret it afterwards. As she ate and drank, she kept on talking to me with sundry topics that I becameconfused, and then she would laugh for some unknown reason. Though I couldn’t understand her, I thought it impolite to ignore someone who’s talking to you, so I acted like I’m interested to what she was saying and would also join her in her laughter. But eventually, it dawned on me that she was talking to no one but herself.

I tried to make her pay for what she had eaten, but it was of no use. She only responded with an even more incomprehensible dialogue that would make me out of my mind. I could do nothing, but helplessly watched her shrank from a distance.

First impressions don’t come out from nowhere. The way they are formulated has a basis. There are times when some of them define a person, while some misinterpret him or her. It is now our choice, whether we will trust or reject our first impressions.

Maguindanao Massacre: A Bloodbath Beyond Human Understanding

Original draft date: January 4, 2010

It was a hot Monday morning, the 23rd day of November 2009. A convoy of seven vehicles carrying journalists, lawyer, and relatives of Maguindanao Vice-Mayor Datu Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu left Buluan to file Mangudadatu’s Certificate of Candidacy at the Comelec office in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao’s capital. The convoy’s exact route is uncertain but is clear that at least the last stretch of the journey was along Cotabato-Isulan national highway. Two other vehicles that are not part of the convoy happened to be traveling on the same main road. All of them were unaware that when they stop for the checkpoint in Sitito Malating, Ampatuan town, a group of about 100 armed men were just ready to bring them in their graves. The Ampatuan massacre had awaken the people of Maguindanao.

According to a detailed chronology of events written by GMA reporters Analyn Perez and TJ Dimacali, the convoy and the two other vehicles were commandeered by the armed men at undetermined times between 10.30 am to 3:00 pm, and driven to a hilly and sparsely-populated part of Sitio Magating in Brgy. Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao. It reportedly took them for about 30 minutes to reach the area, which is 2.5 kilometers from the highway checkpoint where the victims were abducted. In addition, CNN announced that at that site, a heavy-duty backhoe had been used to dig three mass graves. The armed were then said to have systematically killed the hostages, shooting at a close range with rapid-fire weapons which were noted by Allen Estabillo in “Ampatuan Massacre” (Mindanews) to be six different M16 rifles, AK47 rifle, and a Gauge 12 shotgun. The bodies and vehicles were dumped into the mass graves, afterward. But, the killers had barely covered them when Army troops started to approach the site. Alarmed, the culprits hurriedly flee leaving behind more than two dozen unburied corpses and vehicles as well as the back hoe used. Rina Jimenez-David condemned in “Arrogance and Impunity” the savagery done to the victims. Some of them were found to be shot in the genital area, others were mutilated, and many were shot in the face, rendering them virtually unrecognizable.

Datu Unsay town mayor, Andal Ampatuan Jr. was the primary suspected mastermind of the massacre. James Mananghaya in “Maguindanao Massacre” (The Philippine Star) said that the witnesses of the carnage identified Ampatuan Jr. as the one who allegedly led the armed men that abducted the victims in Sitio Malating. The same idea was conveyed by John Unson when he mentioned, in his own article about the massacre, the last phone call received by Vice Mayor Mangudadatu from his wife Genalyn saying that she was slapped by the prime suspect before his men killed the victims. Furthermore, the Ampatuan clan is said to be very powerful and influential in Maguindanao, controlling many local executive posts like that of the provincial governor. In fact, according to Cecile Suerte Felipe in “ The Untouchable” (The Philippine Star”) they are known to have a private army that supposedly helped in materializing the grim massacre.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared Martial Law in the southern province to impose peace on the region after the bloody incident where more than 50 people were brutally killed including lawyers, media reporters, and other defenseless and innocent civilians. Police authorities are now undertaking careful investigation for immediate solution of the case. But it seems that justice is evasive because until now, the culprits aren’t punished. Justice is still the sole cry not only by the relatives and friends of the victims, but also by those people who consider Maguindanao Massacre as a bloodbath beyond human understanding.

Problems: Great Opportunities

Original draft date: December 8, 2009

Life is full of problems, but how you approach those problems often determines whether you’re happy or miserable. Bob Maynard says, “Problems are opportunities in disguise.” If you approach problems with Maynard’s attitude you’ll see that problems are really opportunities to learn about others and yourself. They enable you to live a happier and more fulfilling life. Just like me. Problems help me become a better person.

Problems give me the chance to learn and grow: physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. For example, when my father had lost his job and I was consequently given very little allowance, my problem became an opportunity to develop my physical wellness. Since my short allowance couldn’t even afford my transportation, I had to walk a mile each day to get to school and back. But at the same time, my body became fit and strong. In addition, my appetite was suppressed, thus encouraging a healthy diet.

Another problem that helped me improve as an individual was the loss of our housemaid. Since my parents couldn’t find a new helper, and have their own jobs to keep, I took the opportunity to learn the household chores. Eventually, I learned how to cook rice and prepare simple viands. I also learned how to properly wash the dishes and neatly launder the clothes. My problem had given me the chance to enhance my mental ability by gaining knowledge of those basic feminine skills.

When I also got the problem of transferring to another high school for my third year, it became an opportunity to develop socially. At first, this problem deeply saddened me for it meant leaving my long-time friends and all the fun I’ll be having with them. But later on, it became a blessing. I got a lot of acquaintances, and formed many friendships because of it. Most importantly, it was the reason I found my best friend.

Problems also helped strengthen my spiritual well-being. When my younger sister got a serious illness, it was only at that time I felt so much anxiety. Every minute, I was filled with worry of what might happen to her. However, it was also during that time my faith in God became strong. It was why I felt so much closer to Him now, and continue to believe in Him.

So, you see, wonderful things can come out of problems. You can definitely become a better person through them. You just have to ember to look for the positive things and not focus on the negative. That’s why, the next time you’re faced with a problem, stop and think. Ask yourself if you’re going to take it as a real problem that will crack your head open, or a great opportunity that will teach you things you didn’t know before.

Franchising – A Difficult Task for the Franchisor

Original draft date: September 12, 2009

Delete the idea that the franchisor is at a greater advantage in the franchising business. That franchisees do all the work and supervision in their franchises is not true. In the world of franchising, it is the franchisor that’s having a more difficult time than the franchisee.

Erlinda S. Bartolome, in her article about the problems occurring in the franchisor-franchisee relationship, said that the franchisor is the one that is greatly affected by these problems.  There are times when franchisees will not follow the business system of the franchise. They will rather have their own way, thinking that they know better than the franchisor. For example, they may decide to purchase finished goods or raw materials from a supplier that offered a lower price than their franchisor. Even this single disobedience can wreak havoc on the franchise system. If by chance the products bought from this supplier are poor in quality, customers may no longer buy, not only from that franchise outlet, but also from the other branches. The franchisor is left with the dilemma of maintaining this kind of franchisees or terminating them one by one.

But that is not the only disadvantage of being a franchisor. According to Alex P. Alangco, an entrepreneur and an instructor of Entrepreneurship, the franchisor’s investment cannot be recovered until franchisees are appointed and he starts to receive initial fees and a regular income from them. But unfortunately, some franchisees may try to reduce the amount of their management service fees by not disclosing all their income. Nimfa Alifante, an instructor of Economics, adds that there is a risk that the franchisees may exercise undue pressure over the franchisor to implement new policies and procedures. Aside from that, the franchisor has to disclose confidential information to franchisees and this may constitute a risk to the business.

Many may still be stubborn and refute that these disadvantages are just trifles compared to the great advantage of the franchisor, which is, earningprofits even without exerting an effort to manage and supervise the business. Well, even without the franchisor managing the business but the franchisees, instead, he is left with various obligations that he must attend to. He must stay informed on all matters pertaining to the franchise. In addition, he must also provide suitable training and ongoing support to franchisees. Most importantly, he must endeavor to advance the growth of the small business franchise on behalf of the franchisees.

Having said these, resistance to the fact that being a franchisor is more difficult than being the franchisee is quite illogical. Franchisors are just not being completely vocal to admit that franchising is indeed a difficult task for them.