THE PHILOSOPHY OF MANO PO

Introduction

It would be a vain enterprise if we would try to contend Filipino philosophy with that of the megalithic brain works of the western philosophers who are obviously diverse and idealistic from our own. Filipinos are engrossed with the scruples of the heart than that of the brain.

You can easily pick a Filipino out of the many by working on the cistern of his emotions – his heart level. And in the same line of argument, a Filipino can be facilely scoped-up among the radically contrastive showcases of value systems around the world by his profound reverence towards elders.

One time, when I happened to step on the frolic and bustling planes of Manila, somebody close-at-heart quoted me that somewhere in Europe, in a particular country, a young child or the youngsters can just pop the name of their elders without the use of venerable salutation; as uncle and auntie, say for example. This mannerism extends perhaps even to the parents – without being reprimanded. Filipinos by world view are non-dualistic, as asserted by Leonardo Mercado.

There is this highly peculiar intimacy of the subject and the known; of the nature and of man; of God and the creatures; of the superiors and the subordinates. Responsibility, by virtue of escalation, lies respectively among the different age group of the family members.

Say, the younger assumes lighter responsibility that of the elder; the elder than of the eldest, and although the parents. However, the youngest assumes the responsibility of the elder as he matures. The youngest and the younger in the family must meticulously observe the proper gestures towards their elders for them not to be reprimanded or be censured. Among the customary gestures inhibited by Filipinos besides the generic po and opo, is the habit of kissing the hand, or as verbally broached by the Filipinos as “Mano Po.” This stuff will be given attention by the proceeding discussions as a one of a kind “specimen” chosen by me.


Etymology and Development

Mano certainly got its spark from the Spanish invaders who sacked the Philippine archipelago for a rich span of four hundred years.

Mano laterally means hand and the proceeding po is a communal parlance denoting a universal Filipino notion of respect. This po almost appears in every Filipino major and sub-languages, and so therefore common, seems stereotypical already. The act of graceful bowing and, more often than not, followed by taking one’s hand and politely kissing it, is a highly formal gesture displayed in western cultures. This is highly carried on especially during visits, engagements and soirées. This doesn’t preclude the Spanish culture that obviously repacked it and laid it down to Filipinos. This is then clear that the development of mano po runs from the pioneering generation down to this contemporary period.


Mechanism

Mano Po is animated by verbal and bodily movements circumscribed by two parties. The one gives or lays his hand, and the later bends a bit foreword, receives the hand and snootily place it just in the midpoint of the forehead. Strictly, it is always the right hand that is given and received. The later must receive it also by the same hand. He must come closer so that the older person will not stretch to much his arms. Consequently, kissing (the hand) seems tenable only to the less conservative western cultures. To the Filipinos, with respect to evolution of mechanism and other probable legends, this takes a formal shift by placing it on the forehead instead. The grown-up in the family or the group usually take the stance of being “kissed” and the younger do the “kissing.”


Character and Basic Notions

Their are various leeway in expressing one’s respect toward the elders, but it seems mano po used to flag the façade of the Filipinos’ standard of respect. Besides the fact that respect is a universal binding moral imperative that beacons to every individual, this further exhibits diverse aesthetic forms; like the one of a kind Mano Po of the Filipinos. This gesture, however, is tainted with a quasi-superstitious belief rampant in every Filipino ideal. That’s why others are quite reluctant to perform or yield-on to such ritual especially the elders, for the belief that their advance age will be hailed and aggravated by doing so. In other words, the frequent laying of hands on the forehead would hasten one’s senescence or old appearance. Another peculiar annotation to mano po is the belief that this would mount the multiplication of gray hairs especially to the old people with evidently graying hairs.

Mano Po by belonging is compartmentalized to the elders or the old people. Following, that once a person inaugurates such act, he is that old enough to be called. Unfortunately, by conscious instinct no body wants to appear old or at least old adults. Mano po runs from the lay or secular highways down to the altar of the religious personalities. Filipinos used to capture the notion that it seems part of the package for the consecrated hands of priests to be kissed, with the sense of exceptional reverence than the common people around. This is so with two viable reasons ahead: for the godly respect due him and the belief that upon performance they themselves (the people) ask for or anticipate for a blessing from the priest, or in the other way around, without further willing by the priest a blessing will by itself just descend from on high. Consequently, they believe they would share the grace with the priest.


Conclusion

Filipinos, if scrutinized form a distant perspective, flowers a sublime upbringing despite being last-in-the-line economic and political achiever compared to other countries. Mano Po, as I consider it, is the first-of-the-line embodiment of a Filipino’s stupendous regard to their fellows. Asserts Leonardo Mercado that Filipinos are rather person oriented than idea oriented. Respect envelops this character, which consequently prompts domino effects on the other lauded Filipino values; such as the overwhelming hospitality, respect for life (by the mean time showcases the delegalization of abortion), respect for mother nature (except for those who utterly disregard their natural duties) and respect for superiors.

It accounts a lot of calories in other denomination to sketch-out their line of respect, but for Filipinos, just a “mano po” talks a lot about him as being a Filipino. To mention my personal identity as also a Filipino, this gesture, which is in danger of trite regard and extinction, is a systematic operating procedure at home. During my childhood years, my mother would (would kick my ass, excuse me) give me a pinch if I would forget to perform mano po during elder visitation or the other way around. That one, that simple, chronicles a lot of me – how am I raised and how am I raising my self.

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FARRAH GRAY Millionaire at Fourteen

"My story, though unique, is not unlike others who began with nothing more than a dream fueled by sheer determination. I believe my story will remind you of the kid in all of us who know no limits and believes anything - and everything - is possible.” – It's no other than Dr. Farrah Gray's personal catchphrase on his socio-economic journey to getting rich inside-out.

Dr. Farrah Gray is one of those seemingly ordinary street slabs scampering academic grounds and who kicked ass with the odds to later be a confessed self-made millionaire at age fourteen.

Raised at the indigent Southern part of Chicago, he's ultimately not a member of the “lucky sperm club” as what Warren Buffett quoted to those born with golden spoons. Gray, like any of us, made good use of his diligence with a sheer persistence and determination. You see, it's not black magic, those are just common platitude of the mind – I said he “made good use” of these common resources.

Later, you'll know how he maid it.

Meanwhile, you'll know that a man who made good use of his mental faculty and see things that needs to be done and did it, is worth noticing.

Farrah Gray is in spotlight too since he was known for his entrepreneurial acumen. He began his airwave supremacy since his maiden interview when he was eleven on KVBC Channel 3. Since then he hits NBC's Good Morning America, ABC World News Tonight, Oprah and Friends, FOX, CBS, Wall Street Journal and a lot more. He was also featured at AOL Black Voices as one of those who made a big splash on Black Making History 2008.

Perhaps, arrayed with Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. Gray was lined among those influential black men in America by the Urban Influence Magazine under National Urban League. Likewise, Ebony Magazine cited him as an entrepreneurial icon, business baron and with his witty inscription, a bestselling author. At 21, he has his Honorary Doctorate degree of Humane Letters from Allen University coupled and due to his advocacy on entrepreneurial values, integrity, philanthropy and leadership. From then, Dr. Gray has been able to speak at the mount with authority and inspired millions of individuals around the globe.


EVERY SINGLE STEP

As promised, you'll know he did it and when did he sparked his current riches. Nonetheless, this might not be much, since the other slice of the pie is on his “9 Steps to Becoming Rich Inside-Out,” his debut on financial as well as self-help book.

When Farrah Gray was six years old, it was said that he started his first entrepreneurial feat by selling body lotion for $1.50, delivered door to door. At age seven, he has been noticed to carry a little business card quoting, Farrah Gray “21st Century CEO” which he carry wherever he goes and whom ever he talked with. Heaven never did forbid him about this; it might even have lost patience because of his persistence. Now he's more than just that, he is a king in a right of his own.

At age nine, Farrah is on a radio show in Las Vegas named “Backstage Live,” where he co-hosted the show. With this program he cached almost 12 million listeners every Saturday. One year further, this ushered him to a more lucrative speaking engagement positing a really rich $5,000 to 10,000 per appearance. Furthermore, at age thirteen Farrah Gray started his first 'company,' the Farr-Out Foods Company, nestled at New York with young people as primary target and clients.

As everybody might have known about him since he was making noise is that, at age 14, he is a SELF- MADE MILLIONAIRE! A simple paradigm of a rags-to-riches enterprise. He grossed $1.5 million under Farr-Out Foods by hitting to that sale. With this, and on the same age, he started NE2W or New Early Entrepreneur Wonders with funds and projects focused on students and learners.

At age 15, he is UNSTOPPABLE! Farrah entertained franchising (or selling) Farr-Out Foods for $1,00,00.00 plus. As part and parcel of his humane endeavor, as philanthropy, he founded the Farrah Gray Foundation, intended for some charitable projects. More on, the U.S. Department Of Commerce commissioned him to oversee an entrepreneurial institute for the Minority Business Development Agency. As young as he is, it deed never mind, if he could be the youngest loud to serve at the Board of Advisor for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. He is the youngest to take it at the same age, and he did it.

When he was 16, he has become more absorbent to more opportunities this world afforded him. He acquired a magazine from Inner City Broadcasting Corporation called Innercity Magazine. A little later he was honored to be the second African-American to own a show production by funding it. The show, Las Vegas Strip is a comedy show he owned which made him seconded Red Foxx.

At age 19, he thinks it might be time to take a little sit and pen things down. He signed his book “Reallionaire” with his publisher HCI ( Health Communications Incorporated) wherein he made his “9 Steps to Becoming Rich from Inside Out.” With the same publisher he co-authored “Chicken Soup for African-American Soul.” Also publisher of the bestselling book series, “Chicken Soup for the Soul.”

At age 20 and beyond, he is at large for total 'amok.' He has become the youngest real estate broker. Later, his book and he himself becomes a bestselling author for “Reallionaire.”

At 21, he was honored with a Mastercard in his name, “GoFarr” Mastercard by First Premiere Bank.

Extending more his socio-economic tentacles, he co-founded Realty Pros a property asset management company, a charitable Spokesman for National Marrow Donor Program African-American Initiative, became a columnist of National Newspapers Publishers Association reaching a 15 million readership, became an AOL Money Coach.

At 23, he released his “Get Real: Get Rich: Conquer the 7 Lies Blocking You from Success.”

At age 24, Realty Pros become a $30 Million asset. Bringing him as well as those working for him hefty sheaves of riches home. And at this point, he might have seated once again for a penning, he launched his book “The Truth Shall Make You Rich: The New Road Map To Radical Prosperity.” One wise way of immortalizing his thoughts and he himself.

At age 24 'till his golden age soon, we have to expect him counting his years of more banknotes on his accounts and more maturity on his sensibility. As of us feeling him from a distance, he seems like diamond in the making. We know that he's getting better and better days through days and experiences through experiences. Turning back to ourselves, we might as well see ourselves wearing our “21st Century CEO” card.

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NANOTECHNOLOGY: Hope and Fear Factor

WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?

Nanotechnology is being categorized under the hood of engineering. Accorded as a branch of engineering that deals with things smaller than 100 nanometers or even smaller. This includes manipulation of individual molecules and sub-particles. Shortened to “nanotech,” this new technological brainchild includes not only manipulation but developing materials, devices or machines within that size.

Associates speculate that this breakthrough might as well breach and/or control matter's building block in an atomic level.

How should a 100 nanometers look like as a technical departure on the development of nanotechnology? Well its comparison is an ordinary pebbles to the size of the earth!

HOW NANOTECHNOLOGY WORKS?

Nanotechnology works on different purposes, the way they are meant to be; such as cosmetics, construction materials, automotive, military and in the field of medicine. We have to bare in mind that nanotechnology works in an ultramicroscopic level that has significant impact on the macroscopic world. If we see equipment and machines that fix, improve and fortify curvy roads and dilapidated buildings, the same machines are used to destroy and put them into rubbles again. Nanotechnology works closely in the same fashion. Little machines can be made to produce or to do something on a material substances.

In the field of medicine for example, nanobots (though still a fancy) are deployed within the bloodstream to search and destroy cancer cells, repair damaged cell structures or even correct DNA imperfections. They can do this at an extremely microscopic size, since these nano agents' scale is smaller than the smallest bacteria in the world. It's like having a construction firm or hospitals with robotic doctors inside your skin.

On some other matter, materials can be enhanced or deduced to something else. Copper, which is opaque in its physical composition, exhibits transparency on its nanoscale properties. The same is through with aluminum which became combustible on its nanoscale despite being made of stable materials. The insoluble properties of gold on a macroscale is subverted in its nanoscale, hence it became soluble. In addition to, gold having an inert chemical composition became a potential chemical catalyst.

PRODUCTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY?

One of the most endearing (would be) products of nanotechnology in its infancy is the creation of “nanorobots” or “nanobots.” This tiny of the tiniest non-biological elements can be programmed to do a particular task both on human body and other things, as what we might have seen on several science-based documentaries and fiction films. Beyond this, some other nano elements are manipulated in a nanoscale to produce highly repellent car windshield, or to make more sturdier metals out of the same materials, since matter behaves differently at its nanoscales.

As of August 21, 2008, the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies estimates that over 800 manufacturer-identified nanotech products are publicly available, with new ones hitting the market at a pace of 3–4 per week. The project lists all of the products in a publicly accessible online inventory. Most applications are limited to the use of "first generation" passive nanomaterials which includes titanium dioxide in sunscreen, cosmetics and some food products; Carbon allotropes used to produce gecko tape; silver in food packaging, clothing, disinfectants and household appliances; zinc oxide in sunscreens and cosmetics, surface coatings, paints and outdoor furniture varnishes; and cerium oxide as a fuel catalyst (from wikipedia). Nanomembranes are being produced to give hope to countries suffering from water problems carrying waterborne diseases, since it's nanoagents cleans, purify, detoxify and desalinate water from impurities. Forbes.com has release Top Ten nanotechnological products which includes specialized footwear(socks), easily washable bed mattress, specialized golf driver and balls, nanosilver wound dressing and a lot more.

From the post at ehow.com, in 2004, Naomi Halas, a professor of chemistry at Rice University, created the nanoshell particle as a possible detector and cure for cancer cells. Nanoshells are round in shape with a gold-coated core and a glass interior. The make-up of the particle would include a sensor and a heat generating element that would be applied inside the cancerous cell, thereby leaving nearby healthy cells intact. The nanoshell particles are injected into the blood stream. Their built-in sensors are made to seek out and attach to only cancerous cells.

HOPE AND FEAR FACTOR

With the dawn of nanotechnology, it brings hope and worries to us, all on both sides of the same coin. On its beneficent side, we've done a lot of talking, nonetheless by itself and at large, it creates, heals and give hope. On the maleficent side it destroys, wounds and give as our fear factor.

One movie I've seen, G.I. Joe (2009), nanotechnology is a spearheading element in the plot of the drama. The Cobra team created weapons of mass destruction through MARS company owned by a weapon expert. The four warheads that they produced are loaded with the nanotechnology's “nanomites” capable of munching up an entire city.

One warhead was released at the belly of Pari's Effel Tower and it deed made havoc taking up the tower halfway through.

On the lighter side, it worth the pay of my half-torn ticket.

Few of the difficulties advocates of this new science have to face are the setbacks it would create. Some of the recently developed nanoparticle products may have unintended consequences. Researchers have discovered that silver nanoparticles used in socks only to reduce foot odor are being released in the wash with possible negative consequences. Silver nanoparticles, which are bacteriostatic, may then destroy beneficial bacteria which are important for breaking down organic matter in waste treatment plants or farms.

Another study at the University of Rochester found that when rats breathed in nanoparticles, the particles settled in the brain and lungs, which led to significant increases in biomarkers for inflammation and stress response(wikipedia). Because of the considerable minute size of the nanoparticles it could possibly infiltrate the brain and the blood barrier in our system. Another things are the nanorobots, if it would be materialized, inside the human body if they get out of control they might as well cause serious consequences, otherwise consoling on the theory that it would self-terminate.

Whatever it is, there's nothing more disgraceful in any human advocacy, than human carelessness.

“In this world, there are more than meets the eyes...” a catchphrase of the Autobots commander Optimus Prime of the blockbuster film The Transformers. It would be the same time true with the world billion times beneath our carcasses and of any other matter on earth. There are worlds far beyond what our naked eyes could see. But those two hollows are just getting keener through time, we're canoeing on both words now, we're on our way imposing our own ideologies and sciences on them trying to see where our mental prowess can dangle extra miles more – hoping things would never be the same again.

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