I'm a Self-made Man

©darrengarcia

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS "SELF-MADE" MAN.

We are taught to believe that  ingredients to success are highest level of passion, talent, and hard work. We cling to the idea that success is a simple function of individual merit. But that is not the reality...

Everyone owes something to parentage and patronage. People don't rise from nothing. Hidden advantages, extraordinary opportunities, and cultural legacies allow some people to make sense of the world others cannot. Success is a result of something sociologists call "accumulative advantage", something neither deserved nor earned. 

It operates on the same line with how grace and mercy are bestowed.

Ideas Excerpted from:  
OUTLIERS  
BY MALCOLM GLADWELL
 
--------------------------------
Questions to ponder:

If one cannot be a hero by mere grit and talent, how can we fight our way to greatness? How do we avail of accumulative advantage if it works like grace and mercy?

*grace-something given that we don't deserve
*mercy-something we deserve that was not given

The Roseto Mystery: Life extended

©darrengarcia

"These people were dying of old age. That's it."

 

In 1961, Dr. Stewart Wolf from the University of Oklahoma noticed a unique medical phenomenon. In the midst of rampant heart attack cases in the US, he observed one area where there are significantly low occurrence of heart-related diseases. It is a place called Roseto in Pennsylvania where he started his inquiry to solve the mystery.


Was it because of their diet?
NO. They loved pizza (w/ sausage, salami, pepperoni, ham, and eggs) and sweets.

Their exercise and habits?
NO. Rosetans struggled with obesity and they also smoked heavily.

Their genetic make-up?
NO. Scientists deemed the results negative

Their topography?
NO. Scientists compared and examined this too.

Then what?

Surprisingly it was the community itself. It was the social structures they have formed themselves. Health has never been associated with relationships, especially on a community-level.

This shows that the values we expose ourselves to and the people we surround ourselves with have a profound effect on who we are and what we become.

Ideas Excerpted from:
OUTLIERS
BY MALCOLM GLADWELL

--------------------------------

This reminds me of the first commandment in the bible with a promise:

"Honor your mother and your father, so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy  long life on earth" Ephesian 6:2-3

A good community relationship had to start somewhere. 
This of course was sown on the most basic institution— families. 

Rosetans were observed to be very family-oriented, having three 
generations living under one roof. Fathers led the family while mothers were given utmost respect. In order to sustain this kind of culture, there has to be a form of obedience and strong respect for the elderly. The values by which they live are propagated in the succeeding generations, resulting to peaceful and prosperous society.

The Roseto Effect is a phenomenon which man has recently discovered. But this was something God has promised from the start. God's promises are timeless and they hold true everywhere.

There's a sad ending to the Roseto Mystery though... The following generations were exposed and lured to modern American culture, where lines of morality are being questioned and blurred. A new culture was adapted; a culture by which parents have little say on the lives of their children. This has brought tragedy on the lives of Rosetans. They no longer live the long life that their predecessors have enjoyed.

Now, there is no more mystery in Roseto.

Sad Truth About Philippine Agriculture

Retrieved from Tisha Ambal's photos of APEX trip

Having been toured by the COO of the farm, I gained numerous insights on technologies and business models for farm management. I also had a glimpse of what the landscape of Philippine agriculture would be for the next 5 years. Most opportunities are promising but there is something that caught my attention:

By the time the ASEAN integration is implemented, local farmers will be displaced from the market. They will not be able to compete with their traditional practices and lack of technical knowledge. Standardization will cripple them. 

It seems that the scene of agriculture will be dominated by the same business tycoons that occupies the lights of the metro. It will no longer be a living for the poor farmers, but rather a game field of the rich. This is anything but saddening for an agribusiness student. The "ka-ching" sounds so heavenly upon hearing market prospects. Yet one part of me felt so deeply appalled...

How can one be so happy, living in a country where most people are impoverished. 60% of the labor force are directly involved in agriculture. All people need food. If agriculture falls, everyone else falls.  

By God's grace, I know that Philippines will be a prosperous nation someday. But it will need leaders who will drive the progress. By leaders I don't necessarily mean government. Leaders can come from anyone. 

To all the Filipino youth out there, I challenge you to take a bolder step. Invest in yourself. Better your understanding in your chosen field. This is the only way that we can be equipped in the economic battleground ahead.

Finding the Perfect Selfie

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Finding the best selfie has never been harder than before.

I tried finding an unblemished picturesque background. But it does not exist. I searched for a surrounding where there isn’t noise. But it is nowhere to be found. 

Society has reverted back to being nomads, only this time with smartphones and tablets. Self-worth has now become a matter of approval, endlessly wanting to be favorited and liked on an artificial community. 

I’ve read numerous articles on how people become “bipolar” in social media. Researches say that people are delighted when they get likes, more so eternally joyed when they get a hundred more. In just a second, seeing a post of someone spend vacation in a nice beach or eat in an expensive restaurant, emotions abruptly drop from being happy to being depressed or anxious. 

We are now drawn by labels, tags, and titles. 

I once asked a friend with a random query, “Can you go to a party without bringing an iphone and instead have a cheaper low-end phone with you?”. She sat silent as she tried to contemplate. I did not beg for a reply for I have seen the answer. 

This is now a common phenomenon. People mask and embellish themselves with high-end brands to perfume their names and strengthen their worth. People go to expensive places just to have their name marked “ I was here. I will not be left out”.

A never-ending chase of fighting to prove who has “the best life”. 

The perfect selfie does not need a perfect life to fit with. Ultimately,it’s just the humble frame hanging on the wall saying IT IS DONE.

*We just need to remember that our identity can only be found through HIM and that the battle has been won when He died on the cross*

Google Map Misused

On our way to club manila east my dad insisted to use the google map. My mom was hesitant. I was suspicious that something fishy was going on since we passed narrow roads along residential areas. When I decided to check ios map, i saw that we're heading for a creek. 

When I checked the tab, google map was under the pedestrian option, it was supposed to guide someone who is walking. At least we arrived there saturday afternoon.

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First day of Work

I am now part of the labor force—an official tax payer. Yesterday was the first day of training. I had to wake up really early just to go to eastwood. But at least it paid off, literaly.

I know I am not to permanently stay in this industry. I'll definitely keep on pursuing my hacienda dreams. Meanwhile, being a contributor to the growth of the BPO industry, it humbles me to see and meet a diversified pool of individuals: from nurses, UP people, to moms and lolas.

I am excited to learn from people of different walks of life.

Summer night

A stop-over before we go home. It's been a quiet night this evening. The city lights are in tempo with the community mood.

TLW

I volunteered for an event hosted by true love waits before. And I have met the leaders of the organization. I was surprised when I found their banner inside my campus.

Posted via Blogaway

Me-me

A picture of me by me. This was submitted for an art class.

Page 1 of 365 #TBT

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©darrengarcia

3rd New Year at Eastwood. Jessica Sanchez was there, though she just sang few songs. The countdown wasn't smoothly synced again, but at least there was improvement.

So from here I'll try to do #TBT. Not "Throwback Thursday"...But "Thanks Because Today". It's for me to remember every blessing that happens to me this 2014.

I know I wouldn't be consistent in posting daily. But at least I'll try to. I just crowded all posts from jan 1 this midnight. So I guess it's time to sleep. See yah later LB!

Page 6 of 365 #TBT

First day of fasting. I attended at metroeast with my vgroupmate. It is amazing how God opens vast opportunities to send people in countries like Egypt, Pakistan, and more. 

Page 2 of 365 #TBT

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Went out. Ate good food. Had some pictures with a castle-themed exhibit. 

Page 3 of 365 #TBT

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I got to use the things I learn from animal science and crop science. My dog had skin problems. I then remembered the lesson about parasites, fungi, and microbes. 

Page 5 of 365 #TBT

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1pm snack at McDo

First of Foods 2014

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©darrengarcia

Good food or better yet exquisite tastes for 2014.