Calancan Bay Seeks For Attention

Instead of finishing my first draft for my thesis proposal, which is due later, lemme just share a bit of something of what I'm working at.




Calancan Bay, Marinduque Island, Philippines

Marinduque Island, known to harbor the largest copper reserve in the Philippines, has started its mining copper operations since 1969. This mine reserve which has been operated by Marcopper Mine Corporation is known as the Mt. Tapian ore deposit whose mine tailings were discharged into Calancan Bay. For 16 years, Calancan Bay, being the dumpsite for an estimated total of no less than 200 million metric tons of toxic mine tailings, was contaminated, thus resulted to destruction of Marinduque’s river system as well as lead contamination of the populace. Metal contamination and chronic lead poisoning of victims remain untreated until today.

On 24 March 1996, the Marcopper Mine broke into global news due to a mining accident at their Marinduque mine. This has been regarded as one of the Philippines’ largest mining disasters to date. The toxic spills immediately caused flash floods affecting five villages with about 4,400 individuals with their sources of drinking water contaminated with chemical elements from the mine tailings and fishes killed (Esguerra, 2003).


Detection of Heavy Metals in Calancan Bay

Although mining operations in the said area have stopped at the beginning of the 21st century, mining pollution history still results to the presence of heavy metals in the vicinity. High heavy metal, such as total copper, total lead and total zinc, concentrations were detected in the water and soil samples obtained from the waterways of Marinduque, particularly around Calancan Bay. The heavy metals concentration detected were higher than the standards prescribed by the government, the DENR, for Class SB waters – this is the classification where bodies of water which are suitable for commercial and industrial use, including ecotourism and recreational activities, are under. The occurrence of the high concentrations in the area may be due to the strong water currents which may possibly be held responsible for the enhancement of distribution of the pollutants or the heavy metals. However, levels of heavy metal concentrations vary in the soil and water samples collected, these differences observed may have also been associated with the presence of organic matter in the samples (Marges, 2011).

Not-So-Best Day of My Life

So... tomorrow's gonna be the not-so-best day of my life, so far. National Medical Admission Test, or NMAT for short, is tomorrow and I'm not even half-way prepared for it, I guess. Well, I'm taking it just to see how relatively knowledgeable I am compared to others just trusting on my so-called stock knowledge.

According to a friend, the test will be held from 7am to 7pm, and boy was I shocked. I thought it'll only be an eight-hour exam, but staying 12 hours in a foreign school sitting with a thick exam booklet staring you in the face must be dreadful experience. And yes, I and my not-so-trusted neurons shall be tortured tomorrow. I've still got nine hours left before the start of the torture, but this is like no ordinary exam, and I can't afford to have no sleep. And as I am typing this random shit down, I realize that I should be studying instead, or memorize the formulas in Physics and Chemistry, at least. Good thing Math and some parts of the IQ test is easy, should I not say it's a piece-of-cake since I will sound very "evilishly"-bossy. But fuck, I just hope Physics and Chem wouldn't fuck me up tomorrow. Been reading on those for a couple of days already and I still don't get a shit out of it. Anyway... I shall cram for those tonight. I've scheduled to allot one hour each of study or review time for Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

And there you have it, Le Ren ranting over her stupidity for cramming and not reviewing. Trolololol. Ciao~

Dopey in Star Wars

Just when Dopey from Snow White got into the Star Wars film... And yes, it did not make any sense at all.

Regrets will always shoot you in the head after some time when everything seems to be just as fine as it can be. This week, I am suffering from a terribly ultimate dumbness (Well, I can't say it's a mistake... so dumbness it is.) I had way back in my freshman days. And instead of preparing for it now, here I am, in front of the laptop, just to write this bullshit down. I am still thankful that life has been good to me, for giving me this third chance already. I just hope I'll do well enough to pass through this mishap this coming Friday. If not, then kill me, please.

Horny Pigs: Gives You Hell

I was browsing the net 'till I came across this website, Interesting Facts. There are exactly 327 random facts listed there when I visited it, I don't know if it updates its facts list or if it is even reliable. I did get a little doubtful when I read this:

21. A dragonfly has a lifespan of 24 hours.

Is it just me not knowing this or the website's really wrong? I know mayflies have 24-hour lifespan, even less, but dragonflies? It's the first time I heard of it. Or maybe I just forgot everything I learned from our Invertebrate Zoology class? I'd be a loser of a biologist if that's really the case here. Anyway, one thing that really caught my purr-y attention is this:

37. A pig's orgasm lasts for 30 minutes.

I don't dislike pigs, I actually kinda like them. And I never knew I'll like them more because of this. There were also a lot of responses in Yahoo! Answers regarding this disturbing fact. One girl even asked if you'd like to be a pig because of it's "admirable" talent, it's long-lasting orgasm for this case. Now, my answer is this: That would be great to have an orgasm like that, for horny people at least, but doesn't that 30 minutes span of orgasmic pleasure gives you hell at the same time? A regular orgasm gives you "heaven" but tires you at the same time, don't you agree?Now, wanting a 30-minute span of time in "heaven" will kill the pleasure out of you. You'd be the wimpiest kid in the town after that. I'm not saying I have done it before, this is just my plain... I-M-A-G-I-N-A-T-I-O-N.

Sheez. I'm not even an expert in this kind of thing yet I'm blogging about this. Let's just say, I'm a really really curious biologist, so no malice. Anyway, pigs are still lucky for this, but for their other acts, they may be not. It's true, everyone has something they can uniquely be proud of, even pigs do!

Sadomasochism

Feels so good being bad

There's no way I'm turning back

Now the pain is my pleasure

Cause nothing could measure

Love is great, love is fine

Out of the box, out of line

The affliction of the feeling

Leaves me wanting more

Cause I may be bad

But I'm perfectly good at it

Sex in the air, I don't care

I love the smell of it

Sticks and stones may break my bones

But chains and whips excite me

-S&M, Rihanna

Bad boys? Bitch? Slut? Have you seen Rihanna's music video for her song S&M? Well, Youtube made it available only to those who have accounts who are 18 years and older. I will not spoil it, so you better watch it. It's kinda cute, well, at least it's colorful.

Anyway, I like sadism and masochism, I might even label myself slightly of a sadist and a masochist. But when these two things are combined, well uh... they become a different thing. Sadism and masochism, often termed as sadomasochism or S&M for short, refers to the attainment of sexual gratification or pleasure from actions inflicting pain (and even humiliation?). This can be achieve with chains and whips just like how the song tells us. This actually has three divisions known as BDSM, stands for bondage and discipline (B&D), dominance and submission (D/S), and sadism and masochism (S&M). For B&D, it can be in either the form of physical or psychological restraint. I'd rather not discuss much details 'coz nor do I is an expert in this kind of field.

I am emotionally unstable so I like hurting myself whenever I am depressed, but not to the point of killing myself. I also have this view in life that inflicting greater but short term pain makes myself feel numb from the lesser but long term pain, in physical terms. Then the thought just crossed my mind, if I like receiving pain (from myself that is) and inflicting pain (to myself and it's not hardcore pain), may be I'll like S&M. Wait 'till I try it, and I'll tell the world how it feels. Nah. I'm just kidding. But who knows, Rihanna's video isn't hardcore as I expected it to be, and so do I as I may not be who you expect me to be. Labo ko lang eh.

I dunno why I tagged this as academics. Oh well, April Fools! Just so you know, this is my 100^th blog entry, and I at least wanted it to be of something worth reading. But I guess I failed. Ha ha ha.

Supernaturally Caused Illness

(History of Medicine Report on Folk Medicine. Posted this for future reference since I found a blog site as a reference to this report.)

In folk medicine, supernatural elements are believed to attribute to discomforts and illnesses. Mythological creatures such as dwende, nuno, kapre and tikbalang are believed, in rural physics, to contribute to the conundrums of discomforts and illness etiologies (study of causation or origination) and pathologies (study and diagnosis of disease). Aside from these mythological creatures, other earth creatures such as mambabarang and mangkukulam may cause unexplainable diseases.

Nalamang-lupa (harmed by dwellers of the earth)

Lamang-lupa or earth dwellers (duwende and nuno) are believed to inhabit the underground and mounds of earth (termite mounds or punso). These creatures are known to inflict maladies and gamut of complaints, such as abdominal distress, headaches, body pains and even insanity, on those who disrespect or accidentally disturb their mounds (like when sweeping the floor or ground with a walis ting-ting), leaving and failing to apologize by saying “tabi tabi po”. Another belief is when a person pointed his/her finger to the punso, he/she needs to bite the finger, spit out and step on the spit.

There are three types of duwende, the duwendeng puti (the good duwende), the duwendeng itim (the bad duwende) and the duwendeng pula (the meaner duwende). In some provinces, only the duwendeng puti and duwendeng itim exist. The duwendeng itim and duwendeng pula are the types of duwendes which may bring illnesses to a person.

Another ailment similar to nalamang-lupa is namatanda, which is caused by old dwarves.

Kapre, said to be the Philippine Bigfoot - our own version of the hairy, oversized not-quite-human-not-quite-ape with a large, lit cigar in hand, which inhabits the huge trees (such as Balete, Mangga and Acacia) are believed to cause fevers, may lead people astray, taking fancy on women and taking them, and may even cause a woman to be pregnant.

Natabang (victimized by sorcery)

Natabang or nakitang is a disease of victims of sorcery which is caused by Manugtabang or Manugkitang (Manughiwit by the Hiligaynon). The Manugtabang is known to cause bloating of the stomach of their victim, while the Manugkitang may inflict harm to their victims using the fin of the fish which is regarded as the kitang.

Nabarang (victimized by another sorcery)

Nabarang is an ailment caused by another type of sorcery which is executed by a sorcerer called the Mambabarang. The Mambabarang harm their victim using insects to infest the victims body. The Mambabarang can instruct the insects to enter the body of a desired victim via the openings in the body such as ears, nose, mouth or anus.

Nagaway (victimized by witchcraft)

Nagaway is an ailment caused by witchcraft which is carried out by a Manggagaway using a manikaan and/or palipad hangin. The Manggagaway is able to make a person lose his/her mind and go insane, can also make a woman pregnant and making her deliver a fish or a lizard baby.

Nakulam (victimized by another witchcraft)

Nakulam is an ailment caused by a Mangkukulam using hexing or spell-casting to harm the target victim. The spell is written in a piece of paper with the name of the person involved pinned with needles or pins. Aside from the spells, ingredients are also used for the spell-casting process. Diseases caused by kulam may be worsen or may lead to death if not consulted and counterspelled by an albularyo.

According to Tony Perez’ “Kulam”, the spells may also be used for day-to-day needs: for good fortunes, against bad luck, to improve appetite, to protect loved ones, to prevent nightmare, to become attractive to someone or to counter bad thoughts.

Bangungot

Bangungot came from the words “bangon” (to rise) and “ungol” (to moan). It is a syndrome that consists of a nightmare.

In Ilocandia, there is a huge fat female demon that inhabits the trees. This demon is called a batibat. When her tree of residence cut off and used as a bedpost or support post in a house, the batibat transforms into a spirit-form and inhabits the holes of the post. So when a person nearby sleeps, the creature transforms into a vengeful malevolence and sits on the sleeping person’s face, suffocating him/her to a bangungot death.

Dead-nesday

I have three exams on Wednesday; Biochemistry, Physics and Physics Lab = *dead* Anyhoo, like I was saying, three exams and I wasted my day playing Sims and surfing the net. It's already 4 am and I have to go to school later, around 9 am, to borrow notes from a classmate. Now that I thought about time management, it's impossible for me to manage my time and study to death for these exams. Point here is, I wasted time, especially now that I lack sleep and sure to get so so so much sleep later, like I always do. When would I be able to learn from my mistakes? Seriously.

But now, I'm sleepy. So, night! Wish I can study well later. :))

UNOable

I thought Bio180: Biostatistics is uno-able, but then again, it's just too hard for me to uno. I just hope I can still get a grade of 1.something in this subject. I need good grades in my Bio majors after all. This semester is the only semester where I can pull my grades in Bio up. But nah, I'm happy enough just to pass the course.

Chemistry and Physics on a Friday night! Fun fun fun fun.

The donut said, "Hey!" And I was like, "WTF!"

I never thought I'd say this to you, but I just can't stop this feeling anymore. Here it goes... Did you know that the center of mass of a donut is at the center of its hole?

I learned it from an example in our Physics book, and yes, I know I'm really weird, but I found this example funny.

Now that I thought of donuts, I want one right now. KThanksBye.

ARTHRistic Second Life

If you're given a chance to be a chelicerate, what would you be?

Order Scorpiones (Scorpions)

Order Arnaea (Spiders)

Order Amblipygi (Tarantula)

Order Opiliones (Daddy long legs)

Order Acari (Ticks and mites)

Order Pseudoscorpions (False scorpions)

Order Solifugae (Wind scorpions)

Order Uropygi (Whip scorpions)

Order Palpigradi (Microwhip scorpions)

Order Xiphosura (Horseshoe crab)

Order Ricinuleida (Ricinuleids)

Class Pycnogonida (Sea spiders)

Your fate is in your hands. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.

World Domination

What could be more pain in the ass about studying Arthropods in Comparative Invertebrate Anatomy is having to think of a crab dominating the world.

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Arthropoda

Subphylum Mandibulata

Class Crustacea

Subclass Malacostraca

Order Decapoda

Ocypode quadrata???

Imagine this fierce-looking, alien-like, Pokemon-like creature dominating the world with it's ultra mega super hyper crab power! This is the only reason I have for still holding on to finishing that mind-tormenting taxonomy of Arthropoda.

Teeth & Tubes

I can't blame myself if the word Tubulidentata crossed my mind this morning after taking a quick bath (brushing my teeth, too). It sounds like tubules + dentin, yes yes? I thought of "teeth tubules" the first time I heard the Order Tubulidentata from our Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy class, yes, I know I'm weird. According to some write-ups, it was classified as a member of the Order Xenarthra (or Pholidota by some), but it was separated due to its unique habits, appearance and diet. Another reason is that it is an ungulate (hoofed animal). So here's a quick taxonomy of the Order Tubulidentata.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Eutheria
Superorder: Afrotheria
Order: Tubulidentata

Aardvark, a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native in Africa, is the only living species of this order. It is sometimes called anteater, antbear or Cape anteater.

Family: Orycteropodidae
Genus: Orycteropus
Species: O. afer

"Old-School" Physicians

These are the terms they use for the so-called physicians during the pre-Hispanic society.

katalonan - Tagalogs

babaylan - Visayas

balian - Bicolanos

baglan - Ilocanos

baylan - Mandayas

These five terms are used for their priestess, since priestess are the one who cure diseases way way long ago.

The term of Tagalogs for their Supreme Being is Bathala, while the Visayans call it diwata. He is the disperser of good and evil but power is shared by Captan, who planted the bamboo from which the first man and woman sprung from. (If you remember your Filipino mythology.)

The “lesser gods” are called anitos, who are the protectors of the home.

These physicians are believed to cure our ancestors sickness since it may be caused by evil spirits or by the gods as chastisements to offenders.

Hippocratic Oath

The oath of doctors during the Classical Greek Period.

Physicians swear:
1. to impart medical knowledge, even for free;
2. to bound by ethical concepts;
3. to do the best of one's ability;
4. but not to cause or give harm by giving harmful drugs, even if asked;
5. nor to induce abortion;
6. nor do mischief, even under temptation;
7. and to be discreet regarding patients and their cases and sickness.