Letters Tied on a Balloon: 21st Century Communication

The 21st Century communication is like sending messages
through letters tied on a balloon.

“We have more information but less knowledge. More communication but less community. More goods but less goodwill.” -Randall Robinson

The fact that you are reading this article says that you were born way too distant from the days when communication hardly takes place. Those old days when pigeons were used as messengers, smokes as signals and cave drawings as records of what had happened in the past. We are too lucky to live, eat, work and play in a world of convenience that ill-fatedly, has resulted in mass blindness.

A little history: When the cellular phone was first invented, there were only certain numbers of calls allowed to take place within a city. Come to think of what we have now, we indulge ourselves to unlimited calls and texts saying nonsensical things at all. When the libraries were built long time ago, they were sacred, they were protected as they serve as a well of knowledge. Think again of what we do today, we have the internet; a vast sea of information and a means of sharing those information, but most people use it only to impress the world, to show that they have the ability to buy this and buy that, through their annoying humble brags accompanied with photos as if the world is too ignorant to the things they have.

I recall what one of my teachers said one day in class when some of my classmates failed to wear their uniform and reasoned out that they have no money to buy. She said that she does not buy their alibi and won’t be such a fool to believe a lie. “You have cellphones, you buy prepaid loads, now you tell me you have no money, or is it just a matter of setting the wrong priorities?” 

Many people nowadays experience the same issue. It’s okay to have less foods in the kitchen as long as they feel privileged having new gadgets. Is it what technology teaches us to keep in mind? I hope it’s not. Don’t let man become the tool of the tool. 

Nothing really is wrong with technological advancement. It is actually a sign that man progresses, grows and matures into someone intelligent and capable of good change. However, the mind of man is so complex and

the nature of man is so hard to control. To the point that, unconsciously or in self-denial, he does not admit that what he creates is what destroys the world he lives in. The 21st century communication is like sending messages through letters tied on a balloon. We don’t know how far it will go. We’re not even sure if it will reach its destination. The advancement we live with results to more confusion and uncertainty. We talk too much but the less we are heard, we hear too much but the less we understand. When the truth is, it’s only a matter of putting the proper weight in the balance.

*Photo credits to Google

Boracay Escapades (A Dream Come True)

The Rocks at Station 1, Boracay Beach Resort

"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us..." -Anonymous

Boracay Island is located in Malay, Aklan, Western Visayas region of the Philippines and is known all over the world for its fine-sugary white sand beach. The travelers never get tired of its lush scenery, mind blowing party at night, savory food and dramatic sunset view. Indeed, Boracay is a breathtaking place one could have ever gone; Boracay Island is a paradise.

On April 5, 2013, 12pm, I arrived at NAIA Terminal 4 to catch our flight to Kalibo, Aklan. My sister accompanied me on the way to the airport. We stayed at the lobby half an hour until my friend (Angel) came. We cannot contain the happiness in our hearts when the aircraft finally aboard.  I was like a four year old kid enjoying the clouds in the plane window. Both of us were really excited to see the place we dreamt of.

"This is it!" My jaw dropped when I saw the beauty of Boracay. The sand is so adorable, and the turquiose blue sea is beyond perfection that I could stare at it for the rest of my life.  Island hopping is a relaxing cruise that pampered my eyes with the picturesque view all over the ocean, the wind and splashes of waves are refreshing. An underwater adventure such as Snorkeling is one of the unforgettable experiences I've had in Boracay, the hidden paradise in the deepest part of the sea is incomparable. Anyone will fall in love with the dramatic sunset view while walking along the beach. At night, party-goers and bar hoppers would go wild enjoying the clubs and bars. The DJs will turn the music on and people dance, sing and stay up until the dawn. Nevertheless, just like New York City, Boracay Island never sleeps.

This three-day vacation in the island is a dream come true. It is a precious memory that I will always be grateful for. In my Boracay escapades, I have proven that the world has so much to offer, and life is about grabbing those opportunities and making it possible. Achieve your dreams; go to places you wish to be, and share it with the people you love. Never let life escape you. Don't keep your dreams be just a dream, but instead, make them real.                                  

Between a Rock and a Hard Place in 127 Hours

James Franco portrayed  Aron Ralston in 127 Hours

There are plenty of not-so-popular films that deserve more credit. Such films that did not need CGI’s, special effects and enormous budget to be considered as masterpieces. One is, 127 Hours: a film based on the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place, an autobiography written by Aron Ralston, an adventurer who got trapped by a falling boulder in remote Utah canyon where he had to cut his arm off by a dull multi-tool knife in order to survive.

The film opens on a Saturday, April 25, 2003, the light and jolly Aron Ralston as played by James Franco preparing for a day of canyoneering in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park. He drives to the trailhead at night then the next morning he rides on his mountain bike, then he walks for a closer look of the view when he meets two lost female hikers, Kristi and Megan. He led the two through a route that is more interesting than they thought, including a narrow passage with a blind jump into an underground pool, where the three spends short but good time together as recorded in Aron’s video camera. As they part ways, they invite Aron to a party they will hold for the night and he commits that he will come.

Aron continues his solo adventure, through a narrow passage where boulders are suspended, wedged between the walls of rock. Fates turn as he slips and falls, one boulder also falls towards his direction and traps his right arm against the wall. His arm gets severely injured and the boulder would not let go. He yells for help, but his location is far too deep and isolated to be heard. All by his own will, he tries to survive each day, with his smashed arm, little supply of food and water, video camera as his diary and television, and all the memories he has left to hold on.

Becoming desperate, he drinks his own urine to relieve the thirst. His first attempt to cut his arm off is a failure, using a dull knife will not be able to cut through the bones. In hunger, thirst, and pain, he’s almost dying. He starts to reflect past experiences about his family and former relationship, and thinks that between those rocks lies his death, alone. After 5 days, Aron Ralston chooses between a rock and a hard place. Using his knowledge about torque, he applies enough force to his forearm to break the radius then ulna bones, and then he cuts through the flesh using the knife on the multi-tool. He fashions a tourniquet and frees himself Thursday, May 1, 2003. Aron makes his way out and runs on a family on a day hike. The family sends for help and Ralston is picked up by a Utah Highway Patrol helicopter, leaving his cap and one of his shoes behind.

Although there are changes and omissions in the film as compared to the real story told by the author, the film still made it felt real, spiced up with some drama and minus the disturbing realities that he really experienced. The praise-deserving acting by James Franco and brilliant direction of Danny Boyle brought Ralston’s story a piece of inspiration to a wider audience. If you were Aron, die or cut? His story is only a proof that life is all about making choices and firmly standing for these choices.

Aron Ralston

“The mountain is the means; the man is the end. The purpose is not to reach the top of the mountain, but to improve the man,” and I think the purpose served well.

*Photo credits to Google