Ateneo ORSEM 2007: A good overview of the Ateneo way of Law

Last May 28-29, 2007, I attended the Ateneo Orientation Seminar 2007 themed High School Musical at the Ateneo Professional School, Rockwell, Makati. It starte out with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Filoteo A. Mangulabnan. It was a mass with the whole batch. I remember the him mentioning in the Homily about being magis “men for others”. This has long been imbibed to us, Ateneans.

After the mass, we proceeded to the auditorium for some presenations and talks. And on the afternoon we headed to our own classrooms for block discussions and activities. Same goes for the second day, we started out with some presentations and talks in the auditorium and then head on the the classrooms for some activities and the orgtours. Followed by the fun fun ORSEM Night.

There’s nothing much new to say on the activities we had, it was an ordinary ORSEM, except from the fact that I had an extra-ordinary experience and realizations between these two days of ORSEM. I saw how fortunate I am to belong so such a lovely and loving community for my graduate studies. First value I learned, as I have also learned from undergraduate, is the value of excellence and magis. Truly, the Ateneo education is of a distinct high quality. From the stories of our TNTs and friends, I saw how hard it is to survive at the Ateneo Law School (ALS). The standard of education that Ateneo offers is so high that it is really hard to just pass and enter their community, and more so to survive. But it poses as a challenge to me, to us. To prove to the community that they didn’t made a mistake in accepting us. As Dean Candelaria mentioned, “Many are called, but few are chosen…many people would die to be where we are right now…so don’t waste this chance!”.

Another thing, I saw how beautiful and conducive the community is for nothing but the excellent graduate education. I saw the differentiating factor between the ALS and other Law schools in the country. And it inspires me more to do my best! The ALS is a community of good-spirited and helping individuals. There are no crabs at the ALS and they surely know what they want of us to become, Lawyers with soul.

I was just amazed, at least for block 1-E, with how united the people are. Everyone is helping each other in order to achieve our common goal of first and foremost passing, graduating, and becoming good lawyers. I am fortunate to become part of this community and my block 1-E. I am looking forward to knowing more of the people in our block. Go Block 1-E!!! BOOM-KALALA…1-E Rocks!

Add comment May 31st, 2007

What is Estoppel?

Estoppel is a bar or impediment preventing a party from asserting a fact or a claim inconsistent with a position that party previously took, either by conduct or words, esp. where a representation has been relied or acted upon by others.

Grounds / Kinds of Estoppel:

• equitable estoppel:
  an estoppel that prevents a person from adopting a new position that contradicts a previous position maintained by words, silence, or actions when allowing the new position to be adopted would unfairly harm another person who has relied on the previous position to his or her loss called also
  estoppel in pais
  NOTE: Traditionally equitable estoppel required that the original position was a misrepresentation which was being denied in the new position. Some jurisdictions retain the requirement of misrepresentation.

• estoppel by deed: an estoppel precluding a person from denying the truth of any matter that he or she asserted in a deed esp. regarding his or her title to the property

• estoppel by silence: an estoppel preventing a person from making an assertion to another’s disadvantage when the person previously had the opportunity and duty to speak but failed to do so

• file wrap·per estoppel: an estoppel in patent law barring an applicant who has acquiesced in the rejection of a broad claim in the application for a patent from later asserting that a claim deliberately more restricted is equivalent to the original claim called also prosecution history estoppel

• promissory stoppel: an estoppel that prevents a promisor from denying the existence of a promise when the promisee reasonably and foreseeably relies on the promise and to his or her loss acts or fails to act and suffers an injustice that can only be avoided by enforcement of the promise

• quasi estoppel: an equitable estoppel that does not require misrepresentation by one party nor reliance or ignorance by the other party; a bar to the relitigation of issues

• collateral estoppel: estoppel by judgment barring the relitigation of issues litigated by the same parties on a different cause of action; broadly : estoppel by judgment barring the relitigation of issues litigated by the same parties on a different or the same cause of action

• direct estoppel: estoppel by judgment barring the relitigation of issues litigated by the same parties on the same cause of action

• estoppel by judgment: a bar to the relitigation in a second action of issues already determined in a previous action; especially : COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL in this entry called also estoppel by verdict issue preclusion —see also FORMER ADJUDICATION—compare MERGER : the affirmative defense of estoppel—by estoppel: arising from the operation of estoppel; an entrapment by estoppel

1 comment May 26th, 2007

The new chair design of the future

Add comment May 24th, 2007

Say Goodbye to Tony Blair

Yes, 54 years old Prime Minister Tony Blair is set to go on June 27, 2007! He filed his letter of intention to resign as Labour Part Leader last May 10, 2007 to his constituency of Sedgefield.

Tony Blair succeeded John Smith, upon his death, as leader of the British Labour Party last July 1994. During his term, the party abandoned many decades-old policy goals. Blair was indeed, exemplary in his field. As New York Times said, “Tony Blair swept into office in 1997 in a burst of youthful exuberance, and in his early years as prime minister it seemed that he could reshape his country and its politics on the strength of his inexhaustible energy, unflagging smile and seemingly limitless charm alone.”

Blair is the longest-serving prime minister of the Labour Party. He was the only person to have led the party to three consecutive general election victories, and the only Labour prime minister to serve more than one full consecutive term. He did exceptionally well as a prime minister and he will surely be missed.

Gordon Brown, previously considered for the position of Prime Minister upon Smith’s death, is to take over Blair’s seat starting June 27, 2007.

Farewell to Tony Blair as Prime Minister of United Kingdom. Welcome back to the plain and simple life!

1 comment May 23rd, 2007

Viagra to aid on jet lag

Viagra (scientifically known as “sildenafil citrate”) is no longer a mere blue pills for male impotence. It has recently been found that viagra pills can help recover from jet lag up to 50 percent faster.

Pfizer, the world’s largest drug maker, is marketing Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction, as approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1998. However, recent research has found Viagra to also help re-set the body’s internal clock, aiding to a faster recovery from jet-lags. Researches said that Viagra interferes with an enzyme that lowers levels of a naturally occurring compound that plays a role in the regulation of teh circadian cycle (body’s internal clock).

Scientists conducted a test on adult male hamsters to check for the validity of the research. And the result for the test was positive. Viagra did help the hamster adjust well on jet-lag. However, it was only helpful on eastbound flights, and not on westbound flights. Also, this research is yet to be tested on humans.

This shows a good potential for the Viagra market. Who knows, one day, a sexy flight attendant may be giving you a blue pill as you board the plane. But until then, men can simply enjoy viagra as prescribed by doctors.

Add comment May 23rd, 2007

Was caught off-guard by Akismet Spam

Waaahh…I just found out that there were legitimate comments on my Akismet Spam folder…and I managed to save only 2 comments..huhuhu… For a while I thought nobody is reading my posts anymore…or at least the readers are no longer as engaged as before…then I tried checking my Akismet Spam comments and found 2 comments from frends there…if I ignored the spam comments, as I used to do, they will automatically be trashed in a few more days…and that could be the reason why I’m not getting comments lately with the posts…huhuhu…so for those who have posted comments before and I didn’t get to approve them or they were not posted…I’m really sorry…it is the first time I used Akismet and I was caught off-guard…I didn’t know it could also block legitimate comments, beside spams. Heheheh…sorry for my stupidity Feel free to post comments the next time you drop by…I’ll check my Akismet spam folder from now on ^_^

Add comment May 18th, 2007

Ah My Goddess OVA 1

This anime is dear to me…check it out…^_^

Add comment May 17th, 2007

Condom I.Q. Test

This test originates from Men’s Health! What you don’t know–could hurt you!!! Try this one and post comments for your answers…you might help other readers by sharing your knowledge! If you don’t know the answers…keep track of this post until someone answers the questions for you! Or beg for others to answer specific questions that bug you. ^_^ Enjoy!

1. The best way to put on a condom is?
* Place it on the head of the penis and unroll it all the way to the base
* Remove it from the package, unroll it and pull it over the penis
* Remove it from package, inflate it and pull over the penis like a sock
* Without even removing it from the packaging

2. The proper way to remove a latex condom from its package is?
* By tearing the packaging in half down the middle
* By opening it before you need it and placing it on a bedside table just in case
* By tearing off just the top of the foil package, being careful not to rip the condom
* By using your teeth

3. Next to abstinence, the most effective protection against sexually transmitted diseases is proper condom use. Yet, some people still won’t use condoms because?
* They’re too embarrassed to buy them
* They trust their partner’s health and assurances
* They do not take the risks seriously
* It’s too much effort

4. Carrying condoms in your wallet may?
* Keep you prepared
* Damage the condoms and the packaging
* Wear off the expiration date
* Make you feel really cool

5. The following should never be used as a lubricant with latex condoms?
* K-Y Jelly
* Vaseline
* Water
* Silicone gel

6. Latex condoms should be stored?
* In the refrigerator
* In your wallet
* In a dry, cool place
* In a bedside drawer

7. Packaged condoms that are coated with a spermicide are good for approximately?
* 12 months
* 3 years
* 5 years
* 6 sex partners

8. Packaged condoms are good for approximately?
* 12 months
* 3 years
* 5 years
* 2 weeks at Club Med

9. The condoms that provide the most protection are made from?
* Natural animal membranes
* Latex rubber
* Silicone-coated linen
* Polyurethane

Add comment May 17th, 2007

Diet with Less the Fat and the Cost + More Flavors

Dieting these days remain for the well-off and determined persons.  Because to effectively do so, one would have to eat healthy and rich in dietary fiber foods, which equates to expensive and tasteless ones.

One could fight the fats on foods by bringing more flavor to one’s dishes!  This is tasty and less costly, plus it is good for your diet.  Small serving of a more flavored dish could satisfy your tummy as a big serving meal could do.

Add comment May 16th, 2007

Powerfoods to shrink you gut…

1) Almonds and Other Nuts
Eat them with skins intact.

Superpowers: Building muscle, fighting food cravings
Secret weapons: Protein, monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, folate (in peanuts), fiber, magnesium, phosphorus
Fight against: Obesity, heart disease, muscle loss, cancer
Sidekicks: Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, avocados
Impostors: Salted or smoked nuts. High sodium spikes blood pressure.

2) Beans and Other Legumes
Including soybeans, chickpeas, pinto beans, navy beans, kidney beans, lima beans.

Superpowers: Building muscle, helping burn fat, regulating digestion
Secret weapons: Fiber, protein, iron, folate
Fight against: Obesity, colon cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure
Sidekicks: Lentils, peas, bean dips, hummus, edamame
Impostors: Refried beans, which are high in saturated fats; baked beans, which are high in sugar.

3) Spinach and Other Green Vegetables
Superpowers: Neutralizing free radicals (molecules that accelerate the aging process)

Secret weapons: Vitamins including A, C, and K; folate; beta-carotene; minerals including calcium and magnesium; fiber
Fight against: Cancer, heart disease, stroke, obesity, osteoporosis
Sidekicks: Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and brussels sprouts; green, yellow, red, and orange vegetables such as asparagus, peppers, and yellow beans
Impostors: None, as long as you don’t fry them or smother them in fatty cheese sauces.

4) Dairy Products
Fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese.

Superpowers: Building strong bones, firing up weight loss
Secret weapons: Calcium, vitamins A and B12, riboflavin, phosphorus, potassium
Fight against: Osteoporosis, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer
Sidekicks: None
Impostors: Whole milk, frozen yogurt

5) Instant Oatmeal
Unsweetened, unflavored.

Superpowers: Boosting energy and sex drive, reducing cholesterol, maintaining blood-sugar levels
Secret weapons: Complex carbohydrates and fiber
Fights against: Heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, obesity
Sidekicks: High-fiber cereals like All-Bran and Fiber One
Impostors: Sugary cereals

6) Eggs

Superpowers: Building muscle, burning fat
Secret weapons: Protein, vitamins A and B12
Fight against: Obesity
Sidekicks: Egg Beaters, which have fewer calories than eggs and no fat, but just as much of the core nutrients
Impostors: None

7) Turkey and Other Lean Meats
Lean steak, chicken, fish.

Superpowers: Building muscle, improving the immune system
Secret weapons: Protein, iron, zinc, creatine (beef), omega-3 fatty acids (fish), vitamins B6 (chicken and fish) and B12, phosphorus, potassium
Fight against: Obesity, mood disorders, memory loss, heart disease
Sidekicks: Shellfish, Canadian bacon, omega-3 rich flaxseed
Impostors: Sausage, bacon, cured meats, ham, fatty cuts of steak like T-bone and rib eye

8 ) Peanut Butter
All-natural, sugar-free.

Superpowers: Boosting testosterone, building muscle, burning fat
Secret weapons: Protein, monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, niacin, magnesium
Fights against: Obesity, muscle loss, wrinkles, cardiovascular disease
Sidekicks: Cashew and almond butters
Impostors: Mass-produced sugary and trans fatty peanut butters

9) Olive Oil

Superpowers: Lowering cholesterol, boosting the immune system
Secret weapons: Monounsaturated fat, vitamin E
Fights against: Obesity, cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure
Sidekicks: Canola oil, peanut oil, sesame oil
Impostors: Other vegetable and hydrogenated vegetable oils, trans fatty acids, margarine

10) Whole-Grain Breads and Cereals

Superpowers: Preventing your body from storing fat
Secret weapons: Fiber, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc
Fight against: Obesity, cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease
Sidekicks: Brown rice, whole-wheat pretzels, whole-wheat pastas
Impostors: Processed bakery products like white bread, bagels, and doughnuts; breads labeled wheat instead of whole wheat

11) Extra-Protein (Whey) Powder

Superpowers: Building muscle, burning fat
Secret weapons: Protein, cysteine, glutathione
Fights against: Obesity
Sidekick: Ricotta cheese
Impostor: Soy protein

12) Raspberries and Other Berries

Superpowers: Protecting your heart, enhancing eyesight, improving memory, preventing cravings
Secret weapons: Antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, tannins (cranberries)
Fight against: Heart disease, cancer, obesity
Sidekicks: Most other fruits, especially apples and grapefruit
Impostors: Sugary jellies

Add comment May 11th, 2007