Table Of Contents

ESSAY	DATE SUBMITTED	SCORE
Cover Page	Dec 10, 2011	n/a
Debt for a Cause ( Argumentative Essay)	Dec 10, 2011	n/a
Happiness (Extended definition essay)	Dec 9, 2011	n/a
Behind the camera (Compare and contrast)	Dec 9, 2011	n/a
Italian Cuisine ( Descriptive essay)	Oct 24, 2011	n/a
Healthy Living With Italian Cuisine ( Cause and Effect)	Oct 24, 2011	n/a

Commented Blogs!

Dani Pascual

http://cskoreandining.blogspot.com/2011/11/comparison-of-chinese-and-japanese.html#comment-form

Jolly Beth Gaw

http://my99space.blogspot.com/2011/10/normal-0-false-false-false.html#comment-form

Jhane Olalia

http://enahjailalo.blogspot.com/2011/12/human-cloning-scientifically-effective.html#comment-form

Joseph Rey

http://joseph-rey.blogspot.com/2011/11/rise-in-popularity-of-coffee-shops.html?showComment=1323571878535#c5625938716007007392

Pauline Ong

http://theidiotclub.blogspot.com/2011/10/warm-winter.html?showComment=1323572079932#c4096918769848634341

Cover Page

To our dearest Mentor,

            As I start this term, I was actually scared to take Englcom. Maybe because I know that I’m not really good in English. I have so much to be improved in this field. However, as I was taking up this course, I slowly realize that I had improved. I may not improve a lot or something that totally developed but, I’m happy on what I had improved on. Pieces of evidence are my essays. If I were to ask what essay I should be really proud of, I may answer all of it. It may sound something boastful or overconfident but, I think I just said that because I was personally amazed of myself every time I finish an essay. I may not be the best writer in our room but, I was personally proud that I had it all done. My argumentative essay is like one of my best work. It tackles microfinance, one of my favorite fields. I was proud and happy to finish this essay since I felt that I’m not only writing a mere essay but I’m also learning from it. I’m also learning the things I should remember from such field. As for my other essays, I’m also proud of it. From Italian Cuisine, to Dramas, to what Is Happiness is my entire field.  In these essays, I can say that I’m not just writing just because it is a requirement in a subject but, I also write from the bottom of my heart.

            As for what DLR was I difficult to achieve, I think they are my grammar and diction. From the start, I really have difficulty with these fields. However, I can still say that at least I improved. As I was writing this portfolio, I can say that I still have difficulty in choosing my word and by delivering them but, I promise to myself and to my mentors that even if the term for this subject is about to end, I will still continue learning and improving my grammar and diction. I will still search for fields that I’m not good at. And promise to myself that I will surely improve to that. As what they say, “Life is a long process of learning”. I know that I will learn every day.

            If I were to be proud of about something, I think, those are my essays. I can say that I’m totally proud of it since I was able to write essays or for me, I consider them as masterpieces even though I’m not a writer. I can then consider myself then as a writer.

As a writer, I learn to properly express my feelings towards a certain topic. I was also able to arrange my thoughts as on how I want them to come out. Also, I was able to search things about my desired field and on how to deliver them and describe them as of how I wanted them to be.

I learned that writing is not an easy task. It is very hard to write an essay especially a descriptive one. It is also hard to think of a attention getter in writing an essay because you know that there are different people that are going to read your essays and you don’t know if they will approve your essay or not. It is also hard to arrange thoughts in writing them because it is very confusing on what thought should come first and of what should be next. An ending statement was also hard to do since you have to build a very good closure on your essay and that there should still be something that will be left out of your reader. However, even if it is very hard to write an essay, one’s you finish writing one; it will be great because you can feel a great satisfaction out of it.

I can justify that the revisions in my essays are something valid in a way that I follow all the desired changes that our mentor want to. One example is the changes I made out of my argumentative essay. I carefully follow all the recommendations that our mentor gave like to enhance my point of views or to make a clearer stand out of a certain issue. I think I was able to revise it really good since I follow all of them. Also, on my other essays, I also follow the revisions made by my peer. I follow them since I believe to them. Also, after I revise my essays and read it again, I was able to see the difference of the revise one and not revise one and the revised one sounds better and more grammatically correct that’s why, I can say that my essays really improved a lot.

To conclude, I can say that Englcom is a subject that I may always remember. I even learn how to blog in this subject. In blogging, I actually find it fun since I was able to show to others my writing skills, I just hope that other people that I may not know may read my blog. Anyways, I really had a great time with this subject. Writing is hard but fun when accomplished. I may now consider writing as an accomplishment. An accomplishment and a masterpiece that one day, I can say to myself that I’ve been a writer.

                                                                                                       Your Student,

                                                                                              Carangan Rochelle A. :)) 

                             

DEBT FOR A CAUSE!

Debt, all of us do not want to have a debt to anyone. The initial thinking is that once we borrow money from someone or in any lending companies, we will be buried to that debt for our entire life. At some point of this issue, it has been true. But at the present day, lending has already been legal. They are what we call as microfinance companies. This company aims to help small entrepreneurs to build their own business. They offer a contract to small entrepreneurs like those of markets or mini groceries so that they can start their own business. But there are so many discussions and issues about this kind of program brought about by these companies and most of the time, the discussion about the pros and cons of joining microfinance have been both true. The deliberation between microfinance and its borrowers has been unending because of their both acceptable point of views about taking the issues.
Microfinance has been famous all around the world. They are lending companies that are willing to lend money to people who need it. Behind the success of these lending companies is one of the famous microfinance ‘boss’ named Muhammad Yanus. He is the one of the world’s largest microfinance persons and he even won a Nobel Prize in recognition of his hard work. His microfinance company is called Grameen, a famous lending company that is now operating across United States. However, it is hard to build trust in doing this business especially if you will get to know that the interest rate is 40% out of your borrowed money within an agreed period of time.Thirty years ago, Muhammad Yanus started to spread their business up to Bangladesh to help small entrepreneurs to start their business. They encourage small people there to have an agreement with their lending company that may be more beneficial to them. Some people agree on it, while some do not. At first, the experiment was a success since borrowers pay on time. However, as the business is at its peak of success, there they face their problems and issues. Economic recession has happened in America making them into a big slump of adjustment. But, Grameen believes that it will be temporary and that they will still overcome those “challenges.” As what Grameen is expecting, it then happened but, the large issue that came is that, before they were able to get out of that situation, they first put its burden to their people, to their borrowers. That is the first issue that microfinance is facing. People tend to think if they will really give their trust to Microfinance Company since there are times that microfinance companies tend to be inconsistent from their rules with their borrowers. There are times when they increase their interest rates. With this, it will greatly affect the borrowers since there are also times that they are affected by such economic issues and then interest rates will increase, then, it will be such a burden. Second issue is that microfinance companies pressure their borrowers to pay for their debts even if there are times that they cannot because the money they get are not all stable. Kiviat B. (2009,January 11) Can Microfinance Make it in Americ? Time, 56-57. There are times that it is good and there are times that it is not. However, if we will look at it, we can see that it is right for the company to ask their borrowers for their payment every time the desired schedule has arrived. Borrowers have to be prepared for their payments since they had agreed from their contract that their schedule of payment is in that certain schedule.

The pros and cons in accepting microfinance in the industry are quite controversial. Even though they have their point of views in having such issues, it is still hard to decide what side this industry should be of. However, if I were to think of it, I think microfinance is not bad. It is not bad because it actually give chance to people to gain their own success. They are helping small entrepreneurs to have their chance to enter a large industry. I would also disagree if microfinance would be banned from operating because if they will be banned, then how about those people that aims to have their chance to do a business even if they don’t have any capital, at least they may have a choice and think of borrowing money from this lending companies.If borrowers will make use of their effort on how to take care of their borrowed money, I’m sure they can keep track of it. I’m sure they will not be buried to their own debts. We all just have to be wise on how we can ensure our money’s circulation in this industry.
Kiviat B. (2009,January 11) Can Microfinance make it in America?

Time, 56-57

"Happiness"

Life may have different meanings. It may be to be useful, to be successful or to be happy. To be useful, we need to make sure that everyone can rely on us.  In other words, we have to do something for others. To be successful is what every one of us thought as the true meaning of life. We often equate success with material wealth in a way that we want to have everything we need. A person may have all the money to buy a luxurious car, a billion dollar house or may have an ability to invite a Hollywood actor or actress to his house. Successful in a state wherein because of one’s richness, he has been a popular icon that is lined up to those people like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey. Others may be to be happy in a way that he has a simple yet contented life. He or she may not have a job that will give him all that he wants instead; all he has is a job that will give him things he needs. Happy in a way that he may has debts and problems but he still has the courage to face every single day with a smile. Happiness has different meanings for all of us. To what is one’s definition of happiness and how can he say that he is in a state of being happy are all different.
Happiness has different definitions. It is a state or quality of being content. Webster’s Standard Dictionary (2006,pp.223) Being happy and contented is a feeling wherein we can’t ask for more. Instead, we become contented to what blessings are coming. These things may something good as of what it is defined but, happiness is something that is hard to attain. It involves a long process most commonly what we called Life. Also, as it takes time to be attained, it is also something that no one knows how to have. No one knows how to have a straight path to our one goal which is happiness. No one can attain happiness unless he already knows what he wants to do, to what his purpose in life is. Sometimes, people tend to incorporate happiness with success. We tend to define success as happiness and tend to tell that if a person attain success, then he also have happiness. Unfortunately, happiness and success are two different terms that are really different with each other. There are cases that people are successful but they cannot consider themselves happy. Sometimes, even if they have the wealth and the name, still, they weren’t able to attain happiness because there is something missing. It may be in the family, love, their health or beauty. Because of this, they tend to view wealth as nonsense. Nonsense in a way that they are the only ones that is spending their wealth and no one really appreciate it but their selves. On the other hand, Happiness may mean success. People who are happy view themselves as successful. Yes, they may not have a luxurious car, an elegant-classic house or branded-soft clothes but, the thing they may have in life may be a warm family, a contented and happy love life or a happy job that all sums up as a simple and contented living. That’s why, controversial questions are raised like, “What is important, to be happy or to be successful?” different answers might emerge I suppose. Different people, different purpose and different beliefs, that’s what comprises our being, our decisions, our judgements.
Happiness is something that we all want to have. It is something that we have differently. We may lose it at some point in life but, there are a lot of ways to revive it. Summing up, a true happiness is something that we all can have. We can both have success and happiness if we will always keep our feet on the ground, to look back from where we have started. Love and acknowledge all the people that help us to be there because without them, we are nothing.

"Behind the camera"

          Dramas are stories that are watched on television. Most of its stories are from life experience or sometimes, from imagination if its story is fantasy. The different dramas that are famous around the world are pinoy drama, Taiwanese drama, Japanese drama and Korean drama. Pinoy dramas are quite famous in Europe. Most of the people who watch this drama are Mexicans because they say that the storyline is good. On the other hand, Taiwanese, Japanese, and Korean dramas are famous across Asia. It spreads surprisingly fast across its neighboring countries and even here in the Philippines. Even though there may be differences among these dramas, still, those differences made them famous. There may be musical for Korean, liberal for us Filipinos, romantic for Japanese and conservative for Taiwanese. Among these four, the most known are Japanese and Korean drama which both have their differences and similarities in terms of styles and choice of their stories, there is still something in there that is loved by everyone.
Japanese dramas have been famous first, because of their choice of actors. Most of their actors came from J-Pop groups or those singers and dancers. Obviously, groups of these are famous and thus, if you will insert them in dramas, then that television show will be famous. Second, they have been famous because of the tone of their story. The stories in Japanese dramas mostly came from Mangas. In this choice of story, it’s been famous since Japanese were able to make impossible scenes possible. What I mean is those scenes that can only be done through imagination and comics. Third is an ending. In Japanese dramas, it is very rare to watch a drama that doesn’t have part two or special episodes. And because of this, audience tends to be excited to watch their dramas from start to end. Fourth, unexpected twists. Japanese dramas are full of twists. You will even watch scenes like this or that even if it is unexpected. Lastly, actors act naturally. Unlike our dramas, Japanese actors act up to their limit and to their best. They don’t care of what they look like as long as they were able to portray their character. On the other hand, Korean dramas are also famous because of these characteristics. First, their choices of actors are also like that of Japanese. Their stories are musical and because of this, they tend to choose actors from k-pop groups. Second, difference is the tone of the story. Unlike in Japanese dramas, Korean dramas chose stories that are musical. Most of their stories are original which is obviously created by their writers. Third is an ending. Most Korean dramas have bad endings. Unlike Japanese dramas, they still do special episodes or part two for their dramas that serve as the closure of the story. In Korean dramas, they tend to have hanging endings in which audience are still craving for part two. On the other hand, like Japanese dramas, Korean dramas also have few episodes made. They tend to end their dramas for about a month and a half to make way for upcoming ones. Another similarity of these dramas is the unexpected twists in their stories. They always surprise their audience with new happenings that may happen within the story.
    In general, both Korean and Japanese dramas appeals to us. Both of them offer something to their viewers. And both of them work hard to offer all of it. That’s why, even if they may differences, these differences make them stand out -from others.

"ITALIAN CUISINE"

          Italian Cuisine is an elegant style of cooking originated from Italy. It is a style of cooking known for having different spices and taste. The most known dishes of this style are spaghetti and pizza. It has been known for its introduction of sauce that freshly came from fresh tomatoes. Elegance has been the famous quote for this cuisine. Now, let's find out what make this cuisine elegant.

          Italian Cuisine has its basic ingredients namely, spices, tomatoes, noodles and cheese. These are the signature ingredients that are mostly present in Italian Cuisines. On the other hand, the ambiance of Italian restaurants has always been classical. It has wood-made walls, light colored curtains, mild lights, classical music and well clothed waiters. The foods are also highly recommended. At first glance, its dishes are all covered with red sauce. The spaghetti for example is very mouth watering. The spaghetti that is covered with red sauce and has the presence of the bits of its spices. It also have the melting cheese on top of it. A basil leaf is also inserted to that melting cheese. As for the taste, it is also good. The taste is not sweet, it is more on salty and sour. This taste is made because of the combination of undetermined spices that also makes the spaghetti in some ways crunchy. That taste of those spices are also fighting with the taste of sweet cheese and soft noodles. Another Italian dish is pizza. The smell of pizza are a temptation. You can smell the dough of the bread that are toasted freshly baked from the oven. It also have the smell of the beef and vegetables that are there at the pizza. It conveys a very tempting smell. It also have that smell of mouth watering cheese that are still slowly melting on top of the dish. When you taste it, it you will first tend to feel its bread at your first bite. But, before you can eat it, the cheese covered in the pizza are like stack on it. And that, when you bite it, there is a sticky feeling for the pizza. You can also taste the rest of the ingredients once you eat it. And that feels like there are stars above you.
          Italian Cuisine are elegant as what I say. We are highly honored and lucky that we tend to experience to eat this kind of dish. So, we always have to be thankful and value this food. Even other dish, as long as it is a food, we always have to value them. Because, we are one of those lucky people that can eat everyday.

"HEALTHY LIVING WITH ITALIAN CUISINE"

          Italian Cuisine has been famous because of its different styles of cooking. Some of its ingredients can be easily found like the noodles and tomatoes for their spaghetti or dough or beef for their pizzas. While others may be hard to find like the different spices they put to these dishes. Because of its elegance, Italian Cuisine seems to expensive. But, what's so great about this dish that it still liked by everyone?

          There are different variety of ingredients that Italian Cuisine have. The basics of its ingredients are spices, pasta and cheese. Spices are not just for flavoring but also for the refreshing feeling it may give. Also, spices are good for health diet and wellness of a person. Another ingredient is pasta. Pasta has been the substitute food of Italians for rice. Because of its less carbohydrates than rice, it has been famous than rice.Lastly, the cheese. Cheese is an ingredient that is famous not just for adults but also for children. Cheese is a good source of calcium that is good for the strengthening of our bones. But, cheese addiction may result to a number of cardiovascular illnesses and mostly of stomach pain and diarrhea.
          In general, all foods may be beneficial. Of course, all of them have their beneficial effects for us. But, if we will abuse eating too much of it, then it will surely give us its harmful effect. So, we have to balance our consumption so that it will all be beneficial and not harmful.