SAPEDA, Mica S.
VETM1I
1.
As a science student, I have often encountered the phrase THINK GLOBAL BUT ACT
LOCAL mostly in environmental topics, thus, the first thing that comes in my mind whenever I
come in contact with this quotation is the final and winning answer of Ms. Karen Ibasco as Ms.
Earth 2017. “Our micro efforts will have a macro effects.” It impacted me personally and
awakened a deeper sense of responsibility in me to be more aware and accountable citizen
starting from our community with a universal frame of mind. I can reflect on this statement in a
way that I consider online shopping as my personal coping mechanism whenever I feel blue and
this paved a way for my discovery of locally-derived cosmetic products in several online
shopping platforms such as Shopee. Fortunately, this is where I came across with the Sultry
Cosmetics in which it is a local brand that uses an eco-friendly packaging. Their products are as
unique and competitive as the other international brands; starting from their lip products, they
utilize paper as their main packaging that can be soaked with water and planted on the ground
because they essentially placed seeds of various greeneries. From this, I personally think that I
was able to think global but act local with my simple support of a local brand that visions to
expand internationally with a heart for the environment. When simplified, the concept of
"thinking globally and acting locally" refers to a resolve to alter one's own behavior. It's an
enlightening process of making careful adjustments to eliminate the gaps between our beliefs
and our actions.
2.
Children's growth and academic performance are negatively impacted when they go
without meals and experience hunger. When the children are famished and uncertain about
where their next meal will come from, it is impossible for them to concentrate on their
schoolwork. It is very evident in our country, Philippines, that we currently dwell in a nation
that struggles in ensuring food security within our community. In line with this, government
officials should be accountable and responsible enough to allocate greater funds in the
agricultural sector. Those who are in the most desperate need of urgent access to food can
have that access improved through increasing agricultural output and incomes, supporting fair
trade, and instituting better nutritional practices at all levels. Food security involves more than
just increasing the amount of food that is produced. Improving the competitiveness of an
economy's agriculture and fisheries, as well as implementing policies that are fair and
encourage long-term growth and sustainability among all stakeholders, particularly small
holders such as women, farmers, and fishermen, is required. Moreover, the quote “our micro
efforts will have a macro effects” can also be applied in this topic. We, individuals can also
execute ways to end food insecurity in a way that we can be one with the initiative to plant
even in our homes like the practice of planting through hydroponics wherein it is a subset of
hydroculture that involves the cultivation of plants, most commonly agricultural crops, without
the need of soil through the application of mineral nutrient solutions in aqueous solvents;
hydroponics is a sort of horticulture.
In line with the statement of the Former NEDA Secretary, Mareng Winnie Monsod, that
Weak Peso should be amended to Cheap Peso as the labels greatly affect Philippine economic
recovery including food security, I personally agree with her statement because it is indeed
right that peso depreciation was due to the current dollar appreciation but it is something out
of our reach and control. However, our government has access and capability to manipulate our
trade and deficit, thus, they should be able to propose and execute ways that can widen and
strengthen our exports by making our products more appealing to the global market, hence, we
can experience the advantage of strong dollar that has the ability to subsequently cause food
security in our country.
3.
Philippines is nowadays considered as the call center capital of the world wherein most
American companies greatly rely in our BPO industry in running their businesses. I can greatly
relate with this topic because my sister works in a BPO company and their line of businesses is
mainly US-based. Business process outsourcing has been a boon to companies, allowing them
to streamline their operations with the support of an outside provider. One underlying factor
why American companies favoured our country in running their operations with the Philippines
over other Southeast Asian nations is because of the capability of our workforce to yield a
quality, productive, and competitive work with affordable labor cost. Filipinos were considered
to have an outstanding and efficient communication skills needed to attend with their
customer’s needs especially in troubleshooting their concerns. The Filipino people place a high
emphasis on working hard and putting in consistent effort because they know that success is a
direct result of their efforts. They are reliable workers who put in the necessary time and effort
to complete their responsibilities. New hires at a call center may initially receive P20, 000 per
month in salary, with potential for raises to P30, 000 per month throughout the course of their
employment. This means that any international company interested in hiring Filipino specialists
can do so for a fraction of the cost of hiring a native English speaker. Professionals in the United
States and the United Kingdom command salaries of $20 to $50 per hour, give or take,
depending on their level of expertise and education. Despite their low cost, Filipinos present a
very solid qualification: they are able to speak English with little to no accent.
