Information Systems Security Survey Essay

The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is an institution that was built back in the 19th century. UNMC’s mission is to improve the health of Nebraska through premier educational programs, innovative research, the highest quality patient care, and outreach to underserved populations (UNMC, 2004). As an institution with key interest to privacy of its students, staff and subordinate staff, UNMC has adopted various policy guidelines to ensure information security system. The Information Security Management Plan (ISMP) describes its safeguards to protect confidential information. These safeguards are meant among another reason to: Ensure the confidentiality of data Ensure the integrity of data Ensure the availability of data Protect against anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of the information UNMC has adopted information security industry best practices to implement its information security system (UNMC, 2014). They have become so effective that during 2011, a Hitrust Gap assessment was performed, and no significant gaps were found within its security program. The worksheet below outlines how these programs have been rolled out by different offices in the university. Worksheet: Information Security Program Survey Security Area Responsible Party / Office of Primary Responsibility Known Vulnerabilities / Risks Countermeasures / Risk Mitigation Strategy Acquisition (systems/services) Information Security Office Breach of the confidentiality clause All service providers must undergo an evaluation process to verify they are qualified. Contracts have a confidentiality clause whose breach terminates the contract. Asset management System Administrator Poor asset management Proper policies and procedure in place  to ensure effective asset management. Evaluation to ascertain the qualifications of asset managers. Audit and accountability Information Security Office Dishonest employees disclosing confidential information to third parties Every application contains a log that must be maintained to meet regulatory requirement. There is Information security Incident Response plan to handle any notable strange events. Authentication and authorization System Administrator Covered data may be transferred to third parties without authorization Employees are provided with user name and password to access the data. Employees are trained on developing a secure password. There are control policies in place governing access to this information. Business continuity Information Security Office Non-coordination and miscommunication between employees All employees are supposed to keep contact information of co-workers and supervisors to seek for help in case of any emergency. Compliance management Compliance Officer the Information Security Officer Employees failure to comply with the set guidelines, policies and procedure There is a compliance form that is filled before a major project is undertaken by the enterprise. The form is to ensure that no new risk is introduced to the enterprise. Configuration control System Administrator Compromised system security Every configuration must have a password. Each password must have at least ten characters. The password must be encrypted at all times. Data System Administrator Data may be intercepted during transmission Database with security keys is available to authorized employees only. Access to classified data is allowed to limited employees. Information security plan ensures security of covered data. Hardware System Administrator Destruction of hardware in disaster Only employees with technical know-how of operating hardware are allowed to use them. The hardware are encrypted for security purposes. Hardware backup system. Identity management Information Security Office Unauthorized covered data and information transfer through third parties Identity Management Program (IDM) outlines procedure for issuing credentials based on the NIST guidance. Checks are done on employees prior to their employment. Incident management Command Centre Incident Response Team Physical loss of data in a disaster An Incident Reporting and Response Plan is in place to report and respond to any  identified risk. Availability of a well-trained incident response team. Command Centre is established to manage emergency. Maintenance procedures Change Advisory Board (CAB) Existing patches within the security system A release process is in place to ensure that the changes do not affect non-primary system. Patching policies for workstations to ensure security. Media protection and destruction Information Security Office Unauthorized access covered data as well as information Data storage policies define how data stored in the media is to be protected. Data is only stored in a secured data centre or encrypted medium. Network System Administrator Unauthorized access to the network Network traffic is controlled by Cisco enterprise-class firewall where inbound connects are only allowed to DMZ. Internal trusted network is provided via an encrypted VPN tunnel. Technical perimeter is established to bar direct access from the internet to the Internal Trusted Area. Planning Information Security Office Poor planning that compromise management of the security system Contingency plan is in place to handle any eventuality. Employees are encouraged to store data on network file servers for backup. All backups are surely stored and marked for easy identification during emergencies. Personnel System Administrator Loss of data integrity Employees are only employed after exhibiting minimum security requirement. Information Security Addendum are to be signed for confidentiality purposes. An insider who ensures that all legal requirements are followed before access is granted must accompany outsiders accessing information. Physical environment System Administrator Physical safety of the environment may be compromised through attacks and burglary No unauthorized personal is allowed within the data centre premises. The data centers are controlled by keycard access. Policy Information Security Plan Coordinator Policies may be misinterpreted by the employee The University’s security policy is enshrined in the Privacy, Confidentiality and Security of Patient Proprietary Information Policy and the Computer Use and Electronic Information Security Policy. The two policies require that authorized people can only access this information. The policies are reviewed every two years to make them in tandem with the prevailing circumstances. Operations The Information Security Officer and the Infrastructure Team  Failure for operations to comply with the system security policy An operation must fill a compliance Checklist or a Security Risk Assessment form for review to verify that no new risk is introduced to the enterprise. Outsourcing System Administrator Unauthorized disclosure of security information by third parties Outsourced vendors must comply with UNMC Policy No. 8009, Contract Policy. Vendors accessing classified student information must sign the GLB Act contract addendum. Risk assessments Information Custodian Poor method of risk assessment that may downplay the actual impact of a risk Security assessment I conducted annually. All applications must meet the organizations security policies and procedure. Software System Administrator Software may be infected with a virus Software should not be installed unless the user trusts it. Vendor update and patches must be installed unless directed otherwise. Software license must be retained to get technical assistance. Training System Administrators and Information Custodians Misuse of security system Loss of data integrity Employees are trained on information security system before they are employed. System administrators and information custodians are annually trained on Specific Information Security Policy and Procedure. References UNMC. (March 2014) Strategic Plan 2010-2013. Retrieved from http://www.unmc.edu/wwwdocs/strategic-plan_06-10_v3-brochure1.pdf United States Government Accountability Office. (February 2010). ELECTRONIC PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE: Health Care Entities’ Reported Disclosure Practices and Effects on Quality of Care. Retrieved from http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10361.pdf UNMC. (February 9, 2004). Information Security Plan. Retrieved from http://www.unmc.edu/its/docs/UNMCInformationSecurityPlan-Sept2010.pdf

Effects of Music on Counsumer Behavior

The idea of using music as a way of advertising goes all the way back to colonial times when street vendors hawked their good to the tune of a melodic chant. Of course we also know that music has been used often as a way of fixing a product in our mind. A memorable tune that â€Å"sticks in your mind† is the marketer's dream. Music that is written for a company or industry often benefits the entire industry. One of the first industry wide musical plugs (no pun intended) was for the tobacco industry through songs such as the 1836 song Think ; Smoke Tobacco, by John Ashton and Pipe de Tabac by John Hewitt.Lyrics also play an important part in the use of music as advertising. Just as a catchy tune could attack your senses, a good â€Å"jingle† or cute lyrics could become a part of society for quite some time. The power of this form of advertising is just formidable. Consumer researchers have found emotional response to advertisement, by consumers. Background music is one o f the major component influencing audience responses to certain products that they buy. Popular music in television commercials is nothing new.In fact, television advertising right from its very beginning in the early 1950s has relied heavily on music to get people’s attention, set a mood, creates the right brand image and sells the advertiser's product. The reason why is simple it works. Music plays an important role on individuals belonging to various cultural backgrounds. Music can relax us, excite us, make us want to get up and dance or simply involve ourselves by listening. That's what makes it such a powerful tool in advertising. Very often, more recognizable songs are used as background usic to set a mood or to help establish an image for the product. Early television commercials in the 1950s featured well known classical masterpieces as background music, to attract consumers towards their product. Advertisers later on expanded themselves into jazz and rhythm and blues . Soon TV commercials were featuring songs like Duke Ellington's â€Å"Satin Doll† and Gershwin's â€Å"Rhapsody in Blue† as background music to help sell a variety of different products. Music plays the following role Entertainment:Music contributes to the effectiveness of an advertisement by making it more attractive. A good ad always tries to engage the attention of an audience, and makes it entertaining for them. To an extent all music broadcasted on commercial ads as well as radio serves as a loss leader. Any music can potentially act in this role of entertainment. Moreover, the music need not necessarily be evident of any special attraction with a particular product or service in order to play an effective and useful function. Structure/Continuity: Music can be used in various structural roles.As a structural role, music helps in tying jointly a sequence of visual images and series of dramatic episodes, narrative voice-overs, and a list of product appeals. This i s the function of continuity. Memory ability: Music should be such in advertisements that it increases the Memorability of the product's name. Consumers are known to favor products which give some degree of recognition or familiarity, even if it is merely the product's name. Thus, the association of music with the identity of a certain product may greatly aid in product recall. Lyrical Language:A fourth technique of musical enhancement is the use of lyrical language. Vocal music permits the conveyance of a verbal message in a non spoken way. Language utterances can sound much less naive or self-indulgent when couched within a musical phrase rather than simply spoken. An individual can respectably sing things which would sound utterly trite if said. Targeting: Once an appropriate medium is chosen, second considerations are targeting the consumer, thereby engaging or charm those viewers who constitute the target demographic group. Music has long been identified with various social and demographic groups.Musical style therefore assists in targeting a specific market. The style may function as a socioeconomic identifier or may act as a device for addressing a specific group of audience. Authority Establishment: Music enhances to the credibility of the product in this way that establishes its authority. A simple way of establishing authority is through expert testimony. Authority may also be fostered through testimonials of non-technical authorities . Thus to an extent to succeed in advertising an audience, should also be kept in mind , advertising done must also have genuity in it.Music affects shopper time perception: Several studies indicate that music can effectively reduce anxiety, increase positive mood ratings, alleviate depression, and decrease frustration. Music has also been seen to influence consumer’s time perception. Standing in queues listening to the right kind of music makes the waiting experience more pleasant and entertaining hence reducing the perception of time in store. Music helps in making impulsive purchases: Music helps consumers associate some feelings or emotions such as joy, love, fear, hope, sexuality, fantasy and helps in developing a mood for shopping.Music also helps in creating an impulsive environment that can be extremely beneficial to the consumers in selecting a particular product. Increase brand loyalty: Music helps in enhancing brand loyalty in a way that it integrates the meaning of a message of the particular brand thus creating brand loyalty amongst the customers. Music is a positive addition to the consumer environment: Music plays an important role by creating a positive environment, under which all consumers are influenced by music.Example: When an individual enter the shop of K;N’s the jingle of the brand keeps on playing thus creating a positive effect on the consumer . Music has also been used to induce either a pleasant or unpleasant affective state and examine its Interaction wit h the affective tone of an advertisement (Gorn, Pham, ; Sin 2001). Both arousal, pleasure can be manipulated with music. Music and Congruence: Park and Young (1986) examined the effect of music (present, absent) and three types of involvement (low involvement, cognitive involvement, affective involvement) on the formation of attitudes towards a brand in the context of TV commercials.Music increased the brand attitude for subjects In the low involvement condition but had a distracting effect for those in the cognitive involvement condition. Its effect for those in the affective involvement condition was not clear. They argue that music acted as a peripheral persuasion cue. When the music was attention grabbing it pulled listener’s attention away from the message and negatively influenced recall. The no music ads performed as well or better than the musical ads in terms of recall and recognition.Thus the relationship between the fit of the mood, induced music (happy/sad) develo ped the purchase decision for the customer. USES OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF MUSIC Fast or slow music in a retail environment Research found out that people move steadily when slow rhythm music is played. Study was conducted in two supermarkets found a huge increase in sales when slow rhythm music was played: â€Å"In that study the gross sales increased from $12,112 for the fast rhythm music to $16,740 for the slow rhythm music. This is an increase of 38%. In addition to it â€Å"Customers moved slowly when soft music was played, taking 128 seconds, and faster when fast music was played, taking 109 seconds. † Same results have been observed in restaurants: customers tend to persist when the music is slow and soft. Where you don't want people to linger, you could be better off playing loud, fast tempo music especially if you run a fast-moving restaurant. But, retail environments often want their clients to stay for longer time in their stores, so softer music is more appropriate. A study discovered that customer spent almost 23% more money in a restaurant when softer music was being played.Interestingly, increase in spending came on the drinks bill (which grew by almost 51% on avg), which are the most profitable items in most restaurants. ? Loud or soft Usually, people spend much less time in the environment where louder music is played One article wrote: â€Å"A person is likely to stay in a restaurant playing soft music 20% longer than if the music is loud, with a slight increase in the amount of money spent on food and drinks. For grocery stores, it was found that the volume made no difference on how much money was spent.Another study by Caldwell and Hibbert (2002) found that when slow music was played, patrons stayed for 20% longer but also spent more on food and drink – in fact, up to 50% more. In other words, to keep your customers, keep it soft and slow. And likewise, if you want quick turnover, speed things up and keep it loud. † In bar s, where music is very loud and fast that it hinders conversation, people drink more and drink faster. An academic study found: â€Å"Environmental music was associated with an increase in alcohol consumption. †¦ Forty male beer drinkers were observed in a bar. †¦The results show that high level volume led to increased alcohol consumption and reduced the average amount of time spent by the patrons to drink their glass. † Use of hit songs and unknown songs In business and retail environments, popular music tends to be too distracting, taking people away from the task at hand, and makes them focus on the music. You want the music to â€Å"MELT† in the environment, giving a feeling of calm or energy, but not grabbing the attention of the people. â€Å"Popular or hit† music is too catchy, and causes lower purchasing in retail environments and decreased productivity in offices. The usic that should be played has to be good and very close enough to hit music that people enjoy it, but it must not be too catchy. Classical or chill outs In a study it has been found out that â€Å"Classical music† increases the amount of money people are willing to spend. Normally, people will buy more expensive goods when classical music is being played. MUSIC AND MARKETERS Marketers uses music to reach at own goal in making advertising. Marketers doing in following way: Music Exists In A Context Music does not work alone. It exists within an advertisement with complex visual, verbal, and other nonverbal stimuli.How all of these are perceived depends on the complex interaction of internal (biological) and external (social, cultural influences) factors which also affect when and how musical taste is developed. Music is primarily a cultural and social phenomenon and reflects the values and attitudes of a subculture. Sociological forces affect images and preferences about products that are desirable, and music, if it fits with those images, may enhanc e the following variables: 1) persuasion through prior learning and verbal association, 2) recall, 3) overall ad effectiveness, Preference for the product and 5) facilitation of mental images.The following-discussion will elaborate further on the topic of music as a facilitator of mental images, and its role in advertising, education, communication, psychology, and marketing. The Importance of The Role Assigned To Music In An Ad It seems that the salience of music in an ad will depend on whether the ad is primarily affective or cognitive based (Park and Young, 1986; and Holbrook and Hirschman, 1982), who the target market is, and how well the message communication goal (meaning) of the ad will fit with the music.Consequently, we suggest a tentative hierarchy of musical presence model, to define the role assigned to music in communicating the advertising message. Basically, the degree to which music is assigned a dominant role is revealed by the degree to which it will be in the fore ground, be distinctive, will be noticed, and will be more likely to be part of an affect-based ad. The degree to which music is assigned a less dominant role is the degree to which it will recede into the background, be less distinctive, be less attention-getting, and the ad will be less likely to be affect-based.This model is based on observation of about 60 advertisements on day-time T. V. , and is presented here as way of summarizing the role music plays going from a most dominant and distinctive to a barely noticeable presence, to no presence. Since many ads have a combination of cognitive and affective components, with degrees of emphasis on one or the other, the role of music will tend to follow this degree of emphasis in the advertisement. That is, all things being equal, the more salient the role music has in the ad, the more affect-based the ad is likely to be, and We less salient role music has, the more cognitive-based the ad will be.The hierarchy of musical presence mode l is suggested as follows, going from most to least salient: A. in ads where music primarily carries the entire message and meaning, music will be used in the following ways: 1. When music with lyrics carries the ad's verbal message and meaning, it has been assigned a dominant role in also providing an atmosphere, creating an image, setting a mood, and influencing affect throughout the ad. The ad will be primarily affective-based, appealing to feelings. In this case, music will always be in the foreground, with very little voice-over, if any.Sometimes music composed especially for the purpose of the ad, or a fairly well-known song for example, such as â€Å"April in Paris† (for rich French roast coffee by Maxwell House), can be used primarily to carry the message of the ad. The use of â€Å"April in Paris† reflects the age of the target market, desire for foreign travel, and its taste in style of music; 2. When the lyrics of the song do not carry the ad's message direc tly (the words are about things other than the product and do not contribute to the atmosphere or mood), but the music is in the foreground throughout the ad, and is the primary form of communication; 3. hen instrumental or electronic music (without lyrics) is in the foreground, there is almost no voice-over, and the verbal message is brief and in written form, music has also been assigned a dominant role and will provide the above-mentioned attributes; B. in ads where the message is carried primarily by a voice-over, music is used in the following ways: 1. Music is in the background, very quiet, generally not distinctive, resembles â€Å"elevator music,† and the voice-over continues throughout the ad; 2. The music background lasts for the duration of one or two short verbal phrases, usually at the end of the ad.It is used to emphasize a phrase as in a key brand attribute, or logo; 3. No music. Although most commercials use music, some research has indicated that music may di stract from message processing, and other research supports the facilitating effect of music. While musical characteristics or elements do shape overall musical meaning, a musical selection can distract or enhance message processing, if placed in an inappropriate advertising context, where the ad's intended meaning and the music are not a good.While music may enhance processing in one setting, it may distract in another. Its impact largely depends on how well it fits with the advertisement's meaning, and the audience's level and type of ad involvement. In trying to determine what musical selection fits with what advertisement, a clear communication goal of the ad is required (cognitive, affective), along with knowledge of the intended target market's musical taste, preferences, and if possible, the meanings and feelings associated with particular musical selections.Finally, it is useful to possess an understanding of the musical characteristics or elements of the designated musical selection, as these often affect the above variables. From the musical presence hierarchy model, we note through preliminary observation that the more salient music is in an ad, the more affect-based the ad is. In general, advertising practitioners have used music which was familiar with their target market, and which fit with the ad's meaning. Note that under conditions of high cognitive involvement, music is seldom used, and when used, seldom effective.How, When, Why Music Works In Imagery Production A number of studies find that music is considered as a valid facilitator of mental images. Music also has been used as a stimulus to evoke images in educational and therapeutic settings. Music used simultaneously with words and sounds was found to increase image production. Farnsworth (1976) reports that music evokes very little universally similar mental imagery beyond what appears in all cultures, such as the use of soft melodies for mothers' lullabies.He also states that in western culture most people of the same subculture have similar imagery stimulated when presented with a descriptive narrative with specific imagery using concrete words. These words used to accompany music make for powerful, learned associations, so that when we hear the â€Å"Star Spangled Banner,† we hear the words that go with it and we all tend to have similar visual imagery. Since the same music may not evoke uniform imagery among listeners, there is uncertainty regarding whether or not high and low imagery music can be 1) agreed upon, and 2) distinguished by the type of music represented.Although the designative meaning of music is made up of individual images, thoughts, and memories associated with a particular musical piece (Meyer, 1956), and is therefore frequently individualistic, musicians have often written programmatic music with titles which encourage similar imagery. For example, Mussorgsky used pizzicato strings to represent what he labeled â€Å"chicken cluckingâ €  in his â€Å"Pictures at an Exhibition. † Advertisers of course supply â€Å"labels† with verbal statements about the product (emphasized by music) and/or lyrics of jingles.It appears that prior learning and verbal associations, when paired repeatedly with certain pieces of music, are likely to evoke more nearly uniform mental imagery among listeners. In a marketing and advertising context, imagery impacts consumers' knowledge in many important ways. Imagery systems contribute to a definition of product imagery and affect how a brand â€Å"communicates† with the consumer. Imagery is a process through which sensory information is stored in working memory.Since memory imagery involves sensory and concrete representations of ideas, feelings, and memories, it can allow a visual reconstruction of an event in one's mind which has been experienced before and stored in memory. Among the variables that can produce imagery-in an advertisement are words, imagery inst ructions, and music. Stewart, Farmer, and Stannard (forthcoming) note that in those situations where image advertising uses music, the use of a musical cue provides the opportunity to elicit images, beliefs, and associations.Their forthcoming study's results indicate that music with lyrics is statistically significant in eliciting more image types of responses referring to people, actions, or setting than verbal cues. Findings in this study suggest that the musical cue is a more sensitive measure of memory than verbal product and brand cues. Another example where imagery plays a part in the degree of fit between the music and the meaning of the advertisement is in the romantic, nostalgic song â€Å"I'll Be Seeing You. Used as background for a FTD florist ad, this song may prove effective. However, if paired with the packing up of a seasonal, everyday item like a portable fan, the effect will be somewhat comical. The organization of musical elements remain the same in the song, but the context surrounding the music has changed from a romantic, nostalgic setting (a good fit in terms of imagery) to a more mundane one. Therefore imagery of the product and the ad can be affected by the f t between musical meaning and the meaning of the ad. Music Also Affects Important Mood States.When a person enters in a restaurant, supermarket, or malls for shopping, Customers when enter in shopping malls, restaurant, or supermarkets their walking pace is fast and no product catch their eye they follow their mind set. They usually do not have in good mood due to huge traffic and unpleasant noise. Music not only slow down their pace but make their mood positive which ultimately increase the sales. Music not only enhances recall for a product or an ad through an evoked image, but it may evoke a mood, feelings, emotions, and behaviors.Consumer behavior theorists have conceptualized how consumers' attitudes, affective states, and behaviors have been impacted by moods under central a nd peripheral processing, as well as affect -and behavior conditioning. Variables Affecting Mood Moods can be affected by many different variables. Gardner (1985) discusses studies of independent variables found to induce mood states, such as weather and temperature variation, positive test feedback, finding a dime in a phone booth, winning a computer game, receiving a free gift, getting cookies, and receiving good news and bad news.Participation in activities such as smiling or frowning, reading stories, and recalling or imagining emotional experiences may also induce mood changes. In view of the fact that music is a common element in commercials, and one which has a long history of mood inducement in a variety of contexts, the next section will focus on how music has been used as an independent variable to affect moods, as well as other dependent variables of interest to marketers. For brevity, this section will highlight key studies.Details on these and other studies are in Alper t and Alpert (1990) and Bruner (forthcoming). Gorn (1982) suggests that peripheral influences such as background music used in commercials may become associated with the advertised product (in memory, even if not consciously), and influence product choice through classical conditioning. Mere exposure did not lead to liking, which apparently depended on whether the target product, a pen, was presented with liked vs. disliked music.The second experiment by Gorn (1982) provided support for his hypothesis that when subjects were not in a decision-making mode; the commercial's impact appeared to be more influential in its appeal when presented with musical background as opposed to product information. He concluded that through classical conditioning, the product becomes associated with the positive feelings of liked music. ? Commercial Business Uses of Music in Advertising Business uses of music in advertising date back to the earliest days of broadcast media.In the 1920s and 1930s, mark eters like Procter and Gamble pioneered the concept of linking brand names to distinctive musical and dramatic themes. The approach was used not only in radio ads, but also in programming that the companies developed and controlled. It was later adapted to television commercials and to the enormously popular soap operas of the 1950s. Now music is used in advertising in key formats as a useful tool to sell products. Radio Two characteristics of radio give music a particularly important role.First, the medium is entirely dependent on engaging, creative audio. Second, because most listeners tune into the radio while driving or performing other activities, music helps to focus the consumer's attention on the product. Jingles, which are original tunes composed specifically to support a certain brand, are widespread in radio advertising. They are effective in enhancing recall of the brand name and key selling points. Television and Multimedia Producers of television commercials and other forms of multimedia advertising frequently purchase licensing rights to popular music.They also hire composers and lyricists to create original music. In these media, it is important for music to complement, not compete with, the visual elements of an ad. However, songs and background tunes can be more memorable than pictures and words in establishing a mood or bringing a brand image to life. Branded Entertainment or Product Placement: Rapidly growing in popularity, this is the newest way of integrating music with a business strategy. An original entertainment product, like a music video, is created by marketers to showcase their brand.The idea is to build consumers' sense of connection to a brand by engaging them with music. Coke Studio a big Success for Coke: Music is helping Coke against its competitor Pepsi in the cola war in Pakistan. By sponsoring â€Å"Coke Studio, Coke has gained major market share at Pepsi's expense, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Coke n ow claims 35% of market share in Pakistan; Pepsi's market share is now down to 65% from a high of 80% in 1990s which was achieved mainly through sponsorship of cricket in Pakistan.Coke Studio, sponsored by Coca Cola Pakistan, is a one-hour show that features musicians playing a distinct blend of fusion music that mixes traditional and modern styles. Helped by the media boom in Pakistan, the show has had dramatic success since it was launched three years ago. Effects of Music on Shoppers and Restaurant Patrons: According to a research people who heard music while shopping or eating at a restaurant or mall is influenced by the music and it affects what they buy and what they spend.Loudness, pace, rhythm of music effects on how long consumer spends their time in malls and restaurants, how much they purchase and how they view brands or products positively or negatively. Another research shows that departmental stores which play, top 20 music on the music chart, shoppers over 25 of those departmental stores believe that they have spent more time there and purchased more. On the other hand, departmental stores which play soft instrumental music, shoppers under 25 believe that they have spent more time shopping than they have.Therefore, these findings indicate that less preferred or unfamiliar music slows down the perceived time of the shoppers. (Yalch & Spangenberg, 1990). REFERENCES http://www. queenslandnewsagents. com. au/assets/images/MusicConsumerBehaviour. pdf www. musiccog. ohio-state. edu http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Songs_in_advertising http://www. acrwebsite. org/search/view-conference-proceedings. aspx? Id=7166 suit101. com southasiainvestor. com riazhaq. com pakistanlink. org

Dessartation Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Dessartation Proposal - Essay Example Further, the Project would be managed by a consortium of developers – International with partnership of local ones. In a third-world city, there are numerous pressures from the local political and economic setup for additions and deletions of the proposed route. This can take the form of tedious litigation that should be factored in the planning process. A failure to do so would result in time and cost overruns. Before embarking on a project the size of a metro, the scope in terms of the kilometre or mile length and the routes that it would cover needs to be decided. This is of course subject to iterations as the various approvals and considerations of the authorities and the citizenry themselves needs to be taken into account. Also, the land to be acquired for laying the metro needs to be identified upfront and all obstacles to the acquisition must be dealt with. This is the single biggest reason for delays in the metro projects worldwide. As far as possible the scope of the project should be frozen before the commencement of actual work. However, in reality, it would not be feasible to completely have the blue-print ready before we literally â€Å"hit the ground†. Any changes to scope must be approved by a board of the project consisting of the representatives of the consortium, the local authorities and the public if invited. An â€Å"in principle† approval has to be ensured before the scope of the project is submitted for funding and technical feasibilities. Time is of the essence in any project and particularly so in the case of a metro for a city that is groaning under the weight of the inadequate infrastructure. There should be sweeteners for completion on time and penalties for delays. Of course, delays on account of litigation, no approvals and other exigencies should be factored into the budget. As outlined above, delays in the timelines are mainly due to legal

Iron Ore Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Iron Ore - Dissertation Example However, most of the reserves that harbor such natural ores have now been depleted. Pig iron is made out of iron ore. This pig iron is one of the main raw materials used in the making of steel. Iron ore is believed to contribute more to the global economy than any other commodity in the world. Hematite is the main iron ore in the Brazilian miles (Axinn 2006). In the global world, metallic world is virtually unknown. It is the fourth most abundant element in the world, though, silicate or carbonate minerals are the vastest minerals. Formidable and extremely energy intensive barriers often are used to separate supremely pure iron from other minerals (David 2006). Before the industrial revolution, most of the iron used was obtained from goethite, which was widely available. Societies during the pre historic times used laterite as the main source of ore. Most of the iron ore used by the emergent industrialized societies was obtained from haematite. These deposits are often called the nat ural ores. The increased iron ore demands in conjunction with the depletion of the most high quality haematite in the United States of America led to development of low quality sources of iron. This happened especially after Second World War. These lower sources of iron require beneficiation to improve on their quality. Magnetite on the other hand, is used due to its magnetic properties. Therefore, it is able to be separated easily from other minerals and was able to produce high quality concentrate with minimal impurities. The mining of these iron ores vary considerably with the type of ore that is being mined. Currently, there are four types of ores of iron being worked on. The business of mining ore is often a low margin one due to the significant low level of iron than other base metals. It is expensive to mine, meaning it is extremely capital intensive. It requires a heavy investment in infrastructure such as rail transport in order to transport the ore from the mining sites to the freight ship. Therefore, mining of ore is concentrated among the majority few. The world leading and largest iron producer is Brazil. This mining corporation is referred to as vale. Other developed countries follow the line due to the high costs involved in the mining and transportation of the ore. My research question arises from my curiosity to find out how iron ore is produced, consumed and distributed in the global market. This is because I understand that the cost involved in its mining process and transportation is quite high. Therefore, I would like to find out how extreme the ore is mined and the processes used in the mining process (Edward 2007). Executive Summary This research is concerned with the production, consumption and distribution of iron ore globally. In other words, it seeks to show candidly the cycle of iron ores from its mining and separation from impurities until the moment it is processed and distributed to the global market for various uses. The researc h shows all the methods used in extraction of these iron ores and how it is separated from other metallic substances or impurities. It also reveals research rationale that is used in carrying out my research. In addition, this research paper has addressed my research question based on the prevailing international market and all the key findings that emerge (Institute 1997). Moreover, the methodology I use to address the research question is emergent in the research paper. The paper

Financial Performance Comparison Research Proposal

Financial Performance Comparison - Research Proposal Example It should be noted that both of these business organizations are important players in the global pharmaceutical industry. Astrazeneca is involved in the "discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals primarily for the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neuroscience, oncology, respiratory and inflammation, and infection areas in the healthcare sector worldwide" (Astrazeneca Plc Profile 2006). GSK is the major competitor of Astrazeneca as the former engages in the "creation, discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical and consumer health related products worldwide" (GlaxoSmithKline Plc Profile 2006). In comparing the profitability of investing in these pharmaceutical companies, financial ratio analysis will be conducted. Financial ratio analysis is a very essential tool in assessing the financial health of a business entity. It enables a financial analyst to spot trends in a business and to compare it with the performance of similar business enterprises within the same industry. This tool is currently utilized by business managers, investors, creditors, suppliers, and other decision makers in order to determine the financial performance and well being of a business organisation. Financial ratios are grouped into five categories, each showing a different aspect of a company's financial operations. These are profitability ratios, financial leverage ratios, liquidity/solvency ratios, efficiency ratios, and investor ratios. 2.1. Profitability Ratios Profitability ratios measure the ability of the company to generate income from its investments less the costs incurred (Fraser & Ormiston 2004). Return on capital employed is a variant of return on investment. Return on capital employed (ROCE) is a measure how well the company is utilizing its capital. The computed sales profit margin, which is the ratio of operating income to sales measures as a percentage of sales, the excess revenue from sales over cost of normal operation excluding financing. Asset turnover measures the amount of sales generated by every pound in the company's assets. Net profit margin, on the other hand, is the ratio of net income to sales showing the company's ability to efficiently manage cost and turn its revenue into profits (Fraser and Ormiston 2006). Logically, higher performance ratios indicate a healthier financial condition. Table 1. At first look, it becomes apparent that GSK is more profitable than Astrazeneca. GSK reports higher return on capital employed, gross profit margin, and net profit margin from 2003-2005. Astrazeneca only manages to overtake GSK in asset turnover ratio during 2005, implying that the former is more efficient in utilizing its resources to generate revenue. Looking at the ratios more closely, it can also be deduced that even though GSK shows higher profitability than Astrazeneca, this ability to make profits has been significantly declining over the years. From the ROCE of 78.28% in 2003, GSK's performance has slumped attaining an ROCE of 38.06 last year. Gross profit margin and asset turnover have also dropped from 78.28% and 2.48 times to 76

Machiavelli's The Prince Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Machiavelli's The Prince - Essay Example 7, 2006) These principles have become insightful and meaningful political policies in the 16th century onwards in the European society. (http://www.123helpme.com/view.aspid=23518, Nov. 7, 2006) Although Machiavelli did not state directly how some European societies had failed in ruling them, he had specifically implied the thought through several examples that were presented in the book. But, The Prince did not, nevertheless, forget to point out those rulers who were worthy of praise in delivering the best principalities to its people. As each ruler change, the challenges that he faces also changes. The more that the society looks forward to modernization, the more that the ruler meets a challenging and a more demanding society. Moreover, the challenges and his reactions to these challenges at the same time depend upon how he acquired the principality. Therefore, the newer the ruler becomes, the more difficult are the problems that he faces. "I say, then, that in hereditary states accustomed to the rule of their prince's family there are far fewer difficulties in maintaining them than in new states; for it suffices simply not to break ancient customs, and then to suit one's actions to unexpected events; in this manner, if such a prince is of ordinary ability, he will always maintain his state, unless some extraordinary and inordinate force deprive him of it; and although it may be taken away from him, he will regain it with the slightest mistake of the usurper."(Machiavelli, p. 8) Machiavelli's conclusions were based from his experiences and observations from the previous rulers that he had encountered. Furthermore, in order for the ruler to convene the challenges of the modern society such that of the European society, a set of values is needed to be put into practice. But coping up with these problems, or rather overcoming them still depends upon how they had acquired the principality. One of the most significant points Machiavelli had stressed out were those of the different policies or strategies that a ruler may employ in developing a good society. The ruler's ability to exercise his power should be taken into account, as well as his ability to implement rules in the community. This may even encourage him to adopt new strategies in exercising his power up to an extent where he will be able to keep a hold on to the society he rules. There are however, traditional values that are found to be appropriate if applied in the modern society. Every principality should be governed differently such that every ruler faces his own difficulty in ruling the state. Still, depending on the ways in which the ruler had acquired the principality, there is a need for him to examine the situations and the values that he should practice in order to appropriately direct the society, and at the same time save it from his enemies. "As I have said, when those states that are acquired are used to living by their own laws and in freedom, there are three methods of holding on to them: the first is to destroy them; the second is to go there in person to live; the third is to allow them to live with their own laws, forcing them to pay a tribute and creating therein a government made up of a few people who will keep

Makeup HW Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Makeup HW - Assignment Example Serfdom-that is what it is-and who wants to be a serf?† (Nadya) They also think that they would not be able to co-exist with each other in the community farms because even in their privately owned farms, they still could not go days without disagreeing when Lukyan said â€Å"Nowadays members of the same family get in each other’s way and quarrel and fight, and here we are, strangers, are supposed to be like one family. Can we-dark, beastly muzhiks-make a go of it without scratching each other’s faces, pulling each other’s hair or hurling stones at one another?† (Nadya) They view the agitators of collectivism as people who are intent on destroying their way of life, wanting them to bend to their rule by force. One of the muzhik said, â€Å"We do as we please. ... They claimed that they exploited the resources for their own benefit and did not think of the future whereas they thought of the future. The Communist Party official said â€Å"Isn’t it about time you stopped thinking each one for himself, for his own piggish hide? You koolaks of course will never become reconciled to a new order. You love to fatten on other people’s blood. But we know how to deal with you. We’ll wipe you off the face of the earth, even as we have the capitalists in the city. Make no mistake about our intentions and our powers. We shan’t allow you to profit from the weakness of the bedniak.† (Nadya) Living through Industrialization The Stalinist industrialization enabled the Soviet workers to move from the countryside to the cities, thrust millions of them into technical institutes where they learnt new skills and nurtured new ambition, provided them with jobs, citizenship and enabled them to venture into politics. The Tatar electri cian stated â€Å"Before October, in old tsarist Russia, we weren’t even considered people. We couldn’t even dream about education, or getting a job in a state enterprise. And now I am a citizen of the USSR. Like all citizens, I have the right to a job, to education, to leisure. I can elect and be elected to the soviet (legislative council). Is this not an indication of the supreme achievements of our country?† (Davis) The criticisms voiced in this excerpt are from the citizens who were the actual labourers and they include the soviet worker who wrote a letter in 1938 when he said, â€Å"However, to be honest, those shouts are mechanical, made from habit†¦ in fact, in his heart, when he comes home, this bawler, eulogist, will agree with his family, his wife who reproaches

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Management - Essay Example To avoid misuse and to promote efficient delivery of goals, the government must enforce more stringent measures of regulation and control on the banking and financial sector especially in the given environment of global market meltdown. Answer 2 The property rights and contracts are very important in a market place. A contract is a legal instrument that safeguards the interests of people who forge certain defined relationship through legally enforceable contractual set of rules and guidelines. In the recessive economy and deteriorating market conditions, new issues with wide ranging implications could have serious consequences for business. The property rights are vital issues within social fabric as they facilitate people to exercise control over their resources that they hold or own. Within a market economy, the contract promotes the property rights of business’ products and services and ensures that buyers and sellers maintain their contract as specified within the law. The property rights and contracts therefore help safeguard the rights business over their products and services as well as the rights of consumers who use those products and services. Answer 3 The major Rim countries like Japan, China, India and Malaysia etc. have significant influence on the global commerce due to the fast socio economic development. Through market liberalization, technological advancement and adopting change, they have emerged as major economies to challenge America’s monopoly in the global market. In the deteriorating financial condition of America with massive foreign debts and deficit account balance, dollar has been adversely impacted. As such, collapse of dollar within the new market based economy and increasing importance of Rim countries have redefined socio-economic and political economy of the globe. Indeed, these countries have now turned the table and become major donors rather than borrowers. The developing economies and regional markets now provid e huge potential of growth to the developed nations and are therefore in better position to bargain. Answer 4 Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 and Clayton Act of 1914 are still important because they promote healthy market competition and dissuade monopoly in market (cornell university, n.d). Unregulated monopolies of products and services adversely impact economy as they tend to eliminate competition. Monopoly promotes the concept of single seller or supplier for products which has so substitute. Thus, the situation can be exploited by the party through higher prices, inferior quality and hindering creativity within market. Sherman Act prohibits monopolies of any kind, especially trusts which tend to transfer power to single entity, across interstate trade and commerce. Clayton Act further strengthened the market regulations when commercial practices like price differentiation, buying out competition etc. were made illegal. Answer 5 The political business strategy is highly pertinent in the current environment of rapid globalization. They broadly refer to the political risks vis-a-vis non market imperatives and macro environment issues that impact business performance across the globe. Thus, political stability and national and regional laws where global business tend to expand their business, the different environmental laws,

Comparing Human Resource Management in Multinational and Local Essay

Comparing Human Resource Management in Multinational and Local Companies in Hong Kong - Essay Example Moreover, there is a clear difference in how it is executed. All employees from the American company were divided into different groups, and in order to ensure efficient management of the employees, a manager was assigned to each group. The company also had a data base where each individual's sales performance and feedback from customers was encoded and saved. In these instances, in terms of employee performance, employees within the group were also allowed to put in their opinion of their colleagues. Using numerical totals from the database, an evaluation on how each person has been performing could easily be established. Moreover, the interesting part of this database is on how customers’ feedback was also accounted for in the overall evaluation of the employees. The fact that the employees formed groups to monitor one another was very much in keeping with the findings of Bjorkman (2003) on Chinese companies’ putting greater emphasis on team work. The Swiss company al so showed traces of an Appraisal system in place. They also went through a performance evaluation process for their employees. They mostly divided their staff into two groups: first, the lower level staff which were general operational staff, and second, the other staff which were usually higher level employees. The lower level staff usually underwent a two-way communication process using the Preference Evaluation (PE) form. Employees would then set objectives at the beginning of the year, with fulfillment of the objectives monitored throughout the year. By the end of the year, their managers usually evaluated the individuals by assessing whether or not they have achieved their objectives. A performance rating also followed the assessment. Among higher level staff, they also underwent a similar evaluation process, however, the review was called performance cycle, and was usually done through an online tool. These individuals also set objectives at the beginning of the year and were then monitored throughout the year. The difference in these two groups of employees is that towards the end of the year, there was a performance calibration session conducted by the managers on the employees. Such a session was not carried out on managers. This session consisted of an open forum where the managers discussed employee performance and then agree on a performance rating for each employee. This allowed a more unbiased evaluation of the employees. It also created a chance for cross department discussions and the sharing of opinions among these departments. In contrast, employees from the Hong Kong Company revealed that their company was using a more traditional appraisal system. Managers evaluated employees’ attitude in the workplace, and took into account the number of times each employee was late for work or if their work was done on time. The Hong Kong company does not have an evaluation system like the other two companies, and the employees’ evaluation i s mainly based on their performance and the perception of their managers. The Swiss company’s evaluating system shares some similarities with the American company. They both have a database for the easy evaluation of their employees. They also have groups which help with the evaluation process and which help illuminate the probability of bias. Both companies have traces of HR practices from the East and the

Corporate Social Responsibility, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Essay Example for Free

Corporate Social Responsibility, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Essay A framework refers to a basic conceptional structure of something, a set of facts or ideas that provides the necessary support for something (Steinberg 2009). On the other hand, a learning framework is a programmed academic work that is needed for the Co-operation education completion (Fisher 2008). The framework helps in planning on how objectives and goals of a given individual or organization are achieved. This is done through the use of Co-operative Education Placement organization (CPO) and provides a person’s academic program with a solid foundation. This framework feeds the educators with an expertise foundation concerning learning. It serves as a richly effective system for organizing, addressing and describing learning strengths and weaknesses. Learning framework consists of 8 constructs namely: attention, complex thinking, language, memory, social cognition, neural motor functions, temporal-sequential ordering and spatial Roderick. Learning Goal 1: Being self directed and reflexive learners                Self-directed learning in CPO is not a new concept. Its contributions and related information has been written down. Unfortunately, its notion has a variety of applications and interpretations in the arena of corporate training. Its typical narrow interpretations involve providing learners with some sort of choice in their learning. For example learners are allowed to select one or more courses from structured job training. Reflective learning on the other hand helps in developing self awareness, analytical skills and critical thinking which is important to both students and staff. It helps in informing about what didn’t work or worked, what may be done differently, or how people may develop their practice or behavior. Learning goal 2: Being knowledgeable in the major field of study                Knowledge consists of many varying facets encompassing skills from learning to understand how to create or build how to manage finances, and resonating with nature. My role in acquiring knowledge through CPO is to ensure that education provided consists of all the required skills of running an organization. Key tasks involved                Keep an open mind. Learning always challenges our assumptions and the pre-wired reaction is to ignore the conflicting ideas. Don’t dismiss something automatically as it fails to neatly fit in your current world’s vision. Deciding the type of knowledge you want to acquire. This incorporates two types of knowledge that is specialized knowledge where you want to focus specifically on breadth rather than depth. The other one is specific knowledge where you have to focus on the depth of the skills or information you want to acquire. Get out of the comfort zone. Involves learning things that might based on your keenest interest through engaging in your community activities. Check on boards for local announcement or from your community website. This enhances the access of a number of learning opportunities: classes, dances, community theatre or economic aid. Don’t be afraid to fail. It is the most significant advice in learning on how to be knowledgeable. Owning and learning to your mistake will help in gaining knowledge in your major areas that will help in remembering the correct information better. My personal attributes and role will help my CPO in acquiring the required values and skills necessary in learning. Learning goal 3: Being problem solvers and enquirers (internal environment)                Internal environment involves the factors that influence/affect business operations from within (Coley 2010). The interrelationships within the organization involve how different departments interrelate with one another such as sales, production, marketing, billing and research. The structure of the organization defines how these departments interrelate and interacts with one another, and the chain of commands running through different levels. These interrelationships within the organization are managed by my CPO through provision of the required knowledge and skills. This knowledge is acquired through training that facilitates better relationships within the organization. The organizational chart                From the key tasks in LG2, they all interrelate with one another with a cohesive relationship. In order for the organizational tasks to be completed, a good relationship is needed from the organizational culture to resource management. For effective management of internal relationships, my CPO facilitates through providing managerial skills required in different departments of the organization, the employer should facilitate regular training, favorable working environment, effective means of communication and strong internal controls. LG 3.2- critical enquirers and problem solvers, impacts of external environment on the CPO and industry                External environment involves external factors such as customers and competitors who affect the operations of the business from outside (Xue 2008). My CPO involves a method of combining education based on classroom with practical work experience. Within this sector of the industry, a number of key factors are considered for effective management and better interrelationships. Some of these factors include; the size of the industry, consumer demand of its products and the rate of growth. The current business world has been facing a lot of challenges in its effort of meeting the needs of the customers. A major issue is on the lack of clarity in the scope of the functions of the business. This issue may have a positive impact to my CPO and its industry sector as many business people would be seeking for the relevant knowledge. External stakeholders such as customers, competitors, and the government may contribute to a better relationship if well catered for by the industry. LG 3.3 business management                The topic investigates on the role of management on staffing. This is a very essential area that needs to be carried out with all due knowledge as it determines the progress of the business. Learning goal 4: ethical and social responsibility facing society and business                Ethical means to do with what is wrong and right, based on morality (Cafoliete 2010). Social responsibility is refers to an ethical theory that an individual or organization has an obligation to act for societal benefits (Amaeshi 2013). An ethical decision facilitates better services and creates a good image of an organization. My CPO and industry may consider offering training on how to ethical business characteristics and ensures customer needs are fully met (Bates 2013). Lack of enough skills may lead to a challenge in my CPO on making business decision that is ethical. LG 5: work collaboratively                Communication is a key factor in every business organization. Communication enhances better relationships with others in the industry thus facilitating work collaborations. My strength in this aspect is that my CPO consists of the largest communication department which links with other external organizations. The major weakness is on the poor communication skills currently displayed by many of the departmental attendants. My goal is to ensure that communication has been enhanced and effective channels installed. The strategies to be put in place include; in-service training and workshops should be held regularly, installation of communication devices in all departments and skilled managers employed. In order to assess whether the goals have been achieved, it should be measured in terms of profit margin and the number of customers. Aspect 2: working effectively in teams                Team work is a key tool in enhancing effective operations and increased productivity. It brings unity thus enhancing collaboration with others. The strengths in this aspect are that majority of the group members are of the same age thus works well as a group. The weakness is on the team leadership as my CPO industry has a few experienced managers. My goal is to develop the strongest working team in the industry. The strategies set include ensuring that more skilled managers are employed, workshops held to regular basis to train members on how to have strong working teams. Though it is hard to assess the strength of a team, my industry will check on the interrelationship between the internal and external environments to assess whether the goal has been met. References Amaeshi, K., Nnodim, P. (2013). Corporate Social Responsibility, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Augustine, C. H. (2009). Improving school leadership the promise of cohesive leadership systems. Santa Monica, CA: RAND. Bates, C. G. (2013). Global social issues an encyclopedia. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe. Bender, T. (2012). Discussion-based online teaching to enhance student learning: theory, practice, and assessment (2nd ed.). Sterling, Va.: Stylys. Clayton, P. E. (2009). Essential law for your business: a practical guide to all legal and financial requirements (13th ed.). London: Kogan Page. Fisher, D., Frey, N. (2008). Better learning through structured teaching a framework for the gradual release of responsibility. Alexandria, Va.: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. LaFollette, H. (2010). The Blackwell guide to ethical theory. Oxford, OX, UK: Blackell Publishers. Menon, R., Kumar, R. (2010). The long view from Delhi: to define the Indian grand strategy for foreign policy. New Delhi: Academic Foundation in association with Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. Schuh, C. (2012). The CPO transforming procurement in the real world. Berkeley, CA: Apress ;. Snoeyenbos, M., Almeder, R. F., Humber, J. M. (2011). Business ethics (3rd ed.). Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books. Steinberg, D. (2009). EMF: Eclipse Modeling Framework (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Addison-Wesley. Source document

Review Of The Invisible Man Philosophy Essay

Review Of The Invisible Man Philosophy Essay Social isolation, corruption of power, and moral decline these aspects of the main character are framed in H. G. Wells late nineteenth-century classic, The Invisible Man. This is a science fiction tale of a brilliant scientist who slowly goes insane after discovering how to make himself invisible. The ultimate power of near-perfect impunity of his actions led him to imagine he was god-like. He thought the moral conduct of society and its laws did not apply to him. By isolating himself from everyone, selfishly pursuing fame and fortune, he lost complete touch with his own humanity even before he became invisible. First, by isolating himself from everyone and selfishly pursuing his goal, Griffin did not question the moral soundness of his plan. He was so caught up in the idea that he alone would achieve fame and fortune; that the moral aspect of his plans simply didnt occur to him. He became obsessed with the secrecy aspect as well; he thought that he could accomplish everything without any help from others. Consequently, when he needed money for his grand scheme, Griffin stole from his father, resulting in his father taking his own life in shame. For this horrible deed, he felt no remorse, nor did he want to be troubled by funeral plans or restoring his fathers good name. He considered others as mere tools; a means to his end. His only thought was to simply get back to his beloved experiments. To him, invisibility meant invincibility and impunity to do whatever he wanted no matter what the cost to others. As a result of keeping himself from social contact and not consulting with his colleague s, he was oblivious to the insanity of his actions. In addition to isolating himself and following his own counsel; not considering his fellow man, Griffin denies the responsibility Gods Word gives each of us, that we are indeed our brothers keeper. How far down this moral decline can take someone is a clear message in The Invisible Man. The result of obedience to Gods laws should be to love our neighbor as ourselves and in doing such, we fulfill the law. Throughout the story Griffin slips so far into moral depravity that he considers disobedience of his law makes murder, even mass murder, justified! Therefore, he puts himself above Gods laws. I feel this book has made me reconsider how important it is to consult with other more experienced people when devising life-changing plans. Generally, I consider myself as someone with good moral judgment and basic common sense. However, this does not take the place of experience; which of course, comes with time. Most people, at some point in their lives, have thought of how cool it would be to have a superpower, but after reading this book I realize it might not be as wonderful as it seems. It is a good thing to dream of the possibilities that are yet to be realized; however, at the same time its imperative that we have a measuring stick for defining what is right from wrong and that measuring stick is Gods Word. Knowing this, it struck me as being very odd that Griffin never questioned his judgment or recognized that his brilliant mind was a gift from God and not to be used for his own selfish gain. There is a difference between wisdom and intelligence. Griffin relied solely on h is intellect alone, and did not balance his knowledge with the wisdom of Gods Word. Understanding this, I see the grave mistake Griffin made by trusting solely in his own intellect. Many others around him, whom he had never met, suffered due to his reckless lack of consideration. He failed to question whether or not being capable of doing something gave him the right to do it. Sometimes it is easy to forget that when we really want to do a certain thing, others may be affected by that decision. This story was a stark reminder of that fact. Griffin did not lack motivation, determination, or drive, however, lacking true wisdom, the attainment of his dreams ended in futility in spite of all his hard work. It also strikes me as very disturbing that Griffin at one point realized his folly but, he had in his own mind reached the point of no return: The more I thought it over, Kemp, the more I realized what a helpless absurdity an invisible man wasin a cold and dirty climate and a crowded civilized city. Before I made this mad experiment I had dreamt of a thousand advantagesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦I went over the heads of the things a man reckons desirable. No doubt invisibility made it possible to get them, but it made them impossible to enjoy them when they are got. Ambition what is the good of pride of place when you cant appear there? What is the good of a love of a woman when her name must needs be Delilah? I have no taste for politics, for the black-guardisms of fame, for philanthropy, for sport. What was I to do? And for this I had become a wrapped-up mystery, a swathed and bandaged caricature of a man! In conclusion, we are made in Gods image to be social creatures and to live by His Word. No matter how fantastic an idea may seem, it is important to seek Godly counsel and pray about decisions we make, otherwise we may end up wasting the gifts weve received. Once we start down a slippery slope, it is a whole lot harder to climb back up. Some people never do, like Griffin, and their life ends in tragedy; taking others along with them.

Music Gives Me the Blues Essay -- Music History

Music Gives Me the Blues â€Å"The Blues are the roots; everything else is the fruits†-Willie Dixon. The blues has deep roots in American history, particularly African-American history. How can something so simple become a massive tree whose roots transcended through different genres? According to Biography.com, W.C. Handy, â€Å"the father of the Blues,† brought the Blues to the mainstream in1912 with the hit â€Å"Memphis Blues.† After the public heard the twelve note structure with the deep bass lines, the tree began to bear fruit. The Blues tree produced pioneers in all forms of music, from the haunting sound of Robert Johnson to the â€Å"King of the Juke Box† Louis Jordan. After all, where would other forms of music be if the â€Å"Carter Family† did not hook up with Lesley Riddle, Jelly â€Å"Roll† Morton did not get the message, and the â€Å"King† did not have the Blues? Art Menius said, â€Å"The African-American music of the rural south provided the source for gospel, jazz, and blues, while the often ignored black contribution to country music and hillbilly music went far beyond providing the banjo and Charley Pride.† In 1928, A.P. Carter, the patriarch of the legendary Carter Family, the first family of country music, met a blues guitarist by the name of Lesley â€Å"Esley† Riddle. Lesley Riddle had created a unique picking and sliding technique on the guitar while he was recovering from an accident on the job. The Carter Family was looking for a new sound of music, and they were so overwhelmed by the sound that Lesley produced, they wanted him to teach them how to play that way. Lesley Riddle influenced Maybelle Carter’s style of guitar playing called the â€Å"Carter Scratch,† which became legendary. According to birthplaceofcountrymusic.org, Riddle’s influe... ...ey cannot deny that the Blues has influenced different genres from the cotton fields to the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame. Works Consulted â€Å"African American Roots.† Birthplaceofcountrymusic.org Web. 14 Nov. 2010 â€Å"A History of Blues Music.† Scaruffi.com. Web. 14 Nov. 2010 â€Å"Rock ‘n’ Roll Timeline 1877 to 1959.† Digitaldreamdoor.com. Web. 28 Nov. 2010 â€Å"Jazz/Blues Crossover.† Allmusic.com. 28 Nov. 2010 â€Å"Jelly Roll Morton.† Redhotjazz.com. 28 Nov. 2010 â€Å"Jazz History Lyrics-Jazz History.† 28 Nov. 2010 â€Å"The History of Rock and Roll.† History-of-rock.com. 28 Nov. 2010 Newfield, Jack. â€Å"Who Really Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll?† New York Sun. New York Sun, 21 Sep. 2004. Web. 28 Nov. 2010 Berlin, Edward A., A Biography of Scott Joplin. Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation, 1998. Web. 28 Nov. 2010 â€Å"The Classic Blues, 1900-1920s.† Calliope.org.Web. 28 Nov. 2010

Average Americans vs. Environmentalists :: Environmental Essays

Average Americans vs. Environmentalists American Enterprise magazine (May/June 1999) carried an article by Karl Zinsmeister, titled "Environmentalists vs. Scientists." It's mostly a report on research published by two academics Stanley Rothman and Robert Lichter in their book titled Environmental Cancer: A Political Disease. The authors surveyed a cross-section of environmental leaders at organizations such as National Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club, the National Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society. Identically worded survey questions were administered to different groups of scientists. Among the groups surveyed was the American Association for Cancer Research, whose members are specialists in carcinogenesis or epidemiology. It turns out that scientists and environmentalists hold markedly different views. Sixty-seven percent of cancer specialists believe there's no cancer epidemic while only 27 percent of environmental activists hold the same view. Only twenty-seven percent of cancer specialists agree with the statement "industry causes rising cancer rates", while 64 percent of environmentalists do. The scientists didn't trust the media. Only 22 percent of cancer specialists consider the New York Times' reporting on cancer topics to be trustworthy and only six percent found the TV network news to be so. When 400 climatologists, oceanographers and atmospheric scientists were asked whether evidence supports the "greenhouse effect" theory, 41 percent agreed compared to 66 percent of environmentalists. Similarly, 51 percent of energy scientists say nuclear power plants are safe compared to only 10 percent of environmentalists. Environmentalists not only differ from scientists but are markedly different from the general public as well. Environmental activists are a narrow elite: 76 percent are male, 97 percent are white and a third have incomes over $100,000. They are unrepresentative of America politically as well. Sixty-three percent describe themselves as liberals compared to 18 percent of the general public. Only six percent are Republicans; ten times as many are Democrats. To the question, "I'd fight for my country, right or wrong," 57 percent of all Americans answered yes while only 9 percent of environmentalists said yes. Environmentalists support causes like race quotas, abortion-on-demand and homosexual rights at rates of 70 to 80 percent, versus 34 to 40 percent of the general public. Rothman and Licther summarized, "Although most Americans are willing to describe themselves as environmentalists, from these data it seems clear that environmental activists do not speak for the public. . . . The perspective and background of this movement's leadership are considerably removed from those of the majority.

MLB Salary Cap Is Needed Essay -- essays research papers

Anyone who has been involved in an organized sport, whether it is backyard football or a high school sports team, knows that these sports all have organizations that are responsible for setting rules, determining conditions of play, and penalizing individuals who infringe the rules. Some of the organizations like the National Football league and the MLB are familiar to most people, the rules they follow are not generally understood by anyone who is not closely associated with the sport. Most fans and sport critics assume that what is happening inside these organizations are of little concern to them. However, this is not the case. In the MLB, the New York Yankees spend an excessive amount of money every year to obtain big name players. A luxury tax was put into effect for teams that go over the spending limit. However, the Yankees are the only team that pays the tax because they are the only team that exceeds the spending limit. The players, coaches, fans, and I have argued that a s alary cap would be the best possible way to allow teams in the Major Leagues an equal opportunity getting to the World Series. For the last 30 years, the New York Yankees have been a dominant force in Major League Baseball. Other teams do not make as much money as the New York Yankees therefore they have less capital to spend on big name players. In 1994, the Major Leagues put the luxury tax into place. The idea was to tax a club’s payroll if the total payroll exceeded a certain limit. However, the Yankees seem to exceed this limit every year. The Yankees are a notable team not only for their impressive history on the field, but also for their financial situation. The Yankees owner spends more on player salaries than any other franchise in baseball. â€Å"As of 2004, the team payroll is more than $182 million, which is $51 million more than the second-highest team, the Boston Red Sox, and more than the six lowest-payroll teams combined† (Wikipedia Encyclopedia†). The millions of people who are associated with baseball in this country, many of whom had only a vague idea of what was happeni ng, are now asking themselves whether or not the game is being played fairly. Even though teams like the New York Yankees are able to assemble top-notch teams by ignoring the spending limit, a salary cap is necessary to maintain the equal competitive nature of major leag... ...uld be acceptable would be to issue a salary cap like every other major sport in America. The NFL and NBA were forced to have a salary cap and we haven't seen a dominant team like the Yankees since the Celtics in the 50's and 60's. Every year there is usually a different "dominant" team and the Super Bowl and NBA Championship is always up for grabs. Attendance is slowly declining in the MLB because people do not want to support their home teams when in reality, they will lose to the usual dominant high paid teams. This is not fair to any sports fan and the only acceptable solution to keep attendance high and ratings up is to issue a salary cap. Selig, Bud. â€Å"Baseball Almanac Biography.† January 12, 2001. [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/articles/budseligs_biography.shtml] Staudohar, Paul D. â€Å"Salary Cap in Professional Sports† June 21, 1998 [http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/archive/spring1998art1.pdf] George Bob. â€Å"Money Battle† December 1, 2000 â€Å"Wikipedia Encyclopedia.† Accesses November 27, 2004 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page] Steinbrenner, George. â€Å"Steinbrenner Speaks To the Press† September 21, 2002 [www.baseballjunkies.com/articles/2001/april/seasontalk.html]

Introduction to ambahan Essay

Ambahans inscribed on a bamboo slat The ambahan is a literary product and poetic expression of the Southern Mangyans of Mindoro, Philippines. Although there are about seven different ethnic groups living in Mindoro, collectively called the Mangyans, these groups are quite distinct from each other as to language, customs, and way of living. Only the ethnic group living in the south of Mindoro, roughly comprising the areas within the municipalities of Bulalacao (San Pedro), Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro and San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, claims the name Mangyan as the descriptive title of their tribe. To stress their point, they might add the epiteth: â€Å"Hanunuo† Mangyan, that is, a â€Å"truly, real, genuine† Manygan. Together with their northern neighbors, the Buhids, they possess a pre-Spanish writing system, considered to be of Indic origin, with characters expressing the open syllables of the language. Two distinct syllabaries are still in practical use among the ethnic groups in Mindoro, viz. the north ern Buhid on one hand and the southern Buhid with the Hanunuo-Mangyans on the other. The existence of a writing system among these tribes certainly accounts largely for the wealth of literature prevalent among them. One of the literary products, the one written down most frequently on bamboo-tubes or slats, is the ambahan. For better understanding and appreciation of the ambahans presented here, a short outline on the character and use of the ambahan will be given here. As a definition, it can be stated that the ambahan is: A. A rhythmic poetic expression with a meter of seven syllable lines and having rhythmic end-syllables. B. It is most often presented as a chant without a determined musical pitch or accompaniment by musical instruments. C. Its purpose is to express in an allegorical way, liberally using poetic language, certain situations or certain characteristics referred to by the one reciting the poem. The meter of seven syllables in one line is the characteristic of the ambahan which most obviously distinguishes it from other kinds of Hanunuo-Mangyan poetry. However, there are exceptions to the rule. For instance, more than seven syllables may be found at the beginning of the ambahan, especially when it starts with the standard expression magkunkuno (speaks, says) because the one who â€Å"speaks† here may have a long name containing more than the usual seven syllables. Actually, these first lines should not be considered as part of the poem proper, but rather as an introduction to or an explanation of the circumstances which gave rise to the ambahan itself. Sometimes, there may be more than seven syllables because the employed word or words cannot be shortened and no other combination of words is available. On the other hand, a line may contain less than seven syllables in order to preserve the meaning of the line itself which might be disturbed if more syllables were added. However, the last exception rarely occurs. In an effort to conform to the rule of having only seven syllables in each line, the composer tries to fit his words within the pre-determined quantity of syllables. This accounts for the many elisions and contactions of words that make the reading of the ambahan in the Hanunuo-Mangyan script so difficult and exasperating to the translator. Thus nirwasan comes from niruwasan; nilkasan from nilukasan; the mono-syllables gin from ginan; u from una. Conversely, the words may be extended, i.e. syllables may be added in order to have the required seven syllables. In most cases, the normal procedure involves the use of affixes and suffixes, both of which are extensively used in the Philippine languages. The most common one in the Hanunuo-Mangyan language is the suffix -an. Manok becomes manukan, balunos becomes balunusan, without a change in meaning. Within the word, â€Å"extensions† may also be found which might be old infixes, no longer common. So dayap becomes dalayap, layaw becomes lugayaw. Another way of lengthening a word is by repeating the word itself, not so much to make it superlative in meaning (e.g. in Tagalog: laking-laki), but rat her to complete the seven syllable requirement. While it is not my intention to be technical on this point, as a linguist’s analysis of morphological phenomena would be, the foregoing illustrations demonstrate that the prescribed scheme of seven syllables in ambahan verse gives ample opportunity for lexical calisthenics, an exercise which may fascinate many students. The rhyming end-syllables are an essential feature of the ambahan. The most common rhyming syllable is -an, being a regular suffix for verbs and substantives in the Hanunuo-Mangyan language. But other combinations with the vowel a are rather common too, such as in lines having the end-syllables: a, ak, ag, ang, as, aw, ay. Here the vowel a is combined with nearly all the consonants in the Philippine alphabet. In the same way, the vowels I (or e) and o (or u) can be found as the rhyming syllables, either alone or in combination, e.g.: I, id, ing, ip, it, and o, od, ok, on, ong, os, ot, oy. The rhyming in the ambahan is consequent, i.e. once started with -an, all lines will end in -an. This appears to be in contrast to the rhyming scheme of a Tagalog poem, where at the end of a line a vowel rhyme may include any consonant in combination with this vowel. The ambahan is stricter in this respect, though it is interesting to note that here and there consonants, if belonging to the same pho netic class, may be included as the rhyming consonant in combination with the rhyming vowel. Hence, the word inwag rhymes with ma-ayad because both g and d belong to the phonetic class of voiced stops. The word humbak rhymes with dagat because both k and t belong to the phonetic class of voiceless stops. The word sundong, lumon and tayutom are the end-syllables of one ambahan because ng, n, and m belong to the phonetic class of voiced sonorants. Of course, it is not because the Hanunuo-Mangyan knows anything about phonetics that these instances occur, but it is a fact that the interchanges of these consonants are not considered violations of the unwritten rules of the ambahan, provided that the vowel remains the same. The ambahan is a chanted verse, but it is changed plainly or almost recited. The rendering of the ambahan with musical pitch might differ from person to person. Some might intone the words like in common conversation; others might use it a monotone recitation; or still others might sing it with a distinct melody. But generally, it can be said that when an ambahan is â€Å"sung,† there is only a slight musical pitch discernable, except maybe towards the end, when the last syllables are drawn out a bit to indicate that the chant is about to end. Furthermore, it is well worth noting that the ambahan, is â€Å"sung† without the accompaniment of musical instruments, as differentiated from another kind of Mangyan verse, the urukay, which is preferably chanted to the accompaniment of the homemade guitar. One who has a knowledge of the language of the Hanunuo-Mangyans as it is used in their daily conversation, will be able to understand very little of the language that is used in the ambahan. The language used in the ambahan differs from the spoken language, though many a word used widely in the daily Hanunuo-Mangyan language is also used in the ambahan-vocabulary. It is quite possible to compile a long list of words (eventually a complete dictionary) that are used only in the ambahan verse, but, for the purpose of this book, only a few words need to be mentioned. Conversational language| Ambahan language| English| amang| bansay| father| inang| suyong| mother| danom| kagnan| water| balay| labag| house| niyog| bu-anay| coconut| bagaw| duyan| talk| mata| pamidkan| eye| That the words of the ambahan vocabulary are found not only in the ambahan of the Hanunuo-Mangyans but also in the literary products of the neighboring Mangyan tribes, seems to be a significant coincidence worth investigating, especially if it is remembered that these other tribes use a conversational language different from the Hanunuo-Mangyan language. Some questions that would confront the investigator are the following: Where do these ambahan words come from? Are there other dialects in the Philippines from which they may have been derived? Or do we have to turn our attention to other countries like Indonesia or India to get an explanation? Here is a potential field of research that should give a linguist enough material to work on. In some of the ambahans here presented, it will be noticed that the theme is about a bird, a flower, a tree, or an insect. Other ambahans, though not nature poems in the strict sense of the term, deal with the sun, the moon, the stars, the rain and th e wind. When a Mangyan poet writes of a flower, he writes of itnot for the purpose of celebrating its beauty or fragrance but to make it an allegory or a symbol of human life, it’s problems, and its challenges. Sometimes the symbolism of a bird or flower may be clear enough, as when a boy talks to his girl about â€Å"a beautiful flower that he would like to bring home.† Very often, however, one symbol may refer to different conditions or circumstances and, thus, becomes a multiple symbol. An examination of ambahan no. 114 will help clarify this point. What does the poem mean? First, it means simply what it says: â€Å"Be careful, or you will be stung by a bee. Take precautions in getting honey.† This would be the literal interpretation of the poem. The added meaning of allegorical interpretation would depend, of course, on the occasion and circumstances, such as climbing a mountain, going to sea, going to town, engaging in a contest with another person, or going to the parents to ask for the hand of their daughter. The complex set of meanings thus woven into an ambahan are gradually unravelled only after the poem had been analyzed with much care and patience. A related study which is worth mentioning at this point would be an investigation into the psychological motivation for the Mangyan’s frequent use of plants, animals, and nature symbols and their predilection for allegorical poetry. [Postma, Antoon SVD. Treasure of a Minority. Manila: Arnoldus Press, Inc., 1981.] The origin of the ambahan A Hanunuo-Mangyan woman chanting an ambahan at a community ambahan session [Source: Antoon Postma] If you ask a Hanunuo-Mangyan, â€Å"Where did you get this ambahan?,† he will most likely answer, â€Å"I copied it from somebody else.† That is quite probable, for the ambahan has been popularized by being copied on any piece of bamboo, such as the container for tobacco or apog (lime), the scabbard or sheath of a bolo, a violin or guitar, and even on the bamboo beams of a house. When a Mangyan discovers a nice ambahan, he uses his knife to engrave it on bamboo, in the age-old Indic-derived script. Thus, he has â€Å"copied† it. In answer to the same question, another Mangyan may reply, â€Å"We obtained this from our forefathers.† Most of the ambahans they possess now have been handed down from parents to children through continuos copying. Yet there is no doubt that new ambahans are still being written today by the poets or composers, although it is hard to find out who these poets are. A Mangyan would never admit that he is composing ambahans. To determine the approximate time in which an ambahan was written, two criteria may be suggested: the subject and the kind of words used. The first criterion cannot be applied without reservation, for the subject of the ambahan is sometimes very general and true of any period. But if we find reference in the ambahan to Moro attacks or to Mangyans still living along the sea-shore, we are on surer ground, for the attacks of the Moros are known to have occurred at a certain time, and the Mangyans lived along the shores before the non-Mangyans settled on the island. On the other hand, when an ambahan poet writes of going to America, the poem is certain to have been written in modern times. The second criterion, the kind of words used, is more reliable and, if used by experts, would be a more certain indication of the age of the ambahan. By using this criterion, ambahans may be categorized into three classes. The first type is the ambahan that only uses the poetic language with a minimum of contemporary words. Sometimes common Hanunuo-Mangyan words are used, but this type of ambahan restricts itself mainly to the use of literary words, i.e. words not used in daily conversation. According to the Mangyans themselves, this is the oldest kind of ambahan. The next type of ambahan is that in which words borrowed from neighboring tribes, especially the Buhid tribe, are used. Frequent contact with this tribe has made the Hanunuo-Mangyans accept these borrowed words and expressions which found their way into their ambahans. Lastly, there is the ambahan of later times, in wh ich loan-words from Spanish, Tagalog or Bisaya are evident. The painstaking study by linguists of the words used in the ambahan may supply the final answer to the question of the time in which an ambahan was written. [Postma, Antoon. Mangyan Treasures. Manila: Arnoldus Press, Inc., 1995.] The ambahan and its uses Hanunuo-Mangyan poems in the Mangyan syllabic script inscribed on betel nut containers made of bamboo The ambahans are very common among the Hanunuo-Mangyans. About thirty percent of the Hanunuo-Mangyans do not read or write the pre-Spanish Hanunuo-Mangyan script, but it would be rare indeed for a Mangyan not to know the art of the ambahan. Of course, a Mangyan will quickly deny any knowledge of the ambahan, but this is only a polite way of refusing to demostrate such knowledge. People who have tried to collect ambahans will be the first to admit the difficulty of making the Mangyans recite the ambahans outside of the proper occasion for doing it. Aside from the Hanunuo-Mangyans, the neighboring Mangyan tribes also know about the ambahan. Though the actual extent to which the ambahan is known by these other tribes has not been fully investigated, it is certain that this type of poetry is also common among the Buhid-Mangyans. The language of the Buhid is completely different from that of the Hanunuo-Mangyans, but one may still partly understand the literary products of the other. The ambahan can also be found among the tribes living deep in the mountains of Mindoro. These natives go down to the lowlands very rarely, and on one of these occassions I was lucky enough to acquire some copies of their ambahans. The Hanunuo-Mangyans do not understand much of it, except when exclusive ambahan words are used. However, before anything more authoritative can be said on this matter, one must explore the field further. The verse of the Iraya-Mangyans (in the north of Mindoro) is also very similar to the ambahan-type, i.e. they also have the characteristic heptasyllabic meter and rhyming end-syllables. Ambahans are known and recited by Hanunuo-Mangyans, both old and young. Of course, different ambahans will be appropriate for different age groups. The children definitely have their own kind of ambahans, something which might be considered as the equivalent of our nursery rhymes. However, even in these rhymes all the el ements of the ambahan are present; the main distinction lies in the simplicity of the language used. The ambahans for children, however, are short, most of them containing not more than six lines. A boy (kan-akan) and a girl (daraga) would be familiar with the ambahans fit for them, but once they are married, they would acquaint themselves with the ones that are appropriate for their new state of life. Like all poetry, the ambahan is an expression of an idea or feeling in a beautiful and harmonious language. Unlike other forms of poetry , however, the ambahan is not poetry for its own sake or for the poet’s satisfaction. The ambahan is primarily a poem of social character; it finds its true existence in society. It is created by the Mangyans to serve practical purposes within the community. It is used by the parents in educating their children, by young people in courting each other, by a visitor in asking for food and by a relative bidding goodbye or farewell. Of course, it would be a mistake to think that the Mangyans converse with each other only by the ambahan. If a man comes from his field, he would not use an ambahan to tell his wife that he is hungry; he will express the feeling of his stomach in plain and clear language. But generally speaking, the ambahan is used on those occasions when something embarrassing, unpleasant, delicate or even precious (as love) has to be said. For instance, a boy may tell a girl in plain language that he will never forget her, but it would sound so much nicer if he were to do so in an ambahan. The social nature of the ambahan has given rise to a kind of verbal contest. Whenever Mangyans are together, a few of them (often the older generation) will eagerly compete with each other in the ability to recite the ambahan called for by the place and the occasion. Among these occasions are festivities held in connection with reburial. One Mangyan might challenge another with an ambahan, for example. This starts the contest. The people gather around the two contestants (without agreement, without rules, without bets), listening intently to the ambahans recited alternately by the two opponents. Each ambahan recited is an answer to the problem or theme propounded in the ambahan preceeding it. Both contestants are lustily cheered and encouraged by their supporters. In most cases, the one who recites last is declared the winner. The contest may go deep into the night. Whether one or the other wins is unimportant; what matters most is the entertainment derived from the contest. A few final remarks about the translation of the ambahan may still be of interest. A researcher who happens to be in the mountains of Mansalay and becomes acquainted with the ambahan will become enthusiastic about it and may even want to translate some of them into his own language. But before he can translate the ambahan, he must study the ancient Indic script. After having mastered it well, he will find out to his dismay, that he still cannot read everything written on the bamboo. This is due to the fact that the script itself does not show the final consonant of each syllable. When he has overcome the disappointment, he will probably try to get an ambahan written down in clear, readable letters. Tape-recording the ambahan would take away the initial difficulties of copying from script. However, even then he will not understand all the implications of the ambahan unless the Mangyan can explain it. In translating an ambahan, we find a special difficulty arising from the symbolic meaning of the words used. The Mangyan may supply the applied allegorical meaning but he might not understand the literal meanings of certain words. The meanings of these words can often be discovered because of the frequent use of repetition of ideas. Sometimes complete lines may be repetitions of the same idea in synonymous words. Before the ambahan can be completely understood, it is imperative to collect as many samples of the ambahan as possible. This is the main work being done at present in this field. A detailed comparison of specimens, sifting and classifying words, and careful experiments in translating the words into another context have to be done by experts in this field of research. Only then will the ambahan emerge in the fullness of its beauty and signification. The present anthology of ambahans is selected from a collection that started in 1958. In preparing this selection, it was not an easy task to decide on the best way of grouping or arranging these ambahans. It was finally decided to observe a dual system in classifying these Mangyan poems. The first system is to take the obvious and literal meaning as expressed by the poem. The second is the allegorical or applied meaning that can be gleaned from the ambahan. With this dual system in mind, the ambahans in this collection have been arranged according tot he life-cycle of the Hanunuo-Mangyans. Hence, this collection of ambahans starts with the cradle and ends with the grave. It is believed that this arrangement is the most satisfactory. [Postma, Antoon SVD. Treasure of a Minority. Manila: Arnoldus Press, Inc., 1981.] Ambahan: Birth and infancy Since the aim of this collection of ambahans is to present a cross-section of the Mangyan poetic verse with respect to the life-cycle of the Mangyans, the first ambahans, to be chronological, should pertain to the first chapters of human life. The following series of common cradle songs in ambahan style might be a fine illustration of how the songs can be different in rhyme and metaphor whereas the underlying theme is the same. Ambahan 3| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | My dear baby, do not cry ’cause the wild cat might hear us! The big one from over there, with his awful long-stretched howl! Helpless are we if he comes. Our spear is broken still and our bolo bent and blunt!| Huwag ka ngang umiyak Hala ka at mapukaw Pusang-ligaw sa gubat Ngumiyaw, maghihiyaw Wala kitang pambugaw Sibat nati’y nawasak Gulok nati’y nabingaw!| Ambahan 4| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Don’t be noisy, baby dear! The wild iro might come here. The one out of the deep woods. How to fight him when he comes? Broken is our spear in two and our bolo disappeared!| H’wag ka ngang magulo May laog nanunubok Mula gubat susugod Wala kitang panghamok Sibat nati’y napulpol Itak ay anong purol!| Ambahan 5| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | You, my baby, don’t make noise! Some strange animal might come, coming from across the streams. Knocking on the house, he will, with his glittering sharp claws, No weapons for us to kill; our bolo we cannot use, rusty is our spear and blunt.| Anak, ‘wag kang ngumalngal Hala ka, may bakulaw! Sa dahilig do’n buhat Tutuktok sa suliras Kay tulis ng galamay Wala kitang pamatay Tong itak walang saysay Kinalawang ‘yang sibat!| Ambahan: Childhood Sweet are the memories of our childhood. For the Mangyan child, it is a time of unconcern and carefreeness, even if the child has to take his share of the family duties to the measure of his capacities. It is with feelings of sentimentality and homesickness that a young man recalls the happy years of his youth that passed away too fast. It is also with pride that he remembers the love and kindness shown to him by his parents. Ambahan 6 (4)| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | That time, when I was still young, (I was just a baby still) when I sat on mother’s lap, when she rocked me in a crib, in a cradle newly made. Mommy lulling me asleep, did not leave me in a crib, in her arms she cradled me. Oh, how sweet these memories! wish I could climb once again in the cradle lovely made! So I could be showing off how I grew so beautifully! You, the people from the shore, people from the mountains too, could you just come here this way! Visit me just once again, the unfolding, blooming tree! I’ll recall this all my life.| Noong ako’y muraan Sanggol na sanggol pa lang Karga pa sa kandungan Inuugoy sa duyan Sa kagagawang duyan Hinehele ni Nanay Hindi n’ya iniiwan Sapo n’ya sa kandungan O kay gandang nagdaan! Muli sanang mahimlay Sa banayad na duyan Nang tunay kong mamasdan Paglaki kong kariktan Kayong taga-baybayan Maging taga-burulan Kung maaring puntahan Pasyalan at pagmasdan Punong namumukadkad Alaala kailanman!| But there is also the obedient child who has his important task in the whole of the family work: watching that the products in the field will not be destroyed by the wild animals. Ambahan 13| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | The reason why I am here, walking along hills and vales, because Mother has told me and my Father he just said: â€Å"Better go and have a look, at the field we have prepared. Monkeys might be eating there and the pigs destroying plants.† So I went and had a look at the field we have prepared. But no monkeys eating there, and no pigs destroying plants. However, what I did see, was a bird, still rather small, sitting on the field we have, at the borders of the field. Maybe one day it’ll be there, when the rice is ripe and fair.| Sanhi po ng paglakad sa kabundukan Ang bilin po ni Inang Kay Ama’y kawikaan: â€Å"Pumar’on iho’t tingnan Kaingin nating hawan Baka matsi’y lamunan Baboy ay mag-arumbang† Akin nang pinuntahan Kaingin nating hawan Matsin ay wala naman Ni baboy na ligaw man Anu’t aking namasdan Merong ibong ‘liitan Sa kainging hinawan Sa gilid na taniman Baka bukas nandiyan Pagdatal ng anihan!| Children, however, are the same everywhere. Romping around with their playmates, they produce a deafening noise, often to the despair of their parents. Ambahan 15| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Sure, the kids they are not bad, but, say, who would not get mad! When from morning until night all this noise, right at your side, and those fights on top of that!| Kahit bata’y mabait Sinong di maiinis Buong araw at gabi Iritan d’ya’t kagalit Awayan d’yan sa inggit!| Ambahan: Adolescence The transition from the dependent child into the self-sufficient young man or woman is not marked by initiation ceremonies or induction rites. In some things, children are given independence at an early age. In other things, they continue to act dependently. Ambahan 27| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Mother carried me around. Father always at my side. I, the baby, was still small: just a little child I was. Going to the field to work, Father led me by the hand. Even speaking simple words as a babe I did not know. But now everything has changed. The small baby has grown up. Now the baby understands all the words that Father speaks, Everything that mother says. Even when I’m walking far, when I travel far away and it becomes dangerous I’ll return immediately.| Kinakalong ni Nanay Kinakandong ni Tatay Sadya pang kamusmusan Tunay akong paslit lang Hangang sa kaingin man ‘Sinasama ni Tatay Kahit pa utal-utal Sanggol na walang muwang Ngunit nang magka-minsan Lumaki’t magkagulang Akin namang nalaman Kay Tatay, kawikaan Kay Nanay, kasabihan Malayo mang lakaran Saan man ang abutan Kung kasam-an ang datnan Sila lang ang uwian!| Then the day comes when adolescence ends. The parents know now that there is not much hope that the young people will do things the way the parents want them to do. The young man goes his way, and nobody can direct him anymore. Ambahan 30| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Says the lobster in the creek: Even if you place a dam, I will jump it high and neat!| Sabi ng hipong sapa: Kahit mo man bakuran May lusot, paraan pa!| The character of the youngster is fixed now. Even if there are traits the parents do not like, these traits can no longer be changed. Wherever he is, the young adult will behave in his accustomed manner and will not change his attitudes because of others. Ambahan 31| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Pigeon, with a shortened tail, even there across the hills, you won’t be a nightingale!| Hoy, ibong Balud-balod Libanin mo ma’y bundok Pungos pa rin ‘yang buntot!| Ambahan: Courtship Many pages of sweet-flowing romances have been written about courtship, but the Mangyans create their own by using the examples of the budding and flowering plants and trees around them. Ambahan 38| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | The bamboo in Marigit That I saw at first approach Was just sprouting and still small. When I saw it yesterday, It was standing firm and thick Ready now to build a floor.| Kawayan sa Marigit Pag tanaw ko, palapit Labong pa siyang kay liit Nang daanan ko pabalik Siksikan mga tinik Mainam nang pang-sahig!| Ambahan 39| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | The palm bordering my field Back when it was very small My attention did not call. But now that it’s fully-grown and has shed its dried-up leaves, I will harvest it so fresh and weave me a basket fair. That I can bring everywhere.| Buli sa may kaingin Noong s’ya pa’y musmusin Hindi ko pinapansin Nang gumulang, pagsapit Tanggi ko ang lumain Sariwa kong kukunin Bayong kong lalalain Lagi kong sasakbitin!| A boy has his way of convincing a girl of his good intentions and intimate love. He is willing to sacrifice anything for his beloved. Ambahan 68| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | My sweetheart, my love so dear, when I left, in coming here, coming from my house and yard; all the rice that I have stored, I have left it there behind, because I hope here to find one more valued than my rice! One to be my partner nice to the water, to the field, a companion on my trips, and one who will share my sleep!| O liyag, aking hirang Kanina nang lumisan Galing sa ‘king dingdingan Palay na inanihan Akin lang iniwanan Hinangad kong katuwang Di basta palay lamang Sa lakad sa ilog man Maging sa kaparangan Kaakbay ko saan man Kaabay sa higaan!| Ambahan: Home To give a sample of all the various aspects of the home life within a Mangyan settlement would be next to impossible. However, an attempt to draw a general outline will be undertaken here. Two great themes can be considered of importance in the life-cycle of a Mangyan: 1) His struggle for life in and around his house, to keep hunger and sickness away; and, 2) His unbelievable ability to relax, be happy and unconcerned, often by escaping from his immediate surroundings. What does a Mangyan home look like? His house is not as important as a house is to his countrymen of modern culture. A Mangyan will be the first to admit that his house is of poor construction and just a temporary dwelling. Ambahan 102| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | This the forest Mangyan said: â€Å"What I have to tell you, sir, I’ve been thinking of for long: Your existence is not bad In the lowlands where you live. There the houses that you have Are built with beams of the best Like your floors all made of wood. But we to the mountains born Who have lived here for so long, Our houses are not like that. Our floor is of bamboo built, Our roof made of cogon grass, All of it is tied with vines. But to that I have to add. Don’t forget that we can live Very near the water source Where the birds all come to drink. A cool, shady place to be.†| Sabi ng isang Mangyan: Ang wika ko’y pakinggan Ito ngang kaisipan— Mabuti ang ‘yong lagay Ikaw, taga-kapatagan Kaya taga-baybayan Tabla ay ilang-ilang Nagsahig nang mainam Kaming taga-burulan Kaya nasa burulan aming kabihasnan Sahig ay patpatan Kugon lang ang bubungan May taling baling-uway Datapwa’t ‘to’y pakinggan H’wag naman kalimutan Ibon sa may igiban Bukal itong inuman Na kay lilim kung tingnan!| After all, life is hard and a Mangyan has to spend most of his time eking out a subsistence for himself, so the house itself is of little importance. Ambahan 103| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Your condition is quite good and your house is beautiful. The walls made of banban leaves, still enforced with bamboo poles. But we, living out-of-doors, we, the mountains dwellers up, if we did not have to search for some food to stay alive, we could also be so wise, we could also find these ways! But the only thing we find, is a sago palm for food!| Dampa mo’y kainaman Bahay n’yo pong gandahan May dingding na banban Patukurang kawayan Kaming nasa bakuran Kaming taga-burulan Di dapat paghanapan Di dapat panghinaan Wala pong karupukan Di dapat manghinayang Dahil masisilayan Yaong buling gandahan!| Even if the construction is nice and strong, the day will come that the house will be torn apart by the ripping blasts of wind. Ambahan 105| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Climbing vine with the long leaves, leaves symmetrical and fine, how very nice looks your stem! But, they say, you’ll be blown down by the tempest from the shore!| Hoy, uway na lambaan Malamba ang dahon man Ang puno’y kainaman— Kung nasa daraanan Bagyo’y galing ‘patagan!| Ambahan: Problems But at home, life is not always as pleasant as the Manygans would like it to be. There are dark days when the future doesn’t look very bright. These dark days have to be overcome. Ambahan 113| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Balkawi, my climbing vine, You’re not happy in that spot Your fine leaves are ripping there And your poor stem creaks and cries. I have to replant you now In a place where you will thrive Free from rain and gusty winds.| Hoy, punong Balkawihan Pangit ang tinubuan Dahon mo’y nangalagas Puno mo’y langitngitan Muling itanim na lang Sa payapang hanginan Sa walang daluyungan!| There are the domestic misunderstandings that might arise; the simple accidents that might happen. Ambahan 115| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Sticks from the balanti tree If you cut them properly From the depth they will resound. But if cut improperly All you get is awful noise.| Kalutang kong Balanti Kung timbang iyang yari Taginting ay mabini Kung tabtab mali-mali Sintunadong matindi!| There is no reason, however, to be as upset about a domestic misunderstanding or a simple accident as about a great disaster. Ambahan 117| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | What is the matter with you that you are so much upset? Like the heavens coming down, as if the whole sky collapsed! Even rain will stop some day, but rain doesn’t own a house! A storm will not last all time, but storm has no place like you! Are you not a human? Man? Doesn’t man always go back to his dwelling place, his home?| Bakit ka nagkaganyan? Ang ulo mo’y kay init Bagsak ang kalangitan Parang bayang guhuan Pagtila nitong ulan Ula’y walang tahanan Hihinto ang ampiyasan Hangi’y walang uwian Di ba’t tao ka naman Di ba’t may babalikan Sa kawayang daluyan!| Ambahan: Sickness Sickness is unavoidable in human life. A person who is ill can easily be recognized. Sometimes, whatever is done, all treatment seems to be in vain. But there is always a treatment that’s been forgotten. Ambahan 131| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | This my problem, my headache, I had called the doctors all, had it treated frequently but my headache didn’t go. Like the storm not calming down, like the rain that doesn’t stop it was even getting worse: my head almost cracking up. But the final medicine, why did I not think of it? We must love each other more. Then the problem will be gone, carried along by the wind, covered by the forest trees, and we will be sad no more.| Itong ulong makirot Dinalit na’t ginamot Niritwal na sa bulong Ayaw pong huminahon Parang bagyong inikot Laging unang lagunot Lalo itong tumibok Sa bunbunan paloob Datapwa’t iyang gamot Ikaw, sa ‘king pagsukot Ay karamay kong irog! Huhupa na ang kirot Sa hangin ipasaklot Sa gubat ipataklob Lalaho na ang lungkot!| A serious condition might develop. The usual treatments are of little help. Ambahan 132| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Says Yumay, when feeling ill: Daog, I am calling you. I am coming all the way to visit your house, Daog. I would like to ask from you, if you could apply your wit, have me treated with your charms. The main reason for all this: my problem, my headache was treated seven times in vain, still the sickness doesn’t go! I am worried and I think that this sickness will result finally into my death.| Panawagan ni Yumay Si Daog tawag tawag Pakay niya sa lakad Si Daog sa may dampa Ako nawa’y tulungan Sa bulong mong malakas Sa mabisa mong dasal Kaya nga nagkaganyan Masakit ang uluhan Pito mang patas-unan Kirot pa’y palagian Huwag sana, h’wag naman Sakit waring hantungan Tiyak na kamatayan!| Why don’t the treatments work? Maybe all the requirements of offerings to the spirits were not properly fulfilled. Ambahan 133| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Says the spirit of the spring: What has been your offering? Softly cooked rice, there was none, Not a chicken, even one! Only some fruits from a tree! What else could the answer be but rains and a hurricane hitting house and yard again. What are you going to do? Incantation might help you or a seer and his wit! Maybe he can solve your case and prevent further disgrace. Says the one responsible: You, dear spirit of the well, Please, do hide your angriness! It’s my fault, I do confess. I’ll bring the best from my floor that you will complain no more.| Wika ng lamang-lupa Apo Ilog nagbanta: Handog na kani’y wala Ni manok na ‘hinanda Bungang-kahoy lamang ba Ambo’y umampiyas nga Hangin ay hagunot na Sa kabila ng dampa Anong ibibigay pa Bibigkas ng dasal ba? Uusal ng dalit ha Ganyang magmatigas ka Hanggang katapusan pa! Sumagot ang sinama: Kayo, Poon ng sapa H’wag kapootan nawa Alay namin, dulog na Sa sahig nagmumula Sa sumpa po’y iadya!| Ambahan: Food and work Obtaining food keeps the Mangyans busy for most of the year: selecting and preparing the field; sowing the carefully kept seed; weeding and cleaning the plants; harvesting the most precious food, cotton-white mountain rice. Unfortunately, an ideal harvest depends on an exact amount of sun, wind and rain. Often though, an extensive drought, a nasty typhoon or prolonged monsoon rains effect the opposite result, hardship and scarcity of food. It is therefore, no wonder that the Mangyans worry about their crops a great deal. Rice is a food the Mangyans enjoy. After they have harvested their rice, it seems that there will never come an end to their supplies. But, before they realize it, gone is all their hope and happiness. Ambahan 136| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | This kind of rice, Kabasag, When I saw for the first time, The stalks were heavy with grain. When I returned and looked again, Empty and flat were the heads!| Ang palay kong Kabasag Nang minsan kong namatyag Uhay ay sangkatutak Nang balikan ko’t tingnan Uhay ay mangahungkag!| Ambahan 137| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | The little black bird Sawi, So hereabouts its was told, Had a tail long and pretty. But the bird when it grew big, Tail, alas, shorter it grew, Struck by lightning as storm blew.| Ibong si Sawi-sawi Noon pa man ang huni Buntot, mahabang dili Subalit nang lumaki Buntot ko ay umiksi Kinidlat, binuhawi!| Whether one likes it or not, it is necessary to work hard in order to keep his stomach filled. He has to work hard even if he has the help of the spirits. Ambahan 139| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Our good and precious soil: Would it be as beautiful if we did not work and toil? Very soon it would be waste.| Ating lupang payapa Paano pa gaganda Kung di tayo gumawa Dagli ‘yang mawawala!| Ambahan: Traveling As a relief from his struggle for life, the Mangyan sometimes goes traveling. The moment will come when the Mangyan cannot be kept tied any longer to his house and the daily chores. He has to go, whether it is opportune or not. The woman, however, is not as fortunate as the man; she is tied to her home, especially when her children are still small. In spite of that, she would also like to go out once in a while. The parents should be, therefore, understanding and reasonable. Ambahan 164| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | This journey that I must do, Tell me please what’s wrong with it, And please explain how, indeed, Father and mother dearest! But then if there’s nothing wrong, Then why scold me for so long?| Iring aking pagpasyal Kung mali po ang asal Ako ay kagalitan O Tatay ko, O Inay Ngunit kung kawastuhan H’wag sanang magtungayaw?| The following ambahan is a special bit of advice to those with the unpleasant ringworm skin disease. Ambahan 166| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Little bird, Balinayaw, When the sun is fading fast, Better not to walk outside, For your colors will stand out On the leafless Limpayaw!| Ay naku ibong Balaw Kung pusyaw na ang araw Huwag ka ngang galawgaw Kulay mo ay lilitaw Sa panot na Limpayaw!| Just as the speed of those who travel differs, so the character also differs. Ambahan 178| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Take my bird, the bidlawan, whistling loud and flying far, still he will always come back to the house wherein we dwell. But the bird alipasang whistling loud and flying far, he will not come back again to the house wherein we dwell.| Ibong kong si Bidlawan Sakaling ngang liparan Babalik pa rin iyan Sa ‘ming dampang pugaran Ang ibong layang-layang Kung puma-ilanglang Wala na pong balikan Sa pugad na tahanan!| Ambahan: Hospitality and friendship When a traveler arrives at a house he wont be afraid that he may not be welcome. Hospitality is considered the highest of virtues among the Mangyans. Ambahan 181| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | My dear friend, be welcome here! Where, perchance, did you come from? From the seashore ebbing low, from the bubbling water spring? If from the water source up, let us talk a moment here, in a happy, friendly way. Even whoever you are, we like to be at your side.| Katoto kong matalik Saan ka ba nanggaling Sa baybayin bang gilid Nasunson ba ng batis Kung sa bukal ng tubig Halina at magniig Sa kwentuhan mong ibig Di-kilala ma’t batid Makapiling ka’y lirip!| Sitting together on the balcony in the soft moonlight, the Mangyan feel inspired. Friendship is great! Ambahan 198| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Look! The moon so full and bright, shining in front of the house! How can you explain to me, that the rays are soft and cool? If a man like us he were, I would hold him by the hand! Seize the hair to keep him back! Grasp the clothes to make him stay! But how could I manage that! It is the moon in the sky! The full moon shining so bright, going down beyond the hills, disappearing from the plain, out of sight behind the rocks.| Kay liwanag ng buwan Sa balkunahe’y sinag Paano naging ganyak Luningning ay busilak Kung tao s’yang katulad Pipigilan kong tiyak Sa buhok, siya’y hawak Siguro sa damit man Pa’no mapipigilan May buwang nakasinag Bituing kumikislap May bundok kinublihan May hinamugang patag May tuktok na pinugad.| The visitor will be home again, but the memory of his good friends will remain forever. Ambahan 205| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | You, my friends, dearest of all, thinking of you makes me sad. Rivers deep are in between, forests vast keep us apart. But thinking of you with love, as if you are here nearby standing, sitting at my side.| Lugod kong kaibigan Kung kita’y pag-isipan May ilog sa pagitan May gubat sa harapan Ngunit kung pagbulayan Parang nasa tabihan Kapiling sa kandungan.| Ambahan: Marriage Although the courtship period has a varied set of rules and ceremonials, the marriage itself is as simple as possible. After the consent of the parents has been obtained, the unceremonial first sleep of both the spouses together is considered as wedlock itself. In the ambahan literature, a major part revolves around the perennial theme of married life and all its ramifications. After many years of living together, does the husband still remember his promise that he gave as an ardent lover? When difficulties arise, the Mangyans try to smooth them out themselves. Ambahan 210| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | If the ties you use at home Become weak and tend to break, You should be the one to mend, The one to restore their strength.| Panali ma’y marupok Uway iyan na gapok Ikaw itong susubok Magtitibay nang lubos!| The following advice is worthwhile to remember! Ambahan 231| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Even with disharmony and a quarrel now and then. No reason to separate. Try to understand it first!| Kahit may kaguluhan May tampuha’t alitan Di dapat talikuran Unawain mo naman!| Parting for a longer period of time is sad for the couple. Ambahan 234| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | My dear fragrant herb, my wife, it is true, we have to part, on this day and on this hour. If united we remain and our bond is strong and pure, you and I, far as we are, it’s like holding hands again, it’s like sitting side by side.| Kab’yak kong halimuyak Kita ma’y magkawalay Ngayon at lumaon man Kung buklod ay matibay Maayos ang samahan Ikaw nga at ako man Magkahawak ng kamay Wari’y nasa kandungan!| Ambahan: Old age Sharing their love, the happy couple grows old together. Old age in Mangyan society is not given special status and special privileges. As long as anyone is able to keep up, he is expected to take part in daily work. It is, therefore, not surprising to see the old and feeble people working side by side with the younger generations in the rice fields. However, the irrevocable advance of time is felt by the elder generation. It is something that can’t be changed. Ambahan 235| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | It’s a fact we all know, a truth wherever we go: the sun in the afternoon will be setting very soon.| Di ba’t totoo naman Katunayan saan man Araw sa kataasan Ay lulubog rin naman.| Among themselves, the older generation talk about the time when they will no longer be together. Will there still come another day after this night? Ambahan 237| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | At this hour of the dark night we are still together now on the woven sleeping-mat. But when the sun rises soon, and the stars become detached, our bond might break up too. When we’ll ever meet again, it is not with mortal eyes, but the eye-sight of the soul.| Sa sandaling karimlan Kahit kita magtipan Sa banig na higaan Pagsikat nitong araw Talang maghihiwalay; Buklod nati’y bibigay; Pagkikita’y daratal Paningi’y mapawi man May bagong kaanyuan.| The thought of death is quietly accepted by a Mangyan. It is not the frightful and horrible event that is feared so much by the lowland Christians. For a Mangyan, death is part of the life cycle of every human being; it is looked upon as something that will bring a definite change in life, mostly for the better, not for the worst. Especially when the Mangyan gets old, he likes to think of death as the moment that will bring him back again to his beloved who went ahead of him. Ambahan 242| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Says the man, already old, thinking of life after death: When I leave, it will be nice. I will whistle, I will yell on the highest mountain peaks. Yes, one day I will be glad; I will see my wife again! Many things we’ll have to say! Then I won’t want to come back.| Wika ng isang Mangyan Isip ang kamatayan Kung yayao’t papanaw Sipol akong hihiyaw Sa landas sa ‘bundukan Kung dumatal ang asam Pagtagpo natin hirang Sa usal ay puspusan Papanaw nang tuluyan| Ambahan: Death When physical life comes to an end, the soul departs for another place. The moment of dying, this singular experience, is vividly remembered afterwards by the soul, especially if death came during an agonizing circumstance. Ambahan 246| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Says the soul remembering: Just a while ago at home, in the house I used to stay, My body was really bad, lying sickly on the mat, though not ready yet to go. Scared to death I really was! I was going to the right and to left, back and forth! So confused I was that time! Now, my body laid at rest, finally I took a bath in the waters for the soul. I am starting on my way to the place my father went, and where Mother joined him, too.| Taghoy ng kaluluwa: Kanina nang lumisan Sa dampa kong tahanan Katawan ko’y naghihirap Sa banig na higaan Di pa lumilisan Balisang nagpaalam Pa-biling-biling naman Pakaliwa’t pakanan Sige na nga kung ganyan Ako na ay lilisan Liligo sa hugasan Sa tubig dalisayan Sa bago kong hantungan Sa tabihan ni Amang Kapiling na si Inang!| Tragic, also is the Mangyan who died out of misery and chagrin because of the hardship he had to deal with! We do not know what his problems were or who caused them, but that he had some is clear from his explanation! Ambahan 251| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | These are the words of the soul: Who would finally not complain! My house on the mountain slope in the darkness of the night, hurricanes were howling loud. When the sun was in the sky, the shower came lashing down! All the southern typhoon winds, all the north-western storms, my house they were hitting hard! That was exactly the case. No wonder I left the place!| Hinagpis ng kalul’wa: Sinong di masasaktan Bahay ko sa tarikan Kung gabi at karimlan Ang hangin ay bugsuan Kung araw ay sikatan Ambon ay ampiyasan Saklot ng habagat man Pispis nga ng amihan Tutok doo’t bugsuan Kang ganyan rin nga lamang Sa dampa na’y lilisan| All this information comes from the realm of the dead, furnished by the deceased themselves! Communicating with the souls or spirits of the dead is nothing extraordinary for the Mangyans. These are those persons who possess the power to strike up a conversation with the spirits by means of a medium or daniw. The conversation resembles a sà ©ance among spiritualists. The Mangyan who grieves about the death of a dear one likes to avail himself of the services of a daniw in order to see if the soul of the deceased cannot be convinced to come back and join his earthly body again. Positive results are said to be known, but they are not recorded in the ambahan verse. The ambahan samples available only relate the failure of the daniw and the decisiveness of the soul to continue his course in the other life. Ambahan 252| Hanunuo-Mangyan| English| Filipino| | Says the seer’s medium: You, soul, can you tell me please, why is it you were so scared, that time when you left the house? Wasn’t a spirit from the woods? If so, I took care of that through my prayers very strong and the incantations too! Your fears should have disappeared, since the Evil one is gone. All the more, it’s long ago that I caged him through my strength.| Ang wika nitong Daniw: Kalul’wa, hoy sabihin Takot ka ba at bakit? Sa tahana’y umalis Kung malignong gubatin Ligtas nating talunin Sa lakas ng dalangin Sa tindi ng humigmig Tuloy kang manahimik Maligno’y gagapusin Ngayon at noon mandin Sa dunong bibihagin!| Mangyan groups Ethnographic map of Mindoro There are around 300 million indigenous peoples in the world. In the Philippines, of the projected population of 94 million in 2010, about 15% belong to indigenous groups. [AusAID] Mindoro is the seventh largest island in the Philippines, with an area of 10,224 square kilometers and two provinces – Oriental and Occidental. Of the total population of one million, the indigenous population is estimated at 100,000. Mangyan is the collective name for the eight indigenous groups living in Mindoro, each with its own name, language, and set of customs: * Iraya * Alangan * Tadyawan * Tau-buid * Bangon * Buhid * Hanunuo * Ratagnon Iraya An Iraya-Mangyan family [Source: Mangyan Mission] The Iraya Mangyans live in the municipalities of Puerto Galera, San Teodoro and Baco in Oriental Mindoro but most are in Occidental Mindoro, particularly in the municipalities of Abra de Ilog, Paluan, Mamburao and Santa Cruz. Estel (1952) described the Iraya as having curly or deep wavy hair and dark skin but not as dark as that of the Negrito. During ancient times, the Iraya traditional attire was made of dry tree bark, pounded to make it flat and soft. The women usually wore a blouse and a skirt and the men wore g-strings made of cloth. Today, however, the Iraya are dressed just like the lowland people. Ready-to-wear clothes are easier to find than their traditional costume [Uyan, 2002]. The Irayas are also skilled in nito-weaving. Handicrafts such as jars, trays, plates and cups of different sizes and design are being marketed to the lowlanders. They subsist on rice, banana, sweet potato, and other root crops. Alangan An Alangan-Mangyan woman in traditional attire The Alangan Mangyans live in the municipalities of Naujan, Baco, San Teodoro, and Victoria in Oriental Mindoro, and in the municipality of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro. The name Alangan was derived from the name of a river and mountain slopes in the upper Alangan Valley [Leykamm, 1979]. The women traditionally wear a skirt called lingeb. This is made of long strips of woven nito (forest vines), and is wound around the abdomen. This is worn together with the g-string called abayen. The upper covering is called ulango, made from the leaf of the wild buri palm. Sometimes a red kerchief called limbutong is worn over the ulango. The men wear g-strings with fringes in front. The Alangan Mangyans practise swidden farming, which consists of eleven stages. Two of them are the firebreak-making (agait) and the fallowing (agpagamas). A firebreak is made so the fire will not go beyond the swidden site where the vegetation is thoroughly dry and ready for burning. Two years after clearing, cultivation of the swidden is normally ceased and the site is allowed to revert back to forest [Quiaoit, 1997]. Betel nut chewing is also noted among the Alangans, like all other Mangyan tribes. This they chew with great fervor from morning to night, saying that they don’t feel hunger as long as they chew betel nut [Leykamm, 1979]. Nonetheless, betel chewing has a social dimension. Exchange of betel chew ingredients signifies social acceptance. Tadyawan Tadyawan Mangyans in Oriental Mindoro [Source: Mangyan Mission] The Tadyawan Mangyans live in the municipalities of Naujan, Victoria, Socorro, Pola, Gloria, Pinamalayan, and Bansud. In the past, the women wore for their upper covering a red cloth called paypay, which is wound around the breast. For their lower covering, they wrapped around the waist a white cloth called talapi. The men wore g-strings called abay. For their accessories, women wore colorful bracelets and necklaces made of beads. Today the women are rarely seen wearing their traditional attire, though some men still wear the abay. Like all other Mangyan tribes, the Tadyawan depend on their â€Å"kaingin† farm for subsistence. Their staple foods are upland rice, banana, sweet potato, and taro. Some have also planted fruit-bearing trees like rambutan, citrus, and coffee in their kaingin. Tau-buid A Tau-buid Mangyan in Occidental Mindoro [Source: Overseas Missionary Fellowship] The Tau-buids are known as pipe smokers and even children begin smoking at a young age. Standard dress for men and women is the loin cloth. In some areas close to the lowlands, women wrap a knee-length cloth around their bark bra-string and men wear cloth instead of bark. Bark cloth is worn by both men and women in the interior and is also used for head bands, women’s breast covers, and blankets. Cloth is made by extracting, pounding and drying the inner bark of several trees [Pennoyer, 1979]. The Tau-buid Mangyans live in the municipalities of Socorro, Pinamalayan and Gloria, but mostly in Occidental Mindoro. Bangon A Bangon-Mangyan elder [Source: Mangyan Mission] The Bangon Mangyans live along the Bongabon river called Binagaw and the surrounding mountains in the municipalities of Bongabong, Bansud, and Gloria in Oriental Mindoro. The Bangon Mangyans have their own culture, language and writing system, different to the other tribes in Oriental Mindoro, and asserted they be considered the seventh major tribe – not a sub-tribe of the Tau-buid. In a March 28, 1996 meeting with Buhid Mangyans in Ogom Liguma, they decided to accept the word Bangon for their tribe. Buhid A Buhid-Mangyan woman [Source: Mangyan Mission] The Buhids are known as pot makers. Other Mangyan tribes, like the Alangan and Hanunuo, used to buy their cooking pots from the Buhids. The word Buhid literally means â€Å"mountain dwellers† [Postma, 1967]. Buhid women wear woven black and white brassiers called linagmon and a black and white skirt called abol. Unmarried women wear body ornaments such as a braided nito belt (lufas), blue thread earrings, beaded headband (sangbaw), beaded bracelet (uksong), and beaded long necklace (siwayang or ugot). The men wear g-strings. To enhance body beauty, the men wear ornaments like a long beaded necklace, tight choker (ugot) and beaded bracelet (uksong). Both sexes use an accessory bag called bay-ong for personal things like comb and knife [Litis, 1989]. Together with the Hanunuo, the Buhids in some areas possess a pre-Spanish syllabic writing system. The Buhid Mangyans live in the municipalities of Roxas, Bansud, Bongabong and some parts of Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro, and in the municipalities of San Jose and Rizal in Occidental Mindoro. Hanunuo A Hanunuo-Mangyan family [Source: Mangyan Mission] To the Hanunuo, clothing (rutay) is one of the most important criteria in distinguishing the Mangyan from the non-Manyan (damuong). A Hanunuo-Mangyan male wears a loin cloth (ba-ag) and a shirt (balukas). A female wears an indigo-dyed short skirt (ramit) and a blouse (lambung). Many of the traditional style shirts and blouses are embroidered on the back with a design called pakudos, based on the cross shape. This design is also found on their bags made of buri (palm leaf) and nito (black fern), called bay-ong. Both sexes used to wear a twilled rattan belt with pocket (hagkos) at their waist. Long hair is the traditional style for a man. It is tied in one spot at the back of the head with a cloth hair-band called panyo. Women also have long hair often dressed with a headbands of beads. The Hanunuo Mangyans of all ages and both sexes are very fond of wearing necklaces and bracelets of beads [Miyamoto, 1985]. In the past they cultivated cotton trees and from these obtained raw materials which they wove in a crude hand loom called harablon. The process of weaving was called habilan, which starts with the gathering of cotton balls and pilling them to dry in a flat basket (bilao). Afterwards, the seeds are removed and the cotton placed on a mat and beaten by two flat sticks to make it fine. Next the cotton is placed inside a container made out of banana stalks (binuyo) and woven. Noted anthropologist Harold Conklin made an extensive study on the Hanunuo-Mangyan agricultural system in 1953. The Hanunuo Mangyans practise swidden farming. This type of farming is different from the â€Å"kaingin† system practised by non-Mangyans which is often very destructive when it is done with no proper safeguards to prevent the fire from spreading to the surrounding vegetation. A fallow period is also observed so that the swidden farm will revert back to forest. According to Conklin, the Mangyans managed their swidden farms skillfully. In 1995, almost half a century after Con klin’s research, a study on the Hanunuo Mangyans’ swidden farming system was conducted by Hayama Atsuko. She concluded that the Hanunuo Mangyans’ farming practices have prevented land deterioration in spite of the fact that forest land degradation is now evident in their territory due to various factors. Together with their northern neighbor the Buhids, the Hanunuo possess a pre-Spanish writing system, considered to be of Indic origin, with characters expressing the open syllables of the language [Postma, 1981]. This syllabic writing system, called Surat Mangyan, is being taught in several Mangyan schools in Mansalay and Bulalacao. The Hanunuo Mangyans live in the municipalities of Mansalay, Bulalacao, and some parts of Bongabong in Oriental Mindoro, and in the municipality of San Jose in Occidental Mindoro. Ratagnon The Ratagnon live in the southernmost part of the municipality of Magsaysay in Occidental Mindoro. Their language is similar to the Visayan Cuyunon language, spoken by the inhabitants of Cuyo Island in Northern Palawan. The Ratagnon women wear a wrap-around cotton cloth from the waistline to the knees and some of the males still wear the traditional g-string. The women’s breast covering is made of woven nito (vine). They also wear accessories made of beads and copper wire. The males wear a jacket with simple embroidery during gala festivities and carry flint, tinder, and other paraphernalia for making fire. Both sexes wear coils of red-dyed rattan at the waistline. Like other Mangyan tribes, they also carry betel chew and its ingredients in bamboo containers.