- Performed at the Speech Lab - Given a particular topic before the day of performance and asked to prepare a "persuasive/

argumentative" speech about it. First of all, I would like to thank everyone for honoring me with their presence here in this convention; I owe you all my appreciation and gratitude. From here, we will enlighten oneself of what I think is going on with the VAT being implemented on our foods in daily life, and how it greatly affects each of us.
Spoiler:

For now, I shall remind everyone of hwat VAT is all about. VAT is an acronym for "value added tax". It is implemented by a certain law which more often serves more like "lifeblood" for the government. Upon buying a processed item, a portion of its price acts as a direct contribution to the government. So in a way, upon buying our local products, we keep our government alive. In exchance, they help with the development of our beloved country, thus, improving our lives in the long run.
Spoiler:

But I am not here to today to talk about such matters, because as far as livelihood of my fellow Filipinos are concerned; this idea is far off reality. Since my idea of VAT doesn't incorporate with the words "comfort", "care" and anything of that sore. Rather to me it becomes synonymous with "steal", "greed", and "poverty".
Spoiler:

Why I guess this is obvious enough, Ladies and Gentlemen. For VAT has been implemented for some time now, yet, the only "improvement" that the government has been bragging about are things like "our national debt has been brought down by a whopping 300 million", or "Philippines now gains the trust of neighboring countries, so we could now attract more investors to our soil". On the other side, if we look for good news regarding the Filipino community itself like if the number of huntry Filipino kids decreased, or if the average Filipino father can feed a family consisting of four to five, or anything... ANYTHING that refers to the improvement to the livelihood of the common Filipino, NOTHING of the sort exists.
Spoiler:

Yet, we continue to pay VAT, this useless leech that scorches our daily expenses, but often just ends up in someone else's pocket, for their own personal purposes. I am deeply angered by this, I can't believe that the people who must be responsible in helping us with our

struggle to success are actually the tainted ones who keeps us below the line... the line that reads "Poor", "Bad health", "Hunter", "Hopelessness".
Spoiler:

Let me tell you all a story that rang in my mind as I started my speech.. We'll take a common Filipino and name him "Juan". Juan is an ordinary father who works and earns the average salary, what I mean by average here is that it's "below minimal" because honestly I think it's a usual case here in these lands. Now, he goes home with money enough to feed 4 to 5 people - just to feed 3. This is actually where the problem comes in, VAT may take only ten to twelve percent of our current food prices but for our unfortunate neighbors, this is enough for another scoop of rice, enough for another mouth to feed, enough to help them survive this cruel, urban jungle and live on the days ahead.
Spoiler:

Personally, deep in myself I know I can still my pride aside and accept what VAT is all about, for I am not truly against it. It is just the people who have the power to implement it is not using their power in the best way possible. I don't care if they take away some of my money by means of taxes, I don't care if they increase the VAT to around 99%, I don't care if their plan on implementing these taxes on every tangible object on the street...
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What I care about is how they make use of these taxes, and how it circulates... returning to us a form of comfort, benefit, care that keeps us satisfied in life, so we can enjoy it in every way possible.
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_________________

Thanks to Cool-Fonts for my sig ^_^

ChillChaser Administrator

Subject: Second part

Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:05 am

Eto nman ung extemporaneous ko sa finals... "Heroes, where are they now?" - Performed in front of the class. - Given a list of possible topics which you would prepare the speech a week later. (maraming pumili ng "friendship", kasi madali nga nman un - ako ung pinili ko ung nasa dulo ng list, para maiba nman ) Before anything, I would like to greet my fellow students and teacher a warm, good afternoon. I am here standing before you now to state my opinions regarding the topic: "Heroes, where are they now?".
Spoiler:

Number of posts: 239 Credits:

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If you ask a normal person what comes to their mind whenever they hear the word "hero", they would usualy come up with a common answer, That is, a hero is someone from the past who tried to change history, succeeded in it, and finally, altered it forever, heroes are usualy great men that helped bring innovation, fight for freedom, fight for justice, struggle for peace and many other glorious things that made their names remembered until this very generation. These people and their efforts will never be forgotten by mankind as if it wasn't for them we won't probably be enjoying all the leisure and freedom that we have now.
Spoiler:

Of course, life don't go easy on them, just like everybody else, heroes also experience great difficulties in life as they grow up, difficulties that usually hinders our time, our skill, our work, our life. Yet, become heroes because they try to go against the odds, they go against everything that is bad, unjust or nearly anything that does not match with their beliefs or principles in life. They'd rather be outcast than blend with people they don't like, They'd rather be unemployed than be paid for a dirty job, They'd rather be blindfolded and shot in the

back than to abide to a law that promotes cruelty to their friends, their family, their people.
Spoiler:

However, the problem is, In our current time, our generation, this age. The number of these incredible individuals are dropping, As if the wonderful qualities of a hero can't be passed on to his children. Rather than fighting for peace and freedom, wars are started, wars that involve a great number of innocent people are started, because of a reason completely different from the previous goal -> GOLD.
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It sounds terrifying, but it's the truth, powerful men of today declare war mostly just for their own personal wants and desires. they don't consider innocent lives as important anymore, all they are concerned of are the gains, and benefits to them.
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With this said, smaller people who are already deprived of food, shelter, money will tighten their grip on their remaining "resources". This is pretty much the case for people not only on those countries under war, but also third- world countries, where corruption is the very problem. When those who have the position becomes greedy, then everyone else becomes greedy too. They also get too materialistic, too selfish, too cruel, then the whole world gets to feel a little colder.
Spoiler:

Fortunate, ever if heroes are rare, they still exist and always inspire the youth about good will, the heroes of today may not jump on bullets to save a person, they may not aspire to be good leaders and such, but they know how to respect, they know how to keep people at ease, and, they always care in all shapes and sizes.

If there are someone to ask me "Where are the heroes of today?", I'll be answering "They're everywhere", Yes my friends, every one of us has a hero inside here. Every one of us is a hero, as we and common heroes share the same traits: we breathe, we all grow, we all learn, and best of all, we all keep the people around us happy. Thanks for hearing me out, god bless and babush.

1. My biggest concern for the future is... 2. Real wealth is never measured in money or possessions. 3. Conservation is survival. 4. Real love is not the stuff of pop songs. 5. If I were an animal I'd be a... 6. Plants have feelings too. 7. Junk food's popularity relies on marketing. 8. To err is human. To forgive is divine. Discuss. 9. The world is a smaller place these days. 10.The more we communicate, the less we really say. 11.When I grow up... 12.To be grown up is a state of mind. 13.Goals are good for you. 14.The most important lesson of my life so far... 15.Intelligence is not enough. 16.If I ruled the world... 17.Color affects the way people feel. 18.Ill health begins in the mind. 19.Team sports build strong individuals. 20.Laughter is the best medicine. 21.Fools and their money are easily parted. 22.Discipline is not a dirty word. 23.Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. 24.Children learn what they live with. 25.Poverty is a state of mind. 26.What characteristics make an ideal hero and why? 27.What and who is an average person? 28.Being young is over-rated. 29.In what situation is lying a good idea? 30.Does money make the world go round? 31.What human quality do we need more of and why? 32.Who has been the most influential person in your life and why? 33.How we look is unimportant. It's who we are on the inside that counts. 34.Fashion victims I have known. 35.Pets are for people who don't have children.

36.Summer is the best and worst of times. Why? 37.The media controls how and what we think. 38.Advertising targeting children is immoral. 39.Talking to someone and talking with someone are two different activities. 40.Real learning doesn't occur in a classroom. 41.What would you rather be - wise or intelligent? 42.True wisdom comes from experience. 43.A sense of humor is essential. 44.Uniforms stifle individuality. 45.What is normal is decided by the society we live in. 46.Manners matter. 47.Children should not watch television. 48.Art is essential to life. 49.Cities are for people not cars. 50.Peace is possible.