Richard Rafael

                                        July is the month of nutrition. Following to Presidential Decree No. 491, The Nutrition Act of the Philippines, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) leads the observance of National Nutrition Month. And according to the National Nutrition Council of the Philippines, the theme for this year is “Ugaliing Magtanim, Sapat na Nutrisyon Aanihin!”. The theme focuses on food production at home through the family’s own garden. It aims to improve the healthy food consumption of Filipinos, food security, or to be self-sufficient as possible with backyard gardening.      To start home gardening, we should determine the characteristics of a food garden. First is it should be located at home because it will not be called home gardening if it’s not located at home. Second, it should have different varieties of plants so tha...

President Rodrigo Duterte Malacañan Palace, JP Laurel St. San Miguel, Manila 1005 Metro Manila Dear Mr. President Duterte, I am a student studying at Ilocos Sur National High School in Vigan. I would like to address all the problems that I encounter. First is the way you speak to your people. We should be careful on what we are saying especially when we are addressing it to the world. Second, the growing number of killings and crimes. There are many innocent people who are being killed. Third, the poverty of our country. There are many families who can't sustain their needs. Many children who can't go to school because they don't have enough money to aid their needs in school. The quality of education here in the Philippines. There are not enough classrooms for students to stay and not enough earning materials to use. And also, here in the Philippines, the lack of opportunities or unemployment. There are not enough jobs to work here in the Philippines and a...

          Philippines, a country that experienced many pains and hardships. A country that has many brave and strong Filipinos who joined together to fight and claim their rights and freedom to live the way they want to be. But the catch is, are we really free? Are we really acclaiming the efforts that our ancestors did?          The Philippine islands were first colonized by the Spanish men. In this time, many Filipinos became slaves and many Filipinos were hurt and abused. But there were brave ones who fought their rights but not only their rights, they fought for the freedom of the country.       Americans were there to help also. And after that, Philippines became a self governing commonwealth. But, Japanese came and they were here to seize the Philippines. Americans and Filipinos joined together to fight with the Japanese and to regain the control of the Philippines and they were successful. And the Re...