The ONE Championship Flyweight Division Event in Tokyo, Japan

Today, ONE Championship MMA bouts were held in Tokyo. The highlight of the event called Century Part I was the fight between Demetrious Johnson (USA) and Danny Kingad (Philippines). Johnson, free-style martial artist was a 12-time champion while Kingad, Wushu champion, is soon to become a world MMA champion.

In this fight, Johnson came out the winner and is declared the Flyweight Champion. Johnson in this fight is faster and more flexible than Kingad. Besides, he is more experienced compared to the fighter from the Philippines.   

Though he did not come out the champion, Kingad is my most favourite fighter from Lakay Team of Baguio City, Philippines. He is fast, aggressive and with unorthodox techniques in striking and getting away from the killing strikes of his enemies. He is very passionate and eager to learn new techniques both offensive and defensive. Studying the techniques of Johnson, I believe, Kingad would soon become the next MMA world champion. 

University of San Carlos: A School Never Heard of?

From the Facebook page of Atty. Daryl Bretch M. Largo, USC Law Professor.

Just few days ago, six fresh graduates from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City were placed among the top 10 passers of the May 2017 Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Board Examination[1]. Two were in the first place; one in the second; two in the fourth; and one in the tenth place.

Another not a surprising result came out when a USC graduate ranked the first in May 2017 Chemical Engineering (ChemEng) Board Examination[2]. Also another admirable achievement was the recent 2017 Real Estate Consultant Licensure Exam result wherein a USC graduate was the first in the top list[3].

The results only prove that USC is indeed a producer of topnotchers not only in the field of law but also in other fields such as Accountancy, engineering and others.

When the latest Bar Examination result came out last month, it shocked the whole Philippines as not a single one from Manila-based universities was included among the list of the topnotchers[4]. Four (4) of the law graduates from the USC were among the Top Ten: the first; the third; the seventh and the eighth. And the rest of the topnotchers were from other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

There were netizens who expressed their negative comments. One named ‘Filcard’ said that it’s “quite unbelievable… this is quite an statistical improbability. And presbetero velasco (SC Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr.) is the Bar exam chair… hmmmmmm i smell a…"[5]. Also ‘Joey Filart’ posted that “how will they reach the top 10 if they’re busy joining protest rallies and destabilization plots of the yellow retards (Liberal Party)…”. Also another one named ‘Disillusioned Juan’ said that “its not surprising… Marami kasing distractions sa Metro Manila: shopping malls, arcades, cinemas, sexy girls, etc… Plus, yung traffic! Pagdating mo sa school, pagod ka na; at ganun din sa paguwi! Kaya hirap magconcentrate sa studies…”. (It’s not suprising. There are many distractions in Metro Manila such as shopping malls, arcades, cinemas, sexy girls, etc. Also the traffic! When you come to school, you’re already tired, same also when you go home! That’s why it’s difficult to concentrate from the studies…”). The worst comment made was from ‘Marivic Arcega-Penãflorida saying that “I can’t believe that none from reputable law schools made it to the top 10. Maybe they started counting from the bottom?” When asked if she meant USC and Silliman are not reputable, she answered “Never heard of them. Saan nga pala yun? (Where in the Philippines?) Marivic, living in Tagaytay City, has placed in her profile that she studied at the University of the Philippines - Diliman.

As to the Reasons of Excellent Performance

When the Dean of the USC College of Law and Governance was asked about the reason why they are able to produce topnotchers, Dean Joan S. Largo said that “the College prides itself on its excellent staff and student exchange programs working with Stockholm University in Sweden and the Australian Catholic University, offers a Supreme Court-accredited Clinical Legal Education Program and provides Mandatory Continuing Legal Education”. She added that the school has produced topnotchers as early as 2011 and has been cited as among the top law schools in the country by the Legal Education Board. The best students enrolled in the USC Law come from different parts of the country, not only from Cebu City. They are provided with world-class facilities, and are given access to world-class materials. The faculty members are extremely dedicated, passionate and committed and the administration has been very supportive. The quality of teaching-learning activities has been enhanced. She further said that the students had preparation since Day 1 of their entry into the law school, and they have both IQ and EQ, having a sharp mind and a brave heart[6].

In addition, the USC College of Law and Governance has been recognized to have produced Champions of the debate nationwide and Philippine rounds in the international moot court competitions since 2014, specifically in the ABS-CBN News Channel’s Square Off: The Firm Debates Seasons 7 and 11, and Philippine Rounds Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competitions.

The University of San Carlos (USC) is the largest and most prestigious university in Cebu City, Philippines. Its newly recognized Main Campus (TC) is located in Barangay Talamban. However, the College of Law and Governance as well as some other colleges are still housed in the former main campus which is now called the Downtown Campus (DC) at Sanciangko Street.

According to Wikipedia, USC is the oldest[7] educational institution in continuous operation. It is historically linked to a small college[8] established in 1595 under the name 'Colegio de San Ildefonso'. It became a university in 1948. However, some notable scholars in the field of history, especially a historian from the oldest university, opposed to the claim that USC is the oldest school. The oldest university, which was established in 1611, is the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

If have questions or comments regarding this article, or if you have any suggestions, please feel free to write it below. I love to hear from you. See you then.

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[1] Available at http://www.prcboard.com/2017/05/Top-10-Passers-May-2017-CPA-Board-Exam-Topnotchers.html as of May 31, 2017.

[2] Available at http://www.prcboard.com/2017/05/Top-10-Passers-May-2017-Chemical-Engineer-Board-Exam-Topnotchers.html as of May 31, 2017.

[3] Available at http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/03/17/31-pass-march-2017-real-estate-consultant-licensure-exam as of May 31, 2017.

[4] Available at http://www.prcboard.com/2016/11/Top-10-Passers-November-2016-Bar-Exam-Topnotchers.html as of May 31, 2017.

[5] Available at http://www.rappler.com/nation/168673-2016-bar-exam-results-ph-topnotcher as of May 31, 2017.

[6] Available at http://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/university-of-san-carlos-dean-bar-exam-topnotchers-a00201-20170509?ref=home_feed_1 as of May 31, 2017.

[7] Available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_oldest_schools_in_the_Philippines as of June 1, 2017.

  

[8] University of San Carlos Student Manual 2 (ed. 2013).

A Kickstart Towards a Blogging Journey

Good day folks!

I am finally determined to start my life as a blogger. But the questions are bugging my mind: Am I doing the right decision? Do I really have helpful ideas to share online? Is this thing really for me? A lot of questions actually flashed across my mind which takes ages to discuss all of its answers. Three questions I believe are sufficient to deal with here.

First, it is important to answer whether blogging is a right decision. I have to convince of course myself that this is indeed an important one in the sense that online transaction is already a trend. People tend to spend lots of time in the World Wide Web doing anything especially in the social media bombarded with tons of information. Making a blog is one way to deliver ideas across. I love to read informative materials and I too want to be among those people who are actively engaged in information sharing.

Second, as to whether I have helpful ideas to share online, I believe I have and I could have. Being hungry for knowledge, I also love sharing what I learned when I feel it could help others one way or another.

And finally, as to whether blogging is my thing, well, I am excited to start this blogging journey. I just hope this interest of mine would last and would make my little effort useful to others so I could have the strength to keep going.

Darren Rowse, the ProBlogger founder, defines “blog” as a type of website usually arranged in a chronological order from the most recent entry (or post or article) at the top of the main page to the older entries towards the bottom[i]. There are many types of blogs such as personal blogs, organization blogs, niche blogs and media blogs. Mine would be more on personal blogs, a kind of online journal of my experience, thoughts, ideas, or commentaries on certain issues.

Many people around the world are into blogging business. In fact, a significant number of those people make blogging their source of living. For me, as I love to work anywhere anytime as much as I love to stay at home, blogging is a good opportunity for me to be more productive and beneficial.

I have diverse interests in life such as in the field of education, politics, law, religion, sports, etc. Sharing my views about these things I would experience or encounter may elicit good ideas to others or make them ponder. I just do hope I have a lot of time to share anything of value online. So, I pledge to share something at least once a week, which means could be more than one. See you then on my succeeding blogs guys. Take care.

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[i] Aki Libo-on, How To Start A Blog, at 9 (2013).